NBA mock draft

It is that time of year again, hours before the NBA draft, to evaluate where each prospect will be playing next year professionally.

The NBA has a tendency to bring the worst out of some of the most gifted athletes in the game. However, each year there are also a plethora of players who bring their game to another level and surprise the league with their ability to compete in the NBA. These predictions are based on each team’s needs as well as each player’s talent level. Many experts believe this is a “weak” draft. This is one of the most inaccurate observations anyone can say. It does not matter what sport, a draft can not be fully graded until three or four years later when players have been given the opportunity to excel or tank. This draft has many players who can immediately help their future clubs. It is true that many of the players may be a work in progress as they mature, but there are also many sleepers that will contribute next season. With that said, here is how the draft will look:

1) Blake Griffin – L.A. Clippers – Oklahoma – PF – It only becomes official tonight. Griffin may lead the Clips back to the playoffs in his rookie year. He is THAT good!
2) Hasheem Thabeet – Memphis Grizzlies – Connecticut – C – Thabeet may be overrated, but the Griz need some major help rebounding.
3) Stephen Curry – Oklahoma City Thunder – Davidson – PG – This will be the first surprise of the draft. The Thunder need a point guard to help them immediately. Watch out for this team, they may sneak into the playoffs next season.
4) Ricky Rubio – Sacramento Kings – Spain – PG – Rubio is this decade’s version of Jayson Williams. First, Rubio needs to improve his shot. Next, he needs to realize the NBA has better defensive players than Spain. He will draw fans, but he will also turn the ball over a ton.
5) James Harden – Minnesota Timberwolves – Arizona State – SG – With a new GM in house, the Timberwolves are rebuilding. First on their list is a great perimeter shooter.
6) Jonny Flynn – Minnesota Timberwolves – Syracuse – PG – Next on their list is a quick point guard who will spread the ball around.
7) Jordan Hill – Golden State Warriors – Arizona – PF – The Warriors need frontcourt defense more than anything. Hill’s stock continues to rise and tonight he gets his prize, the chance at showing his teammates how to block a shot.
8) Tyreke Evans – New York Knicks – Memphis – SG – The Knicks need a perimeter shooter and a good ball handler so Evans is their best bet at number eight!
9) Austin Daye – Toronto Raptors – Gonzaga – PF – The Raptors might trade up here. They desperately need rebounding help. They also need young, big men in in case Bosh leaves next year.
10) Earl Clark – Milwaukee Bucks – Louisville – PF – Coach Scott Skiles needs athleticism more than anything and Earl Clark could be a stud!
11) Tyler Hansborough – New Jersey Nets – North Carolina – PF – This may be a little early for Hansborough, but the Nets need rebounding help and he is the best big man available.
12) James Johnson – Charlotte Bobcats – Wake Forest – PF – Johnson is a very athletic big man, he will compliment Emeka Okafor nicely in Charlotte.
13) DeMar DeRozan – Indiana Pacers – USC – SG – The Pacers have not had a lights out shooter since Reggie Miller and DeRozan is big guard whose shot is getting better everyday.
14) B.J. Mullens – Phoenix Suns – Ohio State – C – Shaq is gone! The Suns need size and Mullens is the biggest center available other than Thabeet.
15) Omri Casspi – Detroit Pistons – Israel – PF – The Pistons may be rebuilding for the first time in over a decade and Casspi will be a nice fit in a few years.
16) DeJuan Blair – Chicago Bulls – Pittsburgh – PF – The Bulls may opt to trade one of their picks, but if they hang on to this one, a tough inside rebounder is what they need.
17) Jrue Holiday – Philadelphia 76ers – UCLA – PG – Holiday is going to fall in this draft and the 76ers will be more than happy to take him at #17.
18) DeMarre Carroll – Minnesota Timberwolves – Missouri – PF – Carroll is a beast down low and the Timberwolves will add a power forward in the first round as well.
19) Brandon Jennings – Atlanta Hawks – Italy – PG – Jennings will not be happy about it, but he will fall into the hands of the Hawks and they will gladly take him as they need a point guard.
20) Gerald Henderson – Utah Jazz – Duke – SG – Henderson will be a nice fit next to Deron Williams.
21) Terrence Williams – New Orleans Hornets – SG – The Hornets will be so happy that Terrence falls into their lap at # 21. He is one of the most athletic swingman in the league.
22) Sam Young – Portland Trailblazers – Pittsburgh – SF – Sam Young is the steal of the draft, the most mature player in the draft at the age of 24.
23) Taj Gibson – Sacramento Kings – USC – PF – Gibson decided to stay in the draft and the Kings will be glad to have this hard worker on their club.
24) Derrick Brown – Dallas Mavericks – Xavier – PF -
25) Jeff Pendergraph – Oklahoma City Thunder – USC – PF
26) Danny Green – Chicago Bulls – North Carolina – SF
27) Ty Lawson – Memphis Grizzlies – North Carolina – PG
28) DaJuan Summers – Minnesota Timberwolves – Georgetown – SF
29) Jodie Meeks – L.A. Lakers – Kentucky – SG
Chase Budinger – Cleveland Cavaliers – SF