So, It's Friday morning...I'm all hopped up on Dunkin Donuts Coffee and I'm ready to report!
The NBA Draft is quickly approaching (June 28th, I'm totally having a party and watching this). This is an event that I have loved ever since I was in middle school. I can still remember the 1993 Draft, which included such highlights; 1.)The Golden State-Orlando trade of C.Webb for Penny, 2.) The announcement that JR Rider would henceforth be known as "Isaiah" JR Rider and 3.)Detroit selecting their "backcourt of the future" with the 10th and 11th picks, which ended up being Allan Houston and Lindsay Hunter.
This years draft has about 6 players who could be a potential number 1 pick for different reasons. Then the rest of the draft is said to be deep with role players. Honestly, these are all just conjectures, and time will only tell how this draft pans out. It's a crap shoot, and I want to communicate the delicate intracacies of this event. It's really breath-taking, when you think about it.
First up, THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES! These are the players who could have superstar-level talent, and are ready to contribute right away.1.) Adam Morrison - Gonzaga, SF - Morrison is a fierce competitor, and a very crafty offensive player. He played 3 years at Gonzaga, and this past year was a candidate for the Naismith player of the year, and challenged JJ Redick all season for the college basketball scoring title. He also likes Rage Against the Machine, and has an awesome, little, wispy moustache. A lot of people have compared his game to Larry Bird.
2.) Brandon Roy - Washington, SG - Roy is a 4-year college player, which is rare as of late. He is an excellent athlete, and very intellegent player to boot. Get ready to hear this coming out of an NBA tunnel.....
ROY!.....ROY, ROY, ROY!.......ROY, ROY, ROY!.........ROY, ROY, ROOOOOY!Next, we look to POTENTIAL! These are players that show a lot of promise, and could be superstars, if that promise is developed and nutured. Hubie Brown coined the term "Tremendous Up-Side Potential" (which Bill Simmmons also championed), and this is what a lot of NBA executives are searching for; a diamond in the rough.1.) Tyrus Thomas - LSU, PF/SF - Thomas started his career at LSU as a walk on. He started the season this year on the bench. He ended up being a potential number 1 pick. This is a testament to his drive, and (ATTENTION!! Buzz Word Alert!!! BEEP!!! BEEP!!!) "motor". His is very raw, yet determined to get better, and very athletic(meaning, quick and agile), and will not give up. He played down low at LSU, but he fancies himself to be more of a perimeter pressence on the next level. Oddly enough, his favorite music is "hip-hop" and "rhythm and blues", which is rather rare for NBA players.
(Most players listen to nothing but Tom Petty which is what his music is being heavily featured during this year's NBA finals on ABC.)2.) Rudy Gay - UCONN, SF - Gay was supposed to come to Maryland. But then he went to UCONN, so he sucks. He's supposed to have all the athletic tools, but lacks the drive, which sometimes can take himself out of the game. For instance, his team lost to George Mason in the elite 8 because he doesn't try hard all the time. Still, NBA execs are hoping they can tap this "potential-keg", and be treated to a talentful fountain of "potential-beer".
Next, we look to the BIGS! Size is a commodity in the NBA, and a lot of times, teams will take big men a few spots ahead of what their talent might dictate because it is so rare to have good post players. Think about who the good centers are in the NBA....Shaq, Yao, Ben Wallace, and then....umm....Chris Kaman? I think my point has been made.1.) Lamarcus Aldridge - Texas, PF/C - Aldridge pushes 7 feet tall, and has a nice soft, touch around the rim. He's also known for being a big, soft, teddy bear in the paint. He needs to learn how to inflict pain. "Then they will fear you." (Godfather quote. Awesome)
2.) Patrick O'Bryant - Bradley, C - The best "legit" center in this draft. He rebounds, passes, and defends well (hello Wizards! Trade up for this dude!) but needs a little more polish on his offensive game. He's also "long", which is good, and has a giant "wingspan", and runs-the-floor well. I hope you are picking up on the lingo.
Next, FOREIGNERS! Over the past decade, we have seen an increase in foreign-born players....some of the developing into straight-up hotrods. Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Peja Stojakovic are all examples. Who will be the next?1.) Andrea Bargnani - Italy, PF - He is a potenial number 1. He has played against top level european talent (his team just won the european title). He is 7 Feet tall, and plays like a guard. He can bang inside, and also take his player off the dribble on the perimeter. (I know this because I read a lot of Chad Ford's articles on ESPN Insider).
2.) Oleksiy Pecherov - Ukraine, PF - Um, this may be the last time you hear about this guy. I'm getting bored with this too. So....
Next, we look to players with LEGAL TROUBLES! This should be more fun. It seems like players are getting in trouble all the time (the Portland Trailblazers seem to target players like this). Here are some of the players in this year's draft who have already had their fair share of trouble. 1.) Marcus Williams - UCONN, PG - Williams is widely considered the best point guard in the draft. A few things are hurting his draft stock. One, he gained a little wieght after the season, and is currently sitting at about 10 pounds heavier than his ideal playing weight. Number Two, his legal problems. But if anyone needs a cheap laptop, Williams is you guy!
2.) JJ Redick - Duke, SG - Redick was the Naismith player of the year and is one of the best shooters in the draft. When he's not hitting a 3-pointer, he likes to hit the sauce (hard), and then drive a car. Remember, you can't spell Redick without "D - I - C -"....oh wait, that might be a little inappropriate. Nevermind.
Next, we look at players who get PROMISES from teams. These are always rumors, and sometimes these prove to be true, and sometimes not. What happens when players get promises, they shut down all of their workouts for other teams, and just sit tight, because they know which team wants them, and where they want to go. 1.) Shelden Williams - Duke, PF - The Atlanta Hawks have been rumored to give Williams a promise for picking him at the number 5 pick in the draft (which is about 5 picks ahead of where he should go). The Hawks really need help at PG and C, so drafting a PF makes sense (sarcasm). But in all reality, they really could use his toughness and defensive ability, and if they like him, that is probably fine with the teams picking after them.
2.) Shannon Brown - Michigan State, SG - Everyone has been freaking out about how athletic Brown has been in workouts. It's been rumored that he has been given a promise by the New York Knicks at the 20th pick in the draft. This makes sense for NY because they have so many guards already, that Brown will fit right in. It also makes sense for Brown because he probably doesn't want any playing time anyway, and Larry Brown is known for liking to keep his rookies "well rested". But who knows what will happen...it is the Knicks. Conventional Wisdom has left the building.
3.) Josh Boone - UCONN, PF - Also, the Knicks want Josh Boone, at the 29th pick in the draft. It seems like they didn't have enough under-achieving bigmen. SO, that's cool.
Next, we look at the COLLEGE STARS WHO WILL SUCK IN THE NBA. Joseph Forte and Michael Olowokandi know what this is like. 1.) Gerry McNamara - Syracuse, PG - He may get drafted, maybe not though. He has a number of things going against him. 1.) He's White, which is another way of saying 2.) Not Very athletic, which is compounded by the fact that he's 3.) Too Short for the NBA. Syracuse Coach Jim Boheim thinks he's f---ing clutch though.
2.) Dee Brown - Illinois, PG - I think he will get drafted because he is so fast. But many think he's too short to make an impact. I think he could be a contributor, and a 2nd round steal. Or he could SUCK!
So that's my preview of what to look for in this year's draft. If you read this (Aaron, seriously, if you read this, I'm very proud, and thankful. You are a good friend.) then you are probably ready to understand a little bit about this years draft.
PS - I'm always intersted in what the Wizards are going to do, because they are my team! They possess the 18th and 48th picks in the draft. They need help down low, and defensively but
I think REALLY, they just need the best help we can get. We will probably get 1 post player and 1 perimeter player. The interesting first round prospects they have been looking at are Hilton Armston, Rajon Rondo, Paul Davis, Marcus Vinicius Vieira De Souza and Maurice Ager.
PSS - This has been a really exciting post for me to write. I don't think I could have done it without this man. Thank you, Chad Ford! You truly are a blessing and inspiration to me.
For all the times that sports lets you down, sometimes magical things happen that just make you smile because they are special. 
