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Friday, June 27

Cook goes Hollywood as Lakers
make him a first-round pick

By Jeff Mayfield

Pictures of the drafting event

[JUNE 27, 2003]  If you were a basketball player good enough to be selected in the early rounds of a professional NBA circuit, what would your thoughts be going into a draft of this nature? Would you think how fun it would be to have Jason Kidd throwing you a few passes out in New Jersey? Maybe you would think about teaming up with Karl Malone and becoming the new set of twin towers out in Utah. You could even dream of replacing the Admiral and find yourself positioned right next to Tim Duncan down in San Antonio.

But, in your wildest dreams could you ever imagine yourself playing with the world-renowned Los Angeles Lakers and maybe find yourself in the starting lineup with Shaq and Kobe?

You might not, but that's exactly where Brian Cook finds himself as the Lakers made him the 24th pick of the first round.

 

A skittish crowd of family, friends, coaches and media members erupted when NBA Commissioner David Stern spoke his name. In fact, he barely got the name "Brian" out before the crowd stood and screamed. The screaming and yelling lasted several minutes, while Brian kissed his girlfriend, Melissa Williamson, and hugged his mother, Joyce Cook, all the while wiping away the tears. At times there was even more relief than joy, but that mostly came from having to sit there and watch the names of several international players get called that none in the room had ever heard of!

 

According to the LA Times, Los Angeles Laker coach Phil Jackson, no stranger to our local Chicago Bulls fans, called Brian the "kind of ballplayer that fits the style of basketball we want to play." He then went on to give Brain and the other new draftee, Arizona forward Luke Walton, some additional motivation -- as if they needed any! "We have to assume that rookies aren't going to help us." Very coy, Phil. And welcome to the Zen master, Brian.

As for the LDN's thoughts on all of these festivities… I really wanted Brian to go somewhere out of the spotlight, where he could learn the NBA game for a year or two. A place where there wouldn't be too much media scrutiny or pressure on him to produce right away. With his selection by the Lakers, it is a mixed bag in my mind. So much for not wanting him in the media headlights… How 'bout the No. 1 market in the world! BUT, with Shaq and Kobe always vying for the media attention, the pressure for Brian to produce should be minimal. Then if he can come up big as a third or fourth option in the triangle offense, he can learn the game at the hands of the best.

 

Also, you can never rule out a trade, and so Brian may or may not have a long tenure in Hollywood. The LA Times is reporting that the Lakers weren't taking the draft as their primary vehicle to rebuild their team -- that they intend to be very active in the free agent market over the next few weeks. As friends and fans of Brian, let's hope their activity centers around the procurement of guards and other players who won't limit Cook's playing time.

All in all, this whole NBA draft thing was a wonderful experience. I never thought I'd be sitting there with a friend who was about to become an instant millionaire! I am so happy for Brian and Melissa and for his mother, Joyce, and their whole family. They have always been good to me personally, and I'm happy that their many years of sacrifice are now being rewarded. Brian and his family deserve nothing but the best, and that is exactly what we wish for them.

 

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Area media outlets are reporting that between 45 and 85 people were gathered for the [unpublicized] fun. Judging by that number and knowing that Laker games are usually sold out, tickets may be hard to come by… so we'll see you all on eBay!

 

Don't forget to tune your televisions to CITV Channel 5. The CITV/FIX-96/LDN crew members were out in force last night to bring you, [our] loyal fans, the inside look that you've now come to expect. If we had the capabilities, we would have brought the night to you live… but, hopefully it will be just as fun on taped delay!

The LDN would like to close this chapter with a special salute to Brian Cook. I have been around a lot of sports stars in a lot of different sports in over 40 years. Seldom have I come across ANYone more accommodating than Cook. I mean, he is so stinkin' accessible that I usually lean away from getting in the middle of things. I want him to get his due with ESPN, FOX and all of our great central Illinois media outlets. Whether his team has won or lost, whether he has played well or not, he is always willing to come on camera or tape. He is always polite, friendly and stays with you painstakingly until you ask your final question. He blames himself for a team loss when he went triple-double or double-double. When his team wins, he wants to give his teammates and his coaches all of the credit. Could Lincoln, Ill., have a better representative than this?

 

I am as proud of him as if he were my own son. Most of you have never seen what I have seen. The hours in the weight room and training room. The hundreds of shots each day from virtually every spot on the floor. Yes, he is blessed with the gifts that only God gives at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, but his unselfish play and his humble demeanor have not been missed by this would-be reporter. Whether he plays for 10 years or two years makes no difference to me. Whether he becomes an all-star and makes the Hall of Fame or whether he has a journeyman's career is irrelevant to me. He has already accomplished some of the most important things in life. Brian Cook has become a man!

 

I am just happy to have known him, and my prayer for him is that God will continue to keep him and his family safe and that God will raise Brian up to not only be a good ambassador for Lincoln and for Illinois, but for the Lord's kingdom as well.

Bon voyage, Brian… and remember, no matter where you go in this land or in this world, there is a small but formidable band of a few thousand family and friends who will be cheering your every move. Thanks for taking us on the ride of our lives!

[Jeff Mayfield]

Next >

Sports articles from the past week

Thursday:

  • Brian Cook readies for NBA draft selection

Wednesday:

  • Bronco baseball

Tuesday:

  • No new postings in this section

Monday:

  • Bronco tournament

Saturday:

  • Haberer to play for Angels

  • Greene is Will Robinson Endowed Scholar at ISU

  • USA junior roster updated; Illini James Augustine withdraws from consideration

Friday:

  • Lincoln College plans evening at Peoria Chiefs

  • ISU offers youth baseball clinic

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