1. Michael Beasley - Beasley will be able to score and rebound right away.
2. Greg Oden - Don’t forget about Oden, who missed his rookie year.
3. OJ Mayo - Should score right away with the Grizzlies.
4. Derrick Rose - Expect him to start slow and then come on strong.
5. Rudy Fernandez - Expect him produce great numbers if a starter.
6. Kevin Love - Love has a very developed game and should shine.
7. Eric Gordon - Could score by the dozens with the Clippers.
8. Jerryd Bayless - The Blazers have three top rookies in the top ten.
9. Brandon Rush - Should be able to step in and start right away.
10. Brook Lopez - As a starting center, should be very solid for the Nets.

Will Michael Beasley become a beast for the Heat?

Photo: Newscom

Check out these funny videos from the 2008 NBA Draft. While the NBA draft is certainly big business for the teams involved, there always seems to be a few humorous happenings along the way.

First we have Brook Lopez freaking out because he didn’t go as high as expected — he even compares himself to Brady Quinn. The second video is the always lovable Stephen A. Smith getting heckled at the draft. The third video is of Knicks fans booing the Danilo Gallinari pick.

• Memphis receives OJ Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker and Greg Buckner and trades Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins to Minnesota.
• Milwaukee received Richard Jefferson and sent Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian to New Jersey.
• In a three team transaction, Portland gets Nicolas Batum, Memphis gets Darrell Arthur and Houston gets Donte Green, Joey Dorsey and a future second rounder from Memphis.
• In another three team trade, Chicago gets Omer Asik, Denver gets Sonny Weems and Portland gets three future second round picks.
• Detroit received Walter Sharpe and Trent Plaisted and traded DJ White to Seattle.
• Cleveland received Darnell Jackson and sent a future second rounder to Miami.
• The Los Angeles Clippers got Mike Taylor and sent a future second rounder to Portland.
• Phoenix gets Goran Dragic and sends Malik Hairston, a future second rounder and cash to San Antonio.
• Boston received Bill Walker and traded cash to Washington.
• Miami received Mario Chalmers and traded two future second rounders and cash to Minnesota.

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose
2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley
3. Minnesota Timberwolves - OJ Mayo
4. Seattle Supersonics - Russell Westbrook
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Kevin Love
6. New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari
7. Los Angeles Clippers - Eric Gordon
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander
9. Charlotte Bobcats - DJ Augustin
10. New Jersey Nets - Brook Lopez
11. Indiana Pacers - Jerryd Bayless
12. Sacramento Kings - Jason Thompson
13. Portland Trail Blazers - Brandon Rush
14. Golden State Warriors - Anthony Randolph
15. Phoenix Suns - Robin Lopez
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Marreese Speights
17. Indiana Pacers - Roy Hibbert
18. Washington Wizards - JaVale McGee
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - J.J. Hickson
20. Charlotte Bobcats - Alexis Ajinca
21. New Jersey Nets - Ryan Anderson
22. Orlando Magic - Courtney Lee
23. Utah Jazz - Kosta Koufos
24. Seattle Supersonics - Serge Ibaka
25. Houston Rockets - Nicolas Batum
26. San Antonio Spurs - George Hill
27. Portland Trail Blazers - Darrell Arthur
28. Memphis Grizzlies - Donte Green
29. Detroit Pistons - DJ White
30. Boston Celtics - JR Giddens

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose
2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley
3. Minnesota Timberwolves - OJ Mayo
4. Seattle Supersonics - Russell Westbrook
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Kevin Love
6. New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari
7. Los Angeles Clippers - Jerryd Bayless
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander
9. Charlotte Bobcats - Brook Lopez
10. New Jersey Nets - Eric Gordon
11. Indiana Pacers - Darrell Arthur
12. Sacramento Kings - DJ Augustin
13. Portland Trail Blazers - Nicolas Batum
14. Golden State Warriors - Alexis Ajinca
15. Phoenix Suns - Brandon Rush
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Marreese Speights
17. Indiana Pacers - Kosta Koufos
18. Washington Wizards - DeAndre Jordan
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Robin Lopez
20. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Randolph
21. New Jersey Nets - Ryan Anderson
22. Orlando Magic - Courtney Lee
23. Utah Jazz - Mario Chalmers
24. Seattle Supersonics - JaVale McGee
25. Houston Rockets - Roy Hibbert
26. San Antonio Spurs - Nicolas Batum
27. Portland Trail Blazers - Donte Green
28. Memphis Grizzlies - J.J. Hickson
29. Detroit Pistons - Bill Walker
30. Boston Celtics - Chris Douglas-Roberts

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
It’s difficult to figure out why Chris Douglas-Roberts isn’t a higher ranked prospect. As it stands, he appears to be headed to the late first round. However, as a player, he has shown few weaknesses during his college days. He’s a shooting guard who shoots a high percentage, plays adequate defense and simply just knows how to score. Perhaps his lack of world-class athleticism and speed is hurting his stock. That said, whoever picks CDR will be very glad they did.

Richard Hendrix, Alabama
It seems like every year, a couple quality bigmen fall to the second round of the draft. In the 2008 NBA Draft, the second round steal appears to be Richard Hendrix. Hendrix is a brute who can rebound, block a few shots and use his strength to score around the basket. The only knock on him is he’s a bit undersized for the power forward position. However, in the second round, Hendrix is a definite sleeper who will end up better than many first round picks.

George Hill, IUPUI
Point guard is a weak spot in this draft, especially in the second round. George Hill comes from a small school and doesn’t have a lot of experience against top-flight competition, but he has been very impressive during individual workouts. He’s a bit of a risk but his offensive stats were fantastic in college and there’s a chance he can transition those numbers to the NBA.

Pat Calathes, St. Joseph’s
While Pat Calathes definitely lacks athleticism, he has everything else to be a very good role player in the NBA. At 6-foot-10, Calathes has the ability to play out on the wing. He can shoot, pass, handle the ball and is a smart defender. Calathes doesn’t have a high ceiling as a player but he’s a guy who could become a jack of all trades on the NBA level.

Will Pat Calathes shine in the NBA?

Photo: Newscom

Arguably the most athletic player in the entire 2008 NBA Draft is Joe Alexander of West Virginia. A small forward, Alexander can jump with anyone. He also isn’t afraid to finish with power around the rim.

Alexander is looking more and more like a top ten pick as he continues to impress teams during workouts. He could go as high as number six to the New York Knicks.

While Alexander isn’t a great basketball player yet, he has the physical tools to be become a very good basketball player. An intriguing aspect is that Alexander is relatively new to the game, so his potential for growth in the coming years is high.

In terms of fantasy basketball, Alexander probably won’t make a big splash in his rookie season. He’s someone who will need to figure things out for a year or two before making a big impact. However, if he lands on a really bad team, that learning process might be accelerated.

Jerryd Bayless had a great freshman season at the University of Arizona and is currently viewed as a lock for a top five pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Bayless isn’t a flawless prospect but he has high potential and his skills are advanced for his age.

Bayless, who stands around 6-foot-3, is a combo guard who will likely play more point guard than shooting guard in the NBA. He’s not a true point guard but by all accounts he has the work ethic and the skills to make the transition to point guard.

Right now, Bayless’ ability to score the ball is his best asset. He’s not only good at shooting the outside shot and getting to the rim, he also is very good in the mid-range game. He can shoot off the dribble, which is becoming an increasingly rare attribute for young players.

A lot of 2008 NBA mock drafts have Bayless going fourth to the Seattle Supersonics. If he does go fourth, he’ll likely start at point guard for a good part of the season. He’ll also see time at shooting guard, especially if the Sonics keep both Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour.

Bayless was able to put up good stats as a freshman at Arizona and should be able to do the same in the NBA in his rookie year. With minutes, Bayless should be able to average between 12 to 15 points and 4 to 6 assists. He’ll likely be a sleeper heading into the 2008-09 fantasy basketball season but he could easily be one of the very best fantasy players from this rookie class.

Here is a Jerryd Bayless video that talks more about his abilities:

OJ Mayo is one of the most exciting players available in the 2008 NBA Draft. Mayo is a combo guard who excels at scoring. While he has the potential to buy some minutes at point guard, Mayo’s biggest strength in the NBA will likely be his ability to score the ball.

Mayo entered the college basketball season as perhaps the most highly regarded prospect in all of college basketball. But at USC Mayo struggled a bit and his draft stock began to drop. But as the season went on, Mayo’s stock began to rise once again.

Now it’s looking more and more likely that Mayo will be the third player off the board. While Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose will likely go first and second, Mayo is the clearcut leader in the race for the third pick.

As far as fantasy basketball is concerned, Mayo has the upside to be a player similar to Gilbert Arenas. Mayo should be able to score right away in the NBA and he’ll get decent enough assist numbers. The thing to worry about is how efficient he will be in his rookie year. There’s a good chance that Mayo will struggle with field goal percentage and turnovers, which could make him a risky pick in fantasy basketball in 2008.

Check out this OJ Mayo video previewing his selection in the 2008 NBA Draft:

Brandon Rush, formerly of the national champion Kansas Jayhawks, is one of the players most ready to produce on the NBA level. Rush has been an NBA prospect for over four years and now he’s ready to finally make the jump to the pros.

Rush isn’t a flashy player but the 6-foot-6 swingman seemingly does everything well. He’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft. He can shoot from multiple spots on the court. He’s athletic and is quick on his feet. Rush is also a capable passer a player who should be able to blend right in on the NBA level.

The only downside to Rush is he likely won’t be much more than an average NBA player. His potential is limited and right now he projects to be a solid role player for the team that drafts him. Rush also suffered a torn ACL at this time last year, which could scare a few teams.

Even though there are definite concerns regarding Rush, his stock is rising as the draft nears. He could go anywhere from 13 to 19. Whoever drafts Rush will likely expect him to produce right away, which is a good news for those looking for a fantasy basketball candidate for 2008.

Here is a Brandon Rush video regarding the forthcoming 2008 NBA Draft: