----Like music to my ears: With
the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft…
Love it.
Feel it. The sensation that indicates a new wave of youth and talent and optimism is entering the
league.
But I couldn’t feel it.
And I didn’t love it. What I felt, was the same thing I heard.
The King (LeBron, please sit down).
Michael Jackson. The King of Pop. Not just an iconic figure.
The iconic figure. As big as Elvis and The Beatles. Surreally, tonight,
The King has passed.
We will always
remember Michael for the good and only the good. And if you feel otherwise, stop reading my article. For
this piece, along with the billions of other dedications across the globe, is in memory of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
Sports. Okay. Let’s get
to it, huh? But first, in your head, replay your favorite Michael Jackson song. And
while you’re at it, stand up, and moonwalk. C’mon. Just do it, no one’s
watching.
“With the first pick in the
2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Blake Griffin,” David Stern stated during the commencement of ESPN’s
coverage. And that was about as exciting as it got for this year’s draft. Superseded
by the passing of The King; and more basketball appertaining, the major trades that transpired, the draft was anything but
a “Thriller.”
Before I plunge into the nitty-gritty
of the selection process, let’s first reflect upon the legitimate NBA news. The blockbuster trades.
Shaq to LeBron. Whoa.
RJ to San Antonio. Whoa. Vinsanity to Superman. Whoa. Hold
on a moment as I get my inhaler. Alright, I’m back. As I was just alluding to,
these trades could be “Dangerous” for the rest of the league.
Shaquille O’Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers
-Phoenix receives Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, 2nd round pick in 2010, cash considerations
-Cleveland receives Shaquille O’Neal
Looks like The Big Leach has managed to attach himself to another superstar. Just recollect
for a moment. Undoubtedly, the three best wing players in the league are Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and LeBron
James (yes, in that order). And two out of the three is obviously not sufficient enough for Shaquille.
Thus, it’s no surprise that Shaq landed where he did. Championship? Not
quite.
Rather than acquiring better
perimeter defenders, Cleveland went down another road. Not exactly the road well traveled, but the road
over traveled. Shaq has more miles on him than South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford’s (we all know
his pathetic story) frequent flyer card. That’s partially why (and money) the young and rebuilding
Suns told Shaq to “Beat It.”
Besides, Shaq is selfish, always has been, always will be. In his interview aired during
the draft, Shaq declared that he’ll do anything to be “the first to five [championships].”
Kobe! Duck! Shaq just took
another shot at you. Clearly, Shaq will never get over his former lover. Selfish does
not work in the NBA, just ask Allen Iverson (sorry A.I., you’re still in my Fav 5, I promise).
Vince Carter to the Orlando Magic
-New
Jersey receives Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
-Orlando
receives Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson
The Magic
is clearly in win-now mode. They let a rising star in Courtney Lee escape. Not to mention,
the wand behind the magic, Skip is gone. Yes, Jameer Nelson is still there, but Skip is the one who hopscotched
them all the way to the Finals.
Although,
Vinsanity has his own magic to stir in Merlin’s pot. With all of Orlando’s perimeter talent,
evidently, Carter does not need to be a primary option. So, Championship? Closer than
Cleveland, but no.
Hedo He Does
Turkoglu, one of the most underrated and complete players in the league, has just opted out of his contract. And
Orlando, due to the trade, does not have the salary cap flexibility to offer the kind of “Money” that he’s
going to demand (and acquire elsewhere). After all that Hedo has done for the Magic, instead of saving
cap space by not trading for Carter, GM Otis Smith has basically told Hedo to “Fly Away.”
Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs
-Milwaukee receives Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas
-San Antonio receives Richard Jefferson
- (Additionally, the Spurs sent Fabricio Oberto to the Pistons for Amir Johnson, who then went to the Bucks)
Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson and Tim Duncan.
Whoa. (Draftees: Jack McClinton, an under the radar Stephen Curry with even more
grit and heart; and DeJuan Blair, a poor poor poor man’s Charles Barkley; but we’ll get to the draft a bit later.)
Gregg Popovich must have told GM R.C. Buford,
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
They got enough. What other team has three legitimate penetrators who
can finish and dish out? Unstoppable? Possibly. Championship?
Indeed (quote me).
Of course, health remains a
question, but Pop will get them through the grueling NBA schedule with his pedigree, and with the manner in which he regulates
minutes. While it’s tasteless and ungrateful that San Antonio just threw away the defensive soul
in Bruce Bowen, overall, R.C. Buford looks like a “Smooth Criminal.”
Whoa, huh? Major
movement, huh? Now for some minor movement in which I call the honorable mention of the blockbuster trades.
Mike Miller and Randy Foye to the Washington Wizards
-Minnesota receives 5th
overall pick, Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, Oleksiy Pecherov
-Washington receives Mike Miller, Randy Foye
“I’m Ricky Rubio, I’m not like anybody else,” Rubio (selected 5th overall
by Minnesota) stated in his post draft interview. Well, the kid definitely has flair. More
substantially, he has the anticipation of Wayne Gretzky and the vision of Jason Kidd. Plus, he resembles
Pistol Pete Maravich (I only said resembles).
Then why did Washington trade away that pick? Gilbert Arenas is a scoring point guard;
why not move him to shooting guard and let Ricky run the team? Sure, Gilbert would be undersized as a shooting
guard, but Rubio would be 6’5” at the point position.
Nonetheless, I am slighting neither Miller nor Foye, they’re legit players in this league. Couple
them with Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and a healthy Arenas and Brendan Haywood: That’s a nice little
squad. Anyway, with reports from Marca.com stating that Ricky Rubio may stay in Spain for a few more years,
the world is wondering, “Will You Be There,” Ricky?
Jamal Crawford to the Atlanta Hawks
-Golden State receives Acie Law, Speedy Claxton
-Atlanta receives Jamal Crawford
