Mock Draft (Top 5 picks only)

As the Association is reaching playoff time and the college basketball season is reaching its championship game, the bottom of the barrel teams are trying to find a future star to add to their franchise or pick that missing piece that can make a struggling team a playoff contender. The NBA Draft in June could decide whether a team sinks or swims. Here are my projected top 5 picks for this years 2012 NBA Draft.

(Note : these are just player picks, no teams yet because of the Lottery)

1. Anthony Davis (6'10, Power Forward) - Kentucky

'11-'12 season - 14.3 ppg, 10 rpg, 4.6 blks





Strengths:

Davis is one of the most unique basketball players to hit the college scene in years. In high school Davis was a 6'3 guard and over one summer he had a crazy growth-spurt which increased his height a little over 7 inches putting him at 6'10. He is blessed with a 7-4 wingspan Davis is an absolute force on defense for the Wildcats. Not only is he blocking shots left and right, Davis can run the floor as well as any big man, he has above average ball-handling skills, he has great athleticism and agility, and he has a very high motor that can keep Wildcat possessions alive. Davis is a very efficient scorer, shooting over 63% from the field. He is also a 71% free throw shooter, not bad for the versatile big man of Kentucky.

Weaknesses:

Davis lacks the strength of a NBA power forward, he needs to put on some muscle for him to succeed in the NBA for a long time. Yes that might take off some of his quickness and speed, but if he wants to play down low with the big boys Davis has to hit the weights hard. He also needs to work on his scoring ability, he is very raw in the way he scores by dunks and easy lay-ups, but Davis need to work on a consistent mid range jump shot and down-low footwork.




2. Andre Drummond (6'11, Center) - UConn

'11-'12 season- 10.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 54% FG








Strenghts :

Andre Drummond is one of the most explosive and physical big men in the Big East and has gotten better as the year went on. He has the prototypical NBA Centers body that has scouts drooling over (6'11, 270 pounds). Drummond is only 18 years old so he might not be done growing and can be at the 7 foot mark as he gets older. He runs the floor superbly and can finish with both hands nicely. Drummond is a great athlete as well with Amare'-Esque explosiveness and leaping ability, he is also a great offensive rebounder for the Huskies. With his potential and size Drummond has been compared to by scouts as a smaller Dwight Howard.

Weaknesses:

Drummond has endless potential but he needs to utilize it and not shy away from the moment. At times he will play smaller than he really is and will be too passive. He didn't quite dominate right away for a player his size in college which will concern some teams that are willing to draft him. Drummond also needs to tune his low post game and his horrendous FT shooting (29 %). Scouts also question his hustle and his ability to play on ball defense.


3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (6'7 , Small Forward) - Kentucky

'11-'12 season - 11.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.0 apg







Strengths :

Arguably the most balanced and most versatile player in this years draft and maybe in all of college basketball. What cant Michael Kidd-Gilchrist do for the Kentucky Wildcats and John Calipari. He is the ultimate five tool player who can score, shoot, rebound, defend, and pass. Nobody can question his leadership, hard work mentality, and his heart. MKG is very coachable and he is relentless on every possession for the Wildcats. He has a uncanny ability to score in big moments and is a true game changer. He can guard multiple positions on the court and is a high character guy.Gilchrist is extremely good at slashing and can finish with the big men. His game translates to an NBA Style game which is a huge plus.

Weaknesses:

Kidd-Gilchrist must improve his mid-range shooting ability if he wants to become a star at the next level. Yes he can get to the rim, but a stop on a dime and pop would make his game so much better. His three point shooting also needs to adjust to the NBA range. He also needs to work on his control, he can get a little wreckless sometimes while driving to the cup.


4. Bradley Beal - Florida (6'4, Shooting Guard)

'11-'12 Season - 14.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 apg






Strenghts:

Beal is a natural scorer and can do it in many ways. He can knock down the triple, drive to the hole and finish, and pull from mid range. Beal is also an outstanding rebounding guard who grabs nearly 7 boards a game for the Gators. He can also come off ball screens as well as any guard in the nation,  and is lighting quick with his first step and his release. Beal is a great ball-handler especially in double team situations and bringing up the ball. He works well with his teammates and coaches. He has a solid frame and a good body of work that can adjust well to the NBA game. Beal is also a great passer for an off guard which makes him deadly in transition. He is one of the Gators best lockdown defenders averaging nearly 2 steals and a block per game.

Weaknesses:

He needs to learn how to create better for him self, not constantly relying on open shots and ball screens. Beal has the ability to execute two dribble pull-ups but that will not get it done at the NBA level. He needs to work on his slashing skills and finishing with the opposite hand better. Beal listed at 6'4 but doesn't have the long wingspan that other guards have (6'7 wingspan). At times will take difficult shots for the Gators. He will also settle for jumpers instead of taking it strong to the rim and draw contact.


5. Thomas Robinson - Kansas (6'9, Power Forward)

'11-'12 Season -17.9 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 52% FG







Strenghts :

Robinson is a beast on the block and will make the defender feel it. He has great power and strength, a solid NBA frame, and exceptional length for a prototype Power Forward. Robinson is very athletic and quick for such  a big man. He runs the floor very well and can finish with both hands. The Jayhawks big man also has a motor that will not stop. He loves to compete with the best and will never back down to anyone. He has a great feel for the game and high IQ thanks to the help of the former Jayhawk big men, the Morris twins. He is a magnetizing rebounder on both ends of the floor. Robinson will cut to the rim for easy buckets and is showing a decent mid-range game. He can step out and take his man off the dribble with a quick first step. Gets to the charity stripe constantly due to his aggressiveness and improved his free throw shooting from last season.

Weaknesses:

Robinson is a bit raw at some aspects of his game and needs to refine them. He needs to get better at his footwork and shot. He is a decent shot blocker but needs to work on his overall on ball and low post defense. He relys too much on his athleticism and leaping ability to score instead of using moves down low. Robinson is a pure competitor but he gets in foul trouble easily. He also has alot to prove not playing much in his first two years and exploding in his third, lets see if his game can translate to the next level.







Players to watch for in the top 5 : Harrison Barnes (UNC), Perry Jones III (Baylor) Jeremy Lamb (UConn), Jared Sullinger (OSU) , and James McAdoo (UNC)

Harrison Barnes of UNC

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Wheres the Tenacity?

This season alot of teams have felt the affect of the compressed 66 game season. Not only have they dealt with back-to-back-to-back games, but they have dealt with injuries. Many key players for their respective teams have gotten nicked up. Some players have "rubbed some dirt on it" and continued to play at a high level and others have sat out and watch their team from the side line. I understand if the injury restricts what you can do, but I am starting to question some of these All-Stars tenacity.




I love the relentless attitude of some players, for example Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant tore ligaments in his non shooting hand during a pre-season game vs the Clippers which required surgery and should of sidelined him for at least 2 weeks. But Kobe known for his toughness and will to play, taped up his wrist and played as well as he ever has (averaged over 30ppg, 6 rpg, and 5 apg) If you think that's bad? He is coming off another injury , a broken nose. That did not slow him down either, he strapped on the ever so awkward clear mask and flat-out dominated. He is the kind of player coaches admire and fans love to see. Nobody questions Kobe's heart and tenacity.

the "Masked Mamba"

Yet, some players are getting tweaked ankles, or a pulled muscle and they want to sit out for a game. That's where I question the heart and tenacity of some players. Its not fair for a team to see their best player not try to give it their all. I understand if you are doing this for precautionary measures, but come on teams are paying these players the big bucks to go out there and do their jobs. A tweaked back should not stop you to at least try and play. I am not trying to belittle any NBA player, but what I am saying is if you are suited up and warming up before a game try to give it a go. That's what a hard working individual would do, up to an extent.





It does seem harsh to see a player try to grind it out, but that's what a true leader and star does. Make no excuses and just give it their all. We have all seen the famous "Flu-Game" of his Airness Michael Jordan, where he came down with a nasty flu and a fever of 103 in game 5 of the 1997 finals and absolutely torched the Jazz with 38 points.

Or when Willis Reed of the New York Knicks hobbled onto the court in Game 7 of the 1970 finals and scoring the first bucket of the game en route to a Knicks championship. That's the courageous efforts I am looking for in players these days. I'm tired of seeing players in street clothes watching from the bench because of a minor injury that they could potentially play through. Its pretty much giving out a free check to a player who has not been productive at all.

I really hope some players realize that it takes alot of will and relentlessness to win a title. Whether its a pulled groin, back spasms, or a fever a player should attempt to play especially if it is a big game or a playoff game.









Credit: all images belong to google.com (google images) all highlights belong to YouTube.com all stats belong to ESPN.com

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Winners and Losers of the Trade Deadline

The Trade Deadline is up and many teams made moves to bolster their chances of winning in the playoffs or look to build for the future. But some teams did not even make a single move or made the wrong moves that can potentially risk their chances of getting wins.  Here are my winners and losers  of this seasons Trade Deadline.



Winners -

 The Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers finally pulled the trigger and upgraded the point guard position by acquiring Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is a piece the Lakers were missing to make a deep run in the West. He can score in various ways and is able to facilitate an offense. The Lakers also added some athletic big men in Christian Eyenga from the Cavs and Jordan Hill of the Houston Rockets. The Lakers bench has gotten deeper with the addition of those two. The Lakers had to give up Luke Walton and Jason Kapono to the Cavs and 16 year veteran Derek Fisher to the Rockets. It was sad for Laker fans and players to see Fish go, but it is a great trade for the Lakers moving forward.







The Golden State Warriors: The Warriors made moves to acquire center Andrew Bogut from the Bucks along with former Warrior Stephen Jackson, which was shortly lived because of the trade to acquire Richard Jefferson from the Spurs. Although they had to move their leading scorer Monta Ellis, I believe the Warriors have gotten better for the future. Bogut is a legit low-post presence center and Richard Jefferson can contribute in many ways for the Warriors. I expect them to continue to build around Bogut and point guard Stephen Curry in the next few years.







Losers-


The Orlando Magic: The Dwight Howard to (insert team here) rumors have finally come to an end for the Magic and Howard has committed himself to stay for another season in Orlando, in the most indecisive way. With all that being said, the Magic did not make a move to get another threat to tag along with Dwight to make a title run. With all their focus on Superman, GM Otis Smith did not shop for a Monta Ellis or a Gerald Wallace type player. To keep Dwight Howard in an Orlando uniform the Magic need to make a move to get a scorer.

The New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams told the Nets that he will opt out and become a free agent this summer. So by not trading Williams or grabbing another big man to play with him the Nets are in a lose-lose situation. At least by trading Williams New Jersey could of got someone in return to potentially help them next season. It will be tough for New Jersey to once again re-build if Brook Lopez is not healthy or Deron Williams leaves.

Celtics PG Rajon Rondo

The Trade Deadline had alot of hype this season, but most of the big rumors either did not pan out or were false. Such as the Celtics trading their future franchise player in Rajon Rondo because apparently he did not fit the "system" of the Celtics. Or the long awaited Pau Gasol move was not close to happening according to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak sending Gasol to Houston or Chicago. Both players eventually stayed with their respective teams.





Hopefully for all the teams who made a trade or kept a player, it works out for them. It is better for the game from a fans perspective to see teams succeed by acquiring or retaining their players. With all that being said lets just see how Free Agency goes in the summer time.










Credit : All images belong to Google.com (Google images), all video highlights belong to Youtube.com and all stats belong to ESPN.com. i do not own any of these.

Players to watch

Its that time of the year again, March Madness baby, its tourney time. This is where the great teams rise to the occasion and where Cinderella stories are born. The NCAA tournament could possibly be the best four weeks of basketball any fan could appreciate. Its not what a team does in the regular season, it what they do leading up to the tournament. With all the teams in the tournament there are the superstars such as potential Naismith Player of the Year Anthony Davis from Kentucky, Harrison Barnes from UNC, Perry Jones III, and Austin Rivers of Duke. With all the bright lights on them, there are the players that become house hold names because of the NCAA tourney. Here are my under the radar players to watch for in this years NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.


Baylor's Perry Jones  III

Lets start with Creighton Forward Doug McDermott (Soph.). He is a scoring machine for the Blue Jays and led his team to a Missouri Valley Conference Championship this season. He can shoot from all distances shooting over 49% from long range and has a field goal percentage of 61. He is a tough cover for any defender because of his 6'7", 225 pound frame. McDermott has great footwork from the low post and can finish well with both hands. He is capable of putting up 30+ each game. McDermott is also a very underrated rebounder, he averages over 8 rebounds a game and loves to crash the glass. Lets see if Creighton can be a legit bracket buster team because of Doug McDermott.






South Dakota State point guard Nate Wolters is one of the best all around players in the country and his Jackrabbits are dancing for the first time in school history. He is averaging Naismith-esque numbers with 21.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 6 apg, what cant Wolters do for SDSU? He wills his team to victory and clinched a birth in the NCAA tourney by winning the Summit League tournament. Scouts compare Wolters to a Steve Nash type point guard with better rebounding skills, although he is a streaky shooter from the outside he will find many ways to score. SDSU's chances of becoming another 14 over 3 upset match up relies in the hands of Wolters.



wolters bringing up the ball

Remember last season when Kemba Walker led his team through the Big East Tourney which led to a Nat'l Championship? Well this seasons Kemba Walker has to be Louisville's point guard Peyton Siva. Siva took a reeling Louisville team that has been so inconsistent through out the year and turned them into the 2012 Big East Champions. He might be undersized (listed at 6 foot) but he has the heart of a lion. His numbers will not jump out at you (9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.5 apg) but his leadership ability carries Louisville throughout the game. He has made Louisville one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.

Murray State has been a really good story this season, winning 30 games and being ranked in the top ten. The Racers are led exciting guard Isaiah Canaan. Canaan is another player to watch throughout the tourney becuase of his take over ability in crunch time. He can stroke it from outside extremly well shooting over 47% from the three. Canaan led the Racers to a huge victory over St. Marys to prove the doubters wrong about Murray States success. Watch for the Racers to make a deep run this seasons tournament. With Isaiah at the helm, Murray State always has a chance to get the W. I expect Canaan's Racers to make it at least to the Sweet 16 round.













Which one of these players will become the next Stephen Curry or Jimmer Fredette? The NCAA tournament is always filled with surprises and you never know which team will make that Cinderella run. Maybe we will see one of these players and their respective teams in the Final Four. Good luck to all these players and the rest of the 64 teams in the Tournament.














Credit: all images belong to Google.com (google images) i do not own any of them, all stats belong to ESPN.com

Modern Day NBA Rivalries

The NBA has seen many great rivalries through out the years. We have seen personal player rivalries such as Magic vs Larry, Jordan vs Reggie Miller, and Wilt Chamberlain vs Bill Russell. We have also seen classic rivalries between teams during each decade. In the 60's it was dominated by the Celtics and the Lakers, the 70's featured the merger of ABA teams going into the NBA, the 80's brought back the Lakers-Celtics rivalry thanks to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, in the 1990's we saw the Bulls make rivals with the entire NBA and in the 2000's the Spurs-Mavs, Lakers-Suns, Jazz- Bulls, and Lakers-Kings have made these matchups must-watch TV.






















In the present day NBA there are some new personal rivals and team rivals throughout the league, which makes the game so much more entertaining and fun to watch. The NBA also brought back some old school heated rivalries as well. Its great to see the passion and energy with these rivalry games. Players go 100% on each possession and do not want to see their team go down to a much hated team. But within these rivalries, there is always a mutual respect for one another. They may not like each other but they do respect each other.


The New NBA rivalries in the Association are quite entertaining. The up and coming teams are battling veteran teams for respect and playoff positioning, The Thunder-Mavs rivalry has really been an exciting matchup over the past year. They met in the Western Conference Finals in 2011 and each game this season has been must-see TV. Kevin Durant vs Dirk Nowitzki is also a key personal rivalry as well. Although Dirk has the upper hand for now, Kevin Durant is on the rise and could potentially take his team past the Mavs this year in the playoffs. Another very interesting rivalry is the Bulls-Heat matchup. It is filled with superstars and MVP's making this one of the most exciting matchups to in all of basketball. Derrick Rose who was last seasons MVP takes on Miami's Big Three of Bosh, James, and Wade. Its the Battle of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and it might even be a rematch of the ECF again. 
 





Dating back to Magic vs Bird and Jordan vs Miller the NBA has seen players go at it every time their respective teams take the court. Since those days are over, we have seen stars go on full attack on each other just like how players used to in the hard knocks NBA.

One of the best player rivalries in the present NBA is Kobe Bryant VS LeBron James. Yes we have had heated debates over which one is better and do championships really matter. With all those aside this matchup might go down as one of the best one on one matchups in NBA history. Although Bryant admitted he has no true rivalries, fans, coaches, and players see that there is an extra pep in the Lakers guard when he takes the floor against LeBron. On the other hand James has had the upper hand in these matchups as of late, winning 5 of the last 6 matchups against Bryant and his Lakers. Since they have only met in the regular season NBA fans are drooling over a Kobe-LeBron NBA final.

Another great player rivalry has to be the matchup between point guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams . This point guard matchup has been very interesting over the years, each guard is their respective teams leader and floor general and to see them go hard on each other is very exciting. CP3 Vs Deron has been a battle for the best point guard in the league crown for the past 4 seasons, its been such a toss up as well, they both put up very similar numbers and have actually spilt there last 8 meeting against each other. This rivalry will continue to be a great one through the years it is a battle between classic point guards.

  With all the new rivalries stirring up in the Association, we all have seen history repeat itself  with matchups that have once again become instant classics. The Lakers-Celtics nostalgic matchup is back and its not just for pride, its for titles. They have met in twice in the last four NBA Finals , splitting the matchup and have had some great regular season games. It is always a battle  when these two teams meet. Kobe and his Lakers have owned the Celtics at the TD Garden winning their last 4 regular season matchups. But the Celtics have always kept the matchups close, taking the Lakers to 7 games in the 2010 finals and winning the 2008 finals. Some say the rivalry has slowly  lost its touch due to the age of both teams, but you cannot count out the passion these teams have and their chances of going to the finals.




 Another Rivalry that's back is the Bulls-Pacers rivalry of the 90's. Although there is no Jordan-Miller matchup, the two teams recent success in the past 2 seasons have resurrected hard nose basketball. We clearly can these teams have no love for each other, meeting in the 2011 playoffs first round, the Bulls won in 5 games leaving a bitter taste in the Pacers mouth. This season the Pacers handed the Bulls their first home loss and are looking forward to rematching them in the 2012 playoffs.






There is nothing better than watching two teams who do not like each other bump heads for 48 minuets. Rivalries make the game so much better, with out the hatred for teams, debates, games, and players in the league would be so dull. I have a feeling the league is going to have even more rivalries and player matchups to look forward to as well.















Credit : all images belong to Google.com (googleimages) all videos belong to Youtube.com i do not own any of these , all stats belong to ESPN.com

A New Breed of Point Guards

When we think about the point guard position, we think about a player who is smart, a good ball-handler, and looks for his teammates first before he gets his. But now a days there is a new caliber of point guards. They are more explosive than ever before, they can score when ever they touch the ball, and they incorporate great skills such as passing, dribbling, and high IQ's. They are basically a 2-guard in a point guards body. These players will revolutionize the position and make it a must have to be a successful team. Don't get me wrong though, players like Chris Paul , Deron Williams, Tony Parker, and Steve Nash (just to name a few) are still playing at a high level. But I do not think we will see PGs like these in the future.

My number 1 example of these type of futuristic point guards is Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls. He was NBA ready out of high school and played at a high level from his rookie year. He is one of the fastest and explosive point guards in the NBA and can dish out dimes when every he feels like it. Rose has led the Bulls in ppg and apg the past 2 seasons and even won the MVP award last season. He has nights where he looks like a red blur on the court . Rose is a very powerful point guard as he drives through the lane, he can finish with contact or stop on a dime and pull up for the jumper. We have not seen a point guard with his kind of athleticism, power, and IQ in a very long time. Derrick Rose also expanded his range in the past year by shooting over 33% from the three.

Another player who is very similar to Rose is Thunder combo guard Russell Westbrook. He was a shooting guard at UCLA and converted into one of the leagues most energetic and fearsome jammers in the league. He has been an all-star the past 2 seasons and has gotten better as well. He puts up very similiar stats to Rose. He would be most teams number one option , since he is a co-star with Kevin Durant. He is lighting fast and finish as good as anyone in the league. He is the true definition of a scoring point guard (23.6 ppg). Westbrook is extremely aggressive and it sometimes costs his team a turnover or two but night in and night out he makes steady improvements.















Wizards PG John Wall is my final example of the point guard of the future. He has the length (6'4 with a near 6'10 wingspan) the strength and the speed that leaves a defense looking silly. He can drive just as well as Rose or Westbrook can finish with both hands slightly better, his jump shot needs some work and he is a little raw. Over time he will take the Wizards into the playoffs. Another aspect of his game that he excels in is his defense (1.3 spg) . John Wall puts the locks on the opposing teams guard better than Rose or Westbrook, he has extremly quick hands comibined with fast feet which makes him hard to get by. I also believe that Wall is the fastest player up and down the court with the ball which makes him deadly in fast breaks and in transition.

The new generation of point guards is slowly but surly taking over the league. I personally do not see another class of point guards like Deron, Cp3, Nash, and Parker. The new breed of point guards are going to be game and franchise changers. Teams who are in the lottery are always scouting for D-Rose/Russ West type guards to build around. Here are some Point Guards who have potential to be in the same class as these three guards.


Kyrie Irving,  Kemba Walker, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson and Brandon Jennings




         
















Credit : All images belong to Google.com (google images) i do not own any of these... all videos belong to Youtube.com i do not own any video content. all stats belong to ESPN.com