Pistons < Spurs
06-28-2005, 01:53 PM
just posted on realgm:
1.) Milwaukee Bucks :
Andrew Bogut, C, Utah, So.
Bogut a Buck. Not much else to it.
2.) Atlanta Hawks :
Marvin Williams, SF, UNC, Fr.
Hawks decide to go with WIlliams even without a trading partner. With plethora of wing players, one or even two will likely be dealt by the time training camp starts.
a.) 3.) Portland Trailblazers:
Deron Williams, PG, Illinois, Jr.
The beginning of how the draft unfolds. Utah gets their guy and an added bonus of Monia, Portland gets a few they always wanted.
4.) New Orleans Hornets :
Chris Paul, PG, Wake Forest, So.
Besides just published reports that the Hornets are taking Paul, the pick makes the most amount of sense at this point because a great point guard doesn’t fall past this point, but due to circumstances, J.R. Smith will have a floor general that will compliment his outside game for years and years to come.
5.) Charlotte Bobcats :
Gerald Green, SG, Gulf Shores Academy, HS Senior.
While Charlotte wants to trade, they simply can’t ignore the fact that Gerald Green, if he comes to fruitation in two years, will be the face of the franchise.
a.) 6.) Utah Jazz :
Andrew Bynum, C, St. Joseph’s, HS Sr.
The deal is almost complete. All that remians is who Portland will select with the Jazz’ (does that even work? Jazz’) second 1st rounder.
7.) Toronto Raptors :
Danny Granger, SG/SF, New Mexico, Sr.
If the Raptors can deal for Magloire in the summer, Granger will most likely be involved. If not, they still get a very solid player for Chris Bosh.
8.) New York Knicks :
Channing Frye, PF/C, Arizona, Sr.
With the Knicks hopes of landing Bynum gone as soon as the rumors that they wanted him started to come up, they make a safe choice by going for Frye.
Any other team, he’d be a decent role player. But with the Knicks’ lack of size, he will be asked to do too much.
9.) Golden State Warriors :
Hakim Warrick, SF, Syracuse, Sr.
Poor man’s Matrix off the bench. Is this a sign of the Warriors saying good bye to Mike Dunleavy?
10.) Los Angeles Lakers :
Raymond Felton, PG, UNC, Jr.
Even though the Lakers need a power forward, like Spanaird Fran Vasquez, the fact that Felton is still on the board is a no-brainer. They snatch him up and the Lakers inch their way back to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they will be seeing the lottery again next year, with someone like Tiago Splitter or Josh Boone on their minds, pending they don’t get a PF in the summer or during the season.
11.) Orlando Magic :
Martell Webster, SG, Seattle Prep, HS Sr.
The Magic elect to go with Webster for his outside shooting capabilities. He won’t be asked to do much, so the burden will be light for a good year or two. If they don’t cut Doug Christie with the Allan Houston rule, of course.
12.) Los Angeles Clippers :
Antoine Wright, SG, Texas A&M, Jr.
Wright, a swingman with lottery talent, drops due to the fact that the teams above him went for youth. Very solid choice here. Wright will compliment Brand and Livingston very well. This may be a sign of them letting the Most Improved PLayer go, just due to the fact that they may not be able to re-sign him. If they do, Simmons is their future small forward, and Wright their shooting guard.
13.) Charlotte Bobcats (from Cleveland):
Charlie Villanueva, PF, Connecticut, So.
Charlotte really was hoping that Felton would still be on the board, but due to the Lakers’ pressing needs, he’s not. So the Bobcats add depth and versatility to their frontcourt. Another option here would be Sean May because he is a local product that would draw a few more tickets. But Villanueva’s size and athleticism is too much to ignore.
14.) Minnesota Timberwolves :
Fransisco Garcia, SG/SF, Louisville, Jr.
Now with Rex Chapman on board as thier draft consultant/general manager, ties to old Kentucky program, (Chapman, T’Wolves Head Coach Dwayne Casey and Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino, Louisville assistant joining T-Wolves coaching staff) too hard to ignore.
15.) New Jersey Nets :
Ike Diogu, PF, Arizona State, Sr.
The Nets may go with Sean May here, since he’s played in an up-tempo system and he wouldn’t have as hard a time adjusting to Kidd’s frantic running. Ike Diogu is the other option, having the long arms of Elton Brand and the thick body of Mike Sweetney, using his body to establish position underneath for Kidd, Jefferson and Carter misses is very enticing. The Nets elect for the rebounding machine with the touch that extends to around the college 3.
16.) Toronto Raptors (from Philadelphia via New Jersey, Denver and
Philadelphia):
Roko Leni-Ukic, PG, KK Split, 21 yrs. old.
Reportedly, the Raptors have already filed for Visa papers for Ukic to live in Canada, pending on whether or not he’s still on the board. GM Rob Babcock is stoked, getting a pass-first point guard to add more versatility to the backcourt. He can come off the bench for a couple years while the Raptors wait until they can either trade current point guard Rafer Alston or use the Allan Houston rule on him. If the AH rule is a one-time thing until another CBA gets created, then Toronto will have to live with Alston and Ukic as their point guards. Not a bad combination at all. Once Ukic is ready, they can switch roles without losing any team chemistry.
17.) Indiana Pacers :
Rashad McCants, SG, UNC, Jr.
The Pacers had the worst luck last season, going from the best team in the NBA to the one with no chance at going to the NBA Finals. With Reggie Miller retired, the Pacers need outside shooting. They have some in Stephen jackson and James Jones, but that is not enough. Indiand does have some size problems, mainly because center David Harrison didn’t pan out too well in his rookie year (that mohawk was the most hideaous thing next to his teammates’, John Edwards). The only problem is that the players with size are way too raaw (Petro, Andruis.) to even consider here. The Pacers decide to address their shooting, and evidently, scoring needs, with Rashad McCants. McCants is the player that they already have in Fred Jones, but he has longer arms and will get the chance to compete for backing up Stephen Jackson. This is one pick that wouldn’t surprise me if it was dealt.
18.) Boston Celtics :
Joey Graham, SG/SF, Oklahoma St., Sr.
Graham is either gonna get picked here or by Golden State. Either way, both the Celtics and Warriors add athleticism to the small forward position. This pick makes sense because a few of the players Ainge was rumored to be after, Ukic and Bynum, are off the board and a player like Graham doesn’t fall this fall often, if at all. If this pick does happen, then it would be very likely that Boston looks hard into trading swingman Paul Pierce, even though he deserves to retire a Celtic. Graham adds speed to help get the team into a young, fast breaking team.
19.) Memphis Grizzlies :
Jarrett Jack, PG, Georgia Tech, Jr.
This is who Cleveland selects. Jack compliments LeBron James because he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He can get it to the man that is supposed to get the ball and can use his thick frame to D up on any of the point guards in this class, let alone most of the young PGs in the league.
20.) Denver Nuggets (from Orlando via Washington):
Ersan Ilyasova, SF, Ulker Istambul, 18 yrs. old.
Due to the Clippers’ reluctance to trade down, don’t be surprised if Denver finds another taker around that spot, possibly Minnesota. They would not like to deal with each other at all since their heated playoff series in ‘03-’04, but both teams can help each other out immensly. The T’Wolves can still get Francisco Garcia at 20, unless the Pacers take him. But with McCants on the board, the Pacers pass, and the window of opportunity creeps open to the point where this deal could happen. The Nuggets would have Minnesota select McCants, then the T’Wolves would select the two best available players, most likely a PF, like Fran Vasquez that can paly alongside Kevin Garnett and a point guard, liek Nate Robinson. This may be a bit of a reach, btu it’s possible. If the two teams decide not to help each other out, then the Nuggets go with Ilyasova and let him develop overseas while they address their shooting guard needs in free agency.
21.) Phoenix Suns (from Chicago):
Yaroslav Korolev, SF, CSKA Moscow, 18 yrs. old.
The Suns could take someone like Vasquez, but since they traded (almost
done) for Kurt Thomas, a pick like Vasquez would be pointless. They could also go with someone like Johan Petro and let him develop in front of their eyes, but they would rather go with a young, falling kid like Korolev. The main reason they go after someone like him is because they can keep him overseas for a year or two and sign a vet. like a soon-to-be-released Micheal Finley for a year. Then once he’s ready, bring him over and either let him come off the bench behind the Matrix or start him at the 3.
22.) Denver Nuggets :
Johan Petro, C, Pau Orthez, 19 yrs. old.
The Nuggets were one of three teams to show interest in Petro last year.
Utah and San Antonio were the other two. The Nuggets get a rwa but potentially very good center in Petro, who has the athleticism to be able to succeed in the NBA, especially with an open style team like Denver.
23.) Sacramento Kings :
Sean May, PF/C, UNC, Jr.
He is another player that fell off the wayside. But how does the MVP of the National Championship game fall this far? Other teams felt that they had other needs to address. Well, Sacramento isn’t complaining in this one. He could get taken by the Nets, like I stated before, but he gets a chance to prove everyone wrong with the Kings, who could use a low-post presence in their Princeton offense.
24.) Houston Rockets :
Luther Head, PG/SG, Illinois, Sr.
There is speculation that Head may not be available here. He could be taken by the Pacers and he wouldn’t fall past the Pistons. The Rockets do need a 4 to back up the aging Juwan Howard, but a younger version of David Wesley with better defense is too hard to pass up. The Rockets struck gold when they found out that they can play two small shooting guards, as long as Tracy McGrady is on the floor. Head replaces Jon Barry, who served his time and did better than they expected him to do. But Head is simply too perfect for their system to pass up.
25.) Seattle Supersonics :
Matt Walsh, SG, Florida, Jr.
A Sonics executive, the name is slipping my mind right now, said that Walsh showed a surprising ability to defend. Add that to the fact that the Sonics hinge on outside shooting and defense, and you have a perfect match. The Sonics may trade out of this spot in order to save a little cap room for someone like, oh I don’t know, Ray Allen. If they don’t Walsh could be theirs, especially since the way this draft has been going.
26.) Detroit Pistons :
Julius Hodge, SG/SF, N.C. State, Sr.
Detroit misses out on a player that could’ve really added to their depth at guard in Luther Head. With him gone, they could go for youth in case a coach that can develop young players, like Flip Saunders, is available. But they go for Hodge, the hard-working swingman that can run some point in situations where Chauncey can be utilized in the post or coming off screens.
a.) 27.) Utah Jazz (from Dallas):
Fran Vasquez, PF, Unicaja Malaga, 22 yrs. old.
It is very hard to see Vasquez slipping this far, but if the teams that got the best looks at him throught the year don’t take him, then the teams past thos lottery teams won’t draft him due to the fact that they don’t know what they’re getting. Portland trades for him, then uses the Allan Houston rule on one of their frontcourt players, maybe someone like Theo Ratliff, although that is very hard to imagine due to the fact that he’s a fan favorite as well as the fact that he signed a 3-year extension at the beginning of the season. If they were to cut him with this rule, they would go after Vasquez. Either way, they go after the Spanaird. Getting an international player who can run the floor, has big paws and has an improving mid range game, especially this far down, is a lot to pass up. But he can be a part of their future. He’d be brought in situations where he’d run the daylights out of the opposing frontcourt players. But after a couple years, he’d get an expanded role to help Portland’s youth get back to the playoffs.
28.) San Antonio Spurs :
Martynas Andriuskevicius, PF/C, Zalgris Kaunas, 19 yrs. old.
The Spurs need size. Nazr Mohammad’s contract is expiring after next season.
This is a safe pick because they are the Wolrd Champs, they don’t need to do anything drastic at all. Andriuskevicius can stay overseas for a year or two and bulk up to the point where he could play significant minutes under Head Coach Gregg Popovich and co.
29.) Miami Heat :
Wayne Simien, PF, Kansas, Jr.
The Heat need insurance in case Udonis Haslem bolts for richer pastures, like the Hawks. They get their insurance in a two-time All-American who has the character and the game to get minutes alongside Shaq immediately.
30.) New York Knicks (from San Antonio via Phoenix):
Andray Blatche, PF, South Kent Prep, HS Sr.
Very low risk, high reward situation here. Considered in Top 10 of high school class. The Knicks need size in the frontcourt, but they also need athleticism and Blatche brings both. Listed at 6-11, he is only 18 yrs. old and could even grow an inch, possibly two, before next season is over. Once he fills out, he will be a productive otutside 4. With the Knicks, he would be able to play outside while Marbury was given more room to penetrate and kic it out.
2nd round:
31.) Atlanta Hawks : Chris Taft, PF, Pittsburgh, So.
32.) Los Angeles Clippers : Ronny Turiaf, PF, Gonzaga, Sr.
33.) New Orleans Hornets : Randolph Morris, PF/C Kentucky, Fr.
34.) Utah Jazz : David Lee, PF, Florida, Sr.
35.) Portland Trailblazers: Nate Robinson, PG, Washington, Jr.
36.) Milwaukee Bucks : Linas Klieza, SF, Missouri, So.
37.) Los Angeles Lakers : Jason Maxiell, PF, Cincinatti, Sr.
38.) Orlando Magic : Salim Stoudamire, SG, Arizona, Sr.
39.) Los Angeles Lakers : Mili Ilic, PF/C, KK Reflex, 20 yrs. old.
40.) Golden State Warriors : Mickael Gelabele, SG/SF, Real Madrid, 21 yrs.
old.
41.) Toronto Raptors : Ryan Gomes, SF, Providence, Sr.
42.) Golden State Warriors : Uros Slokar, PF/C, Snaidero Cucine Udine, 22 yrs. old.
43.) New Jersey Nets : Kennedy Winston, Alabama, SG, Jr.
44.) Orlando Magic : Mindaugas Katelynas, SF, UT-Chattanooga, Sr.
45.) Philadelphia 76ers : Orien Greene, PG, LA Lafayette, Sr.
46.) Indiana Pacers : Calvin Miles, SG/SF, Skyline, HS Sr.
47.) Minnesota Timberwolves : Sean Banks, SF, Memphis, So.
48.) Seattle Supersonics : Louis Williams, SG, South Gwinnett, HS Sr.
49.) Washington Wizards : Tiras Wade, SG, LA Lafayette, Sr.
50.) Boston Celtics : Erazem Lorbek, PF, Climamio Bologna, 21 yrs. old.
51.) Utah Jazz : Travis Diener, PG, Marquette, Sr.
52.) Denver Nuggets : Monta Ellis, PG/SG, Lanier, HS Sr.
53.) Boston Celtics : Angelo Gigli, PF, Bipop Carire Reggio Emilia, 21 yrs.
old.
54.) New York Knicks : Lucas Tisher, C, San Jose dos Pinhais, 22 yrs. old.
55.) Seattle Supersonics : Will Conroy, PG, Washington, Sr.
56.) Detroit Pistons : Amir Johnson, PF, Weschester, HS Sr.
57.) Phoenix Suns : Eddie Basden, SG, Charlotte, Sr.
58.) Toronto Raptors : Juan Mendez, PF, Niagara, Sr.
59.) Atlanta Hawks : Will Bynum, PG/SG, Georgia Tech, Sr.
60.) Detroit Pistons : Aaron Miles, PG, Kansas, Sr.
1.) Milwaukee Bucks :
Andrew Bogut, C, Utah, So.
Bogut a Buck. Not much else to it.
2.) Atlanta Hawks :
Marvin Williams, SF, UNC, Fr.
Hawks decide to go with WIlliams even without a trading partner. With plethora of wing players, one or even two will likely be dealt by the time training camp starts.
a.) 3.) Portland Trailblazers:
Deron Williams, PG, Illinois, Jr.
The beginning of how the draft unfolds. Utah gets their guy and an added bonus of Monia, Portland gets a few they always wanted.
4.) New Orleans Hornets :
Chris Paul, PG, Wake Forest, So.
Besides just published reports that the Hornets are taking Paul, the pick makes the most amount of sense at this point because a great point guard doesn’t fall past this point, but due to circumstances, J.R. Smith will have a floor general that will compliment his outside game for years and years to come.
5.) Charlotte Bobcats :
Gerald Green, SG, Gulf Shores Academy, HS Senior.
While Charlotte wants to trade, they simply can’t ignore the fact that Gerald Green, if he comes to fruitation in two years, will be the face of the franchise.
a.) 6.) Utah Jazz :
Andrew Bynum, C, St. Joseph’s, HS Sr.
The deal is almost complete. All that remians is who Portland will select with the Jazz’ (does that even work? Jazz’) second 1st rounder.
7.) Toronto Raptors :
Danny Granger, SG/SF, New Mexico, Sr.
If the Raptors can deal for Magloire in the summer, Granger will most likely be involved. If not, they still get a very solid player for Chris Bosh.
8.) New York Knicks :
Channing Frye, PF/C, Arizona, Sr.
With the Knicks hopes of landing Bynum gone as soon as the rumors that they wanted him started to come up, they make a safe choice by going for Frye.
Any other team, he’d be a decent role player. But with the Knicks’ lack of size, he will be asked to do too much.
9.) Golden State Warriors :
Hakim Warrick, SF, Syracuse, Sr.
Poor man’s Matrix off the bench. Is this a sign of the Warriors saying good bye to Mike Dunleavy?
10.) Los Angeles Lakers :
Raymond Felton, PG, UNC, Jr.
Even though the Lakers need a power forward, like Spanaird Fran Vasquez, the fact that Felton is still on the board is a no-brainer. They snatch him up and the Lakers inch their way back to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they will be seeing the lottery again next year, with someone like Tiago Splitter or Josh Boone on their minds, pending they don’t get a PF in the summer or during the season.
11.) Orlando Magic :
Martell Webster, SG, Seattle Prep, HS Sr.
The Magic elect to go with Webster for his outside shooting capabilities. He won’t be asked to do much, so the burden will be light for a good year or two. If they don’t cut Doug Christie with the Allan Houston rule, of course.
12.) Los Angeles Clippers :
Antoine Wright, SG, Texas A&M, Jr.
Wright, a swingman with lottery talent, drops due to the fact that the teams above him went for youth. Very solid choice here. Wright will compliment Brand and Livingston very well. This may be a sign of them letting the Most Improved PLayer go, just due to the fact that they may not be able to re-sign him. If they do, Simmons is their future small forward, and Wright their shooting guard.
13.) Charlotte Bobcats (from Cleveland):
Charlie Villanueva, PF, Connecticut, So.
Charlotte really was hoping that Felton would still be on the board, but due to the Lakers’ pressing needs, he’s not. So the Bobcats add depth and versatility to their frontcourt. Another option here would be Sean May because he is a local product that would draw a few more tickets. But Villanueva’s size and athleticism is too much to ignore.
14.) Minnesota Timberwolves :
Fransisco Garcia, SG/SF, Louisville, Jr.
Now with Rex Chapman on board as thier draft consultant/general manager, ties to old Kentucky program, (Chapman, T’Wolves Head Coach Dwayne Casey and Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino, Louisville assistant joining T-Wolves coaching staff) too hard to ignore.
15.) New Jersey Nets :
Ike Diogu, PF, Arizona State, Sr.
The Nets may go with Sean May here, since he’s played in an up-tempo system and he wouldn’t have as hard a time adjusting to Kidd’s frantic running. Ike Diogu is the other option, having the long arms of Elton Brand and the thick body of Mike Sweetney, using his body to establish position underneath for Kidd, Jefferson and Carter misses is very enticing. The Nets elect for the rebounding machine with the touch that extends to around the college 3.
16.) Toronto Raptors (from Philadelphia via New Jersey, Denver and
Philadelphia):
Roko Leni-Ukic, PG, KK Split, 21 yrs. old.
Reportedly, the Raptors have already filed for Visa papers for Ukic to live in Canada, pending on whether or not he’s still on the board. GM Rob Babcock is stoked, getting a pass-first point guard to add more versatility to the backcourt. He can come off the bench for a couple years while the Raptors wait until they can either trade current point guard Rafer Alston or use the Allan Houston rule on him. If the AH rule is a one-time thing until another CBA gets created, then Toronto will have to live with Alston and Ukic as their point guards. Not a bad combination at all. Once Ukic is ready, they can switch roles without losing any team chemistry.
17.) Indiana Pacers :
Rashad McCants, SG, UNC, Jr.
The Pacers had the worst luck last season, going from the best team in the NBA to the one with no chance at going to the NBA Finals. With Reggie Miller retired, the Pacers need outside shooting. They have some in Stephen jackson and James Jones, but that is not enough. Indiand does have some size problems, mainly because center David Harrison didn’t pan out too well in his rookie year (that mohawk was the most hideaous thing next to his teammates’, John Edwards). The only problem is that the players with size are way too raaw (Petro, Andruis.) to even consider here. The Pacers decide to address their shooting, and evidently, scoring needs, with Rashad McCants. McCants is the player that they already have in Fred Jones, but he has longer arms and will get the chance to compete for backing up Stephen Jackson. This is one pick that wouldn’t surprise me if it was dealt.
18.) Boston Celtics :
Joey Graham, SG/SF, Oklahoma St., Sr.
Graham is either gonna get picked here or by Golden State. Either way, both the Celtics and Warriors add athleticism to the small forward position. This pick makes sense because a few of the players Ainge was rumored to be after, Ukic and Bynum, are off the board and a player like Graham doesn’t fall this fall often, if at all. If this pick does happen, then it would be very likely that Boston looks hard into trading swingman Paul Pierce, even though he deserves to retire a Celtic. Graham adds speed to help get the team into a young, fast breaking team.
19.) Memphis Grizzlies :
Jarrett Jack, PG, Georgia Tech, Jr.
This is who Cleveland selects. Jack compliments LeBron James because he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He can get it to the man that is supposed to get the ball and can use his thick frame to D up on any of the point guards in this class, let alone most of the young PGs in the league.
20.) Denver Nuggets (from Orlando via Washington):
Ersan Ilyasova, SF, Ulker Istambul, 18 yrs. old.
Due to the Clippers’ reluctance to trade down, don’t be surprised if Denver finds another taker around that spot, possibly Minnesota. They would not like to deal with each other at all since their heated playoff series in ‘03-’04, but both teams can help each other out immensly. The T’Wolves can still get Francisco Garcia at 20, unless the Pacers take him. But with McCants on the board, the Pacers pass, and the window of opportunity creeps open to the point where this deal could happen. The Nuggets would have Minnesota select McCants, then the T’Wolves would select the two best available players, most likely a PF, like Fran Vasquez that can paly alongside Kevin Garnett and a point guard, liek Nate Robinson. This may be a bit of a reach, btu it’s possible. If the two teams decide not to help each other out, then the Nuggets go with Ilyasova and let him develop overseas while they address their shooting guard needs in free agency.
21.) Phoenix Suns (from Chicago):
Yaroslav Korolev, SF, CSKA Moscow, 18 yrs. old.
The Suns could take someone like Vasquez, but since they traded (almost
done) for Kurt Thomas, a pick like Vasquez would be pointless. They could also go with someone like Johan Petro and let him develop in front of their eyes, but they would rather go with a young, falling kid like Korolev. The main reason they go after someone like him is because they can keep him overseas for a year or two and sign a vet. like a soon-to-be-released Micheal Finley for a year. Then once he’s ready, bring him over and either let him come off the bench behind the Matrix or start him at the 3.
22.) Denver Nuggets :
Johan Petro, C, Pau Orthez, 19 yrs. old.
The Nuggets were one of three teams to show interest in Petro last year.
Utah and San Antonio were the other two. The Nuggets get a rwa but potentially very good center in Petro, who has the athleticism to be able to succeed in the NBA, especially with an open style team like Denver.
23.) Sacramento Kings :
Sean May, PF/C, UNC, Jr.
He is another player that fell off the wayside. But how does the MVP of the National Championship game fall this far? Other teams felt that they had other needs to address. Well, Sacramento isn’t complaining in this one. He could get taken by the Nets, like I stated before, but he gets a chance to prove everyone wrong with the Kings, who could use a low-post presence in their Princeton offense.
24.) Houston Rockets :
Luther Head, PG/SG, Illinois, Sr.
There is speculation that Head may not be available here. He could be taken by the Pacers and he wouldn’t fall past the Pistons. The Rockets do need a 4 to back up the aging Juwan Howard, but a younger version of David Wesley with better defense is too hard to pass up. The Rockets struck gold when they found out that they can play two small shooting guards, as long as Tracy McGrady is on the floor. Head replaces Jon Barry, who served his time and did better than they expected him to do. But Head is simply too perfect for their system to pass up.
25.) Seattle Supersonics :
Matt Walsh, SG, Florida, Jr.
A Sonics executive, the name is slipping my mind right now, said that Walsh showed a surprising ability to defend. Add that to the fact that the Sonics hinge on outside shooting and defense, and you have a perfect match. The Sonics may trade out of this spot in order to save a little cap room for someone like, oh I don’t know, Ray Allen. If they don’t Walsh could be theirs, especially since the way this draft has been going.
26.) Detroit Pistons :
Julius Hodge, SG/SF, N.C. State, Sr.
Detroit misses out on a player that could’ve really added to their depth at guard in Luther Head. With him gone, they could go for youth in case a coach that can develop young players, like Flip Saunders, is available. But they go for Hodge, the hard-working swingman that can run some point in situations where Chauncey can be utilized in the post or coming off screens.
a.) 27.) Utah Jazz (from Dallas):
Fran Vasquez, PF, Unicaja Malaga, 22 yrs. old.
It is very hard to see Vasquez slipping this far, but if the teams that got the best looks at him throught the year don’t take him, then the teams past thos lottery teams won’t draft him due to the fact that they don’t know what they’re getting. Portland trades for him, then uses the Allan Houston rule on one of their frontcourt players, maybe someone like Theo Ratliff, although that is very hard to imagine due to the fact that he’s a fan favorite as well as the fact that he signed a 3-year extension at the beginning of the season. If they were to cut him with this rule, they would go after Vasquez. Either way, they go after the Spanaird. Getting an international player who can run the floor, has big paws and has an improving mid range game, especially this far down, is a lot to pass up. But he can be a part of their future. He’d be brought in situations where he’d run the daylights out of the opposing frontcourt players. But after a couple years, he’d get an expanded role to help Portland’s youth get back to the playoffs.
28.) San Antonio Spurs :
Martynas Andriuskevicius, PF/C, Zalgris Kaunas, 19 yrs. old.
The Spurs need size. Nazr Mohammad’s contract is expiring after next season.
This is a safe pick because they are the Wolrd Champs, they don’t need to do anything drastic at all. Andriuskevicius can stay overseas for a year or two and bulk up to the point where he could play significant minutes under Head Coach Gregg Popovich and co.
29.) Miami Heat :
Wayne Simien, PF, Kansas, Jr.
The Heat need insurance in case Udonis Haslem bolts for richer pastures, like the Hawks. They get their insurance in a two-time All-American who has the character and the game to get minutes alongside Shaq immediately.
30.) New York Knicks (from San Antonio via Phoenix):
Andray Blatche, PF, South Kent Prep, HS Sr.
Very low risk, high reward situation here. Considered in Top 10 of high school class. The Knicks need size in the frontcourt, but they also need athleticism and Blatche brings both. Listed at 6-11, he is only 18 yrs. old and could even grow an inch, possibly two, before next season is over. Once he fills out, he will be a productive otutside 4. With the Knicks, he would be able to play outside while Marbury was given more room to penetrate and kic it out.
2nd round:
31.) Atlanta Hawks : Chris Taft, PF, Pittsburgh, So.
32.) Los Angeles Clippers : Ronny Turiaf, PF, Gonzaga, Sr.
33.) New Orleans Hornets : Randolph Morris, PF/C Kentucky, Fr.
34.) Utah Jazz : David Lee, PF, Florida, Sr.
35.) Portland Trailblazers: Nate Robinson, PG, Washington, Jr.
36.) Milwaukee Bucks : Linas Klieza, SF, Missouri, So.
37.) Los Angeles Lakers : Jason Maxiell, PF, Cincinatti, Sr.
38.) Orlando Magic : Salim Stoudamire, SG, Arizona, Sr.
39.) Los Angeles Lakers : Mili Ilic, PF/C, KK Reflex, 20 yrs. old.
40.) Golden State Warriors : Mickael Gelabele, SG/SF, Real Madrid, 21 yrs.
old.
41.) Toronto Raptors : Ryan Gomes, SF, Providence, Sr.
42.) Golden State Warriors : Uros Slokar, PF/C, Snaidero Cucine Udine, 22 yrs. old.
43.) New Jersey Nets : Kennedy Winston, Alabama, SG, Jr.
44.) Orlando Magic : Mindaugas Katelynas, SF, UT-Chattanooga, Sr.
45.) Philadelphia 76ers : Orien Greene, PG, LA Lafayette, Sr.
46.) Indiana Pacers : Calvin Miles, SG/SF, Skyline, HS Sr.
47.) Minnesota Timberwolves : Sean Banks, SF, Memphis, So.
48.) Seattle Supersonics : Louis Williams, SG, South Gwinnett, HS Sr.
49.) Washington Wizards : Tiras Wade, SG, LA Lafayette, Sr.
50.) Boston Celtics : Erazem Lorbek, PF, Climamio Bologna, 21 yrs. old.
51.) Utah Jazz : Travis Diener, PG, Marquette, Sr.
52.) Denver Nuggets : Monta Ellis, PG/SG, Lanier, HS Sr.
53.) Boston Celtics : Angelo Gigli, PF, Bipop Carire Reggio Emilia, 21 yrs.
old.
54.) New York Knicks : Lucas Tisher, C, San Jose dos Pinhais, 22 yrs. old.
55.) Seattle Supersonics : Will Conroy, PG, Washington, Sr.
56.) Detroit Pistons : Amir Johnson, PF, Weschester, HS Sr.
57.) Phoenix Suns : Eddie Basden, SG, Charlotte, Sr.
58.) Toronto Raptors : Juan Mendez, PF, Niagara, Sr.
59.) Atlanta Hawks : Will Bynum, PG/SG, Georgia Tech, Sr.
60.) Detroit Pistons : Aaron Miles, PG, Kansas, Sr.