Three Is Better Than One!

Hello and Happy Friday everyone. End to another fun week.

To those who do not live in the Southwest I can tell you with absolute certainty there is indeed a difference you can feel when the mercury is at 105 compared to 100. If you go from 105 to 95 that is one very welcomed cool front in the summertime. How appropriate the month is June when we welcome a 'draft' of the sporty variety.

My thanks to Sarah Melton and the brass at the Dallas Mavericks for being able to watch the Draft party last night at the AAC's Jack Daniels Number 7 Club. For the second year in a row it was fun to keep tabs on all that was going on with the picks announced to the proposed trades that were rumored to be or actually came to be. You knew that somehow Dallas would involve itself into this foray. Jerry Jones can't have the monopoly on this can he?

Some interesting firsts Thursday night. The 1st time the first 2 picks in a first round were from the same university (Kentucky). The first three picks represented the SEC. Last time you had a triple conference exacta on Draft Day it was the ACC in 1986. The number of freshmen picked initially surprised me.

I did note that the Mavericks in theory were holding a very special number in the first round. Since 2005 the team that picked 17th got a nice return on their investment. However, Dallas had other things in mind than to keep a #17 pick.

Tyler Zeller had his rights traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 23rd, 33rd, and 34th picks of the draft. In so doing Dallas acquired the likes of Jared Cunningham, Bernard James (HUGE pop for this kid who served in Iraq and chants of 'USA! USA!), and Jae Crowder.

Cunningham (6-4, 194) finished his three-year career at Oregon State ranked 13th in career scoring (1,271 points), second in steals (219) and third in free throws made (427). He was named First Team All-Pac 12 as a junior when he averaged 17.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

James (6-10, 240) is a former Staff Sergeant who served six years in the Air Force including three tours to Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar. In his senior season at Florida State, James averaged 10.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while being named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive team. James also won the Most Courageous Award by the United States Basketball Writers of America.

Crowder (6-6, 235) is a four-year player who finished his career at Marquette after transferring from Howard College where he was NCAA Player of the Year. In his senior year at Marquette, he was named Big East Player of the Year when he averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

In addition the Mavericks had a second round pick at number 55. Maybe it was his last name (Odom) but Darius Johnson Odom was dealt to the Lakers for cash. In doing so Dallas cleared up some cap room for the Free Agency period. Rick Carlisle vowed the Mavs would be aggressive in free agency. The question looms: Will Deron Williams come to Dallas? If it happens great but my gut tells me he remains where he is with the Nets.

If this is the case I dare say the brain trust of the Mavericks are content to have blue-collared, high-character guys in their stable for summer seasoning and the shuttle from Frisco to downtown as performances dictate. Think Shawne Williams when I say this.

Rick Carlisle and Donnie spoke late after the Draft had ended. You can catch those comments on my podcast. Suffice to say that both men enjoyed the war room scenarios and the phones were non stop as the night progressed. 

No sleep for the weary. Mere hours after a Charity event in Frisco Free Agency will begin. Will the most sought after be taken immediately or will there be an element of chess involved to involve more takers and drive the price higher? Stay tuned.

Fun times in Downtown Dallas. More of the same in Grand Prairie tonight with the return of the Air Hogs. First Place Air Hogs. Ah, that smell of winning. We have it here, in Arlington, and in Frisco. Maybe one day the Cats can get back to their winning ways.

Make it a great weekend. Yes, 2012 is now half way done. 

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will