j_hoss' Too-Legit-to-Quit Mock Draft
Let's get too it. You'll all re-read this on June 29th and be amazed by the ridiculous accuracy of the following (at least, up until the 7th pick.)
______________________
Hornets: Davis
Bobcats: T-Rob
Bobcats are last in points scored and 2nd last in rebounds. Robinson is the obvious choice to start correcting those numbers, as those are his two biggest strengths. Not only that, but the 4 spot in Charlotte is not only their weakest but it's also the thinnest - with both White and Najera entering free agency. A core of Walker-Robinson-Biyombo is not a bad restart for a team. I really like this pick for Charlotte, and barring them trading their pick, I think it's the one that will happen.
Wizards: Beal
No MKG in the top 3. Of all the players most likely to fall, it's Kidd-Gilchrist. He's too much of a specialist to be taken so high in this draft. While MKG might seem to be a logical pick for the Wiz based on his ability to start turning around their broken culture, the 3 spot in Washington is already jam-packed with prospects and unmovable contracts - namely, Singleton, Vesely and Lewis. Singleton and Vesely were both picks from last year's draft. They won't draft a third SF in two years (especially when Singleton has so similar a skill set to MKG). No, where Washington really could use some help is some b-ball IQ and versatility at the 2 spot. Enter Bradley Beal. He can shoot, pass, rebound and defend. He's the absolutely perfect backcourt partner for John Wall. When Wall drives, he'll have a lights out option for the kick out 3 in Beal. They can both play as the primary ball-handler, allowing the team to create frequent game-planning headaches for all opposing teams.
Cavs: Barnes
Not much to say here. Unless the Cav's repeatedly rumoured interest in Barnes is a smoke-screen of epic proportions, with Beal off the board, Barnes is very likely the guy for Cleveland. They'll have two high quality 3 point shooters in the backcourt with Irving and Barnes. Plus, Irving is such a fantastic PG - he's specifically the kind of player who will allow Barnes to play to his strengths.
Kings: Kidd-Gilchrist
With so many players in this draft being so similar in quality, positional need ought to play a bigger-than-normal-role in the "best player available" philosophy. So...how is Sacramento's biggest position of need reflected by who's left on the board? This is 100% dependent upon what they're going to do with Tyreke Evans. If they want to change their culture around - which they very much need to do - drafting Andre Drummond would be a mistake. While an Evans-Cousins-Drummond frontcourt is far and away the best 3-4-5 the team could hope for in terms of raw talent and potential, I think the chemistry issues would be significant. The trio would either be a phenom of "we're so much better than you it's not even funny" or a disaster heretofore unforseen since the likes of last years Washington Wizards. I don't have a clue what Sacramento management is thinking, but, if I were in charge, I'd take MKG and put Evans on the block for good. I've no doubt Evans could return good assets - for example a high-character, good-quality big plus a future pick (both of which they would still need to continue their rebuild). MKG's role would be to become the floor-leader and glue guy SAC is in dire-straights for. His lack of shooting is well compensated for by the presence of Thornton, Thomas and Fredette. The Kings are in a better position than almost anybody to be able to get the most out of the positives that MKG brings (which are numerous).
Trailblazers: Drummond
The dream scenario for Portland. Even less to say about this pick than Cleveland taking Harrison Barnes. Portland announces this pick approximately 6 seconds before they're even put on the clock.
Warriors: Perry Jones III
Admittedly, I'm not really sure at all what's going on with this pick. I do though think that Golden State will be more likely to draft based on potential than others. I just see them as that kind of team right now. Which is why I think Perry Jones is their guy. They're set at 5, 4, 2 and 1. That leaves a 3. PJII can also slide to the 4 when Bogut inevitably goes down with some new kind of freak injury. I've had this feeling that Jones would end up in Golden State since long before the lottery was held. In my mind it just makes sense. Take that, age of reason!
Raptors: Damian Lillard
I can't think of a single team whose pick is harder to mock. Who knows whether or not Toronto will even make this pick? Nobody - not even Toronto management. Certainly not Chad Ford. I'm sorry, but there's just no flippin' way that, if Toronto does indeed keep their pick, they're picking Dion Waiters. It's just not happening. Ditto Jeremy Lamb. He's not the guy, and Tim Chisolm pretty clearly laid out all the reasons why (for the record, he reiterated many things I already felt), so I'm not gonna bother here. If the Raptors keep their pick, in my mind it's between Damian Lillard, Terrence Ross, and Moe Harkless. Of course, if either Ross or Harkless is the pick, it won't be at 8, so, again, it would seem to demand that Toronto somehow trades their pick. This leaves Damian Lillard. I'm not saying he will be the guy who ends up in T.O. What I'm saying is that if Toronto does legitimately pick at 8 (that is - for themselves) it will be Lillard's name that gets called.
A legitimate argument against Lillard goes that Lillard and Bayless are such similar players, why take Lillard when there is a need pretty much everywhere else? My counters are simple: 1) BPA, fool; and 2) Bayless is too injury prone to be dependable in the short and long term. Further, keeping Bayless likely means many more dollars spent than would otherwise be on Lillard. I’m a big, big Bayless fan. It’s the injuries, man. Injury prone players are wasted dollars and roster spots. As good as Andrew Bogut is, for example, I wouldn’t want him on my team because he just doesn’t stay on the floor.
Lillard brings a number of other positives to the team. For example, he fits in with B.C.’s and Casey’s desire to field an experienced team with the hopes of competing in the post-season. Yes Lillard is a rookie, but he’s a three-year college player with transferable NBA skills (deep, deep 3 point range/low-turnover rate), not a one-and-done prospect. Further, taking Lillard means keeping Calderon for the year, with Lillard learning from the bench from a master of the NBA pick and roll - an area where Lillard reportedly needs a lot of work. Given that the PnR is Valanciunas’ bread and butter, such skills are vital to both rookies’ successful integration into the offense. Or it means moving/amnestying Calderon to make room for Steve Nash. Either way, the same argument holds.
I really like Lillard, but I don’t think he’s “the guy” the Raptors need to turn around their franchise and help them become legit contenders, which, to me, is the only end to building a team in any professional sport. That being said, I don’t think there is “that guy” available at 8. So Lillard is about as good as it’s going to get here. I do think though that he’s good enough to start on a playoff team and is the kind of player who can help a team win.
*Wildcard pick*
Dion Waiters. Why Waiters when I said above, "I'm sorry, but there's just no flippin' way that, if Toronto does indeed keep their pick, they're picking Dion Waiters?" Because I'm an amateur, mother******s. What do I really know about anything? Exactly. And besides, Waiters actually does hold promise as a 6th man/go-to guy in crunch time. All teams need one, the Raps don't have anyone close. Plus, it allows the Raps to eventually explore Derozan trades if they feel it's necessary without definitely requiring another SG in return. Further, Damien Lillard is my wildcard pick for the Warriors - Steph Curry injury insurance, basically (as a side note...Steph Curry & Andrew Bogut on the same team? GSW for the loss. Might as well just throw in Vince Carter circa his whole career and Jermaine O'Neal for good measure).
Let's get too it. You'll all re-read this on June 29th and be amazed by the ridiculous accuracy of the following (at least, up until the 7th pick.)
______________________
Hornets: Davis
Bobcats: T-Rob
Bobcats are last in points scored and 2nd last in rebounds. Robinson is the obvious choice to start correcting those numbers, as those are his two biggest strengths. Not only that, but the 4 spot in Charlotte is not only their weakest but it's also the thinnest - with both White and Najera entering free agency. A core of Walker-Robinson-Biyombo is not a bad restart for a team. I really like this pick for Charlotte, and barring them trading their pick, I think it's the one that will happen.
Wizards: Beal
No MKG in the top 3. Of all the players most likely to fall, it's Kidd-Gilchrist. He's too much of a specialist to be taken so high in this draft. While MKG might seem to be a logical pick for the Wiz based on his ability to start turning around their broken culture, the 3 spot in Washington is already jam-packed with prospects and unmovable contracts - namely, Singleton, Vesely and Lewis. Singleton and Vesely were both picks from last year's draft. They won't draft a third SF in two years (especially when Singleton has so similar a skill set to MKG). No, where Washington really could use some help is some b-ball IQ and versatility at the 2 spot. Enter Bradley Beal. He can shoot, pass, rebound and defend. He's the absolutely perfect backcourt partner for John Wall. When Wall drives, he'll have a lights out option for the kick out 3 in Beal. They can both play as the primary ball-handler, allowing the team to create frequent game-planning headaches for all opposing teams.
Cavs: Barnes
Not much to say here. Unless the Cav's repeatedly rumoured interest in Barnes is a smoke-screen of epic proportions, with Beal off the board, Barnes is very likely the guy for Cleveland. They'll have two high quality 3 point shooters in the backcourt with Irving and Barnes. Plus, Irving is such a fantastic PG - he's specifically the kind of player who will allow Barnes to play to his strengths.
Kings: Kidd-Gilchrist
With so many players in this draft being so similar in quality, positional need ought to play a bigger-than-normal-role in the "best player available" philosophy. So...how is Sacramento's biggest position of need reflected by who's left on the board? This is 100% dependent upon what they're going to do with Tyreke Evans. If they want to change their culture around - which they very much need to do - drafting Andre Drummond would be a mistake. While an Evans-Cousins-Drummond frontcourt is far and away the best 3-4-5 the team could hope for in terms of raw talent and potential, I think the chemistry issues would be significant. The trio would either be a phenom of "we're so much better than you it's not even funny" or a disaster heretofore unforseen since the likes of last years Washington Wizards. I don't have a clue what Sacramento management is thinking, but, if I were in charge, I'd take MKG and put Evans on the block for good. I've no doubt Evans could return good assets - for example a high-character, good-quality big plus a future pick (both of which they would still need to continue their rebuild). MKG's role would be to become the floor-leader and glue guy SAC is in dire-straights for. His lack of shooting is well compensated for by the presence of Thornton, Thomas and Fredette. The Kings are in a better position than almost anybody to be able to get the most out of the positives that MKG brings (which are numerous).
Trailblazers: Drummond
The dream scenario for Portland. Even less to say about this pick than Cleveland taking Harrison Barnes. Portland announces this pick approximately 6 seconds before they're even put on the clock.
Warriors: Perry Jones III
Admittedly, I'm not really sure at all what's going on with this pick. I do though think that Golden State will be more likely to draft based on potential than others. I just see them as that kind of team right now. Which is why I think Perry Jones is their guy. They're set at 5, 4, 2 and 1. That leaves a 3. PJII can also slide to the 4 when Bogut inevitably goes down with some new kind of freak injury. I've had this feeling that Jones would end up in Golden State since long before the lottery was held. In my mind it just makes sense. Take that, age of reason!
Raptors: Damian Lillard
I can't think of a single team whose pick is harder to mock. Who knows whether or not Toronto will even make this pick? Nobody - not even Toronto management. Certainly not Chad Ford. I'm sorry, but there's just no flippin' way that, if Toronto does indeed keep their pick, they're picking Dion Waiters. It's just not happening. Ditto Jeremy Lamb. He's not the guy, and Tim Chisolm pretty clearly laid out all the reasons why (for the record, he reiterated many things I already felt), so I'm not gonna bother here. If the Raptors keep their pick, in my mind it's between Damian Lillard, Terrence Ross, and Moe Harkless. Of course, if either Ross or Harkless is the pick, it won't be at 8, so, again, it would seem to demand that Toronto somehow trades their pick. This leaves Damian Lillard. I'm not saying he will be the guy who ends up in T.O. What I'm saying is that if Toronto does legitimately pick at 8 (that is - for themselves) it will be Lillard's name that gets called.
A legitimate argument against Lillard goes that Lillard and Bayless are such similar players, why take Lillard when there is a need pretty much everywhere else? My counters are simple: 1) BPA, fool; and 2) Bayless is too injury prone to be dependable in the short and long term. Further, keeping Bayless likely means many more dollars spent than would otherwise be on Lillard. I’m a big, big Bayless fan. It’s the injuries, man. Injury prone players are wasted dollars and roster spots. As good as Andrew Bogut is, for example, I wouldn’t want him on my team because he just doesn’t stay on the floor.
Lillard brings a number of other positives to the team. For example, he fits in with B.C.’s and Casey’s desire to field an experienced team with the hopes of competing in the post-season. Yes Lillard is a rookie, but he’s a three-year college player with transferable NBA skills (deep, deep 3 point range/low-turnover rate), not a one-and-done prospect. Further, taking Lillard means keeping Calderon for the year, with Lillard learning from the bench from a master of the NBA pick and roll - an area where Lillard reportedly needs a lot of work. Given that the PnR is Valanciunas’ bread and butter, such skills are vital to both rookies’ successful integration into the offense. Or it means moving/amnestying Calderon to make room for Steve Nash. Either way, the same argument holds.
I really like Lillard, but I don’t think he’s “the guy” the Raptors need to turn around their franchise and help them become legit contenders, which, to me, is the only end to building a team in any professional sport. That being said, I don’t think there is “that guy” available at 8. So Lillard is about as good as it’s going to get here. I do think though that he’s good enough to start on a playoff team and is the kind of player who can help a team win.
*Wildcard pick*
Dion Waiters. Why Waiters when I said above, "I'm sorry, but there's just no flippin' way that, if Toronto does indeed keep their pick, they're picking Dion Waiters?" Because I'm an amateur, mother******s. What do I really know about anything? Exactly. And besides, Waiters actually does hold promise as a 6th man/go-to guy in crunch time. All teams need one, the Raps don't have anyone close. Plus, it allows the Raps to eventually explore Derozan trades if they feel it's necessary without definitely requiring another SG in return. Further, Damien Lillard is my wildcard pick for the Warriors - Steph Curry injury insurance, basically (as a side note...Steph Curry & Andrew Bogut on the same team? GSW for the loss. Might as well just throw in Vince Carter circa his whole career and Jermaine O'Neal for good measure).
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