NBA
NBA PM: 12 Things Heard Before the NBA Draft
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
12 Things Heard Before the NBA Draft
On Wednesday afternoon, projected first-round picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft addressed the media in lightning rounds of questions. From “What will you bring to the league?” to “What are you wearing for the big night?” they took center stage in New York City. Here’s a sampling of what Steve Kyler, Alex Kennedy, Yannis Koutroupis and Jessica Camerato heard. Check out all the videos to see more.
– Jabari Parker wants to see Carmelo Anthony on the Chicago Bulls. Parker is good friends with Derrick Rose and would like him paired with another major scorer. “That could bring a championship to Chicago,” Parker said.
– Julius Randle thinks he may know the origin of the foot surgery rumor. He suspects a team who may have wanted him to fall to them in the draft could have started it.
– Marcus Smart worked out twice for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. He received good feedback from each team and was told he would be considered if available at their picks.
– Shabazz Napier said he has not heard the report the Miami HEAT are trying to trade up for him, but he did receive positive comments from his workout with them.
– Parker downplayed any rivalry with Andrew Wiggins. “Off the court we’re good friends, but when it’s on the court it’s up to us to keep that business,” he said, adding, “That’s your guys’ job to have that 1-2 rivalry.” With Joel Embiid’s surgery, either could be selected first overall.
– Dario Saric said would be in the the NBA in two years. His decision to stay in Europe was not financially motivated, he wanted to be more prepared for the league.
– Aaron Gordon has been receiving advice from fellow University of Arizona alum Andre Iguodala. The NBA veteran has told him what to expect during the draft process and what to expect in the pros.
– Dante Exum admitted has practiced signing his own autograph given the expected increase in requests.
– Elfrid Payton, whose draft stock has quickly risen, said he entered each workout with a chip on his shoulder. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette guard was determined to dominate big-name players from more notable schools.
– Doug McDermott enjoyed having head coach Brad Stevens run his workout with the Boston Celtics and praised his basketball IQ.
– West coast native Zach LaVine said his most unique draft experience was hearing his name yelled by fans on the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina.
– When Adreian Payne was in high school he looked forward to being in a college basketball video game. Unfortunately for him, the game was discounted when he entered Michigan State University. Now he is excited about being in an NBA video game, joking he had to wait four more years.
