Well, I gotta be honest. I don't know what to tell you about the Timberwolves draft day madness a few weeks back. They did one thing, then turned around and did another, and I actually agreed with both moves.
The Wolves drafted O.J. Mayo from the University for Southern California with the third pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The crowd at the Target Center exploded with joy when they heard Mayo's name called by NBA Commissioner David Stern. The first name to come to mind concerning what type of player that O.J. Mayo resembles is DeWayne Wade of the Miami Heat. Mayo is a skilled "slasher" and shooter with solid defense.
My guess, however, is that Mayo will end up being not quite as good as Wade. Being from Southern California (So-Cal), I am still haunted by the miserable memory of NBA player Harold Minor whom also hailed from the University of Southern California. Minor's nickname was 'Baby Jordan'. If you have never heard of him, take that as a hint as to how his NBA career turned out. Actually, I just got an idea to do a 'Where are They Now?' series of articles. Somehow I have this sneaky suspicion that Harold Minor is washing cars somewhere in Southern California. Whatever car wash it is, I'm sure that Minor is King of shooting sponges in the bucket.
In coming to the University of Southern California, Mayo reportedly suggested a list of additional high school players with whom he wanted to play while playing ball for the school. Because Mayo was the #1 collegiate recruit coming out of high school last year, it goes without saying that his demands were adhered to.
After the midnight dust settled and the final draft picks had been made, the Minnesota Timberwolves ended up with a big forward by the name of Kevin Love, from the University of California Los Angeles via a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies received rights to Mayo in exchange for Kevin Love and a few additional players. Obviously Kevin "Big"
Love will get his own exclusive article out of me since he was my leading recommendation for the Timberwolves Draft options in the first place. For now I will make more mention of the secret surprise within the trade.
The name of the surprise is Eminem, or is that M & M? I am sure that he will be called M & M around here, but his name is Mike Miller. An NBA vetran, Miller is cool and he can really shoot a basketball. I don't mean he can shoot miraculously during one single solitary week of the year like former Timberwolf Troy Hudson. Mike Miller will hurt you with his jump shot every time he takes the court. He, in combination with Al Jefferson, is the kind of constant pain that another team doesn't like to see coming. Toss in a little Randy Foye, and Kevin Love and you have a 2008 – 2009 Timberwolves team that still can't make the playoffs. Blah-ha-haaa! Whew!
Just kidding, I think the pups might have a little something to say next year. It would help if Rashad McCants could shake the title of 'Can't Get Right'; always looking like he is staring at a circus mirror. Just teasing, but McCants is very important to the Timberwolves future potential.
In the end, it doesn't matter because the Los Angeles Lakers are hot under the collar and raring to avenge their recent loss in the NBA Finals. Blame Darth K.G. and his tainted Timberwolf blood for striking a blow to the Laker Empire. I'm watching Star Wars, you'll have to excuse me.
