By:Kevin Jones. 6/21/2011.12:57
I've arrived in New York City for one of my favorite sporting days of the year, the NBA Draft. Unlike the NFL Draft -- which boasts seven intense rounds over three days -- the NBA draft is short and sweet. Five minutes per pick, and I should be out of Newark before 10 o'clock, trying to manage my way into a draftee's after party.
If your team makes a mistake, effects could be felt for the remainder of this decade. Yeah, it's that critical, especially with the lockout coming.
Part Two of the 2011 NBA Mock Draft:
15. Indiana Pacers – Marshon Brooks / G / Providence
Comparison: Rodney Stuckey
Yeah, he’s the guy that put up the absurd 52 point game against Notre Dame last winter. He’s a tremendous shooter, can rebound and defend. Plus Indiana is pretty stacked in their front court. Watch out for them moving Danny Granger
16. Philadelphia 76ers – Bismack Biyombo / C / Congo
Comparison: Serge Ibaka
A boom or bust pick is worth the gamble for 76ers, who I’d argue have the softest frontcourt in the NBA. Biyombo is the best shot blocker and post defender in the draft, but without question he is the worst prospect with the ball. Scouts tore him apart in workouts but others are utterly intrigued. There’s even rumors that Biyombo may go as high as five to Toronto.
17. New York Knicks – Justin Harper / F / Richmond
Comparison: A better Rashard Lewis
My sleeper of the draft should go to the team who has no fourth scoring option after the Carmelo trade. It was made evident in the opening round playoff matchup against Boston that the Knicks were overwhelmed, relying on the likes of Rony Turiaff and Bill Walker. Harper can run, dunk and shoot with the best forwards in the league. His knock is defense, which is exactly while he will be right at home at Madison Square Garden.
18. Washington Wizards – Donatas Montiejunas /F / Lithuania
Comparison: Austin Daye
Montiejunas was a guy who two weeks was a surefire top 10 pick. Teams are going to get hesitant to pull the trigger on another tall, soft European shooter though. The Wizards have an extra pick to roll the dice. Don’t expect much defense from the Lithuanian though.
19. Charlotte Bobcats – Markieff Morris / F / Kansas
Comparison: Josh Powell
Although he is taller than his twin brother, Markieff lacks any sort of midrange game. How did Marcus get better? My guess that Markieff is the lazier of the two, which makes him an ideal fit in Charlotte. Add him to Michael Jordan’s growing list of busts.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves - Kenneth Faried / F / Morehead St.
Comparison: Smaller Joakim Noah
General Manager David Kahn has a new approach to basketball: let’s build fun teams. Ricky Rubio will generate the most buzz but Faried’s energy is unmatched in this draft. He is an essential bench piece for a playoff team, providing hustle, rebounding and tenacious defense. Steal at 20.
21. Portland Trailblazers – Reggie Jackson / PG / Boston College
Comparison: Jose Calderon
He’s a combo guard with great ball handling ability and an alien like wingspan – 7-0. People are saying his game translates much more to the NBA than it did in the ACC. I don’t see it, but the Blazers are in dire needs of guards.
22. Denver Nuggets-Klay Thompson / G-F / Washington St
Comparison: Jarvis Hayes
He can shoot and is a Tweener, so Denver is automatically in love. Plus watch out for the Nuggets to deal JR Smith. Houston has been rumored.
23. Houston Rockets – Tobias Harris / F / Tennessee
Comparison: Ryan Gomes
Harris is undersized for the power forward spot but isn’t very athletic. What is promising about the 18-year-old is his smarts and work ethic. The Rockets could use him to replace Shane Battier on the wing, and he can expose the right person in the post.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kyle Singler / F / Duke
Comparison: Keith Van Horn
What does OKC need? They have so many role players – Collison, Ibaka, Maynor. So they could use more shooting off the bench, which Singler provides. He has experience in big games. It really does suck we have to stare at his ugly, sweaty mug for probably 10 more years though.
25. Boston Celtics – Tyler Honeycutt / G-F / UCLA
Comparison- Morris Almond
What sticks out about Honeycutt? He’s a stick. He’s 187 pounds soaking wet and will rarely if ever be able to penetrate an NBA lane. I have bust written all over him.
26. Dallas Mavericks – Chandler Parsons / F /Florida
Comparison: Taller Sasa Vujacic
Its hard to find a team need for the defending champs. How about replacing Peja Stojakovic? Parsons will be a lesser shooter but more of everything else, especially moving well without the basketball.
27. New Jersey Nets – JaJaun Johnson / F / Purdue
Comparison: Etan Thomas
Johnson is going to be able to grind for some years in his twenties, but he is already slow. I don’t picture him in the league come the 2020’s… wow that’s weird to say.
28. Chicago Bulls – Shelvin Mack / G / Butler
Comparison: Raymond Felton
Mack can hold down the fort with Rose out of the lineup and can team up with the MVP against undersized squads at the shooting guard position. There may not be another team in the entire league as desperate for guard depth than the Bulls.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Trey Tompkins / F / Georgia
Comparison: Marreese Speights
Love his height and jump shooting ability, I just don’t know weather or not he’s going to be able to compete down low in the NBA
30. Chicago Bulls – DeAndre Liggins / G / Kentucky
Comparison: Courtney Lee
He can ball handle and play defense. Was a huge reason for Kentucky’s deep March Madness run
