A Look Around the NBA Draft with the G-Man:

I had a senior moment during the draft when I realized it was over 27 years ago when the Nets called my name with the 7th pick of the 1980 draft! I didn't know whether to get nostalgic or reach for the Metamucil! My first thought is that drafting is more art than science- trying to figure out if a guy can play on the next level and guessing whether he will enhance your team's chemistry. Secondly, no draft can be evaluated for at least five years. It takes at least that long to see how deep a draft was. Everyone is raving about 2003 but there were plenty of question marks about each one of those young men that night. That being said, here is my take on some of these selections.

Portland- Greg Oden- While he might not turn out to be the best player in 10 years, he was the safe pick and could win a title. I believe he will be more like Mutombo than O'Neal, but there are not many bigs like him on the horizon. Consider, though, that no center drafted #1 in the last 20 years has won a title for that team except for David Robinson and Tim Duncan- and they were teammates!

Seattle- Kevin Durrant- I love this kid and think he will be the best player from this draft. He will fill out and terrorize the league for years to come. Play him big and he will go to the perimeter- play him small and he will post up. The Sonics also scored big with the trade of Ray Allen for Jeff Green. Green has a high basketball IQ and will be a very productive small forward. The hope is that this franchise can get it's act together and concentrate on basketball.

Atlanta- AL Horford and Acie Law- I think that the Hawks had a great draft. Horford is very advanced on the offensive end and is ready to score right now.By staying in he school, he improved his draft position. Law is a hard nose defender who can run a team and make the big shot at the end of the game. Both will bring maturity and a winning attitude to a franchise that needs both.

Memphis-Mike Conley, Jr.- Rated the best pure point in the draft, he is under-sized at 6 feet. He has limited range and will be tested on the perimeter. This will be the first time he has to play without Mr. Oden and may get exposed. I'm not sold on this pick at #6.
Milwaukee- Yi Jianlian- He may be the most interesting player in the draft and Milwaukee fans may never see him. I like what I have seen of him and think he will have a more immediate impact than Yao. He and Andrew Bogut could make a very unique 4-5 combination. His camp, though, is already growsing about the city of Milwaukee, wanting to get Yi to a bigger market. It'll be interesting to see how this turns out.

Minnesota- Corey Brewer- Love his energy and his defense but don't know how he will translate on the offensive end. This is a franchise that has needed a physical presence for a while and Brewer does not fit that role. They also are at a crossroads with Kevin Garnett. Brewer is definintely the beneficiary of playing on a two time national champion. I think he will be a solid pro but not an all-star.

Charlotte-Brandan Wright and Jared Dudley- Michael Jordan's first draft gets mixed reviews. The team needed help now, so they traded Wright Jason Richardson of Golden St. I like Wright but think it will take 3 years for him to arrive. Richardson gives them a scorer but is not the shooter they needed. Dudley was an inspired pick at #22. He lacks athleticism put is a player. He will figure it out and be a contributor. All of this is moot if they don't sign free agent Gerald Wallace. It is only then when we'll know if owner Bob Johnson is committed to spend.

Chicago- Joakim Noah- Nobody suffered more by staying in school than Noah. He might have been the #1 pick in the draft last year had he come out. I was puzzled by this pick by Chicago. I love Noah's enthusiasm and passion, but he is severely flawed on offense. The Bulls now have four front court players that can't score in Ben Wallace, PJ Brown, Tyrus Thomas and Noah. Somebody in this mix needs to leave.

Sacramento-Spencer Hawes- Probably should have stayed another year just to mature physically but does go top 10. He is very gifted on the offensive end and has great hands. The knock is that he is not a good rebounder or shot blocker. Interesting to see how he pairs with Brad Miller for a franchise that is in transition.
Philly- Thaddeus Young- I did scratch my head over this pick. Young is a gifted lefty but had a tendency to disappear in games last year at Georgia Tech. His age is a positive but Philly needs help now and I think Al Thornton would have been a better choice.

The rest- Al Thornton was a steal for the Clippers at #14. He is a man and will produce immediately on that front line. Nick Young will be a great addition to Washington. Those who needed a scorer missed a chance to get him before#16. Sean Williams, if he can put his past behind him, will be a force in New Jersey. Javaris Crittendon carries on in the long line of big,physical guards that Phil Jackson covets. Finally, big names that slipped to the second round that have a chance- Aaron Gray, Gabe Pruitt, Glenn Davis, Josh McRoberts and Jermereo Davidson.