All-Time ACC Mock Draft

Dattier

All-American
Sep 1, 2003
9,374
5,634
0
This isn't the greatest article, but it's interesting and a decent conversation starter on what's a rare snow day here in Durham.

I like this explanation of their rankings: "These are strictly based off of how they performed in college, not their NBA careers. If that was the case, then many of these players would not have made the list, and some would have been ranked much higher than where they are now. Every player mentioned also had to have played for their school when it was apart [sic] of the ACC. Some players also played more seasons in college than others, which could have helped or hurt their cause." That, and including Len Bias (#5, too low, imo, but still...) almost make up for referring to Lennie Rosenbluth's career at UNC as his time "in Durham."

Laughable inclusions? Rodney Monroe, and more so at #10. He was great at NCSU, but there was a reason he went 2nd round and played only half a season in the NBA.
Egregious omissions? They included Jabari Parker, so OADs should be considered, let alone guys who stayed for 2 years, so Elton Brand's exclusion is a bad oversight. Kenny Anderson and Antawn Jamison, too, just off the top of my head.

Would DT be as successful as a 6'4" SF in today's NBA (also a consideration in their ranks, and a reason some others are ranked lower)? Would Sampson be more successful today, w/ his penchant for straying from the low block? Who else is too high? Too low?
 

OldasdirtDevil

Heisman
Nov 16, 2009
19,469
15,753
0
First off, this is really a difficult task with all the great players that have played in the ACC over the years.
And this is based off of college stats...even though I think many will get them intertwined (in their memory) with the player's pro careers.

Everyone is going to have a different idea of where certain players fall, but I can't see how JJ Redick is rated so far ahead of Grant Hill, and Christian Laettner. JJ was/is a great shooter, but Grant and Christian were the cream of the crop for Duke, and IMO should be right at the very top of this list...or at least ahead of JJ.
Oh, and I'm not a Hanstravel fan, but I think he's pretty low also.



OFC
 

Liftee

All-American
Mar 6, 2011
3,199
5,513
0
I'm an OFC so that may cloud my judgment but I'd have David Thompson first based on his college career. I'm not sure how you would classify let's say Art Heyman since he played so long ago and the NBA was so different in those days. His game and his physical condition would be completely different if he played now.

Also, since the author included one and dones, who didn't know Kyrie was going to be great coming out of college?
 

SwatX1

Heisman
Jan 4, 2011
8,338
10,583
68
The article said based on college career only. With that said, Christian Laettner won two National Championships, went to 4 final fours, is the NCAA tournament all time leading scorer, and hit what in my opinion is the biggest shot ever in the tournament. Who else has a resume' that even begins to compare to that?
 

SwatX1

Heisman
Jan 4, 2011
8,338
10,583
68
Editing your original is just fine.

The article said based on college career only. With that said, Christian Laettner won two National Championships, went to 4 final fours, is the NCAA tournament all time leading scorer, and hit what in my opinion is the biggest shot ever in the tournament. Who else has a resume' that even begins to compare to that?

Not to mention the All American awards, Naismith awards, POY awards, shooting almost 50% from the 3 point line as a center, only college player selected to the dream team, and a whole lot of other awards that I am not going to take the time to type out!!!
 

df64

All-Conference
Feb 2, 2006
2,702
1,934
0
Monroe, Reddick, Dixon, and Vasquez all too high. Stats aside, on their day, they were not considered great prospects. No way Battier should be in front of Grant Hill. If Chris Paul is on the list, how is Brand not? Buck Williams and Albert King were also better than some of tje guys on this list. Dunleavy, a contemporary of Dixon went higher in the draft than Dixon.
 

Dattier

All-American
Sep 1, 2003
9,374
5,634
0
Yeah, the knock on Grant was that he wasn't a great outside shooter, but old and worn-out, he still played into the modern era.

I'm getting a little off-topic, as draft potential is draft potential, not to be revised after the fact. It seems like that was held against Grant a lot more than some other question marks were held against some other guys on the list.
 

Mac9192

Heisman
Jan 25, 2017
9,508
13,743
107
If it's just what they did in college, the top 3 should be Laettner, Thompson and Sampson. As far as Duke guys go after Laettner, Hurley, Battier and Grant Hill should be above JJ.
This is definitely a good talking piece, and Tim Duncan from Wake is deserving. Hansbrough from the Holes over Jordan or the others. I didn't see Ford play. Len Bias most definitely from Maryland, and either Mark Price or Dennis Scott from GT.
Anyone is delusional though to not have Laettner in the top 3.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dukesince91

Dattier

All-American
Sep 1, 2003
9,374
5,634
0
If it's just what they did in college, the top 3 should be Laettner, Thompson and Sampson. As far as Duke guys go after Laettner, Hurley, Battier and Grant Hill should be above JJ.
This is definitely a good talking piece, and Tim Duncan from Wake is deserving. Hansbrough from the Holes over Jordan or the others. I didn't see Ford play. Len Bias most definitely from Maryland, and either Mark Price or Dennis Scott from GT.
Anyone is delusional though to not have Laettner in the top 3.
It's what they did in college, but also how that would fit into today's NBA. I have only seen DT play in classic reruns, but I wonder how well a 6'4" SF would translate. Laettner's range would make him even better in today's NBA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mac9192