2006 NBA Draft Review

Basketball Picks By: Jimmy Boyd
Jimmy Boyd of Locksmith Sports is the most consistent handicapper across all sports that the industry has to offer. Earning top 5 finishes in MLB, NBA, and College Football over the 2004 seasons, there isn't another handicapper that you can trust more than Jimmy Boyd.

2006 NBA Draft Preview: Picks 1-5 - The Toronto Raptors take Andrea Bargnani with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. His game strikingly resembles that of Dirk Nowitzky’s, but will he be another Darko? European players are still a big if as way more ride the bench than go on to become Tony Parker’s. Bargnani does have an advantage over some of the previous European players taken in past drafts. In being selected number 1 by a lowly franchise, he will be given every opportunity to become great as the Raptors have so much stock in him. Bargnani will have a long ways to go to reach the caliber of a Dirk Nowitzky. When Nowitzky came into the league, he had a more developed interior game than Bargnani. In the early stages of this young guys career, I think you’ll see him play more like Peja Stojackovic. Make no mistake, Bargnani has a huge upside, but he will have a tough transition to make in the NBA, at least initially.

With the number 2 pick the Chicago Bulls drafted LaMarcus Aldridge from the University of Texas, but quickly sent him off to Portland. The Trailblazers are getting a guy with great size, athletic ability, and length. If they are looking for him to be a premier offensive player in the NBA, I think they have another thing coming. He does possess some good skills, but he doesn’t demand the ball and will need to improve his shooting range. Although he may never be a 1st Team All NBA player, I think he has the ability to be on the All NBA Defensive Team, and perhaps this is where Portland is really looking for him to contribute. His length and athletic ability could allow him to become one of the premier shot blockers in the league and if he gets a little bit stronger and tougher, he can be a top 5 rebounder in the NBA as well.

Michael Jordan was a scorer and he gets a scorer in Adam Morrison as the 6’8’’ small forward heads down to Charlotte as the 3rd pick in the draft. Morrison isn’t even on the radar in terms of athletic ability in this year’s draft, but he has determination that can’t be taught. He is an unconscious shooter who can knock down tough shots in clutch situations. At times he has reminded me of Reggie Miller in this regard. But he is not as limited a player as Miller was. He is very good with the ball in his hands and has proven that he can create his own shots. Defense will be a big concern for him as this is where his lateral quickness could be exposed.

The Bulls get the SEC’s Freshman of the Year Tyrus Thomas as Portland dealt him away for LaMarcus Aldridge and a 2007 second round pick. And in my opinion, the Bulls are getting the better deal. In fact, I trust the Bulls judgment as they have been very successful in drafting all star caliber players. They just haven’t been very successful in keeping them in Chicago. It appears that Chicago has got things going in the right direction with Skiles on the bench leading them to back to back playoffs births.

Thomas will give them another explosive player like Tyson Chandler, and despite what his scouting report says, he showed in the NCAA tournament that he can score the basketball. His biggest downfall is experience. He’s only been playing organized basketball since his junior year of high school. The Bulls are already one of the quickest young teams in the league, and Thomas only makes them better.

Sheldon Williams isn’t going to be a star, but like virtually every former Duke player, he will have a solid career and be able to contribute right away because of his NBA build and high basketball IQ. I can see him as a double-double guy for Atlanta, playing a lot like a former Duke star Carlos Boozer. His long 7’2’’ wingspan despite his 6’9’’ height is similar to that of another Dukie, Elton Brand, but I don’t see him as having that much potential. Williams is a warrior inside and will provide Atlanta with some much needed toughness and a powerful big man who can help win the rebound battle each night.