This is part 2 of our NBA Mock Draft
The NBA draft is coming up on June 25th and this year's draft is one of the weakest in recent memory. Since I'm pretty much the brown Bill Simmons I'm going to go ahead and prognosticate for you. This right here is the official Kabob Evans NBA Mock Draft and it's what I think each team should do. Agree or disagree with my picks? leave a comment.
B.J. Mullens- Mullens is a raw prospect but he's got good size and athleticism. The Pistons are effectively in rebuilding mode even though they'll probably make the playoffs next year because the east is so weak. Mullens will give them size and depth since they'll lose all of that when Rasheed Wallace signs somewhere else. Hey, does Detroit remind anyone else of Karachi?
What the Pistons will do- Relocate.
With the sixteenth pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select-
Earl Clark- The Bulls are a really complete team that can take a big step next season. They have scorers in Ben Gordon and John Salmons, They have size and hustle in Noah and Brad Miller, they have depth with Kirk Heinrich, and they have two stars in Derrick Rose and Luol Deng. The only issue for them will be Ben Gordon's ego and Tyrus Thomas's consistent inconsistency. They have a crowded back court so they're going to pick a forward and Earl Clark is a lot like Tyrus Thomas except hopefully better.
What the Bulls will do- Not live up to expectations.
With the seventeenth pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select-
Ty Lawson- The Sixers have a pretty solid team right now and could do some big things if Elton Brand stays healthy and plays like Elton Brand. They don't have much depth but adding Kapono definitely helped to some degree. Lawson is going to be able to run the offense when Andre Miller is on the bench. Lawson showed flashes of brilliance at UNC and given the talent that he's playing with in Philly he might be able to maintain some of that brilliance. Of course it's Philadelphia so they'll probably just end up sucking, what do I know?
What the 76ers will do- Pick James Johnson because he's got tremendous upside potential. It's not a terrible pick but he plays the same position as Iguadala and has been inconsistent. So really it's the same thing as drafting Lawson who gives them depth and has been inconsistent. Like I said, what do I know (do you think Ty Law is Ty Lawson's father?)
With the 18th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select- Terrence Williams- Williams could be the play maker the T'wolves need due to his ridiculous athleticism and great court vision. Most of the time a team with two first round picks trades one, so they'd probably try to trade the Steph Curry pick and they'd keep this one. Regardless if they have this pick and Williams is on the board they should take Williams, he led an overachieving Louisville team to the elite eight and he's an above average defender. Expect good things from Williams regardless of what team he's on.
What the Timberwolves will do- Schedule a party for all their draft picks on Sprewell's house boat.
With the nineteenth pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select-
James Johnson- The Hawks only have only had 3 eras according to their Wikipedia page; the first years, relocation to Atlanta, and signs of hope. Currently we're in the signs of hope era and what an era it is! A solid regular season followed by an unwatchable seven game series with the Heat and then an embarrassing sweep at the hands of Lebron James. The Hawks could use a point guard especially since Bibby is a free agent now but I don't think it's worth drafting one when Johnson is on the board. What the Hawks really need is defense and there aren't any defensive stoppers on the board so you go with the best available talent and that's Johnson. Sure he plays the same way as pretty much all the Hawks (streaky shooter, athletic, gets to the basket) but he does it well and they'll probably need to trade somebody eventually to get some veteran help.
What the Hawks will do- I'm not entirely sure, but I'm almost positive they'll draft someone, or they could trade this pick. One or the other.
With the twentieth pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select-
Chase Budinger- The Jazz have a few high priority free agents in Boozer, Milsap, and Okur so who knows what next year will be like but if it's in Utah I'm guessing it'll be bland. You know who else is bland? Budinger. He's the best white player available and will fit right in in Salt Lake City. Tyler Hansbrough will be pretty disappointed.
What the Jazz will do- Tyler Hansbrough is the only player blander than Budinger. Hansbrough could be drafted here. Especially since they might need some front court depth. What ever they do, they'll almost definitely draft a white player.
With the 21st pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets select-
DaJuan Summers- The Hornets need a scorer to take the pressure off Chris Paul and David West and Summers could be that guy. He has been inconsistent but he's got the tools to be a great player and could make an instant impact. On an unrelated note, Summers is from Baltimore. Other players from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) in this and recent drafts include: Sam Young, Ty Lawson, Tyrese Rice, Dante Cunningham, Chris Johnson, Melo, Durant, Beasley, Joe Alexander, Roy Hibbert , Patrick Patterson (withdrew from this draft). The point is that none of these players have played for UMD. Gary Williams is a terrible recruiter.
What the Hornets will do- They'll draft and trade for expiring contracts. It's depressing that the NBA is faltering economically while the Yankees are still giving out giant contracts and Real Madrid can spend $200 million on two guys. Basketball is suffering because of cheap owners and frankly, I'm sick of it. Moving on!
With the 22nd pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks select-
Eric Maynor- I have no idea what the Mavs need or for that matter who the best player on the board is. They don't need scorers and they have a passable front line so let's get them a point guard for the future because with all due respect to J.J. Barea (not much respect is due to him) but he's not going to cut it. He's a good sixth man but he's no starter so they should take one of the best available point guards in the Draft with Eric Maynor from VCU. He's a pure point guard who could definitely lead a team and Kidd's only got a few years left so this isn't a bad pick. They might go with Collison too who could be a Rondo type player in the NBA.
What the Mavericks will do- Trade this pick for the same guy the Bucks drafted to take care of Nowitzki's baby mama drama.
With the 23rd pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select-
Omri Cassipi- The Kings of the late 90's a had a few dynamic international players and why not try to replicate the success through the same steps! Cassipi is the finest international player in the draft except for Rubio of course. I've never seen him play and actually he might not be a real person. He's Israeli so he's probably Jewish and while I generally like to avoid stereotypes the Jews are historically great athletes.
What the Kings will do with this pick- Save it for a rainy day.
With the 24th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Portland Trailblazers select-
Sam Young- The Trailblazers are a solid team that lack experience, Sam Young is actually 24 years old so he's got life experience? He's a good character guy and a solid basketball player both offensively and defensively.
What the Trailblazers will do- Let lil' Stevie Blake run the point instead of Brandon Roy.
With the 25th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select- Wayne Ellington- Ellington is one of the best shooters in the draft and the Thunder need a 2 guard that can score. Ellington is more of a shooter than a scorer but he might be able to stretch the floor a little bit and let Thabeet get the easy points that Dwight Howard thrives on (tip ins, dunks, alleys). I'm going to take a page out of Umair's book and call this my "pick of the day!" which means that this pick is not going to be remotely close to being right.
What the Thunder will do- Do everything they can to develop the nightlife in OKC so their big three stick around for a while.
With the 26th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select-
Tyler Hansbrough- I like Hansbrough and think he'll be a decent pro, not an all-star but he'll put together a solid 10 year career. He brings heart and he and Joakim Noah could out hustle any team in the NBA so that'll be exciting. This pick works because they can't really spread the ball to any more offensive players and that's good because Tyler Hansbrough can't score.
What the Bulls will do- Get swept in the first round of the playoffs.
With the 27th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select-
Derrick Brown- Brown is the best player available but he's not what the Grizzlies need. They should trade down so they can get a tough inside player, the best power forwards available are probably Taj Gibson and Austin Daye but they're basically younger versions of Hakim Warrick. The Grizzlies need a post presence and they can get that by trading down. Or they could just draft Thabeet with the second pick and then draft a point guard like Collison or Pattie Mills with this pick. That actually makes more sense then what I've got written but I don't feel like changing it because that changes everything. So that I don't have to change anything the Grizzlies should select Derrick Brown.
What the Grizzlies will do- The second thing I said, draft Thabeet second then take a point guard with this pick. Makes more sense than what I thought at first but I still thought it so I get credit.
With the 28th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select- Fahad Masood- Masood has flown under the radar because he attends a division 3 school. He's got a reliable shot and NBA range and he's an unquestionable leader of men and one of the finest Bihari-Pakistani-Americans to touch a basketball (also a great cricket player). The Wolves have 3 picks in the first round and if they pick Masood this could be their best one. He led his intramural team to several impressive wins (Ed: blatant lie) and could return to school for another intramural season. He played some point and had an astonishing 3-1 turnover to assist ratio which isn't that good but it could be, I haven't taken stats yet. All I'm saying is that this guy is worthy of the risk. He is a bit of a reach but at this point in the draft you can take a raw talent like Taj Gibson or you can take a proven commodity in Masood, he reminds several scouts of Hedo Turkoglu only a lot better in every way.
What they will do- If they draft anyone but me...err...Fahad Masood it's a wasted pick.
With the 29th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select-
Austin Daye- The Lakers's biggest weakness was a lack of depth and Daye is a versatile scorer who could make an instant impact off the bench. If they don't re-sign Odom or Ariza, Daye could be a serviceable replacement for Kobe and company.
What the Lakers will do- No matter what happens they'll pretend like they're friends and Kobe's just one of the guys. "Ay man, we always bust each other's chops cause we're just guys hangin' out you know!?"- Kobe Bryant on Jimmy Kimmel Live (said it about 12984803 times).
With the 30th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select- Taj Gibson- Gibson is an athletic forward who can score and that's what the Cavaliers need. They have a decent back court but their glaring weakness in the Playoffs was everyone not named Lebron. Just imagine if Hakim Warrick played on the Cavs, that's what you get with Gibson on the Cavs. I don't think you could do much better with the last pick of the first round.
What the Cavs will do- Who cares man, half these guys are gonna be out of the league in five years, the Cavs could draft me (if I'm still on the board) and still compete thanks to Lebron James. Anyone that goes here should be thankful that their career was extended and enhanced because they get to play with King James. Until 2010 at least.
