2006 NBA Mock Draft
1.Toronto Raptors – Andrea Bargnani(Italy) 7-0 225lbs SF/PF
Bargnani has shown the ability to rebound against good competition in Europe and has gotten a lot of time at a young age, which doesn't always happen for such a young prospect. Bargnani needs to gain weight and strength. His low-post game is pretty underdeveloped and he avoids contact. On the offensive side he prefers going one-on-one and can score in many ways: shooting from outside, finishing a fast-break or on low-post moves. He's even adept at beating his defender off the dribble due to his great ball-handling skills including dribbling through his legs and behind the back. He runs the court very well with good speed and quickness despite his size. The circumstantial evidence that GM Bryan Colangelo might select Bargnani is strong: He has (a) heavily scouted Bargnani the past two years, (cool.gif been one of his Bargnani's biggest fans for a while, © shown when at Phoenix that he is very open to international players and (d) been in the process of wooing Bargnani's boss, Benetton GM Maurizio Gherardini, to the Raptors.
2.Chicago Bulls- Tyrus Thomas(LSU) 6-9 229lbs PF
Thomas is a "freak" athlete. He has great hops, is extremely long and is one of the quickest jumpers in the college game. He is a high-flyer and incredibly explosive around the rim. In college, if the ball was thrown anywhere up near the rim, he got it. Plays with great intensity, has an edge to him. Feathery touch out to 12-15 feet, and good handles for a big man because he was a point guard till he had a growth sprut. He is weak physically and needs to gain more strength for the NBA game. He is not only a shot-blocker but he is a shot-changer. You have to know where he is at all times. He is very active defensively and is very dangerous as a weak-side help man coming to block the shot. He is solid defensively, works at it and looks like he has been well-schooled. Great upside he will go in the top 1-3 picks in the draft.
3.Charlotte Bobcats- LaMarcus Aldridge(Texas) 6-10 240lbs PF
Aldridge has a tremendous upside because of his great length, excellent reach and athleticism. He runs the floor every time in transition, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. He is very active on missed shots; and he goes to the glass. He's a little weak in his upper body and hands going for rebounds. Will improve with added strength. Big-time shot-blocker, very active defensively. Appears to have quick enough feet, to be able to make rotations in defensive assignments. Must develop a killer instinct, more intensity. Clearly Aldridge needs to get stronger, but scouts believe that the rest of the package is there. Scouts are still debating whether Aldridge or LSU's Tyrus Thomas is the best power forward in the draft.
4.Portland Trailblazers- Adam Morrison(Gonzaga) 6-8 205lbs SF
Old school right down to the stripes on the socks, incredibly competitive. Morrison is a pure scorer who can put points on the board in a lot of different ways. He is excellent at attacking the basket one-on-one with his length and is fearless finishing around the rim. He is very good at digging the baseline going left and rising up for the jumper. He has a very high release point on his jumper and never has a problem getting it off. He loves to use the spin move to go to his jumper when he gets deep in the paint. He is very cagey and will use head fakes and pump fakes to get his defender off the floor and draw fouls. Defense will be the real question for Morrison in the NBA. He must improve his feet and lateral quickness to guard at his position. He understands how to guard his man in college -- how much space to give depending on his speed and has good length to use defending. However, in the NBA he will be facing tremendous scorers at the wing position, and he must be able to guard them on the perimeter. He could go as high as Charlotte at No. 3 or Portland at No. 4. If he doesn't get picked there, there's a possibility he slides all the way to Houston at No. 8 or Seattle at No. 10.
5.Atlanta Hawks- Patrick O’Bryant(Bradley) 7-0 250lbs C/PF
Classic late bloomer, still getting used to his body and learning what he's capable of. Big-time rebounder and shot blocker who projects as a true center in the pros. Long arms (7-foot-5 wingspan) and a good frame combined with solid athleticism have scouts intrigued. Very mobile for a big guy. Improving offensive player who has shown some decent post moves. Scouts wonder a little about his toughness and his commitment to the game. O'Bryant is a project who is still developing and may be two years away from being a real contributor in the NBA. In a draft supposedly devoid of centers, i cant see to many teams passing on O'Bryant, espically when the top five teams could all use help upfront.
6.Minnesota Timberwolves- Rudy Gay(UConn) 6-9 222lbs SF
He does just about everything well, has all the tools but he's still has a long way to go before he figures out how to use them. Rudy is a top notch athlete, good defender, slasher, nice mid-range game but at times seems to lose focus. Scouts had Rudy Gay at the top of their boards all season but a poor ncaa tournment has hurt his stock. The wolves get a steal here because Gay is probally top 2 on talent. KG will find a way to light a fire under him to play at a high level all the time, not just flashes of greatness. Could go as high at the Bobcats at No. 3. Probably won't slip past the Timberwolves at No. 6.
7.Boston Celtics- Brandon Roy(Washington) 6-5 195lbs SG/PG
Roy may have been the most complete player in college basketball last season. He has great height, length and athleticism for the guard position. He did not play the point for Washington, but that may be his best position at the next level. Roy has excellent quickness, and is wiry strong. A bit of a tweener, he's more comfortable playing a point forward position. He lacks the jaw-dropping athleticism or the flair for the dramatic that some of the other top prospects possess. But is there a more complete guard in the draft? His NBA readiness will boost his stock too. He could go as high as Portland at No. 4 or the Hawks at No. 5.
8.Houston Rockets- Randy Foye(Villanova) 6-4 205lbs PG/SG
Has persevered through a rough upbringing (losing both parents young) and shows great hunger and toughness because of it. Foye is aggressive, gritty and very athletic -- a nice combination in any guard. He's a warrior with great competitive instincts. His shot has improved dramatically over his four years at Villanova and he possesses enough ball-handling skills to play point guard at least part time in the pros. To top it off, he's one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. Some consider him more of a combo than a true point guard, isn't a natural at setting the table and running the show as a point guard but has shown improvement in that area. He could go as high as Atlanta at No. 5, the Timberwovles at No. 6 but wont slip past the Warriors at No. 9.
9.Golden St. Warriors- Rodney Carney(Memphis) 6-7 205lbs SF
Carney, one of the most athletic players in the draft, is a human highlight film. With his length, size and athletic ability, he can score in many different ways. He has good size for his position and good one-on-one ability to raise up on his defender and get his shot off against almost anyone. Needs to add strength, put time in the weight room and bulk up some, can be prone to taking bad shots at times. Some team will fall in love with his combination of athleticism and shooting ability in individual workouts, but the tale of the tape is going to be overcome. He could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Orlando at No. 11 or could slip to New Orleans at No. 15.
10.Seattle Supersonics- Shelden Williams(Duke) 6-9 250lbs PF
Burly power forward with a no nonsense approach, hard worker who has developed a reputation as a great kid. One of the best rebounders and shot blockers in college basketball. A beast in the paint. A solid scorer with his back to the basket. Great strength and, despite his bulk, is actually pretty explosive. Has improved his perimeter shooting and can hit a jumper from 10 feet out. Scouts wish Williams was another inch or two taller. Not a great athlete, especially laterally. Scouts don't see him as having much upside. Could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Seattle at No. 10 or could slip to Indiana at No. 17.
11.Orlando Magic- Ronnie Brewer(Arkansas) 6-7 220lbs SG
A childhood water slide accident left him with a small bone protruding from his triceps area which has created an abnormal shooting form. Brewer is long, athletic and a very versatile wing player. One or the most explosive players in college, Brewer has the ability to take over games with his athleticism and a motor that never stops. He can handle the basketball and be a secondary ball-handler if needed. He is a good passer, which allowed him to play a lot of point guard last season. Compares favorably with Andre Iguodala with his high energy level. Brewer can get after people on defense. He tries to control the game on both ends of the floor, which you don't see in a lot of college players these days. That said, he has confidence in his shot and at times can make them. Brewer needs a lot of work in this area at the next level. Could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Seattle at No. 10 or Orlando at No. 11.
12.NO/OK City Hornets- Cedric Simmons(NC State) 6-10 235lbs PF/C
Simmons is a tall, wiry, athletic big man who has excellent length and can run the floor. A big-time athlete with a body that's beginning to fill out. Unbelievable shot blocker. Explosive leaper. Excellent rebounder. Long arms (has a 7-foot-4 wingspan) give him a chance to be a center in the pros. Has put on quite a bit of muscle. Shows a lot of toughness in the paint, especially on the defensive end. Great in the open court. Still developing offensively, lacks any real go-to moves. No real shooting touch to speak of. Gets most of his points via dunks. Could go as high as New Orleans at No. 12, Philadelphia at No. 13 or as low as Indiana at No. 18.
13.Philadelphia 76ers- Marcus Williams(UConn) 6-3 205lbs PG
A pure point guard with good size and good strength for the position. Doesn't have blazing speed and quickness but has the uncanny ability to break people down off the dribble, creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. One of the main things Williams needs to work on is his turnovers, oftentimes he turns the ball over after drive in the lane while trying to feed teammates. A below average NBA athlete. Has struggled to keep off the weight over the years. Defensively he'll struggle with his lateral quickness. Questions about his work ethic follow his conditioning concerns. Off-the-court questions haunt him. Does he have too much baggage? Could go as high as Atlanta at No. 5 or Houston at No. 8. Could slip to Philadelphia at No. 13.
14.Utah Jazz- J.J Redick(Duke) 6-4 190lbs SG
One of the two or three best pure shooters in the country. His shooting mechanics are flawless, and he possesses very deep range on his jumper. Doesn't have great size or athleticism for the 2 at the next level, doesn't possess the ball handling or passing skills to run the point. Combine that with a lack of of lateral quickness, and scouts aren't sure exactly how his game will translate at the next level. Even though Redick seems to have diversified his game greatly this season, scouts seriously wonder if he'll be able to get to the rim and create his own shot off the dribble at the next level. He could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Orlando at No. 11, Utah at No. 14, or Indiana at No. 17.
15.NO/OK City Hornets- Shawne Williams(Memphis) 6-9 225lbs SF
Two words come to mind when people watch Williams: Upside and potential. Early in the season, he was considered one of the nation's top perimeter talents. He slumped later in the season, and that cooled off his stock considerably. Has tremendous versatility, at 6-9 Shawne can play from the 1-thru-4 positions. Will need to develop better defensive technique, more intensity, must add strength and conditioning. Williams' bad shot selection, questionable work ethic and the tendency to disappear for huge stretches have hurt his draft stock this season. He is a long-armed small forward with NBA 3-point range. He can spot up or come off screens and knock down shots with the best of them. Williams is a very athletic player who one day could be a very potent offensive basketball player. He has drawn comparisons to Walt Williams and Steve Smith. He could go as high as Orlando at No. 11 or slip to the Knicks at No. 20.
16.Chicago Bulls- Mardy Collins(Temple) 6-6 205lbs SG/PG
At 6-6 he's got the ability to run the show from the point guard position, doesn't try to be too flashy or make spectacular plays, keeps it simple and effective. He struggles shooting the ball from everywhere on the floor. He has trouble defensively against small, quick point guards. Isn't a great NBA athlete. Good defender coming out of the Temple system which emphasizes defense, great at anticipating passes, ball hawking style. Could still go as high as Chicago at No. 16, but could slide all the way to Cavs at No. 25 or the Lakers at No. 26.
17.Indiana Pacers- Tiago Splitter(Brazil) 7-0 240lbs PF
Splitter's got an NBA body, though he still needs to make it stronger. Most scouts agree that his defense is ahead of his offense right now. He's an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. He has excellent mobility and great foot work for a player his size. He already has more international experience than Nene and Anderson combined. What position does he play? Probably power forward, but he needs to improve his inside scoring if that's the case. A little more strength is needed for him to make the transition to the center. Splitter is one of the best big men in the draft but serious questions about whether an NBA team will be able to buy him out of his contract with TAU (there's currently no NBA buyout provision in his contract) has hurt his stock. Could go as high as No. 7 to the Celtics. Likely to withdraw from the draft before the June 17th deadline.
18.Washington Wizards- Hilton Armstrong(Uconn) 6-11 235lbs C/PF
Not very polished on the offensive end, partly due to the fact that he only averaged 10, 10 and 12 minutes per game his first three years. He's long and athletic. Armstrong is an explosive leaper with excellent shot-blocking timing. He hustles up and down the floor and plays with a lot of enthusiasm. Good rebounder. Below average court awareness, gets caught making mistakes in defensive switch-offs, lacks the killer edge, consistency. Can he stay focused enough to play this hard every night? Could go as high as the Jazz at No. 14 or could slip to the Suns at No. 21.
19.Sacramento Kings- Guillermo Diaz(Miami) 6-3 190lbs SG/PG
A converted volleyball player with phenomenal athleticism, rumored to have a 50-inch vertical jump. What position does he play? Size-wise, he's a point guard, but scouts aren't convinced he has the skills to play the point full time in the pros. He's raw. Doesn't have the basketball experience of most prospects. He still plays out of control and tries to do too much. Very competitive player, smart player, tough mentally, doesn’t get rattled easily. Diaz is a very explosive scorer, both on deep shots and off the dribble. He is a tough guy to cover. With his strong body and athleticism, he might be able to be a post-up point guard, as well. Could go as high as the Kings at No. 19 or the Lakers at No. 26.
20.New York Knicks- Shannon Brown(Mich. St) 6-3 190lbs SG/PG
He is built like a tank, plays good defense and is a phenomenal athlete. Very quick, true highlight-film waiting to happen on the fastbreaks, he is just as likely to rise up and dunk on the defense in a half-court setting. Huge hands. Strong. His ball handling has improved. At times becomes lax on the defensive end when he is not totally entrapped in the game. Is he a great athlete or a basketball player? Could go as high as Indiana at No. 17, Sacramento at No. 19 or as low as the Lakers at No. 26.
21.Phoenix Suns- Mouhamed Saer Sene(Senegal) 7-0 232lbs C
An absolutely jaw dropping physical specimen with his combination of size, length, strength, athleticism and mobility. Big time athelte with a freakish 7-foot-8 wingspan. Aggressive defender who can dominate on the boards and by blocking shots. Good agility. Great in the open floor. Only began playing basketball in 2003 so he's still learning the game. Still very raw offensively. Most of his points come from dunks and offensive rebounds. Whatever team drafts him must put a lot of time into his development. He could make great use of the NBDL for the first year. With the lack of quality big men in this draft, Sene could be the beneficiary. He has a big upside, and if he gets with the right team and gets the correct tutelage he could have a nice career. Could go as high as Utah at No. 14 or Phoenix at No. 21.
22.New Jersey Nets- Rajon Rondo(Kentucky) 6-2 171lbs PG
Rondo has wonderful tools. A lightning quick point guard with the ability to penetrate seemingliy at will. Rondo was at one point considered one of the top five prospects in the draft. But after a very cool stretch which included losing his starting job and bouts of inconsistent shooting, Rondo's stock has taken a little bit of a hit. Rondo has a fatal flaw that really hurts his draft stock. Rondo can't shoot. Has passing skills, but has been unable to show them in Kentucky thanks in part to the lack of talent in the supporting cast. Rondo's draft stock is still pretty volatile. He may have the widest range of anyone in the draft. Look at him to go as high as Atlanta at No. 5 or Boston at No. 7. If he doesn't go there, could slip down all the way to the Suns at No. 21 or the Nets at No. 22.
23.New Jersey Nets- Alexander Johnson(Florida State) 6-9 230lbs PF
An excellent athlete who improved upon his mobility in the past year by shedding 20 plus pounds. He's got the body, toughness, skills and athleticism to be an excellent NBA four. Scouts say Johnson possesses a 40-inch vertical which is pretty amazing for a big guy. Older than the average junior at 23 years of age. Scouts question his size (he stands about 6-foot-9 in shoes) in part because he possesses just an average wingspan. But his explosiveness off the floor makes up for some of that. Other scouts wonder if he'll continue to keep himself in shape after making the NBA. His weight loss dramatically improved his game. Can he keep it off? A sleeper. Could go as high as the Nets at No. 22, the Mavs at No. 28 or the Rockets at No. 32.
24.Memphis Grizzlies- Aaron Gray(Pittsburgh) 7-0 270lbs C
Gray is a legit 7-footer, and he has the girth (he weighs in at 270) to handle the middle full time. He's an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive boards. Late bloomer who showed incredible improvement in his junior season. Struggles coordinating his feet on drives to the basket and in transition, lacks great touch and range on his shot. FG% far below where it needs to be for a center. He's not a very good athlete, and weight has been an issue in the past. Experience is also an issue. He's still on the first round bubble, but draft night size usually wins, so this may be a little high for Gray and the Grizzlies need a center.
25.Cleveland Cavaliers- Jordan Farmar(UCLA) 6-2 180lbs PG
Farmar led a talented UCLA team to the NCAA title game this spring. He is a floor general who has a very good understanding of the game. He has good size and basketball IQ, but he commits a lot of turnovers and can be very reckless with the basketball. Has a bag of tricks offensively with a nasty crossover and good ability to pull up for shots when open. Not a stellar perimeter shooter. He struggled from the college 3-point line, and NBA defenders will sag or double off him and go under most of his pick-and-rolls, making it even tougher for him to get into the lane. Still, given the lack of great point guards in the draft, he's solidly in the first round. He could go as high as No. 23 to the Nets, No. 25 to the Cavs or No. 26 to the Lakers.
26.L.A. Lakers- Kyle Lowry(Villanova) 6-0 185lbs PG
Lowry is built like an NFL defensive back, with huge shoulders, a thick chest and big calves. He's strong, physical and explosive. He's a blur on the floor and it's clear he's going to be a nightmare in the NBA on the defensive end. His heart and passion for the game put him on an elite level rarely seen in today's spoiled basketball players. His temper and his ability to keep his emotions in check could prevent him from being a heady floor leader if he allows his emotions to get the best of him. Could go as high as Philadelphia at No. 13 or could slip to New Jersey at No. 23 or Cleveland at No. 25, the Lakers would be doing backflips if he falls to them at 26.
27.Phoenix Suns- Marcus Vinicius(Brazil) 6-9 235lbs SF
Has all the fundaments of the game, can pass, dribble, play post-up, penetrate the boards and his ball-handling is very strong for a men of his size. His handle has improved to the point that he's currently playing point guard full time for his team in Brazil. In the past, scouts have been concerned about his lack of strength and some major defensive shortcomings. In previous seasons, his lack of strength affected his ability to play in the paint and finish around the basket. However, Vinicius has bulked to 235 over the past year. Several scouts, after seeing him in Brazil, are projecting him as a potential point forward in the pros. He's got the raw tools to be a legit prospect. He could go as high as the Nets at No. 21, the Nets at No. 23 or the Cavs at No. 25.
28.Dallas Mavericks- Thabo Sefolosha(Switzerland) 6-6 215lbs SG/SF
Sefolosha is a lean 6-foot-6 athletic swingman who excels in the open floor. He's an excellent ball handler and passer who has really improved his shot over the past season. Tends to use his athleticism to his advantage, maybe too much, which he wont be able to do against American players. He still needs to work on his shooting off the dribble and needs to continue to add strength, but add his name to a list of international players teams are intrigued by for the late first round. Tradition says a few teams late in the draft won't want a rookie on their roster and would prefer to develop their asset in Europe. Sefolosha is the type of player who will get a long look in that type of situation. Could go to a team like the Lakers at No. 26 or the Knicks at No. 29.
29.New York Knicks- Josh Boone(UConn) 6-10 237lbs PF/C
Not a superstar prospect, his upside is limited somewhat by his offensive shortcomings, needs to develop better offensive post moves. Boone has all the tools to be a great power forward in the pros. He runs the floor, blocks shots, rebounds on both ends of the floor, plays the game with great energy and is starting to figure out how to finish around the basket on the offensive end of the floor. Does Boone really like to play? Some at UConn wonder whether he has the drive, both on and off the court, to ever become a great player. May still be a first rounder because of his size, but his play hasn't warranted such a high selection. The Hot rumor is the Knicks made a promise to Boone that they would draft him in the first round if he were still on the board.
30.Portland Trailblazers- Olexsiy Pecherov(Ukraine) 6-11 222lbs PF/C
Pecherov is one of the more intriguing big men in this year's draft. He finally has seen a lot of time in with Paris Racing, his first-division team in France. He has a lot of ability and good length and frame for a kid 21 years old. In addition, he can run the floor well for a big man. Not the classic banger of a power forward, lacks a great back to the basket game. Very skilled big man who can play both inside and out. Decent athlete. Excellent shooter. Has the ability to put the ball on the floor though that seems to be somewhat diminished as he's filling out. Has developed into an excellent rebounder. He will be a work in progress and will take some time to develop, but most big men in this league develop late. He could turn out to be similar to Nenad Krstic of the New Jersey Nets. The Nets held the rights to Krstic for a couple of years while he developed his game while playing for Partizan of the Serbian league. Pecherov could go as high as the Bulls at No. 16 or as low as the Blazers at No. 30.
1.Toronto Raptors – Andrea Bargnani(Italy) 7-0 225lbs SF/PF
Bargnani has shown the ability to rebound against good competition in Europe and has gotten a lot of time at a young age, which doesn't always happen for such a young prospect. Bargnani needs to gain weight and strength. His low-post game is pretty underdeveloped and he avoids contact. On the offensive side he prefers going one-on-one and can score in many ways: shooting from outside, finishing a fast-break or on low-post moves. He's even adept at beating his defender off the dribble due to his great ball-handling skills including dribbling through his legs and behind the back. He runs the court very well with good speed and quickness despite his size. The circumstantial evidence that GM Bryan Colangelo might select Bargnani is strong: He has (a) heavily scouted Bargnani the past two years, (cool.gif been one of his Bargnani's biggest fans for a while, © shown when at Phoenix that he is very open to international players and (d) been in the process of wooing Bargnani's boss, Benetton GM Maurizio Gherardini, to the Raptors.
2.Chicago Bulls- Tyrus Thomas(LSU) 6-9 229lbs PF
Thomas is a "freak" athlete. He has great hops, is extremely long and is one of the quickest jumpers in the college game. He is a high-flyer and incredibly explosive around the rim. In college, if the ball was thrown anywhere up near the rim, he got it. Plays with great intensity, has an edge to him. Feathery touch out to 12-15 feet, and good handles for a big man because he was a point guard till he had a growth sprut. He is weak physically and needs to gain more strength for the NBA game. He is not only a shot-blocker but he is a shot-changer. You have to know where he is at all times. He is very active defensively and is very dangerous as a weak-side help man coming to block the shot. He is solid defensively, works at it and looks like he has been well-schooled. Great upside he will go in the top 1-3 picks in the draft.
3.Charlotte Bobcats- LaMarcus Aldridge(Texas) 6-10 240lbs PF
Aldridge has a tremendous upside because of his great length, excellent reach and athleticism. He runs the floor every time in transition, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. He is very active on missed shots; and he goes to the glass. He's a little weak in his upper body and hands going for rebounds. Will improve with added strength. Big-time shot-blocker, very active defensively. Appears to have quick enough feet, to be able to make rotations in defensive assignments. Must develop a killer instinct, more intensity. Clearly Aldridge needs to get stronger, but scouts believe that the rest of the package is there. Scouts are still debating whether Aldridge or LSU's Tyrus Thomas is the best power forward in the draft.
4.Portland Trailblazers- Adam Morrison(Gonzaga) 6-8 205lbs SF
Old school right down to the stripes on the socks, incredibly competitive. Morrison is a pure scorer who can put points on the board in a lot of different ways. He is excellent at attacking the basket one-on-one with his length and is fearless finishing around the rim. He is very good at digging the baseline going left and rising up for the jumper. He has a very high release point on his jumper and never has a problem getting it off. He loves to use the spin move to go to his jumper when he gets deep in the paint. He is very cagey and will use head fakes and pump fakes to get his defender off the floor and draw fouls. Defense will be the real question for Morrison in the NBA. He must improve his feet and lateral quickness to guard at his position. He understands how to guard his man in college -- how much space to give depending on his speed and has good length to use defending. However, in the NBA he will be facing tremendous scorers at the wing position, and he must be able to guard them on the perimeter. He could go as high as Charlotte at No. 3 or Portland at No. 4. If he doesn't get picked there, there's a possibility he slides all the way to Houston at No. 8 or Seattle at No. 10.
5.Atlanta Hawks- Patrick O’Bryant(Bradley) 7-0 250lbs C/PF
Classic late bloomer, still getting used to his body and learning what he's capable of. Big-time rebounder and shot blocker who projects as a true center in the pros. Long arms (7-foot-5 wingspan) and a good frame combined with solid athleticism have scouts intrigued. Very mobile for a big guy. Improving offensive player who has shown some decent post moves. Scouts wonder a little about his toughness and his commitment to the game. O'Bryant is a project who is still developing and may be two years away from being a real contributor in the NBA. In a draft supposedly devoid of centers, i cant see to many teams passing on O'Bryant, espically when the top five teams could all use help upfront.
6.Minnesota Timberwolves- Rudy Gay(UConn) 6-9 222lbs SF
He does just about everything well, has all the tools but he's still has a long way to go before he figures out how to use them. Rudy is a top notch athlete, good defender, slasher, nice mid-range game but at times seems to lose focus. Scouts had Rudy Gay at the top of their boards all season but a poor ncaa tournment has hurt his stock. The wolves get a steal here because Gay is probally top 2 on talent. KG will find a way to light a fire under him to play at a high level all the time, not just flashes of greatness. Could go as high at the Bobcats at No. 3. Probably won't slip past the Timberwolves at No. 6.
7.Boston Celtics- Brandon Roy(Washington) 6-5 195lbs SG/PG
Roy may have been the most complete player in college basketball last season. He has great height, length and athleticism for the guard position. He did not play the point for Washington, but that may be his best position at the next level. Roy has excellent quickness, and is wiry strong. A bit of a tweener, he's more comfortable playing a point forward position. He lacks the jaw-dropping athleticism or the flair for the dramatic that some of the other top prospects possess. But is there a more complete guard in the draft? His NBA readiness will boost his stock too. He could go as high as Portland at No. 4 or the Hawks at No. 5.
8.Houston Rockets- Randy Foye(Villanova) 6-4 205lbs PG/SG
Has persevered through a rough upbringing (losing both parents young) and shows great hunger and toughness because of it. Foye is aggressive, gritty and very athletic -- a nice combination in any guard. He's a warrior with great competitive instincts. His shot has improved dramatically over his four years at Villanova and he possesses enough ball-handling skills to play point guard at least part time in the pros. To top it off, he's one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. Some consider him more of a combo than a true point guard, isn't a natural at setting the table and running the show as a point guard but has shown improvement in that area. He could go as high as Atlanta at No. 5, the Timberwovles at No. 6 but wont slip past the Warriors at No. 9.
9.Golden St. Warriors- Rodney Carney(Memphis) 6-7 205lbs SF
Carney, one of the most athletic players in the draft, is a human highlight film. With his length, size and athletic ability, he can score in many different ways. He has good size for his position and good one-on-one ability to raise up on his defender and get his shot off against almost anyone. Needs to add strength, put time in the weight room and bulk up some, can be prone to taking bad shots at times. Some team will fall in love with his combination of athleticism and shooting ability in individual workouts, but the tale of the tape is going to be overcome. He could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Orlando at No. 11 or could slip to New Orleans at No. 15.
10.Seattle Supersonics- Shelden Williams(Duke) 6-9 250lbs PF
Burly power forward with a no nonsense approach, hard worker who has developed a reputation as a great kid. One of the best rebounders and shot blockers in college basketball. A beast in the paint. A solid scorer with his back to the basket. Great strength and, despite his bulk, is actually pretty explosive. Has improved his perimeter shooting and can hit a jumper from 10 feet out. Scouts wish Williams was another inch or two taller. Not a great athlete, especially laterally. Scouts don't see him as having much upside. Could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Seattle at No. 10 or could slip to Indiana at No. 17.
11.Orlando Magic- Ronnie Brewer(Arkansas) 6-7 220lbs SG
A childhood water slide accident left him with a small bone protruding from his triceps area which has created an abnormal shooting form. Brewer is long, athletic and a very versatile wing player. One or the most explosive players in college, Brewer has the ability to take over games with his athleticism and a motor that never stops. He can handle the basketball and be a secondary ball-handler if needed. He is a good passer, which allowed him to play a lot of point guard last season. Compares favorably with Andre Iguodala with his high energy level. Brewer can get after people on defense. He tries to control the game on both ends of the floor, which you don't see in a lot of college players these days. That said, he has confidence in his shot and at times can make them. Brewer needs a lot of work in this area at the next level. Could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Seattle at No. 10 or Orlando at No. 11.
12.NO/OK City Hornets- Cedric Simmons(NC State) 6-10 235lbs PF/C
Simmons is a tall, wiry, athletic big man who has excellent length and can run the floor. A big-time athlete with a body that's beginning to fill out. Unbelievable shot blocker. Explosive leaper. Excellent rebounder. Long arms (has a 7-foot-4 wingspan) give him a chance to be a center in the pros. Has put on quite a bit of muscle. Shows a lot of toughness in the paint, especially on the defensive end. Great in the open court. Still developing offensively, lacks any real go-to moves. No real shooting touch to speak of. Gets most of his points via dunks. Could go as high as New Orleans at No. 12, Philadelphia at No. 13 or as low as Indiana at No. 18.
13.Philadelphia 76ers- Marcus Williams(UConn) 6-3 205lbs PG
A pure point guard with good size and good strength for the position. Doesn't have blazing speed and quickness but has the uncanny ability to break people down off the dribble, creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. One of the main things Williams needs to work on is his turnovers, oftentimes he turns the ball over after drive in the lane while trying to feed teammates. A below average NBA athlete. Has struggled to keep off the weight over the years. Defensively he'll struggle with his lateral quickness. Questions about his work ethic follow his conditioning concerns. Off-the-court questions haunt him. Does he have too much baggage? Could go as high as Atlanta at No. 5 or Houston at No. 8. Could slip to Philadelphia at No. 13.
14.Utah Jazz- J.J Redick(Duke) 6-4 190lbs SG
One of the two or three best pure shooters in the country. His shooting mechanics are flawless, and he possesses very deep range on his jumper. Doesn't have great size or athleticism for the 2 at the next level, doesn't possess the ball handling or passing skills to run the point. Combine that with a lack of of lateral quickness, and scouts aren't sure exactly how his game will translate at the next level. Even though Redick seems to have diversified his game greatly this season, scouts seriously wonder if he'll be able to get to the rim and create his own shot off the dribble at the next level. He could go as high as Houston at No. 8, Orlando at No. 11, Utah at No. 14, or Indiana at No. 17.
15.NO/OK City Hornets- Shawne Williams(Memphis) 6-9 225lbs SF
Two words come to mind when people watch Williams: Upside and potential. Early in the season, he was considered one of the nation's top perimeter talents. He slumped later in the season, and that cooled off his stock considerably. Has tremendous versatility, at 6-9 Shawne can play from the 1-thru-4 positions. Will need to develop better defensive technique, more intensity, must add strength and conditioning. Williams' bad shot selection, questionable work ethic and the tendency to disappear for huge stretches have hurt his draft stock this season. He is a long-armed small forward with NBA 3-point range. He can spot up or come off screens and knock down shots with the best of them. Williams is a very athletic player who one day could be a very potent offensive basketball player. He has drawn comparisons to Walt Williams and Steve Smith. He could go as high as Orlando at No. 11 or slip to the Knicks at No. 20.
16.Chicago Bulls- Mardy Collins(Temple) 6-6 205lbs SG/PG
At 6-6 he's got the ability to run the show from the point guard position, doesn't try to be too flashy or make spectacular plays, keeps it simple and effective. He struggles shooting the ball from everywhere on the floor. He has trouble defensively against small, quick point guards. Isn't a great NBA athlete. Good defender coming out of the Temple system which emphasizes defense, great at anticipating passes, ball hawking style. Could still go as high as Chicago at No. 16, but could slide all the way to Cavs at No. 25 or the Lakers at No. 26.
17.Indiana Pacers- Tiago Splitter(Brazil) 7-0 240lbs PF
Splitter's got an NBA body, though he still needs to make it stronger. Most scouts agree that his defense is ahead of his offense right now. He's an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. He has excellent mobility and great foot work for a player his size. He already has more international experience than Nene and Anderson combined. What position does he play? Probably power forward, but he needs to improve his inside scoring if that's the case. A little more strength is needed for him to make the transition to the center. Splitter is one of the best big men in the draft but serious questions about whether an NBA team will be able to buy him out of his contract with TAU (there's currently no NBA buyout provision in his contract) has hurt his stock. Could go as high as No. 7 to the Celtics. Likely to withdraw from the draft before the June 17th deadline.
18.Washington Wizards- Hilton Armstrong(Uconn) 6-11 235lbs C/PF
Not very polished on the offensive end, partly due to the fact that he only averaged 10, 10 and 12 minutes per game his first three years. He's long and athletic. Armstrong is an explosive leaper with excellent shot-blocking timing. He hustles up and down the floor and plays with a lot of enthusiasm. Good rebounder. Below average court awareness, gets caught making mistakes in defensive switch-offs, lacks the killer edge, consistency. Can he stay focused enough to play this hard every night? Could go as high as the Jazz at No. 14 or could slip to the Suns at No. 21.
19.Sacramento Kings- Guillermo Diaz(Miami) 6-3 190lbs SG/PG
A converted volleyball player with phenomenal athleticism, rumored to have a 50-inch vertical jump. What position does he play? Size-wise, he's a point guard, but scouts aren't convinced he has the skills to play the point full time in the pros. He's raw. Doesn't have the basketball experience of most prospects. He still plays out of control and tries to do too much. Very competitive player, smart player, tough mentally, doesn’t get rattled easily. Diaz is a very explosive scorer, both on deep shots and off the dribble. He is a tough guy to cover. With his strong body and athleticism, he might be able to be a post-up point guard, as well. Could go as high as the Kings at No. 19 or the Lakers at No. 26.
20.New York Knicks- Shannon Brown(Mich. St) 6-3 190lbs SG/PG
He is built like a tank, plays good defense and is a phenomenal athlete. Very quick, true highlight-film waiting to happen on the fastbreaks, he is just as likely to rise up and dunk on the defense in a half-court setting. Huge hands. Strong. His ball handling has improved. At times becomes lax on the defensive end when he is not totally entrapped in the game. Is he a great athlete or a basketball player? Could go as high as Indiana at No. 17, Sacramento at No. 19 or as low as the Lakers at No. 26.
21.Phoenix Suns- Mouhamed Saer Sene(Senegal) 7-0 232lbs C
An absolutely jaw dropping physical specimen with his combination of size, length, strength, athleticism and mobility. Big time athelte with a freakish 7-foot-8 wingspan. Aggressive defender who can dominate on the boards and by blocking shots. Good agility. Great in the open floor. Only began playing basketball in 2003 so he's still learning the game. Still very raw offensively. Most of his points come from dunks and offensive rebounds. Whatever team drafts him must put a lot of time into his development. He could make great use of the NBDL for the first year. With the lack of quality big men in this draft, Sene could be the beneficiary. He has a big upside, and if he gets with the right team and gets the correct tutelage he could have a nice career. Could go as high as Utah at No. 14 or Phoenix at No. 21.
22.New Jersey Nets- Rajon Rondo(Kentucky) 6-2 171lbs PG
Rondo has wonderful tools. A lightning quick point guard with the ability to penetrate seemingliy at will. Rondo was at one point considered one of the top five prospects in the draft. But after a very cool stretch which included losing his starting job and bouts of inconsistent shooting, Rondo's stock has taken a little bit of a hit. Rondo has a fatal flaw that really hurts his draft stock. Rondo can't shoot. Has passing skills, but has been unable to show them in Kentucky thanks in part to the lack of talent in the supporting cast. Rondo's draft stock is still pretty volatile. He may have the widest range of anyone in the draft. Look at him to go as high as Atlanta at No. 5 or Boston at No. 7. If he doesn't go there, could slip down all the way to the Suns at No. 21 or the Nets at No. 22.
23.New Jersey Nets- Alexander Johnson(Florida State) 6-9 230lbs PF
An excellent athlete who improved upon his mobility in the past year by shedding 20 plus pounds. He's got the body, toughness, skills and athleticism to be an excellent NBA four. Scouts say Johnson possesses a 40-inch vertical which is pretty amazing for a big guy. Older than the average junior at 23 years of age. Scouts question his size (he stands about 6-foot-9 in shoes) in part because he possesses just an average wingspan. But his explosiveness off the floor makes up for some of that. Other scouts wonder if he'll continue to keep himself in shape after making the NBA. His weight loss dramatically improved his game. Can he keep it off? A sleeper. Could go as high as the Nets at No. 22, the Mavs at No. 28 or the Rockets at No. 32.
24.Memphis Grizzlies- Aaron Gray(Pittsburgh) 7-0 270lbs C
Gray is a legit 7-footer, and he has the girth (he weighs in at 270) to handle the middle full time. He's an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive boards. Late bloomer who showed incredible improvement in his junior season. Struggles coordinating his feet on drives to the basket and in transition, lacks great touch and range on his shot. FG% far below where it needs to be for a center. He's not a very good athlete, and weight has been an issue in the past. Experience is also an issue. He's still on the first round bubble, but draft night size usually wins, so this may be a little high for Gray and the Grizzlies need a center.
25.Cleveland Cavaliers- Jordan Farmar(UCLA) 6-2 180lbs PG
Farmar led a talented UCLA team to the NCAA title game this spring. He is a floor general who has a very good understanding of the game. He has good size and basketball IQ, but he commits a lot of turnovers and can be very reckless with the basketball. Has a bag of tricks offensively with a nasty crossover and good ability to pull up for shots when open. Not a stellar perimeter shooter. He struggled from the college 3-point line, and NBA defenders will sag or double off him and go under most of his pick-and-rolls, making it even tougher for him to get into the lane. Still, given the lack of great point guards in the draft, he's solidly in the first round. He could go as high as No. 23 to the Nets, No. 25 to the Cavs or No. 26 to the Lakers.
26.L.A. Lakers- Kyle Lowry(Villanova) 6-0 185lbs PG
Lowry is built like an NFL defensive back, with huge shoulders, a thick chest and big calves. He's strong, physical and explosive. He's a blur on the floor and it's clear he's going to be a nightmare in the NBA on the defensive end. His heart and passion for the game put him on an elite level rarely seen in today's spoiled basketball players. His temper and his ability to keep his emotions in check could prevent him from being a heady floor leader if he allows his emotions to get the best of him. Could go as high as Philadelphia at No. 13 or could slip to New Jersey at No. 23 or Cleveland at No. 25, the Lakers would be doing backflips if he falls to them at 26.
27.Phoenix Suns- Marcus Vinicius(Brazil) 6-9 235lbs SF
Has all the fundaments of the game, can pass, dribble, play post-up, penetrate the boards and his ball-handling is very strong for a men of his size. His handle has improved to the point that he's currently playing point guard full time for his team in Brazil. In the past, scouts have been concerned about his lack of strength and some major defensive shortcomings. In previous seasons, his lack of strength affected his ability to play in the paint and finish around the basket. However, Vinicius has bulked to 235 over the past year. Several scouts, after seeing him in Brazil, are projecting him as a potential point forward in the pros. He's got the raw tools to be a legit prospect. He could go as high as the Nets at No. 21, the Nets at No. 23 or the Cavs at No. 25.
28.Dallas Mavericks- Thabo Sefolosha(Switzerland) 6-6 215lbs SG/SF
Sefolosha is a lean 6-foot-6 athletic swingman who excels in the open floor. He's an excellent ball handler and passer who has really improved his shot over the past season. Tends to use his athleticism to his advantage, maybe too much, which he wont be able to do against American players. He still needs to work on his shooting off the dribble and needs to continue to add strength, but add his name to a list of international players teams are intrigued by for the late first round. Tradition says a few teams late in the draft won't want a rookie on their roster and would prefer to develop their asset in Europe. Sefolosha is the type of player who will get a long look in that type of situation. Could go to a team like the Lakers at No. 26 or the Knicks at No. 29.
29.New York Knicks- Josh Boone(UConn) 6-10 237lbs PF/C
Not a superstar prospect, his upside is limited somewhat by his offensive shortcomings, needs to develop better offensive post moves. Boone has all the tools to be a great power forward in the pros. He runs the floor, blocks shots, rebounds on both ends of the floor, plays the game with great energy and is starting to figure out how to finish around the basket on the offensive end of the floor. Does Boone really like to play? Some at UConn wonder whether he has the drive, both on and off the court, to ever become a great player. May still be a first rounder because of his size, but his play hasn't warranted such a high selection. The Hot rumor is the Knicks made a promise to Boone that they would draft him in the first round if he were still on the board.
30.Portland Trailblazers- Olexsiy Pecherov(Ukraine) 6-11 222lbs PF/C
Pecherov is one of the more intriguing big men in this year's draft. He finally has seen a lot of time in with Paris Racing, his first-division team in France. He has a lot of ability and good length and frame for a kid 21 years old. In addition, he can run the floor well for a big man. Not the classic banger of a power forward, lacks a great back to the basket game. Very skilled big man who can play both inside and out. Decent athlete. Excellent shooter. Has the ability to put the ball on the floor though that seems to be somewhat diminished as he's filling out. Has developed into an excellent rebounder. He will be a work in progress and will take some time to develop, but most big men in this league develop late. He could turn out to be similar to Nenad Krstic of the New Jersey Nets. The Nets held the rights to Krstic for a couple of years while he developed his game while playing for Partizan of the Serbian league. Pecherov could go as high as the Bulls at No. 16 or as low as the Blazers at No. 30.
