The 2008 NBA Draft is set for June 26th, but it’s never to early to start making predictions about who will be selected as the #1 overall pick.  The Chicago Bulls won the first pick in the lottery and they will have a tough choice to make.  The two favorite candidates right now are Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley.  Rose should be a solid NBA guard.  You might remember him tearing it up for Memphis throughout the regular season and the NCAA Tournament.  In 2007, Rose averaged 14.9 points per game, 4.2 assists per game, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.  While those numbers don’t exactly jump out and say “superstar”, keep in mind he had a lot of teammates who could score, and he’s consistently shown he has NBA talent.  The Bulls already have a decent back-court, but Rose would certainly be an upgrade.  According to reports around the major sports networks, the Bulls aren’t sold on Beasley’s ability to have an immediate impact, so Rose is being touted as the favorite to be selected at the top spot.  It should go without saying, however, that the Bulls have to be considering drafting the services of Kansas State power forward, Michael Beasley.  Beasley was the most prolific scorer in college basketball in 2007.  He averaged 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocked shots per game.  At 6-10 he has the size to be an immediate impact player on any team.  The Bulls could certainly use a presence in the paint, but we’ll have to wait and see which direction they decide to go.  Beyond these two outstanding players, there isn’t another #1 overall pick in the class, but SportsBook.com has posted the odds for a few of the other players that have entered the NBA draft for 2008.

2008 NBA Draft - Odds to be Selected with the #1 Pick from Sportsbook.com

Brock Lopez - Forward - Stanford:  50-1

Derrick Rose - Guard - Memphis:  10-13

Kevin Love - Center - UCLA:  250-1

Michael Beasley - Forward - Kansas State:  1-1

O.J. Mayo - Guard - USC:  50-1

*Field - Any other player to be selected #1 overall:  50-1

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Good Morning!  There’s so much NBA action going on tonight that we are going to post lines on every game available at press, plus give our pick for each match-up.  My favorite games tonight are Spurs/Wizards and Lakers/Hawks.  I’m taking the big-dogs in both games, the Spurs over the Wizards and the Lakers over the Hawks.  Those are the only two games I’m really big on tonight, the rest should be considered “leans” or strong opinions, not full picks.  Good Luck!

NBA Odds by SportsBook.com

San Antonio Spurs @ Washington Wizards +5.5
Pick:  San Antonio Spurs -5.5

L.A. Lakers @ Atlanta Hawks +7
Pick:  L.A. Lakers -7

New Jersey Nets @ Orlando Magic -11
Pick:  New Jersey Nets +11

Miami Heat @ Detroit Pistons -16
Pick:  Detroit Pistons -16

Seattle Super Sonics @ Sacramento Kings -9.5
Pick:  Seattle Super Sonics +9.5

New Orleans Hornets @ Phoenix Suns -6
Pick:  Phoenix Suns -6

Chicago Bulls @ Portland Trail Blazers -6
Pick: Portland Trail Blazers -6

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Nothing huge today, just a pair of NBA leans. 

The Chicago Bulls are in a bit of disarray.  They fired their coach and the new coach doesn’t have much control over his team.  With the Bulls discombobulated we like the Detroit Pistons to win easily.

NBA Tip:  Detroit Pistons -6

Portland remains hot and we are going to continue to ride them until they show us they don’t deserve it! 

NBA Tip: Portland Trail Blazers +4.5

Good Luck Saturday!  Comments welcome!

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