I'm watching the braves and i just thought about it so i'm gonna do some NBA draft impressions.

Top 5 NBA Ready Players

1.Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)

He'll come in right away and put up the kind of numbers Chris Bosh and Emecka Okafor put up their rookie seasons. He'll average around 15 and 8. He's not going to be the dominant force he was in the big 12, but he'll contribute. The ideal situation for him is Oklahoma City. I think if he lands with Durant, Westbrook and company they'll be a playoff team in the next 2 years. Thats too much talent.

2. Ty Lawson (UNC)
One thing that easily translates is speed. Imagine if he lands in New York or Philadelphia. He needs to work on his shooting but he'll probably back up a good point guard then take over in a few years. He's not gonna put up great numbers, but he'll make a big impact from the get go.

3. Eric Maynor (VCU)
Maynor's another guy that won't light the scoreboard on fire, but he'll make everyone around him better. This guy is a clutch shooter that knows how to run a team. Seems to be the perfect fit for Indiana.

4. Sam Young (Pitt)
We all know what Sam can do. I think he's going to come in to the league and contribute like Andre Iguodala did. He'll probably start out as a 3rd or 4th option on a middling time. Utah or Phoenix would be perfect fits.

5. Terrence Williams (L'ville)
T-will is a poor man's LeBron James. He does it all. He'll be the 6th or 7th man for someone and provide a spark off the bench. He's a four year player so i believe he's ready. Denver or Houston are good fits for him.

Sleepers
1. Toney Douglass (FSU)
...Monta Ellis anyone?
2. Tyler Smith (Tenn)
If he comes out he should be a great do everything forward.
3. James Johnson (Wake)
I see a ton of parallels to Thad Young. Young, athletic, and explosive. Being the most talented player or a playoff team isn't bad.

Busts
1. Hasheem Thabeet (uconn)
We saw DeJuan Blair take him to school to the tune of 22-23. Here's what we know...he's soft, he doesn't have an offensive game, and he's 7'3. We know how much more bigger and more developed NBA players are than college players. Have a 5'10 to 6'2 guard driving the lane compared to a 6'6 to 6'10 guard/forward is a little different. Every post player is going to do what Blair did. Bust written all over him.

2. Gerry Henderson (Duke)
...just when James White thought he had a strangle hold on the d league dunk contest. He can't shoot, he's not strong enough, and quite simply he's no different than dahanty jones (another highly touted Dukie).

3.B.J. Mullens (OSU)
He's not ready. Not even close. Averaging 6 points in a weak conference doesn't exactly prepare you for the NBA. At least he won't be the biggest bust for a Ohio State center in recent years.

New Season, Same Problems

So after the 2008 Season filled with injuries to NL batting champion Chipper Jones as well as poor bullpen performances, the braves first loss of 2009 was a result of Chipper Jones being unavailable with a thumb injury and a horrific 7th inning from the bullpen. The Braves wasted 6 innings from the newly acquired Javier Vazquez en route to a 12-11 loss at the hands of the Phillies. For the Braves, Brian McCann and Rookie Jordan Schafer both hit their 2nd homer of the season, while Matt Diaz added his first. Yunel Escobar and Omar Infante added 2 hits and Jeff Francoeur came through with a bases loaded 2-run single. Vazquez went 6 innings, gave up 5 hits, 4 walks, 3 earned runs and struck out 5. It wasn't until the 7th inning when the problems started. In his first appearance since Tommy John surgery, Peter Moylan gave up 4 earned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks without recording an out. Blaine Boyer earned his first loss of the season when he walked in 2 more runs without recording an out. After comfortably leading 10-3 and cruising toward as sweep of the defending champs, the same thing happened that plagued the Braves all last season struck again, and his name is Blaine Boyer.

Pens in Playoffs, The Pirates aren't going undefeated, and Jamie Dixon is Coach of the Year

The Penguins clinched at least the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference of the NHL playoffs with a 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay. Sidney Crosby had two goals, and Evgeni Malkin had two assists. The Pens are currently in sixth and would play the Devils in the first rounds if the standings hold. With two games left to play, the Pens trail Carolina by 2 points and Philadelphia by 2 points but the Flyers have three games left to play. Most likely, the Pens will end up facing either the Devils or the Flyers in the first round. Both are challenging opponents, but with the way the Pens are playing right now, I like their chances in what should be a very intriguing and exciting first round matchup.

After opening the season with a thrilling 6-4 ninth inning rally over St. Louis on Monday, the Pirates performed in a more typical fashion by falling 9-3 on Tuesday night. So much for the 173-0 season (I was going to make t-shirts), but nine teams are still keeping the dream alive. Anyway here are some quick early season observations on my Buccos, who are still on pace for 81-81: Nyjer Morgan is hitting, stealing, and scoring runs so far, and I guess that’s a good sign. Freddy Sanchez had a good couple of games too, and Jack Wilson had a clutch hit in the first game. Wonder if they will be traded anytime soon. Andy LaRoche sucks in the field. It has been 2 games, but come on he’s on pace for 243 errors. I miss Bay and Nady, but we will have to wait to see how last year’s big trades work out (but can we for once at least hit on half of the players we got?) That’s about it. It’s early. I’m glad that baseball’s here. I’m looking forward to nice weather, days at the ballpark, wishing the Outback was still at PNC Park, fireworks, bobbleheads, and trying to catch home runs. Maybe even some by the Pirates. At least once in while.

Jamie Dixon was named the Naismith Coach of the Year. It’s great to see him get the national recognition he deserves and without it being tied to some other coaching job. He has done an amazing job over the past six-years. As heart breaking as the ending was (the image may be forever burned into the psyches of the players, coaches, and fans), this was arguably the greatest season in Pitt basketball history. We all need to appreciate this season, and cherish the incredible memories. Hopefully, more to come on that later in the form of written and video tribute. For now, we wait to hear if DeJuan Blair is entering the draft, and hope for the future successes of all the departing Panthers. It is likely that we will be able to cheer on Blair and Sam Young on NBA draft day, and hopefully in the league in the years ahead. And know that we have a stellar coach to lead our future teams.

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