2014 NBA draft/off-season thread

It was like watching a Dave Aldridge report.

 

I didn't watch the ESPN broadcast, but this is pretty funny:

Apparently, Embiid was on a tape delay from his home, so when they cut to his reaction, he was stone-faced and kind of depressed looking. They cut away from the feed before it could catch up to his actual reaction.

 

If NBA All Star Weekend is "Black Thanksgiving" as defined by Michael Wilbon and David Aldridge, then NBA Draft Night is Black Graduation.

Congrats to the 60 graduates

 

That's funny. He did look upset when the pick came in.

 

Who really cares if you have a pick 90 seconds before Silver announces it?

 

The big sports Websites battle for those 90 second scoops just the way the wire services did in olden times. It's competition, the lifeblood of our society.

 

I don't really see it as a "scoop" but it gives people a reason to tune into social media while watching these things. It actually makes the whole experience kind of enjoyable. Instant information, instant reaction, instant commentary.

 

Maybe, for the 15 minutes they'll be on the court together before one of them gets hurt.

 

What's the over/under on the date when Noel and Embiid are on the court playing together?

I'd be stunned if it's during the 2014-15 season.

 

Over/under on the number of games before they're going for the same rebound, have a mid-air collision that results in dual career-ending injuries.

 

Noel's career has to start before it can "end." (For that matter, so does Embiid's).

 

They won't be able to play together, but I don't think it matters much. Their plan is to suck in the short term anyways, and one of the two will be traded before they're ready to compete again.

This could actually work out quite brilliantly for the Sixers. Taking Noel last year guaranteed another top lottery pick this year, while simultaneously stockpiling the big man projected pre-injury as the 2013 No. 1 overall pick. And taking Embiid virtually guarantees another top lottery pick next year, while simultaneously stockpiling the big man projected pre-injury as 2014's top overall pick.

By this time next year they could find themselves possessing arguably the No. 1 overall talent in three straight drafts (PLUS this year's Rookie of the Year Carter-Williams), and just think of the trade offers they'll get from big man-starved teams if Embiid and Noel get healthy and blossom around the same time.