June 26
It's time to play mock draft, baby! Everyone else seems to be jumping in with their thoughts.

This year's NBA draft is the most unpredictable I have seen in many years. There are no real clear-cut picks between Nos. 1 and 5. I have an idea who will go in those picks, but there is no definite numero uno, like a Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal or David Robinson.

Here are my picks (not how I would make the choices). If I were the Wizards, I would go with Shane Battier at No. 1.

1. Washington -- Kwame Brown, 6-11, Glynn Academy
Comment: He brings potential versatility. Many feel he has the ability and a great future, a la Kevin Garnett.

2. LA Clippers -- Tyson Chandler, 7-0, Dominguez H.S.
Comment: Chandler has great size and versatility. The fans in LA will like the upside of this California scholastic star. The Clippers continue the youth movement.

3. Atlanta -- Shane Battier, 6-8, Duke
Comment: He is the most ready to contribute immediately. A WINNER! Battier does everything in a positive way, and this is a great choice for the Hawks.

4. Chicago -- Eddy Curry, 6-11, Thornwood HS
Comment: The big, local product has super strength and soft hands. Curry tends to put on weight, so the Bulls are hoping and praying he doesn't turn out to be another Stanley Roberts or Oliver Miller.

5. Golden State -- Eddie Griffin, 6-9, Seton Hall
Comment: A multi-talented performer who can rebound and block shots. Many feel his future is in his hands. How badly does he want it? How hard will he work? Griffin does have a lot of talent.

6. Memphis -- Rodney White, 6-9, Charlotte
Comment: His stock has really climbed. He is a legitimate small forward who can play immediately at the next level.

7. New Jersey -- Jason Richardson, 6-6, Michigan State
Comment: I love his athleticism and explosiveness. If Richardson knocks down the jumper, he can be a steal in this draft at No. 7.

8. Cleveland -- DeSagana Diop, 7-0, Oak Hill Academy
Comment: He has a 7-6 wingspan and a super-strong 315-pound body. Diop is just learning how to play the game.

9. Detroit -- Troy Murphy, 6-11, Notre Dame
Comment: Murphy is a solid, inside-outside player with a soft shooting touch. He will be an asset as a scorer for Rick Carlisle.

10. Boston -- Pau Gasol, 7-0, F.C. Barcelona
Comment: The Celtics are hoping and praying he will be another Dirk Nowitzki. That would be a big plus.

11. Boston -- Kedrick Brown, 6-7, Okaloosa-Walton CC
Comment: The JUCO player has seen his stock climb big-time. He said no to LSU and has come on strong in the eyes of many scouts.

12. Seattle -- Joe Johnson, 6-8, Arkansas
Comment: The former Razorback can handle the basketball. He must demonstrate more consistency shooting the jumper.

13. Houston -- Vladimir Radmanovic, 6-9, FMP Zeleznik
Comment: He can play on the interior or the perimeter. Many scouts say he has excellent touch.

14. Golden State -- Michael Bradley, 6-10, Villanova
Comment: A skilled post player who can step up off the high screen and make the long-range "J." He has excellent touch for a big man and shows great passing ability.

15. Orlando -- Jamaal Tinsley, 6-3, Iowa State
Comment: The Magic need more help at the point, and Tinsley can shake and bake. He must make the "J" on a regular basis.

16. Charlotte -- Joseph Forte, 6-4, North Carolina
Comment: A combination guard who must improve his handle. He can flat-out score. The Carolina fans will love seeing him in a Hornets uniform.

17. Toronto -- Richard Jefferson, 6-7, Arizona Comment: A defensive talent who can run and jump. He has sensational athletic ability and will team up with Vince Carter to provide excitement.

18. Houston -- Loren Woods, 7-1, Arizona
Comment: A shot blocker with excellent touch. Some question his physical toughness and whether his back can hold up for 82 games.

19. Portland -- Brendan Haywood, 7-0, North Carolina
Comment: You can't teach height. Arvydas Sabonis isn't getting any younger. Haywood has low-post skills and shot-blocking ability. He must show more aggressiveness.

20. Cleveland -- Jeff Trepagnier, 6-4, USC
Comment: A tremendous athlete who came on strong late in the season (remember, he sat out early). A high-riser, a dunking machine who should please new Cavs coach John Lucas.

21. Boston -- Omar Cook, 6-1, St. John's
Comment: His stock went up in Chicago, making him a first-rounder. He has to keep working on knocking down the long-range jumper. Cook is a tremendous ball-handler who can also penetrate.

22. Orlando -- Steven Hunter, 7-0, DePaul
Comment: He had a subpar year at DePaul. Hunter has impressed scouts in his one-on-one workouts. Size, quickness and wingspan have led many to believe in his upside.

23. Houston -- Zach Randolph, 6-9, Michigan State
Comment: A physical specimen who must learn how to perform on the defensive end. He has a world of -- there's that word again -- potential.

24. Utah -- Gilbert Arenas, 6-3, Arizona
Comment: Excellent in transition, he's a great open-court player who can score. Arenas can also hit the trifecta.

25. Sacramento -- Jason Collins, 7-0, Stanford
Comment: Well-coached in college under Mike Montgomery. He has an excellent basketball IQ; coupled with his size, he's an interesting pick here.

26. Philadelphia -- Kirk Haston, 6-10, Indiana
Comment: Haston has excellent touch and can provide scoring off the bench. He can help Allen Iverson as another weapon.

27. Memphis -- Trenton Hassell, 6-5, Austin Peay
Comment: A swing player with an excellent handle and ability to shoot the "J."

28. San Antonio -- Brian Scalabrine, 6-9, USC
Comment: A physical player who will work well up front with Tim Duncan.