[Insert 2002 playoff team name here] select . . . Roger Mason Jr. from the University of Virginia."
This was supposed to be said by NBA commissioner David Stern at the podium of the 2002 NBA Draft.
Kenny Smith was then supposed to talk highly of Mason, possibly even giving him a nickname. Hubie Brown, as he does with almost every pick in the draft, was then supposed to talk of his "upside." Charles Barkley was then supposed to say that Mason was okay but should have stayed in school, a typical blunt message keeping with his chosen theme of the evening.
However, that never happened.
Instead, Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik announced Mason's selection as the 30th overall pick by Chicago.
The Bulls?
Consensus thinking was that Mason would end up as a late first round pick which would place him on a contending team, not to mention ensuring him a guaranteed contract. However, June 26 at the Theater in Madison Square Garden didn't pan out as many may have projected.
Why exactly did Mason slip into the second round?
Did a bum shoulder that caused him to miss several workouts and the Chicago pre-Draft throw a dark cloud over his name?
Did the fear of being the NBA's GM who missed out on the next Dirk Nowitzki result in six out of the 28 first round picks being international players?
Or was Mason simply not good enough to be in the first round?
Whatever the case, Mason may have found himself in a winning situation with the terri-Bulls.
As the second pick of the second round of the 2002 NBA draft, the selection of Mason by Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and GM Jerry Krause is a steal. Along with the second overall pick of the draft Jay (I don't even own a shotgun) Williams from Duke and fellow second round pick Lonny Baxter of Maryland, the Bulls completed a draft night that should have fans in Chicago convinced that the worst is over.
These All-ACC additions to the young nucleus of seven footers Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry won't immediately rekindle memories of the Mike and Scottie days. But the Krause and Reinsdorf four seasons and counting demolition/rebuilding project might actually start to pay off.
There is no doubt that Williams will turn things around in Chi-town. He averaged 21.3 points and 5.3 assists per game in his junior season at Duke but more importantly was a leader and simply refused to lose, except of course at U-Hall. Williams' shooting touch, strength, quickness and winning attitude should erase any thoughts that the Bulls will again spend another year as a laughing stock.
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Curry and Chandler, each entering their second season of the proverbial "three years" before high school players are supposed to make a significant NBA contribution, have each shown signs of becoming a dynamic duo. The towering twosome form a very large inside/outside combination as Curry does most of his damage in the paint while Chandler's style is suited toward perimeter play. Curry and Chandler were the focal points on a team that also includes former NBA Most Improved Player Jalen Rose - a playmaker who can score from all over the court. With all of these pieces, one of the most overlooked piece in the championship puzzle for the Chicago Bulls could be a 6-5 shooting guard from Silver Springs, Md.
Mason impressed teams across the country in private workouts in the days leading up to the draft. In fact, one report had Mason being highly considered by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 14 pick. Yet on the night of the draft, 29 times someone else's name was called before we all heard the name "Roger Mason Jr." Virginia fans have seen what Mason can do on the college level for three seasons. In fact, it may be his time spent at the point guard slot in his last season with the Cavaliers that may be the most beneficial as Mason will seemingly play the bulk of his NBA minutes backing up Williams. Mason's 6'5" frame also allows him to play shooting guard for the Bulls who are currently without a clear off guard. At the pro-level many experts liken him to Philadelphia 76er Aaron McKie. That is, he can be someone who is not a freak of nature athlete but can shoot the ball well and penetrate effectively. As a secondary option on the Bulls he could have many teams wondering how they could have possibly passed up on this guy.
As great as this draft was for the Bulls, don't hold your breath for a one season worst to first story. The Bulls still have a ways to go, even in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Reinsdorf and Krause have assembled quite a few pieces that could potentially be another great Chicago dynasty.
Years from now, people could be talking about how to stop two seven footers named Curry and Chandler. People could be talking about how taking Yao Ming over Williams was more stupid than Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in 1984. And people could be talking about what a steal Mason was.
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