I love watching sports. The drama. The intrigue. The passion; it's the ultimate reality show at its purest level. I'll be honest, I don't know if it's because I am an NFL Draft Analyst or what, but there is something about the draft, any leagues draft, that captures my attention over a game.
I started to think about this concept over the weekend and wondered if I am the only person that feels this way?
I’m not saying that I’d rather watch the NFL Draft over an Eagles/Cowboys game or the Super Bowl [well, maybe if the Eagles are not playing in the Super Bowl], but it’s close.
Football isn’t a good example as far as choosing a game over the draft, because the draft takes on a life of its own in the NFL. But when it comes to the NBA or NHL; the draft is far more appealing than the game itself.
This year’s NHL Draft, although it didn’t live up to the hype as far as trades being made, was exciting because of the build up and the fact that the Flyers held the second pick overall. When the Flyers selected Middletown, New Jersey product James vanRiemsdyk, it was unique, because it was the first time two American born players were selected first and second overall [Patrick Kane went number-one to Chicago].
When I watched vanRiemsdyk put on the Flyers sweater for the first time on the draft podium, I realized he was at least two years away from suiting up for the orange and black, so my excitement was extinguished a little bit. But the speculation all week long about the possibility of the Flyers trading the pick for an established star; it captured my attention.
There is something about a draft that gets me going.
This Thursday, June 28th, the NBA holds their draft and the Sixers have three picks in the first round, as well as a high second round selection [38th overall]. This is an exciting time for the Sixers, because they have a young team with, for the first time in a while, a direction.
Sixers general manager Billy King has made some solid picks and trades on draft day. He’s identified talent in the past, and I trust he will do the same this year. If the Sixers keep their selections in the first round [12, 21, and 30], here are the players I’d like to see the Sixers select:
With the 12th pick, in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select… Julian Wright from the University of Kansas.
With the 21st pick, in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select… Arron Afflalo from UCLA.
With the 30th pick, in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select… Josh McRoberts from Duke University.
On the other hand…
The Sixers can make some noise on draft day and trade into the top-five of the draft. My dream scenario is for the Sixers to package No. 12 and 38, along with Andre Miller, to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick. If the Sixers are able to complete this trade and draft Florida’s Al Horford, they’re a playoff team next year.
All of this speculation goes into my theory of why the draft is more exciting than the actual game. The draft is a celebration. It’s a renewal of hope. The draft comes before free agency and training camp, but it provides the fans with excitement towards the new year. That’s why an amateur draft is so special – it gives a city like Philadelphia… hope.
