Mock drafts re: NBA draft

[coolhandgopher]

Although rarely correct, it's always fun to see the mock drafts before the draft, and with three first round picks and two second round picks, the T-Wolves have several names attached to their picks. Here's the sampling from a couple websites:

draftexpress.com (updated yesterday)
#6 pick PG Tyreke Evans, Memphis
#18 pick SF James Johnson, Wake Forest
#28 pick PG Nick Calathes, Florida
(second round picks were a couple overseas guys, a forward and a guard)

nbadraft.net (updated 5/20)
#6 pick SG Demar DeRozan, USC
#18 pick PG Patty Mills, St. Mary's
#28 pick SF Terrence Williams, Louisville
(second round-PF Leo Lyons, Missouri and a foreign SG/SF)

mynbadraft.com (updated 5/19)
#6 pick PG Tyreke Evans, Memphis
#18 pick PG Ty Lawson, UNC
#28 pick SF Dajuan Summers, Georgetown
(no 2nd round predictions)

Personally, I like the draft express projections the best, for what it's worth. I really like Johnson's game and along with Evans that would two nice pieces to add to the franchise. I also read on draftexpress.com that Calathes' decision to head overseas to Greece may be preferable to NBA teams, because he'd be gaining experience without taking up a guaranteed contract roster spot.

[WadeHokenson]

Would Calathes be worth a first round pick though in that situation? I lean towards no. I think Ty Lawson could be a pretty nice pickup later in the first round if he's still on the board.

[Pewterschmidt]

Personally, I'd rather have Evans than DeRozan. DeRozan is a dynamic athlete but his jumpshot is awful. Evans is more of a playmaker and can play some point for his size. If you play shooting guard in the NBA, you better be able to hit shots from 20 feet and beyond. DeRozan can't right now.

I like the idea of Evans and Foye in the same backcourt. They both can play the 1 and the 2 positions. Evans is also a great finisher and from what I saw of him this year, has a high BB IQ for his age.

I also like Patty Mills. If the Wolves don't draft Evans or someone else that can play the point with their first pick, Mills would be a great second prize with their 2nd pick.

I also like Gani Lawal from GT. Notice Chris "The Bird" Anderson's impact in the playoffs for the Nuggets. Lawal is the same type of player. High intensity player who is great on the boards and blocks alot of shots. That's something the Wolves need. Jefferson and Love aren't great defenders. Lawal can be that player. I also wouldn't kill the team if they drafted BJ Mullins with one of their last 2 first round picks. They need someone with his size. He's raw but he's skilled. The Wolves need a 5 and since Thabeet won't be there at #6 overall, Mullins might be a good consolation prize farther down in the first round.

My ideal (and realistic) draft for the Wolves would be:

#6 - James Harden (Tyreke Evans and Johnny Flynn would also be good choices, the latter I would trade down to get. Harden might not be there so Evans might be the best choice available)
#18 - Patty Mills (BJ Mullins, Gani Lawal, or Jrue Holiday would suffice given what you do with the first pick. If Evans is the 1st pick, I'd go for size and pick Mullins for Lawal)
#28 - Sam Young (DeJuan Summers or Darren Collison, the latter if a PG wasn't picked with the first 2 picks)
#45 and 47 - One Euro to stock away for a couple of years and either Robert Dozier(for defensive reasons) or Tyrese Rice. I've always though Rice as a great competitor. Great under pressure. Not the quickest of point guards but has a good shot and is a smart player. I think he has a chance at being a good backup NBA point guard.


BTW - this isn't brain surgery. Sometimes I think GM's try to out-think the room. Stay to the basics. I was pissed when the Wolves traded Roy for Foye. I desperately wanted Danny Granger instead of Rashad "no D" McCan't. Now I will qualify that last statement in saying I also would have drafted Joey Graham over McCan't but just because it isn't brain surgery doesn't mean people can't make mistakes. It just so happens the Wolves make more mistakes than most teams and in BB where talent evaluation is not too difficult, that's embarrassing. I also wouldn't have traded Mayo for Love and Miller but if the rumors are true that Mayo didn't want to be in Minnesota, it's hard to blame the team. I still think Mayo will have the better career but Love will hold his own and might stay with the team longer than Mayo would have (also minus the potential chemisty issues with a malcontent that doesn't want to be there).

[coolhandgopher]

Pewter, good to see you back, first things first. Knowing that you're an ACC wonk, what are your thoughts on Wake's James Johnson? He seems to me to be a player, has a great body, and I think he'll carve out a nice NBA career. But that's off only a couple games I watched him play, what's your opinion? I doubt that he'll be there at pick 18 though.

Agree with you on Evans, he was unstoppable in getting to the hoop for Memphis during the NCAA tourney and I think pairing him with Foye in the backcourt could provide some good punch for the T-Wolves. I get what you're saying on Mullens, but something about him screams bust to me. I would also love to see Sam Young on this team, mainly because I'm a Pitt Panther fan, but also because he seems to be very underrated to me and another guy who should have a nice NBA future ahead of him.

[tikited]

I still think Mayo will have the better career but Love will hold his own and might stay with the team longer than Mayo would have (also minus the potential chemisty issues with a malcontent that doesn't want to be there).

Don't be so certain about Love staying. If things continue to go as they have been for the last few years, Love is just the type of player to bolt. Kid from Cali? Improve or he is gone.

[GopherFan75]

Don't be so certain about Love staying. If things continue to go as they have been for the last few years, Love is just the type of player to bolt. Kid from Cali? Improve or he is gone.

Love and his family moved to Oregon at a very young age and he attended high school there so he is not exactly a Cali kid. And I think it's unfair to say that just because he is from California he will leave.
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MAZDA AZ-WAGON SPECIFICATIONS (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Mazda_AZ-Wagon)

[Jike Spingleton]

Before focusing on the draft, can we please just enjoy the present seeing David Stern and the NBA higher-ups squirm while their dream match-up of Kobe vs. LeBron goes up in flames? Bring on Orlando vs. Denver, please.

[tikited]

Love and his family moved to Oregon at a very young age and he attended high school there so he is not exactly a Cali kid. And I think it's unfair to say that just because he is from California he will leave.

He's been quoted as saying he is a California type of guy. Doesn't mean he is 100% gone, but if the team doesn't make strides, why would he stay? He'll get paid no matter where he goes. Seems like some players (i.e. Mayo) are pegged as "gone" while "others" (i.e. Love) are assumed to like it here enough to stay forever. I hope things work out for the best as I like his game.

[GopherFan75]

Ok I take your word on him being a California guy and I understand your point but I think the team will continue to slowly improve and I like our chances of keeping Love for a while. Hopefully he will want to stay here and play a part in rebuilding this team.
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HERBAL GRINDER (http://www.vaporshop.com/grinders)

[tikited]

Ok I take your word on him being a California guy and I understand your point but I think the team will continue to slowly improve and I like our chances of keeping Love for a while. Hopefully he will want to stay here and play a part in rebuilding this team.

Despite getting screwed again in the draft, the Wolves do have a chance to do some good things with this draft. I never trust the experts when they say "worst draft ever". Two (possible) players added by the draft could do wonders for this team. I'm not counting on the 28th pick doing anything big unless it is part of a trade. Get a possible starter and a nice addition to the already deep bench and we just might have something for the first time in a long while. Then again, McHale could get his way and all bets are off.