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NBA Draft 2008 Open Thread

Not sure how many of you will be watching but, if you are, post your comments here.

It is all but certain that the Chicago Bulls will take Memphis point guard, Derrick Rose, at number one. After that, the safe money is on Michael Beasley to Miami, but there have been some rumors about the Heat trading down. If this happens, let me be one of the many to say, WTF? Beasley is going to be a beast in the NBA.

Also, after the TJ Ford / Jermaine O'Neal trade yesterday, the Indiana Pacers will not be taking DJ Augustin in the first round. Who will? Most mock drafts still have DJ being a lottery pick. Maybe New York at #6? or the LA Clippers at #7? or the Charlotte Bobcats at #9? or maybe he slips all the way to the Portland Trail Blazers at #13 with Greg Oden and Lamarcus Aldridge? That wouldn't be the worst situation in the world for a young point guard who looks to pass first.

Let's see...

 

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So far, as expected

1. Derrick Rose, Memphis to the Chicago Bulls
2. Michael Beasley, Kansas State to the Miami Heat
3. OJ Mayo, USC to the Minnesota Timberwolves

Have three freshman ever gone 1-2-3?

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 6:53 PM CDT   0 recs

Westbrook to join KD in Seattle / Ok City

This is a bit of a surprise. The Supersonics go with a tweener guard at #4. He is not a point guard at all and doesn’t shoot the ball well enough to play the two guard. He is a great finisher and an ever better defender.

If Westbrook is the fourth best player, then this is a VERY weak draft.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 6:57 PM CDT   0 recs

Careful...

you may piss some certain fans off ;-)

by Paragon SC on Jun 26, 2008 7:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bold prediction

D.J. Augustin right here to the Knicks to fill the Steve Nash role in D’Antoni’s offense.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:04 PM CDT   0 recs

Don't like DJ to NY

Augustin is not flashy and would not fit in the NYC. I’d love to see him in an offense like D’Antoni’s but not in NYC.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:07 PM CDT   0 recs

Love it

Knicks go with a Eurpoean player and Madison Square Garden erupts into a chorus of boos.

Danilo Gallinair, Italy to Knick at #6.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:08 PM CDT   0 recs

Agreed on DJ

Fortunately it didn’t come to fruition. LA’s second squad would make some sense as an insurance policy for Shaun Livingston should he never recover fully from that graphic injury of seasons’ past, but man, how can you not root for the Blazers to pull some typical of late Kevin Pritchard brilliance and parlay the first rounder they recently acquired from New Orleans along with the 13th pick to move up and land him?

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sonics

I’m not a big fan of Westbrook to the Sonics, although Bill Simmons will be.

Westbrook’s lightning quick and a good defender, but I don’t see enough of an offensive game to succeed in the pros.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:10 PM CDT   0 recs

Westbrook to me is a career backup

Also, isn’t Ridnour already a proven all-star classical point guard? Bad day for former all-star dopey white point guards tonight.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

RIdnour

Was a hell of a college point guard; much better than Westbrook. I thought he’d be better in the pros.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gallinari

I think the Knicks fans are booing just to boo. Didn’t the Daily News (or one of the other mags) run a poll where Danilo was far and away the preferred fans’ pick?

By the way, he sounds a little bit like Ahnold.

“Cahn ohn! Ahm raight heah! Keel meeh!”

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:11 PM CDT   0 recs

Eric Gordon to Clippers #7

I’ve always thought of the Clippers as a college all star team that happens to play in the NBA.

I like Gordon as a pro. Good NBA body who can score, score, score.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:14 PM CDT   0 recs

Is it just me or has this been the easiest mock draft ever?

I wonder if the WWL or NBA.com had a contest this year, because the first 7 picks have gone completely to form. I’m guessing Milwaukee wavers on Alexander having acquired Jefferson earlier in the day, so hopefully we see something interesting. Maybe this is the slot the Blazers can move up into.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:14 PM CDT   0 recs

agreed

and no trades either makes it a pretty boring draft to watch.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Joe Alexander

lands in Milwaukee at #8. Am I the only one totally underwhelmed by him?

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Couldn't agree more.

I’m going to go on record and say this class will be the weakest since the 2000 NBA Draft. Doesn’t this guy just feel like a second round pick of yesteryear?

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Alexander at #8

Has there been an SMQ-study done about these March Madness unknowns that suddenly go shooting up draft boards, a la Westbrook and Alexander?

I too am underwhelmed, but I think he’s half-Asian, so I’ll be rooting for him. Funny how the trade Yi and pick up another Mandarin speaker.

Once he grows his hair out again, he’s a lock of the Hobbit All-Stars.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:21 PM CDT   0 recs

boooooooooooooooo

Augustin to Bobcats. Ugh.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:25 PM CDT   0 recs

Augustin to play for MJ

in Charlotte.

DJ obviously made the right decision money wise. A top ten pick after his sophmore year. He wasn’t getting much higher than that.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:26 PM CDT   0 recs

Not a horrible team

Emeka Okafur, Gerald Wallace, and Jason Richardson to dish to.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Looks like a fun team to watch.

It's a Horns' world. Even Aggies play hoops with a burnt orange ball.
Is it football season YET?

by Speedway on Jun 26, 2008 7:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

I guess we disagree.

I like Okafor, but he’s not as good as his lofty draft pick. Wallace is a freak, but he’s always injured. And I’m not a Richardson fan.

The three of them are all great if they’re your 3rd or 4th best player, but there’s no perennial all-stars in the group.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

im not big on bobcats either

the teams managed under MJ don’t have much success….hopefully dj will be traded…like to boston!! he will be a much better pg than rondo

my first born shall be named vy

by hookemkp on Jun 26, 2008 8:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

or houston :)

More than just 10 wins?

by Ultra Horn on Jun 28, 2008 10:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm... I smell a trade

Having taken Felton just 3 years ago, this seems entirely too soon to give up on him. I’m looking your way, Rose City.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:27 PM CDT   0 recs

Class act

DJ says yes sir to Stuart Scott. Says he’s ready to compete for floor time.

And mentions that Coach Barnes is a tough coach to play for ala Larry Brown. Love it.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:29 PM CDT   0 recs

Why is Stephen A even here?

I liked the “yes, sir” answers from DJ.

I don’t think I saw a mock that had DJ going to Charlotte. Their roster is hideous.

It’ll currently be:

C Nazr Mohammed
PF Emeka Okafor/Sean May
SF Gerald Wallace/Adam Morrison
SG Jason Richardson
PG Ray Felton/Augustin

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:32 PM CDT   0 recs

No depth

but it could be a very athletic team to watch. I’m a big Okafor fan.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Brook Lopez to NJ Nets at 10

I don’t like this pick either. Too stationary and too athletic. If he’s an inch or two shorter, he is barely a pro.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:32 PM CDT   0 recs

At least he's not Robin

Guys who barely average 5.6 boards per as collegians tend to average more at the next level right? I mean, right?!?

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This may be the best pick of the draft so far

Bayless is a big point with talent and upside as high as anyone in this draft. I really like this pick.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:36 PM CDT   0 recs

Jerryd Bayless to Pacers

This pick I really like. I love his intensity and explosivness. He has a solid NBA body already. He and TJ would be a very small backcourt but they will be able to score and dish a lot.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:36 PM CDT   0 recs

I like it too

But I’m not sure how I’d feel about it if I were TJ. I’m sure the Pacers are looking at Bayless as a point.

And we’ve seen how dangerous it is to have two small guards in the back; that problem would only be amplified in the Association.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chad Ford instant take on DJ
A little bit of a surprise. We’ve been hearing all day that the Bobcats are shopping Raymond Felton. I guess this confirms it. They passed on a need (Brook Lopez) to get Augustin. He’s an upgrade over Felton, so it’s hard to criticize the Bobcats. Augustin has a chance to be special. The Blazers and Kings wanted him and have to be crushed right now.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:40 PM CDT   0 recs

Question

What’s Larry Brown’s track record at developing point guards?

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wow

Kings sucketh.

They’re hurt most of all by all the PGs being drafted already.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:42 PM CDT   0 recs

Who?

Wow. Gotta love the high school sized gyms.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 7:42 PM CDT   0 recs

Jason Thompson to Sacramento at 12

Huh? I’m a big man of college basketball and I’ve never heard of him. Rider. Hmm… We’ll see further amplifies how weak this draft is overall.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:43 PM CDT   0 recs

Thompson

He was talked about by some analysts as a good value pick later on in the draft…one of those “draft gems” you try to find later.

Picking him in the lottery looks like a huge mistake.

I loved how Stern ended the pick with a snarky “he’s not here.”

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:45 PM CDT   0 recs

Chad Ford says
Bayless really slid in the draft, which makes him a great value here. Why would the Pacers draft another point guard after trading for T.J. Ford? We’re hearing Bayless is going to Portland for No. 13 and Jarrett Jack.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:46 PM CDT   0 recs

That would make more sense than

trying to compete in the NBA with two small guards.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

would also make more sense

for Blazers to have Bayless rather than Rush. No word from the talking heads, though.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

they do trade a lot on draft day right

maybe a trade with the suns for something
suns were high on him right?

by abcdmetrius on Jun 26, 2008 7:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chad Ford says
The Blazers will send the rights to Rush and Jarrett Jack to the Pacers for the rights to Bayless and Ike Diogu. I think this is a great pick for the Pacers. Rush should be a great fit in the backcourt with T.J. Ford because he defends, shoots the ball and has great size in the backcourt. Rush is one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

jeez

did Stephen A just say “looking forward to playing with Brandon Rush”? I think he meant Roy.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:50 PM CDT   0 recs

Randloph

flirted with coming to Texas. He is really, really thin and didn’t blow me away b/c his team was just so bad last year. Upside pick, for sure.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:53 PM CDT   0 recs

off-topic

In case y’all didn’t see it, Dre Jones pled guilty. No word on whether he kicked bitches at his sentencing.

http://www.barkingcarnival.com/henryjames/andre-jones-pleads-guilty

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:55 PM CDT   0 recs

oh my god

What the fuck are the Suns thinking? Worst. management. Evar.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:57 PM CDT   0 recs

Agreed

This is a horrible pick. He barely started at Stanford.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 7:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Simmons

If you haven’t read Bill SImmons’ obit to the run and gun Suns, it’s a must read. One of his better recent articles.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080501

Basically, Suns management killed what could’ve been the most exciting team of all time.

Also, the Lopez mom…not a milf. Had to be said.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 7:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

every year they head hype a "hard working american"

and every year they flop out of the nba
because it’s an athletic game
every single year
this year dicky v is doing kevin love
i mean … how can you not learn

by abcdmetrius on Jun 26, 2008 8:01 PM CDT   0 recs

nbadraft.net

2009 mock…

Damion James at 13
Connor at 39
Abrams in Greece

http://www.nbadraft.net/mocks/2009_nba_mock_draft.html

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:06 PM CDT   0 recs

Maybe I missed something.

Just got in from running, maybe I missed some explanation, why was the Lopez kid crying when Charlotte picked DJ? Does he have family there?

I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.

by 16thLonghorn on Jun 26, 2008 8:10 PM CDT   0 recs

Darrel "Slim Shady" Arthur

doing a pretty good Matt Leinart impersonation right now in the green room.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 8:11 PM CDT   0 recs

oh you didn't know?

nobody cares about the WNBA.

They need to announce these picks faster before boredom completely takes over. This draft is boooring.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:15 PM CDT   0 recs

wtf

Alexis Ajinca for the Bobcats? No thx.

Especially when Arthur was still on the board. C’mon.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:27 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm not a big NBA guy,

but if I was, I would be furious every time my favorite team drafts an international player.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 8:28 PM CDT   0 recs

Arthur

He would’ve been great as a wing for LeBron, or as a backup learning from Wallace and J-Rich. At this point, I’m hoping he falls to the Rockets (although I doubt Morey would pick him up anyway).

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:30 PM CDT   0 recs

This is getting ridiculous

I think Arthur will be an excellent pro. He can score with his back to the basket and from mid-range with a face-up jumper. I just don’t get how so many teams think their picks are better pros. I feel for you Darrel.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 8:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ryan Anderson to Nets

Because you really want two big white guys on your team.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:33 PM CDT   0 recs

Prediction

San Antonio picks someone from Lower Gwondanaland, who reappears five years from now as a salary cap giveaway.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Jun 26, 2008 8:38 PM CDT   0 recs

Chad Ford says
Ajinca is 20 years old and averaged 5 ppg in France. In the history of the NBA Draft, has there ever been a player that averaged 5 ppg or less who turned into a decent player? Ajinca was a workout warrior, dominating some of the other big men in the last few weeks. And he has great size and skills. But can he turn them into production on the court? He’ll likely stay in France to develop.

Way to give Augustin some help there, MJ.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:40 PM CDT   0 recs

A few thoughts

My “boy” Kosta Koufos to the Jazz. Couldn’t be a better fit anywhere: white, soft, white, inside-out big man, white, a poor man’s Mehmet Okur. Did I mention very white?

I’m licking my chops at the prospects of Darrell Arthur to the Rockets, but Seattle is rather devoid of talented bigs. That Russell Westbrook pick may look better if the Sonics can land Arthur. Can you imagine a young core of Arthur-Nick Collison-Jeff Green-Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 8:42 PM CDT   0 recs

Nailed it!

I hate being right sometime…

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 8:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sonics and Rockets

have their pick between Arthur, CDR and Chalmers. I like all 3.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:43 PM CDT   0 recs

hahahah

Stern didn’t even know how to pronounce the dude’s name.

Chad Ford had tied Sonics to Ibaka for a while…that has the Presti Spurs touch all over it.

There’s no way the Rockets can fuck this pick up, which obviously means they will.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:50 PM CDT   0 recs

KD just got a teammate

from the Congo. Huh??

Fraschilla says that he won’t be in the NBA for three to four years. Then why pick him now?

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 8:50 PM CDT   0 recs

sweet

Ron Jeremy makes an appearance.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:52 PM CDT   0 recs

Another raw, big stiff to the Sonics?
Surge Serge Chewacca Ibaka

“What is Kevin Durant thinking right now?”

I’m guessing something to the effect of, “Who the f is Serge Ibaka?”

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 8:52 PM CDT   0 recs

Lots of decent options for the Texas teams

CDR, Mario Chalmers, Donte Green, Darrel Arthur, or someone we’ve never heard of who won’t come to the States for three to four years. Stay tuned…

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 8:55 PM CDT   0 recs

Don't fret

This kid is a stud. His stock plummeted because of a false negative on a heart test. He could be one of the best picks in this draft in 2 or 3 years.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 8:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

problem is

Rockets have a win-now team. It’s understandable if a team like the Sonics draft with that philosophy; they let their young kids develop on the team while waiting for additional potential overseas. It’s also understandable if a team that’s loaded like the Spurs jump into the international pool, because they can fill their bench with minimum vets that want a shot at the championship.

It’s mind-boggling for a team like the Rockets, with a 2-3 year window with a “peak” Yao and McGrady, and with so many holes in its organization, to do a “wait and see” just because a player MAY be great. While a player like CDR or Chalmers doesn’t have the ceiling Batum has, they’re more likely and more quickly to reach their upside.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 9:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chalmers couldn't be less of a need with Head already on board

And while CDR is a nice glue guy, when would he get minutes behind T-Mac and Battier? The guy isn’t much in the area of scoring and while his defense would be nice, his ceiling is far lower than a guy like Batum. I firmly believe in drafting the best available talent, almost irregardless of circumstance. Free agency is a more effective means to fill gaps and I’m honestly not too sure there needs to be any change in the top 8 rotation anyways.

by WorstFan on Jun 26, 2008 9:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not a fan of Head at all

And I don’t think Adelman is either.

CDR would’ve been a nice fit. McGrady is a lock to miss games, and he and Battier play two different positions. So there’s obviously backup minutes available. They have ZERO back-up at the 2/3 spots…again, I’m adamant that Luther Head doesn’t count. CDR would obviously have played the wing, even after the Rockets sign their back-up free agent over there.

Arthur would’ve been a nice fit too, as he probably would’ve started off as a 3 with the potential to move to the 4.

Agree to disagree, though. I’m a Morey fan as well, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I’m still not a fan of the pick.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 9:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I. don't. understand.

Nicolas Batum to the Rockets in 2012. Great pick.

--AW--

by awiggo on Jun 26, 2008 8:57 PM CDT   0 recs

batum has tremendous upside potential

that he’ll never reach.

by jc25 on Jun 26, 2008 8:58 PM CDT   0 recs

In Morley we trust

They were right about Battier and Scola. He gets my full benefit of a doubt a