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Firstly, let's all have a laugh at loud at the expense of Jerry West and phatandphreaky that the Grizz were one pick away from becoming the most interesting franchise in the NBA... 
Seriously though, commiserations, I had a premonition at work this morning that Memphis would get the pick and Detroit would get screwed over.
Secondly, let me say that I've seen only Darko Milicic (briefly) play of the Euros below that are going to be selected. But the majority of NBA GMs wouldn't have either, at least yet. As far as I know, Dallas and Sacramento are the only teams with a major presence in Europe, a few others have minor operations, but for the most part NBA GMs steal information off said teams. Anyway, on with the shiznit.
1 - Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Well, I guess this your fairytale type thing. The Cavs will still be terrible with Lebron next year, but will be the most watched franchise, and probably hit the top of the charts in jersey sales. Either Darius Miles or Ricky Davis would have to be on the way out with the Cavs' lottery win. I see this as a two-fold win for the Cavaliers - Juanny Wags gets to play SG, with Lebron handling the ball, think Eric Snow/Allen Iverson (except Lebron is '6"8 not '6"3.
2 - Darko Milicic (Detroit Pistons)
Joe Dumars will probably have several sleepless night deciding who he takes at #2. But when it comes down to it, the Pistons need more of a front court scorer to complement Wallace and Okur, rather than Carmelo Anthony (who wouldn't have been too shabby I must admit) taking shots away from Billups and Hamilton.
3 - Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
They didn't get the big prize, but the Nuggets will be satisfied taking whomever is left out of Milicic and Anthony. Gilbert Arenas is on the way to Colorado, so this pick gives them an excellent young nucleus. The only question is what to do with Skita?
4 - Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)
I thought Lampe could go as high as 4, but the Raptors don't quite seem a good fit for the Polish youngster, whereas Chris Bosh does. Will take a while to adjust to the NBA, but will get minutes.
5 - TJ Ford (Miami Heat)
Miami are pretty much set at the 2 (Jones/Butler), 3 (Butler), 4 (Grant) and 5 (the incoming Olowokandi) so it makes sense that they take a point guard. I wish I could be a fly on the wall during the discussions between the Heat and Olowokandi, because if the centre decides to go to Miami as rumoured, Ford can pack his bags for sunny Florida as well. If they can't get Kandi, they may take Chris Kaman. Maybe.
6 - Chris Kaman (LA Clippers)
He's not a good fit, but a replacement for Kandi is needed.
7 - Jarvis Hayes (Chicago)
Chicago pick up a much needed wing, who has, or is going to do a work out for the Bulls in the not too distant future. Mickael Pietrus could be a darkhorse for this selection, but John Paxson could deem Hayes more "NBA ready".
8 - Maciej Lampe (Milwaukee)
This could be either Lampe or Mike Sweetney from Georgetown, but my tip is they pick up the European to develop along with DMase.
9 - Mike Sweetney (New York)
If New York can get Sweetney I suspect they'll take him, which could mean Lampe slides if he isn't taken within the top 8 picks. Once again, I don't think New York would go European, particularly after the Frederick Weis debacle.
10 - Dwyane Wade (Washington)
The Wiz get the NBA ready scorer that they will definitely need after MJ's departure, could Wade be the Paul Pierce or Caron Butler of 2003? Touted Rookie of the Year contender.
11 - Kirk Hinrich (Golden State)
Replace the departing Gilbert Arenas. 'Nuff said.
12 - Leandrinho Barbosa (Seattle)
The Sonics get an energetic point guard to complement Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Brent Barry. The Sonics are shaping up really, really nicely.
13 - Mickael Pietrus (Memphis)
The Grizz probably need a bit of depth at the 2 and 5 spots, but there aren't too many worthwhile centres available in this draft. Pietrus seems like a Jerry West kinda guy for some reason.
14 - Sophocles Schortsanitis (Seattle)
Seattle gets a banger with the first non-lottery pick. If Schoranitis and Barbosa take to the NBA quickly, Seattle could be play-off smokeys this time next year.
15 - Luke Ridnour (Orlando)
The Magic get themselves a point guard, as I believe one of Vaughn and Armstrong are on the way out. Could help out the Magic with defensive match-ups which have been pretty much screwed since Grant Hill went down.
16 - Nick Collison (Boston)
The next Kevin McHale? This selection probably has the best feel to it - it's time to populate the Celts with white boys once again.
17 - Zaur Pachulia (Phoenix)
The Suns desperately need a productive centre. They could go for a shooting guard here, but I figure Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen are ready for more minutes in 2003-04.
18 - Boris Diaw-Riffiod (New Orleans)
With Magloire and Moiso coming along nicely, and BDiddy and Mash being stars at the 1 and 3, it makes sense to draft a wing who should back up both Wesley and Mashburn.
19 - Zarko Cabarkapa (Utah)
If Andre Miller heads to the land of wonder that is Utah, the Euro-friendly Jazz will probably take Zarko, taking Karl Malone's spot. If not, they could take Reece Gaines with this pick to play PG.
20 - Kendrick Perkins (Boston)
Boston land a centre to back-up Battie at first, and eventually replace him in the 2nd game of the 2003-04 season. Boston will take a centre with one of their first round picks, and I think either Perkins or James Lang will leap up the draft board here.
21 - Travis Outlaw (Atlanta)
The Hawks desperately need excitement, and Outlaw (who can grab the top of the backboard) could provide it. Will back-up the Big Dog if the Hawks can't get rid of him.
22 - Carlos Delfino (New Jersey)
As Kerry Kittle and Lucious Harris age, New Jersey may stash another draft pick away in Europe (the other is Nenad Krstic), to bring them in when needed.
23 - Pavel Podkolzine (Portland)
Sabonis is gone soon and Davis is undersized, why not bring in the '7"4 Russian. Rumour has it that Podkolzine is actually crap, because he is not playing for his club at the moment (as to not expose his weaknesses) and his club simply want the buy-out money of his 10-year (!) contract.
24 - David West (LA Lakers)
The Lakers desperately need a 4, and I don't see them taking a Euro.
25 - Anderson Varejao (Sacramento)
Varejao (at times tipped to go as high as 4!) saw his stock drop horrendously after he played terribly in the recent European Final Four. The Kings have their large presence in Europe, and may have seen other performances of Varejao that lead them to believe the Final Four was an abherration.
26 - Reece Gaines (Minnesota)
EDIT: The Pups actually lose the first-rounder next year, not this year. Thus, Reece Gaines could man the 2-spot which is pretty much the only spot where a legitimate starter isn't present.
27 - Aleksandar Pavlovic (Memphis)
Since I don't see Jerry West taking a high-school centre, he may add to the 2/3 log-jam. And then trade one of them midseason!
28 - Victor Khryapa (San Antonio)
Rumoured to be a steal of the upcoming draft, unless of course word leaks out. Like the Nets, San Antonio have a European stashed in his league, so they may do the same with Khryapa. However, their current situation at SF may propel them to bring him in automatically.
29 - Charlie Villenueva (Dallas)
The Mavs don't really need immediate help (however they are rumoured to be adding a PF with the MLE this year), and I don't see them taking a high-schooler... BUT - Villenueva is an offensive 3 who could share minutes with defensive stopper Eduara Najera at the small forward spot.
I'm not going to delve into the secound round, but I think Reece Gaines, Dahntay Jones, Rick Rickert, James Lang et al will be drafted with the first few second round picks. As is the depth of this years draft, most of the second rounders (mainly Euros and college seniors) could stay on their team's rosters.
Seriously though, commiserations, I had a premonition at work this morning that Memphis would get the pick and Detroit would get screwed over.Secondly, let me say that I've seen only Darko Milicic (briefly) play of the Euros below that are going to be selected. But the majority of NBA GMs wouldn't have either, at least yet. As far as I know, Dallas and Sacramento are the only teams with a major presence in Europe, a few others have minor operations, but for the most part NBA GMs steal information off said teams. Anyway, on with the shiznit.
1 - Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Well, I guess this your fairytale type thing. The Cavs will still be terrible with Lebron next year, but will be the most watched franchise, and probably hit the top of the charts in jersey sales. Either Darius Miles or Ricky Davis would have to be on the way out with the Cavs' lottery win. I see this as a two-fold win for the Cavaliers - Juanny Wags gets to play SG, with Lebron handling the ball, think Eric Snow/Allen Iverson (except Lebron is '6"8 not '6"3.
2 - Darko Milicic (Detroit Pistons)
Joe Dumars will probably have several sleepless night deciding who he takes at #2. But when it comes down to it, the Pistons need more of a front court scorer to complement Wallace and Okur, rather than Carmelo Anthony (who wouldn't have been too shabby I must admit) taking shots away from Billups and Hamilton.
3 - Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
They didn't get the big prize, but the Nuggets will be satisfied taking whomever is left out of Milicic and Anthony. Gilbert Arenas is on the way to Colorado, so this pick gives them an excellent young nucleus. The only question is what to do with Skita?
4 - Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)
I thought Lampe could go as high as 4, but the Raptors don't quite seem a good fit for the Polish youngster, whereas Chris Bosh does. Will take a while to adjust to the NBA, but will get minutes.
5 - TJ Ford (Miami Heat)
Miami are pretty much set at the 2 (Jones/Butler), 3 (Butler), 4 (Grant) and 5 (the incoming Olowokandi) so it makes sense that they take a point guard. I wish I could be a fly on the wall during the discussions between the Heat and Olowokandi, because if the centre decides to go to Miami as rumoured, Ford can pack his bags for sunny Florida as well. If they can't get Kandi, they may take Chris Kaman. Maybe.
6 - Chris Kaman (LA Clippers)
He's not a good fit, but a replacement for Kandi is needed.
7 - Jarvis Hayes (Chicago)
Chicago pick up a much needed wing, who has, or is going to do a work out for the Bulls in the not too distant future. Mickael Pietrus could be a darkhorse for this selection, but John Paxson could deem Hayes more "NBA ready".
8 - Maciej Lampe (Milwaukee)
This could be either Lampe or Mike Sweetney from Georgetown, but my tip is they pick up the European to develop along with DMase.
9 - Mike Sweetney (New York)
If New York can get Sweetney I suspect they'll take him, which could mean Lampe slides if he isn't taken within the top 8 picks. Once again, I don't think New York would go European, particularly after the Frederick Weis debacle.
10 - Dwyane Wade (Washington)
The Wiz get the NBA ready scorer that they will definitely need after MJ's departure, could Wade be the Paul Pierce or Caron Butler of 2003? Touted Rookie of the Year contender.
11 - Kirk Hinrich (Golden State)
Replace the departing Gilbert Arenas. 'Nuff said.
12 - Leandrinho Barbosa (Seattle)
The Sonics get an energetic point guard to complement Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Brent Barry. The Sonics are shaping up really, really nicely.
13 - Mickael Pietrus (Memphis)
The Grizz probably need a bit of depth at the 2 and 5 spots, but there aren't too many worthwhile centres available in this draft. Pietrus seems like a Jerry West kinda guy for some reason.
14 - Sophocles Schortsanitis (Seattle)
Seattle gets a banger with the first non-lottery pick. If Schoranitis and Barbosa take to the NBA quickly, Seattle could be play-off smokeys this time next year.
15 - Luke Ridnour (Orlando)
The Magic get themselves a point guard, as I believe one of Vaughn and Armstrong are on the way out. Could help out the Magic with defensive match-ups which have been pretty much screwed since Grant Hill went down.
16 - Nick Collison (Boston)
The next Kevin McHale? This selection probably has the best feel to it - it's time to populate the Celts with white boys once again.
17 - Zaur Pachulia (Phoenix)
The Suns desperately need a productive centre. They could go for a shooting guard here, but I figure Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen are ready for more minutes in 2003-04.
18 - Boris Diaw-Riffiod (New Orleans)
With Magloire and Moiso coming along nicely, and BDiddy and Mash being stars at the 1 and 3, it makes sense to draft a wing who should back up both Wesley and Mashburn.
19 - Zarko Cabarkapa (Utah)
If Andre Miller heads to the land of wonder that is Utah, the Euro-friendly Jazz will probably take Zarko, taking Karl Malone's spot. If not, they could take Reece Gaines with this pick to play PG.
20 - Kendrick Perkins (Boston)
Boston land a centre to back-up Battie at first, and eventually replace him in the 2nd game of the 2003-04 season. Boston will take a centre with one of their first round picks, and I think either Perkins or James Lang will leap up the draft board here.
21 - Travis Outlaw (Atlanta)
The Hawks desperately need excitement, and Outlaw (who can grab the top of the backboard) could provide it. Will back-up the Big Dog if the Hawks can't get rid of him.
22 - Carlos Delfino (New Jersey)
As Kerry Kittle and Lucious Harris age, New Jersey may stash another draft pick away in Europe (the other is Nenad Krstic), to bring them in when needed.
23 - Pavel Podkolzine (Portland)
Sabonis is gone soon and Davis is undersized, why not bring in the '7"4 Russian. Rumour has it that Podkolzine is actually crap, because he is not playing for his club at the moment (as to not expose his weaknesses) and his club simply want the buy-out money of his 10-year (!) contract.
24 - David West (LA Lakers)
The Lakers desperately need a 4, and I don't see them taking a Euro.
25 - Anderson Varejao (Sacramento)
Varejao (at times tipped to go as high as 4!) saw his stock drop horrendously after he played terribly in the recent European Final Four. The Kings have their large presence in Europe, and may have seen other performances of Varejao that lead them to believe the Final Four was an abherration.
26 - Reece Gaines (Minnesota)
EDIT: The Pups actually lose the first-rounder next year, not this year. Thus, Reece Gaines could man the 2-spot which is pretty much the only spot where a legitimate starter isn't present.
27 - Aleksandar Pavlovic (Memphis)
Since I don't see Jerry West taking a high-school centre, he may add to the 2/3 log-jam. And then trade one of them midseason!
28 - Victor Khryapa (San Antonio)
Rumoured to be a steal of the upcoming draft, unless of course word leaks out. Like the Nets, San Antonio have a European stashed in his league, so they may do the same with Khryapa. However, their current situation at SF may propel them to bring him in automatically.
29 - Charlie Villenueva (Dallas)
The Mavs don't really need immediate help (however they are rumoured to be adding a PF with the MLE this year), and I don't see them taking a high-schooler... BUT - Villenueva is an offensive 3 who could share minutes with defensive stopper Eduara Najera at the small forward spot.
I'm not going to delve into the secound round, but I think Reece Gaines, Dahntay Jones, Rick Rickert, James Lang et al will be drafted with the first few second round picks. As is the depth of this years draft, most of the second rounders (mainly Euros and college seniors) could stay on their team's rosters.
