Last Pre- Lotto Mock--Entire Draft--Updated 5/18

[PhilasFinest]

nice mock...i certainly want Patrick Mills for the 76ers @ 17 but id certainly be happy with Holiday as well.

[pad300]

37. San Antonio: Sergio Llull
By most accounts Llull seems to be a really smooth player with a good jumper, and court-control skills.


42. LA Lakers: Milan Macvan
A foreign version of Mark Madsen? That is what he sounds like to me.



51. San Antonio: Greivis Vasquez
Has great size for the point guard position and has put together some great games in college. There are, however, some serious flaws in his game (all of which can be fixed with two or 3 years in the NBA); namely consistency, and three-point shooting.


53. San Antonio: Nemanja Bjelica
This is the kind of player that always gets my attention, someone who is 6-8 or taller, has good ball handling skills, and plays defense. Bjelica could be the next Boris Diaw if he puts on some weight--otherwise he is Andrei Kirilenko with a jump shot and less (much less) help defense.. He is already one of the top players in the Eurocup, and Adriatic league despite only being 20; I expect him to get picked by a smart team late in the second round.

1) I can't see SA picking like this. a) Picking 2 PGs, when neither will get rotation time next year? They have a starter (Parker), and I think will Hill getting the rookie year out of the way, I think he at least starts with the backup job in training camp. This means they are at most looking for a 3ed PG, and I'm 100% certain that Popovich wants a vet for his 3ed PG, given he might worry about Hill still being wobbly. b) They holes at SF - leaving both Tyler Smith and Omri Casspi on the board... Well, I don't think it's likely. c) I also suspect that their wouldn't pick Vasquez late; unless they have a pre-made deal to send him to Europe, they would rather pick Euro's late and let them develop in Euroleague. I would guess from the way your Mock has developed, either Tepic or Dasic. I would lean towards Dasic - he's their kind of player (defense first).

2) Macvan as Masden? Are you kidding. Macvan has skills; Masden doesn't. Macvan's issue is athleticism. As I have stated before, I think he's going to be a steal if he stays in (although I don't think either him or Claver will stay)...

[babyjax13]

^^
Thanks for the input. I was not really thinking much about team needs with a lot of the second round picks, but I will certainly update the San Antonio picks after you said this. I have not seen Macvan play much (youtube), but from research he sounded similar to a Mark Madsen type of player. He might have some more skill, and if he does you will be right and he is a steal--actually, even if he has a Mark Madsen type of career he is a solid pick in the second round. Macvan has a nice little jumper and baby hook which is something that Madsen does not have, so maybe Slava Medvedenko is a better comparison?

[big3_8_19_21]

Pretty good draft, I like it top to bottom for the most part (mainly focusing on my Wolves).

Whether or not we go for Thabeet depends on what Pekovic is telling the front office about coming over in 2010. If he is coming, I'd be hesitant to invest the pick in Thabeet. Maybe take him and trade down, otherwise I'd also consider DeRozan at 5. I really like Maynor/Collison at 18/28. I'd have to heavily consider Lawson, and I would probably end up going with Lawson, but that's just personal preference. I'd be excited just to get a PG like Maynor at 18.

I don't know if Pekovic would really affect what the front office is planning for the draft this year. He is 6-10, so he really does not have the size to play center. I am not saying he couldn't, just that I think he is too redundant with Love and Jefferson--of course I have never seen him play, so I might be wrong.

From everything I have read, he's a pure 6'11" C and not a tweener or a PF. He is a low post scorer but a much different sort than Jefferson and Love. While Love didn't score an awful lot with his back to the basket this year (mostly dunks/put backs and some open jumers), he mostly used the same jump hook when he did. Jefferson is one of the premier low post scorers in the league, mostly using his craftiness and footwork to score. Pekovic, though is just a physical bruiser that will bull his way to the basket, score and get the foul. Considering that he made the all-euroleague first team this year, I'd say he probably should factor in to our decision making this year in the draft if he is going to come over.

I understand that Thabeet brings a very different skill set, but if we already have a proven C waiting in the wings, why pick one with high bust potential when we could fill one of our many other holes on the court? If Pekovic says that he doesn't want to come over in 2010 (or ever), then Thabeet looks a whole lot better.

[babyjax13]

The question is who do you draft at that point in the draft if your Minnesota? Thabeet is a really intriguing prospect that is guaranteed to become a defensive impact player. If he ever develops an offensive game he could become a "rich man's" Samuel Dalembert. GMs that let guys go like Thabeet are usually the ones who get fired. Pekovic might be tearing it up in Europe, but does that mean he is going to be any better than a guy like Fabricio Oberto? Thabeet is.

The guys that are left are, for the most part, unknown quantities. Earl Clark, DeMar Derozan, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, and Gerald Henderson are all risky picks. Does that mean they don't pass on Thabeet if he falls to them? No, but I don't think it is at all likely.

[BigSlam]

12. Charlotte: B.J. Mullens
Right now Charlotte is stuck playing a power forward at the center position, I think Mullens could really help them now, and in the future with that problem. He gives them size and even more athleticism in the front court. Next to Okafor he could make the Bobcats a legitimate defensive-stalwart. Mullens could be a step in the right direction for Charlotte if he works hard to improve his game. I think he will be this year's JaVale McGee.
Moved Up.

Terrible selection. Probably the worst you could have gone with.

[babyjax13]

12. Charlotte: B.J. Mullens
Right now Charlotte is stuck playing a power forward at the center position, I think Mullens could really help them now, and in the future with that problem. He gives them size and even more athleticism in the front court. Next to Okafor he could make the Bobcats a legitimate defensive-stalwart. Mullens could be a step in the right direction for Charlotte if he works hard to improve his game. I think he will be this year's JaVale McGee.
Moved Up.

Terrible selection. Probably the worst you could have gone with.

Well, if things go the way I think they do then who is left that the Bobcats would rather have? I know that they want a guy to play shooting guard, but if they take the best shooting guard left (Curry), then their back court is extremely small. Otherwise they have to reach for either Buddinger, or Ellington if they want someone with size.

Mullens at least makes some sense and could become a key player for them in the future. I guess they could go with a power forward too (Blair or Johnson), but then their front court is as small as their back court. I also think that a guy like Blair might be a little bit redundant with Okafor; Mullens at least has some speed and could get some baskets where Okafor doesn't normally.

[BigSlam]

I'd imagine if they were taking a flyer on a pick with potential they could go with someone like Holiday who can play off the ball. Curry would fit ok because Felton does a great job of defending SG's (he's strong as an ox).

Brown has said he wants a grunt type big man so Blair would be a better opion than Mullens.

After trading for Diop's contract and skill set, I can't see them drafting a stiff like Mullens.

All in all, I think if this was the options, they'd probably just look to trade the pick.