My first ever mock draft - top 25 only
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 4:47 am
1. CHI - Derrick Rose
Upgrade on Hinrich; will make Tyrus better, facilitate CHI jump-shooters
2. MIA - Michael Beasley
Fearsome scorer alongside Wade, who will probably mentor him and keep him together
3. MIN - O.J. Mayo
They take the BPA, who will start alongside Foye in the back-court. McCants is not a long-term starter.
4. SEA - Jerryd Bayless
Seattle have a nice running team with Wilcox up-front, Durant, Green. Bayless is another piece to the puzzle, and can slot right into starting PG.
5. MEM - DeAndre Jordan
Memphis make what could be another bone-headed move. He's got potential, but will take time...lots of it.
6. NYK - Danilo Gallinari
The Knicks could do with a player with good BBIQ, poise, and the ability to create for others. And, his father played with D'Antoni.
7. LAC - Eric Gordon
Here is the Clippers' replacement for Cuttino Mobley, I can't see how EG can't have a career on Mobley's level or better.
8. MIL - Anthony Randolph
The Bucks go for their potential SF. At the moment, he is just that - potential - so the jury is out.
9. CHA - Brook Lopez
Great place for Lopez to carve out a career. Allows Okafor to play the PF, which is the better position for him to play. Completes a potential playoff starting five for the Bobcats.
10. NJN - Kevin Love
New Jersey are looking for a big who can score. Love could play alongside a good prospect in Sean Williams.
11. IND - D.J. Augustin
Patience in Tinsley will no doubt be wearing thin for the Pacers. I think Augustin is a very nice pick for them here.
12. SAC - Russell Westbrook
There will be concerns over his PG abilities, but Westbrook is going to be a nice defender at the next level, and is extremely quick.
13. POR - Joe Alexander
Assuming no deal here and the PGs don't slip, Portland have to take a SF. I think Alexander is a role-player that need from the SF.
14. GSW - Marrese Speights
I think Speights could be a very nice option for the Warriors. He can score, attack the offensive glass and is athletic.
15. PHO - Chase Budinger
Tough pick here, but I think Budinger can step in and be a nice perimeter shooter with good height at 6'7.
16. PHI - Darrell Arthur
Philly would love this pick. They are looking for a nice PF to complement Dalembert, and if they aren't chasing Brand, Arthur is a nice prospect who could be a very good NBA big-man.
17. TOR - Nicolas Batum
The Raps are looking for a SF. Batum's an exciting prospect who could be that man.
18. WAS - Brandon Rush
Tough choice, I had to go with BPA. The Wizards are looking for a PG, but there's none here. Rush is as good a prospect as Nick Young.
19. CLE - Kosta Koufos
Big Z 2.0?
20. DEN - JaVale McGee
For some reason, I can see Denver blowing it with a pick like this. Just a hunch.
21. NJN - Donte Greene
Greene has lottery potential, and would be a solid 3/4 down the track. He still has to develop, but time is on his side.
22. ORL - Chris Douglas-Roberts
Enough of Mo Evans. He played alright in the playoffs, but CDR could be another Rip Hamilton-type player. Just what Orlando need.
23. UTA - Roy Hibbert
Seems a nice big-man choice. Experienced, and NBA-ready. Utah are looking for some size.
24. SEA - Courtney Lee
I see Lee as a capable scorer coming off the bench, with 6th man potential. I can't imagine Durant stays a SG all career. Lee's your man at that spot.
25. HOU - Robin Lopez
Seems another no-brainer. Lopez is a high-energy guy that would fit well in Houston.
Upgrade on Hinrich; will make Tyrus better, facilitate CHI jump-shooters
2. MIA - Michael Beasley
Fearsome scorer alongside Wade, who will probably mentor him and keep him together
3. MIN - O.J. Mayo
They take the BPA, who will start alongside Foye in the back-court. McCants is not a long-term starter.
4. SEA - Jerryd Bayless
Seattle have a nice running team with Wilcox up-front, Durant, Green. Bayless is another piece to the puzzle, and can slot right into starting PG.
5. MEM - DeAndre Jordan
Memphis make what could be another bone-headed move. He's got potential, but will take time...lots of it.
6. NYK - Danilo Gallinari
The Knicks could do with a player with good BBIQ, poise, and the ability to create for others. And, his father played with D'Antoni.
7. LAC - Eric Gordon
Here is the Clippers' replacement for Cuttino Mobley, I can't see how EG can't have a career on Mobley's level or better.
8. MIL - Anthony Randolph
The Bucks go for their potential SF. At the moment, he is just that - potential - so the jury is out.
9. CHA - Brook Lopez
Great place for Lopez to carve out a career. Allows Okafor to play the PF, which is the better position for him to play. Completes a potential playoff starting five for the Bobcats.
10. NJN - Kevin Love
New Jersey are looking for a big who can score. Love could play alongside a good prospect in Sean Williams.
11. IND - D.J. Augustin
Patience in Tinsley will no doubt be wearing thin for the Pacers. I think Augustin is a very nice pick for them here.
12. SAC - Russell Westbrook
There will be concerns over his PG abilities, but Westbrook is going to be a nice defender at the next level, and is extremely quick.
13. POR - Joe Alexander
Assuming no deal here and the PGs don't slip, Portland have to take a SF. I think Alexander is a role-player that need from the SF.
14. GSW - Marrese Speights
I think Speights could be a very nice option for the Warriors. He can score, attack the offensive glass and is athletic.
15. PHO - Chase Budinger
Tough pick here, but I think Budinger can step in and be a nice perimeter shooter with good height at 6'7.
16. PHI - Darrell Arthur
Philly would love this pick. They are looking for a nice PF to complement Dalembert, and if they aren't chasing Brand, Arthur is a nice prospect who could be a very good NBA big-man.
17. TOR - Nicolas Batum
The Raps are looking for a SF. Batum's an exciting prospect who could be that man.
18. WAS - Brandon Rush
Tough choice, I had to go with BPA. The Wizards are looking for a PG, but there's none here. Rush is as good a prospect as Nick Young.
19. CLE - Kosta Koufos
Big Z 2.0?
20. DEN - JaVale McGee
For some reason, I can see Denver blowing it with a pick like this. Just a hunch.
21. NJN - Donte Greene
Greene has lottery potential, and would be a solid 3/4 down the track. He still has to develop, but time is on his side.
22. ORL - Chris Douglas-Roberts
Enough of Mo Evans. He played alright in the playoffs, but CDR could be another Rip Hamilton-type player. Just what Orlando need.
23. UTA - Roy Hibbert
Seems a nice big-man choice. Experienced, and NBA-ready. Utah are looking for some size.
24. SEA - Courtney Lee
I see Lee as a capable scorer coming off the bench, with 6th man potential. I can't imagine Durant stays a SG all career. Lee's your man at that spot.
25. HOU - Robin Lopez
Seems another no-brainer. Lopez is a high-energy guy that would fit well in Houston.