Who Each Team Should Choose in the NBA Draft

This is who I believe should be chosen by each team if no trades are made:


1.Cavaliers-Kyrie Irving

2.Timberwolves-Derrick Williams

3.Jazz-Brandon Knight

4.Cavaliers-Enes Kanter

5.Raptors-Jonas Valanciunas

6.Wizards-Kawhi Leonard

7.Kings-Kemba Walker

8.Pistons-Tristan Thompson

9.Bobcats-Jan Vesely

10.Bucks-Bismack Biyombo

11.Warriors-Alec Burks

12.Jazz-Chris Singleton

13.Suns-Klay Thompson

14.Rockets-Jordan Hamilton

15.Pacers-Jimmer Fredette

16.76ers-Nikola Vucevic

17.Knicks-Kenneth Faried

18.Wizards-Marcus Morris

19.Bobcats-Marshon Brooks

20.Timberwolves-Iman Shumpert

21.Trail Blazers-Josh Selby

22.Nuggets-Tobias Harris

23.Rockets-Nikola Mirotic

24.Thunder-Tyler Honeycutt

25.Celtics-Reggie Jackson

26.Mavericks-Kyle Singler

27.Nets-Markieff Morris

28.Bulls-Jeremy Tyler

29.Spurs-Shelvin Mack

30.Bulls-Davis Bertans



Key Team Analysis:

Cavaliers:

Needs: PG, SF, C

Should Take: Kyrie Irving and Enes Kanter.

Why: Because the Cavs can build a team around these two 19-year old guys. Baron Davis can start if he remains with the Cavs because of his experience, but he mentors Irving and helps him mature his game. They should also take Enes Kanter because of his size and in order to try and build good chemistry between him and Irving. With his 6’11” height and 7’1” wingspan, Kanter can be a solid post presence that can either find his own shot if Irving passes to him, alley-oop a pass from Irving, or clog the lane allowing Irving and others to get a lay-up. Kanter also provides the Cavs with a good draft pick even if Irving gets injured, seeing as Kyrie only played 11 games last season





Timberwolves:

Needs: PG, SG, C

Should Take: Derrick Williams and Iman Shumpert.

Why: Derrick Williams is, in my opinion, the most solid player in this draft. You know he will be a consistently good player, the question is will he be a star? I think the answer is yes. He has the size (6’9”, 7’1” wingspan) so that he can play as a larger small forward or a smaller power forward. He is an extremely talented athlete who is the safest pick in the draft. I like Iman Shumpert a lot. I saw him play against Boston College this year, and he was great. Averaging 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.7 steals per game while boasting a 1.5 assist/turnover ratio, I picture Shumpert as a Russell Westbrook type player who can kill you in many different ways. The good thing about taking Shumpert as well is that he won’t exactly threaten Ricky Rubio for the starting point guard spot, but he can take it over if Rubio is hurt or isn’t playing well.



Jazz:

Needs: PG, SF

Should Take: Brandon Knight and Chris Singleton.

Why: At 19, Knight can start for the Jazz while having Devin Harris as his backup. Knight averaged 17.3 points per game last season as a freshman and led Kentucky to the Final Four, showing his leadership skills that the Jazz crave. He can be their point guard of the future, and it will boost his confidence to be able to pass to Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson in the post and to build chemistry with Gordon Hayward, the great young Butler shooter first-round pick from last year’s draft. Chris Singleton at 6’9”, 7’1” wingspan, is a powerful small forward who can be physical on his way to the basket. The only question with Singleton is his health having missed 6 games last season.



Raptors:

Needs: SF, C

Should Take: Jonas Valanciunas

Why: At 6’11” Jonas is a big player who has a great work ethic similar to Dirk Nowitski. Also similarly to Dirk, Jonas has a nice, pure shot. Even though he is not an amazing prospect, he is an interesting one. He might grow to become a great, mobile center, or fail and become a fourth-string backup center. He is worth that chance though, because it is hard to teach a strong work ethic.



Wizards:

Needs: SF, PF, C

Should Take: Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris.

Why: Both players’ defensive skills should help the Wizards who ranked 24th in the league with points allowed (104.7 points per game). Kawhi can be a Thabo Sefalosha type player for the Wizards, while Marcus Morris can be a force in the post coming off the bench for either JaVale McGee or Andray Blatche.



Kings:

Needs: PG, SF, C

Should Take: Kemba Walker.

Why: Because he and Tyreke Evans could be the most dangerous guard combination in the league. They both can make plays with the ball and without the ball. They both play similarly. They both can shoot, and they both can share leadership of this team that desperately needs it.



Pistons:

Needs: SF, PF

Should Take: Tristan Thompson.

Why: A 13.1 point, 54.6% field goal percentage, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game statline as a freshman at Texas should be enough to help Detroit (22nd in points per game with 97.0, 30th in rebounds per game with 38.6 per game, and 16th in points allowed per game with 100.6) rebound after 3 straight terrible seasons.



Bobcats:

Needs: SG, PF, C

Should Take: Jan Vesely and Marshon Brooks.

Why: At 6’11”, Jan Vesely can be a great power forward who is a good defender that always plays hard. He will fit into the Bobcats organization because of his athleticism and will to win. Marshon Brooks would provide the Bobcats with a lethal scorer that can be a helpful option for D.J. Augustin.



Bucks:

Needs: SG, PF

Should Take: Bismack Biyombo.

Why: The Bucks are a very good defensive team who can become a great defensive team if they take Biyombo. At 18 years old, 6’9”, he is a natural shot-blocker that can join with Andrew Bogut to create a physical post for the Bucks.



Warriors:

Needs: SG, PF

Should Take: Alec Burks.

Why: At 6’6”, Burks is a good scorer that can rebound (20.5ppg, 6.5rpg). He can play a big shooting guard, or a small, small forward. He can fill in for Monta Ellis, who plays too many minutes each game, or Dorell Wright at small forward.



Suns:

Needs: SG, SF, C.

Should Take: Klay Thompson.

Why: At 6’7”, Thompson is a big shooting guard who is extremely athletic and a phenomenal shooter that will help Steve Nash raise his league leading assist per game stat.



Pacers: SG

Should Take: Jimmer Fredette.

Why: He can play off the ball as a shooting guard, which I think he should be, and can make a big contribution to a weak group of guards. He can provide Darren Collison with a player to pass to on the outside for a quick three, and his lack of defensive strength will be helped by Collison’s speed.



Celtics:

Needs: PG, SG, C

Should Take: Reggie Jackson.

Why: I think he is one of the biggest sleepers in this year’s draft. He is athletic, a great scorer, a good rebounder, and a good passer. He can be lazy on offense when he doesn’t have the ball, but he makes up for it through blocking shots and getting steals. Doc Rivers and the rest of the Celtics will help him mature and become a better team player. He can work on his shot with help from Ray Allen, one of the best shooters in the league, and work on his passing from Rondo, one of the best passers in the league. He can make ridiculous shots and can beat opponents to the basket. He is a strong player who can make a big difference off the Boston bench.



Spurs:

Needs: PG

Should Take: Shelvin Mack.

Why: A natural leader that plays smart and plays for his team will help the Spurs recover after Tony Parker is gone. He can grow on the bench and become a key player while the Spurs try to rebuild. He can shoot, pass, and play defense.



Hopeful Draft Picks:

Corey Raji and Joe Trapani.

Why: Because they are both great players that deserve a shot at the NBA in the second round. The Celtics should try for Trapani because he tries hard, rebounds, shoots threes, and has a jump shot similar to Kevin Garnett. With some help and advice from KG, Trapani could become a big part of the Celtics playoff hopes. Raji is another great player that has a lot of heart. He was sidelined with a concussion earlier in the year, but Raji, BJ Raji’s, of the Packers, younger brother, is a strong post player who is a remarkable defender. He finds a way to get the ball. With some help and experience, Raji can become a great role player for any team.

First Round NBA Playoff Predictions and My Team to Watch

Team To Watch:

OKC Thunder: I love this team. I believe they have the ability this year to win it all. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant may be the names that immediately come to mind when you hear about the Thunder, but they aren’t the only good players on this team. I think the combination of Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins is the best combo of big men in the playoffs. Perk is the type of player defensively that can go one-on-one with a guy, leaving Serge to block shots (which he is known for doing: 2.4 blocks per game) or grab rebounds (7.6 per game). On offense this duo may not be as good as they are on defense, but they will be consistent. Thabo Sefolosha is a major piece to the Thunder’s future in the playoffs. He is a very good defender (he held Kobe Bryant to 36% shooting from the floor, 8-22 in shots, 17 points), but the question is will he be able to carry those numbers into the playoffs? This team has depth. Any team that can bring James Harden, Nate Robinson, Nick Collison, Nazr Mohammed, Cole Aldrich, or Daequan Cook off the bench is ready for a deep playoff run at least. Perkins is the key. His health is always questionable, and if he gets injured this team will lose more than just his size, they will also lose his experience, something the Thunder need. I also like the Denver Nuggets and believe this is the best matchup in the playoffs. The Nuggets have the momentum coming off a great end to their season, while the Thunder have talent. I think the Thunder will still win, but in 5 or 6 games.

First Round Predictions:

CHI over IND

MIA over PHI

ATL over ORL

BOS over NYC

SAS over MEM

LAL over NOR

POR over DAL

OKC over DEN

The Fresh Final Four

UCONN vs. Kentucky

            Will Kemba finally become tired? That is the key question to this game. We know how Kentucky plays: a fast offensive system with a couple of big guys clogging the lane defensively. They can all be stopped by Kemba, but will Kemba ever show signs of slowing down. Kemba Walker is a fantastic player, but he carries this team too much. Other guys NEED to help him. There is a point-per-game differential of 12.8 points between Kemba and the next best shooter, Jeremy Lamb. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel could be a surprise because he has been streaky and hasn’t had a very good game since February 16^th against Georgetown. I like Brandon Knight for Kentucky, but he has to assert himself and take over this game if Kentucky will win. I am not as impressed with Terrence Jones as I was at the beginning of the season, I believe he has kind of faded behind Knight. I believe UCONN will win. I don’t see Kemba Walker getting tired yet and I think Roscoe Smith, Alex Oriakhi, and Shabazz Napier will help him contain Kentucky. The key is Kemba Walker. If he finishes the game with less than 20 points, they have a good chance of losing the game against a John Calipari team hungry for the finals.

Butler vs. VCU

            First let me state that I believe Butler will win. Butler’s unfaltering patience and depth will win them this game. I have believed since the beginning of the tournament that they are the best defensive team in the country. Howard, Mack, Smith, Vanzant, Marshall, Nored, Hahn, and Stigall. All of those guys have the ability to stop VCU. For VCU, the key is defense. If they can defend Butler better than Butler defends them, they have a good chance of winning. We know that Skeen, Burgess, and Rodriguez can score, rebound, and assist, but can they defend? I don’t believe so. At least, not well enough for Butler, the experienced team. Expect Butler to outduel VCU.

My Finals Prediction: UCONN vs. Butler

Packers vs. Steelers: Predictions and Names To Know For the Big Game

SO it’s down to this. Packers vs. Steelers. While this can be seen as a defensive battle, or a quarterback showdown, there are many more important factors to the game, some more easily recognized than others, that are game-changers. So here is a list of names and match-ups to know for tomorrow night's Super Bowl brawl:


1) B.J. Raji (Nose Tackle, Green Bay): Obviously, with Maurkice Pouncey, the center for the Steelers out, B.J. Raji is expected to have a monster game. Last week he showed off his quick reaction skills with his touchdown as well as his ability to break through the offensive line of the Bears to shake up Caleb Hanie. As we know, Big Ben is very different from Hanie, but Raji will still be able to get to Ben a couple of times tomorrow night, and may even sack him. It does not help Roethlisberger that his offensive line, which is not great to begin with, lost Pouncey, as I mentioned before, and will cause problems for him during the game.

2) Mike Wallace (Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh): To me, he is the key to the Steelers. You can talk about Big Ben avoiding Clay Mathews and Raji as the key for the Steelers. You can talk about James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu keeping Aaron Rodgers from making big plays as the key for the Steelers. But I predict Wallace to be the star. Just like Santonio Holmes (sound familiar?) with big play potential, and maybe even better because of his speed, look for Ben to spot Wallace early with deep throws. If Wallace can make a big play at the beginning of the game, the momentum will be with the Steelers. It would also make the Steelers a multi-skilled opponent: they can do a dump off to Rashard Mendenhall, a quick pass to Hines Ward, a Big Ben run, or, if it works early, a long pass to Wallace. He will determine the game.

3) Sam Shields (Right Cornerback, Green Bay): After a two-interception game versus the Bears, he will be assigned to Wallace. After my last statement, you know how important Wallace is to the Steelers. Shields’ job is to make sure Wallace doesn’t get the ball. Shields has the speed to stay with Wallace, but one catch could change the whole game. Shields is an undrafted rookie, so this is a BIG responsibility for him.

4) Erik Walden (Right Outside Linebacker, Green Bay): A lot of pressure will be on Walden to anchor the middle right side of the defense as the Right Outside Linebacker, while Clay Mathews, A.J. Hawk, Ryan Pickett, and Charles Woodson hold down the left side. B.J. Raji can clog up the middle of the field, leaving the right side as the weaker side with Nick Collins, Sam Shields, and Walden. The third year man out of Middle Tennessee State had an uneventful season after being picked up by the Packers from the Dolphins. He needs to have a solid game in order to help the defense be more balanced. If Big Ben, an experienced, veteran quarterback, finds a couple of openings in the Right Side of the D, he will attack it.

5) Bryant McFadden (Right Cornerback Pittsburgh): He will likely be defending Donald Driver, who is a veteran player, who, even though he had some injury issues this season, is still able to make catches when they are needed. Bryant’s job seems simple: keep Driver from getting the football. This may be harder than it would seem, however, which may cause some problems for Pittsburgh.

6) James Jones (Wide Receiver, Green Bay): You’ve been in the league for four years. STOP DROPPING THE BALL! You have opportunities to close the game for your team, and yet you let them slip away. Rodgers won’t be able to protect you forever. At some point you need to make plays when they are handing themselves to you on a golden plate.

7) Brandon Jackson, James Starks, and John Kuhn (Running Backs, Green Bay): The big three for Green Bay’s running game won’t have an easy time running through the Steel fortress that will be in front of them, but they need to have some success, no matter how small, in order to take some of the heavy load off of Rodgers. If the run game is stopped, Rodgers will be forced into action, ending with Troy Polamalu or Ike Taylor intercepting his passes, and James Harrison, James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley flattening him. As soon as Ryan Grant went down in the first week of the season, I knew a lot of pressure would be on Rodgers, I hope that these three will take part of the load.

My Prediction(s): I believe the game could go one of these two ways:


1) Packers 28, Steelers 21:

If Sam Shields contains Mike Wallace in the first quarter, Big Ben and Rashard Mendenhall will have to run the ball and complete short passes to gain yardage. If Erik Walden, B.J. Raji, Clay Mathews, and A.J. Hawk hold down the middle of the field, Ben will be forced to complete medium long throws which Woodson and Shields can intercept. Woodson has not had a pick yet during this year’s playoffs, and is due for possibly an important one this game. Rodgers, the Super Bowl MVP, throws for 225-plus yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, while Big Ben has 150 plus yards and 2 interceptions as the Packers win their first super bowl since Favre in 1996.


2) Steelers 28, Packers 14:

If the Steelers win, it will be by two touchdowns, either 28-14 or 21-7. I expect the Packers to score, but it won’t happen much if the ferocious defenders of the Steel City can help it. Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden help Polamalu with good pass defense while Woodley, Harrison, and Farrior shut down the run game, forcing Rodgers to be a one-man army. This all starts however, by Mike Wallace having a big catch on the first or second offensive series for the Steelers. I can imagine Ben working the ball up field with short passes to Mendenhall, Ward, and Antwaan Randle El, finishing with a big pass to Wallace to capture the momentum. If this happens, Ward will retire with a new ring, and the Steelers will be viewed as one of the greatest football teams of all time.