Draft Pick: #1
Picks By Round:
Round 1 (#1 Overall) - Kevin Durant, OKC
Round 2 (#20 Overall) - Chauncey Billups, Den
Round 3 (#21 Overall) - Andre Iguodala, Phi
Round 4 (#40 Overall) - David West, Nor
Round 5 (#41 Overall) - Derrick Rose, Chi
Round 6 (#60 Overall) - Brandon Jennings, Mil
Round 7 (#61 Overall) - Kevin Garnett, Bos
Round 8 (#80 Overall) - Roy Hibbert, Ind
Round 9 (#81 Overall) - Rodney Stuckey, Det
Round 10 (#100 Overall) - Carl Landry, Sac
Round 11 (#101 Overall) - Anderson Varejo, Cle
Round 12 (#120 Overall) - Beno Udrih, Sac
Round 13 (#121 Overall) - Channing Frye, Pho
In this particular mock draft, I was really just exploring my options. This was my first mock draft of the year and I didn't really know what to expect. I am usually not a big fan of the #1 overall pick in fantasy drafts, but I think it worked out pretty well.
Kevin Durant was the obvious #1 pick because he can do just about anything you ask of him to do. But, going in to the second round, I was looking to land Rajon Rondo. Unfortunately, he was taken very high at the #15 overall pick. So, instead, I landed two NBA All-Stars; Chauncey Billups and Andre Iguodala. I love Andre Iguodala this season. After playing so well in the FIBA World Championships, why wouldn't he play that way at the NBA level? Besides, he is the go-to player on the Philadelphia 76ers, so nobody will be stealing his points for him.
A few players I picked a bit earlier than they were ranked included: Derrick Rose, Kevin Garnett and Rodney Stuckey. What makes me love Derrick Rose's fantasy value is that he is a scoring point guard. Not many point guards score at the level he does. He averaged 20.8 points per game and 6 assists per game last season. Although, with the addition of a great Power Forward in Carlos Boozer, I don't think Derrick Rose will put up as much points per game. But, that does mean the assists will be going sky high. I expect about 18.6 points per game, 8.4 assists per game, and 0.7 steals per game. As a Boston Celtics fan, I have been pretty disappointed with the way Kevin Garnett has played the last two seasons. Yeah, we have a lot of great caliber players on our team, but where is the explosiveness? Not to worry though because I expect for that to return this season and I will back that up every day. With the Kendrick Perkins injury, we have to rely on Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal down low. I am not buying it. Kevin Garnett will be the presence down low and he has that sweet mid-range jumpshot that he hits about 95% of the time.
I give myself around a 9.5/10 on this draft. The (-0.5) is because I feel like my bench is good, but it could be a little bit better.
