Tuesday, August 25, 2020

2020 NBA Mock Draft: Second Edition

 Here is my second edition of my 2020 NBA Mock Draft.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Anthony Edwards, Shooting Guard, Georgia: The Timberwolves are a team that has some options with this selection, but I feel that Edwards is the best fit here. Edwards is someone that has upside as a scorer and he can shoot the ball well. He fills a position of need and he and D'Angelo Russell would be an interesting backcourt.

2. Golden State Warriors- Onyeka Okongwu, Power Forward/Center, USC: The Warriors are a team that is more likely to trade this pick for the next star player that becomes available rather than draft a rookie as they look to go back into championship contention. Okongwu had a great Freshman season as he shown versatility and could be a double-double guy.

3. Charlotte Hornets- James Weisman, Center, USA: Weisman is somebody that had a super short college season at Memphis which led to a suspension and ultimately sat out to prepare for the draft. He is someone that fits what the Hornets need- an above average big man that can protect the rim and fit into todays game as a small ball five.

4. Chicago Bulls- LaMelo Ball, Point Guard, USA: The Bulls have options with this pick, but here I have them snagging their possible point guard of the future was high upside in Ball. His play making skills are great, but he is not a great shooter. A selection of Ball here would open up some interesting decisions for the Bulls including whether to trade Zach LaVine or not.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers- Deni Avdija, Small Forward, Israel: The Cavaliers are a team that needs more young building blocks with upside and here they snag one with Avdija. He's tall enough to play at the four, but skilled enough to play the three. Avdija would be a nice fit here with the Cavaliers and could complement their young back court well.

6. Atlanta Hawks- Obi Toppin, Power Forward, Dayton: Toppin had a breakout year in college this past season and he has a chance to go higher than this. The fit up front with John Collins would be interesting and the Hawks need shooters to compliment Trae Young as well and thats what also makes this selection intriguing due to Toppin's elite shooting ability.

7. Detroit Pistons- Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard, Iowa State: The Pistons have arguably the worst roster in the entire NBA after getting rid of Andre Drummond and lack star power as well. Haliburton's season was short due to an injury, but improved tremendously as a player with his passing and scoring abilities. Haliburton is the type of player the Pistons need for the reasons I mentioned.

8. New York Knicks- Killian Hayes, Point Guard, France: The Knicks are arguably the biggest losers of the draft lottery from dropping to eight from six. Here I have them selecting Hayes, who many people like due to his explosiveness and good ball handling. The issue is that he cannot shoot, but if his shooting improves, the Knicks can get themselves a quality player.

9. Washington Wizards- Devin Vassell, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Florida State: Vassell is someone that could end up going here or outside of the lottery. He is your classic three-and-D player that fits in to todays NBA and shoots very well from beyond the arc. Vassell is also very versatile so he would fit here whether its with Bradley Beal or without him.

10. Phoenix Suns- Isaac Okoro, Small Forward, Auburn: The Suns had a phenomenal bubble going 8-0, although they didn't make the play-in for that last playoff spot. Now, they look to add to whats already a promising roster. Okoro would fit here with the Suns due to his three-and-D ability and that opens up a door for a possible Kelly Oubre trade or maybe they trade this pick.

11. San Antonio Spurs- Cole Anthony, Point Guard, North Carolina: I am much higher on Anthony then most people, mainly due to the fact he was playing at a high level in college before his knee injury that forced him to have surgery. He could have possibly gone first overall had not been for that knee injury and he'll be a steal for whomever drafts him, especially past the top five.

12. Sacramento Kings- Aaron Nesmith, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Vanderbilt: This would be a solid pick for the Kings, who have a player in Buddy Hield who wants out of town and could look to replace him. Although a small sample size before a foot injury, he shot incredibly well in the midst of what looked to be a breakout season, especially from three point land.

13. New Orleans Pelicans- Precious Achiuwa, Power Forward, Memphis: The Pelicans are a team that has some options with this pick, including the possibility of trading this pick to get a piece to go with Zion Williamson. Achiuwa is someone that averaged a double-double in college after James Weismann left school. He's not a great shooter, but is effective around the rim and in transition.

14. Boston Celtics (from Memphis Grizzlies)- Zeke Nnaji, Center, Arizona: This is another pick I can possibly see being moved as the Celtics are a win now team. Nnaji is someone that is a small ball five that fits perfect for today's league although he lacks instincts around the rim. Ironically, he'd be a perfect fit with the current Celtics team.

15. Orlando Magic- Saddiq Bey, Small Forward, Villanova: The Magic are going to be an interesting team this offseason that could wind up taking a step back due to the unfortunate ACL injury to Jonathan Isaac. Bey is someone that is versatile both offensively and defensively and that just fits the perfect player for today's NBA. He, Nikola Vusevic, Isaac, and Markelle Fultz would be a nice core.

16. Portland Trail Blazers- Tyrese Maxey, Shooting Guard, Kentucky: The Blazers are a very interesting team going forward. Maxey is someone that did not live up to expectations as a freshman for John Calipari's team, although he showed flashes with his creativity in the paint and is a better shooter than perceived.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Brooklyn Nets)- Isaiah Stewart, Center, Washington: The Timberwolves go with Stewart here as he's someone that could start as a back off big off the bench or play alongside Towns or if they trade Towns, Stewart can start for them. Stewart is someone that some people have doubts about due to spacing issues but did bring solid production to the table for a lousy Washington Huskies team last season.

18. Dallas Mavericks- Theo Maledon, Point Guard, France: Maledon showed some potential for a young age, but was mostly underwhelming due to injury issues. This could very well be a draft-and-stash prospect for the Mavericks, who still have Jalen Brunson on their team as well as Seth Curry and have good success with international players.

19. Brooklyn Nets (from Philadelphia 76ers)- RJ Hampton, Shooting Guard, New Zealand: This could be a steal for the Nets as Hampton was more highly regarded before the basketball season started. Hampton is someone that is versatile and is a solid shooter and could be a contributor to a new look Nets team next season with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving back and healthy.

20. Miami Heat- Kira Lewis Jr, Point Guard, Alabama: Lewis is someone that came in to college with expectations, but returned to school last year and performed better then he did as a Freshman. He's a solid perimeter shooter and could be a steal at this point in the draft.

21. Philadelphia 76ers- Patrick Williams, Small Forward, Florida State: The 76ers land themselves a steal player here with Williams, who was thought to go in the lottery a few months ago. He is someone that is versatile and could defend multiple positions, but his offensive game is a work in progress.

22. Denver Nuggets (from Houston Rockets)- Jaden McDaniels, Small Forward/Power Forward, Washington: McDaniels was super disappointing in college a year ago on what was the most disappointing team in the sport as he lead the Pac-12 in fouls per game. The one thing that could get McDaniels picked in the first round is upside.

23. Utah Jazz- Jahmi'us Ramsey, Shooting Guard, Texas Tech: Ramsey is someone that was solid as a Freshman for Chris Beard's squad. He's someone that screams high energy guy off the bench for a contender. Those reasons are why this would be a great pick for the Jazz, who fit that bill.

24. Milwaukee Bucks (from Indiana Pacers)- Jalen Smith, Power Forward/Center, Maryland: Smith is another player who improved as a Sophomore and showed some versatility along the way. The Bucks can use a back up stretch big to come off the bench with Irsa Ilyasova and Robin Lopez aging.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Denver Nuggets)- Jordan Nwora, Small Forward, Louisville: The Thunder land themselves a nice player at a position of need in Nwora. He can shoot and space the floor, but his playmaking and ball handling need to be worked on.

26. Boston Celtics- Xavier Tillman, Power Forward, Michigan State: The Celtics have a lot of bigs now, although they don't have one that jumps right out at you. Tillman is someone that was one of the better bigs in the country with his strength and size, although not a great perimeter shooter despite averaging a double-double.

27. New York Knicks (from Los Angeles Clippers)- Josh Green, Shooting Guard, Arizona: Green is someone that is a great defensive player and has shown flashes of good scoring, but is not a great play maker or passer. The Knicks are taking a risk here with this pick and if he improves his offensive game, they have themselves a player.

28. Los Angeles Lakers- Nico Mannion, Point Guard, Arizona: The Lakers are certainly a candidate to trade this pick as they lack picks due to the Anthony Davis trade. Mannion is not someone that has great athleticism or can shoot well, but he has other qualities that could make him a solid player in the league.

29. Toronto Raptors- Cassius Winston, Point Guard, Michigan State: This would be a steal for the Lakers, who grab someone who many thought would be a lottery pick before the college basketball season. Personal issues really were a distraction for Winston, who isn't a great athlete but is smart and is a solid shooter.

30. Boston Celtics (from Milwaukee Bucks)- Cassius Stanley, Shooting Guard, Duke: Stanley is someone else that could be a steal in the late first round or early second round. He is someone that is a solid shooter from three and is great in the transition game.

Sunday, August 2, 2020

2020 MLB National TV Schedule

Here is the National TV Schedule for the 2020 MLB Season.

7/23- Yankees vs Nationals; 7:00, ESPN: Matt Vasgersian, Alex Rodriguez, Buster Olney
7/23- Giants vs Dodgers; 10:00, ESPN:
7/24- Braves vs Mets; 4:00, ESPN:
7/24- Brewers vs Cubs; 7:00, ESPN:
7/24- Angels vs Athletics; 10:00, ESPN:
7/25- Brewers vs Cubs; 1:00, FOX
7/25- Giants vs Dodgers; 4:00, FOX
7/25- Yankees vs Nationals; 7:00, FOX
7/26- Yankees vs Nationals; 1:00, TBS
7/26- Braves vs Mets; 7:00, ESPN
7/26- Giants vs Dodgers; 10:00, ESPN