2010 NBA Draft mock

by Andy Schrum

I don’t know why I am doing this NBA Mock Draft, since every year I do one, all you readers do is complain and poke fun of the NBA, but at the requestof Steve here it is:

1. Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG, Kentucky

This is the obvious pick. The Wizards have a new owner and this will be the easiest thing he ever has to do. Hand over the card that say John Wall and let the Sixers pick. Wall is compared to Derrick Rose, who has turned into a year in and year out All Star. Move Agent 0 over to the 2, his natural position and move on.

2. Philadelphia 76er’s: Evan Turner, SG, THE Ohio State

I was leaning more toward Favors here because of the recent Sam Dalembert trade, but with new coach Doug Collins coming in, he is going to want a player he can trust to control the game. True Turner isn’t a PG, but he has a very high basketball IQ and a great understanding and feel for the game. AI will have to move to the 3, but that won’t affect his game too much.

3. N-E-W Jerz Nets: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech

New owner and Russian billionaire/Mark Cuban hybrid would have loved to land the #1 spot, but so would have every other team. Favors is a large and highly talented player that will compliment nicely off of Lopez in the front court.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse

Johnson exploded onto the scene/Big East after transferring to ‘Cuse last fall. Former ‘Cuse PG Johnny Flynn would love to play with this guy and who wouldn’t? He does all the little things and also can score and defend. Not only that but NBA GM’s are very impressed by his maturity and leadership skills.

5. Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky

What a gift this would be for the Kings. They just brought in Dalembert from Philly, but Cousins is a way bigger force in the middle. Everyone says he is young, immature, not driven, but he is only 19 and is a monster on the boards. He shot a blistering 79% from the floor last year and is as strong as an ox. He will fit in perfectly in a big man conference known as the West.

6. Golden State Warriors: Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown

The Warriors need help in the middle and with Favors and Cousins off the board, Monroe is the next most viable option. He, like Turner, has a very high IQ and feel for the game. Teaming him with a guy like Curry sure will make them a tough team to defend inside-outside.

7. Detroit Pistons: Ed Davis, PF, UNC

GM Dumars wants more grit and chippy play from his team. He also needs a bigger front court. Ed Davis fills both of those rolls. Davis has the size, athleticism and shot blocking ability the Pistons need in the middle. Jason Maxiell isn’t the answer, so Davis will have to be.

8. LA Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest

Some think Aminu is long and strong enough to play the 4 in the NBA, but the Clippers would most likely keep him at his natural position, the 3. With Blake Griffin hopefully returning 100% healthy, the Clippers will be able to get there big men out and running, which is great for Aminu because he runs the floor like a deer.

9. UUUUUTAH Jazz: Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler

The Jazz have been high on Monroe and Luke Babbitt, but if Hayward slips, he has to be there guy. Jerry Sloan loves smooth shooting wing men, and even though Hayward didn’t shoot the ball that well this year, he can get hot and is more versatile than Babbitt.

10. Indiana Pacers: Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky

Larry Bird is looking to do a lot of roster reconstruction this offseason using trades and sign and trades to strengthen up the roster so an instant impact/best talent available is the most obvious pick for the Pacers. Patterson was moved from C to PF last year at Kentucky and even developed a pretty decent shot from the outside. If Davis slips to #10 it would be a gift, but I don’t think he will.

11. N.O. Hornets: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas

They are stock piled in the back court so addressing the front court is the main concern. They could gamble of Whiteside, Udoh or George but I think they are most comfortable with Aldrich. He brings an uncanny knack for shot blocking and rebounding, something they’ll need to get the ball into CP3’s hands and run.

12. Memphis Grizzlies: Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada

This guy can straight up stoke it from downtown. The Grizzlies are a team in shambles, but surrounding Gay and Mayo with a smooth shooting forward would make them a more rounded out team.

13. Toronto Raptors: Solomon Alabi, C, FSU

Chris Bosh is pretty much out the door and with that being the case, the Raptors will need to take a center in the draft. Although Alabi may be a reach, his stock is rising as we gear towards the draft. Whiteside and Orton are others to consider, but Alabi is the safer choice.

14. Houston Rockets: Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor

He would complement Yao very nicely and has some upside to his game. He is a very good shot blocker and is committed to getting better.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Paul George, SF, Fresno State
16. Minnesota Timberwolves: Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
17. Chicago Bulls: Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas
18. Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
19. Boston Celtics: Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State
20. S.A. Spurs: Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Damion James, SF, Texas
22. Portland Trailblazers: James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
23. Minnesota Timberwolves: Devin Ebanks, F, WVU
24. Atlanta Hawks: Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Doninique Jones, SG, South Florida
26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Stanley Robinson, F, UCONN
27. New Jersey Nets: Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincy
28. Memphis Grizzlies: Larry Sanders, PF, Va. Commonwealth
29. Orlando Magic: Willie Warren, PG, Oklahoma
30. Washington Wizards: Trevor Booker, PF, Clemson