I will update my mock as I hear more reports and opinions on the players. Lots of things change during these camps. In my opinion, this is one of the deepest drafts of the 21st century and possibly even longer than that. Hearing names like Bill Walker, Courtney Lee, DJ White, and Joey Dorsey possibly going in the 2nd round is quite impressive.
Chicago Bulls - #1
Selection: DERRICK ROSE
You don't pass on Rose no matter what the situation is. Derrick Rose is the #1 talent in the draft. Michael Beasley is a great fit for this franchise with his great interior game and scoring abilities for a big foward but you can't pass on Rose. There is also hope that Tyrus Thomas can break out to the player people expected him to be when he was drafted #4 by the Trail Blazers then eventually dealt to Chicago for Brandon Roy. Rose's game has very few flaws. Outstanding at creating his own shots and setting teammates up. He is also an elite rebounder who anticipates where the ball goes off the rim. On defense, he is an anticipator just like Allen Iverson. Great at getting into the passing lanes and coming up with the steal. In my opinion, he will make an immediate impact in the NBA. The Bulls are a strong team right now.
Miami Heat - #2
Selection: MICHAEL BEASLEY
Only other pick possible at #2 is O.J Mayo but after these workouts I think the Heat will have to go with Beasley. He is smooth and has a fearless attitude. The post up game of his is his strongest part of his game. He can post up and pass, make a move and penetrate, or hit the fadeaway jumper. Him and Wade on the same team. That is some well-balanced scoring! Both of these guys can take over games whenever they want. The Heat have something cooking in the future if both could stay healthy.
Minnesota Timberwolves - #3
Selection: O.J Mayo
It was either Brook or Mayo here and I took Mayo. Reason: Mayo has the potential to be a superstar while Brook doesn't. Mayo needs to fix his game up a bit as he moves onto the NBA. He plans on being a point guard instead of a combo guard. He sure has all the tools with his uncanny vision and basketball IQ. A big flaw to his game could arguably be that he takes too many jump shots. His 4.3 FT avg/game at USC won't do the job. He needs to penetrate the lane more. Brook won't be a bad pick here either. A front court combination of Lopez and Al-Jeff would be terrific but the best choice at pick 3 is Mayo.
Seattle Supersonics - #4
Selection: JERRYD BAYLESS
Jerryd Bayless is the top combo guard in this draft. At only 6'3, this guy would make a good 2 Guard because of his outstanding elevation on his jump shot. Bayless will be a scoring point in the NBA. Recently though, Bayless has said he was taught some tricks by 2 time MVP Steve Nash in which he hasn't shown yet in his game. Maybe that point guard ability part of his game has yet to arrive. Who knows? The black hole of his game is his offensive game when he doesn't have the ball. A little teaching though can change that. Also, he is a slightly above average defender. Bayless is a great match alongside Durant. Both can score and both want the ball. I think the chemistry between these two would be thrilling to see in up-coming years.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - #1
Selection: BROOK LOPEZ
While he isn't expected to ever reach that superstar level, he will most likely become a very good pro. His game is basic and he does the things right. For his size, his balance and handles are hard to find. His touch around the rim and mid-range jumper are great. What impressed me about Brook was his improvement throughout the season. He kept on getting better in every aspect of his game which shows he is a hard-worker and determined to keep on getting better.
New York Knicks - #6
Selection: ERIC GORDON
My gut feeling is D'Antoni and crew select this prolific scorer out of Indiana. Before his dreadful wrist injury midway into the season, Gordon was putting up remarkable stats which everyone figured he would constantly keep doing. The wrist injury and coaching change slowed him down. In February, people were putting him #3-#5 in their mocks. His stock has obviously fell ever since his late season struggles. Nicknamed EJ (Eric Gordon Jr.), Gordon already has a NBA shooting touch. He can shoot anywhere on the court, even mid-court. His shot is pure and his form is perfect. Gordon is also very, very explosive. Despite the injury, he averaged close to 9 foul shots per game and hit 84% of them. That is quite impressive. He has the potential to be a PG but I figure he will remain a small shooting guard. He has the abilities to still become very affective at the 2 despite his lack of height.
Los Angeles Clippers - #7
Selection: RUSSELL WESTBROOK
Westbrook isn't really considered a project but he definitely is as raw as can be. Right now he is another combo guard but who knows what can happen in the future. He can become a point guard but no one really knows right now because he is so raw. He is an exceptional finisher and a terrific defender. Nobody gets by him. I think he entered the draft a little too early. So far in his workouts he has been all but impressive. I think in the NBA he can become slightly less of an offensive Monta Ellis and slightly more of a defensive Rajon Rondo. The reason I have him going to the Clippers is because they desperately need a guard. You can be thinking Shaun Livingston but his career is 50/50 right now. You take the opportunity to pick the best guard available here and not wait until Livingston comes back (if he ever does).
Milwaukee Bucks - #8
Selection: DANILO GALLINARI
Milwaukee goes BPA here. This would give them their second Top 10 foreign prospect in as many years. The Bucks have always been high on talent. Danilo is one of the most talented players in this draft. He can do it all on offense. Has the abilities to play the point which makes him a versatile point foward. The shot of his is above average though can get streaky at times. His handles are outstanding for a 6'9 foward. His ability to create an open shot and run the open floor are incredible. The only thing setting him back from a Top 5 pick is his poor defense and the risk of drafting a 19-year old foreign prospect.
Charlotte Bobcats - #9
Selection: ANTHONY RANDOLPH
Randolph is a very lanky foward who is an inch away from being a 7-footer (6"11). He's left handed, quick, and energetic. Thinking of him I honestly think of another Brandon Wright but Wright had a limited role with the Warriors this year. Without question, Randolph seems to be the clear choice for the man with the most potential in this draft. He is so skinny, he decided to wear a long t-shirt in the draft camps. But with his athleticism and potential he can sometimes "Wow" you. I slotted him at #9 with the Bobcats because the Bobcats could use some front court offense with some scary blocking skills on the other end of the court. He could also give the Bobcats an above-average transition game if he reaches his potential. The Bobcats would need to be patient though with this guy.
New Jersey Nets - #10
Selection: KEVIN LOVE
According to sources, the Nets are looking strongly into 3 big men. Kevin Love of UCLA, Darrell Arthur of Kansas, and Anthony Randolph from LSU. While the Nets are looking for some leadership, I think bringing a guy like Love to New Jersey who has all the tangibles of being a leader would be the most wise decision. Undoubtably, Love's strongest part of his game is the pick and roll. He has a very wide body and great footwork which causes his screens to be the best in the biz. Him and Devin Harris would make a good combination of the pick and roll. Then you also got Sean Williams being a decoy down low. This offense has a load potential but it will take time to develop. Kevin Love getting picked by Jersey makes tons of sense to me.
Indiana Pacers - #11
Selection: D.J Augustin
For the Pacers, this is the obvious pick if he is still on the board. The Pacers will have their first first-round pick since 2005 (Danny Granger) and #11 is the highest they have been since 1996 when they selected Erick Dampier. The organization is in need of a pure PG and Augustin fits the words "pure point guard" perfectly. Augustin lacks height at 5'11 but he is very quick and has terrific handles. He sometimes can shoot but he will likely be a pass first type of player from the first play on. A player that comes to mind that was an undersized pure point guard who had trouble with his jump shot in college is Chris Paul. And Paul has developed into the best point guard in the league. There isn't much of a risk here either. D.J is NBA ready but he needs to improve several aspects of his game. His heart and passion for the game could make him a floor general for the Indiana Pacers as well.
Sacramento Kings - #12
Selection: DARRELL ARTHUR
Bringing championship caliber to Sac-Town would be nice. Although the Kings need a PG with Benu Udrih becoming a Free Agent, there really doesn't seem to be any other guard that can go Top 15 left on the board. So then the decision translates to the best player you can get for the Kings. Arthur fits the Kings system very well. He is great in the transition and has pheonominal court awareness. He makes the right decisions normally on the floor. His passing game is above average and he is a great rebounder. A monster on the boards. His turnover ratio in the NBA will be a problem though. He can barely dribble.
Portland Trail Blazers - #13
Selection: JOE ALEXANDER
The Blazers are deep in depth, real deep. They don't really need any position except for Point Guard. Same for the Kings situation, I don't think there will be one available this late that is Top 15 material. Most likely, the Blazers will trade up for Westbrook or Augustin or trade down for a guard like Ty Lawson. If it doesn't happen, the Blazers will probably pick the smooth and finesse foward from WVU. Joe Alexander has a very impressive game. He plays like an extremely athletic power foward. He is a great finisher. Also has a post up game or he can simply drive to the hoop and go for the dunk. Has the ability to do move's and tricks with his ball-handling. Alexander's draft stock quickly rose with his impressive March Madness tournament stint.
Golden State Warriors - #14
Selection: KOSTA KOUFOS
With Andres Beidrins in town, the Warriors could be looking into getting a scoring center to help there running offensive game. Kosta Koufos is Mehmet Okur Part II while he also has the ability to play the pick and roll game. His shot on the corner from 20 feet out is pure. Kosta also has real good hands and establishes his post position with ease to set him up for the short hook shot or turnaround jumper. The 7-footer isn't necessarily a stud yet but he did enter the draft quite early. He is a perfect fit the the Golden State Warriors.
Phoenix Suns - #15
Selection: DONTE GREEN
Donte was considered a top draft pick before the season started until his non-NBA readiness clearly showed during his year at Syracuse. He is an interesting character. Donte is a 6'9 combo foward (SF/PF) who has the ability to drive to the lane and occasionally hit the 3 point shot just like Eric Gordon. But the thing that sets him back is his love for the 3 point shot. If he is on or not, he will still continue to shoot the ball beyond the arc hoping that he gets hot. Green is a very streaky player as well and when on he can definitely light up the crowd. He just needs to learn the game more and be more efficient. That's where the Phoenix Suns come in play. Although D'Antoni is gone, the organization has a knack for developing players throughout the years (ex: Barbosa, Diaw, Bell).
Philadelphia 76ers - #16: MARREESE SPEIGHTS
Toronto Raptors - #17: NICOLAS BATUM
Washington Wizards - #18: DEANDRE JORDAN
Cleveland Cavaliers - #19: CHASE BUDINGER
Denver Nuggets - #20: CHRIS DOUGLAS ROBERTS
New Jersey Nets - #21: BRANDON RUSH
Orlando Magic - #22: ROBIN LOPEZ
Utah Jazz - #23: JAVALE MCGEE
Seattle Supersonics - #24: ROY HIBBERT
Houston Rockets - #25: TY LAWSON
San Antonio Spurs - #26: BILL WALKER
New Orleans Hornets - #27: DAVON JEFFERSON
Memphis Grizzlies - #28: DEVON HARDIN
Detriot Pistons - #29: D.J WHITE
Boston Celtics - #30: WAYNE ELLINGTON
Thanks for reading.
