Last June 26, the Charlotte Bobcats were on the clock at No. 9, and they made it clear to [Brook] Lopez's representatives that he was their choice. That was confirmed by several agents who were in touch with one of Lopez's agents -- B.J. Armstrong, the former Bulls guard, who went ballistic as soon as the Bobs turned around and picked point guard D.J. Augustin instead. [...]And through the magic of time travel (or something), we are all lucky enough to relive the Brook Lopez Draft Experience.
"It was a pretty big shock. I said, 'I feel like Brady Quinn,'" Lopez recalled, referring to the Cleveland Browns' quarterback who slipped in the 2007 NFL Draft. "I'm sure Brady heard about me saying that -- I'm afraid to meet him now. But I'm glad how it ended up. I feel lucky the way it turned out."
"LAWRENCE FRANK?!"
(Supposedly, the Wolves and Warriors had worked out a deal that involved sending Jason Richardson to Charlotte for its pick and cap purposes; the pick [Thornton] would go to Minnesota along with Golden State's package that may have included Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Al Harrington and a baggie of pogs. But no one told Charlotte that Minny wanted Thornton there. So instead of finding out, the 'Cats took Wright and ended up swapping him for J-Rich with K.G. remaining in MN for another month. And Warriors fans will never forget.)
