SlayerDeuS
Starting XI
I ran into Marvin on campus today he said ATL was probably the best bet.
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NBA 2005/2006 Offseason Thread
- Thread starter $teauA
- Start date
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
You taking summer classes Slayer? What's Marvin doing in Chapel Hill during the summer?
You just walked up to Marvin Williams and asked him about the draft?!?! DAMN!
You just walked up to Marvin Williams and asked him about the draft?!?! DAMN!
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
Well I know that, but you wouldn't just go up to some random kid and start talking to them on the sidewalk. Plus it just seems a little intimidating, but then again I HAVE played ball against some of the guys on the Wisconsin team, so maybe not. Which reminds me.... I've guarded the same guy Ray Felton's guarded!!
SlayerDeuS
Starting XI
What's wrong with going up to a random person? It's called southern hospitality. Yea at first it is a little intimidating but you think about it, like I'm older than Marvin what should I be intimidated about? I think they would rather be treated like as equals even though they aren't.
SlayerDeuS
Starting XI
Also you know Marvin is a nice dude, I wouldn't dare go up to Rashad becuase who knows what would happen!
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
Hahaha, yeah. "Hi Rashard!" "Get the f outta here, and it's Mr. McCants to you bitch!"
Yeah, I suppose Marvin is a nice guy, but I wouldn't really talk about pro ball unless they brought it up. I don't have a problem having a conversation with Mike Wilkenson (or if you want an actual pro prospect, Devin Harris), but I don't want to seem like I'm only interested in where he's going even though that is all I'm interested in.
Yeah, I suppose Marvin is a nice guy, but I wouldn't really talk about pro ball unless they brought it up. I don't have a problem having a conversation with Mike Wilkenson (or if you want an actual pro prospect, Devin Harris), but I don't want to seem like I'm only interested in where he's going even though that is all I'm interested in.
SlayerDeuS
Starting XI
Yeh that was a joke about Rashad anyway, everyone thinks he's a nut but I hear he's chill as hell, but let's not get into that.
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
Yeah, I think the questions about Rashad's off court issues are way overblown. What has he done anyway?
SlayerDeuS
Starting XI
I have no idea man he pretty much did nothing wrong off the court, he just compared college basketball to like being jail. He didn't smoke weed, taunt opposing teams after dunking by doing pushups, or rape any young women.
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
Alright you lucky fellas, here's my mock draft (originally posted on a basketball forum)....
Well, there's one week until the draft and so I decided, what better way to make myself look like a fool when people look at this thread in 7 days than to make a mock draft? Clearly there's no other way, so here's version 1 and a final will be made the day of the draft. Just as an aside, I'm not afraid to be completely wrong... I had Okafor at #1 last year and thanks to Chad Ford I had Pavel WAY too high, if someone wants to find my mock last year and embarass me, feel free.
1. Milwaukee - Marvin Williams
This could extend my streak of getting the #1 wrong two years in a row, but I just think Marvin impressed the Bucks enough with his versatility and maturity that they'll take him. They have needs all over the place, but with the belief that Williams can play power forward, he makes a lot of sense.
2. Atlanta - Andrew Bogut
Everyone pretty much knows this is the dream situation for Atlanta, so I don't think I really need to elaborate any further than "Atlanta will take whomever is left from Bogut and Marvin Williams"
3. Portland - Chris Paul
No, I don't think Portland will take Paul, but I absolutely think Paul will go #3. He is just believed to be the best player on the board by numerous teams (even ahead of Williams and Bogut) and with New Orleans and Charlotte likely taking point guards, someone will trade up to 3 and take Paul. I'm think Jazz, but Charlotte looks like they desperately want this pick. Doesn't much matter, Paul is going #3.
4. New Orleans - Deron Williams
Is Shifty Dickau their starter? That's why Williams goes here. He's a better prospect than Felton and a very good point guard. There's also the rumored promise to Williams which makes a lot of sense.
5. Charlotte - Raymond Felton
I don't know if Portland trades with Charlotte, but if they do Felton won't go here. If Charlotte can't move up to 3 they'll take Ray. Now that Carlos is out of the draft there won't be a reliable point guard available at #13 and I think to most Charlotte fans Ray Felton would be a better pick than Deron Williams. I don't think Charlotte can pass up on the hometown hero.
6. Utah - Gerald Green
If this is Utah's pick, they obviously don't take Green because Sloan probably couldn't deal with a high schooler who can't defend much right now. Plus I think the only high school player ever on the Jazz franchise is DeShawn Stevenson, so the history doesn't backup this pick. Green is here because I can't predict the future and I think he's the 6th best player on the board and the last player in the "upper tier".
7. Toronto - Danny Granger
Word on the Raptors board is Granger or Wright and after the lackluster performance of Wright at the combine I think this is a no brainer. I think they should consider a big man, but they won't. There's no point guard here that likely will be unavailable at #16, so why take Ukic here? No reason. They need a small forward for the future and Granger is a good pick here. They could also look at Joey Graham, but I don't think he's quite the scorer Granger is, which seems like something they need in Toronto.
8. New York - Channing Frye
Is he Loren Woods? Well, GM Thomas will be the guy gambling on the big Arizona kid. I personally think he's better and more physically impressive than Woods, but there are a lot of haters out there. Regardless, New York have Starbury, TT, Ariza, a million undersized power forwards, and they need size, they've needed size for 3 years. For the sake of irony I want to put Sean May here, but I think Frye is the pick.
9. Golden State - Fran Vazquez
Is there a more stacked lottery team than Golden State? Baron and Fisher handle the point, there's J-Rich, Pietrus, and Dunleavy at the swing positions, a solid power forward in Murphy who was one of like 4 players this year to average a double double for the season, and a budding post player in Biedrins. They're set everywhere, so this is a tough pick to make. They clearly won't go point, and I think a swing man is unlikely since Pietrus can't get minutes eventhough he deserves them. That's why I think they go big and take Vazquez. Their good experience with Biedrins should give them confidence in another foreigner, and this one is reportedly more NBA ready than the raw Biedrins was last year. There is a rumored promise to Hakim Warrick here, but I'm not completely convinced right now.
10. LA Lakers - Ike Diogu
The Lakers desperately need a point guard. Last year they picked Sasha Vujacic, so I really REALLY don't think they take Roko Leni Ukic here, and certainly not this high. After point they really need some low post toughness, and Ike Diogu is all that. He's just a BEAST and he can come in right away and play, perhaps even start. Ike is a solid pick here. I could also see Martell Webster if the Lakers look to shoot for the stars with their pick, but with NO ONE in the post, they need Diogu.
11. Orlando - Joey Graham
As someone who knows nothing about the Magic, I see one of two things happening here. The Magic could take Joey Graham, or they could take Sean May. May would be a nice pairing with Dwight Howard down low, but the question is whether or not he could ever be a legitimate starter in the league, even next to Dwight. Graham on the other hand is a fantastic athlete who's defense (if Tony Allen and Desmond Mason are any indication) is already in the top echelon of players in the NBA. Other guys who are a possibility include Antoine Wright, Martell Webster, and Hakim Warrick, but I think Wright killed himself in the combine while Graham helped himself incredibly, and Webster will take awhile and not step in immediately as Howard did. Hak is a possibility as well, but I just don't know if I see him next to Dwight Howard, or even if he can play the 4 effectively in the pros.
12. LA Clippers - Yaroslav Korolev
Honestly, I hate putting a guy I haven't heard of until two weeks ago in the lottery, and especially here when I think Antoine Wright would be a better fit, but I'll respect the VERY heavy rumor and put the russian at 12.
13. Charlotte - Martell Webster
At this point Charlotte already have either Paul or Felton plus Emeka, so they need a swing man or a legit center. I think it's a toss up between Webster, Wright, and maybe you can throw McCants in there. While some North Carolina residents might be creaming themselves over a Felton - McCants backcourt for the next 5 years I just don't think the Bobcats will do it. I could be wrong; Bernie hated on High Schoolers last year and Wright might not be good enough defensively to be a starter (which the Bobcats need), so McCants is my second choice, but for now I'll stick with Martell, who can develop freely along with the franchise.
14. Minnesota - Rashad McCants
These cats need everything except a power forward (obviously). I think Troy Hudson means they don't look at a point guard, and the Kandi man plus Eddie Griffen mean they may not look big. The swing men on my board are Wright and McCants, but because of the lack of defense would Wright just be a black Wally World? They could also look at Andrew Bynum, since Kandi man really does kinda suck, but Ndudi Ebi was a huge disappointment out of high school. In my opinion it's not a tough decision after breaking it all down, but there are other options, namely Wright, Bynum, and Warrick.
15. New Jersey - Hakim Warrick
Sean May is trendier at #15 than capri pants in Europe. Give me a break! the Nets with Kidd, Jefferson, and Vinsanity RUN! Hakim would get out on the break along with those guys and his long arms will allow him to block shots and I think he would be a pretty good fit for this team; better than Sean May anyway.
16. Toronto - Roko Leni Ukic
Already with Granger they take Ukic and fill out their next greatest need. The likelihood of him actually displacing Skip as the starting point guard next year is not very high, but thinking for the future he is a good choice. I could see Andrew Bynum here because he and Bosh could be leathal, but I think the Toronto public demands a point guard from this draft.
17. Indiana - Andrew Bynum
They have Tinsley, Artest, Jones, Carlos*son, and JO. Suggestion of a swingman makes Indiana fans yell in disgust, so that's not what they're doing. When not distracted and as a complete team, this might be the best in the East, and I don't think they'll be desperate to replace Reggie with someone like Wright because they are still deep at that position. Jeff Foster is definitely the weak link in the team, but even he is not that bad. I think they take a gamble on Bynum because Center is the only position in which they don't have a potential all-star, plus at 17 as much as people don't like to hear it, the chance of actually finding a starter or someone who will produce a lot, is slim. Bynum represents good value at this pick and could become a star in a few years.
18. Boston - Sean May
They have a lot of swing men and I don't think they'll trade PP. They would like a center, so Johan Petro is a possibility here, but I think Ainge just plays it safe and takes a guy who will be seen as the best player available and who the Sports Guy Bill Simmons will praise as the best pick in the draft. If you can satisfy the Sports Guy, you can satisfy Boston Sports fans, and Simmons LOVES Sean May.
19. Memphis - Johan Petro
I might get crucified for this pick, but that's fine because I'll admit to not knowing anything about the Memphis Grizzlies. What I do know is they likely won't be afraid of taking a foreigner, Petro could be seen as a steal at this point, and they need a center.
20. Denver - Antoine Wright
Ok, I SWEAR I'm not a Denver Nuggets fan and created this slide to give the Nugs the shooter they've needed for years. Wright can't defend much, isn't a great athlete, and many teams have other needs other than a guy who might be a career role player. There are also about 20 potential lottery guys in this draft, so some of them are bound to slide. Denver need a shooter, and Wright is exactly that, perfect fit.
21. Phoenix - Charlie Villanueva
The Suns need one of two things, either a legit center to move Matrix and Amare down one position and Q to the bench, or a big man who can run. Hakim Warrick would be perfect, but he's gone now. I said back when Villanueva declared that he could be a good NBA player, but it had to be on a team that could utilize his ability to run the court like a guard and finish around the basket; that team is Phoenix. Great fit in my opinion.
22. Denver - Andray Blatche
There are almost always multiple ways that teams can go with a pick and this pick is no different. The Nugs could take another shooter, so the odds of one of them panning out is good, or they could take a project with incredible potential. I think Kiki takes a project, and with his history and the Nuggets international scouting, I think they could go foreign. BUT I just don't see Ilyasova or Gigli going here, so that's why I turn to Andray Blatche. He's a 7 footer with good skills and if he went to college he could be a lottery pick.
23. Sacramento - Wayne Simien
Another team with no real needs, but I could definitely see them trying to bring in a power forward for depth, or perhaps to even win the starting job. Simien has lottery talent, but is a little frail, or at least has that reputation. I think he would be a good pick for Sacramento, and with a 4 year college guy you should at least be getting a guy who's solid defensively and knows the fundamentals and has a good concept of playing as a team. Simien brings that to the table, which I'm sure would be welcome in Sactown.
24. Houston - Chris Taft
Houston could use a little bit of everything to be honest. I personally don't think a team with Bob Sura running the point will ever amount to anything, but maybe that's just me. In addition they have the worst Barry to ever play in the league and it wouldn't be hard to upgrade over him. They could also use some post help. With all these needs I think they just look for the best player available and right now I think it's Chris Taft. No one likes him, he has a bad attitude, and that's exactly why you make this pick. Taft has fallen because of major concerns, but if he snaps out of his haze he could be the best player in this draft. Why not take him? I could also see Francisco Garcia going here.
25. Seattle - Francisco Garcia
I didn't really even have to think about this. All I did was say to myself "who do seattle have? pretty much every position is solid, oh, but they lost Ray Ray." Done. Garcia is the best 2 guard on the board still, he can shoot and he can even handle the ball pretty well. He's a good player with a good grasp of the fundamentals. I don't see them going big, although it's possible, and certainly not small forward, and I wouldn't put ANY money on them taking a point guard with Ridnour and Daniels.
26. Detroit - Ryan Gomes
Detroit don't need a bench to get to the NBA Finals, so why even make a pick? First of all I don't think Dumars takes a foreigner or a youngster because Larry Brown won't play him. While Brown might not be around next year, probably won't, you still have to pick assuming he will be. I realize that they need help at point guard, but is Luther Head an immediate upgrade over Carlos Arroyo? I really don't think so. Gomes on the other hand gives them depth on the wings, which they could use to give Rip and Tayshaun some much needed rest. He also has a shot at actually playing for Larry Brown in his rookie season.
27. Utah - Luther Head
Well, I technically have them taking Gerald Green in the first, but I'm kind of banking on a trade with Charlotte leaving them with Paul, since they will NOT take Green, I'll continue as if they took a point guard. I think both Head and Hodge would be good picks, but because of his athleticism and defense, I think Luther Head is just more of a Jerry Sloan kind of guy. They COULD go big, although I don't think so, or foreign, which is possible, so other options are Martynas Andreiuskasdfnasldfns and Ersan Ilyasova, but I just don't think so.
28. San Antonio - Julius Hodge
Again, they could definitely go foreign seeing as they have the best foreign scout in the NBA, but I think Hodge fits in really well with San Antonio. They already are pretty good at 4 and 5 with Timmy, Big Shot, and Mohammed, so why not take a kid you know can play? I think he's a San Antonio kind of guy to be honest.
29. Miami - David Lee
In my opinion they could really really use upgrades over the Jones', but they are actually okay as we've seen this season. Therefore I think they add depth in the power forward spot with David Lee, who is surprisingly athletic, willing to put everything in the open and play against anyone, and rather sound fundamentally. He doesn't seem like a Miami guy when I think of their starting lineup, but picturing Doleac and Laettner sitting on the bench telling jokes makes me think Lee would fit in just PERFECTLY. Plus he's kind of local if that counts for anything.
30. New York - Kennedy Winston
So we get to the last guy with a guaranteed contract. Plenty of foreigners who everyone figured were first round locks are praying they get taken here, as are plenty of early entrant guys who's futures are on the line. The Knicks could use a lot of help, but they're also surprisingly stacked at some positions. They won't take a white guy, as Mr. Thomas has very craftily traded all of them away, and they won't take a big man or a small forward because they're so deep there. Therefore I think they'll take a shooter and really I think there's only one possibility, Mr. Kennedy Winston from the University of Alabama. He was projected as a mid-first rounder at the tail end of the NCAA season, but has slipped dramatically in most mock drafts. I think he goes here.
So that's my first round. There are a ton of legit first rounders this year, so I can't make any jokes about whitewashes and such. There also seem to be fewer headcases this year, so I can't make the required Blazers joke. From a humor aspect this deep draft is disappointing, from a team with a mid or late first round pick, it's fantastic.
Well, there's one week until the draft and so I decided, what better way to make myself look like a fool when people look at this thread in 7 days than to make a mock draft? Clearly there's no other way, so here's version 1 and a final will be made the day of the draft. Just as an aside, I'm not afraid to be completely wrong... I had Okafor at #1 last year and thanks to Chad Ford I had Pavel WAY too high, if someone wants to find my mock last year and embarass me, feel free.
1. Milwaukee - Marvin Williams
This could extend my streak of getting the #1 wrong two years in a row, but I just think Marvin impressed the Bucks enough with his versatility and maturity that they'll take him. They have needs all over the place, but with the belief that Williams can play power forward, he makes a lot of sense.
2. Atlanta - Andrew Bogut
Everyone pretty much knows this is the dream situation for Atlanta, so I don't think I really need to elaborate any further than "Atlanta will take whomever is left from Bogut and Marvin Williams"
3. Portland - Chris Paul
No, I don't think Portland will take Paul, but I absolutely think Paul will go #3. He is just believed to be the best player on the board by numerous teams (even ahead of Williams and Bogut) and with New Orleans and Charlotte likely taking point guards, someone will trade up to 3 and take Paul. I'm think Jazz, but Charlotte looks like they desperately want this pick. Doesn't much matter, Paul is going #3.
4. New Orleans - Deron Williams
Is Shifty Dickau their starter? That's why Williams goes here. He's a better prospect than Felton and a very good point guard. There's also the rumored promise to Williams which makes a lot of sense.
5. Charlotte - Raymond Felton
I don't know if Portland trades with Charlotte, but if they do Felton won't go here. If Charlotte can't move up to 3 they'll take Ray. Now that Carlos is out of the draft there won't be a reliable point guard available at #13 and I think to most Charlotte fans Ray Felton would be a better pick than Deron Williams. I don't think Charlotte can pass up on the hometown hero.
6. Utah - Gerald Green
If this is Utah's pick, they obviously don't take Green because Sloan probably couldn't deal with a high schooler who can't defend much right now. Plus I think the only high school player ever on the Jazz franchise is DeShawn Stevenson, so the history doesn't backup this pick. Green is here because I can't predict the future and I think he's the 6th best player on the board and the last player in the "upper tier".
7. Toronto - Danny Granger
Word on the Raptors board is Granger or Wright and after the lackluster performance of Wright at the combine I think this is a no brainer. I think they should consider a big man, but they won't. There's no point guard here that likely will be unavailable at #16, so why take Ukic here? No reason. They need a small forward for the future and Granger is a good pick here. They could also look at Joey Graham, but I don't think he's quite the scorer Granger is, which seems like something they need in Toronto.
8. New York - Channing Frye
Is he Loren Woods? Well, GM Thomas will be the guy gambling on the big Arizona kid. I personally think he's better and more physically impressive than Woods, but there are a lot of haters out there. Regardless, New York have Starbury, TT, Ariza, a million undersized power forwards, and they need size, they've needed size for 3 years. For the sake of irony I want to put Sean May here, but I think Frye is the pick.
9. Golden State - Fran Vazquez
Is there a more stacked lottery team than Golden State? Baron and Fisher handle the point, there's J-Rich, Pietrus, and Dunleavy at the swing positions, a solid power forward in Murphy who was one of like 4 players this year to average a double double for the season, and a budding post player in Biedrins. They're set everywhere, so this is a tough pick to make. They clearly won't go point, and I think a swing man is unlikely since Pietrus can't get minutes eventhough he deserves them. That's why I think they go big and take Vazquez. Their good experience with Biedrins should give them confidence in another foreigner, and this one is reportedly more NBA ready than the raw Biedrins was last year. There is a rumored promise to Hakim Warrick here, but I'm not completely convinced right now.
10. LA Lakers - Ike Diogu
The Lakers desperately need a point guard. Last year they picked Sasha Vujacic, so I really REALLY don't think they take Roko Leni Ukic here, and certainly not this high. After point they really need some low post toughness, and Ike Diogu is all that. He's just a BEAST and he can come in right away and play, perhaps even start. Ike is a solid pick here. I could also see Martell Webster if the Lakers look to shoot for the stars with their pick, but with NO ONE in the post, they need Diogu.
11. Orlando - Joey Graham
As someone who knows nothing about the Magic, I see one of two things happening here. The Magic could take Joey Graham, or they could take Sean May. May would be a nice pairing with Dwight Howard down low, but the question is whether or not he could ever be a legitimate starter in the league, even next to Dwight. Graham on the other hand is a fantastic athlete who's defense (if Tony Allen and Desmond Mason are any indication) is already in the top echelon of players in the NBA. Other guys who are a possibility include Antoine Wright, Martell Webster, and Hakim Warrick, but I think Wright killed himself in the combine while Graham helped himself incredibly, and Webster will take awhile and not step in immediately as Howard did. Hak is a possibility as well, but I just don't know if I see him next to Dwight Howard, or even if he can play the 4 effectively in the pros.
12. LA Clippers - Yaroslav Korolev
Honestly, I hate putting a guy I haven't heard of until two weeks ago in the lottery, and especially here when I think Antoine Wright would be a better fit, but I'll respect the VERY heavy rumor and put the russian at 12.
13. Charlotte - Martell Webster
At this point Charlotte already have either Paul or Felton plus Emeka, so they need a swing man or a legit center. I think it's a toss up between Webster, Wright, and maybe you can throw McCants in there. While some North Carolina residents might be creaming themselves over a Felton - McCants backcourt for the next 5 years I just don't think the Bobcats will do it. I could be wrong; Bernie hated on High Schoolers last year and Wright might not be good enough defensively to be a starter (which the Bobcats need), so McCants is my second choice, but for now I'll stick with Martell, who can develop freely along with the franchise.
14. Minnesota - Rashad McCants
These cats need everything except a power forward (obviously). I think Troy Hudson means they don't look at a point guard, and the Kandi man plus Eddie Griffen mean they may not look big. The swing men on my board are Wright and McCants, but because of the lack of defense would Wright just be a black Wally World? They could also look at Andrew Bynum, since Kandi man really does kinda suck, but Ndudi Ebi was a huge disappointment out of high school. In my opinion it's not a tough decision after breaking it all down, but there are other options, namely Wright, Bynum, and Warrick.
15. New Jersey - Hakim Warrick
Sean May is trendier at #15 than capri pants in Europe. Give me a break! the Nets with Kidd, Jefferson, and Vinsanity RUN! Hakim would get out on the break along with those guys and his long arms will allow him to block shots and I think he would be a pretty good fit for this team; better than Sean May anyway.
16. Toronto - Roko Leni Ukic
Already with Granger they take Ukic and fill out their next greatest need. The likelihood of him actually displacing Skip as the starting point guard next year is not very high, but thinking for the future he is a good choice. I could see Andrew Bynum here because he and Bosh could be leathal, but I think the Toronto public demands a point guard from this draft.
17. Indiana - Andrew Bynum
They have Tinsley, Artest, Jones, Carlos*son, and JO. Suggestion of a swingman makes Indiana fans yell in disgust, so that's not what they're doing. When not distracted and as a complete team, this might be the best in the East, and I don't think they'll be desperate to replace Reggie with someone like Wright because they are still deep at that position. Jeff Foster is definitely the weak link in the team, but even he is not that bad. I think they take a gamble on Bynum because Center is the only position in which they don't have a potential all-star, plus at 17 as much as people don't like to hear it, the chance of actually finding a starter or someone who will produce a lot, is slim. Bynum represents good value at this pick and could become a star in a few years.
18. Boston - Sean May
They have a lot of swing men and I don't think they'll trade PP. They would like a center, so Johan Petro is a possibility here, but I think Ainge just plays it safe and takes a guy who will be seen as the best player available and who the Sports Guy Bill Simmons will praise as the best pick in the draft. If you can satisfy the Sports Guy, you can satisfy Boston Sports fans, and Simmons LOVES Sean May.
19. Memphis - Johan Petro
I might get crucified for this pick, but that's fine because I'll admit to not knowing anything about the Memphis Grizzlies. What I do know is they likely won't be afraid of taking a foreigner, Petro could be seen as a steal at this point, and they need a center.
20. Denver - Antoine Wright
Ok, I SWEAR I'm not a Denver Nuggets fan and created this slide to give the Nugs the shooter they've needed for years. Wright can't defend much, isn't a great athlete, and many teams have other needs other than a guy who might be a career role player. There are also about 20 potential lottery guys in this draft, so some of them are bound to slide. Denver need a shooter, and Wright is exactly that, perfect fit.
21. Phoenix - Charlie Villanueva
The Suns need one of two things, either a legit center to move Matrix and Amare down one position and Q to the bench, or a big man who can run. Hakim Warrick would be perfect, but he's gone now. I said back when Villanueva declared that he could be a good NBA player, but it had to be on a team that could utilize his ability to run the court like a guard and finish around the basket; that team is Phoenix. Great fit in my opinion.
22. Denver - Andray Blatche
There are almost always multiple ways that teams can go with a pick and this pick is no different. The Nugs could take another shooter, so the odds of one of them panning out is good, or they could take a project with incredible potential. I think Kiki takes a project, and with his history and the Nuggets international scouting, I think they could go foreign. BUT I just don't see Ilyasova or Gigli going here, so that's why I turn to Andray Blatche. He's a 7 footer with good skills and if he went to college he could be a lottery pick.
23. Sacramento - Wayne Simien
Another team with no real needs, but I could definitely see them trying to bring in a power forward for depth, or perhaps to even win the starting job. Simien has lottery talent, but is a little frail, or at least has that reputation. I think he would be a good pick for Sacramento, and with a 4 year college guy you should at least be getting a guy who's solid defensively and knows the fundamentals and has a good concept of playing as a team. Simien brings that to the table, which I'm sure would be welcome in Sactown.
24. Houston - Chris Taft
Houston could use a little bit of everything to be honest. I personally don't think a team with Bob Sura running the point will ever amount to anything, but maybe that's just me. In addition they have the worst Barry to ever play in the league and it wouldn't be hard to upgrade over him. They could also use some post help. With all these needs I think they just look for the best player available and right now I think it's Chris Taft. No one likes him, he has a bad attitude, and that's exactly why you make this pick. Taft has fallen because of major concerns, but if he snaps out of his haze he could be the best player in this draft. Why not take him? I could also see Francisco Garcia going here.
25. Seattle - Francisco Garcia
I didn't really even have to think about this. All I did was say to myself "who do seattle have? pretty much every position is solid, oh, but they lost Ray Ray." Done. Garcia is the best 2 guard on the board still, he can shoot and he can even handle the ball pretty well. He's a good player with a good grasp of the fundamentals. I don't see them going big, although it's possible, and certainly not small forward, and I wouldn't put ANY money on them taking a point guard with Ridnour and Daniels.
26. Detroit - Ryan Gomes
Detroit don't need a bench to get to the NBA Finals, so why even make a pick? First of all I don't think Dumars takes a foreigner or a youngster because Larry Brown won't play him. While Brown might not be around next year, probably won't, you still have to pick assuming he will be. I realize that they need help at point guard, but is Luther Head an immediate upgrade over Carlos Arroyo? I really don't think so. Gomes on the other hand gives them depth on the wings, which they could use to give Rip and Tayshaun some much needed rest. He also has a shot at actually playing for Larry Brown in his rookie season.
27. Utah - Luther Head
Well, I technically have them taking Gerald Green in the first, but I'm kind of banking on a trade with Charlotte leaving them with Paul, since they will NOT take Green, I'll continue as if they took a point guard. I think both Head and Hodge would be good picks, but because of his athleticism and defense, I think Luther Head is just more of a Jerry Sloan kind of guy. They COULD go big, although I don't think so, or foreign, which is possible, so other options are Martynas Andreiuskasdfnasldfns and Ersan Ilyasova, but I just don't think so.
28. San Antonio - Julius Hodge
Again, they could definitely go foreign seeing as they have the best foreign scout in the NBA, but I think Hodge fits in really well with San Antonio. They already are pretty good at 4 and 5 with Timmy, Big Shot, and Mohammed, so why not take a kid you know can play? I think he's a San Antonio kind of guy to be honest.
29. Miami - David Lee
In my opinion they could really really use upgrades over the Jones', but they are actually okay as we've seen this season. Therefore I think they add depth in the power forward spot with David Lee, who is surprisingly athletic, willing to put everything in the open and play against anyone, and rather sound fundamentally. He doesn't seem like a Miami guy when I think of their starting lineup, but picturing Doleac and Laettner sitting on the bench telling jokes makes me think Lee would fit in just PERFECTLY. Plus he's kind of local if that counts for anything.
30. New York - Kennedy Winston
So we get to the last guy with a guaranteed contract. Plenty of foreigners who everyone figured were first round locks are praying they get taken here, as are plenty of early entrant guys who's futures are on the line. The Knicks could use a lot of help, but they're also surprisingly stacked at some positions. They won't take a white guy, as Mr. Thomas has very craftily traded all of them away, and they won't take a big man or a small forward because they're so deep there. Therefore I think they'll take a shooter and really I think there's only one possibility, Mr. Kennedy Winston from the University of Alabama. He was projected as a mid-first rounder at the tail end of the NCAA season, but has slipped dramatically in most mock drafts. I think he goes here.
So that's my first round. There are a ton of legit first rounders this year, so I can't make any jokes about whitewashes and such. There also seem to be fewer headcases this year, so I can't make the required Blazers joke. From a humor aspect this deep draft is disappointing, from a team with a mid or late first round pick, it's fantastic.
I'd love McCants and Felton in the back court, Alex wouldn't tho being a duke man 
I think that Brezec is a good big man for us, not many players are going to beat Mek on the boards, that lets Primoz do his thing. Don't forget we have Wallace too, he can grab rebounds and block shots.
I think that Brezec is a good big man for us, not many players are going to beat Mek on the boards, that lets Primoz do his thing. Don't forget we have Wallace too, he can grab rebounds and block shots.
SlayerDeuS
Starting XI
If Charlotte takes Felton at #5, don't expect another Tar Heel taken at #13. McCants will most likely fall to a team on the brink in need of a yound shooter or just any type of shooter, like Minnesota, Memphis, Denver....
Bobby said:I'd love McCants and Felton in the back court, Alex wouldn't tho being a duke man
I think that Brezec is a good big man for us, not many players are going to beat Mek on the boards, that lets Primoz do his thing. Don't forget we have Wallace too, he can grab rebounds and block shots.
Nah I don't care much once the players enter the NBA, it would take some getting used to cheer for former tar heel players but then again I did get used to cheering for Okafor who beat Duke in the Final Four
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seriously that almost brings tears to my eyes