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So the coverage starts at 7 tonight. Is the first pick around 8? I just want to make sure I'm home in time.
:: Official NBA Draft Thread - June 26, 7PM EST ::
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by lnmymind,
- Start date
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+*$! Rod Thorn
...it better not happen....it better not
...Mareese Speights is going to be a bust. Philly doesn't need him.
...it better not happen....it better not
...Mareese Speights is going to be a bust. Philly doesn't need him.
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I'm going over to Pat's to watch the draft. I had to force homie to watch it
He doesn't think he's getting drafted.
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[h1][/h1]
[h1]Chad Ford's Mock Draft, Version 7.0: Picks 1-30[/h1]
By Chad Ford
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: June 26, 2008
Finally, NBA draft day is here. After weeks of uncertainty, we'll get resolution Thursday night (ESPN, 7 ET) on one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent history.
Even at this stage, mock drafts are not an exact science. Less than 24 hours before the draft, the teams drafting at No. 2 and No. 3 still didn't know what they were going to do.
Here's our latest take, after talking to numerous NBA team sources, on how the draft will play out. Check back later on Thursday for updates to the mock draft.
Remember, this mock draft is not a report of what I think teams should do. Rather, it's a forecast of what they are likely to do.
To see how the prospects rank, check out our newly updated Top 100.
[table][tr][td]CHAD FORD'S MOCK DRAFT[/td] [/tr][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PG
Chicago
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196
Age: 19
School: Memphis
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: With the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select ...
No one expects any surprises on Thursday. Rose has been the popular choice for weeks and his selection has seemed to be a foregone conclusion for the past two weeks.
I think it's a wise choice. While Beasley is an offensive beast, Rose gives the Bulls leadership, athleticism, defense and a winning attitude. He'll make everyone in Chicago better and quickly help turn around a franchise in desperate need of a shot in the arm.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PF
Miami
Height: 6-8
Weight: 239
Age: 19
School: Kansas State
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Heat have given up hope that somehow Rose falls to them at No. 2. They've been working the phones for the past few days trying to find a deal that brings them back O.J. Mayo and some future cap relief (in particular, they're trying to move Mark Blount). As of Wednesday night, they hadn't found a partner.
If the Sonics, Clippers or Grizzlies can't step to the table, the Heat could take Beasley and trade him to Minnesota for Mayo and a draft pick. The Wolves own the Heat's 2009 first-round pick, and I'm sure Pat Riley would like it back.
But if they can't find a trade they like, the Heat will face a tough dilemma: Whether to grab the guy they want for Riley's system and philosophy (Mayo) or take the superior talent (Beasley).
My gut says that Riley will come to his senses and take Beasley at No. 2. No offense to Mayo, who's also a great talent, but Beasley is the right pick for Miami.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SG
Minnesota
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Age: 20
School: USC
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Wolves remain the most difficult team to peg right now.
They continue to cross their fingers that Beasley falls to them here directly or by trade. If he doesn't, they have some difficult decisions to make.
Mayo has the most talent of any player remaining on the board, but he doesn't fill a need -- the Wolves are loaded with young perimeter players.
It sounds like GM Kevin McHale is in love with Kevin Love, but the Wolves think No. 3 is a little high for Love. So do they try to trade down to get him while picking up another asset? If they do, they risk another team taking Love, such as Memphis. But the Grizzlies appear to be leaning toward Eric Gordon at No. 5.
If he slips past No. 5, the Wolves could make a deal with the Knicks or Clippers to bring back a player, some cap relief or a future first-round pick.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Seattle
Height: 7-0
Weight: 258
Age: 20
School: Stanford
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Seattle GM Sam Presti is notoriously tough to read, but sources say it appears that Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, and Eric Gordon are in the mix for the Sonics.
Seattle has been talking to other teams about moving down a few spots, with an eye toward drafting one of those three. But with the Knicks' strong interest in Westbrook and Gordon at No. 6 and the Clippers looking at Westbrook, Gordon and Lopez at No. 7, the Sonics could lose out on the guy they really want. So they might just end up keeping their pick.
I think Presti's heart is with Westbrook but his head will tell him to take Lopez. With recent lottery picks Robert Swift and Mouhamed Sene looking like busts so far, the Sonics have a huge hole in the middle.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SG
Memphis
Height: 6-3
Weight: 222
Age: 19
School: Indiana
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Grizzlies have also been talking trade with a number of teams. On Monday we reported that the Knicks were talking to Memphis about swapping David Lee and the expiring contract of Malik Rose for the No. 5 pick and Brian Cardinal's awful contract.
However, as of Wednesday night, those talks appeared dead. According to sources, Lee's representatives sent a message to the Grizzlies that Lee didn't want to play in Memphis and would refuse to sign a free agent deal with the Grizzlies next summer.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SF
New York
Height: 6-9
Weight: 212
Age: 19
Country: Italy
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: OK, we've come full circle.
We had Danilo Gallinari going to the Knicks in our first mock draft, but dropped him when a Suns source said that Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni wasn't a big fan. Apparently Gallinari's workout, combined with some research by the Knicks, has changed that opinion. Gallinari has worked out well everywhere and it sounds like the Knicks are comfortable with him here.
Russell Westbrook is also a strong possibility if he is on the board. Ditto for Eric Gordon. Joe Alexander is the dark horse -- the Knicks' brass watched him work out for a second time and really likes him.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PG
L.A. Clippers
Height: 6-3
Weight: 192
Age: 19
School: UCLA
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Clippers have been trying to move up in the draft to get Mayo or Gordon. There's a chance that they can pull it off if the Wolves or Sonics are willing to bet that the guy they are targeting (see above) will be available at No. 7. If those teams are open to a deal, then the Clippers are willing to trade a future first-round pick to move up. As it turns out, it appears that Love will be available at No. 7 -- and Lopez, too, if the Clippers move to No. 4.
If the Clippers don't move up, they might have a very tough decision between Jerryd Bayless, Russell Westbrook and D.J. Augustin. Bayless is a scorer who could eventually become a Chauncey Billups-type point guard. Westbrook is a defensive stopper whose great athleticism lets him make plays all over the court -- and he's a great team guy. Augustin is the purest point guard in the draft -- he can shoot, he creates on offense, and he wins.
I don't know which way the Clippers will go, but I'm pretty sure that the pick will be one of those three.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SF
Milwaukee
Height: 6-8
Weight: 220
Age: 21
School: West Virginia
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Alexander is a high-energy forward who impressed GM John Hammond and new coach Scott Skiles with his toughness and grit. That's exactly what the Bucks are going for right now. Hammond wants to change the culture in Milwaukee, and Alexander has that capability. He also fits a need. The Bucks will be shopping small forward Bobby Simmons (along with just about everyone else) hard this summer.
It sounds like Anthony Randolph and Kevin Love are the other two players the Bucks are looking at closely here. But Randolph is further away than Alexander right now, and Love isn't a great fit for the Bucks' frontcourt.
Alexander is still a work in progress, but if he figures things out, he has a chance to be really special.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PF
Charlotte
Height: 6-10
Weight: 255
Age: 19
School: UCLA
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: If the draft plays out this way, Charlotte is going to be really happy. Love would bring the Bobcats toughness, rebounding, basketball IQ and the ability to step in and contribute right away. He is a tough rebounder and a skilled low-post scorer, and a Larry Brown type of player -- he knows how to "play the right way." While he doesn't have ideal size for a post player, he knows his way around the basket.
The dark horse here is Anthony Randolph, who is very high on Charlotte's board, according to sources.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PG
New Jersey
Height: 6-0
Weight: 172
Age: 20
School: Texas
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: If Augustin is the pick, he probably won't be wearing a Nets hat for long.
The Nets appear to have three players in mind -- Kevin Love, Brook Lopez and Danilo Gallinari. If they are off the board, as we project here, then look for New Jersey to make a trade with Portland that would bring the Nets the No. 13 pick, the No. 33 pick, and Jarrett Jack for the No. 10 pick and Maurice Ager. In that case, the Blazers would probably want Augustin.
If that trade happens, look for the Nets to take Robin Lopez with the No. 13 pick.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Indiana
Height: 7-1
Weight: 265
Age: 19
School: Ohio State
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Pacers have been eyeing two point guards -- D.J. Augustin and Russell Westbrook -- for a while. But now that Pacers are landing T.J. Ford, they can afford to look elsewhere.
Kosta Koufos, Darrell Arthur and Robin Lopez are three bigs who could entice Indiana. Koufos and Arthur excel on offense, while Lopez can get it done on defense.
One dark horse is Brandon Rush, a great fit in the type of offense Pacers coach Jim O'Brien likes to run.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PG
Sacramento
Height: 6-3
Weight: 204
Age: 19
School: Arizona
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Sacramento will go nuts with excitement if Bayless is still on the board here. With Beno Udrih expected to sign elsewhere, the Kings need a point guard in the worst way and would be thrilled if Bayless or Augustin were to fall to them. Bayless could go as high as No. 4, but he could also slide this far.
Another option for the Kings is Roy Hibbert. He wouldn't be an upside pick, but he could step in right away and contribute. They also are big fans of Donte' Greene.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PF
Portland
Height: 6-10
Weight: 197
Age: 18
School: LSU
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: It seems unlikely the Blazers will actually keep this pick. They are loaded with young players and have a history of draft day activity on the trade market.
As noted above, the Blazers are quite possibly on track to acquire the No. 10 pick and take D.J. Augustin.
Also, the team has been eyeing Joe Alexander and Russell Westbrook, and hoping to move up to get one of them -- but so far, the the Blazers haven't found the right deal.
But let's assume for the moment that Portland does keep the pick. For the past several weeks we've had Brandon Rush in this spot. But the more I talk to the Blazers, the more I think they may not be able to pass on Randolph, a guy with high lottery talent who slipped because teams will have to be patient with him.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SF
Golden State
Height: 6-9
Weight: 221
Age: 20
School: Syracuse
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: If Kosta Koufos is on the board, his combination of size and offensive skill would be a nice complement to Andris Biedrins' defensive and rebounding prowess.
If Koufos is off the board, Golden State will probably be deciding between Robin Lopez (if available), Jason Thompson and Donte' Greene. While Greene doesn't fit a need, he may be the best talent of the three. His game is reminiscent of Rashard Lewis', and he may be too good for Golden State to pass up.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SG
Phoenix
(via Atlanta)
Height: 6-7
Weight: 205
Age: 22
School: Kansas
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Suns have been eyeing Rush, a college veteran who can step in and play the 2 and the 3. Rush can hit open shots, play defense and stay out of the way of the Suns' stars.
Other candidates: The Suns have major interest in Mario Chalmers and Robin Lopez, and Anthony Randolph would be very tough to pass up.
But the future is now in Phoenix, and Rush seems like the guy.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Philadelphia
Height: 6-11
Weight: 250
Age: 20
School: Texas A&M
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: At this point in the first round, you can roll the dice and take a flier on a young talent -- especially a team like the Sixers, who are in the middle of rebuilding.
Jordan has as much upside as anyone in the draft. He's huge and athletic, and he resembles, superficially, Dwight Howard.
The problem is that Jordan doesn't know how to play yet. He is a big-time project who could take two to three years to develop. If he turns into Andrew Bynum, great move. If he turns into Patrick O'Bryant ... yikes.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PG
Indiana (via Toronto)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170
Age: 22
School: Kansas
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Pacers have agreed to acquire T.J. Ford, but they also know that they'll need more help in the backcourt, especially with Ford's injury history.
Chalmers' ability to play both backcourt positions and defend makes him a great pick here.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PF
Washington
Height: 6-9
Weight: 216
Age: 20
School: Kansas
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Wizards could lose free agent Antawn Jamison to free agency this summer. In case they do, they might want Arthur, a player who in a lot of ways is Jamison's clone -- a face-up 4 who runs the floor and can score in a variety of ways.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Cleveland
Height: 7-0
Weight: 245
Age: 20
School: Stanford
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Cavs need help inside and are hoping that Koufos falls to them. If he doesn't, they'll still do big. Lopez is kind of a clone of Anderson Varejao. But no one believes Varejao will be in Cleveland much longer.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Charlotte (via Denver)
Height: 7-2
Weight: 275
Age: 21
School: Georgetown
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Larry Brown wants a center who has experience. Hibbert is a rare four-year senior who knows how to play. Adding Hibbert allows Charlotte to move Emeka Okafor to the 4 spot.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: F
New Jersey
(via Dallas)
Height: 6-10
Weight: 225
Age: 20
College: Cal
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: If the Nets grab a center with their first pick, they might look to add some finesse with their second pick. Anderson's ability to shoot the basketball and rebound could make him a good replacment for Nenad Krstic.
J.J. Hickson is also a potential fit here.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SG
Orlando
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200
Age: 22
School: Western Kentucky
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Magic need a 2 guard and they like Courtney Lee. But they are also very thin up front and could use big bodies to help out in the paint. I hear the draft room is split between Lee and Speights. At the end of the day I think they'll go with Lee.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Utah
Height: 7-1
Weight: 240
Age: 20
Country: France
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Jazz are always on the lookout for size and upside. Ajinca has been dominating guys in workouts, and as an upside pick, the Jazz probably can't go wrong here.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PF
Seattle
(via Phoenix)
Height: 7-0
Weight: 241
Age: 20
School: Nevada
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: McGee has tremendous upside. He can run the floor and is pretty skilled. He just needs to get much, much stronger.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Houston
Height: 6-10
Weight: 245
Age: 19
School: Florida
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Marreese Speights has too much talent to slip any further in the draft than this.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SF
San Antonio
Height: 6-8
Weight: 210
Age: 19
Country: France
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Batum went into a workout with the Spurs on Wednesday and then disappeared off the grid. His medical reports never came out. His agent didn't return calls. I think the Spurs may have wrapped him up.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: C
Portland
Height: 7-2
Weight: 237
Age: 21
Country: Croatia
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Blazers will go international here. They've been eyeing Serge Ibaka and Nicolas Batum. But Batum is likely going higher. Ibaka is on the verge of signing a big deal in Spain.
Tomic looks like the safe bet here. The Blazers like him and he wants to come to the NBA someday.
J.J. Hickson is also in the mix here.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PF
Memphis
Height: 6-9
Weight: 240
Age: 19
School: NC State
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: The Grizzlies are trying to move this pick, but if Hickson is here, they should grab him. They need toughness in the paint and Hickson has tremendous upside.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: PF
Detroit
Height: 6-11
Weight: 250
Age: 21
School: Rider
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Thompson could go as high as 14. He'll also get looks from several teams throughout the first round. But there's no way he slips past Detroit at No. 29. He's exactly what the Pistons are looking for -- a skilled big man who can rebound and defend.
[table][tr][td]PICK[/td] [td]TEAM[/td] [td]PLAYER[/td] [td]VITALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [td][/td] [td] [/td] [td]Position: SF
Boston
Height: 6-6
Weight: 195
Age: 21
School:Memphis
[/td] [/tr][/table]
The skinny: Of Boston's big three, Ray Allen looks like the one who could use the most help. Chris Douglas-Roberts can step in from day one and become an important player off the bench. His ability to shoot and score would be a big help.
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- Jun 10, 2004
Crawford will exceed NBA expectations
I've studied the videotape, crunched the statistics and settled upon five reasons why former University of Kentucky guard Joe Crawford looks like a value pick in the second round of the NBA draft tonight.
Not his jumper. Not his persistent itch to score. Not the way he learned to embrace playing defense for new UK coach Billy Gillispie.
Here are my five reasons:
Tayshaun Prince.
Keith Bogans.
Kelenna Azubuike.
Chuck Hayes.
Rajon Rondo.
Five former UK players who were kicked more frequently than loose gravel as they eased into the draft. Five guys who have performed better than their predraft expectations.
Five guys guaranteed to stir more debate about the Tubby Smith Era at UK. Tubby Bashers will look at what those five guys have done in the pros and wonder why Smith didn't squeeze more from them in college. They could say he held them back. Tubby's People will respond that Tubby knew talent and taught those guys how to play and work.
I believe Crawford will be a sixth member of that club, a guy who will eventually grind his way to an NBA career even if he is not picked in the second round in New York City tonight.
Crawford will achieve more than doubters believe he will achieve. Crawford will surprise people as the five UK players I have mentioned did.
"It might be a coincidence that those five guys from Kentucky have that similarity," said Jim Clibanoff, president of ClibHoops, an NBA scouting service based in Philadelphia. "Or it might be that all five developed a tremendous work ethic playing for Tubby.
"Every one of them had questions. Prince was too lean. Hayes was too small. But they all have worked through the questions."
The trend is difficult to dispute. It began in 2002, when Detroit used the 23rd pick to select Prince, whose name was called after Casey Jacobsen, Ryan Humphrey and Curtis Borchardt.
The same Tayshaun Prince who was named to the U.S. Olympic team this week.
Bogans lasted until the 43rd pick in 2003. He started 35 games for Orlando this past season. He made 148 three-pointers. Only 21 NBA players made more.
Nobody in this group has a more uplifting story than Azubuike. He left UK in 2005. He was not drafted. He played one season in the NBA Developmental League, earning a tryout with Houston. The Rockets cut him. He returned to the D-League and played his way into an opportunity with Golden State.
In the past 1 ½ years, he's played in 122 games, averaging more than eight points.
Hayes wasn't supposed to be in the NBA, either. Like Azubuike, he was undrafted in 2005. He bulled his way out of the D-League onto the Rockets' roster in January 2006. He's still there, starting 44 games for a playoff team last season.
Rondo's story went national this month. That happens when a player directs the Boston Celtics to the NBA title less than two years after he lasted 21 picks because of legitimate questions about his jumper.
Now comes Crawford, who worked out for the Celtics last week in Boston and chatted with Rondo. Clibanoff said Crawford impressed scouts with his performance at a predraft camp in Orlando, Fla., this month.
Crawford did not come to UK expecting to stay four years. But staying four years taught him how to persevere, a skill that will help him succeed like Prince, Bogans, Azubuike, Hayes and Rondo.
someone give Joe a shot.
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- Aug 29, 2007
[h1]Chad Ford's Mock Draft, Version 7.0: Picks 31-60[/h1]
By Chad Ford
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: June 26, 2008
• Click here for Round 1
The second round of the NBA draft has grown in prominence over the past several years. Since 1998, the list of second-rounders who have gone on to have productive NBA careers is pretty impressive. It includes six All-Stars -- Gilbert Arenas, Carlos Boozer, Manu Ginobili, Michael Redd, Rashard Lewis and Mehmet Okur -- and a number of other talented players, including Monta Ellis, Anderson Varejao, Mo Williams, Jason Kapono, Luke Walton, Kyle Korver, Luis Scola, Amir Johnson, Louis Williams, Brandon Bass, Ronny Turiaf, Paul Millsap and Craig Smith.
Last year, several second-rounders -- including Carl Landry, Ramon Sessions, Glen Davis and Marc Gasol -- showed that they have a promising future in the league.
And this year the draft is considered especially deep, so you might not want to turn off the TV after the first round.
31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Miami)
Serge Ibaka | PF | Congo
The Wolves get one of the best athletes in the draft. Ibaka is preparing to sign a new contract in Spain and his agents told NBA teams on Wednesday not to take him in the first round. It's a big enough threat that I think the Wolves will benefit early in the second round.
32. Seattle SuperSonics
Kyle Weaver | PG | Washington State
The Sonics are high on Weaver, an athletic combo guard who can defend and slash to the basket. He's not a consistent scoring threat, but he fills the box score in just about every other way.
33. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis)
Nathan Jawai | PF | Australia
Jawai is a big body who can create space in the low post. He may return to Australia for a few years to keep developing before the Blazers decide to bring him over.
34. Minnesota Timberwolves
Nikola Pekovic | C | Serbia
He's a tough guy who uses brute strength to score and rebound in the paint. He'd go higher if it wasn't for his new deal with Panthanikos. He's making so much money in Europe now that a team will have to fork over a lot of cash to get him over to the States.
35. Los Angeles Clippers
.J. White | PF | Indiana
The Clippers have Elton Brand, but they could use a backup with White's rebounding skills.
36. Portland Trail Blazers (via New York)
Omer Asik | C | Turkey
On talent, Asik should be a late first-round prospect. Of all the 22-year-old international players, he's the guy teams covet. However, he's set to sign a five-year deal in Turkey with no NBA buyout, meaning it may be difficult-to-impossible to ever get him to the U.S.
37. Milwaukee Bucks
Damjan Rudez | SF | Croatia
Rudez is a big-time sleeper in the draft. He's a long, athletic forward who can really shoot the ball. He's outplayed some of the top talent in the draft in recent workouts
38. Charlotte Bobcats
Bill Walker | SF | Kansas
Michael Jordan lands one of the best dunkers in the draft. Had he not hurt his knee last year, Walker would've been a lottery pick.
39. Chicago Bulls
Richard Hendrix | PF | Alabama
Hendrix isn't flashy, but he is tough in the paint, can rebound and has the potential to be a solid player off the bench for the Bulls.
40. New Jersey Nets
Joey Dorsey | PF | Memphis
I'm not sure how the Nets will handle Dorsey's off-court stuff, but they need some toughness and athleticism in the paint. Dorsey can provide it.
41. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana)
George Hill | PG | IUPUI
The Raptors need to add a backup guard to replace T.J. Ford. Hill's ability to play both 1 and 2 will come in handy in Toronto.
42. Sacramento Kings (via Atlanta)
Mike Taylor | PG | Iowa State
Taylor is one of the most athletic point guards in the draft, but he's struggled to keep his nose clean.
43. Sacramento Kings
DeVon Hardin | C | Cal
The Kings need size, and Hardin is the most talented big man left on the board. He hasn't lived up to his potential yet, but in the second round you take a shot.
44. Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia)
Goran Dragic | PG | Slovenia
Dragic is an athletic point guard who can really get to the basket. Of the international guys left on the board, he's the most ready to come over and contribute now.
45. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto)
Jamont Gordon | SG | Mississippi State
Gordon is another sleeper. Strong and athletic, he just finds ways to make plays. I'm not sure he's a point guard, but he'll add some toughness and energy to the Spurs' backcourt.
46. Seattle SuperSonics (via Portland)
Malik Hairston | SG | Oregon
Hairston is solid in virtually every area of his game and is one of the few players left in the draft who could come in and contribute immediately.
47. Washington Wizards
Walter Sharpe | PF | UAB
This former blue-chip forward from Alabama struggled with grades and narcolepsy during his college years, but the scouts -- and especially the Wizards -- are intrigued by his talent.
48. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland)
Pat Calathes | SF | St. Joseph's
If Terry Porter elects to keep Mike D'Antoni's spirit alive in Phoenix, Calathes would be a good fit. The sweet-shooting point forward is still developing, but he has great potential.
49. Golden State Warriors
Josh Duncan | SF | Xavier
An athletic forward from Xavier, Duncan can shoot the 3-pointer and run the floor.
50. Seattle SuperSonics (via Denver)
J.R. Giddens | SG | New Mexico
On talent, Giddens is one of the top 30 players in the draft. But his off-court antics have hurt his stock. He is starting to get his life back together and would be tough to pass on this late in the draft.
51. Dallas Mavericks
Semih Erden | C | Turkey
The athletic center for Turkey is talented but can be a bit of a problem case at times. Still, at this point in the draft, he's a very good get.
52. Miami Heat (via Orlando)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute | SF | UCLA
Pat Riley was always enamored with Bruce Bowen. Mbah a Moute is perhaps the best defender in the draft.
53. Utah Jazz
Sean Singletary | PG | Virginia
The Virginia guard is a favorite of Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor. He's a talented scorer and distributor -- kind of in the Dee Brown mold.
54. Houston Rockets
Shan Foster | SG | Vanderbilt
Foster is a lights-out shooter, but his game is one-dimensional.
55. Portland Trail Blazers (via Phoenix)
Mantas Kalnietis | PG | Lithuania
The athletic point guard from Lithuania hasn't had much playing time, but he seems to have all the physical skills you'd look for in a point guard.
56. Seattle SuperSonics (via New Orleans)
Sonny Weems | SG | Arkansas
Weems scored as one of the most athletic wings in the draft during combine tests. He was never a dominant player in college, but he could turn into a nice role player.
57. San Antonio Spurs
Trent Plaisted | C | BYU
Plaisted's athleticism, energy and toughness will be major assets in San Antonio. If he had a bigger offensive repertoire, he would go much higher.
58. Los Angeles Lakers
Davon Jefferson | SF | USC
Jefferson has so much talent; he just doesn't know how to use it. The Lakers can afford to spend some time with him and see if they can get his game up to snuff.
59. Detroit Pistons
Darnell Jackson | PF | Kansas
Jackson brings his hard hat to work every day. That's what Joe Dumars loves.
60. Boston Celtics
Sasha Kaun | C | Kansas
The NBA champs draft the center of the NCAA champs. Kaun actually should be going higher, but he's got a big offer in Russia and it doesn't look like an NBA team can match. Still, if he develops down the road, he's worth the investment.
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Koufos going on the lottery? Give me Hibbert, hell even Robin Lopez, over Koufos any day of the week.
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Ford has the Bobcats taking Love & Hibbert? Why would they need them 2 AND Okafor?
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There is a very good chance Okafor leaves via free agency. Turned down that I believe $60+ million contract offer last season and I can see them allowinghim to test the market if his $ demands don't go down.
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Chad Ford's is an idiot. Does this dude really have Eric Gordon 5th and the Knicks passing on Bayless, Westbrook and Augustin?
If that's how it turns out, I'll slit my wrists.
New Jersey getting Augustin.
If that's how it turns out, I'll slit my wrists.
New Jersey getting Augustin.
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/\ They wouldn't keep him
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i was walking to work and i went past msg and i saw the lopez brothers.. tall bastards.
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^^^ my boy in your avy nh....
DJ will be a solid player
man im so hyped for tonight.....Seattle, Sam Presti if your listening BROOK LOPEZ IS NOT THE NEXT TIM DUNCAN!!! This guy is more STIFF, more ROBOTIC, andactually has LESS personality and swag than TIM DUNCAN....if your not getting Mayo or Beasley TRADE BACK!!!
man im so hyped for tonight.....Seattle, Sam Presti if your listening BROOK LOPEZ IS NOT THE NEXT TIM DUNCAN!!! This guy is more STIFF, more ROBOTIC, andactually has LESS personality and swag than TIM DUNCAN....if your not getting Mayo or Beasley TRADE BACK!!!
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So I saw D Wade 20 min ago leaving the gym at my school, he's having a basketball clinic. I asked him "What's the deal?" he said "Getyour popcorn ready!!"
I was like
I was like
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Augustin is going to be a beast. I went to a good amount of Longhorns games this past season, and the dude just plays the game right. I really hope we pick himup.
My opinion is biased though, 'cause I'm a Longhorns fan.
@"Get your popcorn ready."
My opinion is biased though, 'cause I'm a Longhorns fan.
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Originally Posted by cleansneaksonly21
^^^ my boy in your avy nh....DJ will be a solid player
I think so too. If we can't get Mayo (or Westbrook at this point), I think we should trade down and pick up Augustin and get rid of capspace at thesame time.
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For the love of God, do not draft the white boy.
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GOD at this point i'd rather have Love.........please get Beasley
PG: random PG
SG: Durant
SF: Green
PF: Love
C: Wilcox
PG: random PG
SG: Durant
SF: Green
PF: Love
C: Wilcox
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Originally Posted by HarlemToTheBronx
Augustin is going to be a beast. I went to a good amount of Longhorns games this past season, and the dude just plays the game right. I really hope we pick him up.
My opinion is biased though, 'cause I'm a Longhorns fan.
@"Get your popcorn ready."
I honestly think he's the best PG behind Rose. Westbrook is a freak athletically, but DJ got a nice J and knows how to run a squad. I see him doing bigthings in the L.
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I also hope my boy Sonny Weems gets drafted in the 2nd round as well.....hopefully he'll be a great contributor as a role player like Ronnie Brewer is onthe Jazz.
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Man i hope Chad Ford is just an idiot.. because if the Pacers draft Kusta Koufos with Anthony Randolph and Bayless still on the board...
Hell, if we take Kusta Koufos in the lottery period ..
Hell, if we take Kusta Koufos in the lottery period ..
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Im outside the Garden right now. Line is crazyyyyy long.
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someone give Joe a shot.
I %!%+* w/ Joey C
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Word on the Street: Denver trades #20 pick to Charlotte
by:
June 25, 2008
DraftExpress on NBATV
Check us out again on NBATV tonight at midnight (with continual repeats tomorrow and beyond) for a post-draft recap show breaking down everything that happened in the first and second round.
Second Trade Completed
After Portland and New Orleans completed the first trade of the NBA draft--with the Hornets selling the #27 pick to the Blazers for cash--we appear to have our second deal completed as well. Multiple NBA teams informed us that according to their intel, the Denver Nuggets have moved out of this year's first round, trading the #20 pick to Charlotte in exchange for a future first round pick (lottery protected). At 20, Charlotte is expected to take Roy Hibbert, who Larry Brown is reportedly extremely high on.
Indiana-Toronto Trade Back On Track?
Those same teams indicating that Denver and Charlotte had reached an accord also think that the Indiana-Toronto trade could be back on track as well. The trade would send Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto in exchange for T.J. Ford, the #17 pick, and Rasho Nesterovic. At #17, Indiana would likely select Robin Lopez or Kosta Koufos according to our sources.
Edit: The trade is done, although we're told it can't become official until July 9th due to T.J. Ford's status as a BYC player.
Sacramento Likes Mike Taylor
Look for the Kings to draft D-League combo guard Mike Taylor with the 42nd or 43rd pick in the draft tomorrow night, if he's still on the board at that point. Geoff Petrie has always been a fan of having a combo guard he can throw in off the bench-he hasn't really had a quality scoring option in that mold since Bobby Jackson. Sacramento's experiments with Ronnie Price and most recently Quincy Douby haven't worked out thus far.
As far as the first round is concerned-now that Indiana has landed T.J. Ford and are likely no longer in the running for a point guard with the #11 pick (Darrell Arthur and Kosta Koufos look like solid candidates), it looks very likely that the Kings could luck out and land D.J. Augustin with the 12th overall pick. The Kings would consider themselves very fortunate to land a player of Augustin's caliber this far down in the draft.
Where is Batum's Physical?
Multiple teams reached out to us today wondering whether we have gotten a hold of Nicolas Batum's physical yet. Batum underwent a series of heart tests in Cleveland on Monday and was cleared for workouts immediately afterwards, but still his physical is nowhere to be found. Batum traveled to San Antonio immediately after and was supposed to work out for Cleveland today. Some teams openly are wondering whether San Antonio gave Batum a promise and asked him to not distribute his physical around the league, which would make him very likely to slip to 26.
Batum is obviously a great fit in San Antonio, as the team already has two French players on their roster (Tony Parker and Ian Mahinmi) and sport a very aging perimeter with wing players such as Michael Finley (35 years old), Brent Barry (36 years old) and Bruce Bowen (37 years old) who will soon be clearing up plenty of playing time for an athletic, unselfish, defensive minded prospect such as Batum. He appears to be fully healthy, but it appears that only the Spurs and the Cavs currently have his physical. Multiple calls to Batum's agent Bouna Ndiaye were not returned.
Ibaka Wants to Go Second Round
An email from Serge Ibaka's agent Justin Zanik to every NBA team circulated on Wednesday evening, which may drop his client's stock into the 2nd round. Ibaka reportedly has an attractive four year contract offer from two separate ACB teams in Spain, which would provide him with a great deal of financial security, and also allow him to develop in a very comfortable environment. The contracts would have an NBA out after two seasons, but with a considerable buyout. Should Ibaka be drafted in the late first round, according to Zanik, "it would be a great burden to him to make the transition to the NBA if he is locked into the first round salary scale."
It appears that Ibaka, who we heard had many fans amongst teams such as Seattle (24), San Antonio (26), Memphis (2, Detroit (29) and Boston (30), seems very likely to drop past all those teams now.
Quick Hitters
-After conducting at least half a dozen "group mock drafts" with NBA teams today, it seems like the biggest debate is what is going to happen with Minnesota at #3. About half of the people we spoke with see Kevin Love going here, while the other half has O.J. Mayo. The player that doesn't go third will likely go fifth.
-JaVale McGee seems pretty confident that he won't slip past 19…
-The rumors that the Cavs are trying to move up and get the 13th pick from Portland (to select Brandon Rush) seem to be overstated.
-One trade that is definitely being discussed is Portland swapping picks with New Jersey. According to the rumor, the Trailblazers would send the #13 pick and Jarrett Jack to the Nets for Marcus Williams (who the Nets are extremely down on) and the #10 pick. Portland would love to get Russell Westbrook or Jerryd Bayless here, but would probably settle for Eric Gordon or D.J. Augustin as well.
-At #18, it looks like the Wizards are trying to decide between JaVale McGee and Darrell Arthur. It appears like both players will be there.
-At #8, it looks pretty much set that Milwaukee will take Joe Alexander.
