Gradey's glitter suit won the Draft
Gradey—we’re gonna get way more into Everything Gradey, don’t you worry one little bit!—went 13 to Toronto. Jalen Wilson went 51 to Brooklyn. Jay Bilas made fun of Keyonte George for losing to us. It was a great night for Kansas Basketball I’d say!
Gradey Dick to Toronto: A
Gradey Dick suit: A+
Like, c’mon. Sorry Dorothy. Gradey snapped!
I tuned into the pre-draft show because something is wrong with me, and I was rewarded with this Dick/Rooks interview. That suit is bonkers. Friend of the newsletter Russ Dodd said that he looked like he was in Back to the Future 2, which is 🎯.
I’m afraid to put it through any kind of taste consideration, because it is irrelevant. He’s so comfortable with himself. He knows exactly what this suit is doing, and it’s working because it’s all they could talk about on the preview show and then throughout the broadcast. To quote the vocalist French Montana, if you don’t got haters, you ain’t popping!
Let’s talk about the Raptors. Because of Gradey’s shooting acumen, he’s a good fit basically anywhere, and I love what he brings to the Raptors. This is a well run development hub—Dick will accent what Scottie Barnes, OG and Siakam bring to the floor, and with FVV headed out, he’ll get to kick around the perimeter a good amount early, I think. They took a swing with their new coach, but I like it, and think it bodes well for Gradey—that coach isn’t bringing in a whole lot of strategic baggage. If Gradey can stroke, he’ll stay on the floor. I might have liked his fit in Orlando or Oklahoma City slightly better, but I’ll take it.
I was surprised a few guys went before him—Jett Howard also went before teammate Kobe Bufkin, no one watches college games and this is concrete proof—but the margins in the league are so thin now that which org drafts you matters just as much as how much you develop as an individual. You have to fit. Gradey has a great chance to do just that, and fast. I’m happy for him! 🦖
Jalen Wilson to Nets: A
Jalen Wilson Suit: A also!
I always feel for the guy that goes to the Draft, but isn’t invited into the Green Room. While it would suck to be the last person to be drafted from the pre-selected group, wandering around in the stands feels… weird? Awkward? There’s never a clear path to the stage from that position. I got anxious thinking about Jalen twisting through the crowd.
Like I said in my lil Dick blurb, the fit has become paramount in an NBA where the density of talent is at an all-time high. The worst player in the NBA, player 450, has never been so close to player 1 in terms of ability. Going to a good org has always mattered, but it matters even more now. And even though Brooklyn has approximately 2700 forwards on their roster currently, I like Jalen going there.
I had to contain myself seeing a few other guys go before Jalen—Jordan Walsh, really?—but I don’t make too much of the slide, generally. KU media is hyped about the Jacque-Jalen connection, and they should be! Jacque plays young guys and gives them the keys, just look at the development of dudes like Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas and, in a small amount of time, Miles Bridges.
There’s room for Jalen here. Shooting the ball well will help him stay on the floor, and his rebounding will be vital for second opportunities in the three-heavy Nets approach. The player who had the most rebounds and points in the best conference in America last year is good enough for Draft pick 51. College basketball, ladies and gentlemen!
Proud of our dudes. Self will be dining out on this. Streak on, Streakers!