three picks

In yesterday's NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors selected three players: Klay Thompson, Jeremy Tyler, and Charles Jenkins. I had forgotten that in last year's draft, the Warriors sold their 2nd round pick, so this year they made up for it by purchasing an additional 2nd round pick! New ownership, indeed.

Klay Thompson was the name I was expecting to hear announced as the Warriors pick when he was still available at #11. Although one never knows for sure in drafts! But he was being mentioned as the guy the team had their eye on, as well as a favorite of Jerry West's, which is an added feather in Thompson's cap.

He too is the son of a former NBA player, Mychal Thompson, who won several championships with the Lakers some years ago. Which got me wondering if Stephen Curry's father, former NBA player Dell Curry has any kind of history (teammates, or rivals in any memorable games, etc.) with Mychal Thompson. I'll have to look that up...

Even though there is plenty of talk that Thompson plays the same position as SG Monta Ellis, and therefore increases the likelihood of Ellis being traded, I buy the explanation that Thompson strengthens the bench and Curry, Ellis, and Thompson can all make for a very strong backcourt. Besides, Curry and Ellis can't play entire games without getting some minutes of rest, especially during a long NBA season. Plus, the Warriors coaching staff and management should get at least a season to see how they mesh with each other on the court. It's still June, of course, so anything can happen.

The trade for the rights to sign Tyler (that extra second pick they purchased in the 2nd round) came as a surprise. When the Bobcats chose him originally, I was barely paying attention to what the commentators had to say about him. I wish now that I was listening; all I caught was something about how he's been around, including playing in Japan. What I've read since is exciting - he's got a lot of size and raw talent that if harnessed and developed correctly, could be the presence the Warriors have been looking for near the basket.

The Warriors' final pick in the draft got plenty of cheers from the crowd. 'What?' I thought to myself. Well, it turns out he's from Hoftstra, and there were plenty of Hoftstra supporters in the crowd, waiting to hear the name 'Charles Jenkins' announced. Reading about him too, he could well be a steal himself. We'll just have to wait and see how things all pan out. As an aside, I wonder if his nickname is 'C.J.' Back in the '70s, the Warriors had a player named Charles Johnson, whom was known as 'C.J.'