(I feel like I always need to defend ESPN's Chad Ford, who gets a bum rap around fan bases, likely due to a combination of some really bad calls over the years [Darko, Skita] and because he's a bit shaky on actual NBA analysis. But I'm telling you, no one predicts the draft like him. He's as plugged in as they get. So, there you go. I believe Chad Ford.)
When Ford's fancy mock of the 2008 draft debuted, he had the Kings selecting North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson with the #12 pick. It had been that way in the month since ... until Ford's mock got updated today.
Now, Ford has UCLA guard Russell Westbrook coming to Sacramento, with Lawson dropping out of the lottery.
Westbrook reminds me of Monta Ellis with a weaker finish. I think it goes without saying he's a tier (or two) below Derrick Rose and Jerryd Bayless, and maybe a step below D.J. Augustin. But he's an intriguing-as-hell combo guard prospect, has a much better chance of succeeding at the point than Quincy Douby, and will almost certainly be on the board at #12. Keep an eye on him this weekend.