| Warriors Preparing For The Draft Authored by Payam Jahromi - June 25, 2007 - 3:19 pm
For the first time in years, the draft is not the most important day of the year for the Warriors.
The Dubs, who did not participate in the draft lottery, will pick in the bottom half of the first round for the first time since 1999, when they chose Jeff Foster with the 21st pick.
I for one enjoy the lack of anticipation. The more successful the season, the less important the draft is.
Having said that, the Warriors have the 18th pick in Thursday’s draft and there is plenty of speculation on what they’ll do. The trendy rumor has the Warriors trading up to get Yi Jianlian.
Yi, who nobody has seen play, has become the most talked about player in the draft after Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. I have no idea what kind of pro he’ll be, but if Nellie likes him, then I like him. I trust anyone who can pull off a Dirk Nowitzki-for-Robert Traylor deal on draft day.
If the Warriors don’t trade up, who will they take at number 18? RealGM.com says Sean Williams, ESPN.com says Thaddeus Young, nbadraft.net has them taking Rudy Fernandez while draftexpress.com predicts Tiago Splitter. Go to a different site and you’ll see a different name.
In other words, nobody has a clue, not when you’re picking 18th. So instead of giving a prediction on who the pick will be, I’ll just say that I wouldn’t mind seeing Acie Law if he slips.
Oden or Durant?
That’s the big question even though everyone knows the answer. Portland is taking Oden – we all know it. (If they don’t it will be one of the most shocking events in draft history.)
The real question is: who should they take? Most feel you have to take the big man while others say Durant has the higher ceiling. I agree with both statements, but I’m one of those who feel you cannot pass up a potential franchise center.
Since the 80’s, the franchise big men include Kareem, Moses, Hakeem, Robinson, Ewing, Shaq, Duncan and Yao. Of those eight names, only Ewing and Yao haven’t won a title. Moses Malone is the only player from the rest that didn’t win multiple rings.
This obviously doesn’t guarantee that the team who drafts Oden will win a title or two. But I sure as hell like those numbers.
If I had to choose who the better player will be, I’d probably say Durant. If I had to choose who will win more titles, I’d go with Oden.
That’s why I’m taking Oden.
For questions or comments you can email me at pjahromi@sbcglobal.net |
