Most likely we'll end up with the 6th or 7th pick. Somebody always falls into the top 3 that doesn’t belong there...Hopefully the Rockets. The top four players seem to be pretty set according to most lists. Williams, Ming, Dunleavy and Gooden are most likely the top 4 picks in no particular order. Denver will probably take Woods or Wagner. That leaves Wagner or Woods, Wilcox, Butler and whatever foreign players impress at workouts as the top players to pick from. Watch for Nene to be the foreigner to impress the most. This guy could be the next Ben Wallace. A little on the short side but with the build, wing span (7'4 3/4") and athleticism to be a dominant defensive player. This is how I see the draft going down. #1 - Golden State - Jay Williams #2 - Lucky team (NY )- Ming #3 - Chicago - Dunleavy #4 - Memphis - Gooden #5 - Denver - Woods #6 - Houston - Nene Heres what ESPN has to say about Nene. Positives: Athletically, "Nene" has it all. He's explosive, jumps out of the gym, crashes the boards and is an excellent shot blocker. According to several NBA scouts who've watched Hilario play, he has polished moves down on the block and runs the floor in a way that's reminiscent of a young Shawn Kemp. At 260, he has an NBA body and an incredible 7-foot-4 3/4 wingspan. Negatives: Hilario is young and particularly raw fundamentally for an international player. He struggles with his outside shooting, isn't a great free-throw shooting (though reports he shoots like Shaq are exaggerated) and he has a knack for drawing early fouls. So far I have seen him compared to Hakeem and a young Shawn Kemp. Not bad players to be compared to huh?
While I agree with you that he could end up having the type of career that should make him a 6th pick, I don't think he has moved up that far in the draft as of yet. I'd love for one of either him or Nikoloz Tskitishvili to be available by #15 but I don't think that is possible.
Its my prediction that he will impress at workouts and be worthy of #6. I know he hasnt done anything yet to deserve that high of a pick. Who and where do you think the Rockets will pick with thier first pick?
I dont think so. Hopefully dealing with Brazil wont be as hard as dealing wth the euro leauges or the Chinese gov. Oh did I mention this guy blocked Jermaine O'Neal three times in international competition.
That would be amazing if one of those guys dropped but it's not likely. Both of these kids have huge upsides and should be snagged early. Teams are not naive about international players anymore. With the 15th pick, Nachbar, Stoudamire, Marcus, Ely and Jeffries should be available. I'm definately intrigued with Nachbar at the 3. I doubt Rudy and CD have the patience to develop Stoudamire but they very well could select Marcis at that pick.
