Round 1
1. Toronto Raptors: Ben Branch 6’9 191 PF Australia
The Raptors made the best of this first pick by drafting Australian big man Ben Branch. Branch is the ideal power forward/center. At only 24 years old, Branch is 6’9’’ and 191 pounds. Being so light, he is able to fly around the court. There is no way Branch will play behind Bosh, so he will most likely switch on and off with Bosh at center and power forward.
Draft Grade: A-
2. Portland Trailblazers: Sam Anurak 6’2’’ 167 PG Connecticut
Born in Thailand, raised in Canada, starred with Marcus Williams, Rudy Gay, Josh Boone, and Hilton Armstrong at Connecticut, and now joining the controversial Trailblazers. Anurak is a decent pick in that he is a consistent shooter and runs the open floor well. However he demanded the ball on his previous teams, therefore will have trouble sharing the ball with players like Zach Randolph.
Draft Grade: C
3. Charlotte Bobcats: Eric Quach 6’4’’ 170 SG UC-Irvine
Quach played for a relatively unknown Big West school, UC-Irvine. Though his school never cracked the national spotlight, Quach did. He awed the scouts at private workouts with his superb awareness on the offensive end of the court, as well his quickness. During one open workout with the Bobcats, Bulls, and Blazers, Quach put his man on the ground with a beautiful crossover a la Allen Iverson. His attitude is questionable though due to his short temper. This is a good pick though by the Bobcats, Quach’s height and skills far outrank Brevin Knight and Raymond Felton’s, which will easily hand him the starting spot.
Draft Grade: C-
4. Chicago Bulls: Jon Smith 6’8’’ 240 PF Massachusetts
Smith first played at Vermont Tech before transferring to Massachusetts. He’s had knee problem before, which limited his mobility in college, but the Bulls were still willing to take the chance on him. He was the go-to-guy in college when the clock got under 2 minutes, and when he does get up there for the dunk, he dunks it hard. Smith will be a great complement to fellow newcomer Ben Wallace, maybe even starting alongside him.
Draft Grade:A-
5. Atlanta Hawks: Conrad Burry 5’11’’ 160 PG Tennessee
An undersized point guard, Burry will stay near his fan base. Tennessee ran some pretty simple plays for their offense, so there is some doubt on whether Burry can totally comprehend the complexity of the NBA playbooks. Burry is deadly from the free throw line though, which makes him the ideal person to have the ball in the waning minutes of a game.
Draft Grade: C-
6. Portland Trailblazers: Lpasso Sor 6’1’’ 153 SG Serbia
Only a 19 year old from the Serbian National Team, Sor is already in place to take the starting shooting guard spot in his nation. Sor may be only 6’1, but he has above-average jumping ability. His national team experience should make it easier for him to adjust and get integrated into the NBA game. Still at only 153 pounds he needs to hit the gym.
Draft Grade: B-
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Eljiah Cocobee 6’3’’ 215 PG VCU
Cocobee is a 24 year old graduate of VCU, where he was the conference’s Player of the Year from freshman year till he graduated. His height and weight makes him a perfect point guard because he is just the right height, and he won’t be pushed around by the stronger players. He has amazing jumping ability and loves to dunk. His uptempo style of play should fit perfectly with Kevin Garnett. Expect to see Cocobee in the starting lineup.
Draft Grade: A+
8. Memphis Grizzlies: Mark Moore 6’1’’ 167 PG Arizona
Arizona has the knack for producing guards for the NBA, and with New Zealand U-20 member Moore they may have yet another star. Although he is known to be lazy, sleepy, and drunk most of the times, Moore knows when to turn it on. Yet another great free throw shooting rookie who can pass the ball, Memphis may have a steal here.
Draft Grade: B
9. Golden State Warriors: Jing Xu 5’10’’ 160 PG Massachusetts
Played with Jon Smith in Massachusetts, also played for the Massachusetts Ultimate Frisbee team, a nationally ranked team. He has an eye for spotting the open person, and his dribbling ability makes it easier for him to find the man. He also is the one who wants the ball in a clutch situation, but Xu gets highly emotional at almost anything. Was suspended in college for swearing and fighting. Most likely will play behind Baron Davis.
Draft Grade: B-
10. Seattle Supersonics: Clint Karl 6’8’’ 195 SF Texas
Karl is more or less a totally all-around player. He was projected to be picked at the Bobcats’ slot, but amazingly fell to 10. Karl is a superb defensive rebounder, insane jumping ability, and being a lefty, makes him harder to predict. His attitude is a bit laid back however, which brings doubts on his work ethic. He was All-SEC team as a Junior and probably will play backup to Rashard Lewis.
Draft Grade: A
11. Orlando Magic: Andrea Bargnani 6’10’’ 225 SF Italy
12. New Orleans Hornets: Patrick Willis 6’2’’ 171 PG Virgina
A strange pick by the Hornets because they already have their future in Chris Paul, so why take another point guard so high. Willis is different because he enrolled in college, then dropped out for several years before going back into school and retained his eligibility. At 27 he is the oldest draftee. Because of his age, Willis is much more mature than the others, and will be ready to be any type of player that is needed. He has a quick first step, great shooter from the floor, but he needs to be more assertive on demanding the ball.
Draft Grade: B
13. Chicago Bulls: Alex Buckley 6’6’’ 212 SG Penn State
Usually you associate age problems with international players, but Alex Buckley could be anywhere between 14 to 20 years old. Whatever his age his, his body and skills are defiantly NBA worthy. He will most likely play backup in the Bulls lineup, but that will be perfect for him to develop. He has decent jumping skills, understands how to run an offense, as well as having a solid jumpshot.
Draft Grade: B
14. Utah Jazz: Brandon Roy 6’6’’ 215 PG Washington
15. New Orleans Hornets: Will Sit 5’8’’ 150 PG Australia
Sit plays for the U-20 Australian National Team, so you can’t deny the talent, however you need to wonder, why did the Hornets draft 2 point guards in the top 15? Chris Paul clearly is the future of their organization, what is the point of bringing in 2 more point guard. Sit is exceptionally small, but he has speed and flair, and uses it to his advantage. Except either Sit or Willis to be gone before too long.
Draft Grade: B
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Randy Foye 6’3’’ 205 SG Villanova
17. Indiana Pacers: Adam Morrison 6’8’’ 198 SG Gongaza
18. Washington Wizards: Sheldon Williams 6’9’’ 250 C Duke
19. Sacramento Kings: Tyrus Thomas 6’9’’ 215 SF LSU
20. New York Knicks: LaMarcus Aldridge 6’11’’ 240 C Texas
21. Boston Celtics: Rudy Gay 6’9’’ 220 SF Connecticut
22. New Jersey Nets: Marcus Williams 6’3’’ 205 PG Connecticut
23. New Jersey Nets: Andrew Watson 6’3’’ 235 SG Australia
Watson is perhaps the slowest NBA rookie in the draft, and he literally has no jump, which could be measured in inches. He makes it up for with his decent shooting, and his size allows him to box out the opponent, causing some turnovers.
Draft Grade: C
24. Memphis: Shaun Williams 6’9’’ 225 SG Memphis
25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jordan Farmar 6’2’’ 180 PG UCLA
26. Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo 6’1’’ 171 PG Kentucky
27. Portland Trailblazers: Rodney Carney 6’7’’ 205 SF Memphis
28. Dallas Mavericks: Shannon Brown 6’4’’ 205 SG Michigan State
29. New York Knicks: Ronny Brewer 6’7’’ 220 SF Arkansas
30. Portland Trailblazers: Quincy Douby 6’3’’ 175 SG Rugters
Round 2
31. Indiana Pacers: Marty Collins 6’6’’ 220 PG Temple
32. Houston Rockets: James White 6’7’’ 200 SF Cincinnati
33. Atlanta Hawks: JJ Redick 6’4’’ 190 SG Duke
34. Los Angeles Clippers: Hilton Armstrong 6’11’’ 235 PF Connecticut
35. Toronto Raptors: Leon Powe 6’8’’ 240 PF California
36. Minnesota Timberwolves: Patrick O’Bryant 7’0’’ 260 C Bradley
37. Philadelphia 76ers: Renaldo Balkman 6’8’’ 208 SF South Carolina
38. Golden State Warriors: Eddie Gomez 6’9’’ 240 C California
39. Milwaukee Bucks: David Noel 6’6’’ 230 SF North Carolina
40. Seattle Supersonics: Jason Anthony 6’2’’ 200 PG Simon Frasier University (BC)
41. Orlando Magic: Shaun Emmett 6’10’’ 261 C Villanova
42. Cleveland Cavaliers: Maurice Ager 6’5’’ 202 SG Michigan State
43. New Orleans Hornets: Mike Gansey 6’4’’ 205 SG West Virgina
44. Houston Rockets: Steven Hunter 7’0’’ 290 C Gonzaga
45. Memphis Grizzlies: James Ward 6’6’’ 215 SG Marquette
46. Utah Jazz: Kyle Lowry 6’0’’ 175 PG Villanova
47. Utah Jazz: Daniel Gibson 6’2’’ 190 PG Texas
48. Washington Wizards: Harry Ham 6’9’’ 254 PF Texas
49. Boston Celtics: Josh Boone 6’10’’ 237 C Connecticut
50. Charlotte Bobcats: Cedric Simmons 6’9’’ 235 PF North Carolina State
51. Detroit Pistons: Alexander Johnson 6’9’’ 240 PF Florida State
52. Los Angeles Clippers: Diego Gracia 6’9’’ 250 PF Georgia Tech
53. Seattle Supersonics: Brian Stewart 6’7’’ 190 SF Syracuse
54. New Jersey Nets: Bobby Jones 6’7’’ 215 SF Washington
55. Cleveland Cavaliers: Donny Simmons 6’4’’ 205 PG Maryland
56. Philadelphia 76ers: PJ Tucker 6’5’’ 225 SF Texas
57. Minnesota Timberwolves: Steven Brooks 7’3’’ 292 C Duke
58. Los Angeles Lakers: Brad Powell 6’9’’ 225 SF Connecticut
59. Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Woods 6’9’’ 240 PF St. John’s
60. Detroit Pistons: Walter Davis 6’10’’ 265 C UCLA
Last edited by
Jing on Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.