Bubbles
06-23-2010, 10:09 AM
This does not take talk of trades into account. That said, with the draft tomorrow night, it's appropriate.
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1) Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG, Kentucky
Make no mistake: John Wall is no savior, at least not yet. Derrick Rose was a much better player and prospect under Calipari, and did much more with much less of a supporting cast. That said, Wall is hands-down the best PG prospect in the draft, making him the pick.
2) Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State
My number-one draft maxim: If a player does one fairly-small thing very, VERY well in college, he will make a name for himself doing it at the next level. Evan Turner grabbed nine rebounds a game from the two-guard position at OSU, while dragging an overrated supporting cast through the season. He's ready to be an impact player.
3) New Jersey Nets: Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse
Derrick Favors has been targeted here for a while, but after a poor workout, he's dropped behind the Big East Player of the Year. Johnson gives New Jersey a talented complementary scorer in the mold of OJ Mayo.
4) Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
If Johnson is off the board, don't be surprised if they trade this pick. They wanted Johnson badly, and they're not comfortable with Favors at all.
5) Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, Kentucky
Cousins is easily the most talented big left, and he reportedly passed all the tests at his Sacramento workout with flying colors. They could go a lot of ways here, but for now, my money is on Cousins.
6) Golden State Warriors: Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown
See pick #2 (and maxim #1). Monroe was easily the country's best outlet passer this past year. He fits in WAY too well for the Warriors to pass him up, as he'd find ways to get the ball to Ellis and Curry. He's a great teammate, and GS would really benefit from his services.
7) Detroit Pistons: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
This may be a bit of a reach. However, the team is very thin on the interior, and Aldrich has experience being a go-to guy. Plus, he's physical and very tough, which should fit in with the philosophy of team president Joe Dumars.
8) LA Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest
Aminu will provide an excellent complement to Blake Griffin. Both are very athletic, with tremendous length, and it will amp up their transition offense to have both guys helping to stretch defenses.
9) Utah Jazz: Xavier Henry, SG/SF, Kansas
Most mocks have Henry going in the mid-teens. Why? He's a strong spot-up shooter, as well as an excellent defender, and he's being penalized for his team losing early in the NCAA tournament. His stroke will do wonders in Utah, where his sound fundamentals will mesh perfectly with Jerry Sloan's style.
10) Indiana Pacers: Gordon Heyward, SF, Butler
White guy? Check. Sure-shooting SF? Check. Local boy? Check. Move on.
11) New Orleans Hornets: Ed Davis, PF, UNC
New Orleans has zero depth in the frontcourt, and they need to address it here. Davis is the best frontcourt prospect available. He's raw, but he makes great use of his 6'10" frame and wouldn't be asked to do TOO much early on.
12) Memphis Grizzlies: Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada
Babbitt put up big scoring numbers (albeit against suspect competition) his senior season. Patrick Patterson could also go here, but he strikes me as a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none kind of player. With Babbitt, you get a guy who wants the ball in crunch-time situations, something the Grizzlies don't otherwise have.
13) Toronto Raptors: Patrick Patterson, SF, Kentucky
Not even the Raptors front office knows what this team will look like on opening day. Patterson is a blend-in guy, though, and suits a number of different looks well. He won't be a star (think a poor man's Tyrus Thomas), but he'll be a valuable role-player on a good team.
14) Houston Rockets: Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor
I thought about James Anderson here, but he wouldn't get playing time behind Kevin Martin. Udoh is a low-risk, high-reward guy who still has room to grow. He'd learn from Shane Battier and Yao Ming and eventually be a good player in the system.
15) Milwaukee Bucks: Paul George, SF, Fresno State
You don't know how many more miles are left on Michael Redd, and John Salmons may want out of his contract. George is a streaky scorer, and can also fight for rebounds and loose balls. He'd be a perfect energy guy on a contender, which is something Milwaukee could use.
16) Minnesota Timberwolves: James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
Anderson is easily the best scorer left on the board, and he isn't a bad consolation prize after they missed out on Wesley Johnson. He is an explosive shooter who can also drive to the basket, and he carried an otherwise-mediocre Oklahoma State team this past season.
17) Chicago Bulls: Avery Bradley, SG, Texas
By all accounts, Chicago wants Anderson. They don't get him, but Bradley is a fine consolation prize despite a recent ankle injury. He's versatile, and could spell a number of their better players for short periods of time right away.
18) Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
He's been the Heat's target since day one. This team needs depth at the point guard position, and Bledsoe is the kind of player Pat Riley has had success with in the past.
19) Boston Celtics: Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier
Ray Allen could be lost to free agency, and even if he isn't, he's getting up there in years. Crawford gives them a versatile scorer to spell him, and he and Nate Robinson could form a big-time second-string backcourt that will give opposing reserves nightmares.
20) San Antonio Spurs: Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State
San Antonio needs size. Traditionally, they've drafted extremely well, emphasizing basketball IQ over measurables and potential (Example: DeJuan Blair). Alabi is the best shot-blocker left, and one of the smartest players in the draft, period.
21) Oklahoma City Thunder: Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State
Brackins has rocketed up draft boards as of late for his well-rounded game and ability to spread the floor. This is valuable in OC's uptempo game, and he'll be a very nice fit.
22) Portland Trail Blazers: Kevin Seraphin, PF, France
Portland could go anywhere with this pick. They have a history of going with savvy, international players, and Seraphin, an athletic (6'10, 260) power forward, fits the bill.
23) Minnesota Timberwolves: Damion James, SF, Texas
James can step right in and help the T'Wolves, despite not being a star. Yet again, at #23 with a below-average team, that's really all you can expect, provided they don't move the pick.
24) Atlanta Hawks: Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
Whiteside could go in the late-lottery picks due to his upside and shot-blocking skills. He does have some maturity issues, but the potential is too much to pass up at this point.
25) Memphis Grizzlies: Dominique Jones, SG, South Florida
In Babbitt and Jones, they have a great scoring duo that can help shore up a team that may lose Rudy Gay to free agency. Jones can step in as OJ Mayo's backup and do well, despite a still-developing outside shot. He's strong in getting to the basket and drawing fouls, which provides a great burst off the bench.
26) Oklahoma City Thunder: Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky
Orton barely cracked the rotation in Kentucky, but has raw potential and great size. He could end up in the lottery, but teams are concerned with his knees.
27) New Jersey Nets: Larry Sanders, PF, VCU
Sanders gives the Nets some depth inside, which they didn't get earlier by passing up Favors for Johnson. He is raw, but this late, you're going by potential, which Sanders has in large quantities.
28) Memphis Grizzlies: Keith Gallon, PF, Oklahoma
Memphis will likely trade this pick. However, if they stay here, they will likely go big. Gallon has had weight issues, but is an inside-out scorer who could be a sleeper pick.
29) Orlando Magic: Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia
Orlando doesn't have many prospects on its board, but Ebanks is one of them. He's not a great offensive player, but he IS a lockdown defender who can guard three different positions.
30) Washington Wizards: Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati
Nobody knows what the Wizards will do about Gilbert Arenas. They could dump him, considering they don't want him corrupting John Wall. If that's their plan, Lance Stephenson is an explosive scorer who can grow and (hopefully) mature with Wall to form a dynamic backcourt combination.
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1) Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG, Kentucky
Make no mistake: John Wall is no savior, at least not yet. Derrick Rose was a much better player and prospect under Calipari, and did much more with much less of a supporting cast. That said, Wall is hands-down the best PG prospect in the draft, making him the pick.
2) Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State
My number-one draft maxim: If a player does one fairly-small thing very, VERY well in college, he will make a name for himself doing it at the next level. Evan Turner grabbed nine rebounds a game from the two-guard position at OSU, while dragging an overrated supporting cast through the season. He's ready to be an impact player.
3) New Jersey Nets: Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse
Derrick Favors has been targeted here for a while, but after a poor workout, he's dropped behind the Big East Player of the Year. Johnson gives New Jersey a talented complementary scorer in the mold of OJ Mayo.
4) Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
If Johnson is off the board, don't be surprised if they trade this pick. They wanted Johnson badly, and they're not comfortable with Favors at all.
5) Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, Kentucky
Cousins is easily the most talented big left, and he reportedly passed all the tests at his Sacramento workout with flying colors. They could go a lot of ways here, but for now, my money is on Cousins.
6) Golden State Warriors: Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown
See pick #2 (and maxim #1). Monroe was easily the country's best outlet passer this past year. He fits in WAY too well for the Warriors to pass him up, as he'd find ways to get the ball to Ellis and Curry. He's a great teammate, and GS would really benefit from his services.
7) Detroit Pistons: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
This may be a bit of a reach. However, the team is very thin on the interior, and Aldrich has experience being a go-to guy. Plus, he's physical and very tough, which should fit in with the philosophy of team president Joe Dumars.
8) LA Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest
Aminu will provide an excellent complement to Blake Griffin. Both are very athletic, with tremendous length, and it will amp up their transition offense to have both guys helping to stretch defenses.
9) Utah Jazz: Xavier Henry, SG/SF, Kansas
Most mocks have Henry going in the mid-teens. Why? He's a strong spot-up shooter, as well as an excellent defender, and he's being penalized for his team losing early in the NCAA tournament. His stroke will do wonders in Utah, where his sound fundamentals will mesh perfectly with Jerry Sloan's style.
10) Indiana Pacers: Gordon Heyward, SF, Butler
White guy? Check. Sure-shooting SF? Check. Local boy? Check. Move on.
11) New Orleans Hornets: Ed Davis, PF, UNC
New Orleans has zero depth in the frontcourt, and they need to address it here. Davis is the best frontcourt prospect available. He's raw, but he makes great use of his 6'10" frame and wouldn't be asked to do TOO much early on.
12) Memphis Grizzlies: Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada
Babbitt put up big scoring numbers (albeit against suspect competition) his senior season. Patrick Patterson could also go here, but he strikes me as a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none kind of player. With Babbitt, you get a guy who wants the ball in crunch-time situations, something the Grizzlies don't otherwise have.
13) Toronto Raptors: Patrick Patterson, SF, Kentucky
Not even the Raptors front office knows what this team will look like on opening day. Patterson is a blend-in guy, though, and suits a number of different looks well. He won't be a star (think a poor man's Tyrus Thomas), but he'll be a valuable role-player on a good team.
14) Houston Rockets: Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor
I thought about James Anderson here, but he wouldn't get playing time behind Kevin Martin. Udoh is a low-risk, high-reward guy who still has room to grow. He'd learn from Shane Battier and Yao Ming and eventually be a good player in the system.
15) Milwaukee Bucks: Paul George, SF, Fresno State
You don't know how many more miles are left on Michael Redd, and John Salmons may want out of his contract. George is a streaky scorer, and can also fight for rebounds and loose balls. He'd be a perfect energy guy on a contender, which is something Milwaukee could use.
16) Minnesota Timberwolves: James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
Anderson is easily the best scorer left on the board, and he isn't a bad consolation prize after they missed out on Wesley Johnson. He is an explosive shooter who can also drive to the basket, and he carried an otherwise-mediocre Oklahoma State team this past season.
17) Chicago Bulls: Avery Bradley, SG, Texas
By all accounts, Chicago wants Anderson. They don't get him, but Bradley is a fine consolation prize despite a recent ankle injury. He's versatile, and could spell a number of their better players for short periods of time right away.
18) Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
He's been the Heat's target since day one. This team needs depth at the point guard position, and Bledsoe is the kind of player Pat Riley has had success with in the past.
19) Boston Celtics: Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier
Ray Allen could be lost to free agency, and even if he isn't, he's getting up there in years. Crawford gives them a versatile scorer to spell him, and he and Nate Robinson could form a big-time second-string backcourt that will give opposing reserves nightmares.
20) San Antonio Spurs: Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State
San Antonio needs size. Traditionally, they've drafted extremely well, emphasizing basketball IQ over measurables and potential (Example: DeJuan Blair). Alabi is the best shot-blocker left, and one of the smartest players in the draft, period.
21) Oklahoma City Thunder: Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State
Brackins has rocketed up draft boards as of late for his well-rounded game and ability to spread the floor. This is valuable in OC's uptempo game, and he'll be a very nice fit.
22) Portland Trail Blazers: Kevin Seraphin, PF, France
Portland could go anywhere with this pick. They have a history of going with savvy, international players, and Seraphin, an athletic (6'10, 260) power forward, fits the bill.
23) Minnesota Timberwolves: Damion James, SF, Texas
James can step right in and help the T'Wolves, despite not being a star. Yet again, at #23 with a below-average team, that's really all you can expect, provided they don't move the pick.
24) Atlanta Hawks: Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
Whiteside could go in the late-lottery picks due to his upside and shot-blocking skills. He does have some maturity issues, but the potential is too much to pass up at this point.
25) Memphis Grizzlies: Dominique Jones, SG, South Florida
In Babbitt and Jones, they have a great scoring duo that can help shore up a team that may lose Rudy Gay to free agency. Jones can step in as OJ Mayo's backup and do well, despite a still-developing outside shot. He's strong in getting to the basket and drawing fouls, which provides a great burst off the bench.
26) Oklahoma City Thunder: Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky
Orton barely cracked the rotation in Kentucky, but has raw potential and great size. He could end up in the lottery, but teams are concerned with his knees.
27) New Jersey Nets: Larry Sanders, PF, VCU
Sanders gives the Nets some depth inside, which they didn't get earlier by passing up Favors for Johnson. He is raw, but this late, you're going by potential, which Sanders has in large quantities.
28) Memphis Grizzlies: Keith Gallon, PF, Oklahoma
Memphis will likely trade this pick. However, if they stay here, they will likely go big. Gallon has had weight issues, but is an inside-out scorer who could be a sleeper pick.
29) Orlando Magic: Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia
Orlando doesn't have many prospects on its board, but Ebanks is one of them. He's not a great offensive player, but he IS a lockdown defender who can guard three different positions.
30) Washington Wizards: Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati
Nobody knows what the Wizards will do about Gilbert Arenas. They could dump him, considering they don't want him corrupting John Wall. If that's their plan, Lance Stephenson is an explosive scorer who can grow and (hopefully) mature with Wall to form a dynamic backcourt combination.