By David K.
To justify that I am not some hack throwing out a random mock draft, consider that I got as many right in my final mock of 2008 as ESPN “expert†Chad Ford, and less than a handful of other mocks on the web had more correct than I did. Considering I don’t have the “connections†that Ford or some other sites have, that is pretty impressive. Team needs have not been taken into account with this mock.
1. Oklahoma City- Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma, 6-10, So.
-physical, can put the ball on the floor, owns the boards
Think: Amare Stoudemire
2. *Minnesota- Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain, 6-4, 1990
-great court vision, incredibly unselfish, very mature for a young point guard
Think: a mix of Steve Nash and Jason Kidd
3. Washington- â–² James Harden, SG, Arizona State, 6-5, So.
-great at attacking the hoop, solid outside shooter, can take over a game
Think: Joe Johnson
4. Sacramento- Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, 7-3, Jr.
-athletic for his size, tremendous shot blocker, improving as a post scorer
Think: Ben Wallace, but six inches taller
5. L.A. Clippers- â–¼ Stephen Curry, G, Davidson, 6-2, Jr.    Â
-unbelievable three-point range and scorer, impressive in first year as point guard
Think: a sharp-shooting Tony Parker
6. Golden State- Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Jr.
-very versatile, averaged 10.3 boards and shot 41% from three last season
Think: Danny Granger
7. Memphis- â–² Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona, 6-10, So.
-lives around the rim, great on the glass, must work on outside game
Think: LaMarcus Aldridge
8. Indiana- Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, Fr.
-all-around skill set from handling the ball to creating his own shot, runs floor well
Think: Travis Outlaw
9. Toronto- Earl Clark, SF, Louisville, 6-8, Jr.
-a point forward type, excels as a penetrater, good rebounder
Think: Lamar Odom
10. Charlotte- Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona, 6-7, Jr.
-ridiculous athleticism, can stroke it from deep but is sometimes too streaky a shooter
Think: Stephen Jackson
11. ?New York- Ty Lawson, PG, UNC, 5-11, Jr.
-very quick with the ball, suffocating perimeter defender, leader on the floor
Think: Jameer Nelson
12. =Philadelphia- -Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, So.
-great skill set in the post, very physical, good ball-handler for a big
Think: Kenyon Martin
13. Chicago- Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis, 6-6, Fr.
-slasher, handles the ball well in transition, needs more consistency with jumper
Think: DeShawn Stevenson
14. Utah- Patty Mills, PG, St. Mary’s, 5-11, So.
-made a name for himself in Olympics playing for Australia, this year’s Stephen Curry
Think: Ramon Sessions
15. Milwaukee- Darren Collison, PG, UCLA, 6-0, Sr.
-great on-the-ball defender, smart decision-maker, can hit three ball
Think: Bobby Jackson
16. New Jersey- â–¼Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy, 6-0, 1989
-tremendous court vision, unselfish, not afraid to take it to the hoop
Think: Kenny Anderson
17. #Minnesota- â–¼Gani Lawal, F, Georgia Tech, 6-8, So.
-low-post threat, solid on the boards, not a great shooter
Think: Brandon Bass
18. Phoenix-Â Tyler Smith, SF, Tennessee, 6-7, Jr.
-fearless when attacking the hoop, great in transition, must improve outside shooting
Think: Gerald Wallace
19. Dallas- â–² Johnny Flynn, PG, Syracuse, 6-0, So.
-can take over a game, great range and driver, lock-down perimeter defender
Think: Raymond Felton
20. Detroit- Victor Claver, SF, Spain, 6-10, 1988
-smooth, polished offensive game like most Euro players, not very physical
Think: Adam Morrison
21. &Sacramento- Derrick Brown, F, Xavier, 6-9, Jr.
-amazing athlete, solid on the defensive end, not a big-time scorer
Think: Shawne Williams
22. Portland- Manny Harris, SG, Michigan, 6-5, So.
-a pure scorer from the outside or with his dribble-drive game, can play the point
Think: Sasha Vujacic
23. Denver- Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, 6-9, Sr.
-high basketball IQ, plays with an incredible intensity, nice touch on jump shot
Think: Eduardo Najera
24. +Oklahoma City- James Johnson, F, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.
-can put the ball on the deck and attack the rim, NBA-ready body, inconsistent shooter
Think: Wilson Chandler
25. Atlanta- Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, 6-3, Sr.
-playmaker on the offensive end, a floor general, must become more consistent shooter
Think: Antonio Daniels
26. New Orleans- Sam Young, G/F, Pitt, 6-6, Sr.
-can score from outside or inside, doesn’t take a lot of bad shots, not a great creator
Think: Michael Finley
27. Orlando- â–² Terrence Williams, SF, Louisville, 6-6, Sr.
-very versatile, great passer, solid defender, needs to work on outside shot
Think: Matt Barnes
28. Cleveland- Danny Green, SF, UNC, 6-7, Sr.
-does a little bit of everything, will be a great role player in the NBA
Think: James Posey
29. L.A. Lakers- A.J. Ogilvy, F/C, Vanderbilt, 6-11, So.
-good fundamental low post game on offense, good touch around rim, not very physical
Think: Rasho Nesterovic
30. ^Minnesota- Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, 7-0, Jr.
-big time shot blocker, still raw on the offensive end, average at best athleticism
Think: Theo Ratliff
Second Round
31. Josh Heytvelt, PF, Gonzaga, 6-11, Sr.
32. Vitor Faverani, F/C, Brazil, 7-0, 1988
33. Curtis Jerrells, PG, Baylor, 6-1, Sr.
34. A.J. Price, PG, UConn, 6-2, Sr.
35. Connor Atchley, F/C, Texas, 6-10, Sr.
36. Jeremy Pargo, PG, Gonzaga, 6-2, Sr.
37. Lee Cummard, G/F, BYU, 6-7 Sr
38. Nando de Colo, G, 6-5, France 1987
39. A.J. Abrams, G, 5-11, Texas, Sr.
40. Jerel McNeal, G, Marquette, 6-3, Sr.
41. Taj Gibson, PF, USC, 6-9, Jr.
42. Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple, 6-5, Sr.
43. Miroslav Raduljica, C, Serbia, 7-0, 1988
44. Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona State, 6-10, Sr.
45. Hank Norel, PF, Netherlands, 6-11, 1987
46. Omri Cassipi, SF, Isreal, 6-8, 1988
47. Robert Vaden, SG, UAB, 6-5, Sr.
48. Lester Hudson, PG, UT-Martin, 6-3, Sr.
49. Tyrese Rice, PG, Boston College, 6-1, Sr.
50. Chris Johnson, PF, LSU, 6-11, Sr.
51. Slava Kravtsov, C, Ukraine, 7-0, 1987
52. Jack McClinton, PG, Miami (FL), 6-1, Sr.
53. Josh Carter, G/F, Texas A&M, 6-7, Sr.
54. Wesley Matthews, SG, Marquette, 6-5, Sr.
55. Leo Lyons, PF, Missouri, 6-9, Sr.
56. Joe Ingles, SF, Australia, 6-8, 1987
57. Robert Dozier, F, Memphis, 6-9, Sr.
58. Dante Cunningham, F, Villanova, 6-8, Sr.
59. Jeff Adrien, PF, UConn, 6-7, Sr.
60. Jon Brockman, PF, Washington, 6-7, Sr.
Other First Round talent likely to stay in school:
B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State, 7-0, Fr.
Greg Monroe, C/F, Georgetown, 6-10, Fr.
DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC, 6-6, Fr.
Jrue Holliday, SG, UCLA, 6-4, Fr.
DaJuan Summers, F, Georgetown, 6-8, Jr.
Cole Aldrich, F/C, Kansas, 6-10, So.
Samardo Samuels, PF, Louisville, 6-10, Fr.
Austin Daye, SF, 6-10, Gonzaga, So.
Nick Calathes, G, Florida, 6-5, So.
Kyle Singler, F, Duke, 6-8, So.
Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke, 6-5, Jr.
Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC, 6-4, Jr.
Raymar Morgan, G/F, Michigan State, 6-7, Jr.
Dwayne Collins, PF, Miami Fl, 6-8, Fr.
#Minnesota gets Miami’s ’09 1st round pick (top ten protected) via Ricky Davis trade
*Clippers get Minnesota’s ’09 1st round pick (top ten protectred) via Marko Jaric trade
+Thunder gets Spurs’ ’09 1st round pick (lottery preotected) via Kurt Thomas trade
^Minnesota gets Boston’s ’09 1st round pick (top 3 protected) via Kevin Garnett trade
&Kings get Houston ’09 1st round pick via Ron Artest trade
?Utah gets New York ’09 1st round pick (top 22 protected) via Phoenix
=Minnesota gets Philadelphia ’09 1st round pick (from Utah –Gordon Giricek trade-top 22 protected) via Rodney Carney trade
Look at Mich with the NBA level talent
I’d like to welcome Wesley Matthews to the mock
Love the Chase pic!! Also Jordan Hill is Awesome!!!
Diddy Out
it looks more and more like Ricky Rubio won’t be turning pro this year due to a massive buyout clause in his Spanish contract so he will likely be removed from the next mock…
Hey David, just to let you know, Ricky turned pro a while ago… Spanish contract (as you mentionned it) do pay real money!
its not in pesentas?