Post by heelsguy25 on Nov 30, 2010 14:19:00 GMT -5
In this edition of the SSBL Times we will take a look at the upcoming draft. The draft is a crucial time for many teams and this year may be no different. The class appears to be much weaker than last year's. There is one constant though. teams like to rebuild and the lottery teams usually do so with their picks. One player that will be a star right out of the gate is Dwight Howard. More on him later though. The following mock draft is made up of a few components. We will take into place the team's needs as well as their current record. The lottery has not happened so theses picks are being made solely on where the teams stand as of today. We will include players the teams drafted last year, first round only.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 19-63
Player(s) drafted last year: Luke Ridnour, Josh Howard, Chris Wilcox, Sofoklis Schortsanitis
Team Needs: C, SF
The Cavaliers were bad last year. Taking a look at their roster they are not far off from being a good team for years to come. They are a very young team. They have some options but need time to put the puzzle together. They will bring Sofoklis Schortsanitis over from Greece this offseason. He is young and may not be ready to man the paint all alone. The option that presents itself to Cleveland if they land the 1st pick is to draft another young guy by the name of Dwight Howard. Howard is SSBL ready in many categories. We may be making a bold prediction by saying that Howard will be in the top 10 in blocks and rebounding after 1 season. Howard is the obvious choice for any team that lands the #1 pick in this not so stellar draft class. If the Cavaliers slip out of the #1 spot look for them to covet players like Emeka Okafor, Josh Smith and Trevor Ariza.
Projected Selection; PF Dwight Howard
2. Phoenix Suns
Record: 20-62
Players(s) drafted last year: Gilbert Arenas
Team Needs: PG, SF, PF, C
The Suns improved late in the season, but still find themselves at the top of the lottery. They were led by rookie SG Gilbert Arenas. Arenas is their only option at this point. The Suns need alot of help. They have players, but not starting quality. If they land the 1st overall pick Howard is the no brainer pick. If they stay at #2, they could go in a few directions. If they go the PG route look for TJ Ford to be the unanimous choice. If they go big look for Emeka Okafor to be a choice here, as well as HS star Al Jefferson. If they go with a wing player Josh Smith is the call here. In our eyes this is a pivotal spot in the draft for any team, depending on their need. For the Suns, it could be a crucial move.
Projected Selection: PF Emeka Okafor
3. Miami Heat
Record: 22-60
Players(s) drafted last year: No picks
Team Needs: PG, C, SF
Like the Suns, the Heat have a few holes to fill. They are led by the combo of Zach Randolph and Jason Richardson. They need some guard help and could find it in this draft. If the Heat stay at #3 look for them to look at a few point guard options. The obvious choice is Texas guard TJ Ford. Other options that the Heat could look at if they covet a scoring PG are Devin Harris and Jameer Nelson.
Projected Selection: PG TJ Ford
4. Toronto Raptors
Record: 27-55
Player(s) selected last year: Dwayne Wade, Kendrick Perkins (traded this season)
Team Needs: PF, C
The Raptors acquired a few picks in this years draft and hope to land a homerun with their first one. At this stage in the draft they could fill their biggest need right away. Look for them to take a long hard look at players like Josh Smith and Al Jefferson. Jefferson could step right in and control the paint for this team. If the Raptors go with a player like Smith he could see time at SF and PF. They will try to address their other needs later in the draft.
Projected Selection: PF Al Jefferson
5. New York Knicks
Record: 30-52
Player(s) selected last year: Amar'e Stoudemire
Team Needs: SF, C
The Knicks find themselves near the top of the lottery once again. They are a few pieces away form being a contender in the weak East. Stoudemire was their selection last draft so look for them to go small this time around. They need help at the SF position and the top choice there is Josh Smith. If they decide to convert Stackhouse to SF and go after a SG look for JR Smith or Andre Igoudala to be choices here.
Projected Selection: SF Josh Smith
6. Chicago Bulls
Record: 31-51
Player(s) selected last year: Carmelo Anthony
Team Needs: SG, BPA
The Bulls got a bit better thanks to Anthony, yet still find themselves in the lottery. The bulls have a very young team and should be able to string together more wins come next season. They lack a SG so that is their need in this draft. They also are holders of the Warriors first which is projected 13th. If they can land a SG at #6 they could go BPA or trade the pick.
Projected Selection: SG Ande Igoudala
7. Utah Jazz
Record: 32-50
Player(s) drafted last year: Kevin Martin
Team Needs: PG, SF
The Jazz will be under new management come season's start. They will have a tough choice come draft time. They are set at most spots except for PG. All the PGs currently on the roster are FA. Look for them to choose between a group of PGs.
Projected Selection: PG Jameer Nelson
8. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 32-50
Player(s) selected last year: Kyle Korver
Team Needs: PG, C
The 76ers GM has made it clear that he wants to rebuild this team into a younger franchise. there are some young pieces on the team., but not enough to compete, even in the East. A glaring hole on this team is at the PG spot. The PG class in this years draft is pretty strong considering so look for the 76ers to nab a PG, if they hold onto the pick that is. If they keep the pick there are some good PG options. Devin Harris and Jameer Nelson are both the frontrunners in our eyes to be taken here.
Projected Selection: PG Devin Harris
9. Boston Celtics
Record: 3646
Player(s) selected last year: LeBron James, David West, Darko Milcic
Team Needs: PG, SG
The Celtics missed the playoffs by 1 game. Quite an accomplishment considering where they were at this time last season. It helps to have the ROY on your team though. We feel James will be MVP caliber in the very near future. According to this draft they could go with a PG since the Jay Williams experience has crashed thus far. If they go with a PG here look for them to consider Chris Duhon, Shaun Livingston and Raymond Felton. If they go with a SG they could snag HS star JR Smith.
Projected Selection: SG JR Smith
10. Houston Rockets
Record: 41-41
Player(s) selected last year: Chris Bosh
Team Needs: SG, Depth
The Rockets improved alot since last season. They have a solid team and proved that they are bettering themselves. They have a few players who lead this team but still need to fill that void. They are thin at SG. If they decide to move Carter to SG look for them to find a SF at this spot. If they push Wagner to the 2, then a PG is their need.
Projected Selection: SF Luol Deng
11. Los Angeles Lakers (via Seattle)
Record: 53-29
Player(s) selected last year: no picks
Team Needs: BPA
The Lakers nab a lottery pick thanks to the Kobe Bryant deal. They are a loaded team, but could help their cause by nabbing a project player here. If they want to go with a more SSBL ready player they have some options. They could go anywhere with this pick, but likely will go with BPA.
Projected Selection: C Eddy Curry
12. Portland Trailblazers
Record: 42-40
Player(s) selected last year: No picks
Team Needs: PG, PF, C
The Blazers GM has mentioned a player they like at this spot, but will he pull the trigger? With the draft getting thinner at this position look for them to mull over a few names. They need alot of help outside of JJ so look for them to really scout guys before they make the pick.
Projected Selection: PG Chris Duhon
13. Chicago Bulls
Record: 31-51
Player(s) selected last year: Carmelo Anthony
Team Needs: SG, BPA
The Bulls find themselves picking in the first round again. Thanks to a deal with Golden State they land at #13. They should go with BPA here. Not much to chose from at this point.
Projected Selection: SF Trevor Ariza
