NBA Mock Draft

Well with less than 24 hours before the draft starts I thought it would be a good time to show who I think the lottery picks are going to be. For each team I will be giving who I think they should pick, and who they will pick.

With the first pick in the draft, I think the Portland Trail Blazers should select Greg Oden. This makes sense on multiple levels because if you look at the Blazers statistics for the past couple of seasons you see a mediocre to average offense, with an absolutely terrible defense. They have been in the bottom 5 for practically the past 4 years. Oden can help improve the offense slowly while giving the team an instant bump in how well it performs defensively. There are multiple arguments to be made for Kevin Durant however simply look at the last 10 NBA Champs, not one team had a terrible defense, Bulls, Lakers, Spurs, Pistons, Heat. Each team could defend and had at least 1 good post defender.

Teams Actual Pick: The Portland Trail Blazers select, Greg Oden, C, The Ohio State University.

With the second pick in the draft, I know the Seattle Supersonics should select Kevin Durant. If somehow the Sonics didn't pick Durant and Oden went first; the team in Seattle would not exist anymore. With Durant's selection however, it puts Seattle in a weird position, you have a Superstar whose almost past his prime, Allen, a free agent who plays the same position as Durant, Lewis, and what may turn into a superstar in Durant. Its a tough position for the new GM, because as soon as Durant is ready to lead a team, Allen may be ready to retire. With all that said its simple.

The Seattle SuperSonics select, Kevin Durant, SF, Texas

With the third pick in the draft, I think the Atlanta Hawks should select Al Horford. Atlanta is the hardest team to predict in the draft because they never do what everyone assumes will happen. I don't see them taking Conley because in the past the Hawks have gone with the best available player. Horford is the third best player in this draft and can contribute right away. They took Sheldon Williams last year, but Sheldon is not as good as Horford is now and they both could possibly play in the front court at the same time. The 11th pick will be harder to project than this one but.

The Atlanta Hawks select, Al Horford, PF, Florida

With the fourth pick in the draft, I think the Memphis Grizzlies should take Corey Brewer. One year ago at this time, Memphis was coming off a 49 win season, people were talking about what Memphis needed to add to move up the Western Conference pecking order to possibly compete for an NBA Title. Yes these same Grizzlies, there biggest loss after that season was, Shane Battier? As soon as the owner said he may sell the team things have gone downhill; Gasol got injured, as did Stoudamire, and Mike Miller. But that much kills a team and drops them down 20 games? Well maybe, either way this team has a solid young nucleus already in place with Gay, Lowry, Warrick, and Kinsey. Adding Brewer makes sense because they get a versatile player that can play the 2 or 3. The team could start next year with Stoudamire, Brewer, Gay, Swift, Gasol, with Miller, Warrick, Lowry and Kinsey coming off the bench. They'd be a sleeper playoff team in the Western Conference, but a new owner would help more. However with all that said the worst team in the league hired the second worst teams GM to turn it around.

The Memphis Grizzlies select, Mike Conley Jr., PG, The Ohio State University

With the fifth pick in the draft the Boston Celtics should select Jeff Green. I'd love to put Brewer in this position however, he has been taken. Adding Green fills a need that the Celtics have, and gives them a player ready to compete right away in what is the worst division, inside the worst conference. Green can play the 3 or 4, and if needed the 2, he would be a great complement to Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson. The only other play I could see Boston entertaining here outside of Brewer and Green is, Brandon Wright. Wright is unpolished and severely lacks an offensive game, however Boston is building for the future and to compete in the future for a NBA title, they may face the twin towers in Portland with Oden and Aldridge. Only time will tell but Green gives them the best of both worlds in a NBA ready player and a building block for the future.

The Boston Celtics select, Yi Jianlian, PF, China

With the sixth pick in the draft the Milwaukee Bucks select Mike Conley Jr. Conley makes the most sense for this playoff ready team. Milwaukee is the most unpredictable team in the NBA, in the last 5 years they have gone, playoffs, playoffs, #1 pick, playoffs, #6 pick. This year they were hit with a high amount of injuries that ended any chance of the playoffs. Ideally the Bucks would like to re-sign Maurice Williams and draft Green or Brewer. However with both of them off the board, the Bucks pick Conley and focus on a possible sign and trade with Williams for a SF. Remember the Atlanta Hawks are still in this draft, if Conley is available, you could see a Williams for Childress and the 11. With Conley the Bucks would have a solid point guard that is ready to lead a team to the playoffs.

The Milwaukee Bucks select, Jeff Green, SF, Georgetown


With the seventh pick in the draft the Minnesota Timberwovles select Yi Jianlian. As much as I love KG and what hes done for that franchise, they cannot give away the future for him. Yi may be the most intriguing prospect outside of the big 2. Yi can come in right away and give the T'Wolves 15-7 being a sidekick to KG. If KG stays the T'wolves would have 2 athletic big men that can shoot it from anywhere. That would be something most teams cannot defend, however Yi's defence would be questionable since he has not worked out with anyone in the draft process. If they move KG along, Yi would give them a good big man for the future to develop along side Randy Foye. If the T'Wolves got Amare for KG, that would move this teams playoff potential to at least conference champions in 3 years. However Kevin McHale has never been accused of being a good GM.

The Minnesota Timberwolves select, Spence Hawes, C, Washington

With the eighth pick in the draft the Charlotte Bobcats select Brandan Wright. The Bobcats need help for Okafor. Wright brings them an athletic 4, that can help offensively and defensively. If the Bobcats are able to bring in Rashard Lewis or Vince Carter, they could compete for a playoff spot next year. The biggest knock on Wright is his jump shot, however as we move down the draft the prospects have more and more flaws. If Wright can develop his game he and Okafor would give the Bobcats a strong post combo, and May coming off the bench gives the depth. The team is not as far away from the playoffs as most people think, but a couple wrong moves can turn this promising group of young talent back towards the cellar.

The Charlotte Bobcats select, Corey Brewer, SF, Florida

The Chicago Bulls are up next with the ninth pick in the draft. I think they should take Joakim Noah. Noah fits what the Bulls have built through the draft in previous years, either College kids from winning programs or foreigners. Noah is coming off back to back college championships, and with that hair could be mistaken for a foreigner, so he fits both molds. With Noah the Bulls immediately have the deepest front line in the NBA. Noah and Thomas give them a young athletic combo in the pivot that can grow with the already solid core of Deng, Gordon and Henrich. Drafting Noah here also makes since in a lot of ways for Chicago because with the depth at post it frees up the option of trading Ben Wallace and his contract to get a Kobe or KG back. I think the Bulls should trade this pick, but I don't think they will, it seems that they are content on both competing now and building for the future which is a very fine line to ride but so far they've done it well. A Zach Randolph for the 9 Nocioni, Brown (Both on sign and trade deals) makes a lot of sense for both teams and don't be surprised if that happens.

The Chicago Bulls select Joakim Noah, PF, Flordia

With the tenth pick in the draft the Sacramento Kings should select Spencer Hawes. The Kings may be in the worst position of any franchise outside of the Hawks. They can't really compete with the talent they have, and they don't have much talent looking towards the future. Hawes is the first step of what maybe a 3 or 4 year rebuild in Sacramento. Hawes could develop into a solid bigman with the same skill set as Brad Miller, if not better. The biggest knock on him is that he doesn't play like a 5, he plays like a softer 4 and doesn't get many rebounds. The Kings are in a rough spot and could look else where for help, but for the future they should pick Hawes.

The Sacramento Kings select Brandan Wright, PF, North Carolina

With the eleventh pick in the draft the Atlanta Hawks should select Acie Law. If I had to bet money on which pick out of all 60 would be traded it would be this one. It appears that the Hawks had a deal for Luke Ridnour set, until Amare became available. However if they don't trade the pick Law is a natural fit here. He gives the Hawks the PG they've been missing recently, and he is a leader. Without Law the Texas AM team may not have even made it to the NIT this year never mind shouldve been in the elite 8. Law, Johnson, Smith, Williams, Horford, the Hawks can compete for a playoff spot next year, if they stay relatively injury free. If the Sonics get this pick look for them to take Rodney Stuckey or Law.

The Atlanta Hawks select Javaris Crittenton, PG, Georgia Tech

With the twelevth pick in the draft the Philidelphia 76ers should select Al Thornton. Thornton is older than Lebron, older than everyone else about to enter the draft. While that is not a positive as he may be very close to already maximizing his potiential. As soon as the 76ers traded AI they actually improved; adding Thornton to the new AI in Philly will give the 76ers two scoring wings to surround distributor Andre Miller. Thornton could possibly play the 4 if the 76ers wanted to play Korver with Dalembert in the mix. The 76ers are close to being a playoff team in the east, and with 3 picks in this years loaded draft watch out.

The Philidelphia 76ers select Al Thornton, SF/PF, Florida State

With the thirteenth pick in the draft the New Orleans Hornets should select Thaddeus Young. Young is ready to go offensivly in the NBA, he is athletic enough to contribute right away, however he may need seasoning before hes ready to start. With Chris Paul as the point guard young could be the wingman that can help him maximize his potiential in the future. The Hornets are close the playoffs, however they should be looking for players that can help them move into the elite of the league rather than just get into the playoffs. With Peja staying healthy they should be able to make the playoffs this year.

The New Orleans Hornets select Thaddeus Young, SF, Georgia Tech

With the fourteenth and final lottery selection the Los Angeles Clippers should select Javaris Crittenton. Last year people were wondering if the Clippers and Shaun Livingston could take the next big step in the West. Now we are wondering if Livingston will ever be able to play again. If Acie Law can drop to the Clippers it would be a great day for them, I think hes a Sam Cassell Jr. and who better to learn the position from then the man himself. Crittenton fits their biggest need which as you move down the draft should be the focus rather than best player available. The Clippers lost out of the playoffs barely and can easily make it back with better play out of the PG position. If somehow Crittenton and Law are gone look for them to go SG with this pick.

The Los Angeles Clippers select Acie Law, PG, Texas AM

There it is everyone who I think teams should take and who they will take, in review.

My Mock: Actual Draft:
1. Oden 1. Oden
2. Durant 2. Durant
3. Horford 3. Horford
4. Brewer 4. Conley
5. Green 5. Yi
6. Conley 6. Green
7. Yi 7. Hawes
8. Wright 8. Brewer
9. Noah 9. Noah
10. Hawes 10. Wright
11. Law 11. Crittenton
12. Thornton 12. Thornton
13. T. Young 13. T. Young
14. Crittenton 14. Law