"I Know the Game Like I'm Reffing It"















Thursday, June 25, 2015

2015 Mock NBA Draft, 1st Round - What they SHOULD do (updated).


The NBA Draft takes place tonight in Brooklyn. Here's a look at how I think it SHOULD go down, if I were the GM of all 30 teams


1. MinnesotaJahlil Okafor, 6'11, C, Duke. How you pass up on the best offensive big man in many a year, I don't know. His defensive woes have been way overblown.

2. Los AngelesKarl-Anthony Towns, 7'0, C, Kentucky. The Lakers could use a multi-talented big to bolster their front line, along side Julius Randle.

3. PhiladelphiaD’Angelo Russell, 6'4, G, Ohio State. Russell is the best non big in the draft and Philly, of course, has a couple young bigs.

4. New YorkEmmanuel Mudiay, 6'5, G, China. As we know, the Knicks’ roster is bare almost everywhere. Why not start filling the point guard position with an athletic big guard with loads of potential.

5. OrlandoKristaps Porzingis, 7'1, PF, Latvia. The Magic are in a safe position to take a chance on the ballyhooed foreigner. They could end up stocked with young talented bigs.

6. SacramentoMyles Turner, 6'11, PF/C, Texas. The Kings have glaring needs at PG and PF. Turner makes sense here. He has great size and much potential, despite a somewhat disappointing freshman campaign at Texas.

7. DenverMario Hezonja, 6'8, G/F, Croatia. Denver needs help everywhere and is in rebuilding mode, so why not take a chance on a high upside, athletic Croatian SG.

8. DetroitJustise Winslow, 6'6, G/F, Duke. The Pistons need help at the G/F spots and Winslow's stock has been soaring, largely based on his NCAA Tourney performance where he showed all around skills and the heart of a lion.

9. CharlotteFrank Kaminsky, 7'1, PF/C, Wisconsin. Word is that MJ is high on Frank the Tank and with the trade of Noah Vonleh, the Hornets have even more room for a solid big.

10. MiamiStanley Johnson, 6'6, SF, Arizona. Johnson was slightly disappointing as a freshman at Zona, but he is still highly regarded and is a good fit for the Heat with his versatility and hard-nosed play.

11. IndianaCameron Payne, 6'2, PG, Murray State. The Pacers need help at guard, specifically point guard. The Murray State phenom could be a perfect fit.

12. UtahDevin Booker, 6'6, SG, Kentucky. The Jazz, like everyone else, can use a 6'6 pure shooter to go with their young mix of talent.

13. PhoenixWillie Cauley-Stein, 7'0, C, Kentucky. This is a nice fit for both parties. Who really knows what the Suns are doing, but Will Trill is a defensive-minded big that runs like a gazelle.

14. Oklahoma CitySam Dekker, 6'9, SF, Wisconsin. OKC needs some scoring reinforcements from the G/F position and Dekker could be that guy.

15. AtlantaBobby Portis, 6'11, PF, Arkansas. Portis would give the Hawks’ frontcourt depth and versatility.

16. BostonTrey Lyles, 6'10, PF, Kentucky. The Celtics are likely looking for the best non guard available at this spot and Lyles is the guy.

17. MilwaukeeMontrezl Harrell, 6'8, PF, Louisville. The Bucks could use some bulk and energy up front.

18. HoustonTyus Jones, 6'1, PG, Duke. The Rockets need a pure PG and Jones is the best one available at this spot.

19. WashingtonRondae Hollis-Jefferson, 6'7, SF, Arizona. The Wizards could use some help at the forward spot and Hollis-Jefferson could add defensive toughness, as well.

20. TorontoR.J. Hunter, 6'6, SG, Georgia State. The 6’6 Hunter fills a SG and perimeter shooting need for the Raptors.

21. DallasDelon Wright, 6'5, PG, Utah. The Mavs need a PG and Delon Wright is a pure one that can do a little bit of everything at 6’5.

22. ChicagoKelly Oubre, 6'7, SF, Kansas. If Oubre is still around, this makes sense here. The Bulls need SG insurance and SF help. Oubre has loads of potential and new coach Fred Hoiberg is familiar with the former Big 12 player.

23. PortlandKevon Looney, 6'9, PF, UCLA. Looney is a good 6’9, long, athletic and skilled gamble for the Blazers, who may need to replace LaMarcus Aldridge.

24. ClevelandJerian Grant, 6'4, G, Notre Dame. If Grant is still around at this spot, it would be a steal for the Cavs. Grant can contribute right away at both guard positions, as he can score, but is very unselfish with a high basketball IQ.

25. MemphisOlivier Hanlan, 6'4, G, Boston College. This could be looked at as a bit of a risk/reach, but Hanlan is probably the best shooter/scorer available and has the size, at 6’4, to be a combo guard.

26. San AntonioRashad Vaughn, 6'5, SG, UNLV. This is a tough pick. There are no clear choices, but they should take a chance on a young shooting talent that they can develop.

27. Los AngelesJustin Anderson, 6'6, G/F, Virginia. The Lakers badly need SF help and Anderson seems to be a fit here. Anderson came out of nowhere to star for Virginia last year, only to have his season cut short due to injury. So, this is a bit of a risk.

28. BostonJarell Martin, 6'9, PF, LSU. The Celtics need all the help they can get at the forward position and Martin has great upside.

29. BrooklynChris McCullough, 6'9, F, Syracuse. McCullough played in only 16 games as a freshman at Syracuse due to a season ending ACL injury. He’s raw and a project, but has lots of upside and NY area ties.

30. Golden StateJoseph Young, 6'2, G, Oregon. What does the team that has everything get for itself? I say they go for another explosive shooter/scorer to plug into their backcourt to give the Splash Brothers a rest.