The NBA Draft: Strong or Weak?
Every year people will have their say on whether the NBA Draft was strong or weak. In my opinion, every year is a good draft because players who get drafted have game no matter what, it’s just a matter of finding the right fit for a team that suits a player’s needs and gives him a chance. The draftees are kids who have attended only high school, some college and in rare cases all of college. But just the first three picks this year are greatly talented and booming with potential.
This year the draft is solid. There are three different players with their names being thrown around for the first pick. Now that we know the Houston Rockets have the first pick, my money is on Yao Ming. Ming, a 7-foot-5 center out of China, has been said to have unlimited potential.
Another option would be to draft last year’s man of college hoops: Jay Williams. But who are we kidding, Steve Francis is the man at point for the Rockets. Going second will be Williams. After drafting two young big men last year, the Bulls will get 2002 Player of the Year Williams. They need depth in the backcourt, even though they do have Travis Best and Jalen Rose. The Bulls might see a winning season once again some day with Williams as their foundation. Because right now, the Windy City needs all the help it can get for some more wins on its record.
I would like the Warriors to take another Dukee: Mike Dunleavy. He’s a versatile 6-foot-9 frame that will only get better than what we’ve seen already in college. The Warriors could definitely use someone like Dunleavy, who they could play at two or three positions. Dunleavy not only brings scoring and playing-making, but defense too. Golden State absolutely could use some help in the department of defense this season. Keep in mind Dunleavy does have the option to opt out of the draft if he doesn’t like what he sees. If it’s not Dunleavy, this one goes to Drew Gooden.
The next seven picks look like this:
4. Drew Gooden, 6-foot-10 (PF) Kansas-Grizzlies
5. Chris Wilcox, 6-foot-10 (PF) Maryland-Nuggets
6. Caron Butler, 6-foot-7 (SF) Connecticut-Cavaliers
7. Chris Borchardt, 7-foot (C) Stanford-Knicks
8. Dujuan Wagner, 6-foot-2 (PG) Memphis-Clippers
9. Qyntel Woods, 6-foot-8 (PF) Northeast Mississippi CC-Suns
10. Amare Stoudemire, 6-foot-10 (PF) Cypress Creek H.S.-Heat
