NBA Mock Draft 2013: Knicks target Gonzaga big man
By Matt Shetler
As we head into the All-Star break, it is time to unleash my first mock draft of the season.
Here’s a look at how the first round plays out. As a note I didn’t include international players, until they make their intentions known. Another note is the order is based on the NBA standings as of the morning of February 7.
With that being said let’s get right into NBA Mock Draft 2013- Pre-All-Star break edition.
Feb 06, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Ben McLemore (23) dribbles against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
1. Charlotte Bobcats
Player Name: Ben McLemore
Position, School: SG, Kansas
The Kansas freshman has everything that you look for in a shooting guard- size, athleticism and defensive ability, not to mention he is a lights out shooter, currently hitting 45.5 percent of his three-point shots.
2. Washington Wizards
Player Name: Nerlens Noel
Position, School: PF, Kentucky
The Wizards have their backcourt set with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Now it is time to address the frontcourt. Noel is an excellent shot-blocker who should develop a better than average offensive game.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Player Name: Shabazz Muhammad
Position, School: SF, UCLA
The Cavs have great up and coming young talent and by adding a legitimate small forward to a core that already includes Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller and Tristan Thompson, the Cavs will be well on their way back.
4. Orlando Magic
Player Name: Cody Zeller
Position, School: C, Indiana
The Magic need help all over the floor and can add another talented big body in Zeller, who has the size and athleticism, plus a very nice mid-range game.
5. New Orleans Hornets
Player Name: Anthony Bennett
Position, School: SF/PF, UNLV
Bennett is the complete package offensively and would fit in rather nicely with an up and coming Hornets team. Bennett’s foot speed is typically too quick for 4s and his strength and power can overwhelm 3s. He is an explosive athlete that keeps rising up draft boards.
Feb 4, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) takes a shot during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse defeated Notre Dame 63-47. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
6. Sacramento Kings
Player Name: Michael Carter-Williams
Position, School: PG, Syracuse
The Kings have holes to fill all over the court and adding a big point guard like Carter-Williams helps. He is the type of player that makes everyone better.
7. Phoenix Suns
Player Name: Otto Porter
Position, School: SF, Georgetown
Porter doesn’t put up lottery-type numbers on a slow Georgetown team, but he has great handle for his size and is a prototypical NBA wing.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto Raptors)
Player Name: Alex Len
Position, School: C, Maryland
Len has shown the tools to be an elite threat on both offense and defense, but hasn’t been able to put the complete package together consistently. He will be solid though and playing behind Serge Ibaka should allow him to develop nicely.
9. Detroit Pistons
Player Name: Alex Poythress
Position, School: SF, Kentucky
Poythress can finish and at 6’8” with excellent athleticism, Poythress’ ability to face the rim should fit in nicely on a Pistons team who needs some production from the 3. He’s a project but has a very high ceiling.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Player Name: C.J. McCollum
Position, School: SG, Lehigh
The ‘Wolves need some more production from the perimeter and McCollum can fill it up.
11. Dallas Mavericks
Player Name: Marcus Smart
Position, School: PG/SG, Oklahoma State
Smart may be more of a scorer than a pure passer, but he is a winner and a leader and can impact this Mavericks offense from the guard position, something they need badly.
12. Philadelphia 76ers
Player Name: Isaiah Austin
Position, School: PF/C, Baylor
The Sixers need frontcourt help and while Austin is 7’0″, he spends most of the time out on the perimeter shooting threes. But he also plays great interior defense, averaging 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Feb 2 2013, Bloomington, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo (4) drives to the basket as Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) looks on at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
13. Phoenix Suns (from Los Angeles Lakers)
Player Name: Victor Oladipo
Position, School: SG, Indiana
Oladipo has become a complete guard and one of the better half-court finishers in the nation. He’s a great fit for a Suns team that needs scoring badly.
14. Boston Celtics
Player Name: Mason Plumlee
Position, School: PF, Duke
Plumlee is a very athletic, skilled inside scorer who is also a great rebounder. The Celtics need to add frontcourt depth badly so this pick makes sense.
15. Charlotte Bobcats (from Portland Trail Blazers)
Player Name: James Michael McAdoo
Position, School: PF, North Carolina
McAdoo could be the best athlete in the draft and adding him and McLemore to a core that features Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could help turn around the Bobcats rather quickly.