Post by Jordan on Jul 11, 2012 10:37:18 GMT -5
1. Memphis Grizzlies - Isiah Thomas PG 6'1'' 180 19 B B- B- B D+ A
For the second straight season, the Grizzlies will finish with the worst record in the league. Fortunately for them, this season the team actually has its pick. Although this is only the first year that counts towards Insane’s CY, the team desperately needs Isiah Thomas. He is the only franchise player in this draft. The Grizzlies also have no players or real assets outside of 1sts the next two years to build with. In this draft, Thomas is the only player that can really right the ship and ensure that Memphis will once again return to the playoffs.
As for Thomas as a player, there is not much to be concerned about. Since he is already B- outside and likely to have big potential, he should develop a nice 3 point shot. The only other apparent hole in his game is rebounding. While this is not necessary from your PG, most GMs would like to see at least a C- grade there. At the moment, there are too many PGs providing plus rebounding so this will hurt him. Even with the poor rebounding, Thomas will be one of the elite offensive and defensive PGs in the league. He could very easily become one of the 5 most valuable players in the league.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Kevin McHale PF 6'10'' 210 22 B+ C+ C- C+ C+ A
Last season, the 76ers traded down to draft Bill Cartwright and Kurt Rambis. This trade received mixed reviews at the time, but it now looks like a very bad move. Neither Cartwright or Rambis is even slightly impressive. With these concerns, the 76ers should happily draft McHale with the second overall pick. I think he is the safest player to take behind Thomas, and will eventually be a very nice player. Should Cartwright and Rambis improve, the 76ers will have the makings of a nice inside focused team for the future. However, McHale is not a stats defender. In other words, unless McHale becomes an elite #1 option type of scorer, he won’t be the second most valuable player from this draft in a few seasons. Does this make him worth the risk or would the 76ers be better off taking an already great scorer like Kiki Vandeweghe?
3. Milwaukee Bucks - Rick Mahorn C 6'10'' 240 22 B- C- C- A- B- A
Aar has been shopping James Donaldson for the majority of the season. While he is probably doing this because he does not believe Donaldson will be a longterm solution, the big man draft class does not hurt either. He has to have his eye on at least one of the big men in this draft. At this point in time, I think it has to be Mahorn. At first glance, Mahorn looks like nothing special. Once you read the notes, he really stats to grow on you. Mahorn certainly has over 85 strength. He also likely has over 85 post D. I’m assuming he is well on his way to becoming an A+ defender at center. Also, Mahorn is not athletic. This has to make you think he is going to be a much better scorer than advertised. In my opinion, Mahorn will be similar to Caldwell Jones with the only difference being the amount of blocks he gets.
4. Atlanta Hawks - Kiki Vandeweghe SF 6'8'' 220 22 B+ B+ C- C C A
It does not seem that long ago when the Hawks drafted Pete Maravich. While Vandeweghe is not the exact mold of Maravich, both looked to be great scorers and poor defenders as rookies. Unlike Maravich, Vandeweghe will not have the stats defending that will make him attractive to all. Nevertheless, Jay took Maravich (and Moncrief) so I see him taking Vandeweghe. With this pick, the Hawks will pair two top 5 prospects and have one of the best scoring wing duos in recent memory. Moncrief and Vandeweghe will be a lot of fun to have. They may combine to score 60ppg someday. However, starting out a rebuild with two wings is never ideal.
5. Toronto Raptors - Joe Barry Carroll C 7'0'' 225 22 B+ C- D C+ C+ A
JBC is one of the biggest wildcards of this draft. He sounds very promising, but he was the player the Warriors received in what turned out to be an alltime terrible deal for them. This raises the question of whether or not Spence will give JBC high potential or make him a bust out of hate. Having said that, I think he is easily worth the fifth pick and may go higher. He should at least be a very nice scorer. However, if JBC is not given any potential, he looks to be a very worthless player. In all honesty, I wouldn’t blame a GM taking JBC with the second pick because I think Spence is going to give him the potential and be very very good.
6. Milwaukee Bucks (from Detroit Pistons) - Andrew Toney SG 6'3'' 178 22 B C+ B A D+ B
Since Aar has traded Donaldson, he may opt to take a big man here. It is difficult to predict what he will do because there is a big talent drop off. I think he will take Toney. Toney isn’t the best looking prospect, but he has great notes and is already an elite defender. If Toney had C rebounding, he could be the next Fred Carter. Since I see his scoring will come around, I believe Toney will eventually be a very similar player to Carter. No one can complain about that. Because Toney is already developed, Aar will not have a lot of trouble giving him +24 and making him that much better.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (from New Orleans Hornets) - Darrell Griffith SG 6'4'' 190 22 B B- C- C D A
Since both are weak rebounders, Griffith is not the ideal player to pair next to Thomas. Nevertheless, I think Griffith could be a steal here. Anytime a player’s notes say he has “nice upside”, he moves significantly up my board. I think that alone makes Griffith the #1 SG. I’m sure some GMs will argue with this pick or with Griffith being the best SG in the draft, but I think it makes particular sense for the Grizzlies. If they land Thomas, they may as well take a gamble on a player who could be great like Griffith instead of taking a role player like Toney.
8. Utah Jazz - Mike Woodson SG 6'5'' 195 22 B C+ C- B D+ A
I’m not going to bash Jah in this mock because he has done an above average job as of late. At this point, Woodson looks like a Jah player. He will likely shoot a high percentage and play good defense. Woodson should be a solid starter for a very long time.
9. Houston Rockets (from Oklahoma City Thunder) - Kurt Nimphius C 6'10'' 218 22 B- C- D+ B+ C+ B
One of the Rockets biggest problems is shot blocking. Nimphius is the second best shot blocker in the draft and has some other nice qualities (strength, post d, insde scoring). In my opinion, this makes him a lottery pick for sure. Despite the shot blocking need Nimphius would provide, the Rockets are probably better off moving this pick along with prospects to improve their team.
10. Los Angeles Clippers (from Houston Rockets) - Mike Gminski C 6'11'' 250 21 B C D B B B
The Clippers do not have an outstanding need at this point in time so taking the best player available is probably the best choice. Gminski looks like he will be a descent starter or good backup for a very long time. It never hurts to have too many big men. The Clippers could choose to take a wing in hopes of filling a need or drafting more of a boom or bust prospect in hopes of adding another impact player for their current time in contention.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers - Larry Drew PG 6'1'' 170 22 B C+ B B D+ B
The Cavaliers biggest need is PG and Drew is the best PG left on the board. I think a team could take him in the top 7 or 8, but he has fallen in this mock. Drew should come in and be the starter in Cleveland. With the right RC/AC attention, he should be an upper half of the league PG and have the Cavs back in the playoffs as soon as next season.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Jeff Ruland C 6'10'' 240 21 B C+ C+ C+ B A
Ruland is another player that could go higher. After the top 5, this draft is very open. The Bobcats need another big man if they want to make the playoffs next year and Ruland is probably the best player left to fill that hole. However, he is not going to put up stats defense so his longterm value must be questioned.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (from Dallas Mavericks) - Rory Sparrow PG 6'2'' 175 22 B- B B- B- C- B
Aar seems to like to gamble on PGs in the middle of round 1 (it may just be thinking he’s taken more than Macy here over the years). Sparrow looks like the best guy to draft at this point. He should at least be a nice scorer. With the AC attention Aar will give him, you have to think he end up as at least a starter. Spencer doesn’t make too many PGs with B- or better inside and outside...
For the second straight season, the Grizzlies will finish with the worst record in the league. Fortunately for them, this season the team actually has its pick. Although this is only the first year that counts towards Insane’s CY, the team desperately needs Isiah Thomas. He is the only franchise player in this draft. The Grizzlies also have no players or real assets outside of 1sts the next two years to build with. In this draft, Thomas is the only player that can really right the ship and ensure that Memphis will once again return to the playoffs.
As for Thomas as a player, there is not much to be concerned about. Since he is already B- outside and likely to have big potential, he should develop a nice 3 point shot. The only other apparent hole in his game is rebounding. While this is not necessary from your PG, most GMs would like to see at least a C- grade there. At the moment, there are too many PGs providing plus rebounding so this will hurt him. Even with the poor rebounding, Thomas will be one of the elite offensive and defensive PGs in the league. He could very easily become one of the 5 most valuable players in the league.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Kevin McHale PF 6'10'' 210 22 B+ C+ C- C+ C+ A
Last season, the 76ers traded down to draft Bill Cartwright and Kurt Rambis. This trade received mixed reviews at the time, but it now looks like a very bad move. Neither Cartwright or Rambis is even slightly impressive. With these concerns, the 76ers should happily draft McHale with the second overall pick. I think he is the safest player to take behind Thomas, and will eventually be a very nice player. Should Cartwright and Rambis improve, the 76ers will have the makings of a nice inside focused team for the future. However, McHale is not a stats defender. In other words, unless McHale becomes an elite #1 option type of scorer, he won’t be the second most valuable player from this draft in a few seasons. Does this make him worth the risk or would the 76ers be better off taking an already great scorer like Kiki Vandeweghe?
3. Milwaukee Bucks - Rick Mahorn C 6'10'' 240 22 B- C- C- A- B- A
Aar has been shopping James Donaldson for the majority of the season. While he is probably doing this because he does not believe Donaldson will be a longterm solution, the big man draft class does not hurt either. He has to have his eye on at least one of the big men in this draft. At this point in time, I think it has to be Mahorn. At first glance, Mahorn looks like nothing special. Once you read the notes, he really stats to grow on you. Mahorn certainly has over 85 strength. He also likely has over 85 post D. I’m assuming he is well on his way to becoming an A+ defender at center. Also, Mahorn is not athletic. This has to make you think he is going to be a much better scorer than advertised. In my opinion, Mahorn will be similar to Caldwell Jones with the only difference being the amount of blocks he gets.
4. Atlanta Hawks - Kiki Vandeweghe SF 6'8'' 220 22 B+ B+ C- C C A
It does not seem that long ago when the Hawks drafted Pete Maravich. While Vandeweghe is not the exact mold of Maravich, both looked to be great scorers and poor defenders as rookies. Unlike Maravich, Vandeweghe will not have the stats defending that will make him attractive to all. Nevertheless, Jay took Maravich (and Moncrief) so I see him taking Vandeweghe. With this pick, the Hawks will pair two top 5 prospects and have one of the best scoring wing duos in recent memory. Moncrief and Vandeweghe will be a lot of fun to have. They may combine to score 60ppg someday. However, starting out a rebuild with two wings is never ideal.
5. Toronto Raptors - Joe Barry Carroll C 7'0'' 225 22 B+ C- D C+ C+ A
JBC is one of the biggest wildcards of this draft. He sounds very promising, but he was the player the Warriors received in what turned out to be an alltime terrible deal for them. This raises the question of whether or not Spence will give JBC high potential or make him a bust out of hate. Having said that, I think he is easily worth the fifth pick and may go higher. He should at least be a very nice scorer. However, if JBC is not given any potential, he looks to be a very worthless player. In all honesty, I wouldn’t blame a GM taking JBC with the second pick because I think Spence is going to give him the potential and be very very good.
6. Milwaukee Bucks (from Detroit Pistons) - Andrew Toney SG 6'3'' 178 22 B C+ B A D+ B
Since Aar has traded Donaldson, he may opt to take a big man here. It is difficult to predict what he will do because there is a big talent drop off. I think he will take Toney. Toney isn’t the best looking prospect, but he has great notes and is already an elite defender. If Toney had C rebounding, he could be the next Fred Carter. Since I see his scoring will come around, I believe Toney will eventually be a very similar player to Carter. No one can complain about that. Because Toney is already developed, Aar will not have a lot of trouble giving him +24 and making him that much better.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (from New Orleans Hornets) - Darrell Griffith SG 6'4'' 190 22 B B- C- C D A
Since both are weak rebounders, Griffith is not the ideal player to pair next to Thomas. Nevertheless, I think Griffith could be a steal here. Anytime a player’s notes say he has “nice upside”, he moves significantly up my board. I think that alone makes Griffith the #1 SG. I’m sure some GMs will argue with this pick or with Griffith being the best SG in the draft, but I think it makes particular sense for the Grizzlies. If they land Thomas, they may as well take a gamble on a player who could be great like Griffith instead of taking a role player like Toney.
8. Utah Jazz - Mike Woodson SG 6'5'' 195 22 B C+ C- B D+ A
I’m not going to bash Jah in this mock because he has done an above average job as of late. At this point, Woodson looks like a Jah player. He will likely shoot a high percentage and play good defense. Woodson should be a solid starter for a very long time.
9. Houston Rockets (from Oklahoma City Thunder) - Kurt Nimphius C 6'10'' 218 22 B- C- D+ B+ C+ B
One of the Rockets biggest problems is shot blocking. Nimphius is the second best shot blocker in the draft and has some other nice qualities (strength, post d, insde scoring). In my opinion, this makes him a lottery pick for sure. Despite the shot blocking need Nimphius would provide, the Rockets are probably better off moving this pick along with prospects to improve their team.
10. Los Angeles Clippers (from Houston Rockets) - Mike Gminski C 6'11'' 250 21 B C D B B B
The Clippers do not have an outstanding need at this point in time so taking the best player available is probably the best choice. Gminski looks like he will be a descent starter or good backup for a very long time. It never hurts to have too many big men. The Clippers could choose to take a wing in hopes of filling a need or drafting more of a boom or bust prospect in hopes of adding another impact player for their current time in contention.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers - Larry Drew PG 6'1'' 170 22 B C+ B B D+ B
The Cavaliers biggest need is PG and Drew is the best PG left on the board. I think a team could take him in the top 7 or 8, but he has fallen in this mock. Drew should come in and be the starter in Cleveland. With the right RC/AC attention, he should be an upper half of the league PG and have the Cavs back in the playoffs as soon as next season.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Jeff Ruland C 6'10'' 240 21 B C+ C+ C+ B A
Ruland is another player that could go higher. After the top 5, this draft is very open. The Bobcats need another big man if they want to make the playoffs next year and Ruland is probably the best player left to fill that hole. However, he is not going to put up stats defense so his longterm value must be questioned.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (from Dallas Mavericks) - Rory Sparrow PG 6'2'' 175 22 B- B B- B- C- B
Aar seems to like to gamble on PGs in the middle of round 1 (it may just be thinking he’s taken more than Macy here over the years). Sparrow looks like the best guy to draft at this point. He should at least be a nice scorer. With the AC attention Aar will give him, you have to think he end up as at least a starter. Spencer doesn’t make too many PGs with B- or better inside and outside...
