Do you believe in fate? I do.Sometimes it works in a strange fashion, sometimes it’s brutally blatant.For [Julian Wright’s][1] bank account, [Tuesday night’s NBA Draft lottery][2] was the latter. The ping pong balls were pulled, and in turn shot black eyes at some of the lottery favorites. And while [Memphis][3], [Boston][4] and [Milwaukee][5] were collectively kicked in the groin during the annual drawing, Wright just may have benefitted.You see, the three teams mentioned in that previous ‘graph were the owners of the three worst records in the NBA this season (Memphis 22-60, Boston 24-58, Milwaukee 28-54). All three have a superstar – or at least a player paid like one – who missed significant time last season ([Pau Gasol][6] missed 23, [Paul Pierce][7] missed 45, [Michael Redd][8] missed 29). But all three are also in situations where they need to take the best player available on the draft board when their turn on the clock comes around.If you’re pick No. 1 or No. 2 in this draft, your fans might organize a mass arena exodus for the entire 2007-08 season if you don’t select [Greg Oden][9] or [Kevin Durant][10].Jay Bilas’ Top 20 players available were unveiled during the 20 minutes of complete and utter broadcast fluff Tuesday night before the actual lottery took place (seriously, there is absolutely no reason for the lottery to get its own half-hour special…it used to be 10 minutes during halftime of a Bulls-Knicks conference finals game, and that was perfect, not too long, not too short…just like seeing that oh-so-special relative). He ranked Wright No. 6 (and had [Brandon Rush][11] No. 18, F.Y.I.).Add those two factors together, and Julian Wright’s draft position improved with the bounces of a few ping pong balls. Memphis probably won’t take him, as the Grizzlies are more in need of a point guard, and already have two big men cut from the same cloth as Wright ([Hakim Warrick][12] and [Rudy Gay][13]).But Boston? Now there’s where the possibilities start. That’s where a run of teams taking the best on the board rather than just filling needs could begin.The Celtics are very young. Last year, they showed it in a very bad way. Of the [16 players on their roster to finish the 2006-07 season][14], 10 of them had two years of experience or less. And of the six elder statesmen, only two were healthy enough to play by season’s end. It’s a natural fit for Julian, who has two solid years of high-level college ball under his belt and would be a nice shot of life for a dying-yet-once-proud franchise.If he doesn’t go there, though, I’d say no later than No. 7 to [Minnesota][15], who despite what they’re saying, could very likely deal [Kevin Garnett][16] this summer.**_Here’s my own projection for the Top 10_**:**1) [Portland][17] – [Greg Oden][9] – C, Ohio State, Freshman** _-Need a big man now that LaMarcus Aldridge’s future is in serious question, and pairing him with last year’s ROY [Brandon][18] Roy would make a nice young nucleus to go with suddenly-motivated [Zach Randolph][19]._ **2) [Seattle][20] – [Kevin Durant][10] – F, Texas, Freshman** _-Can’t pass him up at this spot, or whoever their new GM is might be fired before season’s start. He’d be pretty sweet paired with [Ray Allen][21] on the perimeter._ **3) [Atlanta][22] – [Al Horford][23] – F, Florida, Junior** _-Atlanta took [Shelden Williams][24] last year, and already has [Josh Smith][25]. The Hawks need a point guard, and [Mike Conley][26] would make sense, but nothing Atlanta ever does on draft night ever makes sense **(*cough* [Chris Paul][27] *cough, cough*)**. Why should this be any different? Horford’s good, but not what they need._ **4) [Memphis][3] – [Mike Conley][26] – G, Ohio State, Freshman** _-The Grizzlies guffaw out loud after another Atlanta June foible, and this will come back to haunt the Hawks for years._ **5) [Boston][4] – [Brandan Wright][28] – F, North Carolina, Freshman** _-Brandan Wright and Julian Wright have equally high ceilings. But the Celtics are in no position to take a bigger gamble than they need to. Brandan is the safer pick, as he’s more of a known quantity._ **6) [Milwaukee][5] – [Corey Brewer][29] – F, Florida, Junior** _-Brewer’s in-between game would bridge [Michael Redd][8] and [Andrew Bogut][30] nicely…especially because [Charlie Villanueva][31] is always hurt._ **7) [Minnesota][15] – [Julian Wright][1] – F, Kansas, Sophomore** _-Even if Garnett stays, Wright could couple well with him, and eventually take over the four-spot when Garnett retires or moves on._ **8) [Charlotte][32] – [Yi Jianlin][33] – PF, China** _-The Bobcats have young studs implemented just about everywhere on the floor ([Emeka Okafor][34], [Raymond Felton][35], [Adam Morrison][36]…). They really need a big-time two-guard, but none are available here. Jianlin is a nice project, and could be a steal a couple years down the road. The Bobcats could trade down, too._ **9) [Chicago][37] – [Spencer Hawes][38] – C, Washington, Freshman** _-The Bulls could trade out, too, but if they stay, they need a consistent low-post offensive threat. Hawes is the closest thing to that. I like Roy Hibbert better overall, but Hawes fits Chicago’s needs a little better._ **10) [Sacramento][39] – [Roy Hibbert][40] – C, Georgetown, Junior** _-They’d be wise to take whoever is left between Hawes and Hibbert, if either are still there. The Kings were atrocious in the paint last season, and their key post players are getting old._**_In other recent news this week around the KU athletics world_**:-[Chase Buford became the latest walk-on to join the end of Bill Self’s bench][41]. I’d like to take Brennan Bechard, Brad Witherspoon and Chase Buford into a gym one day, give them a ball, and have them play game after game of 21, and the first to win 10 games gets the top spot on the depth chart. Just out of curiosity, really. You’d learn a lot from 21, seeing them play in 2-on-1 situations time after time and how well they fight on the boards. Oh yeah, plus there’s a lot of free throw shooting…that’s pretty big if you’re putting on a KU uniform, right? Just a thought.-[KU’s non-conference schedule for 2007-08 was released][42]. Not great, not horrible. Somewhere in between, which is more than most major programs can say.The two best games are easily at Southern Cal and at home against Arizona. Both will create some national buzz, and both could go either way. Boston College and Georgia Tech bring nice name recognition, but it remains to be seen what time of teams they’ll be. BC loses a major piece in [Jared Dudley][43], and Ramblin’ Wreck freshmen [Javaris Crittenton][44] and [Thaddeus Young][45] have both declared for the NBA Draft, but neither have signed agents.As for the rest of it? It doesn’t look all that attractive, but then again, it never does at the beginning, and always looks not-so-bad at the end. Those mid-major teams KU schedules every year always wind up making nice runs in their respective conference play. Besides, Big 12 play will be rough enough next season.-[Congratulations to Aqib Talib, making Playboy’s All-American squad][46], and becoming the first Jayhawk to do so since 1994. I bet that’s one article most folks around here will read.-[Also, congratulations to former KU baseball player Travis Metcalf][47]. The KU career home run leader was called up by the [Texas Rangers][48] last Friday, who said they’d give him a good shot on the big club. After making the leap from [Double-A Frisco][49], he went 0-for-2 in four plate appearances, drawing a pair of walks in a starting role Saturday, then a pinch-hitting situation Sunday. He was [sent back down Monday][50] after only having enough time to put cream and sugar in his cup of coffee, but look for [Metcalf][51], the Rangers’ 2005 Minor League Player of the Year and all-around good guy, to be back in the majors later this season. As any fantasy baseball owner knows, injuries happen everyday (I know it pretty well, owning the guy expected to be out for three months who he replaced – [Hank Blalock][52]).**_Here’s some fun clips to end this installment with_**:-At the request of KU football beat writer [Ryan Wood][53], enjoy [this one][54].-I’m just going to keep saying it – [The Office][55] is the smartest sitcom on television. If you missed the Season 3 finale last Thursday, [watch this][56]. What an incredibly written show. Sorry, I’m gushing.-KU junior leftfielder [John Allman][57] made probably the greatest defensive play I’ve ever seen at Hoglund Ballpark Saturday evening in an 11-9 loss to Nebraska. It’s about two-thirds of the way through [this video][58]. If you can’t figure out which play I’m talking about…well…then…no comment.-[This one’s][59] an inside joke with a couple of friends, but I think everyone knows someone who fits the mold.-And it doesn’t fit the Greene Room mold of a humor clip, but [this is my cousin Adam][60]…pretty good stuff. Watch out for him on the PBA someday.I’ll see you in two weeks, when I’m back from vacay (Question: Does anyone use the word ‘vacation’ anymore? Your thoughts…)**_KUSports.com editor Ryan Greene can be reached at rgreene@ljworld.com, or by phone at (785) 832-6357._** [1]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=18855&draftyear=2007 [2]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AiE6zkisKxgIf1uruaiHtOq8vLYF?slug=ap-draftlottery&prov=ap&type=lgns [3]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/mem [4]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/bos [5]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/mil [6]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3513 [7]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3253 [8]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3442 [9]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19020&draftyear=2007 [10]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19021&draftyear=2007 [11]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=18881&draftyear=2007 [12]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3945 [13]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4136 [14]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/bos/roster;_ylt=AqYz36_IvkUfoZci_qPgc.J20bYF [15]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/min [16]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3007 [17]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/por [18]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4134 [19]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3531 [20]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/sea [21]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3080 [22]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/atl [23]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=18841&draftyear=2007 [24]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4133 [25]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3834 [26]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19055&draftyear=2007 [27]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3930 [28]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19023&draftyear=2007 [29]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=18857&draftyear=2007 [30]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3927 [31]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3933 [32]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/cha [33]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=18866&draftyear=2007 [34]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3819 [35]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3931 [36]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4131 [37]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/chi [38]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19025&draftyear=2007 [39]: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/sac [40]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=18974&draftyear=2007 [41]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/may/22/self_adds_buford_walk_200708/ [42]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/may/22/kus_200708_nonconference_mens_hoops_schedule_annou/ [43]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=18883&draftyear=2007 [44]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19027&draftyear=2007 [45]: http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19022&draftyear=2007 [46]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/may/22/cover_man/?football [47]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/may/19/rangers_call_exjayhawk/?baseball [48]: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/tex [49]: http://www.ridersbaseball.com/ [50]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/may/22/exjayhawk_metcalf_sent_down_rangers/?baseball [51]: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8032 [52]: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6871 [53]: http://www2.kusports.com/staff/ryan_wood/ [54]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u2vmMy6ju4 [55]: http://imdb.com/title/tt0386676/ [56]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn6KMUwj-Cc [57]: http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/allman_john00.html [58]: http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2007/may/19/huskers_make_friday_loss_ku/ [59]: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zzto_hilarious-video [60]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKe9sciWJ0g
