04/24/24
June 24, 2004
Draft Party!: Live NBA Draft party! Rejoice as your team picks its next franchise player! Ridicule your rivals as they scrape the bottom of the barrel searching for a post presence! Or just wonder out loud "What the hell is Danny Ainge doing?!" Lets get the commentary running folks!
posted by lilnemo to navel gazing at 05:00 PM - 62 comments
I predict the Blazers will take the Best Available Headcase. I predict the Clippers will do something really, really stupid (in this case, I'm thinking Devin Harris over Gordon or Livingston.) My top 5 mock: 1. Howard 2. Okafor 3. Iguodala 4. Harris 5. Podkolzine Vee shall see.
posted by sashae at 05:04 PM on June 24, 2004
I wonder if this could be in the sidebar before draft time? PANTHEON?
posted by lilnemo at 05:14 PM on June 24, 2004
s- The question is: who is picking #5? Mavs, Lakers, the Celtics?
posted by lilnemo at 05:20 PM on June 24, 2004
If I'm the Lakers, I'd do the Shaq for Dirk deal if I could get the #5 and take Shawn Livingston. That kid is the real deal.
posted by filthyboy at 05:46 PM on June 24, 2004
Livingston? He unquestionably has skill? But will he defer to Kobe? Will he play second fiddle to incumbent starter GP?
posted by lilnemo at 05:48 PM on June 24, 2004
GP is on his way out. In a way, Livingston is the perfect pick. He sits for a year behind GP, then he takes over as a Magic Johnson-style, distribute and score point guard. Remember, the Lakers already had Eddie Jones in place when they traded for Kobe on draft day.
posted by filthyboy at 05:54 PM on June 24, 2004
That's the biggie, who is picking #5 and if it's the Mav's, who are they picking for? I say Okafor goes #1 after that it really is a crap shoot. I will say Luke Jackson and Jameer Nelson have the best shot at getting picked far lower than they should.
posted by pivo at 05:54 PM on June 24, 2004
Okay, who gets picked too early (reach), who drops too low?
posted by lilnemo at 05:58 PM on June 24, 2004
GP is on his way out. If Kupchak pulls that off then he's more devious than I give him credit for.
posted by lilnemo at 06:00 PM on June 24, 2004
Swirling rumors around the Wizards... apparently they're not done dealing. Two of the rumors? Jared Jeffries + Kwame Brown to the Sonics for Rashard Lewis and the #12 pick. Gilbert Arenas and ? for Steve Francis (this one still has legs.) As a Wizards fan, I feel nauseous. On preview, Devin Harris goes too early, Luol Deng goes too late (I think he should be top 5)
posted by sashae at 06:03 PM on June 24, 2004
Gilbert Arenas and ? for Steve Francis ? is reportedly Kwame Brown.
posted by lilnemo at 06:05 PM on June 24, 2004
nemo I've heard that, but the trade makes -zero- sense for the Wizards, except from a marketing standpoint (admittedly, Susan O'Malley has huge power, but I can't imagine Grunfeld or Eddie Jordan allowing that one to happen.) Francis is older, paid $3mil/yr more, and isn't any better. I love Steve Francis (huge Terps fan) but giving up Kwame to do it? Ugh.
posted by sashae at 06:07 PM on June 24, 2004
Francis is older, paid $3mil/yr more, and isn't any better. I love Steve Francis (huge Terps fan) but giving up Kwame to do it? Ugh. Agreed. I don't think that deal gets done (unless thats what Francis wants and someone really buckles). Winning will bring far more fans to the MCI Center than another hometown kid. There is way too much trade chatter in the air. But this is one of the more implausible proposals I've heard.
posted by lilnemo at 06:11 PM on June 24, 2004
Lemme throw this one out there... Eddie Jordan was apparently infatuated with Shaun Livingston. If Livingston was available at the #4 pick, would you do this trade with the Clippers? Gilbert Arenas for #4 pick (Shaun Livingston) Chris Wilcox Corey Maggette The salaries work, and assuming you throw in some sort of future considerations or a 2nd round pick this year from the Wizards, I think this trade would benefit both teams. Just a thought. -s
posted by sashae at 06:36 PM on June 24, 2004
would you do this trade with the Clippers? If I'm the Wizards, yes. Livingston can't possibly be as selfish as Arenas. Though Wilcox would be the real coup here. If I'm the Clippers, no. Wilcox is insurance should Elton wear down too quickly. I don't see Maggette going either, seeing as how Q is slated to be a FA. You get an A for originality though. :)
posted by lilnemo at 06:50 PM on June 24, 2004
Howard goes #1. The AP quotes Emeka Okafor: Help I've fallen and I can't get up! Guess they had back questions huh?
posted by lilnemo at 06:51 PM on June 24, 2004
Ben Gordon at #3 to Chicago -- that's fairly shocking, considering how well Hinrich played...
posted by sashae at 06:52 PM on June 24, 2004
Okafor #2. Is Bickerstaff doing the shuffle?
posted by lilnemo at 06:53 PM on June 24, 2004
Ben Gordon #3 to Chicago? Somethings going on here.
posted by lilnemo at 06:53 PM on June 24, 2004
Livingston #4 to the Clips. Baylor likes'em young.
posted by lilnemo at 06:55 PM on June 24, 2004
Well sashae looks like Ernies got his choice of SF's.
posted by lilnemo at 06:57 PM on June 24, 2004
Channelling John Paxson: Kirk Hinrich = Paxson Ben Gordon = B.J. Armstrong? I seriously think this pick is moved before the night is done.
posted by lilnemo at 07:00 PM on June 24, 2004
looks like Ernies got his choice of SF's. So of course he takes Devin Harris at #5.
posted by lilnemo at 07:03 PM on June 24, 2004
oops, forgot this is the Mavs pick. or is it the lakers? Someone else post dammit!
posted by lilnemo at 07:05 PM on June 24, 2004
Hawks take Josh Childress at #6. Josh Childress and Boris Diaw. The All Pipe cleaner team.
posted by lilnemo at 07:07 PM on June 24, 2004
I agree....it doesn't make sense to me the way it stands now.
posted by smithers at 07:08 PM on June 24, 2004
OK....I am guessing the Raptors will take Nelson too high next pick...
posted by smithers at 07:11 PM on June 24, 2004
The Suns nab Deng at #7. Not too far a drop, still a lottery pick.
posted by lilnemo at 07:12 PM on June 24, 2004
guessing the Raptors will take Nelson He could be the next Damon Stoudemire!
posted by lilnemo at 07:12 PM on June 24, 2004
I agree....but he is too high at #8.
posted by smithers at 07:13 PM on June 24, 2004
Oops 7 is the Bulls pick. rats! Deng was their guy all along. Gordon has to be going elsewhere.
posted by lilnemo at 07:14 PM on June 24, 2004
could they not have traded down for that??
posted by smithers at 07:17 PM on June 24, 2004
Rafael Araujo... with luck he'll become the next Curtis Borchardt.
posted by sashae at 07:17 PM on June 24, 2004
I tell you what, though, at least he will let Bosh play the 4 spot.
posted by smithers at 07:20 PM on June 24, 2004
They could have gotten a corpse to do that ;)
posted by sashae at 07:20 PM on June 24, 2004
We don't see much of Steven A. Smith in Canada....he seems to think he's pretty slick now, doesn't he?
posted by smithers at 07:22 PM on June 24, 2004
Araujo. Didn't see that coming.
posted by lilnemo at 07:23 PM on June 24, 2004
Everyone in Toronto is going..."Who?"
posted by smithers at 07:24 PM on June 24, 2004
could they not have traded down for that?? I think so. It's too risky to assume that Deng or Iguodala would slide to 7.
posted by lilnemo at 07:24 PM on June 24, 2004
Speak of the Devil Iguodala to Philly @#8. I like this pick. Finally an Athletic scorer who can run with Iverson. Scuse Billy King while he scrapes the memory of Jumaine Jones from his brain.
posted by lilnemo at 07:26 PM on June 24, 2004
They've got Glen Grunwald on Canadian TV as a draft analyst, and apparently he called Araujo before the draft began.
posted by smithers at 07:26 PM on June 24, 2004
he seems to think he's pretty slick now, doesn't he? Yes he does. I like the bit he does where he gets all overexcited and foams at the mouth... and then turns to camera 2 and seems sedated, barely speaking audibly.
posted by lilnemo at 07:27 PM on June 24, 2004
They've got Glen Grunwald on Canadian TV as a draft analyst, and apparently he called Araujo before the draft began. Cool. *RING* -Hello? -Hi, this is Glen Grunwald. I just made you a millionaire.
posted by lilnemo at 07:28 PM on June 24, 2004
I just want to say screw ESPN...this insider shit on the web page is really getting out of hand. Just make the whole f'n thing pay already and quit jerking us around. That is all.
posted by pivo at 07:29 PM on June 24, 2004
Luke Jackson @ 10 to the Cavs. nice.
posted by lilnemo at 07:29 PM on June 24, 2004
*RING* Actually, I meant that Grunwald predicted 90 mins. ago that Babcock (the new Raps GM) would take Araujo.
posted by smithers at 07:30 PM on June 24, 2004
Jackson and LeBron could be a nice tandem there.
posted by pivo at 07:30 PM on June 24, 2004
Telfair to the Blazers at #13... guess they didn't get enough Damon Stoudamire.
posted by sashae at 07:48 PM on June 24, 2004
Goog to see a young, immature, not ready for the league player go to Portland. He should shape up nicely there.
posted by pivo at 07:49 PM on June 24, 2004
Podkolzine to the Jazz. Continuing the fine tradition of Mark Eaton and Greg Ostertag. You can't teach height, baby!
posted by filthyboy at 08:43 PM on June 24, 2004
Sergei Monya slipped a long ways. People talked about him in the top 10.
posted by filthyboy at 08:45 PM on June 24, 2004
...and now Podkolzine to the Mavs for a future 1st rounder. To be dealt to the Lakers perhaps? -s
posted by sashae at 08:56 PM on June 24, 2004
Lakers take Sasha Vujacic... from the NBA draft profiles page: Personal: Favorite NBA team is the Sacramento Kings. He should fit right in!
posted by dusted at 09:08 PM on June 24, 2004
Who's still on the board that you'd want on your team?
posted by filthyboy at 09:14 PM on June 24, 2004
Ya know I bagged on Podkolzine on the need v. talent thread and he didn't look, well... heinous... in the video clips they showed. Mebbe the Mavs will do a Bradley / Podkolzine twin towers thing... /haha
posted by BobbyC at 09:16 PM on June 24, 2004
Romain Sato on the Pistons
posted by BobbyC at 09:17 PM on June 24, 2004
Podkolzine can't box out to save his life though... pretty stroke on that 3 ball from the highlights.
posted by sashae at 10:01 PM on June 24, 2004
"What the hell is Danny Ainge doing?!" Unrelated to the draft, but funny story anyway. Today at the Red Sox game, I actually sat behind Danny Ainge's one defender, one pal. This guy was loud, he thought everyone was his buddy and he rattled off something like, "I really like what Danny Ainge is doing. A lot. I'm psyched man." Heads turned.
posted by jerseygirl at 10:36 PM on June 24, 2004
pretty stroke on that 3 ball from the highlights. I didn't see the highlights - they have a 7'-5" guy shooting threes?
posted by dusted at 11:34 PM on June 24, 2004
Hey Chris and Luol, we're moving to the same city! Want to share a Uhaul? Just pick me up in GSO in August.
posted by corpse at 07:40 AM on June 25, 2004
I didn't see the highlights - they have a 7'-5" guy shooting threes? Manute Bol! Oh wait, he is 7-7.
posted by blarp at 10:17 AM on June 25, 2004
We're about an hour away from draft time, so lets hear some predictions.