Slam Dunk Central

Just?a couple of days ago Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace was barely tolerated by Grizzlies fans. As of Friday he could probably run for Mayor of Memphis, and have a pretty good chance of winning the election. Why the sudden turn around in public opinion? Wallace has been one of the most active executives in the NBA since the start of the 2008 NBA Draft Thursday evening. The “Memphis Commercial Appeal” reported Friday that Wallace has engineered a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers that will send Darrell Arthur to Memphis in exchange for Donte Green and a future second round pick. Arthur who was looked at as a probable Lottery selection before the draft was taken with pick number 27 by the Trail Blazers. ESPN reported that the reason Arthur fell so far was because of a report of kidney problems showing up in his medical examination by the Association. Arthur played for Kansas in the NCAA who released a statement saying the player had showed no signs of kidney problems at the school. Green the forward from Syracuse was taken with the next pick by the Grizzlies. It is the second deal that Wallace has made since the draft ended. Thursday night the Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves reached an ?agreement in principle? that will result in an eight player trade. Memphis according to the report would get the NBA Draft rights to guard O.J. Mayo, plus veteran Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner. Minnesota would receive the NBA Draft rights to PF/C Kevin Love, veteran Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

The “Associated Press” reported Friday morning that the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves have reached an “agreement in principle” that will result in an eight player trade. Memphis according to the report would get the NBA Draft rights to guard O.J. Mayo, plus veteran Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner. Minnesota would receive the NBA Draft rights to?PF/C Kevin Love, veteran Mike Miller,?Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins. Mayo was drafted Thursday night by the T-Wolves with the third pick in the draft, Love was taken by the Grizzlies with the fifth selection. Neither team has officially commented on the report.

?? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

?We hope you enjoyed Steve Rhodes stellar coverage of the NBA Draft in real time! Well there were a lot of rather surprising moves in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. Many players went higher than expected, others dropped inexplainably. Let’s take a first?look at the first round.

Chicago Bulls select: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis: Certainly no surprise here as Rose was picked first as expected. He will be a future star in the Association. Grade: A

Miami Heat select: Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State: Again no surprise, Beasley? will also be a very dominant player for the next 10-12 years. Grade: A

Minnesota Timberwolves select: O.J. Mayo, PG/SG, USC: Most mock drafts had Mayo going here so no real surprise. However I was?surprised that they?did not go with a?center to move their franchise player Al Jefferson to his?natural position at power forward. As I wrote in my mock draft if Mayo is as good as he thinks he is this is a great pick. Grade B-

Seattle SuperSonics select: Russell Westbrook, PG/SG, UCLA: First shock of the evening. Everybody expected Seattle to go big and Westbrook to fall lower. Westbrook is a solid player, but they have greater needs at other positions. Grade B-

Memphis Grizzlies select: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA: Chris Wallace gets kudos for?this pick. Kevin is not as complete player as? Pau Gasol, but he’s a whole lot tougher Grade A

New York Knicks select: Danilo Gallinari, SF/PF, Italy: Again not really a surprise as the “Rooster” had been talked about as a possible draft choice since Mike D’Antoni came on board as coach. But as I wrote in my mock the Knicks needed to make a splash in this draft. The boos this poor young man had to endure from the New York crowd while he was interviewed were merciless. But as Mark Jackson said Knicks fans are looking for someone who can play in the upcoming season. Gallinari has promise, but New York fans do not want a project Grade C-

Los Angeles Clippers select: Eric Gordon, PG/SG, Indiana:Nice solid pick, I think Jerryd Bayless would be a better fit, but Clippers fans have no reason to complain Grade B

Milwaukee Bucks select: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia: Very good pick by the new brain trust in Milwaukee. Alexander’s stock kept rising all Spring, I think Scott Skiles will see a lot his attitude as a player in Alexander. Both gutty players who make the most of their ability Grade A

Charlotte Bobcats select: D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas: Okay I understand the pick, but?I don’t agree withit. Raymond Felton needs help at the point, but how do they go with Augustin over Bayless? Grade C

New Jersey Nets select: Brook Lopez, center, Stanford: Only one question how did Lopez last this long? Rod Thorn made a very good selection, on the heels of the Richard Jefferson trade Grade A

Indiana Pacers select: Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, Arizona: Pick traded to Portland with Ike Diogu for Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts, and the rights to Portland’s pick. Bayless was one of those guys that dropped a lot further than expected. He is talented with a great gung-ho attitude. Grade A

Sacramento Kings select: Jason Thompson, PF/C, Rider:Bizarre pick at best, may eventually cost Geoff Petrie his job. Thompson was a late first round pick, that makes no sense for this team Grade D-

Portland Trail Blazers select: Brandon Rush,?SG, Kansas: The final piece of the trade that will send Bayless to Portland. Great pick by Larry Bird, along with new point guard T.J. Ford the Pacers now have a very good back court Grade A

Golden State Warriors select: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU:Nelly should put this young man on his diet! Randolph will be able to play in the Association after he bulks up, but why take him when you took Brandan Wright last year? Grade C+

Phoenix Suns select: Robin Lopez, C, Stanford: Again I understand the pick but don’t agree with it. There were more talented big men on the board as well as point guards another? position they could have used some depth in. Lopez will bust his butt, but can he run with the Suns? Grade C-

Philadelphia 76ers select: Marreese Speights, PF, Florida: Again probably picked higher than he should have gone. He can score but will he make the effort to play defense? Grade C+

Toronto Raptors (Indiana Pacers) select: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown: Part of the deal that is sending Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors for Ford and Bobby Simmons. Hibbert may be one of those players that stayed in college a?year too long. Grade C+

Washington Wizards select: JaVale McGee, C, Nevada: Too many far better athletes still on the board, another player that went much higher than expected Grade C-

Cleveland Cavaliers select: J.J. Hickson, PF, North Carolina State:He is very very raw, but he loves? to rebound. This?is probably a move that will pave the way for Cleveland to trade Anderson Varejao Grade B-

Charlotte Bobcats select: Alexis Ajinca, C, France: Did Larry Brown have any input in this draft, and if he did has he been on the sidelines too?long? The Celtics, the Spurs the Lakers take this young man, fine they can afford to wait for a project. Not the Bobcats Grade D-

New Jersey Nets select: Ryan Anderson, PF, California: Can score with his back to the basket, as well as hit the “J” Grade B

Orlando Magic select: Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky: Great outside shooter, a prototypical wing man, which will complement Howard?s game and augment Turkoglu?s Grade A

Utah Jazz select: Kosta Koufos, Center, Ohio State:?Should fit in well with Utah, a steal at pick number 23 Grade B+

Seattle SuperSonics select: Serge Ibaka, Forward,?Congo: Another guy that needs to fill out but has amazing speed for a man of his size. Grade B-

Houston Rockets select: Nicolas Batum, Forward, France: Too many better players on the board Grade C-

San Antonio Spurs select: George Hill, Guard, IUPUI: A very strange pick, especially with Mario Chalmers still on the board Grade D-

New Orleans Hornets (To Portland)?select: Darrell Arthur, Forward, Kansas: The reason ESPN said that he stayed on the board so long was according to his medical tests conducted by the NBA showed he had kidney problems. Kansas issued a statement denying it. If he is healthy Portland got the steal of the draft Grade A

Memphis Grizzlies select: Donte Greene, Forward, Syracuse: Okay who kidnapped Chris Wallace, and who is that impostor taking his place? Very nice pick Grade A

Detroit Pistons select: D.J. White, F, Indiana: Chad Ford from ESPN is reporting that Detroit will trade White to Seattle for the 32nd and 46th picks. Good hustle good attitude Grade B

Boston Celtics select: J.R. Giddens, G, New Mexico: Danny Ainge has rolled the dice. Giddens is the real deal talent wise, but has been a problem child off the court. If any team can get this young man with the program it’s the Green Team Grade B

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Welcome to Slam Dunk Central’s live coverage of the 2008 NBA Draft.? The draft here at SDC will be in real-time, with up-to-the-minute draft selections and occasional commentary by yours truly.? Just remember to either hit your REFRESH or F5 button to get the most up-to-date NBA draft results.? Below are the selections and commentary - enjoy!!!

Stephen Rhodes: ESPN is reporting that it is very likely that the Chicago Bulls will in fact select Derrick Rose from Memphis; but as anyone can attest to, anything can happen in these drafts - this one included.

Stephen Rhodes:? A little known fact - In 28 of the last 29 NBA drafts, only once has a guard been the number one overall pick.

Stephen Rhodes: ESPN says that the Seattle SuperSonics will keep their pick.

Stephen Rhodes: ESPN also reports that the New York Knicks think the guard they want will be available at #6.

Stephen Rhodes: Mark Jackson of ESPN thinks that the Knicks should draft the best available athlete.? Commercial for BK.? The commercial would appropriate for the draft….”What did you to deserve to get that draft pick?”

Stephen Rhodes: It is 7:30 (ET)/4:30 PM (PT); David Stern is at the podium doing his usual speech.? The Chicago Bulls are on the clock.

Stephen Rhodes: Ok, folks, it’s showtime!!!

First Round

Chicago Bulls select: Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis

Stephen Rhodes: Chicago’s pick of Rose was expected.? The question is whether they deal Ben Gordon or Kirk Hinrich - I say they’ll deal Hinrich.? The Miami Heat is now on the clock.? The conventional pick would be Michael Beasley but O.J. Mayo could be selected as well.?

The Miami Heat select: Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State

Stephen Rhodes: ESPN seems to like the pick.? I’m not surprised although early on I thought Chicago would take Beasley and Miami would take Rose.? A good pick by Miami.? The Minnesota Timberwolves are now on the clock.? I have a question, though: why does ESPN insist on having Stephen A. Smith at the draft?? The Timberwolves need a big man but Mayo may be too good a pick to pass up here at #3.

Minnesota Timberwolves select: O.J. Mayo, PG/SG, USC?

Stephen Rhodes: Good pick; now Minnesota has a scoring combo of him and Al Jefferson - even though they needed a presence to complement Jefferson.? The Seattle SuperSonics are now on the clock.? The Sonics have been rumored to be wanting Brook Lopez from Stanford.

Seattle SuperSonics select: Russell Westbrook, PG/SG, UCLA

Stephen Rhodes: To be honest, I didn’t see Westbrook going this high; but then again this is the draft, where you can expect the unexpected.? The Memphis Grizzlies are now on the clock.? Kevin Durant is sure happy about the selection.? When the commercials finally end, the Memphis Grizzlies should have their pick at or near the podium.

Memphis Grizzlies select: Kevin Love, PF, UCLA

Stephen Rhodes: Back-to-back UCLA picks.? Love should be a good PF, with excellent passing skills.? Underrated athlete.? Not the best runner.? The New York Knicks are on the clock.? I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Knicks take a PG with the pick - perhaps D.J. Augustin?

New York Knicks select: Danilo Gallinari, SF/PF, Italy

Stephen Rhodes: Not a bad pick, although I expected them to take a point guard or combo guard.? At least Gallinari can now put away his visa as he threatened to bolt to Europe if either New York or New Jersey didn’t pick him.? The Los Angeles Clippers are now on the clock.? Eric Gordon is available for the Clippers at #7.? Corey Maggette’s status is uncertain and I see Cuttino Mobley leaving the team later on.

Los Angeles Clippers select: Eric Gordon, PG/SG, Indiana

Stephen Rhodes: Very good pick.? Should be able to make the decision to lose Corey Maggette more palatable.? When he improves his ballhandling skills, he will be a monster.? The Milwaukee Bucks are on the clock.

Milwaukee Bucks select: Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia

Stephen Rhodes: Everyone expected this.? He should be a good asset along with the Bucks’ acquisition of Richard Jefferson from the New Jersey Nets.? A player with big upside.? The Charlotte Bobcats are now on the clock.? I truly expect Charlotte to select a big man - namely Brook Lopez from Stanford.? Michael Jordan has to get this one right - for a change.?

Charlotte Bobcats select: D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas

Stephen Rhodes: I didn’t see this one coming at all.? The Indiana Pacers have to be miffed.? At least the Bobcats have a backup to Raymond Felton at point guard.? The New Jersey Nets are now on the clock.? I expect the Nets to take Anthony Randolph with their pick.

The New Jersey Nets select: Brook Lopez, center, Stanford

Stephen Rhodes: Wow.? But then again, now Josh Boone has to worry.? The Indiana Pacers are now on the clock.

Indiana Pacers select: Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, Arizona

Stephen Rhodes: The Pacers got a decent guard with this pick.? ESPN thinks he’s a Chauncey Billups-type; I agree.? It is safe to assume that Jamal Tinsley is toast.? Now the Pacers, with their #17 pick, can get a big man.? I like DeAndre Jordan with the Pacers’ #17?pick.? The Sacramento Kings are on the clock.

Sacramento Kings select: Jason Thompson, PF/C, Rider

Stephen Rhodes:? Interesting pick here.? Picked way too high in my opinion.? Good skills, but again - picked way too high.? I don’t care for this pick.? Granted Geoff Petrie is a good judge of talent, but Thompson?? I wonder of the Maloofs are in Las Vegas and dialing them in.? The Portland Trail Blazers are on the clock.? The Blazers don’t need much, really; but with James Jones a unrestricted free agent, a small forward sounds about right at #13.

Portland Trail Blazers select: Brandon Rush,?SG, Kansas

Stephen Rhodes: Quality pick here.? Will provide some scoring,?without a doubt.? It will be interesting to see how he will fit in with all the youth on the Trail Blazers.? The Golden State Warriors are now on the clock.

Golden State Warriors select: Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU

Stephen Rhodes: Big wingspan; needs to bulk up.? Good pick by Golden State, actually.? He should help Andris Biedrins in the rebounding department.? The Phoenix Suns are now on the clock.? The Suns need a backup to Shaquille O’Neal and a backup to Steve Nash.? Kosta Koufos at this pick?

Phoenix Suns select: Robin Lopez, C, Stanford

Stephen Rhodes: OK pick, I suppose.? More a defensive player, if anything.? Now Shaq can play fewer minutes.? His offense will improve over time.? With the selection, the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns have drafted Sideshow Bob’s love children.? The Philadelphia 76ers are now on the clock.? I like Darrell Arthur with their pick at #16.?

Philadelphia 76ers select: Marreese Speights, PF, Florida

Stephen Rhodes: They got their big forward; not necessarily the one I would’ve taken, though.? The Toronto Raptors are on the clock; however, they have a pending trade which sent T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and their #17 pick to the Indiana Pacers for Jermaine O’Neal.? The Raptors may be picking for Indiana here.? Stay tuned.

Toronto Raptors (Indiana Pacers) select: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown

Stephen Rhodes: Looks like a solid pick for Indiana (assuming the Ford/Nesterovic for O’Neal trade happens).? The Pacers need that frontcourt presence - now they have it.? The Washington Wizards are now on the clock.

Washington Wizards select: JaVale McGee, C, Nevada

Stephen Rhodes: They just missed home product Hibbert but they got a decent consolation prize in McGee.? Interesting fact - McGee’s mom was in the WNBA.

Stephen Rhodes: Trade in the works: Indiana and Portland are proposing a trade; stay tuned.? The Cleveland Cavaliers are now on the clock.? I can see Kosta Koufos from Ohio State being picked here.

Cleveland Cavaliers select: J.J. Hickson, PF, North Carolina State

Stephen Rhodes: I truly thought Cleveland would’ve taken a center here.? Picked a bit high in my estimation.? The Charlotte Bobcats (again) are on the clock.? Maybe now Charlotte will get that big man they sorely need.? Denver gets to sit this draft out - till next year.

Charlotte Bobcats select: Alexis Ajinca, C, France

Stephen Rhodes: Ok pick.? Big wingspan for a big man.? Most definitely a project player here.? This pick is questionable in my opinion.? The New Jersey Nets are on the clock.? Info on the Indiana-Portland trade - Jarrett Jack, Brandon Rush and Josh McRoberts to Indiana for Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless.? Wow!!!

New Jersey Nets select: Ryan Anderson, PF, California

Stephen Rhodes: Decent pick.? Has decent shooting skills with decent range.? Needs to work on his feet a bit.? Good pick otherwise.? The Orlando Magic are now on the clock.? Courtney Lee is good at this pick.

Orlando Magic select: Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky

Utah Jazz select: Kosta Koufos, Center, Ohio State

Seattle SuperSonics select: Serge Ibaka, Forward, Spain

Houston Rockets select: Nicolas Batum, Forward, France

San Antonio Spurs select: George Hill, Guard, IUPUI

New Orleans Hornets select: Darrell Arthur, Forward, Kansas (To Portland)

Memphis Grizzlies select: Donte Greene, Forward, Syracuse

Detroit Pistons select: D.J. White, F, Indiana

Boston Celtics select: J.R. Giddens, G, New Mexico

Second Round

Minnesota Timberwolves select: Nikola Pekovic, Serbia

Seattle SuperSonics select: Walter Sharpe, F, Alabama-Birmingham

Portland Trail Blazers select: Joey Dorsey, F, Memphis

Minnesota Timberwolves select: Mario?Chalmers, G, Kansas?

Los Angeles Clippers select: DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M

Portland Trail Blazers select: Omer Asik, C, Turkey

Milwaukee?Bucks select: Luc Mbah?a Moute, F, UCLA

Charlotte Bobcats select: Kyle Weaver, G, Washington State

Chicago Bulls select: Sonny Weems, G, Arkansas

New Jersey Nets select: Chris Douglas-Roberts, G, Memphis

Indiana Pacers select: Nathan Jawai, F/C, Australia

Sacramento Kings select: Sean Singletary, G, Virginia

Sacramento Kings select: Patrick Ewing, Jr., F, Georgetown

Utah Jazz select: Ante Tomic, C, Croatia

San Antonio Spurs select: Goran Dragic, G,?Slovenia

Seattle SuperSonics select: Trent Plaisted, F, BYU

Washington Wizards select:?Bill Walker,?F, Kansas State

Phoenix Suns select: Malik Hairston, G, Oregon

Golden State Warriors select: Richard Hendrix, F, Alabama

Seattle SuperSonics select: DeVon Hardin, C, California

Dallas Mavericks select: Shan Foster, G, Vanderbilt

Miami Heat select: Darnell Jackson, F, Kansas

Utah Jazz select: Tadija Dragicevic, Serbia

Houston Rockets select: Maarty Leunen, F, Oregon

Portland Trail Blazers select: Mike Taylor, G, Idaho Stampede

Seattle SuperSonics select: Sasha Kaun, C, Kansas

San Antonio Spurs select: James Gist, F, Maryland

Los Angeles Lakers select: Joe Crawford, G, Kentucky

Detroit Pistons select: Deron Washington, F, Virginia Tech

Boston Celtics select: Semih Erden, C, Turkey