I compared some media mock drafts just to see if they gave clues to who was "plugged in" and who wasn't. There really wasn't much difference in the numerical results (the top 4 were unanimous, and everyone got 2-5 other first-round picks right), but ESPN's mock drafts -- Aldridge, Katz, and Chad Ford ("ESPN Insider") -- did a great job of identifying teams' "short lists" and explaining the considerations they were dealing with. In particular, Ford's explanations made clear that he'd have gotten several more picks right if he'd known certain players were going to drop. For example, guessing Caron Butler at #5 caused him to miss Miami (Jeffries, but his explanation started, "If Butler isn't here...") and Washington (Woods, but prefaced by "The Wizards hope Wagner or Jeffries falls..."). And having broken the story weeks ago about Golden State getting the #16 pick (which Larry Brown admitted Thursday was a prearranged deal), Ford got it wrong only because he thought Indiana would snag Welsch first (guessing Dickau at #16, he wrote, "The Warriors actually like Jiri Welsch a lot too, but he may not be around"). Ford also was one of the few who noted Milwaukee's interest in Haislip if Ely wasn't available, and the only one who mentioned Ryan Humphey as possible for Orlando ("Humphrey is the ultimate long shot, but the team did bring him in twice and has a habit of taking the stars of the Chicago pre-draft camp"). Among his right guesses, Ford credited league sources with tipping him off that Jacobsen would go to Phoenix (only he and Monter got that one right). And having been the only pundit brave enough to do a 2nd-round mock draft, Ford actually got four picks in that round correct -- including the 57th and 58th picks!! As Wednesday evening proved, anyone can get the first two picks of the draft right. But only the best can nail the last two.
Yup, they did a good job. Their stories leading up to the draft were very good. The great thing is next year ESPN will have the draft so it will be even better. All those guys you mention, Ford, Aldridge, Katz, will be on the ESPN Draft show which should make it much more entertaining and informative. Chris
They did a pretty good job, for sure, and it should be better next year. But for some reason, I get the feeling that they spread a little misinformation to throw the general public off...whether they decided to do it or were simply being fed it, I dunno. Just look at several of the picks, and you'll see where the player in question doesn't look at all like what the team actually did on draft night. I was just surprised my mock that I entered elsewhere finished higher than both of 'em.
