1) Chicago- Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis- No shocker here. It makes me feel a little uneasy that they are picking a hometown guy. Hometown guys, sans Lebron James, don't tend to do too well when they come home (See Stephon Marbury or Eddy Curry). However, his skill set is so far advanced over what the Bulls have now that it is hard not to pick him. Also Michael Beasley plays a similar position to Tyrus Thomas, accept Thomas is bigger amd more athletic. He's not more skilled though and that's what makes Beasley an intriguing pick. However, if Thomas and Rose can come on and Gordon and Deng can continue to develop, they will have a very good team.
2) Miami- Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State- If Rose goes one, Beasley will certainly go two. Miami will be disapointed because they need a point guard, but Beasley will provide a solid piece that can take the pressure off of Dwayne Wade. If he continues to develop, Besaley has the potential to be a dynamic inside/outside scorer. He may also have a chip on his scored because people basically kissed his ass all season and then said he wasn't a first pick when it came to draft time.
3)Minnesota- Kevin Love, PF, UCLA- Most people will put O.J. Mayo in this position but Corey Brewer plays the same position. There is definitely an argument that Mayo could play the point and so they wouldn't be wrong for making that pick. However, with departure of Kevin Garnett and Al Jefferson's high post game, Love would make a good low post piece. Love is tough inside, has a good outside shot, and runs the court well. He also seems like he has an intangible ability to rise to the occasion.
4)- Seattle- O.J. Mayo, SG, USC- If things go the way that I think they should go, Mayo would fall to the Sonics. They should hope for this outcome, Mayo has the ability to score, much like Jarryd Bayless, but he also has good point guard abilities and is a good defender. If he continues to develop and mature (I feel I'm saying this a lot), he can be a nice complementary piece for Durrant. The key here is that he has to accept that he will not be the man, which he may have more ability to do than you would think.
5)Memphis- Brook Lopez, C, Stanford- They have the scorer (Rudy Gay). They got the point guard (Mike Conley and Javaris Crittendon), now, with Pau Gasol gone, it's time they get a big man. Lopez would be the best choice. He's got a good offensive game and he plays with a strong determination. One day Memphis is going to come around, I just don't know when.
