Should have started this earlier when college basketball started.

In this spread we speculate and talk about college (and other) players as NBA prospects and guess as to draft order.

Here's a list of NBA Draft websites and mocks:

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft (Just have a big board up now, mock from Chad Ford will come in a couple months)
http://www.draftexpress.com (Best resource, have gotten pretty accurate lately with mocks, but tend to be way off early on with big boards. Best for scouting reports and combine information)
http://www.nbadraft.net
http://www.walterfootball.com/nbadraft2012mock.php
http://www.nbadraftinsider.com/ (Liking this site, good scouting content and a good big board)

Anthony Davis is the smart pick right now if you had to choose the likely #1 pick. He's been outstanding at Kentucky so far, averaging a double-double on very efficient scoring, sick rebounding rates, all while being arguably the best defender in the country. He's a near lock to be a very good NBA player.

Drummond and Barnes round out the top 3 on most mocks (Some have each of them #1, but Davis is still the majority). Both will have chances to make a case during the postseason, when NBA stock really begins to fall and rise.

This is an especially weak class at PG for any team who is looking for one in the draft. Kendall Marshall is seen as the first PG taken as of now, but Myck Kabongo and Marquis Teague will have opportunities to pass him, but both have been pretty awful so far this season after being top prospects.

My Top 10 big board (Based on where I think they are drafted)

1. Anthony Davis
2. Harrison Barnes
3. Andre Drummond
4. Thomas Robinson
5. Bradley Beal
6. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
7. Perry Jones
8. Jared Sullinger
9. Jeremy Lamb
10. Terrence Jones

Drummond - 58 TS% on 20USG, 15.4 DR%
Davis - 65 TS% on 18 USG, 25 DR%

Drummond's rebounding value has been primarily on the offensive end

Not unlike most years, Kentucky is an important team to watch for NBA prospects

MKG and Davis seem to have the highest ceilings. Jones and Lamb project to be solid roleplayers, and Teague projects to just be outright awful

Also, major lack of Euros in this draft

Drummond said he's staying for his sophomore year.

link?

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/01/07/d...homore-season/

"As of right now, I know I'll be back" isn't very convincing

dont really care what the mocks say, would be shocked to see barnes go ahead of drummond

+1

Teams still draft for need despite being told by results not to.

MOCK:

1. Detroit Pistons - Anthony Davis, PF Kentucky
2. Washington Wizards - Andre Drummond, C Connecticut
3. Charlotte Bobcats - Perry Jones, PF Baylor
4. Sacramento Kings - Harrison Barnes, SF North Carolina
5. Toronto Raptors - Austin Rivers, SG Duke

would be very happy with the Pistons if they can get Davis or Barnes

true enough, but i cant think of a team at the top of the lottery that doesnt need a center

The Toronto Raptors will not need a center next year.

thats a strange perspective

hes talking about the one they just drafted obv?

no way Rivers goes 5th (and hes likely not going anywhere at all this year)

I believe in this guy until I get a reason not to:

Write-up on a top Euro prospect (not many this draft)

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...rontier---3831

Trending prospects

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...cts-1230-3830/

really like both of the KU dudes. Davis' floor is high and his ceiling might be a better camby

edit: KU = kentucky. lol college bb

vic i'm convinced you've never seen drummond play

edit: you can cite measurables and label him a center, but he does not play like one most of the time. if a guy is comfortable chilling 10 feet from the hoop it doesn't matter that he is 275

i think drummond can be good fwiw, but not in the way you say he will be good


edit2: davis has a lot more offensive skill than camby

Davis has a pretty sick handle for a guy 19 feet tall

davis >>> drummond in interviews too imo

If the Pistons get Davis he is the nut perfect compliment to Monroe down low as a defender. Almost too good to be true.

Core or Davis/Monroe/Jerebko/Knight/next years lottery pick = Pistons back in business.