Running 2008 NBA Draft Thread

Why would Minnesota do this? Mayo is a sure thing but there is a good chance Love will be a bust.

 

From everything tonight, I think most people were trying to get Miller from Memphis in some kind of package for Love. But I think this comes down more to how you think Love and Mayo are going to fare in the league.

If you, as some do, think Mayo is going to be a perennial all-star, then you could make an argument for Memphis winning this. The trouble with that is we won't know for sure for a couple of seasons.

 

Anyone watching Baseball Tonight? This 'Daily Draft' program their doing is rather humorous.

 

I think Marko Jaric is still owed three years at $7 million annually. That would be one reason. I kinda like the trade for both sides on paper, but at this point, who knows.

 

Isn't Memphis in cost cutting mode? I assume Miller isn't that cheap.

 

According to ESPN, Miller has three years left at $8.3 million per.

 

They're trying to dump salary faster than Star Jones was dumping weight not too long ago. That explained that idiotic Pau Gasol deal ... that was no "trade." Even the GM went to the media and said he was to take that deal over better offers because, in so many words, it was a massive salary dump.

If Memphis does this, it might want to hope Mayo is everything his supporters say and more. Otherwise, Minnesota will gain about as much over the Grizzlies as it lost when it gave Kevin Garnett away last year. Greg Buckner hasn't done anything since his Clemson days, 'Toine is a selfish gunner and Jaric is the same kind of cap-killer that Brian Cardinal is.

At worst, Minnesota gets a serviceable center (Collins), some scoring (Miller), an overpriced but decent role player in Cardinal and, bust or no, I don't see Kevin Love as any kind of head case.

 

As someone who roots for the Blazers (a high school friend who went to KU with me is from there, so I adopted them), tonight's a disappointment.

Draft Brandon Rush, trade him to the Pacers.
Draft Darrell Arther, trade him to the Rockets.

Dammit. But hey, at least Chalmers and Jackson will still be teammates, only now with the Heat.

 

It may have been disappointing for you as a Jayhawk fan, Oz, but I think the deals and picks Portland made allowed them to become very good next season.

As someone mentioned early, they could have something very special there soon.

 

Going with cliched speak here, Mayo has a higher ceiling, but Love should be more consistent early. And Miller's much better than Jaric.

Isn't Jaric dating Adriana Lima. How did that happen?

 

No doubt, I was being greedy. With Oden coming back and the talent they got tonight, that's going to be a fun team to watch.

 

Draft thoughts: IMO, there were four teams that had very good drafts.

1. Miami. Michael Beasley fell into their laps and they also picked up the criminally underrated Mario Chalmers. Great night for them and if Wade stays healthy, they should make the playoffs.

2. Indiana. Not only did they get rid of the underperforming O'Neal, the Pacers added Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack, and Roy Hibbert. Interesting group of players and I like all three. Can Hibbert continue improving in the NBA game?

3. Boston. The defending champs made themselves even more dangerous, particularly with the addition of a player I love in Bill Walker. J.R. Giddens is an intriguing prospect who would have went in the lottery if not for character issues...it's definitely a risk, but there's leadership and accountability in place and Giddens can easily be let go if he misbehaves.

4. New Jersey. I'm not sold on Brook Lopez, but he's a great pick at no. 10, especially for a team that needs inside help. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Ryan Anderson should help them a bit. For a team that's clearly rebuilding and waiting to court LeBron, NJ could make a playoff push.

I'm interested to see how Love plays in Minnesota. Love the Eric Gordon pick for the Clippers. Robin Lopez to the Suns is one of the most telling selections of the night.