Not a normal Through the Net today as I end the first week, just my thoughts on last night's draft, the only meaningful NBA event for three months.
So the Heat had two picks in last night's NBA draft, and pulled some interesting tricks. They didn't make the blockbuster moves some have called for, and didn't take my advice at No. 43 (Miami passed on Jack McClinton and he went to the San Antonio Spurs at No. 51), they picked LSU guard Marcus Thornton. I thought it was a middle-of-the-road pick -- not great, but nothing to write home about.
Then the wheels went in motion. The Heat traded the rights to Thornton to the New Orleans Hornets for two second-round picks next year. Kind of kooky, I thought, but it's a two-for-one. But the masterstroke was the trade to the Lakers of a future second-round pick and cash for the rights to Patrick Beverley, a guard from Arkansas that the Lakers picked one pick before Miami. So to boil it down, Miami had a guy taken who they wanted, then got two drafts and traded away one to get that guy back. Miami entered the day with a second-round draft pick and ends it with a player picked above their level and another second-round draft pick. Baby, that's some tasty mathematics.
The Heat ended the day with their very own Mr. Irrelevant, the final pick in the draft. The honor went to Memphis' Robert Dozier, a forward who I think is a pretty darn good pick-up at 60. In short, Miami took what they had and made the most of it, which is all you can ask for coming into a draft. We'll see in the near (and far) future how these picks really add up, but in the meantime, enjoy that new-player smell and update your jersey collection accordingly. Enjoy your weekend; make it Hot.
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