Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008
Today
Hi: 63
Lo: 54
Tue
Hi: 67
Lo: 55
Wed
Hi: 65
Lo: 50
Section Sponsor
Article Tools
Print this Article
Make text larger
In Sports Blogs
NBA Draft represents a fresh start after the Finals
Ray Allen and the Celtics enjoyed the victory parade.  
By Steve Haywood
Special to OnMilwaukee.com

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Steve Haywood

What is a blog?  For us it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Published June 26, 2008 at 1:37 a.m.
Tags: steve haywood, ray allen, kevin garnett, paul pierce

Did you see that? Well, did you? I saw the NBA Finals, and I thought it was interesting that Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce won a championship together and it was in BOSTON! One of the two epicenters in the history of the NBA, the other being the team they beat, Los Angeles.

It all becomes one big cycle, the Alpha and the Omega. I say this because of the NBA Draft coming up tonight. The NBA Draft is the start of the cycle in terms of major success or complete failure -- depending on what you do that particular draft and who you pick. Some players turn out to be exactly as predicted in terms of turning the fortunes of a franchise around by their mere presence and weight of pure impact due to talent, from Bill Russell in the beginning of the Celtics dynasty to Tim Duncan making the San Antonio Spurs an every-other-year champion. Then there are other drafts like, well let's not go there. There are too many Sam Bowie, Kwame Brown etc... Let's just not go there.

Kevin Garnett carried a franchise for a generation, doing the best he could but it wasn't enough. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce had a little taste of success in years of their careers, but just needed a little more help and, incredibly, it was with each other this season they got it done.

All three were without question impact draft picks and had major influence on the franchises for which they played. The draft helps a franchise develop a foundation, a stable anchor but it is like my haberdasher Elliot Torrence has taught me about putting together a great suit, the foundation is the pants and the blazer, the key to the look is the accessories, from the shoes to the sunglasses.

The next generation of LeBron, Carmelo and Dwyane Wade (who got his ring in '06) are the focus of the next generation of players coming up, but there are others, too. This is why the NBA will become more relevant again as it was in the 80's and 90's because of new blood coming in and spreading out through the NBA Draft. The Bucks and the other 29 teams will have a chance to change their fortunes with the reading of a name at a podium in a draft that can change history.

Just like a good suit, though, the teams should not forget to hook-up the right accessories.



More Information ...
Steve Haywood is host of "That Being Said," which airs most weeknights at 6 p.m. on 540 ESPN.

Post a comment / write a review.

Recent blogs/briefs by Steve Haywood
What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Brewers' Weeks will prove the doubters wrong
Aug. 10, 2008
Second baseman Rickie Weeks has been a lightning rod for Brewers fans, but he has the ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. NBA Draft represents fresh start after Finals
June 26, 2008
The Finals mark the end of the NBA season. The Draft, slated for tonight, can mean a new ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Celtics snapped to attention in Game 3
June 11, 2008
The NBA Finals is a grown-man business, and the Celtics better keep their eyes on the ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Top college athletes deserve a piece of the pie
May 14, 2008
At the highest level, college athletics is the most immoral, hypocritical, self-serving ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Whitlock pitches a shutout and other thoughts
May 13, 2008
I reached out to Jason Whitlock to do my show because he is a national columnist, author ...