My Mock (opinions would be appreciated!)

[KDWilliams85]

I hate the Tyrus Thomas pick at #2 for the Bulls. Many people are under the mistaken impression that he's big. He's not big at all. He's just strong. Strength and size go hand in hand. If you lined up Spud Webb against Shaq, who's going to win?

Thomas slips out of the top 5. He has no offense. He's all defense and that doesn't mean squat with a guy his size. He'd be getting paid $3.5Mil/yr to sit under the goal and not get ran over if he was drafted inside of there. He's all 'athleticism' and no game. Shaq isn't good just because he can just run over people. He has a healthy combo of offense, defense, and ability. Thomas does not have this. The only thing for him may be a decent mid-range jumpshot. He's too small to be the impact player he's being made out to be. At best, he'd be a matchup-type player where he'd play against guys like Marion, J. Smith, Deng, T-Mac, Kobe, Wade, etc., etc., etc. He has no chance against Shaq, Yao, Camby, or any other legitimate center with an iota of defensive presence.

Brandon Roy makes a lot more sense for the Bulls at the #2 pick. He's the guard that Gordon isn't and Hinrich wants to be. Gordon is a shooter/scorer. Hinrich gets stuck with defending the bigger 2's because of his defensive ability. Roy has the size matchup in his favor. Hinrich can run the point solely and not worry about that. However, they also have a glaring need in the frontcourt. So, it'll be either Bargnani or Aldridge being snagged there.


As you can see, I'm a Bulls fan.

[[L3]1101]

why would Toronto pick Aldridge when they already have Bosh and Villanueva whom switch from PF and C back and forth. Isn't Aldridge a PF anyways? That's why I see them taking Adam Morrison and the Bulls taking Aldridge and I think Jordan will put his magical faith in Rudy Gay and hope he doesn't turn out to be another K Brown

A lot of people are hoping ALdridge will play C in the NBA, so you have:

C:Aldridge
PF:Bosh
SF:CV

I personally think it'll take Aldridge a few years just to get used to playing C. But it might be worth it. Aldridge is big enough to play, offensivly he is ready, but physically he'll get pushed around by other NBA centers.

The #1 will be either Aldridge or Morisson, forget Bargs

[Nick]

I hate the Tyrus Thomas pick at #2 for the Bulls. Many people are under the mistaken impression that he's big. He's not big at all. He's just strong. Strength and size go hand in hand. If you lined up Spud Webb against Shaq, who's going to win?

Thomas slips out of the top 5. He has no offense. He's all defense and that doesn't mean squat with a guy his size. He'd be getting paid $3.5Mil/yr to sit under the goal and not get ran over if he was drafted inside of there. He's all 'athleticism' and no game. Shaq isn't good just because he can just run over people. He has a healthy combo of offense, defense, and ability. Thomas does not have this. The only thing for him may be a decent mid-range jumpshot. He's too small to be the impact player he's being made out to be. At best, he'd be a matchup-type player where he'd play against guys like Marion, J. Smith, Deng, T-Mac, Kobe, Wade, etc., etc., etc. He has no chance against Shaq, Yao, Camby, or any other legitimate center with an iota of defensive presence.

Brandon Roy makes a lot more sense for the Bulls at the #2 pick. He's the guard that Gordon isn't and Hinrich wants to be. Gordon is a shooter/scorer. Hinrich gets stuck with defending the bigger 2's because of his defensive ability. Roy has the size matchup in his favor. Hinrich can run the point solely and not worry about that. However, they also have a glaring need in the frontcourt. So, it'll be either Bargnani or Aldridge being snagged there.


As you can see, I'm a Bulls fan.

I disagree. I don't think Thomas should be #2 either, but he doesn't warrant a "he has no game" rant.

The same "no game" rant could be said about Ben Wallace. But everybody knows how good his motor, desire to win, athleticsm, impeckible timing for blocking shots, hustle and commitment to every rebound is. These are the things that make him a hell of a player. Tyrus Thomas has similar unteachable abilities that make team salivate.

Anyway, the latest news from DraftExpress is that Houston and Atlanta are swapping picks. The agreement is that Atlanta are taking Brandon Roy with #5 and Houston are taking Shelden Williams with #8. They will trade the draft rights of the 2 players and Atlanta will recieve Luther Head from Houston. Obviously the deal won't happen if one of the players is taken higher, but i don't think that will happen. It could be a smokescreen, but it makes a lot of sense to me. Roy, the epitome of efficiency, is the perfect missing piece for Houston to fill. And Shelden would get more touches in Atlanta than anywhere else and he would be a leader in Atlanta, something they desperately need. Plus Roy and Shelden have the same agent, which gives the rumour more credit i think.

So, my new mock:
1) Raptors-Adam Morrison
2) Bulls-LaMarcus Aldridge
3) Bobcats-Rudy Gay
4) Blazers-Tyrus Thomas
5) Hawks-Brandon Roy
6) Twolves-Marcus Williams
7) Celtics-Andrea Bargnani
8) Rockets-Shelden Williams
etc... the rest is the same for me. Only 2 changes.

(God damn, i had to re-write that post 3 times over the past 45 minutes because of NLSC not loading.)

[Matt]

Bobcats are not taking Gay. They look good @PG, SF & wherever Okafor is playing.

7) Celtics-Andrea Bargnani

pretty sure he's a top 4.

i sure as hell hope Magic don't take reddick.

[The X]

1. Toronto - Bargnani
2. Chicago - Aldridge
3. Charlotte - Roy
4. Portland - Morrison
5. Atlanta - M. Williams
6. Minnesota - Gay
7. Boston - Thomas
8. Houston - S. Williams
9. Golden State - Carney
10. Seattle - Simmons
11. Orlando - Redick
12. Hornets - O'Bryant
13. 76ers - Rondo
14. Jazz - Sene
15. Hornets - Amstrong
16. Bulls - Brewer
17. Pacers - Alexander Johnson
18. Washington - Shawne Williams
19. Sacramento - Farmar
20. New York - Collins
21. Phoenix - Ager
22. New Jersey - Pecherov
23. New Jersey - Lowry
24. Memphis - Brown
25. Cleveland - Douby
26. New Jersey - Thabo Sefolosha
27. Phoenix - Freeland
28. Dallas - PJ Tucker
29. New York - Boone
30. Portland - Augustine

somehow Rodriguez & a couple of others missed out....

[Nick]

7) Celtics-Andrea Bargnani

pretty sure he's a top 4.

Pretty sure the draft hasn't happened yet, and top 4 is an opinion, not a fact.

I think he's top 5. But I think Toronto's interest in Bargnani is a smokescreen and that they won't take him. And i'm predicting that if Toronto don't take him he will fall, possibly further too. Though i'll say Celtics will be the first team to say "ok, we can't let him slip further". He's talented, and we all remember Dirk and Pau Gasol's success, but we also remember Nikoloz Tskitishvili's outcome...

[Laker Socks]

No way lakers would draft Farmar. The lakers would pick a player that fits in the triangle. Darius Washington does not fit the triangle too.

I expect Sefolosha or James white to be the lakers pick in the 1st round. If they can trade up, im sure the lakers will pick Roy as Pjax sees Ron Harper in him.

Cavs have promised to take Gibson in the 1st round if he is available by the time they pick.

[Unrestrict3D]

If Utah doesn't move up in the draft like they're rumored to try and do and pickup Randy Foye I think they'll take Saer Sene since they've been really high on him as of late. Pretty nice mock.

If i could choose, though, they'ld pickup Ronnie Brewer.

[scrub]

The thing I like about this draft is that there are no top 3 picks. Any top 7players could be in the top 3 which is good for discussion. Last year it was just - Will the Bucks take Bogut or Williams?

I have changed my mind and I think that the Raptors will take Morrison now instead of Bargnani.

1-Morrison
2-Thomas
3-Roy

[Unrestrict3D]

Also, I really think a lot of teams are going to trade picks for players this year so look for a lot of trades before/during the draft.

[J@3]

I don't think this is a particularly bad draft, there's quantity moreso than quality so getting more than one pick may not be a bad idea.

[Abctest123]

why would Toronto pick Aldridge when they already have Bosh and Villanueva whom switch from PF and C back and forth. Isn't Aldridge a PF anyways? That's why I see them taking Adam Morrison and the Bulls taking Aldridge and I think Jordan will put his magical faith in Rudy Gay and hope he doesn't turn out to be another K Brown

Because Villanueva and Bosh struggle enough with guarding players in their own position. Both of them would get owned night in and night out if they were to play bulk of their minutes are centre. Both of them dont have the strength to guard centres. Though in NBA Live, its a different story ...

[Donatello]

I really hope the Blazers get Morrison. Pwease. Pwease? Twhank wou.

[frenchy]

I think the raptors will take Morrison then trade him to the team that will draft bargnani (+ a PG)

[Jing]

been hearing rumors that the hawks will take roy at 5 and then trade him to the rockets for williams at 8 plus luther head

the rockets should draft gay at 8 if he is still there.

[Buckley]

1. Toronto - Bargnani
2. Chicago - Aldridge
3. Charlotte - Roy
4. Portland - Morrison
5. Atlanta - S. Williams
6. Minnesota - Thomas
7. Boston - M. Williams
8. Houston - Gay
9. Golden State - Foye
10. Seattle - Redick
11. Orlando - Brewer
12. Hornets - O'Bryant
13. 76ers - Carney
14. Jazz - Simmons

[Unrestrict3D]

I think Toronto will draft Morrison with the #1 pick. IF they don't trade that pick away.

[[Q]]

ehhh I think the Raps will take Bargnani (why else would Colangelo hire his old GM in Italy?)
Bulls take Aldredge at 2, because they have plenty of young backcourt players
Bobcats take Morrison at the 3... they need a go-to guy and under Jordan he can become an unstoppable scorer.
Portland takes Tyrus at 4. they need all the help they can get.
hawks take Roy at 5 and trade him to the Rockets for Luther Head & Shelden Williams
I really thought the Wolves would take Roy at 6, but I guess he'll be taken by then, so they take Rudy Gay which isn't a bad pick to begin with.
Boston takes Carney to fill the swingman gap.
Houston take Williams and trades him to ATL
G State takes Patrick O'Bryant to help them at C.
Seattle takes Foye to help them at PG.
Orlando gets Reddick. they need his scoring & shooting.
NO takes Cedric Simmons to bolster their weak frontcourt.
Philly takes Marcus Williams as he is the best available guard at this point.
and to wrap up the lottery, Utah takes a PF to anticipate trading Boozer.

[KDWilliams85]

I hate the Tyrus Thomas pick at #2 for the Bulls. Many people are under the mistaken impression that he's big. He's not big at all. He's just strong. Strength and size go hand in hand. If you lined up Spud Webb against Shaq, who's going to win?

Thomas slips out of the top 5. He has no offense. He's all defense and that doesn't mean squat with a guy his size. He'd be getting paid $3.5Mil/yr to sit under the goal and not get ran over if he was drafted inside of there. He's all 'athleticism' and no game. Shaq isn't good just because he can just run over people. He has a healthy combo of offense, defense, and ability. Thomas does not have this. The only thing for him may be a decent mid-range jumpshot. He's too small to be the impact player he's being made out to be. At best, he'd be a matchup-type player where he'd play against guys like Marion, J. Smith, Deng, T-Mac, Kobe, Wade, etc., etc., etc. He has no chance against Shaq, Yao, Camby, or any other legitimate center with an iota of defensive presence.

Brandon Roy makes a lot more sense for the Bulls at the #2 pick. He's the guard that Gordon isn't and Hinrich wants to be. Gordon is a shooter/scorer. Hinrich gets stuck with defending the bigger 2's because of his defensive ability. Roy has the size matchup in his favor. Hinrich can run the point solely and not worry about that. However, they also have a glaring need in the frontcourt. So, it'll be either Bargnani or Aldridge being snagged there.


As you can see, I'm a Bulls fan.

I disagree. I don't think Thomas should be #2 either, but he doesn't warrant a "he has no game" rant.

The same "no game" rant could be said about Ben Wallace. But everybody knows how good his motor, desire to win, athleticsm, impeckible timing for blocking shots, hustle and commitment to every rebound is. These are the things that make him a hell of a player. Tyrus Thomas has similar unteachable abilities that make team salivate.

Anyway, the latest news from DraftExpress is that Houston and Atlanta are swapping picks. The agreement is that Atlanta are taking Brandon Roy with #5 and Houston are taking Shelden Williams with #8. They will trade the draft rights of the 2 players and Atlanta will recieve Luther Head from Houston. Obviously the deal won't happen if one of the players is taken higher, but i don't think that will happen. It could be a smokescreen, but it makes a lot of sense to me. Roy, the epitome of efficiency, is the perfect missing piece for Houston to fill. And Shelden would get more touches in Atlanta than anywhere else and he would be a leader in Atlanta, something they desperately need. Plus Roy and Shelden have the same agent, which gives the rumour more credit i think.

So, my new mock:
1) Raptors-Adam Morrison
2) Bulls-LaMarcus Aldridge
3) Bobcats-Rudy Gay
4) Blazers-Tyrus Thomas
5) Hawks-Brandon Roy
6) Twolves-Marcus Williams
7) Celtics-Andrea Bargnani
8) Rockets-Shelden Williams
etc... the rest is the same for me. Only 2 changes.

(God damn, i had to re-write that post 3 times over the past 45 minutes because of NLSC not loading.)

It's interesting that you call Ben Wallace into this. Ben Wallace went undrafted. It took him a while to develop into the powerhouse that he is. Even now he can't match up too well against Shaq and Yao. That's why I'm worried about taking him at #2. I'd much rather do the rumored Duhon & 16 to Boston for #7. That way, we can pick up Roy and Williams just like I wish. Haha...

[air gordon]

good effort on the mock, Nick even had the user comments. reminds of the nll lol. I don't know why you have Ager slotted in the 16th spot. the Bulls haven't even worked him out and they don't need another small combo guard

Brandon Roy makes a lot more sense for the Bulls at the #2 pick. He's the guard that Gordon isn't and Hinrich wants to be. Gordon is a shooter/scorer. Hinrich gets stuck with defending the bigger 2's because of his defensive ability. Roy has the size matchup in his favor. Hinrich can run the point solely and not worry about that. However, they also have a glaring need in the frontcourt. So, it'll be either Bargnani or Aldridge being snagged there.


As you can see, I'm a Bulls fan.

i can understand the pessimism about Thomas but i don't agree with this assessment. Hinrich struggles more against the smaller, quick PG's in the league. he's pretty successful guarding "SG' type players because he has the quickness to stay in front of them and his strength is on par with most of them. Look at the playoffs- he did the best job defending Wade in the playoffs but he struggles against players like Luke Ridnour and TJ ford

Other then Morrison and Roy, i think the perceived top 6 players in this draft are being drafted on potential

[KDawg295]

rudy gay would be better off with the wolves.
i mean lamarcus and KG?
there will not be another twin tower.
stop dreaming.