Aldrich, Henry Go 11, 12 In The Draft

Lawrence Kahn:I never would say that the Kansas players do not stick together.

Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry, who has helped lead to the Jayhawks 33-3 record and sixth straight Big 12 championship last season, went to number 11 and number 12 on Thursday night in the NBA draft.

6-foot-11 Aldrich, one of the best shot-blockers in the history of Jayhawk, was adopted in New Orleans, and then included in the trade that sent him to Oklahoma City Thunder.

Less than 5 minutes after Aldrich was compiled, Memphis chose Henry, marking the fifth time that several Jayhawks were taken in the first round.

Undrafted, but their leader and floor general, and winningest a player in the history of Kansas. Point guard Sherron Collins has been ignored as the tour, groups may inhibit their desire to put an extra weight to his 5-11 frame.

"It's disappointing," said Kansas coach Bill Self. "I can not believe that he is not one of the top 60 prospects out of this project. But, of course, not all is lost. He put himself in position where he will work harder and be more disciplined than he ever when something to show they were wrong.

Aldrich, tall player Kirk Hinrich of Kansas developed a number 7 in 2005, guaranteed $ 1,772,000, and the rookie salary scale as the total number of 11. Henry guaranteed $ 1683000 for this number 12.

Before concluding his college career as a junior, Aldrich blocked 253 shots, only five fewer than the record, Greg Ostertag. He is the ninth Kansas rebounds list with 860 and tied for fifth with 37 double-double. He came in 1038 points and joins a group of talented young players who seem to up and coming franchises in Oklahoma City.

"I think it will be a game-changer for us. I am very glad to have him in our team," said Thunder star Kevin Durant.

As sophomore, Aldrich was one of three players in Grand average of 12 double-double with 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds. In the first round NCAA tournament game against Dayton, he had 13 points, 20 rebounds school record 10 blocks and recorded the first official Kansas "triple-double: 1.

He readily admits that defense is his forte.

"The most that my game unlock, protect and restore," he said. "I'm kind of a unique big guy who likes to walk around the explosion at the other big guys and do the dirty work. I think he can really do that well, and I will continue to work on that."

Henry, one of the first and the player to Kansas, a familiar name in Memphis. Email this son of the former Kansas star Charles Henry first determined to play their college ball there, along with his elder brother. But the brothers moved to Kansas for coach John Calipari left for Kentucky.

Smooth and rapid improvement in left hands, Henry averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 assists in his one year in college.

I am in Memphis on Monday to talk with Grizzly about it.

"I'm not the only coach in the country that did it," he said. "They asked us to come there, and I thought it would be nice for us, especially if it can help our children.

"They have a good starting 5. But they need that someone can score off the bench and make shots. X is the best player in the last two months. I think he will go there and have the opportunity to play many minutes, and legitimate double-figure scoring threat for them as a rookie. "

With 2 Jayhawks developed compensatory made the whole experience even more interesting, Aldrich said.

"Xavier, and I am very good friends. We always text each other a lot and just hang out together. We have a great friendship. He really looks at me, and I hope so, too, so it is really special offer.

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Rockets Draft Patterson From 14th To Choose

Rockets said they were "delighted, absolutely delighted." They welcomed the draft room when Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson was still available when they are selected from the 14 th selection. They declared him as the sixth player in the draft board.

It was not clear why, but they were so excited. Director of Intelligence Gerald Madkins said that they "loved" "Patterson, a professional approach, and how he will" fit in our locker room. " General manager Daryl Morey said Patterson has a chance to be a very solid start, potentially more. " All this may seem, can be placed on the advertising board.

A few moments later, and the first time in his career with rockets, Patterson picked up the slack.

'I want to become an elite player in game ", says Patterson. "I want to prove I can shoot that all-star team, to make it to the playoffs and represent the franchise, as Houston is well.

Mori says that he worked to move up to the top five, but the last of these deals fell through about 2 hours before the start of the project. He said that the talks move to ninth, tenth and 12 picks to get Patterson, could not make those deals, but it still received.

Patterson was the only player in Rockets took a potential bidding on and then takes fizzling, Mori said, because he wanted to preserve the assets of a potential trade and free agent deals in the next month.

"He is incredibly versatile guy," said Mori. "He can score a lot of ways. You can face up. Back to the basket. You can go to college 3. In defense of the young players need to improve defense, but we see it in the end, as well as a defender."

Asked Patterson brings the best quality, Mori said, "his versatility and his work ethic."

Patterson, 6-9, 235-pound, was an honorable mention All American junior, averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, making 57.5 percent of his shots. He averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds while 60.3 per cent of stroke, as sophomore, were in favor of the project, and then left to return to Kentucky and received his degree in three years.

"We are thrilled", Madkins said. "He was going to the guy, guy, № 1, then the guy who can fill the role. This year all freshmen coming in, it kind of took the ads away, but it does not disappear.

From these guys we love in our locker room. Rectilinear approach, they did not worry about what role they assume.

Patterson, however, had a clear idea of what he can bring, referring to the more tangible attributes on the court than his approach.

"I can give you strength," he said. "I can be a tough guy, the guy who will not concede, which will continue to push through the tough times and running down the court, post-up, as well as to help Yao (Ming.) I can not get out on the perimeter, hit the jump training, help all the way out at 3 and rebound. I can do all that asked me.

Patterson, 21, is a more experienced player than many of the perspectives taken in the upper half of the first round, but Madkins said he expects its growth, the low scorer in the post and man-man defender. He said that Patterson has improved his outside shot, but mostly raved ratio Patterson.

"He brings a lot of intangibles that teams love to have", Madkins said. " "I think it's important to add quality people to the locker room. Not to take on his ability on the court, but he is hard working, professional attitude, and you really can not measure it. I think we appreciate that, probably more than most teams .

Patterson was happy to just be accepted. He was regarded as a solid perspective in the first round and was invited to Madison Square Garden, indicating the NBA expect him to go to the first 15 picks. He did not anticipate anything until he trembling hand, David Stern before the cameras.

"I'm just very nervous and excited - shaking on the inside," he said, the draft in New York. "My goal was to come here and get a hat. I did not mind when my name is called. I just wanted a hat, and I got one I'm very pleased.

"I can not stop smiling. And finally, my dream has come true. I'm just trying to survive it all, just enjoy every second of it."

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NBA Commissioner David Stern Poses With Paul George,

NBA Commissioner David Stern poses with Paul George, who was selected 10th overall by Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA draft. - Bill Kostroun / AP

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Ekpe Udoh Not Much Of A Silver Lining

When it became clear early last season that the Warriors will not be in the playoff hunt, fans were forced to find new targets and reasons for hope. The appearance of Stephen Curry provided a powerful impetus to the success of D-League was a feel good story and win a record Don Nelson closed the season in historic fashion. But the real silver lining loss of the season is a chance to turn it on landing impact player in this draft. Since the beginning of 2010 (or earlier), fans began to fantasize about the players who could help revive the Warriors in the 2010-11 season. This long anticipated future profits on Thursday night as ... Ekpe Udoh?

We have never seen Udoh against NBA competition, or almost the NBA yet, so I'll give him the presumption of innocence. Nevertheless, my first instinct gut says that this is a classic warriors get all the wrong way. Low up (shades of POB)? Check. Undersized on-site PF (shades Diogu)? Check. Fills the position - PF - relative depth (Randolph, Wright, Tolliver potential)? Check. At first glance, it looks like we spent a high draft to select Mike Dunleavy on the player's bench rotation. Many blame that goes to the weakest of the project, and the end of the season wins, which has reduced our chances in the lottery, but I can not help but feel that we just went through a brutally ugly season, and came to the end to find our silver lining is far from brilliant.

Despite the initial let down, there are several reasons for optimism. Udoh showed solid defensive instincts and skills restored Baylor. We might use more than two skills in this command - though I worry about these skills will be minimized or less of full size (and weight) competition, particularly if Nelson gives him time in the center. He seemed to be quick learner and a high IQ basketball player - obviously, good things, but the descriptions are often hung on the players who do not have the physical gifts to dominate opponents. Finally, Udoh seems professional, really happy to be here and comfortable, with its possible role. That comfort, however, may be a byproduct occurs earlier than expected - not necessarily a bad thing, but a sign that the company is Riley and to see something in him that the rest of the NBA did not. Although Curry was very easy last year, when he had slipped, Udoh seems a bit hand.

The question that will linger for the next few days (weeks? Months?) This is what will happen next. Register in its present form even more imbalanced than it was last year. The team does not have a backup guard. All that potential small forward lack key attributes for the position (size, speed, jump shot - and this is just some of them). We have a stable raw material transmits power and not-ready-for prime-time centers. Randolph, Biedrins and Ellis may not. Nothing happened so far this season to justify the expectation that we will value in response. This is a list that needs to be rebuilt around a vision, not only deprived of his talent for cash and expiring deals. Perhaps this vision will become clear shortly, but I'm not holding out much hope, until Cohen, Rowell, Riley and Nelson can be no picture. Unfortunately, there are opportunity costs for each day, the soldiers stuck in a holding pattern. While the thunder, wolves, blazers and others make steps to improve its talent level warriors circle through the same mistakes, burning fuel on the road. I can raise 2010-11 as a further recovery of the season, but now it is not clear that they planned to build something.

Thus, Ekpe Udoh, welcome to the soldiers. We do not know where you are going to play, who your teammates or coach will be, or that the billionaire will be signing your paychecks, but hey - you made it to the NBA - all can be even worse. If you can help turn this team around from perennial mat in respectable team, you'll earn our undying love. And if not, you can join us in hanging your hopes for 2011 lottery.

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