There are Greg Oden and Kevin Durant in the 2007 NBA Draft, and then there are all the consolation prizes. Here are other names that may be called early on Draft night.
There should be a lot of talk between now and June 28, when NBA commissioner David Stern steps to the podium to announce the 2007 NBA Draft selections. Player draft stock will fluctuate depending on how well they do in workouts, injury status, and other factors. Still, here is a general guide to how players fare against one another per position.
Top Centers
- Greg Oden - 7-0 280lbs (This should not be a surprise to anyone at this point. Oden has the physical tools and work ethic to be something special in the NBA and many think he'll be the number one overall pick)
- Spencer Hawes - 7-0 250lbs (Hawes has many tools, though will need some seasoning. At 7-0, he has an array of right and left handed post moves, has an outside touch and can put the ball on the floor and pass.)
- Tiago Splitter - 6-11 240lbs (Splitter may be more suited to play power forward at the next level, but he's extremely agile and a great shot blocker.)
- Aaron Gray - 7-1 280lbs (Gray understands how to play the center position and at 280lbs has the frame to do so. He's a bit slow, but will fill in at center for some team just fine.)
- Marc Gasol - 7-1 270lbs (The younger - but much bigger - brother of Memphis Grizzlies' star Pau Gasol. Not the athlete his older brother is, but Marc is very strong and has soft hands.)
Top Power Forwards
- Brandan Wright - 6-10 210lbs (Reminds some of Chris Bosh. Played in Oden and Durant's shadow during his freshman season, but did well in his own right. Still, very thin, but very long and has great upside. Won't be as NBA-ready as some other players.)
- Yi Jianlian - 7-0 230lbs (Tremendous talent who reminds many experts of Pau Gasol. Athletic, offensive big man who has an outside touch.)
- Al Horford - 6-9 245lbs (May be one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft, but his upside isn't as great as, say, Brandan Wright or Jianlian. Tough player, like a Horace Grant, and a solid defender.)
- Joakim Noah - 6-11 230lbs (A year ago he was considered a top pick, but a year of not really improving has lowered his stock. He's overrated by those standards, and lacks the arsenol of skills his college teammate Horford has. Still, he's long, plays with intensity and very mobile and that will attract the attention of many scouts.)
- Josh McRoberts - 6-10 240lbs (Versatile big man who's able to pass. Not extremely athletic and doesn't necessarily have the upside to be a star at the next level. He's projected in the middle of the first round.)
Top Small Forwards
- Kevin Durant - 6-10 220lbs (Durant's expected to go in the top two picks and is considered superstar talent. He was the first freshman in NCAA history to win National Player of the Year honors.)
- Corey Brewer - 6-8 185lbs (Rail thin, but very talented. Might have to move to shooting guard if he can't get stronger. Is a terrific defender.)
- Julian Wright - 6-8 225lbs (Jeff Green might move up on this list, but Wright's versatility and athleticism make him an attractive commodity. Both he and Green need to improve their jump shot.)
- Jeff Green - 6-8 235lbs (Prefers staying close to the basket even at small forward. He will have to expand his game out to the perimeter to move his stock up in this draft.)
- Al Thornton - 6-8 220lbs (Great athlete who plays with a high level of intensity. Sometimes gets out of control.)
Top Shooting Guards
- Nick Young - 6-6 200lbs (Very fundamentally sound and has a great midrange game. Needs to play with more intensity consistently and needs to improve his first step.)
- Rudy Fernandez - 6-6 175lbs (Quick first step and great slasher. Has an excellent outside shot to go with it. Needs to bulk up and improve on defense.)
- Marco Bellineli - 6-6 190lbs (Exceptional shooter off the dribble. Excellent ball handler. Needs to improve defense and just gain experience.)
- Marcus Williams - 6-7 210lbs (Silky smooth with a great outside shot. Needs to improve defense and not the greatest athlete.)
- Daequan Cook - 6-5 210lbs (A tremendous talent, but without much seasoning. Needs to make better shot selections. Is a great finisher with a good midrange jumper.)
Top Point Guards
- Mike Conley - 6-1 180lbs (Quick as lightning and has the ability to get low to the ground which translates into a lot of steals. Great passer and ball handler. A true point guard. Needs to improve outside shooting.)
- Acie Law - 6-3 195lbs (Very NBA-ready and is a great leader. Clutch shooter, though can be streaky at times.)
- Javaris Crittenton - 6-3 195lbs (Reminds some of Steve Francis in terms of potential. Needs seasoning. Can be too unselfish at times and could improve on his outside shot.)
- Rodney Stuckey - 6-4 210lbs (More of a shooting guard, but will be a tweener in the NBA. Excellent scorer with a strong body.)
- Gabe Pruitt - 6-4 170lbs (Extremely quick and very clutch. Is more of a scorer than true point guard.)
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