RTM's 1st Round Mock (UPDATE 6/19)
Posted: Sun Jun 7, 2009 9:29 pm
Here's my stab at prediction picks 1-30:
1 - Clippers - Blake Griffin
No thought required.
2 - Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet
The Grizz need shot blocking and size, so I think they take a chance on Thabeet. Rubio's threats prove too scary for them.
3 - Thunder - Ricky Rubio
The Thunder won't be scared off by Rubio. The plug him in as their new dynamic PG.
4 - Kings - Jrue Holiday
They desperately need a PG, and Jrue has tons of talent, and is a great defender.
5 - Wizards - James Harden
If they don't trade the pick, they'll go for the BPA. Harden would instantly start for them, and his all around game would fit in well.
6 - T'Wolves - Tyreke Evans
The Wolves pick up the very talented Evans. He and Foye could provide a very effective combo guard back court.
7 - Warriors - Jordan Hill
I could see them going for Jennings, but I feel like they'd ultimately grab Hill if he's still on the board, as they have an abundance of guards. He'd be a much better Turiaf, and should fit in well.
8 - Knicks - Stephen Curry
A perfect D'Antoni player and LBJ's buddy. A sensible pick.
9 - Raptors - Demar DeRozan
He's perhaps the most talented player in the draft, and would fit an immediate need for the Raps.
10 - Bucks - Jonny Flynn
There's been a lot of buzz that the Bucks love Flynn, and I believe it. Sessions will likely leave, and Flynn would be an apt replacement.
11 - Nets - DeJaun Blair
The Nets could use the toughness and strength that the big fella provides. Jennings will get a look here, but I think he'll keep on sliding.
12 - Bobcats - Gerald Henderson
I can't think of any player in this draft that LB would love more. He'll come in and contribute right away.
13 - Pacers - Earl Clark
Jennings is another possibility here. But with their desire to retain Jack and with salary already committed to Ford, I think they opt to bolster their front line with Clark. He's got tons of talent, and could be a nice compliment to Granger.
14 - Suns - Brandon Jennings
I can't see Jennings sliding any further. He's too talented and too good a fit for the Suns to pass him up. Austin Daye and (if he's still available) Clark will get definite looks here.
15 - Pistons - Austin Daye
For the Pistons, it will come down to Daye or James Johnson. Talent vs. Toughness. Either are a viable pick, but I see them opting for the talented Daye, and having their own skinny 3 mentor him.
16 - Bulls - James Johnson
Johnson finds a home in Chicago, where he'd be a nice fit, especially amid rumors that TT might be shopped.
17 - 76ers - Eric Maynor
With Miller possibly a goner, they would be smart to take a PG, with Maynor, Teague and Lawson being the best choices. I think they'd like Maynor better due to his size, shooting, and leadership.
18 - T'Wovles - BJ Mullins
Mullins has tons of talent, but lots of questions surround his desire and ability to succeed. He could go as high as 15 or as low as 22, but I think the T'Wolves nab him here. He's got nice size and good potential.
19 - Hawks - Jeff Teague
With Bibby entering free agency and PG being the strongest position in the draft, I see them picking one of Lawson or Teague. Teague gets the nod here due to better shooting and higher upside. He'd fit nicely with Joe Johnson.
20 - Jazz - Tyler Hansborough
Psycho T was measured bigger than expected, which should boost his stock. He's a tough player and a winner, and would be a nice insurance policy for the Jazz in the event they can't retain both Boozer and Millsap. Sloan will love him.
21 - Hornets - Terrence Williams
The Hornets could go a few different ways here. They could nab a speedy PG in Lawson, a talented wing in Chase Budinger or Terrence Williams or a strong defender in Gani Lawal. Ultimately, I think Williams is too talented to pass up, especially when it looks like Pargo will return.
22 - Mavericks - Ty Lawson
The Mavs get good value with this pick in Lawson. He's got talent, is a leader, and addresses a need. Budinger and Lawal also might get a look here, and if Williams is still on the board, he could be their pick.
23 - Kings - Gani Lawal
The Kings pick up Lawal, who brings toughness and great defensive play to their front line. He could be a nice backup to Thompson and Hawes.
24 - Portland - Darren Collison
This pick is a prime candidate to be dealt, but in the event they keep it, I believe Collison would be a smart pick. He's a terrific defender and a stand out personality who would be a very effective backup PG for them right away. Budinger, Sam Young and Omri Casspi also get consideration, but I think that if they keep this pick, Collison should be their guy.
25 - Thunder - Chase Budinger
Budinger is too talented to fall much further. His shooting and hustle cold make him a rotation player right away.
26 - Bulls - Omri Casspi
The best players left are all forwards, so I think the Bulls picks the one with the highest upside. Omri has a nice all around game, and would spend another year polishing his game overseas before coming over.
27 - Grizzlies - DaJuan Summers
The Grizz get a guy who can come in and play behind or alongside Rudy Gay. Think of him as a more talented Hakim Warrick (who could leave Memphis as a free agent this summer). Sam Young and Derrick Brown are also options here.
28 - T'Wolves - Patrick Mills
This is a difficult pick to predict, as none of the players left really fills a need. They have plenty of combo guards and plenty of forwards. I could see this pick being traded. However, if they do keep it, I think they'd take Mills, who could be an upgrade over Telfair, and provides them with blazing quickness.
29 - Lakers - Toney Douglas
I think taking a PG makes sense for them, and two nice fits are still on the board in Nick Calathes and Toney Douglas. Neither are true PGs, but that won't matter playing next to Kobe. I give Douglas the nod here because I see a lot of Derek Fisher in him.
30 - Cavaliers - Sam Young
With Wally and Pavlovic like gone, Sam Young is a sensible pick. He's NBA ready and can play behind or alongside LeBron. A good value at 30.
On the bubble:
Nick Calathes - I think the fact that he's playing overseas might make him as a 2nd round selection more sensible. Could go late 1st round.
Wayne Ellington - I see Ellington as a potential 1st round talent who slips and rewards a team in the 2nd (just like CDR falling to New Jersey).
Marcus Thornton - A talented scorer who MIN could take at 28 or CLE at 30. Likely an early 2nd rounder.
Thoughts?
1 - Clippers - Blake Griffin
No thought required.
2 - Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet
The Grizz need shot blocking and size, so I think they take a chance on Thabeet. Rubio's threats prove too scary for them.
3 - Thunder - Ricky Rubio
The Thunder won't be scared off by Rubio. The plug him in as their new dynamic PG.
4 - Kings - Jrue Holiday
They desperately need a PG, and Jrue has tons of talent, and is a great defender.
5 - Wizards - James Harden
If they don't trade the pick, they'll go for the BPA. Harden would instantly start for them, and his all around game would fit in well.
6 - T'Wolves - Tyreke Evans
The Wolves pick up the very talented Evans. He and Foye could provide a very effective combo guard back court.
7 - Warriors - Jordan Hill
I could see them going for Jennings, but I feel like they'd ultimately grab Hill if he's still on the board, as they have an abundance of guards. He'd be a much better Turiaf, and should fit in well.
8 - Knicks - Stephen Curry
A perfect D'Antoni player and LBJ's buddy. A sensible pick.
9 - Raptors - Demar DeRozan
He's perhaps the most talented player in the draft, and would fit an immediate need for the Raps.
10 - Bucks - Jonny Flynn
There's been a lot of buzz that the Bucks love Flynn, and I believe it. Sessions will likely leave, and Flynn would be an apt replacement.
11 - Nets - DeJaun Blair
The Nets could use the toughness and strength that the big fella provides. Jennings will get a look here, but I think he'll keep on sliding.
12 - Bobcats - Gerald Henderson
I can't think of any player in this draft that LB would love more. He'll come in and contribute right away.
13 - Pacers - Earl Clark
Jennings is another possibility here. But with their desire to retain Jack and with salary already committed to Ford, I think they opt to bolster their front line with Clark. He's got tons of talent, and could be a nice compliment to Granger.
14 - Suns - Brandon Jennings
I can't see Jennings sliding any further. He's too talented and too good a fit for the Suns to pass him up. Austin Daye and (if he's still available) Clark will get definite looks here.
15 - Pistons - Austin Daye
For the Pistons, it will come down to Daye or James Johnson. Talent vs. Toughness. Either are a viable pick, but I see them opting for the talented Daye, and having their own skinny 3 mentor him.
16 - Bulls - James Johnson
Johnson finds a home in Chicago, where he'd be a nice fit, especially amid rumors that TT might be shopped.
17 - 76ers - Eric Maynor
With Miller possibly a goner, they would be smart to take a PG, with Maynor, Teague and Lawson being the best choices. I think they'd like Maynor better due to his size, shooting, and leadership.
18 - T'Wovles - BJ Mullins
Mullins has tons of talent, but lots of questions surround his desire and ability to succeed. He could go as high as 15 or as low as 22, but I think the T'Wolves nab him here. He's got nice size and good potential.
19 - Hawks - Jeff Teague
With Bibby entering free agency and PG being the strongest position in the draft, I see them picking one of Lawson or Teague. Teague gets the nod here due to better shooting and higher upside. He'd fit nicely with Joe Johnson.
20 - Jazz - Tyler Hansborough
Psycho T was measured bigger than expected, which should boost his stock. He's a tough player and a winner, and would be a nice insurance policy for the Jazz in the event they can't retain both Boozer and Millsap. Sloan will love him.
21 - Hornets - Terrence Williams
The Hornets could go a few different ways here. They could nab a speedy PG in Lawson, a talented wing in Chase Budinger or Terrence Williams or a strong defender in Gani Lawal. Ultimately, I think Williams is too talented to pass up, especially when it looks like Pargo will return.
22 - Mavericks - Ty Lawson
The Mavs get good value with this pick in Lawson. He's got talent, is a leader, and addresses a need. Budinger and Lawal also might get a look here, and if Williams is still on the board, he could be their pick.
23 - Kings - Gani Lawal
The Kings pick up Lawal, who brings toughness and great defensive play to their front line. He could be a nice backup to Thompson and Hawes.
24 - Portland - Darren Collison
This pick is a prime candidate to be dealt, but in the event they keep it, I believe Collison would be a smart pick. He's a terrific defender and a stand out personality who would be a very effective backup PG for them right away. Budinger, Sam Young and Omri Casspi also get consideration, but I think that if they keep this pick, Collison should be their guy.
25 - Thunder - Chase Budinger
Budinger is too talented to fall much further. His shooting and hustle cold make him a rotation player right away.
26 - Bulls - Omri Casspi
The best players left are all forwards, so I think the Bulls picks the one with the highest upside. Omri has a nice all around game, and would spend another year polishing his game overseas before coming over.
27 - Grizzlies - DaJuan Summers
The Grizz get a guy who can come in and play behind or alongside Rudy Gay. Think of him as a more talented Hakim Warrick (who could leave Memphis as a free agent this summer). Sam Young and Derrick Brown are also options here.
28 - T'Wolves - Patrick Mills
This is a difficult pick to predict, as none of the players left really fills a need. They have plenty of combo guards and plenty of forwards. I could see this pick being traded. However, if they do keep it, I think they'd take Mills, who could be an upgrade over Telfair, and provides them with blazing quickness.
29 - Lakers - Toney Douglas
I think taking a PG makes sense for them, and two nice fits are still on the board in Nick Calathes and Toney Douglas. Neither are true PGs, but that won't matter playing next to Kobe. I give Douglas the nod here because I see a lot of Derek Fisher in him.
30 - Cavaliers - Sam Young
With Wally and Pavlovic like gone, Sam Young is a sensible pick. He's NBA ready and can play behind or alongside LeBron. A good value at 30.
On the bubble:
Nick Calathes - I think the fact that he's playing overseas might make him as a 2nd round selection more sensible. Could go late 1st round.
Wayne Ellington - I see Ellington as a potential 1st round talent who slips and rewards a team in the 2nd (just like CDR falling to New Jersey).
Marcus Thornton - A talented scorer who MIN could take at 28 or CLE at 30. Likely an early 2nd rounder.
Thoughts?
Mills is a solid 3rd point guard for us, though.