I just posted my draft preview, which I think came out pretty well. This
is my mock
draft, which I will be posting at the end of the week.
1.
Wizards -- Kwame Brown. Jordan was in love with Darius Miles last year, and this
guy is even better. Michael of all people is not wowed by strength (Curry)
or Height (Chandler)
over skill and athleticism. Griffin is a possibility,
but this guy is more Michael's type of player, I think.
2. Clippers --
GM Elgin Baylor is said to be in love with local straight-outta-compton product
Tyson Chandler. Dumb pick, I know, but it's not the first time.
3.
Hawks -- Shane Battier. Young Hawks need maturity, and a solid citizen to sell
to diffident
fans. They say they plan to draft Shane, anyway.
4.
Bulls- Curry. Local product might well have been taken by Krause at number one.
No need
to fret for "Crumbs."
5. Warriors -- Eddie Griffin. Best
available athlete; can't drop any more.
6. Grizzlies -- Jason
Richardson. Said to like him best at six; seen as replacement for Miles
Dickinson to form yet another "dream backcourt" with Mike Bibby.
7.
New Jersey -- Rodney White. Guy is zooming up the charts; provides much-needed
athleticism
at forward spot, and there is no doubt he will play next year;
Marbury will be gone without real improvement soon.
8. Cavs -- Pau
Gasol. Too big a talent to pass up, and even after his buyout he will make
$190,000;
more than enough for cigarettes and protein shakes, and brings him
one year closer to free agency.
His agent isn't stupid.
9. Detroit
-- Dasagana Diop. Beside themselves at chance to get a franchise center this
late in the draft.
10. Boston -- Joe Johnson. the ball is dominated in
Boston by Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce, so
Johnson is a natural pick here.
Besides being a great athlete, he has great court sense and floor skills,
and can contribute without the ball so much, though when he has it his
skills will take pressure off the big two.
11. Boston -- Zach Randolph.
The Celtics have no low-post threat at all, their centers being primarily jump
shooting defenders. Walker plays a lot on the perimeter now, and will
actually be playing point for part of games.
So Bradley is a possibility
here, but I suspect Boston will opt for Zach Randolph, with his great upside
potential
and superior rebounding.
12. Seattle -- Mike Bradley. They
need a low-post threat, particularly as they are looking to unload Vin Baker.
13. Houston -- Richard Jefferson. Super athletic shooter/defender will
fit right in in Houston at the three spot.
The Rockets will look to take a
big man with their next first round pick, 18.