Ward's Updated Mock NBA Draft
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by user NBA Draft Blog
1. TORONTO: ANDREA BARGNANI, 6’11, 240, ITALY
A risky #1 pick for the Raptors. They do not need another power forward, but are so fond of BARGNANI’S game that they will postpone more pressing needs. They just hired the GM of Bargnani’s Italian team so this appears to be a done deal.
2. CHICAGO: LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE, 6’11, 245, TEXAS
ALDRIDGE will start at power forward or unseat TYSON CHANDLER at the center position. Either way, he makes the Bulls a very good team.
3. CHARLOTTE: RUDY GAY, 6’9, 220, UCONN
GAY was a bit of an underachiever in college, but he has an impressive skill set and NBA quality athleticism.
4. PORTLAND: ADAM MORRISON, 6’8, 220, GONZAGA
MORRISON is the most gifted scorer to enter the draft in years. He is very competitive and will help this team rebuild.
5. ATLANTA: TYRUS THOMAS, 6’9, 220, LSU
The Hawks do not draft well. Here they take the THOMAS, best player available, despite having little need for an underdeveloped power forward.
6. MINNESOTA: BRANDON ROY, 6’6, 200, WASHINGTON
ROY is perhaps the most mature and versatile player in this draft. He can play a number of positions, has good shooting range, and is a solid defender.
7. BOSTON: MARCUS WILLIAMS, 6’2, 200, UCONN
WILLIAMS is the best pure point guard in this draft and he fills an important need for the Celtics.
8. HOUSTON: SHELDEN WILLIAMS, 6’9, 245, DUKE
WILLIAMS would contribute, and possibly start right away. He is the kind of tough, blue collar, defensive-minded player that they need.
9. GOLDEN ST.: PATRICK O’BRYANT, 7’0, 250, BRADLEY
O’BRYANT is one of the few centers in this draft with a legitimate chance to play in the NBA. He has a nice feel for the game and will likely contribute on defense before he helps on offense.
10. SEATTLE: CEDRIC SIMMONS, 6’10, 235, N.C. ST.
SIMMONS is a talented shot-blocker with potential to become a superb rebounder, but his offense still needs a lot of work. The Sonics desperately need a low-post presence.
11. ORLANDO: RODNEY CARNEY, 6’7, 205, MEMPHIS
CARNEY has freakish athletic skills that he uses to get out on the fast break and finish above the rim. He also has a nice jump shot with acceptable range. But the part of his game that would be most helpful to this team is his smothering defensive skills.
12. NEW ORLEANS: RONNIE BREWER, 6’7, 200, ARKANSAS
The Hornets would like to draft a big man here, but there are none available good enough to pass on BREWER for. He is extremely versatile, but will man the shooting guard position for this team.
13. PHILADELPHIA: RANDY FOYE, 6’4, 205, VILLANOVA
Already a local hero, FOYE could play alongside ALLEN IVERSON and eventually replace him. He would be given a chance to play point guard, but if he fails at that he would move back to his natural shooting guard position.
14. UTAH: J.J. REDICK, 6’4, 190, DUKE
REDICK is underrated despite scoring 26.8 PPG last season against top talent. He could be brought off the bench and will force teams to account for his presence when he is on the floor.
15. NEW ORLEANS: HILTON ARMSTRONG, 6’11, 240, UCONN
A late bloomer, ARMSTRONG has made vast improvements the past year. Long and athletic, he runs the floor well and has decent low-post skills.
16. CHICAGO: SAER SENE, 7’0, 235, SENEGAL
The Bulls go big again when they will select SENE, an athletic big man still learning the game.
17. INDIANA: JORDAN FARMAR, 6’2, 185, UCLA
The Pacers have wanted to improve at point guard for a few years, so they grab FARMAR. He is very talented, and would have been a high lottery pick next year if he had stayed in school for another season.
18. WASHINGTON: SHAWNE WILLIAMS, 6’9, 225, MEMPHIS
WILLIAMS has enormous talent, but he needs time to mature physically, and develop a reliable jump shot.
19. SACRAMENTO: SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, 6’3, 180, SPAIN
This flashy point guard can learn and develop behind MIKE BIBBY, while playing limited minutes next season.
20. NEW YORK: RAJON RONDO, 6’1, 175, KENTUCKY
The worst GM/coach in the NBA - ISIAH THOMAS – needs to find a hidden gem with this pick. It is unlikely that he will. RONDO is a lightning quick point guard with above average defensive skills, but a poor shooting stroke.
21. PHOENIX: MARCUS VINICIUS, 6’9, 235, BRAZIL
The Suns love athletic players that can run with STEVE NASH and hit open 3-point shots. Meet MARCUS VINICIUS, another in the impressive crop of recent Brazilian imports. He runs like a deer, has nice shooting skills, and can post-up.
22. NEW JERSEY: OLEKSIY PECHEROV, 6’10, 235, UKRAINE
Young and thin, PECHEROV is a decent power forward prospect. He will eventually join their frontcourt rotation, but he needs more time to develop.
23. NEW JERSEY: MARDY COLLINS, 6’6, 205, TEMPLE
This would be a great pick for the NETS and for COLLINS. He would be afforded an opportunity to learn behind JASON KIDD, one of the best point guards to ever play. He is huge for the position and an excellent defender.
24. MEMPHIS: QUINCY DOUBY, 6’3, 175, RUTGERS
He’s not really a point guard and he’s too small too play much at shooting guard, but DOUBY has a beautiful jump shot with unbelievable range. He led the Big East in scoring last season (25.4 PPG) and was virtually unstoppable for most of the year.
25. CLEVELAND: MAURICE AGER, 6’4, 205, MICHIGAN ST.
AGER has the talent to go higher than this pick, but there are some concerns. He is a competent scorer with a nice perimeter game, but despite respectable individual stats in college, he is widely regarded as an underachiever.
26. LAKERS: JOSH BOONE, 6’10, 235, UCONN
BOONE has limited upside, but he is fundamentally sound and plays hard. He can come off the bench to grab rebounds and will play power forward and center.
27. PHOENIX: KEVIN PITTSNOGLE, 6’11, 255, WEST VIRGINIA
The Suns know they must add size despite their obsession with perimeter players. So in an act of supreme denial, they select a big man. But PITTSNOGLE plays like a shooting guard in a center’s body. He runs the floor well and drills 3-pointers with a sweet stroke.
28. DALLAS: THABO SEFOLOSHA, 6’6, 215, SWITZERLAND
The Mavericks scout the globe as hard as anyone. They don’t expect to add an immediate contributor this late in the draft, so they will select this Swiss-born Italian league player. He is an athletic slasher with the potential to become a suffocating defender.
29. NEW YORK: SHANNON BROWN, 6’3, 200, MICHIGAN ST.
BROWN is a talented scorer with a nice shooting touch. He will bolster their backcourt rotation and could, eventually, compete for a starting role.
30. PORTLAND: JOEL FREELAND, 6’11, ENGLAND
He needs to bulk up substantially to play in the post, but he is very athletic and talented. This is an interesting prospect, and a good pick this late in the draft.
Date
Tue 06/27/06, 2:02 am EST
