NBA Draft 2013: The Sixer Sense Mock Draft
By John Adair
Nov 18, 2012; Charleston, SC, USA; Murray State Racers guard Isaiah Canaan (3) drives to the basket while being defended by Colorado Buffaloes guard Spencer Dinwiddie (25) during the first half of the Charleston Classic Championship game at TD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, Germany
Pick Made By: Spencer Layman (@NBA_Spen)
As for Dennis Schroeder, he reminds me of a Reggie Jackson type player. He is 6’2″ with a 6’7.5” wingspan, very confident with the ball in his hands, and pretty good at getting to the rim. Jackson may be a better athlete, but Schroeder is the better distributor. That is not to say that Schroeder isn’t a good athlete, Reggie Jackson is crazy athletic. Schroeder has a terrifying first step that leaves defenders in the dust. He can freeze an opponent with his shiftiness with the ball in his hands and direct an offense with ease.
Defensively, he is quick, long, and active. He is an annoyance to his opponents and plays lock down defense. His wingspan allows him to play the passing lanes as well as stay in front of quicker point guards.
For someone just 19 years of age, his knowledge and understanding of the pick-and-roll is remarkable. I think the Jazz will love this guy, he may not be John Stockton or Deron Williams, but he could be the next great point guard for a franchise rich with point guard history.
Brooklyn Nets: Sergey Karasev, Russia
Pick Made By: E.J. Aguado (@aguado91)
The first thing that jumps out about Karasev is his shot making ability. He doesn’t amaze you with quickness or overpower anyone with strength, but his unique ability to create and make shots is incredible in itself. Karasev’s game resembles that of Danilo Gallinari of the Denver Nuggets. Keeping defenders off-balance and disrupting their timing allows him to get his shot off time and time again.
Karasev doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make plays though. He is a sharp-shooter from distance with a fluid mechanics and a quick, high release. This ability to knock down shots makes him a safe late first-round pick alone. Not to mention his good size for the small forward position.
Indiana Pacers: Reggie Bullock, North Carolina
Pick Made By: Emily Gruver (@EmilyGruver3)
I was leaning towards Ricky Ledo with this pick, but just feel like he may be another Lance Stephenson. The Pacers can play defense with the best of the NBA, but their offense was stagnant at times. Bullock was easily one of the best three-point shooters this past year in college ball, and over his career at UNC.
We all know that head coach Frank Vogel loves his defense. Reggie has the tools to be a serviceable defender, on top of a shot-maker. Ultimately, Bullock could be a quality role player that could ultimately help Indiana reach their goal of an NBA title. Plus, let’s face it, guys by the name of Reggie in Indiana have faired pretty well thus far.
New York Knicks: Allen Crabbe, California
Pick Made By: John Adair (@JohnAdairNBA)
In 2012-2013, the Knicks lived and died by the three-point shot. Going by their results, it worked pretty well. Despite their well documented playoff struggles, they finished as the No.2 overall seed in the Eastern Conference, behind only the NBA Champion Miami heat.
Crabbe is another wing that has a smooth stroke capable of knocking down the three. With J.R. Smith becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1st after declining his player option for next season, the Knicks may desperately need another wing scoring threat off the bench. Smith remains the Knicks top priority, but with the team’s playoff struggles, if another team offers more money, he may just leave the Big Apple.
New York was at their best in transition last season. Crabbe thrives in the open court, both when filling lanes or with the ball in his hands. Adding another versatile scorer off the bench can only help the Knicks on their way to what they hope will eventually be a championship season.
Los Angeles Clippers: Lucas Nogueira, Brazil
Pick Made By: John Adair (@JohnAdairNBA)
With a wingspan of 7’5”, Nogueira is a natural rim protector. Physically, “Bebe” is a imposing prospect. At 6’11” with that freakish wingspan, his size is not an issue for the center position. He also runs the floor extremely well and is mobile at both ends of the floor. His long arms and athleticism allow for him to be a great target in transition as well as in half court sets such as pick-and-rolls and lobs over the top.
His long arms do more than just block shots and throw down dunks though. His wingspan along with high motor allows him to keep plays alive and gain extra possessions for his team via the offensive glass. In his 2012-2013 season overseas, he averaged 4.9 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes.
Last but not least, teams will be able to leave Nogueira overseas until he develops. This allows for teams to pick up immediate contributors via free agency or trade. This benefits both sides. Nogueira would get more minutes overseas than in the NBA right away, especially as a late first-round pick going to a contending team, and the Clippers would have one more available roster spot for next season to be filled.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Giannis Adetokunbo, Greece
Pick Made By: Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck)
An 18 year old 6’9 forward, Adetokunbo is one of the most interesting prospects in this year’s Draft. Adetokunbo comes from a family of athletes and giants, with a professional soccer player for a brother and 3 siblings listed at 6’3 or taller. This young man has the talent and skill set to grow into a devastating two way player.
His length and athleticism makes him a great candidate to grow into the perfect specimen of a small forward in the modern NBA, as long as a team is willing to let him go through some growing pains and let his body mature physically. Adetokunbo has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in this draft class, and the Timberwolves have been looking for an impact wing for what feels like forever. When Latrell Sprewell is among your more recently successful wing players, you probably need to reevaluate your selection process.
Denver Nuggets: Tony Mitchell, North Texas
Pick Made By: John Adair (@JohnAdairNBA)
Mitchell fits the Nuggets personnel perfectly, an athletic, undersized power forward that thrives in transition. Offensively, he is still extremely raw, especially in the post. At just 6’8”, his height may hurt him down the road in that area. Regardless, Denver’s strength is in the open court, and that is where Mitchell would flourish offensively.
Defensively, Mitchell’s athleticism allows him to be a great shot blocker. Despite his size for the power forward position, his elite leaping ability along with his timing make him one of the better rim protectors in the draft.
Mitchell’s athleticism may be able to help him contribute to an extent right away, but with time, he will need to develop his skills and efficiency to reach his potential. Once a no-brainer for a lottery pick, he has fallen all the way down to the late first-round. Despite his fall, Mitchell could be a high value pick for a team in the twenties.
San Antonio Spurs: Ricky Ledo, Providence
Pick Made By: Spencer Layman (@NBA_Spen)
Some of you may have never heard of this kid, but he is stellar to watch. He was ineligible at Providence, so he has never seen a minute of college ball. However, just from watching his workouts, you can tell that he is a natural born playmaker. He reminds me of James Harden or Manu Ginobili type of player. He has the length, the scoring ability and the handles to be every bit of those two.
Ledo does come with some red flags concerning his character but honestly, Gregg Popovich would tone that down quickly. Ledo is the type of player that Pop could once again groom into becoming a very good player. He is essentially what Lance Stephenson was coming out of college; a very good scorer and playmaker with some athleticism to him and the extra baggage. Once again, Pop could easily get him level headed.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
Pick Made By: Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck)
After trading James Harden shortly before the 2012-13 season, the Thunder were short on trustworthy ball-handlers and shot creators, a problem which became more obvious once Russell Westbrook was injured in the postseason. Canaan might not be a 1 for 1 replacement for James Harden, but his stint as the primary initiator for the Racers have prepared him for a diverse workload on the Thunder.
Canaan was receiving some national love last year during a successful campaign for his team, but the luster has worn off to an extent after coming back for his senior season. A reliable outside stroke, familiarity with pick and roll sets, and seasoning as a creator on offense are skills that translate well to the professional level. That Canaan would be able to bring these skills to a team that has a glaring need for them makes the marriage that much sweeter.
Phoenix Suns: Jeff Withey, Kansas
Pick Made By: John Adair (@JohnAdairNBA)
At worst, Phoenix would get a hard working, high character guy that is great for the locker room. At best, they would be getting a steal with the last pick of the first-round. If it wasn’t for the fact that Withey played all four years of college ball, he would easily be a lottery pick.
Bill Self, head coach of Kansas, is known for being able to retain his players for all four years, rather than just one year before leaving for the NBA, such as John Callipari’s players at Kentucky. Both strategies work, but younger players just fair better when it comes to draft position. However, it doesn’t always work that way over the stretch of a career.
Withey is the all-time leader in shots for the Big-12 Conference. He has a great feel for the game, offensively and defensively, and is a natural-born leader. As unselfish as they come, he is fine with simple catch-and-finishes at the offensive end, while contributing at the defensive end on a nightly basis. With Marcin Gortat potentially out this year or next, Withey could prove to be a more than capable replacement in time.