by Derek Flack

Created on: July 01, 2007

The Western Conference in the NBA just got a lot stronger after the 2007 NBA draft. The Portland Trailblazers drafted Greg Oden with the first overall selection in the Draft.Then they traded away the cancerous power forward Zach Randolph to the New York Knicks for Steve Francis and Channing Frye. Frye will add depth to to Portland's front line, so will second round draft pick Josh McRoberts. Francis is the new problem with Portland, but he might be off the team soon if they decide to use the amnesty rule on him, which would be the best thing for them, to do.

The Seattle Supersonics also improved, even though they traded away their star player Ray Allen. They added the best player in the draft in Kevin Durant and also drafted do-it-all forward Jeff Green with the fifth pick from Boston. The problem now is how they play the rookies, who are both small forwards. They could try playing Durant at the two or play Green at the four if they are playing a smaller team.
The Phoenix Suns also improved through the Draft by picking up Alando Tucker at number 29. Tucker will add some defense to their bench and also some post scoring if things slow down and they have to use a half-court offense. There are a lot of trade rumors involving the Suns making a big trade, but it could hurt them by destroying the chemistry that they have established over the past couple seasons.
Another Western team that improved through the draft is the Utah Jazz. The Jazz drafted arguably the best shooter in the draft in Morris Almond. The Jazz were a surprise this year making it all the ways to the Western Conference finals where they defeated by the San Antonio Spurs. They have one of the top young point guards in the league in Deron Williams who was second int he league in assists last season. Williams is paired with bruising power forward Carlos Boozer who averaged a double-double last season; These two players should get Almond plenty of open shots in his rookie season.
Some Eastern Conference teams improved as well. The Boston Celtics vastly improved by trading a draft pick for All Star Ray Allen. Allen will be paired with Paul Pierce and now forms one of the top scoring duos in the League. The Celtics also have steadily improving big man Al Jefferson who is showing that he can be a force on the block, he just needs to develop some consistency in his game and he is a potential All Star in the making. With this dangerous threesome of scorers the Celtics should be able to shoot their way into the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference.
The Detroit Pistons also greatly improved in the draft. Their back court just got very deep after drafting scoring combo guard Rodney Stuckey and defensive stopper Aaron Afflalo. They also have a young player who has been growing on their bench for last two seasons in Amir Johnson; Look for him to have a breakout year next season as he can be a scorer off the bench for the Pistons. If Chancey Billups returns to the Pistons next season they will be the favorites in the East.
This is just a sample of what some of the teams in each conference did on the draft. Many Western teams improved their teams while some in the East (Pacers and Cavs) didn't have draft picks. Many teams will have the opportunity to improve their teams this off season via free agency and trades. It is shaping up to be an exciting summer with so many super star trade rumors swirling around the League, but who will step up and take advantage of this big off-season?

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