Mock draft: A look at the lottery
Jeff Goodman
Now that the NBA Draft Lottery is over, fans in Memphis and Boston will be drowning their sorrows tonight while those on the west coast — specifically in Portland and Seattle — are celebrating.
It worked out well for Greg Oden, who was slated to be in Portland later this week for a meeting with Nike, anyway.
Here's a look at our mock draft of the lottery. Tomorrow, we'll give you the rest of the draft.
1.Trail Blazers Greg Oden
This one may not be a complete no-brainer, but how can you pass up on a true center when there are so few in the NBA? Oden is a dominating big man, especially on the defensive end, and he'll pay immediate dividends for the Trail Blazers. Put him along with LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Zach Randolph and point guard Jarrett Jack, and you've got one of the best young teams in the NBA.
2. Sonics Kevin Durant
This one is even easier than the top overall pick. Durant is a cross between Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki. He's one of the most offensively gifted players to come along in the last decade. This is a pretty darn good consolation prize. Imagine Durant with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis (if re-signs) in the Pacific Northwest.
3. Hawks Brandan Wright
He's long and athletic and can really get up and down the court. He may take a while to develop because he needs to bulk up, develop a face-up game and also play with more intensity.
4. Grizzlies Al Horford
The Grizzlies are in need of a physical player up front — and Horford fits the bill. He's strong, smart and was able to dominate in the post in college. The question is whether he can do the same in the pros.
5. Celtics Jeff Green
The Celtics were hoping for Oden or Durant. Instead, Danny Ainge will add the versatile and multi-dimensional Hoyas forward. We're going with Green in a slight nod over Al Thornton.
6. Bucks Corey Brewer
Brewer is a Scottie Pippen clone. He is versatile and can become a lock-down defender in the NBA. He'll be ideal with the Bucks alongside Michael Redd, Mo Williams and Charlie Villanueva.
7. Timberwolves Joakim Noah
The Wolves need a low-post scorer who can rebound. While Noah isn't the most physically intimidating guy, he plays hard all the time and will get better as he puts on weight.
8. Bobcats Yi Jianlian
Some compare him to Andrea Bargnani, while others mention Toni Kukoc. He's skilled and athletic and will give the Bobcats a solid offensive threat — and someone who can make shots from the perimeter.
9. Bulls (from New York) Spencer Hawes
The Bulls need a true low-post presence and some have compared Hawes to a young Kevin McHale. He'll impress in team workouts because of his skill level. The only concern is he's not a terrific athlete.
10. Kings Roy Hibbert
The Kings were one of the worst rebounding and shot-blocking teams and are in desperate need of a low-post scorer who can also rebound. Hibbert is not a terrific rebounder, but he's improved more than just about anyone since arriving in college.
11. Hawks (from Indiana) Mike Conley Jr.
He's a floor leader who is as poised a freshman as there was in the country this past season. He's improved his strength and isn't afraid to take the big shot. He'll need to become more consistent with his long-range shot.
12. 76ers Al Thornton
Played four years in the ACC and has an extremely well-rounded offensive game. Good character and terrific work ethic. The 76ers need to go with the best player available and Thornton is clearly the guy.
13. Hornets Julian Wright
The Hornets could use a wing and while Wright isn't a big-time shooter, he finds a way to score — and also makes people better and can keep up with Chris Paul.
14. Clippers Nick Young
This is the good 'old local pick. Young grew up in the area, played in L.A. and gives the Clippers another athletic wing.
Green remains in draft; Hibbert returns to Hoyas
Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Jeff Green is staying in the draft. Roy Hibbert is staying put.
The juniors who led Georgetown to the Final Four are going their separate ways. Green announced Wednesday that he will keep his name in the NBA draft, while Hibbert said he will withdraw his name and return for his senior season.
"Just sitting down with my family and coach, I feel like we came to a decision that I should stay in this draft, and it would be the best thing for me after the season that the team had and that I had," said Green, the Big East player of the year. "I'm in a good position to go pretty high in this draft."
By staying in the draft, Green is leaving behind a shot at winning a national championship and is forsaking his long-stated goal of playing four years at Georgetown. With Green and Hibbert, the Hoyas might have entered next season as the No. 1 ranked team.
Green was selected as most outstanding player of the NCAA East Regional as the Hoyas reached the Final Four for the first time in 22 years. The 6-foot-9 forward has a versatile team-oriented game that should serve him well in the pros.
Roy Hibbert is staying at Georgetown for his senior season, while teammate Jeff Green heads to the NBA.
Green led Georgetown in scoring (14.3 points) and was second in both rebounding (6.4) and assists (3.2). However, he sometimes lacks aggressiveness: He took only five shots in the Final Four loss to Ohio State, further evidence that he doesn't yet know when to stop being the team player and take over the game.
Hibbert also isn't a finished product, but he has come a long way since he was a clumsy freshman. He led the Hoyas in rebounds (6.9), averaged 12.9 points and blocked 90 shots this season. A 7-foot-2, he will eventually be a coveted possession in the NBA, where big, traditional post players are becoming harder to find.
"I said to myself, 'Do I really want to go in the draft and sit on the bench?"' Hibbert said. "My heart was here."
The pair submitted their names as early entry candidates last month and have spent their time since then discerning their draft value. If anything, they've learned that the draft is far from a predictable science: Some mock drafts had Green going in the top 10 but not Hibbert, some had it the other way around, while others had both among the first 10 selections.
The draft is June 28, and Green has until June 18 to withdraw his name. He said his decision is not "set in stone," but he also said he is about to start the process of selecting an agent. If he hires an agent, he will be ineligible to return.