Editor’s Note: I realize this is a re-run, but we posted it over the weekend when traffic is traditionally pretty slow. We just thought a guest of this magnitude deserved to be heard and we wanted to honor that. So here you go, everybody:
LeBron or D-Wade in Europe? Sportswriter and ESPN.com contributor Jonah Keri stops by to discuss European basketball’s impact on American sports culture. Could the Euroleague ever catch on in America? Are Josh Childress and Linas Kleiza wasting their time? And most importantly: can we convince Jonah to meet us in Paris for a Final Four rendezvous?
LeBron or D-Wade in Europe? Sportswriter and ESPN.com contributor Jonah Keri stops by to discuss European basketball’s impact on American sports culture. Could the Euroleague ever catch on in America? Are Josh Childress and Linas Kleiza wasting their time? And most importantly: can we convince Jonah to meet us in Paris for a Final Four rendezvous?
The sad truth is, once David Stern butchered the name of the Cavs first rounder, I grabbed my cell phone and my computer. Neither device could immediately satisfy my Christian Eyenga curiosity.
So I made some calls, checked all the prospect sites (because ours admittedly didn’t foresee Danny Ferry’s genius), and here are Freaknick’s Five Fun Facts, Christian Eyenga style:
1. I spoke to a Euroleague source who says he recognized some of the clips that ESPN showed after Cleveland took him with the 30th pick. ”I was at some of those games,” he told me. ”And I don’t remember Christian Eyenga.” Hmmm.
2. Christian hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Did you know that the DRC is the largest French-speaking nation in the world, with 66 million folks? Take THATCeline Dion.
3. There are only two other Congolese players in the NBA: 1) 4-time Defensive POY Dikembe Mutombo and 2) NBA Champion and Laker legend, DJ Mbenga. While these two are known mostly for their defense, however, Eyenga is an offensive dynamo, averaging an astonishing 0.8 PPG in 4 games for DKV Joventut of the ACB League.
4. After extensive Googling and YouTubing, I couldn’t find that LeBron post-game interview I was looking for. Remember? After they lost to the Magic? When he said, “The only way we’re going to take our team to the next level is if we draft a virtual unknown Congolese player who averages under one point per game and probably won’t suit up in an NBA uniform until I’m a Knick.”
5. If you YouTube Christian Eyenga, the first video that comes up is the inspiring tale of two hippies who raise a lion cub named Christian. Frankly, it was the more entertaining of the two videos below.
Hello World this is your resident hoopologist Slam checking in with his first of many running diaries. I’m going to be you analysis on the 2009 NBA Draft, also known from this point on of Draft de Complementary Players. If you’re looking for a stud in this draft outside of the top 5, then you might as well move along, this draft is tailor made for teams looking for role players. Now let’s get into some pre-game talk, Stu Scott takes us away.
7:02 p.m. - We just got word the Dick Vitale is going to be making an appearance, everyone get your earplugs out.
7:03 - Who has more hair gel Andy Katz or Rick Bucher? I say tossup.
OR
7:06 – John Barr tells that there is “tons of excitement” around the Shaq trade, then why does he sound so unexcited? Between Shaq, Richard Jefferson, and Vince Carter getting traded I think the most valuable guy is Richard Jefferson. Shaq won’t be able to have back to back monster seasons and Vince Carter’s greatest achievement is winning the Dunk Contest
7:11 – All the analysts are praising Orlando for getting Vince Carter but doesn’t this mean they can’t sign Hedo Turkoglu? Hedo was their ball handler in the clutch last year and isn’t he more valuable to the team than Vince “I need my shots” Carter, let’s think big picture here.
7:13 – A camera in the Clippers war room: an inside look on how to screw up an NBA team.
Got to love that nose
7:21 – Some Ricky Rubio talk FINALLY. We even have an interview EUROLEAGUE BABY. Let’s rate Ricky: English- C- Style- D Nose- A+. Ricky loves the beaches in California, is that an open petition to try and be a Sacramento King? I hope not but Rubio is going to be the funniest point guard to watch for the next 10 years so let’s hope he doesn’t end up in purgatory in Sactown.
7:32 – “New York home of the Knicks and Liberty” thanks David Stern but I think we all agree you can shorten that statement next year. But HERE WE GO, some NBA Draft. I say Blake Griffin goes one, call me crazy.
7:35 – OO yes a montage of Clippers #1 draft picks, the Kandi-Man made a jump hook, really? They can do anything with video nowadays, the Clippers can’t mess up Blake Griffin, I think.
7:38 – Blake Griffin first pick what? Who? When? Yes this was a can’t miss pick; he scored at will in college and grabbed rebounds from all over the place. If Griffin can get a go-to post move and he can be a killer on the fast break, look out.
7:43 – Exclusive Mike Dunleavy interview. He says “We’re going to look and see what’s the best decision for our team.” I’m going to go with that’s the opposite of what he has been doing since he’s gotten there.
7:45 – Hasheem Thabeet is our 2nd pick, do I have to wait or say it now: BUST. As a Syracuse fan I watched UConn all year and Thabeet has zero offensive game. Yes he can change the game defensively but he is abysmal offensively, think Ben Wallace but with injury concerns cause he’s so big.
OR 
