Points of emphasis: a critical shortage of pass-first guards is why Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Raymond Felton didn't last long on draft night

Breaking down ...

Deron Williams, 6-3/205, Jazz

College: Started all three of his years at Illinois. Was second-team All-American as a junior, when he helped lead the Illini to the national title game.

Scout's view: "People questioned his athleticism, but that is because he never flaunts his athleticism. He plays under control, but when he needs that extra burst to dunk or make a steal on defense, he has it. He is intelligent, and he can shoot, he can pass and he has the size to go down and play in the post. He is the most conservative of the three."

Chris Paul, 6-0/175, Hornets

College: Started both of his years at Wake Forest. Made first-team All-American as a sophomore, when he led the Demon Deacons to a 27-6 record.

Scout's view: "Very competitive but no ego. He wants to get the ball to the best situation every time. If something works, he is going to it over and over, until you stop it. But he can score himself. He's the best ballhandler of the three, too. You will never get him to pick up his dribble before he wants to."

Raymond Felton, 6-1/198, Bobcats

College: Started all three of his years at North Carolina. Helped guide the Tar Heels to the 2005 national championship and was named to the all-tournament team.

Scout's view: "He is already one of the quickest players in the league. He can be a little wild, but sometimes you need that. If it's a situation where your play call did not work and you have 5 or 6 seconds on the shot clock, he's the guy you want with the ball. He can create a shot with ease. And you have to respect how much he improved his outside shot this year."

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