Jeff: Top 25 Under 25 (11-20)

20. LaMarcus Aldridge, Sophomore, PF, Texas Longhorns, 6'10, 240lbs, 32.7 mpg, 16.1ppg, 9.2 reb, 2.0 blk,
He's probably the #1 pick in June, and looks to have a pretty solid skill set for a big guy. Still, he's the best low post player in college and he doesn't even average a double-double? Shouldn't 20 & 10 be a norm for this guy? This whole Longhorn team is extremely talented and yet they don't bring it every night, so I wonder if Aldridge is letting that affect him, or if it's the other way around. The only UT game I've seen all year was the 31 pt blood-letting Duke laid on them, and he had the most invisible 21 pts I've seen all year.

19. Channing Frye, C, New York Knicks, 6'11, 248lbs, 22 yrs, 5yrs/$14.4 million, 25.9mpg, 13.8 ppg, 5.9 reb, 0.7 blk, 19.76 PER
The numbers aren't gaudy, but he's played very well for an otherwise terrible Knicks team. I wasn't all that impressed with him at Arizona, but credit Isiah Thomas for getting a good one here. Now the challenge is not to let the other knuckleheads on the team ruin a good kid. Best of luck with that. Like Bogut he won't be a superstar, but will be a border-line all star guy in the mould of a Jamal Magloire, and there's about 23 other teams in the L who would love to have that.

18. Marvin Williams, F, Atlanta Hawks, 6'9, 230lbs, 19 yrs, 5yrs/$25.5 million, 22.4 mpg, 6.8 ppg, 4.5 reb, 10.75 PER
The rebuilding Hawks took Marvin as a potential pick, and he still has plenty of it. However, with how well Chris Paul is playing in Oklahoma/New Orleans/Timbuktoo and how glaring the team's need is for a point guard, this pick isn't looking so good for them. Williams does have a ton of raw talent, and could very well be one of the best players in this draft. But, would you rather have him be as good as Paul in 5 years, or have an all-star PG from day one? I thought so.

17. Joe Johnson, G/F, Atlanta Hawks, 6'7, 230lbs, 24 yrs, 5 yrs/$85 million, 39.9 mpg, 19.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 5.8 ast, 1.3 stl, 17.75 PER
If it weren't for that outrageous contract, he'd be higher on the list for me. With that said, he is leading his team in minutes played, scoring, assists, and steals. If it were any other team besides the Hawks, the worst in the league, that would sound even better, but at least Johnson is giving effort in a seemingly hopeless situation. At least Atlanta has a couple of pieces to build around.

16. Adam Morrison, Junior, SF, Gonzaga Bulldogs, 6'8, 210lbs, 20 yrs 36.7 mpg, 29 ppg, 5.9 reb, 1.1 stl
I think at worst he's a better pro than Wally Szczerbiak. Their measurables are about the same, they both make a dump truck look quick or agile, neither are great rebounders, and they both lack, um, shall we say desire and talent on the defensive end. Wally right now is a better 3pt shooter than Morrison, although it should be noted he only shot 39% his senior year at Miami(OH) and 43% for his career. Morrison has struggled to hit the three consistently in the past, but this year is a respectable 42%. Once you move inside the arc on offense, however, there's no comparison. Wally can't dribble, and therefore can't create his own shot, he has trouble attacking the rim, and hasn't been good hitting contested shots and drawing fouls inside. Morrison has taken nothing but contested shots this season, hitting on 52% from the field, and is leading the nation in free throw attempts (181) and makes (142) at 78.5%. Not only that, but his 29 ppg has come against much stronger competition than Szczerbiak's 24.2ppg his senior year. The biggest difference to me between the two is that Wally's a shooter- Morrison's a scorer, and I'd rather have the scorer any day. Again, AT WORST Morrison's better than Wally, who's currently averaging 19.9 a night with lesser skills. Morrison's ceiling is definitely not Larry Legend, but I think he could be a 20+ ppg scorer. Brace yourselves, but I'm going to do the unthinkable, and compare a white guy to an african-American player; I think Morrison COULD put up Glenn Big Dog Robinson-type of numbers.

15. TJ Ford, PG, Milwaukee Bucks, 6'0, 165lbs, 22 yrs, 3 yrs/$9.18 million, 36.8 mpg, 12.2 ppg, 4.5 reb, 6.4 ast, 11.51 PER
Listed at 6'0, but actually closer to 5'9, Ford still has a chance to be special. He might be the fastest and quickest player in the league whose initials aren't AI, his turnovers are down, and that 4.5 rpg (6th among PG's) is not a typo. Had a scary spinal injury that kept him out all of last year, but he seems to have rebounded well. Health at his slight stature, as well as a jumpshot, will always be questions, but the Bucks have themselves a real-deal true point for a long time.

14. Emeka Okafor, C, Charlotte Bobcats, 6'10, 255lbs, 23 yrs, 4yrs/$20.8 million, 33.7mpg, 13.2 ppg, 10 reb, 1.92 blk, 15.2 PER
Speaking of health issues, Okafor will be a solid player for many years, and will start getting some all-star recognition if two things happen: the Bobs start winning, and Okafor stays healthy. Neither are guaranteed. He had back trouble at UConn,which is always scary for an undersized center, and is back on the IR again this year with an ankle injury. A tough kid with good timing and a great attitude, and a very reasonable contract for a young center. If he can stay healthy, the Bobs have a good one.

13. Kirk Hinrich, PG, Chicago Bulls, 6'3, 190lbs, 24.9999999 yrs, 3yrs/$9.59 million, 36.2 mpg, 14.8 ppg, 3.5 reb, 6.5 ast, 15.12 PER
If a Bulls fan tells you "Hey I really like that Heiny" you don't have to punch him or worry he's just seen Brokeback Mountain. Hinrich is the ol' throwback type of point guard, with a great outside shot, and an almost 3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's decent defensively and you won't have to worry about seeing him on the police blotter.

12. Al Jefferson, PF, Boston Celtics, 6'10, 255lbs, 21 yrs, 4ys/$9.1 million, 18.9 mpg, 8.4 ppg, 5.3 reb, .87 blk, 17.06 PER
His "PER" average tells you the kid just needs a chance, and as the Sports Guy said, if GM Danny Ainge keeps clearing out overpriced vets, coach Doc Rivers will have no choice but to play the kid 35 mins a night. Wide body with good feet, soft hands, and understands how to use it all on the offensive end. Has franchise player potential, and the C's have him at a bargain basement price for another 4 years.

11. Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs, 6'2, 177lbs, 23 yrs, 6yrs/$66 million, 34.7mpg, 19.3 ppg, 3.8 reb, 5.7 ast, 1.17 stl, 21.78 PER
I'm the first to admit I hate the Spurs, and I've never been a big Parker guy. I think the fact he's dating Eva is the only reason he's this high for me. I know, I know he's won two titles, his numbers are outstanding, and he's only 23. Still I think he's a product of the Spurs system, and without Duncan he's an above-average PG at best. He's a woeful outside shooter, and I still don't understand why guys don't stand at the free throw line and let him chuck up bricks all day- OH yeah, they're too busy staring at his girlfriend to D up.