My Mock Draft
This is my take on how the 2007 NBA Draft is going to shake out.
1. Portland Trail Blazers - Kevin Pritchard and the Trail Blazers are more than likely going to select Greg Oden. There is still the outside possibility of them surprising everyong and taking Durant (Remember the Magic taking Howard over Emeka) but I don't think it is going to happen. Greg Oden is a guarantee game changer the second he steps foot on the NBA floor and that is something Portland needs.
Pick - Greg Oden
2. Seattle Supersonics - This really is the best position to be in the draft. There is absolutely no pressure on the Sonics here. Whereas Portland has to decide on which ridiculously talented player to take at number one, Seattle will automatically take whoever is not taken at number one. This is the first year that I can remember where two players are assumed 1 and 2 in the draft so solidly. Seattle will more than likely end up with Kevin Durant, which will probably effectively end Rashard Lewis' tenure in Seattle and provide the Sonics with a superstar to suceed Ray Allen.
Pick - Kevin Durant
3. Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks really need a point guard and have moronically passed on one the past two years taking Shelden Williams over Brandon Roy and Randy Foye last year, and selecting Marvin Williams over Raymond Felton, Derron Williams, and Chris Paul in 2005 even though they already had Josh Smith, Al Harrington, and Josh Childress at the SF position. Given these past draft blunders there is no telling what to expect from Billy Knight and the Hawks. However, this year is different. They have two lottery picks (#3 and #11) and can afford to pass a point guard at 3 in order to select a big man such as Al Horford or Brandan Wright. I see Knight bypassing Mike Conley at 3 and taking Al Horford to add to his backcourt of Shelden Williams and ZaZa Pachulia.
Pick - Al Horford
4. Memphis Grizzlies - This is probably the most interesting pick of the draft. What the Grizzlies do strongly hinges on how the Hawks draft at #3. The Grizzlies would love to have Al Horford fall into their laps, but probably aren't holding their breath at the Hawks passing on Horford. This leaves five other viable options at 4 in Mike Conley, Brandan Wright, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Yi Jinlian. I personally feel the Grizzlies are leaning towards selecting Mike Conley here at number 4, but there have been rumors circulating that Mo Williams may sign with the Grizzlies once Free Agency starts July 1. This could potentially give the Grizzlies 4 starting point guards, which would provide good trade bait but that's a risky road to take. West seems to be in love with Noah, but I don't see the Grizzlies taking him this high when he's projected to be around 6-10. I'm going to say the Grizz take Conley, but will not be surprised to see any of the above mentioned or a trade.
Pick - Mike Conley
5. Boston Celtics - The Celtics are trying like mad to trade this pick and probably will, but I'm going to assume that they hang onto the pick and draft at #5. The Celtics are probably going to look at the SF position at number five at either Corey Brewer or Jeff Green. Brewer is a defensive specialist who creates mismatches on both ends of the floor with his speed, length, and athleticism, while he may not be as gifted offensively he still will be able to produce on the offensive side of the ball at the next level. Jeff Green is another good defensive player but he lacks the speed and explosiveness of Corey Brewer. He has prided himself on being a great passer, hustle player, and goes the extra mile to do the little things right in a game, much like a Shane Battier. While I think Brewer is the smart pick at number 5, the Celtics will take Jeff Green here.
Pick - Jeff Green
6. Milwaukee Bucks - I see the Bucks taking the best available draft approach and taking Brandan Wright here. Wright is an extremely athletic PF, with a huge wingspan, and he is feisty under the basket. It may take Wright a couple of years to make his big impact on the league but he is a grat pick up at this spot for the Bucks.
Pick - Brandan Wright
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - The Twolves are in an interesting position as of late. Kevin Garnett has made it clear that he is unhapy in Minny and would like to be traded. Any trade involving KG is going to bring in draft picks and good young talent for the Twolves, so who they take here at number 7 could hinge on any deals they may already have in place for KG (Suns picks and Marion/Amare?). I think there are only two real options here for the Wolves and that is Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer. I'm going to assume that whoever they deal KG for they'll probably get PFs coming back their way, so I predict the Twolves take Corey Brewer at number 7, or Jeff Green if Boston takes Brewer at 5.
Pick - Corey Brewer
8. Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats need a Shooting Guard, however, I think they draft Joakim Noah at 8. Noah will further strenthen their already frontcourt of Brezec and Okafor. The Bobcats have another first round pick at 22 where they can address their needs at SG and have trade bait in Sean May.
Pick - Joakim Noah
9. Chicago Bulls - The Bulls are going to select Washington Huskie big man Spencer Hawes here at number 9. The Bulls desperately need a low post scorer and Hawes is the best available option for them.
Pick - Spencer Hawes
10. Sacramento Kings - The Kings are a terrible franchise in an even worse situation. They're old, have no youth, bad contracts, and are talking about moving out of Sac-town. I see the Kings taking the Chinese big man Yi Jianlian at number 10 in hopes that he pans out to be the next Dirk/Pau and replaces a declining Brad Miller.
Pick - Yi Jianlian (who may be 28 years old for all we know)
11. Atlanta Hawks - Well, unless Billy Knight is purposefully trying to destory the franchise he will take Acie Law here at number 11. Crittendon may be an option, but I think they're stupid if they pass up on Acie Law this late.
Pick - Acie Law IV
12. Philadephia 76ers - The 76ers are going to take Al Thornton here, and they'll still suck.
Pick - Al Thornton
13. New Orleans Hornets - The Hornets need either a SG or SF at number thirteen. Nick Young is the best available candidate for their needs, while Julian Wright may be the best one overall still available.
Pick - Nick Young
14. Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers have an old Sam Cassel and an oft injured Shawn Livingston at PG. That means the Clippers will take Javaris Crittenton with this years 14th pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
15. Detroit Pistons - The Pistons will probably draft best available and I say that is Julian Wright, although I could see them taking Thaddeus Young early here.
Pick - Julian Wright
16. Washington Wizards - The Wizards will take Thaddeus Young here at number 16. Young is a very talented player who could turn out to be one of the better players to emerge from this draft in the years to come.
Pick - Thaddeus Young
17. New Jersey Nets - Rodney Stuckey
18. Warriors - Tiage Splitter
19. Lakers - The Lakers will take Nick Fazekas here who has been extremely impressive in his workouts and is another player who could have a big impact on the NBA despite being a mid-late first round selection. Fazekas has been great from three point range in his workouts and is considered one of the best shooting prospects in the draft at 6'10.
Pick - Nick Fazekas
20. Miami Heat - Rudy Fernandez from Spain. Eddie Jones is old and needs to retire and the Heat will need a replacement at SG.
Pick - Rudy Fernandez
21. Philadelphia 76ers - Much like their Al Thornton selection, the 76ers will take Daquean Cook who will be ok and they will still suck
Pick - Daquean Cook
22. Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats need a SG and I feel that they will take Morris Almond here at number 22. Almond is an underrated Shooting Guard who I feel will have an immediate impact in the NBA. Derrick Byars is another option
Pick - Morris Almond
23. New York Knicks - The Knicks GM is Isiah Thomas so I honestly have no idea who they will select at this spot. Last year they shocked the world and selected Renaldo Balkman, they'll probably do another completely shocking pick here and will be showered by a chorus of boos from the Knick faithful in attendance.
Pick - Taurean Green
24. Phoenix Suns - I think the Suns are thinking Shooting Guard in this situation and will probably go with Marco Belini from Italy. Aaron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler are other options for the Suns here.
Pick - MArco Bellini
25. Utah Jazz - the Jazz will select a white person here due to the fact they selected not one, but two, but three African-Americans last year in the draft and take Jason Smith from Colo State.
Pick - Jason Smith
26. Houston Rockets - The Rockets will take a SG at 26. Two standout SGs are available right here and that Is Derrick Byars and Aaron Afflalo. Byars can be considered more of a 2/3 combo and the Rockets already have that in Tracy McGrady so they'll take Afflalo here at 26.
Pick - Aaron Afflalo
27. Detroit Pistons - Alando Tucker
28. San Antonio Spurs - Derrick Byars
29. Phoenix Suns - Marcus Williams
30; Philadelphia 76ers - Marc Gasol
1. Portland Trail Blazers - Kevin Pritchard and the Trail Blazers are more than likely going to select Greg Oden. There is still the outside possibility of them surprising everyong and taking Durant (Remember the Magic taking Howard over Emeka) but I don't think it is going to happen. Greg Oden is a guarantee game changer the second he steps foot on the NBA floor and that is something Portland needs.
Pick - Greg Oden
2. Seattle Supersonics - This really is the best position to be in the draft. There is absolutely no pressure on the Sonics here. Whereas Portland has to decide on which ridiculously talented player to take at number one, Seattle will automatically take whoever is not taken at number one. This is the first year that I can remember where two players are assumed 1 and 2 in the draft so solidly. Seattle will more than likely end up with Kevin Durant, which will probably effectively end Rashard Lewis' tenure in Seattle and provide the Sonics with a superstar to suceed Ray Allen.
Pick - Kevin Durant
3. Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks really need a point guard and have moronically passed on one the past two years taking Shelden Williams over Brandon Roy and Randy Foye last year, and selecting Marvin Williams over Raymond Felton, Derron Williams, and Chris Paul in 2005 even though they already had Josh Smith, Al Harrington, and Josh Childress at the SF position. Given these past draft blunders there is no telling what to expect from Billy Knight and the Hawks. However, this year is different. They have two lottery picks (#3 and #11) and can afford to pass a point guard at 3 in order to select a big man such as Al Horford or Brandan Wright. I see Knight bypassing Mike Conley at 3 and taking Al Horford to add to his backcourt of Shelden Williams and ZaZa Pachulia.
Pick - Al Horford
4. Memphis Grizzlies - This is probably the most interesting pick of the draft. What the Grizzlies do strongly hinges on how the Hawks draft at #3. The Grizzlies would love to have Al Horford fall into their laps, but probably aren't holding their breath at the Hawks passing on Horford. This leaves five other viable options at 4 in Mike Conley, Brandan Wright, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Yi Jinlian. I personally feel the Grizzlies are leaning towards selecting Mike Conley here at number 4, but there have been rumors circulating that Mo Williams may sign with the Grizzlies once Free Agency starts July 1. This could potentially give the Grizzlies 4 starting point guards, which would provide good trade bait but that's a risky road to take. West seems to be in love with Noah, but I don't see the Grizzlies taking him this high when he's projected to be around 6-10. I'm going to say the Grizz take Conley, but will not be surprised to see any of the above mentioned or a trade.
Pick - Mike Conley
5. Boston Celtics - The Celtics are trying like mad to trade this pick and probably will, but I'm going to assume that they hang onto the pick and draft at #5. The Celtics are probably going to look at the SF position at number five at either Corey Brewer or Jeff Green. Brewer is a defensive specialist who creates mismatches on both ends of the floor with his speed, length, and athleticism, while he may not be as gifted offensively he still will be able to produce on the offensive side of the ball at the next level. Jeff Green is another good defensive player but he lacks the speed and explosiveness of Corey Brewer. He has prided himself on being a great passer, hustle player, and goes the extra mile to do the little things right in a game, much like a Shane Battier. While I think Brewer is the smart pick at number 5, the Celtics will take Jeff Green here.
Pick - Jeff Green
6. Milwaukee Bucks - I see the Bucks taking the best available draft approach and taking Brandan Wright here. Wright is an extremely athletic PF, with a huge wingspan, and he is feisty under the basket. It may take Wright a couple of years to make his big impact on the league but he is a grat pick up at this spot for the Bucks.
Pick - Brandan Wright
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - The Twolves are in an interesting position as of late. Kevin Garnett has made it clear that he is unhapy in Minny and would like to be traded. Any trade involving KG is going to bring in draft picks and good young talent for the Twolves, so who they take here at number 7 could hinge on any deals they may already have in place for KG (Suns picks and Marion/Amare?). I think there are only two real options here for the Wolves and that is Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer. I'm going to assume that whoever they deal KG for they'll probably get PFs coming back their way, so I predict the Twolves take Corey Brewer at number 7, or Jeff Green if Boston takes Brewer at 5.
Pick - Corey Brewer
8. Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats need a Shooting Guard, however, I think they draft Joakim Noah at 8. Noah will further strenthen their already frontcourt of Brezec and Okafor. The Bobcats have another first round pick at 22 where they can address their needs at SG and have trade bait in Sean May.
Pick - Joakim Noah
9. Chicago Bulls - The Bulls are going to select Washington Huskie big man Spencer Hawes here at number 9. The Bulls desperately need a low post scorer and Hawes is the best available option for them.
Pick - Spencer Hawes
10. Sacramento Kings - The Kings are a terrible franchise in an even worse situation. They're old, have no youth, bad contracts, and are talking about moving out of Sac-town. I see the Kings taking the Chinese big man Yi Jianlian at number 10 in hopes that he pans out to be the next Dirk/Pau and replaces a declining Brad Miller.
Pick - Yi Jianlian (who may be 28 years old for all we know)
11. Atlanta Hawks - Well, unless Billy Knight is purposefully trying to destory the franchise he will take Acie Law here at number 11. Crittendon may be an option, but I think they're stupid if they pass up on Acie Law this late.
Pick - Acie Law IV
12. Philadephia 76ers - The 76ers are going to take Al Thornton here, and they'll still suck.
Pick - Al Thornton
13. New Orleans Hornets - The Hornets need either a SG or SF at number thirteen. Nick Young is the best available candidate for their needs, while Julian Wright may be the best one overall still available.
Pick - Nick Young
14. Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers have an old Sam Cassel and an oft injured Shawn Livingston at PG. That means the Clippers will take Javaris Crittenton with this years 14th pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
15. Detroit Pistons - The Pistons will probably draft best available and I say that is Julian Wright, although I could see them taking Thaddeus Young early here.
Pick - Julian Wright
16. Washington Wizards - The Wizards will take Thaddeus Young here at number 16. Young is a very talented player who could turn out to be one of the better players to emerge from this draft in the years to come.
Pick - Thaddeus Young
17. New Jersey Nets - Rodney Stuckey
18. Warriors - Tiage Splitter
19. Lakers - The Lakers will take Nick Fazekas here who has been extremely impressive in his workouts and is another player who could have a big impact on the NBA despite being a mid-late first round selection. Fazekas has been great from three point range in his workouts and is considered one of the best shooting prospects in the draft at 6'10.
Pick - Nick Fazekas
20. Miami Heat - Rudy Fernandez from Spain. Eddie Jones is old and needs to retire and the Heat will need a replacement at SG.
Pick - Rudy Fernandez
21. Philadelphia 76ers - Much like their Al Thornton selection, the 76ers will take Daquean Cook who will be ok and they will still suck
Pick - Daquean Cook
22. Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats need a SG and I feel that they will take Morris Almond here at number 22. Almond is an underrated Shooting Guard who I feel will have an immediate impact in the NBA. Derrick Byars is another option
Pick - Morris Almond
23. New York Knicks - The Knicks GM is Isiah Thomas so I honestly have no idea who they will select at this spot. Last year they shocked the world and selected Renaldo Balkman, they'll probably do another completely shocking pick here and will be showered by a chorus of boos from the Knick faithful in attendance.
Pick - Taurean Green
24. Phoenix Suns - I think the Suns are thinking Shooting Guard in this situation and will probably go with Marco Belini from Italy. Aaron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler are other options for the Suns here.
Pick - MArco Bellini
25. Utah Jazz - the Jazz will select a white person here due to the fact they selected not one, but two, but three African-Americans last year in the draft and take Jason Smith from Colo State.
Pick - Jason Smith
26. Houston Rockets - The Rockets will take a SG at 26. Two standout SGs are available right here and that Is Derrick Byars and Aaron Afflalo. Byars can be considered more of a 2/3 combo and the Rockets already have that in Tracy McGrady so they'll take Afflalo here at 26.
Pick - Aaron Afflalo
27. Detroit Pistons - Alando Tucker
28. San Antonio Spurs - Derrick Byars
29. Phoenix Suns - Marcus Williams
30; Philadelphia 76ers - Marc Gasol
posted by Jason Smith at 7:43 PM
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