[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

I knew there is still alot of Pro Ball to be played and that there is still a month and half away from March Madness, but I been having the Urge to predict some of this years picks….

I’ll start by assuming these teams will finish near the bottom of the League standings by the end of the Year
Wizards, Bobcats, Bucks, Raptors, Nets, Kings, Pistons, Wolves, Warriors, Rockets, Cavs…

I’ll assume a wild card team wins the lottery, a Team like the Rockets for example…The rest would fall as scripted more or less by record

2012 Draft Order-Picks 1 through 7

Rockets – 1st Overall Pick- Andre Drummond Pf/C U-Conn-Why? The Rockets have been trying to get a Franchise Big since Yao began to break down and eventually retired, They tried to trade for Amare, sign Chris Bosh, and just recently failed in bringing in Pau Gasol…With Drummond staring them in face they would not pass and would pair him with Coach McHale and hope he becomes a Parrish/McHale/Garnett clone

Wizards- 2nd Overall Pick-Anthony Davis F Kentucky-Why? The Wizards need a boost in the energy department, they also want to get rid of Blatche, add talent at the Pf and run more with Wall at Pg, Davis another Coach Calipari product seems like a mortal lock to play in Washington, he’s the perfect fit next to John Wall and that Team’s lineup needs another defender and rebounder…

Bobcats- 3rd Overall Pick-Harrison Barnes G/F North Carolina-Why? Another mortal lock, The Bobcats and Owner/GM Micheal Jordan need to hit a home run in the draft, they hit a solid double with Kemba/Bismack last year, will Jordan the notorious gamble take the triple in Barnes or go for the high risk/high reward type and draft Perry Jones or Jeremy Lamb, years back he took a chance on Kwame Brown, Jones III is not the same player but there is the Potential there to make a Owner/GM like Jordan roll the dice, Lamb remains a Dark Horse pick for the Bobcats as they have Kemba and could see a Walker/Lamb back court as a exiting duo to market, they’d be Flight Lite for any Old School Iverson/Hughes fans…Still my money is on Barnes for all the exterior reasons, and If Barnes can bring UNC a National Championship this will be an even bigger No Brainer..

Nets-4th Overall Pick- Micheal Kidd Gilchrist G/F Kentucky-Why? This kid is a winner, and he’s also a local product and arguablly the best Sf prospect this year(next to Barnes) The Nets have to surround Williams and Lopez with some talent, and although they pass on Pf’s like Sullinger and Robinson they add a Very versatile defender/playmaker at the Sg/Sf spot, they still have Humpries and can sign AK47 in Free Agency, also K-Mart may come back to play with Deron and Dwight(which is still a possibilty) Anyway you look at it MKG is either a great fit for the current Net’s roster, a Team with Deron/Dwight or he’d be a great trade chip as every team Loves the Kid as a prospect…He seems like another perfect match for NJ…

Pistons-5th Overall Pick-Thomas Robinson F Kansas-Why? The Pistons need toughness on the inside, they will more than likely lose Big Ben to retirement and Amnesty Villanueva(or at least think about it) They will be faced with the choice of Sullinger Vs. Robinson and I know the majority would think Sullinger is the guy, I think Monroe and Sullinger being similar players may force the Pistons to get the energy/rebounder/finisher Robinson, GM looks like a solid C but you have to had solid length and athletism next to him, I think Robinson will win out over Sullinger as a better fit next to Monroe, I believe Robinson defense will set apart as well…This will be an interesting pick for sure…

Kings-6th Overall Pick-Jared Sullinger F Ohio State-Why? The Kings have a ton of Pf/C types and do need a pure Point and starting Sf, they could draft a Sf like Jones III but they just drafted Honeycutt last year and could make a push for a Veteran at that position, they also drafted Jimmer Freddette and could see him as the future Pg, that may take guys like Wroten,Teague and Kabongo out of the debate, The BPA is certainly Sullinger and I see no reason why they would pass on him and just try to trade Hickson/Thompson/Hayes afterwards, he and Cousins are both going to operate down low and that may create a similar problem as the one in their backcourt, I don’t rule out either of the Jones’ or Q.Miller and J.McAddo if they declare…

Warriors(Top 7 Protected) Jeremy Lamb G/F U-Conn-Why? Steph Curry’s ankle injuries and Monta’s off court issues, I believe the Warriors would seriously move one or the other at some point during the Draft or Free Agency period…Lamb could play next to either IMO, he’s the long defender at Sg they want and has plenty of Offensive potential too, he and Curry would be a fantastic backcourt to build aroud, but with Curry’s ankle injuries taken a toll on his body and Trade Value the Warriors may trade him instead and keep the proven 25 plus point scorer in Ellis, Coach Jackson is a New York guy and would likely watch a ton of U-Conn games, he’d be familiar with Lamb’s potential at Sg

[delfamParticipant]

 don’t see how the Pistons could pass up Jeremy Lamb, maybe it’s just me but Monroe IMO is a PF or he needs a shot blocking PF and Robinson is not that. Lamb would be perfect to fit with Knight and help build the backcourt of the future.

[apb540Participant]

I do not see Robinson being picked before Sullinger. I think people tend to forget about Sullinger since he doesn’t make highlite reel plays or get a lot of air time on ESPN, but he has great post moves, rebounds like an animal, slimmed down, and has the potential to become a decent mid-range shooter. The only knocks I can think of for Sully are height and athleticism but he wouldn’t be the first player to overcome those issues and be very good in the NBA. 

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

let me try to explain my thinking @ Delfam and Apb, I know Lamb looks like a great fit in Detroit and they may very well take a look at him when they draft, but I think they have a lot of players at the Sg/Sf positions, Big Ben Gordon is playing very well and nobody rules out Brandon Knight sliding to the 2 for stretches, plus Stuckey can find ways too score and make a Knight,Stuckey and Gordon trio very effective, the Pistons do however need some size up front, I agree Monroe is a Pf too in a perfect world where Center’s exist, but seeing as there are 2 true Centers in the NBA the Pistons will make do with Monroe at C, but in order to max out his production they need more size, I agree that Sullinger is the better overall player right now(he’s the best player coming out of college) but he’s not the athlete Robinson is and some would say that Robinson may have the higher ceiling, I can see the Pistons drafting Sullinger too but right now I think Robinson is a better fit next to Knight and Monro

[apb540Participant]

Is being a better athlete really enough for the Pistons to take Robinson over Sullinger? Sullinger is better at everything else. 

[delfamParticipant]

 Ben Gordon is not in the future for the Pistons IMO and shouldn’t even be considered when drafting players, by the time the Pistons will compete he will be gone. Same thing with Tayshaun Prince so IMO SG/SF is a big need for Detroit.

Also Monroe needs a shot blocker to compliment him which Sullinger/Robinson are neither. Really there aren’t any shot blockers in this draft other than Drummond which is why rather than settle for a Monroe/Robinson combo which is horrible on defense I feel Lamb would be better.

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

No…But the Nets took Favors ahead of Monroe when Greg was the perfect fit next to Brook Lopez…They took the the Athlete with Higher Potential, and then traded him anyway…

I do agree Sullinger is better at this point but Robinson has made huge strides and has a higher upside due to his superior Athletism…If Robinson measures out to 6’10 in shoes he’ll be a top 5 pick, and In my scenario taken 1 spot ahead of more talented but less athletic Jared Sullinger

I understand why everyone loves Lamb, but most Gm’s and Teams have plenty of Guard depth, look at our Sixers, would they take a Guard like Lamb over Robinson or Sullinger, hell no, and we could use his scoring…

I think Lamb could go as high as 3 or slide to the 7 to 10 range, depended on who picks where…The Warriors if they keep the pick would be the first team to likely take another Guard, I understand Charlote wanting him, but most other high drafting Teams have Gurads to give out minutes to…I think Lamb could go anywhere, I like him in Milwuakee next to Jennings personally

One pick I’m throwing out there is this…I believe that the Celtics would move Heaven and Earth to Draft Austin Rivers, he would take over for Ray Allen and be coached by his Father…A Rondo and Rivers back court almost sounds like another destined Pairing…

And I have one Question regarding the Sixers, do you think a Team drafting in the 5 to 10 range would trade us their pick for Andre Iguadola or Spencer Hawes straight up…Lets say we wanted to cut the salary of Iggy or Hawes, Brand(Via Amnesty) and Nocioni(Via Team option) to free up max cap space and go after Dwight Howard…I love to draft Sullinger, Jones III or Robinson with that pick and go After Howard and Williams in Free Agency…Thoughts…

 

[apb540Participant]

Well Spence is an UFA after this season I believe so we would have to trade him in season. That leaves us with Battie and Vuc aka no centers. I think a team like the Kings might trade their pick for Iggy in the offseason, but do you really see the Sixers trading him at this point? If we amnesty Brand and don’t bring back Noc or Hawes, that’s like 27 million right there. 

[delfamParticipant]

Teams in the top of the lottery are rebuilding and IMO wouldn’t want Iguodala and his big contract, by the time they’re ready to compete he would have lost a step.

Hawes on the other hand is still young and Centers are a huge commodity in the NBA so Hawes and the Sixers pick might get you to the #10 spot, but it all be worthless as Dwight doesn’t want to come here.

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

I was under the assumption that we resigned Hawes in this shame of an offseason, but if he is a UFA then I would let him go and save the Money…I’d love to Amnesty Brand, and let Hawes and Nocioni roll off the books too, that way we could sign Howard and make a play for another Pf(I’m thinking Beasley for the Right amount of Money)…Would The Sixers core of Holiday,Turner,Iggy, Thad, Williams and Meeks lure Dwight and Beasley…

I’d offer Howard 17 million per over 5 years and Beasley 10 Million per over 5 years…

Our starting line up next season after these moves

Holiday-Turner-Iguadola-Beasley-Howard-Williams-Young-Meeks-Vucevic-Brackins-2012 Draft Picks(1 first round and 2 second round picks)

I think thats a great young team that could contend, yes Beasley would have to play better defense but come on, the Sixers have been a force with Brand and Hawes at the 4 and 5, replace them with Beasley and Howard and they’re the best team in the NBA, who disagrees… 

[apb540Participant]

Idk if I would be cool with giving Beasley a big contract. Howard is really all that matters for me. Hell, I’d be cool with starting Craig Brackins at the 4 if we get Dwight. 

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

Why wouldn’t any Superstar want to come to Philadelphia??? It’s a storied Franchise that never had a problem competing with the Lakers,Celtics and Knicks during the Golden Age of Basketball…Howard would follow Wilt and Moses Malone in the legacy of Great Centers in Philadelphia…We are a Big Market and compete in every other sport for the top Free Agents every year…We put asses in the seats when the Teams are competitive, I’m going to a couple games in the next few weeks because they are playing hard nosed winning Basketball…

My Question becomes, If the Sixers knock off The Knicks and/Or Heat/Bulls in the playoffs, wouldn’t they open some eyes around the League if they haven’t already, and wouldn’t that entice a Player like Howard to at least take a look at us…I don’t see the Sixers getting any worse minus maybe Brand who we want to Amnesty next July freeing up Max Space, replace Brand and Hawes with Howard and any servicable Pf and this team is A serious threat, Turner’s developement would become HUGE!!! If he developes into a 20 pont scoring Sg it would be CURTAINS…That’s a Team that doesn’t have to give up any major pieces to Get the Best Center in Pro Basketball, and they would be younger and deeper than any other team Howard could join in Free Agency, they’d be better than the Nets, Magic or Mavericks(barring they also get D.Will and keep Dirk somehow)  

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

And coach Collins wouldn’t accept anything but the very best from Beasley or Thad Young will be the starter at Pf, and we’ll have Beasley playing Thad’s role at 10 million per…Either way if the Sixers Sign Howard, the doors open up,and everyone on the roster would become complete, Dwight’s presence down low would open up the flooe for Holiday,Turner, Iggy, Thad, Lou Williams and Jodi Meeks, they have plenty of ball handlers and play makers to get Howard the ball and get it to him often…Jrue,Meeks and Lou are snipers when left alone, Howard would provide them open shots…Iggy and Thad are two of the best athletes in the Nba at attacking the basket, Howard would open up the driving lanes for them to look Great…If you give Beasley a shot at Pf(his natural position might I add) he could become the player we envisioned coming out of Kansas State…He’s a very talented Pf when focused and playing for a Blue Collar crowd in Philadelphia that wants a Championship as much as a player like Dwight Howard next to him would focus him…IMO Howard and Beasley would benefit from playing in a die hard sports town as opposed to wishy washy Media Markets, it could bring out the very best in both players, and if that happens around our core it truly would be CURTAINS…

[apb540Participant]

I just don’t want to lock up so much time and money on two players who are undersized PF. 

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