June 27th

 

- Seven of the players who might hear their names called at the draft have won national titles. All of the top pro prospects from Florida decided to stay in school, but there are some other national championship players who might be drafted. Syracuse’s Gerry McNamara, David Noel of UNC, and members the UConn’s 2005 championship team Rashad Anderson, Josh Boone, Marcus Williams, Hilton Armstrong, and Denham Brown all own rings. Williams and Boone are the only juniors in the group. Corliss Williamson, Richard Hamilton, Derek Anderson, and Antoine Walker are the only active NBA players who have NCAA and NBA titles on their resumes.

 

- Mardy Collins must be sweating more than any prospect in this draft. The Bulls are very high on the versatile, 6-foot-6 Temple point guard and could take him with the 16^th pick. However, if Chicago passes on Collins, he could slide late into the second round. There isn’t a player on the board who is harder to predict because he could fall under such a broad range.

 

- Jose Juan Barea and Dee Brown should be the first two point guards taken in the second round. Barea, a 5-foot-11 standout from Northeastern, and the 5-foot-10 Dee Brown, of Illinois, won’t be taken in round one because of their lack of height. But the two seniors are ultra-quick and both can score and distribute. Barea and Brown are also excellent defenders. Brown was arguably the top player on the 2005 national runner-up team that also featured Jazz point guard Deron Williams and the Houston’s Luther Head. Barea completely dominated the Portsmouth Invitational pre-draft camp. NBA teams love both players, but they don’t want to select them in the first round. Expect teams who need a point guard to take them in the second round and give them a chance to earn minutes as early as next season.

 

- Expect the Celtics to take a point guard with the seventh overall pick. UConn’s Marcus Williams, Kentucky’s Rajon Rondo, and Villanova combo guard Randy Foye all competed in Boston’s last workout on Monday. The guards had all previously worked out for the Celtics and Boston is in desperate need of a distributor.

 

June 24th

 

- Hassan Adams suffered a stress fracture in his foot, but his timing isn’t as bad as it may seem. P.J. Tucker, of Texas, stepped on the foot of the former Arizona star on Wednesday. Adams originally injured the foot back on May 30 and now he could be out for another 2 to 2 ½ weeks. In the process, Adams had to cancel workouts with the Mavericks, Rockets, Lakers, Celtics, and Grizzlies. The explosive 6-foot-4 shooting guard – who averaged 17.5 points a game last season – skipped the NBA Pre-Draft camp in Orlando, but had worked out well with teams prior to aggravating his foot. The injury is not incredibly serious and Adams was able to work out for a handful of interested teams. He may have missed out on impressing the five teams who had scheduled to see him this week, but he’s still better off than if this injury occurred during the season or prior to the start of his workouts.

 

- The no-shows at Thursday’s workout for the Charlotte Bobcats might have actually added some predictability to this draft. Michael Jordan, the new part-owner of the Bobcats, wanted to see LaMarcus Aldridge, Tyrus Thomas, Brandon Roy, and Rudy Gay all workout together. But Aldridge, Thomas, and Roy bailed because of “minor injuries.” Which essentially means one of three things: 1) They really are injured; 2) They have received promises to get drafted by the Bulls or Raptors; or 3) They are frightened to start their NBA careers in Charlotte. Since it is highly unlikely that these three sure-fire lottery picks are hurt right at this moment and even more unlikely that they’ve all been guaranteed to be picked by Toronto or Chicago, you can bet they are scared to death of playing for the Bobcats. Which is somewhat understandable considering the Bulls were in the playoffs last season and the Raptors are only a piece or two away from postseason contention. Thomas already skipped a workout with Portland and, according to the Blazers, had received a promise in the top three. You have to figure that now means he was promised by the Bulls. And, at this point, Jordan – who exercised the options on Sean May and Raymond Felton over the weekend – will most likely favor taking Gay at No. 3 and have a young, strong core unit to build upon. Aldridge probably thinks he’s going first overall and, interestingly, if Roy isn’t traded for by a team like the Lakers (as has been widely speculated), the Blazers might be choosing between the Washington combo guard and another collegian from their home state, Adam Morrison.

 

- We will start seeing many more underclassmen from high class families enter the draft in the future, following the lead of George Karl’s son. Coby Karl, a standout at Boise State, told The Idaho Statesman he never intended to keep his name in the draft, but declared simply for the “experience.” The son of the Nuggets’ coach estimated the total costs of his expenses – travel and otherwise – totaled around $5,000. Karl worked out individually for six NBA teams and participated in the Pre-Draft camp in Orlando. But, most importantly, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard gained valuable insight from league personnel about what he skills he needs to develop in order to make a career in the NBA. And that is probably well worth the money spent.

 

 

June 22nd - Afternoon Update

 

- David Noel might be in the wrong draft. The 6-foot-6, 232-pound UNC forward should try to make his pro career as a tight end in the NFL. Noel averaged 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a game and poured in over 20 points on three different occasions. The former walk-on is chiseled and, much like a good beer, possesses a rare combination of strength and hops. In fact, he reportedly rated out as the top athlete in the NBA pre-draft combine/athletic ability test. He’s also an excellent defender, solid shooter, and could make for a good role player at the NBA level. But he commits far too many turnovers for a player who doesn’t handle the ball all that much. So while he might end up on someone’s summer league roster, he would have certainly been an intriguing prospect on the gridiron. He actually gave up a full scholarship to play football for the Tar Heels and the NFL’s search for future stars in college basketball gyms would have worked in his favor. UConn’s Ed Nelson and Jai Lewis of George Mason were both picked up NFL teams looking for the next Antonio Gates.

- A team at the top of the draft may have promised to pick Tyrus Thomas, but that might change by June 28^th. This week The Oregonian reported that Thomas skipped a workout with the Blazers (who have the No. 4 pick) because Art Sasse, Portland’s vice president of communications, says Thomas’s agent told them a team with a higher pick promised to select the former LSU star. The Raptors, Bulls, and Bobcats are the teams currently ahead of the Blazers. Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo raves about Andre Bargnani, but the 20-year old Benetton Treviso (Italy) star hasn’t worked out privately for any NBA teams yet. So Bargnani’s place among the top three hasn’t been defined. Charlotte reportedly designated new part-owner Michael Jordan as head decision-maker for this draft, which could change the Bobcats’ entire strategy. That leaves the Bulls, who need a fiery post player to complement Tyson Chandler. But Thomas got sick during his workout with the Bulls. So while it is highly likely he’ll go in the top three, don’t be shocked if it doesn’t happen.

- Most of the lottery teams are closer to the playoffs than you might expect. This draft is considered to be fairly weak because it is filled with unknown commodities. There will be question marks surrounding every player taken in the lottery. But each team in the top six – except for the Bobcats (No. 3) – seem to be just a piece or two away from making post-season noise. The Raptors have Chris Bosh and Charlie Villanueva to build on. The Bulls were in the playoffs last season and have the No. 2 overall pick thanks to the Eddy Curry deal with the Knicks. The Blazers have a gifted, yet young and inconsistent backcourt in Sebastian Telfair, Jarrett Jack, and Martell Webster. And Portland’s frontcourt of Zach Randolph, Darius Miles, and Joel Przybilla (if they sign him) could also be described as youthful and talented. The Hawks won just 26 games last season, but they have a handful of very good small forwards – Al Harrington, Marvin Williams, Josh Childress, and Marvin Williams – and a potential superstar in Joe Johnson. They could make a run if they can get their hands on a low post presence and a distributing point guard, either through the draft or via trade. And Kevin Garnett will always keep the Timberwolves in the mix, especially if he is joined by Rudy Gay or Adam Morrison.

 

 

June 22nd - Early Morning Update - Iverson Trade Rumor

 

- Allen Iverson could be traded so the Sixers can acquire another lottery pick. My sources say the Sixers are heavily involved in Iverson trade talks with the Warriors and the Hawks. The deal would almost certainly consist of the lottery pick owned by the Warriors (No. 9) or Hawks (No. 5) and another emerging starter. If the trade is made, the Sixers probably won’t give up their lottery pick (No. 13) and it probably won’t happen prior to the draft. That’s because Philly needs to re-examine who they will workout in the next few days.

- News of underclassmen training at the IMG Academy should have been clear indicators of their intentions to stay in the draft. A lot of the pre-draft chatter over the last month concerned whether sophomore point guards Darius Washington of Memphis and Villanova’s Kyle Lowry were staying in. Both players were reportedly tracking all of their expenses and doing everything possible to keep themselves eligible. Villanova coach Jay Wright even admitted spending countless hours researching the rules of Lowry’s eligibility. But the fact that both players were training at IMG should have been a red flag. IMG’s program costs $6,000 for “complete pre-draft training” and $850 on a per week basis. Spending that kind of money should indicate that their decisions to leave and not look back were made long before they made it official.

- Ultimately, Rudy Gay’s success will determine how we view this draft in the years to come. The former Connecticut star will probably not be the first overall pick, but he does have more natural talent than any other prospect. Gay is smooth and athletic. He has great size for a wing and is capable of playing lockdown defense. The biggest knock against Gay is whether he has the drive to be a dominant NBA player. Before this year’s NCAA Tournament, UConn coach Jim Calhoun told the Albany Times-Union that Gay was, “Carrying a tremendous burden. It’s the burden of potential.” The Huskies lost to George Mason and Gay has become the forgotten man of this draft. But, after an incredibly strong showing in a workout against Adam Morrison in Portland, the wing could be a steal in the middle of the lottery. And if Gay shows the brilliance he’s capable of, he could turn this mediocre draft class into a solid one.

June 20th

- With no clear-cut number one pick, the top six lottery teams are staying eerily quiet about their intentions. Six different players – Adam Morrison (Gonzaga), LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas), Tyrus Thomas (LSU), Andrea Bargani (Italy), Rudy Gay (Connecticut), and Brandon Roy (Washington) – could possibly go first overall. Thus, in theory, a team could land the top player on their board with the sixth pick in the draft. This obviously includes any teams outside of the top six who might be looking to trade up. So, if any of the top five teams provides a hint as to who they are interested in selecting, they will essentially lessen the value of their draft number. Say, for instance, the Pacers want to slide up from No. 17 to select Adam Morrison. If Indiana knows the Raptors are taking Bargnani first and the Bulls are going with Thomas at No. 2, the Pacers would only need to move up to third or fourth overall to get their guy. But if the Pacers don’t know what direction Toronto or Chicago is going in, they would probably have to try to work out a deal with the Raptors to guarantee getting Morrison.

- The NBA should be selling its fan base on Brandon Roy and his four year journey. It seems like every team in the league is gushing about Roy and his finely-tuned skills. He’s a crafty scorer, solid passer, consistent outside shooter, and solid defender with a sturdy frame. But the former Washington star’s game wasn’t always this refined. Roy was laughed at around the NBA after declaring for the draft following his senior year at Garfield High School in Washington. Roy obviously pulled his name out of that mediocre draft, improved in each of his four seasons with the Huskies, and took home first team All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year honors this past season. Roy became the kind of fundamentally sound leader every team covets and he’s the one laughing now.

- Chris Bosh gave the Raptors the perfect foundation on which to build on. As recently reported by Peter Vescey on NBATV, Bosh agreed to a six-year extension with Toronto. By committing to the league’s only Canadian team, the emerging superstar is sending a strong message about the direction the Raptors are headed in to free agents and future draft picks. Since Toronto owns the first overall pick, Bosh’s timing is perfect. The unselfish big man and the star rookie (who could be Bosh’s high school rival, LaMarcus Aldridge) should be quite a tandem. Throw sophomore sensation Charlie Villanueva in the mix and the Raptors are a team on the rise.

 

 

June 19th

- The NBA’s age-minimum rule has essentially created a one-year black hole. Adam Morrison (Gonzaga), LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas), Tyrus Thomas (LSU), Andrea Bargana (Italy), Rudy Gay (Connecticut), and Brandon Roy (Washington) are widely considered to be the upper echelon of this year’s draft crop. But keep in mind that the league’s age-minimum rule was put into place last summer after the NBA Draft. Which, in effect, created a one-year black hole. This draft features neither the class of ’05 studs who are playing footsie at the end of NBA benches – Martell Webster, Andrew Bynum, Gerald Green, Monta Ellis, and Louis Williams – nor the elite players in the ’06 Class. In other words, this is the first year since players were allowed to declare for early entry that the best players in two straight classes have not been available for teams to draft. Things will shift back to normal next year, which is essentially why any fringe prospects should have risked their luck in the draft this year.

- Jim Calhoun wants Marcus Williams going to the Boston Celtics. The Hall of Fame coach recently told me he doesn’t know where his star lead guard will end up getting drafted. But he did say he would love for Williams to go in the lottery (which will definitely happen) and really love for Williams to go to Boston at No. 7 (which is a strong possibility) so he could get to see him play “all the time.” The crafty point guard could turn around the Hawks fortunes in Atlanta and should be available at No. 5, but the Hawks are reportedly committed to keeping Joe Johnson as their primary set-up man. If Williams slips past the Hawks, Timberwolves, and Celtics, he’s still in luck. The Rockets (No. 8) desperately need a point guard, and the Warriors (No. 9) could take Williams and make Baron Davis available.

- Like good steak, comparing the offensive repertoire for the center prospects in this draft is just basically determining how raw. Mouhamed Saer Sene, a 7-foot center from Senegal, was introduced to the game of basketball just a few years ago. Consequently, his footwork and post moves are unrefined. But the other top center prospects in this draft are also in the early stages of their low post development. Patrick O’Bryant averaged 13.4 points and 8.3 boards a game as a sophomore at Bradley last season, while UConn’s Hilton Armstrong put up just 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds a game in his senior season. The numbers for O’Bryant and Armstrong are solid, but certainly not other-worldly. So despite what you might expect, Sene – who is agile and possesses a ridiculous 7-foot-8 wingspan – might not require much more time than his low block counterparts. And because all of these bigs are raw, a pair of extremely athletic, 6-foot-10 ACC power forwards – Cedric Simmons of N.C. State and Florida State’s Alexander Johnson – might also whet the appetite of an NBA GM looking to fill a hole at the center position.

- Mustafa Shakur needs to have a brilliant senior season to keep his NBA dreams alive. Just a few years ago, Arizona’s junior point guard was one of the elite prep playmakers in the nation and a sure-fire first round pick. Yet he pulled his name out of contention on Sunday after fearing he would go undrafted. UA coach Lute Olson recently said his former point, Jason Gardner, was never given a second chance at the NBA after Gardner had a disappointing showing as a junior at the Chicago Pre-Draft camp. Olson told ESPN, “When (Gardner) came back for his senior season, the NBA scouts didn’t forget.” The same thing could haunt Shakur if he doesn’t improve his shooting form and completely electrify scouts next season.

 

 

June 18th

 

- Its funny what an extra inch is going to do for J.J. Redick. The Duke star’s draft stock appeared to be plummeting after a week lowlighted by a DUI arrest and his pulling out of multiple workouts because of a sore back. But at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp, he reportedly measured at 6-5 ¼. Meaning he’s not just taller than many believed, he’s on par size-wise with Temple’s Mardy Collins and Memphis swingman Rodney Carney. Redick also tested much better than anticipated athletically, so don’t be surprised if the Wooden and Naismith award winner still lands in the Top 10.

 

- Richard Roby took full advantage of the opportunity to test the draft waters and now he’s in position to become a huge star. With great size and a multitude of ways to score, the lithe shooting guard out of Colorado could have been a first round pick. Instead, he’s returning to school, where he was a first team All-Big 12 selection last season. Entering his name in the draft didn’t just make him aware of the areas in his game that require improvement, it also increased his exposure. Everyone knows Kansas will be terrific, but Roby and Jayhawk standout Brandon Rush should be the favorites for the conference Player of the Year and All-American honors.

 

- Quite a few point guards need to take notice of the decisions of UCLA’s Joran Farmar and Villanova’s Kyle Lowry to remain in this draft. Spain’s Sergio Rodriguez, Temple’s Mardy Collins, Darius Washington of Memphis, and Texas maestro Daniel Gibson could all be bumped out the first round simply because Lowry and Farmar are staying in. Consequently, dynamic points Dee Brown of Illinois and Northeastern’s Jose Juan Barea will probably get selected late in the second round, if at all. That’s a shame because both should be – at the very least – very solid NBA players.

 

- Even if he doesn’t get drafted, don’t cry for Gerry McNamara. The Syracuse guard is an outstanding shooter and creative passer, but will probably not be selected on June 28^th because he doesn’t do either of those things well from the point guard position. He’s a natural shooting guard, yet he’ll struggle defensively – especially in the post – against most of the off-guards in the league. Regardless, McNamara is taking full advantage of his collegiate fame, racking up autograph signings, special appearances, speaking engagements, and endorsement deals. He’s even a spokesman for Community Bank System, Inc., meaning he doesn’t have to call “bank” because he already represents one. McNamara is pulling in a plentiful sum. According to a source close to the Syracuse program, he’s already accumulated well over $100 grand by selling his image.

 

Every day up until the June 28th, CHN writer Adam Stanco will present NBA Draft tidbits to chew on… Check back for more Draft Buzz tomorrow..

 

 

 

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