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Like a thief in the night, the time honored Hoops Addict Mock Draft is back online after my stealth, covert and NBA Draft fact finding psyops missions have been performed with the ramifications shared for our global at large Hoops Addict readership. While we marinated our mock I feel my readership’s pain as some online draft boards created mockery heresy in their own feeble attempts to speculate the forthcoming induction of athletes to the game we’ve come to love.

THE LOTTERY SELECTIONS

1. Miami Heat- Michael Beasley 6′9″ Power Forward Kansas State - In the State of Maryland a long time recreation center employee named Taras “Stink” Brown was positioned by the basketball god’s to mentor two 11-year-old youngsters in the rudiments of basketball achievement and solid citizen senses. One youngster, named Kevin Durant, was the 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year and last year’s consensus National Player of the Year while donning Texas Longhorn regalia. The other youngster under Brown’s discipleship, Michael Beasley, matched Durant’s Big 12 Player of the Year status this year and enters Draft Day 2008 as the prohibitive “best player available.” Beasley known to his inner circle as “Be Easy” was anything but that on the opponents he dominated with zero temerity for their emotional content. Miami Heat Draft Day maven Pat Riley double rewards his long time assistant Eric Spoelstra, first with the Heat head-coaching job, and second with the netherworld basketball qualities of Michael Beasley. Excellent work Taras Brown on your mentorship, highlighted by Durant and Beasley, yet not limited to countless other youngsters who benefited from your gifted tutelage.

2. Seattle Supersonics Derrick Rose 6′4″ Point Guard Memphis - While the city of Seattle contemplates the compass point of the Supersonics’ 2008-2009 Coliseum locale, Sonics GM Sam Presti yearns for back-to-back number two lottery selection. Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo, after assessing the face of the franchise Kevin Durant’s lithe frame, installed Durant as a perimeter floating face up two guard which protected him from veritable harm’s way in the body bumping world of the NBA today. That move by Carlesimo was his best coaching decision last season and critics who thought Durant to be more of a small forward missed Carlesimo’s reasoning and also the fact that Seattle is woefully inept in their guard rotation. Derrick Rose is the essential essence of the 21st-century lead guard that would cement the Sonics’ foundation coupled with last year’s first-round picks Durant and forward Jeff Green. Seattle’s point guard Earl Watson, a superb professional, would be the ideal third guard behind Durant and Rose. Backup point guard Luke Ridnour would be best served with a change of location like Sacramento, Minnesota or Miami. For all of Rose’s gifts that can be measured statistically, Rose’s leadership gift configured outside typical numbers analysis. His on court presence ratio of infinite inspirational command is worthy of 10 victories singularly.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves Brook Lopez 7′0″ Center Stanford - Wolves Draft Day decision maker Kevin McHale is old school and will follow the NBA’s timeless draft wisdom in selecting a “good big” over a “good small”. McHale’s player grading sheet undoubtedly knows the Wolves franchise has not had a solid capable center since the team’s inception as an NBA Charter. Minnesota, a team rounded abundantly in roving perimeter wingmen, needs a grounding force at the baseline to ride shotgun with power forward Al Jefferson, and that’s Brook Lopez. Lopez is a non-glamour player with a solid peripheral mental attitude as it relates to pounding the backboards and taking advantage of rivals’ subtle deficiencies. Lopez can play the face-up game and due to his blue-ribbon fundamental package would excel in a high low passing game with Jefferson. Lopez’s adroitness in the pick and roll game is NBA ready as is his pin down techniques on ball side half court sets. Lopez’s defensive disposition would elevate coach Randy Wittman’s team security concepts with Lopez verbally exposing nemesis’ offensive schemes and directing the right rotations from underneath the goal. His on floor verbal direction matched with his witty concentration is a primordial and rare NBA skill omitted in many scouts’ written evaluation.

4. Memphis Grizzlies O.J. Mayo 6′5″ Shooting Guard USC - Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley who’s team features in the FedEx forum is fatigued with their annual guaranteed next day delivery to the lottery room in Secaucus. Heisley’s weariness with Memphis regular season failings had him authorize the Pau Gasol trade to Los Angeles for the rights of Pau’s younger sibling seven-foot center Marc. Grizz’ coach Marc Iavoroni, who’s coaching future was twisting in the wind at season’s end, met with Heisley to ensure he is the right leadership choice. Heisley signed off on Iavoroni’s return in hopes that the Grizzlies will get out of second sister status to the local college team that routinely outdraws his ball club at the box office and the preferred basketball favor of locals. Memphis GM Chris Wallace, who has no loyalty to Grizzlies management decisions of the past, possesses excellent trade material in the likes of Kyle Lowry and Mike Miller. There are a plethora of teams that have interest and a utility requisite for the aforementioned players making trade movement a distinct possibility. Relocating these players would allow Wallace to find first-rate frontcourt complements to Gasol and Rudy Gay. Therefore, O.J. Mayo is the glossy named prospect that Memphis basketball followers can identify with based on Mayo’s hoop bonafides and strong peccadilloes towards an all-star career. Mayo has climbed next level evaluators’ grading charts based on up close and personal workout surveys that favor him comparably to Association athletes excelling at a high aptitude. Mayo still has boundless room for NBA growth and his selection is wise for Heisley at the turnstiles and the hope his game provides the compensatory adrenaline rush that can breakthrough the doldrums of the Grizzlies’ on floor futility.

5. New York Knicks Danilo Gallinari 6′9″ Wing Forward Italy - Mike D’Antoni has landed the coaching job of the Association’s flagship franchise. The Knickerbockers, the league’s most valued franchise, shelled out 24 million US greenbacks for a coach who was allowed to talk to other teams after losing in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Walsh in a New York minute hired a coach known for his seven-second offense, strong player development, and successful regular seasons. The redundant recycling of NBA coaches was not in effect here as much as it is new Knicks boss Donnie Walsh being caught in the political matrix of righting Knicks’ wrongs under the watchful eyes of league officials. Native New Yorker Walsh’s hire, perceived by insiders as a league directive followed by Knicks owner James Dolan, arrives at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue office with a solid resume despite the woeful conduct of Indiana Pacer teams he helped amass the past several seasons. The publicized tales of Walsh’s yen to employ New York favored son Mark Jackson as head coach was simply a feel good story and void of any real value. Back to the draft. D’Antoni inherits a number of backcourt players that can thrive in his system such as Jamal Crawford, Stephon Marbury and Nate Robinson. Quentin Richardson, who in the past excelled under D’Antoni at Phoenix, and David Lee mesh well in D’Antoni’s game plans. Adding EuroLeague star Gallinari with his versatile well-rounded game and ability to play multiple slots is the right direction for a Knickerbocker resurrection.

6. Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon Combo Guard 6′2″ Indiana - The Clippers endured the 2007-2008 season without the services of All-Star forward Elton Brand and guard Shawn Livingston. On the plus side the development of center Chris Kaman was profound, as was the production/potential of rookie forward Al Thornton. The Clippers backcourt woes were magnified when NBA journeyman Brevin Knight and Dan Dickau received the magnitude of point guard minutes. The drafting of the multifaceted complete guard game of Eric Gordon addresses the Clippers’ shortcomings while warp speeding the strength of their roster. Los Angeles needs perimeter three-point shooters which is something that is a characteristic of Gordon’s proficiency. Gordon at the apex of his potential is the hybridization of Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Clipper coach Mike Dunleavy rolling out a 2008-2009 starting lineup of Eric Gordon at point guard, Corey Maggette at shooting guard, Chris Kaman at center, Elton Brand at power forward and Al Thornton at small forward is assured of winning more than 50% of their contests. Gordon is a hoop prodigy that seldom takes a play off which is an indispensable combo guard property that leads to future playoff success.

7. Milwaukee Bucks Jason Thompson 6′11″ All Front Court Positions Rider - The new regime in decision making for the Bucks falls under the freshly minted franchise marketing memento, “forward thinking.” Milwaukee’s forward deficiencies especially the wing forward designation needs an upgrade. Scott Skiles is back on the bench and inherits a solid backcourt combination in Mo Williams and All-Star Michael Redd. Center Andrew Bogut is coming off his best season as a pro and last year’s first-round choice Yi Jianlian, who can co-mingle between both forward positions, showed flashes despite hitting the rookie wall. Charlie Villanueva is solid as a spot starter at power forward and capable of defending centers while playing the five designation randomly. New Bucks GM John Hammond who brings to Milwaukee the winning ways of Detroit Pistons personnel can solve varied issues with the drafting of Thompson. Thompson is a gem of a pick due to his varied versatility not limited to shot blocking, lane filling transition speed, three-point shooting efficiency, defensive instincts, passing skills and rebounding. The Bucks need game changers and specific promotions to team building matched with roster enhancement. Thompson’s talents blend well with the “forward thinking” objectives of Wisconsin’s NBA representative.

8. Charlotte Bobcats Jerryd Bayless 6′3″ Point Guard Arizona - The Bobcats’ Bernie Bickerstaff was bounced out of his Executive Vice President of Operations duties after spending the 2007-2008 scouting for Draft Day 2008. Coach Sam Vincent was broken off after making errant decisions pertaining to situations as varied as team flight arrangements to questionable player discipline. Current Bobcats players are dismayed with the machinations of the Charlotte basketball brass forcing Michael Jordan to hire fellow Tarheel Larry Brown to stop the Cats’ relentless march from the gutter to the gallows. Brown, who will be coaching his NBA-record ninth team, is fond of calling his systems, “Playing the right way.” Brown, who’s two previous coaching jobs in Detroit and New York were terminated by the former Pistons “Bad Boy” backcourt duo of Pistons executive Joe Dumars and former-Knicks GM Isiah Thomas, now enters the domain of the “Jordan Rules.” Brown can start his ninth regime with Jerryd Bayless dictating his on court thought processes and executing his haughty hardwood thesis. Bayless has the swagger to be successful from training day onward and supplement his talents to a lottery-laden roster of underachievers. Brown and Jordan, both from the “my way or the highway” hierarchy, can have comfort in knowing Bayless can stand up to their strong egos while performing at a sustained lofty level.

9. Chicago Bulls Kevin Love 6′9″ Power Forward UCLA - As of this writing the Chicago Bulls had a head coaching vacancy. Bulls GM John Paxson was eager to hire current Knicks lead bench suit Mike D’Antoni. Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf was wisely unwilling to allot D’Antoni his requested money motives for a coach who has never walked the sidelines in the NBA finals. Reinsdorf’s frugal experience is fraught on the fact he has owned teams with six NBA championships and one World Series title. So Paxson’s priorities are profound as he prudently probes a principal prescription to provide proficiency to his professional roster. Kevin Love can provide the succor to the Luv-A-Bulls by bringing a bevy of NBA ready deftness to the Bulls desirous of his hoops affection. The current Bulls catalog of runners, gunners, slashers and dashers need a singular in the paint rascal that is more than just six fouls. Love is a pedigreed basketball high achiever with the knack to overachieve despite being hyped as a star stalwart. Love exemplified how he excels with finesse players, hence his UCLA experience, and vied with the best in the NCAA. Tim Grover, the Chicago-based certified NBA trainer known for bringing out the latent gifts of various players, would whip Love into 24-second shot clock readiness. Paxson’s eventual coaching preference of Mark Jackson or Avery Johnson could inaugurate a new era in the Windy City with the fact Love is in the house.

10. New Jersey Nets Anthony Randolph 6′11″ Power Forward LSU - Nets chief Rod Thorn unloaded Jason Kidd’s massive contract and eroded the Mavericks roster depth and in return has New Jersey on the rise. Thorn’s trade of Kidd bamboozled Big D’s 2008 first-round draft while positioning his team nicely for a return run at Eastern Conference supremacy. Here’s a rundown of the Nets current register. Coach Lawrence Frank’s team is well-grounded at point guard with Devin Harris and Marcus Williams. Harris can also swing to two guard, a position anchored by Vince Carter. Richard Jefferson and Bostjan Nachbar hold down the wing forward position where Carter can also supply minutes. The center position is three deep with DeSagna Diop, Nenad Krstic and Sean Williams. Josh Boone at power forward with Williams providing stability at the four is the Nets’ needed requisite for roster betterment. This depth chart enters Anthony Randolph. Randolph is a transition gazelle with explosive hops and transition quicks preferred by Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe. Due to the Nets’ frontcourt depth, the reliance on Randolph to be an out-of-the-gate dynamo are reduced, relegating his regal gazelle gifts for itemization situated to specific game day scenarios. The Nets’ luxury to incorporate talented youthful players with the lengthy physiology, aids in shortening the court on the defensive end while engendering mathematical advantages in basketball’s game of geometrical floor spacing.

11. Indiana Pacers DJ Augustin 6′0″ Point Guard Texas - Larry Bird is finally the lone voice in the Pacers front office since former co-star Donnie Walsh left for scrutiny on Broadway. Bird has vowed to revamp the image of his native state’s NBA entry with character guys that can also represent. DJ Augustin is the stutter stepping fury of a floor leader that can right years of Pacers wrongs at the leadership assignment. Augustin is an inexhaustible sparkplug that enhances team play and would sparkle opposite budding superstar forward Danny Granger and still serviceable center/forward Jermaine O’Neal. O’Neal may even transform to his all-star heyday knowing Augustin leads the point of attack. Augustin possesses the aura of making fellow players’ achievement greater by his faculty of mind and kinetic determination. Augustin’s clairvoyant basketball insights are not missed by hoop sages like Bird who carved out a Hall of Fame career with the same mystical feel.

12. Sacramento Kings Russell Westbrook 6′3″ Combo Guard UCLA - Kings coach Reggie Theus backed into his Kings coaching job after Orlando’s current head coach Stan Van Gundy flipped flopped his Kings signing date for life with Dwight Howard. Theus has been treading water ever since and needs athletic guard go getters to offset his team’s abysmal record last year in division play. Theus, who prefers fleet footed backcourt personnel with a host of honed attributes augmented with a defensive leaning, is enamored with Russell Westbrook. Sacramento leading scorer Kevin Martin — unrivaled league wide in his ability to leak out in transition — saddled up with Westbrook raises the Sacramento talent quotient swiftly. The Kings were outgunned in division play despite defeating upper echelon teams league wide. The quandary quotient of Kings play is not lost on president Geoff Petrie. Petrie is squeezing the reins on Draft Day 2008, fully understanding the importance of acquiring a franchise-changing impact player with this lottery pick. Kings’ owners, Joe and Gavin Maloof, who felt the vice grip pinch of last season’s box office deficiencies, have operations under the microscope and are quietly vowing radical changes if the slide continues to leach. Westbrook is Theus’ kind of player with that proverbial unlimited upside. Westbrook, the Pac Ten’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, could lock up with free agent Ron Artest who played well while enduring sensitive family tribulations. The Sacramento Kings have been imbued with many challenges and are seeking an identity facelift. On the court they need perimeter defense as teams continue to bury an avalanche of three-pointers off their half court concepts. The Kings’ defensive weakness was undoubtedly a combination of philosophy and player combinations.

13. Portland Trailblazers DeAndre Jordan 7′0″ Center Texas A&M - The Blazers have the luxury of utilizing their lottery pick at their leisure. Several seasons ago starters Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge were culled in the same draft. In 2008-09 the Blazers will have two lottery picks making their debuts, last year’s overall number one pick Greg Oden, and their Draft Day 2008 lottery option. Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard has recently racked up frequent flier miles to Spain to lure Blazers’ first-round pick from 2007 and EuroLeague All-Star Rudy Fernandez to don the red and black. The drafting of DeAndre Jordan allows the Blazers some development time and the option to move veteran center Joel Przybilla and future picks for supplementary wing flair such as Memphis’ Mike Miller. Jordan’s selection to Portland could spell Oden and allow substantial defensive depth to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and New Orleans Hornets for long-term supremacy of the Western Conference. The Blazers can increase their depth charts mightily with their 2008 Draft choice as their bond with their Rose Garden fan base was rekindled abundantly last season.

14. Golden State Warriors Nicolas Batum 6′8″ France - Golden State rode the wave of their 2007 playoff elimination of Dallas a season ago as an eighth seed with record attendance in 2008. “Nellie-ball” went on to win 49 games and failed to suit up in the post-season as an encore, rendering the Oracle Arena to a barren edifice. The Warriors have had fascinating drafts the past three seasons with little production from sundry first-round elections. In 2005 the Warriors with the ninth overall pick drafted forward Ike Diogu who currently plays for Indiana. In the 2006 draft, Golden State, again with the ninth pick, drafted Patrick O’Bryant who has played 40 NBA games and 33 games in the NBDL. On Draft Day 2007, Golden State executive Chris Mullin drafted Italian shooting guard Marco Bellinelli 18th overall. Marksman Marco played in 33 games last season and averaged 2.9 points per game. Brandan Wright, the eighth overall pick by the Charlotte Bobcats last year, was acquired for long-time Warrior guard and former Slam Dunk champ Jason Richardson. Wright, plagued with injuries, played in 36 games and averaged four points per game. Therefore the Warriors need a player that can play more than half the season and contribute as coach Don Nelson’s dictates. That player is Frenchman Nicolas Batum, a transition impala with play-making attributes in the transition sequence. With free agents Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus on their way to new NBA locales, Batum’s services are a necessity. While Baron Davis, coming off a stout season, pursues a big bucks infusion, Golden State enters that vulnerable franchise crossroad. With the magical season of 2007 buried in the “what have you done for me lately” NBA, the Bay Area awaits Mullin’s moves to transform the Warriors to more than just a one hit wonder. Chris Mullin fiends for drafts pick that won’t be buried on Nellie’s bench and the suitable solution is singling Nicolas Batum.

THE NEXT LEVEL

15. Phoenix Suns Chris Douglas-Roberts 6′7″ Wing Forward/Guard Memphis - First-time general manager Steve Kerr had baptism by Sun in his first foray as an NBA executive. Former Suns coach Mike D’Antoni, who resented Kerr’s trade for Shaquille O’Neal while his team was on a solid run, jumped the good ship while nice guy Kerr allowed him to interview elsewhere. Kerr’s finesse firing of D’Antoni by allowing the “interview process” of an alleged subordinate to manifest has put Kerr in a challenged posture. Who makes up the next Suns coaching staff? Steve Nash, who many feel is a creation of the D’Antoni coaching system, has done his best to express his disdain with professional cordiality. D’Antoni’s utilization of O’Neal during crunch time in the first round playoff against San Antonio allowed Spurs leader Greg Popovich to dust off the “Hack-a-Shaq” playbook rendering the loud playing transition game of Phoenix to pause and eventually mute. Kerr knows that Grant Hill is not the long-term answer at wing forward and drafting Chris Douglas-Roberts interlocks efficiently with Kerr’s current roster. Douglas-Roberts is a big time talent that would have blue-chip results diametric to Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, Nash and O’Neal.

16. Philadelphia 76ers Marreese Speights 6′10″ Power Forward/Center Florida - General manager Ed Stefanski inherited a playoff team designed by purged Philly executive Billy King. Stefanski’s selection of Speights takes the 76ers to new heights as coach Mo Cheeks mobilizes his team into an all-out running machine. Cheeks will have a nice depth chart in 2008-2009 and Speights, who can play the frontline finesse game, has exemplified surprising equilibrium at the power game required for low post influence in the NBA. Speights is more than a capable complement to rising star center Samuel Dalembert as his shot blocking instinct gives the 76ers a frightening inside presence.

17. Toronto Raptors Roy Hibbert 7′2″ Center Georgetown - The Raptors’ first-round playoff appearance was rendered void by the 20/20 statistical bonanza of Dwight Howard. The EuroLeague-styled Raptors have found that the NBA way is predicated on some form of space-eating roster big that can carve out hardwood square footage while providing an offensive touch from 10 feet in. Roy Hibbert is a nice fit with coach Mitchell’s mindset and someone that would add four points and two rebounds to All-Star forward Chris Bosh’s already hardy numbers. Just as meaningful, Hibbert’s game may not be aesthetically attractive, but his game coalesces with the NBA way akin to post play effectiveness. Let the record reflect Hibbert will impress in individual workouts during the pre-draft NBA tour.

18. Washington Wizards Robin Lopez 7′0″ Center Stanford - In the coach Eddie Jordan era, the Wizards make the playoffs only to be eliminated by their nemesis LeBron James. One constant in Washington’s playoff elimination is second shots and dribble drives by James. Coach Jordan has watched the limited lateral range of center Brendan Haywood cost his squad and as a result seeks a lane clogging, gritty post presence embodied by Robin Lopez.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers Courtney Lee 6′5″ Wing Western Kentucky - Coach Mike Brown and general manager Danny Ferry could utilize a roster flavor man that can execute Cavalier defensive stratagems and make plays out of thin air. Courtney Lee fulfills this flexible player requirement that impacts the practice floor, locker room and game day allocations. Lee has a trustworthy hodgepodge of abilities not limited to his mid-range offensive game, wisdom in transition offense/defense and a coach’s reliability in carrying out the statutes of the half court set and the impromptu instincts to take what the defense gives him. Lee is the tangible player that would thrive on the Cavaliers’ talented roster while pursuing his defensive assignment with dogged assertiveness.

20. Denver Nuggets Ty Lawson 6′0″ Point Guard North Carolina - The basketball brilliance that is Allen Iverson will have another address other than the State of Colorado during the upcoming 2008-2009 season. The AI/Melo offensive melodrama closed it’s curtains afte Denver was swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Nuggets’ lack of defense is perplexing considering center Marcus Camby, a perennial All-NBA Defensive team performer, anchors it. But Camby can’t block every shot that antagonists hoist in his terrain. Camby’s numerous defensive block shot attempt average is a result of the Nuggets’ perimeter defenders feigning the red-cape matador style of their cover assignments. George Karl requests the services of Carolina point guard Ty Lawson, an offensive table setter and up tempo pariah. Lawson’s oxygenated game and baseline-to-baseline style should create cardio inebriation for rival lead guards when they meet up in Denver.

21. New Jersey Nets Donte Green 6′10″ Forward Syracuse - Nets head coach Lawrence Frank has found favor with Net front office impresario Rod Thorn based on several seasons of the Nets slippage culminating with being shut out of the Eastern Conference playoffs this season. Frankly, Frank returns and adding the potential of Green fits general manager Kiki Vandeweghe’s thought process; gather as many dual position talents with NBA-level athletic vigor as possible. Green can play and his inconsistent play has his stock ranging from low lottery to a choice 21st selection.

22. Orlando Magic JaVale McGee 7′0″ Center Nevada - McGee’s addition to the Magic allows Dwight Howard the opportunity to glide to power forward when on the court with the Nevada center. McGee is a fast climber on the draft board and is ready made to have immediate shock value based on his assertiveness and organic penchant for inside the lane tenacity. The Magic could actuate additional frontcourt profundity and JaVale McGee at 23 is a positive roster addition for general manager Otis Smith.

23. Utah Jazz Kosta Koufos 7′0″ Center Ohio State - The Utah Jazz bear the blueprint for small market success and long-term building achievement. The Jazz have had huge decade to decade success and their organization’s meticulous mining of free agent gems and best value draft choices that bond with coach Jerry Sloan’s orderliness has Utah knocking on the NBA Finals door. Utah does not miss the pick that can contribute in their methodology and Kosta Koufos is a fit. Koufos has a consistent mid-range shooting stroke and has above par read and recognize rotation attributes thanks to his time at Ohio State. Koufos’ passing skills and offensive range plays well off the weak side while guard Deron Williams and forward Carlos Boozer execute the pick and roll on the strong side. Koufos extends the Jazz’ value with another capable player ready for long-term accountability.

24. Seattle Supersonics Mario Chalmers 6′1″ Point Guard Kansas - Big shot Mario Chalmers, forever immortalized in Kansas Jayhawk hoop lore based on his 2008 NCAA championship game heroics, is a player who has mastery of the game’s subtleties. Chalmers utilizes his visual acuity to slither his basketball knack into open spaces of effectiveness. Chalmers’ charm in big games is in the record books (check the 2008 Big 12 championship tourney) and his capacity to perform effortlessly escapes statistical dimensions. Chalmers has that winning karma that the Sonics need in vast quantities.

25. Houston Rockets Ryan Anderson 6′10″ Forward California - Rockets coach Rick Adelman, who lead the Rockets to a second best all-time 22-game winning streak, is fond of face up power forwards that play pick and pop, understand the nuances of the high/low half court offense, exhibit adept passing skills from all areas of half court spacing and can consistently knock down the elbow to elbow jumper. The player that fits the Houston coach template is Ryan Anderson. Anderson will bloom opposite Luis Scola and Yao Ming.

26. San Antonio Spurs Darrell Arthur 6′9″ Power Forward Kansas - San Antonio Coach Greg Popovich deserves praise for the tremendous mileage he gets out of the Spurs power forward position. Sure it helps that NBA all-time great Tim Duncan mans the middle, but the tri-headed four-slot consisted of the aging but effective Robert Horry, trade addition Kurt Thomas and a lanky Fabricio Oberto. Readers, don’t get it tangled, Duncan is designated a forward on paper only to escape the ballot stuffing power of fellow Western Conference center Yao Ming during All-Star voting. Anyway, Arthur has the championship background the Spurs organization elites prefer. Arthur has an exorbitance of post play skills that can continue the excellence of the Spurs’ NBA dominance.

27. New Orleans Hornets Richard Hendrix 6′9″ Power Forward Alabama - The resurgent Hornets, after a season of unparalleled playoff success, are finding the rode to the Western Conference Finals met with the physical play of the defending World Champion San Antonio Spurs. The lithe Hornets frontline, predicated on finesse and guile, needs Hendrix’s physical prowess to bang with the best in the West. Hendrix is an athletic wide post player that can play to the demands of 2008 NBA Coach of the Year Byron Scott’s ideology while providing New Orleans the low post horse needed to ride through the ruffian Western Conference.

28. Memphis Grizzlies Chase Budinger 6′7″ Wing Arizona - General Manager Chris Wallace would be elated to snare Chase Budinger at 28. Varied talent evaluators wonder if Budinger is the next Jud Buechler, a fellow Wildcat who was a functional 10th to 12th man that carved out a journeyman career. Budinger is a first-round pick and can blossom into a sound professional with a more passionate mindset that would merge well with his natural hoop faculty.

29. Detroit Pistons Brandon Rush 6′6″ Wing Forward/Guard Kansas - The Detroit Pistons, heading for another Eastern Conference Final, have been fine tuned with executive Joe Dumars’ front office credo that, “There’s strength in numbers.” Dumars’ acumen for exemplary team building continues to manifest with the selection of Brandon Rush. Rush’s mental toughness after overcoming a knee injury and the courage to step to all Jayhawks opponents’ best wing players defensively is not lost on the likes of Dumars.

30. Boston Celtics Alex Ajinca 7′1″ Center France - Despite Celtics coach Doc Rivers commandeering the greatest regular season turnaround in league history, his Celts are still undersized. Their lack of size is evident in the playoffs as Boston struggles in second season road contests. Ajinca is the lengthy seven-footer that can spell Kendrick Perkins and reduce the strain of the do it all Big Ticket Kevin Garnett who is the Celtics center based on Rivers’ rotation. Ajinca can block shots and has that raw appeal that can be developed into a serviceable NBA post player.