Harrison Barnes and John Henson

When North Carolina received a commitment from #1 High Schooler Harrison Barnes I began to envision what the Tar Heels might look like next year.  I know it's early and there's a whole season left to be played but in the world of basketball prospects it's never too early to look ahead.

The 2010/11 Tar Heel Roster could be one of the best in the history of college basketball if the underclassmen stay in school but more than likely at least one will turn pro.  Sophomore forward Ed Davis projects as a lottery pick this year and will likely be playing in the NBA next Fall.  But even if he goes pro and the talk of greatest college roster ever never gets off the ground UNC will still be loaded.  

Assuming Freshmen forward John Henson returns for a second run, he will team with Harrison Barnes on a team that could feature the #1 and #2 selections in the 2011 draft.  They would be the most dynamic duo in the land next year and as team first type players they would make the Tar Heels very tough to beat.  And that's what make's this story just a little more interesting.  

So often these future NBA stars have huge attitude problems and play selfish ball.  They are often immature and misguided by all the praise that gets heaped upon them.  But both Barnes and Henson are humble, down to earth, focused, team first players who elevate others to their level instead of hogging the spotlight.  These two players on the same NBA team would be a dream come true.  These two players on the same college team might just prove to be unstoppable.  

There's a long and hopefully exciting season still to play but I'm already getting excited about next year.

Daniel Orton, The Next Coming

It's not often that a player scores just one point, fouls out in 9 minutes of play and yet leaves NBA scouts drooling at his potential for greatness. But amid the hype and hoopla of the Kentucky vs. UConn matchup and beneath all the headlines about the greatness of John Wall and the tenacity of Kemba Walker another NBA prospect was quietly on display. And yeah, he scored only one point and often looked a little behind the speed of the game but Kentucky Freshmen Daniel Orton remains a physical specimen unmatched in college ball and scouts have noticed.

At 6 feet 10 inches tall Orton is a broad shouldered, thick and strong power forward with very good quickness and leaping ability. He has the potential to overpower opponents on the block and is a force on the defensive end. But the thing that separates Orton from some of the other young big men (including teammate DeMarcus Cousins) is his dedication to improving every aspect of his game. He has a quiet demeanor and a focus on playing the game right. He has the work ethic to take his great natural ability to the next level and become a dominant big man in college and in the NBA.

For this year he has the luxury of hiding in the shadows of the other big name players on the UK team but as the season progresses expect the name Daniel Orton to begin falling from the lips of the commentators, scouts and basketball gurus. And by June 2011 expect the name Daniel Orton to be called very early on draft day.

Freshmen Finding Their Way

With the first few games of their college careers under their belts the Freshmen class has impressed.  Top prospect John Wall has shown the elite athleticism we expected and has already hit a game winning shot.  He remains a sure bet to go #1 in June.  Fellow Kentucky Wildcat DeMarcus Cousins has held his own.  He put up big numbers against lowly Sam Houston State, dominating with his size and strength but his attitude and mental make up remain a step behind his physical prowess.  He's still projected as a lottery pick on my board due to his vast potential but there are serious questions about him reaching that potential.

Shooting Guard Xavier Henry broke out for 27 points in his first game and despite coming back down to earth recently looks like a top ten pick in the making.  His deadeye shooting and superior strength make him a matchup nightmare and his understanding and feel for the game make up for his lack of elite speed.

Carolina youngster John Henson is having trouble getting off of the bench for the Tar Heels but still has all the potential in the world.  He may have to stay in school for two years to fully show off his skills but the NBA draft is all about upside and Henson's ceiling is very high.  In the few minutes he's gotten he has show nice fluid athletic ability, moving around the court effortlessly and he seems focused and determined to play the game the right way.  His strength is lacking and he has yet to discover his role but I remain high on him and would not be surprised if he's a one and done lottery pick come June.

I have yet to see Derrick Favors in action for Georgia Tech but his stat lines have been good and his athletic ability remains off the charts.  More on Favors once I have a chance to study his game further.

Texas combo guard Avery Bradley is off to a slow start but like the other top prospects on this list, it's all about upside.  If he can become a point guard he''ll be a lottery pick.  If he remains a tweener he's a later first round pick.  Despite the slow start I remain high on Bradley due to his elite athletic ability, tenacious defense and explosiveness to the rim.  Like Henson, two years of school would be good for him but he'll be a high pick whenever he decides to go pro.

Another freshman off to a slow start is Kansas State forward Wally Judge.  He is still finding his role on the team and should settle in and have the game slow down for him as the season progresses.  I have yet to see him in action this year so I'll withhold further judgement.

A freshman who is just starting to explode onto the national scene (thanks to the reporting of NBADraft.Net) is Minnesota SF Rodney Williams Jr.  He is a superior athlete and a  great dunker who loves to finish at the rim.  His athletic ability alone will make him a high draft pick but if he can round out his game, develop his outside shot, ball handling, passing and defense he would project as a lottery pick down the road.

With only a few games under their belts this freshmen class has displayed all the athletic ability we expected but for some it has been a rough transition to college ball.  It's a long season and I expect that the players who are off to a slow start will find their footing and step up their game as the season goes on.  And for some, like John Wall and Derrick Favors the NCAA will simply be their playground until they're eligible for the NBA.

NCAA athletes getting paid, NBA's age discrimination

Kentucky point guard John Wall was cleared by the NCAA to play this season.  He'll have to sit out for the first two games and repay some $800 in travel expenses but he'll be the starting PG for the wildcats before long and should be a regular feature on Sports Centers' Top Plays.


But within this story are two larger questions about compensation for NCAA athletes and age limits in professional sports.  These young men generate millions of dollars for their universities yet can't even accept a free meal or plane ticket from coaches, agents, boosters, supporters, shoe reps, etc.  Players like John Wall have the talent to make a difference in the NBA and yet, even in this "Land of the Free" they are banned from their chosen profession by the recent reintroduction of archaic rules based on age discrimination.  Old enough to work in any other profession, old enough to fight and die for their country, old enough to work in bars, clubs and adult entertainment, old enough to be sentenced as adults for breaking the law but not old enough to play professional basketball?


This question was raised last year when then high school junior Jeremy Tyler passed on the rest of his high school and college career to play professionally in Europe.  Now we have the best basketball player not in the NBA, John Wall, getting slapped on the wrist and suspended for a few hundred dollars in benefits, which unfortunately is just the tip of the iceberg.


Within basketball circles it is known and understood that star athletes get more than just special treatment and recognition.  Payments of various types are used to lure players to one university or another.  They mostly go unnoticed or unreported but that doesn't mean it's not happening.  Do you think O.J Mayo was broke while attending USC?  On the same note, will Renardo Sidney ever play for Mississippi State or did he take too much money?


Solution:


While I do not think that NCAA athletes should be paid (besides perhaps a small stipend) I think the NBA should ease it's age limits to allow high school graduates or players over 18 years of age to enter the draft and join the professional ranks.  This will have it's negative consequences as we've seen before, such as average players declaring for the draft, going undrafted and losing their NCAA eligibility, high school stars neglecting their studies, college ball losing out on some star players and NBA scouts forced to make tougher decisions about drafting young players but at least it will be fair and consistent with the tenants of this free country. 


Age discrimination gets little attention compared to all the other issues out there but it is an issue all the same.  Not only do athletes have a limited window of opportunity to make a career out of their talents but they have, just like everyone else in this country, a right to earn a living within the confines of the law.  

"David Stern, tear down that wall and let John Wall play"

2009/2010 NBA Season Thoughts and Predictions

On the eve of the new NBA season here are a few thoughts and  predictions.

Break out player of the year:  Anthony Morrow, Golden State Warriors.  One of the best shooters in the world, Morrow will have a permanent green light from Nellie.


Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin.  Hum, hard choice.


Under the Radar Rookies:  Gerald Henderson, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson, Ty Lawson.


How sweet will it be to see a Cavs vs. Lakers Finals?  Lebron vs Kobe, Shaq facing his old teammates/nemesis.


MVP:  Bronbron


Sixth Man of the Year:  Who cares.

Worst NBA Team:  Timberwolves.  Flynn will add some excitement, Jefferson is a beast, Brewer is starting to come into his own but the T-Wolves will still be atrocious.  With Kevin Love out for the first part of the season and Ricky Rubio hiding out overseas, the Wolves will struggle to reach 15 wins.  Question:  If they are drafting #1 next year will they take John Wall and trade Flynn or Rubio?  Question #2:  How much longer can Minnesota support an NBA franchise?


Other thoughts:  Greg Oden will have a breakout year, as will Mo Speights.  Gilbert Arenas will not be the same, nor will Elton Brand.  NBA analysts will talk and talk and talk so much about the Summer of 2010 free agents that they'll loose track of who's actually playing this year.


It all tips off tomorrow!

Wally Judge - Sentenced to Greatness

A 6,9 combo forward who enters Kansas State as the highest profile recruit since Michael Beasely, Wally Judge seems to be flying under the radar when it comes to his NBA draft prospects. Judge is a great athlete, able to run out on the break and finish above the rim. His running and leaping ability have scouts drooling and he also possesses a nice set of basketball skills. He has good form on his jump shot which should allow him to improve his consistency from long range and good court awareness. Has college three point range and should be able to stretch out to NBA three point range with a little more work. Has good defensive potential due to his physical attributes and feel for the game.

While some of the other 6,9 forwards in this freshman class use their physical ability to dominate on the block, Judge plays a multifaceted game, floating around the perimeter, slashing to the rim and raising up for jump shots. A natural basketball player who seems to have all the makings of an elite combo forward at the next level, look for Judge to be a one and done player and a potential lottery pick in 2010.  NBA player comparison: Marvin Williams/Scottie Pippen

The New New Jersey Nets

12/10/09 addition:  ouch!  The Nets have gotten off to a horrible start and have been anything but exciting.  They are a very young team and the loss of star point guard Devon Harris for a few weeks hurt a lot.  But still...... ouch!  I got this one wrong.....so far.


begin original article:


A few years ago the aging Jason Kidd, the disgruntled Vince Carter and the inconsistent Richard Jefferson formed the nucleus of a promising but enigmatic Nets team. In reality, those Nets were a playoff team at best but had no real chance of winning a championship. So management tore the team apart, trading Kidd, Jefferson and most recently Carter.

Trading star players for young prospects is risky business, often leading to regret for the fans and unemployment for the GM but in this case the Nets leadership got it right! President Rob Thorn and GM Kiki Vandeweghe have put together a group of young athletic players who should gel into a formidable team in the years to come.

Devin Harris, acquired in the Kidd trade is the star. A point guard who controls all aspects of the game, scoring, passing, defense and leadership. Then the Nets have a trio of young wing players all hoping to earn minutes and recognition. The recently added Courtney Lee (Carter trade) showed flashes of brilliance towards the end of last season and in the playoffs. A classic two guard with all the skill and athletic ability of a future NBA All Star.

At the small forward position rookie Terrence Williams will battle Chris Douglas-Roberts for minutes. These players should complement each other nicely and bring a ton of energy to the defense and transition games. Also battling for minutes at the 3 and 4 is Yi Jianlian, a crafty offensive player who needs to man up and learn to battle in the trenches.

The Nets are not as loaded up front but have some nice prospects in Brook Lopez and the talented but often troubled Sean Williams. Lopez could be an All Star center for the next decade but adding a true back to the basket threat at the power forward position would open space for the young guards and solidify the Nets rebounding and defense which, as we all know, "wins championships".

So look for the Nets to build around their new young nucleus of guards and wing players and look for a lot of excitement in New Jersey (or Brooklyn) for years to come. I never thought I'd be saying this but..... I can't wait to see the Nets play!

The Up and Comers

The 2010 NBA Draft could be loaded with talent if the underclassmen declare, or extremely weak if the youngsters stay in school. Here's an updated list of top prospects for 2010:

1 John Wall PG

2 Donatas Motiejunas PF

3 Derrick Favors PF

4 John Henson PF (pictured to the right)

5 Greg Monroe PF/C

6 Willie Warren G

6 Cole Aldrich C

7 Ed Davis PF

8 Avery Bradley PG

9 Craig Brackens PF

10 Xavier Henry SG

11 DeMarcus Cousins PF

12 Al-Farouq Aminu F

13 Devin Ebanks SF

14 Larry Sanders PF

15 Kemba Walker PG

The Freshman Class holds the key. John Wall looks like the clear cut number 1 pick. But the rest of the lottery could be full of one and done players including Favors, Henson, Bradley and Henry. A few of these names would be in the NBA right now if not for the NBA's age limits but this one year of school will be good for them.

Henson will have some time to develop his body to go along with his advanced game (think of a bigger Lamar Odom). Favors will gain an understanding of the right way to play b-ball going against the likes of UNC and Duke. Bradley will still be the best athlete on the floor but will be forced to develop his game in the tough Big 12. And Henry should step in and shine for the Jayhawks.

These underclassmen should bring lots of excitement to college ball and if they declare for the 2010 draft the teams picking in the lottery will be excited as well.

The Young Warriors, look out!

Anyone paying attention to this years Summer League action knows that the young players on the Golden State Warriors have serious game. Last year we saw the emergence of Anthony Morrow as a shooting star and the globs of potential packed into the 6,10 frame of Anthony Randolph. This summer those two have taken their game to new heights, dominating their opponents, albeit only rookies and select veterans.

Randolph led the Summer League with 26 points a game average, including a 42 point performance while Morrow tossed in a record 47 points in his final game of Summer League.

Add in the controlled play and deadly shooting of rookie Stephon Curry and this group of young Warriors looks ready to make a big difference in the regular season.

Curry will be paired with returning young star Monta Ellis in the backcourt while the front court is also loaded with young talent including center Andris Biedrins and Brandan Wright (who might finally be ready to emerge). Throw in returning vets Cory Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Marco Belinelli and Ronny Turiaf and the Warriors look poised for a breakout year.

Whether the Warriors will make the playoffs in the tough Western Conference remains to be seen but these things we do know: the Warriors will score, they will struggle on defense, their young talent is the envy of almost every team this side of Oklahoma City. I can't wait to watch this team run!

The Young 76ers, playoff bound

19 year old Jrue Holiday will have a rough wake up call when the NBA season begins. Assuming the 6ers sign a veteran point guard Holiday will likely spend much of the season on the bench, playing garbage minutes at the end of games and waving a towel when his teammates score. But Holiday is not the only young 76er hoping to contribute to the team next year.

Mo Speights, the 6,10 second year Power Forward from Florida is ready to make an impact. His offensive game is smooth and effective and he seems to have taken a page out of Tim Duncans playbook with his soft jump shot and effective post moves.

Thad Young is a star in the making. He showed in his second season that he not only belongs in the NBA but has an extremely bright future. And let me ask you this: Given what you know today would you rather draft Greg Oden or Thad Young?

7 foot center Jason Smith was injured last year but is getting back to full speed and will be ready to step in when starting center Sam Dalembert commits his third foul in the first quarter and is left to earn his millions on the bench. The 6ers are trying their best to trade Dalembert but will not likely find a taker. Either way, look for Jason Smith to find valuable minutes and contribute much to the team.

Louis Williams is due for a break out year. Drafted out of high school and relegated to the bench for the early part of his career Williams now has a chance for major minutes and needs to show that he's ready to handle the pressure. He's a streaky shooter and is at his best taking the ball to the rim and drawing fouls. This season should show us if Williams is a star in the making or a pure athlete struggling to learn the nuances of the game of basketball.

With Andre Iggy, Elton Brand returning and the likely addition of a veteran point guard the 76ers should ride a nice mix of veterans and youngsters into the playoffs again this coming season.

The Young Kings, not enough

The Kings drafted much needed outside help when they selected Tyreke Evans with the #4 pick. Evans has the ability to get into the lane, set up his teammates and bring the ball up the court. Look for veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin to benefit from the attention that the rookie will draw when he has the ball in his hands.

It remains to be seen whether or not Evans can really play the point guard position in the NBA but I think he'll get a long look at that position. He showed in his one season at Memphis that he is at his best with the ball in his hands and has a natural passing ability and superb handle. His length will make him a match up nightmare for opposing teams both on offense and defense.

Young big men Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes should benefit as well with Evans dishing the ball in the lane and drawing attention on the perimeter. The offseason addition of Sergio Rodriquez and late first rounder Omri Cassipi provide an extra glimmer of hope in dreary Sacramento.

Look for the Kings to struggle for wins in the 09/10 season. Look for them to trade either or both of Kevin Martin and/or Andres Nocioni and look for the ping pong balls to bounce in their favor next May. Tyreke Evans is a nice building block for the Kings but they are a few young star players away from being considered up and coming contenders. Next years draft will be key to the success of this franchise.

The 2010 Prospects

It's never (ever, ever) too early to take a look at next years crop of NBA prospects. Unlike this year which was dominated by guards, next year is all about the bigs. Lets assume the same teams are in the lottery next year. Here's what it might look like.

1 Kings - John Wall, PG

2 Wizards - Greg Monroe, PF

3 Clippers - Donatas Motiejunas, PF

4 Thunder - Ed Davis, PF

5 T-Wolves - Derrick Favors, PF

6 Grizzlies - Cole Aldrich, C

7 Warriors - Al-Farouq Aminu, SF

8 Knicks - Willie Warren, PG/SG

9 Raptors - Craig Brackens, PF

10 Bucks - Xavier Henry, SG

11 Nets - John Henson, SF/PF

12 Bobcats - Deven Ebanks, SF

13 Pacers - Kemba Walker, PG

14 Suns - Paul George, SF

Of course the final standings will be different, new top prospects will emerge over the course of the NCAA season but given what we know today look for power forwards, not point guards to dominate next years lottery.

Thoughts on the Draft

Now that I'm all caught up on the results of the draft and the many trades that took place, here are some random thoughts:

The New Jersey Nets did well to dump the enigmatic and disgruntled Vince Carter in exchange for promising prospect Courtney Lee. Lee showed in the playoffs that he not only belongs in the NBA but could be an All Star for years to come. Meanwhile Carter is on the downside of his career and takes a lot of salary cap space.

The Warriors will be fun to watch. I'm not convinced yet that Stephon Curry will be an NBA star but it will still be fun to watch the Fun N Gun Warriors hoist reckless three pointers and score in the 120's.

Ricky Rubio is not likely to play in a T-Wolves uniform. I believe that the Knicks or some other big market team will pony up and give the Wolves a package of young players, cash and draft picks for the young Spaniard. With Jonny Flynn ready to run the point it would be good for the Wolves to let Rubio go. Speaking of Flynn, I think he could be the second best player out of this draft.

Speaking of the Knicks, they did well to bolster their frontline in preparation for making a run at some big time free agents next Summer. The presence of Jordan Hill under that basket will make it much more desirable for LeBron or D Wade to move to New York.

In what is supposedly a weak draft class I believe that there will be number of second round picks that not only enjoy long NBA careers but might even be starters and perhaps All Stars for years to come. Pendergraph is solid, Cunningham could develop into a poor mans Scottie Pippen, Blair could be starter for the Spurs very soon and Sam Young could be a steal along the lines of Josh Howard. Other second round players that I think will succeed are: Sergio Llull, Jonas Jerbko and Goran Suton.

Jrue Holiday falling to my beloved 76ers could be the steal of the draft. He's young, inexperienced and a bit of a tweener but his upside is high and the 19 year old could be a solid starter and a household name by the time he turns 22. The big question is: can he really play the point in the NBA?

Harden is a good fit for the OKC Thunder. He's a team first player who will help Westbrook and Durant find their shots. He might be the gel that this young team needs to finally come together and win some basketball games.

Finally, Tyler Hansbrough will have a decent NBA career but should have been drafted in the 20's, not at number 13. More comments to come later, thanks for reading.

Oh the agony

When I scheduled this backpacking trip 6 months ago I completely forgot that the NBA draft was this same week. Now I'll have to wait until next weekend to find out the results. Ahhhh,

"If we took a (Jrue) Holiday, come on, let's celebrate"

Unusual to reference a Madonna song on an NBA Draft site but hey, it happens. And which ever team selects Jrue Holiday might just have reason to celebrate. Holiday had a forgettable collage career. One season, few highlights and lots of mistakes. But in his last few games he showed a glimpse of something more. A flash of potential, like a lightbulb finally went off in his head and the game slowed down and became easy again.

It's tempting to compare Holiday to last years surprise rookie Russell Westbrook but that's taking it too far. At 6,4 Holiday has exceptional size for a point guard prospect and his strength and athleticism give him enough size to match up with NBA 2's. Physically he is built along the lines of Rodney Stuckey, Randy Foye, Billups and the above mentioned Westbrook.

The lingering questions about his passion and his feel for the game will fade come draft day. Some GM in the top 15 picks will envision Holiday as a future star and pick him. And if he works hard and studies hard Holiday will come around and give his city reason to celebrate.

The Problem with Power Forwards

There's no doubt that the top prospect in the 2009 draft is power forward Blake Griffin. He is a can't miss, sure fire future All Star. A soon to be household name, league icon and nightly highlight machine, he has a chance to lift the woebegone Clippers into the leagues elite. He has a chance to make the other L.A. team relevant (again?).

But don't look for Blake Griffin or the Clippers to be hanging any Championship banners in the near future. The hard truth is Power Forwards don't lead their teams to Championships. Yes, last year Kevin Garnett won with Boston and even though Paul Pierce won the MVP it was Garnetts intensity that carried Boston. And many other power forwards have played (obviously) meaningful roles on their teams.

But looking beyond last year we see a trend. The Spurs won four Championships without a power forward to speak of. Miami won with Shaq and Wade. Detroit Had the Wallaces manning the post but that was Chauncey Billups team. The Lakers with Shaq and Kobe, the Bulls with Michael, the Rockets with Hakeem all won without a power forward to speak of.

In the 80's the Pistons were led by number 11 and the Lakers were led by Magic and K.A.J. The Celtics had McHale but it was Larry Legend who led them to glory. In 83 the 76ers won with Dr. J leading the way.

I can hardly imagine a scenario where Blake Griffin is not an All Star for the next decade.

But it is equally hard to imagine him (or the Clippers for that matter) winning it all. NBA Championships belong to dominant centers and superstar guards. Not Power Forwards.

Don't believe me? Go ask Karl Malone....

Clippers Win! Clippers Win

The Clippers..... win?

Could this be possible?

If Blake Griffin turns about to be a stud power forward we could be seeing the rise of a new Western Conference power. The Clips will need a good young point guard and more depth in the middle but with Gordan, Thornton, Griffin and Kamen they're heading in the right direction, finally.

This draft is loaded with point guards so they might be able to swing a trade and move into the late first round and pick up a second draft pick this year. This good be real good Clipper fans. Keep your fingers crossed.

NBA Draft Lottery tonight!!!!!!!

It was a long long season for many lowly NBA franchises. Struggling for wins, struggling to fill the seats and to maintain relevance in a crowded sports market.

And it was a long long season for the diehard fans of these lowly franchises. The good people of Sacramento, cheering for those hapless Kings, are waiting.... Those 'against the grain' Clippers fans are waiting and the weary Wizard fans are waiting.

All waiting for tonight when the envelopes are opened one by one and each lottery bound franchise learns their fate, their future. Tonight we find out the likely destination of Blake Griffin, the assumed number one pick. Tonight, when viewed from the distance of ten years, will be the night when fortunes are won and lost.

Will there be a surprise in the top three picks. Will the ping pong balls in this lottery dance in favor of the lowest, lamest franchises or will there be some unsets. Tonight I'll be watching as will Blake Griffin and soon we'll all know which teams have won and lost.

Who will fate favor? Who will chance reward? In about ten hours we find out!

Chase(d) out of the Lottery

In this latest less than scientific poll Chase Budinger is denied a spot in the top 15 picks of the draft. 69% of respondents think Chase Budweiser will fall to the second half of the first round and i couldn't agree more.

To put it bluntly, I think his game is lame. He has average athleticism, slow lateral movement and an average jump shot. Physically he can hold his own. He's well built with good size on the wing but lacks explosiveness and basketball sense. His timing and feel for the game could develop in time but his skills are a dime a dozen and I think there's many other prospects who rank higher.

I currently have him going in the low twenties in my mock draft (see upper right corner of page) and wouldn't be surprised to see him fall to the end of the first round. He reminds me a bit of Luke Walton but with a little more athleticism but lacking the great feel for the game that Walton has.

No Love for Tyler Hansbrough

The voters have spoken and less than 50% percent think Psycho T. will be a first round pick. But I disagree.

I don't think Hansbrough has a whole lot of upside but some team will fall in love with his intensity, hustle and emerging mid range game enough to make him a late first rounder. And he could really bring a lot of value to a team.

Despite his limited size and athleticism Hansbrough has developed a nice mid range jump shot and will hustle every second of his NBA career. I think he's a rich mans Mark Madson or a poor mans Shane Battier. Which ever team gets him will get instant intensity, a spark of passion off the bench and a new fan favorite.

And all the teams playing against him will have him getting under their skin like only an overzealous defender can. So look for Hansbrough to be picked in the mid 20's and have a solid, if unspectacular NBA career.

Vote in our current poll. Will Chase Budinger be a top 15 pick?

Up against John Wall

Incoming Freshman point guard John Wall is known for his sound decision making. With his extreme athleticism he could take the ball to the rim at will but he chooses to play within the offense and get his teammates involved. This combination of natural ability and understanding of the game will make Wall a top three pick in the 2010 draft if he decides to enter but first he has some other decisions to make.

With most of the top schools in the country recruiting him for years you'd think he'd have his list narrowed down a bit by now. I can only imagine the agents, recruiters, boosters and coaches clamoring to land this prize baller. And now with Summer approaching it's time for John Wall to make a decision. Choose a school, sign the letter of intent and move on.

And in the upcoming 14 months or so, the time before the 2010 draft, Wall will have a number of other important decisions to make. Last week Wall was busted by police for breaking and entering an abandoned house. Harmless, childish fun no doubt but so so foolish for a person with his bright future. During the next 14 months John Wall will be approached by many people with less than altruistic intentions and it will be the decisions he makes off of the basketball court that will land him a spot at the top of next years draft or land him in more trouble.

I think he'll make good on his athletic promise and shine in his one year of college ball, wherever that may be.

76ers Off-Season of Questions

The one thing the Philadelphia 76ers could count on every game was steady but unspectacular play from point guard Andre Miller. A low turnover, methodical floor general who could help win games just as easily as he could lull a baby (and the fans) to sleep. Now Miller is a free agent and the 76ers fans might be getting a wake-up call.

Could philly be in the running for Ben Gordan, a poler opposite of Miller? Or will they look to the draft which is loaded with point guards. Personally I think they'll draft one of the following players: Eric Maynor, Ty Lawson, Jonny Flynn or Jeff Teague. All four players would be a good fit in Philly and 76ers fans would finally get a splash of excitement from the point guard position.

Another player who could be on his way out is center Samual Dalembert. After asking for a

trade a few months ago Sammy D. could finally get his wish. Center Jason Smith, who missed all of last season with a knee injury will be back and second year man Mo Speights will be ready for more minutes. Throw in the fact that Elton Brand will be back from injury, Thad Young is in the house, and Dalembert seems expendable.

Could they resign Andre Miller? Maybe, but my feeling is there will be new blood in Philly soon. Likely a new coach, a new point guard and new center. Evan if they take a step back it should at least be exciting again.

The Highs and Lows of Renardo Sidney

Now officially a Mississippi State Bulldog, Renardo Sidney enters the most crucial year of his young life. At 6 foot 10 inches tall, about 270 pounds, with a world of talent Sidney could lock up a spot in the 2010 lottery with one year of hard work, no off the court distractions and a little on the court success. Or he could party it up in college, gain too much weight and expose his immaturity to the point where no NBA team would draft him in the first round. Millions of dollars or fade into obscurity, all in the course of one year.

What makes Renardo so intriguing is the immense skill he has for a man(child) his size. He can pull up from 18 feet or dribble-drive and dish. He can post up, rebound and outlet pass with the best of them but does he win? His attitude has long been questioned and even his body language on the court raises question marks. Sidney is a boom or bust type player. A future dominant big man or a ballooning overweight, lazy, uncommitted afterthought.

By this time next year we should have our answer.

How Good Can Blake Griffin Be?

The next Karl Malone or the next Joe Smith?

Which ever team wins the NBA's draft lottery on May 19th will likely be selecting the rugged power forward from Oklahoma, Blake Griffin. After dominating the big 12 conference for two seasons Griffin will look to elevate whichever lowly NBA franchise picks him in June . But can he do it on his own. Is Griffin one of those players that can single-handedly carry a franchise or is he a number one overall pick more like Joe Smith or Andrew Bogut?

In short, my answer is neither. Griffin reminds me a lot of three players: Karl Malone, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer, all of whom are great players in their own right but none of whom single-handedly elevated their franchise. Of course Malone had a Hall of Fame career and helped his team to many playoff wins but not without John Stockton. Stoudemire is a beast on the block and will have many more chances to win it all but he's not alone (Steve Nash, Shaq, JRich and former Sun Shawn Marion). Carlos Boozer is a highly skilled forward but again not a player who can carry a team on his own.

So Griffin should be an All Star for years to come, enjoy a highly successful NBA career but he's not a game changer. Power forwards rarely are. Championships are won by dominant centers and superstar guards. Griffin will not be a bust like Joe Smith but he won't be hanging any championship banners any time soon either.

If given the choice I'd take last years number 1, Derrick Rose or next years (likely) number 1 John Wall over Blake Griffin.

A look back at the 2008 draft

Ranking the top 20 Players from the 2008 Draft

Hindsight is 20/20ish. Here's how I would rank the rookies after their first season. A few of these players have yet to see extended minutes such as Gillinari and Alexander but I'm ranking them based on my projection for their NBA future.

01 Derrick Rose

02 Russell Westbrook

03 OJ Mayo

04 Michael Beasley

05 Anthony Randolph

06 Brook Lopez

07 Eric Gordan

08 Brandon Rush

09 Marresse Speights

10 Kevin Love

11 Courtney Lee

12 Jason Thompson

13 DJ Augustine

14 Jerryd Bayless

15 Danilo Gallinari

16 Joe Alexander

17 Roy Hibbert

18 Nicolas Batum

19 Mario Chalmers

20 JaVale McGee

let me know what you think

Let's Speak about Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans is a bit of a man child. A long and well built 6,6 kid with a sick handle and decent athleticism. His basketball skills are unquestioned, except perhaps some grumblings about his outside shot but there's no doubt that he has big time ability.

The question for many GM's and Coaches is his maturity. I thought he played some heady games during March Madness, dishing the ball well, playing team basketball and providing his team with leadership, even as a Freshman but there's still questions. Will the money and the fame lead to a life of partying, staying out late and getting in trouble? Will the NBA spotlight cause him to shoot the ball whenever it's in his hands like the wayward Jamal Crawford? And what is his true position. Playing the point at Memphis he showed how he could control the offense and get to the lane but he might be tad slow to keep up with NBA lead guards.

I believe in drafting high upside players and Tyreke certainly has a lot of upside. I could see him going to the warriors and replacing Crawford there. Wherever he ends up he'll have a chance to become a big time NBA star, or a big time bust.

Words of Advice for Luke Harangody

A stout but nimble 6,7 forward, Harangody reminds me a bit of Anthony Mason but with a better jumper and a boring haircut. I think he's just testing the process and will return to school next year but if he does come out I could see him drafted near the top or middle of the second round. He's a bit of tweaner now but certainly has nice skills for a big guy and could have upside as a three pointer shooter in a few years.

but if i could offer you some advice Mr. Harangody:

Professional basketball is somewhere in your future but the future is not now. Go get your degree, get the national recognition you deserve in college ball and put off the draft until next year. Spend your entire year practicing jumpers, three pointers, NBA three pointers. If you become a deadeye three point shooter you're a first round pick. If not, probably second round. Good luck and sorry for dissing your haircut.

Hasheem Thabeet goes on.........

At 7 foot 3 inches tall it takes a lot of rhythm to perfect the art of basketball. This lengthy Tanzanian has lots of it and enough potential to warrant a top three selection in this years draft. Which ever squad gets Thabeet gets a top notch defender who will clog the lane and intimidate opponents like the recently retired Dikembe Mutombo. And he's not just a shot blocker. He has the quick feet and body control to play sound defense and has decent timing and understanding, which should only improve with time.

Offensively Thabeet is still developing but his shot is better than Odens, better than Mutombos, better than Shaqs and in a few years I see Thabeet shooting better than 70% percent from the line and stepping out to 15 feet and draining from mid range.

Now this won't happen overnight, or with lazy coaching but I think it will happen. If the decision were mine I'd take Thabeet over Rubio.

2009 Point Guard Class "DEEP"

Say your an NBA GM sitting there with the 10th pick in the draft and you need a point guard. You assume Rubio is gone, maybe do a little scouting on Jennings in case he falls on draft day but mainly your focused on a group of 3 slightly undersized college stars who should be sitting there when you pick: Ty Lawson (UNC) Jonny Flynn (Cuse) and Jeff Teague (Wake) and a small school player: Eric Maynor (VCU). Then you scout two Freshmen with true NBA bodies but questionable point guard skills: Tyreke Evans (Memphis) and Jrue Holiday (UCLA) and you're left with a tough decision.

Here's what I would do

History has shown that you go with the player with the most upside. They don't always pan out but when you look at Kobe going with the 13th pick, Al Jefferson 15th, Monta Ellis 40th and the list goes on, you see a pattern of young stars and superstars being picked later in the draft. Usually bypassed for the safer pick, the college star.

Of course you can point to the many failed "upside picks" as well so there are surely risks involved but to me it's a bigger risk letting the next Kobe Bryant slip by then it is taking an unproven player. One more obvious consideration is what situation your team is in. If they're a soon to be playoff team maybe the proven player makes sense, and visa versa. see below for more...

The Point Guard Prospects:

For a contending team Ty Lawson makes a lot of sense because he plays under control. With his speed and patience he controls the tempo. He has great strength and body control and rarely turns the ball over and he plays smart. His once questionable outside shot has improved at such a rapid rate that if jump shots could use steroids I'd be suspicious. Lawson is likely to be a starter and perhaps an all star for years to come. A safe pick.

Jonny Flynn is much the same as Lawson but more explosive to the rim and still developing his jump shot. A younger player with a decent amount of college experience. He could turn out to be a special player, maybe even Chris Paul (blush) but then again, we all had expectations for Eric Barkley as well....

Jeff Teague is another dynamic guard who can control a game. His scoring ability and explosiveness at the point guard position combined with a team first mentality are special. Is he the next Ben Gordan or the next Rajon Rondo?

Eric Maynor is a 6,3 point with great ball handling, decision making and flat out ability. He's harder to get a read on since he played against weaker competition most of his days but he's shown big play ability in big games. He reminds me of Sam Cassell; a constant thorn in the side of his opponents, just waiting to get that crucial steal or hit a big shot (2009 tourney aside)

Tyreke "the freak" Evans is a man child swooping by opponents with his length and sick handle. He's got an attitude the size of Bryant Reeves but he's also got the game to match his swagger. At 6,6 Evans handles the ball so deftly you'd think he was a ten year vet. His length, along with legitimate passing skills make him a potential star or even superstar in the NBA. Evans has a whole lot to learn but with his whole lot of ability I think he'll get picked early by a bad team that has a lot of learning time to go through. And I think he'll emerge as an All Star.

I have similar hopes for Jrue Holiday, a 6,4 combo guard. He played so poorly as a freshman that it's tough to even say but I think in 5 years Holiday will be a lead guard with more muscle, athleticism and height than most guards in the league. A taller Rajon Rondo or a poor mans Russell Westbrook. I think teams will pass on Jrue Holiday and look back years later and kick themselves.

There you have a slew of fine lead guard prospects (not to mention Stephon Curry, Darren Collison and Patrick Mills) all of whom are likely to play serious NBA ball. In a word, this point guard class is deep!

Can't wait to look back at this article in five years and see where I look stupid :)

High School Junior going Pro in Europe

Top Rated High School Junior Jeremy Tyler and his family have announced his decision to play professional ball in Europe next season. Rather than throw down dunks on 6,3 power forwards in San Diego, the 6,10 Tyler has opted to take his game to the next level where he'll face grown and grizzled men competing professionally.

By by-passing the usual routes (and ruffling many feathers in the process) Tyler, along with Brandon Jennings last year, has truly ushered in a new era of amateur basketball. The times when teenage basketball phenoms went unpaid are quickly ending and college basketball as we know it may be in jeopardy. Pressure is mounting on NBA decision makers to lift the ban on 18yr olds and on the NCAA to consider sharing revenue with the players and end the back room dealings.

Jeremy Tyler will not make a whole lot of money when he signs a pro contract in Europe but he will be able to sign endorsement deals including a likely shoe contract from one of the big companies. And he'll get to face real competition, improve his game and learn a ton about basketball, business and life.

In 2009 the annual questions about professional eligibility resurface, this time with a potentially game changing twist.

Stephon Curry upside?

We all know about the shooting prowess of Davidsons 6,1 guard Stephon Curry. The question is: can he get his shot off against NBA defenses? Some mocks i've seen have Curry going in the top 10 while others have him barely sneaking into the first round. In my mock I have him dropping into the twenties. Of course we are still waiting to hear official word that he's coming out this year.

I question his athleticism and also whether he is a true point guard. Seeing the failure of JJ Reddick gives me further reason to doubt the NBA potential of Curry.

With that said, I'm a big fan of Curry and hope he develops into an NBA star. It has been a joy to watch him on the college level and i hope for more highlights to come in the NBA. Please post your comments below and let me know what you think.

Ricky Rubio Declares

Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has reportedly declared for the 2009 NBA draft. Rubio is the most hyped European player in years and the 18 year old is likely to be picked in the top three picks.

While I've never seen Rubio in person i've watched plenty of game tape and i'm not yet convinced. I like his pass first mentality and his ability to get a team into their offense but his athleticism seems to be lacking. Personally, I can't wait to see Rubio in the league to see if he can hang with Chris Paul and some of the other top guards.

Another question i have is Rubio vs. Brandon Jennings. Jennings has the top notch speed that great NBA points are made of but lacks the headiness of Rubio. Tell me your opinions of these two.

I currently have Rubio going three and Jennings going five in my mock which is

www.nbadraftroom.com

2009 NBA Draft

Less than a week left for underclassmen to declare for the draft. It was announced today that Scottie Reynalds of Villanova is declaring for the draft. My feeling is that he'll be back at Nova for his senior year. I'm a little bit torn on where to place him in this draft. At times he reminds me of Deron Williams and i could see him being a lottery pick. But much of the time he looks like a nice college player with limited NBA potential.