Its out, can someone copy and paste it, please?
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The Rules of Pacers Digest
Hello everyone,
Whether your are a long standing forum member or whether you have just registered today, it's a good idea to read and review the rules below so that you have a very good idea of what to expect when you come to Pacers Digest.
A quick note to new members: Your posts will not immediately show up when you make them. An administrator has to approve at least your first post before the forum software will later upgrade your account to the status of a fully-registered member. This usually happens within a couple of hours or so after your post(s) is/are approved, so you may need to be a little patient at first.
Why do we do this? So that it's more difficult for spammers (be they human or robot) to post, and so users who are banned cannot immediately re-register and start dousing people with verbal flames.
Below are the rules of Pacers Digest. After you have read them, you will have a very good sense of where we are coming from, what we expect, what we don't want to see, and how we react to things.
Rule #1
Pacers Digest is intended to be a place to discuss basketball without having to deal with the kinds of behaviors or attitudes that distract people from sticking with the discussion of the topics at hand. These unwanted distractions can come in many forms, and admittedly it can sometimes be tricky to pin down each and every kind that can rear its ugly head, but we feel that the following examples and explanations cover at least a good portion of that ground and should at least give people a pretty good idea of the kinds of things we actively discourage:
"Anyone who __________ is a liar / a fool / an idiot / a blind homer / has their head buried in the sand / a blind hater / doesn't know basketball / doesn't watch the games"
"People with intelligence will agree with me when I say that __________"
"Only stupid people think / believe / do ___________"
"I can't wait to hear something from PosterX when he/she sees that **insert a given incident or current event that will have probably upset or disappointed PosterX here**"
"He/she is just delusional"
"This thread is stupid / worthless / embarrassing"
"I'm going to take a moment to point and / laugh at PosterX / GroupOfPeopleY who thought / believed *insert though/belief here*"
"Remember when PosterX said OldCommentY that no longer looks good? "
In general, if a comment goes from purely on topic to something 'ad hominem' (personal jabs, personal shots, attacks, flames, however you want to call it, towards a person, or a group of people, or a given city/state/country of people), those are most likely going to be found intolerable.
We also dissuade passive aggressive behavior. This can be various things, but common examples include statements that are basically meant to imply someone is either stupid or otherwise incapable of holding a rational conversation. This can include (but is not limited to) laughing at someone's conclusions rather than offering an honest rebuttal, asking people what game they were watching, or another common problem is Poster X will say "that player isn't that bad" and then Poster Y will say something akin to "LOL you think that player is good". We're not going to tolerate those kinds of comments out of respect for the community at large and for the sake of trying to just have an honest conversation.
Now, does the above cover absolutely every single kind of distraction that is unwanted? Probably not, but you should by now have a good idea of the general types of things we will be discouraging. The above examples are meant to give you a good feel for / idea of what we're looking for. If something new or different than the above happens to come along and results in the same problem (that being, any other attitude or behavior that ultimately distracts from actually just discussing the topic at hand, or that is otherwise disrespectful to other posters), we can and we will take action to curb this as well, so please don't take this to mean that if you managed to technically avoid saying something exactly like one of the above examples that you are then somehow off the hook.
That all having been said, our goal is to do so in a generally kind and respectful way, and that doesn't mean the moment we see something we don't like that somebody is going to be suspended or banned, either. It just means that at the very least we will probably say something about it, quite possibly snipping out the distracting parts of the post in question while leaving alone the parts that are actually just discussing the topics, and in the event of a repeating or excessive problem, then we will start issuing infractions to try to further discourage further repeat problems, and if it just never seems to improve, then finally suspensions or bans will come into play. We would prefer it never went that far, and most of the time for most of our posters, it won't ever have to.
A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.
There's always a small minority that like to push people's buttons and/or test their own boundaries with regards to the administrators, and in the case of someone acting like that, please be aware that this is not a court of law, but a private website run by people who are simply trying to do the right thing as they see it. If we feel that you are a special case that needs to be dealt with in an exceptional way because your behavior isn't explicitly mirroring one of our above examples of what we generally discourage, we can and we will take atypical action to prevent this from continuing if you are not cooperative with us.
Also please be aware that you will not be given a pass simply by claiming that you were 'only joking,' because quite honestly, when someone really is just joking, for one thing most people tend to pick up on the joke, including the person or group that is the target of the joke, and for another thing, in the event where an honest joke gets taken seriously and it upsets or angers someone, the person who is truly 'only joking' will quite commonly go out of his / her way to apologize and will try to mend fences. People who are dishonest about their statements being 'jokes' do not do so, and in turn that becomes a clear sign of what is really going on. It's nothing new.
In any case, quite frankly, the overall quality and health of the entire forum's community is more important than any one troublesome user will ever be, regardless of exactly how a problem is exhibiting itself, and if it comes down to us having to make a choice between you versus the greater health and happiness of the entire community, the community of this forum will win every time.
Lastly, there are also some posters, who are generally great contributors and do not otherwise cause any problems, who sometimes feel it's their place to provoke or to otherwise 'mess with' that small minority of people described in the last paragraph, and while we possibly might understand why you might feel you WANT to do something like that, the truth is we can't actually tolerate that kind of behavior from you any more than we can tolerate the behavior from them. So if we feel that you are trying to provoke those other posters into doing or saying something that will get themselves into trouble, then we will start to view you as a problem as well, because of the same reason as before: The overall health of the forum comes first, and trying to stir the pot with someone like that doesn't help, it just makes it worse. Some will simply disagree with this philosophy, but if so, then so be it because ultimately we have to do what we think is best so long as it's up to us.
If you see a problem that we haven't addressed, the best and most appropriate course for a forum member to take here is to look over to the left of the post in question. See underneath that poster's name, avatar, and other info, down where there's a little triangle with an exclamation point (!) in it? Click that. That allows you to report the post to the admins so we can definitely notice it and give it a look to see what we feel we should do about it. Beyond that, obviously it's human nature sometimes to want to speak up to the poster in question who has bothered you, but we would ask that you try to refrain from doing so because quite often what happens is two or more posters all start going back and forth about the original offending post, and suddenly the entire thread is off topic or otherwise derailed. So while the urge to police it yourself is understandable, it's best to just report it to us and let us handle it. Thank you!
All of the above is going to be subject to a case by case basis, but generally and broadly speaking, this should give everyone a pretty good idea of how things will typically / most often be handled.
Rule #2
If the actions of an administrator inspire you to make a comment, criticism, or express a concern about it, there is a wrong place and a couple of right places to do so.
The wrong place is to do so in the original thread in which the administrator took action. For example, if a post gets an infraction, or a post gets deleted, or a comment within a larger post gets clipped out, in a thread discussing Paul George, the wrong thing to do is to distract from the discussion of Paul George by adding your off topic thoughts on what the administrator did.
The right places to do so are:
A) Start a thread about the specific incident you want to talk about on the Feedback board. This way you are able to express yourself in an area that doesn't throw another thread off topic, and this way others can add their two cents as well if they wish, and additionally if there's something that needs to be said by the administrators, that is where they will respond to it.
B) Send a private message to the administrators, and they can respond to you that way.
If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.
Rule #3
If a poster is bothering you, and an administrator has not or will not deal with that poster to the extent that you would prefer, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, one that has recently been upgraded and is now better than ever: The ability to ignore a user.
When you ignore a user, you will unfortunately still see some hints of their existence (nothing we can do about that), however, it does the following key things:
A) Any post they make will be completely invisible as you scroll through a thread.
B) The new addition to this feature: If someone QUOTES a user you are ignoring, you do not have to read who it was, or what that poster said, unless you go out of your way to click on a link to find out who it is and what they said.
To utilize this feature, from any page on Pacers Digest, scroll to the top of the page, look to the top right where it says 'Settings' and click that. From the settings page, look to the left side of the page where it says 'My Settings', and look down from there until you see 'Edit Ignore List' and click that. From here, it will say 'Add a Member to Your List...' Beneath that, click in the text box to the right of 'User Name', type in or copy & paste the username of the poster you are ignoring, and once their name is in the box, look over to the far right and click the 'Okay' button. All done!
Rule #4
Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.
Rule #5
When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.
An example:
If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:
http://www.linktothearticlegoeshere.com/article
Title of the Article
Author's Name
Indianapolis Star
Rule #6
We cannot tolerate illegal videos on Pacers Digest. This means do not share any links to them, do not mention any websites that host them or link to them, do not describe how to find them in any way, and do not ask about them. Posts doing anything of the sort will be removed, the offenders will be contacted privately, and if the problem becomes habitual, you will be suspended, and if it still persists, you will probably be banned.
The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.
Rule #7
Provocative statements in a signature, or as an avatar, or as the 'tagline' beneath a poster's username (where it says 'Member' or 'Administrator' by default, if it is not altered) are an unwanted distraction that will more than likely be removed on sight. There can be shades of gray to this, but in general this could be something political or religious that is likely going to provoke or upset people, or otherwise something that is mean-spirited at the expense of a poster, a group of people, or a population.
It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).
We do make exceptions if we feel the content is both innocuous and unlikely to cause social problems on the forum (such as wishing someone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter), and we also also make exceptions if such topics come up with regards to a sports figure (such as the Lance Stephenson situation bringing up discussions of domestic abuse and the law, or when Jason Collins came out as gay and how that lead to some discussion about gay rights).
However, once the discussion seems to be more/mostly about the political issues instead of the sports figure or his specific situation, the thread is usually closed.
Rule #8
We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.
Rule #9
Generally speaking, we try to be a "PG-13" rated board, and we don't want to see sexual content or similarly suggestive content. Vulgarity is a more muddled issue, though again we prefer things to lean more towards "PG-13" than "R". If we feel things have gone too far, we will step in.
Rule #10
We like small signatures, not big signatures. The bigger the signature, the more likely it is an annoying or distracting signature.
Rule #11
Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
Whether your are a long standing forum member or whether you have just registered today, it's a good idea to read and review the rules below so that you have a very good idea of what to expect when you come to Pacers Digest.
A quick note to new members: Your posts will not immediately show up when you make them. An administrator has to approve at least your first post before the forum software will later upgrade your account to the status of a fully-registered member. This usually happens within a couple of hours or so after your post(s) is/are approved, so you may need to be a little patient at first.
Why do we do this? So that it's more difficult for spammers (be they human or robot) to post, and so users who are banned cannot immediately re-register and start dousing people with verbal flames.
Below are the rules of Pacers Digest. After you have read them, you will have a very good sense of where we are coming from, what we expect, what we don't want to see, and how we react to things.
Rule #1
Pacers Digest is intended to be a place to discuss basketball without having to deal with the kinds of behaviors or attitudes that distract people from sticking with the discussion of the topics at hand. These unwanted distractions can come in many forms, and admittedly it can sometimes be tricky to pin down each and every kind that can rear its ugly head, but we feel that the following examples and explanations cover at least a good portion of that ground and should at least give people a pretty good idea of the kinds of things we actively discourage:
"Anyone who __________ is a liar / a fool / an idiot / a blind homer / has their head buried in the sand / a blind hater / doesn't know basketball / doesn't watch the games"
"People with intelligence will agree with me when I say that __________"
"Only stupid people think / believe / do ___________"
"I can't wait to hear something from PosterX when he/she sees that **insert a given incident or current event that will have probably upset or disappointed PosterX here**"
"He/she is just delusional"
"This thread is stupid / worthless / embarrassing"
"I'm going to take a moment to point and / laugh at PosterX / GroupOfPeopleY who thought / believed *insert though/belief here*"
"Remember when PosterX said OldCommentY that no longer looks good? "
In general, if a comment goes from purely on topic to something 'ad hominem' (personal jabs, personal shots, attacks, flames, however you want to call it, towards a person, or a group of people, or a given city/state/country of people), those are most likely going to be found intolerable.
We also dissuade passive aggressive behavior. This can be various things, but common examples include statements that are basically meant to imply someone is either stupid or otherwise incapable of holding a rational conversation. This can include (but is not limited to) laughing at someone's conclusions rather than offering an honest rebuttal, asking people what game they were watching, or another common problem is Poster X will say "that player isn't that bad" and then Poster Y will say something akin to "LOL you think that player is good". We're not going to tolerate those kinds of comments out of respect for the community at large and for the sake of trying to just have an honest conversation.
Now, does the above cover absolutely every single kind of distraction that is unwanted? Probably not, but you should by now have a good idea of the general types of things we will be discouraging. The above examples are meant to give you a good feel for / idea of what we're looking for. If something new or different than the above happens to come along and results in the same problem (that being, any other attitude or behavior that ultimately distracts from actually just discussing the topic at hand, or that is otherwise disrespectful to other posters), we can and we will take action to curb this as well, so please don't take this to mean that if you managed to technically avoid saying something exactly like one of the above examples that you are then somehow off the hook.
That all having been said, our goal is to do so in a generally kind and respectful way, and that doesn't mean the moment we see something we don't like that somebody is going to be suspended or banned, either. It just means that at the very least we will probably say something about it, quite possibly snipping out the distracting parts of the post in question while leaving alone the parts that are actually just discussing the topics, and in the event of a repeating or excessive problem, then we will start issuing infractions to try to further discourage further repeat problems, and if it just never seems to improve, then finally suspensions or bans will come into play. We would prefer it never went that far, and most of the time for most of our posters, it won't ever have to.
A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.
There's always a small minority that like to push people's buttons and/or test their own boundaries with regards to the administrators, and in the case of someone acting like that, please be aware that this is not a court of law, but a private website run by people who are simply trying to do the right thing as they see it. If we feel that you are a special case that needs to be dealt with in an exceptional way because your behavior isn't explicitly mirroring one of our above examples of what we generally discourage, we can and we will take atypical action to prevent this from continuing if you are not cooperative with us.
Also please be aware that you will not be given a pass simply by claiming that you were 'only joking,' because quite honestly, when someone really is just joking, for one thing most people tend to pick up on the joke, including the person or group that is the target of the joke, and for another thing, in the event where an honest joke gets taken seriously and it upsets or angers someone, the person who is truly 'only joking' will quite commonly go out of his / her way to apologize and will try to mend fences. People who are dishonest about their statements being 'jokes' do not do so, and in turn that becomes a clear sign of what is really going on. It's nothing new.
In any case, quite frankly, the overall quality and health of the entire forum's community is more important than any one troublesome user will ever be, regardless of exactly how a problem is exhibiting itself, and if it comes down to us having to make a choice between you versus the greater health and happiness of the entire community, the community of this forum will win every time.
Lastly, there are also some posters, who are generally great contributors and do not otherwise cause any problems, who sometimes feel it's their place to provoke or to otherwise 'mess with' that small minority of people described in the last paragraph, and while we possibly might understand why you might feel you WANT to do something like that, the truth is we can't actually tolerate that kind of behavior from you any more than we can tolerate the behavior from them. So if we feel that you are trying to provoke those other posters into doing or saying something that will get themselves into trouble, then we will start to view you as a problem as well, because of the same reason as before: The overall health of the forum comes first, and trying to stir the pot with someone like that doesn't help, it just makes it worse. Some will simply disagree with this philosophy, but if so, then so be it because ultimately we have to do what we think is best so long as it's up to us.
If you see a problem that we haven't addressed, the best and most appropriate course for a forum member to take here is to look over to the left of the post in question. See underneath that poster's name, avatar, and other info, down where there's a little triangle with an exclamation point (!) in it? Click that. That allows you to report the post to the admins so we can definitely notice it and give it a look to see what we feel we should do about it. Beyond that, obviously it's human nature sometimes to want to speak up to the poster in question who has bothered you, but we would ask that you try to refrain from doing so because quite often what happens is two or more posters all start going back and forth about the original offending post, and suddenly the entire thread is off topic or otherwise derailed. So while the urge to police it yourself is understandable, it's best to just report it to us and let us handle it. Thank you!
All of the above is going to be subject to a case by case basis, but generally and broadly speaking, this should give everyone a pretty good idea of how things will typically / most often be handled.
Rule #2
If the actions of an administrator inspire you to make a comment, criticism, or express a concern about it, there is a wrong place and a couple of right places to do so.
The wrong place is to do so in the original thread in which the administrator took action. For example, if a post gets an infraction, or a post gets deleted, or a comment within a larger post gets clipped out, in a thread discussing Paul George, the wrong thing to do is to distract from the discussion of Paul George by adding your off topic thoughts on what the administrator did.
The right places to do so are:
A) Start a thread about the specific incident you want to talk about on the Feedback board. This way you are able to express yourself in an area that doesn't throw another thread off topic, and this way others can add their two cents as well if they wish, and additionally if there's something that needs to be said by the administrators, that is where they will respond to it.
B) Send a private message to the administrators, and they can respond to you that way.
If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.
Rule #3
If a poster is bothering you, and an administrator has not or will not deal with that poster to the extent that you would prefer, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, one that has recently been upgraded and is now better than ever: The ability to ignore a user.
When you ignore a user, you will unfortunately still see some hints of their existence (nothing we can do about that), however, it does the following key things:
A) Any post they make will be completely invisible as you scroll through a thread.
B) The new addition to this feature: If someone QUOTES a user you are ignoring, you do not have to read who it was, or what that poster said, unless you go out of your way to click on a link to find out who it is and what they said.
To utilize this feature, from any page on Pacers Digest, scroll to the top of the page, look to the top right where it says 'Settings' and click that. From the settings page, look to the left side of the page where it says 'My Settings', and look down from there until you see 'Edit Ignore List' and click that. From here, it will say 'Add a Member to Your List...' Beneath that, click in the text box to the right of 'User Name', type in or copy & paste the username of the poster you are ignoring, and once their name is in the box, look over to the far right and click the 'Okay' button. All done!
Rule #4
Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.
Rule #5
When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.
An example:
If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:
http://www.linktothearticlegoeshere.com/article
Title of the Article
Author's Name
Indianapolis Star
Rule #6
We cannot tolerate illegal videos on Pacers Digest. This means do not share any links to them, do not mention any websites that host them or link to them, do not describe how to find them in any way, and do not ask about them. Posts doing anything of the sort will be removed, the offenders will be contacted privately, and if the problem becomes habitual, you will be suspended, and if it still persists, you will probably be banned.
The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.
Rule #7
Provocative statements in a signature, or as an avatar, or as the 'tagline' beneath a poster's username (where it says 'Member' or 'Administrator' by default, if it is not altered) are an unwanted distraction that will more than likely be removed on sight. There can be shades of gray to this, but in general this could be something political or religious that is likely going to provoke or upset people, or otherwise something that is mean-spirited at the expense of a poster, a group of people, or a population.
It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).
We do make exceptions if we feel the content is both innocuous and unlikely to cause social problems on the forum (such as wishing someone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter), and we also also make exceptions if such topics come up with regards to a sports figure (such as the Lance Stephenson situation bringing up discussions of domestic abuse and the law, or when Jason Collins came out as gay and how that lead to some discussion about gay rights).
However, once the discussion seems to be more/mostly about the political issues instead of the sports figure or his specific situation, the thread is usually closed.
Rule #8
We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.
Rule #9
Generally speaking, we try to be a "PG-13" rated board, and we don't want to see sexual content or similarly suggestive content. Vulgarity is a more muddled issue, though again we prefer things to lean more towards "PG-13" than "R". If we feel things have gone too far, we will step in.
Rule #10
We like small signatures, not big signatures. The bigger the signature, the more likely it is an annoying or distracting signature.
Rule #11
Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
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Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
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Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
I am new here but here is the mock draft.
Despite the fact the draft is only two weeks away, there is still a lot of confusion about who is going where.
"I know who is going [Nos.] 1 and 2," one lottery GM told ESPN.com. "After that, I don't have a clue."
A number of GMs in the lottery are reporting the same thing, but teams are beginning to narrow down the list of who's going where.
In this mock draft we'll not only make an educated guess as to who's going where, but we'll also give you a look at the other possible picks for each team. Here's our most informed take, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, on how the draft might play out.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Cleveland
(via L.A. Clippers)
Kyrie Irving
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 191 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke
Analysis: Derrick Williams' camp is doing its best to cast doubt on the Cavs' coronation of Irving as the No. 1 pick. But with two weeks to go, all signs still point to Cleveland selecting Irving first. Williams is still in the picture here in part because the Cavs feel they could get a very good point guard (either Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker) at No. 4. But sources say it's Irving's to lose.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
Derrick Williams
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 249
Age: 20
School: Arizona
Analysis: On Friday, I detailed the Timberwolves' draft strategies in the wake of signing Ricky Rubio to a contract. Here's the CliffsNotes version: Publicly, the team is claiming that they're likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they're hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran -- someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee -- for the pick.
If they get a good deal, they'll be more than happy to dump the pick. Rubio is their rookie this season. If they do keep the pick, expect them to take either Williams or Enes Kanter. If they get Williams, Michael Beasley could be gone by the time the season starts.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Utah
(via New Jersey)
Brandon Knight
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 177
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
Analysis: The Jazz have already had a number of workouts but the big one comes June 15 when Knight, Walker and Jimmer Fredette are all expected to work out for the team.
While it's still possible the Jazz go big with this pick and select either Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas or even Jan Vesely -- they're likely to try to select a franchise point guard if either Knight or Walker blows them away. If Fredette wins the battle on June 15, that could push the Jazz to go for a big man here and try to nab Fredette with the 12th pick.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Cleveland
Enes Kanter
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260
Age: 19
Country: Turkey
Analysis: Kanter had just two workouts. Both were in Chicago and both had him playing against the proverbial chair. That changed on Tuesday when he went into Cleveland and worked out against Tristan Thompson and Marcus Morris.
Kanter would love to land in Cleveland and understands it will be tough for the Cavs to justify the pick unless he gives them more than the Nike Hoop Summit, the Chicago combine and some grainy high school video. It's still too early to see whether the Cavs go Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely or Kawhi Leonard, but those seem to be the four guys they're seriously looking at with the fourth pick.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Toronto
Jan Vesely
Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 240
Age: 21
Country: Czech Republic
Analysis: Bryan Colangelo could go a number of ways here. He has strong interest in both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. If Knight's on the board, I don't think he gets passed on here. If Walker's here the question for Colangelo is what to do with Leandro Barbosa and Jerryd Bayless. Both players are similar to Walker.
He could go with an international player, such as Valanciunas, Vesely or Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, sources say, Vesely is the highest on their board. He provides size and athleticism at the small forward position. The other dark horse here is Kawhi Leonard.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Washington
Kawhi Leonard
Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 228
Age: 19
School: San Diego State
Analysis: The Wizards know they aren't taking a point guard -- not with John Wall in the fold. So the question becomes, "Who's the best player on the board?" The Wizards are very high on Vesely, but in this mock he's off the board.
Valanciunas is an option. The Wizards could use more help in the middle -- but he's a bit more of a project. That leaves Leonard. He brings toughness, defense and versatility to a team that can use all three attributes.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Sacramento
Kemba Walker
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 184
Age: 21
School: UConn
Analysis: We continue to keep Walker planted here in Sacramento, though from what I can gather Geoff Petrie is considering a number of options, including trades. Petrie is in (and has been for two years) the same boat as Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld. His job isn't very secure and the past two years Petrie has opted for a "sure-thing" player who could produce in Year 1.
Walker is that guy at this point in the draft and, as an added bonus, he doesn't have the same character issues that Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins had.
Leonard would be another possibility if he's still available -- the Kings still need help at the small forward position. And don't count out Jimmer Fredette if Walker is off the board. Petrie loves shooters and Fredette would be a nice fit next to Evans.
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Detroit
Jonas Valanciunas
Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania
Analysis: After changing up the Pistons' mock for three straight weeks, we're finally steadying the boat a bit. The Pistons are really looking at five players: Valanciunas, Knight, Vesely, Biyombo and Tristan Thompson.
Biyombo and Thompson are the best fits of the group, but with new owner Tom Gores giving Joe Dumars some freedom to remake the Pistons don't be surprised to see the Pistons swing for the fences. Valanciunas is a risk, but his upside is high and he could be the long-term answer for the Pistons in the middle.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Charlotte
Marcus Morris
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Kansas
Analysis: The Bobcats haven't been the greatest drafters the past few years. Michael Jordan is determined to change that. The thinking in Charlotte is to not take big risks -- to go with a proven product and swing for a double instead of a home run.
Morris, with his versatility, toughness and Kansas pedigree is a very good option. Klay Thompson, Chris Singleton and Jordan Hamilton are all in the mix here as well.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Milwaukee
Alec Burks
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 193
Age: 19
School: Colorado
Analysis: Last summer the Bucks went out and tried to boost their scoring output by re-signing John Salmons and trading for Corey Maggette. It didn't go so well. Between injuries and chemistry issues the Bucks stumbled.
Burks is one of the best scorers in the draft. His ability to get to the basket should give the Bucks a potent young backcourt.
Jordan Hamilton, Klay Thompson, Tristan Thompson and Bismack Biyombo are other possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Golden State
Klay Thompson
Position: PG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 206
Age: 21
School: Washington St.
Analysis: The Warriors have a new owner, a new head coach and new management. Of the three, the most important addition might be Jerry West, who knows how to build winners and is far from a wallflower.
The first shoe is already beginning to drop with word that the Warriors are open to moving Monta Ellis. His replacement? The sweet shooting Thompson, who has wowed in recent workouts. He has size, the pedigree and, most of all, the blessing of West. Marcus Morris and Alec Burks are other possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Utah
Chris Singleton
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Florida State
Analysis: With Andrei Kirilenko heading into free agency this summer, the Jazz are set to lose their most versatile defender. Enter Singleton. He's not the most polished offensive player in the world (sound familiar, AK-47 fans?), but his ability to guard multiple positions and his size for his position are intriguing for the Jazz.
With Singleton rising on many draft boards, the question is: Will he still be here at No. 12? Teams with picks as high as the Raptors (No. 5) are looking at him. Tristan Thompson, Jimmer Fredette and Alec Burks are all possibilities here, too. Ditto for Bismack Biyombo.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Phoenix
Tristan Thompson
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 20
School: Texas
Analysis: The Suns are in that awkward spot between pushing for the playoffs and rebuilding. Lon Babby says the team will be emphasizing defense and Thompson takes them decidedly in that direction.
He is a solid athlete, an excellent rebounder and gives the Suns some desperately needed toughness in the paint. Pair him in the frontcourt with Marcin Gortat and the Suns finally have some swagger. Burks, Fredette and Biyombo are all possibilities here as well.
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Houston
Bismack Biyombo
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 243
Age: 18
Country: Congo
Analysis: Biyombo is in the conversation as high as No. 5, but the general lack of information about him may cause his stock to slip. He's got the physical abilities to be excellent in the league, but he's a wild card.
The Raptors, Wizards, Pistons, Bucks and Jazz all will give him strong looks. I doubt he slips further than Houston. While small forward is a big need too (they like Marcus Morris, Jordan Hamilton and Tobias Harris there), at this point Biyombo is more reward than risk.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Indiana
Jimmer Fredette
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196
Age: 22
School: Brigham Young
Analysis: Will Pacers fans finally get the real life version of Jimmy Chitwood? Fredette's ability to score the basketball is legendary and actually fits a need for the Pacers. In the fourth quarter of games this season, they really struggled to find a player who could hit the big shot.
I'm not sure Fredette is the point guard of the future in Indiana. He may be more of a scoring fixture (a la Ben Gordon) coming off the bench. Either way, his ability to contribute right away should give the Pacers another bump as they try to take the next step. Tristan Thompson, Kenneth Faried and Markieff Morris are all options here as well.
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Philadelphia
Jordan Hamilton
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 229
Age: 20
School: Texas
Analysis: The Sixers have been looking for a big man in the draft but the team could go in a different direction now that it appears Andre Iguodala is back on the block. The Sixers have also been hungry for shooters, and Hamilton is one of the most lethal scorers in the draft. Markieff Morris, Nikola Vucevic and Kenneth Faried are also possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New York
Josh Selby
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Age: 20
School: Kansas
Analysis: GM Donnie Walsh has lost his job, but he's still calling the shots for the Knicks on draft night. Expect Walsh to go out with a bang. The Knicks are essentially looking at five players right now -- Klay Thompson, Fredette, Selby, Marshon Brooks and Kenneth Faried. Thompson and Fredette are off the board in our mock.
The Knicks have been looking long and hard at Selby for a while. They think he'd thrive in Mike D'Antoni's system that allows guards much more freedom than they get at Kansas. Selby has lottery talent, but a shaky résumé. This may be a risk taking him this high, but there's a very high upside.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Washington
(via Atlanta)
Marshon Brooks
Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 195
Age: 22
School: Providence
Analysis: Nick Young is heading into free agency and, coincidentally, Brooks has been compared to Young. Both players are long, athletic and can score. Brooks may have a little more killer instinct, though, that could make him a star. Tobias Harris, Markieff Morris, Kenneth Faried and Donatas Motiejunas are other possibilities here as well.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Charlotte
(via New Orleans)
Markieff Morris
Position: PF/C
Height: 6-9
Weight: 241
Age: 21
School: Kansas
Analysis: A month ago I was in Florida with the Morris twins and big topic of discussion was the inevitability of the two brothers breaking up when they were drafted by different teams. We explored a number of options that could reunite them on the same team. This is really the only plausible one, and it's more plausible than you think.
The Bobcats are one of those teams that thinks the twins can play together. If it happens, you'll see two very happy twins on draft night. Brooks, Faried and Reggie Jackson are other names who could land here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
(via Memphis)
Donatas Motiejunas
Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania
Analysis: The Wolves have the best group of international scouts in the NBA and if Motiejunas falls this far, I think they'd snap him up here. He's an aggressive scorer and has size -- two things the Wolves could use in the post. Brooks, Faried, Nikola Mirotic and Charles Jenkins are also possibilities here.
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Portland
Kenneth Faried
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 225
Age: 21
School: Morehead State
Analysis: The Blazers fell in love with Faried last year before he withdrew from the draft. If they are fortunate enough to get a second chance at him this year, they'll grab him.
His relentlessness on the boards is a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge's more offensive-minded style. Markieff Morris, Tobias Harris, Darius Morris, Reggie Jackson and Nikola Vucevic are other players to watch.
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Denver
Tobias Harris
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 223
Age: 18
School: Tennessee
Analysis: Harris may be one of the more underrated players in the draft. He can play both the 3 and 4, and he has a very high basketball IQ and an NBA body. Harris doesn't do any one thing at an elite level, but he is one of the most well-rounded players in the draft. Nikola Vucevic, Charles Jenkins and Tyler Honeycutt are other possibilities here.
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Houston
(via Orlando)
Nikola Vucevic
Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 260
Age: 20
School: USC
Analysis: Even though we have the Rockets going big at No. 14, don't be surprised if they do it again here. Vucevic has helped himself as much as anyone in the workout process. He's got size, toughness and skill. He's not going to be a superstar thanks to a lack of explosive athleticism, but he'll be a very solid addition to the Rockets. Mirotic, Justin Harper and Darius Morris are other possibilities.
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Oklahoma City
Nikola Mirotic
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 226
Age: 21
Country: Serbia
Analysis: Sam Presti is an opportunist, and he is patient. Mirotic, based on talent, is a lottery pick. But a massive buyout means he won't be playing in the NBA anytime soon. If he stays in the draft -- a big "if" at this point -- someone will gamble on him. If it's Presti, he could be getting a major steal down the road. If Mirotic is off the board, Bogan Bogdanovic and Lucas Nogueira are possibilities.
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Boston
JaJuan Johnson
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 220
Age: 22
School: Purdue
Analysis:The Celtics need size, and Johnson is an intriguing pick here. He is long and athletic and stretches the floor with his jump shot. He needs to add strength, but his production at Purdue is hard to ignore. Justin Harper, Nikola Vucevic, Jon Leuer and Jeremey Tyler are also possibilities.
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Dallas
Davis Bertans
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 210
Age: 18
Country: Latvia
Analysis: It's unfair to compare any young European player to Dirk Nowitzki. But after watching Bertans shoot the lights out in practices at the Nike Hoop Summit, that's how some scouts were referring to him.
Bertans doesn't have Nowitzki's size or strength and looks to be a pretty serious project. But long term, he could be a really nice addition. Jon Leuer, JaJuan Johnson, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Tyler could all be drafted here.
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New Jersey
(via L.A. Lakers)
Reggie Jackson
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 208
Age: 21
School: Boston College
Analysis: Yes, the Nets have Deron Williams. But he's not a sure thing to stay in New Jersey after next season. Even if he does, Jackson would be a terrific backup and a player who could play off the ball in certain situations.
Had he not had a knee injury just as the draft evaluations began, he could've gone much higher. He's great value here. Justin Harper, Tyler Honeycutt, JaJuan Johnson and Jeremy Tyler are all options here, too.
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Chicago
(via Miami)
Justin Harper
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 21
School: Richmond
Analysis: Harper was one of the best stretch 4s in college basketball last season. He also has size and is a pretty good athlete. The Bulls need shooting, and Harper should be able to give them some from the perimeter. Charles Jenkins, Tyler Honeycutt and Jeremy Tyler are possibilities here.
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San Antonio
Jeremy Tyler
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 263
Age: 19
Team: Tokyo Apache
Analysis: The Spurs have done a good job over the years of finding young international players and stashing them overseas for a few years until they're ready. Tyler doesn't quite fit that model. He stashed himself overseas. But the point is he's got tremendous upside for a team willing to be patient with him. Given the strong reaction to Tyler at the pre-draft camp, I'm not sure he lasts this long on the draft board.
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Chicago
Charles Jenkins
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 217
Age: 22
School: Hofstra
Analysis: The Bulls need scorers in their backcourt and ultimately need to find a backup for Derrick Rose at point guard. Jenkins' ability to play both backcourt positions is intriguing. He is big, strong, a very good shooter and one of the best pure scorers in the draft. He is a real sleeper. Tyler Honeycutt, Nolan Smith and Charles Goudelock are possibilities here as well.
Next Five In: Tyler Honeycutt, G, UCLA; Nolan Smith, G, Duke; Darius Morris, PG, Michigan; Jordan Williams, F/C, Maryland; Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil
Comment
-
Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Cleveland
(via L.A. Clippers)
Kyrie Irving
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 191 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke
Analysis: Derrick Williams' camp is doing its best to cast doubt on the Cavs' coronation of Irving as the No. 1 pick. But with two weeks to go, all signs still point to Cleveland selecting Irving first. Williams is still in the picture here in part because the Cavs feel they could get a very good point guard (either Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker) at No. 4. But sources say it's Irving's to lose.
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Minnesota
Derrick Williams
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 249
Age: 20
School: Arizona
Analysis: On Friday, I detailed the Timberwolves' draft strategies in the wake of signing Ricky Rubio to a contract. Here's the CliffsNotes version: Publicly, the team is claiming that they're likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they're hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran -- someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee -- for the pick.
If they get a good deal, they'll be more than happy to dump the pick. Rubio is their rookie this season. If they do keep the pick, expect them to take either Williams or Enes Kanter. If they get Williams, Michael Beasley could be gone by the time the season starts.
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Utah
(via New Jersey)
Brandon Knight
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 177
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
Analysis: The Jazz have already had a number of workouts but the big one comes June 15 when Knight, Walker and Jimmer Fredette are all expected to work out for the team.
While it's still possible the Jazz go big with this pick and select either Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas or even Jan Vesely -- they're likely to try to select a franchise point guard if either Knight or Walker blows them away. If Fredette wins the battle on June 15, that could push the Jazz to go for a big man here and try to nab Fredette with the 12th pick.
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Cleveland
Enes Kanter
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260
Age: 19
Country: Turkey
Analysis: Kanter had just two workouts. Both were in Chicago and both had him playing against the proverbial chair. That changed on Tuesday when he went into Cleveland and worked out against Tristan Thompson and Marcus Morris.
Kanter would love to land in Cleveland and understands it will be tough for the Cavs to justify the pick unless he gives them more than the Nike Hoop Summit, the Chicago combine and some grainy high school video. It's still too early to see whether the Cavs go Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely or Kawhi Leonard, but those seem to be the four guys they're seriously looking at with the fourth pick.
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Toronto
Jan Vesely
Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 240
Age: 21
Country: Czech Republic
Analysis: Bryan Colangelo could go a number of ways here. He has strong interest in both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. If Knight's on the board, I don't think he gets passed on here. If Walker's here the question for Colangelo is what to do with Leandro Barbosa and Jerryd Bayless. Both players are similar to Walker.
He could go with an international player, such as Valanciunas, Vesely or Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, sources say, Vesely is the highest on their board. He provides size and athleticism at the small forward position. The other dark horse here is Kawhi Leonard.
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Washington
Kawhi Leonard
Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 228
Age: 19
School: San Diego State
Analysis: The Wizards know they aren't taking a point guard -- not with John Wall in the fold. So the question becomes, "Who's the best player on the board?" The Wizards are very high on Vesely, but in this mock he's off the board.
Valanciunas is an option. The Wizards could use more help in the middle -- but he's a bit more of a project. That leaves Leonard. He brings toughness, defense and versatility to a team that can use all three attributes.
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Sacramento
Kemba Walker
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 184
Age: 21
School: UConn
Analysis: We continue to keep Walker planted here in Sacramento, though from what I can gather Geoff Petrie is considering a number of options, including trades. Petrie is in (and has been for two years) the same boat as Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld. His job isn't very secure and the past two years Petrie has opted for a "sure-thing" player who could produce in Year 1.
Walker is that guy at this point in the draft and, as an added bonus, he doesn't have the same character issues that Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins had.
Leonard would be another possibility if he's still available -- the Kings still need help at the small forward position. And don't count out Jimmer Fredette if Walker is off the board. Petrie loves shooters and Fredette would be a nice fit next to Evans.
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Detroit
Jonas Valanciunas
Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania
Analysis: After changing up the Pistons' mock for three straight weeks, we're finally steadying the boat a bit. The Pistons are really looking at five players: Valanciunas, Knight, Vesely, Biyombo and Tristan Thompson.
Biyombo and Thompson are the best fits of the group, but with new owner Tom Gores giving Joe Dumars some freedom to remake the Pistons don't be surprised to see the Pistons swing for the fences. Valanciunas is a risk, but his upside is high and he could be the long-term answer for the Pistons in the middle.
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Charlotte
Marcus Morris
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Kansas
Analysis: The Bobcats haven't been the greatest drafters the past few years. Michael Jordan is determined to change that. The thinking in Charlotte is to not take big risks -- to go with a proven product and swing for a double instead of a home run.
Morris, with his versatility, toughness and Kansas pedigree is a very good option. Klay Thompson, Chris Singleton and Jordan Hamilton are all in the mix here as well.
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Milwaukee
Alec Burks
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 193
Age: 19
School: Colorado
Analysis: Last summer the Bucks went out and tried to boost their scoring output by re-signing John Salmons and trading for Corey Maggette. It didn't go so well. Between injuries and chemistry issues the Bucks stumbled.
Burks is one of the best scorers in the draft. His ability to get to the basket should give the Bucks a potent young backcourt.
Jordan Hamilton, Klay Thompson, Tristan Thompson and Bismack Biyombo are other possibilities here.
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Golden State
Klay Thompson
Position: PG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 206
Age: 21
School: Washington St.
Analysis: The Warriors have a new owner, a new head coach and new management. Of the three, the most important addition might be Jerry West, who knows how to build winners and is far from a wallflower.
The first shoe is already beginning to drop with word that the Warriors are open to moving Monta Ellis. His replacement? The sweet shooting Thompson, who has wowed in recent workouts. He has size, the pedigree and, most of all, the blessing of West. Marcus Morris and Alec Burks are other possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Utah
Chris Singleton
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Florida State
Analysis: With Andrei Kirilenko heading into free agency this summer, the Jazz are set to lose their most versatile defender. Enter Singleton. He's not the most polished offensive player in the world (sound familiar, AK-47 fans?), but his ability to guard multiple positions and his size for his position are intriguing for the Jazz.
With Singleton rising on many draft boards, the question is: Will he still be here at No. 12? Teams with picks as high as the Raptors (No. 5) are looking at him. Tristan Thompson, Jimmer Fredette and Alec Burks are all possibilities here, too. Ditto for Bismack Biyombo.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Phoenix
Tristan Thompson
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 20
School: Texas
Analysis: The Suns are in that awkward spot between pushing for the playoffs and rebuilding. Lon Babby says the team will be emphasizing defense and Thompson takes them decidedly in that direction.
He is a solid athlete, an excellent rebounder and gives the Suns some desperately needed toughness in the paint. Pair him in the frontcourt with Marcin Gortat and the Suns finally have some swagger. Burks, Fredette and Biyombo are all possibilities here as well.
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Houston
Bismack Biyombo
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 243
Age: 18
Country: Congo
Analysis: Biyombo is in the conversation as high as No. 5, but the general lack of information about him may cause his stock to slip. He's got the physical abilities to be excellent in the league, but he's a wild card.
The Raptors, Wizards, Pistons, Bucks and Jazz all will give him strong looks. I doubt he slips further than Houston. While small forward is a big need too (they like Marcus Morris, Jordan Hamilton and Tobias Harris there), at this point Biyombo is more reward than risk.
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Indiana
Jimmer Fredette
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196
Age: 22
School: Brigham Young
Analysis: Will Pacers fans finally get the real life version of Jimmy Chitwood? Fredette's ability to score the basketball is legendary and actually fits a need for the Pacers. In the fourth quarter of games this season, they really struggled to find a player who could hit the big shot.
I'm not sure Fredette is the point guard of the future in Indiana. He may be more of a scoring fixture (a la Ben Gordon) coming off the bench. Either way, his ability to contribute right away should give the Pacers another bump as they try to take the next step. Tristan Thompson, Kenneth Faried and Markieff Morris are all options here as well.
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Philadelphia
Jordan Hamilton
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 229
Age: 20
School: Texas
Analysis: The Sixers have been looking for a big man in the draft but the team could go in a different direction now that it appears Andre Iguodala is back on the block. The Sixers have also been hungry for shooters, and Hamilton is one of the most lethal scorers in the draft. Markieff Morris, Nikola Vucevic and Kenneth Faried are also possibilities here.
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New York
Josh Selby
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Age: 20
School: Kansas
Analysis: GM Donnie Walsh has lost his job, but he's still calling the shots for the Knicks on draft night. Expect Walsh to go out with a bang. The Knicks are essentially looking at five players right now -- Klay Thompson, Fredette, Selby, Marshon Brooks and Kenneth Faried. Thompson and Fredette are off the board in our mock.
The Knicks have been looking long and hard at Selby for a while. They think he'd thrive in Mike D'Antoni's system that allows guards much more freedom than they get at Kansas. Selby has lottery talent, but a shaky résumé. This may be a risk taking him this high, but there's a very high upside.
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Washington
(via Atlanta)
Marshon Brooks
Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 195
Age: 22
School: Providence
Analysis: Nick Young is heading into free agency and, coincidentally, Brooks has been compared to Young. Both players are long, athletic and can score. Brooks may have a little more killer instinct, though, that could make him a star. Tobias Harris, Markieff Morris, Kenneth Faried and Donatas Motiejunas are other possibilities here as well.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Charlotte
(via New Orleans)
Markieff Morris
Position: PF/C
Height: 6-9
Weight: 241
Age: 21
School: Kansas
Analysis: A month ago I was in Florida with the Morris twins and big topic of discussion was the inevitability of the two brothers breaking up when they were drafted by different teams. We explored a number of options that could reunite them on the same team. This is really the only plausible one, and it's more plausible than you think.
The Bobcats are one of those teams that thinks the twins can play together. If it happens, you'll see two very happy twins on draft night. Brooks, Faried and Reggie Jackson are other names who could land here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
(via Memphis)
Donatas Motiejunas
Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania
Analysis: The Wolves have the best group of international scouts in the NBA and if Motiejunas falls this far, I think they'd snap him up here. He's an aggressive scorer and has size -- two things the Wolves could use in the post. Brooks, Faried, Nikola Mirotic and Charles Jenkins are also possibilities here.
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Portland
Kenneth Faried
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 225
Age: 21
School: Morehead State
Analysis: The Blazers fell in love with Faried last year before he withdrew from the draft. If they are fortunate enough to get a second chance at him this year, they'll grab him.
His relentlessness on the boards is a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge's more offensive-minded style. Markieff Morris, Tobias Harris, Darius Morris, Reggie Jackson and Nikola Vucevic are other players to watch.
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Denver
Tobias Harris
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 223
Age: 18
School: Tennessee
Analysis: Harris may be one of the more underrated players in the draft. He can play both the 3 and 4, and he has a very high basketball IQ and an NBA body. Harris doesn't do any one thing at an elite level, but he is one of the most well-rounded players in the draft. Nikola Vucevic, Charles Jenkins and Tyler Honeycutt are other possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Houston
(via Orlando)
Nikola Vucevic
Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 260
Age: 20
School: USC
Analysis: Even though we have the Rockets going big at No. 14, don't be surprised if they do it again here. Vucevic has helped himself as much as anyone in the workout process. He's got size, toughness and skill. He's not going to be a superstar thanks to a lack of explosive athleticism, but he'll be a very solid addition to the Rockets. Mirotic, Justin Harper and Darius Morris are other possibilities.
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Oklahoma City
Nikola Mirotic
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 226
Age: 21
Country: Serbia
Analysis: Sam Presti is an opportunist, and he is patient. Mirotic, based on talent, is a lottery pick. But a massive buyout means he won't be playing in the NBA anytime soon. If he stays in the draft -- a big "if" at this point -- someone will gamble on him. If it's Presti, he could be getting a major steal down the road. If Mirotic is off the board, Bogan Bogdanovic and Lucas Nogueira are possibilities.
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Boston
JaJuan Johnson
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 220
Age: 22
School: Purdue
Analysis:The Celtics need size, and Johnson is an intriguing pick here. He is long and athletic and stretches the floor with his jump shot. He needs to add strength, but his production at Purdue is hard to ignore. Justin Harper, Nikola Vucevic, Jon Leuer and Jeremey Tyler are also possibilities.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Dallas
Davis Bertans
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 210
Age: 18
Country: Latvia
Analysis: It's unfair to compare any young European player to Dirk Nowitzki. But after watching Bertans shoot the lights out in practices at the Nike Hoop Summit, that's how some scouts were referring to him.
Bertans doesn't have Nowitzki's size or strength and looks to be a pretty serious project. But long term, he could be a really nice addition. Jon Leuer, JaJuan Johnson, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Tyler could all be drafted here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New Jersey
(via L.A. Lakers)
Reggie Jackson
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 208
Age: 21
School: Boston College
Analysis: Yes, the Nets have Deron Williams. But he's not a sure thing to stay in New Jersey after next season. Even if he does, Jackson would be a terrific backup and a player who could play off the ball in certain situations.
Had he not had a knee injury just as the draft evaluations began, he could've gone much higher. He's great value here. Justin Harper, Tyler Honeycutt, JaJuan Johnson and Jeremy Tyler are all options here, too.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Chicago
(via Miami)
Justin Harper
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 21
School: Richmond
Analysis: Harper was one of the best stretch 4s in college basketball last season. He also has size and is a pretty good athlete. The Bulls need shooting, and Harper should be able to give them some from the perimeter. Charles Jenkins, Tyler Honeycutt and Jeremy Tyler are possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
San Antonio
Jeremy Tyler
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 263
Age: 19
Team: Tokyo Apache
Analysis: The Spurs have done a good job over the years of finding young international players and stashing them overseas for a few years until they're ready. Tyler doesn't quite fit that model. He stashed himself overseas. But the point is he's got tremendous upside for a team willing to be patient with him. Given the strong reaction to Tyler at the pre-draft camp, I'm not sure he lasts this long on the draft board.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Chicago
Charles Jenkins
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 217
Age: 22
School: Hofstra
Analysis: The Bulls need scorers in their backcourt and ultimately need to find a backup for Derrick Rose at point guard. Jenkins' ability to play both backcourt positions is intriguing. He is big, strong, a very good shooter and one of the best pure scorers in the draft. He is a real sleeper. Tyler Honeycutt, Nolan Smith and Charles Goudelock are possibilities here as well.
Next Five In: Tyler Honeycutt, G, UCLA; Nolan Smith, G, Duke; Darius Morris, PG, Michigan; Jordan Williams, F/C, Maryland; Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil
Comment
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Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
Despite the fact the draft is only two weeks away, there is still a lot of confusion about who is going where.
"I know who is going [Nos.] 1 and 2," one lottery GM told ESPN.com. "After that, I don't have a clue."
A number of GMs in the lottery are reporting the same thing, but teams are beginning to narrow down the list of who's going where.
In this mock draft we'll not only make an educated guess as to who's going where, but we'll also give you a look at the other possible picks for each team. Here's our most informed take, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, on how the draft might play out.
1.) Cleveland
(via L.A. Clippers)
Kyrie Irving
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 191 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke
Analysis: Derrick Williams' camp is doing its best to cast doubt on the Cavs' coronation of Irving as the No. 1 pick. But with two weeks to go, all signs still point to Cleveland selecting Irving first. Williams is still in the picture here in part because the Cavs feel they could get a very good point guard (either Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker) at No. 4. But sources say it's Irving's to lose.
2.) Minnesota
Derrick Williams
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 249
Age: 20
School: Arizona
Analysis: On Friday, I detailed the Timberwolves' draft strategies in the wake of signing Ricky Rubio to a contract. Here's the CliffsNotes version: Publicly, the team is claiming that they're likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they're hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran -- someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee -- for the pick.
If they get a good deal, they'll be more than happy to dump the pick. Rubio is their rookie this season. If they do keep the pick, expect them to take either Williams or Enes Kanter. If they get Williams, Michael Beasley could be gone by the time the season starts.
3.) Utah
(via New Jersey)
Brandon Knight
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 177
Age: 19
School: Kentucky
Analysis: The Jazz have already had a number of workouts but the big one comes June 15 when Knight, Walker and Jimmer Fredette are all expected to work out for the team.
While it's still possible the Jazz go big with this pick and select either Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas or even Jan Vesely -- they're likely to try to select a franchise point guard if either Knight or Walker blows them away. If Fredette wins the battle on June 15, that could push the Jazz to go for a big man here and try to nab Fredette with the 12th pick.
4.) Cleveland
Enes Kanter
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260
Age: 19
Country: Turkey
Analysis: Kanter had just two workouts. Both were in Chicago and both had him playing against the proverbial chair. That changed on Tuesday when he went into Cleveland and worked out against Tristan Thompson and Marcus Morris.
Kanter would love to land in Cleveland and understands it will be tough for the Cavs to justify the pick unless he gives them more than the Nike Hoop Summit, the Chicago combine and some grainy high school video. It's still too early to see whether the Cavs go Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely or Kawhi Leonard, but those seem to be the four guys they're seriously looking at with the fourth pick.
5.) Toronto
Jan Vesely
Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 240
Age: 21
Country: Czech Republic
Analysis: Bryan Colangelo could go a number of ways here. He has strong interest in both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. If Knight's on the board, I don't think he gets passed on here. If Walker's here the question for Colangelo is what to do with Leandro Barbosa and Jerryd Bayless. Both players are similar to Walker.
He could go with an international player, such as Valanciunas, Vesely or Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, sources say, Vesely is the highest on their board. He provides size and athleticism at the small forward position. The other dark horse here is Kawhi Leonard.
6.) Washington
Kawhi Leonard
Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 228
Age: 19
School: San Diego State
Analysis: The Wizards know they aren't taking a point guard -- not with John Wall in the fold. So the question becomes, "Who's the best player on the board?" The Wizards are very high on Vesely, but in this mock he's off the board.
Valanciunas is an option. The Wizards could use more help in the middle -- but he's a bit more of a project. That leaves Leonard. He brings toughness, defense and versatility to a team that can use all three attributes.
7.) Sacramento
Kemba Walker
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 184
Age: 21
School: UConn
Analysis: We continue to keep Walker planted here in Sacramento, though from what I can gather Geoff Petrie is considering a number of options, including trades. Petrie is in (and has been for two years) the same boat as Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld. His job isn't very secure and the past two years Petrie has opted for a "sure-thing" player who could produce in Year 1.
Walker is that guy at this point in the draft and, as an added bonus, he doesn't have the same character issues that Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins had.
Leonard would be another possibility if he's still available -- the Kings still need help at the small forward position. And don't count out Jimmer Fredette if Walker is off the board. Petrie loves shooters and Fredette would be a nice fit next to Evans.
8.) Detroit
Jonas Valanciunas
Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania
Analysis: After changing up the Pistons' mock for three straight weeks, we're finally steadying the boat a bit. The Pistons are really looking at five players: Valanciunas, Knight, Vesely, Biyombo and Tristan Thompson.
Biyombo and Thompson are the best fits of the group, but with new owner Tom Gores giving Joe Dumars some freedom to remake the Pistons don't be surprised to see the Pistons swing for the fences. Valanciunas is a risk, but his upside is high and he could be the long-term answer for the Pistons in the middle.
9.) Charlotte
Marcus Morris
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Kansas
Analysis: The Bobcats haven't been the greatest drafters the past few years. Michael Jordan is determined to change that. The thinking in Charlotte is to not take big risks -- to go with a proven product and swing for a double instead of a home run.
Morris, with his versatility, toughness and Kansas pedigree is a very good option. Klay Thompson, Chris Singleton and Jordan Hamilton are all in the mix here as well.
10.) Milwaukee
Alec Burks
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 193
Age: 19
School: Colorado
Analysis: Last summer the Bucks went out and tried to boost their scoring output by re-signing John Salmons and trading for Corey Maggette. It didn't go so well. Between injuries and chemistry issues the Bucks stumbled.
Burks is one of the best scorers in the draft. His ability to get to the basket should give the Bucks a potent young backcourt.
Jordan Hamilton, Klay Thompson, Tristan Thompson and Bismack Biyombo are other possibilities here.
11.) Golden State
Klay Thompson
Position: PG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 206
Age: 21
School: Washington St.
Analysis: The Warriors have a new owner, a new head coach and new management. Of the three, the most important addition might be Jerry West, who knows how to build winners and is far from a wallflower.
The first shoe is already beginning to drop with word that the Warriors are open to moving Monta Ellis. His replacement? The sweet shooting Thompson, who has wowed in recent workouts. He has size, the pedigree and, most of all, the blessing of West. Marcus Morris and Alec Burks are other possibilities here.
12.) Utah
Chris Singleton
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Florida State
Analysis: With Andrei Kirilenko heading into free agency this summer, the Jazz are set to lose their most versatile defender. Enter Singleton. He's not the most polished offensive player in the world (sound familiar, AK-47 fans?), but his ability to guard multiple positions and his size for his position are intriguing for the Jazz.
With Singleton rising on many draft boards, the question is: Will he still be here at No. 12? Teams with picks as high as the Raptors (No. 5) are looking at him. Tristan Thompson, Jimmer Fredette and Alec Burks are all possibilities here, too. Ditto for Bismack Biyombo.
13.) Phoenix
Tristan Thompson
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 20
School: Texas
Analysis: The Suns are in that awkward spot between pushing for the playoffs and rebuilding. Lon Babby says the team will be emphasizing defense and Thompson takes them decidedly in that direction.
He is a solid athlete, an excellent rebounder and gives the Suns some desperately needed toughness in the paint. Pair him in the frontcourt with Marcin Gortat and the Suns finally have some swagger. Burks, Fredette and Biyombo are all possibilities here as well.
14.) Houston
Bismack Biyombo
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 243
Age: 18
Country: Congo
Analysis: Biyombo is in the conversation as high as No. 5, but the general lack of information about him may cause his stock to slip. He's got the physical abilities to be excellent in the league, but he's a wild card.
The Raptors, Wizards, Pistons, Bucks and Jazz all will give him strong looks. I doubt he slips further than Houston. While small forward is a big need too (they like Marcus Morris, Jordan Hamilton and Tobias Harris there), at this point Biyombo is more reward than risk.
15.) Indiana
Jimmer Fredette
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196
Age: 22
School: Brigham Young
Analysis: Will Pacers fans finally get the real life version of Jimmy Chitwood? Fredette's ability to score the basketball is legendary and actually fits a need for the Pacers. In the fourth quarter of games this season, they really struggled to find a player who could hit the big shot.
I'm not sure Fredette is the point guard of the future in Indiana. He may be more of a scoring fixture (a la Ben Gordon) coming off the bench. Either way, his ability to contribute right away should give the Pacers another bump as they try to take the next step. Tristan Thompson, Kenneth Faried and Markieff Morris are all options here as well.
16.) Philadelphia
Jordan Hamilton
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 229
Age: 20
School: Texas
Analysis: The Sixers have been looking for a big man in the draft but the team could go in a different direction now that it appears Andre Iguodala is back on the block. The Sixers have also been hungry for shooters, and Hamilton is one of the most lethal scorers in the draft. Markieff Morris, Nikola Vucevic and Kenneth Faried are also possibilities here.
17.) New York
Josh Selby
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Age: 20
School: Kansas
Analysis: GM Donnie Walsh has lost his job, but he's still calling the shots for the Knicks on draft night. Expect Walsh to go out with a bang. The Knicks are essentially looking at five players right now -- Klay Thompson, Fredette, Selby, Marshon Brooks and Kenneth Faried. Thompson and Fredette are off the board in our mock.
The Knicks have been looking long and hard at Selby for a while. They think he'd thrive in Mike D'Antoni's system that allows guards much more freedom than they get at Kansas. Selby has lottery talent, but a shaky résumé. This may be a risk taking him this high, but there's a very high upside.
18.) Washington
(via Atlanta)
Marshon Brooks
Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 195
Age: 22
School: Providence
Analysis: Nick Young is heading into free agency and, coincidentally, Brooks has been compared to Young. Both players are long, athletic and can score. Brooks may have a little more killer instinct, though, that could make him a star. Tobias Harris, Markieff Morris, Kenneth Faried and Donatas Motiejunas are other possibilities here as well.
19.) Charlotte
(via New Orleans)
Markieff Morris
Position: PF/C
Height: 6-9
Weight: 241
Age: 21
School: Kansas
Analysis: A month ago I was in Florida with the Morris twins and big topic of discussion was the inevitability of the two brothers breaking up when they were drafted by different teams. We explored a number of options that could reunite them on the same team. This is really the only plausible one, and it's more plausible than you think.
The Bobcats are one of those teams that thinks the twins can play together. If it happens, you'll see two very happy twins on draft night. Brooks, Faried and Reggie Jackson are other names who could land here.
20.) Minnesota
(via Memphis)
Donatas Motiejunas
Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania
Analysis: The Wolves have the best group of international scouts in the NBA and if Motiejunas falls this far, I think they'd snap him up here. He's an aggressive scorer and has size -- two things the Wolves could use in the post. Brooks, Faried, Nikola Mirotic and Charles Jenkins are also possibilities here.
21.) Portland
Kenneth Faried
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 225
Age: 21
School: Morehead State
Analysis: The Blazers fell in love with Faried last year before he withdrew from the draft. If they are fortunate enough to get a second chance at him this year, they'll grab him.
His relentlessness on the boards is a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge's more offensive-minded style. Markieff Morris, Tobias Harris, Darius Morris, Reggie Jackson and Nikola Vucevic are other players to watch.
22.) Denver
Tobias Harris
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 223
Age: 18
School: Tennessee
Analysis: Harris may be one of the more underrated players in the draft. He can play both the 3 and 4, and he has a very high basketball IQ and an NBA body. Harris doesn't do any one thing at an elite level, but he is one of the most well-rounded players in the draft. Nikola Vucevic, Charles Jenkins and Tyler Honeycutt are other possibilities here.
23.) Houston
(via Orlando)
Nikola Vucevic
Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 260
Age: 20
School: USC
Analysis: Even though we have the Rockets going big at No. 14, don't be surprised if they do it again here. Vucevic has helped himself as much as anyone in the workout process. He's got size, toughness and skill. He's not going to be a superstar thanks to a lack of explosive athleticism, but he'll be a very solid addition to the Rockets. Mirotic, Justin Harper and Darius Morris are other possibilities.
24.) Oklahoma City
Nikola Mirotic
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 226
Age: 21
Country: Serbia
Analysis: Sam Presti is an opportunist, and he is patient. Mirotic, based on talent, is a lottery pick. But a massive buyout means he won't be playing in the NBA anytime soon. If he stays in the draft -- a big "if" at this point -- someone will gamble on him. If it's Presti, he could be getting a major steal down the road. If Mirotic is off the board, Bogan Bogdanovic and Lucas Nogueira are possibilities.
25.) Boston
JaJuan Johnson
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 220
Age: 22
School: Purdue
Analysis:The Celtics need size, and Johnson is an intriguing pick here. He is long and athletic and stretches the floor with his jump shot. He needs to add strength, but his production at Purdue is hard to ignore. Justin Harper, Nikola Vucevic, Jon Leuer and Jeremey Tyler are also possibilities.
26.) Dallas
Davis Bertans
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 210
Age: 18
Country: Latvia
Analysis: It's unfair to compare any young European player to Dirk Nowitzki. But after watching Bertans shoot the lights out in practices at the Nike Hoop Summit, that's how some scouts were referring to him.
Bertans doesn't have Nowitzki's size or strength and looks to be a pretty serious project. But long term, he could be a really nice addition. Jon Leuer, JaJuan Johnson, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Tyler could all be drafted here.
27.) New Jersey
(via L.A. Lakers)
Reggie Jackson
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 208
Age: 21
School: Boston College
Analysis: Yes, the Nets have Deron Williams. But he's not a sure thing to stay in New Jersey after next season. Even if he does, Jackson would be a terrific backup and a player who could play off the ball in certain situations.
Had he not had a knee injury just as the draft evaluations began, he could've gone much higher. He's great value here. Justin Harper, Tyler Honeycutt, JaJuan Johnson and Jeremy Tyler are all options here, too.
28.) Chicago
(via Miami)
Justin Harper
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 228
Age: 21
School: Richmond
Analysis: Harper was one of the best stretch 4s in college basketball last season. He also has size and is a pretty good athlete. The Bulls need shooting, and Harper should be able to give them some from the perimeter. Charles Jenkins, Tyler Honeycutt and Jeremy Tyler are possibilities here.
29.) San Antonio
Jeremy Tyler
Position: C
Height: 6-11
Weight: 263
Age: 19
Team: Tokyo Apache
Analysis: The Spurs have done a good job over the years of finding young international players and stashing them overseas for a few years until they're ready. Tyler doesn't quite fit that model. He stashed himself overseas. But the point is he's got tremendous upside for a team willing to be patient with him. Given the strong reaction to Tyler at the pre-draft camp, I'm not sure he lasts this long on the draft board.
30.) Chicago
Charles Jenkins
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 217
Age: 22
School: Hofstra
Analysis: The Bulls need scorers in their backcourt and ultimately need to find a backup for Derrick Rose at point guard. Jenkins' ability to play both backcourt positions is intriguing. He is big, strong, a very good shooter and one of the best pure scorers in the draft. He is a real sleeper. Tyler Honeycutt, Nolan Smith and Charles Goudelock are possibilities here as well.
Next Five In: Tyler Honeycutt, G, UCLA; Nolan Smith, G, Duke; Darius Morris, PG, Michigan; Jordan Williams, F/C, Maryland; Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil
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Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
For once, I hope Ford is right.
It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.
Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004
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Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
Do we match up with Sacramento for a possible trade? I wouldn't mind shooting for Bismack.
I still like the idea of trading Rush for a late first round to pick up Reggie Jackson.First time in a long time, I've been happy with the team that was constructed, and now they struggle. I blame the coach.
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Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
Originally posted by Sparhawk View PostDo we match up with Sacramento for a possible trade? I wouldn't mind shooting for Bismack.
I still like the idea of trading Rush for a late first round to pick up Reggie Jackson.
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Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
The guy form Draft Express was asked on a podcast who he thought had the upside to be allstars down the road in this draft, he said Irving and Biyombo.
He also said Biyombo had zero offensive game. If he falls this far, its for sure worth the risk. I guess a bunch of NBA types are over watching him play this week.
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Re: Chad Fords Mock Draft 4.0
He's not playing anywhere. His European club gave him the boot after he skipped a game to play in the summit 2 months ago. Pretty spiteful thing to do, if you ask me.
For what it's worth, they got blasted out of the playoffs without him.Last edited by Kstat; 06-08-2011, 03:18 PM.
It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.
Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004
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