Mock Draft version 1.0

With the NBA draft less than 2 weeks away, the Decent Destroyer needs to make his first NBA mock draft. Of course, a lot can happen in two weeks but the DD needs to be heard. I'm throwing away any bias I have for the Bulls pick and will go strictly on what I think Mr. Paxson will do. The Toronto Raptors are on the clock....

1. Toronto selects Andrea Bargnani

To be honest, I think the Raptors are sold on him being the next Nowitzki. I seriously doubt they go with Aldridge here even though it would make their star, Mr. Bosh, happy. This pick has the most potential of the top 5 to be traded. I could definitely see the Blazers or Hawks jumping at this pick to grab Aldridge or Morrison.



2. Chicago selects Tyrus Thomas

We all know that Paxson and Skiles need certain type players. As much as I want to see Aldridge here, I can't help but think Paxson goes for the workaholic in Thomas. This guy is certainly a beast down low, but his offensive game is not quite ready for the pro's. I think the Bulls take Thomas and sign a post player that is ready to play right now so Thomas can develop. I hope I'm wrong, but this is what the DD sees.




3. Charlotte selects Adam Morrison

This team has a lot of young talent in Okafor, Felton, May, and Wallace. Morrison would fit in quite nicely with this bunch and round out a very decent starting five. I could also see Rudy Gay picked here since Morrison and Gay are the #1 and #2 small forwards in the draft. I don't think Morrison will be a superstar and the comparisons to Larry Bird are way too high. In the end, he will be a Sam Perkins type NBA player.




4. Portland selects LaMarcus Aldridge

Portland definitely got the bad end of the draft lottery but they come out as a big winner with the actual draft. I know I'm going out on a limb by having Aldridge fall this far, but sometimes the draft surprises us all. It will be interesting to see if the Blazers keep Randolph and decide to team him up with Aldridge and form a couple twin towers in the Pacific Northwest. I think Aldridge will take some time to develop but in the end, I think he will be the best player out of this draft. On a side note, Portland fans will be quite upset they didn't get fellow Pacifican Brandon Roy. Oh well Blazer fans, Aldridge will not become the next Alaa Abdelnaby.



5. Atlanta selects Shelden Williams

Let me say first, that I love this pick for Atlanta. The Hawks have a huge need for a presence down low. I think Williams will complement Zaza Pachulia quite well. I don't see Harrington returning to this team which leaves Joe Johnosn, Josh Smith, and a bunch of question marks. Atlanta needs players that will not complain about the state of the franchise and the Landlord will do nothing but work his butt off. Good fit indeed.



6. Minnesota selects Rudy Gay

As much as McHale would love to mess up this pick, he does the right thing and selects Rudy Gay from UConn. Brandon Roy is also a possibility but I like what I saw from McCants at the end of the year and I doubt the Wolves want to select another shooting guard. Gay will fit in nicely with KG and the gang and him and McCants should be nice complements to the Big Ticket.








7. Boston selects Brandon Roy

I think it's doubtful that Roy will last until #7 but at least in this mock draft, he gets the nod here with the Celtics. This is basically the Celtics taking the best player available because if they drafted for need, the Celtics would definitely be taking a big man here. It's a little early for Patrick O'Bryant so perhaps a trade down would work better for them.