You Must Be Joshin'

Lay off the chocolate cake! That was the message pretty much every NBA team sent to Josh McRoberts last night. McRoberts, who was regarded as a definite lottery pick a season ago, dropped to #37 and the Portland Trailblazers. Good news is that he will be reunited with AAU teammate Greg Oden and he will join one of the best up and coming NBA teams. Bad news is that there is no guaranteed contract and there already is a log jam for playing time for Josh with LeMarcus Aldridge and now Channing Frye accompanying Oden in the paint.

Many people on television, including Judas himself, Jay Bilas, say McRoberts miscalculated before entering the draft. Yes, I believe he picked the wrong year but everyone in their right mind, including K, saw him as a mid-to-late first rounder. A guy who is 6' 10'' and can pass and dribble like a guard, doesn't drop to the 2nd Round too often. I think Portland took a flyer on McRoberts because Oden, according to his blog, has a little man crush on Josh and loves sitting poolside eating baked treats that Josh's mom makes for them.

A few things absolutely killed McRoberts: 1) the body fat test in Orlando where he had a whopping 13% body fat. For you or I, that is a fairly healthy lifestyle but for a professional athlete, that's pretty pathetic and speaks to a lack of dedication. Problem is that the proof is in the pudding. Sure, he's a little fat boy in NBA terms but he averaged37 minutes per game in the ACC after having back surgery last summer 2) Duke's very public down season last year killed McRoberts because he seemed to be the posterboy for all of their frustration and 3) this draft was too deep especially at his position.

I feel bad for Josh but it's time to move on as Duke fans and look forward to the upcoming season. From what I read, Brian Zoubek is primed to be a force in the paint next year. Let's hope so. If not, we could be starring another 22-11 season in the face.