CBS Sportsline mockdraft

http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/feature/0,1518,5249732_54,00.html

IMHO, these guys are crazy.
I.E., we have two guys who could start at PF somewhere, if not here, already, why should we get another PF candidate. This only works if we groom EG for a Garnett style small forward. Whoever wrote this was on crack.

1. Chicago Jason Williams, G, 6-2, 195, Duke
The Bulls get the franchise point guard they have long coveted and are building a nice young nucleus. Williams is already quicker than most NBA point guards.
2. Golden State Yao Ming, C, 7-5, 280, Shanghai Sharks
San Francisco's Asian population should aid Ming's transition. Given Gil Arenas' emergence at the point and the team's hole at center, Ming would likely be the top choice over Duke's Williams.
3. Memphis Dajuan Wagner, G, 6-3, 200, Memphis
Wagner falls right into the Grizzlies' lap, allowing him to continue his love affair with Memphis fans. He and Pau Gasol will make the Grizz an exciting team. If Memphis doesn't secure a top-five selection, it loses its pick to Detroit.
4. Denver Qyntel Woods, G/F, 6-9, 230, NE Mississippi C.C.
The Nuggets miss out on the draft's three biggest gems, but Woods' potential is a nice consolation prize. He'd give Denver a player who can create his own shot and cause an array of matchup problems with his versatility.
5. Houston Drew Gooden, F, 6-10, 230, Kansas
Adding Gooden to a frontcourt that already includes Eddie Griffin and Maurice Taylor gives the Rockets a promising future. Expect him to make his biggest contributions on the boards early in his career.
6. Cleveland Chris Wilcox, F, 6-10, 220, Maryland
Wilcox is the most athletic frontcourt player to come out since Antonio McDyess in '95. He's further along than last year's top two picks, Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler, and still has a huge upside.
7. New York Caron Butler, F, 6-7, 235, Connecticut
The Knicks would love Ming, Wagner or Wilcox but might have to trade up to get them. Butler emerges as the most logical choice, although that doesn't always mean much to the Knicks brain trust. His presence would make Latrell Sprewell expendable.
8. L.A. Clippers
(from Atlanta) Curtis Borchardt, C, 7-0, 230, Stanford
This pick comes over from the Hawks as part of the 1999 deal for Lorenzen Wright. Nabbing Borchardt gives the Clips some insurance in case the price to retain Michael Olowokandi gets too high.
9. Phoenix Nickoloz Tskitsishvili, F, 6-11, 220, Benetton Treviso
Native of the country of Georgia, touted by European scouts as another Pau Gasol. He just turned 19 and has a vast array of skills. Has yet to officially declare for the draft, which he'd have to do since he isn't 21.
10. Miami Marcus Haislip, F, 6-10, 230, Tennessee
Has great raw skills and should star in individual workouts. He's strong and agile, which should make him a tough defender. That's all Pat Riley needs to hear.
11. Washington Melvin Ely, F/C, 6-10, 256, Fresno State
A solid defender with an NBA-ready body and improving offensive skills. There are questions about his desire, but that's nothing working for Michael Jordan can't fix. He'll be the first senior selected.
12. L.A. Clippers Amare Stoudemire, F, 6-10, 240, Cypress Creek (Fla.) H.S.
The young get younger. Stoudemire is clearly the top player left from a potential standpoint, which fits nicely with the Clips' drafting philosophy. Los Angeles is loaded with precocious talent.
13. Milwaukee Chris Marcus, C, 7-1, 285, Western Kentucky
The Bucks need to get tougher down low and jump at the chance to grab someone who clearly fits that need. Marcus is still raw, having only played the game compettively for five years, but he has an NBA-ready body.
14. Indiana Kareem Rush, G, 6-6, 214, Missouri
Rush slipping to the Pacers would be a major coup for Isiah Thomas' club. He'd be the eventual successor to Reggie Miller and could begin his pro career as an apprentice.
15. Houston
(from Toronto)* Carlos Boozer, F, 6-9, 280, Duke
The Rockets get this pick as part of the Hakeem Olajuwon deal and use it to acquire another big man in Boozer as the frontline continues to get a makeover with an infusion of young talent.
16. Philadelphia Jared Jeffries, F, 6-9, 220, Indiana
The Sixers nab a reward for their injury-riddled season by being in a position to draft the talented Jeffries. He'll need to get stronger and adjust to the pro game, but his versatile skills can't be denied.
17. Utah Maybyner Hilario, F, 6-10, 240, Vasco da Gama
The 20-year old Brazilian is a gifted athlete who will only get stronger. "Nene", as he's called in his native country, blocked Jermaine O'Neal three times in international competition. He's got a huge upside.
18. Orlando Frank Williams, G, 6-3, 205, Illinois
He could develop into a strong leader like Orlando head coach Doc Rivers. The Magic have been searching for a point guard to help relieve some pressure from Darrell Armstrong, who they feel is better suited as a spark plug coming off the bench.
19. Charlotte Roger Mason Jr., G, 6-5, 200, Virginia
A solid combo guard who can get to the basket at will, Mason gives the Hornets some depth behind Baron Davis and David Wesley. He was forced into point guard duty at Virginia because of injuries last season and responded well.
20. Toronto
(from Seattle) Sam Clancy, F, 6-7, 240, Southern Cal
The Raptors use this pick, acquired through New York as part of the Mark Jackson deal, to grab Clancy, an incredibly strong athlete who would join Keon Clark and Jerome Williams as jumping jacks in the Raptor frontcourt. Though undersized, he plays with tremendous heart.
21. Phoenix
(from Boston) Dan Gadzuric, C, 6-11, 235, UCLA
Despite spending four years in college, Gadzuric is very raw and has very few offensive skills. Still, he's a terrific athlete who could be molded into a solid defender.
22. Portland Jamal Sampson, C, 6-11, 235, California
The Blazers take a flier on Sampson, who only played one year at Cal but has great potential. They'll hope he develops like Jermaine O'Neal did, and maybe this time they'll hold on to their young talent.
23. Minnesota No pick
The Timberwolves forfeit this pick as part of the penalty for attempting to circumvent the salary cap in signing Joe Smith.
24. Detroit** Marcus Taylor, G, 6-3, 195, Michigan State
If he doesn't withdraw from the draft, Taylor would be a safe gamble for the Pistons, who would keep the Lansing product home. Taylor will eventually be a solid point guard and could be brought along slowly.
25. New Jersey Tayshaun Prince, F, 6-9, 215, Kentucky
It's hard to forsee what kind of pro Prince is going to be, but if his lanky frame can survive in the NBA, he's a steal this late in the first round. New Jersey has made all the right moves lately and continue to improve by taking the best available player.
26. Denver
(from Dallas) Fatih Solak, C, 7-0, 270, Besiktas
Solak is an unknown commodity because of the contrasting opinions regarding his game. He's just 22 and has a large frame that can be built upon. With Meng Bateer already under contract, the Nuggets are scowering the globe to find a center.
27. San Antonio Darius Songaila, F, 6-9, 245, Wake Forest
Songaila has proven his merit in both the ACC and international competition, and is probably one of those players that will end up being more effective than most expect. The Spurs are looking for frontcourt depth, especially with Malik Rose's contract up.
28. L.A. Lakers Casey Jacobsen, F/G, 6-6, 215, Stanford
Jacobsen might be a defensive liability in the NBA, but his offensive skills fit perfectly with what the Lakers covet. He'd be the sniper L.A. has been seeking since Glen Rice left town and could play selective minutes to mask his porous defense.
29. Sacramento Juan Dixon, G, 6-3, 160, Maryland
The Kings don't need much, but picking up a winner like Dixon is a no-brainer. He can cause havoc in passing lanes with his pesky defense and would be a great addition to the team's up-tempo style. Sacramento could also wait on him to learn the point.
* - pick could be conveyed to Memphis
** - pick could be conveyed to Atlanta

 

We should have our own mock draft 2002 thread, at least for the first fifteen selections, and have some sort of prize for whoever gets closest to the real deal, or gets the Rockets' picks correct.