News-Record.com

Because there's a new sheriff in town when it comes to humorous bowl sponsorships!

Introducing the ....

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl!!!!

At first glance, you chuckle because you get this image of a bowl that already has "Humanitarian" in the name being connected with some beefy guy in a leather jacket yelling "Check! Check 1-2!" into a mike 4,000 times before a concert.

But wait ... it gets better.

Roady's is actually a chain of .... (wait for it) ... truck stops!!!

I don't know about you, but some of the most humane moments I've ever encountered in my life have occurred in truck stops - like the time Vera the waitress gave me the Heimlich maneuver when I was choking on a second helping of chicken-fried steak. Or the time that "Rubber Duck" helped "Pig-Pen" avoid some "bears" with a well-timed CB call.

(Yes, I really did just quote lyrics from "Convoy." God bless the internet.)

Trust me, this thing has legs. It's only a matter of time before we're talking about the Flying J Peach Bowl, or - dare we dream it? - the Iron Skillet BCS Title Game.

Alas, such pleas have apparently fallen on deaf ears at the NHL media relations offices.

As SI's Michael Farber (who bears an uncanny resemblance to the dad in Family Ties) reports in his hockey blog , the NHL turned down a request for credentials from Al-Jazeera.

While my initial reaction was to post a joke about hockey and the Middle East (see this title to this entry), upon further review I'm curious why the NHL said no. As Farber noted in his blog, it's not like a ton of media outlets are banging down the door to get a chance to cover this event.

But now, my reaction to my reaction to my initial reaction (don't you live my live thought updates?) is this: the NHL probably thought it was better to turn down Al-Jazeera and endure a few jokes than to look totally desparate by actually approving the credentials of a network that is shown in areas of the world that might actually be more apathetic about hockey than even Tampa Bay.

... because, even though the man may very well be insane, you certainly can get a conversation going, can't he?

I know this is a little old, but check out the snippets in the Detroit Free Press from an interview he did for GQ.

If you're too lazy to read it - hey, you are on a blog, after all - I'll save you some time and go right to the money quote.

On the decline of African-American players in MLB and the increase of Latinos: "I called it years ago. What I called is that you're going to see more black faces, but there ain't no English going to be coming out. ... (It's about) being able to tell (Latin players) what to do -- being able to control them. Where I'm from, you can't control us. You might get a guy to do it that way for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end, he is going to go back to being who he is. And that's a person that you're going to talk to with respect, you're going to talk to like a man. These are the things my race demands. So, if you're equally good as this Latin player, guess who's going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys."

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Sheffy baby! Back it up there!

First, since Sheff started this stereotype party, let's throw in the ones we've always heard about Hispanics. Hot-headed. Emotional. Passionate. Great Dancers. You get the picture. Where exactly do "docile" and "easily controlled" fit into that picture?

Second, let's consider a few prominent Hispanic players. Did Carlos Zambrano appear "easily controlled" when he was slamming Michael Barret into lockers the other day? If Jose Guillen is so easily controlled, then why is he now playing for his sixth team (and counting?) Thank goodness Juan Marichal was easily controlled. He only swung a bat at Johnny Roseboro's head. What would he have used if he wasn't such a docile chap?

Third, remember as Sheff says, where he's from. That would be the Tampa area. The same place, coincidentally, that Elijah Dukes is from. Dukes certainly fits into the "cannot be controlled" category. He also is a young African-American player. According to Sheff's logic, Dukes would the exact sort of player that MLB is avoiding thesed days. In reality - where Sheff only visits ocassionally, apparently - Dukes was a third-round draft pick despite numerous questions about his character. Even now, with stories about Dukes threatening to kill his wife surfacing, the D-Rays are sticking by their man. Why? Because Dukes can play.

On second though, just ignore all that. Let's not get in the way of a good Sheff conspiracy theory. It's just too entertaining.

(Personal note: I just traded for Sheff on my fantasy baseball team. And Clemens will, hopefully, be making his first start for my team next week. Yet somehow, I still sleep at night.)

Four Grasshopper players and the team's pitching coach have been selected to participate in the 48th South Atlantic League All-Star Game, set for Rome, Ga. It's a nice warm-up to 2008, when the Hoppers will host the contest.
And the All-Star are:
** Graham Taylor, who has had only one bad outing in 11 starts. Taylor is 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA and has walked only five of the 273 hitters he has faced over 73 innings of work.
** Closer Blake Jones, currently on the disabled list, has allowed one earned run in nearly 18 innings of work on the year.
** Chris Coghlan, who, leads the Florida Marlins organization in batting average (.315), on-base percentage (.413) and RBI (47). He's on pace to drive in 115 runs on the year, a number that would stand as one of the greatest in Greensboro's century-long -- with a few interruptions -- history of professional baseball. A year ago, he was playing for the University of Mississippi.
** John Raynor, who leads the Marlins' farmhands in steals with 25.
Pitching coach John Duffy will also join the coaching staff, led by West Virginia Power manager Mike Guerrero.

Perhaps you mock the idea of anybody televising the baseball draft. You fear the emergence, encouragement and development of the Mel Kiper of the Diamond. You cringe at the thought that anybody might have an opinion on the Brewers' 43rd-round pick. Fair enough.
But there's at least one reason to examine the names in the next week or so. Some of the Florida Marlins' selections could be relevant Grasshoppers in 2008.
A year ago, few noticed when the Marlins took Chris Coghlan out of the University of Mississippi with the 36th overall choice. Coghlan's now on pace to drive in more than 100 runs for Greensboro.
Similarly, John Raynor went in the ninth round from UNC Wilmington and pitcher Graham Taylor was a 10th-round choice from Miami of Ohio. Taylor may be the best starter in the South Atlantic League and Raynor has stolen 25 bases in 48 games.
Check back Thursday for updates.

The ACC just announced the preseason football television football. It's still months away, but there are a few games we're just plain giddy over. (16:54)





Download | Comment

If that title made no sense to you - and really, why would it? - then you need to see what the humorists at Rivalfish have compiled: The "Celebrity Logo Lookalike" list. (It's the second entry today, below the top 10 old guys in sports).

It's some pretty inspired stuff. While I'm not so sure about the Braves/evil clown comparison (No. 9) I'm absolutely on board with Clay Aiken as the St. Louis Billiken (No. 8) and Mary Kate Olsen as the Charlotte Hornet (No. 3). Oh, and there's no doubt that Orlando Bloom/old school effeminate Tampa Bay Bucaneer deserved to be No. 1.

Clearly, some folks had some time on their hands to compile this list. But hey, isn't that what blogs are for?

When he led the Cleveland Cavaliers over the hopelessly boring Detroit Pistons and into the NBA Finals, LeBron James was widely hailed as the one-man saviour of the league and its lame TV ratings.
The problem, of course, is that a team must do more than participate to engender some interest, and the Cavs and their only compelling player have barely managed that. Game 1 was the lowest rated Finals opener in history. Long before the Spurs boosted their first-half lead to 28 points in Sunday's second game, viewers had gone diving for the clicker as if it were a grenade needing to be disarmed.
Ratings are pending. Let's put it this way: When media analysts question the wisdom of placing the game on free TV opposite a program on a pay channel -- HBO runs $13 a month on DirecTV -- you know televised sports have plunged.

The Grasshoppers, to their credit, are frequently coming up with new contests to engage the attending public. But it's safe to say they're not really counting on paying up with some of them.
The most recent promotion has a potential give-away per inning, but the prize is only awarded if something incredibly improbable happens. More on this later.

... Open, that is. Still, you can imagine Jim Young's shock. This and other jaw-dropping revelations are among the topics tackled this week by the Radio Free sports crew. (25:17)


Download | Comment

The NCAA evicted a Louisville Courier-Journal reporter from the Super Regional won by the University of Louisville Cardinals this week. The alleged miscreant was doing his job, which was to write a live blog.
It appears, however, that the NCAA has specifically enumerated live blogging as forbidden fruit of the tree of access. At least this week.
Funny.
Come to think of it, Chuck Klosterman of ESPN.com did a live blog from the basketball Final Four in April and nobody raised a stink.
Our own Jim Young did some live blogging from the NCAA East regionals in the Swamps of Jersey the previous week.
Do we turn ourselves in now and throw ourselves on the mercy of the court in Indianapolis?
The Courier-Journal is wrapping itself in the First Amendment, and while that sounds good, it's legally questionable. The NCAA is not a state actor. If it were, it would have the legal authority to compel people to testify during rules-violations investigations. But there is an issue of precedent and slippery-slope thinking. What if others -- MLB, the NFL, etc. -- follow this precedent?
** Can radio stations no longer do live updates from games in progress?
** If a player suffers a serious injury during a game, are we forbidden from writing a live, in-game update on his condition?
** Let's say the Red Sox, armed with a magic number of 1, are playing in the eighth inning when word arrives that their nearest competitor in the standings has lost. The race is over. The magic number has been achieved. While playing a game, the Sox have become champs. Is the Boston Globe forbidden from mentioning this?
The logic on this NCAA ban is way off. It presumes that live blogging infringes on rights owned by TV broadcasters and/or live GameTracker-like Web sites. False.
"If I send somebody to blog on something, I don't want play-by-play," News & Record sports editor Joe Sirera just said over my left shoulder. "I want to know what the injury is if somebody gets hurt. I want to know why a coaching strategy is working or not."

The Grasshoppers, in association with the Greensboro Regional Realtors Foundation, are initiating a summer-reading program for children, and tonight's game offers fans a chance to contribute and to get free lawn seating.
Fans bringing four new or gently used children's books to First Horizon Park will receive a ticket for the Hoppers' 7 p.m. contest against the Lexington Legends.
Online ticketing available here.

THe world's oldest freshman has a blog up now - doesn't everyone?- and has some interesting things to say about former Duke big man, Josh McRoberts.

Turns out the two are good buddies from back in the day when the used to run on the same AAU team (more on that later). Recently Oden stopped by Chez McRoberts in Carmel, Indiana for a little pool party.

But that's not the part that got the attention of Duke fans. It's this little juicy nugget:

"He is one of the funniest people I have met, and the one person in high school basketball that I dreaded playing, because I had to guard him and he is a monster."

Josh McRoberts did a lot of good things during his time at Duke, but at no time did he remind me of a guy that Greg Oden would dread guarding. Nor did the term "monster" come readily to mind.

Granted, Oden is McRoberts' friend, so he may have a slightly higher opinion of Josh's skills that the general public, but it's hard not to feel that Oden's just confirming something that's been bothering Duke fans for the past two years: that McRoberts really was a special, ultra-talented player coming out of high school but that somehow that potential was never fully realized while he was with the Blue Devils.

Oh, and about that AAU team that Oden and McRoberts played on. What a lineup: Mike Conley Junior at the point, Eric Gordon at the two, Dequan Cook at the three, McRoberts at the four and Oden at the five.

Wow. Just ... wow.

Let's face it folks. In our modern society, if you're a public figure and you screw up, you don't have to apologize, but you do have to accept the fact that a minor league baseball team will have fun at your expense.

Such is the case with Florida .. err, Orlando ... err Florida basketball coach Billy Donavan. The Gators' head man and chief flip-flopper will now be satirized by the Ft. Myers Miracle minor league baseball team, which will hold "Billy Donavan Night" next week.

The central element? During the first three innings, fans can try to "negotiate" their way out of the ticket they purchased.

"Brilliant!" you say, "But why wouldn't everyone attempt such a move?"

Ahh, this is where minor league baseball marketing truly kicks into over-drive. Those fans who hold on to their tickets will be eligible for a prize at the end of the game ... wait for it ... four tickets to a Florida Gators SEC basketball game!!

I don't know about you, but I am on pins and needles to see what the Grasshoppers due in the wake of Paris Hilton's stint in the slammer.

When the Big Ten announced plans last year to create its own TV network, many scoffed at the notion and wondered about its financial feasibility. It's now safe to say any skepticism has dissipated.
The network, a joint venture of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Sports, announced today that it has hired Kevin Weiberg, commissioner of the Big 12 since 1998, to an administrative position. The role is unknown at this point, but the ability to lure an established and respected power-broker suggests the outfit has the cash and the legitimacy to succeed.
Weiberg's not the only hire of note. I can't say who it is yet, but I do know the organization has come to terms with a highly respected media-relations figure to help run that side of its operation.

The NBA Finals have ended, and not a minute too soon. The series was over on Sunday, but by official policy, it had to continue until last night, when the Spurs secured the fourth victory required for resolution and termination.
The TV ratings were, as everybody knows, wretched. This might be the least-watched NBA Finals since the disco era. But that's not as interesting as a bit of social studies.
If asked to opine on the NBA, fans will invariably claim they want to see selfless, team-oriented play, concentration on fundamentals and an end to the marketing system that aggrandizes individual stars at the expense of old-fashioned, collective achievement. In other words, they want the San Antonio Spurs. Or so they say.
But what happens when the Spurs actually participate in the Finals? These same respondents watch "How To Build A Better Burger" or "The Deadliest Catch."
This sort of thing is no surprise to political pollsters, who have discovered that respondents will lie because they are eager to give the response that sounds more tolerant or makes them seem like better people. In Wisconsin in 2006, 51 percent of those polled in an October survey said they'd vote "Yes" on a ballot initiative to ban gay marriage. What happened in the end? A landslide. Nearly 60 percent of the electorate ultimately voted "Yes" on that question.
If a black candidate opposes a white candidate in a statewide race, polls are notoriously worthless because a statistically significant percentage of white voters will say they're voting for the black guy and then do the opposite on Election Day.
Then there's the example of the Miami TV station several years ago. In focus groups, viewers overwhelmingly expressed outrage at crime coverage. They said they wanted more "good news" on their TV news and less blood. The station boldly changed its focus, declaring a more "family-friendly" newscast that would de-emphasize crime unless a known or suspected killer was on the loose or another danger to the community was imminent.
You can guess what happened to their ratings. David Stern knows their pain.
The NBA's ratings offer more proof that it's best to wait and see before declaring a trend in sports. Years ago, it was alleged that the NBA was hot and would overtake baseball in our national consciousness. Just a matter of time before the NBA Finals beat the World Series in ratings, we were told.
The NBA Finals have beaten the World Series exactly once in the same year. That was in 1998, when Michael Jordan beat the Utah Jazz.
The lowest rated World Series of all time, the 2006 disaster between the Cardinals and Tigers, still beats four of the past five NBA Finals.

It's not over yet, mind you. There's still the possibility of civil action against a disbarred and disgraced prosecutor. But Duke University announced today that it has reached an undisclosed settlement with the three former lacrosse players whose names were dragged into infamy without just cause.
In the agreement, the school does not acknowledge wrongdoing.
Whether it's part of the deal or not, you wonder if the 88 alleged educators who signed the infamous decree of outrage over the case will be at least admonished for their brazen attack on basic fairness.
Tenure is a necessity in academia because it protects freedom of thought and expression. But like anything else derived from the First Amendment, such talk must be exercised wisely and fairly.

Actually, considering I recently spent some time trying to return John Isner's 140-mph serve, I should just thankful this wasn't me.

In a match last Friday at a grass court tournament in Germany, Marc Gisquel took a serve from Benjamin Becker in the ... um.... how to say this? ... let's just say, the groin.

Ouch.

Amazingly, Gisquel didn't curl up into fetal position and forfeit the match immediately - a completely understandable reaction, if you ask me. Instead, he somehow managed to carry on and win the match. That's really showing some ... courage, I'd say.

Here's the classic pic taken after the incident, as Gisquel is getting treatment and the tour doctor is apparently trying to shush the crowd, which apparently couldn't resist offering a few comments. Stunningly, Gisquel has a smile on his face.

Even more stunningly there is nothing on Youtube yet that I could find. Even more stunningly, there is a two-minute highlight reel of the match from German tv that fails to show the incident. How is that possible? I always knew that German humor was different, but come on, aren't shots to the groin a universal way to get a laugh?

The recent eviction of a newspaper reporter for blogging at a college baseball game poses all sorts of thorny questions. (22:53)


Download | Comment

... which apparently is a better place to score interviews with top figures in the sports world than, say, a locker room.

How do I know this to be true? Because a couple of guys - now immortalized as the "Kobe Video Guys" - keep running into Kobe Bryant outside a shopping mall in Newport Beach, Calif. And Kobe, for reasons that can only be clear to him (then again, maybe he's not even sure why) - keeps talking to them and giving them very juicy comments about the Lakers. All while a cell phone video camera records the moment for posterity.

Naturally, the Kobe Video Guys (we'll go with KVGs from here) are trying to profit from these fortunate encounters. They've set up a website, www.thekobevideo.com, where they're charging $2 for folks to see the video. They won't release the video until at least 50,000 people sign up. So far, according to the site's counter, they're at 6,213.

SI.com's Arash Markazi has a piece about the video, which centers around Kobe ripping the Lakers for failing to trade young center Andrew Bynum for Nets point guard Jason Kidd.

"Andrew Bynum? What the f---?" Bryant says in disgust. "Are you kidding me? Andrew Bynum? F---ing ship his ass out. Are you kidding me? We're talking about Jason Kidd. But they didn't even want to do that. Now we're here in this f---ed up position."

It's interesting, Markazi concludes, but is it really that big of a deal?

The bigger question, asked by SI.com's Chris Ballard, is why in the heck would Kobe do this in the first place? Sure, demand a trade on Stephen A. Smith's radio show if you want? But who rants about his GM's inaction to a couple of random people in a mall parking lot?

Ballard's theory, which I think is probably on target, is that Kobe is desparately seeking street cred from the average fan. Viewed for most of his career as aloof and withdrawn, he's yearning to have the public truly understand him and his motives. So when Joe Laker Fan stops him in the parking lot and asks him about how things are going, he can't resist the urge to rant.

To which I say, rant away Kobe. I'm sure he'll get ripped for throwing a teammate (Bynum) under the bus, but the honesty is pretty refreshing. And as a member of the media, I wish I could run across more coaches/players in unguarded moments.

That's why I'm hanging here in the Four Seasons parking lot, hoping that Roy Williams or Toney Baker comes wandering by.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is making a concerted effort to repair his program's battered image. Judging by e-mail responses to Jim Young's recent story in the News & Record, Duke haters aren't buying it. (8:00)


Download

The NBA draft is tonight, so we join the national Oden vs. Durant debate. We also wonder why Brandan Wright's stock appears to be slipping a bit. (7:22)


Download

... but pro wrestling is beloved by many sports fans (including me, though mostly back in the old NWA days), so I think this is relevant blog material.

By now, I'm assuming you've heard the original story about wrestler Chris Benoit's horrific murder-suicide. Here's the latest story from the AJC, which has been all over this story like white on rice. Apparently, Benoit's son was mentally disabled and that created a great deal of tension in his marriage.

The story also downplays the steroids angle, which was getting a lot of run early on, when there was speculation that Benoit might have killed his wife and son while in the midst of a "roid rage." The fact that Benoit took a day or so between killing his wife and killing his son would seem to quell that notion.

Still, I think it's worth noting that Benoit joins an alarmingly large list of pro wrestlers who have died at an early age. This site compiles a list of wrestlers that died before reaching the age of 65. As the site mentions, this is an issue that hasn't gotten much attention in the "mainstream" media, perhaps because wrestling is seen as merely "entertainment" and not a sport. Perhaps Benoit's death - although it may only be loosely connected to his profession - may change that.

Back in this locale at 7 tonight, we'll throw in opinions, observations and other stuff as the NBA Draft is taking place in NYC.

Loved the brief Jalen Rose interview on ESPN. The host actually referred to "Draft Fashion Analysts," implying there are such people. The scariest thing is that it's actually true. There are such people, and I'm sure they'll be ready to offer input as soon as possible.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm writing from my home and not from the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden. In light of its name, I can't say I'd rather be at the WaMu (short for Washington Mutual) Theatre.
But I have covered the draft before, and unless things have changed, I can make a couple of guesses about the scene and environment"
1) It's really hot in there. The A/C isn't the best.
2) The Green Room is neither green nor a room. It's nothing more than a section of the floor.
3) While the NBA draft has several advantages over other player-selection processes -- relative brevity chief among them -- it lacks the local flavor of the NFL Draft.
The curious thing about the NFL Draft is that the site is dominated by Jets fans. It's their moment. Deep down, they know they're outnumbered about two to one by Giants supporters. The Giants, like the Yankees, rule the tabloids. But the draft provides the opportunity for Jets fanatics to get airtime on ESPN and to put forth the appearance of profound knowledge. If you can express outrage at the fifth-round selection -- surely the J-E-T-S should have taken that tackle out of Youngstown State rather than the cornerback from Rice -- you have clearly done your homework and are worthy of the attention thrust your way.
Or something like that.
Knicks fans will boo the choice because, at 19th, it probably won't deliver a household name. But it won't be the same.

Other great thing about the draft: The venue that hosts tonight's proceedings will be the home of a series of MeatLoaf concerts next month. How might that marquee look?

TONIGHT: NBA DRAFT
JULY 18-20: MEAT LOAF

You can't beat that.

JamesOn Curry has been chosen 51st overall by the Bulls.

Josh McRoberts' nightmare is over. Along with everybody else in this draft, he's going to Portland.
The busiest man in the world is the guy who stitches names on Blazer uniforms. "Getting rid of junk," as Mark Jackson put it, referring to Randolph.
-----------------------------------------

The ESPN guys had better hope that Jason Richardson-Brandan Wright deal actually happens. They've gone on record as saying the deal is "stupid." If it doesn't go down, they'll need to issue an apology for premature speculation.
----------------------------------------------

Yet more pain for those who haven't been picked: Someone who "has yet to play at a high level in Europe" just became the final choice of the first round.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It can't be good to be Josh McRoberts now. The 28th pick has just come and gone and it was apparently used on a guy who won't even play in the league this coming season.
There are two picks left in the first round.
This consensus of 11 mock drafts had him going 17th.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is there anyone left in the Green Room? Afflalo just came out of the crowd.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Seattle job is nice. If you don't mind moving again in another year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a difference between the NBA and NFL drafts: NFL teams won't trade fifth-round draft choices in return for established players. The Suns just sold their first-round selection to Portland, according to ESPN.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's a vicarious Greensboro connection in this alleged Knicks-Blazers deal. Channing Frye, nephew of Henry and Shirley Frye, is apparently headed westward.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit the Bobcats for some creativity with the 22nd overall pick: Jared Dudley of Boston College will surprise people in a good way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daequan Cook? Really?
Second "upside" reference of the night.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two years ago, Josh McRoberts was a high school stud bound for Duke. Some said he should have gone to the NBA draft right then and there. Jason Smith was coming off a nice freshman year at Colorado State. Be honest here: Had you heard of Jason Smith until five minutes ago? Smith has been selected. McRoberts is still waiting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Javaris Crittenton goes 19th. Guess he made a good call in leaving Ga Tech so soon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That'll sell tickets in Oakland: Marco Belinelli.
And we now have a "quite frankly" reference from someone other than Stephen A.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Stephen A. Smith is excited about his Knicks' acquisition of Zach Randolph. "This is a beautiful, beautiful day."
Nice objective journalism.
Not sure what the Knicks fans liked more: the acquisition of Randolph or the dismissal of Stephon Marbury.
The news keeps getting better for Blazer fans. Greg Oden in and Zach Randolph out? Now it's possible to root for your team without feeling slimy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talk about a buzz kill .....
If you're in the athletics department at Eastern Washington University, it's a proud moment. You have a player drafted in the first round. And then the broadcaster drops this line: "He was recruited by Washington and Washington State, but when grades became an issue, he wound up at Eastern Washington."
Let's read between the lines on that one, shall we?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have the best line of the evening, courtesy of Jay Bilas: "You know, Stu, I'm not hung up on the whole Carolina thing." Outstanding. Somebody finally has the guts to call out Scott on his pathetic homerism. Bilas is the best thing on ESPN because of his professionalism. Some others could learn a thing from that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Al Thornton is a lottery pick. And that's a good thing. Probably the most exciting player in the ACC last year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What drew Julian Wright to bowling? He lived in Lawrence, Kan., for a year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd like to thank Kilborn for offering his comments.
At least there has been some suspense to these most recent picks. For those at the WaMu Theatre, there is no suspense. They can tell who's about to get picked just by looking at down at the "Green Room." A cameraman is tipped off to the choice and gets in position -- right at the feet of the draftee -- just as The Commish is waking to the podium.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I won't be watching "The Bronx is Burning," but the actor playing Billy Martin is a dead ringer for the former Yankee manager.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a hint that you may have screwed up your first-round pick: If you become the first team to select a player who was not invited to attend the festivities in NYC.
Thaddeus Young at No. 12? Wow. Nice player at Georgia Tech, but did anybody see this coming?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It appears the Sixers have new uniforms as well. "PHILA" now graces the front.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hawks got a better player at No. 11 in Acie Law than they selected at No. 3, Al Horford.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Right now, there are dozens of players who are clearly willing to wait a little longer to be selected. Sacramento? Not popular.
Spencer Hawes seems excited about staying on the West Coast.
I believe we have our first "upside" reference of the night. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is it a good hair day? That's not my area of expertise. But Joakim Noah is a nice pick at No. 9. He would have gone in the top three a year ago, but it's hard to say he made a mistake in coming back to Florida. In 20 years, how many people will wear two NCAA championship rings and say they were first-round draftees?
---------------------------------------------------------------

True to form and contrary to previous presumptions, the Bobcats take another Tar Heel. Rumor now has it that they'll select Wes Miller in the second round.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not an expert, but I think this Timberwolves pick is a steal. Corey Brewer was the best player in the NCAA tournament. Diligent, all-around guy.
As Mike Tirico just pointed out, four of the first seven draftees played in the NCAA championship game. So why was the game so bad?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have our first contradiction between ESPN Talking Heads. Andy Katz says the Bucks will keep Yi. Ric Bucher says trade talks may start. This is inevitable when you have dozens of experts covering the same event.

Enjoy Milwaukee, Yi.

While I applaud Andy Katz' work ethic, I liked the draft better when announcements were actually surprises and had not been trumped by reporting.
The other question: Why are they making Jeff Green wear the Celtics hat? At least ESPN is not showing a tight shot, which would provide an up-close view of a bizarre contradiction: guy wearing a Boston hat and talking about how excited he is to be a Sonic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Conley and Greg Oden have officially broken up. Unlike most relationships, a third party has instigated the dissolution.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

If the ESPN report is correct, we must assume that Ray Allen, who played at UConn, is OK with playing for the Celtics. This would apparently make him rare among all NBA players -- both current and prospective.
Durant has a wingspan seven inches longer than his height. That is absolutely off the charts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jordan Talking Deals?: OK, so my theory is out. I assumed the Bobcats would do anything in their power to draft another Tar Heel, Brandan Wright. Just so they could field an entire team of UNC guys and still draw the same 12,500 apathetic fans per game in a city that didn't really care if it got another NBA team or not.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before we start this process, it might be helpful to get a preview. A Web site -- I'm not entirely comfortable with it because it's gambling-related -- has compiled a consensus of 11 mock drafts.

When Rod Beck passed away last weekend, some thought of how he was such a good closer back in the 90's. Some thought about his bushy fu manchu moustache. But the guys at Radio Free Sports - well, at least Jim Young and Jeff Carlton - thought of Beck's quality mullet. That got them to thinking about great mullets in baseball history and about the greatest mullet team of all-time, the '93 Phillies.

Comment