Many hoop experts say that this year’s rookie draft is one of the deepest in terms of talent but all this depends on the performances of these athletes when the regular season begins. Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, the top two picks, are on every lottery teams’ wish list that those who didn’t have the chance to get either one had a major meltdown. But the rest of the crop are good players. Here’s a rundown of the top 10:
1. GREG ODEN - Portland, Center. 7-0, 280lbs. A rare find, he has all the materials to become one of the NBA’s elite big men. A strong defender with a build like one of those UFC fighters, Oden is also a good leaper with great court instincts. Scoring on hook shots with either hand, he has the tools to become a classic center, an almost Olajuwon-type of drop-step move coming from the low post. If he could just develop a reliable midrange jumper, it would be scary.
2. KEVIN DURANT - Seattle, Forward. 6-9, 225lbs. A good ball handler, he can shoot from almost anywhere, has a good post-up game and is a good rebounder. Durant has to improve on his fundamentals and should bulk up. By improving his dribble, he could dominate at the small forward spot.
3. AL HORFORD - Atlanta, Forward. 6-10, 245lbs. For a player his size, he can handle and pass the ball. He shines in team and man-to-man defense that he can guard power forwards and centers. He is not afraid to mix it up inside but this kind of enthusiasm often leads to foul trouble. Needs to improve on offense especially in the low post.
4. MIKE CONLEY JR - Memphis, Guard. 6-1, 180lbs. A pass-first point guard who knows how to run the pick-and-roll. He has savvy and poise, has excellent basketball IQ and court vision. With great body control, Conley thrives in his dribble-drive game. Plays pesky defense that usually results in steals and deflections in passing lanes. He has to add more shooting in his game, like a pull-up jumper from midrange to become a complete point guard.
5. JEFF GREEN - Boston, Forward. 6-9, 235lbs. A solid all-around player, he combines size and length with an explosive vertical leap. Has the ability to score inside and out and has great passing skills. His drawback is that he doesn’t have the required low post moves for power forwards nor is he an adequate ball handler to play small forward.
6. YI JIANLAN - Milwaukee, Power Forward. 7-0, 230lbs. A project player, Yi is a mobile and coordinated athlete for his size. He runs the floor and finishes well in transition. His assets are his jump shots, fade-aways and stepbacks from midrange and shows some moves in the post. With his lack of strength, Yi will be ineffective in the low post and will most likely be a liability on defense.
7. COREY BREWER - Minnesota, Forward. 6-9, 185lbs. With his length and athleticism, Brewer’s main attraction is his defensive game. He also has great court vision and a quick first step. A solid perimeter shooter, he also moves well without the ball and is good coming off screens. He’s just too skinny he could fold in Shawn Marion’s wake.
8. BRANDAN WRIGHT - Charlotte, Forward. 6-9, 205lbs. By NBA standards, Wright is an ideal power forward. He has massive hands to go with his 7-4 wingspan. With his impressive wingspan, balls will find their way to him and it allows him to swat shots he’s not supposed to reach. His hook shot is released so quickly and so high you need a ladder to block it. A steal and two blocks a game is an ordinary occurrence. But at only 205lbs, LeBron and Kobe will climb over him.
9. JOAKIM NOAH - Chicago, Forward. 6-11, 232lbs. A high-energy athlete that can either play center or power forward who does not back down from contact. Very mobile, likes to play the post and is a shot-blocking threat. An intriguing mix of offensive skills and defensive ability. Another Anderson Varejao, including the hair, but with a lot more skills. Has to improve on his footwork.
10. SPENCER HAWES - Sacramento, Center. 7-0, 250lbs. His post games are more complicated with his being ambidextrous. Defenders can’t predict his moves because he uses his right or left hand equally well, with no problem shooting turnaround jumpers or jump hooks regardless of direction. He can play the high post and is a very good passer for his size. Has been known to hit long jumpers. Needs to improve on his rebounding. Lacks toughness and isn’t much of a defender
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Radio broadcasts the past two days focus mainly on the gloriously wonderful traffic situation at the Banilad-Talamban area and some broadcasters have indirectly laid the blame to the Jesuit priests who have relocated Sacred Heart School at Canduman.
Hellooo? The gridlock has been there for a long time and attributing the situation to Sacred Heart’s school opening is quite frankly, unfair. Aside from USC, some other high-end learning institutions chose the locality for their campuses. Suggestions from some broadcasters for a school bus system or car pooling are easier said than done. Tell that to the rich and pampered kids of CIS, Southcrest, Springdale and Bright Academy. A monthly school bus fee of p2,500 is ridiculously stiff that enduring the sights and sounds traffic is a cheaper option.
The roads are supposed to be wide but there are pilots disguised as jeepney drivers who think they own it and combine that with motorists having I’m-migthier-than-you attitude, then you get the end result. In fairness to the Jesuits, since about two years ago, they have brought up the issue to the former mayor and there were the usual assurances, with the usual non-commitment.
The matter was even forwarded to La Presidenta Glorieta and the results have been obvious.
A helicopter hovered above the chaos and there seems to be a semblance of sanity. Let us conserve our salivas, rest our jaws and stop yakking while our traffic greats are treasure hunting for a solution. More importantly, let us thank the Jesuit priests because it took Sacred Heart School’s opening for the authorities to act on the terribly terrific traffic. Meanwhile, mata mo og sayo, be on the road by 6am if you hate traffic. Cebu is a progressive metropolis and traffic is an indication of progress. Go to Batanes, wa’y traffic didto, inyoha tanan da’n.
