1. Chicago- Derrick Rose- PG like this don't come along every year. Rose is one of those PG who can come in and change your franchise, like Paul did 3 years ago. With a team already with enough talent, this pick can skyrocket their potential. and imo Kirk hinrich just isn't a good enough player to pass on a PG of Rose caliber. 2. Miami- Beasley- They like Rose, but you can't ignore Beasley's game. The guy dominated college, he already has the body, and has the height to play either SF or PF. 3. Minnesota-O.J mayo- imo Brook Lopez would be perfect here, but I don't think they'll take him. I think they'll end up taking Mayo. Mayo imo has a good chance to be a big time scorer, a player that will average 20 a game, I don't think he'll end up a superstar, like some thought he was gonna be, but he'll be a big time player no doubt. 4. Seattle- Jerryd Bayless- Seattle is in need of a PG, and while I don't think Bayless is the answer, I think Seattle will wind up taking him. IF it was me I'd take Augustin here. 5. Memphis- Brook Lopez-They need a big man to pair with Gay and Conley. IDK if Lopez game fits in with the game Memphis is trying to play, but I don't think their coach is gonna be their that long anyways. Lopez has a great inside-outside game, a very underrated defender. IDK if he'll be a superstar, but him being a big man, and one that can score and defend, makes him valueable enough to be a top 5 pick 6. NY- DJ Augustin- He seems like the perfect fit to me, he's the 5th best player in the draft imo. He's a very savvy PG, who is lighting quick. Kinda reminds me of a less athletic Mike Conley. With the system NY will start playing, and with the athletic players already in place, he seems like a good fit here. 7. LAC-Eric Gordan The Clips SG last season was Cattino Mobley and Quniton Ross, that's not gonna cut it Gordan is the pick here. He's a big tme scorer, who can finish after contact, imo has one of the biggest upsides in this draft. 8. Milwaukee- Anthony Randolph- I don't see wats so speical about this guy but imo this is where he'll go. 9.Charlotte- kevin love- He's starting to get overhyped, he's solid, but just solid imo. Some are saying they would take him over Al horford LOL 10. NJ- Danilo Gallinari- Another overhyped prospect, but this is where I could see him falling. 11. INDy- Russell Westbrook- This guy doesn't even has a posistion, but Indy will probably think they can turn him into a PG 12. Sacramento- Darrel Arthur- Sac-town could use a post presence, they have some talented perimeter player, a young athletic SF-PF like Arthur would be a nice choice. 13. Portland-Joe Alexander-Is sort of a late bloomer this could be a risk, but a big reward 14. GSW- Donte Green 15. Phoenix- Deandre Jordan 16. Philly- JaVale McGee 17. Toronto-Robin Lopez 18. Washington- Mareese Speight 19.Cleveland- Chris Douglas-Roberts 20 Denver-Brandon Rush 21. NJ- Chase Budinger 22.Orl-J.J hickson 23. Utah-Kosta Koufous 24. Seattle- Mario Chalmers 25. Houston- Nochlas Batum 26. SAS-Serge Ibaka [ 27. NO- Bill Walker 28. mem- Nathan jawai 29. Det-Ty Lawson 30. Bos- Roy hibbert
nice mock draft man, but I think Phoenix will like to take Brandon Rush, young, athletic, run the floor well, can get above rim, plays defense, smart kid, and with Hill getting old they can use him at the SF position, I think Batum will go to Toronto, the only thing they've been lacking is a SF, sure Kapano can shoot the trey but that's all he can do, and Graham not living up to his potential and just being a role player, Batum will be a good fit for them at SF, and then they can look on to developing him. I think Denver will take Lawson, with needing a PG like him, a speedy, run-n-gun type, and and I don't think the Spurs will pass on Hibbert, imagine him and Duncan down low? He'll be a great fit for them at C, but all in all, great predictions for a mock draft
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JUNIOR MINT @ Jun 12 2008, 11:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nice mock draft man, but I think Phoenix will like to take Brandon Rush, young, athletic, run the floor well, can get above rim, plays defense, smart kid, and with Hill getting old they can use him at the SF position, I think Batum will go to Toronto, the only thing they've been lacking is a SF, sure Kapano can shoot the trey but that's all he can do, and Graham not living up to his potential and just being a role player, Batum will be a good fit for them at SF, and then they can look on to developing him. I think Denver will take Lawson, with needing a PG like him, a speedy, run-n-gun type, and and I don't think the Spurs will pass on Hibbert, imagine him and Duncan down low? He'll be a great fit for them at C, but all in all, great predictions for a mock draft</div> I pretty much agree with all of your comments, especially about the Spurs and Hibbert, although at least one thread in the Raptors Forum indicates that they love CDR and Brandon Rush.
This is actually a pretty decent mock. Love is too low IMO though its not out of the question that he falls to 9 I suppose. Koufos is too low too IMO, I've already been pimping him around the boards but it seems like hes also getting a little hype as workouts continue. Also I think Mario Chalmers will go mid-second despite the recent hype hes received from the championship game.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ Jun 13 2008, 03:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JUNIOR MINT @ Jun 12 2008, 11:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nice mock draft man, but I think Phoenix will like to take Brandon Rush, young, athletic, run the floor well, can get above rim, plays defense, smart kid, and with Hill getting old they can use him at the SF position, I think Batum will go to Toronto, the only thing they've been lacking is a SF, sure Kapano can shoot the trey but that's all he can do, and Graham not living up to his potential and just being a role player, Batum will be a good fit for them at SF, and then they can look on to developing him. I think Denver will take Lawson, with needing a PG like him, a speedy, run-n-gun type, and and I don't think the Spurs will pass on Hibbert, imagine him and Duncan down low? He'll be a great fit for them at C, but all in all, great predictions for a mock draft</div> I pretty much agree with all of your comments, especially about the Spurs and Hibbert, although at least one thread in the Raptors Forum indicates that they love CDR and Brandon Rush. </div> CDR will be a nice fit for Toronto as well, but you have Parker? And drafting CDR will just add them another shooter, but he is a versatile player, will be a nice six-man for the first couple years and then a starter for them in the future, and I think if they get Rush, then they'll just be adding defense, I think, and I'm not really sure about his offense, I'm not sure if he can create his own shot at the next level yet, that's why I think if Phoenix will be the best fit for him because he has a PG like Nash who will create him shots, but don't get me wrong Calderon is a great PG I think, I think he did well when Ford was out, and if I was Toronto I would rather have him starting and maybe trading away Ford, maybe to a team like Denver? Denver needing a PG, Ford will be a nice fit for them, and then Toronto getting their first rounder & a player back to match salary and if Lawson falls to them, pick him up, who kind of reminds me of Ford with his style of up and down
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ Jun 13 2008, 03:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Does Seattle really need both Bayless and Chalmers?</div> honestly, I don't think so, Bayless will be a bad fit for them, he's a shoot first kind of player, Seattle's weakness are their big men, even though I like Collison & Wilcox, but their too short for the positions for C, Love will be a nice fit for them at PF, and if they can develop Saer Sene into a Delambert kind of player, then Durant, Love, Sene will look nice, he has the tools to become that sort of player or maybe even better, but I don't know, we'll just have to see how it turns out...and if they were to take love, I suggest they swamp picks with another team, that way they can pay the player cheaper...oh, and I think Chalmers will be a nice fit for them, wait, what you think of Russel Westbrook for Seattle? That sounds pretty sick IMO
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ Jun 13 2008, 02:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Does Seattle really need both Bayless and Chalmers?</div> They can't just rely on Bayless to be their playmaker.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JUNIOR MINT @ Jun 13 2008, 01:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nice mock draft man, but I think Phoenix will like to take Brandon Rush, young, athletic, run the floor well, can get above rim, plays defense, smart kid, and with Hill getting old they can use him at the SF position, I think Batum will go to Toronto, the only thing they've been lacking is a SF, sure Kapano can shoot the trey but that's all he can do, and Graham not living up to his potential and just being a role player, Batum will be a good fit for them at SF, and then they can look on to developing him. I think Denver will take Lawson, with needing a PG like him, a speedy, run-n-gun type, and and I don't think the Spurs will pass on Hibbert, imagine him and Duncan down low? He'll be a great fit for them at C, but all in all, great predictions for a mock draft</div> IDK with DeAndre possibly falling out of the lottery, and with Shaq aging, I could see them taking Jordan. From what I have read, I know Toronto very strongly wants a big man, they've worked out some big men, but with Garbjosa leaving the SF spot has gotten weaker, so I could see them taking a Batum or something. I agree that Denver can use a PG but, with Lawson skipping the workout, IDK if there sold on him. I had Hibbert in mind for the Spurs, but I figured they needed some athletecism down low, and they are good at developing foreign players that's why I piked Ibaka for them. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>This is actually a pretty decent mock. Love is too low IMO though its not out of the question that he falls to 9 I suppose. Koufos is too low too IMO, I've already been pimping him around the boards but it seems like hes also getting a little hype as workouts continue. Also I think Mario Chalmers will go mid-second despite the recent hype hes received from the championship game.</div> I agree with most of that. Kevin Love and Koufos have been getting crazy hype lately, so I could see them going higher. In both of their cases, theres better ahead of them IMO. I'm in the thinking that Seattle would want to bring someone who can compete with Bayless, he'll be sort of like a insurance plan, if Bayless doesn't pan out at the point.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JUNIOR MINT @ Jun 13 2008, 03:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ Jun 13 2008, 03:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JUNIOR MINT @ Jun 12 2008, 11:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nice mock draft man, but I think Phoenix will like to take Brandon Rush, young, athletic, run the floor well, can get above rim, plays defense, smart kid, and with Hill getting old they can use him at the SF position, I think Batum will go to Toronto, the only thing they've been lacking is a SF, sure Kapano can shoot the trey but that's all he can do, and Graham not living up to his potential and just being a role player, Batum will be a good fit for them at SF, and then they can look on to developing him. I think Denver will take Lawson, with needing a PG like him, a speedy, run-n-gun type, and and I don't think the Spurs will pass on Hibbert, imagine him and Duncan down low? He'll be a great fit for them at C, but all in all, great predictions for a mock draft</div> I pretty much agree with all of your comments, especially about the Spurs and Hibbert, although at least one thread in the Raptors Forum indicates that they love CDR and Brandon Rush. </div> CDR will be a nice fit for Toronto as well, but you have Parker? And drafting CDR will just add them another shooter, but he is a versatile player, will be a nice six-man for the first couple years and then a starter for them in the future, and I think if they get Rush, then they'll just be adding defense, I think, and I'm not really sure about his offense, I'm not sure if he can create his own shot at the next level yet, that's why I think if Phoenix will be the best fit for him because he has a PG like Nash who will create him shots, but don't get me wrong Calderon is a great PG I think, I think he did well when Ford was out, and if I was Toronto I would rather have him starting and maybe trading away Ford, maybe to a team like Denver? Denver needing a PG, Ford will be a nice fit for them, and then Toronto getting their first rounder & a player back to match salary and if Lawson falls to them, pick him up, who kind of reminds me of Ford with his style of up and down </div> I agree with this for the most part. We've been talking about Rush and CDR primarily because they've been projected within our range. But if Batum slips to us, there's no question in my mind that he's the one we should draft. The Raps are looking to add some toughness/rebounding in the frontcourt and some consistency at the 3-spot. I think it'll all boil down to the best talent available at those positions. And, IMO, Batum is clearly the best. I still really don't understand why he's been all over the place on mocks. As for the Calderon/Ford thing, everyone's gone with the assumption that Jose will be staying. Colangelo's promised to match any offer for him and Calderon's fired his US agent, which basically means he's not shopping himself around. Both players have also said that they want to be starters, so TJ's the odd man out. Denver could use a PG, but I think they'd be hesitant about pairing TJ and Iverson at the same time. That's a really short backcourt. btw, I haven't seen you post here before. Welcome to S2 (if you're new).
This is looking pretty good oi.atl, but I don't think Koufos will fall that low. I don't ven think he'll still be on the board when the Cavs pick and if he is they'll have a serious dilemma on their hands as he shows good potential to back up Z well for a few years and then step in to fill Ilgauskas' shoes. If he's still available at 19, I think the Cavs will probably pick him.
I had a question about Batum. At the begining of the season he was rated as a top 10 (and on some mocks a top 5). Why is he projected so low now? I still like the guys talent and potential. Sure he needs to add weight but so do alot of kids his age coming into the league. Did he have a bad year to refect his drop, college players being more noticable playing in the states or maybe a combination of both. Either way I see this guy as a steal for anyone gettiing him.
o.iatl - Since it is your mock, we all know that it is in your opinion, so there is no need for all of the IMO's. Additionally, small things like spell checking names (Gordon not Gordan) would make it look better. On the mock: Ty Lawson is not a Joe Dumars kind of player, plus word of him promising DJ White has been out there for a while Utah would take Hibber over Kosta because they already have two big men that can't defend The Sixers took Jason Smith last year, why would they take another project big in McGee?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jun 13 2008, 10:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I had a question about Batum. At the begining of the season he was rated as a top 10 (and on some mocks a top 5). Why is he projected so low now? I still like the guys talent and potential. Sure he needs to add weight but so do alot of kids his age coming into the league. Did he have a bad year to refect his drop, college players being more noticable playing in the states or maybe a combination of both. Either way I see this guy as a steal for anyone gettiing him.</div> I don't really understand it either. But then again, we don't if its a legitimate belief among NBA GM's or just a perception that the media has. We're just coming off the NCAA tournament and this is about when people start to overrate a lot of college players (since they've just finished watching them). Usually a player like Batum would be on the wrong side of that pattern.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jun 13 2008, 11:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jun 13 2008, 10:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I had a question about Batum. At the begining of the season he was rated as a top 10 (and on some mocks a top 5). Why is he projected so low now? I still like the guys talent and potential. Sure he needs to add weight but so do alot of kids his age coming into the league. Did he have a bad year to refect his drop, college players being more noticable playing in the states or maybe a combination of both. Either way I see this guy as a steal for anyone gettiing him.</div> I don't really understand it either. But then again, we don't if its a legitimate belief among NBA GM's or just a perception that the media has. We're just coming off the NCAA tournament and this is about when people start to overrate a lot of college players (since they've just finished watching them). Usually a player like Batum would be on the wrong side of that pattern. </div> Well, stuff like that really works in your team's favor...if he falls to you...you got one hell of a steal. I think he could be a "Rudy Gay lite" type player...the potentials there
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jun 13 2008, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jun 13 2008, 10:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I had a question about Batum. At the begining of the season he was rated as a top 10 (and on some mocks a top 5). Why is he projected so low now? I still like the guys talent and potential. Sure he needs to add weight but so do alot of kids his age coming into the league. Did he have a bad year to refect his drop, college players being more noticable playing in the states or maybe a combination of both. Either way I see this guy as a steal for anyone gettiing him.</div> I don't really understand it either. But then again, we don't if its a legitimate belief among NBA GM's or just a perception that the media has. We're just coming off the NCAA tournament and this is about when people start to overrate a lot of college players (since they've just finished watching them). Usually a player like Batum would be on the wrong side of that pattern. </div> Last year, Batum was coming off of an extremely impressive performance in the Hoops Summit game. When he pulled out of the draft, he made comments about wanting to prove himself and earning an even higher draft spot. Here is what Givony had in his blog last year <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Nicolas Batum has decided not to put his name in this year’s draft, his agent Bouna Ndiyae told DraftExpress earlier today. A press release is expected to go out shortly in both English and French. Ndiyae told DraftExpress that Batum wants to have an “impact in Pro A [French first division] first” before leaving for the NBA. He wants to spend another season in the Euroleague as well, and is not interested in potentially sitting on the bench in the NBA next season. This is a “personal preference” for Batum, who says that he is “not afraid” of the scrutiny he will face next season as the top International prospect in the draft. He knows that he would be a lottery pick this year, but thinks that he has a chance to compete for the #1 overall spot in the draft after next season. Batum’s contract runs until June 2009, but we can expect some changes to be made to it over the next few days. For one, he will be assigned a personal trainer during the off-season to help with his overall skill level, as well as a shooting coach who will work with him throughout all of next year. He can also expect a very nice raise in his salary, but will still maintain a reasonable buyout for the NBA.</div> Batum has failed to live up to that and he hasn't improved on his flaws, so he has been dropping.
But just evaluating him as a prospect, even without the expected growth, do you think he's worse than a lot of the players being listed above him?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jun 13 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JUNIOR MINT @ Jun 13 2008, 03:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ Jun 13 2008, 03:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JUNIOR MINT @ Jun 12 2008, 11:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nice mock draft man, but I think Phoenix will like to take Brandon Rush, young, athletic, run the floor well, can get above rim, plays defense, smart kid, and with Hill getting old they can use him at the SF position, I think Batum will go to Toronto, the only thing they've been lacking is a SF, sure Kapano can shoot the trey but that's all he can do, and Graham not living up to his potential and just being a role player, Batum will be a good fit for them at SF, and then they can look on to developing him. I think Denver will take Lawson, with needing a PG like him, a speedy, run-n-gun type, and and I don't think the Spurs will pass on Hibbert, imagine him and Duncan down low? He'll be a great fit for them at C, but all in all, great predictions for a mock draft</div> I pretty much agree with all of your comments, especially about the Spurs and Hibbert, although at least one thread in the Raptors Forum indicates that they love CDR and Brandon Rush. </div> CDR will be a nice fit for Toronto as well, but you have Parker? And drafting CDR will just add them another shooter, but he is a versatile player, will be a nice six-man for the first couple years and then a starter for them in the future, and I think if they get Rush, then they'll just be adding defense, I think, and I'm not really sure about his offense, I'm not sure if he can create his own shot at the next level yet, that's why I think if Phoenix will be the best fit for him because he has a PG like Nash who will create him shots, but don't get me wrong Calderon is a great PG I think, I think he did well when Ford was out, and if I was Toronto I would rather have him starting and maybe trading away Ford, maybe to a team like Denver? Denver needing a PG, Ford will be a nice fit for them, and then Toronto getting their first rounder & a player back to match salary and if Lawson falls to them, pick him up, who kind of reminds me of Ford with his style of up and down </div> I agree with this for the most part. We've been talking about Rush and CDR primarily because they've been projected within our range. But if Batum slips to us, there's no question in my mind that he's the one we should draft. The Raps are looking to add some toughness/rebounding in the frontcourt and some consistency at the 3-spot. I think it'll all boil down to the best talent available at those positions. And, IMO, Batum is clearly the best. I still really don't understand why he's been all over the place on mocks. As for the Calderon/Ford thing, everyone's gone with the assumption that Jose will be staying. Colangelo's promised to match any offer for him and Calderon's fired his US agent, which basically means he's not shopping himself around. Both players have also said that they want to be starters, so TJ's the odd man out. Denver could use a PG, but I think they'd be hesitant about pairing TJ and Iverson at the same time. That's a really short backcourt. btw, I haven't seen you post here before. Welcome to S2 (if you're new). </div> I hope Batum will slip, because Toronto looks like the perfect fit for him personally, I cant see any other team needing him...and keeping Calderon is a great choice, I think he's proven that he can be an elite PG when giving the starting role...Yeah, it's a short backcourt but then again their trying to beat teams by out scoring their opponents, so I guess height shouldn't matter? Or will it? How's Ford to ATL, Bibby to Denver, Toronto receives Denver's first round, Speedy Claxton and a pick from ATL? I don't know, just throwing in something. btw, yes, I'm new, and thanks for the welcoming, good to be here.
