NBA Mock Draft

Night before the NBA draft, Chris Ford is annoying so I'm puttin my GM hat on and breakin it down.

1. LA Clippers: F Blake Griffin - Oklahoma

Griffin is a solid pick, the only one worthy to be picked at this spot, still i see him being a good player, however not an amazing player. Expect him to still be a constant All-Star.

2. Memphis Grizzlies: C Hasheem Thabeet - UConn

After number one, there is a large clump of solid/decent players. Thabeet will be a solid shot blocker if that is what Memphis is looking to pay for, but will not provide more than that. He is a poor man's Dikembe Mutombo, Dikembe had more offensive talent as well as quicker feet.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder: PG Ricky Rubio - Europe

I put Rubio here mainly because of the GM making the pick. While Sam Presti usually finds international gems in the later parts of the draft, Rubio fits the mold of a guy that Presti's mentor selected, Manu Ginobli. While not the scorer that Ginobli is, Rubio comes into a young team that does not need a lot of scoring but brings great excitement as well as experience as a pro. The question here is what happens to Westbrook.

4. Sacramento Kings: PG Stephen Curry - Davidson

While there is talk about Tyreke Evans and Jonny Flynn here, I think the Kings could surprise some people and take the scoring power of Curry. While I doubt he will be labeled a great player, there is no questioning his scoring ability. I still think the Kings should take a pure PG (eg Flynn), but the Maloofs have an interesting way of building teams.

5. Minnesota T-Wolves: PG Tyreke Evans - Memphis

I make this pick (and the next) as the team is here for now, however don't be surprised to see the Wolves do all they can to get either Rubio or Thabeet at the #2 or #3. A playmaker PG could replace Foye and be a huge upgrade over Sebastian Telfair.

6. Minnesota T-Wolves: SG James Harden - Arizona St.

While I'm tempted to put Jordan Hill here, it doesn't make sense with Al Jefferson there, so I can see Minnesota go after a good scorer who could develop into what they hoped Randy Foye had.

7. Golden State Warriors: PG Jonny Flynn - Syracuse

If Flynn falls to Golden State it would be a great fit. In my opinion Flynn has the ability to be the best player in this draft. A pure PG who shows great heart and leadership could be an immediate help to this team.

8. New York Knicks: PF Jordan Hill - Arizona

The Knicks don't have any strengths...none. At this point they must take the best player, and with David Lee possibly running away this summer, Hill is a player with great potential but still needs a lot of work. This pick is impossible to guess, but this is my best idea.

9. Toronto Raptors: PG Jrue Holiday - UCLA

Holiday provides Toronto with a big PG to try and complement Chris Bosh next year, another team with a lot of holes but Holiday may be too good to pass up.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: PG Brandon Jennings - Europe

With Sessions likely to be the odd man out this offseason the bucks are in need of a PG. Jennings has great upside, and if he can play nearly as well as he can talk himself up, he should have a decent career.

11. New Jersey Nets: SG Terrance Williams - Louisville

Another stud pick, this guys could be one of the stars of this draft. With that long wingspan and incredible athleticism Williams should be the pick for a Nets team looking for a direction.

12. Charlotte Bobcats: SG Gerald Henderson - Duke

Larry Brown appears to be in love with Henderson who is a freak athlete. It appears this pick could be locked in unless Williams falls here.

13. Indiana Pacers: PG Eric Maynor - VCU

Maynor is my third pick to be a stud in this draft. A great PG who many fans may not have seen, but is an explosive, great leader.

14. Phoenix Suns: SG DeMar DeRozan - USC

Many don't expect to see DeRozan to fall this far but it doesn't appear that he has had impressive workouts and not a great Freshman year. This should be the end of his fall.

15. Detroit Pistons: SF Earl Clark - Louisville

Earl Clark could not ask for a better fit, a guy with great intangibles just appears to be a Piston player. Hard nosed, if he can show consistency he will be a good player for years to come.

16. Chicago Bulls: C BJ Mullens - Ohio State

It seems Ohio St. keeps popping out these big man products. While the Bulls may need to replace Ben Gordon this offseason, Mullens brings size and intensity to add to the frontline wiht Noah, and Tyrus Thomas who may soon be shipped out.

17. Philadelphia 76ers: PG Ty Lawson - UNC

While I think Philly is desperately hoping for Maynor to fall here, they will happily settle for Lawson who is strong to the hoop as well as a good shooter at over 40% from three.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: PF DeJuan Blair - Pitt.

T-wolves will likely attempt to use this pick to get the 2 or 3, they will also hope BJ Mullens falls. If he goes to Chicago, I think they get Blair to help add toughness to the front line alongside Kevin Love.

19. Atlanta Hawks: PG Jeff Teague - Wake Forest

A quick athletic guard makes sense on a team that is already freakishly athletic and is the last of the top PG group left.

20. Utah Jazz: PF Tyler Hansbrough - UNC

Do he and Jerry Sloan not seem like a match made in heaven? Hansbrough will be a solid pro and will silence many of the critics saying that he is too small to make it.

21. New Orleans Hornets: SF Austin Daye - Gonzaga

Daye has constantly been touted as a player with great upside, however at some point he must display it. He has "too high of a ceiling" to fall past here.

22. Portland Trailblazers: SF Omri Casspi - Israel

While Casspi is talented, talent is not the reason for the pick. Portland doesn't have another roster spot for a rookie and would rather keep the money and Casspi in Israel.

23. Sacramento Kings: SF Sam Young - Pitt.

The Kings address PG need earlier and get Young, a good scorer who is able to step in immediately and contribute.

24. Dallas Mavericks: PG Nick Calathes - Florida

While some may find this surprising, remember that Mark Cuban is anything but predictable. Calathes fills a PG need where Darren Collison is not the playmaker type that the Mavs target.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder: SF. DaJuan Summers - Georgetown

With no solid centers available, the Thunder target depth and look no further than Jeff Green's college teammate. Also look at Toney Douglas here.

26. Chicago Bulls: SG Toney Douglas - Florida State

An guy capable of playing a small role immediately could provide some scoring ability to cushion the possible loss of Ben Gordon.

27. Memphis Grizzlies: PG Darren Collison - UCLA

The Griz can add some depth to back up Mike Conley Jr at the point.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves: SF Jonas Jerebko - Sweden

While another likely trade asset, it makes sense to draft a guy and leave him overseas, it is very unlikely they can keep 4 rookies on the roster.

29. LA Lakers: SG Wayne Ellington - UNC

A good shooter off the bench to fill the role that Sasha proved incapable of filling.

30. Cleveland Cavs: PF Derrick Brown - Xavier

While Brown is a little small (6'9"), he is one of the strongest players on the draft and can rebound, something that many Cavs seemed unfamiliar with this postseason.



These are just my thoughts, feel free to let me know what you think.