Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 7

        The only time i ever saw this kid play was this game. Quite an impression!

7: Sacramento

Experts say: Jimmer Fredette
Roe Says: Bismack Biyombo

As much as I'd like to see Tyreke and Jimmer form an all-time shake and bake combo ala Young Hardaway and Richmond circa '92, I'm goin for the kid from Congo with the off the hook measurables and presence. And he fits a need. Also if Sactown took Jimmer, they'd need 2 basketballs to keep he and Evans happy.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 6

6: Washington

Experts say: Jan Vesely
Roe Says: Kawhi Leonard

Gives John Wall another running mate. Leonard is an athletic freak and rebounding virtuoso who is also a potential defensive stalwart. Basically, he's the Anti-Rashard Lewis

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 5

  ALL I DO IS WIN: Kemba's Mixtape


5: Toronto

Experts say: Brandon Knight
Roe Says: Kemba Walker

Toronto really has no position it can't improve on. So why not start with arguably the most important one? Kemba would instantly provide the Raptors with an energy and much-needed leadership. In addition to some hope for stability, Kemba brings a winning attitude for a franchise that desperately needs it.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 4

4: Cleveland

Experts say: Jonas Valincias
Roe Says: Brandon Knight

I'm not sold on the Euro prospect, as I've never even seen him. But I've known about Brandon Knight since his prodigious HS career here in Florida(only 3rd 2-time winner of Gatorade NPOY (Lebron/Oden), plus his summer exploits on Team Breakdown w/ Kenny Boynton and Team STAT w/ Austin Rivers. Having already gotten the crown jewel @ 1, the Cavs have the luxury of the best guard for them in either Knight,Kemba or Jimmer. I like Knight as he is the youngest, with most potential. His comparison is Chauncey Billups at this age, and advanced youngin, which bodes well for rebuilding Cleveland.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 3

                   Can't Tell if he is excited, mad or got kicked in the nuts

3: Utah

Experts say: Enes Kanter
Roe Says: Enes Kanter

Well, I guess i'm an expert. This one just makes sense. Utah has 2 lottery picks and they need a point guard soon, after the departure of franchise cornerstone Deron Williams. Devin Harris is good for the short term and Kanter was one of the top recruits in the country and went HAM in last years Nike Hoop Summit against many of the top players in addition to pro experience for years. True Centers are hard to come by these days and the Jazz will look at PG help later in draft.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 2

2: Minnesota

Experts say: Derrick Williams
Roe says: Trade with Lakers- Kyrie Irving

Essentially punting on Kyrie Irving as decision maker for Wolves, because if the Timberwolves draft another point guard it'll be like the Detroit Lions drafting another wide receiver. Yea, the jokes are old but so is Minnesota's losing ways. The Wolves have finally imported Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio from the famed 2009 draft where they drafted 3 point guards(Johnny Flynn, Tywon Lawson and Rubio). So the pressure is on GM David Kahn to do right by this pick. Thus he will do what we all know and trade it. Irving isn't really a fit in Minny. They have been putting out trade feelers for a young vet in exchange for this pick all offseason, being rebuffed for Danny Granger, then Rudy Gay, then Roy Hibbert, and finally Javale Mcgee. Enter the LA Lakers and a pissed off front office after a less than dynastic exit from the playoffs. Dangling either Center Andrew Bynum(young vet) or Pau Gasol(to team with fellow Spainard Rubio and Complement Kevin Love's inside -out game). The Lakers can get the jitterbug PG they so covet. Also, Irving is often compared to Chris Paul(often linked to LA), could be a younger lower cost replacement for the Lakers

Common Sense Draft Lottery

I read every mock draft moving and decided that i too could guess where the future studs of America and beyond will land. Think of it as a mock of the actual draft. I will weigh the experts draft prognostications versus yours truly.
 
1: Cleveland

Experts say: Kyrie Irving
Roe Says: Derrick Williams

The consensus #1 player in the draft despite playing only 11 games this season, Irving was a hit in his 1/3 season in K-ville. However, his last loss came at the hands of Arizona and super power small forward Williams. Frankly, Cleveland is in this position due to the departure of a certain powerful small forward. Though no Lebron, Williams too has a pro-ready physique and is already a better shooter, maybe even the best in the draft. People say he's a tweener, but he's a baller. Also, the Cavs have a backlog at PG w/ Ramon Sessions, and Baron Davis' stomach.

Mouthing Off about Finals

Game 5 was really exciting. Both teams performed at or near their offensive peaks. It featured blistering three-point shooting, half court shots, injury scares/returns and the return of the Jet Takeoff.

    THIS YOUNG MAN WAS LAST SEEN IN CHICAGO DURING THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS, Please contact if you see him or his game!

Everybody is talking bout Lebron going missing in the 4th quarter and end of game situations. What i wanna know s what happened at the beginning of the game. You know, the Good ole "Powder Toss"? He actually said in an interview that he would bring it back at the beginning of next season, but for right now he set his ritual aside to express how big these games are.

I honestly feel the opposite way. If that is truly a facet of Lebron, how can he just set it aside. Not saying that the lack of powder in Miami(haha) has altered the Heat/Lebron Finals, But on some level if it works and feels good all season, abandoning it during the most important games of her life feels unnatural and counterintuitive. I mean he's been doing it for 8 years and now, it just disappears into the air(no pun). I mean just abandoning your routine is rare for athletes in general, as they are known creatures of habit. Also doing things out of your element often make people uncomfortable. Being out of one's comfort zone in moments of great significance never did any good. See John Starks,New York Knicks, 1990s for reference. As the saying goes  karmas a bitch stick with what got you here.

Since 1st watching him in the 1992 Mcdonald's All-American Game, Jason Kidd has morphed from the prep version of Magic Johnson to the person who helped finally end the Hurley/Hill/Laettner Era as a collegiate frosh at Cal. From his 1st go-round in Dallas as one of the 3J's (Jimmy,Jamal,Jason) that ended in the Toni Braxton Love Triangle to the Run and Gun Suns of the mid-90s(who amazingly boasted 3 of top 15 pgs of last 30 years in Kidd, Kevin Johnson and rookie Steve Nash). Next it was onto his new job as custodian of Stephon Marbury's mess franchise savior for the lowly New Jersey Nets, leading the their world class collection of misfits(Kenyon Martin),malcontents (Vince Carter) and miscasts(Richard Jefferson as a star lol) to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002-03.

Now in the twilight of his certain-to-be HOF career, he has morphed into a game-managing, sharp shooting marvel. Yes, I said it. Formerly known as Ason Kidd, cause he truly had no J, his timely 3-point shooting has the Dallas Mavericks one win from their first NBA Title. Currently the player with the most playoff games without a championship, he has taken his team to 14 str8 playoff appearances, so its only a matter of time before he hits one. So just like his shooting prowess, there is hope. Rajon Rondo, Ricky Rubio, and other jack of different trades than shooting should take note. There is always room for improvement...................

Speaking of legacies, Dirk's will change with a finals win. But it shouldn't. What i mean is, he had the wrong reputation to begin with. It is a fact that his game elevated his games in the postseason, whether his team has won or lost the series. Like this season, he led a flawed Mavericks team to the brink of a title in '06, lost to an energized and uber-hot Golden State squad that was the imperfect matchup for the Mavs, and so on. But Dirk didn't shrink. Now Lebron is a different story.

Regardless of how many valueless triple doubles he has. The last two he "produced" (2010 ECF Game 6, 2011 NBA Finals Game 5) were barely even noticeable and both came in losses. Is Lebron a Wilt, a Palmieiro, Warren Moon. A number wizard, stat-compiler whose numbers don't have a huge bearing/influence on the game. No, i wouldn't go that far. But this statement seems suffice: In the regular season, ompare Lebron to whoever you want. But in the postseason, if you want results, Don't Bother, just get Dwyane Wade :)

Quickie(s)

So much to talk about and so little time lol...

Mark Jackson has been announced as the new Warriors coach.


- Kudos to Golden State for what i believe is a great hire. On what basis, i dunno. But for some reason he seems basketball bright. And the fact that he's willing to put his opinion on the line as an announcer everyday bodes well for an NBA coaching gig i would think. As a young coach with a pretty young team, there is definitely time for him to grow with and put his own identity on these Warriors.

Always known as offensive team, what Coach Jackson has really inherited is a bad and undersized defensive team. The previous regime put together what is necessary for a Don Nelson-led team, unconventional to say the least. Under new ownership and new leadership, including Jerry West, I expect a more traditional approach to roster/team building, as well as organizational philosophy.

 Take the Money and Run

- USC had its 2004 BCS title vacated. We knew it may come, but who cares now? Now It leaves too many questions. Will the AP now rescind their back to back titles too. Does it mean I can't say Reggie Bush anymore, i mean Player #5, like in this NCAA 2007 College Football game. I loved that team to the core, would watch every game too(well if i could stay up cause those games end at like 2 in the morning sometimes). How do you settle a vacated title, do you awarded to the losing Oklahoma Sooners, who got their head whipped 55-19?

       JUST LIKE A UFO, I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES YET THE NCAA SAID IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!


Do we give it to undefeated Auburn, eh? Best way to handle it may be draconian, but if these are the rules, then enforce them. For now on, just suspend programs from competing in football for five years if caught with similar infractions. Settled!! Let em keep the hardware, just punish the program. And Money. Lots of it! Fine schools upward of 2-3 million if they wanna run play dirty. Watch how many kids don't wanna go to a college with no football and no money to pay for improvements. I mean if they are cheating to get money and exposure, make sure they give some back lol. Also, reserve the right to punish players in the future if transgressions are found after they're gone. There must be a way to put that stipulation in the LOI(Letter of Intent). Hold every accountable. Just Sayin...........


- I know i said i was gonna liveblog Game 3 but I didn't realize how hard it was to type all my thoughts while trying to watch the basketball game intently at the same time. Fortunately my girl has DVR so i'm gonna try again game 5 lol. Yea i know thoday is Game 4, but we're partying for cousin Jay's bday and it's back to work 2morrow. Double posts all week though!

SPECIAL SHOUTS TO NUTZ, HAPPY 30th Bday doggie. Get used to ur bones hurting!

NBA Finals Game 3 preview

 When you google "Danny Crawford ref" you get 34,300, 151 hits and only 22,975,987 are about      his crooked ways

I haven't said anything about the first 2 games of the finals but Damn! Game 2's finish provided an all-time memory in what was an otherwise boring game, except for D-wade's breakout game. But one thing about that breakout performance. When DWade hit that 3 in the corner and was subsequently bombarded by teammates while leading to a tv timeout, it reminded me of one of pet peeves in sports. Celebrating too early. It seems the basketball gods agreed. And yes I believe in sports karma/religion. Anyway, what ensued after that on-court parade was a tornado of a finish which leads to this amazing coincidence. Danny Crawford is reffing this game.

Danny Crawford is known as the "anti-Dallas ref" and the statistics that back them up are downright scary. As Mark Cuban became more anti-ref, longtime NBA ref and Commish buddy Crawford has become more anti-Mav. Even before i ever saw the numbers i had a hunch from Game 3 in the 2006 Finals, which me and my buddy rushed to catch the end of the game, after catchin a flight from Memphis to TF Green. Aside from the Sacramento/LA series I had never seen such egregious reffing. It was downright obscene, and anybody who watched and likes basketball was horrified. Shit, Dirty ref Tim Donaghy outted him last year on a podcast, saying amongst the reffing circle Crawford was proud of his record in Mavs games, wearing it like a badge.


And what a big badge it is. Dallas is 4-16 in playoff games reffed by Crawford. Make you look at their "collapses" differently ? And if you think its just a coincidence that a team is 4-16 when it wins 60 % of games not reffed by Crawford. In addition they are 6-14 against the spread under Crawford, when the average team is .500 over time, and they are 66-45-3 against the spread in playoff games not under his influence not reffed by Sir Crawford.

So you would think that Mav Killer Danny would swing it in favor of Heat, right? I think the opposite after my rant. I mean, in front of everybody, while everybody knows the story of the crooked refs, they wouldn't actually still try to heist the trophy from the Mavs right. Who do they think they are Thomas Crowne? So I expect the Mavs to get the whistle for some reason then the NBA can try next game lol. Dallas has lost 16 out 17 games with him on the court. I KNOW, it's just a coincidence.....................................

So Im gonna give you all my minute by minute thoughts as this travesty game unfolds....

GO DADDY!

Shaquille O'neal aka Shaq Daddy aka Wilt Chamberneezy aka Big Stock Exchange aka Big Aristotle aka the Big Cactus aka the Big Clam Chowda aka Shaq FU has decided to hang up the size 22 AAA's and presumably all the nicknames he made so famous

He came into the league like a tsunami, taking down rims and taking on challengers. He legitimized a franchise in Orlando; revitalized the brand name in Hollywood, and gave Miami a taste of the high life before injuries, age and inevitable decline dictated his exit after stops in Phoenix, Cleveland and finally, Boston.19 seasons, 4 rings and untold nicknames later, the most unstoppable force in his prime
is taking the show on the road.

Nobody thinks this will be the last we see as Shaq, as he has mastered the media unlike any athlete in history. I mean, he was making CDs and childrens books, movies and producing TV shows throughout his entire career. But he sure is a relic from a past era.

When centers ruled the world, Shaq had to earn his stripes. Of course, he came in as a rook and averaged 23.4 pts and 13.9 rbs and 3.5 blocks. However, that wasn't enough to just leapfrog future HOF Centers Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing. By his 3rd season he had taken the expansion Magic to the Finals. But the league didn't take to well to the young man's exploits and the Clippers let Robinson have the scoring title held David Robinson to only 71 points, depriving O'neal of the scoring title.

With his outsized personality and game, he literally outgrew small-town Orlando and headed for the bright lights of Los Angeles. Following in a line of great franchise centers, from Mikan to Wilt to Kareem, Shaq inherited the legacy and expectations. And he didn't disappoint.

After a few missteps, the arrival of Phil Jackson and rapid development of a then-teenage Kobe Bryant, Shaq became a three-time champion in LA, winning Finals MVP each year, from 2000-2002. It was as dominant a period as I had ever seen. And although he  only has one mvp to show for his career, he was generally regarded as the best player in the game along with Tim Duncan and emerging Kobe Bryant in the post-Jordan era.

It has been said that Shaq and Kobe could not co-exist, and its probably true. But for those 3 years, it seemed inconceivable that they would not win the title for the rest of the 2000's. We all see know how it turned out. Kobe tells of Shaq's indiscretions during an investigation for his trial, Shaq shows up fat at camp, alpha dog struggles as to whose team it was as Kobe morphed into the best scorer in the world. Phil's struggles to control, placate both oversized egos. Upper Management's dilemma on how to construct the team with Kobe's impending Free Agency and the implosion of the 2003-2004 team which added HOF-ers Karl Malone and Gary Payton to the mix, further fracturing an already delicate team chemistry. Shaq was moved to the Miami Heat, soon afterwards, but his friction in LA was a predictor, or a peek into his relationships with teammates, coaches, and organizations. For as much success as he brought to his stops, his departures were always equally calamitous.

Magic fans feel Shaq's exit cost them a dynasty. Having built their team around him, his defection left them high and dry, ala Lebron and Cleveland. And also like James, he brought his team to new heights, if not immediately. It took Orlando 14 years to reach the Finals again.

Laker fans feel as though he gave up on their dynasty, success making him get fat and rest on his laurels. His constant bickering over top billing with Kobe. If he had assumed the background during his final years with the Lakers(as he did in his years w/Miami) instead of having a tug-o-war with Bryant, NBA history might look different today.

Miami fans can not hold ill will towards Shaq. After all, he led the Heat to their first and only Finals and championship. The season after that however, they became the first defending Champions to be swept out of the 1st round(by my BULLS!) and had the worst record in the league the following season, while Shaq's deteriorating corpse just watched the train wreck of a season.

Suns fans hate Shaq because not only did his arrival signal the end of the Seven Seconds or less offense,but he actually stole Steve Nash's idea for a TV show, which is now called Shaq vs.! (Steve Nash actually sued and is listed as Executive Producer)

The only gripes fans in Cleveland and Boston, his final two stops, have are that they did not win the championship, despite his addition. Both franchise were already made for Finals teams. Unfortunately, "Shaq-ovic" could never get them over the top.

Overall, Shaquille will be remembered as the most most dominant force in his era, maybe ever. He was a fun loving center with a mean streak. A unstoppable force on and off the court. His forays into media foreshadowed the rise and blending of sports and media culture. He accomplished everything there is to do in his field with the exception of an NCAA Championship.

Ironically, I still feel that Shaquille's impact is underrated. Just like his robin batman partner, Kobe, he only has 1 MVP. Granted, there were no MVPs to go around in the 90s with Michael, Hakeem,Malone, and Robinson still there. One of Steve Nash' MVPs shoulda went to Miami Shaq at least. Probably why he stole Nash's show. PTI's Michael Wilbon(my fave) listedGeorge Mikan above him in all-time big man conversation. I dunno, but wasn't he shooting at a peach basket? LOL. All jokes aside, Shaq woulda average 35 a game if he was an average free throw shooter. And he woulda averaged 50 in those days.

My all time big man list Wilt, Kareem, Russell, Shaq, Hakeem, Duncan, Robinson, Ewing, whoever else.....


Goodbye Shaq Diesel, or whatever they call you these days.

***On a side note, I would NOT trade Shaq for every player that he was traded for in his career combined:

Shaq(in his prime 2000-2002 THE MAN) for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Miami future 1st rounder(ended up being Jordan Farmar), Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks,Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, $500,000, and 2010 2nd rounder Dwayne Collins, the last guy chosen in the draft. It's crazy that the baddest center of out time was essentially traded for a collection of small forwards and throwaway guards. Just sayin....

All Eyes on Me

 I've been hearing incessant chatter about the media circus here in Orlando known as the Casey Anthony Trial, and its similarities to the OJ Simpson trial about 15 years ago. They both heinously,
i mean, allegedly killed a loved one. And both of their trials captivated America with their dysfunctional families and sordid tales of physical and purported, sexual abuse. Rage, denial, anger, jealousy, isolation, greed, and finally, death helping fuel the interest in their respective stories for years. Since it occurred back in 2008, Casey has dominated local television, although nothing new has been reported. It has generated a ho-hum reaction amongst numbed Central Floridians, almost a "let's get it over with now" vibe. Which got me thinking.......

Casey is in an unenviable position. Every time we turn on the television, we are rooting against her. Millions of us. Even some black people were rooting for OJ to beat the system, and pull a fast one. I don't think anyone has sympathy for Casey Anthony except for her team of lawyers, led by the Anti-Johnny Cochrane, Attorney Baez.

Honestly, Casey Anthony has more in common with Joel Anthony than OJ. Well maybe I'm kidding bout that, but Casey Anthony knows just how the Heat feel with the spotlight on their faces. Ever since Lebron announced that he was taking his "talents to South Beach", Miami has had an X on their back bigger than a 90's leather. And aside from their team, almost everybody outside of South Florida(and LBJ fans- cause there are no such thing as Heat fans) can't wait for them to fall on their face. Dwayne Wade even said it himself.