Tuesday, May 23, 2006

First of many worthless predictions

The NBA lottery results are in, and almost everything went in order except at the very top. The final rankings are:

1- Toronto
2- Chicago (from New York)
3- Charlotte
4- Portland
5- Atlanta
6- Minnesota
7- Boston
8- Houston
9- Golden State
10- Seattle
11- Orlando
12- NO/LA
13- Philadelphia
14- Utah

So let me be one of the first to roll out a mostly-worthless shot at predicting how the draft will go. Since the top 6 are all about equal prospects, the top of the draft is likely to go consistently by team need. Of the top big men, I see Aldridge as having the biggest chance of slipping due to his knee and back issues.

Toronto - Colangelo will never have more patience and goodwill will ownership and fans than these first few months. Even with Bosh and V at the PF he takes the supposedly best all-around big man - Bargnani
Chicago - the Bulls need frontcourt depth desperately and pick high in a draft top-heavy with PFs - Thomas
Charlotte - Bobcats have solid players at the point and post, and take the wing with the most 'upside' in the draft - Gay
Portland - an incompetently run franchise that's sinking fast by off-court management disasters takes immediate offense and a much-needed marketing boost - Morrison
Atlanta - A team that's already stocked with guards takes the best remaining big man - Aldridge
Minnesota - Here's the first reach. The Twolves already have Ricky Davis and last year's #1 McCants at SG, but only Blount and KG in the front court. Passing on the last of the clear top prospects, McHale takes a post player projected for lower in the lottery - O'Bryant
Boston - Danny drafts the best player available and has shown repeatedly he doesn't care about their position. Say hello to Boston - Brandon Roy

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