Post by kobe24 on Nov 12, 2009 21:30:42 GMT -5
Did this in between sims so the order is a little messed up
2003 UOSLR Mock Draft
[/color][/b]2003 UOSLR Mock Draft
The 2003 draft is by far the most anticipated draft in recent memory. High school stud LeBron James is at the top of the class followed close behind by Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. But the talent doesn't stop there, this draft is one of the deepest drafts in the past few years as well. This year’s draft has had the whole Western Conference tanking so look for the West to get most of the great players out of this draft. The East reigns supreme for now, but if Western Conference teams can nab Lebron, Bosh, Melo, and/or Wade then the East best watch out
#1 Vancouver Grizzlies
Lebron James
Ht/Wt: 6-8 240
Position: SF
From: Akron OH HS
A lot of people questioned the Grizzlies for trading away Shaq last year, but if they end up with the #1 pick then all of those questions will be answered. Andrei Kirilenko who was the center piece of the deal for Shaq has been very impressive this season, he is putting up 17, 8, and 4 with over a steal and block a game. His scoring will go down no doubt with better players around him, but he has been impressive nonetheless. If the Grizzlies land LeBron that trade will look amazing. And it looks like they will for now, there is still a lot of season left but the Grizzlies seem to have the worst record locked up they just have to deal with being the unlucky #1 pick going into the lotto.
#2 Denver Nuggets
Dwyane Wade
Ht/Wt: 6-5 210
Position: SG
From: Marquette
The big question is who goes after LeBron? For now it seems that Wade has taken the role of the second best player in this draft. It will be a tough decision between Wade and Melo for any GM in this position though. If you like younger guys then you will be more inclined to take Melo but if you want the best player available then Wade is the obvious pick. Melo is 2 years younger but Wade is a MUCH better defender which I think gives him the slight edge. The Nuggets are very guard heavy already though, if they would have drafted better in last year’s draft then they wouldn’t have to consider taking a big man here, but I think they will end up taking Wade.
#3 Los Angeles Lakers
Carmelo Anthony
Ht/Wt: 6-8 220
Position: SF
From: Syracuse
The Lakers are in a pretty good place right now, its usually the 3-5 picks that tend to move up to the #1-2 picks if the #1 and 2 picks fall. But if they end up staying at 3 I thinks its a pretty simple decision to go with Carmelo. I think Melo will end up being the best scorer from this draft when we look back a few years down the road. Melo also has great size and is fresh off winning an NCAA Championship with Syracuse, so he knows how to win. The Lakers might consider Bosh here though, to give them the best looking front court for the future. But I think Bosh's game is to similiar to Gasol's, so Melo is the correct pick here.
#4 Charlotte Hornets
Chris Bosh
Ht/Wt: 6-10 210
Position: PF
From: Georgia Tech
The talent falls off a bit after those three in my opinion. The next few picks will vary depending on which team is picking. If it is the Hornets I say they go with Bosh. He is only 19 and would probably be first or second in most other drafts. The Hornets need youth at pretty much every position, getting a big guy like Bosh is a nice piece to build around. I dont see them going with West here well because they dont really need to win right now and West is the best player for that. TJ Ford could also be someone the Hornets consider, but I think he might be a bit of a risk. There is no risk in taking Bosh, he looks like your prototype 20 and 10 guy.
#5 Minnesota Timberwolves
David West
Ht/Wt: 6-9 240
Position: PF
From: Xavier
Even though West isn't talked about much in this class, he will probably be the rookie of the year next year. West is an older guy but he is the most now ready player for this league. West will come in and avg. 20 and 10 right off the bat as a starter. He might not have the upside of some of these other guys, but he is already great and should have decent upside. The Timberwolves have already invested a ton of money in Stephon Marbury at PG so I think they have to go with West. Some people may not want to take a chance on West since they think he peaked in college, but I think it would be foolish to pass this guy up.
#6 Toronto Raptors
TJ Ford
Ht/Wt: 6-0 165
Position: PG
From: Texas
Well since the Raptors are pretty set in the frontcourt with Nene and Boozer I don't see why they would go with Darko or Kaman here. And since Francis hasn't really turned out to be what the Raptors wanted, they get a chance to try another PG. Ford is very similiar to Tony Parker who came out a few years ago, he is very quick and lives in the lane. Ford will instantly be one of the fastest players in the league and will thrive in a run and gun type offense. The Raptors have drafted pretty nicely over the past few years, but this will be a bit of a touch decision. I could see them going with Kirk Hinrich over Ford here for sure as Kirk should come in and help more right away.
#7 Los Angeles Clippers
Kirk Hinrich
Ht/Wt: 6-3 190
Position: PG
From: Kansas
Tough choice here for the Clippers, they have been losing a lot lately so they hope they can get a higher pick for sure. Since they have Yao at C I dont see them taking Kaman and since Darko is basically Kwame Brown I think they go with Kirk here. This will be the Clippers third straight losing season so they are getting close to their contract year, and they need guys that can help them win right away. And aside from West, LeBron and Wade, Kirk is the guy who will help you win the most right away. Kirk should be a good outside option to go with Yao's inside attack. Kirk obviously doesn't have the upside of some of the other guys but he should be a very good player in this league.
#8 Indiana Pacers
Darko Milicic
Ht/Wt: 7-0 245
Position: PF
From: Serbia
Someone finally takes a chance on Darko here. Darko's main asset is his upside, he is only 18 years old and has great size. He can score pretty well and should average around 10 rebounds per game as a starter. Shouldn't be much of a shot blocker but he will get 1 or 2 game. The Pacers could go with Kaman here if they wanted, but I dont think the talent level between Darko and Kaman is that much and Darko has much more upside. Darko could go higher but I dont see that happening as the teams in front of Indiana are pretty set down low. Darko could be a huge surprise for the Pacers.
#9 San Antonio Spurs
Travis Outlaw
Ht/Wt: 6-9 195
Position: SF
From: Starkville HS, Miss.
The Spurs have this pick by way of the Jazz and they have a bit of dilemma with Kaman and Outlaw here IMO. But their biggest need is a SF and they can afford to take a bit of a risk here with Outlaw. He is very raw and has a ton of upside. He is only 18 and already one of the better defenders in the draft. His offensive game will obviously need some help but the Spurs have the players around him to bring him along slowly. Some say take a player who can help you win more right now if you are the Spurs, but Outlaw's talent isn't far off from most of the guys left and he has the most upside.
#10 Boston Celtics
Chris Kaman
Ht/Wt: 7-0 255
Position: C
From: Central Michigan
Kaman kind of falls into the lap of the Celtics perfectly here. They need big men and Kaman is a nice big guy to start with. He is a team player who can score the ball and rebound with the best of them. His sheer size will get him a decent number of blocked shots. He is a nice fit for the Celtics who drafted Scola in the first round last year. If Kaman is still available at 10 I see them for sure taking him. Im a Kaman fan he just is the odd man out when it comes to the bigs in this draft. Again he probably doesn't have the upside of a few of the younger guys but Kaman is a solid player who will come in and produce right away.
#11 San Antonio Spurs
Mickael Pietrus
Ht/Wt: 6-6 200
Position: SG
From: France
The Spurs get this pick via the Bullets. If Kaman is still on the board here I see them taking him, but if not they could go a lot of different ways. But I see them going with another wing just incase Outlaw doesn't pan out. Pietrus is a great athlete who can also shoot the ball. He has good size and is an above average defender. The Spurs are in great position to pick up two guys to help them for the future so they should consider these two picks very wisely. Nick Collison, Luke Ridnour, or Jarvis Hayes are also some guys who could come in and help them right away if they want to go that direction.
#12 Los Angeles Clippers
Boris Diaw
Ht/Wt: 6-8 203
Position: SF
From: France
The Clippers have this pick via the 76ers. And I think Diaw is the perfect fit for them. He is really a jack of all trades, he can do everything. He can play PG, SG, SF, PF and C. He can stretch the court with his shooting, bang inside, pass the ball, defend the perimeter and the post, and rebound pretty well too. Diaw should go well with Yao as well and if they pick up Ford with their earlier pick then their draft will be a great success. Diaw is a bit of an unknown since he played in France, but once he shows everyone what he can do he won't be so much of an unknown.
#13 Boston Celtics
Luke Ridnour
Ht/Wt: 6-2 175
Position: PG
From: Oregon
The Celtics have this pick via the Miami Heat. The Celtics desperately need a PG and Ridnour can't help but draw comparisons to Steve Nash. Ridnour is a very good 3 point shooter and a great passer. He is UOSLR ready, well almost, his defense definitely needs some work, but Steve Nash's defense doesn't stop him from being a top 10 player in the league. Ridnour's game definitely resembles Nash's. If Ridnour can play anywhere near as good as Nash then this will be a huge steal. [/center]