Each year in late June, college trained young men converge on the Theater of Madison Square Garden (and tune in on TV) to witness whether they will become millionaires. The realest game show I know of and reality TV at its finest, on draft day the League picks the best of the best (or at least we hope they do) to represent each of our cities around the US. In these days of globalization we soon will be rooting for teams in China and Europe but until then, we wait anxiously to see who will be the next young representatives of our home cities and states. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you the K.Summers 2008 NBA Mock Draft: Part 1 of 4. There is just one thing to take note of before you start reading Part 1 of the K.Summers 2008 NBA Mock Draft: Number 11 – Phoenix received Atlanta’s 2008 1st round pick from the Joe Johnson trade on Aug. 19, 2005
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1.Miami
Michael Beasley 6-9 235 SF K.St. Fr.
The consensus number one pick in the draft may not be able to solve the Heat’s loss of Shaq Diesel, but maybe he can make M.I. Yayo forget about the big man for 2008-2009. Beasley has a lot of Carmelo to his game and his offensive arsenal proves that point. There is a theory that Beasley is so much better than his competition that he gets bored. This might be true but trust the NBA will break that boredom.
2.Minnesota
Derrick Rose 6-3 195 PG Memphis Fr.
The most exciting guard in the draft. He may have been the best college point guard in the country his senior year of high school. Rose had some doubters after his disappointing game against USC (Memphis won by the way) where OJ Mayo looked like the more NBA ready out of the two. Rose has shaken the haters off and has led his Memphis squad to an undefeated season (so far, knock on hardwood. pause). Minnesota needs a dynamic point guard that can match up with the taller floor generals in the league.
3.Seattle
DeAndre Jordan 7-0 250 C TX A&M Fr.
Within 5 years DeAndre will be one of the best big men in the NBA. He is still raw offensively but with his high basketball IQ the NBA transition will be smoother than most think. Seattle needs this Dwight Howard clone more than DeAndre needs them.
4.Memphis
Brook Lopez 7-0 260 C Stanford So.
I really think he will be the Sam Bowie of this year’s draft. Why Memphis will take a chance? Because he is 7 feet tall and can join fellow Stanford alum Jason Collins on the bench.
5.New York
OJ Mayo 6-4 210 SG USC Fr
Do the Knicks ever make the right decision on draft day? The draft is held in Madison Square Garden, but I guess home court doesn’t help with decision making. Just ask Stephon and Isaiah. Get it? “Home” and “court.” Just playing, I Love New York! The most heralded guard since Lebron is well on his way to making the public forget about that other OJ. If you were his agent could you think of a bigger market for OJ to make a name in?
6.LA Clippers
Jerryd Bayless 6-3 182 PG Arizona Fr.
Speed, quickness, athleticism, intelligence, and composure. All ingredients the modern NBA point guard must possess in order to be successful. Jerryd is a special point guard that will help fill the void left by Shaun Livingston’s injury. Looks like either Brevin Knight or Dan Dickau is getting cut this off season.
7.Charlotte
Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 265 C UConn So.
Charlotte has all the wingmen they can tolerate and this 7 foot 3 player on the rise will create spacing issues for other teams and more opportunities for his potential teammates.
8.Milwaukee
Eric Gordon 6-4 220 SG Indiana Fr.
Eric is undersized at the two guard position but is an athlete without comparison in this draft. He really could use another year at Indiana to hone his craft but with his former AAU teammate, Greg Oden being injured last year (and having to play a season in recovery) Eric may realize that this year may be his best chance at superstardom.
9.Chicago
Donte Greene 6-10 226 SF Syr. Fr.
Who couldn’t use another Rashard Lewis? Donte can get easy buckets for a team in a hurry. He must improve his defense to make his greatest impact on the pro level. Donte should develop into a good sidekick for Luol Deng if he can keep up on the other side of the ball.
10.Indiana
Darren Collison 6-1 170 PG UCLA Jr.
The fastest guard in college basketball. His ability to change the pace of the game will make him a valuable asset to the Pacers. Darren will make for a good back up to Jamaal Tinsley. .
11.Phoenix
Danilo Gallinari 6-9 210 SF Italy 1988
Not exceptional in any one area but good at a lot of things. Phoenix is known to bring in foreign players and develop them within their system. PHX and their United Nations team should do very well with this young man. I am still waiting to see an NBA starting line up of all foreign players. Anyone want to place any bets for when this will happen?
12.Philadelphia
Darrell Arthur 6-9 230 PF Kansas So.
Darrell brings solid post moves and runs the floor similar to another Philadelphia player by the name of Samuel Dalembert. Philly will be able to quickly fit Arthur into the line up and get quality production out of the big man.
13.New Jersey
DJ Augustin 5-11 180 PG Texas So.
Depending on the trade that Devean George has opted to hold out on, New Jersey will be depleted of one of the best point guards in the NBA. DJ may not be the cure but he sure will be a dose of Dayquil in Kidd’s absence. New Jersey is hoping DJ can come in and adjust to the position with Darrel Armstrong’s guidance.
14.Sacramento
Kevin Love 6-9 260 PF UCLA Fr.
So what hasn’t Love done in his first year at UCLA? He has encountered hecklers, tough competition, and naysayers but has conquered them all. Love could use a couple more years at UCLA but when you are a lottery pick why would you stay? Sacramento and Love should benefit from having all-star center, Brad Miller showing the rookie the ropes.
15.Washington
Roy Hibbert 7-2 278 C Georgetown Sr.
Hibbert probably would have been a top 10 pick last year because of his post season play but because of the large number of quality big men in this year’s draft, his stock has slumped a little. At 7-2 278 Roy will make a name for himself probably as a valuable back up.
For more NBA Mocks, check out DC Pro Sports Report.
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