- Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times: " 'It's a process,' Bulls general manager Gar Forman was saying Wednesday. Actually, no, it's not. Building a team is not even close to being a process. Not here. Not now. You get LeBron James, it's an earthquake. 'We'd all like to snap our fingers and be competing for a championship tomorrow,' Forman was saying. Snap your fingers, Gar. If you're lucky enough and your organization is attractive enough, poof, James will appear. And you will be competing for a championship tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. You want a process? New coach Tom Thibodeau is part of a process. The Bulls finally introduced the former Celtics assistant to the media Wednesday. He's another step in trying to land LeBron -- and don't believe for a second that the Bulls failed to get some sort of OK from King James or his people or his people's people that Thibodeau was an acceptable hire. It doesn't mean James is coming to the Bulls. But it's another step in getting him to choose Chicago. ... Thibodeau shares an agency with James, and when I asked him hypothetically -- wink, wink -- whether such a situation might help in luring a star free agent, Thibodeau pointed out that his agent at Creative Artists Agency deals solely with coaches. In other words, apples and oranges. But CAA recently hired William Wesley to be an agent for coaches, too. No one is exactly sure what the mysterious 'World Wide Wes' does besides whispering in players' ears, but he appears to be extremely influential in the lives of James and other superstars. So score one for the Bulls."
- Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times: "Owner Jerry Buss told Phil Jackson he hoped he'd return when they met this week, although they didn't get into numbers. Buss might not have wanted to spoil the moment, still reportedly intent on offering Jackson a $2-million-to-$3-million cut in his $12-million salary. Management has been bonkers about money all season, and another title and $15 million to $20 million in profits doesn't seem to have cheered anyone up. The Lakers made $40 million to $45 million last season. As far as they're concerned, they just lost $25 million. There's a new austerity program across the board, with the little people in the organization expected to take major cuts too. Whether that applies to the salaries the Busses pay themselves before profits isn't known. The team will have to suck it up too, with speculation that the Lakers won't use their $5.9-million mid-level exception."
- Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger: "Here’s the directive, and it really hasn’t changed: Rod Thorn, more than
anything else today, is still trying to create the second full max slot in case LeBron says, 'Okay, I’m coming, and I’m bringing along so-and-so.' That’s the ticket, and we’ll say it again: If you’re in for a penny, you’re in for a pound. The Nets would have to use $16M of the $27M they have in cap room on LBJ, and his friend isn’t necessarily going to be had for the leftover $11M. So one day before the draft, everything is in play -- a Devin Harris salary dump, a trade down the first round to save a few million, and virtually anything that will maximize their chances of bagging the grand prize a week from Thursday. Can they pull it off? Who the hell knows? But it would basically put the Nets on a even playing field with the Knicks." - Harvey Araton of The New York Times: "With his first season behind him and stardom seemingly ahead, Brandon Jennings was asked if the Knicks would be a more attractive destination if they had him. He smiled, almost bashfully, at the thought of him as a key recruiting tool. 'If you’re talking about LeBron, I don’t really know,' he said. 'You know, I could have come to the Knicks and things might have gone down not the right way. Going to Milwaukee actually helped me because my coach, Scott Skiles, taught me a lot, being a point guard in the league himself.' Of course, Mike D’Antoni also had some N.B.A. backcourt experience, was a big-time player in Italy, then coached Nash, the da Vinci of contemporary point guards, in Phoenix. How he and Walsh picked Jordan Hill last year ahead of Jennings in a rich class that included Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson and Darren Collison is a mystery that will either be forgotten sometime this summer or will haunt this Knicks regime until its end comes sooner than expected."
- John Canzano of The Oregonian: "We've heard a lot of talk in the past week about Portland's increase in activity. Executives from around the league are talking to the Blazers about possibilities, one of which included Minnesota reportedly offering Thursday's No. 4 overall pick in exchange for forward Nicolas Batum. The Blazers turned that one down. And wisely so, because Chris Paul is suddenly a possibility in Portland. The point guard the Blazers have long coveted, told reporters that he's not opposed to leaving New Orleans. Said Paul: 'If we're not committed to winning and trying to get better so we can contend with the Lakers, Celtics and all these other top teams, then I'm open to being traded.' Welcome to 'Operation CPDX3.' Because in recent years the Blazers had the expiring contracts of Arvydas Sabonis, Nick Van Exel, Damon Stoudamire and Raef LaFrentz and failed to get anything in return. That can't happen in 2010 with the two biggest expiring contracts on the team -- Joel Przybilla and Andre Miller. The Blazers are acting like a real sports team. They're trying to improve. They want to win. And there are few days in a season -- let alone a decade -- like today, when it comes to changing your luck. Paul is a luck changer. He'd look wonderful alongside Brandon Roy in the backcourt. Those two bookends, and everything else is filler. Including a trip to the conference finals."
- Kerry Eggers of The Portland Tribune: "In the weeks leading up to tonight’s NBA draft, media and fan attention intensifies. For those on the inside, it’s a much more lengthy process. For those in the Trail Blazer scouting department, the preparation begins, oh, about 364 days ahead of time. With that mind, Blazer scouts Joe Cronin and Doc Martin will depart on Friday for the Nike Skills Academy in Chicago. On Saturday, Chad Buchanan, Portland’s director of college scouting, will head to San Antonio for the FIBA Under-18 Championships. Next for Buchanan will be the LeBron James Skills Academy, July 5 to 7 in Akron, Ohio. Even before that, though, the process for next year’s draft had already begun for the Blazers. 'We have put together our board for (the 2011 draft), complete with positional rankings,' Buchanan says. 'It helps us be organized. Let’s say we could get a pick through a trade. So we’re ready with, ‘Here’s what next year’s draft is going to look like. Is it worth it to get an extra pick in that draft?’ You’re always looking to the next step.' The scenario played out Monday when Portland moved up in the second round, sending the 44th selection plus cash to Golden State for the 34th choice."
- Michael Lee of The Washington Post: "John Wall already had an eventful day on Wednesday, as he started his morning by being introduced as the new face of Reebok, a shoe company that also sponsors Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin but has been relatively dormant with basketball in recent years. Seeking a different identity after having a lengthy relationship with former league most valuable player Allen Iverson, Reebok signed Wall to a five-year deal worth a reported $25 million earlier this month. 'Based on his athletic way of play, his charisma on the court as much as his personality off the court, there is only one,' Reebok President Uri Becker said. 'It's not about quantity for us, it's about the right fit and there is only one player that we think we can work with well over the long term and that's John.' Wall essentially said he chose Reebok out of loyalty after the company provided the first platform three years ago at the prestigious Breakout Camp for him to go from a relative unknown from Raleigh, N.C., to a player considered the best prospect in this draft. 'LeBron, Kobe, Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard, those guys are very marketable to the companies and brands they signed with. I wanted to be like that. Reebok gave me an opportunity to have a commercial and have my own shoe, so that's what I looked into. I felt it was the best situation for me at the time,' Wall said. 'They had a great game plan about how they would market me. I talked to my mom about it and she felt like it was the best situation for me.' "
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "There is no way the Heat stops with a mere $3.4 million in added salary-cap space, after trading its No. 18 first-round pick and guard Daequan Cook for Oklahoma City’s No. 32 selection in the second round. With Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers potentially the only two Heat players who might be under contract at the July 1 start of free agency, it’s game on. And if you’re Beasley, it not only seems like a matter of when, but also whether he departs in a straight trade or as part of some sort of sign and trade for one of this summer’s prime free agents. ... Dump Beasley, and perhaps James Jones’ buyout, and there will be some validity to Super Max times three. (What say ye now LeBron insiders?)"
- Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: "On the eve of tonight's NBA Draft, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti pulled another fast one. Presti acquired the 18th overall pick and sharpshooter Daequan Cook from the Miami Heat for peanuts -- the 32nd overall selection. It's a trade that gives the Thunder three first-round picks and adds to Presti's growing reputation for essentially swindling assets from opposing GMs. More importantly, the deal sets the stage for Oklahoma City to be at the center of what is shaping up to be a wild night of dealing during tonight's draft. The Thunder now holds picks 18, 21 and 26 in the first round, as well as the 51st overall selection of the second round. But less than two hours after acquiring the 18th pick, the Thunder reportedly had entertained discussions of dealing it, reserve guard Eric Maynor and the 21st pick to Indiana in exchange for the Pacers 10th overall pick. It's one of several conversations that likely have taken place leading up to today's 6 p.m. draft. But it's those types of discussions that figure to lead to a flurry of activity tonight."
- Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer: "Assuming Kentucky guard John Wall goes No. 1 to the Washington Wizards, the Sixers are expected to choose Ohio State junior guard Evan Turner over Georgia Tech freshman power forward Derrick Favors. History has shown that the organization hasn't exactly gotten it right when holding the second overall pick. Marvin "Bad News" Barnes did not sign with the team in 1974. Shawn Bradley played like a choirboy after being drafted in 1993. Four years later, the Sixers shipped their pick, Keith Van Horn, on draft day to New Jersey for the seventh (Villanova's Tim Thomas) and 21st picks (Bradley's Anthony Parker). Parker and Thomas had short tenures in Philadelphia. But the Sixers aren't the only team with a history of not getting the second pick right. Multiple times over the last 15 seasons the No. 2 pick has not panned out, compared to the No. 1 selection. The 2003 draft is perhaps the best example. Going first, the Cleveland Cavaliers chose LeBron James, who won his second consecutive NBA MVP honor this past season. The Detroit Pistons then took center Darko Milicic ahead of eventual NBA all-stars Carmelo Anthony (the No. 3 pick), Chris Bosh (No. 4), and Dwyane Wade (No. 5)."
- Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee: "Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie has years of experience and is considered one of the best at his job in the NBA. He doesn't need anybody giving him advice on how to draft players. But here it is, anyway. If DeMarcus Cousins is available after the first four picks in today's NBA draft, take him. He's everything the Kings need. He's big. He's physical. He has a mean streak. The Kings know he's a good fit. Cousins knows he's a good fit. Yes, scouts and draft experts have raised questions about Cousins, who played one season at Kentucky. He has been labeled as immature. He has been criticized for arguing with his college coach, John Calipari, on the sideline during games. No, Cousins jawing with his coach during a game is not a good thing. But what's worse is a player who doesn't care. The Kings don't need a player who accepts being benched and not competing with his teammates."
- Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune: "Wednesday's rumor du jour had Al Jefferson and the 16th and 23rd picks headed to Detroit for No. 7 and the expiring contracts of Tayshaun Prince and Chris Wilcox. That seventh pick could bring Fresno State athletic swingman Paul George, Nevada's Luke Babbitt or Kansas guard Xavier Henry. Trading the remaining three years and $42 million on Jefferson's contract also would free up more money to throw at a young free agent such as Memphis' restricted free agent Rudy Gay, who perhaps could be convinced to come by lots of money and a couple of bold draft-day moves. One of which just might be trading Jefferson, or Kevin Love. Somebody asked Kahn on Tuesday if both players will be on the roster at the end of draft night. 'Don't know,' he said. 'I assume so. I don't have any reason to say otherwise. But if I say yes conclusively, that would be everything opposite of what I've said: We have to be proactive and aggressive and look at every single opportunity to make this team better and still maintain a young team that will play an up-tempo style. That's what we intend to do.' If David Kahn walks away Thursday night with Derrick Favors and another top 7 pick, he just might think it's his birthday."
- Geoff Calkins of The Commercial-Appeal: "Mike Heisley admits the Grizzlies blew it on draft night last year. No, not by taking Hasheem Thabeet with their first pick in the draft. By passing on DeJuan Blair with their second one. 'We should have taken him,' Heisley said. 'He was 15th on our list. But sometimes, in the heat of the moment, you get derailed. We got swayed by some discussions with the doctors. This year, we're going to take the guy who is next on our list or someone is going to have to do a very good job explaining to me why we're not.' So that's a reason to be optimistic, right? The Grizzlies will do a better job of sticking to their list. Of course, their list told them to take Thabeet over Tyreke Evans. It's not exactly infallible. But this is draft day, people! If Grizzlies fans can't dream today, what's the point of the enterprise?"
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle: "Forgive me while I imagine how much fun it would be to have Yao Ming and DeMarcus Cousins playing for the Rockets next season. Dare I say it? Yes, dare, dare! Are you thinking Western Conference Finals? You are? I don't know if the Rockets would be that good, but they'd be in the mix if everyone stayed healthy and most of the current core remained on the roster. Unfortunately, DeMarcus Cousins will be long gone by the time the Rockets' pick (14th) comes up Thursday night, and that's why GM Daryl Morey has been working like crazy to move up. He has an extra 2011 first-round pick and a lot of young talent to trade. So far, though, he hasn't found a taker. It appears Cousins will be the fifth pick in the draft. Sacramento has that pick at the moment and appears likely to select Cousins. However, the Kings have discussed trading the pick. Things can change quickly, but the Rockets appear pessimistic they can get up to fifth. Morey will work through the day to get something done. His first priority this off-season has been to acquire Chris Bosh, but Bosh has given no indication he's interested in playing for the Rockets. Free agency is uncertain in the best of circumstances, so if Morey can make an impact acquisition in the draft, he'll do it."
- Doug Smith of Toronto Star: "As the G8 and G20 summits hit Toronto, we take a sporting twist with summits that changed the world of sports. Today, in the sixth installment of an eight-day series, the merger of the NBA and ABA: A new era dawned with the start of the 1976 professional basketball season in North America, an amalgamation of styles that started the game on the path to where it is today. When the NBA finally merged with the ABA, taking four surviving teams into the fold after a long, protracted process, it ushered in an era of sports entertainment that has become the trademark of the game. Julius Erving, the brightest star in the ABA and now an iconic NBA memory, said it wasn’t so much a merger as an adoption. 'In my mind, the NBA has just become a bigger version of the ABA,' is how Erving put it in a book about the glory days of the upstart league. 'They play the style of game that we did. They sell their stars like we did. The only difference is that they have more resources and can do it on a much grander scale than we in the ABA ever could.' "
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