This year’s awards will recognize the truly beautiful aspects of the game, as mathematically calculated by The Hotness Computer.

The Hotness Playa: Chris Paul

Surely CP3’s magic can no longer be contained. It’s just bursting like tulips around this time of year. This guy can get anywhere in the court and no one can do anything about it, not even his mama. Averaging at least three alley-oops to Tyson Chandler (he got one up on Utah just as I’m typing this) even with teams knowing that’s in their nightly play book—that’s magician-like. Speaking of the Jazz, Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul forever please! Oh and being #1 in the West is no small feat.

The Hotness Underdog: 7ty6ers

Sixers? I don’t even know her. No seriously. I don’t anything about the Philly Ballas. Having them get into the playoffs, that’s sneaky guys. Don’t do that to me again. Andre, if you can windmill and do a somersault in mid-air whilst Dwight Howard flies over you? I’d be very appreciative.

The Hotness Hibachi Being Back: ARENAS ARENAS ARENAS ARENAS!

Hey, Agent Zero Time Zero Equals Zero is back y’all. That’s very important around here. So important that because of him (obviously) I will make a LeBron voodoo doll just in case they match up in the playoffs. Oh Bron, YOU’RE IN FOR A BIG BACK THIGH HURTIN’!

The Hotness of Filming Stuff: Stuff I’m proud to have done recently with classmates. Like with the Girltalk from yesteryear, we worked waaaay too hard to something that’s only a couple minutes long (come on Spielberg, call already!). Chek-it:

A 2min FILM (16mm what!) with the main idea of “space” and “depth” in mind. So don’t mind if there’s no story.
A another 2min short, this time with video, playing with “time”. There might be a story here somewhere. It has something to do with the LA Clippers, I’m sure of it. Also, I’m in there somewhere: hint, I’m not a tree.
Hmmm, so many video projects…just gives me luscious ideas that I should combine it with my other favorite loves, namely…sports…hmmm….(*rubs evil cat and laughs maniacally*)

You see, far too often in the lives of obscure NBA players are they succumbed to fates unkind to their personal relationships with members of the opposite sex. Here at the Unrelatedness, I’ll provide some key pointers for those that have no “charm” or aren’t “smooth” when it comes to the seedy world of dating…

On Dating Women in the Media…
DON’T go out with beat reporters, for you’ll be subjected to the following question:
- “how did you feel about your performance?”
- “was it something I did to disrupt your confidence or it just wasn’t your night?”
- “what will you do in the second half to break the defense a little more”

DO go out with these “journalists/anchorwomen” (mini-NSFW!)

On Dating Women in the public office…
DON’T go out with this lady that says she’s crazier than Lorena Bobbitt
DO go out with Madeline Albright, HOTTT!

On Dating Women that looks like a hooker but really isn’t…
DON’T do it, she’s a cop
DO…… NOT DO IT ANDRAY! Big mistake!

Talk about snubbery! No The Wire anywhere? Friday Night Lights got a couple nods, but nothing to do with the actors, story, or the overall show. Blasted Hollywooders! (mini-update: Dick in a Box got nominated, AHAHAHA, yes!)As I’ve been doing this for about 365+ days or so, I must haphazardly turn this otherwise unrelated event around to include the precious NBA.

Outstanding Drama Series:
-Kobe Bryant & Lakers Mgmt.
-Mark Cuban and Don Nelson
-David Stern and “rules”

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
-Gilbert Arenas; Washington Wizards, blogger
-Stephon Marbury; New York Knicks, blogger, tv show, philanthropist, going-insane-person
-the entire Eastern Conference; making us believe there was a point in the 06-07 season

Outstanding Choreography:
-Shaq, Dwight and LeBron; All Star Practice goof-off
-Charles Barkley and Dick Bavetta; THE KISS
-Golden State Warriors Girls; behind the scenes practice (actually that segment was pretty fucking funny, kudos Sports Action Team!)

Okay, where the hell did we go… oh yes, style and taste and all that. Sooo, we now want you to be familiar with NBAOU’s official Snobbery Watch Measuring-Thing™ (*cough* it’s a scale *double-cough*) for the NBA!

Snob Watch? Why…?
It’s basically a contrived device we thought up 5mins ago that lets us hate on someone or something about the NBA without any real justifiable reason. Thus, being a snobby bastard

So… it’s just like… a mini-rant…? You realize you’re blogging already, isn’t that the same thing?
Hey smartass, STFU! Who the hell are you?? We don’t need to answer— um.. okay, we’ll it’s a bit more nuanced than that. You see, Snob-Watching is when there is something perceived as “cool” or “in” at the moment and we’ll tell you why that is so “uncool” and how your sister is ugly

Hey, that’s not nice
Sorry, just projecting low self-esteem *group hug*

How does it work? Something more than “they all suck” please
It’s like this:
– Fergie: millions of little girls worship her for some insane reason (probably something to do with the water) and she’s g’damn everywhere. Her songs are being played ad nauseum on the radio and far as we can tell, apparently there’s something “sexy” about her. A Snob Watch of “Fergie” means that the person is: too overexposed; bad talent (*that’s* singing?); and a sense that they are a unique trendsetter when in fact their style is annoying painful

– Zach Braff: has a knack for being the leading man in movies where it’s all very emo-land. Pretty much the same character, same range in most of them. Somehow is making us believe he’s a star. A Snob Watch of “Zach Braff” means that: they are overachieving; fan base size does not match quality size; and not as charming off-screen (NOTE: we actually love his character of JD on Scrubs, well, seasons 1-3 JD, just to put this in context… because Scrubs is frikkin awesome. Annnnd another thing, we don’t really mind him, but since there’re plenty of snobbing on him around other pretentious elitist snobs, hell, why not)

– Sophia Coppola: this is a harder one to explain (that’s what she said!) but it basically boils down to — making films that we’re supposed to learn something deep and insightful, but in the end it all becomes very ambiguous (the annoying kind of ambiguous) where the films end up looking aesthetically very nice, but that’s about it. A Snob Watch of “Sophia Coppola” means: they are all about the sizzle and not about the steak; and a small group of devoted followers (apologists) will defend them til death

– Dane Cook: a very popular comedian rising in the mainstream consciousness and whose MySpace page is probably more famous than MySpace itself. However, this is interesting, because the Snob factor is at question here: critics freakin’ hate him, and it is even worse The Internet (as in, with the general pop, tons of folks love him, but pretty much everywhere we looked online, Cook has been thrashed) so is it still snobby to use Mr. Cook as someone that’s “in” even though tons of other folks knock him? Hmm… We gotta admit, we liked him and his bits, before the recent “blow up” of success—but, you know, being part of the Internet means we have to Snob away… and so we must. A Snob Watch of “Dane Cook” means: they are on the up of being insanely successful but it just feels (in the gut) that the successfulness shouldn’t be *that* insane; and that their level of popularity is as high as their unpopularity

Good LORD that was wordy, hows about an example of this in use for your beloved NBA?
Here goes: Snobbery Watch Measuring-Thing Victim #1 is— LeBron James.

Right, sure sure, we know, it’s easy to knock down the king (especially when you build him up a month ago) since he got his ass handed to him by the Spurs last month in the Finals. But realistically speaking, dude is as popular as ever. That’s perfect for Snob Watch. He has been coasting on his super skills that we can’t see the correlation of his true deserved fame. Yeah, he’s a freak of nature, one of kind player every 1o years, but as last season has shown, he was just so very “meh” up until the Detroit Pistons playoffs series.

So with the first edition of Snob Watch, we crown LeBron James Snob Status of Sophia Coppola where obviously his kickass on-court powers are very pleasing to the eye whenever he explodes, but besides the one blow up every so often, we are left feeling a huge void of his true essence, waiting to burst out. Take pride James, in being the first victim of this stupid silly and daft little exercise in bitchery, so that perhaps somehow, somewhere, a friend of a friend of a mom’s sister will read this and tell you that you got Sophia Coppola-ed, and hopefully you’ll work to change that, ASAP.

Once again with the lovely Miss G bringing the funny and Hype G bringing the.. well, something… sorry for the lack of formatting like last time… was… a… little… busy… doing… “things”

7:44 PM Miss Gossip: DAMMIT

missed the #1

TheHype: don’t worry, NOTHING HAPPENED

7:46 PM TheHype: “he has a crush on Beyonce”

Miss Gossip: awwwwwwww

statutory rape

TheHype: B? or Jay-Z?

7:47 PM Miss Gossip: ewww what???

Miss Gossip: who’s going for ATL?

TheHype: Yi

my Chinese ancestors are calling it

Miss Gossip: love Horford’s dad. shout out to all my Dominicans!

7:51 PM TheHype: whoop whoop

7:52 PM Miss Gossip: oh man

too fast

time to pour a drink

what you drinking on?

7:53 PM TheHype: JD and coke

Miss Gossip: NICE

TheHype: what’s your juice?

7:54 PM Miss Gossip: red wine

TheHype: everytime I hear Andy Katz’ name I think of giant cat…

7:59 PM

Miss Gossip: for real

so what do we think, Bucks take the Yiiiii?

8:00 PM TheHype: Milwaukee… their center is an Aussie, their PF is hairless … seems apropos their rookie should be AZN

Miss Gossip: Yi is looking a little tense….

8:01 PM I feel you man, I wouldn’t want to go the Milwaukee either

8:02 PM p.s. his media day photo was by far the best

I may have my new rookie crush

depending on how he plays it when he gets picked

8:03 PM oh crap

here it comes

TheHype: eeeeee

Miss Gossip: don’t do it.

FREE YI!!!

TheHype: BOOM

8:04 PM Miss Gossip: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

he looks hecka pissed

TheHype: Only because the govt already activated the internal poison

8:05 PM TheHype: they are NOT pleased

Miss Gossip: He’s going to get mysteriously injured

now do we really think his name is pronounced EEEEEEE like Stern said?

TheHype: Gongdong whoop whoop!

8:06 PM Stern is drunk

8:07 PM Andy Katz reporter extrodinaire, MEOW!

Miss Gossip: …..picture?

ooooh EEEE talks!

ask that fool how he really says his name

8:08 PM TheHype: his chinglish is slick

8:13 PM TheHype: My Corey Brewer nickname; BrewBear

Miss Gossip: awwwwwwwww

8:17 PM Miss Gossip: I can’t stand Miss Snaggly Tooth

TheHype: Ms Rachel Nichols needs some beauty sleep

Miss Gossip: what’s her name

Rachel

yeah

8:25 PM NOAH

Miss Gossip: OH MY WORD

this is the moment I’ve been waiting for

YES

Miss Gossip: bowtie

8:26 PM

Miss Gossip: Oh shit

Miss Gossip: after I finish making out with Brandan Wright

I’m gonna push up on that bowtie

oh baby doll

please

8:34 PM

TheHype: Acie Law THE FOURTH

8:39 PM Miss Gossip: Acie don’t look super-psyched

8:40 PM TheHype: Oh snap, I think I called Law2da4 in our FanHouse mock

Miss Gossip: you called him what?

8:41 PM TheHype: to go to A-Town

I’M SUPERIOR

8:43 PM you ARE superior.

I love you HypeGuy……

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

8:45 PM TheHype: gtalk-five!

Miss Gossip: dag fool

that’s all I get?

for LOVING you?

a gtalk-five?

8:46 PM L to the Lame!

TheHype: uh… uhh …[looks around]… you look.. pretty?

[runs]

Miss Gossip: kiss kiss

12th pick

TheHype: Thad Rad

8:47 PM Miss Gossip: naw

“Thad-Yo”

TheHype: hahha me likey

Miss Gossip: yes

yes

Thad-Yo needs to “tighten up his ball skills”

are you drunk enough to find that funny?

8:48 PM TheHype: ballz hee hee hee

yes, very drunketh

Miss Gossip: Just got a message from Enrico, our friend over at The 700 Level…

“Enrico: who is thadeus young?

word.

8:49 PM TheHype: pfft, he’s not on the Thad-Yo-Rad train

8:53 PM

Miss Gossip: Enrico at The 700 Level wants Philly to take Mike Nardi

9:40 PM who?

Mike Nardi?

don’t act like you don’t know the name

ain’t nothing changed but the change

TheHype: Mike who? Mike WHO? mike nardi

Miss Gossip: he will stay the same

TheHype: hahha

9:42 PM Miss Gossip: sorry Enrico

TheHype: Enrico’s gonna be at the 699 level now..

Miss Gossip: HA

9:43 PM no, he likes the trade

9:44 PM 701 Level

TheHype: go Enrico!

(photo: Batman Drunk Passed out by Doug Schwarz)

9:46 PM Miss Gossip: I am so drunk

what pick are we on?

I have no idea

what year is this

TheHype: 68th?

2014

Miss Gossip: HOLY SHIT

TheHype: on Mars

Miss Gossip: are you for real?

I really thought it was 2006

on Earth.

TheHype: you had 2 kids

they both ran away

and water is now poison

9:47 PM ok I’ll stop

Miss Gossip: THANK GOODNESS I AM DRINKING BEER THEN!!!!!!

(yes, the bottle of wine is done)

9:48 PM TheHype: I think the % of JD and coke is now 91% to 9%

I’ll let you decided which is which

and coke as in cocain

I AINT PLAYIN’ AROUND

10:03 PM Jazz selection? Someone white?

Miss Gossip: HA

10:05 PM cnot white

10:06 PM but he’s from Rice….?

10:07 PM TheHype: as in Condaleeza (sp????)

10:10 PM Miss Gossip: naw as in “white”

10:14 PM Miss Gossip: what’s the game?

drink every time we see Katz?

Miss Gossip: every time someone saus “eeee”?

TheHype: raaawr

10:15 PM Katz! Meow!

10:16 PM actually:

Miss Gossip: HA!!!!!!!!!!!

YES

that’s what I was thinking with the name “Katz”

but in my drunkennes

I couldn’t put my drunk finger on it

10:17 PM TheHype: yous so fudgin drunkfth

Miss Gossip: whaddafugyutalginabou?

10:32 PM TheHype: Dick Vitale BABY, shut up BABY!

10:33 PM seriously STFU

10:34 PM Miss Gossip: when Dick Vitale talks

I hear:

“sdfsdfssdfsdfsdfsdfsd”

“sdfsdfsdfsdfsdfsdfsd”

“sdfsdgfsdsfdsfsdfsd”

TheHype: hahha

10:37 PM Miss Gossip: why is Stern laughing about this trade?

TheHype: i was thinking the same thing

10:38 PM he’s like “ke ke ke ke Pat Riley he he he he”

yo Pet is so happy

10:39 PM Miss Gossip: HAHAHAHAHAHA

this guy’s nickname

is going to be Pet-Ko!!!!!!!

TheHype: BWAHHAHHA

YES

10:39 PM

Miss Gossip: why does portland have mad picks this is like an NFL draft

10:46 PM TheHype: kevin pritchard… or it it richard pritchard? (wait… that doesn’t make sense…) is the devil

10:49 PM Miss Gossip: it’s kevin pritchard

richar pritchard… you’re thinking of Richard Pryer

TheHype: Pryor

we’re both drunk

10:49 PM Miss Gossip: ha

yes

ugh

OK, so I think I have to at least do something for the Draft around here to at least give myself a legit reputation that I do keep track of this thing called basketball.

Here’s what I think I will do around here today (as best that I can). I shall be updating here and there (re: maybe like, only 1 update) and do whatever to be all analytical and shit.

One thing I can promise for sure (90%!) is I’ll be definitely watching the Draft and via the tubes that is internet — another classic run down with Miss Gossip is very likely to cometh.

So, stay tuned and keep your eyes wide open for today’s awesometown. Oh, ps: TBJ’s back for a second, and there’s GOATSE involved… fun times…

1 Portland – Henry – http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop

Greg Oden, by a whisker. Kevin Durant will punish the Blazers for a decade at least for this pick. He’s a beautiful thing to watch, and if Portland ends up taking Durant, I’m THRILLED. But I just got this GM job and I want to keep it, and I have a feeling that with Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden we’re going to be just fine.

2 Seattle – Chris – http://www.sonicscentral.com/blog/

Kevin Durant: The top two prizes in the Draft are Oden and Durant so whoever Portland passes on the Sonics will gladly settle for sloppy seconds.

3 Atlanta – Ryan – http://www.hoopsaddict.com/

Al Horford: The Hawks are tempted to go with the PG they desperately need but GM McNeill decided to wait until the 11th pick in the hopes that Mike Conley Jr is still on the board. If he’s not there, the Hawks will “settle” for the 2007 Bob Cousy Award recipitent.

Zaza Pachulia is a temporarily solution at best for the Hawks and they are looking for some beef up front to pair alongside Sheldon Williams. Williams is a bit undersized as a starting centre at 6′9″ but with a wingspan of 8′8″ he could be paired alongside Harford who is 6′10″ to provide a dynamic rebounding duo.

4 Memphis – la287 – http://www.dailybasketball.com/

Brandan Wright: Making his final draft selection as GM of the Memphis Grizzlies, Jerry West decided to add another athletic big man to their roster. “The lottery this year is full of athletic big men, but we feel that Wright can step in right away (no pun intended) and contribute to our team. Wright has the potential to be a major star in this league.”

5 Boston – Jeff – http://www.celticsblog.com

Yi Jianlian: Danny Ainge will be trading for immediate help so he can afford to take the best talent available. Danny thinks Yi is the best talent available.

6 Milwaukee – Jeff - http://www.celticsblog.com

Mike Conley Jr.: If Conley lasts this long, he won’t last longer. He’ll either stay with the Bucks (who are losing Mo Williams) or he’ll be traded to someone that needs a point.

7 Minnesota – Sonia – http://www.iheartkg.blogspot.com/

Corey Brewer: While looking to build for the future, the team is also in the market for immediate help and Brewer fits the bill. A great defender with a demonstrated knack to be clutch, his work ethic and winning attitude will make him a welcome addition to the team.

8 Charlotte – Serena – http://mvn.com/nba-bobcats/

Joakim Noah: The Bobcats will take Joakim Noah. Reason: This big man could be the next best thing for the Bobcats. He’s talented, athletic, and he knows the game. He will add a lot to what the Bobcats already have.

9 Chicago – Fanatical Pupil (GMTR)

Spencer Hawes: The Bulls really wanted Joakim Noah, but what can you do? Julian Wrights was definitely a consideration, but without any trade proposals on the table (yeah, I know we didn’t do that), Hawes fills the need for the Bulls and is talented enough to warrant the number nine position. Wright probably is the more talented player overall, but with Deng and Tyrus Thomas already on the roster, he would have created a logjam at the 6-9 SF-wannabe-PF position.

If Hawes can do what PJ Brown currently does, he was worth the pick.

10 Sacramento – Tom Ziller (Sactown Royalty)

The Kings select: Jeff Green, Georgetown

Green provides immediate help not only at small forward (should Ron Artest retire), but also for Sacramento’s underpowered frontcourt. Green can fill in immediately at power forward, and his passing ability should help take pressure off of Kevin Martin and Mike Bibby. With some youngish defensive specialists at SF already (John Salmons, Francisco Garcia) we went with Green over Julian Wright with a nod to offense and size.

11 Atlanta – Hoopsaddict

The Hawks select: Acie Law IV, Texas A&M

Are you kidding me? Law’s still on the board? Atlanta would be all over him like a fat kid on a smartie.I thought for sure that not filling a need (point) would doom but Hawks but they lucked out by getting the Bob Cousy Award winner from last season. I remember last year the Raptors targeted Bargani as their target and there was talk they could trade down and still nab him – however BC was set on Bargnani as his man so he stuck with Bargnani with the #1 pick. I still believe the Hawks will pull something similar and nab Conley at #3 but if they are able to wait for a PG with the #11 pick and nab Law the Hawks may have a chance to be one of the East’s elite teams in a couple years. However, this is Atlanta we are talking about…

Between adding a double-double candidate in Horford to pair with Sheldon Williams and Josh Smith in the frontcourt, the Hawks now have their backcourt tandem in Law and Joe Johnson and things are looking bright in A Town.

12 Philadelphia – Jon – http://mvn.com/nba-76ers

Sixers take Julian Wright – His athleticism is off the charts and his game is still developing, but he can play both forward spots and will make an impact at the next level. The only question is his jumpshot, which can be worked out with practice. He will create all kinds of matchup problems with his quickness and length. He is best suited to the small forward position where he can overpower people, but his ability to outmaneuver power forwards is just as noteworthy.

13 New Orleans – Keith Dardis – http://mvn.com/ncaa-sec/

#13 Hornets – F, Al Thornton (Florida State) Chris Paul needs a mature, athletic running mate to dish the ball to. Chances are that the Hornets will lose Desmond Mason to free agency. Thornton can come in and contribute right away. He will most likely be put in the small forward slot, immediately making the Hornets a big team with David West and Tyson Chandler down low. Thornton creates matchup problems by being a 6′8″ forward with three-point range.

14 L.A. Clippers – Steve Perrin – ClipperSteve – www.clipsnation.com

With the 14th pick in the 2007 draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Nick Young of the University of Southern California. Young is a terrific athlete who can get his own shot, and has good range on his jumper. His workouts have been impressive, displaying an ability to finish and shoot the NBA three as well. With Cuttino Mobley in his 30’s and Corey Maggette’s future uncertain, the Clippers need to add athleticism and shooting range on the wings, and Young does both. Plus, he’s an LA product who actually wants to play for the Clippers – seems like a perfect fit.

The Clippers still need a point guard given the uncertain situation with Shaun Livingston’s knee and Sam Cassell’s age, but with the best two point guards already off the board and Javaris Crittendon a couple of years from helping, Nick Young on the wing is the best choice for the Clippers.

15 Detroit – matt (Detroit Bad Boys)

Detroit takes Rodney Stuckey, E. Washington

Stuckey provides instant offense off the bench, something the Pistons have lacked in recent years. He can play both positions in the backcourt, filling Carlos Delfino’s void at the two and giving the team a semi-respectable backup at the point for the time first time in years. (Sorry, Flip Murray) Had he gone to a bigger school, he probably would have been gone already, so the proverbial chip on his shoulder is also a welcome addition to a frequently complacent team.

16 Washington – Pradamaster (Bullets Forever)

Washington selects Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt University

While the Wizards’ biggest need is probably an intimidating presence in the middle, that’s not going to be found with the 16th pick. Rather that draft another second-rate big to add to the cirque du soleil of second-rate bigs on the roster, the lack of depth on the wing should be addressed. Byars is the perfect fit for this Wizards team, having played in the Princeton offense while at Vanderbilt. He’s a solid all-around performer that, in addition to his scoring, plays excellent defense, which this team really needs. He’s also an excellent shooter, a strong ball-handler, and a fantastic passer for his position. I’m personally shocked that he isn’t getting more attention.

The main criticisms with Byars seem to be that he does a lot of things well, but nothing spectacularly. Hmm…sounds a lot like the 2006 Rookie of the Year, doesn’t it?

17 New Jersey – sirnanzy (HOOPLAH NATION)

New Jersey selects Tiago Splitter from Brazil with the 17th pick of the draft, Splitter are one of the few centers left in the draft who can score with his back towards the basket, he’s also a very proficient offensive rebounder, something the Nets needed to improve on immeadiately.

He’s also very proficient in the open court, which is an important trait when you’re on the same team with Jason Kidd, he will definitely be a huge upgrade over Jason Collins, in fact almost any center would be better than Collins.

18 Golden State – GSOM

THADDEUS YOUNG

Getting Young to get even younger? Why?

Yes, Young is another project and the Warriors are littered with enough youth, but what’s a GM supposed to do this late in the draft? None of the trades the Warriors were mock-offered made any sense. Therefore you take the best player available even if he’s a project. The Dubs will need to swing some trades and make some key signings to take the next step to perennial playoff team in the loaded Western Conference and Young makes it easier to part with some of that youth. It’s a chess move that sets up an even bigger and more spectacular move this offseason.

Young has the biggest upside of anyone left on the board and just a year ago if Stern didn’t institute that silly age limit he would have been a top 10 pick straight out of high school. That 2006 draft will go down as one of the worst in NBA history. Young is a better fit for the NBA than the college ball scene. He has all the tools and physical gifts to be an All Star small forward several years down the line. If he can contribute a few minutes off the bench playing Nellie’s brand of hoops this season it’s just icing on the cake.

19 L.A. Lakers – withmalice – Don @ http://withmalice.wordpress.com/

With the 19th pick of the draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Josh McRoberts of Duke.

Surprising that McRoberts was still on the board, this was a fairly easy choice for us to make. McRoberts has the tools to become a good NBA starter, and impact the team immediately. McRoberts is a fantastic addition for us.

20 Miami – heitner (I Want to be a Sports Agent)

With the 20th pick of the draft, the Miami Heat nab Javaris Crittenton PG – GA Tech.

The Heat were looking to upgrade the PF/C position with either Hawes (who went early) or Splitter. With Splitter being taken by the Nets at the 17th slot, the Heat decided to fill another hole by selecting a young, talented point guard out of Georgia Tech, Javaris Crittenton. The PF/C need should be addressed with the Heat’s newly acquired 2nd round pick.

21 Philadelphia – Jon

Sixers at 21: Jason Smith, F/C (Colorado State)

Smith is a great addition to the big man tandem of Sam Dalembert and Steven Hunter. He’s a relentless rebounder and highly skilled offensive player. His shot blocking ability in college might not translate as well in the pros, but he’s a solid defender as well. With this pick, the Sixers satisfy the need for some help in the middle and on the glass while providing another scoring option up front.

22 Charlotte – Serena

With the 22nd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats select: Marc Gasol.

Gasol is young, talented, and he’s a true Center. The Bobcats desperately need to fill this position, and Gasol would be a great addition to the team. He may need some help on the defensive end, but I have faith that Sam Vincent can get that under control. And if not, well, we always have Gerald Wallace to lean on!

23 New York – Seth – Posting and Toasting

With the 23rd pick, the Posting and Toasting’s New York Knicks select Morris Almond from Rice University. We’re desperate for another shooter on the roster, and Almond’s a guy who- at the very least- can fill it up from outside. He’s got the potential to grow into something more. Also, I took Sean Williams in the SB Nation Mock Draft, so I’ll mix things up. Almond it is.

24 Phoenix – Dan Hilton (Bright Side Of the Sun)

With the 24th pick, the Suns pick Rudy Fernandez – mostly because he won’t come play yet and the Suns can keep him off the books regarding payment as well. I suspect the Suns will package the picks with some players to try and move up in the real draft.

25 Utah – UtesFan89 (Win Or Go Home)

With the 25th pick, the Jazz take C Aaron Gray of Pittsburgh.

He provides the Jazz with a back-up center (no, I don’t think highly enough of Jarron Collins to call him that) that is ready to contribute now. He’s a bit better defender than Visser (which is why I took Gray despite having Visser, and not Gray, in my top-10 prospects for the Jazz. If he can play some D, gather a couple of boards and score when the opportunity comes (a la Millsap), the Jazz will be fine.

The wing-spot can be addressed in the 2nd round, as a wing drafted in the 1st probably won’t play much behind Brewer, Fish, Giricek, AK and Harp. Of course, a trade (of AK) changes all of this, but we’ll assume that that’s not happening.

26 Houston

Houston will take Nick Fazekas – ummm, just because that’s what a couple of mocks said. Apparently new GM Daryl Morey (a stat head) likes him

27 Detroit – matt (Detroit Bad Boys)

With the 27th pick, the Pistons will select Sean Williams of Boston College.

Yes, Williams has a checkered past, but he’ll have a chance to clean up his act on Detroit’s veteran-heavy roster. With Rasheed Wallace spending half of the game camped out by the three-point line, the Pistons could use a force in the paint, and Williams is exactly that.

28 San Antonio – Matthew Powell (PoundingTheRock)

With the 28th pick, the Spurs select Gabe Pruitt, PG, USC.

The Spurs most glaring weakness is backup PG. Jacque Vaughn, despite his tenacity, grit and hustle, is a crude stopgap at best. Pruitt brings youth, size and the ability to hit the long range j.

29 Phoenix – Dan Hilton (Bright Side Of the Sun)

With the 29th pick, the Suns select Marco Belinelli.

I really think the Suns will trade both of these picks but if they do keep them, the team will be looking for guys that can keep within the system Mike D’Antoni has set up. I don’t know much about Belinelli except that he is supposed to be a pure shooter so on that front he would fit into the Suns’ system nicely.

30 Philadelphia – Jon

With the 30th pick, the Philadelphia 76ers select Arron Afflalo

The Sixers can go with best available here, draft a need, or select a foreign project for the future. Petteri Koponen, Kyrylo Fesenko, Glen Davis, and Dominic McGuire were all considered, but Afflalo is the best available and would give the Sixers a better option than Rodney Carney or Willie Green alongside Andre Iguodala on the wing.

Stoudemire said he was aware of the rule about leaving the bench and doesn’t think it needs to be changed. But he feels that coaches and staff members need to be “more aware that a player’s first instinct is to protect a teammate.”

Stoudemire will be busy this summer. His first college class at ASU — a global history course — begins in July and he will then turn his attention to Team USA workouts in Las Vegas in preparation for the FIBA Americas Tournament in August.

During his workout, Stoudemire joked with a friend that he has an idea for next year’s Suns slogan.

“Forget about ‘Eyes on the Prize,’ man,” he said. “Now it’s just gonna be ‘Revenge.’”

Good for him! That “Global history course” seems scary when you factor in that FIBA championship thing, he just might use it for evvvvvil. And is his biting off a certain Agent Zero’s style with his ‘naming my next season on behalf of being slighted’? Methinks yes. Methinks I just used the word methinks. *shame emoticon*

Suns notebook: Stoudemire a ‘bask-a-holic’ [East Valley Tribune]

Glad we’re done with that abortion of a Finals… Anyhow, the Spurs are incredible, no doubt about it—but let’s just take a moment and celebrate the goodness that is Fabricio Oberto doing a sort of chicken dance next to Freeway. Good times.