Post by the original michael on May 28, 2020 16:23:40 GMT -8
2003 BBS Mock Draft
Yes, I know. The 2001-2002 playoffs did not even finish yet...
1. Houston Rockets - F LeBron James, HS
The prize of the draft. The cream of the crop. Ahsan and the Houston Rockets will likely finish towards the bottom of the standings next season and could find themselves in the coveted number one spot if they play their cards right; and by playing their cards right, I mean they should deal Shawn Marion for picks. Marion is not a franchise player, but can ruin a tank on his own. If the Rockets find a deal they like for Marion, they need to pounce if they they want a realistic shot at "The King". LeBron should come into the league ready to play opening night and with no positional rules, he could be extremely deadly at the Shooting Guard position, given his size and defensive ability. Whoever gets this top pick better praise the FBB gods.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves - G Dwayne Wade, Marquette
Dwayne Wade is not a bad consolation prize. He's also not a bad replacement for recently traded star, Vince Carter. The Minnesota Timberwolves saw that their current roster was maxed out and decided to make a move earlier in the season. That move let to Vince Carter being shipped to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Quentin Richardson, Etan Thomas, and multiple draft picks, including their own 2003 1st. If the pick ends up in the top 4, it was a very wise decision and I see no reason why the Wolves won't be in the bottom 4 of the league. Only shit luck in the lottery can ruin their chances at a new franchise player. Wade, like Lebron, is NBA ready and could come in the league and average 20PPG off the bat. It'll be interesting to see if a team moves Wade to PG and takes the handles hit. We'll see how that one plays out.
3. Utah Jazz - F Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse
The Jazz in the lottery? The defending champs are picking in the top 3?! But wait, they don't even have their pick. Ah, that's fine. The Utah Jazz management had a hard-on for the National Champion, Carmelo Anthony and I'm projecting that the team will trade for their pick back and will rebuild through the draft. When the Jazz built their roster they kind of figured it would be a 2-3 year window to win a championship. Well, in year one they took home the title so their mission was accomplished. Now they can tank with a free mind and will add one of the best scorers in the draft. Carmelo will most certainly average near 20PPG as a rookie, but will have his faults, as he's not known for playing tough defense.
4. Philadelphia 76ers - F/C Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech
The last of the franchise players in this draft is Chris Bosh and he ends up with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers are a team with a direction. That direction is to TANK. They'll likely pick in the top 3 in the 2002 draft, getting the chance to add Yao Ming or Amare Stoudemire. Pairing Bosh with one of the two would be a great get for the 76ers. Bosh is a versatile big man, who can stretch out a bit and hit that 18 footer. He should be decent at blocking the shot, but will likely require work in the rebounding department. He's got a chance to be a very special player in BBS.
5. New Orleans Hornets - F/C David West, Xavier
Ok, now the draft falls off. We no longer have these cornerstone, franchise type players. We do, however, have a boatload of quality pieces who can help you win a championship and West is the first of these guys off the board. David West will join the Hornets and whoever they draft with their 2 2002 lottery picks. D West is a guy who can score and rebound well, but defense will never be his area of expertise. I'd liken him to someone like Carlos Boozer. He'll be a quality 3rd or 4th piece on a roster, but will never be THE guy.
6. Milwaukee Bucks - G Kirk Hinrich, Kansas
The Bucks roster is littered with youth. However, they are lacking elite youth. Kirk is far from elite, but would be a great get for the Milwaukee Bucks. He's a sharpshooting point guard who handles the rock. He's that prototypical point guard with a high outside shot, low passing, and high handles. Just what you want out of a point guard. He'd instantly become the Bucks starting point guard and should help them win games and get over the contract year hump.
7. Atlanta Hawks - C Chris Kaman, Central Michigan
Kaman is the best center in this draft (Bosh isn't really a center). The Hawks are in a tough place right now, do they go for it and add a key piece to Stephen Jackson, Steve Francis, and Samuel Dalembert to try and win, or do they go bottom up and try and tank. Regardless, I think the Hawks will have to choose this off-season and make some kind of splash. If not, they'll see themselves in this exact spot, in the middle of the lottery. Kaman should be a good inside scorer, but I'm not sure what else he will offer. A decent compliment to Dalembert.
8. Phoenix Suns - G/F Josh Howard, Wake Forrest
The former 2nd round pick in real life goes to the Suns here. The Suns have their front court with Pay Gasol and Tyson Chandler and their point guard with Baron Davis. The problem is their wings. The best available wing in my opinion at this point is Josh Howard. Again, he'll never be THAT guy, but he doesn't have to be in Phoenix with Gasol and Baron (if he improves in TC). JHow should give the Suns a solid 15PPG in his prime, while playing good defense on the wings.
9. Toronto Raptors - C Kendrick Perkins, HS
The Raptors decided to tank 75% of the season in 2002 and ended up at the bottom of the lottery. I see the same in 2003 for them. Tony Parker is just too good, but what else do they have? They traded Raef for a late lottery pick in 2002 and Jason Richardson looks like a JAG. Perkins would be a solid choice here as they lack bigs. We know what Perk can give you, 10 rebounds and maybe 1.5BPG. I think the Toronto Raptors would sign up for that if they were picking 9th in 2003.
10. Washington Wizards - F Boris Diaw, France
I think TJ Ford is the best available, but the Wizards have their point guard in Jason Terry. They also have a ton of wings. There is just one problem, none of them are THAT good, which the exception of Peja. Diaw is perfect for this squad due to his versatility. He can play 1-5 and can probably become an elite 6th man in this league.
11. Detroit Pistons - G TJ Ford, Texas
I would have had Ford go much higher, but all the teams above the Pistons have their young point guards in place. The Hawks have Francis. The Suns have Davis. The Raptors have Parker. The Wizards have Terry. So with that, the Pistons get themselves a "steal" here with the 11th pick. TJ Ford is a inside type point guard, who will need to work on his outside game. He has the baggiest shorts in the league, which prevent him from jumping high enough to dunk the basketball. Ford should be an interesting player here.
12. Indiana Pacers - G Leandro Barbosa, Brazil
If the Indiana Pacers are in the lottery here, it's not on purpose. That's not good. A roster constructed of VInce Carter, Rashard Lewis, and Corey Maggette should not be in the lottery when a good portion of the league will be rebuilding. If I am and it's not the top 4, please roast the fuck out of me. I deserve it. Barbosa is the pick here by default. I'm not sure if he'll be listed as a point guard or shooting guard, but should be a serviceable guard in this league. He has a decent jump shot and should have low turnovers.
13. Seattle Super Sonics - G Mo Williams, Alabama
The late lottery is littered with point guards. The Sonics. Ah, the Sonics. They made some interesting, head scratching sell moves, then win now moves when they acquired Shaq. However, their roster right now is just Shaq. He should be enough to get them into the playoffs alone. If the Sonics fail to make the playoffs and are actually in the lottery, you can kiss them goodbye as they will likely be CY'd. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
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