2008 NBA "Un-Mock" Draft

So with the excitement of the lottery now over, we now know where each lottery team is picking. With many sites putting up mock drafts, I think it would be important if someone wrote an “unmock” draft. That is a draft naming each player that would benefit the team if the team DOES NOT drafts that player.

Keep in mind that the players named in this draft have to be within reason. For example the Chicago Bulls will definitely not draft Kosta Koufos from Ohio State with the first pick in the NBA draft. Also, since everyone already knows that either Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley are going to be the top 2 pick in the draft, I decided to skip the first 2 picks because that just would not  be exciting.

3.      Minnesota Timberwolves- Jerryd Bayless

Bayless has an incredible amount of talent but he is not what the Timberwolves are looking for. With your big men, not named Al Jefferson, are Michael Doleac, Mark Madson and 6’9 center Craig Smith, the Timberwolves better go big or they are going to have many guard problems. With Randy Foye being the star guard on the team and Rashad McCants showing some flashes, they do not need another scoring “tweener” guard on this team.

4.      Seattle Supersonics- Kevin Love

The last thing the Sonics need is another big white guy drafted in the lottery. Both Robert Swift and Nick Collison were drafted 12^thby the Sonics in 2003 and 2004. Maybe the Sonics management thought that if they draft Love, then he might be three times better than Swift or Collison because he was drafted three times higher. Either way, three times better is not much better. The Sonics do not need a center shooting 3’s or demanding the ball that much because they want to build around Kevin Durant.

5.      Memphis Grizzles- Eric Gordon

Memphis took Mike Conley last year with the 3^rd pick, traded for Javaris Crittenton and Juan Carlos Navarro, and had Kyle Lowry start some games last year. With Rudy Gay and Mike Miller also scoring from the guard/forward position, they don’t need another scoring guard on this team. Look for this team to go big in the draft.

6.      New York Knick- OJ Mayo

Most obvious pick yet. Can you just imagine a team starring Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, and OJ Mayo? First of all, none of them would pass to each other, causing major chemistry problems, because 1. They all want to be the star of the team, 2. They know they aren’t going to get the ball back, and 3. Even if they passed to the other players on the team, no one is ever going to want to pass to Eddy Curry or Zach Randolph. Did I even mention Nate Robinson?

7.      Los Angeles Clippers- Brook Lopez

Elton Brand and Chris Kaman are one of the best frontcourt duo’s when healthy. They don’t really need a big man. What they really need are some point guards and three point shooters on this team.  With your current point guards named Smush Parker and Brevin Knight (cut by Bobcats last year) then you have a problem.

8.      Milwaukee Bucks- Danilo Gallinari

Andrew Bogut and Yi Jianlian. Just think how the Buck fans will react once they draft Danilo Gallinari. Granted Bogut is improving every year and it was Jianlian’s rookie year, the Bucks do not need another international star.

9.      Charlotte Bobcats- Tyler Hansbrough

Michael Jordan does what he wants and he wants Tyler Hansbrough on this team now, even if Hansbrough isn’t entering the draft. Jordan didn’t like his current options because Kevin Love was already taken and there aren’t any more NCAA tournament stars ranked this high. Maybe he will trade down and get Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and of course Mario Chambers. Would Hansbrough and Adam Morrison be the next 2 headed-monster. No.

10.  New Jersey Nets- Joe Alexander

Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson have not been traded yet so Alexander would get zero playing time behind those two. The Nets could use any guard or Center options, just no forwards.

11.  Indianan Pacers- Darrell Arthur

The Pacers desperately need another guard on this team. Jamal Tinsley has not done anything productive for them in years and Marquis Daniels, Travis Diener, Stephan Graham, Ronald Murray and Kareem Rush don’t scare other teams. Guard play is crucial in the NBA now and the Pacers aren’t going to win anything with their current guards.

12.  Sacramento Kings- Russell Westbrook

They obtained Sheldon Williams and Mikki Moore last year to play with Spencer Hawes and Brad Miller. Hopefully the Kings have figured out that Williams cant play and Moore had one good year with Jason Kidd throwing him ally’s on the Nets.  Shareef Abdur-Rahim isn’t a 20/10 guy anymore (more of a 2/1 guy now). Miller is getting old so it would be best if the Kings got a big man.

13.  Portland Blazers- Anthony Randolph

Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge will be occupying the post for the next 10-15 years from now for the blazers. Plus with Channing Frye and Joel Przybilla down there also, Randolph won’t ever step onto the court especially since he is a “project.” The only way this could be a good pick for the Blazers is if Oden actually never plays because his knees break again next year or retires in one year because of old age.

14.  Golden State Warriors- Roy Hibbert

Yes, it would always be great to have a 7’2 player on your team, but it would not be great if he never passes half court because your team runs like crazy. Plus he could clog up the middle and mess up Monta Ellis or Baron Davis when there driving to the hoops.