Since we're just about headed into All-Star break, I figure it's not too early for some NBA lottery mock draft goodness.

To make things more fair in the Association, I've proposed we just grant the entire Eastern Conference two picks each, but that's likely to get vetoed by Mr. Stern. So we'll just go with the current lottery standings and assumed all prospects are available. That said, I believe a few of these guys will stay another year -- Kevin Love, Jerryd Bayless, and Ty Lawson -- but this is more fun when everyone is under consideration.

Befitting the upcoming stupid holiday, a rose gets us started:

1. Miami - Derrick Rose, G Memphis - I know what you're saying: "Hey dumbass, the Heat already have Dwyane Wade and could use a talented post player." This is all true, but I always say you should draft the best professional prospect available and I'll stand by Rose all season. He's Jason Kidd with more quicks, a better jump shot, more athleticism, less spousal abuse, and a similar basketball IQ. A Rose-Wade backcourt is scary, and hopefully Pat Riley can figure out that even though the Heat are in the Eastern Conference, it's OK to get out and *gasp* run. Derrick will be one of the best pro's within 2-3 years (and so will Beasley).
2. Minnesota - Michael Beasley, F Kansas St. - With Rose off the board, this is too easy. While Miami procures a scary backcourt, the Timberwolves put the Western Conference on notice with a Beasley-Al Jefferson frontcourt. I shouldn't need to sell you on the Kansas State frosh, he's 6'11 with post moves and a formidable three-point shot.
3. Seattle - Eric Gordon, G Indiana -  Hopefully the college basketball All-American team they are assembling in the great Northwest translates to wins sooner or later (which may be in Oklahoma City instead). This is an easy pick as Gordon solves all backcourt weaknesses and will free up Kevin Durant which is a scary thought. Gordon could use some time to develop his PG skills, but he's got such tremendous court awareness as is that I have little doubt he's a future stud.
4. Memphis - DeAndre Jordan, F Texas A&M - Here's a quick refresher on this kid you might not be all that familiar with. Jaw Agape. DeAndre's name is next to Tremendous Upside Potential in the dictionary. The Grizzlies have nothing but time and this is the best long term investment.
5. New York - Roy Hibbert, C Georgetown - It would only be fitting that the Knicks go with another Georgetown center. I'm guessing most of you will say this is too high, but he's everything you're looking for in a true center and gives NY a decent human being to build the team around. The more touches the Hoyas give Hibbert in the post, the more successful they've been. He passes extremely well, has developed his moves on the block and is clearly a threat on defense with his height.
6. LA Clippers - OJ Mayo, G USC - Mixed feelings on Mayo. His talent is impossible to ignore and he will be star if his ego doesn't get in the way. Would be a good fit in the town he currently plays. A perfect fit, in fact.
7. Charlotte - Donte Green, F Syracuse - One of these guys that could probably stay, but I'm sure the agents will be in his ear about a potential Top 5 selection. A complete mismatch on the wing at 6'10, Green could finally give the Bobcats a go-to man. Gerald Wallace is filling that role right now, surprisingly well, but let's be real, Wallace isn't going to be The Man on a winning team.
8. Milwaukee - Some Random Foreigner - I'm not going to pretend like I know who this is going to be, but there will be some guy out of left field that jumps into the Top 10. It happens every year and only Chad Ford will pretend he knows anything about him.
9. Chicago - Kevin Love, F UCLA - I'd be doing cart wheels down Lincoln Ave. if this happened. Scouts are sending in mixed reviews, but the kid is a stud. He's Brad Miller without cornrows, a better shot at this stage, and better post moves. The Bulls desperately need a consistent post scorer and no one in college hoops has brought it more consistently the Kevin Love, even as a freshman.
10. Philadelphia - Brook Lopez, C Stanford - Hard choice as I'm not all that enamored with Lopez, as all Stanford big men inevitably end up being soft terrible in the pros. Sorry Mark Madsen, you're tough, but you have trouble putting the ball through the hoop. At 7'0, though, Lopez is worth a shot.
11. Indiana - Hasheem Thabeet, C UConn - The only problem here is that Thabeet hasn't gotten into a lot of trouble off the court in Stoors, CT. That might not mesh well with the Pacers chemistry, but they could take the risk on a 7'3 center who virtually eliminates any threat to score in his vicinity.
12. Sacramento - Jerryd Bayless, G Arizona - I strongly believe he stays, but he'll be one of the better point guard prospects and that might lure him a la Mike Conley Jr. He reminds me a lot of another Wildcats point guard who's become a popular blogger. Only reason I have him above Lawson is because he's a threat to score from deep. A big threat.
13. Portland - Tyler Smith, F Tennessee - All the Trailblazers really need is time. Another year of Roy, Aldridge, Webster and the addition of Oden is a tremendous foundation. Might as well throw in another versatile swing man to back up Webster and be a huge boost off the bench. Not a great shooter yet, but he'll have plenty of time on this team to develop.
14. Houston - Ty Lawson, PG North Carolina - For the love of God, Houston, draft a point guard. One who can penetrate and dish to Yao Ming. No one better on the board at that then than Lawson. He'll probably stay, but his developing outside game may force him into the draft with a 1st round guarantee.