NBA Draft Lottery: Portland Picks #1, Seattle Picks #2!

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From ESPN:

WHO	WHAT	THE SKINNY
Milwaukee	NBA Draft	Not A Good Fit Jun 12 - Joakim Noah, a power forward from Florida who is expected to go anywhere from 3 to 10 in the draft, told me at the recent pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla., that he wouldn't work out for the Bucks. Noah wouldn't give any reason for shunning the Bucks. However, according to some NBA scouts, Noah claimed Milwaukee wasn't a "good fit" for him. And the feeling appears mutual. It's almost a lock the Bucks will pass on Noah even if he's still available when they make their pick. -- Racine Journal Times

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Also From ESPN:

WHO	WHAT	THE SKINNY
Minnesota	Pre-Draft Workout	Stock Too High Jun 12 - Glen 'Big Baby' Davis, the most recognizable name of the bunch, didn't participate because he apparently considered his stock too high for the Wolves, who won't consider him with their No. 7 pick. But Minnesota's No. 41 slot in the second round could have been a possibility. "He's been working out pretty good, and he thinks he falls somewhere between seven and 41, so he figures he'll save himself a trip," said of Davis' reasoning. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

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From Chad Ford about the EuroCamp Draft:

Marco Belinelli, SG, 6-6, 208, Italy
Belinelli has been on the NBA radar screen for years and got a significant boost to his stock last year when NBA GMs and scouts flew to Italy to see Bargnani play. Belinelli's team, Climamio Bologna, played Bargani's team, Benetton Treviso, in the Italian League Finals, and Belinelli's stellar play moved him up the charts.

On the one hand, Belinelli's expanded offensive repertoire might help his stock. In previous years, he was little more than a spot-up shooter. In the two Eurocamp games, Belinelli showed that he had a quick first step and really could get to the basket. Combine that with some explosiveness jumping (36-inch max vertical) and Belinelli seems like a much more complete prospect.

On the other hand, his shooting woes continued. In the first game, Belinelli struggled from the field shooting 3-for-13 and 2-for-6 from 3-point range. He continued to take some wild shots, most of them just rimming out. In the second game on Sunday, Belinelli found his stride a bit, going 4-for-8 from the field.

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More From Ford:

Ali Traore, PF, 6-10, 245, France
Traore, 22, was one of the stars of the Orlando predraft camp. This is Traore's third appearance at the Eurocamp. He's shined the past two years with his excellent footwork and size around the basket.

This year at camp, Traore is off to a slow start. After getting fed for layup after layup by the Orlando camp's two best point guards, Florida's Taurean Green and Marist's Jared Jordan, Traore got a little frustrated with his lack of touches on Sunday. He ended up with 10 points and 5 rebounds, but shot the ball only six times.

Look for Traore to go somewhere between No. 25 and No. 40 on draft night. Someone will overlook his shortcomings and tab him an interesting overseas project for the next couple of years. I could see a team like the Sixers (they have three first-round picks) being willing to take a chance on him late in the first.

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Ford Once again:

Rodrigue Beaubois, PG, 6-2, 170, France
Beaubois is a 19-year-old point guard who really has surprised a number of NBA scouts here. I don't think anyone came into the camp expecting much (in fact, few had ever even seen him play) but just about everyone is impressed with his athleticism, quickness, length (he has a huge 6-9 wing span) and hands. Physically, he resembles Rajon Rondo.

I think that might be overdoing it a little. Beaubois seems like a prospect, but he doesn't have the strength or the experience to play in the NBA anytime soon. He's a "down-the-road" prospect. Still, teams know that he might come at a much higher price next season, so maybe they're willing to take the chance now.

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From ESPN:

Laimbeer, McHale ... No, Spencer Hawes
Jun 14 - Billy King said Spencer Hawes reminds him of throwback players like Bill Laimbeer and Kevin McHale. Many scouts say his low-post game and ability to pass out of a double team is the strongest point of his game.
Hawes said he likes to model his game after Tim Duncan's fundamental approach. The thought of improving on the Huskies' 19-13 record last season, when he averaged 14.9 points and 6.4 rebounds, and making it to the NCAA Tournament could factor into his decision about whether to stay in the draft. "I think growing up, playing in the NBA at the highest level is always your dream. Having gone to college, it was a great experience but I just felt it was the best time for me to see what I've seen," Hawes said. -- Philadelphia Daily News

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From ESPN:

WHO	WHAT	THE SKINNY
Mike Conley Jr.	NBA Draft	NBA Ready Jun 15 - Director of Player Personnel Tony Barone, Sr. dismissed any notion that Mike Conley Jr. may need time to adjust to the pro game after just one year of college. "He's ready for the NBA. He's ready to come in and play right away. Absolutely," said Barone. "When you sit down at the dinner, it's kind of an intimidating issue. We have a new coach (Marc Iavaroni) who has been extremely successful in his background. A Hall of Famer, The Logo (Jerry West) is there, it's intimidating, there's no question about that. So you find out about poise right away," said Barone. "He exhibited a tremendous amount of confidence in himself in terms of talking, so you do learn a lot about them in that environment." -- Grizzlies.com "He's the quintessential point guard," said Tony Barone Sr., the Grizzlies director of player personnel. "He's got every single characteristic that you're looking for in a point guard. He's cerebral in terms of his approach. He really sees the floor. He has outstanding quickness, excellent ballhandler, knocks down the shot, really had the ability to read the defense." The one flaw in Conley's game that his critics point out is his outside shot. He struggles at times hitting the open jumper. But there's no denying his ability to get into the paint and score, or get fouled and get to the free throw line, much like San Antonio's Tony Parker. -- Memphis Commercial-Appeal

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ESPN:

WHO	WHAT	THE SKINNY
Kevin Durant	NBA Draft	First Trip To Seattle Jun 15 - Texas forward Kevin Durant is getting acclimated to what will likely be his new home. The consensus NCAA men's basketball player of the year is making his first trip to the Seattle area to work with Eric Hughes, the team's basketball-skills coach, and Tim Manson, a conditioning coach, at the Athletes Training Institute in Bellevue. According to an NBA source, the 6-foot-9 Durant won't work out for the Sonics, but he may interview with team representatives. -- Seattle Times

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From ESPN:

WHO	WHAT	THE SKINNY
Boston	NBA Draft	List Expanding Jun 15 - The super six on the Celtics list of draft possibilities at No. 5 has morphed into an elite eight. Joakim Noah and Julian Wright are now in the mix, though it might be fair to say they're at the far end of a group that also includes Al Horford, Brandan Wright, Jeff Green, Corey Brewer, Yi Jianlian and Al Thornton. One of the main reasons they?re expanding their view is the very real possibility they could move down from the fifth pick. Danny Ainge won't talk specifics, but sources say Spencer Hawes and some others the Celts are seeing will only be in play if they trade down from No. 5. -- Boston Herald

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Chat With Chad Ford:

Jim Chicago:Chad any chance that the Bulls trade up in the draft to get Yi, and if so who do they trade?

Chad Ford: They are one of the teams (the Warriors seem to be the other) trying to move up. The problem is that no one knows for sure how high they have to go. Atlanta is interested at 3 and Boston has some interest at 5. If he gets past those two teams, he could fall right into the Bulls laps at No. 9. Warriors are dangling Jason Richardson and their pick to get higher too.

Morgan (Siletz, OR): Who do you think is the most NBA ready of the draftees... who will be the ROY next year?

Chad Ford: Oden and Durant are obviously ready right now and I think they'll compete for Rookie of the Year, with Oden having the slight edge in year one. Also Al Horford and Al Thornton look like guys who could come in and have a big year one impact.

David (VA) :Do you think Jeff Green stays in the draft? Which team do you think has the most interest in him?

Chad Ford: I think he should. I think he's a Top 10 pick. I think he'll be a better pro player than a college player. I understand why he wants to go back and will respect him if he does. Georgetown will have a chance to win a national championship. Really he has two good options but I think at the end of the day, he'll stay in the draft.

Joe (Philly): Chad - Thanks for taking the time to update us non-inside folks. Who's stock currently rising/falling and who would you consider a sleeper second round pick? Curtis Sumpter maybe...

Chad Ford: I'd say that everyone seems to be trying to get their hands on Al Horford ... but with Memphis almost a lock to take him at No. 4, that means they have to deal with Atlanta at No. 3. The Bucks, Bulls and Sixers would all love to move up and get him. Some are whispering that the Wolves may take Spencer Hawes at No. 7 ... in that case he's rising. Nick Young of USC also seems to be rising right now. As far as falling, I'm not sure Joakim Noah is helping himself in workouts.

As for sleeper second round picks, I don't think Sumpter gets drafted. I'd say Dominic McGuire or Jared Jordan.

Johnny(phx): How far does Acie law fall if the Hawks don't take him at 11?

Chad Ford: Clippers like him at No. 14. I could also see the Warriors and Wizards taking a look.

Greg (Bedford, MA): What's your take on Brandan Wright? He's obviously still pretty raw, but how long do you think it will take for himto become a big-time contributor?

Chad Ford: I'm torn on him. Love the physical tools ... not thrilled about his energy and skill level. I don't know why someone would take him over Al Horford. Both are roughly the same size, length and athleticism ... but Horford has 40 pounds on him and is more skilled.

Bill (Boston): Do you think Jared Dudley can sneak into the first round?

Chad Ford: Maybe from a team that thinks he can fill a Shane Battier type role in the pros. That's who scouts are comparing him to.