Bubbles
06-24-2008, 07:57 PM
Of course, it's going to be shot to bits and pieces by trades, but I can try.
1) Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Rationale: I think Beasley is the better pick. Sure, he's only 6'7", but a frontcourt foundation of him and Luol Deng would wreak havoc on most of the East for several seasons. That said, you don't want to be the team that passes on a point guard whose talents are undeniable (examples: Chris Paul and Deron Williams), and that's what the Bulls will be thinking.
2) Heat: Michael Beasley, F, Kansas State
Rationale: This is the safest pick in the draft. He's undersized, but he plays hard on both ends of the floor and can score on anyone in any fashion. It's a pick they have to make.
3) Timberwolves: OJ Mayo, G, USC
Rationale: This pick has bust written all over it. Character issues are there, he's a ballhog, and he strikes me as an "inbetween" guard rather than a combo guard. Unfortunately, there is a huge talent gap between Rose and Beasley and the rest of the draft class, and the dangerous p-word, potential, will do the T'Wolves in.
4) Sonics: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Rationale: Rumblings are that Jerryd Bayless isn't the lock many thought he was. Seattle has plenty of needs, and either pick would do wonders, but while there are enough guards with reasonable ceilings to go around, there aren't a lot of big men like Lopez.
5) Grizzlies: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
Rationale: The team needs bigs, and they love Love. He's raw, and may not turn into a superstar, but he's a solid guy with no character issues who can play right away. Also, look for a possible trade. Memphis has two first-round picks, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to see them offer both to Miami, move up, and grab Beasley at #2.
6) Knicks: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
Rationale: Joe Alexander could go here as well, but Gordon is better for the style of play. He's more athletic, which goes along with Mike D'Antoni's new system, and why would the Knicks take another small forward when they have several capable ones (David Lee, Wilson Chandler, etc.)?
7) Clippers: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
Rationale: Bayless dropping this far is the best thing that could happen to the Clippers. They need guards, and fast. Bayless is a point guard who can shoot at will, and he fits in perfectly here.
8) Bucks: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Rationale: Toss-up between Alexander and Russell Westbrook. Both are somewhat unrefined, with high ceilings and playing intensities to match. Alexander, though, can play the 2 and 3 now, and could sharpen his post game to where spell time at the 4 isn't improbable.
9) Bobcats: Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Rationale: This might be a bit of a reach, but with the elite post prospects off the board, and Charlotte in need of bigs, it makes sense to take a guy who's been working out insanely well. He might be a project, but he can help Larry Brown move Emeka Okafor to the power forward spot, which is a short-term goal.
10) Nets: Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
Rationale: International prospects are tricky to figure out, but this one has worked out well for almost every team looking at him. With the Nets shopping Richard Jefferson, the pick makes sense, from both talent and need-based perspectives.
11) Pacers: D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
Rationale: It's either Augustin or Westbrook. Augustin is arguably the second-most NBA-ready point guard behind Rose, and he has a sweet shooting stroke to go along with his point guard abilities.
12) Kings: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
Rationale: The free-fall finally stops. Sacramento has a huge need at point guard, and Westbrook is a gift horse at #12 when he's easily a top-ten talent in this draft.
13) Blazers: Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
Rationale: They may not keep this pick, but for now, let's go with Rush. He'll fill out a young backcourt along with Brandon Roy, and his college experience should allow him to see the floor a lot right away.
14) Warriors: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
Rationale: The ultimate boom-or-bust selection. Randolph has had his problems in workouts, but his length and raw skills will attract a team who can afford to wait, which Golden State may be able to do.
15) Suns: Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas
Rationale: Steve Nash can't last forever. Chalmers has received a lot of interest from Phoenix, and with their primary target (Rush) off the board, there's no reason why they wouldn't take him.
16) 76ers: Alexis Ajinca, C, France
Rationale: The 76ers are a team on the rise, and can afford to take the best player available without worrying about needs. That honor goes to the Frenchman, a 7'1" center with length and athleticism to spare.
17) Raptors: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
Rationale: Toronto needs low-post skill badly. Hibbert was dominant at times for the Hoyas, and may be ready to play a lot right away after a fairly-long college career.
18) Wizards: Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis
Rationale: Washington could also go with bigs, as Antawn Jamison's career may be ending. That said, there's also a chance they lose Gilbert Arenas, and I'm not sure they can pass up the best backcourt scorer left in the draft.
19) Cavaliers: Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
Rationale: Cleveland needs offense in the interior. Arthur provides that as a big who can run the floor and get to the basket.
20) Nuggets: J.J. Hickson, PF, NC State
Rationale: Denver needs a scorer in the frontcourt to compliment Marcus Camby. Hickson has a great NBA build, and has even more room to improve his skill set.
21) Nets: Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Rationale: The Nets have lots of needs. They addressed one with Gallinari earlier, now they take Lopez. He isn't going to be a huge scorer, but he can provide size and strength off the bench.
22) Magic: Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky
Rationale: They need a 2-guard, and this talented shooter is the best one available. There are a ton of bigs still available, but Lee may be able to start as a rookie.
23) Jazz: JaVale McGee, PF, Nevada
Rationale: McGee has a lot of potential, but he's also had some rough workouts. Utah loves big guys who can improve, so this seems to be a fairly-easy call.
24) Sonics: Jason Thompson, PF, Rider
Rationale: Seattle improved their center depth with their first pick, and they stay in the frontcourt. Thompson is a proven scorer and rebounder, and while he didn't play against top-notch competition, his workouts have been solid and he's shown he's NBA-ready.
25) Rockets: Ante Tomic, C, Croatia
Rationale: Some see him as a young Pau Gasol. The Rockets need a prospect to back up Yao Ming, who has been hobbled by injuries recently.
26) Spurs: Serge Ibaka, PF, Congo
Rationale: San Antonio is known for drafting international prospects, and Ibaka is the best available. He's raw, but if he continues to develop in other leagues, he could be the heir apparent to Tim Duncan.
27) Hornets: Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
Rationale: Greene's shooting skills have made lottery teams take notice, but he's not quite NBA-ready. Fortunately, with the Hornets, he doesn't necessarily have to be.
28) Grizzlies: Marreese Speights, C, Florida
Rationale: Memphis's philosophy in the draft is to go big. Speights has a ton of talent, and should complement Kevin Love well.
29) Pistons: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
Rationale: Detroit doesn't have a true center. Jordan's a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, and could contribute immediately.
30) Celtics: D.J. White, PF, Indiana
Rationale: This is a sleeper pick, but Boston has no true needs. Everyone watched Hoosier games because of Eric Gordon, but White was the most consistent player on that team.
1) Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Rationale: I think Beasley is the better pick. Sure, he's only 6'7", but a frontcourt foundation of him and Luol Deng would wreak havoc on most of the East for several seasons. That said, you don't want to be the team that passes on a point guard whose talents are undeniable (examples: Chris Paul and Deron Williams), and that's what the Bulls will be thinking.
2) Heat: Michael Beasley, F, Kansas State
Rationale: This is the safest pick in the draft. He's undersized, but he plays hard on both ends of the floor and can score on anyone in any fashion. It's a pick they have to make.
3) Timberwolves: OJ Mayo, G, USC
Rationale: This pick has bust written all over it. Character issues are there, he's a ballhog, and he strikes me as an "inbetween" guard rather than a combo guard. Unfortunately, there is a huge talent gap between Rose and Beasley and the rest of the draft class, and the dangerous p-word, potential, will do the T'Wolves in.
4) Sonics: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Rationale: Rumblings are that Jerryd Bayless isn't the lock many thought he was. Seattle has plenty of needs, and either pick would do wonders, but while there are enough guards with reasonable ceilings to go around, there aren't a lot of big men like Lopez.
5) Grizzlies: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
Rationale: The team needs bigs, and they love Love. He's raw, and may not turn into a superstar, but he's a solid guy with no character issues who can play right away. Also, look for a possible trade. Memphis has two first-round picks, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to see them offer both to Miami, move up, and grab Beasley at #2.
6) Knicks: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
Rationale: Joe Alexander could go here as well, but Gordon is better for the style of play. He's more athletic, which goes along with Mike D'Antoni's new system, and why would the Knicks take another small forward when they have several capable ones (David Lee, Wilson Chandler, etc.)?
7) Clippers: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
Rationale: Bayless dropping this far is the best thing that could happen to the Clippers. They need guards, and fast. Bayless is a point guard who can shoot at will, and he fits in perfectly here.
8) Bucks: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Rationale: Toss-up between Alexander and Russell Westbrook. Both are somewhat unrefined, with high ceilings and playing intensities to match. Alexander, though, can play the 2 and 3 now, and could sharpen his post game to where spell time at the 4 isn't improbable.
9) Bobcats: Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Rationale: This might be a bit of a reach, but with the elite post prospects off the board, and Charlotte in need of bigs, it makes sense to take a guy who's been working out insanely well. He might be a project, but he can help Larry Brown move Emeka Okafor to the power forward spot, which is a short-term goal.
10) Nets: Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
Rationale: International prospects are tricky to figure out, but this one has worked out well for almost every team looking at him. With the Nets shopping Richard Jefferson, the pick makes sense, from both talent and need-based perspectives.
11) Pacers: D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
Rationale: It's either Augustin or Westbrook. Augustin is arguably the second-most NBA-ready point guard behind Rose, and he has a sweet shooting stroke to go along with his point guard abilities.
12) Kings: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
Rationale: The free-fall finally stops. Sacramento has a huge need at point guard, and Westbrook is a gift horse at #12 when he's easily a top-ten talent in this draft.
13) Blazers: Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
Rationale: They may not keep this pick, but for now, let's go with Rush. He'll fill out a young backcourt along with Brandon Roy, and his college experience should allow him to see the floor a lot right away.
14) Warriors: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
Rationale: The ultimate boom-or-bust selection. Randolph has had his problems in workouts, but his length and raw skills will attract a team who can afford to wait, which Golden State may be able to do.
15) Suns: Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas
Rationale: Steve Nash can't last forever. Chalmers has received a lot of interest from Phoenix, and with their primary target (Rush) off the board, there's no reason why they wouldn't take him.
16) 76ers: Alexis Ajinca, C, France
Rationale: The 76ers are a team on the rise, and can afford to take the best player available without worrying about needs. That honor goes to the Frenchman, a 7'1" center with length and athleticism to spare.
17) Raptors: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
Rationale: Toronto needs low-post skill badly. Hibbert was dominant at times for the Hoyas, and may be ready to play a lot right away after a fairly-long college career.
18) Wizards: Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis
Rationale: Washington could also go with bigs, as Antawn Jamison's career may be ending. That said, there's also a chance they lose Gilbert Arenas, and I'm not sure they can pass up the best backcourt scorer left in the draft.
19) Cavaliers: Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
Rationale: Cleveland needs offense in the interior. Arthur provides that as a big who can run the floor and get to the basket.
20) Nuggets: J.J. Hickson, PF, NC State
Rationale: Denver needs a scorer in the frontcourt to compliment Marcus Camby. Hickson has a great NBA build, and has even more room to improve his skill set.
21) Nets: Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Rationale: The Nets have lots of needs. They addressed one with Gallinari earlier, now they take Lopez. He isn't going to be a huge scorer, but he can provide size and strength off the bench.
22) Magic: Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky
Rationale: They need a 2-guard, and this talented shooter is the best one available. There are a ton of bigs still available, but Lee may be able to start as a rookie.
23) Jazz: JaVale McGee, PF, Nevada
Rationale: McGee has a lot of potential, but he's also had some rough workouts. Utah loves big guys who can improve, so this seems to be a fairly-easy call.
24) Sonics: Jason Thompson, PF, Rider
Rationale: Seattle improved their center depth with their first pick, and they stay in the frontcourt. Thompson is a proven scorer and rebounder, and while he didn't play against top-notch competition, his workouts have been solid and he's shown he's NBA-ready.
25) Rockets: Ante Tomic, C, Croatia
Rationale: Some see him as a young Pau Gasol. The Rockets need a prospect to back up Yao Ming, who has been hobbled by injuries recently.
26) Spurs: Serge Ibaka, PF, Congo
Rationale: San Antonio is known for drafting international prospects, and Ibaka is the best available. He's raw, but if he continues to develop in other leagues, he could be the heir apparent to Tim Duncan.
27) Hornets: Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
Rationale: Greene's shooting skills have made lottery teams take notice, but he's not quite NBA-ready. Fortunately, with the Hornets, he doesn't necessarily have to be.
28) Grizzlies: Marreese Speights, C, Florida
Rationale: Memphis's philosophy in the draft is to go big. Speights has a ton of talent, and should complement Kevin Love well.
29) Pistons: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
Rationale: Detroit doesn't have a true center. Jordan's a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, and could contribute immediately.
30) Celtics: D.J. White, PF, Indiana
Rationale: This is a sleeper pick, but Boston has no true needs. Everyone watched Hoosier games because of Eric Gordon, but White was the most consistent player on that team.