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'Hawks in the NBA
'Hawks in the NBA: Live on Draft Day 2008
11:24 p.m.: Wait, one final note. Sasha Kaun told our Gary Bedore just moments ago over the phone that he has been traded to Cleveland. He didn't know the specs of the deal, but I'd say that's a pretty reliable source.
He was originally selected 56th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics.
Now, goodnight.
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11:02 p.m.: Semih Erden goes with the 60th and final pick to the Celtics. Wow. Adam Silver couldn't have said it better: Goodnight.
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10:44 p.m.: The Jayhawk news keeps coming late into the night ...
-First, Houston traded the No. 25 pick - Nicolas Batum of France - to Portland in exchange for Darrell Arthur (27th overall) and Joey Dorsey (33rd overall). This is being reported by the Oregonian in Portland.
-Sasha Kaun was just selected 56th overall by Seattle. Jay Bilas pointed out what is pretty widely known, that Kaun will still probably head over to Moscow to play for big money for at least a couple of years, then probably re-evaluate whether he wants to make a run at it in the NBA with the Sonics, who will still own his rights.
KU becomes just the third team in NBA Draft history to have five players taken in the draft's first two rounds. That ties an all-time record. Don't expect a sixth in the final four picks.
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10:12 p.m.: Miami is lovin' them some Sunflower State. First the Beasley pick, then the deal for Chalmers, and now Darnell Jackson at the 52nd slot out of 60 picks.
As Tom Keegan just said, with the way this draft's going, you never know if that pick won't be traded, but you'd have to think Darnell Jackson has a valid shot at making the roster, given some of the also-rans the Heat were trotting out there by the end of last season.
Easily one of the biggest feel-good stories of the draft.
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9:42 p.m.: Well, according to ESPN.com's Chad Ford: The Timberwolves are selecting Chalmers on behalf of the Miami Heat, according to a league source.
Arthur and Dorsey as teammates, now Chalmers and Beasley. Again, Chalmers could go from one situation where he'll play plenty of minutes right into another. Miami needs point help, and he could work well rotating with Jason Williams. Plus there's not going to be much offensive pressure, as he's flanked by a trio of scoring studs: D-Wade, Beasley and Shawn Marion. He can't be too bummed right now.
Oh yeah ... and it's Miami.
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9:23 p.m.: This is not at all a bad spot for Mario Chalmers. He's going to play tons of minutes in Minnesota.
Did anyone notice how livid he looked when he got up to head down to the podium? I'm telling you, this is the kind of guy who could come out of nowhere as a rookie and have a big year. Remember, he's not locked into any kind of a deal like a first-rounder where he can't sign an extension until after his third season. He is not in a bad situation at all, especially playing alongside O.J. Mayo.
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9:12 p.m.: Well, that's gotta be a punch to the gut of several KU fans. J.R. Giddens had two incredible seasons at New Mexico, though they flew under the radar. This season he led the Lobos with 16.3 ppg and 8.8 rpg. In fact, at 6-foot-4, Giddens led the Mountain West Conference in rebounding.
I'll let my Bulls fandom seep in again in saying that I truly hope CD-R falls about eight more picks. That'd be so, so, so sweet.
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8:48 p.m.: Well, Darrell's off the board, and now all focus shifts to Mario Chalmers. If there's any one guy from KU who I think wouldn't be affected by slipping to the second round, it'd be Mario. He seems like the most likely of the three to use the snub as a chip on his shoulder in playing his way into a big contract as a second-rounder.
He's in a good spot right now, because Boston could be looking at him as a backup point guard, taking into consideration that Sam Cassell might not be back in Beantown. Then, if he were to slip a few picks into the early second round, he's in a situation where he's on a weaker team and can play more minutes right away.
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8:38 p.m.: Well, George Hill from IUPUI certainly sounds like a head-scratcher, and I'm not going to try to sound like I know anything about him, but what I do know is that R.C. Buford knows what he's doing on draft night. It's hard to say anything bad there. He's got the rings and the littany of foreign picks who have found success to prove it.
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8:32 p.m.: An undisclosed kidney issue, according to ESPN's Ric Bucher. That pretty much explains it.
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8:27 p.m.: *crickets, crickets*
I wonder if Arthur will be picked before the maintenance crew needs to get in and clean up the green room. The poor guy. I hope ESPN stops showing him on TV. It's just painful and awkward every time.
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8:07 p.m.: Whoever the producer is running the truck for ESPN just has no soul. He just showed a wide shot of the Arthur family table - the only one still occupied in the MSG green room. Poor Juicy, Arthur's young brother, is asleep at the table. It's painful to see.
And yet, another big man goes. This time, it was Cal's Ryan Anderson, who I put earlier in this blog as my sleeper in this draft. Seriously, something is behind this Arthur slip, whether it's health-related or elsewhere. That's really the only explanation.
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7:55 p.m.: Now it's just flat-out intriguing as to the reason why GMs have shied away from Arthur. Especially after two big men just went at No.s 18 and 19 (JaVale McGee and J.J. Hickson). I'll offer up a prediction that he goes No. 21 to New Jersey, since they seem like they're stocking up on big bodies tonight (Brook Lopez pick Yi Jianlian trade).
Lets throw this out there, though, who goes first between Chalmers or Arthur? Is either going to slip to the second round?
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7:50 p.m.: Darrell Arthur and Brady Quinn could form quite a bond if he goes right here to the Cavaliers at No. 19. Surely you remember Quinn's extended green room stay before the 2007 NFL Draft. You've got to feel for Arthur. If he uses this the right way, maybe as some motivation, he could turn into a nice gem late in the first round.
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7:39 p.m.: From ESPN.com's Chad Ford: The Blazers will send the rights to Rush and Jarrett Jack to the Pacers for the rights to Bayless and Ike Diogu. I think this is a great pick for the Pacers. Rush should be a great fit in the backcourt with T.J. Ford because he defends, shoots the ball and has great size in the backcourt. Rush is one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.
If the Pacers' goal this week was a virtual complete roster overhaul, they're certainly succeeding. They've dumped some salary by shedding oft-injured Jermaine O'Neal, and now have a nice complement of perimeter players between T.J. Ford, both Brandon and Kareem Rush, Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy.
But who mans the paint? If Arthur is taken here at No. 17 by Toronto, he'd head to Indiana once the trade is finalized for O'Neal. Or, if it's finalized.
Nevermind, it's Roy Hibbert. Wonder what exactly has GMs running away from tapping Shady.
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7:22 p.m.: There it is, and Brandon Rush is off the clock. It looks like a good fit, considering that he'll get plenty of opportunity to play and contribute right away. Rush was right when he said it's a loaded squad. With names such as Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw already in place, they're very young, so he'll fit in. Oh yeah, and don't forget Greg Oden finally seeing the floor this year. He's set up to succeed.
Bilas' most recent awesome nugget: 'Considerable linear extent in space' when talking about Anthony Randolph. Someone tell me what that means.
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7:18 p.m.: Pritchard's on the clock. I'll predict Brandon Rush right here.
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7:10 p.m.: Wow, the Lopez brothers sound like a couple of Jeff Spicolis, no?
Now we are on full watch for the Jayhawks to come off the board. Your guess is as good as mine.
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7:05 p.m.: Jay Bilas talking about Brook Lopez, who just went to New Jersey: 'The one knock on him, he's not a great athlete ...'
Uh ... won't that be an issue in the NBA? I mean, I'm not rocket surgeon, but ...
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7:00 p.m.: Augustin is certainly a surprise to Charlotte at No. 9, right? First off, don't they already have Raymond Felton? So is a trade in the works? Also, Bayless is still there. One of the best scoring guards in the last few years to enter the league. Interesting.
And yes, Brook Lopez was just shown with tears welling in his eyes. No words.
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6:55 p.m.: Is Jerryd Bayless this year's Paul Pierce? He's dropping and some teams on the horizon right now have to be licking their chops.
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6:44 p.m.: The Knicks could have drafted Patrick Ewing all over again and there still would have been boos. Gallinari shouldn't be offended. Poor kid. He even said he just wants to win, and all he got were more boos.
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6:35 p.m.: UCLA should be off the board for the rest of the night, now, with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love going back-to-back at Nos. 4 and 5 to Seattle and Memphis, respectively. Not bad picks, but underwhelming at the same time, no? Not to step on Jay Bilas' toes to much, but Westbrook's 'upside' is quite intriguing. Though Bilas has shifted his overused phrase this year to 'he understands the game'. I think he's already muttered it a half-dozen times. I understand the game. Should the Bulls take a flier on another hometown kid?
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6:26 p.m.: Now that O.J. Mayo is off the board, surely pumped about wearing a parka nine months out of the year in Minny, this draft takes on another level of interest.
The more I scour the player pool after the first six or seven picks, the talent level drops off for the most part. Who's considered the best available from this point on? My pick is still Eric Gordon.
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6:14 p.m.: It's official, Derrick Rose is the top pick. So now it's time to simmer and think logically.
This obviously has to mean that either Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon is on the move tonight. I'd hope it's Gordon, since he 1) turned down a $50 million extension offer last year and 2) Hinrich's more of a complete package to complement Rose at the two-guard spot.
Either way, the Bulls need to take back a low-post scorer in whatever deal they construct. Should be an interesting night at the Berto Center.
On a sidenote, Beasley's off the board. Wish he could have at least ended up in the Western Conference so the Bulls wouldn't see him so often. Oh well.
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6:05 p.m.: Christmas in June is here. Lets hope the Bulls can come to their senses by tapping B-Eazy.
(It should be noted I was born and raised outside of Chicago, hence my eccentricity here involving this pick. I promise to calm down in a bit).
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2:38 p.m. - 3 hours, 52 minutes until tip-time: OK, time to play pretend.
First game, you're the Chicago Bulls' General Manager. What are you doing tonight in terms of draft execution? I'll start.
1) I draft Mike Beasley.
2) I package together Ben Gordon (you know, the un-clutch, undersized two guard who thinks he's Michael Jordan?), Tyrus Thomas (time to cut the losses) and next year's No. 1 pick and try to get myself another pick in the Top 10. With that pick, I take D.J. Augustin (I know, I'm sounding like a Big 12 homer supreme here. So what?)
3) That gives me a starting five next year of Augustin at the point, Kirk Hinrich at the two, Luol Deng at the three, B-Eazy at the four and Drew Gooden as the pseudo-five. Then, off the bench comes Joakim Noah, Andres Nocioni, Thabo Sefolosha and Chris Duhon. That's a playoff team in the East, hands down.
4) I sit back and smoke a cigar after brandishing sheer genius upon the rest of the Association.
Second game. If you could form a eight-man rotation using just players in tonight's draft pool, who would yours consist of? Again, I'll kick things off.
PG - Derrick Rose (As much as I love Augustin, he's pretty sick)
SG - Eric Gordon (Completely under the radar. When he's locked in, he's filthy)
SF - Brandon Rush (Most well-rounded SF in the draft)
PF - Mike Beasley (Most pro-ready player in the draft)
C - Ryan Anderson (My über-sleeper tonight. Remember the name, baby)
Bench - D.J. Augustin (He's the next Steve Nash. Write that down)
Bench - Chris Douglas-Roberts (Silky shooter, complete game, steadily improved over three years in college, will get overlooked and use it as motivation)
Bench - Kosta Koufos (If you can make him not love the perimeter so much and balance things out, he could be another Mehmet Okur)
Who's your squad? Submit it below and lets discuss. We've got plenty of time to kill.
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1:38 p.m. - 4 hours, 52 minutes until tip-time: Lets take a look around the country at what some other media outlets are reporting/saying about tonight's KU draft hopefuls ...
-Tim McMahon of the Dallas Morning News writes in his Mavs blog that he thinks Darrell Arthur will be a better pro than fellow DISD product Anthony Randolph.
-Brandon Rush, a man of many words. Though I'm really curious as to who he's talking about when saying 'Black Mamba.' According to Google, this is what pops up. Eeesh. (Note: According to former J-Wer Benton Smith, Kobe's nickname is the Black Mamba. Sounds kinda weak-sauce)
-As reported in the Anchorage Daily News, the Peanut Farm is the place to be tonight.
More to come shortly.
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Welcome to the first installment of KUSports.com's 'Hawks in the NBA blog. From here on out, this will be the one-stop shop for regular updates on your favorite former Jayhawks' pro ball endeavors.
And what better day to roll it out?
Yes, it's Draft Day '08. And this year's NBA Draft will involve several key members of the 2008 National Championship team hearing their names called. Three will (well, we're pretty certain they will), and a couple more seniors could figure into the mix.
Stay tuned here all afternoon/evening for analysis and much more from the Draft.
Of course, there's plenty of time to kill until the selections start this evening.
That said, we start with some opinion from the Journal-World sports department.
Between Tom Keegan, Matt Tait, Bill Mayer and Ryan Greene, there are four varying thoughts on which former Jayhawk should hear their name called first tonight in New York City. Here are the arguments, tell us which way your opinion leans.
Keegan's pick: Darrell Arthur
Jerry Krause never did receive enough credit for putting the right pieces around Michael Jordan, building a dynasty that resulted in six NBA titles. Krause was a baseball scout with the Chicago White Sox before he was a basketball general manager.
Two different sports, baseball and basketball, but sometimes it pays to steal ideas from one and apply them to the other.
Branch Rickey, father of modern scouting and the emperor of the Brooklyn Dodgers, used to say that if a pitcher throws 50 curveballs in the bullpen and one of them is sensational then that pitcher has a sensational curveball. It's up to instructors to get him to deliver it more consistently.
Staying with baseball for a minute, scouts don't look at how minor league players do against all competitors equally. They give a ton of extra weight to how they do against top prospects.
All of which brings us to why Darrell Arthur, 20, deserves to be the first Kansas University player chosen in the NBA draft. When he was at his best, nobody was better. A 6-foot-9 sprinter and high jumper on the basketball court, Arthur has a soft shooting range. Here's the thing about good shooters: Their strength increases as they fill out from age 20 to 24 and with the increased strength comes longer shooting range.
Two games against college teams packed with NBA frontcourt prospects stand out. Arthur totaled 19 points and nine rebounds as a freshman against Florida and he had 20 points and 10 rebounds vs. Memphis in the national title game.
Arthur, then Brandon Rush, then Mario Chalmers, then Darnell Jackson.
Tait's pick: Brandon Rush
I'll never forget the 1990 NBA draft. For starters, it took place on my 12th birthday - June 27 - and to top it off one of my favorite Jayhawks of all-time was selected that day. When KU guard Kevin Pritchard became a second-round pick of the Golden State Warriors, my day was complete, but somewhere between then and now things have changed.
Not only have I reached 30, but teams also are no longer taking the Kevin Pritchards of the world. Today, the draft is all about potential. Upside has become one of the most overused terms in sports and often would be better used to describe exactly where some of today's GM's should be slapped - upside their heads.
Tonight, when the 30 NBA teams sift through piles of players hoping to find that surprise superstar, several teams will pass on KU's Brandon Rush. I wouldn't.
Not only would I take Rush first among all Jayhawks eligible for the draft, I'd take him in the lottery no questions asked.
Here's why:
Rush is ready to play now. Think for a minute about how many NBA teams are one player away. One defender, one shooter, one key reserve who knows how to compete, knows how to win and knows how to work hard. Rush is all of those - and more.
Many draft experts have compared Rush to San Antonio's Bruce Bowen. It's a flattering comparison, no doubt, as Bowen is consistently one of the top defenders in the league.
I believe Rush can be more.
First of all, Bowen is strictly average on the offensive end. He's a decent spot-up shooter, but even then only from the corners. Rush, when he gets it going, can hit from anywhere and can create his own shots, as well. In addition, he's a reliable option in the open floor.
Because of that - along with his committment to defense and underrated size - I see Rush as a perfect fit for teams like Phoenix (15) or Philadelphia (16), up-tempo squads in need of a boost on the defensive end.
I won't be surprised if Rush goes behind KU's Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur. But I won't be surprised if he goes well in front of them either. I see Rush going as high as No. 12 (Sacremento) or as low as 26 or 27.
Regardless of where he lands, one NBA team is going to add a player poised for production right away.
Greene's pick: Mario Chalmers
There’s a reason Mario Chalmers got the ball in his hands at the end of regulation against Memphis. There’s a reason the same play was also run at the end of losses to Texas and Oklahoma State in the regular season.
On a team full of stars - several of which will be selected tonight in the two-round NBA Draft - the junior guard was the go-to-guy. And for anyone who didn’t want to believe it for much of the year, one historic three-pointer in April forced home the issue.
That’s got to tell you something, right?
Look past the fact that he without question had the Jayhawks’ most balanced individual stat line this season (12.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.1 rpg, 2.5 spg), and Mario Chalmers was always the one guy on the floor for KU - and I mean ALWAYS - who thought he was the best player in the game at that moment.
Sure, there’s the technical side. He’s an above-average shooter from distance. He can run the point. He’s great in transition. He’s great at creating havoc on defense, as Bill Self repeatedly said. Then, throw in the fact that he’s clutch. He’s fearless. He’s quick. Need I continue?
He’s the total package. And at 6-foot-1 with incredible leaping ability, he should have a lengthy and solid NBA career.
And given all that, I find Mario Chalmers to be the safest bet out of any of the Jayhawks on the draft board.
Quick example: Matt Tait and I on Wednesday afternoon were contemplating which was the worst draft in recent memory.
My pick? 2000. Honestly, eight years after the fact, the two best pros out of the bunch are DeShawn Stevenson (23rd overall) and Michael Redd (43rd overall). That’s one perennial all-star.
The lesson? Nothing is guaranteed in the draft. But Mario Chalmers becoming a solid pro, in my opinion, is the closest thing to it.
Mayer's pick: Darnell Jackson
It'll be an upset if Kansas's Darrell Arthur, Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers don't go, probably in that order, in the NBA draft. Sentimentally, though, if I were a personnel director and could afford a selection that wouldn't be popular but might pay off, I'd grab Darnell Jackson and give him time to develop. Gotta be honest: I favor the best things coming to Jackson, Russell Robinson and Sasha Kaun because they stayed the course at KU, and gave the school so much more than basketball eminence.
It's great news that Kaun is already taken care of with a contract with a Russian millionaire that could pay Sasha a million dollars per for at least a couple years and leave the door open to even more lucrative status down the line. For all his skills, RussRob will have a tussle making an NBA roster. He could do pretty well in Europe; I hope he does. That leaves Darnell, who could go somewhere in the second round but will need a good agent and tremendous workout auditions to make it. Despite all his trials and tribulations, he stuck with KU courageously and productively for all four years, and still has room for improvement, I'd love to see somebody allow him to achieve at least journeyman status the way ex-Jayhawk Scot Pollard has since 1998-99. Scot's done well financially. I'd dearly love to see Darnell do likewise.
Prejudiced? Sure. But I've always been extra loyal to guys stay the course rather the early-outs, like Arthur, Rush and Chalmers. It's insane to criticize Paul Pierce, Drew Gooden and the current Big Three for grabbing the money when it's in reach, and wish they'd finished their dance cards. Then I see the Jacksons, Kauns and Robinsons who do and want equally good things to come their way.
Practically, I'd be a fool not to draft Arthur, Rush and Chalmers ahead of Jackson. Sentimentally I'd like to see something miraculous happen for Darnell. I'm a sucker for long-termers.
So, who do you agree with?
Comments
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Posted by mgolany (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the sentimental pick for sure with Darnell Jackson cause the guy was great all year for us! I think that it's gonna be Brandon because I feel Brandon can do it all once he gets the ball handling down pact! Shoot, run, jump, rebound, defense, score! What more could you want from a player! i feel brandon is gonna be a star depending on the team that takes him! Sorry to change the subject but any word on if the Morris twins are on campus???
Posted by McT (Matt Tait) on June 26, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree completely, mgolany.
Let's put it this way, if DeShawn Stevenson's starting to have a serious impact at that level (finally) Rush should be able to do the same --- as long as he gets hooked up with the right team.
Might not be a perennial all-star, but he should have a chance to be a legit NBA player.
Other thoughts...
Will Kevin Love go too high?
Is O.J. Mayo the next Sebastian Telfair?
Are the Heat and/or Bulls ignorant if they pass on Beasley?
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mgolany,
No word yet on the twins. I'll ask Gary Bedore later and see what he's heard, and we'll have a better answer for you hopefully.
McT,
Kevin Love too high - yes.
I DEFINITELY think the Bulls and/or Heat will regret passing on Beasley - the most dominant and NBA-ready player in this draft.
As for Mayo, I feel like people kind of overlook the fact that he played on a REALLY bad USC team this year. Without him, they probably don't even make the NIT. Between the lack of depth, lack of talent and injuries they suffered, that team was really not that good. Mayo's a willing defender, can run the point or play the two, and he can get a shot whenever or wherever he wants better than any guard in the draft. I think he'll be a very good pro. You can't say that about a lot of guys who will be picked tonight.
Posted by McT (Matt Tait) on June 26, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
True. I'm probably under-rating Mayo but a lot of comes from the fact that he's the guy many are saying the Heat will take No. 2 if they don't take Beasley.
If they do that, they're a joke.
Any thoughts on who the steal of the draft could be?
I'm thinking Bill Walker, no matter where he goes.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know who I think it is? Eric Gordon. It's amazing how little that guy is being talked about.
Remember how dominant he was for the first two months of the college season? He was the hands down Freshman of the Year pick for the better part of the season, and after SampsonGate went down, he kind of backed off and almost appeared to mail it in, protecting himself for June. Can't fault an 18 year old kid for making that decision.
But he's one of the most dynamic offensive forces in the draft and will be able to score right off the bat in the NBA. Shoot, I think he could be to the '08 draft what Paul Pierce was to the '98 draft.
I agree on Walker, though, being a steal. Have you seen the photos of him recently? He's dropped 30 pounds and apparently killed it in individual workouts.
Posted by 97jhawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey rgreene,
How bad do you think the T'Wolves will mess up their #3 pick? I live in Mn and feel once again that they'll mess it up. Ol' McPhail is great at having starry eyes for big men and is looking Kevin Love up and down. If only we could get Beasley, but he doesn't even wanna come here and Glen Taylor won't fork out the dough to make a trade happen in our favor.
Oh well, that's why I am a Jayhawk fan and alum!!
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the T'Wolves have more pressure than anyone on their shoulders in the draft. Everyone knows who the two best players in this draft are. No one knows who the third is. It's just like the Atlanta Hawks a year ago. They took Al Horford third, and it was a great pick, as he came in second in the ROY voting and helped push the Hawks into the playoffs.
Minnesota badly needs star power. I love Mayo in that spot if he's available. I don't know how I feel about the claim that you need a big man to go alongside Al Jefferson desperately. He seemed to hold his own pretty well last year, didn't he? You need a scoring guard, and Mayo is just that.
Posted by mgolany (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks Ryan! I would really like to know about the twins and if they made it to campus and any word on their academic status! thanks Gary also when the info comes!
Posted by 97jhawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd really prefer the T'wolves to draft a Jayhawk, but that's just me. I'm biased. I wouldn't mind Mayo either, but supposedly we're loaded with guards.
Sure they're loaded, but they aren't like Mayo. I would hope they'd try for Arthur, Rush, or DJack, but it won't happen. A man can dream though.
Posted by mgolany (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not sold on Mayo tho i gotta be honest! He has all the hype surronding him from middle school to now but was he that impressive as a freshman at USC??? I think the Bulls will also be kicking themselves for not taking Beasley but I got a feeling rose goes first and Beasley drops to 3rd!!! Just a hunch!
Posted by 97jhawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ol' McPhail is hung up on the mantra of the "Big Man" down low. Who knows. Maybe he and the T'Wolves front office will surprise the fans this year.........I doubt it...haha.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Beasley drops to third, Minnesota fans should all thank the big guy upstairs regularly for the next 15 years as he paves his road to the HOF.
Posted by 97jhawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, if that happened there must be some NBA God up there that is showing his thanks and appreciation for trading KG to the Celtics and bringing the trophy back to bean town.
Posted by mgolany (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of a trade that will send Richard Jefferson to the Bucks for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons, according to NBA front-office sources.
Let the wheelin and dealin begin!!!
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Poor Jefferson, getting sent to the no-mans-land of the NBA. Oy. Milwaukee is where careers go to die.
Posted by justanotherfan (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's hard to pick a steal of this draft because a lot of the players are so even that one guy could fall a half dozen spots for no reason other than he was dead even with 5 other guys on the board.
All that said, if Darrell Arthur is around after the lottery, he will be the steal of the draft. Simply put, he is too good a player to still be on the board at 15.
Similarly, if Rush lasts into the 20s, he's the steal of the draft. He will contribute right away, and a guy that low doing that is a definite steal. Same with Chalmers or Walker. They could fall into the 20s, but play solid minutes for good teams next year.
If Beasley is on the board at 3, be very afraid. Beware the super talented individual who takes it as a personal affront that he was passed over by too many teams. If the Heat pass on Beasley, don't be surprised to see him torch them for 25 and 12 everytime they face off the next 8-10 years, just as a reminder.
Keep Courtney Lee in mind. He went to a small school, and those types of guys are almost always undervalued come draft time, but somehow find a way of sticking in the league and being very productive.
Kevin Love is on the fence with me. He could be a steal with the right team, a team that will pair him with a shot blocker to protect him on defense and good outside shooting to allow him to showcase his vision and passing on offense. On the wrong team, though, he could be a disaster because he's not overly athletic and probably won't ever be a great one on one or help defender, and he can't generate his own shots, which means he may be the guy that just gets lost in transition a lot on offense.
Guys that I think could be busts? Anthony Randolph and DeAndre Jordan will both go too high and be expected to do too much. Jordan wasn't one of the best 20 players in the Big XII last year, but he may go in the Lottery. And he's supposed to deal with guys like Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan? Unlikely. Anthony Randolph is too thin and too unrefined skillwise to be either a 3 or 4 in the NBA. Doesn't have the strength to be a 4, or the handle to be a 3. That makes him a really athletic liability, which can't be good for a lottery pick.
Posted by choffman (Chris Hoffman) on June 26, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love that "'Hawks in the NBA" logo!
here are my Jayhawk draft predictions:
Brandon Rush: #9 - Bobcats
M.J. and Larry Brown are under pressure to make a good pick. Rush is the consensus "safest pick" in the draft. He is already in NBA shape and could easily be the missing piece to get the 'Cats into the playoffs. If Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, or Eric Gordon falls to this spot, expect the 'Cats to take one of them. Rush would slip to Portland at 13 or Phoenix at 15.
Darrell Arthur: #11 - Pacers
Without a doubt, the Pacers will try to draft Arthur or Anthony Randolph in this draft (since they traded Jermaine O'Neal). If Randolph is still there at this pick, I think they might take him (mistake). If that happens, Arthur slips to 13, 14, or 16. (Portland, Golden State, or Philadelphia)
Mario Chalmers: #18 - Wizards
Gilbert Arenas is a free agent who is contemplating leaving the team. (he also said publicly that if they don't re-sign Antawn Jamison, he will walk). Chalmers would be a safe pick because even if Gilbert comes back, Chalmers could spare him off the bench and Antonio Daniels can slide back over to the SG position. If the Wizards pass, I'm thinking Cleveland with the very next pick. (another rumor I like is Chalmers possibly going to Phoenix at 15...the heir to Steve Nash, perhaps?)
Sasha Kaun: Portland or Seattle - late 2nd round
Portland has 5 picks. Seattle has 6. No other two teams could afford to draft Sasha and wait for him. Expect him to go at #50, 55, or 56.
Darnell Jackson & Russell Robinson: Undrafted
However, these guys are tough! Expect them both to be on an NBA roster at some time next season.
Posted by choffman (Chris Hoffman) on June 26, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, Greene, I agree about the 2000 NBA Draft. That has my vote for the worst draft in the history of the NBA Lottery.
But it is worth mentioning that Kenyon Martin and Mike Miller are in there. Especially since after those two, there is literally no one....wow!
I think this draft class will be very good. 3-5 All-Stars in the making!
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How could I overlook Miller? I love Mikey.
Posted by choffman (Chris Hoffman) on June 26, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FIRST GAME:
I draft Derrick Rose. Then trade Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni for Andrei Kirilenko. (Nocioni, Deng, Hughes, and Hinrich will NEVER be able to play together...too much of a logjam. Trade Nocioni cuz he is in a contract year and has gotten the shaft from Chicago thus far.)
PG - Rose/Hinrich
SG - Hinrich/Hughes
SF - Deng/Kirilenko
PF - Kirilenko/Gooden/Thomas
C - Noah/Gooden
sounds pretty good to me!!
SECOND GAME:
PG - Rose
SG - OJ Mayo
SF - Rush
PF - Beasley
C - Brook Lopez
style: run and gun, baby!!
BENCH: Chalmers, CD-R, and NATHAN JAWAII!! The Big Daddy from Down Under!!!
Posted by choffman (Chris Hoffman) on June 26, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oops and I forgot to mention Sefolosha! they would be loaded!!
Posted by okjhok (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is Kevin Love talking about in the sporting news article? He says the 80's Celtics was his favorite team growing up, but he wasn't even born until '88 or '89.
Posted by McT (Matt Tait) on June 26, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Optimism coming from choffman about where the Jayhawks will land tonight. I like it.
9, 11 and 18. Not too shabby.
What's crazy is that so much can change even in the next few hours. This team moves that guy and that teams move this other guy and all heck can break loose.
That's half the fun, though.
We're 2 hours away from the first pick.
How nice is it to wonder who that will be for a change!!!!
Posted by d_prowess (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love Mario's game, but I feel I need to challenge the "incredible leaping ability" of Mario's that Ryan mentions. He may have stats show this, but in games, he dunks were never that high above the rim.
The one exception, which was a tip in, was "the dunk" against Georgia Tech
http://www.youtube.c...
Posted by sdoyel (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First off, there's no need to deal Ben Gordon. Draft Beasley and take your chances with Hinrich and Duhon runnning the point.
Hinrich
Gordon
Deng
Beasley
Gooden
Second. My all-draft team is:
PG Derrick Rose
SG Eric Gordon
SF Brandon Rush
PF Michael Beasley
C Brook Lopez
Bench: Jerryd Bayless, OJ Mayo, Kevin Love
Posted by sdoyel (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First Jayhawk that SHOULD be drafted is Darrell Arthur. Period. He's only 20. And Keegan brought up great points....
Posted by choffman (Chris Hoffman) on June 26, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Duhon is a free agent and has said he is walking
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dprowess,
I guess I compare his leaping from this year to his frosh and soph years. How many times did you see him try to posterize people his first two years? This year, he had a nasty streak and tried it at least once every two games. I think his hops are underrated. Especially for a guy barely over 6-foot. I guess that's probably a better way to word it.
And SDoyel, good call on Bayless. I shouldn't have left him out of my rotation.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet he'll reconsider if they dump either Hinrich or Gordon tonight, Chris.
Posted by choffman (Chris Hoffman) on June 26, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
True...I guess he butted heads with Skiles and Boylan... maybe we will get along great with (gulp) Del Negro...
speaking of which...
what do you think of that hiring, Greene?? Seems like a stretch to me...
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eight-man rotation:
PG: Derrick Rose;
2G: Eric Gordon;
SF: Brandon Rush;
PF: Michael Beasley;
C: Kevin Love;
Bench: O.J. Mayo, Russel Westbrook, Brook Lopez.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great, it took all of one pick for a GM to screw up. Unreal that Michael Beasley was not the first pick.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Enough with the Pooh references. The nickname never stuck. UCLA point guard Pooh Richardson was "Pooh." Derrick Rose is not Pooh. He's Derrick.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I often have wondered if Pat Riley wanted Beasley all along. Think about it: Late in the season, word surfaced that if the Heat got the No. 1 pick, Riley would take Rose. The conspiracy theorist in me makes me wonder if Riley did this to make others think Rose was the best player in the draft, just in case the Heat ended up with the No. 2 pick. I wouldn't put it past Riley. Dwyane Wade does not have a scoring ego and will love feeding Beasley.
Posted by sdoyel (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone think that Beasley will get traded in a deal for OJ Mayo before the evening is done?
Posted by garybedore (Gary Bedore) on June 26, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tom, is Derrick Rose now destined to be the next Sam Bowie?
Posted by garybedore (Gary Bedore) on June 26, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sdoyel, I certainly wouldn't throw out that possibility.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Or the next Michael Olokowandi? Nah, I think he's better than those guys, a safer pick, but he's not Beasley.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayo: My favorite O.J. who wore No. 32 in USC history.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stephen A. referring to himself as "Stephen A." It doesn't get much better than that.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The first indirect KU connection of the draft. Russell Westbrook was discovered by Kerry Keating when he was an assistant coach at UCLA. Keating, son of KU senior associate athletic director Larry Keating, now is head coach at Santa Clara.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
but is he the fourth best player in this draft?
Posted by KU76erfan (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Replace Gasol with Love, makes sense.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is that much of a replacement, though? I love Gasol.
Posted by KU76erfan (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Love's a better passer, worse athlete.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Knicks should take Eric Gordon and not just so they don't get booed.
Posted by KU76erfan (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Too late!
HAHAHAHA
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where's the love for your writer in New York City?
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We'll be hearing from him later this evening we're sure once some Jayhawks start flying off the board.
Posted by KU76erfan (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Van Gundy's on drugs.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll give him a break, since he's the only one who spoke the truth on how the Bulls should have drafted Mike.
Posted by KU76erfan (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marbury hasn't done anything positive on the bball court since getting to nyc (unless you count blackmailing Isiah Thomas)
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Second Big 12 player taken...
Let's get the Nets to take the third in the first ten picks...
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How much better do all those general managers feel about passing on Brook Lopez now that they have seen how reacts to adversity. The TV cameras just caught him crying. Lopez attended Stanford, so surely he has heard of Confucius. Confucius once said: "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do." He's falling in the draft, falling and bawling.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seriously? What's the story on Bayless?
Posted by KU76erfan (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You'd be crying too seeing millions of dollars rushing before your eyes.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's start the KU domino picks! I can't wait to record each of their appearances and keep them safely on the DVR along with Julian's selection last year.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lopez won't cry when he's partying with Jay-Z in Brooklyn.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Arthur or Rush is next...
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess Stuart Scott forgot that the Pac-10 was top three in RPI the past two seasons...
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...and that UCLA has been in the F4 for 3-years straight.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't be surprised if Chalmers goes here...
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm saying Chalmers to Phoenix. Not sure why. Just a hunchy hunch
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rgreene- Is it because that Nash guy can't ball?
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Probably because practically every mock draft has him going there?
It makes the most sense. Plus, they may trade Diaw and get some more help.
Rush would fit in well with Nash, Amare, Barbosa, O'Neal, etc.
Interesting to see Jason Thompson go there...Most people had him going late in the first, but said he had the potential to be a lottery type pick.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My good friend's son played for Marist in the same league as Jason Thompson of Rider. Thompson's an excellent player, but I'm not buying he will have a better NBA career than Darrell Arthur. Shady should have been taken here.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Van Gundy never heard of Thompson apparently.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Darrell could be the Paul Pierce of this year's draft. Motivation to beat every team that didn't think he was good enough to draft. Thompson being drafted there is comical to me.
Posted by hawk61 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Ryannnnnnnnnnnn ...
Check yer PM's please!!
Your friend........61
Posted by BigTamale (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The other Robyn Lopez looked like Side-Show Bob with that hair...
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rush to Portland
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats to Brandon. Man.. what an unbelievable story for a guy who was supposed to be Mr. Selfish.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pritchard takes a KU guy.. surprising!
Posted by BigTamale (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
B-Rush Baby!!!!!!!
Posted by NH_JHawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pritchard showing the alma mater some love!
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess MJ is still bitter about the UNC loss.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anthony Randolph is not Andrew Bynum. Good luck with that pick Warriors.
Posted by killabees (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On espn:
The Blazers will send the rights to Rush and Jarrett Jack to the Pacers for the rights to Bayless and Ike Diogu. I think this is a great pick for the Pacers. Rush should be a great fit in the backcourt with T.J. Ford because he defends, shoots the ball and has great size in the backcourt. Rush is one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a gross pick....Hibbert before Arthur?
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stuart Scott just earned his paycheck for the night by informing that Roy Hibbert's nickname when he came to Georgetown was "The Big Stiff."
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The article in LJW sounded as if the Sixers were enamored with Arthur. Apparently they were just throwing false info around.
JaVale McGee before Darrell Arthur? Arthur's stress fracture is killing his chances.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JaVale McGee before Darrell Arthur? Ridiculous. If DeAndre Jordan goes before Arthur ....
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't be surprised if that happens. His "potential" is so much higher. Ha!
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LeBron James to Darrell Arthur?
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is it a confirmed report that DA has a stress fracture? Man, he has been dropped like a hot potato. Just imagine if he had stayed back for an year. I heard his measurements at the combine/individual workouts didn't come out too good either.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Arthur has to go right now or he won't be picked until 25 or 27th...
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kupark- it's been a rumor going around. Sort of like the one about the Heat having a problem with Beasley's attitude. Who knows for sure?
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JJ Hickson over DA?! What is going one?!! DA going late might affect Mario's fate as well because this late teams want to pick the best player and don't usually go for need, and DA is better than Mario
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody is going to steal candy from a baby when they select Arthur. I never thought Mario would go Top 20 but he has one opportunity remaining.
Arthur would be a good pick up for Charlotte.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mario could go 21st too
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I cannot believe this...
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel terrible for DA. This is absolutely ridiculous.
Posted by nobody1793 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How could Larry Brown pass over Arthur, twice?
Posted by hs_reader (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now it's even more ridiculous. Poor Arthur.
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you think were upset? imagine whats going through shady's head right now
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Orlando, Utah, Seattle, Houston, San Antonio, and Portland won't need Darrell Arthur...
Memphis? Maybe?
Detroit? possible
Boston would be a huge drop and they don't really need him.
I would say Arthur gets drafted in the next 5 picks and his rights are traded away.
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
although i would like to see him alongside dwight howard
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No doubt. It's ridiculous-er than I could have ever imagined. I'm telling you these teams are going to regret it when he puts on more weight and learns to play with a chip on his shoulder.
Remember when some "experts" said Pierce was "soft?" I guess they feel about as dumb as these guys will feel in a couple of years.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From the LIVE DRAFT CHAT on ESPN.COM:
Sarah (Kansas): How do you feel about leaving Kansas State early? Any regrets?
Michael Beasley: No not at all. It was time for a change, time to take my game to the next level.
http://sports.espn.g...
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Utah is a pretty intelligent franchise. Wouldn't be surprised if they took Arthur based on value alone.
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
another question to rose?
"do you feel there will be any competition between you and kirk hinrich?"
"not at all"
boy i hope kirk shows up and shuts that kid up!
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I still fear for Mario now too...if a team pick DA here it might cost Mario a first round spot. Ryan Anderson, Hickson, that French guy all before Arthur?! This is stupid. Boy I can't even begin to imagine how DA is feeling right now. Shooooot
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Utah could use Mario backing up Deron Williams so let's just root for any KU boys regardless of the order.
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
it has gone from bad to worse courtney lee over mario! and to think that all of the supposed first-rounder jayhawks were to be gone by the 18th according to chad ford over at ESPN.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
and Chad Ford didn't even go to Mizzou!!
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is Arthur's agent?
He made a bad decision for skipping workouts with teams and thus questioning his health.
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what is going on with the draft? These players I have barely heard of from the tournament are going before the KU players. I know there are lots of talented players out there, but Darrell Arthur is still available at this late date. who would have thought?
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Like Self always says... there are 60 guaranteed 1st rounders every year. Imagine if the Carolina boys would have stayed in the draft.
Posted by nobody1793 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad they stopped putting Arthur on camera every ten seconds. How embarassing.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brady Quinn should give DA a call. Get out of the green room!
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is downright ridiculous now!
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
can someone who understands this draft stuff explain why there are some great players un-drafted at this late time?
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Buzzmaster: Brandon Rush is up next!
Sean (WI): how are you going to prepare for your rookie season
Brandon Rush: Just work hard. Work out every day. Work on things I need to work on. Ballhandling.
Jeff (Kentucky): Are you excited about playing with your brother?
Brandon Rush: I don't know if he's going to return there yet.
Posted by nobody1793 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I take that back. Nice interview, beotch.
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
now somebody from congo...i think something is up with DA that the teams know and we don't...but again, if there was something going on DA would have refused the invitation to save himself from embarrassment. who are rockets looking for? a post player or a wing guy?
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Darren (NC): How do you feel about playing along side TJ Ford?
Brandon Rush: I tihnk TJ is a great PG. He'll get me some open looks. Playing with other good players too. Dunleavy.
Norm (Ohio): How are you going to handle a rematch with Derrick Rose?
Brandon Rush: The same way we handled him in the national championship.
George (Philly): How does it feel to get traded?
Brandon Rush: First time getting traded. At least I didn't go find a place in Portland yet. I'm glad I got traded as soon as possible.
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Norm (Ohio): How are you going to handle a rematch with Derrick Rose?
Brandon Rush: The same way we handled him in the national championship.
Zinnnnnnnnnng
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jack (Washington, DC): How does it feel to go lottery after getting hurt last year?
Brandon Rush: I think it was a blessing. It was a blessing that my grandma said that. Winning a national championship and being a lottery pick in the end.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Prediction: Arthur to Houston; Chalmers to San Antonio.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brandon Rush: I just want to thank all the fans for their support. Watching me. Helping me get through my knee injury.
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
from espn.com live draft chat
Norm (Ohio): How are you going to handle a rematch with Derrick Rose?
Brandon Rush: The same way we handled him in the national championship.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least Congo Bongo has potential and they can wait on him to develop. That is more understandable than some of these so-called "proven" forwards that have went before DA.
mom_of_three- My mom came over to watch the draft and she is noticeably upset over DA not being drafted. Some teams don't need forwards so they simply can't select him when they need a point guard, shooting guard or center. There has been speculation that he is injured but nothing that I can officially back up at this time.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay tkeegan- San Antonio takes Mario and New Orleans reunites Ju with DA. Got to keep reshuffling.
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kind of strange, though, how he was projected so high, and now he might be lucky to make the first round....
something has got to be going on...
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Arthur has a kidney issue...
That's why he hasn't been drafted yet.
Posted by NH_JHawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kidney issue for DA not a rumor anymore.
Posted by swonder44 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kidney issue for Darrell? What?!? Can you say Alonzo Mourning? Red flag?? Motivation Darrell... motivation. Be the next Boozer, but win a title first!
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That explains it ...
Posted by fundamental (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ric Bucher just said that Arthur's stock has dropped because of an undisclosed kidney issue. Anybody know any more about that?
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard stress fracture but kidney sounds a lot worse. If Mario goes to San Antonio than Jacque will probably lose his job soon. That would be bittersweet for Jayhawk nation.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Arthur made a bad choice.
His mom and AAU coach apparently aren't seasoned NBA agents...
Posted by fundamental (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess we don't have to worry about Jacque joining the ranks of the unemployed after all.
You would think that after people bagging on KU all year, only to have them win it all, people would stop underestimating our players. Guess not, though...
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
would anyone say that the grade controversy had anything to do with Arthur staying in the draft, even with an undisclosed kidney problem.....
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well....all the teams have decided to screw the jayhawk nation...SA passes on DA and Mario. jacque, your job is safe.
Posted by nobody1793 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"His mom and AAU coach apparently aren't seasoned NBA agents..."
Nor doctors, so it seems...
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think any team cares about grades but it's an interesting point about overall character. Hell it's just a rumor at this point anyway, right?
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
frompekka2sasha...mom_of_three means that DA knew about his kidneys and would've come back if not for the grade issue...i think this is what mom meant
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If arthur knew he wasn't going to go high in the draft, do you think he would have come back to KU before this "grade change" controversy?
And didn't anyone in his camp think about this undisclosed kidney problem coming to light with a simple physical?
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thank you, kupark
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotcha kupark- Didn't read it that way but you may be right. Glad that Self came out and said something. He does have character unlike these guys.
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
now, chalmers is still out there, which is a little surprising, considering these other guards drafted. how many of KU guys may go in the 2nd round?
Posted by fundamental (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FINALLY!!!
Posted by NH_JHawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YES! Congrats Darrell!
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's get Mario to Boston!
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Julian and Darrell!!!
Posted by jkealing (Jonathan Kealing) on June 26, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rgreene-
Do you think those cash considerations Portland sent to New Orleans came from Lew???
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YES! get out of that room now!
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wohoooo!!! NO, you have become one of my favorite cities....
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No, they came from Kevin Pritchard.
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
KUPark... Arthur is going to Portland....
Posted by nobody1793 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally. His kidneys didn't seem to bother him here.
Unlike the K-State player that peed into a towel on the sidelines...
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Boston would be worse place for Mario with young Rondo there. Dumar takes a winner like him to back up Billups and his soft hammy
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's see if we can get ONE MORE first rounder.
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so now that he is drafted, will we find out for sure what is going on and what is wrong with arthur?
Posted by fundamental (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we need more info on this kidney thing. Mr. Greene? I assume you're on this...
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
scartch that....Portland is now one of my favorite cities.
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh yea, mr. walker is still out there somewhere in draft land
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure we'll know more soon.
Posted by NH_JHawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fundamental - notice that rgreene, tkeegan, and gbedore haven't posted in a while. I bet they're on it right now.
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
it will be very, very bad for mario and us if he goes in the second round....if he had to go in the second round, he could've easily done that next year while we would've had mario and sherron in the backcourt. it will come down to CDR and mario for detriot.
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
are we suprised that chalmers is still available with some of the picks which have been taken so far? Ford would have taken chalmers over the other last guy....
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I never saw Mario going in the 1st round but am still hoping that I'm wrong. I still think he'll make a great NBA player but you just can't believe what these agents are feeding you.
DA said he would return if he wasn't guaranteed lottery and Mario said he would come back if he wasn't a 1st rounder. This makes the Carolina trio look a bit smarter IMHO.
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what about the rumors with arthur's kidneys????
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i think its just that... a rumor
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ford calls arthur the "steal of the draft."
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CDR or Mario will go to Boston....
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Ford has a huge point. These teams that passed on him will regret it for years to come...
Posted by mom_of_three (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i heard someone say it was just a rumor that spread around the gm's, but maybe someone should find out where it started.....
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love Mario but I gotta take CDR if I'm a GM. We could have had him at KU but it looked like that all worked itself out.
Posted by rgreene (Ryan Greene) on June 26, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
His agent should have been putting out the fires. But man, what a draft night for Portland. Got Jerryd Bayless, Darrell Arthur and Ike Diogu. Add Oden to what they already had this year, it's a playoff team. Minutes might be tough for Arthur at first, but in the end it's a good situation.
Posted by kylecisnum1 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so no mario in the first round....
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rumor: Nicolas Batum was traded by Houston to Portland in exchange for the rights to Darrell Arthur and one of Portland’s early second round picks.
Posted by nobody1793 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Giddens?!
Posted by joedavis (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JR Giddens to Boston... wow
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Giddens over Chalmers? Give me a break.
Posted by nobody1793 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kind of like being stabbed in the back...or the leg!
Posted by hs_reader (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, didn't expect Giddens' name to be called.
Posted by NH_JHawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tkeegan - in a bar fight maybe but not at hoops.
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
regardless or kidney problem or not DA and Mario both fell victim to tweener tag.
Posted by tkeegan (Tom Keegan) on June 26, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good call there, NH JHawk
Posted by fundamental (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Greene & Keegan,
Are we going to see an episode of the Spodcasters on this draft? Maybe brush the dust off the old microphone?
Posted by barackchalkjhawk (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adding a knife fighter to a team with Pierce...nice pick with JR. Just when I was really starting to like Boston. Good thing Chalmers and DA stayed in the draft. Really could've benefitted from one more year. Who's telling these kids what to do. They're full of it.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DA is a tweener?
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well....so we got 2.5 KU players drafted! fell very bad for mario...was chad ford of ESPN on something when he put mario at 12th in mock draft?
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You would have thought it was a cruel joke by a Mizzou alum but that is the wrong Ford(e).
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, DA is a tweener...that's what the "experts" say. Not tall/long/strong enough to be a 4 and not fast enough or good enough a ball handler to be a 3. his jump shot from the wing is suspect as well. so he is definitely a tweener.
Posted by frompekka2sasha (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
His athleticism also makes him tough to guard at the 4 and we know he can develop a deep jumper.
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
at least 78% of ESPN SportsNation thinks that DA was the biggest steal of the first round. DA and Mario: Remember Boozer and Arenas....i hope you two make every single team that passed you pay big time
Posted by kupark (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at