HONORING MICHAEL JACKSON

On the eve of one of the greatest tragedys in music history, the death of Michael Jackson, we still had to cover the NBA draft. I must admit, it was hard for me to watch the draft during this tough time, but we must go on. In honor of Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer of all time, every subtitle will be one of his legendary songs or great lyrics.

#1 BLAKE GRIFFIN

"Remember the Time"

Obviously no drama here. He's the best player in a weak draft. He'd still be the best player in a strong draft. Front runner for Rookie of the Year. But he will also be the most irrelevant star in the league. He better "Remember the Time" when he used to win, because those days are over! I feel bad saying this, but I can't wait to see his face about 50 games into the season. He'll have the same look that tourist have when they come to New Orleans and take a trip on a bus to the Lower 9th Ward. They have this look of bewilderment or surprise like "Man, I didn't know it was this bad here." And then all the locals are looking at them like, "What did you think, we were just making this thing up?" This is pure hell and nothing's being fixed.

#2 HASHEEM THABEET

"Beat It"

I kept wondering how expensive it must have been to get a suit made for a 7-3 guy. A solid pick here. You have to select him. But what does it say about a draft where your #2 pick doesn't have much offensive game? Will he be a better player than say a Greg Oden? That is yet to be seen. As good as Oden is defensively, I think Thabeet may be even better. Every time a defender brings the ball inside Hasheem can "Beat It" up. I was really surprised by how great the guy is on camera. If he becomes a star he will make a lot of money in endorsements because he seems to have the personality. Being the first guy drafted from Tanzania must be awesome. I am rooting for the guy. But I have never quite recovered from the game when Dejuan Blair just slapped him in the face and took his lunch money on ESPN. It was the ultimate punking.

#3 JAMES HARDEN "Butterflies"

I don't know what it is about this guy that doesn't strike me as a #3 pick. I am feeling a little nervous about it. He does have an NBA body but it's not a scary physique. He has a body kind of like Paul Pierce. No muscle, just solid. Doesn't seem like an athletic freak or anything, but can score inside and out. I was suprised that they passed on Rubio, but maybe they were concerned that Ricky didn't like it there. If that's going to be there problem they'll be passing on guys every year cause not too many kids are taking spring break in Oklahoma City.

#4 TYREKE EVANS

"Smooth Criminal"

Remember the day I said this. Mark it down in your calendar. Tyreke Evans stole some good money in the draft by sneaking into this 4th position to the Kings. The kid's game is smooth. Evans will be a good player, but probably not a great point guard. Not sure about his character. He's a selfish player playing the point guard position. He lives by the creed of "Don't waste your tiiimmmmeee.... Because the doggonne ball is miiiinnnneee" He over dribbles the basketball and is a suspect defender. Tremendous upside? Yes. But some never make it up to the side. His jumper? Well, let's just no talk about it. And furthermore were talking about Evans too much. He's going to Sacramento. That is what we call the black hole of the league. He will disappear. A black hole being swallowed by a black hole. Fitting isn't it?

#5 RICKY RUBIO

"Iiiiii am the one.."

When asked who in the NBA is his game like, I thought for a quick second and came to the conclusion there was nobody. I was waiting for his answer and then he said the best line of the draft. "I'm Ricky Rubio, I'm not like anybody else." That told me a lot about the guy. He's one of the best passer's I have ever seen out of Europe. He's only 18 years old. Can he adjust to the physical style of play in the NBA? I think so. He will get stronger, but you can't teach the court vision. And how can a guy that has played pro since 14 years old be afraid? I don't think it's possible. The T'wolves got a good one.

#6 JOHNNY FLYNN

"Say, Say, Say"

Say, say, say whatcha want, but Flynn will be a very good point guard in the NBA. Say, say, say, watcha want, be he won't be in Minnesota. Why Jay Bilas, Mark Jackson and Stuart Scott failed to mention that last night is beyond me. There is no way that they will keep Rubio and Flynn in the same back court but the T'Wolves knew how good the kid is and I am sure they can package him with someone else to bring in another good player. They later drafted Wayne Ellington from UNC to bring in some shooting. Wherever Flynn ends up he will be a exciting point guard. Looks as if Sebastian Telfair will forever be a back up point guard in the NBA.

#7 STEPHEN CURRY

"Don't Go Around Breaking Young Girls' Hearts"

For Knicks fans he was almost there. They were one pick away from having one of the best player's in the draft. All the fans wanted Curry. And then...... The Golden State Warriors swooped in like a Hawk to grab the phenom. I have to admit, I wanted Curry to go to the Knicks too. I saw him play at Madison Square Garden this year. He struggled the whole game, but then mesmerized the fans at MSG in the games last five minutes making clutch basket after clutch basket, putting West Virginia away for good. Curry is very exciting to watch, too bad I'll have to stay up all night to see him get his booty handed to him playing for The Warriors. Maybe they should change their "Warrior" name because they rarely ever put up a fight. Was that a mustache and a beard I saw Curry growing last night? The kid is learning already.

#8 JORDAN HILL

"Just Reee-mem-ber to always Think Twice"

Poor Knicks fans. This is the least sexy pick of the night. First and foremost I have to say this. There has never been a superstar basketball player that wore dreadlocks. Maybe braids, but not dreadlocks. In football, they're ok, but not in basketball. They make you look out of control, no matter how poised your game is. Coach will be saying "your moving too fast, slow down." But it's not you, it's the dreads shaking out of control that gives off the mirage. He is a strong, athletic big man, but to me nothing special. He has some work to do on his offensive game and he played in the PAC-10, which I am not a fan off. Too soft of a conference in my opinion. "My strong advice.....just remember to always think twice" about taking a guy with dreads. And the Knicks will be thinking twice about this pick for a long time. Damn, Curry was right there!!!

#9 DEMAR DEROZAN

"Keep it in the Closet"

I just feel like this kid could've benefited from one more year in school. He is a freakish athlete who was the MVP of the PAC -10 tourney. Now his school is falling apart with all the allegations so that may be one thing that caused him to bolt. And he probably wants to make a little more money by going to the NBA (Get it?). All in all, I think he should've stayed and kept his game in the closet for one more year. Then he could've burst on to the scene. But hey, they say if you can go in the lottery then you should come out. So to Celevision Derozan says "Shut the hell up." And you know what? He's correct. Who the hell am I?

#10 BRANDON JENNINGS

"I want to Loooove You.....PYT"

This guy's game is exciting. He has the flair, he has the confidence. He rocked the high top fade, he took the trip overseas to the unknown. The Bucks are getting a player who is going to be a star, but I'm not sure when. He is still a tremendous talent and someone who can bring some flair to a town known for boredom. Jennings is exciting but he won't be excited by the lack of nightlife in Milwaukee. Then again, he's too young to go anywhere right now, and I mean that about his game too. I want to love this guys game, but he needs some TLC, tender loving care. I hope the Bucks can take him there.

#11 TERRENCE WILLIAMS

"Don't Think Twice!"

This guy is a beast. I love his game. The NJ Nets don't have to second guess themselves on this one. He is a solid player all around. Doesn't do one thing great, but does everything well. He can guard anybody and I think this guy is one of the toughest guys in the draft. He can rebound, score defend and run in transition with the best of them. He's the type of guy you can put on a Kobe Bryant or a Lebron James and he will be able to hold his own. A very solid pick and he deserves to be in the lottery. He's a little off too. One time I heard him as he was attempting to rap a Lil Wayne tune to himself in warm ups. He was so loud everyone in press row was listening too him. He was cursing and just yelling the lyrics oblivious to anyone else around him. He was in his own world. He seemed a little off to me at the time, but you know what, sanity is not what keeps you in the league. It's heart, effort, skill and opportunity.

#12 GERALD HENDERSON

"The Kid is not My Son"

Well technically Gerald Henderson Jr. still is the son of Gerald Henderson Sr. but now he will have to be a man in a man's league. When Gerald Henderson Sr. was asked about his son getting drafted he said, "I wish I can get out there and help him. You have to let him go, play and learn." Gerald Henderson Jr. is a talent. Very gifted athletically, good mid range shooter who can rise up over opponents. He is a little small for a shooting guard at 6-5 but very explosive. They say Duke players never make good pros but I think Henderson will change that realm of thinking. He has all the tools, but of course we have to wait, and the worst thing is, dad can't help him.

#13 TYLER HANSBROUGH

"Leave Me Alone"

Just stop dogging him around. What more can the man do? He is the all-time leading scorer in ACC history. He won a National Championship in college. He goes to work and plays as hard as he can every night. Let me tell you this, I am not a huge Hansbrough fan, but I would take him on my team any day of the week including weekends when everybody else is not working, because he will be. He won't be a superstar in this league, but he will play 10+ years I bet you. If you don't like him fine, but I bet you won't lock yourself in a phone booth with him and go head to head. I know who I'd put my money on to come out alive. And guess what, whoever is reading this and hating on him? My money wouldn't be on you.

#14 EARL CLARK

"Man in the Mirror"

One of the toughest kids I ever coached in AAU basketball was Brandon Smith from New Brunswick High School. He now plays safety for the Michigan Wolverines. He had dreads and he always looked intimidating. He was a football player first, basketball second, but he played basketball like he was on the football field. I remember his high school team was set to play Rahway High School which featured Earl Clark one of the best player's in the nation. It was a State Playoff game so the stakes were big. I was trying to hype him up by telling him he couldn't guard Clark. He said "Coach, I'm gonna shut him down. He's soft." Branden held him to 8 points that night and bounced the heavily favorite Rahway Indians and Earl Clark right out of the New Jersey Group II playoffs. Obviously the Nets weren't at that game. It was the first time I began to question Clark. He is probably hands down the most talented player in the draft. He is Lamar Odom like. The downside is he doesn't bring it every night. He could be a superstar, or he could be like my old teammate at Villanova Tim Thomas a guy your yelling at through the TV every night to pick it up as you wait on the "potential". It's all about the Man in the Mirror for Earl Clark. He better take a look at himself and make a change.

GUYS WHO SHOULD'VE BEEN DRAFTED EARLIER

DEJUAN BLAIR

This is the reason why I never went back to get my Master's Degree. They say it looks good on a resume, but is it really about the resume? Well if it was than Dejuan Blair wouldn't have went in the second round with the 37th pick. You're talking about the Big East Player of the Year. You talking about the Big East Rookie of the Year in the 2007/2008 season. A bully in the paint. The best offensive rebounder in the draft. But this was offensive to Blair. The Spurs found a ruby in a dirt pile.

TY LAWSON

Another guy who furthers my notion that a resume means nothing. Won a national championship. Is a jet with the ball. I am still trying to figure out why the Sixers passed on this guy? They went with Jrue Holiday over this guy? Not sure about that one. Even if Eddie Jordan brings the new Princeton style offense, I'm not sure how this guy can't help you with his lightening end to end speed. Goes to showing you sometimes that winning isn't everything. Denver is so happy right now, to get a guy this talented, this late in the draft. Don't worry Lawson, all you do is just keep on winning.

SAM YOUNG

I say this and I say with all the confidence in the world. The first time Sam Young throws that pump fake on someone and the defender goes flying in the air, and he drives baseline and almost brings the rim down, some opposing GM is going to say "Damn, we messed up." And "messed" is not the word I wanted to use!! Sam Young is going to play for the Grizzlies. Like my boy Delvon McMillan always says on his Facebook status just "Watch.''

This blog is dedicated to Michael Jackson. The King of Pop. We all grew up on MJ and music will never be the same without him. He was the greatest that ever did it. He has so many great classics I can't even name my favorite. We will always love you and miss you forever. RIP.

JOCKEYING FOR POSITION

JOCKEYING FOR POSITION

It's been a very interesting 24 hours in the NBA. Teams are making moves and jockeying for position to get in the first five spots of this race we call the NBA draft.   It is a frantic race to the finish with a little more than 24 hours left until teams are on the clock.  The Minnesota Timberwolves have already made news by trading former Villanova star Randy Foye and Mike Miller to the Wizards for Etan Thomas, Darius Songalia, Oleksiy Pecherov and most importantly the #5 pick.  Minnesota now has the 5th, 6th, 18th and 28th pick all in the first round.  That is a lot of leverage and the Wolves are in love with Ricky Rubio as well as Hasheem Thabeet.  Both may be gone by the time the Wolves pick at 5, but the wolves could trade a few of those picks and try to move up to #2.  24 hours is a lot of time.  I guarantee that the Wolves will do something.  

DIME A DOZEN

All I want to know is what is really up with this situation? Rajon Rondo's name has come up more than Bret Favre's over the past few days.   Despite Danny Ainge's attempt to come on television and quell the situation I am not fooled.  Something is going on in that locker room and it's serious.  Why would the Celtics be even mentioning one of the up-and-coming point guards in the league being on the trading blocks?  Rondo has already helped the Celtics win a ring and was a KG away from possibly bringing them back.   The "KID" gets triple doubles like Jason Kidd and is one of the best rebounding point guards I've ever seen since...... well Jason Kidd.  This has to be a joke right?  I think not.  Rumor has it that Rondo is not a great teammate in the locker room and has a huge ego.  Doc Rivers is having problems reeling the kid in and if that is the case, then the Celtics are not kidding.  Ray Allen is a great shooter at 6-5, Kevin Garnett is a defensive force, Paul Pierce is one of the most crafty scoring veterans in the league.  But Rondo, with all his bravado, ability and athleticism is a 6-1 point guard.  Sorry to say, he is replaceable. Point guards come a dime a dozen.  If you need evidence look at this year's draft.  

DECISIONS

It seems like all the pieces are starting to fall into place with the first three picks of the draft if the positions stay as they are now.   Blake Griffin will go #1 to the Clippers, Hasheem Thabeet #2 to the Grizzlies, and Ricky Rubio #3 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Now is when things get interesting.  The Sacramento Kings own the #4 pick and are in real need of a point guard to run the show.  Most people have the Kings leaning towards the freshman phenom Tyreke Evans.  But I'm not sure about this pick.  The Kings are the worst team in the league.  Their best players are Kevin Martin and the young talent out of Rider, Jason Thompson.  Not sure if Evans, who is a combo guard, is a good fit here.  Although I love Curry, I would go with Flynn.  He can start from day 1 and will bring some fire to a organization that is in desperate need of some flair.  Sacramento is one of the most boring cities in the NBA.  Ask any veteran for his top 5 least favorite cities and I bet you Sacramento will be in there.   Go with Flynn.  His smile and energy can light up a gym.

NO NEW YORK, NO NEW YORK, NOOOOOO! 

Since Celevision resides in the New York metropolitan area and the draft is taking place at Madison Square Garden, we have to talk a little New York Knicks.  A lot of the Celevision fans are Knicks fans.  So who are you going to end up with?  The Knicks have been notorious for bad draft picks for a long time now.  And I have to say that they may be at it again.  The Knicks, with the #8 pick are rumored to now be leaning towards Jrue Holiday from UCLA.  Not sure if he is ready for the bright lights of New York City.  He didn't perform that well out in Hollywood.  He is 6-4, 200 lbs, but this is New York City, home of the point guard and you have to have some major game to get it done here.  If Steph Curry is still on the board the Knicks will go with him.   But he'll be gone says Celevision and that's a fact.  They still have a chance at picking the exciting but erratic Brandon Jennings.  I'd take him over the flavorless Holiday.  Jennings is the type of point guard New York City likes.  At least he'd throw a no look pass and get me on the train to the Garden.

SLOW DOWN YOUNG BUCK

Most #1 picks ooze confidence and they should.  Being selected #1 in the NBA draft means you're the best available player in the World!  That means something.  What it doesn't mean is that you can change things for the Clippers. If the Clippers drafted God, the world would end tomorrow! Nothing can change the fate of this cursed franchise, yes I said it.  I don't care how confident Blake feels about turning around the franchise, it won't happen.  The Clippers have messed up every big time draft pick they've ever had.  Quentin Richardson, Darius Miles, Shaun Livingston, Terry Dehere, Bo Kimble, Danny Ferry.  Most times after a player leaves the franchise he's never the same, meaning he becomes an even worse player.  As if he can't get the Clipper stench off of him.  The only guy I can ever remember leaving there and being a factor somewhere else is Lamar Odom.  I hear you Blake, I know your supposed to say the right things. But in my opinion, Griffin will be changing that tune like a DJ soon enough.   

STILL CAN MOVE

Shaq is on the move again as last night while we all slept he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Shaq who avg. 17.8 points, 8.4 rpg and shot 60.9% from the field this season can still be a potent force on offense.  The Diesel is still a very adept passer and teamed with Lebron James gives the Cavaliers two distributers that can pick your team apart.  This is a good move for the Cavs as they aren't giving up much in Sasha Pavlovic the non-existent Ben Wallce and the 46th over pick which wouldn't really land them much.  The question is how much can Shaq give the Cavs on the defensive end?  Can he guard in the pick-and-roll?  Obviously they have acquired him so they can get past Orlando and I think that now this makes the Cavs the favorite in the eastern conference.  

CELEVISION TOP FIVE WORST DRAFT PICKS EVER

#1 SAM BOWIE  1984 PORTLAND TRAIBLAZERS

First of all look at the shorts on this guy.  People always say you go with size but obviously he didn't with the shorts.  Ok, so that's how the shorts looked back then.   But I remember a guy named Michael Jordan being in this draft as well as Charles Barkley.  Trailblazer fans will never forgive management for this.  Not sure I or Sam Bowie will ever either.  

#2 KWAME BROWN 2002 WASHINGTON WIZARDS

They selected him with the #1 pick that year.  Brown hasn't even come close to resembling a player in his career.  He's been on three teams in the NBA  and has yet to play to his potential.  And now some are beginning to question what that even is.  The worst part is that the greatest player to ever play the game was responsible for the pick.  That guy is Michael Jordan. He, on the management side, has never seemed to recover either.

#3 Darko Milicic 2003 Detroit  

He was dubbed the best thing out of Europe since Tony Kucoc.  Boy were we all hoodwinked.  Hasn't developed into even a player that can come in and contribute off the bench.   Milicic was the start of the decline of the effective European player.  For a few years the players out of Europe were hot.  NBA execs were saying that they understood the game better than our home grown boys.  They were saying the the league was going to change.  Milicic was the red flag for our mass European flirtation.  And now everyone is singing the right song again.  

#4 MICHAEL OLOWOKANDI 1998 Clippers

Maybe the worst.......no, it is the worst #1 draft pick ever. First and foremost the kid went to Pacific University, a basketball powerhouse by no means.  But hey, what did we expect from the Clippers?  He even had a nickname, "The Kandy Man."  How could you?  This is another mistake by one of the most mistake prone franchises in sports.  In the NBA they always talk about size.  The great question in life is "Does size matter?"  Obviously for the Kandi man and the Clippers it didn't.  He is now out of the league. 

  

Leon Smith, 1999 San Antonio Spurs

So you're wondering who this is?  Well let me tell you.  This is the guy who was drafted directly before me.  I was so desperate to get into the 1st round of the 1999 NBA draft as it offered security, a minimum 3 year deal and time to develop in the NBA.  It would never be.  The Spurs would draft Leon Smith and I would be the 30th pick, 1st pick of the second round.  Much less longevity on the contract and more importantly much less money!  Leon Smith would never suit up that year as he was traded to the Mavericks on draft day and released soon after.  Before being drafted, Smith had been committed to a psychiatric ward a month earlier for throwing a rock through a car window and swallowing about 250 aspirin tablets.  The Spurs must have really not liked my game.  Damn! 

2009 NBA DRAFT

With the NBA draft looming, it's time to discuss some of the more talented prospects of this year's crop.  There are a few guys that can help some of these NBA teams immediately.  But, I must say this year's draft is one of the weaker drafts in my memory.  Not an overabundance of talent here this year and many teams may be looking to make some trades to prepare for drafts in the future.  With that said here we go. 

Blake Griffin

First of all, you have to be a stud to have a picture like this.  You dunk backwards, hang on the rim and point?   Probably the most hip picture of the year.  The Kid has the entire package.  He has a decent face up, he can post up and handle the ball off the dribble.  He is an outstanding athlete with great hands and incredible footwork.  The kid has a work ethic that is unmatched and I feel as most he will be a star from Day 1 as he averaged 28.5 point per game this past year.  The only issue is......he's going to the Clippers.  The Clippers are the graveyard of the NBA.  It's so easy to become a nobody when being drafted by the Clippers.  They are not only the worst franchise in NBA history, but maybe the worst franchise in sports history.   This is the only thing that worries me about Griffin.  The most difficult thing he may encounter in his NBA career is trying to get past the bouncer at the front door of any club in Los Angeles.  Once they find out he's a Clipper, he might  as well turn around and go home.  

HASHEEM THABEET

Defensively he will impact the NBA the day he arrives.  His is an eraser, a deleter, a shot blocking machine.  He averaged 4.2 blocked shots per game finishing 2nd in the country.  He has improved with his ability to catch and finish with authority in the paint.  He has improved his footwork.  But Thabeet, who only begin playing basketball at 15 years old, has a long way to go on the offensive end.  He is mechanical with the basketball and may not be an offensive threat in the post immediately.  He also disappeared in a few Big East Conference games this year when I covered him.  But, the kid is a 7ft. 4 inches tall  and all the deficiencies in the world can't outweigh that.   The Memphis Grizzlies may be looking to take him with the 2nd pick even though he cancelled a workout with them citing a shoulder injury.  

Ricky Rubio

The dude's basketball IQ is off the charts.  He has already played professional ball in Europe and understands how to play the team game. He is probably the best passer in the draft and has played in the Olympics so he wouldn't be in awe of NBA competition.  Was a defensive force in those same Olympics picking the pockets of a few NBA stars.  There is still a possibility he may be the #2 pick, but it is slim chance as Rubio has voiced that he doesn't want to play in Memphis.  Hell, who does Ricky?  All joke's aside, Rubio's ability to run a team and adjust to his teammates are positives for him.  But he does has a few negatives.  His strength, for one must improve.  This is not the Euroleague and guys are much bigger and faster here in the States.  Those touch fouls on the perimeter will not be called here.  The second negative is that Rubio has had problems getting out of his contract with his Spanish team DKV Jovenaut and that may scare some NBA teams away.  Rubio may decide to stay in Spain and finish his contract out as coming to the NBA he may lose lots of money.  The final negative are the moves that his management team have made.  Rubio refused to work out for Memphis and didn't work out for Sacramento, who has #4 pick, last week because of illness they say.  This may cause him to slip in the draft.   Sources say that Rubio did work out yesterday for Sacramento but was alone, which didn't allow him to be seen in competition with other fellow draft prospects.  

Stephen Curry

If you're looking for a weakness on offense, save yourself the trouble because the kid has none.  He is a tremendous shooter just like his dad was.  His dad had the purest form I ever saw.  His son is not far off.  He is elusive off the dribble and his ability to move without the ball and use screens is the most refreshing thing I have seen in basketball in a long time.  Never seems to get rattled on the court and showed us that he is a very underrated passer.  On defense however, is where he can get murdered.  His is very frail and may get abused down on the block. Obviously he has to get stronger but he has a tremendous upside.  Don't be surprised if the kid goes as high as #3 in the draft to Oklahoma City.  But likely will land at #6 to the Timberwolves.  Again, on offense Curry is complete.  The only other thing that he may need to add to his game is a mustache.

James Harden

I don't know a lot about Harden as he plays in the PAC-10 and I am a east coast guy.  But I do know he was the Conference Player of The Year and is one of the most complete players in the draft.  Harden is not flashy at all, but can do just about everything.  He is respected for his efficiency and his ability to score the basketball.  He can shoot it, create his own shot and already has an NBA body at 6-5, 220 lbs.  He is a really safe pick in this NBA draft.  You know what you are getting.  Look for him to be gone in the first five picks.  No way he slips past the 7th or 8th pick.  

Tyreke Evans

The dude's handle is sick.  He's from Chester, Pennsylvania, one of the lesser known hoods in America, and is tough.  Not trying to be a hater, but for some reason I've never liked his game.  He can get to the basket with the best of them.  Very strong and physical guard at 6-5, 22o pounds.  Can really be a problem for smaller guards.  Rumor has it he assassinated Stephen Curry and Johnny Flynn in one-on-one drills at a Sacramento Kings workout.  But Evans loves to keep the ball in his hands and seems to over-dribble sometimes.  Not a great shooter yet and would need to improve that to become a good NBA point guard.  But the physical tools are there.  Sacramento is in real need of a point guard and being that Rubio didn't make the workout, they may take Evans at #4.  Strong possibility.  

Johnny Flynn

Hands down my favorite player in this year's NBA draft and the one I am most familiar with.  Has probably helped himself more than any player in the NBA draft during his workouts for different teams.  Flynn is a born leader and very charismatic.   Always seems to enjoy playing and competes with the best of them.  Very athletic and explosive and if you don't believe me then watch this clip here.  Flynn has deep range from beyond the arc and is very explosive off the dribble.  Can also play a lot of minutes as he averaged 37.3 mpg for Syracuse last year while playing 67 minutes in the classic six overtime game vs. UCONN that I saw in person while calling  on the radio.  The only drawback for Flynn may be his size at 6-foot which may be generous.  But his heart and his athletic ability may make up for his lack of extra inches.  The Kings really like Flynn and may draft him as high as #4 if they don't take Evans.  Flynn is working out today for the NJ Nets and could go there at #11 pick as well or maybe even #10 to the Bucks who also need a point guard.

Brandon Jennings 

First and foremost I have the utmost respect for any young player that respects the past and goes with the old school high top fade!  The kid must have heart to pull that one off.  He's also a trailblazer becoming the first kid to leave high school and go over to play professionally in Europe.   His season was by far not a success.  But none of that matters as being a former Euroleague player I understand how crazy it can be for an American player across the waters.  Jennings may have the most foot speed of any player in the NBA draft.  Coast to coast he is a blur and is phenomenal in the open court with the basketball.  With that said, his decision making and outside shooting is questionable as well as his defense.  Out of all the point guards he may have the most natural talents and abilities, but in the NBA that is only one side of the coin.   A very difficult prospect to decipher.  The Knicks like him, and the Bucks could use him, but with Curry, Flynn, Rubio, Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague all in the draft I wouldn't be surprised if he slipped out of the lottery.  And yet, I would be surprised if he went in the top 5 picks.  That is how much of an enigma he is.  

Gerald Henderson, Earl Clark and Terrence Williams

It's weird but these three guys are all the same player but in some areas very different.  Henderson is probably the best shooter out of the bunch.  Clark, has the most upside as he is 6-10 and can do a little bit of everything.  Williams, I would say is the most NBA ready, most well rounded and the toughest out of the bunch.  I've seen Williams affect a lot of Big East basketball games without even scoring the basketball.  I think he would be the most mentally ready to go in and contribute right away.  Clark I feel may end up the best player out of these three.  Reminds me of Lamar Odom with more speed off the dribble, but Clark can sometimes get punked into shooting jump shots and disappear for long stretches.  Henderson, for some reason reminds me of a poor man's Kobe Bryant.  He can hit acrobatic shots, fadeaways and has a nice mid-range pull up game.   Not sure about how much "dog" he has in him though.  Williams and Henderson, rumor has it, are fighting to be picked at the 12th slot by Charlotte.   Right now Williams is in the lead.  

Dejuan Blair

The biggest beast in the draft.  This guy is a straight bully.   One of the best offensive rebounders I've ever seen.  They say he's undersized, they wonder if he can score in the NBA.  Let me tell you this, Blair will get it done.  Outside of Johnny Flynn I don't know if there is anyone else in the draft that can match his passion when playing.  If you don't think he can score against bigger guys you want want to check out this box score which shows what he did to Hasheem Thabeet the best shot blocker in the draft.   Don't forget to check out what Thabeet did not do that game.  Blair is only 6-7 but has the wing span of a 7-2 player.  Think of a better, nastier, more athletic Glen Big Baby Davis who plays for the Celtics.  Also, Blair has lost about 15 lbs since the season, which makes him even more scary.   He could be the lowest drafted rookie of the year ever.  

MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN THE DRAFT

Sam Young.  He's what you call an athletic freak.  I have him here because I have seen him abuse people for two years in the Big East Conference, the best conference in college basketball.  Night in and night out this guy showed up and scored the basketball.  He is physical and has an NBA ready body.  I really feel he can show up, play right away and be a factor on any team in the NBA.  Don't be surprised if this dude is the surprise player of the draft.   By the way, he has the most deceiving pump fake I ever seen in basketball.  Young has the look of a grown man.  I haven't seen anyone, outside of Greg Oden, look like a 40 year old man playing college ball. 

MOST OVERRATED PLAYER IN THE DRAFT

Jrue Holiday.  Not really impressive to me.  Not truly a point guard.  Not really a two guard.  More of a tweener, the worst label you can get in the NBA.  Hasn't performed well in many workouts with NBA teams and lacks confidence sometimes.  A lack of confidence is not something you don't  want to carry with you to the NBA.  The sharks will be in the water waiting to feed on you. 

BEST SHOOTER IN DRAFT

Stephen Curry.  Dad's name is Del Curry.  Enough said. 

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER IN DRAFT

Terrence Williams.  He could guard p0sitions 1 through 4 in college.  In the NBA I think he can guard the point, shooting guard and small forward positions.  If you're in a bind you can put him in and let him attempt to guard the power forward, that's how much heart this kid has.  Brings intensity every night.  He is afraid of nothing.  Outside of Hasheem Thabeet, no player will be more valuable on the defensive end. 

MAKING MOVES

NEXT IN LINE

To all my baseball fans, you better read up on this guy. Hell, even if you're not a big baseball fan, you need to read up on this guy.  Bryce Harper is next in line.  Dubbed "The Chose One" by Sports Illustrated Harper is about to break new ground in the baseball world.  At 6'3 205 pounds the kid is a monster.  He hit a 570 ft home run at Tropicana Field, he throws a 96 mph fastball and the kid is only 16 years old.  Harper attends Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The City of Sin is known for its high priced gambling, but this kid is the farthest thing from a gamble.  This kid is more like a sure bet.  The odds of his success are almost guaranteed.  Harper is said to be the biggest high school sports prodigy since Lebron James.  And he is about to make a splash that maybe even bigger than the King.  

MAJOR LEAGUE THINKING

To say Harper's talent is impressive would be the biggest understatement of the year.  That in itself is not what is making headlines.  Harper's decision to leave high school after his sophomore year is.  Harper and his parents have decided that he will get his GED so he can graduate high school early, then enroll at The College of Southern Nevada a community college in the area.  Before we all judge let's talk some numbers here. Harper is hitting .626, with 14 home runs, 55 RBI's and 36 steals this past year all with pitchers barely pitching to him.   The kid has a 3.5 GPA, does community service and attends religious classes every morning before school.  His talent is being compared to Alex Rodriguez's and Ken Griffey Jr.'s but the catch is this: His talent as a sophomore is being compared to their talents when they were seniors!  Scouts are saying that if the kid is eligible for the draft in 2010 he may be the #1 pick.  You're talking about a contract above $20 Million.  The question is, would you let your kid do it?  Please respond honestly. 

REAL ANSWERS

We all know about the money.  But what about the lifestyle for the kid?  Does that ever come into question?  I always think about the childhood stars.  Are the kids growing up too fast?  What about when it's finally over?  One would also have to think about the quality of life for a 17 year old kid now on the road in the minor leagues with grown men. Hotels, road trips, buses and all kind of late night corruption may come to mind.  But some answers have surprised me.  Reco Owens, my friend and former wide receiver at Duke University who is now a Financial Analyst for the Goldenberg Group had an interesting perspective. He said, "You go to college to create opportunites for yourself... $20 Million buys a lot of opportunities."  I thought that was a great point.  We have so many people who say go to high school and get a diploma so you can have a good job.  What better job than to play baseball and become a multi-millionaire before 18 years old?  But not everyone was so quick to say go and get the money.  Corey Smith, who played at the same high school I graduated from (Piscataway High) and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round in 2000 had a difference in opinion.  "Playing in the minor leagues ain't that easy.  He's going to be a first round pick regardless if he goes to junior college or if he waits and graduates high school.   There's a certain maturity level that you have to reach once you get into this game.  Once you get to the professional level the game is very humbling."  This was coming from a guy who was one of the top five baseball players nationally back when he graduated high school in 2000.  But everyone had a different take.  I spoke to Dr. Emmett Gill, who is a professor over at Rutgers University near my home.  I know that he loves sports, but that also he is a proponent of higher education.  His answer surprised me.  "I believe with professional sports, especially baseball, kids should get it while the getting is good.  Baseball players are prone to physical setbacks and what I call the politics of baseball.  Why go to college and let a university profit when your family can prosper?"  

So what if the kids stays in high school and gets hurt.  Then what?  It's a good question.  But Curtis Bynes' answer, a former Police Officer and high school basketball coach in Piscataway, New Jersey was the best.  "If a parent says that they wouldn't let their kid do it, then their kid must be a scrub.  It's easy to say no when you know it's not an option for your kid.  How many of us if we had an option to make $20 Million wouldn't take it?"   Real answers from real people.  

IT'S BEEN NICE

Epiphanny Prince is the real deal. Prince announced yesterday that she would be skipping her senior season at Rutgers to play ball professionally overseas in Europe.  Prince would only be the 2nd woman athlete to ever make this move.  Let me tell you something, this girl has real game.  I don't live too far from the Rutgers campus and have played pick up basketball with them in the summer many times.  She put a move on me one time, I had to go to the sideline and stretch out a little more.  She can shake and bake off the dribble with the best of them.   A lot of times when I play summer pick up with the Rutgers women I go about 70% because I am stronger than them.  When I was guarding "Piph" I had to play for real.  She was voted a 3rd Team All American for the past two years at Rutgers.   And don't get it twisted, you can make big money over in Europe.  There are many players that have played in the WNBA that have made over $400,000 per year over there.  Prince may not start out that high, but there is no doubt she can get there.  

SAY WHAT? 

So you got to explain this one to me.  I'm not sure if I am understanding the justice system.  And in no way shape or form am I sticking up for Mike Vick because what he did was wrong.  But Vick after his dog fighting days, was sentenced to 23 months in prison.  That is a little under two years.  Then yesterday online I read that Donte Stallworth, the Cleveland Browns wide receiver gets 30 days for DUI manslaughter!   The victims' family is getting a substantial amount of money in which the terms were unreleased.  Stallworth on the other hand will be released in no time.  

CONFESSION SESSION

So everyone I see always wants to bring up the past.  They say "Hey Celestand why don't you talk about the time when Vince Carter crossed you over?"  When I was coaching my AAU team that's all my players ever wanted to talk about.  Well I don't have no problem digging it up for you guys.  No sweat.   You see no one is immune on CELEVISION.  Not even myself.   I got crossed by one of the greats.  So here it is and remember I was going for the steal!   If you can't laugh at yourself you shouldn't laugh at anyone.   Oh yeah, my wife was at that game, which made it even worse.