Basketball's Christmas 2008

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Well, yesterday was the 2008 Edition of Basketball's Christmas, toys for tots style known as the NBA Draft. "Okay, first person in line step up, grab one present, then open it up back at your bunk. (Whistle blows)" but this still turns out to be kind of heartwarming in a way because you get to see the all the single mothers break down to tears when their baby gets drafted to play basketball and they know that a new house is on the way once the paperworks finished. Always gotta show Love for mama. However, I didn't see the draft. I went to the Utah Arts Festival during that time...but more on that tomorrow. Here's a brief yet important summary of the NBA Draft and some of the future stars...in my humble opinion...

1. Chicago - Derrick Rose - Guard from Memphis - I like this kid. He seems like a great guy. That being said, I don't think he's a #1 pick kind of player...at least yet. Now, I know that he's 19 and playing point guard...and he's from Chicago so that's what gave him the extra bump...and he's a good player now. However, I watched a few Memphis games last year...and he was nothing spectacular...until the NCAA Tournament. I mean...he was like the 3rd best player on his team for most of the year (behind Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey easily) then he had a great run in the tournament. He was the pick that Chicago had to make...but because he has great size & skills, I think that he'll be really good someday...just not right away like Chicago's hoping. Also, now the Bulls are going to have to get another big star via trading off their former point guard Kirk Hinrich and a lot of those mediocre forwards on their roster, maybe to get a center. Best of luck with that. Da Bulls!!!

2. Miami - Michael Beasley (right) - Forward from Kansas State - I think this guy is going to be great. He's also 19 but already seems to be able to hold his own in the NBA. Not sure exactly because it seemed like he was playing against less than worthy opponents...but that may just be a testament to how great a player he is. Everybody talked about the "attitude problems" that he had...but I have no idea what they're talking about...because have they looked at the NBA recently. Oh, did he say something conceited & cocky? Did he make a mistake? Hang out with the wrong crowd? He's 19. That stuff happens. I did the same thing at that age...and I was a good kid...with similar game but no team. He, Dwyane Wade, & Shawn Marion (if they don't tradehim) may be staples in South Beach for a long time to come. Perhaps another Celtics-like 30 game turnaround next year? Only if they stay healthy. They also drafted the guy that kept Derrick Rose from getting his NCAA championship, Mario Chalmers (#34) from Kansas for a long distance bomber. Great picks, Pat!!! Maybe you'll show up to half the game this season...

3. Memphis (from Minnesota) - O.J. Mayo - Guard from USC - Now, I was curious what O.J. stood for (suspected Orthell James being born a few years before the whole O.J. Simpson murder trial, more like when he was doing Hertz commercials & Naked Gun movies) but it stands for Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo. Easily the most original...and probably ridiculous name that I've heard in a while. I tried to figure out what it means (other than something that sounds odd) and the closest I can find is that it's Not Nivo backwards...and for some reason there's a J in front of Anthony. Regardless, this guy has a LOT of hype surrounding him...and he seems talented...but at least in the games that I saw, not worth ALL the hype. I hate to say it...but he brings back thoughts of another former guard from USC named Harold Minor. Remember "Baby Jordan" who won the Slam Dunk contest...and then disappeared? Don't worry, few do. Hopefully O.J. will prove me wrong. Also, through the trade that brought him to Memphis, the Grizzlies also acquired former All-Star & random 3-point bomber Antoine Walker and the future Mr. Adriana Lima, Marco Jaric. I think the couple will like Memphis better than Minneapolis. Things are already changing for the better for them since their engagement.

4. Seattle - Russell Westbrook - Guard from UCLA - Seattle had SIX draft picks to start the day...and honestly, picking Westbrook was a surprise that I wasn't expecting. I was certain they were going with Jerryd Bayless (#11) but that's why they make the decision. He's a great point guard who may not be a superstar...but will be a consistent defender & distributor to last year's Rookie of the Year Kevin Durrant for years to come. The Sonics needed...well, just about everything except a two-guard (Durrant) and I think they did a GREAT job by getting one of my favorite players from last year, D.J. White (#29) and also getting Sasha Kaun (#56). White is just a great, surprisingly good player who knew his role at Indiana, grab all the rebounds from your teammates misses & put them back in...and he did it well. Instead of college teammate Eric Gordon (#7), now it's going to be Kevin Durrant throwing up the "passes" to D.J. (Dewayne White Jr.). He's not the biggest guy...but he plays with heart...and I like that stuff. KAAAAAAUN is a seven-footer from NCAA champion Kansas who didn't play big minutes or anything...but you can't teach size & he can block shots and grab boards...which again are exactly what the Sonics need. He's apparently been offered a HUGE contract by a Russian team so he may opt for there (why he lasted to #56) but again, the Sonics had six picks...so it was worth a shot to get his rights. They actually got some other great talent with California center DeVon Hardin & 19-year old Spanish forward Serge Jonas Ibaka Ngobila...or just Serge Ibaka. The Sonics may be pretty good if they get all their young talent working together with last year's rookies Durrant & Jeff Green...and their few veterans too.

5. Minnesota (from Memphis) - Kevin Love - Forward from UCLA - My brother from another mother Kevin Love is going to the Great White North (not racist, it's just snowy up there) and I think it's great. As you know, I think K-Love is a great player and will make any team better. Great shooter, great passer, decent defender, breaks backboards, hit full-court shots, great fundamentals all around, and seems like a great dude. He's also a great compliment to emerging superstar Al Jefferson and the other players up there. Also, with the trade that got them Love, they also acquired sharpshooter Mike Miller and a solid rebounder Jason Collins (from the last set of twin centers to come from Stanford University a few years ago...but more on that later in the draft). Randy Foye, Corey Brewer, and Rashad McCants are great young talent too. They should at least do better than last year...when they traded Kevin Garnett away. Good luck, T-Wolves!!!

6. New York - Danilo Gallinari - Forward from Italy - Coach Mike D'Antoni has some BALLS!!! However, I like the pick for a few reasons. It's a win-win-win-win situation. First win, he was probably the best talent available despite being young (again 19) and having only played in Europe...also known as the big guys with funny accent, no-touchy league...and in the video of those games, he seems like a decent player with lots of potential...and you know how I like potential. Second win, coach D'Antoni played in that league with his dad, Vittorio Gallinari a few decades ago...so it's like doing a HUGE favor for an old friend. Third win, no matter who they selected with this pick...the Knicks fans were going to bitch & moan about it. It's just what they do...especially since Boston sports teams keep winning EVERYTHING...and they're not the most gracious winners. However, the Knicks tried to trade up to get a higher pick...but they have NOTHING to deal with. "Yeah, what are you going to give us? Quentin Richardson? The guy that married Brandy? Is he still in the league? Who the hell is Renaldo Balkman?" So no dice there...however, if he turns out to be "the next Dirk Nowitzki" like some people say, then he seems like a genius. Fourth win, if Gallinari turns out to be the next Darko Milicic...then the Knicks buy out his coaching contract in two years & he walks away into the sunset with millions of dollars...and retires to Lake Como. Sounds like a great choice to me.

7. L.A. Clippers - Eric Gordon - Guard from Indiana - I like Eric Gordon. I almost feel sorry that he has to go to the NBA's wasteland, the Clippers. He's a great talent that I watch...and he just seems to be the next Allen Iverson. He's scrappy, tough, talented, and basically throws up shots that you think have absolutely no chance of going in...swish. He's drawn a lot of comparisons to AI as well as Isiah Thomas (happens when you go to Indiana) but he's not quite there yet. However, I say keep an eye on him. As long as he can stay healthy, he has potential for great things...but being a little guy, you never know. Not sure if he can...or rather should, run the point like the Clippers are hoping...but we shall see. Not a lot of help on that team...but they also drafted center DeAndre Jordan (#35) who many thought would be a top 10 pick...until they saw him play...and realized that they were just basing that on the fact that he's big. Sad thing is...that nobody wants to play for the Clippers...and for good reason. Sure, I would play for the Clippers...but that's compared to my other options...which are to play for the Taylor 3rd Ward Seniors Church League. "T3 BABY!!! THIS IS MY HOUSE!!! Oops...sorry God, my bad!!! (Kiss to the skies)"

8. Milwaukee - Joe Alexander - Forward from West Virginia - I've only seen Joe play once this last year...and I was impressed. He seems like a great kid with fundamentals and a sweet mid-range jumper. The Bucks also traded to get All-Star forward Richard Jefferson to go along with current All-Star sharpshooter Michael Redd and emerging stars like Andrew Bogut (GO U!!!), Charlie Villanueva, & Desmond Mason. Their other pick was Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (#37) from UCLA and he's a pretty good player too. So they may not have a superstar face to the franchise...but an ensemble of B-list players that if they click...can do good things.

9. Charlotte - D.J. Augustin - Guard from Texas - Great point guard...but being around six-foot believe it or not is a little undersized. It's okay though...because the reason the Bobcats drafted him...was because the four players from UNC that declared from the draft decided to go back to school. Also, D.J.'s full name is Darrell Gerard Augustin, jr. Last I checked, that's D.G. Well, I guess the Darrell Junior thing works. Anyway, he should be a good fit for them and now Raymond Felton can move over to his natural position of undersized two-guard.

10. New Jersey - Brook Lopez (left) - Center from Stanford - The first real big guy of the draft...and one of the Lopez twins from Stanford (remember Collins mention earlier?), he may be the steal of the draft. Of course, he may also be the Spencer Hawes of this year's draft...but I think positively...and he really has no competition in the Eastern Conference to be a dominant center except Dwight Howard & KG. The soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets also traded to get Chinese superstar Yi Jianlian (who finally got his & his nation's wish of a bigger market than Milwaukee) and drafted Memphis' best player last year, shooting guard Chris Douglas-Roberts a.k.a. CDR (#40) so they could be pretty good. I say that about a lot of teams...but it depends on chemistry & health. I think the Nets stepped up though...and they also freed up some cap space so they can try to convince a LeBron or Gilbert Arenas to go to Brooklyn. I mean...think about it...Brook Lopez in Brooklyn. Add in the Chinese market, CDR, a possible new superstar, AND Vince Carter's already there. part-owner Jay-Z's got himself a great team...if not just from a marketing standpoint. "IT'S THE ROC!!! HOLLA!!!"

11. Portland (from Indiana) - Jerryd Bayless - Guard from Arizona - My prove to be the steal of the draft because I was sure that he was going to go at #4 to Seattle...but he joins a great team that just missed out on the playoffs in the West...along with last year's #1 overall pick Greg Oden who has yet to play an NBA game...but even if he does turn out to be the next Sam Bowie, he at least has a few good years in him & with a top young center AND point guard coming in on a decent team with emerging superstars like Brandon Roy & Lamarcus Aldridge, the Blazers could be a team to watch.

15. Phoenix - Robin Lopez - Center from Stanford - The other Lopez brother joins a team that is in transition with a new coach, a few personnel changes (possibly dropping Shaq?), and a lot of expectations. It's a good pick for Phoenix because it gives them a more mobile option at center with still great size...but I honestly think that his brother got the better deal in Jersey.

17. Indiana (from Toronto) - Roy Hibbert - Center from Georgetown - I was hoping that he'd fall a bit so that the Spurs could get him...but I like Roy Hibbert. He's big (and you can't teach that), he's got a few moves, fills the lane on defense, and the Pacers lucked out to get him.

23. Utah - Kosta Koufos - Center from Ohio State - Because Hibbert didn't fall, they went with the best available center who is actually a pretty solid player from THE Ohio State University. Little surprised that the Cavaliers passed on him at #19 but should be a decent player. Just in case, they also drafted a 7-1 Croatian center named Ante Tomic (#44) who I'm told has decent skills.

26. San Antonio - George Hill - Guard from IUPUI - Just in case you were wondering too, IUPUI stands for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis...which seems redundant to me...but apparently he averaged over 20 points a game last year in college and if the Spurs picked him...he's pretty good. I mean...for the first time in a decade or so, they picked an American in the first round. Then again, last time was Leon Smith straight out of high school...and they traded him immediately. Oh well, we shall see. They also got a forward from Maryland named James Gist III (#57) a.k.a. JG3 or something. Is that Brazilian guy Tiago Splitter from last year going to play for them yet?

27. New Orleans - Darrell Arthur - Forward from Kansas - Projected as a Top 10 pick by many, then drafted by New Orleans at #27, then traded to Portland, then Houston, then Memphis...all on what was to be the greatest day of his life. It's a little sad to hear...but honestly, this guy's really good. There was a lot of concern about some alleged kidney ailment...but he's a seven-footer with great athleticism and skills...and now, a chip on his shoulder from 26 teams (including the Spurs for some reason) saying "No thanks...we're gonna go with this guy". Not only that...but because of the trades, he has specific teams (all in the Western conference) that said, he thinks these specific guys and/or future draft picks are a better fit than you. Honestly, I hope this guy goes on to be an MVP one day. He's already an NCAA champion. Perhaps the matching of him & Mayo will be something great for a long time. Oh also, on that whole kidney thing...he reminds me a lot of another guy who had a similar situation by the name of Alonzo Mourning...who can still find work after fifteen years in the league. Prove 'em wrong, Mr. Arthur!!! I'll be rooting for ya...unless you're playing the Spurs...or the Jazz because they grow on ya.

42. Sacramento - Sean Singletary - Guard from Virginia - My only mentioning specifically of the second round...because I think the Kings got a few good'uns in this point guard and also Georgetown's Patrick Ewing, jr. (#43) on back-to-back picks. Singletary reminds me of the great Mookie Blaylock and though Pat Junior isn't as tall or dominating as Pat Senior was, he's still a pretty decent role player that should fit well in the system...which is the key to most players drafted after...say pick number ten in the draft.

Anyway, that's about it on this draft. I'm sure there are more free agency, sign-and-trades, straight up trades, and stars coming from out of nowhere to come this year. I love basketball. I like to think that I know a thing or two about it...but it's all about how you play the game...and I wish all of these guys the best of luck...and congratulations on their big day. Since I'm on a sports kick today, I think I'll get a few other things out of the way...since most of you may have stopped reading already.

Becky Hammon - For those of you who don't know, Becky Hammon is an incredibly cute girl-next-door from South Dakota, who played at Colorado State, went undrafted into the WNBA, and now happens to be an amazing basketball player for the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars (formerly Utah Starzz...damn you Larry Miller) placing 2nd in MVP voting last year. Well, she wasn't even considered for the USA Olympic team in the upcoming Beijing Games...so she signed a big contract with CSKA Moscow (all the girls play overseas in the WNBA's offseason) and became a naturalized Russian citizen...and is going to play on their Olympic team. This apparently has caused some controversy because people (including Hall of Famer Ann Donovan) say that it's unpatriotic, all about the money, and I didn't think of it first...or something like that. I think it's great. I obviously have a bit of a crush on Becky (call me) but I honestly don't care if she wants to play for the Russian team. If she has dual citizenship & isn't breaking any rules, then I wish her nothing but the best...which would be a Silver Medal because I've got to root for the USA (Sue Bird & Diana Taurasi). Still, I think you're great...and Russia's lucky to have you...just please, please, pleeeease come back with a sexy Russian accent to go with that fantastic smile. I know you like to keep pretty elite company...but I think your friends'll like me. GO SPURS!!!

Ana Ivanovic Upset at Wimbledon - Top-seeded women's tennis player Ana Ivanovic was knocked out in the third round of Wimbledon today by 133rd-ranked Zheng Jie of China. Ivanovic, who took over the No. 1 ranking after winning the French Open earlier this month, slumped to a 6-1, 6-4 loss to the wild-card entry and doubles specialist. "It's a surprise for me," said the 24-year-old Zheng, who won the Wimbledon doubles title in 2006. "Thanks to Wimbledon, (which) gave me a wild card. I just tried my best and had to keep going, going." Now for the important part...whose shoulder is there for Ana to cry on? I'd like to offer my services Ana. Call me...or send me a plane ticket...even coach. I'm here for you. You're still amazing. Keep your head up & rest for the next tournament.

Odd thing, though I've babbled on about sports all day...and requested a few gorgeous girls to call me...but do you know who's going to call me...probably my mom, my dad, my brother, my sister-in-law, maybe Bubbles, a few text messages, and if anything...a call from one of the new draft picks...

Caller: "Yo dogg, did you say that Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo is a stupid name?"
$teve: "No, just that it's ridic...you know, maybe if I knew the context of it, it wouldn't seem so...uniquely peculiar."
The New O.J.: "Ovinton was the name of my mother's D&D elf character when she was in high school...and I love my mother very much. J'Anthony is a mix of my two grandfather & father, Jay & Anthony. What now, bitch?"
$teve: "Cool, I had a grandpa named Jay too. That's cool man. I'm sorry to criticize your name...but yeah, believe it or not, O.J. is still more marketable...and if I were CEO of Best Foods, I'd already have you selling your own special brand of mayonaisse. Hey, I'm looking into a new career, what do you think? Need another marketing guy? Are...are we cool now? Sorry about the whole name thing, I just didn't understand."
O.J.: "Yeah, we cool. Sorry dogg, I got somebody else for that stuff. They've had my back (and bills) for a few years now. Thanks though. Not just because of that stupid idea...because your brother Kevin saved me from having to end up in f**king freezing Minnesota for the next decade. Be sure to thank him for me, would ya?"
$teve: "Ugh...sure. Will do. We're ugh...tight like that."

Have a great weekend everybody!!! Pictures & stories from the Utah Arts Festival tomorrow...because today was a sports day. I only do one of these a year...so it's done now. Enjoy the next 364 or so posts. Peace!!!