This year?s NBA Draft Media Day had a different feel to it than Media Days past.  With plenty of uncertainty swirling around the final destination of each young player invited to New York, many of these guys sported sharp clothing and calm demeanors on their faces.  With mock drafts around the internet placing lottery players anywhere from the third to the eighteenth pick, there was more of a ?Let?s wait and see? attitude permeating the room.  

Anticipated number-one overall selection Derrick Rose was trapped in the corner, engulfed by cameras and digital recorders.  He spoke freely and confidently with a genuine appreciation for the opportunity to be selected first overall by his hometown Chicago Bulls.

?I just thought about LeBron all over again getting to play for his home city, and I can be in the same situation.  I could see my whole family.  That would mean a lot to me.? Rose explained, ?I could be the final piece to get the Bulls deep into the playoffs.?

Rose also received rave reviews from his workout buddy during this past month leading up to tomorrow.  UCLA?s Russell Westbrook and Rose spent plenty of time together matched-up during the pre-Draft workout process, and both seemed to acknowledge one another?s ability to perform at the next level.

?Derrick is really great in transition, good overall player, and very athletic,? said UCLA combo guard Russell Westbrook. ?We worked out together a lot; he?s a good person off the floor.?

On the other side of the ?Who?s Number One?? Debate, was jokester Michael Beasley.  His table was overwhelmed with reporters and was constantly the focus of the room because of the continual uproars of laughter.  

When asked if he also had a chance to speak with Dwyane Wade about his potential partnership with the Miami Heat, Beasley joked by saying, ?Nah, he?s not in my Fave Five; I haven?t heard from him.?  

Beasley was the subject of much speculation as the word out of Miami Heat camp is that they do not want to select the Kansas State big man with the second overall selection.  They had emergency workouts for O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless, hoping to draw a deal from the Timberwolves or Sonics picking right after them.  

However, Beasley was back at it again and had reporters in tears when he was describing his newfound celebrity status ? telling and acting out a story of how he was signing autographs while getting into his car in Chicago and had to fend off fans even after they began chasing after his car for more.  But Beasley wasn?t the only comedian of the group.

West Virginia?s Joe Alexander was the self-proclaimed ?master of dodging questions.?  When I asked him what NBA player he compared his game to, he responded with ?Jerryd Bayless??  When the awkward silence subsided and I readdressed the question as no ? what current player?  He laughed and leveled with me by saying he?s a ?Shawn Marion type.?

The Lopez twins were stationed just a few feet apart in the Westin Ballroom, and we couldn?t help but ask them similar questions.  Each brother spoke about how they idolized Tim Duncan growing up and wanted to be the same quiet fundamental leader under the hoop for whatever team selected them.  When asked about what it would be like to have to play one another, after being teammates for the past 20 years, Brook Lopez joked, ?We?ll have to see who fouls out first!?

Even O.J. Mayo joined the Jester?s Circle, explaining how a projected draft position is not something to take for granted.  ?You never know on draft night.  No disrespect to Mr. Brady Quinn, but you could be in there for a long time, so you never want to get your hopes up and plan to be somewhere on the board; I?d just be happy to go somewhere.?

Ouch.  

While there was plenty of time for fun and games at each table, the overall mood was different this year because of the demeanor each player displayed.  This collection of young athletes was legitimately excited to be here, and most of them seemed like it was a reward for their hard work, rather than a right.

?It?s a blessing for all of us,? explained Mayo.

However, while some guys put more onus on being drafted sooner than later, others just wanted to find a home that felt right.

?I?m trying to be picked as high as I possibly can, and same for others ? but hey, you just never know,? explained Indiana guard Eric Gordon.  He seemed more worried about his selection number rather than his new employer.  He seemed to be the one guy who stood out as being a lot bigger and stronger looking than anticipated.  But he was not shy about hiding the fact that he wouldn?t be happy slipping down to his hometown Indiana Pacers at 11.  ?Um, I mean, I guess? was his convincing response.

On the other side was UCLA forward Kevin Love.  He said, ?To me, it doesn?t really matter when I go, but I just want it to be the right fit.  People get too caught up with the number they go, but I want to go to the right situation.?  

His argument was convincing, especially when he added more about the type of team player he will strive to be one day in the NBA.  ?If given the time, I will be a leader on my team.?

A very similar respect and adoration for the game was demonstrated by Kevin?s fellow Pac-10 standout Jerryd Bayless.  Bayless was very impressive with the way he handled the media and proclaimed himself to be one of the hidden gems of the Draft.  ?There?s not too many people out there who have the same competitive spirit as me.?  

Rounding out the day speaking with comedians amongst combo guards was the clear indication that tomorrow?s NBA Draft will be very unique in many ways.  There is plenty of talent available on the table and plenty of indecision currently in the front offices and across the phone lines.  There is no telling who is headed where, and we may be in for plenty of surprises come tomorrow night.  

LSU small forward Anthony Randolph summed it up best, ?We?ll just have to wait and see because this year?s draft is so crazy.  I try not to pay too much attention to (my projected draft spot) because who knows what it?s going to be.?

Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.