The day of reckoning has arrived for some 90 or so prospects hoping to be an NBA Draft pick. The day of reckoning has also arrived for some 9,000 mock drafters, who desperately try to get it right even though no one ever could on a consistent basis.And, if I may, a word about the recent backlash against mock drafts from the key mock draft writers. The major draft experts from ESPN and DraftExpress told the New York Times last week that they hate mock drafts. But the mock draft is like their version of a test. It's too arbitrary, too black and white. It creates an impossible task. But thems the breaks when you're in a field in which performance matters. If Chad Ford didn't have to put out a mock, he could forever avoid criticism, basically. It's his job to analyze and predict the draft. How could we judge his efficacy without looking at his mock the morning after? It's like Amar'e Stoudemire telling everyone he hates to rebound. (Oh wait ...)
I love mock drafts! You'll find my final version after the jump.
- 1. Clippers: Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
Top picks usually don't lead the national draft recaps -- only rarely is No. 1 a toss-up going into draft day, and a team or two usually steal the show with trades or wacky picks. But there's a serious chance the selection of Blake Griffin won't even be the top NBA story in Los Angeles on Friday morning. The city's media has given up on the franchise. The Lakers trading away No. 29 for a wad of Big League Chew might lead the sports page over anything the Clippers do, Griffin included. (I'm only exaggerating a little.) - 2. Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn
If anyone ever asks again whether size sells in the NBA Draft, Thabeet's status as a default top-3 pick this season despite refusing to work out for any team provides the answer. Sure, Thabeet has proven more in advance of the draft than most stringy 7-footers ever do: Thabeet has a record of success in Connecticut, whereas Mohammed Sene had one nice scrimmage in 2006 before Seattle took him No. 10. Everyone believes Thabeet will go No. 2 or No. 3. Who am I to disagree? - 3. Thunder: James Harden, SG, Arizona State
I've had Ricky Rubio at No. 3 for a while, but Russell Westbrook's comments combined with OKC's biggest need -- efficient scoring, anywhere -- have led to a flip flop. Harden rates extremely well on offense, and Sam Presti is a part of the New Wave which values efficiency. Harden seems more likely than Stephen Curry, if only because Harden should be able to more readily defend two-guards and Curry's camp has put a huge emphasis on his point guard skills. - 4. Kings: Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
When the smoke clears, the Kings end up with their point guard of tomorrow. What happens Friday -- when the stories about who made this decision come out -- will be equally important for the franchise's future. - 5. Timberwolves: Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
Evans reportedly impressed the Wolves in a visit last Friday. The team gave up its two top guards in Tuesday's trade with Washington, and Minnesota's two best players (Al Jefferson and Kevin Love) are big men. Guards shall rule the day. - 6. Timberwolves: Stephen Curry, PG, Davidson
Do Evans and Curry fit in the same backcourt? As noted above, Curry is sure he's a point guard. Evans has said he'll play wherever his team needs him -- anywhere from the point to small forward. But Evans needs the ball to be most effective, while Curry can square up from any spot on the floor. Seems like an arrangement that could work, if the Wolves keep these picks. - 7. Warriors: Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
Hill, who told team officials who interviewed him in Chicago that he likes to party, is like Don Nelson's kindred spirit. If he goes No. 7, he should spend all summer working on his three-point range. - 8. Knicks: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
The Knicks want Rubio, Curry and Hill, reportedly. Insert sigh here. Flynn, though, is a dynamic point guard. He might be the best point guard in the draft, especially over the next few years. Flynn is ready to take Nate Robinson's torch into the next decade. - 9. Raptors: Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA
I would say Toronto has been difficult to peg, but the entire draft has been difficult to peg. There are questions whether Holiday can play either point guard or shooting guard in the NBA right now, let alone both, as you think he'd be asked to do in Toronto. But of all the players in this range a GM's gotta have faith in, Holiday's a smart choice. - 10. Bucks: Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
Flynn has been a name here for a while, but I'll bounce on a limb and randomly choose Lawson. The world respects John Hollinger, I guess. It's a bonus in that Lawson can play right away, so Milwaukee wouldn't need to hold back on moving Luke Ridnour (provided that Ramon Sessions flees). - 11. Nets: Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC
Terrence Williams has been heavily rumored here, but the Nets are still shortest in the frontcourt, and Hansbrough has been a workout wonder. Unleash the Ivory Towers, or something. - 12. Bobcats: Terrence Williams, G/F, Louisvilel
Williams impressed Michael Jordan himself. The only thing that can stop a Williams pick here is ... Williams going higher, perhaps to Golden State, Toronto or New Jersey. But if he lasts to No. 12, it's a great match going forward. - 13. Pacers: Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest
The wheels will come off this draft somewhere in the teens. Why not with Indiana, who through a massive rebranding over the past few seasons now avoid any prospect who has so much as spit on a sidewalk? (That would disqualify Brandon Jennings, by the way.) T.J. Ford seems to think he's on the block; Teague is like crack for someone who values the modern scoring guard. - 14. Suns: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
I want to put Jennings in the top 10 in every one of my mock drafts if only to theoretically stick it to Jay Bilas. If the Suns weren't bizarrely holding training camp in San Diego, Phoenix fans would be stoked for October to come. - 15. Pistons: Earl Clark, F, Louisville
Clark might be one of the most talented players in the draft, and I have no idea why anyone would fear him. Oh, he has motivation problems? Oh. That explains it. Oddly, the Pistons under Michael Curry have had motivation problems. Hmm. - 16. Bulls: DeJuan Blair, PF, Pitt
Scott Skiles may be gone, but John Paxson still loves grit and toughness. DeJuan has that in spades. Chicago could be moving Tyrus Thomas this summer. Blair isn't an ideal fit next to Joakim Noah (neither has enough offense), but he could be a dynamite third big in the rotation. - 17. 76ers: Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
The Sixers could get the toast of the college class (Lawson) or someone pegged a bit lower, like Maynor. Regardless, Ed Stefanski needs a point guard of some breed with Andre Miller on his way out. - 18. Timberwolves: B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State
If the Wolves don't pull a center in the lottery (they'd need to move up for Thabeet), the glaring hole there remains open. Since David Kahn is building for 2014 or so (small exaggeration), Mullens might actually fit. If he's not actually terrible. - 19. Hawks: DeMar DeRozan, SF, USC
DeMar keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping ... into the late first. The Ghost of Billy Knight, Lover of Small Forwards, lives on. - 20. Jazz: James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest
Johnson is another victim of my completely hypothetical run on point guards. Johnson wasn't in the best shape at Chicago (or over the last two years of his life, really), but he's got skills at a position where the Jazz has some uncertainty (via Boozer and Millsap). - 21. Hornets: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
Henderson will probably go much higher than this, but I just couldn't find a team once New Jersey and Charlotte grabbed other fellows. As has been noted, the wheeling and dealing will create some new openings for players like this. - 22. Blazers: Omri Casspi, SF, Israel
The Blazers read the Sacramento tea leaves and opted to pre-empt Casspi at No. 23 by slipping up to No. 22. Or at least that's the theory. There might instead be a point guard Portland likes in this range, though I have a feeling they'll all be gone, except for ... - 23. Kings: Patrick Mills, PG, St. Mary's
Mills had been scheduled to work out with Sam Young and others on Sacramento's final day of pre-draft action. Instead, once he found out Flynn, Evans, Curry and Nick Calathes were going to party at ARCO one day earlier, Mills begged into that workout. I'm told he impressed, especially with his spirit. - 24. Mavericks: Sam Young, F, Pitt
So long as the Mavericks continue to worship The Present at the expense of The Future, taking one of the oldest prospects in the draft -- who also happens to be tough as $2 steak and has a wacky combination of skills -- works. - 25. Thunder: Taj Gibson, PF, USC
Gibson seems to be a late riser on the boards, pegged somewhere in the 20s or 30s. He was really solid in Pasadena. The questions all surround what the increased height and power of NBA big men will do to him. But strong rebounders find a way, and I think Gibson will be a servicable back-up for a while. - 26. Bulls: DeMarre Carroll, F, Missouri
Paxson's quest for bullies continues unabated. - 27. Grizzlies: Danny Green, G/F, UNC
Green is a dynamic perimeter player who really ought to be much higher on team boards. (That's a subtle, nearly passive-aggressive way of saying "Don't be surprised if he's picked much higher.") - 28. Timberwolves: Paul Harris, SF, Syracuse
Harris started off the workout season with a bang, drawing attention wherever he stopped. Then ... he seemingly disappeared. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Promise! (No, not really. But he's a first-round talent, no question.) - 29. Lakers: Nick Calathes, PG, Florida
If the Lakers keep this pick, which they almost assuredly will not, they will have to take a player to stash overseas. Lucky for L.A., Calathes already has a Greek contract for at least next season. Jordan Farmar will be a restricted free agent in one year, so L.A. can delay its decision-making process until then. - 30. Cavaliers: Darren Collison, PG, UCLA
A run on point guards doesn't touch them all. And as bad as it sounds, Collison just isn't an NBA Draft point guard. He could very well be a good NBA point guard. But four years of college, mistake-free basketball and defense just don't sell. Sorry.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I gotta say I'm liking this draft. I always thought OKC would take Harden but not many of the other sites thought they would take him. I agree with most of your picks but a little upset that my fav. Gerald Henderson was so low, although Nawlins would be a good place or him.
when are people gonna learn great players dont make great general managers
cough,,,,,,,,,,,larry bird
Like the nfl draft, the nba draft is just as terrible.
The only players worth getting in this year's draft is Curry, Griffin, Thabeet and the international players.
The Lakers have to keep the pick. You cannot trade first rounders in 3 consecutive years and last year's and next year's picks have already been traded.
i dont think i can agree with this draft, i mean majority of it i can only that henderson slipping that far to new orleans?! Also kings taking two points in the first round?! Heck naw!!
Tyler Hansbrough should be in the top 5 picks
Hansbrough not good enough to be in the bottom of the list
i agree with your top 8
good luck goran sutton
HANBOROUGH NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE BOTTOM OF ANY LIST
You must be some kind of IDIOT dook fan....STOP HATING....2009 National Champs...GO HEELS!!!