ESPN's first post-lottery Mock Draft is up

[TheMaverick]

If we drafted Lawson at 22, he would be the least of our problems.

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

The height definitely is an issue. I don't think his speed on offense can be equated to speed on defense. I just have doubts because it's clearly a different level of competition between college ball and the pros. The knock I've heard is he doesn't have a consistent perimeter game. He can get in the lane and create for himself or others, but if you give him space and dare him to shoot...that's where the problem can come in.

I'm not trying to dog on him and say we need to avoid him at all costs, don't get me wrong.

What did you think about the other assessments and who you would like and/or dislike

Terrance Williams seems to be the consensus favorite and he's probably at top of my list too. He doesn't have the upside of the other options but IMO he has one of the highest downsides of any player in the draft. He has good size, he's super athletic and he plays defense. Furthermore his high rate of assists and steals tell me that he has a good feel for the game. Who couldn't use a player like that? The thing that he'll have to do if he hopes to become a starter is learn to knock down the open three. He's the type that will get plenty of of those. Especially if he lands on a good team

All that being said, he's probably off the board at 22.

I've liked Lawson since the beginning. He reminds me of Jameer Nelson, another player that I thought was underrated going into the draft. I just don't think size is that big a deal with PG's. Chris Paul's the best in the league and he's tiny.

Like you said, Teague looks like a Jason Terry starter kit and we already have on of those. I'd be ok with Maynor. Not sure about young, I'm still looking into him.

[chumdawg]

What do you mean that he has the highest downside?

[dirno2000]

I mean I don't see much bust potential. At the very least he should a solid rotation player if he continues to work hard.

[BGMaverick9]

Reading around it seems like the news is that Charlotte is primed to take Williams, so I really think it's a massive longshot that he falls all the way to 22. He might slip past the lottery, but not far.

Maynor just has that "professional" feel. He was the leader of that team for almost 3 years. He did not have a lot of great talent around him but he turned it into a decent situation.

Young sounds ready to play defense but is a mini-project on offense. The mechanics sound bad and he just sounds rough on offense. He can do whatever you need on defense but it hasn't translated clean to offense, but you've got a good athletic body to work in to whatever you want him to do. I've heard big positives about his work ethic, so he seems like a guy who can progressively get better, so more upside with him with a decent foundation (especially on defense).

I know GMs (maybe even Cuban) are down on the $$$ side of the picks, including the risk/reward aspect but I'd still really love to grab another pick in the draft. At the worst, it helps increase your chances of getting a productive guy that can help you now and in the future. Picks are there to be had, you just have to be willing to add the extra money for the next few years.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Ford's new mock draft is up on ESPN.

Anyone got it?

[dirno2000]

.

[dirno2000]

6-31:

Minnesota
Stephen Curry
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 181
Age: 21
School: Davidson

Golden State
Jordan Hill
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 232
Age: 21
School: Arizona

New York
Brandon Jennings
Position: PG
Height: 6-2
Weight: 165
Age: 19
Country: Italy

Toronto
DeMar DeRozan
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 211
Age: 19
School: USC

Milwaukee
Jrue Holiday
Position: PG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 199
Age: 18
School: UCLA


New Jersey
Jonny Flynn
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 196
Age: 20
School: Syracuse


Charlotte
Terrence Williams
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 213
Age: 21
School: Louisville

Indiana
DeJuan Blair
Position: PF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 277
Age: 20
School: Pittsburgh

Phoenix
Gerald Henderson
Position: SG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 215
Age: 21
School: Duke

Detroit
Earl Clark
Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 226
Age: 21
School: Louisville

Chicago
James Johnson
Position: PF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 258
Age: 22
School: Wake Forest


Philadelphia
Ty Lawson
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 199
Age: 21
School: North Carolina

Minnesota (from Miami)
B.J. Mullens
Position: C
Height: 7-1
Weight: 258
Age: 20
School: Ohio State

Atlanta
Jeff Teague
Position: PG
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175
Age: 20
School: Wake Forest


Utah
Tyler Hansbrough
Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 234
Age: 23
School: North Carolina

New Orleans
Sam Young
Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 223
Age: 24
School: Pittsburgh

Dallas
Eric Maynor
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 164
Age: 21
School: VCU

Analysis: The Mavs can kind of sit back and see who falls. Point guard is a need, and they'll have three interesting prospects with Maynor, Collison and Nick Calathes all on the board.

Of the three, it's hard to see them passing on Maynor. He is a four-year player who could come in and play immediately. He is a terrific floor leader and can do a little of everything. There isn't one area in particular in which he stands out, but he can be special in lots of things.

Collison brings great speed to the table. Calathes will play in Greece this season, but he could be a nice pick down the road.

Sacramento
(via Houston)
Austin Daye
Position: SF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 192
Age: 20
School: Gonzaga

Portland
DaJuan Summers
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 243
Age: 21
School: Georgetown

Oklahoma City
(via San Antonio)
Chase Budinger
Position: SG
Height: 6-7
Weight: 206
Age: 21
School: Arizona

Chicago
(via Denver)
Toney Douglas
Position: SG
Height: 6-2
Weight: 184
Age: 23
School: Florida State

Memphis
(via Orlando)
Omri Casspi
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 211
Age: 20
Country: Spain

Minnesota
(via Boston)
Jonas Jerebko
Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220
Age: 22
Country: Sweden

L.A. Lakers
Darren Collison
Position: PG
Height: 6-2
Weight: 166
Age: 21
School: UCLA

Cleveland
Derrick Brown
Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 225
Age: 21
School: Xavier

[dirno2000]

The noteworthy development is this mock is the availability of Austin Daye. He hasn't been discussed since I think we all assumed he'd be off the board.

Any interest?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I will scream if we get Maynor. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but he is one of more NBA ready along with Williams.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

The noteworthy development is this mock is the availability of Austin Daye. He hasn't been discussed since I think we all assumed he'd be off the board.

Any interest?

Sure. It's hard to believe he will be available with his length and shooting touch but who knows. He seems to be a solid player, and it's hard to go wrong with that kind of mobility and size. Richard Lewis, Lamar Odom -ish.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

The noteworthy development is this mock is the availability of Austin Daye. He hasn't been discussed since I think we all assumed he'd be off the board.

Any interest?

He's got size and potential...I don't see that dropping to 22.
Something loopy would need to happen for that to occur.

[Thomas86]

Eric Maynor or B.J. Mullens would both be steals if there still there for the Mavs to grab, I'll be happy for either or but I'm really pulling for Eric Maynor.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Thomas86

Eric Maynor or B.J. Mullens would both be steals if there still there for the Mavs to grab, I'll be happy for either or but I'm really pulling for Eric Maynor.

In our situation, you'd have to go with Maynor.
I'm sure there is a lot of potential with Mullens but I don't know how well that would sit with a bunch of the guys on the roster. If you've got a proven player and isn't scared, it's the safe way to go.

DraftExpress projects us to get Maynor BTW.

[grndmstr_c]

FWIW, the DMN has a couple stories up on draft prospects by position (for pg and sg/sf), each with one very complementary Donnie quote, and one player spotlight with no accompanying quote. The two guys with Donnie quotes are Harden and Flynn, and the two who get spotlighted are Maynor and Williams. Don't know that we should read anything into those specifics, but thought I'd point them out in case anyone was so inclined.

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Sure. It's hard to believe he will be available with his length and shooting touch but who knows. He seems to be a solid player, and it's hard to go wrong with that kind of mobility and size. Richard Lewis, Lamar Odom -ish.

He definitely has the skill set to be very good. The thing that scars me is the criticism that he's not aggressive on offense or defense. A guy with that frame whose not aggressive will get eaten alive. Brad Sellers comes to mind.

[foglemann]

No on Daye, he's 6'10, 190. If there is a definition of skinny, he's next to it in the dictionary. He might be a player in a few years, but not worth the wait. If all we can get at 22 is a project like he and Mullens, count me out and trade the pick.

But if Lawson, Maynor, Williams gets there, I'm all for it. Of course I'd like to package that pick to move up...

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by grndmstr_c

FWIW, the DMN has a couple stories up on draft prospects by position (for pg and sg/sf), each with one very complementary Donnie quote, and one player spotlight with no accompanying quote. The two guys with Donnie quotes are Harden and Flynn, and the two who get spotlighted are Maynor and Williams. Don't know that we should read anything into those specifics, but thought I'd point them out in case anyone was so inclined.

I've been about Harden if we go up in the draft, but I think we've gotta go higher than 5. If we stick at 22, I'm definitely hoping Maynor is there...I love what I hear about the kid.

There is also a "good" article talking about it's time that Donnie feels the pressure. He really needs to, enough is enough. This team is mainly riding off of Dirk and just pushing him to the limit and teasing what could actually happen. Get the man some more quality players and see where this team can really go.

[tcat075]

Right now, the two guys I like at 22 are Terrence Williams and Eric Maynor.

[TheMaverick]

^ I will completely agree with that statement.

If we snag Williams, we can go big with our MLE.
If we snag Maynor, we can go swingman with our MLE.

both would be win wins IMHO.

[dirno2000]

Interesting Mock on ESPN Insider. They a player from every organization make a pick for his team. Here's ours:

22. Mavericks/Josh Howard select ...


James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest


"James can do it all. He has size [6'8", 235] and speed, and he can play defense. He also went to Wake!" says forward Josh Howard, a fellow Demon Deacon. What Howard's really going to like is an athletic big man on the Mavs' second unit who can run with José Juan Barea and Jason Terry.

[slowmo]

why not pay for a pick and get both maynor and williams?

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Terrance Williams seems to be the consensus favorite and he's probably at top of my list too. He doesn't have the upside of the other options but IMO he has one of the highest downsides of any player in the draft. He has good size, he's super athletic and he plays defense. Furthermore his high rate of assists and steals tell me that he has a good feel for the game. Who couldn't use a player like that? The thing that he'll have to do if he hopes to become a starter is learn to knock down the open three. He's the type that will get plenty of of those. Especially if he lands on a good team

All that being said, he's probably off the board at 22.

I've liked Lawson since the beginning. He reminds me of Jameer Nelson, another player that I thought was underrated going into the draft. I just don't think size is that big a deal with PG's. Chris Paul's the best in the league and he's tiny.

Like you said, Teague looks like a Jason Terry starter kit and we already have on of those. I'd be ok with Maynor. Not sure about young, I'm still looking into him.

I know Lawson had really good shooting numbers, but as someone who watched him play a lot in college, I can't help but wonder how his shooting will translate to the NBA. He kinda has goofy form on his shot. So I wonder if he'll be able to hit the NBA-range three as well as he did the college range three, especially going against the better athletes he'll see in the NBA.

And I know size isn't everything, but if you are a sub six-foot point guard, I think you need to do two of three things really well in order to be a good player in the league: pass, shoot, and finish. Even though it will be interesting to see if he can do it against the bigger guys in the NBA, he's so quick and strong that I think you can check finish off that list. He's a good passer, but not an exceptional one (although he does take care of the ball very well, he always had an exceptional A/TO ratio). The shooting will be a question mark, maybe he can still succeed in spite of his weird form, but I still think it's a bigger question mark than his numbers might indicate.

That being said, it might sound like I'm bagging on the guy, but I'd be thrilled to get him. I don't think he has a lot of bust potential, and if his shooting works out, he might turn into a nice little starter in this league (he'll always be a defensive liability, but he can make up for it on the offensive end).

[tcat075]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Interesting Mock on ESPN Insider. They a player from every organization make a pick for his team. Here's ours:

I would be fine with that pick. However, I think he goes in the teens and won't be available by 22.

[tcat075]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

I know Lawson had really good shooting numbers, but as someone who watched him play a lot in college, I can't help but wonder how his shooting will translate to the NBA. He kinda has goofy form on his shot. So I wonder if he'll be able to hit the NBA-range three as well as he did the college range three, especially going against the better athletes he'll see in the NBA.

And I know size isn't everything, but if you are a sub six-foot point guard, I think you need to do two of three things really well in order to be a good player in the league: pass, shoot, and finish. Even though it will be interesting to see if he can do it against the bigger guys in the NBA, he's so quick and strong that I think you can check finish off that list. He's a good passer, but not an exceptional one (although he does take care of the ball very well, he always had an exceptional A/TO ratio). The shooting will be a question mark, maybe he can still succeed in spite of his weird form, but I still think it's a bigger question mark than his numbers might indicate.

That being said, it might sound like I'm bagging on the guy, but I'd be thrilled to get him. I don't think he has a lot of bust potential, and if his shooting works out, he might turn into a nice little starter in this league (he'll always be a defensive liability, but he can make up for it on the offensive end).

His jump shot is lacking, but when you can carve defenses like this, does your jump shot have to be exceptional? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVIyl09XvIo

You are completely right though, that his jump shot is his biggest question mark. I've read his fluidity on pull-up and pick and roll jump shots are lacking.

[FINtastic]

Yeah, his shot is almost a set shot so I imagine it's got to be hard for him to stop on a dime for a pullup jumper.

His ability to get to the rack is pretty amazing, which is ultimately what should give him some staying power in this league. The only thing on that is that it will be a little different going against the physical, athletic bigs he will see in the NBA compared to a soft Duke defense that Lawson was designed to destroy. For that reason, I think he needs a reliable jump shot if he really wants to be a good player in this league.

Still, he'd be a pretty good pick for the Mavs at #22 imo.

[twistaeffect2004]

In their latest mock draft, NBADraft.net has us taking sf/pf Earl Clark out of Louisville.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Ford's Mock 7.0 is out. Dirno?

[MascisMan]

the new Ford 7.0 draft has us taking Jeff Teague at 24.

Cuban made a comment stating that he moved down in the draft because he knows FOR SURE that the guy they are targeting will definitely be available at 24. So looks like they are targeting a Euro to stash overseas. Maybe Nick Calathes?

[MascisMan]

the new Ford 7.1 draft still has us taking Teague at 24

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Ford's Mock 7.0 is out. Dirno?

Like Mascis said, he still has us taking Teague at 24.

Maynor has become a board favorite of late but Forde has him going at 16 to Philly.

FWIW he has Daye going to Portland with our old pick.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Like Mascis said, he still has us taking Teague at 24.

Maynor has become a board favorite of late but Forde has him going at 16 to Philly.

FWIW he has Daye going to Portland with our old pick.

That's interesting. Props to management in not having interest in Daye if true.