YESSSSS, it's finally here! Forget working today, you are filling the hours between now and the draft by watching the USA-Germany match (yes, do yourself a favor and watch that) and consuming every piece of NBA writing you can find that is relevant (or not!) to tonight's events. So here's some ammo for NBA procrastination cannon.
- The essentials: Hoopshype rumor page. Most recent online chat with Chad Ford.
- Nice draft primer from Ric Bucher over at Bleacher Report touching on all the main story lines heading into the draft.
- The trade madness began last night as two somewhat substantial trades kicked off the draft frenzy. First the Knicks swapped Tyson Chandler and Ray Felton to the Mavs for Jose Calderon, Sammy D (Haitian Sensation sighting!), Shane Larkin, and two 2nd rounders. If you think Ray Felton is a bit pudgy now, wait till he gets to Big D and discovers the "Hot Mess" at Pecan Lodge.
- Next up, the Rockets finally moved Omer Asik, ultimately sending him to the Pelicans for a future first-round pick. Pellies clearly in win now mode, not valuing first round picks much.
- At the 11th hour the Cavs were talking about flying Dante Exum from NYC to Cleveland on a private jet for a last second interview and workout (he didn't work out with them previously). Could be an sign of their willingness to move that first pick.
- The Sixers themselves have a nice mock draft tracker going over on Sixers.com. Anyone else notice that over the last few months, the Sixers website has become notably less crappy?
- Get your emotions in check by reading this level-headed (pun intended!) list of 10 things to keep in mind during the draft from the 700 Level.
- Before you convince yourself that MCW is untouchable, head over to Liberty Ballers and read Derek Bodner's excellent breakdown of MCW's jump shot and the challenges in improving it substantially. Derek is also still bliiding for Embiid, despite the injuries.
- This has nothing to do with basketball, but cracked me up all night. And gave me nightmares. Funny nightmares. Ahhh the power of the jumbotron.
- Good quick rundown of Sixers-related rumors and the chances of them happening over at Grantland. Glad to see someone finally shoot down that garbage Thad+MCW for Nash+7th pick rumor. You can pull that shit over on Our Lord and Savior Hinkie.
- Finally, if somehow you managed to emotionally move on from Wiggins so as to avoid any sort of let down tonight … well then don't watch this training video his draft workout crew over at Pure Sweat released today. Not for anything, but I did that defense/dunk drill just to warm up for writing this post. No biggie.
