Post by cobrafitz on Mar 13, 2008 0:03:39 GMT -5
While we wait as GMs decide who they'll draft, here is a quick mock draft:
#1 Indiana Pacers: They're in good shape at PG, SG, and SF. Bayless and the Smiths are a great foundation for any team to build around. As good as they are, Dirk and Boozer are bad. PF Anthony Randolph would look to be the choice here as this draft is not deep in interior players.
#2 LA Clippers: This team has floundered despite getting DeAndre Jordan #1 overall a few years ago. They need scoring in a big way, as PG Livingston led the team with 17 pts/game. He needs to distribute to someone who can score besides him. I'm not sure Westbrook will ever be a top-notch SG, so I see the best pick here being SG DeMar DeRozan. If Randolph falls he'd be the obvious selection, but that's not likely..
#3 San Antonio Spurs: This team is getting old, and they just need to take the best player on the board. If they want to still try to win one with Parker and Duncan, they'd be best served going for a SF here. There are a few to like here with Daye, Jefferson, and Singler. I see them going with SF Austin Daye dues to his overall abilities.
#4 Houston Rockets: As with many picks in this draft, there is specualtion this could be traded. If they keep the pick, the best choice might be a C, though SF wouldn't be bad here either. C Alexis Ajinca is an interesting prospect and would make the most sense here.
#5 New York Knicks: The Knicks have youth at all their positions so they'll mainly be looking for depth or to upgrade at a position here. With it being a weaker draft, there really aren't any obvious upgrades here, so they'll likely go for a SF. SF Kyle Singler would make a nice pick here as there is no depth at SF for the Knicks.
#6 Memphis Grizzlies: This team has some talent and really might just need to put players at the right spots in order to start winning. Biggest need appears to be a replacement for Vince Carter as his best days are behind him. Tough choice here but I'd probably go with SF Davon Jefferson.
#7 Phoenix Suns: For a team loaded with medicore talent like Phoenix, this draft will likely only complicate matters for them. That said, they really seem to need some help at the PF spot, and PF DeJuan Blair seems to be the best choice here. He might just be a clone of DJ White, but that 270 LB frame will be too tempting to pass on.
#8 Houston Rockets: Again we're assuming Houston keeps this pick, after drafting a C the next need for them to fill would likely be PF. While listed at C, Samardo Samuels could likely make the move to PF easily and he is likely better suited there at 6'9". He cold be a force on the blocks for Houston.
#9 Toronto Raptors: A team with a littany of holes to fill, a good starting point would be to draft a young SG. SG James Harden would make the most sense in order to replace some of the scoring they're about to lose to FA.
#10 Atlanta Hawks: The talent starts to get thin here unless you need a PG, and most teams are in good shape at that position in the NBL. Best pick here looks like PF Deon Thompson. He'd need some off-season work but could be a nice scoring/rebounding PF with the right development.
#11 Philadelphia 76ers: There's a new GM in town and so far it appears they're going to continue in the same direction. With so many aging centers on the roster, the best pick here looks like C Ralph Sampson III. They hope he'll be what daddy couldn't be in the NBA.
#12 Cleveland Cavaliers: A team with some very good pieces to work with, they are very young and just need some more developement from their young guys to be a force in the NBL. C Anthony McClain looks to be a good choice to provide some size at C in the event Patterson gets overmatched against some of the bigger centers in the NBL.
#13 Chicago Bulls: As are many temas on the draft board, the Bulls have a good perimeter game but nothing on the interior. Unfortunately for them, there won't be much to choose from at this point in the draft. PG Alexy Sheved makes sense here as an eventual replacement for Hinrich or if Hinrich or Gordon are use as trade bait.
#14 Portland Trailblazers: The obvious weakness in Portland is at the SG position. SG William Buford fits the bill but it's a toss up as to whether he'll be able to stick as a starter in the NBL.
#15 Dallas Mavericks: A team with multiple holes to fill, they could really use another presence down low to help defend some of the bigger centers in the NBL. C Serge Ibaka will make the most sense - if nothing else he'll be a valuable back-up in the NBL.
#1 Indiana Pacers: They're in good shape at PG, SG, and SF. Bayless and the Smiths are a great foundation for any team to build around. As good as they are, Dirk and Boozer are bad. PF Anthony Randolph would look to be the choice here as this draft is not deep in interior players.
#2 LA Clippers: This team has floundered despite getting DeAndre Jordan #1 overall a few years ago. They need scoring in a big way, as PG Livingston led the team with 17 pts/game. He needs to distribute to someone who can score besides him. I'm not sure Westbrook will ever be a top-notch SG, so I see the best pick here being SG DeMar DeRozan. If Randolph falls he'd be the obvious selection, but that's not likely..
#3 San Antonio Spurs: This team is getting old, and they just need to take the best player on the board. If they want to still try to win one with Parker and Duncan, they'd be best served going for a SF here. There are a few to like here with Daye, Jefferson, and Singler. I see them going with SF Austin Daye dues to his overall abilities.
#4 Houston Rockets: As with many picks in this draft, there is specualtion this could be traded. If they keep the pick, the best choice might be a C, though SF wouldn't be bad here either. C Alexis Ajinca is an interesting prospect and would make the most sense here.
#5 New York Knicks: The Knicks have youth at all their positions so they'll mainly be looking for depth or to upgrade at a position here. With it being a weaker draft, there really aren't any obvious upgrades here, so they'll likely go for a SF. SF Kyle Singler would make a nice pick here as there is no depth at SF for the Knicks.
#6 Memphis Grizzlies: This team has some talent and really might just need to put players at the right spots in order to start winning. Biggest need appears to be a replacement for Vince Carter as his best days are behind him. Tough choice here but I'd probably go with SF Davon Jefferson.
#7 Phoenix Suns: For a team loaded with medicore talent like Phoenix, this draft will likely only complicate matters for them. That said, they really seem to need some help at the PF spot, and PF DeJuan Blair seems to be the best choice here. He might just be a clone of DJ White, but that 270 LB frame will be too tempting to pass on.
#8 Houston Rockets: Again we're assuming Houston keeps this pick, after drafting a C the next need for them to fill would likely be PF. While listed at C, Samardo Samuels could likely make the move to PF easily and he is likely better suited there at 6'9". He cold be a force on the blocks for Houston.
#9 Toronto Raptors: A team with a littany of holes to fill, a good starting point would be to draft a young SG. SG James Harden would make the most sense in order to replace some of the scoring they're about to lose to FA.
#10 Atlanta Hawks: The talent starts to get thin here unless you need a PG, and most teams are in good shape at that position in the NBL. Best pick here looks like PF Deon Thompson. He'd need some off-season work but could be a nice scoring/rebounding PF with the right development.
#11 Philadelphia 76ers: There's a new GM in town and so far it appears they're going to continue in the same direction. With so many aging centers on the roster, the best pick here looks like C Ralph Sampson III. They hope he'll be what daddy couldn't be in the NBA.
#12 Cleveland Cavaliers: A team with some very good pieces to work with, they are very young and just need some more developement from their young guys to be a force in the NBL. C Anthony McClain looks to be a good choice to provide some size at C in the event Patterson gets overmatched against some of the bigger centers in the NBL.
#13 Chicago Bulls: As are many temas on the draft board, the Bulls have a good perimeter game but nothing on the interior. Unfortunately for them, there won't be much to choose from at this point in the draft. PG Alexy Sheved makes sense here as an eventual replacement for Hinrich or if Hinrich or Gordon are use as trade bait.
#14 Portland Trailblazers: The obvious weakness in Portland is at the SG position. SG William Buford fits the bill but it's a toss up as to whether he'll be able to stick as a starter in the NBL.
#15 Dallas Mavericks: A team with multiple holes to fill, they could really use another presence down low to help defend some of the bigger centers in the NBL. C Serge Ibaka will make the most sense - if nothing else he'll be a valuable back-up in the NBL.
