It will be Mayo or Lopez and Hoiberg said they will draft for need, whatever that really means.

The best news of the night:  They didn't move down, I am still a fan.  Your welcome everyone. 

Jamebo Jackson:

The best news of the night:  They didn't move down, I am still a fan.  Your welcome everyone. 

I'm so glad you're staying!

In other news, as I have stated in other posts, the 3rd pick isn't that bad.  In fact I am somewhat satisfied as long as the Wolves pick Mayo.  Please, for the love of all things that are holy, pick Mayo. 

MattyP:

Jamebo Jackson:

The best news of the night:  They didn't move down, I am still a fan.  Your welcome everyone. 

 

 

I'm so glad you're staying!

 

In other news, as I have stated in other posts, the 3rd pick isn't that bad.  In fact I am somewhat satisfied as long as the Wolves pick Mayo.  Please, for the love of all things that are holy, pick Mayo. 

It's hard to get very mad over the 3rd overall pick in the NBA Draft. Could be a lot worse. Mayo seems like the logical choice here, but I'll have to do some more reading and analysis before I start my Mayo or bust chant.

 It's not hard for me!

The Wolves NEVER move up. When it was known that Chicago was moving up to one of the top 3 spots, I just wanted the Wolves not to get called at #4 and I thought for sure that the Bulls would get #3, thus leaving the Wolves with one of the first two picks (either of which I'd be happy with). But then the Wolves got the 3rd selection in a 2 player deep draft. It's hearkening up memories of the 1992 draft that was 2 players deep and the Wolves got the 3rd spot and selected Christian Laettner. (Reminder; Zo Mourning and Shaq went 1 and 2).

I don't see this being much different.

If they take Lopez I think I will literally be sick to my stomach.

If they take Mayo, I'll continually worry about his Sprewell/Marbury tendencies and wonder when he's going to ruin the franchise (cause it seems it would only be a matter of when and not if).

Ideally....in my fantasy world, either the Wolves can find some way to move up to one of the top 2 spots (maybe one of those teams actually likes Mayo) or either Rose or Beasley fall to number 3 (which I know won't happen... but it's my fantasy and I'll fantasize as I choose).

I'm not sure this could've gone worse.Once again, the Wolves are now in a position to have all the idiots and/or trolls out there second guess the decision the Wolves make. Once again, we are in a position where there is no clear cut choice. Even had we fallen to number 4, then if the team who had the 3rd pick took Mayo... then we take Lopez. But now, we take Mayo and Lopez blows up and we'll have every Dummy in the world saying how they would've taken Lopez.

Just once I wanted the lottery gods (i.e. the guys rigging the lottery) to shine on the Wolves, but once again the Wolves get absolutely hosed.

2008 = 1992 

 I guess I have three situations that keep playing out in my head, and all of them involve a trade.

I'm not as down on Lopez as some people seem if we were to take him at 3, but either way I think that if we're going to draft on "need" then we need to find a way to get two picks in the first, preferably in the top 14. So my 3 scenarios would be:

#1: Draft Lopez at 3. Trade into the 8-11 range to draft D.J. Augustin.

#2: Draft Mayo at 3. Trade into the 8-11 range to draft DeAndre Jordan.

#3: Either of the above two scenarios, combined with yet another trade late into the first round to pick either Hibbert or Robin Lopez or compliment whichever center that you get early in the round. 

My personal choice of the above 3 is probably taking Mayo and finding a way to get Jordan as well. Bottom line is that, because they landed out of the top 2, I think they have to be extremely active in getting an additional pick and moving up in this draft as much as possible, kind of like what Portland did a few years ago. 

My thoughts on landing the third pick? The lottery is fixed. PERIOD 

What does everyone think about trading down?  It's obvious we still need a superstar perimeter player, and Mayo is the only one who could possibly fit that profile, but I am also worried about the whole small-market thing with him.

What if we could trade down to the 9-12 range, and pick up a first next year?  We could take Augustin who seems to be the solid point we need, or Jordan or McGee and hope they develop into that athletic center we need.  We would then possibly have 4 first rounders next year, which we could use to secure a superstar in the draft.

I don't know I'm just so bummed I guess I want nothing to do with this draft now...just delay it out for the future.  Ultimately the measurements and interviews will determine a lot about how I feel about players like Mayo and Augustin, so I guess we'll just have to wait it out.

Chaos:

 It's not hard for me!

The Wolves NEVER move up. When it was known that Chicago was moving up to one of the top 3 spots, I just wanted the Wolves not to get called at #4 and I thought for sure that the Bulls would get #3, thus leaving the Wolves with one of the first two picks (either of which I'd be happy with). But then the Wolves got the 3rd selection in a 2 player deep draft. It's hearkening up memories of the 1992 draft that was 2 players deep and the Wolves got the 3rd spot and selected Christian Laettner. (Reminder; Zo Mourning and Shaq went 1 and 2).

I don't see this being much different.

If they take Lopez I think I will literally be sick to my stomach.

If they take Mayo, I'll continually worry about his Sprewell/Marbury tendencies and wonder when he's going to ruin the franchise (cause it seems it would only be a matter of when and not if).

Ideally....in my fantasy world, either the Wolves can find some way to move up to one of the top 2 spots (maybe one of those teams actually likes Mayo) or either Rose or Beasley fall to number 3 (which I know won't happen... but it's my fantasy and I'll fantasize as I choose).

I'm not sure this could've gone worse.Once again, the Wolves are now in a position to have all the idiots and/or trolls out there second guess the decision the Wolves make. Once again, we are in a position where there is no clear cut choice. Even had we fallen to number 4, then if the team who had the 3rd pick took Mayo... then we take Lopez. But now, we take Mayo and Lopez blows up and we'll have every Dummy in the world saying how they would've taken Lopez.

Just once I wanted the lottery gods (i.e. the guys rigging the lottery) to shine on the Wolves, but once again the Wolves get absolutely hosed.

2008 = 1992 

Technically, since Chicago won the lottery, the Wolves DID move up, because they bypassed Seattle.  I agree with nearly everything else you said.....especially the part about the Wolves now having to be involved in the crap-shoot, relying on their scouting that doesn't ever seem to be pay off and luck that doesn't seem to ever pan out.  And your comparison to 1992 is spot on - I said the exact same thing to Mrs Jackson after it happened.  I said "Oh good - once again we're running third in a two-horse race".  I'm still just surprised they didn't move down.

country boy:

What does everyone think about trading down?  It's obvious we still need a superstar perimeter player, and Mayo is the only one who could possibly fit that profile, but I am also worried about the whole small-market thing with him.

What if we could trade down to the 9-12 range, and pick up a first next year?  We could take Augustin who seems to be the solid point we need, or Jordan or McGee and hope they develop into that athletic center we need.  We would then possibly have 4 first rounders next year, which we could use to secure a superstar in the draft.

I don't know I'm just so bummed I guess I want nothing to do with this draft now...just delay it out for the future.  Ultimately the measurements and interviews will determine a lot about how I feel about players like Mayo and Augustin, so I guess we'll just have to wait it out.

I'm not for moving down at all. I might have been if we would have landed at 4-6, but I think the one thing you have to do at 3 is take advantage of getting your pick of the best of the rest. It sucks that we didn't get top 2, but I'm ok with 3 because at least we can take the guy we want. If Augustin was the best guy we wanted, or someone else, it might make sense, but I really don't think that's the case.  I take your pick at 3 and then move back into the first round. It should be possible considering we have 4 picks (our number 2's this year, and futures from Boston and Miami) that should be able to get us another first round pick.

Porter:

#2: Draft Mayo at 3. Trade into the 8-11 range to draft DeAndre Jordan.

Perfect. Oh how I would celebrate. But what do we give up in order to get a late lottery pick?

LabRat:

Porter:

#2: Draft Mayo at 3. Trade into the 8-11 range to draft DeAndre Jordan.

Perfect. Oh how I would celebrate. But what do we give up in order to get a late lottery pick?

There's the difficulty I suppose.Would McCants and Miami's number 1 be enough? Would Craig Smith (only because I've heard his nae tossed around by others) and a combo be enough? I'd like to think that with the picks we have, something could get done, but who the hell knows. I won't kid myself in saying it's as easy as X+Y gets us a pick. 

 I'm all for trading up to get another pick in the first... always have been.

But Porter (I believe it was Porter) brings up a great point; it's even more necessary now. If we got Rose or Beasley, it wouldn't have been as important to get another larger piece because of the impact they could've made alone. Now, since our first selection won't have nearly the impact ...we need more pieces.

I'm still high on Hibbert and would love to see him playing alongside Big Al. On the defensive end he can help clog the lane. And on the offensive side he can be down low when needed and develop a great low post game with Big Al, or he can clear out, giving Big Al room and still be able to knock down the 15 - 18ft'ers.

What I'm saying, is that I'd rather see us take someone like Mayo or Bayless with our first, then move up and Hibbert in the mid/late first. If we don't move at all. Then I say Bayless/Mayo with the first and probably Juwai with one of the seconds. 

 What my thoughts are:

No matter who we choose we will end up passing on someone who blows up and the boo birds will have a field day.

I am afraid they won't do their home work and will by pass the BPA for "need" ( like there are sooooo many stars on this team we only need to fill a couple holes)

It's going to be a long road back to the playoffs.

I am getting more depressed by the second. 

cattsunn:

 What my thoughts are:

No matter who we choose we will end up passing on someone who blows up and the boo birds will have a field day.

I am afraid they won't do their home work and will by pass the BPA for "need" ( like there are sooooo many stars on this team we only need to fill a couple holes)

It's going to be a long road back to the playoffs.

I am getting more depressed by the second. 

How are you feeling? 

 Hey Sweetie, Thanks for asking. I am up and down most days but, trying to keep positive as the negativity really does affect how you feel. Especially with chronic illness, attitude can be everything.

It doesn't hurt to know we may still be able to move up and get a hot prospect. With this third pick though there is too much room for error for my liking. No clear winner has really emerged and any muckiness what so ever is never a good thing with this FO.

A great off season would do wonders for my health 

Well if the negativity affects it then you keep smiling Cat, deal?

Im better now than i was i was really pissed that Chicago of all teams moved up that much. I was also mad that Heat got the second pick. Perfect case scenario for me would be draft Mayo and get a center. Please dont take the european dude.

wolvesdjr:

Im better now than i was i was really pissed that Chicago of all teams moved up that much. I was also mad that Heat got the second pick. Perfect case scenario for me would be draft Mayo and get a center. Please dont take the european dude.

Gallinari is the only other player that remotely interests other than Mayo. The guy looks like he has some serious skills, but we all know that European players are really hit and miss......  

 From an article right here on HoopsWorld...

  Heat Will Keep Shopping

Pat Riley continues to fuel the fire of speculation that Michael Beasley will not be the number two overall pick in this summer's NBA Draft. His staff will be in Chicago this week to take a long look at Dwayne Wade's new best friend: point guard OJ Mayo. Mayo may have gotten off on the wrong foot with the revelation that he was taking money from an agent before he was eligible to do so, but his second impression will likely turn out to be the more memorable one.

Mayo handled himself like a pro when addressing the media in Orlando during pre-draft camp. Despite being barraged with the same obvious questions about his financial faux pas Mayo consistently said he was thinking about the future, not the past. He stayed patient and positive, and displayed the kind of grace under pressure that an NBA point guard has to have.

So the question becomes: Is Mayo the Heat's pick at #2, or do they trade down to Minnesota so the Wolves can take Beasley second and Miami can get Mayo and a player from Minnesota, as well? Either way, there's a strong possibility that Mayo, not Beasley, will land next to Wade in South Florida.
 

I say we stay at #3. If Miami really does want Mayo, make them pick him with their #2, rather than having us give them back their 2nd round pick, so they can get the guy they want anyway.

I sure hope Miami does pick Mayo, because as good as he is, I think Beasley is better. Beasley and Jefferson side by side would be a thing of beauty!

BTW, go set your cyberdunk tactics for today's game, Chaos.