http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/ ... 9167~18877
I'll explain the choices
1. Derrick Rose: Chicago needs a post presence but Beasley is a little undersized at the 4 and the last time I checked, Chicago had an athletic undersized 4 named Tyrus Thomas. Rose is a Chicago native and draw crowds and he's also one of the most athletically gifted guards to come into the league. I think Chicago takes Rose and packages Ben Gordon with a couple of other players for Jermaine O'Neal. Finally, Chicago didn't do too bad last time they picked an athletic guard wearing 23.
2. Michael Beasley: Not the pick Pat Riley wanted but they'll survive. It's not a bad pick and Miami has a need in the post.
3. DeAndre Jordan: First suprise pick in the draft but with the Timberwolves draft history, it's possible. Also I picked Jordan over the popular pick Lopez because Jordan has a higher ceiling.
4. Jerryd Bayless: The Sonics take Bayless who has great potential and can serve as a distributor. It also fills up their need of a good guard to take the pressure off of Durant.
5. Anthony Randolph: The Grizz need size after giving up Gasol for chump change and they take the sexier pick with Randolph over Lopez.
6. O.J. Mayo: Too much talenet too slip any further. He has character issues but he is the clear cut top 3 talent in this draft and New York needs a boost in excitement. They get that in Mayo and if anyone in this draft can embrace the New York circus, it will probably be Mayo.
7. Danilo Gallinari: The Clippers are in love with him and will be thrilled to see Mike D'Antoni pass up on the Italian. They snatch this pick up in a hurry and the past couple of drafts have seen the Clippers taking foreign players alot.
8. Joe Alexander: The 2nd suprise pick of the draft. This guy wasn't on most people's draft a couple weeks ago but work ethic, athleticism and skills boost him up and the Bucks need an athletic wingman.
9. Brook Lopez: Lopez is #3 on most people's list but he slips in my list because he lacks great athleticism but Larry Brown loves guys with solid fundamentals and the Bobcats need a center to pair up with Okafor.
10. Kevin Love: Nets probably wish Lopez slipped to them here but they'll make do with Love. Apparently, he's slimmed down considerably and is more athletic. NJ has need a post presence for 6 yrs and teaming Love up with Krstic isn't a bad idea.
11.D.J. Augustin: Probably will take a hard look at Eric Gordon, the best talent available on the board but they have a glaring need at PG and will draft based on need. Also, they could get a similar proven commodity from Chicago if the trade I mentioned in #1 goes through.
12. Eric Gordon: Biggest slip in the draft because of his late season struggles. Sactown has needs everywhere and takes the best talent available.
13. Russell Westbrook: Portland loves big guards. They also love character guys and Westbrook fits those 2 descriptions very well.
14. Darrell Arthur: GS has a fetish with ridiculously long players who can play multiple positions and Arthur has great potential also.
15. Brandon Rush: The Suns need a big guard who can score and they'll go with Rush over Budlinger due to character issues.
16. Marrees Speights: Sixers need a big man to complement Dalembert and Speights is the best big man left.
17. Donte Greene: Raptors have a need at SF and they'll take a young, long guy oozing with potential to be the next T-Mac.
18. Chase Budlinger: Athletic guard who can score but has character issues. With the uptempo style Wizards play, they don't really need a center and they'll pick Budlinger here.
19. Chris Douglas-Roberts: Cavs need someone who can score outside of LeBron and Douglas-Roberts can just flat out score. Not the most athletically gifted but he'll score.
20. JaVale McGee: Too much talent for the Nuggets to pass up and Camby isn't getting any younger.
21. Kosta Koufos: NJ takes another big man for their front court and Koufos has good potential in a couple of years.
22. Robin Lopez: Orlando needs someone to help Howard down low and Lopez is a big body not scared to do the dirty work down low.
23. Courtney Lee: Jerry Sloan likes guys with solid fundamentals and Lee has exactly that. He can also score on you in multiple ways and he is mature and fits the Jazz need of a scorer.
24. Bill Walker: Athletic as hell, people had him projected in the lottery before his ACL injury and him slipping this far puts a chip on his shoulder. Could become the next Vince Carter(pre-Raptor bitching days) and haunt many GM's a few years down the road. Steal of the draft right here.
25. Roy Hibbert: I would have picked a PG but Alston has improved so much last season and Head is a decent backup guard so I'll take a big man to backup Yao Ming when he goes down again. Also Hibbert was a lotto pick last year meaning he isn't a complete stiff.
26. Nicolas Batum: Young, foreign, full of talent....... Sounds exactly like the Spur's pick.... Also fellow might keep fellow Frenchman Tony Parker happy
27. Ty Lawson: The Hornets have bigger needs(uh-hum Stojakovic cough cough) like getting a reliable wing but with none available, they'll take a ultra quick backup for Paul.
28. DeVon Hardin: Memphis needs size and they'll go for potential over competing right now. It's not like they'll win right now by taking a guy like Jason Thompson.
29. Joey Dorsey: Rough, tough and blue collar. Detroit loves these players and Dorsey reminds some people of a young Big Ben.
30. Mario Chalmers: Sam Cassell has nothing left in the tank and they need a solid backup to Rondo so they take Chalmers.
Whew, that was a long post. Feel free to comment on my picks.
Last edited by
kinokong on Fri May 23, 2008 2:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.