NBA Draft '07

Winners

Portland Trailblazers
Greg Oden gives the Trailblazers a dominant center who impacts the game on both sides of the floor and will be the premiere center in the league for the next 10 years. The Blazers didn't stop here. By getting rid of Zach Randolph and bringing in Channing Frye along with drafting two European standouts (Rudy Fernandez and Petteri Koponen), they have changed the mindset and image of the team.

Note: Josh McRoberts is a bum and his drop all the way to #37 is a testament to this. With that said, he is apparently good friends with Oden and a decent pick up at #37. I am just thankful the Billy King didn't take him.


Seattle SuperSonics
Durant will be great, but picking up Jeff Green to play alongside him was great. Green's pass first mentality is perfect for Durant and his solid defense, bball IQ, and strong character will go a long way in the league. Getting rid of Ray Allen signifies a new era for the Sonics (like the Blazers) and gives the reigns to Durant. Despite taking on Wally's contract from Boston, they can still offer Rashard Lewis a big contract which they are expected to pursue after ridding themselves of Ray Allen's contract.

Goldenstate Warriors
They replaced Jason Richardson with versatile and athletic Brandon Wright from UNC. Wright has a high-ceiling for improvement and will thrive in Nellie's system. Moving Richardson also open up $10 million to sign-free agents or for trades. Marco Bellini is another high-tempo guy who has proved himself in the Italian league. He looks like Manu in the few highlights I have seen.

New York Knicks
As predicted, Isiah made major moves in the off-season once again. For once they seem to be the right moves. Bringing in Randolph to play the 4 along side Curry at the 5, and supported by David Lee they arguably have the best front court in the East, at least on paper. Chemistry problems could ensue, but that is for Isiah to deal with. Getting rid of Francis and his contract was a near miracle as well. If New York can play even close to their potential they will certainly make the playoffs this year--that is a big 'if' though.

Spike believes in Isiah

Losers

Boston Celtics
I just don't understand anything this team does. They trade a #5 pick and a solid young point guard for a 32 year old sharpshooter who is past his prime. Pierce, Allen, and Big Al appear to be a strong 3, especially in the East, but how is this offense going to work? Allen and Pierce play the same role, jump-shooter. They don't have a penetrate and dish point guard (Rondo could emerge over time) and while Big Al's numbers are increasingly impressive since entering the league are teams really going to leave Pierce or Allen open to double him in the post? I just don't see that happening and I just don't get it. Stay young and build around an already solid core of young talent. The Bulls started doing this 3 years ago and look where they are and where they are heading. The C's pushed back any chance they have of becoming very good down the road and for what? A playoff birth and a probable first round exit. Ainge loves making big moves every off-season so their roster could still change a bit before the season starts.


Miami Heat
It isn't that I don't like Daequon Cook I just don't understand the pick. He is athletic, but raw and therefore won't see very much playing time this year under Riles. They have a shallow bench filled with injured-ridden veterans, yet their only pick got them a guy who won't play very much.

In other news I caught an episode of "Shaq's Big Challenge" on ABC. Shaq takes a group of overweight kids and is tries to get them to lose weight by exercising and eating healthy. He s also educating America about the importance of living a healthy life.

Shaq helping the kids

Sacramento Kings
This is another team on the decline who only had one pick and used it on a guy that doesn't seem to make sense for their team. Spencer Hawes is a versatile center who has a decent outside shot, but don't they already have Brad Miller doing this? They aren't going to play both of them at the same time.

The bigger issue is that they need to move Artest and why not move him on draft day to get a pick or two, any pick or two?


To Be Determined...

Philadelphia 76ers
It would have been nice if they took Thornton with their first pick, but everything I have heard about Thaddeus Young has been good. Jason Smith is a tall, versatile big man who can run the court and hit open jump shots. He was even predicted to be a lottery pick at one point and his game has been compared to that of Yi Jianlian's. Derrick Byars is a solid ball player and should fit in well with Philadelphia's young, athletic, and defensive minded team. Herbert Hill is a bruiser who should also make the team--and hopefully kick Shavlik Randolph off the team.

More than anything Billy King showed me something by staying young and letting his players develop (and by not picking McRoberts). The Sixers look like the baby Bulls of 2 years ago.


Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers
Both teams are in limbo this off-season. Both teams are on the decline with superstars who are in their prime and unhappy with the direction of the team. KG going to LA would be exciting, but the logistics of it just don't work. There was talk of KG going to Phoenix for Amare and other considerations, but this doesn't make sense. Neither team did very much with the draft as far as acquiring prospects or making trades. It will be interesting to see how both these teams end up by the time the season starts. As a fan I can only hope that something happens here.

Phoenix Suns
The Suns traded away the 24th pick (second year in a row they traded away a first round pick) for cash. This is 4 years in a row that they have traded away a first round pick. They are a very successful team and were robbed of a chance to compete in the West finals this year, but I don't understand trading away first round draft picks year after year and in this case only for cash. I can't imagine that they really need the few million dollars the pick got them.

As far as their draft picks I like both players a lot. I can see Alando Tucker emerging into a Mo Peterson type player and DJ Strawberry has the potential to be a lock down defender and has a proven work ethic. People have knocked the picks because they won't fit in well with the run and gun style the Suns play because neither is an effective perimeter shooter, but with so many other perimeter scorers on the team they don't need to be, yet. Raja Bell didn't have a jumper in 2001 on the Sixers, but was able to develop one over time. I can see the athletic Tucker and Strawberry doing the same.