my mock lottery

C-c-c-combo breaker!

C-c-c-combo breaker!

 I may be in the minority here, but I actually like your lottery. Your top 5, to me, demostrates the guys in the order of who has been the most impressive this year (although I would probably swap Parker and Randle, but thats debatable). Although Wiggins is great, he has been the least impressive of the top 5 this year IMO. Now, I do not feel that the lottery will go this way because teams will take into consideration positional need, athleticism, potential, and etc, but I do think it is possible. 

 I may be in the minority here, but I actually like your lottery. Your top 5, to me, demostrates the guys in the order of who has been the most impressive this year (although I would probably swap Parker and Randle, but thats debatable). Although Wiggins is great, he has been the least impressive of the top 5 this year IMO. Now, I do not feel that the lottery will go this way because teams will take into consideration positional need, athleticism, potential, and etc, but I do think it is possible. 

 Any GM who would pick Hood over Exum may not have their job for much longer

 Any GM who would pick Hood over Exum may not have their job for much longer

Has anyone noticed that while KU’s offensive system utilizes lots of scorers and not one dominant guy, their defense is quite good. Wiggins is the best defender in the country. Embiid has his moments, as do others, but Parker’s name is nowhere in that defensive conversation. But I’ve heard from at least a dozen coaches that have said he plays lockdown defense. I can’t think of 10 lockdown defenders in the NBA. When/if his offense becomes consistent, Wiggins will be a stud. He’s also one of the most humble kids out there. His recruitment was close to his chest and then he had one local reporter attend his news conference. He sent one text to Coach Self during his recruitment. That’s refreshing from a kid that’s hyped as the best since so and so. I’ve heard that Exum might pout his way to the Lakers. I also have a funny feeling that Embiid will be in Lawrence next year as well.

Has anyone noticed that while KU’s offensive system utilizes lots of scorers and not one dominant guy, their defense is quite good. Wiggins is the best defender in the country. Embiid has his moments, as do others, but Parker’s name is nowhere in that defensive conversation. But I’ve heard from at least a dozen coaches that have said he plays lockdown defense. I can’t think of 10 lockdown defenders in the NBA. When/if his offense becomes consistent, Wiggins will be a stud. He’s also one of the most humble kids out there. His recruitment was close to his chest and then he had one local reporter attend his news conference. He sent one text to Coach Self during his recruitment. That’s refreshing from a kid that’s hyped as the best since so and so. I’ve heard that Exum might pout his way to the Lakers. I also have a funny feeling that Embiid will be in Lawrence next year as well.

 The draft is about potential and Wiggins potential is off the charts good. He looks like he could be identical to Paul George so how can you have him going 5th in this draft? Having Smart over him right now is laughable. Randle and Parker have had better seasons than Wiggins, but his ceiling is just so much higher.

 The draft is about potential and Wiggins potential is off the charts good. He looks like he could be identical to Paul George so how can you have him going 5th in this draft? Having Smart over him right now is laughable. Randle and Parker have had better seasons than Wiggins, but his ceiling is just so much higher.

Andrew Wiggins at #5………. OUCH!

Andrew Wiggins at #5………. OUCH!

 First, big ups for throwing together your first mock on here. You asked for feedback, so here it is: 

1. Embiid – Good Pick and consequently one of the few that I agree with

2. Julius Randle – Over Parker or Wiggins? I could at least understand (but wouldn’t agree with) him being over Smart, Vonleh, Exum 

3. jabari parker – Cool with this, except for Randle being above him

4. marcus smart – The concerns over his outside shot seem valid (except for the game the other day where he drilled 5 in a half). Having him go above Wiggins is insanity and I don’t think any GM’s would take him over Exum anymore either.

5. Andrew wiggins – Behind Randle and Smart…no.

6. noah vonleah – I could see him being taken at 6th, but I think Exum should go before him.

7. Rodney hood – Ahead of Exum?

8. dante exum – This is WAY too low for Exum. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess?

9. doug McDermott – Not sure he’ll crack the top-10 and I prefer Gary Harris/Tyler Ennis over him, but no biggie.

10. gary harrris – Was the extra "r" a typo or were you spelling it like a PA would say it after he splashes a 3? Good spot for him.

11. jerami grant – Way too early. He is so raw and has no tangible offensive skillset, which is a problem for a SF.

12. Jordan Clarkson – Way too early. Like 10-20 picks too early. There are just people more talented with higher upside. 

13. tyler ennis – He should be higher than at least Grant and Clarkson, probably McDermott too.

14. I am from Memphis and the grizz need a sg that can score but don’t see one that’s worth taking this high. I say we trade or pick jabari brown, I like his game and he will be the scoring we need. – Jabari Brown at 14th? See response to 12th pick. 

 First, big ups for throwing together your first mock on here. You asked for feedback, so here it is: 

1. Embiid – Good Pick and consequently one of the few that I agree with

2. Julius Randle – Over Parker or Wiggins? I could at least understand (but wouldn’t agree with) him being over Smart, Vonleh, Exum 

3. jabari parker – Cool with this, except for Randle being above him

4. marcus smart – The concerns over his outside shot seem valid (except for the game the other day where he drilled 5 in a half). Having him go above Wiggins is insanity and I don’t think any GM’s would take him over Exum anymore either.

5. Andrew wiggins – Behind Randle and Smart…no.

6. noah vonleah – I could see him being taken at 6th, but I think Exum should go before him.

7. Rodney hood – Ahead of Exum?

8. dante exum – This is WAY too low for Exum. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess?

9. doug McDermott – Not sure he’ll crack the top-10 and I prefer Gary Harris/Tyler Ennis over him, but no biggie.

10. gary harrris – Was the extra "r" a typo or were you spelling it like a PA would say it after he splashes a 3? Good spot for him.

11. jerami grant – Way too early. He is so raw and has no tangible offensive skillset, which is a problem for a SF.

12. Jordan Clarkson – Way too early. Like 10-20 picks too early. There are just people more talented with higher upside. 

13. tyler ennis – He should be higher than at least Grant and Clarkson, probably McDermott too.

14. I am from Memphis and the grizz need a sg that can score but don’t see one that’s worth taking this high. I say we trade or pick jabari brown, I like his game and he will be the scoring we need. – Jabari Brown at 14th? See response to 12th pick. 

I would take Embiid and Wiggins at 1 and 2 with the top pick being a slight toss up.  Jabari Parker at 3 with Randle and Exum (haven’t watched this kid much, just going on what scouts say) fighting over the 4th and 5th spots.

I would almost go with Aaron Gordon at 6 since I think he can do a few different things on the court.  And the athleticism is there.  He’s also young, and teams love "upside".  With the success of James Johnson on the Grizzlies you have to like an athletic combo forward, even if he is more of a tweener… 

I would go with Marcus Smart at 7, but that is about as low as he should probably go.  A big guard who can defend, finish strong, and run a team would be hard to pass up.

As a Grizzlies fan, I agree that we should look at shooting guards.  Right now we have Tony Allen and Courtney Lee but that is about it.  We drafted Jamal Franklin last year, but the jury is still out on him.

We could also use a small forward, since James Johnson might be our only returning 3 man next season (if Prince is traded and if Mike Miller retires or signs elsewhere).  Quincy Pondexter is coming back from an injury next year but he is more of a 3 in a 2 guard’s body. 

With Memphis’ wing core of Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, James Johnson, and Q Pon, it looks like we have enough length, defense, and rebounding.  We could use shooting though which is why I would really take a strong look at Doug McDermott if he is still on the board when we pick.  He can shoot and score which would give us an added dimension on the wing.  Not the best defender, but we have defense covered.  We could also play some small ball with Doug and JJ at the forward spots. 

… Grizz should also look at Wayne Selden (classic two guard size) and James Young if they are on the board still.  If not, we might need to trade down for an extra pick plus cash.  If we could come out of this draft with James McAdoo, Shabazz Napier, and cash I would be pretty happy.

I would take Embiid and Wiggins at 1 and 2 with the top pick being a slight toss up.  Jabari Parker at 3 with Randle and Exum (haven’t watched this kid much, just going on what scouts say) fighting over the 4th and 5th spots.

I would almost go with Aaron Gordon at 6 since I think he can do a few different things on the court.  And the athleticism is there.  He’s also young, and teams love "upside".  With the success of James Johnson on the Grizzlies you have to like an athletic combo forward, even if he is more of a tweener… 

I would go with Marcus Smart at 7, but that is about as low as he should probably go.  A big guard who can defend, finish strong, and run a team would be hard to pass up.

As a Grizzlies fan, I agree that we should look at shooting guards.  Right now we have Tony Allen and Courtney Lee but that is about it.  We drafted Jamal Franklin last year, but the jury is still out on him.

We could also use a small forward, since James Johnson might be our only returning 3 man next season (if Prince is traded and if Mike Miller retires or signs elsewhere).  Quincy Pondexter is coming back from an injury next year but he is more of a 3 in a 2 guard’s body. 

With Memphis’ wing core of Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, James Johnson, and Q Pon, it looks like we have enough length, defense, and rebounding.  We could use shooting though which is why I would really take a strong look at Doug McDermott if he is still on the board when we pick.  He can shoot and score which would give us an added dimension on the wing.  Not the best defender, but we have defense covered.  We could also play some small ball with Doug and JJ at the forward spots. 

… Grizz should also look at Wayne Selden (classic two guard size) and James Young if they are on the board still.  If not, we might need to trade down for an extra pick plus cash.  If we could come out of this draft with James McAdoo, Shabazz Napier, and cash I would be pretty happy.

To the guy who said Smart or Craft is a "better" defender than Wiggins… Would you feel comfortable having Smart or Craft guard a 6’8 wing? The point is Wiggins is athletic enough to cover the players that Smart and Craft cover but he can also play some solid defense against the longer wingers due to his size; he is much more versatile as a defender which in my opinion, makes him marginally better. It’s the same argument with LeBron, he may or may not be the "best defender" but his ability to defend 4 positions effectively makes him better.

To the guy who said Smart or Craft is a "better" defender than Wiggins… Would you feel comfortable having Smart or Craft guard a 6’8 wing? The point is Wiggins is athletic enough to cover the players that Smart and Craft cover but he can also play some solid defense against the longer wingers due to his size; he is much more versatile as a defender which in my opinion, makes him marginally better. It’s the same argument with LeBron, he may or may not be the "best defender" but his ability to defend 4 positions effectively makes him better.