Jason Wallace, Communications Coordinator for the Orlando Magic, is flying to New York City on Wednesday, June 28, to take part in the 2006 NBA Draft festivities at Madison Square Garden. While the draft may not start until 7:30 pm, Wallace will be sending his comments on his trip to the Big Apple to orlandomagic.com all throughout the day – from what the atmosphere is like outside to who has the biggest set of nerves in the green room backstage. Follow along as Jason is the first to meet the latest addition to the Orlando Magic family.

11:24PM - So here is my last blog entry of the day! After an early morning flight, a Yanks/Braves game and a long draft, I am finally headed back to the hotel for the evening. As soon as JJ was selected, we started immediately on the media circuit for the NBA. He definitely got a strong reaction from the crowd, but it was pretty positive from the fans. JJ had to do a lot of interviews, live chats, etc, but the whole time he was very keen on what was happening with the rest of the draft. Whenever he got a free chance, he would check out the monitors to see where all of his peers were going. He even made a special attempt to go seek out Shelden Williams, his teammate at Duke, to tell him congratulations on his pick at No. 5. We would pass the other lottery picks, and he made sure to say something to each one we would see.

JJ was very elated about being picked by the Magic - he thinks it was by far the best situation for him to be in, but he said he didn't know he would end up here until earlier today. I got to hear some pretty funny stories about his workouts with various teams around the league, and he was definitley a very funny guy, although he was pretty serious during all of his interviews. I also got to meet his family, and I have to say my first impression of them was... they are all very tall! His family also seems extremely happy about his situation, so that was good to see as well. I think they are all pretty happy that he is done for the evening, because NONE of them had dinner yet! So instead of a celebration, JJ and his family are now at a restaurant somewhere in NYC! He is coming to Orlando tomorrow to meet the media, so it will be another long one for JJ.... but tomorrow is his first full day as a professional basketball player, so I'm pretty sure he doesn't mind! I'm flying back in the morning as well, so I hope you all enjoyed the draft, and trust me, JJ is ready and willing to play for Orlando! Go MAGIC!

8:09PM - When I left the hotel, I took a shuttle bus that the NBA provided over to Madison Square Garden. Most of the players had already left, but I rode over with Rudy Gay's cousin. I didn't see any of the protesters that were expected, because we went through a side entrance to the building. Right now, I'm sitting direcly in front of the ESPN broadcast table and I can see the players' holding room off to the right. The boos were overwhelming for the Raptors' first selection of Bargnani. But the thing that has stood out the most was when Chicago selected at the No. 2 spot. That pick was originally the Knicks (traded as part of the Eddy Curry deal) and the majority of the fans there reacted very negatively to that pick. Brandon Roy just got selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His family has definitely been the most overjoyed of all the selections so far. The Magic are slated to pick within the next half an hour, so I need to get ready to head to the stage and meet our new pick! I'll try to give you an update a little later.

5:42PM - A-Rod hit a walk-off home run! How can that happen! The Braves were up 3-2, but then A-Rod came in and ruined it for me – I’m glad I wasn’t there to see that. I had to leave in the 10th inning because of the time crunch! I have to say though that I have never felt like more of a lost dog in my life because of the subway system here. All I kept doing was asking people where to go, and they all kept telling me different things. But, I finally found my way back to my hotel, and it is total chaos here. Everybody is walking around in their finest attire. You can totally tell who is going to the draft and who the family members of the players are because they are really dressed to impress. I was just on an elevator with Tyrus Thomas, and he has on a really nice grayish suit with all of his family with him. They have shuttles out front taking all of the players over to Madison Square Garden, which is where I am about to head myself. I’m sure they are all very nervous about right now, but I am really excited to go and see who the Magic will select after the last few weeks of anticipation.

Ok, I have to get out of here and make my way on over. I’ll get a picture of what the inside of the Garden looks like once I get there and get all checked in! More in a little bit!

3:24PM - I'm at the Yankee game!! When I finally got to the hotel, the first thing I saw was Chris Paul walking around in the lobby. I also saw some media members - some of which cover the Magic. I am staying at the hotel where all the players who were invited up to the draft and most of the media members are. A lot of the media were just hanging out in the lobby trying to get the latest buzz - seems as though everyone is talking about not which player will go where, but where each team will pick. I think there is a lot of trade buzz around the hotel! I took a 20-minute cab ride out to Yankee Stadium and I lucked out - I called a friend of mine up here to see if he wanted to join me, and not only was he already at the game, he left me a ticket at will call! I am seeing a pretty good pitching performance by John Smoltz.. Oh, Edgar Renteria just hit a ball and it hit Yankee pitcher Chien-Ming Wang! It has been a pretty good day so far. I grabbed lunch from a NY deli quick and ate it in the cab. As soon as I leave the game I will head back to the hotel and then off to Madison Square Garden! I can't wait to see what the rest of the day holds!

12:45PM - I am in a taxi on the way to the hotel – hopefully I’ll be able to check in when I get there. I have already been in the taxi for a half hour! It is bumper-to-bumper traffic and it seems like everyone in the city is going to the Yankees/Braves game today. It is a 1:00 game, so if the logistics make sense, I’m going to try to go and cheer on my Braves! The flight was good – I watched Wimbledon the whole time. Andy Roddick was up two sets to one when I got off, so it was a good game. The flight was pretty smooth for the most part. I’m pretty pumped up for tonight – it should be good and I am interested to check into the hotel and see who all from the NBA is around. I want to go to a true NY deli for lunch and try to soak up as much of the Big Apple as I can! As we speak, I am coming up on the city and I can begin to see the skyline! Will check in again a little bit later.