Kid Cleveland

Well, on a day in which started out without much optimism for Cavaliers fans (the team had no picks in this years draft) is got slightly optimistic when ESPN.com put this rumor on its pay-for web page which they pulled from a free Ohio site... (sue me fellas):

"Are Cavs Eyeing Someone?
Jun 28 - There's a strong suspicion the Cavaliers have targeted a certain player in the 2007 NBA draft. If that player is on the board at a certain spot in the draft, the Cavs might pull the trigger on a deal.
Others think it might be fruitless for the Cavs to get back into the draft. If they can't get into the lottery - which is practically impossible for the Cavs - not many players drafted after that will be able to help them next season.
The Cavs are looking to trade into the draft, and things could start getting interesting at No. 22, where Charlotte owns its second pick in the first round. Sources indicate the Bobcats might be willing to deal that pick. -- Willoughby News-Herald"

Translation: Unless Seattle takes Damon Jones, Larry Hughes, and Sasha for the Durant pick…not a goddamn chance all night fans. Hey, it was worth a shot. Of course, nothing is what happened.

Hey, it’s the economical outlook for the Cavs and believe it or not, I think they did the right thing by staying out of the draft entirely. Whether they had a choice in the matter of staying out of the draft is up for further debate. You do need attractive assets not named LeBron after all.

One thing I have learned this week is that you can’t put too much stock in what the announcing table has to say during the draft. All week NBATV has been running past NBA drafts since 1980 (to my knowledge) and these guys were way off in predicting both draft busts and superstars. Mel Turpin a sure thing superstar? John Stockton being called at questionable pick for a team that needed a forward? Those were just two examples from the “experts” of NBA past. Trust me; the draft is a total crapshoot and will always be.

At least God gave us Bulls draft pick Joakim Noah (above) of the University of Florida to win my personal award for "best dressed."

My thoughts on the Oden/Durant debate you wonder? I think its comparable to comparing a filet or lobster dinner personally. Either way, someone is gonna get a damn good meal. I guess I’d compare Greg Oden to a Duncan/Ewing hybrid while I think Kevin Durant may be something like young Connie Hawkins. Keep in mind the Hawkins comparison will not make me an ABA Pittsburgh Piper fan ever!!!

ANYWAY, here are my top three draft winners and losers an hour after the draft…which will not mean much as of now.

Portland: No shit huh? He is going to be the caretaker of the Blazers on the court in much the same way Tim Duncan is for the Spurs. Sure Kevin Durant is going to be a megastar in his own right, but Oden will put the Blazers on the faster track to being a title contender. Throw in fellow first rounder Rudy Fernandez along with is plethora of second round prospects (including Duke's Josh McRoberts) and the entire city of Portland has got to be feeling good right now. The only move left is to figure out how to get rid of Darius Miles.

Golden State: Oh my god, did they manage to pull a fast one on Michael Jordan and the Bobcats. The Warriors dumped Jason Richardson to the Cats for #8 pick Brandon Wright. Keep in mind while Richardson was out with injury, the Warriors didn’t miss a beat with the likes of Monta Ellis picking up the slack in a big way in the regular season. Throw in the fact that they got another good prospect in Marco Belinelli with the 18th pick from Italy and I think the Warriors are coming out Golden. Thank you for allowing me to use the pun, I’ll be here all night.

Honorable Mention: Seattle for taking Durant (no kidding!?!?) as well as Minnesota for taking Corey Brewer who is a great pick no matter what happens with the potential Kevin Garnett trade rumors.

New York: To tell the truth, I’m pretty neutral on the Wilson Chandler selection in the first round. Howeva, I am pretty stunned with the trade for Zach Randolph…one of the last remains of the Jailblazers from Portland. Hell, I actually agreed with Dickie V when he brought up the possibilities of Randolph trying to behave in the Big Apple given the fact that he couldn’t avoid trouble in both Portland and at Michigan State. Keep in mind this is a guy who averaged 23 points and 10 boards last year people. Gotta love the NBA…its awesome baby with a CAPITAL-A!!!

Boston: Sure, you got Ray Allen in a trade for your #5 pick overall. Do you realize he’s 32 years old though!!! I know you need to win now to save your job Danny Ainge, but will Allen and Paul Pierce really work out? What was wrong with Yi Jianlian? I guarantee he’ll have a career that will last longer than Ray Allen’s Celtics career. Book it. Either way, at least you were smart enough to pull out of the proposed Garnett deal and keep Al Jefferson.

Honorable Mention: The Clippers taking forward Al Thornton when they should have taken PG Javaris Crittendon considering all their PG's are in sick-bay; Washington for taking USC’s Nick Young, another slashing guard, when the entire world knows they need frontcourt help. Jeez...I guess you can't say they didn't learn anything from their last two playoff series versus the Cavs I guess.