Talkin’ about the draft — the NBA draft
Posted on April 15th, 2008 – 2:23 PMBy Michael Rand
The kids are entering the draft at warp speed — so fast that this “complete list” on ESPN.com of early entrants doesn’t even include Derrick Rose as a sure thing (even though he is). With the NBA season winding down and the ping pong ball allotment still to be determined (the Wolves are third-worst right now, meaning they’re third-best in lottery chances, but another win would raise a coin flip possibility with Memphis), we thought it would be a fine time to take a look at the best- and worst-case scenarios, as well as some others, for the Wolves.
Best: Win the lottery, take Derrick Rose. That simple. They need a point guard. He’s a difference-maker. Case closed.
Second-best: Get the No. 2 pick, get either Rose or Michael Beasley. The two best players. Can’t argue with that.
Third-best: Kevin Love enters the draft and, if the Wolves are picking third or lower, they take him. This guy has an intangible we can’t put our finger on. It’s certainly not “defense,” and the prospect of Love and Al Jefferson making up a squishy-soft middle is a little disheartening. But he works hard. He’s going to be stronger. And he’s a big man who can pass and make teammates better. He should be coveted.
Fourth-best: Pick third or fourth, take Brook Lopez. He fills a need; we’re just not a big fan. Maybe we’re wrong.
Second-worst: Tumble in the draft, take Danilo Gallinari. Yes, they call him the Italian LeBron James. We just have a bad feeling that any foreign player the Wolves touch turns to mush.
Worst: Pick third or worse and take Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo or Eric Gordon. Three midsize combo or shooting guards. All bring the potential for ego, inconsistency, selfish play or all three at once. Stay far away.
By the way: Dig that picture of Larry Johnson.
28 Responses to "Talkin’ about the draft — the NBA draft"
This guy has an intangible we can’t put our finger on.
Nor would you want to if you value your health… Looks too much like Kevin Federline…
Yes, they call him the Italian LeBron James.
Who are “they”? Roberto Benigni? Chef Boyardee? Fat Tony?
Now we are getting into my wheelhouse, whatever that means. I agree that the picture of Grandma ma is priceless.
I seriously hope you were joking about taking Love at #3. Unless the NBA changes some rules and full court shots count for 10 points or they have another hoop 30 feet in the air that counts for 50 like in the Rock and Jock games, Love isn’t a top 5 pick.
I agree that Lopez is at best a comprimise. I like Bayless and Mayo a little more than you do but only if the Wolves make some trades. I do a agree that Eric Gordon somehow spells BUST. The Wolves still have a chance to pick anywhere from #1 to #9 so I expect nothing higher than #6 where McHale will draft either Roy Hibbert or Spencer Tollackson.
If they don’t get a top 2 pick I trade the pick for an established player.
+1 Dave, any time you can incorporate Chef Boyardee into a conversation you have done well.
Pleated white slacks courtesy of The Captain, Daryl Dragon.
If the Wolves get Rose, does that mean that our bevy of combo guards can just be…guards?
Unless the NBA changes some rules and full court shots count for 10 points or they have another hoop 30 feet in the air that counts for 50 like in the Rock and Jock games
I actually miss those games…
Every time I see Stu’s name I think of how lucky he is to be so close to Burger Time.
I would kill a Bigger Burger Combo right now.
I think those are actually white jeans, Stu. I was more drawn to whether he was wearing dark socks, or no socks. Either way, it’s a fashion don’t.
Does anyone else get uncomfortable with Rand using both “squishy-soft” and “mush” in the same post?
Was he describing a Kevin Love/Big Al frontcourt or was that a RBBH line about a certain Proprietor.
Does anyone else get uncomfortable with Rand using both “squishy-soft” and “mush” in the same post?
Especially given the previous posts “seminal” punning.
LQ: I like your thinking, but with the DeSoto Bridge closed, it takes for-bleeding-ever to traverse the STC metroplex to get there.
Should be an apostrophe in “post’s,” dammit.
Conjures up memories of swampy/moist discussions of days gone by… Good times.
I hope the bridge closing doesn’t give Val’s any problems. That’s my first stop on my next trip to Cloudtown thanks to Stu’s comments the other day.
The Burger Time in Elk River has closed and is going to be replaced by a Sonic. Should I be happy or sad?
I hope the bridge closing doesn’t give Val’s any problems.
Funny you should mention that, jama.
That said, since I live on the same side of the river, I was able to get there very easily on Friday night. And yes, it was delicious.
“Swampy” and “moist” are under-utilized.
I wish there was a Val’s in the Metro, it would kill down here. Just thinking of all those orange french fries is making me salivate.
jama — while the world mourns the loss of a Burger Time, it’s high time we had a Sonic or 10 in Minnesota. Local Quipster will weep with joy knowing one is coming at least to Elk River; previously, the closest one was 182.7 miles away, or something like that, in Iowa. LQ could tell you exact distance. Seriously.
Cherry Limeade
Mr. Rand
I believe a Sonic is also going to pop up in Savage I think. I should also point out that neither of these are scheduled to open until 2009 from what I hear.
I couldn’t wait to have Sonic nearby and now that I do, we don’t go. The one time we went the onion rings tasted sweet - they deep-fried them in the same oil as the cheesecake bites. (A cross-contamination for our friends at the Deep Fried Suprise on a Stick in the new Twins stadium to avoid.)
We do have a Wienerschnitzel opening soon nearby that has me curious.
Are there any Jack in the Box’s in the Metro? I would love to be able to get a breakfast sandwich at 10:35 on a Saturday morning.
Oh my god…Val’s is spectacular too. And you never have to make contact with another human to get your food. Do you still use the phone?
In my experience (which is lengthy) they fill your fries, then put them in the bag, then just dump more fries in the bag–so much that you have to hold the bottom so the grease doesn’t compromise the bag.
Burger Time, Val’s, Kings…god I miss St. Cloud.
AZGG: it’s Deep Fried Mystery Stick, goddammit!
Jama: be wary of any fast-food joint that features both cheeseburgers and tacos. Plus, that Jack in the Box mascot scares me. I keep expecting him to say, “We all float down here, Stu…”
LQ- WEre you a Kings regular? Or was Sugar Daddies more your cup of tea?
Do you still use the phone?
Of course.
they fill your fries, then put them in the bag, then just dump more fries in the bag–so much that you have to hold the bottom so the grease doesn’t compromise the bag.
Correct. For those unfamiliar, El Queue is describing the “small” french fry order.
As for the Kings, I think they closed that place down when people started getting herpes from driving past it.
Correct, that and the fact that it’s near Stearns County which means you would have trouble finding 2 “dancers” that were worth the money.
