Tobacco Road Report

By Michael

Check out our analysis of the first round of the 2007 NBA draft, including where the top players of the ACC were selected.

1. Portland - Greg Oden C/Ohio State
No surprise here. Only Bill Simmons would take Kevin Durant here, the rest of us realize that 7 of the last 10 NBA champions had teams with Duncan, O'Neal, and Olajuwon. Yes there are questions about intensity and ability NBA readiness, but this was the right pick.

2. Seattle - Kevin Durant F/Texas
Seattle had the easiest GM job in the draft...just take Portland's leftovers and be happy. As this pick was being announced, we learned that Seattle shipped Ray Allen to Boston for the #5 pick (so long as Jeff Green is available). I guess this means Rashard Lewis stays. Lewis, Durant, and Green make for a very interchangeable front line.

3. Atlanta - Al Horford F/Florida
Hell just froze over...Atlanta did the right thing in the NBA draft. Atlanta has to have someone to command a double-team in the low post and Horford is widely considered as the "most NBA-ready big man" in this draft. He also has a hunger and edge that's hard to quantify on draft day. Atlanta could have taken Conley Jr. here, but will have Acie Law at 11 if things pan out.

4. Memphis - Mike Conley Jr. G/Ohio State
A good move by Memphis and the draft is so far falling in order as expected. No small feat given some of the past wacky NBA drafts. Conley's the best point guard prospect in this draft.

5. Boston - Jeff Green F/Georgetown
This pick is part of the trade for Ray Allen. Bill Simmons must be turning over in his grave. Allen and Pierce appear to be a weird mix. For a guy who took on Tree Rollins (and won), Ainge is a wimp to fall for the trade demands of Pierce. Pierce, after all, is a so-called franchise player and should act like one. Ainge should have had the guts to take Brewer or Yi with this pick.

6. Mimlwaukee - Yi Jianlian F/China
Uh oh. This is one place Yi said he won't play. Get ready for jokes about beer, brats, and Yi. Can he wear a cheesehead hat for the team photo? How much do we really know about Yi? Nothing...ESPN's snippet for Yi says that he "attended the Hollywood premiers of Pirates III and Shrek 3" and attended Pete Newell's big man camp. Great...so did I.

7. Minnesota - Corey Brewer F/Florida
Supposedly the best lock-down defender in the draft. Should add defensive intensity to a squad lacking in it. This pick makes imminent sense but won't help Garnett now. Brewer needs to get stronger and show that he can score consistently.

Oh god...our first Dickie V sighting. The only thing worse than listening to Stephen A. is listening to Stephen A. talk to Dickie V. I told my wife the next generation of plasma TVs better have a Stephen-A-mute option or I'm not buying it.

8. Charlotte - Brandan Wright F/UNC
Our first ACC sighting of the draft. Supposedly MJ was looking to move this pick for a veteran...and we learned later that Wright will be shipped to Golden State for Jason Richardson. An absolutely stupid move. Yes, Charlotte needs to put behinds in seats and Richardson gives them veteran presence on a young team, but this isn't what helps the franchise long term. The nucleus of the team is young, but making progress. Wright, with his 7'5" wingspan, and fluidity make his potential unlimited. He needs 2-3 years, but will be worth the wait.

9. Chicago - Joakim Noah F/Florida
Bill Simmons stole my Carrot Top joke. Honestly, he did. If you don't believe me, send me an email and I'll fax over my notes. This was a tough spot for Chicago. They need an inside scorer and Noah isn't it. He replicates what they have in Wallace and Thomas, but Pax didn't have many options. Stephen A. coughed up a lung with this pick, said the Bulls need a post player without suggesting who left in the draft gives them this, then said Paxon knows what he's doing. Ugh...do we have to listen to this garbage? Ask yourself, how much would you pay each month for a Stephen-A.-mute option. I'm betting a lot.

10. Sacramento - Spencer Hawes C/Washington
Skills, but a work in progress. At best will be like Brad Miller...oops, Sacramento already has him. When the Bulls need a post scorer and pass on him, and then Bilas says he's not a great athlete, doesn't rebound well, and isn't a shot blocker, and won't control the lane, you have to ask yourself what it takes to get selected at 10. The answer is 7 feet.

11. Atlanta - Acie Law IV G/Texas A&M
This is exactly what Atlanta wanted. Law isn't a true point guard, but has a scorers mentality and comes up big during crunch time. Passed on Javaris Crittenton here which could be a mistake in 2-3 years. But a solid pick and the makings of a very good draft for Atlanta. The pieces are there for a Hawk resurgence (gulp...I can't believe I wrote that).

12. Philadelphia - Thaddeus Young F/Georgia Tech
A reach here in my opinion. Why not Al Thornton at this spot if you need a small forward with offensive skills? Doesn't make sense. GMs overvalue potential in the draft. That said, this kid has potential. Hopefully it won't die in Philly like most things do.

13. New Orleans - Julian Wright F/Kansas
Wright is gifted in the open court, but struggles in the half court set. Would be a moster running the floor with Nash in Phoenix.

14. L.A. Clippers - Al Thornton F/FSU
The third ACC player taken behind Wright and Young. A good fit for this team alongside Brand, but I have to say that most draftees hold their breath when LAC is on the clock and silently pray, "please God, don't take me." One winning season in the last fifteen is why.

15. Detroit - Rodney Stuckey G/Eastern Washington
Very Detroit-like. If past draft choices are any indication, this will be forgetful. I've never seen him play so will reserve judgement at this point.

16. Washington - Nick Young G/USC
Great pick except that Gilbert has your spot. I like Young and his ability to create his own shot. He has some work to do but is a quality player at 16. Still, if I'm Washington I take Jared Dudley here. Sure, he'd have to play the four sometimes, but Washington already plays undersized fours...but at least Dudley can score and extend the defense. If not Dudley, then Crittenton.

17. New Jersey - Sean Williams F-C/Boston College
Bilas was spot on..."high risk and high reward pick." Will be a great pick if he can stay off the stuff. Exactly what New Jersey needs up front. The off the court issues with Williams cost him about 4-6 draft places.

18. Golden State - Marco Belinelli G/Italy
Who? Looks like a Nellie guy...never seen him play so I won't comment.

19. L.A. Lakers - Javaris Crittenton G/Georgia Tech
Crittenton has all the skills to be a great point guard in the NBA. Too bad Phil has no history of developing young talent and the triangle offense doesn't need a point guard. Can't think of a worse situation for Crittenton to start his NBA career.

20. Miami - Jason Smith F/Colorado State
Miami immediately swapped this pick with Philadelphia for Daequan Cook of Ohio State.

21. Philadelphia - Daequan Cook F/Ohio State
Bilas says the kid needs to mature and learn to be coachable. Words you don't want on your resume. Will minimally help Miami lower the average age on the roster to 64.

22. Charlotte - Jared Dudley F/Boston College
A "steal" at this stage of the draft. Dudley's game is very NBA-ready. A very solid choice here...would be even better if Wright were staying.

23. NY Knicks - Wilson Chandler F/DePaul
A big reach here. Yes, Isiah has a history of doing the draft right...about the only thing he's done right as an executive. But this still feels like a stretch. Chandler was the stud on a good DePaul team. Since this was the only Knick pick in the draft, Isiah took who he wanted regardless of draft position.

From here on out, the draft became decidely less interesting. I told myself that the draft would be officially over when Josh McRoberts was taken...which happened at the 37th pick. The remaining notable selections in the draft were Gabe Pruitt and Glen "Big Baby" Davis by Boston...which again begs the question of trading for Jesus Shuttlesworth.

Other ACC notables:
37. Josh McRoberts to Portland. As long as he doesn't have to be the main man, he'll be a nice contribution to any squad.
44. Reyshawn Terry to Orlando. If Terry develops a consistent outside shot he has a chance to hang in the league for many years.
59. D.J. Strawberry to Phoenix. Ability to play both guard spots will help him stick on a roster.