NBA Draft: First Round Running Blog

So, I'm getting a late start on this due to my day job, but let me caught up with the first pick....

1.  Clippers-Blake Griffin. 

Seriously, what took so long?  Wasn't this a given?  Why were we forced to sit through four minutes of our life we'll never get back?  Did Dunleavy really think something would get accomplished in those ticks that didn't happen in the last month?  Nobody is willing to give up what you want, make the freaking pick already....

Now the intrigue begins.  The Timberwolves have a bevy of picks and should be movers, beginning here. (On a side note: Dunleavey just said that there was never any doubt they'd take Griffin.  Why the wait, Mr Coroner?)

2.  Grizzlies-Hasheem Thabeet. 

The Grizz stand pat and take their guy—curious, considering the presence of Marc Gasol.  However, he was the guy they liked and they turn down trades.  Obviously, they thought he woldn't be there a few picks back.

Question:  Why DID the Griz make this move?  Does Thabeet make them that much better.  Also, what do they do now with Gasol?  I smell movement.  OKC is on the clock...

3.  Thunder-James Harden. 

Good pick by the Thunder.  Picking Rubio would have pushed Westbrook to the 2, which he was openly against.  Harden is a very good, solid baller.  Not amazing, but boy, the nucleus they're building down there in OKC iimpressive.

Two things:

1.Oklahoma City will be the team to beat in about three years. 

2.What does Sacto do?  Word has it they favor Evans over Rubio.  Does the phenomenal talent actually drop to 5?  Hard to believe...

4.  Kings-Tyreke Evans. 

As a Timberwolves fan, I think I just had a heart attack.  The Kings select the giantesque PG Evans, who this guy thinks is destined for the 2 spot.  No jumper whatsoever.  He's a big guard with long reach and decent handle, though.

Am I thrilled Rubio falls to the Wolves?  You have no idea.  I can't believe our luck.  Seriously, this is like winning the lottery during a recession.  It's like getting a date with the hot cheerleader who always wanted to date the popular guys.  I couldn't be happier.

5.  Timberwolves-Ricky Rubio. 

I just made a mess in my pants.

First thought:  Did Rubio look like somebody had just kicked his dog or what?  Second thought:  Honestly, how this happened I'll never know.  It's like christmas, my birthday and my anniversary all wrapped up into one.  I'm not sure if I was this happy the day my daughter was born. 

Now, all we need is Stephen Curry and we'll have the most adorable backcourt in the NBA.  If that isn't a photo shoot waiting to happen, I don't know what is.

6.  Timberwolves-Jonny Flynn. 

I have no idea what is going on now.  Rubio is a point, right?  This has to be a trade, doesn't it?  Are we making this pick for somebody else?  How does this make sense?  I think I just had an aneurysm.

Ok, I understand the need to rebuild the backcourt, but seriously!?  Two PG's?  The world has turned upside down.  How do you not take Curry?  I have a headache.  I also smell a trade...

7.  Warriors-Stephen Curry. 

My hopes and dreams are shattered.  Golden State just got one heck of a player.  Curry can shoot and has god handle.  His defense might be suspect, but does Don Nelson rally care?

Poor Knicks fans.  Brandon Jennings? Is Minny moving Flynn?

8.  Knicks-Jordan Hill

Either this pick is getting moved or David Lee is. Hill is raw, but very athletic and has lots of upside.  Should fit well with the Knicks and D'Antoni's up-tempo style. 

Boy did the New York fans get upset about this one.  They must love them some David Lee.  I sense another trade.  Also, notice that Wolves VP David Kahn has yet to give an interview.  They are not done....

9.  Raptors-Demar DeRozan. 

No surprise here.  DeRozan is a pick to build for the future.  Super high ceiling, amazing finisher and athlete.  Won't make a huge difference when Bosh leaves.

No draft night trades as of yet, and Kahn is still incognito.  Lots of stuff going on behind the scenes.  I'm rooting for DeRozan by the way.  The kid is very well-spoken and mature.  I worry about him in the black hole that is Toronto, but I'm rooting for him.

10.  Bucks-Brandon Jennings

Poor kid.  Not sure if he'll ever be any good, but neither do the Bucks.  This is about potential and this kid's ceiling is Gil Arenas.  But what good does that do in Milwaukee? 

Marc Jackson just raised a good point:  Jennings is going to have a chip on his shoulder.  Lookout NBA.  A young player who can score by getting to the rim with a mean streak is dangerous in the ROY standings, especially on a bad team.

11.  Nets-Terrence Williams. 

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.  Williams will be a very solid guy to pair up with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.  New Jersey has the makings of a very solid team for the future.

Has there ever been a worse announcer for a live sporting event than Stu Scott?  On the other hand, has there ever been a more moronic "expert" on anything that Jay Bilas?  Really? 

The NFL Draft has Kiper and McShay.  This is the best you can come up with?

12.  Bobcats-Gerald Henderson. 

The fans disapprove.  Unfortunate.  Henderson has a very good overall game and took huge strides this season.  Very good defender, good scorer, inside and out.  I like him and I like this pick for Charlotte.

On Henderson:  I don't think this kid is "great", but I do think he will be very solid for a long time.  Think Bruce Bowen + scoring.  Indiana should pick Lawson.

13.  Pacers-Tyler Hansbrough.  Before Lawson?  I'm iffy on this.  Hansbrough was a great college player, but so was Battier.  I think that's his ceiling, and if you're Indiana and that's what you're looking for, great.  I just think they could have done better.

Is Hansbrough a career sixth man?  I'm not sure.  I think so, but I think the same about Kevin Love and Mike Beasley.  He sure is hard working son of a gun, but I don't see starter material in his game.

14.  Suns-Earl Clark. 

Good pick for their system.  Not sure what else to say.

Stern apparently took a potty break between picks, Jennings finally meanders down to the stage to accept that the next four years of his life will be miserable, and Stu Scott makes yet another impromptu, uncomfortable comment. 

Holliday is still on the board.  Mildly entertaining.

15.  Pistons-Austin Daye.  Good pick for the Pistons, decent anyway.  Daye is paper thin and couldn't defend me, but he has a great stroke and amazing length for a SF. 

Dicky V just leveled all the teams who passed on Curry.  I agree.  Not sure I agree about Hansbrough though. 

That being said, I really love Dick Vitale. 

Aside from his obvious affinity for Duke, he's a fantastic announcer.  One of my favorite sports personalities ever.  He's up there with Bill Simmons, John Madden and Howard Cosell.

16.  Bulls-James Johnson. 

Does this signal the end for Luol Deng or Ty Thomas? 

I actually agree with Bilas on Johnson....his spot in the NBA is as a PF.  Bye-bye Ty Thomas. 

17.  Sixers-Jrue Holiday. 

For a team that expects to eventually lose Andre Miller, Holiday is an amazing option at 17.  There was talk he could go top 5 at one point, so it's incredible he's still available.  He can learn from Miller for a year and take over the reigns when Andre jets.

My Wolves are up.  After the Flynn pick, and minus a David Kahn interview, I'm convinced this pick is for somebody else.  My palms are sweaty.

18.  Wolves-Ty Lawson. 

Are you kidding me?  How many point guards is Kahn going to pick?  I'm flabbergasted.  I don't know what to say...speechless.

Actually, I'm not.  This all has to be setting up for some other moves.  Already having Bassy Telfair, whom Kahn has spoken very highly of, they can't bring 4 PG's to camp. 

Now Bucher is reporting Lawson is going to Denver for a future first rounder.  I'm still disappointed.  Why has Flynn not been jettisoned?

19.  Hawks-Jeff Teague. 

So the Hawks try and find yet another Mike Bibby replacement after Acie Law didn't pan out.  Teague is an amazing scorer, but not a great distributor.  I actually like Eric Maynor more, especially with the talent on their roster.  Teague will take some time to mature, Maynor...less time.

20.  Jazz-Eric Maynor. 

Interesting pick for the Jazz.  Maynor could be a very serviceable backup for Deron Williams.  Floor general, short arms, unimpressive quickness.  I guess the Jazz are pretty satisfied with what they've got.

By the way, Larry Brown has zero personality.  None.  He's the NBA equivalent of Ben Stein.  N'awlins is up....

21.  Hornets-Darren Collison. 

I have never been so neutral on a pick than I am on this one.  I have nothing on Collison.  He was ordinary personified.  Nothing impressive or spectacular, just solid and steady.  Good CP3 backup.

Commercial break.  Blazers are up.  What kind of trade do they have up their sleeves?  Gotta be something, they never stand pat.

22.  Blazers-Victor Claver.  ??? cla-VEHR?  Not how I thought that was pronounced.  Smart choice for a smart franchise.  This is why the Blazers will be good, soon.  They are the next Spurs.  He will get stashed away for a year or two and will eventually come over and help ignite their rise.

Shaq is on the mic.  No wonder we love him so much.  He is, media-wise, a genius.  Always provides a great quote.  Still no word from Kahn....

23.  Kings-Omri Casspi. 

Great pick for this squad.  Tough, tough SF.  Needs to add some bulk, but will do the dirty work and has good hops.  I actually love this pick for Sacto.  With Evans, Martin, Casspi, Thompson and Hawes they have a pretty good young team.

Are Mullens and Blair still up for grabs?  This is generally the area where teams draft Euros, as we are seeing.  It is also the area where playoff teams buy picks.  Expect some movement in the next seven picks.

24.  Mavericks-BJ Mullens. 

So there goes the big BJ.  I'm not positive about his career.  To me, he has Darko written all over him.  Another year or two in college would have done him wonders.  He had financial/family issues, so he was forced into this, but more seasoning would have increased his stock.

A commercial about chinchillas?  What has the world come to?  On a non-NBA note:  Jozy Altidore is an absolute beast on a soccer field.  Some people were born to do certain things....Altidore was born to play soccer.

25.  Thunder-Rodrigue Beaubois.  Developmental pick, pronounced bo-BWA.  Very raw, but an interesting future pick.  He'll stay in Europe for a few.

Bucher just announced that OCK and Dallas are swapping Mullens for Beaubois.  That's a good thing because I'm getting tired of typing "Beaubois".  Chicago is on the clock...

By the way, Stu Scott, his name is NOT TAY-bo Sefolosha....it's TAH-bo.  This guy makes money to do this?

26.  Bulls-Taj Gibson. 

Yep, Ty Thomas...I hope you enjoyed your time in Chi-town.  You're as good as gone.  First Johnson, now Gibson?  That's a lot of forwards who do alot of the things you do, only better.

I love listening to Thabeet talk—not as much as Rubio, but close.  The Griz are on the clock and I'd expect anything but a center at this point.  I'm pretty sure they now have plenty those.  Hello DeJuan Blair!

27.  Grizzlies-DeMarre Carroll. 

Didn't see that coming.  Doesn't he play the same position as Rudy Gay?  Don't they need a power forward?  Has bench player written all over him....though he'll probably be a pretty good role player.

My Wolves are up again.  I don't know what to expect at this point.  They now have two PF's and two PG's.  Can this work?  Sounds pretty suspect to me.  Were Kevin McHale still in the driver's seat, I'd expect yet another PF like Blair (because after all, you can never have too many undersized big men according to McHale). 

With this new regime, however, I have no idea.  Best guess....Jonas Jerebko.

28.  Wolves-Wayne Ellington. 

Hmmm, not sure how I feel about this.  Ellington can shoot, but isn't really fantastic at anything.  I would have preferred a Euro like Jerebko to stash for a year or two.  I suppose Wayne is a pretty good role player off the bench, but this is very underwhelming.

I love Knicks fans.  They are the best.

29.  Lakers-Toney Douglas. 

Hello Derk Fisher!  This kid is a clone, I think.  Tough, good FT shooter, defensively adequate.  I like it.

Cavs are up with the last pick of the round.  Blair?  Summers?  Euro?  Either way, not that big a deal.  They will be fun to watch next season regardless.

30.  Cavaliers-Christian Eyenga.  I have no idea who this kid is.  Not even going to speculate.  Couldn't tell you.

So, that concludes the first round. 

Big stories? 

Rubio dropping to #5, the Thunder and Kings passing on him, the Knicks taking Jordan Hill when they already have David Lee, Hansbrough goes high, Holiday goes low and DeJuan Blair doesn't go at all. 

Expect the second round to be very Euro heavy, as it usually is. 

Also, don't make the mistake of assuming all of these picks are concrete.  Many will be moved.  Since I've spent all of my thinking writing this blog and very little analyzing my own team, it's time I end this column and relax for a bit. 

I appreciate any comments/criticism you may have to offer.  Feel free to electronically harass my opinions in any intelligent way you see fit.