Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 8:00 am | 59 responses

SLAMonline Mock Draft: Earl Clark, No. 13

Indiana needs this tough guy who does it all.

by DeMarco Williams

With the 13th pick in the 2009 SLAMonline Mock Draft, the Indiana Pacers select…

Earl Clark. Drafting players is a lot like meeting a girl on Match.com. Sure, you’ve peeped 10 great pictures of the mystery lady online repeatedly, but until you see her standing at the Cheesecake Factory hostess desk for the first time, you’re not really sure what to expect. Earl Clark, the ridiculously-athletic forward who did Louisville’s dirty work while Terrence Williams was getting the ESPN highlights, is, well, the Pacers’ date for next season.

Indiana finished 36-46 a year ago. In one conference, that record would have been cause for panic. In the other, it’s just another way of saying your team was only one player away from a 6th seed in the playoffs. Thankfully for the Pacers, they play in the latter conference.

Danny Granger, the NBA’s most improved player, was the main reason Indiana came thiiiis close to making the postseason. The two-headed PG of TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack kept things in motion. Troy Murphy manned the middle respectably. And when they weren’t at the doctor’s office, the MDs, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Marquis Daniels, were a headache for the opposition.

The Pacers have potential at every position. Unfortunately for hoops fans in the Hoosier State, they rarely showed it consistently. A do-it-all like Clark would be a heaven send. At 6-10, Clark is long enough to mix it up inside with Murph and Roy Hibbert on occasions, but he’s more than ball hungry enough to help Grange and Dunleavy during any offensive lulls. Lest we forget, Clark led the loaded Louisville Cardinals in scoring last season. The kid simp Earl Clark ly adores the hoop.

Of course, Indiana’s problem isn’t really with putting the ball in the hole. It’s actually with preventing others from having their way with the scoreboard. Squads averaged 106 ppg versus the Pacers. That’s 5th worst in the League. They gave up 115 or more 21 times. While Clark would be the first –Wait, actually Cardinals coach Rick Pitino might be first- to tell you he needs some work with his defensive fundamentals, things like a growing physique (228 pounds and expanding), a crazy wingspan, sound footwork and a knack for the big block and rebound only make learning that much easier.

Still, the essential point with the Pacers is that they aren’t missing much. Somebody like Clark, a genuinely decent kid with more upside than Facebook in ‘07, can come in, learn his role (hustle, tussle and bust on you) and thrive for Coach Jim O’Brien. There are some who say Wake Forest’s James Johnson could have done the same things. Maybe so. But this whole draft thing is like meeting a virtual crush in person for the first time. Might as well go with the one who appeared the most promising in the pictures.

2009 SLAMonline Mock Draft Results
Pick	Team	Player
1	L.A. Clippers	Blake Griffin
2	Memphis Grizzlies	Hasheem Thabeet
3	Oklahoma City Thunder	Ricky Rubio
4	Sacramento Kings	Brandon Jennings
5	Washington Wizards	Jordan Hill
6	Minnesota Timberwolves	Demar DeRozan
7	Golden State Warriors	James Harden
8	New York Knicks	Stephen Curry
9	Toronto Raptors	Tyreke Evans
10	Milwaukee Bucks	Jonny Flynn
11	New Jersey Nets	DeJuan Blair
12	Charlotte Bobcats	Terrence Williams
13	Indiana Pacers	Earl Clark

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Tags: Earl Clark, Feature Too, Indiana Pacers, Louisville Cardinals, Mock Draft 2009, NBA Draft 2009

Read the SLAMonline Discussion Rules before posting.

Declan

Man Earl Clark is awesome. I hope he lives up to his potential. Good pick, might as well go for upside in a draft like this.
AlbertBarr

I hope the Pacers make the playoffs next year…the platypus needs his chance on the big stage…him and the Durantula.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

Ooh, I kind of love this pick. The Pacers are a fun team to watch, but they need someone to attack the rim. Granger needs a sidekick. One thing about Granger that most people don’t notice is how hard he competes on D. Dude averaged right at 1.5 Blks a game last season (only trailing Lebron at the SF spot) Hopefully, Granger’s consistently high effort and toughness will rub off on Earl, or atleast keep his effort consistent.
I like the pick, IF Clark lasts this long.
niQ

if raptors can’t get tyreke evans, i hope they get clark.
http://slamonline.com/ Tzvi Twersky

Great pick!!! It needs no explaining. Larry Bird would be ecstatic if this were to happen (Danny Granger would be also).
IndyB

He would back up 3 spots and allow the Pacers to patiently wait till Dunleavy recovers… If not him then maybe Gerald Henderson would be a good fit… Pacers will have little depth at the wing spots behind Brandon Rush and Danny Granger and they need to address that… Jarret Jack cannot guard the 2 spot… everyone shoots over him.
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

De, you know I love you, but……
Those that know my work during the college season know how I feel about Clark. Probably 50+ viewings and I still don’t see it with this guy. Looks amazing physically, but I just don’t think he is very good at basketball.
I know this will sound crazy but I wouldn’t draft this guy in the first round. People love him, I just fear they haven’t seen enough to realize what he brings.
Like I’ve said before, this is one of those rare instances where I hope I’m wrong.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

Lucky for you Cub. You’re out of your mind on this one. Worst case: Earl Clark = Lamar Odom.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

You really still think Austin Daye is the better player, Cub?
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

Ciolk, (unlike most) you actually watch the college game!!!
LOdom? Wow, gotta totally disagree on that one….(Can u see EClark making an Olympic team?)

He will become a solid defensive player due to his physical gifts but he is not an offensive star in the making.
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

Ciolk, unequivicably, YES.
While not as physically imposing as clark (yet-although Daye is 2 inches taller) but his offensive game is light-years ahead of Clark. Although, I wish Daye had stayed one more year in Spokane, as (like Clark) he seems a bit lost at times on the court.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

I’ve seen a lot more of Clark than I have Daye, and that Gonzaga team was deep enough to not rely on Daye for much, so maybe there’s talent there that he didn’t have A chance to show off. He has a much better stroke than Clark, but physically he’s not ready to play against NBA threes (which has become the position du jour for dominanant inside/outiside scorers: Granger, Durant, Lebron, etc) I’m not putting Clark on those guys level offensively, but he’d atleast be able to put his body on them, and his shot was really inconsistent in college but I can see it improving.
http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

Roy Hibbert is a human foul machine.
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

Ciolk, I agree with everything you just wrote.
A lot of Clark’s scoring, though, was against MUCH smaller competition, which always scares me at the next level. His shot selection is brutal, too.
Has he grown?? My sources had him at just 6-8 and I know peronally that Daye is slowly creeping on 7-feet. I felt dwarfed by Daye in person.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

Some new combine measurables just got leaked:
Jonny Flynn had the highest max vert in the draft at 40″ (suck it Juaki. The kid is a real talent, and will probably end up going top 10 and competing for ROY)
…and I just saw Daye’s vert was a disappointing 28″, one of the worst in the entire camp and he pulled a Durant, being unable to lift the 180 lb bench press even one time. I know weightlifting prowess isn’t importanat for basketball players, and measurables aren’t everything but Daye has to be hurting his stock at this point.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

…not to pile on, but Daye also had one of the worst scores in the “lane agility test”. He’s skilled but just seems to not be explosive AT ALL, and the question has to be whether he’ll get even slower once (if?) he adds some weight?
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

Agreed Daye needs more cafeteria/weightroom.
His defense is pretty average (still a heart/want thing rather than a physical ability thing) and he’s not the most athletic but at his height and wingspan, he’ll still get work done.
He’s got a great offensive feel (although he can try to do too much, at times, too) and he improved so much as a rebounder between last 2 seasons.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

Wow, looking back at the names in this combine this draft is really, really “sneaky deep”.
There are tons of guys who could contribute in the L who will fall to the late first or second round. I can actually see teams looking to save $ by signing younger players with lower minimum salaries, rather than going with more proven but more expensive vets (with less upside)
SOME NAMES OF PLAYERS I LOVE IN THE LATE FIRST -SECOND ROUND:
Toney Douglas
Greivis Vasquez
Sam Young
Patty Mills
Jerel McNeal
Jack McClinton
Gani Lawal
Josh Heytvelt (would be awesome on the Spurs)
Dionte Christmas (Another guy who’d fit in SA)
DaJuan Summers
Dante Cunningham
Tyler Smith
Jermain Taylor
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

add Demarre Carroll and Damion James to that list as well…
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

Jerel is going to be a 15-year vet (close, but probably no ASGs) that wins championships.
Love that kid, he’s lottery to me.
Another guy that has dropped a bit off the radar is BYU’s Lee Cummard. He might not get drafted but he has an NBA professional career in his future. Baller.
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

DeMarre doesn’t do anything flashy or particularly well, but the dude is tough and he can play ball.
Ciolk, you know, your a Big 12 guy…
Word on DJames, always been a fan.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

Guilty as charged, Cub. I really like Demarre’s hair as well.
http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

Nice “your”…..
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

I’m just praying that the Spurs front office grows a pair, and goes out a buys and/or trades for atleast one first round pick, and maybe an early second rounder as well. Tim left money on the table for a reason, and he doesn’t have much time left. Building through the draft is really the only way we’ll get anything done. Outside of Roger Mason Jr, Tony, and Manu =(MAYBE George Hill) I don’t really think the Spurs have ANY valuable assets or expiring contracts, so I’m not sure if a trade for a legit player is plausible.
Step yo game up Spurs front office!!!
TADOne

Well, since we are only one pick away from Detroit’s spot in the draft, i’m liking the Pistons chances on getting an impact player. I’ll be happy with any of the following:
1) Eric Maynor
2) Austin Daye
3) Jerel McNeal
4) Jrue Holiday
Czar Ruke

how about you too just call each other? Suns should draft Sam Young!
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

How about you learn to correctly use the differnt forms of to/too/two?
AR

If Eric Maynor out on twenty pounds,he’d still need to put on the superfluous 15 pounds of muscle in the off season,I’d definitely take him late first round though.Cub knows I agree with him on Earl Clark.The sum of his parts don’t add up to the player many think he is.I have no doubt he’s a great pre draft work out player,but beyond that I can’t see him being much.LeVance Fields better be the next pick,too.
Seven Duece

Why waste a lottery pick on a guy who’s never going to beat out your incumbent starter at SF & absolutely WILL not be a PF in the league. If Terrance Williams is available here, they should grab him. A defensive stalwart who can do everything Daniels can do, including miss jump shots. If I had to take a forward, I’d go with Johnson from Wake Forest. At least he’s strong & athletic enough to play both front court positions without looking out of place. Earl Clark reminds me of that guy Shawne Williams. So much upside, he never got off the bench.
bro. D

Roy Hibbert is a human suck machine
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

AR, I love Levance but he has a better shot at being the manager at Burger King than he does at going in the top 15.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

AR, I love Levance but he has a better shot at being the manager at Burger King than he does at going in the top 15.
AR

He would be an efficient and entertaining Burger King manager,I think we’ll agree.
http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

LOL!
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Khalid Salaam

demarco u my dude but your assessment of earl clark it totally off. he’s not what i would call a “tough” player as he suffers from mental lapses at key times. he’s also wildly inconsistent…that being said, the pacers could do far worse. he is absolutely a 1st rd pick. i mentioned the odom comparison yesterday…i still stand by that. clarks a versatile athlete but will prob never avg 20 pts a game. he’s not a number 1 or a number 2 but as a 3rd/4th option he can be money.
http://www.hoopsmanifesto.blogspot.com Jeff Fox

Earl Clark is one of those guys who could go either way – could reach his potential and be good or be a total underachieving bust. He’s the type of guy who could make or break a GM’s career.
http://www.triplejunearthed.com Dacre

“The kid simply adores the hoop..” – Sweetest line!
The ‘online-match.com/crush scenario’ works well. Something tells me that Mr DeMarco “Farmer needs a wife” Williams knows the score….
http://www.triplejunearthed.com Dacre

PHOENIX IS NEXT PHOENIX IS NEXT PHOENIX IS NEXT!!!!

James Johnson
LeVance Fields
Tyler Hansborough?
Seven Duece

Now I would love Phoenix to either grab a pg or combo guard (Jeff Teague, Jrue Holiday) or a true big (Tyler Hansborough, Gani Lawal).
Chris

this is a last stop for me. If Steve Kerr gets this offseason and upcoming season wrong, I will not be a suns fan again until he gets FIRED! But dont call me a bandwagon fan because Ive been a fan of the suns my whole life, even through the Starbury years and the horrible seasons. I knew that Steve Kerr would ruin this team and he has. Im hoping that he turns it around tho.
Chris

Oh, and I just heard this rumor that Amare could be going to The wizards for Antawn Jamison, Mike James, and the #5 pick. Don’t think it would happen and I dont know what Id think about it.
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http://www.slamonline.com DeMarco Williams

Hey, Khalid. Just for the record, I never used the word “tough” in my description of Clark. That was added after my piece was turned in. But man, I gotta stand by this pick. The Pacers would be crazy to pass up on a guy that can help with his length, athleticism and desire for buckets.
http://slamonline.com Felix Del Figelow

The pacers need another scorer to go along with granger. i cant see earl clark being that threat. They also need more defense and maybe another 2nd round pg to bring some depth to their frontcourt.
http://slamonline.com Felix Del Figelow

The pacers need another scorer to go along with granger. i cant see earl clark being that threat. They also need more defense and maybe another 2nd round pg to bring some depth to their frontcourt.
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SLAMonline Mock Draft: Earl Clark, No. 13

Indiana needs this tough guy who does it all.

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