First reaction about the NBA Draft and the Heels

Having watched the draft on ESPN, which I have to tell you with the exception of Jay Bilas everyone on that show did not save themselves (but that is another topic for another time), while chatting on two boards (a big thanks for hosting goes out to: A Stern Warning (Mookie) and College Hoops Net (Shawn)) and reading my Twitter I have to say that overall I am pretty happy about how things turned out for the four Tar Heels. Or should I say the five Tar Heels, as Vince Carter was traded to the vice champions Orlando Magic to bolster their roster for another shot at the title in 2009-10. And while this is going to be the first time in his NBA carrer that Carter isn’t the top guy, it’s also going to be the first time that he has a true shot at winning it all, and at his age, I doubt he can ill afford to let that shot go by without putting up the biggest fight of his basketball career.

Getting back to the draft now. Yes, I do admit that where Ellington is going kind of scares me. Minnesota had six picks (of which one was Ty Lawson, but has been already traded), two of them being Top 10 and no head coach as of right now, makes me somewhat  unconfortable. And while most people don’t like him, I think that what Dick Vitale said about “playing both Rubio and Flynn together” is spot on: moves like that get you some wins and your head coach fired. However, others, including the GM of the team (who was interviewed by the world leader in sports during the draft) said that he would not see a problem having Rubio and Flynn on the floor at the same time. I am still hoping that the T’Wolves trade either Rubio or Flynn, or maybe they know something I don’t know, like the spaniard isn’t ready to come to the NBA (rough translation: Rubio’s dad doesn’t believe his son will be playing in the NBA next season). All in all I just hope that the team does not get lost in just watching their fifth and sixth overall picks and forget about the rest.

It was great to see head coach Roy Williams interviewed, something that just makes you feel so good inside, knowing that these are his players, they are the future of the NBA, and the foundations for many excellent student-athletes to come at Chapel Hill (don’t believe me, just check the five incoming freshmen). As I had said in the last check on the fantasy mocks, it looked like one or two would make it into the lottery (Tyler Hansbrough – #13 to the Pacers), three would make it first round (Hansbrough, Ty Lawson – #18 to the Timbervolves/traded to the Nuggets, Ellington – #28 to the Timberwolves) and one would be a early to mid second rounder (Danny Green – #46 to the Cavaliers). In the next few days I am going to work hard to get pieces out about where these young men landed and how they should fit with their new homes, but for now I just wanted to say that in the grand scheme of things I am pretty happy how things went. So, as the heat begins to rise with the arrival of summer, so does the NBA talk on The Fifth Corner.

I will end with this. While the NBA Draft is always one of those things I look forward, since I am a fan of North Carolina and not of any NBA (or other pro team), watching the players being called is a very bitter sweet moment. You feel so happy for them, as they head on out to the next chapter of their lives, but you feel sad, as you know players that have given you so much while donning the Carolina Blue won’t ever play again at the Dean Dome. So, as I do everytime, let me wish these four young men (as well as the 32 year old Vince Carter) all the best in their future, but let this old Tar Heel also state the following: “Thanks for the memories, they were fantastic”.