Blake Murphy Sports Writing

Title: Live Blog – Trev and Blake on the NBA Draft
Date: June 29, 2012
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: Like we did in 2008, my friend Trev and I Live-Chatted during the NBA Draft. It’s a bit ugly to read through because of the lazy formatting, but there is some good discussion in there.

Trev and I had planned to do a more traditional Live Blog together, but being on crutches prevented me from joining Trev in Toronto. Instead, we used G-Chat to facilitate our discussion. I was going to tidy it up, but it’s about 7000 words and I don’t have that kind of patience. So, comb through and enjoy. Hopefully it looks better in retrospect than our 2008 instalment.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Right from jump street we are already going to have to agree to disagree

6:40 PM

I, for one, think that our 2008 Draft Recap is amazing in retrospect

me: hahaha

before we get going

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Granted, in this case I think amazing = hilarious

6:41 PM

me: so….this chat won’t delete old messages right? so if we just keep typing, i can copy and paste at the end, no need to maintain as we go?

Yes, for quick review – amazing = hilarious = Bayless over Westbrook = embarrassing.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: That is my understanding

me: Beauty.

6:42 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!topic/google-talk-gadget/B8hisZyCF7s

As a point of reference

me: Perfect.

6:43 PM

Alright then….I say we get going. Might as well start with Raptors-related…give me your top-3 for the Raps, given who you think might be available.

6:44 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Ahh yes, it is that time of year again – the day I get to have my hopes and dreams for next season crushed with the realization of exactly how far away our Raps are from being a real Playoffs team

me: Keep in mind Jonas Valanciunas is coming as well, and multiple non-Raptor sources have confirmed he’d be a near-consensus #2 if he were in the draft this year.

6:45 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: My sense is that, short of some kind of flux that sees a major move (i.e. Houston making a play for Howard) the Top 5 will be Davis, Beal, Robinson, Barnes and MKG in some order.

So, with that as a baseline, what I would absolutely love is for us to package Ed “It’s a Process” Davis with the #8 to make a play to move up to 4 or 5 in order to get MKG, who has multiple All-Star games in his future and would fit perfectly into Casey’s Pound the Rock philosophy and culture.

Let’s assume that doesn’t happen though, because it would be too incredible and we as city can’t ever have nice things.

My guess is that if they are serious about bringing in Nash, they would Amnesty Jose’s last year (or look to move him for spare parts without taking on cap space), which would mean they would want a pupil to learn under Nash for 2 or 3 years.

If Lillard is still there at 8 (not guaranteed but possible) that seems like a smart decision, but it would hinge on knowing Steve is coming and having a succession plan in place.

If Drummond falls to 8, I could see BC then being able to trade down and pick up assets, since the potential he represents would outweigh the risk for a team like Houston, who might throw us one of their 1st and a valuable role guy. I’d then be okay with bringing in Perry or Terrence Jones, on the assumption you can move either Davis or Amir, since we don’t need all of those ‘long’ bigs stealing minutes from Jonas, who should immediately be the most important guy on the team.

6:47 PM

So, in summary:

Dream: MKG

Hope: Lillard or Waiters

Acceptance: Moving down for one of the Joneses

Fear: Rivers or Lamb (or Barnes, who is Kryptonite to me after 2 underachieving years in Chapel Hill)

6:48 PM

me: Sounds good. One note on the PG front – I LOVE Lillard and outside of moving up for MKG, he’s my top choice. With that said, Eric Koreen from National Post just tweeted that Bayless is in the process of buying a place in TO….so, either he’s tapped in to the Raptors draft plans, has a very low risk-aversion, or…well, I don’t know if he’d know anything about Jose plans, but let’s just say I hope he waits until tomorrow to sign papers officially.

6:50 PM

As for my choices, obviously MKG would be the best fit…with no franchise-alpha-scorer available, getting the best all-around player, one with extremely high character to boot, is the best case scenario. Short of Jonas, I’d be willing to make just about any kind of deal to move up and take him…but alas, it seems unlikely given the rumoured asking prices for picks #2-4.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Maybe he just wants a crash pad here so that when he comes back for Caribana weekend?

6:51 PM

me: Stefanski just told Devlin’s Hair that their draft list is now up to 4 names instead of 3….based on previous conjecture, I’d say it’s Lillard, Waiters, Barnes, and Rivers…

6:52 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I just heard Sefanski on TSN2 say that they have 4 guys on their board that they would be happy with and that they will get one of those 4 and be happy with them…if 2 of those 4 are Rivers and Lamb, just kill me now.

Look at that

me: Appears we’re watching the same channel.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Nice to see we both have the same allergic reaction to the notion of Rivers being our pick here

6:53 PM

me: Yup, as we texted earlier, his basketball IQ and desire to be great COULD be the asset that makes him great, but it also makes him a huge risk to be a chemistry-killer….he aint Kobe, but it feels like someone will need to hammer that home for him.

6:55 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Why does it look like Mario is the only one not doing anything in that room?

6:56 PM

I’m willing to chalk that up to everyone else at the table just ‘trying to look busy with the cameras on and typing away on their laptops for no reason whatsoever’

6:57 PM

me: Is it blasphemy that TSN carries the NBA Draft or what? I’d totally expect the Raptors pick to be interrupted for a breaking rumour on the Luongo trade front…

6:58 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: As for Rivers – I appreciate the school of thought that says his confidence will drive him to be great, but I also think his lack of explosiveness and height prevents him from being anything close to a star 2, and his poor decision-making with the ball and lack of handle prevents him from being a credible threat to be a 1 in the League

6:59 PM

Don’t jinx it – there is still a 50% chance that they break in to do a 90 minute special on Sid new contract

me: 8.7M/year, like anyone didn’t see that coming.

No really flashy outfits in the green room, though I did see a green bow-tie.

7:00 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Snaptake based on 5 seconds of footage – Robinson wins “Best Dressed”

Zeller wins “Happiest to Be in the Green Room”

7:01 PM

me: And who has the longest wait? I’d say Zeller’s a risk depending on who the Rockets trade their picks too…seems like the type GMs would be very split on.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I suppose my award doubles as the same thing

7:02 PM

me: BTW sorry once again for not making it in person….ankle is still in poor condition.

7:03 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Between that and screwing me over in the Fantasy-Trade-That-Shall-Not-Be-Discussed, its been a bad day all-around

7:04 PM

me: That’s what I get for wrestling for rebounds with people much bigger than myself.

So since Davis goes #1 in about a half hour….how do you envision MJ screwing up the #2 situation?

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Good to have JVG up there; always nice to see some considered and intelligent analysis

As opposed to, you know, Stephen A. or Skip Bayless

7:05 PM

me: Don’t get me started….tell me you saw Cuban give it to Skip the other day?

7:06 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I did indeed; Cuban is such an enigma for me – sometimes I love him, and otherwise I can’t stand him in the least…this time it is the former though

7:07 PM

me: Yeah, Bayless needed to be put in his place. And could use it a few more times, too.

7:08 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Why is Andy Katz standing full two feet in front of Bucher? It looks like he is trying to check him off the podium

me: Trying to even out the height discrepancy, I would assume?

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: And at first glance it doesn’t look like there is enough space up there for the two of them

I want some kind of Feats of Strength to fight to the death to liven up the 2nd round

7:09 PM

me: Regarding the Cavs/Cats/Wiz situation…WIz blowing smoke that they’ll nab T-Rob from ‘Cats at 3 if the Cats deal #2 to Cavs so they get Beal….wordiness aside, this is a ridiculous way to operate your team, right? Take your guy, you don’t draft someone to spite another team..

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I want JVG’s comment to show up in a graphic later in a team summary when the #2 pick is up- “Bobcats – Needs: Everything”

7:10 PM

I sort of agree, except that Wash has so many holes that it doesn’t really matter

7:11 PM

They can use T-Rob too

So, even if it seems like spite, its not a bad pick

By the way, Jay loves that stat about The Brow blowing more jumpers than Sully blocked overall shots

It’s the third time I’ve heard him say that in the last 2 days

7:12 PM

Granted, that may just be a result of A) him being put on TV way too much

And B) guys like you and I consuming way too much analysis in prep for tonight

me: Agreed in basketball terms, but it’s Grunfeld, so I doubt he’s thought it through further than “man, screw those guys.”

7:14 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: The Brow’s “Who doesn’t love money?” is the clubhouse leader for quote of the night

me: His embracing of The Brow is a great sign for his marketability as a star and franchise guy

7:16 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: What is his ceiling? I’ve seen people saying his Pro Comp is a young KG – doesn’t that seem like a bit much? As much as I like him, I just don’t see the same athleticism or explosiveness that made KG a true offensive threat in Minni

7:17 PM

Best case, whose career does he have? Worse case?

me: I don’t think you can ever say someone’s ceiling is “one of the best 2 PFs of all time”…it’s almost always going to be hyperbole. I think the bigger draw with him is that his floor is extremely high. Sure, he COULD be KG, but there’s been 1 or 2 players at KG’s level ever, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

7:19 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I agree completely – I really like him, I just don’t view his ceiling as being as high as that. But he is a franchise guy, no doubt, and I only think there are 1 or 2 of those in this Draft. Which is only because of how much I love MKG and think he can change a culture immediately.

7:21 PM

me: I’d kill for MKG…he has every tool that is unteachable, and his weaknesses are of the utmost coach ability. Shooting mechanics can be corrected, “motor” can not….it boggles my mind that MJ apparently wasn’t excited by MKG.

7:24 PM

Apparently Cavs moving to #2 for 4 & 24, which would take Beal off the board. Ford thinks Wiz would then take Barnes…meaning MKG could last out of top-5…

7:28 PM

Thought – Gregg Poppovich paid off doctors to spread panic about Sully’s back so they can swing Blair for a pick in the #20 range and nab him.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Would that be because Sully “has some Nasty”?

7:29 PM

I think Pop is planning to bring in a bunch of Euro bigs that they have been stashing overseas for the last few years and needs the roster space

7:30 PM

And yes, the fact that I can’t be any more specific about who those bigs are than “a bunch of Euro bigs” is very 2002 of me, and a bit sad. Sue me.

me: Whatever, anyone who knows them will know what you mean, and anyone who doesn’t won’t care. 0 risk assessment.

7:32 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Plus I feel like that might be what Pop actually calls them when he is talking to RC Buford

“Get those Euro bigs over here”

me: Ford just updated his mock to reflect rumoured Cavs/Cats swap…MKG falls all the way to 7, not 6 😦

7:33 PM

Wow, Stern with a tongue-in-cheek intro haha “thank you for that warm welcome”

7:36 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “Are you not entertained!?!?”

7:37 PM

me: Davis story re: growth spurt after being bred as a guard….you are bitter that you never got said growth spurt even though that was your plan. Admit it.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Single tear

7:39 PM

me: Ok #2….if you were the Cavs and had moved up here, would you not still be tempted to get MKG, the ultimate #2 and Kyrie’s high school teammate? And how bad is this chat going to look in 2016 if MKG turns out to be a dud?

7:42 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Worst case for us in 2016 is if Drummond is really Amare 2.0

Then we (and all the GMs) look like idiots

7:43 PM

me: I don’t agree with that, though…if EVERY team is saying he’s risky, then in retrospect it shouldn’t look that bad to have passed.

With #2 pick Bobcats take MKG….wow! They made the right pick!! Unbelievable…or it’s been dealt..

7:44 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Do they keep him though>

Or was it for someone else?

me: That’s what I’m wondering…Ford was relatively certain he wasn’t #1 on Bobcats board.

7:46 PM

How much swag is Coach Cal walking around with right now? Does he even have to recruit anymore?

7:47 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Well, he won’t have to…until the title get vacated in 3 years for recruiting violations and he leaves in disgrace

Too soon?

7:48 PM

me: And Beal goes to Washington at #3.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Beal and Wall – that is a nice start for a young team

me: No no, not too soon…it’s possible, but he probably let Shabazz go to UCLA just so he could say “hey look I don’t get everyone!”

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: And Nene is a solid post guy there

Now, they have absolutely nothing else

But still

7:49 PM

me: Yes, too bad they blew their cap flexibility adding Okafor and Nene

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Well, I think getting Okafor will help their young guys “learn to be professionals”

If that makes sense

7:50 PM

Sidebar – yet another of Jay’s favorite lines this week – comparing Beal at 18 to Jesus Shuttlesworth at 18 and not mid-prime Ray.

me: Cavs going to take Barnes here with their top guys off the board?

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Yes, Jay, we know you aren’t saying he is already better than Ray was at his peak

me: Haha great comparison, and probably more fair since, like the Davis/KG comps, Allen is the best shooter of all time…that can’t EVER be someone’s player comp.

7:51 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Re: Cavs – I think so. As Simmons enjoyed killing Chad Ford about, Barnes is boys with Irving, so that would be a nice tandem. Those two plus Tristan is like a poor man’s OKC from three years ago

7:52 PM

Shout out to my guy Chris Broussard – I want to rename every fantasy team I run to be called “Knucklehead Factor”

me: Very poor, yes. Homeless, even. But still a nice core, and with two more picks before 35 tonight.

7:53 PM

I would just like to point out here – #4 is still a best player available spot. Yes, Cavs have Tristan, but their only other big is Varejao, and the bevy of bigs certainly doesn’t seem to be an issue for teams like Utah with teams lining up for post players.

7:54 PM

And the Cavs take Dion Waiters at #4

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: WHAT!

“You crazy for that one Jay”

me: Bit of a shocker there, but it helps the Raptors in terms of how the next few picks could now break down.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Put this in Comic Sans – that is a BAD pick

For that team

me: As a Barnes hater….do you like this? Can his penetration game play well with Kyrie, who is a strong shooter?

7:56 PM

And T-Rob goes to the Kings at #5, as he should….that’s a beastly post duo they’ve got there now.

7:57 PM

Barnes is going to slide Trev…

7:59 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I think Barnes with Kyrie would have been excellent

Even if Barnes made me insane as a Tar Heel

So I don’t really get the Waiters pick

8:00 PM

But maybe that is a good combo in the backcourt

The Kings can’t be keeping this, can they?

me: Just want to point out here before we move too far – we saw Waiters twice in the tourney, and he didn’t stick out to me at ALL, and I was actively looking for him. He also comes off like a spoiled brat in interviews.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Maybe they will, but I feel like him and Boogie Cousins have the same strengths and weaknesses

me: Kings keep it for sure…T-Rob and Cousins is a beastly duo

8:01 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Maybe you are right

I just see them as getting in each other’s way

Maybe if they had a real 1 it wouldn’t matter

But as they are built right now they have no one to give either of them the ball

8:02 PM

Regardless, I love T-Rob – as a story, as a player, as a role model, etc.

And I stand by the “Best Dressed” call from earlier – my guy looks good

me: Yeah, I think they’re next move will to be to get a PG. He does look good.

They could probably flip Tyreke and a future 1st for Lowry if the Rockets are still stockpiling assets.

8:03 PM

Pruiti – “they’re going to beat guys up, but offensively one of them has to develop a jumper”…fair enough.

8:04 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: That is a fair assessment – I just worry they will run into each other a lot

But maybe if they get someone to set them up it won’t matter

8:05 PM

me: Blazers taking Lillard at #6…Raptors are either going to be forced to take Barnes at 8, or if he goes to GSW, they’ll be the first team to reach into the next tier (other than Cleveland…uhh…)

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Also, the fact that Tyreke was ROY and that you would need to include a 1st to move him for Lowry is a joke

8:06 PM

me: Agreed, but it just goes to show what you can do playing on an awful team that nobody watches…just get your numbers. I don’t know if he’ll ever be a 20-5-5 guy again but he’s clearly better than he showed the last two years.

8:08 PM

Barnes to Warriors at #7…Raps on the clock, taking Drummond or reaching into the Lamb/Rivers tier.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Agreed – I didn’t mean it as a shot at Evans, more at the notion that his value could go down so quickly for no real reason other than having too many knuckleheads around him

8:09 PM

me: Knucklehead Factor

Quickly – what do you do here as Raps? Roll the dice on Drummond, reach into the 2-guard tier, or quickly work the phones?

8:10 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: My feed seems to be way behind here – I still have GSW on the clock

me: They are, I’m getting the pick via Twitter

8:11 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Well then I don’t feel so dumb for asking

I think you take Drummond and try to move him

me: Now it’s official. So go ahead and answer, we’ve got 5min to disect

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I don’t want Lamb or Rivers

It looks more and more like Rivers

…Shoot me now.

8:12 PM

Make it clean, I don’t want to suffer

me: Let’s go Drummond, and if we can’t move him, roll the dice with him and Jonas as a power-duo? If we go 2s, I’ll take Lamb.

8:14 PM

Twitter is saying Rivers will be the pick. expletives edited….sigh.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Stop jumping ahead

You are the kid that opens presents on Christmas Eve

me: Sorry bro….I will cut that out. It’s only one source reporting, hopefully they’re wrong.

8:15 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Oh, I believe it

I am just lashing out because I’m annoyed

I don’t want to spend a moment of my life actively cheering for Austin Rivers

me: I am strictly an xmas morning guy, for the record. Just happen to have Twitter open permanently tonight….I’m wondering if there are a lot of trades still being negotiated. I read Bobcats “probably” will keep MKG.

8:16 PM

if Rivers goes to Tor here, I say we just spend the rest of this chat selling ourselves on him.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Chad Ford has a pick here

Not sure if it is true

But if it is, it makes no sense

8:17 PM

me: Terrence Ross. Woah.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: yeah

Um…I guess?

me: I did NOT see this coming..

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “Not…a…bad…pick” says Broussard

Ouch

8:18 PM

me: At least he can shoot….and wears bow ties.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Never good to be in the position as the first pick that the panel says “I’m surprised”

8:19 PM

Or “This is a little bit early”

That usually doesn’t point to a ‘steal’ of a pick

me: I honestly feel like we’re going to finish this blog up tonight and wake up tomorrow and have to throw it out because there were a lot of trades. However….who knows, can Ross play the three rather than being a large two?

8:20 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Maybe they look at playing Drea at the 3, Amir and Jonas as the 4/5, and have two 2’s, hoping Nash can feed everybody?

8:21 PM

Fran loves that he got to do something, by the way

He has next to nothing to do until the 2nd round tonight

me: Maybe….I really don’t like the idea of putting a plan in place on the long-shot you can get Nash though. Yes, Fran loves him, but Hollinger hates him.

8:22 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I hate Hollinger

So we are even

Not that Fran know what he is talking about always

But it is just worth saying

me: Fair. That’s a condo for another day I guess, on Hollinger.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I am not a Hollinger guy – at all

8:23 PM

Bold and capitalize that

me: Drummond to Detroit…and they, too now, could have a devastating post-duo….IF Drummond wants them too. Huge IF.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: If I never have to read him or Henry Abbot again it will be too soon

Andre could be special

or ‘special’

8:24 PM

That is a bit of a cheap shot, but dude looks like he is totally lost sometimes. Yet he also looks like an All-World big half the time, so who the hell knows

8:26 PM

me: You can;t teach size….it’s a serious cliche, but for a reason. The guy has all the physical tools you could ask for. He’s a beast. “Million dollar arm, 5 cent brain” of basketball.

8:28 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Why’s he calling me meat? I’m the one driving a Porsche.

me: Rivers to NO. Twitter loves him paired with Gordon but, uhh…who is passing who the ball?

BTW Raptors confirm they’ll keep Ross.

8:29 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I don’t mind keeping Ross

I just pray we get an answer as to what we are doing at 1

Do we keep Jose?

Do we get Nash?

8:30 PM

me: DraftExpress guy just tweeted that he had lunch with Ross’ agent yesterday and he never mentioned TO as a possibility. Weird.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I can’t see bringing back Bayless and Jose as a real plan if they expect to be any good

Maybe BC played it close to the chest?

me: Well, we won’t know that answer until at least Sunday….nothing Nash can be broached “officially” until July 1.

8:31 PM

So maybe Jose+Bayless is strictly the backup plan, but by not saying anything yet they keep that option open if Nash falls through. And then if Nash signs, you have 2nd week of July to amnesty, or renounce JBay’s rights.

8:32 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: As for NOH – I like the foundation of Gordon, Davis and Austin as a decent re-set considering just last summer they had CP and a bunch of scraps

me: Oh, same, winning the lottery will do that for you. But it’s an unconventional core to start with…Maybe Rivers can embrace the PG duties though.

8:33 PM

Doubt it, but maybe.

8:34 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I’d expect them to try and get Collison back from Indy maybe

Or something to that effect

8:35 PM

me: Heard that rumour, too, but it involved picks.

Meyers Leonard to Por at 11, giving them Leonard and Lillard to go with Batum and Aldridge in the “retool not rebuild”.

8:36 PM

BTW I could see a Henson slide right here. Not sure where he fits since Det passed from Drummond.

8:37 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I like Portland’s commitment to culture

They want “good guys”

And want to build with character

Which I appreciate

It may not net them anything

8:38 PM

And they don’t get any extra points for being idealists

But its a nice notion

me: Could Leonard have gone top-10 if his ESPN picture wasn’t so goofy? Hard to take him seriously. BTW, Cavs are trying to swing Varejao for Barnes to give them Kyrie/Barnes/Waiters

8:39 PM

Yeah Portland is obviously still shook from Jailblazers year…it’s a nice tiebreaker, and I don’t think they’ve made any serious reaches here, so you can’t argue.

8:42 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: If that Cavs can make that happen then shame on GSW

me: And Lamb to “Houston” in pick 1 of 3 on the evening

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: That would be a bad trade if it is straight up

8:43 PM

Odds he plays a game for Houston?

8:45 PM

me: 40/60. Don’t forget there’s a chance he plays if the Magic want to test the waters until the trade deadline. They’re just asset piling, time frame might not be as big a consideration.

Lamb/KevMart obviously don’t fit together in any conceivable way.

8:46 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Maybe

8:47 PM

Except those guys’ value goes down every game they play I think, unless they break out

In June and July, they look great

Once they are out on the floor, they are just another role player with potential

me: This is true, especially if they don’t fit together.

8:48 PM

I would really love Nash in TO, since Bucher is talking about it by the way…I know it’s not a title team at all, but let’s have some fun.

Kendall to Phoenix at 13….Nash is out the door, it seems. Marshall the first draftee not in the Green Room.

8:49 PM

Another tangential note – Casey: “Terrence is an excellent shooter who can run the floor and can defend.”

8:53 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Interesting

me: I feel like you might have ducked out on me for some cardio, but Bucks take Henson at #14. They need bigs, and he’s got large potential.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Maybe Ross is a better defender than we expect

Better fit for “Pound the Rock”

me: True.

ESPN all over the Nash to TO angle right now.

8:54 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Yes, I am running stairs in a trash bag

Sorry

me: No problem man…no agony, no bragony.

8:55 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: (For the record, I am not actually doing that – I am drinking “Boneshaker IPA” in front of the TV alone. Very much not the same thing)

8:56 PM

As for Henson – I am very “meh” about that pick. Its not bad at all, but it doesn’t really excite me if I am a Bucks fan

me: Nice man…I mixed and match individual cans today…had an Urquell (Pilsner, not Stephan), a Cameron craft lager, and now a Cracked Canoe.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: He is a very forgettable-but-solid prospect

8:57 PM

Not unlike Brandon Wright

me: We’re into the ‘forgettable but solid’ part of the draft…it’ll pick up again when we hit White/Sully and the stat-geek favorites

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: True

Nothing is worse than 12-19

Then 20-27 is usually very interesting

8:58 PM

Before it just becomes a gong-show from that point on

me: That’s exactly why you never want to be a perennial 1st-round exit team. Oh wait, that’s our goal in Raptorland? Shiiiiiii…

Yes, I’ll assume we’ll shut this down after 1st round? I’ll throw in some 2nd round comments on my own maybe, so we’re not here until midnight talking about guys we know nothing about.

8:59 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I like that plan

As much as I would like to sit here and mock Fran some more

9:00 PM

me: Harkless to Philly….not a good sign for prima donna potential when he demands a name change on draft day from Mo to Maurice.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “What do you think of this pick, Jeff?” “I think they caught a break when Rose got hurt”

9:01 PM

Way to stay on topic JVG

Maybe he just felt like he wanted to be viewed as a grown-ass man, which “Mo” doesn’t really signal

9:02 PM

me: True…Mo reminds me of the weirdo friend from Smart GUy on Family that went on to be the crackhead on Playmakers.

Too obscure?

9:03 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Also, I love the analysis Jay just gave around “At this stage of the draft, if you like the guy, TAKE him. Who cares if it is “5 picks too soon” – it is eye of the beholder”. Completely agree with that kind of thinking at this point in the 1st round

9:04 PM

me: Definitely….”best player available” refers to the top 2-3 tiers depending on the draft year…once you get into those larger, interchangeable tiers, you do what you want. Sure, you try to trade down if there’s a taker, but just get your guy, don’t let other GMs tell you who you should take where.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Well, not so obscure that I don’t get it, but I think that 98% of the populous might be lost

9:05 PM

me: Thoughts on Houston here? Zeller still there but Royce White seems like a Morey type…

And boom…Royce White. Much earlier than anticipated. I LOVE this guy….anxiety-goggles on? Maybe, but he could be very good.

9:06 PM

I know the Rockets are stockpiling assets, but the Royce White pick seems like a ‘keeper’ since his value was a little lower than 16.

9:07 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I was about to say

As much as we were saying “Get your guy” – it is hard to support this pick entirely

Especially when we have no idea what their team will look like

me: Possible Boston dealt 21&22 for this pick?

9:08 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Did Chris just compare White to LBJ?

me: Yes he did…

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “Come on now!”

me: Somebody call his momma.

9:09 PM

Is White actually gonna be a steal? Or am I blinded by his story and our shared condition?

9:10 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Well, I think he could be a solid pro

But I don’t know that he really has a position at this level

Maybe that doesn’t matter, but to me it would be worrisome

9:11 PM

me: Fair. Mavs dealing this pick to Cavs according to Chad Ford. Zeller is the pick. No clue what the price was though, so tough to evaluate.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: So apparently Zeller is getting traded to the Cavs?

Same pag

I love Zeller’s motor – he can run the floor better than any big I’ve seen in years

9:12 PM

That gives him a specific skill to build on

Not sure he is a pro-level athlete, but we will see

I still sort of like the pick

me: He should be a good fit in the open-floor with Kyrie….I would have thought Cleveland would want to go more D-oriented, but ESPn just corrected me and said he’s a good defender.

9:13 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Also, in that “The Zeller Three” picture, Tyler looks like he is 12 years old

me: 17 is much later than he was pegged to go. Cavs dealt 24+33+34 for the pick, so a steep price.

Mavs obviously wanting to keep their salary commitments low while filling multiple holes.

9:14 PM

Maybe a Euro-stash at 24, and then 2nd round picks are non-guaranteed deals…

9:15 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I like the move for both teams though

9:16 PM

If you can get a top-12 prospect for the 24-34-34, I think you do it; and conversely, Zeller would not have helped Dallas, so taking a few flier is a good move

9:17 PM

me: Agreed, and the ability to stash Fournier at 24 has to be enticing for them in their cap-clearing goals.

Houston’s 3rd pick…Lamb, White, and ___

BTW I just suggested a stash of Fournier for Dallas to Hollinger, and he said “Excellent call.”…so feel free to disagree.

9:18 PM

Houston take Terrence Jones, who I am a big fan of…Lamb, White, and Jones gives them a 2-3-4 in this draft, so if they can’t move the picks at least they have some semblance of a roster.

9:19 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: No, I like that idea in principal a great deal…now, the fact that Hollinger likes it…maybe I need to rethink things

My one-word reaction to the Jones pick is “…Sure”

9:20 PM

Why not – seems good to me

me: So, with the Rockets making these picks…does it seem more likely they keep the picks and try to deal Scola+Lowry+Martin for a “star”…or what?

It would let them keep a cap-conscious core around 1 or 2 big-money players. Although if the Magic take a Martin-Scola-Lowry deal, they’re crazy.

9:22 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Well, I am still holding out hope that LAL can move Pau for JSmoove and then package Ron and Bynum for Dwight

So I am actively rooting against Dork Elvis

me: Damn. Now that’s a scenario.

Magic take Canadian Nicholson at 19…not huge upside, but definitely a rotation player. Big body, fundamentally sound.

9:23 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Physics!

me: Unbelievable…Physics AND Canadian!

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “Long-armed” Jay tells us

9:24 PM

I don’t know what his career will be like, but I am just happy for this guy – everything I’ve seen of him suggests he is a great guy

me: Hopefully he’s on board with Team Canada

9:25 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: This era of Canadian kids is primed to be something really special if they all commit to playing in the summer

Like, “legitimate threat to medal” special

Not in two years maybe, but in four year, for sure

me: Absolutely…you’d really hope that Nash as GM improves the level of buy-in from the young kids. Nicholson, Joseph(s), Tristan, Kabongo…

9:26 PM

Wiggins

9:27 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: The Wiggins hype is unbelievable

me: Hollinger and I can shove it…Nuggets swoop in to take Fournier at 20

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: If you buy it, our dude will be the #1 Overall in two years

9:28 PM

me: Obviously expectations should be tempered…I refer you to Ivan Cheriaev as Exhibit A. But it’s definitely reason for optimism, both for the national team and profile of Canadian ball.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Evan looks like he should be playing for Portugal futbal team, not for the Nuggets

9:29 PM

me: Love that he showed up without a Green Room invite, because “of course I’m gonna be there”

Celtics with two picks here….White and Nicholson were targets that are off the board. I’m predicting Sullinger and rolling the dice on PJ3

9:30 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I want to make a “French” joke here but I can’t think of anything that makes sense…dammit

Ugh, I don’t think I think taht

It might be the plan

9:31 PM

But I don’t know that “Big Baby with better rebounding and a worse back” is something to be excited about

me: They’d have to think their strong culture would help PJ3 reach his potential. And Sullinger…well, they need “help-now” bigs and there are few, if any, remaining. I’d say Quincy is a possibility, too.

9:32 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Looks like Sully is the pick here

Not sure what is up with Perry – his knee must be a serious problem

9:33 PM

me: Knee, motor, etc…maybe he’ll slip to 37.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “Knows how to play” should be a blog name

9:34 PM

me: Podcast name?

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Not ours

me: Or have we officially switched heard from PTBNL to Knucklehead Factor

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: But – “as a Podcast name, it has great upside potential”

I think it is still PTBNL

me: Sullinger is the pick at #21, btw, though there were no doubts there.

9:35 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: With Knucklehead Factor as a recurring segment

Ala “Cmon Man” on Sunday Morning Countdown

me: I like PTBNL….Two Plus the Fowl and Knucklehead Factor as recurring segments haha

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Agreed

9:36 PM

We are half way home now every episode

me: We should discuss more in a new chat once we close off Round 1. Not sure if you saw my “pics and ideas” email.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: A talking duck and a Brussard reference = automatic downloads

me: Beauty.

9:37 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Andy was way to excited about that cut-in considering how useless his analysis was

me: “SULLLLLLLY” – all of Boston, per Trey Kerby. Great joke. Jimmy Fallon will be stealing that tonight.

9:38 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: The Town, Part 2 – Starring Sully and Brad-s

9:41 PM

Starring “Sully Sullinger”

me: So the Celtics get Sully and Melo….obviously solve their lack of bigs, but they can’t come out of this draft thrilled. Things definitely could have gone better for them.

9:46 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Yes, but they could have gone worse too

They need Ray to come back now though

Other than Bradley they don’t have anyone else on the wing

me: I really thought they should have swung for more upside with one of those picks. That’s the value of having two a lot of the time.

9:47 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Don’t underestimate Danny’s faith in himself being the smartest guy in the room, always

And feeling like he can get two steals instead of one guy

9:48 PM

me: ATL passes on an all-Teague backcourt for John Jenkins. Floor spacer to be their swing off the bench.

9:51 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: That is an interesting pick, definitely. I don’t really like the way their roster is built, but that isn’t anything new

9:52 PM

me: New GM, making a safe pic while he evaluates what he has….and then hoping to bury Joe Johnson somewhere.

9:53 PM

Mavs take Cunningham at #24, and the Twitters say they’re keeping him, not moving him. Quite the scorer and a good defender. Was listed to Raps at 36 by Ford as a big potential steal in last Mock.

9:55 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: He is a heck of an athlete – if they can turn him into a real 1 that would be very interesting

me: BTW there is essentially 0 risk in taking PJ3 at this point….this is now into “ridiculous upside potential” range late in the first, for a guy who earlier in the year was a top-10 projection.

Next few picks are Mem, Ind, Mia…not sure any would roll the dice. OKC maybe? Can’t see G-State passing at 30.

9:56 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: If I were Memphis I would take PJ3 and trade Rudy to Houston

If for no reason other than to get the hell away from Rudy’s contract

9:57 PM

me: Fair…but I doubt they will without an assurance they can move Gay.

I know OKC seemed set to take a ‘help-now’ player, doesn’t it seem a Presti thing to pounce on a talent slipping so far?

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Right, but I would call Darryl right now and ask for his best offer

9:58 PM

me: True…Memphis could use the depth, too.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I think if PJ3 is healthy he could be the kind of athlete that can contribute to OKC – tremendous athlete

9:59 PM

me: There is going to be some talent available at #37 for Toronto.

10:00 PM

Wroten’s Mental Makeup goes to Memphis at 25

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Well played, sir. I enjoyed that

10:01 PM

“Can improve on his decision making and work ethic” is always a nice way of saying “Knucklehead”

#KnuckleheadFactor!

10:02 PM

me: Obvious tools for him, but his mental makeup was more heavily questioned than Drummond and PJ3 until he slipped so low in mocks and everyone kind of ignored it.

Ind, Mia, OKC, Chi, GS are our last 5 picks BTW

10:03 PM

4 of those teams will be taking the help-now type, while GS can swing for the fences.

PJ3, Quincy, Teague, Green, Moultrie, Barton all still out there

10:04 PM

Indy takes Plumlee from Duke…I’m sure you hate this pick. Big athlete, 0 production…low-upside but can probably bang out a career as a body.

10:05 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Plumlee is a “tremendous athlete?”

Really?

me: He tested off the charts at the Combine.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Maybe it just doesn’t translate to his actual game on the floor

But he never put the fear of God into me as an athlete

10:06 PM

me: Yeah, I don’t see him as anything more than a body…too many better players out there still for this pick.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: But according to Bilas, he overthinks things and should just let his athletic talent take over

So what do I know….don’t answer that

10:07 PM

me: Think the Heat jump on Draymond Green here, as had been long speculated before he moved up mocks? Instant contributor, high ball-IQ, no position but the Heat don’t care about your “positions”.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Great Heat highlight package guys

That was Amateur Hour 101

10:08 PM

I like what JVG is thinking here with moving Bosh to 5, Bron at 4 and PJ3 at the 3

10:09 PM

me: David Stern is hilarious. He IS Vince McMahon

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “NO CHANCE!”

#TheCorporateChampion

me: and at #27 the Heat take Arnett Moutlrie…gives them a big who can score a bit…seems a bit of a head case but has some talent for sure

10:10 PM

Annnd Chad Ford indicates the pick will be dealt to the 76ers

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Fran loved contributing to the “Wingspan” game

10:11 PM

me: Heat get a future 1st and pick #45 for Moultrie there by the way

Feels like the Heat could have used a contributor there.

10:12 PM

So OKC…gets interesting here. Mocks had them in on Fournier (gone) or Jeff Taylor (slipped), but like I said earlier, it’s a Presti move to capitalize on the slide and take PJ3 here.

10:13 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Yes, but the new tax is an issue if Miller isn’t going to retire and get off their books

me: They still hold their Amnesty though, do they not? I know it’s some cash savings but it’s only about a $1.2M cap hold at 26, I think…barely more than a minimum.

10:14 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Does Chris know that Maynor could just come back?

Or am I wrong there?

10:15 PM

There you go

I really like that pick

Amazing value at 28

me: Yes, he’s due back for training camp I believe. Luckiyl, Presti doesn’t listen to Chris and take PJ3, as we hypothesized about a half hour ago. Unbelievable value, even with injury concerns.

10:16 PM

Even with cap/luxury issues two years from now, Jones is basically on a near-minimum deal for three years now….and again, huge upside if their culture can coax it out of him.

10:17 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: All they need him to be in the 8th guy on that team – which I think is exactly what he could do

And if he somehow blows up? Maybe you feel better about moving Harden after next year and signing Sege to a long term deal

I am getting ahead of myself, of course, but just thinking here

10:18 PM

me: And you hope that sliding that far humbles him enough to turn the motor concerns around, as well.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Move Harden for pieces to get back some cap space and keep Ibaka

me: Bulls will probably take a shooter here at 29, by the way…nothing else makes sense, unless they want to grab a spot-starting PG to fill in while Rose recovers.

10:19 PM

I think it’s premature to discuss moving Harden, but that’s a condo for another day I think, since we didn’t do a post-Finals email chain.

10:20 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I’m not saying move Harden tomorrow

I just think it is something real to consider

Given how he did in the Finals and the very-real cap problem he might create

me: Absolutely, a sacrifice a small market club has to consider with the new punitive taxes. Just meant we could discuss further later.

10:21 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Granted, James Worthy had an awful Finals once and almost got dealt, and then all he did was go and become “Big Game James”, so who really knows

Understandable

Will leave it for another day

me: Yes, just early. Lukcily they’ve got another year to figure it out before a decision is necessary.

10:22 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: VERY interesting pick here

me: Bulls take Teague as a fill-in for D-Rose during his recovery. Strong value there, though the book was that he probably isn;t ready to contribute immediately.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Mini/poor man’s DRose

I don’t think he is half the player Rose is

10:23 PM

But his speed means they don’t have to completely change the way they play

me: Good point on the style of play.

10:24 PM

One more pick for the first round and our live blog/chat.

Warriors on the clock…I’ll predict Quincy goes here.

10:25 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: How about Greene? Or even Ezeli?

10:26 PM

Or Lamb?

me: Green doesn’t seem like a GS pick. Too savvy.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Haha, “That seems like it makes too much sense for GSW”, basically

10:27 PM

me: At #30 the Warriors round out the 1st round with Festus Ezeli…not sure I care at this point, mostly because it’s the Warriors.

“I’d like to thank all of you for your wonderful enthusiasm” – Stern to Prudential Center

Great way to end it….then Adam Silver gets a massive cheer haha

“NO CHAAAAAANCE”

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: “YOU’RRRRRRE FIRRRRREED”

10:28 PM

The only way that would have been better is if Stern left with Vince’s swagger-walk

10:29 PM

me: So quickly before we shut it down, the Raptors pick in 7 spots with some of the following still on the board: Quincy, Draymond, Barton, TyshawnTaylor, Doron Lamb, Jae Crowder, Scott Machado….who’s your pick?

10:30 PM

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: If Lamb is there, why not. Especially if they Amnesty Jose and need some more guards

10:31 PM

me: I’m going with Quincy for the upside, followed by Green and then Machado.

10:32 PM

Shall we cut it off here and touch base briefly for thoughts on #37 and #56, then I’ll tidy up and post tomorrow?

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: I am good to break here

As pleasure, as always

me: Had a blast man, thanks for doing it with me. Cheers.

trevor.smith.tds@gmail.com: Cheers bud.