It is the office hour and I should have been working, but I just couldn't keep my mind off this year's NBA Draft, which will be held later this evening (US time).
The NBA Draft is relatively easier for the fans to follow as it only lasts for one day and has a user-friendly two rounds in total. But it also means that there are only a couple of impact players in each draft class, and the chances of finding a gem later in the draft is very slim.
It has been confirmed that the Portland Trail Blazers will select Ohio State center Greg Oden with the first pick. And barring any unimaginable incidents, Kevin Durant of Texas will go second to the Seattle Supersonics.
But it is so far not clear at all as to which player will go third. And we are not sure who will pick third either, because of the potential trade of Kevin Garnett that would give the Minnesota Timberwolves the third pick in the draft.
So far, nothing has happened just yet.
Some random thoughts on the draft:
- The Atlanta Hawks are rumoured to be unwilling to part with the afore-mentioned third pick in a three-team deal that would give them Amare Stoudemire. In that trade, the T'wolves would receive picks 3 and 11 from the Hawks, and some cap-friendly players from the Hawks as well as the Phoenix Suns. Garnett going to the Suns is one thing that is more than certain. But if Atlanta is unwilling to be the third team in the trade, how about finding another trading partner, like the Blazers (sending Oden to the T'wolves) or the Seattle Supersonics (sending Durant)?
- Teams in the top half of the draft should seriously consider drafting Chinese center Yi Jianlian. I am not a scout and I have no idea how good he is. But the words are he is a very good player with lots of potential. In terms of talent, Yi will be worthy of a top pick. And in terms of finances, that's simply a no-brainer. The team that drafts him will definitely reap the benefits of drafting a good player from China. Did you know that Yao Ming's jersey is one of the best (if not the best) sellers in NBA in the last couple of years?
- I'll bet you $100 that the San Antonio Spurs will draft someone from Europe. Wanna take that bet?
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