Cammo's Latest (and Greatest?) Mock Draft (6/8)

[RIPskaterdude]

I can't see Petrie taking Jordan--the only player like him that he has ever picked was Gerald Wallace, and he supposedly really regrets that pick.

I'd say Arthur is more likely.

You are comparing DeAndre Jordan to Gerald Wallace? I guess that both are/were raw, unproven players but...

[pillwenney]

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You are comparing DeAndre Jordan to Gerald Wallace? I guess that both are/were raw, unproven players but...

Well obviously they play different positions and all that, but the point is that neither are Petrie-like picks because neither as prospects have/had any real proven skills. I don't think Geoff is completely against taking a player like this, but I do think he's very wary of doing so, and it's certainly not his style. And like I said, I think picking Gerald when he had supposedly made a promise to Arenas is something that he really regrets. I just think that, given this scenario, Arthur is the much more likely pick.

Having said that, if he does pick Jordan, I will be ecstatic because that will mean that he saw something in him (besides his raw abilities) that lead him to think that DeAndre will really be able to play in this league. But I don't see that being very likely.

[Cliff Levingston]

Not like it's a big deal or anything, but if Hardin is still on the board at #39 (Bulls' 2nd rounder), Cliff Levingston doesn't think they'd pass on him. We could use a big, agile warm body for the backup C spot.

[Cammo101]

Not like it's a big deal or anything, but if Hardin is still on the board at #39 (Bulls' 2nd rounder), Cliff Levingston doesn't think they'd pass on him. We could use a big, agile warm body for the backup C spot.

Isn't that what Aaron Gray is for?

[Cliff Levingston]

Isn't that what Aaron Gray is for?

Notice the "agile" part. Gray is ok, but with plenty of guys who need time at the 4 (Nocioni, Gooden, Thomas), it seems like Hardin is the more useful pick as a legit C, even if he won't really get any PT.

[GJense4181]

Noah/Gray is good enough. Why add a third young center to the equation?

[T-Spot]

Al J needs a real center [Brook Lopez] so he can move back to the 4 and so he can get help anchoring the D and someone to clean up his mistakes. He doesn't need any more fat PF's [Chris Richard and Craig Smith]

[deeney0]

Does Al need to play next to someone better than Smith or Richard? Yes. But that doesn't mean they should take Lopez. Mayo is too good to pass.

[moocow007]

Regarding the Wolves taking Love...

The two thoughts that pop to mind right away are:

1. It's still not too late to fire McHale now.

..and..

2. If this doesn't get McHale fired, nothing will.

Seriously though, Love is a very talented player but I just do not see the point of drafting him and pairing him with Al Jefferson...at all...AT ALL.

The Wolves are hardly in a situation where they should be doing anything else other than drafting BPA and that's OJ Mayo.

And the thought of a core/foundation of Jefferson and Mayo is a whole lot more appetizing than one of Jefferson and Love...unless you want to take the word appetizing literally.

[Cammo101]

Regarding the Wolves taking Love...

The two thoughts that pop to mind right away are:

1. It's still not too late to fire McHale now.

..and..

2. If this doesn't get McHale fired, nothing will.

Seriously though, Love is a very talented player but I just do not see the point of drafting him and pairing him with Al Jefferson...at all...AT ALL.

The Wolves are hardly in a situation where they should be doing anything else other than drafting BPA and that's OJ Mayo.

And the thought of a core/foundation of Jefferson and Mayo is a whole lot more appetizing than one of Jefferson and Love...unless you want to take the word appetizing literally.

I agree that Love at #3 is a mistake. I disagree that Mayo is the 3rd best player in this draft and that Minny should pick him. I think Lopez is both the 3rd best player and single best fit for Minny.

Foye
McCants
Brewer
Jefferson
Lopez

Solid young core. Taking Mayo leaves a huge hole at center still that can not be filled this offseason.

[deeney0]

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Taking Mayo leaves a huge hole at center still that can not be filled this offseason.

You'll get no disagreement here. But the Wolves aren't going to be competing this year. Getting Mayo is worth having that hole for a year.

[Cliff Levingston]

Noah/Gray is good enough. Why add a third young center to the equation?

Why draft a 5th power forward (Thomas, Nocioni, Gooden, Simmons)? It's not like you expect a 2nd round pick to be an integral part of the team. All cliff Levingston was trying to say is that if we somehow suffer about 5 injuries, it'd be better to have an emergency legit center rather than a 5th PF. It's not a big deal either way though.

[Cammo101]

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You'll get no disagreement here. But the Wolves aren't going to be competing this year. Getting Mayo is worth having that hole for a year.

There are not many centers shaping up for next years draft either. Obviously you never know who will become a stud, but this is the draft to get a big man. next year is the year to get a guard. This draft is loaded with bigs, next year is not. Next year is a guard heavy draft with guys like Rubio, Derozan, Samuels, Harden, Jennings...

[deeney0]

Wolves aren't taking a guard because they need a guard. They'd take Mayo because he's impossible to pass on. They need a go-to, do-everything scorer who can also play defense. A star. Look at the centers for the last 4 teams alive this posts-season. Detroit played two PFs, LA played two PFs, Boston starts a second rounder and SA has undrafted Oberto. Doesn't look like grabbing a C early is a smart plan.

What those teams all have is star wings who excel on both ends of the court. Kobe. Pierce. Rip and Chauncey. Manu and Parker. Wolves don't have that yet. It's not McCants. Foye might be able to be that kind of player in a couple years, especially if he's paired with someone like Mayo, but that's certainly no reason to *pass* on Mayo.

I think you're biased towards centers because you're a Magic fan. Your teams has basically the only legitimate center in the league.

"Look at all the big men in this draft" That's an argument for the Wolves NOT to take Lopez at 3 and instead trade up into the end of the 1st and grab a guy like Hardin or Jawai or Hibbert.

"No good big men next year." You would've said that last year. Lopez was unimpressive as a frosh. Most of these guys came out of nowhere. The ones you would've predicted to be top picks - Hibbert, Hardin, Thabeet - aren't up there any more. Anything can happen. Thabeet will be there next year. Blake Griffin. The kid from Vandy. Hansbrough. And plenty of the high school class of 08 we haven't heard of yet.

[BBen]

I see the case for Minnesota grabbing Mayo but honestly, you view Mayo as a big upgrade over McCants? That's kinda funny. McCants was a volume scorer off the bench last year and it's not like Mayo's game is that different, they both take a lot of jumpers. Why would you just give up on a 23 year old fresh off of a 15ppg season while shooting 45% from the field and 40% from 3? All this in 27 minutes!

If you insert Mayo in there McCants is out and I just can't see why you'd do that. How would you feel if Mayo's character problems do get in the way and McCants is an all-star somewhere else? He's only 23 why are you so down on him?

Edit: to put it into perspective, a guy I compare McCants to is Joe Johnson. When Joe Johnson was 23 he put up 17pts, 3.5 assists and 5 rebounds in 39.5 minutes (with Steve Nash feeding him). McCants played twelve less minutes per game and put up 15 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds while coming off the bench (of course he dominated the ball more)!

I don't see enough of an upgrade in Mayo to justify him as a pick and if you think Mayo = Kobe, guess again.

[moocow007]

I see the case for Minnesota grabbing Mayo but honestly, you view Mayo as a big upgrade over McCants? That's kinda funny. McCants was a volume scorer off the bench last year and it's not like Mayo's game is that different, they both take a lot of jumpers. Why would you just give up on a 23 year old fresh off of a 15ppg season while shooting 45% from the field and 40% from 3? All this in 27 minutes!

If you insert Mayo in there McCants is out and I just can't see why you'd do that. How would you feel if Mayo's character problems do get in the way and McCants is an all-star somewhere else? He's only 23 why are you so down on him?

How would the Wolves feel if Mayo turns out to be what he's been billed since he was 12 and McCants becomes nothing more than what he has been, a 6th man? Could really be taken both ways.

[deeney0]

Mayo's game is hugely different. He plays excellent defense. He passes. No one doubts McCants scoring prowess - but he hasn't been able to do anything else. McCants' idea of defense is comitting a foul. In only 27 mpg, he is 2nd among guards in PF per game. Only Vince Carter commits more, and Vince does it in 12 more minutes a game. McCants idea of passing is turning the ball over. It's obvious that the only part of his game he cares to work on is scoring. He hasn't shown he can be anything more than instant offense off the bench.

[BBen]

If he turns out to be MJ then it won't just be the Wolves facing scrutiny for passing on him.

Edit:

So you're advocating giving up on a promising, NBA proven McCants in favor of a roll of the dice on Mayo while ignoring a shot at a top 5 center? Where are you going to get a center like Lopez? Free agency? More tanking? I don't see it. You can't trade a wing for a big either and get equal value if you're thinking of exchanging McCants for a C.

[AQuintus]

Who here is saying McCants would be traded if Mayo is drafted? Mayo, Foye, and McCants could easily fit together in a three guard rotations.

PG- Foye,Mayo____________or PG- Mayo,Foye
SG- Mayo,McCants ____________SG- Foye,McCants

Who cares if the Wolves can't get a C like Lopez elsewhere in this draft, in FA, or in next year's draft. The Wolves simply don't need a superstud C, they just need a guy who can set screens and dunk on O and who can body up on the other team's biggest big man and protect the rim on D. There are plenty of guys like that in this draft (including Brook's brother) who can be had in the 20's.

[BBen]

You think McCants will be happy to stay on the bench? You think Mayo will be happy to share time with McCants? Guess again.