NBA Draft Blog is coordinating a Bloguin-wide mock draft. I’m in charge of both the Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. We just finished the first round, so check out picks 21-30. I’ll go by 10’s the rest of the way too, with each mock GM’s reasoning on why they made the pick. You can see picks 1-10 here, and 11-20 here.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Craig Brackins, Iowa State – The Real Shaq
Brackins is a player who can spread the floor for Westbrook and others to penetrate and dish, or be used as part of trade to get a legit center (sorry Nick Collison). With another pick at 26, the Thunder can take a chance here and still draft for need later in the draft.
22. Portland Trail Blazers: Larry Sanders, VCU – Seth, Bust A Bucket
23. Jordan Crawford, Xavier – Dave Kelsey, TWolves Blog
He’s really the type of perimeter guard the TWolves desperately need, especially since missing out on Evan Turner and Xavier Henry. His agressiveness, scoring ability, shooting ability, and body control are huge “plusses.” He put up stellar numbers this year, averaging 20 ppg and 39% from 3-point range.
Picks 24-30 are after the jump…
24. Atlanta Hawks: Quincy Pondexter, Washington – Deborah Horton
A very efficient wing-man player with a FG percentage of 53 and a free throw percentage of 82. Still young at 22 for a college senior. He also has the potential to develop a very good 3-point game as well.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Damion James, Texas – Ed Isaacson, NBA Draft Blog
James will give them great depth at the 3 and 4 positions, can take some rebounding pressure off of the big men and can nail a 15 footer consistently. Also he is one of the hardest working players in this draft and the Grizz can always use guys like that.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Solomon Alabi, – Isaacson, NBA Draft Blog
Just based on size, Alabi is going to get plenty of chances to prove he can be a starting center in the NBA. There is something about Alabi that is different though. [I]f Solomon can continue to improve over time he could be a quality starter for OKC and provide much needed size on the inside.
27. New Jersey Nets: Stanley Robinson, Connecticut – Brian Isaacson
Great athlete who can rebound well for a SF and is a great finisher.
28. Memphis Grizzlies: Greivis Vasquez, Maryland – Ed Isaacson, NBA Draft Blog
The Grizz have not been satisfied with what Mike Conley has been able to do and want to find a more natural playmaker. Vasquez can be a bit erratic, but he can make some spectacular plays and has improved his scoring consistently over his time at Maryland.
29. Orlando Magic: Elliot Williams, Memphis – Isaacson, NBA Draft Blog
The Magic are another team that can use a second option at point guard and Williams can provide them time at the 1 and the 2. Also, about half a foot taller than Jameer Nelson, he will help give the Magic a different look against big point guards.
30. Washington Wizards: Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech – Mookie, A Stern Warning
The 6’9″ power forward helps beef up the Wiz front court with his size and athleticism. Josh Howard, Al Thornton and Andray Blatche are all talented at the forward slots, but lack beef and defensive presence, thus the offensively limited Lawal comes in to potentially serve the role of former Wizard, Etan Thomas (without the poetry).
This rounds out the first round of our mock draft. Any thoughts on who the Pistons should take at pick #36? Leave them in the comments.
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