NBA R.O.Y Race....

Tyreke Evans is the most physically imposing point guard in the league, Stepehen Curry has the prettiest jumper second to only Ray Allen, Brandon Jennings put up 55 earlier this season and Marcus Thorton has show us that he shouldn't have been a 2nd Round pick in last year's draft. This year's class of rookies is super talented, and the level of talent runs deep. Evans is averaging 20 points a game with 5 dimes and 5 boards. Curry amasses multiple assists with out possessing a superior vision for passing, he runs the team well and always makes the simple pass. Jennings is a pure point guard in my opinion, after torching the Warriors for 55 earlier this year analysts started making Iverson comparisons. Although those comparisons might have been a bit impulsive, all Jennings has done was lead a Bucks team to the thick of the Eastern Conference Playoff Race. Marcus Thorton is a pure scorer, I don't care what you say about him the guy puts the ball in the hoop. His rookie backcourt mate Darren Collison isn't a slouch either, Collison has took over the reigns after CP3's injury and the offense hasn't dropped off at all. My choice would be Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the Year because he has been the most consistent. On the other hand it shouldn't always be about pure numbers, Jennings is taking a team from the lottery to the Playoffs. Jennings isn't a rookie in my mind though, what he gained last year in Europe has kept him from hitting the proverbial "Rookie Wall." As you can see I'm torn, who do you think the Rookie of the Year is?

Franchise Decisions...?

Decisions, Decisions. Of the seven teams at the top of the NFL draft, three have an opportunity to select their future franchise quarterback. The Rams, Redskins, and Browns are the three teams that were previously mentioned. Of these three teams, only two are in NEED of a franchise quarterback. The team who I don't consider as a need in this case is the Redskins, they have Jason Campbell and what they NEED to do is get a franchise left tackle to protect him. The Rams are in total rebuilding mode and need a QB to convey hope and proof that they are going in the fight decision. The Browns have just parted ways with their former starting QB's, Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. Sam Bradford was graded as the highest rated QB last year, he chose to go back to school for another year and he suffered multiple injuries. Now healthy and finally ready to make the jump to the NFL, Bradford had his Pro-Day to day and absolutely blew everyone away. Bradford is carrying more weight on his frame and looks much stronger, he also has a quick release and is said to be very accurate. The Rams have the 1st overall pick, after what was said above about the level of talent Bradford possesses you would think this to be an easy selection. The problem is Ndamakung Suh and Gerald McCoy, these two behemoths are "freakish" in every sense of the word. The grace and speed in which they move is absurd, for men around 300 pounds they are extremely explosive. On the field they are in short "Disruptive." Suh has the ability to play either on the interior or exterior of the defensive line with little to no drop off in his level of play. McCoy is able to dominate the line of scrimmage by pushing the pocket in a 4-3 or stuffing the gaps by commanding a double team in a 3-4. The Lions and Buccaneers are the lucky teams in this situation, neither needs a QB and both can benifit from selecting either of the two outstanding defensive lineman. The Redskins could finally improve their subpar defensive line by passing on a QB and selecting a left tackle. Due to Chris Samuels retirement, this is now a NEED!!!! With the depth of Tackles in this years draft, for the Redskins to pass would be a tragedy. What is going to make this year's draft so important is the level of talent at every position. For example if the Rams go ahead and select Bradford, do the Seahawks or 49ers respond by taking an elite defensive player ? I believe players are going to drop due to the teams who have the top picks needs, you might have the 5th overall rated player drop to 13 or 19!!! It's almost better to be selecting further down the board in the 1st round, you get the players who drop courtesy of the previous team's good or bad draft choice. As a fan of the Rams or Redskins, what would you want your team to do?

Half Time...Duke vs Baylor

This year's tournament is maybe the best of this decade, yes the decade. This year's tournament truly embodies the phrase "March Madness", it's not over yet and I still believe the statment made in the previous sentence. It's halftime of the Duke-Baylor game, and Baylor is up by 3. West Virginia, Michigan St, and Butler round out the rest of the Final Four(excluding the Duke vs Baylor winner). No one predicted those 3 teams standing here in the Final Four when this started, Butler? Like who really expected Butler to still be here let alone get out of the first round? Bob Huggins is BACK, he is leading West Virginia to their first Final Four since 1959!!! Michigan St. isn't as far fetched a pick as the other 2 schools, but this year with the injury to Kalin Lucas? Tom Izzo doesn't get the credit he deserves, he is one of the best coaches in the country and his accomplishments are definitely taken for granted. Looks like halftime is about over so I'm going to get back to rooting for Baylor!! Their zone is bothering Duke, to a point that they looked lost before the end of the half. Other than your(for most everyone) failed bracket, do you think this is one of the best tournaments we've had?

The D-League

There is a huge misconception about the NBA D-League, it is not a indictment on a players career and or talent to be sent down. It is in fact the NBA equivalent to the minor leagues, in MLB no one criticizes a player for getting sent down. It is seen as a re-assignment and nothing more. When the same happens in the NBA, people make judgements and accusations about the player(s) that are being sent down. When players are brought up from the D-League, no one says anything other than positive statements about the teams bringing set player up. There are only 2 rounds of the NBA draft, there are many more players than there are picks every year. If the European players that get drafted get to be able to reamain in their countries until they are ready to contribute in the league, what is wrong with the players who get drafted being sent down to the D-League until they are ready to contribute? Is there a difference, it is still under popular belief that the NBA doesn't have a rival league..right? If that is truly the case than playing in Europe is no different than playing in the D-League other than name. If anything the D-League game resembles the game played in the NBA more so than any European league. There are many players who play vital roles on contending teams that were from the D-League, with only 2 rounds in the draft talent is often misjudged. A couple of weeks ago Hasheem Thabeet of the Grizzlies was sent down to the D-League, it made headlines because he was the first top pick to be sent down there. He was ridiculed for this move and made an example of for no reason, no one mentioned that it was for the opportunity to get minutes. In the Grizzlies' rotation there are not many minutes for front court players, Marc Gasol doesn't foul out much and he has a solid offensive game. Thabeet on the other hand does not, he is a gifted defensive player but truly lacks game offensively. After the story was made no one mentioned that he averaged 21 ppg, 10 rpg, and 3 bpg while down on his assignment. Gasol got hurt recently and Thabeet was called back up and has been starting the last few games and contributing. I wish people would rethink their views on the D-League and see it for what it is, an opportunity for young players who don't get the minutes. What do you think of the D-League, is it the minor leagues for the NBA in your oppinon or just another league?

1 and Done Rule

I have despised this rule since the day the NBA made it, I think it hurts kids more than it may help. The reason this came to mind was watching Derek Favors this year, yes college may help a player mature and create a structured environment for them. At the same time it's not like the athletes go to class for the whole year anyway, due to practice schedules and travel time for games you can't possibly be in class every day. I was told by my mother that "college" is not for everybody, to which I totally agree. Favors spent his whole freshman year being ignored by the guards on his team and his talent was wasted. All he did was become eligible for the draft, that is probably the reason that Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire took a pass on college. They learned more with on the job training, at 6'10 and 246 pounds Favors is not physically challenged. Do you think he couldn't of provided the same sort of raw spark Amare and Dwight provided for their teams?? Favors reminds me of Amare in Dwight's frame all while having that same kind of "freakish" athleticism for a man of that stature. I believe the rule was made because of the Jeremy Tylers of the world, for every kid that does make it many more don't. The league shouldn't be at fault, I believe every athlete knows if and when there game translates to the next level. If the athlete is not honest enough with themselves to make the right decision so be it. If there is any doubt, spend time at the college level tweaking your game. An example of a young player who made the right decision to go to school is Demarcus Cousins. Cousins has an NBA ready body, but lacked the necessary maturity coming into the year. So I think his choice to go to school was an intelligent one, yet he is not being lauded for it at all. I mean you have players who have to try to "psyche" him out because they can't compete with him. Jeremy Tyler elected not to go to school aka Brandon Jennings (even though his situation was vastly different) and went overseas, and he didn't see it through. It was reported last week that he quit and is on his way back to the states. Many players will continue to be forced to go to school or overseas even when it is a detrament to the them, do you believe this rule helps or hurts these young men?

NBA Draft Stock

The 1st week of the NCAA tourney has just passed, after all the upsets and drama it's time to start looking at who's making a name for themselves. On the other hand some of the so called "house hold" names have faltered and their stock has dropped signifigantly since they are no longer in the tournament. The tournament is a proving ground for those with NBA aspirations, both those who have made their aspirations known or not. You have the big schools get challenged and sometimes beat by their smaller brethern, that's what makes the tournament so great. Greg Monroe, Luke Harangody, Cole Aldrich, Scottie Reynolds and other "stars" had alot on the line when this started a week ago. Unlike the NFL where Bowl games don't have the weight that the NCAA Tournament does, these kids have to produce during the tournament. Work outs obviously are a requirement to the draft process but your body of work in college consists of what you did during the regular season and post season. If you are routinely in the tournament in you college career and you don't produce it doesn't bode well for you come draft time. The kids from Kentucky are making money right now, Omar Samhan is stealing the national spotlight, Evan Turner and Desean Butler are leading their teams to victories. Wesley Johnson is looking like one of the top 5 players in the country, maybe the best wing prospect. Who else do you think is making money for them right now in terms of the draft??

Kansas Go Down!!!

I called this like 2 months ago, "Rock Chalk" go home!!!! They fooled all of you all year long, they couldn't pull the wool over my eyes, with close games against the likes of Colorado St. and Cornell (No offense to either school). I've been saying for a couple years now how accidental that shot Mario Chalmers took against Memphis went in. Please don't tell me Bill Self called that play for Mr. Chalmers, if Collins had not stumbled Chalmers would have never had the ball. But back to this game, as the so called "Number 1 seed overall" in this year's bracket how do you go down to Norhern Iowa???? Earlier I was talking about brackets and how they were dying, well they're offically over we are no just watching to see what happens!!! Thanks for playing I hope all of those in pools didn't spend too much money because its officially a wrap. Vegas has to be absolutely loving this, not as much as I of course but loving it all the same. I have never ever ever liked a Bill Self Kansas team, let alone the conference they play in. I will try to bring my gloating to an end, and try to find the Kansas fan I guranteed an early oust to so he can take the remains of my boasting. Did any one other than me see this happening, or was it an intense case of wishing or hoping that Kansas would be shown the door? Sherron Collins had a great collegiate career and I hate to see it come to an end for him, but I am loving how early the "best team in college basketball" has exited this year's tourney. Now that one number 1 seed is down, tell me who the next one to go down in flames will be? I'm nominating Duke....

Dying Bracket

Now that another top seed has died, what shape is your bracket in now?? This is crazy, in one weekend a whole bracket is gone!!!
Will someone please tell the top seeds to show up, or at least scout the lower seed before the game?? Don't show up and find out that the smaller school has a 7 footer with League talent. What are the scouts for these schools doing, or allegedly doing when they're supposed to be working? Did no one on Villanova know that St. Mary's had a bunch of shooters and one of the only guys in the country to average 20 and 10? Or did they misinterpret the kid's 1st round line of 26 and 12, and blame it on "a good day"? Omar Samhan can hoop!!! 32 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks tell me he didn't accidentally learn how to play ball yesterday. So Scottie Reynolds essentially stayed 4 years in school to lose in the 2nd round of his senior year to St. Mary's? I'm as big a Big East fan as anyone but after Villanova,Georgetown, and NotreDame's performance I wish Cincinatti, South Florida, and Seton Hall were there instead!!! At least the last 3 would have shown up for their games, that is not to say I am dismissing what the lower seeds accomplished. I am not blindly backing these schools, I have long had a disdain for all 3 Big East teams that lost especially the way that they are built. I haven't liked the Hoya's offense ever, it's not indicative of the offensive talent they actually have. Notre Dame never really lets their guards loose due to their dependence on Luke Harangody, even though their guards are extremely talented. Villanova needs to recruit a true big man, stop being blinded by raw athleticism of players who are really extremely tall small forwards and power forwards. During their losses none of those teams showed their true talent, don't tell me that Austin Freeman, Chris Wright, or Greg Monroe couldn't have went off and won that game if they had scrapped that "sharing" offense. Or that Tory Jackson, Tim Abromitis, and Ben Hansbrough couldn't have taken control of that game in the back court. In Notre Dame's loss their bigs were at a disadvantage not the guards, why not let the guards free and attack? Okay I'm going to let that go now, but I still think even bigger upsets are on the way. Not because of talent, but the contrast in playing styles. That is why this years bracket for many many many many many people are already dead. Have patience, bigger trees stand to fall yet. That's why I love this time of year, even though my brackets dead I can't wait to see how many top seeds are left going into the Elite Eight and Final Four!!! I think a lot of people will be shocked....Who do you think the next top seed to fall is going to be?

Broken Ankles

This is a short post, but I couldn't keep this to myself. Did anyone see the highlights from Thursday nights Heat-Magic Game? Well the Magic came back to win, but Matt Barnes didn't come back from a Dwayne Wade crossover!!! Wade had Barnse 1on1 on the right baseline, gave him a little hesitation,crossed over and then stepped back as Barnes stumbled to the right out of bounds. Wade then fired a pass to a cutting Jermaine Oneal who dunked the ball as the crowd went nuts. I want you all to enjoy this as much as I did, please go to the NBA tab on ESPN.com and check the scores for Thursday March 18. Once their select the Heat-Magic game and click on the highlights tab...then enjoy the show!! I've been watching the tournament during the last blog post and it's the 1st half of the Syracuse-Vermont game, Scoop Jardine just came down on and hit a Vermont player with an unsavory crossover on way to an and 1. The result of that play led me to this post, I usually laugh when it's a pro player getting used. When it's a college player I try to wait before laughing or at least there is a little remorse on my part. Either way, I need you all to check both of these incidents out. I don't want to be the only one enjoying it, if you do check it out let me know how it made you feel whether it's the victims pain or the culprit's delight!!!

Blown Brackets

It's not even the end of the 1st round in the Mens Tournament and for many it's already over. Due to the parity or lack of good teams in my opinion this year's tournament is up for grabs. The only good teams that treated the lower seeded teams like they were supposed to be treated were the number 1 seeds. From the 2 seed down the games were toss ups!! I like many had Georgetown taking a nice little ride deep in this tournament...so much for that!!! Vandy went down in flames, Villanova and Michigan St. needed some home cooking to get out of their 1st round games. I originally wasn't that excited about this tournament before it started (other than the fact my huskies had a bad year), because except for Kansas and Kentucky everyone in the country is extremely vulnerable. It's been 2 days and March Madness is already over for some fans, my pre-tournament favorite was Kentucky and Georgetown. Now that the Hoyas are gone, I'm taking Syracuse and Kentucky in the National Championship Game with Kentucky winning by 5 due to big time 3's being hit by Eric Bledsoe(my pick for MOP). Let me know how messed up your brackets are..or how perfect they still might be? Either way this year's tournament finally has my attention!!

Pacquiao or Mayweather

After Manny Pacquiao finished his recent execution of Clottey last weekend it brought on the familiar debate of which fighter is better. Manny or Floyd? I think Pacquiao is a magnificent fighter and should be applauded for what he has accomplished at his stature. I also believe that Mayweather's talents go unappreciated due to his rude, abrasive,and arrogant behavior. Like many fight fans I was looking forward to a Mayweather Pacquiao bout, unfortunately that did not happen. I don't care who either of these two fighters fight, if it's not each other it's pointless. No one has ever seen the level of conditioning that Paquiao possesses, he is able to continue throwing an absurd amount of punches over 12 rounds with out tiring. At the same token, no one has figured out the conundrum that is Mayweather's defense yet. Picking sides between these two fighters is as brutal as being a Red Sox or Yankees fan, there is no meeting ground. Trying to look at it objectively, I believe that a counter puncher will always beat a fighter that throws punches in high volume. My reasoning is that Pacquiao doesn't always connect at a high clip for the number of punches he throws. Mayweather has a gift for deflecting blows and returning a dangerous amount of punches in return when countering, he also connects at an extremely high rate. I hope too many people don't get upset but dare I say that Mayweather is faster and or quicker than Pacquiao. In the last 2 weeks I have been in numerous discussions on this subject, please let me know who you think is better?

The John Wall Dance

Please tell me somebody has seen this in action? ESPN did a piece on it like a month ago, I don't think it made too much noise and went unnoticed. Kentucky came back to win today and why was Ashley Judd in the stands attempting to do the John Wall dance? This leads me to question not only why she is there, but to ponder if it is a requirement for all Wildcat fans to be able to do set dance? I mean it wasn't just her doing it, how has this flew under the radar? Most college athletes get cool nicknames, walk that line between lunatic and delusional in terms of intensity(Grevis Vasquez), or get dubbed " a Diaper Dandy BA-BY" by Dickie V. John Wall has his own dance, can you think of any other college athlete with their own dance???? I urge all of you to you tube the John Wall dance, LOL its actually kind of hot. I hope he keeps it going in the NBA, if anyone has seen the dance prior to this post please tell me what you think of it!!!

New Podcast

71 and Counting

The last time we were talking about them, it was 68 and counting. Well they officially broke their own record and reached 71, If this were a mens college basketball team, it would be all over every paper and sports segment in the country. Instead it's shrugged off as if it's no big deal, that is depressing to me. How many teams actually put streaks of this magnitude together? I ran across an article today saying that Tennessee wasn't an opponent during this streak. That is Pat Summit's fault, a couple years ago she chose to discontinue the in season battles with UCONN. So that point is moot, 71 games and all by double digits!!! Let that sink in, not one night during 71 consecutive contests did they win by a single digit margin. Every night through all the bumps and bruises that accumulate throughout a season, not once did these women become complacent. That's the greatest part of all of this, the players want to do it. It's not the coach pushing for their legacy(Pat Summit), but the players wanting to continue a level of excellence. During the post game interview, Coach Auriemma didn't even look like he was thinking about the streak. He truly looked like he was focused on the next game, how does this achievement get pushed to the back page? I truly hope that they break the UCLA mens streak of 88, maybe then the public will give them their credit. Unlike mens basketball, their aren't really super soft padded schedules. Women's teams actually play the best in their nonconfrence schedule. Don't you think they get every one's best shot every night? Not only do they get team's best shot, they then impose their will on them and make it look easy. How impressive is this current UCONN women's streak to you?

Crazy Start to NFL Off Season

WOW!!! Peppers and Taylor to the Bears....Cromartie to join Revis Island and Gang Green.....Boldin to the Ravens...Dunta Robinson to the Falcons....Van dan Bosh and Burlson to the Lions....Dansby to the Dolphins...Wilfork remains a Patriot....This was just Day 1, it's only 10 pm, who knows what else can happen before Midnight?? I'm still in shock, the NFL is going to be crazy by the time training camp starts. Man, it might be a new league by Draft Day. Like a 3rd round pick for Antonio Cromartie???!!! I understand everything that happened today, but for the Jets to let go of Lito Shepard only to sign Cromartie is just ludicrous!!!! Just in Antrelle Rolle is a G-Man, LOL(and yes I'm acutally laughing out loud while typing this) the New York Foot Ball Giants now have Antrell Rolle to pair with fellow Miami safety Kenny Phillips!!!! Told you the night wasn't safe, this is like sensory overload for me (yes I'm a sports junkie), what do you think the acqisition of the day was????

I'm kinda torn with the Cromartie/Rolle move...

Podcasts

Day 3 Combine Thoughts

Today is the day for the defensive front 7 guys to work out on the field. I am kind of taken back by the depth of talent in this draft. Everyone knows the big name guys, but do you realize there are several 300 pound plus guys scratching out high 4 second and low 5 second 40 yd dashes? Really this is crazy, I feel bad for any NFL team that gave away draft picks last year because this is the wrong year to do it. Seriously we're going to see nothing but offensive lineman and defensive players go in the first couple rounds. Outside of 3 or 4 wideouts and running backs, offensive skill players are going to be left on the board for a while. You might be able to get good running backs and wideouts in the 3rd and 4th round that may have gone in the 2nd or late 1st if it wasn't for this class of defensive players and offensive lineman. With so many teams switching to the 3-4 defense as their base defense in the past couple years, nose tackles and outside linebackers are at a premium. Not to mention the press coverage corners and athletic safeteys that are needed to execute this defense at a high level. There are a lot of Elvis Dumervil and Lemarr Woodley type hybrid defensive players in this draft, as well as the space eating nose tackles that many teams covet. I was going to wait until the end of this day at the combine to talk about it, but I can't contain my excitement. The Linebackers have yet to go today and the Secondary guys go tomorrow, I urge you all to take some time and look at the times these guys are putting up. It is scary and freaky that guys this size are so fast. I thought the offensive lineman were outstanding the other day, but with all these defensive guys running so fast it is even more important that teams get the type of offensive lineman needed to block these guys. Thats all for now, if anybody gets the time to check some of these times out let me know what you think about it? I'm still in awe..