Live-blogging the NBA Draft

Welcome to PSB's "coverage" of the 2008 NBA Draft. Brian and I are here to give our instant reactions to this year's NBA draft. Here at PSB, you can count on us for immediate, poorly thought out analysis. So essentially, we're ESPN with a better aesthetic. Speaking of ESPN, 35 minutes ago, they reported that the Chicago Bulls will take Derrick Rose over Michael Beasley, apparently thinking that they're only allowed one player over 6'4" and 220 pounds. And as I type

CHICAGO BULLS (PICK 1): DERRICK ROSE, G, MEMPHIS

Brian's Reaction: Derrick Rose should have a great pro future, but it's absurd that the Bulls passed up on Michael Beasley. At worst, Beasley is the second coming of Derrick Coleman. Odds are he'll work a little harder than Coleman and actually condition himself. Of course, if the Bulls can get a good big man back for Kirk Hinrich, maybe it all works out.

Pat's Reaction: I agree, Brian, Derrick Rose will be an excellent player in the NBA, but it is not at all clear to me that he'll be any better than Beasley, and the one facet that's been missing from the Chicago Bulls in their rebuilding process over the last five years is a low post scorer. Beasley would have provided that. I'm not sure this won't be looked on as a huge mistake in 5 years. Miami is on the clock. Rumors are swirling that they might be dumb enough to pass over the only other sure thing in the draft. Will they screw it up too?

MIAMI HEAT (PICK 2): MICHAEL BEASLEY, F, KANSAS ST.

Pat's Reaction: No they will not. Riley gets this one right. Michael Beasley will be a star in the NBA. He will start somewhere around 20/10, with a chance to grow as he builds his strength and outside game. He has an unimaginably high ceiling (think a longer, stronger, slightly less quick Dominique Wilkins, except also a dominant rebounder).

ESPN...no one cares about the mothers of the draft picks...please stop wasting my time with them. Minnesota on the clock. They should take Mayo. Will they?

Brian's Reaction: Miami did the right thing (really the only thing) in selecting Beasley here. While it looks as though they'll hang onto the pick, the fact that Beasley was valued so far above O.J. Mayo makes this the right decision. The Heat will be a team to watch next year if Dwyane Wade can stay healthy. Wade, Marion, and Beasley should be an excellent trio.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (PICK 3): O.J. MAYO, G, USC

Pat's Reaction: O.J. Mayo could be an excellent NBA player, and a core of Mayo, Brewer, and Jefferson ain't too shabby if Jefferson continues to develop and Brewer can even come close to resembling the Scottie Pippen clone many experts thought he would be. Of course, Mayo could also go stircrazy a la Stephon Marbury in Minnesota and demand a way out of there. I've been to Minnesota. Couldn't blame him.

Brian's Reaction: Once again, there was no real suspense here. Minnesota had no real choice except for Mayo. He should be a good fit alongside Al Jefferson. There could be some controversy as to who is the point guard between Mayo and Randy Foye. Neither one is a natural point guard, but maybe the two combo guards will be a good...combo?

UPDATE from Pat: After I went to bed, ESPN reported that the Timberwolves and Grizzlies will pull off a huge blockbuster trade of mostly useless players, with the Timberwolves sending the rights to Mayo, along with Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner and PSB favorite Antoine Walker to Memphis in exchange for the rights to Love, Brian Cardinal, Jason "2-inch vertical" Collins and Mike Miller. This trade makes almost no sense, and almost no difference in terms of the standings next year, though it will provide the T-Wolves with some cap relief, and they get the best player not drafted in the deal (Miller). As for the Grizzlies, well, this would seem to cement Chris Wallace's reputation as the worst general manager in the league, largely because he's the latest general manager to acquire Antoine Walker. Also because he now has a team with 11 guards and no big men not named Darko. I'm sensing a looming acquisition of Zach Randolph for the Grizz...

SEATTLE/OKLAHOMA CITY SUPERSONICS (PICK 4): RUSSELL WESTBROOK, G, UCLA

Brian's Reaction: Seattle could have gone a lot of ways here, but Westbrook is a smart pick. He's a tenacious defender and should significantly improve Seattle's backcourt. He's not a natural point guard, but maybe the Sonics would be better off if he had to play the 2. Then they could move Durant to small forward or power forward WHERE HE BELONGS.

Pat's Reaction: As a Knicks fan, I'm disappointed; this was the guy I was hoping would end up in New York. He's a fantastic on-ball defender - a trait that most teams will desperately need with the influx of young dynamic point guards in the NBA (Paul, Williams, Parker, etc.). Memphis on the clock. They need size. But Brook Lopez will be a bust. WHAT WILL THEY DO?!?!

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (PICK 5): KEVIN LOVE, F, UCLA

Brian's Reaction: Memphis needs help from almost every position, so it's hard to fault them for this pick. Love's pro potential is hard to rate, but his shooting and passing ability, plus the way he slimmed down, suggest that he'll at least be an above average big man in the NBA, with the potential to be much better.

Pat's Reaction: Well, at least they didn't pick the slow, plodding, unathletic 7' who used his size and basketball savvy to almost but not quite dominate vastly inferior competition in the Pac 10, the softest conference in college basketball, something he would never have been able to do in the NBA. After all, Kevin Love is 6'9".

Knicks on the clock. No truth to the rumor that Frederic Weis has redeclared himself for the NBA Draft.

NEW YORK KNICKS (PICK 6): DANILO GALLINARI, F, ITALY

Pat's Reaction: The Knick fans booed mightily. I don't have a strong opinion on the pick either way, since I've never seen him play. He looks pretty damn tall. Fran Fraschilla just said that he has a rare toughness for a European player. That's what everyone said about Darko. I just threw up all over my keyboard. Is it too late to unfire Jeff Van Gundy?

Note: When asked what the Knicks should do, Mark Jackson replied, "Take the best available player." Thanks Mark. Can't see why you didn't get a head coaching job.

There's nothing better than the foreign players sitting down for an interview with Stephen A. Smith. It's more unintelligible than Telemundo. I think Gallinari learned 4 English sentences for his interview, and would have responded that way no matter what Stephen asked him.
"Hungry, Danilo?"
"I am-a hungry for-a winning, I love-a to-a compete-a and-a play-a basketball-a."
"Cheez Doodle?"

Brian's Reaction: Cue the boos. No surprise here that the Knicks fans hate the pick. He's played well in Europe and should be a nice player, but let's hope he's not too sensitive. Let's just hope he's better at basketball than he is at fashion. The Rooster shoe he unveiled is one of the most hideous things I've ever seen.

UPDATE: Over/Under on the amount of time before New Yorkers start referring to Danilo "The Rooster" Gallinari as "The Cock." 10 minutes? Has it already happened?

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (PICK 7): ERIC GORDON, G, INDIANA

Pat's Reaction: Rumor is this was the guy the Clippers wanted the whole time, so they must be delighted he fell to them. Unfortunately, best case scenario, he's a poor man's Jason Terry. He completely collapsed in the 2nd half of the college season last year. Doesn't bode well for the NBA.

Brian's Reaction: Good move for the Clippers here. Gordon is the best available talent and could be a dynamite scorer. His struggles in college are a concern, but it was a very strange season to be an Indiana player and that couldn't have helped. If all goes well, he's a better version of Ben Gordon.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (PICK 8): JOE ALEXANDER, F, WEST VIRGINIA

Brian's Reaction: Alexander looks like a great prospect, so in that regard this was a smart pick. But the Bucks just traded for a small forward. At least Alexander gives them a player who could actually work on defense.

Pat's Reaction: I've made no secret of the fact that Joe Alexander is one of my favorite players in this draft, despite not being sure what race he is. That having been said...

Didn't the Bucks just trade for Richard Jefferson? Don't they play the same position? Don't they think this might become a problem? Neither of them can guard 4s or 5s or 2s. That spells trouble. A lineup of Williams, Redd, Alexander, Jefferson, and Villanueva would be the worst rebounding and defensive five on a basketball court since the Pepsi Celebrity Challenge.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (PICK 9): D.J. AUGUSTIN, G, TEXAS

Pat's Reaction: This is the first real stunner of the draft. It's also something of an indictment of Ray Felton, who briefly looked like he might be the next big thing in his 2nd year, but last year regressed severely. Maybe Augustin will light a little fire underneath Felton. Then the Bobcats could play 2 guards who are shorter than me at the same time.

Note: Jay Bilas doesn't know anything about the NBA. Why is he on this panel?
Additional Note: Stephen A. Smith doesn't know anything. Why is he...anything?

Brian's Reaction: So...after all that talk of the Bobcats needing a center, they pass up Brook Lopez and add a point guard? What happened to Raymond Felton?

Augustin could be a nice player, but his size is a major issue. He had a great college season but his most noticeable struggle was in the NCAA Tournament taking on Derrick Rose. Guess what? Most of the point guards in the NBA have Derrick Rose's size. At least Charlotte now holds the 20th pick and can add a big man later.

NEW JERSEY NETS (PICK 10): BROOK LOPEZ, C, STANFORD

Pat's Reaction: I guess this is a steal for the Nets, since some people had him going as high as 3, though I think he's essentially Aaron Gray. How many times does a team have to take an unathletic 7 footer not quite good enough to dominate at the college level before they learn their lesson?

Brian's Reaction: I'm not expecting Lopez to be a great pro, but at #10 it's not a bad pick. The Nets needed a big man and Lopez is big, if nothing else. He won't be a great scorer like he was in college since he'll his size is nothing special at the NBA level, but he should be a solid NBA center for a number of years.

INDIANA PACERS (PICK 11): JERRYD BAYLESS, G, ARIZONA

Pat's Reaction: I like this pick for Indiana, except again, just like in Milwaukee, the Pacers just traded for a point guard (T.J. Ford), and yet don't seem to care. In other news, Jay Bilas just described him as a young Chauncey Billups. We all remember that Chauncey Billups sucked in the pros for like 5 years, right?

Brian's Reaction: Interesting pick here by the Pacers, who just traded for a point guard. However, they did need a backup and Bayless is a steal at this point. Plus Ford has an injury history, so they have some security now. Look for them to take a big man with Toronto's pick.

SACRAMENTO KINGS (PICK 12): JASON THOMPSON, F, RIDER

Pat's Reaction: This is a terrible pick. I understand that he flew up the draft board and everything, and had great numbers in college, but he's never competed against anybody talented in his whole career. That's about to change. Oh wait, he has to actually get on the court to compete against them.

P.S. Draft Express says in his best case scenario, he'll end up like Mark Blount. I'm thinking more like Antoine Carr. Neither one is good.

Brian's Reaction: Thompson put up great numbers at Rider, but...he put up great numbers at RIDER. He has yet to prove he can play against tough competition. At least they had the sense not to take Roy Hibbert, who is virtually guaranteed to be a bust. They won't have that problem with Thompson. It's hard to be a bust when no one's heard of you.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (PICK 13): BRANDON RUSH, G, KANSAS

Brian's Reaction: By all accounts, the Blazers have been trying to trade this pick, so taking Rush makes a lot of sense. Rush has a lot of trade value and if the Blazers opt to keep him, this is one of the few guys who should be able to step in and contribute right away. Smart pick here.

Pat's Reaction: I love this pick for the Blazers, who are rapidly assembling my favorite roster in the league. He's an awesome complementary piece. He can hit the three, play excellent defense, and he rebounds extremely well for his size. Pair him with Brandon Roy and you have one of the very best defensive backcourts in the league, and you create matchup problems all over the court.

Jay Bilas says he must improve his assertiveness, but he's sharing the court with Oden, Aldridge, Roy, etc. That team is loaded, and will be a threat in the West next year.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (PICK 14): ANTHONY RANDOLPH, F, LSU

Brian's Reaction: Randolph should be a great fit for Golden State, but he's awfully similar to Brandan Wright. It's hard to know if he'll even get much playing time. This pick is all about upside. Randolph has the tools to be a great pro down the road, but it's probably going to be a while before we see that, if it ever happens.

Pat's Reaction: Intriguingly, the Warriors decide to pick a carbon copy of the player they took last year (Brandan Wright). I've read some rumors that the Warriors are looking at sending Wright to the Cavs for Varejao and the 19th pick. That would at least open the "thin, talented, underachieving lottery pick who never plays" spot for Randolph.

PHOENIX SUNS (PICK 15): ROBIN LOPEZ, C/F, STANFORD

Pat's Reaction: Not a bad pick for Phoenix. Robin adds some much needed intensity on the defensive end, which they'll need to cover for the incredibly inept defender that Amare Stoudemire has decided to become. He'll be a pest for Phoenix. Grab some offensive rebounds, block some shots, dive for the ball. Thumbs up.

Stephen A. Smith is asking one of three questions to every single guy he interviews. Why not just get a robot? You could cross promote the Wall-E movie (ESPN is owned by Disney, remember?) with an animated version of the little guy asking Brook Lopez what he'll bring to the New Jersey Nets.

Brian's Reaction: Bizarre pick here for the Suns. Apparently after years of successfully playing exciting, fast-paced basketball, the Suns strategy is to load up on slow big men. Lopez should help the Suns defensively, but his offensive potential is fairly limited. At best, the Suns add the next Andersen Varejao. At least that's what they say. Does anyone else think that that comparison is entirely derived from the similar hairstyles?

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (PICK 16): MARREESE SPEIGHTS, F, FLORIDA

Pat's Reaction: First of all, Marreese? What the hell kind of name is Marreese? That was very hard to type. I had to double check a couple times.

Jay Bilas (I just keep going back to him) says, favorably of Speights, that while he didn't dominate anyone in the SEC, he didn't get dominated by anyone in the SEC either. Well bully for Marreese! I suppose he fills a need for the Sixers. Also, his greatest weakness is that he apparently doesn't push himself hard. ESPN called that "conditioning." I call that "laziness."

Brian's Reaction: And the Sixers add a player so good that...he wasn't invited to attend the draft. It's a decent pick as he should give the Sixers some much-needed low-post scoring. At least they avoided Roy Hibbert.

TORONTO RAPTORS (PICK 17): ROY HIBBERT, C, GEORGETOWN - PICK RUMORED TO BE TRADED TO INDIANA

Brian's Reaction: Speak of the devil, there goes Hibbert. The Pacers desperately needed size with Jermaine O'Neal gone and Hibbert should add that, but to me Hibbert just looks like a black Rasho Nesterovic. He can't run and he's never been a good rebounder. All he's got going for him is size. That size should allow him to stick around the league for a while, but it's hard to see him ever being a star. Why not gamble on Kosta Koufos here?

Pat's Reaction: Roy Hibbert will be an unmitigated disaster in the NBA. He was not at the draft to shake hands with Stern. He was invited, but he only arrived in Grand Central at 4:00PM, and with his footspeed, he only made it as far as 36th street by the time the draft started. Word is he gave up somewhere around 35th and 6th and stopped for a cheeseburger.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (PICK 18): JAVALE MCGEE, F, NEVADA

Brian's Reaction: Apparently McGee's mother played in the WNBA. I would've known that but Candace Parker told me not to watch the WNBA. (Seriously, worst marketing campaign ever.) He's a good shot-blocker who can shoot and could help make up for Antawn Jamison's production, should Jamison leave in the off-season.

Pat's Reaction: I don't know anything about this guy, except that the capitalization of the letters in his name seems random (JaVale McGee) and that Jay Bilas says he has potential, which means he'll play in the D-League this year and I'll never hear from him again.

Breaking News: Portland trades Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush to Indiana for Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless

Pat's Reaction: This is a great trade for both teams, but especially for Portland. Diogu is a talented post player, and Bayless is another outstanding player to pair with Roy in the backcourt. It's a somewhat more traditional pairing than with Rush, too, though Bayless is a scorer. If Roy's playmaking abilities continue to Flourish, this will be a great trade for Portland. Rush definitely fits the Pacers' style of play.

Brian's Reaction: Good move for Portland. Rush is great, but he was going to be stuck behind Brandon Roy and would have had a hard time finding playing time. Instead of Rush, Portland fills a need by acquiring Bayless, one of the top point guards in the draft. Meanwhile, Rush is a better fit than Bayless in Indiana. Their starting shooting guard last year was...Brandon's brother Kareem. Now we get two brothers fighting for playing time. I smell a reality show!

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (PICK 19): J.J. HICKSON, F, N.C. STATE

Pat's Reaction: I've never heard of this guy. Apparently he's strong. Perhaps a poor man's Ben Wallace, or a replacement for Drew Gooden. Either way, not enough to keep LeBron in Cleveland past his contract.

Bobcats on the clock. Arthur would be a great pick for them.

Brian's Reaction: Kind of surprising to see the Cavs take Hickson here. Kosta Koufos was still on the board and supposedly the Cavs were enamored of him. Darrell Arthur would have also been a sensible pick. This seems a bit high for Hickson, but he should be able to help the Cavs on defensive and with rebounding. Still, this feels like a reach.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (PICK 20): ALEXIS AJINCA, C, FRANCE

Brian's Reaction: A lot of scouts fell in love with Ajinca in pre-draft workouts, which is great and all but he's never actually had any success in 5-on-5 basketball. He has been unproductive in Euroleague basketball. Again, this pick is about potential. He's a ridiculous athletic specimen with a 7-8 wingspan, but odds are he won't bring much to the table this year. Reminds me of Seattle's picks in 2005 and 2006 (Saer Sene and Johan Petro). How'd that work out?

Pat's Reaction: Apparently Frederic Weis was unavailable.

NEW JERSEY NETS (PICK 21): RYAN ANDERSON, F, CALIFORNIA

Pat's Reaction: I haven't seen much of Ryan Anderson, but he looks a helluva lot like an Austin Croshere style player. What say you, loyal reader? Is Austin Croshere worth the 21st pick in the NBA Draft?

Brian's Reaction: Wouldn't this have been a good spot for a Donte Greene? The Nets just traded away their starting small forward and they took a center with their first pick. Anderson is a good shooter for a big man and is an intriguing prospect, but where do they play him? They already had Sean Williams, Josh Boone, and Nenad Krstic (if he re-signs), and just added Yi and Brook Lopez.

ORLANDO MAGIC (PICK 22): COURTNEY LEE, G, WESTERN KENTUCKY

Brian's Reaction: The Magic add another player who can shoot but can't defend. Lee, like the rest of the Magic not named "Dwight Howard," will knock down some open threes, but how many shooters does Orlando really need? Why not add a big man here who can spell Howard?

Pat's Reaction: This pick makes sense. Lee's a good shooter and can slash to the basket, and Orlando needs a player like that, since Hedo Turkoglu has the foot speed of a dead wooly mammoth, and no one can seriously believe he'll repeat his fluky performance of last year. I'm only slightly disappointed that Lee didn't end up in NJ, where he could pair with Devin Harris and be an NBA backcourt with WNBA first names.

UTAH JAZZ (PICK 23): KOSTA KOUFOS, C, OHIO STATE

Pat's Reaction: Boy this guy is never gonna play behind Boozer, Okur and Milisap, especially not for Sloan. Bilas says he needs to improve his defense, strength and rebounding, and ESPN's onscreen display says that his weakness is passing. So aside from shooting, can this guy do anything? Brian?

Brian's Reaction: Finally, someone goes for Koufos. Only thing is he's the wrong big man for the Jazz. He's a gifted offensive player who can score inside and out, but he's a poor defender and is not known for his shot-blocking. Basically he's Mehmet Okur. Not sure how he helps Utah.

SEATTLE/OKLAHOMA CITY SUPERSONICS (PICK 24): SERGE IBAKA, F, CONGO

Pat's Reaction: I hate these picks. Hate hate hate hate hate hate them. Why would you pick a guy who won't even join your roster for 5 years? What's the point? How is this different from drafting a 9th grader? Ridiculous. This is not latent Frederic Weis bitterness bubbling to the surface. Not entirely. We'll never hear of Serge Ibaka again.

Brian's Reaction: Seattle has the most picks of any team in the draft and they weren't going to be able to sign all of them this year. Because of this, Ibaka is a smart pick. He'll stay in Europe for now, where he can get some much-needed experience. He's got serious upside and could help Seattle down the road.

HOUSTON ROCKETS (PICK 25): NICOLAS BATUM, G, FRANCE

Brian's Reaction: Like Ibaka, Batum is drafted pretty much entirely on potential. He probably won't join the Rockets this year but we could hear from him in a few years. He's widely considered one of the top European prospects, but considering how Europeans have fared in the draft this year, that may not be saying much.

Pat's Reaction: A lot of people have fallen in love with this guy. I don't know why. He's wearing a pink tie. That's not exactly a good sign. That's right, I don't know anything about most of these guys being picked now, so I'm making my decisions based on completely arbitrary criteria. You don't like it? Suck on it.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (PICK 26): GEORGE HILL, G, IUPUI

Pat's Reaction: Spurs need to get younger and more athletic, but in the front court, not at the PG position. This pick makes no sense to me. They drafted an inferior version of Tony Parker.

Brian's Reaction: Surprising pick here as the Spurs take little-known George Hill. Usually the Spurs opt for international players in the late first round, so for them to take Hill likely means that they think he'll produce this year as Tony Parker's backup.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (PICK 27): DARRELL ARTHUR, F, KANSAS - PICK TO BE TRADED TO PORTLAND

Pat's Reaction: Darrell Arthur is extremely talented, and will be a nice fit in Portland backing up Aldridge, Oden, and Frye. We'll see what happens with this kidney thing that apparently caused him to drop, but overall, another good pick for Portland.

Brian's Reaction: Finally. Kevin Pritchard has done it again, perhaps getting the steal of the draft in Arthur. After all those shots of Arthur looking miserable as he awaited his turn on the podium (thanks ESPN), it's just a relief that he's finally off the board.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (PICK 28): DONTE' GREENE, F, SYRACUSE

Brian's Reaction: A little surprising to see Greene go this late. He's very raw, but his potential should have gotten him drafted at worst in the early twenties. Good pick for Memphis here. They're in no rush and can afford to give him the minutes he'll need to develop. Another potential steal.

Pat's Reaction: This could be an excellent pick for the Grizzlies. Greene is extremely talented and could pair well in a few years with Rudy Gay. Or he could not, and ride the pine behind Hakim Warrick. Either way, it's the 28th pick. The last four 28th picks were Tiago Splitter, Maurice Ager, Ian Mahinmi, and Beno Udrih. Let's just say the bar's not set very high.

Incidentally, three of those last four 28th picks went to the Spurs. I know that they're supposed to be a brilliant franchise and everything, but their recent late round failures have made them very very old. They might want to look into that sometime.

DETROIT PISTONS (PICK 29): D.J. WHITE, F, INDIANA

Pat's Reaction: I really like D.J. White. He strikes me as a Malik Rose type - high energy off the bench, good rebounder, tough nosed defender, if a little undersized. ESPN lists him at 6'9". There's no way he's 6'9". 6'7" at best. But I still like him.

Brian's Reaction: If there was any doubt that the Pistons needed to do something about their aging big men, this is the proof. Despite having Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson (who was supposed to have an impact last year. Go figure) the Pistons go for a big man here. White doesn't project as much more than a backup, but he's NBA-ready and should be able to contribute off the bench as a rookie.

BOSTON CELTICS (PICK 30): J.R. GIDDENS, G, NEW MEXICO

Brian's Reaction: The Celtics needed a backup shooting guard, so why not take Chris Douglas-Roberts here? Giddens has some potential, but Douglas-Roberts seems like an all-around better player. Who knows, maybe Giddens will surprise us.

Pat's Reaction: Giddens was once one of the most talented players at Kansas, which would normally put you at least towards the back end of the lottery. After some problems, he transferred to New Mexico, where he carried a painfully untalented team and made them competitive. Giddens isn't a bad pick for Boston, as it's somewhat clear that Ray Allen doesn't have that much left (flukish and wonderful performance in the NBA finals not withstanding).

And with that, I bid you adieu. Enjoy the second round, kiddoes.

Richard Jefferson to the Bucks

The New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to sent Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. Oddly enough, no draft picks were involved, despite the timing of the trade.

Jefferson is coming off his best scoring season yet, as he averaged 22.6 PPG last year. He'll be a considerable improvement at small forward, where the Bucks had previously relied on Simmons, Yi, and Desmond Mason. The Bucks can now play a starting lineup of Maurice Williams, Michael Redd, Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva, and Andrew Bogut. This could be an excellent scoring lineup, but it will give up a lot of points as well. None of the aforementioned players are particularly good defenders. Perhaps they add a defensive-minded player in the draft, and then there's always free agency.

New Jersey, meanwhile, continues its youth movement by dealing the veteran Jefferson for Yi and Simmons. Simmons has been a disappointment in Milwaukee since joining the team as a free agent, and Yi showed signs of greatness, but has a long way to go before he reaches his supposed potential. One of the most intriguing players of the 2007 draft, Yi resented the Bucks for drafting him despite his demands to go to a specific list of teams in larger markets. Now he gets his wish, going to the New York area. While he averaged 25 minutes a game last year, it was difficult to get him those minutes. The Bucks had to balance playing time between him and Villanueva and, as a result, both had to play out of position at times.

The Nets starting lineup should feature Devin Harris, Vince Carter, and Yi, but after that it becomes unclear. Nenad Krstic is a free agent and, now that Yi is in the fold, the Nets will be under less pressure to bring him back. Though no draft picks were involved, this has to affect both team's draft strategies. How the Nets' strategy changes depends on whether they see Yi as a small forward or a power forward. They could draft a small forward such as Joe Alexander (if he is still available), or they could grab the best available big man, possibly taking Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, or Anthony Randolph.

Meanwhile, the Bucks could opt for a big man now that they have Jefferson to take over at small forward. They could grab any of the three aforementioned PF/C's, or they might just take the best available player. It's unlikely that they would land a starting caliber player with the 8th pick (especially now that they have five legitimate starters), but they could use backups at almost every position.

This trade makes perfect sense for the Nets. They get a prospect with great potential and save some money in the process in exchange for a veteran who was not going to help them in the long run. In addition to saving money by dealing Jefferson, adding Yi ought to boost team revenue due to Yi's popularity in China.

For the Bucks, however, the trade isn't as easy to understand. Jefferson will certainly make them better, but does he make them a playoff team? Even if he does, it's hard to see them doing any better than a seven-seed. The Redd-Jefferson tandem is probably not enough to make the Bucks contenders. One has to think the main reason they made the trade is to unload Yi. It's no secret that he was unhappy with the Bucks for drafting him and the Bucks could not have been pleased with the rumors that Yi was 3-4 years older than advertised.

Ultimately, this trade probably impacts the draft more than it will next year's standings. The Bucks should be better, but they'll still be a bad defensive team and it's unclear whether Jefferson compliments the rest of the talent particularly well. The Nets will be worse, but that's not a problem for them, as they can add another high lottery pick to their impressive nucleus.

NBA Mock Draft 5.0

1st Round

1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose (Memphis) [PG, 6-3, 205 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Bulls will take a long look at Beasley, who would be a better fit here, but the general consensus in the league seems to be that Rose is the better prospect.

2. Miami Heat: Michael Beasley (Kansas State) [PF, 6-10, 235 lbs, 19 yrs] - From all indications, the Heat have no interest in Beasley as a player. However, with all the teams who do like Beasley, it's unlikely that they won't be able to find a trade partner if they take him here. Both Minnesota and Seattle are strong possibilities to trade for Beasley and send back their first round pick and perhaps an expiring contract or two.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: O.J. Mayo (USC) [SG, 6-4, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - If the Heat really can't make a trade happen, they probably take Mayo at #2 and then the Timberwolves can draft Beasley here. However, with so many suitors, it's hard to see Miami being forced to draft Mayo second. Minnesota takes whoever is available between Mayo and Beasley.

4. Seattle Supersonics: Russell Westbrook (UCLA) [PG, 6-3, 189 lbs, 19 yrs] - It seems the Sonics has soured on Jerryd Bayless a bit and, like many teams, have taken a strong liking to Westbrook. Both are fairly similar players, though Westbrook has a reputation as a better and more aggressive defender. Seattle could also opt for a big man and take Brook Lopez.

5. Memphis Grizzlies: Brook Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 260 lbs, 20 yrs] - Memphis could use some more size, especially after the Darko-Kwame Brown experiments appear to be fruitless. Kevin Love is also an option, as would be a guard such as Eric Gordon, but Lopez seems the sensible choice.

6. New York Knicks: Jerryd Bayless (Arizona) [PG, 6-3, 190 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Knicks need a point guard above all, and although Bayless isn't exactly the next Steve Nash, he's the best point guard available here. D.J. Augustin is an option, but this is too high to draft him. There was talk the Knicks were going to trade David Lee to Memphis for the Grizzlies pick, in which case they could grab Bayless and Danilo Gallinari, but those talks appear dead now.

7. Los Angeles Clippers: Danilo Gallinari (Italy) [SF, 6-9, 212 lbs, 19 yrs] - Eric Gordon is a strong possibility as well, but Gallinari would make a lot of sense here. Supposedly Gallinari would not have stayed in the draft unless he had a top 10 guarantee (from a team he'd want to go to) and this seems like the most likely team to offer that guarantee.

8. Milwaukee Bucks: Eric Gordon (Indiana) [SG, 6-4, 215 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Bucks could opt for a forward such as Joe Alexander, but Gordon is one of the most talented prospects in the draft. In fact, he was considered a top 3 or 4 pick for a long time. That said, it's hard to see the Bucks passing up that talent at this point.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kevin Love (UCLA) [PF, 6-10, 275 lbs, 19 yrs] - Love seems like a natural fit for Larry Brown, and he would look good alongside Emeka Okafor. He and Okafor are opposites in many ways and could complement each other fairly well, even if it still leaves the frontcourt a bit undersized.

10. New Jersey Nets: Anthony Randolph (LSU) [PF, 6-11, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - Randolph has fallen out of favor with a lot of teams due to mediocre performances in workouts. John Hollinger's article that projected him as a terrible pro could not have helped. However, Randolph's value is in his upside. The Nets can take a chance on him and hope he becomes a valuable player in a few years.

11. Indiana Pacers: Joe Alexander (West Virginia) [SF, 6-8, 220 lbs, 21 yrs] - D.J. Augustin seemed like he had to be the pick here for a long time, but now that the Pacers have T.J. Ford, they can grab Alexander. Alexander has been great in workouts and projected as the best swingman using Hollinger's system, so the Pacers get a potential steal here.

12. Sacramento Kings: D.J. Augustin (Texas) [PG, 6-0, 180 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Kings also benefit from the Jermaine O'Neal trade, as it makes Augustin available. They need the point guard help and now they won't be tempted to reach for Mario Chalmers.

13. Portland Trailblazers: Brandon Rush (Kansas) [SG, 6-7, 205 lbs, 22 yrs] - Portland has been trying to shop this pick, but Rush is a good choice here whether they keep it or not. If they keep Rush, he should be able to contribute immediately. If not, they should find plenty of takers, particularly the Suns.

14. Golden State Warriors: Donte Greene (Syracuse) [SF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - Greene's combination of shooting, athleticism, and versatility make him a natural fit for Golden State. He is similar to a number of players they already have, but he should be able to find some playing time.

15. Phoenix Suns: Mario Chalmers (Kansas) [PG, 5-11, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Suns are hoping Rush falls to them here, but if not, Chalmers is a good option. They have needed a backup point guard for years now and he should be able to help, as well as knock down a few open threes when given the chance.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Darrell Arthur (Kansas) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Sixers could use help at shooting guard as well, but the best players available here are big men. A center such as Kosta Koufos is an option, but he too closely resembles Jason Smith for the Sixers to take him. Instead they help their power forward depth and add Arthur.

17. Indiana Pacers: Kosta Koufos (Ohio State) [C, 7-0, 265 lbs, 19 yrs] - Koufos is a nice pick here for the Pacers who need more size in the middle now that Jermaine O'Neal is gone. They could also consider a point guard, if Chalmers or Augustin is available, to back up Ford. If not, they have to take a big man and Koufos is the best one available.

18. Washington Wizards: JaVale McGee (Nevada) [C, 7-0, 237 lbs, 20 yrs] - McGee should make a nice backup for Brendan Haywood, as he is more of a scoring big man who was an effective three-point shooter in college. He is also an excellent shot-blocker and could help the Wizards' interior defense.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Marreese Speights (Florida) [C, 6-10, 245 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Cavs could opt for a shooting guard, such as Chris Douglas-Roberts, but they need help inside. Speights is raw, but he should give them some low-post scoring and much-needed depth at the size positions.

20. Charlotte Bobcats: Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) [C, 7-2, 275 lbs, 21 yrs] - In Hibbert, Charlotte gets an experienced big man who should have no problem playing significant minutes as a rookie. Hibbert can play alongside either Okafor or Love and let them move to their more natural power forward positions.

21. New Jersey Nets: Nicholas Batum (France) [SF, 6-8, 210 lbs, 19 yrs] - There are a number of good big men still on the board, but the Nets go after the upside of Batum, after drafting a center with their earlier first round pick. The Nets already have swingmen, but Batum could be brought along slowly, as the team is rebuilding anyway.

22. Orlando Magic: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) [C, 7-0, 255 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Magic could go for a shooting guard, such as Courtney Lee, but it's hard to pass up on Jordan's talent at this point. Considering they had to give Marcin Gortat minutes in the playoffs, they could use another body in the middle.

23. Utah Jazz: Robin Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 245 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Jazz need to work on their interior defense and shot-blocking and those happen to be Robin Lopez's specialties. The Jazz will probably opt for the best big man available here, though it's hard to imagine anyone else being as good a fit as the other Lopez.

24. Seattle Supersonics: Alexis Ajinca (France) [PF, 7-1, 240 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Sonics have taken plenty of big men with "upside" in recent years, but with a roster loaded with young talent, taking a player like Ajinca who could stay overseas for a year or two if necessary would be sensible decision. Ajinca has gained a lot of momentum recently and this could even be too low for him. The Sonics would have to bite if he's available.

25. Houston Rockets: Jason Thompson (Rider) [PF, 6-11, 250 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Rockets could use another big man to back up Yao Ming. Sure, Mutombo is signed on for another year, but he can't back up Yao forever.

26. San Antonio Spurs: Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Spurs need scoring above all and Lee should be able to step in and at least be an upgrade over the aging Brent Barry. They could also opt for a foreign player and stash him abroad, in typical Spurs fashion, but the team needs help now if they want to compete for another title with their aging roster.

27. Portland Trailblazers: Ante Tomic (Croatia) [C, 7-2, 237 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Blazers certainly don't need more rookies on their roster right now, so the only conceivable reason they trade for this pick is to draft an international player. Tomic makes sense here, as would Serge Ibaka.

28. Memphis Grizzlies: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis) [SG, 6-6, 195 lbs, 21 yrs] - This is already a pretty big fall for Douglas-Roberts and it's hard to see Memphis passing on him here. He should be able to step in and help them right away as a backup shooting guard.

29. Detroit Pistons: Bill Walker (Kansas State) [SF, 6-6, 235 lbs, 20 yrs] - Detroit gambles on Walker's knees holding up. If they do, he could be a steal this late in the draft. At #29, it's a good move.

30. Boston Celtics: J.J. Hickson (NC State) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 19 yrs] - Boston doesn't need another power forward, but there are no players here who fill a particular need for the Celtics, so they likely either take the best available player or draft a forward like Hickson and trade the pick.

2nd Round

31. Minnesota Timberwolves: D.J. White (Indiana) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 21 yrs] - White doesn't have great NBA potential, but Minnesota needs bodies right now. White should be able to give them decent production if he gets playing time.

32. Seattle Supersonics: Jamont Gordon (Mississippi State) [SG, 6-4, 225 lbs, 21 yrs] - Gordon gives the Sonics a little more scoring, as an athletic combo guard. The Sonics have three more picks coming, so odds are at least one of these will be traded.

33. Portland Trailblazers: Serge Ibaka (Congo) [PF, 6-10, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - Ibaka is probably not ready for the NBA yet, but he could stay overseas for a few years. The Blazers don't have room for prospects right now anyway.

34. Minnesota Timberwolves: Omer Asik (Turkey) [C, 6-11, 230 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's very raw, but his size and athleticism make him an appealing prospect.

35. Los Angeles Clippers: Nathan Jawai (Australia) [PF, 6-10, 270 lbs, 21 yrs] - Jawai provides some depth at power forward, which could prove essential should Elton Brand leave via free agency.

36. Portland Trailblazers: Ryan Anderson (California) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - Anderson has a great jump shot that extends to NBA three-point range, and could be a good fit alongside Greg Oden.

37. Milwaukee Bucks: Joey Dorsey (Memphis) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 22 yrs] - Dorsey's pro future is questionable, but many scouts see him as a future Ben Wallace-type player. Milwaukee could use his defensive presence in the middle.

38. Charlotte Bobcats: Davon Jefferson (USC) [SF, 6-8, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - He needs to work on his fundamentals, but he has great overall potential and could help Charlotte down the road.

39. Chicago Bulls: Trent Plaisted (BYU) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Bulls could use some size, especially after Aaron Gray has yet to prove he can be a useful NBA player. Plaisted has a lot more upside than Gray, even if his college career was fairly erratic.

40. New Jersey Nets: Nikola Pekovic (Serbia) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Nets may not have room for three rookies and they'd have the option of leaving Pekovic in Europe for a year or two.

41. Indiana Pacers: Richard Hendrix (Alabama) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's looked good in Orlando so far. While he's a bit undersized, he's worth a look at this point.

42. Sacramento Kings: Gary Forbes (Massachusetts) [SF, 6-7, 220 lbs, 23 yrs] - He had an excellent pre-draft camp in Orlando and has established himself as a second round pick.

43. Seattle Supersonics: Josh Duncan (Xavier) [SF, 6-8, 225 lbs, 22 yrs] - He'll fight for a spot during Summer League and training camp. No guarantees, but he's a solid all-around player who deserves a look.

44. Golden State Warriors: Shan Foster (Vanderbilt) [SG, 6-6, 205 lbs, 21 yrs] - Foster is one of the top three-point shooters in the draft and he should be able to find a niche in Don Nelson's offense.

45. Sacramento Kings: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA) [SF, 6-7, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - Some NBA scouts see Mbah a Moute as a Bruce Bowen-type defender. He doesn't have much of an offensive game, but the Kings could use his defensive prowess.

46. Utah Jazz: Malik Hairston (Oregon) [SG, 6-6, 200 lbs, 21 yrs] - Hairston is a good all-around shooting guard who could get a look off the bench.

47. San Antonio Spurs: Kyle Weaver (Washington State) [SG, 6-6, 185 lbs, 22 yrs] - A great defender with a high basketball IQ. He should fit right in with the Spurs.

48. Washington Wizards: Mike Taylor (Iowa State) [PG, 6-2, 165 lbs, 22 yrs] - With Gilbert Arenas a free agent, the Wizards pick up an insurance policy at point guard.

49. Phoenix Suns: C.J. Giles (Oregon State) [C, 6-11, 235 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Suns add a shot-blocking center to improve their defense.

50. Seattle Supersonics: Keith Brumbaugh (Hillsborough CC) [SF, 6-10, 215 lbs, 22 yrs] - An outstanding talent who has been hurt by poor off-court decisions. The Sonics can gamble on him and let him develop int he D-League.

51. Dallas Mavericks: J.R. Giddens (New Mexico) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 23 yrs] - Dallas takes a shooting guard who should excel in Jason Kidd's fast-paced offense.

52. Miami Heat: David Padgett (Louisville) [C, 6-11, 240 lbs, 23 yrs] - Miami adds a big man with an excellent basketball IQ. There are questions as to whether or not he can stay healthy, but he could develop into a useful player.

53. Utah Jazz: Semih Erden (Turkey) [C, 7-1, 240 lbs, 21 yrs] - Erden brings another Turkish player to Utah's roster. He's still a bit of a project and would probably stay in Turkey for the time being.

54. Houston Rockets: Bryce Taylor (Oregon) [SG, 6-5, 205 lbs, 21 yrs] - Taylor hasn't been as dominant in college as his talent suggests he should have been, but he's a worthy gamble in the second round.

55. Portland Trailblazers: Sasha Kaun (Kansas) [C, 6-11, 250 lbs, 23 yrs] - Kaun doesn't have the potential to be much more than a backup center, but he already has an NBA body and good experience at the college level.

56. Seattle Supersonics: George Hill (Indianapolis) [PG, 6-2, 180 lbs, 22 yrs] - Hill is more of a shooting guard in a point guard's body, but his scoring ability could get him drafted in the late second round.

57. San Antonio Spurs: Pat Calathes (St. Joseph's) [SF, 6-10, 210 lbs, 22 yrs] - This point-forward with a high basketball IQ should be a good fit in San Antonio.

58. Los Angeles Lakers: Othello Hunter (Ohio State) [PF, 6-8, 220 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Lakers add a shot-blocking forward to improve their interior defense.

59. Detroit Pistons: Richard Roby (Colorado) [SG, 6-5, 210 lbs, 22 yrs] - Roby was at one time seen as a future first round pick, but hasn't improved much over his college career. He had a good senior year and his stock could be suffering due to unfair expectations.

60. Boston Celtics: Damjan Rudez (Croatia) [SF, 6-10, 200 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Celtics grab an international player with plenty of upside. Boston can afford to wait on his talent, as they don't have much room for him right now.

Jermaine O'Neal Traded to Raptors

According to ESPN.com, the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers have agreed to a trade that would send Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto in exchange for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17th overall pick in tomorrow's draft.

This deal makes a lot of sense for both teams. The Pacers needed a point guard and it was unclear whether they'd be able to get a good one in the draft. They most likely would have had to settle for D.J. Augustin or Mario Chalmers, neither of whom is a marked upgrade over current point guard Jamaal Tinsley. Ford is a considerable improvement and although his injury history is concerning, O'Neal has had plenty of trouble staying on the court himself. Nesterovic also comes over after a productive 2007-08 season (well, productive by his standards anyway). He shined down the stretch, scoring 12.4 PPG and pulling down 6.1 RPG after the All-Star break. If nothing else, he should be a solid placeholder for the Pacers while they look for a long-term replacement.

As mentioned, O'Neal's has had trouble staying healthy in recent years, but if he can stay on the court, he'll be an excellent fit in Toronto. He only played in 42 games last year and hasn't played in 70 games since 2003-04, but, before last year, he was very productive when healthy. In 2006-07, he averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. O'Neal's inside scoring and rebounding would be a major boon to the Raptors, who are lacking in that department. Chris Bosh is the closest thing they have to a low-post player, but he has more of a face-up game.

More important to Toronto than the scoring is the defense and rebounding that O'Neal brings. The Raptors were out-rebounded by their opponents last year. Bosh pulled down 8.7 RPG, but the next highest was then-rookie Jamario Moon. Shot-blocking was also a weakness, as Moon and Bosh were the only Raptors to average 1 block per game or better. O'Neal's greatest strength is his defense, both as an on-the-ball defender and a weakside shot-blocker. Defense has not been Toronto's strong point in recent years, but O'Neal's presence in the middle will be a big help.

Of course, that assumes that O'Neal is healthy, which is far from certain. However, even if O'Neal misses a significant portion of the season again, this trade should still pay dividends as it is effectively addition by subtraction. Ford is a talented player, but Jose Calderon clearly outperformed him last year and can play starter's minutes with Ford gone. Having that draft pick would help, but the Raptors are looking to make a playoff run and it's unlikely that, at 17, they would be able to get an immediate contributor.

Meanwhile, the Pacers were already in rebuilding mode and cemented that notion by dealing away their former All-Star. They now have more flexibility with the 11th pick, as they no longer need a point guard. They could either opt for a big man, perhaps someone who they feel could replace some of O'Neal's production, or just take the best player on the board. Not to mention, with two first round picks, they could package them and perhaps Tinsley and try to trade up. They have a lot of options, now that O'Neal is finally off their hands. To their credit, they actually got some value for him. Nicely done.

Fun Notes around the MLB

• Marcus Thames, 3B for the Detroit Tigers, is hitting .221 over his last eleven games. In those games, he has 8 hits, all of them for home runs. He also has 11 strikeouts.
  


• In the eighth inning in last night's Blue Jays game, Toronto recorded two walks, a single, a double, and a home run. They scored one run. In their past six games, they've scored 14 runs, hitting a collective .195.
  


• Jerry Manuel is bringing a new attitude to New York, quoted as saying about Jose Reyes' discipline problems on the field: "I told him the next time he does that, I’m going to get my blade out and cut him right on the field. I’m a gangsta."
  


• Barry Zito sucks

NBA Mock Draft 4.0

1st Round

1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose (Memphis) [PG, 6-3, 205 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Bulls will take a long look at Beasley, who would be a better fit here, but the general consensus in the league seems to be that Rose is the better prospect.

2. Miami Heat: O.J. Mayo (USC) [SG, 6-4, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - After all the hype it's hard to imagine the Heat passing up on Beasley, especially when they could use a low-post scorer, but Pat Riley is not a fan, from all accounts, and his interest in Rose, plus Mayo's upcoming workout in Miami, makes acquiring backcourt help for Wade all the more likely. A trade is also a strong possibility if Rose is unavailable at #2.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Michael Beasley (Kansas State) [PF, 6-10, 235 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Beasley-Al Jefferson combination could give opponents fits, even if it leaves much to be desired on defense. Minnesota has it pretty easy, as they'll take whoever is available between Beasley and Mayo.

4. Seattle Supersonics: Jerryd Bayless (Arizona) [PG, 6-3, 190 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Sonics have been set on Bayless for a while. He's the consensus 4th best prospect and it's hard to see that changing now. The Knicks sure wish it would change as they'd love to grab Bayless.

5. Memphis Grizzlies: Anthony Randolph (LSU) [PF, 6-11, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - The Grizzlies have plenty of needs to fill and they have a lot of work to do before they are ready to compete, so taking the raw, but talented Randolph makes a lot of sense here. He's got tremendous upside and Memphis can afford to give him some time to develop.

6. New York Knicks: Russell Westbrook (UCLA) [PG, 6-3, 189 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Knicks need a point guard above all and even though #6 is a bit high for Westbrook or Augustin, they could well reach and grab Westbrook here. He worked out with them recently (though so did a ton of prospects) and impressed team officials. Augustin has a workout scheduled as well, but for now it's looking like Westbrook.

7. Los Angeles Clippers: Danilo Gallinari (Italy) [SF, 6-9, 212 lbs, 19 yrs] - Eric Gordon is a strong possibility as well, but Gallinari would make a lot of sense here. Supposedly Gallinari would not have stayed in the draft unless he had a top 10 guarantee (from a team he'd want to go to) and this seems like the most likely team to offer that guarantee.

8. Milwaukee Bucks: Eric Gordon (Indiana) [SG, 6-4, 215 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Bucks could opt for a forward such as Joe Alexander, but Gordon is one of the most talented prospects in the draft. In fact, he was considered a top 3 or 4 pick for a long time. That said, it's hard to see the Bucks passing up that talent at this point.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kevin Love (UCLA) [PF, 6-10, 275 lbs, 19 yrs] - Love seems like a natural fit for Larry Brown, and he would look good alongside Emeka Okafor. Brook Lopez is an option, the main appeal being his size, but Love's stock has risen quite a bit since the end of the college season.

10. New Jersey Nets: Brook Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 260 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Nets need a good big man and would have to be pleased if Lopez were to become available this late. They could instead go after a player with more upside, but Lopez is at least a safe pick to be a contributor and at #10, that's a good deal.

11. Indiana Pacers: D.J. Augustin (Texas) [PG, 6-0, 180 lbs, 20 yrs] - Point guard is the biggest area of need for the Pacers and odds are they take whichever of Augustin or Westbrook is available. If both are there, they'll have a tough decision on their hands, but that would be a good problem to have.

12. Sacramento Kings: Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) [C, 7-2, 275 lbs, 21 yrs] - A point guard would be more helpful, but the best ones will likely be off the board at this point. Instead, the Kings could make a somewhat surprising move and draft Hibbert here. According to Chad Ford, they had Hibbert ranked very highly last year before he withdrew from the draft and he's a possibility here, despite their drafting of Spencer Hawes last year.

13. Portland Trailblazers: Joe Alexander (West Virginia) [SF, 6-8, 220 lbs, 21 yrs] - Portland has plenty of young players already, so there's a good chance they trade the pick. Alexander is the most likely to go in this spot, as his stock has really risen lately. Donte Greene and Brandon Rush are also possibilities.

14. Golden State Warriors: Donte Greene (Syracuse) [SF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - Greene's combination of shooting, athleticism, and versatility make him a natural fit for Golden State. He is similar to a number of players they already have, but he should be able to find some playing time.

15. Phoenix Suns: Brandon Rush (Kansas) [SG, 6-7, 205 lbs, 22 yrs] - Rush is the logical pick here. He's one of the more experienced players in the draft and could step in and contribute immediately. His three-point shooting and athleticism makes him a good fit for the Suns offense and his NBA-readiness means that he could help the Suns make a title run this year. If Rush or another similarly NBA-ready player is not available, the Suns could trade the pick.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Marreese Speights (Florida) [C, 6-10, 245 lbs, 19 yrs] - Rush is an option here if he's still available. If not, the Sixers probably opt for a big man. Speights is a capable low-post scorer with some upside, who could help them. They could also go for DeAndre Jordan or Darrell Arthur.

17. Toronto Raptors: Kosta Koufos (Ohio State) [C, 7-0, 265 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Raptors need help at center and Koufos would seem an excellent fit, with his size, skill, and shooting ability. Not to mention, the Raptors add another European player to their already-diverse roster.

18. Washington Wizards: JaVale McGee (Nevada) [C, 7-0, 237 lbs, 20 yrs] - McGee should make a nice backup for Brendan Haywood, as he is more of a scoring big man who was an effective three-point shooter in college. He is also an excellent shot-blocker and could help the Wizards' interior defense.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darrell Arthur (Kansas) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Cavs need help in a lot of areas, notably shooting guard, but Arthur could be a nice pick here. He'd give them a power forward with some scoring ability. He's got a nice mid-range shooting game and that could make him a nice fit alongside LeBron James.

20. Denver Nuggets: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis) [SG, 6-6, 195 lbs, 21 yrs] - Douglas-Roberts would be a good fit here. He could provide scoring and strong perimeter defense and he has the speed and athleticism to run with the fast-paced Nuggets.

21. New Jersey Nets: Nicholas Batum (France) [SF, 6-8, 210 lbs, 19 yrs] - There are a number of good big men still on the board, but the Nets go after the upside of Batum, after drafting a center with their earlier first round pick. The Nets already have swingmen, but Batum could be brought along slowly, as the team is rebuilding anyway.

22. Orlando Magic: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) [C, 7-0, 255 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Magic could go for a shooting guard, such as Courtney Lee, but it's hard to pass up on Jordan's talent at this point. Considering they had to give Marcin Gortat minutes in the playoffs, they could use another body in the middle.

23. Utah Jazz: Robin Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 245 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Jazz need to work on their interior defense and shot-blocking and those happen to be Robin Lopez's specialties. The Jazz will probably opt for the best big man available here, though it's hard to imagine anyone else being as good a fit as the other Lopez.

24. Seattle Supersonics: Alexis Ajinca (France) [PF, 7-1, 240 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Sonics have taken plenty of big men with "upside" in recent years, but with a roster loaded with young talent, taking a player like Ajinca who could stay overseas for a year or two if necessary would be sensible decision. Ajinca has gained a lot of momentum recently and this could even be too low for him. The Sonics would have to bite if he's available.

25. Houston Rockets: Jason Thompson (Rider) [PF, 6-11, 250 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Rockets could use another big man to back up Yao Ming. Sure, Mutombo is signed on for another year, but he can't back up Yao forever.

26. San Antonio Spurs: Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Spurs need scoring above all and Lee should be able to step in and at least be an upgrade over the aging Brent Barry. They could also opt for a foreign player and stash him abroad, in typical Spurs fashion, but the team needs help now if they want to compete for another title with their aging roster.

27. New Orleans Hornets: J.J. Hickson (NC State) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 19 yrs] - Hickson gives the Hornets some much-needed size. His athleticism and speed should make him a good fit running the floor with Chris Paul.

28. Memphis Grizzlies: Bill Walker (Kansas State) [SF, 6-6, 235 lbs, 20 yrs] - Walker suffered a minor knee injury and, because of his history, some teams have been scared off. However, this late in the draft, Memphis would do well to gamble on Walker's potential.

29. Detroit Pistons: D.J. White (Indiana) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Pistons add a big man who should provide solid rebounding and some mid-range shooting. There is no particular area of need for Detroit but after taking three guards in last year's draft, it's hard to imagine they'd take another one here.

30. Boston Celtics: Ante Tomic (Croatia) [C, 7-2, 237 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Celtics don't really have room for a young prospect. If anything, they'll be looking to add more veterans to help defend their title. Tomic could be left in Europe for the time being and might be able to help Boston down the road, though they could bring him over now if they need the help.

2nd Round

31. Minnesota Timberwolves: Mario Chalmers (Kansas) [PG, 5-11, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - This does seem a little late for Chalmers, but he has not made a major splash since his heroics for Kansas in the title game. If he doesn't go in the late first round, there's a good chance Minnesota takes him here.

32. Seattle Supersonics: Jamont Gordon (Mississippi State) [SG, 6-4, 225 lbs, 21 yrs] - Gordon gives the Sonics a little more scoring, as an athletic combo guard. The Sonics have three more picks coming, so odds are at least one of these will be traded.

33. Portland Trailblazers: Serge Ibaka (Congo) [PF, 6-10, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - Ibaka is probably not ready for the NBA yet, but he could stay overseas for a few years. The Blazers don't have room for prospects right now anyway.

34. Minnesota Timberwolves: Omer Asik (Turkey) [C, 6-11, 230 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's very raw, but his size and athleticism make him an appealing prospect.

35. Los Angeles Clippers: Nathan Jawai (Australia) [PF, 6-10, 270 lbs, 21 yrs] - Jawai provides some depth at power forward, which could prove essential should Elton Brand leave via free agency.

36. Portland Trailblazers: Ryan Anderson (California) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - Anderson has a great jump shot that extends to NBA three-point range, and could be a good fit alongside Greg Oden.

37. Milwaukee Bucks: Joey Dorsey (Memphis) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 22 yrs] - Dorsey's pro future is questionable, but many scouts see him as a future Ben Wallace-type player. Milwaukee could use his defensive presence in the middle.

38. Charlotte Bobcats: Davon Jefferson (USC) [SF, 6-8, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - He needs to work on his fundamentals, but he has great overall potential and could help Charlotte down the road.

39. Chicago Bulls: Trent Plaisted (BYU) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Bulls could use some size, especially after Aaron Gray has yet to prove he can be a useful NBA player. Plaisted has a lot more upside than Gray, even if his college career was fairly erratic.

40. New Jersey Nets: Nikola Pekovic (Serbia) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Nets may not have room for three rookies and they'd have the option of leaving Pekovic in Europe for a year or two.

41. Indiana Pacers: Richard Hendrix (Alabama) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's looked good in Orlando so far. While he's a bit undersized, he's worth a look at this point.

42. Sacramento Kings: Gary Forbes (Massachusetts) [SF, 6-7, 220 lbs, 23 yrs] - He had an excellent pre-draft camp in Orlando and has established himself as a second round pick.

43. Seattle Supersonics: Josh Duncan (Xavier) [SF, 6-8, 225 lbs, 22 yrs] - He'll fight for a spot during Summer League and training camp. No guarantees, but he's a solid all-around player who deserves a look.

44. Golden State Warriors: Shan Foster (Vanderbilt) [SG, 6-6, 205 lbs, 21 yrs] - Foster is one of the top three-point shooters in the draft and he should be able to find a niche in Don Nelson's offense.

45. Sacramento Kings: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA) [SF, 6-7, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - Some NBA scouts see Mbah a Moute as a Bruce Bowen-type defender. He doesn't have much of an offensive game, but the Kings could use his defensive prowess.

46. Utah Jazz: Malik Hairston (Oregon) [SG, 6-6, 200 lbs, 21 yrs] - Hairston is a good all-around shooting guard who could get a look off the bench.

47. San Antonio Spurs: Kyle Weaver (Washington State) [SG, 6-6, 185 lbs, 22 yrs] - A great defender with a high basketball IQ. He should fit right in with the Spurs.

48. Washington Wizards: Mike Taylor (Iowa State) [PG, 6-2, 165 lbs, 22 yrs] - With Gilbert Arenas a free agent, the Wizards pick up an insurance policy at point guard.

49. Phoenix Suns: C.J. Giles (Oregon State) [C, 6-11, 235 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Suns add a shot-blocking center to improve their defense.

50. Seattle Supersonics: Keith Brumbaugh (Hillsborough CC) [SF, 6-10, 215 lbs, 22 yrs] - An outstanding talent who has been hurt by poor off-court decisions. The Sonics can gamble on him and let him develop int he D-League.

51. Dallas Mavericks: J.R. Giddens (New Mexico) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 23 yrs] - Dallas takes a shooting guard who should excel in Jason Kidd's fast-paced offense.

52. Miami Heat: David Padgett (Louisville) [C, 6-11, 240 lbs, 23 yrs] - Miami adds a big man with an excellent basketball IQ. There are questions as to whether or not he can stay healthy, but he could develop into a useful player.

53. Utah Jazz: Semih Erden (Turkey) [C, 7-1, 240 lbs, 21 yrs] - Erden brings another Turkish player to Utah's roster. He's still a bit of a project and would probably stay in Turkey for the time being.

54. Houston Rockets: Bryce Taylor (Oregon) [SG, 6-5, 205 lbs, 21 yrs] - Taylor hasn't been as dominant in college as his talent suggests he should have been, but he's a worthy gamble in the second round.

55. Portland Trailblazers: Sasha Kaun (Kansas) [C, 6-11, 250 lbs, 23 yrs] - Kaun doesn't have the potential to be much more than a backup center, but he already has an NBA body and good experience at the college level.

56. Seattle Supersonics: George Hill (Indianapolis) [PG, 6-2, 180 lbs, 22 yrs] - Hill is more of a shooting guard in a point guard's body, but his scoring ability could get him drafted in the late second round.

57. San Antonio Spurs: Pat Calathes (St. Joseph's) [SF, 6-10, 210 lbs, 22 yrs] - This point-forward with a high basketball IQ should be a good fit in San Antonio.

58. Los Angeles Lakers: Othello Hunter (Ohio State) [PF, 6-8, 220 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Lakers add a shot-blocking forward to improve their interior defense.

59. Detroit Pistons: Richard Roby (Colorado) [SG, 6-5, 210 lbs, 22 yrs] - Roby was at one time seen as a future first round pick, but hasn't improved much over his college career. He had a good senior year and his stock could be suffering due to unfair expectations.

60. Boston Celtics: Patrick Ewing Jr. (Georgetown) [SF, 6-7, 224 lbs, 24 yrs] - He was a disappointment at Georgetown, but has performed very well at pre-draft camps and the combine. It's possible Georgetown was just a bad fit for him.

Chemistry? Yeah...chemistry?

When a professional sports team is playing well, almost always you hear about how the team has great chemistry. Conversely, when a given team is performing below expectations, you'll always hear about how they're not playing as a team, and how they lack chemistry. So it goes, if you fill your team with good chemistry guys, you will win, and if you fill your team with malcontents, you're destined for a high draft pick.

This argument holds some water, especially in football, where every piece is dependent upon another moving cog, and only when you're a well-oiled machine can you perform at the highest level.

But in baseball? What a bunch of bull-hooey.

Baseball is nominally a team sport, but in fact the game is built, more so than any other team sport, on an individual matchup: pitcher vs. hitter. It is all based on this mano a mano showdown. "Chemistry" will not make a splitter drop an extra inch, or turn a popup into a line drive. (Never mind the fact that chemistry, while entirely positive in this context, has no such positive connotation in real life. Afterall, sometimes in chemistry, things blow up.)

Right now, if you turned on Mike and the Maddog on WFAN (They're talkin' sports, goin' at it as hard as they can!), you will listen to 5 1/2 hours of disgruntled Mets fans waxing poetic about how the New York Mets "have no chemistry" and how they "aren't a real team." Tell us, Mets fans; what exactly does playing like a team mean? I'll tell you. It means a pitcher getting people out, and hitters stringing a couple baseknocks together. Then, after they score, they all smile and give each other high fives and Cleveland Steamers or something.

The problem is that people are assuming a causal relationship one way (chemistry-->winning) when the truth is the opposite (winning--->Cleveland Steamers). If the Mets reel off 7 in a row, or 15 of 20, we will be inundated with story after story about how the Mets are playing like a team - how they're all smiling in the dugout etc. The same thing happened with the Yankees a few years ago, when every day Joe Torre was forced to answer the inane question "Are you having fun, Joe?" I cut beat reporters a little slack; it's hard to file interesting stories on a given team 180 days a year that are separate from game results. But the next time some reporter asks Willie Randolph (or Joe Girardi, for that matter) "What's wrong with this team's chemistry, and how can you turn it around?" I hope the answer is but one word:

"Winning."

Has the World Gone Mad?

Live blogging these finals, with 2 or so minutes left, I just watched three straight possessions where shots were taken, in order, by Vujacic, Eddie House, and Vujacic. Vujacic nailed a wide open 3 from the corner on the last of those, after Boston decided they were playing Cleveland again, and doubled Kobe 38 feet from the basket. Hey Celtics: Every one of Kobe's teammates on the floor right now can make a 20 footer. Every one. There is a difference between Lamar Odom and Ben Wallace. God, so many idiots. In fact:

I hereby announce my candidacy for a head coaching position in the NBA. Though I have no experience, knowledge, unique insight, or connections, I could still coach circles around Doc Rivers. I am aware that my candidacy is weakened by the fact that I am not a part of the Conspiracy of Mikes, but give the right circumstances, I could be persuaded to join. As I typed this paragraph, Eddie House took three more shots in the final minute. Where is Paul Pierce? Where is Ray Allen? KG has the physical tools to dominate in the post this series, and instead, he's getting the ball at the top of the key, 25 feet from the basket.

Embarrassing.

This NBA Finals is a Joke

So we here at PSB would normally post about the NBA Finals, but the games so far have just been too ridiculous and infuriating to write about. Instead, we'll point out that Leon Powe had 11 free throw attempts in the first 14 minutes, while the Lakers had 2 in the first 24. Also, Paul Pierce cries like he's on Normandy Beach and gets carried off in a wheelchair, and six minutes later returns to play a game and a half without a limp.

So instead of writing about that crap, let's all enjoy this amusing picture:

NBA Mock Draft 3.0

1st Round

1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose (Memphis) [PG, 6-3, 205 lbs, 19 yrs] - Beasley would fill more of a need, but with so many questions about his character the Bulls seem to prefer Rose here. This pick only makes sense if they deal Kirk Hinrich, but they should be able to find a taker, and perhaps land a big man in the process.

2. Miami Heat: O.J. Mayo (USC) [SG, 6-4, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - This assumes that Miami keeps the pick. There have been a lot of rumors that they would like to trade it, especially if Rose is off the board. While Mayo is not an ideal fit, he could combine with Wade to make an explosive backcourt.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Michael Beasley (Kansas State) [PF, 6-10, 235 lbs, 19 yrs] - Minnesota would have to be thrilled if the draft played out this way, as they would land arguably the top player in the draft. Beasley's perimeter scoring would be a great compliment to Al Jefferson's post play.

4. Seattle Supersonics: Jerryd Bayless (Arizona) [PG, 6-3, 190 lbs, 19 yrs] - Bayless would improve Seattle's backcourt and from all reports they are very interested in him. Mayo is a strong possibility if he is available, but even if he is they might select Bayless anyway.

5. Memphis Grizzlies: Anthony Randolph (LSU) [PF, 6-11, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - Memphis is lacking in size more than anything else, as the Darko experiment proved unsuccessful. They could take Eric Gordon here as well, but more likely they opt for the big man and select Randolph.

6. New York Knicks: D.J. Augustin (Texas) [PG, 6-0, 180 lbs, 20 yrs] - This is decidedly a reach, but the Knicks badly need a point guard and Augustin is the best pure point in the draft, after Rose. Westbrook is also an option, or they could draft for talent over need and take Gordon or Gallinari. That said, Augustin would fit into D'Antoni's style better than anyone left on the board, so he is a logical pick here.

7. Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon (Indiana) [SG, 6-4, 215 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Clippers don't have much in the way of shooting guards right now and Gordon's potential is too much to pass up on. They'll take long looks at Gallinari and PGs Russell Westbrook and D.J. Augustin, but landing Gordon this late could be a steal.

8. Milwaukee Bucks: Danilo Gallinari (Italy) [SF, 6-9, 212 lbs, 19 yrs] - While Gallinari doesn't fill a particular need, he is the best player on the board at this point. He could rotate in as SF/PF with Yi Jianlian and Charlie Villanueva, giving the Bucks three versatile forwards with excellent long-term potential.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Brook Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 260 lbs, 20 yrs] - Kevin Love is a strong possibility, but it would be very difficult for the Bobcats to pass up on Lopez here. Love would be a good fit, but Lopez's size makes him a great fit and would allow Charlotte to move Emeka Okafor to power forward.

10. New Jersey Nets: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) [C, 7-0, 255 lbs, 20 yrs] - Jordan has phenomenal size and athleticism and the only knock on him is his questionable motor. It would be hard for the Nets to pass up on such a talent, especially with the best players on the board being point guards; a position at which the Nets are loaded.

11. Indiana Pacers: Russell Westbrook (UCLA) [PG, 6-3, 189 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Pacers are in dire need of a point guard, so taking Westbrook here is a no-brainer. Augustin would also draw strong consideration if available.

12. Sacramento Kings: Darrell Arthur (Kansas) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Kings need a point guard above all, but if Westbrook and Augustin are already gone, they could take Arthur. They could use the help at power forward and Arthur should be able to provide excellent defense and a sold mid-range game.

13. Portland Trailblazers: Donte Greene (Syracuse) [SF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - While it's unclear whether Greene would play the 3 or the 4, he is a very athletic wingman with three-point range on his jumper who could be another key piece for the up-and-coming Blazers. Point guard is more of an area of need, and there's no doubt they'd grab Augustin or Westbrook if one is available, but there are no PGs at this point who wouldn't be major reaches at #13.

14. Golden State Warriors: Kevin Love (UCLA) [PF, 6-10, 275 lbs, 19 yrs] - Love's size would be a major asset to Golden State, and his shooting ability would fit in well with Don Nelson's system. The Warriors might prefer someone a bit more athletic, but it would be hard to pass up on Love this late.

15. Phoenix Suns: Brandon Rush (Kansas) [SG, 6-7, 205 lbs, 22 yrs] - If the Suns are going to make a title run, they have to do it now, making Rush the logical pick. As a 22-year old with experience playing under pressure, plus strong perimeter shooting and defense, he should be able to contribute immediately to a Suns playoff run. Or I suppose they could trade the pick for cash...again.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Marreese Speights (Florida) [C, 6-10, 245 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Sixers are in dire need of three-point shooting, but with Rush taken, their best bet is to improve their depth at center and acquire a low-post scorer. Of course, if they believe they can sign Elton Brand or they trade for a big man, they probably address their shooting guard needs here.

17. Toronto Raptors: Kosta Koufos (Ohio State) [C, 7-0, 265 lbs, 19 yrs] - The Raptors need help at center and Koufos would seem an excellent fit, with his size, skill, and shooting ability. Not to mention, the Raptors add another European player to their already-diverse roster.

18. Washington Wizards: JaVale McGee (Nevada) [C, 7-0, 237 lbs, 20 yrs] - McGee should make a nice backup for Brendan Haywood, as he is more of a scoring big man who was an effective three-point shooter in college. He is also an excellent shot-blocker and could help the Wizards' interior defense.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Chase Budinger (Arizona) [SG, 6-7, 205 lbs, 20 yrs] - More than anything else, the Cavs need to get LeBron some help on offense, and Budinger should be able to provide that. He's an excellent scorer with deep range on his shot. While his defense is suspect, he is athletic enough that he could be a capable defender if properly motivated.

20. Denver Nuggets: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis) [SG, 6-6, 195 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Nuggets will take a long look at the point guards available (namely, Lawson and Chalmers), but their best bet would probably be to add a shooting guard like Douglas-Roberts. He'll give them a much-needed perimeter defender while also providing another shooter off the bench.

21. New Jersey Nets: Joe Alexander (West Virginia) [SF, 6-8, 220 lbs, 21 yrs] - Alexander could be a steal this late in the draft. He needs to improve his three-point shooting, but he is a superb athlete and should look good running the floor with speedsters Devin Harris and Marcus Williams.

22. Orlando Magic: Robin Lopez (Stanford) [C, 7-0, 245 lbs, 20 yrs] - Brook's twin should give the Magic a boost on the defensive end, often drawing comparisons to Anderson Varejao. After Dwight Howard, the Magic don't have much to offer as far as big men and Lopez should be, or at least develop into, an upgrade over Adonal Foyle.

23. Utah Jazz: Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) [C, 7-2, 275 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Jazz were a very poor shot-blocking team last season and as a result committed a criminal amount of fouls. Hibbert gives them shot-blocking and interior defense and though there are concerns about his lumbering pace, Utah relies mostly on half-court sets, so it shouldn't be a major issue.

24. Seattle Supersonics: Ty Lawson (North Carolina) [PG, 5-11, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - Lawson excited NBA scouts and GMs with a standout performance in Day One of the Orlando pre-draft camp. Seattle improves their point guard depth by adding Lawson here, after picking Mayo earlier in the draft.

25. Houston Rockets: Bill Walker (Kansas State) [SF, 6-6, 235 lbs, 20 yrs] - It would be hard for the Rockets to pass on Walker this late in the draft. He was thought to have top 5 potential before his ACL injury, but still had a strong season. He is still a very good athlete and a strong three-point shooter. If he can stay healthy, he could be a real steal this late.

26. San Antonio Spurs: Ante Tomic (Croatia) [C, 7-2, 237 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Spurs could also go for Nicholas Batum here, but more likely they take Tomic and let him develop overseas for a few more years.

27. New Orleans Hornets: J.J. Hickson (NC State) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 19 yrs] - Hickson gives the Hornets some much-needed size. His athleticism and speed should make him a good fit running the floor with Chris Paul.

28. Memphis Grizzlies: Nicholas Batum (France) [SF, 6-8, 210 lbs, 19 yrs] - Batum is still raw and fairly inexperienced, but that's not a problem for the rebuilding Grizzlies. He has a ton of upside and the Grizzlies should be able to get him some playing time, or they would have the option of letting him develop further in Europe.

29. Detroit Pistons: D.J. White (Indiana) [PF, 6-9, 240 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Pistons add a big man who should provide solid rebounding and some mid-range shooting. There is no particular area of need for Detroit but after taking three guards in last year's draft, it's hard to imagine they'd take another one here.

30. Boston Celtics: Mario Chalmers (Kansas) [PG, 5-11, 195 lbs, 20 yrs] - Hard to say whether he'd be any better than Gabe Pruitt, who didn't log significant minutes this season. If nothing else, he'd be a popular pick, as his championship game heroics made him one of the best-known players in the draft.

2nd Round

31. Minnesota Timberwolves: Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 22 yrs] - Lee improves Minnesota's shooting guard depth, plus allows them to draft a second player with a girl's name.

32. Seattle Supersonics: Jason Thompson (Rider) [PF, 6-11, 250 lbs, 21 yrs] - He played very well for Rider and already has an NBA-body. His stock would be higher had he played against better competition in college.

33. Portland Trailblazers: Wayne Ellington (North Carolina) [SG, 6-5, 175 lbs, 20 yrs] - Ellington has been one of the better players at the Orlando pre-draft camp and should give Portland some help with its three-point shooting.

34. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trent Plaisted (BYU) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's been a very inconsistent player in college, but his talent is enough to get him drafted here.

35. Los Angeles Clippers: Nathan Jawai (Australia) [PF, 6-10, 270 lbs, 21 yrs] - Jawai provides some depth at power forward, which could prove essential should Elton Brand leave via free agency.

36. Portland Trailblazers: Serge Ibaka (Congo) [PF, 6-10, 220 lbs, 18 yrs] - With a pretty full roster, the Blazers can stash Ibaka abroad for a few years and allow him to develop.

37. Milwaukee Bucks: Joey Dorsey (Memphis) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 22 yrs] - Dorsey's pro future is questionable, but many scouts see him as a future Ben Wallace-type player. Milwaukee could use his defensive presence in the middle.

38. Charlotte Bobcats: Davon Jefferson (USC) [SF, 6-8, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - He needs to work on his fundamentals, but he has great overall potential and could help Charlotte down the road.

39. Chicago Bulls: Alexis Ajinca (France) [PF, 7-1, 240 lbs, 20 yrs] - While he won't contribute immediately, the Bulls have the depth to bring him along slowly or let him develop abroad for now.

40. New Jersey Nets: Jamont Gordon (Mississippi State) [SG, 6-4, 225 lbs, 21 yrs] - Gordon gives the Nets another piece for their bench, in a backup combo guard.

41. Indiana Pacers: Richard Hendrix (Alabama) [PF, 6-9, 260 lbs, 21 yrs] - He's looked good in Orlando so far. While he's a bit undersized, he's worth a look at this point.

42. Sacramento Kings: Gary Forbes (Massachusetts) [SF, 6-7, 220 lbs, 23 yrs] - He's having an excellent pre-draft camp in Orlando and has established himself as a second round pick.

43. Seattle Supersonics: Victor Claver (Spain) [SF, 6-1, 217 lbs, 19 yrs] - Claver is considered one of the top European prospects in the draft and could be a steal in the mid-second round.

44. Golden State Warriors: Shan Foster (Vanderbilt) [SG, 6-6, 205 lbs, 21 yrs] - Foster is one of the top three-point shooters in the draft and he should be able to find a niche in Don Nelson's offense.

45. Sacramento Kings: John Riek (Prep School) [C, 7-2, 230 lbs, 18 yrs] - He needs a lot of work and experience before he's NBA-ready but his superb size and athleticism make him a worthwhile gamble.

46. Utah Jazz: Danny Green (North Carolina) [SF, 6-5, 210 lbs, 20 yrs] - Not particularly athletic, but his basketball IQ and shooting could make him a nice fit in Utah.

47. San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Mbemba (Sweden) [PG, 6-0, 186 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Spurs add a potential backup point guard, who can develop overseas for a year or two.

48. Washington Wizards: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA) [SF, 6-7, 215 lbs, 21 yrs] - While his offensive game is very limited, he could help the Wizards improve their lackluster defense.

49. Phoenix Suns: Omer Asik (Turkey) [C, 6-11, 230 lbs, 21 yrs] - The Suns can either add this defensive-minded big man, or stash him overseas.

50. Seattle Supersonics: Keith Brumbaugh (Hillsborough CC) [SF, 6-10, 215 lbs, 22 yrs] - An outstanding talent who has been hurt by poor off-court decisions. The Sonics can gamble on him and let him develop int he D-League.

51. Dallas Mavericks: Ryan Anderson (California) [PF, 6-10, 225 lbs, 20 yrs] - A big man with three-point range? Doesn't Dallas have one of those already? That didn't stop them from drafting Nick Fazekas last year and it won't stop them from taking Anderson here.

52. Miami Heat: Nikola Pekovic (Serbia) [C, 6-11, 245 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Heat need size and in Pekovic they get a big man who can provide some low-post scoring.

53. Utah Jazz: Lester Hudson (Tennessee Martin) [SG, 6-3, 190 lbs, 23 yrs] - Hudson is a combo guard with the potential to be an effective scorer. The Jazz take a chance and hope he develops some point guard skills as well.

54. Houston Rockets: C.J. Giles (Oregon State) [C, 6-11, 235 lbs, 22 yrs] - The Rockets develop a center to backup Yao once Dikembe Mutombo retires (which has to happen someday).

55. Portland Trailblazers: J.R. Giddens (New Mexico) [SG, 6-5, 200 lbs, 23 yrs] - He's a good athlete and effective shooter who will fight for a spot on the Blazers' loaded roster.

56. Seattle Supersonics: Malik Hairston (Oregon) [SG, 6-6, 200 lbs, 21 yrs] - Hairston doesn't have any one specialized skill, but he could still find a niche with his all-around talent.

57. San Antonio Spurs: Pat Calathes (St. Joseph's) [SF, 6-10, 210 lbs, 22 yrs] - This point-forward with a high basketball IQ should be a good fit in San Antonio.

58. Los Angeles Lakers: Rodrigue Beaubois (France) [PG, 6-2, 170 lbs, 20 yrs] - The Lakers can let him develop abroad, hoping he'll be an adequate backup for Jordan Farmar down the road.

59. Detroit Pistons: Jeremy Parge (Gonzaga) [PG, 6-2, 220 lbs, 22 yrs] - Quick, aggressive defender who could be useful as a defensive specialist and third-string point guard.

60. Boston Celtics: Kyle Weaver (Washington State) [SG, 6-6, 185 lbs, 22 yrs] - He's not much of a scorer, but the Celtics could make him useful as a defensive specialist.