KT’S 2015 NBA MOCK DRAFT

I’ve been waiting for months to do a mock draft, however it would only make sense to wait until we know which teams have which picks. With the draft lottery behind us now we know the Orlando, New York, Philadelphia, L.A. and Minnesota will be picking in the top 5. This will be the 2nd year in a row where Orlando and Philadelphia will be in the top 5 and the second year in a row Minnesota will have the #1 pick of the draft on their roster(Andrew Wiggins via trade last season). My Mock draft is based on a combination of whom I believe is the BPA and also fit for the team selecting them. I’m only doing Lottery teams for now. Let’s get started.

#1 Pick Minnesota Timberwolves: Jahlil Okafor

Either Towns or Okafor are going #1. Okafor’s offensive game and footwork is too refined to pass up on. He gives the Wolves an immediate low post threat. Okafor Wiggins and Lavine for the next 10 years? Look out NBA, these Wolves run in packs.

NBA Ceiling: Al Jefferson

#2 Pick L.A. Lakers: Karl Towns

Towns is the perfect foil for the returning Julius Randle and with the Lakers history of success with Big men and the 2015-16 season being Kobe’s last season, Towns can very well end up as the face of the Lakers franchise in a few years. His offensive game is 2 years away, but with already shooting 80% from the FT line and great defensive ability, Towns can make his stamp right away.

NBA Ceiling: N/A

#3 Pick Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell

Russell is the most NBA ready guard in the draft. What he lacks in athletic ability and not quick enough to get his own shot against bigger defenders, he makes up for his crafty ball handling, great passing, court vision and very solid shooter. And with him hanging with Noel a few weeks ago and liking several photos on Instragram with him being photoshopped with a #0 Sixers jersey, I think he’s in on the idea of playing with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid.

NBA Ceiling: Brandon Roy

#4 Pick New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay 

The last think the Knicks expected to do this season, was tank. The last thing they expected with the 2nd worst record and 2nd best odds to end up with the #1 pick, to end up picking 4th in the NBA Draft this season. However they’ll be getting a very good point guard in the mystery man in Emmanuel Mudiay. Mudiay has a big frame and very good athletic ability for the PG position. However the biggest question marks are his shooting and how will he work in a half court setting, or in New York’s case the triangle with Carmelo Anthony. Knicks fans rejoice you’re getting a great young point guard, that’s if you don’t trade the pick.

NBA Ceiling: Tyreke Evans

#5 Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis

The Magic have their backcourt of the future set with Payton and Oladipo. The need to start thinking front  court help because outside of Vucevic and with Tobias Harris a RFA, they have zero keepers in the front court. Porzingis is a 7 footer PF with an unique skill set. He can shoot the jumper, great in the pick and pop game, can put the ball on the floor and high level athleticism. However, his 220 and lanky frame is a red flag. He’s also a poor finishing at the rim for his size but that’s all correctable with good coaching and the weight room.

NBA Ceiling: Andre Bargnani

#6 Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauly-Stein

The Kings were 28th in points allowed this season. I know this is a reach, but with the Kings wanting to move Demarcus Cousins to PF, making Stein the #6 isn’t that far-fetched. Stein gives them an impact defensive anchor the Kings needs. They have the offensive pieces in set with Gay, Cousins and with Collison running the point. Stein is the perfect fit for the Kings and George Karl however his limited offensive game and his poor free throw shooting…let’s say that there’s going to be a hack-a-stein in the near future.

NBA Ceiling: Deandre Jordan

#7 Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja

With the Nuggets still under major construction since 2013 after firing George Karl, there’s a seriously lack of direction of what the Nuggets are trying to do. With Lawson as the only proven asset( and biggest trade chip come draft night) they need to start thinking of a new face of the Franchise and that could be Croatia phenom Mario Hezonja. Mario has the refine offensive skill set to become a premier scorer. He has the athletic ability to attack and finish at the rim and has a deadly shooting range and has the size to play SG or SF. With that being said, there’s always a major risk in taking a international player, especially with someone who hasn’t really had consistent playing time to have a proper evaluation on. Lawson could be gone on draft night, Faried is just a high energy guy and Gallenari hasn’t been the same since the injury, and Chandler is inconsistent. The Nuggets should draft Mario and start over from ground zero.

NBA Ceiling: Tracy McGrady

#8 Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson 

I love Arizona Basketball and watching Stanley Johnson was fun for me this season. Johnson one of the premier two way guards in the draft. His size for his age is awe inspiring, has a 6’11 wingspan and has the range to guard up to 3 maybe in 4 position in the NBA. He’s great in transition and can knock down an open 3 with his good shooting mechanics. His offensive game, heck his entire game is a two year project, but Johnson can develop into a defensive stopper to shut down guys like Lebron, KD, Hardens of the NBA. And Johnson has the size to play either SG or SF.

NBA Ceiling: Ron Artest

#9 Charlotte Hornets: Justice Winslow 

Long story short; Hornets have one of the better defenses in the NBA. They have one of the worst offenses in the NBA. Winslow’s offensive game still isn’t all the way polish but the Hornets get a guy that wants the ball and wants to score. A competitor. He’s has the potential to be a great two player as well to add on to the Hornet’s already stout defense.

NBA Ceiling: Wilson Chandler/Jimmy Butler

#10 Miami Heat: Devin Booker 

With the Heat going through 30 different lineup changes last season, and no young assets other than Hassan Whiteside, the Heat need to start thinking more long term. With Wade getting older they need to find a replacement and Devin Booker is a guy. He’s a 6’6 sharpshooter. Can make any jumper and get open without the ball. His ball handling, frame and lack of attacking the basket is his major concerns, but the Heat are getting a great heir to the D Wade throne.

NBA Ceiling: Klay Thompson

#11 Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner 

Pacers need a big man. David West is getting older and Roy Hibbert hasn’t been useful since the 2013 Eastern Conference, enter Myles Turner. He’s a big body at 6’11 240 and can flat out score on anywhere on the court whether it’s from 3, mid range or at the rim. Here’s a plus; He’s a 89% free throw shooter, for a big man. The issue is that Turner is a stiff. He has trouble getting up and down the court. He needs to bulk up and get better at being aggressive as well because he struggled against players that were around his size or bigger and in the NBA that’s a nightly basis. With talk about Hibbert might being regulated to 6th man, Turner could be starting on opening night. Turner, a healthy Paul George, David West and Stuckey is something Pacers fans get behind.

NBA Comparison: Chris Kaman

#12 Utah Jazz:  Sam Dekker 

Trey Burke, Gordon Heyward, Derrick Favors, and Ruby Gobert. Something is cooking in the Salt Lake city. They just need to add another scorer on the wings to help their 26th rank offense. Sam Dekker is perfect for them. He’s a solid all around ball player. He can attack the basket, looks for contact and can play spot up shooter if need be to spread the floor. He’s not good at taking shots off the dribble and needs to get better at shooting the three(33% 3 point shooter). He’s a swiss army knife he does a lot of good things well, but not one thing great.

NBA Ceiling: Chandler Parsons/Gordon Hayward.

#13 Phoenix Suns: Bobby Portis 

Phoenix please do yourself a favor and draft Bobby Portis? You haven’t had a quality big since Amare left to New York and when Gortat was traded to Washington. Portis has a great face up game, can finish with both hands and is an active rebounder especially on the offensive glass. Here’s a plus too; he can run in transition which is a trademark with Phoenix. At 6’11 245 and with the 13th pick this is a dream come true pick. He needs to work on his post game more and don’t rely on his jumper. Lack explosiveness but as a big that doesn’t matter to me. Portis and TJ Warren are great building blocks to have and Phoenix could have that.

NBA Ceiling: Greg Monroe

#14 Oklahoma City Thunder: Kelly Oubre Jr.

Kelly Oubre is a interesting prospect. He’s 6’7 has a 7’2 wingspan and has elite athleticism. He has the potential to be a very solid defensive stopper but his offense is 2-3 years away. His offense in the next level will more often come in transition baskets. I’m not the biggest Oubre fan, but what he brings at this and with OKC having NBA finals talent when healthy, is the ideal situation for Oubre, unless Kevin Durant leaves. Then you have some growing up to do and fast kid.

NBA Ceiling: Andre Iguodala

 

 

 

Farwell Captain Canada: The Legacy of Steve Nash

“With the 15 pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select Steve Nash. Point guard from Santa Clara.” Those were the words from David Stern 19 years ago the night Steve Nash came into the NBA. 19 years later, 8 All Stars appearances, 3X first NBA All team, 5X league leader in assists and 2 NBA MVPs later, on March 21st, Steve Nash announced his retirement from Basketball due to health and age reasons. Steve Nash has had a storied Hall of Fame career in his 18 year career from his days as a Jason Kidd’s backup, being apart of the big three in Dallas with Dirk and Michael Finley, his return to Phoenix and his battles with the Lakers, Mavericks and Spurs, to the tail end of his career with the Lakers teaming up with Kobe Bryant. Nash’s legacy has been a memorable one. Let’s go back and reflect on his journey in the NBA.

Phoenix Suns: The beginning

When Nash was drafted out of Santa Clara, he was booed on draft night due to the fact that he was an unknown due & he didn’t go up against one of the major college conferences. Nash came of the bench as a role player behind All Star guards Kevin Johnson, Sam Cassell and Jason Kidd. 2 years later after the 1998 draft, the Dallas Mavericks traded for Steve Nash due to Nash being close friends with then the new assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks Donnie Nelson who convinced his father and coach of the Mavericks Don Nelson and the general manager to obtain him. Nash averaged  9.1 points and 3.3 assists in his final year before getting traded to Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks: The Big Three

It wasn’t until Steve Nash got to the Phoenix, that he started to carve his own name as one of the best point guards in the NBA. In the 2000 season after a lockout season and the season after where Nash missed 25 games due to injury, Nash took off. The Mavericks formed their own big 3 with 7’0 German Dirk Nowitzki, All Star shooting guard Michael Finley with Steve Nash as the catalyst. In 2000 they reached the Western Conference semifinals but got swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Every year since the Mavericks never missed the playoffs, however they got over the hump as they lost to the Kings in 2001, Spurs in the Conference Finals in 2002 and again to the Kings in 2003 in the Conference Semis.

After the 2003 season, Nash was a free agent. Mark Cuban wanted to build a team around the younger Dirk Nowitzki and didn’t want to have big money tied up to a 30 year old point guard. Cuban offered 9 million a year for Nash but the Suns offered a 6 year $63 million dollar deal. Nash went back to Cuban to see if he would match but Cuban refused to. Nash departed and returned to the Valley of the Sun. Nash averaged close to 15 points, 7 assists, 2 All Star births and 2 3rd All NBA teams in his 6 year tenure with the Mavericks.

Phoenix Suns: The Return

Steve Nash went back to the team that drafted him 8 years ago. The Suns finished 29-53 the year before and were projected to have another losing season. However with the signing of Nash infused with the young players like Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire, and Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun style, they had other plans. The Suns finished with the best record in the NBA at 62-20 and Steve Nash won the MVP over Shaq that season becoming the first Canadian to win the award and the 3rd point guard to win the award(Derrick Rose became the 4th). The Suns made it to the Western Conference Finals that season to lose to the eventual NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs.

The following season, with Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson traded away, and a serious knee injury to Amare that sidelined him for the season, the Suns still finished 54-28 and Nash once again won the MVP for the 2nd year in the row. However once again, the Suns would lose in the Western Confernce Finals to his former team the Dallas Mavericks. You’re beginning to see a trend here with Steve Nash led teams in the postseason.

To spare you the trouble here’s are the recaps for the Suns up until 2010.

2006: Lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference Semis in 6 games.

2007: Traded Shawn Marion for Shaq. Lost to the Spurs in the first round in 5 games.

2008: Terry Porter replaced Mike D’Antoni. Traded Boris Diaw and Raja Bell for Jason Richardson. Porter was replaced by Alvin Gentry after a 28-23 start. Suns missed the playoffs for the first time in Nash’s 2nd stint with the team.

2009: Returned to the playoffs. #1 offense for the 5th year in a row. Lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals in 6.

The Decline

After losing to the Lakers in 6 in the Conference Finals, the Phoenix Suns underwent major changes, in which they weren’t able to recover from. That off season, Amare Stoudemire left Phoenix via free agency to sign with the New York Knicks, Leandro Barbosa was traded for Hedo Turkoglu, and they signed Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress. Shortly after the season began, the Suns traded Hedo, Richardson and Earl Clark to the Magic for swingman Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and the polish hammer Marcin Gortat also dealing rising point guard Goran Dragic for Aaron Brooks of the Houston Rockets.

Although Nash continued to lead the league in assist and made his last All Star birth in 2012, the Suns failed to make the playoffs in Nash’s last two years as a member of the Phoenix Sun.

The Departure

After the 2012 season, the Suns pulled the trigger and traded away Steve Nash in a sign and trade deal with their heated rivals the LA Lakers. The Suns obtained 2 1st round picks and 2 2nd round picks for trading away Nash to the Lakers. Nash ended his storied career in Phoenix with 6 All Star appearances, 2 MVP awards, 3 1st All NBA teams and passed Oscar Robertson in all time assist. Nash in 10 seasons with the Suns averaged 14 points and 9 assists. Nash and Amare will be remembered as the modern day Stockon and Malone with their success in the pick and roll game.

Los Angeles Lakers: The Last Chapter

When the Lakers made the move to aqcuire Steve Nash to play with Kobe Bryant and their new Center Dwight Howard, there was a lot of buzz of the Lakers making it to the Finals this year. However, there were other plans. Steve Nash got injured in the second game of the season after colliding with Damian Lillard. He was expected to miss a week, but missed also close to two months. Nash came back but then was sidelined for the last 8 games of the season and the playoffs by a hip injury which cause nerve damage in his hip.

Unfortunately that summed up Nash’s tenure in LA. Nash had to miss most of the following season due to nerve damage and this season was ruled out for the year due to recurring back issues. Nash played a combined 65 games in 3 years with the Lakers and on March 21st, announced his retirement in from the NBA due to health concerns.

What was Steve Nash’s Legacy?

Steve Nash will always be remember has one of the greatest pass first point guards to ever play the game and arguably the best pick and roll point guard to ever play behind John Stockon. A point guard with great passing ability excellent court vision and one of the best pure shooters in NBA history joining the 50-40-90 club 4 times in his career. He was the catalyst of the top scoring offenses for several years.Nash is the standard for the ideal point guard for an uptempo offense and help elevated the play of everyone around him and was one of the toughest players to ever play the game. His game 4 performance against the Spurs in the Western Conference Semis where he played the 4 with one of his eyes swollen shut was proof of that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyMAJcL7CBM

However Nash will also be remember as one of the few MVP recipients to win the award and to not reached the NBA Finals once despite having the talent around to do so. Whether it was Dallas with the big three, or his tenure as the face of the Suns franchise for 8 seasons, Nash could never get over the hump to make the finals. As Steve Nash fan, I was fortunate enough to watch Nash for most of his career, but it also saddens me that Nash couldn’t overcome Duncan’s Spurs, Dirk’s Mavericks or Kobe’s Lakers when it matters. Nash will remember as one of the all time great point guards with amazing accolades and feats, but I know Nash would give it all up for a championship ring….and probably better defensive ability.

Nash has always been a class act and a true professional on and off the court. He helped created the pathway for the next wave of Canadian basketball players like Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins. As time continues to pass and players from the 90s Era continue to retire, in closing let’s say Farewell to Captain Canada. Next to Allen Iverson, you are my favorite player of all time a top 10 point guard of all time and the greatest Canadian Basketball Player of All Time. Thank you for 18 years of great basketball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSCk8nWM6xE

Where Does Steve Nash Rank at All Time point guards for you?

STATE OF THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

When Sam Hinkie took over as the general manager of the Philadephia 76ers, he inherited a combination of fringe talent, bad contracts and a middle of the pack team in the Eastern Conference which means they weren’t good enough to get nothing better than a 7th or 8th playoff seed but they weren’t bad enough to be put in good position to get a top lottery pick. On draft night Hinkie made an immediate impact trading away their only All Star Jrue Holiday for the top prospect of the 2013 draft Nerles Noel and a top 5 protected pick in the 2014 draft. Noel who was scouted to be one a future anchor of a team’s defense, sat out for the year to recover from an ACL tear back in January of 2013. Since then it was made clear that Hinkie’s vision of the 76ers was building through the draft and collect as many assets as he can obtained. Let’s look at the timeline from the night where Holiday was traded up until now where 3/4s of the NBA season is over.

2013: The MCW ERA 

After Jrue Holiday was dealt the Sixers needed to find his replacement. With the 11th pick of the draft, the Sixers selected 6’6 point guard Michael Carter Williams from Syracuse. In the home opener against the Miami Heat Carter Williams made his presence known with a 22 point 12 assist 9 steals and 7 rebound performance. After a 3-0 start things were looking up for the Sixers, however as the season went on the Sixers struggled mightily on both sides of the ball and in the win column. They almost set the record for 27 straight losses until their win against the Pistons on March 29th.

At the trade deadline, Hinkie continue to get rid of anything from the old regime. He traded Spencer Hawes to the Cavaliers for two 2nd round picks Earl Clark(who was waived) and Henry Sims(still on the team). He also traded both Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen for Danny Granger(who was bought out of his contract) and another 2nd pick. The Sixers after the deadline had a revolving door starting lineup with Michael Carter Williams and Thad Young(who was traded to the Timberwolves in the off-season) as the only constants. The Sixers ended their season at 19-63 under 1st year coach Brett Brown, Michael Carter Williams won the Rookie of the Year award, Nerlens Noel didn’t play a game and ended up with the 3rd and 10th pick of the 2014 draft.

2014: Together We Build

After a tough season, the Sixers head into the off-season with high draft picks and cash to spend. However the Sixers opted to not go after any free agents and continued to build through the draft. With Wiggins as the top prize the Sixers tried to trade up to the #1 pick to do so but were unsuccessful. Instead the Sixers stayed at the 3rd pick and drafted Wiggins partner in crime the 7’0 phenom from Kansas Joel Embiid however Embiid just like Noel the year prior was force to sit out because of injury. With the 10th pick the Sixers drafted point guard Elfrid Peyton and what it looked like the end of MCW in Philadelphia, Payton was traded on draft night to the Orlando Magic for Dario Saric and their 2017 1st rounder in which they traded to get Andrew Bynum. Saric however went back overseas to play in Croatia for 2 years.

Although the Sixers top 2 picks didn’t suit up for the Sixers, they struck gold in the 2nd round with selections KJ McDaniels, Jeremi Grant and Jordan McRae(who was drafted by the Spurs and then traded to the Sixers). Although McRae elected to sign with the Melbourne United team overseas(and finished 3rd in scoring),McDaniels and Grant impressed not only coaches but fans with their athletic ability and defensive effort. Also this season was the long awaited debut of Nerles Noel as well.

The Sixers struggled early losing their first 17 games of the season. With the youngest team in NBA history, growing pains were expected. Eventually the Sixers got it together, and started to not only win games, but showed teams that Sixers weren’t an easy win. After the 0-17 start, the Sixers have been 13-31 which is impress considering more analyst had them winning no more than 10 games..

2014 Trade Deadline

After the All Star break and with the trade deadline the Sixers were keeping themselves busy. They traded with the Denver Nuggets to obtain center Javale McGee(who was bought out) and getting another 1st round pick(top 18 protected from OKC) in a salary dump move. Then the Sixers traded the rookie KJ McDaniels to the Rockets for a 2nd round pick and point guard Isiah Caanan. The shocker of the trade deadline was the Sixers dealing the reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter Williams in a multi team deal to obtain another 1st round pick from the Suns however this pick was top 5 protected from the Lakers.

The Future of The Sixers

So far in the past year and half under Sam Hinkie, he’s gotten rid of the all the bad contracts from the old regime and collected as many assets(whether its picks or young talent) for the future of the Sixers. He’s gotten who could have been the #1 pick in the last two drafts in Noel and Embiid, the arguably the best two overseas players in Dario Saric and Jordan McRae, found a gem in the 2nd round in Jeremi Grant, picked up Thomas Robinson the MVP of the D League last season 3 point specialist Robert Covington and seven 1st rounders in the next 3 years(potentially 4 1st rounders in this draft alone).

Hinkie’s method haven’t really resulted to a lot of wins so far but considering the situation he wanted into, he’s done a remarkable job. There are dangers to building solely through the draft(Embiid’s foot is a prime example), but now the Sixers now have flexibility to address their team in several ways than just trying to put a band aid on top of their average roster like they’re done over the past 13 years.

The Sixers rebuilding process is on Embiid’s health. If Embiid is healthy and lives up the Hakeem the Dream potential that’s he’s been labeled to, the Sixers have their twin towers in Embiid and Noel for years to come. If not the Sixers are once again without a big man scoring option and as much as a Noel fan I am he will, in my opinion never be a low post scorer. The Sixers need to also find a playmaker on the wing. Someone who can create their own shot and burden the scoring load. Which they haven’t had since Allen Iverson almost 10 years ago.

Conclusion

Hinkie has done enough for me to trust him going forward. He isn’t afraid to make a trade if it means collecting more than what he’s giving up. He has master the cap flexibility of the team and obtained two good foundation pieces in Noel and Embiid with the free agent classes looking promising and with 7 picks over the next three years, the Sixers are in good position to make a formidable team going forward. However, a little luck also goes helps along the way with building a team from ground zero. Sixers fans, I understand your doubt, however after the Billy King regime, Hinkie deserves the benefit of the doubt and more than a 1 and a half before trying to run him out-of-town.

There are only two ways to build a legit NBA championship contender; Either getting a superstar or superstars and building around him(Lebron’s stint in Miami, Shaq to the Lakers) or continue to draft until you find your foundation pieces( Look at OKC and the Spurs for the example). The Sixers chose the latter. The Sixers are making a team that will compete for the next decade and with Hinkie at the helm, you should feel confident but if there is still doubt just sit back and enjoy the ride.