First half of draft (mock)...

[Gargamel]

Assuming teams actually keep these picks. It's early yet, but I thought WTH.

1. ATL - Andrew Bogut, C, Utah, 7'0, 240 lbs, 20 yrs
First off, he's a center with a pulse. That's good. He has nice passing skills and great footwork. That's good. He's a .700 free throw shooter. That's good. He has nice range and isn't a loafer by nature. That's good. He isn't an athletic beast and will have defensive woes until he acclimates to the NBA. But still. Ladies and germs, he's your first pick. Atlanta needs a cornerstone for their franchise. If nothing else, he can lighten the load for the young talent the Hawks do have while diversifying their roster.

http://deseretnews.com/photos/1725912.jpg

2. CHA - Chris Paul, PG, Wake Forest, 6'0, 168 lbs, 19 yrs
Nice floor leader with terrific speed, will be able to rack up steals and penetrate in the NBA. Gives the Bobcats an inside/outside attack with he and Okafor. He displays a positive attitude as well.

http://media.theinsiders.com/Media/College_Mens_Basketball/99035_chrispaul1.JPG

3. NOH - Marvin Williams, SF/PF, North Carolina, 6'9, 230 lbs, 18 yrs
Hasn't declared for the Draft yet, but if he does, he's a top 3 pick. He's versatile and athletic and is legit at either forward position with nice shooting touch. He's got that U-word. If Williams doesn't declare, I expect NO to take a hard look at Gerald Green.

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050405/capt.moff11804050231.ncaa_championship_moff118.jpg

4t. UTA - Raymond Felton, PG, North Carolina, 6'1, 192 lbs, 19 yrs
Does nearly everything you'd expect from a top-tier point guard. He's a great passer, decision maker, defender, athlete, and a decent shooter. He can lose focus at times, as evidenced in the title game vs Illinois. Jazz could use a good point guard to build from. They know how to build from a PG, they just haven't had much to work with since Stockton retired. If not Felton, Green.

http://media.theinsiders.com/Media/College_Mens_Basketball/30920_felton020504.JPG

4t. POR - Gerald Green, SG/SF, high school, 6'8, 195 lbs, 19 yrs
Portland is currently tied with Utah in the loss column. If Green is still available, they will take him. He is your 2006 Slam Dunk champion. He's only slightly less fluid than Vince Carter while dunking. Extremely athletic and has a nice shooting stroke and a prototypical long-armed SF frame. Porty also has no qualms about taking high schoolers high, but Green is easily the only one from this year's high school crop that warrants a first round pick, imo. If Green is taken by Utah, Portland's pick is harder to figure. They might take BPA in Felton, or they could look for an eventaul replacement for Abdur-Rahim, perhaps Chris Taft or the Brazillian Tiago Splitter depending on workouts.

http://texasroundball.com/pics/GeraldGreen.jpg

6. MIL - Tiago Splitter, PF/C, Brazil, 6'11, 240 lbs, 20 yrs
Their most glaring weakness is at PF. Tiago Splitter and Chris Taft just might be BPA at their level. Splitter is a highly regarded foreign-born. Athletic, skinny frame. He apparently has Euro finesse and is a decent post scorer when so inclined. If not Splitter, Taft.

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/largepics/splitter_tiago_brazil1.jpg

7. NYK - Chris Taft, PF/C, Pittsburgh, 6'10, 230 lbs, 20 yrs
Right now, Golden State has one more loss than New York, but there's no reason to expect that will be so at the end of the year. They are weak at PF and undersized at C. I don't think the Knicks can afford to wait on the development of a Fran Vazquez or a Martynas Andriuskevicius if Taft is on the board. Their fans aren't patient enough. Taft was considered a potential top 3 pick earlier in the college year. He didn't have a stellar season and so his stock has dropped a little. Taft is agile, atlhletic, and explosive. He needs to be ridden to succeed, but definitely has enough talent to go this high. If not Taft, Vazquez, Antoine Wright, or Ike Diogu if they're drafting based on need.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2003-12-21/1221pitt2-b.jpg

8. TOR - Deron Williams, PG, Illinois, 6'3, 210 lb, 20 yrs
Golden State can also end up with a higher pick than Toronto, but it's liklier that the Raps lose more games than GS. Deron Williams' stock has risen this year. Matter of fact, all of the Illinois guards' stocks have probably risen. Williams is maybe the best passer of the point guard crop. He's also shown a clutch intangible, a good shot, and smarts. He's not well-conditioned and is slow and not nearly as athletic as any of the other top 5 points, but he plays good position defense. I think a big weakness of his game is his seeming hesitance to penetrate for drives and kicks. This may be a function of how slow he is or of the Illini's game plan, but I think it cost them a national title. For most of the final half, Williams was setting up himself or his teammates for threes instead of probing. At any rate, the Raptors aren't in a position to sneeze at a smart and behaved PG while they're saddled with Rafer Alston's mood swings. If not Williams, Jarrett Jack.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/ill/sports/m-baskbl/auto_ap/williams_d_010304.jpg

9. GSW - Fran Vazquez, PF/C, Spain, 6'10, 229, 21 yrs
The Warriors can also end up tied with the Lakers and lose out on this position. They have a budding team, but their best C (Troy Murphy) is really a PF. They should try to upgrade this position. Vazquez is probably closer to being NBA ready than Andriuskevicius. He supposedly has good speed and explosiveness for his size. If not Vazquez, they can take Ike Diogu and continue to go undersized, but talented at PF & C.

http://marca.com/ficheros/marca/fotos04/Baloncesto/vazquez_fran040307.jpg

 

[Gargamel]

10. LAL - Jarrett Jack, PG, Georgia Tech, 6'3, 202, 21 yrs
The defensive floor general that the Lakers need. Possesses a very good overall package of physique, passing, floor vision, shooting, and especially defense. He's the best defensive point in the draft. If not Jack, D. Williams, Sean May (if he declares), or Charlie Villanueva.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-baskbl/auto_action/a-jack-030503.jpg

11. LAC - Charlie Villanueva, SF/PF, Connecticut, 6'11, 230, 20 yrs
The Clippers could tie the Lakers and take the 10th pick with Corey Maggette out for the final games. At any rate, Baylor drafts well and their most pressing need is a backup PF/C. If Baylor sees a lot of potential in Andriuskevicius, the Clippers might be the first place where he gets major consideration. However, if they want a versatile tweener with C height, Villanueva's a good choice, even though this may be a little high for him (although someone always beats the odds). He's a poor man's Lamar Odom. If not Villanueva, Andriuskevicius, Diogu, S. Williams, or any of the above points who falls down.

http://media.theinsiders.com/Media/College_Mens_Basketball/30920_jackie011704.JPG

12. ORL - Antoine Wright, SG/SF, Texas A&M, 6'7, 195, 21 yrs
They need a swingman to replace Grant Hill. Wright happens to be the best available at where they're picking. They also have Dwight Howard with default C duties. They could just as easily take S. Williams to move Dwight over to PF. If not Wright, S. Williams.

http://sports.tamu.edu/agextras/images/wright-antoine.jpg

13. NJN - Ike Diogu, PF, Arizona St., 6'8, 242 lbs, 21 yrs
NJ needs a C or a PF with a defined role. They're a mess at those positions. Diogu is going to drop this far only because of tweener concerns. It doesn't help that the Pac 10 is slim on NBA-caliber bigs to judge Ike by. If he's really less than 6'8, ouch. That doesn't translate too well into the NBA no matter how talented he is...which he is. However, NJ doesn't have much choice. Diogu is probably better than the load of crap at their power positions. If not Diogu, S. Williams, Andriuskevicius, or Johan Petro.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/asu/sports/m-baskbl/auto_action/a-diogu032003b.jpg

14. MIN - Shelden Williams, PF/C, Duke, 6'9, 245 lbs, 21 yrs
The Pups need a PF because Eddie Griffin is gone. They also could do with a better C than Kandi, but that's another matter. Shelden Williams is the best combination between the two positions. He plays large. He contests dunks, much less layups. He has an NBA-ready paint player body. He's not terribly athletic and often looks winded, but he can score inside, he's a workhorse, and he has no issues with rebounding. If only he were available when the Lakers were taking Brian Cook. Ugh. If not Williams, Andriuskevicius, Petro, or Danny Granger.

http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/ncaa/img7214763.jpg

15. CHA - Danny Granger, SF, New Mexico, 6'8, 215 lbs, 22 yrs
They can go in any number of directions. I doubt they take a PF with Okafor and Ely on the squad. Neither Wallace or Rush are enthralling. The Bobcats have room for someone at either position. There is also a scoring, penetrating Spanish SG named Rodolfo Fernandez. They might want to pick Roko-Leni Ukic if they think he'll be a major improvement to Knight. Granger is a good pick here. If not him, Ukic or Fernandez, or possibly Johan Petro as a backup to Brezec.

http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper344/stills/38286c54.jpg

16. TOR - Martynas Andriuskevicius, C, Lithuania, 7'2, 242, 19 yrs
It actually makes sense for the Raps to take a C here. It's very likely that they'll either pick Deron Williams or Jack with their first pick. The only inside scoring, defense, and rebounding on that team is provided by Bosh. Therefore, the Lithuanian has a real shot at this pick. I should also note that the Raptors fans will be much more patient with him than Philly (who originally had this pick). If not him, Petro.

http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/largepics/MartynasAndriuskevicius01.jpg

17. MEM - Roko-Leni Ukic, PG, Croatia, 6'5, 183 lbs, 20 yrs
Memphis has a tough closing schedule. They'll probably finish with more losses than Indy or Wash. West will go for BPA, whether or not the player actually turns out to be BPA. I expect him to take Ukic. He's tall, speedy, has a good stroke, and can pass. He's paper thin, though. A Croatian poster at another site always says he's the best player out of Europe. Not too sure I disagree with his assessment. If not Ukic, I wouldn't be surprised if West took another foreign-born or someone you wouldn't expect. Perhaps Mikael Gelebale.

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/largepics/manheim/Ukic___croatia.jpg

18. IND - Johan Petro, C, France, 7'0, 260 lbs, 19 yrs
Indiana may trade this pick due to salary concerns. If they keep it, they could use some beef in the middle with Dale Davis fielding LLE and split MLE offers. Petro's a bull, shot blocker, athlete. Raw offensively.

http://www.euroleague.net/fotos/noticias/jornada1/med_606_41.jpg

19-30. Gets sketchy at this point with some 2nd rounders moving up to teams who need something other than a 3/4/5. I would expect the Kings to take someone like SF Francisco Garcia, SF Mikael Gelebale, SG/SF Rashad McCants, C Channing Frye, or PF/C Ronny Turiaf.

 

[PixelPusher]

What? No one is going for Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith?


...oops. Wrong draft.

 

[The Freak]

How in the world will you fit Andriuskevicius on a jersey?

 

[C Diddy]

Rashad Mccants?

Edit: I see you included him in the #19 group. I thought I heard some talk he was a lottery pick, could be too early to tell. If the Kings manage to draft him, I wouldn't mind.

 

[PacMan]

Rashad Mccants?

Edit: I see you included him in the #19 group. I thought I heard some talk he was a lottery pick, could be too early to tell. If the Kings manage to draft him, I wouldn't mind.

I hope Charlie Villanueva slip. I wouldnt mind having him. He could be the good athletic element that we need

 

[Packt]

Message to Petrie: Draft guys with good size.

 

[Kev.in]

Cleveland wishes they could draft a guy like Granger, but they owe that pick to Charlotte so wishing is all they'll be able to do.

 

[Gargamel]

Cleveland wishes they could draft a guy like Granger, but they owe that pick to Charlotte so wishing is all they'll be able to do.

Ack. I'm going to amend. Toronto also gets Philly's pick. Forgot to check for any traded picks.

Actually kept Granger and M.A. in the same spots. Still works out.

 

[Gargamel]

Rashad Mccants?

Edit: I see you included him in the #19 group. I thought I heard some talk he was a lottery pick, could be too early to tell. If the Kings manage to draft him, I wouldn't mind.

He's not.

 

[Gargamel]

How in the world will you fit Andriuskevicius on a jersey?

They should stitch MARTY on his jersey. He's even got Sarunas' last name beat.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

As amazed I am that Wayne Simien isn't in your top 20, I hope the Kings manage to pick him up.

 

[Gargamel]

As amazed I am that Wayne Simien isn't in your top 20, I hope the Kings manage to pick him up.

I only did 18 spots, not 20. Simien is probably a late first rounder or early 2nd rounder. I highly doubt that he goes any higher than 18 due to injury and tweener concerns. He could jump up a little depending on how iffy the league's GMs are on the foreign borns this year, and also on how he officially measures up and how safe teams feel about his health.

The Cats have Okafor and the Raps have Bosh. There are still good prospects to be found at other positions where they'll draft. It's always difficult to know who Jerry West will select, but he has said many times that he looks for the best player available. That could mean a F despite all of the Fs they have. I just don't think Simien is BPA at their level. Indiana could trade the pick, so a team desiring Simien might take their place. If Indy keeps it, they already have O'Neal and Foster who are more PF than C. Petro is raw, but can gallop and block shots and has legit C size. Some team is going to take him before the 20th pick, just in case he might pan out.

 

[Gargamel]

I hope Charlie Villanueva slip. I wouldnt mind having him. He could be the good athletic element that we need

I'd like to know how he convinced Kareem Abdul-Jabbar into loaning him his skull.

 

[Bricklayer]

You know, I've seen Andriuskevicius listed as high as #2 overall in the draft. If he actually slipped into the mid-teens I would be all in favor of trying to move up a few spots to nab him (even though that's a tactic that Geoff has never used since he's been here). Projects can be a problem, but when that project is a 7'3" center with a big upside, its well worth the roster spot, and he's kind of hard to totally ignore down on the bench.

 

[Packt]

I'm not sure where I stand on the Euro players who'll declare for the draft. Without seeing them play it's kind of hard to settle on a guy.

All we have to go on are the reports written up by sports writers. I take what they write with a grain of salt. After all they are paid to arouse and to make things interesting. Even then they still have to rely on the tried and true to get their points across. Cliché’s like "doesn't shy away from contact", "soft touch" or my personal favorite, "good athleticism for his size" are always lobbied around. But what does it really mean?

 

[Gargamel]

Sean May is supposedly going to change his mind and enter the draft. Smart move. How much more can he improve his position after the title game and damn near the whole team is going to be gutted.

He could go from 10-15 easily. He's going to have to convert to PF from C once he hits the league though. He could really stand to lose some more weight starting right now if he wants to shy GMs away from any concerns about an athleticism deficit against established NBA bigs.

 

[piksi]

Message to Petrie: Draft guys with good size.

He needs to draft somebody that Adelman actually might play once in a while.

 

[piksi]

How in the world will you fit Andriuskevicius on a jersey?

It would be comentator's nightmare too.

I just imagined Barkely trying to pronaunce that name

 

[Gargamel]

Here's a mock draft from Eric Pincus (emplay on LG.net) from HoopsWorld.com, dated April 27:

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_12620.shtml

1 Atlanta – Andrew Bogut (May trade down for multiple picks)

2 New Orleans – Marvin Williams (They won’t take Andrew Bogut unless they plan on moving Jamaal Magloire)

3 Charlotte – Chris Paul (They want Marvin Williams ahead of Chris Paul reportedly)

4 Utah Jazz – Deron Williams (If he shows well in draft camps and Utah can’t make other moves, but the Jazz are likely to trade up for Andrew Bogut or down from four)

5 Portland Trail Blazers – Gerald Green (Need a perimeter shooter and have the high school one with Sebastian Telfair)

6 Milwaukee Bucks – Tiago Splitter (Unless TJ Ford isn’t 100% - then they go with Raymond Felton)

7 Toronto Raptors – Raymond Felton (This is the key pick – they could go in almost any direction – hard to gauge. May look to combine seven and 16 to move up.)

8 New York Knicks – Martynas Andriuskevicius – (They need a center but could go for a point and trade Jamal Crawford).

9 Golden State Warriors – Chris Taft (Could go Martynas Andriuskevicius if available or Fran Vazquez, rumored to want to move up for Marvin Williams using Mike Dunleavy and the pick)

10 Los Angeles Lakers – Jarrett Jack (Trade for the big. Could go Charlie Villanueva or Fran Vazquez)

11 Orlando Magic – Fran Vazquez (Need a center that can shoot)

12 Los Angeles Clippers – Antoine Wright (Three-point ace)

13 Charlotte Bobcats – Nemanja Aleksandrov (Could go Danny Granger)

14 Minnesota Timberwolves – Charlie Villanueva (Can pair with Kevin Garnett)

15 New Jersey Nets – Sean May (Jensen says this is too early for May)

16 Toronto Raptors – Johan Petro (Jarrett Jack if he’s still on the board and they don’t go Felton with seven)

17 Indiana Pacers – Andray Blatche (Could be traded to LA or to Utah from LA – obviously a wild card and a tough pick down this low)

18 Boston Celtics – Martell Webster (Heard some buzz in Boston about Monta Ellis, but maybe not at 18)

19 Memphis Grizzlies – Channing Frye (Best center left on the board).

20 Denver Nuggets – Danny Granger (Power three to back up Carmelo Anthony, fits the toughness the Nuggets put on the court).

21 Phoenix Suns – Ike Diogu (Good fit for their style of play)

22 Denver Nuggets – Rudy Fernandez (May go Martell Webster if he declares)

23 Sacramento Kings – Roko-Leni Ukic (Fits their style, fills a need)

24 Houston Rockets – Ronny Turiaf (Joey Graham, Wayne Simien, Danny Granger are good options here too)

25 Seattle SuperSonics – Hakim Warrick (Bargnani could be here as a potential replacement for Radmanovic)

26 Detroit Pistons – Joey Graham (An athletic and versatile defender behind Tayshaun Prince)

27 Utah Jazz – Francisco Garcia (Vladimir Vermeenko if they are tight on roster spots and want a Euro to stash overseas)

28 San Antonio Spurs – Mickael Gelabale (Spurs always pick a winner)

29 Miami Heat – Wayne Simien (Lot of options here, may go Garcia, shooter in Salim Stoudemire)

30 New York Knicks – Kennedy Winston (Could go Frye if he’s on the board still and they don’t go center early).