Official 2007 NBA Draft Thread

It will be very interesting what the Suns do with a high pick. I think there's a very good chance someone important will get traded, because both Diaw's & Barbosa's extensions kick in next year, which will make the Suns one of the most expensive teams in the NBA yet have one of the smaller markets.

Marion: $16.4M
Amare: $13.2M
Nash: $11.3M
Kurt: $8M
Diaw: $9M
Barbosa: $5.6M
etc.

Next year they'll be on the hook for $76M for fielding only 10 players, so at least $80M for a full team. How crazy is that? New York, which everyone considered a financial disaster, is on the hook for $87M next year in the biggest market.

I bet Marion goes traveling if the Suns can draft a quality replacement at PF/SF.

What is the point of predicting the lottery order? It's completely random - no one's being insightful by putting up their "picks".

It will be very interesting what the Suns do with a high pick. I think there's a very good chance someone important will get traded, because both Diaw's & Barbosa's extensions kick in next year, which will make the Suns one of the most expensive teams in the NBA yet have one of the smaller markets.

Phoenix is pretty damn big. 14th largest metropolitan area and second fastest growing behindo only Las Vegas. (45% increase change in the past 10 years)

god i hope the suns dont draft noah if they get the chance. noah is going to be a complete bust in the nba, and i dont want to see him on any team i like.

depends on where they are picking & who's available....for some reason a wing like Corey Brewer could be the go....or an athletic forward like Al Horford who can run the court....Brandan Wright as well....or Joakim Noah....depends on workouts I guess & what pick they have....

god i hope the suns dont draft noah if they get the chance. noah is going to be a complete bust in the nba, and i dont want to see him on any team i like.

noah = next Shane Battier.

What does that mean? High draft pick, not-so-superstar numbers, but great work and team ethic?

I have read 100's of opinions on Noah and maybe 5 or 6 of them have been positive. It seems everyone believes Noah will be a bust.

Personally I think he will do quite well, and will probably suprise some people. It's not just his intagibles (leader, charismatic, drive to win and improve), the guy really does have skill. I can't think of anything he can't do other than shoot from mid range and out. He's quick, athletic, blocks shots and rebounds like crazy. He is a great passer for his size and his ballhandling will probably suprise you.

He could be a mix of Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler in the NBA. Freakishly versatile and a defensive monster who can score a little bit as well. Not a superstar by any means, but one of those guys who plays a big time supporting role.

I hate the Gators, but I think Joakim is catching alot of flak he doesn't deserve. I wish him the best in the league and hopes he proves the doubters wrong.

i have told people in the past trhat the only team he could excel with would be phoenix or another run run run team, but even then, i think he will be a pure flop. i dont even think he will be as good as shane battier. now i could be wrong. he could work his ass off like his life(well his job anyway) depended on it. he could learn to shoot a jumper. he dont need a 3 but if he could make the 15 footer consistantly he will have a job til he is in his mid to late 30's. if that happens i will gladly eat my words to anyone who throws them back into my face. as for now i am saying he will be a complete bust. he will go down as a good college player who could not handle the change to the nba. maybe him and jj could start thier own buisness or something together in a couple of years

Buck's Draft Breakdown:

1. Oden
2. Durant
3. Horford
4. Wright
5. Conley
6. Brewer/Noah

Can't go past 6th pick. Approx 50% chance to go top 3. Top 2 would be brilliant, a dream come true. But top 4 would be solid as well. Beyond the real superstar talent (Oden, Durant), there are role players to fill the holes and provide defence and toughness.

The draft will help determine the fate of a few players. If we get Durant, then Mo might have to go for a pure pass first PG. If we get Oden, Bogut might be available for the right deal (though I do think they will try an Oden-Bogut frontcourt for a season.).

Anyway 24 hours to go. Top 2 pick please...

I think the Sonics have chose unwisely in 2004, good in 2005, and poor in 2006.

Robert Swift of course has taken his time to develop, as you would expect from a high school big man, but if he really had all that skill he was supposed to have developed in the off season coming into the 2006-07 campaign, then I think he would have been a very serviceable big man. His season-ending injury was just unfortunate and shouldn't be blamed on the Sonics management. But, I do feel they could have chosen more wisely than Swift, considering the guys they passed on in 2004, such as Al Jefferson or Josh Smith.

Johan Petro is I think going to be a very good center in years to come. He's has a Ronny Turiaf like energy that few players possess. He also has something Saer Sene and Robert Swift never have, nor likely will, develop, a good jumpshot. Later in the season, when it was quite obviously over for the Sonics, Petro saw a lot of minutes, and a lot of freedom. Several times a game he would run an isolation play where he would cross over his defender and fade back and nail a 22 ft jump shot. If he can knock that jumper down consistently, I think he will be by far the best center of the three, and a strong big man.

As for Saer "Mo" Sene... I don't really see what all the hype about him was. He's a good shot blocker, but he's too skinny and is MUCH too raw on the offensive end. I don't think he's going to be the player that Swift (assuming he recovers) or Petro will be. He just doesn't seem to have the skill to be able to turn into one of those players. I think the Sonics could have drafted somebody who would've been much more helpful to them, such as Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefalosha, Rajon Rondo, or Jordan Farmar.

Alright come on. I think our 0.8% chance of winning the lottery is actually going to happen. I feel lucky.

Hah, yeah right. If the lottery really isn't rigged, and the Pacers actually get that ping pong ball to bounce our way, David Stern would just say "Do it again."

THE #1 PICK IS GOING TO BOSTON, QUOTE ME

THE #1 PICK IS GOING TO BOSTON, QUOTE ME

I will certainly bring it up when the Bucks have there second number 1 pick in three years. In fact, I will be incredibly happy to mention it.

I think its going to be:

1. Boston
2. Memphis
3. Atlanta
4. Milwaukee
5. Portland

I think this is how it might end up as well, even though I'm hoping Memphis gets the no.1 pick. I wouldn't be upset if they were to settle for Durant though. Anything under two for Memphis, they should make a deal and get something out of it while trading down to maybe get Mike Conley Jr.

I would like to see Atlanta getting the 4th pick so it will go to Phoenix. Then Phoenix could pick one of the Florida guy (Horford or Noah) and the trade Shawn Marion in order to be under the salary cap

What is the point of predicting the lottery order? It's completely random - no one's being insightful by putting up their "picks".

Well, you seem to forget a little factor called "luck". Some teams have just proven to be more lucky than others, which will help their chances in the lottery.

Talent-wise, I think the Hawks have been very good with drafting players. The problem is they almost always draft players at positions they don't need.

2003: Pick 21, Boris Diaw - Good pick, just didn't get a chance in Atlanta. At 21, was a great steal. Incredibly versatile player and can help in many ways, Atlanta gave up on him too quick. 2006 Most Improved Player.

2004: Pick 6, Josh Childress - Fantastic all round player, one of the top 2 or 3 6th men in the league. Averaged 13 and 7 off the bench this season, to go along with 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. Rarely turns the ball over.

Pick 17, Josh Smith - One of the most athletic players in the league. Averages almost 3 blocks per at just 21 years old. On his way to become quite a star, in just his 3rd season is dropping 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists to go along with his monster defensive numbers (2.9 blocks, 1.4 steals).

2005: Pick 2, Marvin Williams - A player just waiting to break out. Has all the talent in the world, just hasn't yet really put it together. Still quite raw but posting an impressive 13/5/2 stat line in his 2nd season out of North Carolina. If the Hawks draft someone other than a SF, look out next season.

Pick 31, Salim Stoudemire - A good player off the bench, one of the best 3 point shooters in the league. The undersized 2 guard is still putting up great numbers for a second round pick, averaging around 8 points off the bench. Isn't much more than a shooter, but I doubt the Hawks were expecting more.

2006: Pick 5, Shelden Williams - The Hawks needed a solid big, and they got him in Shelden Williams. We all know he won't be spectacular, but he will get you plenty of rebounds and alter alot of shots. Good defender and knows the game. A reach at 5, but they couldn't trade down on draft night. Picked ahead of Brandon Roy, Randy Foye and Rudy Gay, but they needed a big, not more 2's and 3's.

Pick 33, Solomon Jones - Incredibly raw, but if he puts it together he could post numbers around 13/11 along with 3 blocks. Huge arms, long and lean, jumps out of the gym at 6"10. Doesn't have enough knowledge of the game yet, but still blocks a shot for each 10 minutes or so of playing time he gets. Fantastic free throw shooting big.

Non-Impact Players:

2003 - Travis Hansen, pick 38
2004 - Donta Smith, pick 35
2004 - Royal Ivey, pick 38
2005 - Cenk Akyol, pick 59

In my opinion thats a good track record drafting wise. It's just too bad the Hawks management takes the "best player available" draft strategy to new levels. Still, they have got their hands on some very nice players. As for the players who haven't made an impact yet, even if they never do, what do you really expect from a second round pick?

I can't wait for the lottery, I'm praying the Bulls get a top 3 pick. If they go top 2, I'm moving to Chicago.

my opinions on their previous picks:

- Boris Diaw was a good pick then, he's definitely a good pick now....they played him out of position & gave up on him too quickly....Josh Howard was only big name they passed on (as Barbosa wasn't under radar pick in most eyes)....

- I have always been a fan of Childress, although I've always expected more out of him....Deng, who was considered to go in Top 5 at worst at the time, would have been a better pick....but can't fault them too much I guess....can't count Iguodala as not many expected him to impact as quickly as he has....they knew defensively, he would get it done....so overall, can't fault the pick....

- Josh Smith was a great pickup that late, as he was expected to go in lottery....

- Marvin Williams was a terrible pick, it doesn't matter how you cut it....everyone had Chris Paul has No. 1 PG and No. 1 overall prospect in the draft prior to the draft....everyone knew he would be good....granted his rookie year was a little better than many would've thought, it wasn't surprising....I thought well before the draft, that the Hawks had to take Chris Paul even know I knew they would take Marvin Williams....Williams is a great talent, but they needed a PG so badly, imagine Joe Johnson next to Chris Paul, best backcourt in East, maybe only behind Pistons....they already had promising Josh Smith (SF/PF), Childress (SG/SF), Joe Johnson (SG/SF/PG), they didn't need another SF, so they draft one....I won't mention Deron Williams here as he was a perfect fit for Utah & I supported their pick of him over Paul....Paul was a better fit for young, athletic Hawks....now the Hawks threw money away with Speedy Claxton & are now looking at a 30 year old Greek (albeit a good one, but still)....I could go on about this pick for days....for me, this was a worse pick than Pistons taking Darko over Melo....in hindsight it isn't, but based on team needs & what everyone knew at the time, for me it was a worse pick....

- Stoudamire was a good pickup as he could've gone late in the 1st Round....1st Round ability without the big contract....would make a good role player on a better team....

- I don't care if Hawks needed a big, Shelden Williams wasn't the man....if they traded down to 9 or 10, I could've lived with this pick, but at 5....ahead of Foye & Roy who both could've played some PG, the position that they needed even more than a PF....

- Solomon Jones was a good pick, I'll give them that....

as for the others:

- I thought the Travis Hansen pick was a good one at the time....was worth a gamble early in 2nd Round & if he had of panned out, he could've been a poor man's Bobby Sura (in his prime, pre-injury), but he didn't....

- Donta Smith was worth the gamble as he was considered a 1st Round prospect....didn't pan out, but worth the gamble....

- Royal Ivey was a solid pick as he played a bit at PG due to the fact that they didn't draft Chris Paul....

- Don't underestimate Cenk Akyol, you might not have heard the last of him

They also drafted Aussie CSKA Moscow player David Andersen in the 2nd Round like about 4 or 5 years back....I'm assuming they still have his rights & he is a very solid big who can play PF & C, so he could be in the fold....

so overall, the Hawks' draft record has been solid, but the fact they made one or two big misfires, really detracts from what they've done with the rest of their picks....

- Marvin Williams was a terrible pick, it doesn't matter how you cut it....everyone had Chris Paul has No. 1 PG and No. 1 overall prospect in the draft prior to the draft....everyone knew he would be good....granted his rookie year was a little better than many would've thought, it wasn't surprising....I thought well before the draft, that the Hawks had to take Chris Paul even know I knew they would take Marvin Williams....Williams is a great talent, but they needed a PG so badly, imagine Joe Johnson next to Chris Paul, best backcourt in East, maybe only behind Pistons....they already had promising Josh Smith (SF/PF), Childress (SG/SF), Joe Johnson (SG/SF/PG), they didn't need another SF, so they draft one....I won't mention Deron Williams here as he was a perfect fit for Utah & I supported their pick of him over Paul....Paul was a better fit for young, athletic Hawks....now the Hawks threw money away with Speedy Claxton & are now looking at a 30 year old Greek (albeit a good one, but still)....I could go on about this pick for days....for me, this was a worse pick than Pistons taking Darko over Melo....in hindsight it isn't, but based on team needs & what everyone knew at the time, for me it was a worse pick....

I disagree. As far as I remember, Marvin Williams was the number 1 prospect in the draft. He was the player everyone decided had the most potential, and personally I still believe he has the most potential right now. Atlanta needed a post presence and a point guard at the time, but once Milwaukee took Bogut number 1, the best prospect was left sitting there for them at number 2.

Even though they should of drafted a point guard with their first pick, they had Marvin Williams, considered head and shoulders above pretty much everyone else in terms of potential (only player close was Gerald Green). This was June 2005, Josh Childress was coming off a 10/6 season and proved he was very capable of playing the SG position. Josh Smith had come off a similar season and thrived in the post. Remember they hadn't acquired Joe Johnson yet.

The only decent swingman they had was Josh Childress, who seemed to be well suited to the 6th man position. They had the best SG-SF prospect, not to mention the best overall, sitting there to fill their starting SG/SF position. They had the 31st pick in the draft, which they could use to get a PG. They took Salim Stoudemire which turned out quite well, just not as a point guard. The thing is, the only real point guard selected after Salim was Orien Greene.

I guess they figured they should take the player who could be one of the top 3 or 4 players in the league at a position they could use a starter at, and take a point guard later.

I agree that they should of gone with Paul, but you can't see the future. Marvin Williams had and does have all the potential in the world, it would of be damn hard to pass on him.

- I don't care if Hawks needed a big, Shelden Williams wasn't the man....if they traded down to 9 or 10, I could've lived with this pick, but at 5....ahead of Foye & Roy who both could've played some PG, the position that they needed even more than a PF....

The Hawks wanted to trade down but couldn't manage to get it done. When SHelden gets starters minutes he will be pulling down 10+ boards a game and anchoring this Hawks defence down low. They knew they weren't getting a superstar, but a solid player. A solid player is what he should turn out to be.

They needed a point guard at the time but neither Roy or Foye stood at as players who are true point guards. The other 'real' point guards in the first round were Farmar, Rondo, Rodriguez and Lowry, all of whom were projected to go late in the first round. Remember how PG weak the '06 draft was projected to be?

I guess the Hawks figured they weren't going to be a getting a franchise point guard in the 06 draft (not to mention they were eyeing free agent Speedy Claxton), so they filled their next biggest whole, the post.

As I said, I think Atlanta has drafted some great players skill wise. The players they have drafted have been great, but some of those they passed on have come back to sting them. Even so, when you look back on those drafts it seems they filled wholes with those players, but they never filled their number one whole (which happens to be the most important position on the floor) - a point guard.

I think the Sonics have chose unwisely in 2004, good in 2005, and poor in 2006.

Read an interesting article in the PI about how the Sonics managers traditionally pick opposite of what their scouts & coaches want. A particularly nasty debate was apparently picking Ridnour over Barbosa, all the scouts pegged Leandro to be a star in a few years but the management rejected their analysis and picked Ridnour because he was more "marketable."

I wonder how many people know who Ridnour is versus Barbosa nowadays.

Well all the management is gone, so maybe they'll actually use their pick this year. Miracles can happen.

hmm I'm rooting for New Orleans, Clippers, and Philly or Sac to strike it big in the lotto. I hope Boston gets bad karma for losing intentionally.

Shannon, I do remember Marvin Williams was the No. 1 potential pick of the draft....I also remember Chris Paul was the No. 1 best player in the draft & No. 1 PG prospect....

I knew the Hawks wanted Shelden Williams & they couldn't trade down....he might become solid, just like Adam Morrison should do better....it wasn't a bad pick....

I guess their picks have been a lot better than the Sonics

well, i dont see how you can really talk about it, or what there is to talk about, so i will just say what i would like to see, and keep it realistic.

1. celtics - obvious reasons here
2. memphis - not that i like them, i think they will end here
3. milwaukee - same as above
4. phoenix - part of me wants this to go top 3 so i can see the hawks get a good pick(moved to atlanta so i could go watch the games or see the player on tv) but i rather see the suns get another key player to help them make another run at the title. i think they will get the lakers pick too which could help
5. seattle - just cause why not

I know it would hurt the Knicks, but I'd like Oden to go to a storied franchise like Boston rather than Memphis. The NBA's not the same when Boston's not winning(21 years since the last title - damn!)

And if by some fluke, the Knicks get into the top five, I'm putting a price on Isiah's f-n head.

well, i dont see how you can really talk about it, or what there is to talk about, so i will just say what i would like to see, and keep it realistic.

1. celtics - obvious reasons here
2. memphis - not that i like them, i think they will end here
3. milwaukee - same as above
4. phoenix - part of me wants this to go top 3 so i can see the hawks get a good pick(moved to atlanta so i could go watch the games or see the player on tv) but i rather see the suns get another key player to help them make another run at the title. i think they will get the lakers pick too which could help
5. seattle - just cause why not

I know it would hurt the Knicks, but I'd like Oden to go to a storied franchise like Boston rather than Memphis. The NBA's not the same when Boston's not winning(21 years since the last title - damn!)

And if by some fluke, the Knicks get into the top five, I'm putting a price on Isiah's f-n head.

you would not be the only one lol.

Man, the anticipation is killing me. A couple hours to go before the lottery and finding out whether our teams futures are about to drastically change.

Anybody think any trades will go down tonight?

i didnt think they could trade now