With the first pick in the 2012 TrueHoop Network Mock Draft, Hornets247 selected Anthony Davis. With the 10th pick we added the point guard of the future, Damian Lillard.
Anthony Davis at #1
The rumors you’ve all heard are true– Anthony Davis is the first pick in the TrueHoop Network’s 2012 Mock Draft. Quite frankly this was a no-brainer. The guy had a PER over 36 in college. He’s a game-changing defensive talent. His offensive game may be raw, but it oozes potential. Oh, and he had the highest score everin highest score ever in John Hollinger’s Draft Rater. There simply isn’t another player in the draft who is on the same level as Davis.
Y’all know all about him, so I’ll spare you from hearing too much more. I will say that his head appears to be on straight, and he’s a proven winner. With some luck, we could one day look back on this draft (the TrueHoop version, of course) as one of the greatest days in Hornets history. Cross your fingers. It clearly worked last time.
Damian Lillard at #10
The decision to draft Damian Lillard at number ten was infinitely harder than going with Davis at number one, but still fairly simple. Although the Weber State product has refused to participate in group workouts against his peers, he’s still the best point guard prospect in the draft. Not only that, but as a score first point guard who can shoot from the outside as well as penetrate, he’s a natural fit next to Eric Gordon.
While many have predicted that Lillard would wind up being taken as high as number six by Portland, my colleague, Sean Highkin from Portland Roundball Society, went with Andre Drummond instead. If this is how the real NBA Draft plays out, it won’t be the first time a big man with potential has convinced a team to choose them over a less risky smaller player.
At number seven and eight two guards — Lamb and Waiters– came off the board. With Detroit at the nine spot and in need of a complementary big man for Greg Monroe, I knew that we would be in the clear to take Lillard at number ten. John Henson’s name was predictably announced by Dan Feldman of PistonPowered (who runs this draft every year and writes an excellent blog), and then it was Damian Lillard’s turn to head to the TrueHoop podium to be introduced as the the newest member of the Hornets.
While there are question marks regarding how Lillard would have fared against better talent in college, his numbers were remarkably impressive. At this point in the draft not only is he the top tiered player remaining on my board, but he’s also able to fill an existing need on the Hornets. In my opinion he’s a slam dunk pick here if there ever was one.
From what we’ve heard, the Hornets and GM Dell Demps would be mighty happy if the real draft plays out similar to this version. From the looks of the Hornets247 tenth pick tournament, Hornets fans would be also. Damian Lillard and “trading up” are currently matched up in the finals.
Here are the full results, along with who made each pick and their organization:
1. New Orleans: Anthony Davis (Joe Gerrity, Hornets247)
2. Charlotte: Thomas Robinson (Spencer Percy, Queen City Hoops)
3. Washington: Bradley Beal (Kyle Weidie, Truth About It)
4. Cleveland: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Colin McGowan, Cavs: The Blog)
5. Sacramento: Harrison Barnes (James Ham, Cowbell Kingdom)
6. Portland: Andre Drummond (Sean Highkin, Portland Roundball Society)
7. Golden State: Dion Waiters (Rasheed Malek, WarriorsWorld.net)
8. Toronto: Jeremy Lamb (Sam Holako, Raptors Republic)
9. Detroit: John Henson (Dan Feldman, PistonPowered)
10. New Orleans: Damian Lillard (Joe Gerrity, Hornets247)
11. Portland: Kendall Marshall (Sean Highkin, Portland Roundball Society)
12. Milwaukee: Perry Jones III (Jeremy Schmidt, Bucksketball)
13. Phoenix: Terrence Ross (Ryan Weisert, Valley of the Suns)
14. Houston: Tyler Zeller (Jared Dubin, Hardwood Paroxysm)
15. Philadelphia: Terrence Jones (Carey Smith, Philadunkia)
16. Houston: Austin Rivers (Robert Silverman, KnickerBlogger)
17. Dallas: Quincy Miller (Connor Huchton, The Two Man Game)
18. Minnesota: Meyers Leonard (Steve McPherson, Hardwood Paroxysm)
29. Orlando: Tony Wroten (Eddy Rivera, MBN)
20. Denver: Andrew Nicholson (Kalen Deremo, Roundball Mining Company)
21. Boston: Jared Sullinger (Brendan Jackson, CelticsHub.com)
22. Boston: Moe Harkless (Brendan Jackson, CelticsHub.com)
23. Atlanta: Royce White (Bret LaGree, Hoopinion)
24. Cleveland: Arnett Moultrie (Colin McGowan, Cavs: The Blog)
25. Memphis: Fab Melo (Red Coleman, 3sob.com)
26. Indiana: Marquis Teague (Tim Donahue, 8p9s)
27. Miami: Jeff Taylor (Beckley Mason, HoopSpeak)
28. Oklahoma City: Draymond Green (Royce Young, Daily Thunder)
29. Chicago: Will Barton (Matt McHale, Bulls by the Horns)
30. Golden State: Jared Cunningham (Rasheed Malek, WarriorsWorld.net)
22 responses to “Hornets Select Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard in ESPN TrueHoop Mock Draft”
LOL it’s obvious that Michael wasn’t drafting because he wouldn’t have taken Lillard over Marshall or Rivers XD. Like I said I think the Hornets can’t lose if they get Marshall or Lillard with the #10 pick. I think I slightly prefer Marshall but it’s almost a dead heat.
It depends on what they asked me. If they asked me who I thought the Hornets would take at ten with all the players on the board, I would say Lillard. I think Lillard is 6 or 7 on the Hornets board.
But yeah, if it was- who would you take if you were the GM, I would take Marshall. Actually, I would try to get a bidding war going between Portland and Phoenix for Lillard, then move back and draft Marshall.
I don’t think there’s any way the top 10 stays the way it is in terms of teams drafting. Even since you guys did this draft, there’s been a trade. So it’s hard to really have any idea who will be around after #5. Still, I’m fine with Lillard even if I’d prefer someone else
I’ll still take Marshall. As far as us not having a center, I’d still give Solomon Jones a chance and have Chris Johnson backing him up. What’s the point of throwing cash at a Samuel Dalambert or someone like that. You want to be young, well they are young and have some experience. Please don’t draft Zeller or Drummond.
Marshall. I think the consensus bears out Marshall, too.
Didn’t the consensus opt for Lillard over Marshall pretty heavily in their head-to-head matchup in the 10th pick Tourny?
Sorry. I meant writers, not readers.
I think it’s fairly simply to consider that the Hornets will likely take Lillard or Marshall with the 10th pick. I still think it’s a possibility that this team also could take Austin Rivers with his shooting skill that outweighs both Lillard and Marshall in my mind. You go to Marshall as the safe pick that can have a lot of potential with the passes he can make on the high or low post to Davis or guys like Landry (who will probably be brought back, I hope over Chris “Softie” Kaman). Lillard seems like a boom or bust pick and could be similar to Jarret jack in the way he could be that shoot first point guard. I’m not sure how his defense will play into Monty’s system.
I’d still take Marshall over Lillard. I wouldn’t be mad if they ended up with any of the three but the best chance to guide the offense is through Kendal Marshall.
For top 3 of guards, I’d go:
1. Kendal marshall
2. Damien Lillard
3. Austin Rivers
I find it interesting that Lillard’s question mark is that he hasn’t faced big time talent and yet he won’t work out against the same talent. It makes me wonder if he’s up to the challenge of running a rebuilding team or if he prefers being a small part of an estabished team. I also question the logic that he fits with Gordon. How will Gordon get his shots if Lillard jacks up jumpers, which more than likely will be ill advised in his first year? He will have to prove that those shots will fall or the ship may do down in a hurry.
I know Rivers and Marshall are up to the task as they both beat out guys in front of them as freshman (Marshall made Drew leave the team)(Rivers beat out Dawkins/Curry). Each one of these guys is a playmaker whether by the pass or shot. I’ll admit though that Rivers is young and inexperienced, and his talent comes by a dime a dozen every draft.
Lillard is going to portland keep moving with crap.I like Marshall or trade that pick we need a center.
[…] New Orleans: Anthony Davis (Joe Gerrity, Hornets247.com) […]
Obviously this doesn’t go into the second round, but I have this feeling that the Hornets want Terrell Stoglin. They traded for the 42nd pick, and I think Stoglin will be there. Obviously they can’t let this affect who they pick at 10, nor would they pass up a Lillard/Stoglin combo at PG. Stoglin could be this year’s Isiah Thomas. He’s one of only 2 second round prospects worked out by the Hornets, and they were both guards.
I just can’t wait. It will be an exciting night for the Hornets, regardless of who gets picked. In Dell we trust!
is it draft day yet? JEEZ
I hope we stay clear of Waiters and Lamb!
The way I see it as…. Damien Lillard could “possibly ” be the next Russell Westbrook or D.Rose type PG. Marshall I see as a CP3 or Rajon Rondo type of player. This decision will determine who we acquire next! If we draft Marshall that we should go after A rebounding ,defensive, athletic (Javale MCGee ) Center w/ 3pt shooters. If we draft Lillard then we will need some defensive putback type Offensive rebounder. W/ one more scorer along w/ fast on he
TYLER ZELLER!!!
1st pick: ANTHONY DAVIS
10th pick: TYLER ZELLER
46th pick: SCOTT MACHADO
No way is Machado available at 46.
I was looking at NBA twitters and found one with proposed nicknames. Respect to Skynet, but “Browser” is awesome. Has that been mentioned yet?
http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2012/6/26/3118914/the-convergence-of-random-thought-whats-in-a-nickname
i hope dell take a closer look on brandon roy….monty knows roy….give roy ala tmac and michael redd role……i think he is a fit wid dis team as a veteran leadership and a guy off the bench
The core/foundation of the Hornets can be built thru this draft. Drafting AD23 will address the front court and by drafting PG- Kendell Marshall(along with SG-EJ) will address the back court. Plus, there’s always the option of trading back in the 1st RD to address the C position(hint: Jack/46pick). Another option is to trade a future 2nd RD pick to move back in the second RD to get a sharp shooter like a Vandy SG-John Jenkins or a Mizzu SG-Kim English. Dell Have alot of options!
1st) PF- AD23
2nd) PG- Kendall Marshall
3rd) C- Fab Melo (or RFA Javale MaGee)
4th) SG- John Jenkins (sharp shooter; bench)
*the Hornets foundation being built thru this draft with a defensive front court Bigs that can run on the breaks and a PG in Marshall who sees the floor, who can get EJ the ball on offense and get Aminu/Ad23/Fab the ball on fast breaks/Lobs!
C- Fab
PF- AD23
SF- Aminu
SG- EJ
PG- K. Marshall
Bench
PG- Vaq
SG- Jenkins
SF- Henry
PF- Ayon/J Smoove
C- Ayon/J Smoove
Really hope we pick up Marshall, or if he somehow drops to us at 10 Waiters; Honestly i’m just not that high on Lillards fit with the Hornets as opposed to Marshall; Also i’m not to fussed about the lack of a C i say just make do develop Davis Ayon and Smith (or even resign Kaman) and hope that we somehow get lucky and pick up Cody Zeller next year…him and Davis’ respective games together would be dreamy, but to be honest im doing just that…dreaming lool 🙁