Are You Mocking Me?

Yes Tarvaris, I am, but we'll get to that.

Now I like mock drafts. Alot. For the 2007 NFL draft I made a three round mock with a solid 300 words or so on every pick. I mean every pick from One down to some random center I slotted in at the end of the third round. With the NBA draft tonight and my mock draft chops itching go all Brett Favre and re-un-retire (the double hyphen makes me feel like I'm in Ho-Ho-Kus), I will let them warm up in rural Mississippi and then head up to the land of Minnesota, who actually matter with two top 6 picks in this draft. In other news, my NBA Mock Draft is also a better QB than Tarvaris Jackson.

Without further ado:

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
Ummmm yeah....they already announced this one so if I went differently you would not be reading any further. Blake concussed himself last season, though his appearance did not change that too much, and will most likely do so again when he finally realizes, hey, I play for the Clippers. My thoughts on Griffin are this. He was a man among boys in college. In the NBA there just so happens to be, other men. He can fly and dunk the ball and has a slightly more diverse offensive skill set than Dwight Howard, but not too much. That athleticism is great but he's at least 2 full inches shorter and has nowhere near the defensive prowess of Howard. All in all, it's a pick that must be made, but I am nowhere near sold.

2. Vancouver Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut
When was the last time a grizzly bear was seen in Memphis? They're from Vancouver. Hey Bible Belt, STOP STEALING TEAMS FROM THE NORTHWEST! The good news though, Thabeet won't pull a Stevie Franchise and request out. With Darko likely headed to the Knicks (Why Donnie? WHY? The last great "Serb" in "New York" was in GTA4, and that involved many people dying. Watch out Donnie), playing time in the middle is in need of filling. Which ends speculation as to who goes here.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
I personally think the Thunder (Really? That was the best team name available?) should take James Harden or Stephen Curry or even Tyreke Evans, but I just have that inkling that it will end up being Rikcy Nikoloz Tskitishvili Slava Medvedenko Rubio. As you can tell I think he is vastly overrated. Like Ronald Reagan's presidency level overated. Am I a pessimist because I don't like three of the consensus top players? Maybe, and have no fear, there is plenty more where that came from.

4. Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
They love Johnny Flynn, but Evans is just a better prospect. I was very down on him as a college player and still am not too high on him but there is no question his skill set works in the NBA game. He needs to either add a plus jump shot or really refine those point guard skills. The young front court should play well with Evans though but this team is still building. They really need a better shooter than Beno Udrih to have on the perimeter with Kevin Martin for Ty's kick outs off penetration.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Harden, SG, Arizona State
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
Showing the Pac-10 some love. Honestly, the T-Wolves, along with everyone else, probably think Stephen Curry is 100% signed, sealed, and delivered. I disagree. When Curry was no lock for the lottery, Harden was a Top 4 lock. Since then a grand total of ZERO games have been played. Welcome to the draft hype machine. I honestly do not like Harden. He plays like a point forward and fell off hard at the end of the year. He disappeared in every game I saw. Hill also screams bust to me for absolutely no good reason. Ironically they both are on the top of my NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS (Sorry, Stephan A Smith has nothing else to do but posses my blog after "leaving" ESPN. I really do apologize.

7. Golden State Warriors - Johnny Flynn , PG, Syracuse
The Warriors, assuming the Crawford trade goes through, will not necessarily be looking for another point guard and appear committed to Monta Ellis. That being said they covet Jordan Hill and hey look, he just went off the board. Flynn is a solid bulldog of a point who I actually like (It had to happen eventually) and could compliment Ellis well. That being said, with Hill gone I feel they trade back to someone who is looking for a point or, as in this mock, Stepehn Curry.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry, G, Davidson
D' Antoni gets his wish. Curry gets his wish. The media get their wish. And I proceed to jizz in my pants. Aside from the overblown Curry and Lebron connection his game fits so well with the Knicks. I could see him struggling ala JJ Redick (my favorite!) in the NBA but his point guard skills and just overall court vision should help him out. Plus having Nate Robinson (for now) and Chris Duhon takes some pressure off him running the point immediately. This would be my dream pick.

9. Toronto Raptors - Demar Derozan, G/F, Southern California
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina
11. New Jersey Nets - Terrence Williams, G/F, Louisville
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina
I was going to put Gerald Henderson, but come on, its MJ. A. Would he take a Duke guy? B. Would he pass up a UNC legend? I say no on both fronts

13. Indiana Pacers - Jrue Holliday, PG, UCLA
14. Phoenix Suns - Gerald Henderson, G/F, Duke
15. Detroit Pistons - DeJuan Blair, F, Pittsburgh
16. Chicago Bulls - James Johnson, SF, Wake Forrest
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Eric Maynor, PG, Virginia Commonwealth
19. Atlanta Hawks - Jeff Teague, G, Wake Forrest
20. Utah Jazz - BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State
Yeah he is the best real center prospect in this class but he is also an undoubtedly goofy white guy. Utah pretty much has to take him or the ghost of Greg Ostertag may strike.

21. New Orleans Hornets - Earl Clark, F, Louisville
22. Portland Trailblazers - Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh
23. Sacramento Kings - Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona
24. Dallas Mavericks - Nick Clathes, PG, Florida
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jeff Teague, G, Wake Forrest
26. Chicago Bulls - Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Omri Casspi, SF, Israel
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Victor Claver, SF, Spain
29. New York - Austin Daye, F, Gonzaga
The speculation since the Knicks bought this pick has been Jack McClinton. I however think this is predecated on getting Jordan Hill at 8, which I hope doesn't happen. I think Daye is a "potential" guy but he is just as slight as Durant was. Now Daye is nowhere near where Durant was. For one, Nate Robinson will be a better rebounder next year if Daye goes to NYC. But, if Daye can be consistant with his offensive game he'd be a great fit in the 7 seconds or less offense. Speaking of 7 seconds or less, I'm pretty sure they make a pill for that.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - DaJuan Summers, G/F, Georgetown

I'll have more updates and draft diary from the middle of the first on as well as a few preview thoughts on the draft as a whole.