Picking a fantasy team is easy: Just search stat books for the player with the best numbers and scoop him up before somebody else grabs him.

Picking a franchise player? That's a little more difficult.

When determining who is and who isn't a cornerstone player, you have to look beyond the numbers. Would Jason Kidd improve a team more than, say, Andre Iguodala? In the short term, yes. But the 35-year-old Kidd might have only one or two quality years left, while Iguodala, 24, will be playing at an All-Star level well into the next decade.

And what about positions? Do you build around centers or point guards? Swingmen or power forwards?

Imagine if every player in the league were available and each team had a crack at drafting one, at his current age, in the order of the 2008 NBA draft (first-round picks that were traded have been returned to their original owner). Who would you take to start your team? Here is our first round.


1. Chicago Bulls: LeBron James, SF, 23 years old.
2. Miami Heat: Dwight Howard, C, 22.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kobe Bryant, SG, 29.
Does Bryant inspire or intimidate? Who cares as long he gets the job done, which Bryant does with staggering success.

4. Seattle SuperSonics: Chris Paul, PG, 23.
5. Memphis Grizzlies: Yao Ming, C, 27.
6. New York Knicks: Kevin Garnett, PF, 32.
7. Los Angeles Clippers: Amaré Stoudemire, F/C, 25.
8. Milwaukee Bucks: Dwyane Wade, SG, 26.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Chris Bosh, PF, 24.
10. New Jersey Nets: Tim Duncan, F/C, 32.
11. Indiana Pacers: Carmelo Anthony, SF, 24.
12. Sacramento Kings: Dirk Nowitzki, PF, 30.
13. Portland Trail Blazers: Gilbert Arenas, PG, 26.
14. Golden State Warriors: Greg Oden, C, 20.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Parker, PG, 26.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Deron Williams, PG, 23.
17. Toronto Raptors: Paul Pierce, SF, 30.

18. Washington Wizards: Andrew Bynum, C, 20.
Bynum was blossoming in '07-08 (13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds) before his knee injury, and there is no reason to think that he won't continue to grow in his fourth year. With more development, Bynum could challenge Howard and Yao as the league's top centers in a few years.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tracy McGrady, SG/SF, 29.
20. Denver Nuggets: David West, PF, 27.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Carlos Boozer, PF, 26.
22. Orlando Magic: Brandon Roy, SG, 23.
23. Utah Jazz: Manu Ginobili, SG, 30.
24. Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash, PG, 34.
25. Houston Rockets: Richard Hamilton, SG, 30.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Josh Smith, PF/SF, 22.

27. New Orleans Hornets: Pau Gasol, PF, 27. Gasol will never be a defensive stopper -- or even provide much resistance -- but his diverse offensive repertoire will keep him among the elite big men for the duration of his career.

28. Los Angeles Lakers: Kevin Durant, SF/SG, 19.
29. Detroit Pistons: Andre Iguodala, SF, 24.
30. Boston Celtics: Michael Redd, SG, 28.

how is greg oden above bynuM?

Why are old guys like Bryant, Duncan, Garnett, Pierce, Nash, Nowitzki even on this list? If I'm starting a franchise NOW, you have to go as young as possible.

Bynum should be in the Top 10, Gasol shouldn't be on the list, and Kobe should be in the twenties.

I agree COMPLETELY.

Who the hell wants to build their team AROUND Pau Gasol? We saw how that turned out in Memphis...

Top 10:

1. LeBron James
2. Dwight Howard
3. Chris Paul
4. Brandon Roy
5. Amare Stoudamire
6. Kevin Durant
7. Andre Iguodala
8. Rudy Gay
9. Deron Williams
10. Andrew Bynum

Of course that isn't right, who should be moved around, dropped, added?

i really don't think you can build a team around amare... or andre or rudy gay... i would replace those three by.. D-Wade, Monta Ellis, Al Jefferson

Hmm... that's a pretty good list in my estimation. I would just swap Williams and Roy, swap Bynum and Iguodala, and swap Durant and Amare. It's also really hard to leave Oden off of this list....

Greg Oden appears to be in his thirties, even late thirties. Somewhere he musta got a phony driver's license cos he ain't 22 no way, no how.

As for this mock draft, I would pick Bynum over Oden any day of the week. Not only is he fifteen years younger, but he has played in the NBA at the highest level for a half season.