honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 1:55 a.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2007

NBA: Mock draft has Oden, Durant, Horford going 1-2-3

By Marc Narducci
The Philadelphia Inquirer

Here is how the first round could unfold:

1. Portland: Greg Oden, 7-foot, center, Ohio State. He should be the franchise's center for the next 15 years.

2.Seattle: Kevin Durant, 6-9, forward, Texas. A future all-star, he is no consolation prize.

3.Atlanta: Al Horford, 6-9, forward, Florida. Atlanta needs a point guard, but it's tough to pass on Horford's toughness.

4.Memphis: Joakim Noah, 6-11, forward, Florida. He's not much of a shooter but brings tremendous energy.

5.Boston: Yi Jianlian, 6-11, power forward, China. This pick could also be traded to Phoenix, Minnesota, Golden State, or even the 76ers.

6.Milwaukee: Mike Conley Jr., 6-1, guard, Ohio State. He can run a team, but can he score?

7.Minnesota: Spencer Hawes, 7-0, center, Washington. Team executive Kevin McHale sees some of himself in Hawes.

8.Charlotte: Brandan Wright, 6-9, forward, North Carolina. The Bobcats love those former Tar Heels.

9.Chicago: Jeff Green, 6-8, forward, Georgetown. The Sixers like Green but will have to trade up to draft him.

10. Sacramento: Corey Brewer, 6-8, guard, Florida. He might be the best defensive player in the draft.

11. Atlanta: Javaris Crittenton, 6-5, guard, Georgia Tech. The Hawks are captivated by a local talent.

12. 76ers: Al Thornton, 6-8, forward, Florida State. He increased his scoring production each year in college.

13. New Orleans: Julian Wright, 6-8, forward, Kansas. His talent exceeds his production (10.4 career points per game).

14. Los Angeles Clippers: Acie Law IV, 6-3, guard, Texas A&M. The uncertain status of Shaun Livingston makes getting a point guard a priority.

15. Detroit: Nick Young, 6-6, guard, Southern Cal. An underrated, all-around player, he had a good workout with the Sixers.

16. Washington: Jason Smith, 7-0, forward-center, Colorado State. Will the Sixers try to trade up to get him?

17. New Jersey: Josh McRoberts, 6-10, forward, Duke. The Nets have a good history with mid-to-late first-rounders.

18. Golden State: Tiago Splitter, 6-11, forward, Brazil. The Warriors will try to trade up for a shot at Yi.

19. Los Angeles Lakers: Thaddeus Young, 6-8, forward, Georgia Tech. Young impressed the Sixers during his predraft workout.

20. Miami: Morris Almond, 6-6, guard, Rice. The Heat look for the best shooter in the draft.

21. 76ers: Rodney Stuckey, 6-4, guard, Eastern Washington. He averaged 24.6 points per game last season as a sophomore.

22. Charlotte: Marco Belinelli, 6-5, guard, Italy. The Bobcats need insurance if they don't re-sign Matt Carroll.

23. New York: Jared Dudley, 6-7, forward, Boston College. The ACC player of the year is productive but a tweener.

24. Phoenix: Daequan Cook, 6-4, guard, Ohio State. The Suns can be patient for a player whose game has to catch up to his body.

25. Utah: Rudy Fernandez, 6-6, guard, Spain. He was originally an early-entry candidate in 2005 and 2006.

26. Houston: Nick Fazekas, 6-11, forward, Nevada. Next to Almond, he might be the draft's second-best shooter.

27. Detroit: Marcus Williams, 6-7, forward, Arizona. The recent trade of Carlos Delfino opened up frontcourt minutes.

28. San Antonio: Petteri Koponen, 6-4, guard, Finland. The Spurs have enjoyed success with foreign players.

29. Phoenix: Arron Afflalo, 6-5, shooting guard, UCLA. The Suns go for a player who can also play defense.

30. 76ers: Dominic McGuire, 6-8, forward, Fresno State. He is a tough rebounder ( 9.8 boards per game), although it would be a surprise if the Sixers keep this pick.