Before the 2014 NBA draft started Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., very few people were talking about Zach LaVine. Only a handful inside the arena had ever heard of him. That changed immediately after he was selected 13th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lavine is a physically talented player, who NBA Insiders projected to be picked somewhere in the middle of the opening round. Average fans, especially those residing beyond the West Coast, had no idea who he was. Today, most NBA followers are talking about him, but not for his talents on the court. It's his reaction to being selected that has people mentioning his name.
When league commissioner Adam Silver announced that Minnesota had chosen the 19-year-old, LaVine lifted his head from the table where he was seated, had a stern look on his face and appeared to mutter an expletive.
Despite Zach LaVine's seeming unhappiness at being drafted by Minnesota, the Wolves will keep him, per league source.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 27, 2014
LaVine's facial expression appeared to be one of disappointment and remained that way until he stepped on stage to shake hands and take the customary draft night photo with Silver. Once on stage, LaVine began to smile. The moment he's dreamed of since childhood had finally arrived: He was an NBA player. While LaVine, with Silver beside him, was now wearing the smile exhibited by previous draftees, his initial response was still on the minds of onlookers. Was LaVine upset to be going to Minnesota? Was he hoping to begin his professional career in Los Angeles, where he played collegiately at UCLA? The 6-foot-6 shooting guard, who some compare to Oklahoma City All-Star Russell Westbrook, addressed those questions during a post-draft interview. His reaction to being drafted by the Timberwolves was simply misunderstood.
Welcome to the NBA! #NBADraft with @zachlavine pic.twitter.com/x8UobZNTMG — NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2014
"I've been waiting my whole life for this moment," LaVine said. "It was just a rush of emotion that came through me. I'm on cloud nine, still. I'm ecstatic.
"I put my head down, thanked God, hugged my mom. You think of this as a kid and can't believe it's actually happening. I'm just ready to put my whole heart into Minnesota and just go out there and do my best."
These words must sound sweet to Timberwolves fans. Minnesota isn't a sought-after destination for high-profile free agents, and if draft picks begin showing outward signs of not wanting to go there, the club 's playoff drought - which is currently 10 years - can't reasonably be expected to t end any time in the foreseeable future.
Being selected by Minnesota was not a surprise to LaVine. Shortly before the draft, a source close to the situation revealed that Minnesota promised Lavine it planned to pick him; he knew his fate before arriving in Brooklyn.
Therefore, when LaVine says his response was not one of disappointment or anger, but reflection, it's easy to take him at his word. Timberwolves fans can rest easy.
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