Anthony Davis is the clear number 1. A few scouts said short of tearing his ACL or murdering somebody he's going first. I agree with the concensus that he's a franchise player but I'm worried about his offensive game. Obviously it'll improve but it looks really limited right now.

Next is where it gets tricky. Andre Drummond, Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, Jared Sullinger, Bradley Beal are all in play for the 2-5 spots. I like Beal the most, even though he's a little undersized. I think he could have the most significant impact of any rookie and is the best guard in the draft.

I like Sullinger over Robinson even though I realize most experts go the other way. Sullinger just seems too good of a basketball player to not be effective at the next level. Robinson is a better athlete, but Tyrus Thomas is a better athlete than Kevin Love. Most doubted Love's potential to be a star also.

I really like Andre Drummond but he seems like the riskiest lottery pick. Seems to have just enough Kwame in his game to where I'd rather have Gilchrist or Beal if I have the top 3 pick.

I love Kendall Marshall in the mid first round in terms of value. Seems like he could have a Mark Jackson-esque career. Austin Rivers could be a great 3rd guard off the bench, and I really hope he gets drafted accordingly. It'll be a shame if a team like Sacramento takes him in the top 10.

One mock I read had Draymond Green going to the Spurs at the end of the first round. I would love to see that happen. I hope he goes to a really good situation and gets a shot in the pros. I really don't love his chances of being a good pro but he's one of my favorite college players to watch the past few seasons.

I'm curious to hear some others thoughts on some of these guys. I'm sure many here have seen them more than I have.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

One more guy I love if he falls out of the lottery is Tyler Zeller. Similar to my rationale with loving the Noah pick at the time, any time you can get a skilled 7 footer that plays his ass off outside the top 6-7 I think you do it unless there's a guy you absolutely love still on the board. I think Zeller will be an above average starting center in the league.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Kiwane Garris and Jerome Richmond.

How about that Harrison Barnes?

_________________

I forgot a few guys actually in my OP, but that felt like a shitload to type on a phone. I don't like Barnes at all. He seems like a smaller, worse version of Carmelo. He will be able to score in the NBA but that seems to be pretty much it and I'm not sure he's versatile enough to even be an elite scorer. I wouldn't look at him in the top 10 although I'm positive he's gonna go in the 5-10 range. I also don't like his teammate McAdoo. Way too much Marvin Williams deja vu for me to like him as a lottery pick.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Interesting.

What are your thoughts about the Rivers kid from Duke?

_________________

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I'm just trying to think of the ESPN favorites.

Sorry I didn't see your write up.

I feel shame.

_________________

It's all good. At least 50% of that is gonna look ridiculous 12 months from now anyway probably. But yeah, I'm a fan of Rivers, I just think he's being mis-evaluated.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

NBA Lifer, 7 teams, not a changer of anything.

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

That's how I see him too. I'm already anticipating the LOL moment of the Bobcats coming like 4th or 5th in the lottery and selecting Barnes

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

That would be outstanding.

_________________

I've seen a lot of Sullinger and I can't figure out any great NBA player that plays like him. I guess I'd have to say Kevin Love, but Sullinger is not Kevin Love.

He's athletic for the Big Ten but he's going to struggle against more athletic players with similar size in the pros. He wasn't that impressive against Meyers Leonard or Cody Zeller who are as close as you can get to NBA type players in the Big Ten. To be honest, I'd rather have either of those players knowing that both have a lower floor.

If he declares, something tells me Tim Hardaway Jr. is going to round into a good NBA player. It may take a year or two though.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

It's not a perfect comparison, but he's sort of like a bigger Aguirre or Adrian Dantley.

_________________
Ecclesiastes 5:8

ESPN MOCK



With the Final Four upon us, players declaring for the draft and the NBA standings still in commotion, it's time for our second mock draft of the season. Here's our best stab at the first round (assuming every eligible prospect declares) taking into account team needs.

(If you want to see what your team would do with the No. 1 pick, play our Lottery Mock Draft, which has more than 2,000 scenarios. Also check out our Top 100 list, which is a reflection of the consensus of NBA scouts and GMs about a player's relative draft value.)




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Charlotte


Anthony Davis
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky

(The Bobcats have a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Bobcats, along with every other team in the lottery, got a huge scare on Sunday when Davis went down with what looked like a knee injury. Davis ended up being just fine, allowing Wildcats fans and everyone to breath a sigh of relief. Whether you think this draft is really good or just so-so, it drops dramatically if Davis isn't in it.

For the Bobcats, Davis could be a franchise changer. Pair him together with Bismack Biyombo on the front line, and I'm not sure anyone will score in the paint against them.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Washington


Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 18
School: Kentucky

(The Wizards have a 19.9 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Wizards got two encouraging signs this weekend: (1) Kidd-Gilchrist shook off a mini-slump to produce two of the best games of his career in propelling Kentucky to the Final Four, and (2) sources say MKG will declare for the draft after the Wildcats' season is over.

Kidd-Gilchrist tweeted that he hasn't actually made a decision yet, but given his previous stance was that he intended to stay in school, the writing is on the wall. Adding his toughness and leadership would be crucial for a Wizards team that is in desperate need of both.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

New Orleans


Thomas Robinson
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 237 pounds
Age: 21
School: Kansas

(The Hornets have a 15.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Hornets will have a tough call here. Andre Drummond has more upside, but if they're trying to build a team around winners, then Robinson is the man. He has carried a mediocre Kansas team on his back to the Final Four and just refuses to back down. He'll bring toughness, physicality and energy to the paint in New Orleans.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Portland (via Nets)


Bradley Beal
Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 18
School: Florida

(The Blazers have an 11.9 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Blazers grabbed this pick from the Nets as part of the Gerald Wallace deal the teams struck before the trade deadline. It's Top 3 protected, so the pick could still revert back to New Jersey. Beal is coming off a terrific weekend in which he finally started playing like the talent he is. He would be a perfect long-term replacement for Brandon Roy.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Toronto


Andre Drummond
Position: C
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 275 pounds
Age: 18
School: UConn

(The Raptors have an 8.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Raptors have been looking for a legit small forward for the past several years and Harrison Barnes would be a perfect fit. However, after Barnes' struggles this past weekend against Ohio and Kansas, the Raptors may want to take another look to see if he still has the upside we all thought he did coming out of high school.

Drummond has been a disappointment, too, but if you are going to miss, you probably ought to miss big. Pairing him in a frontcourt with last year's lottery pick, Jonas Valanciunas, could finally make Andrea Bargnani expendable.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Detroit


Cody Zeller
Position: C
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: Indiana

(The Pistons have a 5.4 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Pistons are in desperate need of size and athleticism in the frontcourt. While I think the Pistons would prefer Drummond, Zeller would still be a great get. He's quick, tough and very polished for a freshman. Pairing him with Greg Monroe would immediately make the Pistons better -- if Zeller actually decides to declare.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Sacramento


Harrison Barnes
Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: North Carolina

(The Kings have a 5.3 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Kings need a small forward and landing Barnes at this point in the draft could be a steal. Yes, he looked oddly passive late in the season and seems one-dimensional, but Barnes' ability to defend and shoot the jumper should be welcome in Sacramento. If he turns into a Danny Granger/Glen Rice sort of player down the road, the Kings would get great value here.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Cleveland


Perry Jones III
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 20
School: Baylor

(The Cavs have a 2.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Cavs need talent and, based on pure talent, there are few players who hold a candle to Jones. He's struggled to stay engaged offensively and defensively for Baylor, which is a huge concern -- if Jones didn't have those issues, he'd be battling Davis for the No. 1 pick. But at some point in the draft the reward outweighs the risk. What do the Cavs have to lose here?




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Utah (via Warriors)


Damian Lillard
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 21
School: Weber State

(The Jazz have a 1.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Jazz need a point guard, but this draft doesn't appear to have an elite PG prospect right now. The question is whether to go with Lillard (an explosive scorer who can play both positions), Kendall Marshall (a pure point guard who is an excellent facilitator) or Tony Wroten Jr. (the most talented of the group, but also the riskiest). I think they split the difference and go with Lillard, but the truth is this decision is very much up in the air right now.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Milwaukee


James Michael McAdoo
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 233 pounds
Age: 19
School: North Carolina

(The Bucks have a 1.1 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: McAdoo had a breakout game against Kansas in the Elite Eight, scoring 15 points in 19 minutes. He's unproven, but his athleticism, versatility and upside make him a pretty safe pick at No. 10. McAdoo isn't really a need for the Bucks, but they can keep collecting talent.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Portland


Tyler Zeller
Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: North Carolina

(The Blazers have a 0.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: If the Blazers can land Beal with their first pick, they would likely look to fill one of their holes at center or point guard. In a weak point guard draft, their two available options at the 1 would be Marshall and Wroten. While both have strengths, I think the Blazers would rather go big and take Zeller. He's not going to be a star, but the senior runs the floor like a guard and has improved each season.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

New Orleans
(via Wolves)


Kendall Marshall
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 188 pounds
Age: 20
School: North Carolina

(The Hornets have a 0.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Marshall helped his stock more than any player in the tournament last weekend, even though he didn't play a minute. North Carolina, with all of its talent, struggled to find a coherent offense without Marshall conducting the show. He's not Chris Paul, but he would make everyone around him better in New Orleans.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Phoenix


Jared Sullinger
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 280 pounds
Age: 20
School: Ohio State

(The Suns have a 0.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Sullinger doesn't necessarily fill a need -- the Suns drafted Markieff Morris to play the 4 last year -- but he's the best player left on the board and the type of guy who could immediately give Phoenix a very different but dominant look in the paint.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Houston


Jeremy Lamb
Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 19
School: UConn

(The Rockets have a 0.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Lamb is a versatile swingman somewhat in the mold of Kevin Martin. But with Martin heading into the last year of his deal in Houston, Lamb could be a nice long-term replacement.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Houston (via Knicks)


John Henson
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 21
School: North Carolina

Analysis: The Rockets lack long, athletic bigs, and Henson would give them a defensive presence who can guard both forward positions. He's still raw offensively, but he has a little Andrei Kirilenko in his game.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Denver


Terrence Jones
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 244 pounds
Age: 20
School: Kentucky

Analysis: Jones has enough talent to be five or six spots higher in the draft, but his inconsistent attitude may push him down a few spots. He'd be a great fit for the Nuggets, another versatile player who can play either forward position and shoot the basketball.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Minnesota (via Jazz)


Austin Rivers
Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 199 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke

Analysis: The Wolves would get this pick if the Jazz fall out of the lottery. Minnesota's biggest need is at 2-guard and Rivers would be a fantastic fit. His abilities to get to the basket and shoot from downtown are coveted, and with alpha dogs Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love already in place, Rivers may actually start playing to his strengths instead of trying to take over the team like he did at Duke.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Boston


Royce White
Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Iowa State

Analysis: White has as much talent as virtually anyone in this draft. But there are questions about some off-court issues and an anxiety disorder that includes the fear of flying. I think Doc Rivers might be the perfect coach to get through to him.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Philadelphia


Terrence Ross
Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 21
School: Washington

Analysis: Jodie Meeks is the closest thing the Sixers have to a great 3-point shooter. Adding Ross should be an instant upgrade at the backup shooting guard spot.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Memphis


Meyers Leonard
Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Illinois

Analysis: Leonard isn't the most polished big man in the draft, but that seems to be the sort of thing owner Michael Heisley loves. Marc Gasol is great, but after him the Grizzlies really do need some help in the middle.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Houston (via Mavs)


Quincy Miller
Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: Baylor

Analysis: Here the Rockets go for a player with a lot more talent than his draft position suggests. Miller is still working through some issues from an ACL surgery in his senior year of high school and was not a primary option for Baylor this season. But if he declares, he has tremendous upside at the 3.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Boston (via Clippers)


Dion Waiters
Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Age: 20
School: Syracuse

Analysis: Danny Ainge has never been one to shy away from troubled talent, and in Waiters he could land a star. While size is a much bigger need, Waiters' abilities to get to the basket and score in transition are impressive. If he has matured, the Celtics could be getting a steal here.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Atlanta


Tony Wroten Jr.
Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 205 pounds
Age: 18
School: Washington

Analysis: The Hawks continue their search for a real point guard. Jeff Teague has been solid this season, but Wroten has so much more upside. On talent alone, he should be a top-5 pick. He's a steal if the Hawks get him here.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Indiana


Patric Young
Position: C
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 245 pounds
Age: 20
School: Florida

Analysis: The Pacers are always looking for toughness and defense in the frontcourt, and Young brings both. Jeff Foster's midseason retirement has been a blow, but Young could end up doing some of the same things. He doesn't do much of anything on the offensive end, but he has Ben Wallace-like potential on defense. However, Young currently has stated that he'll be returning to Florida for his junior season.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Cleveland (via Lakers)


Jeff Taylor
Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 22
School: Vanderbilt

Analysis: Taylor is another elite athlete who can play way above the rim. What he's lacked for most of his career is a great jump shot. But Taylor has improved dramatically in that area lately, making him a lethal weapon on both ends of the floor. The Cavs really need help at the 3, making this a nice match.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Orlando


Arnett Moultrie
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 21
School: Mississippi State

Analysis: Moultrie has all the physical tools to be a dominant NBA player. He is long and super athletic and can even get things done on the perimeter. He's just taken a little longer to develop.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Golden State
(via Spurs)


Moe Harkless
Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 18
School: St. John's

Analysis: The Warriors could really use some help at the small forward position. Harkless reminds me a little of Trevor Ariza. He is a terrific scorer and defender who needs to get a more settled jump shot.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Miami


Draymond Green
Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: Michigan State

Analysis: The Heat need players with experience who excel in bringing out the best in their teammates. Green can be a point-forward type who does a little bit of everything. Think of him as a better-passing Udonis Haslem.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Oklahoma City


Mason Plumlee
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 230 pounds
Age: 22
School: Duke

Analysis: Plumlee's upside is probably similar to that of the Pacers' Jeff Foster. While he won't be a dominant player on either end of the floor, he's big, he'll defend and he'll flush things around the rim.




PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Chicago


Andrew Nicholson
Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 222 pounds
Age: 22
School: St. Bonaventure

Analysis: Nicholson has gotten dramatically better every season and has some David West to his game. He would be a good fit in Chicago -- especially since the Bulls wouldn't mind finding a new home for Carlos Boozer this summer.

RFDC just had a heart attack when he saw Cody Zeller that high.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I don't think Sullinger will be great, but I do think he will be a good starter. I know he struggles against big guys and lengthy guys, which is obviously a huge concern when talking about the next level, but he's a good rebounder and one thing him and Love both are great at is using their wide frames to excel at rebounding below the rim. I guess it depends on team need but I would just feel much safer taking Sullinger over Robinson.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

When does that 1st round pick that the bulls got from charlotte come into play?

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

They can use it anytime they want, but it carries certain protections until 2015 or 2016. They should just hold it until then. That team will be in the lottery probably forever.

_________________

Yeah right. Three years from now the league's best Big 3 will be Kemba, Biyombo, and the Unibrow.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I expect Sullinger to be sort of like Elton Brand. A guy who isn't flashy and nobody really ever talks about, but who gives his team good production.

_________________
Ecclesiastes 5:8

I didn't even know things like that existed. So basically the Bulls can wait for the pick to be good?

Could they wait until 2025?

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I think they are probably forced to use it when it becomes unprotected.

_________________

I'm pretty sure that's right.

_________________
Ecclesiastes 5:8

Ok, now I think I get it. If Charlotte falls out of any of these categories, the Bulls have to use the draft pick. Bulls just need to hope the Bobcats can't make it out of the Top 8, which shouldn't be a problem.

_________________

That's how I see him too.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Arnett Moultrie declared yesterday. I've never seen Miss St play, so all I've seen is highlights of the kid, but he's really intriguing. 6-11 forward who average 16 and 10 with 3 point range. From what I've read he is very high risk/high reward. Draft Express was saying they've heard scouts say he's ranked as high as 15 to some, and not in the top 60 on other teams boards.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Sullinger was once again outclassed on athleticism in the Final Four. I just don't see it with him at the next level. If you have trouble getting a shot off because of the big men of Kansas what are you going to do when you have a 7 footer on you?

I'm starting to think that John Henson is a better pro prospect than Sullinger.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!