[the27guyParticipant]

Chinese fourtune cooke say- If you post the ESPN insider Mock 1.0 you will have many friends and everyone will like you…

 

Thanks in advance.

[providencefriars1Participant]

It’s time for our first mock draft of 2012.

Although very little is set in stone at this point — the draft order will change, players’ stocks will change and we won’t know which underclassmen have officially declared for the draft until the April 29 deadline — we can focus on what each team would likely do with its pick.

(If you want to see what your team would do with the No. 1 pick, play our Lottery Mock Draft, which has more than 2,000 scenarios. Also check out our Top 100 list, which is a reflection of the consensus of NBA scouts and GMs about a player’s relative draft value.)

Here’s our first stab at the first round, after taking into account team needs.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte	Anthony Davis	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 220 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: If the Bobcats are lucky enough to win the lottery, they’ll land the consensus No. 1 player in the draft — Davis. Davis is already a nightmare on the defensive end and is an emerging force on the offensive side. Pair him together with Bismack Biyombo on the front line, and I’m not sure anyone will score in the paint against the Bobcats.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 18 School: Kentucky

Analysis: The Wizards are desperately trying to change their culture, and landing Kidd-Gilchrist would be a major move in the right direction. He’s not the most polished player in the draft, but few players work harder on either end of the floor. He cares more about winning than stats and would immediately add energy, toughness and heart to a team that urgently needs all three.

However, Kidd-Gilchrist told reporters near the end of the regular season that he’ll return to Kentucky for another season. If that holds true and the Wizards can’t get him, Thomas Robinson or Harrison Barnes are their next best options.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans	Thomas Robinson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 237 pounds Age: 21 School: Kansas

Analysis: The Hornets have a tough call here. Andre Drummond has more upside and Perry Jones would be tempting. But if they’re trying to build a team around winners, Robinson is the guy. He would bring toughness, physicality and energy to the paint for the Hornets.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland (via Nets)	Bradley Beal	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 195 pounds Age: 18 School: Florida

Analysis: The Blazers grabbed this pick from the Nets as part of the Gerald Wallace trade last week. The pick is top-three protected, so if the Nets keep losing, it will revert back to New Jersey. For now, this is the best-case scenario for the Blazers, who have a lot of needs after blowing the team up. And shooting guard is a big one.

Beal hasn’t had a domiant freshman season, but his scoring ability in the backcourt would help the Blazers get over the loss of Brandon Roy a little sooner.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Toronto	Harrison Barnes	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 19 School: North Carolina

Analysis: The Raptors have been looking for a legit small forward for several years and Barnes would be a perfect fit. While he hasn’t had the elite season we expected (those early Kobe comparisons have totally faded), he’s still a lethal shooter who could turn into a Danny Granger/Glen Rice sort of player down the road.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Detroit	Andre Drummond	Position: C Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 275 pounds Age: 18 School: UConn

Analysis: The Pistons are in desperate need of size and athleticism in the front court. While Drummond is a bit of a gamble, it’s a risk worth taking at this point in the draft. He has all the physical tools to be a dominant big man in the pros. Although he was really inconsistent during his freshman season at UConn, with time and patience he could be the perfect complement to Greg Monroe on the front line.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Sacramento	James Michael McAdoo	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 233 pounds Age: 19 School: North Carolina

Analysis: McAdoo’s appearance this high might raise some eyebrows since he’s been a backup for most of the season and hasn’t put up great numbers. But he’s played very well ever since John Henson went down with a wrist injury. Plus, his upside is really high. On the Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton take most of the shots, so they need a player like McAdoo who can make an impact without the ball.

If McAdoo doesn’t declare for this year’s draft, however, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Kings roll the dice with Baylor’s Perry Jones.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland	Cody Zeller	Position: C Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 19 School: Indiana

Analysis: The Cavs passed on drafting big man Jonas Valanciunas last year, so I don’t think they’ll pass on a big man again this year. They may have a greater need at the wing, but Zeller would give them a long-term answer at the 5.

One of the most efficient players in the country this season, Zeller has the quickness and skill level NBA teams like out of centers. The only caveat? Zeller, like Kidd-Gilchrist, is seriously considering returning to school for his sophomore season. If he does, expect the Cavs to go after a wing like Jeremy Lamb.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Utah (via Warriors)	Damian Lillard	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 185 pounds Age: 21 School: Weber State

Analysis: The Jazz have talented young players at every position except point guard. Enes Kanter is the center of the future, Derrick Favors is set to take over at power forward, Gordon Hayward is already doing his thing at small forward, and the team is high on Alec Burks at the 2.

Enter Lillard. While the Jazz won’t just draft to fill a position, Lillard is as talented as anyone in this range. He’s more of a scorer than a pure point guard, but his ability to hit jump shots and get his teammates involved will be alluring to the Jazz.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Milwaukee	Perry Jones	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 235 pounds Age: 20 School: Baylor

Analysis: The Bucks traded Andrew Bogut at the deadline for Monta Ellis. While Ellis will help with some of their scoring needs in the backcourt, the loss of Bogut creates some long-term problems up front. But with no elite center at this point in the draft, there’s no exact fit here.

So I think the Bucks should do what they did with Brandon Jennings — take the best talent available and hope they can bring out his potential.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland	Tyler Zeller	Position: C Height: 7-foot-0 Weight: 235 pounds Age: 22 School: North Carolina

Analysis: If the Blazers can land Beal with their first pick, they would likely look to fill their holes at center or point guard. In a weak point guard draft, their two available options here would be Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten Jr. While both have strengths, I think the Blazers would go big and take Zeller. He’s not going to be a star, but he runs the floor like a guard and has gotten better every year.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans (via Wolves)	Kendall Marshall	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 188 pounds Age: 20 School: North Carolina

Analysis: The Hornets gave up the best point guard in the NBA when they traded Chris Paul to the Clippers. They aren’t going to be able to replace him in this draft. But the consolation prize is Marshall — the best pure point guard in the draft. He wouldn’t be the dynamic scorer that Paul was in New Orleans, but he would make everyone around him better.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Phoenix	Jared Sullinger	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 280 pounds Age: 20 School: Ohio State

Analysis: Sullinger doesn’t necessarily fill a need — the Suns drafted Markieff Morris to play the 4 last year — but he’s the best player left on the board and the type of guy who could immediately give Phoenix a very different but dominant look in the paint.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Utah	Jeremy Lamb	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 185 pounds Age: 19 School: UConn

Analysis: Lamb has elite talent, but his laid-back demeanor has given some scouts pause. Higher in the draft, he’s a bit of a risk. But down here he’s a good bargain for the Jazz as they continue to rebuild their backcourt.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston (via Knicks)	John Henson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 21 School: North Carolina

Analysis: The Rockets lack long, athletic bigs, and Henson would give them a defensive presence who can guard both forward positions. He’s still raw offensively, but he has a little Andrei Kirilenko in his game.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Jersey (via Rockets)	Quincy Miller	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 19 School: Baylor

Analysis: Miller is another player on this list who might be better off returning to school. He’s a blue-chip talent, but with another year to heal from an ACL tear in high school and more time in the weight room to bulk up a bit, he could go 10 spots higher in next year’s draft. If he stays in the draft, the Nets won’t let him slip too far.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston	Terrence Jones	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 244 pounds Age: 20 School: Kentucky

Analysis: Jones is one of those players with top-five talent who doesn’t play like it on a consistent basis. That is a gamble the Celtics should be willing to take at this spot in the draft. They did the same thing a few years ago with Rajon Rondo and it paid off big. The similarity between the two? Both players believed in their games, even when their coaches didn’t. Jones could be the second coming of Antoine Walker.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Denver	Meyers Leonard	Position: C Height: 7-foot-0 Weight: 240 pounds Age: 20 School: Illinois

Analysis: The Nuggets traded Nene for JaVale McGee, but they could still use more size in the middle. Leonard is pretty raw, but he’s a terrific athlete who can play good defense right away.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Atlanta	Tony Wroten Jr.	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 205 pounds Age: 18 School: Washington

Analysis: The Hawks have been searching for their point guard of the future for a long time. Jeff Teague has been solid, but he doesn’t have nearly the upside that Wroten has. If Wroten had a better reputation (and a better jump shot) he might be a top-five pick. Some scouts see him as another Gary Payton, but he’s wild and can get out of control, and that may scare the Hawks away.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Philadelphia	Andrew Nicholson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 222 pounds Age: 22 School: St. Bonaventure

Analysis: The Sixers still could use size. Elton Brand won’t be around forever and the team’s next 4 off the bench is Lavoy Allen. Nicholson has gotten dramatically better every year and has some David West to his game. He would be a good fit in Philly and could contribute right away.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston (via Mavericks)	Austin Rivers	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 199 pounds Age: 19 School: Duke

Analysis: The Mavericks sent this pick to the Lakers as part of the Lamar Odom trade and then the Lakers turned around and sent it to the Rockets as part of the Derek Fisher deal. The pick is top-20 protected.

There are a lot of opinions floating out there about Rivers. Many scouts have been disappointed with his play and think he needs to return to Duke for his sophomore season. But a handful think he has the potential to be special thanks to his quick crossover, high basketball IQ and killer mentality on the court. At pick No. 21, the upside-to-risk ratio strongly favors the Rockets, who really need to build around some star power.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Memphis	Patric Young	Position: C Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 245 pounds Age: 20 School: Florida

Analysis: The Grizzlies are looking for toughness and defense in the frontcourt, and Young brings both. He doesn’t do much of anything on the offensive end, but he has Ben Wallace-like potential on the defensive end of the floor. Young has stated that he’ll be returning to Florida for his junior season. If that’s true, St. Bonaventure’s Andrew Nicholson or Mississippi State’s Arnett Moultrie could get the call here.

 

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Indiana	Terrence Ross	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 190 pounds Age: 21 School: Washington

Analysis: The Pacers are really stacked just about everywhere, so they’ll take the best talent on the board. Ross is both an excellent athlete and a terrific shooter. He has some star power to his game, he just hasn’t totally harnessed it yet.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston (via Clippers)	Arnett Moultrie	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 225 pounds Age: 21 School: Mississippi State

Analysis: Moultrie has all the physical tools to be a dominant NBA player. He’s long and super-athletic, and he can even get things done on the perimeter. He’s just taken a little longer to develop. He would be a good get here for the Celtics.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Orlando	C.J. Leslie	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 206 pounds Age: 20 School: NC State

Analysis: Leslie may be one of the best athletes in the draft. He’s still stuck a little bit between the 3 and the 4, but his game has really matured over the past few months. He’s a top-10 talent and worth the risk here.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland (via Lakers)	Jeff Taylor	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 225 pounds Age: 22 School: Vanderbilt

Analysis: Taylor is another elite athlete who can play way above the rim. What he’s lacked for most of his career is a great jump shot. But Taylor has improved dramatically in that area lately, making him a lethal weapon on both ends of the floor. The Cavs really need help at the 3, making him a nice match.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State(via Spurs)	Dion Waiters	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 215 pounds Age: 20 School: Syracuse

Analysis: The Warriors lost one of the most relentless drivers in the game when they shipped Monta Ellis off to Milwaukee. Waiters would be able to fill some of that void as an electric scorer off the bench.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Miami	Draymond Green	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 235 pounds Age: 22 School: Michigan State

Analysis: The Heat need players with experience who excel in bringing out the best in their teammates. Green can be a point-forward type who does a little bit of everything. Think of him as a better-passing Udonis Haslem.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Oklahoma City	Mason Plumlee	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 230 pounds Age: 22 School: Duke

Analysis: Plumlee’s upside is probably similar to that of the Pacers’ Jeff Foster. While he won’t be a dominant player on either end of the floor, he’s big, he’ll defend and he’ll flush things around the rim.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago	Moe Harkless	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 190 pounds Age: 18 School: St. John’s

Analysis: Harkless reminds me a little of Trevor Ariza. He is a terrific scorer and defender who needs to get a more settled jump shot. Although the Bulls need a shooter, Harkless would be tough to pass up here if he’s still on the board.

 

 

 

Next Five In: Tony Mitchell, North Texas; Royce White, Iowa State; BJ Young, Arkansas; C.J. McCollum, Lehigh; Josh Smith, UCLA.
 

[Ghost01Participant]

 I really really really really agree with this mock.

[river09Participant]

 +1 for you.. thank you sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar.

[BleedingBlueParticipant]

 I really don’t think Austin will declare for this draft. He can improve his stock by A LOT by going back for his sophomore year if this is where he will end up in this year’s draft.

[the27guyParticipant]

It’s crazy how much this next month will affect the Utah Jazz. They’re just outside the playoffs looking in right now. If they make it, they don’t get their pick. And if GS finish in the bottom 7 (they’re at 9 right now), then the Jazz don’t get that pieck either. I don’t know what’s more liekly, 0 lottery picks or 2 lottery picks! Crazy.

[HaleParticipant]

Not a huge fan of the mock, but it isn’t bad. I think a half dozen of those guys will be coming back though, so we’ll where it’s at in a few months.

[GronounoursParticipant]

These mock drafts are a bit useless. Funny to think over, for sure, but useless. You have to factor in too many parameters. At this point, you can assess each players, but trying to guess which team will get which player is complete nonsense.

[HadzialijagicParticipant]

I wouldnt touch Tyler Zeller with a lottery pick. His brother Cody is a much better prospect. With all this talent in this draft I couldnt justify having him that high with his limited upside. Im not saying hes bad or will be out of the league. Im just saying that i look at him as a nice big off the bench.
 

[HitsterParticipant]

ESPN’s draft is certainly very different to Aran’s latest upgrade with the likes of Lamb and Moultrie both much lower. Also if they put McAdoo, Cody Zeller in then we could start putting Steven Adams, Alex Len etc in.

[PrecociousNeophyteParticipant]

 I am really high on Beal. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the second or third pick in the draft.

[Jlv2012]

is that he is a 6’10 PF/C and only weighs 220 albeit he is only 19 yrs old.  He will get abused in the NBA until he gets stronger and heavier.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I Dont see Lamb falling out of the top 10…..Just about all of the top prospects have both plus & minuses in their games….

I like how much Moultrie has improved,but for someone with his athleticism he doesnt block many shots….

Patrick Young announced last week that he’s staying in school,but we all know players can change their minds..Memphis dont need Young,they need guards..Mayo might be gone and Selby and Pargo have been disappointing…Memphis is said to looking seriously at Gilbert Arenas….A few weeks ago i was in Memphis and Hollins was on the radio,someone asked him about Rubio, he laughed and said if they had listened to me,he’ll be here, he’s the type of player that can make things easier for his teammates..Then he added we cant cry over spilled milk and went on to say how much Conley has improved…..Ian Miller,Lilliard or Wroten will fit perfectly with Memphis……

[WeavvvParticipant]

My mock looks very similar to this. Although I don’t have Kidd-Gilchrist on my mock at all, since he’s already stated he’ll be coming back to school. I agree with neophyte, I too am high on Beal, and think NBA Scouts will be too.. as already seen by this Mock 1.0.
Once Kidd-Gilchrist is eliminated officially from these Mocks, you’ll see the top of the order switch quite a bit for these teams. I think you’ll see Beal go a spot or 2 higher, and Drummond most likely to fill that spot for Portland. But even as stated in this article, the draft position will change dramatically over the course of the rest of the season, and even more so once the Lottery takes place. We’ll see! 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Draymond Green going to the Miami Heat at 28 could be a great pickup for them.  The Heat have the Big Three but lack a true fourth option.  Green could be that guy as well as the major sixth man that they need.  Green can rebound, score some, shoot a little, pass, and provides great leadership and intangibles.  He could really help out the Big Three and learn a lot from Udonis Haslem and Shane Battier. 

The Heat could go small with Wade and Chalmers/Cole in the backcourt and James, Green, and Bosh up front.  That would give them 3 guys who can do it all (D-Wade, LeBron, Draymond Green), plus Bosh in the middle and a solid young point guard to run the team.  They could use Draymond Green as a point forward, run the offense through him with James and Wade running the wings.  If Miami goes with the Big Three plus Green for the majority of the minutes then they will have four guys who can score, handle the ball, pass, and rebound.  That would be fun to watch.

… I understand the McAdoo pick.  He might be a surprise pick for Sacto that high, but with Cousins, Evans, and Thornton they need a support guy.  McAdoo could play the 4 with Cousins at the 5 if they go small, or he could play the 3 if they go with a bigger lineup of Evans/Thornton in the backcourt and Cousins at the 4.  If Thomas Robinson falls then he would be a good fit next to DeMarcus Cousins.  However, McAdoo might have more upside even if T Rob is still on the board when the Kings pick.

[JordoParticipant]

I have no reason to not believe Gilchrist about staying. He loves Kentucky but i would love to have him in DC. We need some guys serious about winning. If T-Rob is still on the board and the Wizards don’t pick him I’ll be pissed. 

[apb540Participant]

If I was the Hornets in this draft, I would go Barnes and Sullinger but I see why they have what they have.  Just not feeling Marshall that high, even in a shallow PG draft.

[jmarg25Participant]

Wow I was surprised to see Moultrie all the way at 24. He would be a big steal at that spot.

[r377Participant]

WTF   Perry JOnes over Sullinger and Lamb…

[WizardofOzParticipant]

 Super reach for McAdoo.

[Tune SquadParticipant]

For every 1 personality that knows what their stuff, there are another 5 who absolutely pull shit out of their ass. This is a pretty random and absurd Mock.

However thank you Providence for posting it.

Guys who are too low: Rivers, Moultrie, Harkless, Lamb…all in the first fifteen, Lamb and Rivers top ten.

Guys who are too high:McAddoo (made me choke on my food), Beal at 3 just isn’t going to happen.

Plus the rationale for each pick is just absolute poop.

There are probably at least ten guys on this site that should be working at Espn over Chad Ford and others for starters. I come here for my ball news now because I can’t stand to read the mostly fictitious junk printed on Yahoo and Espn. I’d rather hear it from real fans than guys just looking to sell a story or make a headline. Sad that people pay for this (no offense Providence).

[Ghost01Participant]

 There are probably at least ten guys on this site that should be working at Espn over Chad Ford and others for starters. I come here for my ball news now because I can’t stand to read the mostly fictitious junk printed on Yahoo and Espn. I’d rather hear it from real fans than guys just looking to sell a story or make a headline. Sad that people pay for this (no offense Providence).

 

No offense, bro, but you do realize Chad Ford actually does scouting. Chad Ford actually talks to people involved in the NBA. You do realize, every year, Chad Ford’s mocks are pretty close to what actually happens, right? "everyone in this site" are moostly just fans who are trying to project the draft to the best of their abilities, just based on what they have seen and heard. Even "Aran" who makes the website mock, does not have close to the resources Chad has. McAdoo will go in the lottery if he goes proo. Austin Rivers is not going in the top 10. Don’t come on here and act like a know-it-all when your facts are way off base.

[NYFLAVA2K9Participant]

A couple observations in my opinion:

– Perry Jones will and should not be picked in the lottery. He will be an enigma who always leaves you wanting more. It sucks because I love how humble he is and his upbringing will always have me rooting for him. It’s just that he has way more question marks than strengths.

– Jared Sullinger does not slip past the top 10 even with the athleticism concerns. He’s no where near Kevin Love which i’ve heard tossed around alot, but Elton Brand is certainly a reasonable expectation.

– Jeremy Lamb will not slip past the lottery… the Rip Hamilton comparisons aren’t that far off in my mind.

-Harrison Barnes even though he remids me of Loul Deng as a life time #2-3 option on a very good team, will not be picked after Bradley Beal but rather vice versa. Bradley Beal will be Eric Gordon 2.0 which is no knock on him whatsoever.

-Anthony Davis while he is very, very good and warrants the #1 pick even in a draft even this deep, will have a career closer to Marcus Camby than Kevin Garnett. Somewhere in the middle more towards the aforementioned, which is definetely a good thing. However he will not be a franchise changer, more like a great #2 option next to a franchise changer. He will make numerous All-Star teams, defensive POY’s, possibly HOF, and hold your team rock solid in the post for the next 10 years which is all you can ask for. But he will not have a Shaq, Tim Duncan, or even Dwight Howard presence in the post.

-James McAdoo needs one more year, and with that extra year will trump anyone coming out of this draft. He’s the real deal.

-Andre Drummond and Derek Favors have almost the same exact concerns at this point in there careers. Fast forward on Favors, and you now have one of the brightest young big men in the game.

-Whoever drafts Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be getting a steal…. more like two and a block per game. Love his hustle and intensity. He’s a ‘in his prime’ Gerald Wallace on steriods. Scary. This is a stretch but I see a little Scottie Pippen as well.

-Kendall Marshall reminds me way too much of Marcus Williams of UCONN a couple years back. Lets hope he’s better.

-Thomas Robinson is a gem. He is the most NBA ready player in this draft and my front runner for ROY. His game just translates so well to the NBA. I see Amare Stoudemire written all over his game.

Again, these are all just my opinions.

[WeavvvParticipant]

McAdoo is a stud. And just as a reference, look at Marvin Williams. Eerily similiar circumstances.. 6th man for a top flight UNC Team.. entered the draft, 3rd pick overall. While many will dispute that he should have been the 3rd pick, he still was. Just as has been stated throughout this thread, potential is a very real and very large part of what goes on in the draft. Barnes is the best prospect out of UNC, but I have McAdoo as the 2nd best prospect on that team. Just look at what he’s been able to do in the limited time he was starting games, and getting starters minutes. The main reason he’s not starting is because the flow of that team, and continuity. He’d be starting, and starring for damn near any other program in the country.
While everyone can debate about "he should go back to school for another year".. if you were almost guaranteed a top 10 pick in the NBA draft, it’s pretty unlikely that you’d go back to school. Barnes seemed to be a bit of an anomaly in that stance. While McAdoo may end up staying in school, if he comes out, he’ll be a top 10 pick it seems. 

[fellsideParticipant]

It seems like last year was a draft with one franchise player and a bunch of third options and role players.  Whereas this year is a draft of no franchise players but a ton of potential second options.

I could see Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Robinson, Barnes, McAdoo and Sullinger as second best guys on a championship team someday.

[rwd5035Participant]

Bradley Beal over Harrison Barnes AND Jeremy Lamb? 

Perry Jones over Jeremy Lamb?

Seriously, Chad Ford?

Thank you for posting it anyway.

[Ghost01Participant]

 Brad Beal is absolutely going to get picked before Jeremy Lamb.

Thank you for trying anyway.

[CodySLCParticipant]

 Love the picks for the Jazz, but I doubt we get two picks. Hopefully we get the Warriors tho.

[goneParticipant]

Terrible Mock

MKG is good but not #2 overall good Barnes is a better option

Hornets should go high risk with Durmmond than a more athletic Carl Landry

Lillard is basically Norris Cole so that is a reach

T Rob should be picked around 6 or 7

If Lamb is on the board the suns will draft him

Rockets have to with Meyers Leonard they need size

Celtics pick two PFs? Why when Johnson is there and Green is coming back

 

[Ghost01Participant]

Terrible Mock

No, actually its not.

MKG is good but not #2 overall good Barnes is a better option

Why? The Wizards are always horrible on defense. Why would bringing in a great defensive player, who has potential to develop an all around game offensively be worse than picking another shot jacker?

Hornets should go high risk with Durmmond than a more athletic Carl Landry

More athletic Carl Landry? Smh….

Lillard is basically Norris Cole so that is a reach

No, Lillard is basically nothing like Norris Cole. And it’s not a reach.

Celtics pick two PFs? Why when Johnson is there and Green is coming back

Green is a 3. Johnson? really? You think they are planning on building around JaJuan Johnson?

 

[goneParticipant]

The horrible defenders you speak of are gone Young and Mcgee and Blatche and Lewis are next to go. Barnes as a prospect being summed up as a shot jacker is news to me….Wizards need someone to put points up not someone who has "potential to have and all around offensive game"

I guess "Smh" is valid comeback these days…ok cool

Lillard and Cole are both scoring point guards so they basically are alike…

Thanks for the words because I’m sure I said build around JJ Johnson. How about build around Terrance Jones with no position, no off hand, and no shot even worse he compared him to Antoine Walker or a 6"11 athletic bigman who has not been able to register 1 blk per game in 3 seasons.

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

“Pair him together with Bismack Biyombo on the front line, and I’m not sure anyone will score in the paint against the Bobcats.”
The Bobcats are giving up 46.6 points in the paint (29th in the league) and another 17.1 points on average at the free throw line. They are giving up 63.8 easy points per game with Bismack Biyombo, Tyrus Thomas, DeSagana Diop, DJ White, Boris Diaw, and Byron Mullens. They are fifth in the NBA in blocked shots. So they are blocking shot, giving up easy points, and on the other end are scoring 87.3 points TOTAL. At some point, people will stop thinking blocking shots and stopping people from getting easy points are the same thing. Shortly there after, they will realize that not only does having any old shot blocker on the floor in no way ensure your team keeps the other team from getting easy points but when that shot blocker is a non-threat offensively he certainly does cost you points due to your team needing to play 4 on 5. But hey, more shot blockers for everybody! Where are Saer Sene and Cedric Simmons! Bring in Hasheem Thabeet! Salah Mejri is swatting up a storm in Europe. John Reik was blocking shots at Tennessee Temple. Who wants a $14 million JaVale McGee? Come on everybody, lets be stupid!

“The Wizards are desperately trying to change their culture, and landing Kidd-Gilchrist would be a major move in the right direction. He’s not the most polished player in the draft, but few players work harder on either end of the floor. He cares more about winning than stats and would immediately add energy, toughness and heart to a team that urgently needs all three.”
Trevor Booker adds “energy, toughness and heart.” The problem is that just like Kidd-Gilchrist he doesn’t add a perimeter shot.

“But if they’re trying to build a team around winners, Robinson is the guy. He would bring toughness, physicality and energy to the paint for the Hornets.”
Isn’t that the logic that made Kemba Walker a lottery pick? How many losses have to amass and Rubio-like shooting nights have to take place before Walker loses the winner tag? Thomas Robinson has the makeup of a backup power forward. He is going to have a career, but a bad team cannot rebuild around a slightly skilled 6’ 8” power forward.

“Beal hasn’t had a dominant freshman season, but his scoring ability in the backcourt would help the Blazers get over the loss of Brandon Roy a little sooner.”
Between Wes Matthews and Jamal Crawford, the Blazers are getting 26 PPG from their shooting guards, about 20 more than their centers. I am supposed to believe they would pass on Drummond, both Zellers, and Leonard. But hey, it is hard to find 6’2-6’3 shooting guards who shoot in the low 40s and hits barely a third of his threes? They don’t come along by the busload every single year?

“McAdoo’s appearance this high might raise some eyebrows since he’s been a backup for most of the season and hasn’t put up great numbers. But he’s played very well ever since John Henson went down with a wrist injury. Plus, his upside is really high. On the Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton take most of the shots, so they need a player like McAdoo who can make an impact without the ball.”
So let me get this straight, James McAdoo going for 17-6 against Vermont and 9-4 against Creighton while being bad against Florida State and NC State is playing “very well” but Andre Drummond averaging 10.6, 8.6, and 2.6 in Big East games is “a gamble.” Well, I learned something today. I don’t what, but it is something.

“Enter Lillard. While the Jazz won’t just draft to fill a position, Lillard is as talented as anyone in this range. He’s more of a scorer than a pure point guard, but his ability to hit jump shots and get his teammates involved will be alluring to the Jazz.”
I swear Chad you are pushing me!

“Leonard is pretty raw, but he’s a terrific athlete who can play good defense right away.”
His defense was so good that his coach had a televised breakdown where he called Leonard and his teammates mentally and physically soft.

“Next Five In: Tony Mitchell, North Texas; Royce White, Iowa State; BJ Young, Arkansas; C.J. McCollum, Lehigh; Josh Smith, UCLA.”
I’m done. Royce White abused Terrence Jones in the worst way. John Calipari saw one possession of Golden Boy guarding him and did away with that. He didn’t want to ruin the mystique by actually having the supposed best defensive player in the country guard anyone. Look, I get it. Iowa State had Royce White, a couple other mediocre transfers, and about eight farmers. They weren’t going to beat Kentucky in the state of Kentucky, but he was the best player on the floor. Kentucky had the next seven or eight. This draft is a collection of mediocrity and overpraised AAU players. Royce White took a bad Iowa State team and carried them farther than they ever should have and did everything a person could have possibly asked in the process. He is a top ten talent. If he comes out, there is no chance so many teams decide to bum it with guys who can’t help them win games over a NBA-ready talent like White.

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 this mock is not very good…

[D7H7NParticipant]

I’m a UNC fan and McAdoo has looked like a deer in headlights all season long.  I don’t see the hype he had coming out of HS, I don’t see the James Worthy comparisons, and he certainly is not as good as Marvin Williams was at UNC.  I see him as at least a 3 year player in college and we’ll see how he pans out after Barnes is gone.  I think he’ll be a late first round or early 2nd round choice because all he is right now is a big athletic body.

 

[Tiger1313Participant]

mock was pretty average in my opinion. Had some good picks and some bad ones. About the Royce White thing, I think he’s a unique talent. Has absolutely no jump shot though and is a 49% free throw shooter. Should be picked up somewhere around 15-25 though in my opinion. 

[Ghost01Participant]

 Let me simplify this for you, WizKid.

Thomas Robinson’s potential>> Carl Landry

Lillard>Cole

T Jones> JaJuan Johnson.

There.

[goneParticipant]

Ahhh the good ole greater than less than symbols with some potential thrown in there works for Anthony Randolph so it works for me

[Ghost01Participant]

You’re doing the classic "I’m going to act like I know more than someone who is getting paid to cover sports" ruitine. Do you think Chad Ford did no research or didn’t talk to anyone before compiling this mock? Its one thing to say "I don’t agree with some of these picks" but all you did is pronounce it terrible, act like you know more than him, then give a bunch of half @$$ed explanations to why it is so bad. Lillard is closer to Steph Curry than Norris Cole. Lillard shoots better percentages across the board than Cole did in college. Also, you are comparing players like Cole and Landry, who got pick on the fringe of the 2nd round, to lottery picks. Thomas Robinson will be better than Landry, if you don’t believe that, fine. Anthony Randolph is completely irrelevent to the conversation, but I know you think you looked smart for throwing that in, so congrats. The Celtics need to completely rebuild there entire team other than Rondo. I’m not saying i would pick T Jones and Moultrie, but acting as if it is completely stupid to do so and it doesn’t make any sense is just foolish. 

[goneParticipant]

Never said I knew more than Chad Ford I am however entitled to my opinion which is this is a horrible mock draft. Lillard is nowhere near stephen curry he is not lottery talent. He is a guy worth drafting late in first or early second. He is a good player who has put up good numbers against terrible teams in one of the worst conferences.

What is the problem with comparing potential lottery with  "fringe of the 2nd round"….you do know that every lottery pick doesnt turn into a superstar?

The Celtics do need to rebuild but stock piling PFs is not a good way to do it which is in a sense stupid and foolish. How can you defend picking Jones and Moultrie and say they are better than Johnson but then say don’t pick them?

[Ghost01Participant]

 Steph Curry didn’t make the tourney his last year of college. Lillard is shooting a better % from the field, and from 3 than Curry did his last year. So who are you to say they aren’t close? Who are you to say he is not lottery talent?

 

I know every lottery pick isn’t a superstar, but I don’t think if your comparisons were on base, teams would be rushing in to pick the future Carl Landry or the future Norris Cole in the top 10-12 picks.

 

What I am saying is, if I was the Celtics, I would probably try to pick guys at multiple positions, but Jones and Moultrie probably could play together at the forward spots. Jeff Green’s career is completely up in the air so bringing him to this argument is difficult. 

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

I see the Blazers taking Drummond if they get the Nets pick in that spot. With their own pick they take Kendall Marshall. 

Drummond

Aldridge

Batum

Matthews

Marshall

doesn’t look too bad on paper 

[HaleParticipant]

That would be an awesome starting 5 to see over the next few years.

[F_DA_POParticipant]

McCadoo?? What the hell has he done this year?

Drummond won’t fall to 6th. Why would Portland take Beal over Drummond? Are they afraid they would have the two most highly rated big men prospects of the last 5 years both fail?

[Author]

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