NBA

2015 NBA Mock Draft 

by James Finneral

The NBA Draft is an opportunity for teams to rebuild or just add more talent to their rosters. This year's draft class is stocked with players with strong foundations and unlimited potential. Here are a some of the absolute top prospects in this year's class.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky:

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been rebuilding for quite some time now and Karl-Anthony Towns could be the final piece that they have been looking for. Hovering around 7 feet, 250 lbs, Towns is a physically dominant player down low. Towns was a presence on the defensive end for Kentucky this year averaging 2 blocks and nearly 7 rebounds a game. What really puts Towns above the rest of the prospects is his potential on offense. This year Towns showed that he has the ability to knock down mid-range jump shots to go along with his strong post game. At 19 years old the sky is the limit for Towns. The Timberwolves can develop him into a great young player that will fit in nicely with their other young players such as Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. Towns will have to work hard to enter the same tier as former Kentucky big man, Anthony Davis, but it is certainly not out of his reach.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke: 

 No matter what Minnesota does with the first pick, the Los Angeles Lakers will pick up an extremely strong player. Jahlil Okafor may not have the shooting range of Towns, but he certainly has the best post game in this year's draft. Okafor enjoys to stay in the post where he can hurt defenses in two ways. He can overpower defenders, but he also has a nice selection of post moves to go by defenders. Okafor is pretty quick on his feet which gives him the ability to go by slower big men. His spin move is extremely impressive especially for someone as young as Okafor is. The Lakers were the second worst team in the Western Conference last season and are looking for a player that can come in and have a immediate impact. Jordan Hill is currently the center for the Lakers, but Okafor would most likely take the starting job over him. Okafor fits in well with this Lakers team and will be the center piece for them in the future.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State:  

D'Angelo Russell could be the most polished player in this draft. Russell's skills are extremely developed for a guy as young as he is. He has excellent court vision and ball handling. Russell seems to always be in control when he is running the point and he hardly turns over the basketball. He can score by outside shooting as well as driving to the basket. The 76ers have had plenty of lottery picks these last few years based off their poor record. Since Michael Carter-Williams was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, the 76ers have been in need of a point guard. Russell could come in right away and earn the starting job and become the center piece of the franchise. No matter how productive Russell is in his rookie season, the 76ers will most likely not be competitors in the East. They would need Joel Embiid to return and be effective in the post and Nerlens Noel would need to improve even more for this season. Do not be shocked if you see D'Angelo Russell put up nice numbers for Philadelphia next year.

4. New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia:  

There has been some speculation about the Knicks possibly trading this pick, but if they do not Kristaps Porzingis could be a great selection for them. Playing overseas not a lot of people know about Porzingis, but recently he has been flying up many mock drafts and NBA scouting reports. Porzingis has been on many scout's radars because of his versatility as a big man. Prozingis stands at 7'1", but can also spread defenses and shoot outside jump shots. These types of big men are always coveted by NBA teams. Porzingis is also a presence on the defensive end where he can use his length to block and alter shots. Porzingis is probably the best option for the Knicks because they already have Jose Calderon at point guard so they should not select Emmanuel Mudiay. The Knicks lack big men and should take a chance on Porzingis and try to sign a free agent big as well. Porzingis will be a hit or miss player in the NBA, but his potential is crazy.

5. Orlando Magic: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China: 

Coming out of high school everyone knew that Emmanuel Mudiay had the skill set to be a lottery pick in the draft. He decided to not play at SMU this year and play professionally in China. It is hard to believe that playing professionally for a year hurt Mudiay's game. He is a big point guard at 6'5" and he is extremely athletic. With his size he can rise over smaller guards and post them up as well. Mudiay will need to improve his jump shot to be a very effective point guard in the league. He has a pass first mentality and rarely turns the ball over. The Orlando Magic selected Elfrid Payton in last year's draft and Payton had a solid rookie season, but it is hard for Orlando to pass up on Mudiay at this pick. If Orlando does select Mudiay here look for Mudiay or Payton to be traded. It will be up to Orlando on which point guard they want to develop, but Mudiay is a great prospect for them.

6. Sacramento Kings: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke:

Justise Winslow is the most athletic player in the draft and that is saying a lot. Winslow has a great build for an NBA swingman at 6'6", 220 lbs. He can shoot it pretty well, but he can also attack defenses with drives to the hoop. Winslow's athleticism also makes him a great defender which is an admirable quality for a young prospect. His athleticism will allow him to match up with bigger swingmen. During his NBA career Winslow will play on the wing regardless of whether he is considered a small forward or a shooting guard. There has been quite a bit of discussion about the Kings potentially trading DeMarcus Cousins to the Lakers, but regardless Winslow will fit in well with this Kings roster. Rudy Gay is a great NBA wing player who could mentor Winslow. Do not be shocked to see Winslow earn a solid amount of playing time and even start some games. Winslow is a big time athlete that is physically ready for the NBA, he just needs to fine tune some skills.

7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia:

Mario Hezonja is another relatively unknown player from overseas. He has been on scout's radars because he already has a pretty polished game. Hezonja has shown that he has range to three as well as the ability to find open teammates. At 6'8", 215 lbs, Hezonja has a prototypical NBA small forward build. If he is able to add more muscle to his frame it would help his game out tremendously. Hezonja is also a pretty strong defender and rebounder. His all around skill set is intriguing many teams at the top of the draft. Hezonja is a guy that will most likely not start in his rookie season. He can take next year to work under Denver's athletic small forward, Wilson Chandler. Hezonja can also take advantage of the summer and next season to become stronger. He already has a great skill set and natural athleticism and down the road Hezonja could be a solid player for Denver.

8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona: 

I believe that this pick will be the steal of the draft. Stanley Johnson out of Arizona has the potential to be a big time player in the league. This guy is a physical specimen at 6'6", 240 lbs. He is also up there with Justise Winslow in terms of athelticism. Johnson may be a little smaller than some small forwards in the league, but he makes that up with his athleticism. He plays well on both sides of the ball. He can hurt defenses from the perimeter and from drives to the hoop. His athleticism gives him an advantage on defense where he can stay in front of guys and alter shots. Johnson's upside is tremendous and he could be an all star caliber player in time. The Pistons have a strong front-court, but could use some help on the wing. Much like Winslow, Johnson could play shooting guard or small forward. Johnson has the potential to come into Detroit and start and be a productive player. I'll say it again that this could be the steal of the draft and look out for Stanley Johnson.

9. Charlotte Hornets: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky:   

Devin Booker had a strong season for Kentucky and showcased that he can fire the three ball. He has the ability to knock down jump shots from NBA three point range. This sharpshooter is being considered the best shooter in this draft class. At 6'6", 200 lbs, Booker has a very nice build for an NBA shooting guard. A quality that makes Booker even more special is that he is actually a pretty strong passer. He is willing to give up a shot for himself to give a teammate a better shot. Booker seems taylor made for the Charlotte Hornets who were dead last in the NBA in three pointers made last year. The Hornets have already shown that they are trying to improve their outside shooting by trading for Nicholas Batum of the Portland Trailblazers. The Hornets will continue to look for outside shooting help in this year's draft and Devin Booker should be the first guy on their list. If the Hornets select Booker he should be able to earn some quality playing time and help out the Hornet's three point struggles.

10. Miami Heat: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky: 

Trey Lyles is a very skilled and talented post player. He has an arsenal of post moves to give himself open looks. Lyles is also very athletic and strong. He has an NBA build to him, but right now he is probably not able to back down NBA big men. In time Lyles could become a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. Lyles also has a nice shooting touch and can knock down mid-range jump shots and occasionally three pointers. Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat had a strong season, but could certainly use a partner in crime down low if Chris Bosh is traded or declines in performance. Lyles might not be able to step into the starting role right away, but in time Lyles and Whiteside could be a dynamic duo in the post. Lyles will need to learn from Bosh and prepare to be a starter for the Heat down the road.

11. Indiana Pacers: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky:   

12. Utah Jazz: Myles Turner, C, Texas

13. Phoenix Sun: Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin 

14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State

15. Atlanta Hawks: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas 

16. Boston Celtics: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Montrezl  Harrel, PF, Louisville

18. Houston Rockets: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke 

19. Washington Wizards: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson , SF, Arizona 

20. Toronto Raptors: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas 

21. Dallas Mavericks: Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame 

22. Chicago Bulls: Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia

23. Portland Trail Blazers: Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville 

25. Memphis Grizzlies:  R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State

26. San Antonio Spurs: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA

27. Los Angeles Lakers: Delon Wright, PG, Utah

28. Boston Celtics: Chris McCullough, PF , Syracuse

29. Brooklyn Nets: Norman Powell, SG, UCLA

30. Golden State Warriors: Guillermo Hernangomez, PF/C, Spain

Who's Your MVP?

by James Finneral

Before this year most people believed it would be a two man race between LeBron James and Kevin Durant for the NBA's Most Valuable Player. Given  Durant's injuries and LeBron's adjustment to Cleveland the MVP throne is now open. LeBron has played well this year, but he is on the outside of the MVP conversation. Here are a couple guys that I think are the frontrunners to take home the MVP this year.

3rd Place: James Harden, SG, Houston Rockets: 

James Harden could be the best pure scorer in the NBA. He can take it to the rim and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. Ever since he was traded to the Houston Rockets Harden has taken on the role of being the best player on his team. This year the burden has been even greater on him because powerhouse center Dwight Howard has missed quite a few games for Houston. Harden has responded greatly to the larger work load. This season he has averaged just about 27 points. Something that impresses me more about Harden this year is that he is averaging 7 assists and 5 rebounds. For a guy that is considered to be a scorer and a guy who takes a lot of shots, it is amazing that Harden can average 7 assists. He is leading the Rockets To the playoffs and having a career year and that is why James Harden is a huge candidate for MVP.   

2nd Place: Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors:

The past few years Stephen Curry proved he could play, but this year he has gone above and beyond is one of the frontrunners to win the MVP. Curry is known for his incredible shooting especially from three point range. So far this season Curry has lived up to his reputation shooting 48% from the field and 41% from three. Curry has also developed great point guard skills. He can score at will, but he will often look to dish it to his teammates as well. This year Curry is averaging close to 24 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. It is amazing that Curry is able to keep up these numbers on such a talented team. Possibly the most impressive thing about Curry is his effectiveness as a leader on the court. He is always keeping the game in control and he has lead this Warriors team to the best record in the extremely tough Western Conference. Curry has turned the Warriors franchise around and could very well being having the best season in the NBA. 

1st Place: Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder:

I know that many people may disagree with me, but I believe that Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder deserves this year's MVP. For my argument I'll start off with the numbers. During this historic run he is putting up, Westbrook has taken over as the NBA's leading scorer with 27 points, trailed by James Harden with 26.9. People take shots at Westbrook for being a ball hog, but the guy averages 8 assists per night. Westbrook is also aggressive on the glass averaging 7 rebounds. Westbrook is also currently on a four game triple-double streak which has only recently been done by Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. That is some nice company to say the least. The statistics are MVP caliber, but what is even more impressive is how his performance is effecting his team. When Kevin Durant went down again people were unsure if the Thunder could make it to the playoffs. Westbrook doesn't care if he has to do it without Durant or with an indented face he is going to lead this team to the playoffs. Much like Harden, Westbrook has responded to the greater burden and the masked man deserves to be rewarded for his hard work. 

Honorable Mentions: 

LeBron James, SF, Cle

Chris Paul, PG, LAC

Anthony Davis, PF, NO

NBA Previews: Phoenix Suns 3rd Place: Pacific Division

by James Finneral

The Phoenix Suns proved to be a legitimate team last year as they were the first team to miss the playoffs. This young Phoenix roster is full of talent and athleticism and they have to be fired up for the upcoming season.

The main reason why the Suns were successful last year was because of their strong back-court. The Phoenix back-court was lead by Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. Neither of these guys were well known players in the league until they came together on the Suns. Dragic and Bledsoe are great compliments to each other because they can both score, but they both prefer to make the extra pass for the team to get a better shot. Bledsoe is the X factor for the Suns this year. After being Chris Paul's backup in Los Angeles for a while Bledsoe stepped up big time starting for the Suns and averaging 17 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game. It is obvious that Dragic is going to perform well this year, but Bledsoe needs to keep up his production and stay healthy for the Suns to improve this year. Luckily, to put insurance on their back-court the Suns signed former Kings point guard, Isaiah Thomas. Thomas is an electric point guard who can provide points and assists. Thomas will be a nice replacement if Bledsoe goes down and he will probably see time anyways no matter what.  The Sun's guards will be great this year especially if everyone stays healthy.

The Suns have also been able to develop great big men that lock down on the defensive end. Both Miles Plumlee and Markieff Morris have made huge strides in the past year to help the Suns on defense as well as offense. After coming out of Duke, Miles Plumlee spent plenty of time on the court as well as in the weight room. Over his first few years in the NBA, Plumlee has turned into an absolute beast, leading the Suns in rebounds with nearly 8 a night. As for Morris he spent his college career overshadowed by his brother Marcus, who is also on the Suns. Through his hard work and determination Morris was able to surpass his brother and will most likely have the starting power forward spot on this Suns team. Morris is steadily becoming a multi dimensional forward. Morris is a beast on the glass, but he can also step out and knock down jumpers from outside the paint. Morris was one of the top candidates for the Sixth Man of the Year Award and his statistics will improve this year because he will get more time. Both of the Sun's big men have unreal potential and they will need to live up to it for the Suns to succeed.

All the pieces are there, the Suns just need to stay healthy and they will have a very successful season. They are a well balanced team who can compete with nearly any team in the league. My prediction is that the Suns will lock up the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and they're only going to get better from there.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Goran Dragic 

SG: Eric Bledsoe 

SF: P.J. Tucker

PF: Markieff Morris

C: Miles Plumlee



NBA Previews: Oklahoma City Thunder 1st Place: Northwest Division

by James Finneral

The Oklahoma City Thunder have transformed from a brand new franchise to a consistent top five team in the NBA. Although they have been great for the past five years, the Thunder have yet to take home that coveted title. This team easily has the power to win it all, but their star players need to remain healthy to do so.

When I say their star players need to stay healthy, I am essentially talking about Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is an electrifying point guard out of UCLA. He is probably the most athletic point guard in the game and that definitely shows on the court. He goes by defenders with ease and can even finish over big men. In the past Westbrook has received a lot of criticism revolving around his passing. He proved all the critics wrong by averaging 7 assists a game last year. If Westbrook can stay healthy he will have another all star caliber season. If Westbrook cannot stay healthy they always have Reggie Jackson as a back up. Jackson is heading into his fourth year in the league out of Boston College and last year he proved that he is capable of starting when Westbrook is absent. Jackson finished last year averaging 13 points and 4 assists per game. He was a great point guard whenever Westbrook was out and he is always going to be ready to jump in when he is needed. The Thunder will have a solid point guard no matter what happens this year.

Of course when talking about the Oklahoma City Thunder one can't help, but talk about the league's reigning MVP, Kevin Durant. Durant had virtually no flaws in his offensive game. He is among a special group of guys that average 30 points and 5 assists. At 6'9" with a huge wingspan, Durant is pretty efficient on the glass as well. It's not just the stats that make Durant an amazing player, it is also his leadership and his ability to make plays down the stretch. Occasionally you will find Westbrook taking the last shot, but that's pretty much only if Durant is double teamed. He has ice in his veins and is the soul reason that the Thunder are as good as they are today. Unfortunately Durant has a foot injury and will miss a chunk of time at the beginning of the season. the Thunder will need to find someone to step up and fill his shoes. Jeremy Lamb is one player that has learned from Durant and is developing into a solid player. Lamb is a little smaller than Durant, but they have pretty similar playing styles. Lamb is a great shooter and is actually finding ways to score off the drive as well. He will probably start at the shooting guard for Oklahoma City this year and be just another quality player for this team. Lamb is going to have to step up in the early portion of the season and they will become a much stronger team when Durant is back.

Power forward Serge Ibaka has been an X factor for the Thunder for many years now. His ability to block shots and protect the rim along with being able to provide on the offensive end is a dangerous combination. Ibaka can shut down the best big men in the business and he will certainly need to do that this year for the Thunder to be successful. Another big guy who could play a great role in the Thunder's success this year is Steven Adams. Adams is from New Zealand and is heading into his second year in the league after showing glimpses of greatness in his rookie season. The 7 footer snagged 4 rebounds per game in limited time. He currently plays behind Kendrick Perkins, but do not be surprised if you see Adams get more time this upcoming season and possibly start a few games. The Thunder front-court will need to be excellent when Durant is gone for them to be able to stay in games.

The Thunder are definitely a championship caliber team, but it will be interesting to see how they fair without Durant. He is their centerpiece and everything they do revolves around him. Everyone on their team will need to play better in order to compensate for the huge loss. They might be off to a slow start, but the Thunder will be contenders to win it all.

Potential Starting Lineup (With Durant in):

PG: Russell Westbrook

SG: Jeremy Lamb

SF: Kevin Durant

PF: Serge Ibaka

C: Kendrick Perkins


NBA Previews: Portland Trail Blazers 2nd Place: Northwest Division

by James Finneral

The Trail Blazers finally had their breakout season last year where they put up a winning record and actually made it to the playoffs. After going through the rebuilding stage the Trail Blazers now have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. With a young and athletic team it is hard to imagine them going downhill from 5th place in the Western Conference this year.

One of the Blazer's leaders is Damian Lillard who is heading into his third year out of Weber State. Lillard is a point guard who can both score and pass. He finished last season averaging 20 points and 5 assists per game earning him a spot on the West All Star team. Lillard is a proven scorer from the arc and his numbers will only improve this season. When the Trail Blazers need a bucket down the stretch, Lillard is their go to guy and he has yet to let them down. Lillard will be a premier point guard in the West again and will be essential for the Blazer's success. Another guy who the Blazers are dependent upon is their power forward, LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge had an outstanding season last year leading the team in scoring and rebounding. He finished the season 23 points, 11 rebounds and a block per game. Aldridge also earned a spot on the West All Star team and built a reputation as one of the best power forwards in the game. Aldridge will be a double-double machine again and be the leader in the post for Portland. With this dynamic duo in tact and healthy, the Blazers will be difficult to beat.

Lillard and Aldridge may lead the team, but the also have many other quality players who are often overlooked. Wesley Matthews accompanies Lillard in the back-court and has been a great compliment to him. Matthews is deadly from the arch averaging 2 three pointers a game last year. He finished with 16 points a game for the Blazers last year. Matthews is a great guy to have around because he can just supply the team with scoring on a consistent basis. Next is big swingman Nicolas Batum. Batum has played all his seasons with Portland after coming to the NBA from France. Batum is a solid all around player. He can shoot, rebound with his height and surprisingly can pass as well. Batum finished last season averaging 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. He is just another consistent player who the Blazers can rely on when Lillard or Aldridge are not having good games. If there is one area that the Blazers struggle in it is their bench. They have some decent young prospects, but none of them have proven themselves in the NBA. Steve Blake could be the only exception who actually had a nice season in Los Angeles not too long ago. The Blazer's bench will need to step up because the starters cannot play the entire game.

 The talent of this Blazers team will be evident throughout the 2014-2015 season. They have a nice guard tandem that should be able to compete with the best back-courts the West have the offer. They may not be able to repeat their title as the best rebounding team in the league, but expect Portland to not give teams too many second chances. The Trail Blazers will easily be a playoff team and should be able to go further in the postseason then they did last year.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Damian Lillard

SG: Wesley Matthews 

SF: Nicolas Batum

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge 

C: Robin Lopez

NBA Previews: Denver Nuggets 3rd Place: Northwest Conference 

by James Finneral

The Denver Nuggets are a team that constantly puts up a decent season and has a chance to make the playoffs. Last year though the Nuggets dropped off a bit after losing shooting guard Arron Afflalo and were the 11th place team in the Western Conference. This season could be a different story because Denver has some new additions and a lot of fire power.

The biggest move of this offseason for Denver was getting back their former star shooting guard Arron Afflalo. Afflalo had a breakout year last year proving that he is a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end. Afflalo averaged 18 points a night and will be a great compliment to point guard Ty Lawson. The Nuggets have another shooting guard coming in this year, but this one is via the NBA Draft. The Nuggets got away with robbery by drafting Michigan State shooting guard Gary Harris at the 19th overall pick. Harris is a great shooter who can also drive to the basket. The most impressive thing about Harris is his basketball IQ. Harris always knows where he is supposed to be on the court which is essential for getting him open looks. He will have to play under Afflalo's wing for the first couple of years, but Harris could definitely develop into a big time shooting guard in the NBA.

The Nuggets also have some very quality returning players for this season. This roster is athletic as any team's in the league and that starts with their floor general, Ty Lawson. Lawson came into the NBA after a nice college career at UNC that included a national championship. He has been steadily improving ever since until last year when he had his true breakout season. Lawson proved to be a two dimensional point guard averaging 17 points and nearly 9 assists per game. If Lawson can keep up his production then Denver will have an elite back-court. Denver is a mini version of lob city when Lawson is paired with Keneth Faried. Faried is actually a manimal and will fight for any rebound and loose ball. He is one of the most athletic power forwards in the game who can rise up for big time alley-oop finishes. Faried posted some quality performances for team USA in the FIBA World Cup and should be an essential piece to this Nuggets team. This duo is going to cause some major havoc this year and lead this team to success.

We also cannot forget about some of the missing pieces for Denver last year. Nuggets small forward, Danilo Gallinari missed last season after undergoing knee surgery. The year before his injury, Gallinari was one of the team's best players and actually one of the better scorers around the league. Gallinari is a pretty good perimeter player, but he is even better from mid-range. He says he is feeling great and if he can return, it will help out the Nuggets immensely. Big man JaVale McGee is also expected to return for Denver this year. Known for his excellent showing in the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, McGee is also an excellent rebounder and rim protector. At 7'0" McGee is a large presence in the post and that was a piece the Nuggets were missing last year. With Gallinari and McGee coming back, the Nuggets will be sharper on the offensive and defensive side of the basketball.

Expect the Nuggets to make big steps this year and be a border line playoff team. They have no real weakness inside their starting lineup and their bench is nothing to scoff at either. This is a team that is being overlooked by many people and that probably motivates them more to succeed. The Nuggets will have a bounce back year and begin looking like the former team that had Carmelo Anthony.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Ty Lawson

SG: Arron Afflalo 

SF: Danilo Gallinari

PF: Kenneth Faried

C: JaVale McGee  




NBA Previews: Minnesota Timberwolves 4th Place: Northwest Division 

by James Finneral

One of the biggest stories of this offseason was when Timberwolves former star Kevin Love was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Love has been the center piece for the Timberwolves for many years and frankly their only all star player in a while. At this point the Timberwolves are in rebuilding mode and they already have some talented young players to start them off.

Although they lost an excellent player in Love, the Timberwolves were able to pick up a great amount of talent and potential this offseason. In the three team deal the Timberwolves acquired the number one overall picks the last two years in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennet as well as former Philadelphia 76er's powerhouse, Thaddeus Young. Minnesota is very happy with this deal especially because of the potential of Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins is one of the most athletic players to come out of the draft in the past few years. He is efficient in transition and has an excellent vertical leap allowing him to rise above defenders for easy points. If Wiggins can develop his jump shot and his defensive game, he could become another great young player in the NBA. Anthony Bennet was taken two years ago by the Cavaliers at the number one pick and he did not live up to expectations last year. Bennet only averaged 4 points and 3 rebounds last year hurting his chances of starting for the Timberwolves. Bennet is a pretty physical player and will be a decent bench player for Minnesota. Thaddeus Young is a great small forward and is definitely better than Corey Brewer, but the Timberwolves might have to move Young to the power forward to have a stronger starting lineup. Thaddeus Young is strong enough and athletic enough to play a stretch four and still put up the same numbers as last year. Losing Love hurts, but this trade could eventually pay off for Minnesota.

Ricky Rubio was a great compliment to Kevin Love because Rubio specializes in passing. He is one of the best passers in the game and creates so many opportunities for his teammates. Rubio should still have a similar type of season this year because there are still a lot of premium scorers on this team still. Rubio is a great guy for Andrew Wiggins to play alongside because he will get a lot more scoring opportunities. The Timberwolves were also able to get a nice backup point guard in Zach LaVine. The Wolves took LaVine 13th overall in this year's draft. It was a pick completely based off potential. LaVine is one of the most athletic players in this year's draft, but he needs to polish his game a bit. His jump shot could use some improving and he also needs to get stronger to play big minutes in the league. He will be able to learn from Rubio the next few years and be ready to take on a starting role somewhere. Lastly Nikola Pekovic is one of the more underrated players in the league. Pekovic and Love headed out a front-court that had the sixth most rebounds per game last season. He is one of the physically strongest players in the game and is really tough to handle down low. If Pekovic can stay healthy he should have no problem posting a bunch of double-double games this season.

This team is young, talented and athletic, but they need a couple years to build chemistry with each other and develop their younger players. In such a difficult conference, the Timberwolves will probably not make the playoffs, but do not expect a big drop off from them this year just because they lost Love. They will have a very similar record and will only get better in the years to come. This deal seems great for the Cavaliers now, but in a few years this trade will pay off for Minnesota.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Ricky Rubio

SG: Kevin Martin

SF: Andrew Wiggins  

PF: Thaddeus Young

C: Nikola Pekovic    


NBA Previews: Utah Jazz 5th Place: Northwest Division

by James Finneral

The Utah Jazz took a big hit when the forward tandem on Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson left Salt Lake City. The Jazz are now in rebuilding mode gathering young and talented players who are the league's future stars. Despite the upside, the Jazz just simply do not have the talent right now to be a playoff team in the Western Conference.

This Jazz team does not currently have a prominent team leader, but their shooting guard Gordon Hayward is probably their best player. Hayward shot down a big time deal to play for a rising Charlotte Hornets club to come back and lead the Jazz. Hayward is a big strong guy who can shoot and drive to the basket. He has been improving each year since he has been in the league and should continue to improve and become the leader of the Jazz. At 6'8" Hayward can play the small forward which might actually work out best for Utah. Jazz sources are saying that 6'6" guard Alec Burks may win a starting position. Burke had a nice season last year averaging 14 points and will probably be forced to play shooting guard with Trey Burke already at the point. Burk's athleticism will fit in nicely with the very athletic Utah roster.

The Jazz took a pretty big risk in the draft by selecting Australian point guard, Dante Exum. Exum is a great talent that certainly has the skills to play in the NBA, but picking him is risky cause no one knows how the competition in Australia stacks up to NCAA competition. Exum is a decent shooter and scorer, but he is a pass first guy who tries to make his teammates better. Luckily Exum does not have to jump into a starting role immediately. He will get quality minutes from the bench and get a feel for NBA competition before he is ready for a starting role. The man who will be playing in front of him is Trey Burke, the second year man out of Michigan. Burke posted a pretty nice rookie season averaging 13 points and 6 assists. He may be undersized, but Burke can put up a couple 30 point games last year showing that he can be an effective scorer in the NBA. Burke will only get more and more comfortable and should develop into a great young point guard in the following years. With two young point guards the Jazz can be a team to be feared in the future, but wouldn't the smart thing be to trade one?

The Jazz front-court will be headed by Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Derrick Favors is one of the Jazz's most consistent players who averaged nearly a double-double along with a block throughout last season. Favors is relentless on the glass preventing teams from getting second chances and also giving his team another chance to score. At only 23 years old, Favors is only going to get better and he is prime for another solid season in 2014-2015. Enes Kanter is going to have to step up this year for the Jazz to have a chance at being successful. Kanter had a decent season last year scoring and rebounding the basketball, but his defensive game needs some work. Kanter is strong enough to hang with the big boys down low, but a lot of teams had success in the paint against the Jazz last year. If Kanter can protect the paint for the Jazz then they will be able to stay in games even against tough opponents.

The Jazz are one of those teams that definitely need a few years before they can be contenders in the Western Conference. They have plenty of talent, but the players have to live up to their potential for them to move forward. In a matter of years the Jazz could be one of the most feared teams in the league, but they will need some time to work up to that achievement.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Trey Burke

SG: Alec Burks

SF: Gordon Hayward 

PF: Derrick Favors

C: Enes Kanter 


NBA Previews: Toronto Raptors 1st Place: Atlantic Division 

by James Finneral

Five years back who would have thought the Toronto Raptors could ever be the top team in the Atlantic Division and have the third best record in the Eastern Conference. Since then this team has drastically changed. Toronto has been rebuilding for the past few years and now their team is finally starting to shape up. Now the Raptors have one of the more talented rosters in the league and they are showing no signs of slowing down.

 The key to the Raptor's success starts with their best player, Kyle Lowry. Lowry played excellent this past season as an all around point guard averaging 18 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds per game. The Raptors did great in the offseason just by re-signing Lowry. As I stated in my past free agents article I believe Lowry is prime for even more of a breakout year and will earn a spot on the East All Star Team. It is convenient for a team when their best player is their point guard because the point guard initiates and runs the offense. Lowry is a great guy the have at that position and they even have a nice backup if he gets injured. The Raptors acquired point guard Greivis Vasquez from the Sacramento Kings last year. Vasquez is an excellent passer and proved that during his season with the New Orleans Hornets in 2012-2013. He will be a great replacement if Lowry goes down and the Raptors will be able to move on.

Along with Lowry many other of the Raptors starters stepped it up last year. DeMar DeRozan finished tenth in the league in scoring last year averaging 23 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. These are pretty very impressive statistics especially considering he is shooting guard and few people at his position can put up those type of numbers. DeRozan is very quick and athletic and will continue to fill out the stat sheet this season. At small forward Terrence Ross has been a nice fit for the Raptors. Ross is another great athlete who really benefits the Raptors transition game, but he does not take too much attention away from Lowry and DeRozan. Ross is a reliable guy that can put up 10 points a night and provide some highlight reel plays to get the team pumped up. If he continues to be a nice compliment for the Raptors two stars then Toronto will continue to thrive on the offensive end.

On the defensive end, the Raptors are powered by their two big men, Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson. Valanciunas came on to the scene last year during his second year in the NBA and made a huge difference for the Raptors. He nearly averaged a double-double as well as a block per game this past season. At 6'11, 230 pounds Valanciunas is a large presence in the post and can hang with some of the strongest centers. Amir Johnson is another big man that subtly plays a big role for Toronto. Johnson is 6'9", but he is one of the most athletic power forwards in the business. His vertical leap makes him as dangerous on the glass as a seven footer. Johnson will keep progressing and locking down the power forwards in the Eastern Conference. These quality big guys are nice to have when you already have two talented guards to make plays for them.

The Raptors starting lineup is one of the best in the East and they have a good number of guys that can jump in and give their studs rest. Their back-court can hold their own against anyone in the league and their big men are not to shabby either. This Toronto team is easily good enough to win this division and will finish as one of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Kyle Lowry

SG: DeMar DeRozan

SF: Terrence Ross

PF: Amir Johnson

C: Jonas Valanciunas



NBA Previews: New York Knicks 2nd Place: Atlantic Division

by James Finneral

After signing Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire a few years back the New York Knicks believed they could be contenders in the East. After that Stoudemire busted and Carmelo Anthony was pretty much the only reliable player around for New York. You may call me crazy, but with Anthony coming back I believe this team will gel and have one of their best seasons in a while.

You can't think of the Knicks without thinking of Carmelo Anthony. Over the past four years Anthony has become the face of the franchise and one of the top players in the league. Anthony's new contract may make him seem greedy, but in truth it shows his loyalty to the Knicks and how he wants to lead them to a title. With a leader that is happy to be in New York it already helps the Knicks. Anthony knows the Knicks do not have the talent to win a championship this year, but he does have faith that they can take some major steps. Melo should have no struggles putting up the same numbers that he did last year. He is debatably the best scorer in the NBA and his rebounding just seems to be getting better and better. Anthony has never been a big passer, but he provides enough for his team as is and will once again be an all star and the best player on the Knicks.

Of course the Knicks will need more than just Carmelo Anthony to be successful this year. This team has plenty of talent they just need to build chemistry with each other. Lets start with the front-court. Although Amare Stoudimire has been injured often, when he has played he has shown signs of his old self. Stoudemire is a powerhouse who is quick on his feet giving him an advantage against most power forwards. Look for Stoudemire to start the majority of the games and make some major improvements this year. With Tyson Chandler gone the Knicks can play Stoudemire at the center and have Anthony play the power forward forcing rookie Cleanthony Early to start at the small forward. They could also start Andrea Bargnani at center and play Stoudemire at power forward and Anthony at the small forward. The Knicks will have to make these executive decisions, but no matter what, the starting lineup is looking pretty solid.

The Knicks have made some new additions as well such as general manager Phil Jackson and point guard Jose Calderon. Jackson has gone down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game. His wealth of basketball knowledge and charisma towards his players has lead to success year after year. Although he will not be coaching, Jackson can make a huge difference to the Knicks organization. The main thing the Knicks were missing throughout last year was a reliable point guard. Raymond Felton was not their ideal fit and it really effected their team. Adding Jose Calderon was a great move for the Knicks. He is a dual threat point guard, but Calderon is more of a pass first guy which is perfect for the Knicks. He will be able to feed Anthony, Stoudemire and J.R. Smith making the Knicks offense even more deadly. These two gentlemen will play huge roles for the Knicks this year.

With everyone healthy and Calderon joining the team, the Knicks have one of better rosters in the Eastern Conference. This could be the year that this team finally gels and gets back on track. They're not going to win the championship, but the Knicks have enough talent to be one of the last teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Jose Calderon 

SG: J.R. Smith

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amare Stoudemire 

C: Andrea Bargnani  



NBA Previews: Brooklyn Nets 3rd Place: Atlantic Division

by James Finneral

After being one of the most hyped teams heading into last season the Nets just ended up being a mediocre team in the NBA. Given that Brook Lopez was out for nearly the entire year, the Nets did not live up to anyones expectations. They were supposed to be a team that could challenge the Miami Heat, but their players did not gel and they now have a worse roster than last year.

Last year was the Nets best chance to make a title run. When they traded for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnet the Nets were not planning for multiple years in the future, they wanted to win the next year. With Pierce gone the Nets certainly lose a quality guy who can provide for the offense. Garnet may have another decent year in him, but the Nets will need to rely on their Big 3 consisting of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez. Johnson might just be the most important of the three. Coming from Atlanta, the Nets knew Johnson was a strong shooting guard who specializes in scoring. Since he has been in Brooklyn, Johnson has been extremely inconsistent. He will score 35 points multiple times during the season but then the next night he will drop less than 10. Johnson is an all star caliber talent, but the Nets will need him to be more consistent to win big games.

Brook Lopez is a huge part of the Brooklyn Nets and is probably their best player. Without him in the lineup the Nets front-court really struggled throughout last year. Now that he is returning the Net's offensive and defensive efficiency will improve greatly. The Net's bench is not that deep, but one player who could be pretty helpful this season is Mason Plumlee. He is coming off a decent rookie season, but he certainly has the skill set to be a solid power forward in the NBA. He is a big strong guy who has a number of post moves. Plumlee should see more time this year and could be a very good guy to give Garnett or Lopez a rest.

The last piece the Nets need to be successful is the efficiency of their point guard, Deron Williams. A few seasons back many experts thought that Williams could be a top of the line point guard. Unfortunately Williams has been prone to injuries and when he has played he was just decent. There's no question Williams can be an all star point guard, but he needs to stay healthy and consistent. With their high powered offense the Nets will need a floor general like Williams to create opportunities for his teammates.

The Nets have a chance to make the playoffs, but with the multiple question marks surrounding their roster its hard to take them as one of the top eight teams. They have a number of players with great talent, but they have yet to live up to expectations. Lets see if this Nets team can get back to the way they were when they had Jason Kidd and Vince Carter.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Deron Williams 

SG: Joe Johnson

SF: Andrei Kirilenko

PF: Kevin Garnett 

C: Brook Lopez


NBA Previews: Philadelphia 76ers 5th Place: Atlantic Division

by James Finneral

After having one of the longest losing streaks of all time, the Philadelphia 76ers somehow did not finish with the worst record in the NBA. They finished with just 19 wins, but they did show some potential. Sixers starting point guard, Michael Carter Williams won Rookie of the Year last year and should be able to continue his production this season. The Sixers have played well in the summer league and hope it transpires in the regular season.

The 76ers had plenty of picks in this year's draft, but no more important than the number three overall pick where they selected Joel Embiid from Kansas. Embiid is a 7 foot center with tremendous athleticism, but in the few years he has played, Embiid has been injury prone. He suffered a serious foot injury at the end of the season and will most likely not play for Philadelphia this year. This pick could pay dividends for the Sixers, but it is risky to say the least. The Sixers also selected small forwards Jerami Grant and K.J. McDaniels. McDaniels is more suited to play small forward based on his skill set and could start there if Thaddeus Young ends up playing power forward. Grant on the other hand enjoys to play down low, but he is simply to small to play against power forwards in the NBA. Grant is a tremendous talent, but he needs to either develop a wing player's skill set or simply get bigger to play power forward. The Sixer's draft picks this year are investments for the future not right now.

There are two investments the Sixers made in the 2013 NBA Draft that will really pay off for them this year. Michael Carter-Williams was the best rookie in the league last year and frankly one of the better point guards in the NBA overall. At 6'6" Carter-Williams can see over defenders and it shows as he averaged 6 assists per game last season. The height advantage over defenders also helps Carter-Williams in the scoring and rebounding departments. His jump shot improved immensely since his days at Syracuse and he is also great defensively. Nerlens Noel is another potential star the Sixers drafted in 2013. Noel spent last year sidelined due to his ACL injury in his freshman season at Kentucky. He is an incredible shot blocker whose offensive game is coming along. He was on track to be the number one pick until his injury so the Sixers may have got away with robbery by drafting Noel. Noel has looked solid in summer league play and he does not seem to be bothered by his old injury. Noel can certainly step in and be the starting center and be a great rim protector for Philadelphia. This duo will do some damage and set the tone for the Sixers especially on defense.

Lastly who can forget about this team's leading scorer last year, Thaddeus Young. Young is the starting small forward for the Sixers and there were rumors of him being traded. With Young back, the Sixers have a lot more fire power on offense. He is a big strong guy who overpowers defenders to get easy buckets. In fact Young could potentially play the power forward position and move out to the wing often. Young will need to perform well for the Sixers to improve.

This young Sixers team knows they cannot win a championship for at least a few years, but they have a great foundation that can only move forward. There will be a noticeable difference this season and expect the Sixers to win around ten more games than last year. They probably need another season before they are playoff material, but the Sixers are certainly heading in the right direction.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Michael Carter-Williams 

SG: Jason Richardson

SF: K.J. McDaniels 

PF: Thaddeus Young

C: Nerlens Noel   


NBA Previews: Boston Celtics 4th Place: Atlantic Division

by James Finneral

Being a Celtic fan and a Massachusetts native it is difficult to write this preview. Ever since their championship run in 2007-2008 the Boston Celtics slowly started heading downhill. Their Big 3 was aging and Ray Allen decided to head to Miami in hopes for another ring. Last year they really headed downhill after trading Kevin Garnet and the captain, Paul Pierce to the Nets. After being in the bottom five teams in the Eastern Conference it is sad to say that things could still get worse for Boston.

The main reason why the Celtics will most likely not be successful is because their top players are not very thrilled to be in Boston. Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green are quality players in the NBA and have both displayed interest in leaving Boston. They both do not seem confident in The Celtic's ability to go deep in the playoffs and it shows in their play. This is more obvious in Rondo's play, when you compare him when the Big 3 were around to his effort towards the end of this past season coming off his injury. Green and Rondo will both have the chance to leave Boston after this year when they become free agents. These two certainly have the ability to lead this team to the playoffs, but they need stop being upset that they do not have the roster of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Lets switch gears from two of the oldest guys on the Celtics to some of the younger players. The Celtics had a solid draft slot with the sixth overall pick, but they did not utilize that pick completely. Boston selected Marcus Smart, a point guard from Oklahoma State. Smart is an excellent young guard and there is no question he has potential, but the pick made no sense for Boston. When a team uses a top ten pick in the draft they are most likely hoping that pick will be a starter for them. That lead to many trade rumors brewing involving Rajon Rondo, but nothing has happened. Both of them could start, but both of them are pretty pure point guards and neither have the size to play shooting guard. It's just astonishing that they would take Smart when they could have drafted Julius Randle and have him right in the starting lineup. James Young is another player the Celtics selected this year. This was actually a smart choice considering that they are weak at the shooting guard position. Young is an excellent shooter, but he is surprisingly a great driver as well. He was a big factor in the Kentucky Wildcat's run to the National Championship game this year. Young brings a nice offensive surge to the team and could be starting on opening night. Things may seem bleak for the Celtics now, but these young guys will bring this team back to life in a matter of years.

Evan Turner was another acquisition the Celtics made over the offseason. After being traded from the 76ers to the Pacers Turner played behind Paul George and did not see very much time. However do not underestimate Turner. He is an excellent player who was doing very well with Philadelphia early on in the season averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds. Turner can make a huge difference for the Celtics if he performs well.

The Celtics certainly have some decisions to make revolving around their starting lineup, but they will figure something out. The Celtics are not going downhill in the standings because they are a worse team, but the teams in the Eastern Conference have made some significant improvements and the Celtics are just subtly rebuilding. I hope they can prove me wrong, but it will be difficult for them to make the playoffs in this tough Eastern Conference.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Rajon Rondo

SG: Evan Turner

SF: Jeff Green

PF: Brandon Bass

C: Kelly Olynyk


NBA Previews: San Antonio Spurs 1st Place: Southwest Division 

by James Finneral

It is hard to expect anything, but greatness from a team with as much success as the San Antonio Spurs have had in the past decade. This past year's NBA Champions just seem to be one of the top teams each and every year. The Spurs program has developed so many prospects and formed a team with amazing chemistry that finds ways to win.

Although the players have been great, a large amount of the credit for the Spurs success has the be given to their head coach, Greg Popovich. Aside from his kind attitude towards the media and his glowing personality, Popovich has proven to be more than just a decent coach. All of his players seem to enjoy him and he has developed many prospects from over seas such as Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter. If the Spurs do not live up to expectations this year it will be because of the players not Popovich.

Of course no one can forget about the roster of players that gave this franchise a championship last year and in 2007. The Spur's Big 3 for years included Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. All those guys, especially Duncan and Ginobili are climbing up in the age department and do not have too many years left in the league. This year Manu Ginobili was notably worse and sometimes did not even start, but luckily someone new stepped up. Kawhi Leonard arose from the shadows and really improved his game averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds in the regular season and being a huge asset for the team in the championship series against the Heat. Leonard can not only score and provide incredible dunks, but he is also great on the defensive end and is up for any challenge. Leonard is one of the younger guys on the team and the Spurs should try and keep him around as long as possible.

Many people think the Spurs will take it all again and they certainly have the pieces to do so, but there are so many teams with as much if not more talent that are younger and more athletic. The Spurs will win a handful of big games during the regular season, but do not be surprised to see some signs of weakness against younger teams. The Spurs will take their division, but will not make it out of the Western Conference as a whole.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Tony Parker

SG: Danny Green

SF: Kawhi Leonard

PF: Tim Duncan

C: Tiago Splitter

NBA Previews: Houston Rockets 2nd Place: Southwest Division

by James Finneral

Just one season after Chandler Parsons "recruited" Dwight Howard to come to Houston, Parsons felt undervalued by the franchise and is now no longer a member of the team. Although losing 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists a night seems rough, the Rockets have nothing to worry about this upcoming season.

The reason the Rockets should have nothing to fear is because after losing Parsons they acquired Washington small forward, Trevor Ariza. Ariza is coming off a pretty productive season where he averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds. Ariza is a pure scorer who can put up thirty with ease on any given night.

This offseason the Rockets also lost Jeremy Lin in a trade with the Lakers to make cap room for their number one target, Chris Bosh. Obviously Bosh never ended up signing with the Rockets and Houston natives are now worrying about who can fill the point guard slot. Some people may disagree, but rookie Nick Johnson is totally capable of bringing up the ball and fitting into the offense. Johnson has already proven to be a pretty fierce competitor in summer league play and is deserving of the starting job. All he really needs to do is be a facilitator for the Rockets considering they already have three solid scoring options in James Harden, Dwight Howard and Ariza.

This year for Houston all eyes will remain on their two leaders and all stars, James Harden and Dwight Howard. After being traded from Oklahoma City, Harden has been an absolute stud and has proven to be one of the premier scorers in the league. Harden is not too flashy, but has an arsenal of smooth moves to beat defenders to go along with his knock down jump shot. Howard on the other hand scores his points by just flat out overpowering defenders in the post. At 6'11", 265 pounds most big men struggle to defend Howard and even box him out. Howard is right in his prime and should be able to continue his dominant play this year.

The Rockets lost some quality players this offseason, but nothing they cannot replace.With scoring options all around the floor Houston will have no problem sticking with the high powered offenses around the NBA, but they need to crack down on the defensive end to pull out victories. This is easily a playoff caliber team that fans should not underestimate.  

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Nick Johnson 

SG: James Harden 

SF: Trevor Ariza 

PF: Terrence Jones 

C: Dwight Howard 


NBA Previews: Memphis Grizzlies 3rd Place: Southwest Division 

by James Finneral

It is essential for a team to keep together their star players so those players can develop chemistry with each other, which helps out the team as a whole. The clearest example was with the Miami Heat who could not win a title the first year the Big 3 were assembled due to lack of chemistry between their three stars. Although they might not have the same talent as the Heat's old team, the Memphis Grizzlies have been able to keep their key players and are beginning to build around them.

The three players who can lead this Grizzlies team to success are Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Zach Randolph has been with Grizzlies for quite a few years now and has become the face of the franchise. He is a double-double machine and brings veteran leadership to the floor which all teams need. Look for Randolph to be productive again, but his years of being a competitive big man in the league are numbered. This year the Grizzlies will depend heavily on the productiveness of their center, Marc Gasol. Gasol has spent all his career in Memphis and has been a consistent player who can put up a double-double on any given night. He needs to keep this up for the Grizzlies to be a competitor in the West. With only one reliable guard in Mike Conley, Memphis has had to depend on their front-court. The Grizzlies will need Gasol to be a nice compliment to Randolph down low so they can dominate their opponents. If the big men can do their jobs the weight then shifts on to the shoulders of the guards for the Grizzlies.

In an effort to give Mike Conley someone to play aside, the Grizzlies drafted shooting guard Jordan Adams out of UCLA. Adams is already a pretty polished guard who can score from inside and out. The Grizzlies have high expectations for Adams and hope that he can be the missing piece that they need to have a strong back-court. Another player the Grizzlies hope will develop is big man Jarnell Stokes out of Tennessee. Stokes has been impressive in the summer league posting some double-doubles against some tough competition inside. If Stokes lives up to his potential the Grizzlies will be set in the front-court for a very long time.

This Grizzlies team has plenty left in the tank and at worst will be a seven seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. If Adams can complete the back-court for Memphis the Grizzlies will surprise some people and be one of the top teams in the West.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Mike Conley 

SG: Jordan Adams

SF: Tayshaun Prince 

PF: Zach Randolph 

C: Marc Gasol
                                                                                                                                                             

NBA Previews: New Orleans Pelicans 5th Place: Southwest Division

by James Finneral

The New Orleans Pelicans are a young and talented team with a lot of potential. Despite their great talent the Pelicans have not been able to produce a winning season since Chris Paul was a resident in New Orleans.

The Pelicans do have a component that all playoff caliber teams must have and that's a proven star that can lead the team to victory. That star's name is Anthony Davis. Davis has played just two years in the NBA after being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. After a noteworthy rookie year Davis stepped it up big time in 2013-2014 averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and nearly 3 blocks per game. At this point in his career Davis has already made a stacked Western Conference All Star team and is regarded as one of the top power forwards in the game. The Pelicans know that Davis will do his fair share of work for the team, but everyone else has to step up for them to be successful.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Jrue Holliday 

SG: Eric Gordon

SF: Tyreke Evans

PF: Ryan Anderson

C: Anthony Davis

This is a well balanced starting five, but it is not etched in stone quite yet. After acquiring Omar Asik from the Houston Rockets, the Pelicans now have the ability to play Anthony Davis as their power forward. With Ryan Anderson in the starting lineup Davis must play center. Although Asik will balance the starting five even more, Anderson has proven to be a nice compliment to Davis. Anderson is an efficient scorer and rebounder and the Pelicans can certainly stick with him in the starting lineup. As young as their starting lineup is, their bench is even younger consisting of a few rookies such as Russ Smith and Patric Young as well as other young players in Jeff Whitey and Austin Rivers. These players will be decent coming off the bench, but they will only improve as the years move on.

The Pelicans have enough talent to compete against the top teams in the league, but they have to come together or they will not accomplish anything. This team will keep inching closer and closer to a playoff spot, but being stuck in a tough division as well as a tough conference will make the road for the Pelicans very difficult.

NBA Previews: Dallas Mavericks 4th Place: Southwest Division 


by James Finneral

The Dallas Mavericks along with the Spurs are the only teams to take down the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals in the past four years. Although they won a title fairly recently, this is a very different Maverick team with veterans mixed with a decent amount of young players.

This summer the Mavericks were actually pretty productive in the free agency market by signing Dirk Nowitzki and snagging a frustrated Chandler Parsons. Parsons felt undervalued by the Houston Rockets and winded up in Dallas. Parsons should fit in nicely with the Mavericks because they need a quality small forward. However Parsons knows that this Maverick team does not have the talent to win a championship. Parsons is one of those guys desperately coveting an NBA championship and that is why he made such a big push to get Dwight Howard to Houston. That being said if Parsons does not believe in his teammates he may not perform to the best of his abilities.

Potential Starting Lineup:

PG: Raymond Felotn

SG: Monta Ellis 

SF: Chandler Parsons

PF: Dirk Nowitzki 

C: Tyson Chandler

The Mavericks have an excellent starting lineup for a team that will probably not make the playoffs. They have strong players at each position except center, but this Southwest division is filled with more talented, younger and more athletic teams making the road for the Mavericks very difficult. Where the Mavericks really struggle is their bench. They really have no depth aside from Shawn Marion and DeJaun Blair, who are not exactly prime options off the bench.

This is a pretty mature team that knows how to win, but the Chandler Parsons addition might not be as crucial as people have made it out to be. Just based on the strength of the Western Conference the Mavericks will not be a premier team in the league.


NBA Draft Winners: Orlando Magic

by James Finneral

Ever since Dwight Howard left the Magic they have not been the same team. A competitive team who could challenge anyone in the Eastern Conference has turned into a sub-par team who had the third worst record in the league last year. Despite the awful record, the Magic showed many glimpses of potential. They are a young team with a large amount of talent and they drafted three players that could give them a spark to compete again.

 No. 4: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona: 

Being referred to as a younger Blake Griffin means you are doing something right. Although those are great expectations for newly acquired Magic forward Aaron Gordon, he certainly has the potential to live up to them. Gordon is one of the most athletic players in the draft to go along with a progressing jump shot. He is a high flyer who can rise above defenders and finish with ferocious slam dunks. Gordon is in nice condition and should be ready to make the physical transition to the NBA.

Power forward is the position the Magic lack the most. With Glen Davis out of shape and younger power forwards not working, Gordon seemed like a nice fit for Orlando. It is pretty safe to say Gordon will start on opening night unless he performs poorly in the summer league. Playing alongside Nikola Vucevic, Gordon will complete another dynamic front court in the Eastern Conference. If he can live up to his expectations than the Magic will have a solid player for a while and most likely a franchise guy down the road.

No. 10: Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana Lafayette:

Although this young man had issues putting on his draft hat, Elfrid Payton is a great young talent with a lot of upside. Coming out of Louisiana Lafayette many NBA scouts were not sure of how Payton would stack up against more intense competition, but his sheer quickness, ball handling and ability to get to the rim is enough for the Magic to draft him in the top ten. Payton is a decent shooter, but could still definitely improve. He has a number of moves that get him to the basket allowing him to score or pass to a teammate.

This was a nice second pick for Orlando because Payton will be very useful for the Magic in a couple of years. No one really knows how long Jameer Nelson will still be around, but he will be a nice mentor for Payton because he has played with the Magic all of his career. Payton will be able to learn the system from a guard with a lot of experience on the Magic and will eventually take over the starting spot when Nelson leaves. This pick added more depth to the Magic and do not be shocked if you see Elfrid Payton get some minutes this year.

No. 56: Roy Devyn Marble, SF, Iowa:

To cap off their draft the Magic took a very polished small forward in Roy Devyn Marble from Iowa. His draft stock was not very high because he is older than many other players in the draft, but he would still be an asset for any team who selects him. Marble's offensive game is where he thrives. He can score at will both by driving to the basket as well as shooting the ball. Right now his body is not at the point where he can stick with some of the premier small forwards in the league, but that does not mean he will never get there.

The Magic have been lacking a pure small forward for a little while. Tobias Harris stepped it up last year and will most likely be the starter at the small forward position. Harris is still young, but he will be a nice guy for Marble to learn from. Marble is a solid second option at small forward for the Magic and will probably get some time if he is productive in the summer league. Marble has a ton of potential and it could pay off for the Magic.

Do not expect immediate results for the Magic, but they definitely have the potential to be successful in the future.

NBA Draft Winners: Los Angeles Lakers

by James Finneral 

One of the NBA's most renowned franchises had a difficult campaign in the 2013-2014 season. With future hall of famer Kobe Bryant out for nearly the entire year the Lakers struggled on both ends of the floor. With Kobe's years numbered this Lakers team is pretty much in rebuilding mode. On draft night, the Lakers brought in two players that fit perfectly into the roster they have now.

No. 7: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky:

Julius Randle was an absolute steal for the Lakers at pick number 7. Many claim he is too short to play power forward in the NBA, but those people do not realize just how much of a force Randle is. Randle is so powerful in the post that he can still easily compete with larger defenders. He is also a great competitor who plays 100% all game long. Randle is relentless on the glass and will really contribute to a team that struggled in the rebounding department last year. Lastly Randle is a lot quicker than most big men and also has a nice handle on the basketball. He can step outside the paint and beat his competition with drives to the basket.

This pick suits the Lakers pretty well because the Lakers never really had a true power forward last year and had to try out many different starting lineups. Adding Randle to the club gives L.A. a nice front-court with Pau Gasol likely staying. Having two guys who go for every rebound will really help out the Lakers not just on the defensive end, but it will also give them second chances on offense. Randle can be a big time NBA player and could be the face of the Lakers when Kobe moves on.

No. 46: Jordan Clarkson, PG, Missouri:   

The Lakers also made nice use of their second pick by drafting Missouri point guard, Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson is a pretty complete guard already. He is a double threat who can pass and score the basketball. He is blazing quick and can easily go by defenders giving himself opportunities to score or pass to a teammate. He has a collection of smooth moves that many players his age do not posses. With a few years of training in the weight room Clarkson can be a very competitive point guard who can pay dividends for the Lakers down the road.

This is a quality pick for the Lakers no matter what they decide for their starting lineup next year. Whether they start Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar, Steve Blake or even Clarkson, he will gain a great amount of knowledge and experience. Starting could help Clarkson get a feel for the league right away, but learning from one of the best point guards to ever play the game in Nash, would not hurt either. Clarkson is nice fit for the Lakers and it is great that they were able to draft him as late as they did.

One of the most storied franchises of all time could either make a quick run for a title, but if not they still have a bright future for sure.

NBA Draft Winners: Charlotte Hornets

by James Finneral

The reincarnated Charlotte Hornets appear to be off to a quick and productive summer in 2014. After acquiring center Al Jefferson last year and making it to the playoffs the Bobcats (Hornets) showed some true potential. This year at the draft they added to their chances of progressing by drafting three strong players who will have an opportunity to play and contribute to this franchise.

No. 9: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana: 

Noah Vonleh quietly had an excellent season at Indiana. He is an excellent power forward with an inside out game that many players his size lack. At 6'9" 240 pounds, Vonleh can get physical with just about anyone down low. What sets him even further apart from other prospects is his outside shooting range. Vonleh can shoot from both mid range and let it fly from beyond the arc.

 He really stood out at the NBA combine where he displayed his strength and also his leaping ability posting a 37 inch max vertical leap. Vonleh is just what the Hornets where looking for, a great player to compliment Jefferson. When these two pair up in the post it will cause absolute mayhem for front courts all across the league. It should be entertaining to see these two snatch every rebound out of the air.

No. 26: P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends:  

After leaving UNC P.J. Hairston joined the NBA Development League. Hairston was a highly profiled prospect coming into the season. Averaging  20 points per game for the Texas Legends helped put his draft value after leaving UNC. Hairston is a tough player and is a lot stronger than most players at his position. Along with brute strength, Hairston has a nice jump shot and should be able to make an easy transition the the NBA arc.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has been alright, but he has not quite lived up to expectations. The Hornets hope Hairston can be as productive if not more productive than Gilchrist. They do not necessarily need a stud small forward because of the talent they already have, but they could use a consistent scorer and Hairston could be their guy.

No. 55: Semaj Christon, PG, Xavier: 

Semaj Christon should not be going to the Charlotte Hornets. Not because he is not a good fit, but because he should not have fallen to pick number 55. Christon is a great talent who has the potential to develop into a solid NBA point guard. He is a quality scoring guard already who shoots high percentages from inside and outside the three point arc. He has shown glimpses of being an efficient passer, but this past season it appeared to be score first, pass second for Christon.

Playing with and learning from Hornet's point guard Kemba Walker, Christon could improve greatly in his first couple years. Christon will probably not have the opportunity to start in his first few years with Walker and Gary Neal in the backcourt, but later on there could be a Walker and Christon pairing. Drafting Christon was just the icing on the cake for an already solid draft by the Hornets.

Unlike most teams, you can expect immediate results from the rookies of the Charlotte Hornets and the fans in Charlotte really have something to look forward to.

Top Free Agents in 2014 and Where They Might Land (10-20)

by James Finneral

11. Zach Randolph, PF, Memphis Grizzlies:

Big Zach Randolph is one of the more emotional players in the NBA, but he is also a great power forward. In his past seasons he has been a double- double machine as well as a leader for the Memphis Grizzlies. Randolph and Marc Gasol have caused havoc in the post against many teams. Memphis is going to want to keep that duo together along with their point guard Mike Conley. Despite Randolph swinging on players in playoff games, he is still greatly valued and respected by the Grizzlies organization. Memphis has made it clear that Randolph is a higher priority in the free agency market than power forward Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers. If the Grizzlies can re-sign Randolph they will have a solid three player base to be an efficient team, but can they keep up with the younger emerging teams?

12. Pau Gasol, PF, Los Angeles Lakers:

With the Kobe Bryant injury struggles Pau Gasol had to step up and take an even larger role on a severed Laker team. Gasol works for his fill down low like a typical big man. He plays very physically and fights for every rebound. Over his time in L.A., Gasol has become a much greater offensive threat and has developed his mid range jump shot greatly. He still can't quite adjust to three point range yet, but that didn't stop him from averaging 17 points per game. There were rumors of Gasol maybe joining his brother in Memphis, but the Grizzlies seem to want to keep Randolph as their power forward. Gasol said he would enjoy to stay with the Lakers, but would also be interested in joining the Chicago Bulls. Carlos Boozer is already Chicago's power forward and it would be interesting to see who the Bulls would start because both Boozer and Gasol have different strengths. The Bulls seem to have more promise in the future than the Lakers, but do not be surprised if you see Gasol back in purple again.

13. Lance Stephenson, SG, Indiana Pacers:  

The Pacers may have not ended the season on the terms they wanted to, but shooting guard Lance Stephenson showed tremendous growth in his 2013-2014 campaign. Stephenson's ability to use his quickness to drive by athletic defenders is uncommon in this league. His defense is also strong. Stephenson is not afraid to match up against anyone, that includes LeBron James. An issue that the Pacers are having with Stephenson is his on court antics. He knows how to get under guy's skin, but sometimes he takes it too far and gives teams free points off flagrant or technical fouls. Pacers president Larry Bird has been frustrated with Stephenson's attitude during the season, but still claims he wants him back. Pacers star small forward Paul George was unsure if he wanted Stephenson back on the team after their loss to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Lakers are eyeballing many free agents including Stephenson. The Boston Celtics are another team that could sign him especially if they do not trade for Kevin Love. The Pelicans are also interested in him, but there is a long shot of that happening. Stephenson has big time potential and maybe the Pacers just aren't the right fit for him.

14. Rudy Gay, SF, Sacramento Kings:  

Rudy Gay is an excellent scoring small forward who has travelled quite a bit in the past few years going from Memphis to Toronto and finally to the Sacramento Kings. No matter where he is Gay finds a way to be productive and provide strong contributions to each of his clubs. He is a typical small forward at 6'8", 230 pounds. Gay is extremely athletic is very strong enabling him to receive contact and still finish. After a rough season for the Kings it will be interesting to see if Gay will return to Sacramento. Despite the poor record the Kings have a lot of young talent such as DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas. There have not been many rumors flying around about where Gay might land, but the Boston Celtics could be a good destination if they end up losing Jeff Green. The Charlotte Bobcats could be another spot as their small forward, Michael Kidd- Gilchrist has played decent, but could really use a mentor like Rudy Gay to show him how to be an effective offensive threat. Until anything further is released Rudy Gay will most likely be suiting up for the Kings at least for the beginning of the year.

15. Gordon Hayward, SG, Utah Jazz: 

Gordon Hayward showed clear improvement this season for the Jazz. He has showed steady progression from year to year, but this year Hayward stepped up big time and became one of the leaders of this Jazz team. Hayward lead the club in scoring this year with 16 points per game. He also contributed 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal a night as well. Hayward has a decent amount of athleticism and size for his position, but it is his basketball IQ is the main reason why he has become so productive. With Al Jefferson and Paul Milsap gone Hayward is probably the best player on the Jazz and Utah should try and keep him and build around him. There are no rumors going around about Hayward leaving and he is a restricted free agent which means he will most likely end up back with the Jazz unless some issue occurs in the offseason. If his production continues to improve like the past two years Hayward will be a premier shooting guard in the NBA.

16. Isaiah Thomas, PG, Sacramento Kings:

Isaiah Thomas is another player who improved greatly this year and is deserving of a new contract. This year he blossomed into a valuable point guard who can pass, but can also score efficiently. This season Thomas averaged 20 points per game along with 6 assists as well. He is quick and shifty to go with a nice handle. He is a very hard to defend when running the fast break and can create opportunities for his teammates when he gets into the paint. Thomas enjoys the potential of the Sacramento Kings and believes they have the talent to be competitive in the Western Conference. Some potential spots for Thomas include the Dallas Mavericks where he could start over Jose Calderon, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers who have a solid amount of cap space and will probably be in search of a point guard as Steve Nash becomes older and older. The Kings can match any team's offer making it more likely that Thomas will return and try and continue to build this franchise.

17. Paul Pierce, SF, Brooklyn Nets:  

"The Truth" shocked everyone when he left the team he had been with for his entire career. Pierce has been a natural scorer all of his career and seems to be a leader as well. He has a quality jump shot and can also contribute in the rebound department. With few years remaining in the league one would think Pierce would just stay with the team he is on, however it is also a possibility that he could return to Boston. The Celtics would certainly be interested in Pierce especially with the speculation around Jeff Green leaving. Pierce is at the stage of his career that he will be an asset for any club for the next two years and then he may start to really fade away. Is it a possibility we see Paul Pierce in green again?, or will he look for a title in Brooklyn for another year?

18. Marcin Gortat, C, Washington Wizards: 

Marcin Gortat has been a main factor in the marked improvement from the Washington Wizards. At 6'11", 240 pounds Gortat is a force in the post and leads Washington in the rebounding department averaging 9 a night. He is a great defensive player and even scores more than 10 points a game due to his excellent rebounding. Gortat is essential to the Wizards success and they should try very hard to re-sign him. The Mavericks were going to try and sign him, but they are not sure if they will have the cap room to do so. Gortat also seems to enjoy playing for the Wizzards and is trying to recruit some players to come in such as Caron Butler. Having John Wall as his point guard as well is another reason why Gortat is more likely to stay as Wall is a very good passing point guard who feeds him the ball as opposed to shooting it himself. The Wizzards will continue to improve in the next few years and if Gortat remains with them then they have a chance to contend for the Eastern Conference Finals.

19. Evan Turner, SF, Indiana Pacers:

Evan Turner has shown that he can be a quality player in the NBA with his performance for the Philadelphia 76ers this year. For the 76ers he averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds, but things went downhill when he was traded to the Indiana Pacers and had to play behind Paul George. Turner dropped off significantly in both scoring and rebounding. With his short term deal up, Turner could be looking to go elsewhere this summer. On most other teams he could start and be efficient, but with an all star small forward, Turner will not have the chance to start. Turner has to make the decision on whether he would like to have a larger role on a worse team or stay on a quality team like the Pacers who have a shot to go far in the playoffs. If the Chicago Bulls do not land LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony it would be a perfect destination for Turner. He could start on that Bulls team and with the quality players on their roster already they could be contenders in the East. If Turner comes in and Rose can come back the Bulls will be a force that could challenge any team.

20. Nick Young, SF, Los Angeles Lakers:  

Nick young is coming off his best season in the NBA so far and will explore the free agency market as well. Young recently opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has never been a quality passing or rebounding forward, but he certainly knows how to score the basketball. With Kobe out Young was the leading scorer for the deflated Lakers team. He has never been the star of the show wherever he has gone, but he has been moderately productive each year in the league. It is hard to say what the best scenario for Young is. The Lakers have the 7th overall pick in the draft and could potentially bring in a young big man to either replace or play alongside Pau Gasol. Whether or not Young would like to be a part of the Laker franchise is undetermined. Kobe Bryant could lead the Lakers team for one or two more years and Young will have to decide if he believes they have a shot at making a run in the Western Conference.

Top Free Agents in 2014 and Where They Might Land (1-10)

by James Finneral

The 2014 NBA free agent class is one of the best in recent memory. It features many players who will be large assets to teams as well as a couple of players who teams can build their franchise around. Here is our take on the twenty best in this years class.

1. LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat:            

Despite not winning this years Most Valuable Player, LeBron James is still the best basketball player on the face of the earth. He is the most versatile player in the NBA who can play any position on the court. This season James averaged 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists which is an accomplishment he has achieved every year in his career except his rookie season. He can go buy and muscle through just about any defender and is virtually impossible to guard in transition. He has been the center point in the back to back championships for the Miami Heat and had become the face of the franchise. Of course every team in the NBA would love to have LeBron on their team, but only few can be in the chase. Teams that have shown interest and have cleared cap space include the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and his old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Heat win another championship there is minimal chance he moves, but other than the Heat the Lakers are the front runners as they have some quality young players and certainly have the dough to sign him. James could bring the Lakers back to their winning ways, but it is hard to see him leaving from Miami.

2. Carmelo Anthony, SF, New York Knicks:

Carmelo Anthony is one of the most pure scorers in the NBA. Finishing second in the league in scoring with 27 points a night is not out of the ordinary for Melo. His smooth outside and mid range game also gets defenders to bite on his pump fake giving him easy looks inside. He uses his big body to overpower and back down other players at his position. His rebounding is adds to his value in the league averaging 8 boards a night. Former Laker coaching legend and the current Head of Basketball Operations in New York, Phil Jackson hopes that Anthony will remain a Knick and lead the franchise. The Houston Rockets have showed great interest in Anthony and may be looking for a trade involving Jeremy Lin and Omar Asik. The Chicago Bulls are obviously another option with plenty of space if they do not sign LeBron. Unlike LeBron, Anthony there is a mediocre chance that he leaves New York. It is still likely that he will stay with the Knicks and be their guy, but the Bulls have a quality team with money to offer him and he would still be the best player on the team for the close future. No matter where he lands he should be able to keep up his all star production.

3. Dwyane Wade, SG, Miami Heat:

Dwyane Wade is still a big time NBA player. Although he has been overshadowed by LeBron, he proved this year that he can still get the job done averaging 19 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists in his 2013-2014 campaign. He is still one of the best shooting guards in the league and has the athleticism to stick with the younger guys coming in. It is hard to believe Wade will end up anywhere other than Miami. He has been the captain of this team and was one of the main contributors in recruiting LeBron and Chris Bosh to join them. There is always an outside chance he goes elsewhere, but that team would need a lot of cap space and the Heat will probably give Wade a nice deal. Most other teams he would go to he would be more effective as an individual player because their is more room for him play well. Wade has proven that he is not a selfish player and will most likely stay in Miami for the remainder of his career.

4. Chris Bosh, PF, Miami Heat:

Chris Bosh gave up his ability to be the number one player on the team when he joined James and Wade in Miami. He has played excellent over his few years as the third guy. Bosh makes nice contributions each night totaling 17 points, 6 rebounds and a block a game this season. He has a great inside out option which is a rarity at the power forward position. He can hurt defenses from anywhere on the floor. With teams game planning for LeBron and Wade, Bosh is left in one on one coverage a lot allowing him to go to work against his opposition. Sometimes the media portrays him as not being important to the Heat's success, but he really was the key factor in many of their great runs in the playoffs. Aside from the Heat the Lakers have shown interest in him. With speculation that Pau Gasol may be sent packing, the Lakers are a legitimate contender for Bosh and would be a nice fit for him. Overall the Big 3 will probably remain together, but if one of them were to leave it would be Bosh.

5. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks:

Dirk Nowitzki proved all of his doubters wrong this year. Many thought he did not have much left in the tank, but Dirk produced one of his more productive seasons in his career. He played his classic Dirk style of basketball averaging nearly 22 points and 6 rebounds per game. Despite this great season Dirk is getting up there in years at 35. He still has a lot to offer a team for another two seasons. He is not as athletic as many power forwards, but his basketball IQ and minty jump shot can still get him a good amount of points. He has been at an athletic disadvantage his entire career, but that has obviously not slowed him down. Much like Wade, Nowitzki will probably stay with the team that he has been with for so many years. He has become the face of the franchise and has been their leading scorer for just about all of his career. Dirk's years may be limited, but he will be a solid performer for the Mavs for at least the next two years.





6. Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors:

Kyle Lowry is a guy who is emerging in this league and could very well become a star within the next few years. He is coming off of his best year so far with 18 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds a night. Lowry is quick and shifty and has developed his jump shot over the year. He has been the leader of this Raptors team as their franchise is on the rise. Lowry definitely showed a large interest in returning to Toronto and Toronto is putting him at the top of their signing list. He fits Toronto perfectly because the Raptors already have nice young talent at just about every position from DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas and even Lowry's backup, Greivis Vasquez. If Lowry can stay in this system he will continue to develop and will be mentioned with some of the top point guards in the league. He is one of the more underrated players in the league and must prove that he is worthy of a big contract.

7. Tim Duncan, PF, San Antonio Spurs:

Tim Duncan has shown that he is worthy of a future spot in the Hall of Fame. He has built up San Antonio into the franchise that they are today. He also seems to have a timeless quality where he is still able to put up solid numbers year after year. This season he showed off that quality by averaging 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. Over the past few years Duncan has lost a step or two, but much like Dirk, he is able to produce because of his through the roof IQ. Duncan will end his career in San Antonio and if he does anywhere else it would be shocking. Duncan has one or two more productive years before his time comes, but he can still be a valuable player to a Spurs team that has been tremendous the past few seasons.

8. Eric Bledsoe, PG, Phoenix Suns:

The Phoenix Suns came onto the scene as a team to be taken seriously this year. One of the roots of their success is when Eric Bledsoe, their newly acquired guard from the Los Angeles Clippers was paired up with Goran Dragic in the backcourt. It was evident that playing behind Chris Paul was beneficial to Bledsoe as he was able to score 17 points grab 5 rebounds and dish out 5 assists per game. Unfortunately his season was reduced when he injured his knee leaving him unable to play for a good portion of the season. He is a huge part of this young Suns organization and will be pivotal in their progress the next few seasons. Bledsoe will most likely be returning to the Suns next year both because he seems to have a desire to play there and other teams with cap room are shooting for Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. The Suns will turn into playoff contenders in the next two years and Bledsoe will be one of the main contributors.

9. Greg Monroe, PF, Detroit Pistons:  

Coming from the Detroit Pistons many people did not get to watch the powerful big man, Greg Monroe go to work. Monrow along with Andre Drummond proved to be one of the most powerful front courts in the NBA. Monroe is coming off his best season averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds. Although he is an asset to the Pistons there is still is a quality chance that he will be leaving Detroit after they signed new head coach Stan Van Gundy. The Bulls and Lakers are contenders to sign Monroe based on their cap space, but a surprising team that could be an option is the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans may not have that much cap space, but having Monroe alongside all star forward Anthony Davis is a very nice thought that could push the Pelicans into playoff contention. Monroe is another young guy that could develop into a premier player in the future.

10. Luol Deng, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers:  

Luol Deng has blossomed into one of the most consistently solid small forwards in the game. He has produced nine seasons consisting of at least 14 points and 5 rebounds. Through his years in Chicago Deng has shown that he performs better when Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is injured. It is very normal for a player's production to go downhill when they are not the number one option on the squad. Taking into consideration that Kyrie Irving is the face of the Cavs franchise they cannot expect 19 points a night from Deng this upcoming year. Also with a number one draft pick coming in and two incredible small forwards at the top of that draft class in Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, Deng may not be an absolute priority to keep around. The Dallas Mavericks hope to sign either LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, but that scenario is very unlikely so they might as well try and pursue Deng. The Phoenix Suns could also be a nice fit for Deng as they lack a small forward of Deng's quality and have some draft picks they could trade for him. Deng is a great player and if he moves to a different destination his production could rise.   

Who Will Be Playing for the Eastern Conference Finals?

by James Finneral

This year's Eastern Conference is extremely weak compared to the teams in the Western Conference. Despite the drop off from West to East, their are still some very high quality teams in the Eastern Conference who can win it all.

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets: 

The recent improvement by the Brooklyn Nets has been impressive and has put the league on notice. Unfortunately their team leadership and talent is no match for the Miami Heat. The series currently stands at 2-0 in favor of Miami. This domination should continue because the Nets just simply can not match up with the Heat. LeBron James can have his way against any defender in the league, but with a much slower Paul Pierce guarding him the King will be even more effective on the offensive end. The Nets have solid talent around their lineup, but the Heat have much more athletic players which will make all the difference in the series. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are already causing havoc down low and in transition. The Heat will be able to out run and over power the Nets and will win the next two games finishing off the series in sweeping fashion. This team is still poised, but the Pacers or Wizzards could give them trouble in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Final Prediction: Heat over Nets (4-0)


Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards: 

The Indiana Pacers are not playing their strongest basketball in the playoffs. Nearly losing to the Hawks in the first round no one really knows what to expect from the Pacers this round. This series will be a turning point and a momentum changer for Indiana. The Wizards are an excellent young team with a lot of promise for the years to come, but their guys need another year to get the right chemistry. The Pacers recently went up 2-1 in the series and plays one more game in Washington before heading back to Indiana. The Wizards have a nice starting five, but Indiana just outmatches them in just about every position as well their bench which is filled with quality players such as Luis Scola and Evan Turner. Despite his recent struggles, Roy Hibbert will be the X factor for the rest of the series. Hibbert should be able to simply over power Nene as well as rise above him for easy buckets. He has been recieving negative media attention which might motivate him to perform. The Pacers are a great team and will definitely give the Miami Heat trouble if the meet in the conference championship.

Final Prediction: Pacers over Wizard (4-2) 

The East may not have as many high quality teams as the West, but the Heat and Pacers will challenge any team that come out of the Western Conference.


Are the Portland Trail Blazers a Team to be Feared?

by James Finneral

Over the season the Portland Trail Blazers took the league by storm with their high powered offense lead by young stars Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. They were able to beat many top level clubs and earned a 54-28 record along with the 5th seed in a tough Western Conference.

What really drew attention to the Blazers was their incredible showing in the first round of the playoffs against a Houston Rockets team with an abundance of great talent.

The way this young team went into the Toyota Center and handed Houston two loses showed that they are not fooling around. LaMarcus Aldridge played like an absolute beast all series long averaging 30 points and 11 rebounds a night. Their other star, Lillard put in his fair share of 25 points and 6 assists a game. It was not just the effort by their studs that pushed Portland through the series, they were given many great showings from Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez and even from Mo Williams off the bench. It was game six that really showed just how strong the Trail Blazers were. With time winding down the Rockets had the lead and the Blazers only had .8 seconds to tie the game with two points or win it with three. The play was simple, get the ball in the hands of Damian Lillard and let him go to work. Lillard swung around the arc and Chandler Parsons got caught sleeping as he left Lillard wide open as he sunk a deep three to win the series.

 The Trail Blazers will be an extremely difficult team to beat in Portland. Their fans are extremely passionate and more excited than ever after winning their first playoff series in fourteen years. With the support from these fans it will be hard for teams to fight back when the Blazers go on runs.

Portland has become a serious contender for the title and will give trouble to any team they face. They have an all around strong starting lineup with amazing fire power on offense and rebound extremely well on both ends of the floor. They are a hard team to match up with and teams will have trouble focussing their energy on both Lillard and Aldridge.

In their upcoming series with the San Antonio Spurs, the Blazers will really have to show their maturity and unselfishness to beat this team. The Spurs are experienced and have great chemistry amongst their players and coach. Eventually I believe the Trail Blazers will prove that they are the real deal and advance to the Western Conference Finals after defeating San Antonio in a seven game series. Their athleticism will be too much for the Spurs to handle. Damian Lillard will have his hands full with Tony Parker, but he will ultimately win that guard battle. LaMarcus Aldridge will be too much for San Antonio to handle down low and he will be the major difference for the Blazers in this series. The Portland Trail Blazers are a legit team that has the potential to take it all the way.

NBA Mock Draft (First Round)

by James Finneral

This year's NBA Draft had been one of the hyped drafts of all time. With an abundance of unbelievable freshman likely to declare as well as some seasoned veterans in college, the NBA franchises have a lot to look forward to on June 26th. Here is our projected draft with a likely draft order and where the players fall. Each player will have a reflection written on them.

1.Milwaukee Bucks:  Jabari Parker, SF, Duke: Coming into the season many thought Andrew Wiggins was the clear cut number one draft pick. Over the course of this year Jabari Parker has proven himself worthy to be drafted number one overall. This season at Duke, Parker averaged 19 points and nearly 9 rebounds in the very strong ACC. His vitals at 6'8" and 235 pounds gives him a very good shot to be physically ready to play at the next level. He is a stellar shooter who can also post up down low. As for the Bucks, they need just about any player who can come in and be there franchise guy that they can build around. Parker is the only player in this draft that I can see coming into the association and making an immediate impact on a team. He has proven himself and deserves to join the likes of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and Blake Griffin.    

2. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas: Watching Andrew Wiggins is the most gifted athlete in the entire draft. His ability to move on the fast break as well as fly high for slam dunks is unlike any other college player. Over his year Wiggins played very well for the Jayhawks averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds a game. Although he is an amazing player, the comparisons between Wiggins and LeBron James are unreasonable. Wiggins has the potential to develop his body, but an athlete of James' caliber only comes around once in a while. He will be an asset to a team like the 76ers after dealing away Evan Turner this season. On this team he will most likely start and with an up and coming point guard in Michael Carter-Williams, Wiggins will have more scoring opportunities. He is a legitimate contender to be selected number one overall, but Parker is a better shooter and has a higher basketball IQ.

3. Orlando Magic: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas: Joel Embiid really came on to the scene late in his senior year as many college coaches recognize the limitless potential of him. He began playing basketball in just 2011 and has been able to improve immensely leading up to a very good freshman season at Kansas. The 7'0' center averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. Just like Wiggins, Embiid has also been compared to an amazing NBA player in former Houston Rocket, Hakeem Olajuwan. Once again the comparison is probably a little bit of a stretch, but with Embiid's potential anything is possible. The Magic are another team that just needs the best player available to help their franchise. If they were to draft Embiid they would have a solid front-court with him and Vucevic and if they hold onto last years draft pick, Victor Oladipo as well as rising star, Arron Afflalo they could cause some havoc in a tough Southeast division next year.

4. Utah Jazz: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky: Randle is of the most forceful players in the NCAA. His ability to overpower defenders in the post and drive through guys for easy layups is a quality that not many players in this years class have. Coming out of highschool there was speculation that he would not be extremely effective in college or the NBA because he is a 6'9" power forward as opposed to a 6"10" player. After this season people realize that it does not matter because Randle is an absolute beast who will go all out every time he hits the floor. The Utah Jazz are another team with a bunch of mediocre players, but their backcourt will develop over the years with the duo of Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward. Derrick Favors is a solid option down low, but I would not be surprised to see him get dealt leaving the power forward position open. Randle should fit in well with the Jazz, but in a tough Western Conference he may not be able to see the playoffs for a bit then  again all these top picks will deal with the same thing   


5. Boston Celtics: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana: Noah Vonleh is one the least known lottery picks in the draft. Coming from Indiana where they had a below average year for their standards, Vonleh's great year was overshadowed. This year he averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds for the Hoosiers. His body has developed greatly over the year as he now weighs in at 240 lbs of muscle. One strong part of Vonleh's game that many people forget about is his mid range and and three point shooting. He has amazing upside and potential with his skill set and body. Any organization would be lucky to draft him inside the top ten, but the Celtics could really use a player like Vonleh. Although Jeff Green is great, their franchise is based around point guard, Rajon Rondo. The Celtics are weakest in the front court which is exactly why they should draft Vonleh or Randle if he falls to them. This team could do anything over this offseason, but overall they are trying to rebuild and Vonleh would be a great fit for Boston.

     

6. Los Angeles Lakers: Dante Exum, PG, Australia: 

Dante Exum is the best international player in this years draft. Exum was always known as a solid player all the way from Australia, but he really came onto the scene in the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit tournament. Standing at 6'6", Exum can see over the defense and has the ability to rise over smaller defenders much like Michael Carter-Williams the Philadelphia 76ers starting point guard. There is a lot of hype around this young man, but the question is how will he transition to playing in the NBA with the greatest players in the world? No one can get an amazing read on Exum as he did not play in the NCAA. PLaying on the Australia national team is tough competition, but it would be helpful to compare him to other players in the draft if they were playing in the same league. With Steve Nash washed up and Jordan Farmar playing sub par, the Lakers could really use a player like Exum. If Pau Gasol stays in LA then they will make a nice guard forward combination. Also shooting guard, Nick Young has risen over the year as he finished as the Lakers leading scorer. If the Lakers grab Exum and maybe receive another pick or two they will become a young athletic team that could compete in the Pacific division.

7. Sacramento Kings: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State: 

Garry Harris is among the top of the shooting guards in the draft this year. Playing two years in a very difficult Big 10 Conference Harris has proven himself worthy to be selected with in the top ten picks. He is an efficient shooter from all areas on the floor, but can also handle the ball very well and could potentially play point guard occasionally for a team. At 6'4", 210 lbs, Harris looks like a typical shooting guard except a little smaller. His combination of speed and elusiveness should cancel out his disadvantage against big shooting guards. As for the Kings, they need either a strong big man down low, or a shooting guard. Considering it will be hard to find a forward that will be efficient alongside DeMarcus Cousins as he enjoys to get his fair share of shots. Harris is a fundamentally sound player that could work his way into the rotation for the Kings.

8. Detroit Pistons: Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State: 

Earlier this year Marcus Smart was a legitimate prospect for the number one overall pick. As the events of this year went on Smart's stock fell. He played well over this year, but his suspension for pushing a fan in the stands both hurt Oklahoma State as well as his draft stock. This year Smart averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. His dribbling and shooting abilities as well as shiftiness will serve him well in the association. This pick could very well be traded to another team. The Pistons already have a franchise point guard in Brandon Jennings and Marcus Smart is the clear cut best player available in the draft. The Pistons need a nice shooting guard and their are definitely some teams out there looking to trade for a top ten pick. If Smart does wind up with the Pistons he will have to learn under the wing of Jennings which could ultimately be the best thing for him.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona: 

Unlike the comparisons for other players in this draft, Aaron Gordon actually is a younger Blake Griffin. He is the most athletic player in the draft and also has one of the highest potentials. This year at Arizona Gordon averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds a game. Gordon is a guy who will a team rebounds as well as powerful finishes at the rim. Over the past few years his jump shot has improved immensely and if he continues to work on it then it will add another weapon to his game. The Cavaliers have Tristan Thompson at the power forward who has developed into a nice young player. The Cavs could select Gordon and have him learn from Thompson or they could trade Thompson and have Aaron Gordon start at the power forward. With speculation of Kyrie Irving leaving Cleveland soon, the Cavaliers may want to base their team around a young, talented and athletic young player. If Aaron Gordon trains hard and becomes stronger he could dominate the way Blake Griffin dominated this year.



10. Philadelphia 76ers: James Young, SG, Kentucky:

James Young will be the surprise pick of the top ten as many mock drafts have him around 15. He is a shooting guard that is not quite as good as Harris, but probably has more athleticism than him. This season at Kentucky Young averaged 14 points and 4 rebounds and had an even more impressive postseason showing. Young is your typical NBA shooting guard at 6'6" 215 pounds and can shoot the rock efficiently. He is a perfect fit for the 76ers after they dealt Evan Turner earlier this year. The Sixers are projected to get many picks in the draft including two top fifteen picks. Already with Wiggins the Sixers will be a very young and athletic team if they draft Young and get at least another pick in the draft. If they are able to snag both these guys and somehow hold on the Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young they will go from one of the worst teams in the league to a contender to a playoff spot.

11. Denver Nuggets (via New York): Rodney Hood, SF, Duke: After having his season cut short, Rodney Hood should be a lottery in this year's draft. Although Jabari Parker was the guy at Duke, Hood still shined throughout the year averaging 16 points and 4 rebounds per game. Hood is a very skilled scorer who will be able to shoot efficiently from NBA three point range. He is another guy similar to Parker who can come into the NBA and be productive in his first year as he has the skill set and his body is very close to NBA ready. He is also a guy who has consistently improved especially since his transfer from Mississippi State to Duke. The Nuggets are a decent team, but it is clear that they are lead by the point guard/ power forward duo of Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried. Their small forward Wilson Chandler is a solid player, but the Nuggets would definitely consider trading him to grab another pick. If Hood becomes stronger over the offseason he could become a solid bench option who can score or maybe even become a starter for a team contending for a playoff spot.



12. Orlando Magic (via Denver): Kyle Anderson, G-F, UCLA:  

   When teams play UCLA they are confused as to why the Bruins have a 6'9"kid bringing the ball up. Well after this year many people know that UCLA has Kyle Anderson who is one of the most versatile players in the draft. He is a big guy who can handle the ball and shoot it decently. In the NBA Anderson will most likely move to the small forward and have a decent chance to shine as he can get to the basket with shifty moves. If the Magic are able to get these two picks and snag Embiid first and Anderson second they will be a force to be reckoned with. They would have talent and athleticism at every starting position and would be a contender to reach a solid playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference. As for Anderson it is tough to say whether or not he will start for the Magic or if they will keep Nelson in the lineup and have Oladipo play the small forward. Watch out for the Magic.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton:  

This year's player of the year has earned himself a spot on the top twenty picks list. After staying for his senior season McDermott averaged 27 points and 7 rebounds and earning himself a spot on the top five all time scorers in NCAA history. He has a similar style to the great Larry Bird as he can get to the basket, but also has a lethal outside jump shot. It is hard to see him dominating in the NBA, but he could become a very solid bench player who could move into the starting lineup. It would be awesome if he proved everyone wrong and in Minnesota he has a good chance to prove himself once Kevin Love decides to leave. Considering that Corey Brewer has never stayed on a team for more than three seasons, McDermott could have an opportunity to start in his early years. He was the best college basketball player in the country this year and it should be interesting to see what he does in the NBA.

14. Phoenix Suns: Dario Saric, PF, Croatia:      

Dario Saric is another one of the lesser known players in this year's draft as he plays in Croatia. When he declared to enter the draft many NBA scouts became extremely interested. At 6'10" he can not only post up, but can also handle the ball and shoot the mid range to three point jumper. He has a skill set that can make him a very useful player in the NBA especially for a team like the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are coming off of a very solid year just coming up short of the playoffs. They have a great guard tandem of the most improved player, Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. The Suns do lack depth in the forward positions with only Miles Plumlee at center, but no other consistent forward. Saric will fit the role of power forward perfectly for Phoenix. It is hard to say how effective he will be as he did not play against the same competition as the other players in this draft.

15. Atlanta Hawks: T.J. Warren, SF, NC State:  

This pick could be an issue for the Hawks as the best player available in the draft is shooting guard, Nik Stauskas from Michigan. Unfortunately with Kyle Korver at the two guard the Hawks are in search of the best small forward available and that would be T.J. Warren. Warren had an excellent year at NC State averaging 25 points and 7 rebounds earning his the ACC Player of the Year. He is great at taking it strong to the bucket, but an aspect that could hurt him in the NBA is his outside shooting. Warren's three point percentage is not the greatest thing in the world at 27% last season. Although he struggles there, the potential and upset is great. His body can develop a lot further and if he improves that jump shot he will be deadly from many aspects on the floor. The Atlanta Hawks have shown tenacity and resilience against the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. They have a great guard forward duo in Jeff Teague and Paul Milsap. Kyle Korver is a nice option at shooting guard, but they have no definitive small forward. Warren is one of the few players outside the top ten that may be able to start in his rookie season. Although the skill set for the NBA is not there right now, the potential is what will have him drafted inside the top twenty.

16. Chicago Bulls (via Charlotte): Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan:

Any team that can draft Nik Stauskas at sixteen is very lucky. He provides a spark of life from the outside and mid range. Making the transition from college to NBA range will be a walk in the park for Stauskas as he already shoots a good amount of his threes from a couple steps behind the arc. This past year at Michigan he averaged 17 points and shot 44% from three point land. The Bulls have a nice young shooting guard, Jimmy Butler. The Bulls cannot let Stauskas drop a pick further so they should keep Butler and have Stauskas work under him for a few years and eventually maybe play Butler as a small forward and bring Stauskas into the starting lineup. Nik Stauskas is the guy outside the top ten that has the best chance to be productive in the NBA. The Bulls cannot allow Stauskas to fall down to the Celtics or the Suns.

17. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn): Zach LaVine, PG/SG, UCLA: 

This pick puts Boston in a difficult place. In a perfect world they would draft Randle or Vonleh then grab Stauskas. With their second pick they need to look for a shooting guard and Zach LaVine is the best available. Although he is great and has incredible potential, it is a significant drop-off between him and Stauskas. LaVine does not pop out on the stat sheet, but when you see him play you will understand why he is held in such high regards. He is an incredible ball handler and has amazing athleticism as he can rise above the defense for emphatic finishes. Much like T.J. Warren, LaVine can develop his body greatly, but for the first few years he will not be able to get much inside the paint. Jordan Crawford is the current shooting guard for the Celtics. He is not very consistent, but if he stays in Boston he will play over LaVine at that spot for at least a few years. This pick by the Celtics is an investment for the future, not for immediate results.

18. Phoenix Suns: Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse:  

Jerami Grant is another freak athlete in the draft that has unlimited potential. Playing down low quite a bit at Syracuse this year, Grant will have to make the transition to play out on the wing more. He has great leaping ability and will be an asset to any team in the rebounding department. An area he must improve on to make it big in the NBA is his shooting. Over the season his mid range game improved, but he hardly put up any attempts from three point range. To be a nice small forward in the league you must be able to shoot the ball from the outside. This jump shot will not come easily to Grant as he is used to scoring the majority of his buckets in the paint. Unlike Saric, Phoenix will have to wait a little while for Grant to develop into a pure small forward. They can try and play him at the power forward because of his athleticism, but he will be pretty small compared to most guys. He is such a high pick because of the amazing potential. It will be interesting to follow his career and see what happens.


19. Chicago Bulls: Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse:
   

Tyler Ennis came into college being overshadowed by the very hyped freshman class. Over the course of the season he proved himself to be one of the premier players and maybe the most clutch player in the entire country. He may not be the most blazing quick player or the strongest player, but his basketball IQ is off the charts. He was the main facilitator for the Orange and really lead the charge in their big streak to start the season. Because of his great play this year his draft stick has risen. In his rookie season he will most likely not rise to the great performance of former Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams. Down the road Ennis could very well be a solid player that starts each night for a team. Although their styles are different it is easy to see Ennis giving the same production as Isaiah Thomas after a few years in the league. With the constant injury struggles to Derrick Rose it would not be unlikely that he changes teams or even retires. D.J. Augustine really stepped up for Chicago this year and could be a nice mentor for Ennis. Ennis is a pure point guard that has the ability to make it big in the NBA.

20. Toronto Raptors: Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State:  

Even though Cleanthony Early was not able to lead the Wichita State Shockers to and undefeated championship, he will still be a solid option for many teams in the NBA Draft. He is an athletic forward with an NBA ready body. He looks like a typical small forward in the NBA and can give teams life with his jump shot. Even against tougher competition Early should still be able to make solid drives to the hoop and finish strong at the rim. Terrence Ross is a great athletic player for the Raptors, but he has not been producing on the offensive end. Early should provide a better scoring presence for Toronto. They are a young and athletic team that looked very good this season. The Raptors could be one of the premier teams in the league if they draft Early and he produces for them.

by James Finneral

21. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas): Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State: 

This Oklahoma City Thunder team is not in need of any type of player unless it is a superstar center. Adreian Payne offers a very nice fit for the Thunder as he is a big, strong power forward that can also shoot from mid range and outside. Although he will not start over Serge Ibaka, Payne can get some solid playing time for the Thunder and help them out on offense. The versatility from Payne at 6'10" is a scarcity in the NBA. He is not as much as a sharp shooter as Kevin Love, but he has a similar style of play where he can hurt defenses in many different ways. Payne will provide another great player for OKC coming off the bench which is exactly what they need when the starting guys need rest. Payne could make all the difference in the world for the Thunder and he will likely play limited minutes.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Glenn Robinson III, SF, Michigan:  

Most people do not see Glenn Robinson III to go in the first round, but he is a very nice fit for the Memphis Grizzlies. He does not have eye popping numbers with 14 points and 4 rebounds, but he is a guy who can make the physical transition to the NBA. His shooting percentage is decent, but his toughness at getting to the basket is much more impressive. Although it would be nice to grab one of the top small forwards, Memphis should be happy with gaining a strong small forward that could progress into a nice player. The Grizzlies are already a nice team and if they can find a p;ayer to fill in the spot of former small forward Rudy Gay, then they can become one of the premier teams in the Western Conference.

23. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Jordan Clarkson, PG/SG, Missouri: 

Jordan Clarkson is a quick, shifty guard with a lot of NBA potential. His quickness with the basketball is able to get him easy buckets near the hoop. This season at Missouri he averaged 17 points and 1 steal per game. Clarkson has the speed to transition to the NBA, but he definitely needs to improve upon his strength and ability to readjust when given contact in mid flight. As for the Jazz they have a young point guard in Trey Burke, but they could move Clarkson onto the wing and have him play behind Gordon Hayward. Hayward is coming off an excellent season at shooting guard for the Jazz and could teach Clarkson how to do the same. With this help and his athleticism Jordan Clarkson could be a surprise star in the NBA some day.

24. Charlotte Bobcats (via Portland): K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson:

The Bobcats would probably enjoy a higher pick as would everyone in the league, but they would really benefit from a top twenty pick. K.J. McDaniels is a great athlete who has plenty of potential, but he doesn't offer as much promise as guys like Parker and Wiggins. His driving ability and decent jump shooting will serve in well in the NBA. His height at 6'6" is the real issue. The majority of the small forwards are 6'8" which would put him at a serious disadvantage if he is 2 inches shorter and weaker than his opposition. This is the main option for the Bobcats because they need a small forward if Michael Kidd-Gilchrist does not produce. The Bobcats are soon to have a new look as the Charlotte Hornets, but they should try and make a big move in free agency in the summer as well as draft McDaniels.

25. Houston Rockets: Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana Lafayette: 

 

 The Rockets have built up in the past few years and Elfrid Payton will be another nice guy to add to the mix. He is a blazing quick point guard with very nice handling. He is able to go by defenders with ease and create opportunities for his teammates. Jeremy Lin is a decent NBA point guard, but his stock could very well drop off in the next few years leaving the door open for Payton. With a few years of NBA practice and stints of playing time Payton should be able to fit right in with many of the great NBA point guards. The Houston Rockets have to love the potential of Payton and should not hesitate to draft him if he is around at this pick.

26. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, PG, Uconn:  

After his amazing 2013-2014 campaign ending with a national championship, Shabazz Napier's draft value rose immensely. This guy not only a great player with many dimensions to his game, but he is a leader as well. His leadership qualities will be useful in Miami, but they are so stacked with talent that it will be hard for Napier to take control. Mario Chalmers will be a good guy for Napier to learn from as they are around the same size and have moderately similar styles of play. Although Chalmers is a but of an outcast on the Heat, he is still a quality point guard that can mentor Napier to be ready to take on a starting role. Napier's size at 6'1" could be an issue up against 6'5" point guards like Michael Carter-Williams, but Napier can make up for it with his quickness and intelligence on the basketball court. The Heat are already a great team, but Shabazz Napier will make the club even more successful whether he plays or not.

27. Phoenix Suns (via Indiana): Markel Brown, SG, Oklahoma State:  

Markel Brown is a dynamic athlete that can very well succeed in the NBA. He is naturally a shooting guard, but he only stands at 6'3". This should not be an issue for Brown as he is blazing quick and very explosive. Brown translates into a smaller version of Lance Stephenson from the Indiana Pacers. He can go by defenders off the dribble and finish at the rim. His shooting is solid as well, but he needs to make the transition to NBA range jump shots. If the Suns already draft two forwards in Dario Saric and Jerami Grant they might as well draft a guard to work under Dragic and Bledsoe. The Suns will be a team to be reckoned with in the coming years with a lot of great young talent coming in as well as the quality team they already have. Brown is undervalued by many mock drafts and has a chance to make a nice career in the pros.

28. Los Angeles Clippers: Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland:     

 Clint Capela is another international player in the draft. Coming from Switzerland Capela has not played against NCAA competition. This does not mean that he is entirely capable to producing at the next level. This 6'11" monster has incredible potential. Capela is athletic and plays very well in the post. His size will definitely be an asset in the NBA, but he still needs to become stronger to be able to handle the forceful power forwards in the association. Obviously this is not a pick for immediate results by the Clippers because they already have Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan down low. DeAndre Jordan will be a great guy for Capela to learn from as they are the same size, but Jordan is much stronger. Jordan has made a great career by his physical style of play and Capela could develop that same style. This pick will give the Clipper depth and Capela will most likely blossom into a nice player.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Adams, SG, UCLA:   

Jordan Adams is a true NBA talent. He has all the necessary tools to be a quality shooting guard in the NBA. Standing at 6'5", 220 pounds he can physically stick with many of the shooting guards at the pros. He is a great shooter who could easily adjust to the NBA arc, but he is also a facilitator. Adams can create opportunities for his teammates off the dribble penetration. This is a great pick for the Thunder as one of their only positions that could use some help is shooting guard. Thabo Sefolosha is a great defender, but over the years he has not been able to get it done on the offensive end. This could partially be because of how much talent the Thunder already have on their team. The Thunder need another player similar to James Harden and Adams could fit that role. He can come off the bench and give OKC life from the perimeter and it would not be surprising to see him eventually work his way into the starting lineup.




30. San Antonio Spurs: C.J. Fair, SF, Syracuse:  

If Capela goes before their pick, the Spurs will be put in a rough spot as they are looking for a power forward or center, but the best players remaining are point guards and small forwards. C.J. Fair would not hurt the Spurs if they were to draft him. Fair is a seasoned player who is physically strong and can get to the basket. His outside jumper could use a little improvement, but he can make a living off his mid range game. Fair has a similar build to the current Spurs small forward, Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has improved immensely over his years in the league and San Antonio will hope to do the same with Fair. There is not much depth otherwise at small forward for San Antonio so this pick could really help them out. Fair has the potential to be a reliable bench guy or even a solid starter very similar to Leonard.

These picks will change franchises either very quickly or later down the road. It should be interesting to see how this draft plays out.