NBA Mock Draft

First Round (considering no trading of draft picks)
1. Anthony Davis - New Orleans Hornets
2. Thomas Robinson - Charlotte Bobcats
3. Bradley Beal - Washington Wizards
4. Harrison Barners - Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Andre Drummond - Sacramento Kings
6. Damian Lillard - Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets)
7. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - Golden State Warriors
8. Dion Waiters - Toronto Raptors
9. John Henson - Detroit Pistons
10. Austin Rivers - New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota Timberwolves)
11. Tyler Zeller - Portland Trail Blazers
12. Meyers Leonard - Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee Bucks)
13. Jeremy Lamb - Phoenix Suns
14. Terrence Ross - Milwaukee Bucks (from Houston Rockets)
15. Perry Jones III - Philadelphia 76ers
16. Arnett Moultrie - Houston Rockets (from New York Knicks)
17. Kendall Marshall - Dallas Mavericks
18. Moe Harkless - Houston Rockets (from Minnesota Timberwolves)
19. Jared Sullinger - Orlando Magic
20. Andrew Nicholson - Denver Nuggets
21. Terrence Jones - Boston Celtics
22. Royce White - Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers)
23. Marquis Teague - Atlanta Hawks
24. Fab Melo - Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers)
25. Evan Fournier - Memphis Grizzlies
26. Draymond Green - Indiana Pacers
27. Quincy Miller - Miami Heat
28. Doron Lamb - Oklahoma City Thunder
29. Jeffrey Taylor - Chicago Bulls
30. Will Barton - Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio Spurs)

Teams without a first round pick = LA Lakers, LA Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves


Which players will rise and fall?

Will the Charlotte Bobcats look to trade down from No. 2 in order to pile up draft picks? With all of the moves the Houston Rockets have accomplished prior to tomorrow's draft, will three first round draft picks lure the Orlando Magic into trading C Dwight Howard? Would the Rockets invest so much into a player who has been very outspoken about where he wants to play? Houston wasn't one of the destinations Howard would be interested in playing for. If Howard doesn't stay with the Magic, he wants to go to a big market team such as Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, or Los Angeles Lakers. Will the Clippers look to acquire PF Lamar Odom from the Dallas Mavericks in a possible three team trade, which would involve PG Mo Williams? Will the Boston Celtics move up in order to draft coach Doc Rivers' son Austin Rivers? Will any blockbuster deals that involve star players happen during the draft?

The King is Crowned

After waiting nine years, LeBron James has finally won the NBA Title.  James has taken 9 years to reach his ultimate goal, but in his second season as a member of the Miami Heat, the organization captured their second NBA Title after experience a devastating loss in the 2011 NBA Finals just one year ago. In last years NBA postseason LeBron was non-existence, folded under pressure, and became known as the "Frozen One" instead of the "Chosen One". Due to the lack of inability to perform by LeBron, the Miami Heat lost in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks in a come-from-behind 3 game win streak to claim the NBA Title.

Originally LeBron James looked to be a home-town hero and bring an NBA championship to the Cleveland Cavilers, as he grew up only 40 miles away from Cleveland in Akron, Ohio. The Cavs were able to make it to the NBA Finals in 2007 but fell short as they were swept by the Sanantonio Spurs in a lopsided series dominated by the Spurs. During the 2009-10 NBA Playoffs LeBron and the Cavs were ranked as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but failed to live up to the expectations of being the No. 1 seed. In the Eastern Semifinals, the Cavilers suffered in a unfortunate 4-2 series loss to the Boston Celtics. After having his second best season in his NBA career, LeBron James also won his second straight MVP Award. LeBron added these two MVP awards to his other accolades as James was a 6-time NBA All Star, NBA scoring champion (2008), 4-time All-NBA First Team, 2-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, an NBA Rookie of the Year (2004), All-Rookie First Team (2004), and a 2-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. Even though, at this point James seemed to of reached his full potential, being the No.1 draft pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, sports analysts and fans expected LeBron to captured at least one NBA Finals trophy. After an outstanding 2009-10 season, LeBron James made the decision of a lifetime.

Unlike any other professional athlete who decides that they want to play for a different team, LeBron James decided to make his move on an hour long, live, televised segment on ESPN known as "The Decision". On Thursday, July 8, 2010 LeBron shocked the world, and devastated his home town, and broke the heart of Caviler fans as he said the words "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat." This decision brought together the NBA's newest Big Three as Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James came together to play for the Miami Heat. Many scrutinized that James was now playing on Wade's team, but as we all know now LeBron has taken over as the face of the franchise. On July 9, 2010, South Beach became the site of a welcoming party for the new Big Three. This welcoming party was much more of a pep rally for the Miami Heat, as James continued to amuse the media and put more pressure on the Miami franchise. LeBron did not state that he came to South Beach just to win one NBA Title, but stated that he came to win eight NBA Championships. With all this pressure on LeBron, he became more of a criticized athlete in his first season as a member of the Heat due to the pressure and hype to win the NBA title in just his first season in Miami.  

From day one, LeBron has been compared to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The one huge difference between these two and LeBron is that they never worried about what said about them, and just showed all of their emotions and talent on the court. Before last night, LeBron James could never be compared to Jordan or Bryant as he never had a NBA Title under his belt. Even today, James cannot be brought up in the same category as other NBA Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers, until he wins at the least 4 more NBA Titles just to catch up to the Lakers Kobe Bryant. Since leaving Celevland, LeBron has captured one NBA MVP, 2 time NBA All-Star, 2 time All-NBA First Time, 2 time NBA All-Defensive First Team, NBA Champion, and NBA Finals MVP.

This year the Miami Heat's supporting cast helped in a huge way to win the franchises second NBA Championship. In the postseason the Big Three did their part in each of the four series, the surrounding players did their part as well. Between Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Norris Cole; they all stepped when their number was called. If not for the supporting cast, the Miami Heat would not have won the NBA Title nor get through the Eastern Conference Finals against the experienced Boston Celtics. The reason for such an outstanding performance by these individuals in The NBA Finals, they all fed off of the double team on LeBron James, which left these outside shooters available for the open shot.

Has LeBron finally silenced his critics? Does he had the clutch gene? Would he have won a title if he didn't have Wade and Bosh? Many people argue that any superstar would win a title if they had two other star athletes on their team. Will LeBron be considered one of the greatest NBA players ever once his career is finished?

Congratulations to the 2012 NBA Champion Miami Heat

Year of the Pitcher

Just over two months into the 2012-2013 Major League Baseball season, we've witnessed five no-hitters, one combined no-hitter, and two perfect games. In the 2011-2012 season, there were a total of three no-hitters and not one perfect game. Since 2009, there have been 15 no-hitters (including combined no-hitter by Seattle Mariners) and five perfect games.

The first to start this trend of the pitching phenomena was Chicago White Sox pitcher, Philip Humber. When he pitched his perfect game at Seattle on Saturday, April 21st, it was only his second start of the season. Humber had nine strikeouts and 0.63 ERA in a 4-0 victory. Wednesday, May 2nd, Los Angeles Angels pitcher, Jered Weaver threw a no-hitter against Minnesota Twins. Weaver had nine strikeouts, one walked batter, and 1.61 ERA in a 9-0 win. On April 1st, New York Mets LHP, Johan Santana made history by pitching the Mets first ever no-hitter since the franchise was established 44 years ago. Santana struck out eight batters, gave up five walks, and threw 134 pitches in an 8-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Seattle Mariners are the first team since June 11, 2003 when the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 8-0. The Astros used six pitchers to complete their combined no-hitter. The Mariners coincidentally used six pitchers as well in their combined no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1-0 win. The most impressive pitcher performance in the MLB was pitched by Matt Cain, the No. 2 pitcher in the San Francisco Giants rotation. He managed to pitch the Giants first perfect game in franchise history as he shut down the Houston Astros on June 13th. Cain struck out 14 Astros and threw 125 pitches, as the Giants beat the Astros in a 10-0 dominating victory.

This week alone, there were three one-hit games. Jason Hammel (RHP Baltimore Orioles) and Ervin Santana (RHP Los Angeles Angeles) both threw one-hit shutouts last night (June 16, 2012) against the Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks, respectively. It is extraordinary to have two pitchers throw one-hitters and is the first time since 2002 (10 years), that two pitchers threw one-hit shutouts on the same day. New York Mets RHP R.A. Dickey pitched a controversial one-hitter on Wednesday, against the Tampa Bay Rays. The only hit allowed was in the first inning, when Mets third baseman David Wright mishandled a difficult ground ball hit by speedster B.J. Upton. The Mets tried to appeal the ruling of a hit, to be changed to an error so R.A. Dickey would be awarded a no-hitter. The Mets lost the appeal because Upton may have beat the play out even if Wright didn't mishandle to grounder.


Only a few years ago, we were in the era of the hitters and steroid scandals. Have times changed in the majors, to a dominant pitching league? Should R.A. Dickey have been awarded a no-hitter? Who will be the next pitcher to make MLB history?

Kings of LA

Congratulation goes out to the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings as the unexpected has happened. Out of all the professional sport organizations in Los Angeles, the Kings are placed in a different category amongst other Los Angeles teams. With the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship in 2010, the Los Angeles Galaxy winning the MLS Cup in 2011, and the rise of the Los Angeles Clippers (NBA), Dodgers (MLB), and Angles (MLB); The Kings have been the lowest team on the totem pole. As the Los Angeles Clippers made a key mid-season acquisition gaining an NBA All Star point guard in Chris Paul, the Clippers gained potential of winning the battle of the Staple Center against the more dominant Lakers, as well as gaining a loyal fan base. For the Dodgers the potential of all their young stars including MVP candidate Matt Kemp and the 2011 Cy Young Award winner, in Clayton Kershaw the Dodgers currently have the best record in the MLB. The Angeles made possibly the biggest off-season move in  the MLB as they lured in the 3-time winner of the National League MVP award (2005, 2008, 2009), and a 2-time World Series Champion (2006, 2011), Albert Pujols from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings have made history by winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The Kings are the first No. 8 seed team to ever win the Stanley Cup, the first team to take a 3-0 series lead in all four playoff matchups in NHL history, they are the only team in history to knock of the top 3 seeds in their conference, and  coach Darryl Sutter becomes the fifth midseason replacement to win the Stanley Cup. Not only did the team make history but so did the Kings Captain Dustin Brown, as he became the second American-born Captain to win the Stanley Cup. Out of the 21 skaters for the Kings who have played in at least one playoff game, 17 have scored at the least one goal, and 18 have recorded at least a single point. The Kings only suffered three losses throughout the entire playoffs, all three losses were at home in Game 4s and only suffered one road loss during the playoffs, which was in Game 5 against the Devils. They were 16-4 this postseason, 10-1 on the road, tied for the most postseason win in a single playoff year. When the Kings scored first their record was a staggering 11-1. Game 6 started off with the Kings scoring three power play goals in the first period on a 5-minute boarding penalty. In Game 6, the Kings defeated the Devils 6-1 to capture Lord Stanley's Cup. Congratulations to Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, third American-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP), second straight year the award has been won by a goaltender (2011 Tim Thomas).


What's more impressive? The No. 8 seed team, who barely made the playoffs, now have managed to capture their first ever Stanley Cup; Winning 16 out of 20 games, sweeping 2 out of 4 series; Dustin Brown becoming the second ever American-born to hoist the Stanley Cup trophy; or a franchise who fired their head coach midseason and having the replacement coach lead them to their first Stanley Cup.

As of 2012, the Los Angeles Kings shall be known as the KINGS OF LA and recognized not only as a city full of basketball and baseball stars, but a historical hockey town.

Scoring Champ vs. MVP and Future of the Celtics

Congratulation goes out to the young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder on defeating the San Antonio Spurs to advance to their fourth NBA Finals appearance, first since the formerly known Seattle Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City. The Thunder had a difficult path to the Finals. This season the Thunder had the second best record in the NBA (second best in the Western Conference) 47-19. Being the No. 2 seed in the West, they had to face the defending NBA Champions Dallas Mavericks in the First Round, Los Angeles Lakers in the Conference Semifinals, and San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Finals. The Thunder demolished the Mavericks in four games, defeated the Lakers in five, and are the fourth team in NBA history to come back from 0-2 down in a series to win four straight games.

Miami Heat outlasted the Boston Celtics in a decisive Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to their second straight NBA Finals. Last season, they squared off against the Dallas Mavericks and lost the series 4-2. This season the Heat had the second best record in the Eastern Conference as they went 46-20. Holding the No. 2 seed in the very competitive Eastern Conference, the Heat faced the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. After beating the Knicks in a commanding 4-1 series, they moved on to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This series took the Heat six game to wrap up as they took the series in a 4-2 victory, and by doing this they were matched-up with the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. This series turned out to be a blood match as the Celtics were able to take a 3-2 series lead after winning Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With "The King" Lebron James carried the Heat on his back, he was able to score an outstanding 45 points and 15 rebounds, demolishing the Celtics in Game 6, which forced Game 7 back down in South Beach, Miami. With the performance in Game 6 by Lebron, many questioned whether the "chosen one" or the "frozen one" would show up for Game 7. But in Game 7, it was not only Lebron that showed up but Miami's Big Three showed up to play. Between the three of them, they combined to score a total of 73 points and 26 rebounds. The surprising turn around by the Big Three of the Heat have now lead them back to the NBA Finals. They will face a young, talented, and explosive Oklahoma City team, who split the regular season series (1-1) with the Heat, each winning on their home court.

After losing Game 7, the Celtics now look to face possibly many changes come the 2012 NBA off-season. According to sport analysis many wonder if this will be the last time anyone will see the "Big Three" play together, or if their may be a new Big Three. Come this offseason, the veterans Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are both free agents, and if they do not decide to retire as a Celtic, they may look to go else where. The question is Will the Big Three stick together? Will it be the players who decide to leave? Or the management who decide to move on and look towards the future? This season though it was not just the Big Three as it became the Big Four, especially come the postseason. Rajon Rondo will still be a Celtic next year, but many ponder the question as to whether or not the Celtic's management want to try and base their organization just around this All-Star point guard. Celtics will also have long time Celtic "The Truth" Paul Pierce back for next season, but the Celtics management may look to trade him for youth.

As we look towards this 2012 NBA Finals, the match up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat is exactly what the NBA hoped to see. Oklahoma City looks to capture their first championship since 1979, as they re-located and re-named the franchise from the Seattle Supersonics to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Miami Heat on the other hand, look to secure their second NBA championship. Will the MVP Lebron James be able to capture his first every NBA Championship? Could the Big Three of the Heat capture the NBA Championship rings that Bosh and James went to Miami for? Or may the young roster of the Thunder capture their first NBA Championship banner for their re-vamped franchise? Will the starting five and bench depth of the Thunder be too much for the Big Three to handle?

Prediction for this series: Oklahoma City Thunder in a 4-2 series victory and will capture their first championship banner for their refreshed franchise.

Tw3lve More Minutes

This is the quarter of the season, if we win, we still have a shot. If we lose, get the golf clubs out of the closet and cleaned off. With the late surge in the end of the third quarter, the lead is down to five points. The story of the playoffs for the campaigning Boston Celtics has been spurts. Spurts of both offense and defense, have brought the crowd to their feet and back to their seats.

What will decide Game 4 with 12 minutes to go?

Heat - Foul Trouble
Chalmers - 4
James - 3
Wade - 3

If the Celtics can drive the lane and get easy baskets, it's hard to see them losing this game. Chalmers is arguably the second best offensive option in the fourth quarter, so if he is out, we may see the late game struggles of Prince James define the night for the Miami Heat.


Celtics - Foul Trouble
Rondo - 4
Pierce - 4
Bass - 3

Pierce, please stay in the game would you.

And here we go, as Marvin Gaye once sang, LET'S GET IT ON!

Controversy in Boston

Shocking news coming out of Boston that doesn't involve the Boston Celtics nor the Boston Red Sox. This news, will change the future of the Boston Bruins and the up coming season at the least. As of today June 3, the 38 year old Tim Thomas officially announced he has decided to "sit out" for the 2012-13 NHL season. Thomas has spent the past ten years as a member of the Boston Bruins, and it took him four years to emerge as the starting goaltender at the age of 32. He has one-year left on his current contract and a no-movement clause, which means he cannot be traded, waived, or sent down to the minors without his approval. His no-movement clause expires July 1.

Throughout his fifteen year career, Thomas has managed to win the Vezina Trophy (league's best goaltender) in both 2009 and 2011, as well as being a member of the 2010 Winter Olympics U.S.A Men's Hockey Team that won the silver medal. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy (Most Valuable Player) in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and became the oldest player and second American-born player to win this accolade in NHL history. Not only did he manage to capture the MVP of the 2011 playoffs, the Boston Bruins were also able to edge off the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup.


Tim Thomas has dedicated his whole life to hockey, he has decided to focus his life on his "friends, family, and faith" for this upcoming year. During this past season, Thomas and his family decided to sell their house in Boston, and relocate to Colorado.  As Thomas only has one-year remaining on his current contract with the Bruins, is this a sign of early retirement? Since Tuukka Rask will become a restricted free agent this offseason, and is vital to the Boston Bruins, are the Bruins forced to re-sign him to a long-term contract? If re-signed, is Tuukka deserving of high salary contract? Is he capable of being the No.1 goaltender on the Bruins depth-chart? With the Bruins using both Thomas and Rask these past few years, will the Bruins try to sign another skilled No. 2 goaltender? Could this also take the Bruins out of contention to win the Stanley Cup, or even making the 2013 playoffs?

Scholarship Earned

In November, 18 year-old high school senior, Justin Combs (son of Sean "Diddy" Combs) committed to playing collegiate football at UCLA. He is a 5-foot-9, 175 pound defensive back at Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York. Justin is a three-star recruit and is ranked #133 for the cornerback position. He was recruited by nationally recognized football programs, which included UCLA, Iowa, Illinois, Wyoming, and Virginia. He accepted UCLA's offer of $54,000 (full ride) to play for their football program. The school hands out 285 athletic scholarship each year.

Just because his father is a hip-hop mogul, who has a net worth of over $550 million, doesn't mean his son shouldn't be able to receive an athletic scholarship. Granted his father would have no problem paying for his son to attend any college he wanted, Justin earned his scholarship and the right to accept it regardless of how much money his father has. Justin will be graduating with a 3.75 GPA. He is an all around student-athlete, and he excels in the classroom as well as on the field.

The athletic scholarships are funded by tickets sales, corporate partnerships, media rights, and private donations. His scholarship won't affect need-based scholarships awarded to other students and will not use state funded money.

Did UCLA offer the scholarship to bring attraction to the university? Should he have accepted the scholarship? Will this increase the school's attendance or have no affect? Will Diddy make major contributions to the university and/or athletic department? This is not the first time a celebrity or athlete's child has been offered an athletic scholarship, but is the most publicized thus far.