The Obligatory LIVE Draft Column

PICK 11 - PACERS - G Jerryd Bayless of Arizona.  Great pick for the Pacers, if they didn't just acquire T.J. Ford. Bayless has been up and down with his projection in the NBA.  This clears the way to send Tinsley somewhere, anywhere else.  The Pacers are cleaning house to once again become relevant after their title hopes were stolen from them by unruly fans and quick tempers several years ago.  Bayless is a great leader with high confidence.     

PICK 12 - KINGS - F Jason Thompson of Rider.  I do not know him. Can't even come up with a joke.  What does this mean for Vlade Divac?  Best I got.

PICK 13 - BLAZERS - G Brandon Rush of Kansas.  The Blazers continue to draft wonderfully.  Rush is a leader and a winner.  Sometimes too shy with the ball but that can and will change.  Best player on the best team in the nation, not rocket science.  

PICK 14 - WARRIORS - F Anthony Randolph of LSU.  Interesting pick.  Randolph has all the potential in the world.  Very thin, which is maybe not as big of a concern as in previous years.  Good pick for an uptempo team.  

Bilas rarely says anything bad about anyone.  If they're not strong they're long, if they can't shoot they are great "court generals."  I'm also certain that Stephen A. is on a mild dose of pain killers or something, he isn't holding up to the caricature that he has so carefully created.  

Van Gundy is struggling to get a word in, unfortunate because I like his outlook on things.  He has the perfect mix of dry humor/realism that is necessary when dealing with the ugly beast that is the NBA.  The NBA has a tendency to think it is way more important than it actually is, so it's good to have Van Gundy to hold things in balance. 

PICK 15 - SUNS - C Robin Lopez of Stanford.  Earlier than I expected.  The Pac-10 is looking amazing right now.  They should just run this draft on a non-stop loop on their website.  Lopez is the "lesser-twin" which will work for him.  Never underestimate the revenge factor.  He is also heading to play with Nash for at least a little while, that helps anyone.  I think he has every ounce of ability as his brother does.  Solid pick for the Suns. 

PICK 16 - 76ers - F Marreese Speights of Florida.  Another surprise big man.  Good offensive skills.  Thin frame.  Not a great defender, never dominated on the offensive end.  I am not on the "length/no strength big men who aren't really big men" bandwagon.  This is one of the reasons I think guys like D.J. White are undervalued.  Who would you rather have:  Tyson Chandler or Carlos Boozer?

PICK 17 - RAPTORS (heading to the PACERS) - C Roy Hibbert of Georgetown.  Limited player but you know what you are going to get.  Better offensively than one would think.  Above average defender with below average footwork.  Hopefully will help fill the void left by Jermaine O'Neal's impending departure.  

UPDATE... The Blazers trade Brandon Rush, Josh McRoberts, and Jarrett Jack to the Pacers for Bayless and Ike Diogu.  Brandon Rush heads off to play with his brother Kareem.

PICK 18 - WIZARDS - F Javale McGee of Nevada.  Probably a reach.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?