About College Basketball Guide, Charlie Zegers and I teamed up to conduct a mock draft for 2008's NBA Draft coming up on June 26. The mock was conducted on April 9th using the standings at the time as our draft order.
Charlie made all of the odd-numbered picks and I, the even-numbered picks. Our own commentary included with each of our respective picks. A lot of the picks were made on speculation in regards to which underclassmen are coming out and which are staying in school, so come back some time after April 27, the last day for underclassmen to declare and stay in the 2008 NBA draft. We'll be updating the mock every so often before the big day.
1. Miami Heat: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Miami has some talent in the frontcourt in Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem, assuming both come back healthy for next season. Pairing Rose with Dwyane Wade would give the Heat one of the best backcourts in the league. Plus, Wade hasn’t been terribly shy about campaigning for Rose to be the pick, and who am I to upset D-Wade? I’ll never get in his fave five that way.
2. Seattle SuperSonics: Michael Beasley, SF/PF, Kansas State
Seattle has two solid pieces for the future in Kevin Durant and Jeff Green and at number two, a rebuilding like the Sonics have to go with the top talent and without question, that’s Beasley. B-Easy can do it all on the floor and is a gifted offensive player and because of his strength, perhaps more so than 2007-08 Rookie of the Year favorite, Durant. Either way, that is going to be one talented frontcourt for years to come in Oklahoma City. Sorry, city of Seattle.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
I think of Lopez as a poor man’s Tim Duncan. I don’t think he’ll ever be as good as Timmy, but he has the same sort of game - a wide range of moves, the ability to play the angles, and a nasty streak when needed. I really like the idea of pairing Lopez with Al Jefferson.
4. New York Knicks: O.J. Mayo, SG, USC
If there’s any player in this draft made for the bright lights of New York City, it’s definitely Mayo. The highly regarded baller since he was in grade school can shoot the rock and also has the court vision and feel for the game to excel in the Mecca. And despite all the hype and attention around him, Mayo is level-headed and coachable. I just wonder who the coach is going to be next season because it's not going to be Isiah.
5. Memphis Grizzlies: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
Best available player here is probably Jerryd Bayless, but the Grizzlies definitely don’t need another young point guard. Instead, I’ll give them Eric Gordon, who may help them stretch the floor (and possibly allow them to move a Mike Miller). We’ll get some size for Memphis with their second pick in the first round.
6. Los Angeles Clippers: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
Love won’t be leaving Los Angeles as the Clippers can’t let a draw like Love go, but there’s more to Love than just getting butts in the seats. Love proved to be one of the top big men in college hoops and can do the same in the Association, especially if he can get leaner, which I doubt think he can considering his work ethic. Love is also great insurance if Elton Brand opts out or gets injured again.
7. Milwaukee Bucks : Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, Arizona
The Bucks have the makings of a very nice team in a year or two, if raw-but-talented guys like Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, and Yi Jianlian – and veteran Michael Redd - have a chance to grow together. Point guard is their weakest position, so we’ll add Arizona’s Bayless to the mix.
8. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Randolph, SF/PF, LSU
Randolph is one of those high-risk, high-reward type of players and despite his outstanding skill set, his thin frame may keep him from succeeding right away in the NBA. Luckily, he’ll have some time to develop as he can learn to play the wing from Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace in the meantime.
9. Chicago Bulls: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
I’m torn here. The Bulls seem to be three deep in young players at just about every position – particularly at power forward. DeAndre Jordan – who is very raw, but who has enormous potential – is my pick.
10. New Jersey Nets: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Alexander is a high-flyer that can attack the basket with zest, something the Nets already have in Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson. However, with the Nets looking to clear up cap space for when LeBron James becomes a free agent in 2010, I'd expect one of the two to leave with Alexander filling in nicely for the dearly departed.
