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SportsBeat Mock DraftJazz Director of Player Personnel Walt Perrin laughed when we asked him about mock drafts.
"We look at it, but we don't pay any attention to it," he said.
Perrin also pointed out that one of the problems with Mock Drafts is that they so easily discount a team's need. Of course, you've heard every GM and Personnel guy preach best player available, but as you study the tier system (Chad Ford has a great explanation http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba\_draft&id=5301543) you start to see the wisdom of combining "best player available+need".
Our Mock Draft is going to try to find that balance.
1. Washington- John Wall, Kentucky
This pick is so obvious that it doesn't need explanation.
2. Philadelphia- DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
The "crazy" brand has been blown out of proportion. I like what ex-Georgetown coach John Thompson had to say about Cousins, "It's easier to tame a fool, than resurrect a corpse." He's passionate and plays with fire. Cousins has a rare combination of size, skill and athleticism. He is bigger, stronger and was more productive than Favors. Plus, with the Sixers trading Dalembert, the Sixers are thin in the frontcourt which should boot Evan Turner out of the #2 spot.
3. New Jersey- Evan Turner, Ohio St.
Great fit. The Nets already have a strong post presence in Brook Lopez. Turner would be the perfect complement to Devin Harris in the backcourt. Will likely add power forward in free agency (Carlos Boozer anyone?)
4. Minnesota- Wesley Johnson, Syracuse
Kevin Love and Al Jefferson patrol the paint. Minnesota has more point guards than they know what to do with, Corey Brewer fits nicely at the 2. Johnson is a great outside shooter, that can score at the rim and from the perimeter.
5. Sacramento- Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech
With Dalembert and Jason Thompson at center, Favors would be a monster at the 4. Incredibly athletic, but doesn't quite have the mass to bang with the 5's in the NBA.
6. Golden St.- Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest
If ever there was a match made in heaven. Aminu is a freak, athletically. He wants to play the 3, but in the up-tempo offense of Nellie-ball, at 6' 9" he could fly up and down the court all day. Walt Perrin compared him to Andrei Kirilenko. Kirilenko's best production has come at the 4 position and so will Aminu's since his jump shot is not good enough to play the 3.
7. Detroit- Greg Monroe, Georgetown
The Pistons need a big man that plays team basketball. Monroe may be the best passer in the draft (guards included). Dumars loves a guy that has a high basketball IQ and makes those around him better. It is at this point that Jazz fans hearts break.
8. L.A. Clippers- Luke Babbitt, Nevada
If the Clippers were smart (and there is certainly no empirical data that they are) then they would jump at Babbitt with the 8th pick. Griffin and Kaman have the potential of being the premier frontcourt in the NBA. Baron Davis and Eric Gordon are dynamic in the backcourt getting to the paint with ease, they just need a 3 that can hit shots. Perrin thinks Babbitt is the most NBA ready scorer. With nearly limitless range on his jumper, the 6' 9" small forward has a 38" vertical that could be a nightmare for teams.
9. Utah- Ekpe Udoh, Baylor
It's a big man draft. A lot of size and talent. Perrin thinks Udoh could go as high as 5 or 6. He's incredibly talented on the offensive end. Can score with both hands and on each block. He also has the ability to block shots (3.7 bpg in college). Jazz are looking for size and length, they get both with Udoh.
10. Indiana- Ed Davis, North Carolina
11. New Orleans- Xavier Henry, Kansas
May be the best pure shooter in the draft. Hornets are dying with Morris Peterson at the 2. Marcus Thornton was a great surprise last year, but with David West and Emeka Okafor down low, another outside shooter could really unclog the middle since Paul and Collison can get into the lane any time they want.
12. Memphis- Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
Playing in the shadow of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, Patterson is probably the most NBA ready power forward in the draft. His first two years at Kentucky developed his back to the basket game. His junior year was spent at the high post as Cousins was down on the block. A 4 that can play both high and low would be a nice fit next to Marc Gasol.
13. Toronto-Cole Aldrich, Kansas
He has an NBA-skill, blocking shots. Bargnani is a 7 footer, but plays much better at the 4, where he can roam on the perimeter. Aldrich is the defender that Bargnani will never be and is a good enough scorer that teams can't ignore him.
14. Houston-Paul George, Fresno St.
A spectacular athlete that can fly at the basket and score from the perimeter. We've seen freakish athletes from smaller conferences excel in the league (Danny Granger-New Mexico and Shawn Marion-UNLV). George has too much potential to pass up.
