My mock

BMiller52

All-Star
http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...974~18916~19215~19038~19077~19222~18884~18885

I would've posted it by hand but that's a lot more work. I'll explain some of the picks though:

I think Chicago takes Rose because he's going to be a lot like Paul and Williams, he'll be a top 3 PG for the next 15 years. That's pretty rare. He's the leader Paxson supposedly wants and he's going to be a 20/10 guy who can create for Thomas and Noah. I just think he's the right pick there.

I donno if Miami keeps the pick, I think they might trade down or trade it for a guy like Brand. If they do that though the pick is still Beasley.

I have Anthony Randolph higher than a lot of people do but I think he fits in well with what they're doing. They have a ton of guards so I didn't go with a guy like Mayo or Gordon. They do however need another guy who can score, and a guy who can rebound, and a guy who can pass, and a guy who can block shots. Guy does all those things and they have no PF really. So he is a versatile player and fills a lot of needs for them.

NY needs a superstar so they get their superstar and D'antoni has his choice of whether to try to have Mayo be a scorer and a run and gun PG or just a scorer. Regardless though they are a town that loves star players, so they get one. Something to bring back fan support in the big apple.

Clippers supposedly love Gallinari and their SG situation is horrible. Looking back maybe I should've given them Gordon? I dunno. They could go with Thornton at PF and Galinari at SF and be a running team or they could go big and have him be a big SG like Durant in Seattle.

Milwaukee supposedly has soured on Mike Redd and Ramon Sessions looked good toward the end of the season, they already have Yi. So they get a SG to pair with Sessions if they think he's their guy at PG. He's pretty much the best player available.

Love goes to Charlotte because Larry Brown loves dudes who play the right way. That's Love. He's also a good OFFENSIVE player, which is what they need. His D can be covered up by Wallace, Okafor, Richardson, and for a little guy Felton is a pretty good defender too. He allows Okafor to shift to C(which he supposedly likes better), he's a good shooter so he can help them space the floor a bit better, he's a good rebounder, and he'll have a lot of fun throwing outlet passes to Felton, Wallace, and JRich. I don't like Love for us but I think he's a great fit for Charlotte.

Arthur goes to NJ because he'd be the best PF they'd have since Kenyon. I think he's pretty polished so he is a guy that can contribute right away(something I've heard Thorn wants in NJ) and he fits into a running line up with Harris, VC, RJ, and Sean Will or Krstic at C.

Indy needs a PG that can defend, Tinsley isn't that guy. I wanted to actually give them a PF/C here like Jordan or McGee since it doesn't look like JO is around too much longer but they've had a need at PG so long I couldn't do it:o. Westbrook is a good defender, athletic/uptempo type of guy, and can pass and score so I think he fits into their plans pretty good.

We get DJ Augustin. I rather have Arthur or maybe Westbrook but I think this is a SOLID pick. The guy reminds me a lot of Damon Stoudamire before he blew up his knee. He's a good shooter, good at getting into the lane, great passer and ball handler, he's a good guy to have running your team. His only weakness is size.

I gave Portland Joe Alexander. He is a good player, they need a SF most since none of the good PGs are left, and he's supposedly a great athlete(in the workouts he's supposedly doing 360 dunks and off the backboard dunks). He can shoot okay, decent ball handler, I dunno.

Donte Greene goes to GS. He's a 3/4 who can block shots and rebound okay because of his athleticism/length but can also shoot 3s which Nelly and the Warriors love. He'd fit right in IMO while giving them a bit more height/size than they have at the moment.

THoughts? I think MAYBE I should've switched Gordon/Gallinari between LAC and Milwaukee to be honest since Milwaukee really hasn't had a good SF in a long time and I'm not sure Gallinari's the answer to LAC's SG problems, I think he's more of a SF.

Also kind of dissapointed I put Augustin to us even though I like him. I was hoping to get a big man but Andy Katz(I think it's him) says in his ESPN blog the guys like Arthur, Love(who I don't want too much for us to be honest), are top 10 material. I like Jordan and would be happy if we picked him but I dunno if he's a Petrie pick, and Augustin is a lot more proven than McGee so that's what it came down to.
 
its just dumb to have DeAndre Jordan going 17. If he is there at 12, Kings should pick him. He's the next Dwight Howard.
 
its just dumb to have DeAndre Jordan going 17. If he is there at 12, Kings should pick him. He's the next Dwight Howard.


He's not nearly as good as Howard. At best he's Tyson Chandler and at worst he's Kwame Brown. Have you seen the guy play? I mean he could develop into a good post scorer, a good defender, shotblocker, rebounder, etc. But the guy is ALL POTENTIAL at this point. Howard was thought of as a #1 pick for a reason. People could tell he was going to be dominant. Jordan isn't even though of as a lock for a top 10 pick at the moment. If he shows he actually has skills in workouts then sure, he'll raise his stock. But the guy hasn't really improved, he's extremely raw, he has a ton of developing to do before he ever contributes offensively and defensively he gets in foul trouble. Sure he could grow fast, but that's doubtful.

Here's what teams think of Jordan: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3404609&name=katz_andy&univLogin02=stateChanged

Then look at team needs. Portland picks after us, they're not picking him when they need a SF and they have Oden, Aldridge, and Frye up front. GSW should pick him but he's not their type of player, plus they have B. Wright so Greene makes more sense for them because they could go Greene/Wright/Biedrins while still being a run and gun team if both Wright/Greene turn out. Phoenix is right after them and I think McGee who can shoot and is arguably just as athletic is more of a Phoenix type of player. THen again I could be wrong there since Amare is their PF but atleast McGee HAS SKILLS and athleticism+size. After them, you have the Sixers who want a PF that can post up. Speights is a lot more proven than Jordan and he actually has a post game and a jump shot. He's unquestionably a better player than Jordan right now and he is pretty damn loaded with potential too considering his size, athleticism, etc. Right after that you have Jordan going to Toronto who could use a C with some toughness next to Bosh.

Maybe I went with team needs too much and didn't factor in potential enough but you have to admit all the players I picked in front of the guy are better players right now, pretty much just as young(except for J. Alexander, the rest might have 1 year on him), and they are better fits for where they are picked.
 
Dwight Howard was once compared to Kwame Brown. They said that Howard was the complete package, but he still needed to develop strength and a low post game. Looks to me like his strength and low post game have improved these last couple years. Sure, you don't force feed the ball into Howard all game long, but don't tell me for one second that you wouldn't want Howard, let alone Howard next to Hawes.

There are a couple bigs with the total physical package that will be available at our pick. Most of them are a little too skinny and need to put on muscle mass...just like Howard. Some of them lack the refined post game...just like Howard. Doesn't scare me one bit.

Of course Howard was more of a consensus high draft pick. But we are picking at the #12. If we can get anyone that is in the mold of a Howard then we should consider ourselves lucky. Am I saying guys like Jordan and McGee will be the next Howard? No. But they have similar qualities coming into the NBA. Good size, length, athleticism...need strength and coaching.

All of the people who are averse to drafting for potential are so perplexing to me. If I asked most of them individually if they would rather us scrape for the 8th seed in the west or break it down and rebuild, most would say they want a true rebuild. But then they come around and say don't draft for potential, draft for established skill. Bringing in a more known commodity with an obviously lesser ceiling would be drafting in order to help the team out NOW. And all that is doing is scraping for the 8th seed. I would much rather see us draft a guy that will take 2-3 years to develop, but will be a legitimate threat in the future.
 
Dude, don't even compare DeAndre Jordan to Dwight Howard. They're not even on the same planet talent wise. Howard was already one of the best defenders and rebounders fresh out of high school. He was a PG until his growth spurts and while Howard didn't have much of a post game, he had a lot of skill, very good fundamentals, and a high bb IQ.

Jordan has one yr of college ball under his belt and nowhere near the player that Howard was at 18. His fundamentals, work rate, skill level, defense, and bball IQ are way below Howard when the Magic drafted him. At best, Jordan becomes the next Samuel Dalembert in 5 to 6 years. At worst, he is the next Kwame Brown.

I don't see Jordan translating well to PF so if we draft him, we're basically drafting a backup for Hawes. If we're going to take a chance on a raw 7 footer, I'd rather go with McGee since McGee has more skill and more suited to PF than Jordan.
 
Dude, don't even compare DeAndre Jordan to Dwight Howard. They're not even on the same planet talent wise. Howard was already one of the best defenders and rebounders fresh out of high school. He was a PG until his growth spurts and while Howard didn't have much of a post game, he had a lot of skill, very good fundamentals, and a high bb IQ.

Jordan has one yr of college ball under his belt and nowhere near the player that Howard was at 18. His fundamentals, work rate, skill level, defense, and bball IQ are way below Howard when the Magic drafted him. At best, Jordan becomes the next Samuel Dalembert in 5 to 6 years. At worst, he is the next Kwame Brown.

I don't see Jordan translating well to PF so if we draft him, we're basically drafting a backup for Hawes. If we're going to take a chance on a raw 7 footer, I'd rather go with McGee since McGee has more skill and more suited to PF than Jordan.

Jordan had a phenomenal Senior year of high school (like Howard) and Jordan was highly touted going into college. I don't think the situation at A&M fit with his style of play, and it kind of ruined his draft position.

That being said I don't think those ESPN guys have a clue when it comes to a couple of those players. My jaw about hit the floor when they had Arthur as a top ten. Sorry, but if they are knocking Jordan then Arthur deserves it double. Arthur had a chance to improve this year, and pretty much put up the same per40 numbers with a block a game less. Also, I don't think Petrie would pass on Jordan if he fell to us. Nothing personal against Arthur, but he just doesn't have the PF type game or body. That being said he doesn't have a SF game either.

Prototypical tweener with no distinguishable PF/SF skills/size. That's what is going to hurt him...
 
Last edited:
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3406388&name=ncbexperts

Fran Fraschilla agrees with me. He doesn't even have Jordan in the lottery, just like me.

Oh and for the record I'd be happy with a DAJordan pick but I don't think we'll take him. Dude's not a Petrie player. Geoff doesn't pick raw players. Rather have McGee if we take a big man like that though, he atleast has skills he can use and he's just as tall/athletic.

You know when ESPN guys try to write about the Kings how many things they get wrong right? ;) I think they have that whole Jordan/Arthur thing mixed up.

BTW, I would take Jordan 10 out of 10 times if it was him against McGee. Reason is Jordan can play some D, is just as athletic, and has twice the ceiling that McGee has. McGee has him beat on offense, but if Jordan was in the right situation I think he would be fine.. but yah, he doesn't have McGee's range or anything close to it. yet.....

If Jordan fell to us at 12 we would have to take him, even if he's not a Petrie type of player. Reason is because of his talent level. If he was able to enter the draft after high school he would have been a top 5 pick.
 
Jordan had a phenomenal Senior year of high school (like Howard) and Jordan was highly touted going into college. I don't think the situation at A&M fit with his style of play, and it kind of ruined his draft position.

That being said I don't think those ESPN guys have a clue when it comes to a couple of those players. My jaw about hit the floor when they had Arthur as a top ten. Sorry, but if they are knocking Jordan then Arthur deserves it double. Arthur had a chance to improve this year, and pretty much put up the same per40 numbers with a block a game less. Also, I don't think Petrie would pass on Jordan if he fell to us. Nothing personal against Arthur, but he just doesn't have the PF type game or body. That being said he doesn't have a SF game either.

Prototypical tweener with no distinguishable PF/SF skills/size. That's what is going to hurt him...


Those were NBA representives polled not the ESPN guys' opinion. Like I said before I would be happy with Jordan, but I don't think he's a Petrie player. Also Arthur played on a stacked team, but I'll admit the rebounding is lacking there. But we've had this debate 100 times before(about Arthur) and I'd rather debate something else.

I think Jordan is probably less raw than I said he is and he gets credit for but he is pretty raw. Some of that falls on the A&M coaches but it also falls on him. His shooting is awful. He's missing a post game. Decent rebounder and shotblocker(he leaves room to be desired there too though) with a ton of potential but he doesn't have the greatest work ethic and he's going to have to actually have skills to play in the NBA. Mainly he needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble and get some post moves, and get a passable free throw stroke(nothing fancy, but 60% would be nice for him ATLEAST). He's definitely a top 10 talent but so was Kandiman and so was Kwame. The mental thing+work ethic is a huge part of it. The TXA&M coaches didn't develop him at all but if he had been better than Joseph Jones and the other big man they had(I forgot his name at the moment) he would've played more than they did anyway.

If you think Jordan will ever have anything close to McGee's J you are dreaming. The guy is shooting like 40% from the FT line and doesn't even have any post moves but you expect him to develop a jumper as nice as JaVale's? JaVale is just as athletic IMO, they're both exceptional athletes but neither one is close to Dwight who is just a beast physically(neither of them will ever be as strong as Dwight is).

I think JVM needs a big man coach to teach him some D. But offensively a lot of it's there. He could be a potential superstar so I disagree he has half the ceiling of Jordan. I think Jordan becomes Chandler, I won't say at best because if he actually developed a post game he could be a damn good player, but hey that's what they said about Chandler too. That's what they said about a lot of players. Players rarely achieve their ceilings. Sometimes you just don't have the offensive skills. But McGee? He's got a great offensive game already. He's a good shotblocker too(got more BPG than Jordan, of course he played more minutes too and was a starter on a worse team so maybe it's a moot point) he just badly needs to learn to defend the post better. But JVM has already put on 10 pounds of muscle supposedly. Big men with JVM's athleticism, ball handling, shooting, finishing ability inside, they don't come along too often. I actually think maybe when I do another 1 I'll pick McGee. Jordan has none of that stuff.
 
drafting De Andre Jordan as they said is a high risk high reward type pick.. the problem is how long will this "rewarD" pay off.. and how long will we be risking game after game for him to develop a post game or even a jump shot...

i was up into drafting him too before i saw the stats :P if we pick JVM then we have a center-forward.. and it sure does open the possibility of moving miller.... and if hawes and JVM develops we can start them both that would be a pretty tall line up :P
 
This mock is based on our needs I will exclude some SG's and SF-type players because if you can think of 12 players that you'd want on your team then it's easier (here's mine):

1. Bulls- Beasley PF
2. Miami- Rose G
3. Minn- Lopez C
4. Seattle- Bayless PG (ish)
5. Memphis- Mayo SG
6. NY- DeAndre Jordan
7. Clips- Augustin PG (ish)
8. Milwaukee- Love PF
9. Charolette- Darrell Arthur PF
10. NJ- McGee C or Speights PF
11. Indy- Westbrook PG
12. Sac- McGee or Speights

This would exclude Anthony Randolph, Joe Alexander, Danillio GAllinari (which D'Antoni will probably pick), and Eric Gordon, all of which I could see making it in the top 12.
 
Jordan had a phenomenal Senior year of high school (like Howard) and Jordan was highly touted going into college. I don't think the situation at A&M fit with his style of play, and it kind of ruined his draft position.

I agree that Jordan had a monsterous HS senior year and he deserved to be a highly touted player. I also agree A&M didn't really develop him well. But he is still nowhere near as good as Dwight Howard when the Magic was in HS. I admit that physically and athletically, Jordan is close to Howard (but not equal), but skill-wise and bball IQ wise he's way off. To me, comparing Jordan to Howard is like comparing Gerald Green to Kobe Byrant.
 
Jordan says he's already been promised into the top five. ESPN.com


If a team takes Jordan over Lopez then that's on them. I think Jordan is top ten just based on explosiveness and talent alone, but not top five. .

Oh and BMiller.. You are right.. McGee has a better game then Jordan offensively. I put that "yet" in there because I was trying to have fun with it :)

I don't think a guy like Jordan will need an offensive game like McGee to stay in the league. Howard came into the league pretty raw himself. (not trying to compare the two) and Howard still lacks a good offensive game. (i.e. the most dunks in the league right? Or was that Amare? Either way I know he's top two).
 
Back
Top