NBA Draft Analysis: First Round Winners

Atlanta Hawks: Scoring post player? Check. Al Horford is a monster. Point guard? Check. Acie Law is perfect. There really was no way Billy Knight could have bungled this one. He hit a meatball out of the park. A core of Law, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford isn't bad at all. If this team can somehow acquire a center - even if he's just a shot blocker and rebounder - it could turn into something decent sooner rather than later. And no, Shelden Williams is not that man.

Golden State Warriors: If the proposed trade of Brandan Wright for Jason Richardson goes through, the Warriors just made a tremendous acquisition. With the 18th pick, the Warriors got arguably the best foreign player in the draft, scoring guard Marco Belinelli. He reminds me of Manu Ginobili. And Wright is a perfect fit for the up-tempo Warriors. He's the power forward they didn't have against Utah in the conference semis, when the Warriors were destroyed inside by Carlos Boozer. It'll be interesting to see what the Warriors do with Mickael Pietrus. But how's this potential lineup: Baron, Belinelli, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, and Wright? Or, the Warriors could go big with Wright at power forward and Andris Biedrins at center.

Washington Wizards: By now you know about my man crush on USC wing Nick Young. Between Gilbert Arenas, Young and Caron Butler, the Wiz won't be hurting for offense. This leads me to believe Antwan Jamison could be on the move for a power player.

Seattle Supersonics: I guess the big question is whether or not the Sonics awesome draft night will be enough to keep the team in the city. Sure, they parted with franchise player Ray Allen, but picking up Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West is quite a haul. If Seattle keeps Rashard Lewis ... wow. They could be looking at a playoff berth.

New Jersey Nets: Really like the Sean Williams pick. How's this frontline: Nenad Krstic, Williams and Richard Jefferson. When you factor in Jason Kidd and Vince Carter ... uh ... it's a contender in the East. Williams is a perfect fit for a team with many scoring options - he's the ultimate garbage man who blocks shots and rebounds.

Portland Trailblazers: Greg Oden. Because I had to.

See more: First Round Losers.