One of the only areas in my life where I actually have a bit of concrete knowledge is in the NBA draft. I constantly read draft blogs, and watch college basketball games, and look at NBA Mock Drafts. I feel like I have an understanding of who is talented for real, and who is a poser. (Ryan Leaf style)
So here are the 14 worst teams in the NBA right now, according to record, and the picks that they should make in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
This young man is a terrific athlete and a terrific shooter. Like many great shooters who can jump out of the gym, Ross needs to work on his handle and his decision-making. Those faults non-withstanding, The Cavs would have a pretty terrific potential in their back court if they put Ross on Kyrie Irving’s wing.
13. New York Knicks* (At the moment, the Knicks are in the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Celtics and Bucks being the next 2 teams below them. So, one of these three teams will not be a lottery team, and one team out west probably will be. That team will either be Houston or Memphis)
Austin Rivers, SG, Duke University
I don’t know if the Knicks would be brave enough to do this, but I think that Rivers could be an interesting pick for them. Something in the back of my head tells me that Rivers will go back to Duke for a Sophomore season, but if he declares, the Knicks would love to have a shooter/slasher in the backcourt to pair with Iman Shumpert and whatever real point guard they have by this time.
12. Golden State Warriors
John Henson, PF, University of North Carolina
Man, it seems like the Warriors keep drafting players, and they still have no one on their team. Stephen Curry and Ekpe Udoh, their two most recent recognizable picks, have been hampered by injuries, or in Udoh’s case, hampered by a much higher paid player starting in front of them. I see them adding a quality shot blocker and improving jump shooter in Henson to add some defensive depth to Mark Jackson’s team.
11. New Orleans Hornets (via Timberwolves.)
Tyler Zeller, C, University of North Carolina
Now, there are better prospects than Zeller on the board at this point, but in my opinion Meyers Leonard (the best center prospect after Drummond) will probably go back to school at Illinois for one more year, and picking John Henson is kind of redundant wen you picked a lanky forward earlier in the draft. So, assuming that any NBA GM has a decent amount of common sense, the Hornets will choose to add a proven low post scorer who will gain weight and be a solid 14-10 center for their team. (whenever one of the smartest men in basketball, Emeka Okafor, retires)
10. Boston Celtics
Terrence Jones, PF, University of Kentucky
This young man chose to go back to school for his sophomore year, and so far it has appeared to be a bad choice. He is being overshadowed by freshman on a team where he should have taken the reigns from the get-go. However, he is a diversified scorer who can work in the post or on the perimeter, and the Celtics desperately need someone who can play basketball without breaking. Jones can do that.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
Bradley Beal, SG, University of Florida
Somehow, the Bucks constantly need wing scorers no matter what they do. Brad Beal may be the best shooter in this class, and he projects to look a lot like Ray Allen in a few years. His form is impeccable, he can slash and create, and he can pass out of a double team if needed.
8. Phoenix Suns
Jeremy Lamb, SF, University of Connecticut
Grant Hill is officially over the hill as an athletic wing scorer. The Suns will need a new creator from the wing position who can score on his own and knock down open jumpers. Lamb fills both of those needs, and he brings a very focused demeanor on the court. He is not flashy, but he always gets the job done.
7. Toronto Raptors
Michael Gilchrist, SF, University of Kentucky
The new look Raptors under Dwayne Casey are focused on defense. There is no better wing defender in college basketball than Gilchrist. He gives 100% effort 100% of the time, and can regularly be depended upon to shut down the other teams best scorer. He may never develop into a 20 ppg scorer, but he will be a serviceable wing scorer for a long time.
6. Sacramento Kings
Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas University
Unlike the Pistons, the Kings are set at center for as long as they can keep Demarcus Cousins happy. However, they could use a bull-headed power forward who can hit jumpers and rebounds like a monster. Thomas Robinson will probably win the NCAA POY award this year, and he will bring a hard working and team oriented attitude to the Kings, who desperately need someone who will pass the ball once in a while.
5. New Orleans Hornets
Perry Jones, PF, Baylor University
The New Orleans Hornets have needs all over the board, except for maybe shooting guard and backup point guard (Jarret Jack). So, I think they go with the player dripping with upside in Perry Jones. He is a 6’11” lanky kid who can dribble, pass, shoot, and score down low. He is athletic and, I think, is developing a better idea of how to assert himself. I think he grows into a great player.
4. Detroit Pistons
Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State University
I am not a huge fan of this pick either. The Pistons already have one big man who can’t protect the rim in Greg Monroe, so I am not sure if they need another ground-bound big man. However, they can’t pass up the opportunity to shore up their frontline for the next 10+ years, so they pick up Sullinger.
3. New Jersey Nets
Andre Drummond, C, Univeristy of Connecticut
The Nets are presented with a conundrum in this spot. They already have a center in Brook Lopez, and they are one of 4 teams on Dwight Howard’s trade list. Do they really need another center? I would argue, yes. Drummond is the best center prospect to be available since Greg Oden (Who really was talented and awesome, just couldn’t begin to get healthy). I propose that the Nets save some money on Dwight Howard and groom the next dominant big man in Drummond.
2. Charlotte Bobcats
Harrison Barnes, SF, University of North Carolina
My first thought was to put Andre Drummond in this spot, but the 'Cats just picked Bismack Biyombo last year, and they are very excited about him in the middle of the lane. So....As much as I disagree, draft experts across the country agree that Harrison Barnes will be the best wing scorer to come out of this class. I think that Barnes isn’t explosive or assertive enough, but I am just an amateur and it seems that the entire basketball blogosphere disagrees with me. The Bobcats desperately need an athletic wing player who can create, and that is what Barnes is projected to become.
1. Washington Wizards
Anthony Davis, PF, University of Kentucky
This young man is loooooooong. That is really all you can say about Anthony Davis. He leads college basketball in blocked shots, with excellent timing and helicopter-long arms. He is 6’10” tall, has tons of room to get stronger, and has guard skills to boot. The Wizards would do well to kick Andray Blatche to the curb and let Davis fill his spot on the roster.
One final note: This Mock Drafting stuff is harder than it looks. If I got three or more of these picks correct, I would be absolutely ecstatic! Factoring in team needs (my opinion of them anyway) and player projections and pairing them together to make an informed decision is difficult. There are still some of the top 20 prospects that I don’t know enough about, like Terrence Ross from UW, or Adonis Thomas from Memphis. Oh well, this was very enjoyable, and I welcome your comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment