Welcome to the Party Life
Beasley with swag. (photo. Matt Brown)In a lot of ways, Wednesday was the first time that Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo and the rest of the top players in the 2008 NBA Draft class felt like real-life American pro ballplayers. For the 16 guys christened with Green Room invites to tonight’s main event, that status alone means they are somewhat stars in the League already; that for at least the next couple of years, they’ll be considered “name” players with big expectations (unless you’re Patrick O’Bryant). For the chosen few, Wednesday started off early with a trip to the NASDAQ MarketSite for the ceremonial bell-ringing, then back to the Westin hotel for NBA Draft Media Day, then off to John Jay College in midtown for an “NBA Cares” event. (You’re officially role models now, guys.) And throughout the day, the rookies-to-be got to know the pressures of juggling families, crew members, handlers, friends, media, fake friends, fans and everyone else … One highlight of the day for a lot of the players — at least that’s what they told us — was the Dime/Levi’s 501 Draft Suite. In a gigantic top-floor room with a fantastic view of the city, the Dime crew hosted what amounted to an all-day party where players could come through to chill, eat, get lined up by our barber, watch TV, play Xbox 360 on another big-screen TV, take part in a Dime photo shoot, and walk away with free clothes and other swag (check the photo above) courtesy of Levi’s 501 and Dime. During the day we got visits from Beasley, Rose, O.J., Jerryd Bayless, Danilo Gallinari, DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Love, Brook and Robin Lopez, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, D.J. Augustin, Alexis Ajinca and Duke sophomore Nolan Smith, who was rolling with his boy Beasley … For a full report on Media Day, click HERE. The highlights included Gallinari’s super-expensive Prada kicks (his shoe game was crazy all day through about 3-4 different changes), K-Love having to put a unprepared reporter in check, and Joe Alexander accidentally starting a near-brawl between two reporters … On the shuttle bus going from the Westin to the “NBA Cares” event, O.J. was clowning with Gallinari, yelling “Come on Stallion! You gotta let ‘em know you’re in the building!” … Rookies aside, the biggest NBA news of the day was the trade that sent Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the 17th pick in the first round. Draft-wise, this changes what Indiana is going to do with the 11th pick. It had been a foregone conclusion they were gonna take a point guard, but with T.J. on the roster now to insure Jamaal Tinsley and a hole in the middle where J.O. once was, they need to go big. Should the rebuilding Pacers gamble on a project like DeAndre Jordan or Anthony Randolph at that spot? … From the Raptors’ side, this gives them one dangerous and large front line with Jermaine, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani. That is, of course, if they can stay collectively healthy and motivated. Toronto could have, in essence, what the Lakers are looking forward to next year with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom; a frontcourt full of 7-footers who can attack from the paint, at mid-range and from the outside …
Jerryd getting a cut. (photo. Matt Brown)Big-time move #2 for the Dime family yesterday was the debut of Jerryd Bayless’ Draft Diary, another joint effort by Levi’s 501 and Dime. We’ve been following J.B. all week from Phoenix to New York as he lives the biggest week of his life in front of our cameras. Episode 1 dropped yesterday, and Episode 2 should be up early this morning. We’ll continue to follow Bayless up to and throughout the draft, so continue to check out the diary here on DimeMag.com and on DimeMag.tv … In case you were talking yourself into Serge Ibaka going to your favorite team, you’ll have to wait a while. The 18-year-old who’s been drawing Shawn Kemp comparisons was almost certain to go in the first round tonight, but yesterday his agent informed all 30 teams that his man is going to stay in Spain (where he plays pro ball) until 2010-11, so any team that wants him should draft him in the second round and sit on the rights … Did you hear about Houston Astros pitcher Shawn Chacon yoking up his team’s GM and throwing the guy to the ground? Chacon was suspended indefinitely, but going by the Latrell Sprewell precedent, he should be done for at least the rest of the season, right? So then why do we get the feeling that’s not gonna happen here? You know the basketball/baseball double-standard: MLB players leave the bench for a “brawl” and it’s cast in a positive light (”They’re banding together”), but NBA players leave the bench and people wanna press charges. Crazy … We’re out like the Jermaine era in Indy …
June 26th, 2008 at 12:35 am
sp says:
Go Raptors!
June 26th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Coach T-sun says:
BC deserves alot of credit, it ain’t offical TJ is BYC so anything can happen in these 2 weeks before july 9th injuries, 3rd team, 4th team. GM’s that takes risks usually win out so hopefully this is for the best for toronto
June 26th, 2008 at 12:57 am
bank says:
Damn yall negros are fast. . . oh well. 3rd
June 26th, 2008 at 1:03 am
daques?on says:
damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn i want to go to that party u guys hosted, barbershop, food, clothes what else would i want.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:16 am
fallinup says:
Awwww look out! It’s the BIG three!!!….no seriously….really….no really, I’m not joking….really…stop laughin’ already…c’mon….really.
This is J.O.’s time to finally step up, or be a bust. No more injuries…and just be mad at your last season..Toronto might be pretty tough…I said MIGHT….really…no really.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Remy N says:
Serge Ibaka - For the last freaking time, Ibaka is not the second coming of Shawn Kemp. Ibaka lacks Kemp explosiveness. My girl can point this out also, her night gown is a Kemp jersey.
Shawn Kemp Jr dunks with more authority!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:43 am
eric says:
Are we just heading towards one of the worst drafts ever? I understand the hype and that the nba needs to keep the momentum after some altogether overhyped finals. But frankly, having watched the highlights of the top prospects, I wasn’t impressed. Beasley has too much noise surrounding him already for a guy who hasn’t proven anything yet and seems a solid player at best. Jerryd bayless is a midget. Last year’s draft was good, this year though, it is only as interesting as those wnba commercials, if not less…. That said you guys have a good one at the party.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Yoooo says:
Why did thinking about Jermaine O’Neal in a raptors jersey envoke an image of Hakeem Olajuwon in a Raps jersey… I can definitely see JO with the volleyball knee pads and looking mighty old in a Raps uni.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Jason Giambi says:
Kobe….Tell me how my ’stache tastes!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:56 am
s says:
Theres really a Shawn Kemp Jr who plays decent ball?
June 26th, 2008 at 7:31 am
kobeef says:
@Remy
Ibaka is pelnty explosive and powerful. He has a 40+ inch vert and is a legit 6′10. And another thing, Ibaka stays in awesome shape which is not something you can say about Kemp.
Weird move by Ibaka’s agent. Why put your guy in the draft if you don’t want him in the NBA? The NBA needs to up the ante on these Euro teams who keep luring players with big contracts (the guy the Magic drafted also took a big deal from a euro club after staying in the draft and went home)
For the sake of the Raptors I’m really hoping O’Neal shows up next season because you know TJ is going to go out with a chip on his shoulder. Sometimes Jermaine seems like the kind of guy who is happy to cash checks and not worry about what people think.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:01 am
KL says:
As a raptor fan, I take insult when the Dime crew puts Bargnani in the same sentence with ONeal and Bosh.
Message to Barg’s…..you better step up this season. Rookie contract is coming to an end.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:05 am
mike says:
don’t blame me if this is wrong, i just copied and pasted off another site. raptors will take 23 million off the books for one of the best free agent classes ever, or could throw a ton of cash at bosh or bargs
2010 Free Agents:
The Big Dawgs:
Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Ben Wallace
LeBron James (player option, likely)
Dirk Nowitzki (player option, unlikely)
Josh Howard (player option, likely)
Marcus Camby
Rip Hamilton
Stephen Jackson
Tracy McGrady
Shaquille O’Neal
Dwyane Wade (player option for 10/11, unlikely)
Michael Redd (player option for 10/11, likely)
Tyson Chandler (player option for 10/11 - 50/50)
Eddy Curry (player option for 10/11 - 50/50)
Amare Stoudemire (player option for 10/11, unlikely)
Brad Miller
Manu Ginobili
Chris Bosh (player option for 10/11, unlikely)
The Rookie Contracts:
Shelden WIlliams (restricted)
Rajon Rondo (restricted)
Adam Morrison (brah ha ha)
Tyrus Thomas (restricted)
Rudy Gay (restricted)
Kyle Lowry (restricted)
Randy Foye (restricted)
Marcus Williams (restricted)
Josh Boone (restricted)
Renaldo Balkman (restricted)
Mardy Collins (restricted)
Brandon Roy (restricted)
Sergio Rodriguez (restricted)
LaMarcus Aldridge (restricted)
Quincy Douby (restricted)
Ronnie Brewer (restricted)
Andrea Bargnani (restricted)
Young Filler Material:
Amir Johnson
Al Harrington
Cuttino Mobley
Tim Thomas
Derek Fisher
Mike Miller
Darko Mlicic
Brian Cardinal
Udonis Haslim
Quentin Richardson
Raja Bell
TJ Ford (player option for 10/11, unlikely)
June 26th, 2008 at 8:10 am
92021SpurMD says:
Spurs draft
26 - Ryan Anderson or CDR
45 - Joey Dorsey
Print it…
June 26th, 2008 at 8:11 am
92021SpurMD says:
Spurs draft
26 - Ryan Anderson or CDR
45 - Joey Dorsey
Print it!
June 26th, 2008 at 8:58 am
YOUNGFED says:
That party was kinda fly but Dime yall party was missing 1 thing……STRIPPERS!! LOL
Also good call on the Baseball, basketball analysis. Couldn’t have said it better.
I’m out like negroes in baseball…lmao
June 26th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Data says:
Good move for teh raps. Tj had become a liability and rasho rarely played so in reality they’re giving up the 17th pick for a league all-star. A decent O’neal takes loads of pressure off of CB4 and creates a lot of matchup problems for other teams. The X factor will really be Andrea. If he plays with a chip on his shoulder the weay he sometimes does he’s gonna reak havoc on SFs that have to matchup on him. I think JO will have a pretty good season now that he doesn’t have to be the dominant scorer I think CB4 and JO will compliment each other really well. This will especialy help Bosh on the defensive end and allow him to matchup against people he won’t be bullied by aka Dwight Howard. Great move Brian Colangelo
June 26th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Skeeter McGee says:
The Raptors have all the potential to succeed in the East, but I really don’t think they can make progress with Sam Mitchell. Wasn’t it on one of the Smacks that someone said Mitchell didn’t even know a star player on the other team was out due to injury and Bosh had to tell him? That’s just ridiculous.
Beasley seems like he’s high all the time, but maybe that’s just me… The Heat should take him and trade Shawn Marion to the Cavs for Ben Wallace haha. I can dream can’t I?
P.S. In my opinion everyone that passes on O.J. will regret it, you’ll see…
June 26th, 2008 at 9:13 am
John says:
Can somebody tell me what will be the starting lineup of Indiana and Toronto next season ? Thanks !!
June 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Yoooo says:
O and I definitely brought up the basketball/baseball thing weeks ago but caught flak when I said it. The day after that baseball brawl where they were jumpin cats
June 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
I agree they take a different approach to these things, but of course you’re going to do that when:
1. The guys fighting in basketball are big enough they could literally kill someone with one punch (wasn’t Rudy T. in the hospital for like a month after Kermit decided to turn his face into a punching bag? Does anyone believe Brad Miller would still be alive and have full brain function/all of his teeth had Shaq connected with that punch 5 years ago?)
2. There was never a Malice in the Palace or a Heat/Knicks series of brawls in baseball that put a black eye on the sport (that can be contributed to racism all you want, and some of it may be, but those MIA/NY fights turned into brawls cuz guys just ran out to join it, which caused Stern’s leave the bench you’re suspended rule.)
3. Just like in hockey, fighting is almost a necessary evil when you have guys with weapons (bat or 100MPH fastball) in their hands on every play. It shouldn’t be condoned, but it theoretically stops things like a pitcher getting upset and chucking heat at someone’s head by letting them police themselves (just like fighting in hockey probably prevents a ton of guys getting clocked with sticks by PO’d opponents.) The fights themselves are bad of course, but the possibility someone may charge the mound if you choose to bean him has to be in the back of pitchers’ minds and stop some potentially very dangerous stuff.
4. THEY’RE RUN BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT IDEALS. Baseball is still being dragged into the 20th century (really, you’re only now just considering limited instant replay?!?) while every other sport is embracing the 21st - fighting was kosher in all sports up until 15-25 years ago.
Also, baseball has A TON of Hispanic and Asian players, so let’s not make it out like just because the African American players in baseball are declining that it’s becoming like the 1920s PGA tour or something.
but yes, Chacon should be suspended for the year, then cut after spring training next year (so he’s too late to latch on to a team at a good time,) and probably blackballed from baseball for good (he’s not even good. At least Spree had talent.)
June 26th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Skeeter McGee says:
The other day I was watching the ESPN and they said Brandon Jennings, the high school phenom set to be a college freshman this August, might head overseas to play one year of ball in Europe. That got me thinking: With no real minor league (NBDL? Puh-lease) and the age rule in effect, do you think this might be an increasing trend among young players? It makes sense. He can still stay in playing shape, against arguably better competition (considering they are pros), and, probably the most important, homie gets PAID.
What do you all think?
June 26th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
*also, for the record, Chacon isn’t white, so, umm, ya…
just remember this with baseball too. they have a commissioner who basically RUINED the credibility of his sport with the last 20 years (think David Stern on the Seattle issue, only if it was with every team and for the last 20 years, and you’re still not even close to the level of incompetance and arrogance here,) then tried to defend all of his moves, and now is trying to pretend he never did. This guy couldn’t lead a Jr. High School assembly. Let’s not put too much stock into what he thinks
June 26th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Data says:
@John
Raps will start
1. Jose Calderon
2. Anthony Parker
3. Bargo/Moon
4. Bosh
5. O’neal
with Kapono, Delfino and Brezec coming of the bench… Colangelo will probably make a couple of moves to get some more depth
@skeeter
Sam Mitchell needs to go. His in-game management is by far the worst in the league. The raps need a coach with a higher bball IQ even when he played Mitchell was never a smart player just a hustle player. He also makes the worst substitutions possible and insists on playing 10+ guys every game. He might be the worst coach to ever win coach of the year.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Kobeef says:
2008 Draft “Best Dressed Awards” (Media Day)
Best dressed:
- OJ “I’ve been rocking the 3 piece since I was 8″ Mayo
http://www.nba.com/gallery/draft_media_availability/20080625_20.html
- Danilo “my shoes are worth more than your car” Gallinari
http://www.nba.com/gallery/draft_media_availability/20080625_10.html
Worst dressed:
Joe “you can still see the line in my shirt from when it was in the package” Alexander
http://www.nba.com/gallery/draft_media_availability/20080625_8.html
June 26th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Big Daddy says:
What do you all think will happen to Shaq upon his contract expiring:
1) get resigned by the Suns for more than he’s worth
2) sign a vets minimum with a contender
3) retire gracefully to eat dohnuts and rap sh*t about Kobe
June 26th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Skeeter McGee says:
@ Big Daddy
From what I think I know about Shaq, something tells me he will never sign a veteran’s minimum, so I’m gonna go with #1, aka getting waaaaaay overpaid and not doing shit in the West against Kobe.
Shaq’s rap is so funny because he says Kobe couldn’t do it without him, but really he couldn’t do it without Kobe or D-Wade. It works both ways and I’m sure he knows that, but his ego is way too big to admit something like that.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Sean D says:
Skeeter, the story about Sam Mitchell not knowing about Bynum’s injury was cooked up by Peter Vescey and was 100% false - Vescey made a full retraction the next day.
If O’Neal and Bargnani both show up, it will be a great year for the Raps. If only one of them plays up to their potential it will be mediocrity city and if both are busts then all we’ll have is hope for the summer of 2010.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:36 am
yallallreadyknow says:
yall party seemed lil wayne ill; not sick.
damn…if only yall would’ve had some hott import night chix runnin around….
or maybe even superhead for the rooks
June 26th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Austin Burton says:
There were models involved.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:59 am
yallallreadyknow says:
Yesterday seemed like a great day to be a part of the Dime crew.
How can WE start a career with Dime? What if we don’t write or edit?
June 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am
garbageman33 says:
Wow, the rookies got to play XBox 360 at the party? Um, how is that different than what they do every other day?
By the way, did the Raptors also trade for the fork in O’Neal’s back?
June 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Austin Burton says:
It’s different because they got to play with US, dammit! (Seriously, Nolan Smith destroyed one of our interns on College Hoops 2K8 by like 30.)
June 26th, 2008 at 11:39 am
DaPro says:
Austin, post the flicks of models. Let’s peep the eye candy that was on hand.
This should be routine for Dime
June 26th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
JC says:
Wait, 18-year-old Ibaka can get drafted? International players don’t have to be 19 or whatever? I’m confused…
June 26th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
doc says:
Thats what up yall having the big time parties.The youngins earned everything they getting right now.Everybody hating on yall party wish they was there.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Austin Burton says:
I think you have to be 19 at the time the season starts. I think.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Yoooo says:
baseball players are huge fam. They all aren’t 6′9 but in terms of muscle mass they’re either just as big or bigger than ball players when in there prime. Don’t let them fool you bruh. Check A-rods measurements for proof.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
The rule is you have to be 1 year out of HS (when your HS class graduated, so if you’re dumb and fail a year, you can go straight to the pros) Ibaka probably went to school young.
btw, am I the only one that misses TNT covering the draft really really badly?!? Charles w/ a live mic for 4 hours straight was amazing. I’ll never forget this great line after the Clippers spent top 15 picks on Chris Wilcox and Melvin Ely when they had Elton Brand, “Either they’re drafting for someone else, or they’re stupid.” (note: remember, it was the Clippers, you can all guess which one it was…)
June 26th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Austin where the pictures at, and they better be SFW! lol
June 26th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ post 17 and 23
Why y’all shittin on Mitchell? It’s not dude’s fault TJ thought he was the next coming or that Bargnani was a non-factor all season or that Bosh missed an 18 footer he usually makes. That’s harsh to say dude ain’t got no smarts. One year ago, heads wanted Doc fired and he was the “worst coach of the year” winner. If Doc had got fired before the season, Celts don’t cop the chip. Maybe wait till NEXT season to see if the new parts mesh and then “predict” if dude can’t coach cuz the Raps have overachieved the past 2 seasons anyways.
@ Celts - Chuck was the best part of the draft coverage. Players know players and Chuck usually had good feelings about who was gonna be a scrub lol
June 26th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
K Dizzle says:
Could this years’s mock drafts be the most useless of all time? All the so called experts are runnin the same ish:
1) Rose
2) Beasley unless Riley decides to go Mayo
3) Mayo unless Beasley is there otherwise maybe Lopez
4) Mayo if still there or Lopez, Westbrook, Bayless or Beasley if he slips down
5) Gordon but Love maybe unless Lopez is still there or a trade for Beasley, maybe Westbrook, Bayless or 15 other dudes dependin on …….
These experts need to keep it real and just say after D Rose, they don’t got a clue.
Only thing that looks like a lock is JJ Hickson to Cleveland.
Damn. My draft pool is a mess and my 20 might as well been a donation
June 26th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
GEE...Forget ya mama, I'm talkin bout you and me toe to toe says:
K Dizz I agree the experts honestly have no idea this year. They could grab a cat off the screets and let him think who is going where, when and why and he will prolly be more correct.
I think that also makes the draft a little interesting too cause it’s no telling whats going to go down.
For real DIME what is up with you all never showing a lot of women. I have seen request several times from different cats saying with the mag being called DIME why don’t you all have up certain things on some good lookin females. So if models were involved wit the party…SHOW SOME.
Celts Chuck should just be a permanent staple of all things basketball related. ESPN should have dude with his own editorial segment. TNT with the games of course. Also any drafts and let dude ask questions post game.
I feel a little better with the season being over that we have the trades and stuff going on. I just love some type of action in basketball going on.
Preshate all that put me on the NBA 2k8. Nothing like drafting your own squad. Funny how they made Jamal Crawford a beast on that game.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
GEE...Forget ya mama, I'm talkin bout you and me toe to toe says:
This is where Houston needs to be with their draft options.
No center on the first round please.
CDR 18.1 sg
Jason Thompson 20.4 f
Ryan Anderson 21.1 f
Donte’ Greene 17.7 f
Bill Walker 16.1 f
If by chance (and I hope not) they go big for the first then the second round I hope.
Shane Foster