Mock by Chad Ford Ver. 7.0 - NCAA

1. LAC | Blake Griffin / Oklahoma / PF

Analysis: With the first pick in the 2009 NBA draft, the Los Angeles
Clippers select ... Chinemelu Elonu from Texas A&M! OK ... not even the
Clippers would do that. They can't screw this up, right? Griffin is the
best player in the draft and for once, the Clippers won't have excuses.
He has all the ingredients to become a dominant player in the NBA. If the
Clippers don't pick him, they should be banned from the lottery.

2. MEM | Hasheem Thabeet / Connecticut / C

Analysis: The Grizzlies continue to work the phones to find a trade, but with
every passing hour it looks like they're keeping the pick and selecting ...
surprise ... Thabeet.

We've had Thabeet here since Mock Draft Version 1, when we reported that owner
Michael Heisley had a thing for Thabeet. Since then, the Grizzlies have taken
a look at everyone but keep coming back to Thabeet.

Ricky Rubio was in the picture, but doesn't seem to be anymore. Tyreke Evans
was even stronger in the mix. So was James Harden and Jordan Hill. But in the
end Thabeet makes the most sense in Memphis

3. OKC | Ricky Rubio / Spain / PG

Analysis: Thunder GM Sam Presti flew to L.A. on Saturday to talk to Rubio.
He also got a chance to review Rubio's physical and contract -- two important
pieces of the puzzle for whoever drafts him.

Then, on Sunday, Presti met with Harden and Thabeet in L.A. And just to make
things even more confusing, we hear Presti now is hot for Stephen Curry.

Whom will the Thunder draft? I think this one is going down to the wire.
I know Presti is a fan of all four players -- Rubio and Thabeet have the
upside, and Harden and Curry are the better fits. If Presti can get a couple
of assets in return for the No. 3 pick, he won't be afraid to pull the trigger
on a trade, either.

If the Thunder keep the pick, my brain says Harden is a perfect fit in Oklahoma
City next to Russell Westbrook. The scuttle is that Curry is the hot name in
the Thunder's draft war room. And a few people think Thabeet's size will win
the day. But I have to believe that Rubio, whom we've had here since the night
of the lottery, will end up in OKC.

4. SAC | Stephen Curry / Davidson / PG

Analysis: The Kings are all over the place. As of last night there was
support for three candidates: Jonny Flynn, Evans and Curry. And there was
owner support for Rubio.

Flynn brings vocal leadership, athleticism and an NBA-ready body to the table.
Rubio is less ready for the NBA physically, but he's a purer point guard who
understands the game better than anyone else in the draft. Evans isn't a true
point, but the Kings love his strength, toughness and size, especially since
his second workout. Curry is the wild card -- he's a great shooter who would
fit nicely in the backcourt next to Kevin Martin, but he wouldn't give them
a defensive presence.

I think Curry has a slight lead going into Thursday but don't count out Rubio,
Evans or Flynn. All three could end up as the pick.

5. MIN | Tyreke Evans / Memphis / SG

Analysis: The Timberwolves now have the No. 5 and No. 6 picks and pretty big
holes at the 1 and 2, as well as at center. They worked the phones in an
effort to put together a package for Pick 2 or 3, but nothing has come of it
as of late last night.

They are hoping to grab two of these three players: Rubio, Thabeet and Evans.
We have two of those players off the board. So Evans goes first, making pick
No. 6 pretty problematic, because I don't know whether the Wolves are one of
those teams that think Evans is a point or a 2-guard.


6. MIN | Jonny Flynn / Syracuse / PG

Analysis: Assuming for a second the Wolves think that because Evans doesn't
pass, he's not a point guard, we'll put Flynn here at No. 6.

His main competition, if both Rubio and Curry are off the board, is Harden.
Harden flew in for a workout Wednesday and I think the Wolves like him a lot.
I'm not sure exactly how he fits with Evans, but by the end of the day,
I could end up swapping him in for Flynn.


7. GS | Jordan Hill / Arizona / PF

Analysis: The Warriors have a young player, Monta Ellis, who thinks he's a
point guard, and a coach, Don Nelson, who appears to be committed to giving
Ellis a shot at running the point.

With the Warriors moving toward trading for Acie Law that might be enough
young point guards.

I think that puts Hill strongly in play here. He's a mobile big man, which
Nellie likes, and he's got a great motor. It wouldn't shock me to see Golden
State move Brandon Wright this summer and if they do, Hill fits right in.

If Hill is gone, James Johnson could be the pick here.

8. NY | James Harden / Arizona State / SG

Analysis: The Knicks will be disappointed if Curry, Rubio, Hill and Evans
are all off the board. But they'll still be relieved to find Harden here.
The Knicks believe the draft is seven players deep and Harden is one of
those seven.

If Harden is snatched up by the Thunder or the Timberwolves, they look at
Jrue Holiday, Brandon Jennings, DeMar DeRozan and Gerald Henderson. I think
they will prioritize point guard, and Holiday has a very slim lead over
Jennings.

9. TOR | DeMar DeRozan / USC / SG

Analysis: The Raptors have some needs on the wing since Anthony Parker and
Shawn Marion are hitting free agency. DeRozan is one of the most gifted
players in the draft, and has been on the Raptors' radar screen for a while.

The past few days, Holiday and Johnson have also made a push for this pick.
The Raptors would like a very solid backup for Jose Calderon, and Johnson
would give them so much needed toughness at the 3.

10. MIL | Jrue Holiday / UCLA / PG

Analysis: The Bucks on Wednesday were leaning strongly toward Flynn; however,
in this scenario Flynn is gone and they'll have to go with Plan B: either
Holiday, Jennings or Jeff Teague.

All three have upside, but Holiday's ability to come in and immediately
defend wins the day in Scott Skiles' universe.

未完待續

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沉默即是一種最溫柔的拒絕。
所以，妳只要保持沉默我就懂了。

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