Chad Ford final Mock Draft

Submitted by ish on

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2013/story/_/id/9427488/2013-nba-dr… ($)

i hope it's wrong.  he has Trey going to OKC (a terrible situation for him) with the 12th pick.

he also has THJ to LAC with the 25 pick (which in my opinion would be a good situation).

if Trey really got stuck behind Russell Westbrook and fell to 12 that would be awful.  here's hoping Chad Ford is wrong again.

Space Coyote

June 27th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^

While playing time would surely be less, he'd be on a very good team with probably the best shooter in the league (it's between Durant and Allen, but Allen has aged). Rookie salaries are fairly set in stone, playing for a winner and playing exceptionally well in his minutes (you could slide Westbrook around a bit and Westbrook has been getting beat up a lot), and a big 2nd contract could be in his future.

Style of play seems to fit for him as well to the degree that I actually know NBA.

\silver_linings

ChiCityWolverine

June 27th, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^

That's why the NBA sucks? Take a look at Trey Burke's shooting in the NCAA tournament. It went down, but that doesn't make the NCAA tournament "suck". Curry was both banged-up in the postseason and had to shoulder a big scoring load to keep the young Warriors competitive. This means taking more difficult shots. If he wasn't a primary playmaker and had easy catch-and-shoot looks and corner 3s, he'd damn near shoot 50%.

Michigan4Life

June 27th, 2013 at 5:06 PM ^

he carried the team as a PG.  He was the primary ball handler, distributor and scorer.  Team gameplanned around Curry yet Curry still shoots over 40% from 3 pt land. That is amazing stats because Curry has unlimited range and his shooting display in the playoff are nothing short of amazing.

Erik_in_Dayton

June 27th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^

I agree that it wouldn't be a terrible outcome.  I'm leery of Burke going to, say, the Pelicans and being expected to carry the team along with one or two other guys.  I think he'll be better off in the long run if he goes to a good team...I'd love to see him go to Indiana, for example, but I don't think that's a real possibility. 

Padog

June 27th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^

I have him going 6th to the Pelicans. How 11 teams could pass up on the National Player of the Year is absolutely ridiculous. He is not going 12th.

Space Coyote

June 27th, 2013 at 10:07 AM ^

See: Jimmer Fredette (10th overall), Tyler Hansbrough (13th overall), JJ Redick (11th overall),  Jameer Nelson (20th overall), TJ Ford (8th overall).

While most are selected high, it's not so much the exception that 12th would be crazy. But for the level of players in this years draft, and Burke's potential, it would be a bit ridiculous I agree.

saveferris

June 27th, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^

The big knock on Burke from the Piston's perspective is Trey paired with Brandon Knight makes for a very small backcourt.

That said, I live about 2 miles from the Palace and I would love to have a reason to go out and catch some Pistons games in the future, so I would be excited to see Burke come to Detroit.

robmorren2

June 27th, 2013 at 10:22 AM ^

I see him being a solid defender and a pest on the offensive glass. However, the draft preview show on ESPN basically slobbered all over him. They said he was more of an offensive threat than Ben McLemore. They lost me on that comment. McLemore has a Ray Allen type stroke, and he can jump out of the gym. Oladipo averaged like 13 points per game in college, on an IU team that ran the score up whenever possible. He's a solid player, but I think everybody is getting a little carried away because they want to be the one that found the diamond in the rough.

Space Coyote

June 27th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^

Oladipo has an extremely high ceiling, and he's proven that he can already take a major step forward in his game. He's very athletic, but still raw in terms of handling the ball, and a bit inconsistent shooting.

So the question is: Can he take another step and be a very, very good player, or has he taken a step that's close to maxing out his potential?

The thing is with him that I see, is even if he's come close to maxing out his offensive game, he isn't as much of a risk because he is good enough on defense and rebounding to have a role on pretty much any team. But he's probably not the highest ceiling, and he's far from the surest bet. It just depends on what the GMs want, expect, or are willing to risk, and what kind of risk they're willing to take.

TheLastHarbaugh

June 27th, 2013 at 10:54 AM ^

Well, Ben McLemore is a shooter who can't create his own shot. He also can't dribble, and doesn't move effectively off ball.

Oladipo might not be a good shooter, but he can get to the rim and moves well off the ball. Those two things probably make him a bigger offensive threat than McLemore.

Tim Hardaway even said that Oladipo was much more difficult to guard because of all the different things he can do. You can basically shut down McLemore if you don't give him room to shoot. He also quickly loses confidence in himself if you can get a few stops.

TheLastHarbaugh

June 27th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^

Yep, and watching a lot of Draft Express.

Draft Express breaks down McLemore's game. They list his offensive weaknesses as being unable to create his own offense off the dribble, shooting off the dribble, and finishing at the rim on drives.
 
The NBA is a pick and roll and iso league. Only 8.3% of McLemore's offensive possessions were pick and roll or iso, because he is uncomfortable with that area of his game. His field goal percentage was something like 18% shooting a jump shot off of a dribble. He can't use his left hand, or drive to his left at all.
 
When you watch his highlight videos it looks impressive but then you begin to notice a pattern. It's basically all fast break drunks, alley oops, and him knocking down uncontested 3s. Things pretty much every 2 and 3 can do in the NBA.

TheLastHarbaugh

June 27th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^

Who else is there? IMO he is the number 1 player in this draft. He is an absolute sure thing.

Super athletic. Decent size. Great work ethic. Lock down defender.  All of those things will directly translate to the next level.

Noel is even more Tayshaun than Tayshaun, with two major knee injuries. He also has zero offensive game to speak of, not to mention all of the extremely shady people around him.

Ben McLemore couldn't dribble to save his life in college, so how do you think that will work out for him in the pros? He also has a bunch of shady people surrounding him and questions about his work ethic, showing up to workouts overweight and dogging them. He also disappeared on a team when he was the best player and everyone was begging him to step up and take over.

Otto Porter is extremely solid, but he has no one, clear, NBA skill, which is frightening. He's also a stick figure who disappeared in critical stretches/games for the Hoyas.

Anthony Bennet is a tweener with some questions about work ethic and is coming off of shoulder surgery.

Alex Len is drawing a lot of Darko comparisons, and coming off of surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot, which isn't exactly a great sign for a big man.

Michael Carter Williams can't shoot to save his life.

Trey is tiny for a point guard and lacks the explosive first step or lateral quickness that most successful tiny guards have in the league. There are also legit questions about his ability to score in the paint and survive the brutal beating he'd take down there.

I mean, outside of Oladipo, there really isn't a sure thing in this draft. Oladipo has skills that ensure no matter how horrible his offensive game is, he can be a viable contributor to an NBA team. That is a definite rarity in this class.

1 percent

June 27th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^

Otto Porter is 6'9 and weighs 195.

John Henson was string beanier than string beans and had multiple games over 20 rebounds including a 17pt 25 rbd 7 blk game.

Nerlens isn't the type of player you rely on to be the pinnacle of your team and carry you through the regular season. In Cleveland, who has the #1, they have Kyrie, Waiters to do that and Thompson and Varejao to allow Nerlens to come back full strength. Had Clv drafted Harrison Barnes last yr and didn't have a 2 I would roll with Oladipo. He could easily become the best if this draft. I'd really be surprised if when its all said and done the Cavs haven't traded #1 though.

TheLastHarbaugh

June 27th, 2013 at 1:12 PM ^

He is a 6'11" 206lb center with multiple major knee injuries. 

He could get Greg Oden'd out of the NBA quite easily if his knees don't hold up.

Even without the injury concerns he has giant question marks over how his body will be able to handle the punishment night in night out from all of the bigs down in the low post.

John Henson plays the 4 and has Larry Sanders to protect him. Not to mention the fact that as skinny as he is, his listed weight at the NBA combine was 10lbs greater than Noel's, despite being 2 inches shorter. The Cavs don't really have anyone who can do that. Varejao can't stay healthy, and Tristan Thompson is not an enforcer.

1 percent

June 27th, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^

If I'm not mistaken, which I very we'll may be, Noel was playing at 215 220 and only lost weight because of the injury and not being able to work out. I'm less concerned about a 19 year olds weight than I am about his knees. He will be able to pack on 20-30 pounds ... Can is knees withstand that? If he never hurt his knee there is doubt wo is going #1. The Cabs shouldn't pick anyone else especially ot Len who is nowhere near the player and coming off an injury himself.

Noel's ceiling is ridiculous. Paying with Kyrie he will get 3-5 easy dunks a game off put backs, defense collapsing, hockey assists.

ThWard

June 27th, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^

If his shooting continues to progress (it improved greatly the last two years), matched up with his defensive abilities and his elite athleticism around the rim? I mean, there are Ifs with him, but everyone in the draft has Ifs. He seems to have a very high ceiling, and his floor is still probably starter.

Michigan4Life

June 27th, 2013 at 5:09 PM ^

He's already has elite athleticism and is an elite defender.  He rebounds very well for a G and can guard PG, SG and SF.  He improved his offensive game leaps and bounds and still has room to grow as a shooter.  He shot the ball well though it's at a limited attempts from 3 pts. Words is NBA GMs are enamored with Oladipo and probably will go #2 overall.

Lucky Socks

June 27th, 2013 at 10:09 AM ^

I don't hope he "slides" but I would rather see him play for a team with some pieces. I think he can be a star, though I think it's a safer bet that he's a 10+ pro who wins games as the #2 or #3 guy. If OKC drafts him it means they have a plan on how they can utilize him. They're trying to win now.

Michigan4Life

June 27th, 2013 at 4:58 PM ^

but questions (raw, subpar freshman year, defers too much) about him caused him to fall to the Pistons.  Drummond is now one of the best young C in the league and could arguably be the #1 overall pick if there's a redraft.

Players fall for a reason and Pistons benefited big time from it the last 3 years (not sure if you count Knight in that category but Monroe and Drummond for sure).

Follow Thy Fullback

June 27th, 2013 at 10:17 AM ^

He's not going to OKC...OKC last night was trying to package Perkins and 2 first rounders, to try to get a top 5 pick. If they're trying to trade Perkins, they'll grab a big man. Only reason they take him would be for rights to use him in a trade. Hardaway Jr is the wild card he could go anywhere from LAC, CHI, or SAC IMO.

Drunk Uncle

June 27th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^

I'd like the Pistons to take Trey but I think he will be gone. Neg attitudes towards Trey are just a smoke screen, he still goes top 8. I hope the Pistons take Shabazz Muhammed.  He can play, score and has the size NBA teams want. All the talk about his character is a non-issue to me. It's obvious his dad was behind the age falsification, and frankly he seems like a major tool. Scouts have been saying he has been impressing in every workout he's done and I've heard/read many comments about his friendly demeanor, good attitude. He could be a 20 and 5 guy in a couple years. Zeller = bust.

 

pdgoblue25

June 27th, 2013 at 10:24 AM ^

A terrible situation. 

Russell Westbrook is recovering from a serious injury.  If that proved anything to the Thunder it's that they need a 2nd guard that can handle the ball and score in the worst way.......even though they already had one of the best players in the league handling that role and they traded him a year before they had to.

It would be fun to see Trey in the playoffs every year.

gmoney41

June 27th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^

I would love to see THJ go to Indiana at 23.  We could use a good shooting gaurd.  I love Lance Stevenson's effort, he is just way too inconsistant.

robmorren2

June 27th, 2013 at 10:26 AM ^

All it takes is one trade, and the entire "mock draft" is totally invalid. This is especially true in this particular draft, because none of the teams at the top are drooling over any certain player. Every team is looking to trade down it seems.

Rico616

June 27th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^

I don't think okc would be bad for Burke if Westbrook was moved to the 2. Westbrook isn't a "true" pg. He's a small guard that's all but he scores.