Post by heelsguy25 on Oct 13, 2010 18:32:45 GMT -5
Pre-Lottery Mock Report
With the regular season over and the much anticipated off-season approaching lets take a look at the draft. We will focus on some players who could be picked. The order we will look at is before the lottery happens, but things could remain this way. The opinions in this article are solely based on our department's opinions, and should be not taken as the real draft outcome.
Picks 1-6 will be discussed here.
The Miami Heat the best chance at obtaining the #1 overall pick due to their horrid 20-62 season. Taking a glance at the Heat's situation, no one is shocked how they got here. They lack any star power and their best player is a 35 year old Tim Hardaway. The Heat could virtually pick any player at #1 and be better off. They also own the Bulls 1st rd selection. They decided to start rookie Jamaal Tinsley at PG for most of the season, and Tinsley impressed. The PG spot looks to be fine in Miami. With alot of cap space coming their way, the Heat could go after any of the 4 remaining spots with #1. With a lack of overall game upfront, the Heat could take a long, or short if they want him for sure, look at Amare Stoudemire. The HSer dominated the HS ranks and is projected to be a stud in the NBA. With no college experience under his belt, Stoudemire could struggle at first, but gain stability very soon. If the Heat want to add some scoring at #1, look for them to go after players like Dwayne Wade, Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. With the bulls pick (projected 17th), The Heat could look for beef up front if they go scoring at #1. Players that could be available then are UCLA big man Dan Gadzuric, Maryland big Chris Wilcox, Luis Scola and Udonis Haslem. The Heat could improve greatly in the draft alone.
The Houston Rockets are projected at #2. Looking at their roster, a glaring weakness will be apparent come draft time. The Rockets are currently held down by veteran Darrell Armstrong. At the tender age of 33, Armstrong is doing a good job at PG. The Rockets will have zero PGs on their roster if they fail to resign any of them back. With that issue a possibility, the Rockets could not have to worry if they choose a PG. There are a few options that would be suitable this high. Jay Williams, out of Duke, looks to best the best PG on paper. Another option could be TJ Ford. Houston could also try to convert one of the top rated SGs to PG. Arenas and Wade fit that bill. With Mehmet Okur coming from overseas next season, the Rockets don't need a big. If they went with Chinese big Yao Ming, the Rockets would have a big upfront combo of Ming and Okur, but have a glaring issue at PG possibly. If the Rockets land the #1 pick, things could get even more interesting.
The Utah Jazz check in at #3. The Jazz have glaring holes at the 2 and 3 spot. Tony Parker is the commander on the team, but lacks a solid general. If the Jazz land a top 3 pick, look for them to secure up either spot with a scorer. The combo of Parker with either Wade or Arenas could be a good fit for years to come. The Jazz will have plenty of cash come free agency time, so their missing pieces should be found via FA., If they land a scorer in the draft look for them to shore up the frontcourt.
In a familiar spot the LA Clippers land in the lotto. The Clippers (projected 4th), love being here, or do they? Either way they ar here, and could nab a stud in the making. The Clippers aren't in that bad of shape, just in a tough conference apparently. They will look to keep the Kandi Man around longer, since he is progressing nicely thus far. They drafted Richardson with the 10th overall pick last year, and will look for him to hold the scoring fort down for years. With Jaric coming overseas, the PG spot should be held in check. They could grab another SG and move Richardson to SF. How would Wade or Arenas react to being put in LA? We could see very soon.
Coming at #5 potentially are the Seattle Supersonics. With out a doubt, Seattle should grab the best PF available? Carlos Boozer anyone? The Sonics are not Super, but with Boozer they could be better than a lottery team. Like the Jazz, they have cap to play with. Landing Boozer in the draft could be a key part in the building process. The Supersonics also hold the first round pick of the 76ers. With this pick, it could come down to picking the best available or possibly dealing it for a future 1st.
Wrapping up this look at the first half of the lottery are the New York Knicks. The Knicks will have a little cap to play with come free agency time. With the scoring load taken car of by Spreewell and Stackhouse, the Knicks could look to solidify their frontcourt via the draft. If Boozer drops to 6, look for the Knicks to take a long hard look his way. Eddie Griffin could be another player taken here, as well as Brazilian bigman Nene Hilario. The Knicks help down low, and should walk away with some if they play their cards right.
A look at the second half of the lottery is coming soon. Stay tuned.
With the regular season over and the much anticipated off-season approaching lets take a look at the draft. We will focus on some players who could be picked. The order we will look at is before the lottery happens, but things could remain this way. The opinions in this article are solely based on our department's opinions, and should be not taken as the real draft outcome.
Picks 1-6 will be discussed here.
The Miami Heat the best chance at obtaining the #1 overall pick due to their horrid 20-62 season. Taking a glance at the Heat's situation, no one is shocked how they got here. They lack any star power and their best player is a 35 year old Tim Hardaway. The Heat could virtually pick any player at #1 and be better off. They also own the Bulls 1st rd selection. They decided to start rookie Jamaal Tinsley at PG for most of the season, and Tinsley impressed. The PG spot looks to be fine in Miami. With alot of cap space coming their way, the Heat could go after any of the 4 remaining spots with #1. With a lack of overall game upfront, the Heat could take a long, or short if they want him for sure, look at Amare Stoudemire. The HSer dominated the HS ranks and is projected to be a stud in the NBA. With no college experience under his belt, Stoudemire could struggle at first, but gain stability very soon. If the Heat want to add some scoring at #1, look for them to go after players like Dwayne Wade, Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. With the bulls pick (projected 17th), The Heat could look for beef up front if they go scoring at #1. Players that could be available then are UCLA big man Dan Gadzuric, Maryland big Chris Wilcox, Luis Scola and Udonis Haslem. The Heat could improve greatly in the draft alone. The Houston Rockets are projected at #2. Looking at their roster, a glaring weakness will be apparent come draft time. The Rockets are currently held down by veteran Darrell Armstrong. At the tender age of 33, Armstrong is doing a good job at PG. The Rockets will have zero PGs on their roster if they fail to resign any of them back. With that issue a possibility, the Rockets could not have to worry if they choose a PG. There are a few options that would be suitable this high. Jay Williams, out of Duke, looks to best the best PG on paper. Another option could be TJ Ford. Houston could also try to convert one of the top rated SGs to PG. Arenas and Wade fit that bill. With Mehmet Okur coming from overseas next season, the Rockets don't need a big. If they went with Chinese big Yao Ming, the Rockets would have a big upfront combo of Ming and Okur, but have a glaring issue at PG possibly. If the Rockets land the #1 pick, things could get even more interesting. The Utah Jazz check in at #3. The Jazz have glaring holes at the 2 and 3 spot. Tony Parker is the commander on the team, but lacks a solid general. If the Jazz land a top 3 pick, look for them to secure up either spot with a scorer. The combo of Parker with either Wade or Arenas could be a good fit for years to come. The Jazz will have plenty of cash come free agency time, so their missing pieces should be found via FA., If they land a scorer in the draft look for them to shore up the frontcourt. In a familiar spot the LA Clippers land in the lotto. The Clippers (projected 4th), love being here, or do they? Either way they ar here, and could nab a stud in the making. The Clippers aren't in that bad of shape, just in a tough conference apparently. They will look to keep the Kandi Man around longer, since he is progressing nicely thus far. They drafted Richardson with the 10th overall pick last year, and will look for him to hold the scoring fort down for years. With Jaric coming overseas, the PG spot should be held in check. They could grab another SG and move Richardson to SF. How would Wade or Arenas react to being put in LA? We could see very soon. Coming at #5 potentially are the Seattle Supersonics. With out a doubt, Seattle should grab the best PF available? Carlos Boozer anyone? The Sonics are not Super, but with Boozer they could be better than a lottery team. Like the Jazz, they have cap to play with. Landing Boozer in the draft could be a key part in the building process. The Supersonics also hold the first round pick of the 76ers. With this pick, it could come down to picking the best available or possibly dealing it for a future 1st. Wrapping up this look at the first half of the lottery are the New York Knicks. The Knicks will have a little cap to play with come free agency time. With the scoring load taken car of by Spreewell and Stackhouse, the Knicks could look to solidify their frontcourt via the draft. If Boozer drops to 6, look for the Knicks to take a long hard look his way. Eddie Griffin could be another player taken here, as well as Brazilian bigman Nene Hilario. The Knicks help down low, and should walk away with some if they play their cards right.A look at the second half of the lottery is coming soon. Stay tuned.
