7:33: Portland is on the clock.
I’m starting this with one hand. My son is out cold on my lap.

Question: Who would you want to give a free kick to the nuts more? Steven A. Smith or Dick Vitale?

7:36: Shocking Oden goes first. Stunned I tell you. Stunned.

7:41: Naturally Durant to Seattle/Oklahoma City. Easiest draft pick ever.

7:42: Awesome. The Celtics are apparently going to swap the #5 pick (or pick Jeff Green of Georgetown) along with Delonte West and Wally Sczerbiak to Seattle for Ray Allen. I’m with Mark Jackson who has been blasting this deal for the Celtics all day. That’s why I love it. Hate the Celtics.

7:46: Okay, Atlanta and Pitt’s Billy Knight have the #3 pick. Heard that the Hawks because of their pathetic and infighting trinity of ownership blew a chance to get Amare Stoudamire in a deal that would have involved the #11 pick. Yeep.

They go with Al Horford from Florida as expected. Best player left. I have no problem with it. That means they’ll take Acie Law IV at #11.

7:50: Those Adidas Draft/NBA hats bother me with that narrow piping. Makes it look like everyone has a pointy head.

7:52: Predictable draft so far as Conley, Jr. goes #4 to Memphis. I see him as a slightly better Dominic James with more mystery creating the nebulous “upside.”

7:57: Yes! The Celtics do take Jeff Green. That means Boston will just be inadequate and not have any potential growth in the future.

(more…)

And all the stories today reflect that. This article concludes that it’s best that he goes in the second round, since he’ll be a back-up player for his career. That way no one can call him a bust.

Part of it is simply that the style in the NBA has changed in the last few years. I keep mentioning this, but Chris Mihm (who Gray reminds me a lot of for the NBA) was the #7 pick. Now, it’s about being able to penetrate the lane and showing much more athleticism.

Gray’s agent is rightly stressing that getting drafted by the right team will help his career a lot more than being drafted in the first round.

”He’s a big center, who can score with his back to the basket, and in today’s NBA that’s not something that all NBA teams use or reserve roster spots for,” Zanik said.”It’s not about being on a roster. It’s about him being able to contribute, so we’ve targeted some teams where that would make sense.”

…

”It really has to do with the fit of the team,” Zanik said. ”That’s what we’ve been concentrating on in the draft process, regardless of the number, because he can step in and help a team right away.

”Whether it’s a team at No. 25 or 45, his ability is going to allow him to get guaranteed years and an opportunity. I have teams where Aaron is going to play.”

On Phoenix’s roster, Gray would have no chance, and would be released or traded quickly. A team like San Antonio, Indiana, Miami or Washington would fit him much better.

Still, there’s a big difference in Gray’s shape and his game from his freshman year to now.

For Gray, this is a time to reflect and celebrate how far he has come. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas described Gray as a “non-prospect” coming out of Emmaus High in 2003. Four years later, he is on the verge of being drafted by an NBA team.

“It’s ridiculous to think about,” Gray said. “If you saw me as a freshman in high school, people wouldn’t even believe it was me. The NBA was just a dream.

“Things have worked out really well for me. I was surrounded by great people at Pitt. The coaches gave me an opportunity. I wouldn’t change a thing that’s happened to me over the last four years.”

This was the from the first time I noticed Gray playing. It was the February 2004 game against UConn.

Okay, who the hell is the big slow white guy for Pitt that just scored on the nice pass from Brown? Looking at the box score, it’s a 7′ freshman named Aaron Gray from outside of Allentown. This was the 13th game he’s made an appearance in, but the first one I’ve seen.

I believe Gray recounted that story at times this past year about his poor physical conditioning and how he huffed and puffed too late to stop an Okafor score.

The Big East Basketball Report Blog is an invaluable for keeping track of everything Big East. I probably don’t give it nearly the credit, props and attention it deserves. All of the following links came via the BEBR.

Nasir Robinson committed to Pitt seemingly forever, so despite being a top recruit, there has been very little talk about him. Well, Robinson will be taking part in the Kobe Bryant Skill Academy. The week before he was at the NBPA Camp.

Nasir Robinson 6-foot-6 WF Chester, PA is another of those steady, solid every game performers. This aggressive wing man scored 15 points in nightcap as he finished with strength at the rim or popped 15-footer on the move.

In New Jersey there was the Hoop Group High School Basketball Championship at Seton Hall University this past weekend. CAA Insider was there and had thoughts on certain players from many of the teams. This includes Pitt commit Travon Woodall from St. Anthony’s.

Travon had his perimeter game working throughout. He buried three pointer after three pointer. He was also effective at getting into the lane and scoring off the dribble. He’s very smooth with the ball in his hands and thus a real treat to watch.

Woodall was the Tournament’s MVP as his team, St. Anthony surprisingly won the tournament. He was on-board with Pitt recruiting Ashton Gibbs.

The two have played together in various All-Star games and with the Playaz Basketball Club.

“They called me three weeks before he committed and asked me what I thought about them recruiting Ashton Gibbs,” Woodall said. “Me and him have a great relationship. We have chemistry. The only thing that would have been more perfect would have been if they signed Mike Rosario.

“(Gibbs) is a shooter. He’s not going to come over and play the point guard position. He’s going to be more of a two guard. I think it’s a good fit for me.”

Right now Robinson and Gibbs look like they will be defense first players. Gibbs, was asked about his team’s chances in his senior year.

“As long as we play good, solid defense, we should be in good shape,” he said. “We’ll have to hold teams down and create some of our offense with defense.”

Adjectives expected to be used to describe the kids in the 2008 recruiting class when playing for Pitt: gritty, hard-nosed, blue-collar and tough.