2008 NBA Mock Draft (Lottery Edition)

1. Chicago Bulls- F Michael Beasley, Kansas State. The Bulls are OK at point guard people. They signed Kirk Hinrich to an extension just last summer and he can be solid in that role. What they lack is a back to the basket post presence, and Michael Beasley can provide that (with good perimeter shooting). I see him being a 25-10 guy on 4 years. Michael Beastly

2. Miami Heat- G Derrick Rose, Memphis. You can't pass him up, and Riley likes him better than Beasley anyways. He could be a franchise point guard and is a very good on ball defender. He is selfless and he is a winner who has good character.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves- G OJ Mayo, USC. He has been growing on me. I do think McHale is going to try to trade this pick, but he is so stupid he just might keep it. He would be forced to play the 1 here, but he is a great scorer. A real talent as a scorer, and he can defend. His ball handling has to improve.

4. Seattle Supersonics- C Brooke Lopez, Stanford. This would be huge for Oklahoma City... er Seattle. He is the best center in the draft and he can really go to work and score down low when he wants to. He is also long and could get some blocks. He was in a bunch of foul trouble in college though, but it is an upgrade over Johan Petro and Robert Swift.

5. Memphis Grizzlies- G Jerryd Bayless, Arizona. I don't like this pick for them and they should move it. They need a big, but Chris Wallace is such a terrible GM that i think they will fall in love with this "point guard" because of his quickness and scoring ability. I am not a fan.

6. New York Knicks- G Eric Gordon, Indiana. Dantoni will love his scoring ability, and be blinded by his inability to play defense. Hasn't stopped him before. Experts will pick Westbrook, but he is a little overrated in my opinion. He doesn't have the scoring ability. Gordon could average 20 points a game soon enough.

7. Los Angeles Clippers- G DJ Augastin, Texas. He is one of my favorite players in the draft, and i absolutly loved him in college. He is a big game point guard who is not afraid to take shots. He has good ball handling, and his court vision could get better. With the uncertainy of Livingston's knee, this would be a logical pick.

8. Milwaukee Bucks- F Danillo Gallinari, Italy. They probably shouldn't take another foreigner, but i like Gallinari. He is a contact loving European who can shoot and is 6' 10". Think of a large Manu Ginobili (minus the defense).

9. Charlotte Bobcats- C Kevin Love, UCLA. I was a big Love guy in college, but I am not sure how he will translate to the NBA. He is a big with tools, and that is rare. He plays no defense, but Okafor can help him out there. I like this move for Larry Brown, and he is a smart player.

10. New Jersey Nets- F Nicolas Batum, France. Athleticism baby. This guy is a foreigner, which scares me. But lets look at this- He plays in the Euroleague, which is the top European league, and he is very good there. He is a great athlete, and could have been a lottery pick 2 years ago.

11. Indiana Pacers- F Darrell Arthur, Kansas. They need a point guard, but they are all gone! So they turn to some help inside, and Arthur could give that. He just doesn't play hard, and you can't fix that.

12. Sacramento Kings- F Joe Alexander, West Virginia. He shot up draft boards, and thats a scary thing. He is a great athlete and a hard worker, but he is really not smart. He doesn't really play D, but he will get a look here.

13. Portland Trailblazers- F Anthony Randolph, LSU. I would take the best talent here, because the Blazers are just loaded anyways. They don't need anyone to step in and contribute, and they will be a force for the next 5 or 6 years. They should take Randolph and try to develop him into a legitimate force presense to challenge Aldridge for a rotation spot.

14. Golden State Warriors- C Kosta Koufus, Ohio State. I don't like him as a player, but he fits in the Warriors mold. No d but can shoot the ball. He can challenge Biedrins and push him, and give some quality scoring off the bench.

This is what should happen, not what will happen. I don't feel comfortable giving my opinion on guys like Casppi or Ajinca. I know the college players, and can do that, but the internationals are what kill me in the NBA draft. I am sure they are busts, but I don't watch them and can't give my expert opinion on it. The Sports God is admitting is mortality on this matter.