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Joakim Noah, cut your d*mn hair.

You do not show up to the NBA draft, get drafted ninth, and walk on the stage looking like Carrot Top.  This is all regardless of the fact that I think Joakim is going to be one of the worst top-ten picks in the history of the NBA.  And that suit?  He looked like a reject from the Love Boat.

Okay, that's it for me venting.  Let's talk about basketball.

For those of you who don't like the NBA, let me first say that you're missing out on a league that is filled with talent, and, no matter what David Stern and stupid fans may say, is fun to watch.  But then again, I think the Spurs are exciting, while others think they're really boring.  I still don't understand how a team, a true team, coached by a former Air Force officer who emphasizes team play over super-star heroics, comprised of the greatest forward the league has ever seen, a dominant driving guard, and outstanding role players, is boring.  But that's just me.

In any NBA draft, you look for a few gems who can change the fortunes of any team.  In a great draft, maybe a half-dozen or so.  Last night there were way more than that.  Many teams seemed to come away with "steals," or "diamonds in the rough."  Except that when there are so many considered diamonds, that means there really isn't that much rough.  Which means that the draft class is unbelievable. 

Let's start with the obvious: Greg Oden is going to be a god.  I know there was a lot of speculation about the Trail Blazers picking Durant, but no matter what idiots like Sally Jenkins say, the big man is not dead.  In her article in the Washington Post yesterday, she claimed that "Durant is the comet to end the dinosaurs in the NBA; Oden is one of those dinos."  I'm sorry, but saying that means you have the IQ of an ironing board.  The center in the NBA is dead?  The dominant big man is a 'dinosaur'?  I guess Sally Jenkins would trade Tim Duncan for Kevin Durant in a heartbeat.  Let's talk, Sally.  I think somebody may have lobotomized you and you don't know it.

Greg Oden represents a long-line of great big men in the NBA.  And the NBA drools over great big men.  They don't come around every year.  And when they do, they have a tendency to change the fortunes of the franchise that takes them.  Just ask the Spurs.  Or the Magic.  Or the Lakers.  Or any team that made the right choice and took the 7 footer who proved he could play.

Durant, of course, is possibly the greatest second pick ever.  At only 18, he has nothing but upside to him.  I know he couldn't bench 185 lbs even a single time, and I can, which is scary, but he's only 18.  Strength will be conditioned into him by the professional trainers.  Too bad the Sonics sent Ray Allen to rot in Boston.  Durant and Allen would have been great to watch.  However, Seattle couldn't resist dealing Allen to Boston, considering the compensation was Jeff Green, who is a complete player who doesn't need the ball to make his impact on the floor felt.  He can create his own scoring oppurtunities, and can rebound very well.  As a complement to Durant, I think the Sonics could have a great young team for years to come.  And the Celtics got Ray Allen to play with Paul Pierce.

Kudos to the Hawks for taking Al Horford third.  Horford is a stud who can score at will and is a prolific rebounder.  The Hawks had a great draft, also grabbing Acie Law by trading with Indiana.  I don't know if this will fix that fact that the Hawks are still the Hawks, but that was some good drafting. 

I'm undecided on Mike Conley Jr.  I feel he's the type of player who has the athleticism to make it big, but he could have used another year in college to tighten up his inconsistent shooting; also, his lack of size would make me wary of taking him 4th overall.

I'll be writing more comprehensive draft coverage later, going team by team, but for now, let me leave you with this:

Anybody notice how Jay Bilas had a thing for Josh McRoberts?  Like, seriously?