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Austin Daye. Well, okay. His reasoning is as follows:

Analysis: The Pacers' biggest need is an athletic big man who can score and block shots. Unfortunately, there aren't any of those guys in the draft this year. They are also looking for a starting point guard. But if the draft plays out like this, the Pacers would have to reach.

The good news is that Daye could be a great fit, especially if they start playing Danny Granger more at the 4. Daye's shooting ability and upside remind some of, dare we say, Jonathan Bender.

I like his upside, but Daye is weaksauce. He wasn't physical enough in a mid-major conference in college. Can't see much changing for him in the NBA. Not for a few years at least.

Oh, and he has Brandon Jennings going to Phoenix at #14, and Earl Clark to Detroit at #15...two guys I'd take over Daye without thinking twice about.

If anyone cares, Chad Ford is having a chat on ESPN.com today at 1:00 Eastern time.

I just keep seeing the 2.0 version of the mock with us taking Teague. Where did you find the latest and greatest?

It's up on the main NBA page on ESPN.com. Yeah, I noticed it's not up on the draft page, but if you go to the main NBA page, it should be there.

I don't like Ford's logic. Daye can't play the 4 right away, so we'd play Granger there more? I don't think that's a good idea. I'm not saying the Pacers won't take Daye, but I see Daye more as Granger's backup until he bulks up enough to play the 4.

I'm not sure Daye will ever be a 4, and I don't really see where Ford said that. I think he just insinuated that we will start playing Granger more at the 4 (an idea I'm not all that fond of with or without Daye).

If Daye doesn't project to a 4, then I don't want him personally. We have bigger needs elsewhere.

I don't want him regardless. Something bothers me about a guy that can't produce at the mid-major level in college.

I'd be even more PO'd if Jennings fell, and we took Daye. Talk about adding salt to the wound.

If Jennings is on the board at 13 and we DON'T pick him, I will definitely throw a fit. The kid has the tools to be a flat out star in the NBA if he can keep his head straight.

how do i join the chat with ford

Yeah, I would take Jennings (especially) or Clark over Daye. I would be very surprised if the top 12 didn't consist of:

Griffin, Rubio, Thabeet, Hill, Harden, Jennings, Evans, DeRozan, Curry, Holiday, Flynn, and Blair.

If one of these guys drops to 13, I'm pretty sure we would take him. If these 12 are gone, I think we have a tough decision... Clark, Maynor, Mullens? Hansbrough?

Just submitted my question, but I never get picked for these things.

Honestly I think that if we could pick up Jennings in the draft we would have a young lineup that would be 2nd to only Portland's young squad, as far as talent and potential for future success.

PG - Jennings
SG - Rush
SF - Granger
PF - Murphy
C - Hibbert

I'd LOVE to see that lineup take the court on opening night this coming season.

I know, our lineup instantly looks awesome if we insert X top point guard prospect. With Jack and Foster coming off the bench, add one more rotation guy (McBob!) and we should be very successful (as long as our rookie and sophomores hold up).

I've probably asked 13 questions, all different. He hasn't answered me yet.

cdash wrote:I've probably asked 13 questions, all different. He hasn't answered me yet.

I've asked 4 in the past 30 minutes, with no answer. I like this one though...


"Jrue Holiday (Calli): Why do you think I'm so good? I'm pretty unproven.

SportsNation Chad Ford: (1:29 PM ET ) Upside. But in high school Holiday was one of the best players in his class. So ... did he suddenly get exposed at UCLA or did he just get put in a tough situation. I think the more tape teams watch and in workouts, they think it's the latter. He's got great size for his position, can be a lock down defender, and he's got better floor vision than you saw at UCLA. "

More than any other PG in this draft, I want Jrue Holiday to be wearing a Pacers jersey next season.

Ford also just said that Detroit might take Austin Daye at 16. Basically he doesn't know much other than Daye could be a middle-1st round pick, so he's saying any team from us up to around 20 might take him. He'll have us picking someone completely different by tomorrow I'm sure.

Yeah so far in his mocks, we have taken Flynn, Teague, and Daye.

The Blazers pick at #24 could be a target for us if we are trying to get a second first rounder. They are said to be shopping it.

I'd like another first rounder, but I don't see us spending the dough. I think we'd have to do it through a trade. The question is: Does somebody want TJ Ford?