Projected as one of the deepest and most hyped draft classes in recent years, the 2014 NBA Draft was unpredictable, but worth the price of admission. Aside from the predictability of Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid going one, two and three respectively, other picks weren’t as predictable.
A good example was UCLA’s Kyle Anderson getting scooped up at 30 by the San Antonio Spurs. That pick, by the way will benefit both the Spurs and Anderson in the long run. Imagine the combo of Anderson and NBA Finals MVP Kawaii Leonard.
That’s scary!
Here are some other notable mentions from last night’s NBA Draft:
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Michigan State’s Adreian Payne was drafted 15th by the Atlanta Hawks. He was one of the best dressed—if not the best dressed on draft night. His bowtie, lavender and purple blazer color coordination were all quite stylish.
Playing nightly for the Hawks, his fashion sense surely might make Outkast’s André 3000, an ATL native and fashion extraordinaire somewhat jealous. All joking aside, Payne’s wardrobe selection was a tribute to Lacey Holsworth, a young Michigan State fan who lost her battle with cancer shortly after the NCAA tournament. “It really was a meaning behind it,” Payne told The Source.
Months after Holsworth’s death, Payne honored Lacey during one of the biggest days of his life at the NBA draft. “I wore this for the—dedicated to Lacey Holsworth,” he said. “And it’s the color of her cancer that she had, leukemia, and I wear a band every day. As you can see, the band is the same color as the suit.”
![Austin [www.imagesplitter.net]](http://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Austin-www.imagesplitter.net_.jpeg)
Class act by the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver by inviting ex-Baylor star Isaiah Austin to the NBA Draft. Austin found out on June 21 that he has Marfan syndrome. The rare genetic disorder weakens the connective tissues of the body because the body’s cells are not fully developed.
With his condition, Austin cannot play in the NBA. But the NBA wanted Austin to fulfill the dream of every young player, so they made him a ceremonial pick. “Coach Ray and Commissioner Silver has offered me a job with the NBA somewhere,” said Austin.
“So I can always be around the game that I’ve grown up to love and have a passion for.”
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Just a year ago, the Brooklyn Nets made a splash by agreeing in principle to a draft night trade with the Boston Celtics that brought Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Big Apple. In exchange, the Celtics acquired the rights to Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Gerald Wallace and the rights to future first round draft picks beginning this year.
Hosts of this years NBA Draft at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, the Nets were without draft picks because of last year’s deal. With the Nets potentially not able to resigned backup guard and unrestricted free agent, Shaun Livingston, the Nets needed a body to fill that void. The void was lifted when Nets General Manager Billy King got on the phone and worked out a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-Wolves sent their 44th overall pick; Oklahoma States’ Markel Brown to Brooklyn in exchange for $1 million in cash.
A combo guard and spot on defender at OSU, Brown averaged 17.6 points per game for the 21-13 (8-10 in conference) Cowboys.An explosive guard, Brown has been compared to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. Nets GM Billy King was pleased that Brooklyn was able to make a move to get Brown. “Markel Brown is probably one of the top assets and top picks in the draft,” said King.
“We looked at it as we had a chance to add youth to our backcourt.”
With the NBA Draft over and no NBA regular season action until the fall, the next sniff of organized hoops action you’ll find will be the Samsung NBA Summer League.
The Summer League will tip off on July 11 at 1 p.m. PT. Most of the draftees from Thursday’s draft will participate and 67 games will be played over the course of the 11-day event. Games will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
(Photo Credits: Jason Schott/New York Sports Examiner)
