Pelletier's Perspective: 7.09.08: The 2008 NBA Draft Spectacular

Posted by Justin Pelletier on 07.09.2008

Now that we have had some time to digest the 2008 NBA Draft, let's take a look at the night that David Stern hit the lottery and the Portland Trail Blazers became my new favorite team.

In an effort of full disclosure; I didn't watch the draft. Fatherly duties called as my wife and I took Carleigh to get her baby pictures taken. I didn't need to watch the first half hour though, because there hadn't been such a clear cut one-two since…well, last year.

It was the lock of locks that Rose was going to go one and Beasley would be taken two. Miami flirted with OJ Mayo but you know Pat Riley could take the risk of making a Sam Bowie, circa '83, mistake.

It was in 1983 that Portland took Bowie, a center from Kentucky, with the second pick, allowing Chicago to select a guard out of UNC named Michael Jordan with pick number three.

(I'd like to take a moment to voice my displeasure as a Bulls fan. I completely understand the need for a star point guard in today's NBA, particularly when your new coach comes from the Mike D'Antoni school of run-n-gun. My issue though, is that Derrick Rose is no Steve Nash, Chris Paul or Derron Williams. I believe Michael Beasley, on the other hand, is the truth. He's going to be this generation's top power forward. I've just got a feeling about the guy. As a Bull's fan, I hope I'm wrong but if their summer league debuts are any indication (Rose 10 points, four assists; Beasley 28 points, nine rebounds) I'm probably right. Now back to your regularly scheduled ranting.)

After the first two picks, though, shit hit the fan and here, my loyal reader, are some highlights.

Mayo was taken third by Minnesota and Kevin Love fifth by Memphis. Seemed innocent enough, until they were traded for each other! Honestly, was there a happier man in American the next morning than Kevin Love? Not that Minnesota is basketball paradise but it sure beats the hell out of the shit hole that is Memphis and, with Al Jefferson, the T-Wolves have the makings of a nice team. The bright side for Mayo? Memphis may relocate of Seattle in a few years. My dad always said Seattle was his favorite city in the country.

Sandwiched in between Mayo and Love was Russell Westbrook. Westbrook was one of about a dozen "combo guards" (read: too small for two-guard; guns too much to run the point) who will stir images of Shawn Respert's career. (For my younger readers, and those who aren't lame enough to remember Respert: That's not a good thing.)

By the time the draft reached pick 12 there was already a clown I've never heard of. Who the hell is Jason Thompson anyway? Pick six, however, was a lot of fun as Euro-de jour, Danilo Gillinari, was selected by the Knicks, and promptly booed out of the building.

The rest was pretty ho-hum but then the Blazers stepped in, again, and saved the draft. You see, for a draft nerd such as myself, nothing makes me happier than a team willing to stir the pot on draft night and Portland is not afraid to do that.

It was last year that the Jail Blazers dropped them image when they shed a 300-pound tub of crap, Zach Randolph, to the only team that would take him. The Knicks of course. And it was two years ago that Portland shipped two top-10 picks, Tyrus Thomas and Randy Foye out of two. Portland did pretty well in those deals, acquiring LaMarcus Aldridge and, eventual Rookie of the Year, Brandon Roy in return.

Portland struck again this year, sending 13th pick Brandon Rush, and a couple other fools to Indiana in return for one of those "electrifying" combo guards, Jerryd Bayless.

Portland was on the mild side this year but it was Indy who kept on deal. The Pacers were finally able to ship Jermain O'Neal out of town. They found the perfect match for his decaying body too in the decaying franchise in Toronto. In return Indy received point guard TJ Ford and finally seem committed to a youth movement (read: Eastern Conference cellar dwellers for years to come).

In the same way that every gold telecast centers around Tiger Woods (even though he's out with an injury) the biggest trade of the day centered around LeBron James (even though he, and his team, were not involved). Of course, I refer to the Fightin' Jay-Z's dealing Richard Jefferson to the city where players go to die, Milwaukee. Jersey Brooklyn get back the president of the Yao Ming fan club, Yi Jianlian, and a player who masquerades for a legit NBA star, Bobby Simmons. Most importantly though, the Nets free up cap space and the three so maybe, just maybe, James could be persuaded to join in 2010. I'm sure he'll relish the opportunity to play along side a stick figure and the man who makes passes disappear, Vince Carter.

So the 2008 NBA draft was an eventful one. All-Stars were traded, freshman dominated and about four legitimate prospects were taken. Good times were had by all. The best part? I spent the evening with my family.