Chad Ford Mock Draft 4.0

[mizzoupacers]

I can't post a link because I don't have ESPN Insider access, but here's his mock:

1. Cleveland - Kyrie Irving
2. Minnesota - Derrick Williams
3. Utah - Brandon Knight
4. Cleveland - Enes Kanter
5. Toronto - Jan Vesely
6. Washington - Kawhi Leonard
7. Sacramento - Kemba Walker
8. Detroit - Jonas Valanciunas
9. Charlotte - Marcus Morris
10. Milwaukee - Alec Burks
11. Golden State - Klay Thompson
12. Utah - Chris Singleton
13. Phoenix - Tristan Thompson
14. Houston - Bismack Biyombo
15. Indiana - Jimmer Fredette
16. Philadelphia - Jordan Hamilton
17. New York - Josh Selby
18. Washington - Marshon Brooks
19. Charlotte - Markieff Morris
20. Minnesota - Donatas Motiejunas
21. Portland - Kenneth Faried
22. Denver - Tobias Harris
23. Houston - Nikolas Vucevic
24. Oklahoma City - Nikola Mirotic
25. Boston - JaJuan Johnson
26. Dallas - Davis Bertans
27. New Jersey - Reggie Jackson
28. Chicago - Justin Harper
29. San Antonio - Jeremy Tyler
30. Chicago - Charles Jenkins

Analysis: Will Pacers fans finally get the real life version of Jimmy Chitwood? Fredette's ability to score the basketball is legendary and actually fits a need for the Pacers. In the fourth quarter of games this season, they really struggled to find a player who could hit the big shot.

I'm not sure Fredette is the point guard of the future in Indiana. He may be more of a scoring fixture (a la Ben Gordon) coming off the bench. Either way, his ability to contribute right away should give the Pacers another bump as they try to take the next step. Tristan Thompson, Kenneth Faried and Markieff Morris are all options here as well.

If this is how the draft really shakes out, I think I might prefer to see the Pacers take Marshon Brooks or Jordan Hamilton instead of Fredette. Brooks sounds more like the kind of guard I think the Pacers need, and Hamilton is my idea of the "Best Player Available" pick--he's athletic enough to be a good defender, and he can really score.

I also still like Faried, and I'm intrigued by JaJuan Johnson, who I think might be a good fit with the Pacers. This is the first time I've seen Johnson as a first-rounder in a mock draft, maybe his stock is rising?

[Miller4ever]

I would rather draft the possible PF of the future instead of the definite backup PG of the future. Trading down for Johnson might be an option. We really need to address rebounding and shot creation. I'm not sure Jimmer is the answer at the NBA level.

[granger05]

I scrolled slowly through this mock when I saw it to build suspense. I got excited when Tristan Thompson and Biyombo were still on the board after pick 12, but then they went before us. I'd prefer Marshon Brooks, and it looks like he was impressive in a workout according to this LINK I saw on indycornrows.

Don't bother watching the video on there. It seems to be filmed from under the opposite basket so it's impossible to tell who is who, and not very interesting until the final few seconds when they interview Marshon and he mentions how it would be scary if he were to get drafted by the Pacers and get shooting tips from Larry Bird. He sounds a little cocky, but in a good, "hey, I'm getting better all the time why isn't anyone paying attention to this?" sort of way.

[Pacerlive]

I would rather draft the possible PF of the future instead of the definite backup PG of the future. Trading down for Johnson might be an option. We really need to address rebounding and shot creation. I'm not sure Jimmer is the answer at the NBA level.

I am fine with Jimmer at 15. He could possibly be an awsome 6th man off the bench and I would argue at 15 there is no future pf of the future. Basically we should use our capspace/assets to get a starting pf.

I think we could flip Rush into a late 1st round pick for JJ.

[TheLoneGranger]

Jimmer at 15 makes the most sense to me. Power forward of the future? Hansbrough is definitely that guy. He's shown that he can be a great starter at the NBA level, so I don't see us trying to find him a replacement. That being said, I wouldn't mind having Thompson either.

[MNPacersfan]

Am I the only one that sees similarities between Eric Gordon's game and Fredette's game? Not jsut the body type, but the things that they do best on the court. Actually, may more to the point; the things that Gordon did best on the court in college and his first year in the NBA. He's grown his game tremendously.

[TheLoneGranger]

No, your not the only one who has seen those similarities. The only difference is that Gordon does have so much more athleticism than Fredette. That being said, Fredette has a better shot. He's not just going to be a shooter in the NBA, that's where lots of people make mistakes in labeling him at that, but he's also not going to be the type of player who can take over a game. He'll be able to help take over games, but not alone.

[Wizop]

I can see Jimmer or Brooks or even Shumbert particularly if the plan is to resign Jeff and Josh. looks like we're very willing to move Rush, let Mike go, and rely on Dahntay, Lance, and the draft pick to provide depth at two.

it's surprising how many non-lottery projected picks are starting to look good even though this is supposed to be an off year for the draft.

[8305]

Some names that come to mind when I think of what Jimmer could be in the NBA.

Adam Morrison, can't ignore the bust potential. But, I'd like to think from a mental toughness standpoint he's closer to Tyler Hansbrough than Morrison.

J.J. Reddick, pretty similar players at the college level. Jimmer looks like he has a better handle, also better at creating off the dribble, and likely more potential to play some point guard.

Steph Curry, do it all in college guy who was able to convert to the point in the NBA.

MIke Bibby, point guard, great clutch shooter at one time in his career.

Jason Terry, never really a point guard but the ultimate instant offense guy off the bench.

If Jimmer can evolove into something like any of the last three he's a big time steel at 15. If you think Reddick is a worst case scenario I can live with that too.

[paulgeorge24]

Some names that come to mind when I think of what Jimmer could be in the NBA.

Adam Morrison, can't ignore the bust potential. But, I'd like to think from a mental toughness standpoint he's closer to Tyler Hansbrough than Morrison.

J.J. Reddick, pretty similar players at the college level. Jimmer looks like he has a better handle, also better at creating off the dribble, and likely more potential to play some point guard.

Steph Curry, do it all in college guy who was able to convert to the point in the NBA.

MIke Bibby, point guard, great clutch shooter at one time in his career.

Jason Terry, never really a point guard but the ultimate instant offense guy off the bench.

If Jimmer can evolove into something like any of the last three he's a big time steel at 15. If you think Reddick is a worst case scenario I can live with that too.

Troll?


No to Jimmer. Yes to Brooks/Selby/Hamilton/Johnson

[Scoot McGroot]

Am I the only one that sees similarities between Eric Gordon's game and Fredette's game? Not jsut the body type, but the things that they do best on the court. Actually, may more to the point; the things that Gordon did best on the court in college and his first year in the NBA. He's grown his game tremendously.

I don't see it at all. Eric Gordon has always been a much more physical guy. He drove to the hole like crazy in high school, college, and now the NBA, and supplemented it with a very good shot. Jimmer is a tremendous shooter in high volume, but isn't much of a physical player. To me, they're quite opposite. The only similarity is that they're both undersized SG, but not solid enough distributors to easily play the PG at the next level.

[Boneman2]

EJ has rare core strength and hops, both traits allow him to thrive as a 2-guard. I do agree that Jimmer has a nice core, which translates to base power that leads to better leverage. I don't think you'll see him get pushed around like your typical 2-guard, but with the absence of athleticism, his deficiencies will be exposed.

That is where he and Gordon differ. Gordon might have averaged 35 ppg. in the NCAA, if he had the freedom Jimmer had.

[glasket]

Am I the only one that sees similarities between Eric Gordon's game and Fredette's game? Not jsut the body type, but the things that they do best on the court. Actually, may more to the point; the things that Gordon did best on the court in college and his first year in the NBA. He's grown his game tremendously.

I don't see it at all. Eric Gordon has always been a much more physical guy. He drove to the hole like crazy in high school, college, and now the NBA, and supplemented it with a very good shot. Jimmer is a tremendous shooter in high volume, but isn't much of a physical player. To me, they're quite opposite. The only similarity is that they're both undersized SG, but not solid enough distributors to easily play the PG at the next level.

Agree with Scoot, I don't see the similarity between EJ and Jimmer.
EJ is very physical and a slasher/drive to the hoop athletic guy with a nice jump shot.
Jimmer at this stage is is just a very very very good shooter.

[PR07]

I think Jimmer will be a solid player at the pro level, so I wouldn't be opposed with this pick at all.

[MNPacersfan]

Am I the only one that sees similarities between Eric Gordon's game and Fredette's game? Not jsut the body type, but the things that they do best on the court. Actually, may more to the point; the things that Gordon did best on the court in college and his first year in the NBA. He's grown his game tremendously.

I don't see it at all. Eric Gordon has always been a much more physical guy. He drove to the hole like crazy in high school, college, and now the NBA, and supplemented it with a very good shot. Jimmer is a tremendous shooter in high volume, but isn't much of a physical player. To me, they're quite opposite. The only similarity is that they're both undersized SG, but not solid enough distributors to easily play the PG at the next level.

Agree with Scoot, I don't see the similarity between EJ and Jimmer.
EJ is very physical and a slasher/drive to the hoop athletic guy with a nice jump shot.
Jimmer at this stage is is just a very very very good shooter.

Hmmm... I watched Fredette consistently beat his man off the dribble up until the 2nd round of the tourney when he was doubled on pretty much every possession. He has a better first step than you give him credit for having. They missed their big guy (the guy that got suspended for "doing it") in the tourney. He was the main beneficiary of Fredette's penetration and the team didn't look the same as the season wore on and then into the tourney.
Fredette will only go to the rack if necessary (or if uncovered), but he spent the better part of the season not only (yes, absolutely) creating his own jump shots, but also (albeit less frequently) penetrating the lane to lead his bigs in for buckets.

[Scoot McGroot]

Agree with Scoot, I don't see the similarity between EJ and Jimmer.
EJ is very physical and a slasher/drive to the hoop athletic guy with a nice jump shot.
Jimmer at this stage is is just a very very very good shooter.

Hmmm... I watched Fredette consistently beat his man off the dribble up until the 2nd round of the tourney when he was doubled on pretty much every possession. He has a better first step than you give him credit for having. They missed their big guy (the guy that got suspended for "doing it") in the tourney. He was the main beneficiary of Fredette's penetration and the team didn't look the same as the season wore on and then into the tourney.
Fredette will only go to the rack if necessary (or if uncovered), but he spent the better part of the season not only (yes, absolutely) creating his own jump shots, but also (albeit less frequently) penetrating the lane to lead his bigs in for buckets.

Eric Gordon is a physical, imposing type SG when he drives to the hoop, dating back to high school and college. He gets mugged on every drive. Jimmer uses speed. Sure, each can get to the hoop, though Gordon does it with much higher frequency, simplicity, and in more ways, but they aren't the same type of player, at all.

[Moooose]

I'd seriously take either Jordan Hamilton or "reach" for Markieff Morris than settle with Jimmer.
But then, we were successful in the previous drafts taking the best player available and i expect us to do the same this year.. meaning if Fredette is available, he could and most probably would be our pick.
The guy can shoot and provide instant offense but i really don't see him being a playmaker for our second unit.

[mikefly3113]

Trade down to the rockets.

#15 and Rush for #23 and Jordan HIll

I'd take a risk and draft reggie jackson, he could be a solid backup pg. and jordan hill still has a ton of potential just never really received an opportunity. I think hill would play real well along side hibbert

[Gremz]

Jimmer would be a good pick. Still not opposed to trading out of this draft altogether though.

[laydo]

I don't understand. Why in the world does most Mock Draft think the Pacers need a point guard, since we have Collison, Price, and Stphenson?

Sure that Pacers need someone who can step up in the late game and a player who can create his own shot, but picking Jimmer and make the point guard position too crowded is not a good move.

The Pacers need a shooting guard like O.J. Mayo, who can play defense and make good dribble penatration. Alec Burks should be the first to consider, and the next comes to Marshon Brooks.