Wednesday, June 20, 2018

The Chocolatey Mock Draft Extravaganza

Ah yes it's that most wondrous time of year. The NBA Draft is upon us. And even though I am currently a disgruntled Bulls fan I am also a man who is bordering an obsessive addiction to watch anything basketball related. So as is tradition, your boy has sat and watched hours of basketball, from obscure Euro leagues to upper echelon of the NCAA. Let my prognosticating begin!

1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton, C - Arizona
Ayton is probably the most skilled big man the draft has seen is quite a while. Offensively he is probably gonna be ready to contribute from day one.
Has a very good jump shot for a big man, hit 34% of his 3's so he has potential there and the Hack-a-Ayton won't be too effective as he shot 74% from the free throw line. His only real flaw is his defense but he isn't a turnstile in the post. It looks like with the proper coaching and his footwork getting a look at then we could be looking at a very special player and the Suns could be a team on the rise.

 2. Sacramento Kings: Luka Donic, SG - Real Madrid
The international man of mystery of this draft, at 19 years old he could just be the best player in this draft. Since he was about 16 he has been playing against grown men so physically the adjustment to the NBA won't be so great.
An elite offensive prospect, he seemingly can do a little bit of everything. He is a little on the slow side going side to side but he makes up for that by having very fast hands and pretty good defensive instincts. If the Kings were smart it's would be pretty hard to pass up on this kid.

 3. Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley III, PF - Duke
Bagley is going to come in and he is going to be a contributor from day one. While he isn't the physical force that Ayton is he does have good size and will definitely not get muscled around. He will even be able to play center in some of your more small ball lineups.
That's a 6'11 guy leading the break folks.
While some guys who are an elite prospect talent wise kinda coast on those skills what separates Bagley is the effort he puts in. Will need to learn to reign in his over zealousness to go after every offensive rebound whether he is in position or not and get back in transition.

 4. Memphis Grizzlies: Trae Young, G - Oklahoma
Probably the most well known scorer in the draft, Trae Young took the college basketball world over during the first half of the season reminding some people of a young Steph Curry. However in the second half of the season as teams began to focus more on him he reminded most of Mark Curry (Shoutout to 'Hangin with Mr. Cooper, wild underrated.)
I'd say he has NBA range. 
There is hope, in the NBA he won't have such a high usage rate so he can probably focus more on what makes him good and not trying to overextend himself trying to do too much. He is a turnstile on defense but on a historically good defensive team like Memphis there should be ways to hide him on the floor essentially.

 5. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson, PF - Michigan State
This is the prospect that probably confuses me the most. If it's based solely off talent this guy is a top 3 pick all day. When it comes to production on the floor he was quite inconsistent. Some stretches this guy was just invisible. When he was on however the upside is just worth the risk.
Welcome to Blocktown, population YOU! 
A 6'11 power forward that can legit guard all 5 positions, shoots 40% from the 3 point line and is probably the best prospect at the art of timing the putback dunk. Let him sit behind Dirk for a season and learn the position and they could have something special here.

 6. Orlando Magic: Mo Bamba PF/C- Texas
Here we have the draft's most interesting man. On just his college statistics alone he should be a top ten pick. A 7 footer with quick feet and blocked 3.7 shots per game and can guard a myriad of positions. He averaged 12.9 points a game and 10.5 rebounds but displayed some fundamentals that lead you to believe that he has not even tapped into his potential. Then you see his combine numbers and you are convinced he is a character from a video game. He has a wingspan of 7'9 and a standing reach of 9'6. Holy crap. This guy could be something we have bnot seen before.




 7. Chicago Bulls: Michael Porter Jr, PF - Missouri
I've been a fan of Porter since he played for a team coached by Brandon Roy and also being a coach's son also helps as you know that most likely his x's and o's knowledge of the game is more than up to the task. He's a 6'11 small forward that is a pro ready ready scorer.
While he is not a lock down defender he's definitely not one that's gonna give up buckets left and right. It does concern me that he had the hip injury a week ago after missing most of his freshman season with a back injury but when a scorer at his size comes along you gotta take the risk.

 8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Wendell Carter, C - Duke
A guy who can play center in both a traditional lineup and in small ball lineup he is a very versatile big man. Has a very good face up game although at times he does depend on spinning toward the baseline a bit much. He has very good defensive instincts and puts himself in the best position to get rebounds and if he can't get that board he is quick up the floor to get back on defense. Team him with Kevin Love and opposing teams may not see many opportunities at rebounds.

 9. New York Knicks: Colin Sexton, PG - Alabama 
This is one I actually would love to see happen for the Knicks. Sexton was coached by Avery Johnson in college and has always seemed to have ice water running through his veins so playing on the big stage should be no problem. Playing for David Fizdale who is an amazing coach and one of the best sound bites in the game should also be quite beneficial.
A very athletic guard who can score in a myriad of ways and his step back game is quite lethal. Give him time to learn the point guard position and improve his passing and the Knicks won't be such a sad sack squad.

 10. Philadelphia 76ers: Mikal Bridges, SF - Villanova
This is what is probably going to be the safest pick in the entire draft. A solid wing defender who's long and has a very high basketball IQ. His demeanor on the floor is similar to that of Kawahi Leonard, very calm and collected.
His downside is sometimes there is a lack of aggression as he averages less than 4 free throws per game. Not sure if that is due to going from being a role player to a go to scorer who that allowed Jalen Brunson to facilitate the offense.

Well folks another year down, another successful mock draft by the Puma. I'm certain that this is the year I actually get a few right, I mean I'm due right?
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