The anticipation of the draft, is there anything better? I can think of a number of things, but that's not the point. Last year my Blazers chose Greg Oden out Ohio State. Will see how that pans out this upcoming season. There's all sorts of exciting players to be had this year: Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, OJ Mayo, Kevin Love, etc. Sure there's probably some exciting playoff games to watch right now, or some exciting MLB action I could be enjoying. I haven't watched a single playoff game, cause my team isn't in it. That being said, Go Spurs and Pistons!If Kobe Bryant wins a ring by himself, I may go into hiding. Let's hope that doesn't happen. My favorite MLB team, who shall remain nameless, stinks to high heaven right now, so on to the my NBA mock Draft. I'll be the first to admit that I am no Jay Bilas and I couldn't possibly be more annoying than#### Vitale. I don't have a lazy eye, so I can't be Stuart Scott, so I guess I'll have to just be PF. Here's my 1st and hopefully only mock draft with some commentary, minus the comments about motor and basketball IQ.
1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis. Everyone is picking Beasley. I'm thinking they take the home town guy. The current backcourt of Hinrich and Gordon hasn't gotten them very far. Perhaps they deal Hinrich, but I'm guessing they'll deal Duhon and groom Rose to be Hinrich's replacement. This team still lacks rebounding, but a Drew Gooden can get you by, in the East. Thanks again for LaMarcus Aldridge!
2. Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas St. He's the consensu number 1 and 9 times out of 10 he would be, but I don't see the Bulls passing on Rose. The Heat have been talking about trading down and taking OJ Mayo, but that seems like the rumor mill has officially began to "heat" up. Rimshot!Beasely could be a 20 and 10 guy. Why would the Heat pass that up? They were terrible last year. Beasley and the Matrix could dominate the glass and low block next season.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: OJ Mayo, SG, USC: The post-KG Era begins with drafting the type of player that can put the meat in the seats. No way does Kevin McHale draft Brook Lopez here, no way. Fans don't pay money to see beasts like Al Jefferson####in' away in the paint, they pay to see the guy that shoots lights out from anywhere, ie Jordan, Bryant.
4. Seattle Supersonics of Oklahoma City: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona. The Supes need a point guard. Apparently no one is happy with the play of Luke Ridnour or Earl Watson, so here's Jerryd Bayless. I could see them trading down for DJ Augustin, or taking Brook Lopez here, but as I think about it I really don't care. I've hated the Sonics since they let myboy, future Hall of Famer, Gary Payton go. Now I really hate them for moving to Oklahoma. I mean isn't there a more enticing NBA city for this team to go to?
5. Memphis Grizz: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU. Hardest pick to predict thus far, as they could go a number of different directions other than PG. Power forward seems like a real need here, but maybe they go with Lopez or Love here. I figure they'd want someone a little more athletic at the 4, and Randolph has that. He's drawing comparisons to Chris Bosh so far, and that's not a terrible player to be compared to by any means. You need to be worried when you're getting compared to Oliver Miller with a little less of a motor.
6. New York Knicks: DJ Augustin, PG, Texas. Like I said, the Supes might trade down and take this guy. Let's face it the Knicks need everything. I do think Jamal Crawford will look good in the D'Antoni system, but they need a solid, Steve Nash style distributor and Nate Robinson might not be the guy. Augustin could be a nice pick up here, or maybe this Gallinari character I keep reading about.
7. Los Angeles Clippers: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA. I could see the Clips going a number of directions here. I think Brand will stay in LA, to maintain that flourishing movie career, but Maggette is as good as gone. They need a point, since Livingston may be done for good. Here they can fill a need, take a local guy, and create a log jam at any positions already held by good players like Brand and Thornton.
8. Milwaukee Bucks: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA. I don't see the Bucks drafting a project, raw player here. They draft somebody, who can help their cause right away. I don't see them dealing Michael Redd, but trying to add a piece to the puzzle. Yi Jianlin can slide into the 3,Love at the 4, and Bogut at the 5. This could be a sweet deal for the Bucks. Though that Gallinari guy could be an option, as could Eric Gordon, who would allegedly replace Michael Redd (yeah right)
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford. With Okafor likely to bolt Charlotte, Lopez seems like the ideal pick here. Many mock drafts don't have him going this far, but hey I make bold predictions. This gives them a ####er inside to compliment Richardson, Wallace, and Felton.
10. New Jersey Nets: Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy. A rebuilding team makes a splash here. I do think they might make a play for DeAndre Jordan here too. This pick could signal the end of a Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson in NJ. Is the Big Pimpin' Jay Z bold enough to make such a pick. We shall see.
11. Indiana Pacers: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana. The Pacers take the combo guard here, and try to groom him into the point guard of the future. I hear Jamal Tinsley's days are numbered. They could possibly take a big here too, as I hear Jermaine O'Neal's days might be numbered as well.
12. Sacramento Kings: Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas. The Kings need a point as well, but I see them taking another big team need here with a power forward, not named Kenny Thomas or Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The Maloof brothers appear to be in a rebuilding mode.
13. Portland Trail Blazers: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M. I guess it doesn't matter who the team drafts here, as I expect they might deal the pick. The Blazers are blossoming into a contender and don't have any real needs, other than bolstering the point guard position. They package the highly coveted big man here with other parts (Frye, Jack) and deal them for a veteran point guard. The Blazers are going to be crazy good next year with the additions of Oden and Fernandez. Mark my words.
14. Golden State Warriors: Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas. The first surprise of the draft. If Baron Davis is gone, insert Monta Ellis at the point and draft this guy. He can shoot anddefend. He's a bit of a reach here, so maybe Golden State deals the pick for a point guard or takes Speights here. Maybe this is my one bone headed fan pick of the draft. The Warriors could be on the cusp of being great or ending up in the lottery more, in the future.
PF is from the Northwest. I'm a huge fan of the Seahawks, Mariners, and Trail Blazers! If you don't root for your teams, even when they're losing or re-building, you are not a true fan.
Go Beavs! Back to Back NCAA Baseball Champions! Obama in '08!
