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.