2005 NBA Mock Draft

Here is the Carrington Drive Mock Drive. Garcia (from Brew City Beat) and I will rotate picks and express our reason for the first ten picks. Garcia will start with the Bucks and we are taking the position that we are the GM of that team.

1. Milwaukee Bucks- Andrew Bogut, UtahGarcia's take: If Andrew Bogut weren't white he would be the slam dunk number one pick here. He has all of the tools to be a very good player for many years in the NBA. His athleticism was the biggest knock, but he laid some of those concerns to rest in his workout with the Bucks last monday. He has the hands and court vision of a guard, can shoot the ball well, but really excels in the post. Marvin Williams may have a lot of potential, but so too may Bogut. He's only 20 years old. The Bucks are playing with the houses money on this pick here, they weren't supposed to win the lottery, so if Bogut doesn't become a superstar-they'll never say this, but-worse things could happen.

2. Atlanta-Chris Paul, Wake ForestGaddis's take-I love PGs and I think Chris Paul is going to be an amazing player. This team is setup to run, having the Joshs' (Childress and Smith) and the only PGs they have on the roster right now are Tyronne Lue and Royal Ivey. They also need to put some butts in the seats and adding an exciting PG will help. The knock on CP is that he is small and he will get knocked around. I think he is similar to TJ Ford, and TJ held his own until he had the neck injury. Atlanta would be smart to trade the pick for more draft picks, because their roster is full of holes.

3. Portland (trade to Utah)-Deron Williams, IllinoisGarcia's take- Portland deals the pick to Utah for the 6th and 27th picks. Utah selects Deron Williams. Williams is the best point guard in the draft, not Chris Paul, Deron Williams. He has better size, wing span, court vision and he's a better leader who makes his temmates better, the type of play that fits in perfectly with Jerry Sloan's offense.

4. New Orleans-Marvin Williams, UNCGaddis's take-He has too much of that word that is starting to bother me, "potential", to pass up here. I think it will take Marvin a while to develop in to an NBA star. I don't think he will contribute that much until his 3rd or 4th year, but he could be a Tracy McGrady type of player. New Orleans will take Marvin, and hope he can become what Jamal Mashburn was to them.

5. Charlotte- Raymond Felton, UNCGarcia's take- Makes way too much sense for this to actually happen. Local product from UNC, good shooting touch, big body, arguably the most important guy on last years national championship team. Brevin Knight's situation is uncertain, so if you can team Felton with Okafor you have a nice inside-outside tandem for years to come.

6. Portland-Martell Webster, HSGaddis's take-The more polished of the high school swingman, the other is Gerald Green, Webster is more ready to play in the NBA. He was committed to Washington, but decided on the draft, and it is looking like a good decision considering he has worked out for only lottery teams. He has a good outside shot, and has tried to impressive GMs with his defensive effort in the workouts. At 6-7, 230 lbs, he has the body to play in the NBA. Martell Webster will make the 1st team All-Rookie Team.

7. Toronto-Danny Granger, New MexicoGarcia's take: Mo Pete and Jalen's days may be numbered north of the border, so the Raptors (amongst a laundry list of other things) need a swing man. Point gaurd is probably their biggest need here because of the many run-ins Skip-to-my-Lou had with Sam Mitchell, but there isn't a point guard worth taking here. Grainger had an impressive tourney and regular season, and as Gaddis and I have discussed the Raptors already went the high school route and decided not to wait for McGrady, so I don't think they'll do it again.

8. New York-Channing Frye, ArizonaGaddis's take-I hope their is odds in Vegas on what Isiah is going to do. He might take Gerald Green so he will have another guy to shoot the ball along with Stephon, Jamal Crawford, Tim Thomas, and Q Rich. Isiah is crazy, and I wouldn't be suprised if he took somebody that we have not heard of. Frye would be a good match for this team, and he could be a good player in the East. He is ready to play right away, and he has the speed to get up and down with this team. I hope Isiah makes the right move and picks Mr. Frye, but I wouldn't bet the change in my pocket on it.

9. Golden State-Fran Vazquez, SpainGarcia's take-We've gone way too many picks without a true foreign player here (Bogut played in the states the last two years) G'State has way too many swingmen to take Gerald Green here. I have to disagree with Gaddis' earlier pick and say the Knicks are taking Gerald Green. Why would they do that you say? Because Isiah Thomas is that dumb to add another small guy. Lets just devote this whole column to the studpidity of Isiah. In a topic we've already discussed in our circle of friends here, do you think Zeke would take Geoff Jenkins' contract on? After he takes Gerald Green, his next move is dealing Michael Sweetney to the Nuggets for Earl Boykins and DeMarr Johnson. I seriously hope Isiah is just still a Pacer at heart and is deliberately sticking it to the Knicks Reggie Miller style with these moves, because if not he needs to be evaluated. When does David Stern step in and say "Okay, the first 37 moves you made in taking on larger salaries and worse players were pretty comical, but not it's not funny anymore." A little off subject, but a topic that needed to be hit on none-the-less.

10. LA Lakers-Joey Graham, Oklahoma State Gaddis's take-This might be a bit of stretch because I really like Mr. Graham. He still needs to work on his basketball skills, but he is an amazing athlete. The Lakers need someone who can play right away, so I think they will take a polished college player. Sean May could also be a possibility for this pick. It is amazing that Gerald Green is still on the board, but the Lakers need someone with more polished. The could move up though to get a better player. I just wonder if Phil, Kobe, and Mitch can all get along and make a pick.

11. Orlando-Charlie Villanueva, UConnQuick Take: Lots of talent and upside, the question is if he can put it all together.

12. LA Clippers-Gerald Green, HSQuick Take-The Clippers can't pass on a high school player. Somebody has to take them so why not the Clippers. How does Elgin Baylor still have a job? Elgin Baylor is living the Office Space life- he doesn't show up and he gets a promotion.

13. Charlotte-Rashad McCants, UNCQuick Note: They are hoping that UNC fans will come and watch what could have been the backcourt at Chapel Hill.

14. Minnesota-Sean May, UNCQuick Note-Rex Champan and Kevin McHale=a player that contribute right away.

15. New Jersey-Yaroslav Korolev, RussiaQuick Note: Vince Carter and a Russian running the floor. This could be hilarious.

16. Toronto-Jarret Jack, Georgia TechQuick Note: This team needs a PG, and didn't get one earlier so they take one here. They could be a mover with two picks in the first round.

17. Indiana-Antonie Wright, Texas A&MQuick Note: The best player on the board and they need to replace Reggie.

18. Boston-Roko Ukic, CroatiaQuick Note: He is a tall white version of Tony Paker. Get ready to hear the boos for a while.

19. Memphis-Francisco Garcia, LouisvilleQuick Note: Jerry West likes shooters, and Garcia can shoot.

20. Denver- Luther Head, IllinoisQuick Note: We needed to pick a little bit of an upset.

21. Phoenix-Hakim Warrick, SyracuseQuick Note: They could use a backup PG, but they won't pass on another guy who can run.

22. Denver- Andrew Bynum, HSQuick Note: With two picks in the first round they can afford a project.

23. Sacramento-Johan Petro, FranceQuick Note: They need another foreign player to add to the mix. A big guy that can run from France, interesting.

24. Houston-Chris Taft, PittQuick Note: Will fit nice next to Yao, and will replace the overpaid-washed up Juwan Howard.

25. Seattle-Monta Ellis, HSQuick Note: They need to hedge against losing Ray Allen and Antonio Daniels.

26. Detroit- Ryan GomesQuick Note: Would be a good fit on this team, and could contribute some offense.

27. Portland (trade from Utah)- CJ Miles, HSQuick Note: Only Portland would take two high schoolers in the first round.

28. San Antonio-Ike Diogu, ASUQuick Note: A good pick to add depth.

29. Miami-Wayne Simien, KansasQuick Note: They need more bodies inside for when the play Detroit again.

30. New York-Dee Brown, IllinoisQuick Note: Yes we realized he withdrew from the draft, but this is Zeke being Zeke. He might stretch and take a middle schooler so he can get him before the 19 yr old age limit. This is what makes the NBA Draft more interesting than the finals.

That is all for now, you will hear more from us tomorrow night.

I'm Back

To the seven readers we have, Fabos and myself included, it's been a while since I've lent my thoughts to this page. A move to Madison and starting a new job really took up a lot of my free time. Now that I am situated and have access to the internet, I'm back. We've missed touching on a lot on this site, the call up of Fielder and Weeks, the Bucks draft, Packers Camps, so look for some heavy posts in the coming days. As Filzen would put it,

Until next time...

The Brewers are on the clock...

...Well not quite yet. But come June 7, the Crew owns the fifth pick in the 2005 MLB draft. Now I'm not claiming to be a guru on the MLB draft, not at all. Believe me, if I know over 15 guys that are drafted, I'm considering it a success. But I did a little research this year on some of the top prospects and I'll offer them up. The MLB draft is very unusual when compared to the other "big" sports drafts. For one, the MLB draft is about 114 rounds, or some obsurd number. It's not televised and a lot of teams that own very high picks, pass on what are thought to be far and away the best prospects in the draft because of monetary reasons. Just look at Jared Weaver from last season. Most experts had him penciled in as going Number 1 to the Padres, only to have him fall all the way to 12th, and he held out the entire year until mere minutes before he would have been thrown back into the draft pool for 05. Case in point, the guy at the top of basically every list this year, Justin Upton, could very well slip clear out of the top 10. With that, here are the prospects I believe the Brewers would benefit from selecting in the five hole.

Justin Upton, SS/OF, Great Bridge HS-Chesapeake, VA
B/R, 6-2, 187, 1987 (year of birth)

Widely regarded as the top prospect this season, will probably be tabbed by another team before the Brewers get a crack at him. If he's there, I have my doubts that they would select him anyway. With J.J. Hardy in the middle of his rookie season and Bill Hall still on the roster, the team really doesn't need another top middle infield prospect. Upton has showed outstanding bat speed and no major mechanical flaws as a high schooler. Pegged as a future five tool player, which basically translates into, he's going to be a stud. Batted .519, with 11 HR's, 32 RBI's, five 2B's and seven SB's in 54 AB's as a prep last season.

Alex Gordon, 3B, Nebraska
L/R, 6-1, 210, 1984

#2 overall prospect oh so happens to be at a major "need" position for Milwaukee. Has showed power to all fields, is quick and a steady, reliable fielder for the Huskers while batting .396 with 15 HR's, 48 RBI's, 21 SB's, 18 2B's in 187 AB's. I love the fact that a 3Bman swiped 21 bases. Not only would he fill the need of a thirdbaseman, but he also fills a void of having a thief on the base paths. I'm hoping he falls.

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Virginia
R/R, 6-2, 210, 1984

The premier defensive player in the country ain't a bad hitter either. Quick line drive stroke, regularly driving the ball, has gap power, good instincts, soft hands and is fun to watch. What doesn't he do? Tuck your kids in at night? Batted .404 while socking six HR's, 54 RBI's, 15 SB's, 16 2B's in 198 AB's. If he's listed as the best defensive player in the nation along with his numbers, I really wonder why he's below Gordon, because to me, on paper at least, he's seems like exactly the player Milwaukee needs. Another one I'm hoping is available.

Mike Pelfrey, P, Wichita State
RHP, 6-7, 210, 1983

"Fastball bores into hitters when up in the zone, sinks when down in the zone...throws power curve with slider like action, also has a change-up." Surprise, surprise, he's the top pitching prospect. Thoughts of a staff with Sheets and this kid are encouraging and although the Brewers main needs remain easily catcher and third base, a top pitching talent is always tough to pass up.

Jeff Clement, C, USC
L/R, 6-1, 210, 1983

The top catcher prospect is said to be a gamer who plays with intensity. And if he can hit higher than .100 he'll be better than Chad Moeller. Has a short, compact stroke and is thought to be a better prospect than his former USC backstop Eric Munson who was drafted #3 in 1999 by Detroit. Batted .368 with 10 dingers, 42 ribbies, four SB's, 16 two-baggers in 163 at bats for the Trojans! Trojans! We Will Never Break baseball team. It is thought that Clement has done enough in his last season in southern Cal to make himself a legit top 10 prospect and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he is Milwaukee's choice at five due to the absolute lack of anything that resembles a catcher in the organization.

Maybe I'll post a mock draft of all 114 rounds in my free time...until then, GO BREW CREW!