Where shall we go from here? Both of these life-long friends will watch the next chapter of their lives unfold tonight. Where will each go? Will Gerald find success in the NBA without a left hand? Will Tyler find success in a league where opponents won't be call for a foul every time they touch him? Those questions won't be answered tonight, but some will. So join DudeSpin for what promises to be a highly entertaining draft. We begin with a look back at the best and worst drafts of the Dude teams in the 2000s.
Dallas Mavericks
Best pick: Josh Howard (2003, pick 29)
Worst pick: Courtney Alexander (2000, pick 13)
With their success in the last decade, the Mavericks only had 2 lottery picks in the 2000s. Without much to work with, the Mavericks enjoyed one of the best draft coups in recent memory by drafting Howard out of Wake Forest at the end of the first round. The well-rounded forward has given Mavericks fans a steady and versatile presence on the perimeter, and some fun memories on YouTube.
Denver Nuggets
Best pick: Carmelo Anthony (2003, pick 3)
Worst pick: Nikoloz Tskitishvili (2002, pick 5)
It is rather strange when passing on Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh nets your best pick of the last decade-but that's what the Nuggets did in drafting their franchise player in 2003. But picking Tskitishvili over Caron Butler and Amare Stoudamire? That takes some more imagination.
Boston Celtics
Best pick: Al Jefferson (2004, pick 15)
Best pick: Al Jefferson (2004, pick 15)
Worst pick: Jerome Moiso (2000, pick 11)
Turning a non-lottery pick into Kevin Garnett almost makes up for drafting Moiso in the lottery.
Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
Best pick: Yao Ming (2002, pick 1)
Worst pick: Eddie Griffin (2001, pick 7)
Rockets have the morbid distinction of having drafted 2 players with their 1st pick in the last decade who have already passed away: Jason Collier and Eddie Griffin. But having the guts to draft Yao no. 1 despite the considerable hype surrounding Duke's Jason Williams warrants some merit.
Worst pick: Eddie Griffin (2001, pick 7)
Rockets have the morbid distinction of having drafted 2 players with their 1st pick in the last decade who have already passed away: Jason Collier and Eddie Griffin. But having the guts to draft Yao no. 1 despite the considerable hype surrounding Duke's Jason Williams warrants some merit.
156 comments:
Perhaps the fact that this is considered one of the worst drafts in recent memory will only increase the entertainment value. Guys like Jeff Teague, who clearly is a flawed point guard even though he can shoot, may be lottery picks, and 6-4 power forwards like DeJuan Blair can find themselves in the top 15-20.
There's no telling what happens after No. 1 ... and that's what makes it FANTASTIC!!!!!!
This is already a fun NBA day thanks to Shaq getting traded to the Cavs.
Can't wait for tonight...
Also it looks like its official that Vince Carter is on his way to Orlando. So both LeBron and Howard have running mates now.
The Rockets were rumored to be trying to do something, Dude, what do they have up their sleeves?
The Rockets are trying hard to move up with some combination of Brooks, Landry or T-Mac. Not sure I would even want a pick in this draft.
Haha - Lisa Salters just suggested that even Taylor Griffin might get drafted!
Ricky Rubio looks like he's a really tall 14-year old!
ahh - Dickie V returns to my television - it's been too long!
Not sure that Curry would be a great fit in NY. I'm not certain he's all that different from Jamal Crawford.
I'm having a really hard time swallowing the idea that Thabeet is the second best player in this draft. Even Jay Bilas is drinking the Kool Aid! What exactly will he give his team on offense? A poor man's Dwight Howard at best...
They are really hammering home this puzzle theme!
Stern, please shut the hell up and get on with it already!
let's see how long the Clippers take!! Go!!
gotta have a "state of the union" type of thing. Can we just go to the 2nd pick to see who it is.
I hope ESPN caught wind of the Lakers hate in MSG! Gotta love it!
That's a lot of overpaid dead weight in the middle for the Clips. I'm not a huge fan of Griffin's game.
Who would be dumb enough to help the Clippers clear up their logjam in the frontcourt? Michael Jordan and the Bobcats, maybe...
Why do they need 12 people in the Clipper's draft war room?
I'm here dudes, will check in more when the baby goes to sleep in 30 minutes. By then, we should be closer to the UNC trio, Gerald, and Jeff Teague.
They needed a dozen people there just to make sure they didn't f--- that pick up!
You have to be a diehard Clipper fan to make the trip to New York, to listen to a pick that you knew was going to be made.
The Clippers have struggled recently?!? Yeah, if you define recently as the entire time they've been the Clippers!
I'll tell you who they don't need - Thabeet
The Grizz need Rubio just to add some sizzle to their sorry franchise.
There it is: chalk up three more years of mediocrity for the Grizzlies
Well, have fun sucking again Memphis! Maybe you'll win the draft lottery next season!
I liked how Stern's voice cracked
Harden is the least impressive high lottery pick i can recall.
Here's where things start to get interesting. I like what the Thuder are doing so far, but that may change in a second...
And, there it is, look for OKC to continue to compete in the lottery next season!
Yuck. Well, here's hoping the Dude was wrong. But I tend to agree.
If the Rockets make a move, it would be here to get Rubio
You never want to hear a shooting guard's weakness might be shooting!
Perhaps he's this year's Westbrook??
There's a long history of Herb Sendek players succeeding in the NBA, at least if succeeding means surviving a gun shot wound.
Isn't Rubio perfect for the Maloofs?
This has to be Rubio here. They need a point and some star power.
Bilas - thank you, it's the 5th time you've mentioned how you think that Evans is the best player available
T Wolves have to love the fact that they might get Rubio here; Rubio? Not so much!
I don't think Spaniards are too fond of the climate in Minnesota.
I forgot how much I love the pace of the NBA draft compared to the NFL, a minute of analysis, a quick interview, and you're on to the next pick!
Minny fans have to be ecstatic that McHale isn't around to mess this up by drafting Hansbrough.
I disagree. I think it's actually too fast. It would increase the chances of the analysts saying inane things if there was more time between picks!
BTW, with four first round picks, Minnesota should be able to get at least one good player!
great pick for the TWolves. Get your parkas ready Ricky!
No trades during the draft yet - that usually makes things interesting.
Quick interlude question: is Michael Jackson's death as big a deal as Elvis's? If not, why not?
See, now that's a good pick. The T-Wolves aren't going to be good for a few years anyway, so Rubio has time to figure out the NBA game.
Did Rubio just say fifth overall was too high for him?
You're right Stu, Rubio will never average 44 points in college.
I'm not too worked up about the death of a pedophile (alleged)
Great crack by Van Gundy about how the next Minnesota coach is going to get canned playing five young guys!
FLynn and Rubio ... and don't let the door hit you on the way out Randy Foye.
Okay, Minny has to be working a trade because that doesn't make sense any other way!
does that make sense? Flynn? that has got to be a set-up for a trade right?
I think Rubio is headed somewhere else since his people didn't want him going there anyway...
I like Flynn more after that interview.
Is it just me or are Stuart Scott's glasses crooked?
HAHAHA!!! Love it when the Knicks fans get upset!
The draft must always stay in NY, at least as long as the Knicks stink -- Knicks fans create half the entertainment value.
The Knicks fans are really sad after that pick. I'm looking forward to seeing Monta Ellis and Steph Curry play together. Lots of exciting losses in G-State this season!
Did anyone see Seth Curry at the table?
Always loved Dell Curry, what a class act.
As for the King of Pop, I do think it's as big as Elvis music wise but Jackson fell much farther for much longer than Elvis. (see comment on pedophile)
The Curry's are good people.
Jordan Hill is a decent pick, since some had him projected going 5th. Still not enough to please Knicks fans!
I like the little peek in by Stern there, as if he hadn't read it before. Great to draft a back-up to David Lee with pick no. 8.
That's a decent pick, just not splashy enough for the Knicks faithful. His interview was also hilarious.
I guess Knicks liked the Balkman pick so much that they wanted to see what it was like again!
Still no trades...
I think DD has the biggest boom or bust potential of any of these guys. Another shooting guard whose weakness is shooting! And he's going to Toronto, so there's that.
Never fear Head Dude, there are probably trades in the works involving some of the already selected players that just won't get finalized until a little later...
Now that's a great EA Sports commercial!
Remember when Gerald Henderson was projected around this part of the lottery? Then they discovered he had no left hand.
The Gerald Watch starts -- all signs point to him going to either the Nets or Bobcats, but no guarantee.
Wow - Jennings is the 1st reach of this draft, but I like it. I think this is a great pick-up for Milwaukee.
I knew someone would roll the dice on Jennings, but I never would have expected it to be the Bucks. Why not? They don't have much to lose.
This is a funny story about how he avoided the green room because his people weren't sure he would avoid the sad fate of sitting around waiting to be picked.
Terrence Williams - your job is to replace Vince Carter... Don't think he'll be up to the task
Too bad Redick wasn't part of the Carter trade -- he could be a spot-up shooter trailing the break when Harris is running
No surprise there since they just traded Vinsanity...
A Duke slam! But if we keep bowing out in round 3, no one is going to care about Duke anymore... C'mon - start recruiting K!
Henderson here? It makes sense.
BTW, I think Henderson will suck as a pro, but I admit he has the kind of game that may translate better to the NBA.
Yep Dude, that's the biggest fear -- not just Duke not getting to the Final Four, but people no longer caring about Duke not getting to the Final Four.
Interesting that Jrue Holiday is sliding. I don't think he's that impressive, but a lot of analysts seemed to think he had a chance to go top 10.
notice that he's shaking everyone's hand with his RIGHT HAND! No surprise there.
Henderson needs to train with the Franchise on going to his left.
Yeah, I can teach him to break people down with the left!
I knew Bilas was going to say Holiday would be the best pick here...
Ironic to see Henderson land on top of Hansbrough again. Nice of Knicks fans chant "overrated" - what have you ever done?
Indiana seems like a good team for him, probably because Indiana seems like a good state for him.
If this guy didn't go to UNC, I'd be rooting so hard for him to succeed just to prove the know-it-all doubters wrong...
Tyler always seems so stiff when he's chatting.
I would love to see Amar'e go to Golden State so he could sulk in relative anonymity!
I think the two best american white players in the league might be in Indy! (Dunleavy)
Who else is in the mix? Nash isn't American; Dirk isn't; Mike Miller?
Hilarious! I guess Brandon was okay as long as he wasn't the last guy in the green room. I like this pick by the Suns, it may allow them to deal Amare.
I like Clark a lot, but the announcers just ruined a bit by pointing out how small he came up in some of Louisville's toughest games.
Brandon Jennings' message to the youth: DON'T stay in school!
Why the heck was Austin Daye invited to sit in the green room? I didn;t see any mock draft have him going in the top 15!
oh wow - such unique interests, a college kid who likes video games and Madden?!?! tell me more!
Well, shows what the pundits know! Holiday is by himself in the green room now, as he should be!
Dickie V just said Curry will be ROY - I guess that's why Dickie V is not coaching in the NBA.
Wait, Curry could very well be ROY just chucking it up in G-State's offense!
I'm not seeing Johnson seeing too much PT in Chicago with Deng and Salmons.
I think his PT will be at the 4 because they will trade Tyrus Thomas.
Speaking of trades, it would have been much more hilarious if Steve Kerr would have just said, "Yeah, we're trading everyone and blowing the whole thing up!"
Eh, I would rather have Lawson than Holiday.
and now the green room is vacant!! This is a solid pick by the 76ers, he'll get good tutelage under Miller.
The Wolves should take Lawson and really cover their asses at the point!
I think the Timberwolves should draft Randy Orton, he'll be a good enforcer for those runty guards they drafted early in the draft.
The Head Dude is still waiting anxiously for Omri Casspi to get his name called!
Holy crap, they did it!
good call Franchise!
Three PGs to Minnesota!
The rumor is that Dallas moved from 22 to 24 because Portland wanted Casspi and was worried he'd go at 23. My actual fear is that Donnie Nelson thinks we can get Casspi at 24, and traded down comfortable with that knowledge.
Ty headed to Denver!
Chauncey has a new backup! So long Anthony Carter.
The Nuggets!!! Nwo that will create a conflict for the Franchise
I'd rather have him than Flynn, I think. Nut I would have taken Rubio off their hands for sure...
Wayne Ellington's wait begins!! Here's a question: what will Greg Paulus do here if he gets drafted? will he give up his 3rd string QB gig at Syracuse?
Actually if Ellington goes mid-second round he'll be good value at that point, much as it pains me to say it.
My brother Nate just texted me and said there will be no rooting conflict for me because Lawson will suck!
the Jazz draft Maynor! great! I already dislike Maynor.
What do the Bobcats need to do to make the playoffs? Get rid of Michael Jordan and possibly Larry Brown as well...
I love NY fans, still booing Larry Brown.
Wait, I though Holiday was the last in the green room? WHy is Collison still there? Did he just show up?
I thought Collison came out of the crowd. Some of the late first rounders do that.
Head Dude, I have a bad feeling Omri is going here...
Victor!! I think this is the first Victor in the NBA Draft?
Shaq playing it straight. Too bad :(
Great. Shaq brings up MJ - the other MJ - I just don't think he's that iconic.
Shaq has mental conversations!! Franchise, has Shaq twittered today?
LOL! The Great Stanley Roberts!!
I guess I just needed to give Shaq some time. And I think I'm the only person on Twitter who DOESN'T follow Shaq, so I don't know if he tweeted today. I'd have to think he did...
Van Gundy's comments about coaches getting fired are hysterical!
Uh oh, I have a bad feeling Caspi is coming to Dallas.
Scratch that! He's headed to cow country.
He won't be the first, Lior Eliyahu will be the first!
I think the mavs will draft Crystal Taylor
Heartbreak for Head Dude as Casspi goes one pick too soon!
Though i don't know if it's worth getting excited about someone whose closest comparison was Andres Nocioni...
Lior Eliyahu never played in the NBA.
Uh-oh. I don't like that pick at all!
Mullins - wow, that's a throwaway pick.
Great - a first-round pick who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds as a reserve in college.
Just as we regret passing on Glen Davis for Nick Fazekas, we'll regret taking this stiff instead of Blair.
And you wouldn't exactly think we took Mullens to set up a trade, unless it was too an NBDL team.
that works out better for Dallas in its rebuilding phase.
Not so fast Head Dude! Apparently you took him to trade him for a guy from Guadaloupe!
Whoa, Thabo was worth a first round pick in a trade?
I know there's a late 1st round or 2nd round sleeper in pretty much every draft - not seeing it in any of these guys.
It's going to be one of the Pitt guys since they've slid this far.
A French point guard -- apparently we didn't learn our lesson from picking up Robineaux (or whatever his name was) a few years ago. He was the all-time leading scorer in France we thought could be like Parker. Except he sucked.
I thought it was already announced that the Lakers sold their pick to the Knicks?
All quiet on the Rockets front...
The Wolves could get a real steal here if they take Blair...
i don't see 6-7 PF not named Barkley having much impact.
Again, this is said grudgingly, but unlike several other 2-guards picked before him, Ellington can actually shoot.
Maybe not Dude, but at this point in the first round he's worth finding out.
And that wraps it up for me! Looks like all the major moves were made before the actual draft this season!
Yeah, I have to get ready to go to work. Nothing earth-shattering but still a fun time Dudes...
A fitting postscript -- we take some unknown point guard, and the Spurs wisely take Blair in the second round. A nice backup for Timmy.
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