And now...Mock Drafts!

[CableKC]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

RE: Chad Ford's Mock

I'd take Patrick Patterson before I took Ed Davis. Heck, I'd take Bledsoe or Bradley before Ed Davis....

[thewholefnshow31]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

A very solid point, and to be honest, something I hadn't even considered. I'm with you on him being best suited as a 7th or 8th man, and I think that's why I hadn't considered the pressure situation.

My expectations are not for the 10th pick (no matter who he is) to turn this franchise around, but the local media would be all over Hayward. The pressure would indeed be immense.

At least it would generate a little buzz though, for a team that is sorely in need of some.

I think for most of us we do not expect to Hayward to come in and have the immediate impact like Granger. Hayward is definitely not a top 8 pick who slides becuase of some concerns, but the casual fans are not going to see that. They will see a lottery pick and hometown hero and expect him to step up. I think coming to the Pacers would be the worst thing for his development. The fans here will expect him to come in and immediately contribute or even save the franchise. Being the home town kid puts tremendous pressure on a guy.

My big concern over Hayward is his drastic decrease in his 3-pt field goal percentage. I do not see Hayward as being the guy who consistently gets to the rim at the NBA level so he will have to knock down the three. I know some fans have said it decreased because of more attention he got defensively and that he will not get the same pressure at the NBA level. I am just concerned about that. With Reddick the guy improved all four years at Duke while the defensive pressure mounted.

[Speed]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

I like the projection of Ed Davis. For all the talk about BPA, by me, I see Ed as a really good fit with Hibbert. I remember watching Ed on that Championship team and thinking, wow, this guy has the ability to be an impact pro, even moreso than anyone on that team including Hansbrough and Lawson.

Just my opinion, but Ed struck me, at that point, as raw and not as skilled as Hansbrough or Lawson, but physically much more impactful and gifted. His length and how mobile he was for a big. At least at the college level, he seemed to be a handful for opponents, especially from a disruptive defensive point, also in a guy who impacts plays outside of his area.

I see him as a guy who could really supply much of whats missing on the team right now. I think he is maybe the victim of expectations in being rated in this draft. I see quite a bit of upside with him. Especially for a team lacking athleticism.

I also think with about 15-20 pounds of muscle he'll be able to play 4 and 5, so you can play him with Hansbrough/McRoberts and Hibbert, imo.

I'm excited to see his measureables.

[Rupert Stilinski]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

My big concern over Hayward is his drastic decrease in his 3-pt field goal percentage. I do not see Hayward as being the guy who consistently gets to the rim at the NBA level so he will have to knock down the three. I know some fans have said it decreased because of more attention he got defensively and that he will not get the same pressure at the NBA level. I am just concerned about that. With Reddick the guy improved all four years at Duke while the defensive pressure mounted.

I can understand this concern, but I think it just depends one what kind of shooter you think he really is. Is he closer to the 45% shooter from three he was his freshman season, or is he closer to the sub 30% shooter he was last year?

I never watched him in high school, but I know he was brought to Butler as a "lights out shooter." I think with his form and his height he will be much closer to his freshman year version.

Redick's numbers might have improved, but he also has to be considered one of the greatest college shooters of all time. I'm not sure he's the best guy to compare shooting numbers to, but I can understand the concern. I just think he is a better shooter than those numbers indicated last season. I also think it is admirable that he found other ways to get his points and help the team when his outside shot wasn't falling.

[90'sNBARocked]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

Are the Pacers really looking closely at Gordon Hayward?

God, I hope not

[90'sNBARocked]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

Chad Ford better comes up with a better mock draft, this one is crap, Patterson in the 20's?

I feel ya but,

Chad Ford was the only one who correctly predicted Bird would take Tyler last year

[90'sNBARocked]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

Please note, I'm not advocating picking Hayward at 10, I'm just saying if we aren't taking a point guard, it makes just as much sense to take another wing as it does to take another power forward.

I agree with your point,

Bottom line is the Pacers have to, absolutely have to, take the best player available regardless of position.

Bird reached last year and it cost us some good PG's

He has to get it right this year. If Im Bird I try and switch picks with the Timberwolves. I would make a run for Ramon Sessions and the number 4 , for our number 10 and whatever they want outside of Granger/Hibbert

[Dece]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

I like that Zoubek/Brackins second round mock... I think both of those guys have places in the league. Regardless of whether they end up being more than 7-11 rotation players, and I think Brackins could be more potentially, picking up a couple NBA bigs in the second round would be great.

[Justin Tyme]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

Hayward is a local kid, a good guy, and he has a good chance to be a very high quality complimentary player.

That's the PROBLEM, the Pacers don't need another good guy complimentary player, local or otherwise. Not to mention the Pacers already have that in McBob. The Pacers need to draft a player at #10 who will be more than that. Fans need to elevate their expectations of the quality of player to be drafted, and quit thinking in terms of a complimentary role player.

This inane notion that the Pacers can't get a better PF than what they have in Hans and McBob is ludicous. Neither is that great nor is Hans a guarantee to EVER be healthy again. Nor is Foster. Why chance both will be able to be healthy and contribute next season? Why pass on a player at PF that can be the future starting PF for years to select a local kid who is a "tweener" that can be best described as a 4 in the terms "stretch forward?" Personally, I've had my fill of "stretch forwards."

If Bird selects Hayward at #10, Herb Simon had best fire him on the spot.

[RWB]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

From CBS Sports

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/13409513/dave-del-grande-2010-nba-mock-draft?tag=pageROW;pageContainer

1. Washington
John Wall, PG, Kentucky. The Wizards now have a second asset (other than a virtual National Treasury of cap-friendly money) with which to attract free agents. They will go down as the lottery's big winner, but don't discount the Heat. The path to their point guard of the future - Arenas - just became clearer.

2. Philadelphia
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky. While teams are calling the Wizards about Arenas, the 76ers should expect at least as many pleas for the second pick and a shot at Ohio State swingman Evan Turner. The 76ers would rather have a big man, even if he has Stanley Roberts written all over him. Alas, it wouldn't be the first vastly overrated center taken No. 2 in NBA history. It's a tradition.

3. New Jersey
Evan Turner, SF, Ohio State. Devin Harris lost a lot of games as a member of the Nets during the 2009-10 season, and his run of bad luck continues. He would have been in Arenas' enviable position -- likely to get dealt out of a bad situation -- had form held and the Nets landed the rights to Wall. Instead, he'll find himself passing to Turner next season. It could be worse ... but not much.

4. Minnesota
Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse. The Timberwolves no doubt had their eye on Turner when they arrived at the lottery in the second seat. Dropping two spots to No. 4 sounds bad, but they still get a much needed upgrade at small forward. Johnson has to like this position -- it means being reunited with old Orange teammate Jonny Flynn.

5. Sacramento
Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech. This is the guy the Kings would have taken third, so apparent bad luck in the lottery really wasn't bad luck at all. Why a power forward when two of your three best holdovers are big men? Because before you say they should draft for need, consider this: A last-place team's greatest need is talent. Favors is clearly the best left at this point.

6. Golden State
Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest. Warriors fans have to be hoping Cousins gets taken earlier because no team has a worse history drafting big men. Dropping from fourth to sixth probably means losing Johnson, but landing Aminu means adding much needed athleticism to the small-forward position. They can only hope he has as long and generally successful a run as a similar pick in their not-so-distant past -- Antawn Jamison.

7. Detroit
Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas. The Pistons were this season's biggest underachievers, so who better to remedy that than a need-position player from one of college basketball's most consistent programs? Bill Laimbeer entered the league with a similar portfolio and turned out to be one of the franchise's all-time plums.

8. L.A. Clippers
Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler. For years, the Clippers tried to find a way to create a Dunleavy family reunion in Los Angeles, but dad Mike could never pry son Mike from the Warriors or Pacers. It wasn't just a paternal thing. Son Mike actually would have been a nice fit. Hayward, a similar talent, is, too.

9. Utah
Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown. Not long ago, Team Europe would have jumped on an opportunity like this to add an intriguing talent such as Donatas Motiejunas to the mix. But the way Andrei Kirilenko has gone south, the Jazz has to be thinking this side of the Atlantic for a change. The board-sweeping Monroe is a nice addition to a roster that's likely to lose Carlos Boozer come July.

10. Indiana
Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas. The Pacers need firepower. The best shooting guard in the land. The next Reggie Miller. Henry assuredly isn't the latter, but he's the best shooting guard in the draft. That's not a bad catch when you're picking 10th.

11. New Orleans
Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina. The Hornets have fewer needs than most lottery teams because, frankly, they aren't really a lottery team. They're here because Chris Paul got hurt. No lottery team is in more of a best-athlete-available mode. Davis has to be the top guy on any draft board at this point.

12. Memphis
Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor. The Grizzlies entered last year's draft thinking they were a top-flight center away from becoming, well, what the Thunder became. Now they have to be aware they are nowhere near that status. Yes, they still need a center, but it's now obvious they need much, much more than that. This type of athlete is a start back in the right direction.

13. Toronto
Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania. What do you do when you know your star power forward isn't coming back, but you don't want to let him know you know he's not coming back? Motiejunas will be a great complement to Chris Bosh. Or so the Raptors will say on draft night. Actually, they hope he'll be a great replacement.

14. Houston
Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada. Having dealt Carl Landry at the trade deadline, the Rockets could use more size even with Yao Ming returning. At the same time, they need someone who won't get in Yao's way, which Landry did at times. Babbitt is a rich man's Matt Bullard, who had a nice little career in Houston.

15. Milwaukee
Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky. The Bucks have one more chance to do something special before Michael Redd walks next summer. That kind of short-term mindset should get them thinking power forward. Patterson becomes a no-brainer once you head down that road.


Also CBS Sports

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/13409542/jonathan-feigen-2010-nba-mock-draft?tag=pageROW;pageContainer

John Wall, G, Kentucky. After a season in which everything went wrong, the Wizards were due for some good fortune. How well the mix of Wall with Gilbert Arenas will work is difficult to predict, but Wall gives Washington a chance to rebuild around a potential star point guard. In a league suddenly loaded with point guards, the idea of taking a point guard first is no longer an issue, as it was even just two seasons ago when Derrick Rose was taken. Wall could grow into a worthy club member with Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, Rose and the league's other rapid, young point guards.


2. Philadelphia
Evan Turner, G, Ohio State. Cousins and Favors might have more potential to dominate and will earn close looks in the weeks before the draft, but Turner is a solid, safe pick and a very good fit. He brings unusual polish and offensive versatility at a time when players typically leave school before they can develop as he has. The closer the Sixers look, the more they might happily stick with Turner, who should fit nicely in between Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday.


3. New Jersey
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky. Cousins, with the draft's best combination of size and ability, might have the greatest potential to dominate or disappoint. He's only 19, and his potential shortcomings could be no more than part of the process for such a young player. If Wall and Turner are gone with the first two picks, Cousins might be the easiest pick of the draft, risky with the first pick but worth the gamble third. He might not be enough to attract LeBron James, but no one in this draft probably would have.

4. Minnesota
Derrick Favors F/ C, Georgia Tech. Had the Timberwolves won the lottery, it would have been interesting see if David Kahn would have taken yet another point guard. The fall to fourth, however, provides another less obvious quandary. The Wolves seem to have their share of power forwards who are not quite centers. Favors, however, would seem the obvious choice, if not exactly one to fill a need. Another very young prospect at just 18 years old, Favors did not produce offensively as consistently or efficiently as expected but should do well in workouts with explosive moves and good hands.


5. Sacramento
Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse. Johnson is probably not the most exciting prospect the Kings could find and might not have the upside of the top four picks. But the Kings have young big men developing and a guard who dominates the ball. Johnson could be a solid addition and rapid contributor.


6. Golden State
Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest. The Warriors took a one-year break from drafting athletic, multi-position big men in the lottery with last year's pick of Stephen Curry. It might be time to return to form. Aminu's skills and strength give him potential to move up a few spots after the individual workouts. The Warriors have not relied on a true center in years, however, and will have to look hard at Aldrich and Monroe, but Aminu might be tough to let slip any further.

7. Detroit
Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas. The Pistons have been using 35-year-old Ben Wallace in the middle, making the center position as good a spot as any to rebuild. The solid additions of Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko last season should have Joe Dumars choosing between big men. Aldrich might be the most ready and well-rounded of the options left.


8. L.A. Clippers
Greg Monroe, C/PF, Georgetown. Assuming Blake Griffin returns as expected, the Clippers have a star to build around, along with cap room to spend in free agency. Monroe would give them another center to play in a rotation with Chris Kaman in the role Marcus Camby filled. A strong rebounder and passer, Monroe is nowhere near that polished but has outstanding potential as a finesse frontcourt player.


9. Utah
Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina. Though Davis was expected to have improved more last season, that potential is still clear. While the Knicks might be relieved that the pick they gave up to get Stephon Marbury from the Suns did not end up being a top-three selection, the Jazz has a chance to develop a frontcourt player the way it did Paul Millsap, especially if Carlos Boozer leaves in free agency.


10. Indiana
Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor. Danny Granger should not have looked so disappointed. This could work out well for the Pacers, especially if they are ready to move away from their reliance on 3-point bombing and volume shooting. With Roy Hibbert developing nicely at center, Udoh can offer athleticism at power forward between Hibbert and Granger, with an improving shot and solid rebounding and shot-blocking potential.

11. New Orleans
Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Benetton Treviso. Will be the next player compared to Dirk Nowitzki, though for now, Andrea Bargnani seems a better comparison and more reachable goal. With great size, he has similar shooting touch and a solid all-around offensive game.

12. Memphis
Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky. The Grizzlies could work hard to move up, and failing that, might move back. They have several picks to offer to a team that could still find their big man available a few spots later, and they would have reason to try, given that they would not seem to have a spot for another young power forward, having filled the roster with big men (Hasheem Thabeet, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Darrell Arthur, Hamed Haddadi) in recent seasons. Patterson is their type and it would be too soon to grab one of the remaining wings, though they would better fill a need.

13. Toronto
Hassan Whiteside, PF/C, Marshall. If Chris Bosh moves on as seems likely, Andrea Bargnani can move to power forward, where he probably belongs, and the Raptors can look to develop a center and a defense. Whiteside has a lot of work to do offensively, but that is not the Raptors' problem. He is extremely long, jumps well and led the nation in blocked shots last season.

14. Houston
Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky. The Rockets have been unusually determined under GM Daryl Morey to ignore need to draft the player they like most. The depth of big men in the latter half of the lottery should allow them to get both. Orton's size would help behind Yao Ming, but teams will closely examine his knees in the coming weeks.

15. Milwaukee
Xavier Henry, G, Kansas. After a series of big men go in the lottery, the Bucks will likely start a run on wings. Though just a freshman, Henry appears the most NBA ready with a solid build and smooth offensive game. Henry could be a good complement for John Salmons or successor to Michael Redd. More than the other options, he seems suited for the discipline coach Scott Skiles would demand.

16. Minnesota
James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State. Anderson could go a few spots earlier, but if the run on big men pushes him to the Wolves, David Kahn could take advantage of the opportunity to grab him. Kahn showed last season a determination to take the best available player rather than draft for need. Anderson would offer both, as a prolific and efficient scorer with good length for the position.

17. Chicago
Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler. Hayward surprised many by staying in the draft but does have an NBA-style game, with an ability to score off the dribble with either hand, shoot with range and move the ball in the offense. He might lack the lateral quickness to defend as a three but would need to get stronger to be a range-shooting four. The Bulls would be able to give him time to develop.

18. Miami
Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State. The years with Alonzo Mourning would make the Heat especially fond of a shot-blocker with Alabi's potential. He would bring the length the Heat has lacked, and his athleticism could make him more of a contributor offensively than advertised. But he is a project who would need some time, especially to defend bulkier centers.

19. Boston
Paul George, SF, Fresno State. The Celtics won a championship with James Posey coming off the bench, and George could offer similar length and athleticism, with outstanding shooting range. He'd need to become much more disciplined on both ends for the Celtics, but there might be no better place for him. They could use the addition of young athleticism.

20. San Antonio
Larry Sanders, PF/C, Virginia Commonwealth. Another team that traditionally drafts without regard to immediate need, Sanders might be a good fit for the Spurs, anyway, especially if Tiago Splitter does not come over. He does not have the bulk to defend consistently inside but is long, athletic and energetic enough to contribute in some matchups.

21. Oklahoma City
Damion James, SF, Texas. James would fit extremely well with the young and athletic Thunder. He struggled when asked to be a go-to scorer with Texas, but with Oklahoma City he would be able to be able to be an athletic role player with a good shooting touch and an NBA-ready body.

22. Portland
Avery Bradley, SG, Texas. With the league suddenly loaded with quick, scoring point guards, Bradley's ability to defend on the perimeter could be valuable. He shows signs of being a potentially prolific scorer himself, able to score off the dribble and shoot with range. His defense and ability to score in a halfcourt offense would fit well with the Blazers.

23. Minnesota
Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada. The Wolves could go many directions with their third first-round pick, particularly with Ricky Rubio slotted to eventually join them. The roster changes that are needed and seem certain would make the needs and position irrelevant, but it might be difficult to take another guard, especially a point. Babbitt would offer the shooting touch and range to fit well around Rubio's playmaking or Johnny Flynn's speed, and would go from the Wolf Pack to the Wolves.

24. Atlanta
Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky. After Jameer Nelson tore through the Hawks in the playoffs, Atlanta might be drawn to a tough, competitive point with greater quickness than Mike Bibby will ever show again. Bledsoe did not get much time at point with John Wall around and will need work and time at the position, but he could be a steal at this point of the first round.

25. Memphis
Willie Warren, PG, Oklahoma. Warren fell far from where he was projected to go before the season. There are red flags about Warren's attitude, including some strong comments from Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel in December, but none seems worth letting him slip much more and the Grizzlies have been known to gamble in recent seasons. He struggled with the greater offensive responsibility that came his way without Blake Griffin, but he did play well with Griffin, an indication he could fit well with Zach Randolph and the Grizzlies.

26. Oklahoma City
Kevin Seraphin, PF/C, Cholet (France). The Thunder has shown great patience in building around Kevin Durant and would happily wait for Seraphin to hone his skills to go with his outstanding strength and physical tools, either in the NBA or with another year in France. Though he needs time to develop offensively, he already shows a good skill set. Seraphin could still back out of the draft but might not be able to do better than a selection by Oklahoma City, a few miles up the road from his former home in Dallas.

27. New Jersey
Quincy Pondexter, SF, Washington. A rare senior in the first round, Pondexter benefited greatly from sticking around and improving his game. He has improved as a shooter but is still not an outstanding shooter, especially from range. He has, however, shown himself to be reliably productive. The Nets choice might be impacted with how they use their first pick, but they could use the immediate influx of talent rather than a less mature project.

28. Memphis
Stanley Robinson, SF, Connecticut. Opinions on Robinson are widely varied and he could go much earlier, though more of a consensus could come by the draft. An outstanding athlete with potential to cause mismatch problems, Robinson has not seemed to develop the consistency or well-rounded game that he would seem able to produce. His abilities, however, warrant a late first-round gamble, especially for a Memphis team with two first-round picks.

29. Orlando
Terrico White, SG, Mississippi. White might have been well-served to stick around for another season. White's scoring ability might fit well with an Orlando team that does not have many players geared toward getting their own shot. He did not develop as a point guard but could be a solid instant-offense type off the bench with the physical abilities to develop into a solid defender.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. Washington
Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier. Another player who draws mixed reviews, Crawford could move up or back in the next few weeks. His potential and offensive skills might fit well with a Washington team that needs to reload. The choice could depend on what the Wizards do with their own pick, but Crawford's stock has seemed to rise in recent weeks.

[RWB]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

Final Mock I'll add.

From NBC sports

https://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/36589530/ns/sports-nba/

Wizards John Wall PG 6-4 195 Kentucky
Congratulations to the Wizards, who will almost certainly take Wall with the first pick. The bigger question is whether or not Gilbert Arenas is back with the Wizards or moved at a discounted price. But either way, Wall is now the future in Washington, despite the fact they don't have much to surround him with right now.

2. 76ers Evan Turner SG 6-7 217 Ohio State
I keep hearing Brandon Roy's name when people are talking about Turner, and perhaps no player is as NBA-ready as the Ohio State product. He should vie for Rookie of the Year in Philly, who were the other big winner on draft night. And if the Wizards somehow pass on Wall, the Sixers will gladly take him, even if it doesn't make a ton of sense with Jrue Holiday coming on.

3. Nets Derrick Favors SF 6-10 246 Georgia Tech
The Nets were the most popular losers on draft night, as dreams of LeBron started slipping away when they lost out on Mr. Wall. The pick here is either DeMarcus Cousins or Favors, and because Cousins is more C than PF in my mind, I'm going with Favors. I slept on him in Version 1, but he's going to be a Top 5 pick. He's still somewhat of a project - as in a guy who won't be ready to really produce for a couple years. I doubt he is in the running for Rookie of the Year and offensively, he's probably going to struggle. But a timeshare with Yi Jianlian might be just what the doctor ordered, and three years from now he could be a beast.

4. Timberwolves DeMarcus Cousins C 6-11 280 Kentucky
As usual, the Wolves had the same luck in their lottery that I have in Powerball, and Keno down at the local pub. Yes, The Wolves already have Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, but keep in mind that David Kahn is a man who seems to enjoy collecting guys who play the same position - at least with point guards. They could take a small forward like Al-Farouq Aminu or Wesley Johnson, which would make the most sense to almost everyone. But then again, this is the Wolves we're talking about. But even though it doesn't seem like it right now, Cousins could end up being the second best player in this draft.
5. Kings Al-Farouq Aminu SF 6-8 218 Wake Forest
What do the Kings need? They're pretty set at most positions, but the only sure bet is Tyreke Evans, who can play both guard spots. Small forward seems to be a place they could use help, and I like the freakishly athletic Aminu with this pick, although it could easily be Wesley Johnson instead.

6. Warriors Cole Aldrich C 6-11 245 Kansas
With the disastrous season the Warriors'' big men had (Andris Biedrins, Ronny Turiaf, Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright), the Warriors would have loved to get their hands on Cousins, but that dream is now history. Um, good thing they won all those meaningless games for Nellie. A center really makes sense here and Cole Aldrich is the best one on the board. Can he play for Nellie? We may be close to finding out.

7. Pistons Wesley Johnson SF 6-7 195 Syracuse
The Pistons really wanted a center here, but it looks like both Cousins and Aldrich will be gone. If Aldrich is still there, I like him here. If not, small forward makes sense, and Johnson or Aminu should be the pick.

8. Clippers Greg Monroe PF 6-11 240 Georgetown
Monroe is a bit of a wildcard and could go anywhere from No. 5 to 10. The Clippers are still unsure of how healthy Blake Griffin's going to be, so Monroe might be a nice insurance pick.

9. Jazz (via Knicks) Patrick Patterson PF 6-8 223 Kentucky
Patterson reminds me of guys like Carl Landry, DeJuan Blair and Jason Thompson, and could end up being a double-double machine. The Jazz already have Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap, but probably won't by the time Patterson is ready to make a significant contribution. Patterson's stock appears to be falling, and I may end up moving him down in the next version of this draft.

10. Pacers Gordon Hayward F 6-8 210 Butler
Do I really believe the Pacers will reach for Butler's phenom at No. 10? Not really, but it would be pretty cool if it happened, and would definitely sell some Pacer tickets in a hurry. Which is their second biggest issue, closely trailing the fact that they have a terrible basketball team. Hayward is going as high as 14 in other mocks I've seen, meaning he could easily jump up to play for his hometown team. And while this still seems to high for Hayward, his name just keeps coming up in the Indy Star. But if Hayward doesn't blow them away in workouts, look for the Pacers to take the popular pick, Ed Davis out of Carolina.

11. Hornets Ed Davis SF 6-9 215 North Carolina
The Hornets don't need a starting PF with David West still plugging along, but Davis will likely be the best player on the board. He has the potential to be an Al Horford clone, which is why he should go in the lottery. If he's not available, Epke Udoh or Daniel Orton is a likely choice.

12. Grizzlies Epke Udoh PF 6-11 240 Baylor
Zach Randolph isn't going to be around forever and Darrell Arthur hasn't exactly knocked anyone's socks off. Udoh averaged 14 and 10 at Baylor, but will probably be more of a role player in the NBA.

13. Raptors Daniel Orton C 6-10 260 Kentucky
Chris Bosh seems good as gone in Toronto, while Andrea Bargnani is a center only on paper. Orton would provide some immediate size and strength for the Raptors and seems to make a lot of sense here. The only problem is that Orton averaged just three points and three boards while playing behind some studs at UK last year, meaning he's going to be a project.

14. Rockets Xavier Henry G 6-6 210 Kansas
The Rockets have Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin, but also don't really need any more big men who aren't centers. Henry's draft position is up in the air and he could easily go 10 picks later than this, although I have a feeling his stock will rise.

15. Bucks (via Bulls) Hassan Whiteside PF 7-0 235 Marshall
Whiteside will be a bit of a project, but is still a possible lottery pick. He should become a defensive specialist, somewhat like a junior version of Marcus Camby. But it going to take him a few years to develop.

[Kegboy]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

even if he has Stanley Roberts written all over him

Ouch. I think the Derrick Coleman comparisons are valid, but that's mean.

For years, the Clippers tried to find a way to create a Dunleavy family reunion in Los Angeles, but dad Mike could never pry son Mike from the Warriors or Pacers.

What!

[CableKC]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

10. Pacers Gordon Hayward F 6-8 210 Butler
Do I really believe the Pacers will reach for Butler's phenom at No. 10? Not really, but it would be pretty cool if it happened, and would definitely sell some Pacer tickets in a hurry. Which is their second biggest issue, closely trailing the fact that they have a terrible basketball team. Hayward is going as high as 14 in other mocks I've seen, meaning he could easily jump up to play for his hometown team. And while this still seems to high for Hayward, his name just keeps coming up in the Indy Star.

This Mock lost me with this pick for the Pacers. Draft Hayward just to draft a local College Player with name recognition just to sell tickets?

Great reasoning here.....

[dal9]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

I like that Zoubek/Brackins second round mock... I think both of those guys have places in the league. Regardless of whether they end up being more than 7-11 rotation players, and I think Brackins could be more potentially, picking up a couple NBA bigs in the second round would be great.

zoubek just seemed insanely slow (and broken down) to me...has anyone as slow as him played in the NBA recently...Aaron Gray?

also, maybe this is my bias as a purdue fan, but he seemed more "dirty" than "tough" as a player

[MillerTime]

Re: And now...Mock Drafts!

Most likely Bird is going to draft Patterson. Bird has been obsessed with guys that have spend many years in college. Just look at Hibbert, Rush and Hansbrough. Patterson would fit right into their characteristics

I would like to see Bird draft someone like David or Monroe, but he probably wont

Even Bledsoe would be intriguing