FanPost

Mock Draft picks 11-20 with explanation



Because things start to become such a crapshoot, I'm just throwing in who I think the teams will pick. And Frank8, I'm not trying to copy you. I had already done these but I thought I should wait until after the lottery to finalize and post them. If you want, I will take them down.

First, let's go over who was already picked:

1: Kyrie Irving

2: Derrick Williams

3: Jan Vesely

4: Enes Kanter

5: Brandon Knight

6: Kawhi Leonard

7: Kemba Walker

8: Jonas Valanciunas

9: Bismack Biyombo

10: Alec Burks

11: Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris, SF/PF, Kansas

This was a tough pick to mock. While the "trade Stephen Curry" rumors seem to be slowing down, I still think it could happen. But I made the pick based on the roster they have. I think Morris is a decent fit for the Warriors, and I think between Dorell Wright, Ekpe Udoh, Morris, Biedrins, and Lee, the Warriors will have a pretty decent frontcourt to go along with their explosive backcourt. Of course, if a guard is the pick here, Curry is on his way out.

12: Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, PG/SG, BYU

This is why I didn't think the Jazz would take a PG at 3. I think the Jazz wait and give Harris a full year at PG before finding a replacement. In the meantime, Jimmer can be instant offense, and who knows, he could become a starting PG or SG. I think Jimmer in Utah is a good PR move, and a smart Basketball move. Is this a reach? Yes, but I think, like Tyler Hansbrough of a few years ago, he will live up to expectations.

13: Phoenix Suns: Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA

This is probably going to raise a few eyebrows, but it seems like a good fit. Many see Honeycutt as one-dimensional, but I think he has the potential to be an all-star caliber wing scorer. In the up-pace system in Phoenix, and with Nash (most likely) throwing him dimes, he could settle right in, and along with Aaron Brooks and Marcin Gortat, the Suns will have a good young core. Tristian Thompson is also a possibility.

14: Houston Rockets: Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State

I think the Rockets are pretty far from competing for a playoff spot. But they seem pleased with Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic at the point, and Kevin Martin is one of the most underrated scorers in the game. Plus, if Singleton is the pick, the Rockets will have a lot of former lottery picks on the frontline, with Singleton, Patrick Patterson, Hasheem Thabeet, and Jordan Hill; and they have good scrappy veterans in Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola.

15: Indiana Pacers: Darius Morris, PG, Michigan

Pick that makes sense for the Pacers. They have a good amount of front-court depth, and the PG situation is becoming questionable. Collison regressed from his breakout year in NO, but proved to be for the most part competent. But I think the Pacers may want an upgrade, or at least depth. T.J. Ford is done. The Pacers get a guy who should pass the ball to Granger, and can set up Hansbrough and Hibbert in the right place.

16: Philadelphia 76ers: Tristian Thompson, PF, Texas

This is much farther than I think Thompson should slide, and the Sixers get a high-ceiling PF who will backup and eventually replace Elton Brand. I think the sky is the limit for this guy, but there is always the chance he turns into Anthony Randolph.

17: New York Knicks: Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State

Okay, I may get some hate for picking Faried over Markieff, but here is why it makes sense. As we all know, the Knicks are making a strong push for, or at least in the running for, Dwight, CP3, even Deron. Now, I wouldn't go PG early unless Kemba or Knight fell to us, just because that would be a waste if we got CP3 or Deron. I don't want the Knicks to be hamstrung in 2012. Drafting Markieff would give us a big, but I don't think he's much more than a big body with a decent mid range game. Faried is perfect. He rebounds like a beast, he can block shots from the weak side, he can bang in the post, obviously not with big Cs, but with PFs, he can. He is quick enough to stay with PFs with a face up game. Best part about Faried is that no matter who we get, whether it's Dwight, CP3, Deron, or nobody, the Knicks will have a good "glue" guy who can provide energy and leadership off the bench, something that would help TD and Bully.

18: Washington Wizards: Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas

The Wizards got their SF in Leonard already, so now they go with a big. He won't be looked to to score much with Wall, McGee, Crawford, and Young, but he should be an okay rebounder and an okay defender. He is at least a young upgrade over Andray Blatche.

19: Charlotte Bobcats: Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania

The Bobcats have 2 picks, and with both of them they are swinging for the fences with overseas players (they took Biyombo at 9). This is an intriguing player, as he can score very effectively and efficiently. His motor is questionable, but many are comparing him to Bargnani, and he would complement the defense and energy of Biyombo quite well. Perhaps this would be the spark that ignites the Bobcats organization.

20: Minnesota TImberwolves: Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State

This is a guy I hadn't heard much about, but he has been flying up draft boards. From what I've seen, he's a very good shooter, which should fit around Love, Rubio, and Derrick WIlliams quite well. I think Martell Webster is a good player, but I think Thompson is an upgrade and a better fit. This may be a reach, but I think that a good shooter would succeed alongside Love and Rubio.

So how did I do this time? Better than installment 1? Should I publish my installment 3?

Any feedback-praise or criticism-is appreciated.