Mock draft with explanations and NBA comparisons

[hcsilla]

1) Cleveland - Lebron James

NBA comparison: Magic Johnson


2) Detroit - Darko Milicic

NBA comparison: Tim Duncan


3) Denver - Carmelo Anthony

NBA comparison: Jamal Mashburn


4) Toronto - Chris Bosh

NBA comparison: Kevin Garnett

Bosh is the best bigman prospect and he is a hot trade commodity.


5) Miami - T.J.Ford

NBA comparison: Terrell Brandon

Riley won't take a long-term prospect.He never did. Ford is the best PG of this year's draft and he is ready for NBA.


6) LA Clippers - Chris Kaman

NBA comparison: Rony Seikaly

Olowokandi will leave them so they would have a huge hole at C.


7) Chicago - Dwayne Wade

NBA comparison: Jerry Stackhouse

They have enough young talent and some valuable vets. Now they have to find their chemistry. Wade probably would fit well to Rose.


8.) Milwaukee - Maciej Lampe

NBA comparison: Dirk Nowitzki

Almost everybody in Bucks' uniform can shoot and run. But they don't have any legit bigmen. Now they get a 7-footer who can shoot and run.


9) New York - Nick Collison

NBA comparison: Juwan Howard

They definitely need a PG as well but they already have Eisley and Williams under contract for at least another 3 years and sooner or later also Milos Vujanic would join to them. McDyess' knee is still a huge issue. Since they always want to contend and the only legit C (who is probably NBA ready) is no longer available it seems to be logical that they take a very good PF who can immedately contribute. Thomas proved last 2 years that he can play effectively C.


10) Washington - Kirk Hinrich

NBA comparison: Chauncey Billups

Their biggest need is a PG.


11) Golden State - Luke Ridnour

NBA comparison: Steve Nash

Arenas will sign to DEN. Ridnour can replace him. He maybe can struggle in NBA because of his "unathleticism" ala Dan Dickau but it seems to be more likely that he will have a nice NBA career because of his shooting ability, court vision and quickness ala Steve Nash.


12) Seattle - Mike Sweetney

NBA comparison: Elton Brand (significantly less athletic version)

What does Radmanovic have in common with Drobnjak? Both are from Serbia, are very good shooters and hate to bang in the paint. Sweetney is their opposite: he isn't from Serbia, can't shoot and loves to fight around the basket.


13) Memphis - Jarvis Hayes

NBA comparison: Mitch Richmond

Hayes joins to Gasol and Miller. The Big 3 in Memphis.


14) Seattle - Marcus Banks

NBA comparison: Baron Davis

Although Allen and Barry did a good job in distributing of the ball after the Payton-age but they just need a true PG with good defense.


15) Orlando - Sophocles Schortsianitis

NBA comparison: Dale Davis

ORL started to build their froncourt with Gooden but they still need a bruiser..


16) Boston - Aleksandar Pavlovic

NBA comparison: Gordan Giricek

They love sharpshooters. Pavlovic shot the lights out in his workout in BOS.


17) Phoenix - Malick Badiane

NBA comparison: Keon Clark

Their core is set for the future at every position except C.


18.) New Orleans - Reece Gaines

NBA comparison: Derek Anderson

If Brown will re-sign their biggest need is still a tall, versatile SG since Wesley is aging and Alexander couldn't prove that he is their future SG. Gaines can give some rest also Davis.


19) Utah - Leandrinho Barbosa

NBA comparison: Gary Payton

After Stockton's retiring and Malone's possible moving they are in full rebuilding-mode so they can take the risk with Barbosa's poor english command and ugly shooting mechanism.


20) Boston - David West

NBA comparison: Malik Rose

BOS isn't the greatest place for young long-term prospects. Ask Joe Johnson, Joe Forte and Kedrick Brown! They don't have a backup PF who is an inside-force so they take West who can perform from day one.


21) Atlanta - Carlos Delfino

NBA comparison: Kendall Gill

After Dermarr Johnson's car-crash and with Glenn Robinson's non-existing defense ATL definitely needs a defensive-minded swingman.


22) New Jersey - Troy Bell

NBA comparison: Gilbert Arenas

NJN needs a PG. If Kidd stays then a backup.If Kidd leaves then a starting one.


23) Portland - Zaur Pachulia

NBA comparison: Brian Skinner

Sabonis will go home and Dale Davis is aging.


24) Los Angeles Lakers - Brian Cook

NBA comparison: Robert Horry (less athletic version)

Rober Horry is out. The new Robert Horry is in.


25) Detroit - Mickael Pietrus

NBA comparison: Shandon Anderson

They replace the declining Micheal Curry with an athletic, defensive minded swingman-project.


26) Minnesota - Travis Outlaw

NBA comparison: Darius Miles

Some years later Outlaw's freaking athleticism would complement perfectly Szczerbiak's deadly outside-shooting.


27) Memphis - James Lang

NBA comparison: Jahidi White

Jerry West likes long-term prospect C's see Trzybanski.


28.) San Antonio - Ndubi Ebi

NBA comparison: Jonathan Bender (less shooting, more agressiveness)

SAS has a new ring and 13 mil. cap room this offseason. They don't have to hurry. The Spurs can wait while Ebi becomes an NBA player.


29) Dallas - Mario Austin

NBA comparison: Corliss Williamson

They have a lot of shooters but they lacks post-up scorers.

 

[Chaplin]

I can't believe you have us taking Badiane. For all intents and purposes, everything I've read says that he's almost fallen out of the first round altogether.

 

[jbeecham]

Is Pietrus's stock dropping that much? He's been rumored to be a top 10 pick for a long time now.

Also I think NJ will go with Zoran Planinic before they'd take Bell.

 

[sly fly]

Pietrus will not fall that far. Back to the drawing board.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I can't believe you have us taking Badiane.

I would be pleased with Pachulia as well.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by jbeecham
Is Pietrus's stock dropping that much? He's been rumored to be a top 10 pick for a long time now.

Yes, but I wasn't impressed from him at all.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by sly fly
Pietrus will not fall that far. Back to the drawing board.

How would you describe Pietrus' play based what you have seen from him on?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by hcsilla
I would be pleased with Pachulia as well.

He's another guy who isn't even mentioned in the 16-19 range.

I was just checking out David West's statistics... Man, if he was open to playing small forward, I'd say pick him up... Averaged 20.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 3.2 apg. He was the AP player of the year last year and just tore up the NCAAs.

 

[sly fly]

Originally posted by hcsilla
How would you describe Pietrus' play based what you have seen from him on?

I have no opinion on Pietrus.

I have seen mock drafts that have him going early. You have him almost falling out of the first round. Do you have info team scouts don't have?

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by sly fly
I have no opinion on Pietrus.

Back to the drawing board

I have seen mock drafts that have him going early.

Me too.Should I have to copy those?

You have him almost falling out of the first round. Do you have info team scouts don't have?

No, probably I don't.
I have just an own opinion.

 

[sly fly]

If he falls to 25 I'll buy you a Suns t-shirt.

I'm in the giving mood.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by sly fly
If he falls to 25 I'll buy you a Suns t-shirt.

I'm in the giving mood.

Thank you.

Could we extend your offer if Pietrus will be picked higher AND will be a bust then you will buy me a Suns t-shirt?

Be careful, I need XXL.....

 

[sly fly]

Now, now... your pushing it.

He may drop, but to 25???

From what I've read... this guy is athletic as they come. I just don't see him falling this far.

TJ is a guy who better watch out. His physical workouts were pathetic (along with Ridnour). I wouldn't be surprised to see Ford AND Ridnour fall out of the top 10.

When players (such as Ford/Ridnour) can barely lift a bench press bar, that worries me. You need strength to survive in the NBA.

 

[fordronken]

Remember guys, even people who watch these kids and work them out are often wrong, so people's hunches and opinions on this board don't really mean much, even if they turn out to be right.

 

[sunsfn]

You forgot Zarko Cabarkapa.

He has been invited to the green room, so someone is going to draft him.

 

[sly fly]

Here's who I think PHX will draft in order of preference:

1.) Brian Cook
2.) Zarko
3.) Nick Collison


Cook gives them a tall threat facing the basket from 15-20 ft.

My sleeper pick of the 1st round: Jarvis Hayes. If he's there at 17, he would be too hard to pass up.

PHX goes the FA route in obtaining a PG.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't quite understand why Collison seems so high on a lot of fans' lists for the Suns pick... He's a decent player, but 1) he doesn't fill a need, and 2) he isn't the athlete we need with our young players. It's not like he'll get faster, he'll only get slower.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I don't quite understand why Collison seems so high on a lot of fans' lists for the Suns pick... He's a decent player, but 1) he doesn't fill a need, and 2) he isn't the athlete we need with our young players. It's not like he'll get faster, he'll only get slower.

I completely agree

 

[sly fly]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I don't quite understand why Collison seems so high on a lot of fans' lists for the Suns pick... He's a decent player, but 1) he doesn't fill a need, and 2) he isn't the athlete we need with our young players. It's not like he'll get faster, he'll only get slower.

I'm not a huge Collison fan, but he does come from a great system. The guy knows how to play ball. It's not like the Suns will have to wait 5 years before they see a finished product.

He could probably step right in and contribute.

A poor man's Raef Lafrentz.

 

[sunsfn]

I think Collison is going to be a decent player and will contribute right away. But, we do not need a pf and he can not play center in the NBA. (well maybe he can for Frank!!)

If the suns make a pick that seems a little odd at #17, they are probably going to make a trade after the draft.

I will be watching the draft with a draft expert friend of mine with home brew, pizza and wings from Nino's.
(best wings in town) !

 

[Joe Mama]

Is this supposed to be the way you would draft, were when you suspect will happen? If it is the latter I think you are way, way off. I haven't seen a lot of these guys play, so I don't know how it will really all work out when these guys make it to the league.

I absolutely guarantee... would bet my life that Pietrus will not fall past the Phoenix Suns.

Miami will not take TJ Ford. I think they are going to either trade out of that pick or take either Wade or Kirk Heinrich.

The Phoenix Suns will not take Badiane.

Of course it is much easier to pick apart somebody else's mock draft than it is to make your own.

Joe Mama

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Suns on Badiane

Malick Badiane, a native of Senegal, also supposedly shot up most draft boards after an individual workout in front of several NBA teams in Chicago, according to a recent ESPN.com article. However, some Suns’ insiders questioned whether the skinny 6-11 power forward is making the right decision to enter the draft at the age of 19.

“At 19 years old, he’s not ready to play yet,” admitted Suns’ Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Dick Van Arsdale. “Tremendous reach and some athleticism for a big guy, but he’s a guy who, in my opinion, is not ready to make a transition to the NBA yet. But he has a lot of potential.”

 

[se7en]

Can anyone ever remember the Suns brass being this opinionated about so many players in the draft? I can't think of a time when Suns management spoke to the press about so many players. And some very strong comments. Very to the point. Like with ebi and a few others as well. Very interesting. The Suns play poker better than anyone. Here's what I predict. The Suns will take a player that they haven't mentioned or worked out. They'll pull another surprise pick like Finley.

 

[scotsman13]

i would like to think you are right in the pick of Badiane. this guy matched up with amare is like putting nene and amare on the court together on the same team

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Is this supposed to be the way you would draft, were when you suspect will happen? If it is the latter I think you are way, way off.

It's probably my fault but I don't understand the 2nd part of your 1st sentence.
I do not understand either why am I "way, way off".

.
I absolutely guarantee... would bet my life that Pietrus will not fall past the Phoenix Suns.

He probably won't but he should have to, IMO.

Miami will not take TJ Ford. I think they are going to either trade out of that pick or take either Wade or Kirk Heinrich.

Wade?Why would they take another swingman with Butler and Jones on their roster?
I like Hinrich but I think that Ford is better than him.

The Phoenix Suns will not take Badiane.

I'm not so sure.
Is for instance Cabarkapa definitely a better prospect than Badiane?
Badiane would fill a bigger need, IMO.