Insider Mockdraft and measurements

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NBA Mock Draft II
By Chad Ford and Andy Katz
ESPN.com
Send an Email to Chad Ford Monday, June 9
Updated: June 9
12:56 PM ET

CHICAGO -- Nothing is certain -- well, except LeBron James in the Cavs' new colors. So, with the Chicago pre-draft camp in the rear-view mirror and 2½ weeks still to go before the real thing, Insider's Chad Ford and ESPN.com's Andy Katz break down the first round as it could unfold June 26.

We'll have two more mock drafts before draft night. Today, Katz makes the odd-numbered picks, while Ford fills in the even-numbered picks.

Note: For players who participated in the Chicago pre-draft combine, heights (with shoes) and weights listed are official combine results. Non-combine participants are listed with their roster or media-guide measurements.

Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James
Small Forward | 6-8, 240 | Draft Player Card
St. Mary/St. Vincent (Ohio) High School
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Andy Katz's Pick: The Cavs need plenty of help, but they have to get James to lift the spirits of the employees and the fans. James brings instant credibility, whether he becomes a star next season or not. Paul Silas is probably the perfect coach to massage James' ego. James isn't used to losing so the transition will be tough at first, but he'll get plenty of minutes to learn from his mistakes. Chad Ford's Take: James already has made a major impact on the organization. For the first time in years the arena is selling out, the team has a big-time coach, and fans finally have some hope. Even one of James' future teammates has gotten into the act. Darius Miles has been in the gym since May 1 working on his jump shot and conditioning in preparation for the increased expectations with the coming of the King.

Detroit Pistons
Darko Milicic
Power Forward | 7-1, 250 | Draft Player Card
KK Hemofarm | Serbia
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Chad Ford's Pick: No one is more stunned than Carmelo Anthony that Joe Dumars & Co. have already decided on Darko -- before Anthony even comes to visit. But if you know Dumars, you understand why he's sold on the 7-foot-1, 17-year old Serbian. Dumars has been following Darko all year and is in love with his tough, aggressive play in the post. The team needs a go-to guy in the paint in the worst way, and Darko will be able to give them that sooner than you think. Besides, Anthony would take playing time away from another Joe D favorite, Tayshaun Prince. Andy Katz's Take: The Pistons would have been pleased to take either Milicic or Anthony but are willing to give Tayshaun Prince a go over the next season. Milicic answers the inside scoring questions and could cause some matchup problems when he's facing the basket in a lineup with Ben Wallace anchoring the interior. Milicic is only 17, but he's probably more ready to make a contribution than any other international teenager in the draft. The Pistons won't announce Milicic like the Cavs did with James, but they might as well go public with this done deal.

Denver Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony
Small Forward | 6-7½, 234 | Draft Player Card
Freshman | Syracuse
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Andy Katz's Pick: The Nuggets could flirt with drafting Pavel Podkolzine, and they will bring him in for a workout. Going with a future all-international frontline with Nene Hilario and Nikoloz Tskitishvili is intriguing, but probably unlikely. Instead, the Nuggets will go with the sure thing. Anthony should be more ready to produce as a rookie than any other player in the draft. The few diehard Nuggets fans are actually excited about landing Anthony. And his arrival should help in the recruitment of free agent Gilbert Arenas, who wants money, playing time and a chance to win. Chad Ford's Take: After Pavel Podkolzine's unbelievable workout in Chicago, a few were quietly whispering that Nuggets' GM Kiki Vandeweghe might grab the 7-foot-4 Siberian. It's pretty unlikely. Not only would it be a public-relations disaster, but it would also put Vandeweghe's rebuilding program back a year or two. Still, both Anthony and Denver seem uncomfortable with the fit, which is why trade rumors keep flying around. Toronto, Miami and Chicago would love to move up. Can they make it worth the Nuggets' while?

Toronto Raptors
T.J. Ford
Point Guard | 6-0, 162 | Draft Player Card
Sophomore | Texas
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Chad Ford's Pick: GM Glen Grunwald's job is on the line. The Raptors have to improve now. They'd love to add Anthony to the mix, but unless they move up, they only have two choices that could bring an immediate impact. One, they can trade down (or out) and acquire a more established player like Stromile Swift, or they can take Ford and hope he can make a quick transition at the point. Rookie point guards normally don't fare well in the NBA, but Ford is so intelligent, he has a great chance. The Raptors were blown away by Ford's improved shooting at a private workout on Thursday. Andy Katz's Take: Grunwald made an impassioned plea of forgiveness to the fans after the last home game this season. He told them the Raptors wouldn't go through another season like 2002-03. The Raptors aren't that far away from returning to the playoffs behind a healthy Vince Carter, regardless who becomes the head coach. That's why Toronto has to add a player who can help them next season. They can't afford to take a project or someone without name recognition. Selecting Ford makes the most sense, because it answers a number of their pressing needs.

Miami Heat
Chris Bosh
Power Forward | 6-11½, 225 | Draft Player Card
Freshman | Georgia Tech
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Andy Katz's Pick: Podkolzine piqued Pat Riley's interest during his workout in Chicago, and the Heat is expected to go through an extensive interview process with the Siberian center. But Miami can't afford to be too patient. Like the Raptors, the Heat need someone who can come in and make a contribution as a rookie. They got that type of player in Caron Butler a year ago and could do the same in Bosh. He's a shot-blocker and a developing low-post player. He won't be as physical as Podkolzine, but he's more ready to aid in the rebuilding process. Chad Ford's Take: My head says Bosh could be a real star in a year or two. But my heart says Podkolzine here. Riley and company were blown away by his workout. The Heat will have him in late this week to test his knowledge of the game, ability to read game tape and his general intelligence. If he passes the test, I just don't know how the Heat could pass on the kid.

Los Angeles Clippers
Pavel Podkolzine
Center | 7-5, 303 | Draft Player Card
Siberia
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Chad Ford's Pick: If Miami passes on the big fella, the Clippers will snatch him up at No. 6. Clippers scout Fabrizio Besnati discovered him in Russia more than two years ago and has been on the Clippers to draft the kid for the last six months. Will Pavel's workout on Friday be enough to wake GM Elgin Baylor out of his perpetual slumber? Andy Katz's Take: Podkolzine's workout in Chicago will go down in pre-draft camp folklore. Podkolzine's overall mammoth size created such a buzz that NBA personnel were talking about the draft changing as soon as they caught a glimpse of him. Podkolzine's workout with former UNLV coach Billy Bayno was aggressive, diversified and productive. While questions remain about his endurance, whether or not his body can take the pounding and just how much he understands the game, he's still worth the risk. The Clippers were the first to discover him, and Besnati should get a bump in pay from Donald Sterling for his efforts.


Chicago Bulls
Dwyane Wade
Shooting Guard | 6-4¾, 212 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Marquette
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Andy Katz's Pick: Wade could end up being the best player in this draft next season. Sure, Anthony is ready to score, but so is Wade, who has leadership skills that should play well in Chicago. If the Bulls start talking trade with some of their perimeter players, then Wade becomes even more valuable. He's not an exceptional shooter, but he finds a way to get to the basket and finish. There is still a chance the Bulls could package this pick or go with a foreign product like Michael Pietrus. But right now, it's still too hard to pass on the proven Wade. Chad Ford's Take: Wade's going to be a big-time NBA player, but the Bulls won't take him here. They're high on France's Mickael Pietrus right now, and for good reason. He's taller than Wade, is a better defender and he's got a better perimeter shot. GM John Paxson was in France this weekend getting yet another look at Pietrus. Wade does have some nice intangibles and a freakishly long wingspan, but I think the size issue hurts him in Chicago. With an already crowded backcourt of Jay Williams and Jamal Crawford, why draft yet another combo guard when you already have two fighting for playing time? If the Bulls, however, decide to trade Williams or Crawford, Wade would start to make more sense.

Milwaukee Bucks
Kirk Hinrich
Point Guard | 6-3¾ | 186 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Kansas
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Chad Ford's Pick: Gary Payton is all but gone, and they're running out of patience with Sam Cassell. And with owner Herb Kohl contemplating a sale, the Bucks are in the youth-mode right now. So the team would be remiss to pass on one of the best point guard crops in recent draft history. Right now, Hinrich is No. 2 on their board behind T.J. Ford. That may change this week when Hinrich, Luke Ridnour, Reece Gaines and Marcus Moore square off in a big-time workout. But until then, Hinrich is the guy. Andy Katz's Take: Hinrich should be a star in the league. Next to Ford, he's the quickest end-to-end guard in this draft. Hinrich has the hops to compete above the rim in the NBA, and his game will play well in the uptempo league. Hinrich loves to rip-and-run off rebounds and find the open man. He's a shooting/slashing point who can cause defenses to react to him before he finds a shooter in the corner. The Bucks desperately need another flashy player like Hinrich with Payton's situation in flux and Cassell on the back end of his career. Hinrich would be a hit in Milwaukee, because of his strong midwestern roots and values.


New York Knicks
Chris Kaman
Center | 7-0½, 252 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Central Michigan
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Andy Katz's Pick: The Knicks need help after last year's bust of a draft. They traded Nene Hilario and got damaged goods in Antonio McDyess and Frank Williams. Kaman said he's ready to contribute, and he better be if the Knicks take him this high. He claims he's not going to be just another player taken because he's tall. If that's the case, he better be a legitimate scoring forward. Knick fans might groan a bit when this pick is announced in the Garden, and they don't take kindly to projects. They need Kaman to produce immediately. If there is any trepidation with this pick then don't be surprised to see someone like Michael Sweetney or Nick Collison shoot up this high. Chad Ford's Take: The Podkolzine workout was the best thing to happen to Scott Layden. He couldn't afford to take the risk on yet another Euro project, and with Pavel now expected to be off the board earlier, the guy Layden really likes falls to him at No. 9. While Kaman doesn't have the trappings of a superstar, his unbelievable footwork, ability to shoot with both his left and right hand, and his above average athleticism for a big man will make him a solid center in the league.

 

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Washington Wizards
Michael Pietrus
Shooting Guard | 6-6, 210 | Draft Player Card
EB Pau-Orthez | France
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Chad Ford's Pick: Who really knows what the Wizards will do? Without a coach or GM, it's hard to predict. The Wizards need a point guard in the worst way, but Pietrus will be tough to pass on here. He's the best player left on the board, plays tough defense and has the superstar potential everyone else on the roster lacks. I personally expect Pietrus to be off the board here. If he is, the Wiz will grab Wade. Andy Katz's Take: The big question is who is making this pick? No one seems to know less than three weeks out from the draft. The Wizards have done a better job of scouting Europe of late and need help with a scoring wing. Pietrus is a good scorer from the perimeter and also can drive and play defense. If Michael Jordan were still in control, the Wizards probably wouldn't go foreign. They still might not, but Pietrus is the likely candidate at No. 10. If the Wizards decide to stay local then don't be surprised to see a big man like Sweetney or Collison, either. Washington could end up shipping someone up front if they go big in this draft.


Golden State Warriors
Luke Ridnour
Point Guard | 6-2, 167 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Oregon
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Andy Katz's Pick: The Warriors know that taking a guard all but ensures Gilbert Arenas will leave. But they can't take a chance and pass one up in hopes Arenas will stay. Ridnour is the best available point guard at this pick, and he's too good for the Warriors to pass up. He would play well in Eric Musselman's system. Ridnour is just a tad behind Ford and Hinrich in end-to-end quickness. He'll give the Warriors a Steve Nash-like, heady point guard who will play well in the Bay Area. The name recognition in the Pac-10 city will be key for the fans who will quickly get attached to Ridnour's floppy hair. Reece Gaines is a possibility here, but every indication is that Ridnour is ahead of him. Chad Ford's Take: This is a tough call. Right now all signs point to the Warriors losing Arenas, which makes point guard a priority. The problem with Ridnour is he's not even close to being ready to be a starting point guard in the NBA. Besides, word is coach Musselman isn't enamoured. If Arenas stays, Ridnour actually makes more sense. If he bolts, Musselman is pushing GM Garry St. Jean to lure a veteran like Gary Payton and use the pick on a kid like Maciej Lampe, who could turn into something special in a few years.

Seattle SuperSonics
Michael Sweetney
Power Forward | 6-8, 262 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Georgetown
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Chad Ford's Pick: He's got the chance to be an Elton Brand-type player. He's a little undersized, but his huge wingspan and clever inside game make up for it. That's exactly what the Sonics need. Remember, undrafted rookie Reggie Evans started 60 games for them last year. Sweetney will give the team toughness, rebounding and an inside scoring threat. Andy Katz's Take: The Sonics want Hinrich with this first pick, and trading up isn't out of the question. But if Hinrich and Ridnour are gone, the Sonics will go big. Leandrinho Barbosa is a possibility, but probably not likely at this spot. The Sonics will probably decide between Sweetney and Collison. Both would be ideal choices for the power-position deprived Sonics. Sweetney is a low-post scorer who attracts double teams and eats rebounds for lunch. Collison is more of balanced scorer and a great find at the back end of the lottery. But the Sonics might go with more of a traditional low-post presence in Sweetney.


Memphis Grizzlies
Maciej Lampe
Center | 7-0, 240 | Draft Player Card
Real Madrid | Poland
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Andy Katz's Pick: Jerry West will likely fall in love with Lampe's competitiveness, drive and hunger to succeed in the NBA. Talk to Lampe and you'll be shocked that he's only 18. He was the youngest player, at 15, to sign with Real Madrid and is as worldly as any player coming from overseas. He was born in Poland, grew up in Sweden and played in Spain. He's ready to make the jump, but not begging for the chance. If he is not projected to go in the lottery, he has no problem going back to Spain for another season. He's a shooting forward who would cause a bit of a glut for the Grizzlies but would give them another young, talented European with the coveted "upside" quotient. Chad Ford's Take: Jerry West has spent a lot of time targeting the Euros this year. They're high on both Pietrus and Podkolzine and will try to move up in the draft to grab them. However, Lampe would be a great score here. His shooting ability from the perimeter, combined with his size, makes him an intriguing prospect.

Seattle SuperSonics
Leandrinho Barbosa
Point Guard | 6-4, 185 | Draft Player Card
Barcelona | Brazil
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Chad Ford's Pick: With two first-round picks, the Sonics can afford to gamble with their second. The Sonics replaced Payton with Ray Allen this winter and moved Brent Barry to the point. That's a short-term fix. The Sonics would like to start developing a young, tough point guard, and Barbosa has the most potential. He's strong, quick and an explosive leaper. His long wingspan will help him on defense. While some worry about his awkward shot, lack of big-time competition and fledgling English-speaking ability, the potential to be the next Payton is there. Andy Katz's Take: Barbosa is a long, rangy point guard and would fit in Seattle if the Sonics can't get Hinrich or Ridnour at 12. Barbosa is probably the next point on the list. The biggest question is his English. A point guard has to speak the language to be successful in the NBA. Basketball has its own language, but Barbosa must be able to communicate. The Sonics could get turned off by the language barrier and might look at someone like Gaines instead if the decision is close. Taking an international player like Barbosa with their second pick in the first round makes sense because there isn't as much pressure to play Barbosa next

Orlando Magic
Reece Gaines
Point Guard | 6-6, 205 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Louisville
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Andy Katz's Pick: Gaines has the potential to sneak up higher in the draft. But he has been slotted behind Ford, Hinrich, Ridnour and Barbosa. If he drops this far, the Magic likely would snatch him up before Boston. The Magic also could take a look at UNLV's Marcus Banks, or Boston College's Troy Bell. But the Magic have taken a keen interest in Gaines since he has been working out at the IMG Academy in nearby Bradenton, Fla. Doc Rivers wants players who can contribute right away and don't need babysitting. Gaines fits the criteria. Chad Ford's Take: Doc Rivers loves big point guards, and unlike Jeryl Sasser, Gaines can both play the point and shoot the ball. The team will also take a look at Banks with this pick, but in the end Gaines' versatility wins out.

Boston Celtics
Alexsandar Pavlovic
Shooting Guard | 6-6, 207 | Draft Player Card
Budcunost | Serbia
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Chad Ford's Pick: The Celtics need a lot of things -- a center, point guard and the elusive third scorer. At this point in the draft, the scorer is the best player left on the board. Pavlovic has great size and athleticism at the two, and he's one of the top shooters in the draft. His experience playing in the Euroleague this year should allow him to come in and play big minutes right away in Boston. GM Danny Ainge fell in love with him at a workout two weeks ago and immediately scheduled to bring Pavlovic back just days before the draft. Andy Katz's Take: The 19-year old Yugoslavian is one of the best shooters in the draft. The Celtics are looking for scoring help on the perimeter, and Pavlovic fits the profile. His agent, Marc Cornstein, looks at him as another version of San Antonio's Emanuel Ginobili. If that is the case, the Celtics would have quite a find in the first round. Ainge isn't going to draft unskilled players, or simply just athletes. He wants shooters and scorers, and Pavlovic could end up being the right player for the Celtics. The sleeper players still on the board could be Jarvis Hayes and Collison.


Phoenix Suns
Ndudi Ebi
Power Forward | 6-9, 195 | Draft Player Card
Westbury Christian (Texas) High School
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Andy Katz's Pick: This is a tough call. Ebi certainly didn't look like he was heading into the draft when he had a sluggish and downright dull workout last week in Chicago. But everything he said indicated he would stay in the draft. Phoenix has plenty of time to develop players and doesn't need immediate help next season. The Suns were non-committal on their interest as rumors swirled they had made various guarantees. If Ebi gets word he's guaranteed to go in the first round, he'll stay in the draft. If he's clearly in the second round, he will pull out. If that occurs, don't be surprised to see Zarko Carbakapa in this spot. Chad Ford's Take: When you have a little of everything, you can gamble a little bit at 17. That's why no one is really sure where the Suns will go. Over the past week, I've heard that the Suns had "promised" this pick to Ebi, Marcus Banks, Boris Diaw and Zarko Cabarkapa. Ebi, however, makes the most sense. His upside is enormous. He's long, athletic, a big-time shot-blocker and is an aggressive defender. While he's a few year away from competing right now, the Suns have the time to be patient

New Orleans Hornets
Nick Collison
Power Forward | 6-10, 255 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Kansas
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Chad Ford's Pick: The team will most likely lose P.J. Brown this summer to free agency. Collison is the same type of hard-working, no-nonsense, blue-collar player who can step right in and contribute. While teams will always question his strength and athleticism, Collison's knowledge of the game and intangibles make him this year's Shane Battier. Andy Katz's Take: Wow, what a steal for the Hornets. Getting Collison at No. 18 would be unheard of, and clearly a stroke of good luck for New Orleans. Collison said he doesn't need to go higher in the draft as long as he gets to the right team. He would make perfect sense in New Orleans and could flourish running the floor alongside Baron Davis. Collison may not drop this far. If he doesn't, Jarvis Hayes is a natural with the Hornets. New Orleans could also look at Brian Cook and Mario Austin at this spot.

 

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Utah Jazz
Jarvis Hayes
Shooting Guard | 6-7, 220 | Draft Player Card
Junior | Georgia
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Andy Katz's Pick: Hayes has lottery talent, but the influx of international players likely will push him down a few notches. Hayes skipped the Chicago workouts and wasn't invited in the physical-only group. That usually means he'll end up right in the middle of the first round. Hayes is a big-time scorer and should help the Jazz feel less stressed about the potential departure of Karl Malone. Hayes has a pro body that can handle the pounding of being a more physical small forward. Chad Ford's Take: The Jazz know Calbert Cheaney isn't the long-term answer at the two and Deshawn Stevenson still hasn't done enough to earn Jerry Sloan's trust. They like Pavlovic, but it looks like he won't be around when they pick. Enter Hayes. He's one of the best shooters in the draft, has great size for his position. His questionable handle and a lack of defensive prowess cause him to fall this far, but the Jazz can afford to take the risk if he stays in the draft.


Boston Celtics
Marcus Banks
Point Guard | 6-2, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | UNLV
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Chad Ford's Pick: J.R. Bremer is nice, but the team needs a real point guard in the worst way. The most prominent rumor in Chicago was that Banks skipped the pre-draft camp because he had a promise from Ainge at No. 20. Ainge denies it, but there's some teeth to the rumor. Ainge knows the Mountain West players well and has supposedly fallen in love with the kid many scouts compare to a poor man's Baron Davis. Andy Katz's Take: The Celtics need to grab a point guard with one of their two picks. The best points will likely be gone by the time they pick at No. 16, leaving a point a must at No. 20. Boston could give serious thought to Boston College's Troy Bell, but the early word is that Banks might be ahead of Bell on the Celtics' depth chart. If Bell's Chicago camp success pushed him ahead, Boston won't hesitate to take him at No. 20. The darkhorse at this spot is BYU's Travis Hansen. The Celtics likely would only take him if they do get a point at No. 16. Hansen is a favorite of Ainge.

Atlanta Hawks
Boris Diaw
Shooting Guard | 6-9, 220 | Draft Player Card
Pau Orthez | France
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Andy Katz's Pick: Diaw is a combo guard and is considered quite a passer. The Hawks weren't thrilled with last year's first-round pick Dan Dickau. But Dickau was hurt and never really given the chance to flourish. He has to get more minutes next season to re-discover his shot. Drafting Diaw would put less pressure on Dickau than a ready-made senior who doesn't have as much time to develop. The Hawks could be patient with Diaw and not force his maturity on the court. Chad Ford's Take: No one knows for sure what the Hawks are doing here. They still don't have an owner or a GM, which makes it a little hard to project what they want. Diaw is really a 6-foot-9 point guard, which should get Hawks fans smiling. Diaw isn't really a threat to score, but with Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Glenn Robinson and Jason Terry in the house, who needs him to be? Pair him in the backcourt with Terry, and the Hawks' point-guard woes could be over.


New Jersey Nets
Viktor Khryapa
Small Forward | 6-9, 220 | Draft Player Card
Autodorozhnik Saratov | Russia
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Chad Ford's Pick: Last year the Nets drafted Yugoslavian center Nenad Kristic sight unseen. It turned into a major, major home run when Krstic went from project to Euroleague star last year. The word in Chicago is they're high on Khryapa, a versatile forward who can play the three or four with a nice shooting touch, long arms and great defense. Khryapa plans on staying in Moscow one more year. That won't scare the Nets away after the way Krstic played last year. Andy Katz's Take: The Nets were successful in getting one of the sleeper Europeans out of last year's draft with Krstic. They didn't need him last season and kept him overseas. They would do the same with Khryapa and not have him come over for a season or two because of contractual issues. But that's fine with the Nets, since they would be getting a future 3-point shooter and small forward. New Jersey doesn't need immediate help. If the Nets wanted to take someone for next season, they would have some tantalizing prospects like David West, Josh Howard or Brian Cook still on the board.

Portland Trailblazers
David West
Power Forward | 6-9, 226 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Xavier
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Andy Katz's Pick: Portland has to think image with this pick. David West comes with no baggage, and he's a legit scoring forward. The Blazers have made too many picks that involved question marks on a personal level. West was a model citizen at Xavier, was a four-year guy and enters the NBA as a mature and developed forward. Portland could get a similar good-character player in Josh Howard, if it wanted to go for a big guard. Chad Ford's Take: I don't think David West will sneak into the first round. I understand West is a good guy and a proven college commodity, but as long as Bob Whitsitt is hanging around (he was in Chicago at the pre-draft camp), I still don't believe the Blazers have changed their stripes. Besides, West hasn't proven to anyone he can play small forward in the pros. The review from a few recent workouts was that he's still not comfortable on the perimeter. I think the Blazers either try to trade up into the lottery to get their hands on Podkolzine, Bosh or Lampe, or they take a chance on Illinois' Brian Cook, another guy with lottery talent and a questionable head.


Los Angeles Lakers
Sofaklis Schortsianides
Center | 6-10, 287 | Draft Player Card
Greece
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Chad Ford's Pick: Nicknamed "Baby Shaq" by the Greeks, this 6-10 (or 6-8, depending on who you believe) power forward is the type of bruiser Shaq has always wanted at his side. At 17, he won't get any playing time in L.A. next year, but he is the type of talent who can help the Lakers tremendously down the road. If his agent really believes he's falling this far, however, he may pull him out of the draft before the June 19 deadline. If Sofaklis is gone, the Lakers will probably grab Zarko Carbakapa. Andy Katz's Take: If Baby Shaq drops this low, agent Marc Fleisher might pull him out of the draft. The big questions continue to be how tall he is, with various reports listing him 6-6 to 6-10. The Lakers will likely go out and get a free-agent power forward, but they could do with a project at the same position. If Schortsianides ends up being a hit, the Lakers have struck gold with a late first-round pick. And, why shouldn't the team with Shaq get his namesake?

Detroit Pistons
Travis Hansen
Shooting Guard | 6-5½, 200 | Draft Player Card
Senior | BYU
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Andy Katz's Pick: Someone always makes it into the first round out of the Chicago camp. Bell, Hansen and James Lang seem to be the most discussed candidates. Hansen fits the profile of a hard-working guard who can do just about anything. He can make 3s, hit the mid-range jumper, dive on the floor for loose balls and take a charge. He would fit in well with Detroit's system under Larry Brown and be a hit on a team trying to win a title next season. Chad Ford's Take: BYU's "Eminem" has wowed scouts with his great combination of athleticism, strength, defensive prowess and long-range shooting skills. The Pistons have to replace Jon Barry with someone, and at 25, Hansen has the maturity to contribute now. Still, I have a sneaking suspicion the Pistons' international scouts are in Dumars' ear, urging him to take another foreign player. Guys like Zaur Pachulia, Zoran Planinic, Alexsander Vujacic, Zarko Cabarkapa and Carlos Delfino are still on the board here.


Minnesota Timberwolves
Carlos Delfino
Shooting Guard | 6-7, 215 | Draft Player Card
Fortitudo Bologna | Argentina
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Chad Ford's Pick: The 6-7 two guard from Argentina is underrated because of a late-season ankle injury. The NBA scouting circuit missed him completely, and that's too bad, because the kid can really play. He's tough, has a great handle, shoots the lights out and is an excellent rebounder. His inconsistency really bothers a lot of scouts, but he's too good to pass up here ... if his agent leaves him in the draft. Andy Katz's Take: The Timberwolves are back in the first round for the first time since 1999, when they took William Avery from Duke. That didn't work out too well. The Timberwolves could go in a number directions, and the early read is to go international. Delfino has to prove that an ankle injury isn't serious enough to prevent him from being in the first round. If it isn't, then he's got a shot to be here. If not, the Timberwolves could go a safer route with either Howard or Cook.

Memphis Grizzlies
Josh Howard
Small Forward | 6-6½, 202 | Draft Player Card
Senior | Wake Forest
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Andy Katz's Pick: Howard is a big guard/small forward who should come in and give the Grizzlies instant credibility. Jerry West wants experience with one of his two picks. If he goes with Lampe at No. 13, then he has to go with one of the seniors at the back end of the first round. Howard was the ACC player of the year, and that should count for something with the veteran general manager. Howard should interview well and give the Grizzlies a strong locker room presence. Chad Ford's Take: The ACC player of the year is what he is -- a pretty good shooting guard with long arms (a 7-foot-2 wingspan) and a great feel for the game. Sounds like a Jerry West player, but I'm not sold the Griz go this route. I think Hansen probably will fall to them here, and they'll snatch him up in heartbeat. West loves him, and his upside is better than Howard's.


San Antonio Spurs
Zaur Pachulia
Power Forward | 6-11, 250 | Draft Player Card
Republic of Georgia
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Chad Ford's Pick: The Spurs can go in any number of directions here, but with David Robinson retiring, Pachulia makes a lot of sense. He's a talented big man who could turn into this year's Nenad Krstic if he stays in Turkey for another year and hones his skills. Of course, Pachulia may be pulled from the draft if he is projected to slip this far. Andy Katz's Take: The Spurs could use a center with the departure of Robinson. Pachulia was nearly in this spot a year ago but pulled out of the draft. The 6-11 teenager would be a traditional low-post presence. The Spurs wouldn't need him to be a major player next season and could afford to wait for him to develop. The Spurs, like the Nets, are a team that doesn't need immediate help. Pachulia could turn out to be a worthy gamble. If Cook or Austin are still available, don't be surprised to see one of them go near the end of the first round.

Dallas Mavericks
Malick Badiane
Power Forward | 6-11, 225 | Draft Player Card
Senegal
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Andy Katz's Pick: Badiane got mixed reviews for his private workouts in Chicago. His representation claims he is moving up in the first round. He might be, but the more likely scenario is for him to go to Dallas with the round's last pick. Badiane is close with the Dallas scouts and won't stay in the draft if he's not certain he'll get picked in the first round. He has the potential to be a strong presence in the post by controlling the offensive backboard. If he brings a nasty streak, the Mavs will covet him. Chad Ford's Take: The 6-11 African had one great workout and one so-so one last week, but it doesn't really matter. Mavs director of scouting Amadou Fall has a great feel for him and believes he's a talent. Badiane's still very raw offensively, but he has Ben Wallace potential because of his stength and explosivness in the paint. That's what the Mavs need, but like several other international players, he may pull his name if he slips this low.

 

[slinslin]

Cook, Austin most intriguing bubble boys
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Monday, June 9
Updated: June 9
12:34 PM ET

There will be 29 first-round picks in the NBA Draft. Not 50. Not 44. Not even 30.

According to ESPN.com's latest mock draft, 12 of them will be international players. Two more will be high school stars. The other 15 will come from the college ranks.


BYU's Travis Hansen was the only sure first-rounder at the Chicago camp.
The world as we know it is about to change. So when some random GM makes an off-hand comment about a prospect being a lock for the first round, step back a minute and do the math.

There were not five first-rounders at the Chicago pre-draft camp last week. As of now, our projections say there was only one -- BYU's Travis Hansen.

Josh Howard, the ACC Player of the Year and a first team All-American, will get into the first round by the skin of his teeth. Brian Cook, the Big Ten Player of the Year, isn't in the first round yet. Neither is Troy Bell, the Big East Player of the Year, nor Ron Slay, the SEC Player of the Year.

Xavier's David West, the top vote-getter in the Associated Press All-American balloting, is fighting for his first-round life as well. Four out of five second-team All-Americans -- Hollis Price, Kyle Korver, Jason Gardner and Bell -- are on the outside looking in.

And it's not just college seniors taking a beating. According to our latest mock draft, top-ranked underclassmen like Mario Austin, Rick Rickert, Maurice Williams, Chris Thomas, Marcus Moore and Jameer Nelson are feeling the pain.

McDonald's All-Americans are finding it rough this year this year, too. LeBron James and Ndubi Ebi are in. But right now Outlaw, Kendrick Perkins, Charlie Villanueva and James Lang are all looking at the second round.

Even a few top international prospects like Zarko Cabarkapa, Zoran Planinic, Kristaps Valters, Alexsander Vujacic, and 7-foot-7 center Slavko Vranes are finding it hard to get any love. When you're 7-foot-7 and you can't sneak into the first round, things are getting too crowded.

Of course, over the next two weeks, the field will thin a bit.

Nelson, Moore and Williams all indicated they're leaning toward dropping out of the draft and returning to school next season. Ebi, Villanueva and Outlaw also are mulling going to college. And internationally, the talk is that Brazilian big man Anderson Varejao will pull out of the draft. Several others also are expected to pull their names out if they aren't promised a particular draft position. Maciej Lampe will return to Spain if he doesn't get a lottery-pick guarantee. Sofaklis Schortsanitis and Zaur Pachulia likely will bolt if they're not in the top 20. And Malick Badiane, Carlos Delfino, Planinic, Vujacic, Vranes and Szymon Szewczyk also are mulling pulling their names out if they don't believe they'll be taken in the first round.

Others have no choice but to stay in. Obviously seniors are stuck, but other underclassmen like Austin, Rickert and Lang already have hired agents. Their college eligibility is done.

Best case scenario for the 15 or so bubble boys is that six first round spots (Lampe, Ebi, Schortsanitis, Pachulia, Delfino and Badiane) open up because those players pull out of the draft. But right now it look like Lampe, Delfino, Badiane and probably Ebi are likely to stay. That makes only two more openings for a big group of unhappy players.

Here's a look at what each bubble guy has to do to earn that coveted first round spot.


1. Brian Cook, PF, Illinois: Cook has lottery type talent. He's 6-foot-10, has a polished inside-outside game and dominated the Big Ten last season. What's the issue? Attitude and toughness. Many scouts feel he didn't get serious about his career until last season. A few more feel he isn't tough enough to play in the post in the NBA. It's really difficult to get a read. Phoenix worked Cook out privately in Chicago and came away impressed. Another rumor making the rounds has the Sonics interested, at 14, if they aren't able to land Mike Sweetney. Portland, Los Angeles, Minnesota, San Antonio and Dallas are other plausible first-round destinations if Cook impresses. In other words, don't be shocked if Cook pulls a Fred Jones next year and goes a lot higher than the current projections. In the end, talent always seems to trump everything else in the draft.


Austin
2. Mario Austin, PF, Mississippi State: Is Austin an undersized power forward? According to one team that worked out Austin before the camp, he measured 6-9¼ with shoes. He also had trimmed his body fat to 8 percent and looked to be in the best shape of his career. So what gives? Teams still are worried about his athleticism, his face-the-basket game and his effort. At times during his career, he wouldn't even cross half court on the offensive end. He probably should be ranked higher. Could Austin be this year's Carlos Boozer?

3. Travis Outlaw, SF/PF, Starkville High: Outlaw is one of the best athletes in the draft, but his fragile frame, lack of a perimeter game, and questionable court IQ have scouts scratching their heads. He needs three to four years of development before he'll be ready to dominate at the power forward position in the pros. Is anyone willing to wait that long? Doesn't have the upside of a Jonathan Bender (who at least could shoot the ball) or an Ndudi Ebi (who plays aggressive defense). Someone could take him on as a project, but his stock will be much higher if he goes to school for a few years.

4. Zarko Cabarkapa, SF/PF, Yugoslavia: Cabarkapa is an experienced power forward with solid fundamentals and killer jumper. He's got a great feel for the game, is one of the more mature Euros in the draft. At 6-11, he's a match-up nightmare at small forward. But Cabarkapa's lack of a post game, lateral quickness and defensive intensity worry teams. He also doesn't put the ball on the floor enough. Who does he guard? He's not strong enough to hang with fours, nor is he athletic enough to play with the NBA threes. With that said, he had excellent workouts for both the Suns and the Lakers. Both teams claim he's in the mix for their selections. If several of the Euros pull out, he'll quickly move up and replace them.

5. Zoran Planinic, PG, Croatia: Last fall, Planinic was considered a potential lottery pick by several NBA clubs. But an automobile accident set him back a few months, and he struggled all season. Recently, he's really turned his game around. Now that he's in the U.S. for workouts, his stock could be on the rise. At 6-foot-6, teams will take a closer look. One team to watch on Planinic is the Nets. They've been high on him all year and could use a back-up for Jason Kidd. If Planinic doesn't get a first round promise, he'll likely return to Europe.


Thomas
6. Chris Thomas, PG, Notre Dame: He's a true point guard, but his size and lack of strength are scaring teams away. The word in Chicago was Thomas would stay in the draft no matter what. Early predictions by some that he was a mid first-rounder appear to be way off. Someone like New Jersey or Minnesota could gamble on him in the first round. More likely, he'll be an early second-round pick.

7. Jameer Nelson, PG, St. Joseph's: Nelson helped himself in the camp, but did he help himself enough to make it into the first round. He's already got an NBA body, can take his guy off the dribble at will and is an excellent rebounder for someone his size. But he's still just 5-foot-11 without shoes. He'd be much better off returning to school and coming out next season when things aren't quite so crowded.

8. Rick Rickert, PF, Minnesota: His workouts haven't been going well. Teams are dubbing him a "tweener." Rickert has the size and fundamentals teams like in a player. But his lack of athleticism and strength are hurting him. Like Cabarkapa, he doesn't have the bulk to guard big men in the post, and he lacks the quickness to guard guys on the perimeter. He'll need a couple of years in the weight room before he's ready to produce.


Bell
9. Troy Bell, PG, Boston College: No one helped his stock more in Chicago than Bell. He shot the ball well, proved he was capable of running the point and excelled at most of the physical tests teams ran him through. Right now he's projecting as a Bobby Jackson type instant scorer off the bench. Will that be enough to get him into the first round? Bell caught the Lakers' eye at No. 24, and Minnesota will take a long look at No. 26, but most likely, he's now an early second-rounder.

10. Dahntay Jones, SG, Duke: Jones would be a lottery pick if he had a consistent jump shot. Still, with that athleticism, teams were buzzing about him. A 17-point performance on the last day of camp certainly helped his stock. It's not inconceivable that a team like the T-Wolves, Grizzlies or Spurs could take him at the end of Round 1. He'll go quickly in Round 2 if he's still on the board.

11. Szymon Szewczyk, SF/PF, Poland: Szewczyk is moving up the board pretty fast. Teams only recently have begun scouting him, and they like what they see. He's athletic, has a sweet shooting touch, and he's an above-average shooter. He's a real sleeper. If his agent, Marc Fleisher, keeps his name in the draft, it means he probably has a first-round promise. Both Memphis and San Antonio have shown interest.


12. Alexsander Vujacic, PG/SG, Slovenia: Vujacic was one of only two international players to play at the pre-draft camp. He showed great passing ability for someone his size and proved to most he was a real point guard. At just 19 years old, he has to get stronger and improve his jumper, but a few teams, including the Lakers, wanted a closer look after the camp was over.

13. James Lang, PF/C, Central Park Christian High: Lang helped himself in Chicago. He played well with his back to the basket, rebounded and proved that he belonged. His measurement's (6-9½) will hurt him, as will his weight (316 pounds). Will he be Oliver Miller all over again? It's doubtful anyone will take the risk.

14. Kendrick Perkins, PF/C, Ozen High School: His big chance to improve his stock will be at a workout in Houston later this week. If he plays well, teams will have to take a second look. At 6-10, 270, he's got decent size, lots of strength, and he's comfortable with his back to the basket. Those close to Perkins claim he's in the draft, no matter what. That's a big mistake. After fellow high school star Lang played great in Chicago, Perkins has slipped further down the board.

15. Slavko Vranes, C, Montenegro: Vranes measured 7-foot-7 with shoes at a workout for the Celtics. He also impressed several teams with his shooting touch and ability to run the floor. There's no question he's a project, but if you're Memphis or San Antonio, and you're sitting on a pick late in the first round, do you take a chance? Next year, he's a lock for the first round.

 

[slinslin]

Tale of the tape is revealing
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Monday, June 9
Updated: June 9
12:34 PM ET

The climax of the Chicago pre-draft camp doesn't take place on the court. Rather, one of the last and most intriguing sessions takes place in a small back room of the Moody Bible College.

There, top prospects are measured, weighed and put through a series of strength and agility tests on Friday and Saturday. While some GMs scoff at the tests, others think they play a key part in getting a player drafted. The biggest thing scouts are looking at is wingspan. If a player has a long wingspan, it allows him to play bigger than he really is.

The official combine results are not released by the NBA. However, sources inside the workouts told Insider on Saturday about several big surprises.


On the measurement front
The biggest surprise was that T. J. Ford measured 6-foot-½ with shoes on. That's considerably taller than the 5-foot-9 at which many had him pegged.

Carmelo Anthony measured just 6-7½ with shoes. He was 6-6¼ without them. He does have a nice, 7-foot wingspan. Also a few teams questioned his weight. He weighed 234 in Chicago, about 14 pounds above his listed playing weight of 220 at Syracuse.

Chris Bosh also measured on the tall side at 6-foot-11½ with shoes. He weighed in at 225, about 15 pounds heavier than his playing weight. Bosh's 7-3½ wingspan also helped him.

David West got a big bump in his stock when he measured 6-8¼ without shoes and 6-9½ with. Combine that with a 7-4½ wingspan, and West's stock could really move up the charts.

Josh Howard and Dwyane Wade impressed everyone with great wingspan measurement. Howard measured 6-foot-6½ with shoes but recorded an amazing 7-foot-2 wingspan. Wade measured 6-foot-4¾ with shoes and had a 6-foot-10¾ wingspan.

Mike Sweetney also helped himself. For big men, teams look at standing reach. Despite measuring just 6-foot-8 with shoes, Sweetney's standing reach was just a hair under nine feet. That puts him in the same category with Bosh. In other words, like Elton Brand, Sweetney will be able to play "taller" than he actually is.

Chris Kaman measured 7-½ with shoes, but his smallish wingspan 6-11¾ may hurt him a bit.

Pavel Podkozline's official measurements were 7-foot-5, 303 pounds with shoes. His standing reach was 9-8.

Darko Milicic's 7-foot-5 wing span (he measured 7-¾ with shoes) was second only to Chris Marcus, who had a shocking 7-foot-8 span

Strength matters
Each player is tested to see how many time he can bench press 185 pounds. San Diego's Jason Keep shattered the record this year, lifting the bar 27 times.

BYU's Travis Hansen also shocked many observers when he benched the bar 17 times. Hansen was the real star of the combine. He also recorded a 38-inch vertical jump and set a Chicago record in a cone drill that gauges lateral quickness.

Milicic got the bar up 14 times, a very impressive number for a big man. The longer your arms, the longer distance you have to lift the bar.

Anthony did eight reps. But the big surprise was Nick Collison, who managed to lift the bar only four times, according to sources. That will hurt his stock come draft day. Many teams have him pegged as a tough low post guy. The lack of strength will hurt him at the next level.

Ford was, according to sources the only player unable to bench press 185 even one time. Teams knew he wasn't very strong, but only a handful of players in the last decade have been unable to lift the bar once.

More secret workouts
With all the stuff going on in Chicago, it's amazing teams had time to scout even more private workouts last week, but they did.

T. J. Ford held a private workout with the Raptors on Thursday afternoon. According to league sources, Ford blew them away with his improved shooting.

"He's really been working on it," one league source told Insider. "It made them much more comfortable with the idea of selecting him with the fourth pick."

The Raptors worked out Chris Kaman earlier in the week, and that one also impressed them. "I'm not sure where the stuff is coming from that he's not a good athlete," the same source told Insider. "He was very impressive. He shot the ball well, and his footwork looked great on the post."

To top things off, 7-0 Polish big man Maciej Lampe held a private audition for the Raptors and Heat at Hoops Gym on Saturday morning. Insider got exclusive access to watch the workout. Trainer Tim Grover ran the workout, with Heat coach Pat Riley, GM Randy Pfund and Raptors GM Glen Grunwald in attendance.

Lampe shot the ball well, showed his impressive ball-handling skills and ran the floor pretty well. Lampe lacks the explosive jumping ability of some of the other top prospects, but a report that he couldn't dunk the ball off one foot is ridiculous.

He went through a drill where he had to run to the free throw line, pick up the ball and dunk it 10 times. He didn't have a problem. Toward the end of the workout, Lampe did get winded, and he struggled to hit his NBA 3-pointers.

Lampe measured 7-feet with shoes and had a 7-foot wingspan.

After the workout, the feedback was very positive. Both teams liked his sweet shooting stroke, ball handling skills and general feel for the game. While neither team is expected to draft Lampe that high, source on both teams confirmed later they believe he's a lock for the mid to late lottery.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't get it, why can we afford to be patient? They said the same thing about us last year, and look what happened. Were we patient? Absolutely not. (Although Googs' injury helped us a bit) I can see waiting if we're developing a future starter, but we're talking the #17 pick here.

(By the way, slin, I still don't like the Ebi pick here--even more now after the Chicago camp--nbadraft.net doesn't even have him on their list anymore--he was in the 2nd round last week)

Oh, and thanks for posting.

 

[Freddie]

At #17 we aren't going to draft a center and the other four spots appear to be locked up for years to come. I think when they refer to being patient, they mean waiting long enough for the guy to become a starter/star.

We need a backup point guard, which come a dime-a-dozen in the NBA. A combo forward would be nice, but I don't see any pressing needs. It's not like we have to go out and find someone to play right away. We can be patient, meaning we can wait a few years to see if the guy we draft can develop into a big time player ala J Oneal.

 

[Joe Mama]

I think Ebi would really have to blow away the Phoenix Suns brass to be taken at #17. Sure, they have young, talented prospects at almost every position, but the Suns have a serious lack of depth. I think any team that is seriously drafting for a starter at #17 is in trouble. It would be nice, but he just can't count on that.

I'm intrigued with several players. I still like Brian Cook. I also think someone like David West would be very nice off the bench. Those guys will probably never be All-Stars, but they would contribute immediately.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

Don't you just love the draft?

15 days away!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Zarko will be our pick if we stay at 17.

 

[DaFlogger]

I feel the Suns will end up with a scrub. Possibly a Rick Foxx clone. Damn I'm being negitive today. Sorry guys, I hope it turns into a positive in 15 days!!!

 

[Joe Mama]

I would love someone of Rick Fox's caliber at #17. I'm not a fan of his, but he's definitely a good role player.

Joe Mama

 

[cly2tw]

Isn't Zarko about the same as Langhi?

Is that possible for the Suns to draft Ebi and have him go to UA for say 2 years before signing him?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by cly2tw
Isn't Zarko about the same as Langhi?

Is that possible for the Suns to draft Ebi and have him go to UA for say 2 years before signing him?

no, by not removing his name from the draft he lost or will loose (not sure on the deadline) all of his NCAA eligibility

 

[slinslin]

Ebi hasn't hired an agent it would be possible that he goes to UofA even if the Suns draft him. The Suns would keep his rights until 1 year after his college career.

I would love if the Suns could get that 2nd first round pick they were talking about on insider. We could get a combination of Ebi and Badiane/Sofoklis probably.


http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/58541.htm

His Connecticut-based agent Marc Fleisher said a recent physical showed Schortsianides' body fat at a low percentage. Fleisher says his height is 6-10 with sneakers.

"At the workout, I will show I'm not as short as they think I am," Baby Shaq said. "I am about 208 centimeters." He does not know the conversion, but that is a trifle less than 6-9.

If I am not mistaken 208 centimeters are exactly 6'10. Someone didn't do his homework.

 

[cly2tw]

slin,

a second 1st-rounder to get both Ebi and Badiane/Sofoklis would be great, if Ebi or both would not join the Suns for at least one year. BTW, have you ever seen Badiane play for TV Langen in the 2. Liga? I checked his stats and thought they were fine, not great but fine.

 

[slinslin]

German 2nd league isn't good it doesn't even get tv coverage. I only heard mention of Badiane during a game of the Frankfurt Skyliners.

I still have my doubts why he can't play on the real team. They are not a very good team and their best player last year was Marcus Goree and now it is probably Mario Kasun a center prospect who was drafted in the 2nd round by the Magic last year.