Mock Draft

Here's how first round of NBA draft tonight could go, theoretically: 1. HOUSTON Yao Ming, 7-5, 296, Shanghai Sharks Projects don't often go No. l but that's what he is. Doesn't react quickly to game situations, block shots or play in the post. On the other hand, he's huge, mobile, has a nice touch and may learn. 2.

Round 1 of the 2013 NFL draft is Thursday night, beginning at 5 PDT. Rounds 2 and 3 start at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Rounds 4-7 begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. Live television coverage will be on ESPN and NFL Network. No., Team, Player, Pos., School, Comment 1. KANSAS CITY: Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M Eric Fisher could go first, but Joeckel has more big-game experience. If Andy Reid goes defense, it will be Star Lotulelei. 2. JACKSONVILLE: Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan Modern draft has never gone tackle-tackle, but making the sexy pick isn't always a franchise maker.

MARK HEISLER'S NBA MOCK DRAFT 1. Cleveland — Kyrie Irving, 6-1¾, 191, Fr., Duke. Who said he's so small? If he's no Derrick Rose, he's a quarter-inch taller and very good, besides. 2. Minnesota — Derrick Williams, 6-7¾, 248, So. Arizona. Unable to find big man, GM David Kahn goes small with him at center, opening floor up for Ricky Rubio. 3. Utah — Enes Kanter, 6-9¾, 259 Fr., Kentucky. Would make their front line as wide as a mountain range (if not ticketed for Wizards in multi-team swap with Jazz taking Brandon Knight after all.)

Matt Barkley is looking ahead to this week's NFL draft, but the former USC quarterback also looked back during an interview with Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports. Barkley told Silver that he could have "done a few things differently" during his final season at USC. "I could've had a bigger voice, given more input and taken it to the next level - pretty much as the owner of the company might … not just letting things happen," Barkley said. "You put faith in your coaches, but when you see trends, things not happening the right way, and when the team rests on your shoulders, it's almost like you have to step up. You can't just let these things go by and watch them disintegrate in front of you. You've got to put the glue in somewhere.

In my annual salute to the NCAA tournament, here's the annual mock draft of draft-eligible collegians, regardless of whether they're coming. Not that it's a scoop in a year in which everyone has the same top five and in the age of the 24/7/365 draft-nik, when the latest mock is a mouse click away. The others are weighted according to players' perceived intention. Thus, Kentucky's John Wall is universally No. 1, but the other Wildcats guard, Eric Bledsoe, a possible lottery pick whose intentions aren't as clear, is ranked No. 21 by ESPN'S Chad Ford.

Are NFL teams ready to be on the defensive? To piece together this mock draft, I called — in order — 32 writers who cover the teams on a daily basis and asked them to predict the individual first-round picks. Twenty selected defensive players, including 14 linemen. Among the potential first-round picks not selected were quarterbacks Ryan Mallett of Arkansas and Colin Kaepernick of Nevada; Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure; Baylor guard Danny Watkins; and Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed.

Three quarterbacks in the first four picks of next month's draft? Four first-round choices from Alabama, and three each from Stanford and Louisiana State? And the rarity of as many first-round guards (two) as tackles? That's the way Times' NFL writer Sam Farmer sees it. Here's how he thinks the opening round could go: 1. Indianapolis: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford — The Colts have made some noise recently about considering Robert Griffin III, but this pass has been telegraphed for months.

In a salute to the NCAA tournament, here's our annual mock draft. OK, it's just mine, but thanks to the six NBA people who helped me, along with local gurus Don MacLean and Frank Burlison. As usual, heights are the listed ones so take an inch to an inch and a half off everyone. 1. Michael Beasley, 6-10, 235, Fr., Kansas State -- Kevin Durant, thought to be a once-a-generation prospect, may or may not have more upside, but Beasley has more game. 2. Derrick Rose, 6-3, 205, Fr.

Few people know the 32 NFL teams better than the writers who cover those teams on a day-to-day basis. Those beat writers made the selections for this mock draft, choosing the players as if Thursday night were to unfold this way: 1. KANSAS CITY (Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star) - Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M: "With all the uncertainty over Branden Albert, the Chiefs need to do something to secure that position for the long term. That's a priority. " 2. JACKSONVILLE (Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union)

So Manti T'eo goes in the first round, but USC's Matt Barkley doesn't? With less than three weeks to go before the NFL draft, that's a distinct possibility. The Times projects four safeties, two guards and the controversial Notre Dame linebacker to go in the opening round, but only one quarterback. A look at how the first round could unfold: 1. CHIEFS - Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M: If they don't sign Branden Albert to a long-term deal, the Chiefs need a capable blind-side bodyguard for newly acquired quarterback Alex Smith.

Being an NFL linebacker means being able to disguise schemes and fool offenses. But if Notre Dame's Manti Te'o was involved in the bizarre ruse of his fictitious dead girlfriend - as a perpetrator, rather than a pawn - it could have a significant impact on his draft status. Teams are keeping a close eye on the situation, tracking Te'o's level of involvement, and surely will want a detailed retelling from him at the scouting combine in February. Te'o is widely regarded as the top middle linebacker in this draft class, and, before the scandal, was projected by many experts to be chosen in the top half of the first round - and at a position that doesn't typically go that early.

Pick, Team: Player, Age, Pos., Ht., Wt., School/Country (with comment) 1. New Orleans: Anthony Davis, 19, PF, 6-10, 220, Kentucky Many consider him draft's only impact player. 2. Charlotte: Thomas Robinson, 21, PF, 6-9, 240, Kansas Bobcats need a big man; plays with energy. 3. Washington: Bradley Beal, 18, SG, 6-4, 201, Florida Shooter Wizards need alongside John Wall. 4. Cleveland:Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, 18, SF, 6-7, 228, Kentucky He's a good defender, rebounder, passer.

BRODERICK TURNER'S MOCK NBA DRAFT 2012 Player; age; position; height; weight; school NEW ORLEANS Anthony Davis , 19, PF, 6-10, 220, Kentucky. Compared to Marcus Camby because of his length, but has a better upside offensively. CHARLOTTE Harrison Barnes , 20, SF, 6-8, 223, North Carolina. Michael Jordan needs players that are ready to play, and Barnes is an in-state guy. WASHINGTON Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, 18, SF, 6-7, 228, Kentucky.

A year ago, when the NFL was slogging through its labor meltdown, there was plenty of hand-wringing that rookies wouldn't be as prepared to play as in seasons past. It was a reasonable assumption they would be shortchanged by a compressed off-season and frantically rushed training camps. Instead, the 2011 rookie class produced several spectacular players, among them Carolina's Cam Newton, Denver's Von Miller, Cincinnati's A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, Arizona's Patrick Peterson, San Francisco's Aldon Smith and many more.

It was an expensive trip to Hollywood for Tom Renney. Actually, it was a costly night at Staples Center for the Oilers coach.   Renney was fined $10,000 on Tuesday by the NHL for comments made in his postgame session Monday night, specifically about the officiating in the Kings' 2-0 win against the Oilers.  "Maybe you need Hollywood in the playoffs. I'm not sure," Renney said. The 'you' apparently referred to the NHL, and Hollywood, the Kings, hence the fine. At least Renney didn't start talking about the clock at Staples Center...  ALSO: The NFL: Sam Farmer's mock draft Is Tim Tebow too good to be true and yet not good enough?

Nike revealed its new NFL uniforms Tuesday. And unlike the somewhat unconventional looks of the company's college apparel, the pro football garments are sticking with a mostly traditional look ... with one exception. The Seattle Seahawks were the only team that requested a new look from Nike, which took over the NFL clothing license from Reebok on April 1. And, boy, did they ever get a new look. Anyone who thinks neon went out in the '80s with lip gloss and plastic bracelets may need to think again.