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Show PAGE A7 /port/ Draft dodges Ronnie Price MONDAY'JULY 4*2005 Wolverines' star point guard knows there is more than one way to get into the NBA Morgan Vance Legalized gambling in the NBA draft For some teams, the NBA Draft can be no more kind than a weekend trip to Vegas where your federal tax return check is shot after one game of Roulette. For others (like the San Antonio Spurs in 97) the mysterious ping-pong ball Gods can actually grant you a Tim Duncan and ultimately three championships. However, I separate this year's draft grade into three categories: winners, losers and "Holy Hell-what were you thinking." Winners. Why don't I start by praising Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor. Praising Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor? What? That doesn't sound right at all. It's true, and some serious respect ought to be given despite past draft debacles. Utah wasn't getting Deron Williams at #6 and something had to be done to land the guy that was the consensus choice in basically everyone's minds. Giving up three first-round picks may have seemed a little steep to some. Not at all when what you're getting in return is a point guard who may have the ability to take you back to the playoffs in one season. I don't even want to talk about the second round; the need was filled and every Jazz fan that hasn't been able to sleep since Stockton retired should be thanking whatever God they believe in that Williams is in Utah. Is he Stockton laced with tattoos and shorts to the knee? No, but he does pass first and shoot second, plays defense like Sloan expects, and has nothing but winning stamped all over his resume; not to mention a girlfriend that looks like she belongs within the pages of a celestial catalogue. Perhaps nobody came away with more than the Boston Celtics. Logged all the way back at #18 on the board, prep phenom Gerald Green was supposed to be so far gone at that point they'd have to talk trading Paul Pierce and a future first round pick to put Green in a shamrock outfit. Danny Ainge did it again, adding to the impressive young nucleus Boston has generated over the past couple years. Other winners: Indiana somehow swooping in New Mexico forward Danny Granger; versatile to say the : least and will make an immediate impact to offset the retirement of Reggie Miller. Some say Charlotte went more with their hearts and less with their heads when selecting hometown Tar Heel's Raymond Felton and Sean May. I say you'd be foolish to doubt proven winners. Felton's quick enough to race a horse, and anyone who watched the Final Four last year knows May is, simply put, a man-child. the next level anyway. "It's time for Plan B," Sports Editor Price said. This is my second hen the Detroit chance to prove I can play at Pistons selected this level. Every'opportunity Alex Acker with I've had has been great and I the 60th pick in the sec- still plan on doing whatever ond round of the 2005 NBA it takes." Draft at New York's MadiWord is, several teams have son Square Garden, UVSC's already called inviting Price Ronnie Price was still on the to be part of their summer board. However, for Price, league rosters. He's already the NCAA's 3rd leading worked out for Detroit, Sacscorer in college basketball ramento, Atlanta and Utah last season, it didn't seem to over the past month, the Jazz bother him that the call never even bringing him back for came. a second workout a couple "It wasn't devastat- weeks later to get a better ing," Price said. "Even if I look. would've been picked in the That might be the best situsecond round, I'd basically ation for him, and Ronnie has be trying to make a team just mentioned he was leaning tolike I am now." ward playing for one team, Though this is true, there was though he won't specify exstill some degree of hope in actly which team in order to many people's minds that keep all his options open. Price could have been the first "He doesn't want to get ever draft pick in UVSC's spread too thin," said UVSC history. Coach Dick Hunsaker, who "Everyone wanted me to be has continued to mentor Rondrafted, but I also didn't want nie throughout this whole to get too far away from real- process. "He doesn't want to ity. It was a tough draft with get into anything that will be a lot of great players." This too overwhelming." statement reflects an attitude For Ronnie who has steadithat might just take him to ly improved year by year as a W Steve Lundquist/NetXNews Ronnie Price has been UVSC athletics' biggest star, but that wasn't enough for NBA teams to take a chance on him in last week's draft. Price still plans on a career in professional basketball. Wolverine, and has impressed many with solid performances both at Portsmouth and the pre-draft camp in Chicago, his upside and potential will hopefully be discovered this summer as teams look to fill out the remaining spots on their rosters. He hasn't let this latest setback deter him from his own personal dream of putting on an NBA uniform. "Everyone's route to play in the NBA is different. I'm just gonna keep doing everything I can to present myself well on the basketball court," Hunsaker said. "To play in the pros, there are so many bumps and unexpected obstacles. This is the first step in hardening and growing professionally." As for all of Ronnie's family and friends crowded around the Price's television set in Friendswood, TX, to discover his name not among those called, they'll continue watching with everyone at UVSC as the Wolverine's former #24 tries to make a name for himself amongst the game's best. The Owlz' inaugural season takes flight Phillip Morgan Alvarez was in the zone on Tuesday, pitching five complete innings and securing the win for With an opening pitch called Ogden. The Raptors' bats also strike, the Orem Owlz began helped Alvarez get out to a 2-0 their 2005 campaign in front of lead in the second inning with a solo homerun by Russell Mitch3,100 fans Tuesday night. "The fans were great," said ell, followed by an RBI single Owlz manager Tom Kotchman. by B.J. Richmond to score Jason "That was a nice crowd to have, Mooneyham from second base. "We traditionally start off and that's what makes it even more disappointing-not giv- slow, playing ,500 baseball for a ing them a whole lot to cheer couple weeks and then go from there, but it's a learning proabout." The Owlz didn't give them cess," Kotchman said. much to cheer about, only getWith many players who were ting three hits, and striking out recently drafted in the 2005 twelve times in a 7-0 loss to the Major League Baseball amaOgden Raptors. teur draft, there will definitely "I think that when the guys be an adjustment period. "We went on their motorcycles they have our instructors who are left their bats on the motor- very good and hopefully we can cycles," Kotchman joked. "We make some adjustments in the expended the strike zone a little next couple days," Kotchman bit, plus Mario Alvarez [Ogden said. pitcher] pitched well tonight." "We're going to play a lot of Sports Writer guys early in the year and see what they can and cannot do," Kotchman said. "With a new ballpark, new everything, we had a lot of nerves. We'll settle in a little bit and play the hand that's dealt to us." With players like catcher Brett Martinez going l-for-2 with a double, and hard hitting first baseman Mark Trumbo, things on the horizon are looking pretty good for the Owlz. "Martinez is more of a veteran. He was here last year and played a little triple-A ball too. He really swung the bat good," Kotchman said. The Owlz will take on the Raptors again on "Rip the Raptors pin" night Wednesday, looking to improve on their performance from the season opener. "It's only one game," Kotch- Chad Clark/NetXNews man said. "Hopefully, the fire- Owlz' starting pitcher Kelly Shearer had works were pretty good." amazing stuff against Idaho Falls last week. Real Salt Lake breaks the wrong kind of record Morgan Vance means scoring, then maybe positives to take from this we're going to have to do MLS record they set is now RSL was successful during game, but I'm getting a little something to get that," Kreis over, and move forward. their next contest with the tired of saying that, to be said. "We were in good posi"The record is there," ElThe record began all the Chicago Fire. But if it means honest," said Jason Kreis, tion tonight to do it." linger said. "For us we'll use way back on May 18-a re- winning, then they came up who sailed a free kick past Though victories in the past it as motivation. At the end cord that started out as a short once again in a 3-1 de- goalkeeper Zach Thorton, his month have seemed difficult of the year, hopefully we can scoring slump and eventually feat at Soldier Field. _ fifth of the season. "I want to come by, at least RSL can look back and say this was became a scoring drought "I think there are a lot of something more, and I think breathe a sigh of relief that the our low point." after Real Salt lake couldn't find the net over the course of 501 minutes. ORKM'S PREMIER SINGLE STUDENT HOUSING But 19-year-old RSL rookie Jamie Watson changed all that in the 56th minute of a home contest with the Los • 4 Private Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths Per Unit Angeles Galaxy. • Washer and Dryer in EVERY Unit "The goal happened so • Hot Tub quick," Watson said. "I was • Fitness Center and Sport Court so excited I didn't know what • Free Cable Look for Chris Paul to be- to do after I scored." • Internet Access come everything he is cracked Though the drought was • Great Social Environment up to be in New Orleans, Ike broken, Watson and Salt Diogu to make an immedi- Lake still could only manage • Just Across the StreetfromUVSC ate impact for Golden St, and a 1-1 tie with the Galaxy. I haven't even talked about "The effort was there in the 720 South 1200 West Orem Andrew Bogut yet. first half," said head coach Call Now to Reserve Your Spot! Don't expect the former John Ellinger. "We just made Ute to transform into the next one bad ball, and in the sec(801) 644-2552 Duncan, but also expect Mil- ond we got the equalizer. Towww.summerwoodcondos.com waukee to produce a future night was a step in the right all-star, one that will be sig- direction and hopefully we can build on it." See VANCE RANT -A6 And if building on that Sports Desk (801) 863-8603 Sports Editor SUMMERWOOD CONDOS Visit us online at www.netxnews.net Send story ideas to smiggs86@hotmail.com |