NBA Draft 2007

I'm stoked. I'm assuming it's gonna be Oden to Portland, and Durant to Seattle...but after those first two picks, even Chad Ford and Bill Simmons really aren't sure who will go where. I'll keep ya updated on the teams' first round picks, and my personal thoughts and analysis on them. Here we go from the 212 area code:

Selection #1: Greg Oden goes to the Portland Trailblazers.
The time has come...anyone shocked? Shouldn't be. Greg Oden goes to Portland from Ohio State University. Portland is gonna instantly be a playoff contender in the Western Conference next season.

Selection #2: Kevin Durant from the University of Texas goes to Seattle at #2. No surprises with these two picks. Durant is going to be a stud, but I'm not sure if he's going to be as dominant a force as Oden in the West. Portland seems to be better right now than Seattle, so I don't necessarily see the Sonics making the Western Conference playoffs next year even with Durant. Seems like they'll need to trade for another player to complement Rachard Lewis and Kevin. Anyways, #3 is next...here's where the real intrigue begins.

Selection #3: Al Horford to the Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford goes to the Hawks at #3...they made the conservative pick, and probably the right one. They could use a point guard like Conley, but I believe that Horford is the most ready NBA player. He has great strength, good post moves and is a very intelligent kid in general. Also, I personally believe that Acie Law is more NBA ready at this moment than Mike Conley Jr., and Atlanta needs to win NOW! Next is Memphis at #4.

Selection #4: Mike Conley to the Memphis Grizzlies
Nothing shocking here so far...Mike Conley goes to Memphis at #4. I'm not necessarily sold on Conley as of yet, which is why I won't criticize Atlanta for going with Horford. I still feel that Acie Law is going to be a phenomenal NBA point guard who will be just as good if not better than Conley, and Atlanta can probably get him at #11. Anyways, this is probably the right pick by Memphis at #4...they went by the book and you can't fault them for that.

Selection #5: Jeff Green is going to Seattle via Boston!
Hahah Bill Simmons is going to have a stroke. Boston is trading their #5 selection (Jeff Green) who was an absolute stud at Georgetown, Wally Sczerbiak, and Delonte West, for an aging Ray Allen. Wow. Boston gets Ray Allen, who's essentially the same player as Paul Pierce. Seattle now has gotten Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Wally Sczerbiak, and Delonte West. That is going to be a phenomenal team within three seasons. Boston blows it again....I cant wait to read Bill Simmons' reaction on this blunder. Next is Milwaukee at #6...

Selection #6: Yi Jianlian goes to the Milwaukee Bucks
With the 6th selection, Yi Jianlian goes to Milwaukee. This pick was sort of surprising. No one is doubting Yi's talent...from all possible reports I've read, he's an amazing talent, and has had success against American competition. But, he's going to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...a city with SIX natives of China. Not sure if he'll be happy with that, although it's not like Yao's adopted home of Houston is much better. Wouldn't shock me if Yi was traded to Golden State or a larger market team in the near future, but for now...Milwaukee seems to have made the correct selection.

Selection #7: Corey Brewer goes to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Stephen A. Smith needs to stop talking. Come on Jay Bilas...put Stephen in his place. He has been making an absurd amount of ridiculous comments already, and only six teams have made selections. Corey Brewer goes to the Timberwolves...I think this kid is going to be really good. It's too bad Kevin Garnett doesn't really give a shit. People are questioning his offense...did you see him destroy teams from the perimeter in the NCAA's? I know the NBA is far tougher than college, but is offense shouldn't be questioned. He will be a very solid player, similar to Jeff Green from G'town and now Seattle. Good pick by Minnesota. This has been a pretty clean draft so far, except for the Celtics' expected fuck-up. The Charlotte Bobcats are next at #8...

Selection #8: Brandan Wright to the Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats make a slightly surprising pick at 8 with Brandan Wright from UNC. Jay Bilas loves this kid, comparing him to the Raptors' Chris Bosh. Not sure if he'll be that good, but what I have seen from him this season, he's pretty solid. He was the 3-time Tennessee state player of the year in high school, which is pretty damn impressive. I believe he does need to put on some weight, and I don't know if he can be a dominant power forward this season. Within three seasons? Maybe. But like Atlanta, Charlotte needs to win sooner rather than later, and in order for that to occur, ONE proven veteran to complement Okafor and now Wright is badly needed. It wouldn't surprise me to hear of Wright being traded for a proven veteran in the coming hours or days.
Selection #9: Joakim Noah to the Chicago Bulls
Shit. Joakim Noah is going to the Bulls at #9. Thanks Isiah...Eddy Curry AND Antonio Davis were not worth this. I love Joakim's energy, he works his ass off and is competitive as fuck. He would have been LOVED by Knick fans...he has the perfect NY personality and is a local kid. He's not the most talented and strongest big guy...he might get his ass kicked once or twice by his NBA opponents; and like Jay Bilas said, his jumpshot is garbage and may rival mine (that needs to improve if he's going to be a force in the NBA). Yet even as someone who loathes the Bulls like I do, I can't hate this pick. You gotta love Noah's passion for the game and winning. He's proven that he can do both. Sac-town is next with the #10 selection.

Selection #10: Spencer Hawes to the Sacramento Kings
Interesting pick...Spencer Hawes from University of Washington goes to Sacramento at #10. I'll be honest, I don't know much about this kid, besides the fact that he's white and American. But I'll believeJay Bilas' word...and he thinks he's tough enough, talented enough, and intelligent enough. Bilas doesn't believe he's a great defensive player, but that can be improved through coaching and adding weight and strength. I like this kid...he seems like a nice, humble kid. Now let's see if he can handle the NBA, although I tend to think he wont be as successful as his lottery predecessors.

Selection #11: Acie Law goes to the Atlanta Hawks
Acie Law IV. Excellent pick by Atlanta...I love this guy. He's a stud, a leader, and a terrific competitor. He was the main reason I selected Texas A&M to go to the NCAA championship against Florida. Al Horford and Acie Law was the best Atlanta could have possibly done in the first round. Well done Billy Knight...you actually did something right this time. Philly is next at #12...

Selection #12: Thaddeus Young goes to the Sixers
Thaddeus Young from Georgia Tech goes to the 76ers. Not particularly sure about this one...but I'm happy Philly didn't get Julian Wright from Kansas who I believe to be the most underrated player in this draft. I don't really know much about Thaddeus, but he evidently has a huge upside and was the best player on an extremely young Georgia Tech team. We shall see...who knows, he could be the steal of the draft! But I tend to think not.THE HORNETS ARE NEXT AT #13!

Selection #13: Julian Wright goes to the New Orleans Hornets
Awesome pick by the Hornets...Julian Wright is an absolute monster. Nick Young from USC may have been the more practical pick since the Hornets desperately need a scorer, but this kid is too good to pass up. He's fantastic on both sides of the ball, and is a phenomenal athlete. I disagree with Jay Bilas in saying that "he's a bad shooter." I've seen him play a bunch this past year, and his shooting didn't look all that suspect to me. Anyway, shooting is something that can most definitely be improved. He's great on both sides of the ball, and the Hornets got a steal here at #13. Anyway, they can most likely trade for a veteran sharpshooter...Wright was the wright pick here.

Selection #14: Al Thornton goes to the LA Clippers
With the #14 pick, the Clippers take Al Thornton. He's gonna be a fantastic player, but I'm not sure how well I see him fitting on a team already with Elton Brand, Tim Thomas and Chris Kaman as solid bigmen. Nick Young may have been the more practical pick since Sam Cassell is no spring chicken. Yet, Thornton is a scary talent...he's someone I wouldn't personally want to fuck with...tough-looking dude. I'm just not so sure how good a fit he will be with the Clippers, but he definitely appeared to be the "best available player" on the board, and a fair pick in that regard.


So no huge surprises here in the 2007 NBA draft lottery...giving the first 14 picks to the non-playoff teams. To me, Seattle and Atlanta (the only two teams with two top 14 picks) had the best draft lotteries...and Boston blew it, by giving away half of their team for Ray Allen. Still can't get over that. Seattle probably got the most talent, Atlanta got the two most NBA-ready players in my opinion in Acie Law IV and Al Horford. Not sold on the pick of Spencer Hawes by Sacramento, and Thaddeus Young by Philadelphia. Aside from that, each team seemed to make solid picks that fulfilled their needs while attempting to take the "best avaliable player" on the board. Even though the lottery is over, the NBA draft is far from finished. What occurs over the next couple days, no one can be sure of. The lottery didn't present the viewer with a great deal "shock value," but the teams seemed to take care of what they needed to, and Seattle and Atlanta, as expected, seemed to be the lottery's top winners this year. And Portland did okay with their #1 pick also...