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Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 12 2008, 08:11 PM

Ok, I didn't even think about this until now (Especially since we didn't have a coach)...if people want to do a mock draft through this site this year, here's your chance.

Since there's barely 2 weeks left, I'm just going to put up the list. If you want to sign up for a team, please reply in this thread and state which team (s) you want.

Let's make a goal of getting the lottery teams filled up first. If you want a non-lottery team, you can grab them, but I can't guarantee we'll get to them. We'll start the draft when all the Lottery teams are taken. If you want the Bulls...send me a PM or post here within 24 hours, and tomorrow night I'll do a microsoft excel random number generator style raffle, as I did with the TalkBears one (And just to let you know, I'm putting myself in the running for that one, but I promise it will be conducted fairly. If the Bulls can win the lottery so can I.)

1 Chicago Bulls - ZoomSlowik
2 Miami Heat - CBF
3 Minnesota Timberwolves - DotheDuhon21
4 Seattle SuperSonics - Soxfan1
5 Memphis Grizzlies - dasox24
6 New York Knicks - cowch
7 L.A. Clippers - Balta
8 Milwaukee Bucks- ZoomSlowik
9 Charlotte Bobcats - steve9347
10 New Jersey Nets - Bulls91
11 Indiana Pacers - CBF
12 Sacramento Kings - Soxfan1
13 Portland Trail Blazers - Eddog2
14 Golden State Warriors - steve9347
15 Phoenix Suns - Bulls91
16 Philadelphia 76ers - DotheDuhon21
17 Toronto Raptors - Balta
18 Washington Wizards - cowch
19 Cleveland Cavaliers - dasox24
20 Denver Nuggets - ZoomSlowik
21 New Jersey Nets - Eddog2
22 Orlando Magic - steve9347
23 Utah Jazz - cowch
24 Seattle SuperSonics- SoxFan1
25 Houston Rockets - Eddog2
26 San Antonio Spurs - Steve9347
27 New Orleans Hornets - Balta
28 Memphis Grizzlies - dasox24
29 Detroit Pistons - cowch
30 Boston Celtics - DotheDuhon21

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 12 2008, 08:19 PM

i'll take the Bulls if possible o[=

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 12 2008, 09:24 PM

I'll take Bobcats and Warriors

Posted by: SoxFan1 Jun 12 2008, 09:26 PM

To be fair, we'll put names in the generatopr for which user gets the Bulls. For now, pick your secondary teams and then we'll draw the Bulls user when everything else is full.

I'll take Seattle and will put my name in for the Bulls pick as well.

Posted by: dasox24 Jun 12 2008, 09:37 PM

I'd like Memphis as well as having the chance at getting the Bulls' pick.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 12 2008, 09:59 PM

I'll take whichever teams we need me to, multiples if necessary. Lottery teams and teams with multiple picks preferred.

Posted by: bulls91 Jun 12 2008, 10:04 PM

I will take the Nets and the Suns.

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 12 2008, 10:14 PM

For my other team I'll take the Heat I guess...

Posted by: DutheDoduhon21 Jun 12 2008, 10:47 PM

ill take the t-wolves and any other teams you want me to take

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 13 2008, 07:09 AM

Dude, don't be so lame. It's going Rose/Beasley, why would you WANT the two obvious picks?

Posted by: Cowch Jun 13 2008, 09:52 AM

Give me the Jazz, I know a thing or two about them. And how about the Knicks.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 13 2008, 11:56 AM

I guess I better take Milwaukee, last team in the top-10 (besides the Bulls obviously)

Posted by: SoxFan1 Jun 13 2008, 12:48 PM

I'll take SacTown as my 2nd team if available.

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 13 2008, 01:28 PM

Why do you care? Somebody has to take them eventually..

Posted by: Cowch Jun 13 2008, 02:11 PM

I think if you get the Heat you should take someone else too, cause 1/2 are obvious. At least contribute to the mock and take a later one too.

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 13 2008, 03:58 PM

I am contributing, I own the second pick of the Mock draft

But since I already own the Heat pick I'll just take myself out of the drawing for the Bulls, so give me whatever team is available, surprise me!

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 13 2008, 08:35 PM

You have the Pacers.

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 13 2008, 11:53 PM

Cool, thank you =)

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 15 2008, 02:53 PM

Anybody else?

Posted by: eddog2 Jun 15 2008, 03:49 PM

I'm in if there are some open teams left. I'd like to have the Bulls but if I don't get that put me down for the Blazers.

As for the Bulls & Blazers they will be the 2 biggest stories next season. Both teams will make the playoffs for sure.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 16 2008, 11:08 AM

Microsoft's random number generator has produced a winner...and it is DotheDuhon21. The Bulls are yours if you want them. If not I can redraw.

Posted by: soxfan3530 Jun 16 2008, 11:16 AM

Ill take whatever teams you need me to take.

Posted by: DutheDoduhon21 Jun 16 2008, 11:39 AM

i didnt want the bulls pick, but ill take it unless someone else really wants it.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 16 2008, 12:52 PM

I guarantee you a lot of other people here would "Really want it". Would you like to pass? I'll redraw if so.

After redrawing...if you pass, it goes to Zoom.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 16 2008, 03:17 PM

If he doesn't want it, it passes to Zoom. I've randomly filled out the rest of the 1st round with those participating. Soxfan1 is on vacation, so does anyone want to take over for his eariler pick?

Post your picks in this thread, and mods will update the official list thread.

ZoomSlowik, as the Bulls you are on the clock!

Posted by: soxfan3530 Jun 16 2008, 04:28 PM

ill take them.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 16 2008, 05:22 PM

God damn it, I got side-tracked earlier, Steve warned me.

Normally I'd be a contrarian and take Beasley, but I'll go with the mob...

The Chicago Bulls select Derek Rose, PG, Memphis.

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 16 2008, 06:03 PM

With the second pick in the 2008 NBA Draft the Miami Heat select Michael Beasley.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 16 2008, 06:48 PM

Mock draft thread updated.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 16 2008, 06:49 PM

Do2Du is up

Posted by: DutheDoduhon21 Jun 16 2008, 07:18 PM

the minnesota t-wolves select o.j. Mayo USC

Posted by: eddog2 Jun 16 2008, 09:53 PM

The Blazers have made a trade the past few years before or during the draft so I'll keep with that tradition and say that I'm willing to make a deal to move up into the top 9 or I would be willing to move down or out of the draft if the right trade came along. I would even trade the pick to a team that is keeping it's top 5 pick if the deal is good.

I am looking for a more solid PG and am willing to trade any of my PG's (Blake, Jack), Channing Frye, Martell Webster, and possibly Lamarcus Aldridge if the deal is worthy. Untouchables are Roy & Oden with Outlaw also a likely untouchable.

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 16 2008, 10:33 PM

The Heat are also interested in making a trade. I'm willing to get rid of anybody except Beasley, D-Wade is close to untouchable but not for the right price

Posted by: dasox24 Jun 17 2008, 01:08 AM

Hey Balta, since this was your idea, what do you think about trades? I think it would just be easier if we just solely did a draft rather than dealing with trades, but I guess trading would make it more interesting...

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 17 2008, 08:20 AM

We allowed trades last year. It was more fun that way.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 17 2008, 08:20 AM

The Sonics are up, and Slav is out of town, so someone needs to step up and make that pick.

Posted by: soxfan3530 Jun 17 2008, 08:53 AM

ill make the pick unless anyone has any objections.

With the fourth pick, the Seattle Supersonics select.......Jerryd Bayless PG Arizona

Dasox24 and the Memphis Grizzlies are on the clock.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 17 2008, 09:04 AM

Alright, pick 5 is up.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 17 2008, 10:00 AM

You're the GM. Deal whoever you want. I wound up with KG and Ray Allen on the same team last year, which kinda impressed me. I just had them in Minnesota.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 17 2008, 10:30 AM

ESPN's Chad Ford is reporting on a potential deal. The L.A. Clippers will trade Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston to the Portland Trailblazers for LaMarcus Aldridge, Jarrett Jack, Martell Webster, and the expiring contract of Raef Lafrentz. Due to trade restrictions on both of the players on the Clippers, the deal can not be approved by the league until after the July 1 deadline, but it appears that the deal does work as written and will be going down when it is allowed. (IT is however entirely possible for either side to back out before the draft ends because of the Clippers' players trade restrictions)

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 17 2008, 05:13 PM

Um, ok, I could have swore there was another trade reported here a moment ago?

Posted by: dasox24 Jun 17 2008, 05:21 PM

I'm very surprised by this trade. Portland seems to be giving up way too much. Aldridge put up #'s last year that were very close to Brand's averages, and he's younger. Not sure why they'd trade him. Plus, Livingston is no guarantee to ever be the same after that injury. Just not sure what the Blazers are doing here...


As for my pick, with the 5th pick in the 2008 draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select Kevin Love, PF, UCLA

Posted by: Cowch Jun 17 2008, 05:22 PM

Haha there was, and then another post after that. Not so sure why they're gone now. Anyway, where the heck is dasox24? idk when I'll be able to make my pick if he picks later. Oh well, we've got a while.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 17 2008, 05:23 PM

He just picked

Posted by: Cowch Jun 17 2008, 05:35 PM

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL!!! With the 6th pick of the 2008 nba draft, the New York Knicks select Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 17 2008, 05:42 PM

F***, you grabbed the guy the Clippers wanted! Blast!

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 17 2008, 05:44 PM

With the 7th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select:
Danilo Gallinari, Forward, Armani Jeans Milano

Posted by: Cowch Jun 17 2008, 05:50 PM

The Knicks almost went with Russel Westbrook. We can see if we can work out a trade the Knicks are willing to split with many players.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 17 2008, 05:53 PM

Anyone on my roster other than Kaman is available in my book.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 17 2008, 08:38 PM

Thread updated, we need a pick at 8.

Posted by: eddog2 Jun 17 2008, 08:42 PM

Why do you need Gordon when you are getting Martell Webster to be your SG? Unless you plan on him being your 3.

As GM of the Blazers I would like to confirm the earlier report that the Blazers have formally agreed to the following trade: The L.A. Clippers will trade Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston to the Portland Trailblazers for LaMarcus Aldridge, Jarrett Jack, Martell Webster, and the expiring contract of Raef Lafrentz. Due to trade restrictions on both of the players on the Clippers, the deal can not be approved by the league until after the July 1 deadline. However, both parties including the players involved have expressed their desire to accept the trade and once the paperwork is complete I we will sign Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston to new extensions.

I truly believe that this trade makes the Blazers championship competitors next season and for the next decade. While I wish both Webster and Aldridge the best of luck and I know they will develop into exceptional NBA players, we felt we were addressing the need for veteran leadership by trading for both Brand and Livingston.

At this point in his career, Brand is a better rebounder, and better shot blocker and defender than Aldridge and he's a solid veteran with playoff experience. He will be huge for the development of Oden (or any other bigs we have when the season starts). We feel that Brand will complement Oden in ways unseen from a big man duo since Robinson/Duncan. As for Livingston, we understand that he is recoving from a very serious injury and we intend to do everything we can to ensure he has a long successful career in a Blazers uniform. We really like Livingston's unselfish game and feel he has star potential at the PG position. If Livingston does fully recover he will complement a star studed lineup of scorers that include Oden/Brand/Roy/&Outlaw.

I must say that Webster will be missed. He's an excellent young talent. However, we expect big things out Rudy Fernandez and we wanted to ensure that each of our SG's (Roy and Fernandez) would get significant minutes next season. With Webster becoming an emerging starter we simply felt that we did not have the mintutes to spread to 3 quality SG's. We appreciate everything Webster did for this organization and we wanted to trade him to a team where he could battle for the starting position. I truly believe he will do that with the Clippers.

Fernandez will be the lights out scorer off the bench that this team was lacking and we believe his outside shot can be just effective or more effective than Webster's. The Blazers are now deep at every position and ready to charge to the top of the West.

Oden/Pryzbilla
Brand/Frye
Outlaw/James Jones
Roy/Fernandez
Livingston/Rodriguez/Jack/Blake

As a team we have a lot of flexibility with guys who can play multiple positions. We will experiment with Roy at the PG position more next season and we expect to use a smaller rotation at times to get our fast break going. That's why we are happy to have Brand who can play the center position at times and we feel Outlaw should be able to play some PF for us next season.

While I am happy with this trade and how it transforms the team, I will continue to explore possible trades to add another 3/4 to the lineup and possibly add some other quality veterans to the team. I am willing to listen to all trade offers.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 17 2008, 09:37 PM

13, 36, and jack for the 9

^^ above is a deal between portland and charlotte

Posted by: eddog2 Jun 17 2008, 09:51 PM

Although not as extreme as the originally discussed trade b/w the Bobcats and Blazers the two teams have finally come to terms on the following trade.

The Blazers send Jarret Jack, the 13th pick, and the 36th pick to the Bobcats for the 9th pick and a player to be named (likely Othella Harrington for cap purposes).

The Blazers made the trade b/c they have their eyes set on a few guys with have star potential that the Blazers feel would have been drafted before the 13th pick.

Posted by: dasox24 Jun 17 2008, 10:08 PM

I'm an idiot. I completely thought this was a real trade, forgetting we were in the "mock draft" thread.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 17 2008, 10:57 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks select Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia.

We need a SF on the roster, and while Alexander is actually bit of a tweener he's got very good athleticism and intriguing upside. A big man wouldn't really get much time with Bogut/Jianlian/Villanueva around and for now we're set in the backcourt with Redd and Williams.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 17 2008, 11:11 PM

Side commentary: while Brand is the better player, Aldridge appears to be a better fit to play alongside Oden (and to a lesser extent Roy). Duncan and Robinson worked, but they were also both phenomenal players and really only had one year together with both of them at their peak, not to mention they didn't have a Roy to help carry the load as well. Oden and Brand bring a lot of the same skills: they both play on the low block a lot, they are both good rebounders and shot-blockers, and neither is what I would call an above average shooter (Oden isn't even average), which would help a lot when people collapse on the other guy and give you better spacing. While defensively it'd be a nice pairing (though not the fleetest of foot, might struggle against smaller teams), on offense they both end up with fewer touches inside. On the other hand, Aldridge is a guy that can play away from the basket a lot more and doesn't need to spend the whole game on the low blocks to be effective, which is probably good with Oden on the roster. Yeah, he's a pretty average rebounder and defender, but assuming Oden is healthy that's a lot less of an issue. Plus you don't need him to be as much of a scorer with Oden and Roy around, he can be kind of like Rasheed Wallace without the crazy as he develops. I personally like that future grouping quite a bit, though they could really use a dead-eye shooter at PG or SF to take advantage of all of the attention Oden and Roy will draw (not a big fan of Jones and Blake as long-term options, and Webster isn't quite dangerous enough from out there yet to be the regular #1 outside threat).

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 07:14 AM

Thread updated.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 18 2008, 10:25 AM

Um, haven't you now traded Jarrett Jack to 2 different teams?

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 10:36 AM

Has he made two trades? The only one I saw was with me with 13/36/jack for 9/harrington.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 10:37 AM

Via telephone call, Edwin as the Blazers selects DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M. The New Jersey Nets and Bulls91 are on the clock.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 10:39 AM

I don't think this trade is actually happening as it hasn't been confirmed by Portland and he just selected at #9.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 18 2008, 10:49 AM

Hasn't been confirmed?


Emphasis mine.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 12:09 PM

Yeah, looks like that deal happens then. Edwin said he'd give me Blake instead of Jack, and as much as that sucks dick, the extra draft pick alone is worth it to the Bobcats. So both deals stand, with Jack going to LAC and Blake going to Charlotte.

Posted by: bulls91 Jun 18 2008, 12:26 PM

With the tenth pick in the NBA Draft the New Jersey Nets pick...

Anthony Randolph for Louisiana State University

The Nets take Randolph based on his potential of playing the PF (if he can add on lots more weight). If he can't then he will still be a very nice backup to Richard Jefferson and play sparing minutes at the 4.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 01:24 PM

List updated.

Indiana and CBF are on the clock!

we need someone to do the 12th pick bc Slav's out of town.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 08:15 PM

How much longer do we want to wait for CBF?

ZoomSlowik is taking the 12th pick for Slav who is out of town.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 18 2008, 08:36 PM

We still have over a week before the draft, so there's no huge rush right now.

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 18 2008, 09:31 PM

(Sorry about the wait, I just got back from an AllStar game)

With the 11th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft the Indiana Pacers select Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 09:36 PM

Were you in it??

thread updated.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 09:38 PM

ZoomSlowik stepped up and took Sacramento, and PM'd me this choice of Brook Lopez.

If Zoom were really making this pick, he'd take his man-crush Marresse Speights, who'd bring some much needed athleticism to the froncourt. If Slav were making this pick, he'd probably take his mancrush DJ Augustin and get their PG of the future. Instead, we're going with what Sacramento will likely do and select Brook Lopez, another slow, white C which will likely mean another post player in NEXT year's draft.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 09:41 PM

With the 13th pick, the Bobcats select Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State.

The Bobcats, not challenging anytime soon, would have preferred DeAndre Jordan at this pick but will settle for another high risk/reward C.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 18 2008, 09:44 PM

With the 14th pick, the Golden State Warriors select Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas.

The Warriors take a guy who can step right in and play decent minutes at shooting guard and small forward, which could open them up to dealing Pietrus. With the roster in hand, this is the smart move.

The Phoenix Suns and Bulls91 are on the clock.

Posted by: dasox24 Jun 18 2008, 10:38 PM

This is moving faster than I expected. The last time I did one of these was a fews years ago and we didn't even finish the 1st round by the draft. Good work everyone!

Posted by: Chicago Bulls Franchise Jun 18 2008, 11:45 PM

yes, it was for Baseball. It was pretty awesome, I pitched and got the win, had a hit, made a few catches in the outfield, and was a finalist for MVP! Woot, yay me haha..

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 19 2008, 07:50 AM

Nice work man.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 19 2008, 07:51 AM

The Phoenix Suns and Bulls91 are on the clock.

Posted by: bulls91 Jun 19 2008, 09:31 AM

With the 15th pick in the NBA Draft. The Phenix suns select...

Marreese Speights from the University of Florida

Speights will help as a back up until shaq retires from the league. His stock is improving by the day from good workouts. He is very athletic which the Suns rely on, and has a decent shot.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 19 2008, 10:17 AM

Thread updated.

The Philadelphia 76ers and DotheDuhon21 are on the clock!

Posted by: DutheDoduhon21 Jun 19 2008, 11:49 AM

with the 16th pick the philadelphia 76ers select darrell arthur from Kansas.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 19 2008, 12:04 PM

thread updated... the Toronto Raptors and Balta are on the clock.

Here's how the rest of the 1st winds down.

17 Toronto Raptors - Balta
18 Washington Wizards - cowch
19 Cleveland Cavaliers - dasox24
20 Denver Nuggets - ZoomSlowik
21 New Jersey Nets - Eddog2
22 Orlando Magic - steve9347
23 Utah Jazz - cowch
24 Seattle SuperSonics- Soxfan1
25 Houston Rockets - ZoomSlowik
26 San Antonio Spurs - Steve9347
27 New Orleans Hornets - Balta
28 Memphis Grizzlies - dasox24
29 Detroit Pistons - cowch
30 Boston Celtics - DotheDuhon21

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 19 2008, 01:33 PM

With the 17th pick in the 2008 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select Alexis Ajinca, Hyeres-Toulon, France.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 19 2008, 02:05 PM

I should have married a really really really tall chick so my kid could be a late first rounder. I swear, if you're 7-feet, people love you.

The Washington Wizards and Cowch are on the clock!

Posted by: Cowch Jun 19 2008, 04:12 PM

With the 18th pick in the 2008 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards select D.J. Augustin, Texas

Posted by: dasox24 Jun 19 2008, 06:03 PM

With the 19th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 19 2008, 06:55 PM

The Denver Nuggets select Robin Lopez, C, Stanford.

Kenyon Martin and Nene both get hurt a ton, so having another big man is probably a good idea. He's not much of a scorer, but he's big and is more athletic than his brother. Plus with their lineup it wouldn't hurt to have another defensive minded player.

Posted by: eddog2 Jun 19 2008, 10:59 PM

I have no idea why I am picking for the Nets when I didn't have them on their 1st pick but oh well. The Nets selected Anthony Randolph with their first pick and with the 21st pick in the draft the Nets select a real PF in Jason Thompson out of Rider.

Those are 2 of my favorite players in the draft and the New Jersey Nets are thrilled to welcome both of them to the organization.

Randolph and Thompson will add to the Nets young nucleus of Devin Harris, Marcus Williams, Josh Boone, & Nenad Kristic. ESPN's Chad Ford suggests that the additions of promising youngsters has led the Nets to choose rebuilding over attempting to simply make the playoffs. Ford rumored that the Nets have been fielding offers for Richard Jefferson & Vince Carter and are looking to obtain a large expiring contract and a promising young SG in return. Ford also reports that the Nets will make a push to sign Corey Maggette if they are able to trade Vince Carter. Vince Carter is scheduled to make $15.2 million next season while Richard Jefferson is scheduled to make $13.2. The Nets have not ruled out the possibility of trading both players as part of a mega package that includes a young SG, cap relief, and future picks.

Posted by: eddog2 Jun 19 2008, 11:15 PM

Elton Brand is a better shooter and a better back to the basket scorer and his complete game is a ways ahead of Aldridge's. It was the same way at the college level when you compare their effectiveness at the same age and through his first 2 years in the league Brand was also more dominant than Aldridge. The only area I think Aldridge would be better is his quickness but even Aldridge isn't all that nimble for his position. Yes Oden and Brand do have similar games but that doesn't mean that Brand can't adjust his game and hit the open J. Plus he'll use his body to get a lot of offensive rebounds when Oden misses. And it never hurts to have a dominant player like Brand stay in the game when Oden in getting a breather or when he is in foul trouble. Then you never have to worry about not having a post scorer.

As for the 3 point shooter, Webster was an excellent option. Most players his age couldn't dream of shooting close to the 40% clip wtih the # of 3's he jacks up. Anyway, as I stated before I think Rudy Fernandez is going to be just as good if not a better 3 point shooter than Webster and that's why they could afford to get rid of Webster. If never hurts to have other great shooters and that's why I think the Blazers will pursue 1 or 2 more good shooters in free agency.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 19 2008, 11:53 PM

Brand is an decent shooter, not a particularly strong one. Yes, he can hit them and does well on the line, but he's far more effective down on the blocks. Aldridge is a very good shooter for a guy his size though. He hit 41.7% of his 2-point jumpers even though they made up 60% of his shots last year, only his second in the league. That's very good for a big man and was a better percentage than guys like Luol Deng, Carmelo Anthony, David West and Chris Bosh that are known for their mid-range shooting. Plus with his awesome length it's a very difficult shot to block/challenge. I'm in no way arguing that Aldridge is a better player, he needs to add bulk and get more aggressive, but he's more capable of doing his damage away from the basket and that opens things up more for Oden. Just look at how much better Kaman was as a scorer once Brand got hurt and how many more attempts he got, or how Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph had some trouble sharing attempts this year (purely as post scorers they're both quite good). Duncan and Robinson was the exception more than the norm. Aldridge is not exactly bad in the post either, he hit 61.2% on shots in the basket area, though obviously on fewer attempts. He can play inside or outside pretty well on offense, which is a great complement to a guy that's strictly a low-post option. Add in the sizeable age and contract differences and keeping him around makes an awful lot of sense.

As for Webster, I'm not arguing that he can't shoot, but he's not quite what I was talking about. At roughly 39% and 1.6 makes he can certainly contribute to it, but he's not the complete answer to the problem just yet, you need at least one other comparable option or someone that's going to hit a ton of them like Rashard Lewis or Peja (obviously those guys are harder to get). In terms of 3-point impact he was roughly equal to Andres Nocioni (yes, I know that 38.8>36.4, I said roughly, and they hit about the same number), you still need another guy that can hit open shots regularly that's also going to be on the floor with your first unit quite a bit. They're going to get a lot of open shot opportunities with people paying attention to Oden and/or Aldridge inside and Roy on the drive, so you need to surround them with guys that can hit them with regularity, not just one guy.

Posted by: SoxFan1 Jun 20 2008, 10:06 PM

I'm back to take over my SEA/SAC duties.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 22 2008, 09:30 PM

With the 22nd pick the Orland Magic select Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky.

Posted by: Cowch Jun 22 2008, 11:01 PM

With the 23rd pick in the 2008 NBA draft, the Utah Jazz select Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 23 2008, 08:02 AM

Slav is on the clock.

Posted by: SoxFan1 Jun 23 2008, 09:39 AM

With the 24th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Seattle SuperSonics select...Nicholas Batum, SG, Le Mans (France).

Bayless - Batum - Durant - Green - Collison

If there are any teams interested in a PG, the Sonics are looking to package Watson and one of Collison, Swift, Sene for a big man.

The Houston Rockets are on the clock.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 23 2008, 09:40 AM

25 Houston Rockets - ZoomSlowik
26 San Antonio Spurs - Steve9347
27 New Orleans Hornets - Balta
28 Memphis Grizzlies - dasox24
29 Detroit Pistons - cowch
30 Boston Celtics - DotheDuhon21

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 23 2008, 09:44 AM

Actually, I switched the board around because I didn't ask for the Rockets and figured Edogg would want them. If he doesn't, then fine, I'll pick.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 23 2008, 10:28 AM

Via email, with the 25th pick the Houston Rockets select Serge Ibaka, PF, CB L'Hospitalet.

The Spurs are now on the clock.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 23 2008, 10:29 AM

With the 26th pick the Spurs select J.J. Hickson, PF, NC State.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 23 2008, 10:30 AM

The New Orleans Hornets and Balta are on the clock.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 23 2008, 10:39 AM

The surprised New Orleans Hornets select Donte Green, SF, Syracuse, a projected mid-first-rounder who fell to them.

Posted by: dasox24 Jun 23 2008, 02:50 PM

With the 28th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select C JaVale McGee, C, Nevada

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 23 2008, 03:07 PM

Cowch and Do2Du will finish out the first round.

Posted by: eddog2 Jun 23 2008, 10:28 PM

I have to say that this is exactly who I want the Rockets to take in real life (assuming Thompson is off the board). I actually think his ceiling is higher than Thompson but I think Thompson will have more of an impact in his first few years. Ibaka could be a flop but I think he's going to develop into a serious pro capable of being a starter at the 4 position and possibly even a defensive player of the year type. His athleticism is simply through the roof. He's kind of like a more controlled Tyrus Thomas from what I have seen in videos. He hasn't played the right competition yet but I think that working in an NBA system will make him twice the player he has been thus far. He could stand to gain some weight but looking at his frame he looks like he'll have no problem gaining weight (possibly even getting to the elite muscle status like Amare, Shawn Kemp in his young days). I doubt he'll ever have a Dwight Howard type frame but you never know.

He says he is molding his game after KG. He's got a long way to go but athletically he's already a step ahead of KG if he truly is 19 years old.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4-6opHOfJJE

Looks like he jumps pretty high.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 24 2008, 07:34 AM

He's going to seriously need to learn a post move or two. That floating jumper is going to get swatted everytime.

Posted by: Cowch Jun 24 2008, 09:48 AM

With the 29th pick in the 2008 NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons select Nathan Jawai, PF/C, Australia.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 24 2008, 09:58 AM

A step up over KG athletically? Really? If that were the case he'd be projected to go A LOT higher in the draft, considering that in his prime KG was an athletic freak with absurd length, explosive leaping ability, and small forward mobility. He went #5 right out of high school at a time when that kind of thing was unheard of, that should tell you how gifted he was physically. A 31 year old KG okay, but then the skill level isn't even close there so it's pretty moot. It's one thing to say he's big and athletic, or that he can jump really high, or that he's a good sleeper pick, it's another to say he's more athletic than one of the best athletic specimens that the league has had in the last generation when he's projected to go in the late 1st round.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 24 2008, 10:08 AM

Do2Du is up with the final pick.

Posted by: DutheDoduhon21 Jun 24 2008, 11:53 AM

the boston celtics select Devon Hardin, C Cal.

Posted by: steve9347 Jun 24 2008, 11:57 AM

And thus completes the mock draft. I'll unlock the results thread and now feel free to rip all the picks!