Thread: NBA Draft

I love basketball. Drafts and fantasy drafts are two of my most favorite things.

The Washington Wizards have won the lottery for the first pick in the NBA draft. Everyone assumes that they will take Kentucky point guard John Wall. The Wizards former point guard, Gilbert Arenas, is in trouble for whipping out a gun on his teammate during some fiasco. It seems that the wizards want to make it work with Gilbert. The wizards realize that gilbert has a very sweet shot and could possibly move to the shooting guard position, if the team so desired. This is what I believe will happen. John wall will be selected to play point while gilbert awaits return from suspension. When Gilbert returns, Gilbert will play the 2. Most people predict Wall to be the first pick overall.

There are 3-5 other top echelon players that have an argument for a top 5 selection. Evan Turner could give JOhn wall a run at the first overall pick, but that seems unlikely. Turner is a tall shooting guard who has a diverse skill set. He can pass, shoot, and penetrate. Turner is tough, as evidenced by his quickness to return from a broken back. Kentucky's Demarcus Cousins is a massive inside post presence, but there is something in his body language i don't like. Derrick favors, out of Georgia Tech, was the number one high school recruit last season, ahead of John wall and cousins. Favors is an athletic power forward with potential. Wesley Johnson, from Syracuse, can shoot the rock and play solid defense. Johnson, at 6'7, will be a good perimeter defender/swingman in the NBA. Greg Monroe is a lanky big man with finesse. Georgetown's Monroe excelled when the offense was run through him, utilizing his great vision and passing. The team that drafts Greg monroe needs to understand that he isnt a 20-10 guy just yet. MOnroe's rookie numbers could be 14 points 7 boards and 3.5 assists, on the right team.

Here is my top ten picks 2010 NBA mock draft, assuming no trades happen, which they will.
Selection:
1. Washington Wizards- John Wall-6'4-Point guard-Freshman-Kentucky
The wizards need talent anywhere on the court. Adding Wall to the mix allows the wizards to have a potential(given health and status) 1-2-3 lineup of, John Wall, Gilbert Arenas, and Josh Howard, somewhere during the upcoming season. That would be a decent 1-2-3. Wall is a beast. He is like derrick rose. he is tall, fast, can take anybody off the dribble and finish at the basket or distribute the rock.

2. Philadelphia 76'ers- Evan Turner-6'7-Shooting guard/small forward-Junior-Ohio State
This was a difficult pick. On the one hand the 76'ers already have three shooting guard/small forwards in my book, ANdre Igoudala, jason kapono, and Thadeus Young. Why would they want Evan Turner, who is very similar in build? Thadeus is good but not great and might be better suited for the bench role. maybe the 76'ers want to keep igoudala in the starting lineup, bench kapono and young, and roll with an interchangeable 2-3 lineup of Iguodala and Turner. The 76'er front court is suspect at best. Elton Brand is old and overpaid. Samuel Dalembert is a good center who can rebound and block shots. Dalembert is not the best offensive weapon though. Cousins/favors/Monroe could learn from Elton brand, and take over the power forward spot the next year. i just figure that the amount they pay Brand makes it so they want to start him and play him. This could make drafting someone of the same position silly to them. They could flip the lights on and realize that there is a glaring need for front-court help and select one of the top Power Forwards/Center's.

3. New Jersey Nets- Derrick Favors-6'11-Freshman-Power Forward-Georgia Tech
They get the pick of the Power forward litter. I think they will choose Derrick Favors out of Georgia tech. Demarcus Cousins is a manchild. Cousins, At 6'11, 292 lbs, could project to be an NBA center. Favors is 6'10 and has more athleticism than Cousins. Cousins has better offensive moves though. The nets only have one franchise player on their roster and that is Center Brooke Lopez. Pairing a true power forward like favors with lopez will create a young frontcourt for the nets. Favors improved down the stretch of the season and

4. Minnesota Timberwolves- Wesley johnson-6'7-Junior-Shooting guard/Small forward-Syracuse
What they aren't selecting another point guard? The timberwolves get lucky because the guy that is perfect for them fell into their laps. Their options at the 2 and 3 last year were pathetic, Corey Brewer, ryan gomes, etc. Wesley Johnson can start at either position immediately for the T-wolves.

5. Sacramento Kings- Demarcus Cousins-6'11-freshman-Power Forward/Center-Kentucky
The Kings get the steal of the draft thus far. The best interior offensive post presence is gift wrapped for them and they just can't wait to put their pick in. They already have young front-court players, but the strengths of their team last year were their guards. They obviously need help down low.

6. Golden State Warriors- Greg Monroe-6'11-Power forward-Sophomore-Georgetown
GOlden state is an offensive team that lacks production form their front-court. Don Nelson coaches the warriors. he coached the Mavericks when they drafted Dirk nowitzki. Dirk is a finesse power forward, like Monroe, who excelled in nelson's system. Monroe will excell in the golden state offense, which can use his scoring/passing talents.

7. Detroit Pistons- Cole Aldrich-6'10-Center-Junior-Kansas
The pistons have a plethora of guard talent. their front-court is severely lacking. Detroit is fucking pissed that they couldn't get cousins or favors or Monroe. they know that it is a crap shoot from here. They settle for the corn fed white boy from Kansas university.

8. L.A. Clippers- Al Farouq Aminu-6'8-Sophomore-Wake Forest
The clippers need a small forward. I think that Aminu is an athlete who can bring energy to your team. He can't shoot or dribble very well, which is a big problem. He should be able to play excellent defense and make some highlight reel dunks. They seem to be set at the guard slot with Baron Davis, Steve Blake, and Eric Gordon. They seem to be set at the power forward and center slots with Chris Kaman, Blake griffin, Deandre Jordan, and drew gooden.

9. Utah Jazz-Ed Davis-6'10-Power Forward-Sophomore-North Carolina
The Jazz have two great power forwards in Paul millsap and Carlos boozer. they don't see both or maybe either in their long term plans. davis provides some fresh legs to man the power forward position left vacant by the departure of millsap and boozer.

10. Indiana Pacers-Hassan Whiteside-7'0-Center-Frehman-Marshall
The pacers are subpar at almost every position, which makes this pick impossible to make. They could very easily trade this pick for something else. the pacers have backups starting at every position but small forward, the position danny granger plays. TJ Ford is one of my favorite players in the NBA because of his Texas roots. he has been through a lot of injuries which have derailed his promising career. The pacers need help. I went to a hornets vs. pacers game in NOLA. Hornets rookie backup point guard, Darren Collison, posted a triple double on the pacers that night. they need point guard help, but this draft is thin at the point. They drafted Tyler hansborough and big ole Roy Hibbert in the last two years and they probably intend to give them more chances. they don't absolutely need a shooting guard or small forward or power forward. who do they need to fill their bloated roster of players who can't win in the NBA? their biggest needs come at point guard and center. They could and should trade this pick and maybe some players for a veteran point guard, like say baron davis. For now i say they pick Whiteside for the simple fact that hibbert cannot play the whole game. With Whiteside there, hibbert will be pushed by competition and will have a capable backup.

wow this took me a long while. i didn't realize how long it would take me to explain these picks XD
*100th post son