Updated Mock Draft

With the NBA Draft coming up tonight, our good friend the Draft Doctor (who still wishes to remain anonymous and Jewish – yes, a Jewish doctor), gives us an update on the Sherman Ave. Block Party’s first annual NBA mock draft. Again email me today at krisdeblasio@hotmail.com if you want to be part of a live draft chat.

1
Portland Trail Blazers
Greg Oden, C, Ohio State
Duh.

2
Seattle SuperSonics
Kevin Durant, F, Texas
Duh again.

3
Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford, F, Florida
Hawks could use point guard help, but can get that at No. 11. Horford is too good a talent to pass up here.

4
Memphis Grizzlies
Joakim Noah, F, Florida
After slipping down most people’s draft boards recently, Noah now appears to be a favorite target of the Grizzlies, as well as a few other teams looking to trade up.

5
Boston Celtics
Yi Jianlian, F, China
While we still think the Celtics are most likely to trade this pick, Yi’s stock is back on the rise as the draft approaches and he fills a need for the Celts.

6
Milwaukee Bucks
Mike Conley Jr., G, Ohio State
The Bucks reportedly love Conley, and adding him is a great defense against Maurice Williams’ possible departure via free agency.

7
Minnesota Timberwolves
Spencer Hawes, C, Washington
Wolves give Kevin Garnett (if he’s still around) help in the post on a guard-heavy team.

8
Charlotte Bobcats
Corey Brewer, F, Florida
Until the pick is announced (and maybe not even then), we’ll assume the Bobcats will not be the ones making this selection. If they do, they’ll grab Brewer, who gives them another skilled defender and could help fill a void at shooting guard if he can improve offensively.

9
Chicago (from New York)
Brandan Wright, F, North Carolina
This is a tricky spot for the Bulls since the big man they covet won’t still be there. But Wright is a nice consolation prize, even if he duplicates many of the same skills as Tyrus Thomas.

10
Sacramento Kings
Jeff Green, F, Georgetown
The Kings could go a number of directions here, but we’ll give the nod to Green over Julian Wright and Al Thornton.

11
Atlanta Hawks (from Indiana)
Acie Law, G, Texas A&M
The Hawks will get a point guard with this spot, either trading for one (Luke Ridnour?) or keeping the pick and grabbing Law. After an hour, it’s already their best draft day of the decade.

12
Philadelphia 76ers
Al Thornton, F, Florida State
The Sixers would love to move up to get a power forward, but they also won’t mind sticking around here and adding a polished scorer in Thornton.

13
New Orleans Hornets
Nick Young, G, USC
Young’s stock is rising as draft day approaches, and the Hornets will be glad to add a talented scorer to team with Chris Paul and Peja Stojakovic.

14
Los Angeles Clippers
Javaris Crittenton, G, Georgia Tech
Clippers get the point guard they need while waiting to see how Shaun Livingston recovers.

15
Detroit Pistons (from Orlando)
Rodney Stuckey, G, Eastern Washington
Combo guard fits well as a backup to Chauncey Billups (provided he re-signs) and Rip Hamilton.

16
Washington Wizards
Julian Wright, F, Kansas
Wizards grab a top-ten talent who will provide even more punch to a team that already has Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison.

17
New Jersey Nets
Jason Smith, F, Colorado State
The Nets are looking for a solid post player and could go a number of ways here. They’ve also been impressed by Sean Williams, but Smith is the guy here.

18
Golden State Warriors
Thaddeus Young, F, Georgia Tech
Golden State would love to see Smith still on the board, but Young fits in well with the Warriors’ up-tempo style.

19
Los Angeles Lakers
Rudy Fernandez, G, Spain
They could use a point guard, but the Lakers instead get a scoring swingman to protect against the possible losses of Luke Walton (via free agency) or Kobe Bryant (not that we really think he’s going anywhere).

20
Miami Heat
Derrick Byars, G/F, Vanderbilt
The Heat could use a scoring swingman with all three of their small forwards free agents, and will be more than happy that Byars is still available.

21
Philadelphia 76ers (from Denver)
Tiago Splitter, F, Brazil
With three first-round picks, the Sixers are expected to use one on an international big man who can continue to develop overseas. Sounds like a perfect description of Splitter.

22
Charlotte Bobcats (from Toronto)
Morris Almond, G, Rice
The Bobcats will use this pick to get the two-guard they need, grabbing a player who ranked third in the country in scoring last season.

23
New York Knicks (from Chicago)
Sean Williams, C, Boston College
Isiah Thomas gets one of the big men he appears to covet going in, although there has been much speculation that DePaul’s Wilson Chandler could also be a target.

24
Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland)
Marco Belinelli, G, Italy
What do you get the team that seemingly has everything? A sweet-shooting two-guard with a quick release.

25
Utah Jazz
Alando Tucker, G/F, Wisconsin
Jazz get the scoring wing player they need.

26
Houston Rockets
Nick Fazekas, F, Nevada
With Mike James hopefully stabilizing the point guard position, the Rockets will add some frontcourt depth here.

27
Detroit Pistons
Josh McRoberts, F, Duke
The Pistons need frontcourt depth with Chris Webber a free agent, and they’ll grab a big man late in the first round.

28
San Antonio Spurs
Jared Dudley, F, Boston College
Defending champs don’t have any huge needs, so they’ll take a player who fits their system and can be brought along at his own pace.

29
Phoenix Suns
Petteri Koponen, G, Finland
Again, the Suns don’t have any pressing needs, so Steve Nash gets a backup point guard to mentor.

30
Philadelphia 76ers (from Dallas)
Taurean Green, G, Florida
This may be a little high for Green, but the 76ers get a proven leader and a solid backup for 31-year-old Andre Miller.