Your faithful narrator here went a Nets draft party last night over in Brooklyn (hence the Hood section of the title), with much enthusiasm and excitement.  Yi!  On the Nets!  Frankly, I'm thrilled.  As a merchandise and jersey whore, I'm going to be buying his jersey as soon as it's available.  And probably pick up a RJ jersey once they go on clearance, because, again, I'm a merchandise and jersey whore.

(Note: No pictures, because I didn't bring my digital camera and didn't think anyone would want to see my 0.6 megapixel pictures taken from my Treo blown up.)

The night's festivities took place at the Brooklyn Brewery, which was more of an empty warehouse with bags of barley scattered about.  Really, that summarizes all you need to know about being a Nets fan.  Oh, and the buddy I brought with me won a raffle for a signed Devin Harris jersey.  I briefly thought about making him hand it over, until I remembered I'm getting a signed Devin Harris jersey for being a season ticket holder anyway.  I still thought about it before I remembered it was his birthday, so I let him keep it.

So the night started off with high hopes, free hamburgers, free hot dogs, free beer, and the knowledge that Ryan Anderson had been picked in more than a few mocks to be the Nets' pick at 21.  I was still somewhat skeptical, and thought he might be a better pick at 40...or if the Nets really felt like it, they could reach for Hardin instead at that spot. 

Would we be seeing either of these two men in a Nets uniform by the end of the night?

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Well, it's finally here.  Tonight, we finally get to find out the fate of former Cal stars DeVon Hardin and Ryan Anderson, who will be picked at some point in the 2008 NBA Draft.  Whether they go in the first round or not, as the both hope, we shall just have to wait and find out.  Until then, we present a video tribute to Ryan and DeVon.  Good luck in the pros, boys, and do us Bears proud! 

Let this stand as an Open Thread for the draft tonight.  Go Bears!

Edit:  Ryan Anderson goes to the New Jersey Nets with the 21st overall pick.

Edit 2:  Finally, DeVon Hardin goes to Seattle (Oklahoma City?) with the 50th overall pick.

First up, getting to know DeVon Hardin, via Cal Athletics:

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Edit:  Good luck, Ryan Anderson.   Hopefully, this doesn't portend what Wednesday's decision will be.

This week is a big week.  Two big turning points for each Cal football and men's basketball.  On Wednesday, Cal will find out the ruling in the Memorial Stadium Court case. 

But first, we find out whether Ryan Anderson will decide to stay in the draft or come back to Cal.  Mike Montgomery came to Cal, because he thought that with Ryan Anderson on the team, they could make a solid run in the post-season.  At the Coaches Tour in May, he said his biggest recruit would be Ryan Anderson.  And now we'll find out whether Montgomery's hopes and efforts paid dividends. 

This open thread is not only for people to post their own personal speculation and/or the speculation of major/minor basketball personalities, but also any concrete news on the decision.  Like, yknow, the decision.  I'm nervous, people!  Totes nervous!  Totes nervous for realz yo!

If Ryan decides to come back to Cal, this is certainly great news for the men's basketball team going forward.  And if Ryan decides to stay in the draft and follow his dream, good luck to him!  Either way, GO BEARS!

via vmedia.rivals.com

"Come back, Ryan!  Come back!"

The California Golden Blogs West Coast Office got together with 450 other Cal fans to hear Sandy, Mike, and Jeff speak on Monday night.  TwistNHook provided the pink plastic sunglasses, Ragnarok and HydroTech provided the ladies, and I provided the...pen.  Exactly one of us remembered to bring a writing utensil.  Yes, we've got a pretty good handle on this blogging thing, thank you very much.

If you live in the east bay and weren't able to make it, you missed out.  Two hours of candid talk from our three highest profile Athletic Department employees and barbecue buffet, all for FREE?  Are you kidding me??  Twenty-five bucks for chicken skewers doesn't seem like such a great deal any more.  What did you guys think?

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