Post by Cleveland Cavaliers on Jun 29, 2009 16:00:41 GMT -5
Updated 12/20
With the NBA Lottery coming to a close, The Chicago Bulls celebrated as they received the number one pick. Although this mock was originally a pre-lottery mock, I stated that it would be updated as the draft inches closer and closer. So, as expected, this mock has been updated for that reason. As you all know, DominatorDom mocks have been the premier mock drafts on Legends, and this one shall prove no different. With all the trades that happen leading up to and during the draft, this mock will be limited to the first ten selections as of now.
1. Chicago Bulls - Tyreke Evans PG Memphis
Chicago, as expected - wins the lottery and now has the luxury of selecting first. The Bulls also have the "luxury" of being able to draft solely on the basis of best player available, but when you have the first selection overall, such is the route usually taken. Many assume this pick will be Blake Griffin, hands down. But deep down i think the Bulls are rethinking that mindset and will continue to question that theory the closer we move to the draft. Consider this: Blake Griffin has yet to play a game this season, and it is still uncertain whether he can perform immediately as some of the other rookies in this class. Also, Chicago has two solid players to build around in the future - Kevin Love and Anthony Randolph. Those are two solid forwards with loads of potential just waiting to be unleashed. Randolph can be played at SF, but he is more apt to playing the four. They need some type of perimeter scoring in the backcourt - but most importantly, they need a star. One who can average 20-5-5 on a night in and night out basis. A player who has emerged as a centerpiece for a franchise in real life, and who has proven he can, if he is not indeed now, a star. Sound familiar? Sure Does. World, meet Tyreke Evans. Your number one overall pick, the star of the 2009 NBA Draft.
2. Sacramento Kings - Blake Griffin PF Oklahoma
If the above happens as i think it eventually will, the Sacramento Kings will also have pressure to follow the Bulls lead and draft Brandon Jennings - for the same reasons listed above. Jennings in fact has a higher PPG average than number one projected Evans - but that might be due to the amount of shots Jennings takes in Milwaukee. But, the Kings will be attracted by Griffin's higher rating (assumed, because back when the ratings were made he was undoubtedly the number one pick) and the fact that they can have a balanced team moving on, with Griffin replacing Vladimir Radmanovic. Sacramento can also draft a guard at #5, because there are still three very good backcourt players after this selection in Jennings, James Harden and Johnny Flynn, and they are guaranteed a shot at at least one of them.
3. Sacramento Kings - Brandon Jennings PG Italy
This pick looks to be a no-brainer. Whoever is left in the trilogy of stars (Evans, Griffin and Jennings), you take. The Kings will be happy with any one of these three, and Jennings looks to be a pure scorer you can build franchises around.
4. Los Angeles Clippers - Johnny Flynn PG Syracuse
Talk about bad luck - Los Angeles was lined up for the number two overall selection, and instead dropped down to number four, in a draft where there are three standout players. The Clippers in my opinion can only go in a couple of options if they indeed keep this pick, and that includes guards such as Johnny Flynn, James Harden and DeMar Derozan. I say they narrow it down to two choices, Harden and Flynn. Flynn in my opinion is the better overall player of the two, and is performing to higher level in real life.
5. Sacramento Kings - James Harden SG Arizona State
The state that Sacramento is in right now almost requires them to take the best player available at number five - whether that selection is to play as a King or to be traded for an upgrade that can contribute more right away. Either way, the best player at this point I would argue is James Harden, and that includes Harden's potential level as well.
6. Indiana Pacers - DeMar Derozan SG USC
Running out the bottom (or top) six are the Indiana Pacers - a team that also can go with the best player available at any position, except at point guard, where they house Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo. Thus, I view the possibility of Stephen Curry being ruled out, and DeMar Derozan ultimately being chosen by Indianapolis here.
7. Charlotte Bobcats - Stephen Curry PG Davidson
Stephen Curry is quietly averaging a reputable 12 points a game over at Golden State, and I believe with time and an increased role he could turn into something special. All the more reason for him to go early (but I for one think that he is the best player available at number 7).
8. San Antonio Spurs - Hasheem Thabeet C Connecticut
As much as I think Hasheem Thabeet won't amount to anything in the NBA, San Antonio seems to be high on his upside by the view of "the other" mock draft in Legends, his own. If he is available here, I think San Antonio jumps.
9. Los Angeles Lakers - Terrence Williams SG Louisville
Being a New Jersey Net fan, I have seen flashes of solid potential by Terrence Williams - and I can argue that he is the best player available here on the board for the Lakers.
10. Charlotte Bobcats - Tyler Hansborough PF North Carolina
Charlotte I can see jumping on Cassipi here, seeing that with the draft in Legends occurring late enough to have the ability of analyzing real life NBA performance before the draft rather than just speculation. But, I think that Cassipi will go to a team that can afford to stash him away for a year and hope for a ratings boost next year. Charlotte goes with Hansborough, steadily improving in the NBA after his original injury.
With the NBA Lottery coming to a close, The Chicago Bulls celebrated as they received the number one pick. Although this mock was originally a pre-lottery mock, I stated that it would be updated as the draft inches closer and closer. So, as expected, this mock has been updated for that reason. As you all know, DominatorDom mocks have been the premier mock drafts on Legends, and this one shall prove no different. With all the trades that happen leading up to and during the draft, this mock will be limited to the first ten selections as of now.
1. Chicago Bulls - Tyreke Evans PG Memphis
Chicago, as expected - wins the lottery and now has the luxury of selecting first. The Bulls also have the "luxury" of being able to draft solely on the basis of best player available, but when you have the first selection overall, such is the route usually taken. Many assume this pick will be Blake Griffin, hands down. But deep down i think the Bulls are rethinking that mindset and will continue to question that theory the closer we move to the draft. Consider this: Blake Griffin has yet to play a game this season, and it is still uncertain whether he can perform immediately as some of the other rookies in this class. Also, Chicago has two solid players to build around in the future - Kevin Love and Anthony Randolph. Those are two solid forwards with loads of potential just waiting to be unleashed. Randolph can be played at SF, but he is more apt to playing the four. They need some type of perimeter scoring in the backcourt - but most importantly, they need a star. One who can average 20-5-5 on a night in and night out basis. A player who has emerged as a centerpiece for a franchise in real life, and who has proven he can, if he is not indeed now, a star. Sound familiar? Sure Does. World, meet Tyreke Evans. Your number one overall pick, the star of the 2009 NBA Draft.
2. Sacramento Kings - Blake Griffin PF Oklahoma
If the above happens as i think it eventually will, the Sacramento Kings will also have pressure to follow the Bulls lead and draft Brandon Jennings - for the same reasons listed above. Jennings in fact has a higher PPG average than number one projected Evans - but that might be due to the amount of shots Jennings takes in Milwaukee. But, the Kings will be attracted by Griffin's higher rating (assumed, because back when the ratings were made he was undoubtedly the number one pick) and the fact that they can have a balanced team moving on, with Griffin replacing Vladimir Radmanovic. Sacramento can also draft a guard at #5, because there are still three very good backcourt players after this selection in Jennings, James Harden and Johnny Flynn, and they are guaranteed a shot at at least one of them.
3. Sacramento Kings - Brandon Jennings PG Italy
This pick looks to be a no-brainer. Whoever is left in the trilogy of stars (Evans, Griffin and Jennings), you take. The Kings will be happy with any one of these three, and Jennings looks to be a pure scorer you can build franchises around.
4. Los Angeles Clippers - Johnny Flynn PG Syracuse
Talk about bad luck - Los Angeles was lined up for the number two overall selection, and instead dropped down to number four, in a draft where there are three standout players. The Clippers in my opinion can only go in a couple of options if they indeed keep this pick, and that includes guards such as Johnny Flynn, James Harden and DeMar Derozan. I say they narrow it down to two choices, Harden and Flynn. Flynn in my opinion is the better overall player of the two, and is performing to higher level in real life.
5. Sacramento Kings - James Harden SG Arizona State
The state that Sacramento is in right now almost requires them to take the best player available at number five - whether that selection is to play as a King or to be traded for an upgrade that can contribute more right away. Either way, the best player at this point I would argue is James Harden, and that includes Harden's potential level as well.
6. Indiana Pacers - DeMar Derozan SG USC
Running out the bottom (or top) six are the Indiana Pacers - a team that also can go with the best player available at any position, except at point guard, where they house Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo. Thus, I view the possibility of Stephen Curry being ruled out, and DeMar Derozan ultimately being chosen by Indianapolis here.
7. Charlotte Bobcats - Stephen Curry PG Davidson
Stephen Curry is quietly averaging a reputable 12 points a game over at Golden State, and I believe with time and an increased role he could turn into something special. All the more reason for him to go early (but I for one think that he is the best player available at number 7).
8. San Antonio Spurs - Hasheem Thabeet C Connecticut
As much as I think Hasheem Thabeet won't amount to anything in the NBA, San Antonio seems to be high on his upside by the view of "the other" mock draft in Legends, his own. If he is available here, I think San Antonio jumps.
9. Los Angeles Lakers - Terrence Williams SG Louisville
Being a New Jersey Net fan, I have seen flashes of solid potential by Terrence Williams - and I can argue that he is the best player available here on the board for the Lakers.
10. Charlotte Bobcats - Tyler Hansborough PF North Carolina
Charlotte I can see jumping on Cassipi here, seeing that with the draft in Legends occurring late enough to have the ability of analyzing real life NBA performance before the draft rather than just speculation. But, I think that Cassipi will go to a team that can afford to stash him away for a year and hope for a ratings boost next year. Charlotte goes with Hansborough, steadily improving in the NBA after his original injury.