SBNation NBA Mock Draft, Pick #15: Detroit Pistons

By Scott Schroeder Jun 19, 2009, 10:30am EDT

With the fifteenth pick in the 2009 SBNation Mock Draft, the Detroit Pistons, represented by Packey over at Motown String Music, select... (Drum Roll please)

With the 15th pick in the SB Nation NBA Mock Draft, the Detroit Pistons select....Earl Clark, a forward from the University of Louisville.

For the Pistons, in my opinion, it comes down to either a PG or overall talent at the No. 15 slot. If a PG like Eric Maynor fell to the Pistons it'd be tough to pass up on his potential to be a solid point guard a la Rajon Rondo in the NBA. Right now, the Pistons have Rodney Stuckey, who Joe Dumars admitted may not be the point guard they thought he could be, and Will Bynum, who I think is a much better slasher than a guy who can distribute the rock. Therefore, drafting a PG might not be a terrible idea because it would give the Pistons more opportunities to play Stuckey and Bynum off the ball to use their scoring abilities more often.

However, if a guy like 6'10" Earl Clark falls to No. 15, I think the Pistons need to pounce on him. Clark already possesses solid NBA size at 225 lbs, pure athleticism, and his center-esque length makes him unlike any other SF in this year's draft class. He can defend four out of the five positions on the floor and can play both the small and power forward on offense. The biggest knock on Clark seems to be that his jumper is inconsistent and ugly; both things that can definitely be worked on. Besides, Tayshaun Prince's lefty "cock and pause" shot has never been pretty to watch either, in my opinion. If Clark works to improve his shot's consistency, he has a patent fadeaway that is nearly impossible to defend due to his great wingspan which could become a lethal weapon to compliment his ability to make quick moves to the basket.

In the real draft, I really don't think Clark falls to the Pistons as I actually think he'll wind up being a Top 10 pick (where he has been projected to go before); I just could not pass up on him if the first 14 picks go as they have here today.