Sonics draft Frenchy center - a million fans weep

Johan Petro: He totally dominated the French Vineyard League!

Somewhere in the depths of Canada, Nussbaum is shaking his fist at Wally Walker.

With the 25th pick of Tuesday's NBA Draft, The Seattle Supersonics picked Johan Petro, a seven-foot "project" from France. (Groan):

NEW YORK - The Seattle SuperSonics have picked up a Frenchman with the 25th overall pick in Tuesday night's NBA Draft, getting Johan Petro.

Petro played for Pau Orthez in the French Pro A league the last two seasons. He averaged 6 points and 3.3 rebounds in Pro-A, and 5.1 points in the Euroleague last season.

Petro played well in the 2004 European Championship, averaging nearly 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.2 steals in five qualifying games. In the challenge round, he averaged 9 points and 7.8 rebounds in four contests.

The seven-footer is just 19 years old, but he's already earned significant playing time against upper-level international players. He has a nice touch inside and will clean the offensive glass from time to time.

Petro also entered the NBA draft last year before withdrawing his name from consideration.

from KOMO TV

Since I know nothing about Petro (except for his ridiculous name), I suggest we all take a deep, cleansing breath, and read about Mr. Fancypants here:

Johan Petro bio
Johan Petro interview
Official Johan Petro Website!

And, in case that wasn't bad enough, the Sonics drafted another French Guy in the second round! Sacre bleu!

Feeling Drafty?

This guy went number one. Seriously.

As the Sonics prepare for the #25 pick in today's NBA Draft (yawn!), Supersonicsoul looks back at the best and worst in Sonics Draft History:

Best Pick: Gary Payton (1990)
Worst Pick: Rich King (1991)
Worst Traded Pick: Scottie Pippen (1987)
Where are they now?:Vladimir Stepania (1998)

What do you think? Do you have a favorite draft memory/nightmare? Do you think the Supes will make a trade (or fake a trade, like the Kemp for Pippen one in '98?)

One thing's for certain: The Sonics have had some up and down draft picks over the years, but at least they never drafted Sam Bowie.

Shocker! Union, Owners avoid lockout

In the most shocking turn of events since the Michael Jackson verdict, NBA owners and the Player's Union agreed to terms on a new six-year collective bargaining agreement today:

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- A one-year increase in the minimum age to be eligible to play in the NBA was part of a new six-year collective bargaining tentatively agreed to Tuesday by owners and players, averting the possibility of a lockout.

Commissioner David Stern and union director Billy Hunter flew to the NBA Finals from New York and announced the agreement prior to Game 6 between San Antonio and Detroit. The deal came on the fourth consecutive day of talks between the sides to replace the seven-year pact that expires June 30.

``We're gratified that we were able to avoid a work stoppage,'' Stern said. ``This agreement creates a strong partnership with our players, which is essential for us.''

The sides reached agreement on several key issues that had held up a settlement since serious talks began in late February. Among them were a one-year increase in the minimum age for draft eligibility, a reduction in the maximum length of long-term contracts from seven years to six, and reductions in the size of annual salary increases in those long-term contracts from a maximum of 12 1/2 percent to 10 1/2 percent.

Read the rest here.