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Draft Shmaft

Spurs predictably awesome, T-Wolves eccentric on NBA's big night

By VR Bryant

The NBA's draft isn't quite the spectacle that the NFL's has become. Credit the League's marketing machine for building a furor - even after the recent streamlining efforts (a big step forward, in my opinion), it's still a massive two-day event around which a pretty big crowd can be gathered.

This year, the draft itself became a bit of a sideshow, as the most intriguing developments came in the form of pre-draft-deadline trades.

Richard 'Worst Tats in the NBA' Jefferson wound up in San Antonio, where they can appear to do no wrong. Darko 'I swear I play basketball' Milicic found his way to New York, where Mark D'Antonio swears he knows what he's doing.

The T'Wolves shipped known quantities Randy Foye and Mike Miller to Washington for the chance to draft Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio, who might pull a John Elway on their asses and just refuse to suit up. Anyone else think that kid looks like Liza Minelli?

And then, of course, there was Shaq.

It's important to note that the NBA draft, relatively understated as it is, is remarkably low-impact in terms of immediate results. Still, there were some generally-agreed-upon 'winners' and 'losers', so we may as well get to it (as I see them, of course).

Best Overall Draft - San Antonio Spurs

F*** these guys. Seriously-can they do no wrong? They didn't even have a first-round pick, and they manage to net themselves a lottery-caliber talent in DeJuan Blair at No. 37 and the draft's best pure shooter (shove it, Stephen Curry) in Jack McClinton at No. 51. They tacked on a 6-foot-5 Francaise lead guard two picks later. I shouldn't have to regale you as to the Spurs' history with French point men.

Worst Overall Draft - Sacramento Kings

Tyreke Evans was a nice college player, and his athleticism will probably carry him as a pro, but the Kings needed a point guard, and they passed on a sh*tload of totally competent ones. For having two first round picks, it was a pretty underwhelming haul needs-wise. People seem to think this Omri Casspi character will develop and provide 'toughness', but I'll believe it when I see it. For now, I see more 60-loss seasons in their future.

Most Interesting Draft - Minnesota Timberwolves

I'm not the first to say it, and I won't be the last-taking four point guards with your first five picks (whether you're shipping them elsewhere or not) is bizarre. Still, can you tell me that (a) Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington aren't good finds, and (b) Ricky Rubio, stay or go, isn't one hell of an asset? I'm not saying this master plan is going to come to fruition in the way that they're envisioning up there, but I'm sure keen to see it all unfold.

My Favorite Pick - Danny Green, Cleveland Cavaliers

Homer choice, yes. But I don't care. I'm still upset that they didn't snag Blair at No. 30, but they sure made up for it in my eyes when they plucked Danny Green from the pool in the middle of the second round. He's tall (6-foot-7) and he can shoot. He's not Rashard Lewis or anything, but if we're going full bore against Orlando, he's a good guy to have in the rotation - long, versatile, athletic.

Originally Published: July 1, 2009

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