June 26, 2006
Here are some thoughts looking ahead to the NBA draft...
If Andrea Bargnani is not picked number one by the Raptors, it would be a surprise. That's because the Raptors hired Maurizio Gherardini as vice president and assistant general manager. Gherardini was at Benetton Treviso, the same franchise Bargnani played for. Bargnani will come in with a world of potential and if he goes to Toronto, there won't be the same kind of pressure that would have existed if he was in a major US market.
Looking for a couple of guys that could be surprises in this year's draft, keep an eye on Michigan State's Shannon Brown, Dee Brown of Illinois and Steve Novak of Marquette. The Browns were teammates at Proviso East HS in Maywood, Illinois. Both are explosive and the NBA game fits their tempo to perfection. Novak is a 6-10 long-range shooter who made 47 percent of his three-pointers for Tom Crean at Marquette last season.
Three players I see with major potential and a high upside are Tyrus Thomas, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay. I love their potential but my feeling is that there are others who will have a more immediate impact. I feel the three players who will have the greatest influence early on are Adam Morrison, J. J. Redick and Randy Foye. I love Foye's ability to play anywhere on the perimeter and he has the special talent to make the perimeter shot. Trust me, Redick has performed well against several players currently in the NBA. He added variety to his game during his senior season. Mr. Redick will create a nightmare for GMs that allow him to slide. This kid will not face the same defensive pressure in the pros. Coaches in college geared their gameplans to stopping him. Put him with a good post player and watch out. Houston would be ideal with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.
I also feel Brandon Roy has star written all over him. You heard me correctly, the former Washington player will be a factor from the day he arrives at an NBA camp.
*Many people love the athleticism, defensive tenacity and ballhandling skills of Kentucky's Rajon Rondo. I couldn't agree more, but his inability to make perimeter shots will lead him from lottery consideration, slipping him down big time.
Looking for a solid performance every day, a player who can get the job done on the glass and should go in the top 10, check out Duke's Shelden Williams.
It should be a wild night. Look for teams to make deals during the draft as some players drop. When some guys remain on the board, teams scheduled to select later will try to climb up and grab the available stars.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.
