The Pre-March Madness Lottery
OK, it's way too early for mock drafts. We don't know who is coming out. We don't know the order. But we do know that the lottery is the most exciting thing that Celtics have to look forward to in the coming months so why the hell not...
1. Boston: Greg Oden
If Boston gets the first pick, they could have a decision for the ages: Kevin Durant or Greg Oden. On the bright side, it's the kind of decision that you can't really go wrong with. Right now, I'm still sticking with Greg Oden. Durant is amazing but there's just something about his that irks me right now. I think he'll be great but I just can't pass over a franchise center for him. 2. Memphis: Kevin Durant
Lowry/Gay/Durant is a great backcourt (and if you aren't sold on Rudy Gay then replace him with Mike Miller). Keeping Gasol get them back to being a first round loss but they might be better dealing Gasol for a couple of young guys. I think Gasol for Theo Ratliff, Al Jefferson, and Delonte West would be a good deal for Memphis (although they might want more than West). 3. Philadelphia: Brandan Wright
For all the bashing of the A.I. trade, the Sixers could come out of this draft with a very nice team. This draft is looking like it is going to be very deep and the guys available at the middle and end of the round will have almost as much potential as the guys in the mid/late lottery. Wright proves to be a nice complement to Igodala and Dalembert. If Brandan can help out at all next season, a Miller/Iggy/Korver/Wright/Dalembert lineup won't be too shabby. 4. Milwaukee: Julian Wright
The Bucks could need a point guard if they can't re-sign Mo Wiliams but right now it's looking like none of the top PG's will be entering the draft. Wright seems like the best option here but a lot depends on his ability to guard NBA small forwards. In fact, defense might be the most important factor because the Bucks simply can't afford to team another poor defensive player next to Charlie Villenueva. 5. Seattle: Yi Jianlian
If the Sonics want to fill seats, catering to the large Asian population in the area would be a good way to start. Jianlian is no Ichiro but he's a talented player who could help sell tickets. He's also a project and with Rashard Lewis looking like he's about to opt out, it makes sense for the Sonics to blow it up and rebuild. The Sonics could walk out of the draft with a couple of lottery picks if they decide to move Ray Allen and Luke Ridnour. A lot of people would rank Joakim Noah in the top 5 but the Sonics have taken low post players in the past three drafts (Robert Swift, Johan Petro, Saer Sene) so adding yet another guy with no perimeter shot makes no sense. Jianian's shot makes him a better fit. 6: Charlotte: Jeff Green
If Chase Buddinger leaves early, this might be the team that takes him. Noah's fall continues because the Bobcats already have Sean May and Emeka Okafor and need a perimeter player more than another big man. With a ton of cap space to go after a scorer, I think the Grizz are best off taking an all-around player who could fill in if Gerald Wallace leaves via free agency. This is likely the spot where the draft's high riser will go. Right now, the swingmen in this draft are hit-or-miss and a good tournament could elevate Marcus Williams, Aaron Afflalo, or Rodney Stuckey into the top of the lotto. 7: Phoenix: Joakim Noah
Noah falls but really couldn't have asked for a better place to play. Phoenix runs and fits Noah's strengths. Phoenix needs defense and rebounding off of the bench and that's what Noah can provide. Noah could easily be viewed as a bust in the wrong system so this would be the perfect scenario for him. 8: Portland: Corey Brewer
The Trailblazers have young players at every position but they don't exactly seem set anywhere. I'd be surprised if the Blazers held onto their pick but if they do, Brewer, who can play defense and is seen as a glue guy in Florida, would make the most sense. The Martell Webster project hasn't shown many signs of life and none of the PG's likely available don't seem worth this high of a pick. Acie Law could earn this spot with a good tournament but for now I think Brewer is the pick. 9: Chicago: Al Horford
I really doubt that the Bulls hold onto this pick but if they do, I think Horford's defense gets the call. Yes, the Bulls need more help on offense in the post than defense but I just can't imagine Paxson and Skiles taking Josh McRoberts over Horford, who could turn out to be one of the top four players in this draft. 10: Sacramento: Josh McRoberts
McRoberts, like Noah, is a guy that could be a bust in the wrong system. In Sacramento, however, his passing skills will be of the utmost importance and he seems like a capable replacement for the Brad Miller, who seems to be reaching the end of his usefulness. With Bibby, Artest, and Martin on the wings, McRoberts is a nice fit as someone who can run the offense from the post and distribute the ball amongst the scorers. 11: Warriors: Marco Belinelli
And what would the lottery be without the Golden St. Warriors? The Warriors desperately need a shooting guard who can knock down threes with consistency and this Italian seems to be the best prospect for that. Also, this pick fits in with Don Nelson's love for foreign players. The Warriors might be tempted to add a big man but I think adding a shooter alongside of Monta Ellis is their best best. 12: LA Clippers: Rodney Stuckey
I really haven't seen this guy play so this is all based on reports I've heard/read but it seems like Stuckey might be the prime candidate for the Pre-Draft Workout Leap. Comparisons have been made to Dwyane Wade and Randy Foye (but also Dajuan Wagner). While he's more of a tweener than a pure point, he seems to be a solid choice for the Clippers as he could be a comlement to or replace Shaun Livingston, depending on if he can recover from his injury. This may be way too early for Rodney, but right now I'm going to have him as a high-riser/sleeper. 13: Clippers: Marcus Williams
Williams has been a disappointment this season but he would be a great complement to Stuckey. Both guys can play either position and Williams would allow Stuckey to focus on scoring and not have to pull back the reins and waste time trying to become a pure point guard. Some question Williams' intensity but the Clippers signed Tim Thomas to a big deal so I wouldn't bet the Clippers were one of the teams asking about that. Williams is a definite risk as their does seem to be a little Terrence Morris in him. Morris was the Maryland Terp who looked like a lotto pick after two years but stayed in and watched his draft stock plummet. Williams' improvement has been slight and a lot of his numbers (TO's, 3pt% and FT%) have all gotten worse. 68% free throw shooting in particular is something that gives me pause. A bad tournament and Williams could slip into the late first round but for now, I'll go with the Clips adding Stuckey and Williams to go with Maggette, Kaman, and Brand. 14: Nets: Tiago Splitter
Draft-niks love them some Tiago Splitter. He's been rumored to be in draft for the last few years and finally is going to be in it this year. Splitter sounds like the perfect fit in NJ as he's a complementary players on offense and a solid defender. The downside, however, is that he seems to have a nagging back injury. Granted, being injured would let him fit right in with the Nets but they might be looking for someone more stable like Roy Hibbert. Then again, if Vince Carter stays, I'd be surprised if the Nets didn't look to move this pick for some veteran help off the bench or in a package with Richard Jefferson to get a top-of-the-line big man. (The Nets would love it if Spencer Hawes would enter the draft and fall this far but I don't see either of those happening)
If Boston gets the first pick, they could have a decision for the ages: Kevin Durant or Greg Oden. On the bright side, it's the kind of decision that you can't really go wrong with. Right now, I'm still sticking with Greg Oden. Durant is amazing but there's just something about his that irks me right now. I think he'll be great but I just can't pass over a franchise center for him. 2. Memphis: Kevin Durant
Lowry/Gay/Durant is a great backcourt (and if you aren't sold on Rudy Gay then replace him with Mike Miller). Keeping Gasol get them back to being a first round loss but they might be better dealing Gasol for a couple of young guys. I think Gasol for Theo Ratliff, Al Jefferson, and Delonte West would be a good deal for Memphis (although they might want more than West). 3. Philadelphia: Brandan Wright
For all the bashing of the A.I. trade, the Sixers could come out of this draft with a very nice team. This draft is looking like it is going to be very deep and the guys available at the middle and end of the round will have almost as much potential as the guys in the mid/late lottery. Wright proves to be a nice complement to Igodala and Dalembert. If Brandan can help out at all next season, a Miller/Iggy/Korver/Wright/Dalembert lineup won't be too shabby. 4. Milwaukee: Julian Wright
The Bucks could need a point guard if they can't re-sign Mo Wiliams but right now it's looking like none of the top PG's will be entering the draft. Wright seems like the best option here but a lot depends on his ability to guard NBA small forwards. In fact, defense might be the most important factor because the Bucks simply can't afford to team another poor defensive player next to Charlie Villenueva. 5. Seattle: Yi Jianlian
If the Sonics want to fill seats, catering to the large Asian population in the area would be a good way to start. Jianlian is no Ichiro but he's a talented player who could help sell tickets. He's also a project and with Rashard Lewis looking like he's about to opt out, it makes sense for the Sonics to blow it up and rebuild. The Sonics could walk out of the draft with a couple of lottery picks if they decide to move Ray Allen and Luke Ridnour. A lot of people would rank Joakim Noah in the top 5 but the Sonics have taken low post players in the past three drafts (Robert Swift, Johan Petro, Saer Sene) so adding yet another guy with no perimeter shot makes no sense. Jianian's shot makes him a better fit. 6: Charlotte: Jeff Green
If Chase Buddinger leaves early, this might be the team that takes him. Noah's fall continues because the Bobcats already have Sean May and Emeka Okafor and need a perimeter player more than another big man. With a ton of cap space to go after a scorer, I think the Grizz are best off taking an all-around player who could fill in if Gerald Wallace leaves via free agency. This is likely the spot where the draft's high riser will go. Right now, the swingmen in this draft are hit-or-miss and a good tournament could elevate Marcus Williams, Aaron Afflalo, or Rodney Stuckey into the top of the lotto. 7: Phoenix: Joakim Noah
Noah falls but really couldn't have asked for a better place to play. Phoenix runs and fits Noah's strengths. Phoenix needs defense and rebounding off of the bench and that's what Noah can provide. Noah could easily be viewed as a bust in the wrong system so this would be the perfect scenario for him. 8: Portland: Corey Brewer
The Trailblazers have young players at every position but they don't exactly seem set anywhere. I'd be surprised if the Blazers held onto their pick but if they do, Brewer, who can play defense and is seen as a glue guy in Florida, would make the most sense. The Martell Webster project hasn't shown many signs of life and none of the PG's likely available don't seem worth this high of a pick. Acie Law could earn this spot with a good tournament but for now I think Brewer is the pick. 9: Chicago: Al Horford
I really doubt that the Bulls hold onto this pick but if they do, I think Horford's defense gets the call. Yes, the Bulls need more help on offense in the post than defense but I just can't imagine Paxson and Skiles taking Josh McRoberts over Horford, who could turn out to be one of the top four players in this draft. 10: Sacramento: Josh McRoberts
McRoberts, like Noah, is a guy that could be a bust in the wrong system. In Sacramento, however, his passing skills will be of the utmost importance and he seems like a capable replacement for the Brad Miller, who seems to be reaching the end of his usefulness. With Bibby, Artest, and Martin on the wings, McRoberts is a nice fit as someone who can run the offense from the post and distribute the ball amongst the scorers. 11: Warriors: Marco Belinelli
And what would the lottery be without the Golden St. Warriors? The Warriors desperately need a shooting guard who can knock down threes with consistency and this Italian seems to be the best prospect for that. Also, this pick fits in with Don Nelson's love for foreign players. The Warriors might be tempted to add a big man but I think adding a shooter alongside of Monta Ellis is their best best. 12: LA Clippers: Rodney Stuckey
I really haven't seen this guy play so this is all based on reports I've heard/read but it seems like Stuckey might be the prime candidate for the Pre-Draft Workout Leap. Comparisons have been made to Dwyane Wade and Randy Foye (but also Dajuan Wagner). While he's more of a tweener than a pure point, he seems to be a solid choice for the Clippers as he could be a comlement to or replace Shaun Livingston, depending on if he can recover from his injury. This may be way too early for Rodney, but right now I'm going to have him as a high-riser/sleeper. 13: Clippers: Marcus Williams
Williams has been a disappointment this season but he would be a great complement to Stuckey. Both guys can play either position and Williams would allow Stuckey to focus on scoring and not have to pull back the reins and waste time trying to become a pure point guard. Some question Williams' intensity but the Clippers signed Tim Thomas to a big deal so I wouldn't bet the Clippers were one of the teams asking about that. Williams is a definite risk as their does seem to be a little Terrence Morris in him. Morris was the Maryland Terp who looked like a lotto pick after two years but stayed in and watched his draft stock plummet. Williams' improvement has been slight and a lot of his numbers (TO's, 3pt% and FT%) have all gotten worse. 68% free throw shooting in particular is something that gives me pause. A bad tournament and Williams could slip into the late first round but for now, I'll go with the Clips adding Stuckey and Williams to go with Maggette, Kaman, and Brand. 14: Nets: Tiago Splitter
Draft-niks love them some Tiago Splitter. He's been rumored to be in draft for the last few years and finally is going to be in it this year. Splitter sounds like the perfect fit in NJ as he's a complementary players on offense and a solid defender. The downside, however, is that he seems to have a nagging back injury. Granted, being injured would let him fit right in with the Nets but they might be looking for someone more stable like Roy Hibbert. Then again, if Vince Carter stays, I'd be surprised if the Nets didn't look to move this pick for some veteran help off the bench or in a package with Richard Jefferson to get a top-of-the-line big man. (The Nets would love it if Spencer Hawes would enter the draft and fall this far but I don't see either of those happening)
