The draft and the disease

From Chad Ford's insight into potential #1 draft picks:
"There are two concerns that keep him [Adam Morrison] from being the runaway favorite for the No. 1 pick.
First, he's average at best athletically. While it doesn't seem to bother him too much on offense (though it might at the next level), he doesn't get it done on the defensive end in college -- so you can imagine the problems he's likely to have in the pros.
Second, he has diabetes. While he seems to have it under control right now, how will the rigors of an NBA season affect him? Right now, there isn't a good answer. "

We all know Adam Morrison gets bum-rushed on the defensive end. He'll handle McGrady, Pierce, or Josh Howard like FEMA on a hurricane. He could very well be the Shawn Bradley of small forwards: the guy who winds up on the most NBA posters for the wrong reasons.

But did you know about the diabetes thing? I didn't. Apparently, I'm just out of the loop. Andy Katz presciently refuted Ford's claims a few weeks ago, explaining how Morrison expects to cope with the disease at the next level. In the article, Morrison himself points out that he played a remarkably demanding Maui Invitational and suffered no ill effects from 120+ minutes in 3 days. He also has "an army" of nutritionists and helpers, as well as a rigid eating/sleeping schedule he follows religiously.

I can't stand slow NBA players on the wing, so you won't see me clamoring for the Rockets or anyone else to jump on the Morrison bandwagon in the top 10 of the draft. But it seems odd to me that Ford would select the diabetes issue as Morrison's yellowest caution flag. While I only play a sports doctor on the web, it's my opinion that if a team is somehow willing to pay max dollars for Eddy Curry's uninsurably explosive ticker, Adam Morrison's diabetes won't knock him off too many lists. Of course, as much as I love Ford's writing, he's the guy who clamored for Darko over LeBron/Anthony/Bosh/Wade/Ford (even Kaman would've been better) and Marvin Williams over Chris Paul, so maybe it's best he's teaching law in Hawaii these days.

Incidentally, the Rockets are probably beginning to think about the lottery these days, so texasnba.com is proud to present its initial top 10 draft prospects. Unfortunately, because the age limit kicks in this year, the 2006 class will be the weakest group in years, and please note that our rankings are based on our talent evaluations, not where they'll be drafted.

Without further delay, your shallow crop of elite prospects:
1) LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, Texas
I love his size, touch, board work, and weakside help defense. There's nothing Chris Bosh did in school that Aldridge isn't doing as well or better. His underrated range already extends to 18 feet and he can get his post-up fadeaway off against anyone under 8 feet tall. He's a bit passive at times, but so was Bosh.
2) Rajon Rondo, PG, Kentucky
If you like Devin Harris, you'll love Rajan Rondo. Those who are letting Kentucky's 05-06 collapse affect their opinion of Rondo are far too shortsighted. Expect him to be a playmaking defender you won't be able to keep off the court by midway through his rookie year.
3) Julian Wright, PF, Kansas
ESPN alluded to Wright as a Garnett-type. I see more of a lean Amare Stoudamire, a long kid who never runs out of energy on either end. He's got good basketball smarts, too, having played PG in high school by necessity for a while. Talent + brains = success.
4) Al Horford, PF, Florida
Sometimes the NBA out-thinks itself. This kid loves to work down low and plays just like Zach Randolph coming out of school. Unlike Randolph, he's not rotund and there's a decent chance he won't break teammates' faces. Whoever lands this future post force in the mid-teens of the draft will score quite a steal.
5) Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
Most boards have him in the late first right now, but the frosh is shooting 50% from the floor... and 50% from downtown. He gets his shot with ease, kills the boards for a guard, and has NBA size. Anyone who claims his upside is limited must've been one of the guys who let Paul Pierce slide to #10 in 1998.
6) Rodney Carney, SF, Memphis
I wish he would rebound better -- his average has fallen each of the last 3 years. Of course, his shooting percentage has climbed almost 10% over that time. Great scorer with outstanding athleticism. Could come in and average 10+ppg right away with plenty of room to grow.
7) Shelden Williams, PF, Duke
Baby Fish Mouth can bang. The ultimate dirty-work enforcer. As an aside, when doing an image search for "Shelden Williams," a picture of Admiral Ackbar came up on the first page. I sh*t thee not.
8) Curtis Stinson, PG, Iowa State
The only knock on this strong, aggressive playmaker is his jump shot. Well, I'll take a guy with an eye for the passing lanes who can already post up most NBA PGs. Has shutdown defensive potential.
9) Ronnie Brewer, SG, Arkansas
Like Stinson, it's a question of the jump shot. When you play SG, that's a bigger concern, though, isn't it? Still, it's hard to ignore his great hands and slashing skills. He can play spot point duty like Marquis Daniels, too, which doesn't hurt. [awkward pause] I said it was a shallow class, didn't I?
10) Some International Player I Haven't Seen
Not much I can do about that.

Notable exclusions:
Adam Morrison, SF, Gonzaga
I like to think you've read everything to this point.
Rudy Gay, SF, UConn
No heart. No guts. No leadership. Nobody gets less out of more. I'll pass.