Sorry I was busy. Apparently something big happened today... Thanks, Rick Greenspan for killing my draft buzz. 1. Rose, Memphis 2. Beasley, KSU 3. Mayo, USC
No surprises there.
And then Seattle comes to the plate and takes
4. Russell Westbrook, UCLA
I like Westbrook to Seattle. He seems to fit in well with a high-octane scorer like former ROY Kevin Durant. Westbrook, a speedster, has the ability to move the Sonics to the next level. Sad thing for the Emerald City, though, Westbrook, Durant and Co. will probably be moving to Oklahoma City before that happens.
5. Kevin Love, UCLA He's a great player, but does not merit the comparisons to Wes Unseld or Bill Walton. Okay, so he can throw an outlet pass 94'. Let's not get to carried away. When he goes up against Carlos Boozer three nights a year? He'll be a good pro, but not a hall of famer.
Gordon time? Danilo Time
6. Danilo Galinari, Italy This is a great pick. No Eric Gordon, but a great pick. I think its great that every Jets/Knicks pick gets booed. Just because no one's every seen the guy doesn't mean he's not going to be a stud. But nonetheless, probably pretty bittersweet on draft day to have your career start with boos ringing in your ear.
This has to be Gordon time. It would be too bad, though. We'll never get to see him play.
From Indiana University...
7. ERIC GORDON This is no good. It might be interesting if the Clippers do trade Elton Brand for Beasley. We might be seeing two dynamic college stars on the same team. Pretty neat.
On a side note, EJ has gotten much better with interviews. I guess it's probably a lot better to do an interview that doesn't hit on Kelvin Sampson.
Speaking of... Milwaukee is on the clock.
8. Joe Alexander, WVU Sorry to a certain member of the IDS pro staff. Your Mountaineer darling will be under the schooling of Sampson. I can't see Alexander scoring as much in the NBA as he did in college. He'll now be going against the likes of Bruce Bowen. He needs to get quicker and he won't have time to do so behind newly acquired Richard Jefferson.
The Bobcats are on the clock.
and wow...
9. D.J. Augustin, Texas
The Pacer fan in me cries out a little bit. I don't understand this pick. They have Ray Felton already, but apparently Michael Jordan still has no idea what he's doing.
And the Jay-Z's up next...
10. Brook Lopez, Stanford I'm surprised he dropped this far. He'll be stud in the NBA. He's only like 20 years old.
Brian Buckey has joined the fray...
Now, to the Pacers.... Koufas? Bayless? We have to take Bayless. He's clearly the best player on the board and if the Blue and Gold take Bayless, we'll easily have the fastest backcourt in the NBA. Hands down.
Brook Lopez with the most awkward interview in the tourney.
Pardon my bias...
Channeling Reggie Miller with No. 11,
11. JERRYD BAYLESS!!! Buckey points out that we had him at No. 4 in our mock draft. Oops. I do like that Jay Bilas called him a young Chauncey Billups. Love it. Adios Jermaine... And the guy shot the hole at 11. Come on everyone, jump on the Pacer bandwagon. It's okay, because win we play Portland in the NBA finals in 4 years, it's not a legit move to jump on it then.
Brian Buckey here taking over for Ben for a few picks here... Ben's had a busy day and deserves a break.
The Kings are on the clock...
12. Jason Thompson-Rider
This is the first real shock of the Draft. Not sure where that pick came from, but then again I don't follow the Rider Broncs (that's right the Broncs and yes I had to look that up). He is a four year player and could be solid, but number 12 might be a bit of a stretch. But hey I'm not an NBA GM.
Now, Portland will pick...
13. Brandon Rush-Kansas
I think Rush is a really good pick. This might have been a little early for him, but he was a very good college player who probably would have been in last year's Draft had he not injured his knee. He joins a very good young team in Portland.
14. Anthony Randolph-LSU
Seems like a pretty good upside pick here. As Ben just pointed out, though, the Warriors already have Brandan Wright who is a very similar player (tall, rangy forward). On a side note, Dickie V is singing the praises of Jason Thompson right now saying he has potential, potential, potential.
And now Phoenix...
15. Robin Lopez-Stanford
The second of the Lopez twins is now off the board. He now will join Shaq in the front-court of the Suns. He gives the Suns a ton of size, which is a bit of a different direction from the Mike D'Antoni days.
And now the 76ers' are on the clock, with the Pacers waiting in the wings at 17... Ben is hoping for Koufos, so we'll see if he makes it to 17...
16. Marreese Speights-Florida
The Lopez and Speights picks could start a run on big guys here with Hibbert, Koufos, Darrell Arthur and Deandre Jordan, and Javale McGee still on the board. Don't know much about
17. Roy Hibbert-Georgetown
Hibbert was announced to the Raptors, but will go to the Pacers as part of the Jermaine O'Neal trade. Stuart Scott just pointed out that he was called the "Big Stiff" when he arrived at Georgetown. Let's just say Homrig is not happy that the "Big Stiff" will be in a Pacers uniform next year. And now we'll hand it back over to Ben...
Damnit
Washington on the clock... Buckey says Arthur...
Stern says
18. JaVale McGee Well, hopefully he's as good has his mom.
To the analyst, Bayless is better than Jones. I'm sorry...
And a terrible trade by Larry Bird: Bayless and Ike Diogu for Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush?
Brandon Rush needs to understand the Pacers were one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Welcome to the Pacers. We wonder, when was the last time two brothers play together? Thoughts?
This sucks...
Cavs on the clock
19. J.J. Hickson, NC State Interesting pick. We thought it would be Koufas, but I don't know. I wonder if LeBron likes this one?
Bobcats with the next selection
What is Larry Bird thinking? Will the Colts have more wins than the Pacers next season? Its possible.
20. Alexis Ajinca, France Brian Buckey goes wild. He loves Ajinca, although he doesn't know anything about him. He claims Alexis is on his favorite team in France. or "Wherever he players"-Brian Buckey.
THE PACERS JUST GOT JOSH MCROBERTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back, Josh. CHS Alums love you...
And LeBron and Jay-Z will make a great team.
21. Ryan Anderson, Cal The Nets are stockpiling Big Men. Could be like Troy Murphy.
The Magic are now on the clock...
22. Courtney Lee- Western Kentucky Jay Bilas loves Courtney Lee, so I guess we should too. Didn't see too much of him at WKU, but he did lead his team to a Sweet 16 run in the NCAA tourney last year. He's only the third college senior picked and first senior guard. He could help out a Magic team that is already very solid.
Jazz are now up...
23. Kosta Koufus-Ohio State
Surprised Koufus slipped this far and the Jazz grabbed him at this pick. The Jazz are already one of the best teams in the league and they get a solid 7-footer with the 23rd pick. That could be a very nice pick.
Darrell Arthur is this year's Aaron Rogers...
And to the commentators, the Pacers are setting themselves up for 10 years of mediocrity. Does anyone remember when ESPN's Bill Simmons called out Danny Ainge for running the Celtics to ruins a couple years ago but refused to say anything on Larry Bird's debacle with the Pacers? I wonder if he will admit it now considering we just killed ourselves. Hopefully Fort Wayne's Deshaun Thomas will be available at number one in 2011.
24. Serge Ibaka All I can say is: We called it. Fran Frischilla says: "Forget this name for three or four years." That, to us, doesn't seem like a vote of confidence.
Can't get enough JVG, especially when talking down to younger brother Stan.
What is Yao Ming doing? He looks like he's about to drown.
Houston has...
25. Nicholas Batum Good pick, but what is he doing at the draft? He easily could have gone No. 40. But a Rudy Gay comparison makes us feel good. He may or may not have bought a general admission ticket.
Arthur's kidney issue sounds horrible. Shades of former Spur Sean Eliot. Hopefully he's okay...
DJ time
WOAHHHHHH.... 26. George Hill, IUPUI Jay Bilas is a liar he did not watch him. But I did. He's a baller. He's a winner. I witnessed him tear up new Pacer Josh McRoberts in 2004 during a high school game. He posted up and defended JMAC in high school. He'll excel in the SanAn. Stange though, going ahead of Chalmers. Didn't see that one coming.
Eline, McRoberts is a star. Don't be such a hater.
CDR is the pick here. No doubt. 27. Darrell Arthur It's about time. Portland, 2010-2020 NBA Champions. And on a side note, I apologize about JMac. He'll be a decent pro before its all said and done. Buckey doesn't like the interview the moms. Its cheesy and some people weren't really meant for camera.
Memphis, already with Kevin Love should take another Big Man.
Marc Gasol looks like a stiff.
28. Donte' Green Great pick. Should have been taken in the top-20. Maybe Memphis could win their first playoff game in the next couple years.
On a side note, Portland has Bayless and Arthur. Wow. Again, they have the best draft two years running.
The Pistons are up next... Could this be where D.J. White goes? There have been rumors that the Pistons promised to take White, but we'll see..
29. DJ WHITE!!!!!-Indiana
DJ goes in the first round to the Pistons. This could be a very good situation for him and the Pistons. An experienced big man who fits in very well with a team that values college players. We're trying to get D.J. White on the phone right now. Hopefully we'll get a hold of him and post a quick Q and A.
Boston picks now to wrap up the first round
30. J.R. Giddens- New Mexico
This could be interesting. Giddens used to play at Kansas and transferred to New Mexico. Haven't heard much about Giddens heading into the draft, but he was a big time prospect when he went to Kansas.
Chad Ford of ESPN is know saying that Detroit will trade the rights of White might be traded to Seattle for their two second round ricks
They just announced the trade on ESPN... so it's official...DJ White will be a Supersonic.
This is Ben, I just called D.J. and his phone went (expectedly) to voice mail. We'll be trying to get a hold of him ASAP.
31. Nikolas Pekovic, Montenegro Who knows.
32. Walter Sharpe, UAB Mike Davis stops moping off the bench and gives props for his newest NBA player. Robert Vaden next year. Seattle gets this power forward.
33. Joey Dorsey, Memphis Portland gets this bruiser.
34. Mario Chalmers, Kansas Minnesota gets a leader and a mature player from the champs.
On the phone with DJ's agent...
"They've been hearing the sonics have been trading for him. DJ's excited to go to that young team, he brings toughness and rebounding. He's someone who's going to work hard every day."
We also heard that we will be able to contact the newest Hoosier NBA player tomorrow at some point to do a full extensive interview. Stay tuned to www.idsnews.com/basketblog to see the interview.
We also heard that D.J. is watching the action from Alabama with family and friends. On behalf of the IDS and Indiana University, we'd like to congratulate D.J. on reaching his dreams. It has been a please to watch his hard work and dedication to the university, despite all the drama in his career. It has been a privilege to see him don No. 3 for Hoosier Basketball. He will soon not be forgotten.
On a side note, Brian Buckey will be buying a Sonics jersey. I probably will, too.
35. DeAndre Jordan, T A&M His seven deadly sin? Sloth. This guy is sooooo lazy. LA Clippers
36. Luc Richard Mbah A Moute, UCLA I'ma Milwauk it out. But he seriously is going to the Bucks.
37. Omer Asik, Turkey Congrats to the turks on a semifinal finish in EUFA 2008. Great thing to watch in sports. Portland again.
38. Kyle Weaver, WSU A good pick for the bobcats. Could be a DJ Strawberry.
39. Sonny Weams, Ark Put the Dan Dakich Hoosiers out of their misery Chicago Bulls
40. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis Has never lost a game of one-on-one. Probably will get beat by Vince Carter. New Jersey
Calipari is a sleaze ball...BTW
41. Nathan Jawai, Austrailia Pacers to Toronto
42. Sean Singletary-Virginia Sacramento
43. OH My GOD
PATRICK EWING, JR. I cannot believe this. How does one translate an underaverage college career into an NBA career? I don't understand this logic. Sacramento
44. Ante Tomic-Croatia
45. Goran Dragic-Slovenia Here come the foreign players
46. Trent Plaisted-BYU Looked good early in the year for BYU. Didn't hear much about him late. Sonics (to Detroit)
47. Bill Walker-Kansas State Seems like a steal this late in the Draft. A lot of mock drafts had him in the first round and I'm surprised he lasted this long. Washington
48. Malik Hairston, Oregon Phoenix
49. Richard Hendrix, Alabama Golden State
to Keith, We got 5 correct out of 30.
If this were my Econ201 class, that would somewhere in the 88%, B-plus range.
50. Devon Hardin, Cal Seattle
51. Shan Foster, Vanderbilt Josh Howard a little bit. A great college player who might be a little underlooked. Dallas isn't afraid to take undersized conference players of the year (see Howard). Foster could be quite a steal.
Also, maybe the worst freestyle rapper I've ever seen. Is that Shan Foster or Wan'ye Morris from Boyz II Men?
52. Darnell Jackson, Kansas Miami Heat Another Jayhawk
53. Tadija Dragicevic, Serbia Utah Who?
54. Marty Leunen, Oregon Houston
Heat trade Chalmers to T-Wolves for a second round draft pick. Ouch Chalmers. No guaranteed contract.
55. Mike Taylor, ISU Stu Scott: "Never attended a class in the fall" Sounds like the ideal student athlete
56. Sasha Kaun, Kansas Seattle
Horrible jokes by the commentators
57. James Gist, Maryland SanAntonio
The Los(er) Angeles Lakers are on the clock...
Mike Taylor does seem like the ideal Hoosier, not attending class for an entire semester. That is unbelievable...
WE HAVE A TRADE!!!!
Bill Walker for cash.
58. Joe Crawford, Kentucky Somewhere Jordan Crawford celebrates. (Probably with Eli Holman and Ray MacCallum at Detroit-Mercy)
59. Deron Washington, VA Tech Deroit Pistons
Mike Taylor to the Clippers. Woo, that trade matters.
Last pick...
I didn't realize James Carville was proctoring this second round.
60. Semih Erden, Turkey Starting left midfielder for Turkish national team, Erden is Mr. Irrelevant. What percent that he makes it to the league. 3%.
Well, thanks for your time. It's been a long day in Hoosier athletics. Tune in tomorrow to 93.1 at 7:53 to hear myself and Chris Engel talk IU athletics. Congrats EJ and DJ.
