In a salute to the NCAA tournament, here's my annual NBA perspective, trying to project who's rising, who's falling, and set it up so whatever happens, I can say I was right.
For every phenom the pros don't talk about because they're not expected to come out -- such as North Carolina's Ed Davis or Florida State's Solomon Alabi -- there are stalwarts like UNC's Tyler Hansbrough, who aren't on this creme de la creme list but may make the real first round.
Thanks to the NBA people and the great Frank Burlison of the Long Beach Press-Telegraph, who helped me.
These are listed heights with players in sneakers or, in some programs, on small ladders, so knock off an inch, to start with.
1 Blake Griffin, 6-10, 252, Soph., Oklahoma -- Powerful, explosive, the one sure bet.
2 Ricky Rubio, 6-3, 180, Joventut Badalona, Spain -- "Spanish Pete Maravich" and dead ringer, facially. Great length, big-time playmaker, even defends, but can't shoot yet.
3 Jordan Hill, 6-10, 235, Jr., Arizona -- Major athlete, still making strides.
4 Ed Davis, 6-9, 225, Fr., North Carolina -- No one talks about him now, which, as one GM said, "is how Roy Williams wants it."
5 Hasheem Thabeet, 7-3, 265, Jr., Connecticut -- Pros, who rolled their eyes for years, have noticed he's improving, however slowly, and, oh, yes, still huge.
6 James Harden, 6-5, 218, Soph., Arizona State -- Not athletic, but big, skilled with great feel.
7 Jeff Teague, 6-2, 175, Soph., Wake Forest -- Great athlete, deadeye shot. Skeptics say he's a pint-sized shooting guard. Admirers think he can handle point in a structured system.
8 Greg Monroe, 6-10, 234, Fr., Georgetown -- Skilled high-post player, but defers and/or coasts.
9 Willie Warren, 6-3, 207, Fr., Oklahoma -- Admirers see better Rodney Stuckey, or another Eric Gordon.
10 Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-9, 215, Fr., Wake Forest -- Admirers see Tyrus Thomas, with a head.
11 Stephen Curry, 6-3, 180, Jr., Davidson -- Best shooter in college, even if numbers don't show it with entire teams guarding him. Bob Knight called him best passer in college history, which isn't true, or close, but is still quite a compliment.
12 Cole Aldrich, 6-10, 250, Fr., Kansas -- Joel Przybilla with an offensive game.
13 DeMar DeRozan, 6-6, 210, Fr., USC -- Big finish for off-the-chart athlete. Admirers say he's more skilled than he shows, but defers too much. Now, says one GM, to see if he's Rudy Gay, Rodney Carney or Gerald Green.
