1991 Mock Draft
Nov 2, 2015 18:10:57 GMT
Post by mgtr81 on Nov 2, 2015 18:10:57 GMT
1. New Jersey Nets - Nick Anderson (Illinois)
The Nets are picking first for the second year in a row. Last season they chose Shawn Kemp with that pick. This time around, with no clear cut candidates to be at the top, New Jersey could go with a scoring guard with shooting range. Alongside Kendall Gill, both could be the Nets replacements for the aging Otis Birdsong. Anderson also contributes on the defensive end, which is certainly a plus.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Steve Smith (Michigan State)
A team which performed below expectations, probably the lack of a natural shooting guard played against them. Next to Magic Johnson, Smith will form the tallest backcourt in the GAH, and with Kellogg, Malone and Sabonis upfront, opponents should have trouble trying to match up. Smith not only brings size, but also scoring ability and the potential to be a very good basketball player.
3. Memphis Pyramids - Dale Davis (Clemson)
Tom Chambers is hitting the market at age 32 and just after missing most of the season with a torn knee tendon. Power forward seems the way to go, unless the Pyramids opt to either keep Anthony Mason there, who is also becoming a free agent, or play the often injured Kevin Willis at the four spot. In such a scenario, Davis seems the best choice. A great defensive player who also dominates the offensive boards would be a great match next to Brad Daugherty. He will not demand the ball on offense, but will score on second chances.
4. Dallas Mavericks - Erick Murdock (Providence)
Rumours are this pick could be traded. Still, whether this happens or not, point guard seems a reasonable choice. Murdock probably has the quickest hands in the class, and any team would benefit of that. In addition, he has a good balance between scoring and playmaking and, while not being great at any of those two areas, is an above average player in both.
5. San Antonio Spurs - Gheorghe Muresan (Romania)
The season certainly did to go as expected for the Spurs. After some years of playoff basketball, a summer of changes ended up with the team returning to the lottery. The option of drafting the 7'7" center from Romania and moving Ralph Sampson to power forward to create the tallest inside duo in the GAH is one to consider seriously. Muresan is just 19 years old, and while still needs to develop parts of his game, he can already contribute on the defensive end. In addition, he has a good mid-range shot, and size works on his favour near the rim.
6. New York Knicks - Robert Horry (Alabama)
No luck for the Knicks in the lottery. After a tough season, the New York franchise needs to bounce back to return to the playoffs. Back-to-back lottery picks should help, but with the lack of star players the Knicks may look at those who may be the best fits alongside Kevin Johnson and Toni Kukoc. Assuming the team keeps Kukoc at the shooting guard spot, then the junior from Alabama seems a good fit for the team. Horry is a hard nosed defender with a solid all around game. And not only that, but he has shown the ability to shoot the three and does not shy away from taking the big shot in clutch time.
7. New York Knicks - Duane Causwell (Temple)
With Johnson, Kukoc and now Horry on board, there is plenty of talent on the roster. Causwell brings the required toughness in the paint to help the Knicks take the next step. An elite shot-blocker, Causwell can also provide second chances for the team with his offensive rebounding. Not much of an offensive threat and lacks fundamentals, but that is not what New York will be looking to add with this pick.
8. Kansas City Condors - Dennis Scott (Georgia Tech)
A great college career as a scorer, Scott will make the Condors a great shooting ball club. Alongside Mark Price and Rex Chapman, no team should date to zone them. Defense is an issue, but when you can score in Reggie Miller style, who cares?
9. Houston Rockets - Brian Williams (Arizona)
The Rockets are likely to close the long successful Sikma-Williams era this summer. It was a great run for most of a decade which gave the city of Houston a GAH title, but who has clearly ran past its course. Sean Elliott is probably the only player to have a secured spot in these new Rockets, so taking the best player available should be the way to go for Houston. But that is no easy task in such a wide open draft. With the fans being used to see a team built around their elite center, Williams seems a good option here. While unlikely to be as successful as Sikma was, his combination of offense and defense is more than intriguing and could ended up being a great value selection here.
10. Phoenix Suns - Greg Anthony (UNLV)
This team is built for defense. With that in mind, the senior point guard out of UNLV seems to be born for Suns basketball: can force plenty of turnovers, is quick, understands the game and can shoot the three. With Darnell Valentine hitting the market, this selection makes even more sense.
11. New Orleans Jazz - John Starks (UNLV)
After seeing Walter Davis leaving the team, no one was expecting the Jazz to make the playoffs. Not only did New Orleans reach the postseason, but they ended up taking the top seed in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets, to six games. The additions of free agents Kenny Smith and John Williams, plus rookie Tyrone Hill, have certainly make the Jazz look like a promising up-and-coming team. With shot-blocking specialist Manute Bol in the middle and veteran T.R. Dunn becoming a free agent, a shooting guard looks like the best option for the team. Starks will bring not only another three-point shooter next to Smith, but also a good defensive player.
12. Portland Trailblazers - Darrell Armstrong (Fayetteville State)
The Blazers decided to make big chances last summer and retool their roster changing their attitude towards a hard nosed defensive team. The changes did pay off, and if it was not for injuries, this is a team which could still be alive in the playoffs. Most of the core is under contract for next year, with the exception of Jerome Kersey, but the Blazers will make sure to bring him back. With Darrell Walker being the only natural point guard on the team, Armstrong fills a need while being in the same defensive mold.
13. Miami Heat - Richard Dumas (Oklahoma State)
The Heat are improving each year since the arrival of Tim Hardaway two years ago. Most of the roster is out of contract this summer, but Miami is expected to bring back starters Danny Manning and A.C. Green. Still, and just in case, drafting a forward will be a safe option for the team. Dumas is a pretty interesting player, and while not as hyped as other prospects, he has the ability to contribute on both ends, and is a player who can excel in a fast tempo.
14. Sacramento Kings - Luc Longley (New Mexico)
Only four players under contract for the Kings next season: Isiah Thomas, Craig Ehlo, Kevin Gamble and rookie sensation Derrick Coleman. It is expected the team tries to retain Clyde Drexler, but there are more doubts about seeing veterans Purvis Short and Rick Mahorn return to the team. It looks like Coleman could be the cornerstone of the franchise moving forward, so a player like Longley seems to be a good fit here. He is a tough defender who has good hands for a player his size, but who is not a great rebounder.
15. Phoenix Suns - Mark Macon (Temple)
With both Dan Majerle and Jerry Reynolds out of contract, the Suns will look to add another perimeter player with quick hands. Macon is the kind of player who can work in the Suns system, and next to Anthony will give opposing teams headaches.
16. Cleveland Cavaliers - Rick Fox (North Carolina)
It was a great turnaround season for the Cavaliers, who were back in the playoffs. All of their key players are under contract bar team legend Marques Johnson, who at age 35 will be a free agent. While not even close to Johnson's quality, Fox is a well rounded player who can help the Cavaliers moving forward. Can play both shooting guard and small forward and contribute at both ends of the floor.
17. Seattle Supersonics - Elliott Perry (Memphis)
With both Brian Shaw and Allen Leavell on the market, the Supersonics are likely to play it safe and pick up a point guard. Perry looks like the best one left, able to shoot the ball and read the passing lanes. Not a great playmaker, but it is what it is at this stage of the draft.
18. San Antonio Spurs - Bobby Phills (Southern)
After strengthening their frontcourt with Muresan, the Spurs now look to improve his perimeter defense with Phills. With great size to play the two and even the three if required, Phills does not only bring defense but also three-point shooting, and gives the team more options in the rotation.
19. Sacramento Kings - Terry Mills (Michigan)
After adding interior defense with Longley, the Kings could opt to go for stretching big man in Mills. A frontcourt of Coleman, Longley and Mills will be unique in the GAH. Whether or not such trio can work together and be successful is a different story, but could be worth trying. Mills is not only a good outside shooter, but also a player who can create his own shot with ease.
20. Los Angeles Lakers - Jayson Williams (St. John's)
Only B.J. Armstrong and Greg Foster are under contract for next season. Therefore, options here are wide open for the Lakers. Williams can solve some of the issues of the team with his excellent rebounding and good defense. Not a fundamentally sound player, but someone who can give the Lakers a different look.
21. Golden State Warriors - Tracy Moore (Tulsa)
Detlef Schrempf and Lester Conner are out of contract. With the combined salaries of Patrick Ewing, Larry Nance and, to a lesser extent, Mark Jackson, the Warriors could be tempted to let one of those two walk away. Moore is a scoring guard with three-point range, and while he struggles on the defensive end, he can be a solid choice.
22. Detroit Pistons - LeRon Ellis (Syracuse)
As the Spurs, the Pistons could not meet expectations. Changes are in the horizon for Detroit, so it is tough to guess who will be selected here. The loss of Roy Tarpley seems to have affected the team in a big manner, so drafting Ellis could be an option for the Pistons as they try to get back in the playoffs next year.22. Detroit Pistons - LeRon Ellis (Syracuse).
23. Indiana Pacers - Chris Childs (Boise State)
In case Vern Fleming does not return to the team, Childs could be a safe pick here. While not great at any specific area, Childs can do a bit of everything: run the offense, defend, shoot the ball ... His high basketball IQ will certainly be a plus for the Pacers.
24. Denver Nuggets - Rumeal Robinson (Michigan)
Only Jeff Hornacek, Blair Rasmussen and LaSalle Thompson are under contract for the 1991-92 season. Still, the perennial contenders are expected to try to bring their core back for one more title run. Robinson can be a solid choice at this point. More of a score-first point guard, his quick hands on defense can force turnovers, and can fit in well with Denver's philosophy.
25. Chicago Bulls - Derek Strong (Xavier)
After a busy offseason last summer, Alton Lister is the only significant player hitting the market for the Bulls. Strong could fill a need for the team, specially with his ability to crash the offensive boards.
The Nets are picking first for the second year in a row. Last season they chose Shawn Kemp with that pick. This time around, with no clear cut candidates to be at the top, New Jersey could go with a scoring guard with shooting range. Alongside Kendall Gill, both could be the Nets replacements for the aging Otis Birdsong. Anderson also contributes on the defensive end, which is certainly a plus.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Steve Smith (Michigan State)
A team which performed below expectations, probably the lack of a natural shooting guard played against them. Next to Magic Johnson, Smith will form the tallest backcourt in the GAH, and with Kellogg, Malone and Sabonis upfront, opponents should have trouble trying to match up. Smith not only brings size, but also scoring ability and the potential to be a very good basketball player.
3. Memphis Pyramids - Dale Davis (Clemson)
Tom Chambers is hitting the market at age 32 and just after missing most of the season with a torn knee tendon. Power forward seems the way to go, unless the Pyramids opt to either keep Anthony Mason there, who is also becoming a free agent, or play the often injured Kevin Willis at the four spot. In such a scenario, Davis seems the best choice. A great defensive player who also dominates the offensive boards would be a great match next to Brad Daugherty. He will not demand the ball on offense, but will score on second chances.
4. Dallas Mavericks - Erick Murdock (Providence)
Rumours are this pick could be traded. Still, whether this happens or not, point guard seems a reasonable choice. Murdock probably has the quickest hands in the class, and any team would benefit of that. In addition, he has a good balance between scoring and playmaking and, while not being great at any of those two areas, is an above average player in both.
5. San Antonio Spurs - Gheorghe Muresan (Romania)
The season certainly did to go as expected for the Spurs. After some years of playoff basketball, a summer of changes ended up with the team returning to the lottery. The option of drafting the 7'7" center from Romania and moving Ralph Sampson to power forward to create the tallest inside duo in the GAH is one to consider seriously. Muresan is just 19 years old, and while still needs to develop parts of his game, he can already contribute on the defensive end. In addition, he has a good mid-range shot, and size works on his favour near the rim.
6. New York Knicks - Robert Horry (Alabama)
No luck for the Knicks in the lottery. After a tough season, the New York franchise needs to bounce back to return to the playoffs. Back-to-back lottery picks should help, but with the lack of star players the Knicks may look at those who may be the best fits alongside Kevin Johnson and Toni Kukoc. Assuming the team keeps Kukoc at the shooting guard spot, then the junior from Alabama seems a good fit for the team. Horry is a hard nosed defender with a solid all around game. And not only that, but he has shown the ability to shoot the three and does not shy away from taking the big shot in clutch time.
7. New York Knicks - Duane Causwell (Temple)
With Johnson, Kukoc and now Horry on board, there is plenty of talent on the roster. Causwell brings the required toughness in the paint to help the Knicks take the next step. An elite shot-blocker, Causwell can also provide second chances for the team with his offensive rebounding. Not much of an offensive threat and lacks fundamentals, but that is not what New York will be looking to add with this pick.
8. Kansas City Condors - Dennis Scott (Georgia Tech)
A great college career as a scorer, Scott will make the Condors a great shooting ball club. Alongside Mark Price and Rex Chapman, no team should date to zone them. Defense is an issue, but when you can score in Reggie Miller style, who cares?
9. Houston Rockets - Brian Williams (Arizona)
The Rockets are likely to close the long successful Sikma-Williams era this summer. It was a great run for most of a decade which gave the city of Houston a GAH title, but who has clearly ran past its course. Sean Elliott is probably the only player to have a secured spot in these new Rockets, so taking the best player available should be the way to go for Houston. But that is no easy task in such a wide open draft. With the fans being used to see a team built around their elite center, Williams seems a good option here. While unlikely to be as successful as Sikma was, his combination of offense and defense is more than intriguing and could ended up being a great value selection here.
10. Phoenix Suns - Greg Anthony (UNLV)
This team is built for defense. With that in mind, the senior point guard out of UNLV seems to be born for Suns basketball: can force plenty of turnovers, is quick, understands the game and can shoot the three. With Darnell Valentine hitting the market, this selection makes even more sense.
11. New Orleans Jazz - John Starks (UNLV)
After seeing Walter Davis leaving the team, no one was expecting the Jazz to make the playoffs. Not only did New Orleans reach the postseason, but they ended up taking the top seed in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets, to six games. The additions of free agents Kenny Smith and John Williams, plus rookie Tyrone Hill, have certainly make the Jazz look like a promising up-and-coming team. With shot-blocking specialist Manute Bol in the middle and veteran T.R. Dunn becoming a free agent, a shooting guard looks like the best option for the team. Starks will bring not only another three-point shooter next to Smith, but also a good defensive player.
12. Portland Trailblazers - Darrell Armstrong (Fayetteville State)
The Blazers decided to make big chances last summer and retool their roster changing their attitude towards a hard nosed defensive team. The changes did pay off, and if it was not for injuries, this is a team which could still be alive in the playoffs. Most of the core is under contract for next year, with the exception of Jerome Kersey, but the Blazers will make sure to bring him back. With Darrell Walker being the only natural point guard on the team, Armstrong fills a need while being in the same defensive mold.
13. Miami Heat - Richard Dumas (Oklahoma State)
The Heat are improving each year since the arrival of Tim Hardaway two years ago. Most of the roster is out of contract this summer, but Miami is expected to bring back starters Danny Manning and A.C. Green. Still, and just in case, drafting a forward will be a safe option for the team. Dumas is a pretty interesting player, and while not as hyped as other prospects, he has the ability to contribute on both ends, and is a player who can excel in a fast tempo.
14. Sacramento Kings - Luc Longley (New Mexico)
Only four players under contract for the Kings next season: Isiah Thomas, Craig Ehlo, Kevin Gamble and rookie sensation Derrick Coleman. It is expected the team tries to retain Clyde Drexler, but there are more doubts about seeing veterans Purvis Short and Rick Mahorn return to the team. It looks like Coleman could be the cornerstone of the franchise moving forward, so a player like Longley seems to be a good fit here. He is a tough defender who has good hands for a player his size, but who is not a great rebounder.
15. Phoenix Suns - Mark Macon (Temple)
With both Dan Majerle and Jerry Reynolds out of contract, the Suns will look to add another perimeter player with quick hands. Macon is the kind of player who can work in the Suns system, and next to Anthony will give opposing teams headaches.
16. Cleveland Cavaliers - Rick Fox (North Carolina)
It was a great turnaround season for the Cavaliers, who were back in the playoffs. All of their key players are under contract bar team legend Marques Johnson, who at age 35 will be a free agent. While not even close to Johnson's quality, Fox is a well rounded player who can help the Cavaliers moving forward. Can play both shooting guard and small forward and contribute at both ends of the floor.
17. Seattle Supersonics - Elliott Perry (Memphis)
With both Brian Shaw and Allen Leavell on the market, the Supersonics are likely to play it safe and pick up a point guard. Perry looks like the best one left, able to shoot the ball and read the passing lanes. Not a great playmaker, but it is what it is at this stage of the draft.
18. San Antonio Spurs - Bobby Phills (Southern)
After strengthening their frontcourt with Muresan, the Spurs now look to improve his perimeter defense with Phills. With great size to play the two and even the three if required, Phills does not only bring defense but also three-point shooting, and gives the team more options in the rotation.
19. Sacramento Kings - Terry Mills (Michigan)
After adding interior defense with Longley, the Kings could opt to go for stretching big man in Mills. A frontcourt of Coleman, Longley and Mills will be unique in the GAH. Whether or not such trio can work together and be successful is a different story, but could be worth trying. Mills is not only a good outside shooter, but also a player who can create his own shot with ease.
20. Los Angeles Lakers - Jayson Williams (St. John's)
Only B.J. Armstrong and Greg Foster are under contract for next season. Therefore, options here are wide open for the Lakers. Williams can solve some of the issues of the team with his excellent rebounding and good defense. Not a fundamentally sound player, but someone who can give the Lakers a different look.
21. Golden State Warriors - Tracy Moore (Tulsa)
Detlef Schrempf and Lester Conner are out of contract. With the combined salaries of Patrick Ewing, Larry Nance and, to a lesser extent, Mark Jackson, the Warriors could be tempted to let one of those two walk away. Moore is a scoring guard with three-point range, and while he struggles on the defensive end, he can be a solid choice.
22. Detroit Pistons - LeRon Ellis (Syracuse)
As the Spurs, the Pistons could not meet expectations. Changes are in the horizon for Detroit, so it is tough to guess who will be selected here. The loss of Roy Tarpley seems to have affected the team in a big manner, so drafting Ellis could be an option for the Pistons as they try to get back in the playoffs next year.22. Detroit Pistons - LeRon Ellis (Syracuse).
23. Indiana Pacers - Chris Childs (Boise State)
In case Vern Fleming does not return to the team, Childs could be a safe pick here. While not great at any specific area, Childs can do a bit of everything: run the offense, defend, shoot the ball ... His high basketball IQ will certainly be a plus for the Pacers.
24. Denver Nuggets - Rumeal Robinson (Michigan)
Only Jeff Hornacek, Blair Rasmussen and LaSalle Thompson are under contract for the 1991-92 season. Still, the perennial contenders are expected to try to bring their core back for one more title run. Robinson can be a solid choice at this point. More of a score-first point guard, his quick hands on defense can force turnovers, and can fit in well with Denver's philosophy.
25. Chicago Bulls - Derek Strong (Xavier)
After a busy offseason last summer, Alton Lister is the only significant player hitting the market for the Bulls. Strong could fill a need for the team, specially with his ability to crash the offensive boards.