Top 13 Mock Draft (2-14 edit)

DanTown8587 · Post #1 » by **DanTown8587** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 8:28 am

I have decided to add teams as the playoffs see fit, and unless Portland has another run in them, it seems they will fall short of the playoffs, but beyond expectations.

1. Minnesota
Michael Beasley-F-Kansas State
Beasley is an excellent rebounder and playing with Jefferson will give the Wolves two good low block presences. He also can step outside and hit a jumper if need be.

2. Seattle
Derrick Rose-PG-Memphis
They are the happiest team to see Shaq/Marion trade because Miami moves ahead of them and lets them get Rose. Rose would be perfect running this up-tempo offense. Starter from day one and allows them to possibly move Ridinour or Watson.

3. Miami
Jerryd Bayless-G-Arizona
The Heat do not have the PG of the future on the roster and the last time they took an undersized 2, not a true point guard, he was named Dywane Wade. Bayless-Wade are both good enough scorers and distributors playing together will be fine. Mayo could be a possibility, but I think Bayless would be a better fit for playing with Wade, Marion.

4. Memphis
Donte Green-F-Syracuse
I believe that Memphis is going to go small, ala Phoenix and start to run. Conley-Gay-Miller-Green-Darko is a small fast lineup that can slash to the rim and play the style of ball Ivaroni likes.

5. New York
OJ Mayo-G-USC
The Knicks need to hit on this pick and the next one, because they give the 2010 pick to Utah. Mayo is a top talent and his ability to play the game has been questioned, but I believe he will be a very good player in the league, and his ability to play both positions help with Crawford and Robinson. And I believe he can handle the NY way of life a lot better than Eric Gordon could.

6. LA Clippers
Eric Gordon-G-Indiana
I believe he is a top five talent, but Mayo and Bayless have the wow factor that I think Gordon doesn't. Gordon gives them a two guard they really do not have, and should be able to score and combines with Thornton to be a good 1-2 combo down the line.

7. Philadelphia
Darrell Arthur-PF-Kansas
Jason Smith is a good player, but I do not believe he is a long term answer at the four position. Arthur is a good rebounder and can hit a 15footer. They can play him next to Dalambert and not have to worry about 12-8.

8. Charlotte
Brook Lopez-PF/C-Stanford
Lopez scores at will in the Pac-10 and has played very well against very good big men (UCLA, CAL for example). He can score down low with either hand and will be a very good addition for a team that lacks that type of scoring. His ability to score on the blocks rates him slightly higher than Thabeet at this point.

9. New Jersey
DeAndre Jordan-C-Texas A&M
I truly believe that Jordan should come back to school, at least start for the Aggies and show teams he can score. But since bigs like Jordan rarely come back, the Nets take a chance. He can come in and get minutes behind Boone and eventually team up with Williams to form a very athletic front line.

10. Milwaukee
Danillo Gallinari-SF-Italy
I have not seen much of this guy on video, but seen that scouts love his mentality and ability to play a point forward type. It seems like Boris Diaw comparisons are well founded because he is a SF who can play a little 4, has a Point-forward mentality and actually has that same unselfish ability.

11. Chicago
Chase Buddinger-G/F-Arizona
Even though he had a terrible game against Arizona State, I still believe the Bulls look to add Buddinger. They already have Wallace, Noah, Thomas, Gray and Smith on board for next year, so I cannot see them taking a big here. They have a lot of holes in the back-court for next year and getting a guy like Buddinger, who is athletic and can play the two or three is valuable for them.

12. Sacramento
Hasheem Thabeet-C-Sacramento
Thabeet is a guy I do not have the affection for that others do, but I cannot exclude him from Sacramento. The Kings do not have a future post player on the roster (Hawes might be the only one) and this gives them a big who can block shots. I believe if he had one decent low post move he would go ahead of Lopez, but that lack of ability to catch and score hurts him.

13. Portland
Bill Walker-G/F-Kansas State
I know this seems to be a reach for Walker, but the more he plays, the better than knee looks. I believe he will test incredibly well and if he played on a team that ran an offense, he would be a higher prospect. In Portland, Roy, Aldridge and Oden seem to be a good fit and all are low post guys, so surrounding yourself with a versatile shooter and slasher seems to be a good idea. A PG would be more appropriate if not for the arrival of Fernandez next year.

frankiethefixer · Post #2 » by **frankiethefixer** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 6:14 am

no eric gordon? i can't see him falling out of the top 12

Grenerd686 · Post #3 » by **Grenerd686** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 4:21 pm

No Eirc Gordon. Seattle does not take another big.

Downtown · Post #4 » by **Downtown** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 4:59 pm

The trade to get Marion and Banks should be enough of a boost to get Miami more wins than Seattle and Memphis. This mock neds a big adjustment.

And for sure Seattle taking Lopez makes zero sense.

IrishRainbow · Post #5 » by **IrishRainbow** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 9:01 pm

I like Batum to the Bucks if they can't land Greene, but with the "4/5" of the line up set for the next 3 years....that's about when Batum will be ready to contribute...he's got talent from what I've read and seen (limited video), but he's a skinny kid that needs refining and bulking. I think if this is the case....Bucks trade down a few and take Tyler Smith from Tenn to fill the 3.....and what...no EG....prob. just a miss...I'm sure you'd have him in there...most likely in the 5 hole instead of Bayless and then a trickle down effect from there.

hermes · Post #6 » by **hermes** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 11:00 pm

frankiethefixer wrote:no eric gordon? i can't see him falling out of the top 12

me either

farzi · Post #7 » by **farzi** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 1:56 pm

I think if Sac was to take Love they would be absolutely foolish.

Frontcourt of Hawes / Love...two soft white pac 10 scorers? Ick.

Chi Dynasty12 · Post #8 » by **Chi Dynasty12** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:03 am

I like Miami taking Bayless, but I have always been one that doesn't see much in the NBA for Kevin Love to be a lottery pick.

DanTown8587 · Post #9 » by **DanTown8587** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:10 am

Chi Dynasty12 wrote:I like Miami taking Bayless, but I have always been one that doesn't see much in the NBA for Kevin Love to be a lottery pick.

I don't either but give the people what you want.

VictorPage44 · Post #10 » by **VictorPage44** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:26 pm

I dont think budinger is a lottery pick anymore after his last few games, especially yesterday against ASU. He went 1-12 from the field. Bayless had all but 15 of arizona's points yesterday, so he should be climbing the charts. IMO Bayless is the best scorer in the country. better than gordon, rose, mayo, and beasley. bayless just locks in on his jumper.

e in boulder · Post #11 » by **e in boulder** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:30 pm

No Thabeet? DeAndre Jordan will not fall past the Sonics trust me.

theGreatRC · Post #12 » by **theGreatRC** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:59 pm

I like the re-vised list, it fills needs for most teams, and the DeAndre slipping to 11 is right where his stock is at; he isn't playing like a top 10 player right now.

Wolves, Sonics, Heat, Knicks certainly don't complain imo. I've been to other boards to get a feel of what they want, and your picks are solid.

Cammo101 · Post #13 » by **Cammo101** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:50 am

Love is a terrible fit in Sacramento. He and Hawes would be too slow and unathletic of a frontcourt, despite being amazingly skilled. Based on this mock Thabeet would be the pick for Sacramento.

DanTown8587 · Post #14 » by **DanTown8587** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:48 am

New draft update

Cammo101 · Post #15 » by **Cammo101** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:03 am

Donte Greene doesn't make much sense in Memphis IMO. They almost have to take a big like Arthur. Also, the Bill Walker reach is beyond not happening.

DanTown8587 · Post #16 » by **DanTown8587** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:36 am

Cammo101 wrote:Donte Greene doesn't make much sense in Memphis IMO. They almost have to take a big like Arthur. Also, the Bill Walker reach is beyond not happening.

Memphis might go for a Phoenix type small ball lineup, and lets say they get Greene, play Gay at the SG and sign Brand. The off season says draft small and sign big. The Walker thing makes perfect sense. Portland needs a shooter (Jones is likely not coming back) and they get someone, who if not for that knee injury would be a for sure top 10 pick. He also is an average defender (which is a plus for college kids) and the lottery always has reaches like that. And who would you take if you are Portland

Post #17 » by **pillwenney** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:52 am

Cammo101 wrote:Love is a terrible fit in Sacramento. He and Hawes would be too slow and unathletic of a frontcourt, despite being amazingly skilled. Based on this mock Thabeet would be the pick for Sacramento.

The problem with that is that it moves Spencer to playing PF in the future, which just isn't a good idea IMO, although I do like Thabeet's potential.

Post #18 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:58 am

Bill Walker will be lucky to crack the first round, much less the lottery. Portland, in that scenario, takes one of four players: Hibbert, Love, Collison, or Augustin.

WheyMan7 · Post #19 » by **WheyMan7** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:39 pm

PhilipNelsonFan wrote:Bill Walker will be lucky to crack the first round, much less the lottery. Portland, in that scenario, takes one of four players: Hibbert, Love, Collison, or Augustin.

I think there's bound to be a team that's willing to risk taking Walker round 1. I'm sure a playoff team like the Spurs, Suns, Mavs, etc. would be willing to take a risk that could ultimately prove to be a major steal. If he busts, it's not like their immediate future is at risk. High risk, possible high reward.

Post #20 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:44 pm

The Mavs may need him if they do the Kidd trade and the Suns can always use the help. The Spurs, though, need an athletic SF in the worst way and I'm not sure they'd take a chance on Walker.

He probably is a first-round pick along with Brandon Rush, but personally I'd be very hesitant to give either player guaranteed money.