The NBA Draft, As It Happened

Welcome to the 2008 NBA Draft! The NBA, where officiating scandals, Shaq Fu, and Brian Scalabrine winning a ring happen.

What follows is a minute-by-minute account of tonight’s draft.


Preamble: What makes the NBA draft so interesting is the trades. The big news out of Milwaukee is that the Yi Jianlian era is over.

The Nets acquired him and Bobby Simmons in a deal for Richard Jefferson, and the people of New Jersey are no doubt thrilled to be getting a man who can so effectively post up furniture.

My favorite trade so far has to be the one involving Toronto and Indiana. Toronto got rid of TJ Ford, which hands the reins of the offense over to Jose Calderon, a good move.

But their starting frontcourt in 2008-2009 will be Chris Bosh and older, more expensive, more injury-prone Chris Bosh.

I’m going to take a shot in the dark and say this was a dumb move.

Imagine if the researchers who cloned Dolly ended up with a six-legged, three-eyed, sheep from hell with explosive diarrhea. And were excited about it. I mean yeah, it’s a sheep, but what’s the point?

Anyway, I’m looking forward to a few things. Will Pat Riley come to his senses and draft Michael Beasley if he’s available? Will my personal favorite player, Drew Neitzel, get selected? And lastly, with Isaiah Thomas out, will the Knicks’ newest players actually have hope in their eyes on draft day?


7:30 PM: And we’ve got the draft! It’s introduced by players telling us what it takes to get into the NBA these days.

I notice they left out a semester of easy classes (history of Rock and Roll, anybody?) and a big entourage.


7:32 PM: David Stern decides to piss off the Knicks fans by mentioning that Boston just won another title.

He reminds me of the Crocodile Hunter, just poking anything with claws or venom.


7:38 PM: And with the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Bulls take Derrick Rose.

I’m about as surprised right now as I am every time I see Jack Bauer shoot somebody. Somewhere, Kirk Hinrich just shot his TV.


7:39 PM: Jay Bilas tells us that Rose can dunk with his elbows. And throws about about 74 different buzzwords. I’m going to start ignoring him...now.

7:43 PM: The Heat take Michael Beasley, which is a smart move. If they hadn’t drafted him, he was a lock to drop 50 on the Heat and flip off Pat Riley repeatedly at some point during the season.

With the news that Shawn Marion will not opt out of his contract, that gives them Dwyane Wade, Marion, and Beasley in their lineup. For at least one season, anyway.


7:44 PM: Jay Bilas throws out 74 buzzwords again, but these were different buzzwords. His versatility and athleticism on the mic are real strengths. He can definitely be a solid commentator with loads of upside when he puts his mind to it.


7:47 PM: We learn that Michael Beasley has attended more schools than your average nuclear physicist, making him the NBA’s first prominent ‘High School Journeyman’.


7:48 PM:

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