Ford's Latest Mock Draft- Charlotte Gets some LOVE!

[ammofan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-080623


He has UCLA Forward kevin love dropping to us at 9. I would LOVE that, lol.

He would compliment Mek perfectly. He is also known for being able to start fast breaks with his awesome full court passes. That would be great for J-Rich.

Also note:::
Russell Westbrook going #4 to Seattle

Eric Gordon going #5 to Memphis

Jerryd Bayless #7 to the Clippers

Brook Lopez falling to #10 overall to the Nets.

Supposed favorite of the Bobcats, Roy Hibbert, is going #19 to Cleveland.

DeAndre Jordan dropping like a ROCK to #28 overall to Memphis(I remember the Mocks that had him #3 overall!)




http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-Round2-080623


In the second round, Chad has us drafting Richard Hendrix from Alabama. Hendrix is 6'9" and is a tough banger down low. That could really help us out, considering the fact that Sean May(If he doesn't get traded) probably will get hurt again.

Other notable second round players:

32. Seattle- Kyle Weaver PG Washington State

33. Portland- Nicholas Batum SF France

34. Minnesota- Nathan Jawai PF Australia

37. Milwaukee- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute SF UCLA

45. San Antonio- Joey Dorsey PF Memphis

And the NBA's 2008 "Mr. Irrelevent" is.........................

60. Boston- Sasha Kaun C Kansas


Who's got a comment?

[Mustachio]

If we walked away from the draft with Kevin Love and Richard Hendrix... I would consider that a success.

I have severe questions about Love's NBA potential, but if you get an often projected top 3 player at number 9 that fills a need... you can't really argue. I feel like Love is further along in his skill set than Sean May was when we drafted him and probably more athletic. And you guys can correct me if need be but wouldn't Love come in with a better back to basket game than May? and Hendrix maybe a steal in the second round.

bottom line if this happens... we went into the draft needing a PF and got 2. if this was a game show and they gave me the chance to take the deal and walk away I would absolutely do it. because it could definitely be worse.

[dav7z]

Hear is a look at Hendrix
I don't know if hes who we looking for Baxter and Boozer
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/richardhendrix.html

[spectre]

I have severe questions about Love's NBA potential, but if you get an often projected top 3 player at number 9 that fills a need... you can't really argue.

I guess that's pretty much my position, but personally I'd rather take on some potential instead.

[countryboi]

luc richard mbah a moute game makes you want to punch the tv screen....the guy is a 7 footer in a 6'7 body...he does not seem to have any type of game outside of rebounding and he aint great at that

[Mustachio]

im gettin excited about hendrix.

I think NBA coaching and expectations could make him a very very solid NBA player.

[ohara831]

I live the idea of grabbing Love at #9 if he falls. But I would not go with Hendrix at #38. That would give us Love, Hendrix, May and Davidson all at the PF. A glut. If we grabbed Love, gotta go PG/SG with #38.

Of note, I was reading several articles this morning on the Draft and different "experts". One in particular noted that several GM's are expecting Seattle to go Westbrook at #4. And if NY goes Gallinari at #6, that Bayless could fall out of the Top 10. My rule is simple: If someone who is clearly worth taking several picks earlier somehow slips to you, and he is surely the BPA, you take him. Need be damned. (The Vikings had a good RB, but took AP when he fell to them) If Bayless fell to #9, I'd be all over that pick like stink on dog poop. I'd find a way to trade for my PF, but Bayless would not get by me. Kid has way way too much game and is going to be very very good. Excellent height and size for a PG, can score, and has started as a FR for a major PAC-10 team. He'll continue to improve as a distributor and if LB is his Coach he will be a Top 5 PG real soon. I honestly dont see too much of a drop off from Rose to Bayless, although there is some. I'm not saying he's equal to Rose, just that he is much closer than some may think.

[Mustachio]

I live the idea of grabbing Love at #9 if he falls. But I would not go with Hendrix at #38. That would give us Love, Hendrix, May and Davidson all at the PF. A glut. If we grabbed Love, gotta go PG/SG with #38.



haha i would hardly call it a glut when we wouldnt even know who the starter would be. not to mention the trade power that comes with having "too many" big men. I would feel much much better with May,Davidson, Love, Hendrix, Okafor, Nazr, and Ryan Hollins. None are really stars, but its better than no Love and Hendrix but still having Piggy.

Your right that we need a back up PG...however you always draft BPA in my opinion and a back up PG can be found in the Dleague or through a trade with May or something.

I just think it makes more sense to stock pile big men if given the option.

[murphman]

I agree that if Bayless is there at #9, you have to take him.

My order of BPA of guys who at least have a slight chance of being there at #9:

Bayless/Westbrook (tie)
Love
Ajinca (a slight reach but worth it)
Augustin
Lopez
Alexander

[ohara831]

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2008/06/not-top-10-lock.html

Oh yeah. If they can fall to #10, then they'll be there for us at #9. After Rose, Beasley and Mayo, Bayless is the next best player. Could we be so lucky?

[fatlever]

i dont think it is wesbrook. the rumor of a promise was bogus, but he has had a lot of buzz lately and has worked out for a lot more teams that bayless and gordon. its gotta be bayless and gordon, but why approach nj? nj just traded for harris and also has marcus williams. they also have vince at sg. the more likely destination would be the pacers who need both a pg and a sg...... right?

[ohara831]

If they slide by the Clippers at #7, you know the Bucks are taking Alexander at #8, so we'd be up. And Bayless gives us options. He can be a PG which allows for a possible move of Ray for a PF, or he can be a SG which allows for a move of Crash for a PF
(move J-Rich to SF). Playing him at the SG also allows him to serve as a backup PG as he has handles. To me, Bayless is almost as good as Mayo, just not with the Defense Mayo brings. That would be a very lucky turn of events for this franchise.

[Slam]

i dont think it is wesbrook. the rumor of a promise was bogus, but he has had a lot of buzz lately and has worked out for a lot more teams that bayless and gordon. its gotta be bayless and gordon, but why approach nj? nj just traded for harris and also has marcus williams. they also have vince at sg. the more likely destination would be the pacers who need both a pg and a sg...... right?

Dick head gets traded, Vince moves to the 3, Bayless or Gordon at the 2, Harris at the 1 (or Bayless at the 1 and Harris at the 2 if you like).

With the size and D of Harris he can guard the opposing teams 2 and Bayless/Gordon can be left to light it up.

[Dead_Real]

It's wishful thinking about us getting lucky and drafting Bayless but IMO Bayless wont get past the NY Knicks if the Sonics reach on Westbrook early. I just don't see D'Antoni being content with Robinson or Starbury running the point for them or being the future there Bayless would be perfect for a D'Antoni system. We have a better chance of getting Kevin Love or Eric Gordon honestly which I wouldn't be pissed with either one.

[Mustachio]

It's wishful thinking about us getting lucky and drafting Bayless but IMO Bayless wont get past the NY Knicks if the Sonics reach on Westbrook early. I just don't see D'Antoni being content with Robinson or Starbury running the point for them or being the future there Bayless would be perfect for a D'Antoni system. We have a better chance of getting Kevin Love or Eric Gordon honestly which I wouldn't be pissed with either one.


not all that impressed with Eric Gordon really. i think he will drop.

[ALong13]

In his new draft (6.1) he still has us picking Love, which i would also LOVE to get as well, but now in the 2nd round he has us picking Bill Walker out of Kansas...thoughts on Walker?

[Dead_Real]

In his new draft (6.1) he still has us picking Love, which i would also LOVE to get as well, but now in the 2nd round he has us picking Bill Walker out of Kansas...thoughts on Walker?
Injury past will scare a lot of teams away from him that's the only reason I think he's not going to be a lottery player and he's my pick to be one of the steals of this years draft. Some say he has an attitude problem but I like the fact that he plays with a lot of emotion.

[Mustachio]

Injury past will scare a lot of teams away from him that's the only reason I think he's not going to be a lottery player and he's my pick to be one of the steals of this years draft. Some say he has an attitude problem but I like the fact that he plays with a lot of emotion.


do you like the fact that hes had 3 ACL injuries before age 20?? both knees. kid can play ball... but for how long.

If we are concerned with Ammo and May's ACL why would draft a guy who has had more operations than both of them together.

[countryboi]

do you like the fact that hes had 3 ACL injuries before age 20?? both knees. kid can play ball... but for how long.

If we are concerned with Ammo and May's ACL why would draft a guy who has had more operations than both of them together.

Walker is the new danny manning...at least he waited to he was in the league to blow his knees out

[Dead_Real]

do you like the fact that hes had 3 ACL injuries before age 20?? both knees. kid can play ball... but for how long.

If we are concerned with Ammo and May's ACL why would draft a guy who has had more operations than both of them together.
Damn he really had 3? I thought he had two one in high school and another that cut his freshman year short even so he has tremendous value and should be productive quite early in his career if he can stay healthy that's the key obviously it just might be worth a risk at pick 38. He might not get past the Pistons though.