If you were to read most mock drafts on the Internet, you?d see Andrew Bogut, Marvin Williams, Chris Paul, Gerald Green and Deron Williams (in no particular order) slotted in the top-5. Four of the five players are college underclassmen and Green is the sole high school entry. All of the five have showcased skills unique from one another; however all of them have their potential flaws that can prevent them from excelling at the next level.

The unique element of this year?s draft is that all five of these men are individually talented at what they are able to achieve. If I had to compare this draft to any previous drafts, it would be a less talented version of the 1999 draft.

Bogut would be compared to Elton Brand, an established big man with improving skills, however Bogut is a more legitimate center prospect, whereas Brand was a power forward.

Paul would be compared to Steve Francis as a player who is considered to be undersized for their position (keep in mind that Francis played at the shooting guard spot for much of his college career) and both excelled in college, but have question marks at the next level.

Deron Williams would be compared to Baron Davis, a bigger bodied point guard with question marks about their shooting and quickness.

Marvin Williams could be compared to Lamar Odom, a 19 year old prospect who played a year of college basketball but do not have the experience to cement their effectiveness at the next level, both of whom tinkered with entering the draft out of high school.

Finally, Green could be compared to Jonathan Bender, both of whom are the top high school players from a weak high school class and also likely to be the only high school players selected in the lottery in their respective entry years.

While I will in no way claim that any of these players will achieve similar, more or less success of those I have compared them to, their situations remain similar.

Looking at mock drafts from 1999, it seems that many lean towards Odom at the second slot, Francis at the third slot, Davis at the fourth and Bender anywhere from fifth to tenth. Odom?s stock dropped in the nights leading up to the draft due to questions about his past, something that will not happen with Marvin Williams.

The same could happen in workouts leading up to the draft, but I doubt that the top five will change on draft night.

GM's have to look at the red flags on each of these individual players. Bogut will be the first white player drafted since draft bust Kent Benson was drafted in 1977. I feel that Bogut should be the consensus first overall pick due to his unique skill-set, basketball intelligence and team attitude. Additionally, Bogut has been improving steadily and stealthily, adding more elements to his game on what seems to be a monthly basis. Bogut is the obvious first overall choice in my eyes.

Paul, who is probably the second most skilled player in the draft is only 5?11? in height (although he is listed at 6?0? on many websites) and the last time a player listed under 6 feet in height was draft in the top-5 was almost 50 years ago when the Philadelphia Warriors selected Hal Lear with the fifth selection in 1956 (Iverson was listed at 6?0?). If that?s not a red flag, I don?t know what is. As a Demon Deacon, Paul showed that he was a great floor general and was not afraid to carry a team on his shoulders. Paul is just the player that a team like the Charlotte Bobcats could use.

Deron Williams helped lead Illinois to the NCAA Finals with his smart decision-making and team mentality, however he was surrounded by great college players like Dee Brown and Luther Head. Williams can hit open jumpers, but has trouble creating shots for himself. Without great quickness and a poor shooting percentage, Williams may not be as good as advertised. Despite his shortcomings, Williams is a serious competitor and will give his all when he is on the court. He will be able to help certain teams depending on their situation and if he is surrounded by talented personnel.

Marvin Williams can do it all, pass, shoot, rebound, run the floor and get the most out of his teammates. But like Deron Williams, Marvin was on a stacked NCAA Championship team, playing around guys like Raymond Felton, Sean May, Rashad McCants and Jawad Williams. Marvin contributed to his team, but unlike Carmelo Anthony, he was far from his team?s leader, in fact, he wasn?t even a starter on his team. Williams likely has the most potential in the top-five and considering he is younger than Green, a high schooler, he has time to continue to improve his game.

Green has shown that he has good shooting abilities and be an explosive player on the court. Unfortunately, Green is the top high school player in one of the weakest classes in years and since it is likely that the CBA will prohibit high school players to enter the draft in future years, many members of his class will likely enter the draft without the true skills to succeed in the NBA. Green will really have to impress scouts for any of them to be sold on him as a top pick and future NBA star. His high school statistics aren?t necessarily glowing either, but since LeBron James and Dwight Howard?s successes, picking high schoolers is likely a fashionable NBA trend.

Regardless of which team lands these players, each one of them is getting an individual talent and know the type of player that they are getting. It will be up to the players themselves to meet the expectations that teams will have of them to fill for their respective teams. The top of this draft is very talented and I?m certain that no GM will have regrets picking any of these players.