Chad Ford's 'Grade: A' mock draft

[pistontr]

Detroit Pistons

Needs: PF, SF, shooting

Round 1 (8) Mario Hezonja, G/F, Croatia
Round 2 (38) Dakari Johnson, C, So., Kentucky

Analysis: With Greg Monroe potentially on the move, I'm tempted to reach for a Kevon Looney or Cauley-Stein here. But here's the thing -- at this point, in my opinion, Hezonja is clearly the best talent on the board. If Winslow is the best wing on the board, Hezonja's 1b. It's that close. And he fits their second-biggest need (assuming Monroe is gone). Hezonja to me, has the talent to go as high as four or five in this draft. He's got great size, is tough, athletic, shoots it and plays with such a swagger. He's a massive upgrade over what they had last season. Johnson gives them a solid backup in the middle. He's not sexy, he's not going to be an All-Star someday, but you can't play Andre Drummond 48 minutes a night and Johnson is a worthy 10- to-15 minute per night backup.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2015/insider/story/_/id/12828948/chad-ford-makes-picks-gm-every-nba-team-2015-nba-draft

also
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WngADYTj-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6QTlFFaiL0

he can shoot and defend. his dribbling is not great but he is better creator than kcp

What do you think?

[DBC10]

I've wanted Hezonja since January.

To me, he has NBA ready shooting, there's no question marks there. He's legit tall and big enough to play above the rim with lobs and can finish like a madman. The only knock on him is that he's a Euro and people are automatically biased against that considering the Darko fiasco. And possibly defensive issues since he doesn't stay locked in when he has all the potential to be a good defender.

[mattao313]

I've wanted Hezonja since January.

To me, he has NBA ready shooting, there's no question marks there. He's legit tall and big enough to play above the rim with lobs and can finish like a madman. The only knock on him is that he's a Euro and people are automatically biased against that considering the Darko fiasco. And possibly defensive issues since he doesn't stay locked in when he has all the potential to be a good defender.

He probably will never be a good defender. He is also a bit turnover prone and is allergic to the FT line which isn't great for a scorer. However he is still a good prospect and I would be happy if we draft him.

[ComboGuardCity]

Mario cannot create his own shot and doesn't blow by his current opponents. I'm not sure about his athleticism being Elite until he plays in the NBA. If he is what everyone says he is, he's gonna be a star, but I think he's far from a sure thing.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[hoophabit]

I'm kind of hoping for Johnson. Not because I'm sure he's the best alternative, but because I like the idea of a hustling, physical defensive wing who can score some. In the end, you just have to trust the team to make the best choice available.

[zeebneeb]

The only player on our radar I would genuinely be angry about is Looney. That guy screams bust to me, or blown pick.

Mario is the most NBA ready, followed by Johnson. Oubre would need a few years to develope.

NO on Looney.

[Blkbrd671]

Ive been thinking about this a lot lately, and i really think the pick is a center or PF that can play Center. If Dre goes down(knock on a wood house), we don't have anchor. While yes FA, provides a way to address that, it'll probably cost a lot. If a SF goes down, SVG has shown the ability to fill that whole with minimal talent and get decent production. We can't do that with the center roll in this offense.

[mercury]

I think it's chicken sh## that the top rated Euros have chosen not to participate in the combine... afraid their stock might drop.

[A_dub06]

I think it's chicken sh## that the top rated Euros have chosen not to participate in the combine... afraid their stock might drop.

Completely agree but if you were they're agent, would you allow them to? I certainly wouldn't.

Much of Marios appeal is based off his athleticism, anything less than Stella numbers will significantly hurt his value.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[tmorgan]

Ive been thinking about this a lot lately, and i really think the pick is a center or PF that can play Center. If Dre goes down(knock on a wood house), we don't have anchor. While yes FA, provides a way to address that, it'll probably cost a lot. If a SF goes down, SVG has shown the ability to fill that whole with minimal talent and get decent production. We can't do that with the center roll in this offense.

Even if SVG agrees, the problem is that there is literally no one available at 8 that fits that profile -- anyone would be a huge, huge reach. If WCS is still on the board and we take him, that's a massive mistake. He can't play with Drummond, as the offense would be absolutely brutal, and using the #8 pick on a guy that won't play more than 15 minutes a game, even if he's good, is a bad choice.

I have to assume you're thinking about Porzingis. That pick wouldn't shock me or upset me, I suppose, but there's so much risk with that guy, even more than with Hezonja, that's it's not a pick I'd make. He'd also be a disaster as the backup center until he puts on a LOT of weight.

[Laimbeer]

With Greg Monroe potentially on the move, I'm tempted to reach for a Kevon Looney or Cauley-Stein here.

That makes zero sense. If Monroe leaves, both the three and four will be positions of need. Why would you reach for a four?

[Mustinjo]

I think it's chicken sh## that the top rated Euros have chosen not to participate in the combine... afraid their stock might drop.

You do realize that their seasons don't end until June at earliest? Which professional team will let their own player go to another continent right in the middle of playoffs? That doesn't make any sense for them.

[Kilo]

^What he said. Mario's team is probably going to go to the finals and play into the middle of June. US College players have been off for a couple months heading into the combine and have been training specifically to score well there - ie working on their jumping, agility drills etc. Rio and Kristap are worried about playing games still. Prozingis will work out with lottery teams once his season is over, Rio could have problems if his team does make it to the finals as he'd have basically a week after the finals before the NBA draft.

[DocRI]

Analysis: With Greg Monroe potentially on the move, I'm tempted to reach for a Kevon Looney or Cauley-Stein here. But here's the thing -- at this point, in my opinion, Hezonja is clearly the best talent on the board. If Winslow is the best wing on the board, Hezonja's 1b. It's that close. And he fits their second-biggest need (assuming Monroe is gone). Hezonja to me, has the talent to go as high as four or five in this draft. He's got great size, is tough, athletic, shoots it and plays with such a swagger. He's a massive upgrade over what they had last season. Johnson gives them a solid backup in the middle. He's not sexy, he's not going to be an All-Star someday, but you can't play Andre Drummond 48 minutes a night and Johnson is a worthy 10- to-15 minute per night backup.

^ I know Ford is really high on Mario, but the emphasized quote is H-U-G-E to me. Like many, I've had a pretty substantial "draft crush" on Winslow since March Madness; having never seen Mario play, if Ford's right that they're on top of each other in a 1a / 1b situation, picking him at #8 would be a no-brainer. Of course, the key words in that sentence are "if Ford's right" ...

[theBigLip]

With Greg Monroe potentially on the move, I'm tempted to reach for a Kevon Looney or Cauley-Stein here.

That makes zero sense. If Monroe leaves, both the three and four will be positions of need. Why would you reach for a four?

Agreed. I think it is still BPA for us. We shouldn't be reaching for anyone.

[theBigLip]

Analysis: With Greg Monroe potentially on the move, I'm tempted to reach for a Kevon Looney or Cauley-Stein here. But here's the thing -- at this point, in my opinion, Hezonja is clearly the best talent on the board. If Winslow is the best wing on the board, Hezonja's 1b. It's that close. And he fits their second-biggest need (assuming Monroe is gone). Hezonja to me, has the talent to go as high as four or five in this draft. He's got great size, is tough, athletic, shoots it and plays with such a swagger. He's a massive upgrade over what they had last season. Johnson gives them a solid backup in the middle. He's not sexy, he's not going to be an All-Star someday, but you can't play Andre Drummond 48 minutes a night and Johnson is a worthy 10- to-15 minute per night backup.

^ I know Ford is really high on Mario, but the emphasized quote is H-U-G-E to me. Like many, I've had a pretty substantial "draft crush" on Winslow since March Madness; having never seen Mario play, if Ford's right that they're on top of each other in a 1a / 1b situation, picking him at #8 would be a no-brainer. Of course, the key words in that sentence are "if Ford's right" ...

Agree with this as well. We have international scouting so we should be familiar with Hezonja by now. After Darko, I'm always worried that Euro's don't translate as well into the NBA. Look at Datome - wasn't he a great shooter over there? And he couldn't get off the bench for us. So I guess there is some risk, which is why most of us want Winslow, since we've seen him play against real competition in college. Sounds like either one will help us, especially "if Ford's right"!

[russkopp]

Stan has said himself, best player available regardless of postition.

Likely looking at Mario, Johnson, WCS or Porzingis.
Mario or Johnson it is, the other two are too risky in terms of the best player to play and help now.

[Blkbrd671]

Ive been thinking about this a lot lately, and i really think the pick is a center or PF that can play Center. If Dre goes down(knock on a wood house), we don't have anchor. While yes FA, provides a way to address that, it'll probably cost a lot. If a SF goes down, SVG has shown the ability to fill that whole with minimal talent and get decent production. We can't do that with the center roll in this offense.

Even if SVG agrees, the problem is that there is literally no one available at 8 that fits that profile -- anyone would be a huge, huge reach. If WCS is still on the board and we take him, that's a massive mistake. He can't play with Drummond, as the offense would be absolutely brutal, and using the #8 pick on a guy that won't play more than 15 minutes a game, even if he's good, is a bad choice.

I have to assume you're thinking about Porzingis. That pick wouldn't shock me or upset me, I suppose, but there's so much risk with that guy, even more than with Hezonja, that's it's not a pick I'd make. He'd also be a disaster as the backup center until he puts on a LOT of weight.

Myles Turner Comes to mind. He's got range and is a rim protector. and length

WCS i agree would be a mistake, however defensively i believe he be able to hold his own at the next level. He's increadible agile for a 7fter. Offensively he's joel anthony

Porzingis brings a ton of intrigue. if SVG thinks he's legit i'll go with it. however i am weary of big man , especially guys that need to add strenght. I think for that reason alone, Prozingis will be benched most of his rookie year.

In regards to SF, the only reason we'd address this position is if next tier talent slides. I believe KAT, Okafor, Russel, Winslow, Mudiay, and Hez all fit that bill. If any of those players are availabe. you draft them over need. I am tempted to add oubre into that mix, however he's far too raw. Hez i believe is the next coming of Ginobli. very rare to have a player that young that skilled.

[uncleoswald]

Myles Turner Comes to mind. He's got range and is a rim protector. and length

yeah, it seems like i haven't read enough about myles turner on the board.

[ImChillin01]

Its going to between Hez, Johnson and Turner