The following projections represent not who the NBA teams will likely pick but, rather, who they should select. This exercise assumes all players are eligible to be drafted, regardless of intent to enter the draft (thus, the title Everybody in the Pool). Feel free to compare these projections with my January draft prospectus.
1 Kings: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Soph 6-10 240 PF
Explosive physical specimen is a no-brainer in the top spot.
2 Clippers: Ricky Rubio, International
N/A 6-3 180 PG
The Baron Davis experiment has been a failure, so it's time to bring in the Spanish Pistol Pete.
3 Wizards: Jordan Hill, Arizona
Jr 6-9 235 PF
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Arizona junior is the fact that he is both a physical presence in the paint and a gazelle in the open floor.
4 Thunder: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Jr 7-3 260 C
May get pushed around at the next level, but it's hard to ignore a coordinated seven-footer with preternatural shot-blocking instincts.
5 Grizzlies: Ed Davis, North Carolina
Fr 6-9 225 PF
I like Davis more than previous UNC freshman sensations Marvin Williams and Brandan Wright.
6 Timberwolves: Ty Lawson, North Carolina
Jr 6-0 195 PG
There was a point in time at which I thought Lawson might not be anything more than a change-of-pace point guard, but his stunning assist-to-turnover ratio tells me he could be special.
7 Warriors: Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Fr 6-10 230 PF
The talented but sometimes soft Monroe was one of my favorites at the season's mid-point, but he sort of fell off towards the end of the year.
8 Knicks: Tyreke Evans, Memphis
Fr 6-6 220 PG
While it's not clear if he's going to play the point or the two, Evans is one of the few players in this draft class that can take over a game.
9 Raptors: James Harden, Arizona State
Soph 6-4 220 OG
Probably too low for this strong two-guard with an expansive offensive repertoire.
10 Bucks: Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's
Soph 5-11 180 PG
Reminds me of Tony Parker in his ability to dictate pace, get into the lane, and find open teammates in traffic.
11 Nets: Craig Brackins, Iowa State
Soph 6-10 230 PF
Brackins flew under the radar in Ames (despite dropping 42 on Kansas), but the Cyclones' power forward has a great deal of upside and already has a pretty nice range of post and face-up moves.
12 Bobcats: DeMar DeRozan, USC
Fr 6-6 210 OG
Super-athletic frosh started to show signs of his vast potential at the end of the season.
13 Pacers: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
Soph 6-2 175 PG
The fiery Teague, an Indianapolis native, has a scorer's mentality but can also play the role of floor general.
14 Suns: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Sr 6-8 245 PF
Psycho T's new-found ability to knock down the open jumper is going to serve him well on the next level.
15 Pistons: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Soph 6-0 185 PG
With Iverson on his way out, the gritty Flynn would be a nice fit on a veteran Pistons roster.
16 76ers: Stephen Curry, Davidson
Jr 6-3 180 PG
I'm still not sure Curry makes the transition to the pro game, but, if he can play the point, he could have a nice career.
17 Bulls: Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Soph 6-10 250 PF
Aldrich would be a nice fit on a Bulls frontline that lacks maturity and toughness.
18 Timberwolves: James Johnson, Wake Forest
Soph 6-8 235 PF
Johnson is not as post-oriented as Chris Webber or as perimeter-oriented as Billy Owens, but that unique skill-set is definitely there.
19 Hawks: Gerald Henderson, Duke
Jr 6-4 210 OG
There's a hint of Kobe in Henderson's game, but he also has a tendency to play more like fellow Dukie Dahntay Jones.
20 Jazz: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
Soph 6-8 235 PF
Patterson's workman-like approach to the game would be a perfect fit in Jerry Sloan's no frills system.
21 Mavericks: Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest
Fr 6-8 210 SF
Used to remind me of Lamar Odom and now reminds me of a more perimeter-oriented Boris Diaw.
22 Hornets: DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Soph 6-6 280 PF
I don't like him quite as much as Big Baby Davis (who I loved), but I like him more than Tractor Traylor.
23 Thunder: Terrence Williams, Louisville
Sr 6-6 220 OG
T-Will is going to have to improve his ball-handling skills, but the selfless stat-stuffer would be a nice running mate for Kevin Durant, the NBA's star of the future.
24 Trailblazers: Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
Jr 6-4 210 OG
The Kentucky junior needs to work on his ball-handling and passing, but his shooting ability is simply off the charts.
25 Kings: Devin Ebanks, West Virginia
Fr 6-8 205 SF
Could end up being a Gerald Wallace-type player with a more sophisticated offensive game.
26 Bulls: Sam Young, Pittsburgh
Sr 6-6 220 OG
The Pitt senior has a great stroke from the outside, and he has a mature body that's going to allow him to get to the rim at the next level.
27 Grizzlies: Chase Budinger, Arizona
Jr 6-7 220 OG
Has the skills to go much higher, but to say he doesn't have a great motor is putting it mildly.
28 Timberwolves: B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
Fr 7-0 275 C
Mullens has the tools to contribute eventually, so he's not a bad pick at twenty-eight for a team with three first-round picks.
29 Lakers: Earl Clark, Louisville
Jr 6-10 230 SF
Clark has a diverse skill-set and ideal athleticism, but he lacks focus and turns the ball over far too often.
30 Cavaliers: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Jr 6-7 245 PF
Gody is the Rodney Dangerfield of mock drafts.
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Spending a few years under the tutelage of Lamar Odom would serve Earl Clark well.
ReplyDeleteIs this like the McDonald's game, where at the very end you realized that the draft needed a few more white guys?
ReplyDeleteI like the Ebanks-Wallace comparison. Didn't he have like three games with 17+ rebounds? I think upside probably puts Ebanks higher than Patterson on most boards.