8 DAYS TO GO, DRAFTING 8TH
8th Overall: Charlotte Bobcats
Last summer, the Bobcats drafted college standout Adam Morrison with the 3rd overall pick. This past season the team improved, but it wasn't because of Morrison. Compared to the #1 and #2 overall picks, Morrison's 11.8 ppg bettered Andrea Bargnani (11.2) and LaMarcus Aldridge (9.0). But since expectations were so high for the magical mustache - Morrison's rookie season was considered a bust.
The Bobcats find themselves in the top 10 for the 4th straight year. Although draft picks are nice, the Bobcats hope this is the last year being among the leagues ten worst teams. Morrison will be much better next season, and the Bobcats are looking forward to another great year from Matt Carroll. Carroll got more playing time in '06 and had the best statistical year of his career. Former 2nd overall pick Emeka Okafor grabbed 11.3 rebounds per game last season, but missed 25 games. Raymond Felton, a former 5th overall pick, dished 7.0 assists per game last season - but didn't play every game.
Having played only 58 games since coming into the league, Scott May's boy hasn't put together enough time on the floor to show anyone he's a stud. Big man Primoz Brezec missed 24 games last season, 25 year old Gerald Wallace missed 10 games and veteran floor leader Brevin Knight missed almost half the season. If Charlotte can stay healthy, they will easily compete for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
The Bobcats are young, 8/15 players on their roster were born in the 1980's. Come draft day, it will likely be 10/17 (along with the 8th pick, the Bobcats have the 22nd overall as well). Joakim Noah was born in 1985 and has plenty of strengths. Even at 7 feet, he's athletic and coordinated, has great energy and a long wingspan. Noah absorbs contact and finishes well with both hands, he has good quickness and fluidity because he grew over a foot during high school.
The fact that Noah morphed into a center and is not a natural center makes him valuable. He is able to get the ball up the court and he can help spread the defense by playing on the perimeter. Noah plays just as well on deffense as he does on offense.
If Noah isn't drafted by Boston with the 5th overall pick, he won't go 6th. It was reported on RotoWorld.com that Noah recently refused to work-out with the Bucks, he apparently doesn't want to be drafted by Milwaukee. This refusal gave Noah-haters more reason to not like the 2-time NCAA Champion. I don't know why people don't like him so much. Is it because he's cocky? You must be jealous of him, his accomplishments or his abilities then. Do you hate because of his hair? Appearance does not make or break talent. Is it because he's out-spoken? I personally enjoy when athletes have a personality.
However you feel about Noah, he will make a great pro and he will be a good pick if he falls to 8th overall.
The Bobcats will likely have to choose between whoever isn't taken out of Noah, Jeff Green, Corey Brewer, Spencer Hawes, Julian Wright and Al Thronton. NBADraft.net has Noah going to the Bobcats, while DraftExpress.com has Charlotte taking Corey Brewer. I can't imagine that Brewer's half-way decent work-outs would plummet his stock to 8, but it's possible. Corey Brewer or Jeff Green would make a pretty good fit on the Bobcats roster between Okafor/May/Brezec and Wallace/Morrison/Carroll.
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