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Mills Mock Draft V1

by Myles A. Mills on May 25th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

1 - Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin

They are not dumb enough to screw this up.

2 - Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet

They are dumb enough to screw this up.

3 - Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Rubio is a great prospect but Russell Westbrook fits in well with that Thunder team, and there’s no need to move him off the ball.

4 - Sacramento Kings – Ricky Rubio

Beno Udrih is terrible, so Rubio dropping to 4 would be a godsend for the Kings.

5 - Washington Wizards – Jordan Hill

He would go nicely with Javale McGee and Andray Blatche.  This would also allow them to trade Antawn Jamison this Summer.

6- Minnesota Timberwolves - Demar Derozan

Derozan is an incredible prospect who some scouts compare to Vince Carter when he came out of Chapel Hill.  Carter didn’t have much of a jump shot either, but he developed one.  Derozan is a two way player, who is a freakish athlete and has the ability to be a prototypical shooting guard for many years.  Plus, he can play the 3, because the Corey Brewer pick has not panned out.

7 - Golden State Warriors - Brandon Jennings

It just seems right.  Nellie can have Monta Ellis play off the ball, and Jennings has the quickness and passing ability to run that offense.

8 - New York Knicks – Jrue Holiday

I love Stephen Curry, but Jrue Holiday is going to be a star.  Picking Holiday would require some patience, because he is still a prospect.  The same patience that Walsh exhibited when selecting Danilo Gallinari over Jerryd Bayless and DJ Augustin.

9 -Toronto Raptors – Tyreke Evans

Evans is a long 6’6 shooting guard, who may be able to play the point.  He has a good handle, some good passing abilities, great athleticism, questionable shot selection tendencies, and a suspect jump shot.  He would be a nice replacement for Anthony Parker and Shawn Marion. 

10 - Milwaukee Bucks - Jonny Flynn

Ramon Sessions will probably leave in free agency, and the Bucks need a replacement point guard.  Stephen Curry might get a look here, but I think Flynn has more upside, and he plays with a lot of swagger.

11 – New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark

The Nets want a tough rebounding big here, and one would immediately think of James Johnson or Dejuan Blair.  But I think that Earl Clark is a much better fit.  Clark has been compared to Shawn Marion.  He’s a great rebounder, and a very good shooter, with defensive abilities and a ton of versatility.  

12 – Charlotte Bobcats – Gerald Henderson

A defensive minded shooting guard with a ton of upside who hustles and plays hard every night.  If you look up a Larry Brown type of player in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Gerald Henderson.

13 – Indiana Pacers - Stephen Curry

If the Knicks don’t take him, he’ll drop down to here.  Jarret Jack is a free agent, so I can see Jim O’Brien splitting point guard minutes between TJ Ford and Curry.

14 – Phoenix Suns - Eric Maynor

The most NBA ready guard in the draft, Maynor will be a great replacement for Steve Nash when he gets traded to the Knicks this Summer…

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About Myles A. Mills

Myles is a sophomore at The Browning School, an all-boys private school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He's been a Knick fan as long as he can remember, and 02-03 was the last season he could remember in entirety. He hopes to one day see the Knicks in the playoffs. Myles is also fond of the Mets, and follows them vehemently, but his the bulk of his time goes to the Knicks. Myles wants to be a radio hosts on WFAN or ESPN 1050 radio, and he hopes to write for theknicksblog.com for years to come. View all posts by Myles A. Mills →
  • Mucha

    “2 – Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet They are dumb enough to screw this up.”

    No, they are not intelligent enough to get it right in that case. They already have Marc Gasol – Grizzlies fans love him – and Thabeet will be a bust. Maybe in 6-7 years he’ll be a good player in my opinion. Maybe I’m wrong.

  • Chris Alvino

    When USC played against BC in the Tourney, I was much more impressed by Taj Gibson. Call me crazy, but I was not overwhelmed by DeRozan. I am not doubting his NBA future, but I am simply saying that I was not overwhelmed by him.

  • CircleLimit4

    I think Washington would opt to grab a point/combo guard for Arenas insurance. Probably someone who can play the 2 as well if Gilbert is healthy. I can see them taking either Curry, Evans or Holiday (unless Harden falls in their lap). And They’ll probably try to unload Jamison regardless because they have plenty of PFs as it is. Blatche plays the 4 and they’ll give McGee minutes to develop at the 5.

    P.S. Took my first trip ever to the Basketball HOF last weekend. Tremendously underwhelming.

  • Myles A. Mills

    that’s what im saying. thabeets the wrong pick, hence them being dumb enough to not take rubio.

  • Chris Alvino

    I want DW to try and nab Blatche while his stock is low. He defines inconsistent. He is also a bit of a baby. But he has a ton of talent and he can block shots.

  • Mucha

    MY BAD. I read “They are NOT dumb enough” which wasn’t the case. I am sorry.

  • SpaceMan

    I’m digging our pick.

  • KBT1615

    Yea I agree I could see Washington taking a Ty Evans to play the 2 for when Arenas is there and play the 1 when he isn’t.

  • KBT1615

    Nice Side Note at the bottom. By The Way.

  • Myles A. Mills

    no worries

  • Mucha

    01. Clippers – Blake Griffin

    The complete package, period. He’s arguably the best big man prospect since Dwight Howard – considering Greg Oden’s tendency to get injuried.

    02. Grizzlies – A. Ricky Rubio B. Trade down for Jordan Hill

    They will try to get Ricky Rubio, if he’s not “available” they’ll draft a power forward. Jordan Hill has a lot of potential and he has a great motor. But maybe they’ll draft the best player available and then try to sign David Lee during the summer.

    03. Thunder – Hasheem Thabeet

    They already have a great point guard, a great (GREAT) shooting forward and a good power forward but Jeff Green is not a banger. They need a bigger presence in the paint, Hasheem Thabeet is just a perfect fit in my opinion. Maybe they’ll get James Harden because he’d be a great complementary player next to Russell Westbrook.

    04. Kings – A. Jordan Hill (Trade up for Ricky Rubio) B. Jrue Holiday

    The Kings need a point guard. If Rubio stays in Memphis then they’ll pick Jrue Holiday. They have enough jumpshooters (Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes) and they need to have some more defense.

    05. Wizards – James Harden

    Maybe they’ll trade the pick but James Harden would make a lot of sense if Thabeet is not available in my opinion. Gilbert Arenas is a scoring point guard/combo guard, they need another guard who’s willing to move the ball, make plays and hit the jumpshot. James Harden fits the bill, obviously.

    06. Timberwolves – Demar DeRozan

    They need a point guard but they desperately need to add an athletic swingman as well in my opinion. Demar DeRozan is a great prospect with a high ceiling and they have another first round draft pick – they’ll be able to get a good point guard like Eric Maynor, Ty Lawson or Jeff Teague with the 18th pick.

    07. Warriors – Tyreke Evans

    Monta Ellis is 6’3, he’s undersized if he’s a 2 and he needs a player who’s also able to make plays with the ball in his hands if he (Ellis) plays the point. Tyreke Evans would be a great fit from that perspective – and he’s a Don Nelson system type of player.

    08. Knicks – Stephen Curry/Jrue Holiday

    Give me either one of them and I’m good.

  • theghostofwillisreed

    makes sense. i could definitely see stephen dropping if he’s not taken by eight. if the knicks don’t take him, people will start wondering why and the questions will pop up…

  • The_Guy

    Hey Miles,

    Just wanted to tell you that I think your mock draft is the best, most sensible mock I’ve seen so far this early in the draft season. I love all your picks except for 1. IMO the only pick that doesn’t make sense to me is Brandon Jennings @ 7 to Golden State.

    Here’s why. I saw alot of Golden State Warriors games this year. Towards the end of the year it was clear that Jamal Crawford, was in Nellie’s doghouse. He didn’t exactly hide the fact that he hated Crawford’s defense. He famously benched him for most of the last month of the season. He had guys liks Stephen Jackson, Kelenna Azubuike, and even undrafted rookie Anthony Morrow in the backcourt next to Ellis because they were better defenders .

    IMO I think perimeter defense is a big need for the Warriors. I think the Warriors will either go with Tyrke Evans or Jrue Holiday. Both those guys are 2 way players and have enough size to play in the backcourt next to Ellis.

    Other than that, I love your mock. Great job.

  • paulempson

    Walsh having patience to develop a new player……

    WALSH DOESNT HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME !!

    I think Holiday needs to be ready to go as our back up and be reliable enough to clock 15 mins per game minimum. We saw how long Duhon lasted last season.

    I say its to risky.

    I think Donnie needs to make some bold decisions/moves that puts a playoff bound team on the floor NOW. Otherwise forget about FA’s in 2010.

    My 2C worth anyway

  • Myles A. Mills

    thanks man, appreciate it

  • Bart

    Which PG in this draft outside of Rubio is a starter?

    I’d really rather see Duhon coming off the bench hes not part of the plans unless hes a back up any way whoever we draft should be a starter at some point in the season.

  • Myles A. Mills

    stephen curry could come in immediately and start for us, but i just think jrue holiday has too much upside to let him pass

  • CircleLimit4

    I’m totally with you there. Blatche has a good build and shows a lot of potential especially defensively. I think his consistency can be attributed mostly to the losing culture that really set in last season after Jordan was fired and the reality of Arenas’ situation set in. An exciting, up tempo system like MDs might be what he needs to flourish. And you’re right about his stock. He’s way under the radar, even in Haywood’s absence.

  • Bart

    That means Jennings would be here at 8 you still take Curry/Holiday over Jennings ?

  • paulempson

    To risky. Dont wanna blow 2010 plan on a player you “think” he going to be a star….

    Rubio already is one !

  • CircleLimit4

    I agree. It’s a tough decision (at least for me) but I think Jrue’s defensive reputation is the clincher. He might not be a starting PG right away, but could be lethal off the bench. Stopping a teams momentum often begins with lock-down PG defense. If we’re forced into a time-out, he could be our go-to substitution.

    I maintain that Curry is a bit underrated defensively but he’s much more suited for a zone system.

  • DanL

    Knicks are definitely going with Curry if he’s on the board. But if he’s not, I’ll gladly welcome Holiday.

  • DanL

    Also, I really hope that Evans and Jennings are gone by the time the Knicks pick.

  • The_Guy

    @ Bart – I don’t think Ricky Rubio is gonna start next year. You guys forget he’s 18 yrs old. He’s got a lot to learn. I think Jonny Flynn is a starter. He’s strong and experienced. I think Ty Lawson is a starter. Jennings, Holiday, and Evans may need a little time to develop but they project as starters.

  • Mucha

    Yes I do.

    I think he’ll be a bust but this is just a gut feeling, maybe I’m wrong. I definitely rank Stephen Curry and Jrue Holiday ahead of him.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I also take Curry and Holiday over Jennings…

    I’m hoping for Jrue and can live with Curry…

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I think Jrue is long gone but it would be hard for me to believe they would take curry first.

    If they are both there, DOnnie has a tough decision, maybe he moves down.

    there is nothing about Holiday’s game that Donnie doesn’t love and I’m not sold he loves Curry more than him at all…

    BTW great mock Myles…

  • bob knick slave

    hey miles,are you studying to be a sports writing CLICHE’, or did the words”FREAKISH ATHLETE” feel natural passing from your lips

  • paulempson

    More ready to start over the other PG’s mentioned….. He can easily give 20 solid mins per game which is about where we want to be. My mid season……25mins and running t he show at the end….

    Kid is that good. Purely for passing and D . Not scoring….

  • Magik_Trick

    Random, but Jrue Holiday was voted as the player who could use another year of college before entering the NBA

    http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/poll/index?pCat=46&sCat=432

  • KBT1615

    Are You Guys Realizing how hard it is to become a bust in the NBA if you have desire to learn and talent you are good and B Jennings has that in Spades with All Due Respect I strongly disagree with you Mucha and Tommy.

  • Sergio

    I must be blind because I don’t see this ‘Star’ potential in Jrue Holiday. What does he have going for him besides his size? He’s not that athletic, he can’t shoot the ball that well, he’s not super quick or powerful driving to the hoop. He looks very average to me. He’s Antonio Daniels at best. : /

    And I disagree with Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh drafting another project and having patience. We do not have a draft pick next year. It’s critical that we acquire an NBA ready player. We need to have a team ready to start winning games by 2010. This is another reason you take Stephen Curry.

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