The clips picked Al Thornton out of Florida State. At 24, he’s a bit on the geezered side, but it’s about mileage not the year of the ride, right? Right. And this kid (guy?) is rated by some as the best small forward in the draft. Although I would have loved to see the clips walk away with a point guard, I’m glad they didn’t take Crittenton (who ended up going across the hall to the Lakers). Crittenton has the build, the speed, but not the etcetera, ie, doesn’t sound like he’s ever been much of a playmaker. We need a true point guard, a la Shaun Livingston, but one that’s not built like a matchstick, or a la Sam Cassell, but isn’t 83 years old. Time will tell. At first glance I like the Thornton pick. Should allow Dunleavy to play Maggette more at the 2 spot, which I don’t see as a bad thing at all. We’re still desperately thin at the point, though. You’d love to assume this year will be a bounce back one for Sam, but you just never know. Assuming Sam is healthy, though? That’s a starting lineup of Sam and Maggs at guard, Thornton and Brand at forward, and the caveman in the post. Plug in maggs or Q for Thornton, plug in Mobley for Maggs, plug in Livie (if he plays at all this year) for Sam, add a little Mrs. Dash? I’ve seen worst recipes for not quite disaster.

Sigh. The hawks just took Acie Law with the 11th pick. Obviously, so far, the big point of interest in the draft was the trade of Ray Allen to Boston for the 5th pick (which Seattle had Boston take Jeff Green out of Georgetown with). No other huge surprises, unless you count Milwaukee taking Jianlan outta China (his agent said he did NOT want to play there – maybe they’re gonna trade him?) and I think Hawes went a little high (to Sacto, at #10), but, well, that’s that for now. Phillie’s on the clock at #12, and then it’s NOOCH and then it’s YOUR (er, my) LA Clippers. Will have to see who’s left. Crittenton? Nick Young? Thornton’s still on the board. Muy interesante, senor. I will be back to commentate my brilliance once the damage or hopefully not despairingly so has been decimated. Gratzi.

Acie Law IV could now supposedly drop all the way to 20 (Miami), in the wake of the monster trade that seems pending that will send Amare Stoudemire to Atlanta and KG to the Suns, giving Minnie the 3 & 11 pick as well as Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Johnson. Wowsers. And supposedly the rub, at least for me, is that the clippers are SUPPOSEDLY in love with Javaris Chrittendon out of Georgia Tech at the 14 spot. Clipperblog has enumerated nicely the argument against Crittendon, as well as a little bit of "let the buyer beware" in regards to Law. Allow me to appeal to Elgin Baylor directly: Elgin, you are in my power. Elgin, Acie Law is the truth (theoretically, emphatically). Elgin: you CAN believe it’s not butter. Elgin: Fabio is your master, Acie Law is the salvation of not just the clippers, but western civilization. If he is available at that 14 spot, you must, I repeat MUST take him. To the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. PS: You are not a zombie from the planet Zebulon in the body of an amazingly talented yet old basketball player, you are in fact that man you think you are and can pull the trigger on a correct decision. Screw whatever Dunleavy is telling you, he is feeble minded and inane. You control the density, er destiny. Also, Fabio is your master, to prove it, understand that I am not Fabio, thus I must be speaking the truth. Good night.

evidence exhibit #834 for why the clippers, if they have a chance, NEED to take Acie Law IV with the 14th pick in the draft. He’ll prolly be gone already, but, well, maybe other teams (hi, Atlanta) will be stupid. Crittendon being a Georgia Tech alum plays into our hands nicely, but, well, 14 is a high number, so odds are not, uh, good. There’s gotta be something piddling we could use to trade down just a bit, with another team in need of something else? The particulars escape me, well, they don’t escape, as I’m not spending an inordinate (ie, none) amount of time at this second looking for them, but oh well, what can you do. Nada, as my name is not Elgin Baylor. And even if it was, I’d still be me & he’d still be him, theoretically. Yup, gratzi. Aloha.