Young Gun Draft

Going back five years to the 2002 NBA Draft featuring Yao Ming and Amare Stoudamire through last year’s 2006 NBA Draft featuring Andrea Bargnani and Brandon Roy, a ton of talent has entered the league. If all the NBA prospects over the last 5 drafts were available for a special dispersal draft to start 30 brand new teams, what would the draft order look like?Here’s one man’s view:

Who’s #1: King James or D-Wade?

Obviously, there is no loser in this decision, yet it’s such a difficult choice because of the brilliance of D-Wade.The man was named MVP of the 2006 NBA Finals after averaging 34.5 points per game.He has closed what seemed like a large gap between himself and King James (King James was #1 pick in 2003 while D-Wade was #5), but if you are choosing between the two going forward for the next 10 years, King James’ body is built for both dominance and durability (just like mine) so despite sometimes taking games off in the regular season he’s the safe choice.While the ring on D-Wade’s finger says otherwise, King James’ body carries the day for the future.

1. LeBron James (2003 1^st pick)
2. Dwyane Wade (2003 5^th pick)

Big men: Old school vs. new school?

Through the history of the league, the dominant, low-post center was always the #1 building block when starting a team (this is why Greg Oden will be this year’s #1 pick over Kevin Durant): Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and the Diesel (Shaq).But in 2007 with the game more wide-open and faster paced, that player is not a dinosaur but may be on the endangered species list.Which brings us to who’s next in the draft between Yao Ming and the “New school” big men: Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, and Amare Stoudemire?If not for Game 7 of the 1^st round series between Houston and Utah, this discussion would be moot.While Boozer’s performance vs. Yao was an eye-opener, I’m too big of a Yao fan not to put him 3^rd on this list.I think Yao’s true dominance has yet to emerge and eventually old school will be new again.

3. Yao Ming (2002 1^st pick)

Ranking the “New school” big men

Boozer’s development from a 2^nd round pick in the 2002 draft to a “top ten” pick in the Young Gun Draft has been impressive but he is clearly the 4^th best of the “New school” big men behind Bosh, Howard, and Stoudemire.Who’s the 4^th pick?For me, it’s Bosh.His game is far more polished than Howard’s and always will be while Stoudemire’s knee injury still scares me despite his remarkable recovery from micro-fracture surgery.Because of this, Howard is selected before Stoudemire. (Please note: Howard, Boozer, and Stoudemire are “Old school” low-post scorers but with the change in the style of the league, they are finding themselves playing center and using an all-around game to beat true “Old school” centers thus there designation as “New school” big men).

4. Chris Bosh (2003 4^th pick)
5. Dwight Howard (2004 1^st pick)
6. Amare Stoudamire (2002 9^th pick)
7. Carlos Boozer (2002 35^th pick)

Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul

On draft night in 2005, the Utah Jazz selected Williams over Paul and it’s looking like the correct choice.While Paul is a wonderful lead guard, Williams is a true point guard with a body reminiscent of Jason Kidd and Baron Davis in his strength both in upper and lower parts of his body.Paul gets bonus points for being a great role model off the court (not that Williams isn’t, but Paul is truly exceptionall).

8. Deron Williams (2005 3^rd pick)
9. Chris Paul (2005 4^th pick)

Melo at #10?

Carmelo has averaged 24.1 points per game in his 4 seasons in the league.Each year, Carmelo has led Denver into the playoffs.In 2006-07, he set career bests by averaging 28.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.Why is he #10 in this draft?The best answer is his position. While wing players who average close to 30 per night do not grow on trees, scoring 2s and 3s are easier to find than dominant big men or franchise point guards.Many would consider him at least #7 on this list and possibly #3 but I want the point guards and the dominant big men first.

10. Carmelo Anthony (2003 3^rd pick)

Potential franchise players

I’m going with Loul Deng after watching him shoot the Miami Heat out of the 2007 playoffs and Al Jefferson who averaged 19.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while shooting 55% in the 2^nd half of the 2006-07 season.

11. Loul Deng (2004 7^th pick)
12. Al Jefferson (2004 15^th pick)

Underrated players

Tayshaun Prince and Josh Howard are similar players with similar draft histories who come next in the draft.Both are 3s with the ability to guard 2s; both are effective offensive weapons both 1-on-1 and from the outside; both were draft late in the 1^st round of their drafts by playoff teams; both have played huge roles on NBA Finals teams.In the end, Prince gets the nod over Howard due to his championship pedigree (2004 NBA Champs) and his defensive versatility in that his length allows him to guard almost anybody on the floor.

13. Tayshaun Prince (2002 23^rd pick)
14. Josh Howard (2003 29^th pick)

Phoenix Suns

Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw are next.Had this “draft” been done last year, Diaw would be considerably higher on this list but a questionable work ethic after signing a big contract made him a lesser player in 2006-07 than the previous season (of course, the presence of Amare Stoudemire was a big factor as well).Barbosa has turned into almost an unstoppable offensive force while having the length and quickness to defend any guard in the NBA.

15. Leandro Barbosa (2003 28^th pick)
16. Boris Diaw (2003 21^st pick)

Big man run

The next five picks are big men LaMarcus Aldridge, Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bynum, Andrew Bogut, and Emeka Okafor.I put Okafor on top because of his defense.Okafor’s defense is the #1 asset when breaking down the strengths of these 5 big men.Bargnani is next because he clearly has the largest upside of the 5 with his Nowitzki-esque game.Bynum’s age and size makes him next while Bogut and Aldridge, two highly skilled offensive big men, fill out the remaining slots.

17. Emeka Okafor (2004 2^nd pick)
18. Andrea Bargnani (2006 1^st pick)
19. Andrew Bynum (2005 10^th pick)
20. Andrew Bogut (2005 1^st pick)
21. LaMarcus Aldridge (2006 2^nd pick)

Three 2s

Sticking with my old school tendencies, I’m drafting three 2-guards after the big men despite the direction of the league heading in favor of the versatile wing player.Caron Butler, Andre Igoudala, and Brandon Roy are the next three to be selected.2006-07 Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy first followed by Igoudala then Butler (the only NBA All-Star of the group)

22. Brandon Roy (2006 6^th pick)
23. Andre Igoudala (2004 9^th pick)
24. Caron Butler (2002 10^th pick)

Chicago Bulls

Two Chicago Bulls come are next: Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich.Hinrich because of his position and his defense goes before Gordon.

25. Kirk Hinrich (2003 7^th pick)
26. Ben Gordon (2004 3^rd pick)

Low for now

Two guys who may be as high as 15 slots up the board if this draft is conducted a year from now are Rudy Gay and Josh Smith.Gay has the perfect body for a wing player plus a picturesque jump shot.If Smith developed a jump shot and a better attitude, he would most likely be in the top 10 on this list

27. Josh Smith (2004 17^th pick)
28. Rudy Gay (2006 8^th pick)

Modern medicine miracles?

Two stars have had major knee injuries that have derailed their careers: Nene and Shaun Livingston.Nene seems to almost be 100% after blowing out his knee in the 1^st game of the 2005-06 season.Livingston, without the injury, would at worst be #11 on this list and could potentially be top 3.

29. Nene Hilario (2002 7^th pick)
30. Shaun Livingston (2004 4^th pick)

Missed the cut

Others under consideration:

Centers: Darko Milicic (2003 2^nd pick), Nenad Krstic (2002 24^th pick), Chris Kaman (2003 6^th pick), Andris Biedrins (2004 11^th pick)

Power forwards: Charlie Villanueva (2005 7^th pick), David Lee (2005 30^th pick), Tyrus Thomas (2006 4^th pick), Drew Gooden (2002 3^rd pick), Nick Collison (2003 12^th pick), Anderson Varajao (2004 31^st pick), David West (2003 18^th pick)

Small Forwards: Marvin Williams (2005 2^nd pick), Danny Granger (2005 17^thrd pick) pick), Mike Dunleavy (2002 3

Shooting Guards: Kevin Martin (2004 26^th pick), Randy Foye (2006 7^th pick), Monta Ellis (2005 40^th pick), J.R. Smith (2004 18^th pick)

Point Guards: Devin Harris (2004 5^th pick), T.J. Ford (2003 8^th pick), Mo Williams (2003 47^th pick), Raymond Felton (2005 5^th pick)

The top draft

Here is a breakdown by NBA Draft year of the Young Gun Draft:

NBA Draft year# of playersTop 1011 thru 2021 thru 30

20026312

20038431

20048134

20054220

20064013

Young Gun Draft

1. LeBron James (2003 1^st pick)
2. Dwyane Wade (2003 5^th pick)
3. Yao Ming (2002 1^st pick)
4. Chris Bosh (2003 4^th pick)
5. Dwight Howard (2004 1^st pick)
6. Amare Stoudamire (2002 9^th pick)
7. Carlos Boozer (2002 35^th pick)
8. Deron Williams (2005 3^rd pick)
9. Chris Paul (2005 4^th pick)
10. Carmelo Anthony (2003 3^rd pick)
11. Loul Deng (2004 7^th pick)
12. Al Jefferson (2004 15^th pick)
13. Tayshaun Prince (2002 23^rd pick)
14. Josh Howard (2003 29^th pick)
15. Leandro Barbosa (2003 28^th pick)
16. Boris Diaw (2003 21^st pick)
17. Emeka Okafor (2004 2^nd pick)
18. Andrea Bargnani (2006 1^st pick)
19. Andrew Bynum (2005 10^th pick)
20. Andrew Bogut (2005 1^st pick)
21. LaMarcus Aldridge (2006 2^nd pick)
22. Brandon Roy (2006 6^th pick)
23. Andre Igoudala (2004 9^th pick)
24. Caron Butler (2002 10^th pick)
25. Kirk Hinrich (2003 7^th pick)
26. Ben Gordon (2004 3^rd pick)
27. Josh Smith (2004 17^th pick)
28. Rudy Gay (2006 8^th pick)
29. Nene Hilario (2002 7^th pick)
30. Shaun Livingston (2004 4^th pick)

So, that’s my Young Gun Draft. What’s yours?