Kevin Pelton, SUPERSONICS.COM | June 23, 2005
"If you blinked, you might have missed it, but the power forward has become the NBA’s glamour position, and that shows no sign of changing any time soon."
"It's getting more and more difficult all the time to argue that any position but power forward is the marquee spot in the modern NBA."
Those comments are SUPERSONICS.COM's take on the power forward position before the 2003 and 2004 Drafts, respectively, and not much has changed since then. With Tim Duncan against the Wallaces in the NBA Finals, power forward play continues to be a key for winning teams. Two of this year's top three rookies, Charlotte's Emeka Okafor and Orlando's Dwight Howard, play the four. The only thing that might have changed is the notion of playing a traditional power forward in the middle may have gained currency with the success of Amaré Stoudemire in Phoenix. Depending on how you classify players, it's another strong crop of power forwards including the possible #1 overall pick in Marvin Williams (who also plays small forward). This isn't a top-heavy group, but at least seven power forwards should go in the first round and eight or nine would not be a stretch.
Sonics Outlook: The Sonics got their power forward of the future in the 2003 Draft, selecting Kansas' 
Nick Collison. After shoulder surgeries sidelined him in 2003-04, Collison erased any doubts that may have lingered as a rookie. Though he started only four games, Collison is expected to eventually become a regular starter. 
Danny Fortson, who played both power forward and center, is also under contract for next season. 
Vladimir Radmanovic, who gave the Sonics a different look with his outside shooting at power forward, and starter 
Reggie Evans are both restricted free agents. If the Sonics look to a power forward, it might be with an eye towards adding more post scoring.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-8, 230
College: North Carolina
The skinny: Bremerton's own, Williams passed on the NBA last year to spend one year at Carolina. All he did was average 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game as a freshman reserve, making several key plays during the NCAA Tournament as the Tar Heels won it all. The prospect of being the top pick in the draft was too much for Williams to pass on this time around. Whether Williams eventually ends up at small forward or power forward remains up in the air and might depend on where he's selected. Williams is on the small side for a four, but has enough talent to star at either position. Don't expect Williams to slip past the second pick if Milwaukee does pass on him.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-10, 240
From: Spain
The skinny: In all likelihood, Vazquez will be the first international player to have his name called next Tuesday. At 22, Vazquez isn't as raw as many European lottery picks, and he played a significant role for his Spanish club Unicaja in both ACB and Euroleague play (averaging 8.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in Euroleague). With long arms, Vazquez was an outstanding shot blocker in Europe. He doesn't project as a go-to player on the offensive side of the court, but hit 69.1% of his shots in Euroleague action. Expect Vazquez to go somewhere in the late lottery.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-8, 260
College: North Carolina
The skinny: The son of seven-year NBA vet Scott May, Sean came into his own as a junior. A 47.2% and 46.3% shooter, respectively, in his first two years at Carolina, May improved that to an outstanding 56.7% as a junior. May averaged a double-double (17.5 points, 10.7 rebounds), but really shined during the NCAA Tournament. He had four double-doubles in six games, 29 points and 12 boards against Wisconsin to send Carolina to the Final Four and 26 points and 10 boards in the title game (including 10-for-11 free-throw shooting). May's height is an NBA concern, but compare him to Fortson and the skills are nearly identical - atypically good hands for a big man, soft touch around the basket, the ability to make free throws, phenomenal rebounding (19.2 rebounds per 48 minutes). However, May is bigger than Fortson was in college, and weight could be a serious issue down the line. May is also unlikely to ever contribute much at the defensive end of the court.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-9, 215
College: Syracuse
The skinny: Warrick is probably more likely to play small forward at the NBA level, but … um … I forgot him when I did that list. One of the consensus best players in the country as a senior, Carmelo Anthony's former tag-team partner averaged 21.4 points per game and 8.6 rebounds and was Big East Player of the Year. An outstanding athlete, Warrick needs to figure out how he's going to score like that at the NBA level. He can post up small forwards and take power forwards off the dribble, but his perimeter shooting ability still needs to improve. Warrick shows more potential on defense, where he's a long, athletic player, though he played a lot of zone in college. Warrick will always be a great garbage player, but can he be something more?
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-8, 255
College: Arizona State
The skinny: Diogu dominated the relatively helpless Pac-10 for three years, averaging 22.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game as a junior, when he was the runner-up for conference Player of the Year (and might well have won had his team not been so bad). Diogu's biggest question mark has been his height, but he's measured in at a solid 6-8 with a wingspan of a bigger player. That shouldn’t be a big surprise; he led the Pac-10 with 2.3 blocks per game as a junior. Diogu was phenomenal at getting to the free-throw line and ranks second in Pac-10 history in free throws made and attempted. He compares favorably to 2003 lottery pick Mike Sweetney, but could be available later because of the depth at power forward. Some mocks do have him in the lottery.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-9, 255
College: Kansas
The skinny: Like Diogu, Simien saw his stock rise early in the draft process thanks to favorable measurements, but his stock seems to have cooled since then. Simien was phenomenal as a senior, averaging 20.3 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting 55.0% from the field. He was the Big 12's Player of the Year and a consensus First Team All-American. Simien isn't a great athlete, which hurts him at the defensive end of the floor, but he knows how to play the game and posted similar numbers to what Collison did at Kansas as a senior.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-10, 260
College: Pittsburgh
The skinny: Over the final 120 hours before the draft, Taft is one of the great mysteries. On athletic talent, he's a sure lottery pick - he was considered a possible top pick overall before the season. On performance, however, Taft grades out below several other power forwards. Taft's 13.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game were a disappointment in his sophomore season given the hype around him, though there are some positives to be taken from his NCAA performance. He shot 58.0% from the field to lead the Big East and blocked 110 shots during his two seasons at Pitt. Some team will look to turn Taft into a star; the question is where will they take him.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-9, 230
College: Florida
The skinny: A fine athlete who won the McDonald's High School All-American Slam Dunk Contest, Lee had a fine four years for the Gators, though he was more role player than star. Lee's 13.6 points per game as a senior were the highest mark of his career, but he shot 58.1% from the field at Florida and was a solid rebounder, averaging a double-double in SEC play as a senior. Arguably the most prominent player at the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp, Lee averaged 13.3 points and 4.7 rebounds and shot a crazy 73.7% from the field to solidify his draft position at the end of the first round or top of the second.
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-11, 235
High School: South Kent Prep
The skinny: An intriguing prep prospect, Blatche is not your garden-variety big man out of high school. Some reports have suggested he went away from the post in order to demonstrate his versatility to scouts, and he has the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter and stretch defenses. Blatche didn't play organized basketball until high school, but he's obviously caught on quickly. He starred in the Jordan Classic, leading all players in points (26) and rebounds (16).
NBA.com profile
The measurements: 6-9, 240
College: Gonzaga
The skinny: Northwest fans are plenty familiar with Turiaf, who spent four years at Gonzaga. An athletic player who improved his knowledge of the game during his college career, Turiaf averaged 15+ points each of his last three seasons and added 9.5 rpg as a senior when he was named WCC Player of the Year. Still, one wonders if Turiaf shouldn't perhaps have dominated more, given his athletic tools. He was underwhelming in Chicago, averaging 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds.
| OTHER POWER FORWARD PROSPECTS |
Brandon Bass, LSU - 2004-05 SEC Player of the Year as a sophomore; averaged 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds and shot 56.7% from the field.
Angelo Gili, Italy - Averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg in Italian A League; considered possible late-first-round pick.
Linas Kleiza, Missouri - Lithuanian averaged 16.1 points and 7.6 rebounds as sophomore for Tigers, but must improve shooting accuracy - hit just 41.3% of shots in college.
Jason Maxiell, Cincinnati - Undersized (measured 6-6 1/4 in Chicago), but has impressed in Pre-Draft Camps with tenaciousness; led Conference USA with 2.8 bpg.
Lawrence Roberts, Mississippi State - SEC Player of the Year as junior; averaged at least 15 points all four years and led SEC in rebounding (11.0 rpg) as senior.
