Ford Mock 7.0: Bucks Take Meyers Leonard

[LUKE23]

Analysis: The Bucks gambled a few years ago on Brandon Jennings and it paid off big time. At this point in the draft, Leonard is risky but could have huge upside. The Bucks really need a center after trading Andrew Bogut to the Warriors at the trade deadline. Leonard is a work in progress, but has the size and athletic ability to be a dominant big man down the road.

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story?id=8045488

[europa]

Ugh.

[LUKE23]

Considering Ford has nailed our pick cold I think 3 of last 4 years (only missed the year we traded out), this has me concerned. Lets hope Detroit likes him.

[mattg]

Says it right there: need pick.

[Fort Minor]

Barf.

Need picks rarely ever work out unless the pick also happens to be BPA. Leonard is far from BPA @ 12.

I'm also not seeing this "huge upside." He has more upside than Zeller, yes, but I think Ford is overstating the potential just a bit.

[worthlessBucks]

Says it right there: need pick.

They're proactive in creating needs.

"Now we got Ellis and a tall player who can give us some of what Andrew provided. We really did well the last 6 months".

[worthlessBucks]

What does the top 14 look like?

[ReasonablySober]

Leonard is a work in progress, but has the size and athletic ability to be a dominant big man down the road.

Huh.

I'm not for or against picking Leonard, but if I was going to justify the pick I'd say he has the size and ability to be a solid big man down the road. Like an average NBA starter. At #12 you'd be happy with that.

But dominant?

Again, huh.

[Fort Minor]

Considering Ford has nailed our pick cold I think 3 of last 4 years (only missed the year we traded out), this has me concerned. Lets hope Detroit likes him.

How many versions of his mock does he put out before the draft?

[europa]

Says it right there: need pick.

They're proactive in creating needs.

Of the zillion funny things about the Bogut trade is it created not one but two needs to address - center and size in the backcourt.

I love this team.

[DocHoliday]

Gary (Simi Valley)
What will the Milwaukee Bucks do at #12?

Chad Ford (1:26 PM)
I predict they're going to try to swing for the fences. They've been stuck in the late lottery for years and really only have one guy -- Brandon Jennings -- to show for it. They need another big hit -- I suspect Meyers Leonard or Perry Jones could be the guy ...

[LUKE23]

At this point I'm just going to assume the backcourt is kept together, we let Ilyasova go, we draft Leonard, and then we waste our cap space on a crappy veteran wing. Oh, and we start Drew Gooden. All horrible decisions, but all more likely than the alternative.

[europa]

Leonard is a work in progress, but has the size and athletic ability to be a dominant big man down the road.

Huh.

I'm not for or against picking Leonard, but if I was going to justify the pick I'd say he has the size and ability to be a solid big man down the road. Like an average NBA starter. At #12 you'd be happy with that.

But dominant?

Again, huh.

If Leonard had dominant potential there's no way he'd last beyond the Top 5 picks. Potentially dominant centers don't fall to the 12th pick in the draft very often, if ever.

[ReasonablySober]

Again, I'd be happier with the last three picks of round one than our pick at #12.

[jwalsh52]

A lot of time before the draft. This could change again.