The NBA lockout has the potential to be a bad one for fans, with slow movement in negotations between the players union and owners. There has even been buzz about the prospect of players playing over seas, or other leagues sprouting up to allow them to play. Dealing purely in the hypothetical, what would happen if a new league emerged, say, in Canada, and all NBA players signed up? Pretend there's a draft with 30 new teams and all current NBA players eligible. Now consider that there is strong evidence that this new league will permanently replace the NBA, and for that reason, these new teams will be factoring the future of their franchises when partaking in this hypothetical player draft.
All this sounds like a fairy tale, and should probably be taken that way. However, what would happen in this scenario? Speculation can be an entertaining way for fans to make it through this arduous lockout, so why not speculate on this? What players would team owners want to rely on as the future of their franchises? There would certainly be many other variables to consider, such as the details of the new league rules and how they might differ (if at all) from NBA rules, but that aside, ranking players based on potential value of future seasons isn't easy. Even if the size of a player's contract isn't considered--and for the purpose of this speculation game, contract amounts should be ignored--age would be a big factor.
The team names are, of course, made up, as is the league. Many will disagree, but hopefully the attempt will spark intriguing and discussion. (City draft pick order is based on size of the city)
1st pick. Montreal selects F Kevin Durant (Age 22)
Durant is a stud, and while there are a few players who might be considered this high, Durant is everything a franchise owner could want in a superstar. He's consistent, doesn't get injured, is a matchup nightmare, is a dominant, clutch scorer, is a great teammate and leader, and very coachable.
2nd pick. Vancouver selects F LeBron James (Age 26)
No player has undergone as much scrutiny as James in the past year. Like him or hate him, he's still an amazing player. Critics have said he doesn't perform in the clutch, and while that was certainly the case this past season, he has had several memorable clutch performances in the past while with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Don't forget that James made an embarrassing Cavs team a title contender while he was there.
3rd pick. Ottawa selects C Dwight Howard (Age 25)
Howard is the only dominant center in the league and has yet to see his prime. What better way to anchor a franchise than with a monster defender in the paint?
4th pick. Calgary selects PG Derrick Rose (Age 22)
Youth has a lot to do with this pick. Rose had an unbelievable season last year. Not many 22-year-olds can claim to have won an NBA MVP Award.
5th pick. Edmonton selects PG Chris Paul (Age 26)
Paul gets a slight nod over Williams because he's a year younger. Earlier in their careers, Williams typically got the better of the two matchups. However, they were pretty even in head-to-head matchups last season.
6th pick. Quebec selects PG Deron Williams (Age 27)
Williams could easily be ahead of Paul in this mock draft. Rule variations would be a big factor. If the rules reflected the European style of play, where bigger guards are favored, Williams would get the nod. In NBA rules, where there is a no hand check rule, smaller, quicker guards have an advantage, such as Paul.
7th pick. Winnipeg selects G Dwyane Wade (Age 29)
If age wasn't a factor, Wade would certainly be higher on this list. However, Wade's fast approaching the 30 club, and since his game is predominantly based on athleticism, it's realistic to think his production might wane a bit in the coming years. Still, Wade is one of the best players in the world, and would be a fantastic anchor for any team.
8th pick. Hamilton selects F Kevin Love (Age 22)
Is Love as good as Dirk Nowtizki and Kobe Bryant? No. Is he 10-11 years younger, while still being pretty darn good? Yes.
9th pick. London selects F Blake Griffin (Age 22)
Injuries a little bit of a concern. Otherwise, Griffin is a smaller, poor man's version of Dwight Howard, which isn't bad. And, he's only going to get better.
10th pick. Kitchener selects F Dirk Nowitzki (Age 33)
There are younger stars available, but if the measure of a franchise's success is determined by championships, the question becomes whether or not there those youngers stars still on the table are as likely to lead a team to title contention as well as Nowitzki has done for the Mavericks. Dirk gets the nod over Kobe simply because he's shown more resiliency to injuries than Kobe over the years
11th pick. Niagara selects G Kobe Bryant (Age 32)
Like Nowitzki, Bryant is past his prime. Yet, he's still producing at a high level, and should have about two-to-three years of superstardom left in him. A franchise would need to consider what is more important to them: Title contention, or picking a player for the future. It's questionable as to whether or not the younger players available are capable of evolving into superstars that can lead a team to a championship.
12th pick. Halifax selects PG Russell Westbrook (Age 22)
Westbrook may not be a pure point guard, but he's still pretty darn good. His athleticism sets him apart, as does his ability to play pressure defense. It doesn't hurt that's he's already an All Star at 22 years old either.
13th pick. Oshawa selects F Carmelo Anthony (Age 27)
For a player whose primary mission is to score the basketball, Anthony is not the most efficient scorer. That said, he's not bad either. His rebounding has improved, but he's not very versatile and not a very good defender. What makes 'Melo so special is his ability to take over a game offensively and his ability to shoot in the clutch.
14th pick. Victoria selects Amar'e Stoudemire (Age 28)
Many won't like how late Stoudemire has fallen. He can score at will on virtually anyone, but he has a reputation for giving opponent's big nights, as well. That kind of player as a leader doesn't spell
15th pick. Windsor selects FC Al Horford (Age 25)
Horford is as underrated as they come. Don't forget that he's played out of position at center his entire career. At 25, Horford has yet to reach his prime.
16th pick. Saskatoon selects PG Rajon Rondo (Age 25)
Rondo can't shoot a lick, and there's question as to whether or not he could compile similar stats on a team without so many stars to pass to. Still, there's no denying his will to win, feistiness at the defensive end, and lightning bolt quickness.
17th pick. Regina selects F Chris Bosh (Age 27)
He had some solid games in the finals against the Mavericks, despite his other star teammates struggling. Bosh is not a leader, but he's still a really good player.
18th pick. Sherbrooke selects F Pau Gasol (Age 31)
This is a tough pick to make. Does a team take the over-30 Pau Gasol, or the 28-year-old Amar'e Stoudemire who plays no defense?
19th pick. St. John's selects G Tyreke Evans (Age 21)
Assuming he's able to make a full recovery from surgery this summer, Evans is on track to becoming something special. At 21, the sky's the limit for him. If not for the injury endured last season, this former Rookie of the Year would be higher on this list.
20th pick. Barrie selects PG Stephen Curry (Age 23)
It's questionable how successful Curry would be on a team that wasn't as offensively friendly as the Golden State Warriors. His defense is suspect, but he can shoot and has great basketball instincts. And, he's got a whole career ahead of him.
21st pick. Kelowna selects PG John Wall (Age 20)
Some might think Wall should be higher on this list, while others might prefer him lower. He's only had one season in the NBA and it was somewhat laden with injuries, but there is no denying his star upside.
22nd pick. Abbotsford selects F LaMarcus Aldridge (Age 25)
Even though he wasn't selected to the All Star team last season, Aldridge emerged as an All Star calibar player and leader of the Portland Trail Blazers. For his size, he could be a better rebounder (though he's good). This big man is reliable and resilient.
23rd pick. Greater Sadbury selects F Josh Smith (Age 25)
Is a freak of nature and does things on the basketball court that nobody else can do. Can play three positions legitimately, and jumps out of the gym. Consistency is his major issue.
24th pick. Kingston selects F Rudy Gay (Age 24)
Gay is a versatile and athletic scorer who should only improve.
25th pick. Saguenay selects G Monta Ellis (Age 25)
Many would probably like to see Ellis higher on this list, but he plays for a team that pads offensive stats and he's an undersized, volume shooting guard, which is historically the kind of player who tends to underachieve as a leader (much like Gilbert Arenas).
26th pick. Trois-Rivieres selects C Brook Lopez (Age 23)
Lopez is a disappointing rebounder for a player his size, he sure can score in the post and should only improve as he continues to develop and get stronger. Good centers are hard to come by, especially with this much future ahead of him.
27th pick. Guelph selects F Danny Granger (Age 28)
Granger's injury concerns are the only thing holding him back from being a candidate for a much higher pick. Granger is one of the most versatile players in the league and extremely explosive at the offensive end.
28th pick. Moncton selects F Zach Randolph (Age 29)
Randolph has really found a home with the Memphis Grizzlies and was a leader of the playoff run last season, when the 8th seeded Grizzlies toppled the 1 seeded Spurs.
29th pick. Brantford selects PG Tony Parker (Age 29)
Put Parker on any other team and his numbers better reflect his ability. The Spurs run things as a team and have exceptional team passing, which means Parker's assists are decreased by extra passes. That said, he still has plenty of basketball left in him, is great in the clutch and is a fantastic floor general.
30th pick. Thunder Bay selects F Al Jefferson (Age 26)
Injuries are a bit of a concern for this big man, but he's still fairly young and is a fantastic low post scorer.
Phil Partington - Phil Partington is a writing enthusiast of many years and has been published in national magazines, web publications and other media ...
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