[/caption]While Chad Ford is on version 9.3, I've slacked off and only done 3 NBA mock drafts. Say what you will about me and my 6.3 more mock draft laziness than Chad Ford, but I will be comparing how I do against how he does on Friday after the draft. Likely he will beat me. Why? Because he has all the assets of ESPN at his disposal. BUT, to even the score, I will be comparing my draft with his most current at the time of this posting 9.3 version, putting us on a more even playing field since I will not be updating again tonight or tomorrow. This will protect me from any possible trades that may happen between now and tomorrow night's draft.
So here goes nothing. Chad Ford vs. Me.
1. New Orleans Hornets -
Anthony Davis 6'10/PF/KentuckyFact - Anthony Davis will be the 1st pick.
Fact - I think he isn't that good
Fact or Fiction? - I will be laughed at this time next year because I didn't believe in Anthony Davis. (read this and tell me I don't know the NBA)
2. Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson 6'9/PF/Kansas
Best and most complete player goes #2 if Charlotte keeps the pick. They likely won't though, so Chad and I will both get this wrong with our current versions.
3. Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal 6'4/SG/Florida
Honestly Washington is building a rather nice roster. You have John Wall, who even with a sophomore slump, is considered to be a stud. You get Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor for Rashard Lewis, and while they are both overpaid and locked into horrible contracts, they are legit NBA players. Andray Blatche is an idiot, but he has talent. So that leaves a SG spot open and Bradley Beal is the best SG in the draft. That is a solid NBA lineup: Wall, Beal, Ariza, Blatche, Okafor.
4. - Cleveland Cavaliers - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 6'7/SF/Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist is the guy I'd want the most if I am in the top 5 of the NBA Draft this year. I think if anyone is going to come out of this draft and be a star, it will be Gilchrist. He is just 18, already plays really good defense and just needs to develop his shot and ball handling to become an all around stud. Cleveland sees more potential in MKG than Barnes and goes with the Wildcat.
5. Sacramento Kings - Harrison Barnes 6'8/SF/North Carolina
Barnes never impressed me as much as I thought he would in college, but I think the NBA game maybe more suited to his game. The Kings are a bit of a mess to step into but they will be very talented with Barnes, Cousins and Evans. Whether the three "me" guys can all co-exist is Keith Smart's problem.
6. Portland Trailblazers - Damian Lillard 6'2/PG/Weber State
Need a PG, take the best one even if he played at Weber State.
7. Golden State Warriors - Andre Drummond 6'11/PF-C/Connecticut
Quick, remember something that good Andres Beidrins has done...nothing? That is why Golden State goes with Drummond.
8. Toronto Raptors - Dion Waiters 6'4/SG/Syracuse
So Waiters got a promise at the NBA Combine...but from who? Most say Toronto. I'll believe it.
9. Detroit Pistons - John Henson 6'10/PF/North Carolina
Henson blocks a ton of shots and can play next to Greg Monroe. It fits.
10. New Orleans Hornets - Jeremy Lamb 6'5/SG/Connecticut
A lot will ride on the Hornets' confidence in re-signing and keeping Eric Gordon. If they cannot, they will definitely look to add a wing with their top two picks. Lamb was supposed to bust out in his sophomore campaign, it never happened as UConn failed to ever wake up from their National Title haze. Lamb is super talented though and will be a nice player. Some of the same questions surround Lamb as surrounded Rudy Gay (#8 overall 2006) when he came out after his sophomore year from UConn. The Hornets will hope for the same NBA blossoming from Lamb that Gay has had.
11. Portland Trail Blazers - Tyler Zeller 6'11/PF-C/North Carolina
Got your PG, now get a C. Personally, might be my favorite big man in the draft. Always felt he was underutilized at UNC. I am thinking he may really blossom in the NBA because he can do a bit of everything, and is much more fundamentally sound than many of the more "potential" laden big men.
12. Milwaukee Bucks - Meyers Leonard 7'0/C/Illinois
No more Bogut. Leonard has a ton of potential and is huge. I think it is a nice pairing.
13. Phoenix Suns -Austin Rivers 6'4/SG/Duke
Having watched a lot of Rivers, I am not entirely sure of how he'll be in the NBA. He needs to work on his jumper, but the kid has the scoring gene in him, and with that he could be a nice compliment to Nash, if Nash stays.
14. Houston Rockets - Terrance Ross 6'6/SG/Washington
Getting Terrance Ross allows Houston to shop the expiring contract of Kevin Martin. Ross is very athletic and has a nice shooting stroke. Maturity and consistency are the question marks for the Washington product. Though this will likely be dealt.
15. Philadelphia 76ers - Arnette Moultrie 6'10/PF/Mississippi State
Elton Brand is aging, Moultrie will bring in new life to the inside game of the 76'ers.
16. Houston Rockets - Perry Jones III 6'11/PF/Baylor
This pick, just like 14 and 18 will likely not be made by Houston. Perry Jones though has lottery talent and undrafted heart.
17. Dallas Mavericks - Kendall Marshall 6'4/PG/North Carolina
Is Jason Kidd a grandpa yet?
18. Houston Rockets (via trade w/ Timberwolves) - Moe Harkless 6'8/SF/St. Johns
Is Moe ready? Not sure the freshman will be but he has a ton of talent and if he can improve his jumper, he maybe a steal for the (insert team that Houston trades with) at 18.
19. Orlando Magic - Terrence Jones 6'9/PF/Kentucky
"Dwight" rhymes with "right"...which I will be on this pick.
20. Denver Nuggets - Tony Wroten Jr. 6'5/PG-SG/Washington
Think "Tyreke Evans Light" when you think Wroten. Andre Miller is likely gone, replace him with another big physical PG to help out Ty Lawson on nights when the opposing team's PG attempts to post the lil' fella up all night. If Kendall Marshall was still on the board they'd likely take him, but he isn't so they won't.
21. Boston Celtics - Royce White 6'8/SF/Iowa State
A versatile player that, if the "Big 3" stay intact could be very useful off the bench playing SF or PF and adding some scoring punch.
22. Boston Celtics - Jared Sullinger 6'10/PF/Ohio State
You know how good things happen to good organizations? Think of all the good things that have happened over the years for the Celtics. Jared Sullinger's back injury, that really may not be a huge deal, could be added to that list as he falls out of the lottery and into the Celtics hands at 22.
23. Atlanta Hawks - Andrew Nicholson 6'10/PF/St. Bonaventure
Hey remember when Marvin Williams was supposed be really good? Wah wuh.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers - Fab Melo 7'0/C/Syracuse
Cleveland got their wing in MKG, and now they get a big center with a lot of work to do, but a lot of potential in Fab.
25. Memphis Grizzlies - Marquis Teague 6'2/PG/Kentucky
Teague is a talented guy, but not jaw dropping like previous Kentucky PG's. Not sure Memphis is a great fit, but it adds depth.
26. Indiana Pacers - Will Barton 6'6/SG/Memphis
A true SG to come off the bench for the Pacers in Barton.
27. Miami Heat - Doron Lamb 6'4/SG/Kentucky
Sniper to surround the Big 3.
28. Oklahoma City - Evan Fournier 6'6/SG/France
Because James Harden is going to be a Timberwo...lol.
29. Chicago Bulls - John Jenkins 6'4/SG/Vanderbilt
The SG run continues with the Bulls taking Jenkins, a sniper for Rose to kick it to.
30. Golden State Warriors - Quincy Miller 6'10/SF/Baylor
Warriors need some help at SF, they have Drummond so Ezeli is out, they go with potential in Miller. Leaving the draft with Drummond/Miller could mean we look back at this draft as a huge turning point for GSW, or it is quickly forgotten.
Version 3.0 and the last STOB NBA Mock of the year is in the books, tell us what you think about the NBA Draft in the comments section.
Be sure to check out STOB Friday to see how I fare against Chad Ford.
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