Official 2008 NBA Draft Thread - Page 13

SeanTaylorRIP · 04-08-2008, 02:43 PM

Ghetto's First mock of the Season:

3 Picks every Day.

1: Miami Heat

Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Reasoning: Derrick Rose is probably the hottest name on draft radars right now, but I have had him pegged as the #1 pick all season long, even prior to this season, but him going the first pick makes more sense than ever. He will definitely not slip by the 2nd pick, and although Miami is the one of the spots where we could see Beasley going, I still think they will go Rose. Beasley will probably give you more immediate impact because of his scoring and rebounding but building a team around Rose, Wade, hopefully Marion and Haslem as well as Daequan Cook is pretty scary. If they are able to land Rose all they would need is a free agent addition of a solid big and they will be right back into the thick of things in the East. With Beasley I still see them as a lottery team. A team with zero chemistry and a little offensive movement.

Prospect Analysis: They used to say that the hardest thing to find in the NBA is a quality Center. I no longer think that’s true though. With the direction the NBA is pointing towards, you can win and be a contending playoff team with no real dominant inside force as long as you have good guard play. I think in fact the hardest thing to find is a real point guard. There are a handful of NBA teams who would have 10+ more wins every year if they had a special point running their team. Derrick Rose is one of the best point guard prospects I have seen in a very long time. There really are no holes in his game. Athletically he might be the most athletic pure point I have seen the past 10 years. He has uncanny vision especially in the open court. Offensively his athletic ability puts him on another level when driving to the hoop, as he can finish at the rim like a Dwayne Wade. His outside shot is solid. Defensively he has the skill set to be an all defensive performer. Great on ball guarding skills and understands how to play the passing lanes. As for negatives he sometimes plays with too much energy. Gets caught trying to do to much and needs to slow the game down. While with other players we will be talking about their attitude issues, Rose is quiet and laid back and has no record of disciplinary issues.

2: Seattle Sonics

Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona.
Reasoning: This pick will probably shock everyone. I’m sure that every single person in this situation would have this pegged as the Michael Beasley pick, but not only do I think Seattle should do this, I think they actually will seriously think about doing it. Their fans will kill them for not taking Beasley, but I just think they have so many pieces to build this franchise the right way, that Bayless would just be the perfect pick. Kind of like the Jeff Green pick. Not the sexiest pick, but in terms of building this team into a future title contender this would be the best pick. You get great character, and great leadership. The Sonics have long been very unhappy with their PG situation. Ridnour has been a pest to the team never performing consistently the way they want him to, even being benched often for Earl Watson. This year Ridnour finally began to show the type of player he is, a bench role player at best. Watson leaves a lot to be desired. Bayless would finally give them stability at the PG spot which they have long yearned for. Not only can Bayless run the point for them and create for Durant and crew, but Bayless can assert himself on offense and take control when need be, as the Sonics don't really have a guy like that aside from Kevin Durant. Jeff Green is taking strides to becoming an assertive offensive player but started the season rough becoming hesitant when he first missed shots. He was like this his first few years at Georgetown so I expect him to eventually break out of that. Secondly I just don't really like the Beasley fit in Seattle. Everyone knows this is Durants team and he needs his shots so I'm not sure how it would work with two guys who play so similarly offensively in terms of their need to handle the ball. Second his fit isn't great. Beasley is best suited to be a 3 in this league but with Durant and Jeff Green essentially SF's there wouldn't be much room. Plus they have other wings like Gelabele and Wilkins. Their front court isn't as bad as people think it is, and Beasley wouldn't be that great of an upgrade playing down low. If they can get Wilcox back, with Wilcox and Collison you have two very solid big men. Elson is a big body, Petro has shown potential, and there are always those losers Swift and Sene who you hope can one day do something. I just really think that this team would benefit more from taking a guy like Bayless.

Prospect Analysis: Bayless is one of my favorite players in all of College basketball. I had insisted since his junior year that I thought he was better than Mayo and I still stand by that. He is the next great combo guard. Arenas the best combo guard from Arizona, but Bayless has the PG skills that Arenas lacks. He plays the game with great intelligence and ease. For a guy who is a big time scorer, it’s rare you say this but he’s a team player and unselfish. He has great vision and real point guard skills. This isn’t just a Ben Gordon who can “run point” but isn’t a point. Bayless can actually run a team. He has a great shot, especially his pull up. He can kind of do everything like Brandon Roy. Bayless will be productive from his first game in the NBA.

3: Minnesota Timberwolves:

Reasoning: No way Beasley would sneak past the Timberwolves. The Wolves would obviously be ecstatic if they landed Beasley. Yes they have Corey Brewer but he can play an array of positions. Beasley would like play a Hybrid 3-4 role helping out Al Jefferson down low. Beasley and Jefferson would form one of the best scoring and rebounding tandems, but a very suspect defensive duo.

Prospect Analysis: First of all for the positives he has the body of a man. He is the best inside outside threat in the draft. Currently he is dominating the college game inside both on the glass and offensively the post. There is no doubt that he is the most dominant college player out of the youngsters, but as an NBA prospect I have my worries. First to be mentioned is his past attitude issues. But since I haven’t heard of anything recently on that, I won’t even talk about that as a negative. The first thing I notice about him is laziness. I don’t know if it’s because he thinks he’s so much better than his competition, but I have never really ever seen him try his hardest or go all out. He seems to settle a lot of times at chucking up threes when he can drive and score every time down the court. My next issue with him is that I’m not really sure about his position. Everyone knows his future is at SF but I think his skills are better suited as a PF. I think these Carmelo comparisons aren’t accurate. He doesn’t have that fluidity or assertiveness on the perimeter to be Carmelo like. He is more like a big guy who can play the perimeter, rather than a perimeter player who can play down low. Again he has unreal athleticism and skills but there is just something about his game that scares me away. Kind of like Rudy G from a couple of years ago, but Rudy obviously has been able to shed away those problems.

thetedginnshow · 04-08-2008, 02:48 PM

Haha. Already a great draft.

But of course, you had Jordan as the #1 overall pick in this topic alone.

wingboy2999 · 04-08-2008, 02:51 PM

I'm looking forrward to all these picks. But that #2 did catch me off guard but I definitely agree with you. Maybe they can swing a trade and get more building blocks.

Turtlepower · 04-08-2008, 02:52 PM

I really, really want Rose or Bayless for the Knicks. I would do anything for them, ANYTHING!!!!!!!!

SeanTaylorRIP · 04-08-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtlepower

I really, really want Rose or Bayless for the Knicks. I would do anything for them, ANYTHING!!!!!!!!

Knowing the Knicks if both were gone I think they would really only consider 3 guys, Lopez, Gordon, and Mayo.

Turtlepower · 04-08-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanTaylorRIP

Knowing the Knicks if both were gone I think they would really only consider 3 guys, Lopez, Gordon, and Mayo.

At first I questioned OJ Mayo, but after watching him through the second-half of the season I really liked what I saw in him. I really think he can be a top-defender in this league as well.

wingboy2999 · 04-08-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtlepower

At first I questioned OJ Mayo, but after watching him through the second-half of the season I really liked what I saw in him. I really think he can be a top-defender in this league as well.

But do they want someone who may be considered a character risk? Rose is a stand up guy. That's why they wanted him.

art vandelay · 04-08-2008, 09:56 PM

God damn it. Donte going pro?

http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index..._greene_1.html

I guess we will find out more on Jim Boeheim's radio show tomorrow at 4:05 PM on ESPN Radio.

Turtlepower · 04-09-2008, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingboy2999

But do they want someone who may be considered a character risk? Rose is a stand up guy. That's why they wanted him.

Right now Isiah more or less treas the media like garbage and gives no outlet for the players to speak to the media. I seriously believe that with Isiah gone, we can very much improve our character by being much more friendly with the local media.

sweetness34 · 04-09-2008, 12:31 AM

The Knicks don't care about character (see Randolph, Curry, Francis, Starbury, etc). So Isiah would jump at the chance to grab Mayo or Beasley.

wingboy2999 · 04-09-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetness34

The Knicks don't care about character (see Randolph, Curry, Francis, Starbury, etc). So Isiah would jump at the chance to grab Mayo or Beasley.

Exactly my point.

MetSox17 · 04-09-2008, 12:40 AM

To S.T RIP, i too think Seattle is in a pickle if they don't win the lottery and Derrick Rose goes #1 overall. But, at least they'll have a little leverage in a trade down. i'm sure someone would trade some solid players away for the chance at Beasley

Turtlepower · 04-09-2008, 12:53 AM

Report: UCLA's Love, Collison to declare for NBA draft

Quote:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - UCLA All-American Kevin Love and teammate Darren Collison will make themselves available for the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday night.

The newspaper, quoting unidentified sources close to the players, reported they are expected to hire agents, which would mean they could not return to play for the Bruins next season.

Wow, Collison could be making a huge mistake.

Also, ASU PF/C Jeff Pendergraf is declaring for the draft, but won't hire an agent. Most people assumed he would do this to test the waters and go to the camps.

thetedginnshow · 04-09-2008, 12:54 AM

Not only is Isiah no longer in charge, but they're going to try and look to improve the character of their franchise. I don't know why people are implying Mayo or Beasley are of bad character, however. But in any case, they're going to have to change that roster around. Of the three, if they keep the roster the same, I'd want Rose on the team the least. He seems to be the most impressionable of them. But if they manage to start anew, Rose would be a solid choice.

sweetness34 · 04-09-2008, 12:56 AM

Just give UNC the title next year...lol

Turtlepower · 04-09-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetness34

Just give UNC the title next year...lol

If Louisville can keep their core players, I think they have a strong chance at a title run.

sweetness34 · 04-09-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtlepower

If Louisville can keep their core players, I think they have a strong chance at a title run.

Padgett and Palacios are gone...Again, even without Lawson I'll give UNC the title, although Roy's teams do tend to choke.

Turtlepower · 04-09-2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetness34

Padgett and Palacios are gone...Again, even without Lawson I'll give UNC the title, although Roy's teams do tend to choke.

Padgett is gone, dammit. Well, Louisville is getting Samardo Samuels and might possibly get Tyreke Evans. That could stunt the blow of the losses. UNC's lack of defense just doesn't seem up to par for an championship team.

thetedginnshow · 04-09-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtlepower

Padgett is gone, dammit. Well, Louisville is getting Samardo Samuels and might possibly get Tyreke Evans. That could stunt the blow of the losses. UNC's lack of defense just doesn't seem up to par for an championship team.

Earl Clark's also out. Or, at least he most probably will be, since he's already declared.

Turtlepower · 04-09-2008, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetedginnshow

Earl Clark's also out. Or, at least he most probably will be, since he's already declared.

Damn, well who shall I pick for the NC... Screw it, ASU for the NC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sweetness34 · 04-09-2008, 01:09 AM

Tyreke Evans is a head case from what I've head. Plus he was involved in a shooting, he was the driver when a guy was killed.

Watch out for Purdue next year though. I'm calling Final 4 right now for them.

Turtlepower · 04-09-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetness34

Tyreke Evans is a head case from what I've head. Plus he was involved in a shooting, he was the driver when a guy was killed.

Watch out for Purdue next year though. I'm calling Final 4 right now for them.

I think two of the most dangerous teams in the Big 10 teams could be teams that stunk this year.

Illinois (as you know sweetness) lost so many close games that with an improved and more experience team, they should at least win half of those game that they lost with missed FTs and dumb mistakes.

Minnesota is a team that can just flat-out play. They might be losing some of their scoring, but they are a well-coached team that I see a lot of promise in.

Also, the PAC-10 will be losing soooooooooo many players it is crazy. ASU might have a legitimate shot at winning it (still long, but realistic) with all the losses of the teams around them.

sweetness34 · 04-09-2008, 01:17 AM

Purdue will be the best team in the Big 10 next year IMO. Ohio State will probably be 2nd, Wisconsin 3rd, Michigan State 4th, then who knows...Idk, our success depends on how well Jamar does and how much of an impact Legion has. Plus Tisdale and Davis have to add on some weight. I love McCamey, he's a star in the making (reminds a lot of people of Deron Williams). We have a JUCO coming in named Dominique Keller who put up over 25 a game this year at forward.

We lose Pruitt and Randle, two guys who were both very talented but came up severely short this year. We'll be a different team for sure next season. More perimeter oriented and more up tempo which should be fun to watch. The year after that though we'll be very good, we'll bring back this entire team (minus Chester Frazier) with a studly 2009 recruiting class coming in.

sweetness34 · 04-09-2008, 01:18 AM

Minnesota I think could do some things but again, talent wise they're just not there yet. Tubby is a good coach but I'm not ready to count them in as a threat just yet.

Turtlepower · 04-09-2008, 01:21 AM

As far as conference rankings next year:

1. Big 12
2. Big 10 (a lot of returning players)
3. ACC (Top-heavy, but good on top)
4. PAC-10 (Losing everyone in the conference)
5. Big East (They will always get at least 6/7 teams in, but there really is no school on top)
6. SEC (Tennesse and Vandy will lose their teams and Florida should take back the conference next year)