Of course as a huge fan of the The Association, I tivo'd the NBA draft, and loved every minute (except what my teams did.) That's including Steven A Smith, who is ONLY of any value on that one night. Random thoughts below: Oden -- This guy is going to be a marketer's dream. Dude is genuinely funny, with game to back it up. Durant -- Has anyone ever heard him speak? Seriously, not just reading transcripts of interviews, but actually hearing him? I don't think so. Celtics trade -- I'm a life-long Celtics fan, and this trade is terrible. Ray Allen is a player that I always root for. He's also a tad older than me, which means his career is over as a 2 guard. And the Celtics give up #5 (Cory Brewer in my mind) and Delonte West? Holy hell, Paul Pierce runs that franchise. If this was Allen a few (or even couple) of years ago, I would be ecstatic. Alas, it's not, so I'm not. Florida players -- damnittohell stop it. I'm tired of all of you, even though I think Cory Brewer is the 3rd best guy in this draft. Joakim Noah especially -- Nice try douchebag. Andre 3000 (Outkast) did that routine a few years ago. You're not original, and you are a complete douche. It pains me that he was drafted by a team that knows what they're doing from a personnel perspective. And if he ever learns how to shoot, he'll be dangerous. Damn you douche, damn you! (And it ticks me off even more that his attitude is so great, because I admire that, but he wraps it in a Massengill box.) AND they can now trade Ben Wallace, who is essentially Noah but without the energy now (don't tell me he's a high energy guy -- watch them and watch him loaf way too much.) Ty Thomas should (and likely will) beat Noah into a pulp in a scrimmage, and no teammate will disagree with him. Yi -- I've always liked Milwaukee the city, because their folks are a lot like me. They like beer, unhealthy food, cold weather, and are generally nice people. Now I like them because they thumbed their nose at Red China. That Thornton kid from FSU is a monster. In the limited times that I watch college basketball (outside the tourney), he's been incredible. I think Bilas referred to him as Chris Bosh, and I think I agree with that. Rockets -- Given that I don't watch college basketball all that much, I'm not in a position to evaluate their draft. I am, however, a bit happy they went with a fast, athletic PG in Aaron Brooks. I'm horrified by his name though. Celtics -- Taking Big Baby was very, very nice. FINALLY one of NLMD's teams other than the Saban Fins take an LSU guy. I know, I know, the Texans took DD. It's still rare that one of my teams gets an LSU guy. Not like I like the Pats or anything. I'm almost convinced that Big Baby will be productive in the NBA. Almost. Highlight reels -- for some players, they're absolutely worthless. Yi, the chinaman, against a bad high school team. Hawes (big honky center) not doing much other than dunking with nobody on him. AND the experts saying he's slow, can't rebound, and can't block shots, but is somehow a great top 10 pick? I dunno, makes no sense to me. Rockets redux -- draft an Aussie, that likely won't ever suit up. What is up with that? The Rockets love to draft foreigners that won't play. they drafted some freak of an African about 4 years ago, and haven't heard a peep out of him. Same for Vassiliss Spanoulis, a Greek that can't play with the big boys, though we HAVE heard nothign but whining from him. Damnit. If you're not sure who to draft, take a winning player off a winning team. There's normally not much to go on, so just go with that. General thoughts -- I guess the 5 minute rule makes it OK for them to invite 55 players to the draft. I miss the Quinn-like moments though. Even Nick Whatsisname from USC didn't seem that bothered when he fell out of the lottery. That sucks. I want to see Quinn moments.
both the blazers and sonice are setting themselves up to be dynasties... watch out for Franchise Francis reborn with Portland. I think he can have a huge year playing for them. As for Houston, they desparately needed speed, so it's not a horrible pick. They needed PF more, but they weren't going to find anyone "great" there at 26. Now they can trade Rafer for one or try to lure one out of F/A. I really like the Richardson/Wright deal for the Bobcats, even though everyone else hated it. There is no guarantee Brandan Wright will ever pan out, and with J-Rich, you get a guarantee 20 a game for 5+ seasons. The Celtics have crippled themselves for years and years to come teaming up Pierce and Allen, two older guys with big-time contracts. I think they will be good in the present, but once those guys become 35s and 36s's, it could be hard times for them.
You are absolutely right. The Blazers have gone from a joke to the most loaded franchise in the league for the long term. Amazing what can happen with some forward thinking, and dumb trade partners (hello Ainge -- my boy -- but damn, what an idiot) Perhaps. Franchise is good for a few things. Unexpected scoring when plays break down, turnovers, and lack of assists. Great guy for a spark, but not a guy to build around.
i forgot about that, too. The Knicks can be a player in the east with PG. Marbury SG. Crawford SF. Richardson PF. Randolph C. Curry that is pretty damn solid.
Don't forget about David Lee and Rolando Blackmon off the bench too. If they could get ANYTHING for Crawford (as a PG) and get a 2 guard, I think they would be the favorites in the East if they got a coach.
I thought it was a great pick and I do think Wright will be good because of his length. We were able to see Davidson and how dangerous he can be. He is skinny but he lost 30 lbs. after his tragedies, so we know he has the ability to put on weight., He has a great jumper and ais equipped with a right and left hook while being a good free throw shooter. I don't know why, but I think he is a steal. As for the Bobcats, they will be very athletic this year. They have Raymon Felton and Richardson, two incredibly athletic guys, and young talent such as Okafor and Sean may down low. If the two can stay healthy, who knows what can happen. Throw is awkward looking Morrison and the potential resigning of Gerald Wallace and they may be decent. It is the Eastern Conference after all.
