Real Deal

I guess I'll go ahead and post my mock in here. 1) NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: Anthony Davis, C, Kentucky 2) CHARLOTTE BOBCATS: Bradley Beal, G, Florida 3) WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, Kentucky 4) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Thomas Robinson, F, Kansas 5) SACRAMENTO KINGS: Andre Drummond, C, UConn 6) PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Damian Lillard, G, Weber State 7) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse 8) TORONTO RAPTORS: Austin Rivers, G, Duke 9) DETROIT PISTONS: Harrison Barnes, F, North Carolina 10) NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina 11) PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois 12) HOUSTON ROCKETS: Jeremy Lamb, G, UConn 13) PHOENIX SUNS: Terrence Ross, G, Washington 14) MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky 15) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: John Henson, F, North Carolina 16) HOUSTON ROCKETS: Kendall Marshall, G, North Carolina 17) DALLAS MAVERICKS: Moe Harkless, F, St. John's 18) HOUSTON ROCKETS: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor 19) ORLANDO MAGIC: Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State 20) DENVER NUGGETS: Marquis Teague, G, Kentucky 21) BOSTON CELTICS: Royce White, F, Iowa State 22) BOSTON CELTICS: Andrew Nicholson, F, St. Bonaventure 23) ATLANTA HAWKS: Quincy Miller, F, Baylor 24) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Draymond Green, F, Michigan State 25) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Tony Wroten, G, Washington 26) INDIANA PACERS: Jeff Taylor, F, Vanderbilt 27) MIAMI HEAT: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt 28) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Evan Fournier, G, France 29) CHICAGO BULLS: Will Barton, G, Memphis 30) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Doron Lamb, G, Kentucky

Quick mock...did this in less than an hour. Be prepared for one big move by Houston, which will cause a massive train wreck. Enjoy the draft! 1) NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: Anthony Davis, C, Kentucky Regardless of how many mock drafts I make, Anthony Davis will be my top pick. The Hornets will be drafting a true defensive anchor in Davis, and while he's known for blocking shots and pulling down boards, some are saying he could be more of an Olajuwon than a Camby (and I think it's ridiculous to make that comparison, but what do I know?). When you're getting compared to Hakeem, you know you've done your job in college. 2) CHARLOTTE BOBCATS: Bradley Beal, G, Florida I'm convinced that the Cavaliers will trade their #4 to Charlotte, along with a few pieces of their own, to land Bradley Beal. Kyrie Irving would love a floor-spacer, and Bradley Beal can give them just that, and a bit more, as he is drawing comparisons to a fairly good two-guard that many say has been overlooked by his abilities, Eric Gordon. The Washington Wizards won't be too happy about this, but they should get a nice consolation prize (if you can call it that) in MKG. 3) WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, Kentucky This is the workhorse of the draft. MKG has the goods to become one of those "everything" players in the NBA, a guy that can give you production for 40 minutes, all over the court. If he can improve as a scorer, the Wizards could be landing a potential all-star here. Would they rather have Bradley Beal? There's no doubt in my mind...but MKG is definitely not a bad selection at number three. 4) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Thomas Robinson, F, Kansas This pick is going to the Charlotte Bobcats (well, maybe), and Thomas Robinson is going to be the man that saves the organization...right? Looking over Charlotte's roster, you can safely say that every position is in need of an upgrade, but with Michael Jordan's love for Gerald Henderson, and the recently-drafted Kemba Walker on board, you'd think the Bobcats would go after a big man, and with Anthony Davis gone, T-Rob is the best big available. How much does Jordan like fellow UNC player Harrison Barnes, though? 5) SACRAMENTO KINGS: Andre Drummond, C, UConn This pick may very well go to the Rockets, who are wanting every lottery pick in the draft (to make a run at Dwight Howard), and word is, Houston is offering quite a bit, including Lowry and two of the three picks they have collected. Drummond could be one of those high-risk, high reward players. It's no secret the Rockets have been searching for a big man to replace Yao Ming, and 6) PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Damian Lillard, G, Weber State The Blazers will also consider Andre Drummond here, but may fear that Lillard will not fall to them at eleven. The need for a point guard is greater than their desire for another big, and Drummond is a project that raises a lot of questions. Lillard, however, is the best point guard in the draft, a scoring guard, that has a lot of upside and could contribute immediately. 7) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse Jerry West recommended Waiters, so I have no choice here. The Warriors are also willing to trade this pick, so keep an eye out for this: Houston could be in the mix, especially if they don't land the Kings' fifth pick, but if the Warriors do stay, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go after a scoring two-guard, despite how bad they want Kidd-Gilchrist. 8) TORONTO RAPTORS: Austin Rivers, G, Duke Tough decision with this pick. I wouldn't be surprised if Boston made a trade to select Doc Rivers' son, Austin Rivers, but maybe Toronto hangs around and selects the scoring two-guard they wanted out of DeMar DeRozan. With Waiters gone, Lamb or Rivers make the most sense here. 9) DETROIT PISTONS: Harrison Barnes, F, North Carolina Detroit needs a scorer, and Barnes is a polished one. What many don't talk about, though, is his defensive abilities. My only problem with the Pistons taking Barnes, though, is that he would benefit the most from playing alongside a true point guard, and Detroit doesn't have one. Can Brandon Knight develop quick enough to turn Barnes into a productive all-star player? 10) NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina I'm not in agreement with this pick, but the Hornets seem to be looking at another center (Drummond, Zeller and Leonard are all on their board, according to rumors), and with Austin Rivers gone, they may select Zeller here. This pick would give them another solid rebounder up front with Davis. 11) PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois No Drummond or Zeller? Portland has to go with Leonard here. He's an athletic big man that can give LaMarcus Aldridge more time at his natural position, something the Blazers are hoping for next season. 12) HOUSTON ROCKETS: Jeremy Lamb, G, UConn Assuming Houston keeps all of their picks, they have to select Lamb here, especially if Kevin Martin is on his way out in any deal with the Sacramento Kings. Plus, Phoenix is sitting at thirteen, waiting for Lamb to fall, and Houston can't assume he will drop to them at sixteen. 13) PHOENIX SUNS: Terrence Ross, G, Washington I'm inclined to stick Kendall Marshall here, because the Suns may be preparing for the next few years without Steve Nash, but Ross is too good to pass up. He can play the two-guard position, or step up to the three, and is one of the best shooters and athletes in the draft. 14) MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky Jones is a better offensive player than John Henson, and with the newly-acquired Samuel Dalembert on board, Jones makes sense at fourteen. He can also defend well, and Milwaukee can finally feel comfortable about their two big men (at least for the time being). 15) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: John Henson, F, North Carolina As much as I want to stick Jared Sullinger here, Henson's defense can't be overlooked. Perry Jones could be selected as well. 16) HOUSTON ROCKETS: Kendall Marshall, G, North Carolina Given Kyle Lowry's departure (in my mock) and the uncertainty around Goran Dragic, Marshall goes to Houston. He's the best pure point guard in the draft, hands down. 17) DALLAS MAVERICKS: Moe Harkless, F, St. John's Shawn Marion is getting older, and Harkless is a poor man's Eddie Jones. Why not? 18) HOUSTON ROCKETS: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor Luis Scola is aging, could be traded, so you go with a guy that could become a top three player in this draft. 19) ORLANDO MAGIC: Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State With Dwight Howard likely gone, either by draft night or the trade deadline, you take a gamble on a player that could be very productive, depending on how his back holds up. 20) DENVER NUGGETS: Marquis Teague, G, Kentucky Denver needs a backup for Ty Lawson. Teague is the best option here, with Marshall gone. 21) BOSTON CELTICS: Royce White, F, Iowa State Word is that he has received a promise from Boston. Enough said. 22) BOSTON CELTICS: Andrew Nicholson, F, St. Bonaventure Boston goes big again, to no one's surprise. Nicholson can shoot the rock, but has the size to be a solid defender down low as well. 23) ATLANTA HAWKS: Quincy Miller, F, Baylor I have to think this pick may go to the Lakers, somehow, and LA is very interested in Miller. 24) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Draymond Green, F, Michigan State Green will provide a little more offense in Cleveland's frontcourt, playing both the three and the four for them. 25) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Tony Wroten, G, Washington Memphis has to explore trading Mike Conley, and drafting Wroten will help with their depth at the point guard position. 26) INDIANA PACERS: Jeff Taylor, F, Vanderbilt If Granger is being shopped, Taylor is ideal here. He's an athletic three that can produce on both ends of the floor. 27) MIAMI HEAT: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt Miami needs a big. Eddy Curry and Dexter Pittman won't cut it. Ezeli is the best available big here. 28) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Evan Fournier, G, France The Thunder are in fear of losing Ibaka or Harden, due to luxury tax penalties. Fournier will be in France for a couple of seasons, which works out well for OKC. 29) CHICAGO BULLS: Will Barton, G, Memphis Talk of the town is that Barton will land in Chicago, as impressive as he was to them in workouts. With Rip Hamilton aging, Chicago might as well select Barton here. 30) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Doron Lamb, G, Kentucky This pick could be traded, and Lamb is one of the better players at the tail end of the first round. "Best available" selection at number thirty.

Why do I get the feeling the Rockets are going to get owned?

It's going to be really hard to deal Harden (in regards to mentally being able to part with the guy), because he's already putting up 17/4/4 on 49% FG in just his third NBA season, and that's off the bench and behind two guys taking most of the shots. The only problem is, you have to ask yourself: who is easier to replace, between Ibaka and Harden? Well, if you're going to amnesty Perkins, you have to say Harden. I still don't see why the Thunder can't move on, for now, and see if they can pick up someone like Kidd in free agency, and maybe finding a couple of decent backups. An improved Durant (assuming he can work on his post game and strength this summer), someone like Kidd behind Westbrook, and Harden getting even better...that team can make it back to the Finals and have a better shot this time around.

Do you remember the game Brian Cook dropped 27/10 on the Rockets, back when the Lakers were a first-round exit? What you said about Chase above...that could have been said about Brian Cook as well. Maybe not 30+ points, because I don't recall Cook ever hitting 30, but Chase has only had two 30+ point games in the three years he has played, while Cook was 1-2 baskets away from a 30 a few times as a Laker. Dragic was your sixth man, by the way. He's a better player than Budinger. Plus, Chandler Parsons just came off of a rookie season where he nearly matched everything Chase did.

You can post your mock in here (or, if BFT has already posted it, you can send me your edited mock in a PM), and I will "mark" each post with an edit time, confirming each (which assures everyone that the moderators and admins are not editing anything, since we can leave off the edit times). No other posts in here, besides mock drafts. Don't worry...if I don't edit your mock in time, and if you sent me a new one, I will still count the last one you sent. I will be away from the computer here and there, maybe even 30 minutes before the draft comes on, but I will get your edit.

JYD 1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis 2. Charlotte Bobcats: Bradley Beal 3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson 4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes 5. Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 6. Portland Trailblazers: Damian Lilliard 7. Golden State Warriors: Dion Waiters 8. Toronto Raptors Andre Drummond 9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson 10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall 11. Portland Trailblazers: Tyler Zeller 12. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard 13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers 14. Milwaukee Bucks: Jeremy Lamb 15. Philadelphia 76ers: Perry Jones 16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross 17. Dallas Mavericks: Marquis Teague 18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Moe Harkless 19. Orlando Magic: Jared Sullinger 20. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie 21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson 22. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb 23. Atlanta Hawks: Terrence Jones 24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Royce White 25. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo 26. Indiana Pacers: Jeffry Taylor 27. Miami Heat: Evan Forunier 28. Oklahoma City: Will Barton 29. Chicago Bulls: Tyshawn Taylor 30: Golden State: Draymond Green

Hasheem Thabeet was an upgrade over 75% of the centers in the league, in June 2009...at least that's what was said.

Yep, you guys can send them my way tomorrow.

From 2-4, you have: Robinson MKG Barnes Beal Drummond Did not add Lillard, since he's a PG (and they have Irving). And the Cavs want Waiters????

Blatche doesn't make enough money. Washington would have to trade us Nene and a filler if they wanted Gasol (won't happen), or work a third team into the trade.

Impossible, because Ariza can't be traded in a package deal.

The Kings are stupid if they take that.

Howard is gone, regardless. Once he waived his ETO to stay another year, I was 100% sure he would be gone by February 2013. Orlando is definitely rebuilding...and damn, it's from rock bottom. In that case, they need to get rid of Jameer Nelson's ass (he'll be an expiring next summer, so maybe teams will drool over that) and possibly find a suitor for Glen Davis, before he becomes more of a liability out there than he already is. Honestly, if I'm Orlando, the only three guys that mean anything to me, moving forward, are Earl Clark, Ryan Anderson, and JJ Redick.

Minnesota is going to regret that, when one or two of the better players in the lottery fall. Not a smart trade for the Wolves, at all. Houston is stacking picks. Stole this one.

Nope. Right now, the Wizards don't have the salary to match. They would have to give us Nene. Blatche doesn't cover it.

Nice picks. I don't have much to say about the lotto, with the exception of Drummond going at #7 to the Warriors. Golden State just dealt Monta to the Bucks, just so they could bring in Bogut. Right now, they have Bogut, Lee, Biedrins and Jeremy Tyler all getting minutes at the five, and all are under contract for at least one more season.

I had the nickname "Real Deal B-Neal" long before anyone even knew a "Real Deal Beal" even existed. Put that on my life. And thanks guys. I could be in Cleveland, or I could be a Bobcat (hey, at least I'll get to meet MJ).

Really? He was one of the best guards in college basketball this past season, at Weber State. Scoring PG. He's not a true PG like Kendall Marshall, but Lillard is pretty good.

Anthony Davis Thomas Robinson Bradley Beal Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Harrison Barnes Damian Lillard Dion Waiters Austin Rivers Andre Drummond Jeremy Lamb John Henson Tyler Zeller Meyers Leonard Terrence Ross Interesting. No Sullinger, Marshall, or PJ3.

Damn, lol...Dwight is making enemies.

Maybe, but I wouldn't be shocked if Henson wasn't there at 15, either...and Sullinger was. Looks like Henson's stock jumped a bit, and both Detroit and Portland will consider him. I just read that Sully wasn't invited to the green room.

Free agent choices.

I think the Raptors would pass on Lillard if that meant they can take Kendall Marshall at 14, then have that 16th pick to select someone else (say, Dion Waiters or Perry Jones). I don't know. Maybe we'll know more later, as players start to receive promises, cancel workouts, and trade rumors heat up even more. I absolutely love the final week before the draft.

He didn't, but that's irrelevant. Everyone has teammates. Jordan had Pippen (named top 50 of all-time years ago) and Rodman (greatest defensive player ever), but very few talk about that as much as they talk about Magic's teammates (Kareem, Worthy, Cooper, Scott and Green). Twenty years from now, people will recognize Pierce as the leader of that 2008 championship squad, since he is the guy those two (KG and Ray Ray) came to play with, and he will have the Boston franchise scoring record (I think he does right now, actually)...and if Melo comes out empty-handed, there won't be much to remember him by. It may not be fair, but that's just the way it goes. Strictly judging by the player, though...while Melo has been the better scorer, Pierce is a very good scorer as well, but also played pretty good defense over the years, and was also a better teammate (in regards to creating for others). So, if I'm asked which player I want in their primes, it's Pierce...even though I hate his face.