MSNBC Mock Draft has Rockets taking Bargnani

FWIW, I came across this Mock Draft from MSNBC. They have the Rockets selecting Andrea Bargnani from Italy. If nothing else, it's good for conversation.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7966511/

First-round NBA draft predictions

NBCSports.com's Ray Glier predicts how the NBA draft's first round will go.

TEAM NAME POS. HT. WT. PREVIOUS TEAM

1. Blazers Joakim Noah F 6-11 227 Florida
Noah says he is staying in school. April 29 is the deadline to withdraw, so we’ll leave Noah here until the deadline passes. In 2007, Ohio State’s Greg Oden is expected to be the No. 1 draft pick, not Noah, so we’ll see if that has some impact. Tim Duncan stayed an extra year when he could have been The Man so maybe Noah will stick to his decision. If he goes, then what? The Blazers should be through taking "upside" players like Tyrus Thomas after taking so many high school kids. If Noah stays at Florida, the Blazers should get leap at LaMarcus Aldridge, who has some feel for the game to go with his skill.

2. Bobcats Brandon Roy SG 6-6 215 Washington
Maybe Tyrus Thomas has bigger upside. Maybe LaMarcus Aldridge has bigger upside. But if the Bobcats choose here after lottery determinations, and based on need, this is the guy they get to pair with Raymond Felton in the backcourt. Roy is the best combo guard in the draft and he fixes a hole. Not only was he one of the five best players in college basketball, he takes care of issues for Charlotte.

3. Bulls (via Knicks) Tyrus Thomas PF 6-9 210 LSU
If Noah leaves, then Thomas has a chance to move up to the first pick. He can fly and is intense, but he was not a factor against UCLA early and sat the bench in the second half because he was no help. That said, he is still a reach the NBA has to make. If the Bulls can get Al Harrington from the Hawks that solves their immediate issue at 4 and they get a terrific talent like Thomas in the draft who they can develop and wait to bloom.

4. Hawks LaMarcus Aldridge PF 6-11 237 Texas
They goofed by not getting Chris Paul or Deron Williams with last year's No. 1 and I think there has to be an eye on Randy Foye in this draft. But if they lose Al Harrington, the Hawks have to go for a big man and skip past the point guard. Harrington has Chicago on his mind. Can the Hawks swing a sign-and-trade and grab Chicago’s Chris Duhon? Joe Johnson got much better as a lead guard for the Hawks so the thought here is Atlanta grabs Aldridge, not the point guard. Just talking to him during NCAA Tournament, Aldridge seemed like a guy who understood the game. If Noah stays, Aldridge could be a No. 1. Remember two things: the Hawks use Johnson to initiate the offense, not as a pure point and Atlanta has the money to fill holes with a free agent.

5. Raptors Adam Morrison SF 6-8 205 Gonzaga
Morrison has the desire and he can score because he will chew up a lazy NBA defender who will get lost following Morrison around screens. Morrison will have a lot of appeal because of his name and flamboyance -- not to mention enough skill to get 16 points a game. He probably works harder on defense than it looks because the lateral quickness is not quite there. He is sneaky when it comes to getting a hand on the ball thrown into the passing lane. The Raptors need a big man, but if Morrison is there, he is the best available.

6. Warriors Shelden Williams PF 6-9 250 Duke
The Warriors will bring a rabbit's foot to the May 23 lottery and hope to move up to 1, 2, or 3 and then, if they are lucky, they might dangle their good luck for a star forward: Kevin Garnett. The best big man available, Ben Wallace, will re-sign with the Pistons. The next best choice is Al Harrington, but why would he want to be part of this franchise? If they are "stuck" with the choice, the Warriors should get a ready player in Shelden Williams who can help their poor defense. They should pass on a wait-and-see talent like Italian big man Andrea Bargnani. He might be a home run; he might not.

7. Celtics Randy Foye PG 6-3 205 Villanova
Delonte West is a player, but not a point guard. Foye has some skill to be a top 10 player in the draft, but is he a point guard? The Celtics have to be sure. They should be very familiar with the Big East star so they had to see him and assess him the last two seasons. He is a tough guy who can find the open man and play defense and score. One of the problems is the Boston roster is full of young players. You wonder if they might shop the pick to a team that is in full rebuilding mode.

8. Rockets Andrea Bargnani PF 7-0 225 Benneton (Italy)
Yao Ming broke his foot; Tracy McGrady hurt his back. That's what's wrong with the Rockets more than anything. Houston needs a power forward with range, who can also play some hard defense to help Ming inside. They need some offense to counteract McGrady's injuries, which could be recurring. Where do they get all that? It could be they take a long look at Andrea Bargnani, who is projected into the top 10. Houston has a chance for a home run with this one -- or a guy that will take a couple of years.

9. Timberwolves Ronnie Brewer SG 6-1 220 Arkansas
The Wolves have just one wheel, Kevin Garnett, and there is talk they might trade him and rebuild. If the rebuilding starts next season then they grab the best available guy, a player like Brewer who can help at several positions like point guard and shooting guard. This might be a guy I am rating too high, but he can do a few things, which helps elevate him.

10. Sonics Patrick O'Bryant C 7-0 260 Bradley
The Sonics are very young. They do not need to get younger. This is a lottery pick that could be dealt, along with Danny Fortson, for a veteran to complete the team. They have the nucleus of a good frontcourt, but Luke Ridnour is merely OK at the point. The chemistry got better after a change in coaches and a major trade, but this club needs a defensive mindset. NBADraft.net projects Bradley’s 7-footer Patrick O’Bryant to a team with a lot of young frontcourt talent. Go with that, but look out for a move or a draft of Marcus Williams if the organization feels Ridnour is not the answer.

11. Magic Rudy Gay SF 6-9 220 Connecticut
They have three players to build around -- Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Darko Milicic. Grant Hill, the swingman, is often injured so it is time for the Magic to look for a flyer off the wing like Gay. Sure, it is a weak draft and the pick could be traded, but the Magic should get a scorer like Gay. If they can convince Fran Vazquez to come over from Spain (he was No. 1 pick in 2005) that adds depth inside. The chemistry is really good, but I don’t think Gay is a risk because he does not always consider himself the first option. That is good and bad. He just never seemed to be there in the clutch for UConn in the NCAA Tournament.

12. Sixers Rodney Carney SF 6-7 205 Memphis
Carney is an absolute steal here, but only if teams ahead of the Sixers address some needs. Orlando might decide it likes Carney’s defense better than Gay’s potential. Carney rises high to get off his jump shot and is extremely athletic. He is also a very good defender and can shut down another 2 guard. He has a long wingspan and can rebound. Nice place for the Sixers to start if they clean out A.I. and C-Webb.

13. Hornets Leon Powe PF 6-8 245 California
Powe can rebound and play strong with the ball around the basket. His knee injuries have to be a concern, but if Powe goes through some workouts and looks fit, he belongs in the top 15 of the draft. If he pulls out, he and Noah will be candidates for Player of the Year in 2006-07.

14. Jazz Hilton Armstrong PF 6-11 235 Connecticut
When they were healthy with Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Matt Harpring, and Mehmet Okur, the Jazz were above average. They need inside scoring and some depth on the bench. Armstrong is a threat inside and the best bet.

 

Me too...

of noteable interest...they have Redick dropping to the Suns at 20 and have Yi Jianlian going 23rd to the Grizzlies...I thought he hadn't declared.