Slam's 2008 mock with explanations

Post #1 » by **BigSlam** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:00 pm

Here we go!! Now we know who is in and who is out, here is how I'm thinking the draft should play out. Keep in mind I said should, not will!! It's too hard to try and predict trades etc so I am just treating the draft as staying true to form - not that it will!!

1: Bulls = Beasley
I honestly think that the Bulls would be out of their minds crazy to pass on Beasley. He and Noah could form a fantastic 4/5 combo for the next 10 years.

2: Heat = Mayo
The perfect solution to the back court woes of the Heat. Wade and Mayo will give opposing teams fits and be enough to make Marion want to resign there when his contract comes up after the next season.

3: Wolves = Love
McHale loves him. The young Wolves could do with a rookie with a vet like head on his shoulders. Love can play inside out which compliments Jefferson and the two of them can slide between the 4 and 5 spots.

4: Sonics = Rose
In what turns out to be the 1st draft shocker, Rose drops to the Sonics and they can't believe their luck.

5: Grizzlies = B.Lopez
Gay and Miller need an offensive post presence to take some heat away from them and allow them easier looks. After moving Gasol, the Grizzles have next to nothing when it comes to big men. Lopez fixes that.

6: Knicks = Bayless
The Knicks find their floor general for the future as Bayless falls right into their lap.

7: Clippers = Augustin
With Livingston's future up in the air and the Clipps with no full time option at the point, they go with Augustin.................who ends up winning the RoY award after starting all 82 games and leading the Clipps into the playoffs.

8: Bucks = Alexander
After an amazing showing at the combines the Bucks go with the high upside kid knowing they can play Simmons at the 3 while Alexander matures and learns how to play.

9: Bobcats = Randolph
The front office has (finally) decided that EO50 is a 5 and not a 4 and that we need an athletic, long, multi skilled 4. Swish and Crash LOVE the way Randolph initiates the break and EO50 takes the kid under his wing in the weight room, teaches him about yoga and in two years time Randolph has shoulders as big as EO50's!! (not really - but I do hope they end up work out buddies and Randolph bulks up)

10: Nets = Gordon
The Nets hope to try and copy the Wade/Mayo combo with thier own version using Harris/Gordon. The Nets will activley shop Dick Head and once the deal goes down, will move VC to the 3 and Gordon to the starting 2 spot. With Harris a larger sized PG Gordon's height wont be a problem.

11: Pacers = Westbrook
Pretty obvious pick considering there aren't any quality PG's left on the board and the Pacers are in desperate need of a PG.

12: Kings = Gallinari
After refusing to workout with a number of teams the Itallian sees his draft position slide. Artest is almost done in Sac Town and the Kings hope that Gallinari will bring back some of the magic the young Peja did at the 3 spot for them

13: Blazers = Rush
Rush has been lighting it up during workouts and while the Blazers really needed a combo guard, they take BPA who will also give them depth at the wing position. With Roy, Rudy coming to the NBA and Webster, the Blazers have a nice 4 man rotation at the 2/3 spots

14: Warriors = Greene
Pietrus is as good as gone. Barnes is as good as gone. Bookie is as good as gone. Harrington is coming to the end of his deal. The Warriors need a 3/4 who likes to get up and down and shoot the ball. Greene is perfect for that. He'll also help on the boards.

15: Suns = Jordan
While the trade for Shaq was a stupid one, the Suns are about to get their money's worth out of the Big Diesel as he takes Jordan under his wing over the next few years and teaches him how to play the game. Jordan finds himself in the perfect situation to learn from one of the best bigs ever to play the game.

16: 76ers = Speights
A great compliment to Dalambert Speights nice face up game and jump shot stretches the floor for the Sixers

17: Raptors = R.Lopez
The Raps need a "dirty work" type of guy who will get in and get dirty to allow CB4 to relax a little on the defensive end and give it all on the offensive end. Rasho is on the decline and a FA soon and Lopez fills what they need.

18: Wizards = Hibbert
I love the big guy!!

19: Cavs = McGee
With Z coming to the end Verajeo will become the starting 5 and McGee will be brought in to play the starting 4 spot (eventually). He is a nice contrast to Anderson and his length and shot blocking will be welcomed.

20: Nuggets = Chalmers
The Nuggets have a hole at the point and bring Chalmers in as a back up

21: Nets = Ajinca
The Nets go with a big with a lot of potential to try and bloster their front court.

22: Magic = Lee
The Magic are seriously lacking at the 2 spot and bring in the gritty, talented Lee to fill the void. Lee has been burning it up during workouts and the Magic might have just lucked into the steal of the draft

23: Jazz = CDR
He's a heady, old fashioned type of wing player - just the way that Sloan likes 'em!! Their back up wings aren't getting any younger and CDR is a nice, safe pick

24: Sonics = Batum
The Sonics, after lucking into Rose, don't really care who they pick here because they are still too busy hugging each other over landing Rose!! Batum gives them some depth at the wing - which they need.

25: Rockets = Koufos
A nice back up for Yao and some added height for the Rockets front court - something, once you get past Yao, they seriously lack. Everyone seems to be under sized in Houston!!

26: Spurs = Ibaka
You know they are going to stash him over in Europe for the next 2 or 3 years and then just unleash him on the NBA having found their next last 1st/early 2nd round Euro steal!

27: Hornets = Dorsey
They need a blue collar, chest pumping, in your face intimidating grunt man. Dorsey is perfect for that, knows his limitations and his strengths and playing with Paul looks a million bucks. Side note: Maxiell and Dorsey get into a fist fight after a hard foul and the result makes the fight in the new Hulk movie look like childs play ; )

28: Grizzlies = Hardin
Again, the Grizzles are very thin in the front court with little to no talent. Hardin gives them a bully who, along with Warrick, firms up their 2nd unit bigs (behind Lopez and Darko in the 1st unit)

29: Pistons = Walker
After tweaking his knee (again) Walker sees his stock slide back down after it was climbing up to the top 20 during workouts. The Pistons snap him up and along with Affalo, hope that they have their Rip and Prince replacements

30: celts = Weaver
A heady, tall combo that gives the Celts some depth.

What do you think guys?

Ribalding · Post #2 » by **Ribalding** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:27 pm

Nice job.

There are a couple of brave picks in there (not including Rose to #4), but a well-considered and credible mock, all the same.

RIPskaterdude · Post #3 » by **RIPskaterdude** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:16 pm

What happened to Darrell Arthur? No way he slips to the 2nd round.

Ribalding · Post #4 » by **Ribalding** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:56 pm

xx_skaterdude_xx wrote:What happened to Darrell Arthur? No way he slips to the 2nd round.

Excellent point.

Mr. Arthur may never be an NBA star, but he'll have a solid career...at worst. "Solid career" = "1st round pick".

Post #5 » by **BigSlam** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:07 pm

xx_skaterdude_xx wrote:What happened to Darrell Arthur? No way he slips to the 2nd round.

Wow!! Serious brain fart!! It was an accident that I left him off. I think that he is a mid-late 1st round pick (he's not doing himself any favors with the way his Mum is representing him during the workouts).

I'm thinking maybe he goes to the Spurs which pushes Ibaka down a little? Ibaka to the Horents and Dorsey to the 2nd round? Maybe Ibaka to the Griz and Hardin to the 2nd?

Damn, my world is falling down around me because of one brain fart!

:banghead:

RIPskaterdude · Post #6 » by **RIPskaterdude** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:12 pm

BigSlam wrote:
xx_skaterdude_xx wrote:What happened to Darrell Arthur? No way he slips to the 2nd round.

Wow!! Serious brain fart!! It was an accident that I left him off. I think that he is a mid-late 1st round pick (he's not doing himself any favors with the way his Mum is representing him during the workouts).

I'm thinking maybe he goes to the Spurs which pushes Ibaka down a little? Ibaka to the Horents and Dorsey to the 2nd round? Maybe Ibaka to the Griz and Hardin to the 2nd?

Damn, my world is falling down around me because of one brain fart!

I don't know if he would slip all the way the Spurs. I think he has a promise from a team in the 10-20 range already, which is why he is cancelling some of his workouts. Alot of Kings fans believe he has a direct promise from them...He would look good next to Hawes.

JDubJazz · Post #7 » by **JDubJazz** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:11 pm

CDR to the Jazz makes pretty much zero sense. As far as the backup wing not getting any younger, I'm not sure we really want to get much younger than CJ Miles and Morris Almond. Korver and AK47 are still in their mid 20's, too.

Post #8 » by **BigSlam** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:17 pm

JDubJazz wrote:CDR to the Jazz makes pretty much zero sense. As far as the backup wing not getting any younger, I'm not sure we really want to get much younger than CJ Miles and Morris Almond. Korver and AK47 are still in their mid 20's, too.

CJ Miles has hardly sniffed an NBA court in 3 years. Almond might be ok (he looked good in the D but only played 9 games in the big show - and when he did he hardly saw the court). Korver is a specialist 3pt shooter - hence 4 of his 7 shot attempts per game coming from down town (and he is turning 28). AK-47 is better at PF than he is any where else (and is turning 28 as well). Harpring, who was one of your more productive wings, is 32.

CDR is a heady, versitile wing who can create his own offense and works well within structured offense. Seems like he would be a great fit with Sloan.

JDubJazz · Post #9 » by **JDubJazz** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:49 pm

BigSlam wrote:
JDubJazz wrote:CDR to the Jazz makes pretty much zero sense. As far as the backup wing not getting any younger, I'm not sure we really want to get much younger than CJ Miles and Morris Almond. Korver and AK47 are still in their mid 20's, too.

CJ Miles has hardly sniffed an NBA court in 3 years. Almond might be ok (he looked good in the D but only played 9 games in the big show - and when he did he hardly saw the court). Korver is a specialist 3pt shooter - hence 4 of his 7 shot attempts per game coming from down town (and he is turning 28). AK-47 is better at PF than he is any where else (and is turning 28 as well). Harpring, who was one of your more productive wings, is 32.

CDR is a heady, versitile wing who can create his own offense and works well within structured offense. Seems like he would be a great fit with Sloan.

Spoken like someone who saw maybe one Jazz game all year. The Jazz have been grooming CJ to take over Matty's minutes, and he's been quite productive when he's on the floor. AK will never play PF as a Jazzman as long as Booz, Memo and Millsap are here, and Almond will be fine. Jerry rarely plays rookies. Brewer sat the bench all last year, but once he finally got in, he was fine. Its just the way the Jazz work. I'm not knocking CDR, I'm just saying he doesn't fill a need. He won't come close to sniffing any court time with this roster, so why would the Jazz bother? Especially when they have such a glaring need for post defense.

Post #10 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:49 am

Grooming CJ means his mins dropped from a carrer high in Dec at 16 to 8, 13 and finally 9 by April?
Ak47 will never play PF so long as Boozer is there? Isn't there strong talk of a) him being traded before next season or b) him opting out after next season to become a FA? You might be right, Almond might be fine. He sure did some great things in the D. And I am a big fan of Brewers. Of course when you are picking #23 you are looking for depth right? Not really a starter (unless you luck into a late 1st steal).

Agreed that Sloan doesn't really like to play rookies - but that in essence gives strengths to a part of my basis. CDR is the type of player that Sloan might warm to and want to play.

I would have thought that Mansap would give you all the post D you need? When Booz leaves you'd have AK47 and Mansap at the 4?

YungNeef · Post #11 » by **YungNeef** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:38 am

If Rose fell to 3(Not sure why Miami wouldn't take him), the Wolves would be smart to either draft him or get a team(Knicks, Pacers, or maybe Clippers) to overpay for him.

Post #12 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:48 pm

YungNeef wrote:If Rose fell to 3(Not sure why Miami wouldn't take him), the Wolves would be smart to either draft him or get a team(Knicks, Pacers, or maybe Clippers) to overpay for him.

I think that Rose and Wade are a horrible, horrible fit together - where as Mayo and Wade would be wonderful together. That's why I think Miami shouldn't take him.

As I mentioned at the start of my original post: " It's too hard to try and predict trades etc so I am just treating the draft as staying true to form - not that it will!!". No doubt if Rose was there at #3 the Wolves should draft and trade him, I just didn't want to break down potential trade ideas as well because they are near impossible to predict.

Post #13 » by **magee** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:46 pm

There's no way the Timberwolves pass on Rose if he's there. They can trade McCants and Jaric to make room for him.

Mecca · Post #14 » by **Mecca** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:48 pm

no comment

Post #15 » by **BigSlam** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:11 am

magee wrote:There's no way the Timberwolves pass on Rose if he's there. They can trade McCants and Jaric to make room for him.

Like I said and will say again: " It's too hard to try and predict trades etc so I am just treating the draft as staying true to form - not that it will!!".

Cammo101 · Post #16 » by **Cammo101** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:27 am

Any mock draft with Rose outside of the top 2 is an immediate epic fail. Mayo going ahead of Rose is a complete joke.

Post #17 » by **BigSlam** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:47 pm

Where as I believe that anyone who thinks that Rose and Wade are a better pairing than Mayo and Wade are a complete joke.

See how it works both ways?

Cammo101 · Post #18 » by **Cammo101** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:51 pm

Wade + Mayo = 2 SG's.
Wade + Rose = PG and SG.

Rose is so much better than Mayo that fit should not even matter. Rose is special in a Jason Kidd way. Mayo is just another undersized scoring SG.

Post #19 » by **loflin3hree5ive** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:19 pm

There is no way the Clippers pick Augustin over Westbrook or Gordon.

Post #20 » by **BigSlam** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:56 pm

Cammo101 wrote:Wade + Mayo = 2 SG's.
Wade + Rose = PG and SG.

Rose is so much better than Mayo that fit should not even matter. Rose is special in a Jason Kidd way. Mayo is just another undersized scoring SG.

Wade + Mayo = 1 back court player who slashes and creates for others and 1 back court player who shoots the long ball and creates for others

Wade + Rose = 2 back court players who slash and can create for others but can't shoot the long ball or spread the floor.

Fit should always matter, especially when it's pretty much an exact duplication of talent - unless the Heat are seriously thinking about replacing Wade with Rose and are shipping Wade off to Chicago.