Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Confused about the NBA draft? Dr. Murphy has your remedy.


Okay, I know I slammed mock drafts a couple weeks ago but this was just too tempting! I made these picks based on what I’ve read everywhere combined with the situations and roster needs of the teams selecting them. Each pick also has a little further explanation. ESPN has a great application for fans and aspiring GMs, so log on to create your own and then follow along Thursday night.

1. LA Clippers – Blake Griffin (F, Oklahoma): Nuff said.

2. Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet (C, Connecticut): As the saying goes “you can’t teach 7 feet.” However, this pick is being heavily shopped – if the T’Wolves or Knicks are able to get to this spot I’d expect Rubio or someone else are selected.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Stephen Curry (G, Davidson): I’m not one of those who believe the Thunder really want to move Westbrook off the ball permanently. They are high on Curry who can play on and off the ball, allowing Westbrook to spend the majority of his time at the point.

4. Sacramento Kings – Ricky Rubio (G, Spain): OKC helps out the Kings who snag the smartest point guard in the draft with a rare combination of experience and upside.

5. Minnesota T’Wolves – James Harden (G, Arizona State): Fills in the scoring load vacated by Miller in the recent trade.

6. Minnesota T’Wolves – Tyreke Evans (G, Memphis): Big, versatile guard in the mold of Randy Foye who had a nice season in Minny last year as a combo guard.

7. Golden State Warriors – Jordan Hill (F, Arizona): Golden State has made some attempts to bring in a non-rookie guard so it looks like the Warriors will go big and word on the street is they were going to take Jordan Hill anyways.

8. New York Knicks – Brandon Jennings (G, Italy): Probably the best system and coach for Jennings who brings a little star power to the big apple.

9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan (G/F, USC): DeRozan is a young, athletic swingman going to a team that really needs one.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Jonny Flynn (G, Syracuse): He can probably play right away and would see quality time as Sessions backup (assuming he is resigned this summer).

11. New Jersey Nets – Jrue Holiday (G, UCLA): Maybe an unrealistic draft day slide, but Holiday would give the Nets a decent guard to spell Devin Harris.

12. Charlotte Bobcats – Terrence Williams (G, Louisville): Apparently Williams blew Larry Brown away in a workout last week.

13. Indiana Pacers – Eric Maynor (G, VCU): Best point guard available.

14. Phoenix Suns – Earl Clark (F, Louisville): Tall, versatile and speedy forward should pair well with Stoudamire and the fast-paced Suns.

15. Detroit Pistons – James Johnson (F, Wake Forest): The Pistons are hoping Clark falls to them but Johnson is the next best athletic forward left on the board.

16. Chicago Bulls – DeJuan Blair (F, Pittsburgh): Chicago picks up a bulky, physical forward in the mold of Leon Powe.

17. Philadelphia 76ers – Ty Lawson (G, North Carolina): A proven winner, the speedy guard would help the 76ers keep up the pace they started to play with at the end of last season.

18. Minnesota T’Wolves – Austin Daye (F, Gonzaga): After getting a guard earlier it makes sense to pick up a young swingman with plenty of potential.

19. Atlanta Hawks – Jeff Teague (G, Wake Forest): Teague gives you the best point guard available who can also score.

20. Utah Jazz – Tyler Hansbrough (F, North Carolina): It just makes sense.

21. New Orleans Hornets – B.J. Mullens (C, Ohio State): With Tyson Chandler apparently on the block Chris Paul needs someone to throw alley-oops to.

22. Portland Trailblazers – Omri Casspi (F): A tough, athletic 3 that may develop overseas for a year or two.

23. Sacramento Kings – DaJuan Summers (F, Georgetown): A versatile shooter in Summers will make the bench a little bit deeper in Sacramento.

24. Dallas Mavericks – Gerald Henderson (G, Duke): This is probably Henderson’s floor and if he lands here could eventually fill the role that Jerry Stackhouse had a couple years ago.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chase Budinger (G, Arizona): Gives OKC some quality perimeter shooting off the bench.

26. Chicago Bulls – Toney Douglas (G, Florida State): A good defender and developing scorer with experience is welcome at this this stage in the draft.

27. Memphis Grizzlies – Sam Young (F, Pittsburgh): With this pick Memphis can get a gritty forward to spell Rudy Gay.

28. Minnesota T’Wolves – DeMarre Carroll (F, Missouri): After getting a 1 and a 3 they now can grab the best big man available.

29. LA Lakers – Nick Calathes (G, Florida): LA nabs a large guard that will develop overseas and off the books.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers – Taj Gibson (F, USC): Solid and experienced, plus the Cavs really need someone other than Ben Wallace to chase around Rashard Lewis. Jonas Jerebko is another possibility here.

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