Jeremiah's D5 Mock 1st round Draft
Jun 15, 2014 19:40:32 GMT
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Post by Jeremiah Hill on Jun 15, 2014 19:40:32 GMT
1. Charlotte Hornets - Andrew Wiggins
Charlotte is going to be pretty weak on the wing when they lose Hedo so luck has it that a top 3 guy is a wing player.
2. Houston Rockets - Jabari Parker
Seriously? Fuck Charles Barkley for having this pick. On a side note, he's got his guards more or less set and could use a guy who can make an immediate impact to help him get back into the playoffs. He may have the highest floor of any player in this draft. He'll more than likely never be a lock down defender but this guy can score.
3. Boston Celtics (via ORL) - Joel Embiid
Boston has two top 4 picks back to back. So you take one guy with high upside and a little more risk. Embiid is either going to be a transcendent big man or a walking medical experiment. Luckily he's got a lot of draft picks in this draft to be able to take a high risk player.
4. Boston Celtics - Marcus Smart
Like it or not Ben Mclemore isn't the solution to any of Boston's problems. I say they most likely take the super competitor Marcus Smart. He's at worst going to be Tony Allen and at best be Tony Allen who can get to the basket and finish above guys while having above average offensive skills. Which is at minimum a great player. He doesn't carry the risk that a guy like Dante Exum does as much as I wanted to have the Aussie to Aussie connection here.
5. Houston Rockets (via NOP) - Aaron Gordon
I don't see Jabari Parker as a 3 but I definitely see Aaron Gordon being able to play the 3 on the defensive and offensive end. His peak is likely Suns era Shawn Marion with a less ugly shot which is nice. He's the most athletic player in the draft and having picked Jabari Parker I can see him taking the guy with arguably the 2nd or 3rd highest ceiling in the draft. He's got pretty solid passing ability and great handles for a guy of his size.
6. Memphis Grizzlies - Dante Exum
I think that foreign guys are likely to fall in D5 mostly because who the hell knows about guys like this. Exum played mostly against high school level competition where he clearly outmatches them. He had a few good games in international play but that's about it. The Grizzlies aren't going to overthink it when a guy so highly regarded falls.
7. Denver Nuggets (via SAS) - Julius Randle
Denver needs to just add a good guy to his bench. This is a guy who has dominated at every level. He's a little smaller than most PFs but that really shouldn't affect his ability to rebound and score efficiently coming in. I don't really think that Denver is too worried about Randle's foot as it seems like that might have been a smokescreen by some real team trying to get him to fall to them.
8. Utah Jazz - Noah Vonleh
While it's clear that Ishmael Smith isn't getting it done at the PG spot for Utah he'd be much better served trying to fill that spot in the FA. Tristan Thompson's contract is freaking retarded and I'm not even sure if that's real. So it would serve the Jazz to take an extra big given that Thompson can opt out at literally any time he wants and he probably should given that this season's free agency is kind of lackluster.
9. Atlanta Hawks - Doug McDermott
Dougie Fresh goes to the Hawks forming an all white front court of Dougie, Cody Zeller and Tyler Zeller that is all but destined to fail spectacularly.
10. New York Knicks - Dario Saric
There is a good chance that in the real draft Saric goes top 6, but like I said I can see foreign guys falling pretty far in the D5 draft. If Saric was playing in college I think he might have been a top 5 player to be honest he's probably second in pure competitiveness only to Marcus Smart if you could judge by his mix tapes.
11. Atlanta Hawks (via WAS) - Nik Stauskas
It was destined to happen. If the Hawks don't some how manage to sign Kirk Hinrich after this pick I'll be REALLY REALLY sad. What's worse is that I actually believe that Nik Stauskas is going to be really good in the NBA. His handle looks crisper than Marcus Smart and at worst you get another guy who can stretch the floor.
12. Phoenix Suns - Gary Harris
The Phoenix Suns are really in need of some good guard play. Like the Utah Jazz I think they would be better off trying to get one of the many available point guards out of free agency.
13. Philadelphia 76ers - Elfrid Payton
Philly is in a really precarious position with his team. He's got cap space but that's likely going to resigning Ty Lawson and Monta Ellis. If he can only keep 1 then it would be smart to have a nice back up plan and if everything goes well he'd at worst have a solid 6th man. Draft.net has Zach Lavine going around this area, but I don't think anyone is stupid enough to think that the Westbrook comparisons go any further than they went to the same school.
14. Charlotte Hornets (via LAC) - Rodney Hood
I really don't understand why Rodney Hood has fallen so far from grace, he was top 8 for like 4 months. He's now in sleeper status. He's a guy who will most likely have an average career, but as the Spurs have shown us you need guys who are just good ball players who can defend.
15. Milwaukee Bucks - Kyle Anderson
Might as well get his Chandler Parsons back up and his very own Boris Diaw.
16. New Orleans Pelicans (via IND) - Jusuf Nurkic
The Pelicans have 4 80+ guys on their squad but still managed to suck harder than a hoover vacuum who's second job is as a prostitute. They need size on this team badly and this is the biggest guy in the draft. Plus he's been dominating Europe.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (via TOR) - TJ Warren
The guy isn't going to stretch the floor by any means but this guy just straight up finds a way to get buckets. He's not the most athletic wing in the draft but he makes up for it by having just a great feel for the game.
18. Boston Celtics (via CLE) - Adreian Payne
Will do all the stuff that Anthony Bennett was supposed to do.
19. New York Knicks (via SAC) - Tyler Ennis
Just a real heady true PG who compares well with Chris Paul although he's not as quick. He's got great character and a wonderful feel for the game.
20. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET) - Kristaps Porzingis
To go with the theme of adding size to the Pelicans he might as well add the polar opposite of Jusuf Nurkic to his team. This is a thin athletic guy who has a decent stroke for a 7 footer.
21. New York Knicks (via BKN) - Zach Lavine
I think this is where seeing him so high on everyone's mocks and big boards is going to break everyone's good judgement as he'll likely be long gone in the real NBA Draft. I can't see what anyone sees in this kid but with the Knicks having lots of picks it can't hurt to take a flyer.
22. Boston Celtics (via DAL) - James Young
Similar to what is going on with the previous Knicks pick.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves - Cleanthony Early
The T Wolves would do well to just take the best player. This guy is probably never gonna be the next big thing but he'll likely not be the next terrible player either. He's gonna be strapped for Cap Space after the draft so adding someone who might be able to contribute right away is a good idea.
24. Boston Celtics (via OKC) - Clint Capella
If this guy pans out the Celtics will have some crazy good Bigman depth going on.
25. Orlando Magic (via LAL) - PJ Hairston
Orlando is pissed because Boston has his draft pick and then just took the guy he was really hoping would fall to him. So he takes the risky guy who's probably skilled enough to be going top 10 without his issues.
26. Chicago Bulls - Shabazz Napier
This year's Kemba Walker, he would be going top 10 in last years draft so I think that Chicago will be pretty happy.
27. LA Lakers (via DEN) - Bogdan Bogdanovic
I think that Magic Johnson will see the Spurs select this guy with their pick in the real draft. He might not come over immediately but you know he'll eventually at least be pretty good.
28. New York Knicks (via POR) - Glenn Robinson
This guy showed at the combine that he was actually pretty damned athletic.
29. Miami Heat - Mitch McGary
This is gonna be their only way to back up Andrew Bynum and with injuries entering the game next season this could be a big deal.
30. Atlanta Hawks (via GSW) - Jordan Clarkson
Atlanta proves that they aren't actually KKK members by drafting Jordan Clarkson the combo guard out of Missouri who can jump out of the gym.
Charlotte is going to be pretty weak on the wing when they lose Hedo so luck has it that a top 3 guy is a wing player.
2. Houston Rockets - Jabari Parker
Seriously? Fuck Charles Barkley for having this pick. On a side note, he's got his guards more or less set and could use a guy who can make an immediate impact to help him get back into the playoffs. He may have the highest floor of any player in this draft. He'll more than likely never be a lock down defender but this guy can score.
3. Boston Celtics (via ORL) - Joel Embiid
Boston has two top 4 picks back to back. So you take one guy with high upside and a little more risk. Embiid is either going to be a transcendent big man or a walking medical experiment. Luckily he's got a lot of draft picks in this draft to be able to take a high risk player.
4. Boston Celtics - Marcus Smart
Like it or not Ben Mclemore isn't the solution to any of Boston's problems. I say they most likely take the super competitor Marcus Smart. He's at worst going to be Tony Allen and at best be Tony Allen who can get to the basket and finish above guys while having above average offensive skills. Which is at minimum a great player. He doesn't carry the risk that a guy like Dante Exum does as much as I wanted to have the Aussie to Aussie connection here.
5. Houston Rockets (via NOP) - Aaron Gordon
I don't see Jabari Parker as a 3 but I definitely see Aaron Gordon being able to play the 3 on the defensive and offensive end. His peak is likely Suns era Shawn Marion with a less ugly shot which is nice. He's the most athletic player in the draft and having picked Jabari Parker I can see him taking the guy with arguably the 2nd or 3rd highest ceiling in the draft. He's got pretty solid passing ability and great handles for a guy of his size.
6. Memphis Grizzlies - Dante Exum
I think that foreign guys are likely to fall in D5 mostly because who the hell knows about guys like this. Exum played mostly against high school level competition where he clearly outmatches them. He had a few good games in international play but that's about it. The Grizzlies aren't going to overthink it when a guy so highly regarded falls.
7. Denver Nuggets (via SAS) - Julius Randle
Denver needs to just add a good guy to his bench. This is a guy who has dominated at every level. He's a little smaller than most PFs but that really shouldn't affect his ability to rebound and score efficiently coming in. I don't really think that Denver is too worried about Randle's foot as it seems like that might have been a smokescreen by some real team trying to get him to fall to them.
8. Utah Jazz - Noah Vonleh
While it's clear that Ishmael Smith isn't getting it done at the PG spot for Utah he'd be much better served trying to fill that spot in the FA. Tristan Thompson's contract is freaking retarded and I'm not even sure if that's real. So it would serve the Jazz to take an extra big given that Thompson can opt out at literally any time he wants and he probably should given that this season's free agency is kind of lackluster.
9. Atlanta Hawks - Doug McDermott
Dougie Fresh goes to the Hawks forming an all white front court of Dougie, Cody Zeller and Tyler Zeller that is all but destined to fail spectacularly.
10. New York Knicks - Dario Saric
There is a good chance that in the real draft Saric goes top 6, but like I said I can see foreign guys falling pretty far in the D5 draft. If Saric was playing in college I think he might have been a top 5 player to be honest he's probably second in pure competitiveness only to Marcus Smart if you could judge by his mix tapes.
11. Atlanta Hawks (via WAS) - Nik Stauskas
It was destined to happen. If the Hawks don't some how manage to sign Kirk Hinrich after this pick I'll be REALLY REALLY sad. What's worse is that I actually believe that Nik Stauskas is going to be really good in the NBA. His handle looks crisper than Marcus Smart and at worst you get another guy who can stretch the floor.
12. Phoenix Suns - Gary Harris
The Phoenix Suns are really in need of some good guard play. Like the Utah Jazz I think they would be better off trying to get one of the many available point guards out of free agency.
13. Philadelphia 76ers - Elfrid Payton
Philly is in a really precarious position with his team. He's got cap space but that's likely going to resigning Ty Lawson and Monta Ellis. If he can only keep 1 then it would be smart to have a nice back up plan and if everything goes well he'd at worst have a solid 6th man. Draft.net has Zach Lavine going around this area, but I don't think anyone is stupid enough to think that the Westbrook comparisons go any further than they went to the same school.
14. Charlotte Hornets (via LAC) - Rodney Hood
I really don't understand why Rodney Hood has fallen so far from grace, he was top 8 for like 4 months. He's now in sleeper status. He's a guy who will most likely have an average career, but as the Spurs have shown us you need guys who are just good ball players who can defend.
15. Milwaukee Bucks - Kyle Anderson
Might as well get his Chandler Parsons back up and his very own Boris Diaw.
16. New Orleans Pelicans (via IND) - Jusuf Nurkic
The Pelicans have 4 80+ guys on their squad but still managed to suck harder than a hoover vacuum who's second job is as a prostitute. They need size on this team badly and this is the biggest guy in the draft. Plus he's been dominating Europe.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (via TOR) - TJ Warren
The guy isn't going to stretch the floor by any means but this guy just straight up finds a way to get buckets. He's not the most athletic wing in the draft but he makes up for it by having just a great feel for the game.
18. Boston Celtics (via CLE) - Adreian Payne
Will do all the stuff that Anthony Bennett was supposed to do.
19. New York Knicks (via SAC) - Tyler Ennis
Just a real heady true PG who compares well with Chris Paul although he's not as quick. He's got great character and a wonderful feel for the game.
20. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET) - Kristaps Porzingis
To go with the theme of adding size to the Pelicans he might as well add the polar opposite of Jusuf Nurkic to his team. This is a thin athletic guy who has a decent stroke for a 7 footer.
21. New York Knicks (via BKN) - Zach Lavine
I think this is where seeing him so high on everyone's mocks and big boards is going to break everyone's good judgement as he'll likely be long gone in the real NBA Draft. I can't see what anyone sees in this kid but with the Knicks having lots of picks it can't hurt to take a flyer.
22. Boston Celtics (via DAL) - James Young
Similar to what is going on with the previous Knicks pick.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves - Cleanthony Early
The T Wolves would do well to just take the best player. This guy is probably never gonna be the next big thing but he'll likely not be the next terrible player either. He's gonna be strapped for Cap Space after the draft so adding someone who might be able to contribute right away is a good idea.
24. Boston Celtics (via OKC) - Clint Capella
If this guy pans out the Celtics will have some crazy good Bigman depth going on.
25. Orlando Magic (via LAL) - PJ Hairston
Orlando is pissed because Boston has his draft pick and then just took the guy he was really hoping would fall to him. So he takes the risky guy who's probably skilled enough to be going top 10 without his issues.
26. Chicago Bulls - Shabazz Napier
This year's Kemba Walker, he would be going top 10 in last years draft so I think that Chicago will be pretty happy.
27. LA Lakers (via DEN) - Bogdan Bogdanovic
I think that Magic Johnson will see the Spurs select this guy with their pick in the real draft. He might not come over immediately but you know he'll eventually at least be pretty good.
28. New York Knicks (via POR) - Glenn Robinson
This guy showed at the combine that he was actually pretty damned athletic.
29. Miami Heat - Mitch McGary
This is gonna be their only way to back up Andrew Bynum and with injuries entering the game next season this could be a big deal.
30. Atlanta Hawks (via GSW) - Jordan Clarkson
Atlanta proves that they aren't actually KKK members by drafting Jordan Clarkson the combo guard out of Missouri who can jump out of the gym.