2007 NBA Draft Predictions - Picks 1 - 10

So my apologies, ya'all for not posting for a while. Finals + Moving + Work + Attempting to find a new job = No time for The Future. With that being said, my boys, the Portland Trail Blazers have to be counting their blessings. Not only were they not even on the radar for the number one pick this year, but this year seems to be what some people have been pegging to be a 'Mega-Draft.' Oden, Durant, Brewer, Noah, hell, even Glen 'Big Baby' Davis add to one of the deepest draft classes in YEARS. I mean, think about it. Pac-10 Player of the Year, Aaron Afflalo is projected to be drafted in the Second Round. Runner-Up Aaron Brooks from U of O (BOOOOO!!!) is ALSO projected to go in the Second Round. This draft could make (See: Portland and Seattle) or break (See: Boston and Minnesota) teams for years. Commentary aside, here are my predictions for the '07 NBA Draft. 1. Portland Trail Blazers - Greg Oden C Ohio State University - Oden gives the Blazers the dominant post player that they have been looking for for years. While concerns about his wrist and back have arisen, GM Kevin Pritchard is not about to let that stop him from drafting such a gem that comes around VERY rarely. Whispers around the organization have pointed to the possibility of Pritchard pulling the trigger on a deal that could land Oden's former Ohio State teammate Mike Conley Jr. While they may have to package some big talent, I'm sure that Zach Randolph, Jarrett Jack, and low-life Darius Miles may just be enough.. Dynasty in a few years, anyone? 2. Seattle Supersonics - Kevin Durant SF University of Texas - This may as well be pick #1.5, because Durant has enough talent to be the #1 pick as well. But the fact that Oden has been A #1 since declaring keeps Durant at #2. Kevin is a special player, don't get me wrong one bit. Being able to dominate the Big 12 like Durant did at 18 years old is more than enough to catapult him to 'second best player' status. The 1-2 scoring punch of Durant and Ray Allen could be enough to put the Sonics in the playoffs within the first year. The NBA just got a whole lot more popular on the West Coast. 3. Atlanta Hawks - Mike Conley Jr. PG Ohio State University - Just the thought of the Hawks drafting ANOTHER PF is just disturbing. While they may be in love with Al Horford of Florida, and the inside presence that he brings, they can't afford to spend YET ANOTHER Top 5 pick on a PF, especially when they have bigger fish to fry. Shelden and Marvin Williams, plus Josh Smith are more than capable of holding down the inside. Smith can also play the 3, with Joe Johnson at the 2. Bring in Conley Jr, and you have a rather solid team that can run the floor and crash the boards. I'm sure the combo of Johnson and Conley could rack up a good amount of points, as well. 4. Memphis Grizzlies - Al Horford PF University of Florida - With the possibility of Pau Gasol on the outs in Memphis, new GM Chris Wallace will look to replace him with a winning attitude and a proven inside presence. Along with G Rudy Gay, and Forwards Hakim Warrick and Mike Miller, Horford could be the piece to a puzzle that former GM Jerry West was trying to solve for years. 5. Boston Celtics - Corey Brewer SG University of Florida - If you think you were screwed over at any point in your life, look at the Boston Celtics. I mean, (It was rumored...) they actively TRIED to lose their games to gain the #1 pick in the draft. Well, karma strikes again and they were 'rewarded' with the #5 pick. There are many scenarios at this point, especially with the rumors swirling around Kevin Garnett. But now that he has said he would nix any trade to the Celtics, they will probably look to deal Paul Pierce for more picks, or another veteran. With that probably being the case, GM Danny Ainge will look for Pierce's replacement, more than likely being Brewer. While C Yi Jianlian has been in Boston for about a month, Ainge is afraid that Yi is a 'workout wonder.' (Thank you, Chad Ford.) Brewer gives the Celtics a legit SG to build around for the next few years. 6. Milwaukie Bucks - Jeff Green SF Georgetown University - The Bucks have one legit hole to fill, that being at SF. In drafting Green, Milwaukie has a complete lineup, with a mediocre at best bench. Mo Willams at PG, Michael Redd at SG, Charlie Villanueva at PF, and Andrew Bogut at C. Add in Green and the Bucks have a pretty decent starting five that could certainly go somewhere in the East. 7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Brendan Wright PF University of North Carolina - With the probability that Kevin Garnett has played his last game in a Timberwolves jersey, GM Kevin McHale will look to rebuild an already hurting franchise. Many moves will need to be made this offseason to legitimize the franchise, but they will begin with replacing KG with one of the best talents in this draft. Wright is one player with the most upside in the draft. Along with PG Randy Foye, Wright could be a key player for the franchise for years to come. 8. Charlotte Bobcats - Spencer Hawes C University of Washington - The Bobcats have lacked a legitimate big-man since they entered the league. With Hawes, Emeka Okafor and Sean May in the middle, Adam Morrison at the 2 or 3, and Raymond Felton at point, the Bobcats (Dare I even say this) have a pretty dang good lookin lineup. Rumor has it that they will also make a run at free agent SF Rashard Lewis to help them out offensively. 9. Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah PF University of Florida - With the emergance of defensive beast Tyrus Thomas, as well as the consistent defensive play of Ben Wallace, Chicago was undoubtedly one of the better defensive teams in the league this year, leading the Bulls to their first playoff appearance since the Jordan years. Adding Noah would boost their inside game even more, giving the Bulls plenty of options for combinations on the floor. And finally, with the offensive firepower of Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Chris Duhon, the Bulls could be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. 10. Sacramento Kings - Yi Jianlian C China - Undoubtedly the biggest risk/reward scenario in this years draft, the Kings should be looking to beef up their inside game. With Brad Miller aging (31 years old), Yi could come in and spell Miller every once in a while. His speed and athleticism for a big man are remarkable, and could certainly be a good option for Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin to have to dish to. That's all the time I have today, ya'all!! Look for picks 11-20 on Sunday!! And one other thing. Game one of the College World Series begins tomorrow at 4 P.M. Look for my Oregon State Beavers to defend their CWS Championship. (Fellow Mac-Town-er) Daniel Turpen pitched lights out against UC Irvine the other night, and out bats continue to look unstoppable!! Mitch Canham is a G!! GO BEAVS!!!