WT: ESPN's First Mock Draft

[DocRI]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/243175/Fultz-Giles-Jackson-Smith-Ntilikina-Comprise-Top-5-Of-ESPNs-First-2017-Mock-Draft

Worth the read IMHO, but here's the reason for this thread —

23. Pistons: Grayson Allen

Sure, Allen's an interesting / polarizing prospect to consider adding to our core, but check out that draft slot — TWENTY-THIRD! Per his mock draft board, Chad Ford has us projected to finish FOURTH in the East, behind only the Cavs, Celts, and Raptors (in that order). In fact, per his board we'll finish with a better regular season record than the Jazz, Pacers, Thunder and Hawks, but with a worse regular season record than the Trail Blazers, who he's got picking 24th.

Just interesting — and encouraging! — to see a national scribe project us having that good of a year (no matter who it is).

[tmorgan]

I'd almost feel better if Chad Ford thought we suck. That dude never gets anything right.

[Manocad]

Bingo. He's the basketball version of Mel Kiper.

[kf96]

I'd almost feel better if Chad Ford thought we suck. That dude never gets anything right.

At least once he can be right.

[Cowology]

I'd almost feel better if Chad Ford thought we suck. That dude never gets anything right.

Funny. And little depressing.

[bballnmike]

Bingo. He's the basketball version of Mel Kiper.

I don't think Mel Kiper's ever been caught retroactively changing draft boards

[Manocad]

Bingo. He's the basketball version of Mel Kiper.

I don't think Mel Kiper's ever been caught retroactively changing draft boards

He's also never been caught getting the first round NFL draft predictions more than about 10% right.

[tmorgan]

Kiper's schtick is different, though. His persona is that of "better than the actual GMs", and he's telling people what he thinks the teams should do. Sure, he's guessing like everyone else, but he doesn't come off as wrong, just as a goofy egomaniac.

Ford is actively trying to predict what teams are going to do, and he plain sucks at it.

[JohnReese]

It's soon but the logic thing is to pick a young center if Baynes is gone or a SG if we don't extend Bullock. Draft&Stash would be an option too.

Any center interesting in this draft?

[Lionlifer]

Bingo. He's the basketball version of Mel Kiper.

I don't think Mel Kiper's ever been caught retroactively changing draft boards

He's also never been caught getting the first round NFL draft predictions more than about 10% right.

Man I was I had his job, or any job that let me be that wrong, that often, and still pay me truckloads of money.

Dude is living my dream!