2008 NBA Mock Draft – June 26th

1. Chicago Bulls – PG Derrick Rose (6’3” – 195 lbs.), Memphis

I don’t think you can go wrong with the top two picks. I think both are can’t miss players. I am switching the top pick to Rose because he is an unbelievable playmaker. He is a strong ball handler who is unstoppable in the open court. Rose is very strong and can finish in the lane. He also is a great defender who will really help out the Bulls.

2. Miami Heat – F/C Michael Beasley (6’7” – 235 lbs.), Kansas State

I think the Heat trade this pick if Rose is drafted first. I am going to say the the Grizzlies move up and take Beasley. Beasley can do it all. He is a very versatile player who can finish down low but can also shoot the ball very well from outside. He is very smooth and I don’t think the Grizzlies or whoever picks second can afford to pass on such a talented big man. I know he recently measured in at about two inches shorter than what he was listed at in college but he still plays big. His wingspan is still over seven feet.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves – OJ Mayo (6’4” – 200 lbs.), USC

Mayo is a very talented guard who can flat out score. He is a very athletic kid who can play any guard position. He is a solid free throw shooter who has a knack for making the tough shot. He has the potential to be an above average defender in the NBA. I also think that some teams will try to move up to get this talented player.

4. Seattle Supersonics – PG Jerryd Bayless (6’3” – 205 lbs.), Arizona

Bayless is a great pick here for the Sonics. He is quick and can handle the ball very well. He can shoot off the dribble and can finish in traffic. The Sonics really need a point guard to help compliment Durant and I think Bayless is the best fit in this draft. Russell Westbrook has been mentioned here but I think Bayless is more of a true point guard. I also think they might take Lopez but he doesn’t have enough upside, in my opinion, to get drafted here.

5. Memphis Grizzlies – SG Eric Gordon (6’3” – 220 lbs.), Indiana

If the Grizzles don’t move up I think they will take Gordon. This kid is a great scorer. Gordon is a deadly shooter who can also finish in the lane. He is a very explosive player. If the trade occurs and the Heat pick here, I like them to take Lopez.

6. New York Knicks – SF Danilo Gallinari (6’10” – 210 lbs.), Italy

This pick is very up in the air. Why? Because the Knicks need a lot of help. I think Gallinari will be a good piece of the puzzle to start building around. He’s a player that can help the Knicks in many ways. He is a tall forward at 6’10” that can score in many different ways. For being 6’10”, he can handle the ball and shoot from deep. I don’t want to do it but from everything I have been reading it sounds like a Dirk Nowitzki replica. He sees the floor very well which allows him to also distribute the ball. Gallinari sounds like a perfect fit for new coach Mark D’Antoni. (Next stop for the Knicks, 2009 NBA Lottery.)

7. Los Anglos Clippers – PG Russell Westbrook (6’3” – 190 lbs.), UCLA

I think when people look back at the draft in ten years this could be one of the best picks. Westbrook does not get a lot of attention or recognition. He wasn’t a go-to on the UCLA team however he is a very solid player especially at the PG position. The Clippers really don’t have an answer there right now and Westbrook would be a great fit. He is extremely athletic and is a great passer. He will need to develop a little offensively, especially his jump shot. He is also an excellent defender who will fit in perfectly with the Clippers.

8. Milwaukee Bucks – Joe Alexander (6’8” – 220 lbs.), West Virginia

I think the Bucks draft Joe Alexander for a couple of different reasons. He is pretty athletic for his size. He can score if a variety of different ways. Alexander has a good post up game with soft touch and can finish around the hoop. He is also a pretty good shooter for his size. He will need to improve from downtown.

9. Charlotte Bobcats – PF/C Kevin Love (6’10” – 260 lbs.), UCLA

Love was arguably the most dominate player in college basketball last year. He has a big body frame that will allow him to be a good rebounder in the NBA. He can also shoot the ball very well for a guy his size. He isn’t the most athletic player in the draft, but has the potential to be a good NBA player for years to come. He always seems to be in the right spot and is an excellent passer. Love is a safe pick and will definitely be able to contribute right away. He will be a nice compliment to Okafor.

10. New Jersey Nets – Brooke Lopez (7’0” – 260 lbs.), Stanford

The Nets would be thrilled if Lopez falls here. Lopez is just what the Nets need. He is a big bruiser who will be an above average rebounder in the NBA. The Nets don’t really have a low post presence right now. Lopez won’t be a scoring type big guy but he will block and alter shots. He will body up the big men in the NBA and he does have great touch around the hoop.

11. Indiana Pacers - PF/C Kosta Koufos (7′1″ – 245 lbs.), Ohio State

I like the Pacers to take Koufos now. With the aqusition of TJ Ford, the Pacers will not need to take a PG at pick number 11. Koufos has a lot of upside. He is very tall and long. With the loss of O’Neill, the Pacers will need to fill a void down low. I really like what the Pacers did here. They got a very good PG in Ford and have the opportunity to get a very dynamic player like Koufos.

12. Sacramento Kings - PG DJ Augustine (5′11″ – 175 lbs.), Texas

If he is still available here, the Kings will take him. Augustine is a pure PG and is a leader, which is exactly what they needs. He is very quick and loves to penetrate. He is the kind of player who makes his team better (See Texas Longhorns the past two seasons). The Kings could go a couple of different ways here but if he is on the board I don’t think they can pass him up. This kind of point guard is exactly what the Kings need to turn their team around.

13. Portland Trailblazers – PG/SG Mario Chalmers (6’1” – 190 lbs.), Kansas

I think the Blazers could use a player like Chalmers. He would fit in nicely with what they already have. He is not the purest of point guards in the draft however he would do a nice job of getting the ball to Roy, Oden and Aldridge. He is a winner and does a very nice job defending. I really think the Blazers will make a deal and try to move up but if not Chalmers could be drafted here.

14. Golden State Warriors – PF Darrell Arthur (6’9” – 225 lbs.), Kansas

Arthur would fit in well with Golden State. He is an extremely talented player. He is big, strong, and athletic. He is a good passer and plays very well with his back to the basket. He has pretty good range for a big guy. The Warriors could really use a low post presence and I think Arthur is the answer. He will need to bulk up a little in order to bang with some of the other big men in the NBA. I could see the Warriors taking DeAndre Jordan but Arthur is the more proven player and will be able to make an impact right away. Arthur can also run the floor which will be beneficial in this offense.

ROUND 1 Continued>>>