Welcome to our draft coverage.  Present at the first annual Blickees.com NBA Draft Party are site co-founders Dave Hobgood, Patrick Williams, Khris Williams. 

Patrick Williams (JPW): What are your initial impressions on the draft?

Khris Williams (KCW): I'm still trying to figure out who had the worst suit of all time, Karl Malone or Jalen Rose.

Dave Hobgood (DNH): Joakim Noah is dressed like Thirstin Howl the third.

JPW: Just got news that Jordan is looking to deal out of the first round.  I wonder if he's willing to trade that 8th pick for Kwame Brown?

DNH: What happened to Peter Vessey?

DNH: In general I think Acie Law has the potential to be a Nick Van Exel type player.  He could be a great pickup mid to late first round.

DNH: Every year they make enormous rumors to build up TV ratings for the draft and nothing ever happens.

JPW: Alright lets start with our draft coverage.  The Blazers are officially on the clock.

First Round

1. Portland Trailblazers  -   Greg Oden - C - Ohio State

KCW: Portland is building a great team.  They've got all the pieces they just need to learn how to play together.  Rookie of the year Brandon Roy, Zach Randolph is a 20 and 10 guy, Jarrett Jack a young prospect at the point.  

JPW: First year numbers for Greg Oden?

KCW: 13 points, 9 boards, 2.5 blocks.

DNH: 9 or 10 points 9 or 10 boards, 3 blocks.

JPW: So basically neither of you guys think he's going to be an offensive force as a rookie.

KCW: Heck No. Is that his girl or his mom?

DNH: No. It's his daughter.

*laughter fills the room*

2. Seattle SuperSonics - Kevin Durant - SF - Texas

JPW: Can you keep Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant on the same team.

DNH:  I know I don't trade Ray Allen unless I get a younger version of him.

KCW: A sign and trade involving Lewis for a big man would be a great idea.

DNH: Kevin Durant will be unbelieveable.  How many times when watching his college games  did you cut on the game, go to the bathroom, come back, and Durant already had 14 points?

KCW: Pat your thoughts on what to do with Rashard Lewis?

JPW: If its me I'm knocking down Portland's door to try to work out a sign and trade for Zach Randolph.  Portland just got Oden, they got LaMarcus Aldridge last year who they are high on, and they need a three.  They may trade Zach to get a three which is an area of need.

3. Atlanta Hawks - Al Hortford - PF - Florida

KCW:  Well you know my thoughts on this pick.  He'll be a solid pro, but a number 3 pick is too much.  He wasn't even the best player on Florida's team.

JPW and KCW in unison: Gosh, he speaks SO WELL!

4. Memphis Grizzles - Mike Conley, Jr. - PG - Ohio State

JPW: Everytime I see Mike Conley I think of his father in that celebrity dunk contest dunking from the free-throw line with two hands.

KCW: I love Mike Conley but I just don't think he's good enough to be the 4th pick in the draft.  I think the Tony Parker comparison is accurate, but he is not in the same league as Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

JPW: They just showed highlights of Mike Conley Sr. dunking.  They know what's up.

DNH: I just want to see a trade.  You think Boston will pick the Chinese dude. 

TRADE:  This pick will be Jeff Green and it will be traded to the Sonics along with Wally Szerbiak and Delonte West for Ray Allen.

5. Boston - Jeff Green - SF - Georgetown

KCW: What is Seattle doing?  They've got Durant, Rashard Lewis, and Jeff Green all playing the same position.  Maybe they anticipate losing Rashard Lewis or trading him.

DNH: So they're just going to totally dismantle the team.

JPW: Maybe they think either Green or Durant can play the two.  I don't know if Durant has the quickness to play the two.

KCW: Even still Jeff Green is not that guy.  He's going to be a solid role player, but to replace Ray Allen.

JPW: Wasn't Wally Szerbiak in that trade too?  Maybe the plan is to put 5 small forwards on the floor.  Not small ball, but medium/mid-sized ball maybe?

6. Milwaukee Bucks - Yi Jianlian - C - China

KCW: I've seen film on Yi, all I know is Fran just compared Yi to 50 Cent.  Its pronounced "e" Fran.  

KCW: How do you draft a kid that you've never seen play or workout?

JPW: Does he speak English.  Umm....not really.  How about an interpreter Stew? 

JPW: Well at least Yi wears Sean John.

JPW: What position does Yi play in Milwaukee? I heard they were trying to trade Charlie?

KCW: No position.  The Chinese aren't going to let him play for the Bucks at all.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Corey Brewer - F - Florida

KCW: I think they should have gone with Brandon Wright.  If they're going to trade Garnett they could pick someone in the same mold.

DNH: I agree, Brewer's not the best player on the board.  I know there's no way Mike doesn't pick Brandon Wright next.  Its the Carolina Connection.

JPW: We've just been joined by Blickees co-founder Robert McNeill. How's it hanging?

Robert McNeill (RM): I know they're not about to pick Joakim Noah.

8. Charlotte Bobcats -  Brandon Wright - F - North Carolina

DNH: I told you there was no way Mike didn't pick Brandon Wright.  Now they'll pick Reshawn Terry in the second round.

RM: Stockpiling Carolina products!  He'll play this year when Sean May gets hurt.  It will happen.

DNH:  Why does Stephen A. Smith talk like a Professional Wrestler?

KCW: Brandon Wright is going to be good down the road.

JPW:  Mike is getting old.  He's starting to look like Bill Russell.

RM: *Applause* Carolina product! 

JPW:  In case you didn't know, RM is a Carolina guy.

RM: *Applause* lets go!

JPW: Florida State Predictions Rob?

RM: *scratching his head* its suspect man.

JPW: He's a Florida State guy too.

9. Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah - F/C - Florida

RM:  What the hell is up with that suit??  That guy has issues.

KCW: Its a good pick for Chicago.  He's active he can block shots and rebound.

JPW:  I don't know if I like that pick.  He duplicates what Ben Wallace does.  Chicago needs a low post scorer and Noah is not that.

DNH: Who are they gonna pick? They're aren't any low post scorers in this draft.

JPW:  I don't know, duplicate another position and trade for a low post player who can score.

RM: The Kings need Julian Wright, he's got more upside than Al Thornton, he can pass and he's got a little more size than Al.

KCW: Al Thornton has NBA athleticism.

10. Sacramento Kings - Spencer Hawes - C - Washington

DNH: He must have naked pictures of the Kings GM with a monkey or something.  There's no way he can possibly be a good player.

KCW: He could be alright, he could be a starter.

JPW: Being a starter in the league as a center really doesn't mean much.

DNH: Are there any other Power Forwards on the board?  We know the Hawks are going to take another Power Forward.

RM:  I'd do whatever I can to get Amare Stoudamire.

KCW:  I heard that was just a rumor.

DNH:  If I was Atlanta, I'd trade the Peach Bowl, Mike Vick, whatever I could to get Stoudamire.

11. Atlanta - Acie Law IV - G - Texas A&M

DNH: So can you draft his girl too?

RM: Exactly.

KCW:  That was a smart pick by Atlanta, he can step in and start from day one.

DNH: Slightly less than Nick Van Exel is what you should expect from him. 

RM: No way.

DNH: Ok, not a poor man's Van Exel, but a middle class version.

JPW: I've just been strong armed into ordering a pizza.

RM: Yeah counselor!

KCW: That 76ers starting lineup may be the worst starting lineup I've ever seen.

12. Philadelphia 76ers - Thaddeus Young - F - Georgia Tech

Everyone: WHAT?

DNH: Al Thornton hello?  He's ready to play right now!

RM: I don't know about that pick.

KCW: Al Thornton could average double figures from day one.  You take these young guys and they're not going to be good until their rookie contract expires and then they're not going to resign.

JPW: Billy Knight must see Emmanuel Stewart's hairstylist.

13. New Orleans Hornets - Julian Wright - F - Kansas

KCW: Thornton will be better than him too.

RM: The Clippers need a point guard.

JPW:  Point or a shooting guard.  Cuttino won't play hard without a kiss from Franchise before the game.

RM: Yeah that's true.

JPW: I compare Julian Wright to Boris Diaw.  Jay Bilas made a similar comparison in his scouting report.  He's a great passer, needs to work on his offensive skills.

14. Los Angeles Clippers - Al Thornton - F - Florida State

DNH: Even with all of those scorers he'll still get his.

KCW: I don't think the Clippers roster will be the same when the season starts.  They've been trying to trade Maggette for a while.

RM: Since the trade deadline.

DNH: Al Thornton talks like Wallace on that Martin episode.

JPW: Nick Young might have been a better fit, but I can't argue with that pick.

15. Detroit Pistons - Rodney Stuckey - G - Eastern Washington

RM: So an upgrade over Flip Murray.  He had one highlight last year, that dunk over Kirk Hinrich.

DNH: What a highlight that was.

RM: Yeah, Hinrich slid and then Flip started talking to him.

16. Washington Wizards - Nick Young - G - USC

DNH: Him and Gilbert Arenas are going to be great.  I think Nick Young can be a super duper star.  I mean, he can be the third best player in this draft.  He can shoot, he's athletic.

KCW: I disagree.

RM: Maybe the 10th best player.  Maybe.

TRADE: New York Knicks traded Channing Frye and Steve Francis for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, and Fred Jones 

JPW: Randolph and Eddy Curry are going to hurt people with Lee coming off the bench.  That's a mean frontcourt.  Isiah did something good.

RM: They're going to be tough to deal with.

KCW: That ain't bad for Portland either, Francis can take Jack's position at the point and Pryzbilla, Oden, Aldridge and Frye are going to be nice for Portland.

17. New Jersey Nets - Sean Williams - C - Boston College

DNH: That is a great pick for New Jersey.  If they bring all their guys back they can be nice.  With Kristic coming back healthy and Mikki Moore.

RM: Exactly what New Jersey needs.  Jason Collins sucks.

KCW: Yeah they got a steal right there. 

RM: It will come down to whether Vince Carter can be a killer in the 4th quarter.

18. Golden State Warriors - Marco Belinelli - G - Italy

KCW: He killed Team USA.  I think Vinny Del Negro is a bad comparison.  Brent Barry is alot closer.

19. Los Angeles Lakers - Javaris Crittenton - G - Georgia Tech

DNH: He's a big guard, Phil likes big guards, but he's not going to play this year.

KCW: They've got Jordan Farmar.

JPW: Exactly, that's why they're drafting another PG.  If this guy can't beat Smush Parker out, that says something.

20. Miami Heat - Jason Smith - F - Colorado State

KCW: He can get up and down the floor.

RM: I don't know anything about this guy.

JPW: Yeah me neither, who cares really.

DNH: This should be great Mitch Kupchak is on TV. 

DNH: The Sixers will pick Josh McRoberts watch.

JPW: I said this yesterday, I think the 76ers are trying to address the power forward position by picking tall white guys from Duke.  They'll pick McRoberts and then they'll pick Kyle Singler to upgrade next year.

21. Philadelphia76ers - Daequan Cook - G - Ohio State

TRADE: Jason Smith to 76ers, Daequan Cook and cash to the Heat.

JPW: Is he going to be better than Dorrell Wright?

KCW: Who Omar Cook?

22. Charlotte Bobcats - Jared Dudley - F - Boston College

RM: A two guard would help.  Morris Almond is out there.

KCW: Michael Jordan is just as bad a personnel guy as he was a great player.

JPW: Dudley's an all purpose guy.  I don't really hate this pick even though they do need a 2.

Spike Lee Interview:

KCW: He doesn't really think Isiah knows what he's doing.  That's just PR.

JPW: I think everyone's a little to hard on Isiah.  He's not the greatest GM, but he doesn't get credit for his good decisions.

23. New York Knicks - Wilson Chandler - F - DePaul

DNH: I can't argue with Zeke man, he picks good players.

KCW: Who has he picked?  McGrady, David Lee, and Frye were obvious picks.

JPW: McGrady was a risk, he was straight out of high school.  GMs screw up obvious picks all the time.

BUYOUT: Blazers just bought the Suns pick for cash.

24. Phoenix Suns (for Portland): - Rudy Fernandez - G - Spain

DNH: I mean the Portland owner needs to be the CEO of Microsoft of something.  He's a visionary.  We should just send Portland to the 2008 Olympics.

DNH: I hope Josh McRoberts stinks regardless of where he goes.  You know I'm a Duke fan, but he is probably my least favorite Duke player ever.

25. Utah Jazz: - Morris Almond - G - Rice

JPW: They definitely need a guard, because Ronnie Brewer hasn't worked out yet.  He reminds me of Reece Gaines and that's not a good thing.  Remember how excited I was about that pick by Orlando.

26. Houston Rockets: - Aaron Brooks - G - Oregon

JPW: So what happens to Skip?

KCW: Well they just can't cut him I mean they can trade him.

JPW: They can trade him back to AND 1 for the Professor.  He'd be a good backup for the newly acquired Mike James.

JPW: Why are people still talking about Robert Swift like he is going to be a big time player.  Has he even played a game? Maybe its his new hairdo.

DNH: How do you improve athleticism?  Either you're an athlete or you're not.

JPW: Work with Tim Grover for two weeks, come back your back all chissled. (courtesy of Ghostface Killah)

27. Detroit Pistons - Arron Afflalo - G - UCLA

JPW: Detroit obviously thinks they need guards despite the fact that their frontline allowed Lebron consecutive dunks in the clutch without so much as breathing on him in that pivotal game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

28. San Antonio Spurs - Tiago Splitter - F - Brazil

KCW: An expected San Antonio pick.  They love foreigners and they really don't need anything.

JPW: Keep him stashed overseas.

29. Phoenix Suns - Alando Tucker - F - Wisconsin

DNH: Interesting that NBA ready players always go to teams that don't need them and players who need time to develop go to teams that need immediate help.  Philly has a second chance to draft Josh McRoberts here.

JPW: I'm rooting for Josh McRoberts here just to be consistent with my theory.

30. Philadelphia 76ers -  Petteri Koponen - G - Finland

JPW: Tell me about Koponen Khris.

KCW: He's such a cornball.

JPW: He can throw the alley

EVERYONE: Who is that guy who caught the alley oop? 

That concludes our draft coverage.  Check back for draft recaps and team grades.