WalterFootball.com - Detailed NFL Mock Drafts, Player Prospect Rankings, and One of the Largest Mock Draft Databases on the Web

2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com

2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - June 25

North Carolina's John Henson is one of the most overrated players in this year's NBA Draft. Of course he is, he was a member of the Tar Heels college basketball team, meaning he's going to get more publicicty than other, often more deserving prospects. North Carolina guys receive a brighter spotlight than what they deserve.

Henson is a gawky, gangly fellow who just has trouble putting on and keeping weight. That will hurt him at the next level. Still he can defend, meaning Serge Ibaka is someone Henson can pattern his game after.

"You want to be in a competitive draft and this is what it is for power forwards. We're going to fight and jockey for position these next few weeks," Henson said at the NBA Combine. Yes, indeed, it is a stacked draft at the four.

Henson has worked out with the Hornets, Bucks, Kings, Suns, and Blazers.

"I think I improved every year, which is what you want to do. Maturing and getting more physical is something I needed to do. Probably put in a little more time than other guys in this process, but I'm ready to take it to the next level," Henson said about his time spent in Chapel Hill.

You get the feeling that Henson is a little bit like fellow Tar Heels big-man Tyler Hansbrough; neither left school early because they weren't good enough. No one wanted either forward after their first year. Contrast that with someone like Harrison Barnes, who could have easily left after his freshman season.

So where does Henson fit?

"It's very important because just from talking to everybody, there's a lot of trade talk. I feel like this draft is wide open for anyone. The right situation can be the difference between an okay career and a great career."

What about the big knock on Henson, his lack of size and strength?

"Basketball is about strength, but if you go out there, hold your own, and play well, they can't say much about it. I do say I'm stronger than I look, and I'm ready to prove that to people," he says about the critics.

Maybe he's a "project pick" who'll hit his stride later in his NBA career?

"I don't think people hit their full strength until they're 25, 26 years old, so I've got a while to go before that happens so I'm just going to keep improving and getting better."

2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Deron Williams Interested in Only Brooklyn or Dallas - June 25

Brooklyn Nets star Deron Williams has narrowed his list of suitors down to just two teams: his hometown Dallas Mavericks or staying put with the Nets. Multiple outlets are reporting this, citing sources.

There are a ton of teams interested in Williams, who is arguably the greatest point guard in the league, but he has made it clear, or at least his agent has, that he wants to either relive his glory days in Texas with The Colony high school or remain with Jay-Z's team.

Earlier it was rumored Jason Kidd, a player whom Williams was often compared to when he was drafted out of Illinois in 2005, wishes to sign with the same team as the ex-Illini star and back him up. Next month we'll know either way.

2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Damian Lillard to Be First Point Guard Drafted? - June 25

Because he played at obscure Weber State, you may not have heard of point guard Damian Lillard. But you will hear plenty about him come NBA Draft night; he just might be the first point guard taken, and looks to be a lock for the lottery. Mid-major guys are often overlooked, and Lillard is no exception; even though he has, and pretty much has always had, all the tools.

"I think a lot of people talk about me playing at a smaller school, at Weber State, and I think camps like this are a perfect opportunity to show that I can play to the level of everyone else in the draft," Lillard said at the NBA Draft Combine.

I think playing in our offense at Weber State, they needed me to score points; for us to be successful I had to score, but in the NBA, I'll be surrounded by NBA-level players and it'll be more likely for me to make plays for other guys and I won't have to be such a dominant offensive player; less responsibility; I definitely think I can be a point guard in this league," he continued.

Lillard has shot up the boards due to three factors: one, it's a very weak point guard class; two, Weber State had a great season; three, his age and experience which give him certain advantages over other prospects.

Here's where we have Lillard in our latest mock draft:

New Orleans Hornets: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-3, Jr.
New Orleans owns the Clippers' pick (via Minnesota/Sam Cassell trade) from the Chris Paul trade. Go here to see all of the outstanding 2012 NBA Draft Trades.

Since they added some size with their earlier pick, the Hornets should look to bolster their backcourt depth. Damian Lillard would be a future replacement for Jarrett Jack. If Lillard ends up going to the Blazers at No. 6, Kendall Marshall would be the next best option.

A Chris Paul Fan 12-16-2011 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 1)

Chris Paul is a great player, I think he's the best PG in the NBA and capable of making any team into an instant playoff team. That said the Clippers gave up way to much for a player with bad knees who may leave in a two years.

If they'd been able to keep Gordon or the draft pick then i'd like the deal a lot more. If Paul stays healthy and long term it'll make it a lot less lopsided. As of now i'd say it's a big win for the Hornets considering that Paul was leaving anyways and this was the best deal they could have gotten.

Of course if Eric Gordon realizes that New Orleans is a crappy basketball market and leaves as soon as possible it'll make it much worse for the Hornets.

David 12-10-2011 09:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2)

Glen Davis was traded to the Magic... Bass was on the Magic and got traded to Boston

Yung Rapist Killa 07-09-2011 10:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx.189 (total posts: 1)

Lebron James trade?

John L. 07-07-2011 01:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2)

"I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it?"

So that they don't have to pay the luxury tax for that player. Which is eight figures for the likes of Walton/Haywood/Arenas.

John L. 07-07-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2)

You forgot the most likely - Pau Gasol. The Lakers know they need to make a move, and Gasol wants out. Don't be shocked when he's sent to an Eastern Conference team like Atlanta or Orlando.

Dave 07-07-2011 09:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2)

I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it?

nycsportzfan 07-07-2011 05:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx.134 (total posts: 1)

I think it would be wise for the knicks to look into trying to obtain Chris Kaman, and going way of hte Mavericks and builidng like that.. Give em Landry Fields and toney douglas, and then u got Melo, Amare, Kaman, Billups, Shumpert, re-sign Shawne Williams, Turiaf, harrelson, re-sign ant carter, sign Deshawn Stevenson, rautins, and re-sign bill walker..THen u have more money after the season as well..

Kaman
Amare
Melo
Shumpert
Billups

Shawne Williams(re-signed
Turiaf
Deshawn Stevenson(sign)
Harrelson
Ant Carter(re-sign)
Rautins
Bill Walker(re-sign)

jgardner12 07-02-2011 01:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2)

Ahh did not know that part of the rule, thanks for clearing that up for me.

David Kay 07-01-2011 04:51 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.17 (total posts: 1)

@jgardner12 The rule in 2005 stated a team cannot re-sign the player they cut... which is why I would be hesitant to cut Johnson especially with Crawford a free agent, suddenly you have no shooting guard.

@waltair I believe the fifth year has an option on it, so I should have stated three-years, $21 million guaranteed

waltair 06-30-2011 02:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3)

LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT

waltair 06-30-2011 02:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3)

outlaw has 4 year 28 mil on his contract

jgardner12 06-30-2011 01:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2)

While I understand staying loyal to your star, the hawks should defiantly use it on Johnson. JJ is a wonderful player and they want him in ATL but seriously the dude isn't worth it. I mean the money he has left is close to the amount that Wade took to stay in Miami.. Again while I understand the predicament a JJ led team isn't going to win anything so might as well admit your mistake of signing him and sign him if possible to a more in line contract..

Walter 06-30-2011 01:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

@Dave - Now I do. The only Allen error was in the header, hence it was an editing mistake on my part. David spelled Allan correctly everywhere else.

Dave 06-29-2011 04:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.25 (total posts: 1)

You do know it's spelled A-L-L-A-N, right?

Mile High 06-25-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.153 (total posts: 1)

the reason the Nuggets dealt Felton was because he wants to be a starter, which he will never be in Denver. Ty Lawson is the Franchise guard, and keeping Felton impedes his progress. Therefore, they traded Felton, a rising star with high value, for Miller, who will accept coming off the bench, plus they picked up Hamilton who they were targeting.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 56 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21

Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20

NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Leave a comment