One last time - Mock v. 2,173.99
You have all read and seen at least 35 mock drafts over the past two weeks, including the recent interactive draft at ESPN. (I was forced to read it this morning, because the mighty ESPN.com website could not support the number of hits it was receiving).
After my last mock draft, I felt somewhat like a homer because I was justifying a trade that most people thought was a joke. I stand by the prediction, because I truly believe that Luis Scola could be an excellent NBA power forward that could come in and start for the Sixers by the first game of the season. They really need a solid big man, and after Horford and Noah, there just is nothing available to the Sixers where they are now.
Anyhow, I will put together one last mock draft and avoiding going into all the trades that will happen. Trust me, there will be many. I predict that Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, Indiana, Memphis, Phoenix, Minnesota and Golden State will all make deals to either pick up veterans or move up in the draft. I would not be surprised to see Monta Ellis, Jermaine O’Neal, Lamar Odom, Luke Ridnour, Theo Ratliff, Shawn Marion, Pau Gasol and several other players switching teams before the night is over.
Please note that I only prepared the first round, because I do have to get some work done today.
Without further ado, let’s take one last look at the draft:
1. Portland - Greg Oden. We’ve known this day was coming, and it was no shock last night when the story officially broke that Portland was taking Oden.
2. Seattle - Kevin Durant. Once again, we are not covering anything new here. Durant should put up at least 17 points per game next season.
3. Atlanta - Al Horford. I am convinced Horford is the best player after the first two stars. I believe that Horford’s game could resemble a young Larry Johnson’s. Don’t panic Atlanta fan (yes, I’m talking to the one Hawk fan alive), Johnson was a total monster his first few years in the league before his back gave out on him and he could not jump more than three inches. Horford even has a nice flex after dunking on someone, so he won’t have to add that to his NBA game.
4. Memphis - Mike Conley. He is the best point guard in the draft, he’s the fastest player in the draft, and he already knows how to play with a dominant big man in the post. Those are three things that Memphis desperately needs. Atkins is on his way out, and Mighty Mouse Stoudamire is best suited for a back-up role. Jerry West got stuck drafting fringe players with some upside that never panned out for two or three years until last season’s selection of Rudy Gay. Memphis needs a lot of help, and could possibly (read should) try to get in a deal where they can either move Gasol for more picks and young talent, or pick up a player already developing (read Monta Ellis and Patrick O’Bryant from Golden State, who desperately wants Yi). If the Grizz remain in this spot, a core of Conley-Lowry-Gay-Warrick-Gasol should be fast and athletic enough to entertain the 14 fans that show up to their games, and, who knows, maybe they will win some games next year.
5. Boston - Joakim Noah. Something has to happen here. Boston is flat out screwed up, and no legit superstar wants to play for that franchise. It is pathetic. People would rather play in New York, who has even less of a chance of becoming a winner in the near future. This once great franchise has been ruined, first by the moronic Chris Wallace (you can read my thoughts about Wallace here), and then by Ainge’s inconsistent plans and Doc Rivers hiring. It is just sad. Note: I originally had Corey Brewer here, but then I reconsidered. Brewer could be a tremendous defensive stopper, and could put in 14 a night over his career, but Boston desperately needs some interior presence on the defensive end. If they can get Wally healthy, he could split time with the Delonte West-Tony Allen-Gerald Green trio. I still think Green could be an All Star, he’s just two/three years away from dominating offensively. Allowing Green consistent minutes in a limited role could speed up his development. Noah can roam the paint to block shots, rebound on both ends, draw charges, and provide some heart to this team. Is it a little early for a better version of Anderson Varejao or Mikki Moore? Probably, but it is their best possible option.
6. Milwaukee - Corey Brewer. Bobby Simmons should start at small forward, but he has not been healthy since his fat contract signing. This team already has a lot of nice pieces, especially if they re-sign Mo Williams. You could be looking at a core roster that includes Mo Williams, Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons, Corey Brewer, Charlie Bell, Charlie Villenueva, and Andrew Bogut. That is a high scoring and exciting team to watch. The Bucks still need another big man who likes the rough stuff. Perhaps the mid-level exception will be enough to land a player like Anderson Varejao or Fabrico Oberto, who would be perfect for that role. If that happens, watch out for the Bucks who will finish just behind Cleveland in their division next season.
7. Minnesota - Jeff Green. If Kevin Garnett is in Minnesota next season (and right now I’m working under that assumption), the ‘Wolves must draft, repeat must draft, Jeff Green. He is the most NBA ready of any player available, and he fills a hole/need. Is he as good as Brewer? Only time will tell. If Minnesota moves Garnett for more picks, they will probably go with either Hawes or Yi. Either way, they lose.
8. Charlotte - Yi Jianlian. So what if Yi never worked out for them, and so what if I said I was not going to include trades. If Yi is available, he is getting drafted here. He just will not be playing for Charlotte. This is a trade waiting to happen. I promise.
9. Chicago - Spencer Hawes. He’s tall, he’s white, and he’s unathletic, which makes him perfect for the top-10. The only difference between Aaron Gray and Spencer Hawes is that it took four years for Gray to show that he doesn’t fit with the new style of the NBA. Hawes did it in half the time.
10. Sacramento - Brandan Wright. If Artest is around next year, he might actually kill Wright for showing no heart whatsoever. Brandan Wright is like a Tyrus Thomas who just does not care to work hard. In short, he might actually be Stromile Swift. Yay! Go Kings!
11. Atlanta - Acie Law. Atlanta will not be making this pick, Seattle will. Somehow, Seattle has convinced Billy Knight he needs Luke Ridnour for this pick. Yikes, then again, this is Billy Knight. Since Seattle has the selection, I don’t see why they would take someone other than Law. Earl Watson can split time with him, and a pairing of two All-American/All Big XII players who know each other well is brilliant. Imagine being down by four with two minutes left in a game, can you see yourself losing that game when you have the best shooter in the game (Ray Allen) and two young gunners who have cajones bigger than Sam Cassell? I sure don’t.
However, all signs indicate that Seattle will take Rodney Stuckey with this pick. I don’t agree with it, so I’m keeping Law in this spot. If Law does not get drafted here, he could fall all the way to number 20, which would be incredible. A backcourt of Law and Wade paired with Shaq is extremely frightening for every team in the East. With Law on the Heat, they are automatically the favorites to win the East next season, especially after their deal with Charlotte to move Jason Williams’s expiring contract to sign Gerald Wallace.
12. Philadelphia - Al Thornton. Perfect fit. He will be a first-team All Rookie selection. I am afraid he has already topped out for his career. He is a year older than LeBron James at this point.
13. New Orleans - Thaddeus Young. The Hornets should take a Young, but not this one. They should select Nick Young, but Thaddeus could be a pretty good scorer, especially when Peja misses 35 games this season.
14. Los Angeles - Julian Wright. Even Elgin Baylor cannot screw this up, right?
15. Detroit - Rodney Stuckey. The Pistons are taking him, so can we just skip their time on the clock and move on.
16. Washington - Sean Williams. He has so much talent, but is such a risk. The Wizards have been desperate for some help inside for years. Perhaps Williams can keep it together long enough to be a player in this league, or he could become the next Eddie Griffin.
17. New Jersey - Jason Smith. I have had him here from the beginning, and I’m not changing now.
18. Golden State - Javaris Crittenton. Somebody else will be drafting here, and whoever it is, they certainly need a point guard. Crittenton is also the best available player at this point.
19. Los Angeles - Rudy Fernandez. This pick probably will not belong to the Lakers either, but I don’t know who will pick here. Fernandez is certainly talented, but he could be stuck overseas for another year because of his contract.
20. Miami - Gabe Pruitt. They just missed out on Crittenton, then again, they could be trading up to get him. If not, Pruitt is the next best thing. His size and talents match up well with Wade at the shooting guard spot.
21. Philadelphia - Josh McRoberts. Billy King loves Duke players, and why shouldn’t he. After all, they always pan out. That was sarcasm, folks. Glen Davis is more talented than McRoberts and he is a much better rebounder, so, obviously, King takes McRoberts.
22. Charlotte - Derrick Byars. He could step in and help Adam Hermann replace Gerald Wallace, who is certainly gone this season.
23. New York - Wilson Chandler. Once again, Isiah takes a player he could have selected early in the second round. He’ll probably be pretty good, because Isiah’s best ability is evaluating young talent. But why would Isiah take him here, when he could trade down, pick up two second-rounders and get both Chandler and Taurean Green, two players he covets?
24. Phoenix - Dacqueen Cook. The Suns will try to move Diaw, and Cook is the perfect replacement for him. He has the talent and skill set to be a very good small forward. Heck, he even disappears at times, just like Diaw. It’s perfect.
25. Utah - Morris Almond. He shoots the ball extremely well. The Jazz desperately need that. He won’t help them with their defensive flaws, but the playoffs showed that Utah is at their best when they are pushing the pace. Adding another shooter who can play several spots is a great addition.
26. Houston - Nick Fazekas. Everything out there indicates that Fazekas is their guy. Once again, someone passes on Glen Davis for a power forward who is soft. Then again, Fazekas has shown an ability to rebound, and he is the best shooting big man in the draft. He probably fits in better with Adelman’s system than Davis does. As long as Chuck Hayes is still wearing the Team China colors, the Rockets probably won’t need Davis.
27. Detroit - Marco Bellineli - He will replace Carlos Delfino, right down to the inconsistent play.
28. San Antonio - Jared Dudley. If San Antonio selects Dudley here, I will be ecstatic. I absolutely love Dudley’s game, and he is the perfect fit for the San Antonio system. If they take Koponen here, I can only hope that Dudley falls into their laps at 33.
29. Phoenix - Glen Davis. Kurt Thomas will probably get moved, and so will Boris Diaw and Shawn Marion. Amare plays well at the center spot. Adding Davis is a pretty good move to play in the post. He won’t get up and down the court as well as Marion or Diaw, but at least the fast-paced game can help keep the pounds from adding up.
30. Philadelphia - Tiago Splitter. He is too enticing to let slide out of the first round. He’s been on the radar for several seasons, but may still be stuck in Europe for another year because of contract issues. If that is the case, maybe he will be ready to come over in time for the Sixers to try and move Dalembert.
Enjoy the festivities tonight everyone.
