Bullscast 2nd Annual Mock Draft

Time to do some mocking…and watch Nick totally wipe the floor with Brad despite his countless hours of prep.  By the way, Brad took the mock as though he were the GM for every team.  On the other hand…let’s just say Nick figured out enough not to over think it.

First up Nick

1. Portland – Greg Oden. Duh.

2. Seattle – Kevin Durant. Duh.

3. Atlanta – Al Horford. Too much talent to pass, they can get a PG later.

4. Memphis – Mike Conley. Best available, and they don’t have a PG.

5. Boston – Brandan Wright. I don’t know, everybody seems to like him though.

6. Milwaukee – Jeff Green. He’s good, and it would free up Michael Redd some on D.  If Bobby Simmons comes back, ever, they could create huge matchup problems.

7. Minnesota – Spencer Hawes. The wolves have evidently made a promise.

8. Charlotte – Corey Brewer. Defense, Defense, Defense.

9. Chicago – Yi Jianlin.  Best available- we’ll see.

10. Sacramento – Joakim Noah. PLEASE PAX DON’T DRAFT HIM!!

11. Atlanta – Acie Law.  Finally a PG for the Hawks.

12. Philadelphia – Al Thornton. Scoring and size, what’s not to like.

13. New Orleans – Nick Young. Could be a dangerous combo with Chris Paul, plus if Peja plays like Peja again.

14. Los Angeles Clippers – Julian Wright.  He is slipping mightily because he won’t work out, I think.

Now Brad’s Turn

1.      Portland – Greg Oden.  This is the only choice to make.  He is the bigger difference maker of picks 1 and 1a.  You don’t pass up on the big time center for the big time scoring forward.  Oden, Aldridge, Roy, Randolph etc. is pretty sweet!

2.      Seattle – Kevin Durant.  The Sonics don’t have any work to do in this draft.  They just take the other guy.  Kevin Durant will be good for them.  He can be paired with Rashard Lewis or replace him and they still have 3 project centers that could step up.

3.      Atlanta – Al Horford.  The Hawks have a ton of forwards, so it may not make sense, but Horford is the 3^rd best player in the draft and the Hawks should decide to go with the best player available and he can go in and start over their #5 pick from last year Shelden Williams and provide a huge upgrade for a franchise that if they can clear up their logjam at forward and get a PG, they could be decent in 3 years

4.      Memphis – Mike Conley.  I did everything I could to not have Memphis make this selection here, but they have to do it.  They have 4 other starters in Gasol, Gay, Warrick, Miller and Conley could be the engine that might make them go.

5.      Boston – Yi Jianlin.  They will probably be involved in some sort of trade and I am sticking with the best player available strategy.  Yi and Jefferson would make provide them with a small running front line to go along with their young guards and Pierce.  No one left makes a difference for them and Boston is a big enough market for Yi to be happy, but they probably won’t be making those picks.

6.      Milwaukee – Joakim Noah.  They could use a point guard, but there isn’t one available that is worth picking unless Conley falls.  Noah adds some beef to the front line with Bogut and Villanueva to go along with their decent combination of small forwards and standout Michael Redd.  Noah’s energy and defense could put the Bucks in the playoff picture if they can stay healthy.

7.      Minnesota – Spencer Hawes.  The kid has the offensive skill that can team with Garnett and learn the defense.  There is a chance that Garnett is gone and this pick becomes Jeff Green instead or maybe even Brandan Wright.  Minnesota should reload and trade Garnett, but if they keep the team as is I think Hawes should be the pick.

8.      Charlotte – Corey Brewer.  He is the best player on the board and can play the 2 or the 3 for Morrison and Wallace assuming they resign him.  He would be a great defensive ying to their offensive yang.  He is a great player and would move right into their rotation or even starting at the 2 guard.

9.      Chicago – Jeff Green.  I don’t think the Bulls will keep this pick, but it is clear it will be between Green and Brandan Wright based on this mock and Green is more polished and can play right away without repeating Tyrus Thomas’s rookie year.  Green should be a solid pro and contributor or a trade piece or even allow us to sign and trade Noc for our frontcourt scorer.  The Bulls are really in a tough spot because this is not a great place to be picking because they probably will have a list of guys they want and will get whoever is left.

10.  Sacramento – Brandan Wright.  He is the best player on the board.  The questions about his motor and his being NBA ready.  Either way, he has skills and shouldn’t have fallen this far.  The Kings get a good player and grab the clear end of the top 10.

11.  Atlanta – Acie Law.  They have to take their point guard now if they don’t take Conley at number 3.  Acie Law is pro ready and can run the team next to Joe Johnson in the backcourt and the coach will have to figure out the front court rotation or the GM will need to make some moves.  Acie Law is a good safe pick and if the Hawks screw this up and don’t get a point guard, they should just allow me to be their GM because they have talent.  They just need to put it together in the right way.

12.  Philadelphia – Al Thornton.  He can step in and start at the 3, something Carney couldn’t do last year.  Iggy can play the 2 next to Miller.  They could use a power forward, but there isn’t one available that is worth of the pick.  I expect them to take McRoberts later on and see if he can pan out in the pro world better than he finished his short college career.  One other possibility might be Jason Smith from Colorado St. who would fill a void in the frontcourt, but it might be a bit early.

13.  New Orleans – Julian Wright.  Again he is the best player available and again there is a drop-off in talent after Wright.  He can play the 3 for the Hornets and assuming Peja is healthy he can play a big 2 guard.  Wright has a good all around game and can definitely replace Mason if they don’t resign him.  He is a good player and a steal at this point.

14.  Los Angeles Clippers – Javarus Crittenton.  He is a big point guard that might be able to replace the unfortunate injury of Shaun Livingston who won’t be playing this year and maybe never again.  He is a big guard and can play both guard positions in a back up role this year and learn a bit from San Cassell as he rides off into the sunset at the end of a good career.