2008 NBA Mock Draft

Tomorrow night’s draft is filled with freshman talent. Most likely the most gifted group of youngsters since ’03. The Last Word takes us through the first round as only he could.

The NBA Draft is tonight, and here is my Mock Draft:

1) Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
The hometown kid will be a great first overall selection for the Bulls who are in need of a strong point guard.

2) Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State
Despite all the rumors about the Heat taking O.J. Mayo or Jerryd Bayless, the fact of the matter is, Michael Beasley is the most talented player in the draft. Whether or not the Heat will keep him is the real question.

3) Minnesota Timberwolves: O.J Mayo, SG, USC
The Timberwolves are going to get a hell of a player here at number three.

4) Seattle Supersonics: Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
This team needs a center more than they need a guard.

5) Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
He will replace Pau Gasol at the 4 in Memphis, and will be a great fit for this young team.

6) New York Knicks: Danillo Gallinari, SF, Italy
A great swingman who will provide a spark for the new-look Knicks led by Mike D’Antoni

7) Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
The Clippers could use an explosive scorer such as Eric Gordon.

8) Milwaukee Bucks: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
With Richard Jefferson coming in, they have no need for Joe Alexander.

9) Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
The Bobcats need a big man to step in and help out Okafor in the front court. Although he will take a few years to develop, this will be a great pick for Charlotte.

10) New Jersey Nets: Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
Bayless would be a great fit in New Jersey.

11) Indiana Pacers: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Alexander could play some 4 in Indiana, and could be a nice fit with Dunleavy and Granger.

12) Sacramento Kings: D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
Beno Udrih cannot be a starting point guard in the NBA. Augustin could be a huge boost for Sacramento.

13) Portland Trailblazers: Mario Chalmers, PG, Kansas
Chalmers is a great fit for the Blazers who have two average point guards. Don’t expect them to keep this pick though. The Blazers are always one of the most active teams in the draft.

14) Golden State Warriors: Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Biedrins is a restricted free agent, so the Warriors need to play it safe and take another big man here.

15) Phoenix Suns (via Atlanta Hawks): Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
An athletic young talent with great shooting ability will fit well with the run and gun style of play in Phoenix.

16) Philadelphia 76ers: DeAndre Jordan, PF/C, Texas A&M
Jordan is a project, but he has a lot of potential, and could be a great fit in Philadelphia.

17) Indiana Pacers (via Toronto Raptors): Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
Although they did just acquire Rasho Nesterovic, this team still needs another big.

18) Washington Wizards: Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
The Wizards need a big man badly, and Arthur could be a good start to building up their front court.

19) Cleveland Cavaliers: Marreese Speights, PF/C, Florida
The Cavs could use another big with Ilgauskas’ and Wallace’s numerous injuries over the years.

20) Charlotte Bobcats (via Denver Nuggets): Roy Hibbert, C Georgetown
M.J. moved back up into the draft to grab his man Hibbert here at the #20 pick.

21) New Jersey Nets (via Dallas Mavericks): Alexis Ajinca, C, France
A big man here for the Nets is the right choice as they need to improve their weak front court.

22) Orlando Magic: Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
A great fit for the Magic who have no true shooting guard. This will also enable them to slide Hedo to the 3, where I think he could be more effective, especially with Rush at the 2.

23) Utah Jazz: Ante Tomic, C, Croatia
Tomic will be a solid backup center for Okur in Utah.

24) Seattle Supersonics (vja Phoenix Suns): JaVale McGee, PF, Nevada
McGee will add more depth to the Sonics front court.

25) Houston Rockets: Jason Thompson, PF, Rider
A great fit for the Rockets who are in need of a power forward.

26) San Antonio Spurs: Nicholas Batum, SF, France
Another foreign role player for the Spurs.

27) Portland Trailblazers (via New Orleans Hornets): Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky
Lee is an excellent scorer that the Blazers can’t pass up on.

28) Memphis Grizzlies: Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Memphis
After going big with their #5 pick, the Grizzlies will take a great guard in CDR here.

29) Detroit Pistons: J.J. Hickson, PF, North Carolina State
The Pistons are looking to dump a lot of players this offseason, and they could be in need for another big man.

30) Boston Celtics: Ryan Anderson, PF, California
Taking over P.J. Brown’s spot, who should be retiring after winning the championship.

The NBA Draft begins tonight at 7:30 PM EST. Good luck to all the teams.