Mock Draft part two

16. Houston Rockets

Pick: Austin Rivers - G

Rivers' relative slide stops here as Houston grabs him with the hope he delivers on his obvious but fleeting star potential.  Assuming Houston trades Kyle Lowry and resigns Dragic, he'd team with Rivers in the backcourt to give Kevin McHale two good pick-and-roll ballhandlers and transition finishers to run the team for the foreseeable future.  The Rockets got younger in this draft but didn't add much in the way of risk with Rivers and Zeller, important for a team always looking to stockpile tradable assets.  With two mid first round picks, they could certainly do much worse.

Jordan's Take: Is Rivers that good in the pick and roll? This year didn't provie a definitive answer, and he'll certainly have to grow that part of his game in the NBA. There's no denying his potential, and a Dragic/Rivers combination, if both of them play up to their promise, could be special. If Rivers doesn't take to coaching, and there have been rumblings about this propensity, it could be trouble. Still, he's the best player available, and a good pick this late.

17. Dallas Mavericks

Pick: Terrence Jones - F

This was a steep slide for Jones who, entering the season, had high lottery written all over him. However, growing character concerns have caused his stock to fall rapidly. He's the consummate NBA head case: teams love his talent and potential, but hate his immaturity. If he falls this low, I have to think the Mavericks take a chance on him.

Jones athleticism, as well as his penchant for taking (and missing) long two-pointers remind many of Josh Smith. However, should Jones get selected here, he'll have the opportunity to learn from one of the best forwards in the league, who also happens to be one of the league's most poised professionals. Carlisle, though he doesn't play rookies often, would love Jones' versatility and could help him channel his competitive fire to fuel his game.  

Jack's Take: Jones is a great talent and a better fit for the Mavs, who need a youngster to develop amid their roster full of veterans.  He was thought of as a potential top five pick at times during his career at UK and has slipped for various reasons, but the skill, size, and athleticism is all there for him to develop into an impact player.  And Rick Carlisle is the perfect coach to get it out of him.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves

Pick: Terrence Ross - SG/SF

I love Ross here.  Players his size that can shoot and finish at the rim are few and far between, and if he ever turns all that athleticism into penetration or solid defense he's a potential top six player in this draft.  Better than all that he's a perfect fit for the Wolves, who have been looking for a good wing since drafting the disappointing Wes Johnson.  Love, Rubio, Pekovic, Ross? That's a nice start for an organization clearly on the rise.  

Jordan's Take: Should Ross develop as everyone thinks he can, the Wolves will have a dangerous core once Rubio comes all the way back from his devastating ACL injury. The one worry with Ross is his lack of ball handling skills. The Wolves need someone else who can create off the dribble, and if they take Ross, they'll expect him to be that guy.

19. Orlando Magic

Pick: Quincy Miller - SF

Before he tore his ACL, Miller was pegged as a top-5 talent in the draft. Unfortunately, Miller was never at a hundred percent during his lone season at Baylor. His numbers were decent, but you could tell that he was still in recovery. The talent is still there, it's just a question of if he can gain back what he lost.

Assuming he does, which isn't a terrible assumption, considering he's only 19, Orlando gets a great bargain here. They need youth at virtually every position, not to mention talent. Miller's got the skills, able to dribble and weave through traffic like a guard and hit from deep despite an awkward release, as well as his aforementioned youth. . And while Miller won't make anyone forget about Howard, he'll undoubtedly be a building block for the Magic as they rebuild under new General Manager Rob Hennigan.

Jack's Take: What to think of Miller? I'm not even sure NBA front offices and doctors know, which is why his stock is plummeting as draft day gets ever closer.  He was an elite HS player and once considered a lock top 10 pick, but obviously his recovered and rehabbed athleticism is still in question.  Miller vanished all too often his one year at Baylor, and whether or not that was due to his injury, a skill-set not as good as we originally thought, or both, it's troubling.  Orlando, in flux, needs to take a chance here though, and Miller's the rare late first round pick that has some boom potential.

20. Denver Nuggets

Pick: Royce White - F

White's game is the most unique in the entire draft, and if not for his well-documented anxiety disorder and rocky path to his lone year playing at Iowa State, he'd go much, much higher.  His talents are easily worth taking a chance on this late, though, and White would fit in perfectly with a Nuggets squad that loves to push the tempo and move the ball.  If White's monitored and nurtured off the floor, he keeps his weight under control, and he develops a semi-reliable jumper he could be the steal of the draft, as players with his combination of size, ballhandling ability, court vision, and knack on both ends are extremely rare.

Jordan's Take: It's tough to separate White the player from White the person. Mental health issues are slowly, very slowly, becoming less and less taboo among male professional athletes. A team selecting White despite his anxiety issues would go a long way in dispelling the phobia of mental health disorders. Anxiety disorder is common, White's game and combination of skills aren't. He's matured signifcantly, and has shown the desire to be better, both as a player and as a person.

21. Boston Celtics

Pick: Andrew Nicholson - F/C

Moultrie could have been the pick here, but with KG's future uncertain, the Celtics need a forward who can score on something other than cuts and putbacks. Enter Nicholson. He has a refined post game, improving range on his jumper and has shown the ability to drive to the hoop. His defense is suspect, and his wiry frame doesn't allow for much muscle, which will certainly lead to a decline in the Celtics' once legendary defensive dominance. But he's a good pick here, and will be a valuable weapon for a team that needs to rebuild around Rondo.

Jack's Take: Boston is in a strange spot this off-season with the uncertain futures of KG, Ray Allen, and Brandon Bass.  If the gang is brought back together Nicholson's a very good pick, an additional offensive option whose skill-set differs from those already on the roster.  Moultrie is greener and thus has more room to grow, though, so if Danny Ainge is forced to blow up the team he might be the better option.

22. Boston Celtics

Pick: Fab Melo - C

It might seem redundant to consecutively pick two true big men, but Melo offers defensive potential Nicholson doesn't and is three years younger, meaning their learning curves will in all likelihood be far different.  With his head on straight, Melo could develop into one of the league's premier shot-blockers and has enough mobility and coordination to defend pick and rolls and finish easy ones at the rim, too. 

Jordan's Take: Melo is an enigma. Before the season, he was a fringe second rounder. Now, he's steadily climbing the draft ladder, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone before this. The Celtics have needs at every position almost, and Melo, if he proves worthy of his recent hype, could be a solid starting center for the Celtics.

23. Atlanta Hawks

Pick: Arnett Moultire - F/C

Al Horford is playing out of position as a center. Moultrie, despite his size and athleticism, still has a ways to go as a defender, as he's a surprisingly awful shot blocker, but could allow Horford to slide back to his more natural position at the four.He's  a terrific rebounder, especially on the offensive glass, averaging 5.2 offensive boards per 40. Though he's also raw offensively in terms of creating his own offense, he's adept at cutting and getting open around the basket, skills that could translate into a dangerous high-low game between he and Horford.

Jack's Take: I really like Moultrie here, but not necessarily for the reasons you do.  He's a senior age-wise for this draft, but in terms of experience and potential he projects more like an underclassmen would because he played just one season at Mississippi State after transferring from UTEP and was nary a blip on the NBA radar prior to last season.  Late-bloomers with size and athleticism should always be given an extra look, and Moultrie fits that bill.  But for the Hawks? He gives them much-needed frontcourt depth, yes, but I fundamentally disagree with the notion that his selection merits Horford sliding up to the 4.  He's a 5 in today's NBA, especially considering it's been made clear that Josh Smith is best suited playing power forward.  Moultrie, as much as I like him, isn't good enough to push Atlanta's two best players from the positions they're best suited.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers

Pick: Moe Harkless - SF

This is a huge coup for Cleveland, as Harkless is one of the biggest sliders in our draft after once being considered a potential top 10 pick.  He's extremely raw, but had a very good freshman season at St. John's playing out of position in the post and offers great size and athleticism on the wing.  Harkless' plays with a fiery disposition and is lauded for his tireless work in practice, too, so he should fit right in with Irving, Beal, and Tristan Thompson as the core of the Cavs' rebuilding project.  He obviously needs to develop his offensive game as a shooter and penetrator, but Cleveland can afford to wait on that given his considerable overall upside.

Jordan's Take: Harkless goes to a perfect situation in Cleveland, where he can grow alongside Irving and (in this case) Beal. There are some serious questions about his defense. Even though he played out of position this year, is especially on defense, his defensive fundamentals, such as his stance, left many wanting. If he's able to harness his skills and lock in on defense, he could become a great two-way player. Nice "future" pick for the Cavs.

25. Memphis Grizzlies

Pick: Jeff Taylor - SF

This may be a bit of a reach for Taylor, but he's a pretty good fit for Memphis. Taylor addresses two key needs for the Grizzlies: scoring, and a capable back up to Rudy Gay. His shooting, both in terms of percentages and mechanics, improved a great deal this year, to the point where he's a threat from beyond the arc. Since he's also a plus defender, Memphis can slide Taylor over to the two at times without sacrificing  too much defense  when Tony Allen comes out. 

Jack's Take: To say Taylor wouldn't sacrifice much on defense when replacing Allen seems like a stretch, but he's a good pick for the Grizzlies here nonetheless.  They stand to lose O.J. Mayo in free agency and could use extra shooting help even in the unlikely case they re-sign him, so the improvement Taylor made this season as a jump-shooter makes him a nice fit.  He could likely come in and contribute early, too, important for a team as readymade as the Grizzlies.  

26. Indiana Pacers

Pick: Tony Wroten - PG

The Pacers, like all successful teams just a notch below the true elite, are in a tough spot here.  They've got a great nucleus to build around that's still young, but lack the superstar it takes to win a championship.  They could go conservative and choose a player that could help them right away like Draymond Green, or they could swing for the fences and hope they hit on a prospect anything but a sure thing.  That's Wroten, a huge point guard with character concerns and a shoddy jumper.  Consider him another asset if or when Indy decides to make some changes in search of that elusive star player.

Jordan's Take: I like Wroten's talent, but I don't like the pick for the Pacers. Larry Bird has worked too hard to bring in model citizens (Lance Stephenson excepted) and build a team with great character. Wroten doesn't fit in there. Now, if they used him as trade bait, as you suggested, then I'm warmer on the pick. There aren't a lot of good picks for the Pacers here. I think Green would make sense, or maybe Festus Ezeli to provide front court depth.

27. Miami Heat

Pick: John Jenkins - SG

Draymond Green has been the popular pick here, but I'm going with Jenkins because of his shooting. Shane Battier was a revelation in the playoffs, but he showed his age in the regular season. Moreover, Miami can't bet on Mike Miller hitting 50 three pointers in one game for an entire season. Jenkins provides spacing for the Heat, and can take over the designated shooter role for Miller when he gets hurt.

Jack's Take: Can't argue with Jenkins going to Miami.  He might be the draft's best shooter, and as LeBron gets more and more comfortable in the post the Heat will need talents like his more than ever.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder

Pick: Draymond Green - F

The offensive limitations of the Thunder's frontcourt were exposed against Miami, and Green's versatile skill-set would go a long way toward rectifying them.  He can score in the post, off the dribble, and along with Royce White is the draft's best passing big man.  Green was a great rebounder in college, too, and an underrated spot-up shooter.  All of that talent will be especially beneficial to OKC when they're playing small, as he's a perfect fit alongside Kevin Durant in such lineups.  Green doesn't defend well or have the highest ceiling, but the latter hardly matters for a team as top-heavy with star talent like the Thunder.  

Jordan's Take: It's interesting that Draymond Green could be exactly what Jeff Green was supposed to be for the Thunder. I love the pick, as it adds even more versatility to a team that can field multiple effective line ups.

29. Chicago Bulls

Pick: Will Barton - G/F

I think the Bulls would have liked Jenkins here, but since he's gone in this situation, they'll turn to Barton. The former Memphis Tiger should be able to provide them with defense, shooting, and a player who can create a bit off the dribble. For a few years, the Bulls have been missing a player who can create their own offense outside of Rose. Barton should be able to fill that role. Another possibility here is Marquis Teague, whom the Bulls could play this year then use as trade bait next year once Derrick Rose is fully recovered. 

Jack's Take: Barton's a strange case for me.  He has length, athleticism, can put the ball on the floor, drastically improved on both ends from his freshman to sophomore year, and put up big numbers on a good team.  His jumper is shaky and he's rail-thin, but those are two aspects of his game that can be honed and developed.  It's a mystery to me why he's not considered a better prospect.  Obviously, then, I like this pick for Chicago, especially if there's any legs to the Luol Deng rumors.

30. Golden State Warriors

Pick: Marquis Teague - PG

Teague slid a bit through the draft process.  He was once considered this crop's top point guard or close to it, and it's easy to see why given his natural gifts despite his up-and-down season at Kentucky.  Not unlike his older brother, Teague combines good size for a point with stellar athleticism.  End to end, he might be this draft's fastest player with the ball in his hands and is equally quick with his first step in the half-court.  Teague played out of control all too often his lone year in college and his jumper is far from solid, but he's a very good value pick for the Warriors here, especially considering the versatility he offers their lineup by allowing Steph Curry to slide down to the 2.

2012 NBA Mock Draft

With the 2012 NBA Draft just days ahead, Jack Winter from Saving The Skyhook and I got together to make Blame It On The Basketball’s first ever mock draft. Here is part one:

1. New Orleans Hornets

Pick: Anthony Davis - PF/C Kentucky

This was basically decided at the beginning of the college basketball season, with the only real uncertainty being which team would have the opportunity to select Davis. He's the one no-brainer of this draft Now, is he the next Tim Duncan? Probably not. But he instantly makes the Hornets better by adding a new defensive dimension to the team, and he'll only continue to improve on both ends of the floor.

Quick side note: How great is this for New Orleans, both the team and the city? From the uncertainty of the team's future in New Orleans to losing their star player and citizen, getting the first pick in such a great year can only add to the elation that comes with a new owner and a renewed dedication to keeping the team in New Orleans.

Jack’s Take: Quickly on Davis – We've never seen a prospect like him in terms of size, athleticism, and potential overall impact on each end of the floor on every level of the floor.  He's not Dwight Howard or Kevin Durant, he's somewhere in between, and while that worries the "Is a 5 or a 4? How does he score?" crowd, none of that's going to matter in the long-run.  Davis will win multiple DPOY awards and eventually find a way to get at least 20 points per game.  He's a true franchise-changer; what an incredible coup for New Orleans.

2. Charlotte Bobcats

Pick: Thomas Robinson - PF

Onto Charlotte, they've got a litany of options with this pick and rumors have been running rampant they're trying their best to trade it.  Assuming no deal is made because there isn't a clear-cut second choice and their asking price is too high, the Bobcats will pick between Robinson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Bradley Beal.  

I think T-Rob and MKG are a cut above Beal, and I'll take the former for Charlotte because he offers more impact in year one but the same down-the-road potential for stardom.  Robinson's got everything the modern day 4 needs – strength, length, quickness, jumping ability, and a rapidly improving skill-set.  Even if his jumper and post-game fail to develop the way they could, Robinson still offers great value as an awesome rebounder and never-fail hustler.  A great pick for the Bobcats even if he's not Davis.

Jordan’s Take: I can't argue the pick, and I couldn't have argued had you selected Kidd-Gilchrist. I think Robinson will be stellar. His intangibles (drive, passion, mentality) and tangibles (statistics) are off the charts. He'll make an immediate impact, and should be a starter by mid-season.

3. Washington Wizards (after trade)

Pick: Bradley Beal - SG

Beal is obviously the pick here. The Wizards clearly, and for reasons passing understanding, believe Ariza to be their starting small forward, so MKG would make little sense. Beal fits perfectly with John Wall, not only in that he'll provide much needed shooting, but also because he's another player who can create offense for himself, thus taking some of the load off of Wall.

Jack's Take: Beal is the right pick here for the reasons you stated. I don't think he's quite the prospect Kidd-Gilchrist is because his bust potential is a bit higher, but Washington literally dealt themselves this hand. Like everyone else in the NBA world, I'd have preferred thy stand pat, take MKG, and go into the future with considerable cap flexibility and assets. They opted for the same "win-now" approach that killed them back in 2006, and it appears a similar fate awaits them. Here's hoping Wall and Beal somehow manage to stay afloat while the organization continues to sink.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

Pick: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - SF

Cleveland had to be thrilled when Washington made their move, because it essentially ensured them the opportunity to choose between MKG and Harrison Barnes. While they've been enamored with Barnes since the summer of 2010, Kidd-Gilchrist clearly surpassed him as a prospect in the last year and should thrive playing alongside Kyrie Irving. He obviously needs to work on his jumper and continue to hone his handle, but MKG will make an immediate impact on defense, on the fast break, and in the lockerroom for a team clearly on the rise. He's an ideal Robin to Irving's Batman going forward, and it's easy to imagine this pair leading Cleveland to playoff birth after playoff birth sooner instead of later. Great player, great pick, and an even better fit.

Jordan's Take: Like you said, Beal and Irving could be a perfect pair. The one thing that worries me is that Beal is a product of the hype, shrugging off his college numbers simply because "he can do better." I don't think that is the case, but it is a possibility.

5. Sacramento Kings

Pick: Harrison Barnes - SG/SF

Here's where it gets tricky. The Kings are among a handful of teams that really don't need to add any more young pieces, so a trade here isn't out of the question. Then again, their trade in last year's draft was laughable and illogical.

Barnes is the pick here, though I'm not even close to sold on him. However, the other viable option, in terms of stock, potential, and position, is Drummond, about whom I'm even less convinced. Should Barnes live up to his hype, he'll provide the Kings with some much needed perimeter shooting, another person to attack one-on-one (because, clearly, the Kings don't have enough of those), and poise. However, he'll struggle defensively, and even though he tested surprisingly well at the combine, those numbers are actually more alarming than calming, as it brings in to question why he couldn't put them to better use in Chapel Hill.

Jack's Take: The Kings need a lot of help on the wing so I understand going with Barnes, but I'm extremely weary of him.  Something's missing with him as a player, and like you said his blow-up at the combine only further illustrates that point.  Not crazy about the pick, but Sacramento's in a tough spot at 5 (assuming they don't move the pick and with Robinson, MKG, and Beal off the board).

6. Portland Trailblazers

Pick: Dion Waiters - G

Portland has options here, as three players remain available that have long been considered candidates for this selection: Andre Drummond, Damian Lillard, and Dion Waiters.  New GM Neil Olshey likes to make a splash and is hardly averse to taking big risks as long as there's potential reward the same size, and that's Drummond in a nut-shell. Gut tells me, though, that he'll take a more conservative approach with his first big move in Portland and opt for a guard.

Which brings us to Lillard and Waiters.  The Blazers are in need of a point guard after letting Raymond Felton walk, and Lillard is arguably the draft's best combination of scoring and playmaking.  Waiters is less of a finished product after playing just two years at Syracuse and exudes some of that untapped potential that Lillard lacks.  Portland picks again at 11 and it's possible they'll have the choice to pick either player at both spots, so for now we'll go with Waiters, he of the higher upside and best one-one-one game in the draft, a crucial aspect that the Blazers are currently missing from the perimeter.  

Jordan's Take: As with Barnes, I'm leery of Waiters. Admittedly, I didn't watch him much this year, but his meteoric rise seems is surprising and maybe a bit unwarranted. Could he be a production of one-on-one workouts, or could it be that the NBA game suits him better? Time will tell.

7. Golden State Warriors

Pick: Perry Jones III - F

Similar to Sacramento's situation, the Warriors don't need another young prospect. Moreover, none of the players available in this situation really fit the Warriors. Sullinger is too similar to David Lee and Jeremy Lamb would replicate much of what Klay Thompson does. So it comes down to either Drummond or Jones. I'm taking Jones. His athleticism, improving jumper and defense, as well as his versatility, could make him a steal for the Warriors, provided he finds the edge/motor/passion/aggression scouts so desperately want to see from him.

Jones has slipped on a lot of boards recently, and I'm not that high on him, but at the seventh pick, I still think he's less of a risk than Drummond. Jones actually produced (albeit infrequently) in school, whereas Drummond rarely had a decent game. Mark Jackson, the coach of the Warriors, is a noted motivator and player's coach, and could be perfect for the massively talented yet severely underwhelming Jones.

Jack's Take: Jones III is the most frustrating player in the draft.  He's blessed with physical tools that rivals those of Anthony Davis, but he just didn't make enough impactful plays on either end of the floor at Baylor.  Here's hoping Jackson or another coach can mine all that talent somewhere deep inside him; basketball deserves a prospect like Jones III to deliver.  

8. Toronto Raptors

Pick: Jeremy Lamb - SG

The Raptors have reportedly been trying to trade this pick for a veteran and their reasoning is sound.  2011 First-Round pick Jonas Valanciunas is coming over from Lithuania next season, and the front office thinks a playoff run could be in the works provided continued improvement under Dwayne Casey.  

We can't assume trades here, though, so Toronto grabs Lamb.  Lillard's long been a favorite at this spot, too, but the Raptors' need for shooting alongside Demar Derozan is much more glaring than an upgrade at the point for Jose Calderon.  Lamb, like every prospect left on the board, has his warts, but is a deadeye shooter with the length and mobility to develop into a plus defender.

Jordan's Take: The Raptors should be ecstatic to get Lamb. He's probably not a franchise changing player, but he's certainly an immediate and much-needed upgrade over DeMar DeRozan, who brings little else besides athleticism to the Raptors.

9. Detroit Pistons

Pick: John Henson - F

Detroit, meet defense. Defense, meet Detroit. Greg Monroe has exceeded even the loftiest of expectations, but no one will mistake him for a lockdown defender. Enter Henson. He can guard multiple positions, has a reliable jump shot out to 18-feet, and is a great athlete. The one worry with Henson is his frame. It probably can't put on much more muscle, so he'll more than likely get bullied by stronger and heftier forwards on the block. Still, he's the best and most versatile defender on the board, and Detroit should be happy to take him.

Jack's Take:  I like Henson as a fit next to Monroe for the same reasons you do.  My only worry is that the same "position-less" problem he has on offense will apply more conservatively to defense, too, but obviously time is the only thing that will tell there.  One more thing – a 30 inch vertical? That was shocking.

10. New Orleans Hornets

Pick: Damian Lillard - PG

The easiest pick in the draft, aside from New Orleans selecting Davis first overall, of course.  The Hornets will be absolutely ecstatic if the draft plays out this way, getting a franchise big man and a talented lead guard that can contribute immediately to play alongside Eric Gordon.  What a dramatic eight month turnaround from December to June for New Orleans.  

Jordan's Take: Had Lillard not been here, I think New Orleans would have been just as happy to take Kendall Marshall, who would have thrown lobs on lobs on lobs to Anthony Davis. But with Lillard on the board, you have to take him. Gordon, Davis and Lillard? This is Karma from the basketball gods, rewarding New Orleans for being the one team that, despite being awful, still gave their all every game.

11. Portland Trailblazers

Pick: Andre Drummond - C

Though I am less than convinced on Drummond's future, he's worth the risk at 11. At the very least, he'll provide defense and a great running partner for whoever assumes the point guard reigns in Portland. Portland has been hit or miss in the development of their young talent (Elliot Williams versus Nicolas Batum), and with questions about Drummond's motor, it's not hard to see him potentially falling into Elliot Williams territory. If he develops, however, Portland will have selected a top-3 talent at a bargain price.

Jack's Take: This is a pretty ideal situation for Portland, getting Waiters at 6 and Drummond five picks later.  He's a risk, obviously, but there's little to lose at this spot in the draft for the Blazers, and finally pairing Lamarcus Aldridge with a potentially awesome center is quite a coup.  Great start to the Olshey regime in Portland.

12. Milwaukee Bucks

Pick: Meyers Leonard - C

After trading Andrew Bogut in March, the Bucks get a replacement in the middle that can fly up and down the floor with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis.  Leonard is Drummond-lite in a lot of ways, huge with extremely rare physical tools but underwhelming college production.  He's supposedly looked better skill-wise than originally anticipated in workouts and had a monster combine, so this isn't much of a reach for the Bucks.  Good pick based on both need and value.  

Jordan's Take: Leonard also has the advantage of actually producing while in school. Great pick for the Bucks, who recover from losing their former centerpiece.

13. Phoenix Suns

Pick: Kendall Marshall - PG

The Suns atone for their sin of trading away a worthy Steve Nash successor in Goran Dragic by drafting the best passer and best natural point guard in the draft. He's not the shooter Nash is, but a jump shot can be developed; Marshall's otherworldly vision and awareness can't. He will struggle to stay in front of the Western Conference elite, as he's not a first-class athlete, but he's still a smart defensive player, much like Nash. Marshall won't be a franchise player, but he'll be a solid building block for a team that is long past due for an overhaul.

Jack's Take: Dragic and Rajon Rondo, you mean.  I'm not as worried about Marshall's lack of speed and quickness on defense much, either; nobody can stay in front of today's elite point guards, so that will hardly be a departure from the norm.  What's most troubling is where Phoenix goes once Nash moves on, surely to the depths of the league with the likes of Charlotte and the rest.  With that in mind, I might swing for the fences on a potential star like Terrence Jones, instead.

14. Houston Rockets

Pick: Tyler Zeller - C

The Rockets are the strangest team in the league for me, replete with solid players like Dragic, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, and Luis Scola but lacking a true star and any discernable identity.  We know that Daryl Morey's been looking for a franchise player or something like it since the Yao Ming-Tracy McGrady era, but there's no one left on the board that fits that bill while filling a need.  So Zeller is the pick, no doubt another plus starter on a team full of them.  

Jordan's Take: Houston's strangeness is what made them so appealing in the first place. Lowry seemed to be poised to take the step into stardom, but his injury derailed that train. I like the Zeller pick, if only because there's really no one else that fits at this point. You said it best, he'll be solid on a team that is, if nothing else, solid. You could go with Terrence Jones, though he doesn't seem to fit the Morey or McHale mold.

15. Philadelphia 76ers

Pick: Jared Sullinger - PF

Sullinger's rapid descent stops at 15, where Philly is more than happy to pick him up. Recent health concerns, and long-standing athletic concerns, have hurt Sullinger's stock, but at 15 he's a terrific pick. Some compare him to Kevin Love, and while I think that's a stretch, I can see the basis for the comparisons. His offensive game is better than he's had the opportunity to show, he's a fantastic rebounder and (sorry Bilas) has a motor that never stops. On defense, he'll struggle to block shots, but he won't be backed down as easily as Henson. He probably won't be an All-Star, but don't be surprised if he's good for 12 points and 5-6 rebounds right away.

Jack's Take: I like Sullinger and think he'll put up the consistently modest numbers you suggest, but wonder where he fits next season on a team with Elton Brand and Lavoy Allen, the latter of which is due for a big upgrade in terms of playing time and responsibility.  There's some redundancy with those three, and given Andre Iguodala's perpetual state of flux as a trade chip, I'd opt for a wing like Austin Rivers or Terrence Ross.

Check back for part two soon!

Twitter: @Jordanswhite

Jack's Twitter: @TheSkyhook

The Overvaluation of Experience

The Thunder’s signing of Derek Fisher was meant to fill two of Oklahoma City’s perceived holes: a backup point guard and a veteran presence. He was to bring the undefinable yet ever-valued “championship experience” to a team that apparently needed it:

"He has winner all over his DNA," Brooks said. "You can never have enough winners in your locker room, and we have a locker room full of them. He just gives us one more winner."

At first glance, Fisher’s play off numbers seem to reflect that “winning DNA.”

Those numbers, however, are misleading. While Fisher played well enough in the series against Dallas, he has since then reverted to being an offensive and defensive liability for the Thunder. What’s worse, those games  against Dallas, and the 13 point aberration in Game One against the Spurs, instill a false confidence in both Fisher and the team as a whole, as it encourages the team to keep passing to Fisher, and fisher to keep shooting. And while those shots may have at one time been Fisher’s game, it’s now the exception rather than the rule when he makes them. 

That Fisher is valued so highly, yet produces so little, raises a question about the value of championship experience.

Experience, especially second-hand experience, that which Fisher and Perkins bring to the Thunder,  can only go so far. It’s a passive tool, one that can be used to influence, but not directly affect. It can’t increase James Harden’s shooting percentages, fix Scott Brooks iso-reliant offense, nor can it defend the whirling dervish that is Manu Ginobili. At this point in the playoffs, secondhand experience is little more than anecdotes, and about as useful.  Try though he might, Fisher simply can’t bestow the “been there” knowledge upon the Thunder. The moment he became a member of the Thunder is the moment his championship experience, as far as the Thunder are concerned, became second hand. 

Last year, when the Grizzlies made their impressive and unexpected playoff run, we lauded them for their youth and for “not knowing any better.” Few veterans, even those who have won championships, could say they have done what the Grizzlies accomplished last year. Yet, when the season ended, every analyst placed “veteran experience and presence” as the Grizzlies’ top need. Why? Wasn’t eliminating the heavily favored (and more experienced) top seeded San Antonio and taking Oklahoma City to seven games experience enough? 

San Antonio’s playoff experience is often celebrated and cited as a reason for their continued excellence, as it should be. But theirs is a firsthand experience, gained by Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and even Popovich together. They grew as a team, and experienced the highs and lows of the playoffs as such.  Of course, experience isn’t the reason for San Antonio’s recent terrifying yet beautiful dominance. It’s a part of it, to be sure, as that collective experience builds trust on the court between players and with the coach. But experience isn’t what makes Manu Ginobili and match up nightmare, and it doesn’t let Tony Parker penetrate the lane at will. 

Should the Thunder lose this series, you can expect to hear analysts clamoring for less youth and more experienced veterans. But even if the Thunder do lose, they will still have gained valuable first hand experience. It’s up to them and the coaching staff to take that experience, learn from it, and grow as a team. Bringing in another veteran, regardless of their championship pedigree, won’t help as much as every one thinks, as the case of Derek Fisher has shown this season. 

James Harden's Declaration of Independence

James Harden has never been his own player. 

Some analysts diagnose his herky-jerky, play-at-his-own-pace style as an “old man’s game,” while others compare his shot making and creating abilities (as well as his prolific flopping) to that of Manu Ginobili.  However, In his fourth and undoubtedly best season, Harden has sent notice to the rest of the league and all would-be comparison makers that he is unique as they come, formally declaring his independence from any such comparisons. 

Harden, as befits his many talents, (he is, probably, the most well rounded player on the Thunder), is often asked to play several different roles at the same time. With the second unit, he is the initiator of the offense, the primary scoring option, and even the primary defender. When Durant and Westbrook are on the floor, Harden relinquishes the reigns of the offense and, while still functioning as a ball mover, becomes more of a shooter. 

Despite these many gifts, one role Harden is oddly enough not often asked to play is that of the closer. Though he is integral to the Thunder’s plans in the fourth quarter, the initiation and execution of the offense is more often left to Russell Westbrook or Kevin Durant. Last night was an exception, and a very successful one at that. 

Down 10 to the Mavericks, who were playing Game 4 of the opening round as if it were Game 7 of the Finals, the Thunder turned to Harden to help complete the sweep of the defending champions. 

Harden unleashed every weapon in his bearded arsenal during a 12 minute virtuoso performance: from his precise passing and effortless jumpshot to his awkward yet graceful driving ability and deceptive athleticism. It seemed as if every one of the Thunder’s offensive possessions began, be it in a pick and roll or isolation, and ended, whether it was a basket or an assist, with the bearded maestro. His foresight, one of his more under-celebrated abilities, allowed him to be one, and at times even two, steps ahead of the Mavericks. On one play, he knifed through the Mavericks defense, seemingly untouched on his way to a wide open lay up. On the next trip down, Harden feinted the exact same attack, allowing the defense to collapse on him as he whipped the ball back to Kevin Durant for an uncontested three pointer.

It was a dominating performance; basketball the way basketball was meant to be played. 

When a player like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant take over a game in a fashion similar to James Harden, we associate bestial qualities to that dominance; think of LeBron roaring after a dunk or Kobe growling after he sinks a fadeaway over two defenders. Harden’s dominance was not bestial in nature, but rather aquatic. His probing dribbles were the ebb and flow of the ocean, his furious dunks the collision of waves on rocks. In his unique form of dominance, Harden further proclaimed himself as his own player.  

Game 4 was not Harden’s coming out game, as that would mean we had no prior knowledge of his abilities. That certainly wasn’t the case, given such performances as 40 points on 12-of-17 shooting, or 33 points on 11-of-16. Instead, the performance was the culmination of a magnificent season, one that saw Harden, and in turn the Thunder, realize his/their vast potential, taking his place alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the third member of the homegrown big three. And, perhaps just as important, it James Harden’s John Hancock on his Declaration of Independence. 

Time for Evan Turner

Time. That was all Evan Turner needed. Time to adjust, time to find his game, time prove himself. 

It’s easy to forget that Evan Turner, in some ways, has a steeper learning curve than other players who spent less time in college. Rookies who come in with less college experience are more malleable in terms of how they can fit in to a team’s plans in their first few years because they didn’t spend as much time developing in a certain offense. DeMarcus Cousins, for example, wasn’t “the man” at Kentucky, allowing for an easier adjustment to a new offense once he entered the NBA. Turner, by contrast, played for three years at Ohio State, where he was the do-anything-and-everything player. The offense was his to command, tailored specifically to the way he played the game. Not being the primary ball-handler, to say nothing of being the focus of the entire offense, is still a foreign concept to him.

By the start of this season, it seemed as if Turner had finally adjusted to the NBA. In January, Turner had ten games in which he scored double-digits, including a 20-point, 11-rebound game and a 16-point, 8 assist and 10 rebound outing. His once unreliable jump shot showed marked improvement, to the point where it was almost a weapon. Though he still wasn’t shooting well from beyond the arc, he was shooting 49% overall. With Turner playing at this level, the Sixers were a force of flexibility, a Hydra mixed with a chameleon: they could adapt to any opponent’s line up, be it fast or slow, big or small. Take out Igoudala, insert Turner. Cut off Jrue Holliday’s head and Lou Williams’ grows in its place.

But January turned into February, and Turner’s rise turned into a free fall. In February, Turner managed to score in double-digits only once, and shot 34% from the field. In fact, his scoring average in February was half of what it was in January (5.1 compared to 10.8). When a player performs as poorly as Turner did, common sense would suggest the player be benched. Of course, nothing about this Philadelphia team follows common sense, so neither did Doug Collins’ reaction to Turner’s regression: rather than benching Turner, Collins inserted him into the starting line up. 

Turner went 1-12 in his first start. And while he also grabbed twelve rebounds, it was hardly an encouraging performance. But Collins didn’t send him back to the bench. No, he gave Evan Turner time. 

That time, and patience, has been rewarded with a string of performances worthy of a “-sanity” appendage: 

26 points and 9 rebounds against the Celtics.

16 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Jazz.

24 points and 15 rebounds against New York.

21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and three steals against Indiana. 

This was the Evan Turner we had been waiting for. The multi-dimensional, multi-talented player cut from the same mold as James Harden and Brandon Roy,  eschewing his generic stereotypes of his position in favor of simply playing his game. 

Still, for all of these impressive performances, it was his game against the Miami Heat on March 16th that truly announced Evan Turner’s arrival. Yes, Turner didn’t have the best night statistically, producing 13 points, 8 rebounds and five assists. Yes, Philadelphia lost 76-84. But Evan Turner is the main reason that game was close at all. Philadelphia had been on the wrong side of a Miami offensive onslaught all game, finding themselves down by 29 in the third quarter. At that point, some players are content to mail it in and go through the motions until the game ends. Live to fight another day, and such. Not Evan Turner. He continued to be aggressive, using every facet of his game, hitting mid-range jumpers, driving relentlessly into the lane and displaying exceptional rebounding ability as the driving force behind Philadelphia’s furious comeback that fell just short. But the drive was there. The desire to succeed and to be great could be seen on every play Turner impacted. 

It remains to be seen whether these performances will become the standard for Evan Turner, or if they’re doomed to become yet another short outburst, a teasing of the talent we all know is there.  Don’t be discouraged if his numbers dip a little bit, as they did at Chicago on Saturday. Turner’s emergence will inevitably result in increased defensive attention from opposing defenses, and Turner will need to adjust accordingly. Give it time. That’s all Evan Turner needed.

Now, it’s his time. 






Twitter @JordanSWhite

Time to Meet Lawrence Brown

You haven’t heard of Lawrence Brown. 

He’s not a bit player on a national powerhouse like Kentucky or North Carolina.

He’s not a star for a mid-major, or a diamond in the rough on a Division II team. 

He’s a high school basketball player.

Lawrence, a senior, plays for Barstow Academy, a small private school in Kansas City, Missouri. He also plays for the KC 76er’s, an AAU team which shocked the circuit when they won the Las Vegas Fab 48 this summer. 

He’s attracted some attention from a few mid-major programs, Oral Roberts being perhaps the most notable. He’s not a five star recruit, and he’s not going to be a one-and-done diaper dandy. The likes of Duke, Kansas, Ohio State, or UConn aren’t banging down his door, desperate to sign him to a scholarship. 

Time for that to change. 

First, let me get this out of the way. I know Lawrence Brown. He and his mother Tracy (also his biggest fan) have been around my extended family for so long that, for all intents and purposes, they are family. So yeah, my objectivity is nonexistent and I will refer to Lawrence by his first name, but that’s not the point. The point is that Lawrence Brown needs more exposure, and I’m doing my part to help.

I’ve tried to follow his career as best as I could, reading local box scores, asking family what tournaments he’s been in or, and asking him how he’s been doing. But last night was the first night I actually saw him play. 

The first thing I noticed when both teams took the floor was Lawrence’s physical advantage. While the rest of the players, on both teams, either haven’t filled out their high school frame or still carry some excess weight, Lawrence sports a college ready physique. At 6’5 and 205 pounds of basically pure muscle, the cliché “a man among boys” fits him to a T. And while part of me wanted Lawrence to use that strength to completely dominate the game, I was just as impressed that he didn’t. 

High school athletes who possess a physical frame superior to those around them will often forsake their fundamentals and skills in favor of attempting to out-muscle anyone and every one who dares to defend them. It takes the team out of their offense, and leads to a lot of ball-watching and isolations. Worse, when that physical advantage is gone, or when faced with a defense designed to neutralize that strength, both the player and the team become lost. 

This is what impressed me about Lawrence. Despite his obvious physical advantage, and despite the fact that he was clearly the best player on the floor (it wasn’t even close), Lawrence rarely, if ever, stepped outside the team’s offense and looked to do it all on his own. He used his strength in such a way that it really became an asset for the entire team. He would use his strength to establish great post position, but that didn’t mean he was always looking to score. His position was just as much about getting his own shot as it was getting one for his teammates. 

On one play, Lawrence’s was posted up about eight feet from the basket. The defender was doing a terrible job of denying him position, and Lawrence could have easily scored over him with any number of moves. At the last second, Lawrence spotted a teammate cutting to the rim from the opposite side, and hit him with a precise no-look pass for an even easier basket. Unfortunately, his teammate missed the lay up, but that doesn’t change the fact that Lawrence, when faced with the choice of attempting a good shot or passing for a great shot, made the right play. All of Lawrence’s talents, save for his scoring savvy, were on display in that one play. His strength, his basketball IQ, and especially his court vision and passing. 

One of the hallmarks of both a great player and more importantly a great teammate is passing up a good shot for a great shot; making the extra pass or feeding the post rather than taking the contested jumper. Lawrence did this time after time after time. It was this unselfishness and savvy that, as much as anything, really makes me believe that Lawrence can have a serious impact for any college team. 

Defensively, Lawrence struggled with foul trouble, but was otherwise terrific. On the perimeter, Lawrence used his length and lateral quickness to bother the ball handler, while down low, he used his strength to deny post position and his athleticism to either block or very clearly alter a shot. 

The biggest question I always had pertaining to Lawrence was, “does he love the game?” A love of the game may not make a good player great, but it certainly elevates his game to a different level. By that same token, if a player with all of the talent in the world doesn’t love the game, he’ll never realize his vast potential. Last night, Lawrence received the ball on a fast break and finished with an emphatic two-handed dunk. The dunk, while impressive, wasn’t what answered my question, it was his reaction afterward. He was shouting, jumping around, beating his chest, showing his love for the game. That was all I needed. 

Lawrence fouled out of the game with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter, finishing with 16 points, and (approximately) two blocks, four assists and six rebounds. Does that scream top-3 draft pick? No, probably not. But you’d be hard pressed to find a more complete game, and that’s exactly how I’d describe Lawrence’s overall game: complete. 

Maybe Lawrence won’t be the next Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Perry Jones III. But with his complete game, be it shooting, defense, and especially his passing, I see no reason why he can’t mimic the role Travis Releford, the quintessential do-it-all glue guy. Finding a star player is difficult, but finding talented glue guys to hold the team together and contribute in any and every area is just as daunting. So, coaches and recruiters, while you’re banging on Shabazz Muhammad’s door, come give Lawrence Brown a visit, too. 

Twitter:@JordanSWhite

(Special thanks to Curtis Harris of Hardwood Paroxysm and NepeanFunk)

Thank You, Brandon Roy

I still refuse to believe that Roy’s career is completely over. Though his entire arsenal of moves might no longer be available to him, Roy is too much of a competitor and too smart of a player to let this stop him. I can only hope that Roy finds Grant Hill’s fountain of youth (see: Phoenix Suns trainers), or refines his game to make it easier on his entire body. It would not surprise me at all to see Brandon Roy successfully re-emerge at some point, either this season or next, with an adjusted game that still makes him a force in this league. 

I wrote that paragraph a year ago at the height of Brandon Roy’s struggles. The romantic in me wanted so badly to believe that this wasn’t the beginning of the end, and that Roy would reinvent himself. The realist in me, however, knew it was a near impossibility. And while some thought that Roy’s game four heroics against the Mavericks was the trumpeting of Roy’s return, I recognized it as swan song.

Roy is/was, unequivocally, my favorite player. I may have had brief affairs with the likes of Deron Williams or James Harden, but I always, always, came back to Roy. He wasn’t particularly fast, nor did he have great range on his jump shot. None of that mattered. When the ball was in his hands, you knew something special was going to happen. He surveyed the court, prowling like a lion planning his method of attack, whether it was one of his shifty, deceptively quick drives to the rim, a deadly pull-up midrange jumper, or even a beautiful, precise pass leading to a basket. He was one of the best clutch performers in the game, and his game winning shots ranged from spectacular to miraculous. He was, simply put, a joy to watch. Whereas LeBron’s off-balance jumpers made me cringe, and Carmelo’s ball-stopping offense was ugly, Roy played the game with an uncommon grace. He played the game at his own speed, a perfect synthesis of old school and new school. He put not only his team, but the entire city of Portland on his back, giving them a team they could once again be proud of, restoring the magic to the Rose Garden. 

My favorite Brandon Roy game is against the Phoenix Suns in December of 2008. Everything that made Brandon Roy “Brandon Roy” was on display:  contorting his body on a drive to the rim whilst drawing a foul, nailing a three point dagger in the defender’s face, sinking a midrange jumper that was perhaps the best in the league. It wasn’t just that he scored a career-high 52 points, it was how he did it. Nothing was forced.  He let his points come to him within the flow of the offense, picking and choosing his spots.  Beyond his abilities as a player, the game also showed the confidence with which Roy played, as well as the energy he instilled in the crowd. It was, for me, the perfect Brandon Roy game. Unfortunately, what was once a cherished memory is now bittersweet, sullied by the knowledge that I’ll never see such a performance, or player, for some time, if ever again. 

That magic is gone now, replaced by the devastating news the Brandon Roy is retiring. It saddens me as both a fan of Roy and of basketball itself. He was a singular talent, a star with unique skills that, for all of his strength and abilities, couldn’t overcome the absence of centimeter thick tissue in his knees. The mind was obviously willing, but the body just as obviously couldn’t take it any more. 

Even though the Game 4 miracle was Roy’s swan song, it was, nonetheless, beautiful. Perhaps that’s the one glimmer of light in this tale of a player taken away far before his time. Moments like those don’t come around very often. Yao Ming, yet another player who retired before his time due to injuries, never had his final moment.  Roy’s 18 fourth quarter points against the Mavericks were an homage to the player Roy used to be.It was a final glimpse of the magic that had filled the Blazers, and Portland, with so much hope just a few short years ago. 

I don’t want to end this article on such a sad note. Instead, what I want to say is: thank you, Brandon Roy. Thanks for restoring a city’s faith in it’s franchise. Thanks for being one of the most fascinating players in the NBA. Thanks for the gorgeous moves, the ankle breakers, the step-backs, and the game winning 

shots

Thank you, Brandon Roy. 






Twitter @JordanSWhite