SportsTwo Inagural Draft Thread!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC)</div><div class='quotemain'>Sean and Marcus Williams should form a nice hi-low rapsheet duo.</div></p>

Haha, at least Cliff is most likely gone.</p>

-Petey </p>

 

<h2>Nets take gamble by tabbling F Williams at No. 17</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 09:24 PM
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The New Jersey Nets are in dire need of help inside. They were willing to take a gamble to get it.

With the No. 17 pick in Thursday night's draft, the Nets took forward Sean Williams of Boston College. </p>

The 6-10 appeared in just 15 games during his junior season, as he was dismissed from the Boston College team for repeat violations of team rules. </p>

Despite the abbreviated campaign, he set a school record for most blocks in a season with 75. </p>

But his off-the-court problems have stayed with him. Williams has been considered a wild card and his personal issues were a potential roadblock for teams not wishing to expend a guaranteed first-round contract. </p>

However, Williams' shot-blocking ability is the type that is rarely seen outside the NBA. He can block shots with either hand and his relative lack of heft actually helps him stay away from the body of drivers trying to draw fouls. </p>

He had a career-high 13 blocks in a losing effort against Duquesne and also had 12 rejections in a loss to Providence, his first game of the 2006-07 season. </p>

 

<h2>Warriors take another shooter in Belinelli at No. 18</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 09:30 PM
NEW YORK (Ticker) - A superb outside shooting team just became more dangerous.

The Golden State Warriors selected Italy's Marco Belinelli with the 18th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday. </p>

A deadly perimeter shooter, Belinelli relies on his outside shot to torture defenses. However, he possesses enough athletic ability to take NBA players off the dribble but has to drum up the willingness to do so. </p>

The Warriors have a bevy of 3-point shooters, including Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis and Matt Barnes. </p>

What Belinelli is willing to do is meet high expectations. He played the past few years for two of the top clubs in Italy, which is behind only Spain in terms of quality among the European professional leagues. </p>

He's been a go-to scorer on his teams in Italy and even had his first shot at being the go-to guy on the national team in the 2006 World Championships. </p>

Playing against the United State, which is stacked with top NBA talent, Belinelli scored 25 points against them in the preliminary round. </p>

He was the second international player taken in the draft, behind China's Yi Jianlian at No. 6 overall. </p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Dickie V thinks Kobe should go play for Duke.</p>

</p>

Stephen A mocks him.</p>

</p>

Then they kiss passionately. </p>

</div></p>

Vitale mocking Parker for sleeping with the MVP trophy instead of Eva was much better.</p>

-Petey</p>

 

At 20, Heat nab Smith. Nice pick.</p>

-Petey</p>

 

<h2>Lakers select G Crittenton with 19th pick in NBA draft</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 09:41 PM
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Lakers strengthened their backcourt by taking Georgia Tech point guard Javaris Crittenton with the 19th pick in the first round of Thursday's NBA draft.

Crittenton joins a crowded backcourt with the Lakers, who also have Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar to run the squad. But Farmar spent time between the Lakers and D-League this campaign, and Parker has struggled on both ends of the court. </p>

He was the second Georgia Tech player to be taken in the first round, after Thaddeus Young was chosen by Philadelphia with the 12th pick. </p>

Crittenton was recognized three times as the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week in his only collegiate season. He shared the team's scoring lead with Young, averaging 14.4 points and led Georgia Tech in assists (5.8 apg), while ranking third in the ACC with 2.03 steals. </p>

However, Crittenton still is a bit raw, sometimes showing a lack of maturity and a penchant for turning the ball over. But with the Lakers' struggling backcourt, they are hoping the young guard develops and takes over the starting job. </p>

Despite having only one season of college basketball behind him, he has the makings of a starting floor general. Crittenton is unselfish and will make some excellent plays for teammates and has the potential to get better as he gains experience. </p>

 

<h2>Heat add depth up front with C Smith at No. 20 pick</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 09:41 PM
NEW YORK (Ticker) - With worries about the depth along their frontline, the Miami Heat selected Colorado State's Jason Smith with the 20th pick in Thursday night's NBA draft.

Smith had become a trendy pick in the weeks before the draft, and for a good reason - he stands seven-feet tall. </p>

Despite the presence of all-world center Shaquille O'Neal, Miami is not sure whether backup center Alonzo Mourning will return or decide to retire. </p>

Leaving Colorado State after his junior season, Smith averaged 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds as a junior, finishing the season with eight straight double-doubles. </p>

However, playing in the Mountain West Conference, which is devoid of many big men, Smith did not turn in as many dominating performances as one might expect. </p>

A good athlete who runs the floor exceptionally well, Smith shot a stellar 58 percent from the floor. He shot 77 percent from the free-throw line but was not a threat from 3-point range. </p>

Smith will need to add some bulk to his 240-pound frame as he adjusts to the rigors of the physical game in the NBA. </p>

 

LOL</p>

They're talking up Isaiah on the tube.</p>

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