Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1492 of 1503)

Here are picks six through 15 and what is being said about the prospects:

6) Minnesota (to Portland)– Brandon Roy, G, Washington
At one point, Roy was considered an early entry into the 2002 NBA Draft, but withdrew his name in hopes of gaining more experience. Named Pac-10 Player of the Year and earned consensus First Team All-American honors as a senior. Was also a finalist for the Wooden Award, Naismith Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy and Adolph Rupp Player of the Year.

7) Boston (to Minnesota)– Randy Foye, G, Villanova
Named to The Associated Press All-America First Team and to the Big East First Team as a senior. Averaged 13.5 points per game during the World University games and helped team to a gold medal. Foye was a three-time All-Big East member as a junior.

8) Houston – Rudy Gay, F, Uconn
Gay was considered a Top 5 pick, but his potential might be being pushed aside by a risk that he might be a slow developer. As Stewart Scott alluded to on ESPN, members of the media and even former UConn coach Jim Calhoon have questioned Gay’s motivation and focus. Still, nobody questions this kids talent.

9) Golden State – Patrick O’Bryant, C, Bradley
Isn’t ready or strong enough to step right in and help the Warriors, but good footwork and hands should give him the opportunity to eventually be a contributor in Golden State. He is the second Bradley player taken in the Top 10 (Hersey Hawkins was the first).

10) Seattle – Saer Sene, F, Senegal
Sene is the third center selected in the first round by Seattle in the last three years. He complete project that is a shot blocker and a rebounder, but doesn’t have a clue on the offensive side of the ball.

11) Orlando – JJ Redick, G, Duke
The All-Time leading scorer in ACC history has a 10 times better 3-point shot than driving record. Yet another instant offensive threat early in the draft, Redick is lights out from behind the arch and will be a dangerous shooter for the Magic.

12) New Orleans – Hilton Armstrong, C Uconn
Big, strong rebounder who is still learning how to play with feel on the offensive end. He has the ability defensively to play at the next level and with the tutelage of P.J. Brown, might provide the biggest impact of any center in the entire draft.

13) Philadelphia (TRADED to Chicago)– Thabo Sefolosha, G Switzerland
Born in South Africa, Sefolosha is versatile, tough and considered a jack-of-all-trades. Sefolosha is athletic and has good size for a Bulls’ backcourt that could use a guard with solid defensive skills.

14) Utah – Ronnie Brewer, G, Arkansas
Transition player with great athleticism and a dad who played in the NBA. Brewer is considered a slasher who isn’t necessarily a great offensive option, but none-the-less a solid option for the Jazz.

15) New Orleans/Oklahoma City – Cedric Simmons, F, North Carolina State
Plays bigger than his height and has tools to work with, including a nice shooting touch. He has to get better on the offensive end and is a bit of a project, but he will provide athleticism for the Hornets.

The Hawks had their sites on power forward Sheldon Williams from Duke for a few weeks. And their assumption that Williams would be at five was dead on.

Williams is possibly the safest “big man” selection in the entire draft, based on his track record. At No. 5, this seems like a solid pick for Atlanta, who will benefit from Williams’ defense and rebound skills.

At 6-9, 260, Williams has the size and potential to be a solid contributor at the next level. His experience of playing his full collegiate career at Duke will only help him give Hotlanta a big man they can lean on to solidify their inconsistent inside game.

The Portland Trail Blazers drafted LSU power forward Tyrus Thomas with the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft. The pick completes the Trail Blazers’ trade with Chicago in which the two teams swapped selections and also sent Viktor Khryapa to the Bulls.

The Bulls acquire the rights to Tyrus Thomas, which some enthusiast had as the No. 1 ranked player in the draft. He redshirted his first year at LSU, but decided to declare himself eligible for the draft after a freshmen year in which saw him lead the Tigers over highly touted Duke in the NCAA Final Four Tournament.

Thomas will join Tyson Chandler and an overachieving unit in Chicago that might be ready to take the next step in 2007.

If the EA Sports’ NBA Live video game commercial holds any water, Adam Morrison won’t be the one crying on the court this time.

It will be his opponents.

The Charlotte Bobcats selected the small forward from Gonzaga to do one thing: provide offense. Morrison is a scoring machine and a threat from anywhere behind the arch. He’s not a strong defender or rebounder, but should be an immediate impact in Charlotte.

There were reports before the draft that suggested newly acquired front office man Michael Jordan was in love with UCONN star Rudy Gay. But when push came to shove, more people in the Bobcats’ brass liked Morrison.

Long time college basketball analyst Dick Vitale commented that Morrison is the most NBA ready of any player in the draft.

The Bulls have agreed to send the No. 2 pick to the Trail Blazers for the No. 4 selection and Viktor Khryapa. Since the trade was made after the 2 p.m. ET trade moratorium, the trade cannot be announced until after both teams have picked.

The Bulls used the No. 2 pick to select power forward LaMarcus Aldridge from the University of Texas and therefore guarantee the guy that Portland wanted.

ESPN loudmouth Stephen A. Smith commented that with the selection of Aldridge, the Trail Blazers look “lost” and are ‘heading the wrong way in trying to re-build their team.’

The 6-11, 234lbs Aldridge draws comparison to Raptors star Chris Bosh.