Jud's 2009 Mock
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:10 am
Alright... the wait is over. Here's my mock. I will be updating this as we go. Let me know your thoughts.
1. Washington – Blake Griffin, PF: Obvious pick. Gives them a crazy lineup of Agent Zero, Butler, Jamison, Griffin, and Haywood.
2. Sacramento – Ricky Rubio, PG: One team that might not be that upset being the number 2 pick. Grab Rubio to solidify their PG spot and team up with Hawes, Thompson, Martin, etc. Now… where can Beno go?
3. Minnesota – James Harden, SG: Minny could go for Hill or Thabeet to make an awesome 3-man big man rotation, but Harden gives them a potential star in the making on the wing to join Love, Big Al, and Foye in a quartet of great young players.
4. LA Clippers – Jordan Hill, PF: Camby’s old, Randolph’s a punk, and Kaman’s been injury prone. Why not take Hill and trade a current big.
5. Oklahoma City – Hasheem Thabeet, C: Some are iffy on this pick… but I feel like he anchors the defense for them.
6. Memphis – Earl Clark, SF/PF: Would like a legit 4 or 5, but Clark gives them good minutes at the 4 and can backup Rudy Gay at the 3 as well.
7. Golden State – Brandon Jennings, PG: Get’s a PG to move Monta Ellis off the ball. Great talent that should translate to a good NBA game.
8. New York – Demar Derozen, G/F: Potential star power. Basically goes with the BPA here. Has the ability to put butts in the seats and bring some excitement to NY.
9. Toronto – Stephen Curry, G: Can be a great 3rd guard for the Raptors to give them Jason Terry type bench scoring and crazy shooting ability.
10. Milwaukee – Gerald Henderson, SG: Michael Redd’s injuries bring on this pick. Even if Redd comes back 100%, Henderson can play good minutes at the 2 and also in any small lineup that Skiles might throw out there.
11. New Jersey – Tyreke Evans, G: Could come in right away and start at the 2 with VC playing the 3. Bobby Simmons needs to head to the bench. Could also play PG minutes in a larger lineup.
12. Charlotte – B.J. Mullens, C: Great gamble for a team that lacks size. Most of the best players available are PGs which is where this team is all set.
13. Indiana – Craig Brackins, PF: Indiana adds a good PF who could end up being a decent steal at the 13 spot once all is said and done.
14. Phoenix – Ty Lawson, PG: Love this pick… the Suns would not miss a beat in a high tempo offense with Ty out there.
15. Detroit – Jonny Flynn, PG: With Iverson likely gone, the Pistons need another guard. Flynn would most likely come off the bench for Stuckey or Rip (and move Stuckey to the 2).
16. Chicago –Chase Budinger, G/F: Chase is a player that has a lot of ability and could possibly go higher if he stayed in school. Becomes insurance in the case that Ben Gordon leaves. This team will have a lot of shake ups… he would be a good piece for them.
17. Philadelphia – Jrue Holiday, G: Another insurance case… If Andre Miller leaves, do they really want Lou Williams taking full responsibility of the point? Also has great talent and can play both guard spots.
18. Minnesota – James Johnson, PF/SF: With a SG already taken and the next tier of PGs recently picked, the Wolves go for a player that gives them a Ryan Gomes type of versatility.
19. Atlanta – DeJuan Blair, PF: This team needs toughness. Blair gives them an outstanding rebounder that can bring some much needed strength. Same type of mindset they had when they took Sheldon Williams back in the day.
20. Utah – Jeff Teague, PG: Even though they have Deron Williams, they could really use a good backup PG. Teague is just that.
21. New Orleans – Wayne Ellington, SG: NO is a little thin on the wing. And with Paul running the point, Ellington could be the recipient of a lot of drives and dishes.
22. Dallas – Sam Young, SF: They could really use a center or taller PF, but no one that fits that bill is worth taking with the 22nd pick. Sam Young is a great value pick here. He could surprise.
23. Sacramento – Patrick Patterson, PF: The King’s already got their PG in Rubio so they go for another big to add to the Hawes and Thompson mix.
24. Denver – Willie Warren, PG: Fell a little in the draft as teams took different types of PGs before him. Comes right in and gets full backup minutes spelling Billups.
25. Portland – Omri Casspi, SF: I know the likelihood of the rest of the teams actually allowing Portland to take another guy and stash him overseas is probably low, but I don’t feel like they have any roster/rotation spots for anyone else this year. They could end up bringing Freeland or Koponen over which would add to that problem/depth.
26. Chicago – Terrence Williams, SG: Bulls go with the BPA. Most likely one or both of their picks will be shipped out anyways.
27. Orlando – Tyler Hansbrough, PF: The Magic could really use another real big man. Gortat could bolt for overseas. Hansbrough brings toughness and a will to win that could really help.
28. Minnesota – Patrick Mills, PG: Minny fans rejoice as they get a player that seems to have dropped in the draft. Had his coming out party for the Aussies against the US. He could step right in and play good minutes if he’s 100%.
29. LA Lakers – Gani Lawal, PF/C: They could really use some depth at the big man spots and Lawal is the best option for that. Probably won’t get too much PT right off. But could be helpful if someone gets hurt like Bynum did this year.
30. Cleveland – Austin Daye, SF/PF: Daye could be the steal of the draft. Has all of the tools to be a tremendous SF with great height and smooth skills. Needs to add some weight, but I’m sure the manbeast himself (LeBron) could give him some pointers.
1. Washington – Blake Griffin, PF: Obvious pick. Gives them a crazy lineup of Agent Zero, Butler, Jamison, Griffin, and Haywood.
2. Sacramento – Ricky Rubio, PG: One team that might not be that upset being the number 2 pick. Grab Rubio to solidify their PG spot and team up with Hawes, Thompson, Martin, etc. Now… where can Beno go?
3. Minnesota – James Harden, SG: Minny could go for Hill or Thabeet to make an awesome 3-man big man rotation, but Harden gives them a potential star in the making on the wing to join Love, Big Al, and Foye in a quartet of great young players.
4. LA Clippers – Jordan Hill, PF: Camby’s old, Randolph’s a punk, and Kaman’s been injury prone. Why not take Hill and trade a current big.
5. Oklahoma City – Hasheem Thabeet, C: Some are iffy on this pick… but I feel like he anchors the defense for them.
6. Memphis – Earl Clark, SF/PF: Would like a legit 4 or 5, but Clark gives them good minutes at the 4 and can backup Rudy Gay at the 3 as well.
7. Golden State – Brandon Jennings, PG: Get’s a PG to move Monta Ellis off the ball. Great talent that should translate to a good NBA game.
8. New York – Demar Derozen, G/F: Potential star power. Basically goes with the BPA here. Has the ability to put butts in the seats and bring some excitement to NY.
9. Toronto – Stephen Curry, G: Can be a great 3rd guard for the Raptors to give them Jason Terry type bench scoring and crazy shooting ability.
10. Milwaukee – Gerald Henderson, SG: Michael Redd’s injuries bring on this pick. Even if Redd comes back 100%, Henderson can play good minutes at the 2 and also in any small lineup that Skiles might throw out there.
11. New Jersey – Tyreke Evans, G: Could come in right away and start at the 2 with VC playing the 3. Bobby Simmons needs to head to the bench. Could also play PG minutes in a larger lineup.
12. Charlotte – B.J. Mullens, C: Great gamble for a team that lacks size. Most of the best players available are PGs which is where this team is all set.
13. Indiana – Craig Brackins, PF: Indiana adds a good PF who could end up being a decent steal at the 13 spot once all is said and done.
14. Phoenix – Ty Lawson, PG: Love this pick… the Suns would not miss a beat in a high tempo offense with Ty out there.
15. Detroit – Jonny Flynn, PG: With Iverson likely gone, the Pistons need another guard. Flynn would most likely come off the bench for Stuckey or Rip (and move Stuckey to the 2).
16. Chicago –Chase Budinger, G/F: Chase is a player that has a lot of ability and could possibly go higher if he stayed in school. Becomes insurance in the case that Ben Gordon leaves. This team will have a lot of shake ups… he would be a good piece for them.
17. Philadelphia – Jrue Holiday, G: Another insurance case… If Andre Miller leaves, do they really want Lou Williams taking full responsibility of the point? Also has great talent and can play both guard spots.
18. Minnesota – James Johnson, PF/SF: With a SG already taken and the next tier of PGs recently picked, the Wolves go for a player that gives them a Ryan Gomes type of versatility.
19. Atlanta – DeJuan Blair, PF: This team needs toughness. Blair gives them an outstanding rebounder that can bring some much needed strength. Same type of mindset they had when they took Sheldon Williams back in the day.
20. Utah – Jeff Teague, PG: Even though they have Deron Williams, they could really use a good backup PG. Teague is just that.
21. New Orleans – Wayne Ellington, SG: NO is a little thin on the wing. And with Paul running the point, Ellington could be the recipient of a lot of drives and dishes.
22. Dallas – Sam Young, SF: They could really use a center or taller PF, but no one that fits that bill is worth taking with the 22nd pick. Sam Young is a great value pick here. He could surprise.
23. Sacramento – Patrick Patterson, PF: The King’s already got their PG in Rubio so they go for another big to add to the Hawes and Thompson mix.
24. Denver – Willie Warren, PG: Fell a little in the draft as teams took different types of PGs before him. Comes right in and gets full backup minutes spelling Billups.
25. Portland – Omri Casspi, SF: I know the likelihood of the rest of the teams actually allowing Portland to take another guy and stash him overseas is probably low, but I don’t feel like they have any roster/rotation spots for anyone else this year. They could end up bringing Freeland or Koponen over which would add to that problem/depth.
26. Chicago – Terrence Williams, SG: Bulls go with the BPA. Most likely one or both of their picks will be shipped out anyways.
27. Orlando – Tyler Hansbrough, PF: The Magic could really use another real big man. Gortat could bolt for overseas. Hansbrough brings toughness and a will to win that could really help.
28. Minnesota – Patrick Mills, PG: Minny fans rejoice as they get a player that seems to have dropped in the draft. Had his coming out party for the Aussies against the US. He could step right in and play good minutes if he’s 100%.
29. LA Lakers – Gani Lawal, PF/C: They could really use some depth at the big man spots and Lawal is the best option for that. Probably won’t get too much PT right off. But could be helpful if someone gets hurt like Bynum did this year.
30. Cleveland – Austin Daye, SF/PF: Daye could be the steal of the draft. Has all of the tools to be a tremendous SF with great height and smooth skills. Needs to add some weight, but I’m sure the manbeast himself (LeBron) could give him some pointers.