It's official, Greg Oden has entered the NBA Draft. No big surprises here but along with him, Mike Conley Jr. and Daquean Cook have also entered the draft. I would be utterly shocked if Oden didn't go #1 unless some team that had a halfway decent low post got the first pick. If it turns out to be Memphis or Boston, Oden will be #1 pick. Don't feel bad for the team that gets the #2 pick though considering Kevin Durant is on the board. In fact, if Brandon Wright finally declares, if you get the #3 pick, yeah you can be a little disappointed, but you're still getting a franchise player. The team that ends up with the 4th pick is clearly the biggest loser of the draft.
For Oden, this was the smart move. I mean let's get real here: hundreds of millions of dollars or the history of rock n' roll class? Please. For Conley, this is the smart move. He rode the big mans coattails to Ohio State, to the National Title Game, and he should use the big guy to land him a spot in the lottery. Unless Acie Law impresses in his workouts, Conley will be the first PG off the board. For Cook, it's a head scratcher. I think he kissed his Ohio State days away when his mother opened her big mouth and said she didnt like Thad Matta anymore. Now, unless he wows scouts, he's a second round pick with no guaranteed contract. Daquean, word of advice: if you're that good, transfer! Go to a school that will be in the limelight and where you will play in 2009 and then declare. With a load of talent in this draft, I think he's making a huge mistake.
In other news, Darren Collison said he's coming back to UCLA. Good move for Collison, he's a very good college player but his wiry frame would be exposed by most NBA guards. He needs to add muscle and improve his shooting.
DJ White is staying in school. I have a question: Where did people think he was going? DJ, you'll never play any significant minutes in the NBA until you cut out the cheeseburger runs at 1AM. Get in shape!
Shaun Pruitt from Illinois is testing the waters. Shaun, let me tell you something about those waters, you will drown! Go back to school, get your degree and at some point during the semester go down to City Hall, get a passport and pack your bags for Europe.
On a Duke note, the Blue Devils have renewed their annual matchups with Michigan now that Tommy Amaker is gone. I will say this, Duke is better than they are right now but with Beilein and his backdoor cuts and Duke's stubbornness to play man-to-man, that could be an upset next year.
Most of the possible 1st Rounders have declared for the Draft already. Still waiting word on Wright and Thabeet from UCONN. I'm pretty sure all other big timers have declared. More when I know it...
As always, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the Virginia Tech victims...
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