NBA Mock Draft 1.0

OK, I'm taking a crack at the 2012 NBA draft....
The key to this draft is where Andre Drummond goes. He's the wild card. He's the prospect that will make  a GM's career or get him fired. Biggest risk-reward player in a long time. He could go #2 or he could slip to maybe #6. So, without further ado, here are my lottery picks...

#1 - New Orleans - Anthony Davis. Simple. Best player by far.

#2 - Charlotte - I have a feeling the Cats could go with Harrison Barnes (North Carolina guy) because MJ loves his NC guys. They should probably go with Thomas Robinson because I think it's tough to find athletic bigs like this kid. He reminds me of Aldridge a bit. And Bradley Beal should be considered here too for his offense. Of course, they could also grab Drummond. I think this pick turns out to be Thomas Robinson.

#3 - Washington - They should take Bradley Beal. With the recent acquisitions of Okafor and Ariza they need a 2 guard to come in and play right away. The Eric Gordon-like scorer Beal would be a perfect fit beside Wall. I don't see why they would take Drummond with all the big men they have now.

#4 - Cleveland - I think they want an athletic wing to play with Kyrie. That would mean Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. They say MKG is a younger Gerald Wallace. OK. That sounds decent. Of course, they could also go big and grab Drummond. In the end I think they take Kyrie's buddy Harrison Barnes.

#5 - Sacramento - I think they take the left overs of the wing players and grab MKG here. Of course, they could get Cousins a big man partner and grab Drummond. However, with all the struggles they had last season at Small Forward - I think they grab Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

#6 - Portland - this is where it could get interesting. They have to decide if they want to grab Drummond here. Does Portland have the balls to grab another Center and risk that he could be another bust like Oden?? Their new GM Olshey picked DeAndre Jordan in LAC and could think Drummond could develop into that type of player. Or, they could grab the small school PG Damian Lillard and grab a big man at #11. I think they should take Lillard but have a feeling they draft Andre Drummond.

#7 - Golden State - The Warriors need some healthy bodies for next season. Curry's ankles are weak. Bogut is always hurt. So, I think they will go with Damian Lillard at PG and hope he can be an explosive scorer off the bench. Or he'll be a starter when Curry gets hurt. Again. Or, if PDX doesn't grab Drummond - this would be the furthest he slides down the draft board as he could learn his craft from the savvy Aussie veteran.

#8 - Toronto -  I'm thinking Austin Rivers gets the nod here. Why? I have no clue.

#9 - Detroit - Most mocks have the Pistons taking John Henson here to pair up with Greg Monroe. Or they could go with Meyers Leonard. I think they take Henson.

#10 - New Orleans - With Okafor on his way out of the town I think the Hornets grab a big man here. It's either Leonard or Tyler Zeller. I think they go with Meyers Leonard.

#11 - Portland - I think the Blazers should take Dion Waiters or Kendall Marshall. They need some PG help this off season and they might as well build with youth. Waiters is moving up the draft boards and could be an explosive combo guard.

#12 - Milwaukee - I think the Bucks are required to draft a white Center with this pick. Seriously, don't the Bucks always have a white Center. Bogut. Sikma. Paul Mokeski. All white. Hello Tyler Zeller.

#13 - Phoenix - Steve Nash could be on the move so they need a replacement. Hello best passing PG in the nation - Kendall Marshall.

I actually think there are a lot of guys in this draft who could make a fantasy impact next season. Even some of the later round picks will have value. This is a very deep 1st round. Remember last season's draft? It was supposed to be a mediocre draft class and some late round gems were discovered - MarShon Brooks and Kenneth Faried to name a couple.

I think our JBL rookie draft will be very interesting as a lot of these NBA rookies could have some really interesting value next season. Whoever wins the JBL lottery will obviously be taking Anthony Davis. Brussels has the most ping pong balls and could really use some lottery luck to start the Brussels rebuild.

The JBL lottery will be held in August when Benny's back in town. I'm thinking summer BBQ with the JBL clan and we can conduct the lottery at the same time. Oh yeah. Burgers, beers, and balls.