HAPPY NBA DRAFT'S EVE: I'm sure you've already exchanged gifts, as is the tradition in most households.

I have a final tomorrow--right in the middle of the draft, of course--so I'm gonna get some rest so I don't have too much to say in advance of the big night. Just want to say that this appears to be a really wide-open draft. Check out NBA Draft.net to see what I mean. And then I'll tell you what I mean:

--Two blue-chippers, Howard and Okafor, who may be stars, or may be solid pros. But, aside from these two, we could get a draft full of busts or a whole lot of talent--there's so much intrigue.

--Case in point, there's four actual giants: Pavel, Ha, Jaber, and Peter Ramos.

--Jameer Nelson, the tiny point guard with the undefeated season who a lot of people are going to pass on.

--Sebastian Telfair, high schooler with a shoe contract.

--Delonte West, the Tayshaun Prince 3000.

I'm babbling. But, again, this is a really talented draft, but not a draft with star potential, if you know what I mean. A lot of pieces for the Dumars-like in the NBA to put together.

So don't let anybody tell you this is a weak draft. This is a strange draft--everyone a contributor, no one a LeBron. Maybe no one a Shawn Bradley either, just because (and because of guys like Shawn) the freakishly tall don't get the hype like they used to. And even Okafor and Howard aren't supposed to be megastars. I'm so looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.

By the way: did the Wizards screw up again? Did the sun rise in the East? But I dunno. Stackhouse and Laettner are always good trade bait, and it's not like they're that good. I'm not sure what Cubes' purpose is, but I'm sure he has one. But Jamison isn't exactly a proven winner either, so it sure looks like the Wizards a treading water like usual. Maybe Eddie Jordan has a plan.

All right, more NBA tomorrow. You may have to wait awhile if you're looking the insightful pornography analysis you've come to expect from this here little slice of Blogistan.