Does anyone here possess the power to post Ford's recntly updated mock? http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf...ory?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-110517 If so a million thank yous my good friend.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Cleveland (via L.A. Clippers) Kyrie Irving Position: PG Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 180 pounds Age: 19 School: Duke Analysis: What a big win for Cleveland -- it trades away Mo Williams and gets back No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving. Yes, the Cavs have Baron Davis, but he's not a big part of their future plans. Irving can come in and immediately give them a backcourt foundation to fit with J.J. Hickson and the No. 4 pick. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Minnesota Derrick Williams Position: SF Height: 6-8 Weight: 241 Age: Turns 20 on May 25 School: Arizona Analysis: Minnesota GM David Kahn can breathe a sigh of relief -- we think. With Irving likely off the board, Kahn won't have to put up with all those point guard jokes. Unless, that is, he reaches for Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker here. I think this pick will be a three-way race among Williams, Enes Kanter and Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, Williams has the strongest pedigree and ultimately should be an upgrade over Michael Beasley. But don't be surprised if Kahn trades the pick. I'm already hearing from sources that Minnesota has told people it's very open to moving the second pick. Kahn really wants to add some veteran help to the team. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Utah (via New Jersey) Brandon Knight Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 185 Age: 18 School: Kentucky Analysis: The Jazz could go in a number of directions. They have a need at small forward (and would love it, by the way, if Derrick Williams fell to them) and at center. And while they like Devin Harris at point guard, they're not sure he's the long-term answer. For that reason, I think Knight has a good chance of being the pick. Knight might not have the NCAA pedigree of Kemba Walker, but he is a high-character player, has good size for the position, defends well and can really shoot. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Cleveland Enes Kanter Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 255 Age: Turns 19 on May 20 Country: Turkey Analysis: Few teams watched Kanter play during the past year unless they saw a Kentucky practice, so they are projecting Kanter's potential largely on the strength of a stellar performance at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit. But if Kanter plays the way he did at the Hoop Summit and in workouts in Chicago (where I saw him for several days last week), he's a good fit for the Cavs and worthy of this pick. Kanter is tough, can play inside and out, rebounds the basketball and has a higher basketball IQ than most other players his age. While a bit undersized for a center, his toughness in the paint would be very welcome in Cleveland. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Toronto Jonas Valanciunas Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 230 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania Analysis: Many NBA scouts insist Valanciunas could be the best international player in the draft. While Raptors president Bryan Colangelo hasn't been afraid to gamble on European players in the past, there are concerns about the buyout terms of Valanciunas' contract -- some teams are skeptical that he'll be in the NBA for the next few years. Still, he appears to be the most likely choice for the Raptors. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Washington Kawhi Leonard Position: SF Height: 6-7 Weight: 225 Age: 19 School: San Diego State Analysis: The Wizards changed their uniforms, and by taking Leonard, they can begin to change their image as a soft, defenseless team. Projecting Leonard this high might be a stretch for some, but looking at who's available and what the Wizards need, he's a really good fit. Leonard can guard multiple positions, would fill a hole at the 3, plays with a motor and toughness the Wizards often lack, and has enormous upside if he continues to improve his jump shot (he was shooting the lights out in Vegas workouts). The comps to Gerald Wallace don't seem out of order, and if his jumper truly improves, he has a chance to be really special. Pairing him with John Wall could be the start of something in Washington. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Sacramento Kemba Walker Position: PG Height: 6-1 Weight: 172 Age: 21 School: UConn Analysis: As I noted in our first mock draft, the Kings have finally come to two realizations in the past year. One, Tyreke Evans isn't a point guard. Two, character and leadership matter. No one in college basketball showed more heart, leadership or desire to win than Walker this past season at UConn. He has his weaknesses, but he should give the Kings something they need -- a winner. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Detroit Tristan Thompson Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 225 Age: 20 School: Texas Analysis: Last week we had Bismack Biyombo here, but a number of GMs consider him a risky pick this high. The Pistons could still go in Biyombo's direction, but they may not need to if they fall in love with Thompson. Thompson isn't quite as long and bouncy as Biyombo (few players are) but is more of a proven commodity; Thompson is a terrific offensive rebounder in his own right and a much better scorer right now. Like Biyombo, he would be a perfect complement to Greg Monroe on the Pistons' front line. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Charlotte Bismack Biyombo Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 243 Age: 18 Country: Congo Analysis: The Bobcats are desperate for a big man who can defend the paint. Enter Biyombo. How much do we really know about him? Not much. But the Bobcats desperately need his length, athleticism, rebounding and toughness. Michael Jordan has never been afraid to take risks, and if he is sold on Biyombo, he won't be afraid to do it here either. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Milwaukee Alec Burks Position: SG Height: 6-6 Weight: 195 Age: 19 School: Colorado Analysis: The Bucks are set at center and point guard but could really use help at the 2, 3 or 4 position. Of the different needs, the 2-guard position may be the most pressing. Burks still needs to improve his shooting, but he is a very athletic guard who can get to the basket. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Golden State Jan Vesely Position: PF Height: 6-11 Weight: 240 Age: 21 Country: Czech Republic Analysis: The Warriors have a lot of frontcourt needs, so why Vesely? Because he could be special. He runs the floor, is explosive athletically, and could provide a running partner for Steph Curry and Monta Ellis. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Utah (0.7% chance of winning lottery) Chris Singleton Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 225 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. If Alec Burks is off the board here, I think they'll look seriously at Singleton. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Phoenix Jimmer Fredette Position: SG Height: 6-2 Weight: 195 Age: 22 School: Brigham Young Analysis: I continue to believe Fredette would be a great option for Phoenix. His shooting ability combined with the Suns' free-flowing offense are a very good fit. Fredette's terrible defense raises concerns, but at least he is a fit on a team that has been willing to overlook Steve Nash's weakness in that area for years. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Houston Marcus Morris Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 235 Age: 21 School: Kansas Analysis: The Rockets traded away Shane Battier in February, and Morris wouldn't be a bad long-term replacement. His ability to stretch the floor and rebound, combined with a high basketball IQ, should be welcome in Houston. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Indiana Kenneth Faried Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 225 Age: 21 School: Morehead State Analysis: The Pacers' two biggest needs are an athletic guard who can create his own shot off the dribble and a long, athletic big man who can block shots and rebound. Of the guys left on the board, Faried seems to fit the latter bill the best. He is undersized for his position, but his length, explosive leaping ability and motor make up for much of that. The Pacers have had luck with high-energy guys like Jeff Foster and Tyler Hansbrough in the past. As they continue to try to improve on the defensive end, I think Faried would be a terrific choice. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Philadelphia Markieff Morris Position: PF/C Height: 6-10 Weight: 245 Age: 21 School: Kansas Analysis: The Sixers really need a big man, and Morris, a Philly native, is the best one left on the board. Morris has a rep as a good defender, shot-blocker and rebounder, but he also proved at Kansas that he can step out and hit the 3. He's a bit rawer than his brother, but he's a good get at this point in the draft. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS New York Josh Selby Position: PG Height: 6-2 Weight: 183 Age: 20 School: Kansas Analysis: GM Donnie Walsh may have made the biggest mistake of his career when he passed on a number of terrific, young but unproven point guards in 2009 so he could draft Jordan Hill. Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson and Jrue Holiday -- and even Darren Collison, Eric Maynor and Jeff Teague -- each appears to be on his way to a long NBA career. Don't expect the Knicks to make the same mistake again. They've been looking long and hard at Selby for a while, thinking he'd thrive in Mike D'Antoni's system, which allows guards much more freedom than they get at Kansas. Selby has lottery talent, but a shaky résumé. It may be a risk taking him this high, but he has a very high upside. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Washington (via Atlanta) Klay Thompson Position: PG Height: 6-6 Weight: 202 Age: 21 School: Washington St. Analysis: Nick Young is heading into free agency, and the Wizards could use another shooter in their backcourt to complement Wall. Thompson rivals Fredette as the best shooter in the draft and would be a great fit for the Wizards. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Charlotte (via New Orleans) Jordan Hamilton Position: SF Height: 6-7 Weight: 220 Age: 20 School: Texas Analysis: Landing Hamilton here would be a steal. Not only is he a terrific shooter with size, but he may be one of the two or three best scorers in the draft. Yes, his shot selection can be a little wild, but he should be a very good fit in Charlotte as it begins the rebuilding process. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Minnesota (via Memphis) Marshon Brooks Position: SG Height: 6-5 Weight: 190 Age: 22 School: Providence Analysis: While the Wolves are stacked with young talent at multiple positions, 2-guard has been an ongoing need for the past two years. The Wesley Johnson at the 2 experiment didn't really go well this past season -- he's been a forward his whole life and will likely stay that way. Enter Brooks, the second-best scorer in college basketball. Brooks' dynamic ability to create his own shot off the dribble, combined with solid shooting numbers, should be a big help to Minnesota. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Portland Donatas Motiejunas Position: PF Height: 7-0 Weight: 220 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania Analysis: The Blazers have been looking for a point guard -- Reggie Jackson, Darius Morris and Nolan Smith will get a look -- but the team also needs depth on its front line. Motiejunas provides that and, at No. 21, he's a big-time bargain. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Denver Tobias Harris Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 226 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. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Houston (via Orlando) Reggie Jackson Position: PG Height: 6-3 Weight: 208 Age: 21 School: Boston College Analysis: Kyle Lowry is coming of a career year, but Jackson would give them a very different look. Jackson is a terrific athlete, has a ridiculous 7-foot wingspan and shot the lights out his junior year. He has virtually every quality you look for in a modern NBA point guard and would likely be a good complement to Lowry. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS 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 -- two critical traits in a great GM. 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. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Boston Jordan Williams Position: C Height: 6-10 Weight: 260 Age: 20 School: Maryland Analysis: The Celtics miss Kendrick Perkins, who was drafted (by Memphis) late in the first round of the 2003 draft. Williams could be another potential sleeper. He is big and physical and was one of the best rebounders in college basketball this past season. If he can stay in the sort of shape he displayed in Las Vegas, he could be a steal at this juncture in the draft. 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 the 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 for the Mavs. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS New Jersey (via L.A. Lakers) Justin Harper Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 225 Age: 21 School: Richmond Analysis: Harper fits a need for New Jersey. He is big and athletic and can shoot the ball with range. After experimenting with guys like Yi Jianlian and Troy Murphy in this role over the past few years, Harper is cheaper and has more upside. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Chicago (via Miami) Tyler Honeycutt Position: G/F Height: 6-8 Weight: 188 Age: 20 School: UCLA Analysis: The Bulls continue to look for long-term answers at the 2, and Honeycutt could be a really nice steal here if he slides this far. He not only has a great basketball IQ and the ability to handle the ball, but is also a good shooter who can stretch the defense. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS San Antonio Lucas Nogueira Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 218 Age: 18 Country: Brazil 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 are ready. Nogueira seems like another good candidate. He is long, athletic and a terrific shot-blocker. He just needs more experience and about 30 pounds of muscle. A few years in Europe should help prepare him. PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS Chicago Charles Jenkins Position: SG Height: 6-3 Weight: 220 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. Next Five In: Next Five In: Nolan Smith, G, Duke; Darius Morris, PG, Michigan; Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia; Travis Leslie, SG, Georgia; JaJuan Johnson, F, Purdue
Since we won't be getting any big men in the draft (unless at the #23 and #38 picks), I like the #14 pick. Why do we need another PG, Chaddddd?
would definitely love to have marcus morris but not sure if he'll be there. markieff would be okay as well. we need more physicality in the paint.
PG - Lowry/Dragic is enough for me. SG - Martin/Lee combo I like (except Martin's D). TWill - meh....most likely will fit here or go to the SF position, but not fond of the guy. SF - This is where we need players. Budinger is a role player, not a starter. We need to stack up more here since there are no centers in the draft (unless we go with projects). PF - We're set. C - Go after Dalembart. I hope Jordan Hill and Brad Miller are gone. Hasheem is a project that hopefully will turn for the best. Yao - just have to see if he will come back.
so T-Will will not be a rocket next year? i would still like to see him with us. i dont see any SF's around the 23rd pick. maybe travis leslie?
am i the only one here tired of drafting foreign projects? i want players that will be here period. even if they're in the NBDL.
I don't really trust espn when it comes to scouting, it looks like they just try to grab as much info as they can at the last minute, and time make inaccurate assumptions about the players in the draft. Just like Skip Bayless, claiming that Kyrie Irving's athleticism is neck to neck with John Walls... smh Found the video on ESPN NBA Draft... <object width="384" height="216" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="ESPN_VIDEO" data="http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf" allowScriptAccess="always" allowNetworking="all"><param name="movie" value="http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" LOL is Skip Bayless r****ded! His scouting report on John Wall is practically the opposite to his actual game. I laughed at the part where he says "John Wall still has to much two guard in him"... he just averaged 8.3 assist as a rookie...
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Faried is a bit of a stretch at 14,but I think he could be a good addition for us. Honeycutt is all right at the 23.
