We interrupt this run to the Finals with….

What a joy to be wrapped up in a run to the NBA Finals during tonights NBA Draft Lottery. I’ll gladly take the #30 pick that goes along with having the best record in the League this year.

My first “big board”, hours after the NBA Draft Lottery, & based — as always — on hunches, mock drafts and know-it-all-ness. I’ll make maybe 2 more lists prior to the draft.

1. DeVon Hardin (PF/C, California, 6-10) — Each year I become (sometimes irrationally) enamored with one player early in the draft. This year it’s Hardin. A smart kid w/ big, nasty game who’d blossom behind KG and Perk; said he chose Cal b/c he looked forward to playing with Leon Powe(!). Sounds ready to step into ubuntu as an ultimate team guy.

2. Joey Dorsey (PF/C, Memphis, 6-9) — a defensive role player… our version of Jason Maxiell or Sean Williams?

3. Courtney Lee (SF, W. Kentucky, 6-5) — Senior, insurance for Tony Allen not returning to form.

4. Richard Hendrix (PF, Alabama, 6-8) — a strong, slightly undersized PF. too much of a Leon Powe clone?

5. Roy Hibbert (C, Georgetown, 7-2) — you can’t teach height, almost no chance he’d slip this far and is probably more of a project than this team needs.

6. Kevin Love (PF, UCLA, 6-9) — Looooong shot here. We’d have to trade up to get him, but i”m surprised that he’s listed in the late lottery in most mocks. Teams like MIL, CHA and NJ might be willing to move their pick in the early teens… would we have enough to move up? This guy reminds me a lot of Brad Miller — and I mean that as a true compliment.