Dr. Mufasa Mock Draft- 06/25/09- Final Mock w/ explanations

[Dr Positivity]

I'll try to update every week. Maybe not with full explanations, I'll just explain the moves. I'm not the best on the 20-30 type players, I'm more of a draft guy than a college basketball guy so some of these lesser players I just know what I've read about them.

Here's the list. Tried to be simple and to the point:

1. LA Clippers - PF Blake Griffin - The duh pick. Clips look to rebuild their franchise around Gordon/Griffin. Not a bad place to start, just clean out the trash. Easier said than done.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - PG Ricky Rubio - Clear best player available and like Griffin a potential franchise player in waiting. Conley hits the market, possibly in a deal with Portland.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - C Hasheem Thabeet - They weigh the Harden option a lot but go with the consensus 3rd best player who fills their big man hole. Potential elite core growing in OKC.

4. Sacramento Kings - PG Brandon Jennings - Jennings does well in the workouts with his athleticism and Sacramento is happy to draft their hopeful franchise PG at 4.

5. Washington Wizards - SG James Harden - Fits as the SG in the Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Haywood lineup. But do they need more stoppers?

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - PG/SG Tyreke Evans - Minny's looking for a wing, they take the talented Evans.

7. Golden State Warriors - SG/SF Demar Derozan - Warriors take the consensus best player available and potential star (I don't agree with that label, but we'll see)

8. New York Knicks - PG/SG Stephen Curry - Promise kept? Fits perfectly with D'Antoni and Lebron anyways.

9. Toronto Raptors - SG Gerald Henderson - Raptors were looking at Evans and Derozan, after they fall off the board, they go for the multi-faceted Henderson who brings a defensive mentality to the wings.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - PF Jordan Hill - Best player available at this point. Considered a steal after being projected top 5 for most of the year (he falls mostly from the luck of the draw... the 4 teams above won't take him)

11. New Jersey Nets - SF/PF Earl Clark - Nets go with a talented SF/PF with star potential to go beside Harris and Lopez.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - PF/C Dejaun Blair - 'Cats get a post machine to fit beside Okafor.

13. Indiana Pacers - PG/SG Jeff Teague - With Jack as their designated PG, they draft Teague as a SG partner who fits in their uptempo system, and look to dump Ford

14. Phoenix Suns - PG Johnny Flynn - Finally get a backup for Nash, an explosive fast one who works with their team.

15. Detroit Pistons - SG/SF Terrance Williams - Athletic, intangibles monster who fits Detroit's style

16. Chicago Bulls - PF James Johnson - The wings are loaded enough so they go with a PF while waiting for a potential Bosh/Amare deal

17. Philadelphia 76ers - PG Ty Lawson - Sixers get a PG to replace Miller

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - PG/SG Jrue Holliday - Best player available. Like Hill he drops this far only because he doesn't work being drafted by the teams above. Minny is estatic to get Holliday this low

19. Atlanta Hawks - SG/SF Chase Budinger - After losing Marvin for financial reasons, they fill the SF role with an athletic player who fits their game

20. Utah Jazz - SF/PF Sam Young - After being awfully soft this year, they beef up their defense and toughness

21. New Orleans Hornets *likely selling pick* - PG Eric Maynor - Backup for Paul. They're lucky to have Maynor fall this far

22. Dallas Mavericks - SF Austin Daye - Howard is a injury prone and likely on the way out. They pick up another playable SF.

23. Sacramento Kings - C BJ Mullens - They swing for the fences and get a monster to put beside Thompson and Hawes.

24. Portland Trailblazers - PF Geni Lawal - Roy said they need a PF behind Aldridge. Guessing they follow his words.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - SG Wayne Ellington - They need 3 point shooting

26. Chicago Bulls - PG Darren Collision - After Hinrich is traded, they get a backup for Rose

27. Memphis - PF Tyler Hansbrough - Well, he'll bring in fan support

28. Minnesota - SF Dajaun Summers - After drafting a PG and SG, they round out the trio with a SF

29. LA Lakers - PG Patrick Mills - For guarding those waterbug PGs

30. Cleveland - SG Marcus Thornton - Their backup SG spot isn't the best, they try to fill it.

[big3_8_19_21]

as a Minny fan, I like DeRozan better than Evans. I really like the Holiday pick, though. Summers? eh...but whatever.

[wildvikeswolves]

as a Minny fan, I like DeRozan better than Evans. I really like the Holiday pick, though. Summers? eh...but whatever.

agreed 100%

it would be nice if we could trade bostons pick plus both seconds to trade up enough to grab Mullins

I would love a Derozan Holiday and Mullins Draft

[RutgersBJJ]

I'm sure you will get some crap for it, but I genuinely agree with you about Hill falling. I figured he would go to the Griz, but with them moving up that isn't going to happen. I think he goes to GSW or NY, or he falls to the Bucks.

[CraigDeuce]

Agreed, New York and Golden State would have to look long and hard at Hill before passing up on him.

[Stacks]

I think even the Raptors would strongly consider Hill at nine if it was between him and guys like Gerald Henderson or Terrence Williams.

Although they have Bargnani and Bosh, there's little depth behind those two and the team struggles badly in the rebounding deptartment.

It's not a greatest fit, but who knows whether Bosh is long-term and guys like Henderson aren't going to fill the Raptors need for a starting calibre SG anyway.

If that's all that was available, I think they'd take Hill and use the MLE to fill the SG hole through free agency.

[C.lupus]

as a Minny fan, I like DeRozan better than Evans. I really like the Holiday pick, though. Summers? eh...but whatever.

agreed 100%

it would be nice if we could trade bostons pick plus both seconds to trade up enough to grab Mullins

I would love a Derozan Holiday and Mullins Draft

Minny fans seem to be split on DeRozan vs. Evans. Personally, I'd be happy with either a DeRozan/Holiday draft or an Evans/Mullens draft. I just don't like Evans and Holiday together.

[carmelbrownqueen]

If Hill tumbles to 10, I think the Bucks take him but also try to trade for another 1st rounder to get a PG.

[john2jer]

As the Wolves fan who has a clue, , I'd prefer Tyreke Evans, BJ Mullens, and DaJuan Summers if this was how it goes. Although, I love Holiday at 18, just not with Evans. Though if they could defevlop jump shots, they'd be a beautiful pairing. Especially with Foye off the bench.

[Dr Positivity]

Agreed, New York and Golden State would have to look long and hard at Hill before passing up on him.

Well I assume Don Nelson won't warm to Hill because he's not a Nellieball player... Biedrins is on the way out, with Nelson in control he's dealing anybody who he "doesn't like" in his system. Unless they figure Hill could be their center, I guess his midrange shot is ok. Though they already have Turiaf who I feel is Hill is a clone of.

I'm going by the Curry promise for NY... but we'll see.

The team that I think could conceivably take Hill because he's BPA is the Raptors... though we need to stop taking PFs every year, it's getting ridiculous!

[#1 pick]

Nice list Dr. Mufasa,

Here's my list. I used your's as a template.

1. LA Clippers - PF Blake Griffin - Did you see the picture of their GM and Dunleavy quote. Most assured selection since Lebron.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - C Hasheem Thabeet - Tough but not so much for the Grizzles. They really want to build around Mayo, Gay, and Conley and even liked Thabeet over Griffin. No brainer. Great Defensive Centers change the success of your team. See the Nuggets, Hawks, and 76ers with Mutombo.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - PG Ricky Rubio - They would love to have Thabeet but that is not happening. Westbrook is a combo guard so this actually would fit. Another no-brainer.

4. Sacramento Kings - PG Brandon Jennings - Sacramento liked him a lot, I mean a lot. This is where they wanted to land. No brainer.

5. Washington Wizards - Trade - I will say someone will move up and select Gerald Henderson at this slot, who I don't know.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - SG James Harden - Easiest pick of the day besides Blake Griffin to LA.

7. Golden State Warriors - SG/SF Demar Derozan - Warriors take the consensus best player available and potential star (I don't agree with that label, but we'll see) #1 pick take: I agree with Dr. Mufasa.

8. New York Knicks - PG/SG Stephen Curry - Promise kept? Fits perfectly with D'Antoni and Lebron anyways. #1 pick take: No brainer, this is a Lebron package selection.

9. Toronto Raptors - PG Tyreke Evans - This is a bad pick, mainly because Evans is a PG but no where near ready to play the position in the NBA. He can't play off the ball and will be in the NBDL for a season or two. This is a big mistake but Toronto doesn't have much of a choice or do they?

10. Milwaukee Bucks - PG Johnny Flynn - Will be the best player available at this point. Milwaukee will try to trade up for Henderson or Harden. I can't see them staying, if so they would select Johnny Flynn.

11. New Jersey Nets - PF Jordan Hill - Considered a steal after being projected top 5 for most of the year (he falls mostly from the luck of the draw... the 4 teams above won't take him) I think he is not a steal but has good value at the point.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - PF/C Dejaun Blair - They need post depth and toughness, this is a Larry Brown type move.

13. Indiana Pacers - PG Eric Maynor - The true PG will go right here if it's to the Pacers or to another team by trade. Larry Bird will have a keen eye on Maynor in the process.

14. Phoenix Suns - PG Ty Lawson - The suprise pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. This is player that Phx has been eye since January. This means Nash is exspendable in 2010.

15. Detroit Pistons - SF/PF James Johnson - Dumars loves tough, atheltic players who are slept on. This is one Dumars will love. I see them signing Boozer in the offseason as well.

16. Chicago Bulls - SG James Budinger - If the Hinrich to Clips for big goes down, then this is the likely selection. Paxson loves winners or guys who play into the team so this is likely at this point.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - PG Earl Clark - Sixers like this type of players, they excel in Philly with their style of play.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - PG/SG Jrue Holliday - Most potential available.

19. Atlanta Hawks - C B.J. Mullens - As a Hawks fan, I don't know what we will do in this draft. It's a crapshoot, Mullens is the first name that came to my mind.

20. Utah Jazz - PF Tyler Hansbrough - This will suprise people but Sloan believes in his system and they have to have a backup for Millsap.

21. New Orleans Hornets *likely selling pick* - Agree and PG Jeff Teague for now.

22. Dallas Mavericks - SF Austin Daye - I don't think he will stay in the draft but if he did then he will be selected right here.

23. Sacramento Kings - SF Terrence Williams - Would love a post player but they are not available at this slot. Williams is the safe bet.

24. Portland Trailblazers - PF Gani Lawal - I don't think he will stay in the draft but this sounds right.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - SG Wayne Ellington - They need 3 point shooting. #1 pick take: I agree

26. Chicago Bulls - PG Darren Collision - After Hinrich is traded, they get a backup for Rose #1 pick take: I agree

27. Memphis - SF/PF Sam Young - He could backup Gay

28. Minnesota - Traded - Minnesota will select... Traded

29. LA Lakers - PG Patrick Mills - Needs PG in this draft since the Center depth is weak.

30. Cleveland - Global - They will draft an international

[babyjax13]

I think that if Indiana were to go point guard at that point in the draft it would be Lawson or Flynn.

[Cammo101]

All you guys with Jordan Hill in the 10 range obviously learned nothing from the Brook Lopez incident last year. Hill will be a top 6 pick.

[big3_8_19_21]

If he slips to 6, then he slips to 7 because the Wolves are the worst fit in the league for him...unless there's a trade already set.

[#1 pick]

All you guys with Jordan Hill in the 10 range obviously learned nothing from the Brook Lopez incident last year. Hill will be a top 6 pick.

It was a joke that he drop that far last year. He was my 4th ranked prospect last year.
Mayo
Rose
Beasley
Lopez
Love

But Jordan Hill is no Lopez, not even close. If Lopez was in this is draft he would be in the Top 5. Hill is not a Top 5 pick.

This Draft reminds me of the 2003 NBA Draft.
That one had in the top 6
Lebron
Darko
Melo
Bosh
Wade
Kaman

This one has
Griffin
Thabeet
Rubio
Jennings
Henderson
Harden

The difference is that I don't think none of these players will be bust(Darko) like that draft for the top 6. Both drafts were top-heavy and both will go down as great for the top 6 picks. After the lottery, this draft should go downhill.

[Dr Positivity]

All you guys with Jordan Hill in the 10 range obviously learned nothing from the Brook Lopez incident last year. Hill will be a top 6 pick.

I don't read you... Lopez fell to 10, why couldn't GMs do the same thing with Hill? Unless your point is more around raw athleticism picks like Hill usually staying high or going up after workouts while fundamental skill players like Lopez drop?

[Cammo101]

All you guys with Jordan Hill in the 10 range obviously learned nothing from the Brook Lopez incident last year. Hill will be a top 6 pick.

I don't read you... Lopez fell to 10, why couldn't GMs do the same thing with Hill? Unless your point is more around raw athleticism picks like Hill usually staying high or going up after workouts while fundamental skill players like Lopez drop?

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...you ain't gonna fool me again.

My point is that people will not make the same mistake twice, especially in this years weak draft.

[Dr Positivity]

Update - 5/23/09

1. LA Clippers - PF Blake Griffin
2. Memphis Grizzlies - PG Ricky Rubio
3. Oklahoma City Thunder - C Hasheem Thabeet
4. Sacramento Kings - PG Jrue Holliday
5. Washington Wizards - SG James Harden
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - SG/SF Demar Derozan
7. Golden State Warriors - PG Brandon Jennings
8. New York Knicks - PG/SG Stephen Curry
9. Toronto Raptors - PG/SG Tyreke Evans
10. Milwaukee Bucks - PF Jordan Hill
11. New Jersey Nets - PF/C Dejaun Blair
12. Charlotte Bobcats - SG Gerald Henderson
13. Indiana Pacers - SF/PF Earl Clark
14. Phoenix Suns - PG/SG Jeff Teague
15. Detroit Pistons - SG/SF Terrance Williams
16. Chicago Bulls - SF/PF James Johnson
17. Philadelphia 76ers - PG Johnny Flynn
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - C BJ Mullens
19. Atlanta Hawks - SF/PF Chase Budinger
20. Utah Jazz - PG Eric Maynor
21. New Orleans Hornets *likely selling pick* - PG Ty Lawson
22. Dallas Mavericks - SF/PF Sam Young
23. Sacramento Kings - SF Austin Daye
24. Portland Trailblazers - PF Geni Lawal
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - SG Wayne Ellington
26. Chicago Bulls - PG Darren Collision
27. Memphis - PF Tyler Hansbrough
28. Minnesota - SF Dajaun Summers
29. LA Lakers - PG Patrick Mills
30. Cleveland - SG Marcus Thornton

Jrue Holliday makes the GREAT LEAP FORWARD. He's stock has risen quickly to a top 10 type, the Kings needs a PG, and Jennings/Evans just... aren't Petrie players. All indications are they like Holliday a lot.

That has ramifications on the rest like a butterfly effect. I think the Wolves don't take Jennings because they don't want to give up on Foye... between Evans and Derozan I've switched their pick to Derozan, just judging from comments. Jennings to the Warriors is then easy.

Toronto goes with the creator they've needed for a while in Evans. After the moose comment I revise the Nets pick to Blair... Henderson is a perfect fit for Charlotte... Clark is the BPA and has all-star potential for the Pacers... Suns pick Teague over Flynn and Lawson after workouts, partly from his size... Sixers take Flynn as the best PG on the table... Wolves take the true C Mullens I've revised... Jazz go with Maynor at 20 as a NBA ready player and the BPA available... Lawson ends up out of the top 20 like Jameer Nelson, but mostly from a PG overload. Mavs take Young to replace Howard, Kings get Daye.

[djthesonicsfan]

No way Presti picks the Thabeet at #3.

[Downtown]

djthesonicsfan, tell me this. What is your opinion of Jeff Green at power forward and do you think he could play there for the Grizzlies as their starter? As you're aware I stopped following OKC after they relocated so I'm not up on Green anymore. But I do know that for a two month period he rebounded extremely well and only really fell off the last month or so. The angle I'm coming from is that if Westbrook could be the fulltime shooting guard then would a Rubio and Gasol for Green and Thabeet trade make any sense?