2008 Woodie Awards
Posted Tuesday, June 28, 1:28 a.m. NEW YORK- Needless to say, I thought I'd be at the NBA Draft in New York City covering GW standouts Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Mike Hall potentially getting their names called. But alas those plans were foiled. Instead of cashing in the credentials we procured I decided to stick around the draft and cover it from a college perspective alongside Hatchet sports editor Jake Sherman.
Monday marked Day 1 of our coverage, spanning our interactions with players during media day at the Times Square Weston on June 27. Tuesday I'll be pontificating on the age limit and discussing what this year's prospects think about it.
High school seniors Gerald Green and Martell Webster were easily my two favorite guys after media day. Both had a great sense of humor, were genuinely humble and were incredibly media-friendly. With all the bad press the NBA has been getting for having selfish and arrogant stars, these two guys certainly have the character, and the star power, to help reverse this image as they come into their own in the league over the next couple of years.
For now - in typical pre-draft form - I'll offer up a mock draft of roughly where players will go Tuesday night. Given the unpredictability of this year's draft, and the potential for many trades and unorthodox picks, the final board might be quite different from what you see here.
1. Milwaukee
Andrew Bogut, Utah, Sophomore, Center
With the first pick in the draft, the Bucks will take the 7-foot Australian. Will be a solid pro over a 15-year career and will fill at gaping hole in the middle for the struggling Bucks. Not the star potential of other No. 1 picks but Bogut will no doubt be an outstanding player and a potential all star in the center-deficient Eastern Conference
2. Atlanta
Marvin Williams, North Carolina, Freshman, Forward
The talented freshman from UNC can play either the three or the four in the pros. Has the highest ceiling of any player in the draft and has off-the-chart athletic ability. Five years down the road, if not sooner, Williams will be a superstar in the league. He can do a little bit of everything and has the character and intangibles to make any team happy to draft him. With Atlanta already stocked at the swingman position with Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Donta Smith and Boris Diaw, don't be surprised to see the Hawks trade this pick to a team eager to get their hands on Williams
Monday marked Day 1 of our coverage, spanning our interactions with players during media day at the Times Square Weston on June 27. Tuesday I'll be pontificating on the age limit and discussing what this year's prospects think about it.
High school seniors Gerald Green and Martell Webster were easily my two favorite guys after media day. Both had a great sense of humor, were genuinely humble and were incredibly media-friendly. With all the bad press the NBA has been getting for having selfish and arrogant stars, these two guys certainly have the character, and the star power, to help reverse this image as they come into their own in the league over the next couple of years.
For now - in typical pre-draft form - I'll offer up a mock draft of roughly where players will go Tuesday night. Given the unpredictability of this year's draft, and the potential for many trades and unorthodox picks, the final board might be quite different from what you see here.
1. Milwaukee
Andrew Bogut, Utah, Sophomore, Center
With the first pick in the draft, the Bucks will take the 7-foot Australian. Will be a solid pro over a 15-year career and will fill at gaping hole in the middle for the struggling Bucks. Not the star potential of other No. 1 picks but Bogut will no doubt be an outstanding player and a potential all star in the center-deficient Eastern Conference
2. Atlanta
Marvin Williams, North Carolina, Freshman, Forward
The talented freshman from UNC can play either the three or the four in the pros. Has the highest ceiling of any player in the draft and has off-the-chart athletic ability. Five years down the road, if not sooner, Williams will be a superstar in the league. He can do a little bit of everything and has the character and intangibles to make any team happy to draft him. With Atlanta already stocked at the swingman position with Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Donta Smith and Boris Diaw, don't be surprised to see the Hawks trade this pick to a team eager to get their hands on Williams
