“Oh, c’mon NBA. You think I can choose which rookie I will be happier demoralizing next year, Griffin or Rubio? I couldn’t even decide between the Mexican Pizza and the Crunchwrap Supreme last night at Taco Bell. Seriously, I was there til they closed, at 4a.m. ARGH!”
Gee, thanks David Stern. Way to really take the teeth out of the conspiracy theories we MSMers and Bloggers (yes, capital “B”) love to throw around in the weeks leading up the NBA Draft. Perhaps you, Mr. Stern, are not even a match for the Malevolent Gods of the League. (Also, sorry Ziller!)
The Clippers are perhaps the only team in the lottery that truly, at this point and time, cannot be comfortable drafting either of the consensus top 2 candidates in the draft, Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin or Spain’s Ricky Rubio. The Clips have killer contracts and depreciating players clogging up both spots (Baron Davis at the point, Chris Kaman/Zach “I’m a Clipper? Get Me Out of Here” Randolph at the 4). This smells of both EPIC FAIL for Mike Dunleavy, as well as a plethora of !s and head-to-table smashes for the Sports Guy over the next few weeks. If anything, we can look forward to a lot of excitement on the trade market leading up to the Draft. The Clippers, regardless of how you spin it, are in dire straits right now and truly have no easy choice with the #1 overall pick.
That being said, the easiest pick in the draft is #2, with Memphis. While not exactly the no-brainer the Sonics Thunder had 2 years ago with Durant falling to them (and you were SO CLOSE, Thunder. I even re-strained my sore ribs jumping for joy when I realized you vaulted into top 3), it is still a great “consolation” prize for a franchise with lots of young talent and the potential to really move further up the rankings next year. Think about it. You get to watch as the Clippers front office implodes over the next month plus, and all you have to do is sit back, relax and pull the trigger on which ever guys winds up being given to you. Withouth a doubt, the Grizzlies came away the winners of the 2009 Draft Lottery.
And hey, don’t feel too bad Thunder. Well, besides the medical bill you will be getting on behalf of my rib. GM Sam Presti should be licking his chops with this pick, as it offers maximum flexibility for trading or drafting purposes. Matt Moore was already dreaming of Tyreke Evans running alongside Durant/Westbrook/Green next year. Who knows? After all, noone would be surprised if Presti somehow turned this #3 pick in a 2 pick draft into 2 future first-rounders and more cap relief.
Speaking of Matt Moore, expect a super-duper special HP 2009 Draft Lottery Apocalypse Podcast sometime soon. There may even be a special guest on the line by the name of (Oprah voice) BLAAAAAAKE GRIFFFFFFFFIIIIIIIIIIIN!* We’ll have it up soon.
*Blake Griffin will not be appearing on the HP 2009 Draft Lottery Apocalypse Podcast.
