Here is my prediction for the 2015 NBA finals.
(W1) Golden State Warriors vs (E2) Cleveland Cavaliers: This is a great matchup from a superstardom standpoint with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson in action. The Warriors have been the best team in the league all season long and that's on both ends of the floor. The Cavaliers have been the best team in the Eastern Conference since they traded for JR Smith and Iman Shumpert in January. It's somewhat remarkable that the Cavs are here considering Kevin Love is out for the season with the dislocated shoulder and it's a referendum on how mediocre the Eastern Conference is here, but hey, give Cleveland credit. Irving's ankle and foot injuries are well documented and James along with some help from his supporting cast are getting the job done. Another fun storyline is that we have two rookie head coaches in the NBA finals in Steve Kerr and David Blatt. Kerr clearly has the edge here because of how much he has influenced his roster and players such as Thompson and Draymond Green have taken their games to a new and elite level. Blatt deserves credit for his teams success too, but his team is clearly doing what LeBron wants and not playing the style Blatt wants. I think this will be a better series than people think and the Golden State Warriors, who are the deeper and more healthier team, will win their first championship since 1975.
Prediction: Warriors in six games.
Finals MVP: Stephen Curry
Monday, June 1, 2015
2015 Stanley Cup Final Prediction
Here is my prediction for the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.
(A1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (C3) Chicago Blackhawks: This should be a great series considering all the star power on both teams. It's clear the league wanted Rangers versus Blackhawks, but hey, at least the Blackhawks being in a big market in Chicago will save NBC from a ratings standpoint! Onto the matchup. I did mention there is star power here with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Steven Stamkos. It will be interesting to see whether Joel Quenneville has Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook together defending the "Triplets" line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, and Ondrej Palat, who continue to produce time in and time out, or he has say Keith and Johnny Oduya defend the line of Stamkos, Alex Killorn, and Valtteri Fippula and Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson defend the "Triplets" line. I believe Jon Cooper will have Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman defend the line of Toews, Kane, and Brandon Saad, who were terrific playing together in the last few games of the Anaheim series and have Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn defend the line of Marian Hossa, Brad Richards, and Brian Bickell. Both goalies Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford have had their struggles in the playoffs, although Ben Bishop shut out the Rangers in games 5 & 7 and that Corey Crawford has been better since he has been benched in the first round against Nashville. Tampa Bay deserves credit for going into MSG and beating the Rangers in a game 7, which no team has ever done until the Bolts did on Friday. Chicago being short handed on defense is well documented and they have shown time and time again how resilient they are by finding ways to win games and the way they came back from a 3-2 series deficit to beat the Ducks. The Hawks were my preseason pick to win the cup and they have the championship pedigree for winning two cups this decade. I really believe experience will matter here and the Chicago Blackhawks will have three cups in six seasons. Let the dynasty talk begin.
Prediction: Blackhawks in six games.
Conn Smythe Trophy Pick: Duncan Keith
(A1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (C3) Chicago Blackhawks: This should be a great series considering all the star power on both teams. It's clear the league wanted Rangers versus Blackhawks, but hey, at least the Blackhawks being in a big market in Chicago will save NBC from a ratings standpoint! Onto the matchup. I did mention there is star power here with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Steven Stamkos. It will be interesting to see whether Joel Quenneville has Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook together defending the "Triplets" line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, and Ondrej Palat, who continue to produce time in and time out, or he has say Keith and Johnny Oduya defend the line of Stamkos, Alex Killorn, and Valtteri Fippula and Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson defend the "Triplets" line. I believe Jon Cooper will have Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman defend the line of Toews, Kane, and Brandon Saad, who were terrific playing together in the last few games of the Anaheim series and have Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn defend the line of Marian Hossa, Brad Richards, and Brian Bickell. Both goalies Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford have had their struggles in the playoffs, although Ben Bishop shut out the Rangers in games 5 & 7 and that Corey Crawford has been better since he has been benched in the first round against Nashville. Tampa Bay deserves credit for going into MSG and beating the Rangers in a game 7, which no team has ever done until the Bolts did on Friday. Chicago being short handed on defense is well documented and they have shown time and time again how resilient they are by finding ways to win games and the way they came back from a 3-2 series deficit to beat the Ducks. The Hawks were my preseason pick to win the cup and they have the championship pedigree for winning two cups this decade. I really believe experience will matter here and the Chicago Blackhawks will have three cups in six seasons. Let the dynasty talk begin.
Prediction: Blackhawks in six games.
Conn Smythe Trophy Pick: Duncan Keith
Saturday, May 30, 2015
2015 WNBA National TV Schedule
Here is the National TV schedule for the 2015 WNBA season.
June 14th- Sky vs Fever; 1:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward, Carolyn Peck, LaChina Robinson
June 14th- Lynx vs Mercury; 3:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, Holly Rowe
June 23rd- Sparks vs Mystics; 8:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
June 30th- Liberty vs Sky; 8:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
July 7th- Shock vs Dream; 8:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
July 21st- Mercury vs Sparks; 11:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
July 28th- Sky vs Mercury; 10:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
August 4th- Lynx vs Sparks; 10:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
August 9th- Mercury vs Sky; 1:00, ESPN: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
August 16th- Fever vs Mercury; 7:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
August 30th- Mercury vs Lynx; 7:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
June 14th- Sky vs Fever; 1:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward, Carolyn Peck, LaChina Robinson
June 14th- Lynx vs Mercury; 3:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, Holly Rowe
June 23rd- Sparks vs Mystics; 8:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
June 30th- Liberty vs Sky; 8:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
July 7th- Shock vs Dream; 8:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
July 21st- Mercury vs Sparks; 11:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
July 28th- Sky vs Mercury; 10:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
August 4th- Lynx vs Sparks; 10:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
August 9th- Mercury vs Sky; 1:00, ESPN: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
August 16th- Fever vs Mercury; 7:00, ESPN2: Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck
August 30th- Mercury vs Lynx; 7:00, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco & Rebecca Lobo
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Candidates to replace Tom Thibodeau as Bulls head coach
It was inevitable that Tom Thibodeau and the Chicago Bulls would get divorced. It was a matter of when, not if. Now that Thibodeau has been fired, here are some potential replacements for Thibodeau as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
1. Scott Brooks, Former Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach
2. Adrian Griffin, Assistant Coach, Chicago Bulls
3. Fred Hoiberg, Head Coach, Iowa State
4. Alvin Gentry, Assistant Coach, Golden State Warriors
5. Nate McMillan, Assistant Coach, Indiana Pacers
6. Tyronn Lue, Assistant Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Jeff Van Gundy, Current ESPN Analyst/Former New York Knicks Head Coach
8. Ime Udoka, Assistant Coach, San Antonio Spurs
9. Mike D'Antoni, Former Phoenix Suns/New York Knicks/Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach
1. Scott Brooks, Former Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach
2. Adrian Griffin, Assistant Coach, Chicago Bulls
3. Fred Hoiberg, Head Coach, Iowa State
4. Alvin Gentry, Assistant Coach, Golden State Warriors
5. Nate McMillan, Assistant Coach, Indiana Pacers
6. Tyronn Lue, Assistant Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Jeff Van Gundy, Current ESPN Analyst/Former New York Knicks Head Coach
8. Ime Udoka, Assistant Coach, San Antonio Spurs
9. Mike D'Antoni, Former Phoenix Suns/New York Knicks/Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st Edition
Now that the draft lottery is over, here is my first edition of my 2015 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Karl-Anthony Towns, Forward/Center, Kentucky: Minnesota is desperate for frontcourt versatility, and Towns is their clear-cut best fit. He’ll help fill the squad’s need for interior defense while expanding its offensive options. This could make Nikola Pekovic available for a trade.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Jahlil Okafor, Center, Duke: What a win this is for a franchise that is pretty much stuck in limbo and needed a bounce in the right direction. In Okafor, the Lakers get an NBA-ready center who can score in the post and should be a strong complement to returning power forward Julius Randle.
3. Philadelphia 76ers- D'Angelo Russell, Guard, Ohio State: Philadelphia has a clear need at both guard positions. With a promising frontcourt already in place, Philadelphia would be wise to add a sweet-shooting combo guard in Russell.
4. New York Knicks- Emmanuel Muiday, Guard, China: The Knicks, like the Lakers, were desperate a top three pick, except they fell back two spots and what a disaster this is for a franchise that needed a top three pick more than everybody else. They're hurting for a long-term facilitator just as much as they are for a big man. Mudiay is a dynamic playmaker whose ranginess and athleticism can change the complexion of their offense.
5. Orlando Magic- Kristaps Porzingis, Forward/Center, Latvia: Often compared to Kevin Garnett, Porzingis isn’t as skilled of a post player, but he is a legitimate stretch four, athletic with a fluid shooting stroke. Porzingis will need a year to bulk up but he has enormous potential.
6. Sacramento Kings- Willie Cauley-Stein, Center, Kentucky: DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins and the Sacramento Kings would love to land a springy big man like Cauley-Stein to give the squad some defensive flexibility. In addition to his defensive gifts and awareness, Cauley-Stein will make opponents work on the other end.
7. Denver Nuggets- Justice Winslow, Forward, Duke: Denver could use a wing who is interchangeable between the 2 and 3 spots, and Winslow is a dynamic answer at No. 7. No matter how long it takes to refine his skills, you can bet he'll immediately supply sideline-to-sideline defense, superb offensive instincts and energy.
8. Detroit Pistons- Stanley Johnson, Forward, Arizona: Detroit has a sizeable hole at small forward and Johnson, a defensive-minded swingman who has evoked comparisons—at least physically—to Metta World Peace, looks like a nice fit.
9. Charlotte Hornets- Mario Hezonja, Guard/Forward, Croatia: Charlotte has a clear need on the wing and Hezonja would be a nice fit. He could be a potent secondary option for the Hornets once he gains more polish and experience on the wing. Hezonja has the explosiveness, shooting skills and handles to fill up the hoop from anywhere.
10. Miami Heat- Trey Lyles, Forward, Kentucky: Miami has a need at the forward position. Lyles isn’t as advanced offensively as his UK teammate, Towns, but he is a solid face-up power forward who has shown flashes of a decent perimeter game.
11. Indiana Pacers- Frank Kaminsky, Forward/Center, Wisconsin: Indiana is clearly looking for a new identity and Kaminsky would fit that what Larry Bird, Donnie Walsh, and Frank Vogel are trying to build. He won't be a star right away, and he might never be one. But he's going to execute crisply, whether it's pick-and-pops on the perimeter or low-post touches. Don't be surprised if Roy Hibbert ends up on the trading block because it certainly appears that way.
12. Utah Jazz- Myles Turner, Forward/Center, Texas: Derrick Favors pounds the paint on offense, and Rudy Gobert stifles foes on the other end. The only major piece the Utah Jazz are missing in the frontcourt rotation is someone to stretch the floor. That's where Turner comes in handy. He offers two highly coveted assets: a soft shooting touch and towering rim protection.
13. Phoenix Suns- Devin Booker, Guard, Kentucky: One of the bigger surprises of the combine was Booker; not because of how he played (he didn’t) but executives' opinion of him. Several execs identified Booker as the best shooting prospect in the draft.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder- Sam Dekker, Forward, Wisconsin: Dekker is poised to shore up Oklahoma City's long-term wing depth while also contributing to the Thunder's short-term playoff runs. Wisconsin's all-purpose forward projects to be a key two-way role player. He has the size, agility and instincts to dramatically enhance OKC's forward corps and streamline the club's operation.
15. Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets)- Kelly Oubre, Forward, Kansas: While he undoubtedly fills a team need in Atlanta, Oubre Jr. just might be the top prospect remaining on the board. With DeMarre Carroll likely to generate plenty of interest in free agency, the Hawks could take Oubre as his long-term replacement.
16. Boston Celtics- Bobby Portis, Forward, Arkansas: Portis’s greatest strength: He competes like crazy. Executives love his relentless motor, which complements a diverse skill set. Portis is terrific in transition and is a strong floor-spacing big man prospect. Boston needs help in the front court as well and Portis would help.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- RJ Hunter, Guard, Georgia State: A postseason appearance accelerated Milwaukee’s youth movement, but there are still holes. The Bucks need a pivot, though drafting a five here would be a stretch. Expect Milwaukee to grab a swingman like Hunter, one of the draft’s best shooters, a nice fit to develop behind Khris Middleton, assuming he doesn't leave in free agency.
18. Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Tyus Jones, Guard, Duke: The Rockets desperately need to add a point guard, with Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry both entering free agency. Tyus Jones looks like the top option left on the board, and though he doesn't quite project as a high-end starter, there is no question he has the ball skills and basketball IQ to add something to a backcourt.
19. Washington Wizards- Kevon Looney, Forward, UCLA: Nene is 32 years old and entering the final year of his contract. Looney isn’t ready to play yet—the word “project” was attached to him by several executives at the combine—but he has tremendous physical tools and is a rugged rebounding prospect. Looney could be a nice long-term investment in D.C.
20. Toronto Raptors- Cameron Payne, Guard, Murray State: There was a measurable buzz around Payne at the draft combine in Chicago, with executives seeing a natural playmaker who blends scoring and distributing well. Payne is a little undersized, but he would be a nice fit to develop behind Kyle Lowry on the Raps.
21. Dallas Mavericks- Montrezl Harrell, Forward, Louisville: The Mavs need a point guard, and Utah’s Delon Wright is a candidate here. But Harrell—a high motor scorer/rebounder with an NBA body—could be tough to pass up for a team that will eventually need to start thinking of life after Dirk Nowtizki.
22. Chicago Bulls- Cedi Osman, Guard/Forward, Macedonia: Given Chicago’s depth up front and lack of strong backcourt options available, this is a spot on the board for the Bulls to draft and stash. Cedi Osman has ultimately received invaluable experience and plenty of minutes playing in Euroleague, a good place for him to develop over the next two seasons.
23. Portland Trail Blazers- Rashad Vaughn, Guard, UNLV: With Wesley Matthews' future uncertain and Aaron Afflalo headed for free agency, Vaughn, a solid scorer for the Rebels last season with a diverse offensive skill set, is a solid choice.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Forward, Arizona: Hollis-Jefferson would seem like an obvious prospect for the Cleveland Cavaliers to target as a replacement for Shawn Marion. However, Hollis-Jefferson's defensive outlook could be too enticing to pass on this late, especially for a team that can surround him with quality offensive options. He'll be a steal in the 20's if he can ever learn how to shoot.
25. Memphis Grizzlies- Justin Anderson, Guard/Forward, Virginia: Memphis could have a need on the wing if Jeff Green leaves in free agency. Anderson—an NBA-ready defender with a powerful physique—could develop into a steal if his offensive game comes along.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Jerian Grant, Guard, Notre Dame: It’s tough to get a read on Grant’s stock. He’s polished and isn’t short on confidence. But he’s older (22) and teams don’t know if he’s a true point guard. He could go anywhere between 15-25. If he’s on the low end, San Antonio will happily scoop him up and plug Grant into its backcourt rotation, especially if Cory Joseph leaves in free agency.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Delon Wright, Guard, Utah: If the Lakers draft Okafor, the next biggest hole is at point guard. Enter Wright, a big, savvy playmaker who plays unselfishly and could provide L.A. with minutes next season. He’s an excellent defender, which the Lakers could badly use in the backcourt.
28. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers)- Aleksandar Vezenkov, Forawrd, Bulgaria: Keep an eye on Vezenkov. International scouts like him, often citing his jumper and skills in transition as strengths. This is a luxury pick for Boston; the Celtics could stash a quality European prospect with a nice upside for a year or two. Syracuse's Chris McCullough is a strong candidate here, too.
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks)- Chris McCullough, Forawrd, Syracuse: An ACL injury in January crippled McCullough’s stock. Pre-injury, McCullough was an athletic, shot-blocking forward with a sound shooting stroke. If he lives up to his potential, he could be a steal here.
30. Golden State Warriors- Jordan Mickey, Forward, LSU: Mickey looked great at the NBA combine, particularly on Day 1, when he went for 17 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks. Though a bit undersized, Mickey makes up for an inch in height with a strong 238-pound frame and unteachable instincts around the basket. This selection would give Golden State depth, considering they have major decisions coming regarding Draymond Green and David Lee.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Karl-Anthony Towns, Forward/Center, Kentucky: Minnesota is desperate for frontcourt versatility, and Towns is their clear-cut best fit. He’ll help fill the squad’s need for interior defense while expanding its offensive options. This could make Nikola Pekovic available for a trade.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Jahlil Okafor, Center, Duke: What a win this is for a franchise that is pretty much stuck in limbo and needed a bounce in the right direction. In Okafor, the Lakers get an NBA-ready center who can score in the post and should be a strong complement to returning power forward Julius Randle.
3. Philadelphia 76ers- D'Angelo Russell, Guard, Ohio State: Philadelphia has a clear need at both guard positions. With a promising frontcourt already in place, Philadelphia would be wise to add a sweet-shooting combo guard in Russell.
4. New York Knicks- Emmanuel Muiday, Guard, China: The Knicks, like the Lakers, were desperate a top three pick, except they fell back two spots and what a disaster this is for a franchise that needed a top three pick more than everybody else. They're hurting for a long-term facilitator just as much as they are for a big man. Mudiay is a dynamic playmaker whose ranginess and athleticism can change the complexion of their offense.
5. Orlando Magic- Kristaps Porzingis, Forward/Center, Latvia: Often compared to Kevin Garnett, Porzingis isn’t as skilled of a post player, but he is a legitimate stretch four, athletic with a fluid shooting stroke. Porzingis will need a year to bulk up but he has enormous potential.
6. Sacramento Kings- Willie Cauley-Stein, Center, Kentucky: DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins and the Sacramento Kings would love to land a springy big man like Cauley-Stein to give the squad some defensive flexibility. In addition to his defensive gifts and awareness, Cauley-Stein will make opponents work on the other end.
7. Denver Nuggets- Justice Winslow, Forward, Duke: Denver could use a wing who is interchangeable between the 2 and 3 spots, and Winslow is a dynamic answer at No. 7. No matter how long it takes to refine his skills, you can bet he'll immediately supply sideline-to-sideline defense, superb offensive instincts and energy.
8. Detroit Pistons- Stanley Johnson, Forward, Arizona: Detroit has a sizeable hole at small forward and Johnson, a defensive-minded swingman who has evoked comparisons—at least physically—to Metta World Peace, looks like a nice fit.
9. Charlotte Hornets- Mario Hezonja, Guard/Forward, Croatia: Charlotte has a clear need on the wing and Hezonja would be a nice fit. He could be a potent secondary option for the Hornets once he gains more polish and experience on the wing. Hezonja has the explosiveness, shooting skills and handles to fill up the hoop from anywhere.
10. Miami Heat- Trey Lyles, Forward, Kentucky: Miami has a need at the forward position. Lyles isn’t as advanced offensively as his UK teammate, Towns, but he is a solid face-up power forward who has shown flashes of a decent perimeter game.
11. Indiana Pacers- Frank Kaminsky, Forward/Center, Wisconsin: Indiana is clearly looking for a new identity and Kaminsky would fit that what Larry Bird, Donnie Walsh, and Frank Vogel are trying to build. He won't be a star right away, and he might never be one. But he's going to execute crisply, whether it's pick-and-pops on the perimeter or low-post touches. Don't be surprised if Roy Hibbert ends up on the trading block because it certainly appears that way.
12. Utah Jazz- Myles Turner, Forward/Center, Texas: Derrick Favors pounds the paint on offense, and Rudy Gobert stifles foes on the other end. The only major piece the Utah Jazz are missing in the frontcourt rotation is someone to stretch the floor. That's where Turner comes in handy. He offers two highly coveted assets: a soft shooting touch and towering rim protection.
13. Phoenix Suns- Devin Booker, Guard, Kentucky: One of the bigger surprises of the combine was Booker; not because of how he played (he didn’t) but executives' opinion of him. Several execs identified Booker as the best shooting prospect in the draft.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder- Sam Dekker, Forward, Wisconsin: Dekker is poised to shore up Oklahoma City's long-term wing depth while also contributing to the Thunder's short-term playoff runs. Wisconsin's all-purpose forward projects to be a key two-way role player. He has the size, agility and instincts to dramatically enhance OKC's forward corps and streamline the club's operation.
15. Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets)- Kelly Oubre, Forward, Kansas: While he undoubtedly fills a team need in Atlanta, Oubre Jr. just might be the top prospect remaining on the board. With DeMarre Carroll likely to generate plenty of interest in free agency, the Hawks could take Oubre as his long-term replacement.
16. Boston Celtics- Bobby Portis, Forward, Arkansas: Portis’s greatest strength: He competes like crazy. Executives love his relentless motor, which complements a diverse skill set. Portis is terrific in transition and is a strong floor-spacing big man prospect. Boston needs help in the front court as well and Portis would help.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- RJ Hunter, Guard, Georgia State: A postseason appearance accelerated Milwaukee’s youth movement, but there are still holes. The Bucks need a pivot, though drafting a five here would be a stretch. Expect Milwaukee to grab a swingman like Hunter, one of the draft’s best shooters, a nice fit to develop behind Khris Middleton, assuming he doesn't leave in free agency.
18. Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Tyus Jones, Guard, Duke: The Rockets desperately need to add a point guard, with Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry both entering free agency. Tyus Jones looks like the top option left on the board, and though he doesn't quite project as a high-end starter, there is no question he has the ball skills and basketball IQ to add something to a backcourt.
19. Washington Wizards- Kevon Looney, Forward, UCLA: Nene is 32 years old and entering the final year of his contract. Looney isn’t ready to play yet—the word “project” was attached to him by several executives at the combine—but he has tremendous physical tools and is a rugged rebounding prospect. Looney could be a nice long-term investment in D.C.
20. Toronto Raptors- Cameron Payne, Guard, Murray State: There was a measurable buzz around Payne at the draft combine in Chicago, with executives seeing a natural playmaker who blends scoring and distributing well. Payne is a little undersized, but he would be a nice fit to develop behind Kyle Lowry on the Raps.
21. Dallas Mavericks- Montrezl Harrell, Forward, Louisville: The Mavs need a point guard, and Utah’s Delon Wright is a candidate here. But Harrell—a high motor scorer/rebounder with an NBA body—could be tough to pass up for a team that will eventually need to start thinking of life after Dirk Nowtizki.
22. Chicago Bulls- Cedi Osman, Guard/Forward, Macedonia: Given Chicago’s depth up front and lack of strong backcourt options available, this is a spot on the board for the Bulls to draft and stash. Cedi Osman has ultimately received invaluable experience and plenty of minutes playing in Euroleague, a good place for him to develop over the next two seasons.
23. Portland Trail Blazers- Rashad Vaughn, Guard, UNLV: With Wesley Matthews' future uncertain and Aaron Afflalo headed for free agency, Vaughn, a solid scorer for the Rebels last season with a diverse offensive skill set, is a solid choice.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Forward, Arizona: Hollis-Jefferson would seem like an obvious prospect for the Cleveland Cavaliers to target as a replacement for Shawn Marion. However, Hollis-Jefferson's defensive outlook could be too enticing to pass on this late, especially for a team that can surround him with quality offensive options. He'll be a steal in the 20's if he can ever learn how to shoot.
25. Memphis Grizzlies- Justin Anderson, Guard/Forward, Virginia: Memphis could have a need on the wing if Jeff Green leaves in free agency. Anderson—an NBA-ready defender with a powerful physique—could develop into a steal if his offensive game comes along.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Jerian Grant, Guard, Notre Dame: It’s tough to get a read on Grant’s stock. He’s polished and isn’t short on confidence. But he’s older (22) and teams don’t know if he’s a true point guard. He could go anywhere between 15-25. If he’s on the low end, San Antonio will happily scoop him up and plug Grant into its backcourt rotation, especially if Cory Joseph leaves in free agency.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Delon Wright, Guard, Utah: If the Lakers draft Okafor, the next biggest hole is at point guard. Enter Wright, a big, savvy playmaker who plays unselfishly and could provide L.A. with minutes next season. He’s an excellent defender, which the Lakers could badly use in the backcourt.
28. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers)- Aleksandar Vezenkov, Forawrd, Bulgaria: Keep an eye on Vezenkov. International scouts like him, often citing his jumper and skills in transition as strengths. This is a luxury pick for Boston; the Celtics could stash a quality European prospect with a nice upside for a year or two. Syracuse's Chris McCullough is a strong candidate here, too.
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks)- Chris McCullough, Forawrd, Syracuse: An ACL injury in January crippled McCullough’s stock. Pre-injury, McCullough was an athletic, shot-blocking forward with a sound shooting stroke. If he lives up to his potential, he could be a steal here.
30. Golden State Warriors- Jordan Mickey, Forward, LSU: Mickey looked great at the NBA combine, particularly on Day 1, when he went for 17 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks. Though a bit undersized, Mickey makes up for an inch in height with a strong 238-pound frame and unteachable instincts around the basket. This selection would give Golden State depth, considering they have major decisions coming regarding Draymond Green and David Lee.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
2015 NBA Conference Finals Predictions
Here are my predictions for the Conference Finals in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
Eastern Conference
(E1) Atlanta Hawks vs (E2) Cleveland Cavaliers: Atlanta is coming off a series win against Washington after overcoming a 2-1 series hole. Cleveland is coming off a series win against Chicago after overcoming not only a 2-1 series hole but injuries to Kevin Love and now Kyrie Irving and his knee injury. I am curious to see which player Mike Budenholzer has guard LeBron James throughout this series. Atlanta has a few decent two way players such as DeMarre Carroll, who has been terrific in the playoffs and is playing his way into a big contract this summer since he is a free agent. The Hawks miss Thabo Sefolosha, who is out for the rest of the playoffs with a broken leg because he fits their identity and his two-way play, although they have overcome the loss so far. Irving's health is obviously critical to Cleveland's chances of advancing, but I expect Cleveland to win this series and advance to the finals for the first time since 2007 because they have the best players in the series who are James and Irving.
Prediction: Cavaliers in six games.
Western Conference
(W1) Golden State Warriors vs (W2) Houston Rockets: Golden State is coming off a six game series win over Memphis, in which they trailed 2 games to 1 at one point. Houston is coming off an unbelievable seven game series win over the Clippers, in which they rallied out of a 3-1 series hole. The well documented game 6 comeback Houston had was remarkable and James Harden was on the bench for it. Harden and Stephen Curry dominate the story lines of this series because they finished first and second respectively in the MVP voting. Expect a lot of scoring and barely any defense in this series because both teams use 3-point shooting quite often since it is a huge part of both teams success. Overall, Golden State just a more talented team than Houston and expect them to advance to the finals for the first time since 1975 which sets up a star-studded match up with Curry, Klay Thompson, LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving.
Prediction: Warriors in five games.
Eastern Conference
(E1) Atlanta Hawks vs (E2) Cleveland Cavaliers: Atlanta is coming off a series win against Washington after overcoming a 2-1 series hole. Cleveland is coming off a series win against Chicago after overcoming not only a 2-1 series hole but injuries to Kevin Love and now Kyrie Irving and his knee injury. I am curious to see which player Mike Budenholzer has guard LeBron James throughout this series. Atlanta has a few decent two way players such as DeMarre Carroll, who has been terrific in the playoffs and is playing his way into a big contract this summer since he is a free agent. The Hawks miss Thabo Sefolosha, who is out for the rest of the playoffs with a broken leg because he fits their identity and his two-way play, although they have overcome the loss so far. Irving's health is obviously critical to Cleveland's chances of advancing, but I expect Cleveland to win this series and advance to the finals for the first time since 2007 because they have the best players in the series who are James and Irving.
Prediction: Cavaliers in six games.
Western Conference
(W1) Golden State Warriors vs (W2) Houston Rockets: Golden State is coming off a six game series win over Memphis, in which they trailed 2 games to 1 at one point. Houston is coming off an unbelievable seven game series win over the Clippers, in which they rallied out of a 3-1 series hole. The well documented game 6 comeback Houston had was remarkable and James Harden was on the bench for it. Harden and Stephen Curry dominate the story lines of this series because they finished first and second respectively in the MVP voting. Expect a lot of scoring and barely any defense in this series because both teams use 3-point shooting quite often since it is a huge part of both teams success. Overall, Golden State just a more talented team than Houston and expect them to advance to the finals for the first time since 1975 which sets up a star-studded match up with Curry, Klay Thompson, LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving.
Prediction: Warriors in five games.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals Predictions
Here are my predictions for the Conference Finals for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Eastern Conference Final
(M1) New York Rangers vs (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning: This is a very fascinating matchup with great story lines. Martin St. Louis is facing his former team as well as Ryan Callahan (if he plays), Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle. Callahan had to get his appendix taken out prior to game six against Montreal, and if he doesn't play, it's a big loss for Tampa. The Bolts "triplets" line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Nikita Kucherov was terrific last round and it should be interesting to see what they can do here against the Rangers, who for the second straight year came back to win a series after being down 3 games to 1 to win the series. For the majority of the series against Washington, the Rangers kept Alex Ovechkin off the score board. It would be interesting to see if they keep Steven Stamkos off the board and if Alain Vigneault has Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh defend Stamkos. Ben Bishop has been solid so far in the postseason as well as Henrik Lundqvist, who has made big save after big save in the Rangers comeback against Washington. You can make a case for either team to win this series, but the Rangers are a more complete team than Tampa Bay and expect them to return to the Stanley Cup finals for the second year in a row.
Prediction: Rangers in seven games.
Western Conference Final
(P1) Anaheim Ducks vs (C3) Chicago Blackhawks: This should be another great series in the west where two power house teams will take the ice. Bruce Boudreau is in the conference finals for the first time in his coaching career while Joel Quenneville is in the conference finals for the fifth time in seven years with the Hawks. There is superstardom all around with Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane among them. Both of these teams played great hockey throughout the second round. Frederik Anderson has been pretty solid in net for Anaheim, while Chicago's Corey Crawford rebounded from being benched in the first round against Nashville. Chicago has a slight edge in defense with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook leading the way, while Anaheim has a solid defense as well. Overall, Chicago is a deeper team than Anaheim and expect them to appear in the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time in six years and it also sets up a dream matchup of two original six teams with finals or bust expectations.
Prediction: Blackhawks in six games.
Eastern Conference Final
(M1) New York Rangers vs (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning: This is a very fascinating matchup with great story lines. Martin St. Louis is facing his former team as well as Ryan Callahan (if he plays), Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle. Callahan had to get his appendix taken out prior to game six against Montreal, and if he doesn't play, it's a big loss for Tampa. The Bolts "triplets" line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Nikita Kucherov was terrific last round and it should be interesting to see what they can do here against the Rangers, who for the second straight year came back to win a series after being down 3 games to 1 to win the series. For the majority of the series against Washington, the Rangers kept Alex Ovechkin off the score board. It would be interesting to see if they keep Steven Stamkos off the board and if Alain Vigneault has Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh defend Stamkos. Ben Bishop has been solid so far in the postseason as well as Henrik Lundqvist, who has made big save after big save in the Rangers comeback against Washington. You can make a case for either team to win this series, but the Rangers are a more complete team than Tampa Bay and expect them to return to the Stanley Cup finals for the second year in a row.
Prediction: Rangers in seven games.
Western Conference Final
(P1) Anaheim Ducks vs (C3) Chicago Blackhawks: This should be another great series in the west where two power house teams will take the ice. Bruce Boudreau is in the conference finals for the first time in his coaching career while Joel Quenneville is in the conference finals for the fifth time in seven years with the Hawks. There is superstardom all around with Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane among them. Both of these teams played great hockey throughout the second round. Frederik Anderson has been pretty solid in net for Anaheim, while Chicago's Corey Crawford rebounded from being benched in the first round against Nashville. Chicago has a slight edge in defense with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook leading the way, while Anaheim has a solid defense as well. Overall, Chicago is a deeper team than Anaheim and expect them to appear in the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time in six years and it also sets up a dream matchup of two original six teams with finals or bust expectations.
Prediction: Blackhawks in six games.
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