Local flavor in NBA Draft

With the number one pick, the Milwaukee Bucks select..."\nAs these words leave the mouth of NBA Commissioner David Stern, the 2005 NBA Draft will commence. This year's draft, which is to be held June 28, features the usual mix of overly-sized college players, high schoolers and international players. \nWhile this draft might not contain any superstars like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony or Emeka Okafor from the past two drafts, it does contain some notable names who could make an immediate impact in the NBA. This draft also holds the possibility of the first Hoosier draftee since Jared Jeffries in 2002, in Bracey Wright. However, Wright is projected by many analysts to be a late second round pick at best, and not drafted at all at worst. On the other hand, Wright's former high school teammate at The Colony in Texas, Deron Williams, is expected to be a high pick. The former Illini standout is a lottery lock, and a potential top-five pick. The local connections in this year's draft don't end with Wright, as Sean May of the University of North Carolina is projected to be a first round pick, with the possibility of sneaking into the lottery. May is the son of Hoosier legend Scott May. Sean attended Bloomington High School North before leading North Carolina to the national championship this year. \nThe NBA has taken many a "surefire" or "can't miss" prospect and exposed them for the frauds, charlatans and worse yet, overpaid NBA journeymen, that they are. Some notable high profile selections who didn't quite pan out, to say the least:\n1. Michael Olowakandi -- Taken No. 1 in 1998 by the Los Angeles Clippers. "Olo's" career has been a disappointment from nearly the moment he stepped on the court. As a Timberwolf last year, Olowakandi's most notable contribution to his team was getting suspended for his involvement in a bar fight in Indianapolis.\n2. Shawn Bradley -- Taken No. 2 by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1993. Bradley, a freakishly large center at 7'6", can be seen nightly on SportsCenter, being dunked on by an endless parade of far more gifted athletes. No joke, it seems like Bradley is on the receiving end of every Vince Carter 360, no matter who the Nets are playing. \nNaturally, there have of course been high profile players who have lived up to the hype. For example, here are some former #1 overall picks who have achieved the superstardom that was seemingly destined for them:\n1. Magic Johnson -- Taken by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. Perhaps the greatest point guard of all time.\n2. Shaquille O'Neal -- Taken by the Orlando Magic in 1992. "The Diesel" has been the most dominating force in the NBA since Wilt Chamberlain. \nSome players enter the draft without the ballyhoo or the accolades of a James or O'Neal. Here are some notable players who flew in under the radar and went on to become superstars after being draft day steals:\n1. Kobe Bryant -- Taken No. 13 by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Lakers in 1996. Kobe became the youngest player to ever play in the NBA, as well as one of the best all-time scorers. \n2. Manu Ginobili -- Taken No. 57 by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. Some names taken ahead of Ginobili in the '99 draft: everyone -- except Eddie Lucas, who was the last pick that year. \nSo as you can see, you never know what you're going to get in the NBA Draft, the proverbial Gumpian box of chocolates. But, the fun in the draft lies in the futility of speculation. So here goes with my top-five for the NBA Draft.\n1. Milwaukee -- Andrew Bogut, C, Utah\n2. Atlanta -- Marvin Williams, F, UNC\n3. Portland -- Chris Paul, G, Wake Forest\n4. New Orleans -- Deron Williams, G, Illinois\n5. Charlotte -- Gerald Green, G, High School\n57. Phoenix -- Bracey Wright, G, IU, the next Ginobili?