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With the 21st pick in the 2016 GBB Community Mock NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select...
Brice Johnson, Forward, University of North Carolina
(Bob Donnan- USA Today Sports)
Atlanta has needs in the frontcourt potentially, especially at the Power Forward position. Paul Millsap is one of the league's most underrated players and has that spot locked down as a starter, but behind him? Mike Scott logged the next most minutes this past season according to basketball-reference.com, and while Scott has a solid mid-range and a bit beyond scoring game he is not known as a defensive stopper or dominant post presence.
Enter Brice Johnson, who according to NBADraft.net is comparable to Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls in terms of overall game. Johnson is a big who has athletic ability, can defend both stretch fours and can block shots at the rim, and has nice touch outside the paint. His frame could continue to add muscle mass, but his ability to move, especially in the open court, would be a major bonus for Atlanta. Plus, he comes from a winning program in North Carolina, so he has been in big-time situations and has led successful teams. That experience is very valuable.
Later in the first round, you look for guys with high ceilings. Even though Johnson is an old 21 (he turns 22 in 11 days), he can blossom behind Millsap and eventually possibly overtake Scott by the 2017-2018 season as the elad back-up in the front court. That would be a good use of #21 overall.
The Charlotte Hornets are on the clock.
Date | Pick/Team | Selection | Mock GM |
June 2nd | 1/Philadelphia | Brandon Ingram, Forward, Duke University | Joe Mullinax |
June 2nd | 2/LA Lakers | Ben Simmons, Forward, LSU | Corban Ford |
June 3rd | 3/Boston | Marquese Chriss, Power Forward, Washington | Chip Williams |
June 3rd | 4/Phoenix | Dragan Bender, Power Forward, Maccabi Tel Aviv | Kyle Whittington |
June 6th | 5/Minnesota | Buddy Hield, Guard, Oklahoma | Aimee S |
June 6th | 6/Denver | Jamal Murray, Guard, Kentucky | Mopizzle11 |
June 7th | 7/Denver | Domantas Sabonis, Forward/Center, Gonzaga | Mopizzle11 |
June 7th | 8/Sacramento | Kris Dunn, Guard, Providence | Brandon C |
June 8th | 9/Toronto | Henry Ellenson, Forward, Marquette | Tabitha |
June 8th | 10/Milwaukee | Timothe Luwawu, Guard/Forward, Mega Leks | Kevin Yeung |
June 9th | 11/Boston | Jaylen Brown, Guard/Forward, California | Chip Williams |
June 9th | 12/Utah | Jakob Poeltl, Center, Utah | BealeStreetKen |
June 10th | 13/Phoenix | Skal Labissiere, Forward/Center, Kentucky | Kyle Whittington |
June 10th | 14/Memphis | Denzel Valentine, Guard/Forward, Michigan State | Joe Mullinax |
June 13th | 15/New Orleans | Taurean Prince, Forward, Baylor | Wes George |
June 13th | 16/Orlando | Deyonta Davis, Forward/Center, Michigan State | Daron Koch |
June 14th | 17/Chicago | Wade Baldwin IV, Guard, Vanderbilt | Brandon C |
June 14th | 18/Detroit | Dejounte Murray, Guard, Washington | Joe Mullinax |
June 15th | 19/New Orleans | Furkan Korkmaz, Guard/Forward, Turkey | Wes George |
June 15th | 20/Indiana | DeAndre Bembry, Guard/Forward, St. Joseph's | Aimee S |
June 16th | 21/Atlanta | Brice Johnson, Forward, North Carolina | Joe Mullinax |
June 16th | 22/Charlotte | Justin Sims | |
June 17th | 23/Orlando | Daron Koch | |
June 17th | 24/Philadelphia | Joe Mullinax | |
June 20th | 25/LA Clippers | Kevin Lipe | |
June 20th | 26/Philadelphia | Joe Mullinax | |
June 21st | 27/Toronto | Tabitha | |
June 21st | 28/Phoenix | Kyle Whittington | |
June 22nd | 29/San Antonio | Jill Kong | |
June 22nd | 30/Golden State | rhinoh23 |