NBA Mock Draft 2012: Comparing Picks with Lamond Murray in Exclusive Interview
It's always enlightening when you get an opportunity to discuss the NBA draft and its prospects with someone that has experienced the process firsthand.
I recently spoke with former NBA player Lamond Murray about the draft, the hot names and his involvement with NCSA, an athletic recruiting organization based out of Chicago.
Murray was the seventh overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft. He spent 11 years in the NBA. Before that, he was a standout performer for California. He averaged 24 points per game as a junior and teamed with Jason Kidd to lead the Golden Bears to the Sweet 16 in 1993.
In case you don't remember, or haven't heard of him, here's Lamond with two sick slams off feeds from Kidd:
Murray originally found NCSA while he was looking for a way to get more exposure for his children, who are both high school student-athletes. The organization assists student-athletes in their efforts in landing on collegiate recruiters' radar.
Murray gave the NCSA a call, and they talked about other options to get student-athletes exposure beyond the normal YouTube and AAU opportunities.
They directed him to their website, they showed him the profiles they had created for other student athletes and Murray was impressed, saying "I wish I had known about this opportunity during their freshman years."
He was so impressed that he came on as a speaker and ambassador for the organization. He has been working with the company for the past eight months. You can read a more in-depth story about Murray and his involvement with NCSA here.
During our conversation, Murray shared his mock draft with me. I'll be doing a comparison of picks and sharing some of his thoughts on the most intriguing players in the draft.
(Lamond's picks are italicized and precede by LM)
Combine numbers from Draft Express.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky; scouting report here)
No surprise here. Everyone knows Davis will be the No. 1 pick, but there was one surprising note from Murray. He sees Davis as a center in the NBA. As he put it, you never know if he'll grow another two inches.
Referring to the growth spurt Davis had between his junior and season seasons in high school.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas; scouting report here)
LM: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
We differ here, as I think the Bobcats will take Robinson—if they keep the pick. The Cats need scoring badly, and that is one of the few things MKG doesn't do well at this time.
Still, he's a stud, and if Charlotte took him here, I don't think it's the worst pick.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida; scouting report here)
LM: Same
Beal is the logical pick for Washington, but according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, the Wizards are listening to offers for this pick.
Ultimately, Lamond and I agree that Beal will be the selection. We differ a bit on how he projects in the NBA. Lamond sees him as "the classic 2-guard," but I have my doubts about his ability to get his own shot.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky; scouting report here)
LM: Thomas Robinson
We have MKG and Robinson flip-flopped. I don't think Tristan Thompson is a long-term solution at center; he's better cut-out for the power forward spot, but that is also Robinson's position.
The Cavs need a wing player, and MKG is the best fit here, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Cleveland go for a better perimeter scorer.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina; scouting report here)
LM: Same
Barnes is the pick that makes the most sense for the Kings, but of course, that doesn't mean that's the way things will go. With Barnes reportedly coveted by the Bulls, per Neil Walker of Chicago Sun-Times, could Chicago move up to take him here?
Either way, Barnes probably won't be on the board after this selection.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn; scouting report here)
LM: Damian Lillard
Murray likes Lillard here, mentioning that he "came out of nowhere" to impress scouts abroad. I had him here at one point, but perhaps I'm too enamored with Drummond and I'm overestimating NBA teams' interest.
Something about this ability has me projecting big things for Drummond:
The Blazers couldn't go wrong with either in my opinion.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, SF (Baylor; scouting report here)
LM: Drummond
PJ3 is my pick to be selected here, but Murray likes Drummond to fall to No. 7. It's a possibility, but Golden State still has Andrew Bogut in the middle, though he is a bit injury-prone.
PJ3 may fall, but someone in the lottery is going to take a chance on him. He's one of the most talented players in the draft.
Take a look at him here:
8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State; scouting report here)
LM: Dion Waiters
Lillard to the Raptors is a possibility, but Murray sees Waiters as the more likely selection. I think Waiters has high bust potential, and playing in Toronto may not help.
I'm also not a fan of moving DeMar DeRozan to the small forward position. Lillard would instantly bring a presence and some direction to this young team.
9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF/C (North Carolina; scouting report here)
LM: Same
Henson is a great fit for the Pistons. He is already a solid shot blocker, and his defensive prowess is a good fit alongside Greg Monroe.
10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Austin Rivers, SG (Duke; scouting report here)
LM: Same
We both believe in Rivers. We had extensive conversation about him. Murray mentioned he sees him as a point guard, which falls in line with what I've been hearing recently.
There is talk that Hornets coach Monty Williams believes Rivers and Eric Gordon could co-exist in the same backcourt, with Rivers playing lead guard.
I don't see that. I see him as a pure scorer who could play with Gordon in a three-guard look, but primarily he'd be a sixth man.
Either way, I think he's a great fit for the Hornets.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina; scouting report here)
LM: Quincy Miller
I think the Blazers will pass on Lillard because they know they can get Marshall here. Miller is very talented, but I don't see him going this high in the first round.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois; scouting report here)
LM: Jones III
Leonard has really impressed at the NBA combine, and the Bucks need a center. Anyone that loves PJ3 better hope he doesn't land with Scott Skiles.
That is a match made in hell.
13. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse; scouting report here)
LM: Tyler Zeller
This is my spot for Waiters, he'll have the best chance to succeed in Phoenix. Zeller is a solid pick for most teams. He's a legit center, he isn't very athletic, but he plays hard.
Most any team can use a big with those traits.
14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C (Mississippi State; scouting report here)
LM: Marshall
The Rockets may not keep this pick. They have been stockpiling picks in an apparent effort to go after Dwight Howard. If they are unsuccessful, then Moultrie makes sense here.
If they move Kyle Lowry in a separate deal, Marshall would be a good fit—if he's still on the board.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington; scouting report here)
LM: Terrence Jones
Either of the Terrences could help Philly. I favor Ross here because of his athleticism and ability to shoot the ball. Jones is an attractive choice because he can play either forward spot.
16. Houston Rockets (from N.Y. Knicks): Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn; scouting report here)
LM: Moe Harkless
I think Lamb is a solid fit for Houston here. He can shoot the ball, he's athletic and has ridiculously long arms. Murray thinks St.John's freshman Harkless would be the better pick. But he did have some interesting things to say about Lamb.
In reference to the low-motor label Lamb has been tagged with, Murray said, "he makes the game look so easy, but he proved he can score the ball. I think that's why people say he's not playing hard, because he makes the game look easy."
He went on to say that Lamb is perhaps the most underrated player in the draft.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's; scouting report here)
LM: Fab Melo
I have Harkless falling here, while Murray has Melo. The Mavs definitely need size, but No. 17 is a bit too high for Melo in my opinion.
18. Houston Rockets (from Minnesota Timberwolves): Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky; scouting report here)
LM: Moultrie
Jones' versatility would be great with Houston. Moultrie could offer them a low-post scorer, but I don't think he'll be there at No. 18.
19. Orlando Magic: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina; scouting report here)
LM: Royce White
Zeller could be the next man-in-the-middle for Orlando—if Howard is traded, but Murray thinks the intriguing power point-forward White is the pick.
20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor; scouting report here)
LM - Evan Fournier
This is the spot for Miller in my opinion, but Murray likes the top-rated international prospect, Fournier. They have something in common; both will likely require at least two years to learn the game.
21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, PF (Iowa State; scouting report here)
LM: Jeffery Taylor
22. Boston Celtics: Jeffery Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt; scouting report here)
LM: Tyshawn Taylor
We agree there will be a Taylor taken here, but will it be Tyshawn or Jeffery? This is the second consecutive pick for the Celtics; they can't pass on J.Taylor twice, can they?
23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington; scouting report here)
LM: Andrew Nicholson
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Lakers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse; scouting report here)
LM: Draymond Green
I love Green's game, but it would be difficult for me to pull the trigger on him at No. 24. Melo provides depth and size up front for the young Cavs.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, SG (France; scouting report here)
LM: John Jenkins
Memphis is the team in the best position to allow Fournier to develop—even if that development is overseas. Jenkins would provide some shooting and insurance for the possibly departing OJ Mayo.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky; scouting report here)
LM: Ross
I like Teague with the Pacers, but Murray likes Ross to slip to Indiana. I asked Murray which player stood out to him as the player that came out too soon, and he named Teague.
He said: "point guard is hardest position to play coming out of college, and I was shocked when I heard he was coming out. I was like, you're not ready."
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt; scouting report here)
LM: Same
The NBA champions need to get stronger on the inside, and Ezeli is a solid pick here. If the Heat get a capable shot-blocker it could be repeat city.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SF (Michigan State; scouting report here)
LM: Leonard
Green would be an excellent addition to the Thunder locker room, and he would give Kevin Durant an opportunity to rest. Murray has Leonard here, but I think a few teams in the lottery are high on him.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG (Vanderbilt; scouting report here)
LM: Jared Sullinger
As a Bulls fan, I'm not jumping for joy about Jenkins, but I will cry if Murray is right and the Bulls take Sullinger. It would likely mean the end of Taj Gibson, and I have never been a big believer in Sullinger on the NBA level.
30. Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio): Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure; scouting report here)
LM: Teague
Nicholson can score the ball, and he has good size for the power forward. But if Teague is available, the Warriors should pounce on him as a backup and possible replacement for the oft-injured Stephen Curry.
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