With The First Pick In the 2005 NBA Draft...

why don't we have our own mock draft? every team can be represented by someone here.

 

I voted Bogut. As much potential as M. Williams has, you can't pass up a big man with the skills Bogut has. Skilled centers are so hard to find now a days, I just don't see the Bucks passing him up, especially since they have never had a legit big man since way back in the day.

 

i like this idea, I heard Palillo do something similar on radio for the nfl draft and it was interesting. Especially if we have to give logical reasons why the teams would pick the players we are selecting for them.


*as for the initial question, I see the Bucks trading down in this draft. I know they have given no indication that they will, but with all due respect to Smeg and his country, a 7 foot Austrailian doesn't impress me.

I think with a draft like this (alot of uncertain talent), the Bucks will get a good offer of either a proven talent and a pick or a couple of good picks and will trade out of the first position. Bogut isn't going to keep Redd in a Buck uni and he doesn't strike me as someone to build around.

 

ESPN Article on Bogut in Milwaukee

Bogut and Co. impress at Milwaukee workout

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. – We're not sure this has ever happened before in the NBA draft.

But we saw it Monday at the Milwaukee Bucks' practice facility. A top NBA draft pick out-dressed a United States Senator and team owner on the morning of his first workout.

And, the kicker is, earlier in the day, he handed him his résumé just in case the owner was a bit unsure about whom was "interviewing" for the job of No. 1 draft pick.

Utah sophomore center Andrew Bogut showed up for his breakfast meeting with U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) at Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel in a dapper navy blue pin-stripe suit, blue shirt and red tie. The approachable senior senator from Wisconsin was dressed a bit more casually in a shirt, slacks, a sport coat and no tie.

"I came in a suit and tie because it's a job interview," Bogut told ESPN.com Monday. "He needs me, but I need him and I respect him and his organization. They can see on paper what I've accomplished in my life and I'd like Milwaukee to be a part of that and add more slots on my résumé like NBA playoffs and NBA championships."

And what was the reaction from the senator? Well, he doesn't do interviews during the draft process but you could tell he was clearly impressed by Bogut Monday while observing his workout.

"He was surprised that I came in a suit and was well-prepared to meet with the man," Bogut said. "He's a high-powered man, a respectful person and a great person. He helps a lot of children in the Milwaukee area and I think he was shocked to see me in a suit and a tie."

Bogut's agent David Bauman certainly had Bogut's two-day visit to Milwaukee well-scripted, but Bogut was hardly a pawn. The agency had a slick promotional package ready to hand the senator about Bogut's Andrew Bogut 4 Foundation to help underprivileged youth who have been affected by emotional and financial burdens. The foundation name was born out of the four corners of the world – Australia, Croatia, Utah and apparently, he hopes, Milwaukee – where he has played basketball.

"I think this is rare," Bogut said of treating his workout with the Bucks as a job interview. "The approach I've taken is as a professional. I've got good people around me and my family. Some kids might go into the meetings casually and say 'you need me and you want me so pick me.' I want to show that I can be a good player for this organization on and off the court. I want to start my own foundation here."

So, that's why it was no surprise that Bogut left the breakfast meeting Monday and headed to the Boys and Girls Club of Milwaukee.

When he arrived at the Cousins Center here in suburban Milwaukee by mid-morning, he was still dressed dapper before changing into his Bucks workout gear. He measured at 6-foot-11 without shoes, 7-1 with shoes and weighed in at 254 pounds.

He said before the workout he was a bit nervous since it was his first professional workout.

But he didn't disappoint. Sure, he went through one stretch where he missed a bunch of jumpers from the right side (if you're facing up court). But he showed he could put the ball on the court, dribble, drive and dunk. He also finished his mid-range jumpers and made a few 3s.

Bucks assistant coach Bob Ociepka offered him a few water breaks during the near-hour workout but Bogut refused.

"I got offers for drink breaks but I wanted to show people that I was in shape," Bogut said. "I was huffing and puffing but I could have gone another half an hour."

Bogut's one-on-none workout (assistant Mike Sanders was in the post for a few bumps) was similar to the Bucks' Sunday workout with the other potential top choice, North Carolina freshman Marvin Williams.

"Those are tough because usually with other people you get a break for them to do their drills," Bogut said of one-on-none workouts.

But Bogut is used to being on stage. It says it right there on his résumé that he started for the Australian National Team in the Athens Olympics last August, averaging 14.8 points, grabbing 8.8 rebounds in five games. It states he outscored his U.S. counterpart Tim Duncan in an 89-79 loss (that's in there, too). And his MVP of the FIBA Junior World Championships in Greece in 2003 when he led Australia to the gold medal is listed, too.

His consensus national player of the year awards are all on the page, too, including his ESPN national player of the year (below the Wooden and Naismith awards).

"I've got more experience than anyone in th draft," Bogut said. "I played in the Olympics and won a gold medal for my country in the junior world. The teams I play for win basketball games. I've got potential too. I'm 20 years old and people forget that. I've got room for potential, too. People think I'm 22 or 23 because I've played international basketball."

That's an indirect shot at the media who couch Williams as the one who has more potential since he just turned 19 Sunday.

"I've improved every year where I've been so there's no reason why I won't get better," said Bogut, who carried the Utes to the Sweet 16.

"You can't teach experience," Bogut said.

And you can't teach height and that's why Bucks coach Terry Porter was impressed with Bogut's size Monday.

"He's very good in the post and his ball handling skills are solid and he runs the floor really well," Porter said. "He ran up and down the court very well for a 7-foot guy. He was very solid."

Bogut spent the afternoon at the doctor for a physical and is off to the eye doctor Tuesday before flying back to Washington D.C., where he has been training. He's going to the eye doctor, probably in part because there were questions raised in the Milwaukee press when his former coach Rick Majerus was quoted as saying he could have a degenerative eye disorder, something Bogut dismissed.

"I think it was a mistake on his part because I'm not sure he knew what I had," Bogut said. "It's like saying someone has a knee injury when it's a quad injury. It got blown out of proportion. My eyesight is pretty good. I can see you. My eyes aren't perfect but I wear contacts to correct it. It's fine.

"It's fine if they want to check it since I'm a multi-million dollar investment," Bogut said. "If I were playing with a degenerative eye disorder then I still got 20 [points] and 12 [rebounds at Utah]."

The Bucks aren't revealing their choice yet, even though they seem to be leaning toward choosing Bogut. Bauman said Bogut would still go to Atlanta Thursday and Friday for a workout with the Hawks, who have the second pick. Atlanta is working out Williams potentially for that spot Tuesday and Wednesday.

We're not sure if Bogut will be dressed the same for the Hawks' brass and carry with him his résumé and promotional material for his foundation. But we wouldn't be surprised. Don't be shocked if he hands his credentials on paper to NBA commissioner David Stern when he shakes his hand, possibly as the No. 1 pick on June 28. Bogut is about making a strong first impression. He certainly did Monday in Milwaukee.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.

 

ESPN Article on Williams in Milwaukee

Williams auditions to be the No. 1 pick

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. – Marvin Williams says he had never tried out for a basketball team, at least not that he could remember.

But here he was Sunday, on his 19th birthday, auditioning for the Milwaukee Bucks, hoping to be the first pick in the NBA draft.

"I'm pretty excited," Williams said as he walked out onto the Cousins Center court in suburban Milwaukee. "I have to show them what I can do, my moves and see what they like."

And off he went, to show them that he is a specimen, an athletic 6-foot-8 forward who should be selected over Utah seven-footer Andrew Bogut.

The Bucks entertained Williams and his attorney, Jim Tanner of Washington D.C.-based Williams and Connolly, Saturday night, including giving Williams a cake.

On Sunday, though, Williams' day was all about basketball.

Bucks owner and team president U.S. Senator Herb Kohl was one of the first to greet him – right before he was measured, weighed, poked and prodded to gather his body fat count.

As he worked through the drills on the court – mostly facing the basket with some post-moves sprinkled in – most of the Bucks' hierarchy sat at a press table watching every move.

Williams essentially was working 1-on-0, with Bucks assistant coach Mike Sanders bumping him with a green pad on the way to the basket.

"There could be a little bit of pressure," Williams said afterward of the workout that could decide the No. 1 pick. "I'm just blessed to have the opportunity that somebody is willing to pay me to do this. How could it be better than that?"

Williams did show some jitters at times, not consistently knocking down jumpers and failing to finish at the free throw line after extensive work. A sign of fatigue? Perhaps, since he had to have his legs stretched a few times in between drills by Bucks strength and conditioning coach Tim Wilson.

"Going through this process for the first time can be very nerve-racking for anyone, no matter who it is," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said after the workout Sunday, but added: "What you got to see is a guy with a lot of talent, a lot of up side."

There was at least one point when Williams slapped his hands in disgust after missing a shot.

"I felt like it went OK, to finally work out for a team," Williams, who has his second – and final – team workout with the Hawks on Wednesday, said. "I always want to be the best and on the court I try not to get frustrated but I do get emotional on the court."

What did the Bucks get out of this? Head coach Terry Porter needed to see Williams in the flesh. He said he's not a fan of evaluating a player on tape. He was impressed with Williams' skills and sees him as a 3/4 ... or a 4/3 ... in other words, somewhere in the frontcourt.

Porter is a fan of height, so a true center like Bogut, who is working out for the Bucks on Monday, might intrigue him. The Bucks could use either player, though, as long as they sign their free agent shooting guard, Michael Redd.

What did Williams' advisor think?

"We thought it's wide open [for the No. 1 pick] and we still do," Tanner said. "It's a matter of proving that they should pick him. He showed he's got the upside and showed that on the court. He showed his mid-range game and I was most impressed how he could finish in the post with either hand."

Tanner added that he believes Williams is the most marketable player in the draft because of his versatility in his game. He said he's already looking at several sneaker suitors that "want to be associated with his game and his high character."

Pretty heady stuff for a kid who didn't even start at Carolina.

Williams averaged 11.3 points and 6.6 boards off the bench for the champion Tar Heels. He never complained, nor did he prove to be too extroverted, either in the locker room or on the court. Not with juniors Raymond Felton, Sean May and Rashad McCants and seniors Jawad Williams, Jackie Manuel and Melvin Scott already entrenched in their roles.

He remains humble about going ahead of all of them in the draft.

Williams said he knew after Carolina won the title that it was time to move on, and as much as he loved college, he was ready for the NBA. He isn't by any means polished – he admits he needs to get his shot sharper and become bigger (currently at 233 pounds) and faster.

"If it's Andrew Bogut, he's probably going to start. If it's Marvin Williams, it's a situation where we have Desmond [Mason] and Joe Smith at those positions right now," Harris said. "But one of these two will have an impact."

Still, Williams is convinced that he's a top pick who will have an impact next season. And he knows who he'd take at No. 1.

"Andrew is a great player and he can do a lot of great things for his size," Williams said. "I think I would take myself but I don't think anybody knows what they'll do. It'll be a good decision either way if they choose me or Andrew. They can't lose."

Andy Katz is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

Williams may have more upside, but Bogut will have the immediate impact that, assuming Redd is resigned, could have the Bucks in the playoffs for a number of years. Williams would take longer, but may be the type that could eventually have the Bucks not only in the playoffs but advancing far.

Based on just my read of the above articles, it seems like Milwaukee may be leaning towards Bogut. Which really does put Altanta in a tough situation. The Bobcats could really really use Williams. If I'm the Hawks and I can get #5 and #13 in a relatively deep draft, I'd do it.

 

In a stronger draft, neither would be #1 pick, but I'd take Bogut. Williams has that label attached to him that NBA scouts and GMs dread..."tweaner". Too small to play power forward, but not quite quick enough to keep up with the elite small forwards. Plus, his post up game needs some work. Williams would be best suited on a good team where he can come off the bench. He needs good guard play to get him the ball at the right time and in the right position.