VC4Pres 2010 Mock 1st Round Updated 6/24/2010

[vincecarter4pres]

1. New Jersey - John Wall
2. Minnesota - Evan Turner
3. Philadelphia - Derrick Favors
4. Indiana - Ed Davis
5. Golden State - Al-Farouq Aminu
6. Detroit - Cole Aldrich
7. Washington - Wesley Johnson
8. Sacramento - Willie Warren
9. Utah - Xavier Henry
10. Chicago - Pattrick Patterson
11. LA Clippers - Devin Ebanks
12. Memphis - Greg Monroe
13. Utah - Donatas Motiejunas
14. New Orleans - DeMarcus Cousins
15. Milwaukee - Craig Brackins
16. Minnesota - Soloman Alabi
17. Miami - Kalin Lucas
18. Miami - Larry Sanders
19. Oklahoma City - Gani Lawal
20. Houston - Paul George
21. Portland - Damion James
22. Oklahoma City - Avery Bradley
23. Memphis - Armon Johnson
24. San Antonio - Manny Harris
25. Atlanta - Jarvis Varnado
26. New Jersey - Jan Vesley
27. Orlando - Lance Stephenson
28. Boston - Kyle Singler
29. Cleveland - Stanley Robinson
30. Memphis - Elias Harris

31. New Jersey - Jerome Jordan

I haven't been paying as much attention as I did lst year, but still have caught a lot of games.
This is my first effort this year, be gentle.

[Baddy Chuck]

If Bradley is that far down he won't come out. Pretty much my only real complaint. For me, Aminu and Warren are a little too high as well but others like them.

[vincecarter4pres]

Yeah, I'm not big on Aminu or Warren neither, but I do these mocks trying to get them as close to reality as possible without my opinion of a player coming into it too much.
BTW, FWIW though, I think Warren would be an excellent fit next to Evans.

[Gremz]

Pretty good from my POV so far. A couple of notables for me though:

-Think SAC goes guard? Looks like they could use a 3rd big imo.
-Avery Bradley possibly too low?

I'm not sure that Lance Stephenson will come out of college if he's not looking like a high-ish pick. I get the impression he's be a little precious in that regard.

[gswhoops]

Much, much rather have Aldrich then Aminu. Aminu doesn't fit a need AT ALL for us.

[vincecarter4pres]

Much, much rather have Aldrich then Aminu. Aminu doesn't fit a need AT ALL for us.

So you guys have given up on Biedrins?

[gswhoops]

Much, much rather have Aldrich then Aminu. Aminu doesn't fit a need AT ALL for us.

So you guys have given up on Biedrins?

I wouldn't say given up, he's still a 10/10 guy with a block or two and solid defense....he's just not a game changer at C. Upgrading there's not really a need, but it's something to consider. Plus, we definitely need more big men and Aldrich gives us one with legit size (lbs. as well as height).

[510TWSS]

I'm not sure I'd want the Warriors to take Aldrich JUST because he's a big body. He rebounds good, blocks shots, but I'm not sure how well his scoring will transition. I think he's already more of an option than Biedrins is, but as long as he can shoot from 5 feet and out he's got him beat. Drafting Aldrich would give us decent depth when the inevitable AB or Ronny injury pops up. Hopefully Brandan and Randolph hold up once they recover from their own injuries.

Recently I've been thinking about going the ATL route and collecting big time athletes at the forward position. I'd love Evan Turner, but outside of securing a number 2 or 3 pick, I think Turner will be gone. Especially if Minnesota is picking before us. After that there really is no clear cut number 3 prospect. Favors is underwhelming, but still possesses a great package and an even greater potential. Ed Davis will probably go top 5, but we already have AR and Brandan for next season. From there it becomes who you like better between Wesley Johnson, Al Farouq Aminu, and Cole Aldrich. Xavier Henry might creep up once work outs begin.

I like our Forwards right now if Corey Maggette can keep up his great play this season. I've suspected that it is because he's finally healthy and got the memo to stop shooting 3's. Last year he was hampered with nagging injuries which left the Warrior faithful with a poor impression. I'd like a 3 who can create his own shot and for others, that's where Turner would be ideal. I've heard that Johnson is much more a role player than go to scoring option.

I like Aminu's potential as his athleticism and length will play in the NBA. It's his skills that need to get better. Needs to shoot a lot better from outside. Could use a post game. He's a really good rebounder, which won't hurt for a poor rebounding Warrior team. He looks clueless some times on defense, but he's fast and long and should disturb shooters on the outside. Hopefully he's skilled enough to be a full time 3.

Aldrich just seems "safe" to me. His upside isn't that great, but he should be a decent defensive player. At least against other big post guys. I think he'll struggle initially against teams with non-traditional centers and pick n roll defense. His offensive upside isn't that great, but still better skill than either of our two current centers.

If it were up to me, I'd take Aminu if he can prove that he's capable of playing the 3 against other physical small forwards. He's already got the tools for the job, which you can't teach. Hopefully the skills come along. Who knows--with a new coach for 2011 and beyond we could put out a lineup of AB-Randolph-Aminu-Monta-Curry. Or maybe small with Randolph-Wright-Aminu-Monta-Curry. Corey would probably start at the 3, if he's still here. But he's playing great on offense, which overshadows his defense.

[Dr Positivity]

I just can't believe Monroe would fall that much. I honestly think he's the 2nd or 3rd best prospect in this draft. But I guess that's the draft, raw big man athletes like Favors or Davis get drooled over, while Monroe has the best footwork and hands of any big man in years and is unheralded for it

[TheOGJabroni]

At first glance, Avery Bradley and Stanley Robinson seem too low. Other than that, looks pretty solid to me. As a C's fan, I like the Singler pick a lot.

[vincecarter4pres]

1. New Jersey - John Wall
2. Minnesota - Evan Turner
3. Golden State - DeMarcus Cousins
4. Sacramento - Derrick Favors
5. Washington - Al Farouq Aminu
6. Detroit - Cole Aldrich
7. Indianna - Greg Monroe
8. Utah - Wesley Johnson
9. Philadelphia - Ed Davis
10. Los Angeles Clippers - Xavier Henry
11. Milwaukee - Patrick Patterson
12. Memphis - Elias Harris
13. New Orleans - Willie Warren
14. Houston - Devin Ebanks
15. Miami - Ekpe Udoh
16. Minnesota - Stanley Robinson
17. Chicago - Donatas Motiejunas
18. Miami - Damion James
19. Portland - Larry Sanders
20. OKC - Solomon Alabi
21. San Antonio - Terrico White
22. OKC - Jan Vesely
23. New Jersey - Craig Brackins
24. Minnesota - Gani Lawal
25. Boston - Paul George
26. Atlanta - Kalin Lucas
27. Memphis - Elliot Williams
28. Orlando - Sherron Collins
29. Memphis - James Anderson
30. Cleveland - Lance Stephenson

[Gremz]

I like Monroe, but he's not what we need. I'd take Johnson, Henry and Davis ahead of him for Indy.

[gswhoops]

Love Cousins to GS.

[horaceworthy]

Love the Turner pick for the Wolves, I'm okay with the Robinson pick, but would probably prefer a big there in this scenario. I don't get the Gani Lawal pick. Solid, but not a great fit for the Wolves. If they went big with that pick then I think Varnado or Jordan would be the guy.

[vincecarter4pres]

I like Monroe, but he's not what we need. I'd take Johnson, Henry and Davis ahead of him for Indy.

Gremz, why not?
You're rumored to be trying to dump Murphy and I don't see Psycho T as the answer as a long term starter. Granger is your SF. There are no point guards even close to worthy at that high a pick. Henry is also a reach that high and you have Rush and Dunleavy at SG. Hell, I think Henry is half a reach at the Clippers pick, but he fills a need for them and there isn't anyone that is wildly more talented at that spot IMO. I think Monroe is much better then Davis.

[Gremz]

Post defense and physical presence is what we need next to Hibbert. I can't see Monroe being that guy. His passing would be tremendous, but we need a big guy in there who's not afraid to do the dirty work.

[vincecarter4pres]

I just don't see that type of player available at your pick that isn't a serious reach.
Ed Davis is not that guy, he is not a physical presence, he will get man handled in the post in the L.

[Gremz]

At the very least he'll give us some D.

I would simply love Whiteside to be available.

[vincecarter4pres]

Updated 4/29/2010

1. New Jersey Nets - John Wall
2. Minnesota Timberwolves - Evan Turner
3. Sacramento Kings - DeMarcus Cousins
4. Golden State Warriors - Al Farouq Aminu
5. Washington Wizards - Greg Monroe
6. Philadelphia 76ers - Derrick Favors
7. Detroit Pistons - Cole Aldrich
8. Los Angeles Clippers - Wesley Johnson
9. Utah Jazz - Ekpe Udoh
10. Indianna Pacers - Ed Davis
11. New Orleans Hornets - Paul George
12. Memphis Grizzlies - Donatas Monteijunas
13. Toronto Raptors - Hassan Whiteside
14. Houston Rockets - Patrick Patterson
15. Milwaukee Bucks - Xavier Henry
16. Minnesota Timberwolves - Daniel Orton
17. Chicago Bulls - James Anderson
18. Miami Heat - Damion James
19. Boston Celtics - Gordon Hayward
20. San Antonio Spurs - Luke Babbit
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Solomon Alabi
22. Portland Trailblazers - Eric Bledsoe
23. Minnesota Timberwolves - Stanley Robinson
24. Atlanta Hawks - Larry Sanders
25. Memphis Grizzlies - Willie Warren
26. Oklahoma City Thunder - Avery Bradley
27. New Jersey Nets - Quincy Pondexter
28. Memphis Grizzlies - Elliot Williams
29. Orlando Magic - Gani Lawal
30. Washington Wizards - Terrico White

[RTM]

I see no way in which Aminu and (more so) Monroe go above Favors. Favors has physical and defensive potential to be somewhere between a Horford and Amare type player. Monroe is a below the rim player with questions about his motor and work ethic, which hurts him, and Aminu is incredibly raw, and simply can't shoot.

I can definitely see NOH taking a wing, but I just feel like they'd prefer Henry to George. The lotto is probably a reach for him. That being said, there's always a late lotto reach each year, and it's not impossible that he's it.