Downtown Sports NBA
Mock Draft
1.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins (SF-University of Kansas) possibly the best athlete in
this draft. Can make the highlight plays in the open floor. He reminds of
T-Mac. He can defend but needs to work on his jumper.
2.
Milwaukee Bucks: Dante Exum (PG/SG- Australian Institute of Sport) He has the quickness of
Leonardo Barbosa and with the game breaker abilities of Penny Hardaway. Can
create for himself and others. He has a nice outside shot. The only knock of
him is the level of completion.
3.
Philadelphia 76ers: Jambari Parker (SF-Duke) He is the best all round player in the draft. A
skill set that of the chains. He can do the step back jumper Paul Pierce. To me
when I see him play he is Carmelo Anthony. The same body type and the
smoothness in his moves and jump shot. He defense needs improvement. We would
work well in Philly with Williams running the break.
4.
Orlando Magic: Joel
Embiid-(C-Kansas) He has all the skill be an all-star. At 7’0, 250 pounds. They
say he was post moves like a Tim Duncan and The Dream. A good rebounder and
like The Dream and make other 4’s and 5’s look foolish. However his injury
makes him my buyer beware. You would hope that he is not the next Sam Bowe or
Greg Oden.
5.
Utah Jazz:
Noah Vonleh (PF-University of Indiana) Yes I know Utah has already tried the
Kanter experiment and it’s not working. You need a play maker for Burke. Noah
might be that guy. He can defend and his post-game is coming along. He is a
thinker in the court. He may not make the Sportscenter highlights plays but the
Jazz need a post presence to help Burke.
6.
Boston Celtics:
Marcus Smart (PG-OSU) Yes I do see flash of a young Dwayne Wade. He can attack
the paint. Has a good and quick first step. Can finish with the likes of Rose,
Lillard, Westbrook and Williams. At 6’3 he is a good rebounder at the one.
However he needs to control his emotions.
7.
LA Lakers: Julius
Randle (PF-Kentucky) The 1st of Cap’s wildcat is off the board. He was a strong upper body. He is great in
the pick and roll. He can hit the midrange jumper. Randle is a good post
defender. Loves to rebound and has a high motor. To some he is David Lee to me
he is more like Zach Randolph. The only he lacks is explosiveness at the 4.
8.
Sacramento Kings: Rodney Hood (SF-Duke) The second Duke Player of the board. He is a solid
athlete who can score in the midrange, 3 point and stretch the floor. Can beat
you off the dribble and can pass. He was 3 point range. Can post on you. With
all of that he reminds of Rashard Lewis. Not the version in Miami or in
Washington. The version that I’m talking is at his prime in Seattle and in
Orlando. Needs to have that post game at the 3 like Carmelo.
9.
Charlotte Hornets: James Young (SG-Kentucky) The 2nd of the kids Wildcat of the
board. I know its high at nine. However we does have skills. A very talented
scorer that can beat you a number of ways. His jumper is his calling card. He
can hit off the dribble and from deep. Great coming of screens he is a big 2
guard at 6’6. He reminds me of Arron Afflalo. However his shot selection needs
work.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Zach LaVine (PG/SG-UCLA) LaVine is
blessed with a high level of explosiveness. Shows electric speed and quickness.
One of the best leapers in this draft. He jumped off my screen. He does have a
3 point shot to add, can create for himself. I do see the Russell Westbrook
comparisons. However his Basketball IQ needs help. However in Philly with
Williams running the point that backcourt could be the slash bros east.
11. Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris (SG-Michigan St.) At 6‘4
and 205 lbs he is a well-rounded at the 2. He is unselfish player who can pass.
Can set his feet well. A good jump shot and can shoot the three. He is O.J.
Mayo in my eyes. With Ty Lawson he would have a shooter and with Wilson and
hopefully a healthy Gallo Denver would run and gun in Mile High. However he is
an undersized shooting guard and not a slasher.
12. Orlando Magic: Elfrid Payton (PG-Louisiana
Lafayette) A tall quick PG on the offensive side. Deadly 1st step
and crossover that would make Jamal Crawford (J-Crossover) very proud. At 6’3
he is a good defender. Pair him with Opladipo that backcourt have the prospects
to lock you up. All he needs is a 3 point shot.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nik Stauskas (SG-Michigan) He is a
pure shooter and excellent range 44% from downtown in college. Sets his feet
well and quick well. High basketball IQ. Smooth player. Always loves to take
the big shot. To me if you want go old school we would be Steve Kerr. However
if you want a current player that best compare to his game. Look no farther in
Atlanta Hawks Kyle Korver. Weaknesses lack quickness and the most fluid in
terms of athleticism.
14. Phoenix Suns: Doug McDermott (SF-Creighton) His
scoring touch is in a world amazing. He stoke from the floor and from the arc
is Steph, KD and Beal like. Great footwork and square his shoulders and seeing
the ball of his hands is just beautiful to watch. Can shoot the Dirk 1-footer
fadeaway and will make the hustle play. He can Chandler Parsons minus the
leaping ability. Also can run the floor well. His a tweener and he is not the
high flyer at the SF. In Hornacek’s free-flowing offense in the valley of the
sun would fit.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jabari Brown (SG-Missouri) First and
foremost he is a good shooter from the perimeter. He loves and can make the
three ball. Get though screens with ease. Also he can finish and can put you in
a poster. Some say he is Bradley Beal or James Harden. Jeff Teauge does need a
shooter and we would fit well in the ATL. However his handle has improved but
his defense needs a lot of help.
16. Chicago Bulls: Shabazz Napier (PG-UConn) The UConn
player off the board. He is a gamer and a winner. He can score and a can make
get decisions with the ball. Has a three point shot. Plays with a swagger that
you can find at Rucker Park. The Bulls should draft Napier you do need at some
point to find a replacement for D-Rose. Napier tends to over dribble. He is a
streak shooter and needs to get to free throw line more often than his 4.6 free
throw attempts in college.
17. Boston Celtics: Kyle Anderson (SF-UCLA) He does have
great court vision thanks to his 6’9 frame. He can post up small PG, SG and SF.
Good outside shot. A very smart player and a great passer. Can Play the PG, SG,
SF and the PF. Now I won’t go as far that he is Magic Johnson 2.0 but if can be
Lamar Odom at his prime then the Celtics will have a player. Does not have
lateral quickness.
18. Phoenix Suns: Aaron Gordon (PF-Arizona) The most
athletic PF in this draft. Plays with a high motor. Have a good nose for the
ball. Strong and loves contact. Can leap off the gym. Can move in the paint and
will put in a poster. Have a high basketball IQ. He can be Blake Griffin.
However he needs to work at the offensive level. With that high tempo in
Phoenix they would be with Dragic, Bledsoe and hopefully with McDermott. The
Suns might be the next Golden State Warriors.
19. Chicago Bulls: Adreian Payne (PF-Michigan State) An
PF with Dirk like shooting range in college. Shot 42.3% from downtown. He a
good pick and pop player on the floor. Have decent post moves. A tough player
in the paint. However not a high leaper. We will be Drew Godden.
20. Toronto Raptors: Tyler Ennis (PG-Syracuse) Ennis is a cerebral
and a very unselfish point guard. He has a desire to be great and win. Very
coachable. Can get to the lane at will. Can change speeds on a dime. Good
outside shooter and can make 3’s. Can defend. To me he fits the profile of a
Jrue Holiday. However he lacks speed and athleticism.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Glen Robinson III (SF-Michigan) A SF
that can jump off the gym. He can play above the rim. Can finish via the break
and the alley-oop. Can drive with either hand. Solid shooter that can stretch the
floor. Shooting 49% from the floor and can defend. He does remind me of Trevor
Ariza. However can be passive on offense. He is a good fit in OKC with Durant,
Westbrook and Ibaka. They might have their new James Harden.
22. Memphis Grizzles: TJ Warren (SF-NC State) Warren is a
big time scorer and player with great instincts. He a works hard at both ends
of the floor. Good midrange game. Runs the floor very well and rebounds very
well. He does have the skill set of a Caron Butler. He does not have a define position.
However he can be the replacement for Prince.
23. Utah Jazz: CJ Wilcox (SG-Washington) Deadly shooter
who also bring above athleticism. Great shooting mechanics and can be a
playmaker. He is a good defender on the perimeter. He can be in the mold of a
Klay Thompson and the perfect partner for Trey Burke. However Wilcox can’t
create for himself.
24. Charlotte Hornets: Jordan Adams (SG-UCLA) A competitive
scorer and player. Can get though screens. His midrange game is fantastic and
defend SG’s. Can post SG’s very well. He has the game of a Rip Hamilton. He is
not a great passer and can’t finish in the paint.
25. Houston Rockets: CJ Fair (SF-Syracuse) Fair is a
smooth SF with a good offense skill set. He can shoot and defends. Run the
break very well and does have some hops. He reminds me of Jeff Green. Needs to
better create for himself.
26. Miami Heat: Cleanthony Early (PG/SG-Colorado) He
is a dual threat. He averaged 18.9 points and 4.1 assists per 40 minutes over his last two
seasons at Colorado. Can draw a lot of fouls. Solid three point shooter
and make crisp passes. He does remind me of a poor’s man CP3. His knee injury
worries me and will he be a well-rounded PG.
27. Phoenix Suns: Jerami Grant (SF-Syracuse) A very athletic forward prospect with top notch physical tools Projects
to be a wing, and has good size for the position at 6’8, and possesses
outstanding length to match. Good finisher around the rim and defend as
well. He is like Thaddeus Young. He needs to put on some weight and needs a
variety of moves.
28. Los Angeles Clippers: Mitch McGary (C-Michigan) He is quick
for a big man. Have a high basketball IQ. Moves very well. Willing to make the
hustle plays. He is a team player. May not crack the starting five. But we will
find a role. He is like Nick Collinson. Not has explosive and was banned for
the NCAA last year for drug use.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Clint Capella (PF/C Switzerland) His
one of the best athletes overseas. Loves to finish around the rim. Also can run
the floor and every dangerous in the pick and roll and can defend. He can be
somewhat like Nene. The knock on him is his low basketball IQ.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG-Serbia) At 6’6
he has the perfect size for a SG. He poise to play some PG. He can slash in the
paint and has great good vision. His weakness is that he does have the elite PG
quickness like a Westbrook or a Dragic. He can be Manu like.
