I'm bored here, so I figured why not do a mock draft. But the Warriors pick just keeps dropping...
1) SG/PG Patrick Gatling - In the mold of the next Iverson, Gatling could end up being unstoppable offensively if his potential holds true. It appears that he will be capable of putting up 15 PPG next season, easily. If his ratings can improve, expect even more. However, it is still unknown as to which postion will be better suited for him.
2) PG Gregory Schabinger - Other then his very nice handles, Schabinger is rather weak in all of the other areas. In order for him to become a great PG, he will need either his defense or outside shooting to get a big boost from that A potential. It is a toss-up as to whether he or Gatling will be picked first overall.
3) PG Andy Miles - Very similar to Schabinger. He is an excellent ball-handler, but needs to improve in the other areas of his game. Could possibly even be selected ahead of his PG counterpart, but that's not likely. He may even slip out of the top five. It all depends on the draft order.
4) PF/SF Shane Nesterovich - An Oscar Ferry type pick(although not even close to the talent level, obviously). Nesterovich seems to be ready to contribute right away. A veteran of this draft class, at 23 years old, he is a very solid offensive player and defender. It's his D potential that might scare teams away, and cause him to slip in the draft.
5) PF George Boykins - He could easily be taken higher, ahead of Nesterovich, because of his intriguing A potential. With GMs dreaming of the possible A-/A-/B ratings in inside/defense/rebounding, a top 3 pick for Earl's adopted brother is a real possiblity. At worst, he will be a 15/9 player, which is not bad at all.
6) PG Garrett Ward - Ward is like Eric Snow of real life. A steady ball-handler and good defender, but cannot be relied on to score. With his B potential, though, do not be surprised if there is a big improvement in his ratings. My call for the sleeper of the draft. But if he is taken this high, he would not be a sleeper pick, of course.
7) SF/SG Chase Russell - The big swingman with A potential is a lock for a top 10 pick. He has nice handles, and with some help in training camp could be a great outside shooter. If his defense can improve, he will great overall player and starter. It's all up to his potential.
8 ) PF/SF Ivan Strong - If taken higher and his potential isn't true, then he could be a big time bust. However, if he can blossom in training camp, watch out. B+, B+ offense is certainly possible, but his defense is really ugly. Just don't expect too much, because disappointments are always lurking...
9) C Jim Finley - He will never be an offensive threat, but this guy is huge, and has great defense already. He could end up being A, B on defense and rebounding. And if his offense can just improve a little bit, he will be a great center.
10) SG Kareem Longley - Longley is a SG with good size and B potential. If his potential holds true, he could end up being a very good offensive player and defender. Most likely will be a top 10 pick.
11) SG/SF Ernest Profit - Just like Phillip Meyers of two drafts ago, but bigger. Profit will be a deadly outside shooter, and if he can go up in defense, will be a very nice starter. If not though, he will not have much else to offer.
12) PG Alvin Zollner - Zollner is a future lockdown defender, with B potential to go along with it. His only main weakness is that he can't handle the ball, which is a huge problem at PG. If he can get that up to a C+ and his outside shooting up to a B+, I'd say that he can succeed as a starter in this league.
13) SG Micah Hunter - If only his defense were higher, or his potential. B, B offense is just awesome, but C defense doesn't cut it. The D potential doesn't help, either. Regardless of all of that, his offense alone may be enough to sneak him into the lottery.
14) C Ethan Fletcher - Fletch is a wide body with a decent all around game and B potential. If all turns out well, he could end up being a bigger version of Emmanuel Griffin. At worst, he'll be a solid backup PF/C.
15) Quincy Peters - Arguably the best SF in the draft, but Russell may be taken significantly higher. Peters is a big SF with decent handles and offensive game. Could turn out to be a very nice player if he can improve in training camp.
