Post by kmatrixg on Nov 29, 2010 22:51:28 GMT -5
2004 SSBL Mock Draft
(The following interpretations are based on team need)
1 Cleveland Cavaliers
Regular Season Record: 19-63
Top Performer: SG Josh Howard
Need depth: PF/C
The Cavaliers are a team completely submersed in the rebuilding project, and this pick could land them their next superstar. With Sofoklis Schortsantis coming over from Greece to play Center next season, the Cavs should look to fill in that glaring hole next to him - the PF position.
Player Selected: PF Dwight Howard
2 Phoenix Suns
Regular Season Record: 20-62
Top Performer: SG Gilbert Arenas
Need Depth: SF/C
The Suns are another dismal team, led by rookie Gilbert Arenas, the team managed to only win 20 teams in 2003. Even though they had many serviceable players, guys like Keyon Dooling played off the bench while Bobby Jackson started. If this team wants to win, it needs to not only make the right moves in the offseason, but get the right personnel on the court.
Player Selected: SF Josh Smith
3 Miami Heat
Regular Season Record: 22-60
Top Performer: SG Jason Richardson
Need Depth: PG/SF
The Heat have a very talented young team - led by Jason Richardson, Zach Randolph and a slew of young buds. With this pick, the Heat will probably look to fill the shoes of one Kenny Anderson or Steve Smith. Both are over 30 years of age, and neither have a great backup to fill in should they leave or get traded.
Player Selected: PG T.J. Ford
4 Toronto Raptors
Regular Season Record: 27-55
Top Performer: SG Dwyane Wade
Need Depth: SF/PF/C
The Raptors are still a work in progress, and this draft should fill a couple holes in their lineup. Dwyane Wade proved to be an amazing rookie, being named to the All Rookie 1st team, and the All Defensive 2nd team. Wade represents the Raptors and all they look to accomplish - so look for Toronto to try their hardest to acquire a defensive minded player.
Player Selected: PF Emeka Okafor
5 New York Knicks
Regular Season Record: 30-52
Top Performer: PF Amar'e Stoudemire
Need Depth: SF
The Knicks have been plagued with the anti-Murphy's law... The wrong players, at the wrong times. On paper, it looks as if the Knicks would be sure to give a run to the playoffs, especially in a weak Eastern Conference. However, the good players they have are either too old, or not experienced enough to make a difference in the game. They need a mixture of luck (for the lottery) and a great GM to come fill in the vacant seat so the Knicks can land their next future star.
Player Selected: SG/SF Andre Iguodala
6 Chicago Bulls
Regular Season Record: 31-51
Top Performer: SF Carmelo Anthony
Need Depth: SG/C
It's amazing the Bulls are this high up the mock draft, for the sole fact that they were in the playoff hunt until Day 90. This drop proves the team still has a long way to go before they solidify themselves in the top notches of the league. They have the starting pieces in Anthony and Marcus Banks, now they need to fill in the blanks.
Player Selected: C Eddy Curry
7 Utah Jazz
Regular Season Record: 32-50
Top Performer: C Yao Ming
Need Depth: PG/PF
The Jazz, another team with high expectations, fell short of just about anything after their GM called it quits halfway through the 2003 season. They have numerous strengths on their team, including the 7'5" Yao. Unfortunately, they also have their problems, including at PG with Tony Parker. Even though he is highly touted to be one of the best young guards in the league - he lacks any true ball handling skill and has an AST/TO ratio of just over 2 - below average for a PG.
Player Selected: PG Shaun Livingston
8 Philadephia 76ers
Regular Season Record: 32-50
Top Performer: PF Carlos Boozer
Need Depth: PG/SG
The 76ers have been shopping their two young guard mostly all season, Hamilton and Ginobili have had no bites thus far. Look for the 76ers to draft a nice combo guard option to play to both of their weaknesses, PG and SG this upcoming draft.
Player Selected: PG Devin Harris
9 Boston Celtics
Regular Season Record: 36-46
Top Performer: LeBron James (ROY)
Need Depth: PG/SG
Boston is another team that needs lots of help in the backcourt. Led by oft-turnover prone Jay Williams, The Celtics want a player to make shots while King James drives and kicks it out. Not only do they need someone to make shots, but take care of the ball, as Williams averaged nearly 3.5 turnovers and just 5.6 assists.
Player Selected: PG Jameer Nelson
10 Houston Rockets
Regular Season Record: 41-41
Top Performer: SF Vince Carter
Need Depth: SG
The Rockets need to fill just one position, the 2 guard slot. They have adequate talent to grow together, however they were cursed with the incredibly competitive Western Conference. Look for the Rockets to either take a guard that can play right away, or a big man they can nurse to serviceability off the bench.
Player Selected: PG Blake Stepp/ PF Al Jefferson
11 Los Angeles Lakers (from Sonics)
Regular Season Record: 53-29
Top Performer(s): SF Hedo Turkoglu/G Jamal Crawford
Need Depth: Nowhere really, Pick will most likely be BPA
The Lakers are a team benefiting from a trade made last offseason, in which they acquire Seattle's first rounder. Turned out to be number 11! The Lakers will probably take the BPA here or perhaps an overseas player they can let improve, as nobody available at this point in the draft will fill in a major hole.
Player Selected: PF Anderson Varejao (Brazil)/SF Luol Deng
12 Portland Trailblazers
Regular Season Record: 42-40
Top Performer: SG Joe Johnson
Need Depth: PG/PF
After the departure of Terrell Brandon, the Blazers are stuck with a enormous gap in their lineup. The only other PG on the team is a ready-to-retire Tim Hardway, and the only player that could play spot duty at PG is Joe Johnson. I fully expect the Blazers to take someone with the ability to pass and protect the ball.
Player Selected: PG Chris Duhon
13 Chicago Bulls (from Warriors)
Second Lottery Selection
Chicago could most likely fill their second hole with this pick, at SG. They need a player to score for them on the perimeter, both as a starter and off the bench.
Player Selected: SG Rashad McCants
(The following interpretations are based on team need)
1 Cleveland Cavaliers
Regular Season Record: 19-63
Top Performer: SG Josh Howard
Need depth: PF/C
The Cavaliers are a team completely submersed in the rebuilding project, and this pick could land them their next superstar. With Sofoklis Schortsantis coming over from Greece to play Center next season, the Cavs should look to fill in that glaring hole next to him - the PF position.
Player Selected: PF Dwight Howard
2 Phoenix Suns
Regular Season Record: 20-62
Top Performer: SG Gilbert Arenas
Need Depth: SF/C
The Suns are another dismal team, led by rookie Gilbert Arenas, the team managed to only win 20 teams in 2003. Even though they had many serviceable players, guys like Keyon Dooling played off the bench while Bobby Jackson started. If this team wants to win, it needs to not only make the right moves in the offseason, but get the right personnel on the court.
Player Selected: SF Josh Smith
3 Miami Heat
Regular Season Record: 22-60
Top Performer: SG Jason Richardson
Need Depth: PG/SF
The Heat have a very talented young team - led by Jason Richardson, Zach Randolph and a slew of young buds. With this pick, the Heat will probably look to fill the shoes of one Kenny Anderson or Steve Smith. Both are over 30 years of age, and neither have a great backup to fill in should they leave or get traded.
Player Selected: PG T.J. Ford
4 Toronto Raptors
Regular Season Record: 27-55
Top Performer: SG Dwyane Wade
Need Depth: SF/PF/C
The Raptors are still a work in progress, and this draft should fill a couple holes in their lineup. Dwyane Wade proved to be an amazing rookie, being named to the All Rookie 1st team, and the All Defensive 2nd team. Wade represents the Raptors and all they look to accomplish - so look for Toronto to try their hardest to acquire a defensive minded player.
Player Selected: PF Emeka Okafor
5 New York Knicks
Regular Season Record: 30-52
Top Performer: PF Amar'e Stoudemire
Need Depth: SF
The Knicks have been plagued with the anti-Murphy's law... The wrong players, at the wrong times. On paper, it looks as if the Knicks would be sure to give a run to the playoffs, especially in a weak Eastern Conference. However, the good players they have are either too old, or not experienced enough to make a difference in the game. They need a mixture of luck (for the lottery) and a great GM to come fill in the vacant seat so the Knicks can land their next future star.
Player Selected: SG/SF Andre Iguodala
6 Chicago Bulls
Regular Season Record: 31-51
Top Performer: SF Carmelo Anthony
Need Depth: SG/C
It's amazing the Bulls are this high up the mock draft, for the sole fact that they were in the playoff hunt until Day 90. This drop proves the team still has a long way to go before they solidify themselves in the top notches of the league. They have the starting pieces in Anthony and Marcus Banks, now they need to fill in the blanks.
Player Selected: C Eddy Curry
7 Utah Jazz
Regular Season Record: 32-50
Top Performer: C Yao Ming
Need Depth: PG/PF
The Jazz, another team with high expectations, fell short of just about anything after their GM called it quits halfway through the 2003 season. They have numerous strengths on their team, including the 7'5" Yao. Unfortunately, they also have their problems, including at PG with Tony Parker. Even though he is highly touted to be one of the best young guards in the league - he lacks any true ball handling skill and has an AST/TO ratio of just over 2 - below average for a PG.
Player Selected: PG Shaun Livingston
8 Philadephia 76ers
Regular Season Record: 32-50
Top Performer: PF Carlos Boozer
Need Depth: PG/SG
The 76ers have been shopping their two young guard mostly all season, Hamilton and Ginobili have had no bites thus far. Look for the 76ers to draft a nice combo guard option to play to both of their weaknesses, PG and SG this upcoming draft.
Player Selected: PG Devin Harris
9 Boston Celtics
Regular Season Record: 36-46
Top Performer: LeBron James (ROY)
Need Depth: PG/SG
Boston is another team that needs lots of help in the backcourt. Led by oft-turnover prone Jay Williams, The Celtics want a player to make shots while King James drives and kicks it out. Not only do they need someone to make shots, but take care of the ball, as Williams averaged nearly 3.5 turnovers and just 5.6 assists.
Player Selected: PG Jameer Nelson
10 Houston Rockets
Regular Season Record: 41-41
Top Performer: SF Vince Carter
Need Depth: SG
The Rockets need to fill just one position, the 2 guard slot. They have adequate talent to grow together, however they were cursed with the incredibly competitive Western Conference. Look for the Rockets to either take a guard that can play right away, or a big man they can nurse to serviceability off the bench.
Player Selected: PG Blake Stepp/ PF Al Jefferson
11 Los Angeles Lakers (from Sonics)
Regular Season Record: 53-29
Top Performer(s): SF Hedo Turkoglu/G Jamal Crawford
Need Depth: Nowhere really, Pick will most likely be BPA
The Lakers are a team benefiting from a trade made last offseason, in which they acquire Seattle's first rounder. Turned out to be number 11! The Lakers will probably take the BPA here or perhaps an overseas player they can let improve, as nobody available at this point in the draft will fill in a major hole.
Player Selected: PF Anderson Varejao (Brazil)/SF Luol Deng
12 Portland Trailblazers
Regular Season Record: 42-40
Top Performer: SG Joe Johnson
Need Depth: PG/PF
After the departure of Terrell Brandon, the Blazers are stuck with a enormous gap in their lineup. The only other PG on the team is a ready-to-retire Tim Hardway, and the only player that could play spot duty at PG is Joe Johnson. I fully expect the Blazers to take someone with the ability to pass and protect the ball.
Player Selected: PG Chris Duhon
13 Chicago Bulls (from Warriors)
Second Lottery Selection
Chicago could most likely fill their second hole with this pick, at SG. They need a player to score for them on the perimeter, both as a starter and off the bench.
Player Selected: SG Rashad McCants
