It was a great night for Coach Cal and his former Kentucky Wildcats!
Here is my NBA Draft 2012 diary. It probably won’t be better than Grantland’s Bill Simmons’s draft diary but it’s my 1st annual NBA Draft diary. Jay Bilas will probably mention that multiple draft picks have “ large arms” or have “large wingspans” I used to mock Bilas for saying that (and I still will) but after noticing that Rajon Rondo and Lebron James have large wingspan I started to take notice. For every time Bilas says “he has a large wingspan or large arms TAKE A SHOT OR A SIP OF BEER! This draft will be extremely intriguing because there is a consensus for the 1st pick in Kentucky Forward/Center Anthony Davis who blocked almost 6 shots a game. After that, there are a bunch of possible Number 2 picks in Kentucky Guard/Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who has a “high motor” and no, I do not know what that is. The knock on Kidd-Gilchrist is that he can’t shoot… aren’t basketball players supposed to be good shooters? Before you even ponder that last statement Lebron did not come into the NBA as a great shooter and neither did Rondo so there is hope for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The second option at number is Kanas Forward Thomas Robinson who had arguably the second best season last year (behind Davis). He is a great rebounder and had similar college stats to Derrick Williams who went second to the Minnesota Timberwolves last year. The third option and final option at number 2 is North Carolina Guard Harrison Barnes who was compared to Kobe Bryant before college; he was not Kobe-like at UNC. He did average 17 points a game during his sophomore season so hopefully he is a better pro then college player. This draft is also intriguing due to Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger and Baylor forward Perry Jones III dropping due to medical concerns. Sullinger was flagged for having a bad back and Jones III was flagged for his knees and for having a “low motor.” Both were sophomores who took the “risk” of coming back for their 2nd college seasons. Why I say “risk” you ask, because most draft pundits said they would have been lottery picks last year.
Without further ado, here’s Rece Davis? They couldn’t Chris “Boomer” Berman or Stuart “Cooler than the other side of the pillow” Scott? Jay Bilas AKA “Mel Kiper of the NBA Draft” Jeff Van Gundy and Chris Broussard what you couldn’t get Stephen A.Smith?.
7:32 the fans boo Commissioner David Stern what a shock and Stern thanks the fans.
7:33 the fans are still booing Stern after announcing that the Miami Heat won the NBA championship … thanks CAPTAIN OBIVIOUS
7:37 The New Orleans Hornets select Anthony Davis no surprises here tall gifted and talented big men don’t grow on trees. Jay Bilas says he has the hands of a guard and he repeats “Wingspan not once but twice, damm, I might be getting really sloppy by the end of this article.
7:43 The Charlotte Bobcats select Michael Kidd-Gilchrist its two for two for Kentucky and Coach Cal! That’s never been done before! I am a huge Kidd-Gilchrist he is from Jersey like me and he is also a fellow stutter. I feel that he is the 2nd best player in this draft but with the Bobcats having the worst losing percentage ever in the NBA they needed a guy that is going to put up numbers now and I do think he will put up numbers but if the Bobcats picked Thomas Robinson or Harrison Barnes; they would have been a better win now players.
7:48 The Washington Wizards select Bradley Beal Guard from Florida All three picks are freshman from the SEC. The SEC rules football and now they own basketball. I am not a huge fan of Beal because I have not seen him play and he shot 34 percent from the three point line. I do not see the Ray Allen or Eric Gordon comparisons. Maybe I’m wrong or maybe I’m right. He does fill a need at the 2 with John Wall and Nene as former New York Knicks General Manager Ernie Grunfeld tries to shape this Wizards roster. Jay Bilas does say he is a good rebounder for his size.
7:54 Damm they are booing Stern every time he speaks and I’m loving it! The Cleveland Cavaliers select Dion Waiters Guard from Syracuse the first shock and possible “bust of the draft” he didn’t even start on Syracuse but he was moving on the draft boards. No trades so far so I’m kinda shocked but they will come later. The Sacramento Kings will be getting a great player in Thomas Robinson… hopefully
7:58 Caliperi still coaching his players damm he is making the other college coaches jobs tougher by the minute. By the end of the night everyone is gunna wanna play for Kentucky if they haven’t already wanted to play for Coach Cal
7:59 The Sacramento Kings select Thomas Robinson I am shocked he was still there at 5 and he will form a big time duo with DeMarcus Cousins. Too bad they rank among the worst in team chemistry.
8:02 Thomas Robinson is crying and vows to work hard and now they are interviewing his sister who is a big talker .This interviewing this guy who got drafted and then a family member is getting old and its only the five pick of the draft. C’mon ESPN the worldwide leader of sports spice it up a little bit, I’m getting bored and Bilas talk about wingspan some more I’m getting thirsty on this thirsty Thursday!
8:05 Portland Trail Blazers select Damian Lillard Guard from Weber State? At six? Damm this is shaping into a weird draft and it’s only the sixth pick. He averaged almost 25 points a game, shot almost 50 percent from the field and got to the line a lot but he didn’t play against top notch competition. Could Austin Rivers put up similar numbers if he was at Weber State? I think so.
8:09 Time for Moneyball basketball with Former Trail Blazers GM Tom Penn! Based on his random stats of spot up shooting and first pass he thinks Damian will be a great player, hopefully he will be correct cause I can’t remember Portland having a good point guard and they long for the days of Sebastian Telfair! (joking)
8:12 The Golden State Warriors take Harrison Barnes great Golden State gets another shooter how will Stephan Curry, Klay Thompson and Barnes share the ball? I guess it’s up to Coach Mark Jackson… Hopefully the Warriors fans like the pick and aren’t booing at home.
8:16 The Toronto Raptors take Terrance Ross Guard from Washington I think this was a little high but the Raptors really wanted Dion Waters and teams might be scared of UConn Center Andre Drummond becoming Hasheem Thabeet. I thought he would have been a great value to the Warriors or the Raptors. The Warriors need a another big body and the Raptors could have used him and moved Andrea Bargnani to the four.
8:20 Its Fran Franchilla time to talk about the Raptors draft pick last year, you know your team just missed up their draft pick when they are talking about your pick from last year. Apparently Jonas Valanciunas has a “mean streak” I’m not sold on that “mean streak” following him to the NBA. We got some mean dirty players .
8:24 Detroit Pistons select Andre Drummond Jay Bilas says wingspan three times in a span of 15 seconds SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS EVERYBODY!!! As long as he doesn’t go to the free throw line( 29 percent shooter from the charity strike), I think he will be fine. This is a bit of a slide for Drummond but I think it is a great fit for him and the Pistions. Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond form a good trio but don’t confuse them with a BIG 3.
8:25 Rece Davis says Austin Rivers is not happy during the Drummond announcement
8:28 Hornets get another pick due to the Chris Paul trade and they pick Austin Rivers guard from the Duke Blue Devils who is now happy. Rece Davis ironically brings up now he will have to play against his father Doc, coach of the Celtics. The only problem is Rivers thinks he’s Kobe and he is not Kobe he had more turnovers than assists and is a terrible defender. He needs to improve and a son of an NBA coach I am sure he will improve. He, Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon should form a decent Big 3 for years to come.
8:35 The Trail Blazers pick again and select Meyers Leonard Center from Illinois and becomes the third NBA draftee to be caught crying on camera. Height can’t be taught but if you are a center that needs to get stronger and isn’t a great rebounder that could be a problem. On the other hand, building your team with a young point guard and a young center is a good start. Portland hasn’t had the best of luck with center in the past, Greg Oden much? Too soon?
8:40 First video conference with Wizards coach Randy Whitman he states the obvious of building around John Wall and bringing in “good character players.”
8:43 Jeff Van Gundy exposes tanking says team stink im purpose ESPN what do you think? link
8:44 The Houston Rockets who have multiple picks in their non-stop plan to try to acquire Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol or Rudy Gay select Jeremy Lamb Guard from UConn wingspan 6-11 thanks Jay Bilas!
8:48 Ric Burcher reports the Raptors want Steve Nash and will be on his doorstep; yeah well so do the Heat and Knicks and those teams are a lot better than the Raptors.
8:48 Phoenix Suns select Kendall Marshall Guard from North Carolina who is the best pass first point guard in the draft. I love this pick for the Suns this is a great fit and gives the Suns insurance in case their current point guard Steve Nash leaves which has a 98 percent chance of happening.
8:53 Milwakee Bucks take John Henson Forward from North Carolina I like the pick and its back to back Tar Heels Roy Williams Bilas mentions Bill Simmons calls Henson “Freedy Krudger” on live tv great plug! He also called Henson a great defender and I agree he is a great shot blocker and the Bucks got a great pick I though Henson was an option with the Pistons but he did not slide out of the lottery which is great for him.
8:59 The boos have subsided C’mon fans! Philadelphia 76ers take Maurice “Mo: Harkless a forward from St. John’s I do not like this pick because this team is full of guard/forward players led by Andre Iguodala, Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams and Lavoy Allen. Chris Broussard says the Sixers will try to trade Iguodala this off-season Why? He is their best player and trading one guard/forward really won’t make a difference. I do not like the pick and would have gotten Harkless later in the twenties if they really really wanted him.
9:07 With a pick that the Knicks traded away to the Houston Rockets they select Royce White Forward from Iowa State. I like the pick he was what Bilas calls him a “point forward” led his team in points, rebounds, steals and assists. If it wasn’t for White’s character concerns such as getting arrested a few years back and his fear of playing he would have went a lot earlier. The Rockets got a steal pending he has no problems flying.
9:12 Broussard says draft Sullinger I think that could be a good idea Dallas Mavericks select Tyler Zeller Forward from UNC. That is four guys from UNC in the first round. He is a true 7 footer and like I said before you cannot teach height. I have seen him play and I do like the pick and think he could be better than fellow 7 footer, Meyers Leonard. The Mavs lost their center last year to the Knicks and their play dropped off. He is a massive improvement and runs the floor well could Deron Williams join him in Dallas? We shall see.
9:19 The Houston Rockets picked again for the third time this round! They select Terrence Jones from Kentucky that’s four from UNC and three from Kentucky! I remember draft pundits mentioning him among the top picks a few months ago he really dropped along with John Henson, Zeller and other who have yet to be drafted.
9:23 There is a TRADE FINALLY!!! Ric Burcher reports the Cleveland Cavs get Tyler Zeller and the Mavs get picks 24 33 and 34. One of the leagues’ oldest teams gets younger, I like it.
9:25 The Orlando Magic are up next here come the Dwight Howard talk nothing new Howard’s not getting traded tonight so let’s move on. The Orlando Magic select Andrew Nicholson forward from St. Bonaventure 7’4 wingspan we’re getting closer and a Physics major thanks for the heads up Rece Davis! Is he a replacement for Dwight Howard? It’s possible.
9:29 The boos are back!! The Denver Nuggets select Evan Fournier Guard from France, here’s Fran, he says Fournier has questionable shot selection from a European Guy that could be a problem and I am not a big fan of the European players I think they are soft.
9:32 here come the Boston Celtics with back to back picks! The pundits ponder will KG and Ray Allen be back? Broussard says the Celtics won’t rebuild they will reload! Personally I don’t see that happening this team is old and doesn’t have the assets without giving up too much to reload they will rebuild.
9:37 I think Stern loves the boos The Boston Celtics pick Jared Sullinger Forward from Ohio State. I like the pick he is a top 10 talent and at this point this is a full blown ROBBERY. He also has 7 foot wingspan but like Andy Katz mentioned he has bulging dicks and his draft prospects dropped because of it. Celtics aren’t afraid of taking risks they got rid of their center in Perkins for Jeff Green a guy who missed the season with a heart ailment. This is my favorite pick of the night so far great value.
9:44 the second pick of the Celtics is Fab Melo from Syracuse. The Orangemen lost only one game with him last year. They could have gotten him later possibly in the second center but he instantly becomes the best Center the Celtics have with Greg Stiemsma permanently sitting on the bench.
9:49 The Atlanta Hawks got John Jenkins who is apparently the best shooter in this draft he is what resident General Manager Tom Penn says is a shooting specialist. You mean like J.J. Redick? Adam Morrison> I’m glad GM’s are getting smarter and not picking “shooting specialists” in the lottery anymore.
9:54 The Cleveland Cavs traded this pick to the Dallas Mavericks get Jared Cunningham Guard from Oregon State Tom Penn calls him a specialist and I don’t know anything else about him. He wasn’t on any of the 24245 mock drafts posted on the interweb. I am starting to believe that these mock drafts are a waste of time to read.
10:04 The Memphis Grizzlies select Tony Wroten Jr. Guard from Washington I do not know a lot about him either but from the tap he looks very athletic hopefully for the Grizz in a Rondo type of mode. He does have size at 6’6 and is a terrible shooter.
10:08 More information on Perry Jones III he is still dropping and he is in the stands. I kinda feel bad for him because people there and on TV will show him until he gets drafted. Like Sullinger he is a Top-10 talent and again a few months ago some people had him as the Number 1 pick. What a drop for Perry Jones III. I think he will be a 2nd round pick at this point.
10:08 Indiana Pacers select Miles Plumlee Forward from Duke. Great another white guy to Indiana! It is nothing against Plumlee and I am a huge Duke Blue Devils fan. I just think Plumlee isn’t a 1st round pick.
10:13 Is Stern hiding from the boos now he’s waiting I love the boos I got go to the Draft next time! The Miami “Heat” Floopers take Arnett Moultrie Forward from Mississippi State if there was one thing the Floppers need its size and they got a good player who had a first round grade.
10:17 Tom Penn who is also ESPN’s resident” capologist” says if the Heat are over the cap it will cost them not 20 million but 45 million. I don’t thing the Heat are worried they could just raise tickets prices people if you have Lebron people will come.
10:21 The Oklahoma Thunder select Perry Jones III!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great player, Great value, Great team. The rich get richer with Perry Jones III. This is the best pick of the draft it’s was very low risk at this point at the draft. The only issue I see with this pick is that he plays the same position as Kevin Durant.
10:24 its Fran time he says Jones would have been a Top-10 pick if he came out last year. I disagree, he dropped cause of his knees. If the doctors flagged his knees this year, they would have flagged them last year. Bad call Fran; stick to the Euro League were you could bullshit about players that won’t even come play in the NBA.
10:29 The Chicago Bulls pick Marcus Teague Guard from Kentucky that’s four for Kentucky. Wow! This is a value pick and the Bulls have a point guard in John Lucas III they are looking for an upgrade or Rose won’t be to start the season or both.
10:32 Trade Alert!!!!!!!!! The Floppers trade Arnett Moultrie to the Sixers for the 45th pick and Eddy Curry’s Championship Ring, no meant a future 1st round pick. Finally the Sixers get some size with Elton Brand on the trading block as well.
10:34 With the final pick of the 1st round the Golden State Warriors take Festus Ezeli Center from Vanderbilt wow Vandy with two first round picks. Nice. He is Vanderbit’s all-time shot blocker but Vandy never really had any shot-blockers so that’s a mute stat.
10:34 David Stern says that’s the end of the first round draft. The crowd boos and Stern thanks the crowd “for their enthusiasm” link Is Stern fucking stupid THEY WERE BOOOING U THE WHOLE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When he tells the crowd someone else is calling the 2nd round they cheer. Looks like your time is up Stern. Give it up!
That’s the end of the first round which means the end of the draft diary. I hope you had fun and if Bilas spoke more at the end of the 1st round I would have been drunk. My buzz is gone, thanks Jay Bilas!
trueblue3189 