2004 Mock Draft 1.0
Sept 4, 2012 21:27:43 GMT -5
Post by svedda on Sept 4, 2012 21:27:43 GMT -5
2004 Mock Draft 1.0
1. New York Knicks - Dwight Howard PF 6'11'' 240 18 B D D B B A
The first overall pick is the only obvious one in the whole draft. Dwight Howard will be a franchise player and possibly the best center in the league for most of the next 15 seasons. I doubt the Knicks stay here just because of FBB hating the #1 projected team, but whoever does end up here will obviously pick Dwight.
2. Denver Nuggets - Josh Smith PF 6'9'' 225 18 B C C B C A
At number two I have the Nuggets picking Josh Smith. Smith may not have the rebounding to play at PF, but at only 18 years old he has more than enough time to adjust to playing SF. Having over a steal and a block from your SF is always nice especially when he's a solid rebounder. The Nuggets can really go any position here but taking the guy with likely the most potential left is always a good move.
3. Utah Jazz - Al Jefferson PF 6'10'' 265 19 B- C- C- C B- A
I went back and forth with Iguodala and Al Jeff here, but decided to go with Jefferson. While Amare and Jefferson may not be the best fit for defense, the thought of having two 20/10 bigs is always nice. As we can see now with Boston, building around two bigs is a smart idea. Jefferson being as raw as he is can also help Utah still tank next season for a shot at CP3 or Deron.
4. Houston Rockets - Andre Iguodala SG 6'6'' 207 20 B- C+ C+ B- C A
At number four the Rockets just take the best player available in Iguodala. While his turnover problems kind of concern me, every other part of his game looks good right now. Pairing Iggy with Yao Ming down low is a great start for Houston in building a contender. Drafting top 3 and picking up a big to pair with Yao would probably be more ideal though.
5. Philadelphia 76ers - Luol Deng SF 6'8'' 220 19 B- C C- B- C A
The 76ers have a couple nice pieces in Tony Parker and David West, both inside focused players. Adding a young wing in Luol Deng who could be a good inside scorer works well with their current core. Deng possibly getting a steal and a block a game is nice as well to go with his third option type of offense in his prime.
6. Chicago Bulls - Ben Gordon SG 6'3'' 200 21 C+ A- C+ C D+ B
Chicago has more talent than some teams below them, but just find a way to lose. I thought about going with Emeka here but picking a 6th man this high is kind of dumb. Ben Gordon looks to project as a very good scorer, and paired with Bibby and Pau the Bulls could have a nice trio brewing when it comes to scoring.
7. Miami Heat - Emeka Okafor PF 6'10'' 252 21 B- D+ D+ B B B
With Zach Randolph as their PF, pairing him with a defensive minded big like Emeka Okafor is perfect for Miami. Okafor may have a bit limited potential, but he should be a solid double double guy who can block some shots. He'll likely have to guard two guys at once with Z-Bo next to him.
8. Dallas Mavericks - Andris Biedrins PF 6'11'' 240 18 C+ D D+ B- B- B
For Dallas, I was a little bit lost on where to go with this pick. After looking over all the players left on the board, I think rolling the dice on Biedrins is worth it at this point. If Biedrins does pan out and become a good defensive player, having Tyson next to him could mean a very good defensive duo for Dallas. They could also go with a scorer here like Martin who would be the safer pick.
9. Los Angeles Lakers - Jameer Nelson PG 6'0'' 190 22 C B C+ B- C- B
According to notes, Jameer Nelson may be the best PG in this draft. The Lakers could definitely use a young PG on their roster. While some players drafted in the next few picks may be a better talent, the PG position is still a more important position that SG or SF, at least in my opinion. Filling the PG spot with a solid player at #9 is great for the Lakers.
10. Memphis Grizzlies - Trevor Ariza SF 6'8'' 200 19 B- C C B C B
The Grizzlies may end up moving Al Harrington to SF, but I think Trevor Ariza is the best player available at this spot when taking potential and current production into account. He also would be a nice guy to pair with Joe Johnson who can struggle at times on defense. If Ariza can ever develop a reliable 3pt shot, which is very possible at just 19 years old, Memphis could have a steal here.
11. New Orleans Hornets - Kevin Martin SG 6'7'' 185 21 C B+ C- C D+ A
Overall, I think Kevin Martin may be a better prospect than Ariza at first look. Not having much of an inside game and being 21 scares me though. His defense is also very weak, and may never reach a respectable level. Still, at #11 his potential to be a 20 ppg scorer is worth taking a chance on. I think he's a bit risky but at this point it's worth rolling the dice.
12. Toronto Raptors - Kris Humphries PF 6'9'' 235 19 B- C D+ B- C+ B
The Raptors already have their wings set with Arenas, JRich and Butler, and with seven centers they'll probably look to add a PF here. Humphries is a decent looking player. He can score a bit, defend a bit and rebound. With their three option players already in place, he'd be a good role player for Toronto.
13. Orlando Magic - J.R. Smith SG 6'6'' 220 18 C B+ C- C D+ B
While Orlando already has Richard Hamilton and Lebron James on the wing, taking a chance on J.R. Smith seems like a good pick here. Smith is only 18 and is already a good outside shooter. He likely will take some time to develop anyways so by the time Rip starts to decline he should be ready to start.
14. Los Angeles Clippers - Devin Harris PG 6'3'' 185 21 B- C+ C+ C D+ B
The Clippers currently have Earl Boykins as their starting PG. Do not know what else really needs to be said here. Devin looks like a solid PG prospect who can steal to offset his poor positional defense.
15. Seattle Supersonics - Josh Childress SF 6'8'' 210 21 C+ B C- B C B
At #15 the Supersonics may very well be getting a lottery talent. Childress is probably more of a finished product but still could be a solid starter. Personally, I'd take higher potential players in the lotto which is why I have him falling to 15.
16. Washington Wizards - Andre Emmett SF 6'5'' 230 22 B- C C A- C C
The Wizards really have no specific need here, so I have them going with probably the best player available in Andre Emmett.
According to notes, he could be a starting caliber player from day one. If Josh Howard fails in TC, he very well may be a starter.17. Cleveland Cavaliers - Anderson Varejao C 6'10'' 230 21 C+ C- D+ B B B
Anderson Varejao is the first center to come off the board at #17. I think these last two picks could go either way, but Washington currently has more bigs than wings so I think they'd go with the wing.
18. Milwaukee Bucks - Shaun Livingston PG 6'7'' 182 18 C C C+ B C B
The Milwaukee Bucks currently are starting Troy Bell at PG. Taking a chance on Livingston would be a smart pick here even if he may never be more than a caretaker type of PG.
19. New York Knicks via Nets - Robert Swift C 7'0'' 245 18 C+ C- D+ C+ C+ B
After taking Dwight Howard, the Knicks add another big in Robert Swift. Swift is very raw but could be a decent shot blocker.
20. San Antonio Spurs - Delonte West PG 6'4'' 180 21 C B+ C C C B
Spurs currently have two 33 year old PGs so picking a young PG who can take care of the ball and shoot a bit is a good pick.
21. Utah Jazz via Hawks - Tony Allen SG 6'4'' 213 22 B- C C A- C+ B
With Al Jeff and Amare down low, adding Tony Allen to pair with Tayshaun Prince is a solid defensive wing duo.
22. Portland Trail Blazers - Sasha Vujacic PG 6'7'' 193 20 C A- C C+ D+ C
The Trail Blazers. current have Troy Hudson at PG who looks a lot like an older Sasha Vujacic. Why not get younger?
23. Sacramento Kings - Donta Smith SF 6'7'' 215 20 B- C C C+ C A
Donta Smith looks to have solid potential but may just be all athleticism. At this point he could be a steal or just another leftover FA,
24. Dallas Mavericks via Pacers - Dorell Wright SF 6'7'' 200 18 B- C C C+ C B
Dorell Wright looks to be ever more raw than Smith, but Dallas is rebuilding and can give him a few seasons to develop into something.
25. Houston Rockets via Timberwolves - Chris Duhon PG 6'1'' 185 22 C B- C+ B- C- B
Duhon looks to be the best PG available at this point and with Yao down low how hard could it be?
26. Denver Nuggets via Suns - Viktor Khryapa SF 6'9'' 210 21 B- C C B C B
Nuggets take a flier on Khryapa here. Not much of an offensive player but could be a decent defensive backup.
27. Dallas Mavericks via Pistons - Beno Udrih PG 6'3'' 205 22 C B- C+ C D+ B
With Kirk Hinrich already at PG, Dallas may roll the dice on another position here. Getting a solid backup at #27 is a solid pick though.
28. Memphis Grizzlies via Warriors - Pavel Podkolzin C 7'5'' 260 18 C D+ D- C+ B- C
Pavel looks pretty bad at first glance but is only 18 so maybe he somehow turns into something. He can block some shots.
29. Washington Wizards via Celtics - Sergei Monia SF 6'8'' 220 21 B- C C B- C C
Monia is the last player with notes left who has at least one rating above a C+. Guess he could maybe be a decent backup?
