NBA Live Draft Coverage

It's about 7:20 tonight, the NBA draft is about to start and this will be a live running post about the 1st round. Well, hopefully the entire first round. I get off of work at 10pm so if the 1st round goes past that, I'm screwed. But either way... here we go.

Oh and BTW, I am really glad that the NBA's clock is only 5 minutes, The NFL Draft drags on sooooo damn much because they get about an hour and a half for the first round picks. The NFL should force teams to make their picks, which we know are going to happen days in advance, to make them instead of making us wait the 14:45 to tell us the obvious.

The draft starts in 8 minutes. The Portland Trail Blazers are up first and it's pretty much a given that they're taking Greg Oden. More on the great amount of help that I think he'll offer after the pick.

Just minutes away, and Greg Oden looks very ready to hit the stage.

Pick #1 - Portland Trail Blazers pick Greg Oden C (Ohio State)
He'll be solid out West in the land of the versitile big man. He's shown, especally down the stretch that he can handle the pressure of the big game situation and that he has the skills to dominate the paint. The real question that I have is Portland have or going to get a guard that Oden can look to like he had with Mike Conley in Columbus. Putting a talented backcourt with someone like Oden would be explosive and with 7 picks in this draft the Blazers may be able to draft they're way into the playoffs. I look for Portland to start building around Oden like was done in San Antonio around Tim Duncan. Looking at their roster, Jarrett Jack could be that firestarter that will help Oden take off. They will also benifit greatly from Oden's defensive skills, his jumper is damn good, and he runs the floor very well for a big man. The final piece for the complete package is his willingness to be coached.

Seattle is on the clock, expected to be Kevin Durant

Pick #2 - Seattle Supersonics take Kevin Durant F (Texas)
No surprise there, Durant took home 7 POY awards this year after his one season in Austin. The surprise is the trade that Seattle is getting done with Boston. They will be getting Ray Allen from the Sonics and Boston will give them the 5th pick and draft Jeff Green from G'Town in that spot. Wally Szerbiack, and another player are also heading west.

Via GTalk, I am joined by Zack Jones from Nashville, Tennessee. I asked Zack How much will Oden be able to help out the Blazers?
Zack: As much as Yao helped out Houston when he finally came into his own after 2-3 yrs. Will he ever be as talented as Yao is? Some would argue that he is now. But as long as he can get a bit more strength, he should be able to dominate the low-post, maybe even expand a bit to like 10-15 foot range.
I couldn't agree more.
Zack will be leaving for awhile but I'll try to get his opinions later on as well.

Pick #3 - Atlanta Hawks pick Al Horford F (Florida)
A bit of a surprise here, I thought they would take Conley. Probably the most NBA ready of all the top picks. I think he's one of the smartest players in the last few years and he's go the court vision to become the playmaker. He'll also give the Hawks a huge boost under the boards. If they keep him, they'll be able to build that frontcourt around him. They still need a point guard but since they're so young, the time will be there to gel this into a close-knit solid team.

Damn, I actually have to work. More coming up.

Pick #4 - Memphis Grizzlys pick Mike Conley Jr. G (Ohio State)
His best asset is his explosiveness and the Grizz have picked up a tremendous guard. He needs to improve his shooting consitancy, but I think he'll be able to do that and improve his defensive ability as well. He's already got very quick hands and is adept at open court steals. Being able to pull that trigger, turn the ball over and get up the floor will help him be able to get Memphis back into games, playing the transition game that was rather weak this year.

Pick #5 - Boston Celtics pick Jeff Green F (Georgetown)
Green will go to Seattle with Delonte West, Wally Szerbiack. Boston will get Ray Allen. Even though Rashard Lewis isn't coming back, this deal is a tremendous gain for the Sonics. He'll be the wingman to compleiment Durant.

Pick #6 - Milwaukee Bucks pick Yi Jainlian F (China)
A bit of a surprise here but I think that he can make the same impact for the Bucks that Yao made in Houston in 2003.

Pick #7 - Minnesota Timberwolves pick Corey Brewer F (Florida)
Brewer will be a solid addition, another guy that will make an instant impact for his new team. 2nd Gator to go in the first round, proving how dominant that Florida was. All these guys will do the same in the NBA.

Pick #8 - Charlotte Bobcats pick Brenden Wright F (North Carolina)

LIVE COVERAGE ENDS HERE - sorry, work is actully becoming work and I'll have to pick it up tomorrow...