NBA Mock Draft 2.0

If both Curry and Hill are off the board at No.8, look for the Knicks to decide between the plethora of PGs in this year's class if they don’t make trade first.

All indications are that the Knicks' brass were unimpressed with UCLA’s Jrue Holiday after his workout, and Johnny Flynn and Ty Lawson don't seem to be on New York’s radar. With the Mike D’Antoni experiment just beginning in the “Big Apple”, the team will need an instinctive passing PG, and Jennings fits the mold.

Incumbent Chris Duhon performed well, but the team began to sputter in the latter part of the season when he was injured. Nate Robinson is more suited to his role—providing scoring off the bench.

Jennings’ year playing pro ball for Roma could also prove to be advantageous as the young man adjusts to the bright lights and big stage in NYC. Plus D’Antoni has an affinity for Italian-league players, as he was star in the country during his playing days.

 

9.

Toronto

DeMar DeRozan

SG/SF

6′ 6″

210

USC

Player Recap: DeRozan has an NBA-ready body, but needs his game to catch up to his physique. At 6′6″ and 210 lbs., he has the quickness and speed to guard NBA SG’s, and the height and strength to guard SF’s.

DeRozan isn't an excellent ball handler or shooter, but he can be an effective scorer in the right system. He relies heavily on physical talents, and sometimes bails out opponents by not playing up to his potential; however, he is still very young, and has great upside and unlimited potential.

Team Impact: DeRozan gives the Raptors a youngm athletic wing they can mold to replace the void left by Vince Carter.

In fact, DeRozan draws comparisons to Carter and Gerald Wallace at their age and stage of development. He has the potential to be the high-flying finisher for Jose Calderon, a nice running mate for Shawn Marion, and a good athletic wing to complement Anthony Parker.

 

10.

Milwaukee

Jrue Holiday

PG/SG

6′ 3″

185

UCLA

Player Recap: A consensus top five high school prospect, and potentially the best California PG prospect since Baron Davis, Jrue failed to have that break-out season as a freshman at UCLA. He decided that he wouldn’t stick around for a second season to wait see if it would be the one.

Most of Holiday’s ineffectiveness is credited to his playing out of position, alongside all-American candidate Darren Collison, last season.

Still, Jrue has all the tools to be effective in the NBA. At 6′ 3″ 185 he has the ideal size for a PG. He also possesses quick feet and long arms, which point to him having the ability to lock down opposing PGs defensively.

If he can get into the groove and show some of the natural feel for the game he displayed back in high school at Campbell Hall in N. Hollywood, CA, he’ll be just fine in the pros.

Team Impact: Everything I’ve heard and read implies that the Bucks will draft a PG with the No.10 pick.

The question is, which one will be available at that pick?

Holiday seems to be the best fit, because Milwaukee could stand to have a more defensive-minded presence at that position. His athleticism should upgrade the Bucks in that area (after trading away their best athlete in Richard Jefferson), and allow Holiday to slide to the two where he can score and guard opposing SGs as well.

 

11.

New Jersey

Earl Clark

SF/PF

6′ 9″

220

Louisville

Player Recap: the Louisville combo forward has the skills set and the size to really impose his will on the game both offensively and defensively.

The question is, will he?

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