In the words of Inigo Montoya... "Let me 'splain. No. It would take too long. Let me sum up."

Okay.

It's Draft Day.

The Blazers have traded with New Orleans for the #27 pick.  The price? Just cash.  Speculation is rampant that the Blazers are trying to trade up, with DJ Augustin the most popular target. 

The Bobcats traded a future first rounder to the Nuggets for the 20th pick.  Which essentially means the Bobcats can take the best available guard and get a competent big man, or take the best available big and go after one of the Kansas guards at 20. 

And oh, yeah, the Pacers now have the 17th pick, too, and a glaring hole at the Power Forward position. 

We're running the longest liveblog tonight.  We're starting at 5PM EST and taking you all the way through.  Giddyup.

Here's my personal lottery pick mock draft, as always, projecting what teams SHOULD do. This version? Short and sweet. Five words or less edition.

1. Chicago Bulls- Derrick Rose: Okay, you've convinced me, BlogABull

2. Miami Heat- Michael Beasley: Trade or no trade, Beasley.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves- OJ Mayo: Big Al and Big Ego.

4. Seattle/OKC Sonics- Jerryd Bayless: Give Durant a running mate.

5. Memphis Grizzlies- Kevin Love: The Bobcats say "Thanks, Lord!"

6. New York Knicks- Joe Alexander: If you reach, reach hard.

7. Los Angeles Clippers- Russell Westbrook: Livingston insurance is certainly wise.

8. Milwaukee Bucks- Eric Gordon: Say Goodbye, Mr. Michael Redd.

9. Charlotte Bobcats- Anthony Randolph: Sometimes you have to gamble.

10. New Jersey Nets- Brook Lopez: Trade this pick and fast.

11. Indiana Pacers- Danilo Gallinari: Point guard no longer priority.

12. Sacramento Kings- Brandon Rush: With both points gone, surrender?

13. Portland Trailblazers- Mario Chalmers: Reach for fun, wooo hoo

14. Golden State Warriors-Kosta Koufos  : Defense! Defense!

Here's my mock

With the thirtieth, and final pick in the 2008 SBNation NBA Mock Draft, the Boston Celtics, represented by GGreen Bandwagon, select ...

DJ White, Power Forward, Indiana University. 6-10, 250 lbs.

Green Bandwagon says:

Not to be obnoxious but I was a little busier this year watching the Celtics dominate opponents and take names later. As a result I'm not as up to date with the draft prospects as I should be. However, at least one Green Bandwagon reader is adamant that the team takes D.J. White. Immediately I have my reservations. First he's a senior. Unfortunately we've reached the point where we look at seniors a bit funny. That's just the way it is. Secondly White has some injury concerns. NBADraft.net points out that he broke his left foot twice. http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/djwhite.html Obviously that's bad. And finally the Celtics are already set as far as undersized power forwards go with Leon Powe and Glen Davis manning the position. Although to be fair if the Celtics drafted White it could lead to a reenactment of one of my favorite scenes from The Program.

"D.J. White, back up power forward." – D.J. White
"Leon Powe, primary back up power forward." – Leon Powe
"I know that's why they drafted me." – D.J. White

At that point I can only assume Powe would attack the former Indiana Hoosier.

Thankfully I've come up with ways to get around those reservations. White used all of his college eligibility. So did Al Thornton. Touché. Meanwhile, concerns about his health and drafting for need can somewhat be answered the same way. According to Ben Q. Rock of Third Quarter Collapse it is rare to get impact players in the bottom third of the first round. That's why the Celtics may want to roll the dice with White, someone who may have dropped due to health concerns, much like the aforementioned Leon Powe did in 2006.

That concludes our first ever SB Nation Mock Draft! Thanks to all those who participated!

With the twenty ninth pick in the 2008 SBNation NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons, represented by Detroit Bad Boys, select ...

DeVon Hardin, Center, University of California.  6-11, 250 lbs.

Detroit Bad Boys says:

I had my eyes on Bill Walker, the long-awaited answer to the backup small forward spot, but fortunately there are still some viable big men on the board. Alexis Ajica is intriguing, but the Pistons already have a rail-thin project center in Cheikh Samb. DJ White looks NBA-ready, but he's awfully similar to Jason Maxiell. What the Pistons don't have, though, is a legitimate backup center. DeVon Hardin can be that player.

Hardin was inconsistent at best in college, but despite staying all four years he's still only 21 years old. Under the guidance of assistant coach Dave Cowens and teammates Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess, there's plenty of reason to think that his overall game can catch up to his athleticism. At worst, he still has size, which is worth taking a gamble on this late in the draft.

The Boston Celtics, represented by Green Bandwagon, 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

21. New Jersey Nets- Nets Daily: Donte Green

22. Orlando Magic- Third Quarter Collapse: Kosta Koufos

23. Utah Jazz- SLC Dunk: Jason Thompson

24. Seattle Supersonics- Ridiculous Upside: Robin Lopez

25. Houston Rockets- The Dream Shake: Nicolas Batum

26. San Antonio Spurs- Ridiculous Upside: JaVale McGee

27. New Orleans Hornets- At The Hive: Ryan Anderson

28. Memphis Grizzlies- 3 Shades of Blue: Bill Walker

29. Detroit Pistons- Detroit Bad Boys: DeVon Hardin

A look around the web as we count down to Draft Day.

• Indy Cornrows is looking at Augustin at eleven.  Their point guards are going to be widdle biddle. 
• Canis Hoopus has the final board down. They question the guards in the draft, crunch some numbers, and follow a trend that's gaining steam late.  The trend? Michael Beasley is a beast.  He's gaining momentum at the right time, but it won't help him jump to the Bulls.
  
• BrewHoop's got it's usual fantastic rundown of stuff, including some bad news on my favorite underdog pick, Anthony Randolph.  Also, after running some stats last night, letting Bayless fall is going to be a huge screwup in my opinion. 
• I'm trying to figure out the logic behind this. Don't get me wrong, I hate the idea of the Heat drafting Mayo.  It sounds like the worst possible decision to me.  But if they're not going to take Beasley, you have to take Mayo, don't you?  Do they just feel like they know him well enough?  But if that's the case, don't you know Rose well enough, since, oh, you know, Riley left the Heat to go scout him?  The only logical explanation I can come up with for this is that the Heat really are looking at the Wade trade.  Otherwise, this is just silly. 
• USA Today ramps up its blogging by dropping a top five sleepers for the draft. Hey, Chris Lofton!  Good to hear you're alive!
• So we can go ahead and pencil in Hibbert to the Jazz, right?
• With the recent addition of Marc Gasol, could the Grizzlies think they're okay down low, and be looking at Mayo, which allows them to trade Miller? Dogs and cats, living together, mass hysteria!
• Here's simultaneously another indication that the Mayo switchout is insane, and a clue that this is a damn good blogger. 
• I sound terrible on podcasts.
• Indy. Cornrows. Home. Run.
  
• Yikes, French guy has bad ticker.  
• These are not rules. Consider them The Rules. 

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Everybody's got their guy.  The pick that you keep thinking about.  You can't get over the skillset.  You imagine him running the break with your favorite player, tossing down jimmy-jams.  You've already started a file called "Nicknames.doc" for him.  But which one? It's not about overall talent.  It's not about team needs.  But it does say something about you.  Here's a quick insight. Leave your ideas in the comments. 

Derrick Rose: 

Culture: Ocean's Eleven, the musical stylings of one Mr. Miles Davis, The Wire, D.H. Lawrence, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, the semicolon, Parkour

Philosophy: Utilitarianism

Quote: "A rose by any other name is probably not a stunning combo guard with a questionable assist to turnover ratio, but freakish transition abilities."

Michael Beasley

Culture: The Office, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Candide, Nighthawks, Ugly Dolls, banana cream pie, paddle boats. 

Philosophy: Optimism

Quote: "It's allright, have a good time (along with a well rounded paint player with questionable professionalism, and a charming personality), 'cause it's allright."

OJ Mayo:

You Like:  Wall Street, Entourage, How To Win Friends and Influence People, Cyndi Lauper, Clean and Jerk, protein shake.

Philosophy: Hedonism

Quote: "I am number one, no matter if you like it (or if it breaks several NCAA regulations and brings into question whether there is an ounce of crediblity in the current system), ready, take this, sit down and write it."

Jerryd Bayless

Culture: The Fast and the Furious, CSI, East of Eden, T-Rex, Jenga, Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theater Popcorn

Philosophy: Confuscianism

Quote: "Speed kills (especially when combined with a questionable body size and turnover ratio). "

Kevin Love:

Culture: Orange County, Arrested Development, Warrant, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Snorkeling, Strawberry Jam

Philosophy: Pragmatism

Quote: "I gotta whole lotta love (pun intended)."

Anthony Randolph:

Culture: Jumping turnstiles, the Matrix (or Matrix Reloaded but not Matrix Revolutions), Social Distortion, Oh The Places You'll Go, Pop Tarts

Philosophy: Post-structuralism

Quote: "Woah." - Keanu Reeves

Brook Lopez

Culture: 7th Heaven, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TThe Hunt For Red October, Everclear, Bagel Bites

Philosophy: Communism

Quote: "Only the strong (or this dude) survive."

Russell Westbrook

Culture: Chimichangas, Mallrats, Arrested Development, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, rock climbing, Daft Punk

Philosophy: Humanism

Quote: "When you wish upon a star, sometimes you find an absolute steal in picks 10-14."

Brandon Rush

Culture: Friends, Matchbox Twenty, Meet the Parents, The Da Vinci Code, (White) Bread, bench press.

Philosophy: Centrism

Quote: "You'll see them again on the long, slow road to the middle."

With the twenty eighth pick in the 2008 SBNation NBA Mock Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies, represented by 3 Shades of Blue, select...

Bil Walker, Small Forward, Kansas State University.  6-6, 226 lbs.

3 Shades of Blue says:

Yeah, we know that he has the kind of knees that make fans think of Brian Cardinal and "Big Country" Bryant Reeves (both cringe-worthy of the highest order), but he's also got talent and upside.  We thought about D.J. White (Indiana University), Sergei Ibaka (CB L'Hospitalet), DeVon Hardin (California) or even Nathan Jawai (Cairns Taipan), but other than Ibaka, they all have one flaw: they are what they are going to be.  Walker still has the potential to be more, though.
 
Coming out of high school, most NBA scouts predicted that he would be a better pro than his heralded teammate....one O.J. Mayo.  Two knee surgeries later and he can barely crack the 1st round.  If any team in the 1st round (other than the witchcraft-using Pistons) should take him, it is the Grizzlies.  This is especially true for a team that desperately needs depth at the swing positions.  Walker's strong points (intelligence, athleticism) cannot be taught and his former coaches have described him as a willing student of the game who wants to get better at all facets of the game.  Some people complained when we didn't take a chance with the #5 pick and "went safe" with Kevin Love.  Well, here's our risky pick and we think it is a risk worth taking.

The Detroit Pistons, represented by Detroit Bad Boys, 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

21. New Jersey Nets- Nets Daily: Donte Green

22. Orlando Magic- Third Quarter Collapse: Kosta Koufos

23. Utah Jazz- SLC Dunk: Jason Thompson

24. Seattle Supersonics- Ridiculous Upside: Robin Lopez

25. Houston Rockets- The Dream Shake: Nicolas Batum

26. San Antonio Spurs- Ridiculous Upside: JaVale McGee

27. New Orleans Hornets- At The Hive: Ryan Anderson

28. Memphis Grizzlies- 3 Shades of Blue: Bill Walker

With the twenty seventh pick in the 2008 SBNation NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets, represented by At The Hive, select...

Ryan Anderson, Power Forward, California.  6-10, 240 lbs.

At The Hive says: 

It's no secret that one of the main areas of improvement that the Hornets need is in the front court. When a lot of people say the Hornets' bench is lacking, a major focus is on finding a decent player who can score and rebound off the bench. Ryan Anderson fits into this kind of role quite well; one of the things that stands out is his shooting ability (49% FG, 87% FT). Anderson seems to be in the same mold as Rodney Rogers in terms of being able to score the basketball. In addition, Anderson has shown he is a decent enough rebounder and defender. However, a major concern about Anderson is his size; while he does need to gain some weight, Ryan Anderson is the kind of player the Hornets have been looking for to fill the gap in the their front court.

The Memphis Grizzlies, represented by 3 Shades of Blue, 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

21. New Jersey Nets- Nets Daily: Donte Green

22. Orlando Magic- Third Quarter Collapse: Kosta Koufos

23. Utah Jazz- SLC Dunk: Jason Thompson

24. Seattle Supersonics- Ridiculous Upside: Robin Lopez

25. Houston Rockets- The Dream Shake: Nicolas Batum

26. San Antonio Spurs- Ridiculous Upside: JaVale McGee

27. New Orleans Hornets- At The Hive: Ryan Anderson

With the twenty sixth pick in the 2008 SBNation NBA Mock Draft, the San Antonio Spurs, represented by Ridiculous Upside select...

JaVale McGee, Center, Nevada, 7-0, 237 lbs.

Ridiculous Upside says:

Best prospect left on the board.  Spurs need bigs. Legit seven footer.  Will work with Ian Mahinmi to help the Spurs dominate the boards. Yup, that sounds like a Spurs' draft pick allright.  If only he was foreign, it would be perfect. Alas, they'll just have to do with a seven foot guy at the 25th pick.

The New Orleans Hornets, represented by At The Hive, 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

21. New Jersey Nets- Nets Daily: Donte Green

22. Orlando Magic- Third Quarter Collapse: Kosta Koufos

23. Utah Jazz- SLC Dunk: Jason Thompson

24. Seattle Supersonics- Ridiculous Upside: Robin Lopez

25. Houston Rockets- The Dream Shake: Nicolas Batum

26. San Antonio Spurs- Ridiculous Upside: JaVale McGee