| 17. Suns | SELECTION |
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Zarko Cabarkapa | SF | 6-11 | Serbia Ford's Take: Obviously the Suns did make him a promise. With a better prospect, Maciej Lampe, still on the board the Suns stick with what they guy they said they'd take. He's a great shooter for his size, but he doesn't have nearly the shooting touch that Lampe does. The Suns wanted a big guy who could stretch defenses. Cabarkapa can do that, but Lampe can do much, much more. |
| 18. Hornets | SELECTION |
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David West | PF | 6-9 | Xavier Ford's Take: Not a bad pick. He's kind of a shorter version of P. J. Brown. But why not take a flier here on Brian Cook? Cook is taller, a more well rounded player, and could help stretch defenses with his perimeter skills. West will be a solid player. But at No. 18 you could get so much more. |
| 19. Jazz | SELECTION |
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Alexsandar Pavlovic | SG | 6-8 | Serbia Ford's Take: This is another one that doesn't come as much of a surpise. The Jazz loved him in workouts. Pavlovic is an athletic two guard with a great shot. Many think he's the best shooter in the draft. He's long, runs the floor and likes to take his guy off the dribble. Great mid range game. The Jazz really felt like they needed to upgrade at the two. Calbert Cheaney is O.K. and DeShawn Stevenson wasn't getting it done. Pavlovic has the ability to step right in and help the Jazz. |
| 20. Celtics | SELECTION |
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Dahntay Jones | SG | 6-6 | Duke Ford's Take: O.K. The word is that Jones and Bell are going to Memphis and Banks and the No. 27 pick will go to Boston. So, to wrap this up . . . did Jerry West just draft two second round picks by pick No. 20. Jerry? He must love athletes. That's the big thing that Bell and Jones have going for them. The Celtics get their guy, Banks, now at No. 27, will they get Kendrick Perkins? (Note: Celtics did get Perkins in deal with Memphis). |
| 21. Hawks | SELECTION |
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Boris Diaw | SG | 6-9 | France Ford's Take: This is a nice pick for the Hawks. He's really a point guard in a 6-foot-9 body. If you're going to keep Jason Terry in the backcourt, then Diaw is a great pickup. He's not a scorer, but he does all the little things that make his teammates better. |
| 22. Nets | SELECTION |
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Zoran Planinic | PG | 6-8 | Croatia Ford's Take: Planinic is one of the best European prospects. When you're 6-foot-8 and considered a "pure" point guard, teams are going to notice. His surprising athleticism, lethal outside shot and knack for finding the open man making him one of the most intriguing European prospects in the draft. His ability to play three positions helps. He can back-up Kidd, Kittles and Richard Jefferson. |
| 23. Trail Blazers | SELECTION |
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Travis Outlaw | PF | 6-9 | Starkville High Ford's Take: Another promise fulfilled. This is the downside of making promises early. With guys like Lampe and Brian Cook on the board, they have to pass and take Outlaw an ultra raw, super thin athlete who is just years away. |
| 24. Lakers | SELECTION |
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Brian Cook | PF | 6-11 | Illinois Ford's Take: Great pick for the Lakers. His ability to play inside and outside reminds me a lot of Robert Horry. He needs to get stronger, but he's got lottery type talent in his overall game. With Horry likely hitting the free agent market, Cook really lands in a good situation. |
| 25. Pistons | SELECTION |
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Carlos Delfino | SG | 6-7 | Argentina Ford's Take: The Pistons pegged Delfino very early in the draft process. They spent all day trying to trade up to get him, now he falls right into their lap. He could be the steal of the draft. In a recent workout in Detroit he wowed them with his toughness and shooting ability. He reminds me of Michael Finley. He'll contribute right away if he stays over here. Or, he could play in Italy one more year. |
| 26. Timberwolves | SELECTION |
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Ndudi Ebi | PF | 6-9 | Western Christian High Ford's Take: Ebi is a real project, but his upside is real high. A hard worker, great shot blocker, good rebounder and an above average athlete. He won't help for the next three or four years and I'm not sure how he fits with super skinny Kevin Garnett and Joe Smith. |
| 27. Grizzlies | SELECTION |
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Kendrick Perkins | PF | 6-10 | Ozen High Ford's Take: Not a surprise. The Grizzlies are making this pick for the Celtics. The Celtics promised him that they'd take him and once we figured out that they had moved to No. 27, it was pretty clear that this was his guy. I don't like these picks for the Celtics. I'm not sure how it helps them in the short term or long term. |
| 28. Spurs | SELECTION |
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Leandrinho Barbosa | PG | 6-5 | Brazil Ford's Take: A bit of a surprise here. The Spurs needed size and another swingman and instead go for a point guard instead. Barbosa's got great size and length which is what the Spurs were looking for to compliment Tony Parker. Barbosa has the potential to be a Gary Payton-like player someday. But will they regret letting Zaur Pachulia or Maciej Lampe slip here? |
| 29. Mavericks | SELECTION |
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Josh Howard | SG | 6-7 | Wake Forest Ford's Take: Another surprise. The Mavs needed a tough presence in the paint. Mario Austin, Malick Badiane and Zaur Pachulia were on the board. Instead they go with a guy that will struggle to find minutes behind Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. Unless, that is, Finley is moving on. |