Somehow I just feel that this year's draft is full of busts. First of all, the first pick has bust written all over it. Drafting a "skill" center with the first pick? Not all centers have values. I admit that having a legit center is a crucial ingredient to success. (All NBA final four teams have legitimate centers: Shaq of Miami, Duncan of San Antonio, Ben Wallace of Detroit, Stoudemire of Phoenix with a little stretch.) But it doesn't mean that a team like Milwaukee, which in no stretch anywhere close to the same caliber as the final four teams, also needs a big man. Just because dominant post-up big men are rare in modern basketball. Whenever there is a seven footer available, the NBA teams are jumping all over them. This follows the ever so true economic law: when something is rare, it is worth more. Another economic law kicks in here: when these things are in high demand, their value is higher than they are actually worth. In a term that is used more often in sports world, overrated. Centers coming out of the draft are more likely to be drafted higher than they should. They don't deserve to be picked so high. In the current NBA to global basketball landscape, centers are not as important anymore. Guard plays are taking a more key role. I believe a solid backcourt is more important than a low-post duo. For a team like Milwaukee, I would use the first pick to get the best player on the board (read: Marvin Williams). Build a team around a more effective player at a more influential position with Marvin Williams. Then go get the pieces together for contention... Deron Williams is another player I think was picked too high. I read a lot of draft previews compared him with Jason Kidd. I didn't see Jason Kidd play in college. But from what I saw of Deron Williams when he played for Illinois, he isn't a very athletic guard. He doesn't have the quickness to blow by NBA players. He is not as good a passer as advertised. I see his potential rather shallow in the NBA. There is not much room for his game to improve. (Same argument applied to Shane Battier) The good thing is he will play under Jerry Sloan, whose system developed one of the most successful non-athletic point guard in NBA history in John Stockton. Maybe Williams can flourish in Sloan's scheme, too... Andrew Bynum, the tenth pick by the Lakers, was the most puzzling pick in the draft. Under Phil Jackson the Lakers has a history of drafting college juniors or seniors that can provide immediate impact to the team. (Devean George, Brian Cook, Luke Walton) This time they went with a high schooler Andrew Bynum. Bynum might have potential, but definitely needs to be nourished for several years before reaching the level to play for Phil Jackson. Quite obviously Phil Jackson wasn't part of the decision to pick Bynum. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak wasn't drafting a player for Phil Jackson since Jackson is only staying for three years. It looks more like Phil Jackson is telling the truth when he said a championship wasn't in his view when he decided to come back with the Lakers. It looks more like Phil is just coming back for money and Jennie Buss.

Best pick:
Danny Granger #17 by Indiana Pacers
New Mexico, Sr.
He has a complete package. He can score, rebound, play D. He was a college senior and still has a lot of potential for improvement. I think most important thing is he has a NBA ready game and body. Steal for Indiana. He will definitely help Indiana this year when they have Ron Artest back.

Worst pick:
Charlie Villanueva #7 by Toronto Raptors
Connecticut, So.
Villanueva is at best an end of first round material. I don't understand why Toronto picked somebody that plays the same position as Chris Bosh. Further, Villanueva is too big to be mobile as a small forward, doesn't have a post game, not a very good rebounder. I was never impressed when I saw him play at UConn.

7.5.05 photo: AP