2012 Raptors Republic Mock Draft: Fan Edition - 6th Overall Pick

[ReubenJRD]

To those wondering why there was a lapse in selections, there was a sudden passing in my family this week, so my apologies to those I offended by not being on top of this.

With the 6th Pick in the 2012 Raptors Republic Mock Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers select.....

BRADLEY BEAL, SG, FLORIDA



2011-12 NCAA Statistics

PPG: 14.6
RPG: 6.5
SPG: 1.4

Positives
•Amazing shooter
•Deep range on his jumper
•Clutch shooter, fearless
•Terrific rebounder for a guard
•High basketball IQ
•Good athlete, NBA body
•Good ball handler
•Can play the point
•Good defender



Negatives
•Undersized for the two guard position
•May be a bit of a tweener


Analysis, as per ESPN scouts

If Portland does take Lillard though, there is a good chance of Beal dropping to us, because of GS needs to address their thing stringed front-court.

IMO, this would be a nice fit. And with their 11th pick, they can pick up Kendall Marshall to also address their point guard needs. Thus allowing us to draft Lillard!

[MangoKid]

To those wondering why there was a lapse in selections, there was a sudden passing in my family this week, so my apologies to those I offended by not being on top of this.

With the 6th Pick in the 2012 Raptors Republic Mock Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers select.....

BRADLEY BEAL, SG, FLORIDA



2011-12 NCAA Statistics

PPG: 14.6
RPG: 6.5
SPG: 1.4

Positives
•Amazing shooter
•Deep range on his jumper
•Clutch shooter, fearless
•Terrific rebounder for a guard
•High basketball IQ
•Good athlete, NBA body
•Good ball handler
•Can play the point
•Good defender



Negatives
•Undersized for the two guard position
•May be a bit of a tweener


Analysis, as per ESPN scouts

Very few prospects can struggle the way Beal did during much of his freshman season and, with a handful of great games, bounce right back to where he initially was projected to be. When people expect you to be great, they'll also look for any signs that point in that direction.

The last player I can remember having the same effect was Derrick Rose in 2008 (though Harrison Barnes came close toward the end of his freshman season).

While Beal has never slipped below No. 5 on our Big Board, suddenly he was in everyone's top five.

Are the expectations getting out of control again? I doubt it after watching Beal in a workout in Chicago on Tuesday.

Beal looks confident again. He showed off that picture-perfect jump shot from everywhere on the floor. This time it didn't just look good leaving his hands, it was going in at a clip of about 85 percent from everywhere on the floor.

He has an NBA body, is an excellent athlete and is working hard on improving his handle so that he can be more of a combo guard at the next level. More importantly, he said he's learned his lesson.

[Prime]

Until MangoKid wakes up from his mango-juice induced inebriation.

[koncept]

how long do these go on for? a week?

[Bendit]

Lillard...because of need (pg) and the diff. in capability between he and Beal is not much imo.

Sigh.

[saints91]

shouldn't we be on to 7 now?

[Quirk]

I'm praying that Barnes, Drummond and Perry Jones don't fall past 7, because I want Lillard, and if they do fall then there is a good chance that Lillard is already taken, or that he's there but we pass on him to grab one of these guys because they where rated higher and fell to us. I think Lillard will be better than those guys, and along with Davis, MKG and Beal, one of the best players from this draft. So I hope he doesn't go sixth

[Quirk]

IMO, no way Barnes, Drummond or Lillard is drafted ahead of Beal. Probably not Robinson either, but if Beal is some how available at 6, there's no way they take anybody else. I guess he'll fall no lower than 4, along with Davis, MKG and Robinson, he'll probably be drafted at 2 or 3.

[ebrian]

For the sake of this particular mock draft, the obvious pick is Beal. But I think Drummond ends up in Portland too.

[RapthoseLeafs]

R-A

Pick #6 ..... Andre Drummond. With potential changes (and player movements), a Big Centre to go with Aldridge could help the Trail Blazers. Even if his ultimate role is a Big off the bench.

My Order of Picks:
.

1. Davis - NO
2. Beal - Charlotte
3. MKG - Washington
4. Barnes - Cleveland
5. P. Jones - Sacramento
6. Drummond - Portland

.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

This board mock draft is getting harder and harder to follow because of all the wrong picks earlier on.



Bradley Beal available at #6? Cmon.

It is hard to believe he slips... but there's hardly a consensus BPA once you get past the top pick. It's also hard to guage how much positional need comes into play, or whether teams are looking at becoming competitive in a 1-3 year window VS a 3-5 year window.

After #1, I see this draft playing out a lot like the entire 2006 draft when Bargnani went 1st overall. In that draft, there were a bunch of solid players who were all expected to be solid contributors, but it was hard to predict/agree on which ones would become true star players. A lot of the top-10 picks in that draft came down to positional need as much as BPA, IMO. I think it comes down to grouping players together according to positional need, then drafting BPA from among that smaller group (ie: bigs, wings and PGs). The one thing that 2012 has that 2006 didn't, is a consensus #1 pick.

Consensus #1 pick
- 2006 draft: none
- 2012 draft: Davis

Bigs
- 2006 draft: Bargnani, Aldridge, Thomas, Williams
- 2012 draft: Robinson, Drummond, Sullinger, Henson

Wings
- 2006 draft: Roy, Gay, Foye, Morrison
- 2012 draft: MKG, Beal, Barnes, Lamb, PJIII, T.Jones

PGs
- 2006 draft: there really weren't any highly touted PGs, at least as potential top-10 picks (Douby @ 19, Rondo @ 21... Fugly!)
- 2012 draft: Lillard, Marshall, Waiters


That's why I don't think it's inconceivable for a particular player to drop (or rise) substantially, especially at a position that isn't in high demand through the top-10 (ie: Portland & Toronto are only teams that really need a PG in the top-9).

[ebrian]

This board mock draft is getting harder and harder to follow because of all the wrong picks earlier on.



Bradley Beal available at #6? Cmon.

[planetmars]

I voted Lillard.. Beal might be a good player, but he has deficiencies.. and Portland needs a PG. If Matthews is on the block they take Beal since I think he would be the BPA. But I'm going Lillard if the draft played out the way it did according to our Mock Draft.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Tough call, but I go with Lillard, unless they think they have a realistic shot at one of the big name free agent PG, then they could go Beal. With Aldridge, Batum and Matthews, they seem to be set at the 2/3/4, hence the need for a PG. They could probably pickup a big with their second lottery pick.

[ceez]

i think they go lillard if beal isn't there, but nab beal in a heartbeat. aldridge/batum/beal is a heck of a core. i wonder if they'd even get him to play pg.