2013 NBA Mock Draft: 1st Round
By Tony Fischer
Mar 16, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Rebels forward Anthony Bennett (15) reacts after scoring against the New Mexico Lobos during the championship game of the Mountain West tournament at the Thomas
Well now that we know who the “champeens” ( as David Stern glossed them) of the NBA are, we now turn our attention to the 2013 NBA Draft. The Detroit Pistons pick #8 in a critical year and seem to have settled on drafting a guard to bolster their back court. DJC projects that 2 of the three top guards in the draft should be available to them at #8.
This years draft was difficult to predict considering the lack of a consensus #1 pick. As each hour passes a different player emerges as the number one choice.
The key pick will be Orlando at #2. The Magic are in rebuilding mode and literally could draft anyone. They have been rumored to be interested in nearly every top draft prospect and could literally fill a need with anyone of them. To complicate matters the Magic are in trade talks with the Clippers for point guard Eric Bledsoe. Either way, what the Magic do will set the tone for the rest of the draft.
Now without any further delay here is the Detroit Jock City 2013 NBA Mock Draft
#1 Cleveland Cavaliers – Anthony Bennett, Power Forward, UNLV
The Cavaliers won the lottery for the second time in three years. The problem is there is no consensus #1 pick. The Cavaliers have been trying to trade this pick for some time now but they haven’t had any takers. They have been long rumored to take Nerlens Noel from Kentucky but questions about his recent surgery to repair an ACL are too big a risk for the Cavs at #1. Bennett has a ton of upside without the injury questions.
#2 Orlando Magic – Trey Burke, Point Guard, Michigan
The Magic were rumored early to have interest in Trey Burke. Some Mock drafts have Burke slipping because of the Magic’s pursuit of a trade with the Clippers for point guard Eric Bledose. Unless they can pull that trade-off, unlikely in my opinion, they will draft Burke. The Magic believe he has the intangible they need to lead their back court.
#3 Washington Wizards – Otto Porter, Georgetown, Small Forward
The Wizards have been wrestling with taking Anthony Bennett or Porter. Since Bennett will be off the board they will pick Porter who is said to be a lock as a productive NBA player for years to come. The Cavaliers have also been rumored to have interest in Porter at #1 do the Wizards would be happy to have him here.
# 4 Charlotte Bobcats – Cody Zeller, Indiana, Center
The Bobcats need another big man. Having been rumored to have interest in Alex Len. But the Cats need production this year and don’t want to risk taking a player this high post surgery. Cody Zeller can score and will give them the defensive presence they need.
#5 Phoenix Suns – Victor Oladipo, Shooting Guard, Indiana
Ben McLemore was rumored here but his unimpressive workout with Phoenix and rumored issues with other teams have caused his stock to slip. He may have too much baggage for #5 overall. With Victor Oladipo available here the Suns won’t pass up taking the best defensive guard in the 2013 NBA draft. Oladipo is a defensive savant and his improved offensive game this season helped him have a break-out year at Indiana.