Top Players of Each Conference: Mid-American Conference

The college football season is right around the corner. As the season approaches, I will be breaking down the best players of each conference. Each article a new conference will be unveiled and the order will be alphabetical. The players will be ranked 1-10 (1 being the best). Note: This is before the start of the 2012 season, therefore players may get hurt and some will get better or worse. This is simply analyzing the best players in each conference, not which players will get drafted the highest in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Mid-American Conference

1.Alex Carder-Quarterback-Western Michigan
The gun slinging Bronco of Western Michigan has already been named to numerous preseason award “watch lists (All-MAC, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Walter Camp & Davey O’Brien).” In 2011, Carder heaved the ball for 3,873 yards and was only picked off 14 times; which isn’t bad when you see that he put up 31 touchdowns. After only receiving one scholarship in high school, Carder didn’t necessarily play with a chip on his shoulder, but he has proven what other institutions are missing out on. Carder is a mentor and a leader on the field; he puts his team in position to win, just like all great players.

2.Zac Dysert-Quarterback-Miami (OH)
The Ben Roethlisberger clone, Zac Dysert (6’4, 228), is a crafty quarterback who can flat out make plays. He doesn’t have the most accurate arm, or throw the tightest spiral but he finds the end zone and has that “it” factor. In 2011, Dysert threw for 3,513 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Growth is a huge part of a quarterback’s game; Dysert’s interception total has dwindled down from 16 as a freshman, 12 as a sophomore and 11 as a junior, something to watch for in 2012.

3.Branden Oliver-Running Back-Buffalo
The 5’8 running back out of Miami is one of the biggest game-changers in the MAC. In 2011, Oliver rushed for nearly 1,400 yards including an eye-popping 13 touchdowns. The Bulls’ back is refreshing to watch, he doesn’t dance around, he is a one cut and then go downhill back.  Last season, Oliver rushed for over 100 yards in 9 games, including a game where he recorded 235 yards and two touchdowns against Akron. Not only is Oliver a player to game plan for in the run game, but he can also beat you through the air; in 2011 the sophomore back caught 38 passes for 365 yards (9.6 ypc).

4.Travis Freeman-Inside Linebacker-Ball State
Although not many people have heard of Travis Freeman right now, they sure will by the end of this season. The 6’0, 238 pound inside backer looks like a safety when you see him in game, but he does everything that middle linebackers do. Quick, decisive and instinctive are all parts of Freeman’s playing style. Freeman finished the season with 119 tackles (averaged 10 tackles per game), and had some games where he just couldn’t be blocked (16 vs. Temple & 18 @ Northern Illinois). Freeman also has shown the ability to contain and get to the quarterback; blockers are almost nonexistent when Freeman is on the field. Ball St. has a tough schedule, but it will be interesting to see how Freeman stacks up.

5.Terrance Owens-Quarterback-Toledo 
Owens wasn’t dubbed a “two-sport” athlete before college or even in college but he was drafted as a pitching prospect in the last round of the MLB draft by the San Diego Padres in 2012. Owens hasn’t played baseball since high school but this just shows you how special this kid really is. The 6’4 quarterback doesn’t wow people with his statistics but he is a fun player to watch and he never puts his team in a bad position. As a sophomore, Owens only threw for 2,022 yards but he completed 72% of his passes and yielded an 18-3 touchdown/interception ration. Owens is not just a growing quarterback, but one exciting playmaker.

6.Roosevelt Nix-Defensive Tackle-Kent State
Calling the Kent State defensive tackle productive would be a disrespectful understatement. Roosevelt Nix has started DT for his first two seasons and he is already ranked 6^th all-time for the Kent State career sack record with 14.5. Nix also has 37 tackles for loss in only two seasons of play (20 in 2010); where he was later recognized and given the honor of being the only freshman ever to win the MAC defensive player of the year. Nix really broke out in the opening game of last season where he recorded 2 tackles for loss and six tackles against Alabama.

7.Anthon Samuel-Running Back-Bowling Green
Going into his sophomore year this season, Samuel has a lot of hype to live up to. The pocket-sized H-back rushed for 844 yards in only 9 games while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Samuel really had his coming out party when the Falcons went up against Miami (OH); he rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown and put the game away with a 96 yard TD run in the fourth quarter. However, the 5’11, 190 pound back did not play in the toughest matchup of the season (West Virginia), he will need to play in the key games in order to get noticed in 2012 (@ Florida week 1, @ Virginia Tech week 4).

8.Travis Carrie-Cornerback-Ohio 
Travis Carrie, the Ohio Bobcats defensive captain, led the MAC in interceptions last year (4). Carrie also finished up the season with 13 pass breakups and was the sole leader of the Ohio defense. Carrie is a solid 5’10, 212, and exhibits great skills like going up and getting the ball and reading the quarterback. Carrie will need to be on his A-game if Ohio wants to win the MAC.

9.Chris Jones-Defensive Tackle-Bowling Green 
No defensive player in the Mid-American Conference has more pressure on him than Chris Jones of the Bowling Green Falcons. Chris Jones is a pivotal part of the Falcon pass rush as well as run-stop and he will need to anchor that defense if Bowling Green wants to get out of the gutter. Jones is a productive defensive tackle who shows a unique ability to get to the quarterback. Against Temple last season, Jones had three sacks… Temple only tried throwing the ball 13 times.

10.Tremayne Scott-Defensive End-Ohio
Scott is a 6’4 lanky pass-rushing defensive end for the Ohio Bobcats. Three sacks may not be a lot for a defensive end, but when you show that next to his 63 tackles as a DE it looks very good and promising. In 2011, Scott also had two forced fumbles. Without jaw dropping numbers or booming hits; Scott is an efficient player, and a quiet game-changer.

Just Missed:
Brian Winters-Left Tackle-Kent State
Sean Progar-Defensive End-Northern Illinois
Alex Gillett-Quarterback-Eastern Michigan
Martel Moore-Wide Receiver-Northern Illinois
Alex Zordich-Quarterback-Buffalo

Top Players of Each Conference: Conference-USA

The college football season is right around the corner. As the season approaches, I will be breaking down the best players of each conference. Each article a new conference will be unveiled and the order will be alphabetical. The players will be ranked 1-10 (1 being the best). Note: This is before the start of the 2012 season, therefore players may get hurt and some will get better or worse. This is simply analyzing the best players in each conference, not which players will get drafted the highest in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Conference-USA

1.Margus Hunt-Defensive End-Southern Methodist 
A 6 foot 7 inches and 295 pounds, Margus Hunt is the type of guy that gives quarterbacks nightmares.  All across the board this behemoth of an end is a winner; he has leadership qualities, has the ability to take over a game from the defensive side of the ball and he is a great guy to be around. In 2011, Hunt racked up 28 tackles, four blocked kicks and he also recorded three sacks in the BBVA Compass Bowl against Pittsburgh. Raw but strong and dominant, Hunt can: deflect passes, get to the QB, stop the run and can even be dominant in the special teams games, he will have a breakout season and could be will be the biggest force in the Conference-USA.

2.Aaron Dobson-Wide Receiver-Marshall
The Thundering Herd’s Aaron Dobson has the ability to get open and has a fantastic pair of hands. Most college football fans know Dobson by the ridiculous circus catch he made against ECU on November 26, 2011 (jumped over defender, mad a one-handed-back handed catch for a touchdown). Dobson doesn’t have elite size (6’3,  204 lbs.) or blazing speed but he is a consistently good route runner and he finds ways to create separation between him and the cornerbacks. In his junior season, Dobson caught 49 balls for 668 yards and 12 touchdowns, becoming freshman QB Rakeem Cato’s favorite and most reliable target. Dobson is incredibly tough to defend, making him one of the biggest game changers in his conference.

3.David Piland-Quarterback-Houston
The Houston Cougars may have lost one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all-time in 2011 (Case Keenum), but they have yet another QB that can spin it stepping into the shadows. As a freshman, David Piland only played in the fourth quarter when Houston was embarrassing opponent but he still managed to throw for 2,641 yards in only 201 attempts. The Houston air-raid offense might be the reasons quarterbacks succeed so frequently but Piland is going to do damage in 2012. The baby-faced quarterback has a sidearm release but leads his receivers perfectly, look for Houston to run up the score on opponents again in 2012.

4.Zach Line-Running Back-Southern Methodist
Halfback Zach Line is a true warrior on the gridiron. No player in the country plays with more passion and no player is more eager to get to game day than this SMU Mustang. Line is a player who has battled through injuries but has still remained the biggest constant on the SMU roster. As the starting RB, Line has rushed for over 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons (missed last three games in 2011 due to foot surgery). At 6’1, 230 Line looks to be more like an NFL fullback, but for now he will just bulldoze over opposing defenders from 8 yards deep in the backfield. Line has tremendous hands for a big guy and never gets tackles for a loss (5.9 yards per carry). Once SMU gets a lead, they just hand it off to Line and there is no chance for the other team to come back.

5.Rakeem Cato-Quarterback-Marshall
As a freshman, the spunky Marshall quarterback took matters into his own hands and started to turn the program around. While having a very thin WR corps (with the exception of Aaron Dobson), Cato found ways to put points on the board for the Thundering Herd.  When the Miami native takes the field, there is a certain swagger, an indescribable confidence that is shown; Cato feels like no one can beat him, and for a freshman, it looked like no one could. As an analytic viewer, Cato doesn’t have great mechanics and he doesn’t even read defenses all too well, but he finds ways to get the ball to his playmakers, whether it be Aaron Dobson, or, Tron Martinez. In 2011, Cato passed for 2,059 yards, 15 TD and 11 int. His most remarkable game was against Eastern Carolina where he threw for 371 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

6.Darius Johnson-Wide Receiver-Southern Methodist
5’10 isn’t an ideal height for a no. 1 wide receiver but there are always exceptions to the rules and Darius Johnson is just that. The SMU Mustang is a speedy receiver with big play potential and can break open a game at any moment. For example, on the second drive of the 2011 BBVA Compass Bowl, Johnson broke the game open by burning defenders and scoring on a 50-yard touchdown game. Another thing that makes the All Conference-USA receiver special is that he performs his best when the lights are brightest; in back-to-back bowl games Johnson has been the game’s MVP and lead his team to victory with a combined 16 catches for 272 yards and 3 touchdowns.

7.Charles Sims-Running Back-Houston
Yes the Houston Cougars throw the ball 90% of the time but that doesn’t mean running back Charles Sims doesn’t get any touches. In 2011, Sims got his hands on the ball 151 times and was close to reaching 1,500 all-purpose yards out of the backfield. With Case Keenum, Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards all graduating, Charles Sims will be one of the few veterans going into the 2012 season. With the ability to both rush the ball and catch out of the backfield, defenses have trouble matching up because you don’t want to lineup a safety over the HB but Sims has the ability to outrun linebackers.

8.Sam McGuffie-Running Back-Rice 
Although the master of the hurdle hasn’t gotten a ton of playing time at the college level (transfer from Michigan), I still feel confident in saying that he will be a game-changer for the Rice Owls.  McGuffie was a terrific running back in high school (Cy-Fair HS; Cypress, Texas), and he still has his explosiveness, which is needed at the college level. Yes the Owls have a sub-par offensive line but McGuffie can do damage as an all-purpose back if given the chance. Great hands, good moves, quick bursts of speed are all components of the senior running back’s game.

9.Dexter McCoil-Cornerback-Tulsa
The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes have one of the most intimidating cornerbacks in the country on atop their depth chart.  At a towering 6’4 and a solid 222, McCoil won’t be barreled over by any WR in the 2012 season. When you think of cornerback, you initially think of the diva of the defense and creating turnovers by intercepting the ball, but McCoil is an old school corner. In 2011, Mccoil had some outstanding individual games (11 tackles @ Oklahoma St., 9 tackles @ Boise St. and 2 interceptions + 9 tackles against BYU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl). McCoil is very physical at the line of scrimmage and C-USA WR will have a hard time taking him deep.

10.Trent Mackey-Middle Linebacker-Tulane
Returning for his senior season, Trent Mackey has some more stats to rack up for the Tulane Green Wave. Mackey transferred from Duke after his freshman season and has started the last two seasons for Tulane. In 2011, Mackey started all 12 games and earned a spot on the All-Conference Defensive Team. Mackey is a special player because he gravitates to the football, last season, the Louisiana born backer tallied 145 tackles (96 solo) and had 14 tackles for loss while pouncing on 4 fumbles. Tulane is fortunate to have such a complete player on their defense, he is one of the most underrated linebackers in the country.

Just Missed:
Garrett Gilbert-Quarterback-Southern Methodist
Jamie Collins-Defensive End-Southern Miss.
Jeremy Grove-Linebacker-Eastern Carolina
Taylor Reed-Linebacker-Southern Methodist

Top Ten Players of Each Conference: Big Ten

The college football season is right around the corner. As the season approaches, I will be breaking down the best players of each conference. Each article a new conference will be unveiled and the order will be alphabetical. The players will be ranked 1-10 (1 being the best). Note: This is before the start of the 2012 season, therefore players may get hurt and some will get better or worse. This is simply analyzing the best players in each conference, not which players will get drafted the highest in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Big Ten Conference

1.Denard Robinson-Michigan-Quarterback/Athlete 
Arguably the most versatile athlete in all of college sports, Denard “Shoelace” Robinson has been the face of Michigan since he first stepped on the field in 2009.  Robinson is being talked about as an NFL wide receiver prospect and coach Brady Hoke said there will be many packages this season where D-Rob will in fact be playing WR. Denard Robinson plays his best when he is allowed to play in a backyard football style of offense. Shoelace has the speed of a wide receiver, the elusiveness of a punt returner and the heart of a champion. In 2011, Robinson racked up 2,173 passing yard (1,176 rushing) and  36 total touchdowns. Look for those numbers to improve even more as Robinson becomes a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2012

2.Montee Ball-Wisconsin-Running Back
Many NFL scouts will tell you that Montee Ball is the product of a great offensive line that they have in Wisconsin. While that may be true, there is no denying that he is one of the most efficient running backs in the nation. Averaging nearly six and a half yards per carry, Ball scored a total of 39 touchdowns (33 rushing) placing second on the all-time list behind Barry Sanders. Ball is a patient runner who hides behind his blockers until a hole opens up and he is not easy to bring down either; he’s a scoring machine.

3.Kawann Short-Purdue-Defensive Tackle
Kawann Short might be the #2 Big 10 defensive tackle prospect for the draft but he is the best tackle right now. In 2011, Short corralled 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while finishing the year with 54 total tackles. Listed at 6’3, 310, Short is explosive off of the line and his motor never stops. The Boilermaker is very well conditioned and he benches in the mid-400’s while squatting 600 pounds. The combination of speed, smarts and strength are what makes Short most effective. Purdue isn’t going to be great, but they won’t allow any rushing yards up the middle thanks to the junior defensive tackle.

4.Johnathon Hankins-Ohio State-Defensive Tackle
The Ohio St. Buckeyes have a gem along the defensive line and his name is Johnathon Hankins. At 6’3, 335 Hankins can play all along the defensive line. He is ideally a 3-4 NT but with his strength and repertoire of moves he is versatile. Hankins has incredibly strong hands and gets under the pads of the offensive lineman, allowing him to push/pull them out of the way and get to the quarterback. Although the junior defensive tackle doesn’t fill the stat sheet per say (32 tackles in ’11) he is an obvious force on the field.

5.Le’Veon Bell-Michigan State-Running Back
At 6’2, 238 lbs., Bell is one of the biggest running backs in the whole country. 2012 will be the first year Bell will be a starter but he has done enough damage in the past to make opposing defenses recognize his skillset. At his size, you would think Bell is a power back but he has so many different skills that he can beat you in a variety of ways. The Ohio native is shifty and elusive but will run over defenders if they are in his path. Edwin Baker’s successor is not just great in the run game but he is a wonderful receiving target and will help first year starter Andrew Maxwell in the passing game. Last season Bell hauled in 35 receptions for 267 yards and rushed for 948 yards. Don’t be surprised if Bell racks up over 1,400 total yards in 2012, he is a player to account for when going against Michigan St.

6.Ricky Wagner-Wisconsin-Offensive Tackle 
Offensive tackle Ricky Wagner is one of the main reasons that Montee Ball is ranked number two on this list. Wagner is a monstrous lineman who gets great leverage on opposing defensive pass-rushers. At 6’6, 320, the Wisconsin Badger doesn’t face many defensive players that are big enough to matchup with him. Wagner followed behind Joe Thomas and Gabe Carimi and he hasn’t disappointed. The former walk-on tight end recruit is now a bruising offensive tackle who every quarterback wants on their team.

7.Micah Hyde-Iowa-Cornerback 
There are not many cornerbacks that can shutdown there opponents consistently over a span of 3 years but Micah Hyde is one of them. Hyde is a special corner because he is a press coverage corner who loves to get into the run game make tackles. In 2011, Hyde only had 3 picks but he did have 64 tackles including one game with 10 solo tackles to pair up with two interceptions against Pitt. Hyde is a good-sized corner at 6’1, 180 and quarterbacks stay away from him and blown coverages are a rarity in his game.

8.William Gholston-Michigan State-Defensive End
Back at number six I said that there weren’t many defensive lineman that could matchup with Ricky Wagner, well William Gholston is one of the few. At 6’6. 278, Gholston gets off the ball quick and has great speed to rush off of the edge. With active hands, Gholston can get through blocks and deflect passes but he needs to become more consistent. It is interesting that he is the cousin of Vernon Gholston (draft bust) but we cannot assume William will end up the same way. His tools are great and he shines at time, he should improve greatly in 2012.
9. Taylor Lewan-Michigan-Offensive Tackle
The starting left tackle for the Michigan Wolverines is a very interesting player. Not because of any personal reasons or any flaws in his game but because he has to do a job that no other tackles need to do in the nation; block for Denard Robinson. It is extremely hard for an offensive lineman to go into a play with the QB to his back and not knowing whether he will be pass-protecting or if the QB will take off and then it switches to running up-field and blocking in the run game. Lewan is enormous at 6’7, 302 but he can get up-field and help in the run game. One knock on his game is that he needs to get a bit stronger, but he is mobile for a lineman and can pick up pass rushers when they come off of the edge. Lewan is asked to do a lot, and he hasn’t failed yet.

10.Rex Burkhead-Nebraska-Running Back
Running back Rex Burkhead is a great receiving back for the University of Nebraska and he does a lot of the little things that great football players do. He is tremendous in pass protection which is a lost art in today’s game and he also catches really well out of the backfield. Last season Burkhead rushed for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is a stable part in the Nebraska offense, he and Taylor Martinez will run the show down in Lincoln. Going into 2012 Rex Burkhead is a Pre-Season All-Big Ten running back, look for his veteran type play to help him a ton against the defenses in the Big Ten.

Just Missed:
MarQuies Gray-Quarterback/Athlete-Minnesota
Michael Buchanan-Defensive End-Illinois
James Vandenberg-Quarterback-Iowa
Stephen Houston-Running Back-Indiana
Johnny Adams-Cornerback-Michigan St.

2012 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 (Final)

After Anthony Davis, this draft is a crapshoot. Teams will be scrambling up until their pick to pull of trades in order to get the player that they covet most. Dion Waiters, Austin Rivers and Andre Drummond will be players that teams will trade n enormous package for if they slip out of the top 7. Don’t be surprised to see blockbuster deals either, the Rockets are doing everything in their power to bring in Dwight Howard and the Thunder could be looking to deal James Harden because they might not be able to re-sign him next summer.

1.New Orleans Hornets-Anthony Davis-PF-Kentucky
Davis is the clear-cut number one player in this draft. A 6’11 athletic PF who is a natural shot-blocker and can play great help defense beat. Davis was a shooting guard growing up, hit a growth spurt and is now a forward, playing all positions helped him develop a great I.Q. He is fantastic on defense and can knock down shots from the elbow, only 19 and continuing to improve all he needs to do is add weight.

2.Charlotte Bobcats- Thomas Robinson-PF-Kansas
The Bobcats want to trade this pick badly, but the asking price is astronomical. I feel that Charlotte is stubborn and refuses to trade unless it receives two first round picks (which Cleveland might do). Michael Jordan’s team needs production from his players and he will get that with a double-double machine in Thomas Robinson. Robinson is a high energy player who is great on both ends of the court, Charlotte can’t possibly screw this up.

3.Washington Wizards-Bradley Beal-SG-Florida
After going out and getting Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza, the biggest hole in the Washington depth chart is a shooting guard. Jordan Crawford has shown decency at times but has been inconsistent thus far in his career. The 19 year-old Beal is a pure shooter who loves to run the fast break. John Wall needs someone to pass to; Beal is a perfect fit.

4.Cleveland Cavaliers-Michael Kidd-Gilchrist-SF-Kentucky
Cleveland seems to be reluctant to trade up to the no. 2 pick but they will get a phenomenal player at no. 4.  MKG is defensively an athletically ready for the NBA and the NCAA champ is versatile. If the Cavalier’s cornerstone, Kyrie Irving, has any say in this and Bradley Beal is gone, he wants MKG. Irving and Kidd-Gilchrist played together on the same high-school team and won a state title. The 6;8 forward loves to run the floor and would be great in transition with last year’s Rookie of the Year.

5.Sacramento Kings- Harrison Barnes-SF-North Carolina
Harrison Barnes is a smooth small forward who has a certain swagger to his game. He can play one-on-one and can catch and shoot. It is looking like the no. 5 could be getting traded to Houston and then again to Orlando. No matter which of those teams end up with this pick, expect Barnes to be selected here. The Kings need a player who can slow the game down and they have a hole at SF with Tyreke Evans refusing to player there.

6.Portland Trailblazers-Damian Lillard-PG-Weber State
Watched him a lot in the 2011-2012 season, watched a lot of tape on him and he is one of my favorite players in the draft. Lillard is a fantastic scorer from the point guard position and that is just what the Blazers need. He has the speed to go coast-to-coast, a killer crossover and can get to the rim. Andre Drummond is a sexy pick here but Portland needs scoring, I don’t feel that Felton is the answer.

7.Golden State Warriors-Perry Jones III-PF-Baylor
Brandon Rush had an amazing year last year shooting the ball, delaying the Warriors need of going out and finding a replacement for Monta Ellis. Perry Jones III is a lanky, lock-down defender who can play all 3 positions along the front court if need be. PJ3 has been known to not “show up” for some games which scared some GMs away, otherwise he would have been a top 5 pick. Marc Jackson is easily one of the league’s most motivating coaches and he will find a philosophy to get the most out of Perry Jones III’s game.

8.Toronto Raptors-Austin Rivers-SG-Duke
The Raptors need three things: A player who can score, someone to bring in fans and a guy who can take over a game-Austin Rivers is all of that. Although I am not a huge Rivers fan, I do admit that he is a pretty darn good player given the circumstance that he is the go-to guy on a team. The Duke freshman showed he was cold-blooded late in games and that he could score against double teams and win games by himself. The Raptors roster would not look bad next year if they land Rivers: Calderon/Nash (rumored), Rivers, Derozan, Bargnani, Valanciunas (last year’s top pick).

9.Detroit Pistons-Dion Waiters-SG-Syracuse
After trading away Ben Gordon, Detroit has a gaping hole at shooting guard. Dion Waiters is a player who can come in, play defense, draw fouls and can get to the rim. Waiters is explosive, strong and extremely quick with his cuts; he needs to work on his jumpshot though. He is a bit over-hyped for me but a lot of teams like him. The former Syracuse star has drawn comparisons to Dwayne Wade and if he becomes a fraction of Wade it will make Brandon Knight happy.

10.New Orleans Hornets (from Minn)-Jeremy Lamb-SG-Connecticut
It doesn’t look like Eric Gordon is going to be re-signing with New Orleans leaving a need for a scorer. The Hornets will go to my favorite player in the draft. Jeremy Lamb. The sophomore out  of UCONN is a player who shares the rock, defends and can score in a variety of ways. If he would have stayed another year he would have been a top 3 pick without a doubt. Still developing, Lamb is terrific at shooting off the screen and also pull-up and shoot. Jeremy Lamb is the silent assassin and is the ultimate team player.

11.Portland Trailblazers-Andre Drummond-C-Connecticut
Andre Drummond is the real wild card of this year’s draft. He poses the biggest upside and the biggest bust as many big men from UCONN have in the past (Okafor & Thabeet). Since the collegiate season has ended, Drummond has lost 20 lbs. and now moves quicker than ever. With his premier shot-blocking abilities and amazing athleticism he could get picked as high as number 5. Lacking an offensive game hurts his stock a little bit but players can develop a shot, a center that can run the floor is what every team wants nowadays. Portland fills their top two needs with these picks and have the best draft of any team in the last 10 years if they get Lillard and Drummond.

12.Houston Rockets (from Mil)-Tyler Zeller-C-North Carolina
The Rockets are doing everything in their power to draft Dwight Howard. If that fails, they could be taking the second best center in the draft in Tyler Zeller. Zeller is a mature player (4 years at UNC) and is NBA ready. He is not as athletic as Drummond or Leonard but is certain a better all-around player who will contribute on both offense and defense. The Rockets need a big man, especially after trading away Dalembert.

13.Phoenix Suns-Terrence Ross-SG-Washington
The Suns’ front office should be working on their 2013 draft because they will be picking which will most likely be center Nerlens Noel. There are a ton of holes on this roster, therefore the Suns need to draft a player who can carry a team. Terrence Ross is a great shooter who dominated the Pac-12, averaging 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore. The 6’6 guard is a bit under the radar right now, but could do a lot for the Phoenix franchise.

14.Milwaukee Bucks (from Hou)-Meyers Leonard-C-Illinois
After trading away Andrew Bogut, the Bucks are in search of their next center. Coming out as a freshman, Leonard has a lot of question marks, but also a lot of buzz. There is no question that he is a great athlete and will fit with the Bucks nicely, but he is a high maintenance player who is a big project moving forward. At 7’1, Leonard shows great athleticism by being able to run up and down the court on fast breaks but he fails to be consistent on defense. The hype for Leonard is unreal, but he will need to prove himself by playing his heart out. Milwaukee fans will fall in love with Leonard immediately if drafted there.

15.Philadelphia 76ers-John Henson-PF-North Carolina
Henson is the player with the highest reward in the 2012 NBA Draft. The UNC power forward is 6’10 with the quickness of a shooting guard and smarts of a point guard. With a long wingspan, Henson is a great shot blocker and on offense he has a hook shot that is automatic. The Sixers could lose Elton Brand do to the amnesty clause. Henson is an upgrade on defense and is a great fit with the Sixers’ athleticism. I don’t think Henson will fall this far, but who knows with the possible reaches on all of the shooting guards.

16.Houston Rockets-Moe Harkless-SF-St. John’s
If Houston keeps any of their first round picks it will be used on the Big East’s Rookie of the Year. Moe Harkless showed great upside after posting great numbers in the Big East as a freshman. Harkless is a 6’9 small forward who shows power when driving but can also create his own shot. Great dribbling skills, getting to the rim, shooting over defenders and running the floor are all great features of his game. He has a lot of growing to do, especially on the defensive side, but at only 19 the potential is unreal.

17.Dallas Mavericks-Kendall Marshall-PG-North Carolina
Jason Kidd is a free agent and even if he goes back to Dallas it won’t be for long.  This year’s draft is short on point guards and Dallas can’t pass one up. Marshall is the best assist-man in the draft and his court vision is unbelievable. Dallas is a team that likes to shoot a lot and Marshall will keep everyone on the squad happy.

18.Houston Rockets (from Minn)-Arnett Moultrie-PF-Mississippi St.
Moultrie is an athlete who excelled at the combine and drew interest from a ton of teams. A great size at 6’11, 223, he is a great defender but needs to work on his offensive game. It would be nice to see him develop some low post moves but Moultrie is going in the first round for his defensive play.

19.Orlando Magic-Terrence Jones-PF-Kentucky
Orlando doesn’t really know what it wants to do right now between having an unhappy superstar center and a bunch of free agents (Jameer Nelson & Ryan Anderson). Terrence Jones has had a bit of an attitude problem in the past but has shown maturity after playing two years with Coach Calipari. At 6’10 Jones could play either small forward or power forward. Speed, power and grind are all adjectives that come up when talking about this kid. Once Jones gets in the zone there is no stopping him. The Magic need help rebounding if there is no Dwight and Jones is great on the offensive glass. I don’t see him sliding past 19.

20.Denver Nuggets-Tony Wroten Jr.-PG-Washington
An 18-year-old, 6’6 point guard whose athleticism is off the charts?- Sign me up. I saw a lot of Tony Wroten through recruiting and skills competitions and he is going to be something special. Not a great shooter…yet, but his ability to find open teammates is unreal. You instantly fall in love with him when you watch him play, the past couple years Denver has been drafting pure athletes; Wroten foots the bill. Not to mention, Andre Miller’s contract is expiring.

21.Boston Celtics-Royce White-SF/PF-Iowa State
With the Big 3 (or what is left of it) aging and breaking down, the Celtics need playmakers for Rondo to dish to. Royce White is a point forward who loves to have the ball and can muscle his way to the basket. He doesn’t necessarily need to start right away with Jeff Green and Paul Pierce still in the lineup, which will allow White to figure out if he is a power forward or a small forward. He averaged 13.1 points per game 9.2 rebounds per game and 5.1 assists per game at Iowa State. This pick makes too much sense for the Celtics, especially if Lamb, Waiters and Rivers are all gone. 

22.Boston Celtics-Jared Sullinger-PF-Ohio State
Sullinger is by far the scariest player in the draft. I fear that the Celtics fall into this trap and end up selecting the injury prone question mark. Sullinger is 6’9 and plays too small to be a power forward but too slow to be a small forward. His play resembles Glen “Big Baby” Davis who the Celtics selected several years ago. I don’t think Sullinger will be in the league long between his back problems and his lack off skills but I could be wrong. Would have been a lottery pick a year ago, don’t be surprised if he slides to the second round.

23.Atlanta Hawks-Marquis Teague-PG-Kentucky
With all of the top big men off of the board the Hawks look to add depth to their back court. What better way of doing that is there than drafting your point guards little brother. Teague is only going in the first round via lack of PG play in the draft but he will add depth to the backcourt of the Hawks. Teague is speedy and has deceptively active hands on defense, could grow into a solid point guard.

24.Cleveland Cavaliers-Fab Melo-C-Syracuse
The Cleveland frontcourt is very thin and is filled with underperforming forwards. Anderson Varejao is potenatiallya 15 and 10 guy but they need to improve on defense. The controversial seven-footer out of Syracuse will help the Cavs right away. Fab Melo is a skilled shot blocker and would produce coming off of the bench.

25.Memphis Grizzlies-Evan Fournier-SG-France
O.J. Mayo is a free agent and Tony Allen is the offensive equivalent to a vocational high school player’s. Evan Fournier is a crafty shooting guard who can shoot the three ball consistently. Memphis is known for drafting foreign players and there is a risk they run with drafting a player that could possibly stay in France but they can’t pass up on the 6’7 shooting guard in my opinion.

26.Indiana Pacers-Will Barton-SG-Memphis
Will Barton is an athletic shooting guard who can score in a variety of ways. Averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds a game at Memphis, Barton would have a chance to take Paul George’s starting position. A lanky defender who can force turnovers is a great value this late in the first round.

27.Miami Heat-Festus Ezeli-C-Vanderbilt
The Miami heat are very old on the frontlines (Howard & Anthony) and have seen little growth in Dexter Pittman. The senior out of Vanderbilt makes perfect sense. Not only is the former Commodore a get defender but he does not need the ball on offense, allowing the big 3 to do their thing. Although this may not be a sexy pick for South Beach, it could be the right one.

28.Oklahoma City Thunder-Andrew Nicholson-PF-St. Bonaventure
Throughout the whole 2012 season the Thunder failed to get offense from big men. Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka averaged 12 points per game…combined. Andrew Nicholson opened eyes when the Bonnies made it to the NCAA tournament. Nicholson is a versatile power forward who can shoot as well as finish around the hoop. The 6’10 forward has a smooth shot and plays with his heart all game long.

29.Chicago Bulls-John Jenkins-SG-Vanderbilt
What the Bulls really need is a healthy Derrick Rose. Other than that, they could use a guy who can stretch the floor and knock down threes. Rip Hamilton didn’t produce like the Bulls had hoped and Ronnie Brewer is not an offensive player. John Jenkins is the best shooter in this years draft and is lethal if left open. The sharpshooter averaged close to four three-pointers a game while shooting 44%.

30.Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio)-Draymond Green-F-Michigan St.
Green is one of the best players in college basketball history and he will be one of the best pleasant surprises in the NBA. With a similar build to Paul Pierce, Green is a fantastic rebounded and has the basketball I.Q. of most NBA coaches. Green is a stat stuffer and is a the type of player that Golden State needs….mature. He is not fast but his footwork gets him in the perfect position to make plays, the Warriors need to bulk up, and no better player to draft at this spot than the 2012 Big 10 Player of the Year. 

Notable 2^nd Round Picks 

31.Charlotte Bobcats-Kim English-SG-Missouri

34.Cleveland Cavaliers-Doron Lamb–SG Kentucky

37.Toronto Raptors-Tyshawn Taylor-Combo Guard-Kansas

46.New Orleans Hornets-Scott Machado-PG-Iona (biggest steal of draft)

47.Utah Jazz-Robbie Hummel-SF -Purdue

Pre-NBA Trade Deadline Possibilities

This year’s NBA season has been shortened via lockout. This year has been flooded with fantastic storylines such as: Jeremy Lin, Kyrie Irving bringing relevance back to Cleveland and Kobe, the masked assassin. Although there has been some not-so-great headlines, we still have the trade deadline drama and now the trade deadline has been later than ever. Tomorrow at 4:00 the teams of the NBA will no longer be able to discuss dealing players with one another. One major trade happened late last night sending Kwame Brown, Ekpe Udoh and prolific scorer, Monta Ellis to Milwaukee in exchange for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson. I expect to see a lot of movement between today and tomorrow’s deadline as teams try to add one more piece that could help them get to the post-season.

Which Teams Need One More Piece?

Minnesota Timberwolves
Key Need: Veteran Shooting Guard

Los Angeles Lakers
Key Need: Point Guard

Atlanta Hawks
Key Need: Skilled Big Man

How Can These Teams Fill These Holes?

Jamal Crawford-Minnesota is currently ninth in the Western Conference standings and they have a great nucleus of young talent. Kevin Love, Derrick Williams and Ricky Rubio played great together in the first part of the season, but earlier this week against the Lakers, Ricky Rubio went down with a torn MCL muscle. With that injury occurring, Luke Ridnour will be forced back into the starting point guard role rather than playing the 2, making Jamal Crawford a great fit in Minnesota. The T-wolves have some spotty shooters in Wayne Ellington and Wesley Johnson. Crawford could bring the ball up on offense as a backup point guard, create his own shot and also make clutch shots at the end when Kevin Love is double-teamed. Portland has made it known that Jamal Crawford is up for trade, but the price needs to be right; if the T-wolves make a trade I feel they would have to give up Ellington, and Anthony Tolliver AT LEAST. Portland also made it known that Gerald Wallace could be up for grabs, so maybe Wallace and PF/SF Michael Beasley could also be in the mix pending salary cap.

Brandon Jennings/Ramon Sessions- Derek Fisher is aging and he seems to have lost some of his greatness. The Lakers need a guy that can be a spark plug and score on his own when they can’t get it to Kobe Bryant. Milwaukee could get a lot from the Lakers and they could also give the Lakers what they want. I feel that Milwaukee needs to deal Brandon Jennings if they want to make the playoffs because I don’t see how Jennings and Monta Ellis can play without the ball, or coexist for that matter. A potential deal could involve Brandon Jennings and Drew Gooden for Pau Gasol and possibly Metta World Peace. Helping out both teams greatly. Ramon Sessions is also a possibility for the Lakers; he is a pass-first point guard and fills up the whole stat sheet. The Lakers need a guy that is willing to do the dirty work. Sessions would come cheaper, but Jennings might be the better fit. My prediction would be that Cleveland gives up Sessions and Antawn Jamison for Pau Gasol.

Chris Kaman- Trading for the second best German player in the NBA makes perfect sense for the Atlanta Hawks. Josh Smith trade talks have been looming for about as long as Rajon Rondo talks have been. I do not really understand what direction the Hornets want to take as a franchise but they could use a young super-stud in Josh Smith. If the lottery goes accordingly they could end up with the Anthony Davis who is said to be best player in next year’s draft, a hopefully healthy Eric Gordon and Josh Smith. The Hawks need a big man badly, Horford has been out with a torn pectoral muscle all season and the Hawks need more production from the interior. Ivan Johnson has stepped up his game but he is not offensively gifted and 2^nd round pick Keith Benson is not even on the active roster.  Kaman has a variety of post moves he could utilize and he is a gritty player, he will get rebounds, blocks and has the ability to kick it out when the defense collapses. Atlanta should really take a look at Chris Kaman. One possibility could be Josh Smith for Chris Kaman, Carl Landry and a draft pick.

Most Intriguing March Madness Match-ups.

March Madness is known for having mid-majors go deep into the tournament and Cinderella stories. The NCAA Election Committee did a pretty solid job on creating the most interesting scenarios. For example, Florida State and North Carolina could meet in the final four; not only is it a great ACC storyline, but will the Seminoles prove they are better than the Tar Heels once again, or will Jon Henson and Harrison Barnes redeem themselves when it counts most? The majority of the country will be on the edge of their seats from tip-off, till the final buzzer of the last game goes off. The first two rounds are pure pandemonium, anything can happen in this tourney.

Most Interesting First Round Match-ups

Baylor (3) vs. South Dakota State (14)
I am not looking for an upset here, but this game could very well go down to the wire. Not many people know of this South Dakota State Jackrabbits team, but they are one group of resilient guys. Nate Wolters is a fantastic point guard and he makes everyone on this SD State team better. Aside from Wolters, the Jackrabbits are really good from beyond the arc. Sixteenth in the country is where they finished as a team, shooting 39.3% from 3-ball. Baylor is arguably the most athletic team in the country, their size, speed, length and depth could have them going deep in this tournament.  The Bears are an unbeatable team when they get out and run with the ball, but their defensive woes cause me to scratch my head. When Baylor plays a zone there is no way you are getting to the hoop, but their coach, Scott Drew, insists they play a man which results in losing games because they can not get through the ball screens that teams throw at them. I have Baylor winning this match-up, not by much, but Baylor is a team that can either win every round or lose early on and I won’t be surprised either way. Perry Jones III should dominate against South Dakota State.

Wisconsin (4) vs. Montana (13)
I officially put the Wisconsin Badgers on upset alert. The Badgers are not good playing away from home and they are a team that lives and dies by the three. In this case, I feel that they die from the three-pointer, unfortunately eliminating them from the tournament. The one guy that might be able to save them is veteran point guard, Jordan Taylor. Taylor does not turn the ball over, hits his free-throws, and makes smart decisions, but in order to move on in the tournament he will need to score points. The Badgers only average 63 points per game and they shoot an abysmal 42%. The Montana Grizzlies have been an up-and-coming team for a while now. Wayne Tinkle is a great coach and will have this Grizzly team read to give Wisconsin their all. Montana shoots a staggering 47% from the field and averages 7 more points per game than Wisconsin. Look for junior guard Will Cherry to explode in this match-up. Will Cherry vs. Jordan Taylor could determine the outcome of this game. I have Montana upsetting Wisconsin in a last second thriller.

Kansas (2) vs. Detroit (15)
I have realized that I have mentioned the Detroit Titans a lot in my previous March Madness articles, but they deserve the recognition. I have not been impressed by Bill Self’s Jayhawks all season and Detroit is a team that I feel could upset them. The Jayhawks are not a deep team; four starters are averaging over 32 minutes a game. Detroit is very similar to the Baylor team, they are lanky, can run the floor, great defensively and can bail themselves out of a bad possession with an alley-oop. Ray McCallum gives Detroit an edge over Baylor with fantastic point guard play, and I would like to add that Kansas lost to Baylor this season. This game will be determined off the glass, whoever rebounds more will win this game. I feel the Titans are able to stop the fast, efficient offense that the Jayhawks present. Call me crazy, but I have the Horizon League Champs upsetting Kansas in a nail-biter.

Most Intriguing Second Round Possibilities

Kentucky (1) vs. Connecticut (9)
Uconn poses the biggest threat to John Calipari’s squad. If Uconn ends up beating Iowa State then they could very well go on and beat Kentucky. In this Wildcat/Huskie match-up, you have a total of 4 lottery picks (Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones for UK, Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond for Conn). The reason why this match-up is very difficult to decipher is because you have the two most athletic centers in the country and Jeremy Lamb will be able to lock-down, and vice versa. This year Connecticut lacked leadership this season, you could tell they really missed Kemba Walker. Shabazz Napier tried to take on the leader role and showed some bright spots, but he needs to know when it is crunch time, you feed the ball to Lamb. The Huskies shot themselves in the foot this season when it was crunch time; there would be instances where they were down by 4 points with 1:00 left and they would be stagnant on offense and run the clock out on themselves. Albeit all of these struggles, they still did pretty well in a tough Big East Conference, they could beat Kentucky. Calipari’s teams have been known to choke and they are very young (have one senior on the team). Anthony Davis is the most versatile player in the country but he will need help from fellow freshman, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the glass. Although I love Uconn and I feel that they are way better than what they’ve showed this season, it is really hard for me to pick against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round. Uconn might not even get out of the first round. Kentucky wins in a low scoring match-ups against Jim Calhoun’s squad.

Syracuse (1) vs. Kansas State (8)
The breaking news today was that Syracuse’s best defender, Fab, Melo, will not be playing in the NCAA Tournament due to ineligibility.  Syracuse is already one of the worst rebounding teams in the field of play and without Fab they will be even worse. The only regular season game ‘Cuse lost was against Notre Dame; Melo did not play. The Orange is not that deep at the center position, but still defend the perimeter with ease and can generate offense in a numerous amount of ways. James Southerland needs to step up and find his rhythm early for Syracuse to succeed. On the other hand, Coach Frank Martin, always has his kids prepared for big games. From an athletic perspective, Kansas State matchups up favorably with ‘Cuse. Jordan Henriquez is a lanky, shot-blocking center who will be able to hold down the paint along with Jamar Samuels. Will Spradling and Rodney McGruder are two quick, defensive guards who will be able to force Scoop Jardine to turn the ball over.  I am being conservative in this selection by taking Syracuse. I just feel like Kansas State will be worrying about the matchup against the Orange and could fall to Southern Miss.

My Bracket:

Why Missouri Wins

I feel that the Tigers got robbed and should have been awarded a 1 seed. They are my favorite to win it all; this was the most efficient team in the country and they have a number of player combinations they can throw at you. The Tigers shoot 50% from the field and they can wear you out by swinging the ball back-and-forth. The dribble-drive penetration by the guards is outstanding, then, they kick it back out and nail the three-ball 39.5% of the time. Kim English is a fantastic leader and first year head coach, Frank Haith has had his team bringing their A-game all year long. Mizzou lost their leading rebounder in Lawrence Bowers due to a torn ACL, but they just keep finding ways to win. I don’t sense anyone beating Missouri mainly because of the versatility of the team as a whole; when Frank Haith puts out his four-guard lineup (Kim English, Marcus Denmon, Matt Pressey, Phil Pressey). There isn’t any  team in the nation can match-up with that speed and efficiency. The Missouri Tigers will have proven once again that they deserved to be a number 1 seed, they will be the National Champions.

Preseason Predictions

The NBA season is less than a week away and there is much to talk about. No awards are certain until the season is over but here are some things to keep an eye on.

Rookie of the Year: Bismack Biyombo- C- Charlotte Bobcats
Runner Up: Marshon Brooks- SG– New Jersey Nets
Bold Prediction: Jan Vesely- SF/PF– Washington Wizards

Hmmmm, I’m going to say this nicely, Bismack is a freak of nature. 6’9, 243, can run the floor, 7’6 wingspan and a raw talent. Bismack has a knack for defending and although he cannot shoot, he can still get the ball in the bucket. A center that can defend and run the floor is probably the most lethal guy in sports- behind a dual threat quarterback. The Congolese center has skill where it is hard to teach and it seems as if he is willing to learn. Michael Jordan has his hands full but is sold on this kid. Biyombo seemed to have been working on his offensive game in the offseason. Biyombo was the first player ever to record a triple-double in the Nike Hoops Summit. One thing this young talent does not lack is confidence, in a pre-draft interview Bismack said that one day he WILL lead the NBA in blocks and rebounds. Now that is a tall order to fill but you can’t blame the kid for being excited or wanted to be the best. However, there is a slim chance he won’t be able to play in the NBA his rookie season because he has one year left on his contract with his team in Spain. Biyombo is currently in negotiations with his team attempting to buyout his old contract. It will be a great disappointment if he doesn’t play this year because although he might not be locking down Dwight Howard or Andrew Bogut, he will still be competing every night and  making a name for himself.

If Marshon Brooks can mirror what he did at Providence College offensively then the NBA better watch out.This kid does not know what a slump is, he is not afraid to shoot and he will get to the hoop at will. Brooks is lanky, quick, he can slash and he can score in any way imaginable. Brooks could very well be the Nets’ leading scorer but in order to get the respect from his coach and his teammates, he will need to defend and become more of an all around player. At Providence, Brooks always had the ball in his hands, that will not be the case in NJ and he will need to learn how to play without the ball.

As for Vesely, I believe this kid is the most explosive player out of the draft. I guarantee that we will see him in a dunk contest before his career is over. Vesely will be playing  a little bit of both forward positions and his versatility helps him so much in the Wizards’ system. In recent years we’ve had the Nash and Dirk connection, the Marbury and Amare’ connection, the Kidd and Vinsanity tandem and last year we had the whomever is playing PG to Blake Griffin alley-oop fest. John Wall to Jan Vesely could top all of these. This kid is gifted both athletically and instinctively. Listed at 6’11 it is hard to imagine, but, Jan plays bigger than what he is. This Czechoslovakian moves like a 2 guard, flies like a Dr J., and brings the power of a Shaq. Vesely is not afraid to defend and the alley-oops he will be receiving from John Wall will be a nightly occurrence on Sportcenter’s Top 10.

Surprise Playoff Team: Utah Jazz

After last year’s untimely departure of both Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan, Tyrone Corbin seemed unprepared to coach the Utah Jazz. However, Corbin was the  assistant under Sloan for a number of years and with this being his first full season as the Jazz coach I expect him to surprise a lot people and I think the Jazz make the playoffs. The Jazz do not have a star player so to speak but they have a fantastic makeup for their style of play. Lottery pick Enes Kanter seems to be the starting center. Rebounding experts Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors will cycle the big men positions. The young players for the Jazz need to really step it up big time. Last year’s number one draft pick Gordon Hayward had a rough transition from college to the pros. Look for Hayward to make a name for himself in this offense, he and Devin Harris will be a quality back court with a lot of flexibility because of the strength of the men down low. Utah has always been about defense and this year will be no different. Raja Bell is a two-time All-NBA defender and C.J Miles is a great defender at the three position. They are both expected to start for Tyrone Corbin’s squad. Rookie Alec Burks was drafted out of Colorado in the first round, he is a great defensive shooting guard who can score and get to the free-throw line; but he will need to develop a long-range shot in order to be successful. The Jazz aren’t going to outscore people but they will defend strongly and keep every game close. I see the Jazz making the playoffs as a six seed and possibly going up against last year’s NBA champions.

Coach of the Year: Larry Drew- Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have been somewhat of a disappointment in recent years because they have been expected to go deep into the playoffs. This year with the emergence of the super-teams (Bulls, Knicks, Heat) the Hawks will be under the radar. They should make a run and possibly make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Comeback Player of the Year: Ben Gordon- SG- Detroit Pistons
Runner-Up: Tracy McGrady– SG- Atlanta Hawks

Detroit is an ugly place for basketball right now.  Rodney Stuckey has been a problem in that locker room, Ben Wallace is not exactly a leader and Rip Hamilton’s contract was just bought out. Now that Hamilton has gone to Chicago, look for ex-Bull, Ben Gordon, to become the leader of the team and go back to his old form of draining shots. I expect him to be the leading scorer of this team and to help out rookie point guard Brandon Knight.

It seems like every year T-Mac is a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. In recent years McGrady has been plagued by injury and inconsistency but he should have a solid season this year pending health. Maybe new scenery is all he needs to bring his game back to life. T-Mac has never been a great shooter but he has been a good scorer throughout his career and for he has terrific handles and passing ability for a guard his size. McGrady will get his chances in Atlanta when Joe Johnson is on the bench and maybe finally, just finally he will win a playoff series.

On the Verge of Super-Stardom: Josh Smith- Utility– Atlanta Hawks
Runner Up: Eric Gordon- SG- New Orleans Hornets
Bold Prediction: Luis Scola- PF- Houston Rockets

Josh Smith’s potential has been blocked by Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford controlling the ball 90% of the time. Now that Jamal Crawford has made his exit look for Josh Smith to finally breakout. I feel he is the most underrated player in the league and that he could be a top five player. Smith is gifted in all aspects of the game, he was first recognized as the insanely athletic dunker who took the Slam Dunk contest title from Jason Richardson in 2005. Smith is among the leagues best highflyers and shot blockers, look for him to put up crazy numbers now that he will finally be touching the ball because Joe Johnson is starting to decline and the team will need another scorer.

Eric Gordon is the new face of a struggling franchise. He was the main component of Chris Paul trade and he has tremendous upside. Going into his  ourth year he has improved his PPG, SPG, AST and 3PM each season. Last year he averaged 22 points per game and he played in the second half of the season recovering from a broken wrist but still put up ungodly numbers for the Los Angeles Clippers. Gordon can score from anywhere on the floor (even Jimmer range) and he can get to the basket at will.  Last season Gordon averaged 6.2 free-throw attempts per game and made 5.1, which is among the top 20 in each category. Gordon is ready to take over a team and now he won’t be outshined by a number one overall draft pick. Look for Gordon to dominate this year and he should average around 26 PPG where he will be in elite company.

Most Valuable Player: Kobe Bryant- SG- Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe has the most rings out of active players in the NBA and people are always anti-Kobe. Analysts and fans say he can’t win on his own, he’s too old, or he doesn’t have the hunger anymore. Truth of the matter is- you can never count Kobe Bryant out.  The Black Mamba has battled injuries in the past (thumb, pinky, knee) and no one has given him credit for playing through it or for playing at an all star level. Kobe recently had “miracle” knee surgery, also called PRP treatment. Although there is not much released information to the public about this type of surgery, Kobe has made it known that he will be back with a vengeance. Throughout this early training camp, Kobe has seemed to have gotten his hops back and thank the lord. The Lakers could be in for a long season and Kobe seems to be the only bright spot, I expect him to have multiple 40+ games this season.

NBA Champions: Miami Heat
They have a year under their belts, they’ve brought in a lock-down defender in Shane Battier. Haslem will be healthy and look for a healthy, slimmed down Dexter Pittman to get playing time. Rumor also has it the gun show could be going to South Beach… I mean… Gilbert Arenas. Simply there is too much talent on this team not to win. I will be disappointed if they don’t.