Podcast #27

What Am I Wearing?
Purdue Outlook
Celtics
Post-LeBron Era
NBA Finals
Chris Paul Rumors
Top 5 Mini-Mock
Overtime Segment: Miami Basketball
Guest: Jack Heiss


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Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 20

I was thinking of jerseys I could do for this week's Jersey Appreciation Friday, and then the thought of Allen Iverson popped into my head. When in Philadelphia, Iverson rocked some pretty cool uniforms. While many associate that era with the traditional black and red jersey, I think the lesser-known royal blue jersey deserves more credit. One thing is for sure, the jerseys in the early 2000s were way better than the ones we see the 76ers in now. They should go back to what worked.  Click Here

Podcast Week #26

What Am I Wearing?

Let's Talk Some Bucks

Warriors Sweep

Absence of Kawhi Leonard

Steve Kerr

Kevin Durant's Legacy

Manu Ginobili

Kyle Lowry to San Antonio?

Eastern Conference Finals

Lebron's Status Among the Greats

Celtic's Offseason Outlook 

Guest: R.J. Bottalla

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Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 19

I'm staying close to home for this week's Jersey Appreciation Friday and featuring the black Michael Jordan-era Bulls jersey. The Bulls still have this same basic design today, but like everything else from that timeframe, they ruined it. (The current black jerseys have sleeves). This jersey is only an alternate, but I would be completely fine seeing it on a more regular basis. Click Here

Rough (NBA) Draft

The NBA Draft Lottery, one of my favorite basketball-related events,  was last night and it produced somewhat unexpected results as some teams were shifted from their original starting points. Most notably, the Suns dropped from 2 to 4 while the 76ers snuck into the top 3. Here is my first mock draft since the order has been confirmed. 

THE LOTTERY

1. Boston Celtics: Markelle Fultz- Fultz is the best prospect in this draft, and I don't think there is much of a debate. He is an effortless scorer and possesses all the tools necessary to be a star in the NBA. The Celtics have a logjam at guard, but they make it work for Fultz.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball- It looks like the Ball family will get its wish as the Lakers are in prime position to draft UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball. I think the Lakers take the chance of LaVar Ball burning down the franchise for Lonzo's playmaking ability. 

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Jayson Tatum- Philly is left in a tough spot here: they clearly need a point guard, but there is a significant gap between Fultz and Ball and the rest of the crowd. Despite their need, I think the Sixers go with the "best available" strategy and make a free agency push for Kyle Lowry in the offseason. Tatum has a polished offensive skill set and has the build to be an elite two-way player. Whichever direction the Sixers go, they can't be wrong. 

4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson- Seeing that their top candidate is off the board at #3, Phoenix takes the second best versatile forward in the draft in Josh Jackson. The Suns really don't need to improve their backcourt and adding a player like Jackson would give them immediate defensive stability and scoring. 

5. Sacramento Kings: De'Aaron Fox- The Kings are in dire need of an explosive playmaker who can create for himself and teammates at a consistent rate. Fox isn't completely there....yet. But his showing against UCLA in the Sweet 16 proved to any doubters that Fox has star potential. If his shooting improves, the Kings may find their franchise player. 

6. Orlando Magic: Dennis Smith Jr- The Magic need a scoring point guard and a face of the franchise. They can potentially get both with Dennis Smith Jr. The NC State product has shown he can score from anywhere while still creating for others. He needs to make better decisions in he wants to succeed in the NBA though. 

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathan Isaac- A stretch 4 like Isaac would work relay well with Karl Anthony Towns. Isaac still needs some polishing, but if he can fine tune his offensive game under Tom Thibodeau, the Timberwolves may have a top 10 frontcourt by 2020. 

8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina- Ntilikina is the best international prospect in this year's class. Another point guard, Ntilikina's 6-5 frame and astute athleticism will secure his baseline status as a 3 and D guard. And the Knicks could certainly use help on that end. Also, Phil Jackson's Triangle Offense will provide a nice home for a player like Ntilikina. 

9. Dallas Mavericks: Lauri Markkanen- Yeah, yeah, European big guy that can shoot threes being drafted by the Mavericks. We've seen it before. But this is actually a perfect apprentice situation for Dallas. I'm thinking Markkanen learns under Dirk Nowitzki for two seasons and then takes over the starting spot. 

10. Sacramento Kings: Zach Collins- The Kings couldn't take their typical foreign center this year, so they settled for the next best thing: Zach Collins. Collins might be an answer for the Kings at this position, and they definitely need a center after trading DeMarcus Cousins for Buddy Hield and some Skittles.

11. Charlotte Hornets:  Malik Monk- Every year, there's a player who drops unexpectedly. This year it will be Malik Monk. Lucky for the Hornets, however, because they will get an electrifying scorer to pair in the backcourt with Kemba Walker. 

12. Detroit Pistons: Justin Jackson- The Pistons are losing confidence in Stanley Johnson, so I think they'll take the best available G/F at the time of their pick. Justin Jackson is a capable 3pt shooter and is long enough to be a really good defender. He's not a prototypical 3 and D guy, but the Pistons won't mind. 

13. Denver Nuggets: OG Anunoby- OG Anunoby tore his ACL this year, but many teams are still looking at him as a Lottery prospect because of his defensive versatility. Surely he's worth a look, and with the Nuggets seemingly set with their guards and big guys, they can afford to take a risk with Anunoby at 13. 

14. Miami Heat: John Collins- It doesn't look like Chris Bosh is coming back, so the Heat tell Luke Babbitt to take a hike and bring in John Collins. Collins was extremely efficient at Wake Forest and concerns about his wingspan would be negated with Hassan Whiteside standing next to him in the middle. 

THE POINT WHERE EVERYONE STOPS WATCHING THE DRAFT BECAUSE IT'S TAKING SO LONG

15. Portland Trail Blazers: Jarrett Allen

16. Chicago Bulls: Donovan Mitchell

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Luke Kennard  

18. Indiana Pacers: Terrance Ferguson

19. Atlanta Hawks: Justin Patton

20. Portland Trail Blazers: Rodions Kurucs

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ike Anigbogu

22. Brooklyn Nets: Hamidou Diallo

23. Toronto Raptors: TJ Leaf

24. Utah Jazz: Jonathan Jeanne

25. Orlando Magic: Johnathan Motley

26. Portland Trail Blazers: Isaiah Harnstein

27. Brooklyn Nets: Harry Giles

28. Los Angeles Lakers: Bam Adebayo

29. San Antonio Spurs: DJ Wilson

30. Utah Jazz: Jawun Evans 

Podcast Week #25

What Am I Wearing?
Celtics/Wizards
 John Wall
Kelly Olynyk
Is Zaza Dirty?
Gregg Popovich
NBA Draft Lottery Scenarios 
Guests: Jack Beletti and Michael Fitzpatrick

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Western Conference Finals Prediction

We are about an hour away from the Western Conference Finals tipping off, so I though I should give my input on the series as my coverage tends to be more Eastern Conference oriented. This is primarily because I don't see any way in which the Warriors could lose, not to say the Cavaliers are vulnerable, but they still have a small chance of being upset compared to the Warriors. (I would say 2% chance to -12% chance). Nevertheless, I still hope that the Spurs can give the Warriors a decent fight because I'm getting pretty tired of seeing 15-40 point victories every night. 

If you look at the regular season, the Spurs actually won the series 2-1. Everyone remembers the opening night shellacking they gave the Warriors in October. The Spurs also won the second game, but that's void since every player of relevance rested. Then in Game 3 the Warriors got down early but made a masterful comeback to win by 12. I think these teams are more even than people think. My heart says "Go Spurs Go," while my brain says "Dub Nation." This is really tough. 

I'm taking the Warriors. In 5. I think this will be the series where the Spurs miss Tony Parker the most, and Steve Kerr getting involved again for Golden State is a big momentum boost. I hate being ordinary, but the Warriors have left me no choice.  

Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 18

Woah! A close game on the NBA Playoffs? YOWZA! I have to watch the second half of Celtics/Wizards, so I'll make this Jersey Appreciation Friday quick. Remember when the Nets were in New Jersey and halfway decent at basketball? Me neither. But they still had pretty cool uniforms with the navy/gray/red combination. Check it out. Click Here

Podcast Week #24

What Am I Wearing?
Warriors and Cavs Sweep
Wizards, Celtics, Spurs and Rockets
NBA Combine
Kevin Durant
Top 5 Prospects
Guest: Brian O'Hara
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Tyger Campbell Commits to DePaul

I'm coming out of college basketball coverage retirement to talk about the HUGE commitment from LaLumiere's Tyger Campbell. He announced just 20 minutes ago that he will be playing his college hoops at DePaul. Yes, you heard me. A big time recruit is coming to DEPAUL. Now it helps that DePaul recently hired Campbell's high school coach, but hey whatever it takes to get the job done. 

This is the type of resurgence DePaul needs. Being in a basketball hotbed (Chicago), there is no excuse for being as putrid as they have been in recent years. Getting Tyger Campbell to take a leap of faith and join the rebuilding effort is a major step in the right direction. Granted, we have to wait until the 2018-19 season to see him play, and there's a lot of time for DePaul to screw this deal up, but a start is a start, and that's all that matters at this point. 

Chicago itself is starting to see a rise in its college basketball chops as well. With Northwestern finally making the NCAA Tournament last season and being in a good spot to do it again this year, the Campbell commitment is just icing on the cake. Hopefully it doesn't all come crashing down. 

Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 17

I've been pretty pseudo-nostalgic this past week, as I have been watching basketball videos from a time when I wasn't even born yet. I just love the 90s cartoonish jerseys. So what's the best example of that? The Raptors purple jersey from the Vince Carter era of course! The giant red dinosaur splattered across the abdomen is awesome. The pinstripes are also a nice touch. Click Here

Podcast Week #23: Podcast From Hell

NBA First Round Recap
My Playoff Solution
Second Round Analysis
What Am I Wearing?
Guest: Several Cameo Appearances from My Dog, Cody

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