How An NBA Mock Draft and 90’s R&B Come Together
The NBA Draft is right around the corner, see where prospects are beginning to fall.
The NBA Draft has begun nearly a week early with the trade sending the top overall pick from Boston to Philadelphia. The young core in Philly has made it clear that they’re ready to play with the University of Washington’s young star Markelle Fultz. Meanwhile, the Celtics have a host of options to explore concerning the third overall pick. Rumor has it that both the Lakers and the Suns could be willing to trade up. The Kings also haven’t been very subtle about their interest in trading up. With some major names such as Jimmy Butler and Paul George being shopped around, this draft is living up to be one of the best we’ve ever seen. In that respect, I relate it back to one of the greatest eras of music we’ve ever known: 90’s R&B.
The 90's gave us hip-hop smoothed out on the R&B tip with a pop appeal. Whether you preferred K-Ci and JoJo singing your future wedding song, Bobby Brown rapping on slow jams or R. Kelly using powerhouse vocals to make us believe we can fly, there’s no doubt this era was versatile, timeless, and gave us an entire era of future stars. The 2017 NBA Draft has a lot in common with this era of music. From top to bottom, there are potential stars all the way down to backup singers and some in between. While some teams are looking for their lead singers, others are just looking for a guy to harmonize and dance before realizing their potential (hey, Ronnie DeVoe).
While the draft is full of smokescreens and mystery, we’re starting to see some scenery come into place for players. Rumors of where players may end up, promises, and tales of poor workouts are starting to take shape and we do our best to figure out what’s real and what’s fake. Here is my latest mock draft covering the first round:
- Philadelphia 76ers (via Boston Celtics): Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
The 76ers were aggressive in making it known that they wanted Fultz by trading up for the top overall selection. Fultz is now a guarantee to go first overall and attempt to complete the Process playing alongside last year’s top overall pick Ben Simmons and NBA All-Twitter First Team Joel Embiid. Grabbing this pick is like if Boyz ii Men somehow found a young Usher Raymond and asked him to join the group. There’s still a risk on the fit but you just added another top pick to the mix, sing your hearts out Philly and hope it works out.
Markelle Fultz is the best player in this draft, and it isn’t as close as many think. Fultz has an incredible combination of size, shooting ability, playmaking ability, and speed. Fultz can attack the defense in so many ways with the ball in his hands. He has been commonly compared to James Harden, a more athletic D’Angelo Russell, and even Marquette Dwyane Wade. If the Sixers wind up with even 75 percent of those comparisons, they’ll be more than happy.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
Lonzo (and LaVar) Ball have made it very clear that they want to end up in Los Angeles. The D’Angelo Russell and Lonzo Ball experiment could turn out to be a successful one as both guys have great size, excellent court vision, and can play both guard spots. Fitting in the rest of the Lakers’ young core — a developing Brandon Ingram, versatile Julius Randle, steady Jordan Clarkson and even the surprise Ivica Zubac — will present some exciting times for Lakers fans. There’s plenty of buzz about this pick and whether it will be used to trade for multiple picks in the lottery, for Paul George or some other package Magic Johnson could pick up.
Make no doubt about it, while Lonzo has his flaws, he’s a special passer and truly has the ability to make his teammates. The Lakers are reportedly down on Josh Jackson after a poor workout and with their confidence in grabbing Paul George as a free agent, getting another wing is no longer a priority. Remember when Keith Sweat teamed up with Johnny Gill and Gerald LeVert to create the supergroup LSG? Welcome to Los Angeles, Keith.
3. Boston Celtics (via Philadelphia 76ers): Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
The Celtics traded the top overall pick with the confidence their selection at three would be on the same tier as Markelle Fultz. All in all, the Celtics get a prospect they consider to be equal or better and an extra top pick next season (or possibly in 2019 if the protected Lakers 2018 pick doesn’t convey). This also gives them the financial flexibility to chase players in free agency, acquire Jimmy Butler or steal Paul George away from the Cavaliers and Lakers. Most pundits rate Josh Jackson as the better player of the two but Jayson Tatum may just be the better fit in Boston with his elite offensive ability.
Being paired with Jaylen Brown on the wing can be huge for Boston in the future and Tatum can turn into a future go-to scorer for the Celtics. This pick still has the potential to be traded but it looks like whoever gets selected is there to stay for some time. A Boston pick wouldn’t be complete without a New Edition comparison. The underrated Johnny Gill (Tatum) is coming in and taking over Bobby Brown’s (Jackson) spot even though he was originally supposed to be taking over Ralph Tresvant’s (Fultz) spot.
4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas
This is the pick Phoenix wanted the whole time. According to many draft experts, the Suns had Jackson at the top of their draft board right next to Fultz and Lonzo. Tatum and Isaac have been getting serious looks and Isaac is now a dark horse for the Suns. Jackson slots in perfectly in an offense/defense combination with Devin Booker on the wing and adds to a young, athletic core with Marquese Chriss. Dragon Bender, Eric Bledsoe and Tyler Ullis.
Jackson is a two-way player who is probably more coveted for his defensive ability than his offensive ability. He has lockdown defender potential and can guard three different positions, while also being an impressive, crafty player on the offensive end. I don’t really have an R&B comparison for this but let’s just relate it to Musiq Soulchild’s first album, Aijuswanaseing. It was really good when it first came out but exposed different layers of his talent for years to come.
5. Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
The Kings have been very vocal about their interest in Fox. While they still could package the fifth and tenth pick to move up in this draft, it would likely be to get their hands on Fox. His jump shot needs plenty of work but he competes on defense and is as quick and explosive as they come. He has superb ball security and could fit nicely with Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere, and Willie Cauley-Stein. He may not be the most polished but he’s a good player to bet on. He’s Nathan Morris from Boyz ii Men, not flashy, not the most polished but he’s a leader through and through.
6. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac, PF, Florida State
The biggest selling point for me on Isaac to Orlando is the fact former Bucks’ GM John Hammond is now calling the shots for the Magic. In the past, we’ve seen Hammond swing for the fences on long, athletic, versatile, and moldable prospects like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Thon Maker, and Malcolm Brogdon. Jonathan Isaac seems right up Hammond’s alley to begin his tenure with a team that is simply looking for a good player who can develop into a great one. Isaac’s potential in this league rivals a player like Rashard Lewis in his heyday but add on some extra defensive potential as a shot blocker.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State
Dennis Smith Jr. is one of the most intriguing prospects in college basketball. After a torn ACL worried some scouts during his final season in high school, Smith put on athletic display after athletic display. His game was easy to overlook at NC State, but will be impossible to overlook when he bounces around NBA arenas. Don’t let the fact that the Warriors won the NBA Title distract you from Smith getting a 50 inch vertical measurement after a torn ACL in workouts (no typo there). To support that athletic ability, Smith has sneaky good passing ability and an improving shot from range, which all screams future star in today’s guard-driven NBA. People have pegged this pick to be a stretch-four like Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen or the already-picked Isaac but the Timberwolves aren't, and shouldn’t be, sold on Kris Dunn. Adding Smith to this young Minnesota core is like adding David Ruffin to The Temptations, it could go wrong but when it’s right, it’s really right.
8. New York Knicks: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
The Knicks had hoped to get a couple of picks higher, but will now have to choose between Malik Monk and Frank Ntilikina. While the organization has become about just as unpredictable as any, it would be easy to see Phil Jackson going in the direction of Monk. He’s shown top-level athleticism and an impeccable scoring touch. Since we are talking about the Knicks and I’ve mentioned Phil Jackson, it’s important to remember that three-sided shape he holds so dearly. Between Monk and Kristaps Porzingis, they have the beginnings of a pretty dependable offense with lots of shooting. Monk may not have the highest potential in this draft, but he definitely can turn into a nightly terror to game plan and match up against. The obvious comparison is Lou Williams but now add in great athleticism and some higher potential. Monk is a career 20-point scorer if all goes right.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
This pick is all but wrapped up. The Mavs want Ntilikina and Ntilikina wants to play for the Mavs. Mark Cuban is going so far as to hire Ntilikina’s coach at Strasbourg, Vincent Collet, to be an assistant coach for the Mavs’ Summer League team. Ntilikina is still a bit away from being a starter in the NBA but has plenty of potential and projects similarly to George Hill. His long wingspan and youth at only 18 gives the Mavs a player they can develop and groom into a cornerstone in the post-Dirk Nowitzki rebuilding era. Remember when Tevin Campbell was just a kid and released “Round and Round” before hitting puberty? The Mavs will be patiently waiting for Ntilikina to turn into “Can We Talk” Tevin to pair with Harrison Barnes and Nerlens Noel.
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans): Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
This is the second pick of the Kings’ draft. Grabbing Fox and Markkanen is a pretty good haul. While I’m not particularly high on Markkanen’s potential, he’s coming into the NBA at the perfect time where his remarkable shooting will earn him an opportunity to play lots of minutes. His biggest downfalls are his below-average rebounding ability and his lack of athleticism. Being part of the rebuilding project in Sacramento can give him a great opportunity to develop and really work on refining his skills. The obvious comparison is Ryan Anderson but he’s arguably already a better shooter and is two inches taller.
11. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville
Donovan Mitchell was a big riser after the combine and has firmly implanted himself in the lottery. He’s being looked at as early as the Knicks’ eight pick and should be snatched up no later than Detroit’s twelve pick. Mitchell has elite athleticism — a 40-inch vertical to go with his 6-foot-10 wingspan. He’s a hard worker and can play a combo guard almost projecting to be a Victor Oladipo-like player at the next level. The Hornets could really use a player like Mitchell for some two-way production in the backcourt. The biggest question about him is how his shooting translates at the next level, we’ll see if Mitchell can translate and grow his game like Raphael Saadiq did with songwriting after his tenure with Tony! Toni! Tone!
12. Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, SG, Duke
Playing at Duke, we saw a lot of offensive firepower between Tatum, Frank Jackson, Grayson Allen and the rare Harry Giles sightings. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard had better efficiency and shooting clips than each one of them. Everyone knows about Kennard’s expertise from deep — hitting over 43 percent of his shots from three last season — but his ball-handling ability and improving court vision is what tips him over into the lottery. Kennard will never be a plus-defender in this league but is a fairly safe pick at this point in the draft. Think about Hi-Five lead-singer Tony Thompson (RIP); he wasn’t flashy or considered one of the all-time greats but man, he had his moments.
13. Denver Nuggets: O.G. Anunoby, SF, Indiana
This pick makes all the sense in the world. While teams are hesitant to take a chance on Anunoby, the Nuggets are in a great position where they can afford to let him sit out and get healthy while molding him under Wilson Chandler and other veterans. He has elite size standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and can provide significant relief for a team that was dismal defensively last season. By the time he’s ready to contribute, Jamal Murray and the Joker, Nikola Jokic, will be driving the Kia Optima of NBA teams into luxury car realm.
14. Miami Heat: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga
The Heat can take a few chances here because they have a lot of flexibility with their future. Collins is just too good to pass up at 14. He’s a lottery talent who can turn into a great NBA big who can do everything from protecting the paint to shooting the long ball. Zach Collins’ ability to set up Hassan Whiteside for future efficiency and greatness is similar to Teddy Riley’s influence on Blackstreet. He’s the key to a great future.
15. Portland Trail Blazers: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas
One of the things Portland needs is front-court defensive talent. Allen sports a 7-foot-6 wingspan and is nearly a legit seven-footer (not including his spectacular afro). The Blazers made a good move by acquiring Jusuf Nurkic and still have Meyers Leonard, but neither provide the sort of defensive threat Allen could be down low. For a fringe-playoff team, Allen could make a gigantic splash and is athletic enough to run at the Blazers’ pace better than Nurkic or Leonard can. Remember Next? If Dame is lead singer RL, C.J. is backup singer T-Low, Jarrett will try his best to be Tweet and keep growing the team to make some number one hits.
16. Chicago Bulls: John Collins, PF, Wake Forest
John Collins slots in to Chicago as a clone of Taj Gibson. He is solid on offense but won’t ever be spectacular or dominating. He is a solid rebounder who can get you double-digit rebounds. If Collins can develop his shot a bit more and show the consistency he did in college at the next level, he goes from being Little Randy of the Jackson 5 to Marlon Jackson pretty quickly.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: T.J. Leaf, PF, UCLA
The Bucks go for the offensive talent and grab one of the best scorers in college basketball in T.J. Leaf. Leaf is not going to give them anything on the defensive end, and that doubles when he faces NBA offenses. Still, he has a chance to be a major contributor for a team that can take all the weapons they can get. Being able to line up at the four can create plenty of mismatches because, aside from his scoring, Leaf has a knack for creating opportunities for his teammates. Plus, some three-point shooting can go a long way for these young Bucks.
18. Indiana Pacers: Terrance Ferguson, SG, Australia
With Paul George on his way out, the Pacers should take all the talent they can get. Ferguson was originally committed to play college ball at Arizona but chose to go and play professionally in Australia instead. He’s got huge hands, can shoot from out of the gym and is a great athlete who dunks the ball with anger. At this point in the draft, Ferguson and Justin Patton provide the most upside and the Pacers should be excited about seeing how Ferguson develops alongside Myles Turner. I was battling with the Pacers rolling the dice on Harry Giles until realizing that Kevin Pritchard would be hesitant given his tenure in Portland resulting in the downfalls of Brandon Roy and Greg Oden.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Justin Patton, C, Creighton
The good news on Justin Patton? He has tons of potential and can turn out to be this draft’s biggest steal. The bad news? He might take years to develop into that player. Patton is fun to watch as he skies in for lobs and can run the floor with ease, but has a long way to go on some of the other major skills needed for starting centers in this league. Specifically, he needs to become tougher on the boards and be able to show more polish and grit on the defensive end. With the Hawks potentially kicking Dwight Howard out of Atlanta, it would be easy to envision them looking for a high-ceiling prospect to fit into their style of play. This might be a stretch but remember when Berry Gordy brought Marvin Gaye to Motown as only a drummer? And then he blossomed into one of the kings of soul? Justin Patton is Marvin trying to learn from the Funk Brothers on how to grow his talent but will he be aggressive enough to take the next step?
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies): Harry Giles, PF, Duke
I know, I know. Blazers selecting a player with a history of knee injuries is tough to swallow but teams are liking what they see out of Giles. He’s getting interest as early as the late lottery and the Blazers would be blowing an opportunity to use one of their three picks on a guy who can still turn into a legit star. Lots of scouts have raved about the way Giles has looked in workouts being bouncy as ever and can fit in with this team very well in the long-term. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago people wondered whether an already-drafted Steph Curry would ever be able to string together an entire healthy season. Sisqo was talented in Dru Hill but took it to the next level when he released “Incomplete,” Giles will use the NBA to further his career.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Semi Ojeleye, SF, SMU
This pick makes a lot of sense to me. The Thunder love targeting tough-nosed athletes in the draft and they get an instant replacement for the free-agent-to-be Andre Roberson. Ojeleye is a former Duke recruit who turned SMU into a top 25 team in college hoops and is a defender first. With great size, rim-rocking athleticism and a pretty good shot, Ojeleye can do a bit of everything and would be perfect for the Thunder. Putting this pick in terms of Jodeci, if Russell Westbrook is K-Ci, Vic Oladipo is JoJo, Steven Adams is Mr. Dalvin and Ojeleye has the chance to be DeVante Swing.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards): Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia
Anzejs Pasecniks has helped himself a bunch lately after making lightning strike in his recent workout in New York. He’s shown mobility on the court, a good shooting touch, and has incredible length and size. In Manhattan, the Knicks have their own Latvian big man and the Nets try to bring a lite version of Porzingis to Barclays.
23. Toronto Raptors (via Los Angeles Clippers): Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina
There are still a couple good big men on the board that are tough to turn down but with Jonas Valanciunus and Jakob Poeltl on roster, they don’t need to add another big man to the fold. Jackson is a veteran who should come in and be able to contribute. He may not be the flashiest player or even have the highest payoff but he does the little things that matter. 112 had some pretty great songs. If Kyle Lowry is the loud Daron, DeMar is talented Q and Ibaka is somehow solo-bound Slim, then Justin Jackson will be auditioning for the role of Michael Keith as a steady voice to create soothing greatness.
24. Utah Jazz: Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA
People are torn between the Jazz drafting another point guard or a backup big man. Given how big of an issue rim protection was for the Jazz in the playoffs after Rudy Gobert went out with injury, Anigbogu makes a lot of sense. He has a good feel for the game, he has great shot blocking ability, and encouraging offensive potential to go along with his rebounding on both ends. He had a lessened role in college at UCLA but could make some noise in the right role. Getting Anigbogu this late is a steal.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors): Jawun Evans, PG, Oklahoma State
The Magic have made it very clear with their rotations they are not happy with Elfrid Payton as their starting point guard. They had a choice between Dennis Smith Jr. or Jonathan Isaac at six but went with the length and versatility of Isaac. With this selection, they take Evans who is probably the most underrated point guard in the draft. Recently, he’s been linked to the end of the first round and could come off the board a bit sooner than this. Frank Jackson and Derrick White have lots of fans in the NBA as well and will get serious looks but Evans has the ability to be the Lil’ Fizz to Isaac’s Omarion channeling their inner B2K…until Omarion leaves to go do movies with Marques Houston and sing about ice boxes. Okay, I’m done. I’m getting upset now.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers): Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C, Germany
This would be the third pick for the Portland Trail Blazers, so it’s a pretty good bet that they go with an international prospect here. Hartenstein is more than just a draft-and-stash, as he can turn into something fairly special in time. The German big man has impressive athleticism and is just 19 years old. He has legit seven-footer status and has shown the ability to be an above-average competitor on defense. The defensive Matthias Lessort is another good draft-and-stash option here for Portland. Craig David had more versatility than anyone gave him credit for and could be a pretty good vocalist even though he stuck to pop songs for much of his career. Hartenstein presents a similar sort of payoff where he has a lot of skill but may be asked to play a specific role.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston Celtics): D.J. Wilson, PF, Michigan
Brooklyn would love to pair a player like Wilson with Hollis-Jefferson and Pasecniks. He’s a high flyer who would bring a new excitement to Brooklyn and has a brighter future than we all expected before this season began. He’s been getting lots of looks in the 20’s and should be in position to get drafted here by the Nets to continue their youth movement. The Nets don’t have any high picks in this draft and must take advantage of the ones they do have. Remember Another Bad Creation, the group formed by Michael Bivins to be the baby New Edition/Boyz ii Men? Brooklyn is trying to put together their own version of the WILDLY underrated song “Iesha.”
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets): Wesley Iwundu, SG, Kansas State
Iwundu has been a hidden gem for a while now. He’s a shooting guard that draws comparisons to Kent Bazemore. The Lakers once-upon-a-time had the chance to re-sign Bazemore to a deal and didn’t. Iwundu gives them that chance to capitalize on a position where they lack a true backup. Grabbing Lonzo and moving D’Angelo to the off-ball guard now creates backup minutes for Jordan Clarkson and Iwundu in the backcourt. Plus, the Lakers have a pretty good history with these diamonds in the rough with finds like Clarkson (46), Zubac (32), and Nance (27). Iwundu might be overshadowed the same way Left Eye was overshadowed by Chilli as members of TLC in the beginning, but he won’t be quiet for long.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Jordan Bell, PF, Oregon
Jordan Bell fits the mold of the modern San Antonio Spurs so well. He can play at the Spurs’ pace, has a long wingspan, and is very versatile. He’s a prospect who has been rising lately and checks off the boxes for a lot of teams. I think within the system San Antonio has, Bell’s game could flourish and lead to a very successful NBA career. This is a matter of right team, right situation. Going to the right team can turn him into Chocolate Factory R. Kelly (not going as far as 12 Play or R.) but going to the wrong team can turn him into The Buffet Kels. Not great.
30. Utah Jazz: Frank Jackson, PG, Duke
The Jazz already selected a big in Ike Anigbogu with their first selection in this draft. They could go for Bam Adebayo given their lack of depth at the position and hope one, or both, pan out but they may be better off just going with a point guard who’s gotten a lot of hype lately in Frank Jackson. With George Hill’s status up in the air for next season and Dante Exum simply not cutting it, the Jazz could do a lot worse than taking a chance on Jackson.
There are plenty of talented players who went undrafted in this mock that could creep into the first round. The most likely are Adebayo (Kentucky), Ivan Rabb (California), Caleb Swanigan (Purdue), Tyler Lydon (Syracuse), Tony Bradley (North Carolina), Derrick White (Colorado), P.J. Dozier (South Carolina), and Jonah Bolden (UCLA).
