From Peter Vescey's Column:

Instead of mucking up a mock draft, Jim Clibanoff, President of ClibHoops, a scouting service subscribed to by most NBA teams, has provided his insights on the Top 20 prospects. He has watched each of these players multiple times throughout their careers.

1 - Kevin Durant, F, Texas: Imminent greatness on near horizon. Lack of strength and under-developed physique is irrelevant. Unmatched offensive firepower by a player with his dimensions. Edges Greg Oden in our forecast by nose hair.

2 - Greg Oden, C, Ohio State: In a league where there are precious few pure, dominating centers, he should establish himself quickly as top defensive presence from moment he suits up. How well offense progresses will dictate what type of legacy he creates.

3 - Al Horford, F, Florida: One of most NBA-ready draftees. Figures to put superior product on the tarmac nightly. Will not back up or back down. Emerging skills make him even more appealing. A Buck Williams-Brian Grant combo?

4 - Yi Jianlian, F, China: Flaunts remarkable package - size, strength, skill, agility, versatility, liveliness. Has thrived in Chinese pro ranks and international comp. Remains to be seen how readily he will adapt to NBA game.

5 - Jeff Green, F, Georgetown: Well-rounded talent. Will fit into any setting from Jump Street. Playing in John Thompson III's Princeton-style system has tacked on 30-40 points to hoops IQ. Unlikely to become all-NBA, but perfect to complement such a type.

6 - Julian Wright, F, Kansas: Superb resourcefulness and small forward aptitude. Lack of gaudy numbers shows grasp of "team" over "individual" Shades of Boris Diaw. Lack of 3-point shot (3-16 with Jayhawks) and poor free throw accuracy (59 percent) are concern.

7 - Corey Brewer, G, Florida: Despite a H.S. junior's body, he has confirmed he knows how to "play light." Can line up at multiple positions offensively and defensively. Like Horford and Joakim Noah, would've put up much bigger numbers with other than Gators.

8 - Spencer Hawes, C, Washington: Huskies frosh may be most fundamentally sound big. Game should prosper as he adds bulk. That said, minimal minutes temper evaluator enthusiasm. Team that drafts him will need patience and long-term plan.

9 - Jason Smith, F, Colorado State: Portable talent makes him serviceable at all frontcourt slots. Similar to Keith Van Horn (19.3 points, 7.7 boards first four years). Could also end up similar to Van Horn, who was oft-maligned at end of career.

10 - Brandan Wright, F, North Carolina: Excellent package of nimbleness, speed and finesse. Still, 6-foot-9, 205-pound frame needs to enlarge. Fine upside, but "bustability" factor exists.

11 - Acie Law, G, Texas A&M: Four years with Aggies a major plus. Most ready to orchestrate pro outfit, no disrespect to Mike Conley.

12 - Joakim Noah, F/C, Florida: Though we have him lower than most, we feel he could emerge as a star role player, especially for playoff caliber team. Admire passion and energy, but does he have skills to be immediate starter?

13 - Rudy Fernandez, G, Spain: Athletic, in need of strength. Plays like Brent Barry. Double-digit scorer in Spanish League - one of world's best outside NBA - since he was 18. Contrast his overseas success with many other young internationals yet to have accomplished much at high European level.

14 - Glen Davis, F, LSU: Best viewed outside proverbial box. Instead of discounting him for what he's not (svelte, bouncy, fast), a creative coaching staff should embrace him for individuality and find ways to optimize assets.

15 - Josh McRoberts, F, Duke: Great passing acumen automatically makes him appealing to one and all. A great complementary piece rather than a true star.

16 - Rodney Stuckey, G, Eastern Washington: Some combo-backcourt prospects struggle to master either position. Well-built 6-4, 205-pounder appears adept enough to hold down both. Most project sophomore as second rounder.

17 - Morris Almond, G/F, Rice: Did virtually nothing first two years with Owls. One of country's foremost scorers from 2005-07. Not a great athlete who hangs out above rim, but smart, efficient and fills it up from all over the floor.

18 - Javaris Crittenton, G, Georgia Tech: Big point is largely undeveloped, but Yellow Jackets frosh showed pile of promise.

19 - Dominic McGuire, F, Fresno State: Arguably draft's paramount leapin' gnome. Yet to harness athleticism, but consider 6-8 forward's two triple-doubles this season at Fresno, one with points, rebounds and blocks, the other points, rebounds and assists.

20 - Mike Conley, G, Ohio State: Player who benefited most from NCAA Tourney play. Projected as good pro. Lack of experience is minor worry. Shot needs upgrade.

His projection for Conley is amusing. Also seems to have forgotten about Al Thornton and Nick Young. Big Baby at 14, that’s a little generous, too. To me, he’s a 2nd round pick, late 1st rounder at best.

Everyone seems to want Davis to be good. They seem to forget that coupled with the weight is a lack of height.

The new Thomas Hamilton

I"m not sure why I thought he was under 7'. I stand corrected

I wouldn't mind seeing Brandon Wright falling to the Bulls at nine. Everywhere I read it says his stock is falling. Why? I think the kid can ball.

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"Get a hit, Crash."
"Shut up."

Work ethic concerns, I believe

Severe muscular atrophy concerns as well.

I would absolutely draft him at 9. Most likely trade him later that summer, but would definitely take him on value alone.

I read somewhere that the Bulls won't take Brandon Wright because his game is similar to Tyrus's. Is that an accurate assessment of his game?

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"Tubby? Oh yes, Tubby."

Tyrus is your future starting PF. Totally different type of player than Wright, but since neither can play center, we wouldn’t carry both players.

He is not a center, and Wallace's arms are thicker than Wright's legs.

What I'm wondering is... will Pax draft a player he feels has the highest floor or ceiling (yes, I stole those terms from Angelo).

Because there will be no "can't miss" at #9, so I feel they should go with BPA, regardless if they can contribute right away.

I wouldn't object if they thought Acie Law or Rudy Fernandez had the most potential and drafted one of them. Maybe in a trade down scenario, not necessarily at #9.

We're all talking about moving down, but is there any chance the Bulls would move up?
What would Duhon & the # 9 bring back?

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Duhon is bad, but he's not that bad.
He's serviceable.
Maybe Milwaukee would bite with all their PG issues.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Kobe

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Sorry Rick.
Salaries don't match up.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

If you’re willing to take a bad contract in exchange for Duhon’s expiring, then you might be able to move up a few spots. Duhon for the sake of Duhon, however, well… that and 5 bucks will get you a venti carmel macchiato.

My amateur opinion says they are looking for Yi to fall into their laps. If that doesn’t happen, they will take BPA and trade him w/ Nocioni later this summer for an established big man. If you’re listening, Midget, that’s my official call, 36 hours to liftoff.

Any chance in hell that this could be a sign & trade with Charlotte for Gerald Wallace???

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Not sure, obviously, how Pax ranks them, but here would be my order for BPA:

(assuming Oden, Durant, & Horford are gone; everyone else I consider “in play”)

Jeff Green
Mike Conley
Brandan Wright
Corey Brewer
Joakim Noah

I’ve excluded Yi because I believe they’d keep him.

And Mustang, I like Gerald Wallace, but I don’t feel that adding another SF is the answer to our woes. Pax is looking for a big. If Yi doesn’t fall, and if he’s not in love with Noah or Hawes, he’ll draft the most tradeable asset at 9 and probably move it in mid-July.

please... anyone but Noah

I know a lot of people don’t like him, but Noah would be good value at the 9. He’d be top 5 in most drafts, and if we didn’t already have a low post defender in Tyrus, Noah would probably be on Pax’s short list.