Mock lottery mocks Celtics', Grizzlies' luck
While Memphis' Jerry West and Boston's Tommy Heinsohn spent the minutes after Tuesday's NBA draft lottery taking shots at the system and their teams' respective bad luck, the league's reigning rookie of the year couldn't stop smiling.
Portland guard Brandon Roy, who was denied a unanimous tag with his title thanks to a Toronto broadcaster who voted for Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani, held the ticket to a 7-foot, 250-pound jackpot when the Trail Blazers won the top pick.
"It would be great to play with a player like him," Roy said of Greg Oden, the odds-on favorite to be the first player taken when the basketball world focuses on New York on June 28. "He has the ability to change the game defensively and offensively. He has the chance to be special."
Special is the only way to describe the opportunity for the Trail Blazers and several other teams picking in the lottery next month, including the Hawks (the owners of two top 11 picks in what most pundits consider to be one of the deeper drafts in years).
The order of the draft is pretty clear two picks deep — it goes Oden and Kevin Durant or Kevin Durant-Oden, depending on the theory to which you suscribe. It's the rest of the order that has everyone confused.
Is No. 3 too high for the Hawks to take Ohio State point guard?
Can the Grizzlies and Celtics recover with players like Florida forward Al Horford and China's Yi Jianlian still available when they pick at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively?
Hawks general manager Billy Knight won't divulge his preference before seeing these players in a workout atmosphere. And even after that anyone expecting him to reveal which way he's leaning is clinging to a pipe dream — although word that the Hawks would draft Shelden Williams at No. 5 last year was leaked a full month before the draft.
So going with a cosmic mix of best player available/team needs in crafting our first (and certainly not last) mock lottery, there's bound to be a few surprises:
1. Portland GREG ODEN C Ohio State 7-0 250
In each of his past four seasons on the floor Oden (right) has played for championships (he's 3-1 in title games). He's a no-brainer No. 1 pick. He and LaMarcus Aldridge in the paint and Brandon Roy on the wing looks like a playoff nucleus for years to come.
2. Seattle Kevin Durant SF Texas 6-9 200
Kevin Durant's as much of a no-brainer here as Oden is at the top. If his physical maturity catches up with his skills in the next two years, it won't matter what city this franchise calls home. His team will be the hottest ticket in town. Did we mention that Kevin Durant is the most dynamic offensive talent in this or either of the past two drafts?
3. Hawks MIKE CONLEY PG Ohio State 6-1 178
Conley is everything the Hawks need in a gifted young point guard to run what could be one of the league's most exciting young teams. There are no centers available here that grade higher than he does. And another undersized power forward or not-ready-for-prime-time small forward doesn't make any sense.
4. Memphis AL HORFORD PF Florida 6-9 245
If the Grizzlies are going to continue to build around Pau Gasol, he'll need a rugged power forward to watch his back. That's Horford's specialty. Combined with second-year small forward Rudy Gay, the Grizzlies would have the ideal frontcourt crew to compete in the Western Conference.
5. Boston BRANDAN WRIGHT PF North Carolina 6-10 210
While bewildered Celtics fans continue to dream about Oden or Kevin Durant in green, the Celtics brass need to be figuring out a way to make sure Wright lands in Boston. And they'll have the luxury of waiting on him to develop with all the young forwards they have.
6. Milwaukee YI JIANLIAN PF China 7-0 250
When healthy the Bucks are set at all five spots, provided they pay to keep Mo Williams. Yi is a luxury for a Bucks team that has underachieved (while struggling with injuries) the past two seasons. Yi's no Yao (Ming), but he is skilled.
7. Minnesota COREY BREWER SG/SF Florida 6-9 195
Since Kevin Garnett refuses to leave the Twin Cities, the draft will bring the league's consummate workman a little company in the never-say-die department. Brewer's a relentless talent on both ends of the floor. Garnett will cherish him.
8. Charlotte JULIAN WRIGHT SF Kansas 6-9 225
He goes to a team that already has Adam Morrison and Sean May pegged for major roles. Since Morrison's rookie season went up in smoke and May can't stay healthy, Wright provides some much-needed insurance if both those picks turn out to be busts.
9. Chicago SPENCER HAWES C Washington 7-0 230
The Bulls paid $60 million-plus for Ben Wallace and still need a low-post scoring threat? Goodness. They can get what they need in Hawes, though they'll have to wait a year or two until he's ready for a starring role.
10. Sacramento AL THORNTON SF Florida State 6-8 225
If Ron Artest's days really are numbered in Sacramento, the Kings need to address the issue now. Thornton can play small forward and a little power forward against certain teams. He's a fierce competitor coveted by the playoff teams picking later.
11. Hawks JOAKIM NOAH C Florida 6-11 225
Noah's glaring deficiency, his shot, is the one thing the Hawks don't need from a big man. They need a rebounder, shot blocker and energy guy to pair with Zaza Pachulia (the scoring big man) in the rotation at center. Noah's all of that, and a winner to boot.
12. Philadelphia JEFF GREEN SF Georgetown 6-8 225
With Andre Iguodala's move to the backcourt, the 76ers have a serious need for an upgrade at small forward. Not even the notoriously hard to please Philly fans could complain about snagging the Big East player of the year this late.
13. New Orleans NICK YOUNG SG USC 6-6 210
There are younger and perhaps more talented swingmen available (Georgia Tech's Thaddeus Young perhaps), but few more athletic or hungry. The Hornets need a more mature player like Young to help solidify their backcourt mix.
14. Los Angeles Clippers ACIE LAW PG Texas A&M 6-3 190
Law has a similar swagger to the clutch-shooting lead guard he could replace one day for the Los Angeles Clippers, Sam Cassell. Law's not a true point guard, so he won't be the answer to replace Shaun Livingston. He is, however, a long distance sniper that can run a team.
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