Tyreke Evans Lockout Mixtape

I just think this dude is highly underrated

The Mixtape Monster’s 2010 NBA Mock Draft

Every year here at TheMixtapeMonster.com, I do a mock draft. People hate on me, disagree with me, and worship me over it. It’s pretty fun. Admittedly, I’m rarely right, but I use my mock draft as more of an “If I Was GM, I would take…” than a “Team A will probably take” (which is what you get from Chad Ford and the boys at ESPN, etc). I think it’s cooler that way.

Also keep in mind the draft is Thursday night, and over 48 hours away, so trades, etc could change the order and thus change my thoughts. But as things stand right now, if I got to play GM for each time, this is how I’d roll…(hit the jump!)

Jason Williams Dunk Mix

Yes, Jason Williams used to be able to dunk!

The Mixtape Monster’s Mock NBA 2009 Draft

Now, I’m no NBA expert by any means. I would just consider myself a well-informed fan of the sport I love more than any other, basketball. So I obviously can’t speak on any behind the scenes dealings neccesarily, or what trades make sense for cap room and all that jazz. This mock draft is a combination of what I believe each team will/should do, and what I myself would do if I was in their position with the player’s available. I could get every pick 1-14 correct, and I could get every one wrong. Rag if you would like. Agree if you would like, but at least take a look and what the Monster thinks could go down Thursday night.

I have included one short thought with each pick.

The Mixtape Monster’s 2009 NBA Mock Draft

1. Los Angeles Clippers -  Blake Griffin

I’m still not convinced this guy is going to be a superstar, but he is probably the best pick potential and athleticism wise in the draft. Absolutely no game outside of 8 feet though.

2. Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet

Great defensive skill set, horrible on offense. Lots of potential, needs to bulk up bad, and learn offense. Not the most coordinated dumb dancer either…

3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Ricky Rubio

The one player of in the Top 3 that I am convinced will be a great player in the NBA. I think his professional career overseas makes him more mature and NBA-ready. Plus, all the Redeem Teamers seem to have been impressed with him.

4. Sacramento Kings – James Harden

The Kings want Rubio bad, so you better believe if he is there, they take him. Harden is a good second option. Kind of an “old man” game, but can spot up outside and has great fundamentals. Needs to get faster in my opinion though.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves – Tyreke Evans

Acquired this pick from the Wizards yesterday. The T-Wolves want Rubio also, and are rumored to be trying to package this pick and the number 18 pick to move up to try to get him. No takers thus far. Evans would be a decent fit, a bigger point guard who has shown flashes of excellence. T-wolves are still very young, so can afford to give him a little time.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jordan Hill

I think a lot of people underestimate how good Jordan Hill is. He’s a little undersized, but is going to be able to run the floor and go mid-range on some cats. T-Wolves also need someone to pair with Al Jefferson, and Hill could be a good match.

7. Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry

I think the Warriors would actually prefer Jordan Hill here, because they need help down low bigtime. But they also need help at the guard position, and Stephen Curry is going to be the pick here if Hill isn’t available. This will make the Knicks super mad, who have been trying to move up ever since they got that 8th pick, and Curry has been their man from jump.

8. New York Knicks – Jrue Holiday

The Knicks want Curry. It’s no secret. If he’s not there, it’s either going to be Holiday, DeRozan, or Jennings. Jennings is too high a risk, and if this wasn’t D’Antoni’s Knicks, then I’d probably assume they’d take Jennings. But it is, so the pick is going to be Holiday.

9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan

In need of a swing guard, DeRozan is the best on the board. Impressive length, but needs to bulk up if he’s going to go hard in the paint.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Johnny Flynn

The Bucks need a guard, and this is a guard heavy draft. The choices here could be Flynn, Ty Lawson, Brandon Jennings, or even Eric Maynor could sneak up here. Maynor would be the safest pick in my opinion, and Lawson is the best player in my opinion right now out of them, but I think everyone is really hype on Flynn.

11. New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson

(F*** DOOK, No video, No Comment)

Hey, it’s my blog and I’ll hate if I want too.

12. Charlotte Bobcats – Terrance Williams

Henderson is a strong possibility here if he’s on the board. He had 2 head to head workouts with Williams. Larry Brown has said he likes Williams NBA-ready body, and we all know Brown and MJ have reservations about drafting someone from dook. Williams is a good pick here. He’s going to be an oversized 2/3 guard who can hit the 3, something the Bobcats certainly need. As a Bobcats fan, I would be very happy with this pick. However, this is the Bobcats, they still have plenty of time to fuck this up somehow. Rumor has it that they are trying to deal Gerald Wallace before next year, but no news if this pick is considered in those talks or how heavy they have shopped him. I’d be instant T-Will fan if he comes to Charlotte.

13. Indiana Pacers – DaJuan Blair

There are questions about Blair’s knees, but not enough to have him drop down much further than this. Pair him with Roy Hibbert down low (who had a decent rookie season) and in a couple of years you have a frontcourt that will surrender 0 rebounds. Don’t be surprised if they drop a guard here either, rumor has it they aren’t impressed enough with TJ Ford lately.

14. Phoenix Suns – James Johnson

Athletic undersized 3, or a 4. Pair him with Shaq Diesel and Amare, and you got a nice thing going.

OTHER PREDICTIONS:

- Don’t be surprised to see Hansbrough move up as high as 15 to the Pistons, but I guarantee you if he is on the table at 20, then the Jazz are taking him. Too blue collar of a guy for Jerry Sloan not to love him.

- Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson will be first rounders, and steals at that.

SLEEPER STEALS YOU COULD GET LATE:

Eric Maynor, Jeff Pendergraph, Jerel McNeal, Tyrese Rice

One Player I Would Pick That I Haven’t Seen in ANY Mock Draft (complete rounds even): Jack McClinton. I seen what this guy can do to get his shot off, and why he isn’t in the top 60 picks of any mock draft I have seen is straight beyond me.

Where You At Wednesday? : Number 1 NBA Pick Edition

This week, we take a look at some past number 1 picks of the NBA Draft, and what they are up to today!

(Picture above is “The Candy Man”, 1998 Number 1 pick Michael Olowokandi, one of the biggest number 1 busts to date)

1947 BAA (Basketball Association of America…later NBA)

Clifton McNeely out of Texas Wesleyan was drafted number one by the Pittsburgh Ironmen in the first professional basketball draft. McNeely opted not to play professional basketball (I can’t imagine the pay was that great back then) and instead decided to coach at Pampa High School in Texas. He coached for 13 years and won 4 state titles and is currently in the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame. He died in 2003 at the age of 84.

1965 – Fred Hetzel (Davidson University) – San Francisco Warriors

Fred Hetzel must be a baller, because he has the same birthday as The Mixtape Monster. He was on the elite list of 2000 points, 1000 rebounds in his career at Davidson. He was named to the 1966 NBA All Rookie Team, and played 6 seasons in the NBA. Currently in the real estate industry in Virginia.

**Note: Drafted 5 this year was future Hall of Famer and UNC player Billy Cunningham**

1977 – Kent Benson (Indiana) – Milwaukee Bucks

Benson won the title in 1975-76 with Bobby Knight as his coach at Indiana. Benson was the LAST WHITE, AMERICAN BASKETBALL PLAYER TAKEN NUMBER 1 IN THE NBA DRAFT. Two minutes into his very first game, he was punched in the face by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Jabbar broke his hand) in retaliation for an elbow. He spent 11 seasons in the NBA averaging 9.1 ppg. No word as to what he is up to now.

1989 – Pervis Ellison (Louisville) – Sacramento Kings

Injuries plagued the NBA career of “Never Nervous Pervis” calling some to change his Louisville-earned nickname to “Out of Service Pervis”. He played from 1989-2001, but I don’t think got a full season of work in at all. He currently coaches basketball for various teams in Southern New Jersey, living there with his wife and 3 children. He did win the 1991-1992 NBA Most Improved Player Award.

1995 – Joe Smith (Maryland) – Golden State Warriors

Joe Smith is still in the NBA and giving productive minutes to the Cleveland Cavaliers on their title push in this year’s NBA Playoffs. Never really an All Star, but quite a solid player for a long time.

2000 – Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati) – New Jersey Nets

Martin is still going strong in the league and playing for the Denver Nuggets. His line last night in a Game 1 Western Conference Finals loss was 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. In the year 2000, Cincinatti retired his jersey (#4). Martin was the LAST FOUR YEAR COLLEGE SENIOR TO BE DRAFTED NUMBER 1.