NBA Mock Draft 2008 – June 26^th

 

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.

 

 

1. 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.

 

1. 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.

 

1. 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.

 

1. 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.)

 

1. 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.

 

 

1. 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.

 

1. Indiana Pacers – PG DJ Augustine (5’11” – 175 lbs.), Texas

If he is still available here, the Pacers will take him.  Augustine is a pure PG and is a leader, which is exactly what Indiana 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 Pacers could go a couple of different ways here but if he is on the board I think they can pass him up.

 

1. Sacramento Kings – SF Brandon Rush (6’7” – 211 lbs.), Kansas

Rush is a good all around player.  His size combined with his athletic ability make him a candidate to make and immediate impact in the NBA.  There are definitely players in the 2008 NBA draft that have more potential however the Kings could really use a player like Rush.  He is a do-it-all player.  He can score in a variety of ways.  He is a great passer and has the potential to be a great defender in the NBA.  Another plus, the kid is a proven winner.  He doesn’t need to be in the spotlight.

 

      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.

 

 

15. Phoenix Suns – PF/C Kosta Koufos (7’1” – 245 lbs.), Ohio State

 

16. Philadelphia 76ers – SF/PF Anthony Randolph (6’10” – 205 lbs.), LSU

 

1. Toronto Raptors – SF Donte Greene (6’10” – 220 lbs.), Syracuse

 

1. Washington Wizards – C Robin Lopez (7’0” – 255 lbs.), Stanford

 

1. Cleveland Cavilers – C Roy Hibbert (7’2” – 270 lbs.), Georgetown

 

1. Denver Nuggets – DeAndre Jordan (7’0” – 260 lbs.), Texas A&M

 

1. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas) – PF/C Marreese Speights (6’10” – 245), Florida

 

1. Orlando Magic – SG/SF Chris Douglas-Roberts (6’7” – 200 lbs.), Memphis

 

1. Utah Jazz – C JaVale McGee (7’0” – 237 lbs.), Nevada

 

1. Seattle Supersonics (from Phoenix) – PF Serge Ibaka (6’10” – 220 lbs.), Congo

 

25. Houston Rockets – PG/SG/SF Bill Walker (6’6” – 235 lbs.), Kansas State

 

26. San Antonio Spurs – PF Jason Thompson (6’11” – 250 lbs.), Rider

 

27. Portland Trialblazers – C Ante Tomic (7’2” – 235 lbs.), Croatia

 

1. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL) – PF Ryan Anderson (6’10” – 225 lbs.), California

 

29. Detroit Pistons – PF JJ Hickson (6’9” – 240 lbs.), North Carolina State

 

1. Boston Celtics – SG/SF Courtney Lee (6’5” – 200 lbs.), Western Kentucky

 

Round 2

 

1. Minnesota (from Miami from Boston) – C Alexis Ajinca (7’1” – 225 lbs.), France

 

32. Seattle – C DeVon Hardin (6’11” – 250 lbs.), California

33. Portland (from Memphis) – SF Devon Jefferson (6’8” – 215 lbs.), USC

34. Minnesota – PF/C Joey Dorsey (6’9” – 260 lbs.), Memphis

35. LA Clippers – SF Gary Forbes (6’7” – 220 lbs.), Massachusetts

36. Portland (from New York) – PF/C Luc Mbah a Moute (6’7”), UCLA

37. Milwaukee – PG/ SG Kyle Weaver (6’6” – 185 lbs.), Washington State

38. Charlotte – SF JR Giddens (6’5” – 205 lbs.), New Mexico

39. Chicago – PF DJ White (6’9” – 230 lbs.), Indiana

40. New Jersey – SF Shane Foster (6’6” – 205 lbs.), Vanderbilt

41. Indiana – PG Rudy Mbemba (5’11” – 170 lbs.), Sweden

42. Sacramento (from Atlanta) – Richard Hendrix (6’9” – 260 lbs.), Alabama

43. Sacramento – SG/SF Sonny Weems (6’6” – 205 lbs.), Arkansas

44. Utah (from Philadelphia) – DeMarcus Nelson (6’3” – 195 lbs.), Duke

45. San Antonio (from Toronto) – C Omer Asik (6’11” – 240 lbs.), Turkey

46. Seattle (from Portland from Boston) – C Nathan Jawai (6’10”– 280 lbs.), Australia

47. Washington – PG/SG Lester Hudson (6’3”- 190 lbs.), Tennessee – Martin 

48. Phoenix (from Cleveland) – SG Jamont Gordon (6’4” – 200 lbs.), Mississippi St.

49. Golden State – PG Goran Dragic (6’4” – 180 lbs.), Slovenia

50. Seattle (from Denver) – SF Omir Casspi (6’8” – 230 lbs.), Israel

51. Dallas – PF/C Othello Hunter (6’8” – 225 lbs), Ohio St.

52. Miami (from Orlando) – C Trent Plaisted (6’11” – 245 lbs.), BYU

53. Utah – SG/SF Pat Calathes (6’10” – 200 lbs.), St. Joseph’s

54. Houston – SG Richard Roby (6’6” – 205 lbs.), Colorado

55. Portland (from Phoenix from Indiana) – SF/PF Patrick Ewing Jr. (6’9” – 240 lbs.), Georgetown

56. Seattle (from New Orleans from Houston) – PF Henk Norel (6’11” – 230 lbs.), Netherlands

57. San Antonio – C Aleks Maric (6’11” – 270 lbs.), Nebraska

58. LA Lakers – PF James Gist (6’8” – 225 lbs.), Maryland

59. Detroit – SF Keith Brumbaugh (6’8” – 210 lbs.), Hillsborough CC

60. Boston – C Sasha Kaun (6’11” – 250 lbs.), Kansas

 

 

Others who might sneak into the 2008 NBA Draft:

 

PF Josh Duncan (6’9” – 240 lbs.), Xavier

SG/SF Malik Hairston (6’6” – 220 lbs.), Oregon

SG Marcelus Kemp (6’5” – 210 lbs.), Nevada

PG Brian Roberts (6’2” – 175 lbs.), Dayton

PF/C Nikola Pekovic (6’11” – 235 lbs.)

C John Reik, Sudan

PF Darnell Jackson, Kansas

SF Will Daniels, Rhode Island