Mac's MOCK Draft (B.S.O.T.N.)

Well ladies and gentlemen, the 2009 NBA Draft is almost upon us, and mock drafts are popping up everywhere and they are all the same. Well, mine is a little different in the fact they they are based soley on team need, not talent. So Clipper fans, in my mock draft, Blake Griffin will not be going first. That honor goes to:

 #1 LA CLIPPERS--- Demar Derozan, C/F USC

Remember, I said this is a mock draft based on team need and not talent. Although Mr. DeRozan is talented enough that if he would have stayed in school for another year, he would have had #1 consideration next year.. Now I like Blake Griffin, but the clips could use another wing to run with B.Diddy and E.Gordon. Kaman, Camby, Randolph, and Thornton are all interchangeable up front and Griffin would add more clog to a frontcourt that is already filled with players who can score and do not play defense(I guess Camby does not fit either category)

#2. MEMPHIS GRIZZLES--- Blake Griffin, F Oklahoma

Saying that the Grizzles are teddy bear soft in the middle is an under statement. Griffin would immediately bring much needed toughness and rebounding to a soft Memphis frontcourt.

#3. OKC Thunder--- Hasheem Thabeet, C UCONN

If the Thunder hadn't been scared off by Tyson Chandlers toe, this pick would be different. Robert Swift, Nick Collison, and that other guy started at center for the thunder this year, and Thabeet's shot blocking abilities would ignite the break and get the Thunder's young stalions off and running

#4. Sacramento Kings--- Ricky Rubio, PG Spain

Everyone knows that Beino Udrih is the Kings starting pg for right now, but Rubio will be the starting PG for years to come. He is only 18 but he has game like a grown man. Oh, so what he cant shoot, he can work on that aspect of his game (look what Derrick Rose did with his J). But you cant teach PG instincts just like you cant teach height.

#5. Washington Wizards---Jordan Hill F, Arizona

I was gonna put James Harden here, but he is just a smaller, better shooting version of Caron Butler. The Wiz are soft in the middle, and Hill will fit the bill.

#6. Minnesota Timberwolves---Jrue Holiday, G UCLA

This spot was the hardest to peg. The T'Wolves have holes at pg, sf, and c. I chose to put Holiday here because even though Sebastian Telfair looks like he is finally starting to realize his potential, he is a FA this summer and will probably look to go elsewhere. The Wolves also have Jefferson and Love up front and can look for another frontcourt player like B.J Mullens at 18. They also have the opportunity to sign one of the many young wings that will be FA's this summer or via trade (Travis Outlaw maybe?)

#7. Golden State Warriors---Earl Clark, F Louisville

As long as Don Nelson is coaching this team, he will always take players who fit his system over anything else. Clark is a point forward who can take the ball-handling duties off of Monta Ellis and Steve Jackson. I can also see maybe Tyreke Evans here also.

#8. New York Knicks---Tyreke Evans, G Memphis

Quick, name the Knicks starting backcourt? You can't. Evans is a big, strong guard who can play either guard spot and can get to the basket at will. I have heard a lot of scouts saying that his shooting mechanics are bad, and they are hideous, but he was an efficient shooter from mid-range in college, and can improve on his post-up game to create mismatches versus smaller guards

#9. Toronto Raptors---Austin Daye. F Gonzaga.

Daye is one of the most offensively gifted players in this draft. If his knee is fully healed, he can be unstoppable on the right team. He really, REALLY needs to add weight, and he has the frame that he can do so and keep some quickness. Also needs to get better on defense.

#10. Milwaukee Bucks---James Johnson, F Wake Forest

Most games, he was the best player for Wake Forest. Others he was over shadowed by Teague and Aminu. Arguably the 2nd best bigman in the ACC this year (behind Psyco T). Needs to develop more of a postup game and could also add a mid-range j to his arsenal.

#11. NJ Nets---Stephen Curry, G Davidson

Vince Carter is starting to get old, and with his hefty contract, the Nets will be shopping him this offseason. Steph can come in and give them some much added fire power off the bench before assuming the starting sg spot in the future.

#12. Charlotte Bobcats---James Harden, G Arizona State

The Bobcats have two weaknesses, low-post scoring and a wing that can score. I could have put DeJuan Blair here, but Harden is more of a need. He can score in many ways, and would take pressure off of Gerald Wallace, and free up the Bobcats to shop Raymond Felton. This would be a great pick for his Airness and Co.

#13 Indiana Pacers---Eric Maynor, PG VCU

A rarity nowadays, he actually played four years of college ball! Maynor can score, and he also has great court vision, and can make plays. He also proved that he can play against the big boys by showing up big in the last two NCAA tournaments. With Jarrett Jack likely leaving, the Pacers will need another PG to spell, or eventually replace T.J. Ford.

#14 Phoenix Suns---Brandon Jennings, PG Italy

Brandon Jennings is the perfect understudy for Steve Nash in the Suns uptempo system. Fast, flashy, and very skilled, his game is all about beating his man up the court and getting to the basket. Really needs to work on his jumper and his defense, but he is still young and growing, and he would be behind the perfect player to show him the ropes of being an MVP PG.

Remember, I said this mock draft is based solely on team need, and not taking the best player available. Any objections or anyone who thinks that there should be other changes feel free to post your comments. Thanks!