Post by Braz on Jan 21, 2024 16:00:23 GMT -8
The night before the drafts, maybe the night of, and I wanted to do another mock, considering the fact that the draft orders nearly set, and some trades have already happened with involved picks.
1. Knicks - Elton Brand PF 6'9'' 275 20 B C- C- C+ B A
Analysis- I still think Brand is the number one pick in this draft but Given how much the Knicks need could Andy actually be a prime trade candidate to move back within the top six to get more assets? Brand has incredible strength can score the ball, but there are some concerns with his blocks. however, with lower ratings across-the-board, I don’t think mediocre is the worst thing if he has the potential in the right camps to get there. I expect brand to be a franchise player and likely be a 20,10 player in his rookie year
2. Timberwolves - Manu Ginobili SG 6'6'' 205 22 B- B- C C+ C A
Analysis- what his team really needed was a big man and I could surely see them trading this pick talented star. Could it even be another tray with the Miami Heat? However, without any trade, I’m going with Manu over here. he’s just such an incredibly player, and will likely be a great SG but for this squad an option 6 man. This gm could honestly have gone 1of5 ways here.
3. Denver Nuggets- Andrei Kirilenko SF 6'9'' 220 18 C+ C C+ B C+ A
Analysis- After blessed with an injury from their starting point guard, the Nuggets were able to tank card and ended up tied for the second pick. Baron could easily be the pick here but they already have a star pg and decide to go for the raw Young talent of AK47. I honestly love Baron Artest and Marion as well so might switch up. Andrei presents a really strong option for us to develop in multiple ways. I’m not sure if he’s a small or power forward but I am sure he will get stocks.
4. Los Angeles Lakers- Baron Davis PG 6'3'' 209 20 C+ C+ B- B C A
Analysis- Nana has been shopping Booger Smith. Which shows me that he’s not going to be afraid to take Davis at this pick. That pick would be great value and a great assets for the Los Angeles Lakers organization next to Kobe Bryant. Absolutely nothing wrong with taking Artest, the shooting guard next to your Lewis as well. I expect Darren’s offense to come on a little slow, but he could have a better inside shot than a lot of pgs. he should be a star, especially since he’s a former warrior.
5. Orlando Magic - Ron Artest SF 6'7'' 260 20 B- C+ C A- C A
Analysis- they had the guy who is the perfect defense complemented their number one pick from last year. Artest already has elite steals and strength. Because of that strength, he should do really well on the wing and with inside camps immediately has a chance to be a good volume scorer. Seen Ron be very good in leagues before so I would expect nothing less here. The thing I’m interested to see is how many steals does he get.
6. Charlotte Hornets- Shawn Marion SF 6'7'' 220 21 B- C D+ B- B- A
Analysis- Marion should be a really good player and is the last of this tier in the draft in my opinion. Six with star potential, and a draft is pretty crazy and now we have Marion, who could either become a star at small forward, or potentially even PF. Right now, I expect him to be a very good two-way athletic player at the three. he might start off with 18 points, seven rebounds, and be stock positive if I had to guess. I think this pick has a very high chance to be traded but we will see what Mike does.
7. Detroit Pistons- Steve Francis PG 6'3'' 195 22 B C+ C+ C C A
Analysis- it seems like Andrew will be passing on the resign of Derek Fisher, despite him being a very solid player. That open the door for Steve Francis to come into Detroit, and change the culture with high flying dunks and his explosive ability vs what was otherwise boring basketball. Francis seems to come with some risk In turnovers and volume but I think with P7, the upside is there to pull the trigger.
8. Knicks via Jazz- Lamar Odom SF 6'10'' 220 20 C+ C+ B C C+ A
Analysis- for a while, we thought that this was gonna be the number one pick in the draft but thankfully the jazz traded for Charles Barkley. The knicks still to walk away with two top 10 pick putting them in a great spot to start the bleeding on losing. Lamar is a well rounded player who I expect to be a good score, rebounder with suspect defense.
9. Washington Wizards - Richard Hamilton SG 6'6'' 185 21 B+ C C B C- B
Analysis- Rip is an incredible value and only drops because of his three-point. I think he fits very well with this wizards team and will bring immediate volume within an elite jumpshot and good inside scoring. Most drafts, he could be a top 5 selection but here he falls, almost out of the top 10.
10. Portland Trailblazers via Rockets- Corey Maggette SF 6'6'' 218 20 B+ C C C C B
Analysis- Corey, a strong scorer will be an immediate difference maker for the blazers after holding this pic all year, despite having other trades for vets come through. I could see him taking a chance on a big here, but Magette be too good of a score to pass up.
11. Bucks via Pacers via Sixers deal-Wally Szczerbiak SF 6'7'' 244 22 C+ B+ C- C C B
Analysis- mouse, went around in circles and JR benefited since there’s no way he was ever going to Max deal Robert Horry. Although good player, I don’t see him as a max talent and JR manages to get into the lotto. we know that JR likes former Knick Wally Szczerbiak and he looks like he’ll be a great scorer to start at small forward next to Alan Houston in an offense that’s looking to put up more points. Once fully camped with scoring camps, I could see Wally being the 20 points score in his rookie year.
12. Chicago Bulls- Jason Terry PG 6'2'' 185 22 C B B C*D+ B
Analysis- now that Terry is declared to be a point guard, I see this being a perfect pick for Chicago given their current guys not much of a scorer. JET appears to be a good compliment to knight but also potentially a pretty good player in this league. Terry typically brings efficient ball handling and scoring and at the worst is a great back up 1/2
13. LA Clippers - Wang Zhizhi C 7'0'' 255 23 C+ C+ D+ C+ C A
Analysis- maybe Diego should look to trade. in three years of missing the playoffs he’s drafted Mo Taylor, Jay Will and now Wang Zhizhi… Drafting Nash what is the best, and worst thing to happen to this franchise at the same time. it’s impossible for them to bottom them out, but they also have no talent around Nash and Stackhouse to become better. Maybe game pull the plug since there’s no cy. at least this guy is tall with high potential.
1. Knicks - Elton Brand PF 6'9'' 275 20 B C- C- C+ B A
Analysis- I still think Brand is the number one pick in this draft but Given how much the Knicks need could Andy actually be a prime trade candidate to move back within the top six to get more assets? Brand has incredible strength can score the ball, but there are some concerns with his blocks. however, with lower ratings across-the-board, I don’t think mediocre is the worst thing if he has the potential in the right camps to get there. I expect brand to be a franchise player and likely be a 20,10 player in his rookie year
2. Timberwolves - Manu Ginobili SG 6'6'' 205 22 B- B- C C+ C A
Analysis- what his team really needed was a big man and I could surely see them trading this pick talented star. Could it even be another tray with the Miami Heat? However, without any trade, I’m going with Manu over here. he’s just such an incredibly player, and will likely be a great SG but for this squad an option 6 man. This gm could honestly have gone 1of5 ways here.
3. Denver Nuggets- Andrei Kirilenko SF 6'9'' 220 18 C+ C C+ B C+ A
Analysis- After blessed with an injury from their starting point guard, the Nuggets were able to tank card and ended up tied for the second pick. Baron could easily be the pick here but they already have a star pg and decide to go for the raw Young talent of AK47. I honestly love Baron Artest and Marion as well so might switch up. Andrei presents a really strong option for us to develop in multiple ways. I’m not sure if he’s a small or power forward but I am sure he will get stocks.
4. Los Angeles Lakers- Baron Davis PG 6'3'' 209 20 C+ C+ B- B C A
Analysis- Nana has been shopping Booger Smith. Which shows me that he’s not going to be afraid to take Davis at this pick. That pick would be great value and a great assets for the Los Angeles Lakers organization next to Kobe Bryant. Absolutely nothing wrong with taking Artest, the shooting guard next to your Lewis as well. I expect Darren’s offense to come on a little slow, but he could have a better inside shot than a lot of pgs. he should be a star, especially since he’s a former warrior.
5. Orlando Magic - Ron Artest SF 6'7'' 260 20 B- C+ C A- C A
Analysis- they had the guy who is the perfect defense complemented their number one pick from last year. Artest already has elite steals and strength. Because of that strength, he should do really well on the wing and with inside camps immediately has a chance to be a good volume scorer. Seen Ron be very good in leagues before so I would expect nothing less here. The thing I’m interested to see is how many steals does he get.
6. Charlotte Hornets- Shawn Marion SF 6'7'' 220 21 B- C D+ B- B- A
Analysis- Marion should be a really good player and is the last of this tier in the draft in my opinion. Six with star potential, and a draft is pretty crazy and now we have Marion, who could either become a star at small forward, or potentially even PF. Right now, I expect him to be a very good two-way athletic player at the three. he might start off with 18 points, seven rebounds, and be stock positive if I had to guess. I think this pick has a very high chance to be traded but we will see what Mike does.
7. Detroit Pistons- Steve Francis PG 6'3'' 195 22 B C+ C+ C C A
Analysis- it seems like Andrew will be passing on the resign of Derek Fisher, despite him being a very solid player. That open the door for Steve Francis to come into Detroit, and change the culture with high flying dunks and his explosive ability vs what was otherwise boring basketball. Francis seems to come with some risk In turnovers and volume but I think with P7, the upside is there to pull the trigger.
8. Knicks via Jazz- Lamar Odom SF 6'10'' 220 20 C+ C+ B C C+ A
Analysis- for a while, we thought that this was gonna be the number one pick in the draft but thankfully the jazz traded for Charles Barkley. The knicks still to walk away with two top 10 pick putting them in a great spot to start the bleeding on losing. Lamar is a well rounded player who I expect to be a good score, rebounder with suspect defense.
9. Washington Wizards - Richard Hamilton SG 6'6'' 185 21 B+ C C B C- B
Analysis- Rip is an incredible value and only drops because of his three-point. I think he fits very well with this wizards team and will bring immediate volume within an elite jumpshot and good inside scoring. Most drafts, he could be a top 5 selection but here he falls, almost out of the top 10.
10. Portland Trailblazers via Rockets- Corey Maggette SF 6'6'' 218 20 B+ C C C C B
Analysis- Corey, a strong scorer will be an immediate difference maker for the blazers after holding this pic all year, despite having other trades for vets come through. I could see him taking a chance on a big here, but Magette be too good of a score to pass up.
11. Bucks via Pacers via Sixers deal-Wally Szczerbiak SF 6'7'' 244 22 C+ B+ C- C C B
Analysis- mouse, went around in circles and JR benefited since there’s no way he was ever going to Max deal Robert Horry. Although good player, I don’t see him as a max talent and JR manages to get into the lotto. we know that JR likes former Knick Wally Szczerbiak and he looks like he’ll be a great scorer to start at small forward next to Alan Houston in an offense that’s looking to put up more points. Once fully camped with scoring camps, I could see Wally being the 20 points score in his rookie year.
12. Chicago Bulls- Jason Terry PG 6'2'' 185 22 C B B C*D+ B
Analysis- now that Terry is declared to be a point guard, I see this being a perfect pick for Chicago given their current guys not much of a scorer. JET appears to be a good compliment to knight but also potentially a pretty good player in this league. Terry typically brings efficient ball handling and scoring and at the worst is a great back up 1/2
13. LA Clippers - Wang Zhizhi C 7'0'' 255 23 C+ C+ D+ C+ C A
Analysis- maybe Diego should look to trade. in three years of missing the playoffs he’s drafted Mo Taylor, Jay Will and now Wang Zhizhi… Drafting Nash what is the best, and worst thing to happen to this franchise at the same time. it’s impossible for them to bottom them out, but they also have no talent around Nash and Stackhouse to become better. Maybe game pull the plug since there’s no cy. at least this guy is tall with high potential.
