Friday, June 29, 2007

The Excitement of the 2007 NBA Draft

Why do I like the NBA draft so much? I thought about this last night as my wife was mad that I sat there and watched all 5 hours of it. "Can't you just read about tomorrow or see the highlights on the news?" she would say. Are you kidding me? That's why people don't watch it and don't think it is interesting - because they read about it the next day and watch the highlights on the news. The news destroys the atmosphere, destroys the excitement of the draft.

I love the draft because it is all about the future. The futures of these young players is partially laid out in front of us. The future of the teams, future of the NBA and it's stars are right before me and I am watching it happen. That's why I like it. I get to see and imagine what the NBA could be like in the upcoming years. Lame? maybe. but I find it exciting.

The draft victory last night went the Trail Blazers. They continue to stock up on young talent and drop Zach Randolph to New York. I like the trade. Channing Frye is young and improving. I like the Blazers future.

Here were the results from the draft last night:

1st Round
1. Portland Trail Blazers -Greg Oden 7-0 257 C Ohio St. Fr.
2. Seattle SuperSonics - Kevin Durant 6-10 215 SF Texas Fr.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Al Horford 6-10 244 PF Florida Jr.
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Mike Conley 6-1 175 PG Ohio St. Fr.
5. Boston Celtics (traded to Seattle) - Jeff Green 6-9 228 SF Georgetown Jr.
6. Milwaukee Bucks - Yi Jianlian 7-0 242 PF China 1984
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Corey Brewer 6-8 185 SF Florida Jr.
8. Charlotte Bobcats (traded to Golden St.)- Brandan Wright 6-10 200 PF UNC Fr.
9. Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah 6-11 230 PF Florida Jr.
10. Sacramento Kings - Spencer Hawes 7-0 244 C Wash. Fr.
11. Atlanta Hawks -Acie Law 6-3 186 PG Texas A&M Sr.
12. Philadelphia 76ers - Thaddeus Young 6-7 210 SF GT Fr.
13. NewOrleans - Julian Wright 6-8 211 SF Kansas So.
14. LA Clippers - Al Thornton 6-7 221 SF/PF Florida St. Sr.
15. Detroit Pistons - Rodney Stuckey 6-5 207 SG E. Wash. So.
16. Washington - Nick Young 6-6 206 SG USC Jr.
17. New Jersey Nets - Sean Williams 6-10 235 PF BC Jr.
18. Golden St. Warriors - Marco Belinelli 6-6 200 SG Italy 1986
19. LA Lakers - Javaris Crittenton 6-4 194 PG G.Tech Fr.
20. Miami Heat (traded to Philadelphia) - Jason Smith 7-0 233 PF Colorado St. Jr.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Miami) - Daequan Cook 6-5 210 SG Ohio St. Fr.
22. Charlotte Bobcats - Jared Dudley 6-7 225 SF Boston Celtics Col. Sr.
23. New York Knicks - Wilson Chandler 6-7 230 SF DePaul So.
24. Phoenix Suns (traded to Portland) -Rudy Fernandez 6-6 172 SG Spain 1985
25. Utah Jazz - Morris Almond 6-6 214 SG Rice Sr.
26. Houston Rockets - Aaron Brooks 6-0 160 PG Oregon Sr.
27. Detroit Pistons - Arron Afflalo 6-5 215 SG UCLA Jr.
28. San Antonio Spurs - Tiago Splitter 6-11 240 PF Brazil 1985
29. Phoenix Suns - Alando Tucker 6-5 210 SF Wisconsin Sr.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Portand) - Petteri Koponen 6-4 195 PG Fin.1988

2nd Round
31. Seattle SuperSonics - Carl Landry 6-9 235 PF Purdue Sr.
32. Boston Celtics - Gabe Pruitt 6-4 170 PG USC Jr.
33. San Antonio Spurs - Marcus Williams 6-7 207 SG Arizona So.
34. Dallas Mavericks - Nick Fazekas 6-11 240 PF Nevada Sr.
35. Seattle SuperSonics (traded to Boston) - Glen Davis 6-8 280 PF LSU Jr.
36. Golden St. Warriors (traded to Charlotte) - Jermareo Davidson 6-10 220 PF Ala. Sr.
37. Portland Trail Blazers - Josh McRoberts 6-10 240 PF Duke So.
38. Philadelphia 76ers - Kyrylo Fesenko 7-0 240 PF/C Ukr. 1986
39. Miami Heat - Stanko Barac 7-1 220 C Bosnia 1986
40. LA Lakers - Sun Yue 6-9 205 SG China 1985
41. Minnesota Timberwolves - Chris Richard 6-8 255 PF Florida Sr.
42. Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Philadelphia) - Derrick Byars 6-7 225 SG/SF Vand. Sr.
43. NewOrleans - Adam Haluska 6-5 210 SG Iowa Sr.
44. Orlando Magic - Reyshawn Terry 6-7 232 SF UNC Sr.
45. LA Clippers - Jared Jordan 6-2 190 PG Marist Sr.
46. Golden St. Warriors - Stephane Lasme 6-8 225 PF Mass Sr.
47. Washington Wizards - Dominic McGuire 6-8 210 SF Fres.St. Jr.
48. LA Lakers - Marc Gasol 7-0 270 C Spain 1985
49. Chicago Bulls - Aaron Gray 7-1 280 C Pittsburgh Sr.
50. Dallas Mavericks - Renaldas Seibutis 6-6 180 SG Lith. 1985
51. Chicago Bulls -JamesOn Curry 6-3 171 SG Okla.St. Jr.
52. Portland Trail Blazers - Taurean Green 6-0 177 PG Florida Jr.
53. Portland Trail Blazers - Demetris Nichols 6-7 205 SF Syracuse Sr.
54. Orlando - Brad Newley 6-6 198 SG Australia 1985
55. Utah Jazz - Herbert Hill 6-10 240 PF Providence Sr.
56. Milwaukee Bucks - Ramon Sessions 6-3 190 PG Nevada Jr.
57. Detroit Pistons - Sammy Mejia 6-6 200 PG/SG DePaul Sr.
58. San Antonio Spurs - Giorgos Printezis 6-8 205 SF Greece 1985
59. Phoenix Suns - DJ Strawberry 6-5 201 SG Maryland Sr.
60. Dallas Mavericks - Milovan Rakovic 6-10 240 PF Serbia 1985













Thursday, June 28, 2007

Greg Oden going #1

Greg Oden will be picked number one tonight. Oden Dominated the middle at Ohio St. this last year. Did you see him throw it down in the NCAA championship game? Talk about shock and awe. He will be a huge piece to a very young a talented team next year.

I love watching Kevin Durant play and he will be number 2. He wasn't able to bench press 185 pounds, but does anyone care? Well, yes but that isn't important. This kid can play. Give him a few years to beef up and he will be a dominating player in the NBA for years to come.

This should be a exciting draft (if you are a sports junkie like me). Otherwise keep watching So You Think You Can Dance.

Check out my last version of my mock draft.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant

Minnesota Timberwolves and the LA Lakers are reportedly in trade negotiations. The Lakers want another big name player for three reasons.

1. Make Kobe happy and convince him to stay around
2. Have the Big Ticket sell more tickets
3. Apparently Kobe can't win on his own, so the team needs to be become a two headed dragon.

I think Minnesota should not part with Garnett that easily. Nothing bugs me more than teams trying to reload and they dump their best players for little or nothing in return. Minnesota needs some more good young players. Get some high draft picks - which the Lakers don't have.

Supposedly the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Not enough in my mind. I like Bynum and think he is developing into a good center. Odom is solid, but is not a go to franchise player.

Come up with a lottery pick somehow and throw that in and then we are talking business.

Another rumor out there has Garnett possibly going to Phoenix and Amare Stoudemire going to Atlanta and draft picks going to Minnesota. What? Any more teams want to offer something?






Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Jason Smith

I like to watch the Mountain West conference. This last year I watched a couple Colorado St. games in which I saw Jason Smith play. I was very impressed at how athletic he was. At 7-0 tall he played and acted like a 6-7 small forward. He was good inside, very quick and has a decent jumper. At times he dominated. However, when he had a physical defender on him he struggled. He did not like being pushed around and it took him out of the game. He tends to be foul prone as well. If he can find a good situation with a run and gun offensive team he would fit in the best.

Index

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NBA

NBA Playoffs

NBA Finals Game 3

Tony Parker for MVP

Did LeBron James airball a free throw?

Spurs win titles in odd years

2007 NBA Playoff Awards


NBA Finals

NBA Finals Game 3

Tony Parker for MVP

Did LeBron James airball a free throw?

Spurs win titles in odd years

Is anyone else sick of seeing Eva Longoria?

The Cavs didn't look like they cared


NBA Draft

2007 NBA Draft


NBA Draft Predictions

NBA Draft Thoughts

Jason Smith

Greg Oden going #1

The Excitement of the NBA Draft

Yi JianLian

The Results of the Number 1 NBA Draft Pick


NBA Floppers

Top Ten NBA Floppers

NBA Rumors

Shawn Marion going to Boston?

Does anyone like Kobe Bryant anymore?

Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant

Yi JianLian

Derek Fisher's request to leave the Utah Jazz is granted

NBA Awards

Top Ten NBA Point Guards

2007 NBA Playoff Awards

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College Basketball

Jason Smith










Monday, June 25, 2007

NBA draft thoughts

This weeks NBA's draft should be a good one. A couple of things to watch.

  • The number 3 pick by Atlanta Hawks is the swing vote. There are many players and teams awaiting this pick. It should tell the direction of the rest of the lottery. They can go with another young athletic forward which they have plenty of or they can surprise everyone and pick a point guard much higher than expected. This pick might change many draft projections and make teams go with plan B.
  • Trades. There has been many talks of superstars being traded. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Paul Pierce, Jermaine O'Neal and more have all been rumored with trades. The draft might bring these trades to light
  • The number one pick. Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Have we heard anything else over the past few months?
  • International players. Over the past few seasons international players we taking over the draft. This year only 2-3 projected in the first round. Will there be surprises we don't know about?
  • Will the Hawks blow another good pick?
  • Second round steals? Who will fall into the second round and be a steal. Paul Millsap and Daniel Gibson showed this is very possible
  • No high schoolers. For the second year in a row no high school kids entering the draft. I like the rule change.
  • Draft attire. What crazy suits and crazy fashions will be on display?

Friday, June 22, 2007

sportsgorilla

Now that baseball has arrived (started months ago but do I care? no), I have less to talk about. That is why i love the NBA draft. It is also sad when football training camps are the hot topic of discussion. It shows just how boring baseball is. I have a new Technorati Profile go ahead and check it out.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Does anyone like Kobe Bryant anymore?

Kobe wants to be traded. Then he doesn't. Now he does again. He is doing all he can to send the message - even pulling out web 2.0 tactics of blogs and video posts. He is calling out his teammates, the organization and bad mouthing the Lakers management. What hurts worst in his recent 24 second video clip outburst is his negative comments to Andrew Bynum. There is nothing worse than criticizing your teammates or coach. He is doing a good job and whining and throwing a tantrum like a selfish child. Because that is what he is telling everyone he is - selfish.

He ran Shaq out of town and convinced the Lakers to make it Kobe's team. He got what he wanted and now he wants out. Show some class. Show some respect. Grow up Kobe.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

NBA draft predictions

With the NBA draft quickly approaching I have made a few changes to my draft order. I think Yi Jian Lian is going to go higher than most people think. Point Guards are another hot commodity. I think Mike Conley and Acie Law will go higher than expected. Why isn't any one thinking Aaron Afflalo will go high? I think he will be an excellent pro.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

The Cavs didn't look like they cared

As I sat and watched the sad ending to the NBA finals I wondered... is this the NBA finals? Why did it seem like there was no intensity? The Spurs played tough as usual but there was a lack of desire and urgency on their side as well. It was probably because they knew they were a much better team and no matter what the Cavs threw at them they could handle it. Maybe because they knew this was series wrapped up in a bag at tip off of game 1. I have no problem with how the Spurs played. They won easily and without being pushed to a higher level of play. They did what they needed to do to sweep Cleveland out of the finals. They probably could have done it blind folded.

My question is why did Cleveland play like they didn't care? Was it enough to make it to the finals in the first time in 40 years or whatever it was? I don't know. But, this is the NBA finals. Wake up and play like you care. Show some hustle, show some intensity. There was no fire in the team, no desperation in any game, especially game 4 at home, down 0-3. You would have never seen such a lack of emotion in a NCAA tournament game. I was rather disappointed in the Cavs.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Is any one else sick of seeing Eva Longoria?

Is any one else sick of seeing Eva Longoria. Look its Eva taking pictures, Eva talking to her friend, Eva cheering for her man Tony, Eva picking her nose. I am watching the NBA finals, so quit showing her. Each game she was shown at least 10 times. That's more than they showed coach Mike Brown. Nothing against her. I'm not watching some housewives show, I want to watch basketball.

It kind of reminds me of watching a Laker game. This drives me nuts... several times during the game they do a celeb star search of the crowd and show all the famous actors and actresses in the arena watching the game. Do I care if Jack Nichols0n is watching the game too? Not really.

I know Tony Parker and Eva Longoria are getting married but let's just watch the game. One or two camera shots is plenty.

Friday, June 15, 2007

2007 NBA Draft

2007 NBA Draft

2007 NBA Draft Lottery - May 22, 2007
2007 NBA Draft - June 28, 2007

NBA Draft 2007 Predictions:

updated 6/28/07

1. Portland TrailBlazers - Greg Oden 7-0 Ohio State
A coveted athletic big man that looks like he is 28 years old. Have you see him dunk? He will be a dominant player in the NBA. Excellent defender. Needs to work on offensive moves and jump shot.

2. Seattle SuperSonics - Kevin Durant 6-10 Texas
Tracy McGrady but better... we will see. He is smooth and does it all. He will definitely be an excellent player with huge potential. Needs to work on his strength.


3. Atlanta Hawks - Yi Jian Lian 7-0 China
He continues to impress and move up in the draft. I don't think the Hawks can afford to take another decent small forward. They need a game changer and Yi might be the man.


4. Memphis Grizzlies - Al Horford 6-10 Florida
Athletic power forward. Plays alot like Elton Brand. Quick for a big man. Needs to work on offensive moves.


5. Boston Celtics - Brandan Wright 6-9 North Carolina
Extremely athletic big man with huge wingspan. Not a great shooter, but excellent on the break and around the basket. 7-4 wingspan.

6. Milwaukee Bucks- Mike Conley Jr. 6-1 Ohio State
Lightning quick point guard that can shoot. The best point guard in the draft.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Corey Brewer 6-9 Florida
Plays hard nose in your face defense. Good offensive player.

8. Charlotte Bobcats - Joakim Noah 6-11 Florida
A difference maker. Passion and energy but wheres the jump shot?

9. Chicago Bulls - Jeff Green 6-9 Georgetown

10. Sacramento Kings - Julian Wright 6-8 Kansas

11. Atlanta Hawks - Acie Law 6-3 Texas A&M
The Playoffs have shown how important a point guard is and he has the basketball IQ and desire to potentially be a good one. Atlanta may settle for the second best point and hope he is still around.

12. Philadelphia 76ers - Spencer Hawes 7-0 Washington

13. New Orleans Hornets - Al Thornton 6-7 Florida St

14. Los Angeles Clippers - Nick Young 6-6 USC

15. Detroit Pistons - Rodney Stuckey 6-4 Eastern Washington

A relatively unknown point guard. Could be dynamite.

16. Washington Wizards - Josh McRoberts 6-11 Duke
He needs to show some emotion and toughness. He keeps dropping.


17. New Jersey Nets - Jason Smith 7-0 Colorado St

Very athletic big man. Good shooter. Needs to work on toughness because he tends to get taken out of his game by physical defenders.

18. Golden State Warriors - Javaris Crittenton 6-5 Georgia Tech


19. Los Angeles Lakers - Daequan Cook 6-5 Ohio State


20. Miami Heat - Thaddeus Young 6-8 Georgia Tech

21. Philadelphia 76ers - Rudy Fernandez 6-6 Spain

22. Charlotte Bobcats - Nick Fazekas 6-11 Nevada

Solid big man. Can shoot outside. Might not be athletic enough


23. New York Knicks - Derrick Byars 6-7 Vanderbilt


24. Phoenix Suns - Aaron Afflalo 6-5 UCLA
He reminds me of Brandon Roy, why isn't he getting mentioned higher?


25. Utah Jazz - Marco Belinelli 6-5 Italy
The Jazz need a shooter and he is a bomber.


26. Houston Rockets - Tiago Splitter 6-11 Spain

Is he ever going to enter the draft. He has been on this list all of the last 5 years.

27. Detroit Pistons - Marcus Williams 6-7 Arizona


28. San Antonio Spurs -Jared Dudley 6-7 Boston College

29. Phoenix Suns - Aaron Gray 7-1 Pittsburgh
A decent big man. Nice moves, but a little slow.

30. Philadelphia 76ers - Morris Almond 6-6 Rice

31. Seattle SuperSonics - Taurean Green 6-0 Florida

32. Boston Celtics - DeVon Hardin 6-11 California

33. San Antonio Spurs - Dominic McGuire 6-9 Fresno State

more to come...

2007 NBA Playoff Awards

The 2007 NBA playoffs are finally over. The Spurs won their fourth title in nine years. Although not the most exciting playoffs this year did teach us new things like, team-ball is back in style with the Spurs, the Jazz and the Pistons all made it to the final four team. No run-n-gun and no superstar-centered teams made late runs except for the Cavs. Here is the playoff hardware:

Best Team - San Antonio Spurs

Playoff MVP - Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

Most Improved - Deron Williams, Utah Jazz

Rookie of the Year - Daniel Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers

Best Play - Baron Davis dunk over Andrei Kirilenko. Sorry AK.

Best Performance - LeBron James puts up 48 over Detroit in game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. He scores 25 in a row and 29 of the Cavs final 30 points.

Best Moment - The Golden State Warriors shock the 67 regular season win Dallas Mavericks and upset them in the first round.

Most Memorable Event - Derek Fisher enters the Utah arena half way through the 3rd quarter to a standing ovation and immediately is sent into the game by Jerry Sloan. He flew home from serious eye surgery of his daughter.


Thursday, June 14, 2007

The Spurs win titles in odd years

The Spurs win championships in odd years. 1999, 2003, 2005 and now soon to be 2007. They won it in the shortened season 1999. The Lakers won the next 3 titles. In 2003 the Spurs were back and won the title again. The Lakers again beat the Spurs in 2004 to stop a repeat for the second time, but only to be beat by Detroit in the finals. Spurs did it again 2005 and now are on the doorstep again in 2007. Take a break next year and we will see you again in 2009. Yeah right.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Did LeBron James airball a free throw?

Did you see what I think I saw? Did LeBron really air ball a free throw? How embarrassing. I hate that. I remember the one time I air balled a free throw it goes clear back to the Junior High School team. It was at home and it went silent in the crowd. There was no way I was going to miss the second one. I hit it, but did not make up for the air ball embarrassment. That's what LeBron did as well, hit his next one and made an impressive dunk the next time down to get a little feeling back.

Tony Parker for MVP

Tony Parker deserves the Finals MVP. He has been the most outstanding Spur during the playoffs. Time and time again he is killing teams with the final dagger. His outside shot has been on. He is lightning quick. How he makes some of those layups, I don't know. Duncan has been good, but not dominant. Parker deserves the award.

NBA Finals - game 3

It is all but over. Cleveland has shown come back ability against Detroit down 0-2, and last year against Detroit. But being down 0-3 is practically impossible, especially to the Spurs. The Cavs will be lucky to get one game. The Spurs are too good. The San Antonio crowd will not see another game.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Shawn Marion going to Boston?

Shawn Marion is vital to the Phoenix Suns. However, his contact expires next year and this upcoming summer he can opt out of his contract. The Suns might not be able to afford him with their current roster. Rumors have been circulating that the Suns might deal the Matrix to Boston or Detroit. Good news for the East, bad for Phoenix. The Suns need him. They have a limited window of opportunity to win the finals.

NBA

I love the NBA! It is the best. The NBA finals are coming to a close. The NBA draft is coming up.