NOAH SEMBLY REQUIRED

As you may have noticed, I've developed quite a crush on Joakim Noah. Maybe it was the oversized bow-tie. No, it's the attitude. I wish you could read all the quotes he just gave us.

For example, when someone asked him about Chicago being a big market and whether he felt marketable, Joakim replied (tongue in cheek):

"Oh, I feel so marketable, you have no idea. That's exactly why I wanted to go to Chicago; to be marketable."

Then, turning serious, he said, "You guys look at is as a market and it's always about money and this and, oh, if I would have went last year, then would I have been a higher pick and it's money and money and you're talking about money.
"But to me, I feel like it's happiness. It's about being happy and winning makes me happy. I feel like I have an opportunity to win a lot of games in Chicago."

Three reactions:

1. If he means that, then I love him.
2. It is easier to feel that way when you grow up the son of a pro tennis star and a Swedish uber-model.
3. I hope he still feels that way when his first free agency year arrives.

But, like I said, I'm a Noah guy. I'm jumping on his....arkwagon.

The Miami Heat took seven-footer Jason Smith of Colorado State. And Philadelphia took Ohio State guard Daequan Cook, making him the sixth player who started April's national championship game who's already been selected this evening.

Oh, and now we hear Miami and Philly will swap those picks.

But here's what I wonder: If Ohio State loses to Xavier in the 2nd round of the NCAAs last March, how is tonight's draft different? Does Conley come out? Cook? Does Oden even come out? I hope those three Buckeyes use their signing bonus to purchase a very nice gift for their teammate, Ron Lewis, the dude who buried the stone-cold three with two seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.