Article:The ArmchairGM 2008 NBA Mock Draft



Over the span of 3 days, those from across North America will try and be the GM for their respective NBA teams. Today, on ArmchairGM, it begins!

Welcome to the 2008 NBA Mock Draft on ArmchairGM, I'm SSR, (sadly) your host for this event. We have 28 NBA sides that have their picks ready, and 2 more sides without a first round draft pick vying to get one via the trade. Are you worse than Isiah as far as draft picks? Are you ready to have a future JJ Redick in your hands? Or are you going to have a Chris Paul or a Brandon Roy? This is your stop for AGM's first ever NBA Mock Draft where multiple users can get involved.

= On the Clock: Milwaukee Bucks =

Here are the important rules to remember folks:

1. Edit the page when you have made your pick so that it shows the player's name, position, school (or country), and below that, a paragraph to explain your reasoning.

2. As far as trades go, you can trade for picks, future draft picks (as in 2010 2nd rounder), cash, other players, rights to a European player, and of course, swapping draft picks. You must make your trade offers privately on message boards and BOTH of you have to agree, so no cheating!

3. Commenting: Heckle, praise picks, make immature jokes about balls, announce trades that have been confirmed, make fun of ESPN, if anyone wants to be Spike Lee that's fine, it's all just a mock draft anyway.

4. Once your pick is done, message the next user who is on the clock.

5. This is how the draft should go since we don't have as many users picking as we did in the NFL Mock Draft:

Monday: 1-10

Tuesday: 11-20

Wednesday: 21-30

The more picks are in, the more we are ahead of schedule, the better!

I think I've given you everything you need to know, so let the picks begin!

1. Chicago Bulls - Oh No Romo: Michael Beasley PF - Kansas State
I can't believe I'm picking a player who is 15 months younger than me. With the first pick in the NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Michael Beasley, Power Forward from Kansas State University. This pick was a no-brainer for me, even if the current GM has no brain

As a post player, Beasley can get it done at both ends of the court. He put up the points, scoring 26 points per game, first in the Big 12 and third in the nation. He can also rebound, leading the nation in total rebounds.

Some suggest going with hometown guy, Derrick Rose. Rose didn't have the type of year that Beasley had.

Here's another stat to wrap your head around, Rose isn't as good of a free throw shooter. Rose shot 71% for the season, while Beasley shot 77% at the charity stripe.

Beasley does have some off-the-court issues, but he should be able to clean up his act

Beasley is a big man that the Bulls have needed for years. The last time they got this first pick, they used it on Elton Brand. The former Bull averaged 20-10 on his way to co-rookie of the year honors. I'm not saying that Beasley will have that kind of success early on, but for a team that hasn't had a solid post player since Brand, he's the right pick.

2. Miami Heat - Fatherscott: Derrick Rose PG - Memphis
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The Heat select Rose, consensus top-2 pick, but have yet to release an official statement. Rose's camp is also mum; a trade may be in the works. Heat GM fatherscott weighed in on Rose minutes ago:

"Rose's successes and strengths are well-documented: fabulous NCAA tournament, leader of a great team, outstanding penetrator, blazing speed. In a league becoming ever-more point guard-focused, Rose's skills are a tremendous asset to any team. He's a tremendous player, that's all I can say right now."

3. Phoenix Suns (from Minnesota) - Kelsdad (Traded by False Prophet): Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona
The Suns will need a point guard ready to step in following next season when Steve Nash moves on. With O.J. Simpson Mayo not a true point guard, and with Leandro Barbosa now known by the name Leandro Barbusta, Bayless was the Suns best option here. Bayless has arguably the best combination of explosiveness and shot-creating ability of any guard in the draft. He is a solid offensive player, equally adept at hitting mid-range jumpers or driving through traffic to the basket. Bayless is not afraid to play inside, although at 6'3" is out of his element inside, he gets himself enough free throw attempts to balance off the occassional blocked shot or turnover. Defensively, he isn't strong enough to play against a taller SG, but is quick enough to handle the opposing PG. Bayless will learn for a year from one of the best in Steve Nash, and should be ready to take over the Suns potent offense in 2009-2010.

4. Miami Heat (from Oklahoma City) - Fatherscott (traded by SSR): OJ Mayo G - USC
We're thrilled with the way this went. Rose had tremendous value and while being a great prospect, we're a bit concerned that Chris Paul-mania has taken over and everyone is projecting any good PG as the next savior of a team. In other words, we think he's a tad overrated. I'm seeing Jason Terry every time I see Derrick Rose.

We believe OJ Mayo is the best prospect in this draft and are thrilled to get him at pick no. 4. There's no question he has the skills. The desire is tops among his peers. His work ethic is being praised in draft preparation.

As for team fit, a Mayo/Wade backcourt is explosive. Neither is necessarily a point, but we have a lot of reservations about any of the "point guards" in this draft being true points. We now have three great players -- Mayo, Wade, and Marion -- and some good role players. We removed the human detritus Mark Blount from our payroll, picked up an extra pick and get a contract-year performance from Chris Wilcox (who we will then release cause he's not all that great).

OJ Mayo and Dwyane Wade will form the backbone of a team that will contend in the East for the next ten years, starting in '08-09.

5. Memphis Grizzlies- SSR: Eric Gordon, G, Indiana
Memphis already has that solid big man position in there, with the ever reliable Kwame Brown.

Alright, jokes aside, I think Gordon is a very athletic kid, averaged 21 points per game as a freshman with Indiana. He can definitely shoot while drawing plenty of contact, he is very aggressive and can go to the line 20 times. What probably dropped his stock was his poor stretch in March, mainly in the game against Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament.

He gets his teammates involved quite often, and if he improves his shot selection, then he can become a good player in this league. He and Rudy Gay can definitely become one of the top young duos in the NBA.

6. Phoenix Suns (from New York by Kelsdad), traded by (Kelsdad) - Joe Alexander (SF/PF) West Virginia
Alexander is a 6'8" athletic forward, capable of playing both the three or the four. With the Suns needing a replacement for the traded Shawn Marion. Only true weakness is a lack of a consistent outside shot, working with new Suns assistant Dan Majerle should go far in improving that aspect of his game. "We are very happy with both the trade and with out picks," said acting Suns GM Kelsdad. "Working closely with my counterpart in New York made the whole process a smooth and enjoyable one, and both teams have significantly improved themselves."

7. Los Angeles Clippers - LASB - Kevin Love (PF) UCLA
With Alexander and Mayo off the board it seemed practical for us to look towards the future, while also adding important front court depth. With Love's skill set and passing ability we feel that if Elton Brand opts out he can slide in next to Al Thornton who will start to move to the 3 this season. If Brand stays Love becomes our top Big Man option off the bench giving us a myraid of options in the front court. We have tracked Love's pre-draft progress and he has taken all the needed steps to be a success at the next level and we are happy to welcome him to the Clipper fold.

When asked about the pick Stan Love commented: "We will be discussing a trade to another team soon with Mr. Gordon, Mr. Baylor and other GMs. We don't believe it is in Kevin's best interest to start his career with the Clippers; even though we love Los Angeles.

Trades
1. Alando Tucker and the Suns' 15th pick for the Timberwolves' 3rd overall pick.

2. Derrick Rose and Mark Blount for Chris Wilcox, the 4th pick from the Sonics, and the 2009 first round draft pick.