An Evening with Stephen A. and the NBA Draft

I attended the 1995 NBA draft, which was the year the Toronto Raptors selected Damon Stoudamire as their first selection in franchise history. That night, I saw future NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse head to the podium to shake David Stern’s hand.

That night also began an annual tradition for me, and I have not missed the NBA draft in the years since. I was along for the ride with the Raptors, through the selection of Marcus Camby, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter and sadly, Rafael Araujo. This year, the Raptors held the first overall selection for the first time in franchise history. It had the potential to be a great evening because there was no sure-fire first overall selection, and an afternoon trade between Portland and Boston (Sebastian Telfair for the 7th pick) set the groundwork for trading block fireworks.

As it turns out, ESPN broke every pick and every trade minutes before they actually took place, eliminating any possible surprises. Fortunately, there was still some entertainment.

1. Toronto Raptors- Andrea Bargnani F (Italy)- My home-team gets the first overall selection. All I can say is that I am pissed this wasn’t LeBron James’ year, but extremely grateful that this wasn’t Andrew Bogut’s year.

2. Chicago Bulls (to POR)- LaMarcus Aldridge PF (Texas)- I watched Aldridge get manhandled by Glen Davis in the NCAA tournament this past March. The truth for this seven-footer is that he’s too thin to play center at the NBA level. If you’re going to be skinny in the NBA you had better bring it like Kevin Garnett or Chris Bosh. Or Ben Wallace will eat you.

3. Charlotte Bobcats- Adam Morrison SF (Gonzaga)- He’s tall, he’s white, he’s diabetic, he’s got a mustache, he likes Metallica, he cried when he lost to UCLA, he scored 28 ppg last year…he’s NBA ready.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (to CHI)- Tyrus Thomas PF (LSU)- This is the point when pundits began breaking out that lovely Hubie Brownism: ‘upside’. Thomas is all about untapped potential. He’ll fit well in Chicago because Kirk Hinrich will be able to get him the ball in spots where he can score easily and all of Ben Gordon’s misses will turn into tip-jams.

5. Atlanta Hawks- Shelden Williams F/C (Duke)- Much congratulations to the ugliest man I have ever seen. He will challenge the Clippers’ Chris Kaman for the NBA’s least attractive player. Also, his nickname is “The Landlord,” which is a million times more menacing than “The Mailman.”

6. Minnesota Timberwolves- Brandon Roy SG (Washington)- Roy is going to be a great NBA player. He certainly brings the necessary size, skill and mental awareness needed to have a successful career. He didn’t get much attention because he played on the West Coast at Washington. he will be a solid contributor for years to come.

7. Boston Celtics (to POR)- Randy Foye PG (Villanova)- Dubbed a poor man’s Dwayne Wade for his strength and athleticism, he brings a nice mix of size and scoring at the PG position. Not sure why Portland GM John Nash wanted to move Sebastien Telfair to Boston and then draft another PG to play behind Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack. Then again things have been a little off in Portland for some time.

8. Houston Rockets (to MEM)- Rudy Gay SF (Connecticut)- The fact that Gay fell this far surprises me, and also reminds me of when Paul Pierce was a projected top 5 pick before falling to the ten-spot. Pierce went on television and swore a vendetta against every team that passed on him, then was stabbed several times a few years later. Coincidence?

9. Golden State Warriors- Patrick O’Bryant C (Bradley)- The 7-Footer from Bradley University is really quite slow and unathletic. I don’t see him making an impact at the NBA level. Jay Bilas said he has ‘wonderful hands’ which is the same thing they said about Bogut. And Araujo. Though Bogut had an okay rookie year, I’m not certain Bradley is even as athletic as the big Aussie.

10. Seattle Sonics- Saer Sene C (Senegal) - Uh, he’s big. Long arms I guess. Very raw, the panel says. Whatever. At this point it’s becoming clear that Jay Bilas has no clue what he’s talking about and simply pulls adjectives out of his head depending on what position the prospect plays. The panel then turns to Greg Anthony, who seems angry to have to make a comment. No doubt he’s never heard of Sene.

11. Orlando Magic- J.J. Redick SG (Duke)- A recent DUI had a lot of people questioning Redick’s character, but it didn’t seem to scare the Magic. What team doesn’t need a spot-up shooter with accuracy like J.J.? He couldn’t guard my little sister though. As is their custom, ESPN throws to Dick Vitale, who immediately starts raving about Redick, as he does all college players. Vitale always hates the High Schoolers and Euros.

12. New Orleans Hornets- Hilton Armstrong C (Connecticut)- Armstrong will be one of those guys that contributes more in his first year than people expect. He won’t need plays run for him and will be happy to bang inside, block shots and score garbage points.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (to CHI)- Thabo Sefolosha SG (Italian League)- He’s Swiss, played in Italy and apparently is a great defender. They say he’s tough, but I didn’t think that Switzerland had any tough people, you know, ‘cause they’re neutral. Stephen A. Smith is yelling at anyone will listen. Most people aren’t.

14. Utah Jazz- Ronnie Brewer SG (Arkansas)- A 6’6” scoring guard that will likely go to the land of extreme discipline under Jerry Sloan and die. Well not die, but maybe shrivel up. Brewer loves to attack off the dribble, but Sloan loves to run set plays in the half-court offense.

David Stern and Dan Patrick got to joshing each other before this pick.
Dan Patrick: There he is, the little rascal.
David Stern: Dan, I was in the back listening to your pithy comments.
DP: I always liked commissioner Tagliabue better than you.

15. New Orleans Hornets- Cedric Simmons PF (NC State)- Cedric brought his girlfriend. They shared an awkward hug and then Simmons made his way up to the stage. He scored just 12 points for a not-so-great NC State team, and the Hornets already drafted a big man tonight, but hey, what do I know? Vitale says ‘he’s a kid worth taking.’ He also mentions that drafts are about one magical word. Upside? No, “potential” was the answer.

16. Chicago Bulls (to PHI)- Rodney Carney SF (Memphis)- Another freak athlete. Mom was a Olympian. Patrick reports that Carney received his scholarship to Memphis when Qyntel Woods decided to forgo his time with the Tigers and enter the draft. Woods was lauded as a Tracy McGrady-type prospect, but saw his career monkey-wrenched when he was charged in connection to a dog-fighting ring. Weird, wild stuff.

17. Indiana Pacers- Shawne Williams SF (Memphis) - Another Tiger. Willams did not attend the draft. Pacers’ GM Larry Bird is on the video phone and Dan Patrick puts him on hold, making him the coolest sports broadcaster of all-time. Who puts Larry Legend on hold? Daniel ‘the Man-iel’ Patrick, that’s who.

18. Washington Wizards- Oleksiy Pecherov PF (Ukraine)- WHO?

19. Sacramento Kings- Quincy Douby SG (Rutgers)- Bilas: “He can absolutely fill it up.” Jay Bilas really grinds my gears.

20. New York Knicks- Renaldo Balkman SF (South Carolina)- A second round talent. A top-ten prospect in Marcus Williams is still on the board. The panel is stunned and it appears the Knicks have bombed once again. Balkman would still have been around at 29, the Knicks next selection. The Knicks might be the biggest mess in professional sports, front office included. It’s common sense that if your team needs a little of everything, and the Knicks do, then you draft the best player available. That player was Williams.

21. Phoenix Suns(to BOS)- Rajon Rondo PG (Kentucky)- The Celtics get another point guard after picking up Telfair, and they leave Marcus Williams in the green room. I’m starting to think that every team has assumed Williams has already gone.

22. New Jersey Nets- Marcus Williams PG (Connecticut)- Finally. I guess because he stole some computers at University there were some questions about his character. Also he’s got 14% body fat which is a big no-no. It is a consensus, though, that he’s the most talented pure point guard in the draft.

My T.V. stopped working after this pick, so I’ll post the remainder of the first round without watching.

23. New Jersey Nets- Josh Boone F (Connecticut)- A talented big man who didn’t have many set plays for him on a deep Huskies team. Jason Kidd will find him for easy dunks, and all his other baskets will come from hustle plays.

24. Memphis Grizzlies- Kyle Lowry PG (Villanova)- A gritty kid who has NBA strength (6-0, 214) but doesn’t have a jump shot. Any jump shot.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers- Shannon Brown SG (Michigan St.)- At 6’4”, Brown is a good enough athlete to defend bigger shooting guards. He’ll be able to contribute to the Cavs almost right away.

26. Los Angeles Lakers- Jordan Farmar PG (UCLA)- Farmar has the instincts and flair for the dramatic that all great players need. Will he be able to develop with Kobe? Kobe seems to smother everyone around him who isn’t as talented as Lamar Odom.

27. Phoenix Suns (to POR)- Sergio Rodriguez PG (Spain)- No idea who this guy is. The Suns traded him for cash, and probably not much.

28. Dallas Mavericks- Maurice Ager G (Michigan St)- Similar to when the Mavs drafted Marquis Daniels out of Auburn a few years ago. Ager is a solid defender who is good at everything but not exceptional at anything. A great guy to have on your bench.

29. New York Knicks- Mardy Collins G (Temple)- The Knicks draft a guard? Let me do a count; Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson…I know I’m missing people. What a mess.

30. Portland Trail Blazers- Joel Freeland PF (England)- I was not aware that the British played basketball.