5/25/2005 - insider - First Mock Draft

[sunsfn]

Bucks get top pick, Blazers jump to 3rd

Chad Ford

Now that we know the pecking order, here's my first mock draft of 2005:


1. MILWAUKEE BUCKS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Marvin Williams[/font]
NORTH CAROLINA | FRESHMAN | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 230 | AGE: 18Most scouts feel Williams is the guy with the most upside in the draft and Milwaukee's roster puts the Bucks in good position to take him. While Andrew Bogut could help too, Williams gives the Bucks the best shot at being a contender someday.




2. ATLANTA HAWKS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Andrew Bogut[/font]
UTAH | SOPHOMORE | CENTER
HEIGHT: 7-0 | WEIGHT: 260 | AGE: 20Atlanta slips a spot in the lottery but still gets its guy. The team has nothing in the middle and Bogut should be able to anchor that position immediately. Bogut doesn't play the uptempo style that GM Billy Knight likes to play, but they just can't pass on a legit center.



3. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Gerald Green[/font]
GULF SHORES ACADEMY | H.S. | SHOOTING GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 200 | AGE: 19The Blazers wanted Bogut but are happy at No. 3 because it guarantees they get Green. Chris Paul is rated higher, but the Blazers don't need another small point guard. Next to Marvin Williams, Green has as much upside as anyone in the draft.


4. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Chris Paul[/font]
WAKE FOREST | SOPHOMORE | POINT GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 195 | AGE: 20The Hornets' biggest need isn't at the point, but Paul is a big upgrade over Speedy Claxton and Dan Dickau. Suddenly the loss of Baron Davis doesn't sting as much. In fact, Paul's a better prospect than Baron was.



5. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Deron Williams[/font]
ILLINOIS | JUNIOR | POINT GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-3 | WEIGHT: 210 | AGE: 20The Bobcats were the biggest losers tonight. They wanted either Paul or Marvin Williams and got neither. Look for them to try to use the No. 13 pick to move up in the draft. If it doesn't work, they settle for the next best point.



6. UTAH JAZZ [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Fran Vasquez[/font]
SPAIN | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 230 | AGE: 22The Jazz desperately need a point guard. But they also need more size and athleticism up front. If Paul or Deron Williams were available, they'd go that route, but they aren't high enough on Raymond Felton to pick him here. Vasquez is a safe pick who can play.



7. TORONTO RAPTORS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Danny Granger[/font]
NEW MEXICO | SENIOR | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 235 | AGE: 22Granger's stock just keeps climbing. He's one of the most complete players in the draft and should have the Shawn Marion-type ability to play like a four while playing the three. He has a good handle, a dramatically improved 3-point shot and he's unselfish. He also has a great body and big-time athleticism. He's already an upgrade from Jalen Rose at the three. While the Raptors have greater needs at center and point guard, they'll settle this year for the best prospect on the board.



8. NEW YORK KNICKS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Chris Taft[/font]
PITTSBURGH | SOPHOMORE | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 20At the beginning of the year, scouts had Taft penciled in as a potential No. 1 overall pick. A lackluster sophomore season hurt his stock, but he still has the tools scouts love. He's big, athletic and strong. If he played harder, he'd be atop the board. As it stands, he slips to the Knicks, who don't have a decent player on their roster taller than 6-foot-9.



9. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Channing Frye[/font]
ARIZONA | SENIOR | CENTER
HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 22Two months ago we thought Frye would be a late first-rounder. But on second thought, Frye has the makings of a lottery pick. Great size, great athleticism and four years of experience. He would be perfect on a team like the Warriors. They need a young, athletic shotblocker badly and Frye would be a safe and solid choice for Golden State.



10. LOS ANGELES LAKERS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Raymond Felton[/font]
NORTH CAROLINA | JUNIOR | POINT GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 180 | AGE: 20This is a real steal for the Lakers if they can land Felton here. He has the potential to go as high as No. 5 and the Raptors will give him a strong look at No. 7. He's the fastest point guard in the draft baseline to baseline, has improved his outside shooting and is an excellent floor leader. A major upgrade over Chucky Atkins.



11. ORLANDO MAGIC [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Martell Webster[/font]
SEATTLE PREP | H.S. | SHOOTING GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 235 | AGE: 18The Magic could go several ways here, but after shipping their best shooter off to Sacramento for Doug Christie, the Magic would find that Webster has a skill they really could use. He's the best pure shooter in high school and one of the four or five best in the draft. He has great size for his position, is mature beyond his years and already has an NBA body. As far as high school guys go, he's the most ready to contribute right now.



12. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Martynas Andriuskevicius[/font]
LITHUANIA | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 7-3 | WEIGHT: 230 | AGE: 19Andriuskevicius could go much earlier than this, but it's hard to see him slipping past the Clippers. They have a robust international scouting department and have been high on him for several years. Andriuskevicius is 7-foot-3 but his game is closer to Dirk Nowitzki than it is to a traditional big man. He's a good athlete for his size and an excellent shooter and ball handler, but he's going to have to add 30 pounds of muscle before he can even step into the paint in the NBA. This is a long-term project for a team that doesn't have a lot of holes to fill, for once.



13. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Antoine Wright[/font]
TEXAS A&M | JUNIOR | SHOOTING GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 210 | AGE: 21Wright's versatility, perimeter shooting and athleticism make him a great fit in Charlotte. The Bobcats' front line is already set and if they land a point guard with their first pick, they can afford to address the swing position with the other.



14. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Joey Graham[/font]
OKLAHOMA STATE | SENIOR | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 22The Wolves could go in a lot of different directions here. Kevin Garnett is the only guy on the team who's safe at the moment. They would like to get tougher and more athletic and Graham would be a great choice. He's a hard worker who can play both the three and the four. Reminds some of a bigger Corey Maggette.



15. NEW JERSEY NETS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Hakim Warrick[/font]
SYRACUSE | SENIOR | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 218 | AGE: 22He's not Kenyon Martin, but he's long, athletic, runs the floor, and has the experience to contribute immediately. With Jason Kidd running the show, he should get a lot of dunks.



16. TORONTO RAPTORS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Sean May[/font]
NORTH CAROLINA | JUNIOR | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 260 | AGE: 21The Raptors need a tough scorer and rebounder in the paint and May should be a perfect fit. Though he's a little undersized to play his natural position (center) in the pros, he should be fine paired next to Chris Bosh. Bosh's ability to dominate in the high post along with May's ability to finish around the rim should give the Raptors an effective high-low punch in the paint.



17. INDIANA PACERS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Rashad McCants[/font]
NORTH CAROLINA | JUNIOR | SHOOTING GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-4 | WEIGHT: 200 | AGE: 20McCants may be the toughest guy in the draft to project. On talent, he's easily a top-10 pick, maybe top five. But just about every team in the league has uncovered a number of red flags on the background check. He's going to have to prove to teams that whatever problems he had at North Carolina are behind him. If he does, he'll go higher. If he doesn't, he'll slip down to a team like Indiana, which is willing to take the risk on such a talent.



18. BOSTON CELTICS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Nemanja Aleksandrov [/font]
SERBIA | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 18Last year, many had Aleksandrov projected as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft. An average summer and season combined with recent knee surgery to repair a partially torn ACL have really damaged his stock. Chances are he'll withdraw and try again next year. If he doesn't, it will be hard for the Celtics to pass up on such a talent. Given that they've had five first-round picks in the past two seasons, they can afford to wait for Aleksandrov to develop in Europe for the next couple of years.



19. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Marko Tomas[/font]
CROATIA | SHOOTING GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-8 | WEIGHT: 210 | AGE: 20Tomas is a sleeper who might move up if he could ever get to America for workouts. He absolutely dominated the Adriatic League this year. He has great size, can play three positions and plays aggressively. The Grizzlies have been shopping their first-round pick around. But if they keep it, they'll use it on a player such as Tomas, who can stay in Europe another year or two to develop.



20. DENVER NUGGETS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Rudy Fernandez[/font]
SPAIN | SHOOTING GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-5 | WEIGHT: 200 | AGE: 20Last year, Fernandez was projected as a late lottery pick, but an injury-marred season has hurt his stock a bit. While no one questions his skills or athleticism, scouts wonder if his body can handle the rigors of the NBA. The Nuggets need a sweet-shooting two-guard badly and it would be tough to pass on a player with Fernandez's talent



21. PHOENIX SUNS

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[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Andrey Blatche[/font]
SOUTH KENT PREP | H.S. | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 240 | AGE: 18Blatche has been under the radar all year, in part, because he's insisted on not playing like a 7-footer in order to show NBA scouts that he's versatile. Most scouts shook their heads in disgust. But that ability is more appreciated in Phoenix. Blatche has been referred to as a poor man's Kevin Garnett and he should be a perfect fit in the Suns run-and-gun offense. He runs the floor well, can handle the ball, has 3-point range on his jumper and is an excellent rebounder. He may be a year or two away, but eventually he and Amare Stoudemire could be a great pair on the Suns front line.



22. DENVER NUGGETS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Ersan Ilyasova[/font]
TURKEY | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 18With multiple picks, the Nuggets' plan is to leave at least one guy in Europe for a few years. Many believe that Ilyasova was the best young prospect in Europe before a severe ankle injury kept him out most of the year. He's now back and playing well in Turkey and the lucky scouts that have seen him play claim he's the real deal. If he pulls out of the draft, he has a shot at the lottery next season. If he stays in, the Nuggets get a steal whenever they decide it's time to bring him over



23. SACRAMENTO KINGS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Charlie Villanueva[/font]
CONNECTICUT | SOPHOMORE | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 240 | AGE: 20Villanueva has the skills of a lottery pick and the heart of an NBDL all-star. He has all the skills to be a perfect replacement for Chris Webber on the Kings front line. But will Rick Adelman, or whoever is coaching the Kings, ever be able to trust him? For all of his skills, Villanueva has always be a "me first" player. Then again, maybe that's what makes him the perfect replacement for Webber.



24. HOUSTON ROCKETS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Tiago Splitter[/font]
BRAZIL | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 240 | AGE: 20It's probably a stretch that Splitter falls this far. He's got enough talent to warrant a late lottery selection. However, he isn't generating any buzz right now. Teams love his size, rebounding and toughness. But he's very raw offensively and is just starting to emerge in Spain. Another year in Spain would do him good and chances are, if he thinks he's slipping this far, he'll withdraw and try again next year.



25. SEATTLE SONICS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Johan Petro[/font]
FRANCE | CENTER
HEIGHT: 7-1 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 19The same may hold true for Petro. He has the size and talent of a lottery pick, but he's been very slow to develop it, which has caused some NBA teams to worry. Petro is probably another year or two away from helping a team, even if he does develop. However, if he ever gets it, he and Robert Swift could turn into a nice center duo for the Sonics.



26. DETROIT PISTONS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Yaroslav Korolev[/font]
RUSSIA | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-9 | WEIGHT: 215 | AGE: 17Korolev is another young international player who could dramatically raise his stock in the next few years if he stayed in Russia. However, his stellar play in the junior tournament at the Final Four in Europe was enough to get him on every radar screen. He reminds me a little of a young Toni Kukoc. The Pistons, who have an eye for international talent, won't let him slip by.



27. UTAH JAZZ [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Randolph Morris[/font]
KENTUCKY | FRESHMAN | CENTER
HEIGHT: 6-11 | WEIGHT: 250 | AGE: 19The big kid from Kentucky should probably head back to school. One good year at Kentucky and he's in the lottery. As it stands, he won't slip past Utah, which is looking for a legit center to back up Mehmet Okur.



28. SAN ANTONIO SPURS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Julius Hodge[/font]
NORTH CAROLINA ST | SENIOR | SHOOTING GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-7 | WEIGHT: 205 | AGE: 21Hodge may not be the greatest shooter in the draft, but he has all the intangibles the Spurs love in their players. He's tough, versatile and he seems to want it more than most guys on the floor. He's earned good reviews in every workout and seems to have moved himself into the late first round.



29. MIAMI HEAT [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Jarrett Jack[/font]
GEORGIA TECH | JUNIOR | POINT GUARD
HEIGHT: 6-3 | WEIGHT: 200 | AGE: 21Jack could be off the board in the mid-first round, but it's conceivable that he slips all the way to the end of the round. He's a very good point guard prospect who just needs to cut down on his turnovers. With Damon Jones possibly hitting free agency this summer, Jack would be a great fit in Miami.



30. NEW YORK KNICKS [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Andrew Bynum[/font]
ST. JOSEPH, N.J. | H.S. | POWER FORWARD
HEIGHT: 7-0 | WEIGHT: 300 | AGE: 17Bynum has the size to rise much higher in the draft if he works out well. Right now, the general consensus is that he's too big a project to take much higher than this.Still, the Knicks aren't likely to pass. They need size and upside and Bynum has both.



Other first-round possibilities: Monta Ellis, G, HS senior; Peja Samardziski, C, Serbia; Kennedy Winston, G/F, Alabama; Wayne Simien, PF, Kansas; Ike Diogu, PF, Arizona State; Nate Robinson, G, Washington; Roko Ukic, PG, Croatia; Ronny Turiaf, PF, Gonzaga; Francisco Garcia, G/F, Louisville; Matt Walsh, G/F, Florida; Linas Kleiza, F, Missouri; Mickael Gelebale, F, France; David Lee, F, Florida




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[Chaplin]

I called it immediately--the Bucks will pick Marvin Williams. (If they don't trade the pick, of course)

 

[elindholm]

Don't they already have Maurice Williams? That's a mess -- Marvin and Maurice Williams. I guess Maurice would have to be traded.

 

[fordronken]

I asked Chad Ford in a chat once(again, avoiding my work) about the prospects of Petro with the Suns(using Bulls pick of course) and he said something along the lines of "He'd be a great fit for the Suns, but since he's the second best center prospect in the draft, there's no way he falls to them."

Now he's apparently going to the Sonics.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I called it immediately--the Bucks will pick Marvin Williams. (If they don't trade the pick, of course)

i think he'll be a stud, but cheese's suggestion that we could be looking at tim thomas part deux would have me worried.

 

[hcsilla]

I do think that MIL will take Bogut. Their biggest hole is at C (assuming that Ford gets healthy again) and they usually make conservative picks.

 

[Gaddabout]

Since 1969, the Suns have been looking for a center that can do these five things:

- Grab 8 to 10 defensive rebounds a game
- Block 1+ shot per game
- Collect a couple of assists out of the high post
- Hit 45 percent from 10 feet out
- Set a decent screen

The Suns don't want a center sitting his butt down on the low post. If he's going to play with Amare, they want him to be able to do some forward-type things without surrendering a center-type body for defense.

If Blatche can do the above things, this would have to be considered the best non-lottery pick since Majerle. Chad Ford compared him to Rasheed Wallace "without the head issues." If that's the case, I'd be freakin' ecstatic to have him.

 

[Chaplin]

Since it's looking like Hakim Warrick is moving up fast, Blatche might become my new favorite.

 

[PhxGametime]

Andray Blatche would be sweet... I really like Danny Granger but Blatche has a little more size (height). Blatche is a H.S Prospect, not all H.S stars become stars in the NBA but he had a Dwight Howard like game at the Jordan H.S All-star game and he does have a lot talent...


Blatche and Granger are the only 2 Prospects, I'd consider moving up a few spots to get but it appears in Granger, the Suns have no shot.

 

[coloradosun]

The things that Blatche has been criticized for by some of the scouts is that he does not have low post skills. As I have mentioned before there is no post up plays in the Suns schemes. They utilize face up players and it sound like this kid is a 6'11' small forward, perfect for the Suns offense.

Draftcity's update today had the Suns taking Randolph Morris just before Denver took Blatche. Some speculate Morris will drop out of the draft and be a lottery selection next year.

They also had Phoenix taking Daniel Ewing with their second round pick and Diener going to Utah with the last pick in the second. I think Diener would be a better fit for the offense.

If we could come out of this draft with Blatche and Diener, I would be satisfied. I just believe that Diener will be a cross between Steve Nash and Steve Kerr.

If Blatche is gone then I would like to see the Suns trade their 21st pick for 2 second rounders (Orlando's #38, #41) and take Stephen Graham and Jawad Williams and get quantity out of this draft. Or the 21st pick and Voskuhl plus the Dallas second round pick (#57) for their 3 second rounders(#38, #41, #44) to lock up J.Williams, S.Graham and Diener.

Orlando owes us (sarcasm) from the deal where we had to let a second round pick expire (did not fall below #50) because they tanked their season.

 

[PhxGametime]

I know you like Stevie Graham but if the Suns Trade for two 2nd Round Picks in that area, I would like Eddie Badsen and Jawad Williams. Badsen has been described as the best defender in Draft and can score, shoot, rebound (8+), great in steal department (3+), etc. I'm not sure he'll be there but he is impressive and is slotted around that area...

Julius Hodge and Ryan Gomes would be 2 other 1st round bubble Prospects that I'd like aroud there. Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Lawrence Roberts, and Torin Francis are 3 bigs that I wouldn't mind either... Linas Kleiza probably wouldn't be there.

Badsen, I only have 1 video of him but he looks pretty impressive - getting his hand on almost every single pass thrown in his area and puts up good stats across board.

 

[PhxGametime]

Andray Blatche would be the steal of Draft, on that Mock Draft with Raymond Felton dropping to the Lakers and Hakim Warrick going to the Nets as my other bargains at their slotted Pick...

 

[coloradosun]

I saw Badsen play in the tournament and I wasn't that impressed. He reminded me of Bryant Stith, who had an o.k. career. My feeling is that if we can't get Joey Graham in the 1st, getting Stephan in the second would be a steal. I think S.Graham can elevate his games to Joey's once he is out of his shadow. Both Grahams have had workouts with Nuggets already.

 

[coloradosun]

Andray Blatche would be the steal of Draft, on that Mock Draft with Raymond Felton dropping to the Lakers and Hakim Warrick going to the Nets as my other bargains at their slotted Pick...

If Jackson comes back as coach of the Lakers, I could see them taking Sean May. He would be perfect for the triangle offense. The Lakers could make a run at some point guards in FA, Damon Stoudamire, Breven Knight, Dan Dickau, Earl Watson (UCLA), Bobby Jackson. A rookie point guard is not going to do them any good. We could have drafted Devon Harris instead of signing Nash, I think the Suns set the model for turning around a team; sign a veteran point guard.

I also see the Lakers making a run at SAR. SAR and May in the front line could be very effective.

Warrick to NJ would be a good fit and a would be well received by Net fans.

 

[Brazil]

Splitter in 24 is ridiculous!!!!

He is the second best big man in the draft!!

 

[sunsfn]

Splitter in 24 is ridiculous!!!!

He is the second best big man in the draft!!

He has a big buyout that he is trying to negotiate down. If he can not do that, it will be hard for anyone to draft him and get him over this year.
That is the main reason he dropped out last year.

This may be one of the reasons he has dropped in the draft. No one so far will commit to drafting him.

 

[Michael]

Could anybody post todays espn inside article on Shaq's teams and even more important to me the one on Shaq's (former) teammates Penny, Kobe, Dwayne?

 

[devilalum]

I don't know about the Suns taking a high school kid with a funny name.


I'm thinkin maybe they should play it safe and take Jared Jeffries.

 

[asudevil83]

would anyone consider trading Barbosa to New Orleans or Atlanta for the second rounder (either #31 or #33)?

both could use a backup or starting PG, and Barbs COULD fit the bill.

with our picks we could grab:
#21 - Blatche (project PF/C....could be a steal)
#33 - Hodge (versetile PG/SG/SF)
#57 - Diener (better suited PG than Barbs)

 

[asudevil83]

I don't know about the Suns taking a high school kid with a funny name.


I'm thinkin maybe they should play it safe and take Jared Jeffries.

i'm completely confused....he plays for the Wiz.

 

[devilalum]

i'm completely confused....he plays for the Wiz.

Who was the last funny named high school kid the Suns took?

David Aldridge still thinks we should have taken Jared Jeffries.

 

[asudevil83]

Who was the last funny named high school kid the Suns took?

David Aldridge still thinks we should have taken Jared Jeffries.

was that drenched in so much sarcasm that i got lost in it?

its a little late right now.....and i know i should have made the connection.....but i didnt. LOL.

 

[asudevil83]

if anyone wants to see Blatche in action...here's a link. http://www.accurecruit.com

just click "watch videos", then "basketball (men)", then towards the bottom click "Five Star". he's on SRAP.