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Posted: Wednesday June 28, 2006 10:46PM; Updated: Wednesday June 28, 2006 11:30PM
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Marty Burns' First Round Draft Analysis (cont.)
Pick Team Pos. Player School/
Country		 Class Ht. Wt.
16 SF Rodney Carney Memphis Sr. 6-6 205
He's headed to the Sixers as part of a previous trade for Sefolosha. Philly fans will love his athleticism and dunking skills, but he plays the same position/role as Andre Iguodala and there are serious questions about his focus and his lack of a mid-range game. Maybe the Sixers are stockpiling wing athletes for a possible future trade of Allen Iverson.
17 SF Shawne Williams Memphis Fr. 6-9 230
What? Did Larry Bird mean to say MARCUS Williams? Jokes aside, this is a surprise. Most draft boards had the Pacers selecting a point guard here, either Williams or Jordan Farmar. But Shawne Williams is a versatile forward who will provide some needed athleticism for Indiana. Apparently Bird feels they can get a PG somewhere else later.
18 C Oleksiy Pecherov Paris Basket Racing (France) -- 6-11 235
A Ukrainian in Washington, D.C.? The Cold War is officially over. This 6-11 forward is skinny and raw, and might need a year or two to blossom, but he can shoot and rebound. GM Ernie Grunfeld is quietly stockpiling big men (see Andray Blatche, P.J. Ramos). If one or more ever pans out, it will pay off big time.
19 PG Quincy Douby Rutgers Jr. 6-3 175
The Kings need a shooting guard, and this wiry little guy led the Big East in scoring. He should fit in well with Mike Bibby, Ron Artest and Kevin Martin. He's also insurance in case Bonzi Wells leaves as a free agent. Another smart pick for GM Geoff Petrie.
20 SF Renaldo Balkman South Carolina Jr. 6-7 205
Does Isiah Thomas know that this is Renaldo Balkman, and not Rolando Blackman? Unlike the former Mavs guard, this 6-7 forward is a virtual unknown. He is an intriguing energy player who emerged at the pre-draft camp, but he probably could have been had at No. 29 (when the Knicks have another pick) or the second round. If he doesn't pan out, Isiah might never hear the end of this one.
21 PG Rajon Rondo Kentucky So. 6-2 185
Could be headed to Boston as part of a trade for Brian Grant. Rondo has strength, speed, quickness and can play D. Unfortunately, he can't shoot the ball to save his life. Hard to believe Celtics would want him ahead of local product Marcus Williams, but apparently Danny Ainge has a plan. Maybe he figures he doesn't need a shooting point guard if he has Iverson and Paul Pierce in his perimeter.
22 PG Marcus Williams Connecticut Jr. 6-3 215
The Nets tried hard to move up and select Cedric Simmons or some other big man, but they do need a point guard to help make the transition from the Jason Kidd Era. Williams might be the best pure point guard prospect out there. He's a tough lefty who played for one of the best programs in the country. His stock might have slipped due to questions of conditioning and character, but he might use the snub as motivation.
23 PF Josh Boone Connecticut Jr. 6-10 220
Another Nets pick, another UConn player. (Lawrence Frank might be wondering if Jim Calhoun will be next). At any rate, this addresses their need for an athletic big man who can run the floor and block shots. Boone probably isn't the big guy they wanted, but he's solid overall and he was the best left on the board. Basically Nets GM Rod Thorn got what he was looking for at these spots on the board.
24 PG Kyle Lowry Villanova So. 6-0 175
The Grizzlies wanted a point guard, and Lowry is a tough, smart floor general who can also play defense. He doesn't shoot well, but he plays with a fire that will fit well in Mike Fratello's defensive-minded system. Memphis could have gone with Jordan Farmar here, but apparently felt Lowry was more well-rounded.
25 SG Shannon Brown Michigan State Jr. 6-3 200
A good pick for this spot. This former MSU star is athletic, strong, and can shoot from the perimeter. He's still learning the game, but he comes from a big-time program. He should be a good complement to LeBron James and he's insurance in case Flip Murray departs via free agency.
26 PG Jordan Farmar UCLA So. 6-2 170
Interesting pick, and not just because he's a local product from UCLA. Farmar is a terrific ball-handler and passer, and his ability to hit from mid-range gives him a shot in the triangle offense. But Phil Jackson normally prefers big guards, so it's a bit of a surprise they didn't go for Mardy Collins or some other bigger defender here.
27 PG Sergio Rodriguez Adecco Estudiantes (Spain) -- 6-3 175
He's headed to Portland as part of yet another deal for the Blazers. Too bad for him. This flamboyant Spaniard with the flair for the dramatic pass would have been a good fit in the Suns' attack. But at least he will get a shot in Portland, especially with Telfair no longer in the picture there.
28 SG Maurice Ager Michigan State Sr. 6-4 200
Best player available. Ager is a good scorer who can run the floor and he comes from a major college program at MSU. As backcourt player, he could be some insurance in case Jason Terry leaves as free agent. The Mavs scored in this area a few years ago with Josh Howard, so they have a track record.
29 PG Mardy Collins Temple Sr. 6-6 225
Hard to argue with this one. Collins was by most accounts the highest-rated player on the board here. Collins is a big guard who can defend and understands the game. He could turn out to be a solid contributor, but how he'll get minutes in a crowded Knicks backcourt is a mystery right now. But hey, at least Isiah didn't draft Fayalette Veler, er, Lafayette Lever, er, never mind ...
30 PF Joel Freeland Gran Canaria (Spain) Sr. 6-10 225
It's only fitting the Blazers would have the last pick since they were seemingly involved in every trade and pick on the night. In Freeland they are getting a lanky prospect whom they can store in Europe for a few seasons while he develops. A former grocery store bag boy, he's been compared to Keon Clark for his skinny frame and overall athleticism. We're not sure if that's a good thing or not.

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