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NBCSports.com Says West/Ridnour Celtics Picks
(Don't think Ridnour will be available; West seems like he's heading
towards late first).
First-round draft predictions
A prediction on how the first round of the NBA draft will go, from
NBCSports.com contributor Ray Glier.
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TEAM NAME POS. HT. WT. PREVIOUS TEAM
1. Cleveland LeBron James G 6-8 240 Akron, Ohio (HS)
This will be the benchmark pick for the Cleveland franchise for years
to come. James should be an NBA star, but before that happens hell get
a coach fired for the team not meeting expectations with him in the
lineup.
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2. Detroit Darko Milicic PF 7-0 245 Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia)
What a grab for the Pistons! They needed size in the middle and they
get it. They need a guy to fit with their intense attitude and they get
it. They needed some more points and they get it. Better than Nowitzki?
A lot of people think so. Milicic is a combo forward who can put it on
the floor and can shoot it ... and hes a 7-footer.
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3. Denver Carmelo Anthony SF 6-8 220 Syracuse
Once upon a time, being the best player in college basketball earned
you the No. 1 pick overall. Times have changed, but theres still room
for a player who does everything like Melo. He will have more impact his
first season than James or Milicic. The Nuggets know they have a special
small forward who can play at a high level in big games. Better than the
scoring -- for now -- is his ability to make his teammates better.
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4. Toronto Chris Bosh PF 6-11 210 Georgia Tech
The Raptors dropped out of the top 3 and will miss on Anthony, but they
could use front court depth, so Bosh looks like the pick. He looks too
thin for the NBA, but he has a big upside and can add scoring. GM Glen
Grunwald could package this pick in a trade, but its not likely hell
trade away a potential All-Star.
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5. Miami T.J. Ford PG 5-10 165 Texas
Here is the nucleus: Caron Butler, Eddie Jones, Brian Grant and
Mourning. Whats missing? A point guard. There are some things to
question, though. I look at Ford and dont see the typical Riley point
guard; a scorer. Fords range is questionable; hes 5-10 (maybe). But he
can play. A lot might depend on whether they keep Mourning.
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6. L.A. Clippers Chris Kaman C 7-0 255 Central Michigan
The Clips might let Michael Olowokandi walk, so they need a big man.
Theyll grab Kaman, a 7-footer who can move his feet and doesnt mind
touching the ball with his off hand.
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7. Chicago Dwyane Wade SG 6-4 200 Marquette
The Bulls are looking for a dynamic player to come off the wing. Heres
their guy. He could even play some point guard for them. Listed at 6-4,
Wade plays bigger and will be a very good pro.
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8. Milwaukee Mike Sweetney PF 6-8 260 Georgetown
The Bucks are in the market for low-post help, specifically a power
forward. Sweetney didnt get much credit for a terrific year in the Big
East because of some other top players, but hes a diligent player who
is older and more savvy than many players in the draft.
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9. New York Maciej Lampe PF 7-0 233 Real Madrid (Spain)
The Knicks need a big. They could really chase New Orleans free agent
P.J. Brown, but they can go for the best player remaining on the board,
the 7-foot Lampe. Hes young, but the Knicks need to get younger and
stay away from spent NBA veterans who dont work out.
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10. Washington Jarvis Hayes SF 6-7 220 Georgia
The bald Hayes is not going to make anyone forget about the Bald One
who was just kicked out of town. But Hayes is an exciting player who can
make shots from anywhere on the floor. Hes muscular, can run, and has
some moves to go with the shot.
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11. Golden State Kirk Hinrich PG 6-3 190 Kansas
Forever in the market for a point guard, the Warriors grab Hinrich over
Oregons Luke Ridnour. Hes not as flashy as Ridnour, but Hinrich is
always moving and hustling ... and he can shoot it.
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12. Seattle Anderson Varejao PF 6-10 230 FC Barcelona (Spain)
The Sonics have said they need a big forward they can trust and, for
now, Varejao is the third best international player out there and
perhaps the best bet. There is some question whether he will stay in the
draft. If he doesnt expect Nick Collison to move up.
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13. Memphis Mickael Pietrus SG 6-6 200 Pau Orthez (France)
My hunch is the Griz were hoping Wade would fall to them. If the
Marquette star does fall, somebody higher up in the draft is going to be
sorry. Memphis was desperate for a star in this draft and it almost
happened with the ping pong balls. They settle for a very good athlete
in this French wing, a 6-foot-6 slasher with a medium-range jumper.
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14. Seattle Nick Collison PF 6-9 250 Kansas
The Sonics need rebounding and inside defense, and Collison will help
both with a strong work ethic. His play in big games has earned him some
status in this draft. He can run the floor and score, in addition to
getting on the boards.
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15. Orlando Reece Gaines PG 6-6 185 Louisville
It might be a stretch to think he can be the point guard the Magic are
looking for, but he has some tools. Gaines will take charge of a team
and he can break down a smaller point guard and get some shots.
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16. Boston David West PF 6-8 232 Xavier
Vin Baker wont help when he comes back and who knows about Antoine
Walker. He didnt look like much in the playoffs. West's inside
determination can change the Celtics' ridiculous reliance on the
3-pointer. Yeah, the Celtics need a point guard, but the need for a
power forward who will fight Kenyon Martin is a priority, too.
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17. Phoenix Zarko Cabarkapa F 6-11 230 Buducnost (Serbia)
Hes down the list with some scouts, into the late 20s of the first
round. But the scout I talked to has him rated 18-22. Considering
Phoenix needs some rebounding help this should be their guy.
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18. New Orleans Boris Diaw SF 6-8 201 Pau Orthez (France)
A lot is going to depend on the new hire as head coach. If its Mike
Fratello, hes going to have a lot of say in the player taken here. The
best available player at No. 18 would be Diaw, a very good athlete and
strong defender. Hes the fifth or sixth best international player in
the draft.
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19. Utah Leandro Barbosa PG 6-3 190 Bauru Tilibra (Brazil)
The Jazz could have all kinds of cash if Karl Malone doesnt return.
They could make a play for point guard Andre Miller and Pacers forward
Jermaine ONeal, among others. Barbosa is a good idea at point guard
because he has quickness, size, and hes aggressive with the ball.
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20. Boston Luke Ridnour PG 6-2 175 Oregon
If Red Auerbachs making the pick he goes for the 7-foot-4 Russian
Pavel Podkoizine because thats what you do in basketball ... you get
the big guy. Danny Ainge needs to come up with a find like Tony Parker
to run his team. Ridnour is a point guard who can run with Pierce and
change the look of a team that has relied too much on the 3.
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21. Atlanta Carlos Delfino SG 6-7 191 Fortitudo Bologna (Italy)
The Hawks need a big guard so they could chase this 6-7 big guard/small
forward and see how he works out. He is supposed to be top-drawer
defensively, which is just what the Hawks need. Even if he just tries to
play defense that would be an improvement for this club.
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22. New Jersey Alexander Pavlovic SG 6-7 207 Buducnost (Serbia)
An agile player on the break who loves to get out and dunk, according
to one scout. A Richard Jefferson type player in transition, but with
more moves. The kind of fast, aggressive big guard the Nets have given
Jason Kidd a chance to work with.
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23. Portland Mario Austin PF 6-8 265 Mississippi St.
I think the Blazers need a better lead guard than Damon Stoudamire. He
shoots too much for a guy who isn't consistent and he doesn't find
Rasheed Wallace enough in the clutch. There might not be a suitable
point guard available so Austin looks like best available. He's solidly
built, but I see him more as medium-range player than back-to-the basket
type. He can run with the Blazers.
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24. L.A. Lakers Brian Cook PF 6-10 240 Illinois
I think Cook could go higher than the 24th pick in the draft. Hes
almost 7-feet and he can shoot outside and go inside. The Lakers will
probably get some physical help for Shaq inside, so they should grab
Cook and see where he settles, low-post or medium-range scorer.
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25. Detroit Sofoklis Schortsianitis PF 6-9 280 Iraklis (Greece)
Nicknamed Baby Shaq (another one nicknamed Baby Shaq?), he has a lot
of muscle. Still young and raw, but the NBA doesnt seem to mind those
traits. Pistons are a guard-oriented team that can use some help inside
for Ben Wallace.
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26. Minnesota Marcus Moore PG 6-6 182 Washington State
A big point guard who can help the T-Wolves solve their issue in the
backcourt. Minnesota went through a lot of point guards after Terrell
Brandon was hurt. Moore is at least a junior, so the NBA isnt getting a
green player.
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27. Memphis Zaur Pachulia PF 6-10 240 Ulker Spor Istanbul (Turkey)
The Grizz need a big man inside and this 6-11 power forward from the
Republic of Georgia fits their needs. Hes solid inside as far as
rebounding and shot-blocking, but needs help offensively.
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28. San Antonio Jerome Beasley PF 6-10 241 North Dakota
Created some buzz with his play at Portsmouth. A reach to get into the
first round, but he turned some heads. Just like the Spurs to uncover
another semi-overlooked prospect.
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29. Dallas Marquis Estill PF 6-10 235 Kentucky
No, he doesnt fit the mold of the run-and-gun Mavs. But at some point
there has to be some beef inside to combat opponents like Tim Duncan.
Estill has some skill around the basket and he can find open shooters
outside.
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