(63-19) First Round Wraps Up [4-0]

[Axel The Great]

Thanks for the support, X.




More Offseason News

For the draft workouts, we put our focus on a few different prospects. First, we tested them out hosting a five-on-five scrimmage; to see what they had to contribute during a game and also to gain in-game experience. An analysis of each player's performance in the scrimmage is below (note that the black team ended up winning 15-13):

Black Team


Zee Otoo
Stats: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3/6 FG
Analysis: In a criticizing sort of way, Otoo isn't really anything special if you take away his shooting. He just does a little bit of everything out on the court; he passes the ball, grabs rebounds, and makes an effort on defense. His three-point shooting makes him worthy of being taken in the first round, as he knocked in the game-winning three-pointer in this scrimmage. Definitely won't be on the board by the 28th pick, other teams could really use his three-point shooting.


Valdis Iesalnieks
Stats: 2 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2/4 FG
Analysis: Iesalnieks showed that he's a stud on the boards, easily outrebounding his matchup Bismack Biyombo. Though he did have a bit of a problem trying to get good shots over him, he still managed two field goals, and seems to have the potential to at least be a competent double-digit scorer when he reaches his prime. Shot blocking and rebounding are his strengths, and I believe that whatever team ends up drafting him will ultimately be a steal.


George Koukoulis
Stats: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4/9 FG
Analysis: His shooting could definitely use a bit of work. He didn't shoot with much confidence throughout the scrimmage, and rather relied on his penetration game to get his points. He succeeded in that though, finishing in traffic and giving us a nasty dunk as seen on the picture. There's a slight possibility he may be taken in the lottery considering that shooting guards are what quite a few teams are looking for.


Justine Jones
Stats: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 3/10 FG
Analysis: His shooting numbers won't tell you that he's a good shooter. He, like Koukoulis, got his points by penetration due to the fact that his jumpshot wasn't falling, and of course because the White team's defense was bothering him. He showed great court vision, and no signs of any injuries which have bothered him in the past. His performance may not have been great, but I still think he's a surefire lottery pick.


Thierry Tirieux
Stats: 2 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 2/6 FG
Analysis: Did not perform up to par. Tended to settle for tough outside jumpshots at the beginning, but as he began to figure out the defense, seemed to get on track. The game was over before he could do major damage, but he showed good defensive rotations and kept his man in front of him, a testament to his good defensive instincts. Someone I think who is top ten pick caliber, just needs to be on his game next time.

White Team


Willie Lewis
Stats: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3/11 FG
Analysis: He just didn't have it. He was unable to finish in traffic and could not hit anything from mid-range. However, where he did show signs of life was on defense; at 6'3" he had to guard the much taller Jones (6'7") and held him to poor shooting. His large frame for someone his height definitely helps on defense, but I think he will have to improve on his confidence and consistency when shooting. It wouldn't surprise me if he's still on the board by the 28th pick.


Xavier Nelson
Stats: 3 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2/4 FG
Analysis: Tended to let others get involved, shown in his six assists. Did an excellent job distributing the ball, seemed comfortable in both halfcourt and fast break settings. I'd expect him to still be on the board for the taking by the 28th pick as well, but there may as well be other teams who are interested in his flashy playmaking and above average defense.


Liam Washburn
Stats: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2/6 FG
Analysis: Having to play the two-guard position, he didn't have the ball in his hands as much. I'm sure that with the ball in his hands, we'd be able to see more of what he's capable of. Definitely not afraid to take shots, but tends to rely on long two-pointers instead of stepping closer to the goal. Because of his lack of upside, he may be taken in the second round.

Brad Halstead
Stats: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2/6 FG
Analysis: As I suspected, he looked lost on offense, and as the only scorers were undersized, it was tough for the team to get a basket when it was needed most. On defense, however, he was sharp. He knew exactly what to do, made sure he contested every shot, and allowed no one an easy look. I definitely think we should invest in him and snatch him with our 28th pick, if he just improves his jumpshot and offensive decision-making, he can turn out to be a very serviceable player for the team.

Bismack Biyombo
Stats: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 3/5 FG
Analysis: True to the hype, he's an excellent shot blocker. He was able to block shots in the paint and also on the perimeter thanks to his athleticism and long wingspan. He also took everyone by surprise by looking decent on offense; he hardly ever looked lost but that may have just come from playing alongside two good point guards (Washburn, Nelson). Definitely will be taken within the top 20 picks.


We also held a two-on-two workout between Thierry Tirieux and Justine Jones against Kevin Martin and Shane Battier. True, Battier and Martin didn't really feel much like trying considering this wasn't for their benefit, Tirieux redeemed himself from a below-par performance in the scrimmage and led himself and Jones to an 11-9 win over the Rockets veterans. Tirieux was able to figure out Martin's offensive strategy, and was able to score at will. Battier meanwhile, kept Jones at bay, but didn't seem to try much on offense, chucking up ill-advised threes apparently thinking this was some sort of heat check contest.

And to end it all, we took a closer look at Halstead, and came to a conclusion that he can be an all-around player. He's got good handles for a guy who's 6'9" (possibility of point forward maybe?), great size for a small forward, and a pretty decent jumpshot. His defense is his biggest asset, with his strength and hustle he's able to shut down any player at will. We've come to a decision: draft Brad Halstead with the 28th pick.

[shadowgrin]

I would rather watch a D-League All-Star game than these NLSC clowns.

Liam Washburn

Analysis: Having to play the two-guard position, he didn't have the ball in his hands as much. I'm sure that with the ball in his hands, we'd be able to see more of what he's capable of.

L-Train is fully capable of jacking up bricks.

[rise]

I am CLUTCH.

#1 pick.

[Houndy]

Defensive specialist....

[Stress Fracture]

One more year for the 2012 class.

[rise]

Axel, if I may make a suggestion: It has taken over nine months for you to complete one season. If I were you, I'd speed it up a bit. Maybe recap more games at one time. The stories are great, definitely keep those coming, and I like the NLSC Tournaments. Just speed it up a little if possible.

[Axel The Great]

I would rather watch a D-League All-Star game than these NLSC clowns.

Liam Washburn

Analysis: Having to play the two-guard position, he didn't have the ball in his hands as much. I'm sure that with the ball in his hands, we'd be able to see more of what he's capable of.

L-Train is fully capable of jacking up bricks.

Looks like L-Train has a doubter. We'll see his response in the NBA.

I am CLUTCH.

#1 pick.

A 66-rated player surely won't go first over a 74-75 rated player.

Defensive specialist....

Just need to improve a little in shooting.

One more year for the 2012 class.

I'll bet you're looking forward to that.

Axel, if I may make a suggestion: It has taken over nine months for you to complete one season. If I were you, I'd speed it up a bit. Maybe recap more games at one time. The stories are great, definitely keep those coming, and I like the NLSC Tournaments. Just speed it up a little if possible.

It's all about the time I have in my hands. I have early release this year (senior year), so I do have some more time on my hands, but then again, I also have a job so that neutralizes it. I'll see if I can go faster, but there's sometimes just one thing holding me back from an update that I'd need to access my association to finish, but to turn on my PS3 for one little thing is just not worth it at times. I'll see if I can go faster though, nice to see someone would like this to be sped up. But you shouldn't talk especially when your story hasn't been updated in a while.

NBA Draft next (just the lottery picks)! I hope you guys like it.

[Axel The Great]

2011 NBA Draft

Replacement commissioner Adam Silver welcomes everyone at the Prudential Center to the NBA Draft. TNT Inside the NBA theme song plays.

"Welcome everyone to Inside the NBA on TNT. Tonight we bring you coverage on this year's NBA Draft which is being held at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Draft, a night where teams are changed for the better, a night where many young ballers' dreams come true. I'm Ernie Johnson joined by Kenny "The Jet" Smith and Basketball Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Kevin McHale," Ernie Johnson begins the NBA Draft Coverage.

EJ: "Now I don't know anything about being drafted into the NBA, but apparently, you three have some kind of idea? Enlighten us, if you please."

Charles Barkley: "Oh, it's a great feelin'. You get a chance to play basketball for a livin', but there's always expectations to live up to."

Kevin McHale: "There have been many who haven't lived up to those expectations. Just because you get drafted, it doesn't mean you have a clear easy path to the NBA. You first have to impress your coach, your teammates, and earn your minutes."

Kenny Smith: "Some of the players in this draft have already proven themselves worthy of starting on an NBA team, though. You look at players like Derrick Williams, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, they've shown flashes of potential and stardom. Now they just have to keep up their stellar play in this league to show that they were more than just great college players."

EJ: "And as the clock starts for the Washington Wizards to pick, who do you think will end up falling into their hands?"

KM: "Definitely not Kyrie Irving. They won the lottery last year and picked John Wall first overall. If they end up going with Irving, I don't see how him and Wall will coexist. Picking Derrick Williams is a safe bet."

CB: "But then again, they did pick Wall last year when they still had Gilbert Arenas, but unless you're David Kahn, you're not gonna stock up on point guards especially when you have a future star point guard. Wizards have toxic contract Rashard Lewis as their starting three, so I think Williams is the best option here to look to improve on that position once that contract is shed."

KS: "Here comes Adam Silver with the pick now."

Adam Silver: "With the first pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select... Derrick Williams out of the University of Arizona."

(Cheers erupt as Williams begins to make his way onto the podium to shake hands with Adam Silver.)

KM: "And so there you go, Derrick Williams. A versatile 6'8" player who has range out to the three-point line, shooting an astonishing 56% from there this past season for Arizona. He's also got the quickness to take it inside and finish in traffic. He's a decent rebounder and ball-handler as well. All I think he needs to improve is his mid-range game; he'll most likely be moving to the small forward position due to his size and frame in the NBA so he'll need a good jumpshot to be effective. But of course, leading his team to the NCAA Final this year definitely pushed his draft stock that high."

EJ: "And the Wizards, despite hitting the jackpot in Wall last year, find themselves with the first overall pick again. Wall suffered a torn hand ligament mid-season and sat out for the remainder of the season. With a healthy Wall coming back next season, it should be fun to see him play alongside Williams."

CB: "I smell bust on this pick. But then again, this draft class is so weak it wouldn't surprise me if we're looking at 60 draft busts. If is a big word, and if Williams can make the adjustments he needs to translate not only over to the pro level, but also from the power forward position to the small forward, he can probably be an All-Star someday. Probably."

KS: "Settle down Chuck. Not every player in this draft will be as good as that guy named Charles Barkley."

EJ: "And with Adam Silver approaching the microphone, he has the Sacramento Kings' selection, let's see who it is."

AS: "With the second overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select... Kyrie Irving out of the University of Duke."

KM: "Well, Irving didn't go number one, so he was surely going to go number two. I like this selection for Sacramento, they finally get the point guard they've desperately needed for years. He's fast, excellent ball-handler, good shooter, and of all the prospects in this draft, he seems to be the most likely to become an All-Star."

KS: "And with Irving on board, it will be fun to see what the Kings can do with Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton. Now their focus has to be the frontcourt to be able to make it back to the playoffs."

CB: "I don't know. Duke players have never turned out to do so well in the NBA. He better be the exception."

EJ: "But you can't deny the fact that even though he didn't play a full season at Duke, has some uncertainties with his conditioning, and yet he still finds himself as the second overall pick. That must tell you that he has a lot of upside."

CB: "He's the only player with a lot of upside in this draft. But you're right, I think the Kings are ultimately winners with this pick. They fill a huge need and take arguably the best player in the draft. If Irving turns out to have a huge career and Williams becomes a bust like I think he is, this could end up being like the 1984 draft all over again."

AS: "With the third pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select... Jan Vesely from Czech Republic. He last played for Partizan Belgrade of Serbia.

KS: "Very questionable pick here considering other players still on the board. Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight, Jonas Valanciunas."

KM: "And right you are, Kenny. I myself didn't see this pick coming, as the Sixers are taking a very raw European prospect. Obviously, they want an athletic player playing alongside Andre Iguodala, and Vesely is as athletic as they come. He gives you highlight reel dunks, which is very rare for a player from Europe. His post game is a work in progress, as is his outside shot. He can play both forward positions because of his quickness and size. Looking at his height at 6'11", if he can improve that jumpshot he will be hard to stop in this league."

EJ: "He did have a lot of hype heading into the draft. Impressed a lot of scouts in the Draft Combine, so we'll see how he pans out in Philadelphia."

AS: "With the fourth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select... Brandon Knight out of the University of Kentucky."

KM: "The Raptors with a smart pick here. They had the highest chance at the number one overall pick but fell to fourth. They didn't land Kyrie Irving, but Knight is a very talented prospect with good size for a point guard. In the NCAA Tournament, he showed he has a killer instinct in the clutch, and can score at will thanks to his handles and speed. I think Knight can develop into an All-Star in this league, whether or not he can become a true point guard. He's not always willing to pass the ball, and at times his shot selection is very questionable. We'll see if he can improve on that in the next few years. Decision-making is key."

CB: "I wouldn't be surprised if Knight pulled a Steve Francis and decided not to play in Toronto. It's a real mess up there. They had the worst record in the league last season, and of all people, Leandro Barbosa was their leading scorer. Run as fast as you can Brandon, Toronto is the worst possible place you can go!"

KS (laughs): "Knight is the player of the future for Toronto. Depending on how the slow development of Andrea Bargnani goes, Toronto's chances of landing a top five pick next year is in question. Ultimately I think this will land the Raptors with a few more wins now that they have someone who's willing to take the clutch shot."

AS: "With the fifth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select... Alec Burks out of the University of Colorado."

KM: "Surprising pick to say the least. Utah lands this pick from New Jersey after trading away their star point guard Deron Williams. Burks a shooting guard (which is Utah's weakest position) who has great ball skills; good passer, good court vision, and penetrates really well. He's also an above-average defender, and I think he has the potential of becoming an all-around player in this league. It's just his jumpshot that needs a lot of work."

EJ: "He got taken a little earlier than most expected him to. Utah's coaching staff will have their hands full in the development of Burks."

KS: "I'm sure Utah probably wanted Derrick Williams, especially since they had the second highest chance at the first pick but instead have to settle with the fifth pick. The Jazz add another good perimeter defender to their team alongside Raja Bell and Andrei Kirilenko."

CB: "Scouts criticized him for his jumpshot and lack of skill. I think the Jazz just took a huge gamble here. Taking very raw prospects is a high risk move this early in the draft as seen with the Sixers as well."

AS: "With the sixth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select... Kawhi Leonard out of San Diego State University."

KM: "Well, Leonard, arguably the best defensive player in the draft, gets selected by Cleveland as they upgrade on the wings. Leonard is nowhere close to the caliber of Cleveland's former star LeBron James, but I really like this pick. They invoke defense to their lineup, and Leonard should have no problem shining under head coach Byron Scott. It's all just a matter of improving his offensive game."

CB: "He looks like just another thug to me. Look at all those tattoos in his arms. I smell maturity and law problems in this guy."

KS: "Well, doesn't that make a good defensive player, then? Just look at Ron Artest. And of course, I'd imagine you'll be able to relate to him with the law problems, right Chuck?"

EJ: "Too early to say if he'll have problems off the court. Enough of that talk, here's Silver with the next pick."

AS: "With the seventh pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select... Enes Kanter out of Turkey. He last played for Fenerbahce of Turkey."

KM: "I'm going out on a limb here and labeling this pick a steal for the Warriors. Having to play players like Andris Biedrins and Dan Gadzuric at the center position last year, Golden State has now found a true center. Kanter at 6'11" has the potential to become a star. He will be a big time rebounder and defensive player, and if he can continue to refine his offensive game as the years go by, he should be a dominant force in this league."

KS: "I'm not too sold on him just yet, though. He doesn't have much in-game experience. He was declared ineligible to play for Kentucky this past season, and so he may be a bit rusty once he hits the court."

CB: "He's not gonna be no Kevin McHale, but I see big things in this guy. I just hope his free throws aren't as painful to watch as Biedrins'."

EJ (laughs): "Surely free throws can't get any worse than that. Barring injuries, I think he should develop into a solid player sooner or later. Next is the eighth pick which belongs to the Memphis Grizzlies."

AS: "With the eighth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select... Thierry Tirieux out of Michigan State."

KM: "I don't think this pick makes very much sense. While it is true, the frenchman Tirieux is the most well-developed prospect in the draft, ready to contribute right away to any team in this league. The downside is the fact that he's a point guard, and the Grizzlies sought a point guard in 2007 by the name of Michael Conley. Unless they're planning a deal, I don't see how this pick will work for them. But let's analyze Tirieux's game while we're at it. At 6'3", excellent size for a point guard, and has the best basketball IQ in the draft. His great court vision and smothering perimeter defense helped him to lead the Michigan State Spartans to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament. With two MVP titles in France, he definitely knows what it takes to be the best of the best. A possible All-Star I bet."

CB: "Come on, Kevin. He's french for god sake! C'est impossible that he becomes an All-Star. Not meaning to discriminate, but name the last French All-Star that played in this league?"

KM: "Tony Parker. Their game styles are similar, though I'd rate Tirieux the better shooter."

CB: "Ehm...."

KS: "That's turrible Charles. Don't discriminate. I too, see him becoming a star. Not only is he tremendously athletic, but he knows how to make the right decisions on the basketball court."

EJ: "It'll be hard for Memphis to be able to manage their minutes to keep them happy. Conley had a breakout season last year averaging nearly 13 points and nine assists, despite being hampered by injuries. We'll see how the situation is handled, but for now, here's Adam Silver with the Detroit Pistons' pick."

AS: "With the ninth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select... Jimmer Fredette out of Brigham Young University."

KM: "Detroit is stocked at the point, but I still like this pick. Jimmer the best scorer in the draft, should fit in well with Detroit's high-octane offense. Alongside Ben Gordon, they will make a deadly shooting backcourt combination. It's questionable whether or not he'll start, but still, a smart pick by the Pistons whose ideal pick was Tirieux."

CB: "If BYU hadn't ran into Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, I'm sure they'd have made it as far as the Final Four. I may not be sold on other top picks, but a guy like Jimmer who works hard every day to improve his game will run along fine in the pros."

KS: "I'm surprised you're not discriminating because he's white. But anyways, Jimmer reminds me of myself; a threat to bomb away from downtown at any moment. Though I wasn't as good a scorer as Jimmer is, I can't wait to see how his career will pan out."

EJ: "Defense is something that he has to put into his priorities. According to scouts, he seems uninterested at that end of the floor, and his lack of defensive instincts just makes it that much worse."

CB: "Stop hatin' Ernie. You just jealous because you can't ball like Jimmer."

AS: "With the tenth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select... Jonas Valanciunas out of Lithuania. He last played for Lietuvos Rytas of Lithuania."

CB: "Hallelujah! David Kahn did not pick a point guard! That's not turrible! MINNESOTA CELEBRATE!!!"

KM (laughing hard): "Well I guess it was about time Valanciunas was taken. A finesse player out of Lithuania, he could bring a lot to the table in Minnesota with his excellent shooting touch and decent rebounding ability. The main criticism for him is that he needs to add a bit of weight to his frame to be able to bang bodies with the big guys in this league. He's already got decent speed for the center position, so I think Minnesota's got themselves a solid pick here."

EJ: "So this now makes five out of ten international players taken if you count Kyrie Irving. This draft consists of some solid international players, and there are plenty more still on the board."

KS: "Could Minnesota finally be lookin' to stock up on big guys? If they dealt at least 10 of their 15 point guards, they could get some value out of that, maybe even add the piece that will take them back to the playoffs."

CB: "That one scrub Spanish kid is supposedly heading over there to play next season. Can't remember his name, but that'll clog their guard rotation worse than a toilet."

EJ: "Ricky Rubio is his name and yes, reports do say he wants to head to Minnesota this year, but it's not a sure thing. It should be a good experiment for the Timberwolves."

AS: "With the eleventh pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats select... Justine Jones out of the University of Kentucky."

EJ: "Well this pick, acquired from the Portland TrailBlazers midseason in the Gerald Wallace trade by Charlotte, could possibly be an excellent replacement for their former star player. Give us the insight on him, Kevin."

KM: "Jones is a solid player with many different dimensions in his game. He's exceptionally quick, great shooter, great passer, and an excellent rebounder. He can play positions one through three which is a testament to his versatility. Now, that all sounds great, but he's very mistake-prone, at times losing control of what he's doing, and of course very injury-prone. He battled many injuries this past season, even though he played every game for the Wildcats. In all, if he can stay healthy, he should turn out to be a solid pick for the Bobcats."

KS: "If you remember last year, Kentucky had three players taken in the lottery. This year, it could've also been three had Enes Kanter not been declared ineligible, but there's the Kentucky factor. That school can get and produce highly wanted prospects."

CB: "I think he's a bit undersized for a small forward and will likely be playing shooting guard at 6'7". To me it's a gamble taking such an injury-prone player, especially when you could've taken someone like Marcus Morris or Jordan Hamilton."

AS: "With the twelfth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select... George Koukoulis out of Greece. He last played for Olympiakos BC from Greece."

CB: "Who the hell is this cocoa guy? What a turrible name."

EJ: "Well Koukoulis becomes the fifth Greek player in NBA history and this is the first time that a Greek player gets taken in the lottery. A shocking pick to say the least, Kevin tell us more about this guy."

KM: "To be honest, I don't know too much about him. He's a 6'3" shooting guard with an excellent penetration game, and a decent jumpshot. A capable defender, and he knows what it takes to be a champion as he's won a championship with his Olympiakos. At age 19, he's accomplished a lot of things in his young career, and as you can tell, Milwaukee has obviously bought into the hype. I think he'll fit in well in Milwaukee, as they have been lacking at shooting guard since Michael Redd's injuries. Scouts saw a lot of upside in this guy, and if all goes well, this is a steal for the Bucks."

KS: "May the Greek gods Zeus and Poseidon be with him."

AS: "With the thirteenth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select... Jordan Hamilton out of the University of Texas."

KM: "Well the Suns, who parted ways with Vince Carter in the offseason, definitely pick up a solid pick. Hamilton a 6'8" shooting guard who I think has the tools to also play the three. He's a very consistent shooter, and with his size and length, gives him extra leverage to pick up rebounds. The thing about him is that he tends to rely too much on shooting when he could be taking it to the rim. The Suns love scorers, and this guy can score with the best of them."

CB: "I like this guy, but as Kevin said, in the NBA there are long and more athletic defenders, so he'll be forced to take it to the rim. Kinda reminds me of the way Kenny played."

KS: "Hey when you have Olajuwon on your team, you don't need to take it to the rim. My job was just to shoot from outside, and let the Dream take care of the inside."

EJ: "A guy his size provides really good mismatches on smaller guards, which I think will give him the advantage when shooting as he'll be able to shoot over the top."

AS: "With the fourteenth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets select... Tyler Honeycutt out of UCLA."

KM: "Another oversized shooting guard taken here. Honeycutt averaged two blocks per game this past season. Thanks to his lateral quickness and long arms he'll be able to guard most two-guards in this league. Picks up a lot of rebounds as well. Big problem is his frame; he's only 185 pounds which is way too light for a 6'8" player, and if he wants to be able to guard forwards in this league he'll need the extra weight to defend in the post. He also lacks efficiency, but with Chris Paul playing alongside him, that most likely won't be a problem."

EJ: "I think this is a wise pick for the Hornets, though. Hamilton and Burks already taken, this was a more ideal pick for them given the scarcity of two-guards in this draft. As you said, weight will be a huge key for his success; he already has the tools for becoming a solid defender."

KS: "A lot of good players come out of UCLA, and I don't think he'll be any different."

CB: "The Hornets know what they're doing. A player with his defensive caliber is one that I think Coach Monty Williams will be very impressed with."

EJ: "And so ends the lottery picks. After the first 14 picks, it's hard to come around good talent. Only the best teams find the great players at this stage of the draft, and you can be guaranteed that not all of the players taken so far will end up having successful careers. Let's continue on with the first round starting with the Indiana Pacers' pick."

[shadowgrin]

Memphis wasted their 8th pick.

[qfrmcpt310]

Wow Wiz getting all the luck, nice draft coverage!

[KidJustin]

awesome cover can't wait to read more

[Mavs4Life]

"Hallelujah! David Kahn did not pick a point guard! That's not turrible! MINNESOTA CELEBRATE!!!"

He'd problably say that too.

[karlsanada10]

Nice! Let's start preseason!

[rise]

What about the signings in the offseason?

[George7]

CB: "Who the hell is this cocoa guy? What a turrible name."

You can do better than that Charles!

KS: "May the Greek gods Zeus and Poseidon be with him."

Like the Bucks Not many SG's,Eastern Conference and a good core!


Wizards got the best available selection.It would be meaningless to select other player than Derrick Williams...

[azid]

Wow. Nice coverage.

[Stress Fracture]

Barkley's a racist.

Where are the other NLSC draftees? And yeah, I'm looking forward to the 2012 draft.

[Axel The Great]

Memphis wasted their 8th pick.

Is it because they picked another point guard or because they picked Thierry?

Wow Wiz getting all the luck, nice draft coverage!

awesome cover can't wait to read more

Wow. Nice coverage.

Thanks guys! I'm glad to see the coverage is getting some positive feedback.

"Hallelujah! David Kahn did not pick a point guard! That's not turrible! MINNESOTA CELEBRATE!!!"

He'd problably say that too.

Yeah, that's what anyone would say quite frankly.

Nice! Let's start preseason!

What about the signings in the offseason?

Getting way too ahead of yourself Karl. The draft coverage isn't even over and there's of course, the two blockbuster questions left to be answered: who will the Rockets pick? And will Aaron Brooks re-sign with the Rockets?

CB: "Who the hell is this cocoa guy? What a turrible name."

You can do better than that Charles!

KS: "May the Greek gods Zeus and Poseidon be with him."

Like the Bucks Not many SG's,Eastern Conference and a good core!


Wizards got the best available selection.It would be meaningless to select other player than Derrick Williams...

Glad to see you like the Bucks. I thought you wouldn't because of the fact that the Bucks are division rivals to the Bulls. And the Wizards would've been stupid to pick anyone else other than Williams, yes.

Barkley's a racist.

Where are the other NLSC draftees? And yeah, I'm looking forward to the 2012 draft.

Coverage isn't over yet. There's still the rest of the first round and the second round left to do, and there's where you'll find the rest.

So rest of the first round and second round next, and I'll hopefully have the offseason capped off in a few days to begin preseason.

[Bucket]

Oh noes, Washington will be a good team now. I hope
Nice coverage, you made me to read all post not only picks

[Justine.]

Love the coverage, and I love my team. Go Bobcats!

[rise]

I'm already the steal of the draft no matter where I get picked now.

[Stress Fracture]

I'm already the steal of the draft no matter where I get picked now.

Are you sure?

[George7]

Axel., Well they're rivals,but my career is first!

[kibaxx7]

Wow another 1st for the Wiz. Looks like bad luck is on the Kings' side.

Actually, the Kings had the fifth best chance at #1, and landed #2, which is still great luck. If it's anyone who should be disappointed it's the Jazz and Raptors, dropping three picks below their chances.

My bad, I meant that the Kings still can't clinch the #1

Happy to be in Memphis. Hopefully a deal appears and Conley leaves.

[Axel The Great]

Oh noes, Washington will be a good team now. I hope
Nice coverage, you made me to read all post not only picks

Good to hear. Means the coverage is engaging.

Love the coverage, and I love my team. Go Bobcats!

With the thin SF position in Charlotte, I bet you'll have plenty of playing time.

I'm already the steal of the draft no matter where I get picked now.

Are you sure?

Yeah, Zee, are you sure about that?

Axel., Well they're rivals,but my career is first!

Yep. Gotta play with whatever team gives you the opportunity.

Wow another 1st for the Wiz. Looks like bad luck is on the Kings' side.

Actually, the Kings had the fifth best chance at #1, and landed #2, which is still great luck. If it's anyone who should be disappointed it's the Jazz and Raptors, dropping three picks below their chances.

My bad, I meant that the Kings still can't clinch the #1

Happy to be in Memphis. Hopefully a deal appears and Conley leaves.

Conley leaving would be ideal, or maybe Memphis trading you to a team in need of a PG would be as well. I think you are both rated the same at 74.

Rest of the first round coming up next! Second round will go by quick as I'm not doing the same coverage for the second round.