So I wanted to see what everyones (very) early predictions for the NBA draft are. Im just going to do up to the Suns pick because after that I dont really care 
Here it goes:
1. LA Clippers: Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma. Consensus #1 pick and Dunleavy has already said they'll take him even though they have a front court log jam (theyll likely make some trades).
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain. They already have Mike Conely but from everything Ive read their not super high on him. Further I think he's a serviceable player but not a star. They'll take Rubio and have an awesome perimeter combination of Rubio-Mayo-Gay for years to come.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden, SG, Arizona State. Harden wouldn't go this high if anyone else had the pick, but he's a perfect fit for OKC. Durant hasn't done as well when he plays the 2, and this would allow him to slide to his natural position of the 3. Westbrook-Harden-Durant-Green is a terrific core and they already have some serviceable bigs in Collins and Kristic so I think they'll pass on Thabeet.
4. Sacramento Kings: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy. The Kings really got boned in the lottery. They desperately need a PG, but Rubio will be off the board already. I suspect they'll try to move out of this pick one way or the other, as Jennings is a slight reach at this point and someone may want to move up to take Thabeet. Id be surprised if Sacramento takes him as they have Hawes and Thompson in the front court which they seem to like.
5. Washington Wizards: Hasheem Thabeet, C, UCONN. The Wizards need is more at the PG (to allow Gilbert to slide to the 2) and this is a deep draft for that, but I can't imagine Thabeet sliding any further. I think they take Thabeet and try to move Antwan Jameson to free up salary, try to get a PG in return and clear up their front court log jam.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, USC The Wolves love unathletic, undersized white players, so Im sure they wish they could take Hansbrough, but even McHale isn't dumb enough to reach that much. They also need a PG so they could go that way with this pick. But since Corey Brewer hasn't really panned out and may not, I think they'll go for a wing player. Additionally, Miller and Gomes expire after next year, so another reason to take a wing. Jordan Hill is probably the top rated guy on the board, but they already have 2 offensive minded bigs in Love and Jefferson, Hill would be redundant.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona. Golden State probably needs a PG to allow Ellis to play off ball, but any left here are reaches or combo guards, which doesn't do them much good. Hill can run the floor and play in an uptempo Nelliball style and is the best player available, so the Warriors take him.
8. New York Knicks: Stephen Curry, SG/PG, Davidson. Im not high on him (this high in the draft anyway), but D'Antoni and the Knicks apparently love him, so they won't pass on him if he's there. Robinson expires after next year, so if they don't resign him, Curry could fill the same role but on a rookie scale contract.
9. Toronto Raptors: Earl Clark, SF, Louisville. I think this is a bit of a reach for Clark, but with Marion being in a contract year I could see them wanting a SF. Clarks passing ability and athleticism should appeal to Colangelo. They could also look to trade down.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyreke Evans, SG/PG, Memphis. The Bucks are a tough team to predict. They wont take a SF (Jefferson, Alexander), Center (Bogut) or a shooting guard (Redd), and they need a PG so I have them taking Evans. They could also take a PF like Blair if they think Villanueva is gone, or just for depth. Which PG they take will depend on their own evaluations and if they think Evans is more of a 1 than a 2 will of course play in. They could also take Lawson or Flynn, but Evans is the highest rated on most peoples boards so Ill slot him here.
11. New Jersey Nets: DeJuan Blair, PF, PITT. The Nets have a nice young Center (Lopez), I assume they'll bring back Harris, and Carter still has a long deal. I think this pick will depend on what they see Yi as, if he's a PF, then you take a SF, if he's a SF, then you go for a big Id guess. From the limited amount I've seen Yi he seems too weak to play the 4, so Ill have the Nets taking Blair.
12. Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke. Raja Bell and Raymond Feltons deals are both done after next year, Felton hasn't been great and Bell is getting old, so who knows if they'll be back. The Bobcats can take Henderson, another player from their home state, and fill a need as well as take the guy who might be the BPA.
13. Indiana Pacers: Johnny Flynn, PG, Syracuse. The only position the Pacers have that I like is Small Forward, otherwise I think every position could be categorized as a 'need'. Even though they have Jack and Ford, neither are world beaters are neither are on long term deals. PF/C may be more of a need but theres none available at this point worth this pick, so I think they go PG, the deepest position in the draft.
14. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Williams, SG/SF, Louisville. The Suns are reportedly high on Flynn and if he was here they'd take him- even though they talked up Dragic and did a lot to get him. Barnes and Hill may not be here next year and Dudley will probably end up starting at the 3 if theyre gone. They also need a Center with Shaq expiring and Lopez being freakin' awful, but anyone they'd take here is a reach/project as well (i.e. Mullens).
Williams is a bit undersized for the 3 and not a great three point shooter to play the 2 (but that can always be improved). But he's a good rebounder and passer which will definitely appeal to the Suns who need rebounding and additional distributors. He's touted as a good defender who can guard multiple positions and that'll certainly appeal to Kerrs defense first mentality.
Anyway, thoughts? Am I way off? Close? Post yours!
Here it goes:1. LA Clippers: Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma. Consensus #1 pick and Dunleavy has already said they'll take him even though they have a front court log jam (theyll likely make some trades).
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain. They already have Mike Conely but from everything Ive read their not super high on him. Further I think he's a serviceable player but not a star. They'll take Rubio and have an awesome perimeter combination of Rubio-Mayo-Gay for years to come.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden, SG, Arizona State. Harden wouldn't go this high if anyone else had the pick, but he's a perfect fit for OKC. Durant hasn't done as well when he plays the 2, and this would allow him to slide to his natural position of the 3. Westbrook-Harden-Durant-Green is a terrific core and they already have some serviceable bigs in Collins and Kristic so I think they'll pass on Thabeet.
4. Sacramento Kings: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy. The Kings really got boned in the lottery. They desperately need a PG, but Rubio will be off the board already. I suspect they'll try to move out of this pick one way or the other, as Jennings is a slight reach at this point and someone may want to move up to take Thabeet. Id be surprised if Sacramento takes him as they have Hawes and Thompson in the front court which they seem to like.
5. Washington Wizards: Hasheem Thabeet, C, UCONN. The Wizards need is more at the PG (to allow Gilbert to slide to the 2) and this is a deep draft for that, but I can't imagine Thabeet sliding any further. I think they take Thabeet and try to move Antwan Jameson to free up salary, try to get a PG in return and clear up their front court log jam.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, USC The Wolves love unathletic, undersized white players, so Im sure they wish they could take Hansbrough, but even McHale isn't dumb enough to reach that much. They also need a PG so they could go that way with this pick. But since Corey Brewer hasn't really panned out and may not, I think they'll go for a wing player. Additionally, Miller and Gomes expire after next year, so another reason to take a wing. Jordan Hill is probably the top rated guy on the board, but they already have 2 offensive minded bigs in Love and Jefferson, Hill would be redundant.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona. Golden State probably needs a PG to allow Ellis to play off ball, but any left here are reaches or combo guards, which doesn't do them much good. Hill can run the floor and play in an uptempo Nelliball style and is the best player available, so the Warriors take him.
8. New York Knicks: Stephen Curry, SG/PG, Davidson. Im not high on him (this high in the draft anyway), but D'Antoni and the Knicks apparently love him, so they won't pass on him if he's there. Robinson expires after next year, so if they don't resign him, Curry could fill the same role but on a rookie scale contract.
9. Toronto Raptors: Earl Clark, SF, Louisville. I think this is a bit of a reach for Clark, but with Marion being in a contract year I could see them wanting a SF. Clarks passing ability and athleticism should appeal to Colangelo. They could also look to trade down.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyreke Evans, SG/PG, Memphis. The Bucks are a tough team to predict. They wont take a SF (Jefferson, Alexander), Center (Bogut) or a shooting guard (Redd), and they need a PG so I have them taking Evans. They could also take a PF like Blair if they think Villanueva is gone, or just for depth. Which PG they take will depend on their own evaluations and if they think Evans is more of a 1 than a 2 will of course play in. They could also take Lawson or Flynn, but Evans is the highest rated on most peoples boards so Ill slot him here.
11. New Jersey Nets: DeJuan Blair, PF, PITT. The Nets have a nice young Center (Lopez), I assume they'll bring back Harris, and Carter still has a long deal. I think this pick will depend on what they see Yi as, if he's a PF, then you take a SF, if he's a SF, then you go for a big Id guess. From the limited amount I've seen Yi he seems too weak to play the 4, so Ill have the Nets taking Blair.
12. Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke. Raja Bell and Raymond Feltons deals are both done after next year, Felton hasn't been great and Bell is getting old, so who knows if they'll be back. The Bobcats can take Henderson, another player from their home state, and fill a need as well as take the guy who might be the BPA.
13. Indiana Pacers: Johnny Flynn, PG, Syracuse. The only position the Pacers have that I like is Small Forward, otherwise I think every position could be categorized as a 'need'. Even though they have Jack and Ford, neither are world beaters are neither are on long term deals. PF/C may be more of a need but theres none available at this point worth this pick, so I think they go PG, the deepest position in the draft.
14. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Williams, SG/SF, Louisville. The Suns are reportedly high on Flynn and if he was here they'd take him- even though they talked up Dragic and did a lot to get him. Barnes and Hill may not be here next year and Dudley will probably end up starting at the 3 if theyre gone. They also need a Center with Shaq expiring and Lopez being freakin' awful, but anyone they'd take here is a reach/project as well (i.e. Mullens).
Williams is a bit undersized for the 3 and not a great three point shooter to play the 2 (but that can always be improved). But he's a good rebounder and passer which will definitely appeal to the Suns who need rebounding and additional distributors. He's touted as a good defender who can guard multiple positions and that'll certainly appeal to Kerrs defense first mentality.
Anyway, thoughts? Am I way off? Close? Post yours!
Holy crap.....Buddinger @ 11?
