Tonight, it all takes place in NYC where hoop dreams are made and legends are born. They’ll be broadcasting it live from the Theatre at the World’s Most Famous Arena as the 2007 NBA Draft gets ready to take place.
The half hour show on ESPN in what should be a chaotic atmosphere has gotten underway with usual suspects Stephen A. Smith, Mark Jackson, Jay Bilas and host Mike Tirico on hand to breakdown what takes place.
Of course, we already are aware that Portland will select Greg Oden No.1 overall. Thanks guys for taking the fun out of that elusive first pick. Yeah. I know the big man from Ohio State would’ve gone first anyway. But did they have to tell ESPN this a night prior? It hurts the build up and makes it anticlimatic.
And already, Stephen A is ranting and raving about something to do with the Celtics. There’s been a rumor that Dumb and Dumber GM Danny Ainge could acquire Ray Allen from Seattle in exchange for Delonte West, their fifth overall pick where Seattle would take Jeff Green and also get something else in return. Would it really matter? It would be a home run for them and another idiotic move by Ainge.
Already the Hawks are looking clueless as they can’t even decide whether to do the three-way deal which would net them Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix in a deal which would send KG to the Suns and ship their two high picks (3 and 11) to Minnesota. Typical Atlanta. Why can’t someone take control of this skitzo franchise already? How can Dominique Wilkins work for them? He must cringe at the lack of direction.
Updating, they already had Dick Vitale make a cameo from his Florida home. I guess he was able to squeeze it in after rushing out of an early bird special. We kid. We love Dickie V. Let the sweating begin! 
We’ll be doing more live blogging when the draft officially gets underway. And if you want more coverage, don’t forget to tune into my Hard Hits show where myself, JPG and others will breakdown the first round and whatever else happens tonight:
http://blogtalkradio.com/hostpage.aspx?show_id=34900
7:21 ET: Joakim Noah is interviewed and he’s brought out the bow tie! Are you kidding?!?!?!?!?! 
Oh my god. And The Lurker comments, “And he doesn’t even have his Michael Jackson look.”
What will happen next? Stuart Scott’s glass eye is really revealed as Glass Joe from Tyson’s Punchout?!?!?!?!?!
7:26 ET: Mr. Big Mouth and unreliable source Jim Gray states the obvious that Kobe won’t be going anywhere. Ya don’t say! And Pete Rose isn’t going to Cooperstown either!
7:27 ET: Oh look. It’s Fran Fraschilla. He’s analyzing this Chinese big man. He looks like he needs to put on few pounds. I’d recommend going across the street and having some Nathans!
7:29 ET: Dan da Man from All Sports Radio is feelin’ Amare coming to Charlotte. If that happens, I might just eat my shoe. Why would that happen?
7:30 ET: The time has arrived and David Stern is about to come up and welcome the nutjobs who probably mugged their way into the Theatre for a seat. Let the theatrics begin!
7:31 ET: And there hs is, Mr. Rulebook and he announces MSG as “home of the Knicks and Liberty.” Sadly, the Liberty are the franchise that’s closer to delivering a basketball championship to this proud city. There were only a few boos. So far, this crowd seems subdued. Weird.
7:33 ET: The Blazers are officially on the clock. What’s the point of showing the war room? Look at these idiots clapping and standing at their table. Good god. What if it’s actually revealed what my buddy Sambeze over at his Anti-E$PN show said: “That Greg Oden is actually Greg Olden and is a 35 year-old version of Alonzo Mourning.”
P.S. Before I forget, Bilas is an idiot for saying that Oden is more advanced that Patrick Ewing was as a freshman. I just don’t buy it. You don’t make that comparison yet. We’ll see what happens down the line though.
7:35 ET: Can’t Stephen A. chill out? Where’s Beetle Juice when you need him?
7:36 ET: Stern officially announces Mr. Oden as the first overall selection.
In the background, they showed Durant applauding and all I could think was, ‘How come he looks like a kid compared to Oden.’ Oden seriously looks like he could be his Dad. He’s got the Dikembe Mutombo look going. Yikes.
Stephen A says “You can’t teach 7 feet” but apparently nobody told Yinka Dare or Shawn Bradley.
7:41 ET: Oden sounds a little nervous with Stuart Scott and not too enthused. Why not big man? Man. He really has no personality. That’s something he could use. Especially going to Portland. At least he admitted to Stu that he looked older than LeBron.
That reported deal between the Celtics and Sonics looks like it’s going to happen according to Andy Katz. The Celts will send West, Wally Sczerbiak and draft Jeff Green for Seattle and receive Allen. Look. He still is one of the premiere SG’s in the league but how much better will the former Uconn star be? This is just another brainlock by Ainge unless he knows something we don’t.
7:43 ET: No surprise as Durant goes No.2 to Seattle. The first freshman to ever take home the NCAA player of the year is very talented. He can get to the basket and step back and score from anywhere but needs to bulk up.
7:45 ET: Durant looks extremely focused and doesn’t get upset about not being able to bench 185 at a recent workout last month. He’ll still need to get stronger.
The Hawks are officially on the clock. Will they go for PF Al Horford or address their lack of a PG with Oden’s college mate Mike Conley, Jr?
7:48 ET: The Hawks are predictable as usual and take Horford filling a need. Their best rebounder got like under seven a game this past season. I like him. He really progressed this season with Florida as they repeated. He’s developed well and is a terror on the offensive glass. Very solid post player and can step out and knock it down from 12-15. It’s not a bad move but will they also be able to address their hole at the point? Acie Law IV is expected to slip.
Smith says they should’ve taken a PG and we concur. Wow. Stephen A. says something we agree on and didn’t sound obnoxious. The crowd just doesn’t seem as into it for some reason. Could it be because Isiah doesn’t pick till 24?
Horford had his own cheering section, “The Horford Hotties” according to Stu to which the big man laughs. Let’s see Florida and hotties. Enough said!
Action Jackson calls the pick “a bad decision” but I bet Horford turns into a solid player.
7:52 ET: The Grizzlies scoop up Conley, Jr at fourth overall. No shock. They reel in the most skilled guard. He’s lightning quick and was amazing during OSU’s run to the final. He was better than his teammate during that tournament.
As Stu finishes his interview with a cool Conley, Jr., ESPN breaks out some rare footage from their library of Pop dunking 15 years ago from the free throw line. There’s a reason junior has the speed from the former long jump gold medallist/record holder.
7:56 ET: The Celtics will now select Green from Georgetown for Seattle to complete this trade which makes no sense at all. They’re essentially hooking up the Sonics and have rebuilt them. Congratulations! This franchise truly is in disarray. Maybe my buddy Tim from South River was right last night when he said that they should’ve forfeited the pick.
So now, as Stephen A notes about how they rebuilt themselves thanks to some help, they got Durant, Green and West. And this is without knowing what happens with Rashard Lewis. If he stays, that’s a nice core. If not, they’ll get a solid return.
The Bucks are picking next at No.6. So who will they take? We’ll find out next.
8:02 ET: As the time passes, now we just want to see Noah get selected so we can see that crazy bow tie again and see him do some crazy gesture or something. He is a little out there. So it’s possible.
8:04 ET: Yi Jianlian from China gets selected by the Bucks at No.6. He’s listed as a forward and boy oh boy is he thin for a big guy. My god. They should immediately get this guy about 10 Big Macs. He’s only 19 and Fraschilla claims he loves to dunk on people. He looks athletic but how will he do against much stronger bodies?
According to Katz, Yi’s people didn’t want the Bucks to take him. How nice. Milwaukee doesn’t fit the parameters. What? Not enough egg rolls and hot and sour soup? We love spring rolls and who doesn’t love fried rice.
Well, the good news is he apparently speaks English and explains to Glass Eye why he’s ready by saying he’s played Olympics and other international competitions.
The T-Wolves are now up. Well, KG isn’t going anywhere. So what will another clueless executive who was part of those great Celtics teams in Kevin “Bolthead” McHale do?
One disappointing aspect of ESPN’s coverage is no Greg Anthony. Where’s that poke-a-dot suit when you need it?
8:11 ET: Another Gator is gone. This time the athletic Corey Brewer goes to Minnesota. The Final Four MVP is a versatile forward who can score in a variety of ways. He can get to the basket at will and can step out and knock down the trifecta.
And right on cue, there’s Dickie V going on and on about what a homerun this pick was. It looks good. Brewer is also a great defender as Tirico points out. We really like this selection.
Brewer seems very emotional about being taken. Very quiet too. You can tell what it means. Noah is waiting it out. Will the energizer slip or will three Gators go in the top 10?
The Bobcats are on the clock. Can Dan da Man’s Cats screw this up? Dan wants them to select Brandon Wright from UNC. No surprise there. You have to figure they’ll go that way or maybe take Noah.
8:17 ET: Rachel Nichols says Michael Jordan wants to deal the pick. Gee. What else is new? MJ might have been one of the greatest pros but he is lost as an executive. Remember. He once took Kwame Brown No.1 overall with Washington. How did that turn out?
8:18 ET: The Bobcats select Wright. So another freshman gets taken. He’s a great talent but what about consistency? Bilas loves this pick and had him ranked fourth. Says he needs to get stronger and improve his shot. He’s an athletic player. No doubt. And can play above the rim.
Stephen A questions whether Charlotte will spend the money on some free agents to put guys around their young talent such as Wright, Ray Felton and Adam Morrison. Another solid point.
Wright seems poised and ready to go during the interview with Stu. Looks like he’s ready to play today.
Now, the Bulls are on the clock in that infamous Eddy Curry deal as they flipped picks with the Knicks. And a cocky Bull fan has a “Thanks Isiah” sign and is booed. Then the camera of course switches to Spike Lee in a classic Knick jersey and he waves.
Looks like JPG wants his team to take Noah. Dan da Man is happy with his team’s selection. Will JPG be? Noah would fill a need as another energy player off the bench who can block shots and rebound on both sides of the glass. Just imagine him and Tyrus Thomas. Yikes. Here we go.
8:25 ET: And right on cue, Noah gets taken. And he’s overjoyed. This has been a homecoming of sorts for Joakim as he was huddled with family and friends. He pointed his finger emphatically at the stands twice. This kid never seems to lack fire. We’ll see how he does on the court for the Bulls when he teams with Thomas.
JPG credits me because I said his team would wind up with the leader of the Gator chop a year ago. I won’t take credit because sometimes things can change. Noah seems overjoyed and thanks God and his mentor. You can tell that his dream has been realized.
Bilas talked about how he’d rather have a guy who hates to lose than one who loves to win. And that is Noah. If there are two things he’ll need work on, it’s putting some more bulk on and his low post game. If he can develop some consistency on offense, wow.
The Kings will pick next at No.10.
8:32 ET: The Kings take center Spencer Hawes from Washington. It’s another freshman and a guy who might not be ready for primetime yet. But Bilas likes his potential. From watching some clips, it looks like he can find teammates which is always a plus. But also at 7+ he’s not that athletic and doesn’t play above the rim.
It looks like it will take some time. With Stu, he seems very analytical and understands that he needs work and what to improve on. This seems like a smart guy. Only time will tell how it pans out for the Kings.
Smith doesn’t like the pick of Noah for the Bulls. He feels that they already have high energy guys like Thomas and Ben Wallace. We’ll see. Smith is right that their low post game is lacking unless the young guns develop. I could still see Jim Paxson swinging a deal to address that.
8:38 ET: The Hawks make their second pick of the night by taking Law IV to fill their hole at the point. This move makes a lot of sense. For the Hawks, that’s something you don’t usually associate with them. But on paper, it looks like they have addressed their two needs by getting Horford for PF and now the versatile Law who can score and distribute the ball. I really like this guy because he’s a big game performer. He can get to the rim and also find the open man.
Bilas questions his ability to defend. He’s definitely an NBA ready player. And at 6-3+, has enough size. Law seems poised during the interview. He stuck with Texas A & M after a dreadful freshman year and helped rebuild the program to respectability. Now he’ll try to get another awful franchise back to the playoffs along with his new Gator teammate.
The 76ers are on the clock and wanted to trade the 12th pick.
8:43 ET: Philadelphia takes F Thaddeus Young from Georgia Tech meaning that half the picks so far have been freshmen. Credit Stephen A for nailing this one as he said the 76ers needed some size inside. Young is a very athletic player who can run the floor.
He has a lot of potential.
We’ve got to go get ready for our show. We’ll update more later.
