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NBA Draft University live reaction to the first round

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Sam is on the ball with updating his mock draft to account for today’s trade activity, and the uncertainty surrounding the Miami Heat and pick number 2. Mock drafts are always shaken up by draft day dealings, but this seemed to be an especially turbulent time. I’ll be tracking the action as it goes this evening.

7:06 - Andy Katz says the Bulls aren’t wavering on their decision to take Derrick Rose. Ric Bucher says the Heat was desperately casting around to find a trade partner, but Michael Beasley is going to be the one. Jeff Van Gundy insists that Beasley is “one of those special talents that comes around very rarely.”

7:23 - Finally, someone talking about something besides the Bulls; Sonics traitor/owner Clay Bennett and the rest of his clown show are waiting to see if they will have to stay in their lease with the city of Seattle. The Knicks are playing coy, but apparently have “got their man.” Is it Gallinari? Will the boos when he is selected overwhelm the mics?

7:31 - David Stern steps to the podium…..

7:37 - #1 Chicago Bulls select Derrick Rose. Rose is said to be one of those rare guards you cannot pass up, a more explosive Deron Williams, the best thing since sliced bread. Jay Bilas: “He’s a winner…a prototype point guard.” JVG: “He establishes ball pressure immediately.” Mark Jackson: “He’s a tough kid…’just follow my lead.’” Stephen A. gets to yell at him a little, which discloses…nothing in particular. Doris Burke chats up his mom, who is very calm and clearly thrilled that her baby is going to be right at home.

7:42 - #2 Miami Heat select Michael Beasley. This is kind of a no brainer, really. Wade and Beasley will be a dynamic combinations, though I still see his upside as really being Glenn Robinson-esque. JB: “He’s a pretty darn good defender if he puts his mind to it…a big time natural scorer.” JVG: “They are going to be very hard to guard.” John Paxson says “Rose is a perfect fit for us. He’ll make other players better.”

7:48 - #3 Minnesota Timberwolves select O.J. Mayo. Yep, it’s a crowded backcourt. No, it’s not going to be a problem. JB: “He’s ready to step into the league and play right away, more than any other guard in the draft.” JVG: “He’s got a tenacity and intensity…very nasty on the court.” MJ: “Incredible talent.” Mayo was problably overhyped coming into college, and understimated coming out. One thing: he is 21, two years older than most other freshmen entering the league. Also, the corpse of Pat Riley comes on to discuss a little of the rumor swirl around picking Beasley: “I don’t think there was any question on our part.” Oh?

7:54 - #4 Seattle Supersonics select Russell Westbrook. And the UCLA guard’s meteoric rise is complete. His numbers were not impressive (12 pts, 4 ast), but he’s a combo guard who, according to JB has “finishing ability…the best individual defender in the draft. Can he play the point guard? He’s not a natural.” JVG: “If he’s not a true point, what do you do with Durant?” Well, he’s got to be an upgrade over Earl Watson and Luke Ridenour…doesn’t he?

8:01 - #5 Memphis Grizzlies select Kevin Love. Pau Gasol’s replacement with the sweet outlet passes, high basketball IQ and questionable athleticism. JB: “A great feel for the game. Can use either hand, a pick and pop player, outstanding passer. Underrated athlete.” I love the “he can throw a chest pass 94 feet” swooning…next time I see that need on the floor, I’ll let you know.

8:07 - #6 New York Knicks select Danilo Gallinari. Yep, boos. Lots of boos. LOTS of boos. Ah, New York. Fran Fraschilla “He’s not going to be a superstar, but he’s got a great feel for the game.” Steven A. gives him a chance to say “New York is the best city in the world.” The Knicks fans aren’t buying it.

8:12 - #7 Los Angeles Clippers select Eric Gordon. OK….I’m going to be cruel here. Why does this matter? It’s the Clippers. JB: “He’s a pure scorer, explosive, can shoot from deep.” He’s going to have to carry a huge load there, and I don’t know that he can handle it.

8:18 - #8 Milwaukee Bucks select Joe Alexander. He wants to be there, he’s a great athlete..can’t ask for much more. JB: “He can put the ball on the deck, learning to use that freakish athleticism to get all the way to the basket.” Too bad now that Yi Jianlian is in Jersey that he won’t get to use tha ability to speak Mandarin much in Milwaukee.

8:24 - #9 Charlotte Bobcats select D.J. Augustin. WHAT? I guess the micro backcourt will be the way to go. He’s really good, but under 6 feet. MJ: “It’s a tough situation for a young point guard.” JB: Getting a good young point guard is never a bad thing.”

8:30 - #10 New Jersey Nets select Brook Lopez. Not much of a drop for Lopez. JB: “He’s got a mean streak.”

8:34 - #11 Indiana Pacers select Jerryd Bayless. Jamaal Tinsley can now officially pack his bags. And the housecleaning in Indy is about complete.

8:41 - #12 Sacramento Kings select Jason Thompson. Who?

8:46 - #13 Portland Trailblazers select Brandon Rush. A higher lottery pick last season, but where does he play with Brandon Roy? How much young talent can you really stockpile?

8:51 - #14 Golden State Warriors select Anthony Randolph. 6′ 10″, 197 pounds. Don’t they already have this guy in Branden Wright?

8:57 - #15 Phoenix Suns select Robin Lopez. JB: “More defensive oriented than his brother.”

9:03 - #16 Philadelphia 76er select Marreese Speights. Well, if you can’t have Elton Brand, this is the next best thing. Hopefully.

9:08 - #17 Toronto Raptors select Roy Hibbert. He’s going to the Pacers in the O’Neal trade. He’s also slow as molasses, which put him him directly in the Bobcats’ sights.

9:13 - #18 Washington Wizards select JaVale McGee. And the Pacers trade Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless to Portland for Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts, and Brandon Rush. McGee is a WNBA legacy and a project. But somebody’s got to be the next Brendan Haywood. I think.

9:20 - #19 Cleveland Cavaliers select J.J. Hickson. A young big body to replace Drew Gooden.

9:25 - #20 Charlotte Bobcats select Alexis Ajinca. Their first international player, and a center to boot. Unfortunately, he’s skinny as a rail. It’s all about upside about him, and maybe not coming over right now. The 7′ 8″ wingspan is crazy.

9:33 - #21 New Jersey Nets select Ryan Anderson. He’s a shooter, not a rebounder. Or defender. But he can score from the perimiter, and he won’t be asked to be a big contributer right away.

9:38 - #22 Orlando Magic selct Courtney Lee. Shooting guards says J.J. Redick…goodbye. not many come out of Western Kentucky, but he fills a need, and hopefully will be an upgrade over Keith Bogans.

9:43 - #23 Utah Jazz select Kosta Koufos. Ok, does this surprise anyone? Koufous could be a long term replacement for Mehmet Okur.

9:48 - #24 Seattle Supersonics select Serge Ibaka. Somehow, the Sonics always have another big guy from Africa lined up to draft. And Darrell Arthur is slip sliding away…

9:56 - #25 Houston Rockets select Nicolas Batum. A jump out of the gym athlete that Fran Fraschilla compares to Rudy Gay. Apparently Darrell Arthur has a kidney problem that no one will take a chance on in the frst round. Ugly.

10:01 - #26 San Antonio Spurs select George Hill. Umm. JB says he can be a special player. Playing behind Tony parker will give him a chance to learn, and they could use a backup point guard upgrade from Jacque Vaughn.

10:07 - #27 New Orleans Hornets select Darrell Arthur. He’s going to Portland in a trade. How loaded is Portland going to be? Yes, I know I already asked that question. THE QUESTION STILL STANDS!

10:15 - #28 Memphis Grizzlies select Donte’ Green. Green’s stock was up for a while, but apparently people don’t feel he’s quite ready, concerns about shot selection primarily.

10:20 - #29 Detroit Pistons select D.J. White. He sneaks into the first round, if a Big 10 player of the year can sneak anywhere. Knee injuries have slowed him down, but he has a chance to be good.

10:26 - #30 Boston Celtics select J.R. Giddens. Looks like Ray Allen gets a backup. His flaw looks to be “professionalism.” Kevin Garnett will straighten that out.

As I am about to collapse for the evening, here are my thoughts about the first round:

• Russell Westbrook really was the single player winner of this draft.
• Charlotte going for an undersized point guard and a player that won’t contribute this season really let me down. Apparently they weren’t able to swing a deal with that extra pick from Denver.
• DeAndre Jordan slipping from a lottery pick to the second round really puts him in a bind.
• Roy Hibbert went about 10 spots ahead of where I thought he would.

Your thoughts?

NBA Draft University Live Blog

Panayotovich Final Mock Draft

Updated at 7:03 p.m. ET

After earning national recognition last year for having the most accurate mock draft, I’ve got my work cut out for me this summer. No worries though, I’m excited at the possibility of handing it to Chad Ford for the second year in a row come June 26.

I try my best to ignore all the ridiculous speculation and stay focused on penning in players where I believe they will best fit. Without further ado, here is the final version of my 2008 NBA Draft mock:

1. Bulls — Derrick Rose | PG | Memphis
2. Heat — O.J. Mayo | SG | USC
3. Timberwolves — Michael Beasley | PF | Kansas State
4. Sonics — Russell Westbrook | PG | UCLA
5. Grizzlies — Kevin Love | PF | UCLA
6. Knicks — Danilo Gallinari | SF | Italy
7. Clippers — Eric Gordon | SG | Indiana
8. Bucks — Jerryd Bayless | PG | Arizona
9. Bobcats — Brook Lopez | C | Stanford
10. Nets — Joe Alexander | SF | West Virginia
11. Pacers — Anthony Randolph | PF | LSU
12. Kings — Roy Hibbert | C | Georgetown
13. Blazers — D.J. Augustin | PG | Texas
14. Warriors — Kosta Koufos | C | Ohio State
15. Suns — Brandon Rush | SG | Kansas
16. 76ers — Marreese Speights | C | Florida
17. Pacers — Mario Chalmers | PG | Kansas
18. Wizards — Darrell Arthur | PF | Kansas
19. Cavaliers — Chris Douglas-Roberts | SG | Memphis
20. Bobcats — Robin Lopez | C | Stanford
21. Nets — Jason Thompson | PF | Rider
22. Magic — Courtney Lee | SG | Western Kentucky
23. Jazz — JaVale McGee | PF | Nevada
24. Sonics — Alexis Ajinca | C | France
25. Rockets — Donte Greene | SF | Syracuse
26. Spurs — Nicolas Batum | SF | France
27. Blazers — DeAndre Jordan | C | Texas A&M
28. Grizzlies — J.J. Hickson | PF | N.C. State
29. Pistons — DeVon Hardin | PF | California
30. Celtics — Ryan Anderson | PF | California

**Sam is the host and lead writer of Southside Perspective. Have any comments or questions? Leave your thoughts or send your inquiries to spanayotovich@gmail.com.**

Patrick Lin’s Final Mock Draft

Mock draft will likely be bombed after a few trades tonight. I’ll try my best.

*-strong possibility for a trade

As of 6:41 EST

1. Chicago Bulls- Derrick Rose: 95% sure.
2. Miami Heat- Michael Beasley*: If they pass up Beasley, they will regret it. They don’t need either player (Mayo and Beasley) so it is highly likely they trade down to snatch either one of them later or get value they actually need.
3. Minnesota T-Wolves- OJ Mayo*: T-Wolves know the Heat covets Mayo, so they know they will be getting something in return if they do trade him. However, the Wolves are looking to trade down to snatch either Lopez or Love.
4. Seattle Sonics- Brook Lopez*: They aren’t risking Lopez gets taken with the 7th pick.
5. Memphis Grizzlies- Kevin Love*: They need a big man, but they want Beasley badly. Sources have said that the Grizzlies have a 50/50 chance of picking at the 5th and 28th spot, which means that the Grizzlies are actively looking to trade up. A deal with the Heat involving Mike Miller, Conley, or Lowry is in the talks, and it is very possible the Grizzlies move up to the 2 spot to draft Beasley. However, if they can’t find a deal, they’ll go for Kevin Love.
6. New York Knicks- Danilo Gallanari: They love Mayo, but chances are slim. Unless they give up David Lee, there is really no chance of trading up, and getting Mayo at the same time. Reports are saying that the Nets are trading up after finding out that the Knicks will take Gallanari. Is this 100% true? I don’t know, but it is definitely a harbinger for the Italian prospect’s name to be called come 6th pick.
7. Los Angeles Clippers-Eric Gordon: Gordon or Bayless? Clippers apparently like Gordon more.
8. Milwaukee Bucks- Russell Westbrook: What seemed like a lock for Alexander has quickly vanished after the pending RJ trade. They most likely go after a guard, and Westbrook is the best guard left.
9. Charlotte Bobcats- DJ Augustin: Larry Brown loves him, and so why not? Screw the other guys. This guy is a true PG.
10. New Jersey Nets- Anthony Randolph*: Randolph will solve the Net’s woes down low, but in the long run. However, if they trade with the Grizzlies, they’ll most likely take Kevin Love with the 5th pick.
11. Indiana Pacers- Jerryd Bayless: Larry Bird should be the happiest guy in the draft room.
12. Sacramento Kings- Joe Alexander: Augustin is gone. What do they do? Get the best player left.
13. Portland Trail Blazers- Donte Greene*: They are pursuing a trade with the Nets for the 10th pick to snatch Augustin, but I don’t see if happening if the Nets find themselves with Alexander at the 10th pick. The Blazers are also attempting to trade their pick to the Grizzlies, which may very well happen. I don’t see the Blazers choosing with this pick, but Greene will be their choice if they do.
14. Golden State Warriors- Kosta Koufos: Warriors can go many ways, but Koufos is slowly rising up the boards. Warriors will most likely go big, and I can definitely see them picking the former Buckeye.
15. Phoenix Suns- Brandon Rush: Rush is their guy. Grant Hill is good for two years at the most and they need a backup SF as well. Rush is underrated in my books.
16. Philadelphia 76ers- Darrell Arthur: The Sixers are one of the few teams that can afford to gamble on a player like Darrell Arthur. The Sixers will draft a big man, and it is really down to Arthur or Speights.
17. Indiana Pacers- Robin Lopez: They need a big man after they draft a player like Eric Gordon. Word on the grapevine is that Bird has a strong penchant for Robin Lopez.
18. Washington Wizards- JaVale McGee*: They like either McGee or Arthur, but Arthur’s medical problems should scare away the Wizards. Trade talks are looming with the Houston Rockets. If they drop to 25, expect them to still pick McGee.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers- Marresse Speights: Danny Ferry is looking to insert a young talent into their veteran-laden frontcourt. Speights is the wise choice.
20. Charlotte Bobcats- Roy Hibbert: After choosing a project Randolph, they need a NBA-ready player for Larry Brown. Hibbert is the optimum pick for them.
21. New Jersey Nets- Jason Thompson: They need a reliable scorer in the paint and Thompson can provide that.
22. Orlando Magic- Courtney Lee: They like Lee, so why not?
23. Utah Jazz- Ryan Anderson: They need an NBA-ready big guy and he’s the best option left.
24. Seattle Sonics- DeAndre Jordan: Funny how he was a top 10 pick a week ago. Don’t like this kid as well. A huge question.
25. Houston Rockets- Chris Douglas Roberts*: The sleeper of this year’s draft. Can be very, very good.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Nicholas Batum*: History tells me the Spurs will go for an international talent, and they should continue their trend with a variety of quality international players in the late first round. They can go for Batum, Jawai, Tomic, or even Ajinca.
27. Portland Trail Blazers-Alexis Ajinca: Has been wowing scouts in workouts last week.
28. Memphis Grizzlies-JJ Hickson: Would have been a top 15 pick next year if he stayed with NC State, but heres a player that can have an impact down the road given time.
29. Detroit Pistons- DeVon Hardin: The Pistons need a player who can defend and rebound. Hardin fits in.
30. Boston Celtics-Nathan Jawai: Celtics don’t really need anyone in particular but they can definitely take a role player in Courtney Lee as a solid bench option.