Written by: O

This is something I do.  This not what I think will happen, but rather how I would draft if I were the GMs.  This is subject to change because of trades.

1. Chicago-Michael Beasley (Kansas St) 6’8 239lbs.  Most talented player in college basketball this past season.  Has all of the tools to be a big-time player in the NBA.  People that think Derrick Rose should be the pick had better remember that the Bulls were thought to be the best team in the East during the preseason, but with Rose, they would definitely have to wait.

2. Miami-OJ Mayo (USC) 6’3 200.  I’ve said over and over again, that Mayo was the best frosh guard in the country, over Rose and over Eric Gordon.  He has quite a package and can play either guard spot well while playing some inquired defense.

3. Minnesota-Derrick Rose (Memphis) 6’2 196.  OUCH!!  What a present, especially when they would have probably taken Rose beforehand.  The Timberwolves need a PG and Rose would fit pretty well, although I’m sure that it’s not exactly the nicest place.

4. Seattle-Eric Gordon (Indiana) 6’2 222.  Adding another big-time collegiate scorer to the Sonic roster.  Gordon is very explosive and plays surprisingly good defense.  He and Durant teammed together could drive teams nuts for years to come.

5. Memphis-Kevin Love (UCLA) 6’8 255.  This would be a gift.  The Grizzlies need a replacement for Pau Gasol and while Love isn’t as athletic, he has skill that most big dudes don’t have anymore, especially rebounding and throwing the outlet pass, which could have the Grizzlies doing more running this season.

6. New York-Jerryd Bayless (Arizona) 6’2 204.  If it were me, this would be the beginning of the Stephon Marbury phase-out program.  Bayless is very underrated because he was in the Pac-10 and wasn’t seen much, but he has big-game scoring while having playmaking skills as well.

7. LA Clippers-Anthony Randolph (LSU) 6’9 197.  Typical Clipper pick.  Randolph has a ton of potential.  While his offense needs a lot of work, his defense is good, especially his shot-blocking ability.  If he ever gets a consistent mid-range J, watch out!!

8. Milwaukee-Joe Alexander (West Virginia) 6’7 220.  Another pick that could be risky.  Alexander had a breakout junior season after being mostly non-existent in his first 2 seasons at West Virginia.  While he has 3-man skills, he has 4-man size.  If the Bucks can gets those skills consistently used, they have themselves a player.

9. Charlotte-Brook Lopez (Stanford) 6’11 256.  The Bobcats can only hope they be so lucky.  Lopez is the best offensive low-post scorer in the entire draft and since I believe their goal will to take easier shots next year.  Also, with Okafor, they could make life difficult for opponents in the paint as well.

10. New Jersey-Danilo Galliari (Italy) 6’9 212.  I think this is even more the pick now that Richard Jefferson’s name has seriously come up in trade rumors.  Galliari should become one of the better shooters in the league, but people are going to be surprised with his versatility.

11. Indiana-D.J. Augustin (Texas) 5’10 172.  The only question I would have is will he be able to guard anyone in the NBA??  Augustin has a lot of offensive skills, but he has a weakness that isn’t talked about as well.  He rarely shoots well on a jump shot, but is very good when he can shoot his set shot.  At 5’11, this would have to change, but the Pacers need a PG now.

12. Sacramento-DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) 6’10 250.  The Kings seriously need a center and they need better defensive players and in Jordan, they get both.  Jordan needs a ton of work on his offensive game, but defensively, he’ll challenge anyone, even though he’ll need to do some serious lifting too.

13. Portland-Marresse Speights (Florida) 6’10 245.  Speights was the only remaining member of Florida’s back to back titles who emerged last season.  Speights will be the second center for Portland, who will be looking at getting Greg Oden, but will also be gaining Speights as well.

14. Golden State-Russell Westbrook (UCLA) 6’2 192.  Don’t think that Westbrook being another UCLA PG, like Baron Davis, is a coincidence.  Many have Westbrook a lot higher, but outside of his athletic ability, I don’t even see Westbrook as a lottery talent.  The Warriors, however, want an athletic PG and Westbrook could be their guy.

15. Phoenix (from Atlanta)-JaVale McGee (Nevada) 6’11 241.  He could be the ideal guy to be beside Amare Stoudamire when Shaq leaves.  People are going to be he is too thin, but he hasn’t fulled out yet either.  The question is, how much will the Suns change with Terry Porter??

16. Philadelphia-Darrell Arthur (Kansas) 6’10 225.  I think Arthur is one of the really underrated players in the draft.  I think he is very good from 12 feet and in.  Arthur is also an underrated defensive player as well.  He isn’t flashy, but Arthur should be a solid player.

17. Indiana (from Toronto)-Nicolas Batum (France) 6’8 210.  Don’t know what to really make out for Batum.  He has long arms and a ton of skills, but he doesn’t go hard to the basket at all.  Has too much of Boris Diaw’s (his French teammate) attitude and doesn’t bring it.  If he ever does, he WILL be the steal of the draft.

18. Washington-Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) 7’2 272.  If Hibbert drops down here, the Wizards would have to take him.  They have struggled for years because they simply will not address the low post presence on both ends of the floor.  They will know what they get from Hibbert, even I think he will be better than most think.

19. Cleveland-Brandon Rush (Kansas) 6’7 205.  I believe the Cavaliers are facing a HUGE summer and getting Rush could get it off to a good start.  This would also give the Cavaliers a wing that can put the ball in the basket and create off of the dribble, something they don’t have outside of Lebron.  Would be a solid pick.

20. Charlotte (from Denver)-Mario Chalmers (Kansas) 6’2 186.  I don’t understand why people don’t have this guy.  Didn’t make the biggest shot in the biggest game of the season??  Well, I think the Bobcats will be very wise to take him because other than Ray Felton, they have no other PGs currently on the team.

21. New Jersey (from Dallas)-Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky) 6’5 200.  Another very underrated player.  An efficient scorer for a team that just can’t shoot very well.  Plays defense and will challenge his opponent defensively.  Since the Nets only have Vince Carter, Lee would find time immediately.

22. Orlando-Alexis Ajinca (France) 7’1 227.  Let’s face it, after Dwight Howard, who do the Magic have inside??  Exactly, no one.  Ajinca has ridiculously long arms and can definitely block shots.  His offense is very raw, but Orlando don’t exactly need offense.  He may also be able to play with Howard, a frightening thought for anyone trying to score in the paint.

23. Utah-Donte Greene (Syracuse) 6’8 221 .  This may be low for Greene, but I’m not a huge Greene fan.  However, there’s no doubting his productivity.  I know the Jazz are looking to become more athletic at the wing position and Greene definitely brings that.

24. Seattle (from Phoenix)-Jason Thompson (Rider) 6’11 250 .  I believe that the Sonics would love to get Thompson right here, particularly since Thompson can play both the 4 and the 5.  While everyone knows that Mike Beasley led the country in the rebounding last year, few know that Thompson was right behind him.  This would be a coup for the Sonics.

25. Houston-Robin Lopez (Stanford) 7’1 252.  Many people believe Robin has a bigger upside than his brother Brook, mainly because Robin’s offense is a work in progress.  His defense, however, is among the best in the draft and since the Rockets need another backup center, one who could learn from Dikembe Mutombo.

26. San Antonio-Ryan Anderson (California) 6’10 225 .  One who have to wonder why the Pac-10′s leader in scoring and rebounding would be around this late in the draft.  The Spurs were beat down on the interior throughout the playoffs and it has been a long time since they have had another offensive threat in the interior and Anderson could be a surprise.

27. Portland (from New Orleans)-Joey Dorsey (Memphis) 6’7 265.  Since they have a ton of picks and trades in the works, the Blazers had better do one thing and that’s have a protector for Oden.  Dorsey is the definition of an enforcer and could do just that.  People also forget how good of a defensive player the last two years in college.

28. Memphis (from Lakers)-J.J. Hickson (N.C. State) 6’9 240.  This would be one heck of a start for a trade that was thought to be a steal for the Lakers.  Hickson was the most underrated freshman in the country last year and would be a steal at this pick.  In a couple of years, he could be Gasol’s replacement.  A no-brainer pick.

29. Detroit-D.J. White (Indiana) 6’9 236.  No one has endured has much in the last 4 years than White.  After all of the injuries and struggles, White has dropped despite his perseverance, but he could be ideal for the Pistons, especially since Rasheed Wallace has been in multiple trade rumors.

30. Boston-Gary Forbes (UMass) 6’5 221.  The Celtics don’t need to look far for their player.  Forbes was the best player in the Portsmouth Invitational and one of the best at the pre-draft camp.  Forbes has underrated versatility, but he also has a ton of game.

Tags: Sports

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