Ever since the NFL Draft adopted its current Thursday through Sunday format, I've found it much harder to generate and/or maintain interest in the event (as a television program). With NBA playoff games airing daily this time of year and baseball a weeknight staple, I generally haven't caught the first night of the draft on television over the past few years which, of course, makes it's hard to muster enthusiasm to tune in to separate telecasts during the weekend when the name-brand talent is off the board. Given the current state of the NFL, I assume that the draft is much more profitable in this revamped state. Luckily for the teams, the importance of the draft in terms of roster construction is unchanged whether or not I find the it suitably packaged as television programming.
With several key free agents on both sides of the ball and a recent history of prioritizing quality over quantity in recent drafts, the New York Jets entered the 2011 Draft looking to stock the cupboard. They were especially needy in the defensive front seven and addressed that need with their first two selections. At No. 30 overall, the Jets drafted defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson out of Temple University. The Linden, NJ native stands 6 foot 4 inches and tips the scales around 315.
Rather than just trusting the Hair (Mel Kiper) and the Heir (Todd McShay) to tell me about Wilkerson and the rest of the newest Jets players, who were but a handful of the hundreds that they've studied over the past few months, I decided to contact Brian Dzenis, the Sports Editor of The Temple News, who has watched and covered Wilkerson for a lot longer than any talking head on television who we're likely to hear from this week. Dzenis came through in spades, answering a bunch of questions as he studied for finals and adding in some details that I hadn't come across anywhere else. For example: Against UCONN, Wilkerson caught a 3-yard pass on a fake punt play and didn't look too shabby doing it. Far and away, my favorite detail is that this defensive end wore a single digit number as part of the honor of being designated a "Temple Tough Guy" by a coach.
WWOD?: What was your initial reaction to hearing that the Jets had called for Wilkerson at No. 30?
Brian Dzenis: I'm not a huge mock draft guy, so I don't read into where players might go too much, but I certainly thought he deserved to be drafted in the first round.
WWOD?: Much of the pre-draft coverage of Wilkerson focused on his family and calm demeanor. Does that fit with the perception of Wilkerson on campus?
BD: Wilkerson is a very low-key, down to earth type of guy. In the two seasons I've covered the team, I never heard a peep about his character. He may not be the most exciting guy to talk to, but he works hard and his teammates and coaches respect him. He's a lot like his predecessors on the Temple D-line that have made it to the NFL, Terrance Knighton and Andre Neblett, they were quiet, but they always got the job done on the field.
WWOD?: Can you recall a particular game when it became clear that Mo was a bona fide NFL talent?
BD: The Penn State game this year certainly sticks out. Nine total tackles (four solo, five assisted) against a PSU O-line that gave him double teams multiple times is nothing to laugh at. His impact in a given game sometimes can't be measured on the box score, like when they played UCONN (and won), he didn't have a great game statistically, but the other guys around him on the D-line did because he could just take up so much space and create room for his teammates to make plays. He just always seems to find a way to make himself useful, whether it's the occasional multi-sack game or he'll just eat up double teams so his teammates can get to the quarterback/running back.
WWOD?: How many grains of salt, if any, should his stats and highlights be viewed given the level of MAC competition?
BD: I'm no fan of the MAC, but when he went up against Penn State and UCONN, two BCS schools, he handled himself pretty well. I think when evaluating him as a player, the thing that sticks out about him is that he's a 6-5, 300-plus pound guy who is FAST and is really consistent with his play. I imagine Rex Ryan was more impressed with his size/speed than the fact that he had three sacks in a game against Kent State.
WWOD?: Greatest on-field strength? Weakness?
BD: The guy wins nearly every one-on-one battle with offensive linemen and when he gets loose, he will end plays. I don't know how he'll adjust to being a defensive end in the NFL as opposed to a defensive tackle in college. I imagine there will be times when in NFL games, he'll be left on an island with a offensive tackle and that tackle will just get victimized by his speed. All the physical tools and work ethic is there, it's just a matter of how he'll pan out as a defensive end.
WWOD?: What's the story behind him wearing No. 9?
BD: When Al Golden was coach, he reserved the single-digit numbers for his "Temple Tough Guys," guys who exemplified Al Golden football, team values, etc. As for why he got No. 9 in particular, I have no idea.
WWOD?: On a scale of "It's a dream come true just to be in the NFL" to "We'll talk over Blue Hawaii cocktails before the Pro Bowl," how would estimate Wilkerson feels today?
BD: Definitely "It's a dream come true just to be in the NFL," He'll probably do his thing with the media when they first see him, but he likes to fade into the background and just let his play do the talking.
With the most accomplished players in the National Football League embroiled in lawsuits with the monied men who sign their paychecks and even the rank and file barred from clocking in at the office, the entrance of a new crop of young players into the NFL seems less a celebratory affair than normal. Nevertheless, the cameras will roll tonight at Radio City Music Hall and lumbering linebackers, serpentine cornerbacks and even a charismatic, regulation-averse franchise quarterback will be awarded new zip codes and oversize No. 1 jerseys of varying shades. Even a red-headed signal caller will be embraced.
As a Jets fan, the annual NFL Draft had become a de facto April Fool's Day until General Manager Mike Trader Tannenbaum landed key contributors Darrelle Revis, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, David Harris, Dustin Keller, Shonn Greene, Matt Slauson and Mark Sanchez in recent seasons. The most notable blemish (much larger than Kyle Wilson) on Trader Mike's draft resume is the ghastly Vernon Gholston pick in 2008. Gholston would fit in nicely on this Gang Green lowlight reel.
Reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2010 has the Jets selecting at No. 30 tonight, seemingly precluding a Gholston-caliber blunder. Sports Illustrated's Don Banks has the Jets tapping Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor as the successor to oft-injured Kris Jenkins. Meanwhile, the readers at Tim Graham's AFC East blog over at the Worldwide Leader have Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed as the Jets' choice. Everyone, including the crack(ed) staff at WWOD? HQ, seems to agree the bolstering depth of the defensive front seven is the team's greatest need. Although Shaun Ellis was a north-south terror in the Divisional Round of the 2010 playoffs against the Patriots, the Jets defenders did struggle to individually generate a pass rush. Everything needed to be schemed to create mismatches and overloads because no one was consistently winning one-on-one matchups.
Given the Jets recent history of eschewing quantity for quality on draft night, it will be interesting to see if they move up over the next few days. I'd assume that they won't because the cupboard is getting rather bare. And we all know how Rex Ryan feels about bare cupboards.
Jordan Hill Edition (This exchange took place a few hours before the draft)
WWOD?: i don't think I want him on the knicks. do i?
Hoopcat Counsel: You might. He's a pretty good athlete for his size, so he'll probably fit in with D'Antoni's style. But, he's not physically dominant and he's inconsistent. I feel like he's a stronger, better-rebounding version of Channing Frye. Which I guess isn't really saying much.
March showers (of tournament hoops) have brought June flowers (blooming bank accounts) for generations of talented young basketball players. For the NBA's member clubs, upside springs eternal in the annual NBA Draft. It is the special day of the year when the Los Angeles Clippers and the various expansion franchises usually take center stage and the prime-time clubs like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are barely heard from. Fans convince themselves that titles can be won in June. Oh, wait. They are. But not today. Reams of fabric are used to produce unlikely and unforgettable seven-foot tall suits. Experimental team logo hats are unveiled to the horror of merchandise buying fans across the nation. Teenagers and twenty-somethings have their dreams come true before our eyes. Tears trickle down the plump cheeks of proud mothers in the green room. Beer trickles down the chin of drunk and disapointed fans at Madison Square Garden. Fortunes are made. Busts are born. And, most importantly, longtime NBA commissioner David Stern presides over each affair like a father over a son's bar mitzvah, greeting each top selection with a "mazel tov." Or something like that.
No. 1 pick Akeen Olajuwon greets a mustachioed David Stern at the 1984 draft
The Chicago Bulls tapped UNC scorer (and second-fiddle to James Worthy) with the No. 3 pick in '84.
Years later, Jordan, as GM of the Washington Wizards, would select high school center Kwame Brown with the top pick in the draft. Even Brown thought it was hilarious.
Sir Charles, another member of the heralded 1984 draft class, looked splendid on draft night.
The modern draft lottery had to be instituted in 1985 to keep teams from tanking in order to select Georgetown center Patrick Ewing.
Never known for his humility, a teenaged Kobe Bryant triumphantly takes the stage after being selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick of the 1996 draft.
Lottery picks in 2006 and their clubs met in the 2009 Finals, but it's not what you think.
Jalen Rose in 1994. This fashion-forward forward has been credited with pioneering the long shorts trend.
Draft night can be an overwhelming but lonely occassion for foreign-born players like Yi Jianlian.
Or not.
After starring at UNLV, Larry Johnson was ready for prime time in 1991.
Be careful what you wish for.
This gentleman was drafted ahead of Loy Vaught, Dee Brown, Jayson Williams, Elden Campbell, Toni Kukoc, Antonio Davis and Cedric Ceballos in 1990.
From shaking hands with David Stern to trading cliches with Stewart Scott. It's sort of like going from a top college program to being selected by the Clippers. Booyah!
Less than 48 hours after being selected with the second pick in the 1986 draft by the Celtics, Len Bias died. Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
This suit is the most memorable aspect of Samaki Walker's NBA career.
And, the hits keep on coming...
In other white suit news, Lebron James went tops in 2003 and has not let anyone down.
The Kandi Man, on the other hand, let down many, many people after being the No. 1 selection in 1998.
Thumbs down
Kenny "Sky" Walker (left) and the top picks in the 1986 draft.
Members of the Class of 2008
The 15th pick in the 1996 draft, Steve Nash would go on to win two MVP awards.
This jacket was Penny Hardaway's size.
Although this mop-topped Serbian was selected 14th in the 1996 draft (just ahead of Steve Nash), he played in Europe for two more years.
Shaq, the star of the 1992 NBA Draft, has managed to become the center of attention on draft day in 2009 when a trade sent him to the Lebronaliers.
Coming out of Louisiana Tech in 1985, Karl Malone was not projected to be a superstar. Or deliver mail. But he sure looked nice.
No. 2 pick Kevin Durant brought his great-uncle Cyrus to New York for the Draft in 2007.
In nuclear physics - the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interaction of atomic nuclei - the number 8 is considered the second magic number. Contradicting the doctrine of De La Soul, the first magic number is 2 as opposed to 3. A number is considered magical if it denotes an amount of nucleons (either protons or neutrons) that are arranged into complete shells within the atomic nucleus. As of 2007, the numbers most widely considered magical were 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82 and 126.
Somewhere in the wilds of Secaucus, N.J., in a room dubbed the "NBA Entertainment Studio," it was determined through the bouncing of ping pong balls that the New York Knicks will select eighth in the 2009 NBA draft. This is the slot in the draft order that the Knicks were most likely to get. Mathematically. Given that they had the eighth-worst record in the NBA last season. And, since math and physics are like cousins, I think, then it is possible that there is something positive (not in an electrical charge sense, obviously) about having such a magical spot in the order. Perhaps it will work out.
ESPN.com's Chad Ford has the Knicks selecting Davidson combo guard Stephen Curry, even though he ranks UCLA point guard Jrue Holiday as the eighth best player available. All the talk about town for months has been about Curry. Now is when everything gets interesting.
The Italian curse words (and proverbs, perhaps) were likely flying fast and furioso behind closed Knickerbocker doors this week. And, no it's not because of Roma's disappointing start to the Series A season. It's because rookie forward Danilo Gallinari is out indefinitely due to a back injury. The timetable for his return (or just his "turn" since he was never really here which means he can't really "REturn") is more like months than weeks, and missing the season entirely is a real possibility. The Knicks selected Gallinari with the No. 6 pick in the recent NBA draft and he has been able to appear in one summer league game and 11 minutes of one regular-season game. Which is not exactly what we all had in mind when ESPN NNBA guru Chad Ford was touting this kid as "the perfect weapon for his new team: a 6-10 point forward who knows how to think the game." Although, I guess El Gallo has really been thinking the game lately, since he surely hasn't been playing it.
Now, Gallinari is young. He's just 20 years old. He's still growing. He doesn't have a known history of injury and he's been playing professional ball since he was 16. He should have a bright future ahead of him even if he misses this entire season. He should. But, him being from the Old World and this organization being the New World Knickerbockers does not bode well for his career. After all, hearing your name called by a Knicks rep on draft night has historically been a death sentence for European prospects.
The Knicks European Draft Picks Through the Years:
2008 Name: Danilo Gallinari
Draft Pick: 6
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6-11
Age When Drafted: 19
Home Country: Italy
Notable Players Knicks Could've Picked Instead: Everyone but five guys. Like lots of people.
What Happened: He experienced some lower back soreness following his debut in the Vegas Summer League in mid July. In that debut he scored 14 points in the second half after a timid first two quarters. The back pain led him to be ruled out of the rest of the summer league and eventually led to him to limited participation during the preseason. After make a cameo in the regular-season-opening win over the Heat in late October. Reports on Gallinari's health varied from him him needing back surgery to the pain all being in his fearful head.
2003 Name: Maciej Lampe
Draft Pick: 30
Position: Forward/Center
Height: 6-11
Age: 18
Home Country: Poland (by way of Sweden)
Notable Players Knicks Could've Picked Instead: Jason Kapono, Luke Walton, Steve Blake, Mo Williams, Keith Bogans, Kyle Korver
What Happened: Lampe never suited up for the Knicks. He was, however, part of the multi-player trade that landed Stephon Marbury back in New York. He went on to play parts of three seasons with the Suns, Hornets and Rockets before falling out of the Association. During those three years he played in 64 games and averaged 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per appearance. After giving up on the NBA, Lampe found himself playing in the Russian Basketball Super League. He currently plays for BC Kimki and was named the MVP of the Russian cup final.
Name: Slavko Vranes
Draft Pick: 39
Position: Center
Height: 7-5
Age: 20
Home Country: Serbia
Notable Players Knicks Could've Picked Instead: Zaza Pachulia, Keith Bogans, Mo Williams, Kyle Korver
What Happened: Mr. Vranes never played a single minute in a Knicks uniform and played just three minutes in the NBA during his "career." He saw three minutes of run for the Portland Trailblazers in 2003-2004. During those epic three minutes, which came in the waning moments of blowout loss to the Timberwolves, he missed his lone field goal attempt and committed a personal foul. After returning to Serbia he ended up signing with a team in the Turkish Basketball League. They were underwhelmed and loaned him to another club. Vranes fled home shortly thereafter. Still, being 7-foot-5 he was able to nab a multi-year contract from a Belgrade-based side in 2007.
2002 Name: Milos Vujanic
Draf Pick: 35
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6-2
Age: 21
Home Country: Serbia
Notable Players the Knicks Could've Picked Instead: Juan Carlos Navarro, Matt Barnes, Darius Songaila, Rasual Butler, Luis Scola
What Happened: Milos's case seems slightly different than that of the gangly likes of Lampe and Vranes. Vujanic is a point guard, and seemingly a pretty good one, who eschewed the NBA for the comfort of the Euroleague. Vujanic, like Lampe, was part of the eight-player blockbuster that brought Marbury to NYC. But he never suited up for Phoenix. He stayed on the Continent and tore it up over there, leading the Euroleague in scoring in 2002-2003 with 25.8 points per game. More recently, he won the Euroleague title with Greek side Panathinaikos in 2007. Vujanic now plays with Dyanmo Moscow.
1999: Name: Frederic Weis
Draft Pick: 15
Position: Center
Height: 7-2
Age: 22
Home Country: France
Notable Players the Knicks Could've Picked Instead: Ron Artest, James Posey, Jeff Foster, Kenny Thomas, Devean George, Andrei Kirilenko, Gordan Giricek, Francisco Elson, Todd MacCulloch, Manu Ginobli
What Happened: Last and certainly least, we come to the man who started it all. The man who begat the "Curse of Frederic Weis." It was June 30, 1999 and the Knickerbockers were five days off a shock run to the NBA Finals. The Minnesota Timberwolves were on the clock with the fourteenth pick. They selected William Avery out of Duke. Clearly a blunder. And fans in Madison Square Garden were ecstatic. Everything had worked out how they hoped. They were going to be able to add a hometown player to a roster that had just reached the NBA Finals. The team was going to reload and make one more sustained charge at a title before Patrick Ewing's contract ran out just a little bit down the road. It was perfect. Until it wasn't. Until it was a joke. And perhaps even a curse that would affect every draft pick going forward.
Because the Knicks didn't select Ron Artest with the fifteenth pick of the 1999 NBA Draft. Artest, who grew up in Queensbridge and went to college at St. John's, was the player that every Knicks fan wanted. He could defend. He could score. He'd shined on the court at Orchard Park and in the Elite 8. He was everything this town wanted in a Knickerbocker. He was one of us. And he has yet to play for the home team at MSG since he left school. The Knicks selected French big man Frederic Weis. He was a seven-footer and he never set one foot on the court during an NBA game. In fact, he never even signed a contract with the Knicks. The Chicago Bulls, meanwhile, quickly nabbed Artest with the sixteenth pick of the draft. His pro career has been a non-starter even though it has managed to stay alive. He currently plays for a team in Bilbao in the Spanish league. In spite of (or, really, because of) his irrepressible mediocrity and timidity, Weis was a part of one of the more memorable moments in the last decade of hoops history. While playing for the French National Team at the 2000 Olympics he was entirely cleared by Vince Carter as he threw down an amazing dunk.
In France the posterization of Weis is known as "le dunk de la mort." That means, the dunk of death.
While counting down the minutes until ESPN's NBA draft guru Chad Ford released the fourth iteration of his NBA mock draft a few weeks ago, I was struck by a moment of inspiration. I was standing on the edge of my toilet hanging a clock, the porcelain was wet, I slipped, hit my head on the sink, and when I came to I had a revelation! A vision! A picture in my head! A picture of this!
I saw a bright and shiny world free of Chad Ford's bright and shiny smile. I saw a loose confederacy of sports bloggers reveling in our collective obsession. To make this Ford-less dream a reality I've conducted the 2008 WWOD? NBA Blogger Mock Draft with the help and patience of the many fine writers devoted to sports blogging around the US of A (and oddly enough a Suns blogger in Italy). This blogger mock draft runs like the real-live NBA draft happening Thursday night, with each team's or city's blogger making a draft pick in the same order (determined by the draft lottery) that the real-life team officials will do so.
It always seemed to me that most of mock drafts were created by monolithic know-it-all voices and therefore have nothing to do with the real draft, which involves constituencies from every NBA city who live and die (and are employed by) their team and don't care if it makes for a better story if Player Z plays in City Y. Well, it seemed like that until now.
In the immortal words of Pete Venkman, "I love this plan. I'm excited to be a part of it." And I hope you are too.
Part One: The "Lottery" Picks
#1: Chicago Bulls, represented by C. Casson of Bull Riding: The Pick: Derrick Rose, out of the University of Memphis The Reason For: I have seen plenty of good scorer's and I do believe Mike Beasley will be one, but the hardest positions in the draft to cover are the center and point guard position. Derrick Rose is a truly unique point guard with extraordinary athletic gifts. They simply don't make them like Derrick Rose too often. The Pick Bull Riding doesn't want: To say I don't want a player on my team is harsh because as long as they're bringing something to the table on both ends of the floor, than I'm happy. If anything, I wouldn't want a guy who isn't going to come in and leave it on the floor every night, which is a rarity in today's game. You just don't find guys too often anymore, that you can say at the end of a game, "OK, that guy came out here and did everything possible to try and get his team a win."
#2 Miami Heat, represented by The South Florida Fan Blog: The Pick: Michael Beasley, out of Kansas State University The Reason For: This decision was pretty much like clockwork (though I fully expect the Heat to make the clock work for all its seconds). Prevailing wisdom has Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley as the premier players in this draft, so we were content to take whichever one remained. Though Rose would have been a better fit, we are quite pleased with Beasley, whose mammoth freshman performance at Kansas St. dwarfed even Kevin Durant's highly publicized showing last year in the same conference. Sure, Beasley has a quirky personality. So what? That should just make the Madden 2009 games with Udonis Haslem all the more invigorating! The Pick The South Florida Fan Blog doesn't want: O.J. Mayo. The Reason Against: Unlike Beasley, there are some legitimate character issues at play here. This, from a guy who takes pleasure in emulating black holes, considers himself a Hollywood starlet, and puts the shade in shady characters. No thanks. The Blogger and the Blog: I'm ASponge of The South Florida Fan Blog, the voice of the eloquent (if we deserve such an epithet) fan for all Miami-area sports teams.
#3 Minnesota Timberwolves, represented by TwolvesBlog.com: The Pick: O.J. Mayo, out of the University of Southern California The Reason For: After Beasley and Rose, O.J. is undoubtedly the most talented prospect left. The Wolves would be out of their minds to pass on him. The Pick TwolvesBlog doesn't want: Brook Lopez The Reason Against: He may as well be called "Bust" Lopez. There's no way he's worth the #3 pick. The Blog:TWolvesBlog.com is the most-visited Timberwolves website on the internet. We feature multiple daily updates with all the latest Wolves news and original articles, as well as podcasts and a very active forum community.
#4 Seattle Supersonics, represented by SonicsCentral/Save Our Sonics: The Pick: Jeryd Bayless, out of the University of Arizona The Reason For: While there are conflicting reports out there that would have the Sonics selecting Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, or Eric Gordon the odds on favorite still has to be Bayless. The Sonics are in need of a point guard who can mesh with young stars Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Furthermore the lack of aggression and penetration on the part of their guards has been a big factor in their terrible play in recent years. Bayless is a natural fit but the Sonics could go several directions and should select best player available. The flexibilty of Durant and Green will allow the pair to play any combination of the 2,3, or 4 positions and the new draft choice should be able to find a role in the offense no matter what position they play. PG However remains the biggest single need on the roster. The Pick SonicsCentral doesn’t want: Eric Gordon The Reason Against: At 6'3 he lacks the height to be an effective shooting guard in the league and with a top 5 pick teams should be wary of drafting players who lack the physical tools to be dominant at their position. If the Sonics are infatuated with Gordon they should trade down to acquire him in the 6-10 range. The Blogger and the Blog(s): I am Brian Robinson and I operate SonicsCentral and am a co-founder of Save Our Sonics, attempting to retain professional basketball. Over the last 5 years I have been accredited media for the Sonics, developed strong organizational relationships, appeared on hundreds of sports and news radio shows nationwide as well as television appearances. Additionally I served as a developmental consultant for tmobile.nba.com. As the co-founder of SaveOurSonics I have worked closely with and against team ownerships and the league corporate offices, represented the fans in testimony before the Washington State Legislature, and assembled more than 10,000 members to SaveOurSonics, conducting multiple events including a courthouse rally of more than 3000 Sonics fans this month.
(and, since the Sonics fans need to be heard now more than ever, I decided to let them pick twice. Sort of)
#4 Seattle Supersonics, represented by SeaTown Sports: The Pick: Jerryd Bayless, out of the University of Arizona The Reason For: Jerryd Bayless would be able to be a significant contributor right off the bat. The point guard situation in Seattle is bad. Luke Ridnour has been horrible ever since Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis left. Earl Watson isn't the floor commander a point guard needs to be. Bayless and Kevin Durant would form one of the top young backcourts in the NBA. The Pick SeaTown Sports doesn't want: Kevin Love. The Reason Against: Believe it or not, Jerryd Bayless isn't the consensus pick, and in ESPN's Chad Ford's latest mock draft, he has the Sonics taking Love. Although he is one of the most NBA-ready and the most fundamentally sound players in the draft, the Sonics would make a big mistake by taking him. The Sonics can't draft a player in the front line when their back court needs the most help. Besides, Kevin Love is almost a clone of Nick Collison in my opinion. The Blogger and the Blog: Kevin Cacabelos Senior Editor/Writer at SeaTown Sports.
#5 Memphis Grizzlies, represented by 3 Shades of Blue: The Pick: Kevin Love, out of the University of California, Los Angeles The Reason For: Who can utilize a "slow white guy with weight issues" better than Memphis, one of the fattest cities in America (BBQ Nachos rule!) that already employs the "running in wet concrete" stylings of Darko Milicic and Jason Collins? Besides, just think about how much mileage fans of other teams will get out of the frontcourt pairing of Rudy Gay and Kevin Love. In all seriousness though, Kevin Love is exactly the kind of player that the Grizzlies have been missing over the past few years -- a tough, fiery competitor with a wide range of skills who will exploit every advantage he is given. The Pick 3 Shades of Blue doesn't want: Danilo Gallinari. The Reason Against: As hard a time as Memphis will initially have in accepting a "slow, fat, white guy" as their top draft choice, if you go with a "white European whose game is predicated on finesse" to that mix so quickly after the Pau Gasol fiasco, then there is liable to be a riot in downtown Memphis. It's not that I don't think that Gallinari is talented and skilled (because he is), but he's not what most Grizzlies fans are looking for at this point, even if he turns out to be the next Dirk Nowitzki. The Blogger and the Blog: Joshua Coleman and 3 Shades of Blue.
#6. New York Knicks, represented by What Would Oakley Do?: The Pick: Joe Alexander, out of West Virginia University The Reason For: I'd like to say it wasn't just that NCAA Tourney game against Duke. But that wouldn't be totally true. I'd like to say that it wasn't just that Big East tourney game against UConn. But that wouldn't be entirely true either. And, most of all I'd like to say that my rationale for making this pick has nothing to do with something as predictably foolhardy as "tremendous upside." Alas, all three of those things are largely behind this pick. With my March man-crush Derrick Rose off the board and the two players that I would have been unable to pass, Beasley and Mayo, gone as well I can't help but tap Alexander. Some would say it was a reach but with Milwaukee poised to nab him two picks later I don't think so.
This thought process all started when I saw highly touted Italian player Dalino Gallinari slotted into the Knicks spot by the preeminent Chad Ford in his initial mock draft. To be honest, I liked the idea of getting a steal (which any risk/player ends up being if you're right) at the small forward position. The Knicks have been looking for a star at the #3 spot since Bernard King's knee injury. Most importantly, I agreed with Chad Ford that the Knicks should go away from the point guard position once we missed out on Rose or Mayo. There are two reasons why the Knicks should draft a small forward (barring a trade for the two PGs already mentioned). The first is that all the other top-ranked guards in this year's draft class are combo guards whose ships have had their profiles lifted by the rising waters surrounding Derrick Rose in the NCAA and Chris Paul in the NBA. Those two made the point guard position sexier than it's been since Isiah and Magic were starting the All-Star Game. Those two are "true" point guards and always have been. Those two are not shooting guards in point guard bodies. And, neither is Steve Nash, who ran D'Antoni's offense in Phoenix. But, you know who is a combo guard? Stephon Marbury. And a pretty darn good one, actually. If that's what we're looking for (and, in the long term, it is most decidedly not) then we're all set.
Forgetting about Marbury (if just for one sweet moment), it was thinking of Nash that made me finally settle on Alexander. Thinking about Nash made me realize the second reason the Knicks should not draft a point guard. Mike D'Antoni never developed a young point guard in Phoenix, he signed Nash as a free agent after the Mavericks figured out he was too old. Not to win MVP Awards. In fact, one of the point guards D'Antoni actually drafted in Phoenix, before trading him away, was Nate Robinson. Incidentally, D'Antoni's Suns also drafted Rajon Rondo only to trade him as well. So, this is a long way of saying that I don't think D'Antoni's strong suit (or main interest) is developing point guards even if he is a great point guard coach. I think he wants to bring in someone like T.J. Ford (or not, but you know what I mean) or just see what the PGs already on his roster can do with his offense. I think what he really needs unique athletic freaks like Shawn Marion to run his offense and I think Alexander is just that sort of explosive player.
Also on the plus side of the ledger for Alexander in D'Antoni's book, he went to West Virginia University (in D'Antoni's home state) and speaks Mandarin (D'Antoni is bilingual as well). Those two things should have gotten him in the Knicks coach's good graces. And, if those two things don't then the fact that his dunks are youtube gold and competitive spirit has been the only thing more impressive at pre-draft workouts around the league than his freakish athleticism.
And it's this athleticism that puts Alexander ahead of my Gallinari, the Italian small forward that Ford decked out in orange and blue all month long. These two guys play the same position are about the same height and are high upside guys. The knock on Gallinari is his athleticism. The knock on Alexander is that his handle and long distance shot need to be more consistent. Well, I think you can't teach Gallinari's deficiency while Alexander has years to hone his. Therefore I go with a small forward with two first names. Yup, another thing that I shouldn't like about him. Except I do. The Pick WWOD? doesn't want: Any player in the draft listed 6-10 or above. That means Kevin Love, Brook Lopez, Deandre Jordan, Alexis Ajinca, Kosta Koufos, Anthony Randolph or anyone else whose height was a virtual lock to get them this far (to the draft) since they were 15 years old. The Reason Against: If the Knicks are drafting a player who needs some polishing then I don't want him to be a plodding seven footer or a willowy pivot who needs to put on weight or even an overweight and undersized post player. So I don't want these guys. I want agile, springy and strong dudes who can move around and want to run right over other peoples faces. I want the guy who claimed his team was going to beat Duke in the NCAA tournament and who told a reporter in Detroit that he was the best prospect in a star-studded workout. I want Joe Alexander. The Blog: If you blogged here, you'd be home right now.
#7 Los Angeles Clippers, represented by ClipsNation: The Pick: Eric Gordon, out of Indiana University The Reason For: If Elton Brand (very likely) and Corey Maggette (a possibility) both return for next season, the Clippers four best players will be front court players. Meanwhile, their projected starting point guard (Shaun Livingston) has not played basketball in almost 17 months, and the collection of journeymen points who ended the season on the roster (Brevin Knight, Dan Dickau and Smush Parker) are something less than awe-inspiring. As for the other guard spot, Cat Mobley will turn 33 before the start of the season and is coming off the worst season of his pro career, and there aren't any other shooting guards currently signed. So while the old saying goes that you draft the 'best player available', the Clippers needs in the backcourt would seem to be an overriding concern. Fortunately, Eric Gordon may well meet both criteria. A great perimeter scorer with almost unlimited range and an incredible first step, possessing the body of an NFL linebacker, Gordon actually tested out as MORE athletic (better in sprints, agility tests, jumping ability and strength) than the supposedly super-athletic Jerryd Bayless and Russell Westbrook at the Orlando pre-draft combine. So he's big, he can score, and he's a great athlete. In addition, he was projected as high as the top three of this draft as recently as February. So what happened? A wrist injury and a coaching scandal at Indiana contributed to a dismal last month to his college career. The Clippers are hoping that those issues are long behind him, and that he can be the explosive perimeter scorer they've lacked for so many years. The Pick ClipsNation doesn't want: D.J. Augustin The Reason Against: Point guard is arguably the Clippers' bigger need, and it's highly unlikely that Gordon can make the transition to NBA point. But, DJ Augustin, the best pure point guard left on the board, is a stretch with the seventh pick. And while he would no doubt be an improvement over Brevin Knight, the idea of two point guards under 6 feet tall is a little hard to take. Livingston at 6'7" mitigates that problem of course, but the Clippers must fact the possibility that he could still be a long way from playing. I just don't think you can have your top two point guards both be height-challenged. The Blogger and the Blog: ClipperSteve of ClipsNation.com.
#8 Miwaukee Bucks, represented by The Bratwurst: The Pick:Russell Westbrook, out of the University of California, Los Angeles The Reason For:Westbrook is the best player available at this point. The Bucks despite having two guards under long-term contracts, clearly could use another good guard rotation. With John Hammond and Scott Skiles in town, I think Michael Redd and Mo Williams both have a decent chance of falling out of favor for not playing hard. That said, maybe drafting a guard motivates Redd and Williams to work hard. The Pick The Bratwurst doesn't want: Brook Lopez The Reason Against: With no other rebounder in the starting five outside of Bogut, it's a little dangerous to take a weak rebounder/strong scrorer with a shoot happy backcourt. The Blogger and the Blog: Jeramey Jannene of TheBratwurst.com
#9. Charlotte Bobcats, represented by Queens City Hoops: The Pick: Brook Lopez, out of Stanford University The Reason For: As long as he's better than Nazr, I'm happy. The Blog:Queen City Hoops.
#10. New Jersey Nets, represented (sort of, but without their consent) by NetsDaily: The Pick: Danilo Gallinari, out of Italy The Reason For: Some fellow who goes by the handle of Dumpy over at this blog says that the Nets would ideally draft Westbrook or Gallinari at this spot. The Blog: Like I said, this pick was gleaned from my readings over at NetsDaily. No one from the site ever returned my emails nor did anyone from the only other Nets blog I found (the one that really didn't want Gallnero).
#11. Indiana Pacers, represented by Indy Cornrows: The Pick: D.J. Augustin, out of the University of Texas The Reason For: The Pacers desperately need a point guard who can lead the team and, well, actually play. Augustin may have some size limitations but he knows how to lead a team from the point, pushing the ball into the hands of scorers as well as running the pick 'n roll in the half court. The Pick Indy Cornrows doesn't want: DeAndre Jordan Why: Despite his physical gifts I'm a little leary of his drive to be a great basketball player. He's young and his game is immature so maybe in time he'll be great but the Pacers need help now. Going the project route hasn't worked out lately. The Blogger and the Blog:Tom Lewis aka Cornrows.
#12. Sacramento Kings, represented by Sactown Royalty: The Pick: Anthony Randolph, out of Louisiana State University The Reason:: There's a 1-in-2,000,000,000,000.5 chance he becomes the greatest of all-time. The Pick Sactown Royalty doesn't want: Trent Plaisted. Really, I'm breezy besides that. The Reason Against: Becuase he's Trent Plaisted, man. The Blogger and the Blog: Tom Ziller and Sactown Royalty.
#13. Portland Trailblazers, represented by Sean from OregonLive: The Pick:Brandon Rush, out of the University of Kansas. The Reason For: Working with the best of what's left on the board, the Blazers elect to bring in the most versatile player on both ends of the floor. After working out for the Blazers last weekend, GM Kevin Pritchard openly stated his affinity for players who come out of big programs (and it doesn't hurt when that player recently won a National Championship at KP's alma mater). The Blazers are already loaded at the small forward position with Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw and James Jones, but Pritchard sees Rush's versatility as allowing him to contribute at positions 1 through 3. With the addition of both Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez to the mix, the Blazers don't need someone to make a major splash immediately, although, as KP has stated, Rush will be able to step in a contribute immediately. And head coach Nate McMillan has shown he's immune to rushing (pun intended) rookies into playing time. Pritchard has also made it clear he would like to add speed and defense to the backcourt rotation, both of which Rush will bring. The Blazers are entering a championship window and a long-term project (like many of the big stiff left) are not in Portland's plans. Pritchard is a man who likes to stack his assests and with the 13th pick, adding another asset to the mix gives the best GM in the league another weapon and further his Prtichslapping of the association. The Blog and the Blogger: Sean Meagher covering the Blazers over at OregonLive.
(and just because most people I know can't get enough Portland Trailblazers anaylsis they will be awarded to two picks. Sort of.)
#13. Portland Trailblazers, represented by Deceptively Quick: The Pick: Brandon Rush, out of the University of Kansas The Reason For:He brings length, athleticism, winning, and perimeter defense. He is competent enough offensively to keep the opposition cognizant of his existence. These types of adjectives are commonly applied to humans described as "critical role players," and such humans seem to help win championships. When you conceptualize NBA Brandon Rush, think Tayshaun Prince-ish (assuming a hopefully similar personality conducive to NBA productivity) with a less disturbing silhouette and a more hilarious hair cut. For a team like Portland that already has foundational franchise players in place, such an addition seems a natural complement. Of course, all this lacks the flair of what we come to expect from a Kevin Pritchard draft. Nonetheless, Rush is a healthy option that will likely be available should a sexy trade or seven not materialize on draft night. Watch and discuss. The Blog:Deceptively Quick brings you Blazers news and more from the Finnish Underground. Or something.
#15. Phoenix Suns, represented by the Sons of Steve Nash: The Pick: Mario Chalmers, out of the University of Kansas The Reason For: For once the Suns will draft a player they can use and not simply pick some talent and ship him somewhere else for future picks or cash considerations as they did with Loul Deng, Rajon Rondo, Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez. The Suns' biggest needs are (1) find a back up point guard to play at least 15 minutes a game; (2) add some defense to the team and (3) find someone who can play right now, as the Suns are looking at a 2-year window. Plus Chalmers reminds a bit of Terry Porter, solid defender, good shooter and ready to play with a 3-year experience at a top-level program like Kansas. So, Mario, welcome to the Valley! The Blogger and the Blog: Steve Fan of Sons of Steve Nash.
#16. Philadelphia 76ers, represented by The 700 Level: The Pick: DeAndre Jordan, out Texas A&M University The Blogger and the Blog: Enrico founded The 700 Level, a Philadelphia-based sports website for those who love their Philly sports but don't take things too seriously.
#17. Toronto Raptors, represented by Raptors HQ: The Pick: Alexis Ajinca, out of France The Blog:RaptorsHQ isn't simply a spot for stats and updates though, the HQ prides itself on its great community of readers who make the site what it is.
#18. Washington Wizards, represented by Bullets Forever: The Pick: Maureese Speights, out of the University of Florida The Reason For: Outside of Kevin Love, Maureese Speights looks good. He's the third-best rebounder of the [big man] group, behind Love and Jason Thompson, who played in a small conference. He's also a very efficient scorer (62 TS%) with his back to the basket, and that'd add a really nice dimension to our second team. He doesn't get to the free throw line enough, and he turns the ball over more than I'd like, but his rebounding strength and ability to score efficiently outweigh those concerns. He's also young, so he might be our best chance of getting a true impact big in the middle of the first round. The Pick Bullets Forever doesn't want: Just say no to Robin Lopez. The Reason Against: His rebounding, which I thought was a strength, is a major red flag, and he turns it over even more than Speights.
#19. Cleveland Cavaliers, represented by Cavalier Attitude: The Pick: Chris Douglas-Roberts, out of the University of Memphis The Reason For: Anyone who watched the Cavs-Celtics series knows that Cleveland has defense and rebounding down. They just need somebody other than LB to put the ball in the basket. CDR does that, and he's versatile in how he does it. His high basketball IQ would allow him to fit in almost right away. He doesn't fill a positional need for the Cavs, but he helps them get more scoring from the supporting cast, which is what this team sorely needs. The Pick Cavalier Attitude doesn't want: Kosta Koufus The Reason Against: Cleveland's frontcourt is known for being way too soft. Way too soft. Even after losing to the Cavs in the '07 ECF, Detroit players thought that the Cavs were still too soft despite beating them. You won't hear them say that about the Spurs or Celtics. Koufus is finesse, and the Cavs need strength up front. I'd take Marreese Speights here, but he went a pick earlier to the Wizards. The Blogger and the Blog: Amar Panchmatia, senior writer at Cavalier Attitude.
#20. Charlotte Bobcats, represented by Queen City Hoops*: The Pick: Darrell Arthur, out of the University of Kansas *Queen City Hoops previously selected Brook Lopez with the ninth pick in the draft.
#21. New Jersey Nets, represented (again, sort of) by Nets Daily: The Pick: Roy Hibbert, out of Georgetown University The Reason For: Just like the eleventh pick in this mock draft, this choice of Hibbert is based on the views of some fellow by the moniker of Dumpy over at NetsDaily.
#22. Orlando Magic, represented by Believing in Magic: The Pick: Kosta Koufos, out of THE Ohio State University The Reason For: Orlando is in need of a bigger point guard, a more dynamic shooting guard and a big man to compliment Dwight Howard. From a value perspective, Koufos is a steal for Orlando. His versatility on offense and size should give Orlando one of, if not the most formidable big man combo in the NBA for years to come. As polished as Koufos is on offense already, he will only get better and he has the ability to draw defenders away from Howard in the post. The Pick Believing in Magic doesn’t want: With players that are left on the board, I would hate to see the Magic select Bill Walker from Kansas St. In this draft, Chris Douglas-Roberts is off the board but if he is available at 22, I think it would be a huge mistake for Orlando to select him. Both players are G/F’s who are athletic and have a lot of potential, but neither one would fit in Orlando’s system, despite both players filling a need. The Blogger and the Blog: I am Brendan Sonnone, writer for Believing in Magic and Jaguars Journal at MVN.com. I also have contributed to dozens of other websites, including AOL.com and About.com, as well as Scout.com. Sports journalism has long been a passion of mine, and I am pursuing my dream of becoming a sports journalist at the University of Central Florida. I have lived in Orlando for most of my life and have grown up with the Magic and am forever dedicated to them, through good times and bad. Covering the Magic has been an excellent experience and the more I write about them, the closer I feel to the team, which is all any fan can ask for.
#23. Utah Jazz, represented by my best guess (because this team has fewer bloggers than Salt Lake City has people of color): The Pick: JaVale McGee, out of the University of Nevada The Reason For: In the run-up to the draft all you heard about was how they were going to take Hibbert. And, I don’t think that was just a PR move to make them seem, um, you know friendlier to large African Americans. I think it is the truth and that they want a big. They’ve got no interior presence from the center position. Okur can be great for stretches but he is a jump shooter and the lesser Collins brother is, well, he is the lesser Collins brother. Since Hibbert is off the board already I awarded them the next biggest thing. And a guy who has lived in Nevada and might be vaguely prepared to live in Utah.
#24. Seattle Supersonics, represented by SeaTown Sports: The Pick: Serge Ibaka, out of The Congo The Reason For: A solid talent at the power forward position. He will be able to improve and develop his game overseas. The Sonics will bring him over to the U.S when there is a roster spot available The Pick SeaTown Sports doesn't want: Jason Thompson. The Reason Against: Underdeveloped at the center position, while Swift, Petro, and Sene are all already under developed. The Blog:SeaTown Sports also selected for the Sonics earlier in the draft at the 4-spot.
#25. Houston Rockets, represented by The Dream Shake: The Pick:Courtney Lee, out of Western Kentucky University The Reason For: Because there is no way this actually happens. If Lee is still there I will do cartwheels tonight. He's 22 and not some 1 and done guy that won't contribute for 2 more years. The Rockets have 3 needs, 1. Get a new PG, 2. Get a SG/SF that can spell TMac and Battier and 3. Get a suitable backup for Yao, someone that can learn, help now and be traded later if we can't sign them. Lee addresses need 2 very well. He's 6'5 so he has decent size and has a good shot. Hell, he even can shoot free throws, something we at the Dream Shake really appreciate (See Tmac this year and any Chuck Hayes shot). He's not a fantastic ball handler, but I just lived through the Luther Head era, so he'll probably look like CP3 in comparison. I think I would really like the Courtney Lee era, maybe Tmac will even give him some of his old pointers on getting to the hole The Pick The Dream Shake doesn't want: Anyone that is French, even if Tony Parker comes into the draft, no freaking thank you! I just do not want anything to do with projects from countries that wave the white flag whenever they get a chance. Or those that don't get that while Eva Longoria is hot, she's 10 years older than you and you are a millionaire basketball player and can bang just about anything you want. The Reason Against: If I have to explain that to you I'll have Tommy come back there and hit you on the head with a tack hammer... The Blogger and the Blog: Lee Grammier is a Rockets and Houston sports fan for life (Also, Hook 'em Horns!) and can be found at The Dream Shake.
#26. San Antonio Spurs, represented by WWOD?*: The Pick: Nicolas Bautum, out of France The Reason For: He's young and quick (which they desperately need) and and French (which they clearly love) and probably already super-tight with Tony Parker. He also stopped working out or answering calls from other teams after working out with the Spurs. *Since there is only one legit Spurs blog out on the Interwebs and I couldn't track the writer(s) down.
#27. New Orleans Hornets,** allegedly*** represented by At the Hive: The Pick: Robin Lopez, out of Stanford University The Reason For: In reading up on what the Hornets need I noticed that some sort of physical front court presence was a high priority. If Hilton Armstrong is out of fashion in the Big Easy then Lopez should be in. He could end up being a steal at this point in the first round and is a strong guy who knows through and through that he is on the floor to get rebounds and hustle. The bizarre symbiotic division of labor that he and his brother has instilled a knowledge of his role into him and as long as their isn't some weird twin-inferiority complex that we don't know about then he will be perfectly suited to contributing to a good team off the bench.
And, still to come.... #28. Memphis Grizzlies, represented by 3 Shades of Blue #29. Detroit Pistons, represented by Pistons Podcast
And, in doing what I'm about to do I may create a paradox and tear the fabric of space and time (see, I knew this had something to do with a flux capacitor): I'm posting the Celtics No. 30 pick before posting the two immediately before it because, well, because it's already 6 PM, I don't have the other two picks yet and the C's pick (the last of the round) is a well-thought through pick that should be available to all those draftniks undoubtedly reading this as they watch the events unfold tonight. Hopefully neither the Grizzlies nor Pistons reps are planning on snagging this kid. I think not and that's ultimately why I felt it was not a hell-worthy trespass to post slightly out of order.
#30. Boston Celtics, represented by Green Bandwagon: The Pick: Ante Tomic, out of Croatia The Reason For: Not to be obnoxious but I was a little busier this year watching the Celtics dominate opponents and take names later. As a result I'm not as up to date with the draft prospects as I should be. However, that's not to say I did not cram for this mock draft. First there are Boston's needs – a back up point guard with handle and a back up center, particularly if P.J. Brown decides to retire. Unfortunately, Ben Q. Rock of Third Quarter Collapse explains how rare it is to get impact players in the bottom third of the first round. Taking in consideration the fact that point guards and centers take a while to develop and a roster that is built to win now means Boston's chances of filling its holes through the draft are not good. That's why it may make sense to follow Chad Ford's recent prediction and draft Ante Tomic. As Ford noted he could continue to develop in Europe and join the C's in a couple of seasons. Furthermore, the Celtics would draft their first Croatian since Dino Radja. This is exciting for several reasons. 1. I can call him the Croatian Sensation. No losers there. 2. If Tomic joins the team and it does not work out he could still reenact the Radja/Todd Day fight with a player to be named later. Tomic could even go as far to say, "I do not like this 'player to be named later.'" 3. In yet another ode to Radja Tomic could demand a trade to a team located in a warm weather city and someone within the Celtics organization could pull a Rick Pitino and quip, "We explained to him that it's not Club Med." Scratch that. Not cool. The Pick Green Bandwagon doesn't want: The other Lopez brother if he falls that far, which to be fair he is not expected to do. The Reason Against: Well for starters I don't even know his first name. And even though he is praised as a hustle player that does the dirty work he terrifies me. The Blogger and the Blog: Jim Weeks grew up in Massachusetts. He runs Green Bandwagon and though he has no reason to and expects to be mocked, still believes in Gerald Green.
**At The Hive and the Hornets still get their pick in this draft because the draft pick wasn't moved until after this draft had begun. You see, once we crossed the threshold into the 2008 WWOD? NBA Blogger Mock Draft then we were no longer bound by the realities of your real world. Got it?
***Because the clock was winding down and certain mock drafters were not available (or, rather, still humoring me as they had been kind enough to do for the past few days) I made this pick on behalf of the At The Hive. I did my best to make the choice based off their own opinions on their own website. But they may totally disagree, all the same. If time permits I'll get their actual pick in place.
Ever since the NFL Draft adopted its current Thursday through Sunday format, I've found it much harder to generate and/or maintain interest in the event (as a television program). With NBA playoff games airing daily this time of year and baseball a weeknight staple, I generally haven't caught the first night of the draft on television over the past few years which, of course, makes it's hard to muster enthusiasm to tune in to separate telecasts during the weekend when the name-brand talent is off the board. Given the current state of the NFL, I assume that the draft is much more profitable in this revamped state. Luckily for the teams, the importance of the draft in terms of roster construction is unchanged whether or not I find the it suitably packaged as television programming. 
Rather than just trusting the Hair (Mel Kiper) and the Heir (Todd McShay) to tell me about Wilkerson and the rest of the newest Jets players, who were but a handful of the hundreds that they've studied over the past few months, I decided to contact Brian Dzenis, the Sports Editor of The Temple News, who has watched and covered Wilkerson for a lot longer than any talking head on television who we're likely to hear from this week. Dzenis came through in spades, answering a bunch of questions as he studied for finals and adding in some details that I hadn't come across anywhere else. For example: Against UCONN, Wilkerson caught a 3-yard pass on a fake punt play and didn't look too shabby doing it. Far and away, my favorite detail is that this defensive end wore a single digit number as part of the honor of being designated a "Temple Tough Guy" by a coach.
BD: Wilkerson is a very low-key, down to earth type of guy. In the two seasons I've covered the team, I never heard a peep about his character. He may not be the most exciting guy to talk to, but he works hard and his teammates and coaches respect him. He's a lot like his predecessors on the Temple D-line that have made it to the NFL, Terrance Knighton and Andre Neblett, they were quiet, but they always got the job done on the field.
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