Blog. Blog. Blog. My anger has finally subsided, allowing my head to clear and fingers to type.
But before I get into my thoughts on the pick, I’d like to revisit the events that occurred the day of June 23rd.
As is weekly Thursday tradition, I joined my dad and sister at my Safta’s (grandmother in Hebrew) after work. My plan that morning was to duck out of work right at 5, have dinner and head over to Fish’s before the first selection was to be made at 7:30.
Unfortunately, an impromptu and lengthy end of day meeting forced me to leave the office at 6:15. Adjustments to my plan had to be made on the fly. I had to phone in a favor.
“Mom, can you record something for me?”
After 20 minutes of directing her on the use of the “guide”, “info” and “list” buttons – the draft had been successfully scheduled to record.
With a full stomach, I jumped in the car and headed home. The drive was pretty nerve racking considering I had to fight the urge to check my text messages – I wanted the pick to be a surprise, I couldn’t risk being tipped off by a text.
At 9 o’clock I headed downstairs to my basement aka ‘dungeon’ – flipped on the T.V and played the draft. As I loaded my wood pipe with a pinch of kush, I prefer wood pipes over glass pipes or bongs. The first selection was about to be made.
Kyrie Irving… no surprise to anyone – most had him as the 1st overall pick.
Fast forward past Jeff Van Gundy’s ‘analyses’ of the pick – I love digital PVR’s – that magical box allows me to fast forward through anything that idiot Gundy spits out.
I hit play as the Commissioner makes his way to the podium to introduce Derrick Williams as the 2nd overall pick. No surprises with this pick. In Williams, the Timberwolves get a versatile big man who can finish in the paint but also has exceptional range.
Tap the fast forward button 3 times… Hit play as Ernas Kanter makes his way to the podium. In Kanter the Jazz get a strong big-man with a nose for the ball.
Again I zip past the commentary in time for Cleveland to make their 2nd pick of the first round… Tristan Thompson? In the weeks prior to the draft I had been following a few mock drafts, none of the mocks had Thompson going that early. Don’t get me wrong though, I love the pick. Not only is the Brampton native the highest Canadian born player ever selected but the pick also leaves the door open for Toronto to select Brandon Knight (the guy most pundits had targeted as the projected 4th pick).
This time instead of fast forwarding I let the draft play – Toronto is on the clock and I want to hear what will be said about the team. Instead of using the Thompson selection as a tie in to the Raptors, the clueless commentators fail to mention a single word on the team. The combination of chronic and excitement over the multitude of talent still on the board keep my spirits high – fuck it, the Raps always get a raw deal on national networks.
“With the 5th pick in the 2011 NBA draft the Raptors select… Jonas Valanciunas”
Whoa
I immediately turned off the Rogers box and sat staring at the T.V. screen, sulking in the blue light of the LCD monitor.
Here’s why I hate the pick; unlike many Raptor followers who’ve voiced their distaste over the pick through blogs and over forums, my disgust for the pick is not based on Jonas’ European origin nor the issue of Valanciunas‘ eligibility keeping him out of a Raptors uniform until the 2012-2013 season.
Let’s be honest, the Raptors are years away from even considering themselves, legite contenders. I understand that building a team around a talented center and playing from the inside out is a proven recipe for success. Whether or not this 7′ foot – 19-year-old – pick n’ roll specialist is that a guy only time will tell.
BUT
At the end of the day, sports are entertainment. The last few seasons, especially the disaster that was last season – the Raptors have not put an entertaining product on the floor. Having said that:
I strongly believe that drafting Kemba Walker would have increased the entertainment value of the Raptors dramatically.
It’s quite clear that Bryan Colangelo has lost touch with the fan base in Toronto – while Toronto fans have embraced mediocrity, I’m not sure how much more Torontonians can take before they jump ship – leaving the ACC looking like the Skydome in October.
Some may view Colangelo’s dedication to sticking with his ‘strategy’ as brave given the fact that his contract has not been renewed.
I have a different view – I believe his decision is based on fullish pride.
At one point I was willing to have Bryan raise my son until his teenage years – then, once 13 Bryan would return him to me as a confident, well mannered young man.
Screw that.
Another Bryan, Brian Burke, is gonna raise my kid… shout out Fish!
Get High Monkey
Blog. Blog. Blog. My anger has finally subsided, allowing my head to clear and fingers to type.
But before I get into my thoughts on the pick, I'd like to revisit the events that occurred the day of June 23rd.
As is weekly Thursday tradition, I joined my dad and sister at my Safta's (grandmother in Hebrew) after work. My plan that morning was to duck out of work right at 5, have dinner and head over to Fish's before the first selection was to be made at 7:30.
Unfortunately, an impromptu and lengthy end of day meeting forced me to leave the office at 6:15. Adjustments to my plan had to be made on the fly. I had to phone in a favor.
"Mom, can you record something for me?"
After 20 minutes of directing her on the use of the "guide", "info" and "list" buttons - the draft had been successfully scheduled to record.
With a full stomach, I jumped in the car and headed home. The drive was pretty nerve racking considering I had to fight the urge to check my text messages - I wanted the pick to be a surprise, I couldn't risk being tipped off by a text.
At 9 o'clock I headed downstairs to my basement aka 'dungeon' - flipped on the T.V and played the draft. As I loaded my wood pipe with a pinch of kush, I prefer wood pipes over glass pipes or bongs. The first selection was about to be made.
Kyrie Irving... no surprise to anyone - most had him as the 1st overall pick.
Fast forward past Jeff Van Gundy's 'analyses' of the pick - I love digital PVR's - that magical box allows me to fast forward through anything that idiot Gundy spits out.
I hit play as the Commissioner makes his way to the podium to introduce Derrick Williams as the 2nd overall pick. No surprises with this pick. In Williams, the Timberwolves get a versatile big man who can finish in the paint but also has exceptional range.
Tap the fast forward button 3 times... Hit play as Ernas Kanter makes his way to the podium. In Kanter the Jazz get a strong big-man with a nose for the ball.
Again I zip past the commentary in time for Cleveland to make their 2nd pick of the first round... Tristan Thompson? In the weeks prior to the draft I had been following a few mock drafts, none of the mocks had Thompson going that early. Don't get me wrong though, I love the pick. Not only is the Brampton native the highest Canadian born player ever selected but the pick also leaves the door open for Toronto to select Brandon Knight (the guy most pundits had targeted as the projected 4th pick).
This time instead of fast forwarding I let the draft play - Toronto is on the clock and I want to hear what will be said about the team. Instead of using the Thompson selection as a tie in to the Raptors, the clueless commentators fail to mention a single word on the team. The combination of chronic and excitement over the multitude of talent still on the board keep my spirits high - fuck it, the Raps always get a raw deal on national networks.
"With the 5th pick in the 2011 NBA draft the Raptors select... Jonas Valanciunas"
Whoa
I immediately turned off the Rogers box and sat staring at the T.V. screen, sulking in the blue light of the LCD monitor.
Here's why I hate the pick; unlike many Raptor followers who've voiced their distaste over the pick through blogs and over forums, my disgust for the pick is not based on Jonas' European origin nor the issue of Valanciunas' eligibility keeping him out of a Raptors uniform until the 2012-2013 season.
Let's be honest, the Raptors are years away from even considering themselves, legite contenders. I understand that building a team around a talented center and playing from the inside out is a proven recipe for success. Whether or not this 7' foot - 19-year-old - pick n' roll specialist is that a guy only time will tell.
BUT
At the end of the day, sports are entertainment. The last few seasons, especially the disaster that was last season - the Raptors have not put an entertaining product on the floor. Having said that:
I strongly believe that drafting Kemba Walker would have increased the entertainment value of the Raptors dramatically.
It's quite clear that Bryan Colangelo has lost touch with the fan base in Toronto - while Toronto fans have embraced mediocrity, I'm not sure how much more Torontonians can take before they jump ship - leaving the ACC looking like the Skydome in October.
Some may view Colangelo's dedication to sticking with his 'strategy' as brave given the fact that his contract has not been renewed.
I have a different view - I believe his decision is based on fullish pride.
At one point I was willing to have Bryan raise my son until his teenage years - then, once 13 Bryan would return him to me as a confident, well mannered young man.
Screw that.
Another Bryan, Brian Burke, is gonna raise my kid... shout out Fish!
Get High Monkey
