First-rounders in a rush to succeed
Overshadowed by all the hype surrounding the top two picks in the NBA daft, Greg Oden to Portland and Kevin Durant to Seattle, is the distinct possibility that other first-round selections in their first year in the pros could help their respective teams as much or even more than Greg Oden and Kevin Durant could help the Trail Blazers and Sonics.
Horford could prove quite a plus
In some corners the Hawks' selection (third overall) of Al Horford of Florida was viewed more than anything else as a safe pick by Atlanta general manager Billy Knight. It could turn out to be much more than that. The 6-foot-8, 245-pounder has a great understanding of the game. When it comes to which of this summer's draft picks proves most NBA ready, the winner could be Horford.
There's so much promise attached to Greg Oden and Kevin Durant and deservedly so, but neither player has the college experience of Horford, who enters the NBA after playing three years at Florida, two of those seasons netting NCAA titles for the Gators. Greg Oden and Kevin Durant both punched a ticket to the pros after just one year of college basketball.
As a power forward Horford is ideally suited for the NBA game. He is very athletic, will get his share of points aided in part by his solid medium-range jumper, will rebound, and will work very hard on the defensive end. He also knows that the process for taking his game to the next level would be wise to include some family advice. Horford's father, Tito, has professional experience from a career as an NBA journeyman in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Hawks officials believe that Horford's mentality is already close to what it should be to thrive in the NBA. Some of that has come about from listening to a father who has been there and done that when it comes to preparing for the pros, and making the adjustment from college basketball to the NBA.
There's been early high praise for Horford, especially after he scored 18 points in his summer-league debut. There could well be more praise coming once the season starts as Horford has the talent to begin quickly making his mark with the Hawks, who have other promising young players in Acie Law, Josh Smith, Josh Childress, and Marvin Williams to help them put on a push for a playoff spot in an Eastern Conference full of opportunity.
Green's versatility stands out
Georgetown's Jeff Green was taken by the Celtics with the fifth overall pick, but his rights were dealt on draft night along with Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak to the Sonics for veteran Ray Allen and the rights to Glen Davis of LSU. A bold move that could pay immediate dividends for the Sonics -- and one made by Sam Presti, who at 30 is the NBA's youngest general manager.
Green is a very team oriented guy who played three positions at Georgetown. He's gained a reputation of being a very good all-around player. He's a standout on defense, but can also shoot, rebound, and pass. His college numbers show that as in three seasons with the Hoyas Green did well enough to leave the school ranking 17th in scoring, 16th in rebounding, and 12th in assists all-time.
No question that Green's versatility is a huge asset. He's a multiple-position player and that increases his value considerably to the Sonics. With Seattle having said goodbye to Allen and Rashard Lewis, a free-agent departure to Orlando, they'll be plenty of playing minutes for Green and Kevin Durant. New coach P.J. Carlesimo gets a young team that is undergoing a roster overhaul and Green and Kevin Durant are at the center of the changes.
Also working in Green's favor is his unselfishness. He is someone who looks to setup his teammates as much as he does to get his own offense clicking. There's a lot to like about the 6-foot-7, 230-pounder, including his strong inside presence both offensively and defensively. One of things that caught the eyes of pro scouts was his ability to knock down three-pointers just as proficiently as he can pull down rebounds.
Joakim Noah to storm into Windy City
When they selected Florida's Joakim Noah ninth overall, the Bulls knew they could bank on the 6-foot-10, 225-pounder to bring to the court a tremendous amount of energy and passion. Joakim Noah's feel for the game is superb, and he's helped by being long and agile. When talking about players who thrive on competing, Joakim Noah's always in the conversation.
Joakim Noah provides the Bulls with the opportunity to have a sixth defender in the lane. His infusion of energy, his hustle, and his aggression will be great fits for Chicago, a team that embraces all those elements in its style of play. And don't look for Joakim Noah, whose chest-thumping was one of the trademarks of his game in college, to tone it down in the NBA. That's just not who he is or how he plays the game.
One of the knocks on Joakim Noah is that he is limited offensively. But while he doesn't possess a classic back-to-the-basket low-post game, he does get up and down the floor, he rebounds, and scores around the basket. He can not only play an NBA style game, he's ready to play it.
One potential concern for Joakim Noah in his rookie season will be his health. He's missed summer-league games due to a partial tear in his right rotator cuff, an injury that occurred last Feb. 21 in Florida's game against South Carolina. Joakim Noah wanted to stay in the lineup as he and the Gators went after another national championship so he opted to play through the pain instead of having surgery. But the Bulls' trainers are now seeing to his rehab in hopes of having him ready for the season.
A Buckeye born to lead
At No. 4 overall the Grizzlies -- in need of a point guard -- took Mike Conley Jr. of Ohio State. They may end up liking a lot of what they get with the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder. His quickness and his ability to penetrate are exceptional. Of special note is his superb lateral quickness. He uses that to successfully pressure the ball, and it also helps him deny opponents penetration.
As with any floor general Conley will need to be quick and decisive in running the show. In college he made excellent shot/pass decisions, and now on the next level he'll need to work hard to provide more of the same. Memphis believes he can do so as Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace has told anyone who will listen how impressed the organization is with how Conley gets in the lane and makes superb decisions.
Other things working in Conley's favor include the great deal of poise he shows at such a young age, his desire to work extremely hard at improving his game, and his unabashed confidence. He caught the attention of Memphis fans when he visited the city after the draft and told the media he was a competitor who doesn't fold under pressure like a lot of other players do. Strong words which he'll have to live up to in the NBA. To talk the talk, he must show he can walk the walk.
What could help Conley with his NBA learning curve is that he already feels at home with the Grizzlies. He is on record as saying that Memphis is the only organization that made him feel as though he was a must get. Well the team got him, and its owner, Michael Heisley, is counting on the Ohio State product to bring a lift to the franchise. While Heisley and Wallace chart a course to build a winner, Conley is expected to be busy running the show in a way that will not only produce more victories than last season, but also re-energize the team's fan base.
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