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Never has one draft bust loomed large in the outcome of a tournament game the way Jay Williams' shadow does.
As incredible as it may sound, if Williams became the can't-miss product and was enjoying the career most scouts envisioned, the Class of '02 team actually could hang with the vaunted Class of '84. Look at the players on that team:
* Yao Ming, currently the best center in the NBA and arguably one of its 10 best players.
* Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer, two of the top power forwards in the game and (in some circles) borderline MVP candidates.
* Caron Butler, a tough-as-nails swingman who is good for 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
* Tayshaun Prince, the wiry shutdown artist who may be the best wing defender in the NBA ( I mean, this guy stymied Kobe Bryant in the 2004 NBA Finals and in 2003 slowwed down a rampaging Tracy McGrady).
* Mike Dunleavy Jr., who after some initial struggles has developed into a productive offensive utilityman.
Add in guys like Flip Murray, Drew Gooden and John Salmons and this is actually a good-looking group ... until you look at the fact it has absolutely no point guard. Dan Dickau *GULP!* actually may have to be picked out of necessity.
And going up against the Class of '84? Damn you, Jay Williams! For that matter, damn you, Frank Williams! The prediction in a moment.
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"(Mike) Tyson got a bad rap. He's NEVER messed with anyone outside of boxing. ... What normal person has Tyson blown up on?"
TRAGEDY, who made arguably the most inexplicable quote of 2008.
Last edited by Najee : 04-16-2008 at 04:00 AM.
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