#1 – LA Clippers. Blake Griffin. Only because it’s the safest choice and nobody will blame them even if Griffin turns out to be a bust. After Olowakandi the Clippers will never reach for anything again. Ever. This is a clear-cut pick, a lot like Portland and Greg Oden. Sometimes the #1 pick is a little too consensus for the picking team to independently analyze what it is that they actually want and what everybody else is expecting them to do. Word has it Andy Roeser was high on meth during the lottery.
#2 – Memphis Grizzlies. They’ll trade this pick if the basketball people in Memphis manage to convince Michael Heisley that Hasheem Thabeet is Stromile Swift 2.0. Mike Conley Jr. isn’t the answer at PG and the sooner Memphis realizes that and override him with Rubio the better for them. But wait, it doesn’t matter since Rubio doesn’t care for them after fellow Spaniards Gasol and Navarro had unpleasant experiences in FedEx-town. Since Rubio is so highly sought I wouldn’t be surprised if the Grizz picked him only to trade him. Not to mention that this miserable excuse of a team might actually be too cheap to pay a lottery pick. Whatever the case, somewhere this guy will be smiling.
#3 – OKC Thunder. If Rubio is still available, they’ll take him and move Russell Westbrook over to #2. Personally, I think Westbrook will have trouble playing off-guard because he needs the ball in his hands to be effective. Asking him to spot up for jumpers and slash off the catch isn’t natural to him, he’s better off using his burst off the dribble. If Rubio’s gone they’ll pick Thabeet and try to make him the Chandler they almost had. Nick Collison FTW.
#4 – Sacramento Kings. The Kings will either try to acquire Ricky Rubio in a trade or make a huge reach for another PG. My gut feeling is Brandon Jennings, yeah, it’s probably way too high for him but when you got as many holes as the Kings, you can’t really make a bad choice. Quiet reminder: When Chris Webber’s rotten luck ruined it for the Kings in Secaucus, he went home and did this.
#5 – Washington Wizards. Another team that needs a PG and could end up swinging a deal with Memphis to get their hands on Rubio. If that doesn’t workout they could also reach for a PG, the safer bet would probably be to get someone like James Harden giving them a Harden-Butler-Jamison combo, not too shabby. Jordan Hill is the other option but since they already got Andray Blatche, how many bad one-on-one defenders can you afford to have. Hey, did you know Gilbert Arenas retired from the internet too?
#6, #7 – Minnesota, Golden State. If I’m either of these two teams I pick Stephen Curry and call up Mike D’Antoni, hold his feet to the fire and make him give up his pick and another player. I’ll be shocked if GSW actually drafts a player here, but if they do and its a 2-guard, look for the Monta Ellis trade rumours to pick up steam. As for Minnesota, they just can’t go wrong by picking Tyreke Evans as their future 2-guard. Word.
#8 – NY Knicks. If Stephen Curry is there they’ll take him, if he’s not they’ll probably look long and hard at Tyreke Evans but already having Nate Robinson might dissuade them from him. If Curry isn’t available Brandon Jennings is an option but they’ll need to give themselves a good reason not to stick with Chris Duhon. Bird in hand equals two in bush. Aah, remember this. Too bad it ended in tears.
#9 – Toronto Raptors – Demar DeRozan. Unless James Harden is miraculously available, this should be an easy decision for the Raptors. And yes, he could be. I honestly don’t see much difference in talent and potential in picks #3 through #10 so its entirely conceivable that a high-profile player could drop. DeRozan can’t create his own shot, yet, but he’s a good enough defender and will bring much needed athleticism into the mix. Think Joey Graham minus strength plus slashing ability minus crapiness plus self-control. Make no mistake, he’s a bit of a project and not someone that will contribute immediately. Terrence Williams is also an option (very questionable shot-selection at times) and someone I liken to a rookie-year Mo Pete, as in he moves great without the ball, doesn’t hog the rock and plays defense. If we’re going by the higher ceiling go with DeRozan, if we’re looking for help now, go with Williams although it might be considered a reach at #9. We simply can’t mess this up.
#10 – Milwaukee Bucks. They need a PG and Jonny Flynn feels about right at #10. After Ramon Sessions led them nowhere, will the Bucks give the reigns to a rookie PG? If their plan is to rebuild is earnest, maybe, if not, look for them to move this pick if they can get help right now. Try to make the connection if you can.
#11 – NJ Nets – DeJuan Blair. He’s only going to fall this far because no other team really needs a PF that badly. The Nets could combo him with Brook Lopez for a pretty fierce frontcourt. It’s always possible that Blair wows some team in the workouts and they pick him only as trade-bait. Remember, the value for most of these players is highest before they’ve played a single game. Is that Ron Harper?
#12 – Charlotte Bobcats – Earl Clark. DeRozan will be gone so Earl Clark is the slasher they’ll look to in order to replace Jason Richardson. If only other GMs would let Michael Jordan do this to them?
#13 – Indiana Pacers. Many sites have them drafting a PG here but with Jarret Jack’s qualifying offer coming cheap and TJ Ford under contract, I don’t see it happening. They might go with a semi-tweener like Jrue Holiday who could form a formidable wing-combo with Danny Granger. Marquis Daniels has shown he’s nothing but average and easily expendable, the Raptors should look at making a possible play. Which one of these two got laid that night?
#14 – Phoenix Suns – Jeff Teague. Nash is going away soon and Barbosa is ideal trade-bait to net a couple players which means the draft is the best way to get a good three-point shooting guard. He’s a tweener but who isn’t these days? A team like Phoenix shouldn’t have much trouble looking past his defensive deficiencies and look forward to his explosiveness. Whose trophy is that?
60 Raps
I’m sure you guys are on top of that already, but in case you haven’t heard, there’s some talk/rumors going around that Tyreke Evans is going back to school.
Nevermind, I just read he signed with an agent.
Jesus this was confusing to read.
If you thought this mock was confusing, the draft day moves/trades/shakes-n-bakes are gonna blow your mind.
I think he just means because it wasn’t really a mock draft per se, more like an analysis of what options each team has at their spot.
Normally you don’t see “trade pick” in a mock draft, because then it basically renders the remainder of the draft useless.
Arsenalist,
1. Earl Clark is likely to be a better NBA player than Demar DeRozan.
2. Instead of picking DeRozan at #9, the Raptors SHOULD trade down, acquire an addition pick and/or a player, and still be able to select a draftee who is at least as good as Derozan [and probably better].
3. FYI.
He could be better than him, who knows? The draft is a crap-shoot to begin with, I happen to like DeRozan purely for his athleticism and see him as a key part of an effective system, much like Travis Outlaw in Portland.
Trading down will be hard this year because teams know that there are players with similar talent levels between 9-20 and will not give you much back in order to move up (as you suggested). Unless there’s a team out there that is targeting someone very specific I don’t see the Raptors getting anything more than a second-round pick in addition to the other team’s first round pick. Certainly they won’t be getting two first round picks.
agree re. clark…the big thing with him is that he didn’t really improve much over his college career. not necessarily a bad thing, as you know what he’s capable of; the draft is, for most, all about ‘upside potential.’ derozan likely has more potential, but clark is more of a sure thing.
also agree with the relative futility of trading down. you have to have a partner willing to give up something to move up, and in this draft, there really just aren’t many (any?) guys worth moving up for, outside of the top maybe 3 picks. now, if a guy like harden or rubio or thabeet falls out of the top-5 or so, then things may change, but i can’t see it. it’s one thing to say they ’should’ trade down & still be able to get ‘their’ guy, but they still have to have a willing trade partner.
Arsenalist,
1. At his size, Demar DeRozan [#3/2, 6-6] is nothing like Travis Outlaw [#4/3, 6-9] and will not be able to succeed within that type of role in the NBA.
2. There would be nothing wrong with trading down in this year’s draft in exchange for as little as a 2nd Round draft pick. There are lot of other players available who might be every bit as good as Demar DeRozan, possibly better.
you are stupid…plain and simple…kinda like that dimple on your mommas assssssssssss
Arsenalist,
1. Earl Clark is likely to become a better NBAer than Demar DeRozan.
2. FYI.
Raps #9: Potential mess-up = Blair
Couldn’t agree more. I think Blair has huge bust potential (Tractor Traylor 2.0). Even if he’s legit, picking him only makes sense if either every wing player (including Henderson) worth taking is already off the board or you’re getting rid of Bosh. Blair, IF he pans out, makes sense as the other starting big with Bargnani.
I’m really undecided about Blair versus DeRozan. Can’t say I saw much of either this year. But, it does scare the shit out of me when fans insist on drafting “upside”, “athleticism” and “ridiculous hops” versus a player who has demonstrated toughness, competitiveness and a willingness to do what it takes to win. That kind of thinking gets you a Gerald Green. I remember Raps fans bitching about not taking Green. Villanueva turned out to be a way better NBA player. Even Joey Graham is a better NBA player! Given the success of Carl Landry and Paul Milsap, just worries me passing on a guy like Blair. Not a star, but if he can give you some toughness and rebounding, he can play for any team. And the Raps are the biggest pussy team in the league. They would get pummeled in the playoffs by any team just based on lack of toughness.
i assume you mean if they pick him there (as opposed to passing on him)?
agree with sam, though to a degree, a guy like blair can’t really be a ‘bust’ per se, since everyone knows exactly what he is & is likely capable of at the next level. unless someone drafts him with the hope of him becoming a low-post scoring threat, then there shouldn’t be any surprises with what he becomes.
Blair would be an amzing pick for the Raps. He’s got everything we lack – toughness, desire, heart…..just not at #9. If we could buy another pick in the mid/late teens then he’d be a great pickup.
I too would be picking Clark over DeRozan. Without knowing what Bosh and Marion are intending to do until well after the draft, I would like a player that could be slotted into either position if necessary.
Lets face it, if Bosh goes, Marion is gone as well and we are in full tank and rebuild mode for a year or two. IF they both stay, this kid will have two great role models to learn from, to practice against, to push him and make him better. Plus, Bosh and Marion are good people who WOULD help him develop.
We need someone who puts AT LEAST as much effort into defense as offence, as Clark does. He may not be quite as much of an athlete as DeRozan (but he is close) but you also need a high BB IQ to play in this league. I see DeRozan as a better scoring version of Joey G. Doesn’t that scare you DeRozan lovers a little? Clark definitely has a higher floor than DeRozan. His ceiling might not be as high though. But in this case, with the Raps current makeup, if they are both available at 9, I think you just HAVE to go with Clark.
On the other hand, if Evans or Harden are also there at 9, I see a higher ceiling and floor for either of these two than DeRozan, so I’d take one of them before Clark.
+1 on Clark. Your first 2 paragraphs was like I was dictating. Good job.
I’m so not a fan of Earl Clark. I’m a Big East guy and have seen a lot of him. Not impressed at all. Too inconsistent in every way with little effort. I sincerely hope they do NOT draft Clark. Williams would be a nice add as a role player “jack of all trades” to the team if they buy a pick in the 20’s, but anythign before that would be a reach.
DeRozan could be an Iguodala (ceiling) or he could be a Gerald Green. Both are very athletic with potential of vertical explosion, both were viewed upon as raw coming into the draft, just like DeRozan. Today, one is a star in the league and the other is an afterthought. So there’s a big risk in drafting DeRozan but there’s also a chance the pick pays off.
However, we all know how badly Toronto needs this pick to be someone who can actually contribute. If this pick is squandered somehow, it would be detrimental to the future of this team. Don’t get me wrong, we can always go back to the drawing board again next year, but do we really want to?
That Demar DeRozan is starting to act alot like Gerald Green
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Word-on-the-Street-NBA-Combine-Edition-3235/
“• No Competitive Workouts for DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan will not be conducting any competitive workouts, his agent Aaron Goodwin tells us. The rumor mill indicated that he was only interested in going up against James Harden, except for in Toronto, where he was slated to face off with Gerald Henderson. Goodwin says that is not the case.
“DeRozan is not working out with anyone. He isn’t going up against Gerald Henderson or anyone else at this point. He may not even go to Toronto. He won’t fall to 9.” “
Bad sign. I smell a distinct lack of toughness, competitiveness and willingness to do what it takes to win. You think Larry Bird would have been scared to work out against some other college player? MJ? Not a chance. They would see it as an opportunity to school some of their competition. Might turn out to be a good player, but … Just sayin’.
That’s just the result of the agent-driven draft that we have today. Agents didn’t run the show when Bird was coming out. It’s all manipulation and marketing these days. I’m quite sure that any player would rather PLAY and BEAT on some guy rather than sit on the sideline and have people make the kind of remarks that follow not working out for a team(s).
Any “hotshot” from USC now is looking like over-hyped agent-marketed product with flashy names (OJ Mayo, Demar DeRozen) and Reggie Bush in the NFL is on a bit of a decline as well.
It’d be funny if the overconfidence from that statement is one of the reason why he falls to 9th.
I’d go with this order for the Raps draft board:
Harden (althought I hope we don’t get him)
DeRozen
Evans
Henderson
I’d LOVE to see them buy back in the teens and pick up Blair or Flynn but they’ve been flying up the boards lately.
A pick in the 20’s could yield a Terrance Williams, Chris Mills, Wayne Ellington, which wouldn’t be all bad.
A late pick to add Buddinger or Sam Young would be great too.
re: James Hardin
Caveat Emptor.
Agreed. I just can’t shake the bad feeling I get from those last few games he played. He sucked pretty bad when it counted most.
Luckily he’s not likely to be around at #9 anyway.
re: Earl Clark
Despite the fact that I think Earl Clark might develop into a better NBAer than Demar DeRozan … as I’ve said elsewhere, Earl Clark is not the player who the Raptors should be adding from the 2009 Draft.
Agreed.
Why not?
c’mon big boy, don’t leave us here on the edges of our seats. we’re all just DYING to know just what the raps should do.
lemme guess…package the 9th, bargs & kapono to memphis for buckner & the 27th? no, wait…bargs & banks & the 9th for carney & the 28th?
oh, who could the ‘right’ pick be!?!??! i’m all-a-twitter…
Tyreke Evans is the obvious choice over Harden, Clark or Derozon based on his ball-dominance and penetration ability. He is the safest pick based on our needs (IF he’s available). But workouts/interviews could change all of that. Oh and Dejuan Blair’s ceiling is likely 1st big man off the bench, not a lottery pick.
Oh and Earl Clark looks too tweenerish in a Josh Smith kinda way – we need prototypical athletes since we have a wonky-enough lineup already…
IMO, Josh Smith isn’t tweenerish in the least. Josh Smith is a terrific PF who would be a nightmare combination for opponents in the front-court, if teamed with a running mate like Chris Bosh [C].
Being a “prototypical athlete”, or not, has nothing to do with it. What matters is how specific players actually fit together, or not.
Come on Khan, no need to chase conflict. Josh Smith is a player whose skill-set makes it difficult to position him (big shot-blocking PF but has very limited post moves, cant guard wing players, etc). A Prototypical player is one that fits one or more positions (playing both ways) based on their skillset. We have an abundance of players with talent but concerns based on how to use them. We are simply agreeing that “what matters is how specific players actually fit together”.
Edgar,
No conflict being chased on my part. Unlike others, I have no difficulty slotting Josh Smith, whose ability I happen to like a lot, into the PF position; that’s all.
As you said, I think we more-or-less agree about the rest.
khandor is the best non-gm living in his parents basements….like ever.
Amare Staudamire takes a shot at Chris Bosh. Check realgm.com.
That’s how many players who have called Bosh out? Dozens maybe. He’s soft and he’s a stat padder on a perennial loser. I agree with Amare 100%.
Taking a different look at this…..Have you ever seen a supposed MAX player who’s in his prime get disrespected the way Bosh does? I can’t think of one. Shaq called him Rupaul, Amare outright laughs at the idea of Bosh being even close to him, KG when he played against him this year put his nose right in Bosh’s chest when guarding him just daring him to do something about it. All this in the season following him winning the gold for Team USA. It’s weird right?
Because of all of this stuff I think next year makes or breaks Bosh as an REAL elite player. He has to man up to the toughest challenges, get tougher and meaner, and play tougher defensively. Start yelling and glaring at opposing players rather than teammates and prove to the rest of the league, especially the bigs, that he really is a dominant player. He’s sort of looked at as a soft stat-padder and until he actually proves otherwise, that rep might stay with him.
Amare isn’t as good as Bosh for two reasons: Microfracture Surgery and Steve Nash.
So your saying….Chris Bosh needs some personal baggage? What does this have to do with the draft again? Atleast preach on topic…
Switch places?
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cvythz
Shaq asked Kobe how his ass tastes.
Ron Artest has called Kobe out.
Kenyon Martin mocked Kobe’s rape case.
Kobe wanted out of LA at one point.
Damn, that Kobe guy sucks just like Bosh.
nice.
That stuff can be posted 100,000 times, but people will just never understand.
Hey I just ‘heard’ from a ‘reliable’ source that Dahntay jones said that LeBron James is crap. The level of disrespect for LeBron from role players in the league is alarming, and shows that nobody in the NBA respects him, therefore LeBron does not deserve even the mid-level exception.
Amare also might be blind or partially blind in one eye now. Maybe he’ll wear an eye patch. That would be cool. And Bosh is getting called out a lot this year. Even Zach Randolph called him out. Kobe was never compared to Rupaul. That really hurts. Next year Bosh better step up – hit someone with his purse or something.
just a random note to anyone who still thinks that chris bosh is
“undersized” or “only 6′10″
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/measurements.php?page=&year=2003&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&sort=3
all players’ official heights are with shoes
It doesn’t matter add to Bargs, Bosh and co. This team will not be competitive unless we get Felton as 2 man, sign Marion back, and our bench becomes more than D-league caliber. Even with that T.O. will not make it out of first round with East getting better, and Bosh will be gone with or without players in return, SO LET’S TRADE BOSH NOW and give new team a full year to develop instead of trade rumours hovering over the team for four months until Feb.
Here’s the logical and do-able answer to all of our problems:
This would have been easier before Nuggets made a run in the playoffs, but Bosh, 2nd round pick for Nene and JR Smith would be a great move. Nene is the low post player with great hands that Bosh isn’t, opens up Bargs more on perimeter, JR is Ben Gordon type closer with more potential. Denver get’s a championship core of Bosh, Melo and Billups with lots of cap space for next year.
Overpay Marion for needed leadership,rebounding and defense and Raps have a competitive starting five. RAPS NEED SOME DEPTH! With average amount of injuries last year, raps relied on at least five or six guys that will never get more than a 10 day contract on any other team. Looking at the stats, the Raps were last by a large margin in bench +/-. ROKO UKIC IS NOT NBA QUALITY!!!!!
Here are the two options again:
1)
Bargs,Bosh, Marion?, FA, Calderon,
Bench: 1st pick, delfino?? that’s it
- in middle of losing season trade Bosh away to contender for future draft picks.
or, let’s have a fun and decent team to watch and build on now!!!
2)
Nene,Bargs, Marion?, JR, Calderon
Bench: pick, delfino, money for FA
- keep this fast paced core together and add a bench big man in a year after Kapono runs away with another 6 mil
hmmmmmm… is this really a choice.
And i’m not a Bosh hater either. You put Lebron with Bargs and Calderon as the next two best players and the worst bench in the league and even he’s screwed. A good trade is needed because it’s already clear that he’s not coming back.
Also, i’m not a Bosh hater. The way he started the season off was an MVP type start. Even if you put Lebron in his place with Begs and Calderon as next best players with league’s statistically worst bench this team is still going nowhere. So stop rippin’ on Bosh and trade him for some decent players, because right now this team without him couldn’t even win in Europe (would get killed in Greece). Bosh knows this, and he ain’t coming back.
Denver just got hammered in game 6. This makes this trade much more possible now.
Denver GM – “Oh shit, the Lakers just embarrassed us at home in a game 6, and need a better shot at the finals next year because our window is closing with Billups. What do we do?”
Colangelo Jr. “Hey Kiki, take our best player for your third and fifth best. Bosh, Melo and Billups next year against the lakers. Come on… come on!!!
Denver GM – “Holy shit! Really! You want any second round draft picks for this.”
Colangelo Jr. “How about you take on Kapono’s final year and give us Renaldo Balkman too.”
Denver GM – “Deal.” Hang up phone. “We can jack up ticket prices by another $30 next year.”
Not a bad idea, but I don’t really like JR Smith’s inconsistency. On a team like the Raptors, without any real leadership (Marion doesn’t solve that problem) JR would most likely regress into the shot-happy, immature kid he was last year. I love Nene though. And giving up Kapono would actually make my head explode in joy. My only problem is that that team would most likely be the same 6-8 seed it would be otherwise. I don’t believe we could compete any better with Bosh or with Nene and JR. If we do trade Bosh, we need to go for youth and the future, not just re-hash the team and get most likely similar results.
If Derozan is available at the 9 spot….take him.
Then acquire Minny’s #18 pick and select Tyler Hansborough,……sick.
Hansbro brings a lot of what Hump brings to the table. If we get a late first rounder, it’s the time take a stab at a one or undersized two. Hump will contribute if healthy next year
I agree with Cloako. Hansborough and Hump bring the same things to the table. Hopefully, Dejuan Blair’ll fall out of the lottery and we can snatch him up, but that’s mostly wishful thinking. And what about Jrue Holiday at 9 if Derozan is taken? I know we already have Roko, but Jrue is really impressing at the combine and everyone knows he’s a great perimeter defender with good size.
By the way….Khandor = wannabe raps fan….. ya’ll know it….. big up junglist crew…. kaotik rock tha spot…. scattabrain massive…..
BOH!