NBA Draft Special

Pre and post-draft coverage on ESPN and NBA TV was quite extensive. In fact I found myself changing channels to catch as much of each networks coverage as possible. Picture-n-picture doesn't work in this instance, I wanted to hear as much of the commentary as possible. The media personalities are just as important for me, long-time CNN and Golf Channel broadcaster Vince Cellini was hired in the spring by NBA TV. Cellini added knowledge and perspective to the NBA TV coverage. It seems I almost always hear a quote I can use, in this instance I'm unsure which media person to credit. "This is a deep draft, not from the standpoint of talent but of quality players who can help a team." That had been my observation after reading numerous stories the last several weeks.

I wasn't sure at first if KU's Thomas Robinson upset about the position he was drafted or the team. Over the last few weeks he indicated he thought he should be the second player chosen. When he dropped to the fifth position and the Kings selected him the reaction was noticeable. While he was being interviewed I noted a tear in the corner of his left eye. Losing his grandparents and mother in the space of weeks last year probably drained him emotionally. He might have been reflecting on his loss and the fact they were unable to witness what might be the highpoint of his young life.

It would be foolish for me to predict future success of any athlete, there are just too many possible variables that could affect a prospects career. I am certainly pleased Mizzou starters Kim English (Pistons) and Marcus Denmon (Spurs) were drafted. I make the statement based on comments made by fans of that team west of Kansas City, they claimed neither would be drafted. Both guys worked their butts off, neither was considered NBA prospects last year. Hopefully Ricardo Ratliffe will secure a free agent contract and show up in somewhere in the NBA.

Once again the Lakers fooled me, after several reported trade possibilities none occurred. In addition my view was the Lakers had only one choice and it was the last pick in the second round (60). The nation's leading assist man Scott Machado remained on the board all evening long. Point guard Ramon Sessions opted out of his contract and with his Laker future somewhat murky the choice had to be Machado, at least I thought. The selection of Gonzaga's Robert Sacre caught me completely off-guard not shocking but a surprise pick. I checked one of the more well-known Laker fan website, yes the majority are upset with the choice. This 7 foot 263 pound center is certainly not projected to replace Andrew Bynum, he's strictly a backup. Doesn't matter if Gasol remains with the team he's not a center, Sacre is and plus he's young. The Lakers managed to pick up Odom-----not Lamar, they made a deal with the Mavs for Darius Johnson-Odom drafted earlier in the evening. Odom is a 6-3 212 pound shooting guard from Marquette and has skills.

If you read Words eye view regularly information was provided earlier on two international prospects prior to the draft. Evan Fournier, a shooting guard from France was drafted by the Nuggets at 20. Tomas Satoranksy also a shooting guard from the Czech Republic was selected by the Wizards with the 32nd pick. It's not clear as this is written if the two will be in NBA training camps in September. It was noted last night "sometimes NBA teams have the player remain at home."

The long-suffering fans of the Knicks were disappointed once again. The Knicks had no first round pick, fans in the arena had to wait until the 2nd round and the 48th pick for an announcement of the choice. When the commissioner announced Kostas Papanikolaou from Greece the loud moans and groans could be heard throughout the Prudential Center. Papanikolaou is a 21-year old 6-9 230 pound small forward who plays for Olympiacos. The same question might apply for him as the other international players, will he be in the Knicks training camp in September?

Personally I think it's a little silly to award grades draft night. I have maintained over and over we really have no idea how good these draftees might turn out. There are always questions on an Andre Drummond (work ethic) or Perry Jones III (knee injury) but can we truly access a team's draft? My argument is the very earliest you can began assessing a draft choice is near the end of their rookie season. Steve Kyler managing NBA editor for Hoopsworld provides us this guidepost to determine how well a team conducted itself in the draft.

1 – Did you solve a real and material need?
2 – Did you grab the best talent possible, because talent always wins out?
3 – Is the team better after the picks and trades?

There are several NBA teams that don't have a clue what they are doing, I'm not going to name them you can figure them out for yourself. They stockpile players and when the team fails to produce they fire the coach or general manager or their scouts in no particular order. This scenario plays out over and over again. Those of us with no prior experience might be able to do a superior job of assessing talent. These teams are owned by "captains of industry," people who tasted success in the private sector. They are unable to duplicate their success on the basketball court.

Calipari continues to do it, every year for the last three years Kentucky has led all colleges in the number of drafted players. NBA teams drafted 6 players from Kentucky, they were followed up by North Carolina with 4 players. Players selected from the balance might be considered a little surprising. 3 players were selected from Baylor, 3 were also picked off the roster of Vanderbilt. The real shocker might be Mizzou which had more draft picks than traditional basketball power Duke and equaled the number of players from Syracuse, Marquette and Kansas. You might ask when was the last time this event occurred, how about never.

The Lakers and Celtics have been bitter rivals over the years as most are aware. Interesting this loyal Laker fan was impressed with the Celtic draft while one of the loyal and faithful was disappointed. I talked to a Celtic fan (and friend) yesterday and was quite surprised by his reaction to the NBA draft. My buddy said, "I don't like Sullinger's lack of an inside game." So much for his assessment of Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, he didn't even bother to mention the other draft pick Fab Melo former Syracuse center. I guess my assessment might be a little higher than my friend. If (big If) Melo can translate a small portion of his skill to the NBA Garnett will be allowed to move back to power forward. As for Sullinger I would be more concerned about possible back issues than leaping ability. Initially I don't think he'd be playing significant minutes which shouldn't impact any potential back problems.

Finally did you catch this draft night action? Photo shoots of the draft choice and his family members have been common place for years. The Rivers family was rounded up for a photo and a rather funny event occurred. Austin had a Hornets cap the team that just drafted him, someone gave father Doc a Hornets cap. Doc refused the Hornets cap preferring the photo be taken with him in a Celtic green cap.