I love basketball, that is no secret. And I love college basketball, and the NBA draft. People now a days are so down on the draft, saying the one n done rule in college is killing the draft, making it a complete crap shoot, cause we really have not seen the players enough.
That's bull crap. Its has been a crap shoot for 40 years. Even the argument that the college players with only one year on experience have less experience then the college players in previous generations, is a farce. My dads generation, freshman where not even allowed to play on the varsity squads. and an average season was 20-25 games. So many of you top players played two years of varsity ball, got maybe 50 games under their belt. A freshman now can get 40 games under his belt in one year, and given the amount of playing experience they get prior to college, with summer leagues and such, they get it said experience way before players of 40 years ago.
That being said look at the 1980 draft. There was only 2 players drafted that could be considered franchise changing or perennial all start players. Kevin Mckale and Kiki Vandaweigh. Picked 3rd and 11th. The first two picks, though had decent 10 year careers each, made a collective ONE AS game.
Take a look at 1990. that year only ONE perennial all star, Gary Peyton. The 1st pick Derrick Coleman again had a decent carer, but again only ONE AS appearance. The p[layer probably ranked second in impact was Toni Kukoc, picked in 2nd round. 1995 the best pick came in the 2nd round with Michael Redd, who, ya maybe you know who I am talking about.
Then there are years like 1994 with Olajuwon, Jordan and Barkley or 2002 with James, Melo and Wade. Years where you do end up with a 1-10 shot to get a HOF championship quality leader.
But all in all its a crap shoot, with only about 1 sure thing every 3 years or so. Davis 2012, Wall 2010, Rose 2008, Howard 2004, James 2003, Ming 2002, Duncan 1997, Shaq 1992, ETC.
So all that being said, I am tired of hearing two things around the draft. How the youth is killing it, but also how prior to the draft, all the hype that is given to all the different players. I also am sick of hearing about all the possible greatness around the euro players. Cmon, we have had 3 in 20 years really pan out. Dirk, Pau, and ??? I am sure there was another.
So here is my prediction for 2015.
There are possibly 3 franchise leading players, just like every other year. Those 3 are, yep, the predicted top 3 picks. That was hard huh. Towns, Okefor, and Russell.
Here's the tough part, after those 3 where are there some players that you can use as building blocks, cause in the end that is what the draft is for 80% of the time. if your not one of the 3 teams getting the possible franchise, then you hope for a positive addition to pair with your current franchise player, or one your going after in free agency. So who are they. Well your in luck I will tell ya.
1st I'm gonna go with two UK blue breds. Willie Cauley Stein, and Devon Booker.
Stein will never end up being a 20 point big man, but what he is going to be is a GREAT defender, not only at the rim, but in PickNroll. He has great athleticism for a 7'1" man, and his footwork is top notch. Think Jordan with the clippers, or a taller version of Ben Wallace from the Piston teams that went to 6 str8 conference finals.
Booker is a 6'6" two, that is the BEST shooter in the draft hands down. He averaged 10 points on a team in which he never had a play called for him, and he played less than 20 minutes a game. Give him 32 minutes and game, and a spread floor, he will light it up. He can also defend the 1, 2 and 3 positions.
Norman Powell, 6'4" guard from UCLA. Want a two guard, with GREAT athleticism and leadership. This is your guy. Put him on a team, who has a top notch PG, and Big man, and he will add a piece you might be missing for a championship. Its to bad the clippers gave up their 1st rounder, but not a surprise its the 28th pick, close to where many project Powell will go.
Jerein Grant, 6'3" PG from ND. Pure point guard with great shooting ability. Leadership and experience is their as he played 4 years at ND, and though some say he has already hit his ceiling, I say no way. He needed better skill around him, so he didn't have to force it so much. He can start at point on many teams NOW. He is not a lottery pick talent, but could make major impact for a team needing a PG and picking late 1st round. Lakers, Cavs, Spurs!!!!
Well there you have it, if your one of the 10 people who read this and want my suggestion for your team let me know.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Happy Father's day
This will be my 15th Father's day as an actual Father. It will also be the first after losing my Father.
This week my Dad has been on my mind a lot, but not in the missing him sort of way, but instead I have looked back as to what he did for me and the rest of my siblings. And while thinking back to it all I realized that I have become him in many ways.
Now in saying that it brings up many feelings, some positive and some negative as well. But as I think about deeper, I realize that all in all its a good thing I have in a way become a man following in his footsteps. For you see, even the supposedly negative aspects of doing this where needed for me to become the man God intended, and in the end that is what my Dad wanted, for me to be a man that followed my Father, my heavenly Father.
So the rest of this will be about thanking my Dad, for showing me how to both be a Father, and how the follow our Father.
1. Thanks for showing me what work ethic is. You worked harder than anyone I have ever encountered, to provide for a family of seven kids. I never once heard you complain about it either. And even though you had to work so hard to do this, you still find time to coach a team, just so I could play a sport I loved. Not only coach it, but create a whole organization, that went nation wide, helping to create an opportunity for countless kids like myself, one they would not have had without your efforts. You impact was truly nationwide.
2. Thanks for showing me what integrity is. Showing me the truth in things, and how to establish what is true, and the importance of standing up for it. Now there have been times, I have miss used this trait, but that is not your fault. but even in those times, being able to know and stand for what is true was what you intended. Also being able to handle the persecution and at time the hate that will come my way while standing up for the truth.
3. Thanks for showing me that no matter what, my spouse is second to only our God. Now to often as a young person I did not see this properly. But once I finally followed your lead, and put my life in Gods hands, I saw how much an example of this your always where. Your loved mom, to the best of your ability in a manner that God instructed us to, and in times where we all thought that love was dead, you stood strong, doing what Christ said, and it showed me that following Christ's instruction does lead to happiness.
4. Thanks for showing me whats really important in life. Things like time with your family, taking time to enjoy things like a card game with friends, a plate of food you made yourself, (even though he was a terrible cook), and just the simple pleasure of seeing others enjoying themselves. Not money, not a big house, and fancy new car every couple years. Enjoying a car ride, no matter what the destination, and even when the destination is something great, the journey can be just a great.
5. Thanks for being a leader, and showing me that a that a true leader is a servant. This is mentioned a lot in the bible, and I was very lucky to have a great example of what a servant leader looks like. Much of his life was serving people. In his Job, in the church, as a coach, and as a father.
6. Thanks for installing in me high standards. This is one of those traits that at times I have miss used as well, but am now learning how to use them properly. Couple this with learning how to deal with failure, see below, has been key. Shoot for the moon, even when you miss your among the stars, I never heard him say that, but it was referenced once and he heartily agreed.
7. And thanks for showing me that God is first, no matter what. I even feel his example of failing himself at putting God first at times was needed, cause we all fail, its how we respond that determines what kind of person your are. And I needed an example on how to deal with failure. But again hindsight has shown me that he did put God first for the better part of what I saw in his life, and for this I am a better man.
I have a lot more to thank him for, but he knows how I feel. So lastly thanks for being the example I needed so that I could live a life that will lead to us spending eternity together, when the time comes. For in the end that is what God intended for us both.
This week my Dad has been on my mind a lot, but not in the missing him sort of way, but instead I have looked back as to what he did for me and the rest of my siblings. And while thinking back to it all I realized that I have become him in many ways.
Now in saying that it brings up many feelings, some positive and some negative as well. But as I think about deeper, I realize that all in all its a good thing I have in a way become a man following in his footsteps. For you see, even the supposedly negative aspects of doing this where needed for me to become the man God intended, and in the end that is what my Dad wanted, for me to be a man that followed my Father, my heavenly Father.
So the rest of this will be about thanking my Dad, for showing me how to both be a Father, and how the follow our Father.
1. Thanks for showing me what work ethic is. You worked harder than anyone I have ever encountered, to provide for a family of seven kids. I never once heard you complain about it either. And even though you had to work so hard to do this, you still find time to coach a team, just so I could play a sport I loved. Not only coach it, but create a whole organization, that went nation wide, helping to create an opportunity for countless kids like myself, one they would not have had without your efforts. You impact was truly nationwide.
2. Thanks for showing me what integrity is. Showing me the truth in things, and how to establish what is true, and the importance of standing up for it. Now there have been times, I have miss used this trait, but that is not your fault. but even in those times, being able to know and stand for what is true was what you intended. Also being able to handle the persecution and at time the hate that will come my way while standing up for the truth.
3. Thanks for showing me that no matter what, my spouse is second to only our God. Now to often as a young person I did not see this properly. But once I finally followed your lead, and put my life in Gods hands, I saw how much an example of this your always where. Your loved mom, to the best of your ability in a manner that God instructed us to, and in times where we all thought that love was dead, you stood strong, doing what Christ said, and it showed me that following Christ's instruction does lead to happiness.
4. Thanks for showing me whats really important in life. Things like time with your family, taking time to enjoy things like a card game with friends, a plate of food you made yourself, (even though he was a terrible cook), and just the simple pleasure of seeing others enjoying themselves. Not money, not a big house, and fancy new car every couple years. Enjoying a car ride, no matter what the destination, and even when the destination is something great, the journey can be just a great.
5. Thanks for being a leader, and showing me that a that a true leader is a servant. This is mentioned a lot in the bible, and I was very lucky to have a great example of what a servant leader looks like. Much of his life was serving people. In his Job, in the church, as a coach, and as a father.
6. Thanks for installing in me high standards. This is one of those traits that at times I have miss used as well, but am now learning how to use them properly. Couple this with learning how to deal with failure, see below, has been key. Shoot for the moon, even when you miss your among the stars, I never heard him say that, but it was referenced once and he heartily agreed.
7. And thanks for showing me that God is first, no matter what. I even feel his example of failing himself at putting God first at times was needed, cause we all fail, its how we respond that determines what kind of person your are. And I needed an example on how to deal with failure. But again hindsight has shown me that he did put God first for the better part of what I saw in his life, and for this I am a better man.
I have a lot more to thank him for, but he knows how I feel. So lastly thanks for being the example I needed so that I could live a life that will lead to us spending eternity together, when the time comes. For in the end that is what God intended for us both.
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