1. Clippers- Blake Griffin- No brainer here, he's easily the best player in the draft and reminds me of a power forward version of Dwight Howard, only with low post moves and a face up game. Here's to hoping the Clippers don't end his career.
2. Grizzlies- James Harden- Memphis has a ton of options here and may look to trade this pick. Rubio seems to be the popular choice, but Rubio doesn't want to play in Memphis and the Grizzlies have their point guard of the future in OJ Mayo. Harden will compliment Mayo nicely off the ball and give Memphis one of the biggest (in height) back courts in the NBA. Again, a trade could happen here.
3. Thunder- Hasheem Thabeet- OKC needs a big man, and while Thabeet probably isn't the long term answer, he is the best big guy in the draft. I doubt Thabeet will ever be a low post presence and could struggle in the NBA because of his weight, so OKC could choose Rubio here as well. Nevertheless, OKC has Russell Westbrook who was one of the best rookies in the league last year and showed he could play point guard, Rubio is the most highly rated player here, but isn't the best fit.
4. Kings- Ricky Rubio- The Kings need a guard, Rubio wants to play here, it's a good match. Other options if Rubio is snagged early are: Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, and Brandon Jennings
5.Wizards- Tyreke Evans- Evans is a great fit for the Wizards, he has the ability to play on and off the ball, guard three positions, and he can create his own shot. There are questions about Evans' jump shot and playing next to a guy like Gilbert Arenas could make the Wizards think twice. Other options- James Harden (if he falls), Jordan Hill, and Stephen Curry
6. Timberwolves- Jrue Holid
ay- The Timberwolves need a lead guard and Jrue Holiday would fit nicely with the Timberwolves other guards. Johnny Flynn and Stephen Curry could also be taken here.7. Warriors- Johnny Flynn- Golden State lacks a true point guard, and of all the great point guards in this draft, Flynn seems to be the best "point guard." Brandon Jennings could go here if both Curry and Flynn are off the board.
8. Knicks- Stephen Curry- Neither of these two parties have been shy about wanting the other. Curry fits into the Knicks offensive system and had a good workout with the coaching staff. If Curry is gone, Jennings is the most likely choice.
9. Raptors- DeMar DeRozan- DeRozan has been compared to Laker guard Kobe Bryant and despite a disappointing freshman year at USC, he still finds himself in the lottery. Other options are Tyreke Evans (if he slips) and Jordan Hill
10. Bucks- Jordan Hill- The Bucks need a big man and Jordan Hill is a Scott Skiles, high energy kind of player. DeJuan Blair is also an option here.
11. Nets- Earl Clark- Clark is a great talent here and reminds me of a right handed Lamar Odom, also Clark is from Brooklyn where the Nets are moving in two seasons which adds to the intrigue here. DeJuan Blair is also an option here.
12. Bobcats- Gerald Henderson- The Bobcats are in need of a swing man, and the uber athlete/lockdown defender Gerald Henderson fits the bill here.
13. Pacers- Austin Daye- Daye is an immensely talented forward whose weight and "hunger" have been questioned. Still, Daye is too talented to pass up here and with TJ Ford holding down the fort, point guard isn't much of a need. Nevertheless, a slipping Brandon Jennings or Earl Clark could go here.
14. Suns- Brandon Jennings- Jennings fits perfectly with the Suns up tempo style of play and could learn a lot under Steve Nash for a year before he leaves in free agency. Jennings is the most talented point guard in this draft in my eyes, but losing playing time in Greece really hurt his stock. If Jennings is left on the board here, he's way too good to pass up.
15. Pistons- James Johnson- Johnson is extremely versatile and could compete for a starting job right away. If Austin Daye falls here, he is an option for Detroit along with DeJuan Blair and Earl Clark (if he slips)
16. Bulls- DeJuan Blair- Chicago still needs a low post scoring presence, and while Blair doesn't fit the bill, he's a great energy guy who will defend and rebound like no other. BJ Mullens could also go here.
17. Sixers- Ty Lawson- While Lawson isn't the best point guard left here, he fits their style of play the best and he could be their point guard of the future. Eric Maynor is also an option here.
18. Timberwolves- BJ Mullens- The Timberwolves need a big body who can allow their talented power forwards in Al Jefferson and Kevin Love to play their right position. Terrance Williams could also go here.
19. Hawks- Eric Maynor- Atlanta needs a point guard with Mike Bibby aging and possibly leaving, and Maynor fits the bill. Maynor is a great floor general who reminds me of Sam Cassell. Maynor is a sleeper pick in this draft and could turn into an all-star. BJ Mullens may drop here if Maynor is not avaliable.
20. Jazz- Tyler Hansbrough- Hansbrough is a blue collar, Jerry Sloan type of player who could come in and contribute off the bench immediately, especially since the Jazz will be losing either Carlos Boozer or Paul Millsap. Ty Lawson could go here if he falls this far.
21. Hornets- Terrance Williams- The Hornets need help at the two guard and Williams is a super athlete who will defend, score, and distribute. Williams is a streaky outside shooter though and playing with Chris Paul will constantly get you open looks, may lead the Hornets to draft Chase Budinger.
22. Mavs-Darren Collison- Jason Kidd is aging and Collison is a lanky, quick, strong guard who is a defensive ace, can hit open shots, and can create. If all goes well Collison could end up like a Tony Parker. He has a great midrange game, a creative handle, and was UCLA's go to guy for the past three seasons. Despite that, he has been overlooked. Chase Budinger could also go here.
23- Kings- Chase Budinger- Budinger is a great shooter and an even better athlete, whose game may translate better in the NBA. On talent, Budinger should have gone in the lottery, but questions about his "hunger" have allowed him to slip to the late first round. Sam Young is also an option here.
24- Trail Blazers- Jeff Teague- Portland could really use a point guard, and despite taking Jerryd Bayless last year who seems more like a two, the Trail Blazers will gamble on another combo guard. Teague was great during the early part of the season and really dominated the ACC at times. DaJuan Summers and Sam Young are options here.
25- Thunder- Sam Young- The Thunder have a nice young nucleus and adding a player like Sam Young who can come off the bench and score will make this team more dangerous. Young improved each year at Pitt and should continue to do so in the NBA. DaJuan Summers is an option here.
26- Bulls- Wayne Ellington- With Ben Gordon's future uncertain, the Bulls could use another two guard who can stretch the floor for Derrick Rose. Toney Douglass and DaJuan Summers are other options here.
27- Grizzlies- DaJuan Summers- The Grizzlies could use a three who can do a little of everything like Summers can. Summers seems out of it at times, but is a great athlete who should benefit by playing with OJ Mayo. Jeff Pendergraph could be a surprise pick here.
28- Timberwolves- Omar Cassapi- A 6-9 forward who could fill the role Ronnie Brewer has struggled to fill. Toney Douglass could also go here.
29- Lakers- Nick Calathes- Calathes is a big guard who will fit nicely in the triangle offense, and is playing overseas for a year, so his salary won't be on the books. Toney Douglass may also go here.
30- Cavs- Jeff Pendergraph- The Cavs need big men, and Pendergraph is a guy who can come in and give quality minutes every game. Varajaeo may be leaving and Pendergraph should be able to fill in his role quite nicely.
I dont see the pacers taking daye at 13, he disappointed in workouts and could fall all the way to the second round. gerald henderson at 12 is a huge stretch, t-wolves need bang not another career back-up. i also think the cavs will take a more athletic guy at 30, pendergraph is more of the same of what they have right now. they could use some offense from the 4/5 position, and pendergraph is a lame scorer. he barely produced on a team that had james harden, who teams keyed on every game.
ReplyDeleteHail to Pitt! -Noah
Daye is a 6-10 forward with guard skills who can play 3 positions, theres no way he falls into the second round. I think Henderson is a lock at 12, the Bobcats need a wing and he's the best available. Henderson is another versitle guard who can guard three positions and has the ability to get to the hoop, and due to his defensive prowness is a Larry Brown kind of player. Which Timberwolves pick are you reffering to? In the late first round of the NBA draft, career back ups are all that's left. In a deep draft class there are a max of 5 franchise players/all stars selected, in an average one there are 3, the rest are mainly back ups or fringe starters. I doubt Holiday is a career back up and Cassapi could be a nice role player off the bench. Again, late first round picks rarely produce big time players. There isn't a true athlete on the board here nor is there some one who could help LeBron score for the Cavs, Pendergraph is a big body who can bang, something they lacked through out the playoffs and since Anderson Varajao is a free agent, the Cavs need someone who can replace him, either this year or in the near future.
ReplyDeleteoh, i meant the cavs. maybe taj gibson would be a better fit? he's 6' 9'' and more athletic than pendergraph. I also think the bulls will opt for a guard at 16 with the potential of ben gordon leaving. maybe they should consider ellington there? i doubt he falls to 26.
ReplyDelete-Noah
Gibson is 24 and has little to no upside, he actually isn't a great athlete and because of that, and his size 6-9 is a bit undersized for 4 in the NBA. Gibson isn't a firs pick.
ReplyDeleteI am one of the few mock drafters who has Ellington in the first round, he doesnt do enough to be a mid first round pick, he can shoot and that's about it. The Bulls are reaching get him at 26, let alone in the teens
Kufere
*Gibson isnt a first round pick
ReplyDelete