Category: Featured

 

 

We continue our NBA mock draft with a look at picks eleven through twenty.

11. The Golden State Warriors are well equiptted to score the basketball, that’s not in question. Last year, Golden State addresseda huge need signing super rebounder David Lee in free agency. Texas post man Trista Thompson would ease some of the responsibilities Lee has taken on tthe boards. Thompson is 6’9″ 225, but plays big, due in large part to his 7’0″+ wing span. Strictly a center for the Longhorns, Thompson will be limited  to the four or five spot at the next level. Thompson lacks a face up game and has very limited range. Ideally, the Warriors will hire a head coach before the draft.

12. If there is a perfect fit in the 2011 NBA draft, it has to be the Utah Jazz and Brigham Young point guard Jimmer Fredette. The twelve spot seems on target and the Jazz have a big need for a scoring guard with range. What better drawing card for Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City than “Jimmer”. Utah was extremely lucky to jump up to tthe third spot with the pick they acquired from New Jersey in the Deron Williams trade. We projected one time Kentucky big man Enes Kanter with that selection, to run alongside super young forwards Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors. Point Devin Harris lends experience to orchestra the youngsters, if, he can stay healthy.

13. The Phoenix Suns never recovered from the loss of inside presence Amare Stoudamire last season. Phoenix failed miserably with an experiment with Hedu Torkoglu at power forward. The Suns did salvage things, moving Hedu back to Orlando in a package deal that included center Marcin Gortat. Point guard Aaron Brooks arrived in a deal at the deadline to spell Steve Nash. Jared Dudley emerged among a group of servicable wing players. While he’ll never have Amare’s offensive game, Bismark Biyombo, brings back the athleticism and then some. The super athletic big man from the Congo checks in at 6’9″ 250 with a shocking 7’7″ wingspan! Biyombo’s build and explosivemess reminds me of Shawn Kemp. The Suns need big time help and this gamble could pay off.

14. In the first of two first round selections, the Houston Rockets need to go big. In the middle, two major question marks exist in Yao Ming and Hasheem Thabeet. Kyle Lowry and Goran Drajic can handle the point. Houston has a nice combination of players on the wing in Kevin Martin, Courtney Lee, Terrence Williams and Chase Budinger. Jordan Hill and Patrick Patterson, two recent number one picks appear to be more role player than impact in nature. The Rockets choose from Kansas combo forward Marcus Morris. Morris has a nice all-around balanced game, akin to a poor mans Derrick Williams.

15. The Indiana Pacers are in dire need off a shooting guard, preferably one with the shooting range of General Manager Larry Bird. Washington State guard Klay Thompson could be that man. Thompson has two-guard prototype size, 6’6″ 200, and is the best pure shooter in the draft. Thompson works hard off the ball and could be utilized much like Ray Allen off picks and screens. The Pacers have settled in with Darren Collison at the point, spelled by  TJ Ford. Danny Granger, the most underrated player in the NBA mans the three, with Paul George and Mike Dunleavy excellent options. Indiana really made strides in the paint, with center Roy Hibbert along with power forwards Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts taking their games to the next level.

16. The Philadelphia 76ers have assembled some of the most athletic, exciting perimeter players in the Association. Philly is well stocked at the point with Jrue Holiday and Louis Williams. Andre Iguodola, Thaddues Young and Evan Turner are the most explosive wings in the Eastern Conference north of Miami. While the Sixers win battles on the perimeter, its inside the pain where they are losing the war. Philly needs someone to defend the paint and more importantly rebound. How about Morehead State power man Kenneth Faried? Faried plays bigger than his size, 6’8″ 225, impressively leading the Ohio Valley Conference in rebounding, blocks and steals. Elton Brand is doing his best, but a catastrophic injury and a nightmarish contract have been a negative. Head Coach Doug Collins believes center Spencer Hawes has room to go and wants to bring him back next season.

17. No team in the Association has more roster spots to fill than the New York Knicks. In order to land Carmelo Anthony, New York had to send all its young quality depth to the mile high city. The Knicks remain a work in progress, Melo is on board, joining  Amare Stoudamire and both sides want Chauncey Billups to re-up in the big apple. Amare needs help in the paint ASAP and New York would be best served taking a power player like Markeiff Morris of Kansas. Markieff is a more powerful, athletic player than twin brother Marcus, but his offensive skill set is not ready for prime time. Retaining Billups is a must, as shooting guard Landry Fields and sixth man Toney Douglas are more effective in support roles.

18. The Washington Wizards have a second 1st round pick, courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks as part of the Kirk Hinrich trade. With the number six pick, we projected San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard. The  need is such that another forward, Florida State’s Chris Singleton, also makes sense for the Wiz. A 6’9″ defensive specialist, Singleton projects as a shutdown combo forward at the next level.  If Washington retains Nick Young, they will maintain a nice rotation with John Wall and Jordan Crawford. The Wizards have five recent first round picks in the post, but look for them to move Aundray Blatche. Rumors persist he may be  headed to Minnesota with picks for the #2 overall pick.

19. The Charlotte Hornets also have a second 1st round pick, partial payment for the inexplicable trade of small forward Gerald Wallace to  Portland. Over the course of six months, General Manager Michael Jordan parted ways with a pair of defensive specialists, center Tyson Chandler, and Wallace without getting anything substantial  in return. With their own pick earlier, we projected Euro big man Donatas Motiejunas. Charlotte needs to build inside out and draft Georgia forward Trey Thompkins at number 19. MJ has shown an interest in drafting local talent in the past, like Duke guard Gerald Henderson. Thompkins is limited to power forward, lacking the mobility to play the three and too small to man the middle

20. The Minnesota Timberwolves have an extra selection as part of a three team trade sending Al Jefferson to Utah.  The T-Wolves are making alot of trade noise and either first round pick may be involved in a deal. The latest rumor with Indiana small forward Danny Granger heading North. Should Minnesota retain the pick, a big man is in order. We like Purdue power forward JaJuan Johnson. Johnson is 6’10” and athletic enough to play either forward slot. Johnson is a rare four year college star, while mature, probably has a limited upside.

Tomorrow, we wrap up our first round mock, with a look at picks 21-30.

 

 

The focus of the NBA world will be on Chicago this week, not just because of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Bulls and the Miami Heat, but the combine as well. The best of the best will be showing their stuff for scouts and front office execs over the next three days in the windy city.

Did you watch the NBA draft lottery last night? It’s must-see TV in my household.

I had high hopes that my hometown Washington Wizards would strike in back to back years, but unfortunately, they fell back (two spots) in the pecking order. Dreams of Derrick Williams and John Wall becoming the next Westbrook/Durant combo, gone…..

Of note, two of the top three picks coming via trade deadline deals. Cleveland’s acquisition of Baron Davis also brought with it the #1 overall pick from the Clippers. New Jersey landed Deron Williams, but Utah was rewarded with the #3 overall selection. Was it a fix? Minnesota’s front office certainly thinks so.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been identifying some of the top prospects, now we project landing spots with our first mock.  We begin with picks one through ten.

1. Cleveland (from L.A. Clippers) Derek Williams SF Arizona 6’9″ 240

Most if not all mocks project Kyrie Irving here, not so fast my friend! Williams will emerge the best of the class and do so right away. The Cavaliers need a small forward to help fans forget you know who and can get a guard at #4. Williams can play either the three or four and would provide a nice rotation with Michael Beasley and Kevin Love.
2. Minnesota Kyrie Irving PG Duke 6’2″ 180

Will the Timberwolves every find their point guard? Minnesota selected THREE of them in the first round of the 2009 draft, but only one is on the T-Wolves roster. Syracuse point Jonny Flynn was taken #6 overall, immediately following Ricky Rubio who remains in Europe. Don’t feel sorry for them as they absolutely stole that pick from the Wizards for a one year rental of Mike Miller and Randy Foye. UNC’s Ty Lawson was taken #18, but immediately traded to Denver.  Forward Martell Webster ended up the eventual payment for Lawson.
3. Utah (from New Jersey) Enes Kanter C Kentucky 6’11” 260

The Jazz could go several directions here. Point guard Devin Harris turns 29 next season, but its too early to take local favorite Jimmer Fredette. Utah is set for years to come at forward with Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors. Little trivia for you, the Hayward pick (#9 overall/2010) came to the Jazz along with Tom Gugliotta from Phoenix way back in 2004. Kanter is the top center in the draft and according to scouts, would have been #1 overall had he played for Kentucky this season.
4. Cleveland Brandon Knight G Kentucky 6’3″ 185

If I am Cleveland’s GM, I am much happier with Williams and Knight, than I would be with Irving and whoever. When in doubt take a John Calipari point guard. The last two weren’t too bad (Derek Rose and John Wall). Are the Clippers going to pretend that they are still happy giving up this pick (and Baron Davis) for Mo Williams. Sure the Clippers wanted to clear Baron from their books, but the price steeper than they hoped and expected. Knight and Williams will sell tickets and may develop into Oklahoma City east.
5. Toronto Jonas Valanciunas C Lithiuania 6’11” 240

What would an NBA draft be without the Raptors taking a Euro? Toronto has its highlight reel slasher in DeMar DeRozan and a couple of nice finesse bigs in Ed Davis and Andrea Bargnani. There is still hope that Jerryd Bayless can develop into a serviceable starting point guard. So the Raptors go big, again. Valanciunas is only 19 years old and is expected to eventually be a 7+ footer. Similar to Bargnani, without the shooting range, but oustide of Dirk, what 7 footer does?
6. Washington Kawhi Leonard F San Diego State 6’7″ 225

Williams would have been the perfect fit in Washington, but the Wizards lottery luck from a year ago didn’t continue. Lottery rep John Wall made it be known that fellow Wildcat Kanter was his choice. The Wiz were fortunate to land Wall a year ago, helping fans forget the abortion known as the 2009 draft. In addition to Wall, the backcourt has depth, Jordan Crawford surprised after the deadline deal and restricted free agent Nick Young has developed into a fine scorer. Five recent first round picks man the post which remains unsettled, but not a disaster area of need. Small forward is that disaster area. Rashard Lewis will be a nice expiring contract at some point, but there is a definite need, now, and we like Leonard. Perimeter shooting is his lone weakness, but Kawhi has made strides, shooting him up draft boards, including ours.
7. Sacramento Kemba Walker G Connecticut 6’0″ 170

The Kings have made no secret their love affair for Walker. Point guard turned Mayor Kevin Johnson knows a draw like Kemba could go a long way towards building the new arena necessary to keep the franchise in the state capital.  Sacamento address inside in a big way a year ago with DeMarcus Cousins. Overachieving Ben Udrih has manned the point alongside  mercurial Tyreke Evans, but help is needed immediately in the backcourt. Walker would take some of the heat off of Evans and would create a nice mix as both can handle, create and score.
8. Detroit Jan Vesely F Czech Republic 6’11” 240

Rodney Stuckey is the face of the Pistons and orchestrates a blend of veterans on the perimeter. Tayshaun Prince may have played his last game in the motor city, but Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton and surprisingly Tracy McGrady remain, for now… The Pistons are pleased with ’10 first rounder Greg Monroe, but another young front court stud is priority number one. Vesley is one of the more intriguing talents in the draft, an extremely long small forward. Only 20 years old, Vesely may need time to develop and add bulk to his thin frame. Of note, Vesely is signed with his Belgrade team for several more seasons.
9. Charlotte Donatas Motiejunas C Lithiuania 7’0″ 230

Where do we begin? The Hornets may have more roster needs than any team in the Association. The Mavericks can thank Michael Jordan for his cost cutting trade of Tyson Chandler for spare parts. The starting backcourt of D.J. Augustin and Stephen Jackson will be pressed for minutes with the severe injury to backup Gerald Henderson. Up front, Tyrus Thomas is the future, nothing else with future impact on board the Charlotte roster.  Motiejunas may be a bit of a reach, but the Hornets are desperate for a difference maker inside. Motiejunas may have the biggest upside of the European talent, but may not contribute immediately.
10. Milwaukee Alec Burks G Colorado 6’6″ 190

The Bucks hit paydirt with the selection of Brandon Jennings at #10 in the ’09 draft. Jennings has proven to be a floor leader that can also score in bunches. John Salmons is a capable backcourt mate, but Burks would be a younger option with a much bigger upside. Burks has prototype size for a two-guard and displayed elite scoring ability in college. More of a scorer than pure shooter, Burks is also a capable ball handler and could share duties with Jennings. Led by center Andrew Bogut and the potential of last year’s mid 1st rounder Larry Sanders, Milwaukee’s draft priority definitely lies at the wing.

Tomorrow we will take a look at picks 11-20.

The 2011 NBA draft will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

 

 

Three, maybe four teams will head into the offseason with hope, following tonight’s NBA draft lottery.

A surprising number of talented underclassman opting to return to college for another season, leaving the draft thin at the top. It’s a bit of an unknown why so many opted out of the draft, most point to uncertainty in NBA labor relations.

Even though the talent level drops off after an elite few, the draft remains deep overall. Mock drafts indicate some solid talent into the second round, not franchise changing, but certainly  effective role players.

Draft Lottery participants (with % chances of 1st pick)

Minnesota Timberwolves 25.0%

Cleveland Cavaliers 19.9%

Toronto Raptors 15.6%

Washington Wizards 11.9%

Sacramento Kings 7.6%

Utah Jazz (from New Jersey Nets) 7.5%

Detroit Pistons 4.3%

Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Clippers) 2.8%

Charlotte Hornets 1.7%

Milwaukee Bucks 1.1%

Golden State Warriors 0.8%

Utah Jazz 0.7%

Phoenix Suns 0.6%

Houston Rockets 0.5%

With fourteen teams taking part in the lottery, we thought we would give you a look at players that are likely atop draft boards.

G Kyrie Irving– Could be the #1 overall pick no matter which team wins the lottery

F Derrick Williams– NBA ready player would be perfect fit for Washington Wizards

C Enes Kanter– Best low post anchor, spent time in Europe after delcared ineligible at Kentucky

G Brandon Knight– Next in line of Calipari point guard after Derek Rose and John Wall

F Jan Vesely– Towering small forward, nearly 7’0″ with good shooting range

G Kemba Walker– Exciting point for a guard driven league coming off national title

F Jonas Valanciunas– Lithiuanian big man thought to have biggest upside of all Euros

F Kawhi Leonard– True small forward has increased value by improving his perimeter game

G Jimmer Fredette– LONG range shooter will be a fan favorite no matter where he lands

G Alec Burks– Best shooting guard in the field, more of a creator/scorer than shooter

F Tristan Thompson– Only 6’8, projects at power forward with 7’2″ wingspan and athleticism

F Jordan Hamilton– Swing man is big time scorer, much better catch and shoot than off dribble

C Donatas Motiejunas– Seven footer has adept post game but needs work on rebounding and defense

F Kenneth Faried– Top rebounder in the draft exploded on the scene in the 2011 tournament

The lottery will take place during halftime of game one of the Western Conference finals tonight between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder. The 2011 NBA draft will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.