WRG Mock Draft: #8, New York Knicks

The Knicks have one simple goal - year two of the Mike D'Antoni era will not also be year two of the Chris Duhon era.

It's impossible to think of this coach without thinking immediately of the player who helped him to 232 wins in his four full seasons in the desert - and it's impossible to think of Steve Nash without your mind's spotlight shining on the man who made him a two-time MVP.

Well, this is a deep draft for point guards - but even if we had the first pick, there is no Steve Nash waiting here for us.

But, hey! We aren't upset. The teams in front of us have snapped up the immediate contributors, and they have left us with the guys who need some time to develop. We have a very young core, and our management staff is as secure as any in the league (Even Isiah couldn't get canned from this gig!). We need a guy with talent. Lots of it. We'll show him how to use it.

So we have a choice. Do we take a smaller, flashier guy with tons of talent and a pass-first attitude or a stronger, bigger scorer who has the potential to make everyone on our team better if we can get him to pass the ball?

Neither of them have the jumper we prefer, but we aren't going one more minute without our franchise PG.

All things being equal, we like the tougher, more durable defender - but defense isn't our first priority and we don't think all things are equal. What it boils down to is that we are taking the guy with the instinct to run the show over the guy whose instinct is to be the show.

The New York Knicks select Brandon Jennings - the best raw material we can get. Now let's see our master sculpter earn his money.

Brandon Jennings shows he prefers Euros to Lira.

The Toronto Raptors are on the clock.

WRG Mock Draft #7: Golden State Warriors

The Warriors immediately look to fill a pressing need at the #7 pick: a pure point guard.

With Monta Ellis and Jamal Crawford in the current guard rotation, we're looking for a true point guard who can initiate our offense, run in the full court and be a leader on the floor. Our coach doesn't like to play young rookies much, so we want someone who can immediately come in and take the reigns of this team and be a leader on the floor.

With our GM on a mission to improve the team as quickly as possible in order to save his own job, we want someone who can contribute from day 1. Brandon Jennings has the talent to be considered here, but we don't think he can be the guy to come in and be that leader right away.

Tyreke Evans also has good value here, but we fear he'd clash with Monta Ellis and isn't that pure point that we covet.

One guy sticks out in this area like a sore thumb and is the obvious pick.

With the #7 pick the Warriors select:
Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse

We feel that Jonny Flynn can come in, and allow Monta Ellis to play his more natural off the ball position, as well as be that vocal leader we want. He can come in and make an immediate impact in the half court, as well as showcase his athleticism in the full cout. We are thrilled to take a natural leader with this pick.

The New York Knicks are on the clock.

WRG Mock Draft #5: Washington Wizards

The Wizards are an interesting case. Gilbert Arenas is coming back from injury, and with Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, they have a solid core of veteran players. This pick will be shopped heavily, and it might not wind up as the Wizards pick on draft night, as they've reportedly said they want to add a veteran to make a run NOW, and not bring in a rookie.

Alas, there won't be any trading this pick here. The Wizards need some front line depth and help, and could also use a point guard. With the front line candidates being very thin in this draft, especially at the top, no one tickles our fancy enough to justify taking them with the 5th pick, so we look to another need: point guard. This works out, especially with all of the point guard prospects available.

Brandon Jennings is in play here, but we want someone who can come in NOW and help contribute to a playoff run, so we don't think taking him would be the best idea.

We do see one player who we feel can come in and help our team right now, as well as fill a need, so the Washington Wizards select:
Stephen Curry, G, Davidson

With Arenas able to play the 1 or 2, we add another player who needs to prove he can play the point guard spot, but won't be counted on full time to play the 1, as him and Gilbert are interchangeable in the back court. With Curry being high in demand, this selection also does not throw out the possibility of a trade. Curry is a proven talent at the collegiate level, albeit at a small school, but did show the poise to produce on the grandest stage. We feel that he can come in, play right away, and fill a need.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the clock.

Read more >> Options >>