NBA Mock Draft Part 2: Rest of the Draft

15. Detriot Pistons

James Johnson-Power Forward, Wake

Detroit needs a tough guy that can play down low and I feel like Johnson is that guy. Detroit is also a team looking to get younger and more athletic and Johnson fits the bill there too. If Earl Clark’s available they would take him here, I just don’t think that’s happening.

16. Chicago Bulls

B.J. Mullens-Center, The Ohio State University

From what I hear the Bulls are going to take Mullens. I have absolutely no clue why they would take this guy here. I guess Paxson doesn’t feel like they have enough non-athletic white centers. The bright side for Mullens, he won’t be the biggest bust center to come out of Ohio State lately.

17. Philadelphia 76ers

Patty Mills-Point Guard, St. Mary’s (CA)

The Sixers always find a way to shock me and take someone completely off the radar. I believe this year, instead of making the obvious choice and taking Eric Maynor, they take a different point guard. I’m fine with any of the point guards on the Sixers radar, which includes Maynor, Mills, and Ty Lawson. In 2007, the Sixers passed up Al Thorthon, a guy that would have come right in and contributed for a guy that had a ton of upside. In this spot, Maynor is the seasoned, four year college player and Mills is the upside guy. I just think this team thinks out the box and “reaches” for the Olympian, Mills.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves

They’re going to trade the pick to the Nets.

New Jersey Nets

Terrance Williams-Small Forward, L’ville

The Nets seem to love T-will but would most likely not take him at 11. I believe they’ll trade up and get their guy. T-will brings a lot of experience to the table and will surely step right in and contribute. I’d compare him to former ACC Player of the Year, Josh Howard.

19. Atlanta Hawks

Ty Lawson-Point Guard, North Carolina

They’ve repeatedly whiffed by passing on the likes of Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo. They take a guy here in Lawson that fits their offense. If Teague’s available, they take him here, if not it’s Lawson. Generally when you have two comparable guys and one supposedly has more upside, then that guy goes first. I think Teauge’s gone and Atlanta takes Lawson.

20 Utah Jazz

Tyler Hansbroguh-Power Forward, North Carolina

With a gaping hole after the departure of either Carlos Boozer or Paul Milsap and possibly both, I think the Jazz take the former player of the year and ACC all-time leading scorer, Hansbrough. He’ll bring toughness and grittiness to the table for a perennial playoff team.

21. New Orleans Hornets

Jrue Holliday-Guard, UCLA

I just can’t see him falling any further than here with New Orleans. The Hornets need someone to step in and take some pressure off CP3, I just believe Holliday can step right in and do that.

22. Dallas Mavericks

Austin Daye-Power Forward, Gonzaga

We could be looking at the next Tayshaun Prince. Daye is very long and can shoot a little. With a playoff team, Dallas can take a gamble on someone with upside.

23 Sacramento Kings

Sam Young-Small Forward, Pitt

Aside from Kevin Martin, the Kings are lacking any scoring threats since giving John Salmons and Brad Miller to the Bulls. Young can step right in and average between 15 and 20 a night. If it wasn’t for his age and awkward release, Young would have been a lottery pick easily.

24. Portand Trailblazers

After this colossal mistake they need all the assets they can get. They’re going to trade the pick to the Knicks

New York Knicks (Via Portland)

Eric Maynor-Point Guard, VCU

The knicks have several spots to fill and generally to build a winner, you win with point guards and power forwards. They got their power forward already in Jordan Hill so I think they trade back into the draft and take Maynor. Eric Maynor is a warrior and has been through the ringer as a four year college player.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder

Toney Douglas-Shooting Guard, Florida State

I think Toney Douglas is the biggest sleeper in this draft. This guy carried a relatively average team to challenge for the ACC crown. Pairing Douglas with Kevin Durant would provide the Thunder with two guys that can put the ball in the basket at will.

26. Chicago Bulls

Wayne Ellington-Shooting Guard, North Carolina

The Bulls could go anywhere with this pick. According to the Bulls web-site, they’ve basically worked out every player in the draft. I’m just going to take a stab in the dark and say they take Ellington. Ellington brings a championship pedigree to the table.

27. Memphis Grizzlies

A.J. Price-Point Guard, Connecticut

As Bill Simmons makes very clear from time to time, Chris Wallace isn’t a very good GM. So naturally Wallace will take a point guard here which he obviously doesn’t need. Price has some character issues so he should fit right in with O.J. Mayo.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves

Omri Casspi-Power Forward, Isreal

Maybe it’s just me but it seems like every other pick in this draft is either Minnesota or Memphis. Thanks to the KG trade Minnesota has enough young guys where I think they take a foreign player here and keep him overseas.

29. Los Angeles Lakers

Marcus Thorthon-Shooting Guard, LSU

One thing I can guarantee about this draft is that the Lakers are going to take another guy for Kobe to scream at and ignore when they’re wide open.

30. Cleveland Cavilers

DeMarre Carroll-Power Forward

Cleveland is lacking toughness down low. Carroll is an experienced college player who can step right in and contribute down low. Since the Cavs blew their pick last year and took J.J. Hickson, they need to make up for it this year.

NBA Mock Draft Part 1: The lottery

Time for some real sports that people give a shit about.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin-Forward, University of Oklahoma

This draft is almost identical to the 2007 draft. You have a can’t miss power forward from a Big 12 school, then you have a huge stiff center. I thought Kevin Durant over Greg Oden was a no brainer, but I guess it wasn’t. This pick has to be Blake Griffin. The Clippers are in a precarious position where they have Zach Randolph and Al Thorthon who play the same position as Griffin, and a coach that may not be able to juggle this crowded frontcourt.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Hasheem Thabeet-Center, Connecticut

This is without a doubt a need based pick. The Grizzlies have several guards so there is really no need to take a player like Ricky Rubio. Mark my words, this is a HUGE mistake. After watching Thabeet in the Big East for three seasons, it’s very clear what he is, a tall, soft, space eater with no offensive game. When thinking about taking Thabeet, Memphis should look at this or or this and take a real big man.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Ricky Rubio-Point Guard, Spain

This is a draft where there seems to be a consensus top three, then everyone else. Rubio is in my opinion the 2^nd best player in this draft and despite them having Russell Westbrook, their 1^st round pick last year, the Thunder will not pass up on Rubio. From what I’ve read and heard, Rubio has a lot of Steve Nash in him.

4. Sacramento Kings

Johnny Flynn-Point Guard, Syracuse

Looking at the Kings roster, they seem pretty set in the front court with Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson and Donte Greene. Kevin Martin, their best player, is a shooting guard and needs someone to get him the ball with opportunities to score. Flynn’s a great athlete and a good passer so I feel like he’s the perfect fit for them. Demar Derozan would also be a popular pick here, however I can’t see them reaching that far for a guy that for being so highly touted, has shown nothing.

5. Washington Wizards

Stephen Curry-Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Davidson

Now I don’t know if there are enough basketballs to go around for Curry to play with Gilbert Arenas but I think this would be a huge attraction to bring basketball back in D.C. With Curry and Arenas they’d be able score a ton. I’d love to see this backcourt.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

I honestly cannot figure out what Minnsota is going to do here. They have a very good front court of the future with Love and Jefferson along with Corey Brewer. Some of the players they are working out make absolutely no sense at six. I’m going to say they trade down to eight.

New York Knicks

Jordan Hill-Power Forward, Arizona

The Knick love Steph Curry and would take him in certainly every scenario. Since he’s gone, I think they move up and grab another guy they’re taking a hard look at. I think Hill’s the pick here. When this guy plays to his capability, he’s a very good player (see NCAA tournament).

7. Golden State Warriors

Tyreke Evans-Point Guard, Memphis

I just feel like he fits great into their run and gun offense and they will not pass up on him here.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves (VIA NY Knicks)

James Harden-Shooting Guard, ASU

Harden’s free fall ends here with the Timberwolves. Harden is just too much talent to pass up there. Instead of taking Harden at 6, the Wolves added a few future picks and take him at 8.

9. Toronto Raptors

Demar DeRozen-Small Forward, USC

This is clearly the pick here. DeRozen is the only guy that has worked out for the Raptors. Here is a guy though, like former Raptor Vince Carter, who plays when he wants to play. DeRozen came into USC as one of the most highly touted prospects in the country, but only spent one disappointing year with the Trojans. This wouldn’t surprise me at all, considering Toronto’s tendency for head-scratching draft picks

10. Milwaulkee Bucks

Brandon Jennings-Point Guard, Italy

With Flynn almost certain to be gone, I see the Bucks going for the highest rated point guard left. I think this is a very easy pick for the Bucks to take the former Arizona recruit here.

11. New Jersey Nets

DeJuan Blair-Power Forward/Small Forward, Pitt

The Nets are hungry for toughness and rebounding and there is no one more equip to bring that to them than Big East Player of the Year and Naismith Finalist, DeJuan Blair. After going through the rigors of the draft workouts, the Nets are also getting a much slimmer Blair.

12 Charlotte Bobcats

Gerry Henderson-Shooting Guard, Duke

Another link in the chain of former Dukies with no NBA potential. When Henderson isn’t busy playing dirty or choking, he made his reputation as a pretty good dunker. Ask Rodney Carney about being a dunker that can’t shoot or play defense. The ‘Cats also have a long reputation for draft mistakes like taking this toolbag and not taking this guy. Good luck MJ, you may be the best player to touch a basketball, but as a GM you’re a lost cause.

13 Indiana Pacers

Jeff Teague-Shooting Guard, Wake

I honestly have no idea what the Pacers do here. They were in the playoff hunt for a while last year until Danny Granger got hurt. They have one scorer in Granger, and not much else. I feel like they want a point guard, but with Jennings gone, I can’t see them reaching for Ty Lawson or Eric Maynor. In Teague were talking about a guy that was in the Naismith race for a while last season. I think he goes here.

14. Phoenix Suns

Earl Clark-Power Forward, L’ville

I’ve seen Clark for a few years, he’s a guy like DeRozen, that when he wants to play can be the best player on the floor. He’s developed a jump shot and can handle most guys down low. Clark just seems like a Steve Kerr kind of guy.

to be continued tomorrow.

To be the man, you have to beat the man...

With all the odds stacked against them, the Pittsburgh Penguins have brought Lord Stanley's Cup back to the city of champions. Winning their third Cup in franchise history - first since 1992 - the Pens were the better team on the ice and deserved this championship.

In the previous 14 game 7's, the road team only won two of them. The Penguins had never been in a Stanley Cup Final game 7, where as Detroit had experience. The game was in Joe Louis Arena, where the Red Wings had been 11-1 in this year's playoffs coming into the game. Only one team in history has ever comeback from a 2-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup. Everything pointed toward a Detroit repeat, but that's why games aren't played on paper.

There are so many storylines coming from this game. But the thing that defined it is that this was a full team effort with everyone contributing in some way.

The biggest contribution to the offense of the Pittsburgh Penguins was Max Talbot. A true center, Talbot moved up to the second line earlier in the playoffs to play as a winger to Evgeni Malkin. "Mad" Max scored two goals off Red Wing missteps with a beautiful deke and five-hole shot for the first, and a seeing-eye puck that bent in just under the crossbar over Chris Osgood's glove for the second. Osgood, who has been scary good for most of this series, gives up these two goals out of the Pens' 18 shots, making the difference.

Next is the two stars for Pittsburgh. And yes, I know, on the stat sheet the two-headed monster, Crosby and Malkin, only combined for one assist and four shots on goal. But Malkin, the Conn Smythe winner with 36 playoff points, made an excellent play off the boards cutting off Brad Stuart's outlet pass, which led to Talbot's first goal. Both of these guys still played with the same passion they've played with all series, especially on the defensive ending taking away shooting and passing lanes from the Red Wings all night. Plus Crosby only played 9:59 on the ice including one very short shift in the third period due to an injury from a Johan Franzen hit in the second. Regardless, without these two guys, the Pens don't make it past any of the first three rounds of the playoffs.

Another reason for the Pens success is the questionable play by the Red Wings' defensivemen. Both goals came off of Detroit defensive mistakes made by Brad Stuart. The first goal came off an outlet pass that Malkin deflected off his skate to an opportunistic Max Talbot. On the second goal, Stuart tried to pinch in the offensive zone, when a savvy Chris Kunitz moved the puck in the neutral zone, where again Talbot created a two-on-one ending in the game's second goal, which turned out to be the game-winner.

Finally, for all the flack this guy has caught for his questionable play in Detroit, he deserves all the credit in the world for his performances in game 6 and 7. Marc-Andre Fleury played on his head in this game. The Red Wings had numerous opportunities, but Fleury remained strong. Detroit outshot Pittsburgh 24-18 in this game, which is actually misleading for two reasons. First, the Pens only had one shot on goal in the third becuase they basically played twenty minutes of defense. Second, the Wings also had a lot more chances because many of them never ended up on goal, and therefore don't count as shots.

But back to Fleury. From the drop of the puck, possibly with the exception of Max Talbot, Fleury was the best player on the ice. From the doorstep chance by Kurt Maltby early on to the last second dive across the crease to stop the last second Nicklas Lidstrom shot. Fleury proved that he has the ability to be a Stanley Cup caliber goalie.

As a fan this game was entertaining and had everything you can ask for in a game 7 and more. From the physical play to the great scoring chances to Sidney Crosby being the youngest captain to ever hoist the Cup with the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face. The simple fact is that it's a shame anyone had to lose. Both these teams played with tremendous heart, true grit, but the truth is that someone had to lose.

When it was decided that the Stanley Cup Finals would be a rematch of last year's Final, it seemed fitting to me. In the words of the 16-time World Heavyweight champion Ric Flair, "To be the man, you have to beat the man." If Pittsburgh was going to climb to the top of the mountain, they would have to go through the same team denying them last year. Pittsburgh proved they had what it takes to get behind the driver's seat of this league, taking the NHL into the next generation.

Pittsburgh is the man.

The only disappointing thing about this game is the fact that hockey is over until this coming fall. But we all knew it would come to an end, and this Stanley Cup Final has provided enough excitement to hold us over until next season.

But for now, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the NHL Stanley Cup champions. Until this fall, remember to keep your head up when you're on the ice, it's either hit or be hit.