NBA’s Next Notable Netters

The Vince Carter era is over for the New Jersey Nets. I started liking the Nets only when number 15 arrived in town. The energetic, versatile Vince brought a multifaceted, balanced brand of basketball to the Meadowlands/Izod Center. New Jersey shipped him to his hometown of Orlando along with forward, Ryan Anderson during a pre-draft Thursday night exchange. The Nets acquired three players in return for the eight time All-Star. Point guard, Rafer Alston, shooting guard, Courtney Lee, and forward, Tony Battie join the Nets for the 2009/2010 season. Terrence Williams was the team’s first selection in the draft. The 6’6” forward was the 11th overall pick Thursday. A former Louisville player, he brings excellent defensive skills to the NBA for a team lacking a true defender. Last season the Nets’ defense was about as stale as a two month old pretzel. Williams is also a bonefied passer and conveyed knowledge and leadership under one of the best coaches in Rick Pitino. The Nets won’t be serious contenders next season, but the moves are crucial in clearing cap space and rebuilding an underreporting program.
In other draft day delights, Oklahoma sophomore, Blake Griffin, was the consensus number one pick. Griffin was the best available player and was drafted first by the L.A. Clippers. The 20 year old will give the bleak Clippers an immediate impact and potential Rookie of the Year candidate. He will also provide production offensively. Blake’s brother, Taylor, was also chosen in the draft. He was taken 48th overall by the Phoenix Suns. Uconn junior, Hasheem Thabeet, the talented and tall center of the championship-contending Huskies, will wear a Grizzlies uniform in 2009 instead of blue and white. Memphis chose Thabeet, who still has to improve some of his post moves. He has been criticized for being too soft as well. The shot-blocking former Huskie is a beast defensively though, and has a winning element the bashful bears will appreciate. Thabeet’s teammate, A.J. Price, was a second round selection. Price led Uconn to a terrific run with his precise shot-making and will be a force for the Pacers, who are already rich at the point position.
North Carolina saw three of their title winners drafted in the first round and one taken in the second two nights ago. Roy Williams watched as his highly acclaimed senior power forward, Tyler Hansbrough, landed with Indiana as the 13th pick. The former College Player of the Year can contribute and add depth in the paint for the Pacers. His impeccable work ethic can only help his professional game. Ty Lawson is headed to Minnesota after being drafted at number 18 by the tenacious Timberwolves. The organization was determined on Thursday as they cashed in quite well on draft day. The Wolves also snagged Syracuse point guard, Jonny Flynn, UNC guard, Wayne Ellington, and Spain’s sensational shooter, Ricky Rubio. Rubio’s flashy game should transfer well to the NBA despite him being only 18 years young. Flynn, the 6th overall pick, was one of the best players in the saturated Big East and most underrated in the draft. His class, leadership and explosive athletic ability make Flynn a sure thing. He’s been exposed to some very demanding situations on the hardwood. The overtime thriller against Uconn stands out as one of his more memorable feats.
Ellington and Lawson were UNC buddies and will meet in Minnesota too. Lawson is almost impossible to guard one-on-one, but lacks height for an NBA-ready point guard. He will need time to converge with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. Ellington surpassed all second-guessers by his surprise showing at the combine. Wayne is hot to trot for the Twolves but not a stellar blocker. He is still a fine shooter and should see time immediately for the team. Six foot six Danny Green joins LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal in Cleveland as the Tarheel’s solo second round selection. The former UNC contributor specializes in defense with his excellent size and range.
One of my favorite players last college season was Florida State’s Toney Douglas. Douglas was the driving force at the guard position for the Final Four-aspiring Seminoles. Although the team fell short of that goal, Douglas was one of the tournament’s most clutch players in the late rounds. New York bought the 29th pick from the Lakers to draft Douglas. The combo guard may prove most valuable behind the crisp Chris Duhon in Mike D’Antoni’s high scoring offensive system. The Knicks also took Arizona junior, Jordan Hill at number 8. The naturally gifted Hill will boost the Knicks’ interior and should continue to develop into a premier shooter.
Two of my other favorites, Sam Young and DeJuan Blair, off of Jamie Dixon’s strong Pitt Panthers, were back-to-back second round selections. How the intense duo slipped to the second round is beyond me. I think people were scared off by Blair’s two surgically repaired knees. Young went to Memphis at 36 and 6th of round two, and Blair to San Antonio at 37. Blair is tailor-made for that Spurs team. The idea of Blair hooking up with Tim Duncan is salivating for any NBA fan. Both are defensive destructions. Young, the tough and crafty shooter will display a dazzling dynamic with the Grizzlies. He completely grasps the team concept of basketball and the 6’6” forward was a wrecking warrior off the bench for Pitt.
Ohio State’s B.J. Mullens was traded to Oklahoma City after the Mavericks drafted the Buckeye at number 24. Mullens is a solid runner and for his size, moves extremely well on the court. It won’t be much of a switch for him to bump bodies for a Thunder team about as equal in talent to the Big Ten’s best.

Parting points: Song of the day- “Jump Around” by House of Pain

Movie recommendation: “Million Dollar Baby”

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