Breaking Down the Top 10 Picks
Friday, June 29, 2007; Page E01
1. Greg Oden Blazers
In the end, Portland GM Kevin Pritchard couldn't avoid the obvious: dominant big man usually equals championships. The all-American center from Ohio State said he wants 11.
NBA DRAFT A year-long debate ends predictably as the Portland Trail Blazers pick Greg Oden first while the Seattle Sonics gets Kevin Durant. » Breaking down the Top 10 Wilbon: It may not rival 1984, but the 2007 NBA draft was worth being excited over if you care about professional basketball. Georgetown's Jeff Green is picked fifth by the Boston Celtics but is sent to Seattle as part of a trade for Ray Allen. After helping Golden State to a playoff run, the Warriors trade Jason Richardson to the Charlotte Bobcats for the rights to the eighth pick -- Brandan Wright. WIZARDS INSIDERThe Post's Ivan Carter and Michael Lee on all things Wizards and the NBA -- only on washingtonpost.com. |
2. Kevin Durant Sonics
In Texas's incomparable Durant, the Sonics arguably took the greatest consolation prize in NBA history. At 18, the Suitland native may have the greatest upside of any player in the draft.
3. Al Horford Hawks
Atlanta selected the consensus choice as the third overall talent in the draft in Florida's Horford, a physical rebounder and skilled scorer. He follows father, Tito, into the NBA.
Grizzlies
Conley, out of Ohio State, lacks size and a consistent jumper but believes he has the quickness and creativity to succeed on the next level.
5. Jeff Green
Celtics (traded to Sonics)
Green's selection is proof that he made the right choice by staying in the draft. He became the first Georgetown player taken in the top five since Allen Iverson went No. 1 overall in 1996. Green has been compared to Scottie Pippen for his versatility. But unlike Pippen, Green was dealt to Seattle on the night of the draft, while Pippen was traded from Seattle to Chicago in 1987.
6. Yi Jianlian Bucks
A great mystery coming into the draft, Yi became the fourth Chinese import in the NBA. Yi refused to work out for the Bucks, but he is headed to Milwaukee anyway.
7. Corey Brewer
Timberwolves
The wiry Brewer, the Final Four MVP from Florida, can score in a variety of ways and defend. But the question remains: Will he play with Kevin Garnett?
Bobcats (traded to Warriors)
Wright looked like the third Tar Heel taken by Charlotte in the past three drafts -- until the Bobcats used him to get Jason Richardson.
9. Joakim Noah
Bulls
Florida's Noah compensates for a limited offensive game with relentless activity around the boards. He provides the Bulls with yet another defensive-minded big man.
10. Spencer Hawes Kings
The Kings had to take the best player available in Washington's Hawes, a skilled big man with an excellent offensive repertoire.
Post a Comment
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.