2007 NBA Draft

By Bob Radl, Staff Writer

The next generation of future NBA stars was drafted last Thursday night in New York. Three of the first four players drafted were true freshmen. Four of the top seven players drafted played in this year’s 2007 NCAA championship contest. The NBA draft means more to teams than its counterparts in other pro sports. The 2007 NBA draft was considered to be one of the deepest drafts in recent history. Some experts feel the draft may equal the 2003 draft that yielded stars such as, Carmello Anthony, Chris Bosh LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. There were two franchise or money ball players at the top of the draft in Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.

1. Greg Oden, Center, Portland, Oden is an extremely athletic and talented player for his size at 7’ 0” with an NBA ready body. He has a great aptitude for the game and moves very well for a big man of his size. Possessing good lateral movement, he uses both hands well and is a high character guy who will allow himself to be coached in the pro game. He can finish around the basket and is considered to be a centerpiece for any team building for the future. He is the complete package and one of the best big man prospects since perhaps Patrick Ewing or Hakeem Olajuwon. Oden will be an immediate force on the boards and with his shot blocking skills. His offensive game may take a while to develop, but he is a sure fire choice for dynasty leagues.

2. Kevin Durant, SF, Seattle, Durant is considered to be a scoring savant and will most likely lead the NBA in scoring sooner rather than later. He has great athleticism and range on his jumper. He can take a man off of the dribble as well as create his own shot. Durant averaged 26 ppg as a true freshman for Texas this past season. He has a very long wingspan at 7’ 4” and will be able to block shots in the pros. He will contribute in multiple fantasy categories immediately. He will need to bulk up some in the pros and get stronger. Another great choice in keeper leagues.

3. Al Horford, PF, Atlanta, Horford has an NBA ready body with good quickness and outstanding leaping ability for a 6 10” player. He is considered to be a fundamentally sound defender and a solid rebounder. Horford had good post moves, a high basketball IQ and is a good passer for a big man. He was one of the most NBA ready big men in this year’s draft. He will need to become more assertive in the pro ranks.

4. Mike Conley, PG, Memphis, Conley was the best point guard prospect in the draft. He is very quick, poised under pressure and plays like a man much older than a true freshman. He has terrific ball handling skills and great court vision. He can finish around the basket with either hand. Conley is a streak shooter and must become more consistent with his shot. At only 6’ 1”, his height will also pose some match-up issues in the NBA against bigger and stronger point guards.

5. Jeff Green, PF, Seattle, Green was the 2007 Big East player of the year. He can pass very well for a big man and is a solid rebounder. He improved his outside this past year and has the potential to put up big numbers in the pros. He must become more assertive and also improve his ball handling skills at the next level.

6. Yi JianLain, C/F, Milwaukee, Yi was the first international player to be drafted this year. He is a very agile and smooth 7 footer with a nice jump shot and ball handling skills for a player of his size. He will most likely play facing the basket in the pros as a PF. Yi has dent strength in the lower body but will need to work on his upper body. He will need to improve his defense and rebounding at the next level.

7. Corey Brewer, SF, Minnesota, Brewer is a very versatile player with a great wingspan for a man of his size at 6’ 9”. Some scouts felt he was the best defender in college this past year. He can be a lock down defender in the NBA. Brewer was the 2007 Final Four MVP this past year. He has improved his offensive game, which is still considered to be lacking. He has a great motor. He possesses a great attitude and some nice upside to his game.

8. Brandan Wright, PF, Golden State, Wright was considered to be a steal at the #8 slot this year. He will need to bulk up as he is 6’ 10” and weighs only about 200 lbs. He has excellent hands and outstanding athleticism. Wright can run the floor like a deer. He has great shot blocking potential with his wingspan of 7’ 4”. He has a nice jump hook but will need to polish his offensive game in the pros as well as add bulk.

9. Joakim Noah, PF, Chicago, Noah was the third Florida Gator to go in the top nine in this year’s draft. He is a high-energy guy with a great motor. He can rebound, block shots and possesses a high basketball IQ. Noah is still adding bulk to his frame and must work on his jumper. His shooting form is quite poor. There is a great deal of upside to his game.

10. Spencer Hawes, Center, Sacramento, Hawes is not considered to be a finished product and has some upside to his game. He is a true freshman. He is a seven footer who can run the floor well and is quite coordinated for his size. He has nice offensive skills and can play facing the basket or with his back to the basket. He does not play above the rim and is not a great shot blocker.

11. Acie Lawe IV, PG, Atlanta, Law excelled in post-season play this year. He won the Bob Cousy award this past year. Law is a good-sized guard at 6’ 3”. He likes to take the big shot in crunch time. He makes excellent decisions with the ball in his hands. His defense and shooting can be hot and cold at times.

12. Thaddeus Young, SF, Philadelphia, Young is another athletic young wing player. He has a nice jump hook; good hands and is a solid offensive rebounder. He will need to work on his ball handling skills to play on the wing in the NBA. He will also need to work on his upper body strength.

13. Julian Wright, SF, New Orleans, Wright was drafted on his potential as much as anything. He has a great attitude and feel for the game that cannot be taught. Wright is an unselfish player. He can rebound, play defense and thrives in an up-temp game. He must improve his range and create better shots off of the dribble.

14. Al Thornton, F, LA Clippers, Thornton is an explosive athlete who can make plays. He will add another big body to the Clippers frontcourt. He has an explosive first step and is a good offensive rebounder due to his second jump ability. He will need to improve his ball handling and lateral quickness.

15. Rodney Stuckey, G, Detroit, Stuckey has been likened as a poor man’s D-Wade in terms of basketball skills. He is a strong physical player who can get his own shot. Stuckey will give the Pistons some instant offense off of the bench. He is caught between being a 1 or 2 guard at 6’ 4”. Stuckey must improve his decision-making and ball handling at the next level.

16. Nick Young, SG, Washington, Young was all Pac 10 two years in a row. He is a great shooter and has nice range on his shot. He has a scorer’s mentality and can get to the shot. He should be a nice three-point shooter for the Wizards. Young will need to improve his defense and learn to move better without the ball.

17. Sean Williams, PF, New Jersey, Williams was dismissed from the Boston College team in January of 2007 for multiple issues and violations. He is a good example of a potential high risk/high reward player. At 6’ 10”, he will be a shot blocker for the Nets and is a very explosive player. He is a good rebounder. Williams must improve his maturity off the court to stay in the NBA.

18. Marco Belinelli, SG, Golden State, Belinelli already have five years of pro-basketball under his belt at the ripe old age of 21. He has nice range on his three point shot and is a scorer. A very nice athlete with good length and leaping ability, Belinelli dropped 28 points on team USA last year in just over 20 minutes. He will need to be able to take players off of the dribble and improve the consistency on his jumper.

19. Javaris Crittenton, G, LA Lakers, A tall, smooth guard at 6’ 5” with nice athleticism and a solid shooting touch, Crittenton is a big strong guard with good ball handling skills. He must improve his decision making skills and shot selection. He is viewed by many scouts as either a boom or bust prospect.

20. Jason Smith, PF/C, Philadelphia, Smith is a talented seven footer with nice skills for a man of his size, especially on the offensive end of the court. Her has good footwork and shoots well for a man of his size. He played in a weak conference and will need to get tougher to thrive in the NBA.

21. Daequan Cook, SG, Miami, Cook is a player with a real scorers mentality. He has great offensive instincts and is a prolific shooter. He shows a lot of promise due to his natural instincts on offense. Cook must learn to respond better to coaching and improve his defensive play as well.

22. Jared Dudley, F, Charlotte, The 2007 ACC Player of the Year, Dudley plays within the team concept and has a good feel for the game. He has a very nice touch and shows good footwork on the court. Dudley is a very good passer for a forward with intangible skills. He must improve his foot speed at the next level.

23.Wilson Chandler, F, New York, Some scouts feel that Chandler may be a better pro than he was a college player. Chandler is versatile and long with a good second jump. He may not get much playing time immediately but could work out down the road. He must work on his maturity, especially playing in the Big Apple.

24. Rudy Fernandez, SG, Portland, The Blazers purchased this pick from the Suns. Fernandez is an athletic 22-year-old guard from the Spanish league. He has a large buyout and will most likely remain in Spain for another year.

25. Morris Almond, SG, Utah, Almond’s stock soared with an excellent showing at the Orlando pre-draft camp. He is an NBA ready player with an excellent shot. He will bring some offense off of the bench for the Jazz and give them a three-point shooter. He will need to work on his ball handling skills at the next level.

26. Aaron Brooks, PG, Houston, Brooks is very quick and just a shade under six feet. He will have minimal fantasy value with Rafer Alston, Mike James and Luther Head on the team.

27. Aaron Afflalo, G/F, Detroit, Afflalo is another nice wing player for the Pistons. He is a decent scorer and a great defender. His fantasy value will be limited at first. He fits the mold of the type of player that the Pistons covet.

28. Tiago Splitter, C/F, San Antonio, Splitter could be a great choice for the Spurs. He is smart experienced post player with an NBA frame and is a very good defensive player. Splitter will most likely stay in Europe another year.

29. Alando Tucker, SF, Phoenix, Tucker was a nice choice for the Suns as he can run with them in their up-tempo style of play. He is a good athlete and an aggressive player. He will need to improve the range on his jump shot.

30. Petteri Koponen, SG, Portland, The Sixers sent this pick to the Blazers. At just 19 years of age, Koponen is not ready for the NBA yet. He has nice size for a shooting guard but is raw. The Blazers will stash him away in Europe for a year or two.

Notable picks from the second round of the draft include:

32. Gabe Pruitt, G, Boston, Pruitt is still learning the point guard position, but the Celtics like his size and shooting ability. Many mock drafts had Pruitt going in the top twenty picks. He will probably back up Rajon Rondo next season.

33. Marcus Williams, F, San Antonio, Williams is a smooth swingman with nice passing skills, good ball handling skills and a nice basketball IQ. He is fundamentally sound, but not an explosive athlete. He may need some time to develop at the pro-level.

34. Nick Fazekas, F, Dallas, Fazekas is an excellent shooter and rebounder with range extending all the way out the to the three point line. He had numerous double-doubles against weaker WAC competition. He will need to bulk up and get stronger to play in the NBA.

35. Glen Davis, F, Boston, Davis has soft hands and great footwork for a big man. His body still needs work despite losing considerable weight this past year. He has a nice touch out to about 18 feet and an excellent touch around the basket.

37. Josh McRoberts, F, Portland, Most mock drafts had Roberts going in the first round. He is a smart and versatile forward who runs the floor well. He has a soft touch and good hands. The question remains about his ability to create his own shot. McRoberts also must develop a tougher mindset.

42. Derrick Byars, G/F, Philadelphia, Byars was project to go in the first round in many drafts. He is considered to be a complete player who does many things well, but nothing exceptionally well. At 6’ 7”, Byars has nice court vision and should break into the Sixer rotation this season. His ball handling skills will need to improve in the NBA.