NBA Draft 2011: A Running Diary of the Cleveland Cavaliers Big Night

The lead-up to this year's NBA draft was so intense for Cleveland Cavaliers fans. Considering the roller-coaster ride that this franchise has been on over the past year or so, it's understandable why we got so excited about an event that took place off of the court.

We've been at the top. And we've been at the bottom. Now we're on our way up again.

I've felt so anxious about this draft for the last two weeks or so. I was dreading it, but at the same time, couldn't wait for it to come.

So I felt that I would commemorate the event by keeping a running diary of my thoughts on draft night.

And, yes, I got the idea from Bill Simmons. I basically worship at the pen of the Sports Guy.

Without further ado, here are my inner-most thoughts...

6:17—I'm not going to lie, in some ways it's almost more fun to root for a losing team. Don't get me wrong! I want Cleveland to win a championship more than anything. But let's face it, I have a whole lot more to write about when the team is getting re-built. I sure wouldn't be doing this if we were still a playoff team.

7:27—I'm at work now but obviously not really working. Don't judge me. I worked late the other night and skipped my break twice to make up for the lost time tonight. This is important.

7:32—What is going to happen? So many story lines. What does David Kahn do? Who do the Cavs get at No. 4? Who jumps on Jimmer Fredette? How far does Kemba Walker fall? Will Steve Nash or Tony Parker get traded?

7:34—Rough start for David Stern. Stumbled through his opening remarks and got booed like crazy. He still got a better reception than Roger Goodell though. Good thing the draft isn't two weeks from now when the league is locked out.

7:36—Never understand why the first pick takes so much time. Shouldn't they have decided by this point?

7:38—Alonzo Gee is our starting SF on ESPN's depth chart...ouch!

7:40—No drama, Kyrie Irving is the safe pick. We all knew this in the end. I liked seeing the sportsmanship between him and Derrick Williams.  But man he looks ridiculous in that hat! Give that brim a little bend!

7:42—Kyrie looks genuinely happy. That alleviates some concerns I've had about whether or not he really wants to play in Cleveland.

7:43—KAHN IS ON THE CLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7:46—What a jerk. Kahn makes the logical pick with Williams. But the question is whether or not he will ever play in Minnesota. I don't think he does. The Wolves need veterans and Williams is a valuable trade asset.

7:49—Dear Utah, please don't take Enes Kanter. I really don't want Jonas Valanciunas.

7:50—Crap.

7:53—We need to trade this pick. Too much risk to take Jonas this high. Pull a Browns move and get some extra assets or picks.

7:55—Hey Jon Berry, J.J. Hickson is a good low-post scorer. That's not our biggest need. Thanks for doing your homework.

7:56—SHOCKER!!!!!!!!!

7:59—I must say that I am surprised by the Tristan Thompson pick. I fully prepared for Jonas that it totally threw me off. Thompson wasn't on my radar at all.

8:01—Chad Ford just tweeted that Thompson could get traded to Charlotte.

8:04—Well that probably won't happen now with Jonas going to Toronto and joining the foreign legion they have developing up there.

8:06—As I look back, I'm still floored by the Thompson pick. I watched a couple Texas games but he didn't blow me way...

8:07—Whoa! Winner of the day! Jan Vesely! He gets to run with John Wall and make out with his hot girlfriend on national TV. Not a bad life at all right now for Mr. Vesely.

8:10—Sorry, that smooch threw me off. It worries me taking a guy at No. 4 who doesn't jump out when you watch him play. I hope I'm wrong.

8:12—Michael Jordan selects Bismack Biyombo! Let's hope for him that this guy turns out better than Kwame Brown. I'm not sold on MJ's decision making and talent evaluation skills.

8:18—Irving gets to validate his No. 1 selection by whooping Brandon Knight four times a year. I never really liked Knight for whatever reason. Now I get to hate him even more now that he's on the Pistons.

8:25—Super happy for my man Kemba Walker! I'm glad he didn't end up sliding after all. I guess MJ does know what he's doing!

8:28—Is it Jimmer time in Sacramento?

8:29—The Maloofs get their man! The Kings needed a guy to sell to their fans and Jimmer can do just that. This is also a big win for Tyreke Evans. They should complement each other very well.

8:35—Great pick for Golden State going with Klay Thompson. They didn't have any scoring guards so this really fits a need. Wait, what!?

8:39—I had better go do some work. Thank goodness for Twitter. I'll be back in for the second round.

10:16—I came back to see Norris Cole go to Chicago, which seemed like a bummer because I hate the Bulls. Then it got worse when Ford tweeted that he's going to Miami instead. Crap! They got a PG, and a good one I really liked. Major downer.

10:19—It's intriguing how many Texas guys went in the first round (three) considering how disappointing their season was.

10:22—I love how much crap the crowd gives Stern. It's constant entertainment.

10:27—Tons of traded picks in the first round. It's crazy trying to keep track of them all. But notable players getting traded.

10:29—NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver gets a crazy ovation from the crowd...too funny. Cavs are back on the clock with good talent still available.

10:32—I like the pick of Justin Harper. He can stretch the floor and has good size along with experience as a senior. He also is coming out of a Princeton style offense at Richmond that is very similar to what Byron Scott runs with the Cavs. Solid pick.

10:37—I have to say how appreciative I am of Chad Ford and his Twitter updates. Really helps to curb the angst of being away from the TV and, you know, working.

10:43—I am a little surprised that we've taken two power forwards thus far. I'm still not sure who's starting at SG and SF next year. Are you confident in starting Chrsitian Eyenga and Alonzo Gee? Yeah...me either. We'll see if Harper can play the 3. I still hold that we should have taken Vesely at the No. 4 pick. He's a legitimate small forward. But oh well, not my job to lose, so I guess it doesn't matter what I think.

10:50—There goes Chandler Parsons. I liked him and would have really liked having his shooting ability on the Cavs.

10:51—Very interesting path to the NBA for Jeremy Tyler. It's not the road you take but the destination you make that matters in the end. I think I just made that up.

10:53—Back to work.

11:11—So the Cavs traded Harper to Orlando. So you can just disregard all the good things I said about him back when we drafted him. He's wasn't actually that good. Funny how that works.

11:31—Jon Diebler to the Blazers. Glad he didn't end up getting hosed just for being white. No better shooter in the draft. That includes you too, Jimmer.

11:37—David Lighty still on the board for Cleveland. Make this happen! I don't ask for much...okay, maybe I do, but still.

11:39—Screw you, Milan Macvan. You should have been David Lighty. Would it kill us to take a wing player!? Come on!

12:07—Draft is over and Lighty didn't get picked. I kind of feel bad for him. But maybe the Cavs can pick him up as a free agent. I refuse to believe that he won't play in the league. He's the ultimate glue guy who will do whatever the team needs. And he can guard three or four positions. What's not to like?

12:12—I still would like to know who will be playing out at the wings for the Cavs next season. Though I do look forward to the possibility of running out all four of our point guards. That would just be fun.

4:17—Just finishing typing up my diary. I hope that you enjoyed it. This really was a big night for Cleveland. It's a good first step back in the right direction. We'll still suck next year, but that's okay. Next year's draft is already looking enticing. But we'll save that for another time. Goodnight.

You can follow me on Twitter @ClevelandFlack