My NBA Awards

MVP: Steve Nash (Phoenix)
Honorable Mention: Shaquille O'Neal (Miami), Allen Iverson (Philidelphia)

Rookie of the Year: Ben Gordon (Chicago)
Honorable Mention: Dwight Howard (Orlando), Emeka Okafor (Charlotte)

Defensive Player of the Year: Tayshaun Prince (Detroit)
Honorable Mention: Bruce Bowen (San Antonio), Marcus Camby (Denver)

6th Man of the Year: Ricky Davis (Boston)
Honorable Mention: Ben Gordon (Chicago), Hedo Turkaglu (Orlando)

Most Improved Player: Larry Hughes (Washington)
Honorable Mention: Tayshaun Prince (Detroit), Bobby Simmons (LA Clippers)

Comeback Player of the Year: Grant Hill (Orlando)
Honorable Mention: Reggie Miller (Indiana), Antonio McDyess (Detroit)

Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle (Indiana)
Honorable Mention: Mike D'Antoni (Phoenix), Scott Skiles (Chicago)

GM of the Year: Bryan Colangelo (Phoenix)
Honorable Mention: Danny Ainge (Boston), Carroll Dawson (Houston)

First Team All NBA
Steve Nash (Phoenix)
Shaquille O'Neal (Miami)
Allen Iverson (Philidelphia)
Tim Duncan (San Antonio)
Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas)

Second Team All NBA
LeBron James (Cleveland)
Dwayne Wade (Miami)
Kevin Garnett (Minnesota)
Ray Allen (Seattle)
Tracy McGrady (Houston)

Third Team All NBA
Amare Stoudamire (Phoenix)
Shawn Marion (Phoenix)
Gilbert Arenas (Washington)
Vince Carter (New Jersey)
Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)

First Team All Rookie
Emeka Okafor (Charlotte)
Dwight Howard (orlando)
Ben Gordon (Chicago)
Andre Iguodala (Philidelphia)
Josh Childress (Atlanta)

Second Team All Rookie
Al Jefferson (Boston)
JR Smith (New Orleans)
Josh Smith (Atlanta)
Luol Deng (Chicago)
Jameer Nelson (Orlando)

All Dissapointment Team
Ron Artest (Indiana)
Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
Jamaal Magloire (New Orleans)
Carlos Boozer (Utah)
Zack Randolph (Portland)

Ellis, Jack Declare...Williams Goes Back To Duke

Prep star Monta Ellis has declared for the NBA Draft today. He is a talented kid who can really shoot, but has a lot of question marks about his size and attitude. He is certainly not an NBA ready player. He will likely go late in the first round, but I would hold off on getting an agent if I were him. Georgia Tech point guard Jarrett Jack is also on the verge of declaring. He led GT to the NCAA finals last year. Jack is a big strong guard in the vein of Gary Payton (minus the lockdown defense). He should go somewhere in the middle of the first round.

Duke big man Shelden Williams has decided to go back to Duke for his senior year. He was a late first to early second round pick so this seems like a good move. This is a great thing for Duke who will have Williams and freshman stud Josh McRoberts in their front court next year.

Updated Mock Draft (First Round)

1. Atlanta - Andrew Bogut (7'0'', C, Utah, Soph.)
2. New Orleans - Chris Paul (5'11'', PG, Wake Forest, Soph.)
3. Charlotte - Marvin Williams (6'9'', SF, UNC, Fresh.)
4. Utah - Gerald Green (6'8'', SF, HS)
5. Portland - Martynas Andriuskevicius (7'3'', C, Lithuania)
6. Milwaukee - Tiago Splitter (6'11'', PF, Brazil)
7. New York - Fran Vazquez (6'10'', PF, Spain)
8. Toronto - Raymond Felton (6'0'', PG, UNC, Jr.)
9. Golden State - Chris Taft (6'10'', C, Pitt, Soph.)
10. LA Lakers - Deron Williams (6'3'', PG, Illinois, Jr.)
11. Orlando - Nemanja Aleksandrov (6'10'', SF, Serbia)
12. LA Clippers - Charlie Villanueva (6'11'', PF, UConn, Soph.)
13. Charlotte - Antoine Wright (6'7'', SG, Texas A&M, Jr.)
14. Minnesota - Jarrett Jack (6'3'', PG, Georgia Tech, Jr.)
15. New Jersey - Ersan Ilyasova (6'9'', SF, Turkey)
16. Toronto - Martell Webster (6'7'', SG, HS)
17. Indiana - Danny Granger (6'8'', SF, New Mexico, Sr.)
18. Boston - Johan Petro (7'0'', C, France)
19. Denver - Roko Ukic (6'5'', PG, Croatia)
20. Phoenix - Channing Frye (6'11'', C, Arizona, Sr.)
21. Memphis - Sean May (6'8'', PF, UNC, Jr.)
22. Denver - Rudy Fernandez (6'5'', SG, Spain)
23. Houston - Hakim Warrick (6'8'', PF, Syracuse, Sr.)
24. Sacramento - Joey Graham (6'7'', SF, Oklahoma State, Sr.)
25. Detroit - Kennedy Winston (6'6'', SG, Alabama, Jr.)
26. Utah - Andray Blatche (6'11'', C, HS)
27. Seattle - Francisco Garcia (6'7'', SG, Louisville, Jr.)
28. San Antonio - Monta Ellis (6'3'', SG, HS)
29. Miami - Rashad McCants (6'3'', SG, UNC, Jr.)
30. New York - Angelo Gigli (6'10'', PF, Italy)

The Great Carolina Exile

Much like I have been saying all along, it appears Sean May, Marvin Williams and Raymond Felton will all be declaring for this years draft. Felton was obviously going, as he is a lottery pick who has nothing more to gain at UNC. Williams and May were a bit less likely but both had little choice. Williams would love to play another year, but being a top 5 pick, it is just too risky. May's NBA future isn't quite as bright as his 2 teammates as most see his game having a rough transition to the pros. He is simply too short and unathletic in my opinion. But, the simple fact of the matter is his stock will never be higher than it is right now after he dominated the NCAA tourny. All 3 are making the right move here.

A Bunch Of Players Declare

Chris Paul - I reported earlier in the week that Chris Paul was going to enter this years draft. Today he put this poorly kept secret to rest by officially declaring. Paul will be a top 5 pick.

Eric Williams - This came out of nowhere. Williams is declaring just to see where he stands and he will be back at Wake next year. He has no shot at being picked in the first round this year. He is a solid talent who could become a first round pick with a good year next year. He has good size, and the NBA loves size.

Bracey Wright - If Bracey were half as good as his hype coming into college, he would be a lottery pick. But he isn't, so he won't. The comparisons to Kobe Bryant that once seemed plausible are now laughable. A poor man's Rashad McCants is a much more accurate comparison. He can score, but that's about it. He will be a mid to late 2nd round pick. Word is he plans to sign with an agent. Big mistake.

Matt Walsh - Another thoroughly overrated player testing the draft water. Walsh at least is smart enough to not sign with an agent. Walsh is an intriguing talent because he is 6'8'' and can handle like a point guard.. He is a capable if not streaky jump shooter. His defense is too much of a liability to get him into the first round. Look for him to be back in Gainsville next year.

Shawne Williams - Williams is a 6'9'' athletic small forward who is making the jump from high school. He would be like the 500th player to sign to go to Memphis only to go to the NBA instead (joining the likes of Qyntel Woods, Amare Stoudamire, Kedrick Perkins, Donte Smith, Travis Outlaw...). Williams has good skills, but unless he has a huge game in the Jordan Classic, he is a 2nd rounder at best. He should go to college.

Deji Akindele - Admittedly, I do not know much about this guy. He is a 7'1'' sophomore from Chicago State who was the Mid Continent Defensive Player of the Year. He apparently has great size, so if he impresses, he will have a chance of moving into the first round. Not likely though. It is more likely that he is just trying to get on the NBA's radar and then he will return to Chicago State.

Williams, Roberson Declare

Illinois guard Deron Williams has, as expected, declared for the draft. He hasn't signed with an agent, but it won't much matter because he will be a top 15 pick. Florida combo guard Anthony Roberson has also declared for the draft. He has yet to sign with an agent, but says he will have an agent by draft day. This means he has played his last game as a Florida Gator. If Roberson signs with an agent, it will be a big mistake. He will go undrafted or be picked late in the second round. Either way, he likely will be playing in Europe next year.

Updated Mock Draft (First Round)

1. Atlanta - Andrew Bogut (7'0'', C, Utah, Soph.)
2. Charlotte - Marvin Williams (6'9'', SF, UNC, Fresh.)
3. New Orleans - Chris Paul (5'11'', PG, Wake Forest, Soph.)
4. Utah - Gerald Green (6'8'', SF, HS)
5. Portland - Martynas Andriuskevicius (7'3'', C, Lithuania)
6. Milwaukee - Tiago Splitter (6'11'', PF, Brazil)
7. New York - Fran Vazquez (6'10'', PF, Spain)
8. Golden State - Chris Taft (6'10'', C, Pitt, Soph.)
9. Toronto - Raymond Felton (6'0'', PG, UNC, Jr.)
10. LA Lakers - Deron Williams (6'3'', PG, Illinois, Jr.)
11. LA Clippers - Nemanja Aleksandrov (6'10'', SF, Serbia)
12. Orlando - Antoine Wright (6'7'', SG, Texas A&M, Jr.)
13. New Jersey - Charlie Villanueva (6'11'', PF, UConn, Soph.)
14. Minnesota - Jarrett Jack (6'3'', PG, Georgia Tech, Jr.)
15. Toronto - Ersan Ilyasova (6'9'', SF, Turkey)
16. Charlotte - Danny Granger (6'8'', SF, New Mexico, Sr.)
17. Indiana - Johan Petro (7'0'', C, France)
18. Boston - Joey Graham (6'7'', SF, Oklahoma State, Sr.)
19. Denver - Rudy Fernandez (6'5'', SG, Spain)
20. Phoenix - Hakim Warrick (6'8'', PF, Syracuse, Sr.)
21. Memphis - Kennedy Winston (6'6'', SG, Alabama, Jr.)
22. Denver - Roko Ukic (6'5'', PG, Croatia)
23. Houston - Shelden Williams (6'9'', PF, Duke, Jr.)
24. Sacramento - Rashad McCants (6'3'', SG, UNC, Jr.)
25. Detroit - Ike Diogu (6'8'', PF, Arizona State, Jr.)
26. Utah - Angelo Gigli (6'10'', PF, Italy)
27. Seattle - Francisco Garcia (6'7'', SG, Louisville, Jr.)
28. San Antonio - Wayne Simien (6'8'', PF, Kansas, Sr.)
29. Miami - Vladimir Veremeenko (6'10'', PF, Belarus)
30. New York - Sean May (6'8'', PF, UNC, Jr.)

Pair Of Points Declare

Sources indicate that Chris Paul and Nate Robinson are both expected to declare for the NBA draft within the next week. Both will stay in the draft, Paul because he will be a top 5 pick and Robinson because he pulled out last year, meaning he can not pull out this year. Robinson is a good player, but his height (5'7'') will keep him out of the first round. He probably would have been better served playing another year at Washington.

Top 10 Centers

1. Andrew Bogut (7'0'', C, Utah, Soph.)
2. Martynas Andriuskevicius (7'3'', C, Lithuania)
3. Chris Taft (6'10'', C, Pitt, Soph.)
4. Johan Petro (7'0'', C, France)
5. Channing Frye (6'11'', C, Arizona, Sr.)
6. Erazem Lorbek (6'11'', PF/C, Slovenia)
7. Andray Blatche (6'11'', C, HS)
8. Luke Schensher (7'1'', C, Georgia Tech, Sr.)
9. Martin Iti (7'0'', C, Charlotte, Sr.)
10. D'or Fisher (6'11'', C, West Virginia, Sr.)

Top 10 Power Forwards

1. Tiago Splitter (6'11'', PF, Brazil)
2. Fran Vazquez (6'10'', PF, Spain)
3. Charlie Villanueva (6'11'', PF, UConn, Soph.)
4. Sheldon Williams (6'9'', PF, Duke, Jr.)
5. Vladimir Veremeenko (6'10'', PF, Belarus)
6. Hakim Warrick (6'8'', PF, Syracuse, Sr.)
7. Wayne Simien (6'8'', PF, Kansas, Sr.)
8. Angelo Gigli (6'10'', PF, Italy)
9. Ike Diogu (6'8'', PF, Arizona State, Jr.)
10. Ronny Turiaf (6'10'', PF, Gonzaga, Sr.)

More Players Declare

Brandon Bowman - Guys like this have clearly found a loophole in the system. He has no shot at being draft and knows it, but because he can go to the Chicago pre-draft camp and get an assessment, he will. Then he will be right back in school next year. Can't blame him, as other players have done it (Keith Bogans, Jameer Nelson) and become much better prospects. The problem with this is that more and more players are doing this every year, making it much harder for seniors and foreign born players to get into pre-draft camps. Don't bother remembering Bowman, he won't stay in the draft anyways.

Francisco Garcia - Solid player with few weaknesses. 6'7'' with a long lean body (think Tayshaun Prince) who handles well enough to play the point. Garcia is also a deadeye from three point range. He needs to get stronger and avoid foul trouble, but he is a no doubt first rounder. Likely in the 18-25 range. He would be a possible lottery pick next year if he went back for another year under Pitino.

Gerald Green - No surprise here. Green is a 6'8'' high school player who is pretty much a lock for the lottery. Green is an elite level athlete in the mold of Tracy McGrady, he is a much better shooter than Tmac was at this age though. Green is clearly the best prospect from this high school class. At the Roundball Classic he out jumped the vertical jump test, which max's out at 11'6''. That's ridiculous hops. Did I mention he is a good athlete?

Ersan Ilysova - Here is a guy that was supposed to be a top 5 pick next year. No one expected him to declare this year. Not sure where he will end up because I still do not know much about him other than the fact that scouts love him. He is a 6'9'' swingman with a silky smooth game. Will be interesting to see where he is projected to go. The 20 year age limit the NBA is trying to add for next year may have scared him into this years draft.


and now from the stupid file:

It looks like this years Omar Cook is upon us. A player who comes out and signs with an agent before he is ready and ends up playing in the Belgium B league the rest of his life. That player this year is Kelenna Azubuike, who most thought was just declaring to see where he stood and then he was gonna go back to Kentucky for his senior year. Instead, he signed with an agent (a shady one, from what I hear) and he is now pretty much screwed. With a great performance in Chicago, he may get picked in the 2nd round. I guess you don't have to be all that smart to play at Kentucky after all.

Top 10 Small Forwards

1. Marvin Williams (6'9'', SF, UNC, Fresh.)
2. Gerald Green (6'8'', SF, HS)
3. Nemanja Aleksandrov (6'10'', SF, Serbia)
4. Danny Granger (6'8'', SF, New Mexico, Sr.)
5. Joey Graham (6'7'', SF, Oklahoma State, Sr.)
6. Marcus Slaughter (6'8'', SF, San Diego St., Soph.)
7. Mickael Gelabale (6'7'', SF, France)
8. Ryan Gomes (6'8'', SF, Providence, Sr.)
9. Jawad Williams (6'8'', SF, UNC, Sr.)
10. Sean Banks (6'8'', SF, Memphis, Soph.)

Top 10 Shooting Guards

1. Antoine Wright (6'7'', SG, Texas A&M, Jr.)
2. Rudy Fernandez (6'5'', SG, Spain)
3. Kennedy Winston (6'6'', SG, Alabama, Jr.)
4. Rashad McCants (6'3'', SG, UNC, Jr.)
5. Francisco Garcia (6'7'', SG, Louisville, Jr.)
6. Salim Stoudamire (6'1'', SG, Arizona, Sr.)
7. Julius Hodge (6'6'', SG, NC State, Sr.)
8. Louis Williams (6'2'', SG, HS)
9. Dijon Thompson (6'8'', SG, UCLA, Sr.)
10. Marko Tomas (6'8'',SG, Croatia)

Top 10 Point Guards

1. Chris Paul (5'11'', PG, Wake Forest, Soph.)
2. Raymond Felton (6'0'', PG, UNC, Jr.)
3. Deron Williams (6'3'', PG, Illinois, Jr.)
4. Jarrett Jack (6'3'', PG, Georgia Tech, Jr.)
5. Roko Ukic (6'5'', PG, Croatia)
6. John Gilchrist (6'2'', PG, Maryland, Jr.)
7. Nate Robinson (5'9'', PG, Washington, Jr.)
8. Carl Krauser (6'2'', PG, Pitt, Jr.)
9. Filiberto Rivera (6'2'', PG, UTEP, Sr.)
10. Daniel Ewing (6'3'', PG, Duke, Sr.)

Boone, Gay Return To School

UConn stars Josh Boone and Rudy Gay will return for another year of college. This is great news for UConn fans, because now they are a frontrunner to win next years title. Boone and Gay should both be lottery picks next year if they continue to develop.

More Players Declare For Draft

Von Wafer - Here is another guy with no business in this draft. Wafer is a talented player with a good upside, but he will be lucky to be drafted at all. The 6'5'' SG has 2 more years at FSU, I suggest he go back for at least one year. Either that or brush up on his foreign languages, because he will be playing overseas.

Kelenna Azubuike - I think he is pulling a Keith Boggans. He is going into the draft just to find out where he stands and what he needs to work on, then he's going right back to Tubby for one more year. Not ready to play in the pros, needs another year of seasoning.

Antonie Wright - 6'7'' SG from Texas A&M is long, athletic and can really shoot the basketball. In other words, he's a keeper. Needs to bulk up a bit, but will be a player from the day he is drafted. Most mock drafts have him going 12th to Orlando.

Rashad McCants - Took him all of an hour after winning a national championship to let it slip that he is going pro. McCants is a bit undersized to be a 2 in the NBA, but he has big time skills and can score in a plethora of ways. Hew will either be an all star or a bust, depends who you ask. Will go somewhere in the mid to late 1st round.

Taft In, Williams Soon To Follow

Chris Taft confirmed on ESPN's Cold Pizza this morning that he would declare for and stay in this years draft. The 6'10'' center from Pitt is a mortal lock to be picked in the lottery. Deron Williams, the Jason Kidd clone from Illinois also appears to be declaring for the draft sometime after tonights NCAA finals. He also should land somewhere in the lottery. Carl Krauser will also likely enter the draft but not hire an agent. He probably will not land in the first round and should play his senior year at Pitt.

Thanks to the 20 year old age limit the NBA is trying to set in place before next draft, players are tripping over each other to declare for this years draft. The result should be one of the deepest drafts in recent years.

More Players Declare For Draft

The following players have declared for the draft:

Andray Blatche - High school center from upstate New York. He has some skills but a few years under Jimmy Boehiem would do him a world of good. Rumor is he didn't have the grades to qualify anyways. Likely an early 2nd round pick with a shot to move up into the late first with some good workouts.

Ike Diogu - Elton Brand meets Malik Rose. Could go anywhere from 13 to 25.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Hard not to like a guy named Pops, but another year of college would only help him. He is a really good athlete, but lacks some skills. Mid-second rounder.

Charlie Villanueva - Hard to tell a guy who is likely a top 15 pick to go back to school, but if he did, he'd be a top 5 pick next year. Extremely talented freak athlete who could be another Lamar Odom. He also has games where he looks lost. Won't be an impact rookie, but he's got a big upside.

Kennedy Winston - Good well rounded player who can put the ball in the bucket in a multitude of ways. Work ethic and attitude are somewhat questionable. Rip Hamilton like player should go anywhere from 15 to 25.


Staying in school:

JJ Redick - JJ made the smart move by deciding to go back to Duke for his senior season. But, we all knew JJ was smart, he goes to Duke. He's a great shooter, but lakes the all around game to play in the NBA. He has a shot if he continues to improve, but as of now he's Trajan Langdon 2.