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About Matty O'Shea

A native of suburban Chicago and 1995 graduate of Syracuse University, Matty O'Shea has over 10 years experience in sports journalism. O'Shea is a strong believer that content is king since his early days as a newspaper reporter at the age of...
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Matty's 2008 NBA Mock Draft and Best Bets

by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 10:15 AM



Believe it or not, we have some good betting opportunities in Thursday's NBA draft.  My best bet for the entire draft was for former Memphis point guard Derrick Rose to play his very first NBA game in a Chicago Bulls uniform.  I recommended playing this BetUS prop at -240 nearly a week ago, and that line has since skyrocketed to -600.

I will be absolutely shocked if my Bulls do NOT take their hometown boy in Rose, but what happens after that could be VERY interesting.  After reading numerous reports, I expect the Miami Heat to trade the #2 overall pick and move down a spot or two so they can take one of two former Pac-10 guards in O.J. Mayo or Jerryd Bayless.  That potential trade would shake up the entire lottery, so here is what I think will happen...

1.  Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose, Memphis (no-brainer for Chicago kid)
2.  Seattle Sonics - Michael Beasley, Kansas State (scary combo with friend Durant)
3.  Minnesota Timberwolves - O.J. Mayo, USC (best player available for young Wolves)
4.  Miami Heat - Jerryd Bayless, Arizona (trade could also net Chris Wilcox)
5.  Memphis Grizzlies - Kevin Love, UCLA (solid replacement for Pau Gasol)
6.  New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari, Italy (father played with Mike DAntoni)
7.  Los Angeles Clippers - Russell Westbrook, UCLA (another Bruin stays home)
8.  Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander, West Virginia (best bet: -260 at BetUS)
9.  Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Randolph, LSU (another MJ bust?)
10. New Jersey Nets - Brook Lopez, Stanford (big man is a big need)
11. Indiana Pacers - Eric Gordon, Indiana (local player stays in-state)
12. Sacramento Kings - Mario Chalmers (could take D.J. Augustin but size a concern)
13. Portland Trail Blazers - Brandon Rush, Kansas (probable trade but great potential)
14. Golden State Warriors - Kosta Koufos, Ohio State (Nellie needs a center)

BOLD = CORRECT PICK

Other props worth betting at BetUS based on mock draft:

Bayless draft position UNDER 5.5 (-180) - LOSER
Koufos draft position UNDER 16.5 (-135) - LOSER
Westbrook draft position OVER 6.5 (+125) - LOSER
Rush to be a lottery pick YES (+140) - WINNER
To get drafted first Gallinari OVER Gordon (+160) - WINNER
Syracuse F Donte Greene to be a lottery pick NO (-250) - WINNER

Thoughts? 


|

33 Comments:

 

posted by Floridachad on 06/25/2008 10:45 AM

I haven't looked at the draft position props yet, but after you posted the Derrick Rose to the Bulls -240, I checked out the other props and got Memphis Under 2.5 players in 1st round for -125 and Kansas Over 2.5 players for -140.  Both look like easy winners and both prices have skyrocketed since then.  I'll definitely check out some more mock drafts and see what sort of props I can come up with.  Good luck with yours Matty.
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 10:50 AM

Great job Chad - that Kansas OVER prop is up to -500 and the Memphis UNDER is -600.  Those seem like near locks.
 

posted by Tommy Rider on 06/25/2008 12:46 PM

The fact that you can now bet on this stuff is great. What a country (or whatever country your sportsbook is in). I really like Bayless personally. I think he's going to be a star at the next level. Hey Matty, where do you see Chris Douglass-Roberts going?
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 12:52 PM

I think the Magic would be the perfect team for him, but they have the #22 overall pick, which might be a bit high to take him.  I'm seeing that he will likely go at the end of the first round, so don't be surprised if Orlando trades down to get him.
 

posted by Tommy Rider on 06/25/2008 12:56 PM

I think Douglass-Roberts is the perfect NBA player. A slasher who's main weakness is shooting from the perimeter. Maybe they'll put him on the Olympic team. lol
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 12:59 PM

He's the perfect big guard for the Magic and would fill their biggest need.
 

posted by Tommy Rider on 06/25/2008 1:02 PM

Man, I know you like Rose Matty and I'm not saying it's a bad pick. But from what I watched last year, it has to be awfully tough to pass up on Beasley. I haven't seen too many players dominate night in and night out like he did.
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 1:04 PM

Agreed, but you should tell the Heat that since Riley isn't sold on him and will likely pass as well.  I guess the old man is waiting for Carlos Boozer to become a free agent at the end of next season, which is silly cuz I think Beasley will be better.
 

posted by Tommy Rider on 06/25/2008 1:05 PM

Hey, what about my boy Maynor form VCU? i follow the CAA and I loved watching him play in college. Early second?
 

posted by Tommy Rider on 06/25/2008 1:06 PM

Wait, he's not in the draft. Nevermind. How about next year? lol
 

posted by GoodFella on 06/25/2008 2:09 PM

Portland will trade up. 13th pick and Martell will be deal for a top 5 pick...........LOVE IT!!
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 2:11 PM

Who do they want GF?
 

posted by GoodFella on 06/25/2008 2:33 PM

I have heard Mayo is who they are tryin to get too...

They JUST traded CASH for the 27th pick in the draft a few minutes ago....
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 2:55 PM

I have a feeling this is gonna be a real crazy draft.
 

posted by GoodFella on 06/25/2008 3:06 PM

especially with Kevin Pritchard doin his usual "magic tricks"..........That guy is the BEST GM on the NBA....................................
 

posted by james h on 06/25/2008 4:05 PM

if augistin is around at 13 wich according to you mock he is a guarentee portland takes him with the 13th pick you missed that one
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/25/2008 4:07 PM

Not sure about that - Augustin is a smurf and could end up being another Damon Stoudemire.  I could be wrong though.
 

posted by GoodFella on 06/26/2008 2:09 AM

portland wants NO PIECE of Augustin........last thing this team needs is another SMALL PG.........bad 1 by u...................
 

posted by Floridachad on 06/26/2008 4:45 AM

I see Augustin going 11 or 12.  Matty, as far as the Magic, I'm torn between Chris Douglas-Roberts and Courtney Lee.  Either one of those guys and I'd be happy.  There's some talk about them taking JJ Hickson as rebounding help, but I just don't see it.  12 hours and counting...
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/26/2008 11:28 AM

I agree - Lee is a borderline first-round pick (but could be a steal), and I almost bet him to go late in the first.  But I'm just not confident that he will go until early in the second round.
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/26/2008 12:46 PM

It looks the Sonics have traded the #4 pick to the Clippers for the #7 pick and a 2009 pick so looks like no Beasley.

 

posted by Floridachad on 06/26/2008 1:04 PM

That sucks...too late to make any hedge bets on the draft.  That just ruined two of my props...dammit
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/26/2008 1:09 PM

Yup, that's why it's so hard to bet big on this stuff.
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/26/2008 2:42 PM

Florida Today is reporting that the Magic are set to draft Western Kentucky shooting guard Courtney Lee with the 22nd pick in Thursday's draft.
 

posted by Tommy Rider on 06/26/2008 2:45 PM

I love Courtney Lee. I think that will be a great pick.
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/26/2008 2:54 PM

Agreed - exactly the player the Magic need.
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/26/2008 3:51 PM

Jay Bilas has Augustin as his second-best point guard in the draft.  Guys that small simply don't pan out in the NBA.  Iverson could be the best player ever under six feet (I know he is listed at 6-0), but I don't see Augustin being any better than Damon Stoudemire or Jameer Nelson.  He played a team with comparable NBA talent and size in Memphis and was 4-for-18 for the field with three assists.  This guy will be a bust.
 

posted by Tommy Rider on 06/26/2008 4:07 PM

I have no use for Lopez in the NBA. He has 11.8 PPG written all over him.
 

posted by thehitman on 06/26/2008 4:09 PM

11.8 ppg isn't bad for a big white guy in the NBA these days :)
 

posted by Matty O'Shea on 06/26/2008 4:13 PM

Augustin and Lopez will be the two biggest busts of the lotto.
 

posted by mattie on 07/11/2008 6:26 AM

Pingback from  mattie
 

posted by 5 11 uniforms on 08/02/2008 11:49 AM

Pingback from  5 11 uniforms
 

posted by betus on 08/02/2008 12:07 PM

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