2008 CelticsBlog draft board.

[Roy Hobbs]

What is that Lucky17 four 12th rounders, now?

He's smart to consolidate, because after the 12th, the talent dries up pretty much completely.

[Lucky17]

I've got #9, #17, #18, #19, and #22 in that round.

I'd like to use the #9 and/or the #22 to pick up #16 and/or #20 (76ers and Raptors should take notice if they want to move up in the round, or pick up a late round selection).

[KCattheStripe]

There are rumors of a major trade coming out of Washington. Sources say that the deal is pending league approval and that the Wizard's may not be done.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

There are rumors of a major trade coming out of Washington. Sources say that the deal is pending league approval and that the Wizard's may not be done.

The Pistons would like to add that they are not under knowledge of the deal 

[KCattheStripe]

The delay on confirmation of their trade is making the Wizards staff nervous.

[KCattheStripe]

The Wizards are proud to announce that they have traded Shawn Marion to the Detroit Pistons for Emeka Okafor. Pending League approval.

When asked about the trade, Coach Eddie Jordan had this to say, " We had been trying to put a positive spin on it, but having Andrei and Shawn was redundant, their skill sets were so similar that they took each others role on the team.
In Emeka, we gain a low post option, a very good athlete who can play in our system in a much better way than Shawn could. We feel that we can still play havoc in the passing lanes with Andrei at SF. But now we have two legitimate shot blocking threats in the middle with Emeka and Andrey. We also now have a derth of young PF's and C's that are athletic and that we could see giving The Tim Duncan and Brad Miller tandems of the world some problems."

[KCattheStripe]

Who says my team has 3-Point shooting issues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5eFy8sGX7Q&feature=related

[Roy Hobbs]

I think Okafor is definitely a better fit for your team.  AK47 is happier at PF, and this should get him more touches.  Okafor gives you some defense in your front court.  Good trade from your perspective.

I also understand the deal from Detroit's end, as Marion is a more versatile player than Okafor.  I worry about problems this causes in the locker room, though.  Marion and Ben Gordon are both players who have complained about not getting enough touches in the past; I'm not sure how Detroit's experiment will work chemistry-wise.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Well, here's why I did the deal.

Okafor was a liability on offense and I thought Marion would be a much better option. Plus, my defense is not any weaker (Marion is a terrific defender) and Marion can guard the inside and the perimeter.

[Lucky17]

Poor Emeka. This is what, his fourth team? He's going to need someone to give him a hug and tell him everything is going to be all right.

[KCattheStripe]

Poor Emeka. This is what, his fourth team? He's going to need someone to give him a hug and tell him everything is going to be all right.

That's what Big Baby is there for.

[bucknersrevenge]

I definitely like this deal for the Wiz. If Okafor is healthy he solidifies that lineup. AK47 can slide up to the PF spot and they can bring up someone like JR Smith to start at the 3 if they want. Or they could start Villanueva at the 4 and keep AK at the 3. Either way I think the pieces fit a little better. Gives them an anchor down low. Good trade for the Wiz without a doubt.

For the Pistons I think this is a gamble. I liked Okafor as Yao's enforcer next to him. This is a decidedly half-court offensive team with Ming in the middle. I was a big fan of that 3-4-5 group Detroit had and now they replaced Yao's bodyguard down low with a guy who best fits in an up-tempo offense and as Roy alluded to has become less about doing the "dirty work" role that made him so famous in Phoenix and more about getting his touches on offense. I think Okafor would've been happy to do that work in Detroit. Hard for me to like this deal for them. They're still the class of Central division but I think this deal just brought them closer back down to Cleveland and the rest of us. Just my opinion FWIW.

[Roy Hobbs]

You know this game has become an obsession when you see ESPN.com headlines like "Blazers hoping Roy might return by Oct. 28 opener" and think "No need to worry boys, I'm not going anywhere".

[KCattheStripe]

Still fielding offers for Kirilenko

[Celtic Fan Forever]

The Detroit Pistons have announced that Shawn Marion has been hypnotized by team doctors. Following the extreme procedure, he had this to say "All I want to do is grab rebounds and play defense. I'm okay with being the 4th option and I don't care about scoring." Marion has also undergone leg extension surgery in Russia, and miraculously has healed in a day. He is now 6'10.