The Official Draft Thread 2: Judgement Day

[GrantHill]

Kerrsed, what do you think about Moultrie. I see some Amar'e Stoudemire (when he came into the league) in him, Moultrie might be a better rebounder, though. He could be a nice pick if we aquire a second pick in the draft.

[GrantHill]

The Blazers GM denied the rumor about Dion Waiters and the draft promise. It's strange that we worked out some big mans and potential second rounders but not one of those 'good' wing players like Ross, Rivers or Lamb. I'm sure that we gave a promise to either Rivers or Waiters. Waiters seems more likely since Rivers worked out for some other teams.

[Saberestar]

I do not know if this mock has been published or discussed here, but I think is very interesting. Givony used to be accurate.


Y! Sports/DraftExpress 2012 NBA Mock Draft No. 2
By Jonathan Givony
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/y-sports-d ... kPYRu8vLYF

[carey]

The Blazers GM denied the rumor about Dion Waiters and the draft promise. It's strange that we worked out some big mans and potential second rounders but not one of those 'good' wing players like Ross, Rivers or Lamb. I'm sure that we gave a promise to either Rivers or Waiters. Waiters seems more likely since Rivers worked out for some other teams.

But we wouldn't draft Leonard when he fell last year cause he didn't work out for us. But this year we'll draft Waiters with no workout. My money is on Houston. Martin is expiring and Lee is a FA. They have 14 & 16 iirc.

[GrantHill]

The Blazers GM denied the rumor about Dion Waiters and the draft promise. It's strange that we worked out some big mans and potential second rounders but not one of those 'good' wing players like Ross, Rivers or Lamb. I'm sure that we gave a promise to either Rivers or Waiters. Waiters seems more likely since Rivers worked out for some other teams.

But we wouldn't draft Leonard when he fell last year cause he didn't work out for us. But this year we'll draft Waiters with no workout. My money is on Houston. Martin is expiring and Lee is a FA. They have 14 & 16 iirc.

Interesting point but I believe there's a difference between not working out for a team because you have a promise by somebody and not working out for the team because you simply don't want to play for it. Maybe we had a secret workout with him (unrealistic, some sources would've reported it) or Babby and Blanks just fell in love with him just like they did with Markieff.

Houston seems to be a pretty realistic destination for Waiters but Houstons' GM said that they'll match any offer for Lee. Martin seems to be on the trading block, though but would a guy like Waiters start over Lee? I doubt it and couldn't understand why Waiters would cancel all workouts for a team in the late lottery where he propably would come off the bench.

That's the argument pro Phoenix. He would be a lottery pick, be a starter right away, be responsible on different aspects of the game (scoring, creating shots, creating plays), play in a great city and for a players coach. Add to these facts that we didn't work out any 'good' wing prospects and Blanks/Babby not talking to the media due some reporters that propably would've asked them about Waiters. It just makes too much sense.

[SunZel]

I would love Nicholson or Taylor with another pick. Two good defensive minded guys.

[Ryu]

Nicholson, imho, looks like too similar to Keef. And I`d rather take Harkless or White before Jeff Taylor with that pick.

[GrantHill]

Alex Kennedy

The Oklahoma City Thunder will likely move the 28th pick. They're satisfied with their core and don't want to pay a rookie guaranteed money.

Robert, it's your turn!

[Revived]

His upside is enormous, but his downside is what scares me. I heard on GM mention that he looked very disinterested, and was severely lacking confidence, to a point where the GM said it was the lowest he has ever seen in a player. That has Anthony Randolph written all over it. He could turn out to be an absolute stud, but he's kinda in a sh*t situation. The league says he's a 4, but Jones says hes a SF. Tweener tweener tweener. You know i like PJ3, i think i established that last season, but from what i have been hearing about his lack of confidence, i think i would rather go after a few of the other guys before him.

I would rather address our hole at SG 1st. If by some miracle Lillard did fall to us, then i wouldnt mind addressing our need of a PG.

Perry does give effort and he has a pretty good understanding of the game and IMO all this talk about his motor is someone reading someone else's writeup and passing it along. He hasn't always played his best but he's had good reason to lose focus (personal situation) and he's had to play out of position quite a bit. I didn't see any concerns about his effort during his freshman year.

To me, Perry is a high risk but extremely high reward talent. We can compare it to Joe Johnson (not in style of play - Perry is much more like a taller more athletic Odom in that regard). But if you were following Joe at Arkansas you would have read the exact same kind of comments about him that currently circulate about Perry. Some players just aren't the carry-the-team kind of guys and when you have a gifted athlete that fits that description they often get labeled as under-performers.

[Revived]

Alex Kennedy

The Oklahoma City Thunder will likely move the 28th pick. They're satisfied with their core and don't want to pay a rookie guaranteed money.

Robert, it's your turn!

OKC owes us some picks too after they ripped us off with the Kurt Thomas trade!

[Kerrsed]

Kerrsed, what do you think about Moultrie. I see some Amar'e Stoudemire (when he came into the league) in him, Moultrie might be a better rebounder, though. He could be a nice pick if we aquire a second pick in the draft.

I like him, but i think he will be a poor mans Amare. Same type of player, just not as explosive, not as good shooting, and has horrible defense. I think he will end up in Detroit (unless Drummond somehow falls).

[Kerrsed]

Nicholson, imho, looks like too similar to Keef. And I`d rather take Harkless or White before Jeff Taylor with that pick.

Exactly. We already have a stretch 4 in Frye, and seems like we have been converting Keef to a stretch 4 as well. We dont need a 3rd, so i would pass on Nicholson.

As for Taylor, i am pretty damn high on him, i think he could be one of the top defenders in the draft, but i would take Harkless over him in a second. Im not as high on White as everyone else is, but thats probably because i see him more as a Diaw player. Jack of all trades, master of none.

[Ryu]

I like White`s leadership and he can score in so many different ways. I would gladly take a risk with picking him if we get another pick.

As I already said, pick up Waiters and Harkless or White and I would consider upcoming draft a succesful one.

[eastsidecrossover]

His upside is enormous, but his downside is what scares me. I heard on GM mention that he looked very disinterested, and was severely lacking confidence, to a point where the GM said it was the lowest he has ever seen in a player. That has Anthony Randolph written all over it. He could turn out to be an absolute stud, but he's kinda in a sh*t situation. The league says he's a 4, but Jones says hes a SF. Tweener tweener tweener. You know i like PJ3, i think i established that last season, but from what i have been hearing about his lack of confidence, i think i would rather go after a few of the other guys before him.

I would rather address our hole at SG 1st. If by some miracle Lillard did fall to us, then i wouldnt mind addressing our need of a PG.

Perry does give effort and he has a pretty good understanding of the game and IMO all this talk about his motor is someone reading someone else's writeup and passing it along. He hasn't always played his best but he's had good reason to lose focus (personal situation) and he's had to play out of position quite a bit. I didn't see any concerns about his effort during his freshman year.

To me, Perry is a high risk but extremely high reward talent. We can compare it to Joe Johnson (not in style of play - Perry is much more like a taller more athletic Odom in that regard). But if you were following Joe at Arkansas you would have read the exact same kind of comments about him that currently circulate about Perry. Some players just aren't the carry-the-team kind of guys and when you have a gifted athlete that fits that description they often get labeled as under-performers.

Agree. I watched PJ3 this and last year. The dude was in a poor offense with terrible guards that chucked it every chance they could get. When he got the ball, he was not in a great position to do something. There is a lot of positives and negative I see to his game. I think the potential is high with him, but like almost anyone outside of Davis, he could be a bust. I do like his all around game and he did post up a lot. He to me seems like a typical big that wants to shoot and dribble the ball. Not too many low post scorers now days. But if he is there, I believe you have to take him.

[eastsidecrossover]

Ok, long time since I have been in the forum. I need to jump back in and get some things off my chest. First off, suns have a need at every position. I love nash, but for the sack of rebuilding for the future, the time is now and I hope he goes elsewhere. I do not see any future starter to help the rebuilding process. I think Keef is a nice bench player that can fill the role of Frye. So this is what I like.

I love Marshall. I love having a QB that can lead the team and make others better. I am like many concerned about his athletic ability and scoring threat of course, but I think he makes everyone better. Hes a good piece to have for the rebuilding process and I would rather have him over brooks or almost anyone else.

I do not want ANYTHING to do with Rivers. I watched a ton of college ball this year and thought he is a poor mans OJ mayo. Nice player an all, but I rather fill that SG position with Harden or someone else.

Waiter is a nice player, but I am not sure why the hype about him at a mid lottery pick. He was a nice player with the orange but he did not jump out to me as a stud.

Ross is a reach at 13 for me. A nice shooter with size, but not much else.

I Like the bigs they brought in. I am happy they are not honing in on just a SG. They need to look at best available player and that might be a big. You can never have enough bigs in this league and teams with overpay and trade for them. The UNC boys are solid players. I do not like Hensen because I do not see much of a future out of him. Too thin still after 3 years in college. Zeller to me is a pick in the 20's. A solid player. Leonard and PJ3 are athletic freaks that have a high ceiling and potential. Or you might get burned with another bust if he is not coached well and given time. Moultrie is another guy I watched a lot and he is a poor, poor, poor mans Amare at best. Nice player, but after his time in college and a year off, I did not see the type of improvement necessary to build around. He is a solid player that does rebound and has a decent stroke.

Question is, after nash, what type of team do they want to be? Run and gun or throw it in the post? I think it will be the later with Gent. So a stretch 4 will not hurt this team, especially if you can play p-n-r bball like you used too. Gort is not that great of one in my view.

Last, suns need to find away to buy or trade for another first. They also need to keep future draft picks because I see a long rebuilding process ahead. I am concerned with the F.O. desire to move forward with the status quo. I personally think they need to rebuild with higher draft picks and go with a young movement. But I dont see them doing that. Suns need to have an eye for the future in FA's and draft picks. But I feel they rather shoot for that lofty 8th seed yet again and fall short with a late lottery pick.

[Kerrsed]

Ok, long time since I have been in the forum. I need to jump back in and get some things off my chest.

Welcome back!

[Kerrsed]

Chris Sheriden just posted his latest Mock Draft. I think when it comes to Mocks, he's up there with the best. With that being said, he has us drafting......Jeremy Lamb!

13. Phoenix Suns – Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Lamb is a long, athletic, scoring guard that can fill it up on offense. The Suns who might be starting the post-Nash era next season would be wise to find help on the perimeter. Lamb would also provide the Suns with an aggressive wing defender. Unfortunately for Lamb he sprained his ankle in a Raptors workout this week and caused him to have to cancel a workout with Portland. Phoenix should be Lamb’s floor.

I really hate the fact that he jacked his ankle up, and is not working out for the teams looking at SG ahead of us (Portland/Toronto). His stock continues to fall, while Rivers continues to rise. They have him going 8th to the Raptors.

8. Toronto Raptors – Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

One of hottest names right now is Rivers, who is one of the better scorers in this draft. According to a league source, Rivers has already received a promise from a team in the top-10. Rivers is very creative and smooth. Rivers had one of the most productive combines as he performed well and excelled in the interview portion as well. Rivers worked out for the Raptors earlier this week and while Jeremy Lamb pulled out due to injury Rivers looked impressive. Toronto will have 2011 Lottery Pick Jonas Valanciunas join the team this season so it seems they prefer to add help on the perimeter. Toronto could consider Dion Waiters here as well as Damian Lillard as well since Jose Calderon’s name is being included in trade talks.

As for his complete mock, it looks something like this:

1. NOH - Davis
2. CHA - Robinson
3. WAS - MKG
4. CLE - Beal
5. SAC - Barnes
6. POR - Drummond
7. GSW - Sullinger
8. TOR - Rivers
9. DET - Henson
10. NOH - Lillard
11. POR - Waiters
12. MIL - Leonard
13. PHX - Lamb
14. HOU - PJ3

Another nice Mock site that Chris Sheriden holds in high regards (probasketballdraft.com), has us drafting .......... Austin Rivers!

#13. Austin Rivers SG Duke

The Suns are looking for help on the perimeter and while they would love to draft Waiters there is a real chance he is gone by 12. Rivers is one of the better players and scorers in this draft, who is very creative and smooth. With the Steve Nash era possibly ending the Suns need to find a player that can initiate the offense and Rivers certainly is capable of doing that. Terrence Ross and Jeremy Lamb are also possibilities for the Suns.

[suns91fan]

"Another nice Mock site that Chris Sheriden holds in high regards (probasketballdraft.com), has us drafting .......... Austin Rivers! "

As unlucky as we are, that might actually happen.

[Kerrsed]

As unlucky as we are, that might actually happen.

[JMac1]

"Kerrsed"]Chris Sheriden just posted his latest Mock Draft. I think when it comes to Mocks, he's up there with the best. With that being said, he has us drafting......Jeremy Lamb!

Kerrsed, why are you so hung up on an undersized 2 guard?! I am all for the hype of Rivers (main reason he is rising), but it is a novelty that will eventually wear off, then he will only be judge on his game;

do you really believe his game is cleary better than Lamb or Waiters?

It's funny....people disregard what Lamb has done on the floor and point to his affect which hasn't stopped him from being a very good player, yet they assume it will in the future?? But when it comes to Rivers, people excuse his lack of court production, and believe he will do better because Rivers says so?????

Talk is cheap!

If we get Rivers...eh. If we don't...cool. But praying we get him by hoping another player better than Rivers gets healthy enough to prove it, thus making Rivers fall to us is kind of??????

Maybe the better player falling (literally) because of an injury and dropping to us is a blessing in disguise?