From Deseret News archives:
Bobcats thrilled when Okafor falls to No. 2
The Bobcats, nervously waiting with the No. 2 overall pick Thursday night, exploded in a celebration of high-fives when the Orlando Magic made Dwight Howard the first pick in the draft.
Team owner Bob Johnson nodded his head in delight and a crowd of about 10,000 fans began cheering wildly.
With Howard gone, it was clear the Bobcats were getting their man.
"He seems to be the prototype of the kind of player you want to build a new franchise around and the ovation just means that we got what I believe to be the people's choice," said Johnson
Okafor, a 6-foot-10 forward from Connecticut, becomes the first pick in franchise history.
Since swapping the No. 4 overall pick with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this week for the second overall selection, the Bobcats said they would be happy with either Okafor or Howard, the high school phenom from Atlanta.
But deep down, it was Okafor they always wanted. Only there was little they could do sitting at No. 2, waiting and guessing who Orlando would take at No. 1.
Comments
- Canyons chief named law group's v.p. 9:06 p.m.
- Rock on 9:00 p.m.
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman 8:57 p.m.
- 3A soccer all-state first team 8:56 p.m.
- U. hopes to keep clicking 8:28 p.m.
- Steelers lead Broncos at halftime 8:13 p.m.
- Jazz win in N.Y. for 1st time since '04 8:02 p.m.
- Suns outlast 76ers, 119-115 7:51 p.m.
- Quilt auction aims to benefit lives 7:44 p.m.
- Eating fruit not a cause of weight gain 7:44 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
269 - House passes health care bill
225 - Lobo suspended
180 - TCU showdown has big implications
177 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
113 - Thousands protest health bill
111 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
94
Ask any defense attorney or judge. Any first time offender who turns himself...
The power of these substances stuns me, because Scott is one of the finest...
Let's hope the Utes send all 44,000 home disappointed. Actually, when you...
some credit for this. He broke several of his biases. The Jazz played 3 ball....
I think they try to build a big lead and then fall asleep. Good game. ...
To say you should be ranked because you were good in 1996 or 1984 or whatever...
@ 4:27, Exactly what is troubling you? I pointed out that to...
By raising the credit score to get a credit card they will be doing consumers...
He has a great show and good information. It's good to hear from some media...
So much said.... BUT, I REMEMBER watching this on TV!! I remember...

You can be the first to comment on this story.