Impact of NBA Draft in Kentucky? Mixed and fun.

Top end, the Free Enes t-shirt frenzy got a bounce and may have a new market when Kentucky’s big man, who never played a minute, was chosen third by Utah.

Enes Kanter gushed gratitude. Not to God and country, family and friends, or his old team in Turkey, not even John Calipari.

Instead, the man thanked “fantastic Kentucky fans” for their devotion and loyalty despite his 0.0 points-rebounds stat line. In a classy gesture, Kanter dedicated his rookie season to them.

The Cha-ching line? On the rookie salary scale Kanter is guaranteed $3.55 million; next season, $3.8, and a $4 million club option his third year.

At the NBA draft’s opposite end was DeAndre Liggins. Chosen 53rd by Orlando, his guarantee is an invitation to make the Magic roster. Nothing more.

In a ‘hope-this-rubs-off-on others’ statement, Magic GM Otis Smith said of Liggins “He’s a tough kid who isn’t afraid to work.”

Liggins could earn a big pay-day seat next to another left-too-soon type, Daniel Orton.

Footnote. If Orlando signs the free agent it wants, Tayshaun Prince may be a teammate too.

Drama from the NBA Draft, real or created by (too many) talking heads, the conversation must include Josh Harrellson.

Designated cheerleader for DeMarcus Cousins, Orton and Perry Stevenson two seasons ago, Harrellson grew into the 45th pick by New Orleans. Traded to the Knicks creates a role he handled so well in college. From – get the ball off the board to Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones, then run the floor, Harrellson can do same for Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, and Amar’e Stoudemire.

An NBA blue collar guy and fan favorite, Harrellson can extend his time in short pants, carry Stouodamire’s luggage, sign a few autographs, come home for summer camps with Prince or Kyle Macy, save money, and plan for the real world.

Between Kanter at three and Liggins at 53, Brandon Knight was chosen eighth by the Detroit Pistons.

Projected as high as third, Knight was crestfallen, his ego bruised. Shaken enough that he took the low road, asking the Pistons for jersey number seven … to get even with teams that passed him over.

Kentucky’s latest one-and-done millionaire goes to a team with four guards, no coach and, according to Forbes.com, Knight is more than a million dollars out of pocket.

“Among the top 10 picks, dropping one spot in the draft will cost players an average of $1.24 million per season,” Forbes.com says.

Yet, $2.2 million rookie salary guaranteed isn’t a bad place for a 20-year-old to start life after college.

Not bad, that Knight begins next phase of his career toward replacing Rajon Rondo with a chip on his shoulder.

KENNETH FARIED

Picked 22nd by the Denver Nuggets, Morehead millionaire Kenneth Faried can buy the baby a new pair shoes this week, but it’s uphill from here. The Nuggets current roster includes five veterans at his position who are 6-feet-10 or bigger.

Says here, fans in Kentucky will be much interested in what progress and roster destinations are in futures of Faried, Harrellson and Liggins.

SCOTTY HOPSON

That Hopkinsville native Scotty Hopson went undrafted last Thursday was no surprise, but sad nevertheless.

In one internet account Hopson was cast alongside undrafted Josh Selby from Kansas.

“… for players like Hopson and Selby there is no excuse, It is either the lure of big money, popularity, a set of bad advice, or just plain stubbornness that thrust them into making this life changing mistake.” – excerpt from Bleacher Report.

And this: “Hopson could have been a lock first-round selection in 2012.”

New reality: Hopson is headed to the NBA’s D-League or a team in Europe or Asia.

In retrospect, it was one of a succession of poor decisions. Going to Tennessee was a mistake; not returning to a new coach and new start in 2011-12 was likewise.

His first poor decision was not signing with Vanderbilt where oft-SEC coach-of-the-year Kevin Stallings would have elevated Hopson’s game, he would have flourished and become part of a powerhouse alongside John Jenkins.

CORRECTION

Derrick Jasper played college basketball at Nevada-Las Vegas and not San Diego State as mentioned in this space last week.

WORTH REPEATING

Maurice Evans plays for the Atlanta Hawks. His view of a possible lock out: “With the state the economy is in, fans are not going to want to keep getting slapped in the face with players and NBA teams, as fortunate as we are financially to even be playing a game for a living, to keep throwing it in people’s face that we’re not making enough money, whether it’s the league or the players.”

Footnote. According to an ESPN report, 22 of 30 NBA teams lost money last year.

(BAD) JOKE OF THE WEEK

While you pay $3.50 for a gallon of gas, 9.1 per cent of Americans are out of work, John Calipari has a new contract at Kentucky, $36.5 million.

Guaranteed by FICA (aka UK Athletics Association), what does it mean?

• Cal’s old contract, for $31.65 million is out the window.

• If he decides to leave, UK’s leverage to keep him remains the same on both contracts, zero.

And so it goes.

Sports In Kentucky appears in community newspapers across Kentucky. You can reach bob Watkins at Sprtsinky@aol.com