BASKETBALL: 2006 NBA Draft
The 2006 NBA Draft is today's one to watch. I've always been a big draft guy. The NFL Draft gets a lot more attention and I enjoy it tremendously, but in many ways it's a little harder to watch. The NFL Draft drags on for two days and fans have to wait a long 15 minutes between early picks. While that may leave more time for highlights, interviews, and Mel Kiper, the NBA draft consists of only 2 rounds and moves at a much quicker pace. In the past the NBA Draft has sometimes gotten a bit too "hip hop" for my tastes (no more shout-outs to your boys back home, ok?), but recent years have seen a rising number of likeable, well-spoken young stars make their happy entry into the Association on draft day.
This year's NBA draft is different than most in that there's no consensus #1 pick. Toronto holds the top selection and is thought still to be deciding between unknown 7' Italian star Andrea Bargnani , UConn sophomore forward Rudy Gay, and Washington's PAC 10 player-of-the-year guard Brandon Roy. I'm also interested to see where 2005-2006 top NCAA scorers Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick land. Redick's recent DUI and back injury will probably see his stock fall, but Adam Morrison has too strong of a game to slip past the 5th pick. Portland appears to covet him with the 4th pick and keeping the "Man with the Stache" in the Northwest might work well.
My #1 pick: Tyrus Thomas. The freshman big man literally jumped to national attention when he surprisingly led LSU to the Final Four. He's somewhat lanky but should put on muscle as he develops a pro game. And I think his shot blocking alone won a few critical games for LSU in the tournament. Thomas can run the floor, rebound, and score too. He reminds me of Amare Stoudamire.
So that's what I'll be watching. What will you be watching? Italian basketball star Andrea Bargnani? Or Italian chef and Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis?
posted by Jeff Briscoe @ 12:35 AM
4 Comments:
Get a Life! I'd rather watch you change diapers than some ill-educated gargantuan respond to a question he doesn't even understand from some babe who has an 'in' at Bristol College or a black reporter lapse into hip-hop to connect with a future thug. Excuse me David Robinson.
But some hockey player from Canada with no teeth, no education, a beer belly, and a tendency to get into fights on a nightly basis...he isn't a thug? I never thought I'd be one to throw this word around, but that is racist. Sorry.
I watched just for the comedic potential of Isiah Thomas and Knicks fans. And they did not disappoint (as I'm writing about now).
Funny, about the only thing Isiah was decent at was scouting college players. For example, the pick of Channing Frye was criticized by the ESPN guys last year...he's too soft, wasn't an impact guy at AU, etc. But Frye proved to be about the only good thing on the Knicks this year and should be a fine pro. However, I don't think the same will be true of these picks. He may already be tanking it to leave a complete mess for his successor to be stuck with when Ike's fired by Jan 1 or so.
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