When Sweet is Sour and the Bread Becomes Dour

Odd name huh? Yeh, yeh it is. But so are some of the draft picks that have been made over years by general managers of the NBA.

Yes, I understand that people sometimes enjoy sour lollies and 'sweets' but it leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth when a draft pick goes wrong.

There are numerous players in the NBA still hanging around as trade bait for teams ( I see you Kwame). And there are those who over the years, become so ashamed of their ability to play basketball they've left the League, either through retirement (to the benefit of us all) or Europe or Asia (to the benefit of some).

This is not a comprehensive list by any means. This is just a few names in no particular order. As always, leave your comments and lemme know if you think its shit or on par or ( to stroke my ego) amazing.

This list is not including players who were robbed of their physical gifts and ability to play through injury (Sam Bowie) and drug addiction (Chris Washburn).

Kwame Brown, 2001, 1st pick Wizards. Can't catch (graphic shows otherwise), well known for throwing a cake at the WRONG person. In a word - a 'pussy'. Unlike Milicic (see below) he had everything coming out of H.S and looks like a dominant basketball player off the court (albeit one who has a slight lizard appearance). He just isn't. Had the skills and force to be a major player and the draft was weak admittedly but his decline (was he ever going up?) was so.... noticeable that hes copped more shit for it than any other player in the L today. Thanks Mike. You a real deserving award winner.

Michael Olowakandi, 1998, 1st pick L.A Clippers. British. Enough said. ( Was it because he was a Clipper pick?). His nickname is where I got the headline off. Real GM says ' The Kandi Man was a bold risk selected by the Clippers who are always looking to get better, but seemingly always manage to get worse.' Too true.

Shawn Bradley, 1993, 2nd pick, Philadelphia 76ers. At 7'6 you'd hope he could fill the paint and block shots, or at least stand there and be a presence. Not reall. In all fairness though, he does rank 11th all time in block shots. For his College days, he never got close to what he could have in the NBA - this was just the final straw www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OHUAjxPo4I

Rafael Araujo, 2004, 8th pick, Toronto Raptors. No longer in the league but last seen with the Jazz (apparently). Pity the souls in Europe. Theres a reason he didn't play any minutes in the NBA. He can't play basketball. At all. Its really that simple.

Nickoloz Tskitishvili, 2000, 5th pick, Denver Nuggets. Has the most unpronounceable name EVER in the League. Never averaged more than 4 points a game. 'Nuff said. Was last seen quietly talking to James Jones on the end of the bench for the Suns in '06.

Kent Benson, 1977, 1st pick, Milwaukee Bucks. A star at Indiana. Insane bust. Correct me if I'm
wrong here, but Benson was the last white player selected 1st overall in the NBA. Does Andrea Bargnani count? Yes? ok, my bad. (He's heading for a bust too, or at least not no.1 pick potential ). Andrew Bogut? nah, hes a wangsta with those reverse psychology 'bling' comments.

Robert Traylor, 1998, 6th pick, traded on draft day by the Mavericks for...... Dirk Nowitzki. Possibly the MOST lopsided single player trade in the NBA.... ever. Big, fat, round and a cheque full of donuts.

(Dis)honourable Mentions: Patrick O'Bryant, Robert Swift, Raef LaFrentz, Cherokee Parks, Stromile Swift.

I didnt include Darko Milicic because 1. He still plays in the NBA and has meaningful minutes. 2. He's only 23 and still developing. 3. That Pistons team was stacked AND he had Larry Brown as a coach. 4. He can play. when over 30 minutes of game time his FG% is over 55% and he averages a double double with 2 blocks. Most starting centres can't get 10, 10 and 2 in 30 minutes so just lay off the hate for a few years. At some stage there will be reviews/opinions of steals in the draft and the dudes who could've been a somebody except for injuries and drugs.

As always, Peace. Hursty.


Just for kicks, this dude is certainly not afraid to take the big shots and well, has a snake nickname. You've probably seen it before but its pretty funny. http://kb24.com/

ROOKIES MOST LIKELY TO....PLEASE DON'T SHOOT ME DOWN

Okay, from now on all my pieces that I do for Bachi shall be under the title, "Please don't shoot me down." Why such a controversial title you ask? Because it is what defines my life as a whole right about now. I'm flyin, I'm highup and I don't want all you other bloggers "shootin me down" or simply hating on my gangsta. But don't get me wrong, I have love for all you guys and do what you do...but watch my shoes. Don't hate me cuz you ain't me as an ignorant classmate of mine bellowed to me one day in class because he made a 40 on a test and I made a 95. Asinine things like that make me hurl to this day but anyways let's get along with the hoe down. In today's segment of PDSMD, I would like to discuss the rookie class of 08'. I don't want to discuss the the horrible choice of choosing talent(CDR why?) or the sleepers (CDR?) or the nice bust-it babies(J.R. Giddens over CDR?) But I do want to converse about the Rookies most likely to achieve stardom and failure once they enter the L. Of course I got this magnificent idea from Slam magazine as they have this section in their magazine every year for they season preview. Usually Slam has a panel of intelligent writers to vote on which rookie will be ROY, average 20 points, average 10 assist, average 10 rebounds and so on and so on. Since my panel of voters and I don't always get a chance to communicate at the right moments, I've decided to do this segment by my lonesome. Feel free to chime in after this post is over my squad! I will briefly tell America who I think will be the Rookies Most likely to...and I will maybe explain in detail why I chose that particular player. But I shouldn't ever have to explain myself because I am a basketball guru and you just don't question a guru's gurreyness. Anyways on to DP's 2008-2009 Rookies Most likely to list...If you didn't make the list than it sucks ass for you. Prove me to be sorely incorrect once the season begins. And for all those wondering why D.J. is my headline pic it is because he is the true darkhorse in this loaded class. The Bobcats get the best point guard in the country last year NOT NAMED ROSE. Without further interruptions my fellow goblins...

-Rook MLT average 20 points: O.J. MAYO

Now let's be frank, we all now that both Beasley and Rose have a chance to average a dub with the team that they suited with but that is an obvious answer. Most people would look at Derrick And Mike and say< "Yeah dog they have to score for their teams to be successful. Not necessarily. Derrick has Deng and Gordon to his arsenal while B-easy boasts D-wade and Trix. Who does O.J. have on his team that is remotely close in skill level to any of the players I just mentioned? don't even attempt to guess at that question.O.J. will have a KD type season his first year: 20ppg on 18 shots per game.

Rook MLT to average 10 rebounds: Micheal Beasley

Kevin love might not posses the skills and power to out-rebound anyone in the NBA the way he did those poor little ants in college, but believe me when I say that Micheal Beasley is no damn Kevin Love. Look for him to start right where he left off in college. I'll give him around 11 rebounds for his rookie year.

Rook MLT to average 10 assist: D.J. Augustin

Didn't I just recall saying that this kid the true darkhorse in this whole class? I'm sorry, but Derrick Rose said he wants to be MVP next year so I'm guessing he planning on putting the ball in the hole more than distributing to Luol or Ben. D.J. might lack size but passing the rock is one of his best attributes. Put him on the floor with G-force and J-Rich? It's going to be some problems for other teams containing this little fireball. Wouldn't be surprised if he averaged around for his first year. Raymond, those footsteps you hear are that of a thirsty long-horn aiming to kick you right in your tar-heel ass for your starting position. I believe he already has it.

Rook MLT unfairly get bench splinters: J.R. GIDDENS

Okay, so Big Baby and Leon Powe got some minutes for the champion Celtics but let's keep in 100, who the hell is J.R. Giddens? Besides an ex-Kansas player who barely shined as the best player on a sub-par New Mexico State team. J.R. being drafted before CDR, IMO, is just plain retarded on the part of the Celtics management. But J.R. is a hell of an athlete...look him up on youtube.

Rook MLT be MVP: Derrick Rose

He said that he believes he can be an MVP caliber player in just his first year in the Association. You know what, I believe his silent-night ass.

Rook MLT to be ROY: JOE ALEXANDER

Can it be possible that we may see Derrick Rose win the ROY and the coveted MVP award as well.? Not likely but I feel that he and Beasley are the front runners for this award. Or is that just what you inquiring minds think to yourselves? I'm going out on a lime and I'm giving you a name for rookie of the year that you may feel is just plain dubious on my part, but this is my post so I could give a rat's ass. They rookie of the year will be the new WHIT HOT EBOY ON THE BLOCK: JOE ALEXANDER. Think of a poor man's Shawn Marion. He has a decent handle, amazing hops, a reliable jumper, and he can rebound and play defense like a homeless man out for some Churches chicken(and believe me, that is fucking hustle). Look for him to be more of a fantasy all-star than the mundane all-star but look for the stat line around...17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals a game type of guy. Shawn Marion numbers no? Look for this kid to be a guiding light for the upstart Bucks.

Rook MLT to be hated by DP: Russell Westbrook

Hmm...out of all the UCLA games I viewed last year(and trust me it was a plethora of them considering my undeniable Love for Kevin Love at the time) I've only seen Russell Westbrook do tow things that really EVER impressed me...defending like a savage and dunking the ball like it disrespect his hood. That's all I see Westbrook as... a Bruce Bowen with a hellacious tendency to shit on you form time to time. He is only useful for a poster to hang on your wall and I see him being a journeyman in the L. Other than his broke shot, wish washy handles, and his inability to run a team from the point guard slot, Westbrook is perfectly fine for the Oklahoma City (Insert Blank here). I don't care if he led UCLA in assist because they should have given most of the assist to Kevin Love because he started the outlet every time and guess who he always threw it to on the break? That's right...Westbrook. That equalled either a shit or an assist every time down the floor. I guess I'm just a young ignorant hater but I'm just not sold on Westbrook yet. He has a lot to prove in my book. I do see Russell in the All-NBA defensive player mold. I guess I loathe him because I would love to watch Bayless and Durant light up the score board. Oh well...another steal for the fucking Blazers.

Average the L in turnovers: O.J. Mayo

At times O.J. tried a little "too: hard to force his way to the basket with fancy crossovers and relentless driving...which equalled into turnovers at USC. Expect the same in Memphis, Tennekee, where Mayo will have the ball in his hands for 23 out of the 24 seconds in the shot clock.

Lead the L in blocks: Joey Dorsey

Look at this dude and tell me he ain't bout business. He'll average at least 3 blocks per game coming off the bench...and there is always Dike to tutor him on the art and craft of swatting someone's shit and accepting being shitted on.

Now that I have laid the basis of the future stars and busts...wait a minute I didn't name the busts did I. Well hear are your top 5 busts in the 2008 draft. I ain't no Jay Bilas, so don't look for none of these motherfuckers to prove my ass wrong.

1. .J.R Giddens
2. Javale Mcwhatever
3. Shan Foster(nice song though dog)
4. D.J. White
5. Donte Greene(Rockets fans, let me have it)

I would also like to give you'll my predictions for the 3 All rookie teams. If you believe I am delusion to the real truth, then please chime in on the comments section and make yourself known. I bet twenty bucks to any taker that I get the first team right. I'll bet 5 that I get the second correct, and the third I just put names I thought would make sense.

1st Team

• PG-Derrick Rose, CHI
• SG-O.J. Mayo, MEM
• SF-Joe Alexander, MIL
• PF-Michael Beasley, MIA
• C-Brook Lopez, NJ

2nd Team

• PG-D.J. Augustin, CHA
• SG- Jerryd Bayless???, POR
• SF Brandon Rush, IND
• PF-Kevin Love, MIN
• C-Robin Lopez

3rd team

• Mike Taylor??
• SG- Eric Gordon, LAC
• SF- CDR, NJ
• PF- Donte Greene, HOU
• C-Jason Thompson, SAC

Man I'm sleepy as hell after this post so peace be to you and I'll holla at yall next week. play wit it. DP out.

Grading the draft: Houston Rockets

I'm going to try and post some grades for the whole league (hopefully), but I'm not sure how long this will take me. Hopefully the trades will die down for a while so I won't go crazy changing any reviews. I'll start off with Houston since they're my team and the future team of bandwagon fans everywhere. This will probably be the longest and most in depth so don't get spoiled. The Rockets entered the draft with the 25th and 54th pick.

Going into the draft Daryl Morey of the Rockets led many to believe they were after a swingman to back up the 2 and 3 spots. They wanted a defender, a scorer, with length, and they wanted him to contribute now. That pretty much pointed to Brandon Rush who was projected to go in the 20s for some time. Unfortunately, his stock shot up and the Rockets couldn't trade up. Morey believes in getting the best player available if you're picking late, regardless of any need in the rotation. Which is why when the Rockets picked Nicolas Batum every expert in the country said "whaaat?", surely Morey must have taken a buffet break only to have a crazed fan call in the pick to simply piss off the Spurs (who, with the next pick, planned on taking Batum). What happened next is a bit confusing, but I promise you it only shows how great Morey is at his job.

The Rockets were high on Donte Greene all along, but weren't sure he would be available. Many projections had him going in the late teens. As he continued to fall and Morey realized they had a shot at him, he went to work. Realizing he could possibly get Donte (or the free-falling Arthur) a few picks later, he struck a deal with Portland, who coveted Batum, to draft Batum for them before SA could take him, in exchange for Portland's 27th pick (which would be darrel arthur) and their 33rd (which would be Dorsey). Once again, that trade was Batum for Arthur and Dorsey. Next, they contacted the Grizz, who had picked Greene with the 28th, and traded Arthur for Greene AND a 2009 second rounder. So basically the rockets gave them the 27th for the 28th and their second rounder next year. The Rockets then selected Maarty Leunen with their own 54th pick.

So what the hell was all that about, why not just pick Arthur with the 25 they originally had? Why not take Greene, if that is who they ended up with anyway? Both were available at 25! Crazy, right? Well maybe to ESPN, who is under the impression the Rockets just traded Arthur for Greene. Their review asks the same questions and they apparently don't know about the 2009 second round pick the Rockets stole from the grizz in the Greene deal. So let's review. They went in with the 25th and 54th. Came out with the 28th, 33rd, and 54th, and memphis' 2009 second rounder, without giving up cash, their own picks, or their own players. Keep in mind the Grizz will still suck next year, so that second round pick should be early. Morey has hinted he plans on using it as trade bait at the trading deadline, probably along with bobby jax's expiring contract. They may just get their scoring swingman afterall. Genius, right? Right.

Greene is seen as a potential Rashard Lewis clone, unfortunately, that also means he's in love with the perimeter shot. Greene shot a wild 7 treys per game at Syracuse. Wayy too many for a SF/PF. His stock probably dropped because of that. He spend his freshman year becoming a spot up shooter and not focusing enough inside. However, he DOES have an inside game. He does everything fairly well. Joey dorsey is of course a shorter Ben wallace, but with more hops so i guess it evens out. Yes, he has no offense, but the Rockets desperately need his athleticism, strength, and defense down low next to Yao. He's a smart defender and can creat some matchup problems for the other team since he's only 6'8, but can guard anything from a small forward to a center. Even the NFL wanted to give him a try out, that's how freakishly athletic he is at his size. He, unlike Wallace, KNOWS he cant shoot, so he doesn't. He's like a stronger, quicker, and bigger Chuck Hayes, but not as great of a passer. I'm guessing Houston is hoping he can improve in that area and eventually Hayes will be shown the door. Personally i love this pick since Dorsey is NBA-ready now, adds to an already great defense, and provides a wide body, which was heavily needed in the playoffs, and they basically got him for nothing. Maarty Leunen is basically a Steve Novak clone, but a better rebounder. This is bad, but good. Novak has worked out on offense for Houston, but his defense is MIA. So is Leunen's, but if he can play just slightly better D, rebound better, and just bring the same beautiful jumpshot, then that's an improvement over Novak. For now Leunen will be stashed overseas.

A quick piece on Chris Douglas-Roberts. Morey mentioned they didn't pick CDR because he didnt work well in Houston's system. He's not consistent from 3 point range and he didn't have many plays ran for him in college. He did agree with what I mentioned in the shooting guard preview, and that is CDR doesn't get much separation from the defender on his shots and that's not good in the NBA.

Morey also mentioed they're looking to add 1 or 2 FA this summer and hoping to get someone at the trade deadline. I know Houston didn't trade half their team or shake up their rotation, perhaps they didnt go for the home run hit or the touchdown, but what they did do is get some extra yardage by managing the clock well and getting some extra posessions, while keeping the drive alive. When the touchdown throw isn't there, thats all you can ask for from a team

Possible roster for the season:

Yao/Deke/Dorsey

Scola/Landry/Hayes/(Dorsey)

Battier/ Novak/Greene

Tmac/ Head

Rafer/Jackson/Francis/Brooks

GRADE: B+

Short Thoughts on the Draft

Chris Douglas Roberts didn't deserve that. Not at all. D.J White? pft. Prove me wrong kid. I was a little upset at seeing Nathan Jawaii go at 41 to the Pacers especially since he was such a force over here in the NBL last year, he (like C.D.R) was projected to go late first round. Hickson went way too early imo at 19.
I liked the Batum pick for the Rockets and I dont really know about the trades that occured. I LOVE the Jefferson trade to the Bucks. It really helps them right now, while the Nets are likely(obviously) building for LeBron and the future with guys like Harris being brought for Kidd.
The top 5 teams all did the right thing and got guys they needed at the relevant positions. Milwaukee did a great job getting Joe Alexander (even if he went too high) at 8.
I really didnt think too much of the other lottery players except that Gilliarni is going to be a puppet for all that goes wrong with the Knicks now Isiah has finally gone.
Neither Denver or the Lakers picked this year, the Nuggets got a protected pick from the Bobcats for their 20th, and I am going to be interested to know if something along the lines of a Memphis/Detroit event will occur as most people have the Bobcats sucking well into the future. Myself? 2-3 years they'll be in the playoffs with age and maturity.
Best job drafting/trading this year? 1. Portland Trailblazers. 2. Milwaukee Bucks. 3. Toronto Raptors. 4. These teams http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?id=3463045
Peace, Hursty.

21 Questions: ONE OF THEM BEING WHY THE HELL IS JO GOING TO THE RAPTORS. CB4 AND JO? HELL NO.

I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT JO IS NOW A RAPTOR. GET READY FOR THE BEST FRONTCOURT SINCE LO AND PAU!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SO EXCITED....

The Best Position on the Court : Shooting Guard Draft Preview

Sup ya'll, this is RV, straight out of SLAM world and into the Hibachi spot. You'll have to excuse any grammar mistakes I missed since I'm stuck with WordPad for now. I did throw in a spanish lesson though, so ya'lls parents/wives/husbands don't trip when ya'll aren't studying/working instead of reading this.

Let me start by saying the shooting guard spot isn't what it was once was. The top guys at this position probably won't even play shooting guard for the rest of their careers. Many of them are combo guards or forwards who can play the two-guard spot. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it sure as hell made this list difficult. How do you decide who's a shooting guard and who isn't? Do I Let Yahoo! convince me that the 6'9 guy with not handles is a SG just because they list him as one? What about the guy they have ranked under their "Top 10 Shooting Guards", yet they have him listed as a FORWARD on his profile?? Ok that's enough hatin' on Yahoo! for now, but it really is confusing because then you have the guys who swear they can play the two and not just the one/three. So do you tell them they don't know their own skills? Then there are the experts (no not me, the ones who actually get paid- DP I take paypal!) who claim they know what spot a certain player will keep as a pro. How the hell do they know without knowing what team they're gonna play for?? So for this preview I basically stuck to these 2 rules:

1) They have to be 6'4 or taller, but no more than 6'7.
2) They have to have a decent handle (Sorry Kapono)

Of course there are always exceptions, but I think this works for this year's draft. Of course they have to be able to shoot the ball, but I didn't kill them off just because they weren't pure shooters. That being said, we have some slashers, some shooters, and some scorers. Finally, let me point out this is my own personal top 10 ranking and not what most analysts have listed. The only thing that's not me is the projections mentioned. Also, this isn't ranked based on the order they'll be drafted, but more on the impact I think they'll have in the NBA (but its almost the same thing).

The Top dawgs

Numero Uno : O.J. Mayo

Specs - 6'4, 205 lbs, 20 yrs old

Next year, don't expect anyone to hold the mayo. O.J. Mayo, that is (corny, I know, but at least this won't be the last mayo joke you hear). The hype has surrounded him since elementary school and hasn't left yet. There was even talk about him being good enough to declare for the draft as a high school JUNIOR, and this was before he had Tim Grover and Synergy Sports Technology sitting in his corner. Yes, the same Tim Grover who trained His Airness, Dream, and No Tippin' Pippen. Grover is using Synergy technology to help Mayo model his game after the NBA players he'll most resemble. Mayo gets all kinds of video breakdown of players' moves and stats, allowing him not only to practice them for several hours on the floor, but also prepare himself to defend them next year. Synergy ain't no joke, so don't be surprised if they're calling him Derauncy Willups by next spring. With a name like Mayo, he HAS to be good, right? Right. Did I also mention how marketable this guy will be? He's probably finding dollar bills inside his fortune cookies already. Current projection is top 5.

Pros - practices using extensive repetitions, so his shot mechanics and moves are consistent and sharp from play to play ..... good court vision ..... prolific scorer ...... good ball and body control ...... can play both guard spots ..... great shooter with range .... good defender.... confident ...

Cons - needs the ball to be effective ...... height, if going up against two-guards ..... too much one-on-one instead of team ball at times ..... can be turnover-prone (but i think this was mainly due to him trying to do too much, should be more efficient surrounded by professionals).... little experience at the college level..

Most likely to ..... give Pat Riley an erection

Least likely to ..... understand why KG stayed in Minny (This guy wants to WIN, if the W's aren't happening, he's gone, I don't care if he does say otherwise)

Final judgment - Mayo has all-star written all over and seems to be on the right track to play in the mid-season classic one day. How many times he gets there depends on how committed he is mentally to the game. Lately he's showing all the right signs. When it comes to Rose and Beasley there's the question of , "Can they learn to do this and that?" With Mayo, you know he can do whatever is needed as a combo guard. Don't be surprised if he goes #2.



Numero Dos : Brandon Rush

Specs - 6'7, 211 lbs, 22 yrs old

I guess the NBA is all about stats afterall, because I dont know how this guy is projected to go until the mid to late first round. Yeah, sure he only scored 13 per during the season, but what is this guy lacking? He can shoot, drive, defend, rebound, pass, jump, run, and did i mention he's 6'7 with a 6'11 wingspan??? Physically he's perfect for an NBA shooting guard/small forward. He's got all the skills for it too. If he had a more unique name like Mayo I wouldn't hesitate to put him at #1 on this list. Why? Well, because when the media and fans easily recognize your name and you're well known you tend to play even better so you can live up to the fame. However, not wanting to be known as "Kareem's brother" is motivation enough for him to succeed. He's currently projected to go around 15-21.

Pros - great size and length ..... moves well without the ball to get open shots or rebounds .... .. confident ..... good shot ..... can get above the rim ..... finishes well in the open court .... good defender ..

Cons - other than sharpening his handle, he really doesn't have any, i guess a torn ACL a year ago is bad, but bad for the competition since he scored 25pts on the #1 ranked team in the nation to lead his team to the title game ...... then there's that talk about him not dominating when he can and coasting, at times, but who needs to dominate on a well rounded Kansas team? Even Kobe and KG took their foot off the gas at times this year...

Most likely to .... force the Rockets to trade up

Least likely to .... disappoint an NBA team

Final judgment - I won't go as far as predicting he'll be a superstar in the NBA, but I wouldn't bet against it either. Like I mentioned, this guy has an all-around game along with an NBA-ready body and that's not something many of this year's lottery picks can claim. Whether he can launch himself into the superstar category or not depends on what team he goes to, but that's difficult to predict. ANY team could use this guy, rebuilding or not. I'm just hoping no one believes me so my hometown team can pick him up. (Rumors of the rockets moving up are swirling as I type this!!!)

Numero Tres : Eric Gordon

Specs - 6'3, 215 lbs, 19 yrs old.

Gordon is being compared with another player who shares his last name, Ben Gordon. I can see the similarities, but Eric is more explosive and won't be as prone to bad shooting nights like Ben. A big question is if this guy has the ability to hang with NBA two-guards. He's got the skills, but will likely give up 2-3 inches every night. Turning him into a pg is still a possibility, but that'll depend on the players who surround him. With time and the right team I think he can excel at the two-guard though. His stock has been roller coasting since the beginning of the year, currently he's projected anywhere between 5 and 8.

Pros - squares up beautifully when shooting the ball, great shot and follow through....strong, attacks WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE! (had to do it), so he gets to the FT line often.....great leaping ability...confident...good body control out in the perimeter...can shoot off of screens....low center of gravity allows for quick change of direction on offense and defense ...

Cons - can force bad shots due to his attacking mentality....very young and inexperienced...is a tweener due to his height....body control is not always there when finishing since he attacks WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE! (it never gets old)....needs to improve passing and rebounding abilities...handle could still be better...

Most likely to ...... fall 7 times, stand up 8

Least likely to ...... get up 9 after getting leveled by Shaq

Final judgment - Don't expect this kid to make a big splash his rookie year. However, in time, with the right system, he can be a really nice scorer and he's got the talent to become a decent passer. I just don't see him sticking at the 2 for too long. He'll have to find a team that can use him as a scoring point in order for him to really flourish on both ends of the court.


Numero Cuatro : Russell Westbrook

Specs - 6'3, 187 lbs, 19 yrs old

Yeah, yeah, i know, I broke rule #1 since Westbrook is only 6'3, but we had to make a late adjustment for this guy since he didn't get the memo saying he can't be an NBA two-guard at 6'3. Gordon is only 6'4 so I guess it could happen, but a bigger concern is his thin frame weighs only 187 pounds. He's still strong for his size, but momentum can be a bitch when you bounce off a center, so a few hours in the weight room couldn't hurt. The good news is he carries a trampoline everywhere he goes to make up for his lack of height. He literally shoots up the first few feet off the floor so quickly that its difficult for a defender to react before he's posterized. He's a 5-10 pick for sure.

Pros - lightning quick.....magically athletic..... long wingspan and huge hands.....unselfish....good
ball-handler on the drive..... good defensive anticipation and defends very well overall .....constantly improving....can run an offense, make the obvious pass...

Cons - size.....he has more than enough room to improve his shooting (FG, 3pt, and FT).....could use some more experience.... should improve ball handling to play the point full time..... release on his shot is a bit slow, at his height it would benefit him to shoot more quickly..
....not a great playmaker for others

Most Likely to ...... get pushed into the dunk contest just because he's short(er)

Least Likely to ....... keep playing the shooting guard position

Final judgment - Here's a guy who isn't a lock to be an all-star player down the road, but his freakish athletecism and potential has several teams thinking they can make an all-star out of him. At 19 its still possible he might grow an inch or two, so that's another reason to take this guy top 10. At his current size though I don't think he can be a full time shooting guard and he's too talented to be forced to distribute the ball half the time as a point guard. I agree with what most sites are saying, and that is he'll be similar to Leandro Barbosa or Monta Ellis in how he plays and how he is used.

The Middle Men

Numero Cinco : Chris Douglas-Roberts

Specs - 6'7, 200 lbs, 21 yrs old

Chris Douglas-Roberts. Chris Douglas-Roberts. This man's game is an exact reflection of his name. Long, solid , and confident. Don't look for him to jump over snakes or cars in commercials though. There will be no profanity-laced post game interivews either. CDR is a humble, well spoken, and a well-liked guy. This guy could go right after the lottery picks or slip to the end of the 1st round. It all depends on what teams want. If they want a long wing with an all around game, CDR is the man for the job, even if he does move around the court like Mr. Burns. I think he's a Spurs type of guy and could be a good fit there. Current projection is a bit tricky, anywhere between 15 and 30 is possible.

Pros - good shooter from the field and FT line ...confident ....variety of moves ..... good leaper ... great slashing ability .... plays well with both hands ... aggressive ..... efficient ..... long wingspan and overall frame .... crafty scorer, can drive it in or shoot it from the outside .... enough forward and lateral speed to defend well

Cons - Not a lot of lift on his shots/drives and often leans into the defender, this may be a problem against the bigger and more athletic NBA wingmen.....His handle can be a little loose in the open court....his shot isn't pure, the mechanics vary a bit since he's not stand-up shooter like a Ray Allen so shoots differently at times (see: NCAA championship game free throws)....needs to bulk up (apparently he's put on weight this offseason, but I don't think he'll be able to maintain it once the season starts)

Most likely to ..... draw fines from the NBA for wearing an undershirt. Apparently he has to have one or he feels "naked".

Least likely to ..... get into a fight with Stephen Jax, his favorite NBA player

Final judgment - This guy has been steadily improving and expanding his game for the last few years, so i don't expect that to stop anytime soon. He'll continue to work while in the league and although he may never become a star, i think he'll be a solid sixth man or a starter on certain teams.

Numero Seis : Courtney Lee

Specs - 6'5, 200 lbs, 22 yrs old

Courtney Lee seems to know exactly who he is and what he brings to the table. He's got the all around fundamental game to adapt to any situation, but he also knows his limitations. His stock is probably not as high as it could be, since he didn't face tough competition consistently enough in Western Kentucky's conference. This kid is a tough guy though, he's faced hurdles in his career and yet was able to keep going strong. Losing out on attending a major program after high school didn't hurt his confidence. The death of his best friend on the W. Kentucky team as a freshman didn't hurt his game. Having to switch to point guard for a season due to poor recruiting didn't faze him either as he led his conference in assists that year. Right now he's a late first rounder, 22-28.

Pros - shoots well, good form ..... 4 yrs of college experience ..... good fundamentals .....
solid defender.....well-rounded offensively, can drop a 3, hit a 15 foot pull-up J, or take it to the rim..... team player ..... plays within the flow of the game....

Cons - although 6'5, not exceptionally long ...... doesn't do anything too great (except for shooting) and probably never will ........ may have hit his ceiling already .....not a slasher...

Most Likely to ..... fool defenders his first NBA year (dude's a righty, but prefers going left)

Least Likely to ..... take his rookie year for granted (slacked off early in high school, which cost him the opportunity to attend a big time program)

Final judgment - What you see is what you get with Courtney Lee. There's not much untapped potential to marvel at or freakish athleticism to drool over. This guy is simply a solid and well-rounded player who is good enough now to contribute in the NBA as a role player. He''ll make a solid contribution every night and you don't often hear that about a late first rounder.


Numero Siete : Gary Forbes

Specs - 6'7, 220 lbs, 23 years old

I liked Forbe's game even before I heard he was tearing things up at the Orlando pre-draft workouts. I saw some of his workout in Portland and this guy is definitely NBA ready. He was putting up a point per minute in like 20-25 minutes of play. That being said, I can't stress enough how this guy is always in attack mode and needs his touches. I'm tempted to shoot him up to numero cinco on this list, but these "middle men" are practically interchangeable to me as far as impact is concerned, with CDR edging them out.

Pros - great ball handler.....nice shot.....physical... can finish strong.....good NBA size.....can take his man off the dribble with one quick move.....uses his body well to shield and create space.....good attitude....

Cons - needs a lot of touches/shots to get going and be effective....can turn the ball over at times due to his aggressivenes....might be at his ceiling.....sometimes can try to do too much...

Most Likely to ...... force teams to think twice about their current second round picks

Least Likely to ...... back down from a tough offensive matchup

Final judgment - In past years, others have torn up the competition in pre-draft workouts and still flunked out of the NBA, but I think Forbes has enough skills to get a passing grade. Its too early to tell if he can translate his prolific scoring during the workouts to the NBA, but I wouldn' t be surprised if he scored 18 per eventually. If he can land in a situation where he has the green light to shoot then he could really breakout.


Numero Ocho : Bryce Taylor

Specs - 6'5, 210, 21 yrs old

Bryce Taylor is going to surprise a lot of people. Yes, you heard it here first. Bryce Taylor. Bryce Taylor. Remember that name, but not because his jersey will be selling out in the near future. I don't expect this second round pick to become a sensation or hall of famer or anything even close, BUT I do think he'll achieve more than people expect. Remember Cuttino Mobley? Yes, unfortunately I do too. I'm not comparing these guys' playing style or saying Taylor will start to lose his hair at 26 yrs, but I think they'll have a similar career. Both second round picks who shot their way into the team's starting lineup. Then were traded a few times. Not because they couldn't play, but because they're that player who's not irreplaceable, but has skills that are useful and therefore are moveable. Projections show him as a late second rounder as of draft week.

Pros - coach's son....nice all around game, can defend, shoot, pass, and rebound ......intelligent player..... great shooting mechanics ....has good speed and can drive past a defender ..... good leaping ability....solid handle...team player.....

Cons - "only" 6'5, which can be considered a bit undersized at the 2.....first few years at Oregon the team had plenty of other talents so Taylor was stuck as a spot up shooter and he's only broken out from that mentality within the last year....

Most Likely to ...... haunt teams if they pass on him early in the second round

Least Likely to ...... get a leg cramp (he took classes in pilates and yoga while at Oregon)

Final judgment - Here's another guy i'm hoping the Rockets can steal, so you know i'm serious about what I've written. As you can see he doesn't have many weaknesses and those that he has can be overcome with some hardwork. As a coach's son, it's a sure bet he's got the work ethic to make it possible. Look for him to have a long career as a solid bench guy in the NBA.

The "I Needed 10 Guys So I Threw These 2 In" Duo

Numero Nueve : J.R. Giddens

Specs - 6'5, 200lbs, 23 yrs old

Giddens is somewhat of a Youtube legend because of his dunks. That would be good for someone like me who's not even close to being invited to a pre-draft workout, but for a college ball player it shouldn't be the reason why everyone knows your name. He's intense, exciting and can jump out of the gym, but I think teams are starting to shy away from these types of players. He's got a decent J, can give you some solid D, and can snatch boards with his long arms, but there's a lot more he has to work on before he's given a spot on a team. He's had off the court problems in the past and although he says its behind him now, it's right in front of most teams' player profiles. Should go in the second round, projected as an early to mid-second rounder.

Pros - good shooter from the field .... long wingspan ..... good rebounder ...intense..... NBA athleticism...... nice jumper with high release .......greater leaper ..... decent defender

Cons - questions about his attitude and decision making .... horrible free throw shooter...... ball handling could use improvement ......... doesn't penetrate well .....older than most picks.... must be more consistent on both ends ....

Most Likely to .... try a FT dunk in the final seconds of a blowout

Least Likely to .... lay up the ball (he dunks EVERYTHING close to the rim)

Final judgment - Giddens' athleticism got him here, but it might just keep him from making an NBA team full-time. He's so long and athletic he spends too much time dunking or shooting long distance bombs. This has kept him from having to drive the ball or develop some offensive moves. Its possible he can still learn though and he's certainly capable of it with some work, His poor FT shooting is a mystery considering he shoots well during play. It's possibly just lack of practice and/or all in his head. Given his attitude issues in the past and passion for highlight dunks, I don't think he'll expand his game enough to a be a complete player. Make sure you check him out in the NBDL dunk contest.


Numero Diez : Kyle Weaver

Specs - 6'6, 200 lbs, 22 yrs old

After seeing an interview with Weaver and his down to earth parents, I really wanted to like this kid as a pro ball player. He is grounded, well spoken, mature, and just glad to be playing ball. He's also into helping out the local community and exploring his heritage. Perfect role model, right? Right, but just not as a ball player. This dude's offensive game is stuck in high school. He loves playing D, which isn't very common with some of the young guys, but that alone isn't gonna get it done (although some "experts" seem to think so). Don't get me wrong either. The kid has skills, but I don't think they're going to work against quick guards and NBA big men coming over to help. He plays like he's got one of those training resistance bands pulling him back. He doesn't get very high on his shots and he's a bit slow on the dribble. He's got some nice moves that get him open, but those moves also worked for me at the local playground. When he shoots he pushes the ball forward from his chest and with a slow release. It can be accurate, but only from 15 feet in, which we all know is big man territory in the NBA, and since he's built like Darius Miles I don't expect him to visit that area too often. Projected as a mid-second rounder.

Pros - great defender...nice crossover and hesitation dribbles.....humble and team-oriented... solid handle....good court vision.....good FT shooter...

Cons - very thin, often ends up on the floor on just minor contact....not a good outside shooter.... not explosive.....unusual shooting form might be difficult to get off against good defenders..

Most Likely to .... get locked inside the weight room by the coach

Least Likely to .... go in the first round (from this list)

Final judgment - I actually hope Weaver proves me wrong because he's a really good guy who'd do great things with his NBA millions, but.........I think his offense is too big of a liability to keep as a shooting guard. He might work out as a point guard if paired up with a monster two-guard, or even a scoring pg, but he doesn't have much control over that. I think he'll end up riding the NBDL, but should get some opportunities in the NBA.

-------------------------------

Let me point out I originally had Shan Foster listed as numero ocho, but then i realized we were gonna go with Russell Westbrook as a SG and not a PG so i decided to bump Foster off since there isn't much to him. All you have to know about him is dude is 6'6, 205 lbs, 21 yrs old, has no handle, no real moves, a bit slow on D, BUT he shoots bullets into the basket from the 3 point line. If any team needs a halftime show 3-point shooting exhibition, then he's in! Current projection is mid second round.

4 Horsemen Of The Apocalypse Cometh.......

Hey guys welcome to the world of Hibachi 2.0.I'm PP and I'll be taking you through the confusing jumble of prospects that are up for the '08 Draft at the 4 position.I'm loathe to call it the Power Forward,as the term "Power" has totally lost all it's relevance with the play of Pau "I'm KG's bitch" Gasol in the recently concluded Finals.Yes I'm a Lakers fan and, yes I am bitter about the Finals.As my buddy DP would say,deal wit it.

The 4 spot has seen an unbelievable amount of flux through the ages and has arguably thrown up more legends than any other spot on the floor.While these guys may not be as transcedent as an MJ or LeBron have been,the factory line of greats at the four spot reads like a who's who of the Hall Of Fame.In fact if a tournament was ever organized of with players being teamed up according to their position,4's would beat the crap out of all the other teams (with the 3's putting up the most resistance,IMO).Think about it:Kevin Mchale,Dennis Rodman,KG,Dirk,C Webb would be an unbelieveably talented and well rounded lineup that would put a serious hurting on any of the other teams.

The 4 is the most versatile position in the Lig right now.On one hand you have your KG's and Dirk's who defy any sort of pigeonholing on the basis their remarkably versatile games (Ok,Dirk's versatility ends when he crosses the half court line to get back on D).You have your athletic freak in Amare and Landry(yes I put him in the same sentence as Amare,take a look at this before biting my head off),your classic low-post scorer in Big Al (McHale would be so proud.Al is a black McHale right down to his inability/unwillingness to pass the rock.Now,if Mchale could transfer some of his defensive instincts onto Al.) and the midrange J equipped Boozer and Brand.On the opposite of the end of the spectrum are guys like Al Horford ,Craig Smith and Paul Millsap (This is why Millsap is one of my favourite players in the L) who are absolute powerhouses and do the dirty work needed for a team to be successfull.


The amount diversity at the 4 is thusly mind-blowing and with this in mind,let's get down to ranking the prospects in the upcoming Draft.

1) Michael Beasley (6-9,235 lbs,K-State Freshman,26.2 ppg,12.4 rpg,1.6 bpg,53% FG)






Who'd you think it was gonna be,Serge Ibaka? B-Easy's got the most polished offensive game in the NCAA ,even better than Melo's was IMO.He rebounds like a fiend,has a first step that many PG's will give their left hand for and posseses unlimited range and is friggin 19 years old.Yet,he is the consesus number-2 pick.Because he supposedly has "character" issues.Gimme a break.

Seriously this kid's posted better freshman stats than Kevin Durant and all people can say is "Oh it's too bad he isn't 6-10" and "He put a dead rat in his HS teacher's desk".Are you kidding me? I can understand if he's got a baby mama or if he has a serious substance abuse problem.But if you're telling me that scribbling your name on your HS principal's car equals insurmountable character issues that prevent you from winning in the NBA,I say bullshit.

Look,for all I know Beasley's a jerk who's gonna end up a Derrick Coleman clone and Rose is the J-Kidd+KJ's hops.But you better believe that Beasley's gonna light this Lig UP !! Look at Bease's game and tell me a player below 25 whose game fits with Chicago any better (with the exception of the aforementioned Al Jefferson).Look,for all his faults,Beasley's the perfect fit for this Bulls team.He's got beautiful form and mechanics on his shot,is lightning quick when he faces up opposing forwards,can make a living down on the block and rebounds like a man possessed.Oh and I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he's not lacking for athleticism,judging by the above picture.

Chi Town,I know you're not gonna take him but I might as well try.Try and imagine a player who would solve all your problems in one go and then imagine that he is 19.That is Michael fuckin' Beasley.


2)Kevin Love (6-9,255 lbs,UCLA Freshman,17.5 ppg,10.6 rpg,1.4 bpg,55.9 FG%)




Now here's a guy whom old WASPS will look at and say "Oh I just love the fundemental aspects of his game.He reminds me so much of the way the game used to be played in my day." The funny thing is I truly believe that 20 years ago,Love would've been a much more highly valued commodity than he is today.Dude's got that old school,no-nonsense type games that'll attract the purists but his distinct lack of athleticism is a glaring shortcoming that'll be exploited by the premier 4's in the L.

Kevin's one of those prospects who'll fit in perfectly with certain teams but would be a role player at best on others.For example if he somehow falls to the Nets,he would a brilliant addition because he complements Sean Williams beautifully.Williams would be the designated shot blocker who thrives on weakside help defense and alley-oops on the offensive end,while Love would strong man defender,good rebounder whose offensive skill is considerably more advanced than Sean.But on a team like the Knicks,his weaknesses, namely a lack of shot blocking ability, inability to create his own shot and poor lateral quickness on pick and rolls would be exposed quite sharply.One thing you can guarantee about Love is that he is ferocious and brings it every time he steps out on to the court.He will give you a hundred percent on the court and will not back down till the buzzer sounds.

Nevertheless,this guy's strong as a bull and is ambidextrous with good range on his shot.His passing skills have been very well documented,especially his outlet passing but he's also a pretty good low-post and high-post passer.He's currently slated to go the Griz and look for him to form a effective pick and pop partnership with Conley and give a hard-hat mentality to the beleaguered franchise.


3)Marreese Speights (6-10,240,Florida Sophomore,14.5 ppg,8.1 rpg,1.4 bpg,62.4 FG%)






The dropoff in talent is pretty steep in the '08 Draft with the third best PF ,IMO, slated to go somewhere in the 18-20 range.Reese is the next Florida bigman who's gonna step into the Lig and he might just end up being the second best Gator when it's all said and done.

Reese is a guy who's ranked below Darrell Arthur in every mock I've seen till date and it just blows my mind that people would rather take a chance on a guy who's only proven that his calling card is inconsistency rather than draft a big man who actually plays like one.Speights is a guy who'll get you 10-8-1.5 consistently with a good chance that he'll become a Horford type 16-10-1.5 banger.Yet GMs will continue to chase the mythical upside rather than draft the solid bigman.

Now having said all that,its not like Reese is flawless.The guy has some issues facing up and handling the rock.Also his passing (both high post and low block) leaves much to be desired.His basketball IQ isn't the greatest in the world and he hasn't got as many moves on the low block as an Al Jefferson.But the guy establishes deep position,has a beautiful face-up jumper and has the length,frame and athleticism to alter,if not block, a lot of shots.He'll be a force in the paint and will be a solid 3rd or 4th option on a good team.Come to think of it,if my Lakers can find a way to buy the 20th pick of the Nets,they should do it and try to pick this guy up.He just might be the missing link that the Lakers need to get them over the top.




4)Darrell Arthur (6-9,215 lbs,Kansas Sophomore,12.8 ppg,6.3 rpg,1.3 bpg,54.3 FG%)







To a guy like me,who loves hoops, it's always baffling when outrageously talented young players just don't put in the work needed to transform their game to the best it can be.I mean when you play hoops for a living,isn't it imperative that your game be the best it can be? I guess the only answer to that is some people have got that pathological urge to better themselves while others simply get by on their God-given physical tools.

Darrell's one of those hoops prodigies who could've been so much more in college but hasn't lived up to his vast potential.This guy's got unbelievable physical tools.Lithe,agile and fluidly athletic,he can get up and down the court in a hurry.But he isn't just an oversized two guard.He's got a fairly well developed low and mid post game and a reliable jumper that he can get off any time he wants thanks to his prolific length.This also enables him to contest a lot of shots from the weakside.

With all those physical tools, Arthur's not shown a whit of consistency.With his size and athleticism he should've dominated the physically inferior college competition in rebounding but he finished with a paltry 6.4 boards per 40 mins.For a big man,rebounding is vital and Arthur's measly rebounding rate puts him in the "tweener" category which is not where a big man wants to be.At best he seems like a more athletic Brandan Wright i.e a player who'll not make an immediate impact but an intriguing prospect who'll probably end up as the obligatory "young,cheap player throw-in" in a major trade in a couple of years.



Sleepers

1) Ryan Anderson (6-10,240 lbs,California Sophomore,14.2 ppg,9.9 rpg,41 3FG%, 49.2 FG%)




Think back to the good ole days when the Warriors used to suck,Mike Dunleavy was everyone's favourite whipping boy and Tim Montgomery decided that he was gonna fuck with Baron Davis by making him play Carlisle-ball.That didn't turn out quite so well for ole Timmy but one player who thrived under that system was Troy Murphy.You know,the goofy white guy who used to shoot 3's and somehow get double digit rebounds every game too.Well,meet the college version of Troy Murphy.

To be fair,Ryan's a much much better shooter than Troy but not quite as good a rebounder.He's not a Steve Novak in that he can drive in and finish at the cup.Adequate passer but liable to get into foul trouble when forced to switch onto a perimeter player as he's got about average lateral quickness.He seems like a guy who'd thrive playing next to a good playmaker and a great playmaker like LeBron or CP3 might turn him into a poor man's MacAdoo.

Check out this profile of Ryan Anderson by a guy who's opinion I respect a lot : http://highfivehoopschool.blogspot.com/2008/05/cals-ryan-anderson.html



2) Joey Dorsey (6-9, 260 lbs,Memphis Senior, per 40 mins 10.4 ppg,14.4 rpg,2.9 bpg,64.7 FG%)






And we come to the first senior of the draft.Don't come looking here for upside or growth potential.What you do get is pure production and beastly defense.Dorsey's 260 pound frame packs on a fair bit of muscle and boy does he that frame.Projected over 40 mins,his rebounding rate places him 5th in the nation and rebounding is one aspect that translates fairly well to the pro game.

Dorsey's the kind of pick who would not impress fans initially but will grow into the kind of tough fan favourite that every club needs.He's sturdy,very athletic and has got a passion for the game that's missing from other more talented prospects.He can finish an alley oop well and can run the floor with the best of them.At best he'll be the second coming of Oak and as a Laker fan I sorely wish that Mitch Cupchak get a hold of a late,late first rounder and pick either Dorsey or Reese as they are exactly the kind of tough interior presence that my Lakers sorely lack.

3 men to rule them all

Whats crackin people? My name is Hursty, ya'll will get to know me and the fellas better over time but as we all know the 2008 NBA Draft is coming up.

A bit about me. If you wanna talk that's cool. To know more about me, read my bio when you click my name, if you wanna argue some insane stupid ass point I'll just ignore you. Fair enough? On with the show then.

My amazing gift to the people of the Internet is the 3 man. These are the guys who do a little bit of everything. They score, board, dish, and are (supposed) to play defence as well as run the lanes.

You have variations of the 3 man, but if you wanted to look at them more closely follow my lead and I'll take you out of the darkness that is mystery.

You have your offensive minded guys like Carmelo Anthony and your exact opposite in Bruce Bowen while moving into the Battier type players of the league.

Then there are the athletic freaks-Like LeBron James. Thing about LeBron is that he helps the team, but right now he's an athletic specimen and can rely defensively on his superior strength and agility to bump and move offensive players outta the way. Dude is built like a brick shithouse.

If you wanna go deeper, there are the 'all rounders' like Tayshaun Prince and Paul Pierce and Shawn Marion. These guys are long, athletic and know how to use their bodies in all situations.

Don't get it twisted here, LeBron's an amazing player but you cant argue that he has the skillset of Paul Pierce or the defence of Prince. Hes in limbo here. But enough of that.

If you want the perfect example of a 3 man, look no further than Ron Artest. Hate him as you may, hes a brilliant perimeter player who will absolutely lock down your best offensive weapon while contributing a big 20.5, 5.8 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals and .7 blocks a night on the reg. Say what you will about his incidents hes the most rounded player at the 3 in the League right now. He's a veteran player, is still relatively young and plays with more heart than a dude with a cardiomegaly.

But, as I said, its the Draft and this is time for the best players to shine their brilliance upon as. There are a few flippers and maybes that appear down the bottom so lemme know if ya'll think otherwise.

1. Joe Alexander, West Virginia. Junior.

Explosive as any player in the draft but not likely to be a top 5 pick, J.A stayed in school and got rewarded for his hard work while playing in whats known traditionally as a real strong conference and a weaker team. His Draft workouts having reportedly been outstanding and his stock has risen considerably. He has the body at 6'8 and 210 but will need to polish his game a bit around the midrange and use his size in the post.


2. Anthony Randolph, LSU, Freshman.



At 6'10 hes as tall as a 4 but hes gotta put the muscle on at 200 pounds, real quick but a difficult pick for a team to take. He may blow up in the NBA or fade into the hair of the boys from Hanson. Teams will look to pick him into the mid 1st round based on his ability to handle the rock and his high skill-set. Boom or bust though....


3. Nicolas Batum, France, 1988.



A shooter who can light it up but struggled this year with his shot by European accounts, he knows exactly what his role will be on a team and the consistency of his performances will seem almost Battier like. Teams looking for an active, young role player need look no further, with the ability to play the 2 at 6'8 his height and skill set will be valued greatly by stronger teams looking for that next step. He could go top 8 but if things go as expected will get picked up before the 18th pick or so. A good future is definitely possible for the Frenchman who can still put a bit of weight on at 210. Please just don't turn into a Marco Bellineli.


4. Danilo Gillianari, Italy, 1988.



Much has been said about this kid, dude can handle the rock and score at will but seems to be another offensive minded European who plays absolutely NO defence and comes across as arrogant and self-minded - the opposite of Batum. He says he wants to play in NY or NJ only, and I feel its largely because of the native population in those two cities. I just cant see him going at 6 to N.Y but with them anything is possible. NJ is more likely but he can go sit his ass on the bench and get splinters Like Tiago Splitter in Europe.... damn Brazilian.


5. Anonymous.



This right here is where it gets hard to pick players, they can drop all the way from just outside the lottery to the 2nd round. Although that's unlikely for guys like Donte Greene and Davon Jefferson ( his stock PLUMMETED after the season) they should be safe, it really depends on team needs and the showings that players had on workouts. Those pick ups include Bill Walker (and his knee), James Gist and Will Daniels all the way to Patrick Ewing Jr....!



There are certainly some steals in this for the teams who take a gamble that pays off and the chance for them to lose their jobs if it all goes wrong.



Cats like Mike Beasley and Ryan Anderson can shift to the 3 from the 4 spot if needs be because of a). Size b). Shooting range.



Then there are the swingmen who play the two but can slide to the 3 to give minutes to resting starters. Guys like Brandon Rush and Chris Douglas Roberts (dude is WAY underrated) can find minutes here if need arises.



Hope ya'll learnt a little about me and my opinions and whats going down for the misinformed. I KNOW there is gonna be beef with what I've written but throw it at me, Like I said if its smart I'll answer, stupid and...... that's all you get.


Peace, Hursty.

BACHI 2.0 DRAFT PREVIEW PT. 1- ROSE'S SHOW

I know you people out there have been anxiously waiting and anticipating the arrival of a Hibachi 2.0 post and I am truly sorry for the long wait. Who knew that having five people doing a blog would be such a hassle? You have to decide who is doing what, how you are going to write the post, and pictures and details to make everything flow in circle. Damn it is like a 9 to 5 job in this MF! But as you guys will see my boy Hurst has already shitted on y'all with the draft preview of the small fowards so I told him I got next. The 1 is really the easiest position to cover because I only see one rose in the garden out of this point g class and that is Derrick. Rose that is. There are a few little whipper-snappers that could make some noise in the L but really this is ROSE'S SHOW so I guess all we can do is stare in amazement at the future of the L. No disrespect CP3, but get ready for some comp for that number one spot my man. Note that everyone on this list isn't necessarlily a point guard but that will be the position they will most likely play in the L. Enough talking, time for the rankings! Let's get it.

1. Derrick Rose/Memphis/6-4, 195 Season stats/ppg: 14.9/ast:4.7/stls:1.2
Potential: NBA all-star

• What else is there to say about Chi-towns finest. He is strong as hell, quicker than the roadrunner, and he has size at his position like a little stocky incredible hulk. Think about D-wade's athleticisim fused with j-Kidd's IQ and you have a bonafide star waiting for his chance to blow up. He can get to the rim with ease and he makes everyone on his team go. The best quality he has is his ability to play with great players. CDR, Antonio Anderson, Joey D, and Dosier can all create shots for themselves because they are that skilled but when Rose arrived, he created a multitude of scoring options for the four of them. That will definetlely make any team he is drafted on better. Only concern with me is his Ray Charles shakey jumer. He improved on his shooting later in the year but it still wasn't on point. But it really doesn't matter because Rose WILL BE THE NUMBER 1 PICK IN THE DRAFT. Bulls fans, get ready for the second coming of number 23. 5 stars

2. Jerryd Bayless/Arizona/6-3, 193/Season stats/ ppg: 19

POTENTIAL: NBA all-star

• Shut the hell up! I know this kid is anything but a one right now but he will most likely play both positions once he gets to the L. We will rank combo guards later on in the week but I really see Jerryd playing point because I see his future with the Sonics. Along with Durant and Jeff Green? That could be a powerful trinity a couple of years from now. Think Gil Areans with more hops and a better jumper. Bayless, in my opinion, could haved stayed at Zona for another year to polish his skills and become a top 2 pick for sure in next year's draft but he did make the right decision because his celieng is getting no higher than this my friends. Bayless needs to gain a little more weight and more on his handles more because at Zona all I saw the kid do was dunk and shoot. Top 5 pick no doubt. 5 stars.

3. D.J. Augustin/Texas/ 5-11, 175 Stats/ ppg:19.2/ast:5.8

POTENTIAL: SOLID STARTER OR BACKUP

• D.J. is as cold as ice, brrrrrr. Actually he is "Polar Bear" cold, even a more emphatic brrrrrrr. Please haters do not be deceived by his dimunitive stature, this fellow can straight ball out the damn gym. D.J. was the number one point guard in the country last year...hands down. I know about Rose and his skills trust me, but Augustin has been the best POINT in the land for two years running. Texas had a great year last season without their guy KD and it all started with D.J. D.J. can score the ball, he can shoot from outside, and he was one of the top assist men in the country no less no.1 in the Big 12. But unfortunately this will not be college for D.J. anymore meaning his size will eventually take him hostage. But I have faith that D.J. will suceed in the L. Just look at CP3 and AI if you will. I see him going to the Pacers in the lottery. Tinsely, move over. 4 stars.
  

Sleepers and busts

• I know I only ranked three players but I feel that those are the only 1's in the draft that will make an immediate impact on their respective teams. These next players that I list will be either my sleepers or my busts. Don't hate because I didn't rank Russel Westbrook. Dude is more of a two than point so he has not been introduced yet. Look for that later in the week.

Sleepers

Jamont Gordon/MISSISSIPPI STATE(HELL YEAH MISSISSIPPI STAND UP!)/ 6-4, 230

• People claim that D-Rose is in the Jason Kidd mold. I somewhat believe in that notion but I look at T.V. and I see Jason Kidd putting up triple doubles on the regular. I then I thought to myself, "What college point guard has been putting up J-Kidd numbers?" Is it the slick cat Rose or the tiny mouse D.J.? What about the speedy gonzales they call Darren? No it is none of them but Mississippi's finest, Jamont Gordon. If NBA teams are looking for A DO EVERYTHING PG, Jamont is the man. He averaged 17 pts, 5 ast, 7 rebounds and almost 2 steals a night. Jamont ranked in the top 5 in the SEC in ppg, ast, rebounds, and steals. Damn, if that isn't close to Kiddd numbers than I must be on the dro. Only problem with Gordon is that he might not be able to guard the fast lane drivers in the L such as Parker, CP, Billups, Deron, Baron, etc. This is my number one sleeper in the pg class. Don't ever doubt the players from the SIP. MONTA, WHAT'S GOOD FAM? 3.5 stars.

Sean Singletary/Virginia/6'0, 185 Season stats: I just know kid scored a doozy.

• If Jamont Gordon was my number one sleeper then Sean is a very close second. Now I did my research and I believe that Sean has been an all-ACC performer ever since his sophmore campaign. That is freakin ridiculous for any one player to pull off, especially one that is listed as 6'0 but might be 5-10 and 1/2. Sean is slept on because of his size but his ability to score is just uncanny. No 1 can score in bunches like him except Rose and Bayless and that is pretty steep company. Sean could have went to the L as a junior but he decided to stay one more year and it hasn't hurted his draft stock a bit. He is a a major sleeper but he is also a risk as well. Think of a smaller Ben Gordon. Sean has to prove that he can get his teammats involved as well as play better defense. Sean will be a valuabel option off the bench for any NBA team. Late 1st to second round pick. 3 stars

Jeremy Pargo/Gonzaga/ 6-2, 219

• If Jannero can have a breakout year like he did with the Hornets this year, than get ready for his little brother to follow suit. Jeremy is my sleeper/bust because I not quite sold on him yet. He is a better athlete than his brother but that is where it ends. Jeremy is not that fast and his jumper is at the least suspect. Jeremy was a decent passer and distubutor but turnovers killed his team at times. But I believe that he can be a solid third string or even second string backup point guard for a good team. Like Jannero, though, it may take sometime before we see Jeremy light it up in the L. 3 stars

Busts

Tywon Lawson/North Carolina/5-11, 193 Season stats/ppg:12:/ast: 5.3/stls:2

• Can I rate someone a bust just because I think he should have stayed at school? Maybe not, but in Tywon Lawson's case yes I can. Now if I am wrong please feel free to bash my face in but I think Lawson is still in the draft no? I believe he is and if this is true, this is a mistake by Ty. Now I will give this dude some credit, he is the fastest point guard in the draft behind Rose. He kind of like D.J.'s twin but bigger and stronger. He has a great handle to go with marvelous court vison. He reminds me of Raymond Felton in some sense of size and speed. His downfall you ask? That broke-ass jumper that makes Bill Cartwright look like Ray Allen. Lawson and Ellington should have both stayed in school so they could mature their games a bit more but what do I know? I just know that Lawson was injured most of the year and he didn't have a better year than his freshman one so I don't see what caused him to make this desicison. I love him but I believe he will be my number one bust of the 1's.

So there you have it. Hibachi 2.0 draft preview of the Point guards. It was oh so excellent don't you agree? Tune in later on in the week for the rest of the positions and even a mock draft. If I can ever get off of work to accomplish it. DP out. play wit it.