1st Annual GrizzLife Mock Draft

What you're about to read is by no means correct. There are way too many variables to account for when making a mock draft for it to turn out correctly. I have not accounted for trades (there will no doubt be many) and have probably insulted someone with my projections. But that's what they are: projections. It's what I think might happen. Use this to gain familiarity with some of the prospects and feel free to comment with your input.

Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado: the 1st Annual GrizzLife Mock NBA Draft

1. Washington Wizards- John Wall, PG, Kentucky
Simply put, he's the best draft prospect since Kevin Durant in 2007. He reminds scouts of Derrick Rose with his jaw-dropping athleticism, superior finishing ability and endless motor. He is a perfect fit for the Wizards, who are eager to distance themselves from gun-wielding Gilbert Arenas and his massive contract. Look for Wall to make an immediate impact in the NBA.

2. Philapelphia 76'ers- Evan Turner, SG, Ohio St.
The 2010 NCAA Player-of-the-Year is far and away the best ball-handler in the draft. That, coupled with his scoring ability (20.4 ppg) and athleticism, make him a leading candidate for 2011 Rookie-of-the-Year. He should start immediately for the Sixers, despite the presence of Andre Iguodala at SG. Turner is too good not to start.

3. New Jersey Nets- Wes Johnson, SF, Syracuse
Sources are now indicating that the Nets will use this pick for Johnson. His athleticism and offensive versatility make him too good to pass up and he could start immediately over Terrance Williams. Johnson has one of the best jump shots in the draft and uses his quickness and leaping ability to finish from virtually anywhere on the floor. Additionally, he is a tenacious rebounder and provides energy on the defensive end.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves- Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
Favors has scouts giddy with his rare combination of size (6'10"), strength (245 lbs.), wingspan (7'4") and defensive ability (8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per-game at Tech). He has a solid post game, a great work ethic and probably the highest ceiling of any prospect this year. Since the T-Wolves' frontcourt is crowded with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, Favors will have time to develop his game.

5. Sacramento Kings- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky
Cousins' stock has fallen in the last week as concerns over his work ethic and perceived character issues mount. However, I believe that the Kings will find him hard to pass up at the #5 slot. Cousins is superior to most prospects in terms of rebounding (best in the draft) size, strength, length and offensive ability. If he can add some muscle and develop a strong work ethic, he is a threat to average a 20-10 in the NBA.

6. Golden State Warriors- Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown
With Cousins off the board, the Warriors will likely settle for the 6'11" Monroe. He posesses a very effective post game and is the best interior distributor in the draft (averaged 4 assists-per-game in 2010). Additionally, Monroe clogs up the paint on defense and is an above-average rebounder and shot blocker. He should fit in well with (and possibly supplant) starting PF Anthony Tolliver immediately.

7. Detroit Pistons- Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina
The Pistons crave a big man in the draft, and with Favors, Cousins and Monroe off the board, the Pistons will likely go with the next best thing. In Davis, they get a hard-working, efficient forward who can score in a variety of ways and plays great defense. He doesn't have the highest ceiling in the draft, but would immediately become a force for the Pistons.

8. Los Angeles Clippers- Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest
With the exception of John Wall and Terrico White, Aminu is the most athletic player in the draft. His offensive game needs some refining but his size, length and quickness make him a defensive stopper. His versatility allows him to guard most any opponent he faces. Once last year's #1 pick Blake Griffin comes back, the Clippers will have one of the league's more formidable frontcourts. [Jumpshot Griesbeck, who lived on Aminu's freshman hall, believes that Aminu "will become a flourishing role player, if not a star."]

9. Utah Jazz- Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor
With Carlos Boozer becoming a free agent July 1, the Jazz will likely be in need of help down low. The 6'10", 237 lb. Udoh would be a great complement to Paul Millsap. He is one of the best defenders in the draft and is also a great rebounder. His lack of a fully developed offensive game works well with the Jazz, who feature scorers in Deron Williams, Millsap, Andre Kirilenko, etc.

10. Indiana Pacers- Luke Babbit, PF, Nevada
Pacers director of basketball operations Larry Bird loves his white players and Babbit would fit right in. Babbit, who has seen his draft stock rise this month, is one of the best shooters in the draft and would add a solid scoring punch off the bench. His lack of quickness on the defensive end makes him a defensive liability, but his offensive versatility and high basketball IQ make him an attractive pick at #10.

11. New Orleans Hornets- Paul George, SF, Fresno State
The Hornets are needy at small forward and George would be a great fit for them. At 6'9", he is a big small forward and his super athletic ability makes him an attractive NBA prospect. George has an above-average jump shot and can score from anywhere on the floor. Defensively, he needs to develop some, but his versatility should help him do so. He has been compared to the Pacers' Danny Granger.

12. Memphis Grizzlies- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky
Patterson is possibly the most NBA-ready player in the draft, which fits perfectly with the Grizzlies, a team that is looking for immediate spark off the bench. His size and strength make him an ideal forward and he uses his body well when playing defense and rebounding. Offensively, he has a handful of post moves but also possesses a smooth mid-range game and even has a decent outside shot. It is interesting to note that he is a former high school teammate of OJ Mayo.

13. Toronto Raptors- Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
By no means is Aldrich the most exciting player in the draft. However, he has the body of a center (6'11" 236 lb.), plays good defense, rebounds well, blocks shots and has an efficient post game. He would be a good sidekick for Andrea Bargnani and could play power forward when Chris Bosh leaves.

14. Houston Rockets- Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas
Henry is one of the strongest players in the draft and also possesses one of the best jump shots. His 6'6", 210 lb. frame is built for slashing to the basket, but he is also skilled enough to pull up and shoot. When he gets to the free-throw line, he is more than effective (78%). Defensively, he disrupts passing lanes well and can also rebound. He is an extremely hard worker and could develop into an NBA star. He would be another servicable role player for the Rockets, who love a scoring guard or forward.

15. Milwaukee Bucks- Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler
Thanks to his epic performance in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, the smooth-shooting Hayward saw his draft stock rise and then rise some more. Some mock drafts have him going as high as #7, but I think that is too much of a reach. He fits here because the Bucks are likely to lose shooting guard John Salmons to free agency and the trade for Chris Douglas-Roberts only cures some of their woes. Hayward, at 6'8" 211 lbs., is a prolific scorer and uses great basketball instincts to create shots for himself. He is weak on the defensive end, however, and will likely be no more than a solid role player in the NBA.


16. Minnesota Timberwolves- Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
For now, let's assume that the T-Wolves keep this pick; no one knows yet if it will go to the Grizzlies. Whiteside was originally projected to be a top-10 pick, but teams are questioning his passion and work ethic and he is now likely to fall out of the lottery. The 7-footer from Marshall blocks shots like it's his job and is one of the better defenders in the draft. The problem is, virtually everything about his game is a work in progress and he will need some time to develop. But with Ryan Hollins the only servicable center assured to be around next season, the Wolves need someone to put down low.


17. Chicago Bulls- Avery Bradley, SG, Texas
With the Bulls dumping contracts left and right to make room for LeBron James, they're not looking for a savior in this draft. They're just looking for a role player to come off the bench and play quality minutes. Bradley can do that for them. At 6'3", he is undersized for a shooting guard, but makes up for it by playing great defense and shooting the ball well.


18. Miami Heat- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
With Dwyane Wade not guaranteed for next season, the Heat would be wise to draft a shooting guard. At #18, Anderson will likely be the best available 2-guard. He can drive to the basket and finish but can also score from outside. Simply, he can score in bunches. He is a solid rebounder and plays adequate defense.


19. Boston Celtics- Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky
With Kendrick Perkins the only center likely to remain on the Celtics roster, they will need to pick up another one in either free agency or the draft. The free agent class lacks in centers, but Orton would be a good pick up at #19. He was overshadowed by DeMarcus Cousins last season but does have the attributes to be a good center. He is a bit raw offensively at this stage, but would benefit from playing with the veteran Celtics.

20. San Antonio Spurs- Elliott Williams, SG, Memphis
There are concerns mounting over the severity of Williams' foot injury, but he insists it's nothing. Who knows how serious it is, but the fact remains that he has only worked out for two teams (the Spurs and Rockets). San Antonio seems to be confident about his condition and is excited about his athleticism and almost limitless potential. A great finisher, Williams would inject much-needed youth into an old San Antonio roster.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
The Thunder aren't particularly needy at any position, so they will likely just draft the best player available. At this point, that is Bledsoe. Like Orton, he was lost in the shuffle behind Wall and Cousins, but that doesn't mean he can't play too. He is extremely athletic and quick, and can score easily. His height (6'1") and lack of refined talent are the only things keeping him from being a lottery pick.

22. Portland Trailblazers- Larry Sanders, C, VCU
Portland can't wait around for 2007 #1 pick Greg Oden to develop. He becomes a free agent next summer and is already well on his way to becoming the next Kwame Brown. By picking Sanders, the Blazers can start over at center. He plays great defense, rebounds well, has huge hops, can finish around the basket and has shown marked improvement during his VCU career.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves- Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia
At 6'8" 208 lbs, Ebanks has great size for a small forward. That, combined with his superior athleticism, quickness, wingspan and potential, makes him an intriguing prospect. While he lacks an offensive game, he is a tenaciuos rebounder and plays hard-nosed defense. If he commits himself to improving his offensive game, he could be a very good NBA player.

24. Atlanta Hawks- Kevin Seraphin, C, France
With Josh Smith likely to be moved in free agency, the Hawks will have a void to fill down low. Although Seraphin is technically a center, he could play power forward in a pinch. In many ways, he is the prototypical foreign center prospect: still a project but brimming with potential. At 263 lbs. he is very strong for a big man and can easily bang with NBA big men. His other standout feature is that he is a great rebounder. His offensive game is very weak, however, and will take some time to develop.

25. Memphis Grizzlies- Armon Johnson, PG, Nevada
With Mike Conley likely to be the lone point guard under contract after free agency this summer, I expect the Grizzlies to draft a 1 here (if we keep the pick). Johnson had an impressive workout for the Griz and would be a solid backup for Conley. He can distribute the ball well but isn't afraid to create for himself. His athleticism and quickness make up for the holes in his game (somewhat turnover-prone and a shaky jump shot).

26. Oklahoma City Thunder- Terrico White, PG, Ole Miss
White is arguably the most athletically gifted player in the draft, with a 40-inch vertical leap, the lowest body fat in the combine and superb ball-handling skills. Additionally, he has the ability to score from anywhere, but is particularly adept at finishing inside. At 6'5", he has great height for a point guard and could even play shooting guard. He needs to improve his court discipline, however, to become a legitimate NBA player. He is a great late-1st round pick, though, thanks to his tremendous upside.

27. New Jersey Nets- Damion James, SF, Texas
At 6'7" 227 lbs, James has the build of a small forward. He is athletic, quick, agile and can jump out of the gym. He is a great rebounder and plays solid defense. The problem is, he hasn't been able to translate his superior physical gifts into superior basketball talent; at this point, he is still a project. James is too good an athlete to slip into the 2nd round, however, and the Nets will benefit from his presence.

28. Memphis Grizzlies- Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati
Again, Memphis may or may not keep this pick. If we do, Stephenson would be a decent selection. He is very strong, is a superb ball-handler and can knock down a jump shot from all over the court. He also looks to attack the basket in his quest to score. Defensively, he is a bit of a liability, but would procuce immediately for the Griz. The major drawback here is his serious character issues. He had an assault charge in high school and is the antithesis of a good teammate. He's worth a late-1st round flyer pick, though.

29. Orlando Magic- Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State
Brackins is an above-average big man offensively and possesses a variety of post moves. He is a solid rebounder and can run the floor well. He has been given the dreaded "soft" label, however, and will have to toughen up in order to be effective in the NBA. Learning under Magic center Dwight Howard would help that.

30. Washington Wizards- Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State
If size alone was an indicator of NBA success, then Alabi would be an All-Star. He is 7'1", 237 lbs. with a huge wingspan. Thanks to his height and length, he is a prolific shot-blocker and could make an instant impact for the Wizards thanks to his defense. His lack of offensive skills, however, make him just a backup right now. But with some practice and focus, he could become a force.

There you have it, Grizzlies fans; the 1st Annual GrizzLife Mock Draft. Check back with GrizzLife tonight and tomorrow for continued analysis of the upcoming draft. Also, think good thoughts about the draft; this is a very deep one and we can come away a better team! Believe!

Good night and good luck,
Owen