Spanish Conquistador? Columnists Chide Teams For Passing Rubio

Writer Feels Rubio, Not Evans, Was Better Fit For Kings

RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS: In Detroit, Chris McCosky writes the Pistons' selection of F Austin Daye with the 15th pick was "as much about character as it was about talent and potential." The team last season "dealt with players missing or being late for buses, planes and meetings," and Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars said, "I put a premium on character and have guys represent us the right way. Sitting back and watching us go through all the issues we went through last year, I said, 'Never again are we going to be in a situation where we go through those issues and drama'" (DETROIT NEWS, 6/26).

ITALIAN SEASONING: The Bucks drafted G Brandon Jennings, who played professionally in Italy for a season instead of enrolling in college, with the No. 10 pick. Jennings said fans will see "more kids doing it" after he was selected in the lottery portion of the draft. Jennings: "I hope they do it. It’s a great experience overall.” ESPN's Fran Fraschilla said Jenning's "experiment has worked" ("2009 NBA Draft," ESPN, 6/25). L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke said prior to the Draft if Jennings is among the top 20 picks, “people are going to be saying, ‘Goodness, why even go to college?’ Why not go to Italy and come back?' I think that’s probably a pretty good investment, to go over there for a year and come back and be No. 20" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 6/25).

TWO FOR THE MONEY: In California, Janis Carr writes the Lakers had two picks in Thursday's draft, and in the end it "wasn't who they got, but what they got and that was money." The Lakers, "looking to trim the luxury tax they expect to face" next season, traded both picks for cash, which "not only saved them from paying for a first-round player, but gave them the money to re-sign free agents" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 6/26).

OTHER DRAFT OBSERVATIONS: AWFUL ANNOUNCING’s Brian Powell wrote of the Bobcats selecting G Gerald Henderson with the No. 12 pick, “I’d just love it if one year the Bobcats would draft out of state” (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 6/25). Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Bill Simmons writes of the Pacers drafting F Tyler Hansbrough with the No. 13 pick, “I’m excited for Indiana's 2009-10 local marketing campaign: a photo of Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster, Hansbrough and Travis Diener with the UPS-like slogan, ‘WHAT CAN WHITE DO FOR YOU?’” (ESPN.com, 6/26).

TOUGH CROWD: The Clippers, as expected, selected Blake Griffin with the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft, but the team is still on the short-end of some jokes. NBC's Conan O'Brien noted the Clippers drafted Griffin and said, "Griffin said he's dreamed about playing professional basketball his entire life, but he's also fine with playing for the Clippers" ("The Tonight Show," NBC, 6/25). ABC's Jimmy Kimmel: "Poor kid. Don't worry Blake. If you play well, in four years they'll refuse to pay you and you can get whatever you want" ("Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC, 6/25).

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