NBA Draft Mock Roundup and Analysis With Predictions, Part Two
With the NBA draft approaching, Bareknucks.com featured a mock draft analysis and predictions piece yesterday that covered picks 30-21. As promised, here is part two; picks 20-11.
20. Utah Jazz
ND: Terrence Williams, SG/SF, Louisville
DE: Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC
MND: Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC
CF: Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC
Analysis: Forget Psycho T, I’m rolling with Austin Daye here. A good work ethic and psycho drive is valued, but I just don’t see Hansbrough being anything more than an energy guy coming off the bench.
Carlos Boozer will most likely depart Salt Lake City, and if Hansbrough is expected to fill those shoes, he will fail to satisfy expectations. If Daye slips this far like I think he will, Utah would be foolish not to pick him up.
Contrary to Hansbrough, Daye has a ton of potential. He’s extremely versatile, with the ability to play around the hoop or step out and knock down shots. The former Zag has great handles for a big man as well. He does have to put some meat on his bones, but that shouldn’t prevent the Jazz from taking him if he is still on the board.
I’ll roll the dice on a player with a ton of upside and the potential to develop into a superstar over Psycho T any day.
Additionally, Hansbrough isn’t the sharpest crayon in the box, which is kind of a problem in the NBA, if you don’t have extraordinary athleticism to make up for it (i.e. Derrick Rose).
Prediction: Austin Daye, 6-11 SF, Gonzaga
19. Atlanta Hawks
ND: Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest
DE: Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest
MND: Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
CF: Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest
Analysis: Atlanta would be a good place for point guard Jeff Teague to land. Acie Law is certainly not the PG of the Hawks’ future.
Teague isn’t a pure PG, but that’s not all bad. He’s awfully quick and is a great scorer. At 19th overall, Teague would be a bargain for ATL here.
This draft class is loaded with talented PGs, and Teague has the potential to be one of the better players to emerge from this draft.
Prediction: Jeff Teague, 6-2 PG, Wake Forest
ND: Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA
DE: BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State
MND: Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga
CF: BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State
Analysis: The T’Wolves are undoubtedly going to draft a PG with one of their three first-round picks. With the deep class of point guards in this draft, I think this is the spot to do it, as opposed to filling the point vacancy with the sixth overall pick.
If BJ Mullens were available here, I think the Wolves would be obligated to pull the trigger on him, but I don’t anticipate Byron James to be on the board here.
PG Eric Maynor would be great for Minnesota. He’s got decent size for his position and can pretty much do it all. As far as rookies go, Maynor is ‘NBA ready.’ With Sebastian Telfair and Randy Foye to compete against, Maynor would most likely get a significant amount of play-time.
Prediction: Eric Maynor, 6-3 PG, VCU
ND: Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
DE: Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
MND: Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
CF: Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
Analysis: The Sixers are in need of a point guard…good thing this class is littered with them. I’ve got Jonny Flynn going here, which is a little farther down the draft board than most mocks, my main reason being size.
Size is crucial in the NBA—we witnessed the importance of size in the Eastern Conference Finals this season. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t pass on a player strictly because of a few inches, but if it’s a close call, I’m siding with the bigger player.
I don’t think Flynn’s size will be too much of a factor due to his ridiculous athleticism and swagger. He is a pure point guard who looks to drop dimes first, but has the ability to get to the tin with his blazing speed and superior athleticism.
Another plus is that he is an extremely vocal player, which is crucial in a PG (Derrick Rose needs to speak up, but maybe he’s not capable of playing and talking simultaneously).
Prediction: Jonny Flynn, 6-0 PG, Syracuse
16. Chicago Bulls
ND: James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest
DE: DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
MND: James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest
CF: DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
Analysis: I’m still not convinced that DeJuan Blair will be able to transfer some of his success from the college level to the big leagues, but given his dominance at Pitt, he seems worthy of a mid-round pick.
Blair is a grown-ass man, that’s for sure. His weight and lack of size for a power forward are reasons for concern at the NBA level, but then again I thought that would be an issue in college, that is until I saw him manhandle UConn's Hasheem Thabeet on the boards and practically every facet of the game.
Blair is a brute and will undeniably bring physicality to the Bulls. One advantage of his lack of size is his low center of gravity on the box out. I’ll be damned if someone is going to move that man on a box out, that’s like moving a tree trunk out of the way.
He should compliment Chicago’s other bigs nicely and help set the tone physically.
Prediction: DeJuan Blair, 6-7 PF, Pittsburgh
15. Detroit Pistons
ND: BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State
DE: Earl Clark, SF/PF, Louisville
MND: BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State
CF: Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga
Analysis: BJ Mullens is the obvious pick here. The Pistons could use a dominant low-post presence (among many other things). His talent is raw at the moment, but with the proper training, this kid has a chance to be special.
Once deemed as a top-three pick, I expect the former Buckeye to be around here for Detroit to snag. If he stuck around another year like he should have, there’s no doubt in my mind he would’ve been a top-three pick. An additional year to develop would’ve helped tremendously, but I can’t blame him for chasing the dollar signs.
Mullens has great athleticism for a seven-footer (a white boy at that), and could potentially be a superstar. I don’t know of any other seven-foot white boys with 36-inch verticals; most of them have what I call ‘the phonebook hops.’
It’s crucial to have a versatile big who can run the floor. If he puts in work, utilizes his physical abilities and further develops his shot, he could be one of the most dominant centers in the league in the near future
Prediction: BJ Mullens, 7-1 C, Ohio State
14. Phoenix Suns
ND: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
DE: James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest
MND: Earl Clark, SF/PF, Louisville
CF: Earl Clark, SF/PF, Louisville
Analysis: I expect the Suns to go for a SF here, although a future replacement for Steve Nash is a viable option as well. I’m convinced Phoenix will take former Louisville star Earl Clark. Clark is extremely versatile and can play multiple positions.
Clark is great on the boards, an above average defender (although Phoenix doesn’t play D, do they?) and has a pretty nice shot. He’s got to polish up his skill set, but he’s got a chance to be a stud.
Prediction: Earl Clark, 6-9 SF/PF, Louisville
13. Indiana Pacers
ND: DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
DE: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
MND: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
CF: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
Analysis: I’m not sure why these mocks have the Pacers taking a PG, with TJ Ford and the uncertainty that Jarrett Jack will jump ship. Indiana is in need of a power forward, and with James Johnson on the board, they should be inclined to draft him.
Johnson has size and is a versatile player, with the ability to play small forward as well. He’s got great athleticism and is an efficient scorer with a nice jumper for a PF. James Johnson it is.
Prediction: James Johnson, 6-9 PF, Wake Forest
12. Charlotte Bobcats
ND: Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC
DE: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
MND: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
CF: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
Analysis: NBAdraft.net is out of its mind putting Hansbrough in the final lottery slot. Like I stated yesterday, if Hansbrough is selected in the draft lottery, I will completely give up on the NBA.
Gerald Henderson to Charlotte makes complete sense here. The Bobcats are in need of a SG, and Henderson will be their guy. He is tremendously athletic, plays great defense and has a solid jump shot.
Oh yeah, Coach K took him under his wing at Duke. If Henderson is available at this spot and Charlotte passes…I will be appalled.
As for NBAdraft.net…I’m at a loss for words. Here’s a tip: Don’t let your 10-year-old daughter on the computer when you’re editing the Web site.
Prediction: Gerald Henderson, 6-4 SG, Duke
11. New Jersey Nets
ND: Earl Clark, SF/PF, Louisville
DE: Terrence Williams, SG/SF, Louisville
MND: Terrence Williams, SG/SF, Louisville
CF: James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest
Analysis: Props to DraftExpress and MyNBAdraft for taking Terrence Williams here. T-Will would be perfect playing alongside Devin Harris and Vince Carter.
Carter and Williams together…imagine it; they’d be tossing oops all over the opposition, jumping around with their exceptional physical capabilities.
The former Louisville utility man can play multiple positions, has freakish athletic ability and stuffs the stat sheet. Points, assists, steals, blocks, you name it. Some consider it a risk taking him this early, but I strongly disagree. The fact that Chad Ford has him going 21st to the Hornets baffles me, although his mock draft I’m basing this off of isn’t his most current.
Sorry, I’m not an ESPN Insider. I refuse to pay money to take a gander at Chad’s full draft board. Anyways, Terrence Williams to the Nets with the 11th pick.
Prediction: Terrence Williams, 6-6 SG/SF, Louisville
So what do y’all think? Out of my mind? On point? Let’s hear it!
Will finish the first round off tomorrow with picks 10 – Blake Griffin.
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