2010 Mock Draft: 10/24

[GMHornets]

Draft night. Considered by many to be the most entertaining night of the BBS, this year’s draft is right around the corner. Though the 2010 edition doesn’t contain the depth in star power of the previous drafts (where NBA Legends Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kevin McHale were all had their names called within the first two picks), the depth in potential meaningful players cannot be denied. Headed by the only true star of the class, point guard Isiah Thomas out of Indiana, the 2010 draft contains future borderline All-Stars such as Mark Aguirre, Buck Williams, and Larry Nance as well as valuable role players in Kelly Tripuka and Herb Williams, among others.

As teams began to salivate at the mouth (and stockpile picks, in the case of the Seattle Supersonics) thinking of the 2013 draft (Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, John Stockton), the 2010 draft has flown under the radar. Dallas, for example, has quietly assembled a nice surplus of picks, headed currently by the projected 1st and 4th selections. So without further adieu, predictions of the 2010 BBS Draft.

1. Dallas Mavericks (From Los Angeles Lakers): Isiah Thomas, Point Guard, Indiana

Considered by many to be the future of the point guard position, Isiah Thomas will step right into a Dallas uniform and be able to put the ball in the basket. Equipped with spectacular offensive ratings for a point guard, he’ll be able to keep opposing defenses honest while harassing opposing guards on the other side of the floor. His tenacious style of play will surely put fans in the stands in Dallas, a city thirsting for a star player to latch onto. The sure-fire number one pick.

2. Phoenix Suns: Mark Aguirre, Shooting Guard, DePaul

With Yao Ming, Sergio Rodriguez, Reggie Theus, and Richard Hamilton in the fold in Phoenix, Suns management is expecting a breakout campaign in the 2010-11 season. Though the power forward spot is clearly their biggest weakness, Aguirre is too good of a talent to pass up. A silky smooth offensive player, Aguirre will be able to come in right away and play productive minutes backing up both the small forward and shooting guard positions, all the while prepping to take over for aging star Richard Hamilton when his contract expires.

3. Indiana Pacers: Buck Williams, Power Forward, Maryland

With Isiah Thomas and Aguirre gone, expect Indiana to tab either Clemson University’s Larry Nance or Maryland’s Buck Williams as their selection, with public opinion hinting that Indiana would lean toward the Maryland product. However, with Kevin McHale (last year’s number one selection) and Bill Cartwright expected to play in Indiana for the next ten years, look for this pick to be dealt to a team more interested in landing a power forward, like New Orleans or San Antonio.

4. Dallas Mavericks: Larry Nance, Power Forward, Clemson

Having lucked out by seeing their preferred power forward fall to number four, Dallas management quickly locks up the offensively talented forward. Expecting Nance to step into the BBS and instantly play productive minutes, insider sources explain that Nance’s best attribute could very well be his superb defense. Regardless, at number four he’d be nothing but a steal.

5. Denver Nuggets (From Miami Heat): Rolando Blackman, Shooting Guard, Kansas State

The up-and-coming Denver Nuggets look for best overall value at number five, and luck out when Rolando Blackman, a potentially top offensive player, falls into their laps when they’re on the clock. With four impact players already on the roster, Blackman could be the final piece to the rebuilding puzzle in Denver. With the right moves, he could be the piece to put Denver over the top.

6. Philadelphia 76ers: Tom Chambers, Power Forward, Utah

Though Philadelphia already has quality talent at the power forward and center positions, with the drop-off of guards already taking place 76ers management decides to draft based upon value as opposed to team need. With that said, Chambers is no slouch, as he can easily bring 20 points per game to any team who selects him.

7. Sacremento Kings: Eddie Johnson, Small Forward, Illinois At Urbana

Similar to the Philadelphia 76ers, look for Sacramento to draft on value as opposed to team need when Chambers barely falls out of their clutch. While the newly aquired Shawne Williams will have something to say about it, Eddie Johnson’s offensive skills could allow him to come in right away and score eighteen points per game for the Kings.

8. Los Angeles Clippers: Orlando Woolridge, Small Forward, Notre Dame

Like Denver, the Clippers (with Samuel Dalemebert, Amare Stoudemire, Mike Woodson, and Sebastian Telfair already implemented into the starting roster) could be one young talent away from serious contention. Woolridge could very well be that talent. Possessing an outstanding inside game, Woolridge would complement the outside games of Telfair and Woodson nicely.

9. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Tripuka, Shooting Guard, Notre Dame

Magic Johnson and a team of scrubs is a feared squad. Yet, Milwaukee’s GM has surrounded the Michigan State product with top talent Derrick Rose, Andray Blatche, and Randolph Morris. Tripuka is the missing piece. He’s not expected to be an All-Star in his career, but he will play an all-around solid game, while staying out of the way of Magic and Blatche.

10. Detroit Pistons (From Sacramento Kings): Herb Williams, Center, Ohio State

The perfect word to describe Herb Williams is only two syllables: solid. Herb can defend, score inside, and grab his share of rebounds. Surrounding him with talent including Jermaine O’Neal and Kobe Bryant should allow him to thrive.

11. New Jersey Nets (From Chicago Bulls): Danny Ainge, Shooting Guard, BYU

A value pick, New Jersey tabs the BYU product as their selection due mainly to his outside scoring. Never one to be fearful of taking a shot, Ainge will be able to provide leadership to the young Nets, even as a rookie.

12. Boston Celtics (From New Jersey Nets): Alton Lister, Center, Arizona State

Bill Laimbeer and Josh Childress currently make up the future of the once-proud Boston Celtics. While it’s unlikely Boston could add a key piece to their future core with the 12th pick in the draft, Lister would provide them with a serviceable center who, when paired with Laimbeer, will be a tough pill for opposing power forwards and centers to swallow due to their defensive intensity.

13. Miami (From Cleveland Cavaliers): Jay Vincent, Small Forward, Michigan State

Miami has quietly assembled a young power forward and center combo to rival that of their trading partners, the Cleveland Cavaliers. With that said, what the Heat can use at this point and time is a swingman who can develop into a good offensive player, while playing solid defense. Vincent is their pick here.

Always filled with trades and shocking selections, draft night is one filled with many twists and turns. With such an even amount of talent, the only sure thing that can be said about the upcoming draft is that point guard Indiana will surely be the first overall pick. Who will follow is up for debate.

[GMHornets]

Wow, had no idea what kind of time this would take.

[Benwallacedetroit3]

great article....nice work

Very nice.

[kingjamez]

Thats real nice...good job..

[Lumley316kings]

Great job in depth, but I doubt the draft will end up like that, but I have to give you this tidbit you gave me the best pure shooter of the draft lol.

[Thunder]

Nice job Mark

[kjkeelty]

gmhornets said:

3. Indiana Pacers: Buck Williams, Power Forward, Maryland

With Isiah Thomas and Aguirre gone, expect Indiana to tab either Clemson University’s Larry Nance or Maryland’s Buck Williams as their selection, with public opinion hinting that Indiana would lean toward the Maryland product. However, with Kevin McHale (last year’s number one selection) and Bill Cartwright expected to play in Indiana for the next ten years, look for this pick to be dealt to a team more interested in landing a power forward, like New Orleans or San Antonio.

Excellent Mock.

Although right now, I wouldn't even consider trading the pick. It depends on two things, really. First, where we end up in the lottery. Second, who is left on the board when our pick comes up. It's true that we don't need another PF. If that's all that was left at our pick, the maybe we trade it or maybe draft best available and look to deal the drafted player rather than the pick.

We'll see.

[GMHornets]

Yeah, I should have included that. I don't necessarily mean the pick would be dealt, but the player drafted. Reason being, there are four top talents in this draft, with Isiah and Aguirre most likely going 1/2. With McHale and Cartwright, I figured that you'd probably deal Nance or Buck to New Orleans for very little.

I kinda like the idea of Nance playing SF. Hes definately athletic and quick enough to handle SF. Nance McHale and Cartwright would be nasty!

Then again, I think Nance is the 2nd best player in the draft, and with Phoenix needing some defense, Nance to PHX is a lock IMO at #2 overall.

[kjkeelty]

Well, either way, Nance or Aguirre could play the 3 for us. Still doesn't fill a hole though, since we've got Gay at SF.

Isiah is really the only guy we need. So hopefully we get some more lotto luck, but getting the top 2 picks 2 straight years in damn near impossible. So we'll just have to adjust to whatever happens.

[Lumley316kings]

Nance is so skinny so would be fine at sf, and by the way for total offence and defence he has the hole package, more then anyone other player in this draft besides Thomas.