Post by heelsguy25 on Dec 16, 2010 17:34:48 GMT -5
The 2005 Draft is quickly approaching. The season is half over and its about time when teams start to do their planning on the whose who of the draft. We will take a look at what we think the draft will look come that night. The picks are based on a few factors: team needs, upcoming free agents of the team and other roster issues. Our writers come together and make these selections, so they are just that, opinions. It is still early to say whose in and out of the draft so this mock will include players who are still testing the draft waters. We will look first at the lottery picks. A look at the rest of the first round will be out shortly.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Current record: 12-29
Team needs: SG, PF, C
Projected Selection: C Andrew Bynum
Many GMs may think that Chris Paul is the selection here, but we think otherwise. The 76ers are a team in rebuild, in every sense of the word. This team will look completely different come next season. they need help in alot of places, and the only spot that is secure is the PG spot. We feel Bynum is a good fit here because he is a young big who already has shown the skills to be a successful player in SSBL. If the 76ers do go with Paul then they could move Harris to SG. The options are wonder-less in Philadelphia. Hopefully the GM can figure things out quick.
2. Washington Wizards
Current record: 10-27
Team needs: PF, C
Projected Selection: C Andrew Bogut
The Wizards decided to send their two young guys to the D League and some here at SSBL Times are questioning that decision. We feel that giving PT to those guys would have benefited the team, rather than hurt it. They are set in the backcourt, so must focus on some frontcourt help. Another C is in play here as the Wizards just dealt their best big in Stepania. Bogut will come right in and man the paint for years for this club. The Aussie can rebound, block and score with no problem.
3. Phoenix Suns
Current record: 12-25
Team needs: SF, C
Projected Selection: SF Danny Granger
The Suns find themselves near the top of the lottery. We feel this team is just a few pieces away from being more than the laughing stock of the West. With Dwight Howard down low and Arenas jacking the shots, look for this team to get another scorer. Granger is more than a scorer. He can rebound and is not selfish with the ball. The Suns could go another route like UCONN star Rudy Gay. Gay isn't as polished as Granger though.
4. New York Knicks
Current record: 15-27
Team needs: PG
Projected Selection: PG Chris Paul
If the Knicks land Paul this late, they will be the winner of this draft for sure. Paul is a bonified starer and shouldn't fall this far, but he could. He brings passing and scoring to this team, which they sorely lack out of their PG. The Knicks have the Heat 1st which is a lottery pick thus far, so New York could be a team to reckon with come next season.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Current record: 15-25
Team needs: PF, C
Projected Selection: PF Al Jefferson
Moving Fortson recently will all but ensure that this team goes big with this pick. they have Sampson slotted as the starting C now, and we don't feel hes ready to be a main contributor just yet. Jefferson put his name in the draft last season, and now feels he is SSBL ready. We feel he can be a good post presence for several years and should help this team tremendously.
6. Houston Rockets
Current record: 14-23
Team needs: PG, SG
Projected Selection: PG Deron Williams
this team lacks a true scoring guard. They have never tried Wagner at the 2, and the time is now to do so. With drafting Williams they land a PG who can pass the ball and score the ball better than most in the SSBL right now. If they decide to stick with Wagner at the 1, look for SG Monta Ellis to come into play here possibly.
7. New York Knicks (via Miami)
Current record: 15-27
Team needs: Depth
Projected Selection; SG Randy Foye
The Knicks are on the clock again and could score another home run with this pick. They may go BPA here and if so Randy Foye could be the pick. Foye could be a nice option as a backup to both the PG and SG spots.
8. Charlotte Hornets
Current record: 16-21
Team needs: PG, C
Projected Selection: PG Sebastian Telfair
This may be high for Telfair but the Hornets need a PG and hes the best available. He is young and still needs alot of maturing to do, but could help this team with their backcourt woes. Another player that could fit in nicely in Charlotte is Monta Ellis. The GM could go big here and choose between players like Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge and Andray Blatche.
9. Chicago Bulls
Current record: 20-25
Team needs: PF
Projected Selection: PF LaMarcus Aldridge
The Bulls are a pretty young team but have some veteran presence. The play of Nene has not been what most thought it would be, so the Bulls should look for his replacement. Aldridge is a big body who can score in a multitude of ways. His defense isn't as good as Nene's, but isn't that far off from being a star talent.
10. San Antonio Spurs
Current record: 18-22
Team Needs: PG, PF
Pojected Selection: Paul Millsap
The Spurs will have some tough decisions to make if Payton and Ratliff bolt for FA. We feel they will try to resign Payton in FA if that happens. The frontocurt will look a little weak if Ratliff leaves so look for the Spurs to bulk it back up. Grabbing Millsap should help since he can rebound and plays pretty good defense.
11. Dallas Mavericks
Current record: 19-23
Team needs: SG, SF
Projected Selection: SF Rudy Gay
This could be another steal if Gay falls this far. The Mavericks, like the Spurs before them, could have some decisions to make. Both Hill and Anderson are FA, and the scoring load could be quite light if they both leave for FA. Gay could step in right away and lock down the SF spot if that happens. Gay isn't super polished yet, but has plenty of room to grown and become an All-Star.
12. Sacramento Kings
Current record: 19-22
Team needs: SG
Projected Selection: SG Louis Williams
The Kings need some scoring from their 2 guard and could get it with Williams. He is a combo guard but loves to score the rock in a variety of ways. Another target for the Kings to look at is UNC SG Rashad McCants. McCants can score and loves hitting the big shot, but is he starter quality?
13. Utah Jazz
Current record: 17-19
Team needs: SG
Projected Selection: SG Rashad McCants
The Jazz like the Kings need a SG. If McCants goes at 12, look for the jazz to take Williams. Both players can score, but McCants may be the lesser of the 2 SGs. He loves to score, but doesn't commit as hard on the defensive side of the ball. Some scouts say that his ego gets the best of him at times.
The season is far from over, so this lottery picture will change. The decisions from the draftees should come as the season winds down, so we will unveil a new mock every so often leading up to draft day. Stay tuned...
