RealGM's Jason M. Williams and Andrew Perna are camped out at the media hotbed that is the NBA Draft. Make sure to check back here all night as they'll be supplying you with running commentary on everything going on at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

6:04 PM
We arrive at the WaMu Theather and get settled into our press seats. ESPN's Andy Katz is stationed just a few feet in front of us and we are hearing the latest in Draft Night rumors.

It appears as though a proposed deal between the Knicks and Blazers is "on life support." The trade would have sent Zach Randolph and Martell Webster to New York in exchange for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.

6:09 PM
Katz is reporting the Boston-Seattle deal could be backon track, with Ray Allen heading East. Reportedly, Ainge sent Katz a text message informing him that the deal is still on the table, contrary to previous reports.

He's also saying that Memphis looks locked into Mike Conley Jr. at the fourth pick, and it's beginning to look like Yi Jianlian will fall to the Bucks at the sixth selection. Yi's camp would not be thrilled about that.

6:19 PM
Jason on Proposed Knicks Deal
It would be a sign of relief for Knick fans. This would finally rid the team of the aging and problematic Francis, while Randolph would help solidify the toughness that is lacking for New York in the paint.  Unfortunately, the Knicks would have to absorb the remaining 4 years and $61M on his deal, which would then pull them out of the Kobe Bryant or LeBron James summer sweepstakes for the time being.

6:40 PM
With 20 minutes to go before ESPN's coverage begins, there is a buzz in the air. With the crowd filing into their seats, Stuart Scott is writing his final jokes on his note cards, and security is starting to ask more questions. The frenzy that is the NBA Draft is nearly underway and we will provide you with commentary and analysis of every selection, rumor, whisper, and cough by anyone and everyone important.

6:52 PM
If we thought the buzz was hot just twelve minutes ago,  boy were we mistaken. Most of the crowd has filed in and it's at it's loudest point. We also realize the interest will heighten as we get closer and closer to the twenty-third pick.

7:00 PM
Cross-Country Comments from Chris Reina in Cali
Seeing Joakim, we wonder if Scott Skiles allows bow ties on road trips...

7:02 PM
Andrew on Opening Telecast
The lights have gotten brighter as ESPN launches their Draft Night telecast. The players are shown nervously fidgeting with their families as Mike Turico and company get ready for a long night of draft analysis.

It's money time people!

7:07 PM
A deal is reportedly on the table that would send Ray Allen to the Celtics in exchange for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and the fifth overall pick. Andy Katz breaks the news on the ESPN telecast, and we listen. The deal would give the Sonics both the second and fifth picks in this evening's draft.

7:09 PM
Jason on the Rumored Celtics' Deal
This deal doesn't seem to make sense from the Sonics point of view. They are already creating a possible logjam at small forward with the potential pairing of Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant, but now would be dealing away the most deadly two-guard in the league.  In return they'd have two of the top five picks, which would probably result in Durant and Corey Brewer. You cannot discount that pairing.

From the Celtics standpoint, they win all around. They dump the expensive and injury-prone Wally Szczerbiak and get rid of the fifth pick, a spot where they really wouldn't able to fully upgrade their already youthful team. This way, they get a proven superstar shooter to pair with Paul Pierce.  Add Big Al to the equation and the Celtics are battling for the Atlantic Division crown.

7:21 PM
The 2007 NBA Draft lights are bright and it appears we are set to get underway. The stands are overflowing on the right side of the stage where the players are seated in their designer suits with their families.  The stands on the left are filled with various jerseys, ranging from the all-too-popular New York Knicks, to a ton of Florida Gators, all the way to an obscure Marist Red Fox jersey (Jared Jordan fans?).

Girls in designer dresses and guys in three-piece suits are intertwined with girls wearing ball caps and guys in cutoff shirts.  It's a crazy scene here at the WaMu Theater and the trade murmurs are spiking by the second.

7:29 PM
Andrew on Growing KG Rumors
I sure hope Garnett gets dealt by the end of the night, even if it's for a bag of peanuts and a few second round draft picks. Nothing against KG, at least he's not pulling a Kobe, but the rumors are making my head spin. If Golden State has really entered the market, it's exciting, but if it turns out to be just a rumor - I might commit.

7:34 PM
David Stern takes the stage as the 2007 NBA Draft is officially under way. Portland now has five minutes to make Greg Oden the first overall selection in tonight's Draft. Andrew already misses Russ Granik, knowing that he'll be MIA once the second round comes up.

7:37 PM
Andrew on the official announcement
Finally, after months of deliberation the Trail Blazers have finally added Greg Oden to their growing roster. With Oden, and last year's Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, Portland should be able to make some noise in the Northwest. Am I guaranteeing playoffs? I think I just might be, write it down.

Jason on Oden getting picked
The selection of Oden to the Blazers was a no-brainer.  While Durant would fill a much bigger need at small forward, there is no way you can pass on a charismatic big man with the skill set and potential of Greg Oden.  Don't forget, he played dominant last season with a busted wrist, and still was able to change the game defensively like few who manned the position before him.

7:41 PM
Fans wearing red t-shirts have been yelling throughout the Oden interview,  "You shoulda gone to IU" referring to Oden's home state of Indiana. Andrew is thinking that Oden should have gone to the Pacers.

It appears as though the Celtics and Sonics have agree in principal to the Allen deal, but it's yet to become official.

Durant going to Seattle with the second pick was about as surprising as David Stern showing up for tonight's event. Overall, Oden and Durant being called one and two was about as predictable as death and taxes.

7:49 PM
Moments after the Horford Selection Jason Comments
Year after year, the Hawks seem to duplicate their picks. Josh Smith after Josh Childress, Marvin Williams after Josh Smith. Now they take Shelden Williams with a change of pace pick in 2006, and follow it up with Al Horford in 2007. They have ignored point guard position for years now, and it continually comes back to bite them. However, I like this pick because Horford is a battler, whereas Shelden is more of an undersized defender with half of the offensive tools of Horford.  Also, the Hawks have the 11th pick to grab a more proven player, most notably Acie Law, who club officials loved during his workouts.  

7:55 PM
The Conley pick is an interesting one for the Grizzlies. We heard that they really liked Joakim Noah, who would have fit in next to Gasol perfectly. However, with Damon Stoudamire on the fritz and Kyle Lowry and Tarrance Kinsey the future backcourt in Memphis, the Conley addition adds another youthful playmaker. Mike will set up the high flying Rudy Gay, Hakim Warrick and the dangerous Pau Gasol nicely.

7:57 PM
Andrew on Boston's Green Selection
I don't understand it. I love Green, but it's unclear what Presti is doing, unless they plan on playing Jeff at the shooting guard spot that's recently been opened up by the Boston-Seattle deal. I guess if you take a step back and look at things, adding Durant and Green (who I feel in love with at yesterday's media session) could make the Sonics an up-and-coming team.

8:04 PM
Jason on the Yi Selection
At the 6th pick, its almost ludicrous that the Bucks selected Yi. Why would they take another power forward when they already have Patterson, Villanueva, Skinner, Bogut, and Gadzuric. With no clear cut small forward, it is almost inexcusable that they left Corey Brewer, Al Thornton, Julian Wright, and even Thaddeus Young on the table.

Rumor has it, the Yi camp doesn't want to be in Milwaukee, and this could potentially spell trade.  With Golden State itching to make a deal and bring in the lanky seven-footer, we may not have heard the last of Yi.

And as a side note, we were previously surrounded by the Chinese media.  Once the selection was announced, they seem to have fled the media balcony.

8:11 PM
Jason on the Brewer Pick
Kevin Garnett must be scratching his head or calling his agent to further expand upon the violence of his trade demand. While I love the Timberwolves selection of Corey Brewer, because he was one of the coolest guys I met and one of the fiercest competitors in the draft, I hate how it further clogs their depth chart at the two and three positions.

If they can somehow unload Ricky Davis and either Marko Jaric or Trenton Hassell, they could talk their way into keeping The Big Ticket around for another year or two. Either way, I'm happy to see the Brewer family excited for their playmaking son.

8:13 PM
Andrew on the Events Thus Far
I'm quite confused at this point. The Timberwolves, as Jason said, add a player who's position is overstocked with talent, albeit inferior ones. The Bucks have added a seven-footer who doesn't want to be there, and we've yet to hear from my boy Larry Bird!

I guarantee the Bobcats take Brandan Wright here with the eight selection, a certain Tar Heel is making the decisions in Charlotte.

8:20 PM
Jason Comments on Reliving the Curry Deal
As ESPN flashed the Eddy Curry trade details on the big screen, the crowd experienced a collective heart murmur.  At first it seemed as if the Knicks were engaging in another deal with the Chicago Bulls.  Then, they showed Spike Lee in the crowd, and all the gasps turned to cheers.  Phew...

8:25 PM
Andrew on the Bulls? taking Noah
I stand by my opinion that Chicago is making a mistake by taking Noah at the nine. Spencer Hawes was the player they should have taken here, adding the size and offensive threat they needed in the post. With that said, the Kings should get Hawes, who it seems as though they wanted.

8:34 PM
Well it?s a good thing the Kings decided to take Spencer Hawes, because their Spencer Hawes circa 1999 is on his way out. Brad Miller's body has taken a toll over the past couple of years, and he wasn't performing up to his potential last season. This way, Hawes can slowly develop behind the tutelage of Miller and evolve into the player Miller was when he was representing the All Star teams of years past.

8:36 PM
Jason: This has got to be Acie Law here, who else Javaris?
Andrew: Or they won?t take a point guard at all...and take another forward.
Jason: Oh my god, I?d celebrate if they took Julian Wright.

8:37 PM
And the Hawks made perhaps the best selection in franchise history. Acie Law has the edge that the Hawks are lacking. When Jason asked him yesterday what his greatest attribute was, he said one word: ?Leadership?.  This is what the Hawks needed most, and alongside of Joe Johnson they could become one of the best backcourt duos for years to come.

8:38 PM
Andrew: There you go, Billy Knight is a genius.
Jason: [laughs] If they sign Jamaal Magloire to play center we?ll start the genius talk.
Andrew: By the way, you know who?s pick that was supposed to be?
Jason: Yeah, your Pacers sure could have used him.

8:53 PM
Yawn. The excitement is lessening as the big names are off the board, and the Knicks are still a ways from drafting a player. The Hornets finally call Julian Wright off the board, which was long overdue. With rumors running rampant that Los Angeles is going to take Javaris Crittenton, and the Pistons are looking at Rodney Stuckey ? there are two names that are in limbo. Nick Young and Al Thornton.

8:59 PM
Jason on the Thornton Selection
The Clippers selection of Al Thornton is definitely a selection based on talent, rather than by need.  However, this begs the question, is this finally the end of the road for Corey Maggette in Los Angeles?  We've been hearing that Maggette could be spun to Dallas in exchange for Jason Terry...stay tuned.

9:06 PM
Andrew on the Pistons taking Stuckey
I really like Rodney. He?s a good young guy who seems to fit in well with what Joe Dumars is doing in Detroit. He was the most personable of all the draft prospects I spent time with Wednesday afternoon, and seems confident in his abilities. His best chance to excel in the NBA is if Chauncey Billups takes him under his wing. He could have a profound effect on his career. I despise the Pistons, but like Stuckey. Looks like I?m in a pickle.

9:15 PM
Andrew: With the Knicks? news rolling in I?ll defer to you Jason?

Jason Comments on the New York-Portland Deal
The Knicks? deal is somewhat interesting. They finally get rid of the awful Steve Francis (and his contract), but have to package the youthful but defensively ineffective Channing Frye along with him. The Knicks fans love it here in the Garden, but the question that remains is how Curry and Randolph can operate together. How are two offensive block players going to coexist?  

Also, how will the Knicks put their bid in for Kobe or LeBron? Randolph carries four more years of high salary, and offers little in the leadership category. While it is true, the Knicks lose nothing and add a 20-10 guy, I still don't think this helps the Knicks in the long run. Also, Sean Williams, the one guy who could have immediately helped the Knicks shot-blocking deficiencies, just got tabbed at 17 by the cross-town Nets. What are the Knicks going to do at 23?  

Andrew: If I might add?how many times has Dickau been traded? He must be coming up on the Chris Gatling record.

9:23 PM
Andrew: Ugh, there goes the player I wanted my Pacers to move up and take in this draft. I like Marco?s game, but it seems as though he?ll play for the Warriors ? along with Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson. Larry, you?re killing me!

9:28 PM
Jason, ever the devout Knicks fan, is mulling over the Knicks-Blazers Deal
Thinking back to the potential starting Knick frontcourt of Jeffries, Randolph, and Curry, I think New York might have a follow-up deal brewing. It makes no sense to have two big men who demand the ball, play on the block, and are inept on defense. Why would Isiah want to pair them together, especially when both guys get moody when they aren't involved with the offense? Also, neither of the two are good leaders. While they got back more value than they gave up, I still think this was a rash decision on the part of the Knicks. Originally, the Knicks were not equipped with enough assets to acquire Rashard Lewis from Seattle, but now if they can add a strong frontcourt player to the package, we may be seeing Rashard in New York by the end of the summer. That player could be Randolph.

9:44 PM
Andrew has an Idea
I was thinking about why Los Angeles would draft Crittenton, when Phil Jackson runs an offense that doesn?t demand a true point. I think the Lakers are going to package Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Javaris together to trade to Indiana in exchange for Jermaine O?Neal. I wouldn?t object and I?m a huge supporter of J.O., but it might be time to let go.

9:51 PM
As New York?s pick draws near the crowd begins to buzz, and Jason has lost all concentration?

9:53 PM
Jason passes out, and I revive him just in time for him to pen his thoughts.

9:55 PM
Jason on the Knicks? Pick
The selection of Wilson Chandler is not particularly popular amongst the fans. They are already stocked with combo forwards like David Lee, Renaldo Balkman, Jared Jeffries, Randolph Morris, and now Fred Jones. However, with the addition of Zach Randolph and Fred Jones, this makes even less sense. This is either the first step to a later deal for the Knicks, or Isiah has absolutely no plans to upgrade his thin frontcourt. Why not take Taureen Green with this pick? Why not acquire an early second rounder to grab Green, who can be a leader for this Knick team full of selfish shooters? Wilson Chandler may be a tremendous athlete, who can play multiple positions, but that is not what these young Knickerbockers are missing.

9:57 PM
Andrew is beginning to get restless
If Portland can buy the twenty-fourth pick from Phoenix, why on earth can?t Larry Bird get my Pacers a pick!

10:17 PM
Andrew?s speculation continues. He now thinks the Pacers might swing a deal with the Rockets to acquire Aaron Brooks and another player, possibly John Lucas III, for forward Ike Diogu. If something doesn?t get done from Indiana?s camp soon, Andrew threatens to leave early.

10:25 PM
Eighteen years after he initially enter the draft pool, Tiago Splitter finally gets drafted by the International, I mean San Antonio Spurs.

10:40 PM
Jason sums up Detroit?s First Round
The pickup of Aaron Afflalo caps a great first round for the Detroit Pistons. With an aging backcourt and no depth behind Tayshaun Prince at the three, they upgraded both positions with combo guards Rodney Stuckey and now Afflalo. I can only pray that Detroit now eliminates the Charlotte Bobcats from the playoffs and the last play of Game 7 sees Aaron Afflalo picking up a crying Adam Morrison off the court, a la the Sweet 16 game when UCLA triumphed over Gonzaga.  How wonderfully poetic would that be?

10:42 PM
We spot Joakim Noah dancing down the aisle back into the green room. Andrew wishes he had some of whatever Joakim?s having.

10:45 PM
Andrew breaks down in tears. He misses Russ a great deal, as does the majority of the New York crowd.

10:49 PM
Andrew Comments on the Latest Deal
The Golden State Warriors ship Jason Richardson to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for the draft rights to Brandan Wright. I think it?s a good deal for both teams. Charlotte gets themselves a shooting guard, probably their most glaring need and adds someone over the age of twenty-two to the roster. Golden State gets an athletic big in Wright, whom a lot of people thought was the third best player in the draft (behind some guys named Greg and Kevin).

10:58 PM
Here?s a list of players that we cannot believe are still left on the board after thirty-seven picks have been made: Derrick Byars, Taurean Green, Demetris Nichols, and JamesOn Curry.

11:05 PM
Jason Comments on Portland?s Night
I love Portland's draft for the second year in a row. First, they take perennial All-Star Greg Oden with the first pick. Next, they deal troubled Zach Randolph, Fred Jones, and Dan Dickau to New York for Steve Francis and Channing Frye. They later say Francis will be bought out so he doesn't disrupt team chemistry.  

Then, they make the deal to acquire a potential stud backup point guard in Koponen for later picks. Now, they add Josh McRoberts, another quality guy. We are looking at one of the best young teams in the league, filled with great character guys who play hard. I think today could be the day we talk about when Rip City is sitting pretty with Larry O'Brien trophies piling up on Paul Allen?s mantle.

11:14 PM
Hilarious. With the 39th pick, the Heat selected Stanko Barac out of Croatia and of course, he is here sitting surrounded by a crowd of his countrymen. There are about fifty people left in the stands, most of which are intoxicated and screaming profanities at Jay Bilas. And there the Croatians are, just holding out hope that their 7-2 basketball lord is drafted. You gotta love the NBA Draft.

11:17 PM
Jason on Sun Yue
And with the Lakers pick approaching at number forty angered Lakers fan screams from the stands to fill in the selection as "JASON KIDD!" Of course, it is Sun Yue of China, only to hear uproar from the newly emerging and re-energized Chinese media, nearly causing me to spill my drink all over my laptop and our RealGM media hotspot.  They are all now so excited and extremely giddy on their cell phones. I love the NBA Draft.

11:21 PM
Wow...Portland now adds another gem in Derrick Byars, who was on Jay Bilas' list as the 20th best player in the Draft. Not too bad for the 42nd pick. Portland is just stockpiling players to deal for a stud wingman...can you say Rashard Lewis?  

11:24 PM
Eric Weiss of Draft Express screams aloud behind me as he realizes that the dreams of Boston Celtics fans around the globe have come true. Ray Allen and Allen Ray are now on the same team. Let the confusion begin.

11:26 PM
Nearly four hours later the lone Marist fan in the crowd erupts as Jared Jordan is selected by the Clippers. Andrew?s good buddy on the RealGM forums ?notque? cries a little inside?

11:32 PM
Jason begins to fade as he stares at his cell phone. Andrew is equally wiped as he begins checking the train schedule in hopes that he?ll make the midnight train home to Connecticut.

11:37 PM
Indiana finally makes a move, for whom? Good grief. Andrew decides to pack it in. Larry Bird will be hearing it from him in the morning?