NBA Mock Draft Pick #8 -- C.J. McCollum, Guard, Lehigh
SB Nation's Pistons blog Detroit Bad Boys explains the pick:
Detroit has pressing needs on the wing, and each potential draft pick presents as many risks as they do rewards. CJ McCollum has an advantage in efficiency over a Shabazz Muhammad or a Michael Carter-Williams, and an advantage in positional utility over a Cody Zeller. If the Pistons can pencil in CJ McCollum as a third guard or eventual starter off-the-ball, this might be the draft option with the least risk. As for the reward-- the last time the Pistons selected a four-year combo guard from a small school with such blinding efficiency numbers, it panned out pretty well for the franchise. That guard, who shared McCollum's senior efficiency numbers down to the decimal, was Joe Dumars. The challenge for fans would be to avoid comparing McCollum to Knight or Stuckey, or ever expecting him to play the point.
SB Nation Scouting Report: C.J. McCollum
Updated 2013 NBA Mock Draft Board:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: NERLENS NOEL2. Orlando Magic BEN MCLEMORE3. Washington Wizards OTTO PORTER4. Charlotte Hornets ALEX LEN5. Phoenix Suns VICTOR OLADIPO6. New Orleans Pelicans TREY BURKE7. Sacramento Kings ANTHONY BENNETT (for Philly)8. Detroit Pistons C.J. MCCOLLUM9. Minnesota Timberwolves 10. Portland Trail Blazers11. Philadelphia 76ers12. Oklahoma City Thunder13. Dallas Mavericks 14. Utah Jazz 15. Milwaukee Bucks 16. Boston Celtics 17. Atlanta Hawks 18. Atlanta Hawks 19. Cleveland Cavaliers 20. Chicago Bulls 21. Utah Jazz 22. Brooklyn Nets 23. Indiana Pacers 24. New York Knicks25. Los Angeles Clippers 26. Minnesota Timberwolves 27. Denver Nuggets 28. San Antonio Spurs 29. Oklahoma City Thunder30. Phoenix Suns