Chris Paul, Credits SB Nation

By Julianne Collie,

And so another season has ended with a sigh of disappointment for the Los Angeles Clippers.  Only this time, the team was coming off their best regular season record in franchise history, making the sting only that much more painful.  After going 56-26 in the regular season, and picking up a legitimate rival in Los Angeles along the way, the Clippers still could not manage to make it out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.  If the Clippers want to be seen as a championship contender in the near future, a few issues must be addressed in the off-season first.

The Clippers entire 2013-2014 season is contingent upon Chris Paul’s return to the team.  Their sudden downfall could not have come at a worse time, as Paul will be a free agent this summer.  The Clippers completely fell apart for four straight playoff games against the Memphis Grizzlies, giving Paul plenty of reason to take his talents elsewhere.  Chris Paul is the Clippers most valuable asset; as such, they will almost certainly max out his salary, as they should.  Re-signing Paul will be the Clippers number one priority moving forward; without him, the team will undoubtedly regress back to the disappointing team they once were.

Much of the Clippers demise could very well be attributed to poor coaching from Vinny Del Negro.  Luckily, the team has just announced that they will not renew his contract when his current one runs out at the end of June.   The Clippers can afford to pay Paul, and pay him well, but the real test is whether or not they can convince him to stay.  Firing Del Negro just may be the kind of convincing that Paul needs to show him that the organization is moving towards the right direction.

The Clippers have a few other soon-to-be free agents on the roster, including Matt Barnes, Lamar Odom, Chauncy Billups and Ronny Turiaf.  Of those free agents, Barnes is the most valuable; the others are more or less expendable.  Barnes showed he can light the boards up late in the game, and has proved that he is a useful asset to the team.  The Clippers should look to spend any left over money they might have from a potential Paul deal, on bringing Barnes back into the picture.

The Clippers will have the opportunity to expand their options June 27^th on Draft Day.  With the 25^th overall pick, much of the potential superstar talent will be picked over.  However, should the Clippers choose to let go of Matt Barnes, they could find a great alternative small forward in Glen Rice Jr.  After getting kicked out of Georgia Tech as a Junior, Rice took the road less traveled, and played in the NBA Developmental League for a year.  Rice shined late in the season, and led the Rio Grand Valley Vipers to a D-League Championship, making him quite possibly the most league ready player in this year’s draft.

Unlike the other team in Los Angeles, the Clippers do not need to blow their team up.  With Vinny Del Negro out of the picture, the Clippers can now focus on re-acquiring their most prized player, Chris Paul.  All the lobs in the world couldn’t get this team out the first round, but with a new coach, the same roster, and a few minor adjustments, the Clippers could be looking at another record-breaking franchise season, or at the very least a quarterfinal playoff berth.

Tony Allen; Credit NBA

By Kendall Burke

The Grizzlies don’t have a trio of superstars like the Miami Heat. They don’t have a trio like the San Antonio Spurs, who have dominated the NBA for four years. However, the Grizzlies’ threesome of Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Zach Randolph have stepped up and led Memphis to an unexpected spot in the NBA Western Conference Finals.

Gasol is still Pau’s little brother in the eyes of many. Conley, the son of a track star, was almost traded early in his career. Randolph isn’t a veteran to Memphis; this is his fourth NBA team. However, these underdogs have found themselves a couple games away from the NBA Finals.

“Me, Marc and Zach, we all tried to take the team and put them on our back and say, ‘Hey, this is what we’re going to do. This is what we’ve got to do to be great and get to where we want to go,’” Conley said Friday. “We knew we had to step up, and we all did that.”

That’s exactly what they have done.

The Grizzlies traded their own “Lebron”, Gay, on January 30, to Toronto as a way to cut salary. He was the leading scorer with 17.2 points in the regular season. However, they had never won a playoff series with Gay on the court. 2011, when they beat the Spurs in the first round, Gay was benched by an injury. Gay’s contributions have been evenly split between Conley, Gasol, and Randolph who have led Memphis to win eight of nine playoff games against the Clippers, then Thunder.

The trade of Gay positively affected Conley, Gasol and Randolph.

“At first, it was some different thoughts, even myself and some of my teammates,” Randolph said. “But after a while, it was, ‘OK, this is our identity. We got an identity. Guys are going to stay in their roles.’ … It ended up being good.”

Each provided with a role, the trio was now able to execute using their specific talents. Conley is a quick one. His speed gives him the ability to dart in and out of the key, dishing off the ball, and picking off passes when available. Gasol stations out around the free throw line, able to drain hook shots and sink jumpers. Randolph positions down low on the block and dominates the paint. Its safe to say the Grizzlies have settled into their inside-out game quite nicely.

What else makes Memphis’ “Big Three” so threatening is their even contribution of scoring. Randolph is averaging 19.7 points and 9.3 rebounds this postseason, and Gasol is close behind at 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.18 blocks. Averaging 7.6 assists a game, Conley ranks fourth in the playoffs and he’s scoring 17.6 points a game.

“It has helped me out a lot, just the responsibility in itself has been big for me, and I’ve just tried to use this opportunity to get better and make my teammates better,” Conley said.

The trio wasn’t the only factor that led the Grizzlies to the Finals. Players such as Tony Allen, Tayshaun Prince, and the whole Memphis bench have been huge in the playoff run.  Tony Allen has played in all 10 out of the last 10 games, playing 22.8 minutes per game, and averaging about 8 points a game. Tayshaun Prince has also played in the last 10 out of 10 games. He averages 27 minutes and scores about 7.4 points per game.

Next up, the Spurs will head to Memphis this Saturday to take on the Grizzlies in game 3. In order to win, Memphis will have to step up their defense and remind the NBA that they have the best in the league. “We’re in the same boat we were when we left L.A. We’re down 0-2. We’ve got to go home and take care of business at home,” coach Lionel Hollins said. “It’s not going to be easy, but that’s where we are.”

Shane Larkin, Credit University of Miami

By: Jesse Moore

The 2013 NBA draft class doesn’t appear to have any “can’t miss” type of prospects, let’s just call it how it is.  This year’s class is widely viewed amongst NBA executives as light on star power but rather deep with potential solid NBA regulars.  A 206 pound shot-blocking center, Nerlens Noel out of the University of Kentucky, seems to be the number one overall prospect but is not expected to appear on an NBA floor until after the season begins due to a torn ACL that he suffered in February.  Michigan point-guard Trey Burke, Kansas shooting-guard Ben McLemore, Indiana’s duo of Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller, as well as Georgetown’s Otto Porter and a few others are all looked at as having the potential to be above-average NBA players.  With those players all expected to land somewhere in the top 10 picks of this year’s draft, the supply of impact talent seems to falter once the lottery picks are through.  Although it is rare for a player drafted outside of the lottery to become a great player, one of the players in this draft class that can potentially be that guy is Shane Larkin out of the University of Miami.

The 5-foot-11 point-guard capped off a remarkable sophomore season that resulted in multiple All-American nods as well as ACC Player of the Year, with a very strong showing at last week’s NBA Scouting Combine.  Larkin’s 44-inch vertical leap and top-tier speed combined with his ability to shoot well from long range created a lot of buzz amongst NBA executives.  His 14.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game led the Hurricanes to both the ACC regular season and conference tournament titles for the first time in school history.  Their number 2 ranking at one point in the season was their highest ranking ever.  The University of Miami men’s basketball team just experienced their most successful season in school history and Shane Larkin is the foremost reason why.

The biggest steal of the 2013 NBA Draft quiet possibly could end up being point-guard Shane Larkin.  To go along with his numerous accolades and solid stats, Larkin always seemed to perform at his premium when the stage was brightest.  He led his team with over 23 points per game in their run towards the ACC conference tournament title, while saving his best performance for last scoring a career-high 28 points in their win against perennial national powerhouse North Carolina in the title game.  There is something to be said about a team’s best player (regardless of the sport) performing at their best when their team needs them the most and Shane Larkin rose to that challenge time after time this past season at Miami.

Shane Larkin’s 5-foot-11 176-pound frame is definitely looked at as undersized, but he plays bigger than his size hints towards.  As mentioned prior, Larkin showed very well at last week’s NBA Scouting Combine where his off-the-charts athleticism was on full display.  He not only excelled in the proposed drills but also reportedly interviewed very well with NBA teams, as expected.  It’s hard not to fall in love with a player who is coachable and plays like they constantly feel like they have something to prove.  Being the son of a Hall of Famer is icing on the cake.

ACC Player of the Year Shane Larkin’s father, Barry Larkin, is former Cincinnati Reds shortstop who appeared in 12 all-star games and was recently inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.  Having a father who played at the highest level of a sport not only helps you in terms of notoriety, but with what it means to be a professional.  We, as a society, see too many athletes nowadays have shortened careers due to a lack of professionalism.  Being a professional is more than making millions of dollars and playing in front of thousands of screaming fans.  It is representing yourself and your organization in the highest manor in addition to setting a positive example for your community.  Having had constant access to the playing field, locker room and weight room among others, allowed Shane to see how hard professional athletes work.  He saw what it takes in order to stay in superior shape as well as how one should carry themselves when times got rough.  Shane Larkin had these luxuries throughout his youth and it is an intangible he possesses that separates him from the other prospects in this draft.  Sure, the Cody Zellers’ and Seth Currys’ of the world have family ties with the NBA but none hold the athletic bloodline that Larkin does.

Michigan’s Trey Burke and Michael Carter-Williams out of Syracuse lead this year’s crop of available point-guards, but Shane Larkin should not be slept on.  If the 176 pound Larkin were judged solely on his basketball IQ, jump-shot (shooting over 40% from 3-point) and athletic ability there is no reason why he shouldn’t be a lottery pick in this year’s draft.  Unfortunately things don’t always work out that way.  A player’s heart, passion and grittiness cannot be measured.  If they somehow were, the 2012-13 All-American’s would be off-the-charts.  Although he may never develop into a top-flight player in the NBA, the team that drafts this Miami Hurricane is getting one solid breath of fresh air.

Alex Len; Credits University of Maryland

Some executives believe that McLemore could end up being the best player to come out of this draft class. He is an all-around talent and he has plenty of potential at 20 years old. Not only is he an exceptional shooter, he’s also a terrific athlete, as evidenced by his 42-inch vertical. McLemore showed glimpses of greatness during his one season at Kansas and he averaged 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 32.2 minutes. He would be a quality pick for Orlando and someone who could play alongside the Magic’s young core of Maurice Harkless, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic.

Ben McLemore, Credits Kansas Univ

By Reggie Richardson

The Cleveland Cavaliers defied the odds, by jumping from a projected third place selection to the first place position in Tuesday night’s NBA draft lottery. The conventional wisdom is to take the best available big man, and then cross your fingers that he doesn’t turn into the next Sam Bowie, or Greg Oden. The Cleveland franchise has had its fair share of set backs and heartaches in recent years. The most notable was the loss of their hometown hero and star LeBron James. James left the Cavaliers franchise in 2010 to join the Miami Heat. LeBron led Miami to the NBA championship last year, and is on pace to do the same thing again this season. He also won the fourth MVP award of his illustrious career, while Cleveland missed the playoffs for a third straight season. So the question is will the 2013 draft deliver the type of impact player that James was during his stint with the Cavalier franchise? To determine that we need to breakdown the two potential first overall NBA draft choices. 

This draft is not like in years past where there was a clear-cut, consensus, number one, overall pick. The draft class is actually one of the weakest since the inception of the draft lottery. From top to bottom the class lacks not only depth, but also sustaining substance. With that said there is a few immediate impact players that could really help a team make the playoffs next season, and avoid the 2014 draft lottery.

The early buzz for the top slot has been the big man from the University of Kentucky, Nerlens Noel. Noel suffered a season ending ACL knee injury back in February of this year. So he will miss a portion of the season, as he is still rehabbing his left knee. The good news is Noel is ahead of schedule with his recovery, and is one of the most athletic big men to enter the draft in recent years. The negative is that despite his athleticism he is not a scorer, and with any knee injury no one really knows if he has lost his explosiveness, or leaping ability. The bottom line on Noel is that he is an excellent shot blocker, and he can run the floor for a post player. He also could add some stability in the paint for a team, and do so for years to come.

I personally don’t feel that Noel should go first overall to the Cavs, as they already have an adequate center in Anderson Varejao, who was averaging 14.4 rebounds a game before missing the remainder of the season with a blood clot in his lung. The second reason is the power forward/center, and rising star Tristan Thompson. The 6’9” big man from the University of Texas was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in his first year. This last year Thompson averaged close to a double-double, with 11.7 points per game, and 9.4 rebounds a game. He is developing into one of the games better post players.

The prospect that should be the number one overall pick is Ben McLemore from the University of Kansas. McLemore had a tumultuous first year in college, as he had to sit out his freshman season after the NCAA deemed him to be ineligible. They cited that his high school transcripts were somewhat suspect, as he attended multiple high schools. The same year he was arrested for missing a court date in relation to an alcohol citation. The 6’5”, 200 pound McLemore bounced back as a redshirt freshman this last season by averaging 16 points per game, which doesn’t seem that impressive until you analyze his shooting percentages. He averaged 49 percent from the floor, with 43 percent from three, and shot 88 percent from the foul line. He is a pure shooter, and has been compared to the likes of Ray Allen. To go along with his superior shooting ability is his incredible athleticism. There just is not that many guys that can flat out shoot the basketball, and get to the rack with strength, size, and ability the way McLemore can. His physical presence and length will also allow him the opportunity to develop into an elite level defender. His leaping ability ranks at the top of this draft class. He is a future NBA All-Star at the 2-guard position.

The emergence of Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, who has developed into one of the top three point guards in the league, gives the team a strong foundation from which to build from. Irving has put together some remarkable seasons thus far in his short career. He was named to his first All-Star Team this past year, by averaging over 22 points per game. One can only imagine how successful the Cavs could be if they featured both Irving at the point, and McLemore at the shooting guard. They would quickly develop into one of the premier backcourts in the league.

The NBA game has slowly been emerging away from that of dominant big men, as the European influence continues to change the way the game is played. The days of dominant big men like Ewing, Olajuwon, Robinson, and Shaq are all but gone. We saw the Los Angeles Lakers struggle with Dwight Howard and Pal Gosal this year, while the Golden State Warriors made an amazing run with the sharp shooting guards of Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson. Clearly, there will always be a demand for a solid big man, but the reality is good scoring guards do win championships, as all we have to do is just look to last season. Guards LeBron James, and Duane Wade took the Heat to the title game against guards Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant. Solid guard play has become the quickest way to turn a franchise around. The question is will Cleveland grasp onto the changing NBA tide, or will they fall prey to just taking the best big man available on draft day? And will Nerlens Noel be the next Kwame Brown, Michael Olowokandi, or Greg Oden? All of which were number one overall draft picks at one point, and none of which ever panned out. For the Cavs sake I hope they take Ben McLemore, and “maybe” they can avoid having to decide on whom to take in the 2014 draft lottery.

Buzz Williams; Credits Marquette

By Alexander Maykowski

Only four teams have made the last three Sweet Sixteens: Florida, Kansas, Ohio State and Marquette. To add to that, Marquette made the Elite Eight last year and boasts the 11^th rated 2013 recruiting class according to ESPN.com. ESPN also ranked them 9^th in their Very Early 2013-14 rankings, while CBS Sports put them at 10^th in their Way-too-early 2014 Top 25.

All of this was done under the assumption that leading scorer Vander Blue, a junior, would be back. Then, on, April 16^th, against the advice of his coach, Buzz Williams, Blue announced he would declare for the 2013 NBA Draft. This decision, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, was predicated on the determination that Blue had “lost interest” in attending classes.

This all leads to the central question for Marquette basketball in 2013-14: How do you replace Vander Blue? The first place to look is in-house. Todd Mayo, brother of O.J., had a turbulent 2012-13 season. He started it off by getting suspended for his academics (or lack thereof) and never seemed to gel with the team, playing only sparingly. Mayo did, however, have a nice freshman season two years ago. He averaged nearly eight points a game off then bench while shooting 33% from three-point range. He also had a knack for hitting critical threes.

Mayo averaged 21.1 minutes per game his freshman year, or .34 points per minute. If his numbers were extrapolated to match Blues 33 minutes per game from last year, Mayo would average 12.3 points a game, close to Blue’s 14.8 from last year. The hope for the Marquette coaching staff is that Mayo is able to make the same jump from sophomore year to junior year that Blue made.

The second candidate would be incoming freshman Jujuan Johnson. Johnson is ESPN.com’s 27^th best overall prospect and 3^rd overall at his position (SG). He averaged 20.4 points per game in the 34 games that were tracked (according to MarquetteHoops.com’s recruit tracker). He’s also, somewhat coincidentally, Marquette’s highest rated recruit since Blue. The 6-5 guard also played against top competition such as Simeon, Oak Hill Academy and Lone Peak, all of which were nationally ranked programs.

Johnson projects as a similar player to Blue – a slasher with defensive intensity, but with a better jumper. Another interesting option also comes from Marquette’s vaunted 2013 recruiting class – Duane Wilson. Wilson played point guard at Milwaukee’s Dominican High School. He’s rated as ESPN.com’s 53^rd best prospect overall and 13^th at point guard.

He’s a bigger point guard, though. At 6-3 and 180 lbs. it’s conceivable that he could play off the ball. He also shot 55% from three-point land during his senior year, which would be a big injection of shooting for a Marquette team that shot 29% from behind the arc last year, good for last in the Big East.

Wilson could also replace Junior Cadougan, the team’s starting point guard for the last two years and perhaps the team’s most important player last year. The likely replacement for Cadougan, though, is last year’s back up, Derrick Wilson. Wilson really struggled last year.  In limited minutes (13.1 per game) he shot 27% from the field and a dreadful 14% from three. Adding to the horror was his 45% shooting from the free throw line and his 3.6 personal fouls per 40 minutes.

What Wilson does have going for him is his unyielding defense. Buzz Williams noted two years ago that Wilson was one of the best defensive freshmen he had ever coached. Wilson must improve his jump shot. If he doesn’t the lane will looked a lot more clogged for the big men. If Marquette is going to make it to a 4^th straight Sweet Sixteen, Wilson will have to take his offensive game to the next level.

While the Marquette backcourt is in a state of flux, the frontcourt is as solid as ever. Oft-injured 6-11 center Chris Otule returns for what will be his 6^th year and 6-8 290 lbs. Davante Garnder (Marquette’s best free throw shooter) is back as well after shooting 59% from the field last year.

Luckily for them, Jamil Wilson also decided to come back. Wilson applied to the NBA for feedback on his draft stock and, according to some reports, heavily considered entering the draft. It was a coup for Marquette to get back the player that was generally considered the most talented player on the roster last year.

It’s Wilson that will have to take over and replace Blue’s scoring. Wilson was in and out of the doghouse last year while averaging 9.7 points per game. He also shot 36% from three, the best on Marquette’s roster. Wilson came on strong at the end of the year, finally playing consistently. It’s that Wilson that will have to be present the entire year next season for Marquette to succeed.

Last year Wilson played mostly at the four. Two years ago he played mostly at the five (after an injury to Otule). With last year’s three, Trent Lockett, having graduated and the frontline finally being solidified, it’s likely that the Wilson 6-7 will start at the three, his natural position. Wilson is poised to finally breakout in 2013-14.

Marquette received an unexpected boost this week when it was announced that 6-6 swingman Juan Anderson will be returning. It had previously announced that Anderson was granted release from his scholarship in order to transfer to a school closer to his native California.

Though he averaged just 2.7 points per game, Anderson provided a boost with his defensive energy and started for most of the second half of the season. Anderson could be a key cog next year off the revolving door that is the Marquette bench.

A player that will battle with Anderson for minutes off the bench is a player who came on very strong at the end of last season – Steve Taylor, Jr. Similar to Anderson, Taylor is a lanky 6-7. He has a decent midrange shot and is developing a three-point shot.

The biggest thing that Taylor, Jr. brings is energy. He seems to be everywhere on the boards, defensively and, especially, offensively. He has also shown that he can make a difference on defense with his length and athleticism. After averaging only 8.6 minutes a game last year, Taylor, Jr. should see a significant jump in time this upcoming season.

Despite losing Blue, Lockett and Cadougan, Marquette is still looking good for next season. Having a top-11 recruiting class and returning 2 of the top 3 leading scorers certainly helps. The most important piece to come back, however, is the coach – Buzz Williams.

Buzz Williams is the straw that stirs the drink. Williams consistently overachieves. He’s made the tournament all five year he’s been at Marquette, despite those teams only being ranked in the preseason twice.

Williams knows how to get the most out of his players. Last year he lost his two top scorers, Darius Johnson-Odom and Big East Player of the Year, Jae Crowder. The team was picked to finish 7^th in the Big East in the Preseason Big East Coaches’ Poll. Marquette finished with a share of the Big East Regular Season title.

Buzz is for real. And as long as he is there, the Golden Eagles will be, too. It would be no surprise for them to make the same old Sweet Sixteen run in a new conference next year.

Nerlens Noel; Credits, Kentuckystraitpinkie.com

Chad Ford: One dark horse for No. 1 pick? Georgetown’s Otto Porter. Cavs love him. Perfect fit. Helps right away. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chris Walker; Credit Cardinal Sports Zone

By Alexander Onaindia,

The star of the Florida Gators incoming recruiting class is Chris Walker, a 6’10 versatile forward from Bonifay, Florida. Walker is the No. 6 prospect in the country according to Rivals.com. He chose the University of Florida over offers from Duke, Kansas, Louisville and North Carolina.

Walker is a forward who can run the floor, rebound well and has excellent length and skill for a young big man. He is the kind of young player that scouts and coaches love because of his seemingly infinite potential. He fits the mold of a prototype big man in today’s NBA.

Walker is a confident kid who has not been shy about his goal for the upcoming college basketball season. He announced his intentions to attend UF through a YouTube video. In the video, Walker said “I will be playing college basketball for the University of Florida. I will be teaming with Kasey Hill, and together we will be the best duo in college, and we will win a national championship.”

Hill, another Florida native, is ranked as the No. 2 point guard prospect in the nation. Walker and Hill should provide Billy Donovan and the Gators the perfect combination of a terrific point guard and a great big man. Florida will try to break through and get to a Final Four after falling short the last three years in the Elite Eight. With big man Patric Young forgoing the NBA Draft and returning for his senior season, the Gators should be one of the strongest teams down low next season.

Some like Walker’s confidence and other critics say that Walker may have too much of it. There is no doubt the kid is an NBA prospect and very well could be a one and done player. However, guaranteeing a National Championship may not be the best idea when Florida may not even be the best team in the SEC next year considering John Calipari’s loaded and perhaps historic recruiting class that is coming to Lexington. Kentucky has signed five 5 star prospects for the upcoming year compared to Florida’s 2 (Walker and Hill).

While Walker may have trouble delivering on his National Championship promise, there is no doubt he will have a great impact on the Gators and the SEC next year. In an interview Walker said, “NBA draft people have said I’m like a sick mix of Kevin Garnett and Perry Jones III. I can shoot threes now. I can finesse you. I can dunk on you. I can guard anything, and I’m rebounding better. When I block shots I catch the ball. I can post you up with my back to the basket and hit you with a post move. Or I can face you up and use my quickness to blow by you.”

With two matchups next season against Kentucky’s illustrious young talent and a non conference matchup against Andrew Wiggins and Kansas, NBA scouts and fans across the nation will soon find out if Walker can back up all of his talk and live up to expectations that he unnecessarily put on himself for the upcoming season.

Bill Oram: Lindsey said No. 21 can be a good player and he isn’t sure there is enough separation from 14 caliber guy to higher picks to use 21. Twitter @tribjazz

Bill Oram: But, Lindsey said, “I think we can move up. I think we’ve already had a few loose conversations around that so there’s some potential there” Twitter @tribjazz

Ryan Lillis: #NBAKings team representative tells me Coach Keith Smart will represent team at tomorrow’s #NBA draft lottery Twitter

There are no concerns among the Lottery teams that Noel won’t make anything but a complete recovery from the ACL tear, suffered Feb. 12 against Florida. A cynical view would be that it would be good for a bad team to take Noel this year and hope he doesn’t play this season, making that team more likely to have another high Lottery pick for a 2014 Draft that potentially will be one of the best in recent memory. NBA.com

NBA types think Bebe Nogueira may be able to put on and keep on more weight once he’s in a regimented offseason program in the States. “When he’s 25, he’s not going to weigh 200 pounds,” the Pacific Division man said. “But he has to work at it. He hasn’t gotten that great weight training and conditioning that we would give him. He lives like a college kid. He’s probably eating pizza and (junk). He’s not going to be 280 but he’s going to get bigger and stronger and work out … could he guard, like, Nick Collison, Lavoy Allen? Yeah, he could guard those fours.” NBA.com

David Falk says he’s almost done rebuilding his agency, FAME, having recently signed Georgetown forward Otto Porter Jr., one of the top prospects in this year’s NBA draft. “We will sign two or three more players and that is it,” Falk said last week. “It is a business plan I devised in 2007, when I started the business again. When everyone else is trying to do what I did in the ’80s and ’90s — build a very large business and sell it — I am doing this because I love it and want to structure it for myself where it is rewarding and fun.” ph.sports.yahoo.com

ASM Sports, the basketball representation firm founded by NBA agent Andy Miller, has signed prospects for the NBA draft, including Russian guard/forward Sergey Karasev, one of the top European prospects. Karasev, who plays for Triumph Lyubertsy in the Russian Professional Basketball League, was ranked No. 25 by NBADraft.net and No. 19 by DraftExpress.com in mock drafts last week. Sports Business Daily

Additionally, ASM has signed Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas, Florida forward Erik Murphy, Temple guard Khalif Wyatt, Louisville guard Peyton Siva, Miami guard Durand Scott, UCLA guard Larry Drew II, Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe, and Kansas guards Elijah Johnson and Travis Releford. Miller, Stephen Pina, Andrew Vye, Justin Zanik, Steve Banks and J.R. Hensley will represent the players. Sports Business Daily

The Detroit Pistons announced today that Andre Drummond will be their representative at the NBA draft lottery Tuesday in New York. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN at 8 p.m. Detroit Free Press

Regardless of whether Kidd or Pablo Prigioni return next season, the Knicks need to upgrade at point guard. They will likely look to add a young guard through the draft or free agency (they will have the veteran’s minimum or the mini-mid-level exception to offer free agents) or via a trade. Ideally, they’d find a guard who can excel on both ends of the floor. Outside of Iman Shumpert and Smith (when he’s engaged), the Knicks don’t have many two-way players. ESPN.com

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie is interviewing prospects for next month’s NBA draft while questions about how decisions will be made going forward remain unanswered. In recent months, there had been little if any communication from the Maloofs about the future of the front office amid the proposed sale and relocation to Seattle that league owners voted down last week. “I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to anybody yet (from Ranadive’s group),” said Petrie, whose contract expires at the end of June. “But my understanding is the sale probably won’t officially close for a couple more weeks. How that plays into communication, I really don’t know at this point.” Sacramento Bee

Victor Oladipo

Unless the Trail Blazers get the luck of the ping-pong balls and find themselves in the top three, the chances of them acquiring Oladipo are slim to none. However, there are moving up possibilities. Sources close to the prospect say the Trail Blazers, among a few others teams, “really like him” and are “considering moving up to get him.” CSNNW.com

When Oladipo was reached for comment, he acknowledged being aware of the interested teams that weren’t in position to take him. If Portland did pull off the move, Oladipo is all for it. “I would really love to go to Portland, and I’m not just saying that,” he said convincingly to CSNNW.com. “I hope, and I don’t think I’m dropping that far, but if they decided to move up somehow, I think that would be a great situation for me. It’s a place where you can just concentrate on basketball.” CSNNW.com

Chris Mannix: An aside on Boston. C’s met with Victor Oladipo, who will likely be gone in top-ten. Met with Kelly Olynyk, too. Could be looking to move up Twitter

Sam Amico: Not only did Michigan G Tim Hardaway Jr kill it in drills, but source at NBA Draft Combine said he interviewed best with teams. Stock rising Twitter @SamAmicoFSO

“They were one of the teams to ask me about it,” Carter-Williams said of the Blazers. “I told them my body language didn’t have anything to do with my coaches or my teammates. I hold myself accountable, and to a high standard, and when I’m disappointed in myself that frustration comes out a little bit. I don’t let it affect my game, but it’s definitely something I can work on. I think it’s something that I can fix, something that is easy to change, so I don’t think it’s a problem.” Oregonian

Jamal Franklin sprained the ankle May 4 while working out in Las Vegas. Elfus said the protective boot is precautionary and Franklin should be full speed within a week. His first workout is expected to be June 3 at Dallas. Other teams in the mix: Atlanta, Brooklyn, Cleveland and Milwaukee. UTSanDiego

Dennis Schroeder wasn’t sure what to expect when he brought his game from Germany to the U.S. But so far, so good. The 19-year-old point guard from Braunschweig, Germany, wowed scouts and NBA executives at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore., and soon found himself moving up on draft lists. He compares his game to Boston’s Rajon Rondo and also is fond of Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul. “I think I played two years now against men, so I think that helped me a lot,” Schroeder said of playing in Germany’s top league. “This was a dream for sure, but I think hard work pays off. It’s a good feeling for me.” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

NBAdraft.net flip-flops, going with shooting guard McLemore at No. 1 and power forward/center Noel No. 2. Is the order of any consequence to McLemore? You bet. “I think it’d be important to me, being the No. 1 draft pick and that a shooting guard hasn’t been a No. 1 pick for a while, for years,” McLemore told NBA.com before Thursday’s NBA combine in Chicago. “It’d be very important to me to make history. It would be great to be No. 1, being able to help my family out.” Lawrence Journal-World

McCollum, 21, said he had an interview scheduled with the Pistons on Friday afternoon. He is familiar with the roster. “They have a very young team,” McCollum said. “I’m not sure if Brandon Knight is going to be the (point guard) or (shooting guard) for that team. “They have very good post players. They just took (Andre Drummond) and he’s definitely turned out to be the steal of the draft. “They have (Greg Monroe) so they definitely have strong posts and they may take a guard. They may not, but it will be interesting to see if I work out with them.” Detroit Free Press

Yet the 20-year-old is a raw talent. He needs to get stronger and polish up his post game in order to contribute in the NBA. However, his athleticism and size are why he’s projected to be a mid-first-round pick in June’s draft. The 76ers, who are likely to get the 11th pick, interviewed Gobert here on Friday. “I’m not a fan at all,” said an NBA scout who asked to remain anonymous. “I’ve seen him in person a couple of times over the last two years. He’s immature physically. And off the court, he’s not a man. “He’s a guy who is long and can run. But he doesn’t have a great feel for the game.” Philadelphia Inquirer

Doug Haller: ASU’s Carrick Felix measured 6’4.75″ at NBA draft combine. 6’6.25 in shoes. 3.3 body fat was lowest of everyone there. Twitter

Musselman, a two-time former NBA head coach who attended the combine, said NBA team personnel members rave to him about Felix’s competitiveness, fitness and perspective in interviews. “He wants this bad,” Musselman said. “He can be a defender, a loose-ball-getter, a rebound guy, an extra possession player, a guy who can guard multiple positions.” Arizona Republic

In his mind — like most players at the NBA draft combine — he thinks he’ll be a first-round pick. “I believe I can be a late first-round pick,” he said. “I have confidence. But all I’ve got to do is keep working, do what I can do. As long as I can feel like when I can walk out of that gym that I worked hard, I’ll leave it in God’s hands and everything will take care of itself.” News-Herald

Josh Davis; Credit Tulane

By Chris Ramirez

San Diego, CA  – Josh Davis was added to the San Diego State program after the school granted him an scholarship. The 6-foot-8 forward, who graduated from Tulane this spring, will be a fifth- year graduate student at San Diego State with one year of eligibility remaining.

He will be available to play for the Aztecs this upcoming 2013-14 season. “We are very excited that we will have Josh Davis coming to San Diego State as a fifth-year graduate student, who can play immediately,” head coach Steve Fisher said.

Davis average a double-double last season (17.6 ppg, & 10.7 rpg) and was First-Team All-Conference USA selection. In 2011 Davis, transferred from NC State to Tulane, was named to the All-Conference USA Third-Team after nearly averaging a double-double 11.2 ppg, & 9.3 rpg.

“He will bring great experience and athletic versatility that we have been very successful with in the past. He will provide an immediate impact,” Fisher said. Davis will join the San Diego State squad in which it has made the NCAA Tournament four consecutive seasons.

Ben McLemore, Credits Kansas Univ

Chad Ford: No surprise, but Ben McLemore also pulling out of drills portion of NBA Draft Combine. Will participate in athletic testing. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford: McLemore has hired Rival Sports Group to manage him. Has been working out in LA with Pooh Richardson. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Alex Kennedy: The Los Angeles Lakers met with Nate Wolters and Adonis Thomas among other prospects on the first day of the combine. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and the rest of the front office staff and coach Keith Smart met with the following draft prospects today: Alex Len (Maryland), Richard Howell (North Carolina State), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Michigan), Tony Snell (New Mexico), Deshaun Thomas (Ohio State) and Reggie Bullock (North Carolina). Sulia

Darren Wolfson: Among the draft prospects @Flip_Saunders & the   #Twolves are meeting with tonight: Maryland center Alex Len. Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Alex Kennedy: Nate Wolters is meeting with six NBA teams tonight.   Six teams on the first night of the combine means there’s a lot of interest   in him. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Jason Lloyd: ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford: “I’m pretty sure the #Cavs are praying   Otto Porter is there when they draft. He’s a perfect fit for them.”   Twitter @JasonLloydABJ

Magic   officials already have scouted the likes of Kentucky Wildcats center Nerlens   Noel, Kansas Jayhawks shooting guard Ben McLemore and Michigan Wolverines   point guard Trey Burke for months and months. Until now, however,   the Magic and other NBA teams haven’t been permitted to sit down and speak   with any draft prospect. General manager Rob Hennigan and assistant general   managers Scott Perry and Matt Lloyd will conduct the Magic’s player   interviews, which were expected to begin Wednesday night and likely will   include Noel, McLemore and Burke. Each team may interview a maximum of 18   players, and each session may last a maximum of 30 minutes. Orlando   Sentinel

Nerlens Noel is   rehabbing. He’ll be at the Draft Combine, but obviously won’t be doing drills   or athletic testing. Medicals and interviews will be it. This   should be where docs get their first real look at Noel’s knee. Will probably   be the biggest day for him leading up to the draft. ESPN.com

Dario Saric. He’s not   staying in the draft if he’s not a lottery pick. So if he stays, someone   promised him in the lottery. ESPN.com

Not one but four   representatives from the Dallas Mavericks, including general manager Donnie   Nelson, watched on Tuesday KK Cibona beating KK Cedevita (85-84) for the   Croatian domestic league. And of course they had their reasons. Actually one,   named Dario Saric. EuroHoops.net

Asked earlier   this week on WWJ to give his thoughts on possibly playing for the Pistons   next season, the former Wolverine said he’d be all in. “Absolutely (I   would),” Trey Burke said. “A lot of people ask me where   I want to play, I really don’t care, it’s just a blessing to be in the NBA.   But I’d definitely want to play for the Detroit Pistons. I know Joe Dumars   really well, the fan base is right there in Michigan.” Booth   Newspapers

Scott Howard-Cooper: Louisville C Gorgui Dieng in a walking boot and out of   drills at pre-draft camp because of sprained right ankle. Nothing   serious, he says. Twitter @SHowardCooper

Scott Howard-Cooper: It’s an   epidemic. Just saw San Diego   State SG Jamaal Franklin. He is also in a walking boot.’Sprained left ankle   and out of drills. Twitter @SHowardCooper

Scott Agness: Pacers execs Walsh, Pritchard, Dinwiddie, Ryan Carr (Dir.   of Scouting), Dr. Carr (psychologist) in Chicago for pre-draft combine,   per source Twitter @ScottAgness

On the pitch to free agents. Dirk   Nowitzki: I’ll definitely be a little involved. But I’ll be in the draft ‘war   room’ for the first time … order some pizza and talk some basketball. I got   one year left on this deal and then I’m coming off the books. So if that   helps for us to be better I’m going to take a paycut. That’s part of the   pitch. Cuban and Donnie have got to be part of the pitch. Dallas   Morning News

Shabazz Muhammad looks forward to   getting grilled in interviews by NBA front-office officials during the NBA   pre- draft camp in Chicago this week. “Most people   are speculating a lot about me and don’t really know me as a person,”   Shabazz told Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears. “But I think the interviews   will really show what I’m about.” Yahoo! Sports

Shabazz Muhammad on the NCAA’s   scrutiny of him: “I don’t   know if they didn’t like me as a person or what it was. I just tried to hang   in there and stay positive and everything worked out.” Yahoo! Sports

“My game will translate well   [into the NBA],” Shabazz Muhammad told Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears. “I’m a guy   who likes to score the ball, obviously, who can penetrate defenses and likes   up-tempo style of play. I think that will really benefit a team.”   Yahoo! Sports

The Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies both clinched spots in the Conference Finals Wednesday night as both teams won their series in five games. Both teams lost Game 1 before rebounding to win the next four games. The Heat eliminated the Chicago Bulls with a 94-91 win and the Grizzlies took out the defending Western Conference Champion Oklahoma City Thunder 88-84. The Heat will be making their sixth trip to the Eastern Conference Finals and third consecutive overall. The Heat lost in 1997 to the Bulls in five games and the Detroit Pistons in seven games back in 2005. They won in 2006 over the Pistons in six games, won in five games in 2011 over the Bulls and defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games last season. The Heat become the first East team to reach three straight conference finals since the Pistons made six straight trips to the East Finals from 2003-2008. The Heat await the winner of the Indiana Pacers-New York Knicks series as the Pacers lead 3-1 and can wrap up the series Thursday night in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. Game 5 is at 8:00 PM EST on TNT.

The Grizzlies will be making their first trip to the Western Conference Finals in franchise history as they await the winner of the San Antonio Spurs-Golden State Warriors series with the Spurs leading 3-2. The Spurs can eliminate the Warriors in Game 6 Thursday night at Oracle Arena. Game 6 is at 10:30 PM EST on ESPN.

The NBA announced the All-Defensive first team this week as LeBron James (Heat), Tony Allen (Grizzlies), Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Serge Ibaka (Thunder), Tyson Chandler (Knicks) and Joakim Noah (Bulls) make up the team.

The second team consists of Marc Gasol (Grizzlies), Avery Bradley (Celtics), Mike Conley (Grizzlies), Tim Duncan (Spurs) and Paul George (Pacers).

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard was the only unanimous selection for the 2012-13 NBA All-Rookie first team. Joining Lillard was Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets), Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards) and Harrison Barnes (Warriors).

The NBA’s Board of Governors Wednesday rejected the potential move of the Sacramento Kings to Seattle for next season. In a 22-8 vote, the board voted against ratifying the $625 million sale of the team to a Seattle-based group led by Chris Hansen, meaning the Kings will remain in Sacramento.

Lastly, the Philadelphia Sixers hired Houston Rockets executive Sam Hinkie as their new president of basketball operations and general manager. Hinkie spent the last eight years in Houston and was the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Rockets.

Lance Stephenson; Credit Spokeo

By Kendall Burke

Lance Stephenson and the Indiana Pacers have a 3-1 lead over the Knicks in the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals. Protecting their home court, they beat out the Knicks Saturday and Tuesday with a score of 82-71 and 93-82 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The third-year shooting guard has averaged 34 minutes the past two games scoring a combined 21 points and 14 rebounds. Stephenson, teamed with George Hill and Paul George, are expected to lead the Pacers to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2004. Despite his progressive success, Stephenson wasn’t always a team player.

A Coney Island native, Stephenson had a roller coaster ride of a high school career. He led his Abraham Lincoln High School (Alumni including Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair) team to a record four straight PSAL Class AA titles, earning the nickname “Born Ready” throughout the Rucker Park neighborhood of Brooklyn. He also allowed a video crew to document his life for an online reality show titled “Born Ready”. Head coach, Dwayne Morton remembers Stephenson as “The best I’ve ever had at Lincoln”.

In his college career, Stephenson had a disappointing year with the University of Cincinnati. The Big East’s traditionally physical defense took away his scoring ability in the paint and caused him to struggle shooting. In his one season with the Bearcats he averaged about 12.3 points but shot only 21.9 percent from three-point range, falling below the high expectations set by social media.

Based on his family’s economic situation, Stephenson announced he would forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA Draft. He fell to the 2^nd round of the draft and was selected by the Pacers. As a rookie, he made merely 12 appearances and ran into trouble with the veteran players. Refusing to run plays as called infuriated teammates and caused Stephenson to disappear to the Pacers bench his first two seasons.

Stephenson, together with Assistant Coach Brian Shaw, worked to develop his shot and establish an understanding of the NBA game. Shaw helped him to mature from playground prodigy to professional athlete. “Being the rook, you have to listen to the vets and the older guys. Whenever they tell you something, you have to say, ‘Yes, sir.’ No talking back”, Stephenson accounts. “I wasn’t that type of guy. I was the one that would talk back. I learned the hard way. I think I’m smarter now that I’m a third year guy”. Shaw recalls a similar, young Stephenson; “No one has ever made him accountable for those things on the court. Because he was always the most talented guy, I’m sure some of his coaches let him get away with some things”.

With the knowledge of Granger being out for the season, the Pacers were forced to move Paul George to the small forward position, creating a vacancy for the shooting guard, a perfect opportunity for Stephenson to prove himself to the organization. Stephenson was prepared. He produced 8.8 points per game, 3.9 rebounds and shot 46 percent from the field and a respectable 33 percent from three-point range.

This time last year, Stephenson was remembered for the infamous “choking” sign heard all around the NBA after defeating the Heat, 94-75 in game 3 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals. One year later, the Heat might find themselves again conversing about Stephenson, not regarding his immature antics, but rather how to stop him from behind the arc.

In order to really succeed in the semifinals, Stephenson is going to have to play his way against the Knicks and be a respectful teammate in the locker room. It is no question that the talent is there for Stephenson; the question is whether he will continue to be a productive teammate for the Pacers. Playing at the Garden is going to require perseverance and consistency if the Pacers hope to win game 4. As long as Stephenson is willing to work together with George and Hill, the Pacers very well may meet the Miami Heat again, this time in the NBA Finals. We’ll see if Stephenson can remember, there is no “I” in team.

Mitch McGary, Credit Go Blue

By Jesse Moore 

Sophomore-to-be Mitch McGary was one of the main reasons why the University of Michigan men’s basketball team made a Final Four run in the 2013 NCAA tournament.  After deciding to bypass this year’s NBA Draft in July, he is now the main reason why Big Blue Nation should expect nothing less come March Madness next year.  The 6-foot-10 McGary had an emergence in the 2013 NCAA Tournament that had talent evaluators throwing Jared Sullinger and Kevin Love comparisons on him after averaging over 14 points and 10 rebounds per game over 6 games in the tournament. 

Prior to the NCAA Tournament, McGary was just a big-bodied freshman coming off of Coach John Beilein’s bench to bring some physicality to the high-flying offense of the Michigan Wolverines that was led by eventual Naismith National Player of the Year, Trey Burke.  Came tournament time, McGary gave so much more.  The Wolverines were an ultra-athletic squad who had the best player in the country running the point throwing lobs to the rim left and right without an impactful Mitch McGary.  Once he was thrown into the starting lineup in the NCAA tournament the Michigan Wolverines were now that same athletic “above the rim” group, but had another dimension and physical presence in Mitch McGary that it had prior lacked.  He not only brought 14 points, 10 rebounds and 30+ minutes of hustle and second effort but a toughness to floor that seemingly put them over the hump into a legit national title contender.

The Wolverines had the same starting five each of the 6 games in the NCAA tournament: Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary.  Coach Beilein knew that he could possibly lose four of those starting five to the NBA with two being absolutes (Burke and Hardaway Jr.).  Stauskas has a nice outside shot from 3 but has not yet been viewed as an NBA prospect though Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary have.  With the announcements of Robinson and McGary to return for their sophomore seasons that came simultaneous with each other, the Michigan Wolverines have to be absolutely elated.

Sophomore point guard Trey Burke’s decision to forgo his remaining two years of collegiate eligibility and enter the NBA Draft came as no surprise to anyone as he is viewed as a virtual lock to be a lottery pick come July.  Although he doesn’t project to be the type of pro that Burke suspects to be, junior guard Tim Hardaway Jr.’s decision to enter the NBA Draft didn’t come as a shock to many either.  With his ability to hit shots from the perimeter and finish at the rim, as well as having unique NBA bloodlines, he seems NBA ready as well.

As previously stated, no one feared losing Nik Stauskas’ jumper to the NBA but many dreaded the high possibility of losing Mitch McGary and/or Glenn Robinson III.  To have both of those guys return, along with Stauskas, has got to have Coach Beilein sleeping pretty easy at night this off-season.  Although it’s never easy to replace a National Player of the Year and a seasoned-vet on a team that is coming off of a national title game appearance, having an advanced 3-point shooter, a superbly athletic guard and a physical 6-10 post-player who can dominate a game from 15 feet in is not a bad starting block.

The decision that the 6-foot-10 McGary had to make whether to enter the NBA Draft or defer it for another year, I’m sure was not an easy one.  For a 20 year-old kid, who has people telling him that he has a chance to be the next Kevin Love and make millions of dollars, to turn the other cheek and wait at least another year for those things to possibly come to fruition says more about his character and loyalty than anything else, to me.

It’s easy to say he’s not mentally ready for the challenge of the NBA or that he’s enjoying the life of a college athlete too much, but who cares?  There’s nothing wrong with wanting to live the college life another year while at the same time develop even more as a basketball player and what better place to do that than at a university that is coming off of a national title berth.

The adversity that Mitch McGary has been faced with throughout his freshman year where he started out coming off of the bench during the regular season to being the best player on the floor at times during the NCAA Tournament will not only help him and his team moving forward, but gives NBA front offices another year to fall in love with him.  If he continues to build off this past NCAA Tournament into his sophomore season, he should be a very hot commodity amongst NBA people come next July.

Credits Bleacher Report

By: Reggie D. Richardson,

NCAA Division 1 College Basketball has been dominated the last two seasons by the state of Kentucky. The 2011-2012 season saw the Kentucky Wildcats win the national title, as they were led by the top two picks in the 2012 NBA draft, Anthony Davis, and Michael Kidd-Gillchrist. This year the cross state rival Louisville Cardinals, with Coach Rick Patino cut the nets down, and over in Lexington the defending champions struggled to find the magic of a year ago. The Wildcats were hindered by a season ending ACL injury to Nerlens Noel, and the rest of the team suffered from a real lack of chemistry. The 2013-2014 season will prove to be more than just a return to “True Blue”.

Head Coach John Calapari has landed what could arguably be his best ever recruiting class, and possibly the best ever for the University. Most teams are fortunate if they land one McDonald’s All-American, but not Coach Cal. He has landed six of the twenty-five, and was one of the four finalists for the overall best recruit in the country Andrew Wiggins. 

Wiggins was deciding between Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, and Florida State. He announced on Tuesday afternoon that he would be playing his collegiate career for the Kansas Jayhawks. Normally if a school lost a huge recruit of Wiggins ability it would be devastating, but not for this season’s Kentucky team. This coming year’s team is stacked with a roster that would make the Washington Wizards salivate.

Despite not getting the decision from Wiggins, the Kentucky recruiting class is loaded with talent. The backcourt will not have to worry about chemistry issues, as the Harrison twins have played together their entire life. Andrew Harrison is the number one ranked point guard in the nation coming out of high school. He is 6’5”, 210 pounds, and an absolute nightmare to guard. He is strong, athletic, and is an incredible ball handler. He will have no problems making the transition from high school to the college level, as he will be an instant leader. He can create his own offense, but he is also an elite level distributor of the basketball.  His twin brother Aaron Harrison is a shooting guard that can get to the rim any time he wants to. He has excellent three point shooting ability, and with his size he can play the 2, and the 3 positions. Look for a lot of scoring from Aaron on the wing this year. A back up guard that will join the Harris twins is freshman Dominique Hawkins, who can play at the 1, or the 2 guard spot. He will get significant minutes in the rotation coming off the bench.

The wealth for Kentucky doesn’t end with their backcourt, as they also landed another great big man in Juilius Randle. Randle is 6’9”, 225 pounds, who has an above level game with his back to the basket. He is a dominant rebounder, and plays hard on both ends of the floor. He possesses a strong presence in the paint. Dakari Johnson is yet another post player that was signed, and was also a McDonald’s All-American. Johnson is 6’10”, 250 pounds, and a true center. Johnson is not nearly as athletic as Davis, or Noel from the two previous seasons, but he brings a big presence and can be a game changer in the post. The third big man that is also a McDonald’s All-American is the 6’9”, 200 pound, Marcus Lee. Lee is not a scorer by any means, but he is incredibly athletic for a big man. He runs the floor really well, and has tremendous length. He is an aggressive defensive player that has the ability to develop his game offensively. The last post player in this big time recruiting class is Derek Willis. Willis isn’t a McDonald’s All-American, but he is a strong power forward that might wind up being the sleeper in the bunch. He can really score the basketball.

I saved James Young for last, as I feel with his incredible wingspan and amazing ability to shoot the 3-ball he might be the most important Wildcat next season. This small forward will be a lock down defender, and late in games he can break a teams back with his shooting ability. He completes what could be the top frontcourt in the country. The reality of not signing Andrew Wiggins will not make or break the Wildcats, as Young is more than an adequate future star in his own right.

The returning Kentucky Wildcats are lead by Alex Poythress, that didn’t have the kind of season that everyone expected. Many thought he would pick up where Michael Kid-Gillcrest left off, but it just didn’t workout that way. Poythress however, returns for his sophomore season. It is not yet clear if he will start, or come off the bench, but either way he will be a big contributor to the team this coming year. Also returning is power forward Willie Cauley-Stein. The big man averaged just over 8 points a game, and will be part of a crowded frontcourt. The last significant returning player is 6’9” former McDonald’s All-American Kyle Wiltjer. Wiltjer is an excellent three-point shooter for a big man, and averaged over 10 points a game.

The outlook for the Kentucky Wildcats next season is promising to the point that the NCAA Championship trophy could remain in the state of Kentucky for a third straight year. The wealth of talent they have acquired is reminiscent of the great 1996 team that featured nine future NBA players. I don’t think the 2014 team will be as great as that team, but in this modern era of players leaving after one or two seasons I don’t think we will see another team of this magnitude for a long time. Enjoy watching this “True-Blue-Chips” team while you can, as it won’t last for long. It’s not far fetched to believe that this time next year many of these players will be getting ready for the NBA draft, and Coach Calipari will be welcoming in his highly touted 2015 recruiting class.

Nerlens Noel; Credits, Kentuckystraitpinkie.com

The Mavericks and every other team in the league will send a small army of personnel to Chicago, where the NBA’s predraft camp begins Wednesday. The camp is always an important time. But for the Mavericks, who will have their highest draft pick in more than a decade, it’s even more significant this year. “We’ve identified 71 guys that we believe are draft worthy, and this is our first chance to see them in person,” Carlisle said Tuesday. “And I feel that this draft is going to be a lot better than many people think. When you’re drafting at 13 and 44, you have to be ready for anything.” Dallas Morning News

“Every significant NBA exec and every significant agent — they’re all in one place for three days,” Carlisle said. “So obviously, it’s a great place to see everybody and there’s plenty of opportunities to talk.” And mingle. With every mover and shaker in the league on hand, it’s a virtual farmland filled with seeds of trade talks and free-agent chatter. The Mavericks figure to be very active between now and the draft, which is June 27. Free agency begins July 1. Dallas Morning News

Gery Woelfel: NBA teams r allotted 18 player interrogations at pre-draft. Look for the Bucks to use all of them on guards. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

North Carolina State forward C.J. Leslie, a fast-rising prospect among several teams, has a minor sprained shooting hand and will sit out the drills portion of the NBA draft combine in Chicago this week, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

One league personnel director told Yahoo! Sports that Leslie and Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel rate as the two most explosive athletes in this year’s draft class. Two teams drafting in the mid-20′s told Yahoo! Sports that they believe Leslie will be gone before they’d get a chance to select him. Yahoo! Sports

Chad Ford: Here’s the first confirmed pull out. Duke’s Mason Plumlee won’t do drills. Just athletic & medical testing + interviews. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Josh Robbins: As expected, Pat Williams will be on stage for the #Magic during the @NBA draft lottery on May 21. Twitter @JoshuaBRobbins

Hoping for the same good fortune that occurred last year, Pelicans Coach Monty Williams will represent the franchise on stage during next Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Andrew Wiggins is going to the University of Kansas next fall. Wiggins, a talented 6-foot-7 budding star from Canada who might be the best high school talent since LeBron James, picked Kansas over Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida State. The Big Lead

Andrew Wiggins; Credit True Blue

By Alexander Onaindia,

Andrew Wiggins is widely regarded as the best high school basketball player in the country. As a senior at Huntington Prep in West Virginia, he averaged 23.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.5 assists per game. Last month he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. After months and months of speculation and rumors, his decision has been made. Wiggins will attend Kansas next year and play for Bill Self and the Jayhawks.

Wiggins decided to make his announcement in a small setting that featured just one local reporter, his family and his high school coach. This was much different from the usual highly publicized ESPN announcements that seem to have taken over high profile college recruiting.Wiggins has done a good job of staying out of the media spotlight and wanted to go through the recruiting process his way.

His decision came down to the usual college basketball powers Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. Based on his families’ ties to Florida State many thought they were actually the frontrunner. Both of Wiggins parents attended Florida State. His dad Mitchell played basketball there before moving on to the NBA and his mother was a two time Olympian in track.  Both of them are in the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame. However, Bill Self was able to convince Wiggins that Kansas is the right place for him.

Wiggins impact on Kansas and next year’s college basketball season cannot be overstated. At 6’8 he has drawn comparisons to the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady. His uncanny athleticism has GM’s and scouts of NBA lottery teams clamoring for a chance to draft the Canadian born Wiggins. Many of those same scouts, GM’s and analysts have said that if Wiggins was eligible for this year’s NBA Draft he would have been the first overall pick.

Instead his task will be to help replace the production of the likes of Ben McLemore and Elijah Johnson for the Jayhawks. Kansas will be a young team with a whole new starting lineup from last year but should be national championship contenders with Wiggins. They have brought in an excellent recruiting class as usual and Bill Self always has his teams in the hunt come March.

Kansas will open their regular season on November 8^th at Allen Fieldhouse which will be sure to be buzzing about Wiggins. 4 days later he will take on the #2 recruit in the country, Jabari Parker and Duke in the Champions Classic in Chicago. The country will get an early test of what Wiggins can do in the national spotlight.

For Florida State, Kentucky and North Carolina fans they are left wondering what could have been. Andrew Wiggins has yet to play a college basketball game and he is already the most high profile star in the college ranks. All of the accolades he has accomplished in high school and on the AAU circuit combined with the genes of an NBA father and an Olympian sprinter as a mother makes you believe that he is worth all the hype.

On Tuesday Kansas won the recruiting battle. Now all Andrew Wiggins has to do is live up to the hype of being arguably the most highly regarded prospect since LeBron James. Wiggins may not be in Lawrence, Kansas very long but he will try to bring a championship to the Jayhawk nation and Coach Bill Self.

Ricky Ledo, Credits Google

So there is a   strong chance that the Blazers will trade his rights and many teams has shown   interest. Spurs and Mavericks are among them, as well as the Knicks who   drafted Papanikolaou on No48 of last year’s draft. Knicks GM Glen   Grunwald visited London for a day, just to watch him on the semifinal against   CSKA! EuroHoops.net

Ira Winderman: Tim Hardaway Jr. among the postgame visitors to the Heat   locker room. Twitter @IraHeatBeat

The combine is   expected to include 61 draft hopefuls, including Michigan’s Trey Burke and   Tim Hardaway Jr. and Detroit-Mercy’s Ray McCallum Jr., all of whom   potentially could be on the Pistons’ radar, with the team looking   for backcourt and wing help. Booth   Newspapers

In Chicago, prospects will be   measured, weighed and put through shooting and agility drills but will not   play 5-on-5 games. Teams will also get a chance to interview players and set   up visits to their respective cities. In order   to prepare Ricky Ledo for the most important stretch of basketball in his   life, he is working in Houston with legendary trainer/life coach John Lucas.   Providence   Journal

Lucas also runs a pre-draft   workout group. Last year’s group included 16 of the 60 players that were   selected. Among the   players working with Ledo in Houston are Solomon Hill (Arizona), Zeke   Marshall (Akron) and Elston Turner (Texas A&M). Lucas says   what he does is tell talented, young players what they don’t want to hear. Providence   Journal

That remains to be seen. Asked   whether Ledo can be a first-round pick, Lucas says he “gets three calls a day   from teams” on Ledo and adds, “Is he game ready now? No. Should you draft him   and work with him? Yes.” Providence   Journal

Andrew Wiggins,   the Best High School Basketball Player Since LeBron, will descend from the   firmament Tuesday at 12:15 and make his college decision. It is the best-kept   secret since the Manhattan Project. The reason everyone thinks   Florida State is because his dad was a star there; the reason everyone else   thinks Kentucky is because … Kentucky. Kansas and North Carolina are thought   to be fringe contenders. The Big Lead

Now a month   after his decision to leave UNM, Snell is starting to see his draft stock   rise entering this week’s invitation-only NBA draft combine in Chicago. “It   bothered me, but it also motivated me,” Snell told the Journal from Los   Angeles, where he’s been working seven days a week preparing for the draft.   “I know you can’t please everybody. When I made this decision, I   did it with all the faith in Marvin (Lea, his former prep school coach who is   now training him in preparation for the June 27 NBA draft). I knew what I was   capable of and I knew what he was telling me. Now that there are others   starting to take notice, it’s a little bit of a relief even though I never   really doubted my ability.” Albuquerque   Journal

Stephen Curry, Credit NBA

By: Erin Somers

Stephen Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to round two of the NBA playoffs, beating out the Denver Nuggets in round one. They now face the San Antonio Spurs where the series is dead even going into game five. Curry’s stats thus far in the playoffs are off the charts, with a total of 29 points and 11 assists in game three against the Nuggets. The he followed with 31 points in game four. 22 of his 31 points came from one of the more amazing third quarters you will ever see from any player. Not many NBA teams can win in Denver, much less close out a playoff series in the Mile High City. 

On the next challenge against the battle tested, and experience, San Antonio Spurs. The Warriors will have to work hard if they want to beat out a team with such depth and talent. The Basketball Hall of Fame is a likely destination for three of the Spurs players, and their Head Coach. Known as the “Big 3”, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobli, continue to prove that their team should not be counted out. Parker had an outstanding game three scoring 32 points, more than Curry and Thompson combined. Duncan contributed an impressive 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Golden State Warriors have a pretty good Coach of their own, Mark Jackson. As a player Jackson played smart, with some swagger, and brought plenty of passion every night. He is a perfect fit for a young Warriors team. Stephen Curry is the elder statesman at age 25. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, both 23, and Harrison Barnes is only 20. The youth on this Warriors squad enables them to play with reckless abandon. Curry and Thompson, both are the sons of former NBA players. As a tandem, Coach Jackson recently referred to Curry and Thompson as the best combination of pure shooting guards, in the same backcourt, in the history of the NBA. This Warriors team is not only fun and exciting to watch, but also a difficult match for any opponent.

In game one, the feisty Warriors out played the seasoned Spurs. The game went to double O.T. Then Ginobli broke the spirit of the young Warriors with a late game 3-point basket, propelling the Spurs to sudden victory. Media analysts questioned if the Warriors could bounce back from such heartbreak.

Yet bouncing back is exactly what the Warriors did in game 2. Thompson took charge, making 7 out of 8 from behind the arc, putting 34 points on the scoreboard. The Warriors played with supreme confidence. Returning to the Bay area with a split was the goal. Mission accomplished in San Antonio.

Media experts weighed in again. This time the Spurs were too old to stay with such a young Warriors team. Yet the Spurs stepped up to the challenge. Danny Green and Kaui Leonard from the Spurs, made it difficult for Curry and Thompson to make shots they normally make. Spurs win game 3 in Oakland.

Many television broadcasters swing back to the Spurs, wondering if the series will go beyond 5 games. Curry injured his ankle late in game 3, convincing experts tat the Warriors have a bright future, the Spurs will take the series and advance. The first half of game 4 was sloppy basketball for both teams, and ends with the Spurs up by 8 points. Curry could only go 14 minutes in the first half with his ankle injury. The Warriors shot poorly.

Coach Jackson convinces his young team that they are still in it. The swagger and passion he brought as a player, shows up in his team in the second half. Game 4 also goes to halftime. The Warriors dominate the overtime, and even the series 2-2.

The series now moves to San Antonio for game 5. It is not the best 2 out of 3. Anything can happen in this fiercely contested series. Regardless of the outcome, the Golden State fans have a team they can be proud of.