The Draft Thread - Part Two

[BassMaster]

The Original 50+ Page Thread:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=790476

Here are the many different mock drafts out there y'all decide.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2008/

http://hoopshype.com/draft.htm

http://www.insidehoops.com/nba-mock-draft.shtml

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/Draft/mockdraft.htm

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/dra ... tyear=2008

http://www.nbadraft.net/

http://www.nbadraftpress.com/2008mock.shtml

http://www.hoopsworld.com/



http://basketball.realgm.com/src_featur ... ry_edition)/



I know there are more out there, but these should give you a good picture. I did notice one thing and that was that not one of these mock drafts agreed just check out the different players the Magic are suppose to be drafting including a player out of Rider College.
Have fun everyone. Expect to hear what you think.

I took off hoopsvibe because it was last updated August 2007. And some of those players did not enter the draft. Another one that was just weird basketballbeat.com had players from well you can take a look, but taking off the link.

I forgot the mock draft at realgm now what was I thinking. I just added the mock draft from realgm.

I took off Walter Football basketball mock draft and Basketball draft since the last time both of these sites updated Jan for WF and BD was August because of that neither of these sites are very helpful to those of us wanting up to date information.
Also it should be said that Draftexpress does not update it's information about players in the mock as well as current NBA players. Other mocks like NBADraft.net are better at keeping up to date information about all players mentioned.

The newest addition to this list is from Eastern Magic

ProBasketballnews is no longer around site has been cancelled.

[damo[23]]

New thread for everyone to spam in the next couple of week!

[BassMaster]

ESPN has just produced a rating of all the big men in the draft. For those of you pushing Dorsey espn says that he should be checking his passport after the draft.
There are several other surprises in this list as well. It makes you wonder how these players were rated in the first place.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... NHeadlines

Here is a small section of this article:

The Riff-Raff
Walter Sharpe, UAB, 12.45; Joseph Jones, Texas A&M 12.36, J.J. Hickson, N.C. State, 12.31; JaVale McGee, Nevada, 12.25; James Gist, Maryland, 12.23; Sasha Kaun, Kansas, 12.09; Robin Lopez, Stanford, 12.08.

This is where things really shift in terms of a player's chances of sticking in the league.

Below 12.5, players face long odds in establishing a career -- forget becoming stars, these guys will just be trying to get to a second contract. Generally, players in this range should be second-rounders, as we're talking about the 14th-to-20th-rated college big men.

Three highly-touted bigs show up surprisingly low here. Robin Lopez has been talked up as a mid-first-rounder, but doesn't appear to have the goods to back it up. Hickson and McGee also are seen as late first-rounders. Any of the three would be among the lowest-rated players taken in Round 1 in the past few years.

[magicfan4life05]

Lee getting some love

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=816405

yeah so now im really afraid his stock is rising a little TOO MUCH and he might not be there when the magic pick....


good article about lee

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_fromth ... _kentucky/

[theTHIEF]

lol at Lee not having what it takes to be a deadly shooter...and then saying he cannot shoot off the dribble, all he did was regurgitate what Chris Reina said, which no offense to Chris, as it's his opinion/analysis, but Lee does have the ability, being the only real option on his team he tended to rely on other options and settle into what worked for him, he's very crafty and extremely dangerous when he goes up for a shot no matter how he takes it...

[DiplomaticMagic]

Rush should be gone when we pick.

Memphis wants to trade up to get Lee. Draftexpress reported it. And Chad ford said something about a Memphis-Denver swap for Memphis to draft Lee.

[BassMaster]

InsideHoops and NBADraftExpress have finally updated it's been about a month for both of them.
InsideHoops say the Magic are going to pick N. Batum considering he just had to stop a workout because of borderline reaction to a stress test that might not bode well for him.

NBADraftExpress has the Magic picking CDR and this is why they picked him for the Magic:

Dooling and/or Arroyo should be back next year and Nelson should bounce back from a poor season so I do not buy that the Magic are thinking PG here. Also, Magic GM believes that Battie will come back at full strength next season, addressing their need for another big to help Dwight so its unlikely he feels he needs to draft a big man. Their weakest position by far was the shooting guard spot which had Bogans and Evans playing heavy minutes there. Both is no better then back ups and CDR is a smart player who knows how to win and instantly is an upgrade over Evans/Bogans.

Well most of believe that Carlos is history and no one is quite sure about Dooling so the logic of this mock is not quite up to snuff. Yes some here believe that SG is the weakest slot here, but IMO I don't see Battie pulling his weight in a SVG show plus consider what kind of surgery he just had. The Magic need a big man who can run the courts and help out Howard as a great backup and eventually starting side by side. No I don't Hibbart doing that he got tired a lot when forced to run up and down the courts.
My picks for big man was R. Lopez, but I doubt that he will still be around when the Magic draft. Another good big man and fast learner is Jason Thompson. I know that espn has him as a maybe, but then they list Lopez as a no way.
And Dorsey is listed as leaving the country.
So here are the lasted of the many mocks that we have gone through and these two both have Lee going in the second round.

[Dwightmare]

My 5-days to go mock draft.

1. Chicago - PG Derrick Rose (as)
2. Miami - PF Michael Beasley (expected)
3. Minnesota - PG O.J. Mayo (third best player)
4. Seattle - PG Jerryd Bayless (2nd scorer to help Durant)
5. Memphis - C Kevin Love (baller)
6. New York - PG Russell Westbrook (Dantoni's PG for the next three years.. until he is fired)
7. LA Clippers - SG Eric Gordon (obvious choice here BPA and biggest need)
8. Milwaukee - SF Joe Alexander (Gritty player for Skiles)
9. Charlotte - C Brook Lopez (insurance policy for Okafors back)
10. New Jersey - SF Danilo Gallinari (promised pick?)
11. Indiana - PG D.J. Augustin (much needed PG)
12. Sacramento - PF Anthony Randolph (much needed PF)
13. Portland - C DeAndre Jordan (project center for their 21 year old/possible superstar center, damn this team is stacked)
14. Golden State -C JaVale McGee (its either this or resigning Foyle for another year)
15. Phoenix (from ATL) - SG Brandon Rush (most ready to go player to ride on Shaq's back while on his wheelchair)
16. Philadelphia - PF Darrell Arthur (BPA and a need)
17. Toronto - SG/SF Nicolas Batum (seems like a match made in heaven)
18. Washington - F Donte Greene (no reason)
19. Cleveland - C Kosta Koufos (Z's replacement)
20. Denver - C Roy Hibbert (making plans for Camby departure)
21. New Jersey (via DAL) - PF Marreese Speights (Nets had a nice draft with Gallinari and Speights)
22. Orlando - SG Courtney Lee (we get our guy)
23. Utah - C Robin Lopez (interior defense needed, Deron will be Lopez's best friend)
24. Seattle (via PHX) - PF Alexis Ajinca (should be trading Wilcox or Collison for youth movement).
25. Houston - SG Chris Douglas-Roberts (3rd scorer needed)
26. San Antonio - PF Serge Ibaka (pulling a classic Spurs draft choice)
27. New Orleans - PG Mario Chalmers (Pargo is out, nice compliment to Paul at point)
28. Memphis (via LAL) - PF J.J. Hickson (frontcourt depth needed)
29. Detroit - SF Bill Walker
30. Boston - PF/C Jason Thompson

[BassMaster]

My 5-days to go mock draft.

1. Chicago - PG Derrick Rose (as)
2. Miami - PF Michael Beasley (expected)
3. Minnesota - PG O.J. Mayo (third best player)
4. Seattle - PG Jerryd Bayless (2nd scorer to help Durant)
5. Memphis - C Kevin Love (baller)
6. New York - PG Russell Westbrook (Dantoni's PG for the next three years.. until he is fired)
7. LA Clippers - SG Eric Gordon (obvious choice here BPA and biggest need)
8. Milwaukee - SF Joe Alexander (Gritty player for Skiles)
9. Charlotte - C Brook Lopez (insurance policy for Okafors back)
10. New Jersey - SF Danilo Gallinari (promised pick?)
11. Indiana - PG D.J. Augustin (much needed PG)
12. Sacramento - PF Anthony Randolph (much needed PF)
13. Portland - C DeAndre Jordan (project center for their 21 year old/possible superstar center, damn this team is stacked)
14. Golden State -C JaVale McGee (its either this or resigning Foyle for another year)
15. Phoenix (from ATL) - SG Brandon Rush (most ready to go player to ride on Shaq's back while on his wheelchair)
16. Philadelphia - PF Darrell Arthur (BPA and a need)
17. Toronto - SG/SF Nicolas Batum (seems like a match made in heaven)
18. Washington - F Donte Greene (no reason)
19. Cleveland - C Kosta Koufos (Z's replacement)
20. Denver - C Roy Hibbert (making plans for Camby departure)
21. New Jersey (via DAL) - PF Marreese Speights (Nets had a nice draft with Gallinari and Speights)
22. Orlando - SG Courtney Lee (we get our guy)
23. Utah - C Robin Lopez (interior defense needed, Deron will be Lopez's best friend)
24. Seattle (via PHX) - PF Alexis Ajinca (should be trading Wilcox or Collison for youth movement).
25. Houston - SG Chris Douglas-Roberts (3rd scorer needed)
26. San Antonio - PF Serge Ibaka (pulling a classic Spurs draft choice)
27. New Orleans - PG Mario Chalmers (Pargo is out, nice compliment to Paul at point)
28. Memphis (via LAL) - PF J.J. Hickson (frontcourt depth needed)
29. Detroit - SF Bill Walker
30. Boston - PF/C Jason Thompson

Bad news Camby is staying with Denver, Memphis is really trying hard to get that trade with Denver so it starting to look like forget Lee if that is who they are really after. Batum at last workout showed he may have a problem with his heart which is now sending out red flags to other teams.
Raptors have shown great interest in Robin Lopez.
So now who do the Magic pick after your mock gets shell shocked.

[theTHIEF]

its not looking like forget Lee...nothing is certain in this league...rumors come about by the thousand...

[spinedoc]

Bad news Camby is staying with Denver, Memphis is really trying hard to get that trade with Denver so it starting to look like forget Lee if that is who they are really after. Batum at last workout showed he may have a problem with his heart which is now sending out red flags to other teams.
Raptors have shown great interest in Robin Lopez.
So now who do the Magic pick after your mock gets shell shocked.

You make a couple of nice corrections, but its hardly shell shocking his mock. I think you have a lot of correct picks there dwightmeer. For fun, and because it doesn't look like we are playing this game this year, this is what I think will happen.

1.Chi - Rose (pg)- Too easy
2.Minny - Beasely (pf)- I sense a trade here either before the draft or shortly after.
3.Mia - Mayo(sg/pg)- This is the guy that they really want, but don't want to pick him at #2, and will keep Haslem and Marion.
4.Sea - Bayless(pg)- They really need a pg.
5.Mem - B.Lopez(c)- Best big man available and the Griz need one.
6.N.Y. - Westbrook(pg)- I think he got a promise here.
7.Clips - Gordon(sg)- Their new undersized sg to replace Cat.
8.Mil - Alexander(sf)- Can't pass on his athleticism.
9.Char - Love(pf)- His lack of transition game causes him to slip imo, especially since Minny gets Beasely.
10.N.J. - Gallinari(sf)- Jefferson may be a Laker soon. Nice pairing with Odom possibly?
11.Ind - Augustin(pg)- Need a pg and he's the next best.
12.Sac - Randolph(pf)- Need and BPA.
13.Por - Rush(sg/sf)- Already have their frontcourt set. Outlaw may get traded, but still would be a nice rotation of Roy/Rush/Webster/Outlaw. Por is the wild card of this draft.
14.GS - Arthur(pf)- Need a lot of things and he's the BPA. Plus Wright may be a bust.
15.Pho - Jordan(c)- Their center of the future. Will look good next to Amare.
16.Phi - McGee(pf/c)- Need a big man and he's the best on the board.
17.Tor - R.Lopez(c)- A reach, but they seem really interested.
18.Was - D.Green(sf)- BPA
19.Cle - Koufos(c)- I agree, in the mold of Z.
20.Mem - Lee(sg)- Trade, they jump up and get Otis' guy.
21.N.J. - Speights(pf)- They need a big man.
22.Orl - Hibbert(c)- Solidifies our backup center spot and fills a need with BPA.
23.Utah - J.Thompson(pf/c)- They can now keep AK47 at sf with a frontcourt of Memo/Carlos/Millsap/Jason/and Jarron.
24.Sea - Ajinca(pf)- Agreed, a Wicox replacement.
25.Hou - CDR(sg)- They need another wing.
26.S.A. - Batum(sg/sf)- Get a talent that slips hard, and they can afford to wait on him.
27.N.O. - Chalmers(pg)- Need a backup with Pargo leaving, and only decent pg left in the draft.
28.Den - JJ Hickson(pf)- Move down to fill a need and get something for their trouble.
29.Det - R.Anderson(pf)- They keep stockpiling big men, but this one can shoot.
30.Bos - Ibaka(pf)- BPA and replacement for the PJ rental.

[SFranklin]

Okay, question....

What's wrong with J.R. Giddens? NbaDraft.net has him going at the end of the 2nd round, but he's an insane athlete, and averaged over 16 points, 9 boards 3 assists, and a steal.

I'm just not sure what the story is with him. Seems like he should be a late 1st.

[spinedoc]

Okay, question....

What's wrong with J.R. Giddens? NbaDraft.net has him going at the end of the 2nd round, but he's an insane athlete, and averaged over 16 points, 9 boards 3 assists, and a steal.

I'm just not sure what the story is with him. Seems like he should be a late 1st.

The same thing goes for Foster too. He's not even on their board anymore. I think they have been having less than stellar workouts. Nerves have been getting to them possibly.

[MMFla]

I too think Westbrook got the Knicks promise, but I think Love is gone at 5 and Lopez drops to 9. I also agree Miami will trade the 2 but for our sake I hope its to the Sonics, that would open up Collison or Wilcox, plus that would be a nasty tandem of Durant and Beasley. But all in all nice mock spine.

I do have that feeling the the Griz and Nuggz are gonna do that deal but its still good we can pick up Hibbert, CDR, Chalmers or Thompson and if Dorsey is falling in the 2nd it shouldn't be that hard to pick up a late or mid second to where he falls. Wow just checked Draftexpress and they have Batum in the 2nd, that heart thing must really be scaring people.

[LetItRain]

Who do you all think we'll take in the event that Lee is gone (assuming that he is the Magic's "guy")...Rush will definitely be gone already. Will they go big with Thompson, Hickson, or Anderson or go for CDR (whom we haven't heard much about in regards to the Magic's interest level)? There's also Hibbert, but I don't know if the Magic have seen him work out. Batum might slip too, and could be picked as BPA if he doesn't have a serious heart problem.

[SFranklin]

Okay, question....

What's wrong with J.R. Giddens? NbaDraft.net has him going at the end of the 2nd round, but he's an insane athlete, and averaged over 16 points, 9 boards 3 assists, and a steal.

I'm just not sure what the story is with him. Seems like he should be a late 1st.

The same thing goes for Foster too. He's not even on their board anymore. I think they have been having less than stellar workouts. Nerves have been getting to them possibly.

Possibly... It's just odd that someone with as many tools as J.R. Giddens can't find a spot at LEAST somewhere in the early/mid second. We're talking world class athleticism along with some very nice ball skills.. Has a decent 3-point shot, he's a good defender. Character problems possibly? I mean he's had 4 years of college experience and played well in each of those years.

[magicfan4life05]

Does anyone have a link about this talk of memphis wanting Lee if they complete that deal with denver to acquire the #20 pick?

[BassMaster]

If Lee gone hope that Magic take Thompson can run up and down the court all game clear the boards and even score. Hibbert is more like Battie he lumbers up and down court and gets tired fast. Been one of the problems for him all year. That Red Flag on Batum is too big too ignor just need to forget him.
If the Magic keep their first round pick and somehow get two second round picks (Wish List) I would like them to pick

Goran Dragic PG
22 years old; 6'4"; 200 lbs. and yes Hedo blocked him once. He wasn't on the mock lists when it started and his name keeps moving up the list for some really good reasons like he is a fiend on defense and loves to pass the ball to his teammates. Yes he likes to shoot too and sometimes he does a Nelson and gets caught under the basket with the big boys.
With his growing skills and every place I checked said don't see any real downsides for him all up and getting better fast. The only reason not higher he wasn't with a major Euro team so not really on the radar.
One of the reasons Thompson not trading higher is that he was at small college and not on the radar a lot as well. Remember most mocks have him going in the first round and when they started in was at the bottom of the second round. People just started to realize this guy can really play.

[Dwightmare]

I strongly believe that Lee will be there at 22 just by looking at who is ahead of him in terms of draft stock and when looking at team needs.

If he is not there at 22, then someone else must have falling out of the top 22. The most likely candidates would be Donte Green, Batum, Speights, CDR, Lopez, Chalmers or Hibbert. We should still be able to find an interesting prospect.

The biggest shame of all of this though is hoping that a 6'5 SG at 22 out plays the 6'5 SG we drafted at 11 a couple of years ago. At least Lee has a chance to contribute because he has the athleticism for the NBA but then where does this leave JJ. Otis talks about him as a capable "back-up 2" but wouldn't we be drafting a MORE capable "back-up 2" in Lee?

Evans or MLE/Lee/JJ/Bogans?

At least if we draft a big like Speights or Lopez we are grooming Battie's replacement as a backup PF, since I believe we will stick with the 52 win frontcourt of Hedo, Shard, Dwight as long as it works and as long as Hedo is still on this team.

If Lee and Rush are gone, and we dont like the PF/C available, we could draft a SF like Batum or Green. They can play backup SF instead of Bogans and some mins at SG (Batum) or PF (Green, in small lineup).

[DiplomaticMagic]

I'm still not sold on Courtney Lee. Again because of the whole height thing. Our guards were too small I think if Nelson is partnered up with a tall SG. It would be alot better.

Is Lee defense going to be better than Bogans and Evans?