So far I've just done the lottery, obviousely this is very preliminary and is subject to change but I want to see people's opinions on it. 1. Chicago - Derrick Rose Clearly the two choices are Beasley and Rose for the #1 overall pick, Chicago could either give up on Drew Gooden, Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas who are filling the PF rotation at this point and bring in Beasley or they move Hinrich who does have value in the market and bring in Rose. Bringing in Rose gives the Bulls a flexebility they have not had in the past and will lay the groundwork for their plans this off-season and in the future. 2. Miami - Michael Beasley No brainer here, Miami gets the second of the two draft prizes. 3. Minnesota - OJ Mayo Rashad McCants isn't showing signs of being a scoring option in the NBA, I see him as a 6th man through his career. Meanwhile, Mayo is a guy who's not afriad to take shots and gives Minnesota a guy on the perimiter to compliment Al Jefferson in the low post. As we saw with New York this past season, two big men scoring options isn't always the best idea. Mayo has a scorers mentality and that will make him very valuable. 4. Seattle - Jerryd Bayless Seattle's got three players who look like keepers: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Chris Wilcox. Bayless is a terrific point guard who can really help those three guys on the basketball court. Personally, if I'm a Sonics fan, I wouldn't have alot of confidence in Luke Ridnour and although they're also in need of another big I don't believe that Lopez or Gallinari will have the kind of impact Bayless will have on a team. 5. Grizzlies - Brook Lopez Grizzlies need a big man who's capable of being effective on both ends of the floor. Lopez will be a valuable smart basketball players through his career and can fill the gap at PF for the Grizzlies instantly. However, due to not being a terrific athlete I can't see him being an all-star caliber player unless he perfects his low post game. 6. Knicks - DeAndre Jordan At first I was reluctant to have the Knicks pick a big man because the Randolph/Curry disaster this past season but it's pretty obvious that one if not both those slim centers will be gone this off-season. DeAndre Jordan is a very athletic center who can run the floor and will fit into Mike D'Antoni's system well, I see this being a good fit. 7. Clippers- Eric Gordon Very explosive shooting guard who has a similar playing style to a healthy Gilbert Arenas. This does, however, include problems with shot selection and being undersized. Although he's definitely a better defender than Arenas, he's not anything special on the defensive end. The Clippers need a perimiter player who will score the basketball. The chances of Correy Magette are slim to none so the need for a guy who can create his own shot is big and Gordon could end up being better than alot of people predict. 8. Bucks- Danillo Gallinari Milwaukee has a pressing need at the SF position. Although Gallinari is a risk, I would want to take a risk with a late lottery pick. 9. Bobcats - Kevin Love Very talented PF, I believe it was Jay Bilas who said he was similar to Wes Unseld except with a three point jumper. In Charlotte he would help create a powerhouse front court with Wallace and Okafor. 10. Nets - Anthony Randolph A 5'11" athletic big who runs the floor and can play the center position would be great in New Jersey. They would have a very athletic front court with Sean Williams, Richard Jefferson, and Randolph. 11. Pacers - DJ Augustin I'm hearing alot about Indiana getting rid of Jamaal Tinsely this summer due to his off-court problems. Augustin is a terrific point guard who can push the pace and would fit in well in Indiana. He'd be a terrific replacement and an upgrade over Tinsley. 12. Kings - Russel Westbrook The Sacramento Kings already have a very crowded front court but could use some additions to their back court. Westbrook is one of those guys who you love to have coming off the bench. He's extremely athletic and definitely understands the team concept due to his previous experience in Kansas. 13. Portland - Joe Alexander Hard working scorer off the bench can help anyone out. He has a terrific jumper and could be valuable in the future on a squad that will probably be in the upper echelon of the NBA in only one or two more seasons. 14. Golden State - Kosta Koufos There's a very high possibility that Biedrins leaves this team in the off-season and in that case the Warriors are left with a gap at the center position. Although I do not know whether Koufos could be a starter in the NBA as a rookie, it certainly puts them in a much better position having him on board. However, this 14th spot is very hard to predict. With all this news of Baron opting out, It's likely that the Warriors decide to head in another direction and blow the whole thing up. Only time will tell. -- This is the first mock draft I've ever done, C&C please.
GReat mock dude. I still don't see Charlotte picking a PF, when they've made it obvious that they want a center. AlsO the Kings got some nice talent at the two, so I don't see Westbrook being a good fit there. With Artest leaving they could be looking for a SF, or if Augustin is avaliable take him.
I don't think Chicago passes on Beasley. Deng isn't a superstar so they shouldn't look at him as a reason not to draft a forward.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>GReat mock dude. I still don't see Charlotte picking a PF, when they've made it obvious that they want a center. AlsO the Kings got some nice talent at the two, so I don't see Westbrook being a good fit there. With Artest leaving they could be looking for a SF, or if Augustin is avaliable take him.</div> The thing is I don't see them passing on a talent like Love if he falls down to the 9th pick. Playing him and Okafor together is an intruiging thought. As for the Kings, I see them searching for a SF in free agency as there are no late lottery impact SF's left. Also, in my mock draft I had Augustin go right before the Kings pick so I just had them pick Westbrook but I see where you're coming from.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dark Defender @ May 21 2008, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think Chicago passes on Beasley. Deng isn't a superstar so they shouldn't look at him as a reason not to draft a forward.</div> neither is Hinrich
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>GReat mock dude. I still don't see Charlotte picking a PF, when they've made it obvious that they want a center. AlsO the Kings got some nice talent at the two, so I don't see Westbrook being a good fit there. With Artest leaving they could be looking for a SF, or if Augustin is avaliable take him.</div> Out of curiosity, where and when did the Bobcats make it clear they wanted a center and that Okafor was not that center? Besides, if they don't want Okafor as their center, why can't they play Kevin Love there? I don't have any major problems with this mock, but I disagree mostly with the Knicks' pick. New York really needs help on the wing. Small forward was their least efficient position both offensively and defensively last season. Their only major free agent loss also comes out on the wing with Fred Jones. Not to mention, D'Antoni played with Gallinari's father for eight years in Italy, so whatever his influence is on the draft, I've got to think he's going to push hard for Gallinari. Other than that, I like the mock. Good job, GArenas.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ May 21 2008, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>GReat mock dude. I still don't see Charlotte picking a PF, when they've made it obvious that they want a center. AlsO the Kings got some nice talent at the two, so I don't see Westbrook being a good fit there. With Artest leaving they could be looking for a SF, or if Augustin is avaliable take him.</div> Out of curiosity, where and when did the Bobcats make it clear they wanted a center and that Okafor was not that center? Besides, if they don't want Okafor as their center, why can't they play Kevin Love there? </div> they've been saying it all year, theres a reason they traded for Nazr Muhammad
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They might have a log jam, but will any of them be putting up 20 and 10 anytime in there career?</div> Beasley's developement will be slowed down if he has to play alongside three other power forwards. You're correct, none of them will ever put up 20/10 but all of them will be effective role-players who will get minutes and be valuable for Chicago. If I were the Bulls I would much rather get rid of Hinrich who had an awful season and start building around Rose because chances are Deng, Gordon, and Hinrich will all be gone.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ May 21 2008, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>GReat mock dude. I still don't see Charlotte picking a PF, when they've made it obvious that they want a center. AlsO the Kings got some nice talent at the two, so I don't see Westbrook being a good fit there. With Artest leaving they could be looking for a SF, or if Augustin is avaliable take him.</div> Out of curiosity, where and when did the Bobcats make it clear they wanted a center and that Okafor was not that center? Besides, if they don't want Okafor as their center, why can't they play Kevin Love there? </div> they've been saying it all year, theres a reason they traded for Nazr Muhammad </div> If they've been saying that they want Okafor at the 4 and not the 5 all year, then why did they play him at the 5 all year, while playing Mohammed at the 4? Hell, they played Gerald Wallace at the 4 most of last season. They could definitely use some help there. Besides, do you honestly think Larry Brown would play a raw prospect like DeAndre Jordan, Kosta Koufos, JaVale McGee, or any of the other center prospects available at #9?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ May 21 2008, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They might have a log jam, but will any of them be putting up 20 and 10 anytime in there career?</div> Beasley's developement will be slowed down if he has to play alongside three other power forwards. You're correct, none of them will ever put up 20/10 but all of them will be effective role-players who will get minutes and be valuable for Chicago. If I were the Bulls I would much rather get rid of Hinrich who had an awful season and start building around Rose because chances are Deng, Gordon, and Hinrich will all be gone. </div> The Bulls don't really have a logjam at PF. They have two mediocre young guys there, plus Gooden who's their best option at C. Tyrus Thomas put up 6.8/4.6, and Noah put up 6.6/ 5.6 Thomas is a foul-prone headcase, and Noah is useless as a scorer on anything but very close shots and dunks (or FTs). Noah's at least a useful rotation player, getting spot minutes at backup C and PF. BG7 posted an interesting scenario in the bulls' forum. If the Bulls draft Rose, it leaves Beasley for Miami. It puts both teams in a logjam situation - Bulls at G and Miami at PF. Hinrich would be a great fit at PG for them next to Wade, and Marion would be a good fit for the Bulls.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ May 21 2008, 04:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Bulls have a logjam at PF, they don't need to add Beasley in the mix with Noah, Gooden, and Thomas.</div> I understand Rose is probably going to be a great player in the NBA. But I'm not getting why everyone thinks the Bulls should take him over Beasley. For all the talk of how dominant guys like Chris Paul are in the NBA, those aren't the guys that are playing in the conference finals. You still have to take the bigger guy. I don't see how Noah, Gooden, and Thomas is anywhere close to Hinrich, Gordon, and Duhon. The Bulls badly need a post presence, and Beasley is the best bet for that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ May 21 2008, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ May 21 2008, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>GReat mock dude. I still don't see Charlotte picking a PF, when they've made it obvious that they want a center. AlsO the Kings got some nice talent at the two, so I don't see Westbrook being a good fit there. With Artest leaving they could be looking for a SF, or if Augustin is avaliable take him.</div> Out of curiosity, where and when did the Bobcats make it clear they wanted a center and that Okafor was not that center? Besides, if they don't want Okafor as their center, why can't they play Kevin Love there? </div> they've been saying it all year, theres a reason they traded for Nazr Muhammad </div> If they've been saying that they want Okafor at the 4 and not the 5 all year, then why did they play him at the 5 all year, while playing Mohammed at the 4? Hell, they played Gerald Wallace at the 4 most of last season. They could definitely use some help there. Besides, do you honestly think Larry Brown would play a raw prospect like DeAndre Jordan, Kosta Koufos, JaVale McGee, or any of the other center prospects available at #9? </div> LOL nice try. Okafor played alot more at PF when they acquired Muhommad.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 06:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ May 21 2008, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ May 21 2008, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>GReat mock dude. I still don't see Charlotte picking a PF, when they've made it obvious that they want a center. AlsO the Kings got some nice talent at the two, so I don't see Westbrook being a good fit there. With Artest leaving they could be looking for a SF, or if Augustin is avaliable take him.</div> Out of curiosity, where and when did the Bobcats make it clear they wanted a center and that Okafor was not that center? Besides, if they don't want Okafor as their center, why can't they play Kevin Love there? </div> they've been saying it all year, theres a reason they traded for Nazr Muhammad </div> If they've been saying that they want Okafor at the 4 and not the 5 all year, then why did they play him at the 5 all year, while playing Mohammed at the 4? Hell, they played Gerald Wallace at the 4 most of last season. They could definitely use some help there. Besides, do you honestly think Larry Brown would play a raw prospect like DeAndre Jordan, Kosta Koufos, JaVale McGee, or any of the other center prospects available at #9? </div> LOL nice try. Okafor played alot more at PF when they acquired Muhommad. </div> According to 82games.com, Emeka Okafor logged 62% of the Bobcats' C minutes this season yet only logged 5% of their PF minutes, whereas Nazr Mohammed logged 18% at C and 17% at PF. Additionally, Okafor and Mohammed logged about 500 minutes on the floor at the same time this season, with Okafor at the C spot for almost 100% of those minutes.
And he struggled. And when did I say Nazr Muhommad was the answer, they got him with the hope that he could start at C, but he struggled. Okafor was still force to play the C spot, but I bet when he played at the PF spot he, was much better.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 06:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And he struggled</div> Did he? It looked like he did pretty damn well to me. He played an 82 game season, grabbed 11 rpg, and still managed to put up 14 ppg on a career-high FG% despite having the lowest level of offensive involvement since he arrived in Charlotte. Okafor's fine at center; he's played there almost his entire playing career.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 21 2008, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And he struggled</div> Based on what?
Okafor's best season was his rookie year, where he played 40% of his games at PF. The more time he started seeing at C the more his numbers fell off.
