Review of the Draft

George O'Brien

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NO. TEAM SELECTION
1 Orlando Dwight Howard | F | 6-11 | 240
SW Atlanta Christian Academy (Ga.)

This certainly looks like the Magic are serious about moving T-Mac since Howard is more of a long range project.

2 Charlotte (from LAC) Emeka Okafor | F-C | 6-10 | 252
Connecticut

Someone to backup White. :D

3 Chicago Ben Gordon | G | 6-3 | 200
Connecticut

I'm not sure they won't turn around and trade him, but getting him and Deng is certainly a coup

4 L.A. Clippers (from CHA) Shaun Livingston | G | 6-7 | 175
Peoria Central HS (Ill.)

They were seriously thinking of taking at #2 so this looks like a great move on their part.

5 Washington Devin Harris | G | 6-3 | 185
Wisconsin | Rights traded to DAL

With all the rumors about a sign and trade of Nash in a deal with the Lakers, this pick looks pretty interesting.

6 Atlanta Josh Childress | F | 6-8 | 210
Stanford

I'm not THAT surprised they took him over Iggy. Iggy and Diaw are too similar and they need a proven offensive player. The fact they got Josh Smith with their #17 shows they know a lot more about what they are doing then we do.

7 Phoenix Luol Deng | F | 6-8 | 220
Duke | Rights traded to CHI

We had been hearing his stock was dropping, but he only fell this far because Washington traded away their pick. I think he would have been gone otherwise, but this is the guy Chicago had been rumored to take with their #3 so they end up looking good.

I would have taken Iggy, but that is because he would be a better fit for the Suns. We'll see if this was a good move by Chicago.
8 Toronto Rafael Araujo | C | 6-11 | 290
Brigham Young

I can't think of anyone that had him going this early, but it certainly makes sense. This is a team that has a despirate need for a big man and he has some skills. I can see him getting a lot of minutes even though his defense is pretty bad.

9 Philadelphia Andre Iguodala | F | 6-6 | 207
Arizona

They need someone at SF who can play defense. With luck, Iggy could start.

10 Cleveland Luke Jackson | F | 6-7 | 215
Oregon

His stock has been rising for over a month and this is a great spot for him.

11 Golden State Andris Biedrins | F | 6-11 | 240
Latvia

Looks like the rumors that he had a guarantee were true. Considering that Dampier and Foyle may be gone next year, he might get a chance to play.

12 Seattle Robert Swift | C | 7-0 | 245
Bakersfield HS (Calif.)

This is the biggest shock so far going down the list. Most people had him going in the 20's with Boston being the only team thought interested enough to go earlier. I would guess that Seattle will now unload James cheap.

13 Portland Sebastian Telfair | G | 6-0 | 165
Abraham Lincoln HS (N.Y.)

So the rumors WERE true. Who'd have thought? They need a backup PG so he might even play some.

14 Utah Kris Humphries | F | 6-9 | 235
Minnesota

This is a great pickup for the Jazz despite not being in the lottery. Humphries will be looked at to fill Goog's shoes. :D

15 Boston Al Jefferson | F | 6-10 | 265
Prentiss HS (Miss.)

We had been hearing that they were after Swift, but the other big HS guy will have to do. I'm not sure how ready he is, but the Celtics need help inside and Jefferson is a tank.

16 Utah (from NYK/PHO) Kirk Snyder | G | 6-6 | 225
Nevada

Here is the answer to who will replace Pavlovic. I thought he might go to Portland so I'm a big surprised he fell to 16.

17 Atlanta (from MIL/DEN/DET) Josh Smith | F | 6-9 | 210
Oak Hill Academy (Va.)

Considering how many people thought he would go to Atlanta at #6, this has to be a huge coup for the Hawks. Now we'll find out if he is actually a player.
18 New Orleans J.R. Smith | G | 6-6 | 220
St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.)
NO is old and slow, so picking up J.R. makes a lot of sense. They aren't looking for him to be an instant starter, so it may be good fit.

19 Miami Dorell Wright | F | 6-7 | 210
Leuzinger HS (Calif.)
This is a lot earlier than I expected. The Heat have very little depth so he might get some minutes.

20 Denver Jameer Nelson | G | 6-0 | 190
St. Joseph's | Rights traded to ORL

Does this mean they don't need Steve Francis? :wave:

Nelson may surprise some people and do better than expected. This is a nice pickup for a #20.
21 Utah (from HOU) Pavel Podkolzine | C | 7-5 | 260
Russia | Rights traded to DAL

I'm looking forward to Nelson putting Pavel and Bradly in the lineup at the same time. :thumbup:

Rumors are that he may end up being part of some upcoming trade, so don't buy any Pavel Maverick jersey's just yet.
22 New Jersey Viktor Khryapa | F | 6-9 | 210
Russia | Rights traded to POR

23 Portland (from MEM) Sergei Monia | F | 6-8 | 220
Russia

Portland gets two more SF's. Why do I get the feeling they are going to be in the trading market.

24 Boston (from DAL) Delonte West | G | 6-4 | 180
St. Joseph's
25 Boston (from DET) Tony Allen | G | 6-4 | 213
Oklahoma State

I can't figure they will keep both. Excellent collge players but most people had these guys going in the second round.

26 Sacramento Kevin Martin | G | 6-7 | 185
Western Carolina

Kevin is only a lot of "sleeper" lists and might develop into a player.
27 L.A. Lakers Sasha Vujacic | G | 6-7 | 193
Slovenia

He is a big point guard who is supposed to be an outstanding shooter. With Fisher leaving, they need a PG to back up Payton. Considering all, he might beat Gary out. :thumbup:

28 San Antonio Beno Udrih | G | 6-3 | 203
Slovenia

Does he understand the phrase "why don't you stay in Europe for another year?

29 Indiana David Harrison | C | 7-0 | 250
Colorado

Another project to join Bender, Harrison has a lot of potential and all kinds of personality problems. Who knows, maybe being on a veteran team will be what he needs to become a good player.

NOTE: The Minnesota Timberwolves have forfeited their first-round pick.

ROUND 2

NO. TEAM SELECTION
30 Orlando Anderson Varejao | F | 6-10 | 230
Brazil

His name has been included on draft lists for long it is hard to believe he isn't ready to become an RFA. Somehow he never seems to perform as well as his talent, but could see some minutes on the newly revised Magic.

31 Chicago Jackson Vroman | F | 6-10 | 220
Iowa State | Rights traded to PHO

Say goodby to Harvey, the Suns now have a slightly bigger hustle player to do the dirty work coming in off the bench.

32 Washington Peter John Ramos | C | 7-3 | 275
Puerto Rico

I was skeptical that Ramos would go in the first round, but this is a nice pickup for the Wizzards in the second round. I'm guessing that Vroman will be much more productive for the first two years, after that Ramos will either be a star or out of the NBA.

I don't know much about the rest of the second round. Most of them will be out of the NBA in a year anyway, but there may be a Boozer or Redd hidden among the "who's he" guys.

33 L.A. Clippers (from CHA) Lionel Chalmers | G | 6-0 | 180
Xavier
34 Atlanta Donta Smith | G | 6-7 | 215
Southeastern Illinois College
35 Seattle (from LAC) Andre Emmett | G | 6-5 | 230
Texas Tech | Rights traded to MEM
36 Orlando (from PHO) Antonio Burks | G | 6-0 | 195
Memphis | Rights traded to MEM
37 Atlanta (from PHI) Royal Ivey
Texas
38 Chicago (from TOR) Chris Duhon | G | 6-1 | 185
Duke

The Final Four semifinal matchup of Gordon and Duhon are now united, at least until one or the other is traded.
39 Toronto (from CLE) Albert Miralles
Spain
40 Boston Justin Reed | F | 6-8 | 240
Mississippi
41 Seattle David Young
North Carolina Central
42 Atlanta (from ORL/PHI/GSW) Viktor Sanikidze | F | 6-8 | 196
Republic of Georgia
43 New York Trevor Ariza | F | 6-7 | 194
UCLA

Since he WILL be cut, I guess the Suns could get him as a free agent. :wave:

44 New Orleans Tim Pickett | G | 6-4 | 207
Florida State
45 Charlotte (from MIL) Bernard Robinson | F | 6-6 | 210
Michigan
46 Portland Ha Seung-Jin | C | 7-3 | 305
South Korea

A long shot to make the Blazer's roster, but I expect a lot of trade activity out of Portland.

47 Miami Pape Sow | F | 6-10 | 250
Cal State Fullerton
48 Sacramento (from UTA) Ricky Minard | G | 6-4 | 200
Morehead State
49 Memphis (from DEN/ORL) Sergei Lishouk | F | 6-11 | 232
Ukraine
50 Dallas (from HOU/DEN) Vassillis Spanoulis
Greece
51 New Jersey Christian Drejer | F | 6-9 | 225
Denmark
52 San Antonio (from MEM) Romain Sato | G | 6-5 | 205
Xavier

I expected these Drejer and Sato to go a bit higher. Drejer is definitely staying in Europe. Sato is a defensive specialist, so maybe he is going to replace Bruce Bowen. :wave:
53 Miami (from DAL) Matt Freije | F | 6-10 | 249
Vanderbilt

Poor man's Danny Ferry. Very slow, but a good shooter.

54 Detroit Rickey Paulding | G | 6-5 | 218
Missouri

At the start of the season HoopsHype had in the top 15, but he a terrible senior year. Now he is drafted by a team with a coach that hates rookies. My advice, "don't unpack".
55 Houston (from SAC/UTA) Luis Flores | G | 6-2 | 195
Manhattan
56 L.A. Lakers Marcus Douthit | F-C | 6-11 | 233
Providence
57 San Antonio Sergei Karaulov
Russia
58 Minnesota Blake Stepp | G | 6-4 | 194
Gonzaga

He would have been much better off not being drafted.
59 Indiana Rashad Wright | G | 6-2 | 190
Georgia

I'm disappointed the Suns didn't take Iggy, but Vroman joins a team with only three big men under contract and plays some defense. I'm not excited, but it could have been worse. :shrug:
 
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