Draft Day 2008

After today we'll know at least what teams our favorite college players will be riding the pine for in the 2008-09 season. I can't say that I've ever watched an NHL or a MLB draft, but I have watched SEVERAL NFL drafts and more than a few NBA drafts. A lot of times these things are extremely anti-climatic affairs, after all, everyone and their brother have already handicapped this thing to death, and for sure Derrick Rose is the #1 pick right? Well, we'll just see right?

So what's the latest scuttlebutt? Listening to sports radio yesterday in the car I heard that Pat Riley thinks that Michael Beasley might have character issues and is high on OJ Mayo. Hmm Riles, you think Beasley has character issues and yet flaunting your one-and-done lottery pick status all season or having boosters buy you Escalades and flat screens that a Freshman college student couldn't possibly afford aren't character issues?

Now these guys at Newsday say that Mayo is all over the board, one scenario has Riles taking a pass on Beasley and trades down for the #3 pick for Mayo, but then again, who really knows at this point in time, we still have over eight hours to go.

Other rumors I heard have the top two Bruins, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook going back to back at #4 and #5, BUT here's the interesting part, there's now a good chance that Westy might actually go higher than K-Love. I don't think that would be a slap in the fact to K-Love, after all, everyone and his mother knew that the Freshman Phenom would be one-and-done, but Westy came on so strong this season, and has really impressed in workouts, that his draft stock seems to be peaking at the right time. That said, looks like Minnesota can't decide if they like $UC or my Bruins better. If the Phenom goes before Juice Pt. 2, I believe I might have an accident in my pants.

Denver has already traded their #20 pick to the Charlotte Hornets for an unspecified future pick.

The Indiana Pacers have just traded Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors for TJ Ford, Radislov Nesterovic, Toronto's pick at #17 and a player to be named. O'Neal had the fourth highest salary in the NBA in 07-08. Only "Tell Me How My Ass Tastes" Shaq, World Champion KG and Jason Kidd of all people have bigger paychecks. Seriously? This guy makes more money than Kobe? And he missed a shitload of games this season, no wonder the Pacers wanted out. That should free up some cap room, though Nesterovic is scheduled to make more than eight mill this upcoming season and TJ Ford is right there too, so even with a three for one deal doesn't get them a whole lot of relief. Ahh, except that Nesterovic is only signed for this year and will probably have to take a huge pay-cut. Ford was highly prized by several teams, including most recently Portland.

The Knicks, now without their albatross Isiah hanging around to drag them into the depths of the NBA cellar, are looking to seriously restock, and some scenarios have them trading up to get TWO picks in the top 6. Somehow I doubt that's going to happen, but we know that they're high on Mayo, so they may be trying to trade up to the #3 pick.

NBATV is running Classic NBA Drafts throughout most of the day, featured are the 1993 Draft with Chris Webber at #1 and the 2002 Draft with Yao Ming as the top pick. I'd give you link to the schedule, but the NBA website only has last Saturday's schedule listed. Not good corporate synergy if you ask me. But you didn't.

There are several preview shows scheduled to air at 7:00 PM EST, the one on ESPN and one on TNT look the best. The NBA Draft is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN, and the first pick should come right after that. Should be Derrick Rose from Memphis, going to Chicago, but you never know what can happen. I have a ton of errands to run today, so I likely won't be able to post another update before Draft time, but I'll give it my very best efforts.