With the twentieth pick in the 2008 SBNation NBA Mock Draft, the Denver Nuggets, represented by PickAxe and Roll, select...

Mario Chalmers, Guard, University of (k)ansas. 6-1, 190 lbs.

PickAxe and Roll  says:

Holy crap there are a lot of talented players on the board here.  As difficult as it is to pass on a player with the potential of Donte Green, a powerful forward who is tremendous around the basket in J.J. Hickson and the French Foreign Legion of Nicolas Batum and workout wonder Alexis Ajinca I had to do it. 

Everyone this side of Chucky Atkins knows the Nuggets need a point guard.  Some of the most egregious blunders of drafts past have occurred when teams drafted for need and this is certainly early for Chalmers, but hear me out.

Since I am playing the role of everyone's dream job, the General Manager of the Denver Nuggets, I should share my goals for the upcoming season.  It is very simple.  I want to find a cheap upgrade at point guard and add players who can defend and shoot.  Sounds easy doesn't it?  Well, with the 20^th pick it is because Mario Chalmers fits the bill on all three counts.

Chalmers is a solid defender and is great at playing the passing lanes to the tune of a career average of 2.6 steals a game and we all know the Nuggets need those steals to avoid having to play half court offense.  He shot over 46% from behind the college three point line and over 51% from the field overall.  Those are numbers that would make John Stockton envious…and put Anthony Carter out of a job.

The fact that he is either lucky or clutch, and I will gladly accept either one, seals the deal.

The New Jersey Nets, represented by NetsDaily, are on the clock.

The 2008 SB Nation Mock Draft so far:

1. Chicago Bulls- Blog-A-Bull: Derrick Rose

2. Miami Heat- Peninsula is Mightier: Michael Beasley

3. Minnesota Timberwolves- Canis Hoopus: OJ Mayo

4. Seattle Supersonics- Ridiculous Upside: Eric Gordon

5. Memphis Grizzlies- 3 Shades of Blue: Kevin Love

6. New York Knicks- Posting and Toasting: Russell Westbrook

7. Los Angeles Clippers- Clips Nation: Jerryd Bayless

8. Milwaukee Bucks- BrewHoop: Anthony Randolph

9. Charlotte Bobcats- Queen City Hoops: Joe Alexander

10. New Jersey Nets-Nets Daily: Brook Lopez

11. Indiana Pacers-Indy Cornrows: DJ Augustin

12. Sacramento Kings- Sactown Royalty: Marreese Speights

13. Portland Trailblazers-Blazers Edge: Brandon Rush

14. Golden State Warriors- Golden State of Mind: DeAndre Jordan

15. Phoenix Suns- Bright Side of the Sun: Danilo Gallinari

16. Philadelphia 76ers- Ridiculous Upside: Darrell Arthur

17. Toronto Raptors- The Dinosty: Chris Douglas Roberts

18. Washington Wizards- Bullets Forever: Roy Hibbert

19. Cleveland Cavaliers- Waiting For Next Year: Courtney Lee

20. Denver Nuggets- PickAxe and Roll: Mario Chalmers