Keep smiling, Wes!
"With the 4th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Wesley Johnson from Syracuse University!"
So says NBA Commish David Stern. Or at least that's what ESPN would have us believe. For now, I'll go with it, until I see evidence to the contrary.
Big props to Wes. To be the fourth pick in any draft, let alone one with just two rounds, in a sport with relatively small rosters, this is a big deal. And it couldn't have gone to a better person.
When Wes Johnson announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility at Syracuse to enter the draft, none of us were surprised. Sure, there was that little, selfish part of all Orange fans that wanted him to stay, but none of us could blame him for leaving. In fact, if he asked us what we thought he should do, honestly, I think the vast majority of the sane part of Syracuse fans would have told him to go.
And so, becoming the fourth pick in the draft vindicates that decision. As if it needed vindication. So anyway, Wes joins, for now, Jonny Flynn. There are lots of trade rumors out there, as there usually are on draft night. Let's hope they don't pan out. Though Flynn and Johnson never played on the floor together at Syracuse during gameplay, they most certainly practiced together. I'm sure they have some great chemistry. How could they not, with those infectious personalities and heartwarming smiles.
Speaking of smiles, I got to thinking of great SU smiles of the past 10 years. My top 3, in no particular order, are: Carmelo Anthony, Jonny Flynn, and Wes Johnson. No coincidence that they are three of the most loved Syracuse players in the past 10 years, and the three highest draft picks.
Beyond smiles and gameplay, Wes is a great person. A stand-up gentleman. We came to love him before we saw him play, with his personality shining through on his internet show with Scoop Jardine. He wowed us on the Court. He didn't get in trouble. He was an unselfish teammate. He always said the right things.
How could we not love you, Wes?
Congratulations, and best of luck in the NBA. You keep it classy, Wes!
Update: Andy Rautins (son of Leo Rautins) was drafted in the 2nd round, 38th overall, to the New York Knicks! We thought there was a chance he'd get picked in the 2nd, but I never imagined that early in the 2nd. Huge congratulations to Andy and the entire basketball-rich Rautins family! AO, maybe next year.
So says NBA Commish David Stern. Or at least that's what ESPN would have us believe. For now, I'll go with it, until I see evidence to the contrary.
Big props to Wes. To be the fourth pick in any draft, let alone one with just two rounds, in a sport with relatively small rosters, this is a big deal. And it couldn't have gone to a better person.
When Wes Johnson announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility at Syracuse to enter the draft, none of us were surprised. Sure, there was that little, selfish part of all Orange fans that wanted him to stay, but none of us could blame him for leaving. In fact, if he asked us what we thought he should do, honestly, I think the vast majority of the sane part of Syracuse fans would have told him to go.
And so, becoming the fourth pick in the draft vindicates that decision. As if it needed vindication. So anyway, Wes joins, for now, Jonny Flynn. There are lots of trade rumors out there, as there usually are on draft night. Let's hope they don't pan out. Though Flynn and Johnson never played on the floor together at Syracuse during gameplay, they most certainly practiced together. I'm sure they have some great chemistry. How could they not, with those infectious personalities and heartwarming smiles.
Speaking of smiles, I got to thinking of great SU smiles of the past 10 years. My top 3, in no particular order, are: Carmelo Anthony, Jonny Flynn, and Wes Johnson. No coincidence that they are three of the most loved Syracuse players in the past 10 years, and the three highest draft picks.
Beyond smiles and gameplay, Wes is a great person. A stand-up gentleman. We came to love him before we saw him play, with his personality shining through on his internet show with Scoop Jardine. He wowed us on the Court. He didn't get in trouble. He was an unselfish teammate. He always said the right things.
How could we not love you, Wes?
Congratulations, and best of luck in the NBA. You keep it classy, Wes!
Update: Andy Rautins (son of Leo Rautins) was drafted in the 2nd round, 38th overall, to the New York Knicks! We thought there was a chance he'd get picked in the 2nd, but I never imagined that early in the 2nd. Huge congratulations to Andy and the entire basketball-rich Rautins family! AO, maybe next year.
Labels: Andy Rautins, NBA Draft, Syracuse Basketball, Wes Johnson
Best smile and best point guard in the draft.Congratulations to Jonny Flynn, picked 6th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Congratulations to Jonny. Sadly he will not be heading to his favorite team the New York Knicks who had the 8th overall pick and selected Jordan Hill from Arizona. After all, Flynn plays some of his best ball in Madison Square Garden. Either way, Flynn will most likely be hung on by Minnesota, and Ricky Rubio, picked just before him, will most likely be used to get some other quality player to help rebuild the franchise. Flynn is a strong leader on the floor, can finish despite being undersized, and will be a good addition to Minnesota.
Other Big East selections in the NBA Draft were:
First Round
#2 Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut) to Memphis
#11 Terrence Williams (Louisville) to New Jersey
#14 Earl Clark (Louisville) to Phoenix
Second Round
#3 (33) Dante Cunningham (Villanova) to Portland via the LA Clippers
#5 (35) DaJuan Summers (Georgetown) to Detroit via Minnesota
#6 (36) Sam Young (Pittsburgh) to Memphis
#7 (37) DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh) to San Antonio via Golden State through Phoenix
#22 (52) AJ Price (Connecticut) to Indiana via Dallas
Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf were not selected in the first two rounds of this year’s NBA Draft. There was talk of Paul Harris possibly impressing enough that people might have taken him in the second round but it was not to be, as once again several surely overrated international players were taken in this draft (13 total). Maybe we’ll see two or three in the league, but not 13. Either way, there was a fairly strong showing from the Big East in this year’s draft. Now some analysis.
Hasheem Thabeet is a good defender and a great shot blocker. But unlike what Jay Bilas (whom I usually respect) said on the draft, he does foul. A lot. Even if they are not called every time. He should have fouled out of several more games than he did this past season, and should have found out after about 2 overtimes in the epic Syracuse game in MSG. While he will fit in nicely in Memphis, he does not deserve the dap he's getting lately.
Nice to see the fine folks from Louisville be rewarded with two first round picks after a nice season and a good run in the NCAA Tournament.
Best value picks in the draft; Dante Cunningham at 33 and DeJuan Blair at 37. DeJuan Blair is one of the best rebounders in the draft and was a steal for San Antonio at 37. DaJuan Summers (how did anyone from a terrible G’town team make it) is also a great value to Detroit at 35.
AJ Price squeaked in and may not make the Indiana team as they already have Jarrett Jack on the team. However he could re-sign thereby making AJ hit the bricks. Price isn’t that remarkable for a point guard and they got their marquee player in the first round with Tyler Hansbrough.
So that was the draft. No liveblog this year. Again. Sorry about that, but I wasn’t going to sit through five plus hours of coverage this year. Maybe next time. Either way, in summary the Big East is awesome, European players are overrated, and UConn… U SUCK!
Other Big East selections in the NBA Draft were:
First Round
#2 Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut) to Memphis
#11 Terrence Williams (Louisville) to New Jersey
#14 Earl Clark (Louisville) to Phoenix
Second Round
#3 (33) Dante Cunningham (Villanova) to Portland via the LA Clippers
#5 (35) DaJuan Summers (Georgetown) to Detroit via Minnesota
#6 (36) Sam Young (Pittsburgh) to Memphis
#7 (37) DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh) to San Antonio via Golden State through Phoenix
#22 (52) AJ Price (Connecticut) to Indiana via Dallas
Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf were not selected in the first two rounds of this year’s NBA Draft. There was talk of Paul Harris possibly impressing enough that people might have taken him in the second round but it was not to be, as once again several surely overrated international players were taken in this draft (13 total). Maybe we’ll see two or three in the league, but not 13. Either way, there was a fairly strong showing from the Big East in this year’s draft. Now some analysis.
Hasheem Thabeet is a good defender and a great shot blocker. But unlike what Jay Bilas (whom I usually respect) said on the draft, he does foul. A lot. Even if they are not called every time. He should have fouled out of several more games than he did this past season, and should have found out after about 2 overtimes in the epic Syracuse game in MSG. While he will fit in nicely in Memphis, he does not deserve the dap he's getting lately.
Nice to see the fine folks from Louisville be rewarded with two first round picks after a nice season and a good run in the NCAA Tournament.
Best value picks in the draft; Dante Cunningham at 33 and DeJuan Blair at 37. DeJuan Blair is one of the best rebounders in the draft and was a steal for San Antonio at 37. DaJuan Summers (how did anyone from a terrible G’town team make it) is also a great value to Detroit at 35.
AJ Price squeaked in and may not make the Indiana team as they already have Jarrett Jack on the team. However he could re-sign thereby making AJ hit the bricks. Price isn’t that remarkable for a point guard and they got their marquee player in the first round with Tyler Hansbrough.
So that was the draft. No liveblog this year. Again. Sorry about that, but I wasn’t going to sit through five plus hours of coverage this year. Maybe next time. Either way, in summary the Big East is awesome, European players are overrated, and UConn… U SUCK!
Labels: Basketball, Big East, NBA Draft, Other Conferences Are Inferior, Unprompted Hatred
Troy would never leave early. He's all in.Today is Wednesday, which means my good friend Sean from Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician and I exchange witty banter through the time tested formula of questions and answers. Today he answers my bright queries as we talk about such topics as the new look of the basketball team, how Marrone is doing at the helm, and what Sean would do if he had Chancy Nancy’s job. Enjoy.
1. Orange::44: Flynn has signed with an agent according to different sources. Is this a good move for him, considering you posted an article from a GM saying he might not be a lottery pick? Are we as SU Basketball fans totally screwed?
Nunes: I don't think anyone will know if this was a good move for Jonny until he actually gets drafted. If he goes in the lottery and ends up on a team that he can make an impact with, then I guess it works out. If he takes a Donte Greene-esque tumble to the end of the first round, you'd be hard-pressed to say it was a smart move. What's especially bothersome is the list of other Big East stars shuffling off to the NBA. Jonny would have DOMINATED the Big East next year. Not a question. He probably would have been the front-runner for Big East POY, Syracuse would have been a top ten team and Jonny would have been up for discussion in the top 6-7 picks overall. Arggg...
Brent Axe had a great line the other day, "Jonny Flynn wasn't bigger than Syracuse Basketball. He simply made it bigger." SU basketball and it's fans will move on, just like we did when Carmelo left. And we've still got some very talented guys in orange uniforms as well as some highly-touted freshman joining them. I think once we all accept this is what's going on we can let it go and move forward. As Donald Rumsfeld would say if he were our Director of Athletics, "You play basketball with the team you have, not the team you wish you had."
2. Orange::44: Let's assume Harris comes back. Who is your starting 5 next year for basketball and how do you think they will perform together?
Nunes: You know, I was about to say that's an iffy assumption but the way things have been going...who's to say??? I won't be surprised either way at this point. If Harris stays, I think there might be a bit of disappointment for him in terms of starting. I think the team needs another pure guard up top. But is starting Scoop worth benching Harris? I honestly don't know.
I mean, Rautins did work on his ball-handling before this season, possibly in preparation for the time when he would be called on. But I don't want Andy Rautins bringing up the ball, I want him shooting it from beyond the three point line. So I'm starting to lean with Scoop, Andy, Wes, AO and Rick Jackson and Paul Harris coming off the bench. And that's probably why I don't think Paul will come back.
3. Orange::44: What are your thoughts on the spring work the football team has put in and are you concerned about players leaving / switching positions?
Nunes: It all sounds great so far. I love hearing about the intensity and the way the coaches are all over these guys. That was sorely lacking from the previous regime. It really does make Greg Robinson's style look even more ridiculous, if that's possible.
I'm not bothered at all by the guys leaving. It is what it is. You've got a group of people used to a certain situation and now that situation is changed. If you can't recognize that the previous situation was bad, as evident by your wins and losses, and that you need this change...you probably shouldn't be here. And I know some of the guys might have left for personal reasons and that's gonna happen, coaching change or not.
The feeling I get from Doug Marrone is...if you're good enough, you work your butt off and you want to be here, you will play. And that's the kind of coaching that will win games with mediocre talent. Because it's going to drive these guys to work harder then they've ever worked before and they're going to be entrusted with these golden opportunities.
4. Orange::44: What was your favorite moment from the past basketball season?
Nunes: I mean, how do you go with anyone other than the 6-OT win over UConn? It was an experience unlike anything I've ever been through. I started watching the game in a bar, listened to the first OT on the radio in the car and then watched all the subsequent OTs at home. The whole time rotating between fingernail-biting excitement and are-you-kidding-me awe. Winning that game was the real coda on this season and this group of guys. It's the first thing we'll all think of when we think of the Jonny Flynn Era.
5. Orange::44: Do you think SU Lacrosse is the #3 team in the country or would you have them somewhere else?
Nunes: They only have two losses and they are to the #1 and #2 teams in the nation. #3 is absolutely where they should be. If things keep playing out the way we expect them to the Orange will likely be the 3-seed in the Tournament, which is fine. I expect Virginia to retake #1 at some point or get the 1-seed in the Tourney, setting up an SU-Princeton rematch in the Final Four. Bring it.
6. Orange::44: Devendorf got a lot of hate directed at him from both opposing fans, as well as the Syracuse faithful. Are you sad to see him go, or had his talking finally pushed you to say good riddins?
Nunes: I'm not saying good riddance but I completely understand why he would want to leave and I'm fine with it as an SU fan. I think the unwanted attention and derision that Eric carries with him crossed over onto an entirely different place at the end of the season and it would be a constant distraction for him and for the entire team next year. You know that we'd all be waiting for him to slip up again and I'm sure he'd be thinking the same thing in the back of his mind. It's like he was on double secret probation and the entire world wants him to fail. I don't know about you but I'd want out of that as well. Now he can go to another country with a clean slate, get paid to play basketball and provide for his daughter. I think he can walk away from SU with his head held high and know that we appreciated "most" of the things he did on the court here, though his legacy will be up for debate for a long time.
All of that said, I'm not-so-secretly happy he's going. Eric already felt he was the true leader of this team...just imagine what he'd be like next year as a senior and with no Jonny. He'd throw up 20 three's a game and take crazy breakaway shots just because he could. You just get the feeling that a regime-change is happening with this team. It's not his time anymore. Next year's team is going to be all about Andy, Wes & AO, amongst others. And that's not such a terrible thing.
7. Orange::44: Finally, if you were appointed Chancellor of Syracuse University, what is the first thing you would do, both school related and athletic related?
Nunes: Athletics-related is easy...I'd restore #44. It's a dumb thing done for dumb reasons and it's dumb that it's still going on. 44 is a carrot we should always be able to dangle out there for the next great running back. And if we're all so worried about a disappointing player wearing it, we'd make a rule that only juniors/seniors could wear it. Either way, that's part of our identity and it's a shame we're not keeping the tradition going.
Overall, I would take a good hard look at the SU Judicial Board and see just how fair and balanced it is. I'd look at past cases, the facts and the end result and see if it was truly serving the University and it's students to the best of it's ability. And if not, I would make necessary changes to ensure that SU students have a fair legal process they can trust in.
Orange::44: The lawyer in me agrees completely with you Sean.
Editor’s Note: This is another installment in the ongoing collaboration between Orange::44 and Nunes/Magician. Usually every other Wednesday Nunes::44 will appear here, while the following week Orange::44/Magician will appear on his site. Until then, enjoy excellent Nunes/Magician articles as always and stay tuned to Orange::44 for complete postgame coverage from every Syracuse game.
1. Orange::44: Flynn has signed with an agent according to different sources. Is this a good move for him, considering you posted an article from a GM saying he might not be a lottery pick? Are we as SU Basketball fans totally screwed?
Nunes: I don't think anyone will know if this was a good move for Jonny until he actually gets drafted. If he goes in the lottery and ends up on a team that he can make an impact with, then I guess it works out. If he takes a Donte Greene-esque tumble to the end of the first round, you'd be hard-pressed to say it was a smart move. What's especially bothersome is the list of other Big East stars shuffling off to the NBA. Jonny would have DOMINATED the Big East next year. Not a question. He probably would have been the front-runner for Big East POY, Syracuse would have been a top ten team and Jonny would have been up for discussion in the top 6-7 picks overall. Arggg...
Brent Axe had a great line the other day, "Jonny Flynn wasn't bigger than Syracuse Basketball. He simply made it bigger." SU basketball and it's fans will move on, just like we did when Carmelo left. And we've still got some very talented guys in orange uniforms as well as some highly-touted freshman joining them. I think once we all accept this is what's going on we can let it go and move forward. As Donald Rumsfeld would say if he were our Director of Athletics, "You play basketball with the team you have, not the team you wish you had."
2. Orange::44: Let's assume Harris comes back. Who is your starting 5 next year for basketball and how do you think they will perform together?
Nunes: You know, I was about to say that's an iffy assumption but the way things have been going...who's to say??? I won't be surprised either way at this point. If Harris stays, I think there might be a bit of disappointment for him in terms of starting. I think the team needs another pure guard up top. But is starting Scoop worth benching Harris? I honestly don't know.
I mean, Rautins did work on his ball-handling before this season, possibly in preparation for the time when he would be called on. But I don't want Andy Rautins bringing up the ball, I want him shooting it from beyond the three point line. So I'm starting to lean with Scoop, Andy, Wes, AO and Rick Jackson and Paul Harris coming off the bench. And that's probably why I don't think Paul will come back.
3. Orange::44: What are your thoughts on the spring work the football team has put in and are you concerned about players leaving / switching positions?
Nunes: It all sounds great so far. I love hearing about the intensity and the way the coaches are all over these guys. That was sorely lacking from the previous regime. It really does make Greg Robinson's style look even more ridiculous, if that's possible.
I'm not bothered at all by the guys leaving. It is what it is. You've got a group of people used to a certain situation and now that situation is changed. If you can't recognize that the previous situation was bad, as evident by your wins and losses, and that you need this change...you probably shouldn't be here. And I know some of the guys might have left for personal reasons and that's gonna happen, coaching change or not.
The feeling I get from Doug Marrone is...if you're good enough, you work your butt off and you want to be here, you will play. And that's the kind of coaching that will win games with mediocre talent. Because it's going to drive these guys to work harder then they've ever worked before and they're going to be entrusted with these golden opportunities.
4. Orange::44: What was your favorite moment from the past basketball season?
Nunes: I mean, how do you go with anyone other than the 6-OT win over UConn? It was an experience unlike anything I've ever been through. I started watching the game in a bar, listened to the first OT on the radio in the car and then watched all the subsequent OTs at home. The whole time rotating between fingernail-biting excitement and are-you-kidding-me awe. Winning that game was the real coda on this season and this group of guys. It's the first thing we'll all think of when we think of the Jonny Flynn Era.
5. Orange::44: Do you think SU Lacrosse is the #3 team in the country or would you have them somewhere else?
Nunes: They only have two losses and they are to the #1 and #2 teams in the nation. #3 is absolutely where they should be. If things keep playing out the way we expect them to the Orange will likely be the 3-seed in the Tournament, which is fine. I expect Virginia to retake #1 at some point or get the 1-seed in the Tourney, setting up an SU-Princeton rematch in the Final Four. Bring it.
6. Orange::44: Devendorf got a lot of hate directed at him from both opposing fans, as well as the Syracuse faithful. Are you sad to see him go, or had his talking finally pushed you to say good riddins?
Nunes: I'm not saying good riddance but I completely understand why he would want to leave and I'm fine with it as an SU fan. I think the unwanted attention and derision that Eric carries with him crossed over onto an entirely different place at the end of the season and it would be a constant distraction for him and for the entire team next year. You know that we'd all be waiting for him to slip up again and I'm sure he'd be thinking the same thing in the back of his mind. It's like he was on double secret probation and the entire world wants him to fail. I don't know about you but I'd want out of that as well. Now he can go to another country with a clean slate, get paid to play basketball and provide for his daughter. I think he can walk away from SU with his head held high and know that we appreciated "most" of the things he did on the court here, though his legacy will be up for debate for a long time.
All of that said, I'm not-so-secretly happy he's going. Eric already felt he was the true leader of this team...just imagine what he'd be like next year as a senior and with no Jonny. He'd throw up 20 three's a game and take crazy breakaway shots just because he could. You just get the feeling that a regime-change is happening with this team. It's not his time anymore. Next year's team is going to be all about Andy, Wes & AO, amongst others. And that's not such a terrible thing.
7. Orange::44: Finally, if you were appointed Chancellor of Syracuse University, what is the first thing you would do, both school related and athletic related?
Nunes: Athletics-related is easy...I'd restore #44. It's a dumb thing done for dumb reasons and it's dumb that it's still going on. 44 is a carrot we should always be able to dangle out there for the next great running back. And if we're all so worried about a disappointing player wearing it, we'd make a rule that only juniors/seniors could wear it. Either way, that's part of our identity and it's a shame we're not keeping the tradition going.
Overall, I would take a good hard look at the SU Judicial Board and see just how fair and balanced it is. I'd look at past cases, the facts and the end result and see if it was truly serving the University and it's students to the best of it's ability. And if not, I would make necessary changes to ensure that SU students have a fair legal process they can trust in.
Orange::44: The lawyer in me agrees completely with you Sean.
Editor’s Note: This is another installment in the ongoing collaboration between Orange::44 and Nunes/Magician. Usually every other Wednesday Nunes::44 will appear here, while the following week Orange::44/Magician will appear on his site. Until then, enjoy excellent Nunes/Magician articles as always and stay tuned to Orange::44 for complete postgame coverage from every Syracuse game.
Labels: Athletic Department, Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, NBA Draft, Nunes/Magician
Yes, I want that pile of money. Yeah that one.We. Are. Boned. My god, I thought we would be alright, and frankly I was not convinced that all three of Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, and Paul Harris. Well it looks as though Devendorf and Flynn are or are going to sign with an agent. And Harris has yet to decide. But let’s face it, Harris is the weakest player of those three. And until today, Flynn was looking like he was coming back. Apparently not the case, as he is expected to sign with Agent Leon Rose, who represents LeBron James. James openly lobbied him to go pro and sign with Rose. Shady. So yeah, we just went from a top 5, legitimate National Championship contender, to a barely top 25 team. Outstanding. A Lax Weekly article should be published sometime tomorrow. Right now, I’ll think of Marrone working the football players through drills and lacrosse being ranked #3 to feel alright.
PS - Do you also think we are boned?
Labels: Basketball, NBA Draft
Gotta talk about something on the off season.It seems ESPN loves to keep putting us up as the front page of their men’s basketball section. This time they discuss if it is the right move to enter, wrong move for some, or if they should have declared this year for the NBA Draft. Chad ford had this to say about Greene:
* Donte Greene, F, Syracuse - Greene also has the talent of a top-5 pick, but a late-season swoon hurt his stock among scouts. He has a chance as a late lottery pick this year, but next year he could be ranked in the preseason Top 5.
So it seems even ESPN says that this is the wrong move for Greene to declare. Always interesting. The complete article is here.
* Donte Greene, F, Syracuse - Greene also has the talent of a top-5 pick, but a late-season swoon hurt his stock among scouts. He has a chance as a late lottery pick this year, but next year he could be ranked in the preseason Top 5.
So it seems even ESPN says that this is the wrong move for Greene to declare. Always interesting. The complete article is here.
Labels: Basketball, NBA Draft
What?!?! No liveblog?I know everyone was yearning for another liveblog from the NBA Draft seeing as the article last year was so very popular. Sadly, it just was not possible this time around. However, we do have all the Big East related draft info you yearn for. And yes Demetris, there is a Santa Clause.
Big East Selections
Round 1:
5th Overall Pick: Jeff Green (SF) from Georgetown. Drafted by Boston. He was traded to Seattle with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West for Ray Allen.
Jeff will be an excellent addition to Seattle’s staff with the addition of the second pick in Kevin Durant, quite possibly the best player in the draft or in college basketball last season. Clearly Georgetown will miss this excellent athlete.
23rd Overall Pick: Wilson Chandler (SF) from DePaul. Drafted by New York.
Chandler has good size and is a great athlete, but he underperformed at DePaul this season. He should do better in NYC, playing in the building his last team dreamed of winning in.
Round 2:
49th Overall Pick (19th Second Round): Aaron Gray (C) from Pittsburgh. Drafted by Chicago.
This big man did well at Pittsburgh. The biggest question for Gray is will he be fast enough for the NBA. He is an excellent low post scorer (outside of the Big East Championship Game last year) and should do well should the Bulls really give him a shot.
53rd Overall Pick (23rd Second Round): Demetris Nichols (SF) from Syracuse. Drafted by Portland.
Our boy Demetris Nichols, quite possibly the best shooter in the draft, the Big East First Team member and conference scoring leader, is heading to Portland with the number one overall pick Greg Oden. The interesting dynamic of this is that Nichols is the ninth player to go to Portland on the day. We shall see how much he gets to play, but frankly, with his shot he should have a chance at producing for the Blazers.
Big East Selections
Round 1:
5th Overall Pick: Jeff Green (SF) from Georgetown. Drafted by Boston. He was traded to Seattle with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West for Ray Allen.
Jeff will be an excellent addition to Seattle’s staff with the addition of the second pick in Kevin Durant, quite possibly the best player in the draft or in college basketball last season. Clearly Georgetown will miss this excellent athlete.
23rd Overall Pick: Wilson Chandler (SF) from DePaul. Drafted by New York.
Chandler has good size and is a great athlete, but he underperformed at DePaul this season. He should do better in NYC, playing in the building his last team dreamed of winning in.
Round 2:
49th Overall Pick (19th Second Round): Aaron Gray (C) from Pittsburgh. Drafted by Chicago.
This big man did well at Pittsburgh. The biggest question for Gray is will he be fast enough for the NBA. He is an excellent low post scorer (outside of the Big East Championship Game last year) and should do well should the Bulls really give him a shot.
53rd Overall Pick (23rd Second Round): Demetris Nichols (SF) from Syracuse. Drafted by Portland.
Our boy Demetris Nichols, quite possibly the best shooter in the draft, the Big East First Team member and conference scoring leader, is heading to Portland with the number one overall pick Greg Oden. The interesting dynamic of this is that Nichols is the ninth player to go to Portland on the day. We shall see how much he gets to play, but frankly, with his shot he should have a chance at producing for the Blazers.
Update: Nichols early in the wee hours of the morning on Friday June 29th became a New York Knick, the team he has dreamed about playing for. The details of the deal can be found here. Personally, I don't think this could be a better move for Nichols, as he has the chance to make an immediate impact on this Knicks team. Is it time for a nickname change to DKnick?
55th Overall Pick (25th Second Round): Herbert Hill (PF) from Providence. Drafted by Utah.
I had the privilege of watching Herbert Hill at Providence this season on Senior Day as they lost to Syracuse. He was a great player for Providence and should be a contributor in Utah.
57th Overall Pick (27th Second Round): Sammy Mejia (SG) From DePaul. Drafted by Detroit.
This guy is a shooter and did well in the conference. Detroit felt like they needed a bigger perimeter presence and they hopefully have it in Mejia.
Only six people from the Big East were drafted this year, which is five less than last year. Most notably, no players from UConn were drafted. Five players were drafted last year, four of which were in the first round. The most picks came from DePaul in the two picks they had. Overall, with the way the Big East was this season, I think this was a fairly successful draft. I wish the best of luck to all the Big East selections as I am sure they will all represent themselves and the conference well.
Editor's Note: I am not an NBA guy. I am a college basketball guy. Keep that in mind. The information contained in this article is accurate to the best of my knowledge. Also, I hope Nichols will actually make the team.
Labels: Basketball, Big East, NBA Draft