Free agency steals show from draftees

Teams and individual players alike used the 2010 NBA Draft as a springboard for professional careers, preparation for perhaps the biggest offseason in NBA history and even a fashion show.

Last Thursday’s draft beckoned such heralded college basketball players as John Wall, Evan Turner and DeMarcus Cousins to new homes in the pros.

The annual selection also saw teams like the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls trade veterans to clear cap space for the highly anticipated free-agent class that will likely include two of the NBA’s biggest stars: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

As was expected during his lone campaign at Kentucky, Wall was selected first overall by the Washington Wizards, making him the first Kentucky player to be taken with the draft’s top pick.

“It’s a big honor,” Wall said. “To be the first No. 1 player from Kentucky means a lot.”
Ohio State’s Evan Turner, the consensus collegiate player of 2009-10, went to the Philadelphia 76ers with the second pick.

“I’m really excited,” Turner said to reporter Craig Sager. “I think Philadelphia is a great organization. I like the heads of it and also Coach (Doug) Collins — he’ll be a joy to play for.”

Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors and Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson went third and fourth overall to the New Jersey Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively.
The Sacramento Kings then made Cousins, a subject of much pre-draft scrutiny concerning his maturity and attitude, the fifth overall selection.

After his name was called, Cousins made clear that such concerns were largely misconceptions.

“They think I’m a monster off the court,” he said. “I’m nothing like that.”

The 2010 SEC Freshman of the Year was the first of several consecutive big men to be drafted. Baylor forward Ekpe Udoh went sixth to the Golden State Warriors, and the Detroit Pistons selected Georgetown’s Greg Monroe with the seventh pick. Al-Farouq Aminu of Wake Forest went eighth to the Los Angeles Clippers.

JAZZ TAB HAYWARD, PACERS SELECT GEORGE

Many observers thought the Indiana Pacers might draft hometown hero Butler forward Gordon Hayward, who barely missed a miracle last-second half-court shot in the 2010 NCAA championship game against Duke.

However, the Pacers found themselves without that option as the Utah Jazz snatched the Brownsburg, Ind., native one selection before Indiana.

Hayward told Sager he was thrilled to have the opportunity to play in the NBA, regardless of team.

“I’m just excited to go where I’ve gone,” he said. “It was a dream to play for the Pacers growing up, but I think it was a dream for all little boys in Indiana, just growing up watching them.

“But it was a dream to play in the NBA, so to be able to put on that Utah Jazz jersey will be something very special.”

With Hayward off the board, the Pacers instead opted for Fresno State forward Paul George with the 10th pick.

George averaged 16.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during his sophomore season with the Bulldogs. He also made a school record 90.9 percent of his free throws.

A swingman likened by many to Indiana’s Danny Granger, George saw his draft stock rise after strong pre-draft workouts. Several scouts said his athleticism and skill set could help him become one of the draft’s best players a few years down the road.
After he selected George, Pacers president Larry Bird discussed the importance of having athleticism on a roster.

“We’re trying to get some athletic talent in here,” Bird said. “He’s very skilled. He can shoot from outside and get to the rim. He can defend. We’re just going long and athletic.”

Indiana also acquired former Cincinnati guard Lance Stephenson and Louisiana Tech forward Magnum Rolle in the second round.

LeBRON, FREE AGENCY RULE NIGHT

The race for James is underway.

Much of the talk during draft night was not of the draft itself, but how it might affect the free-agent bonanza that begins at midnight Thursday.

Instead of drafting players to improve their rosters, several franchises traded away draft picks and veterans in an effort to clear cap space to sign one or more of the prized gems, such as James, Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson and Amar’e Stoudemire.

The Miami Heat moved its No. 18 pick and guard Daequan Cook to the Oklahoma City Thunder and now have the cap flexibility to sign two free agents to maximum contracts.

Similarly, the Bulls traded Hinrich to Washington. Chicago, now figuring to have about $35 million in cap space, is widely considered one of the frontrunners to land James.

FORMER IU GUARD TO HAWKS

Xavier sophomore guard Jordan Crawford, who played his freshman year at IU during the 2007-08 season, was selected by the New Jersey Nets with the No. 27 pick in the first round of the draft.

The Nets immediately traded Crawford’s rights to the Atlanta Hawks.

Crawford averaged 9.7 points for the Hoosiers that season before sitting out the 2008-09 campaign per NCAA transfer rules.

With the Musketeers this season, he averaged a team-best 20.5 points per game and led Xavier to the Sweet 16.

Crawford gained national notoriety for dunking on NBA star LeBron James at a Nike basketball camp in 2009.

FASHION ON DISPLAY?

Several draftees arrived at Madison Square Garden with interesting wardrobe selections.

Wesley Johnson wore Christmas-colored plaid pants with his sport coat.

Al-Farouq Aminu wore a large pair of non-prescription glasses in the mold of Steve Urkel.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas called this year’s draft class “the best-dressed lottery class we’ve ever had by far.”