NBA Mock Draft

So, I will admit I did slack a bit with the prospect write ups for this year's upcoming NBA Entry Draft. But with the lottery taking place just last week and the draft order set, I figure I should at least get my NBA Mock Draft in before the draft takes place and Sean and Brett yell at me some more (kind of joking, but not really).

So here is it. The first and only mock draft for this season. I make good picks.

With a draft that contains an amazing and vast amount of talent at multiple positions, this is going to be a draft that is wide open with picks. Teams tend to focus on the best player available, but as a GM this season, do you pick the top rated prospect overall or do you do your job and draft the best player at the position your team needs?

This year's draft order:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Jabari Parker (SF, 6-8, 235lbs, Duke, Fr.)
The Cleveland Cavaliers' lottery luck continued into 2014 as they won the No. 1 pick Tuesday for the third time in four years, despite having 1.7 per cent odds. The Cavaliers could try to trade the pick to acquire a proven player. Or, they could keep it and make the safe pick by taking Duke forward Jabari Parker, who could help them make the playoffs for the first time since LeBron James' departure. Kansas centre Joel Embiid's back issues are a concern and Kansas guard Andrew Wiggins probably will need time to develop. Cleveland All-Star guard Kyrie Irving probably wouldn't mind a fellow Duke player joining him.  

2. Milwaukee Bucks - Joel Embiid (C, 7-0, 240lbs, Kansas, Fr.)
Joel Embiid is a game-changer, but his back is a concern. He has star- and franchise-player potential. Embiid is going to be a dominant player down low, and should provide some decent defensive play to a team that averaged near the bottom of the league for most points against per game last season.  

3. Philadelphia 76ers - Andrew Wiggins ( SG/SF, 6-8, 200lbs, Kansas, Fr. )
This is the young man everyone is blasted with on Canadian coverage. From the Toronto area, Andrew Wiggins is presented as a high-intensity, high-flying, and highly sought after player in this years draft. What people see on TV is a ton of propaganda behind him. He is no doubt part of a talented draft class, but not as great as he is made out to be. People need to look at the entire picture here. We barely get college basketball on TV here in Canada, unless you have all the sports packages through your providers. Teams have definitely noticed that he became more assertive, aggressive and confident as his freshman season went on. Wiggins has amazing athleticism and a huge upside. However, he will probably take a longer period of time to develop in comparison to other members of this drat class.

4. Orlando Magic - Dante Exum (PG, 6-6, 196lbs, Australia)
Exum is a player who teams really haven't been able to send scouts and watch like they would in the NCAA. A mystery player if you'd like to call it that. He provides great speed and passing ability from what's been seen in game film from Australia. He's long and athletic, and will be a great pairing to add to last years' pick of Victor Oladipo to solidify a formidable back court for the future.  

5. Utah Jazz - Aaron Gordon (PF, 6-9, 220lbs, Arizona, Fr.)
Utah has a couple different options here with Julius Randle, Noah Vonleh and — who I think they ultimately choose — Aaron Gordon. Gordon plays to win. He played for Arizona, not for Gordon. He is a tremendous passer for a guy his size and will provide his drafting team with a unique ball-handler and excellent rebounder.

6. Boston Celtics - Noah Vonleh (PF, 6-9, 247lbs, Indiana, Fr.)
Noah Vonleh is one of the younger prospects in this draft at 18 years old. He's young and he has huge hands. Vonleh has a big body and can shoot from outside.  His only downfall in my opinion is that he is not a great athlete.

7. LA Lakers - Marcus Smart (PG, 6-3, 227lbs, Oklahoma State)
Marcus Smart had a lot of distractive factors this past season. He has such a strong track record that his incident with the fan is viewed as an anomaly.  With a highly talented PG like himself, distractions are something you need to overcome daily in the NBA.  Playing behind and being mentored by a Steve Nash / Kobe Bryant tandem in Hollywood is a perfect way to have him learn and take his game to the next level.  This could easily be one of the steals in the draft.

8. Sacramento Kings - Doug McDermott (SF, 6-7, 220lbs, Creighton, Sr.)
No relation to fellow writer and podcast co-host Sean on this one, but if it was our good friend here at Sports By Schmucks should be impressed. Being the son of a coach, he is going to find a way to score. He might not have a position set in stone, but he is a smart team defender.

9. Charlotte Hornets - Jusuf Nurkic (C, 6-11, 280lbs, Cedevita Zagreb)  
He's like a DeMarcus Cousins type in size and offensive game. He plays more athletic and swift than you would expect for a guy that's 280 lbs. This type of player could easily help a team with a young dynamic point guard like Kemba Walker in continuing to develop their future.

10. Philadelphia 76ers - Julius Randle (PF, 6-9, 250lbs, Kentucky, Fr.)
Philly in my opinion may have one of the best drafts once we're all said and done. Pulling in a player like Wiggins or even Parker if they flip spots, and grabbing a guy who should easily have been a top-5 pick slip down to 10th is a God-send.  If he were to slide down to 10th, it would be because he's a high turnover guy who is not the most skilled. He got by in college by bullying for points, which is something 76er fans would enjoy on their team.

Here are the 11-30 picks:

11. Denver Nuggets - James Young (SG, 6-7, 213lbs, Kentucky, Fr.)
12. Orlando Magic -  Dario Saric (SF-PF, 6-10, 223lbs, Cibona Zagreb)
13. Minnesotta Timberwolves - Nik Stauskas (SG, 6-6, 207lbs Michigan, So.) 
14. Phoenix Suns - Tyler Ennis (PG, 6-3, 182lbs, Syracuse, Fr.)
15. Atlanta Hawks - Adreian Payne (PF, 6-10, 239lbs, Michigan St, Sr.)
16. Chicago Bulls - Gary Harris (SG , 6-4, 205lbs, Michigan St, So.)
17. Boston Celtics (Brooklyn) - T.J. Warren (SF, 6-8, 220lbs, NC State, So.)
18. Phoenix Suns (Washington) - Zack LeVine (SG, 6-6, 181lbs, UCLA, Fr.) 
19. Chicago Bulls - Kristaps Porzingas (PF/C, 7-0, 220lbs, Spain Sevilla)
20. Toronto Raptors - Clint Capela (PF, 6-11, 222lbs, France Chalone) 
21. OKC Thunder - Rodney Hood (SG/SF, 6-8, 208lbs, Duke, So.)
22. Memphis Grizzlies - K.J. McDaniels (SF, 6-6, 196lbs, Clemson, Jr.)
23. Utah Jazz (Golden State) - Kyle Anderson (SF, 6-8, 220lbs, UCLA, So.)
24. Charlotte Hornets (Portland) - Elfrid Payton (PG, 6-4, 185lbs, Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr.)
25. Houston Rockets - Jordan Admas (SG, 6-5, 209lbs, UCLA, So.)
26. Miami Heat - Shabazz Napier (PG, 6-1, 175lbs, UCONN, Sr.) 
27. Phoenix Suns (Indiana) - Bogdan Bogdanovic (PG/SG, 6-6, 200lbs, Serbia Partizan) 
28. LA Clippers - P.J. Hairston (SG, 6-5, 229lbs, Texas Legends, D-League) 
29. OKC Thunder - Damien Inglis (SF-C, 6-8, 240lbs, France Roanne)
30. San Antonio Spurs - Mitch McGary (C, 6-10, 263lbs, Michigan, So.)

So that's it 30 picks made for this year's draft.  Let's see if I'm even remotely close.

Sports by Schmucks Podcast - Episode 25 (May 18)

Sean and Brett bring the podcast action for the 25th time.

NHL 14 Be a GM - Dallas Stars (Episode 9)

The Stars start the 2014-15 season.

2014 NFL Mock Draft (2.0)

This is the second and final edition of my mock draft for this NFL off-season. There is some big changes at the top, and Texas A&M alumni are picked back-to-back-to-back. As with every mock draft, probably five minutes into this thing there will be a big trade that messes this all to heck. If all teams do stay where they are though and do not move in the draft, this is what is going to happen.

1. Houston Texans — Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina

I still believe the Texans are a quarterback away from making a real run this year, but they will more then likely select that quarterback in the second round. In the end, Clowney wins out and is my top selection of this year's draft. Clowney can take over from Mario Williams as the premier pass rusher DE/OLB that they have been missing since he left.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) — Greg Robinson, OT Auburn

If Sam Bradford can stay healthy and off his back, this team has a legit shot at knocking out the 49ers or the defending Super Bowl champions in Seattle for top spot in this division. The first of their two first round picks will help do that. I am picking Robinson over Matthews this time around because I believe the Rams will want the potential higher-end player instead of the more polished player now.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Khalil Mack, OLB/DE Buffalo

Gus Bradley needs a premier player on his stellar defence and Mack is that guy. Great against the run, Mack is an incredible pass rusher and has the skills to drop back into coverage and not be lost out there. He will add that next level dimension to this Jaguars team and push them back from a cellar team to playoff contenders.

4. Cleveland Browns — Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson

Sammy Watkins, Josh Gordon and Cameron Jordan. That is a scary bunch of weapons for any of the Browns'  quarterbacks. Add in the addition of Ben Tate this past off-season, the Browns, if they can get a quarterback at their second first round pick or early in the second round, can easily be in play to top the AFC North this year. Mark my words people. The Browns will be for real.

5. Oakland Raiders — Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M
Yes, they picked up Matt Schaub this off-season. But can you really rely on a man who took a much better team with better weapons and made them the first overall pick this off-season? I don't believe you can and that is why Johnny Football is going to the Raiders. Oakland will love the play-making ability Manziel can bring and make this Raider organization relevant again.

  

6. Atlanta Falcons — Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M

Atlanta needs to badly upgrade either their defensive line or offensive line in this draft and, with the top two pass rushers off the board, they make the wise choice and help protect Matt Ryan. Picking Matthews up with their sixth overall pick will help protect Ryan's backside for more than likely the rest of his career. Sam Baker can slide over to right tackle and help solidify their line. 

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M

Tampa is in need of another play making wide out across from Vincent Jackson in the worst kind of way. After the injury of Mike Williams last season the production from the wide receiver spot took a nose dive, and with the trading of Williams this off season Evans is the pick here. Similar to Jackson, their size will be a nightmare for cornerbacks and make Tampa have 2 big targets in the end zone.

8. Minnesota Vikings — Blake Bortles, QB UCF

The Vikings cannot afford to waste another season of Adrian Peterson. He is getting older and won't be around forever, so a quarterback must be the biggest priority for the Vikings. Bortles is a strong-armed quarterback who can get the ball to the talented wide outs and tight ends for the Vikings allowing Peterson to run into space and not have 9 man boxes to run into.

9. Buffalo Bills — Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina

Ebron is my pick for the Bills again. They need playmakers, even after the addition of Mike Williams from Tampa. By adding a freak of nature like Ebron to the Bills, it will open up the middle of the field and allow their solid, underrated wideouts to work in space and create plays for second-year quarterback EJ Manuel.

10. Detroit Lions — Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State

The Lions have a solid defensive line so its time to help the back of their defence. Gilbert is an athletic cover corner who has the size and skills to match up with any wide receiver in the NFL. Having to practice against Calvin Johnson every week can't help but make Gilbert a better player. That will also help the Lions make it back to the playoffs.

Now, here are picks 11 through 32 of the first round:

11. Tennessee Titans — Anthony Barr, DE/OLB UCLA

12. New York Giants — Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan

13. St. Louis Rams — Ha Ha Clinton Dix, S Alabama

14. Chicago Bears — Aaron Donald, DT Pittsburgh

15. Pittsburgh Steelers — Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan State

16. Dallas Cowboys — Calvin Pryor, S Louisville

17. Baltimore Ravens — Zack Martin, OT Notre Dame

18. New York Jets — Marquise Lee, WR USC

19. Miami Dolphins — Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG UCLA

20. Arizona Cardinals — Jimmie Ward, S Northern Illinois

21. Green Bay Packers — Joel Bitonio, OT/OG Nevada

22. Philadelphia Eagles — Jason Verrett, CB TCU

23. Kansas City Chiefs — Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State

24. Cincinnati Bengals — Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State

25. San Diego Chargers — Lance Nix, NT Notre Dame

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts) — CJ Mosley, MLB Alabama

27. New Orleans Saints — Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT Notre Dame

28. Carolina Panthers — Odell Beckham Jr., WR LSU

29. New England Patriots — Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida State

30. San Francisco 49ers — Ra'Shede Hageman, DT Minnesota

31. Denver Broncos — Kony Ealy, DE Missouri

32. Seattle Seahawks — Brandon Cooks, WR Oregon State

There you have the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Be sure to follow @SportBySchmucks as I will be live-tweeting May 8.