Portland number 1

Well the NBA draft lottery is done for another season. I’m a little out of my depth here, but feel that in Darren’s absence I should have a crack at this story.

Portland who, at only a 5.3% of getting the first pick are well, getting the first pick of the 2007 NBA draft. The Supersonics have the 2nd pick. [It’s great for Northwest]

This draft has been touted as a great one with the 1-2 possibility of Oden/Durant being regarded as the best since the Jordan/Olajuwon draft of 1984.

It is assumed that Portland will take Greg Oden, who dominated in the recent NCAA season, and is touted as the best centre prospect since Shaq in 1992.

Leaving Durant, who is expected to head to the Sonics. He’s already been lined up for a deal at Nike too. The Sonics would be hoping that Oden is still available at 2, because they are lacking a tall man in the centre.

Number 3 is where it gets thrown wide open. Atlanta won this pick, and were they relieved. They traded their first round pick for Joe Johnston to the Suns in 2005, however, it was protected if it went top 3, and they were right on the cusp of it.

There is a great discussion over at SI.com on who they believe will go where after the top 2. [Decisions, decisions]

I’m going to throw this discussion open to our readers and ask who they believe will be playing where next season, and in particular where the Chinese star Yi Jianlian will go?

– Chris Lesley