My 2007 NBA Mock Draft
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by user WMohandisW
The last month has been one to forget for the NBA. After the least-watched Finals in NBA history concluded a little over a week ago, experts have spent more time talking about the on-again off-again trade demands of Kobe Bryant than they have about this Friday’s NBA Draft. However, while they’ve been covering Kobe, this reporter has been glued to the draft coverage. After attending the four day Orlando Pre-Draft Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports and watching this years prospects strut their stuff for NBA coaches, scouts and general managers, I’m ready to share my knowledge with you. So without futher ado, here is my 2007 NBA Mock Draft, which doesn’t include trades, which are bound to happen in any draft.
1. Portland Trailblazers: Greg Oden (Ohio State) 7’0” 257 lbs.
There’s been a lot of debate in the state of Oregon about whether this is the right pick or not. It is. Check out the videos I captured of Greg working out at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp.
2. Seattle Supersonics: Kevin Durant (Texas) 6’10” 215
What a great consolation prize for the Sonics, not only do they get a player that will make an immediate impact, they may be drafting the man that can help keep the franchise in Seattle.
3. Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford (Florida) 6’10” 246
I really expect the Hawks to trade down and end up with a different player, but Horford will definitely be the third player selected.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Corey Brewer (Florida) 6’8” 185
Brewer can defend three positions and I really think he flew under the radar at Florida. Look for him to have an instant impact defensively, especially playing alongside Pau Gasol
5. Boston Celtics: Joakim Noah (Florida) 7’0” 223
The Celtics love Noah, even though I don’t. Noah probably would have been the No. 1 overall pick last year, so at least Celtics fan can pretend they won the lottery.
6. Milwaukee Bucks: Jeff Green (Georgetown) 6’9” 228
Green played great alongside Roy Hibbert at Georgetown, now he’ll be paired with former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Bogut in Milwaukee.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Thornton (Florida State) 6’7” 221
Thornton may be the best scorer in the draft outside of Durant. Hopefully for the T-Wolves he can take some of the load off of Kevin Garnett.
8. Charlotte Bobcats: Yi Jianlian (China) 7’0” 230
Yi is supposed to be the Chinese version of Kevin Garnett, hopefully for the Bobcats he’s the real deal because they desperately need to start turning potential into wins.
9. Chicago Bulls (From New York): Spencer Hawes (Washington) 7’1” 244
Hawes showed flashes of brilliance while playing for the Huskies, hopefully for the Bulls he can provide some inside scoring to take the pressure of players like Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Chicago trade this pick.
10. Sacramento Kings: Brandan Wright (North Carolina) 6’10” 200
The Kings are in rebuilding mode, even if they don’t want to admit it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them picking much closer to the top of the draft next year.
11. Atlanta Hawks (From Indiana) Mike Conley Jr. (Ohio State) 6’1” 175
The Hawks are going to be in a great position if Conley falls this far, if he does look for Portland to try to swing a trade in order to reunite Oden with Conley Jr.
12. Philadelphia 76ers: Acie Law IV (Texas A&M) 6’4” 186
Law is a poor man’s Allen Iverson, without the attitude.
13. New Orleans Hornets: Nick Young (USC) 6’7” 206
Young will provide the Hornets with an instant scorer.
14. Los Angles Clippers: Julian Wright (Kansas) 6’9” 211
Wright has seen his stock drop, but he’s still a great athlete with an enormous upside.
15. Detroit Pistons (From Orlando): Javaris Crittenton (Georgia Tech) 6’5” 194
This is the pick the Magic gave up for Darko Milicic, hopefully they re-sign Darko so they don’t end up empty handed.
16. Washington Wizards: Thaddeus Young (Georgia Tech) 6’8” 210
Young was another player expected to go way earlier, this is a steal for the Wizards if he falls this far.
17. New Jersey Nets: Rodney Stuckey (Eastern Washington) 6’5” 207
Stuckey is a relative unknown, but will serve as a great insurance policy in case the Nets can’t resign Vince Carter.
18. Golden State Warriors: Jason Smith (Colorado State) 7’0” 233
The Warriors were killed in the playoffs because of their lack of size inside. Maybe Smith can help.
19. Los Angeles Lakers: Josh McRoberts (Duke) 6’10” 240
Do you think this is what Kobe had in mind when he asked for help?
20. Miami Heat: Tiago Splitter (Brazil) 7’0” 245
Splitter has entered the draft the last four years and pulled out at the last moment. The lure of playing with Shaq and Dwayne Wade may be enough to lure Splitter away from his Euroleague team.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (From Denver): Morris Almond (Rice) 6’6” 215
The player that almost single handedly ended UCF’s basketball season finally comes off the board.
22. Charlotte Bobcats (From Toronto): Rudy Fernandez (Spain) 6’6” 172
Not a lot is known about the Spaniard, but he could be a steal this late in the draft.
23. New York Knicks (From Chicago): Daequan Cook (Ohio State) 6’6” 203
Cook would have been a lottery pick if he was allowed to enter the draft last year.
24. Phoenix Suns (From Cleveland): Nick Fazekas (Nevada) 6’11” 225
Fazekas is well known in the Southwest, and he fits in with the Suns up-tempo style of play.
25. Utah Jazz: Marco Belinelli (Italy) 6’5” 192
Belinelli made a name for himself at the World Championships a few years ago.
26. Houston Rockets: Taurean Green (Florida) 6’1” 173
The fourth Gator taken in the first round will get a chance to play alongside T-Mac.
27. Detroit Pistons: Sean Williams (Boston College) 6’10” 230
Williams gives size to the suddenly old Pistons.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Petteri Koponen (Finland) 6’5” 194
Can the Spurs find another great international player late in the draft?
29. Phoenix Suns: Aaron Brooks (Oregon) 6’0” 160
Brooks is undersized for the NBA, but is the fastest player in this year’s draft class.
30. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Dudley (Boston College) 6’7” 219
Dudley was a good college player and played well at the pre-draft camp.
