Mock Draft version 2.0

1. Portland Trailblazers- C Greg Oden, Ohio State

It’s a little crazy to think about just how important the NBA lottery really is. Portland had a pretty good young nucleus going before the ping pong balls bounced their way; now they look to be a title contender for the next decade. Teaming up Oden with last years first round picks LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy gives the Blazers three studs 23 years old or younger, making them arguably the leagues top collection of young talent. Ever since blowing a 17 point lead to the Lakers in the 2000 Western Conference Finals, the Blazers have had more bad news then any team in the league. Choosing Oden will put an end to all of that.

2. Seattle Supersonics- F Kevin Durant, Texas

With the franchise currently so unstable, it could be argued that the Sonics were the lottery’s biggest winner. And with the second pick, they will probably get the draft’s best player. While every franchise covets young big men, Seattle will do just fine for themselves with Durant, who is the true definition of a basketball freak. Sure, he’s no Magnus Ver Magnusson, but Durant’s all around game is the most impressive I’ve ever seen. I would take him number one- something that may happen, but probably not. Sometimes I think people forget just how scary KD really is. At 6’10, only two inches shorter then Oden, he’ll probably start at small forward, and is more of a shooter then a driver. He can still take it to the hole and already has the ability to score in the post, but Durant’s shooting ability is what separates him from everyone else. He should average 20 points from the minute he steps on the floor, and if Seattle is smart enough to resign Rashard Lewis, the Sonics will have a ferocious offense.

3. Atlanta Hawks- F Al Horford, Florida

The first two picks are basically locks; the intrigue of the 2007 NBA draft starts at pick 3. The Hawks have an obvious need for a point guard, and after passing on both Chris Paul and Deron Williams two years ago, would they really pass over Mike Conley for another forward? Atlanta actually has a nice group of young talent, led by Joe Johnson and featuring Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Shelden Williams, and Marvin Williams, but they need a floor general. The problem is that while Conley is the best point guard in the class, he might not be the third best player. I think Conley is a safe pick at a need area, and this should be a toss up between him and Horford. Horford, however, seems to have separated himself from the rest of the pack as the third best player in the draft, a scary power forward who will punish defenders in the low post. If not Conley or Horford, look for Yi Jianlian.

4. Memphis Grizzlies- F Brendan Wright, North Carolina

The next two teams in the draft order egregiously tanked throughout the season and both finished with the worst possible selection they could get. The Grizzlies had the fewest wins in the NBA last season, but made the playoffs the three seasons before that with much of the same roster still in place. Pau Gasol has carried them since he arrived in 2001, but now that he wants to make his way out of town, Memphis has to make this pick count. They need a point guard, and Ohio State’s Mike Conley is definitely a possibility, as would be Florida power forward Horford, if he’s available. But they might be more intrigued by Brendan Wright, an athletic forward who has drawn comparisons to Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh. He has more upside then any player in this class this side of Kevin Durant and could add some star power to Memphis once he develops. Wright is a risky pick, as he had only one solid, but unspectacular season at North Carolina, but his potential might be too much for the Griz to pass up. Another name to watch is Florida’s Joakim Noah.

5. Boston Celtics- F Corey Brewer, Florida

No team needed one of the big two more then Boston, and now rumors have them contemplating sending this pick and Al Jefferson to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett (a trade I think is stupid for the Celtics- Jefferson is legit, and like eight years younger). Assuming they keep the pick, the Celtics could go a couple different ways. If Wright or Horford drop, they would be an option. Yi Jianlian, a player Danny Ainge is said to really like, is another possibility. But the Celtics need to win now, and Jianlian won’t help them do that, so Corey Brewer should be the pick, if he’s available. Brewer is a safe pick, a player who can start right away at either 2 or 3, and contribute immediately on both ends. He was dominant in NCAA tournament, and his game is complete and NBA ready. I actually think he’s either the third of fourth best prospect in this draft; landing him at 5 would help the Celtics recover a little bit from missing out on Oden/Durant.

To be continued…