DC Pro Sports Report NBA Mock Draft 15-30

Yesterday, I gave you the DC Pro Sports Report NBA mock draft for the lottery selections. Today, we do picks 15-30. Enjoy and/or complain, as you see fit.
15. Phoenix Suns: PF Donte Green [Syracuse]. With the loss of Shawn Marion, Green provides the sort of combo forward the Suns need. He’s a great athlete with excellent length. He needs to get stronger and his game will require some refinement, but he can really get up and down the floor and is learning how to shoot from outside.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: C JaVale McGee [Nevada]. McGee needs to get stronger and add some bulk to his skinny 7-foot-long frame, but he’s a good athlete and can really jump and get up and down the court. He’s not ready to be a real contributor now, but he’s got a super upside if a team is patient.
17. Toronto Raptors: C/PF Marreese Speights [Florida]. We learned that Toronto has no presence in the paint when Chris Bosh is out of the game. If he’s injured, God help the Raptors, they can’t do anything. They need another big [no, Andrea Bargnani doesn't count] in the worst possible way and if they can’t get one by trading TJ Ford, the draft will have to do. Speights is a banger who needs to work harder.
18. Washington Bullets: C Kosta Koufos [Ohio State]. At 7 feet tall and weighing over 260 pounds, Koufos has the body of an NBA pivot man. What he lacks is the strength of an NBA pivot man. Koufos has to improve his conditioning and hits the weights seriously. However, he’s a good passer, a nice shooter and he can really move for a man his size. He needs to be more comfortable with contact because I don’t think he can play much forward in the NBA. I’ve seen him compared to Zydrunas Ilgauskas, but he’s not a strong as Big Z. He is a lot more athletic, though. A good value pick at 18.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers: SG Brandon Rush [Kansas]. If you can’t win the championship, draft someone who just did. The Cavs need someone who can take the offensive pressure off Lebron James and Rush might be able to do that. He can shoot and move and is the sort of high-effort defender that Cleveland really likes. He can help out from day one. This is a bit higher than many people think Rush will go right now, but scouts are already saying nice things about him, so don’t be surprised if he starts to climb.
20. Denver Nuggets: C Robin Lopez [Stanford]. Marcus Camby is getting up there and the Nuggets need another big man and just anyone who can play defense and rebound. Lopez fits the bill nicely.
21. New Jersey Nets: PF Jason Thompson [Rider]. Playing for a smaller school will help explain why he falls this far, but Thompson can help the Nets and give them the sort of superb athleticism and unselfish game they will like. He needs to get stronger, but he’s got a lot of potential.
22. Orlando Magic: SG Chris Douglas-Roberts [Memphis]. A guy who likes to take the pressure shot and can handle the basketball is just what Orlando needs. CDR has some nifty moves around the hoop and can be trusted to make good decisions with the ball. He’s not a great athlete, which is why he falls this far, but he’s got everything else.
23. Utah Jazz: C Roy Hibbert [Georgetown]. He’s huge, he’s slow, he’s smart, he’s a hard worker, he’s strong and he’s not ready for a big role in the NBA right now. He’s perfect for the Jazz.
24. Seattle Super Sonics: SG Chase Budinger [Arizona]. He’s got nice size for the position and he can shoot lights out. When teams double up on the superstar, Budinger can make them pay. He doesn’t play much defense right now, but that just means he’ll fit in perfectly with the Sonics.
25. Houston Rockets: PF Nathan Jawai [Australia]. He’s ripping it up in Australia, but will need some seasoning before he can do anything similar in the U.S. Still, he’s big, very strong, athletic and not afraid of banging bodies in the paint.
26. San Antonio Spurs: SF Nicolas Batum [France]. He’s quick and athletic, with decent height and a ridiculous wingspan. He needs to put on at least 15 pounts [AT LEAST!] and get a lot stronger. Still, he’s got serious potential and the Spurs can afford to wait a year or two. They make picks like this frequently and they have a way of paying off.
27. New Orleans Hornets: PF JJ Hickson [NC State]. Not exactly a high character guy so far, but he’s strong, athletic and can jump out of the gym. Needs to get stronger and develop some moves in the paint, but he’s loaded with potential. His history makes him drop this far, but he’s too talented to fall out of the first round altogether.
28. Memphis Grizzlies: SF Bill Walker [Kansas State]. Michael Beasley’s teammate has battled injuries and weight problems, but he’s an explosive player who can really score and was once thought of as a high lottery pick. Grabbing him at 28 is well worth the risk.
29. Detroit Pistons: PG Mario Chalmers [Kansas]. A big-time defender who has a great wingspan for a man his size. He’s not afraid to take the big shot and can handle the ball well. He’s got some work to do on decisionmaking, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. A good value at 29.
30. Boston Celtics: G Kyle Weaver [Washington State]. A versatile player who can play either guard position and may even some quick forward. He’s a hard worker and his defensive play will fit in nicely with the best defensive team in the NBA.

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