We are all witnesses to the Nick Young era. Hope its a good one. Last night, with the 16th overall pick in the draft, the Wizards selected Nick Young, junior shooting guard out of USC. I was some what surprised Mr. Young was there for the taking as the Hornets were rumored to be keen on him but hey, who am I to complain?
Young’s selection gives the Wizards a certain amount of flexibility. Both DeShawn and Jarvis (all three play the same position) are free agents and, speaking only for me, I hope to the sweet Jesus we let Arvis (get it? no “J”) find another home. DeShawn I’ll be honest, I’d like to have him back but not for a ridiculous amount of money. I’d like Young to come off the bench while Stevenson starts but if some teams comes in with a crazy offer to DeShawn and the Wizards (hopefully) don’t match then it will be nice to have Young there to plug in.
I was some what surprised that in the second round we took this Dominic McGuire kid who I’ve never heard of when Ivan was telling me yesterday we were going to take D.J. Strawberry but oh well. Strawberry actually landed in a nice little situation with the Suns where Raja Bell can tutor him on the fine arts of being a defensive stopper in the NBA.
Here’s what Steinz uncovered over at the Sports Bog:
* He’s dating Carol Rodriguez, Puerto Rico’s 2006 Women’s Athlete of the Year and one of the top collegiate sprinters in the country, who also happens to be a model.
* He’s been known to sport a mohawk now and then, and actually claimed credit tonight for making the mohawk fashionable. He’s also had his initials and the Jordan Brand logo shaved into his head at various times, and he said he might bring back the mohawk next fall “just to fit in with the Wizards,” which is the right way to approach this team.
* He also has been known to wear skateboard gear featuring images of skeletons, and in fact said he used to skateboard when growing up in the San Fernando Valley.
* He has a reputation for being quite the dunker, and told me that he has “immense hops” and “flying ability.” “I should be in the dunk contest, maybe this year,” he said, “doing some Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins.”
* He was the only player in the Green Room with a two-toned outfit; dark slacks and a white coat. “I come from L.A. this is how we do it in L.A.,” he told me. “I’m more of mainstream Hollywood.”
Interesting. Also, I did like this quote quite a lot, from Daniel Forer (the producer of the movie about Nick) via Steinberg:
“Oh, you have no idea,” Forer said. “Washington has no idea what they have now got in Nick Young. No one knows. He is one of the most wonderful, joyous people you will ever meet in your life. And he will make everyone forget about their problems and just enjoy watching him and the Wizards. It is a gift.
“It’s hard to believe,” he admitted as I stared at him. “I was there in Los Angeles when Magic started, the first year he arrived, and Los Angeles had no idea what they were getting. Washington has no idea what they’re getting in Nick Young. He is a blessing, a gift. Now I’m not saying on the court, I don’t know how he’ll perform, but off the court he’s just a special human being.”
Now Mr. Forer in the previous paragraph kind of compared young Nick to Muhammad Ali and Brett Favre, as well as Magic, so I guess lets take Mr. Forer’s thoughts with a grain of salt but even still, nice to hear. I must say I’m quite happy with the pick. I’m looking forward to the Nick Young era indeed.
Other reactions around the tubes:
Michael Wilbon seems to approve
SI.com’s Chris Mannix says we are winners.
DC Sports Report gives an A-
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