Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The Sportsmeat Mock Draft
My preparation for this mock draft involved reading a lot of other mock drafts, analyzing teams' needs and basically judging which players I thought were best. It's pretty far from scientific but at least now I'm ready for a few hours of large men in ugly suits and baseball caps shaking hands with a very short David Stern. Here we go:
1. Greg Oden – Portland Trailblazers
Perhaps the Blazers should think outside the box here and not take the best big man available because Kevin Durant is an exceptional prospect (and they already have Zach Randolph and LaMarcus Aldridge). But so is Oden, and point guard and centers are always the hardest to find. Expect Randolph to be traded in short order, likely for a swingman to pair with Brandan Roy.
2. Kevin Durant – Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics will be more than happy to re-tool Durant and use him for all the posters to publicize their move to Oklahoma City. He’s either the immediate replacement for Rashard Lewis at SF or, if Lewis re-signs, the long-term at SG in place of Ray Allen. And the thought of Luke Ridnour, Ray Allen, Durant, Lewis and Robert “Stick Figure” Swift running the floor is a pleasant one for basketball-loving Oklahomans. There is a lot of good, young talent on the Sonics and Durant is a building block for that.
3. Mike Conley, Jr. – Atlanta Hawks
Every mock draft I’ve read says Al Horford here, but the Hawks need a point guard very, very badly and Conley has the potential to be one of the best in the league. He’s a Tony Parker clone (en vogue since Parker’s MVP) and thinks pass-first, which fits in well with unselfish players like Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams. Plus, the Hawks have a pretty good PF in 20-year-old Josh Smith, who averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds last year (even if he looks more like a SF). All that said, the Hawks could take Horford here and then either Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton (a Ga. Tech product, no less) later on. They may also consider a trade down that could net them Conley and Joakim Noah to fill their two big needs.
4. Al Horford - Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizz would be thrilled to have Horford here as a replacement for – or complement to – Pau Gasol. He’s the best player available and fills a need, providing some youth to go along with Rudy Gay. By the way, did anyone know that Damon Stoudemire was still on the Memphis roster? I totally forgot about him and just figured he retired a few years ago.
5. Yi Jianlian – Boston Celtics
I had Corey Brewer here originally and, chances are, the Celts aren’t going to keep this pick. But Yi is getting a lot of good publicity recently and he could be a game changer for the Celtics and a nice complement to Al Jefferson, who is more of a bruiser. Also, this pick allows Gerald Green to develop as the 2 guard. The downside? Yi is a bit of a project and Paul Pierce wants to win now (which, I would argue, is why the Celts need to trade Pierce and build from the ground up). Downside No. 2? After getting no help in this draft, Pierce could go Ricky Davis (or Latrell Sprewell, or Stephen Jackson, take your pick) on Ainge. Perhaps that’s not a downside—either way, it’ll be fun to watch it play out.
6. Joakim Noah – Milwaukee Bucks
Corey Brewer will be a consideration as a replacement for the oft-injured Bobby Simmons, but the Bucks need some help up front. Andrew Bogut is skilled but not super athletic, and Noah would bring the rebounding and shot blocking Bogut lacks, allowing Charlie Villanueva to slide to small forward. All that said, Mo Williams is a restricted free agent, so Conley would be the pick if Mo signs elsewhere.
7. Corey Brewer - Minnesota Timberwolves
Brandan Wright is probably the most talented player available, but if Garnett is still around (and he could be a Laker by the time I post this), the T’Wolves need some immediate help and Brewer could provide defense on the perimeter. He also has some offensive skill, but appears to be coming into this draft a little overrated. Noah is also a possibility if he falls—at the very least, he’d be a partner who could match Garnett’s energy level night in and night out.
8. Julian Wright - Charlotte Bobcats
This team has depth at every position but lacks a true star at any of them. With Gerald Wallace a possibility to leave through free agency, Wright could be a fill-in (though he isn’t likely to contribute right away, so don’t rule out Jeff Green). The Bobcats could also use a center, but this seems a little early for Spencer Hawes, destined to be the bust of the lottery.
9. Jeff Green – Chicago Bulls
On a roster with Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni, Green seems a little redundant. But the Bulls like to mix up their roster and Green is a solid player who can contribute right away and guard LeBron James for the next decade. If Noah falls this far, he could be the pick—and the Bulls do need a center, so don’t rule out Hawes or even Yi if they want some offense alongside Ben Wallace’s defense. How perfect would Garnett or Gasol be on this team? The Bulls should really package this pick and one of their redundant players (Nocioni, Sefolosha, maybe even Tyrus Thomas and whatever other contracts are necessary to make this work) and get Gasol. If Ben Gordon is part of any trade, Al Thornton or Nick Young would be the likely picks here.
10. Brandan Wright – Sacramento Kings
Wright is a casualty of other young player’s ills. After the disaster that is Kwame Brown and the slow development of players like Marvin Williams and Tyrus Thomas, teams that have been losing for a long time are reluctant to wait on a guy to develop. And Wright will take time. Luckily for him, the Kings are a disaster and need help at virtually every position. They need to trade Bibby, Psycho Artest and Brad Miller while they still have value and just start over. Wright is a good guy to start with.
11. Nick Young – Atlanta Hawks
12. Al Thornton – Philadelphia 76ers
13. Spencer Hawes – New Orleans Hornets
14. Javaris Crittenton – LA Clippers
1. Greg Oden – Portland Trailblazers
Perhaps the Blazers should think outside the box here and not take the best big man available because Kevin Durant is an exceptional prospect (and they already have Zach Randolph and LaMarcus Aldridge). But so is Oden, and point guard and centers are always the hardest to find. Expect Randolph to be traded in short order, likely for a swingman to pair with Brandan Roy.
2. Kevin Durant – Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics will be more than happy to re-tool Durant and use him for all the posters to publicize their move to Oklahoma City. He’s either the immediate replacement for Rashard Lewis at SF or, if Lewis re-signs, the long-term at SG in place of Ray Allen. And the thought of Luke Ridnour, Ray Allen, Durant, Lewis and Robert “Stick Figure” Swift running the floor is a pleasant one for basketball-loving Oklahomans. There is a lot of good, young talent on the Sonics and Durant is a building block for that.
3. Mike Conley, Jr. – Atlanta Hawks
Every mock draft I’ve read says Al Horford here, but the Hawks need a point guard very, very badly and Conley has the potential to be one of the best in the league. He’s a Tony Parker clone (en vogue since Parker’s MVP) and thinks pass-first, which fits in well with unselfish players like Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams. Plus, the Hawks have a pretty good PF in 20-year-old Josh Smith, who averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds last year (even if he looks more like a SF). All that said, the Hawks could take Horford here and then either Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton (a Ga. Tech product, no less) later on. They may also consider a trade down that could net them Conley and Joakim Noah to fill their two big needs.
4. Al Horford - Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizz would be thrilled to have Horford here as a replacement for – or complement to – Pau Gasol. He’s the best player available and fills a need, providing some youth to go along with Rudy Gay. By the way, did anyone know that Damon Stoudemire was still on the Memphis roster? I totally forgot about him and just figured he retired a few years ago.
5. Yi Jianlian – Boston Celtics
I had Corey Brewer here originally and, chances are, the Celts aren’t going to keep this pick. But Yi is getting a lot of good publicity recently and he could be a game changer for the Celtics and a nice complement to Al Jefferson, who is more of a bruiser. Also, this pick allows Gerald Green to develop as the 2 guard. The downside? Yi is a bit of a project and Paul Pierce wants to win now (which, I would argue, is why the Celts need to trade Pierce and build from the ground up). Downside No. 2? After getting no help in this draft, Pierce could go Ricky Davis (or Latrell Sprewell, or Stephen Jackson, take your pick) on Ainge. Perhaps that’s not a downside—either way, it’ll be fun to watch it play out.
6. Joakim Noah – Milwaukee Bucks
Corey Brewer will be a consideration as a replacement for the oft-injured Bobby Simmons, but the Bucks need some help up front. Andrew Bogut is skilled but not super athletic, and Noah would bring the rebounding and shot blocking Bogut lacks, allowing Charlie Villanueva to slide to small forward. All that said, Mo Williams is a restricted free agent, so Conley would be the pick if Mo signs elsewhere.
7. Corey Brewer - Minnesota Timberwolves
Brandan Wright is probably the most talented player available, but if Garnett is still around (and he could be a Laker by the time I post this), the T’Wolves need some immediate help and Brewer could provide defense on the perimeter. He also has some offensive skill, but appears to be coming into this draft a little overrated. Noah is also a possibility if he falls—at the very least, he’d be a partner who could match Garnett’s energy level night in and night out.
8. Julian Wright - Charlotte Bobcats
This team has depth at every position but lacks a true star at any of them. With Gerald Wallace a possibility to leave through free agency, Wright could be a fill-in (though he isn’t likely to contribute right away, so don’t rule out Jeff Green). The Bobcats could also use a center, but this seems a little early for Spencer Hawes, destined to be the bust of the lottery.
9. Jeff Green – Chicago Bulls
On a roster with Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni, Green seems a little redundant. But the Bulls like to mix up their roster and Green is a solid player who can contribute right away and guard LeBron James for the next decade. If Noah falls this far, he could be the pick—and the Bulls do need a center, so don’t rule out Hawes or even Yi if they want some offense alongside Ben Wallace’s defense. How perfect would Garnett or Gasol be on this team? The Bulls should really package this pick and one of their redundant players (Nocioni, Sefolosha, maybe even Tyrus Thomas and whatever other contracts are necessary to make this work) and get Gasol. If Ben Gordon is part of any trade, Al Thornton or Nick Young would be the likely picks here.
10. Brandan Wright – Sacramento Kings
Wright is a casualty of other young player’s ills. After the disaster that is Kwame Brown and the slow development of players like Marvin Williams and Tyrus Thomas, teams that have been losing for a long time are reluctant to wait on a guy to develop. And Wright will take time. Luckily for him, the Kings are a disaster and need help at virtually every position. They need to trade Bibby, Psycho Artest and Brad Miller while they still have value and just start over. Wright is a good guy to start with.
11. Nick Young – Atlanta Hawks
12. Al Thornton – Philadelphia 76ers
13. Spencer Hawes – New Orleans Hornets
14. Javaris Crittenton – LA Clippers
# posted by EJ @ 10:12 AM 
