Post by Jordan on Jun 27, 2012 23:32:37 GMT -5
1. Orlando Magic (from Memphis Grizziles) - Bill Laimbeer C 6'11'' 245 22 B B+ D+ B B+ A
The Magic got a huge break with the Grizzlies pick this year. They also were quite lucky to have the consensus #1 pick come at a position of need. There will be concerns over Laimbeer’s development as an outside shooting big man. However, his notes should ease any concerns over him busting. Laimbeer is also a great fit for the outside focus team the Magic appears to be building. With Mike Glenn already in place, the Magic need a second scorer. Laimbeer may not end up being a #2 option, but he will provide a lot in other areas of his game. Since the Magic already have the leading scorer, they should be able to manage with lesser scorers like Laimbeer as their #2 and #3. Despite all of these positives and the notes indicating he should be #1, I think Laimbeer can be passed on with the first pick. He is not going to be an elite player, which is something you should target at #1. Any other prospect will be a gamble, but it may be worth the risk in this draft.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - James Donaldson C 7'2'' 275 22 B C- D- B- B- A
I’m sure a lot of GMs will find this as a big reach, but I like Donaldson a lot. I particularly like this pick for the 76ers. Since the 76ers need to rebuild over 3 seasons, adding a raw player like Donaldson is ideal. Also, Donaldson has the potential to give this team an identity. He should be a good center for a long time whereas a player like Eaton will be very good at what he provides but has no chance at being an elite player. Drafting a player is going to predominately provide defense, rebounding, and shot blocking is not a luxury the Wizards have. Also, drafting a wing with the second pick who won’t be a #1 option is not advised as well.
3. Washington Wizards - Mark Eaton C 7'4'' 275 22 C+ C- D+ A- B B
I think there are plenty of players you can take over Eaton if you like them, but I don’t see him sliding out of the top three. This can mostly be attributed to the amount of sketchy looking prospects that are likely to make up most of the lotto. Adding Eaton to one of the leagues already 5 leading shot blockers will also make Washington a team no one wants to face in the playoffs for a long time.
4. Phoenix Suns - Sidney Moncrief SG 6'3'' 185 22 B B B A- C+ B
Moncrief falling to the fourth pick is probably unrealistic, but I’m not as high on him as most GMs are. He is a great fit for the Suns though. Moncrief and Bird will be scary for a long time. It would probably be the top 1-2 scoring punch in the league. Should the Suns draft Moncrief and if Sikma has a good TC, the Suns will be one of the best teams in the West next season. Outlawz has done a great job in this rebuild (he has had his fair share of luck along the way as well). I’m sure most people will think I’m crazy for having Moncrief this low, but I have a feeling his is going to turn it over entirely too much.
5. Toronto Raptors - Cliff Robinson PF 6'9'' 220 19 B C+ C- C+ C+ A
DJ’s roster seems to lack a direction at this point. I’m sure he will never get what he wants for Austin Carr so he will be stuck there for the foreseeable future. Robert Hawkins appears to be a good player to pair with Carr, but they are no where near good enough to compete come playoff time. With these two outside shooters, last year’s third pick, Mike Mitchell, does not have a place on this team . As a result, DJ needs to make a move. He is probably better off moving Hawkins and looking into running an inside or balanced focus. With all of this considered, Robinson makes the most sense. He is also the most likely player on the board who could become an elite talent. This could cause Robinson to warrant a top 3 pick, but I doubt it. Adding Robinson to Mitchell would have DJ on a similar track to the roster he won a championship with a few seasons ago.
6. Dallas Mavericks - Clint Richardson SG 6'3'' 195 23 B- B B- A- C B
Since this is his CY, Greg will likely hae to move this pick. Whoever moves into the 6 spot, probably will not trade here for Clint Richardson. If the Mavs keep the 6, Richardson should be the pick. He sounds to be ready to start from day 1 and will be an instant upgrade over what the Mavs already have at SG. With several teams looking to compete in the west this season, Greg may have trouble.
7. Detroit Pistons - Sly Williams SF 6'7'' 210 21 B+ C C A- C+ B
This is another instance of where I’m assuming I see things differently than most in this draft. I doubt many GMs would take Sly Williams over Calvin Natt, but I would. Williams sounds like the better player now and like a better player down the line. He will be a stats defender and better rebounder. At this time, those are two things I think that have a lot more value than the positive Natt will provide. Also, with RCs and ACs, Williams should be just as good of a scorer as Natt as well.
8. Charlotte Bobcats (from Los Angeles Lakers) - Cheese Johnson SF 6'6'' 195 22 B- C C- B- C A
Someone between 6 and 10 is going to gamble on Cheese. I think it makes the most sense for the Bobcats to. The Bobcats can begin rebuilding next year and have the luxury of taking a gamble on a player like Cheese this season. He may turn out to be a nice player down the road or he may bust. Regardless, he will not help the Bobcats win next year. This is ideal for a team going into a rebuild. Since Cheese is already a very good at steals, I think you can assume he will be capable of contributing in some capacity down the line. It never hurts to have stat defenders.
9. Orlando Magic - Calvin Natt SF 6'6'' 220 22 B+ C C B C A
I’m sure Natt won’t fall to pick 9, but he does in this mock. I honestly just don’t like him all that much as a prospect. Based off what he has said in the draft forums, I’m not sure if Repole would even take Natt at 9. He does not fit the direction the Magic are taking and will be prone to turning the ball over as well as stealing shots from Glenn. Having said this, Repole will probably trade the 9 and 10 to add a veteran to compete next year. Natt being available will only help the value of these picks.
10. Orlando Magic (from Oklahoma City Thunder) - Charles Jones PF 6'9'' 215 22 C+ C- D+ A- C+ B
Repole wants stat defenders and Charles Jones is probably the best one left. Even though Jones may not appear as a top 10 propsect, the fact that he will be a very good defender and shot blocker ensures he will have longterm value. It is always safe to take players in this mold if they are available after the top 10.
11. Houston Rockets - Johnny Moore PG 6'1'' 175 21 B- C+ B B+ C B
The Rockets really need a PG. King and Johnson appear to be two of the best young scorers in the league, but the team lacks a third option and legit PG. Moore may not be the type of PG the Rockets need to be a contender, but he should be an upgrade over Al Skinner or Charles Johnson. Since the Rockets will be competing next season, this is another pick that may be on the move.
12. Chicago Bulls (from Miami Heat) - Kurt Rambis PF 6'8'' 213 21 B C- C- B+ B
With the trade of Elvin Hayes, the Bulls need to add another big man. I don’t think Play will want to take one of the remaining center prospects because of their lack of rebounding. As a result, Rambis is the natural choice. He may not be a star, but he will be a very solid player that will see significant minutes for a very long time.
13. Denver Nuggets (from Indiana Pacers) -Larry Smith C 6'8'' 215 21 B D+ D+ B+ A B
Greeme’s frontcourt is getting very old. He needs to begin the transition into retooling or even rebuilding. Due to his lack of shot blocking, Smith is not an ideal big man. However, he seems to be very good in every other aspect of his game. Despite this, players like Larry Smith do not have value on the trade market so whoever drafts him better be ready to have him for the long haul. Greeme is one of the GMs who will have no problem keeping a player who produces wins instead of stats.
The Magic got a huge break with the Grizzlies pick this year. They also were quite lucky to have the consensus #1 pick come at a position of need. There will be concerns over Laimbeer’s development as an outside shooting big man. However, his notes should ease any concerns over him busting. Laimbeer is also a great fit for the outside focus team the Magic appears to be building. With Mike Glenn already in place, the Magic need a second scorer. Laimbeer may not end up being a #2 option, but he will provide a lot in other areas of his game. Since the Magic already have the leading scorer, they should be able to manage with lesser scorers like Laimbeer as their #2 and #3. Despite all of these positives and the notes indicating he should be #1, I think Laimbeer can be passed on with the first pick. He is not going to be an elite player, which is something you should target at #1. Any other prospect will be a gamble, but it may be worth the risk in this draft.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - James Donaldson C 7'2'' 275 22 B C- D- B- B- A
I’m sure a lot of GMs will find this as a big reach, but I like Donaldson a lot. I particularly like this pick for the 76ers. Since the 76ers need to rebuild over 3 seasons, adding a raw player like Donaldson is ideal. Also, Donaldson has the potential to give this team an identity. He should be a good center for a long time whereas a player like Eaton will be very good at what he provides but has no chance at being an elite player. Drafting a player is going to predominately provide defense, rebounding, and shot blocking is not a luxury the Wizards have. Also, drafting a wing with the second pick who won’t be a #1 option is not advised as well.
3. Washington Wizards - Mark Eaton C 7'4'' 275 22 C+ C- D+ A- B B
I think there are plenty of players you can take over Eaton if you like them, but I don’t see him sliding out of the top three. This can mostly be attributed to the amount of sketchy looking prospects that are likely to make up most of the lotto. Adding Eaton to one of the leagues already 5 leading shot blockers will also make Washington a team no one wants to face in the playoffs for a long time.
4. Phoenix Suns - Sidney Moncrief SG 6'3'' 185 22 B B B A- C+ B
Moncrief falling to the fourth pick is probably unrealistic, but I’m not as high on him as most GMs are. He is a great fit for the Suns though. Moncrief and Bird will be scary for a long time. It would probably be the top 1-2 scoring punch in the league. Should the Suns draft Moncrief and if Sikma has a good TC, the Suns will be one of the best teams in the West next season. Outlawz has done a great job in this rebuild (he has had his fair share of luck along the way as well). I’m sure most people will think I’m crazy for having Moncrief this low, but I have a feeling his is going to turn it over entirely too much.
5. Toronto Raptors - Cliff Robinson PF 6'9'' 220 19 B C+ C- C+ C+ A
DJ’s roster seems to lack a direction at this point. I’m sure he will never get what he wants for Austin Carr so he will be stuck there for the foreseeable future. Robert Hawkins appears to be a good player to pair with Carr, but they are no where near good enough to compete come playoff time. With these two outside shooters, last year’s third pick, Mike Mitchell, does not have a place on this team . As a result, DJ needs to make a move. He is probably better off moving Hawkins and looking into running an inside or balanced focus. With all of this considered, Robinson makes the most sense. He is also the most likely player on the board who could become an elite talent. This could cause Robinson to warrant a top 3 pick, but I doubt it. Adding Robinson to Mitchell would have DJ on a similar track to the roster he won a championship with a few seasons ago.
6. Dallas Mavericks - Clint Richardson SG 6'3'' 195 23 B- B B- A- C B
Since this is his CY, Greg will likely hae to move this pick. Whoever moves into the 6 spot, probably will not trade here for Clint Richardson. If the Mavs keep the 6, Richardson should be the pick. He sounds to be ready to start from day 1 and will be an instant upgrade over what the Mavs already have at SG. With several teams looking to compete in the west this season, Greg may have trouble.
7. Detroit Pistons - Sly Williams SF 6'7'' 210 21 B+ C C A- C+ B
This is another instance of where I’m assuming I see things differently than most in this draft. I doubt many GMs would take Sly Williams over Calvin Natt, but I would. Williams sounds like the better player now and like a better player down the line. He will be a stats defender and better rebounder. At this time, those are two things I think that have a lot more value than the positive Natt will provide. Also, with RCs and ACs, Williams should be just as good of a scorer as Natt as well.
8. Charlotte Bobcats (from Los Angeles Lakers) - Cheese Johnson SF 6'6'' 195 22 B- C C- B- C A
Someone between 6 and 10 is going to gamble on Cheese. I think it makes the most sense for the Bobcats to. The Bobcats can begin rebuilding next year and have the luxury of taking a gamble on a player like Cheese this season. He may turn out to be a nice player down the road or he may bust. Regardless, he will not help the Bobcats win next year. This is ideal for a team going into a rebuild. Since Cheese is already a very good at steals, I think you can assume he will be capable of contributing in some capacity down the line. It never hurts to have stat defenders.
9. Orlando Magic - Calvin Natt SF 6'6'' 220 22 B+ C C B C A
I’m sure Natt won’t fall to pick 9, but he does in this mock. I honestly just don’t like him all that much as a prospect. Based off what he has said in the draft forums, I’m not sure if Repole would even take Natt at 9. He does not fit the direction the Magic are taking and will be prone to turning the ball over as well as stealing shots from Glenn. Having said this, Repole will probably trade the 9 and 10 to add a veteran to compete next year. Natt being available will only help the value of these picks.
10. Orlando Magic (from Oklahoma City Thunder) - Charles Jones PF 6'9'' 215 22 C+ C- D+ A- C+ B
Repole wants stat defenders and Charles Jones is probably the best one left. Even though Jones may not appear as a top 10 propsect, the fact that he will be a very good defender and shot blocker ensures he will have longterm value. It is always safe to take players in this mold if they are available after the top 10.
11. Houston Rockets - Johnny Moore PG 6'1'' 175 21 B- C+ B B+ C B
The Rockets really need a PG. King and Johnson appear to be two of the best young scorers in the league, but the team lacks a third option and legit PG. Moore may not be the type of PG the Rockets need to be a contender, but he should be an upgrade over Al Skinner or Charles Johnson. Since the Rockets will be competing next season, this is another pick that may be on the move.
12. Chicago Bulls (from Miami Heat) - Kurt Rambis PF 6'8'' 213 21 B C- C- B+ B
With the trade of Elvin Hayes, the Bulls need to add another big man. I don’t think Play will want to take one of the remaining center prospects because of their lack of rebounding. As a result, Rambis is the natural choice. He may not be a star, but he will be a very solid player that will see significant minutes for a very long time.
13. Denver Nuggets (from Indiana Pacers) -Larry Smith C 6'8'' 215 21 B D+ D+ B+ A B
Greeme’s frontcourt is getting very old. He needs to begin the transition into retooling or even rebuilding. Due to his lack of shot blocking, Smith is not an ideal big man. However, he seems to be very good in every other aspect of his game. Despite this, players like Larry Smith do not have value on the trade market so whoever drafts him better be ready to have him for the long haul. Greeme is one of the GMs who will have no problem keeping a player who produces wins instead of stats.
