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Friday, June 27, 2008

KU coach Self watches NBA Draft with pride

By Gary Bedore

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Portland drafted Brandon Rush, but traded him to Indiana. New Orleans drafted Darrell Arthur, but the pick was on behalf of Portland (and he was later sent to Houston in a separate deal, then immediately shipped to Memphis). Mario Chalmers was selected by Minnesota, but was traded to the Miami Heat.

Jayhawks selected in the 2008 NBA Draft

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Jayhawks in the 2008 NBA Draft

Kansas University's basketball players gathered at coach Bill Self's house Thursday night to watch the NBA Draft on ESPN-TV.

They viewed with interest for more than four hours as KU tied UConn in 2006 and Florida in 2007 for most players selected (five) in a two-round draft.

"We chilled out here, spread out here, cheered when Brandon went at 13 and held our breath when other guys didn't go as high as we thought they would," Self said before heading to bed after a long day.

Here's a quick recap of what happened on a crazy summer evening:

¢ Brandon Rush hit the jackpot as an NBA lottery pick, being tapped No. 13 overall by Portland's Trail Blazers, who traded him to Indiana and his brother Kareem's Pacers squad. After that pick, it was sweat-it-out time for two of Rush's teammates, who despite being seen as possible top-20 picks, didn't fare as well.

¢ Darrell Arthur still earned a guaranteed contract by being selected at No. 27 by New Orleans, who traded him to Portland for cash considerations, the first of three trades on the night for Arthur. He was in Houston, then got traded again to Memphis early this morning, according to the Associated Press.

¢ Mario Chalmers missed out on the lucrative first round. He was tapped fourth in Round Two by Minnesota, then traded to Miami for two future second-round picks and cash.

As a Round Two pick, Chalmers is not guaranteed a contract.

The good news is, Miami reportedly is high on Chalmers and, considering how much they gave up for him, likely has plans of signing him in coming weeks.

¢ Darnell Jackson was chosen No. 22 in the second round, also by Miami, while Sasha Kaun was selected No. 26 in the second round by Seattle and traded to Cleveland. Jackson later was traded by Miami to Cleveland for a future second-round pick.

Whew.

Self was "disappointed" for Arthur, who was hurt by a report that he had a kidney ailment, a condition Self said never surfaced in two years at KU.

"I talked to Shady about this last night," Self said. "He told me what he said on TV, that Washington (Wizards this week) did bloodwork on him and everything came back normal. We had our people talk to a couple NBA teams about this. Word did not get out to other teams that his tests came out normal. They were still going off a previous test that was done.

"If that's the case, somebody (in Arthur's camp or NBA) really dropped the ball because it cost him a lot of money. I talked to a lot of teams who said they'd loved to have him, but can't (pick him) because of this health issue."

Self said Arthur's kidney was never an issue during his two years of college. "Our medical people ran tests on all our guys. Everything turned out normal in the tests in this particular situation," Self said of the kidney. "There are rumors some teams tested him and some type of levels were high with his kidney. I was also told the Wizards tested him and everything came back normal from that. He fell to No. 27 but has top-10 talent."

Chalmers dropped out of the first round into the second, which surprised Self.

"I think he has a great chance to make this team. From the outside looking in, it looks like a good fit," Self said. "No. 12 (projection) was always high with Mario. I did think he'd go first-round. So many people said they liked his talent. I talked to eight to 10 teams the last two days who liked his talent. Liking him and drafting him are two different things."

Chalmers had a year of eligibility remaining had he elected to return to KU.

"You are always disappointed a guy with eligibility left would fall to the second round," Self said. "I'm sure he's disappointed. It's not for me to comment if he made the wrong or right decision. I wish him the best.

"I wish the best for all our guys. They have new employers, and they better work their butts off. Second-guessing doesn't do anybody any good."

Jackson now will try to play his way onto the Cavaliers' roster, and Kaun will head to Russia where he's signed a three-year deal to play his homeland.

He could return to play for the Cavaliers in a couple of years.

"I thought Darnell and Sasha would go mid second," Self said. "With Sasha no matter who drafted him he'd not go there for a couple years at least.

"As long as he got taken, somebody will retain his rights. I'm happy for all our guys."

Comments

kushaw (anonymous) says...

I really think Arthur dropping as much as he did screwed up a lot of teams plans. I also think that Arthur dropping so much may have hindered Chalmers from getting in the first round. Once a snowball effect happens it gets everything out of place which is the reason Chalmers went in the second round. Chalmers doesn't have anything to worry about. The heat gave up 2 picks to get Chalmers so he'll get a signed deal. It's a shame about Arthur.

June 27, 2008 at 3:33 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Timmay97 (anonymous) says...

First thing is first.......I think can all agree that Arthur got the shaft among all 5 KU players drafted. I thought that if Washington didn't draft him at 18....watch out! It really did drop my stomach each time I didn't hear his name.

Rush is fine and Chalmers will be fine too. He got picked in the second round which I think is a crock, but Miami knows they got a steal. He's going to be PERFECT for that team. And unlike Simien, I think Miami will give him a chance. Congrats Mario!

As for Jackson and Kaun. Cleveland is a PERFECT team for Jackson to go to. He can play under the radar of Lebron and do the dirty work. That's exactly what Jackson wants and can do. I just hope he makes that team.

Kaun is already in a great position. He's in a win-win situation with getting better and knowing he has a place in the NBA if he does indeed improve in the post.

Congrats to all the Jayhawks!

June 27, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

PaulDMeyer (anonymous) says...

It would be nice if KUSports could do some investigative reporting with KU b-ball alumnae holding executive positions in the NBA regarding these draft issues: i.e. Portland's GM - Pritchard, San Antonio's GM - Buford, and DC's - Newton.

June 27, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayViking (anonymous) says...

Jackson is just a good guy to have around the locker room. Yeah, he's talented..but he's got way too many intangibles to let him go! I think he'll have success.

June 27, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says...

All I've got to say is it's unbelievable how many teams draft on POTENTIAL.

It seems most would rather take a chance on a player that could develop into the next superstar, rather than take a proven talent that will be a great role player.

It's sad, but Darrell probably would've gone higher last year, or maybe even out of high school. And all these European players? I've never seen George Hill (from IUPUI) play, but you'd rather have him than Chalmers!? And isn't Chase Buford's Dad the Spurs' GM? Where's the love!?

We'll see how these player pan out...

June 27, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

George Hill is a stud and I would never question the San Antonio Spurs. They have have the best scouting services in the NBA. Yes, Chase's Dad is RC Buford of the San Antonio Spurs.

June 27, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Mrs_Estherhouse (anonymous) says...

I don't understand the Arthur situation. Why did he not have an agent prior to Monday? Even then, why was his agent not on the phone to everyone who would answer, NBA execs and ESPN guys alike, telling them Arthur was healthy?

Also, I was excited for first Rush, then Arthur, to play in Portland. Now it looks like neither will. Oh well. Good luck, fellas.

June 27, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kltbadboyz (anonymous) says...

As far as being drafted low Shady got screwed, but as far as going to a team with a need, he probably went to the one of the best possible places to to play. The only player that is playing in front of him is Warrick and who knows what will happen with Antoine Walker. If Shady's kidney is fine and he establishes himself he can make up for it in his second contract. Imagine going to Memphis though, that would kinda suck. How are the people going to greet him after he put 20 and 10 on them in the title game.

June 27, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

The important thing is that the 5 expected guys got drafted. Incoming recruits need to know "If I come to KU, I get drafted" Especially the big guys. I hope this is enough to help improve our recruiting of true post players.

The fact that Kaun & DJ both got drafted... and that Arthurs drop seems to be primarily blamed (Publicly, anyway) on health questions.... those are all good things.

June 27, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

garybedore (Gary Bedore) says...

Regarding Arthur and Chalmers, first Mario:
-- You have heard that term guards are a "dime a dozen."
That's changed a bit in regards to franchise changing point guards I guess.
But ultimately that is what the GMs thought of Mario: A dime a dozen type guard.
Not apparently in their minds a great point guard prospect and too small to be a great 2.
Now Miami seems to disagree. This is one deal where he is going to make it. The fact the Heat gave up cash for him plus the second rounders means Riley wants him on the team.
So Mario will get a big money deal. His agent will have to do the good work now. Europe could be a bargaining chip. But Mario figures to get a good, not great deal to start with. He still made the right call to leave. He had nothing to gain by coming back.

Arthur
Somebody dropped the ball as Self said. Nobody is saying who. Arthur isn't blaming the Wizards or his agent. Look, if an NBA team desperately wanted Arthur and heard about this kidney thing you'd think they'd get it cleared up. I think it's partly the kidney thing and partly like DeAndre Jordan, GMs decided Darrell wasn't a great great prospect.
He can prove it now.
I mean folks look at Jordan. He also was supposed to go first round. He and Darrell are nice players (though I never liked Jordan) but not NBA stars.
If an NBA team desperately wanted Arthur at 10, 11, 12 ... they'd have been appeased about this kidney thing.
He'll be fine as it turns out. He gets big bucks for 2 years, then can renegotiate. His family still now gets to turn their lives around. He'll be making almost 900,000 next year. Not bad for a 20 year old.

June 27, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )