Official 2012 NBA Draft Thread

[Pugz]

Here's my early mock: (subject to change)

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/draft_simulator/view/31363/

dont like it.

 

[Elite]

How the hell can you have an early mock a week from the draft

 

[CameronCrazy06]

dont like it.

mad:

How the hell can you have an early mock a week from the draft

Usually make one the day after the season ends and the day of the draft,

 

[DJT]

I actually like CC's mock. I think it would be real smart of Portland to get Lillard at 6 and Leonard or Zeller or someone like that at 11.

Its a lot like Chad Fords mock I think.

 

[Elite]

The Detroit Pistons have a major workout in Detroit on Monday as the team tries to figure out who should be the No. 9 pick in the draft. The Pistons are clearly looking for a big at No. 9 and have brought in all the guys who might be available to them at that spot. Illinois' Meyers Leonard, North Carolina's Tyler Zeller, North Carolina's John Henson, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, Baylor's Perry Jones and Kentucky's Terrence Jones are among those scheduled to go head-to-head in that workout.

Right now, sources say Leonard and Henson are the two leading candidates in the group. Sullinger has slid on the Pistons' draft board since the team saw his draft combine physical. Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie is also in the running for the No. 9 pick; however, he's more of a long shot. He worked out earlier with the Pistons.

The winner of the workout could very well be the ninth pick if UConn big man Andre Drummond doesn't fall to Detroit.

The Pistons are hoping Drummond does fall, and there are scenarios where they could get their wish. Right now it doesn't look like Drummond has a home inside the top five. Sources say he's struggled in workouts and hasn't gotten strong feedback from teams. The Blazers are a real possibility at six. However, the team is also considering Weber State's Damian Lillard and Syracuse's Dion Waiters at six.

The Warriors are another potential destination for Drummond. However, he hasn't worked out there, and Warriors owner Joe Lacob has been pushing for the team to draft players with great motors. Drummond, unfortunately, lacks that.

If the Blazers and Warriors pass on Drummond, there's a really good chance he slides past the Raptors and gets to Detroit.

Even after all that, there's no guarantee that the Pistons would draft him. They too have questions about his maturity and toughness. UConn head coach Jim Calhoun's comment to Andy Katz on Thursday that "three or four years down the road you'll see Andre's incredible potential" scares them to death.

Three to four years of development time is an eternity for an NBA lottery pick. After several years of mediocrity, the Pistons really want to make a push for the playoffs now.

 

[Pugz]

with or without drummond i sadly think we can push for the playoffs. with him im sure the changes will be better. 10/8/2 would be solid enough to help us. if he's at 9 im sure hes ours.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

For what it's worth, Rashidi (the guy who does all the rating edits for 2K) was making his 2012 draft class and rated Drummond a 56 overall lmao.

 

[Pugz]

his ratings are typically good. fuck that lol

 

[The Young One]

If Austin Rivers isn't a top 12 pick he will be a STEAL

 

[elcheato]

After calling some sources with lottery picks Saturday, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Charlotte Bobcats and Cleveland Cavaliers swap draft picks in Thursday’s draft. In that sort of a deal, the Bobcats would pick fourth and 24th and the Cavs would move up to No. 2.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2012/06/a-bobcats-cavs-swap-of-picks-makes-sense.html

Kyrie and Beal would be like, the 3rd best backcourt in the NBA year 1.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Lol some guy sat next to Dell Demps at dinner last night and eavesdropped on his entire conversation with a Hornets scout. They were talking draft and the dude updated twitter the entire time.

-Austin Rivers on the Hornets radar, but questions his ego.
-Loves Eric Gordon's ability to score at the basket.
-Marcus Thornton never bought into the system.
-Dion Waiters high on board because he fits the system.
-Andre Drummond not on Hornets radar.
-Thinks he's like Perk.
-Austin Rivers shot 73% at the rim.
-If Rivers and Lillard are available they'll pick Lillard.

If any of this is true (may not be, could just be some dude looking for attention) that's kind of shitty to eavesdrop on the dudes conversation then try to take it to the national media.

 

[Pugz]

thats not shitty, it happens all the time lol. real people of the media though know not to post that cause theyll get bashed. i kind of expected the austin/ego thing though because hes been touted as one of the best prospects for a few years now.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

thats not shitty, it happens all the time lol. real people of the media though know not to post that cause theyll get bashed. i kind of expected the austin/ego thing though because hes been touted as one of the best prospects for a few years now.

It's hard to put your finger on. Having a big ego could go either way. I guess if you have a big ego but put up good results on the court nobody will care lol

 

[Pugz]

having a big ego but still being humble. its hard but i agree. you dont want that coming from a rookie thatll likely play off the bench for now, though.

 

[Elite]

Michael Jordan had a massive ego. Kobe Bryant had a massive ego. They've got 11 rings between the two of them. Who the hell cares if Rivers has an ego?

 

[jonathanlambert33]

There's plenty examples of players with massive egos that don't have nearly the talent of those guys.

 

[Elite]

But Rivers has a shit ton of talent

He plays with an edge on the court, a killer instinct

 

[jonathanlambert33]

But Rivers has a shit ton of talent

He plays with an edge on the court, a killer instinct

That's something else Demps said, aside from Gordon we lack the killer instinct. Which is true, we lost that with CP and DWest. We lost so many games in the final minutes of the fourth last year. We would go from leading with like 4 minutes left to down by 10 with a minute left in so many games.

Also, looks like I won't be going to the Hornets Draft Party this week. We're going to get merked by Debby.

 

[elcheato]

They Hornets lacked talent, not killer instinct. Gordon only played 9 games, the Hornets had no one to lean on late in a game.

 

[Pugz]

they would have competed for the 7th seed with a full healthy roster though!