Post by rmq2323 - BAL on Jun 13, 2008 9:28:59 GMT
Reports have been swirling around Baltimore radio stations and newspapers that Bullets GM Wes Unseld and coach Flip Saunders have sat down with owner George Steinbrenner and have decided to make standout USC freshman OJ Mayo as the face of their franchise by selecting him with the #3 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft. This decision is based off the assumption that Memphis point guard Derrick Rose and Kansas State forward Michael Beasley will be taken with the #1 and #2 picks in the draft.
Unseld said, “If one of those two players were to fall to us at the #3 position then we would definitely have to consider going in that direction but the chance of either of them falling to us are extremely slim if there is even a chance at all.” Rose and Beasley will most likely be off the board after the 1st two picks of the draft and the Bullets have decided that OJ Mayo would be their selection at #3.
Steinbrenner said “We believe OJ can become a franchise player and will hopefully become the face of the Bullets franchise for years to come. OJ is an extremely explosive player and can score in bunches and the fans should take to his game without hesitation.”
New coach Flip Saunders said that Mayo is an incredible talent and has the potential to become a star in the league for many years. Saunders said, “If we do in fact take OJ with the 3rd pick I look forward to the opportunity of working with him and being his coach. He plays an exciting brand of basketball and we feel that he has the talent and the ability to make everybody around him better players.”
We contacted Mayo and asked him how he felt about the opportunity to become the face of a brand new NBA franchise he had the following to say.
“I’m honored that the Bullets management feel that I can be a franchise type player for them. I am just excited about the chance to play in the NBA because it has been a dream of mine forever. If the Bullets do select me with the #3 pick I will be extremely excited to become a Bullet and play for Coach Saunders. I understand at this level it is a business and sometimes decisions need to be made from a business perspective. I feel the Bullets organization is genuine and I could see myself playing for them for many years if they did happen to draft me.”
The Bullets have also been rumored to be trying to obtain another top 10 draft pick to get another young stud from this year’s draft to complement Mayo. The Bullets have also had private workouts with other projected 1st round draft picks Eric Gordon, Kevin Love, Jerryd Bayless, Russell Westbrook, and Darrell Arthur.
