2008 NBA Mock Draft

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose (PG - Memphis)

Really I think that Beasley is the best fit for the Bulls since then need a low-post scorer. However, Rose is simply the best player in the draft and the Bulls will take the best available. Plus he's a Chicago-native so he'll draw in a crowd.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley (PF - Kansas State)
Wow, what a catch at #2! Who won't pack the house to see the high-flying trio of Marion, Beasley, and Wade! Beasley will no doubt bring the Heat back to the post-season in the East. However, don’t sleep on the possibility of Riles dealing the pick down for a couple of quality players.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - O.J. Mayo (PG - USC)
Although some skeptics have him dropping as of late, we are still high on O.J. This cat has amazing size and athletic abilities for a point guard. He’s NBA ready. Although the Twolves currently have quite a few PGs he is more of a scoring PG and would suit big Al Jefferson's skill set perfectly!

4. Seatle Supersonics - Jerryd Bayless (PG/SG - Arizona)

This year’s draft will have more PG’s in the top ten than in the past. Although most Bayless skeptics aren’t quite sure if he’s really a PG or a SG because ge’s a bit of a tweener size wise. The Sports Flow likes his game and think he can finally rid the Sonics of the Earl Watson/Luke Ridnour debate that is boring fans to death. Look for him to have a good rookie season too (due to the fact that he'll be playing with Durant!)

5. Memphis Grizzlies - Brook Lopez (C - Stanford)

After arguably one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history for Pau Gasol this season, the Grizz have a hole in their front line that Kwame Brown could never hope to fill. Maybe the selection of Lopez to log time at the 5 spot will start to heal the pain?

6. New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari (PG - ITALY)

I don't know a whole lot about this kid. However I have heard that he has great size (6 foot 10) and he has good outside game and can create his own shots. Although taking international players is risky (think Darko) I think he fits D'Antoni's system well and his international experience makes him more game-ready and carries some experience

7. LA Clippers - DJ Augustin (PG - Texas)
I’ve been hearing lots of rumors about Elton Brand being a bit unhappy with the personnel moves of the Clipper execs. This makes me think that Kevin Love would be the perfect pick. But until a time that Brand is moved, he’s their franchise man and more than enough skill at the PF spot. DJ might be a bit undersized but he’s got tons of upside. If Brand stays, they take Augustin.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Eric Gordon (PG - Indiana)

With Bogut, Yi, and Villeneuva already young prospects my Bucks don't need to take another PF in Kevin Love. They need to take a good young PG who can score the ball. This would be Gordon. And as Complete Sports mentioned, they then could look to dump Michael Redd's monstrous contract to rebuild the team.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Kevin Love - (PF - UCLA)

If Tyler Hansbrough had left for the draft I assume that MJ would be lobbying for him. However, he's not and if Loves slips to the 9 spot, which I think he will, the 'Cats will jump at him!

10. NJ Nets - DeAndre Jordan - (C - Texas A&M)

The Nets need a Center. There is no question that the 5 spot is their biggest weakness. DeAndre Jordan is a 7-footer with a huge wingspan and good timing. He’s generally knocked for being a bit soft. Might be a risky pick.

11. Indiana Pacers - Anthony Randolph - (PF - LSU)

Randolph may be skinny but a bit more size will come with age. He has pretty good handle and a soft touch, so you could always give him some time at the 3 spot. Picture this kid running with Granger, Dunleavy, and Tinsley. Could but fun to watch. Could develop into a poor man’s Chris Bosh

12. Sacramento Kings - Russell Westbrook (PG/SG - UCLA)

The Kings need a point guard bad. And although some would argue that Russell Westbrook isn’t a true point guard, who says the Kings system requires one? Coupling Westbrook with Kevin Martin in the backcourt creates a ton of match up problems for the opposition. With Artest at SF it makes it even more difficult so this makes sense to me.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Donte Green (SF - Syracuse)
Wow, so this just seems unfair that the Blazers get another high pick! In 3-4 years this team will be scary good! Think of a lineup of Oden, Aldridge, Green, Webster, and Roy!

14. Golden State Warriors - JaVale McGee ( C - Nevada)

Golden State is a finely tuned offensive machine. McGee could contribute on the glass, and has excellent timing on his shot blocking ability. Although skeptics knock his shot-selection, I don't think it will bother the Warriors!

End of Season Awards

Because it's March we are placing a special emphasis on College Basketball. So here's our Regular Season Awards.

ACC

Player of the Year- Tyler Hansbrough, UNC

Coach of the Year- Frank Haith, Miami

Freshman of the Year- James Johnson, Wake Forest

Big 12

Player of the Year- Michael Beasley- KSU

Coach of the Year- Scott Drew, Baylor

Freshman of the Year- Michael Beasley- KSU

Big East

Player of the Year- Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

Coach of the Year- Jim Calhoun, UConn

Freshman of the Year- Donte Green, Syracuse

Big Ten

Player of the Year- Eric Gordon, Indiana

Coach of the year- Tubby Smith, Minnesota

Freshman of the Year- Eric Gordon- Indiana

Pac 10

Player of the year- Kevin Love, UCLA

Coach of the year- Trent Johnson, Stanford

Freshman of the Year- Kevin Love, UCLA

SEC
Player of the Year- Tyler Smith, Tennessee

Coach of the Year- Bruce Pearl, Tennessee

Freshman of the Year- Patrick Patterson, Kentucky

Freshman Phenoms Teams Struggling As Dance Is Upon Us

O.J Mayo and Michael Beasley are two of the best freshman playing college basketball this season. Both players are averaging over 20 points per contest, and both decided not to go to the elite basketball programs like Duke, North Carolina, Kansas or Indiana. Despite how much game these future NBA All-Stars have, both Mayo and Beasley are having a hard time getting to the big dance next month. They both are seeing that basketball is a team game, and neither of these guys have the supporting cast to carry them into the field of 65. So they have to carry their teams themselves. Beasley looked like his Wildcats had all but wrapped up an at large bid. However they are back on the bubble again after losing four out of the last five games including losses to Nebraska and Texas Tech. USC has won two straight since losing at home to arch rival UCLA, but still is looking for another good win to put on their resume. They beat UCLA at UCLA earlier in January, but that is their only good win. Losses to Mercer and California are the only real blemishes on their resume. Both teams are safely in ESPN's Bracketology, but as March creeps closer both teams could be bumped out in the coming weeks.

Kansas States Road To The Dance
Looks like the Wildcats are gonna push their losing streak to four straight and five out of their last six when they face arch rival KU this Saturday in Lawrence. If they can win against Colorado and at Iowa State the Wildcats should have the third seed going into the Big 12 tournament. They would get a bye in the first round of the tournament, and with win in the second round would give them 21 wins on the season which should be good enough to get an at large bid. However beating ISU in Ames is not a going to be a piece of cake as Hilton magic has helped ISU win some big games over ranked opponents the past couple of years. As bad as they are struggling, I think Kansas State is going to ultimately be in the NCAA tournament.



USC's Road To The Dance
Four tough games lie ahead for the Trojans as they finish up the season with Arizona, Arizona State, California, and Stanford. Winning three out of the four games would put them at 20 wins on the season, which seems to be the magical number every year for teams to get into the tournament. Realistically this team could lose the last four games, and wind up having a high seed in the Pac 10 tournament and if they lost first round Mayo and the Trojans would be playing NIT basketball. However I think the Trojans spilt the next two games and win one in the Pac 10 tournament to get them in the NCAA tournament.


Possible Matchup?
I could see an 8 vs 9 first round match up between these two. In fact I think it would be entertaining and is something the committee should look into. It would be inside presence verse a tandem of guards. Mayo and Beasley will battle it out on the hardwood a couple times a year, why not get started early by matching them up in the NCAA tournament?

Nate Gonner is a guest writer for The Sports Flow. He writes his columns every Monday and Thursday for Gonners View. Check his site out here