Making a Mockery of the NBA Draft

We put the Mock in Mockery with this NBA 2013 Mock Draft

Since graduate school, I have find myself doing a lot more reading.  For those of you that know me, you may have read that last sentence twice.  I even stopped when I wrote it and asked myself, "really?" Alas, I am reading more.  Don't get me wrong, I am not reading British Literature or Shakespeare (although, who doesn't enjoy a good Shakespearean comedy?), instead I am reading a lot of online articles and blogs keeping up with things I am interested in.  As you can tell, sports are of some interest to me, and one thing I have noticed about sports blog and websites: everyone likes to make predictions, but no one thinks they are going to be right.

It usually starts off with something like "before I start, keep in mind that the field has not been set" or "so and so is coming off injury so this may change" or "depending on how serious the cecadas are this year on Tuesday afternoons, we could see some major changes."  Bottom line, everyone will make a prediction, but no one will stick by it.

Therefore, here it is folks, the first prediction that the writer is taking full confidence in these picks.  Of course, the lottery has not been set, so I will use the current standings as my order for this Mock NBA Draft.  Enjoy!

1. Orlando Magic - Trey Burke, PG Michigan

Why not?  The fact of the matter is that this draft is NOT a draft where you are going to find a franchise cornerstone.  In fact, drafting someone who is not a bust this year and will contribute would be considered a win.  If you have a chance to get a starter, that is worth a top pick.  Burke can be that for the Magic.  Nelson is past his prime and Udrih is not an NBA starter.  Burke showed his ability to create, score, be clutch, and most importantly lead in the NCAA tournament.  With no leader on this team, Burke helps the Magic in more ways than one.  Many other top prospects in this draft are injured, having surgery, or not a good fit.  Over the past 10 years, the top PG in each draft has become a solid NBA producer.  The more I explain this, the more it just makes sense.  

2. Charlotte Bobcats - Nerlens Noel, C Kentucky

Could Noel be another left handed big man
bust taken #2 overall?

It pains me to write this, but it is going to happen.  The Bobcats need everything.  As I mentioned in my post about fixing the Cats, I would love to see them trade this pick, since it is the only one they have in this draft.  My problem with Noel is he is exactly like Biyombo, just 3" taller.  If they keep this pick, I see Alex Len as a better fit.  In a perfect world, they trade back with the Timberwolves for their two first round picks and get CJ McCollum and Glen Rice Jr, but as is, Noel is the pick they make.  Fun fact: It would not be their worst pick ever (see Adam Morrison).

3. Cleveland Cavs - Otto Porter, SF Georgetown

After the decision, Cleveland has done some pretty good things with the draft.  They have basically drafted their now starting lineup over the past two drafts with Irving, Waiters, Thompson, and Zeller. What are they missing?  Their SF.  That is where Porter fits for this team.  Irving is the star, Thompson and Waiters have the potential to be All-Stars at some point, and Zeller has been productive with 7 points, 5 boards a game along with good defense and floor spacing.  Porter is long, will play hard, and does not need the ball to be a factor.  With some experience, this pick may give the Cavs what they need to get back to the playoffs.

4. Phoenix Suns - Ben McLemore, SG Kansas

This played out exactly like Phoenix could have wanted.  I will admit, I have not watched anything to do with the Phoenix Suns since Steve Nash left, but based on their roster, it looks like they play about the same style.  Wesley Johnson is a free agent, so McLemore seems like the right fit.  He has the tendency disappear for extended periods, so getting consistency out of him will be crucial.  In a fast paced offence, McLemore has a chance to be successful, because he cannot create his own shot yet.

5. New Orleans Pelicans - Alex Len, C Maryland

This pick I could see going in a couple directions.  If Burke is here, he is the obvious pick.  But, since Burke will be gone, they have a tougher decision.  They like how Vasquez came on this year, but is he really the PG of the future?  If they were more concerned, I think they reach for Michael Carter-Williams here.  They have a couple free agent SF on the roster, so pulling the trigger on Shabazz Muhammad is also possible.  With the chance to get a true big man to play alongside Anthony Davis though, Len is the pick.  A big man who could learn a thing or two from Davis on defense.  He is an old school big guy on the offensive side of the ball, so this pick gives them a strong front court going forward.  

6. Sacramento Kings - Shabazz Muhammad, SF UCLA

Another tough call, as Oladipo would be nice here, but Muhammad makes more sense.  The scoring they have on the team now is more of a drive to the basket kind of scoring.  They want to get rid of Salmons, so that leaves an opening at the position.  There may not be enough basketballs to go around in Sacramento, but at least they wont be running into each other and will space the floor.

7. Detroit Pistons - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Georgia

What is this, our first real reach of the draft?  Yes!  It happens every year, but I think it may pay off for Detroit.  Caldwell-Pope is a great shooter from deep and is an excellent passer, which means he can spread the floor, feed Monroe and Drummand in the post, and relocate for a 3.  He has more size than the other SG's left on the board, and will flat play defense.  Move Knight back to the PG and with the size in the middle, Caldwell-Pope makes this team much better!

8. Washington Wizards - Anthony Bennett, PF UNLV

His size and surgery has him falling this far, and I would not be shocked if he went even further down, but the Wizards have a rough draft track record, so this makes sense for them.  He can score. Period.  But how will he compete with talent in the NBA?  You are drafting an undersized PF here, or a SF that is way too slow.  Is that worth a top 10 pick?  I believe the Wizards think so!

9. Minnesota Timberwolves - Dario Saric, SF Croatia

Minnesota does a nice job scouting international players.  Saric has size for the position, and with him and Kevin Love going after the ball they may not give up an offensive rebound all season.  He needs to work on his shot, but he has great instincts and great vision.  Do the T-Wolves have time to let him develop before they bring him over?  If they don't make some moves, they may lose out on Kevin Love!

10. Portland Trailblazers - CJ McCollum, SG Lehigh

Of course this picture was going on here

This is HUGE if CJ falls this far to them.  He is somewhat undersized, but he can put the ball in the hole.  They have a solid tandem in Lillard and Aldridge as studs, McCollum could make life a little easier for both these guys.  Will he be a super star?  No.  Will he be a good shooter with potential to start day 1? Yes!

11. Philadelphia 76ers - Gorgui Dieng, C Louisville

Some have Zeller higher on their board than Dieng, but Dieng is the pick here.  He can knock down short jump shots, and with some strength added, he will be a solid defensive player.  They lose Kwame Brown (shocked he is still in the league) and should let Bynum walk(terrible deal).  They have other needs here too, but Dieng would have been a better option last year than Brown or Bynum.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder - Victor Oladipo, SG Indiana

Funny how this worked out.  The Thunder lost the beard last year, but filled the hole with Kevin Martin, who has been a solid scoring threat.  This team plays hard and plays together, Oladipo would fit right in.  As someone who could contribute right away, he improves this team on the defensive side of the ball and brings a good value for the pick at 12.  With another pick in the first round, getting a sure thing here gives them freedom to take a risk later on.  Martin and Brewer are free agents, who knows if they will be back, but if the Thunder don't trade up and he falls to them, it would be a great draft of OKC yet again.

13. Dallas Mavericks - Michael Carter-Williams, PG Syracuse

It would be easier to tell you everyone coming back than who they will probably lose to free agency.  When starting from scratch, PG is a good place to start.  Carter-Williams has great size and skill for the position, he just needs to work on his shot.  Learning from Dirk and Vince Carter will help him along in development before they retire.

14. Utah Jazz - Cody Zeller, C Indiana

They are going to lose a lot of the depth they have in the middle this off season, but they like Kanter and Favors at the 4 & 5 going forward.  Zeller can come in for either guy and play solid minutes and play hard.  While they need serious help in the back court, they should try and fill that need in free agency, go with Zeller and keep that depth in the middle.
   
15. Milwaukee Bucks - Glen Rice Jr, SF NBDL

Great pick!  They like Sanders and Henson in the middle, and Rice is one of the few sure things in this class. He has been in the D-League for quite some time and lead his team to a championship.  He is playing against much tougher competition than anyone else in this draft, and playing better than most.  Plus, it is in his blood line!

16. Boston Celtics - Kelly Olynyk, C Gonzaga

Even though the Celtics don't really lose much in free agency, this could be a very different looking team next year.  Will they keep the old core?  Will they trade Pierce and Garnett?  Either way, they need help!  Wilcox is a free agent, which means nothing other than they lose the only true center on the team with experience (Garnett, in my book, is a PF).  They need a big man and Olynyk has the best chance to grow and contribute now.  Steven Adams may be an option, but he is too much of a project for this team at this time.  Let Garnett toughen up this long-haired west coast kid and see what happens!

17. Atlanta Hawks - Jamaal Franklin, SG San Diego State

Here is another team losing a lot to free agency.  They keep Horford, Teague, and Jenkins but need everything else.  Back to back picks here, especially in this draft, give them a chance to move up or stay and gamble.  I see Franklin as a little of both.  A guy who can score, has good size for the position, but needs to prove himself against competition first.  The guy plays in long sleeves: badass!

18. Atlanta Hawks - Steven Adams, C Pittsburgh

A little more of a gamble than Franklin.  Adams would have improved a lot going back for another year, but with this weak class, why not come out!  He has the talent, just needs to be taught how to play, especially at this level.  Physically, he is ready, mentally is another story.

19. Cleveland Cavs - Allen Crabbe, SG California

You can never have enough scoring.  Waiters is a little small for the SG, so Crabbe can step in, play some good defense, and be a solid roll player with some work.  At this point, look to strengthen your bench with this draft, and with Ellington and Gibson in free agency, they may get a deal with Crabbe if he pans out.  

20. Chicago Bulls - Rudy Gobert, PF France

The Bulls have done pretty well with the talent they had this year, and it is safe to say several guys have earned their spot for next year.  With a solid post presence already, why not gamble a little with pick 20 and go with a project.  Gobert has rare length and with Noah and Boozer to toughen him up, he could contribute in the rotation going forward.

21. Utah Jazz - Shane Larkin, PG Miami

He needed to come out this year.  He was losing his entire supporting cast and, like Kendall Marshall last year, his stock would not have been higher.  Larkin is fearless, willing to step up and be a leader, and pretty good at his game.  With some refinement, he could be a good back up PG, but needs to add strength.

22. Brooklyn Nets - Sergey Karasev, SG Russia

I will be honest, I am making this pick because of the Russian tie to Mikhail Prokhorov.  I also am no Fran Fraschilla, so do not consider me an expert on foreign talent.  Here is what I know: every year foreign players that I have never heard of get drafted in the first round.  It is typically guys who will stay overseas and work on their game.  What do I know about this guy?  He has good size, he is Russian, and he is 19 years old.  Boom, drafted.

23. Indiana Pacers - Jeff Withey, C Kansas

Indiana has a track record of picking experience college big guys who have proven themselves after multiple years (Hansbrough, Hibbert, Plumlee) and that is Withey.  Withey has a great chance to steal some minutes from Hibbert and actually produce.  He is strong, tall, and has great instincts.  

24. New York Knicks - Mason Plumlee, PF/C Duke

Plumlee's game, to me, is a lot like like Tyson Chandler.  Not really a good shooter, even for his size.  He is strong, good at setting screens, rebounding, athletic, and can dunk the basketball, hard!  Add a few more inches and he is a top 5 pick, but he plays a lot bigger than he really is, and in this offense, he will be good off  the bench.

25. Los Angeles Clippers - Erick Green, PG Virginia Tech

This guy had a great year.  The Clippers have a good back court right now, but it will not look this good in another year.  Bledsoe has come into his own and someone will throw serious money at him, so he will be pricey to keep as a backup if they convince CP3 to resign.  Green can score and learn how to play the position from some solid guys.  If all else fails, he can throw the ball near the rim to Jordan and Griffin.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves - Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Greece

Minnesota likes foreign players.  They also need SF help, so this is the pick.  Not sure about anything with this kid, other than he is a skinnier version of Kirilenko.  There ya go.

27. Denver Nuggets - Reggie Bullock, SF North Carolina

Convinced I am making this pick because I am a Carolina fan?  Let me explain.  Denver has a lot of things, depth, size, good PG play, excitement, veteran leadership, the reigning Coach of the Year.  What are they missing?  They cannot shoot the ball from deep.  Strange for a team that led the league in PPG, huh.  If you don't count Koufos who hit his 1 3-point shot this year, they had 2 people who were over 30% from deep (Miller and Iguodala).  Bullock gives Denver someone who can knock down shots from range.  While they led the league in scoring, they were pretty bad abut giving up points.  Bullock was one of UNC's better defensive players last year, so the two things he does well are needs for Denver.  Make more sense now?
  
28. San Antonio Spurs - Dennis Schroeder, PG Germany

Here is another team that drafts well from overseas.  Because they are so complete, they can keep their picks overseas and let them develop.  This is a great chance to let this kid grow and maybe be a back up at some point.   

29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Archie Goodwin, SG Kentucky

The most organized thing they did all year other
than help escort Noel off the floor

...and here is the Thunder's project.  Goodwin is a great talent.  He can fill it up, drive to the basket, he can pass, and with the right guys around him, he will play hard and be competitive.  The issue at Kentucky was his supporting cast.  In fact, that is the issue with everyone who goes to Kentucky now, they are not a team, but that argument is for another day.  For now, bring in a guy who can learn from Durant and Westbrook and maybe work up to be a scoring threat on the team one day.

30. Phoenix Suns - Tony Mitchell, SF North Texas

Mitchell is interesting, he has been disappointing in college, but has talent.  Academics has hurt this kid, but you don't have to take tests in the NBA.  They need a SF so this seems like a good pick

Feel free to debate, argue, comment, insult me I don't care.  I am sticking by these picks, unlike everyone else willing to make a mock draft at this point.  Let the debate begin!

-Matt