The NBA Draft was more than a little unpredictable this year. Starting with the Cleveland Cavaliers picking Anthony Bennett out of UNLV (my pick would have been Georgetown’s Otto Porter). That set off a lot of changes up and down the draft. Plenty of trades. But at the number 12 spot, Oklahoma stood pat and took Steven Adams as many expected.
Adams, the 7-foot center who spent one season at Pitt after emigrating from New Zealand, is the fifth Pitt player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft and the first since Vonteego Cummings in 1999. The other Panthers taken in round one were Charles Smith and Jerome Lane in 1988 and Eric Mobley in 1994. He is the first Pitt freshman to be selected in the first round.
Adams is the fifth player coached by Jamie Dixon to be selected in the draft, following DeJuan Blair and Sam Young (second round in 2009), Aaron Gray (second round in 2007) and Chris Taft (second round in 2005).
Selfishly, I would have loved for Adams to stay at Pitt another year. Yes, he would have further developed, but I’m not convinced that he would have gone much higher in the draft in 2014. (Not to mention the possibility of injuries.)
Not because of how he would be used at Pitt. Or as some want to believe that Dixon would waste him. It’s simply the numbers.
The 2014 draft already looks loaded. It will have players like Andrew Wiggins, Marcus Smart, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson, James McAdoo, the usual slew of one-and-dones from Kentucky, Euro players we know nothing about, and plenty of others. 2014 is shaping up to be one of those high talent draft years.
So by going now, he starts earning the money a year earlier. Even with the rookie scale, he will be making over $2 million in his first year.
He’s also decided that he wants to help his vast and far-flung family financially. There will be many open hands now thrust in his direction, as our rugby players found when they received their first pay cheques back in the mid-90s.
Hopefully, his management can keep a little money out of reach for his own future.
Amen.
And by getting drafted by Oklahoma City, Adams is probably in the best spot possible. He is heading to the D-League, but unlike a lot of other franchises, OKC actually uses the NBDL to actually develop players.
“Once again, Thunder U is served,” vice president/assistant general manager Troy Weaver said.
Considered a project, Adams played one season at Pittsburgh and almost certainly will spend his rookie season playing with the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder’s Developmental League affiliate.
Asked what he thought of that scenario, Adams momentarily drew a blank.
“Playing in Tulsa? … Oh, sorry. Yeah, yeah, yeah. My bad,” Adams said. “No, I don’t mind. Either way. I’m just committed to the coaches and just making sure I do whatever they say. If they feel I’m ready to be a Thunder, then that will work. If they don’t and I’m going to Tulsa, that’s just how it is.”
Reasonably certain, that Adams didn’t have that much of an opportunity to learn the geography of the US in the past year.
It’s amusing as in the course of the interviews and night, Adams seemed to fluctuate from saying stock things.
Adams seemed to get it Thursday night, telling reporters at the draft: “All I’m trying to work on right now is rebounding, blocking shots, defense and running the lanes. All the base sort of stuff. I’ll start from there and I’ll try to branch off. Whatever the coaches want.”
Then he becomes the 19-year old kid.
“Man this feels electric! Thank you for all the support whanau and friends.”
Among that family support was sister and two-time Olympic gold medalist Valerie Adams.
Soon after todays drama, Steven Adams told ONE News Jack Tame “the chicks in OKC are mean and the team has its own chef”.
He also tweeted a shout out to a NZ Breakers star player, saying: “Big thanks to Alex Pledger for supporting me from the start.”
Adams is super excited about playing with Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and, at draft time today, only heard the letter “Sss&”, which indicated he’d been picked number 12 in the draft – then he felt dizzy.
But afterwards he was “stoked” Oklahoma was where he wanted to go.
But seriously Adams. Find a really good manager who can tell you (and members of your large family) “no” when it comes to spending and supporting. You are still just one injury from it all ending quickly.
Despite my reservations about his undaunting support of his current AD, there is little doubt that he was very successful especially in the area of academia and research, which of course is the primary purpose. In athletics, Pitt is certainly in a better place now than when he assumed the position.
You figured they would have a deal done by now.
Seems the DA (woman) wants to make a point with a football player.
Last time the “victim” showed to court so that is not a good sign either.
I know that’s the way the world works but still for some reason it kind of pisses me off. Along with all the talk from Dixon about how Stevie is his BFF, etc.
So yeah it’s the way things work, but still for an organization – a business – that hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with outstanding results lately, I don’t like it.
And don’t tell me the genius SP got us into the ACC, that was mostly dumb luck.
HTP!
it pissess you off because unlike some slob reporter for the Trib who believes what he hears instead of investigating, you know that whatever SP did well occurred over a decade ago and he sure as hell isn’t raising money.
Did Pitt athletic fundrasing increase? yes. From 100.00 to 101.00. BFD!
Nordy gave his pal a free ride on the next Chancellors ticket.
Adams 2012-2013 playing onlg 23 minutes a game opponents score 10 points a game less (unless you attribute this to Woodalls defense or Taylor improvement. Woodall was always a defensive liability. Robinson made a difference in backcourt. Pitt had to play zone much of the time because Woodall could not keep his man in front of him or stop the perimiter jumper. Pitt would have been better with the sophmore guard (better defender and good shooter off dribble).
Woodall was a terrible shooter, no rotation no touch pball often rebounded ou to the foul line for fast break for the opposition.
Eight additonal victories attributed only to Adams prescence in the center. If he played 30 minutes could have won 5 more.
Woodall 3 team conference 3×12 = 37 best guard in big east. I would argue that.
If I was coach at Pitt he would not start. If I coached W.S. we would have at least got past 1st round. Would you play someone 30 minutes who shot the ball 20 times. I wouldn’t even if he made 8, if he made one I’d send he to the locker room after his 5th turnover. How could Pitt overcome Woodalls ego and any opponent in the NCAAs.
What round was he drafted in the New Zealand league.
The last true low post player Pitt had was Gray. Blair was rarely fed by L Fields, and McGhee was never fed by Wannamaker or Gibbs … so maybe in addition to Adams not really knowing his position, you may also contribute some of the blame to JD’s offense which seems to stress perimeter passing and screens.
You can teach talent, you cannot make Woodall into a D1 guard
pittisit, I don’t understand this constant criticism of Woodall … and now you claim he has this big ego. Was it any bigger than Gibbs, Fields or Krauser??
I don’t get you at all!
Nordenberg was criticized for duplicity in rejecting a $13 million per year per school opportunity in the Big East. His extension for Pederson smacks of the same ethics.
I would encrourage all to take a look at it in regards to Nordy and Stevie.
Nordy did great academically, and I suppose one could argue that is what a university is for. Hard to argue with anyone on that.
However, as athletics are a multi-million dollar business, and the university does solicit funds from donors ad nauseum, I would suggest that sports does have it’s place in the conversation.
Also, as this is a sports blog, it definitely has it’s place.
There can be no question that Pitt has been a failure.
It’s in black and white. Hard numbers.
109th place in the Directors Cup.
That would be DEAD LAST in the ACC!!!
That includes the comers and goers. ND, Syr , Lou.
Don’t know how you can argue these facts.
For those that don’t know, Directors Cup is all of a universitiy’s sports, and how they’ve done collectively.
Guy even makes a joke in the article, something about the newcomers scores and rankings.
Comment about Pitt….”wow, well I guess it’s good news for Wake”.
Wake Forest had been previously last. Well, I guess they still are until Saturday.
Then we will slip right in at the bottom.
And for that, well into his second go around at Pitt SP gets an extension. WTF!!!!????
Fiasco with football, winless in 2 years in women’s basketball.
Were I a Pitt employee I’d march in and demand an extension for not sucking as bad as the overpaid liar in the AD chair.
Nordy pulled a fast one and the next Chancellor will be stuck with the damn contract of SP.
Translated….same ole Pitt.
Pederson needs to do more plain and simple. It is as if he dismisses the notion that Pitt should compete in the non-revenue sports. I can’t imagine many of the existing non-revenue coaches being retained if Pederson was remotely concerned about those sports.
I know that’s the way the world works but still for some reason it kind of pisses me off. Along with all the talk from Dixon about how Stevie is his BFF, etc.
So yeah it’s the way things work, but still for an organization – a business – that hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with outstanding results lately, I don’t like it.
And don’t tell me the genius SP got us into the ACC, that was mostly dumb luck.
Comment by BATR 06.28.13 @ 11:16 am
Spot on BATR !
It stinks. Nordy should be ashamed of himself for extending SP when he knew he was retiring.
Cronyism, favoritism, whatever you what to call it, it just plain stinks !
But of course Nordy fed the media when they extended Cornhole Stevie, that SP was responsible for our entry in the ACC. lmao
If it wasn’t for Gene DeFillipo, Pitt would be playing in the AAC and this board would have a whole different tone, with a football schedule this year that would include Temple, Memphis, SMU, Rutgers, L-ville and some other garbage teams.
That’s a fact jack !
Landing a 5 star QB recruit would have really supercharged Pitt’s recruiting. imo
And he wasn’t a gangbanger to boot !
Extending SP when he knew he was retiring, as I mentioned above reeks of cronyism, favoritism, etc.
And leaves a bad taste in my mouth. As did the schlock story fed the media concerning SP and his supposed achievements which are few and far between on his 2nd stint at Pitt.
8. UNC
9. Notre Dame
11. FSU
12. Duke
20. UVA
34. NC State
36. VA. Tech
38. Louisville
39. Syracuse
44. Maryland
52. Clemson
71. Miami
74. GA. Tech
76. BC
98. Tiny Wake Forest
109. PITT
And Cornhole Stevie got a 5 year extension with PITT at the bottom of the heap and almost near last among all D1 schools.
Little Wake Forest has 4,000 undergrads.
Sorry this guy should have been given his walking papers instead of lying about his role in Pitt getting into the ACC.
That’s the fact …jack !
Pitt has over a $2 Billion Endowment.
Pitt should NOT be #109 in the Directors Cup Standings.
Pederson is a joke !
– Pitt athletic programs in a pathetic state on a competitive basis
– he makes 2 horrific hires within a space of 3 weeks a couple years back (has to be some type of a record)
08-09 #93
09-10 #112
10-11 #123
11-12 #131
12-13 #109… we’re actually on an upswing!
Here you might like this ACC piece, the lead story on Yahoo’s NCAA page.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/acc-ready-welcome-pitt-syracuse-175904356–spt.html
yea the record was, he suffered no consequences at all for firing a guy who was leading Pitt back to national respectability, had no plan when he fired him on who was going to replace him. Picked a loser with 1 year of Head Coaching experience that had been passed over by just about every university in America and had all kind of “danger” red flags in his resume and then panicked again and got conned by Fraud Graham.
What a schmuck !
One that could have included a basketball venue within it !
That would have been the logical thing to do and he will NEVER be forgiven for that transgression.
Complete with groundhog on helmet and a putrid version of blue & gold. Again….all in your image.
Makes me sick ! 🙁
Hey EMel the Bucos are now 19 over 500…just amazing….and Pitt has not yet lost a game in the ACC…H2P Chill my friend…
Since there are suddenly so many Director’s Cup fans and experts, does anyone now why major sports like basketball and baseball do not count?
Since then, and now in his 5th year after his rehiring .. (1) the FB program has been mired in mediocrity, was a national laughingstock back in Dec10/Jan 11, tickets sales has decreased greatly the last 2 years (but this year sales are up solely due to the great new ACC home schedule), (2) men’s bb hasn’t gotten past the 1st round of NCAA or didn’t make the NCAA 1st time in 10 years, and has a host of players transferring out, and (3) women’s BB has now lost 30 straight conference games.
Don’t get me wrong — the men’s BB team is still in good shape IMO …. but if he held JD accountable to the extent that he held DW, not sure if he shouldn’t be looking for a new coach.
The point is that all 3 of the money sports have gone downhill in the past few years …. all under his watch and after he has been here a while and settled in.
The ACC should give us a boost due to the money and exposure, especially in FB (already has in ticket sales this year) … but we’ll see what develops over the next few years
BTW, no one knows what HCPC said to RS, but I’m sure it was with class and integrity!
Look up the definition of ethics and stop name-calling. It only makes your argument look even more inane. Being called out by most of the other Big East football schools for “betrayal” doesn’t fit the good guy/white hat image you so much wish Nordenberg actually had.
Of course, his two biggest critics back then (the Louisville and ND ADs) have joined on …. not to mention the fact mostly all, if not all, of the BE FB schools had applied for membership.
@PittScript, nice post and link on the way most “sane” sports fans are seeing this past week’s RS saga and HCPC’s reply (or lack there of)to those antics. Also it serves as a tangible response to those Pitt Blather critics of HCPC, who have stated that he is being viewed negatively on the national stage for his handling of the situation. Every hear the phrase of “that comment does not warrent a rational response”? Apparently Paul Chryst has.
As I mentioned previously, I’m learning to like Paul Chryst more every day. Now if he can just start winning some football games.
Baseball and basketball most certainly do count.
I’m no expert, but the Athletic Director is the boss of ALL athletics at the university.
Seems like you can get a pretty good idea of how your overall athletics are from this.
The teams in top 50 apparently throw money at the olympic sports as well and still manage to have top money maker sports too.
Good link. I think we should push for them (DCup) to include Skiing. Certainly a competitve advantage for us over of most of the ACC schools (at least travel expenses!)
However, the Directors Cup apparently puts out rankings several, even maybe 5 or 6 times a year.
Twice in the fall, twice in the winter, twice in the spring and a final ranking.
After a certain sport, or groups of sports are done.
So, the first rankings may have football, mens soccer, womens soccer as an example.
Then a winter one, they add hockey, gymnastics, etc. etc.
Spring, swimming and hoops.
Late spring. Baseball, track and field.
It’s cumulative as the year goes on.
I AM ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERT!!! LOL
I’ve just been reading about it the past couple days.
Then they have a final rank for the year. After the spring sports I believe.
Baseball would probably be the first sport of the year, or the last, I guess depending on when the CWS is over. I would think it’s one of the last.
Pitt being 109th, was our final ranking.
Last in ACC. Pretty poor.
Here’s another link, and if you scroll down, you will see all of the teams rankings.
Looks like they give you the spring sports points…..then on the right, they give you each schools points final for FALL, WINTER and SPRING, then combine them for the final rankings.
I’ve often seen it on commercials or ESPN or CBS promos during football season, especially maybe during bowl season.
I always have said to myself, “I wonder where Pitt fits in”, then I’ve thought, “oh, they probably just do a top 20 or something”, and I never bothered looking it up.
Interesting stuff.
At this point, makes no sense that Paul Chryst was quick to go public with an offer to his nephew… UNLESS… something happened since then to dramatically shift things in the favor of Stanford.
Admittedly wrong on this one. Had Keller coming to Pitt all the way.
What a disappointment!
Seems his attorney is working behind the scenes and so far unsuccessfully to get a deal to have charges dropped.
For a second time, a pre-trial hearing has been delayed, this according to the Trib Review.
The story goes on to say that the delay to July 29 is a result of a scheduling conflict involving Chapman’s attorney.
Seems more likely that the attorney is working with one goal which is to have the charges completely dropped knowing that anything short of that means Chapman’s days at Pitt would be over.
Athletics?? What do the kids say today? Meh?
Have a great weekend fellas. Heading into the madness that is Gettysburg on the 150th anniv..
John Swofford ringing the bell to open NYSE Mon..
ACC press conference being held Mon. 2pm. Hosted by ESPN, Brad Nessler.
Members at the press conference listed.
John Swofford Commish
Frank Beamer Va.Tech
Jim Boeheim Syracuse
Mike Brey ND
Larry Fitzgerald Pitt
Roy Williams NC
See ya.
….. for them to include ‘Ultimate Frisbee’.
Quite ironically, the Athletic Dept doesn’t have anything to do with that team. haha
Yes indeed the Bucs are in sole position of 1rst place in the NL Central and have the best record in the entire MLB.
We have not been 19 games over .500 since 1992.
A Pitt basketball player get drafted in the 1rst round AND the Pirates with the best record in MLB at almost the halfway mark.
The world must indeed be coming to an End ! yikes
Love the guy, but he’s not a coach or a employee of Pitt. Everyone else on that list above is.
Strange….but then again most things with Pitt are !
Thanks bro.
I think my body needs to vent(a good one) at least quarterly about SP or the poison builds up in my system and I start turning green.
Plus it’s good for my high blood pressure to release that angst I feel over Pitt athletics.
🙂
Have fun at Gettysburg. I’ll be the fat guy with a goatee wearing grey and sweating on the battlefield. I’ll replace my rebel yell with a Hail to Pitt!
He does need to learn the nuisances of playing with his back to the basket but he will soon master that. He is the most physical C in the draft including Deing who he played to a standoff while he played for a medicore team and Deing played for Louisville.
He only got the rap of bad hands when he got to Pitt . Before that it was considered one of his major strenths with his passing. Hard to pick up the ball at your ankles from a Woodall pass.
Face it Woodaal scored 11 points a game playing 30 minutes shooting 20 shots if given to others Pitt would have scored more and playing terrible defense, Silva had him in his pocket. In the Big East his 3 team all -confernce was in deference to Dixon his travelling promoter. On the Pitt squad he was the eighth best player ahead of Johnson and tied with Zanna
