NJ Sports Talk

And we continue the mock draft (numbers in bold are actual picks)…

1. 16.  Philadelphia 76ers- Marreese Speights, PF, Florida:  The 76ers need a low post scorer and thats exactly what Speights is.  They are going to have other options at this point, but expect a big man.
2. 17.  Toronto Raptors- Robin Lopez, C, Stanford:  Brook’s twin is not as offensively talented but is supposedly a better rebounder and defensive player.  I don’t buy it.
3. 18.  Washington Wizards- Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas:  The Wizards could lose Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas to free agency so they are going to need somebody who can score.  Arthur draws comparison’s to Jamison, so he’s the pick.
4. 19.  Cleveland Cavaliers- Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown:  Not going to say anything more than, BUST.  Book it.
5. 20.  Denver Nuggets- Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas:  The Nuggets need a defensive guard and an excellent shooter, which is exactly what Chalmers can do.
6. 21.  New Jersey Nets- Jason Thompson, C, Rider:  He’s from Jersey and in this scenario the Nets don’t get their low post scorer at #10 so they get him here.  What’s not to like?
7. 22.  Orlando Magic- Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky:  They need a shooting guard just because they start Keith Bogans.  Enough said.
8. 23.  Utah Jazz- Alexis Ajinca, C, France:  Too much talent to pass up this late in the draft.  They can leave him overseas and reep the talent in a few years.
9. 24. Seattle Sonics- Serge Ibaka, SF, Congo:  The Seattle GM used to work for the Spurs.  Put two and two together and expect an international player.
10. 25.  Houston Rockets- J.J. Hickson, PF, NC State:   Hickson has great upside and if he stayed in school, he could of been a top 10 pick next year.
11. 26.  San Antonio Spurs- JaVale McGee, PF, Nevada:  Terrific talent, very raw.  If he was international it would be a no-brainer for the Spurs.  They take him anyway because it’s too much talent to pass up.
12. 27.  New Orleans Hornets- Chris Douglas Roberts, SG, Memphis:  Chris Paul gets another toy, one that loves slashing to the basket.
13. 28.  Memphis Grizzlies- DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M:  He has tons of talent, but he’s really raw and a major development project.
14. 29.  Detriot Pistons- Ante Tomic, C, Croatia: Not their style, but they could use a big man and it’s worth a shot this late.
15. 30.  Boston Celtics- Nicolas Batum, SF, France: Before heart issues, he was a mid-first round choice.  Once again worth a shot this late.

Dan