Mock (yeah) ing (yeah) bird (yeah), Mocking b...Drafts

[count55]

I don't believe Chad's new Mock is an Insider article, so everyone should be able to see it.

He's still got Westbrook going to the Pacers:

The skinny:The Pacers have been eyeing D.J. Augustin and Russell Westbrook for a while.

Augustin has already come in for a workout, and Westbrook will be visiting soon. If the Pacers were forced to choose between the two, I actually think they'd probably lean toward Westbrook, who has more upside. His athleticism, defense and ability to penetrate would all be welcome in Indiana. If he were ever to get a rock-solid jump shot, he'd have a chance to be a star.

The Pacers could also go other directions if they find a way to move Jermaine O'Neal for a veteran point guard such as T.J. Ford or Kirk Hinrich. If they land a good veteran point guard, someone like Darrell Arthur could be the choice.

Draft Express still has the Pacers taking Augustin, and they have Malik Hairston slotted at #41.

NBA Draft Net has the Pacers taking Joe Alexander with the #11 pick and James Gist from Maryland at #41.

[mizzoupacers]

I'd like to see Hinrich play for the Pacers, but I doubt it happens. JO for T.J. Ford...ehh, I hope we don't do that.

As for the draft itself...I'm thinking it's just about a lock that the Pacers are going to have an either/or opportunity with Westbrook/Augustin. I think there's a very high probability that the first nine guys on Chad Ford's mock will indeed be gone before the Pacers pick, which means either Westbrook or Augustin will be available to us. (Or, of course, both of them could be available, if DeAndre Jordan really does go in the top ten...but I'm not convinced yet that he is going to go that high.)

I guess it's also possible that Alexander could go in the top ten when all is said and done, but I don't see anyone else who has much of a likelihood of being gone before #11. If Jordan and Alexander both go in the top ten, then someone will drop...most likely, Gallinari, which sucks for the Pacers (we could use any of the other eight in the top nine a lot more than Gallinari). But, I'm keeping faint hope alive that something crazy will happen, and maybe a Lopez or Love or Randolph or Gordon will fall to the Pacers.

If it comes down to a choice between them, I'd rather have Westbrook than Augustin, but I don't see a life-or-death difference between the two. Frankly, I don't see a real difference-maker coming on board from our #11 pick.

[count55]

This is gonna sound bizarre (and I know that we have no chance at the first three guys) but my draft board looks like this:

1. Rose
2. Beasley
3. Mayo
4. Love
5 (a & b). Gordon/Bayless
6. (a & b) Westbrook/Augustin
7. Darrell Arthur
8. Joe Alexander
9. a poke in the eye with a sharp stick and a knee to the groin
10. The Athletes/Projects (Jordan, Lopez, Marshall, the Euro, McGee, Koufos, etc.)

Of course, I'm the guy who generally assumes all draft picks bust anyway, so I might have a cloudier disposition than some.

[MUpacersSIC]

I'm just afraid that if we had a choice between Augustin and Westbrook we'd take one of them and the other would end up becoming an NBA all-star. That would be terrible.

[count55]

I'm just afraid that if we had a choice between Augustin and Westbrook we'd take one of them and the other would end up becoming an NBA all-star. That would be terrible.

Well, now that you said it, you know it's gonna happen.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I think Westbrook could be an NBA All-Star, no way Augustin will though.

[MUpacersSIC]

Don't think I completely agree. I think both have the potential to become an all-star. Now, it really all depends on the environment (team) their in and whether or not they have the drive and will to become one. I can actually see DJ Augustin running a team and becoming a Steve Nash type player, maybe not to that extreme level, but still with the potential to become an all-star. Westbrook also with the same all-star potential.

[Bucky O'Hare]

The only thing I prefer in Augustin is that he's more NBA-ready and could possibly start for us as a rookie. Westbrook will take a few seasons, but I like his overall package and upside much better.

[granger05]

I'm in the Westbrook camp. I know he's not a true point, but we have some other players that can move the ball well and control the offense. I like that he has NBA athleticism and NBA defense. I'm not sure what Augustin has that can be called NBA-calibre. Although I could understand the leadership arguement. I'm becoming more sold on either of them, but to be honest I've convinced myself to be happy with PG picks each of the last couple years and then we haven't picked one (Acie Law...well we traded that pick, and then Rondo/M. Williams the year before).

[greenway84]

1st i was all about bayless then when i woke and reliazed thats not going to happen i started to like augustin then the more i heard about his d and size i thought he would basically be diener but better. not worth the #11. so then i read a lot about ty lawson sold instantly for a late first early secound. then of course thats not happening for obvious reasons. so now im on the westbrook band wagon. that is until the next flavor of the month comes along. lol. But just like GRANGER05 said ive sold myself on a pg each with no resolve so i just want a point gaurd already.

[cdash]

I'd like either of them as opposed to the other options available at #11. I prefer Augustin, although its close.

[PR07]

I'd go with Westbrook over Augustin. A lot of the things this backcourt has lacked: defense, speed, athleticism...happen to be Westbrook's biggest strengths.

[ahartleyvu]

Neither are "all stars" IMO. Think about all of the PGs in the league, do you think either of these guys end up like that in the NBA? Doubtful.

I'm stuck inbetween both of the PGs as far as drafting goes.

Augustin

Pros - quick player fits our tempo, scored very well in college, very good stats

Cons - TINY, won't be able to guard anyone really and if platooned with Diener (assuming Tin man is gone) we won't be able to guard any PGs in the league, doesn't seem to have much potential as far as becoming a big time player

Westbrook

Pros - Good size for a 1, has a reputation for good D

Cons - tweener guard, may not even end up being a point guard, didn't even play that well in college, just became popular in the tournament


I'm almost hoping they are both gone so we can draft as a BPA option instead of choosing a position.

[Bucky O'Hare]

I've heard Seattle was looking into moving the #4 pick. I'd like to see us make a push for it, somehow. I'd do #11 and our top-5 protected 2009 1st for it.

[cdash]

Augustin is not that small guys. He is an inch shorter than Chris Paul, has a longer wingspan than CP3 (which NBA scouts deem more important than height), has the same wingspan as Mike Conley...I mean come on. Point guard is the one position where being smaller than the guys guarding you isnt that big of a hindrance. I understand if you guys dont like something about his ability, but I think his size (while admittedly, is less than ideal) is not going to hinder him a great deal in the NBA.

[joew8302]

I definetly think if the top 9 players are gone Westbrook is the best option.

[Crossova21]

I like Augustin because he is NBA ready and has played point guard his whole life. However, Westbrook can bring something the Pacers need: intensity. Someone who can put people in the seats and in the fourth quarter come out of a time-out and dunk on somebody to ignite the crowd. He could be the high-flyer that the Pacers haven't had since Fred Jones. kinda torn between the two. No way should we take another SF

[ahartleyvu]

Augustin is not that small guys. He is an inch shorter than Chris Paul, has a longer wingspan than CP3 (which NBA scouts deem more important than height), has the same wingspan as Mike Conley...I mean come on. Point guard is the one position where being smaller than the guys guarding you isnt that big of a hindrance. I understand if you guys dont like something about his ability, but I think his size (while admittedly, is less than ideal) is not going to hinder him a great deal in the NBA.

The dude is small and not very strong. He also has about 1/5th of the speed that Paul has, which is the reason CP3 is so dominant despite his size.

Wingspan is the same as Conley, but Conley has an amazing vertical and strength for his size.

[JarrettJackSG]

If Augustin was anywhere near Paul, he'd be much higher on the draft list. He is a good player, bu he can't carry a team like a very good PG can.

[cdash]

Augustin is nowhere near Paul. No point guard on Earth is near Paul. I am just saying if size were the end-all-be-all people make it out to be, then he would struggle under that assumption.