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19th June, 2007 - 8:58 pm
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| Current Features |
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TEAM RANKINGS: NBA Team Rankings For The Week Of November 4th
Kevin Garnett is back, Rajon Rondo is signed, Rasheed Wallace has arrived and Paul Pierce is as bad as ever. The Celtics are very, very easily ranked first in our first rankings of the 09-10 season. How do the other 29 teams compare?
SCOOP DU JOUR: Statistical Analysis Board, Rondo, Yankees On The Verge & More
Rajon Rondo's surprising extension, RealGM's new forum, locker room wresting, Brandon Jennings and more.
STANDING 10: PER Makes Offseason Decisions By Detroit Look Odd
The Pistons had a positive net PER at three positions during the 08-09 season, which were the three positions Joe Dumars attempted to improve in free agency and the draft.
LOCKER TALK: Nash, Cleveland, & Orlando
Steve Nash could draw trade interest this summer and Cleveland isn’t overlooking Orlando…
PLAYER RANKINGS: The Final NBA Player Rankings For The 2008-09 Season
The 2008-09 season is in the books and how did players rank individually?
CLASSICS: Hakeem Vs. Ewing: Who Was The Better Center?
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
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By Christopher Reina
Center. Ohio State
As evidenced by Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, Kevin Garnett in Minnesota, LeBron James in Cleveland, etc., franchise players run the franchise these days and GM’s ultimately work for them, so it is time for Kevin Pritchard to finally get on board with his future boss. Unless he is doing something more than merely kicking Kevin Durant\'s tires.
Small Forward. Texas
Sam Presti’s former employers have had Tim Duncan to build around over the past ten years and while Kevin Durant isn’t Duncan, his versatility will offer the new GM plenty of ways to build.
Point Guard. Ohio State
The very loud ‘Atlanta likes Horford’ buzz smells like a smokescreen. Conley and Horford will both be working out for the Hawks on the 25th and I believe Conley will still be their man and that this is an attempt to trade down. I would much rather leave the draft with Conley and Thaddeus Young/Al Thornton than with Horford and Javaris Crittenton/Acie Law.
Power Forward. Florida
While the Grizzlies need a point guard, putting the physical Al Horford between Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol will improve the play of both players as much as a great point guard such as Conley would. Tony Barone is known to be very high on Horford and new GM Chris Wallace is coming from a franchise that wisely stuck by Al Jefferson.
Power Forward. North Carolina
Wright has been very impressive in his workouts and remains the unquestioned third best player in this draft in my estimation, as well as several college coaches that I\'ve talked to. No matter if the Celtics are trying to win now or win in the future, Wright will have the biggest impact on making the franchise a winner again. Wright, Al Jefferson and Paul Pierce may not exactly be Bird, McHale and Parish, but it is a frontline that will be amongst the best two or three in the entire NBA.
Small Forward. Florida
Despite being so lean, Brewer is extremely tough and his elevation and long arms will lead him to develop into one of the best rebounding small forwards in the NBA. This is an obvious benefit for the Bucks since big men Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva aren’t married to the paint. The rise on his jumpshot lends nicely to the dying midrange game, which will offset Michael Redd on the other wing. Execs like his make-up and his versatility and is the biggest ‘can’t miss’ outside of the top-two.
Center. Washington
Hawes has modeled his game after Kevin McHale and Tim Duncan and with Kevin Garnett looking like he may have played his final game with the Wolves, there could be a lot more room for the club to look long-term. Before the Juwan Howard trade, Joakim Noah looked like the natural fit to contribute immediately, but it appears as though Minnesota is now going in a different direction.
Small Forward. Georgetown
Green has been going through the process while projecting that he would have no problem at all returning to school and it is likely that he got positive feedback from the Bobcats when they watched him workout at Georgetown. Green is a versatile big wing, which falls in line with the versatility they already have and some of it which they may be losing, Gerald Wallace.
Power Forward. Florida
Noah bumps down two spots from the previous mock, but it is to a familiar place and the perfect place for him. This will be a no-brainer for Chicago if he remains on the board with the ninth selection, with the only thing that could change it is if they are for drafting another team (i.e.: Kobe Bryant deal). Noah works hard and loves to play defense, two prerequisites to playing in Chicago.
Power Forward. China
The Kings have seen Yi workout, but could be swayed to drop down to the Sixers’ slot for an additional first rounder. In order for a player like Yi Jianlian to become special, he needs to be a really special player and from the footage I’ve seen, I feel the likelihood is relatively small. Players of this ilk who do not become great scorers rarely find a niche in the NBA doing anything else and this is where the real risk lies.
Small Forward. Georgia Tech
We will only know the true intentions of what the Hawks will do here when the third pick is announced. The versatile Young has shown the fundamentals to put together an offensive game that matches his athletic abilities. With two lottery picks, I would go safe early and risky late.
Combo Forward. Florida State
Thornton pulled out of a Monday workout with the Sixers due to a sprained ankle, but has rescheduled for next Monday. For a team without a pure scorer on their roster, Thornton would be a godsend. Danny Ainge believes the Florida State forward is the second best scorer in the draft.
Small Forward. Kansas
Wright still hasn’t scheduled a workout with the Hornets, but he has been only working out for top-ten teams thus far. None of the concerns about Wright’s outside shooting have been alleviated during his workouts, but New Orleans remains an ideal spot for him.
Point Guard. Georgia Tech
Crittenton is Dwight Howard’s Mike Conley, as the two played together in high school, but it looks to me like Elton Brand will be his NBA running mate. Acie Law has looked like the pick for the Clippers here, but half-measures do not produce results in the Western Conference and Crittenton’s ceiling is too alluring to pass on. Crittenton calls the Clippers \'a perfect situation\' and I agree.
Shooting Guard. USC
Young has been very impressive in his workouts, going toe-to-toe against Corey Brewer. He is extremely athletic and gives the ageing Detroit backcourt an element that has been severely missing.
Shooting Guard. Spain
The Wizards have recently been impressed by Marco Belinelli, so they should instead draft the rich man’s Belinelli, Rudy Fernandez.
Power Forward. Colorado State
Smith has a nice blend of offensive abilities and athleticism, which exceeds that of the other big man options during this section of the draft.
Power Forward. BC
Williams has been working out in Houston with John Lucas and has been impressing execs who have made the trip to watch him. As impressive of a shot blocker and rebounder he is, Williams’ abilities with the ball are better than advertised. He has good hands and a soft shot to go with his explosive dunking abilities. Lucas compares him to Amare Stoudemire and if he’s here at 18 for the Warriors, they can atone for passing on STAT for Mike Dunleavy.
Shooting Guard. Eastern Washington
Many people feel the Pistons will go with Stuckey with the 15th pick, but I believe they will get cold feet and go with Young if he’s on the board. The following three teams would likely pass on the Eastern Washington combo guard. The Lakers pick though will be heavily impacted with what happens in the Kobe Bryant saga.
Point Guard. Texas A&M
If Law, Crittenton or Stuckey are available with this pick, Miami will jump at the opportunity to insert them into their backcourt. Law, also working out with John Lucas, would be a massive steal and make an immediate impact in the NBA with this club.
Shooting Guard. Ohio State
The Sixers like Cook even though they realize he remains a work in progress, but his combination of perimeter shooting and athleticism has become a very rare combination.
The Sixers could risk passing on Cook here with the possibility of drafting him at 30, but Billy King would be advised to be leery of letting Isiah Thomas or Kevin O’Connor swoop in on him since he would be a fit for both clubs.
Guard/Forward. Vanderbilt
Byars might have hurt himself by skipping Orlando, but his body of work is more extensive than other players in the draft. The Bobcats have a nice collection of young talent, but are still missing someone they can count on to score and Byars could be that kind of player for Sam Vincent. Byars is one of the best players in this class at creating his own shot off the dribble and is also a good spot-up perimeter shooter.
Shooting Guard. Italy
Isiah Thomas insists on drafting for need and I still insist that Belinelli would fill that need better than anyone else remaining on the board. Scouts walked away from this year’s Eurocamp very impressed with what they saw.
Power Forward. Brazil
The Suns do not necessarily care whether or not he comes over this year and with it appearing as if either Diaw, Marion or Stoudemire will be traded, a spare offensively talented frontcourt player would be a nice addition.
Shooting Guard. UCLA
Affalo seems custom made for Utah, with sound play on both ends of the floor and the ability to play the shooting guard position, but still defer to Deron Williams at the point.
Power Forward. Duke
Devon Hardin taking himself out of the draft was bad news for Houston, as will be the 17th and 18th picks when power forwards high on Morey’s list are removed from his board. McRoberts is a steal here though and could become the supplemental scorer they so desperately need.
Point Guard. Nevada
Sessions has been very impressive in his workouts and is why I believe the Pistons decide to pass on Stuckey at fourteen. He averaged 12 points and nearly 5 assists per game during his junior season with Nevada.
Point Guard. Florida
A bigger point guard might be preferred, but with a system that works as flawlessly as San Antonio’s does, seamless interchangeable parts are preferred. Green would immediately become one of the best back-up point guards in the NBA and is the Spurs’ most glaring position of need.
Shooting Guard. Arizona
The loss of Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson has been overlooked and while Bell has become a nice defensive upgrade and Barbosa has become one of the most explosive players in the NBA, they could use some of what those departed players brought to the 04-05 team.
Combo Guard. USC
Henry Bibby will certainly lobby for the USC point guard for a team that could use a steady young ball handler to be Andre Miller\'s understudy.
Second Round
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Small Forward. Wisconsin
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Point Guard. Espoon Honka
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Shooting Guard. Rice
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Center. SK Cherksassy
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Point Guard. Oregon
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Power Forward. Nevada
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Small Forward. North Carolina
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Center. Pittsburgh
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Small Forward. Boston College
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Small Forward. DePaul
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Small Forward. Fresno State
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Power Forward. Purdue
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Shooting Guard. Ohio State
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Center. LSU
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Combo Guard. Olympiakos
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Small Forward. Syracuse
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Power Forward. France
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Center. Spain
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Center. Wake Forest
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Point Guard. Oklahoma State
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Point Guard. Fullerton
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Shooting Guard. Maryland
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Point Guard. Arizona
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Small Forward. Fresno State
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Shooting Guard. Iowa
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Point Guard. SD State
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Power Forward. Mass
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Shooting Guard. China
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Power Forward. Alabama
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Power Forward. Providence
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