Hey everybody! I’ve got asmall update this time around, mainly addressing the NBA draft and togive Kobe and the Lakers their props on winning the NBA Championship.  

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in 5 games to win the 2009 NBA championshipthis year. Big props to Kobe Bryant who won his fourth title and wasalso named Finals MVP. This is also the first championship he’s wonwithout Shaquille O’Neal. Even though Kobe wouldn’t admit it, heprobably cherishes this title more than the other 3 because he did itas the sole leader of the team. It seemed like everybody stepped upwhen needed. Gasol had a great series, Derek Fisher hit some clutchshots, including a dagger right in front of Jameer Nelson to steal game4. The Magic are very unorthodox team that creates a lot of mismatchesbut the Lakers had the personnel to get it done.  Lamar Odom wasgreat against  Rashard Lewis and Trevor Ariza did well on Turkoglu.Dwight Howard struggled because of the great defense on the Magic’sperimeter players.  

Last, but not least, you’vegot to take your hat off to Lakers Coach Phil Jackson. Winningthe title this year gives him 10 championships, the most for any coachin sports. The question now is where does he rank all-time? Many peopleincluding myself have pointed out that Jackson has always had the mosttalented players. But if you look at former Boston Celtic coach, thegreat Red Auerbach , he had more Hall of Famers on his team than anyone.Red Auerbach also didn’t have to deal with trades, free agency andsalary cap issues that Jackon deals with in the game today. If I hadan all-time coaching list it would look like this:

1)Phil Jackson

2) Red Auerbach

3)Pat Riley

4)Chuck Daly

5)Greg Popovich 
 

2009 NBAMock Draft

Ever since I was a kid I’vealways loved both the NFL and NBA drafts. It was just always intriguingto see how the elite collegiate athletes would translate to the nextlevel. Sometimes a team might fill a need or take the best availableplayer, it all depends on the situation. But the good teams just seemto always get it right.  

1) Los AngelesClippers- BlakeGriffin   PF   Oklahoma

This should come as no surpriseto anyone. He’s the can’t miss prospect in a weak draft this year.At 6’10 he’s an athletic freak that can finish strong at the basket.He’s also a high character guy and has a great work ethic to boot.He needs to develop more low post moves, but he’s simply too goodnot to excel in the league.

My NBA Comparison: AmareStoudamire 

2) MemphisGrizzlies- HasheemThabeet   C   Connecticuit

Some GM’s think the Grizzliesmight trade this pick, but if they keep it, I think they will go withThabeet. At 7’3 he’s a monster on the defensive end with his abilityto block and alter shots. However he is very raw on the offensive end,and in my opinion, he’ll never be a great offensive player. He shouldbe able to come in and make an impact on the defensive end though.

My NBA Comparison: DikembeMutombo 

3) OklahomaCity Thunder- JamesHarden   SG   Arizona State

The Thunder could go with Rubiohere but Harden has been amazing in some of the workouts and has impressedmany. He’s jack of all trades type of guy who isn’t great at onething but pretty much solid at everything. He can shoot, pass, defendand is deceptively athletic. He’ll pair with Durant, Green and Westbrookto form one of the most exciting young teams in the league.

My NBA Comparison: BrandonRoy 

4) SacramentoKings- RickyRubio   PG  Spain

Some say he’s the best Europeanguard prospect since the late Drazen Petrovic. He has good size at 6’3,an outstanding passer, and is very battle tested playing professionallyin Europe since he was 14. He has the savvy of a 10-year veteran eventhough he’s only 18. Personally I fell in love with the kid last summerin the Olympics, as I saw him hold his own against Chris Paul and DeronWilliams, the two best PG’s in the NBA. What’s the downside? Henot the most athletic kid and is not  a consistent shooter. Healso may have a huge buyout clause to free him from his Spainiard team.Nonetheless, he’s too good to pass up at #4.

My NBA Comparison: “Pistol”Pete Maravich 

5) WashingtonWizards- JordanHill  PF   Arizona

The Wizards are highly expectedto trade this pick, but if they stay in this spot, I think they maygo with Jordan Hill. At 6 foot 10, he’s very athletic and has a lotof potential. He’s pretty good rebounder and can get up and down thefloor well for a big man. Not the best defender, but still has a lotof upside none the less. The Wizards have been trying to move AntawnJamimson’s contract and may end up selecting Hill as his replacement.

My NBA Comparison: Apoor man’s Chris Bosh 

6) MinnesotaTimberwolves- TyrekeEvans  PG/SG   Memphis

The Wolves need a point guardand may surprise and go with Brandon Jennings, but Evans is too goodto pass up here. Evans is a very capable scorer who can play both guardpostions, and can create his own shot at will. He needs to work on hisjumper and needs to be more consistent looking for teammates. He isa very valuable prospect because if he can learn to be a full time pointguard at 6’5 220, he will create match-up problems on a nightly basisfor opposing teams.

My NBA Comparison: Abigger Larry Hughes 

7) GoldenState Warriors- BrandonJennings  PG   Italy

After the former McDonaldsall-american passed on his verbal commitment to the Arizona Wildcats,Brandon Jennings took his game overseas for a year hoping to betterprepare himself for the NBA. He may be the quickest player in the draftand has outstanding ball handling ability. Jennings is also a good athletefor his size and has a decent stroke on his jumper. His downside isthat sometimes he can be very erratic with the basketball and the facthe’s been overseas, a lot of people haven’t seen him play as oflate. He’ll be a perfect fit in Don Nelson’s up tempo offense andalso grew up on the west coast.

My NBA Comparison: KennyAnderson 

8) New YorkKnicks-  StephenCurry  PG/SG  Davidson

This may be a match made inheaven. Mike D’Antoni likes guards that can shoot and Curry is oneof the best out there. One of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history,Curry has a very quick release and his shooting range seems unlimited.More of a combo guard than a true point, I think Curry can still playsome point guard because of his leadership and high basketball I.Q.He’s not the most athletic guy on the court and also needs to addweight. The son of former NBA player Dell Curry, he’s been groomedto be in this position and should be a fan favorite.

My NBA Comparison: ReggieMiller 

9) TorontoRaptors- DemarDerozan  SG/SF  USC

There are a lot of playersin this draft with a lot of upside, maybe none more than Derozan. Hisfreshman season started off pretty rough, but he picked it up lateron in the year. A great player in transition, but not so much in thehalf court. He’s super-athletic and has pretty decent size as well.His jumper isn’t that great, but has decent form so it may developfor him. Derozan has good physical tools and can be a very good playerif he pans out.

My NBA Comparison: VinceCarter 

10) Milwaukee Bucks- JeffTeague  PG  Wake Forest

I know this may be a reachbut the Bucks have been very impressed with Teague. Milwaukee apparentlydoesn’t think Ramon Sessions is the point guard of the future. He’llneed to improve his point guard skills, but is very confident playerand a terrific shooter.

My NBA Comparison: MontaEllis 
 

Biggest Impact:Blake Griffin 

Most Overrated:Hasheem Thabeet 

Most Underrated:Eric Maynor 

Biggest Upside:Demar Derozan 

Best Athlete:Blake Griffin 

Best Handle:Brandon Jennings 

Best Passer:Ricky Rubio 

Best Rebounder:Dejuan Blair 

Best Shooter:Stephen Curry 

Most Versatile:Terrence Williams