Mocking the Sonics Picks, Vol. II
June 18, 2004
SUPERSONICS.COM has scoured the internet to find the latest mock drafts from various NBA experts. With less than a week left until the draft, more experts have the Sonics leaning towards a center, though there's a split as to which one that will be. BYU's Rafael Araujo, Puerto Rican Peter John Ramos and Russian giant Pavel Podkolzine are the most popular, with Chad Ford believing Andris Biedrins will drop to 12. The two two-round mocks still don't seem to know which picks the Sonics have.

Iguodala
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Tony Mejia, CBSSportsline.com (May 27)
12.
Andre Iguodala, G/F, Arizona
comment: The best player remaining on the board, this choice would intensify efforts to move either Ray Allen or Ronald Murray for a quality big man.
Chris Monter, CNNSI.com (Jun. 16)
12. Luke Jackson, SF, Oregon
comment: The Sonics took Oregon teammate Luke Ridnour last year and would grab Jackson, who is perhaps the top shooter in the draft. However, his strong workouts might move him up in the draft.

Araujo
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Dime Magazine (Jun. 4)
12. Rafael Araujo, C, BYU
comment: If the Sonics don't take a big man, they're insane. They've got enough perimeter shooters for two NBA teams, let alone one in Seattle. Araujo is very strong, and he reportedly pounded Colorado center David Harrison in private workouts. Is he good enough to be a lottery pick? Maybe not, but the Sonics need a mature center in the worst way.

Ramos
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DraftCity.com (Jun. 5)
12. Peter John Ramos, C, Puerto Rico
36.
Delonte West, PG, Temple
42.
Andre Emmett, SG, Texas Tech
comment: If he keeps playing the way he has so far this year in Puerto Rico, and also manages to impress teams in private workouts in June, [being a first-round pick] should definitely not be a problem … Emmett is one of those fantastic college players whose game does not translate very well to the pros.

Biedrins
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Chad Ford, ESPN Insider (Jun. 18)
12. Andris Biedrins
comment: Biedrins may be slipping a little bit. He could go as high as Washington at no. 5 or to the Raptors at no. 8, but it's tough to believe he'd slip past Seattle here. Biedrins is tall, athletic, plays tough defense and is more ready to play than most Euros. He's also better than any of the three centers in Seattle.
HoopsHype.com (Jun. 18)
12. Rafael Araujo, C, BYU
comment: The best center in college basketball behind Emeka Okafor. Doesn't have Okafor's athleticism, but plays with the same passion.
Steve Kyler Hoopsworld.com (Jun. 13)
12. Peter John Ramos, C, Puerto Rico

Podkolzine
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NBADraft.net (Jun. 16)
12. Pavel Podkolzine, C, Russia
36.
Jackie Butler, PF, Coastal Christian Academy
42.
Lionel Chalmers, PG, Xavier
Ray Glier, NBCSports.com (Jun. 18)
12. Josh Smith, SF, Oak Hill Academcy
comment: Forget need. The best player available is this 6-foot-8 jumper who needs seasoning, but will be an all-star in time.
Sean Deveney, Sporting News
12. Pavel Podkolzine, C, Russia
comment: Pituitary condition is his biggest obstacle.