Year: 2012

New Orleans Saints

stevenlourie Uncategorized

 

Debate the New Orleans Saints’ offseason needs in The Football Fan Forum

2010 Preview:

The Saints won the Super Bowl last year, and they stayed relatively pat this offseason. So why aren’t they the favorites going into this year in my mind? Well, the first reason is that they won the Super Bowl last year. Repeating in sports is getting harder and harder to do. Last time it happened in the NHL, 1997-1998, last time in the NBA 2001-2002, last time in the 1999-2000, last time it happened in the NFL 2004-2005. It’s just not something that happens very often in sports, even when teams stand pat after winning a Super Bowl. Whatever reason, the players don’t try as hard because the already have a ring, they didn’t put in the work in the offseason because they got cocky after winning a title, they won’t sneak up on anyone, the entire league spend the entire offseason building their team to matchup to defeat them, we just don’t see repeat titles as much as you’d expect.

Another reason, they did lose some players. Mike Bell was a solid #2 back that took the pressure off of Pierre Thomas and his dangerous running style. Thomas will have to take on more of a load this year and with the way he runs, that could mean injuries, which means a struggling running game. They also lost Scott Fujita, a starter on their defense.

My last reason, I’ve said it before, if you aren’t getting better, you’re getting worse. They didn’t sign any big free agents. Their biggest free agent addition may have been Alex Brown. They drafted a cornerback in the first round. Cornerback was not a position of immediate need so 1st round pick Patrick Robinson probably won’t see a lot of the field this year, unless there are injuries to the top 3 guys on the depth chart, in which case they have other issues. Charles Brown was drafted in the 2nd to be their franchise left tackle of the future, but not of the present. Jimmy Graham was drafted in the 3rd as a tight end of the future. They didn’t draft anyone that’s going to help them in a big way right away. The Colts added Jerry Hughes through the draft, to give themselves more defensive end depth, which, arguably, is why they lost the Super Bowl last year. They didn’t have the depth at defensive end. The Packers will be better this year. The Cowboys will be better this year. The Patriots, barring more injuries to Brady, will be better this year. The Saints, based on their offseason, won’t be.

Now, am I going to project this team to win a ton of games? Yes. Their offense is a machine and they should be good, barring a Madden Curse related injury to Drew Brees, for at least 11 wins this year, likely more.

Projection: 12-4 1st in NFC South

Power Ranking: 4 

Last season: 13-3

Grades:

#32 CB Patrick Robinson (Florida State)

With the way Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter played at cornerback last year, the Saints were already going to have a tough time finding playing time for 2009 1st round pick Malcolm Jenkins, who may have had to move to free safety already. Now, they bring in another cornerback in the first? What? Besides, I had a 3rd round grade on Robinson, though I am aware that others felt differently.

Grade: D

#64 OT Charles Brown (USC)

If the Saints had drafted him at 32, I probably would have given this a pretty solid grade. Jamaal Brown is a free agent next offseason and is probably trade bait now. There is no reason Brown (Charles) should have fallen out of the 1st round and he’ll be able to take over for Brown (Jamaal) when they need him.

Grade: A

#95 TE Jimmy Graham (Miami)

Jeremy Shockey is getting old and has always been injury prone, but Graham is a risk in the 3rd, even for a Super Bowl winning team like the Saints. I would have liked to have seen them take a defensive lineman in the first 3 rounds.

Grade: C

#123 DT Al Woods (LSU)

Woods fills a position of need at defensive tackle, but he has injury concerns and was a bit of a reach. I doubt he’ll be a future starter for this team.

Grade: C

#158 C Matt Tennant (Boston College)

Jonathan Goodwin is a mediocre center so competition like Tennant in the 5th round makes a lot of sense.

Grade: B

#239 QB Sean Canfield (Oregon State)

Canfield is a good pick in the 7th in terms of value and the Saints needed a replacement for Mark Burnell at backup quarterback.

Grade: A

Overall:

The Saints only had 6 picks, but they still only managed to get 1 future starter out of this draft, two if Tennant pans out, but he’s a center. Patrick Robinson has bust written all over him, if he can ever get on the field. Graham and Woods are very big risks, even for this team. They made some decent late round picks, but overall this was a bit of a disappointing draft. They didn’t get enough help for their defensive line or their linebackers.

Grade: C+

Key undrafted free agents:

CB Rafael Priest (TCU)

S Harry Coleman (LSU)

DT Jay Ross (East Carolina)

DT Ekom Udofia (Stanford)

G Brandon Carter (Texas Tech)

DE Brandon Sharper (Texas Tech)

DE George Johnson (Rutgers)

OLB Jason Beauchamp (UNLV)

Positions of need:

Outside Linebacker:

Neither Scott Shanle nor Scott Fujita are very good and both could be upgraded. With no other major needs, I would be very surprised if they passed on Sean Weatherspoon at 32 in the first and then went for a strong side guy like AJ Edds or Perry Riley in the mid rounds.

Signed Clint Ingram 

Defensive Tackle:

Sedrick Ellis is a great young player, but when he was hurt for a little bit last year, their lack of depth at the position was obvious and teams had no problem running up the middle on them. Even when he’s healthy, they could use an upgrade next to him. They don’t have a ton of needs (and they won the Super Bowl, go figure), so they could look for a defensive tackle in the first 3 rounds. Which they draft depends on how they view Ellis going forward, as a 4-3 nose tackle guy or a 4-3 under tackle. They will take the opposite of whatever they view Ellis as.

Drafted Al Woods (#123) 

Defensive End:

Charles Grant and his massive gut and massive contract have been cut, so they need a replacement at left end. Will Smith is excellent, but they need someone better across from him and if they feel they don’t have someone capable of doing that on the roster, they’ll look for one in the draft early or look for a free agent.

Signed Alex Brown, signed Jimmy Wilkerson

Offensive Tackle:

Jamaal Brown is an amazing left tackle, actually one of the best in the league, but he missed most of last season with an injury and you never know how he’ll bounce back. Jermon Bushrod wasn’t awful in place of Brown, but he did give up 8 sacks. In fact, left tackle was probably the one weak spot on their entire offense last year so they could use some depth at the position, maybe a swing guy who can play some right as well where they need depth.

Drafted Charles Brown (#64) 

Safety:

Darren Sharper could be gone as a free agent and even if he isn’t, he’s definitely getting up there in years. I’m assuming their longterm plan with Malcolm Jenkins is to move him to cornerback (considering they spent the 14th pick on him last year) and with both Jenkins and Sharper gone from the free safety position, they won’t have much left. At the very least, they need some depth at the position.

Center:

Jonathan Goodwin is average at best. He could be upgraded and if they like a center prospect in the mid rounds, I think they’ll pull the trigger.

Drafted Matt Tennant (#158) 

 

Free agents:

QB Mark Brunell- signed with Jets

RB Pierre Thomas (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.6 million

RB Mike Bell (restricted)- signed with Eagles 1 year 1.7 million

FB Jason McKie 

WR Lance Moore (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.7 million

WR Courtney Roby (restricted)- resigned 1 year

TE David Thomas (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.1 million

TE Billy Miller

TE Darnell Dinkins

TE Dan Campbell

OT Jamaal Brown (restricted)- traded to Washington

OT Jermon Bushrod (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.6 million

OT Zach Strief (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.7 million

G Jahri Evans (restricted)- resigned 7 years 57 million

G Jamar Nesbit

DT Kendrick Clancy

DT Remi Ayodele (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.1 million

DE Charles Grant- signed with Dolphins 1 year

DE Jeff Charleston (restricted)- tendered (low)

DE Bobby McCray- resigned 

DE Anthony Hargrove (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.2 million 

OLB Scott Fujita- signed with Browns 3 years 14 million

MLB Marvin Mitchell (restricted)- 1 year

MLB Mark Simoneau

CB Leigh Torrence (restricted)- resigned 1 year

#7 S Darren Sharper- resigned 1 year 1.5 million

A smart veteran with a ring and a ton of experience, he turned the Saints’ defense around by himself this year (with some help). He led the league with 9 picks and averaged 41.8 yards per interception return and even scored 3 times by himself. He’s a ballhawk, but he’s also amazing in coverage. He would be an upgrade to any defense, the only issue is, for how long? Sharper turns 35 next season and I’d be concerned about giving him more than a 2 year deal.

S Roman Harper (restricted)- resigned 1 year 2.5 million

S Usama Young (restricted)- tendered

S Pierson Prioleau- resigned

S Chris Reis (restricted)- tendered

K Garrett Hartley (restricted)

# refers to Unrestricted Free Agent Rank

Offseason moves:

Saints sign WR Mark Bradley 

Saints sign QB Patrick Ramsey 

Saints cut FB Jason McKie

Saints re-sign DE Bobby McCray 

Saints cut DE Bobby McCray 

Saints trade OT Jamaal Brown to Redskins 

Saints re-sign WR Lance Moore

Saints re-sign S Roman Harper

Saints re-sign RB Pierre Thomas

Saints sign FB Jason McKie 

Saints sign OLB Clint Ingram 

Saints cut DT Rodney Leisle 

Saints waive OLB Jason Beauchamp 

Saints re-sign G Jahri Evans 

Saints claim RB P.J. Hill 

Saints re-sign S Darren Sharper 

Saints sign DE Jimmy Wilkerson

Saints re-sign WR Courtney Roby

Saints re-sign MLB Marvin Mitchell

Saints announce retirement of RB Aaron Stecker

Saints re-sign TE David Thomas

Saints re-sign DT Remi Ayodele

Saints re-sign OT Jermon Bushrod

Saints re-sign OT Zach Strief

Saints sign DE Alex Brown

Saints re-sign CB Leigh Torrence

Saints re-sign S Pierson Prioleau

Saints cut DE Charles Grant

Saints cut G Jamar Nesbit

Saints cut MLB Mark Simoneau

Saints tender G Jahri Evans

Saints tender DE Jeff Charleston

Saints tender RB Mike Bell

Saints tender DT Remi Ayodele

Saints tender OT Jammal Brown

Saints tender S Chris Reis

Saints tender MLB Marvin Mitchell

Saints tender WR Lance Moore

Saints tender KR Courtney Roby

Saints tender TE David Thomas

Saints tender RB Pierre Thomas

Saints tender S Roman Harper

Saints tender OT Jermon Bushrod

Saints tender S Usama Young

Saints tender OT Zach Strief 

 

New Giants Stadium

stevenlourie Uncategorized

By Matthew Frank

I got a chance to go to the home opening game at the New Giants Stadium (which I will always call it), and I can best describe my thoughts as: “eh.”

There are definitely some upgrades such as the four new huge screens in each of the corners.  They are super clear and really easy to find from any point of view.  Also, there is a lot of information posted throughout the stadium so it is easy to find up to date stats and information.

One of the best things for the regular fan are the widened concourses.  It definitely got dingy in the old stadium and it is much easier to walk around and get from place to place now.  Outside the stadium (but still inside the ticket booths) were a large field where kids can do football drills which is great.  Also, they had some promotional things (such as a Captain Morgan’s booth) and the WFAN booth.

Overall though, you have to wonder about some of the design choices.  In the old stadium fans could just walk up, pick one of the three escalators, and go directly to their section.  Now, all fans (except those in premium sections) are herded into the “great hall.”  This sounds great until you realize the great hall is really more like the great overhang.  I think they were aiming to make it something like the entrance to Yankee Stadium or the Robinson Rotunda at Citifield, but it really just comes across as a big overhang with no real character.  Then, all of the fans, regardless of level, are put through the same flight of stairs up the first level.  This creates a big log-jam and a huge mess of people; especially those trying to get up to the upper levels.

The food was also really disappointing.  Yes, it is a sporting even and you do expect to be gauged, but the prices were far higher then that of both new baseball stadiums and the food wasn’t nearly as good.  Somebody is going to have to re-write the menu for the entire stadium.

I made it to the Giants Hall-of-Fame, which they refer to as the Legacy Club, and it was definitely neat to see the three Superbowl trophies as well as teh busts of all of the greats.  But the room was fairly small and cramped; the ceiling especially was very low.  There appears to be another room with more memorabilia, but that is apparently only open on non-game days.

Overall, the stadium was a bit dull and not much of a major upgrade of the old Giants Stadium.  Except for a plethora of suits and luxury boxes, you have to wonder if the massive price tag for both the stadium and tickets are worth it.

http://www.bigbluefootballreview.com/

New England Patriots

stevenlourie Uncategorized

 

Debate the New England Patriots’ offseason possibilities in The Football Fan Forum

2010 Preview:

New England’s offense last year wasn’t what he have come to expect from them. However, a lot of that can be blamed on Tom Brady’s health. Whether it was trying to get his feet under him early in the season, after coming back from a major injury, or bruised ribs, or a broken finger, or a phantom shoulder problem, he wasn’t quite right most of the season. When he was right, he was right. He destroyed Tennessee. He destroyed Jacksonville, even though injuries, so we know he can still put the points on the board in big ways.

His receiving corps this year are actually looking pretty underrated, if you can believe it. Randy Moss was a top 5 receiver last year, despite injuries and not trying 100%. This year, he’s fully motivated, in his contract year. Torry Holt will probably be lining up opposite him. Holt hasn’t been his same self the past few years, but having Marc Bulger and David Garrard as his quarterbacks probably had a lot to do with that. Julian Edelman will be a solid replacement for Wes Welker, for however long he’s out, and don’t sleep on Welker’s ability to get healthy. He reportedly practiced at 75% as recently as this week, less than 5 months after tearing his ACL and MCL. If that’s true, Welker being ready for the opener doesn’t seem like a stretch. Add in a pair or talented rookie tight ends, and Brady’s got some weapons to work with. By all indications, their offense should be as good this year, if not better, than most years over the past 8-10 years.

However, this defense won’t even be close. The Patriots won championships as much with smash mouth defense as they did with a big offense. Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Ty Law, Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, those guys are all long gone. This defense has some nice players, Leigh Bodden, Jerod Mayo, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Brandon Merriweather, rookie rush linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, but, as you can see, it’s just not the same. They lack those proven players of their Super Bowl winning teams. Now, Miami and New York, they’re coming up fast. Both of those teams are very talented. The Patriots aren’t going to be able to win this division with ease, though I give them a slight edge because of how important the quarterback position is in the NFL.

Projection: 11-5 1st in AFC East

Power Ranking: 5 

Last season: 10-7

Draft:

#27 CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers)

This pick caught me by surprise, but I do think it makes sense now. The Patriots have to go up against the Jets twice next year and the Jets are three deep at receiver with Edwards, Holmes, and Cotchery. The Pats have decent depth at corner, but Shaun Springs is getting pretty old, Darius Butler is an unproven 2009 2nd rounder, and Jonathan Wilhite is a nickel corner who could be upgraded.

Grade: B

#44 TE Rob Gronkowski (Arizona)

If Gronkowski had gone back to school, he almost certainly would have been a 1st round pick in 2011. He’s is a big target with good hands over the middle and he’s also a strong blocker and fills a huge need for the Patriots. If Wes Welker can’t play next year, there’s no doubt that the Pats will hurt, but having a legit big target like Gronkowski over the middle definitely would help remedy the hurt and if Welker plays, this is once again going to be one of the strongest receiving corps in the NFL (assuming Randy Moss plays well in his contract year).

Grade: A

#53 RLB Jermaine Cunningham (Florida)

I liked Cunningham a lot last year, at times even more than Dunlap, though it’s tough to ignore Dunlap’s measurables and potential, so I’m glad Cunningham went 1 pick before Dunlap, his former college linemate. Cunningham is a good fit for their 3-4 and he fills a major need as a pass rusher. There may have been some better rush linebacker available, and their may have been some better rush linebacker values later, and Cunningham may be a bit of a reach at 53, but it’s good to see the Patriots finally addressing the rush linebacker position and taking a player who they got a close look at during Florida’s Pro Day.

Grade: B+

#62 MLB Brandon Spikes (Florida)

Now when the Patriots need linebacker depth, they won’t have to raise Junior Seau from the dead. I don’t like Spikes’ speed, but he has good upside in a 3-4 and Bill Belicheck is good friends with Urban Meyer.

Grade: B-

#90 WR Taylor Price (Ohio)

He fills a need and has a ton of athletic upside in the 3rd, but I’m not a big fan of his, even though I can see him being, possibly, a future starter for this team. However, if they think that Price is an adaquate future replacement for Moss, they could very well be negatively surprised in a few years.

Grade: C

#113 TE Aaron Hernandez (Florida)

Two tight ends in the same draft? Normally the strict positional valuist in me screams no, but when you have as many picks as the Patriots do, it’s not a bad idea to take BPA in the 4th and take Hernandez, who is a perfect fit for the scheme and compliments Gronkowski nicely.

Grade: A

#150 P Zoltan Mesko (Michigan)

I understand the need for a punter, but they have like 6 7th rounders. Certainly they could have used one of those on a punter and taken someone who can play on offense or defense here.

Grade: C-

#205 C Ted Larsen (NC State)

Larsen fills a bit of a need, but not a huge need and I still have images of his ugly snap in the Senior Bowl burned into my head.

Grade: B-

#209 OT Thomas Welch (Vanderbilt)

Not a major need, but with as many picks as the Patriots had, taking some depth at the offensive tackle position makes sense and Welch is a solid value.

Grade: A-

#247 3-4 DE Brandon Deaderick (Alabama)

The Patriots really should have taken a 3-4 defensive end earlier, but Deaderick is a good value here and has experience playing in the 3-4 at Alabama. He had a down year last year, but only because he hadn’t fully recovered from being shot in the arm during the offseason.

Grade: A

#248 NT Kade Weston (Georgia)

Weston is one of the most underrated nose tackles in this draft class and he provides solid depth at the position, but I think he could also slide outside and play the 3-4 end position at 6-5 320. If the Pats weren’t going to address the 3-4 end position earlier, they might as well take two prospects at the position in the late rounds to increase their chances.

Grade: A-

#250 QB Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State)

Robinson is a great value and the Pats played all last year with 2 quarterbacks so using one of their many late rounders on a quarterback is not a bad idea. He may also be able to play some receiver, a la Julian Edelman.

Grade: A

Key undrafted free agents

RB Pat Paschall (North Dakota State)

RLB Dane Fletcher (Montana State)

WR Bryan Anderson (Central Michigan)

CB Terrence Johnson (California PA)

Overall:

I think the Patriots got some pretty good talent here and filled some holes, but I would have liked to have seen them taking a 3-4 defensive end earlier, maybe Jared Odrick at 27 instead of Devin McCourty, and I wanted them to take at least one running back. They also did do some questionable things like taking a punter in the 5th with a ton of 7th rounders and taking Taylor Price, who I am not high on, in the 3rd. However, they took a bunch of players who fit the scheme, fill needs, and have solid upside.

Grade: B+

Positions of need:

Rush Linebacker:

They only managed 31 sacks last year and 9.5 of those were from Tully Banta Cain who is a free agent this offseason. I understand why Bill Belicheck is afraid to draft a rush linebacker because the positions doesn’t really exist in college, but he needs to. Derrick Burgess is also a free agent, Adailus Thomas is never going to be the same player he used to be again, and Shawn Crable, who they like, has had two major injuries in his first 2 years in the league.

Drafted Jermaine Cunningham (#53)

3-4 Defensive End:

Getting the Raiders first rounder in 2011, likely a top 10 pick, for Richard Seymour was brilliant. Maybe they should trade more often with the Raiders. However, they do need to replace him on the defensive line. Unless they fall in love with Jared Odrick at 22, they’ll use a 2nd rounder on this need.

Signed Damione Lewis, Drafted Brandon Deaderick (#247), Signed Gerard Warren

Tight End:

Benjamin Watson is a free agent and based on how he has declined in recent years, they’ll likely go another direction at the position. Aaron Hernandez would fit the scheme well in the 2nd.

Signed Alge Crumpler, Drafted Rob Gronkowski (#42), Drafted Aaron Hernandez (#113) 

Running Back:

They benched Laurence Maroney late last year after another fumble. The Patriots could target a replacement for him, either Jahvid Best or CJ Spiller, at 22 in the first round. They really don’t have any big speed guys at the position so they may want to focus on obtaining a homerun hitting back that can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Wide Receiver:

Randy Moss has only one year left on his deal and given his effort last year, I’d be surprised to see him back in 2011. I wouldn’t actually be surprised if he was traded this offseason. Maybe they could trade him to Oakland for a first rounder and then in a few years trade a 4th rounder to get him back. They could start a business off of this. Back to the point, they’ll need a young wide receiver early in the draft to be his future replacement. Even if he’s brought back, he’ll be 36 in 2011.

Signed Torry Holt, Drafted Taylor Price (#90)

Cornerback:

Depth at least is needed. Leigh Bodden is a free agent this offseason and, given the weak cornerback market, he could get a large deal that the Pats won’t want to match. I’m not sold on Jonathan Wilhite as their nickel corner either and Shawn Springs is getting up there in years.

Drafted Devin McCourty (#27) 

Guard:

Stephen Neal is a free agent and has hinted towards retirement. He’s also injury prone and over 30. He’ll need to be replaced.

Middle Linebacker:

Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton have the starting job down fine, the issue is if one gets hurt, they’ll probably have to wake Junior Seau up from the dead again. They really lack depth at the position right now.

Drafted Brandon Spikes (#62) 

 

Free agents:

QB Jeff Rowe 

QB Mike Teel 

RB Kevin Faulk- resigned 1 year 2 million

WR Isaiah Stanback- signed with Seahawks

TE Benjamin Watson- signed with Browns 3 years 12 million

TE Chris Baker- signed with Seahawks 2 years 4.7 million 

G Logan Mankins (restricted)- tendered (1st, 3rd)

G Stephen Neal- resigned 2 years

NT Vince Wilfork- resigned 5 years 40 million

3-4 DE Jarvis Green- signed with Broncos 4 years 20 million

RLB Tully Banta Cain- resigned 3 years

RLB Derrick Burgess

RLB Pierre Woods (restricted)- resigned 1 year

RLB Adalius Thomas 

MLB Bruce Davis- signed with Broncos

#4 CB Leigh Bodden- resigned 5 years 28.5 million

I’d move him up if he wasn’t so horrible in a zone scheme in Detroit in 2008. The Patriots made a brilliant move by signing him. He fit their scheme perfectly and he would fit other teams will if they ran a similar man scheme. He’s one of the top 5 best man to man shutdown corners and Chad Ochocinco even said he’s the best man to man corner in the league. If you have the right scheme, he’ll be an amazing addition and command a large contract.

CB Shawn Springs 

K Stephen Gostkowski (restricted)- resigned 1 year 1.7 million

Offseason moves:

Patriots sign C Eric Ghiaciuc 

Patriots announce retirement of WR David Patten 

Patriots cut QB Mike Teel

Patriots sign RB Thomas Clayton 

Patriots waive MLB Bruce Davis

Patriots waive WR Isaiah Stanback

Patriots claim QB Mike Teel

Patriots cut QB Jeff Rowe 

Patriots cut CB Shawn Springs

Patriots re-sign RLB Derrick Burgess 

Patriots sign 3-4 DE Gerard Warren 

Patriots cut RLB Adalius Thomas

Patriots sign WR Torry Holt 

Patriots re-sign RLB Pierre Woods

Patriots re-sign K Stephen Gostkowski 

Patriots 3-4 DE Damione Lewis 

Patriots sign TE Alge Crumpler 

Patriots re-sign RB Kevin Faulk

Patriots sign RLB Marques Murrell

Patriots re-sign CB Leigh Bodden

Patriots re-sign G Stephen Neal

Patriots re-sign NT Vince Wilfork

Patriots re-sign RLB Tully Banta-Cain

Patriots cut TE Chris Baker

Patriots tender K Stephen Gostkowski

Patriots tender G Logan Mankins

Patriots tender MLB Gary Guyton

Patriots tender RLB Pierre Woods

Patriots sign WR David Patten

Patriots franchise NT Vince Wilfork

FB Patrick Pass retires

# refers to unrestricted free agent rank

New Carr, Same Ride

stevenlourie Uncategorized

By Michael J Morris 

The 49ers beat the Raiders last week, giving them their first win of the season. The most recent game against the Panthers was the same old script–with a new twist–Alex Smith getting injured, allowing for David Carr to get his chance.

With the game 13 all in the fourth quarter, defensive-end, Ray McDonald took an interception from Matt Moore back 31 yards for a score, giving the 49ers a 7-point lead with just under 13 minutes to go in the fourth.

But Moore would make up for his mistake, taking the Panthers down the field in the last minutes of the game with a 23-yard pass to WR David Gettis who finished the day off with 8 catches, 125 yards, and two scores.  Moore would finish with 308 passing yards on the day.

Carr would have his chance to prove his worth with a two-minute drill.   Alex Smith, err, I mean David Carr then through an interception before you could blink putting the Panthers in position for the go ahead field goal.  John Kasay put it through sending the lowly 49ers to the UK.

Vernon Davis, who may be the most consistent 49er this season, is looking forward to the game.

“I can’t wait, I know my teammates can’t as well,” Davis said. “Some of the guys haven’t been over here to see London, period. I know they couldn’t wait to get over here. We’re here now and we’ve got work to do.”

The 49ers touched down in the UK on Monday and will be facing the Broncos who recently allowed the Oakland Raiders to go All-Madden on them and score 59 points.  This could mean one of two things.  The 49ers will put 79 on the Broncos since they beat the Raiders in the previous week.  Or that the Broncos will come out even hungrier than they normally would have, to prove they have a chance at the AFC West.

It isn’t known as of yet who will be starting quarterback when the 49ers suit up in London this Sunday.  If I were the man of empty, yet probably serious, promises, would hope that Smith start this weekend and give the Broncos something they haven’t seen.  And no, not number 11, but the man with the Heisman, Troy Smith.  It may be wishful thinking, but hey, at least it’s thinking…

Go back to 49ers Fan Spot 

http://michaeljmorris.wordpress.com/

Ndamukong Suh D-Line

stevenlourie Uncategorized

By Dean Holden 

The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are probably looking at a mismatched game this Sunday. 

Aaron Rodgers against one of the worst back seven in the NFL. The Lions struggling, shorthanded offense against the Packers thriving sack-machine of a defense.

The Lions defensive line vs. the Packers offensive line.

Wait a minute. That’s actually worth watching.

Last year, the Lions dominated the Packers’ offensive line at Lambeau (while the Packers dominated everywhere else), bring Aaron Rodgers down five times in that game.

That was with a defense that ranked 29th in sacks for the season, playing an offense that gave up a league-high 51 sacks on the season.

This year, the Lions rank third in sacks with 11 through three games. The Packers have given up three sacks all season.

Clearly, both teams have fixed their problems in that area. But now both units come to the test. The Lions are likely up against their toughest offensive line challenge yet, while the Packers come up against one of the league’s toughest defensive lines, backed by a shorthanded running game.

Both units appear improved, but which is more improved? That part could be fun.

Much of the Lions success on the pass rush last year was due to the Packers major injury concerns on the offensive line.

The line has some injury concerns again this year, but they seem to have stepped up their play, at least in pass protection. But just in case, the Packers also drafted Bryan Bulaga to spell and eventually replace oft-injured veteran left tackle Chad Clifton.

But neither Clifton nor Bulaga will be facing the Lions’ biggest threat on the line this year.

Ndamukong Suh, who has keyed a revival on the Lions’ front four, will lead the charge and attempt to slow Aaron Rodgers, who has never thrown for less than 300 yards against the Lions.

Granted, generating a pass rush against Rodgers didn’t help too much last year, but it did force the Packers into a lot of mistakes, and this year the Lions don’t have to trot out Daunte Culpepper, who went 0-for-the-Lions in his career.

Speaking of which, try to recall Culpepper’s 6-for-14, 48-yard performance against the Packers last year before you talk about how Shaun Hill isn’t any good.

The point is, the Lions will score more than zero points this Sunday, which theoretically gives them a chance to win.

It isn’t as though the game is riding on Suh and the pass rush, but he has the opportunity to make a big impact this week, especially with Packers left guard Daryn Colledge playing through a knee injury.

More importantly, this will be the matchup to watch this week. Not just Suh, but Corey Williams, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cliff Avril, Turk McBride, Sammie Hill. All have been playing at a high level, any could find themselves plowing over Rodgers this weekend.

Most Lions fans are predicting doom, gloom, and Jason Hanson still not knowing what it feels like to win in Green Bay.

That may be exactly what happens. On paper, it’s certainly a mismatch of talent in all the wrong areas for Detroit.

But that battle up front will be an all-out war.

Can Suh fight through the doubles this week? Will Vanden Bosch be able to take advantage of a hobbled Clifton? On the other side, can the Avril/McBride combo get around 33-year-old right tackle (and perpetual underdog) Mark Tauscher, who has never played for a team at any level outside of Wisconsin?

Can those guys hold up against a strong defensive line even if the running game is ineffective and the pass rush intensifies?

Can you wait to find out?

http://bleacherreport.com/users/64307-dean-holden

Ndamukong Suh

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Defensive Tackle/3-4 Defensive End 

Nebraska

6-4 307

40 time: 4.98

Draft board overall prospect rank: #1

Draft board defensive tackle rank: #1

Overall rating: 99*

1/20/10: People who love stats get high off of Suh’s stat card. Over the last two years, Suh has 158 tackles, 19 sacks, 3 picks, and 2 touchdowns all as a 6-4 300 pound defensive tackle. He also led his team in pass breakups this year with 10. There’s a reason he received the most Heisman votes of any defensive lineman in NCAA Football history. He may be the most dominant defensive lineman of the decade. He can play both the 3-4 defensive end position and the 4-3 defensive tackle position. He will make a huge impact on the huge from the moment he enters the NFL. I can’t see him falling past the Lions at #2 and he could be the first defensive tackle to go #1 overall since Dan Wilkinson in 1994. 

12/12/09: 12 sacks in the Big 12 as a 6-4 300 defensive tackle who could run a sub 5 40, that is sick. All the measurables are there for him to be an elite defensive line prospect in the NFL and there has been no evidence that he has any major flaws in his game on the field. He would be equally good in the 3-4 as a defensive end as he would be as a defensive tackle in the 4-3.

6/28/09: Ndamukong Suh has defensive end skills in a defensive tackle’s body. At 305 pounds, he could play under tackle or nose tackle in a 4-3, but he had 7.5 sacks last season against good competition in the Big 12. He should run the 40 at around 5.0, which is very good for someone his size and a whole tenth of a second faster than Glenn Dorsey, another college tackle known for his pass rushing ability, did in 2008. He’s probably best suited and most valuable as a big 3-4 defensive end. Tyson Jackson was a big 3-4 defensive end last year and went #3 overall so Suh could get drafted very early. His speed and athleticism was apparent last season when, in addition to his 7.5 sacks, he had 2 interception returns for touchdowns. He has great hands for a defensive lineman and not only had 2 picks, but caught a touchdown as a tight end. His hands and his ability to drop back into coverage or pick up a running back or full back coming out of the backfield are very rare and will be an added bonus to anyone who takes him. He has a history of injury issues and he’s a bit of a one year wonder, but he definitely has a shot to become a two year wonder with a good season this season. He can be hard to motivate. The Nebraska coaching staff had to come down on him very hard in order to motivate him. He responded by having an All-Big 12 caliber season, but that fact that a fire had to be lit under him raises some concerns. Still, there is a huge market for guys like Suh, who can play 3 positions and play in any defensive scheme, guys who have a combination of size, strength, speed, and quickness. He has a very good shot to go top 10 on draft day 2010.

NFL Comparison: Warren Sapp 

*For a breakdown of what this means, click here

NC State/North Carolina

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Spotlight #1: North Carolina OLB Zach Brown

Spotlight #2: NC State DT JR Sweezy

1st quarter

14:42: Charles Brown with an awesome interception, his 2nd of the year. If Brown were a receiver, this would have still been an awesome catch. That’s how good it was.

13:21: Sweezy in on a pile in the backfield.

13:02: North Carolina State’s talented linebacker Audie Cole with a strip sack, recovered by North Carolina.

11:00: Zach Brown takes a bad route to the ball, can’t get off a block.

10:34: Brown with a nice ankle tackle on a ball carrier on a run.

9:58: Donte Paige-Moss with a sack. Coples got pressure too.

4:20: Coples almost gets a sack, quarterback shakes it, but Tydreke Powell cleans up the play and gets a sack.

1:29: Brown blitzing, splits a double team well to get pressure.

2nd quarter

13:04: Zach Brown burst up the middle for a tackle after a 2 yard gain.

12:30 Brown with pressure up the middle.

11:42: Sweeezy can’t get a tackle from behind after a short completion. Looked slow here.

10:12: Dwight Jones with a nice catch and an awesome run after for a huge gain, nullified by a hold.

4:07: Brown looking good in coverage, forcing an incompletion.

1:58: Brown around on the coverage on an incompletion.

 

3rd quarter

13:23: Sweezy, who has been quiet tonight, surrenders a big gain through his gap.

12:55: Sweezy can’t change directions quickly in the open field.

11:01: Sweezy in on an outside tackle. Nice speed for a defensive tackle on this play.

10:01: NC State sophomore cornerback David Amerson with his 9th pick of the season. He leads the country.

4:00: Terrell Manning, a stud sophomore linebacker for NC State, with a sack. He’s shown up on several plays big time tonight.

0:58: Brown showing his awesome speed and acceleration on a quarterback pressure.

0:51: Brown with a tackle up the middle.

0:18: Brown unblocked on another good blitz and pressure, forcing a very early and inaccurate throw.

4th quarter

13:23 Brown with a tackle after a medium sized completion.

3:36: Sweezy with a quarterback hit on an interception. He hasn’t had a lot of big plays tonight, but he has one here and he’s held up well against the run. The 6-5 290 defensive tackle looks like a natural 3-4 defensive end and a late round pick.

0:00: Zach Brown didn’t quite have as many WOW plays tonight as he normally does, but he had a solid game once again and should keep his stock stable as a top 15-20 pick. On the season, he has 71 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 2 picks on the season. He had 9 tackles tonight and showed his good speed and instincts on several occasions.

He’s a bit undersized at 6-2 230, but he makes up for that with legit 4.4 speed, instincts, and coverage ability. He also plays bigger than his size and he has a great motor. He’s been used very effectively as a blitzer this season, as shown by his 5.5 sacks. He didn’t get to the quarterback tonight, but he showed good blitzing ability once more getting pressure on several occasions. He is deadly as an unblocked blitzer, but he can also get off blocks as well.

He reminds me a lot of Lawrence Timmons. Timmons was undersized, 6-1 230, coming out of Florida State and was drafted by a 3-4 team in the Steelers. Even though he didn’t fit the 3-4 scheme naturally, he still turned into a Pro Bowl caliber player. Now Timmons is also playing outside in a 3-4 even at 230-235 pounds. Brown can be that type of player. He can play any linebacker position in any scheme. He looks like he could be the first linebacker off the board.

North Carolina’s defensive line played well again. Quinton Coples, who only has 4.5 sacks on the season, got consistent pressure once again and almost had a sack, instead the quarterback squirted out, only to get sacked by Tydreke Powell. Coples still looks like a top 10 pick. Powell got his first sack of the season. He also has 4.5 tackles for loss on the season. He’s a good player against the run, but he’s still slipping as he was once an early day 2 prospect. Donte Paige-Moss also had a sack. He know has 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss as a situational player. He is a great pass rusher who will likely return to school and try to go in the first round next year. North Carolina held NC State to 3.1 yards per carry.

North Carolina was even worse on the ground than NC State was. They had 3 yards on 28 carries, 4 sacks included as they were shut out. Part of that was JR Sweezy playing well against the run. He’s a bit skinny at 6-5 290 and he didn’t make a lot of standout plays, but he played the run well here. Audie Cole was even better against the run. He looks like a late day 2 pick. He and sophomore linebacker Terrell Manning were flying all over the place and having huge games. Manning had 11 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack, and 3 pass breakups. Cole had 7 tackles, 1 for loss, and 1 sack. In 9 games, the experienced senior middle linebacker has 76 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 4 breakups.

Even with North Carolina’s ineptude, Dwight Jones once again had a good game. He caught 9 passes for 72 yards and had a huge gain wiped out by a penalty. North Carolina only completed 16 passes for 162 yards so what Jones did was even more impressive. The 6-4 receiver is very underrated. Despite quarterback problems, he has 63 catches for 912 yards and 8 touchdowns in 10 games. In fact, he’s been so consistent, his 72 yards this week was his 2nd lowest total of the season. I think he’s a first rounder. 

 

NBA Mock Drafts (2009)

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Check out my NBA Draft Grades

Instead of doing a redraft, as it is 30 minutes before draft time, I will keep you updated with the draft in real time on my NBA Live Draft Blog. Check it out.  

#1 LA Clippers- PF/C Blake Griffin (Oklahoma) 

I don’t know exactly where the Clippers will put Griffin, maybe they trade Chris Kaman, or agree to a buyout with Zach Randolph, but Griffin is the best player in the draft and as the Clippers are a team that desperately needs a savior, they need to take him. It’s much a better decision than taking Ricky Rubio, who may never develop, especially since the Clippers already have Baron Davis at point guard.

NBA Comparison: Amar’e Stoudemire

#2 Memphis- PG Ricky Rubio (Spain) 

Rubio isn’t going to play for the Grizzlies. The risk that he just flat out refuses to play in Memphis is too big. However, his value is too high for them to not trade to work out a draft and trade and with Minnesota’s move to get the 5th pick from Washington, it looks like that’ll happen. Memphis will get to pick at 5 and 18 and at 5 they will have a good chance to take Jordan Hill, the player they really want. At 18, they can get a good player almost for free, as the Grizzlies will likely take Hill even if they stay at 2. The Timberwolves get a guy who can be a very nice sidekick for Al Jefferson.

NBA Comparison: Steve Nash

#3 Oklahoma City- SG/SF James Harden (Arizona State)

I’ve been saying that its obvious that the Thunder are going to take Thabeet if he’s here for weeks. Now I take that back. I forgot that the Thunder have been notorious for surprising everyone and not taking who everyone thinks they will take since the team was still in Seattle. Reportedly the Thunder love Harden, who they think is the perfect swingman compliment to Kevin Durant and the perfect backcourt compliment to Russell Westbrook.

NBA Comparison: Brandon Roy

#4 Sacramento- G Jrue Holliday (UCLA) 

The Kings are going to take a point guard because they need one badly. They would love to get Rubio somehow, but it looks like they’re going to have to outbid Minnesota for him and since Minnesota has 4 first round picks, that’s going to be tough to do. Instead, they reach for Holliday, who has huge upside. They are reportedly very high on him.

NBA Comparison: Rodney Stuckey

#5 Minnesota- PF Jordan Hill (Arizona)

Memphis still gets the player they want here at #5. Hill fills a huge hole at power forward. The Grizzlies now have a great young core of Hill, Mike Conley, OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay and 2 picks later in the round.

NBA Comparison: Chris Bosh

#6 Minnesota- C Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut) 

I don’t see how the Wolves can pass on Thabeet if he’s still available here. They don’t have a true center and defensively minded Thabeet would be the perfect frontcourt compliment to Al Jefferson and could fit will in a rotation with Jefferson and Kevin Love.

NBA Comparison: Dikembe Mutumbo

#7 Golden State- G Tyreke Evans (Memphis) 

The Warriors have reportedly traded Jamal Crawford to the Hawks for Acie Law and some cap relief, so the Warriors now have to make a decision on whether they want to keep Monta Ellis at point guard or move him to shooting guard. Most likely Don Nelson will keep Ellis at point guard and draft a shooting guard, like Tyreke Evans, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if they take a point guard like Brandon Jennings or Stephen Curry instead.

NBA Comparison: Jamal Crawford

#8 New York- G Stephen Curry (Davidson)

Curry would be a nice fit for Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun offense. However, it remains to be seen where he would play. Is he a point guard? Not likely with Chris Duhon doing so well at point guard. Is he a shooting guard? Maybe, but at 6-3, putting him at shooting guard could be a mistake. Is he a 6th man? Most likely and the Knicks might not want to use the 8th pick on a guy who would be a career 6th man. They may try to trade this pick, get more value out of it, and save some money for the Summer of LeBron in 2010.

NBA Comparison: Jason Terry

#9 Toronto- SG Demar DeRozan (USC)

Jason Kapono is gone via trade so the Raptors now have a huge hole at shooting guard. DeRozan might not be NBA ready get, but they can’t ignore his Vince Carter esque athleticism. Hopefully he’ll work out better than Carter did in Toronto.

NBA Comparison: Vince Carter

#10 Milwaukee- F Earl Clark (Louisville) 

The one good thing about the Bucks’ horrible trade of Richard Jefferson to the Spurs is that they can resign either Ramon Sessions or Charlie Villanueva, whereas both were likely gone before. The Bucks will likely take the best available player at either power forward or point guard and resign Villanueva if they take a point guard and Sessions if they take a power forward. Clark’s the best available at either of those positions. Scott Skiles will love his toughness and versatility.

NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw

#11 New Jersey- F James Johnson (Wake Forest) 

New Jersey hopefully has realized that Bobby Simmons is not a longterm answer at small forward. Clark is NBA ready now and can play small forward as that do everything kind of guy. He also can move to power forward if needed.

NBA Comparison: Ron Artest

#12 Charlotte- SG Wayne Ellington (North Carolina) 

The Bobcats need a set up scorer and a shooting guard as they have lacked both of those since Jason Richardson was traded. Raja Bell only has one more year on his contract and is better suited as a stopped and a shooter. The Bobcats will have their choice between Gerald Henderson and Wayne Ellington. I have Henderson higher rated, but I don’t think that UNC alum Michael Jordan over a Dukie. Now you might be thinking that Jordan wouldn’t just pick someone over a better player just because of college allegiances, but this is also the guy who drafted Kwame Brown #1, Adam Morrison #3, and took DJ Augustin last year when he already had Raymond Felton. Look at Jordan’s drafting record in Charlotte and you’ll see that he has already taken 2 former Tarheels, Sean May and Raymond Felton in his short time.

NBA Comparison: Richard Hamilton

#13 Indiana- SG/SF Gerald Henderson (Duke) 

One team’s loss is another team’s gain. Charlotte’s decision to pass on Henderson for Ellington will allow Indiana to take Henderson, who is by far the best player available. Marquis Daniels is a free agent and the Pacers were thin at the shooting guard position with him, often using 2 point guards, TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack, at the same time to compensate.

NBA Comparison: JR Smith

#14 Phoenix- PG Ty Lawson (North Carolina) 

Steve Nash is sadly not going to be able to play forever. I’ve been saying that they should take a point guard for the past few years, Taureen Green in 2007 and Mario Chalmers last year, but they haven’t yet. However, they get their best opportunity to do so here. Lawson is one of the best players available. He would be one of the fastest players in the league as the Suns move forward with the run and gun offense once again under Alvin Gentry. He also, as did both Green and Chalmers, won a national championship so he is very experienced for a college kid and is a poised leader.

NBA Comparison: Jameer Nelson

#15 Detroit- PG Brandon Jennings (Italy) 

Allen Iverson didn’t work out too well. The team was better when he didn’t play. He won’t be back as he’s a free agent this offseason. Rodney Stuckey played well last season and he’s a great player, but he’s more of a nice tweener guy off the bench. They need a true distributing point guard. Brandon Jennings is best known as the guy who didn’t want to play college ball and went to Europe to play professionally instead. He struggled in Europe and his stock fell, but he still has great upside and may be considered a steal at this point when its all said and done. He can push the ball, distribute, and score it from time to time, both by hitting jumpers and creating his own shot. That’s all they really need.

NBA Comparison: Jason Williams

 

#16 Chicago- C BJ Mullens (Ohio State)

This is as close to a lock as any pick in the draft, with the exception of Blake Griffin going #1. Mullens canceled a workout last week and his agent said it was because Mullens had already gotten a guarantee from a top 16 pick. He could have said top 15, or a lottery team (top 14), to make it easier if it were the Pistons or the Suns, but he said top 16, meaning that team is likely the Bulls at 16. Also, a twitter page that is believed to belong to Mullens posted a tweet saying he got a guarantee from “MJ City,” referring to Michael Jordan, long time Chicago star. The Bulls need a true center, so they’ll take the high upside Mullens here at #16.

NBA Comparison: Spencer Hawes

#17 Philadelphia- PG Jonny Flynn (Syracuse) 

Andre Miller is a free agent and considering there is a good chance he is gone and the team has very little behind him, they may want to replace him. Flynn is also one of the best available players and would fit into this young offense very nicely.

NBA Comparison: Raymond Felton

#18 Minnesota- F Austin Daye (Gonzaga) 

The pick was originally Minnesota’s, but they gave it to Memphis in the Ricky Rubio deal. However, the player drafted here will not be a Grizzly. The Grizzlies already have 4 very good young players, but need a veteran presence, preferably one who can fill their hole at center. The Clippers are likely going to trade either Chris Kaman or buyout Zach Randolph to make room in the frontcourt for Blake Griffin. The Grizzlies can give the Clippers what the Clippers want, cap space and another draft pick. The Grizzlies give the Clippers Darko Milicic, whose contract comes off the books in 2010, saving the Clippers 9.5 million, as well as this pick, for Kaman, who makes the Grizzlies instantly playoff contenders in the West. The Clippers take Daye, who has the most upside of any small forward in the draft class and can be the Clippers’ small forward of the future.

NBA Comparison: Corey Brewer

#19 Atlanta- SG/SF Terrence Williams (Louisville)

The Hawks have 7 players signed to contracts for next year, so they take best available. Williams is extremely versatile which will help the Hawks as they go into a critical offseason which will determine if they stay contenders or fall back to obscurity.

NBA Comparison: Gerald Wallace

#20 Utah- PF DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh) 

Jerry Sloan has shown time and time again that he doesn’t care how tall his power forward and centers are, just how talented. Blair has a ton of talent, but measures about 6-5, 6-6 in shoes. He could provide insurance in case either Carlos Boozer or Paul Millsap, or both, leave as a free agents.

NBA Comparison: Craig Smith

#21 New Orleans- SG/SF Chase Budinger (Arizona) 

New Orleans needs some depth on the wings. Budinger is an amazing talent, but has never done much because he has never really played with a great point guard, which he needs because he has trouble creating his own shot. He’ll like playing with Chris Paul.

NBA Comparison: Brent Barry

#22 Portland- PF Tyler Hansbourgh (North Carolina) 

Portland isn’t going to keep Hansbourgh, but instead ship him to the Knicks, along with Jerryd Bayless and Martell Webster, for Stephen Curry’s draft rights and Jared Jefferies. Curry would be the perfect fit in Portland, playing point guard alongside a shooting guard who can handle the ball and distribute, Brandon Roy. New York also sends Jared Jefferies to Portland for salary cap reasons. Jefferies is one of the last of the Isaiah Thomas big contracts still on the team. This move makes a lot of sense for the Knicks. Bayless is essentially a poor man’s version of Curry and can fill their 6th man role just as well. Webster can be the shooting guard of the future for the Knicks, assuming he bounces back from his foot injury, and the Knicks don’t have one of those. Hansbourgh is essentially a David Lee clone and Lee played very well as a center for the Knicks this year in Mike D’Antoni’s system. Lee is a free agent and could be gone. Hansbourgh is also used to the pressure he’ll face playing in the Garden, as he spent 4 years in the college basketball capital of the world, Chapel Hill. By getting Webster and Bayless instead of Jefferies, they save about a million. By getting Hansbourgh instead of Curry, they save about 2 million. By getting 3 players for the price of 2, they save money because now they don’t have to spend money to fill their roster. They also don’t have to resign David Lee to a giant contract. In the end, this deal ends up saving the Knicks about 14-16 million dollars for the summer of 2010, when LeBron, Wade, Nash, Bosh, etc become free agents.

NBA Comparison: David Lee

#23 Sacramento- SF DaJuan Summers (Georgetown)

Francisco Garcia can’t start at small forward longterm, so if Donte Greene doesn’t pan out, the Kings need a backup plan. Summers is the best available at that position.

NBA Comparison: Tim Thomas

#24 Dallas- PG Jeff Teague (Wake Forest)  

Jason Kidd is a free agent so the Mavs should pick up a point guard in this point guard rich draft class. Teague would be a lottery pick most years.

NBA Comparison: Keyon Dooling

#25 Oklahoma City- PF/C Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State)

The Thunder, after passing on Thabeet, need a big man, even if only for depth purposes. Pendergraph is bigger than Jeff Green, tougher than Nenad Kristic, and more talented than Nick Collison. He’ll find a role in this front court.

#26 Chicago- G Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida) 

Ben Gordon could be gone, which would be a huge blow for this team. Hopefully replacing him with the NCAA’s 3rd leading scorer will be enough to replace him. I don’t care if he didn’t play at a big time school, 26.2 ppg is 26.2 ppg. This guy is a legitimate NBA scorer from everywhere on the court.

NBA Comparison: Leandro Barbosa

#27 Memphis- PG Eric Maynor (VCU)

They have Mike Conley, but I don’t see how they can pass up on a player as talented as Eric Maynor

NBA Comparison: Antonio Daniels

#28 Minnesota- SG/SF Sam Young (Pittsburgh)

The Timberwolves, having traded Randy Foye, need a shooting guard. Young isn’t much of a scorer, but he can play the position, defend well, rebound, and bring toughness and leadership to this young team. He’s definitely NBA ready.

NBA Comparison: James Posey

#29 LA Lakers- F Derrick Brown (Xavier) 

In case either Trevor Ariza or Lamar Odom leave as free agents, the Lakers take the best available small forward and that happens to be Brown.

NBA Comparison: Robert Horry

#30 Cleveland- SG Marcus Thornton (LSU) 

Wally Sczerbiak is likely gone as a free agent so the Cavs need a shooter to fill his role. Thornton is one of the best from long range in the draft class and he’s NBA ready as the Cavs try to convince LeBron to stay.

NBA Comparison: Rashad McCants

 

I’ll have another mock up tomorrow before the draft with my 2nd round and some changes to the first round if any trades happen. 

 

1st round

#1 LA Clippers- PF/C Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)

I don’t know exactly where the Clippers will put Griffin, maybe they trade Chris Kaman, or agree to a buyout with Zach Randolph, but Griffin is the best player in the draft and as the Clippers are a team that desperately needs a savior, they need to take him. It’s much a better decision than taking Ricky Rubio, who may never develop, especially since the Clippers already have Baron Davis at point guard.

NBA Comparison: Amar’e Stoudemire

#2 Memphis- PG Ricky Rubio (Spain)

There is too much value in Rubio for the Grizzles not to try and draft and trade him. The Kings at #4 really need a point guard and a face of the franchise and Rubio would be both. The Grizzles, however, have no real need for Rubio as they already have a point guard in Mike Conley and need interior help. They could move down to #4 and pick up a player in the process. The Kings would likely have to give up either 2007 1st round pick Spencer Hawes or 2008 1st round pick Jason Thompson. At #4, they could take a player like Jordan Hill, who would help them inside, along with either Thompson or Hawes. It is in the Grizzles’ best interest to try and make a trade with Sacramento and I think one will get worked out. If one, for whatever reason, does not get worked out, the Grizzles should not take Rubio. He will not play for them. He has said, through his agent, that he wants a big market and Memphis is not one. The risk of him staying in Europe and the Grizzles wasting a #2 pick is too big, especially when point guard is not a need. If they can’t work out a trade, they should just reach for Jordan Hill.

NBA Comparison: Steve Nash

#3 Oklahoma City- C Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut)

Unless Rubio falls here, its obvious what the Thunder will do here. Their biggest need as a shot blocking center, which is interesting because they have already spent 3 first rounders in centers since 2004, Robert Swift in 2004, Johan Petro in 2005, and Saer Sene in 2006. Maybe the 4th time is the charm. Thabeet is more talented than all of those busts. The Dikembe Mutombo comparisons are dead on with him.

NBA Comparison: Dikembe Mutombo

#4 Sacramento- PF Jordan Hill (Arizona)

Again, the Kings will be making this pick on behalf of the Grizzles, then trading the player to Memphis along with either Jason Thompson or Spencer Hawes for Ricky Rubio. Memphis would likely want Jordan Hill. Darrell Arthur is not the longterm solution at power forward and Hakim Warrick is a free agent. Hill is too good of an all around player for the Grizzles to pass up here.

NBA Comparison: Chris Bosh

#5 Washington- SG/SF James Harden (Arizona State)

If the first 4 picks play out like they do in this mock, the Wizards will definitely take James Harden. What they do with him after taking him is less definite. The Wizards are in an interesting position. They have a lot of talent on their roster, but had a bad year last year because of injuries. They could keep James Harden and put him at shooting guard. He’s a very NBA ready player and could help them win right away. The other option is to trade him for some immediate help. I like option B. My favorite trade rumor is the one where Washington send James Harden, Antawn Jamison, and Mike James to Phoenix for Amar’e Stoudemire. With Stoudemire, Caron Butler, and Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards would have an amazing big 3, assuming all stay healthy. The Wizards could turn draft picks into legitimate NBA talent, as the Celtics did in 2007. 12 months later, the Celtics hoisted the trophy. I’m not saying that this move would win the Wizards the NBA Championship, but it should make them a 50 win team right away. As for Phoenix, Amar’e could leave after 2011 for nothing. The Suns get Jamison, who, while he is older than Stoudemire, is under contract for longer and cheaper per year. Jamison is an athletic big who can run the floor and would fit perfectly in Phoenix’s system. Mike James would give the Suns about 6 million of cap space for the summer of 2010. James Harden, while he would not be a perfect fit for the Suns system, is versatile enough to play the Suns’ run and gun offense and would give the Suns what they do not have right now, a young, talented wing player.

NBA Comparison: Brandon Roy

#6 Minnesota- G Tyreke Evans (Memphis)

The Timberwolves need that step up scorer and they shouldn’t pass up on Evans as he would fit that role perfectly. He can play both point and shooting guard for them, as can Randy Foye, which will allow them to mix things up to compensate for the fact that they don’t have a true 1 guard.

NBA Comparison: Jamal Crawford

#7 Golden State- G Stephen Curry (Davidson)

 Is this too high for Curry? Yes, but Nellie is picking. The man wants a roster of 12 scorers and is very close to having one. Curry could be that missing ingredient in Nellie’s recipe for disaster. Have fun stopping anyone.

NBA Comparison: Jason Terry

#8 New York- SG Demar DeRozan (USC)

 Right now the Knicks just have Quentin Richardson and Larry Hughes at shooting guard. Let me rephrase that, right now the Knicks just have Quentin Richardson’s expiring contract and Larry Hughes’ expiring contract. Both will be gone in 2010 as the Knicks go after LeBron. DeRozan is the perfect athletic player to play in D’Antoni’s system and would fill what is soon to be a need at shooting guard. 

NBA Comparison: Vince Carter

#9 Toronto- SG/SF Gerald Henderson (Duke)

The Raptors traded Jason Kapono away so the Raptors are definitely going after a shooting guard here, even if it means they have to reach for a guy like Henderson.

NBA Comparison: JR Smith

#10 Milwaukee- PG Ty Lawson (North Carolina)

Milwaukee needs a point guard. Lawson moves into this spot because of his great NCAA Tournament. He’s the fastest player in this draft class period, but he also is tough, plays good D, and has a nice outside shot. His toughness is what will attract Scott Skiles to him the most, over guys like Jrue Holliday, Brandon Jennings, Jeff Teague, and Jonny Flynn.

NBA Comparison: Jameer Nelson

#11 New Jersey- F Earl Clark (Louisville)

New Jersey hopefully has realized that Bobby Simmons is not a longterm answer at small forward. Clark is NBA ready now and can play small forward as that do everything kind of guy. He also can move to power forward if needed.

NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw

#12 Charlotte- SG Wayne Ellington (North Carolina)

The Bobcats need a set up scorer and a shooting guard as they have lacked both of those since Jason Richardson was traded. Raja Bell only has one more year on his contract and is better suitor as a stopped and a shooter. The Bobcats will have their choice between Gerald Henderson and Wayne Ellington. I have Henderson higher rated, but I don’t think that UNC alum Michael Jordan over a Dukie. Now you might be thinking that Jordan wouldn’t just pick someone over a better player just because of college allegiances, but this is also the guy who drafted Kwame Brown #1, Adam Morrison #3, and took DJ Augustin last year when he already had Raymond Felton. Look at Jordan’s drafting record in Charlotte and you’ll see that he has already taken 2 former Tarheels, Sean May and Raymond Felton in his short time.

NBA Comparison: Richard Hamilton

#13 Indiana- F James Johnson (Wake Forest)

The Pacers will take Johnson here because he’s the best available player, but because he’s too similar to Danny Granger, they’ll trade him to the Timberwolves for the Wolves’ 18th and 28th selections, also sending a future 2nd rounder to Minnesota. The Timberwolves have 3 first rounders so they’ll be happy to trade up. With Johnson and Evans, they can get two guys who can help them right away next year.

NBA Comparison: Ron Artest

#14 Phoenix- G Jrue Holiday (UCLA)

Steve Nash might not be around too much longer. The team seems to be falling apart around him and he’s a free agent in 2010. He may follow his old coach Mike D’Antoni to New York. The Suns need a point guard of the future. The Suns look like they are going to be running and gunning for a while in the future with Alvin Gentry as coach so Holiday’s speed and quickness are huge assets. He’s not NBA ready, but he won’t have to do much in his first year and can learn for Nash. He has more upside than anyone left on the board.

NBA Comparison: Rajon Rondo

#15 Detroit- PG Brandon Jennings (Italy)

Allen Iverson didn’t work out too well. The team was better when he didn’t play. He won’t be back as he’s a free agent this offseason. Rodney Stuckey played well last season and he’s a great player, but he’s more of a nice tweener guy off the bench. They need a true distributing point guard. Brandon Jennings is best known as the guy who didn’t want to play college ball and went to Europe to play professionally instead. He struggled in Europe and his stock fell, but he still has great upside and may be considered a steal at this point when its all said and done. He can push the ball, distribute, and score it from time to time, both by hitting jumpers and creating his own shot. That’s all they really need.

NBA Comparison: Jason Williams

#16 Chicago- C BJ Mullens (Ohio State)

This is as close to a lock as any pick in the draft, with the exception of Blake Griffin going #1. Mullens canceled a workout last week and his agent said it was because Mullens had already gotten a guarantee from a top 16 pick. He could have said top 15, or a lottery team (top 14), to make it easier if it were the Pistons or the Suns, but he said top 16, meaning that team is likely the Bulls at 16. Also, a twitter page that is believed to belong to Mullens posted a tweet saying he got a guarantee from “MJ City,” referring to Michael Jordan, long time Chicago star. The Bulls need a true center, so they’ll take the high upside Mullens here at #16.

NBA Comparison: Spencer Hawes

#17 Philadelphia- PG Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)

Andre Miller is a free agent and considering there is a good chance he is gone and the team has very little behind him, they may want to replace him. Flynn is also one of the best available players and would fit into this young offense very nicely.

NBA Comparison: Raymond Felton

#18 Minnesota- SG/SF Chase Budinger (Arizona)

This pick will go to Indiana in the James Johnson deal. The Pacers need a true shooting guard. They needed one last year so much that they used TJ Ford at shooting guard and Jarrett Jack at point. Jack is likely gone as a free agent, as so is Marquis Daniels, the Pacers only true shooting guard. It would be smart of them to take a shooting guard and pair him with Ford. Budinger is the best available and fits the Pacers’ up tempo style.

NBA Comparison: Brent Barry

#19 Atlanta- SF/SG Terrence Williams (Louisville)

The Hawks have 7 players signed to contracts for next year, so they take best available. Williams is extremely versatile which will help the Hawks as they go into a critical offseason which will determine if they stay contenders or fall back to obscurity.

NBA Comparison: Gerald Wallace

#20 Utah- PF Tyler Hansbourgh (North Carolina)

Both Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap are free agents. Hansbourgh is the type of fundamental and tough player that Jerry Sloan likes.

NBA Comparison: Drew Gooden

#21 New Orleans- F Austin Daye (Gonzaga)

The Hornets can just take best available here. Daye has great upside, possibly more than any other small forward in the draft class and small forward is a position of need for the Hornets

NBA Comparison: Corey Brewer

#22 Dallas- PG Jeff Teague (Wake Forest)

Jason Kidd is a free agent so the Mavs should pick up a point guard in this point guard rich draft class. Teague would be a lottery pick most years.

NBA Comparison: Keyon Dooling

#23 Sacramento- F DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh)

Jason Thompson is going to Memphis in the Ricky Rubio deal, so the Kings need another rotational big man. Blair is not going to be anything more than a role player in the NBA, but he brings the toughness to the frontcourt that this team needs.

NBA Comparison: Craig Smith

#24 Portland- PG Eric Maynor (VCU)

Portland has a lot of depth, but needs a legitimate starting point guard. Steve Blake was alright last year, but he could be upgraded. Maynor is the best player available in a very strong point guard class.

NBA Comparison: Antonio Daniels

#25 Oklahoma City- SG Marcus Thornton (LSU)

The Thunder are keeping Durant at small forward for now, which is good because that’s where he belongs. However, they need a starting shooting guard. Thornton can play shooting guard and gives them that all important 3 point shooter to stretch the defense. They did not really have that last year.

NBA Comparison: Rashad McCants

#26 Chicago- G Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida)

Ben Gordon could be gone, which would be a huge blow for this team. Hopefully replacing him with the NCAA’s 3rdleading scorer will be enough to replace him. I don’t care if he didn’t play at a big time school, 26.2 ppg is 26.2 ppg. This guy is a legitimate NBA scorer from everywhere on the court.

NBA Comparison: Leandro Barbosa

#27 Memphis- SG/SF Sam Young (Pittsburgh)

Memphis has a thin bench, so they add swingman Sam Young who can add young leadership, physicality, and toughness to this team.

NBA Comparison: James Posey

#28 Minnesota- PF/C Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State)

This pick will also go to Indiana as part of the James Johnson deal. Indy needs an athletic big man to add to the rotation with Troy Murphy. Roy Hibbert proved that he’s not capable of being more than a 15-20 minute guy so Pendergraph will sneak into the first round and add depth to the Pacers’ frontcourt.

NBA Comparison: Mikki Moore

#29 LA Lakers- SF DaJuan Summers (Georgetown)

Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are both free agents and if both were to leave, they would be left with Luke Walton and Adam Morrison at small forward, which is not a good thing. With very few other needs, they take the best small forward available just in case.

NBA Comparison: Tim Thomas

#30 Cleveland- PF/C Taj Gibson (USC)

Ben Wallace could retire, Joe Smith is likely gone as a free agent, and Anderson Varejao could ask for 10 million a year, which means he might not be back. The Cavs need a power forward who can help with shot blocking and rebounding, even if the team trades for Shaq. Gibson is a nice depth guy who can also run the floor.

NBA Comparison: Brandon Bass

  

2nd round

#31 Sacramento Kings- F Derrick Brown (Xavier)

In case Donte Greene doesn’t pan out at small forward, the Kings need a backup plan and some depth. Francisco Garcia shouldn’t have a major role in your team if you want to be a good team. Brown has good upside, but also valuable versatility as he can move over to power forward as well, which is good because, with Thompson gone, the Kings don’t have a true power forward other than veteran Kenny Thomas.

NBA Comparison: Robert Horry

#32 Washington- SG Jodie Meeks (Kentucky)

The Wizards expect Nick Young to grow into the main guy at the shooting guard position, to go with Arenas, Butler, Stoudemire (via trade), and Brendan Haywood. However, the Wizards still could use some depth at that position and most of all they need a shooter to extend the floor. Meeks is a bit of a reach here as he’s a one trick horse, but he fills the Wizards’ two biggest needs, shooting guard and a 3 point shooter.

NBA Comparison: Eddie House

#33 Portland- SF Omri Casspi (Israel)

Portland has enough players in the states, so they’ll go foreign here and get a guy who has first round potential.

NBA Comparison: Hedo Turkoglu

#34 Denver- PG Patrick Mills (St. Mary’s)

With very few needs, the Nuggets take a backup point guard, in a very strong point guard class, and get a guy who has first round talent. Mills can lead the offense when Billups needs a breather.

NBA Comparison: Dee Brown

#35 Detroit- F DeMarre Carroll (Missouri)

The Pistons take a tough combo forward to give them depth. They only have one small forward signed going into next season.

NBA Comparison: Renaldo Balkman

#36 Memphis- PG Darren Collison (UCLA)

The Grizzles need a backup plan in case Mike Conley doesn’t pan out so they take advantage of a deep point guard class. Collison is very underrated, in my mind, at this point.

NBA Comparison: Darrell Armstrong

#37 San Antonio- SG/SF Danny Green (North Carolina)

The Spurs shouldn’t go foreign here because they need talented players to him them win now. They’re window of opportunity is closing. They need some youth on the wings and Green, when hot, can score with the best of them.

NBA Comparison: Francisco Garcia

#38 Portland- PF/C Josh Heytvelt (Gonzaga)

The Trailblazers need a replacement up front for Channing Frye, who is a free agent and who has been very disappointing thus far in Portland.

NBA Comparison: Matt Bonner

#39 Detroit- PF/C Jon Brockman (Washington)

The Pistons have been lacking that energy inside defender since Ben Wallace left. Brockman is a poor man’s Ben Wallace, but the Pistons will still take that here in the 2nd round. The Pistons don’t have a lot of big men signed to contracts for next season so Brockman would fit in right away. He’s a little undersized, but makes up for it with his hustle which the Pistons like.

NBA Comparison: Reggie Evans

#40 Charlotte- G Jack McClinton (Miami)

Raymond Felton might not be back next season, and the Bobcats could use a nice streaky microwave type shooter off the bench even if he is back. Michael Jordan likes proven college kids so McClinton has to be very high on his 2nd round list. McClinton gives them young leadership and a nice role player off the bench.

NBA Comparison: Tony Delk

#41 Milwaukee- F Jeff Adrien (Connecticut)

Adrien is undersized at 6-7, but makes up for it with hustle. The Bucks lack one of those inside hustle guys. Coach Scott Skiles will love Adrien’s hustle and intensity. Many see him as the next Chuck Hayes, an undersized energy guy who can help a team out off of the bench or as a supporting starter.

NBA Comparison: Chuck Hayes

#42 LA Lakers- G Nick Calathes (Florida)

Derek Fisher won’t be around forever and Jordan Farmar hasn’t exactly grown until the starting point guard role as they would have hoped. Calathes would be a huge steal here. Even if Farmar pans out long term as the point guard, Calathes has the size to play both the 2 and the 3. Because he’s drafted in the 2nd round, the Lakers can buy Calathes out of his contract his Greece, which he is reportedly regretting signing, and bring him over to play next year.

NBA Comparison: Jose Calderon

#43 Miami- F Chris Johnson (LSU)

Miami lacked tough shot blockers on the interior last season so much that they signed Jamaal Magloire. Johnson could fill that role this season.

NBA Comparison: JaVale McGee

#44 Detroit- G Jerel McNeal (Marquette)

McNeal is a tenacious defender and could serve in that role off the bench next season as either a point guard or a shooting guard. The Pistons need to get back to playing DEEEETROIT BASKETBALL and that would require a tenacious defender like McNeal. 

NBA Comparison: Shannon Brown

#45 Minnesota- F Victor Claver (Spain)

Minnesota already got two players who can help next year, and who are safe bets to help a lot in the future, so the T-Wolves, with 2 2nd rounders can take a foreign project here. Claver has huge upside and has the talent of a late 1st rounder.

NBA Comparison: Jorge Garbajosa

 

#46 Cleveland- SG/SF Lee Cummard (BYU)

Wally Sczerbiak and his giant expiring contract are likely gone as he is a free agent. The Cavs need a shooter to replace him on their bench. Cummard doesn’t do much well other than shoot, but that’s all they need to do and he’s very good at it.

NBA Comparison: Jason Kapono

#47 Minnesota- PF Alade Aminu (Georgia Tech)

The Wolves get a garbage guy inside to put in the rotation with Kevin Love and Al Jefferson with their final pick in what has been a good draft for them.

NBA Comparison: Carl Landry

#48 Phoenix- F Dante Cunningham (Villanova)

The Suns need depth at small forward with Matt Barnes a free agent and Grant Hill getting up there in age. Cunningham can play some power forward in the Suns’ run and gun system as well. He’s the best player available here.

NBA Comparison: Malik Allen

#49 Atlanta- PG Curtis Jerrells (Baylor)

The Hawks need a point guard in case Mike Bibby leaves as a free agent and Acie Law can’t handle it by himself.

NBA Comparison: Marcus Banks

#50 Utah- G Toney Douglas (Florida State)

The Jazz take advantage of a deep point guard class to get a backup for Deron Williams, who missed significant time with injury last year.

NBA Comparison: Charlie Bell

#51 San Antonio- F Milan Macvan (Serbia)

The Spurs always seem to take at least one foreign player every draft so they take Macvan, who should be a nice role player in the NBA very soon.

NBA Comparison: Linas Kleiza

#52 Indiana- F Robert Dozier (Memphis)

The Pacers take an athletic big man who can run the floor in the Pacers’ run and gun style offense.

NBA Comparison: Hakim Warrick

#53 San Antonio- SG/SF Dionte Christmas (Temple)

The Spurs take a great shooter who can help the team off the bench right away as they go for a championship in what might be their final try in the Tim Duncan era.

NBA Comparison: Courtney Lee

#54 Charlotte- PF Leo Lyons (Missouri)

Sean May is likely done as a Bobcat, maybe as an NBA player completely, so Jordan and the Bobcats need a replacement in the rotation for the former 2005 1st round pick. Lyons is an accomplished college player so he’s high on Jordan’s list.

NBA Comparison: Leon Powe

#55 Portland- F Paul Harris (Syracuse)

I love Paul Harris as a sleeper. I think he’s a poor man’s Charles Barkley and with the power forward position changing from a big basher 2nd center type of guy to an energy hustle rebounds guy where height doesn’t matter, only strength, it’s a perfect time for a 6-4 guy like Harris to play power forward in the NBA. He’s a project and a risk, but the Trailblazers can afford to do that and this is only a 2nd round pick. The upside on him is huge.

NBA Comparison: Poor man’s Charles Barkley

#56 Portland- C Paulao Prestes (Brazil)

The Blazers could use another center. Prestes has good upside, but he’s a project. The Trailblazers can afford to wait. He can be a replacement for Joel Pryzbilla in a few years.

NBA Comparison: Kendrick Perkins

#57 Phoenix- F Jonas Jerebko (Sweden)

The Suns cut costs and take a foreign player that they can bring over in a few years when they start rebuilding.

NBA Comparison: Matt Harpring

#58 Boston- G AJ Price (Connecticut)

No bigs with a high chance of sticking on a team are available here, which is unfortunate because the Celtics could lose both Glen Davis and Leon Powe. Instead the Celtics take a high character winner who can shoot the three and replace Eddie House in the role of guy who camps at the three point line but still helps a team in a huge way in case House leaves as a free agent.

NBA Comparison: Jamaal Tinsley

#59 LA Lakers- C Garret Siler (Augusta State)

The Lakers need to get tougher inside, even if Bynum can stay healthy for a whole season. Siler is 7-0 290. He may be too big to play longterm in the NBA, but if they can get him in shape they could have a real steal.

NBA Comparison: Dan Gadzuric

#60 Miami- PG Tyrese Rice (Boston College) 

The Heat could use a backup point guard to take the pressure off of young Mario Chalmers. 

NBA Comparison: Bobby Jackson

 

 

#1 LA Clippers- PF/C Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)

I don’t know exactly where the Clippers will put Griffin, maybe they trade Chris Kaman, or agree to a buyout with Zach Randolph, but Griffin is the best player in the draft and as the Clippers are a team that desperately needs a savior, they need to take him. It’s much a better decision than taking Ricky Rubio, who may never develop, especially since the Clippers already have Baron Davis at point guard.

NBA Comparison: Amar’e Stoudemire

#2 Memphis- PG Ricky Rubio (Spain)

There is too much value in Rubio for the Grizzles not to try and draft and trade him. The Kings at #4 really need a point guard and a face of the franchise and Rubio would be both. The Grizzles, however, have no real need for Rubio as they already have a point guard in Mike Conley and need interior help. They could move down to #4 and pick up a player in the process. The Kings would likely have to give up either 2007 1st round pick Spencer Hawes or 2008 1st round pick Jason Thompson. At #4, they could take a player like Jordan Hill, who would help them inside, along with either Thompson or Hawes. It is in the Grizzles’ best interest to try and make a trade with Sacramento and I think one will get worked out. If one, for whatever reason, does not get worked out, the Grizzles should not take Rubio. He will not play for them. He has said, through his agent, that he wants a big market and Memphis is not one. The risk of him staying in Europe and the Grizzles wasting a #2 pick is too big, especially when point guard is not a need. If they can’t work out a trade, they should just reach for Jordan Hill.

NBA Comparison: Steve Nash

#3 Oklahoma City- C Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut)

Unless Rubio falls here, its obvious what the Thunder will do here. Their biggest need as a shot blocking center, which is interesting because they have already spent 3 first rounders in centers since 2004, Robert Swift in 2004, Johan Petro in 2005, and Saer Sene in 2006. Maybe the 4th time is the charm. Thabeet is more talented than all of those busts. The Dikembe Mutombo comparisons are dead on with him.

NBA Comparison: Dikembe Mutombo

#4 Sacramento- PF Jordan Hill (Arizona)

Again, the Kings will be making this pick on behalf of the Grizzles, then trading the player to Memphis along with either Jason Thompson or Spencer Hawes for Ricky Rubio. Memphis would likely want Jordan Hill. Darrell Arthur is not the longterm solution at power forward and Hakim Warrick is a free agent. Hill is too good of an all around player for the Grizzles to pass up here.

NBA Comparison: Chris Bosh

#5 Washington- SG/SF James Harden (Arizona State)

If the first 4 picks play out like they do in this mock, the Wizards will definitely take James Harden. What they do with him after taking him is less definite. The Wizards are in an interesting position. They have a lot of talent on their roster, but had a bad year last year because of injuries. They could keep James Harden and put him at shooting guard. He’s a very NBA ready player and could help them win right away. The other option is to trade him for some immediate help. I like option B. My favorite trade rumor is the one where Washington send James Harden, Antawn Jamison, and Mike James to Phoenix for Amar’e Stoudemire. With Stoudemire, Caron Butler, and Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards would have an amazing big 3, assuming all stay healthy. The Wizards could turn draft picks into legitimate NBA talent, as the Celtics did in 2007. 12 months later, the Celtics hoisted the trophy. I’m not saying that this move would win the Wizards the NBA Championship, but it should make them a 50 win team right away. As for Phoenix, Amar’e could leave after 2011 for nothing. The Suns get Jamison, who, while he is older than Stoudemire, is under contract for longer and cheaper per year. Jamison is an athletic big who can run the floor and would fit perfectly in Phoenix’s system. Mike James would give the Suns about 6 million of cap space for the summer of 2010. James Harden, while he would not be a perfect fit for the Suns system, is versatile enough to play the Suns’ run and gun offense and would give the Suns what they do not have right now, a young, talented wing player.

NBA Comparison: Brandon Roy

#6 Minnesota- G Tyreke Evans (Memphis)

The Timberwolves need that step up scorer and they shouldn’t pass up on Evans as he would fit that role perfectly. He can play both point and shooting guard for them, as can Randy Foye, which will allow them to mix things up to compensate for the fact that they don’t have a true 1 guard.

NBA Comparison: Jamal Crawford

#7 Golden State- F Earl Clark (Louisville)

Don Nelson likes Earl Clark as a point forward type player and since Nellie is probably going to be the one making this pick, I think Clark will be chosen here. Don’t be surprised if Nellie takes another guard, like Stephen Curry, to make up for the fact that Jamal Crawford is a free agent. Clark is NBA ready, would help defensively, and would allow the Warriors to move Corey Maggette to shooting guard and Monta Ellis back to point guard. Clark would likely also play some power forward in Nellie’s crazy system.

NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw

#8 New York- G Stephen Curry (Davidson)

Curry would be a nice fit for Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun offense. However, it remains to be seen where he would play. Is he a point guard? Not likely with Chris Duhon doing so well at point guard. Is he a shooting guard? Maybe, but at 6-3, but him at shooting guard could be a mistake. Is he a 6th man? Most likely and the Knicks might not want to use the 8th pick on a guy who would be a career 6th man. They may try to trade this pick, get more value out of it, and save some money for the Summer of LeBron in 2010.

NBA Comparison: Jason Terry

#9 Toronto- SG Demar DeRozan (USC)

Jason Kapono is gone via trade so the Raptors now have a huge hole at shooting guard. DeRozan might not be NBA ready get, but they can’t ignore his Vince Carter esque athleticism. Hopefully he’ll work out better than Carter did in Toronto.

NBA Comparison: Vince Carter

#10 Milwaukee- PG Ty Lawson (North Carolina)

Milwaukee needs a point guard. Lawson moves into this spot because of his great NCAA Tournament. He’s the fastest player in this draft class period, but he also is tough, plays good D, and has a nice outside shot. His toughness is what will attract Scott Skiles to him the most, over guys like Jrue Holliday, Brandon Jennings, Jeff Teague, and Jonny Flynn.

Comparison: Jameer Nelson

#11 New Jersey- F James Johnson (Wake Forest)

New Jersey hopefully has realized that Bobby Simmons is not a longterm answer at small forward. Johnson is NBA ready now and can play small forward as that do everything kind of guy. He also can move to power forward if needed.

Comparison: Ron Artest

#12 Charlotte- SG Wayne Ellington (North Carolina)

The Bobcats need a set up scorer and a shooting guard as they have lacked both of those since Jason Richardson was traded. Raja Bell only has one more year on his contract and is better suitor as a stopped and a shooter. The Bobcats will have their choice between Gerald Henderson and Wayne Ellington. I have Henderson higher rated, but I don’t think that UNC alum Michael Jordan over a Dukie. Now you might be thinking that Jordan wouldn’t just pick someone over a better player just because of college allegiances, but this is also the guy who drafted Kwame Brown #1, Adam Morrison #3, and took DJ Augustin last year when he already had Raymond Felton. Look at Jordan’s drafting record in Charlotte and you’ll see that he has already taken 2 former Tarheels, Sean May and Raymond Felton in his short time.

Comparison: Richard Hamilton

#13 Indiana- SG/SF Gerald Henderson (Duke)

One team’s loss is another team’s gain. Charlotte’s decision to pass on Henderson for Ellington will allow Indiana to take Henderson, who is by far the best player available. Marquis Daniels is a free agent and the Pacers were thin at the shooting guard position with him, often using 2 point guards, TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack, at the same time to compensate.

Comparison: Michael Finley

#14 Phoenix- G Jrue Holiday (UCLA)

Steve Nash might not be around too much longer. The team seems to be falling apart around him and he’s a free agent in 2010. He may follow his old coach Mike D’Antoni to New York. The Suns need a point guard of the future. The Suns look like they are going to be running and gunning for a while in the future with Alvin Gentry as coach so Holiday’s speed and quickness are huge assets. He’s not NBA ready, but he won’t have to do much in his first year and can learn for Nash. He has more upside than anyone left on the board.

Comparison: Rajon Rondo

#15 Detroit- PG Brandon Jennings (Italy)

Allen Iverson didn’t work out too well. The team was better when he didn’t play. He won’t be back as he’s a free agent this offseason. Rodney Stuckey played well last season and he’s a great player, but he’s more of a nice tweener guy off the bench. They need a true distributing point guard. Brandon Jennings is best known as the guy who didn’t want to play college ball and went to Europe to play professionally instead. He struggled in Europe and his stock fell, but he still has great upside and may be considered a steal at this point when its all said and done. He can push the ball, distribute, and score it from time to time, both by hitting jumpers and creating his own shot. That’s all they really need.

Comparison: Jason Williams

#16 Chicago- PF Tyler Hansbourgh (North Carolina)

I’ve moved DeJuan Blair out of this spot because of his lack of size. He measured 6-5 in socks, which is not good for an NBA power forward. He’ll likely be stuck as a tweener forward energy guy. The Bulls need a legitimate post scorer to pair with Brad Miller, a point center type guy who can hit the outside shot, and Joakim Noah, a hustle, energy, rebounds, blocks, guy. Hansbourgh is not very athletic, but he hustles, he can score inside, he can score with his back to the basket, he’s tough, and he can hit the step away jumper.

Comparison: Drew Gooden

#17 Philadelphia- PG Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)

Andre Miller is a free agent and considering there is a good chance he is gone and the team has very little behind him, they may want to replace him. Flynn is also one of the best available players and would fit into this young offense very nicely.

Comparison: Raymond Felton

#18 Minnesota- SF/SG Terrence Williams (Louisville)

The Timberwolves have 3 first rounders so they can probably just take the best available player. Williams would be an upgrade over Ryan Gomes, if Corey Brewer never gains enough muscle to pan out. Even if he never becomes a starter, Williams can help this team as a nice role player off the bench. He plays nice defense, hustles, and is developing a jumper.

Comparison: Gerald Wallace

#19 Atlanta- PF DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh)

The Hawks only have 8 players under contract for next year, so they can just take best available. Blair wouldn’t fill a need for the Hawks expect their need for players, but he can serve a very nice role off the bench as a combo forward and that’s the type of player Blair was meant to be in the NBA.

Comparison: Craig Smith

#20 Utah- F Austin Daye (Gonzaga)

The Jazz need a power forward with the threat of both Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap leaving as free agents this offseason very real. However, no true power forwards are available at this slot that wouldn’t be complete reaches. BJ Mullens can play some power forward, but he is too similar to both Mehmet Okur and Kosta Koufus, who the Jazz already have. The Jazz will take a high upside player here, Austin Daye, who is the best player left on the board. Andrei Kirilenko has not proven he can stay healthy, so a longterm solution at small forward would be welcome. Daye may have more upside than any small forward in the draft class, but he’s very raw. He can also play some power forward if they really need him too, because he’s 6-11, but at 193 pounds, that might not be a smart idea. While I think the Jazz will take him here, I don’t like Daye. I think he’s too similar to Corey Brewer who has been a big bust so far.

Comparison: Corey Brewer 

#21 New Orleans- SG/SF Chase Budinger (Arizona)

New Orleans needs some depth on the wings. Budinger is an amazing talent, but has never done much because he has never really played with a great point guard, which he needs because he has trouble creating his own shot. He’ll like playing with Chris Paul.

Comparison: Brent Barry

#22 Dallas- C BJ Mullens (Ohio State)

Dallas will not keep BJ Mullens, but Mullens will be part of a big 2 part trade, which I will talk more about in just a few picks or so.

Comparison: Spencer Hawes

#23 Sacramento- SG/SF Sam Young (Pittsburgh)

The Kings need interior depth after losing either Hawes or Thompson, but they don’t want to reach. They instead take a talented wing player who can give them depth at that position. Small forward is a bit of a weakness for this team and Young can either play there, or play off the bench providing young leadership.

NBA Comparison: James Posey

#24 Portland- PG Jeff Teague (Wake Forest)

Portland will not keep Teague. Instead they will trade him to Dallas, along with a 2nd rounder, for BJ Mullens. Portland needed Dallas’ help keeping Mullens away from Sacramento, who would have taken him to replace Hawes, or Thompson, depending on who they sent to Memphis. In exchange for Dallas’ help, Portland gives Dallas a 2nd rounder, which Portland has 4 of. Dallas gets a free 2nd rounder out of it because the player they want, Jeff Teague, is obviously still going to be available at 24, because the Kings at 23 already took a point guard. Portland needs Mullens to package in a deal, along with Jerryd Bayless and Martell Webster, to send to New York for Stephen Curry. Curry will be perfect for Portland because he is not a great ball handler for a point guard, but shooting guard Brandon Roy is above average for a shooting guard. Portland is fine giving up Webster and Bayless, along with the 2nd round pick, because Portland already has a very full NBA roster and more talent stashed away in Europe. New York also sends Jared Jefferies to Portland for salary cap reasons. Jefferies is one of the last of the Isaiah Thomas big contracts still on the team. This move makes a lot of sense for the Knicks. Bayless is essentially a poor man’s version of Curry and can fill their 6th man role just as well. Webster can be the shooting guard of the future for the Knicks, assuming he bounces back from his foot injury, and the Knicks don’t have one of those. Mullens is the deal breaker. The Knicks don’t have a true center. Mullens can play center and he’s 7 foot tall, but he can also run the floor which is very important in Mike D’Antoni’s system. This move also saves the Knicks money. By getting Webster and Bayless instead of Jefferies, they save about a million. By getting Mullens instead of Curry, they save about 2 million. By getting 3 players for the price of 2, they save money because now they don’t have to spend money to fill their roster. In the end, this deal ends up saving the Knicks about 4 million dollars for the summer of 2010, when LeBron, Wade, Nash, Bosh, etc become free agents.

NBA Comparison: Keyon Dooling

#25 Oklahoma City- SG Marcus Thornton (LSU)

The Thunder are keeping Durant at small forward for now, which is good because that’s where he belongs. However, they need a starting shooting guard. Thornton can play shooting guard and gives them that all important 3 point shooter to stretch the defense. They did not really have that last year.

NBA Comparison: Rashad McCants

#26 Chicago- G Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida)

Ben Gordon could be gone, which would be a huge blow for this team. Hopefully replacing him with the NCAA’s 3rd leading scorer will be enough to replace him. I don’t care if he didn’t play at a big time school, 26.2 ppg is 26.2 ppg. This guy is a legitimate NBA scorer from everywhere on the court.

NBA Comparison: Leandro Barbosa

#27 Memphis- PG Eric Maynor (VCU)

Memphis needs a backup plan in Mike Conley doesn’t pan out. Its always good to have a backup point guard you can rely on. Maynor also happens to be the best available by a mile.

Comparison: Antonio Daniels

#28 Minnesota- PG Darren Collison (UCLA)

Having Tyreke Evans and Randy Foye alternate is good, but nothing beats a true point guard. Sebastian Telfair is good, but not great. Collison has nice upside for this slot. He can handle the ball, distribute and he’s very good on the defensive end as well.

Comparison: Darrell Armstrong

#29 LA Lakers- SF DaJuan Summers (Georgetown)

Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are both free agents and if both were to leave, they would be left with Luke Walton and Adam Morrison at small forward, which is not a good thing. With very few other needs, they take the best small forward available just in case.

Comparison: Tim Thomas

#30 Cleveland- PF/C Taj Gibson (USC)

Ben Wallace could retire, Joe Smith is likely gone as a free agent, and Anderson Varejao could ask for 10 million a year, which means he might not be back. The Cavs need a power forward who can help with shot blocking and rebounding, even if the team trades for Shaq. Gibson is a nice depth guy who can also run the floor.

Comparison: Brandon Bass

2nd round to come some time after June 15th, which is the deadline for player who have declared, but not hired agents to return to college

1st round 

#1 LA Clippers- PF/C Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)

 I don’t know exactly where the Clippers will put Griffin, maybe they trade Chris Kaman, or agree to a buyout with Zach Randolph, but Griffin is the best player in the draft and as the Clippers are a team that desperately needs a savior, they need to take him. It’s much a better decision than taking Ricky Rubio, who may never develop, especially since the Clippers already have Baron Davis at point guard.

 Trade

Memphis gets #4, #23, and a 2010 2nd round pick

Sacramento gets #2 and #27

 I am not going to project a lot of trades in this first mock draft, but I will put this one in there because it makes too much sense. Rubio is clearly the 2nd best player in the draft class, but Memphis already has an emerging young point guard in Mike Conley, who they just drafted #4 overall 2 years ago. Instead of trading a proven commodity at the point guard position to take Rubio, they will trade down and pick up value in the process. The Kings are the most likely suitor because of their need for a point guard and the fact that their owners loves flashy names like Rubio’s.

 #2 Sacramento- PG Ricky Rubio (Spain)

 Beno Udrih is not the longterm solution, so the Kings take Rubio and hope that he can emerge into that all around great point guard they can build around. Rubio has more upside than any player in this draft, but it remains to be seen whether or not his game will carry over to the states.

 #3 Oklahoma City- C Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut)

 The Thunder lack that big shot blocking center and since this is a very weak center class, they’ll take one with their earliest pick. The Mutombo comparisons are dead on. This guy will make an instant impact on the defensive end for an up and coming young team that closed the season with some hope for the future.

 #4 Memphis- PF Jordan Hill (Arizona)

 Darrell Arthur is not the longterm solution at power forward and Hakim Warrick is a free agent. Hill is too good of an all around player for the Grizzles to pass up here. This is the guy they were hoping would still be there when they moved down to #4. If they can’t move down, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take Hill at #2. He fits their needs that well.

 #5 Washington- SG/SF James Harden (Arizona State)

 Nick Young was drafted to be the future shooting guard for this team, but Harden is too good to pass up. He’s that selfless and tough player that the Wizards need with 3 scorers already on the court. He can play great defense and score if he needs to. He also fills a huge position need.

 #6 Minnesota- G Tyreke Evans (Memphis)

 The Timberwolves need that step up scorer and they shouldn’t pass up on Evans as he would fit that role perfectly. He can play both point and shooting guard for them, as can Randy Foye, which will allow them to mix things up to compensate for the fact that they don’t have a true 1 guard.

 #7 Golden State- G Stephen Curry (Davidson)

 Is this too high for Curry? Yes, but Nellie is picking. The man wants a roster of 12 scorers and is very close to having one. Curry could be that missing ingredient in Nellie’s recipe for disaster. Have fun stopping anyone.

 #8 New York- SG Demar DeRozan (USC)

 Right now the Knicks just have Quentin Richardson and Larry Hughes at shooting guard. Let me rephrase that, right now the Knicks just have Quentin Richardson’s expiring contract and Larry Hughes’ expiring contract. Both will be gone in 2010 as the Knicks go after LeBron. DeRozan is the perfect athletic player to play in D’Antoni’s system and would fill what is soon to be a need at shooting guard. 

 #9 Toronto- SF Earl Clark (Louisville)

 The Raptors are probably going to lose Shawn Marion as a free agent, but if they take Earl Clark, who is equally as versatile as Marion, they won’t lose much.

 #10 Milwaukee- PG Johnny Flynn (Syracuse)

 The Bucks have lacked a true point guard since Maurice Williams was traded. Flynn is that tough point guard that Scott Skiles liked. He had it with Kirk Hinrich in Chicago and should have it again in Milwaukee with Flynn.

 #11 New Jersey- F James Johnson (Wake Forest)

 The Nets could use help at both forward positions and Johnson can play both. He should be able to start right away which is more than you can say for a lot of players that you take 11th overall and he is the best player available.

 #12 Charlotte- SG Wayne Ellington (North Carolina)

 The Bobcats need a set up scorer and a shooting guard as they have lacked both of those since Jason Richardson was traded. Raja Bell only has one more year on his contract and is better suitor as a stopped and a shooter. The Bobcats will have their choice between Gerald Henderson and Wayne Ellington. I have Henderson higher rated, but I don’t think that UNC alum Michael Jordan over a Dukie. Now you might be thinking that Jordan wouldn’t just pick someone over a better player just of college allegiances, but this is also the guy who drafted Kwame Brown #1, Adam Morrison #3, and took DJ Augustin last year when he already had Raymond Felton. Look at Jordan’s drafting record in Charlotte and you’ll see that he has already taken 2 former Tarheels, Sean May and Raymond Felton in his short time.

 #13 Indiana- SG Gerald Henderson (Duke)

 One team’s loss is another team’s gain. Charlotte’s decision to pass on Henderson for Ellington will allow Indiana to take Henderson, who is by far the best player available. Marquis Daniels is a free agent and the Pacers were thin at the shooting guard position without him, often using 2 point guards, TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack, at the same time to compensate.

 #14 Phoenix- PG Ty Lawson (North Carolina)

 Steve Nash is sadly not going to be able to play forever. I’ve been saying that they should take a point guard for the past few years, Taureen Green in 2007 and Mario Chalmers last year, but they haven’t yet. However, they get their best opportunity to do so here. Lawson is one of the best players available. He would be one of the fastest players in the league as the Suns move forward with the run and gun offense once again under Alvin Gentry. He also, as did both Green and Chalmers, won a national championship so he is very experienced for a college kid and is a poised leader.

 #15 Detroit- PG Brandon Jennings (Italy)

 Allen Iverson didn’t work out too well. The team was better when he didn’t play. He won’t be back as he’s a free agent this offseason. Rodney Stuckey played well last season and he’s a great player, but he’s more of a nice tweener guy off the bench. They need a true distributing point guard. Brandon Jennings is best known as the guy who didn’t want to play college ball and went to Europe to play professionally instead. He struggled in Europe and his stock fell, but he still has great upside and may be considered a steal at this point when its all said and done. He can push the ball, distribute, and score it from time to time, both by hitting jumpers and creating his own shot. That’s all they really need.

  

 #16 Chicago- PF DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh)

 The Bulls got dominated inside by the Celtics, even when the Celtics did not have Kevin Garnett. They need to bulk up their interior defense. Blair is 260 pounds of immovable defensive prowess. He is undersized at 6-7 and lacking on the offensive end, but they need a tough guy like him on the inside.

 #17 Philadelphia- PG Jeff Teague (Wake Forest)

 Andre Miller is a free agent and considering there is a good chance he is gone and the team has very little behind him, they may want to replace him. Teague is also one of the best available player and would fit into this young offense very nicely.

 #18 Minnesota- SF/SG Terrence Williams (Louisville)

 The Timberwolves have 3 first rounds so they can probably just take the best available player. Williams would be an upgrade over Ryan Gomes, if Corey Brewer never gains enough muscle to pan out. Even if he never becomes a starter, Williams can help this team as a nice role player off the bench. He plays nice defense, hustles, and is developing a jumper.

 #19 Atlanta- PG Eric Maynor (VCU)

 Mike Bibby is a free agent so with Maynor still on the board, they should take him. Maynor is one of the few point guards that is intelligent enough to come in and start right away. Even if they bring back Bibby, Maynor would still make a nice backup for a team that only has 7 players signed to contracts for next season.

 #20 Utah- PF Tyler Hansbourgh (North Carolina)

 Both Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap are free agents. Hansbourgh is the type of fundamental and tough player that Jerry Sloan likes.

 #21 New Orleans- SG/SF Chase Budinger (Arizona)

 New Orleans needs some depth on the wings. Budinger is an amazing talent, but has never done much because he has never really played with a great point guard, which he needs because he has trouble creating his own shot. He’ll like playing with Chris Paul.

 #22 Dallas- G Jrue Holliday (UCLA)

 Jrue Holliday is the best player available, even though he really struggled in his freshman year at UCLA. He gives them a safety net in case Jason Kidd leaves. He’s more of a true point guard than Jason Terry and a better player than Jose Juan Barea. Holliday has an amazing ceiling and could be a huge steal here.

 #23 Memphis- C BJ Mullens (Ohio State)

 Darko Milicic is mulling a return to Europe (on a side note, good for him, he’s a great foreign player, just never right for the NBA). Mullens can take his place as this team will be in need of shot blockers when Milicic is gone. He’s also the best player available and there’s always a place on any team for a 7 footer who can shoot threes.

 #24 Portland- F Gani Lawai (Georgia Tech)

Portland has so much young talent at every position, both on their roster and stashed over seas. They should just take the best available here and that’s Gani Lawai.

 #25 Oklahoma City- SG/SF Sam Young (Pittsburgh)

 The Thunder are keeping Durant at small forward for now, which is good because that’s where he belongs. However, they need a starting shooting guard. Young is an experienced college player that should bring leadership to this young team right out of college and also help them on the defensive end.

 #26 Chicago- G Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida)

 Ben Gordon could be gone, which would be a huge blow for this team. Hopefully replacing him with the NCAA’s 3rd leading scorer will be enough to replace him. I don’t care if he didn’t play at a big time school, 26.2 ppg is 26.2 ppg. This guy is a legitimate NBA scorer from everywhere on the court.

 #27 Sacramento- SF Damion James (Texas)

 The Kings got their point guard so they can just take best available here. The Kings need upgrades of their perimeter defense and the small forward position and James does both. He would have been a lottery pick if it weren’t for a bad year.

 #28 Minnesota- PG Darren Collison (UCLA)

 Having Tyreke Evans and Randy Foye alternate is good, but nothing beats a true point guard. Sebastian Telfair is good, but not great. Collison has nice upside for this slot. He can handle the ball, distribute and he’s very good on the defensive end as well.

 #29 LA Lakers- SF Tyler Smith (Tennessee)

 Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are both free agents and if both were to leave, they would be left with Luke Walton and Adam Morrison at small forward, which is not a good thing. With very few other needs, they take the best small forward available just in case.

 #30 Cleveland- SG Marcus Thornton (LSU)

 Wally Sczerbiak is a free agent and that’ll leave the Cavs without a sharp shooter. Thornton can hit it from anywhere on the field and will benefit a lot from playing with LeBron and not having to be the main guy as he was at LSU. 

 

2nd round

#31 Sacramento- G Greivis Vasquez (Maryland)

The Kings could use that do everything style combo guard off of their bench.

#32 Portland- SF Omri Casspi (Israel)

The Trailblazers have a lot of picks in this draft and a lot of guys already signed to contracts. This means they’ll probably make a lot of moves, but I am not projected trades in this mock. If the order stays this way they will take a high upside European here and stash him away in Europe until they need him. If it wasn’t for his situation with his contract in Israel, Casspi would be a sure first rounder.

#33 Washington- PF Victor Claver (Spain)

The Wizards have a lot of players already signed to contracts so they take a high upside European and stash him in Europe until he’s needed.

#34 Denver- PF/C Taj Gibson (USC)

Gibson can block shots and rebound which the Nuggets need. He can also run the floor with this high octane offense which is essential for the Nuggets.

#35 Memphis- PG Patty Mills (St. Mary’s)

The Grizzles have a very thin bench. They add to that bench by taking Collison, a steal at this point. Collison is a nice backup plan in case Conley doesn’t pan out and can still serve a role on this team even if Collison does pan out.

#36 Detroit- PF Jon Brockman (Washington)

The Pistons have been lacking that energy inside defender since Ben Wallace left. Brockman is a poor man’s Ben Wallace, but the Pistons will still take that here in the 2nd round. The Pistons don’t have a lot of big men signed to contracts for next season so Brockman would fit in right away. He’s a little undersized, but makes up for it with his hustle which the Pistons like.

#37 San Antonio- SF DaJuan Summers (Georgetown)

The Spurs normally take foreign, but these aren’t the Spurs of 2005 or 2006. They need help now. Summers is NBA ready and can help take some of the pressure off of an aging Bruce Bowen at small forward.

#38 Portland- PG Toney Douglas (Florida State0

The Trailblazers already have 3 decent point guards on the team. Adding a fourth won’t hurt, especially since Mills has the upside to be more than decent.

#39 Detroit- PF Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State)

The Pistons take more depth for their interior as they could lose much of that in the offseason.

#40 Charlotte- SG/SF Danny Green (North Carolina)

Michael Jordan takes another Tarheel with hopes to use Green as Roy Williams did, as a microwave style bench scorer.

#41 Milwaukee- F Jeff Adrien (Connecticut)

Adrien is undersized at 6-7, but makes up for it with hustle. The Bucks lack one of those inside hustle guys. Coach Scott Skiles will love Adrien’s hustle and intensity. Many see him as the next Chuck Hayes, an undersized energy guy who can help a team out off of the bench or as a supporting starter.

#42 LA Lakers- G/SF Nick Calathes (Florida)

Derek Fisher won’t be around forever and Jordan Farmar hasn’t exactly grown until the starting point guard role as they would have hoped. Calathes would be a huge steal here. Even if Farmar pans out long term as the point guard, Calathes has the size to play both the 2 and the 3.

#43 Miami- PF/C Chris Johnson (LSU)

Miami lacked tough shot blockers on the interior last season so much that they signed Jamaal Magloire. Johnson could fill that role this season.

#44 Detroit- G Jerel McNeal (Marquette)

The Pistons already have taken two bigs so they should be set in that area. McNeal is a tenacious defender and could serve in that role off the bench next season as either a point guard or a shooting guard. The Pistons need to get back to playing DEEEETROIT BASKETBALL and that would require a tenacious defender like McNeal.

  

#45 Minnesota- SG/SF Lee Cummard (BYU)

Mike Miller failed miserably. Cummard can’t do much but shoot, but the T-Wolves need someone to stretch the defense so they take him.

#46 Cleveland- PF/C Josh Heytvelt (Gonzaga)

Ben Wallace could retire. Anderson Varejao and Joe Smith are free agents. Varejao could ask for up to 10 million a year, which would make getting an help for LeBron in the summer of 2010 impossible and thus they could lose him. Heytvelt could be a replacement for Varejao if he leaves or a replacement for Ben Wallace when he finally decides to hang them up.

#47 Minnesota- PF Milan Macvan (Serbia)

Minnesota has 5 draft picks so they pretty much have to take a European. Macvan is the best European available.

#48 Phoenix- SG Dionte Christmas (Temple)

The Suns need to surround Nash with shooters, something they didn’t quite do this season. Christmas can shoot and run the floor well which makes him perfect for this offense.

#49 Atlanta- SG Wesley Matthews (Marquette)

Again, the Hawks take best available to make up for the fact that only 7 players are signed to contracts for next season.

#50 Utah- F Dante Cunningham (Villanova)

Cunningham is the best available and can fill the role of high energy combo forward in case Paul Millsap leaves as a free agent.

#51 San Antonio- PF Jonas Jerebko (Sweden)

They wouldn’t be the Spurs if they didn’t take a guy with a last name you can’t pronounce.

#52 Indiana- PF Leo Lyons (Missouri)

The Pacers are very thin inside going into next season. Lyons played in Missouri’s high octane offense last season so he should have no problem keeping up with TJ Ford’s fast break.

#53 San Antonio- G Milenko Tepic (Serbia)

The Spurs take another European who we won’t see until 2011 and whose last name we won’t be able to pronounce ever.

#54 Charlotte- PF Connor Atchley (Texas)

Sean May looks like a bust. Atchley is a good IQ replacement for him.

#55 Portland- C Boban Marjanovic (Serbia)

The Trailblazers simply don’t have room in the states for another player. Boban is huge at 7-4 and has huge upside once he figures out how to do something other than stick his arms straight up and block shots. He can be the longterm replacement for Joel Pryzbilla if the Blazers are lucky.

#56 Portland- SF Vladimir Dasic (Montenegro)

Once again, the Trailblazers take BEA (best European available).

#57 Phoenix- F Robert Dozier (Memphis)

Dozier is a versatile big who can run with the Suns.

#58 Boston- G AJ Price (Connecticut)

No bigs with a high chance of sticking on a team are available here, which is unfortunate because the Celtics could lose both Glen Davis and Leon Powe. Instead the Celtics take a high character winner who can shoot the three and replace Eddie House in the role of guy who camps at the three point line but still helps a team in a huge way in case House leaves as a free agent.

#59 LA Lakers- C Garret Siler (Augusta State)

The Lakers need to get tougher inside, even if Bynum can stay healthy for a whole season. Siler is 6-11 305. He may be too big to play longterm in the NBA, but if they can get him in shape they could have a real steal.

#60 Miami- PG Curtis Jerrells (Baylor)

Jerrells is the best available player by far. The Heat could use some depth at point guard.    

NBA Mock Draft Database

stevenlourie Uncategorized

My NBA Mock Draft is only one opinion, so here’s a ton more that I have found on the internet. To get your mock draft listed here, put a link to this page with the words “NBA Mock Draft Database” somewhere on your site, preferably on your mock draft, and then send me an email every time you update your mock draft and I’ll put under “Premium Mock Drafts.”

Oregon Sports Fans 5/22/11

1st Pick: Kyrie Irving 2nd Pick: Enes Kanter 3rd Pick: Derrick Williams

Bet Firms 5/20/11

1st Pick: Kyrie Irving 2nd Pick: Derrick Williams 3rd Pick: Brandon Knight 

Football Fan Spot 5/19/11 

1st Pick: Kyrie Irving 2nd Pick; Enes Kanter 3rd Pick: Derrick Williams 

Fans Speak 3/24/11

1st Pick: Jared Sullinger 2nd Pick: Harrison Barnes 3rd Pick: Perry Jones 

NBA Draft Updated 8/4/10

1st Pick: Harrison Barnes 2nd Pick: Enes Kanter 3rd Pick: Kyrie Irving 

 

NBA Mock Draft Archives

stevenlourie Uncategorized

1. New Jersey Nets 12-70

This pick is not as clearly set as in previous mocks. John Wall is a great player, but Evan Turner has been getting a lot of the hype in college basketball in recent weeks. Turner would actually fill more of a need for the Nets as a small forward, as Wall plays the same position as Devin Harris, the Nets’ best player, but small forwards rarely go #1 overall, especially more defensive minded guys like Turner. The last small forward to go #1 over was LeBron James, but he is really a guard in a forward’s body. I still say this pick will be Kentucky PG John Wall, but don’t be too surprised if it ends up being Turner, especially if a team like Minnesota ends up with this pick in the lottery. They spent 3 picks on point guards last year (though they traded one) and I don’t think they’d spend the #1 on a point guard this year.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves 17-65

The Timberwolves need a score first shooting guard here, but this draft doesn’t have a lot of those. They also need an upgrade on the wings at the small forward position over Corey Brewer, who is currently playing the 2 guard, and Damien Wilkins. Ohio State SF Evan Turner is athletic and the complete package as a small forward and would add to this team in many ways.

3. Sacramento Kings 25-57

The Kings have came crashing back down to earth after that hot start, which is not surprisingly because they don’t have a ton of talent. Because of that, they can do what they proved they would do last year and that’s just take the best available player. Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors is that best player available and would add to a young nucleus of talented players.

4. Washington Wizards 26-56

At the deadline, the Wizards pretty much took a large stick of dynamite, attached it to their team, and lit it. As you can imagine, they haven’t been very good since then. They have needs everywhere now, but nowhere more than inside after losing Brendan Haywood. Kentucky C DeMarcus Cousins is the best available center and one of the more dominant big men in the country this year. Unlike other centers in come out in years past, Cousins is proven offensively on a college level. The only issue is his attitude.

5. Golden State Warriors 26-56

Don Nelson is still in Golden State so this will be one of the players he thinks fits his system well, as all of his picks are. Georgetown PF/C Greg Monroe is the most versatile big man in college basketball. He can run the floor, hit the outside shot, and pass from the block, all three things that are key to be able to play in Don Nelson’s offense.

6. Philadelphia 76ers 26-56

Syracuse SF Wesley Johnson is best available here. He’s a bit raw and doesn’t fill an obvious need, but he can allow Andre Iguodala to move back to his natural position, shooting guard, in the near future and the 76ers can’t pass on a prospect of his caliber at 6.

7. Detroit Pistons 27-55

Its sad to see the Pistons down here, especially because of how good they used to be a few years ago and because of how down the entire city of Detroit has been since the recession. A big part of their struggles this season is a lack of physicality, especially on the block. North Carolina PF/C Ed Davis can play either power forward or center for this team next season and provide interior toughness. He’s not a gifted low post scorer, but this team already has enough guys who can put the ball in the bucket. Davis is out with an injury, but he still has top ten upside.

8. Los Angeles Clippers 29-53

No major needs for this team other than time to mature, come together, and Blake Griffin to get healthy, so they can go best available player and add another young athlete to the mix. Wake Forest F Al-Farouq Aminu is a raw combo forward that fits that description. He would be a good replacement for Al Thornton and a decent backup plan assuming they can’t get LeBron this offseason.

9. Utah Jazz 53-29 (via NY)

Carlos Boozer could be gone as a free agent this offseason. They would need another power forward to fill his spot. Kentucky F Patrick Patterson would be an excellent fit for Jerry Sloan’s system and can play both power forward in place of Boozer, and also some small forward, which the Jazz need a bit of help at as well.

10. Indiana Pacers 32-50

The Pacers will take by far the best available player in Marshall C Hassan Whiteside. The Pacers have some decent depth inside, but Whiteside is a project player with huge upside. He has the potential to grow into the dominant shot blocker they lack right now, but at the same time, the Pacers have enough interior depth at the moment that Whiteside won’t have to play much right away.

11. New Orleans Hornets 37-45

The Hornets really need to get more athletic on the wings, especially defensively. Athleticism and defense, steals and blocks, are the specialty of the extremely longWest Virginia SF Devin Ebanks. He would be an excellent fit for their needs and he is the best player available at this juncture. 

12. Memphis Grizzlies 40-42

The Grizzlies are somehow at .500, but they still find themselves in the lottery. They can use this opportunity to take a big time college basketball player again and luckily, they can get a steal here with Kansas C Cole Aldrich. They did draft a center last year, but Hasheem Thabeet has not shown himself to be much yet and Aldrich would compliment him well as they share duties inside.

13. Toronto Raptors 40-42

The Raptors have to deal with the threat of Chris Bosh leaving this offseason and even if he returns, they do have a need inside which is why Lithunia PF/C Donatas Motiejunas makes sense here. He is one of the best, if not the best, available and fits with their European theme. Unlike most European players, Motiejunas is a free agent in his native country and can come play here right away.

14. Houston Rockets 42-40

The Rockets have good supporting pieces, but lack a star. Kansas SG/SF Xavier Henry is a great scorer and has more upside than anyone on the board. He’ll be that big time scorer they’ve lacked this season.

15. Milwaukee Bucks 46-36

The Bucks need more muscle inside to pair with Andrew Bogut and Baylor PF/C Ekpe Udoh is the type of raw physical athlete that Scott Skiles will enjoy working with and just what this team needs.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-67

The Timberwolves also need an upgrade at shooting guard and Oklahoma State SG/SF James Anderson was a scoring machine in the Big 12 last year, who only drops out of the lottery because of questions about his athleticism and his ability to get to the rim.

17. Chicago Bulls 41-41

The Bulls are probably going to be looking for best available here, as they have a lot of cap room and thus their roster could look a lot different in a few months, as could their needs. VCU PF/C Larry Sanders  is raw, but he has great upside as a shot blocker inside.

18. Miami Heat 47-35

The Heat don’t have a lot of players under contract for next season so I really just expect them to take best available and leave their options open in free agency. Texas SF Damion James represents best available at this juncture.

19. Boston Celtics 50-32

Ray Allen is a free agent this offseason so the Celtics should take a sharpshooter like Xavier SG Jordan Crawford here to help them stretch the defense just in case. If Allen returns, Crawford will still be a solid player off the bench.

20. San Antonio Spurs 50-32

The Spurs are probably looking for proven winners to help them in the short term with this pick and Butler SF Jordan Crawford is that. He can challenge the struggling Richard Jefferson on the wings and provide solid depth off the bench.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder 50-32

When the Thunder were still the Seattle Supersonics, they took many high upside centers, all of whom busted. However, now that they are no longer drafting in the top 10, it’s much less of a risk to take someone like that and Florida State C Soloman Alabi is a big raw shotblocker, who needs work offensively.

22. Portland Trailblazers 50-32

The Trailblazers really don’t have any major needs here so they can take a risk on a high upside scorer like Oklahoma G Willie Warren. Warren has Gilbert Arenas esque potential when healthy, but he’s injury prone and very one dimensional. However, he should fill a nice sparkplug role for the Blazers off the bench.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-67

The Timberwolves could use another big man inside with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love and Georgia Tech PF Gani Lawai is one of, if not the best available at this point.

24. Atlanta Falcons 53-29

The Falcons can just take best available here and take Memphis G Elliot Williams. Williams will provide a much needed backup if case Joe Johnson leaves and plays a necessary role off the bench as a combo guard.

25. Memphis Grizzlies 40-42

The Grizzlies don’t really have a lot of depth behind Mike Conley, so they can takeKentucky PG Eric Bledsoe. Bledsoe showed last year that he didn’t need to ball in his hands to be successful and helpful and the Grizzlies already have a bunch of playmakers on the roster.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder 50-32

The Thunder are probably just going to take best available here as they don’t have any needs. Connecticut SF Stanley Robinson adds more youth, upside, and depth to this already talented team.

27. New Jersey Nets 12-70

By far their biggest need at this point is power forward so they could reach for a borderline 1st round pick type guy like Oakland PF/C Keith Benson to fill that need.

28. Memphis Grizzles 40-42

Rudy Gay is a free agent and just in case they can’t match any offer made to him, they’ll take a high upside small forward for depth purposes and take Nevada F Luke Babbitt.

29. Orlando Magic 59-23

A point forward type player like Hedo Turkoglu fits their scheme really well so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take another player like that in New Mexico SF Darington Hobson.

30. Washington Wizards 26-56

Another best available for the team that blew their roster up at the deadline as they take Mississippi SG Terico White.

 

1. New Jersey Nets 12-70

This pick is not as clearly set as in previous mocks. John Wall is a great player, but Evan Turner has been getting a lot of the hype in college basketball in recent weeks. Turner would actually fill more of a need for the Nets as a small forward, as Wall plays the same position as Devin Harris, the Nets’ best player, but small forwards rarely go #1 overall, especially more defensive minded guys like Turner. The last small forward to go #1 over was LeBron James, but he is really a guard in a forward’s body. I still say this pick will be Kentucky PG John Wall, but don’t be too surprised if it ends up being Turner, especially if a team like Minnesota ends up with this pick in the lottery. They spent 3 picks on point guards last year (though they traded one) and I don’t think they’d spend the #1 on a point guard this year.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves 17-65

The Timberwolves need a score first shooting guard here, but this draft doesn’t have a lot of those. They also need an upgrade on the wings at the small forward position over Corey Brewer, who is currently playing the 2 guard, and Damien Wilkins. Ohio State SF Evan Turner is athletic and the complete package as a small forward and would add to this team in many ways.

3. Sacramento Kings 25-57

The Kings have came crashing back down to earth after that hot start, which is not surprisingly because they don’t have a ton of talent. Because of that, they can do what they proved they would do last year and that’s just take the best available player. Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors is that best player available and would add to a young nucleus of talented players.

4. Washington Wizards 26-56

At the deadline, the Wizards pretty much took a large stick of dynamite, attached it to their team, and lit it. As you can imagine, they haven’t been very good since then. They have needs everywhere now, but nowhere more than inside after losing Brendan Haywood. Kentucky C DeMarcus Cousins is the best available center and one of the more dominant big men in the country this year. Unlike other centers in come out in years past, Cousins is proven offensively on a college level. The only issue is his attitude.

5. Golden State Warriors 26-56

Don Nelson is still in Golden State so this will be one of the players he thinks fits his system well, as all of his picks are. Georgetown PF/C Greg Monroe is the most versatile big man in college basketball. He can run the floor, hit the outside shot, and pass from the block, all three things that are key to be able to play in Don Nelson’s offense.

6. Philadelphia 76ers 26-56

Syracuse SF Wesley Johnson is best available here. He’s a bit raw and doesn’t fill an obvious need, but he can allow Andre Iguodala to move back to his natural position, shooting guard, in the near future and the 76ers can’t pass on a prospect of his caliber at 6.

7. Detroit Pistons 27-55

Its sad to see the Pistons down here, especially because of how good they used to be a few years ago and because of how down the entire city of Detroit has been since the recession. A big part of their struggles this season is a lack of physicality, especially on the block. North Carolina PF/C Ed Davis can play either power forward or center for this team next season and provide interior toughness. He’s not a gifted low post scorer, but this team already has enough guys who can put the ball in the bucket. Davis is out with an injury, but he still has top ten upside.

 8. Los Angeles Clippers 29-53

No major needs for this team other than time to mature, come together, and Blake Griffin to get healthy, so they can go best available player and add another young athlete to the mix. Wake Forest F Al-Farouq Aminu is a raw combo forward that fits that description. He would be a good replacement for Al Thornton and a decent backup plan assuming they can’t get LeBron this offseason.

9. Utah Jazz 53-29 (via NY)

Carlos Boozer could be gone as a free agent this offseason. They would need another power forward to fill his spot. Kentucky F Patrick Patterson would be an excellent fit for Jerry Sloan’s system and can play both power forward in place of Boozer, and also some small forward, which the Jazz need a bit of help at as well.

10. Indiana Pacers 32-50

The Pacers will take by far the best available player in Marshall C Hassan Whiteside. The Pacers have some decent depth inside, but Whiteside is a project player with huge upside. He has the potential to grow into the dominant shot blocker they lack right now, but at the same time, the Pacers have enough interior depth at the moment that Whiteside won’t have to play much right away.

11. New Orleans Hornets 37-45

The Hornets really need to get more athletic on the wings, especially defensively. Athleticism and defense, steals and blocks, are the specialty of the extremely longWest Virginia SF Devin Ebanks. He would be an excellent fit for their needs and he is the best player available at this juncture. 

12. Memphis Grizzlies 40-42

The Grizzlies are somehow at .500, but they still find themselves in the lottery. They can use this opportunity to take a big time college basketball player again and luckily, they can get a steal here with Kansas C Cole Aldrich. They did draft a center last year, but Hasheem Thabeet has not shown himself to be much yet and Aldrich would compliment him well as they share duties inside.

13. Toronto Raptors 40-42

The Raptors have to deal with the threat of Chris Bosh leaving this offseason and even if he returns, they do need some muscle inside so a guy like Baylor PF Ekpe Udoh makes a lot of sense for the Raptors, however raw he is.

14. Houston Rockets 42-40

The Rockets have good supporting pieces, but lack a star. Oklahoma G Willie Warren is a great scorer and has more upside than anyone on the board. He’ll be that big time scorer they’ve lacked this season. He reminds me a lot of Gilbert Arenas only less dangerous.

 

 

1. New Jersey Nets 11-67

This pick is not as clearly set as in previous mocks. John Wall is a great player, but Evan Turner has been getting a lot of the hype in college basketball in recent weeks. Turner would actually fill more of a need for the Nets as a small forward, as Wall plays the same position as Devin Harris, the Nets’ best player, but small forwards rarely go #1 overall, especially more defensive minded guys like Turner. The last small forward to go #1 over was LeBron James, but he is really a guard in a forward’s body. I still say this pick will be Kentucky PG John Wall, but don’t be too surprised if it ends up being Turner, especially if a team like Minnesota ends up with this pick in the lottery. They spent 3 picks on point guards last year (though they traded one) and I don’t they’d spend the #1 on a point guard this year.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-63

The Timberwolves need a score first shooting guard here, but this draft doesn’t have a lot of those. They also need an upgrade on the wings at the small forward position over Corey Brewer, who is currently playing the 2 guard, and Damien Wilkins. Ohio State SF Evan Turner is athletic and the complete package as a small forward and would add to this team in many ways.

3. Sacramento Kings 24-54

The Kings have came crashing back down to earth after that hot start, which is not surprisingly because they don’t have a ton of talent. Because of that, they can do what they proved they would do last year and that’s just take the best available player. Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors is that best player available and would add to a young nucleus of talented players.

4. Washington Wizards 24-54

At the deadline, the Wizards pretty much took a large stick of dynamite, attached it to their team, and lit it. As you can imagine, they haven’t been very good since then. They have needs everywhere now, but nowhere more than inside after losing Brendan Haywood. Kentucky C DeMarcus Cousins is the best available center and one of the more dominant big men in the country this year. Unlike other centers in come out in years past, Cousins is proven offensively on a college level. The only issue is his attitude.

5. Golden State Warriors 24-54

Don Nelson is still in Golden State so this will be one of the players he thinks fits his system well, as all of his picks are. Georgetown PF/C Greg Monroe is the most versatile big man in college basketball. He can run the floor, hit the outside shot, and pass from the block, all three things that are key to be able to play in Don Nelson’s offense.

6. Detroit Pistons 25-53

Its sad to see the Pistons down here, especially because of how good they used to be a few years ago and because of how down the entire city of Detroit has been since the recession. A big part of their struggles this season is a lack of physicality, especially on the block. North Carolina PF/C Ed Davis can play either power forward or center for this team next season and provide interior toughness. He’s not a gifted low post scorer, but this team already has enough guys who can put the ball in the bucket. Davis is out with an injury, but he still has top ten upside and I say there’s a good chance he still declares. 

7. Philadelphia 76ers 26-52

Syracuse SF Wesley Johnson is best available here. He’s a bit raw and doesn’t fill an obvious need, but he can allow Andre Iguodala to move back to his natural position, shooting guard, in the near future and the 76ers can’t pass on a prospect of his caliber at 7.

8. Los Angeles Clippers 27-51

No major needs for this team other than time to mature, come together, and Blake Griffin to get healthy, so they can go best available player and add another young athlete to the mix. Wake Forest F Al-Farouq Aminu is a raw combo forward that fits that description. He would be a good replacement for Al Thornton and a decent backup plan assuming they can’t get LeBron this offseason.

9. Utah Jazz 51-28 (via NY)

Carlos Boozer could be gone as a free agent this offseason. They would need another power forward to fill his spot. Kentucky F Patrick Patterson would be an excellent fit for Jerry Sloan’s system and can play both power forward in place of Boozer, and also some small forward, which the Jazz need a bit of help at as well.

10. Indiana Pacers 30-48

The Pacers will take by far the best available player in Marshall C Hassan Whiteside. The Pacers have some decent depth inside, but Whiteside is a project player with huge upside. He has the potential to grow into the dominant shot blocker they lack right now, but at the same time, the Pacers have enough interior depth at the moment that Whiteside won’t have to play much right away.

11. New Orleans Hornets 35-44

The Hornets really need to get more athletic on the wings, especially defensively. Athleticism and defense, steals and blocks, are the specialty of the extremely longWest Virginia SF Devin Ebanks. He would be an excellent fit for their needs and he is the best player available at this juncture. 

12. Chicago Bulls 37-40

After trading John Salmons to put themselves in the race for LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, the Bulls really have a need for a score first perimeter player. I don’t think they’ll get either Wade or James. I think they most they’ll get is Chris Bosh and in that case, they’ll still need an outside scorer like Kansas SG/SF Xavier Henry. Henry is an extremely mature scorer for his age and can only get better.

13. Memphis Grizzlies 39-39

The Grizzlies are somehow at .500, but they still find themselves in the lottery. They can use this opportunity to take a big time college basketball player again and luckily, they can get a steal here with Kansas C Cole Aldrich. They did draft a center last year, but Hasheem Thabeet has not shown himself to be much yet and Aldrich would compliment him well as they share duties inside.

14. Houston Rockets 40-38

The Rockets have good supporting pieces, but lack a star. Oklahoma G Willie Warren is a great scorer and has more upside than anyone on the board. He’ll be that big time scorer they’ve lacked this season. He reminds me a lot of Gilbert Arenas only less dangerous.

 

 

1. New Jersey Nets 7-61

The Nets already have Devin Harris at point guard and he’s probably their best player, though on a 7-61 team that isn’t saying much. However, they can’t not take Kentucky PG John Wall here. He’s easily has the most upside of any player in college basketball. He’s shooting over 46% from the field and close to 33% from three and he’s a distributor with 6.5 assists per game. He has good size, can create his own shot, and create shots for others. The Nets need to take him and sort things out later. Maybe Harris can play off guard or they can trade Harris, but they can’t pass on Wall.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves 14-56

The Timberwolves need a score first shooting guard here, but this draft doesn’t have a lot of those. They also need an upgrade on the wings at the small forward position over Corey Brewer, who is currently playing the 2 guard, and Damien Wilkins. Ohio State SF Evan Turner is athletic and the complete package as a small forward and would add to this team in many ways.

3. Golden State Warriors 19-49

Don Nelson is still in Golden State so this will be one of the players he thinks fits his system well, as all of his picks are. Georgetown PF/C Greg Monroe is the most versatile big man in college basketball. He can run the floor, hit the outside shot, and pass from the block, all three things that are key to be able to play in Don Nelson’s offense.

4. Washington Wizards 21-46

At the deadline, the Wizards pretty much took a large stick of dynamite, attached it to their team, and lit it. As you can imagine, they haven’t been very good since then. They have needs everywhere now, but nowhere more than inside after losing Brendan Haywood. Kentucky C DeMarcus Cousins is the best available center and one of the more dominant big men in the country this year. Unlike other centers in come out in years past, Cousins is proven offensively on a college level. The only issue is his attitude.

5. Sacramento Kings 23-46

The Kings have come crashing back down to earth recently since that hot start, which is not surprisingly because they don’t have a ton of talent. Because of that, they can do what they proved they would do last year and that’s just take the best available player. Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors is that best player available and would add to a young nucleus of talented players.

6. Detroit Pistons 23-46

Its sad to see the Pistons here, especially because of how good they used to be a few years ago and because of how down the entire city of Detroit has been since the recession. A big part of their struggles this season is a lack of physicality, especially on the block. Marshall C Hassan Whiteside is a little limited offensively, but he’s an amazing shot blocker and if Hasheem Thabeet can get drafted with the 2nd pick, Whiteside can go top 10. He’s not a gifted low post scorer, but this team already has enough guys who can put the ball in the bucket and he would bring this team much needed interior toughness at the center position.

7. Indiana Pacers 23-46

The Pacers need help in their backcourt, but there aren’t a lot of good backcourt players that could legitimately go in the top 10 after John Wall. I think the Pacers will just pick best non-small forward available in this situation and go with North Carolina PF/C Ed Davis. He would give them the athletic big man they failed to get last year when they drafted Tyler Hansbourgh. Davis is out with an injury, but he still has top ten upside and I say there’s a good chance he still declares. 

8. Philadelphia 76ers 24-45

Syracuse SF Wesley Johnson is best available here. He’s a bit raw and doesn’t fill an obvious need, but he can allow Andre Iguodala to move back to his natural position, shooting guard, in the near future and the 76ers can’t pass on a prospect of his caliber at 8.

9. Utah Jazz 44-25 (via NY)

Carlos Boozer could be gone as a free agent this offseason. They would need another power forward to fill his spot. Kentucky F Patrick Patterson would be an excellent fit for Jerry Sloan’s system and can play both power forward in place of Boozer, and also some small forward, which the Jazz need a bit of help at as well.

10. Los Angeles Clippers 26-43

No major needs for this team other than time to mature, come together, and Blake Griffin to get healthy, so they can go best available player and add another young athlete to the mix. Syracuse SF Wesley Johnson fits that description and is also the best available. He would be a good replacement for Al Thornton and a decent backup plan assuming they can’t get LeBron this offseason.

11. Chicago Bulls 31-37

The Bulls have been needing to get tougher inside for a while. Brad Miller has been doing decent, but not great inside and, after trading Tyrus Thomas, they really lack an inside shot blocker. Kansas C/PF Cole Aldrich can help them at multiple positions inside. He’s a great shot blocker and isn’t as raw of a post scorer as most big men are when they come out of school so he can help in that area as well.

12. New Orleans Hornets 33-37

The Hornets really need to get more athletic on the wings, especially defensively. Athleticism and defense, steals and blocks, are the specialty of the extremely longWake Forest F Al-Farouq Aminu. He would be an excellent fit for their needs and he is the best player available at this juncture. 

13. Memphis Grizzlies 36-33

The Grizzlies are somehow above .500, but they still find themselves in the lottery. They can use this opportunity to take a big time prospect again and luckily, they can get a steal here with Lithunia PF/C Donatas Montiejunas They did draft a center last year, but Hasheem Thabeet has not shown himself to be much yet and Montiejunas would compliment him well as they share duties inside. Unlike most European prospects, Montiejunas is a free agent this offseason in his native country and could come over right away.

14. Houston Rockets 35-32

The Rockets have good supporting pieces, but lack a star. Oklahoma G Willie Warren is a great scorer and has more upside than anyone on the board. He’ll be that big time scorer they’ve lacked this season. He reminds me a lot of Gilbert Arenas only less dangerous.

 

 

1. New Jersey Nets 5-52

The Nets already have Devin Harris at point guard and he’s probably their best player, though on a 5-52 team that isn’t saying much. However, they can’t not take Kentucky PG John Wall here. He’s easily has the most upside of any player in college basketball. He’s shooting over 45% from the field and close to 33% from three and he’s a distributor with 6.2 assists per game. He has good size, can create his own shot, and create shots for others. The Nets need to take him and sort things out later. Maybe Harris can play off guard or they can trade Harris, but they can’t pass on Wall.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves 14-46

The Timberwolves need a score first shooting guard here, but this draft doesn’t have a lot of those. They also need an upgrade on the wings at the small forward position over Corey Brewer, who is currently playing the 2 guard, and Damien Wilkins. Ohio State SF Evan Turner is athletic and the complete package as a small forward and would add to this team in many ways.

3. Golden State Warriors 16-41

Don Nelson is still in Golden State so this will be one of the players he thinks fits his system well, as all of his picks are. Georgetown PF/C Greg Monroe is the most versatile big man in college basketball. He can run the floor, hit the outside shot, and pass from the block, all three things that are key to be able to play in Don Nelson’s offense.

4. Indiana Pacers 19-39

The Pacers need help in their backcourt, but there aren’t a lot of good backcourt players that could legitimately go in the top 5 after John Wall. I think the Pacers will just like best available in this situation and go with Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors. He would give them the athletic big man they failed to get last year when they drafted Tyler Hansbourgh.

5. Sacramento Kings 19-39

The Kings have come crashing back down to earth recently since that hot start, which is not surprisingly because they don’t have a ton of talent. Because of that, they can do what they proved they would do last year and that’s just take the best available player. Syracuse SF Wesley Johnson is that best player available and would add to a young nucleus of talented players.

6. Utah Jazz 37-21 (via NY)

Carlos Boozer could be gone as a free agent this offseason. They would need another power forward to fill his spot. Kentucky F Patrick Patterson would be an excellent fit for Jerry Sloan’s system and can play both power forward in place of Boozer, and also some small forward, which the Jazz need a bit of help at as well.

7. Washington Wizards 20-36

The Wizards pretty much just took a large stick of dynamite, attached it to their team, and lit it. They have needs everywhere now, but nowhere more than inside after losing Brendan Haywood. Marshall C Hassan Whiteside is a little limited offensively, but he’s an amazing shot blocker and if Hasheem Thabeet can get drafted with the 2nd pick, Whiteside can go top 10.

8. Detroit Pistons 21-37

Its sad to see the Pistons down here, especially because of how good they used to be a few years ago and because of how down the entire city of Detroit has been since the recession. A big part of their struggles this season is a lack of physicality, especially on the block. North Carolina PF/C Ed Davis can play either power forward or center for this team next season and provide interior toughness. He’s not a gifted low post scorer, but this team already has enough guys who can put the ball in the bucket.

9. Philadelphia 76ers 22-36

The Samuel Dalembert signing was a bust and they still need help at the center position. Kentucky C DeMarcus Cousins is the best available center and one of the more dominant big men in the country this year. Unlike other centers in come out in years past, Cousins is proven offensively on a college level. The only issue is his attitude.

10. Los Angeles Clippers 24-34

No major needs for this team other than time to mature, come together, and Blake Griffin to get healthy, so they can go best available player and add another young athlete to the mix. Wake Forest F Al-Farouq Aminu is a raw combo forward that fits that description. He would be a good replacement for Al Thornton and a decent backup plan assuming they can’t get LeBron this offseason.

11. Charlotte Bobcats 28-29

No major needs so I’m just expecting them to go best available. Michael Jordan and Larry Brown both like taking proven college guys so Texas F Damion Jamescould be viewed as the best available player in their eyes. He has good versatility and has been filling the stat sheet this year as a Longhorn.

12. Memphis Grizzlies 29-29

The Grizzlies are somehow at .500, but they still find themselves in the lottery. They can use this opportunity to take a big time college basketball player again and luckily, they can get a steal here with Kansas C Cole Aldrich. They did draft a center last year, but Hasheem Thabeet has not shown himself to be much yet and Aldrich would compliment him well as they share duties inside.

13. Houston Rockets 29-28

The Rockets have good supporting pieces, but lack a star. Oklahoma G Willie Warren is a great scorer and has more upside than anyone on the board. He’ll be that big time scorer they’ve lacked this season. He reminds me a lot of Gilbert Arenas only less dangerous.

14. New Orleans Hornets 31-28

The Hornets really need to get more athletic on the wings, especially defensively. Athleticism and defense, steals and blocks, are the specialty of the extremely longWest Virginia SF Devin Ebanks. He would be an excellent fit for their needs and he is the best player available at this juncture. 

2/27/10 

 

 

1. New Jersey Nets 3-33

The Nets already have Devin Harris at point guard and he’s probably their best player, though on a 3-33 team that isn’t saying much. However, they can’t not take Kentucky PG John Wall here. He’s easily the best player in college basketball thus far. He’s shooting over 50% from the field and close to 40% from three and he’s a distributor with 7.3 assists per game. He has good size, can create his own shot, and create shots for others. The Nets need to take him and sort things out later. Maybe Harris can play off guard or they can trade Harris, but they can’t pass on Wall.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-29

The Timberwolves need a score first shooting guard here, but this draft doesn’t have a lot of those. They also need an upgrade on the wings at the small forward position over Corey Brewer, who is currently playing the 2 guard, and Damien Wilkins. Syracuse SF Wesley Johnson is athletic and the complete package as a small forward and would add to this team in many ways.

3. Philadelphia 76ers 10-25

Allen Iverson in Philly is likely a one year thing. When he leaves, and even if he doesn’t, Andre Iguodala should move back to shooting guard and Thaddeus Young should move back to small forward. They need a big low post scorer either way and moving Iggy and Young that way would make room for a low post scorer like Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors to play power forward alongside Marreese Speights or Samuel Dalembert at center.

4. Golden State Warriors 11-24

Don Nelson is still in Golden State so this will be one of the players he thinks fits his system well, as all of his picks are. Georgetown PF/C Greg Monroe is the most versatile big man in college basketball. He can run the floor, hit the outside shot, and pass from the block, all three things that are key to be able to play in Don Nelson’s offense.

5. Indiana Pacers 11-24

The Pacers have a hole at shooting guard and not surprisingly, they have a trouble scoring a ton of points because they don’t have a big setup scorer.Oklahoma G Willie Warren has all of the tools of a big time NBA scorer. He reminds me a bit of Gilbert Arenas only he doesn’t like to point guns at teammates.

6. Detroit Pistons 11-23

Its sad to see the Pistons down here, especially because of how good they used to be a few years ago and because of how down the entire city of Detroit has been since the recession. A big part of their struggles this season is a lack of physicality, especially on the block. North Carolina PF/C Ed Davis can play either power forward or center for this team next season and provide interior toughness. He’s not a gifted low post scorer, but this team already has enough guys who can put the ball in the bucket.

7. Washington Wizards 12-22

Without any glaring needs, other than better locker room security, the Wizards can just take the best available player. Ohio State SF Evan Turner has all the tools necessary to be a big time small forward at the NBA level and has put it all together many times this season. Drafting him will allow the Wizards to keep Butler at shooting guard longterm and allow Randy Foye to continue coming off the bench where he’s at his best.

8. Sacramento Kings 14-21

The Kings have come crashing back down to earth recently since that hot start, which is not surprisingly because they don’t have a ton of talent. Because of that, they can do what they proved they would do last year and that’s just take the best available player. Lithuania PF/C Donatas Motiejunas has huge NBA upside if he pans out and, unlike most European prospects, is a free agent this season so he can come over here, if he chooses, without contract disputes.

9. Chicago Bulls 14-20

The Bulls are really missing Ben Gordon’s scoring abilities this year and Kirk Hinrich at shooting guard is not going to work out longterm. They need a big time scoring shooting guard like Mississippi SG Terrico White, who was the SEC Freshman of the year last year, and is averaging 17.3 points per game this year.

10. Utah Jazz 19-17 (via NY)

Carlos Boozer could be gone, either as a free agent this offseason, or through a trade this season. They would need another power forward to fill his spot.Kentucky F Patrick Patterson would be an excellent fit for Jerry Sloan’s system and can play both power forward in place of Boozer, and also some small forward, which the Jazz need a bit of help at as well.

11. Los Angeles Clippers 16-18

No major needs for this team other than time to mature, come together, and Blake Griffin to get healthy, so they can go best available player and add another young athlete to the mix. Wake Forest F Al-Farouq Aminu is a raw combo forward that fits that description.

12. Memphis Grizzlies 18-17

The Grizzlies are somehow over .500, but they still find themselves in the lottery, rather than the 6th seed which they would be in the East, because of the depth of the Western Conference. They can use this opportunity to take a big time college basketball player again and luckily, they can get a steal here with Kansas C Cole Aldrich. They did draft a center last year, but Hasheem Thabeet has not shown himself to be much yet and Aldrich would compliment him well as they share duties inside.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-29 (via UT)

The Timberwolves didn’t reach for a big time shooting guard before and can take one here now. Kansas SG Xavier Henry already has NBA size as a freshman and is averaging 16.1 PPG on 49% percent shooting for the Jayhawks. He’s also shooting 47% from behind the arc and can be that long range bomber that stretches the defense that the Jayhawks needs.

14. New Orleans Hornets 18-16

The Hornets really need to get more athletic on the wings, especially defensively. Athleticism and defense, steals and blocks, are the specialty of the extremely long West Virginia SF Devin Ebanks. He would be an excellent fit for their needs and he is the best player available at this juncture. 

 

 

1. Sacramento Kings- PG John Wall (Kentucky)

The Kings didn’t get better in the offseason. They drafted a nice project in Tyreke Evans, but I think he’ll prove to be more of a shooting guard than a point guard. They need someone to handle the rock and control the offense. Wall is drawing comparisons left and right to Derrick Rose, the 2008-2009 Rookie of the Year.

2. Utah Jazz (via NYK)- PF/C Greg Monroe (Georgetown)

Carlos Boozer is back for another year, but he’s a free agent this offseason and will likely test what should be a free agent friendly market. They traded their insurance option in Paul Millsap so they need another one. Monroe is the best big man on the board and Jerry Sloan will love his versatility.

3. Milwaukee Bucks- PF/C Ed Davis (North Carolina)

Scott Skiles will want to acquire that tough interior presence his team lacks right now. Davis needs some work offensively, but the Bucks can score points in bunches right now. They need interior toughness.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves- G Willie Warren (Oklahoma)

Despite having 4 picks, they did not draft a perimeter score to replace Randy Foye. Warren is a tough NBA ready perimeter scorer with huge upside.

5. Memphis Grizzles- F Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech)

Zach Randolph, as much as he scores, is not a winner. They need to let him ride out his contract and then leave. Favors is a nice power forward project behind him that can provide defense and versatility off the bench, two things Randolph lacks.

6. Charlotte Bobcats- PF Patrick Patterson (Kentucky)

They have Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler in the frontcourt, but lack a tough interior scoring presence. Patterson can fill that void. Plus, we all know Michael Jordan likes to draft big name, big school college players. That is what Patterson is.

7. Golden State Warriors- SF Evan Turner (Ohio State)

Turner is a scorer and a shooter, but he also plays tough defense and rebounds. He can be a long term replacement to Stephen Jackson if they decide to trade him.

8. New Jersey Nets- SF Al-Faruoq Aminu (Wake Forest)

They need to replace Bobby Simmons at small forward. Aminu is versatile and the complete small forward package.

9. Indiana Pacers- C Cole Aldrich (Kansas)

They lack that tough interior shot blocker. Aldrich is a great shot blocker and has a nice tough around the rim.

10. Houston Rockets- SG Jerrico White (Mississippi)

They have good supporting pieces, but lack a star, unless Tracy McGrady can return to form. White is a great scorer and has more upside than anyone on the board.