My predictions for Weds night are as follows:
1. Toronto - Rudy Gay - 6-8 SF, Connecticut - The fact that theyre taking Gay here is going to surprise everyone who thinks that they should take Bargnani or Aldridge but the reality is that Bosh and Villanueva are ideal at the 5 and 4. Gay would provide an athletic wing to complement Bosh's post game and Villanueva's inside out game. Gay is suffering from the same bad rap that Villanueva got last year but the reality is he is every bit as good, if not better. Most important, hes a better fit in Toronto because of his style of play. Uconn players have a great history of being good pros and im not talking about Khalid El Amin. Charlie V was on WFAN with Joe Beningo talking about the possibility earlier today and my gut tells me hes getting his wish when he says he'd love to have Gay as his teammate.
2. Chicago - LaMarcus Aldridge - 6-11 PF, Texas - Chicago gets the big man they wished Eddy Curry had the heart to be. Reports of Aldridge being scared to play in the post in college are laughable as that is what he did all last season.
3. Charlotte - Brandon Roy - 6-6 SG, Washington - Jordan loves his athleticism and I like the way he would comlement Gerald Wallace. Roy is the dynamic scorer this team needs. He has the ability to break down defenses off the dribble and drain a J. Hes a great foul shooter who can also play the pick and roll game.
4. Portland - Andrea Bargnani - 7-1 PF, Italy - Portland really wants Roy but they go with the best player available and its not a bad option considering Pryzbilla's pending FA status and Ratliff's monster contract. They can probably work a sign and trade to fill their backcourt needs and just plug in Bargnani up front.
5. Atlanta - Shelden Williams - 6-9 PF, Duke - This team needs a rebounder and someone who will give that will provide that professional attitude and leadership and Williams definitely brings character to the table. Im usually pretty sour on Duke players as pro's but I happen to think Williams can be another Boozer with a better shot blocking prescense.
6. Minnesota - Randy Foye - 6-3 SG, Villanova - Foye's penetrate and dish style should get Garnett and co some easy hoops. I thought about putting Marcus Williams here but Minny is typically a conservative franchise because of some of the decisions past GM's made. McHale knows he needs a safe pick here to give this team a kickstart and start surrounding KG with players that compliment him.
7. Portland - Adam Morrison - 6-8 SF, Gonzaga - In need of a scoring wing Portland will roll with Jarrett Jack and Steve Blake at PG after the Telfair deal and select Morrision to fill a need.
8. Houston - Marcus Williams - 6-3 PG, Connecticut - Williams is the prototype half court PG if he improves his jumper and D. And his attitude. That last 1 is the only reason hes falling this far otherwise hed be a top 5 guy. I agree with Ace when he said this team needed a PG because Luther Head is purely a shooter. Head is best suited as a reserve combo guard.
9. Golden State - Tyrus Thomas - 6-8 PF, LSU - Thomas will slide this far because hes 3 years away from making an impact. Though highly athletic, hes raw and largely without a post game or jumper making him very much a few years away. GS will get the benefit in a few years and the rumored Troy Murphy deal to lower payroll could happen sooner then later.
10. Seattle - Cedric Simmons - 6-10 PF, NC State - This would be a smart move by seattle to solidify their frontline. Simmons has a nice game and should be a double double guy in a year or 2. Lewis-Simmons-Swift should be a strong frontline for years
11. Orlando - Ronnie Brewer - 6-7 SG, Arkansas - His jumper needs work but hes got good ball handling skills, can pentrate, nd is strong on D. His upper body strength could get him some time at SF but ideally hes a SG. Combined with Jameer Nelson Orlando should have a strong backcourt especially on D and in transition.
12. New orleans - Patrick O'Bryant - 7-0 C, Bradley - This team needs another interior prescense since PJ Brown is on his way out.
13. Philly - Jordan Farmar - 6-2 PG, UCLA - Farmar provides the kind of pass first mentality and will to win leadership coaches love in a PG. Now they can trade Ai to fill other needs and hopefully for their fans bring back another quality player.
14. Utah - J.J. Redick - 6-5 SG, Duke - This pick is about as exciting as another Utah based show, HBO's Big Love. Go figure. But at least redick will provide the long range shooting this team needs.
15. New Orleans - Rodney Carney - 6-6 SF, Memphis - A nice wing player who will get layup after layup thanks to Chris Paul.
16. Chicago - Olexsiy Pecherov - 6-11 PF, Ukraine - As bad as Curry was Tyson Chandler is just as bad. Now Chandler can ride on the bench.
17. Indiana - Rajon Rondo - 6-2 PG, Kentucky - This should infuse Indy's generic offense with life. Their guard play has been the reason for their failures the last few years. This will kick it up a notch and if Rondo ever develops a J, watch out. He could be the steal of this draft.
18. Washington - Maurice Ager - 6-5 SG, Michigan State - Larry Hughes replacement will make Go Go Gilbert's job a bit easier. Ager should alleviate some of the pressure to score for Gilbert and provide decent defense.
19. Sacramento - Shannon Brown - 6-3 SG, Michigan State - Bibby can really fill it up but when hes a PG it comes at the expense of his teammates involvement. Now that wont have to be the case.
20. New York - Shawne Williams - 6-9 SF, Memphis - Good pick for the Knicks and their soon to be, isiah led, up tempo style. Williams will provide the kind of length at the 3 that helps teams defensively. It could also mean the end of Larry Browns biggest supporter, Q Rich. Either way Q is better suited at SG
21. Phoenix - Leon Powe - 6-8 PF, California - If the rumors of trading Shawn Marion are true then they will need an explosive PF. If their not trading Marion they still need another guy who can play a physical game.
22. New Jersey - Sergio Rodriguez - 6-3 PG, Spain - J Kidd's new back up can handle the rock and play some D. Thats all he'll need to do for 10 minutes a game anyway.
23. New Jersey - Josh Boone - 6-10 C, Connecticut - Everyone has this guy falling to the tail end of rd 1 and that seems to be a popular pick. As a Knick fan i wouldnt be upset. Problem is the nets biggest need is a PF and Boone could be a guy, if motivated, and he has millions of reasons to be, who can fill that need and be a good PF.
24. Memphis - Quincy Douby - 6-3 SG, Rutgers - A scorer who can compliment Pau Pau Pauer wheels. Douby's a nice combo guad who can fill it up.
25. Cleveland - Kyle Lowry - 6-0 PG, Villanova - A safe pick who plays with a lot of hustle and desire. Eventually he could become a starter.
26. LAL - Thabo Sefolosha - 6-6 SF, Switzerland - Too bad Slava Medvedenko is no longer around because he and Thabo could play scrabble for hours.
27. Phoenix - Guillermo Diaz - 6-2 SG, Miami - Steve Nash, meet your new luggage carrier.
28. Dallas - Mouhamed Saer Sene - 7-0 C, Senegal - Dallas drafts yet another guy with an unpronounceable name. Eventually 1 will pan out. Sene is still raw but is further advanced on offense then given credit for. Defensively, he can rebound and block shots but has to add weight to play a more physical game.
29. New York - Hilton Armstrong - 6-10 C, Connecticut - A shot blocker who can run the floor could be a nice fit in Isiahs new up tempo offense. I wonder if Shawne Willaims and Armstrong will become good enough, fast enough to save isiahs job? Doubtful. But nonetheless a strong pick.
30. Portland - Mardy Collins - 6-6 PG, Temple - Could be a nice pick and provide immediate backcourt help. He can score and handle the ball but his D needs some work. Pretty quick. Has a low ceiling imo.
1. Toronto - Rudy Gay - 6-8 SF, Connecticut - The fact that theyre taking Gay here is going to surprise everyone who thinks that they should take Bargnani or Aldridge but the reality is that Bosh and Villanueva are ideal at the 5 and 4. Gay would provide an athletic wing to complement Bosh's post game and Villanueva's inside out game. Gay is suffering from the same bad rap that Villanueva got last year but the reality is he is every bit as good, if not better. Most important, hes a better fit in Toronto because of his style of play. Uconn players have a great history of being good pros and im not talking about Khalid El Amin. Charlie V was on WFAN with Joe Beningo talking about the possibility earlier today and my gut tells me hes getting his wish when he says he'd love to have Gay as his teammate.
2. Chicago - LaMarcus Aldridge - 6-11 PF, Texas - Chicago gets the big man they wished Eddy Curry had the heart to be. Reports of Aldridge being scared to play in the post in college are laughable as that is what he did all last season.
3. Charlotte - Brandon Roy - 6-6 SG, Washington - Jordan loves his athleticism and I like the way he would comlement Gerald Wallace. Roy is the dynamic scorer this team needs. He has the ability to break down defenses off the dribble and drain a J. Hes a great foul shooter who can also play the pick and roll game.
4. Portland - Andrea Bargnani - 7-1 PF, Italy - Portland really wants Roy but they go with the best player available and its not a bad option considering Pryzbilla's pending FA status and Ratliff's monster contract. They can probably work a sign and trade to fill their backcourt needs and just plug in Bargnani up front.
5. Atlanta - Shelden Williams - 6-9 PF, Duke - This team needs a rebounder and someone who will give that will provide that professional attitude and leadership and Williams definitely brings character to the table. Im usually pretty sour on Duke players as pro's but I happen to think Williams can be another Boozer with a better shot blocking prescense.
6. Minnesota - Randy Foye - 6-3 SG, Villanova - Foye's penetrate and dish style should get Garnett and co some easy hoops. I thought about putting Marcus Williams here but Minny is typically a conservative franchise because of some of the decisions past GM's made. McHale knows he needs a safe pick here to give this team a kickstart and start surrounding KG with players that compliment him.
7. Portland - Adam Morrison - 6-8 SF, Gonzaga - In need of a scoring wing Portland will roll with Jarrett Jack and Steve Blake at PG after the Telfair deal and select Morrision to fill a need.
8. Houston - Marcus Williams - 6-3 PG, Connecticut - Williams is the prototype half court PG if he improves his jumper and D. And his attitude. That last 1 is the only reason hes falling this far otherwise hed be a top 5 guy. I agree with Ace when he said this team needed a PG because Luther Head is purely a shooter. Head is best suited as a reserve combo guard.
9. Golden State - Tyrus Thomas - 6-8 PF, LSU - Thomas will slide this far because hes 3 years away from making an impact. Though highly athletic, hes raw and largely without a post game or jumper making him very much a few years away. GS will get the benefit in a few years and the rumored Troy Murphy deal to lower payroll could happen sooner then later.
10. Seattle - Cedric Simmons - 6-10 PF, NC State - This would be a smart move by seattle to solidify their frontline. Simmons has a nice game and should be a double double guy in a year or 2. Lewis-Simmons-Swift should be a strong frontline for years
11. Orlando - Ronnie Brewer - 6-7 SG, Arkansas - His jumper needs work but hes got good ball handling skills, can pentrate, nd is strong on D. His upper body strength could get him some time at SF but ideally hes a SG. Combined with Jameer Nelson Orlando should have a strong backcourt especially on D and in transition.
12. New orleans - Patrick O'Bryant - 7-0 C, Bradley - This team needs another interior prescense since PJ Brown is on his way out.
13. Philly - Jordan Farmar - 6-2 PG, UCLA - Farmar provides the kind of pass first mentality and will to win leadership coaches love in a PG. Now they can trade Ai to fill other needs and hopefully for their fans bring back another quality player.
14. Utah - J.J. Redick - 6-5 SG, Duke - This pick is about as exciting as another Utah based show, HBO's Big Love. Go figure. But at least redick will provide the long range shooting this team needs.
15. New Orleans - Rodney Carney - 6-6 SF, Memphis - A nice wing player who will get layup after layup thanks to Chris Paul.
16. Chicago - Olexsiy Pecherov - 6-11 PF, Ukraine - As bad as Curry was Tyson Chandler is just as bad. Now Chandler can ride on the bench.
17. Indiana - Rajon Rondo - 6-2 PG, Kentucky - This should infuse Indy's generic offense with life. Their guard play has been the reason for their failures the last few years. This will kick it up a notch and if Rondo ever develops a J, watch out. He could be the steal of this draft.
18. Washington - Maurice Ager - 6-5 SG, Michigan State - Larry Hughes replacement will make Go Go Gilbert's job a bit easier. Ager should alleviate some of the pressure to score for Gilbert and provide decent defense.
19. Sacramento - Shannon Brown - 6-3 SG, Michigan State - Bibby can really fill it up but when hes a PG it comes at the expense of his teammates involvement. Now that wont have to be the case.
20. New York - Shawne Williams - 6-9 SF, Memphis - Good pick for the Knicks and their soon to be, isiah led, up tempo style. Williams will provide the kind of length at the 3 that helps teams defensively. It could also mean the end of Larry Browns biggest supporter, Q Rich. Either way Q is better suited at SG
21. Phoenix - Leon Powe - 6-8 PF, California - If the rumors of trading Shawn Marion are true then they will need an explosive PF. If their not trading Marion they still need another guy who can play a physical game.
22. New Jersey - Sergio Rodriguez - 6-3 PG, Spain - J Kidd's new back up can handle the rock and play some D. Thats all he'll need to do for 10 minutes a game anyway.
23. New Jersey - Josh Boone - 6-10 C, Connecticut - Everyone has this guy falling to the tail end of rd 1 and that seems to be a popular pick. As a Knick fan i wouldnt be upset. Problem is the nets biggest need is a PF and Boone could be a guy, if motivated, and he has millions of reasons to be, who can fill that need and be a good PF.
24. Memphis - Quincy Douby - 6-3 SG, Rutgers - A scorer who can compliment Pau Pau Pauer wheels. Douby's a nice combo guad who can fill it up.
25. Cleveland - Kyle Lowry - 6-0 PG, Villanova - A safe pick who plays with a lot of hustle and desire. Eventually he could become a starter.
26. LAL - Thabo Sefolosha - 6-6 SF, Switzerland - Too bad Slava Medvedenko is no longer around because he and Thabo could play scrabble for hours.
27. Phoenix - Guillermo Diaz - 6-2 SG, Miami - Steve Nash, meet your new luggage carrier.
28. Dallas - Mouhamed Saer Sene - 7-0 C, Senegal - Dallas drafts yet another guy with an unpronounceable name. Eventually 1 will pan out. Sene is still raw but is further advanced on offense then given credit for. Defensively, he can rebound and block shots but has to add weight to play a more physical game.
29. New York - Hilton Armstrong - 6-10 C, Connecticut - A shot blocker who can run the floor could be a nice fit in Isiahs new up tempo offense. I wonder if Shawne Willaims and Armstrong will become good enough, fast enough to save isiahs job? Doubtful. But nonetheless a strong pick.
30. Portland - Mardy Collins - 6-6 PG, Temple - Could be a nice pick and provide immediate backcourt help. He can score and handle the ball but his D needs some work. Pretty quick. Has a low ceiling imo.
