"With the 2nd pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers take Myron Wal.. ...what the F*$#%$ they did it to me again!" -
David Stern
June 26, 2006
Draft Dream cascades in midpronunciation
By Stefen Honsen, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Myron Walker took his first steps when Magic Johnson kareem-ed his famous 'junior junior sky hook' He cried at age four when Michael Jordan made the go ahead shot in Game 2 of the 1991 NBA Finals. So, it was no surprise that long-time Laker aficianado and Shaw University star was in dread with the anticipation of how Commissioner Stern would finish off his NBA inductory sentence at yesterday's Draft Day.
With a mild mannered calm in Stern's voice, he re-aligned his near mid-air collision statement, "...um, pick
Myron Walker and future considerations to be
traded to the New York Knicks for
Mario Kapov."
And like that, Center Myron Walker's dreams of sunny California and Staples Center riots were shattered.
Future Considerations? It was Walker whose future was considered a shoe-in with the three time champions, after he left Shaw after his Sophomore year with scouts and agents touting that the Lakers were in desperate need of this backup Center- having an indefensible inside game and a veteran's understanding that makes Karl Malone feel like he was in kindergarten.
Understandably so, it was visibly noticeable that Walker was in tears by the time he reached the podium to shake the Commissioner's hands. From heaven to Purgatory in less time than .4 seconds.
Immediately afterwards, says Knicks President
Isaiah Thomas, "With the Lakers also weak at Power Forward, I knew we had the upper hand on them. Number 1 or Number 2, it doesn't matter, we got the man[Walker] we wanted and THEN SOME. Honor Glow owes me big time!"
Of course Thomas is talking about Laker General Manager Honor Glow, who's known for his wild wild west trade trigger. His resume: Kobe Bryant/Derek Fisher for unknown Little H, Rick Fox for Marko Jaric, Devean George for a draft pick. This latest trade could very well be his Russian Roullette if
first overall pick and England born
Mario Kapov doesn't pan out the way he expects. Kapov is more known for his suaveness with the ladies back in the motherland, hence his collegiate nickname of "Smoove".
But Honor Glow begs to differ that "Smoove" also describes Kapov's beautiful mad power hop and quickness that envies Alan Iverson. "Unbeknownest to many, Brian[Cook](Laker starting Center) and I had a long talk in regards to what we felt we needed to continue our championship run, " reflected Glow, "we both agreed that his development was a bit arrested this year and would be best that we brought a high profile Power Forward in Kapov to not only break down our opponent's defense but also bring in the female crowd with Kapov's stunning good demeanor and Pierce Brosnan Accent." Unfortunately, Cook has been somewhat lacking in those latter two qualities.
Honor Glow, in his response to compensating New York for the 1st pick, continued, "we have to give up something more at the backend during the regular season but for the total concession stand value it'll return, my goodness I'm fricken excited."
Noted Walker at the post-draft party, "I don't have any animosity towards the Lakes and I wish them all the best. But they better be watching out for me as soon as they step onto the Garden floor...if they even get that far"
Training camp starts in mid-October.
Team Captains 'Little H' Gulmatico and Shaquille O'Neal welcom Kapov at training camp
