NBA Draft Simulator and Mock Draft: Version 1.0
We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming, LeBronathon 2010 , to bring you this special report from Whatifsports.com.
Ping-pong balls and NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver. Sounds like a party to me.
That or the latest and greatest NBA Draft Lottery lost in the NBA Playoff shuffle, while LeBron James snags headlines instead of rebounds in what turned out to be an earlier offseason than expected for the King.
Last night in scenic Secaucus, New Jersey, the deputy commish cracked open the final envelope and announced the Washington Wizards had won the rights to the first overall pick in June's NBA Draft.
Whatifsports.com is cherry pickin' on this play and we are prepared to break down the Drafts' first round today. Our unique 2010 NBA Draft Simulator hands over the power of NBA general manager to you, the user. You are in the war room, you get to choose the player and you get to chose his new team. All you have to do is:
1) Click on the "Team" drop down menu and select
any of the 23 NBA franchises with a first-round pick
2) Click on the "Player" drop down menu to select your pick
3) Click "Draft"
We fed our 2010 NBA Draft Simulator three different inputs to come up with the likelihood (percentage) of X-player being drafted by Y-team.
The three inputs are overall player rank (i.e. John Wall, at the moment, is number one), team needs (i.e. The Nets need a post-player), and position ranking (i.e. Favors is ranked higher than Cousins at center).
The 2010 NBA Draft Simulator provided us our own First Round Mock Draft based on the results generated from the simulation.
Whatifsports.com's 2010 NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0
Washington Wizards: John Wall - PG
Barack Obama may start doing the John Wall dance. The guy many experts believe is the best player in this year's draft joins a franchise in desperate need of a new face and direction. With Wall playing PG, Gilbert Arenas will probably slide over to the shooting guard position.
Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner - SG
The AP College Basketball Player of the Year will join a roster that includes second year guard Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala. Turner's presence in Philly may woo a head coach with a more impressive resume to the City of Brotherly Love.
New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors - PG
Despite having the NBA's worst record, the Nets lottery luck ran out and they slid to the third pick in the draft. With the top two prospects off the board, Nets fans (all five of them) should not weep over Favors, who fills a need at power forward playing alongside Brook Lopez.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Johnson - SF
Breaking News: The Wolves do not draft a point guard! In 2009, Minnesota drafted three, but traded one. This is the best pick for the 'Wolves. Johnson will split time with Corey Brewer at small forward and should find playing time his rookie season.
Sacramento Kings: Al-Farouq Aminu - SF
A very athletic and talented small forward, Aminu, along with Marcus Landry and Tyreke Evans, really makes for a nice young nucleus in Sacramento.
Golden State Warriors: Greg Monroe - PF
The latest Hoya Destroya is headed to the Golden State. The talented big man will take up residency in the post alongside Andris Biendrins. The Warriors' guard-heavy roster is about to bulk up and add a window washer in Monroe.
DeMarcus Cousins - PF/C
The biggest question with this pick is Cousins' maturity and if Coach Kuester can harness the young man's best attributes on the court. If he can, then this lottery season will seem like a one year fluke for an Eastern Conference Finals regular.
Los Angeles Clippers: Cole Aldrich - C
Chris Kaman's understudy will start his NBA career on the bench. Aldrich adds some much needed depth to the Clippers bench. It will also allow DeAndre Jordan to slide over to power forward instead of center.
Utah Jazz: Patrick Patterson - PF
Using the pick that originally belonged to the Knicks, the Jazz add to their array of big men. As they learned in the 2010 playoffs, to beat the Lakers, you can never have too many big guys so the Jazz take the best available player.
Indiana Pacers: Ed Davis - PF
Davis will add an inside element that has been missing in Indiana since the departure of Jermaine O'Neal. The irony to this pick is that Davis backed up Tyler Hansbrough as a freshmen two years ago at UNC. The duo's down-low presence will open up the floor for Danny Granger and Troy Murphy.
New Orleans Hornets: Donatas Montiejunas - PF
Motiejunas gives Chris Paul another offensive weapon to work with in the New Orleans rotation. Although parts of his game are unpolished, his shot and range are NBA-ready, and he can give much needed rest to veterans Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson.
Memphis Grizzlies: Gordon Hayward - SF
Although a point guard may be a more pressing issue for the Grizz, Hayward provides security in case Rudy Gay bolts in free agency. With the addition of Hayward, Memphis now has one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the Association.
Toronto Raptors: James Anderson - SG
The Raptors could try to fill the potential void by the departure of Chris Bosh, but Anderson's game is a perfect fit for Toronto's up-tempo offense. Anderson will be asked to help at the shooting guard and small forward positions.
Houston Rockets: Hassan Whiteside - C
Whiteside is viewed as a long-term project, and sitting behind Yao will aid in Hassan's development. He will be able to contribute on the defensive end, as well as help with the rebounding responsibilities.
Milwaukee Bucks: Xavier Henry - SG
Michael Redd's health has been an issue for quite some time. With the addition of Henry, Milwaukee not only gets an insurance policy for Redd, but also a young offensive weapon for Brandon Jennings to work with.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Ekpe Udoh - PF
One of the better defensive presences in the draft, Udoh adds another big body to supplement Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. His offensive skills are still raw, but he won't be counted on to score with the Timberwolves.
Chicago Bulls: Paul George - SF
George is an extremely athletic swingman who can play three positions for Chicago. Will need to add some muscle to his frame to bang with NBA bodies, but George should be able to contribute to Chicago immediately.
Miami Heat: Damion James - SF
James possesses a game very similar to current Miami star Michael Beasley, only with a better motor and attitude. James will give the Heat another rebounder, as well as someone who won't mind doing the dirty work.
Boston Celtics: Stanley Robinson - SF
Robinson gives the Celtics an ample backup to aging star Paul Pierce. Very sound inside-and-out, but will need to improve his consistency, as well as his free-throw shooting.
San Antonio Spurs: Daniel Orton - PF
Tim Duncan finally showed signs of wearing down, so it's no surprise that the Spurs would select a big man in this position. Orton is still a raw talent, but showed flashes of potential in his limited role with Kentucky.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Avery Bradley - SF
Talk about joining the party at the right time. The pride of Tacoma, Washington joins an elite Thunder squad on the brink of greatness. Though a pure shooter, the 19-year-old Bradley leaves Texas after only one year. Assume the young man to start his NBA career on the bench.
Portland Trailblazers: Luke Babbitt - SF
When it comes to Portland, depth is a necessity, especially after the injury plagued 2009-10 season they just experienced. Some think Babbitt came out a bit too early, but his stat line of 22 points and nine rebounds could get some teams, like the Blazers, excited about what he can do in the pros.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Solomon Alabi - C
When Darko Milicic is one of your best options at center, you have no choice but to find a big body in the post. Alabi's 7-foot, 250-pound frame may be a tad slender right now, but bulk him up and Minnesota has some height for their guards to look to in the post.
Atlanta Hawks: Devin Ebanks - SF
West Virginia's top defender joins an Atlanta Hawks squad searching for a new head coach and a new identity following an underachieving post-season. Like so many in the draft, Ebanks left the Mountaineers after only two years, leaving many question marks down the road.
Memphis Grizzlies: Quincy Pondexter - SF
Stop the presses! We have before us an NBA draft selection that completed four years of college. Pondexter was an integral part of a special Washington program that quietly made noise the past few post-season tournaments. The Grizzlies stay smart with their second first-round selection by taking a mature basketball player ready to play tomorrow.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Eric Bledsoe - PG
The young man out of Kentucky is striking while the iron is hot. He made a name for himself in short-order down in Lexington. Though I'm not sure he's a good fit for the Thunder at 26, perhaps a draft and trade is in order.
New Jersey Nets: Elliot Williams - SG
Let's be honest, the Nets need help everywhere. Williams was the go-to-guy in Memphis this past season. Though defenses found some chinks in his game towards the end of the season, the former Tiger could find some playing time during his rookie season in New Jersey.
Memphis Grizzlies: Gani Lawal - PF
Lawal removed his name from the 2009 NBA Draft because an evaluation found he wouldn't be taken in the first round. His patience has paid off as the Grizzlies go big with the 28th pick and add some depth at power forward.
Orlando Magic: Jordan Crawford - SG
The man who made a name for himself for dunking on LeBron James did not stop there and became a floor leader for the Xavier Musketeers in just two seasons. A natural athlete, Crawford has all the skills to make the Magic roster.
Washington Wizards: Kevin Seraphin - PF
The Wizards have their franchise player in John Wall. They now draft a plug for the gaping hole in the paint. The Frenchman Seraphin, is a 6'10" international stud and ready to go now. The only concern the Wizards front office may have is that the 20-year-old just started playing basketball at the age of 15.
