The 2010 SB Nation NBA Mock Draft is still(!) underway, with each SB Nation blogger making selections for their respective teams. Straight Outta Vancouver, SB Nation's Memphis Grizzlies blog, checks in to make the twelfth overall selection in this year's mock.
With the twelfth overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NBA Mock Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies have selected Ed Davis, power forward, North Carolina Tar Heels.
djturtleface explains: If there's one player the Grizzlies didn't expect to land in this draft, it's John Wall. If there's another, it's probably Ed Davis, who is a fine consolation prize if he falls this far. Davis might be too raw to be the "impact player" Chris Wallace is looking for this upcoming season -- he doesn't shoot and will get backed down by elite power forwards -- but that's hardly a priority with several NBA-ready scorers likely to be on the board for the 25th and 28th picks.
Davis is one of the few players in this draft that seems guaranteed a true position on both ends, with a huge frame, long arms, and great speed and hops for a power forward. His combine scores and game just scream dominant finisher; Davis should make an Amar'e Stoudemire-esque impact in the poster industry. He'd also finally give Mike Conley a legitimate option in the pick and roll, since he was even able to make North Carolina's horrible backcourt look like decent distributors at times.
And Davis really gets it done on defense too, averaging almost 10 boards and 3 blocks in just 28 minutes of playing time at North Carolina. He's been mentored by Ben Wallace, which should tell you something about where he's really looking to impact the game.
Ultimately it comes down to this question, though: Who are the Grizzlies more scared to overpay, or to walk away for more money than they're willing to pay, Zach Randolph or Rudy Gay? Randolph's next contract will take him well past 30, and he's not known for conditioning or durability. For the Grizzlies it's an easy decision, you've got to pay Rudy and keep Davis as safety for the future, where he should peak with the promising young core.
Ridiculous Upside reacts: If you would've told Ed Davis he was going to slide to 12th in the SB Nation mock draft before the withdrawal deadline, I bet he'd be going back to North Carolina next Fall.
That said, he's an excellent pick for the Grizzlies - a team that doesn't really have room for an immediate impact player - and should be great insurance for the Zach Randolph situation.
Ridiculous Upside's Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - Luke Babbitt, F, Nevada. 2 - Ekpe Udoh, PF/C, Baylor. 3 - Hassan Whiteside, PF/C, Marshall. 4 - Paul George, G/F, Fresno State. 5 - Eric Bledsoe, G, Kentucky.
Sound off, SB Nation! What say you of the Davis-to-Memphis pick?
And please, remember to check out Straight Outta Vancouver for everything you need to know about the Grizzlies (including scouting reports on the other players they had considered for this pick).
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