Okay, so I know I have a tendency to avoid foreign players. But Based on my knowledge and what I would do if I were every GM in the league, this is my mock draft. I know some of you will disagree and I want to encourage that. I just like to do this every year and it really helps get the ball rolling on draft conversations. Let me know what you guys think. 1. Toronto Team needs: Center, Depth So they take: LaMarcus Aldridge He can play center, although it’s not his natural position. It’s between him and Thomas and Aldridge has the height advantage. It would probably be better for the Raptors to trade the pick to a team with more than one first rounder so that they might add much needed depth to the team, especially in the area of a real center . . . If only Oden were eligible this year. Sorry Raps fans. 2. Chicago Team Needs: A Big Man So they take: Tyrus Thomas The bulls are probably the most successful team in the league if you consider how young they are. They could use some help up front, but it’s not an absolute necessity. Anyway Thomas does help fill their more glaring need up front and is also quite possibly the best available player. 3) Charlotte Team Needs: SG, C, Talent So they take: Adam Morrison A genuine emotional leader with a hell of a lotta talent as well. Can flat out score the ball despite the incredible athleticism. This young team could use a player like Morrison to add to an already surprisingly impressive if healthy young core. The next Larry Bird? Nope, I don’t think so, but he plays most like Larry Legend of any player I’ve seen in the last 10 years, could serve as a poor man’s Bird for a young team. 4) Portland Team Needs: Help, Chemistry, Everything So they take: Rudy Gay Rudy Gay doesn’t give this team what they need. He’s got a lot of talent but he’s not a proven winner. I only believe Portland makes this pick because they are silly and are digging themselves into a situation that gets worse every day (Ala NY.) 5) Atlanta Team Needs: Pg, Chemistry, Center So they take: Marcus Williams Team with more talent then I usually care to take note of. I think Marvin is overrated but I do like what they’ve assembled. A floor general like Williams (a definite upgrade) is exactly what the Dr. ordered to make this team run. That being said, I remember a certain Laptop situation others seem to have forgotten . . . 6) Minnesota Team Needs: PG, C, Chemistry So they take: Randy Foye I don’t know about this pick. Foye is a proven winner and will certainly produce (although how much is hard to predict.) The team needs to bring in a sure thing like Foye though to keep KG happy, because I don’t think they’re ready to give up on him yet. 7) Boston Team Needs: Big Bodies, Depth, Experience So they take: Andrea Bargnani The Celtics are in an interesting situation. They have a legitimate starter at every position, but the sum of the parts just isn’t good enough yet. No position could stand to necessarily be improved in the draft, but this kid could help up front right now, and they can leave him to develop in Europe and sign a few veterans. This makes him worth any risk. 8) Houston Team Needs: Chemistry, Youth (Especially at what T-Mac doesn’t play, SG or SF) So they take: Brandon Roy David Wesley is getting old. Rafer Alston is not the answer at point guard. This team simply has a lot of problems and Roy can help to solve them. He can also shoulder a lot of the scoring load if God-forbid T-Mac can’t stay healthy. 9) Golden State Team Needs: Swing Man, Chemistry So they take: Rodney Carney Mike Dunleavy Sucks, I know this because he was on my fantasy team last year and I watched him play terribly. I replaced him with Luol Deng early on and it was definitely for the better. This guy serves to get Dunleavy out of the starting lineup for a team that I think sadly won’t show much improvement without . . . cringe . . . another retooling. 10) Seattle Team Needs: PG, Help up front So they take: Jordan Farmar I don’t like Ridnour as much as some people do. A more glaring need might be for a big man up front, but I just feel Farmer has the potential to be a big time player and will get the ball to Ray and Shard. 11) Orlando Team Needs: SG, Help up front So they take: Ronnie Brewer This is Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard’s team for the future, but they need help. The weakest link in the Magic chain last season was Deshawn Stevenson, who the Magic would do well to resign. It just hurts to start Deshawn because if you look at his stats you’ll see that he can’t shoot very well from outside, and that isn’t good for a shooting guard. Tempted to take Reddik here, but the just as Stevenson is a liability being unable to shoot, Reddik might not be good enough at defense in the NBA game. Brewer should be able to hold his own better, and can shoot. 12) New Orleans Team Needs: Center, a mentor for JR Smith So they take: Shelden Williams He may be undersized, but I can see him becoming a Ben Wallace type player. He will swat shots, and he’s younger than anyone else playing center for the Hornets right now by a good bit. Should help this team win games and is absolutely ready to help Chris Paul to win right away. 13) Philadelphia Team Needs: Athletic Shooting guard, Overall Tallent So they take: Mardy Collins They need a guy who can start at the two over Kyle Korver and his defensive liability, and this home-grown product is just that. They still need to deal with many issues and I sadly don’t see my team improving much, no matter what they do. 14) Utah Team Needs: Overall Help, Athleticism So they take: Maurice Ager I think Ager is underrated right now and will proceed to raise his stock before draft day. The Jazz are in an interesting situation. They have a legitimate starter at every position, they just need to add some spark. Ager can be a spark, he’s athletic and will help this team to improve. 15. NO Team Needs: Center, a mentor for JR Smith So they take: JJ Reddik The temptation will be too much. The Hornets will give in and take both Dukies, and you know what? They won’t regret it. People are both right and wrong about Reddik. He’s not Athletic enough, he’s not this and that. It’s true. But he’ll find a way to help his team win. He’s as sure a shooter as they come and he’ll find a way to help out Chris Paul. Snyder is more athletic but is not a fundamentally better player. Reddik will make up for whatever liability he becomes. He is also a class act and might give some guidance to a ridiculously talented but screwed up JR Smith. 16. Chicago Team Needs: A Big Man So they take: Patrick O’Bryant They already got a Natural Power forward who can play center in Tyrus Thomas. Without any glaring needs at all (and in fact with fairly incredible young depth) in the back court or on the wing, the Bulls can go for a true center, one who might actually be the best available player in this spot. He certainly can’t hurt the team. 17. Indi Team Needs: Depth So they take: Cedric Simmons He’s a player with amazing upside but that can also play right away. He might not get any better, but he could become great, and if he doesn’t get better he has the skills to help indi out right away. He will swat shots, and will add depth to this team that might have minor but really has no glaring weaknesses. 18. Wash Team Needs: Big, Swingman So they take: Steven Smith Steven Smith is the most underrated player in this draft class. He is a hard working banger who will succeed on the NBA level. I can’t predict how much success but I’m sure that his stock will rise before draft day and passing him would be something the wizards might not want to do. 19. Sacramento Team Needs: Help up front So they take: Hilton Armstrong Effective on defense already, I’m convinced Sharref Abdur Rahim is overrated in more than one way. Armstrong may be raw offensively, and is a true center, but he adds to the depth of that front court and to be honest, I wouldn’t mind seeing him play next to Brad Miller at times. 20. NY Team Needs: Chemistry, A leader on the floor So they take: Kyle Lowry This is not an ideal situation for Lowry to fall into, but the Knicks don’t need any special players. If you examine their roster that probably have more talent on it than most teams in the league, but there is no chemistry at all. It’s possible Lowry, being a hard worker could instill something into this team, although I doubt it. Lowry is extremely underrated, being from Philly I saw him play quite often and I must say—Ray and Foye got most of the attention, but Lowry was the best player on that team. 21. Phoenix Team Needs: Not Much So they take: Dee Brown The suns don’t need much help. They have depth at every position and are very powerful offensively, and they actually aren’t half bad on defense this year. Dee Brown gives an element they don’t have. He’s quick and can be the type of spark they don’t have. I’m actually amazed his stock has dropped so much. I’m sure it will rise again before draft day. 22. NJ Team Needs: Proven Big Man, Backup PG, Overall Depth So they take: Rajon Rondo The Nets need a backup PG, because when Kidd is out the team loses a lot. Rondo is no Kidd, but he can start from day 1 as a legitimate backup. His quick hands and tough D (if he doesn’t take chances) will be a valuable asset to this team. 23. NJ Team Needs: Proven Big Man, Backup PG, Overall Depth So they take: Aaron Gray With the backup point guard issue solved by taking Rondo, someone legitimate to spell Jason Collins of Nenad Krstic. A legitimate 7 footer, he can be tough and provide a valuable big body inside so that crucial players, including a not so young Collins, can play when it really matters. 24. Memphis Team Needs: PG, Youth So they take: Shawne Williams Going from Memphis to Memphis isn’t a huge jump. The grizzlies puzzle me as a team. I don’t know what they need or when they need it. I do know though that a player of Williams caliber could help this team, and he might spark interest in the team coming right from college at Memphis. He may very well be the best available player at this point though. 25. Cleveland Team Needs: PG, PF So they take: Kevin Pittsnogle People underrate Pittsnogle. He is a proven commodity. He can both shoot and bang and he has a winners mentality. An ideal compliment in nearly all aspects of the game to the talented King James. He brings a good attitude to the team. He expects to win and although his stock is not particularly high, he will challenge an inconsistent Gooden and an aging Donyell Marshal for minutes at the power forward position. Besides that I love his name. Pittsnogle, Oh it just rolls off the tongue. 26. LAL Team Needs: PG, Big Man So they take: Josh Boone Under Phil Jackson this chronic underachiever will thrive. Phil will make him feel as comfortable as that Jerk Calhoun made him scares. He provides huge rebounding ability for a team that had the potential to struggle on the boards last year. This could allow Bynum more playing time at the center with Boone moving over to the PF and Odom playing the small forward, or the Pippen to Kobe’s Jordan. 27. Phoenix Team Needs: Not Much So they take: Rudy Fernandez A scorer who can run and create. Phoenix can make use of a guy like this to replace whatever it lost in Joe Johnson. Might not play much, but if he gets stronger his being in the mix could certainly be of some benefit to this team that really will have few needs. 28. Dallas Team Needs: None So they take: Craig Smith Underrated player who always gives it his best. There is no reason the Mavs could not make use of his talent. He’s better than some of the more highly rated players on the board, and I believe he could prove that before draft day. 29. NY Team Needs: Chemistry, A leader on the floor So they take: Quincy Douby Someone NY doesn’t need but will take anyway. There is no hope in New York. It should stay away from making any moves to better the team until all the contracts expire a few years from now. Douby can flat out score and is not a bad passer and set up man. Looks like a muppet. Dominates the ball too often. 30. Portland Team Needs: Help, Chemistry, Everything So they take: Richard Roby This team is in bad shape, but this guy is exactly what any team could use. He’s a prototypical 2 guard with very good athleticism. He also fits well with the Blazers because he just doesn’t care. I’m detecting a theme, everyone tries to get better while the Blazers and Knicks struggle to not get worse.
I dont really agree with this list, especially number #1. Toronto already have 1 big man playing out of position, I doubt they're gonna look to take another one. Also they're pretty much set in their front court, with Bosh & Villanueva. If they're going to take a big man, it will be a true centre IMO, some one like Patrick O'Bryant. IMO The raptors will take either Adam Morrison or Rudy Gay with the #1 pick, as thats the position they're lacking most at, SF. They can always double them as a SG too.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont really agree with this list, especially number #1. Toronto already have 1 big man playing out of position, I doubt they're gonna look to take another one. Also they're pretty much set in their front court, with Bosh & Villanueva. If they're going to take a big man, it will be a true centre IMO, some one like Patrick O'Bryant. IMO The raptors will take either Adam Morrison or Rudy Gay with the #1 pick, as thats the position they're lacking most at, SF. They can always double them as a SG too.</div> I agree with you and I think they should trade down and get more picks. But if they stay i don't think they'll take Morrison or O'Bryant. Best case scenario would be to trade down a few picks and try to get both.
Well I guess your not a raptor fan becasue were drafting either Lamarcus Aldrige or Andrea Bargnani all acording to Bryan Coloangelo. PS on the raptor Forum LA has 67% percent fo the 60 votes and Bargnani 17%. Morrison a lowly 5%.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CV3bandwagon:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I guess your not a raptor fan becasue were drafting either Lamarcus Aldrige or Andrea Bargnani all acording to Bryan Coloangelo. PS on the raptor Forum LA has 67% percent fo the 60 votes and Bargnani 17%. Morrison a lowly 5%.</div> I'm not a huge raptors fan, but I know basketball and I don't see having 3 legitimate power forwards on the team but no other players helps at all. I did hear these rumors though . . . I posted this last night before I heard them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">24. Memphis Team Needs: PG, Youth So they take: Shawne Williams Going from Memphis to Memphis isn’t a huge jump. The grizzlies puzzle me as a team. I don’t know what they need or when they need it. I do know though that a player of Williams caliber could help this team, and he might spark interest in the team coming right from college at Memphis. He may very well be the best available player at this point though. </div> The Grizzlies don't exactly need youth. In fact, we're trying to get away from youth. The last thing we need is another athletic swingman too. We need a post player who's game will compliment Gasol's, like Paul Millsap, or a point guard who thinks pass-first, like Jordan Farmar or Kyle Lowry. Steven Smith is way too high, but I know you're a Philly guy, so maybe that explains things. Overall, solid mock.
Brandon Roy won't drop that far a shame if he did he reminds me of Ray Allen. Youre out of your pittsnogled mind if you think he'd go that early.
