2011 NBA Draft Preview

Anybody who knows me will let you know that if there is one thing that makes me happier than bacon is possibly the NBA draft. Given this I have decided to do what the rest of you with lives would not do as you have more important things to do, watch hours of video and grainy youtube clips on numerous prospects and will now give you the entire draft lottery as well as some of the more interesting prospects in the draft will go.

1.Cleveland Cavaliers- Kyrie Irving: PG
I think he’s a talented player, but to be number one pick with a little more than a handful of games under his belt is a tad bit ridiculous.

2.Minnesota Timberwolves- Derrick Williams: SF
While he may be the most talented player in the draft I don’t think he fits in Minnesota. That said no player has a higher ceiling in this entire draft and you just can’t pass him up.

3.Utah Jazz- Brandon Knight: PG
This is the best point guard in this draft to me. He had his ups and downs but showed a mental capacity that no other player in the draft exhibited. Dealing with the high expectations, the slow start and helping push the wildcats to the brink of a final four showed me more than Irving’s 8 or so games.

4.Cleveland Cavaliers- Enes Kanter: C
I’ve seen his highlight from the Nike Summit last year. He had a good tourney, I get it. But this guy just reeks of Darko 2.0. I am not very impressed by his game.

5.Toronto Raptors- Jonas Valanciunas: C
This guy will be the Raptors next European mistake. Bryan Colangelo…come on buddy!

6.Washington Wizards- Jan Vesely: SF
The Wizards find the best Euro wing prospect since Andrei Kirilenko. He’s a slasher with a long wingspan and a perfect complement to speed demon John Wall.

7.Sacramento Kings- Kemba Walker: PG
Listed as a point guard but be real, in the Kings offense Tyreke Evans would do the bulk of the ball handling allowing Walker to run off screens and show off that shot. The Spurs in the mix to trade Tony Parker for Omri Casspi and this pick as well.

8.Detroit Pistons- Kawhi Leonard: SF
Possibly the rookie not named Derrick Williams that can come in and play and contribute immediately. Has great ball handling skills, rebounds very well, and plays with a lot of energy. Only downside he doesn’t do one thing particularly well.

9.Charlotte Bobcats- Tristan Thompson: PF
This lefty with good speed and deceptive athleticism should be able to come in and play a role similar to that of Tyrus Thomas last season. While he doesn’t have the upside Thomas had coming out the raw potential and basketball IQ certainly insure he will at least be a contributer on this team.

10.Milwaukee Bucks- Alec Burks: SG
Arguably the top 2-guard in the draft Burks can step right in where Michael Redd will not be next season and team with Brandon Jennings and form a nice backcourt for years to come.

11.Golden State- Klay Thompson: SG
If the top 2-guard in the draft isn’t Burks then it is definitely the third year player from Washington State whose game and maturity remind me of another guard from the Pacific Northwest in Brandon Roy. Good size, able to create off the dribble and one of the top shooters in the draft certainly will help Coach Mark Jackson in his first season.

12.Utah Jazz- Marcus Morris: SF/PF
Passing on the consensus best big man with their first pick they grab the power forward from Kansas with their second pick of the round. He’s a versatile forward who can face the basket and play in the post.

13.Phoenix Suns- Chris Singelton: SF
One of the elite defenders in this draft, and the Suns have to seriously wonder who will guard the other team’s best perimeter player once Grant Hill decides to retire and Singelton may be the guy who is able to do so. Limited offensively but something tells me the Suns won’t be struggling for points.

14.Houston Rockets- Bismack Biyombo: PF/C
Some scouts see Serge Ibaka when they look at this kid, I however see a kid who will block some shots but will ultimately team with Hasheem Thabeet to form the most useless frontcourt in NBA history.

Now will I be right? Only time will tell but if past years are any indication…no I will not be right and Biyombo will be the most dominant rookie in league history.

2008 Mock Draft (Chocolate Edition)

As a Chicago Bulls fan I refused to watch the NBA draft lottery for two reasons. One, we had less than a 2% chance of receiving the top pick, and secondly and most importantly it would remind me that my Bulls did not make the playoffs after such a good season last year. But after seeing that we received the top pick, the Bulls become a much more attractive destination for coaches and I think we can rebound from such a thoroughly disappointing season. Without further ado I present to you, the 2008 NBA Draft as I see it happening.

1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
The Bulls select the most NBA ready player in the draft. He is an immediate upgrade over Kirk Hinrich, and can help the Bulls reach their potential in a quicker fashion than the aforementioned Hinrich. While Beasley is tempting, Drew Gooden is more than serviceable at power forward.

2. Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, PF/SF, Kansas State
Miami will take whoever the Bulls don't take and be happy with it. Beasley has the talent to be a once in a lifetime player. He's a ferocious rebounder, an excellent scorer, and has the range to step out to the three point line. The only thing holding him back is Michael Beasley.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
The best true center in the draft, Lopez is able to hit the 15 foot jumper with consistency and is a very strong rebounder. Drafting him allows the T'wolves to slide Al Jefferson to power forward, his natural position and gives them a formidable front line for years to come.

4. Seattle Supersonics: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
The Sonics wanted Derrick Rose, but Bayless is the second best guard in the draft. Team him with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green and you have a backcourt that is amazing for years to come.

5. Memphis Grizzlies: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
While Randolph is a young and raw talent the Grizzlies have the time to allow him to play and become the player that he has the talent to be. His skill set is similar to that of Chris Bosh.

6. New York Knicks: Deandre Jordan, C, Texas A&M
Eddy Curry isn't impressing anyone in the Big Apple and Jordan has the talent to become the next Dwight Howard. A very good athlete with an explosive vertical and good timing which coulc develop into great timing leading him to be a great rebounder and shot blocker.

7. LA Clippers: OJ Mayo, SG, USC
Mayo, one of the most talked about guards in this class is probably the best scorer in the class and should have no problem hitting the NBA three. He makes sense for the Clippers seeing as they will probably lose Corey Maggette. If Shaun Livingston can return to form that could be an exciting backcourt.

8. Milwaukee Bucks, Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
Explosive scoring guard who has the potential to be the next Mitch Richmond. Able to hit the three easily from NBA range and has an explosive vertical. Team that with his amazing body control and you have someone who can score easily in the paint.

9. Charlotte Bobcats, Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
No one's stock has risen more than Arthur since the Final Four. He is a mature post player who rebounds and plays defense well. Throw him in with a healthy Emeka Okkafor and Gerald Wallace and you have a pretty impressive defensive frontcourt.

10. New Jersey Nets, Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
The best player available at this point, could immediately provide a spark off the bench as the backup to Richard Jefferson and improve the team's three point shooting percentage as he is the most natural shooter in the draft.

11. Indiana Pacers, Russell Westbrook, SG/PG, UCLA
Westbrook isn't a true point guard which Indiana needs, but he can play behind Jamaal Tinsley for a year and learn the ropes. He is athletic enough to defend both guard positions and is explosive on the break.

12. Sacramento Kings, DJ Augustin, PG, Texas
Since trading away Mike Bibby the team has been lacking in point guard play. Kevin Martin has turned out to be a great scorer and team him with a dynamic distributor like Augustin and both will benefit. Arguably the highest basketball IQ in the draft.

13. Portland Trailblazers, Kevin Love, F/C, UCLA
The best passing big man in this draft, and the best passing big man that I have ever seen live teamed with Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, Martell Webster and the young Blazers and that is a nucleus not to be messed with. While he is not the most athletic big man, he has excellent range and one of the most intelligent players in the draft.

14. Golden State Warriors, Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Alexander is one of the most tenacious players in the entire draft, just ask the Duke Blue Devils who got a heavy helping of Joe Alexander. Very athletic big man who can shoot the three but is not afraid to drive inside and draw contact. Also has a deceptively good low post game complete with a nice jump hook.