The Lost Mariner Speaks

* I received the following essay from the lost mariner, First Mate Ken Griffey, Jr. RBP looks forward to future contributions from our wandering brother when he finishes circumnavigating the globe on his book tour. First Mate Griffey also wanted me to let our overseas readership know that he will be spending the next couple days in Cape Town, SA. So, if you or any of your friends are going to be in or around the Cape of Good Hope this weekend, feel free to check out First Mate Griffey over at The Looking Glass Lounge and Bookery at the corner of 18th and Cauliflower. He will be reading choice excerpts from his new book, Edward Gorey: through Space and Time, on Friday at 7p, Saturday at 2p and then again at 8p, and Sunday at 3p.



Arrggghhh, This Draft Be Smellier Than Davy Jones’ Locker:
A Wayward Mariner’s Take on the 2009 NBA Draft Class
by First Mate Ken Griffey, Jr.

I may be eating my words in a few years, so I'll try to make this short so as not to choke should I have to ingest said words at a later date. Put simply, this draft class is horrible. Analysts have complained that it was weak, and I've reviewed plenty of mocks, but for some reason, the deficit of talent hasn't really hit me until now. Maybe it's because my previous reviews of the mocks have been mostly to see where Patterson and Meeks were going, and I haven't really paid attention to everybody else. Or maybe it took the Admiral's keen analysis to grab my attention. Whatever the reason, I find myself highly disappointed in this year's crop.

The first and second picks, while not otherwordly, could turn out to be solid NBA talent. However, once I saw Jordan Hill's name at the 3-slot, my stomach started to turn. I can't personally speak to Mr. Hill's talents as I've had few opportunities to see him play. I do know that prior to this season, he was barely on the draft radar, and, compared with previous players chosen at this spot in the draft, he seems sub-par. Just in the past few years, players like 'Melo, Ben Gordon, and O.J. Mayo were selected in the same position, and at this point, it's hard to argue that Hill is in the same league as those guys.



I could feel the bile rising in my esophagus when I saw big crazy stiff man's name at the 4-spot going to the Thunder. If I'm putting together an NBA Live team (which of course is how I would run a franchise if I were a GM) I definitely don't want this guy on my team! The Thunder (who should've been called the Barons) have the makings of a mouth-watering Live squad. They're young, they're long, they're athletic...in short, I really really like this team. But throw Thabeet in the middle, even with their need for a center, and the whole NBA-Live-running-dunking-crazyathletic thing is thrown out the window. Sidenote: I almost cried when the Chandler trade was rescinded. That could've been a thing of beauty.

So far then, we have a relatively unknown (to me) at the number 3 spot, an awkward mojo wrecker at the 4, and that brings us to the Timberwolves. It can't really be argued that James Harden is a bad player, unworthy of a 5th pick in the draft. No, my problem is not with Mr. Harden, but with the lack of point guard talent that comes to light when you reflect on 'Sota's obvious need for a floor leader at the 1, and then realize that none of the PGs in this draft, outside of Rubio, are worthy of being selected this high. I see Lawson at the next spot down, and I liked what I saw from him in the NCAAs, but the last time the T-Wolves selected a guard from UNC, he just threw up the Roc sign a whole bunch, and nobody’s heard from him in a while.

The remainder of the first round is littered with similar situations - teams with certain positional needs who will probably resort to taking someone at a position they already have filled, simply because there are no players at the needed position worthy of being taken at that particular spot. Further evidence of this unenviable situation is reflected by Admiral Sax’s repeated use of some form of this phrase: “X team needs a (fill in position), but...”

Certainly, there have been worse draft classes than the one at hand. For proof, go back and take a look at the 2006 picks. That awful class even lacks a redemptive 2nd round pick, unless you consider Paul Millsap as such. Still, even with the existence of similarly shallow draft pools in the not-so-distant past, it saddens me that one of my favorite sports days of the year will be somewhat diluted by the lack of available talent. A truly interesting read would be a study of why draft talent ebbs and flows like it does, but that’s for someone with more time and a bigger brain to dissect.

2009 NBA Mock Draft--Early Entrants

The following projections represent not who the NBA teams will likely pick but, rather, who they should select. It takes into account seniors and those underclassmen and international players that declared for the NBA Draft prior to the April 26 early entrant deadline. Feel free to compare these projections with my January draft prospectus and the pre-April 26 deadline mock drafts prepared by Commodore Finnegan and myself, which took into account all draft-eligible players, regardless of intent to enter the draft.

1 Kings: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Soph 6-10 240 PF
An explosive physical specimen. I can't imagine a scenario in which he doesn't go first.

2 Wizards: Ricky Rubio, International
N/A 6-3 180 PG
If Washington ever wants to contend, they need to find a real point guard. I enjoy Gilbert Arenas' antics as much as the next guy, but I don't think he's going to lead a team deep into the playoffs.

3 Clippers: Jordan Hill, Arizona
Jr 6-9 235 PF
With Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman at the five, the Clippers can afford to pass on Hasheem Thabeet. The scary thing about Hill is that he has room for development on both ends of the floor.

4 Thunder: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Jr 7-3 260 C
I'm not convinced Thabeet is the next Dikembe Mutombo. Still, he's a game-changer on the defensive end and would be an excellent addition to a franchise that is assembling a roster that could be a force in the near future.

5 Timberwolves: James Harden, Arizona State
Soph 6-4 220 OG
Minnesota needs a point guard, but they have three first-round picks, so there's no rush. Moreover, Harden would give Kevin McHale the go-to perimeter scorer he so desperately needs.

6 Grizzlies: Ty Lawson, North Carolina
Jr 6-0 195 PG
Memphis needs a power forward, but all of the fours that are worthy of a top-6 selection are staying in school. Tyler Hansbrough may be the best option, but a Psycho T/Marc Gasol post tandem is pretty underwhelming in terms of athleticism.

7 Warriors: Tyreke Evans, Memphis
Fr 6-6 220 OG
Still trying to figure out whether Evans will be a one or two in the Association. Playing within the nonexistent confines of Nellie's position-less anarchy (shout out to freedarko) would all but negate that dilemma.

8 Knicks: Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's
Soph 5-11 180 PG
Has proven himself playing for the Australian national team on the international circuit. While he needs to improve his outside shooting, I really like Mills in Mike D'Antoni's system.

9 Raptors: DeMar DeRozan, USC
Fr 6-6 210 OG
The Raptors lack athleticism in the backcourt, and DeRozan has athleticism to spare. Still a project, but his play towards the end of the season got my attention.

10 Bucks: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
Soph 6-2 175 PG
Teague's ability to get to the basket would complement Michael Redd's long-range game. Think Jason Terry with point guard skills.

11 Nets: James Johnson, Wake Forest
Soph 6-8 235 PF
The Nets need a four man to pair with Brook “The Forbidden Fruit” Lopez. While Johnson may end up playing a lot of three, he has an NBA-ready body to throw around in the post.

12 Bobcats: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Sr 6-8 245 PF
I must admit that I'm a little annoyed by the whole Chapel Hill-to-Charlotte pipeline, but this one just makes sense. Charlotte needs quality post players, and Psychotic Tyler is going to be productive.

13 Pacers: Gerald Henderson, Duke
Jr 6-4 210 OG
Henderson is both a lockdown defender and, at times, an explosive scoring threat. The Pacers need both.

14 Suns: Stephen Curry, Davidson
Jr 6-3 180 PG
An apprenticeship under Steve Nash is just what the doctor ordered for Curry. I'm not convinced he'll ever be much of a point guard, but, at the very least, he'll provide instant offense off the bench.

15 Pistons: Eric Maynor, VCU
Sr 6-3 180 PG
It's a toss-up between Maynor and Jonny Flynn at the 15 spot. Flynn's fiery, hard-as-nails approach would be a great fit in the Motor City, but Maynor's heady play and sweet stroke give him an ever-so-slight edge.

16 Bulls: DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Soph 6-6 280 PF
Blair may not have ideal size to play the four, but his 7-3 wingspan should allay any fears that he won't be able to defend at the next level. The wide-bodied Pitt product has his detractors, but he's going to add wins to whatever team selects him.

17 76ers: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Soph 6-0 185 PG
Flynn's an excellent defender and floor general, but his decision-making needs to improve. I like the idea of him learning at the feet of Andre Miller for a couple years before taking over the Sixers' uptempo attack.

18 Timberwolves: Brandon Jennings, International
N/A 6-1 170 PG
I'm not all that high on Jennings, but Minnesota's best option at point guard at the moment is Sebastian Telfair. Needless to say, the Wolves could use Jennings, a springy athlete with playmaking skills.

19 Hawks: Sam Young, Pittsburgh
Sr 6-6 220 OG
Young would provide Atlanta with scoring punch off the bench. The Hawks needs a distributor, so they would likely pick up Jonny Flynn or Brandon Jennings if either should fall this far.

20 Jazz: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
Soph 6-8 235 PF
With the impending departure of Carlos Boozer, Patterson would be a more than capable backup to Paul Millsap. Taking into consideration the fact that fellow power forwards Ed Davis, Greg Monroe, and Craig Brackins have decided to head back to school, Patterson may not be available this late in the first round.

21 Hornets: Terrence Williams, Louisville
Sr 6-6 220 OG
Imagine all the turnovers a Chris Paul-Terrence Williams backcourt would create. Moreover, New Orleans could use some bounce at the two spot, and T-Will is a top-shelf athlete.

22 Mavericks: Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
Jr 6-4 210 OG
This may be a little high for the Kentucky junior, but Meeks is the draft's best shooter this side of Stephen Curry. Derrick Brown is also a possibility here.

23 Kings: Toney Douglas, Florida State
Sr 6-2 195 PG
Douglas isn't getting much love from the draft boards, but he's a deadly scorer who can defend. If Sacramento has doubts about Douglas' playmaking abilities, Jrue Holiday is an option.

24 Trailblazers: Austin Daye, Gonzaga
Soph 6-10 200 SF
The rail-thin Daye is a few years away from contributing, but the Blazers have a loaded roster and can afford to stash him at the end of their bench for a spell. I also like Jerel McNeal for Portland.

25 Thunder: Chase Budinger, Arizona
Jr 6-7 220 OG
Budinger's a great athlete with polished offensive skills. Plus, he's got a great build to play the two at the next level and possesses an excellent shooting touch.

26 Bulls: Earl Clark, Louisville
Jr 6-10 230 OG
Clark is a favorite of draft boards, but I'm not sold on the Louisville junior. He has a decent outside shot, but he needs a great one if he's going to hang around on the perimeter like he thinks he's the next Rashard Lewis.

27: Grizzlies: Derrick Brown, Xavier
Jr 6-8 225 SF
Brown has a great body and a developing game. He has tremendous potential but needs to play with more conviction.

28 Timberwolves: B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
Fr 7-0 275 C
Mullens had a disappointing freshman season, but he's a seven-footer with athleticism. Plus, Minnesota has three first-round picks, so it makes sense to take a flyer on Mullens.

29 Lakers: DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
Jr 6-8 225 SF
Summers has a mature offensive game and can score in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, he appears disinterested on the defensive end and on the glass.

30 Cavaliers: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Jr 6-7 245 PF
With Lebron being a de facto second power forward when he's in the game, the Cavs' can afford to play the Gody alongside King James. Luke has a developing outside shot, and I think he can play some three at the next level as well.

The Pass-First Big Man

Duke's recent lack of success in recruiting has been obvious to college basketball fans. Whatever has occurred, it hasn't been due to the lack of McDonald's All-Americans. In 2005 Duke hauled in Josh McRoberts, Greg Paulus, and Eric Boateng, although Boateng left after his freshman season for Arizona State. In 2006 Duke landed Gerald Henderson, Lance Thomas and John Scheyer. 2007 saw Duke get Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, and Taylor King, who also transferred. In 2008 Duke signed Elliot Williams. Despite landing numerous All-Americans over the last four years, excluding the success of Gerald Henderson, none have been game-changing college players. Don't get me wrong, Duke has had success with these guys. But it's obvious that they have underachieved considering the influx of talent each year.

Captain Montana likely hit on the problem in his piece covering Duke's lack of a post presence the past few years in his piece that touched UK fans in a seductive manner. I know I enjoyed it. My only qualm was the lack of respect paid to Brian Zoubek. Maybe beginning with Shavlick Randolph, Duke post players have had trouble turning high school hype into college success. Josh McRoberts, ranked the number two prospect out of high school, did not live up to the hype in his two seasons at Duke.

However, I think the Duke fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief after the inking of two big-time recruits in the 09 class. Coach K has pulled in a "pass-first big man" known as Mason Plumlee. Personally, I've never heard a high school McDonald's All-American described as a pass-first big man coming out of high school, but I can't imagine it being a good thing when you are a McD's AA whose scoring in the post will be heavily relied upon for the next four years. Plumlee was described as a pass-first big man by a rivals scouting report of the post players in the class of 09. The best part, however, is that Plumlee is ranked as the fifth best post passer in the class of 09.

If that isn't enough for Duke fans to get excited about, Plumlee will have some help. The only problem is the help is this guy. Kelly has been described as an ugly-first dead-eye shooter. The future of Duke looks bright.

The Michigan State Curse

It has truly been a remarkable five months for college basketball fans throughout the state of Kentucky.

Despite starting Michael Porter at point guard, January saw the 54 point explosion by Jodie Meeks against Tennessee that had UK fans bathing in the champagne-soaked after party that was positive national media attention. UK opened up their weak conference schedule with five straight convincing wins and looked to be poised to reclaim dominance in the SEC and at worst a four seed in the national tournament. Things were good.

UofL was showing signs of development into a really good college basketball team in an unbelievably tough conference. Terrence Williams was cementing his game as that of a stat filler point forward with All-American type talent and All-world type athleticism. Pitino, despite two occasions of donning an all-white linen suit, was praised for the development this team, and players such as Terrance Jennings were showcasing. Things were even better.

Then UK went on a three-game losing streak. Coach Billy Gillespie visibly started to show signs of a mental breakdown, and Michael Porter was still our point guard. After losses to Georgia's A-League Intramural Team and Florida, Kentucky was NIT bound. Things were not good.

UofL's development continued, and after a convincing win against Pittsburgh, looked to be the best team in the Big East. Even after they suffered a 33-point loss to (Brandon Cunningham's) Luke Harangody's fade away jumper, UofL stormed through the Big East regular season and championship to sit at the throne of the number one seeds. Things were great.

Three N.I.T. games, 120 minutes of Gillespie crouched and cracking his knuckles, and several hours of quiet sobbing by this blogger later and Kentucky's season was officially over. Word soon got out that Gillespie would be fired for off-court behavior and clashes that were magnified by a miserable season. Almost just as soon, Billy Donovan's name again arose as the likely replacement. He opted to stay in Florida because Dan Werner was returning he's invested in the community. Things were suicidal.

UofL marched to the Elite Eight in sometimes impressive and other times lackluster fashion. However, appeared at the onset to have a relatively easy road to the final four with the upset of Wake Forest. (Call 911 time for UK). But thanks to Michigan State, Louisville was stopped from reaching their second final four under Pitino leadership. Things were disappointing, but hardly worthy of complaint.

UK turned their attention to John Calipari, and most of the bluegrass began to feel excited again. Cal accepted the job as coach, and fifty thousand anointed him as the savior. (I'm excited about Cal. And I think any level of excitement over his hire is deserved, but I don't automatically think a coach without a national championship is going to deliver a multitude of championships to UK. He generates excitement, and I'm positive will be able to handle the attention given the coach of Kentucky, and we will be relevant, competitive, and fun to watch. That's why things are exciting.) UK seemed to have made a giant step in the right direction. Things were exciting.

UofL did not fear the hire, or dismiss the hire as inconsequential. Most realized it helps UofL as well by generating more national attention to the rivalry. But it does disappoint fans whom loved watching UK fans in agony and turmoil over the decisions and recruiting of Gillespie. There was no reason to feel bad about the status of UofL, just the loss of jokes and fire-poking that provided entertainment over the last three or four years. Things were lost, but not down.

Then UK began entertaining the idea of combining DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, Xavier Henry, and John Wall in one of the greatest recruiting classes ever with Patrick Patterson, Jodie Meeks, and Darius Miller. Visions of 1996, Phi Slamma Jamma, and the Runnin Rebels danced in Wildcat fan's heads. Things were orgasmic.

UofL gained the commitment of Mike Marra and Pitino became embroiled in a personal scandal of alleged extortion, alleged defamation, alleged personal encounters, with the soon-to-be-ex-wife of UofL's current equipment manager and close friend of Pitino. Fans pondered which was worse, and most sided with the alleged Pitino scandal. I went in the other direction because the existence of a clown wrapped in a straight-jacket tattoo on Mike Marra's left bicep is not alleged. In somewhat quiet news, Dick Pitino, the son of Rick Pitino, left UofL to work under Billy Donovan at Florida because all of Donovan's assistants become head coaches. It's a striking move considering the inability of Florida to find success after their back-to-back national championships. Things were not a good type of crazy.

Calipari locked up Cousins and Orton, but missed on Xavier Henry. As usual, some fans looked at this as a sign of the apocalypse, others, myself included, were impressed we stayed in the hunt for so long when both of Henry's parents played basketball at KU. John Wall's future remains a myth, much like that of an epic green sea creature whose name does not come to mind or Bigfoot. By all accounts he is a prospect capable of having an impact like Derrick Rose or Lebron James. He has that much talent. Most suggest it is a battle between UK and his desire to stay in state, with Florida and Miami playing the warm weather good-looking girls wild card. Regardless, just the notion that UK has a chance to land this kid has created an excitement not seen in the past three years. (Not counting my excitement after seeing Mike Marra for the first time). Things are not getting done because everyone is watching John Wall highlight videos.

As the cherry on top of the Pitino maybe sexual encounter, then extortion after the act scandal sundae, Jeremy Tyler has decided to skip his senior year of high school to play professional basketball in Europe. This means Tyler will surrender his amateur status and not play for UofL as he originally intended. As Admiral Sax accounted, this is a big loss for the UofL family, as Tyler seems like a once every ten to fifteen year type talent. He looks extraordinary on film. So much so, I'm very glad I didn't see tape of him prior to his announcement to turn pro. Things are looking down.

I don't want to suggest, even though I have in more my more irrational moments like after watching a John Wall highlight tape, that a 180 has occurred between the UofL and UK programs. I write merely to coin the phrase "The Michigan State Curse" in applying to the future years of the UofL basketball program. UofL is not down in the sense that UK was down when playing in the NIT, but UofL has taken some knocks after that loss in the Elite Eight, while UK has seemingly received only good news. Whatever happens, the first five months of 2009 will never be forgotten by either program. Now things are looking stressful for me because I wrote this rather than study for law finals.

Jeremy Tyler, Heartbreaker

Earlier this evening the lead story on the website of the New York Times read:

Prospect Leaving High School for Europe

Jeremy Tyler, whom some consider the best American big man since Greg Oden, said he would play basketball in Europe after initially committing to Louisville.

That's a tough pill for a Louisville fan to swallow, but I think I'm going to be OK.

I love high school basketball as much as anyone, but, when it comes to the hype surrounding supposed high school phenoms, I usually take a backseat and wait for the inevitable disappointment that goes along with unfulfilled expectations. My recent post on the superhuman force that is John Wall notwithstanding, I usually wait for the evidence to accumulate on the collegiate hardwood before I jump on anyone's bandwagon. But I must admit that I fell pretty hard for Jeremy Tyler...and that was before he committed to Louisville. After Tyler inked a contract with Ricky P, the Wizard of Derby City, visions of a potential national championship (perhaps foolishly) danced in my head. (After all, one player does not a program make.)

Those hopes (foolishly) came to a screeching halt after hearing the news late Wednesday that Tyler had decided to forgo his senior year of high school to play professionally in Europe. (After all, one player does not a program make.) My heart broken, I was prepared to put together an angry, sky-is-falling-type post. I thought about writing a scathing critique of Sonny Vaccaro, who preys on young, gifted athletes and who is apparently guiding young Jeremy through this process or an expose on the irrationality of Big Blue Nation as it pertains to recruiting or an article blasting Tyler for making the mistake of a lifetime.

Then, I took a deep breath and realized all is well.

So, after about an hour of rational thought, how do I feel about Tyler's decision? Well, I'm still disappointed. I truly thought Tyler was next year's John Wall. But I realize that, despite the turmoil of the last few weeks surrounding the Louisville program, things have been pretty sweet lately. Even with the Cards' Elite Eight exit at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans, it's hard to complain about the number one overall number one seed and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. Louisville survived Sebastian Telfair and Amir Johnson jumping to the Association, and, while Tyler would have been special, the Cards will be fine.

But back to Jeremy Tyler...




















At the risk of engaging in Rick Pitino-level hyperbole, the sky is the limit for Tyler. He's a Chris Webber-like talent, but he also reminds me of the great Tim Duncan. And I couldn't be more serious. Whether he's 6-9 240 or 6-11 260 (both measurements have been cited), he plays huge and is great in the open floor. He has a wonderful feel for the game, a pterodactyl's wingspan, and a body that is just going to get better. Not to mention the fact that he has a nice handle, a very good outside jumper, and advanced post skills. For the record, I like him much more than Greg Oden. He's just a far smoother athlete with an incredibly diverse skill-set. Needless to say, I'm impressed.

Ultimately, I'm not sure it makes sense for anyone to skip their senior year of high school. That being said, I'm not going to begrudge anyone the decision to pull in six figures. Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports has a pretty interesting take on Tyler's decision. Wetzel refers to Tyler's unprecedented move as "trailblazing yet well-thought-out." The article also makes it clear that Tyler's decision is not the result of financial hardship. In fact, if Wetzel's account is to be believed, Tyler seems to be going into this with eyes wide open, recognizing that the transition won't be easy but that going overseas offers him a chance to develop his game to a degree not possible in the high school ranks or on the AAU circuit.

So, it's time to move on but not before a look back at what could have been.



And one more because it's so hard to say goodbye (and because this one shows off how wet his J is).

Donald Sloan May Have Also Received Some Bad Advice

"Sloan would be lucky to make an NBDL team, let alone an NBA team. If he's staying in the draft, I hope he has a passport."

In no way do I intend to direct the negative light away from Eric Devendorf and onto Donald Sloan, but I found this quote from Chad Ford about Donald Sloan's status in the draft somewhat humorous. Ford wrote a piece for ESPN evaluating the prospects who are currently testing the waters, the prospects with "one foot in the [proverbial] door," and prospects who are "50-50." Check it out here. Chad Ford is the Todd McShay of the NBA draft. He has yet to embrace the Big Board.

Most of his evaluations seem pretty accurate, excepting that of Patrick Patterson. Ford describes Patterson as giving so-so defensive effort, but having elite athleticism. I've watched Patterson play for two years and never thought I would hear anyone describe his effort on either end as "so-so." As for his athleticism, Patterson is definitely strong and possesses a great motor, but is nowhere near an elite athlete.

Your Ridiculous CatsPause Post of the Week

In a new weekly feature titled "Your Ridiculous CatsPause Post of the Week" we will reprint an actual comment from a poster on the CatsPause message board. CatsPause is supported by rivals.com and has been mentioned on ESPN as a source of crazy in explaining the Kentucky fan base.

Without further ado:

Is it possible that Henry & Wall have known they'd go to Kentucky but wanted to draw it out so that it wasn't so obvious? Calipari left, Cousins follows, and to make it appear as though they are looking elsewhere they make a couple more visits to other schools but will eventually come to Kentucky. If they are truly looking around, I don't blame them, I would too. I also don't blame them if they know they're UK bound but making it look as though they're shopping around. What do you think?

Rick Pitino May Have Received Some Good Advice

In a bizarre story coming out of Louisville over the weekend, it appears Rick Pitino is being extorted. Well, someone is attempting to extort the UofL men's head basketball coach. I'm not sure if he actually has to pay out the money from the threat to have been extorted. Anyway, attempting to extort is just as illegal as extorting. Pitino released the following statement yesterday:

“My family and I were recently threatened as part of a criminal scheme to extort money. Upon receiving these threats, we reported this extortion attempt to the FBI. While I did not want to make this matter public, I recently learned that the individual behind this extortion attempt has already gone to the media with false, defamatory and outrageous allegations in an attempt to pressure me to cave in to this scheme. I want to make it clear that I intend to vigorously defend my reputation and the character of my family against any criminal scheme to extort money. I am hopeful that the media and public will recognize the slanderous nature of this direct and malicious attack. My family and I appreciate the support we have received from Tom Jurich, Dr. James Ramsey, and the entire Louisville family. Because this is a federal criminal investigation, I cannot comment further at this time. Any inquiries should be directed to my attorney, Steve Pence.”

However, prior to this statement, no news outlets had reported on any defamatory or outrageous allegations concerning Pitino. More information rolled in yesterday and it appears the culprit behind the scheme is this woman:

(scary)

So, based on Pitino's released statement this woman is alleging Pitino had an affair with her at best, and who knows at worst. One would assume she told Pitino she would be airing whatever it is to the public unless Pitino paid her a certain amount of money. Pitino refused to pay (bad move, unless really untrue) and decided to issue a preemptive strike by releasing a statement.

The really wierd part of the story is that this women is the former wife of UofL's current equipment manager and Pitino's former personal assistant when he was with the Boston Celtics. One would also assume Pitino had spent quite a bit of time with his friend's wife at social gatherings, dinners, etc. It all makes for quite a weird story that should develop over the next few days.

Pitino's statement publicizes this women as a criminal so any statement she gives concerning the allegations against Pitino are received under that cloud. It seems like a pretty smart move at this point. The only way I see it as being a mistake was if this women was bluffing, and hadn't gone public with her story. Pitino maybe knows her better than most, and likely realized she was certifiably crazy.

Regardless of whether her story is true or false, Pitino has shown she is a criminal, a crazy criminal. And with the way Pitino is deified in Louisville, this woman's story will be hard for locals to believe.

Despite the outcome of this it serves as an important lesson to the youth: Never promise crazy a baby. Don't do it.

EDIT UPDATE: The lawyer of the woman being investigated by the FBI for attempts to extort Pitino has released a statement that all but admits guilt on the part of his client. He says:

“There is a federal investigation going on, and there may be criminal charges placed against her as a result of what coach Pitino has brought to the attention of the FBI,” Clay said. “. . . There are no counter allegations, and as far as I am concerned this criminal investigation is going to proceed to a logical conclusion and I hope that we can put this matter behind us as quickly as possible.”

I told you Pitino was deified in that town. I'm not a lawyer yet, and by no means feel as if I have the intelligence to give others advice, but here is what I say if somehow reached (which would have been hard to do in the first place): No comment at this time. That doesn't seem to hard.

It appears the advice Pitino received to release a preemptive statement is more than paying off.

Eric Devendorf May Have Received Some Bad Advice

"I have no idea why he came out. I have no thoughts on Eric Devendorf. He's not someone we even discuss."

Yahoo! Sports spoke with three NBA scouts in an attempt to ascertain whether various underclassmen had made the right choice in deciding to leave school early. A number of players that are "on the fence" are also profiled. The scouts' assessments form the basis of Jason King's article, which provides insider opinions on 29 of the nation's most tantalizing prospects...oh, and Eric Devendorf. Actually, it's more like 28 of the nation's most tantalizing prospects, since Greivis Vasquez has also managed to draw the ire of at least one NBA scout. Needless to say, I highly recommend this fantastic read.

John Wall: Purveyor of the Secret Manna; Guardian of the Star Chamber; Slayer of Cryptids

I thought you should know that the guys over at freedarko felt the need to blog about how amazing fifth-year high school senior John Wall is. If you don't check out freedarko very often, then (1) you're missing out and (2) you should know that these guys rarely, if ever, blog about anything other than the NBA. I don't think they even really did anything on the NCAA tourney this year. And, if they did put up a post on March Madness, I'm guessing they just made fun of it.

Anyway, if you're interested, here's the link.

Oh, and in case you're too lazy to access the article, let me give you a little taste.

It starts off:

"It is almost impossible to explain how awesome John Wall is."

This from a blog that, as the New York Times noted, somehow managed to work the Fibonacci Sequence into an examination of Tim Duncan's career numbers. And yet for some reason, the task of describing this Wall kid's myriad talents gives them writer's block.

Also, during the course of the rather short article, Wall is compared to:

(1) Derrick Rose; (2) a Chris Paul-Lebron James hybrid being; and (3) Jesus Christ.

Oh, and the fellas over at freedarko, in their search for John Wall trinkets on the interweb, stumbled upon a rather confusing blog that freedarko's Bethlehem Shoals likens to "a masterpiece of high-concept psychedelic caveman prayer." As it turns out, this is the very same blog that plagiarized Captain Montana's A Plea to John Wall approximately one week ago. Needless to say, the Mariners of Roundball Portfolio don't take too kindly to such acts of digital piracy. If we encounter the marauding raiders of radiolaluna on the high seas, there will be hell to pay.

So that this post doesn't end with a reference to the thieving bags of horse crap over at radiolaluna, here's some John Wall for that *** courtesy of One Entertainment.



Yikes.

Wising Up

In shocking news, Willie Warren and Greg Monroe have decided to return to Oklahoma and Georgetown, respectively, for their sophomore seasons. Monroe had somewhat of a disappointing year but would still have been selected in the first round. Warren had a tremendous year, claiming the Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, and would also likely have been taken in the first round.

It's a smart move for both kids, but admittedly somewhat of a surprise. I think both can only improve their stock during sophomore years where each will be the featured player in the offense.

Austin Daye, a 6-10 sophomore from Gonzaga, has entered his name in this year's draft. It's a smart move for Daye who will likely be a potential pick as he projects to play the three in the NBA. Daye has a nice game, but needs to add some strength and develop a more reliable outside shot. Daye's size and skill set project nicely to the NBA, and I can see his stock rising over the next couple of weeks.

In other news, Club Trillion founder has decided to test the NBA waters after his junior season. He has decided not to hire an agent, thus keeping open the option of returning for his senior year. Though he boasted insane per minute stats over the past season, I expect The Shark to return for his senior year. He will have the opportunity to "dot" several more people before leaving school next year.

2009 NBA Mock Draft--Everybody in the Pool (Cmd. Finnegan Version)

The following projections represent not who the NBA teams will likely pick but, rather, who they should select. This exercise assumes all players are eligible to be drated, regardless of intent to enter the draft (thus, the title Everybody in the Pool). This is my opinion, but feel free to compare these projections with Admiral Jameson Sax's previous post.

1 Kings: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Soph 6-10 240 PF
As Sax said: a no-brainer in the top spot. He is likely the most talented, yet physically imposing player in a draft since Lebron. Acknowledging all the hype surrounding Griffin after his freshman year, I still came away thoroughly impressed from his sophomore campaign. I have a feeling NBA scouts feel the same.

2 Clippers: Ricky Rubio, Spain
N/A 6-3 180 PG
If it weren't for the Knicks, the Clippers managemenet and coaching failures would receive much more attention. They have some athletic, developing wings in Gordon and Thornton, but little else. Might as well take a chance on Rubio developing into a better scoring Steve Nash and hope to surround him with some more athletes.

3 Wizards: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Jr 7-3 260 C
Thabeet spent his junior year proving many of his doubters wrong. He has shown he can compete at an extremely high level. His inability to consistently knock down an outside jumper will hamper his offensive abilities in the NBA, but he should be a defensive stalwart his first game on. He immediately improves the Wizards defensively and with the return of Gilbert Arenas to a core of Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, the Wizards don't need any more offensive firepower.

4 Thunder: James Harden, Arizona State
Soph 6-4 220 SG
A guy who can score in a variety of ways but also set up Kevin Durant. He's also a good rebounder at the guard position and should free Kevin Durant up to get out in transition.

5 Grizzlies: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Sr 6-8 245 PF
Can't believe I went this high for Hansbrough, but seems like a perfect fit for a young Memphis Grizzlies team. They probably can't justify taking Hansbrough this high, but it negates any drawbacks from the Love for Mayo trade last year. Gives the Grizzlies a different look defensively than Darrel Arthur or Hakim Warrick

6 Timberwolves: Eric Maynor, VCU
Sr 6-3 180 PG
Reminds me a lot of Russell Westbrook. He excels in pressure situations and would defer to Jefferson and Love. I think he is the second best point guard prospect in the draft.

7 Warriors: Brandon Jennings, N/A
N/A 6-1 170 PG
An all-world talent at point guard. Top-ranked point guard in the 08 high school class. He is a west-coast kid who would thrive in Nelly's up-tempo offense.

8 Knicks: Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Fr 6-10 234 PF
Would provide the Knicks with some different lineup possibilities and a high potential player. Monroe often looked lost in Georgetown's Princeton offense, but showcased his passing ability out of the post. He gives the Knicks some lenth and athleticism on their front line.

9 Raptors: Jordan Hill, Arizona
Jr 6-9 235 PF
Largely a value pick at number nine, but makes any team much more athletic. He could play alongside Bosh and Marion nicely.

10 Bucks: Craig Brackins, Iowa State
Soph 6-10 230 PF
Needs to add some weight but could give the Bucks some frontline scoring help. Villanueva is about it at this point. Would also limit Dan Gadzuric's minutes as a backup which is always a good thing.

11 Nets: Gerald Henderson, Duke
Jr 6-4 210 SG
Henderson gives the Nets another athletic wing who can get to the rim and finish in transition. He would be a nice pice with Harris and Lopez if Carter is shopped in the off-season.

12 Bobcats: Tyreke Evans, Memphis
Fr 6-6 220 PG, SG
Evans ability to play the point is of less concern to a team like the Bobcats with guys like Felton and Augustin. However, Evans gives the Bobcats another athletic ball handler who can defend bigger guards.

13 Pacers: Stephen Curry, Davidson
Jr 6-3 180 PG, SG
Curry's ability to play the point guard at the next level is critical. However, I feel like he could easily shift to the two guard for stretches and knock down open jumpers off Granger double-teams. He was a tremendous passer on a down Davidson squad. He isn't a high tempo type guard, but the Pacers aren't exactly a high tempo team either.

14 Suns Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Soph 6-0 185 PG
Flynn gives the Suns a fast paced transition scorer who is also able to knock down the open three. He would allow Barbosa to stay at the two guard.

15 Pistons, DeMar DeRozan, USC
Fr. 6-6 210 SG
A burst of athleticism for a seemingly aging Pistons backcourt minus Stuckey. Afflalo is a nice young player, but doesn't give them the dynamic that DeRozan would.

16 76ers: Ty Lawson, UNC
Jr 6-0 195 PG
Really showed his ability to take over games towards the end of this season. I don't think UNC wins the tournament without him. Improved outside shot, but has unbeleivable strength to finish in the lane after contact. He could be a great asset to guys like Dalembert, Young, and Iguodala in transition.

17 Bulls: Sam Young, Pittsburgh
Sr 6-6 220 SG
Young has the outside shot to make defenders respect him. He has tremendous athleticism, maybe in the top 3 of this draft with Griffin and DeRozan. He could also play at the three allowing the Bulls to play Rose, Gordon, Young, Thomas, and Noah. Very young, but a lot of promise.

18 Timberwolves: Terrence Williams, Louisville
Sr 6-6 220 SG
Another option on the wing for the Timberwolves, but a guy who can create his own shot, but has the passing ability to drop it off for Love or Jefferson when slicing to the rim. He'll also play defense.

19 Hawks: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
Soph 6-2 175 PG
An ultra-athletic floor general who takes over behind Bibby. He has the body to play some off guard as well, and could relieve Joe Johnson in some instances.

20 Jazz: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
Soph 6-8 235 PF
It does just make too much sense. Willing to do anything asked of him on the court and will obey Sloan's road trip curfew rules

21 Mavericks: Patty Mills, St. Mary's
Soph, 5-11 180
Another option at point guard and one that can still get into the lane to open up the many shooters on this team.

22 Hornets: Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
Jr 6-4 210 SG
A spot up two guard to knock down open shots from Paul's penetration. A clutch performer and free-throw shooter who knows how to draw a foul at the rim. Tremendous upper body strength.

23 Thunder: Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
Jr 6-5 195 SG
Mid-range shooter who developed into a much more controlled player as a junior. Good but not great athleticism.

24 Trailblazers: Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Soph 6-10 250 PF
Steering clear of any more Ohio St. 7-footers, the Blazers have to be seeking another big man. Aldrich is a polished scorer, rebounder, and defensive player. He's a big boy who, a la Rudy Fernandez, enjoys telling people he will put points on faces. See Kansas State cell phone debacle.

25 Kings: DaJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Soph 6-6 285 PF
Terribly undersized but could be a difficult matchup for a lot of NBA players. He is wide and a tremendous rebounder. He executes a pick and roll extremely well.

26 Bulls: James Johnson, Wake Forest
Soph 6-8 2335 PF
Athletic body to lurk in the post for a while. Questions about his defensive skill set are there, but this is a potential pick, and Johnson has as much as almost anyone in this draft class.

27 Grizzlies: Earl Clark, Louisville
Jr 6-10 230 SF
Another potential pick for a team waiting on potential to develop. He needs to get away from the three point shot and develop a nice 15 foot jumper for defenders to respect. His best years may be what Beasley produced as a slow-to-adjust rookie.

28 Timberwolves: Chase Budinger, Arizona
Jr 6-7 218 SF
Can knock down a mid-range jumper off of a curl screen but has otherwise shown a very slow to develop skill set. He is crafty around the rim, but seems to lack any sort of specialized skill set that shows he can stick around this league. If he becomes a deadlier three-point shooter, he would be a really dangerous player.

29 Lakers: Damion James, Texas
Jr 6-7 225 SF
If a top level point guard is still available at this point I see the Lakers going in that direction, but believing most of it to be off the board at this point, the Lakers simply need to make a pick on potential. James was considered a top five pick in drafts past but inconsistent play and a lack of focus showed themselves during this three years at Texas. He is a great rebounder from the three spot, but must become a more polished player to see any real clock in the NBA.

30 Cleveland: BJ Mullens, Ohio State
Fr 7-0 275 C
A top ranked player out of high school, but like most big men rarely put in the effort needed to take over a game. Lacks leadership and nerve in pressure situations (see two missed free throws) but stays in state to provide a big body in Cleveland's post.

2009 NBA Mock Draft--Everybody in the Pool

The following projections represent not who the NBA teams will likely pick but, rather, who they should select. This exercise assumes all players are eligible to be drafted, regardless of intent to enter the draft (thus, the title Everybody in the Pool). Feel free to compare these projections with my January draft prospectus.

1 Kings: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Soph 6-10 240 PF
Explosive physical specimen is a no-brainer in the top spot.

2 Clippers: Ricky Rubio, International
N/A 6-3 180 PG
The Baron Davis experiment has been a failure, so it's time to bring in the Spanish Pistol Pete.

3 Wizards: Jordan Hill, Arizona
Jr 6-9 235 PF
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Arizona junior is the fact that he is both a physical presence in the paint and a gazelle in the open floor.

4 Thunder: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Jr 7-3 260 C
May get pushed around at the next level, but it's hard to ignore a coordinated seven-footer with preternatural shot-blocking instincts.

5 Grizzlies: Ed Davis, North Carolina
Fr 6-9 225 PF
I like Davis more than previous UNC freshman sensations Marvin Williams and Brandan Wright.

6 Timberwolves: Ty Lawson, North Carolina
Jr 6-0 195 PG
There was a point in time at which I thought Lawson might not be anything more than a change-of-pace point guard, but his stunning assist-to-turnover ratio tells me he could be special.

7 Warriors: Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Fr 6-10 230 PF
The talented but sometimes soft Monroe was one of my favorites at the season's mid-point, but he sort of fell off towards the end of the year.

8 Knicks: Tyreke Evans, Memphis
Fr 6-6 220 PG
While it's not clear if he's going to play the point or the two, Evans is one of the few players in this draft class that can take over a game.

9 Raptors: James Harden, Arizona State
Soph 6-4 220 OG
Probably too low for this strong two-guard with an expansive offensive repertoire.

10 Bucks: Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's
Soph 5-11 180 PG
Reminds me of Tony Parker in his ability to dictate pace, get into the lane, and find open teammates in traffic.

11 Nets: Craig Brackins, Iowa State
Soph 6-10 230 PF
Brackins flew under the radar in Ames (despite dropping 42 on Kansas), but the Cyclones' power forward has a great deal of upside and already has a pretty nice range of post and face-up moves.

12 Bobcats: DeMar DeRozan, USC
Fr 6-6 210 OG
Super-athletic frosh started to show signs of his vast potential at the end of the season.

13 Pacers: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
Soph 6-2 175 PG
The fiery Teague, an Indianapolis native, has a scorer's mentality but can also play the role of floor general.

14 Suns: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Sr 6-8 245 PF
Psycho T's new-found ability to knock down the open jumper is going to serve him well on the next level.

15 Pistons: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Soph 6-0 185 PG
With Iverson on his way out, the gritty Flynn would be a nice fit on a veteran Pistons roster.

16 76ers: Stephen Curry, Davidson
Jr 6-3 180 PG
I'm still not sure Curry makes the transition to the pro game, but, if he can play the point, he could have a nice career.

17 Bulls: Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Soph 6-10 250 PF
Aldrich would be a nice fit on a Bulls frontline that lacks maturity and toughness.

18 Timberwolves: James Johnson, Wake Forest
Soph 6-8 235 PF
Johnson is not as post-oriented as Chris Webber or as perimeter-oriented as Billy Owens, but that unique skill-set is definitely there.

19 Hawks: Gerald Henderson, Duke
Jr 6-4 210 OG
There's a hint of Kobe in Henderson's game, but he also has a tendency to play more like fellow Dukie Dahntay Jones.

20 Jazz: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
Soph 6-8 235 PF
Patterson's workman-like approach to the game would be a perfect fit in Jerry Sloan's no frills system.

21 Mavericks: Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest
Fr 6-8 210 SF
Used to remind me of Lamar Odom and now reminds me of a more perimeter-oriented Boris Diaw.

22 Hornets: DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Soph 6-6 280 PF
I don't like him quite as much as Big Baby Davis (who I loved), but I like him more than Tractor Traylor.

23 Thunder: Terrence Williams, Louisville
Sr 6-6 220 OG
T-Will is going to have to improve his ball-handling skills, but the selfless stat-stuffer would be a nice running mate for Kevin Durant, the NBA's star of the future.

24 Trailblazers: Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
Jr 6-4 210 OG
The Kentucky junior needs to work on his ball-handling and passing, but his shooting ability is simply off the charts.

25 Kings: Devin Ebanks, West Virginia
Fr 6-8 205 SF
Could end up being a Gerald Wallace-type player with a more sophisticated offensive game.

26 Bulls: Sam Young, Pittsburgh
Sr 6-6 220 OG
The Pitt senior has a great stroke from the outside, and he has a mature body that's going to allow him to get to the rim at the next level.

27 Grizzlies: Chase Budinger, Arizona
Jr 6-7 220 OG
Has the skills to go much higher, but to say he doesn't have a great motor is putting it mildly.

28 Timberwolves: B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
Fr 7-0 275 C
Mullens has the tools to contribute eventually, so he's not a bad pick at twenty-eight for a team with three first-round picks.

29 Lakers: Earl Clark, Louisville
Jr 6-10 230 SF
Clark has a diverse skill-set and ideal athleticism, but he lacks focus and turns the ball over far too often.

30 Cavaliers: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Jr 6-7 245 PF
Gody is the Rodney Dangerfield of mock drafts.

A Plea to John Wall

Sorry about all the Duke hate, but this factors prominently into UK’s next season, ergo, it’s eminently important for college basketball in general. Much to the Admiral’s chagrin, I will compose another University of Kentucky-related post, but all in all it’s just another post on John Wall. John Wall is the top point guard in the country and it looks like he will be attending either Duke, Kentucky, or possibly Johnny come latelys, Kansas or UNC. It's hard to believe that Wall will end out at Miami, Baylor, or NC State now that college basketball's headliners have really entered the picture. Right now, it seems like Duke and UK are the leaders, so I'll leave consideration for the other suitors for another post and restrict this to his interest in becoming a Wildcat v. a Blue Devil. Wall is 6’4” and has an unbelievable handle. More importantly for Duke and Kentucky, he is neither Greg Paulus nor Michael Porter. UK has a chance to be a preseason top 10 team with Wall, and may be outside the top 25 without him, so Wall is an absolute must for the Wildcats. But how can you convince a young man like John to come to UK over Duke? Well I present to you, my friends, my plea to Mr. Wall. And just to show you it’s from the heart, I will be doing this post with ZERO internet research to compile this data.

Going back to the Bobby Hurley days, Coach K has signed seven (7) McDonald’s All-American point guards. Now I’m not going to sit here and tell you that those guys weren't any good in college, but if I know John Wall like I think I do, then he’s much more interested in going someplace that will prepare him to dominate in the League. So we’ll walk through Duke’s hamburger All-American PGs in chronological order.

Bobby Hurley: Hurley was undoubtedly one of the best college point guards in the last twenty years. I didn’t root for his NBA career to get derailed by a car accident, but the fact remains that he never did anything in the NBA.

Wojo: Sure wasn’t an injury that stopped Wojo from making it to the league, unless you count his chronic case of Douchism.

William Avery: Showed great potential in college, but left early, got sabotaged by Coach K during predraft workouts, and never made it onto an NBA roster

Jay Williams: One of the most talented players to ever play for Duke. Looked to be a star in the making but his career was also cut short by an injury. In interest of this non-objective exposé, I’ll mention that he struggled his rookie season, and Duke haters reveled in the frequency of offensive fouls called on him after he went down the lane like a tidal wave for three seasons in Durham.

Chris Duhon: He had a great career at Duke as a consummate winner, although he sort of plateaued and never quite reached the potential many saw in him during his freshman year. He was a second round pick by the Bulls, and notable member of the Menudo-esque Baby Bulls.

Shaun Livingston: He never played at Duke, but we’ll include him just to point out that Wall apparently has a near 50% chance of sustaining a horrendous injury by marrying himself to the Duke program.

Greg Paulus: The Sack Lodge of college basketball. This petulant Dukie is the envy of no one, and a quick glimpse into my seeing stone reveals that John Wall is hoping for a greater professional career than how Greg Paulus’s is going to pan out.

While Coach K has been wrecking the bright futures of young point guards, John Calipari has coached two point guards in the last two seasons who are likely to have better careers than any point man from Krzychewskiville.

Now UK has only inked two McDonald’s All-American point guards since the Hurley days: Wayne Turner and Rajon Rondo. Turner had limited NBA experience after a very memorable college career. So he’s sort of like Wojo, except he gets the edge for historically annihilating him in the 1998 regional final. Rondo, meanwhile, is merely starting at point for the reigning NBA champs, and is also clearly better than any of Coach K’s guys have been at the next level.

Now it could be really fun down in Durham, watching the Plumlee brothers roaming the paint and the throwing the ball to Jon Scheyer and Jon Scheyer, but play the historical averages, Mr. Wall. Restore Lexington to its Camelot mystique and prepare yourself to make a lot of money for a really long time in the NBA.

A New Common Enemy

If there is one thing fanatical college basketball fans enjoy as much as their school's winning, it's hating other players. Often a collective hatred amongst these fans builds and is directed at one or two players each year. In 98 it was Wojo. From 2002 - 2006 it was JJ. This year it was DumbleDorf. There have been others, but this is like a creme de la creme of douchebaggery.

*Sidebar: This isn't even figuring into account Devendorf's domestic violence issues. He really exists in a cone of hatred all his own.

Well faithful readers, there seems to be a new General to lead the charge against all decent basketball fans. His name is Mike Marra. And if you are a fan of the Big East - get used to the name. He hails from Massachusetts, and by all accounts (pictures of him) he is a horrible horrible person. I would bet my life savings ($636 tax return) on my guess that the word ambassador and the name Mike Marra never appear in the same sentence. That is unless the sentence is: Mike Marra is a great ambassador of poon tang - and the sentence is posted as a facebook status for Mike Marra.

I find it hard to keep a straight face when looking at this guy. Let's hope for the sake of non-Louisville fans this guy plays and plays a lot. For the Louisville fans: First. I'm terribly sorry about the Women's loss to UCONN. I know how excited you guys were about that. Second. I will be amazed if you guys are able to find a way to root for Mike Marra. It's been impressive the past three years to watch as you got behind Edgar Sosa. It's going to be an absolute miracle on hardwood if Mike Marra is able to develop a fan base in Louisville. I just hope he's around for four years. He seems like a one and done kind of guy. Not one and done to the NBA, but more one and done to jail or AA.

Madness in Chapel Hill

Check out the 1:34 - 1:42 mark. When did Diego become a Tar Heels fan?


Franklin Street: The Celebration from The Daily Tar Heel on Vimeo.

A Wednesday Between Night Class Post

A Draft Analysis

This analysis compares UNC Power Forward Tyler Hansbrough and Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair. Most project Blair to be off the board by the end of the lottery and Hansbrough as a late first round to mid second round choice. Who's the better prospect? I'm not sold on Blair's draft status as being much higher than Hansbrough.
College Success. Despite Hansbrough's incredible accomplishments in college, many feel his skill set won't translate well to the NBA game. Adm. Sax is not one of those many. It is hard to find a more decorated college player than Tyler Hansbrough. Blair was a first-team All-American by most accounts of people who matter. However, Blair had relatively no tournament success. The edge is obviously to Hansbrough, but luckily for Blair this category means very little to predicting NBA success. Advantage: HANSBROUGH
Size. This is all the rave, because as many people tell me on the television: You can't teach it. Blair lists as 6-7 at 265 pounds, and I'd suspect that is about spot on. Hansbrough is 6-9 at 250 pounds, which also seems accurate. It's hard to give an advantage to either, because they are both vertically undersized to guard most big men in the NBA. It's likely they will make up for the lack of height in strength, and Blair would get the nod. Ultimately, I see Blair being able to add a lot more muscle than Hansbrough at this point. He's two years younger and his body still looks a little doughy - I suspect he could possibly get much stronger. If not, this is really a draw. BLAIR (slightly)

Athleticism. This has been the one true knock on Hansbrough's game since he joined the draft discussion each post-season since his freshman year. Frankly, I don't see a clear disadvantage for Hansbrough athletically on the defensive side of the ball. He's not a big that's going to be able to switch off on guards or even threes, but I don't think he's going to get pushed around in the post either. Blair isn't what you would refer to as a superior athlete either. His game is much like Hansbroughs in that it relies on pick and rolls and one handed finishes over smaller opponents. Utlimately, I think both of their offensive games will suffer in the NBA because of their athleticism. They will have trouble scoring. DRAW

Jump Shot. Hansbrough's jumpshot has developed nicely since his freshman year. Originally, he was able to knock down baseline 12 footers, but he has really extended his game this year. He can knock down an open three, and although most prefer he wouldnt' take them, it's still an indicator of his shot. Blair's shot is still coming along. HANSBROUGH

Defense. Neither Blair nor Hansbrough alter many shots throughout the game. Blair averages over a block a game, however. Both play good help defense, but Blair has the tendency to get in foul trouble. DRAW
Rebounding. Blair pulled down over 12 boards a game this year. Hansbrough pulled down 8, with his best year (as a Junior) pulling down ten a game. Most of Hansbrough's work is done on the offensive glass, which I think he could be really effective at in the NBA. However, Blair's width and strength are going to dominate on the defensive glass. BLAIR

Free-Throw Shooting. Hansbrough gets to the line almost as much as anyone in college basketball history, and he makes over 75 percent of his attempts there. It's a knock on his offensive production in some minds, but it's nice to know he's smart enough to draw a foul and talented enough to knock the shot down. HANSBROUGH
Potential. Arguably, Hansbrough has peaked as a basketball player. His numbers declined this year, although a lot of that has to do with the emergence of Ed Davis, Deon Thompson, and the short-lived season of Tyler Zeller. Blair is the younger, and in a best case could become a poor man's Elton Brand in the NBA. Hansbrough is already a Udonis Haslem. He would excel on a team where he is not the first or second option, and can focus on crashing the offensive boards and knocking down open jumpers off a pick and roll. It's hard to imagine Hansbrough not being a success in the NBA. But, I think Blair conceivably has the higher upside. BLAIR
This is an extremely rough sketch of what could play into one's head when addressing a big man need for the next several years. I don't think either are starters for the majority of the league, but would receive significant minutes on almost every team. Blair has more upside, but a team knows exactly what they are getting with Hansbrough. The direction to go in depends on the team, but I don't think that means lottery has to draft on potential. Hansbrough is good enough to go in the lottery. The point of this was to try and see if there really was much difference between the two players. Honestly, I don't see much of one. Blair really only has the upperhand in potential and rebounding. Hansbrough is a better shooter, better from the line, and lets a team know exactly how they will improve with him on the team.

____________________________________________

The UK Revolving Door

With the arrival of the Knight in Shining Hair Gel, the University of Kentucky roster for next year has become almost a complete unknown. Graduation destroyed the roster with the departure of Jared Carter. Michael Porter graduated, and though had another year of eligibility, chose to spend time with his family, rather than play for UK next year. Jodie Meeks has entered his name in the draft, with the possibility of returning for his senior year. Patrick Patterson is suspected to do the same. GJ Vilarino was released from his letter of intent, and it is suspected Daniel Orton may do the same. Demarcus Cousins verbally committed last night, and Xavier Henry, John Wall, Nolan Dennis, and Eric Bledsoe are all still considered Kentucky for next year.

Here is a worst-case scenario rotation:

Point Guard: Liggins and Galloway
Off Guards: Miller, Hood, and Razor
Big Men: Cousins, Stevenson, Pilgrim
Here is a best-case scenario rotation:

Point Guard: Wall and Dennis (Liggins/Galloway)
Off Guards: Meeks, Henry, Miller, Hood,
Big Men: Patterson, Cousins, Orton, Pilgrim

Here is an unusual, but possible roster:
Point Guard: Liggins and Bledsoe
Off Guards: Henry, Nolan Dennis, Miller, and Hood
Big Men: Patterson, Cousins, Orton

That is a young team with only two players receiving significant minutes from last year's team.

________________________________________

Picture of the Week

"Stunting is a habit"

Your 2009 National Champions: The North Carolina Tar Heels

In honor of the Tar Heels' fantastic season, I thought it best to post Jamie Foxx's latest music video, which features the computer voice of one T-Pain. This should surprise no one, as T-Pain is omnipresent within the hip-hop community these days. What may surprise you, however, is the video's roster of guest stars. Samuel L. Jackson, Forest Whitaker, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Ron Howard. Yes, Ron Howard, director of Apollo 13 and Opie Taylor from the Andy Griffith Show.



Anyway, congratulations to the 2009 North Carolina Tar Heels and Ron Howard. Well done, gentlemen.

March Madness: National Championship

After splitting the Final Four games, my tourney record stands at 47-15. One game left.

2 Michigan State vs. 1 North Carolina [9:21 ET]
The Pick: North Carolina
-Michigan State has exceeded expectations en route to Tom Izzo's fifth Final Four. The Spartans are deep and perhaps ahead of schedule, as they will return the majority of their 11-man rotation for next season. But, the Tar Heels began the season as the clear favorites and now close out the season in the same position. Ol' Roy's squad has won all of its tourney games by at least 12 points -- beating overmatched Radford by 43, SEC champion LSU by 14, Mark Few's talented Gonzaga squad by 21, Oklahoma and Player of the Year Blake Griffin by 12, and Villanova by 14 in the Final Four. While the Heels never quite lived up to their preseason billing as potentially the most dominant team in history, Psycho T and company have the opportunity to close out their championship run in style. And, if there's one thing Psycho T knows (other than how to dominate the souls of other human beings), it's style. The Spartans have a shot, but expect the Tar Heels to prevail.

March Madness: Final Four

Heading into the Final Four, I'm 46-14 for the tourney. Three games to go. And now, my Final Four picks...

2 Michigan State vs. 1 Connecticut [6:07 ET]
The Pick: Connecticut
-The Spartans' depth could keep this one close. Plus, Goran Suton's range may force Hasheem Thabeet out of his comfort zone on the defensive end. Ultimately, however, I think UConn's star power (A.J. Price, Jeff Adrien, and Thabeet) will be too much.

3 Villanova vs. 1 North Carolina [8:47 ET]
The Pick: North Carolina
-Villanova is playing fantastic basketball, and the future is bright in Philly. But this is Carolina's year. The Tar Heels' frontcourt is going to have its way with the Wildcats. I expect a big game out of Psycho T.

Quarter Pounder with Cheese: 2009 McDonald's All-America Game

Let me start by saying I'm not sure doing a post on the McDonald's All-American Game is a good idea. There's really not a worse format from which to evaluate talent. (No one plays defense. No one blocks out.) However, grainy YouTube videos aren't exactly ideal either. So, please take these evaluations with a grain of salt. I'm sure the majority of these players will be fine college players. However, these are my early impressions.

Best in Show

Derrick Favors
Georgia Tech 6-9 235
The game's MVP wasn't flawless, but I now see what the big deal is. Wonderful feel for the game. Nice frame. Knack for being in the right place at the right time. Never seemed to be pressing but was still the star of the show. If I had to guess, I'd say he'll end up being the best of the bunch.

Wow

Avery Bradley
Texas 6-3 180
Very athletic. Fast with the ball in his hands and a nice finisher. Can really get to the basket. I would imagine he will be more than an adequate replacement for A.J. Abrams. Perhaps a more fluid Jarryd Bayless.

Xavier Henry
undecided 6-6 225
I really like his game. Great body. Has the upper body strength to get to the basket at will. Appears to excel in every phase of the game. With his advanced physical development, he might not have the upside of some of these other kids. Looked a little slower than I thought he would, but now I'm just nit-picking.

Dominic Cheek
Villanova 6-6 185
There's no herky-jerk in Cheek's game. Extremely fluid and sneaky athletic. Quietly had a really nice game. Didn't force anything and scored in a variety of ways. Silky smooth jump shot. I really like this kid.

Almost Wow

DeMarcus Cousins
undecided 6-11 265
Cousins has the herky-jerks. Not a fluid athlete, but he does have size. Also plays like a basketball player as opposed to someone who plays basketball simply because he is big. To his credit, he was a standout in the All-Star game format, which is difficult for post players. Played with energy and looks like he has room for further development.

Keith Gallon
Oklahoma 6-9 293
Almost a “man among boys” situation with Gallon. Just a monster, and I was surprised to see that he runs the floor well. (By the way, Chris, when I say that someone runs the floor well, it means that I think they do a nice job of getting up the floor on the break and back down the floor on defense.) I'm convinced he's going to be an impact player for the Sooners from the day he steps on campus.

John Henson
North Carolina 6-10 200
I was prepared to hate this kid's game. But Henson has a nice skill-set and a ton of upside. With his slight build, I expected the future Tar Heel to get pushed around. It really didn't happen all that much. If the kid develops physically, he could be special. And, if he doesn't, he's still going to be a good.

Better than Expected: Tier 1

Peyton Siva
Louisville 6-0 175
Rajon Rondo-type vertical at the point and waterbug quick. Loves to dribble, which has to change at the next level. Finished with nine assists, but it's clear the guy likes to score. With his top-shelf athleticism, I think his game benefited from the All-Star game format.

Dante Taylor
Pittsburgh 6-9 230
Awkwardly efficient. The fact that he likens himself to David West makes me happy. Will fit in nicely at Pitt. I'll be interested to see how he plays in a non-All-Star game setting, as I think he has the potential to be a gritty banger (which makes sense since he is going to playing for Jaime Dixon). I think Taylor could end up being dominant on the glass, though I thought he'd be more physially imposing.

Better Than Expected: Tier 2

Tommy Mason-Griffin
Oklahoma 5-11 192
With Mason-Griffin and Gallon, the Sooners are getting extra beefy. His stats weren't great, but I like his court presence. He's going to cause problems for defenders with his girth. I don't think the All-Star game format lends itself to Mason-Griffin's strengths.

Renardo Sidney
USC 6-10 250
Seemed a little out of shape, but I like what I saw early. Smooth athlete for a man of his size. As the game progressed, Sidney stopped banging and started hanging around the perimeter. He also wore long-sleeved Under Armour under his jersey. Not a good look.

Mason Plumlee
Duke 6-11 220
I can't believe I'm saying this, but Plumlee is alright. I expected this kid to be completely over-shadowed by the competition, but he more than held his own. Nice finisher around the basket. But still isn't going to provide the Blue Devils with the back-to-the basket threat (or the banger) they so desperately need.

Withholding Judgment

Abdul Gaddy
Washington 6-3 183
I liked Gaddy more than the rest of the guys in this category, but I didn't see enough to really have a strong opinion. Actually played like a point guard which is a plus. Appears to be a patient, heady player. Reminds me a little of Jordan Farmar.

Dexter Strickland
North Carolina 6-3 180
Surprisingly, Strickland was a bit of a no-show. Hard to get a feel of what he's capable of. He did seem to be pretty comfortable in the open floor. Have to believe this guy is legit, though, with all the hype surrounding him.

Maalik Wayns
Villanova 6-1 185
Seemed to be a little overwhelmed by all the athleticism. Played even smaller than his measurements suggest. To his credit, he did dish out eight assists.

I Expected More

Lance Stephenson
undecided 6-6 220
I thought Stephenson might blow up a la Tyreke Evans, but Born Ready was ultimately underwhelming. Seemed heavy-footed and, dare I say it, a tad unathletic by comparison. I still think he's going to be a very solid college player.

Michael Snaer
Florida State 6-5 200
I was excited about Snaer, but he didn't show me much. Seemed to be pressing.

Underwhelming

Milton Jennings
Clemson 6-9 215
Jennings seemed outmanned by the competition from a purely athletic standpoint. Played weak and, when interviewed, said he'd rather play on the perimeter. He'll get the chance next year with Trevor Booker and Raymond Sykes in the post, but you never like to hear that from a 6-9 kid. Didn't really show the range that he is known for.

Alex Oriakhi
Connecticut 6-9 240
Reminds me a little of Ike Diogu. However, Alex thinks of himself as being Emeka Okaforesque. I didn't see it tonight. Seemed a little awkward at times, but he's got a big frame to work with. Plus, he seems to have a nice motor. As he is tall and will be playing for Jim Calhoun at UConn, I have to think things will ultimately work out just fine for Oriakhi.

Kenny Boynton
Florida 6-3 190
Apparently, Boynton's nickname is KB, so that's what I'll go with. Didn't think KB was overly impressive tonight. Kind of forced things. Didn't appear to have a diverse offensive repertoire. Had trouble with his jumper, so he kind of just put his head down and went.

Ryan Kelly
Duke 6-10 217
Perhaps the least impressive of all the participants. Then again, I can't imagine the format fits his skill-set. To his credit, he did look very comfortable with the ball in his hands out on the perimeter.

The Wear Twins

David Wear
North Carolina 6-10 225
Not bad but also not good?

Travis Wear
North Carolina 6-10 230
See above.

MIA

Wally Judge
Kansas State 6-9 230
Didn't play due to injury and didn't get the memo that Bob Huggins is now at West Virginia.

"I Want to Put Points on Your Face"

Author's note: Again, I have to apologize for so many UK-related posts recently. However, in my defense I'm a huge fan and it's the biggest story in college basketball right now. Yes that includes the Final Four. Is it just me, or has this been one of the most boring NCAA tournaments in recent years? I haven't been entertained, Russel Crowe.

One of the all-time moronic questions a sports reporter can ask a player is: How do you think you fit into this style of offense? It's utterly absurd for a number of reasons.

First. I have never heard a player respond to that question by answering that they don't feel their game translates well in that system. The closest a player will come to answering that way is saying their game is more of a get out and run, and they would be limited in a slow it down style. However, that doesn't at all mean they couldn't succeed in a slower system, it just means they don't want to play in that type of system.

Second. If you can play basketball, you can play basketball. It's really that simple. If you can shoot, move intelligently without the ball, handle the ball well with both hands, and get down and guard someone you can play in any system.

With that said, John Caliparis' move to the University of Kentucky not only brings in excitement and talent, it also brings in a new style of play - the dribble-drive-motion offense. The DDM was developed several years ago by a juco coach to utilize the new hand-checking rules that were implemented at the turn of this century. Just as NFL teams began to air the ball out a lot more with the defensive pass interference at the spot of the foul penalty was introduced, the DDR is a response to the advantage given to the player driving with the basketball. Typically, it conists of four players spreading the floor around the perimeter, and one post player that positions himself on the weak side of the paint. This creates driving room for the perimeter players and looks to capitalize on one-on-one mismatches. Here's a typical play:

1. The initial penetrator (A great movie by the way) attempts to blow by his defender, usually without the use of a ball screen as to avoid clogging the lane.
2. As he beats his man, he has three options depending on the defense.
3. (a) If the defense doesn't react quick enought to help he attempts a layup, (b) if a perimeter defender helps off their man, the initial penetrator kicks out to the open shooter, (c) if the post defender helps off his man, the initial penetrator looks to lob it at the rim for a dunk by the post player.
4. If the ball is kicked out to an open shooter they can either (a) take the shot or (b) start the process over again.

It involves a constant attacking of the rim (also a great movie). It's a system that UK fans have been waiting for. It's up and down and constantly going forward. One thing is for sure: We will put points on your face.

But here's the reality - you still need players that can shoot, move intelligently without the ball, dribble with both hands, and guard. The more players on the floor that can do all four the better. In that vein, I doubt we will have room for any more projects in the mold of Shagari Alleyne, Dakotah Euton, or Jared Carter. As Calipari has said, "You have to be able to play."

I'm excited. Time for a diazepam.

The Perfect Storm sans Mark Wahlberg

I realize I've been hitting you (Chris or John Wall?) over the head with all of this UK related blogging, but it really is a story that has shaken up the college basketball landscape. In all likelihood, parity may soon be a lost art. The top six (Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, Duke and UCLA) all seem to be in perfect hands for the next 15 to 20 years. I will be the first to concede, as much as I love him, Coach K may be the first to slip. I suspect the black dye may be seeping into his brain. UCLA was the first to begin slipping in the late 90's under the direction of Steve Lavin, but have entrenched themselves as a national power under the direction of Ben Howland since 2003. North Carolina then began to slip in the early 2000's with Matt Doherty at the helm, but quickly turned things around with the hire of Roy Williams and a national championship in 2005. Indiana fell back during the loss of sanity years of Bobby Knight, the tenure of Mike Davis (despite a Final Four), and now the violations under Kelvin Sampson. They appear to be headed in the right track with the _______ (insert word here Jameson Sax) hire of Tom Crean.

Kentucky's departure from the top began in Tubby's last years as he brought in two abysmal recruiting classes in 2003 and 2005. A guy named Clyde was hired and stuff happened that I'm too happy to discuss at this point. But now, by all indications the perfect storm could be brewing in Lexington, Kentucky.

Several weeks ago, Sax hit you with an entry discussing the incredible recruiting class Calipari was set to bring in at Memphis. It included already signed Xavier Henry (Rivals #3, Shooting Guard #1), recent verbal commitment Demarcus Cousins (Rivals #2, Center #1), and the possibility of landing John Wall (Rivals #1, Point Guard #1), a Memphis-lean at that point. That's what we in the business like to call a trifecta, or menage a trois. Calipari would have been bringing in the top three ranked players in a class - a feat never before accomplished. However, Tyreke Evans was likely gone to the NBA and Memphis' prospects for next season would have been high on potential, but ultimately an uknown in terms of team success.

Calipari's move to Kentucky now raises some very important questions in the Bluegrass that could have national implications. Kentucky desperately needs a point guard, and all would have to believe Calipari will be making a hard push for Wall to join him in Lexington. Wall originally was interested in Kentucky, but cut the school from his list when he narrowed it to four. Most likely Wall will rethink NC State, and consider his recent offer from Duke, but Kentucky should be somewhere on his list. Wall would start from Day 1 and be playing in a system designed for talents like his. If Cal is able to wrangle Wall into the Bluegrass over the next few days, Kentucky is immediately better next year and contends for the SEC crown.

Xavier Henry signed a letter of intent with Memphis, but it contained a clause that granted his release if Calipari were to leave. Cal's left, and so has Henry by all indications. His parents stated Cal contacted them and wants Xavier and his brother to join him at Kentucky. Henry will also take a long look at Kansas again, as that was his other top choice, and both of his parents attended, but his decision will be either Kansas or Kentucky. Henry's choice might be the most complicated with Jodie Meeks obviously occupying the two spot next season. It would mean less shots and less time for Henry. He would start right away at Kansas, but Lance Stephenson's decision could also play a factor. He is looking at Kansas and is a very similar player. This should be an interesting development over the next few weeks.

Finally, Demarcus Cousins was a verbal commit, but has re-opened his recruitment. Cousins is an important player because he would give UK a four that was capable of handling the ball on the perimeter, a key for Cal's system. He would open things up for Patterson in the middle and would likely start from Day 1. Cousins may be looking at Alabama now with the hire of Anthony Grant, and he's also mentioned Washington. Cousins would play facing the basket at UK, an asset that could prove critical to his success at the next level. That might sell him on UK. Beyond that he once listed UK as a consideration and has visited the Elite Camps held by a former coach in the summers.

If Cal is able to pull all three, unlikely, but still worth considering, the perfect storm may have brewed. They would join Daniel Orton (Rivals #22, Center #3) and Jon Hood (Rivals #32, SG #6) and form an unbelievable class. This top recruiting class (certainly of the year, certainly of the decade, maybe of all time) would be joining two legitimate first-team All-American candidates in Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks. Shots would be limited, and they may need two balls to play with, but it is still a possibility. If that were to happen my psychiatrist would need to triple my daily dose of diazepam.

Now, why is it unlikely? It's just hard to imagine that actually happening. UK is limited on scholarships this year, and though, obviously there will be major roster overhauls, I don't see all three wanting to come here not knowing for sure the minutes or shots they could possibly get. It certainly does help that UK is receiving crazy attention on ESPN, and hopefully is discussed at the McDonald's All-American game tonite. If I'm Cal I get all three, or at least two of three in a room together, on campus, and sell them on the idea of starting together along with two other great college players.

If it happens - which I can concede is a slightly big if - to quote Gregg Doyell from CBS, "heaven help anyone who gets in our way."

Now, please let me know in the comments if I'm crazy and already need to double my dose of diazepam.