Draft Week Begins
But first, a look back to a year ago…
Ah… draft season. And you thought the NBA was going into hibernation. Before dealing with this year’s draft, let’s take an amusing look down memory lane.
2007…
Here is Khalid’s draft recap, with some hilarious in-hindsight reading.
We’re (the 76ers) surely the worst team in our division. At least on paper we are on track for next year’s lottery. My initial anger was caused in part in seeing how other teams were getting better with trades and how the Sixers always seem to get it wrong when it comes to that sorta stuff.
From Lang: “Ray is a great player and he’ll fit in perfectly in Boston, but is this a team that can win a title? No.”
Um, that was before the KG trade though. I like taking things out of context.
And this too:
ATLANTA HAWKS — I’m pretty disappointed by the way the Hawks ended up handling this Draft. First of all, it became obvious that there is a divide between the remaining owners and the front office. The owners wanted to take a chance and draft Yi Jianlian, while Billy Knight wanted to play it safe and take Al Horford, who plays power forward just like Josh Smith and the guy BK drafted in the first round last season, Shelden Williams.
Ben wrote about Greg Oden. Just pretend that’s new this time around.
Here’s my contribution. I was VERY EXCITED about Zach Randolph coming to NYC. Not for basketball reasons though. A friend of mine kept texting me for a month how he wanted to “burn one down” with Z-Bo. Then the “honeymoon period” wore off. Here’s a weird self-quote:
Can Z-Bo stay out of trouble in a city with this much temptation? Of course not! This is going to be fun.
Oddly enough, he did stay out of trouble minus one or two, you know, alleged shootings outside a strip club. Good job Z-Bo!
Russ was angry as always. Let’s go back to the Boston out of context excerpt well once again:
Talk of Seattle trading Ray Allen to Boston for the No. 5, Delonte West and Wally Szczdnhdjfsfrnvbk. I HATE that trade for Boston (and I like Ray Allen). Does it make them a contender in the East? Not really.
I have literally no memory of this rumor mentioned.
The Amare-KG-Hawks deal is turning out to be one of wild speculation. Or is it? Was it?
But apparently it was a “real” rumor. Again, no memory of it.
Believe it or not, Ryan was obsessing over the Kobe drama, dragging Neon Deion into his hatepit.
Some of us, including the enigmatic Ben Collins, went to an NBA Live event featuring Gilbert Arenas and Kevin Durant. I picked up some crucial beard grooming inspiration that night. Changed the shape of my face forever, sort of, kind of. Ben Collins brought a girl there!
And this seems to be the genesis of KG leaving Minnesota, if you want to see where the happy story began.
So here we are one year later. All the mock drafters are mock drafting, the rumors will start a-flying, the Rose/Beasley argument will ramp up even though everyone knows Chicago is taking Rose. And we go from there.
38 Responses to “Draft Week Begins”
Jun.23 at 10:33 am
Cub Buenning says:
Ahhhhhh…. the NBA draft.
Time to bust out the lime green suits!
Jun.23 at 10:59 am
H to the izzo says:
Sam:You linked to Ben’s piece on Greg Oden as your contribution,I say this because I totally want to read your Z-Bo excitment again.
Jun.23 at 11:04 am
Billions says:
Will you guys do a feature on the 08 Dratf like you did last year?
Jun.23 at 11:16 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
oops! Fixed link. It begins with a no longer timely Imus joke.
Jun.23 at 11:23 am
Cub Buenning says:
AR, are you finally ready to come over to the Rose camp?
I just found out that Beasley is still shrinking! Down to 6′4″.
Jun.23 at 11:26 am
H to the izzo says:
Cub:I concede the fact in my Mock Draft,coming soon to a little read blog near you!
Jun.23 at 11:27 am
H to the izzo says:
RIP George Carlin,btw.
Jun.23 at 11:29 am
Cub Buenning says:
word on carlin….. BUT, would you take him? I know we have discussed this through out the college season, but are you still a Beasley guy?
Jun.23 at 11:33 am
H to the izzo says:
I explain it in the piece,but as things are now,Rose fits as number 1,Chicago badly need an injection of raw talent and athleticism not named Tyrus Thomas.If Miami had the #1,I would choose Beasley.So,yes I guess I’m still a Beasley guy.
Jun.23 at 11:48 am
Cub Buenning says:
I’ll be reading!
Please no more NKOTB posts, though…..
Jun.23 at 11:56 am
Tommy Patron says:
I feel, based strictly on the fact that ESPN is following Beasley with this ridiculous “Rookie” thing, that Pax will pass on the sideshow. Not his style, plus it will be hard enough to get off to a smooth start without the local media making a big deal out of a perceived distraction with Beasley.
Jun.23 at 12:03 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I just thought of the Vince Young/Houston comparison. Passing up on hometown boys. I can’t, however, see DRose being the “flash in the pan” that unfortunately looks possible for VY.
Jun.23 at 12:12 pm
TADOne says:
I’m confused by your comments Cub. Are you saying that the Bulls would be better off drafting Rose or Beasley?
Jun.23 at 12:23 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I have always been a Rose guy and would take him regardless of team or need. I was just thinking of how that very same thing went for the city of Houston. (THIS IS AMERICAN FOOTBALL TALK) Passed on VY (local kid) who blew up in his first season, while the top pick (Mario) floundered. NOW, VY struggles to be an effective pocket-passer (ie an NFL QB)and Mario Williams looks like he might be a perenial All-Pro. Pick Rose. I might not take Beasley with the second pick, though….
Jun.23 at 12:29 pm
H to the izzo says:
Cub:That’s just crazy talk,since I know you’re going to suggest Brook Lopez with the second pick.Am I right?
Jun.23 at 12:33 pm
TADOne says:
I’ve heard a rumor that if the Bulls take Rose, Miami is going to draft Beasley and announce a trade with Chicago, trading Haslem for Hinrich. I’m quite sure Eboy could debunk this rumor.
Jun.23 at 12:37 pm
Cub Buenning says:
With the second pick in the NBA Draft, I would take…..
NO, not my boy Brooke. Although, he should be top five. I like the juice.
Jun.23 at 12:40 pm
H to the izzo says:
Miami deserve OJ.
Jun.23 at 12:42 pm
TADOne says:
Ok, but if Miami doesn’t take OJ, where does he go? If he where to fall to the Knicks, I would find a reason to purposely watch a Knicks game.
Jun.23 at 12:42 pm
Joe A says:
The bulls would be stupid to pass up on Rose.None of their bigs can create their own shot, so they would all benefit from a pure point guard, especially Tyrus.
Jun.23 at 12:42 pm
RV says:
Slam should look through all the draft workout videos and post some best of the best…Joe alexander played like someone was talking about his momma…
Jun.23 at 12:43 pm
Myles Brown says:
Im going out to buy OJ a winter coat right now. He’ll be here. If not, I hope it’ll fit Beasley.
Jun.23 at 12:45 pm
H to the izzo says:
Myles:Aren’t Minny loving Lopez?Can Foye and OJ co-exist on-court?
Jun.23 at 12:55 pm
Myles Brown says:
Lopez would solve our problems at the 5, but it just seems silly to pass on talent like OJ’s just to draft a mediocre center. Yeah, him and Foye AND McCants might all be the same player, but hes the best version. I’d draft the boy and trade one-or both-of the other two for spare parts.
Jun.23 at 1:02 pm
Eboy says:
Your rumor is unfounded at the moment TAD.
Jun.23 at 1:02 pm
Eboy says:
Although the Wade trade rumor is back in full effect like Flavor Flav was in 89.
Jun.23 at 1:03 pm
DP says:
This is my favorite time of the year. The Live draft blog post is the greatest SLamonline has.
Jun.23 at 1:04 pm
DP says:
please let there be a melo trade. doubt it will be but seeing him in a pistons jersey doesn’t look half bad man.
Jun.23 at 1:42 pm
Allenp says:
Vince Young might be able to be a pocket passer if he actually had somebody to pass to. Anyway, I hope Rose goes to Miami. If he goes to Chicago, Beasley will have his revenge and Paxson will have to make trades to make his team work. Does anybody want John Paxson making trades?
Jun.23 at 2:09 pm
Tommy Patron says:
I want John Paxson making trades. He’s not stupid (I hope), just too hesitant. Hopefully when compelled to make moves, they will be good. We certainly have a couple of tradable pieces.
Jun.23 at 2:12 pm
RV says:
i think there’s more truth to the wade rumor, i think it was wade to chicago, for the #2 and Tyrus Thomas. Pat Riley don’t play, he WILL trade Wade, even if the Heat are saying they won’t
Jun.23 at 3:14 pm
Ben Collins says:
Sam, I only bring girls to Burt Bacharach concerts and tribal Indian ceremonies (pow-wows, maize-growing seances, etc.). You know this. I think, if I remember correctly, we were supposed to tag team the Gilbert interview in the name of diversity, so, she could could, say, ask him questions regarding clothes, Beyonce and other things no one cares about.
Jun.23 at 6:22 pm
RV says:
And i’m really beginning to like Joe Alexander. I saw his predraft workout on youtube and he played like his life depended on it and his interview was unlike the rest. Now there’s a story on Yahoo about his early years, good stuff, i think he’s creeping into top 8.
Jun.23 at 9:20 pm
BETCATS says:
it smells like dirty laundry, but its just draft garbage
Jun.24 at 12:07 am
DP says:
RV, BET, yall still on the team?
Jun.24 at 1:35 am
RV says:
almost done DP, either tonight or in the morning
Jun.24 at 4:18 am
will says:
how do you actually spell Wally’s last name anyway?
Jun.24 at 7:04 am
Gerard Himself says:
with a couple of z’s in it