NBA DRAFT- IMMEDIATE PREVIEW

The Draft is nearly here! Under 2 hours away now and I figured I'll go ahead and add on to a previous Draft update (seen here) and predict a few last minute things that should go down tonight. 

First off, here's the Top 10 as I predict it happening tonight (factoring in a late rumors)

1) LA CLIPPERS - BLAKE GRIFFIN

2) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - HASHEEM THABEET

3) NEW YORK KNICKS (from OKC) - RICKY RUBIO

4) SACRAMENTO KINGS - TYREKE EVANS

5) MINNESOTA T'WOLVES - JAMES HARDEN

6) MINNESOTA T'WOLVES - STEPHEN CURRY

7) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - JORDAN HILL

8) OKC THUNDER (from NYK) - JOHNNY FLYNN (team also receives David Lee from NYK)

9) TORONTO RAPTORS - DEMAR DEROZAN

10) MILWAUKEE BUCKS - JRUE HOLIDAY

Predictions aside, here are a few more things I predict happening later tonight based on the moves and rumors that have swirled in the last 48 hours...

• Don't be surprised to see the Phoenix Suns make an attempt at either moving up from #14 or trying to add another first round pick. With the recent "Shaq-tus" deal, I think Steve Kerr is in crisis repair mode with fans and may feel the need to insert some energy in the organization with a pair of picks or a more high profile pick. STILL, I do not- I repeat- DO NOT see the Suns trading away their last true big man (Amare Stoudamire) to do so. If they do, Kerr needs to be checked into a mental institution.
  
• Though most basketball analysts agree, there are still those out their that are completely sold on the skills and flash of Brandon Jennings. Not me. In fact, I'm gonna go on record and predict that Jennings will be the last one left in the green room at the Garden tonight. Tic toc....
• You've got to feel excited about the possibilities if you're a Chicago Bulls fan. After a tremendous season last year and an even more impressive playoff showing, the Bulls sit nicely at #16 and #26 and are in position to further their already solid depth. This draft could likely put Chicago over the hump and in with the Eastern elite. They need another big man with offensive abilities, so I see James Johnson at 16. Look for a guard as insurance for Derrick Rose with the later selection.
• Finally, I've got interest in another selection for an Eastern Conference squad- Philadelphia 76ers. Like the Bulls a couple years back, you can see Philadelphia slowly emerging after surrounding Andre Iguodala with some young talent. The only thing lacking seems to be insurance at the point for Andre Miller or a capable 2 guard who can excel on both ends of the floor. I see it coming down to two PG's- Eric Maynor, who lit up the same Philadelphia floor in this year's NCAA Tournament, and national champ Ty Lawson.

That's what I see and that's what I'm excited for. And oh ya, Vince Carter in exchange for Courtney Lee, Raefer Alston, & Tony Battie. Hey Florida folks, remember that year the Marlins won the pennant in '03. Consider the Magic the deja vu version, NBA style. Yikes!

ENJOY TONIGHT! I'll be back tomorrow for more coverage...