I wasn't going to type this on Jeremy's 30th birthday, but I am not a Syracuse fan, which made the last few years very difficult. Niagara Falls standouts Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris seem to be kids worth rooting for, going back to my days writing at the Niagara Gazette, but seeing them in orange made me hope they ended up on a fine NBA team.
We'll know soon where the undrafted Harris ends up, but Flynn went No. 6 overall to Minnesota, jumping from non-lottery pick to top of the draft in a few short months. His quickness and creativity made the T-Wolves select him as one of their four first-round picks, and join a roster of exciting young players.
When consensus No. 1 or 2 pick Ricky Rubio dropped to five, Minnesota was able to take a risk on the Spanish guard because they had the next selection as well, and Flynn joined the team. The T-Wolves then used the 18th pick on UNC guard Ty Lawson, an exciting pick, but didn't need a third rookie point guard and sent him to Denver for a future first round pick. They then snagged his college teammate, Wayne Ellington, 28th overall.
Now there are rumours that Rubio will return to Spain, but I wouldn't be sweating it. Worst-case scenario, the Wolves deal his rights to somewhere he wants to play and maybe pick up the small forward they need, or a veteran point guard to tutor him. Heck, as a Celtics fan and knowing their rumours, maybe it's Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo for the rights to Rubio and some package like Rodney Carney, Shelden Williams and a future No. 1.
Now you don't get four first-rounders without some mismanagement, and the fans have watched Kevin Garnett and Randy Foye walk out the door for "the future," which is now coming along fine. Big man Al Jefferson, acquired from Boston in the KG trade, is a gem, and averaged 23.1 and 11.0 before a season-ending injury. Along with last year's lottery pick, UCLA's Kevin Love, and $10 million in cap space, Minnesota should be able to start to come together.
Sure, it's Minnesota, and someone's sure to screw it up, but at least Flynn has experience with cold weather. I'm happy to accept the Timberwolves on a trial basis as my Western Conference team. Go Celtics.
Here's the rest of the lottery picks:
1. LA Clippers- Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
2. Memphis- Hasheem Thabeet, C, Georgetown
3. Oklahoma City- James Harden, PF, Arizona State
4. Sacramento- Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis
5. Rubio
6. Flynn
7. Golden State- Stephen Curry, PG, Davidson
8. New York- Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
9. Toronto- DeMar DeRozan, SG, Southern Cal
10. Milwaukee- Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
11. New Jersey- Terrence Williams, G/F, Louisville
12. Charlotte- Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
13. Indiana- Tyler Hansborough, PF, North Carolina
14. Phoenix- Earl Clark, F, Louisville
P.S. I love Harden to Oklahoma City. The idea of him fitting with Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook is super exciting.
P.P.S. Maybe Harris and UB's Greg Gamble will sign with the Toronto Raptors. Gamble worked out for them last week.
To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 1 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 2 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; tournament; WGR; Jeremy White; Golf; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 3 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 4 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 5 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 6 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 7 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 8 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala;
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