NBA Draft.... What Do You Need to Know?

1. Don't dress like this (above): Stay classy Joakim.

2. Lack of Franchise Players: Outside of the top 5 (in no particular order) of Wall, Cousins, Turner, Johnson and Favors there are no true franschise players. That doesn't mean that none of the others couldn't develop into franchise players, but it will make for awesome theatre tonight after pick #5 because there will be a lot of moving and shaking, teams moving up to get players they want, teams moving down due to what has been left at their pick.

3. Financial Climate of the NBA/LeBron James Sweepstakes: I grouped these two together because I think they go hand in hand. Earlier reports in the week said that whatever team traded fro Chris Paul could also get LeBron James. Trading a future Hall of Famer such as Paul is absurd on paper, but with the New Orleans Hornets going broke they will be looking to dump salaries and of this morning, looking to dump the #11 pick. A climate that Paul wants no part of. The Indiana Pacers are another team in dire financial straits. Due to the amount of money and notoriety that LeBron James could bring to the table I think GMs are going to be dumping salaries and making deals to position themselves for a run at the King. Something to watch. Which brings us to #4..

4. The fate of the Five Cats: its the night that Wall, Cousins, Orton, Patterson and Bledsoe all came to Kentucky for, the night they will have thier name called and shake their hands with the commissioner. When factoring in all of the factors discussed above the only certains are this. Wall and Cousins will be taken in the top five. Wall at 1 with the Wizards, as he becomes the first Kentucky Wildcat in SCHOOL HISTORY to become the first pick in the NBA Draft, and Big Cuz going, I think #5 to Sacramento (although, I think he is the second best player and possibly 10 years from now, the best player in the draft).

After that its a crap shoot. I have seen mock drafts where Patterson has went as low as #22 and as high as #10. I think he makes it in the top 10, or 11. I have a feeling the Pacers like him a lot and whatever team takes New Orleans' pick could be in the mix as well.

Bledsoe has bounced around the 14th pick, but I could see the Raptors taking him and if he slides to Boston he could be taken there.

Daniel Orton has been the only Wildcat out of the group to slide. I mean, what's not to like about 3.3 ppg, 3 rebounds a game, a controlling father who meddles in his business, character issues, and a bum knee. C'Mon guys. With that being said, the NBA is all about potential. I see Orton joining Kevin Durant in OKC or going to the Spurs.

5. Coach Cal working the room: Coach Cal haters better not watch the draft tonight. He will be plastered all over ESPN. Interviews, appearances... Cal doing his thing. It will be a great night for Kentucky basketball as the first round of the draft will be one big advertisement and promotional tool for the basketball program and Coach Cal. No college basketball team has ever had five players drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft. Its going down tonight.

GO CATS!!!