This topic contains 8 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by mikeyvthedon 12 years, 10 months ago.
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- Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 5:01am #29028
mikeyvthedonParticipantI do not know if this has already been posted, but I do not believe it has to any official manner. But, I will let people here do something they love doing, which is play GM. The question is:
Who would each of the 12 teams in the lottery select if they had the first pick?
You can write an explanation, but please make your own rationale for your selection. Maybe even write who you would choose and who you believe the team would choose. I will write down a template of the teams, feel free to copy and paste it, while erasing what I wrote (or if you feel the need too, comment on it). We really have no idea who wins the lottery, so I am guessing this will be a fun excercise for whatever team actually does. Just going with the first pick here, as we can at least make a prediction on it with every team and we have no idea who the second pick belongs to at this point in time.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (projected 1st pick): Kyrie Irving.
Rationale: He may not be the biggest need, and of course they are hanging on to the possibility of signing Rubio, but I do not think I am alone in my skepticism of Rubio actually coming to the NBA and playing in Minnesota. Just still do not believe it is going to happen, and that the rumors of them feeling like they are at the best terms they have ever been with him are false. It is just a feeling, but I feel the odds are that Ricky Rubio never plays with the Timberwolves. Jonny Flynn is also very expendable, and I think a duo of Ridnour and Irving at the point would be solid for most teams. Kanter is of course a major possibility as well, but to me, Irving is the most sure thing in this draft, and I believe he is a floor general with All-Star potential. He may never be a superstar, but I do not believe anyone in this draft will be, and he certainly is the closest thing to that as well. One thing I will say is that if they choose Kyrie, I think that they will be a vastly improved team over this past year, and I am not sure you could say that with anyone else in this draft. Maybe you want to rebuild, but if Kahn wants to live to see another year in this job, he had better start winning some games.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (projected 2nd and 8th pick): Kyrie Irving
Rationale: I think Cleveland starts its rebuilding process with the best player in the draft, and to me that is Kyrie Irving. The wing is a mess, but really Cleveland is in a process where they need to build on so many possible positions that I believe starting with the floor general of the future is the right move. Derrick Williams will definitely be a possibility, but I think Irving is the choice if Cleveland lands pick #1. The question will be whether they pick 2, 3, 4, 5 or 8 with their other pick, where I believe they might address the wing or front court issues. Either way, Cleveland is in rebuilding mode, and I expect that next year, they might be back in lottery contention.
TORONTO RAPTORS (projected 3rd pick): Kyrie Irving
Rationale: I should tell you, it may be redundant, and I will go into less and less with other teams, but I feel Kyrie is the best player in this draft to build around. Kanter is a definite possibility, and if the Raptors like Williams as a wing, that is a huge issue for us as well. But, I feel the Raptors are dying for a true leader, and that Kyrie would be a wonderful addition to the teams young core we are hoping to build around. He and DeRozan would be a great backcourt, and I believe that if we drafted him, we could make some of our other guards expendable and hopefully continue our still long rebuilding process.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (projected 4th pick): Derrick Williams
Rationale: This is the first scenario I see a team choosing someone other than Irving for the first pick. If I were the Wizards, I would more than likely choose Kanter, but I feel they have faith in their young big men to blossom, faith that I do not have. Still, Williams would fit in with their young, athletic core and be a great running mate for John Wall. I think he could easily get PT at either forward spot for the Wizards and should average close to 30 mpg’s per game in this scenario, which by the way would be more than he played in college. The Wizards would be an improved team with a nice young piece to add to their developing core.
SACRAMENTO KINGS (projected 5th pick): Kyrie Irving
Rationale: Might be the most perfect fit for Irving in this draft, I think he and Tyreke Evans would balance each other incredibly well. Really believe that Sacramento is probably in a great position to add either Irving or Brandon Knight to take over PG duties, and that either way they will be on a nice track for their rebuilding project. If they do draft Irving, I feel he would just speed up the process and really help Sacramento in the W column, yet still giving them a decent shot at adding another young talent in next years draft.
UTAH JAZZ (projected 6th and 12th pick): Kyrie Irving
Rationale: Another rebuilding team, and one that has never gone to long without a heady floor general running the show. I do not see Devin Harris fitting that moniker, and imagine him being moved quite soon. So, if the Jazz did indeed move up, I believe they put their hopes in Kyrie Irving developing into their new floor general. He may not be Stockton or Williams, but he would be a major step in the right direction for the Jazz.
DETROIT PISTONS (projected 7th pick): Kyrie Irving
Rationale: I do not know if anyone needs a true PG more than Detroit, who has a lot of talent but no real player to run the show. They are in an even worse position than Sacramento and Toronto as far as that factor is concerned, and if they drafted Irving, Rodney Stuckey might flourish as an off the ball scorer. If Detroit lands pick #1, I feel this would be little thought of who the pick was.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (projected 9th pick): Kyrie Irving
Rationale: I think DJ Augustin is on his way out, and that MJ would draft this Dukie PG if he had the chance. Kyrie would be a major grab for this Charlotte squad, I think he would make a lot of others flourish and make an immediate impact in getting the Bobcats back into play-off contention. The Bobbers are dying in the post, so Kanter would be a definite possibility, but I feel Williams would more than likely not be incredibly high on their priority list. Still, if they had the first pick, I think they take Irving.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (projected 10th pick): Derrick Williams
Rationale: I am sure people would love to see Kanter and Bogut forming a beastly front court duo, but I think the Bucks much like the Wizards go with a guy who is versatile enough to play the 3 and 4, and starts a nice athletic core to go around with a much more developed big than Washington possesses and an up and coming young PG. Williams would be a much needed boost of energy to this Bucks team, and this could be an excellent situation for him, he could become an early scoring option on Milwaukee, as they are in desperate need of one.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (projected 11th pick): Enes Kanter
Rationale: This is the first time I see Kanter as being the most realistic choice as a teams first pick. Do not get me wrong, there are teams before the Warriors that could still take Kanter #1, but if Golden State landed the pick, I think they definitely have him at the top of the board. Stephen Curry is their PG of the future, and while they are also not incredibly strong on the wing, I think they have been searching for a post identity in all of the wrong places. Kanter would be a legit rebounding force, and while he and David Lee may struggle defensively, I think they might be surprisingly effective as a front court duo for the Warriors. Williams would still be in play, even Irving if they decide to move Monta Ellis and they feel Stephen could play the 2 with Kyrie effectively, but I like Kanter here a lot. He would be a welcome change from the toothpick bigs that the Warriors have drafted in a string as of late.
PHOENIX SUNS (projected 13th pick): Derrick Williams
Rationale: This was a really tough one. I think Nash is on his way out, but at the same time I have no idea if they really feel Aaron Brooks is their new floor general. Irving could definitely be in play here, and my biggest complaint about this team is their lack of presence on the boards, which makes Kanter a huge possibility as well. Still, I do not feel that the Arizona connection would make this pick happen, but I think in a wide open run and gun system, Williams would excel. He would be a welcome presence on the boards, and while he is not Kanter in that area, he is certainly a great deal more productive than most 4 guys the Suns currently have. The fact that he might play his more natural position is what makes me think the Suns take Derrick Williams here if they land the first pick. I am sure it would make Suns fans incredibly happy.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (projected 14th pick): Enes Kanter
Rationale: Houston’s Centers range from aging (Brad Miller), injured (unfortunately, Yao Ming), short (Chuck Hayes) and, well, Hasheem Thabeet. Enes Kanter would be an incredibly welcome addition to play minutes with grinder Luis Scola. This is actually a very solid rebounding team, and its biggest concern is defense. Well, none of the top guys in this draft will probably help that concern a great deal, unless you are a major Bismack Biyombo believer (which I am not at all for the first pick in the draft). Williams would be a definite possibility here as well, I think they would more than likely consider trading the pick as well, but I see Kanter as a good fit on the Rockets.
Well, there you have it, those are my first pick scenarios right before the lottery is announced later on tonight. Hope that things get shaken up as always, and I hope that teams pick players who will truly help them in the future, as opposed to becoming guys who just leave you scratching your head (Grizz fans, for as well as you guys did this past year, that Thabeet pick still must grind you). My scenarios finished with Kyrie Irving as the first pick in 7, Derrick Williams as the first pick in 3 and Enes Kanter as the first pick in 2. Look forward to hearing your guys opinions on this and who you would like to see your team take if they got the #1 pick in this years draft.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 5:12am #532531
HitsterParticipantGreat choices, the only one that I could really argue with is GSW who I feel might prefer Williams given they have Lee and Udoh as their possible long term PF and C.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 5:53am #532538
mikeyvthedonParticipantI could see the Warriors doing that, but I feel like Kanter could be that big body they are missing to really shake things up in the post. He is not a monster shot blocker, but he is strong and will be very difficult to back down, and I do not feel Lee or Udoh is a true Center. Kanter could be that for you, could finally lead to a trade of Andris Biedrins and really get some nice boarding power going on there. Williams would maybe fill more of a need, not to mention might be better suited to there style of play, but for Golden State to have a chance to draft a real winner of a Center, which I believe Kanter is, would be difficult to pass up. Also, on a team hampered by injuries at the big man position, taking Kanter may be a risk with his knee concerns, but also could pay off huge if he were to overcome them, much like Kevin Love has been able too for the most part (similar body frames).
0 - Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 6:33am #532544
SwatLakeCityParticipantWolves=Enes Kanter. Why: Because Ricky Rubio is likely to come over from Spain this year. I know many people are still undecided but I know that David Kahn is not undecided. He is convinced that Rubio will come over as a matter he is so convinced that he is coming over that he is not going to hinder his chances of starting by selecting Kyrie Irving if they get the first pick. I know the smart choice would be to select Irving and just trade Rubio’s rights but we all know that David Kahn isn’t exactly the smartest tool in the shed. So why don’t I have Derrick Williams here instead? Because he plays very similar to another guy the Wolves already have, Micheal Beasley. The Wolves may trade him, but I don’t think the Wolves would trade someone so young who just barely got there as a result from Lebron and Bosh going to Miami. I think they would try to make him work in the rotation and allow him and Love to be their "go to guys" on the team. The Wolves however do not exactly have a great Center with them. Enes Kanter may think of himself as more of a PF and he may want to play PF in the NBA but the fact is he also has the skills to be a very good Center. I think he would be okay as long as he is helping the team that drafts him in whatever way they need that may very well be at Center. I do know that him and Kevin Love would make an awesome combo down low that would cause many teams problems. That is another reason why I think the Wolves would selct Enes Kanter even though they should select Kyrie Irving and trade Rubio’s rights.
Cavs= Derrick Williams. Even though Irving does play the PG, one of the most important positions in the NBA, he also is a little questionable at PG because of his recent injury. Who’s to say he won’t injure his toe again and make it worse? If that happened that would devastate the Cavs because he would likely be their best player since the player they select at 8 would not be that good because this is a weak draft. If that does happen (Irving is selected and he does injure his toe again and even worse this time) then the Cavs would probably be on set for another horrible season just like they had this year. I don’t think this team could handle two years of having the best chance to win one of the top 3 picks. They may very well have to with this being such a weak draft but I think the Cavs would try and give themselves the best chance of winning by selecting the best player of the draft no matter what position he plays. And that player, I think is Derrick Williams.
Raptors= Enes Kanter. I know the Raptors have gone away from selecting international players with their draft picks and instead look instead for the best player available. But I also know that Bryan Colangelo knows his team needs to have a defensive minded center to offset the excellent offensive abilities of their current Center, Andrea Bargnani. Putting Bargnani at Center makes the Raptors one the worst defensive teams in the league. This is one of the reasons why the Raptors are continuosly so bad. So why don’t the Raptors try and make their defense better by selecting a more true defensive Center allowing Bargnani to switch to his more traditional role of a PF. That player would be Enes Kanter. Although another very possible selection would be Kyrie Irving.
Wizards=Enes Kanter. The best player in the draft may be Derrick Williams or Kyrie Irving. But the Wizards are already set at those two positions with John Wall and Rashard Lewis. They also already have Andray Blatche at PF but the Wizards are open to benching him and using either Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter as their starter at PF. Williams is a little small for the PF position at 6’8. Enes Kanter on the other hand may measure out at 6’10 with a good wingspan as well. He used to be one of the most developed european PF’s in the game and caused the US many problems in the Nike Hoop Summit last year. He may still be that same player after he works out and improves his body after having to sit out an entire year because he was ruled neligible to play at Kentucky this year. The Wizards are also reportedly high on two players Enes Kanter and Jan Vesely.
Kings=Kyrie Irving. Simple really, the Kings need a floor general really badly. Some claim that Tyreke Evans is their PG but I disagree. Usually Evans plays SG while Beno Udrih starts at point. Udrih is not really that great of a PG and would probably be better served as the backup. So if the Kings need a floor general really badly why not give them the best floor general in the draft? (Some even think he is best player in this draft!) I know he had to recently deal with a toe injury and he may injure that again. But if that does happen the Kings are also prepared because they have Tyreke Evans who can put the Kings in good position as he has done so countless times since he was drafted in 2009. Ever since then he has helped the Kings not have the worst record in the NBA, and has helped them to do surprisingly well. He also has the help of Demarcus Cousins. So if Irving does injure his toe even worse then he did at Duke, the Kings will not be in as bad of a situation as the Cavs would be if they selected him instead.
Jazz=Kyrie Irving. The Jazz just traded their star player away this year to New Jersey. They are also used to having a star player at PG. Before Deron Williams the Jazz had the hall of fame PG John Stockton. So, naturally the Jazz need to select a star PG to replace Deron Williams. That star PG would Kyrie Irving.
Pistons=Kyrie Irving. Rodney Stuckey is currently their PG but he is more suited to play the SG position instead. The Pistons would like to again select a Center and move Greg Monroe to PF but Kanter is more of a PF as I have already stated before. The next best Center would be Jonas Valanciunas and he most certainly will not be picked #1. Irving is the best floor general in this draft and a more true PG would really help the Pistons out. Irving is exactly that, the best true PG in this draft.
Bobcats=Kyrie Irving. Word on the street is that the Bobcats aren’t too impressed with DJ Augustin. They may move him back to the bench and use him as their 6th man. Doing that would mean he would become a more polished version of Lou Williams. It worked for the 76ers this year so why not try with the Bobcats by selecting Kyrie Irving and moving DJ Augustin to a 6th man role off the bench?
Warriors=Enes Kanter. Kanter is clearly better then Ekpe Udoh.
Suns=Kyrie Irving. To replace Steve Nash who is soon to retire
Rockets=Enes Kanter
0 - Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 7:09am #532550
OhCanada-ParticipantIts hard to say at this stage of the draft process. I would say Im somewhere inbetween the pro Kyrie Irving Mike Ivy the Don, and the Pro Kanter Wardb predictions. I still think Kanter is going to surprise alot of people, and for him to go 1st would not shock me in the least bit. But Irving is obviously the consensus favourite amongst the players in this class. Williams could shock some people with his athletisism, and overall talent. If a team likes what they see out of him and believes he is ready to be a star he could go 1st. Noone else has a shot.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 7:18am #532552
Andrew1984ParticipantI’m a Cavs fan and I personally want Derrick Williams and Jimmer Fredette, but everything I hear is that Irving is their guy. If they get a crack at him, they’re snatching him.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 7:37am #532563
mikeyvthedonParticipantSo there is no Mickey confusion. Yes, I may call people out, but I do so with a purpose and with suggestions. If they take it badly, than the odds are they are struggling with self reflection. So, anyway, Bonner, I very much understand where you are coming from, after all I did say to make this who "you" (whoever was posting) would choose, and yes, I am aware it could change. But, I have a feeling we will get a pretty clear view of who will become the first pick right away.
Yes, measurements this, workouts that, odds are teams already have a really good idea of what Kanter, Williams and Irving are all about. As much as workouts are an important process in the draft, they are much more important for guys who are fringe picks or are going up against stacked competition at a position than for guys thoroughly slated in the top 3 picks. So, my feeling is, when we see who gets the first pick, there will be an immediate favorite, and that measurements and workouts will not be how this pick is made. Medical reports may play a part, but I am thinking these would only effect Kanter and Irving.
Still, while I do not know what to make of this toe injury, it seemed like he came back from it quite well honestly. Yes, he could re-injure it again, and it was significant enough to keep him out of a nice chunk of games, but really these things happen. I have a hard time saying, "Well, he hurt his toe, what if he hurts it again?" I do not think it is as serious as people are making it out to be, we have heard no sign of this and honestly, I think people are using it as a reason to say they want someone else other than Irving due to him only playing in 11 games. This is fine, but do so at your own risk. I am going with the risk that he is a better player than anyone else in this draft, other people are therefore risking he is not, and vice versa. I may not be right, but you might not either. Catch my drift?
It is so difficult to know how to react to an injury, but I think people just think of Greg Oden and go crazy. Greg Oden injured his wrist in college, nothing was said about the knees. Kyrie injured his toe, came back and played, still looked like the exact same player. As long as everything checks out medically, I am still thinking Irving is the best player in this draft. If Cleveland chooses someone, it better be because they think that person is or will become the best player in the draft. Because if they take Williams to "play it safe", they could be making a huge mistake. For a team that needs a bit of everything, I think Irving would clearly be the best way to go.
WardB, thanks for making your picks, but I respectfully disagree with some of your reasoning. First off, the Raptors have "gone away from drafting Internationals", having anything to do with drafting Kanter is way off base. I definitely think Kanter could be the first pick in the draft by the Raptors, and I would not have a huge problems with it, but his having to be an international player has zero to do with it. Also, saying that the Wizards do not take Derrick Williams due to Rashard Lewis makes incredibly little sense, as you could play Derrick at the 4 spot and also for the fact that Rashard is not exactly part of their long term plans. So, I am cool with your picks, just think you need to dig a bit deeper for your reasoning behind them. When someons says "well, this team does not like internationals", it makes no sense to me. These are all basketball players, and while some may have a hard time projecting international players, I think they are all based along the same lines. If you can name me a team that has not drafted or had international players on their roster, than you know much more than I, but I do not think you can. Just a different way to look at things.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 05/17/2011 - 7:48am #532569
HitsterParticipantOver the last few years I have never done a full mock until the lottery order is done because it has such a domino effect on the rest of the draft. Once that is done then workouts, interviews will be scheduled. Imagine if a team moved up like Chicago did 3 years ago, suddenly their GM/President is the best friend of Williams’s, Irving’s agent etc.
The measurements and combine figures won’t throw a light of light on draft order but any medical issues certainly can like Blair and Alabi both falling out of the first round in recent years. Interviews are always crucial for if a player comes across badly then red lights are flagged up and GM’s may take the safer choice.
I fully agree with Mikey when he says that workouts are much more key for fringe guys as often the top guys would probably refuse to workout together. Would Irving go against Knight or Jimmer against Walker for example.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 05/18/2011 - 3:41am #532769
mikeyvthedonParticipantNow that the Cavs have the first pick, I am thinking Irving is there guy. The other two picks are truly up in the air in my mind. I would think it would be Kanter or Williams at either, but I could see someone shaking it up. The question of course will be who will the Cavs take at 4? My guess, if the draft plays out with Williams and Kanter going 2 and 3, would be between Vesely, Valanciunas and Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has been the hot name, and would seem to fit Clevelands biggest need position. Definitely a sleeper pick for going 4th overall in my mind. Again, he might not be my choice, but I could see a team in Cleveland’s situation certainly thinking about taking him.
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