MockDraft

Oh Wall. Every team is after the kid. Magic Johnson said “Every team needs a good point guard”. Not surprised. John Wall is the biggest piece to this puzzling draft.The reason I say puzzling is because after John Wall and Evan Turner, the other players talents are questionable of being anywhere as good as Wall or Turner. When I look on paper, this year might be a weak draft. But hey, I’m just stating my opinion about the draft like any person who can talk about it. I hope to see these young players hit their potential quick. Let’s take a look at my own mock draft order.

1. Washington Wizards – John Wall, PG from Kentucky

It isn’t a question that Wall is the best player in the draft. He’s young, quick, athletic, and NBA ready. The freshman out of Kentucky seems to remind me of a mix of players like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, and Dwyane Wade. Many people thought Kentucky would at least make it to the Final Four, but West Virginia knocked them out for the spot. Wall is a very energetic player all around. He can jump for alley-hoops to shooting a mid-ranged jumper off the dribble. His speed will make him adapt to the NBA quick. Wall averaged a impressive 16 points, 4 rebounds, and nearly 7 assists per game. For a freshman, that’s showing that he is ready for the biggest test, and that is to play for the world’s best league.

Strengths – Speed, athleticism, drive to the basket, court vision, and defense

Weaknesses – Turnover prone,  jumpshot, and needs to improve on being more mature

2. Philadelphia 76ers – Evan Turner, SG from Ohio State

Big guard. Big shots. Much potential. Evan Turner is forgoing his senior year to play in the NBA. Despite having a fractured back early in the season, Turner still managed to bounce back and averaged a 20 points per game season. Turner has similarities to Portland Trailblazer guard Brandon Roy. His ball handling and isolation is quick. Strong finisher at the rim. He’s very lengthy for a guard. At 6’7, he has a thin frame so it’ll be nice if he put some muscle on. Probably the most complete player in the draft in scoring, defense, and IQ.

Strengths – Ball handling, rebounding, attacking the rim, isolation player, scorer, and defense

Weaknesses – Needs to improve jump shot and take care of the ball better

3. New Jersey Nets – Derrick Favors, PF from Georgia Tech.

Favors is one of the most athletic big men in the draft. His skills remind me of a mix between Josh Smith and Shawn Kemp. He is a strong finisher at the rim and his shot blocking ability is up there. What’s special about this kid is that he’s the youngest player in the draft. At 6’9 and 246 pounds, he’s still yet to grow. I wouldn’t be surprised if Philly took him 2nd overall because he has great potential and can fill up a spot Elton Brand hasn’t.

Strengths – Defense, athleticism, close range shots, great power around the rim, and youth

Weaknesses – Lot more to learn about the game offensively, conditioning, and jump shot

4. Minnesota Timberwolves – Wesley Johnson, SF from Syracuse

Johnson has matured throughout the years and has proved he can bring his Syracuse team to the Sweet 16. He is very versatile and can play the SG and SF positions. He is a pretty good all around player. Athleticism is outstanding and he can shoot the ball well. Defense is also a known figure of Wesley. The T-Wolves are in need of a SF, but they might have something under their sleeve like last year’s draft.

Strengths – 3 point shooting, defense, athleticism, and size

Weaknesses – Decision making, thin frame, and needs work on play making ability

5. Sacramento Kings – DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C from Kentucky

To me, DeMarcus seems too overrated. But the Kings do indeed need a big man, and most likely DeMarcus’s name will come up first. If he played PF, his size would be great against many teams in the league today. DeMarcus is a very great body down in the paint and rim area. He can bother post players and his height and wingspan would create tough shots. He doesn’t have much of a offense besides running down the floor for fastbreaks and put backs. His rebounding is impressive. As a young freshman, Cousins needs to be more mature as he enters the NBA. Especially if he goes to the Kings, he will have to deal with a lot of rookie tasks and pranks such as Jason Thompson.

Strengths – Strong inside, post skills, rebounding, and defense

Weakness – Athleticism, immature, offense, and going for every block shot available

6. Golden State Warriors – Al-Farouq Aminu, SF from Wake Forest

Aminu is quite athletic for a thin built SF. The thing is, the Warriors would like his athleticism and it’ll fit perfectly into Don Nelson’s playing system. The SF from Wake Forest can also play at SG if the Warriors decide to go big. He is versatile and can run down the floor in a smooth transition for fast break plays. Needs to improve in his shot though. A easy way to define Al-Farouq is “Athletic”.

Strengths – Athleticism, forward size, rebounding, and defense

Weaknesses – Needs to improve shooting range, consistency of offense and defense, and needs to be stronger

7. Detroit Pistons – Greg Monroe, PF from Georgetown

Big big man from Georgetown. He can handle the ball like most guards. A crafty lefty player. Likes to take the ball to the hoop and with aggression too. Can run offense and defense pretty well. Monroe’s post moves in the paint are quick for a PF. Shows a lot of athleticism in the game. If the Pistons take him, he’ll probably be their best big man.

Strengths – Quickness for his size, wingspan, ball handling, and driving to the rim game

Weaknesses – Strength, free throws, athletic finish, turnover prone, and needs to play with more heart for the game

8. Los Angeles Clippers – Paul George, SF from Fresno State

The LA Clippers are in desperate need for a athletic SF. They can get one if they pick up Paul George early. George has to be one of the top 3 SF’s in this draft. Out of the three, he’s the most athletic I’ve seen so far. He also has a sweet jump shot which he can knock down from long range. Though his offensive game is there, his defense isn’t. He lacks to keep up on D whether it’s man or zone. When he wants to, he’ll play D. If he creates a defensive play such as a block leading to a steal or vice versa, you will probably see George finishing at the offensive end too.

Strengths – Jumper, athleticism, and finishing at the rim

Weaknesses – Loses focus on defense, needs to create his own shot if necessary, and draw fouls inside over jumpers

9. Utah Jazz – Cole Aldrich, C from Kansas

Aldrich’s game reminds me a lot of Marcus Camby but a bit less athletic. His defensive skills are incredible. He’ll go for block shots left and right. As he creates defensive plays, he tries to have the offense get running quick by moving the ball up-court quickly. He has a nice jumper for a big man and passing ability on the offensive end. As for the NBA, I don’t believe his offensive presence will be noticed as for Cole is the player that basically does the dirty work for a team, which teams like the Jazz do like.

Strengths – Timing his blocks, crashing boards on both ends, nice short jumpers, and overall shooting %

Weaknesses – Size, speed, and needs bulk

10. Indiana Pacers – Avery Bradley, PG/SG from Texas

Shoot first kind of guard. He has a very explosive game towards the rim. What helps him make him so offensively well is his quickness and ball-handling. He can break defenders off or blow past them with his first step. His defense is also pretty well. As he can stay in front of other players, the downside is that his size isn’t up to the NBA level. At 6’3 (in shoes) he’s only 180 pounds and can easily be pushed around by bigger NBA point guards and especially shooting guards.

Strengths – Ability to head to the rim at will, ball-handling/dribbling, and attacking mentality on offense

Weaknesses – Size, strength, court vision play making, and free throws

11. New Orleans Hornets – James Anderson, SG from Oklahoma State

Legit shooter and a pure SG is what the Hornets need. Has great athleticism for fast break chances and defensive player who will stick on any guard. Though he loves taking jump shots, he can also slash to the rim and have a soft finish. The biggest downside of Anderson is that he can’t create his own shots. He hesitates if there’s a critical situation or defensive harassing him left and right.

Strengths – Shooter all around, on-ball defense, and quickness

Weaknesses – Ball-handling, play making, and creativity

12. Memphis Grizzlies – Ed Davis, PF from North Carolina

Rumors are that the Grizzlies might want to trade their pick for a PG. Ed Davis would fit well with the Grizzlies or at the 12th spot for most teams. Davis has great size for a PF and tremendous athleticism. He likes to take the mid-range shots or close shots to the rim. He is also a wonderful rebounder. Around the rim, he needs work. He also needs to build strength in order to keep up with NBA players.

Strengths – Always clicking on defense, lay-ups or small hook shots, and athleticism

Weaknesses – Bulk, needs work around the rim with finishing, and needs to learn offensive situations/ how to get involved

13. Toronto Raptors – Luke Babbitt, SF/PF from Nevada

Great all-around offensive player. If the Raptors pick him up to replace Hedo, he’ll be a great offensive shooting threat off the floor. His 3’s are solid and moves to the rim can acceptable. Has a decent post game and can pass the ball well. As a great shooter, he is one of the best free throw shooters in this draft. His biggest concern is defense. He lacks the speed to keep up with his opponent.

Strengths – Pure shooter, offensive awareness, post and rebounding skills, and athleticism

Weaknesses – Defense, quickness, big bodied, and aggressive finish

14. Houston Rockets – Daniel Orton, PF/C from Kentucky

In need of a big man, the Rockets will look a lot at Daniel Orton. Being a freshman out of college and heading straight to the NBA when you didn’t play much in college is tough to get drafted high. Orton shows a great amount of effort on the defensive and offensive side on the court in his last few trainings. His strength leads to him posting up on players and if he gets a good look at the rim, he’ll take it. He can also knock down short jumpers. On the defensive side, his blocks and ability to protect the rim is worthy.

Strengths – Defense around the rim, strength, short jumper, and big body

Weaknesses – Basic skill set of basketball, experience, uneasy knee, and quickness