Jeff Green over Corey Brewer- The '07 NBA Draft

Despite all the noisy analysis ,the draft's major surprise has gone unmentioned. Seattle trades Ray Allen, no problem there, for the #5 pick, even better, and directs Boston, lost in the woods and eating wild berries, to select Jeff Green. Not Yi. Not Brandan Wright, or Jo' Noah. Jeff Green. The same Jeff Green that plays the exact position as Corey Brewer.

Brewer, the MVP of the '07 tournament and a lock to have been lottery pick last year if he had come out, got obscured by the workout wonder hypnosis that happens at least once every year, in every draft, in every sport. Green was a little taller, and had a lot more to prove. Brewer traveled with the other four Florida draftees. He'd already had his showcase. But somehow the Sonics had missed it.

Green has been riding a wave of nostalgia for the "Georgetown player": a hard nosed, ready for the pros, defender that can score. He also benefits from the Jordan and Pippen team model. Ultimately both roles are overstated for Green's game. He's slow for his position; laking the explosiveness of a Pippen, or a Marion for that matter, and never displaying the ferocity ofa lock down defender. He's really an undersized power forward (listed at 6'10") who will be asked to play the three.

Brewer's physique seems designed for the modern small forward position. He's a long 6'8" and quicker than most 2 guards he'll face much less the small forwards he'll be defending. Most importantly,although both players were singled out for MVPs this last season, Brewer was more suited to take a backseat to Kevin Durant. As member of Florida's two National Championship teams Brewer reguarlly submerged his ego for the good of the team. Green has spent the last two years being "The Man" at Georgetown. He has yet to prove his value as a complementary player. And that's what this trade was about.: a Robin for Batman.

Every year someone outsmarts themselves. It's ironic that this years main culprit was trumpeted as the only team with a no-brainer: either Oden or Durant at the second pick. Green has a chance, but with Brewer the Sonics missed a sure thing.