2010 Pre March-Madness Mock (1st round---2/26)

[babyjax13]

Italic players are ones I think will be excellent picks [steals or franchise players] at their positions. I have this draft separated into a tier system, which pretty much shows the range of picks that I expect a player should go in, all of these "tiers" will gain and loose players as the season wears on. Players in Red are "high bust potential" picks.

1st Round
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1. New Jersey - John Wall
Superb athlete, decent court vision. Is smaller than his listed height but well worth all the hype he has gotten. Gets into the lane well and has a decent jump shot. A very good floor general with all of the potential to be a top five player in the NBA. Will be a top 5 point guard the second he steps onto an NBA court.

Other Picks: Dexter Pittman
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2. Minnesota - Evan Turner
Not a jaw dropping athlete, but he does everything really well - great passer and penatrator. He will need to work on his perimeter shot, but at this point I think the most appropriate comparison is a less-athletic version of McGrady.

Other Picks: Willy Warren, Gordon Hayward

3. Golden State - DeMarcus Cousins
I think that Cousins has great potential. He is big, has been effective in limited minutes and seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

One of the things that has impressed me most about Cousins is his footwork and speed near the basket. He knows how to use his speed and atheltecism to his advantage. Cousins has great size and strength near the hoop - he could play power forward or center in the NBA. Defensively he has great potential. He already has a knack for rebounding and if he works on his help side D he will be very formidable.

Other Picks: N/A

4. Sacramento - Derrick Favors
Amazing athlete, great size. Reminds me of A'mare Stoudamire from what little I've seen (not enough), but seems to disappear at times.

Other Picks: N/A
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5. Indiana – Greg Monroe
Very skilled power forward, but has big questions as to his work ethic. I don’t think that is going to be an issue, but others will disagree. He is a great passing power forward (ala Chris Webber) with a decent jump shot. Needs to become more physical, but has the potential to become an amazing player.

Other Picks: N/A

6. Utah (NY) - Cole Aldrich
Has been the leader of a great Kansas team for the last two years. Great anticipation of shots, and has decent athleticism. Good motor. Needs to improve his jump shot and post moves on offense in order to become an elite center. I see him as being on the level of a Samuel Dalambert/Tyson Chandler/Joel Pryzbilla type player throughout his career.

Other Picks: N/A

7. Washington - Wesley Johnson
A very refined and advanced player and more NBA ready than anyone other than Warren. Part of this is that he's a junior in college and most of the other players at this point are sophomores or freshman.

He has great form on his jump shot and fits well into Syracuse's offense. Seems very system oriented which coaches love - but at times seems to complacent, he needs to demand the ball more to catch the eyes of more scouts. Johnson is a good athlete in the prototypical small forward mold. A good defender, long - can guard college power forwards and wing players which will help his transition into the NBA. I see him as a better version of Travis Outlaw - which is a very good thing.

Other Picks: N/A

8. Detroit - Cole Aldrich
Has been the leader of a great Kansas team for the last two years. Great anticipation of shots, and has decent athleticism. Good motor. Needs to improve his jump shot and post moves on offense in order to become an elite center. I see him as being on the level of a Samuel Dalambert/Tyson Chandler/Joel Pryzbilla type player throughout his career.

Other Picks: N/A
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9. Philadelphia - Hassan Whiteside
Sounds like a Tyson Chanlder clone. Very long and athletic. Blocks shots at a good rate and dominates the boards. Raw.

Other Picks: N/A

10. LA Clippers - Al Farouq-Aminu
Aminu has so much potential it would be hard for a lot of teams to pass on him, he has size, speed and strength but he still has a long way to go in order to become a complete player.

Other Picks: N/A

11. Minnesota (CHA) - Willie Warren
Solid Offensive player, but short for a shooting guard, and too shot-first for a point guard. Another Jason Terry/Ben Gordon?

12. Houston - Ed Davis
Hasn't impressed me (yet). Needs to become a lot more physical if he wants to avoid becoming the next in a very long line of high-potential busts (see Patrick O’Bryant, Chris Taft, Samiki Walker). What I do see though is a very mobile power forward that has a body that if filled out would make him very formidable physically.
Other Picks: N/A

13. Memphis - Stanley Robinson
Robinson is another one of the recent crop of athletic, swiss-army knife small forwards. He is a great athlete and a game changer at the college level.

Other Picks: Elliot Williams, Damion James
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14. New Orleans - Patrick Patterson
I haven't been too terribly impressed by his performance this year. A god athlete, slightly undersized. He could be a very good role-player at the NBA level but doesn't impress me as a future star.

Other Picks: NA

15. Miami - Xavier Henry
He has decent form on his jumpshot, but a couple of minor corrections need to be made that will turn him into an "elite" player. He doesn't always square up (ala CJ Miles) and he releases right after the peak of his jump. He is fairly athletic but doesn't really do anything eye-popping. I am excited to see how he and Wes Johnson do in the NBA. -

Other Picks: Jan Vessley

16. Milwaukee - Donatus Motiejunas
The Bucks need a power forward, and for the past two years I have been predicting them to draft the best one available - I think that this year I'm actually going to be right. Motiejunas compliments Bogut and Mbah a Moute perfectly with his length and mobility. He really needs to work on his shooting though.

Other Picks: N/A
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17. Chicago - Manny Harris
Has great body control when he is playing, doesn't try to over-do things but is still aggressive. Could play point guard or be a shooting guard that takes some ball handling duties away from the point guard. Has decent form on his jump shot and hits free throws at a respectable rate. Reminds me of Antonio Daniels in many ways.

Other Picks: N/A

18. Miami (TOR) - Jan Vessley
19. Portland - Solomon Alabi
20. San Antonio - Ekpe Udoh

Other Picks: N/A

21. Oklahoma City - James Anderson

Other Picks : Larry Sanders

22. Oklahoma City (PHX) - Larry Sanders

23. Atlanta - Elias Harris
Not a big fan of the way he plays, I don't think he will amount to much in the NBA. He's strong, but not fast, tough but not extremely skilled. Reminds me of Matt Harpring minus a lot of the basketball skills.

Other Picks: N/A

24. Boston - Devin Ebanks

Other Picks: N/A
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25. New Jersey (DAL) - Dexter Pittman
Pittman has a great chance at improving his draft stock this year in Texas. He has nice soft hands and great size. People also seemed to be enamored with his work ethic - and that is going to help him translate his game into the pros. Right now he dominated the college game because of his strength (ala Dajuan Blaire) but he is going to have to work in order to become an effective NBA F/C.

26. Minnesota (UT) - Damion James
Great rebounder, uses his size well in the post. Relies too much on his strength at times, strength that won't be nearly as pronounced when he makes it into the NBA. Made the right decision to stay with Texas.

27. Memphis (DEN) - Paul George

28. Orlando - Kalin Lucas
Has great end-to-end speed. Seems at first glance to be too score-first, but you also have to consider what he has around him. I don't think he is a 'pure' point-guard, but I do think he will have a succesful career as a backup which is what you are looking for at the end of the first round, but if he gets drafted where I think he will (18-21) then I think his career could be a bit of a dissapointment.

Other Picks: N/A

29. Memphis (LAL) - Elliot Williams

30. Cleveland - JaJuan Johnson
He is long and has impressed me with the way he is leading a high ranked Purdue team. He is a good rebounder, and anticipates shots very well to get up and block them. Johnson also has a respectable shooting stroke which should really help his draft prospects.

Other Picks: N/A

On the Bubble
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- Kyle Singler
Savvy player, good jump shot for a power forward but he is short and a somewhat limited athelete. Too slow to play small forward and I don't think he'll be a stellar power forward either, but he could end up being a decent role player similar to an Austin Croshere.

-Jamine Peterson
Very good rebounder (11 per game) for his size (6-6). Has the potential to add a lot of muscle to his frame. An extremely good jumper. Quick in the post but still needs some work on his shooting (34% from college 3), some minor adjustments could make him an inside-out threat at power forward. He has had a pair of 20+ rebound games this year.

- Tim Abromitas
One of the purest shooters I have ever seen. Quick, smooth release, nothing shaky. Outside of his jump-shot he really isn't anything special. He's a bit slow to play small forward, and too light to play power forward. I see him as a Steve Novak type player.

- Namenja Bjelica
A do-it-all small forward in the mold of Hedo Turkoglu. Has great ball handling skills and passer. Huge size for his point guard skill set (6-10)...

- Gordon Hayward
Hasn't been terribly impressive in the four or five games I have seen him play this year. A shooting threat but not at a great percentage. He's long and big, but I am not sure he is ready this year.

- Gani Lawal
He has great size and a great motor. He uses his body well down low and has the potential to become a great backup F/C. Seems to always be hustling which is a thing NBA coaches (and any coach ) love.

[teamjosh04]

pretty good - I have a hard time seeing Monroe over Davis but ig Grunfeld is still with the team then its a possibility. He likes to draft guys with a large variety of offensive skills. Davis plays too much defense for him.

[shangrila]

If this is taking into account team needs, why is Minnesota drafting two power forwards?

[babyjax13]

Right now it is more position than need, but after 40 games or so have been played I will take in need more, right now there is just to much shifting in the draft order, and there is going to be for a while.

[MYoung23]

With 71 years worth of expiring centers I doubt the Cavaliers will be looking for a tweener F like Kyle Singler.

[Esohny]

If this is taking into account team needs, why is Minnesota drafting two power forwards?

The Favors at #2 makes sense since he's BPA (although I would hope that the aftermath would be a trade of Favors or Jefferson for either a star wing or another top 5 pick + assets so the Wolves could grab Turner or Xavier Henry). It's the Udoh pick I don't get, both for position and for talent. I would just take Jerome Jordan for a decent true 7' center prospect at that spot.

[Jimmy76]

no way Monroe goes that high or over Davis

at least so far and from what ive seen

[shangrila]

Right now it is more position than need, but after 40 games or so have been played I will take in need more, right now there is just to much shifting in the draft order, and there is going to be for a while.

Alrite then. But I think both Monroe and Donatas are far too high (I doubt the European even enters after playing so few minutes and Monroe is far too unathletic without a motor to compensate to go that high. I also struggle to see Turner going 7, especially if all you're doing is pure rankings. He's far and away better then the 4 guys ahead of him, both now and with taking in his potential and his ability to reach it.

[Gremz]

Any reason why the Clippers look to Henry when they have Gordon? Would Aminu be a more viable option?

[babyjax13]

Any reason why the Clippers look to Henry when they have Gordon? Would Aminu be a more viable option?

I see Henry as a guy that can play small forward and shooting guard, but you are most likely right.

Right now I have them drafting Motiejunas, I didn't want him dropping past 10 (which he did - but right now this is the only reason why I have the Clippers picking him). I think that the Clippers will be looking for a small forward or a point guard with their lottery pick.

[babyjax13]

I've updated, and I'm starting to take into account team needs.

[Gremz]

Looks very solid all around now. A little interested in the Sacramento pick. I'd figure they might look for a combo PF/C at this point. Just my opinion though.

Really like the way this board is shaping up.

[horaceworthy]

I don't see Minnesota passing on Turner for another PF.

[AQuintus]

I don't see Minnesota passing on Turner for another PF.

I don't know. Personally, I see it as a very real (and probably the most likely) possibility. With the recent reports about a Big Al - Granger swap, I expect to see Al moved sometime before the draft and more than likely for a wing, which would diminish any need for Turner. This means we're probably going to take BPA (we'd probably do this regardless of a trade, actually). Who knows who that might be at draft time, but right now it's Favors.

[babyjax13]

Looks very solid all around now. A little interested in the Sacramento pick. I'd figure they might look for a combo PF/C at this point. Just my opinion though.

Really like the way this board is shaping up.

I don't really follow the Kings too awful much, but I'll give you my reasoning as to why I have them taking Warren (for now).

I. They already have their center and power forward positions pretty much locked up for the next 5-6 years as long as no one leaves in free agency, Hawes and Thompson are posth very compitant starters and have great potential (neither has been in the NBA more than 3 years).

II. At small forward and point guard they already have a lot of depth. Small Forward: Garcia/Casspi Point Guard: Evans/Rodriguez/Udrih. At shooting guard they have aplayer who is garnering a lot of interest in the NBA, and who was rumored to be in 2 or 3 trades over the summer. Evans has great size, so a guy like Warren would fit perfectly next to him (much like paring James Harden with Russel Westbrook).

III. High first round picks aren't usually used on backups, so if Sacramento wants a F/C (of which their are plenty in this draft) they would trade down to get someone like Udoh, or tow of my favorite college players JaJuan Johnson and Dexter Pittman.

However, that being said, I sort of like them to take Motiejunas.

Now, can you tell me why you think Sacramento would take a F/C? You might be able to change my mind....

I don't see Minnesota passing on Turner for another PF.

I am having a really hard time dropping Favors past two, and with the Jefferson rumors I think that it would be a logical pick were a trade to happen. Not saying that is what will happen, but I am not going to drop him past two unless something really changes my mind.

[horaceworthy]

Turner probably fits the Wolves better regardless of whether or not Jefferson is traded. I haven't seen enough from Favors to crown him #2 just yet. He's definitely a physical specimen, but I don't see the STAT comparison. Turner's the wing creator the Wolves are desperate for right now in order to make the Triangle run more smoothly. It also seems that in this draft there's a better chance of getting a PF/C later in this draft (with the CHA pick) than there is a shooting guard.

Oh, and you have Patterson going to Utah but in the comment you mention Oklahoma.

Memphis has already lost Hakim Warrick, he plays for the Bucks now.

[AQuintus]

Turner probably fits the Wolves better regardless of whether or not Jefferson is traded.

My point before, though, was that fit doesn't matter at this point. Kahn, as he should be, is only interested in adding talent at this point, which means taking best player available. On top of that, trading Jefferson matters quite a bit. If we move him for a wing creator, it removes the fit advantage that Turner has over other prospects.

I haven't seen enough from Favors to crown him #2 just yet.

Neither have I, to be honest, but all three of Draftexpress, NBAdraft, and ESPN seem to think he's number 2 at this time.

It also seems that in this draft there's a better chance of getting a PF/C later in this draft (with the CHA pick) than there is a shooting guard

But why would we want an inferior prospect at PF/C and a potentially worse player on the wing than we could get through trade/ Free Agency. If we go BPA and it's Favors, we could trade Jefferson for a guy like Iguodala, who is certainly better than Turner now, and could very well be better long term, too.

[Worm Guts]

2. Minnesota - Derrick Favors
Amazing athlete, great size. Reminds me of A'mare Stoudamire from what little I've seen (not enough).

I haven't seen Favors, but if more than anyone I've seen in recent drafts Patrick Patterson reminds me Amare. A poor man's Amare, but Patterson can shoot, is an awesome finisher and kinda sucks at defense.

[horaceworthy]

My point before, though, was that fit doesn't matter at this point. Kahn, as he should be, is only interested in adding talent at this point, which means taking best player available. On top of that, trading Jefferson matters quite a bit. If we move him for a wing creator, it removes the fit advantage that Turner has over other prospects.

None of my last post was directed at you, BTW, I didn't see your post.

I don't really see an available wing creator out there. If Kahn can pull that off then that fit advantage, which in this particular case is a huge one, goes away. Even if Al is traded for a wing, depending on the type of wing, that particular advantage may not go away. It doesn't just matter whether or not Jefferson is traded, it matters who he's traded for.

Neither have I, to be honest, but all three of Draftexpress, NBAdraft, and ESPN seem to think he's number 2 at this time.

How much of that is due to Turner's injury, though? Aside from .net (which has Favors going #3 and Johnson going #2) have any of them updated since Turner's returned? Personally, I think Turner would be the BPA at #2.

But why would we want an inferior prospect at PF/C and a potentially worse player on the wing than we could get through trade/ Free Agency. If we go BPA and it's Favors, we could trade Jefferson for a guy like Iguodala, who is certainly better than Turner now, and could very well be better long term, too.

And if we're going BPA and they're both PF/C's? I don't see why the strengths in particular parts of the draft shouldn't be taken into account.

[babyjax13]

Turner probably fits the Wolves better regardless of whether or not Jefferson is traded. I haven't seen enough from Favors to crown him #2 just yet. He's definitely a physical specimen, but I don't see the STAT comparison. Turner's the wing creator the Wolves are desperate for right now in order to make the Triangle run more smoothly. It also seems that in this draft there's a better chance of getting a PF/C later in this draft (with the CHA pick) than there is a shooting guard.

Oh, and you have Patterson going to Utah but in the comment you mention Oklahoma.

Memphis has already lost Hakim Warrick, he plays for the Bucks now.

Thanks for catching that....

Really at this point my biggest reason for Favors at two is that you pretty much never pass on a big for a wing - not that it won't happen (especially if Minnesota keeps Jeferson) but I think that Favors just has so much potential with his frame. This might change to when I get to see him play more.

As for Turner, I love the way he plays, he's one of my favorite players in the draft and I'm not trying to short him by not being two, but I think that execs might just be worried enough about a recurring back injury that he doesn't make it that high.