<div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="blue"><u>The Moderator/Admin 2004 Mock Draft</u></font></font></div> <font size="2"><font color="black">Okay Kids, here is the final version <font size="1">(unless something happens in the next 30 minutes)</font> of the Moderator/Admin mock draft. The members and mods have been going back and forth with various trash talk and opinions to fill up 5 message boards so it all comes down to this.....</font></font> Without further adieu, here are our picks for the 2004 NBA draft: <font size="2">1. Orlando Magic</font> <font size="2">For the most part of the offseason, the future of T-Mac has been up in the air. Until just a week ago it was known that T-Mac is definitely on his way out so this opens up the first selection of the night. <font color="blue">Dwight Howard </font><font color="black">will be selected as the 1st player taken in the draft. Why? Mainly because the lingering questions about Okafors back and possibly knee problems have been causing Orlando headaches. Also since T-Mac is being shown the door this opens up the opportunity for Orlando to go after the player with the Most potential and that player would be <font color="blue">Howard.</font> A T-Mac trade will likely happen until after the draft so it is a good bet that Orlando will start the rebuilding period with this Kevin Garnett clone.</font> 2. Charlotte Bobcats <font color="blue">Emeka Okafor </font><font color="black">is a no brainer at this spot. The Bobcats traded up intentionally for the chance to draft either him or Howard at the #2 so it would be ridiculous if they selected anyone but those two players. There are no questions about his talent on defence, but the questions remain whether or not his back can keep up in the NBA. </font> 3. Chicago Bulls This is where it gets really tricky. Do the Bulls go after a the player they need or do they trade the picks away in hopes of getting a bonafied superstar <font size="1">(Paul Pierce anyone?).</font> Paxson is trying to work on something still, so this pick may be for naught. We chose <font color="blue">Andre Igoudala</font><font color="black"> for the Bulls to select at #3. He is a very versatile player who can play both the 2 and 3 positions. He also has a 7 foot wingspan to go along with his incredible athleticism. The Bulls have expressed interest in Gordon and Luke Jackson but they could also be saying that for the purpose of trading them as well.</font> 4. Los Angeles Clippers <font color="#0000ff"><font size="2"><font color="black">The Clips get the player they always wanted in <font color="blue">Shaun Livingston, </font><font color="black">a second round pick and are also able to get Charlotte to take Predrag Drobnak off of their hands. Not a surprising move since Donald Sterling is always looking to save a buck or two. <font color="blue">Shaun Livingston</font> has been hyped up to be the best player in the draft years from now. Scouts and GM's are getting hot flashes thinking of how he compares to Magic Johnson so it is no suprise that he will be taken off the board at the 4th pick. There is still a chance that LAC could go with Gordon or Harris but potential says to pick Livingston.</font></font></font></font> 5. Dallas Mavericks (From Washington) <font color="#0000ff">Pavel Podkolzine </font><font color="black">makes the jump from nowhere to 5. Dallas has been looking to trade for a lower draft position so don't be surprised if another team is choosing from this spot. This is way too high for Pavel but Don Nelson has surprised us before with his international selections <font size="1">(Dirk Nowitzki)</font></font> 6. Atlanta Hawks <font size="2">The Hawks are trying desperatley to trade up in the draft but it looks like they are stuck with the 6th pick. The best player available here is <font color="blue">Luol Deng</font> and the Hawks will gladly take him. He is rated the #1 Small foward but had fallen out of favour with Chicago to Iguodala. </font> 7. Chicago Bulls (From Phoenix) <font color="blue">Ben Gordon </font><font color="black">draft postion has been fluctuating from #3 to #8 all week. He is a steal at #7 if the Bulls can get him this late. Possible ROY or possible trade bait for another superstar? Only time will tell, the one thing we know is that he will not fall below 8 whatsoever.</font> 8. Toronto Raptors <font color="black">The Raptors are most in need of a centre and point guard this year so this selection goes to </font><font color="blue">Devin Harris</font><font color="black">. There have been reports that Jameer Nelson had killed him in his workouts with the Raps but as the saying goes <font size="1">(usually for big men, but in this case guards)</font> you can't teach height. Bad individual workouts doesn't necessarily mean that you can't run a team. It just means that you can't work out individually. He was very successful running his Wisconsin team last year and he would look great in Purple.</font> 9. Philadelphia 76ers <font color="#0000ff"><font color="black">This is an absolute steal. The 76er's will call </font>Josh Childress' </font><font color="black">number if he drops this low. A small foward is exactly what the doctors ordered for Philly and he would be able to come in an play in a sixth man role or better yet starting. Glenn Robinson is not getting any healthier or younger and this kid is a great fit for O'briens system.</font> 10. Cleveland Cavaliers <font color="black">A very difficult pick. The Cav's are in a very tight spot as of now and almost all of the players they covet are gone. We think that <font color="blue">Jameer Nelson</font> has played himself into the lottery and Cleveland is the place to be for him. He has been absolutely outstanding in workouts and has also outplayed most of the guards he went up against. The Cav's will not be relying on McInnis to carry the load for the next few years at the point and Jameer would be more then ready to take over.</font> 11. Golden State Warriors <font color="blue">Andris Biedrins </font><font color="black">has reportedly gotten a promise from Golden State at #11. Makes sense because they need a big man <font size="1">(pending if Dampier leaves via FA)</font> and Chris Mullin loves this kid. Not your prototypical Euro power foward. He can bang and bang <font size="1">(sorry for the overused William Hung pun)</font> down low and likes to create contact. With JRich, Dunleavy and emergin Pietrus scoring the points for GS his most valued attribute would be his defence and rebounding.</font> 12. Seattle Supersonics <font color="#0000ff">Kirk Snyder </font><font color="black">sneaks his way into the lottery one spot up from where we had him. Portland reportedly had a promise for him at #13 but Seattle does not want to pass up his talent. </font> 13. Portland Trailblazers <font color="black">What do the Trailblazers do with this pick? Their lottery promise has already gone to Seattle so the next best thing would be lucky </font><font color="blue">Luke Jackson. </font><font color="black">The best thing he brings to the table is his shooting and that is what Portland needs <font size="1">(not to mention a couple of lawyers for their pending cases)</font></font> 14. Utah Jazz <font color="blue">Rafael Aruajo </font><font color="black">has been the Jazz's man since day one of the draft. He will play well under Jerry Sloan's system. The C's draft right after them and are looking for a big man as well. Utah does not want to let this one slip away.</font> </font>
There is no way Luke Jackson can play the 3 and 4 in the NBA. I think we all know that Emeka Okafor is going to go to Orlando. This seems like a good fit. If his back is healthy, he will be a good fit for them. Luol Deng to Chicago. Perfect. He will give them a player that they can build there franchise around. I would suppose if Bickerstaff really doesn't want to take high school kid then that would work. I think they should go for a big man. The trade with LA for Dwight Howard would be much better. Starting out with a big man Livingston would help the Hawks alot. Now, they could be allowed to have a way undersized, Jason Terry, play SG. Livingston is just so big, and that would help him tremendously. Now if the trade happens, and they get the hometown kid Dwight Howard, that would probably be a better deal for them. They really need to start turning that franchise around. The Hawks also might go for the othe hometown kid, Josh Smith. Martynas Andriuskevicius could be the last piece of the puzzle type thing. Not saying they are going to win a championship right now, but if he fills out, and Amare continues to grow, they will have a real good young team in Phx. Devin Harris could be the dynamic point guard to play along the talented duo of Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. I think they would still need a big man down the road, but that trio of Harris, Carter, and Bosh would do some real damage. Can Iguodala play SF? He is certainly athletic enough to play the point, 2 or the 3, but he is only 6'6", SFs are usually a little taller nowadays. He has only been playing basketball for a few years, so Sixers fans will have to wait for him to develop. He still doesn't have a great jumpshot. Josh Childress. Great fit. LeBron James. Carlos Boozer. Josh Childress. This, next year, will be a real trio. We all know what LeBron and Carlos can do, and Josh Childress is the real deal. He has a complete game, and is unselfish. LeBron will always be the star, but Childress will be a huge piece to there future championship team. I would think Montgomery would want his old player Childress, but if he isn't there Pavel would be nice. Dampier is leaving, and they need a big man to fill his spot. They have a nice backcourt, but they will need a dominant big man to do damage in the West with guys like KG and Duncan being there for a while. Araujo really isn't a lottery pick in my mind. Seems like the Sonics are just taking a big man because they need one. I think Araujo is more of a late 1st rounder, mid 20s type pick. Luke Jackson at 13? No, I don't like it. He isn't that good, and won't have much of an impact in my opinion. They probably don't want another HSer there, but I don't think Jackson is the answer.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">There is no way Luke Jackson can play the 3 and 4 in the NBA. </div>Oops supposed to be 2 and 3, not 3 and 4 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Luke Jackson at 13? No, I don't like it. He isn't that good, and won't have much of an impact in my opinion. They probably don't want another HSer there, but I don't think Jackson is the answer.</div>13 is a pick that can go a lot of ways. Sergei Monya's name has been tossed around as well at that pick.
I was just about to say Sergei Monya for the Blazers. He is a big guard. Who knows, Iguodala may even still be on the board when they pick. If Andre is still around, then that would be much better, if not, I would rather see them take Monya, and leave Jackson on the board.
We have to see after the workouts to see where Jackson or Monya will be valued. Jackson can produce when he comes to the league, but I am not too sure about Monya.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, you never know with foreign players. It is much harder to judge foreign players.</div> Even actual NBA scouts have trouble judging foreign talent. An example would be Ivan Chiarev. I don't know who scouted him to be the next Dirk but they were dead wrong. Even a fan like me could see that he was garbage. But back to the topic at hand: It's a toss up between Sergei Monya and Luke Jackson. Monya is known to play better on the ball defense than Luke and both are good shooters. But Luke has been well scouted throughout his career and Monya is still an unknown to most teams.
Don't say Ben Gordon's falling CV, don't say Ben Gordon's falling...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CV DON'T SAY BEN GORDON'S FALLING!!!!!!!!! heh heh heh... c'mon, don't be angry, you knew I was going to say that. And my my my, what's this...there's even speculation that Childress could go as high as #4? Doth mine ears detect the distinct sounds of backtracking? Actually, those weren't the two things that surprised me most, and I can't decide what's surprised me more: Iguodala at #10 or Smith at #11. Now og15 and I are in the midst of creating our update and I will concede that we've been having a hard time figuring out Cleveland. I will also acknowledge that every year at least one guy in the mid to high lottery falls several spots, but it takes guts to try and handicap who that guy is this early in the process. As far as Smith goes, his stock may be on the rise again, but there is no way the Warriors create a sf log jam, especially with a guy who's got a questionable work ethic. Here's a free tip: they're going to have big holes at center and will be taking a big man no matter what.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting wtwalker77:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't say Ben Gordon's falling CV, don't say Ben Gordon's falling...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CV DON'T SAY BEN GORDON'S FALLING!!!!!!!!! heh heh heh... c'mon, don't be angry, you knew I was going to say that. And my my my, what's this...there's even speculation that Childress could go as high as #4? Doth mine ears detect the distinct sounds of backtracking? </div>This mod draft is based mainly on a voting system, so if Gordon dropped down it's because he was voted to drop down. I don't see anything wrong with taking Livingston over Gordon with the Bobcats pick. At least we didn't pick Josh Childress.....:mrgreen: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, those weren't the two things that surprised me most, and I can't decide what's surprised me more: Iguodala at #10 or Smith at #11. Now og15 and I are in the midst of creating our update and I will concede that we've been having a hard time figuring out Cleveland. I will also acknowledge that every year at least one guy in the mid to high lottery falls several spots, but it takes guts to try and handicap who that guy is this early in the process. </div>Cleveland and Golden State have the most difficult picks out of anyone in the Lottery. They are faced with either picking the BPA or filling their needs. Most of the people that they want in the draft are gone at this point. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As far as Smith goes, his stock may be on the rise again, but there is no way the Warriors create a sf log jam, especially with a guy who's got a questionable work ethic. Here's a free tip: they're going to have big holes at center and will be taking a big man no matter what.</div>At #11 the only big man available for the Warriors would be Rafael Aruajo. That seems a little high to be picking him and our votes said otherwise. If Podkolzine was available he would be a lock for GS but he is not. I know it is kind of a stretch to have the Warriors select Smith but if he is still up at #11 the Warriors have to take him. He should be in the lottery but there is no place for him in the top 10 picks. Like we said the the Warriors select the BPA at this point and a major sleeper in Josh Smith. Anyways this mock will be updated before the draft starts so nothing is set in stone.
I'm pretty much agreeing with everything here. Except, I'm not sure if Igoudala will be available at #10. He MAY be picked higher, but we will see. IF he is picked and Josh Smith is available, don't think Cleveland will pass up on him. Cleveland has a couple choices. Take a SF which can be filled in by Andre or Josh, or go for a PG which they are interested in Jameer and Telfair. IF Devin Harris falls which I don't think he wil, he will be picked by Toronto, then I think Cleveland will grab him in a heartbeat. I just think at #10, it's too high for Telfair to be picked. Also, I'm thinking LA and Charlotte's picks should switch. I think LA will be taking Shaun. La's main need is Shaun. Howard is a Brand type of player and if Brand has an injury free season, I don't see a load of minutes for Howard. Shaun will be a good fit at #2 to LA and Howard will be a good fit at #4 to Charlotte. That's the great thing about this draft. You can't really predict anything. It's a very unpredictable draft. Seems as though anything can happen in this one.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At least we didn't pick Josh Childress..... </div> Don't look now, but we're not the only ones: http://www.celtic-nation.com/news/2003_200...draft_1dot0.htm
In addition to celtic-nation: http://nbadraft.tk/ - They have Childress at 5th and Iguodala at 4th http://draftcity.com/mocks/2004.htm -They have Childress at 5th after Livingston Iggy will not be there at 10th, he's not going past the Wizards, and Biedrins has fallen out of favour because of unfavourable workouts.
^That is good and all...but he is not fourth on those mocks. I just think that the Bobcats will not select THAT player to build around. But that is okay, just leave him up there and see where the ball lands draft day <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't look now, but we're not the only ones: http://www.celtic-nation.com/news/2...draft_1dot0.htm</div> I think a lot of people are holding onto the notion that Charlotte does not want a high schooler. It would not explain their interest in moving up and selecting Howard (or Okafor). Howard is a high schooler. I think everyone gives too much validity to that statement.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">I think a lot of people are holding onto the notion that Charlotte does not want a high schooler. It would not explain their interest in moving up and selecting Howard (or Okafor). Howard is a high schooler. I think everyone gives too much validity to that statement.</div> Apparently Charlotte has Howard rated much higher than Livingston. While it may appear to discredit the high schooler argument, it only does so on its face. The rationale for not taking a high schooler is that they can't come in right away and play. If Charlotte feels Howard can come in and play right away, then the fact that he's a high schooler wouldn't prevent them from taking him. Just in the same way they'd take LeBron if he was available.
uggggg... this draft is TOOOOOO confusing... and the sad part is I'm usually 90% correct on my draft assumptions... but, I dunno... this draft is loopy...
ESPN's just released Mock Draft : http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/ne...tory?id=1826621 Pretty believable and informative.
