2010 Mock Draft
Even though the Denver Nuggets don’t have a pick, just yet, it still doesn’t mean Nuggets fans can’t get geeked up for the 2010 NBA Draft. Guys like Patrick Patterson and Trevor Booker could really help the Nuggets, especially if they drop and Denver doesn’t have to give up a lot to get them. I for one don’t see a lot of stars like last season. However, I do see lots of solid, role players.
2010 Mock Draft
WASH 1) John Wall 6-4 196 Freshman =Derrick Rose 20 years old
-Wall, I believe will have a similar start to his career as Derrick Rose. Maybe not as successful, but he will definitely make it fun for Wizards fans.
PHI 2) Evan Turner 6-7 214 Junior v Brandon Roy 22 years old
-I’m not as high on him as everybody else. He just never shouted star to me. Whether it was turning the ball over or fouling out, I just didn’t see a lot of potential with him. But what do I know…
NJ 3) Derrick Favors 6-10 246 Freshman =Al Horford 19 years old
-Yes, the Nets have saying they are high on Wesley Johnson. But this is also about the time in the draft when teams start throwing up smoke screens and do you think it might be a coincidence that the Timberwolves are stacked with bigs and the Nets are leaning towards Johnson? Not to mention this would hinder their chances, a little bit, of getting LeBron James.
MIN 4) Wesley Johnson 6-7 206 Junior =Shawn Marion 23 years old
-Like Turner, I am just not high on Johnson. Maybe it is the upperclassmen and that he hasn’t consistently been putting up big numbers. I’m not saying Johnson isn’t going to be good, I think he’s going to be a 12-year veteran but just not a superstar.
SAC 5) DeMarcus Cousins 6-11 292 Freshman =Derrick Coleman 20 years old
–Again, not a fan. Cousins attitude just mirrors the attitudes of Coleman, Eddy Curry and David Harrison. And yes, you can’t teach size, but you certainly can’t teach heart and hustle either. And I’d rather have a hustler than a big man.
GS 6) Ekpe Udoh 6-10 237 Junior =Chris Gatling 23 years old
This pick is somewhat a surprise to me, and I’d rather see Cousins drop to the Warriors. Or I could see them draft Greg Monroe, however, late sources have Udoh going here. Ironically, Don Nelson was the same coach that got Gatlings career going.
DET 7) Greg Monroe 6-11 247 Sophomore ^Brad Miller 20 years old
Monroe isn’t a Piston-type of player, he isn’t physical enough, but it would be hard to pass on his talent. Monroe could possibly be the best passing big man in the NBA next year and Detroit would appreciate it.
LAC 8) Al-Farouq Aminu 6-8 216 Sophomore ^Thaddeus Young 20 years old
AFA, as I like to call him, could be another steal in this draft. He is versatile, and rumor is it that the Clippers are trying to trade for Loul Deng, but if they don’t AFA is the next Deng. He has a similar demeanor as for Wake Forest star Tim Duncan, and if his game is similar than the Clippers got the steal of the draft.
UTAH 9) Luke Babbitt 6-9 214 Sophomore =Keith Van Horn 21 years old
Utah should be trying to snag another big, just in case Boozer leaves. However, Babbitt has potential, but he also could be another Adam Morrison. And Nuggets fans are hoping for the latter.
IND 10) Avery Bradley 6-3 180 Freshman =Monta Ellis 20 years old
Bradley is pretty athletic and can shoot the ball and the Pacers need both of those. And considering that Indiana is trying to trade for a point guard, Bradley should help out.
NO 11) Gordon Hayward 6-8 211 Sophomore vMike Dunleavy 20 years old
I was disappointed when I found out Hayward was entering the draft. I know his value was high, but with his attitude and team he could win a title and still get drafted at the same spot in the draft. For now I am putting him on the bust watch. I see a lot of similarities to Morrison, too.
MEM 12) Paul George 6-9 214 Sophomore ^Trevor Ariza 20 years old
I don’t know a lot of about George, but from what I have read he has potential to be a pretty good player. He’s long, versatile and has potential to be a shutdown defender.
TOR 13) Cole Aldrich 6-11 236 Senior ^Scott Pollard 22 years old
Aldrich should have a career in the NBA, but maybe not as a starter. He should be a Jeff Foster-type defender that his hard work helps him keep his job. Just hope that Chris Bosh will appreciate that work enough to resign with the Raptors.
HOU 14) Ed Davis 6-10 227 Sophomore ^Brandan Wright 21 years old
Davis is another guy I’m not high on. Partly because he didn’t win at UNC this last year, which isn’t all his fault. But from what I can tell he is a good rebounder and solid shot blocker. He won’t help right away but the Rockets don’t need him to.
MIL 15) Xavier Henry 6-6 210 Freshman =Jimmy Jackson 19 years old
I’m not even going to pretend to know what the Hornets are doing. However, I am going to go with the best player available and Henry si that fellow. He has more potential than anybody else left in the Draft and can still help right away.
MIN 16) Hassan Whiteside 7 237 Freshman vTyrus Thomas 21 years old
Whiteside is gifted physically. He is athletic, can block shots and shoot the ball. However, his attitude has always gotten in his way. And if he doesn’t change it he may become the next Sean Williams
CHI 17) James Anderson 6-6 208 Senior ^Nick Anderson 21 years old
Amazing offensive player, who can score from anywhere on the court and has potential to be a Ray Allen-type shooter. He also can help on the defensive side of the ball, the one knock against him is his basketball IQ.
OKC 18) Larry Sanders 6-10 222 Junior v Theo Ratliff 22 years old
Surprise, surprise, the Thunder are looking at another athletic big. Somewhere along the time they need to just accept their losses and move on.
*DEN 19) Patrick Patterson 6-9 240 Junior ^Carl Landry 21 years old
This is wishful thinking as the Boston Celtics are trying to rid themselves of this pick and maybe the likes of Brian Butch and Linas Kleiza will help the Nuggets finagle this pick. Patterson should be this year’s DeJuan Blair, only healthier, taller and more athletic. Patterson may never be an All-Star, but he should have a long career in the NBA, most of which as a starter.
SA 20) Damion James 6-7 225 Senior ^Luc Mbah a Moute 23 years old
James is just the ideal player the Spurs like. A smart, hard worker, who just wants to win. James also can play right away and doesn’t bring any trouble to the team.
OKC 21) Daniel Orton 6-10 269 Freshman ^Marreese Speights 20 years old
Orton didn’t play a lot with the Wildcats, and probably won’t play a lot his rookie year. However, Orton has as much potential as anybody in this draft.
PORT 22) Kevin Seraphin 6-10 258 Foreign v Kendrick Perkins 20 years old
Seraphin is just another foreign player the Blazers would draft. He isn’t anywhere close to helping a NBA team, especially a playoff squad, but he should help in the long run.
MIN 23) Solomon Alabi 7-1 237 Sophomore v Samuel Dalembert 22 years old
Last draft the T-wolves went crazy with point guards, why not go crazy with Centers in this draft. Alabi and Whiteside have potentials to be great defensive players. However, they each have potential to be busts.
ATL 24) Craig Brackins 6-10 229 Junior v S Abdur-Rahim 23 years old
Brackins is old for a college student, but he is also polished. He should help Atlanta’s depleted frontline and give them a scoring punch.
Mem 25) Elliott Williams 6-4 180 Sophomore =Jason Terry 21 years old
Williams could find a role in this league, at least as a scoring spark off the bench. Williams doesn’t really have a weakness, but he also isn’t particularly good at anything either.
OKC 26) Eric Bledsoe 6-1 192 Freshman ^Eric Snow 20 years old
If Bledsoe falls this far, the Thunder just got themselves another late round steal. Bledsoe is a defensive point guard, similar to Eric Snow, Chris Duhon and Kyle Lowry, that is overshadowed by John Wall. Bledsoe should have a long career in the NBA, at least due to his defense.
NJ 27) Jordan Crawford 6-4 198 Sophomore v Gilbert Arenas 22 years old
If this scenario plays out, Crawford could be on the same team as LeBron James and maybe history can repeat itself. Crawford could be the steal of the draft and have an Arenas-type career, outside of the trouble.
Mem 28) Devin Ebanks 6-8 208 Senior v Corey Brewer 21 years old
Ebanks isn’t a bad pick here. He can help out right away, especially if Rudy Gay leaves via free agency.
Orl 29) Dominque Jones 6-5 216 Junior ^ Rodney Stuckey 22 years old
What are the chances the Magic find a steal late in the first round, very likely.
WASH 30) Gani Lawal 6-9 233 Sophomroe v Antonio McDyess 22 years old
Lawal is a good pick, especially because of his potential. He was putting up good numbers before they dropped when Favors came to Georgia Tech.