You've read all the articles, made your own position rankings, studied coaches tendencies, and so on and so forth, but how much will this really help you when draft day comes around?
Yes, doing all of these things will have you more prepared than many of the other owners in your leagues, but there is one more thing that you can do that will put your draft preperation over the top...Mock Drafts.
Seriously, what better way to learn than by experience? Do a handful of mock drafts in the weeks leading up to your big money draft, and you will be infinitely more prepared to nail that sleeper as late as you possibly can and end up with the best team possible.
My favorite Mock Draft is on ESPN, but there are many other sites out there with mocks like; Yahoo!, fantasyfootballcalculator.com, and www.fantasyfootballhub.com/mock_drafts.html along with many others.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Other noteworthy draft picks
19.) Atlanta Hawks-Jeff Teague: Point Guard-Wake Forest
After posting a terrific season for the Deacons, Teague was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. He figures to be one of the first off the bench each game and should provide some instant offense for them.
Projected line: 9.0 PPG 2.0 RPG 3.5 APG 0.70 SPG 45% Fg 38% 3P 80% FT
35.) Detroit Pistons-DaJuan Summers: Small Forward-Georgetown
Summers is a big, strong, athletic wing player with a nice skill set. He does need a little work refining his outside game-mainly ball handling and his jump shot, but given. Given his size (6'8" 245), he could see some additional time at PF if the Pistons go small.
Projected line: 4.0 PPG 3.0 RPG 1.5 APG 0.40 BPG 0.40 SPG 45% FG 35% 3P 72% FT
36.) Memphis Grizzlies-Sam Young: Small Forward-Pittsburgh
He's currently stuck behind the uber-talents named Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo, but Sam Young should find some minutes. He's a savvy scorer and a good defender, so if an injury opens up extra PT for him, you need to consider him.
Projected line: 7.0 PPG 3.5 RPG 1.0 APG 0.70 SPG 45% FG 33% 3P 74% FT
55.) Portland Trailblazers-Patrick Mills: Point Guard-St. Mary's
Half way through the year, Mills was a projected mid first round pick, but a midseason wrist injury somehow turned him into a borderline draftable guy. He could push Bayless for playing time.
Projected line: 7.5 PPG 1.8 RPG 2.0 APG 0.6o SPG 42% FG 30% 3P 84% FT
After posting a terrific season for the Deacons, Teague was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. He figures to be one of the first off the bench each game and should provide some instant offense for them.
Projected line: 9.0 PPG 2.0 RPG 3.5 APG 0.70 SPG 45% Fg 38% 3P 80% FT
35.) Detroit Pistons-DaJuan Summers: Small Forward-Georgetown
Summers is a big, strong, athletic wing player with a nice skill set. He does need a little work refining his outside game-mainly ball handling and his jump shot, but given. Given his size (6'8" 245), he could see some additional time at PF if the Pistons go small.
Projected line: 4.0 PPG 3.0 RPG 1.5 APG 0.40 BPG 0.40 SPG 45% FG 35% 3P 72% FT
36.) Memphis Grizzlies-Sam Young: Small Forward-Pittsburgh
He's currently stuck behind the uber-talents named Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo, but Sam Young should find some minutes. He's a savvy scorer and a good defender, so if an injury opens up extra PT for him, you need to consider him.
Projected line: 7.0 PPG 3.5 RPG 1.0 APG 0.70 SPG 45% FG 33% 3P 74% FT
55.) Portland Trailblazers-Patrick Mills: Point Guard-St. Mary's
Half way through the year, Mills was a projected mid first round pick, but a midseason wrist injury somehow turned him into a borderline draftable guy. He could push Bayless for playing time.
Projected line: 7.5 PPG 1.8 RPG 2.0 APG 0.6o SPG 42% FG 30% 3P 84% FT
NBA Draft-Fantasy spin 1st half of 1st round
1.) Los Angeles Clippers-Blake Griffin: Power Forward-Oklahoma
While being the most talented player in the draft, he won't have a huge impact fantasy-wise next season because of the logjam at the front court positions.
Projected line: 13.5 PPG 8.0 RPG 1.5 APG 1.5 BPG 47.5% FG 65% FT
2.) Memphis Grizzlies-Hasheem Thabeet: Center-UCONN
Tremendous upside pick, he won't see a ton of time as a rookie simply because he is so raw and unpolished. He'll come off the bench his first year and could provide a decent amount of blocks, but little else.
Projected line: 3.5 PPG 5.0 RPG 0.5 APG 1.75 BPG 48% FG 65% FT
3.) Oklahoma City Thunder-James Harden: Shooting Guard-Arizona State
Possibly the most complete player and pro-ready player in the draft, he could step in and contribute immediately. He plays with a few other scorers though, so he may be a 3rd or 4th option his first year in the league.
Projected line: 15.0 PPG 4.5 RPG 3.5 APG 1.25 SPG 45% FG 32% 3P 75% FT
4.) Sacramento Kings-Tyreke Evans: Shooting Guard-Memphis
A natural scorer, Evans might still be a year or two away from being able to contribute consistently on this level.
Projected line: 9.0 PPG 2.5 RPG 2.0 APG 0.70 SPG 44% FG 28% 3P 72% FT
5.) Minnesota Timberwolves-Ricky Rubio: Point Guard-Spain
Apparently the second coming of the great Pistol Pete, the 18 year old Rubio is the biggest risk/reward and/or upside pick of the lottery. It will probably take him a few years, at least until age 20 in my opinion, for him to be a consistent force in the league.
Projected line: 6.0 PPG 2.0 RPG 5.0 APG 0.55 SPG 43% FG 32% 3P 77% FT
6.) Minnesota Timberwolves-Jonny Flynn: Point Guard-Syracuse
Very interesting pick, considering the T-wolves JUST selected another promising pick less than 5 minutes before they picked Flynn. The Syracuse product is an extremely quick and talented PG with solid finishing ability and distribution skills. Will probably be more effective than Rubio in Year One.
Projected line: 13.0 PPG 3.0 RPG 6.5 APG 1.50 SPG 44% FG 30% 3P 80% FT
7.) Golden State Warriors-Stephen Curry: Point Guard/Shooting Guard-Davidson
The perfect place for a player with Curry's skill set, I expect him to produce very well his first season.
Projected line: 15.0 PPG 3.o RPG 4.0 APG 1.30 SPG 44% FG 39% 3P 90% FT
8.) New York Knicks-Jordan Hill: Power Forward-Arizona
An energetic, athletic big man-Hill fits in very well with Coach D'Antoni's Run N' Gun system. He should get plenty of minutes off the bench and could produce at a reasonable clip his rookie year.
Projected line: 10.0 PPG 7.5 RPG 1.0 APG 1.40 BPG 48% FG 68% FT
9.) Toronto Raptors-DeMar DeRozan: Shooting Guard-USC
DeRozan was a disappointment for most of his Freshman year, however he did turn it around at the end of the year. I expect him to have experience some bumps and bruises along the way in his rookie year. Once he develops a somewhat respectable jumper, he'll blossom.
Projected line: 7.5 PPG 3.0 RPG 1.5 APG 0.50 SPG 43% FG 68% FT
10.) Milwaukee Bucks-Brandon Jennings: Point Guard-Italy
Jennings is a top of the line athlete with great ball handling skills and tremendous passing ability. He struggles with his shot and sometimes tries to play too spectacular instead of just getting the job done. Also, he was the first High Schooler to buck the "One and Done" rule and head overseas, heads to the NBA with more pro experience than most rookies. That being said, he's still a year or two away from fulfilling his potential.
Projected line: 5.0 PPG 1.5 RPG 5.0 APG 0.40 SPG 41% FG 33% 3P 75% FT
11.) New Jersey Nets-Terrence Williams: Small Forward-Louisville
A terrific athlete with a ton of versatility, T-Will should see solid minutes his rookie season and contribute across the board.
Projected line: 12.0 PPG 6.0 RPG 3.5 APG 1.00 SPG 0.60 BPG 45% 30% 3P 62% FT
12.) Charlotte Bobcats-Gerald Henderson: Shooting Guard-Duke
A good, athletic slasher out of Duke, Henderson will be used more for his defense his rookie year. Don't expect a lot of coutning stats.
Projected line: 8.0 PPG 4.0 RPG 2.0 APG 1.00 SPG 44% FG 30% 3P 75.0% FT
13.) Indiana Pacers-Tyler Hansbrough: Power Forward-North Carolina
Psycho T is, and always will be a hustle player with limited athleticism and a fair amount of skill. I envision his career path following the same road as Eduardo Najera-probably a bit more offense though.
Projected line: 8.0 PPG 6.0 RPG 1.0 APG 0.30 BPG 46% FG 83% FT
14.) Phoenix Suns-Earl Clark: Small Forward- Louisville
A very talented player. Earlier in the offseason he was a projected top 10 pick, I'm not sure what happened to change that but I'm sure the Suns aren't complaining. I think he will be a solid contributer his rookie year.
Projected line: 10.0 PPG 6.0 RPG 2.5 APG 0.95 SPG 0.70 BPG 45% FG 28% 3P 66% FT
15.) Detroit Pistons-Austin Daye: Small Forward-Gonzaga
6'10" and 190 pounds. Yes, you read that right. 6'10" and 190 pounds! He won't contribute at all until he gains at least 20 to 30 pounds. He does have a very interesting skill set though.
Projected line: 3.0 PPG 1.5 RPG 0.3 APG 0.40 BPG 43% FG 37% 3P 80% FT
While being the most talented player in the draft, he won't have a huge impact fantasy-wise next season because of the logjam at the front court positions.
Projected line: 13.5 PPG 8.0 RPG 1.5 APG 1.5 BPG 47.5% FG 65% FT
2.) Memphis Grizzlies-Hasheem Thabeet: Center-UCONN
Tremendous upside pick, he won't see a ton of time as a rookie simply because he is so raw and unpolished. He'll come off the bench his first year and could provide a decent amount of blocks, but little else.
Projected line: 3.5 PPG 5.0 RPG 0.5 APG 1.75 BPG 48% FG 65% FT
3.) Oklahoma City Thunder-James Harden: Shooting Guard-Arizona State
Possibly the most complete player and pro-ready player in the draft, he could step in and contribute immediately. He plays with a few other scorers though, so he may be a 3rd or 4th option his first year in the league.
Projected line: 15.0 PPG 4.5 RPG 3.5 APG 1.25 SPG 45% FG 32% 3P 75% FT
4.) Sacramento Kings-Tyreke Evans: Shooting Guard-Memphis
A natural scorer, Evans might still be a year or two away from being able to contribute consistently on this level.
Projected line: 9.0 PPG 2.5 RPG 2.0 APG 0.70 SPG 44% FG 28% 3P 72% FT
5.) Minnesota Timberwolves-Ricky Rubio: Point Guard-Spain
Apparently the second coming of the great Pistol Pete, the 18 year old Rubio is the biggest risk/reward and/or upside pick of the lottery. It will probably take him a few years, at least until age 20 in my opinion, for him to be a consistent force in the league.
Projected line: 6.0 PPG 2.0 RPG 5.0 APG 0.55 SPG 43% FG 32% 3P 77% FT
6.) Minnesota Timberwolves-Jonny Flynn: Point Guard-Syracuse
Very interesting pick, considering the T-wolves JUST selected another promising pick less than 5 minutes before they picked Flynn. The Syracuse product is an extremely quick and talented PG with solid finishing ability and distribution skills. Will probably be more effective than Rubio in Year One.
Projected line: 13.0 PPG 3.0 RPG 6.5 APG 1.50 SPG 44% FG 30% 3P 80% FT
7.) Golden State Warriors-Stephen Curry: Point Guard/Shooting Guard-Davidson
The perfect place for a player with Curry's skill set, I expect him to produce very well his first season.
Projected line: 15.0 PPG 3.o RPG 4.0 APG 1.30 SPG 44% FG 39% 3P 90% FT
8.) New York Knicks-Jordan Hill: Power Forward-Arizona
An energetic, athletic big man-Hill fits in very well with Coach D'Antoni's Run N' Gun system. He should get plenty of minutes off the bench and could produce at a reasonable clip his rookie year.
Projected line: 10.0 PPG 7.5 RPG 1.0 APG 1.40 BPG 48% FG 68% FT
9.) Toronto Raptors-DeMar DeRozan: Shooting Guard-USC
DeRozan was a disappointment for most of his Freshman year, however he did turn it around at the end of the year. I expect him to have experience some bumps and bruises along the way in his rookie year. Once he develops a somewhat respectable jumper, he'll blossom.
Projected line: 7.5 PPG 3.0 RPG 1.5 APG 0.50 SPG 43% FG 68% FT
10.) Milwaukee Bucks-Brandon Jennings: Point Guard-Italy
Jennings is a top of the line athlete with great ball handling skills and tremendous passing ability. He struggles with his shot and sometimes tries to play too spectacular instead of just getting the job done. Also, he was the first High Schooler to buck the "One and Done" rule and head overseas, heads to the NBA with more pro experience than most rookies. That being said, he's still a year or two away from fulfilling his potential.
Projected line: 5.0 PPG 1.5 RPG 5.0 APG 0.40 SPG 41% FG 33% 3P 75% FT
11.) New Jersey Nets-Terrence Williams: Small Forward-Louisville
A terrific athlete with a ton of versatility, T-Will should see solid minutes his rookie season and contribute across the board.
Projected line: 12.0 PPG 6.0 RPG 3.5 APG 1.00 SPG 0.60 BPG 45% 30% 3P 62% FT
12.) Charlotte Bobcats-Gerald Henderson: Shooting Guard-Duke
A good, athletic slasher out of Duke, Henderson will be used more for his defense his rookie year. Don't expect a lot of coutning stats.
Projected line: 8.0 PPG 4.0 RPG 2.0 APG 1.00 SPG 44% FG 30% 3P 75.0% FT
13.) Indiana Pacers-Tyler Hansbrough: Power Forward-North Carolina
Psycho T is, and always will be a hustle player with limited athleticism and a fair amount of skill. I envision his career path following the same road as Eduardo Najera-probably a bit more offense though.
Projected line: 8.0 PPG 6.0 RPG 1.0 APG 0.30 BPG 46% FG 83% FT
14.) Phoenix Suns-Earl Clark: Small Forward- Louisville
A very talented player. Earlier in the offseason he was a projected top 10 pick, I'm not sure what happened to change that but I'm sure the Suns aren't complaining. I think he will be a solid contributer his rookie year.
Projected line: 10.0 PPG 6.0 RPG 2.5 APG 0.95 SPG 0.70 BPG 45% FG 28% 3P 66% FT
15.) Detroit Pistons-Austin Daye: Small Forward-Gonzaga
6'10" and 190 pounds. Yes, you read that right. 6'10" and 190 pounds! He won't contribute at all until he gains at least 20 to 30 pounds. He does have a very interesting skill set though.
Projected line: 3.0 PPG 1.5 RPG 0.3 APG 0.40 BPG 43% FG 37% 3P 80% FT
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