The Fan Voice: "2005 NBA Draft Redo - Part 1"

By Live or Die Magic | August 16th, 2007

I know it has only been two seasons since the 2005 NBA Draft, but it is already obvious to me that this draft would look much different top to bottom if it were held again, knowing what we know now about the players who were drafted. It isn’t that any one player has clearly placed himself above the others, but what I see is that this draft will be known for its high quantity of quality players, players that are likely destined to be described as solid, if not spectacular. First, let’s take a look at the actual first round order of the 2005 NBA Draft, showing draft position, player name, college, and NBA team that actually drafted them:

1. Andrew Bogut, Utah, Milwaukee

2. Marvin Williams, North Carolina, Atlanta

3. Deron Williams, Illinois, Utah

4. Chris Paul, Wake Forest, New Orleans

5. Raymond Felton, North Carolina, Charlotte

6. Martell Webster, Seattle Prep HS, Portland

7. Charlie Villanueva, Connecticut, Toronto

8. Channing Frye, Arizona, New York

9. Ike Diogu, Arizona State, Golden State

10. Andrew Bynum, St. Joseph (NJ) HS, L.A. Lakers

11. Fran Vazquez, Spain, Orlando (wait, are you kidding me? Orlando drafted that guy?)

12. Yaroslav Korolev, CSKA Moscow, L.A. Clippers

13. Sean May, North Carolina, Charlotte

14. Rashad McCants, North Carolina, Minnesota

15. Antoine Wright, Texas A&M, New Jersey

16. Joey Graham, Oklahoma State, Toronto

17. Danny Granger, New Mexico, Indiana

18. Gerald Green, Gulf Shores Acad (TX), Boston

19. Hakim Warrick, Syracuse, Memphis

20. Julius Hodge, North Carolina State, Denver

21. Nate Robinson, Washington, Phoenix

22. Jarrett Jack, Georgia Tech, Denver

23. Francisco Garcia, Louisville, Sacramento

24. Luther Head, Illinois, Houston

25. Johan Petro, France, Seattle

26. Jason Maxiell, Cincinnati, Detroit

27. Linas Kleiza, Missouri, Portland

28. Ian Mahinmi, STB Le Havre (France), San Antonio

29. Wayne Simien, Kansas, Miami

30. David Lee, Florida. New York

Just glancing through the list, I bet most people will immediately focus on the fact that Chris Paul, heir to the “best PG in the league” title was drafted 4th overall. Two years later, the Hawks still don’t know if they have figured out their point guard situation. The other thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is the fact that David Lee, Isiah Thomas’ untouchable piece, lasted all the way to the last pick of the first round.

While compiling my list, I tried to strike a balance between where I thought players should be drafted based on how they have performed the last two seasons and where they would be drafted based on team needs. I provide reasons for my decisions where it is warranted. Also, please note, I am only doing the first round, so my new list will include players that were 2nd rounders who have since played their way up into the first round. Therefore, some first rounders from the 2005 draft will have fallen out of the first round on my list. So without further delay, below is my order of selections if the 2005 draft were redone.

1. Chris Paul - Milwaukee Bucks
Sure, the Bucks just ponied up some big time money to secure Mo Williams at the point, but this doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have taken the best young point guard (arguably) in the game. Chris Paul may not be the fastest point guard or even the best shooter, but his ability to lead a team from the point guard spot will allow him to continue to be compared to top-notch points like Nash, Billups, and Kidd in the next few years. It may turn out that Chris Paul does not have the best pro career of the 2005 class, but at this moment, he takes the prize.

2. Deron Williams – Atlanta Hawks
It could turn out that the Hawks have finally addressed their need at the point guard spot by drafting Acie Law. However, they could be adding a potential perennial all-star in Deron Williams. Williams was solid if not spectacular in his rookie season with the Utah Jazz. He was very much overshadowed by Chris Paul, to the point that the Jazz were getting some of the same heat as the Hawks. But after an awesome sophomore season in which he lead the Jazz to the Western Conference Finals, Williams showed that the “Best PG from the Class of ’05” discussion will continue on for many years to come.

3. Andrew Bogut – Utah Jazz
Let’s face it, Andrew Bogut will be a solid, potentially great big man for the next decade. But if this draft were held now, there is just no way that he stays in the top spot. In fact, some people would likely drop him even lower. Bogut made solid improvements across the board in his 2nd year, only dropping slightly in FT percentage and blocks. In fact, blocking shots seems to be the one area he could really improve, considering he is a legit 7 foot center. The Jazz grab him and plop him right into the center position. With Bogut anchoring the middle, Carlos Boozer at the PF spot and Mehmet Okur comfortable at all three frontcourt positions, the Jazz would have one of the best frontlines in the league. But who would get them the ball?

4. Marvin Williams - New Orleans Hornets
It’s not that Marvin Williams’ vast potential doesn’t make him worthy of being the #2 pick in the draft, but he falls victim to the same logic for Bogut losing the top spot: those two point guards above him are just too good (which is why I am defying the “big before small” argument)! The Hornets might be tempted to still pick a point guard here (Raymond Felton), or even go bigger and snag Andrew Bynum, but my guess is they shoot for the still vast potential, overall athleticism and versatility of Marvin Williams.

5. Andrew Bynum – Charlotte Bobcats
Imagine a front line of Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, and Andrew Bynum. Charlotte is imagining it, and that is why they grab Bynum at #5 and are tickled pink about it. We still don’t know if Bynum is going to be Benoit Benjamin or a bigger, quicker Eddy Curry. But either way, a 19 year old 7-footer with his size and potential will not fall out of the top-5 this time.

6. Raymond Felton – Portland Trailblazers
The only reason Felton wasn’t the first point guard taken was that he had the misfortune of winning a NCAA Championship and leaving school early in the same year that two other top-flight point guards entered the draft. The Trailblazers would gladly grab Felton up and place him into their starting point guard spot and be set for the foreseeable future. Felton could certainly use a more reliable jumpshot, but his point guard instincts and his leadership more than warrant him only dropping one spot.

7. Charlie Villanueva – Toronto
Villanueva is the only player who keeps his draft spot. The Raptors draft him and then trade him to Milwaukee for Mo Williams. Hmmm…why does that sound familiar?

8. David Lee – New York Knicks
Ok, here is the first big gainer of the draft. Seriously folks, can you believe this guy lasted until the last pick of the first round? Lee is a classic “hustle” guy who gets you 10 points, 10 rebounds, shoots 60% from the field and 80% from the line, nearly a steal per game, and all of that in less than 30 minutes a game. What’s not to like? Who knows what he could he do if he got starter’s minutes. “Zeke” Thomas still gets his guy, but at the spot that actually makes sense.

9. Danny Granger – Golden State Warriors
Chris Mullin knows a little something about shooting. He will gladly grab up one of the best shooters in the draft. As a starter for most of last year for the Pacers, Granger shot 46% from the field, including 38% from the 3-point line, for nearly 14 points a game. As a senior in the 2005 draft, Granger was expected to go much sooner than the 17th pick. Going #9 is much more accurate and gives Don Nelson yet another versatile guard/forward to play with.

10. Channing Frye – LA Lakers
Channing Frye drops two spots in the draft, but not necessarily because he wasn’t worthy of the 8th pick. In limited minutes over two seasons with New York, Frye has demonstrated that he can do a little bit of everything in the front court, and do it with great efficiency. His points per game dipped last year from his rookie season, but that had more to do with the Knicks personnel than with Frye himself. Much like his former teammate Lee, he makes you wonder what he would be capable of if given 40 minutes a game. While he certainly won’t get that with the Lakers, he would still provide a great complement to Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm, and Vladimir Radmanovic in the Lakers front court.


Ok, that's it for today....what, you wanted to know who I thought the Magic would have taken at #11? Well, keep checking back for Part 2 to find out!


This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"

Nice Cliffhanger ;-)


With what is left, Sean May is likely the best candidate to start next to Dwight. But his durability still worries me, Ike Diogu is an interesting prospect.

LOL, we would probably still draft Fran. Our best bet would probably be Maxiell or maybe Sean May.

I think you pretty much nailed the top part of the lottery LOD. I would take Bynum over Bogut and David Lee would definitely get taken over Villaneuva but you're dead on other than that.

I think Williams has a chance of being better than Paul eventually. Still, at this point I take Paul and play it safe.

I hate you!

LOVE reading stuff like this. This is the kinda "What if" thread I could read all day.

LOVE the cliffhanger also. Way to get a reader to actually care about what you have to say.

Excellent job man. I'll be reading part 2.

BTW, I was hoping you would have had Granger falling to us somehow.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you have us picking Maxiell, Warrick, or Rashad McCants.

i dont get it...why was 2005 a bad draft for us???

Wait. What? I feel like you are leaving us out to dry like the last episode of the Sopranos!

Fade to black.

Knowing what we know now. Monta Ellis would have been the pick except he's better than some in the new top ten so he would not have been there.