Post by dave on Dec 10, 2015 3:38:36 GMT
Well with the official order now up it is time to do a real Mock Draft. Enjoy
1. Milano Olympia - Shaquille O'Neal
Probably an obvious pick at #1, but after two straight leagues of mediocre numbers I'm not sold he's the difference maker that Milan hopes he is. He'll be good, most likely very good but will he be better then the 20/10 he was in Legends? At least on the bright side he'll only make it half way through the season before he's dealt or sitting on the bench not being noticed while the tank continues.
2. Guangdong Southern Tigers - Kevin McHale
I think Kevin may only be the third or fourth best big in the draft, but with Seer getting ruined by TC last season I can understand why he'd rather go with ready now versus potential. Kev should be an anchor in the post for a long time much like his cursed Legends career. He'll get a good shot to push for ROTY since I don't know I can name another Tiger for him to lose shots to. First picks are easy
3. Rio De Janerio Flamengos - Anthony Davis
Rio has been going in the youth movement and AD is SUPER YOUNG. I'm not sure this is the slam dunk pick or not since I don't know Rios opinion on raw potential versus more of a "sure thing" that may have a slightly smaller ceiling. AD is very athletic, but not overly skilled offensively. He should develop into a great defender as long as he survives the extra TCs. The easy guesses are ending soon so I should enjoy this while I can
4. Boston Celtics - Alonzo Mourning
The last of what I consider the obvious top 4, Boston takes whoever is available here. I assume it'll be Zo which fits fine alongside All Defensive 1st Team PG Chris Paul. Two potential top defenders will put them in a much better path to getting out of the top of the lottery. Zo should be an elite defender, especially in the much needed shot blocking. The Celtics were dead last in almost every post stat and Zo will do it all. His offense is good enough to hopefully help the Celtics improve from their 19 wins last season.
5. Taipei Fubon Braves - Damian Lillard
OK, I know they spent like 7 picks on PGs last season but Lillard is the best player here. Fubon needs pretty much anything and I don't have much faith in Felton or Nate so Lillard gives them a strong offensive player to put out there with Gordon. He could move over to SG with his athletics but will most likely play against larger defenders every night but it would let them run him and Nate out there for some speed and small ball. Speaking of small ball, I would heavily consider Draymond Green here for his versatility but in the end Lillard is a guy that could be a big offensive weapon for them.
6. Washington Generals - Draymond Green
Washington really hoes Lillard drops here, and if they had anything on the roster of value to move up I'd say it'd be worth it but in this mock Lillard is gone. Green is a very unique player that can lock down PFs with his strength and size, and can even defend SFs if he has to. He is a great rebounder and would fit nicely next to Bogut (barring Bogut doesn't die any further). I think having a big that does tons of things well like Hondo will make Washington a very hard team to play against due to the many things they will be able to do, and they have another pick coming up to add more talent.
7. New Orleans Jazz lol - Andre Drummond
I didn't believe when Corey said he may have to grab Drummond here until seeing his bigs and realizing Drummond raw is already better then both of them and Lillard most likely isn't here (not that he's a good fit with TP here). Corey is coming up to season 3 and if history says anything he's itching to compete so I think he grabs the big he needs more then some of these raw SFs since he can just bring back Finley if he wants one that bad. MKG or Harrison Barnes would fit the SF hole, but you rarely pass up a big and this would make 6 of the first 7 picks bigs. Inside sources say that many in the Corey camp are pushing for Doug Christie so keep your eyes out for that SHOCK pick.
8. Moscow CSKA - Kiki Vandeweghe
Hmmm. Moscow only has 3 players all good so far, and Kiki fills the SF spot, or PF if he wants to have a big shooting jumpers (and that is the main reason I have him here). Kiki should be a very good offensive player, which isn't really something that Moscow needs but I think he's the best player left and the game has his as the #5 player overall so there is something here. I think MKG could be a longshot here, but Moscow doesn't seem the type to want to wait around for a super raw guy to maybe pan out.
9. Washington Generals - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Why not? The Generals need players and MKG fills a whole they don't have a player at yet. A core of Hondo/Green/MKG/Bogut could be really good, or could be just a bunch of raw guys who never made it and Hondo. MKG has a crazy build that could turn him into one of the best defensive players in the league. He'll never fill up the statsheet offensively but his ability to line up with the other teams best player along other unique players on this build of the team would be super fun...So you shouldn't do this, draft poorly so that it's not so hard for me to pass you. KThanx?
10. Madrid REAL - Latrell Sprewell
BPA? Maybe but Spree does fill a whole in this lineup at SF and he can also play SG so they have options. Other then worrying about Spree going all Tazz on your head coach he's a great defender with some speed and burst to finish on the break and hit some open Js. My scout has Harrison Barnes BPA here (and last few picks) but I don't see him being of more use then SPREE here.
11. Brazil Franca BC - Harrison Barnes
This pick is being guessed for two reasons. 1. Is that Brazil is vacant and BPA will be Barnes, 2. He's good and is most likely the best player here. Brazils roster really could use some talent and Barnes potentially can do a little of everything and is very athletic to boot. Solid pick and a much better player for the future of this team then Dave D was offering.
12. Los Angeles Lakers - Darrell Griffith
After getting franchise building block Bill Russell last season and then disappearing for the whole year, the Lakers are back but not with as good of a pick and still not much of a roster. Depending on how the Lakers want to build the team, I think Griffith is a good fit. He's an athletic marvel that will be able to finish on the break and hopefully be a reliable defender for a team that needs alot of help. Enjoy his pick and we'll see him next draft again.
13. Seattle Supersonics - Doug Christie
I'm sure ideally they'd like to add a bigman with the recent shopping of Embiid or just to put alongside him but I'm not sure JBC is a better option then a potential shutdown SF/SG in Christie. He may not develop into much at all of an offensive player, but he couldn't be any worse then Eddie Jones was for him at a portion the cost and the potential to be a top 10 player in steals.
14. Newcastle Eagles - Andrew Toney
Newcastle maybe the most underachieving team through the first two seasons and that is mainly due to loading up with two stars and no depth at all, but unlike many he didn't break one up to build around Hakeem, and with all the losing may lose one of the two or both anyways. Toney is a great looking prospect, he'll never be a lockdown defender but he has the potential to be a big time scorer which is something that Newcastle could really use.
15. Belgrade KK Partizan - Joe Barry Carroll
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I don't like this suggested pick at all KK doesn't need a big at all, but the rest of the options just aren't as good of players as JBC is or could be. Best bet here would be potentially moving up or down if something makes itself available since I'm not sure he'd reach too far to fill a whole instead of taking the BPA and making a move.
16. Mexico City Titans - Darwin Cook
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Cook is a very good prospect, great athletic talent and decent potential. Things could change if MC makes any moves as I really like Ruhland here but he's kind of redundant with Gasol and Neil still both here, and I think he could still potentially get him in a couple picks anyways where Cook may not be here.
17. Cairo Zamalek - Jeff Ruhland
Why not? Cairo shoots alot of jump shots and Ruhland is a great offensive rebounder and good finisher down low. Cairo could very well just grab another shooter but I think getting a cheap big that could be close to a double double guy after the year with no big to speak of is too good to pass up.
18. Mexico City Titans - Khris Middleton
I hate guessing Roark picks cause I never know what he's going to do. Middleton is a unique player, great size and will be able to shoot the longball making him a good commodity. Great JMP and his size have him at a solid fit at SF and over time could be a stretch 4 for a contender. Also could see the options of Terrance Ross, Bradley Beal, or even Christian Laettner here.
19. Boston Celtics - Bradley Beal
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Even typing this makes me scared this will be the pick I end up with. Beal doesn't really jump off the page as anything but a bench chucker unless he gets some luck in TC. Poor athletics other then Speed make it hard to try him at anything other then SG. Could easily be Terrance Ross here as well. Will not be Christian Laettner
20. Istanbul Anadolu Efes - Terrance Ross
Pretty much BPA at this point so either Ross or Laettner finish off the lottery
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There we go, I expect to be all kinds of wrong just like last year but at least there is something to laugh at or talk about.
1. Milano Olympia - Shaquille O'Neal
Probably an obvious pick at #1, but after two straight leagues of mediocre numbers I'm not sold he's the difference maker that Milan hopes he is. He'll be good, most likely very good but will he be better then the 20/10 he was in Legends? At least on the bright side he'll only make it half way through the season before he's dealt or sitting on the bench not being noticed while the tank continues.
2. Guangdong Southern Tigers - Kevin McHale
I think Kevin may only be the third or fourth best big in the draft, but with Seer getting ruined by TC last season I can understand why he'd rather go with ready now versus potential. Kev should be an anchor in the post for a long time much like his cursed Legends career. He'll get a good shot to push for ROTY since I don't know I can name another Tiger for him to lose shots to. First picks are easy
3. Rio De Janerio Flamengos - Anthony Davis
Rio has been going in the youth movement and AD is SUPER YOUNG. I'm not sure this is the slam dunk pick or not since I don't know Rios opinion on raw potential versus more of a "sure thing" that may have a slightly smaller ceiling. AD is very athletic, but not overly skilled offensively. He should develop into a great defender as long as he survives the extra TCs. The easy guesses are ending soon so I should enjoy this while I can
4. Boston Celtics - Alonzo Mourning
The last of what I consider the obvious top 4, Boston takes whoever is available here. I assume it'll be Zo which fits fine alongside All Defensive 1st Team PG Chris Paul. Two potential top defenders will put them in a much better path to getting out of the top of the lottery. Zo should be an elite defender, especially in the much needed shot blocking. The Celtics were dead last in almost every post stat and Zo will do it all. His offense is good enough to hopefully help the Celtics improve from their 19 wins last season.
5. Taipei Fubon Braves - Damian Lillard
OK, I know they spent like 7 picks on PGs last season but Lillard is the best player here. Fubon needs pretty much anything and I don't have much faith in Felton or Nate so Lillard gives them a strong offensive player to put out there with Gordon. He could move over to SG with his athletics but will most likely play against larger defenders every night but it would let them run him and Nate out there for some speed and small ball. Speaking of small ball, I would heavily consider Draymond Green here for his versatility but in the end Lillard is a guy that could be a big offensive weapon for them.
6. Washington Generals - Draymond Green
Washington really hoes Lillard drops here, and if they had anything on the roster of value to move up I'd say it'd be worth it but in this mock Lillard is gone. Green is a very unique player that can lock down PFs with his strength and size, and can even defend SFs if he has to. He is a great rebounder and would fit nicely next to Bogut (barring Bogut doesn't die any further). I think having a big that does tons of things well like Hondo will make Washington a very hard team to play against due to the many things they will be able to do, and they have another pick coming up to add more talent.
7. New Orleans Jazz lol - Andre Drummond
I didn't believe when Corey said he may have to grab Drummond here until seeing his bigs and realizing Drummond raw is already better then both of them and Lillard most likely isn't here (not that he's a good fit with TP here). Corey is coming up to season 3 and if history says anything he's itching to compete so I think he grabs the big he needs more then some of these raw SFs since he can just bring back Finley if he wants one that bad. MKG or Harrison Barnes would fit the SF hole, but you rarely pass up a big and this would make 6 of the first 7 picks bigs. Inside sources say that many in the Corey camp are pushing for Doug Christie so keep your eyes out for that SHOCK pick.
8. Moscow CSKA - Kiki Vandeweghe
Hmmm. Moscow only has 3 players all good so far, and Kiki fills the SF spot, or PF if he wants to have a big shooting jumpers (and that is the main reason I have him here). Kiki should be a very good offensive player, which isn't really something that Moscow needs but I think he's the best player left and the game has his as the #5 player overall so there is something here. I think MKG could be a longshot here, but Moscow doesn't seem the type to want to wait around for a super raw guy to maybe pan out.
9. Washington Generals - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Why not? The Generals need players and MKG fills a whole they don't have a player at yet. A core of Hondo/Green/MKG/Bogut could be really good, or could be just a bunch of raw guys who never made it and Hondo. MKG has a crazy build that could turn him into one of the best defensive players in the league. He'll never fill up the statsheet offensively but his ability to line up with the other teams best player along other unique players on this build of the team would be super fun...So you shouldn't do this, draft poorly so that it's not so hard for me to pass you. KThanx?
10. Madrid REAL - Latrell Sprewell
BPA? Maybe but Spree does fill a whole in this lineup at SF and he can also play SG so they have options. Other then worrying about Spree going all Tazz on your head coach he's a great defender with some speed and burst to finish on the break and hit some open Js. My scout has Harrison Barnes BPA here (and last few picks) but I don't see him being of more use then SPREE here.
11. Brazil Franca BC - Harrison Barnes
This pick is being guessed for two reasons. 1. Is that Brazil is vacant and BPA will be Barnes, 2. He's good and is most likely the best player here. Brazils roster really could use some talent and Barnes potentially can do a little of everything and is very athletic to boot. Solid pick and a much better player for the future of this team then Dave D was offering.
12. Los Angeles Lakers - Darrell Griffith
After getting franchise building block Bill Russell last season and then disappearing for the whole year, the Lakers are back but not with as good of a pick and still not much of a roster. Depending on how the Lakers want to build the team, I think Griffith is a good fit. He's an athletic marvel that will be able to finish on the break and hopefully be a reliable defender for a team that needs alot of help. Enjoy his pick and we'll see him next draft again.
13. Seattle Supersonics - Doug Christie
I'm sure ideally they'd like to add a bigman with the recent shopping of Embiid or just to put alongside him but I'm not sure JBC is a better option then a potential shutdown SF/SG in Christie. He may not develop into much at all of an offensive player, but he couldn't be any worse then Eddie Jones was for him at a portion the cost and the potential to be a top 10 player in steals.
14. Newcastle Eagles - Andrew Toney
Newcastle maybe the most underachieving team through the first two seasons and that is mainly due to loading up with two stars and no depth at all, but unlike many he didn't break one up to build around Hakeem, and with all the losing may lose one of the two or both anyways. Toney is a great looking prospect, he'll never be a lockdown defender but he has the potential to be a big time scorer which is something that Newcastle could really use.
15. Belgrade KK Partizan - Joe Barry Carroll
I don't like this suggested pick at all
KK doesn't need a big at all, but the rest of the options just aren't as good of players as JBC is or could be. Best bet here would be potentially moving up or down if something makes itself available since I'm not sure he'd reach too far to fill a whole instead of taking the BPA and making a move. 16. Mexico City Titans - Darwin Cook
Cook is a very good prospect, great athletic talent and decent potential. Things could change if MC makes any moves as I really like Ruhland here but he's kind of redundant with Gasol and Neil still both here, and I think he could still potentially get him in a couple picks anyways where Cook may not be here.
17. Cairo Zamalek - Jeff Ruhland
Why not? Cairo shoots alot of jump shots and Ruhland is a great offensive rebounder and good finisher down low. Cairo could very well just grab another shooter but I think getting a cheap big that could be close to a double double guy after the year with no big to speak of is too good to pass up.
18. Mexico City Titans - Khris Middleton
I hate guessing Roark picks cause I never know what he's going to do. Middleton is a unique player, great size and will be able to shoot the longball making him a good commodity. Great JMP and his size have him at a solid fit at SF and over time could be a stretch 4 for a contender. Also could see the options of Terrance Ross, Bradley Beal, or even Christian Laettner here.
19. Boston Celtics - Bradley Beal
Even typing this makes me scared this will be the pick I end up with. Beal doesn't really jump off the page as anything but a bench chucker unless he gets some luck in TC. Poor athletics other then Speed make it hard to try him at anything other then SG. Could easily be Terrance Ross here as well. Will not be Christian Laettner
20. Istanbul Anadolu Efes - Terrance Ross
Pretty much BPA at this point so either Ross or Laettner finish off the lottery
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There we go, I expect to be all kinds of wrong just like last year but at least there is something to laugh at or talk about.
