Nicks mock, to be mocked by you mocking mockers

[St.Nick]

Here is my full 1st rd mock. Mods, if you gotta move it, feel free. I just dont want it to get buried in the draft page immediately since I put some time into it. Thanks.

1. Chicago-- Michael Beasley

Although the buzz is pointing to them taking Rose now, I think Chicago had a greater need for a big guy that can score and rebound. If they can engineer a trade of Hinrich for a big that can score, I could see them taking Rose. If not, Beasley is the man.

2. Miami-- Derrick Rose

Miami takes a nice consolation prize in Rose. Although the trade rumors floating around regarding Wade for the #1 pick and spare pieces makes me think that the Heat have doubts about Rose and Wade together in the same backcourt. Both like to dominate the ball and bring similar skills to the table. Miami may take the bold leap of trading Wade to Chicago (and similarly Marion for young pieces). Should be interesting to follow.

3. Minnesota-- OJ Mayo

If Mayo can play PG for this team then it will turn out to be a great pick. If he decides that he wants to shoot the ball 15 times a game rather than distribute, then he makes talented guys like McCants and Foye obsolete. Potentially a bad pick here, but one that Minnesota probably has to make.

4. Seattle-- Jerryd Bayless

He seems like a good fit here. He has the athleticism to play in their uptempo offense but brings a different element as a waterbug quick PG/SG to patrol the backcourt. Seems like a lock to me.

5. Memphis-- Kevin Love

Its known that Love has a great feel for the game. What people doubted were his measureables. Well, after the combine lets see how the typical arguments stacked up...Cant jump (35 inches, one of the best amongst PFs), a little undersized (about 6'10 in shoes, very good height for a PF), too slow (did the lane agility test faster than Anthony Randolph and a bevy of other PFs considered to be better athletes)....Final result, the guy is a bona fide #5 pick and the big guy that Memphis wants and needs.

6. Knicks-- Russell Westbrook

And there is the first reach of the night...The Knicks need a PG to groom badly as there is nothing there right now. Westbrook could turn into a monster: 6'3, unbelievable athlete, great feel for the game...but its going to take some time for him to be refined into an NBA player. Is New York willing to wait? I wouldnt be stunned by a trade for a veteran here (Baron Davis? TJ Ford?).

7. Clippers-- Eric Gordon

The popular pick on mock drafts and probably the right one. The Clippers need a PG more than anything but DJ Augustin is not the player than Gordon is. Gordon can have the mantle passed to him by Mobley, while learning the ropes as a 6th man until emerging as the starter. Should be a solid SG for a long time.

8. Bucks-- Danilo Gallinari

The poor Bucks. They are looking for a SF since they dont want to use a pick on a much needed rebounding PF for fear of upsetting Yi's handlers (just my opinion). As a result they end up with the #1 ranked SF, but in my mind, highly overrated Danilo Gallinari. I think he lacks the athleticism to be anything more than a Mike Dunleavy Jr-lite. If thats true, then let me say it again, the poor Bucks.

9. Bobcats-- Brook Lopez

The Bobcats luck out with Lopez falling to #9. They need size and they need a big, nasty presence in the key to take pressure off of Okafor. Insert the man with the enormous wingspan and Andre the Giant like resemblence and you have yourself a perfect fit.

10. Nets-- Darrell Arthur

The Nets need a Center. This much is definite. But DeAndre Jordan is shaping up to be a major project and I dont think the Nets are looking to wait out Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson's best years. Arthur is a talented post player that needs to put on weight if he wants to be taken seriously in the NBA. But he has an incredibly polished game, making him a guy they can look to for points in the paint, something they need badly.

11. Pacers-- DJ Augustin

A reach pick based on need. The Pacers are absolutely packed at the SF/PF/C positions. They are also dangerously thin at the PG/SG positions. Augustin is the most highly rated guard on the board at this time, so the Pacers will feel compelled to grab him...He should be a big help to their team, but is not likely to ever become a star.

12. Kings-- Anthony Randolph

The Kings get a guy with immense potential at the PF position in Randolph. He will never be a "bang it down in the post" type of PF, but his athletic ability, defensive prowess, and open court skills make him a guy that can change games. I think he fits in between Artest and Hawes/Miller right away.

13. Trailblazers-- Joe Alexander

Again, a bit of a reach. The Blazers are set at SG/PF/C but there are no PGs worth picking here and only a handful of SFs worth considering. Alexander could turn into a fine player, but the whole "highly athletic, but in need of skill refinement" thing reminds me too much of Travis Outlaw. I could seriously see this pick traded back or traded for a veteran PG (TJ Ford?) or SF (Al Harrington?).

14. Warriors-- Marrese Speights

The Warriors badly want an athletic big guy, and this is exactly what Speights is. I dont think he will have pressure on him to be a threat in the post immediately, just to provide rebounds and a defensive body on the PF beasts in the West. An excellent pick.

15. Suns-- Brandon Rush

Perhaps the most underrated SG/SF in the draft, Rush has all the trappings to be a very good NBA player. He has strength, athleticism, excellent fundamentals, and a winners mentality. The Suns would be thrilled to plug him in right away in place of the fading Raja Bell.

16. Sixers-- DeAndre Jordan

Now is the time to take a gamble on the Big Man project. Jordan would be given time to develop on this squad that is still focused on the future more than the present. He could be the heir apparent to Dalembert and a force in the middle after a few years. He could also crap out. At pick 16 and with a young team, its a nice gamble to take.

17. Raptors-- Nicolas Batum

Sort of surprising that Batum would get the nod over Donte Greene and Chris Douglas Roberts, but Colangelo knows foreign talent, and this kid is incredibly talented. Fantastic wingspan, ideal height, and with all the guard skills necessary to be a top player in a few years. Just needs to mature, get some good coaching, and he will turn into their dynamic SG/SF of the future.

18. Wizards-- Ty Lawson

Call this pick Gilbert Arenas insurance. Lawson has the skills to be a starting NBA PG in time but can be a great change of pace guy and a nice backup PG immediately. If Gil decides to opt out, blows his knee out, or flip out then Lawson will be there to handle the PG duties.

19. Cavaliers-- Donte Greene

Greene brings something interesting to the table if he gets paired next to LeBron. It should be open 3 pointers and wide lanes to the hoop for Greene, who seems more like a supporting guy than a #1 scorer. Nice pickup by the Cavs.

20. Nuggets-- Courtney Lee

Gives them some great shooting and athleticism at the SG position without the headache (JR Smith). I think he is a nice complementary player between AI and Carmelo.

21. Nets-- Kostas Koufos

The Nets luck out with Koufos falling here. They needed a Center in the case that Krstic cant find his old, pre-injury form, and Koufus could be a legit starting guy. Koufos' outside game will open things up for the Nets slashers. A very good value pick at 21.

22. Magic-- Robin Lopez

I think Orlando needs a guy that can wreak havoc next to Dwight. They are just too soft up front aside from Howard and could use a guy that throws elbows, grabs rebounds, blocks shots, and is a general 7 ft, 250lb nuisance.

23. Jazz-- Chris Douglas Roberts

A perfect fit at SF. What Kirilenko lacks in slashing and ball handling abilities, CDR makes up for. I think CDR will become a solid starter in the league in time and on the Jazz would eventually pave the way for Kirilenkos departure.

24. Sonics-- Roy Hibbert

They need a Center (despite drafting 3 in the past four years). Hibbert is solid but unspectacular, a guy that will be asked to merely rebound, block shots, be a defensive presence in the key, and not get hurt. Should be a good pickup for them.

25. Rockets-- Javale McGee

Quite a drop, considering his upside. But he gets painted as a guy with mental deficiencies and someone that needs fine tuning on his game. At 25 and with a need for size in the front court, McGee is a good risk for Houston.

26. Spurs-- Chase Budinger

Seems like a great fit. A smart, good shooting, athletic wing to learn under Brent Barry and Finley before taking over for them.

27. Hornets-- Bill Walker

They could use toughness and athleticism at the SG/SF position with the gimpy Peja looking his age. Could become an end of the round steal if he can develop good chemistry with Chris Paul, who is dying for an athletic player to run the break with.

28. Grizzlies-- Jason Thompson

Even with their pick of Love at #5, their front court is still dangerously thin. Thompson is going to be nothing less than a good backup player and could potentially be an impact starter considering his size and athleticism. I think the Grizzlies would be thrilled to walk away with a Love and Thompson frontcourt from this draft.

29. Pistons-- Devon Hardin

Dumars has apparently had his eye on Hardin for a while now. Between Hardin, Maxiell, and Amir Johnson the Pistons will have a solid front court for the future.

30. Celtics-- Alex Ajinca

The player that Ajinca most closely resembles in terms of size and athleticism is Kevin Garnett. The only difference is that KG is a mean and highly skilled SOB while Ajinca is a soft and inexperienced French kid. At the end of the 1st round and for the pittance of a salary the #30 pick gets I think this would be a great gamble for the Celtics to make. See what the kid can learn under the wing of Garnett for a few seasons and maybe you get yourself a stud.

[rutheredfox]

solid list. i didn't read through it completely, but one thing i noticed was deandre jordan is too low. someone's gonna take a chance on an athletic big man like jordan at top 10. i think love at 5's a reach also, with so many potential all stars in this draft, it's hard to go with a safe pick at #5. Final thing, I personally wouldn't put rush past 17, but i think with kansas doing so well, i think he's gonna go around 15.

[iowarrior]

Good job, Nick. You make a lot of very reasonable picks here.

I'm not too excited with the Warriors selection, but at 14, you usually don't get what you want. With Wright supposedly getting more minutes this year and Goose hopefully resigned, I think I'd rather select Rush.

Not following the general consensus of most of this board, you've got the two UCLA guys going high in your mock. I very much agree with you and wish the W's could get either of them.

[Warriorfan]

I see Memphis needing a shotblocker in the middle because they already have Darko. Love to Charlotte is more possible because they are close to the playoffs and he could be interchangeable in the post with Okafur. If the draft played out like this I would wish GS to gamble on Jordan if Love or Randolf don't fall.

[GswStorm3]

Great pick for us.

[MightyReds2020]

I will pick Rush over Speights anyday of week, twice on Sunday. If you're worried Beans and Wright aren't good fit upfront, then just trade Wright and our pick and move up to grab Kevin Love.

Beans / Love / Rush / Monta / Whoever

[GswStorm3]

I will pick Rush over Speights anyday of week, twice on Sunday. If you're worried Beans and Wright aren't good fit upfront, then just trade Wright and our pick and move up to grab Kevin Love.

Beans / Love / Rush / Monta / Whoever

Taking Speights doesn't mean your worried about Andris or Wright up front. It just gives us more depth, size and toughness in the frontcourt.

[FNQ]

Most of the picks are fine... Some stuff I asked when reading:

- Mayo spent most of last year proving he wasn't a PG

- Westbrook has a great feel for the game?

- Has the Bucks GM actually seen the foreigner they are taking this year? (Odds are they are going to make the safest pick possible)

- I'm betting that Lopez' stock drops below Arthur's by the end of it. His skillset/tools are becoming more evident

- If Randolph drops to 12, there should be an investigation of what the teams 8-11 were thinking.

- Regardless of what you refuse to believe, Batum's stock, due to lack of any consistency or polish on his jumper, is dropping, and fast. He likely won't even be in the draft this year.

- Lawson and Lee are big time reaches in the mid-1st. I can see Lee starting with the right situation, but Lawson and his ugly jumper/inability to finish should be in the 2nd.

- I think HOU/SEA swap selections based on need. Would SEA take another project C? Absolutely, at 24 with the 4 tucked away. They are dumping salary still... HOU meanwhile is in the middle of their run. They need someone who can fill in for Yao for 10-15 per. Stiffert is close enough.

The rest I pretty much agree with... including the W's side... I'd much rather have Rush so our draft pick would actually play this season. But thats probably hoping for too much.

[old rem]

solid list. i didn't read through it completely, but one thing i noticed was deandre jordan is too low. someone's gonna take a chance on an athletic big man like jordan at top 10. i think love at 5's a reach also, with so many potential all stars in this draft, it's hard to go with a safe pick at #5. Final thing, I personally wouldn't put rush past 17, but i think with kansas doing so well, i think he's gonna go around 15.

I'd say McGee may be too low and a few others. Not Jordan. Can you recall Olowokandi? If you don't WANT to play like a star,don't learn,won't hustle, all the raw tools can't do much. McGee doesn't especially know what to do but at least always tries to do something.

Lawson looked pretty poor in the playoffs-his value took a big hit.
I think Hibbert goes a bit higher than that.

[old rem]

Randolph has a lot to add to be a success-but there's some star quality. B Lopez ia sort of like Bogut..perhaps less offense-more D. But he's got a position and is one C who's got a pretty good idea of how to play plus a good mix of tools/skills.

Westbrook? Kind of like a Pietrus playing PG. Athletic but you are betting he gains some finnesse-skill-shooting touch.

For GSW at 14 Speights or Alexander would seem to have decent odds of working out.

[giberish]

Baring a trade, Minny takes Mayo because they feel Foye is a PG, Brewer is a SF and McCants is a reserve - so they need a starting SG.

I think Love falls - underheight and unathletic are great ways to fall in the draft. But I also want him to fall to 14, so perhaps I'm biased.

Lopez and expecially Randolf go higher.

If Love doesn't fall to 14, Sprights or Alexander are the two best backup options.

[-bob-]

I would trade down in this scenario, take DeAndre Jordan, then look for some sucker.

[Left*My*Heart]

I took a quick look at the measurements and was surprised to see that Love was almost 2" taller in shoes. He appears to have the highest heels of any of the other measured players.

[giberish]

I took a quick look at the measurements and was surprised to see that Love was almost 2" taller in shoes. He appears to have the highest heels of any of the other measured players.

People always say, "You don't play in bare feet, why list barefoot heights"; but there's really nothing stopping guys from wearing platform shoes with goldfish in the heels to get measured 'with shoes'.

[Chris Cohan]

He's really fat.