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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:43 a.m., Sunday, May 25, 2008

NBA mock draft: A Rose for Chicago

By Mark Heisler
Los Angeles Times

This just in: Kevin Love up to No. 5!

Well, in theory, anyway.

The mock draft I did on the night of the lottery came straight out of my little head. I've talked to personnel guys from an East team and a West team since so now I have an idea of what they're thinking which, as usual, has some surprises.

There are still two big steps ahead: 1) the Orlando, Fla., pre-draft camp where players will be measured and weighed so that almost everyone listed at 6-foot-10 will shrink to 6-8 1/2; and 2) the teams' individual workouts.

There are always players shooting up the list at the end, especially big players who haven't been scouted a lot — like Andrew Bynum in 2005 — so I'm going to try to anticipate the process:

1. Chicago

Derrick Rose, Memphis

Lots of people have Michael Beasley here, but I think Rose is a lock. The Bulls don't think Kirk Hinrich is really a point guard and have shopped him for months.

The question isn't whether Rose deserves to be here but whether he's over-hyped as the next Chris Paul or Deron Williams. I don't think we'll see many more young point guards who'll average 18-20 points and 10 assists, shoot 50 percent and make 40 percent of their threes.

2. Miami

Michael Beasley, Kansas State

Said to be a little goofy in high school, but he was great at K-State — and he worked hard. Lots of people think he's a 20-10 guy. Some would take him ahead of Rose.

3. Minnesota

Brook Lopez, Stanford

Almost everyone has this pick, and it figures. The Timberwolves have to go big with only one good big man, Al Jefferson — although Anthony Randolph could also become a factor here.

4. Seattle

Anthony Randolph, LSU

Here's a big (6-10) exciting young player few saw, making a late move at the end of his freshman season but missing the NCAA Tournament.

Most people have Eric Gordon or O.J. Mayo here, but with Kevin Durant at shooting guard and Jeff Green at small forward, I'm guessing they'll wind up going big instead. Randolph's reedy body makes him a year or two away with only journeymen and failed prospects up front. Of all the teams who have time to wait, the SuperSonics are way up on the list.

5. Memphis

Kevin Love, UCLA

This is high, he still has to prove himself on the pre-draft circuit, but he has already slimmed down and the Grizzlies like him.

They're also tired of super-athletic, clueless types like Stromile Swift, whom they once took at No. 2.

6. New York

D.J. Augustin, Texas

He's really about 5-10 and this is high, but they're way desperate for a point guard.

Augustin is a tough cookie who can shoot as well as run a team, which will please Coach Mike D'Antoni, whose standard of reference is Steve Nash. Best of all, Augustin is a shining-character type, which will make him a pleasant change there.

People are putting the Knicks down for combo guards like Mayo and Gordon or Jerryd Bayless, a shoot-first point guard. The Knicks already have enough of those.

7. Los Angeles Clippers

O.J. Mayo, USC

They'd consider Augustin if he's there, but if not, they're hoping Mayo, Gordon, Bayless or all three drop to them.

8. Milwaukee

Eric Gordon, Indiana

Michael Redd apparently wasn't as gentlemanly with former coach Larry Krystkowiak, with whom he clashed. With young point guard Ramon Sessions playing well at the end, they've actually got pretty good players at all positions and can take the best player who drops to them.

9. Charlotte

Russell Westbrook, UCLA

I said it was loony tunes to put him in the top 10, but every time I talk to someone, he goes higher.

With several teams dying for point guards and not much of a selection, people are stretching. Ray Felton has never shown the Bobcats he's a point guard, and new Coach Larry Brown has no use for scoring points. With Augustin, Westbrook is also considered one of the best young people in the draft.

If Westbrook doesn't go here, the word is he doesn't get past Indiana at 11 and Sacramento at 12 with both of them looking for point guards, too.

10. New Jersey

Jerryd Bayless, Arizona

Whatever he is, he's a terrific athlete, he can shoot and they're trying to get younger and more athletic.

11. Indiana

Danilo Gallinari, Milan

Some thought this skilled power forward could go in the top five, but after Andrea Bargnani, skilled Euro-big men are out of favor. Athleticism is said to be an issue with Gallinari, but skills — passing and shooting — are not.

12. Sacramento

Robin Lopez, Stanford

Another big man moving up. Not as skilled as his twin, but not a klutz. Bigger and works harder than the more talented Darrell Arthur, to say nothing of the much bigger, much more talented, much less motivated DeAndre Jordan.

13. Portland

Joe Alexander, West Virginia

The Trail Blazers hope to bring in Rudy Fernandez, last season's No. 1 pick, and are shopping this one along with Jarret Jack, looking for a grown-up point guard. If you don't like Alexander here, fill in your own favorite because no one knows.

14. Golden State

JaVale McGee, Nevada

Someone told me this was a good guess, so I'm sticking with it.