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Cavs take Kyrie Irving with No. 1 pick
Kyrie Irving traveled just a few miles down the road to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. The players that followed him came from across the globe.
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Irving with the No. 1 pick in a draft filled with internationals, confident his foot is healthy enough to lead the rebuilding effort that follows LeBron James' departure.
Loudly cheered by family and friends not far from where he starred at St. Patrick's High School in Elizabeth, Irving showed no signs of the toe injury on his right foot that limited him to 11 games last season as he walked up the stairs to shake hands with commissioner David Stern.
"I didn't have any doubts about going to No. 1. I was looking to the organization to pick who they felt was the right choice," Irving said. "But now to this moment, from being a fan of the NBA draft and now being drafted, it's a special feeling in my heart and knowing that my friends and family were together, it's a memory I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."
Three of the first six players taken were from Europe, capitalizing on the absence of some American college players who might have gone in their spots and made this a stronger draft. It was the first time four international players who didn't play at a U.S. college were selected in the lottery.
Even Irving has international ties. He was born in Australia while his father, Drederick, played professionally there and said he might be interested in playing for the Australian national team.
After grabbing him with their first No. 1 pick since taking James in 2003, the Cavs used the No. 4 selection on Texas forward Tristan Thompson. They were the first team since the 1983 Houston Rockets with two top-four picks. Thompson, who is from Toronto, only played one year with the Longhorns, averaging 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off bringing guard Ricky Rubio of Spain into the fold, took Arizona forward Derrick Williams with the No. 2 pick. The Utah Jazz then took Turkish big man Enes Kanter third with their first of two lottery selections.
The Timberwolves tried all week to trade the second pick in hopes of landing a veteran center or shooting guard to help the youngest team in the league. In the end, they couldn't find an offer they liked enough to pass up on the explosive, 6-foot-8 forward in Williams.
"We're not trading Derrick Williams," Timberwolves president David Kahn told the team's draft party in an interview from the team's war room. "He will be in a Timberwolves uniform next year."
The league's uncertain labor situation hung over the draft, and likely weakened it. Potential top-10 picks such as Jared Sullinger of Ohio State and Harrison Barnes were among those who decided to stay in school, without knowing when their rookie seasons would have started.
Stern, who could lock out his players next week if a deal for a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached, was booed when he came onto the stage at the Prudential Center, which is hosting the draft while its usual home, Madison Square Garden, is undergoing summer work.
So the draft is filled with question marks, with a number of unknown European players expected to go in the first round. Kanter hasn't played competitively in a year, forced to sit out last season at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible for being paid to play in Turkey.
Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas went fifth to Toronto and Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic was taken sixth by Washington.
"Basketball in my country is not so popular, but after this night, I think -- I hope -- that the basketball will be more popular," Vesely said. "I will do my best to help that."
Bismack Biyombo of Congo went seventh to Sacramento -- a pick that was later traded to Charlotte -- as the record of nine international first-round picks in 2003 quickly became threatened.
Biyombo, who has an uncertain contract situation from his professional club in Spain, is an athletic, shot-blocker and rebounder with limited offensive skills. He also looked much shorter than his listed 6-9 when he worked out for the Bobcats.
"I was with Michael Jordan (Wednesday) and I had a great practice," Biyombo said. "It was so exciting to have him watch me practice. I'm so excited to meet him again."
Kentucky's Brandon Knight went eighth to Detroit as common fans finally heard a name they recognized again. He was followed by Kemba Walker of national champion Connecticut to Charlotte and NCAA scoring champion Jimmer Fredette of BYU -- both New Yorkers who were loudly cheered after their names were called. Walker wiped away tears on the draft stage.
"It's been like a movie. This whole year has been magical, honestly," Walker, a 6-foot-1 point guard, said. "So many different, crazy things have been happening to me, and you know, I just feel lucky.
"Now that I'm with Charlotte I'm going to try to bring a winning attitude," Walker said. "I'm going to work extremely hard to get better. I'm not 6-3, 6-4, but I have a big heart."
Fredette was moved by Milwaukee to Sacramento in the three-team trade.
Irving becomes the third point guard taken first in the last four years, following Derrick Rose in 2008 and John Wall last year. Rose was the NBA's MVP this season, ending James' two-year reign.
Irving insists he's not trying to replace James -- whose highlights were booed when showed on the overhead screen -- in a different manner now.
"I'm looking forward to getting to Cleveland," Irving said. "It's a big sports town and I cannot wait to embrace all of the fans there and the fan support. I can't wait."
Kansas twins Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris went with back-to-back picks to round out the lottery. Phoenix took Markieff at No. 13 and Marcus followed to the Rockets.
Houston international scouting director Arturis Karnisovas said the Rockets liked Marcus Morris' defensive versatility and toughness. He also said Morris will contribute offensively, after shooting 57 percent from the field and topping 20 points in 12 games last season. Morris worked out with the Rockets and impressed with his finishing ability and basketball smarts.
"High basketball IQ," Karnisovas said. "We were looking for a versatile guy who can do many things, and that's what he does."
The Indiana Pacers selected San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard with the 15th pick but then traded his rights to the San Antonio Spurs for point guard George Hill, a league source told ESPN.com. The Spurs also received the 42nd pick and the draft rights to Erazem Lorbek from the Pacers.
Source: AP
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Irving with the No. 1 pick in a draft filled with internationals, confident his foot is healthy enough to lead the rebuilding effort that follows LeBron James' departure.
Loudly cheered by family and friends not far from where he starred at St. Patrick's High School in Elizabeth, Irving showed no signs of the toe injury on his right foot that limited him to 11 games last season as he walked up the stairs to shake hands with commissioner David Stern.
"I didn't have any doubts about going to No. 1. I was looking to the organization to pick who they felt was the right choice," Irving said. "But now to this moment, from being a fan of the NBA draft and now being drafted, it's a special feeling in my heart and knowing that my friends and family were together, it's a memory I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."
Three of the first six players taken were from Europe, capitalizing on the absence of some American college players who might have gone in their spots and made this a stronger draft. It was the first time four international players who didn't play at a U.S. college were selected in the lottery.
Even Irving has international ties. He was born in Australia while his father, Drederick, played professionally there and said he might be interested in playing for the Australian national team.
After grabbing him with their first No. 1 pick since taking James in 2003, the Cavs used the No. 4 selection on Texas forward Tristan Thompson. They were the first team since the 1983 Houston Rockets with two top-four picks. Thompson, who is from Toronto, only played one year with the Longhorns, averaging 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off bringing guard Ricky Rubio of Spain into the fold, took Arizona forward Derrick Williams with the No. 2 pick. The Utah Jazz then took Turkish big man Enes Kanter third with their first of two lottery selections.
The Timberwolves tried all week to trade the second pick in hopes of landing a veteran center or shooting guard to help the youngest team in the league. In the end, they couldn't find an offer they liked enough to pass up on the explosive, 6-foot-8 forward in Williams.
"We're not trading Derrick Williams," Timberwolves president David Kahn told the team's draft party in an interview from the team's war room. "He will be in a Timberwolves uniform next year."
The league's uncertain labor situation hung over the draft, and likely weakened it. Potential top-10 picks such as Jared Sullinger of Ohio State and Harrison Barnes were among those who decided to stay in school, without knowing when their rookie seasons would have started.
Stern, who could lock out his players next week if a deal for a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached, was booed when he came onto the stage at the Prudential Center, which is hosting the draft while its usual home, Madison Square Garden, is undergoing summer work.
So the draft is filled with question marks, with a number of unknown European players expected to go in the first round. Kanter hasn't played competitively in a year, forced to sit out last season at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible for being paid to play in Turkey.
Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas went fifth to Toronto and Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic was taken sixth by Washington.
"Basketball in my country is not so popular, but after this night, I think -- I hope -- that the basketball will be more popular," Vesely said. "I will do my best to help that."
Bismack Biyombo of Congo went seventh to Sacramento -- a pick that was later traded to Charlotte -- as the record of nine international first-round picks in 2003 quickly became threatened.
Biyombo, who has an uncertain contract situation from his professional club in Spain, is an athletic, shot-blocker and rebounder with limited offensive skills. He also looked much shorter than his listed 6-9 when he worked out for the Bobcats.
"I was with Michael Jordan (Wednesday) and I had a great practice," Biyombo said. "It was so exciting to have him watch me practice. I'm so excited to meet him again."
Kentucky's Brandon Knight went eighth to Detroit as common fans finally heard a name they recognized again. He was followed by Kemba Walker of national champion Connecticut to Charlotte and NCAA scoring champion Jimmer Fredette of BYU -- both New Yorkers who were loudly cheered after their names were called. Walker wiped away tears on the draft stage.
"It's been like a movie. This whole year has been magical, honestly," Walker, a 6-foot-1 point guard, said. "So many different, crazy things have been happening to me, and you know, I just feel lucky.
"Now that I'm with Charlotte I'm going to try to bring a winning attitude," Walker said. "I'm going to work extremely hard to get better. I'm not 6-3, 6-4, but I have a big heart."
Fredette was moved by Milwaukee to Sacramento in the three-team trade.
Irving becomes the third point guard taken first in the last four years, following Derrick Rose in 2008 and John Wall last year. Rose was the NBA's MVP this season, ending James' two-year reign.
Irving insists he's not trying to replace James -- whose highlights were booed when showed on the overhead screen -- in a different manner now.
"I'm looking forward to getting to Cleveland," Irving said. "It's a big sports town and I cannot wait to embrace all of the fans there and the fan support. I can't wait."
Kansas twins Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris went with back-to-back picks to round out the lottery. Phoenix took Markieff at No. 13 and Marcus followed to the Rockets.
Houston international scouting director Arturis Karnisovas said the Rockets liked Marcus Morris' defensive versatility and toughness. He also said Morris will contribute offensively, after shooting 57 percent from the field and topping 20 points in 12 games last season. Morris worked out with the Rockets and impressed with his finishing ability and basketball smarts.
"High basketball IQ," Karnisovas said. "We were looking for a versatile guy who can do many things, and that's what he does."
The Indiana Pacers selected San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard with the 15th pick but then traded his rights to the San Antonio Spurs for point guard George Hill, a league source told ESPN.com. The Spurs also received the 42nd pick and the draft rights to Erazem Lorbek from the Pacers.
Source: AP