NBA FanHouse

Jay Bilas Wanted People Sober for the Draft

Charles Rich — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:54:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NBA Draft, NBA Media Watch, NBA Prospects, The Word

During the NBA Draft last week, Jay Bilas took pains to avoid using his favorite words when talking about the draftees: "long" and "upside." It wasn't because the folks at ESPN told him that his overuse of the words had become annoying and tiresome. No. He just wanted to keep people from getting too tanked that night ($).

I am aware of the drinking games that are based upon the use of such terms, and I did my level best to reduce binge drinking across the country. We all have to do what we can. Instead of "long," I used the terms "length," "stretch," "elongated," "extend" and the ever-popular "considerable linear extent in space." With one player, I stated that his arms "extend beyond normal or moderate limits."

The draft day drinking games featuring Bilas have been around for a few years. I doubt his direct avoidance of those words did much to slow it down. Especially with the other talking heads around him happily picking up the slack.

Still, that Bilas acknowledges the games are played, and actually has something approaching a sense of humor about it is a welcome thing. Most wouldn't admit to it, or at best might mention it in passing if pushed on a radio show. Instead Bilas came out with it on his own.

Jay Bilas Wanted People Sober for the Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How the 'Testing the Waters' Divers Fared in Thursday's NBA Draft

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

With the NBA Draft come and gone, it is interesting to look back at those guys who were "testing the waters" and decided to leap in. Some came out looking pretty smart; others didn't.

Smart Move: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA): Sure, he went at #37 and guarantees him nothing, but I honestly thought that this cat would go undrafted and ... since he signed with an agent ... was making a huge mistake. Going to a team like Milwaukee and Scott Skiles who will love his defensive intensity, he should find a home. It wasn't the most intelligent move, but he outfoxed most of us.

Dumb Move: Bill Walker (Kansas State): Despite a knee injury right at the 'test' deadline, he felt he had a good shot at a first round pick. Instead, he drops all the way down to #47 and ends up with the Celtics. Many felt Walker would be best suited to go back to K-State and have that team to himself and vault his draft value. Instead, he will find a tough time making a championship team.

We Shall See: Mario Chalmers (Kansas): Chalmers was supposed to go higher than #34, but he may have ended up in a cherry situation. Miami drafted him and really could use a good decision making, defensive minded point guard. He, along with Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook, could be starting point guards in the fall.

Smart Move: George Hill (IUPUI): Hill was a very wild card in the draft. He is a talent, but many didn't feel he'd be drafted until the mid-2nd round. Well, the Spurs took him at #26 and they could use a guy with his skills. So he does get the guaranteed deal and a chance to play on one of the best teams in the league.

Dumb Move: Richard Hendrix (Alabama): The only blessing here is that Golden State is in such a flux with their roster that Hendrix may find himself a job. Still, falling to 49th isn't what he was expecting.

We Shall See: Trent Plaisted (BYU): He didn't get into the first round, but no one really thought he would. However, he did go to Detroit, which could use his lost post presence and where his maturity should pay off.

Smart Move: J.J. Hickson (NC State): Man, he took a bit of a gamble and it payed off. He was right on the fence about being a first rounder ... yet made it all the way up to #19. He goes to Cleveland which needs a banger like him, so he should be able to get some minutes off the bat.

Dumb Move: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M): It was hard to blame Jordan for coming out when there was some buzz about him being a lottery pick. However, he fell to #35 and to a team (Clippers) which is spotty on developing anyone.

We Shall See: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis): He really didn't test the waters, but it is interesting that the Conference USA's Player of the Year watches three other CUSA players (including two teammates) taken ahead of him. Still, he goes to New Jersey who let it be known that they are building for the future. So, that gives CDR a shot at sticking around for a while and showing what he has.

Smart Move: Ryan Anderson (Cal): Many people wondered who this kid was and why he threw his hat into the draft. Well, the Pac-10's leading scorer shot up to the #21 spot in the draft ... landing with the Nets. Just as I said with Douglas-Roberts, Anderson will get his shot to play with the rebuilding Nets.

Dumb Move: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M): It was hard to blame Jordan for coming out when there was some buzz about him being a lottery pick. However, he fell to #35 and to a team (Clippers) which is spotty on developing anyone.

Dumbest Move Of Them All: Davon Jefferson (USC): The dumbest move of all. Not only was he not ready, the freshman was outshined in pretty much everything he participated in. Since he signed with an agent early on, he couldn't go back to SoCal. He ends up undrafted and a perfect case for someone getting bad information.

How the 'Testing the Waters' Divers Fared in Thursday's NBA Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who Is JaJuan Robinson and What Is He Doing in the NBA Draft?

Charles Rich — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:38:00 EST

Filed under: Mid-Majors Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

If you looked at the official release of who was in and out for the NBA Draft, you might have noticed a freshman named JaJuan Robinson from Lincoln (PA) University. Why would a freshman from a D-III program, that nobody knows anything about be in the NBA Draft? Is this another smart-assed kid just trying to have fun with the system?

Sadly, it is not. JaJuan Robinson is a 24-year old, 5-11 "freshman," who has taken a long time to get to this point. At one time he was a decent enough high school prospect. A 2-star recruit from Baltimore. A scrappy point guard who was known for hard play on both ends.

He was actually part of Big East school, Providence's 2004 recruiting class (after taking a 5th year of high school at prep school in South Carolina). Apparently he suffered a minor knee injury in an offseason practice and then left the school a month into the season for the always nebulous "personal reasons."

That's where he disappeared (or at least dropped off of any search engine).

After a year, presumably back home in Baltimore, he resurfaced with the Lincoln Lions in 2006. Robinson was apparently very good on the court. According to Rob Knox, Lincoln's Assistant AD for Sports Information Management, he earned numerous honors during his brief stay with Lincoln. He was MVP of the Franklin & Marshall Tip-Off Tournament as well as the Cyrus D. Jones Tournament. He was named to the all-tournament team at RDV Orlando Shootout and also named Player of the Week by the Association of Division III Independents in December, 2006.

Unfortunately, although he averaged the most points on the team, Robinson only appeared in half the games in 2006-07. After his first semester, Robinson was not permitted to suit up for the team because of academic issues. He left Lincoln rather than try to get his grades in order as soon as that happened and was not on the roster for the 2007-08 season.

Robinson loves basketball above all else it seems. In his old Providence profile he lists his hobbies as "Playing basketball, watching movies and working out." Apparently he is now leaving school issues behind to work towards what he really wants: playing basketball.

It won't be in the NBA -- Robinson just doesn't have a chance. But entering the draft will put his name out there. Maybe an NBA team will at least work him out. Maybe offer him an NBDL deal. Maybe the CBA will have a spot. Or, perhaps a team outside of the US will see his name on the list of available players and give him a call after the draft. Perhaps his improbable draft entry is the smartest thing JaJuan Robinson has ever done. He won't hear his name called by an NBA team next Thursday -- but he may just find himself playing basketball anyway.

Who Is JaJuan Robinson and What Is He Doing in the NBA Draft? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Despite Knee Injury, Kansas State's Bill Walker Decides to Stay in NBA Draft

Sportz Assassin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:05:00 EST

Filed under: Pistons, Big 12 Basketball, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects, Kansas State Basketball

Despite suffering a tough knee injury yesterday that may have pushed him out of the first round of the NBA Draft, Kansas State's Bill Walker is deciding to stay in the draft.

Kansas State Wildcats redshirt freshman Bill Walker will remain in the NBA draft despite injuring his right knee at a workout over the weekend, his advisor, Chris Rivers said Monday afternoon.

Rivers, the director of basketball at Reebok, said that an MRI taken Monday didn't reveal a tear of the MCL or the ACL, which was feared when Walker heard a pop prior to working out for 21 teams at the Golden State Warriors' practice facility in Oakland.

This is huge news for Kansas State, which will lose both Walker and Michael Beasley to the NBA and most likely end the latest Golden Era in Manhattan.

With this news, it shows that Walker not only believes that he is a first round pick, but that his knee is also healthy. Many feel that the Detroit Pistons (who pick 29th) may have guaranteed Walker they'd take him there (it is a need they have) and may have pushed Walker's decision to stay.

Despite Knee Injury, Kansas State's Bill Walker Decides to Stay in NBA Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking at 'Deadline Day' for NBA Draft Prospects Testing the Waters

Sportz Assassin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:20:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Gossip, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

Trying to figure out what a 20, 21 year old is going to do with his life is tough. Especially when these guys are agentless and are told different things by different people with different interests.

Still, with the 5 p.m. ET deadline for NBA Draft prospects who still have college eligibility and not signed with an agent looming, let's take a look at who has to make the big decisions today.

Chase Budinger (Arizona): He says he could come back to school, but even his coach says he'd be nuts to. He'll be a midround pick and the kind of guy who a team late in the first round won't be able to pass up.

Ty Lawson (North Carolina): I think Lawson is in. He seemed as if he was trying to find a reason to leave Carolina and he seems to have a lock on getting picked in the first round (Nuggets, Spurs). This isn't an elite point guard draft and Lawson would fit certain teams.

Bill Walker (Kansas State): This is a tough one. Even before his injury, no one really knew where Walker's value was. He was the perfect example of a guy who someone could take a chance in the 20s ... or he could fall out of the first round altogether. Initial reports say he tore his meniscus which means his pre-draft workouts are over. I think Walker comes back to school if he doesn't get any better news on his knee.Wayne Ellington (North Carolina): I think Ellington is a bit stung by the fact that NBA teams don't draft guys who have a streaky shot and little else. Since the workouts have began, his stock has fallen and I don't see anyone really using a first rounder on him. Back to school.

Richard Hendrix (Alabama): Hendrix probably won't be a first rounder but could get drafted early in the second round and make an NBA team because of his toughness. The knock on him is size ... which is something that he can't go back to Bama and work on. I think he stays in the draft.

Ryan Anderson (California): Same boat as Hendrix. He's a guy who is hearing good things from teams in the 25-40 range which will probably keep him in the draft.

Jamont Gordon (Miss State): While I don't think he'll get a guarantee to be a first rounder, he is the kind of combo guard that teams drafting late in the round will take a long look at. I think he stays in the draft.

Jeremy Pargo (Gonzaga): I don't see Pargo's getting the love to be a first round pick. Teams picking in the back end of the draft really aren't interested in (sometime) wreckless point guards who isn't a really good shooter. Back to school.

A.J. Abrams (Texas): There are several draft sites to don't see him even being drafted. This brings an interesting dilemma for Abrams: if he keeps his name in the draft, doesn't sign with an agent, then doesn't get drafted ... he can still go back to school. Call it the Randolph Morris situation. Ultimately, I think Abrams will be a Longhorn next year, but who knows what route he'll take.

Robert Vaden (UAB): Here is an interesting one. Vaden was dominant during his lone season at UAB ... yet really isn't high on anyone's draft radar (he's a mid-second round pick right now). He's also 23 years old right now, which is old even in the old days. If he stays in school, he'll be 24 when the '09 draft comes and may see his draft stock stay the same. I think he goes just because it won't help him much if he stays.

Danny Green (North Carolina): Shame on us, I guess, but most of us treated his NBA Draft status as a joke. Dude's got a lot of stuff going on and it would have been a bit irresponsible if he didn't test the waters, just to see what things he needed to work on. I really feel he'll go back to college and have a huge year.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA): I don't see him getting drafted at all and should head back to the Bruins.

Looking at 'Deadline Day' for NBA Draft Prospects Testing the Waters originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ty Lawson Rolls Ankle. Again.

Sportz Assassin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:09:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, Nuggets, UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NBA Prospects, Charlotte, Carolina

Let me tell ya: this whole Ty Lawson saga just keeps getting weirder. After announcing he will enter the NBA Draft, he's had nothing but drama.

He bitched about people saying he's testing the waters.
He didn't like Tar Heels fans slamming him.
He announced he'd come back to school if he wasn't guaranteed to go in the top twenty picks.
After playing one game in the NBA's Pre-Draft camp, he sat the rest of the time with a hip pointer.
He doesn't show up to a workout with the Nuggets, who hold the #20 pick.
He gets arrested for drinking, playing loud music and other stuff.

Mind you, he still has a week to make a decision on whether or not to come back to North Carolina (he hasn't signed with an agent, keeping his eligibility), so lord knows what else could go wrong.

Well, add this to the list: Lawson rolled his ankle while working out for the Washington Wizards. The Wiz hold the #18 pick and ... let's just say ... they have a thing for UNC players (Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood, assistant coach Mike O'Koren).

Remember that Lawson has hurt his ankle during the past season at UNC.

Is this a trend that will scare off NBA teams? I'm sure it will. Lawson missed a lot of time last season due to hurting his wrist early in the season (causing him to miss some time) and his ankle late in the season (causing him to miss a month of action). Add the mysterious hip pointer at the pre-draft camp and this ankle injury ... and NBA teams have to be concerned.

After all, whomever drafts Lawson will do so because of his speed and quickness. Bad ankles and hips really take a bite out of those things -- as we saw from Lawson when he came back from his injury.

With the arrest (which isn't a huge deal, but it does show a lack of good judgement) and missing workouts (word now is that Lawson cancelled due to a minor injury which was before he was hurt in the workout with the Wizards), teams have to be scared off.

So, what is Lawson going to do? He seems to have his heart set on going pro, yet doesn't seem to be that highly regarded. If he stays in the draft, he runs the risk of being drafted very late, not getting a nice payday and missing on an opportunity to be on a great college team. If he goes back to UNC, he faces the wrath of Roy Williams' doghouse (he's been there before) and fans in opposing gyms in every ACC city. Do you think the Cameron Crazies will forget any of this?!?!?!

Again, he has one more week to figure this out. Judging by this past week, we have no idea what he may decide to do.

Ty Lawson Rolls Ankle. Again. originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NC State's J.J. Hickson Says He Is Staying in the NBA Draft

Sportz Assassin — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:07:00 EST

Filed under: Suns, NC State Basketball, NBA Prospects, Carolina

The NBA Draft has taken another "one-and-done" player: NC State forward J.J. Hickson. Hickson, who had been testing the draft waters, announced that he's going to dive on in:

"I would say that I'm definitely in the draft. I came out just testing the waters but since I'm hearing a lot of good things about my game I'm not going to pull my name out."

"I'm not really hearing anything, but I think I've given a bunch of good showings. I'm coming in here and I'm trying to impress the scouts and that's why I think I'm going to keep my name in. I think I'm having good showings."

Now this announcement came courtesy of the Phoenix Suns official web site after Hickson worked out for the team. Phoenix has the #15 pick in the draft and it's curious that he'd choose to make this announcement now. After all, it really wasn't any shock that he'd keep his name in the draft ... just that he chose now to make it official.

He has worked out for Sacramento (#12, #42, #43), Seattle (#4, #24, #32) and Cleveland (#19) with trips to Denver (#20) and Philadelphia (#16) coming up. NBADraft.net has him selected with the final pick in the first round (Boston) while DraftExpress has him as the first pick of the second round (Minnesota).

NC State's J.J. Hickson Says He Is Staying in the NBA Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Grand Plan to Save Youth Basketball -- What's Next? Where Do We Go From Here?

Tom Ziller — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: NBA Draft, NBA Prospects, USA Basketball

It's a shame false rumors about a deal to increase the NBA's minimum age requirement for entry to the draft gained more attention last week than the real reason for college-pro collaboration: the formation of a plan to "rescue" American youth basketball. Reps from the NBA, NCAA, AAU, USA Basketball, and the shoe companies got together to say "we need to do something," which as Baltimore Sun columnist David Steele notes is a good first step. But it's really not clear where this is going, as Steele writes.

Too bad no one on that stage suggested blowing up the entire system and starting over from scratch. Practically speaking, that's impossible, and it actually wouldn't be fair to those entities within the system who try to do the right thing from within. ... No segment is wholly good or wholly bad, nor is any idea or any concept. That goes for the NCAA and its one-sided system, the shoe companies and their virtual bankrolling of kids as early as middle school, and the NBA and its ever-changing attempts to gauge public approval.

It's all an unwieldy mess, and something had to be done to bring some structure to it all.

Short of blowing it all up, someone's got to take the conch and be the leader on this. David Stern's NBA is a good candidate, though Stern has always seemed wary of tussling with shoe companies (he'd rather fight with his players and the media). The NCAA has limited practical opportunity to expand its power here -- their regulations already levy hefty punishments on players and programs who don't play by the strict rules. (Lest we forget the debate over LeBron James's moot NCAA eligibility.) AAU is too huge and dispersed to prevent the occasional (or "frequent," unfortunately) abuse, and USA Basketball can't conceivably get too mucked up in sub-star ranks of teen hoops.

The best solution might be this whole raising-the-age-limit thing, as distasteful and backwards as it seems. The NCAA, again, is strict. Forcing kids into two years of college theoretically forces the players to abide by those strict compensation/gift rules longer, and raises the penalty for players who run afoul (or are lead afoul). The NCAA also needs to crack down on glorified street agents who lead star high schoolers to certain programs. Worldwide Wes is one thing. Other pipelines aren't so clean.

The Grand Plan to Save Youth Basketball -- What's Next? Where Do We Go From Here? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The NBA Won't Be Increasing the Age Limit for the Draft

Charles Rich — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:12:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Rumors, NBA Draft, NBA Media Watch, NBA Rumors, NBA Prospects

There has been some discussion as to what it would mean about the rumored increase in the minimum age for the NBA Draft to age 20. As suspected by some, it does turn out, that the rumor is untrue.

Overheated press reports before today's joint NBA-NCAA news conference in San Antonio had NBA Commissioner David Stern and NCAA President Myles Brand about to announce a deal requiring college players to stay for two seasons instead of one.

This was not only in error -- there's no deal, nor was one discussed -- but missed a fundamental point:

This isn't between the NBA and the NCAA. It's between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Assn.

The NCAA may give its tacit or even explicit approval to an age requirement for the NBA Draft, but it has no legal or practical say in things.

No, the press conference for today concerns the joint venture to change the way youth basketball is structured, run and organized. The NCAA and NBA plan to contribute up to $15 million dollars each for a new program. One that will involve certifying and training both officials and coaches at the lower levels.

The details are sketchy to say the least. By accounts, it appears they are still formulating just what will happen, but they wanted to let everyone know something will be happening.

The NBA Won't Be Increasing the Age Limit for the Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't Expect an NBA Age-Limit Bump ... Yet

Tom Ziller — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Rumors, NBA Draft, NBA Rumors, NBA Prospects

Earlier, the Charlotte News-Observer reported the NBA and NCAA will have a joint press conference Monday to announce a bump in the NBA's age-limit from 19 to 20 years old, and FanHouse's Sportz Assassin explained why he is in favor of the move here. However, don't expect this announcement to actually happen tomorrow. A few reasons:

The NCAA has nothing to do with the age limit. Myles Brand can wish wish wish to his heart's content, but he has no role in "negotiating" a bump in the age limit with the NBA. The rule is for the NBA and its player association to decide, just as it was in 2006. Which brings us to the real reason this isn't happening...
The NBA's collective bargaining agreement isn't up for negotiation until 2010-11. The bump in the limit will happen, I'd bet -- but not until 2011. It's an important issue to David Stern, but not one he'd be willing to trot out (as a controversial topic) on the eve of possibly the greatest postseason in modern NBA history. He could presumably have negotiated this into the CBA, but then the player's union would be a party to the press conference, not the NCAA.

My intuition tells me the announcement will instead be about a plan to retake youth basketball from the sneaker companies, which was reported by the Indianapolis Business Journal to be in negotiations in March. Announcing the formation of either a national youth organization run by the NBA and NCAA (or USA Basketball) or a major basketball academy for teenaged stars-in-waiting would provide a ton of great press on the morning of the National Championship game.

Don't Expect an NBA Age-Limit Bump ... Yet originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor Alert: NCAA and NBA Agree to New 20-Year Age Limit for NBA Draft Eligibility

Sportz Assassin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:13:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Rumors, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

There will be a press conference tomorrow which NCAA and NBA will announce a change to the NBA's draft eligibility policy. NBA commish David Stern and NCAA president Myles Brand will conduct the news conference.

Brand hinted Thursday the NCAA and NBA had worked out a deal to create a 20-year-old age limit, which would keep the best players in college for a minimum of two years.

The NBA adopted a 19-year-old age limit in its collective bargaining agreement with the players' association in 2006, which prevented high school players from jumping directly to the NBA.

This would essentially eliminate those "one-and-done" guys like Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and Brandan Wright from last year.

I love the rule because I think it is in the best interest of both the NBA and NCAA. The NBA will get a more experienced and skilled player (for every Kevin Durant, there are dozens of Brandan Wright's not playing) and the NCAA gets to keep its stars a bit longer. Imagine if Texas still had Durant or Ohio State had Oden? Would UNC been exposed by Kansas like that if Wright had still been around?

The rule change really doesn't effect anyone currently. The rule most likely won't come into effect until the 2011 or 2012 draft, so the one-and-done guys (like Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, OJ Mayo and Michael Beasley) can still come out and declare for the draft. It won't make guys jump ship early (like when the 19-year old rule went in) because those guys that were going to stay for their sophomore year can still become draft eligible as planned.

Please spare me the "if they can play, they should be in the draft" comments because the NFL and NCAA has the same kind of agreement and it isn't anyone's right to play in the NBA. If you want a pro job playing basketball, go to the CBA or Europe.

It will help the health of college basketball because (a) the top programs know they'll have guys for at least two years and can recruit accordingly and (b) that means there will be better talent trickling down to the mid-majors.

Rumor Alert: NCAA and NBA Agree to New 20-Year Age Limit for NBA Draft Eligibility originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jerryd Bayless Declares for NBA Draft

Ty Keenan — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:45:00 EST

Filed under: Arizona Basketball, Pac-10 Basketball, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless, who led the Wildcats in scoring and made several All-American teams, will declare for the NBA Draft. The likely high-lottery pick has hired an agent and will therefore lose his remaining three years of eligibility. Bayless leaves Tucson without having played for Lute Olson, the coach who recruited him to Point Guard U.

This isn't too much of a surprise for anyone who watched Bayless this season. He's able to get into the paint at will, has one of the best pull-up jumpers in the nation, and has the skills to excel at point guard at the next level. Both DraftExpress.com and NBADraft.net have him as a Top 5 pick, and it's hard to believe that his workouts would drop him much lower than that.

The Wildcats will obviously miss Bayless's presence in Tucson, but the arrival of freshman point guard (and flat-top enthusiast) Brandon Jennings should offset some of the damage. The real issue here will come if Bayless's decision opens the floodgates in Arizona. Both Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill would go in the first round of the draft, so it's possible that they would declare before the deadline. Those three players carried Arizona this season and would be sorely missed. If Budinger and Hill return, then the Wildcats should be one of the best teams in the Pac-10 next year.

Jerryd Bayless Declares for NBA Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joakim Noah: 'I Hated Michael Jordan'

Ryan Ferguson — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 19:50:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Florida Basketball, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects, Florida

From the Chicago Tribune:

Joakim Noah grew up a Knicks fan in New York, which is why these words rolled off his tongue fairly easily on Friday.

"Damn," Noah said, "I hated Michael Jordan."

Of course, Noah hails from New York, whose Knicks suffered at the hands of Jordan and the Bulls during their dynasty years.

"As a kid, the Bulls made me cry a few times," he said following his draft workout at the Berto Center. "But you have to give credit where credit is due. I would love to come and play here. It's a team that has a lot of tradition in a city that expects winning, and winning is what's important to me."

Insulting to the greatest ever to play the game? As The Fake Gimel Martinez says at FireBilly.com, "Nahhh." Jo's quirky sense of humor is at work here. Imagine him saying it with a grin on his face, and you get the full picture. Some speculation has arisen that both Noah and Spencer Hawes are being seriously considered by the Bulls, who are in need of a strong post player, if either are still available by the 9th overall pick.

Seriously? Yeah. Trust me. If you're in the Anti-Noah crowd, you won't be for long if your favorite pro team picks him up in the draft.

Joakim Noah: 'I Hated Michael Jordan' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 09 Jun 2007 19:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nets Looking Hard at Josh McRoberts

Sportz Assassin — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:24:00 EST

Filed under: Nets, Duke Basketball, ACC Basketball, Eastern, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects, Carolina

According to Yahoo! Sports, the New Jersey Nets are liking what they see out of Duke forward Josh McRoberts. So much so that they may tell McRoberts that they'll draft him with the #17 selection if he's there.

Josh McRoberts is intriguing to the New Jersey Nets at No. 17, so much so there was some discussion within the franchise of guaranteeing the 6-foot-11 Duke forward the spot.

The Nets do need help at the forward spot. Clifford Robinson will turn 41 years old this year; Mikki Moore is a free agent; Jason Collins and Josh Boone are all that's left. Plus, McRoberts is more of a playmaking forward with great passing skills, a decent jump shot and plays tough defense.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Nets Looking Hard at Josh McRoberts originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who Has the Most to Lose at the NBA Draft Lottery?

The Big Lead — Mon, 21 May 2007 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Bulls, Hawks, Suns, Grizzlies, Eastern, Western, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

Careful, it's not as simple as it seems. On the surface, you might say Memphis, but sorry, that would be incorrect. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. I won't lie to you - I'm more pumped for the lottery and the actual draft than either conference Final. Weighing in all sorts of factors, here's your breakdown of the five teams with the most to lose when the hopper goes into motion Tuesday:

1. Atlanta - There's no debating this. If the Hawks don't end up with a Top 3 pick, this franchise is doomed for at least five more seasons. These guys will be so far up the creek, Kevin Willis might as well unretire - again - and start at power forward next year.

2. Boston - Fact: this franchise, which hasn't been a legit contender since Larry Bird walked out of the Garden, needs a serious infusion of talent. Doc Rivers will be groveling for a top two pick, and Danny Ainge is probably willing to sell at least one kidney for Oden or Durant. The Celtics are in dire need of a center, and could go ahead and mortgage the rest of the roster for Durant. Al Horford? Corey Brewer? Brandon Wright? Probably not going to turn these guys into legit contenders.

3. Phoenix - Potentially landmark summer approaching in the desert. What to do with Shawn Marion? Would they actually entertain trading Amare (sure as heck hope not)? If the Suns land the 4th pick in the draft, that will give them three first rounders and instantly make them major players on the trading market leading up to the draft. Fun!

4. Memphis - How can a team with the best chance at Greg Oden fall this low? Because with a 46 percent chance at one of the top two picks, the Grizzlies are sitting pretty. If they didn't get a Top 2 pick, I'd be shocked. Golden State-over-Dallas shocked.

5. Chicago - The Bulls, who in my mind are a center (Jermaine O'Neal? Greg Oden?) away from becoming the best team in the East, could actually come up with the top pick. They have the option of taking the Knicks' No. 1 pick, but New York only has a 1.9 percent chance of getting the first pick. But as Jim Carrey once said, 'so you're saying there's a chance?'

Who Has the Most to Lose at the NBA Draft Lottery? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 21 May 2007 18:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yao to Yi: Hit the Gym

Marcel Mutoni — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 23:20:00 EST

Filed under: Rockets, Western, NBA Prospects, Houston

I've always been fascinated by freakishly tall people. I really can't explain it, I just like to look at them. ANYWAY, when I read about Yao Ming giving advice to Yi Jianlian, China's next NBA-bound big man (and the fourth Chinese to ever play in the League), my interest was piqued. On Thursday, the 19-year old Yi was in Los Angeles for a pre-NBA draft training camp. Yao was unimpressed with his fellow countryman's physique.

"He needs more muscle, that's for sure," Yao said. "Although he doesn't shy away from physical contact, he can get disrupted by rough play and struggles to maintain his position as opposing defenders tend to push him out."

Yao also added that the youngster is lacking in upper body strength and is "a bit long and rangy". Ouch.

I know Yao is only trying to be helpful and didn't mean any harm with his words, but I can't help but think that Yi Jianlian must have been a bit depressed after reading them in the paper. How would you feel if your country's most celebrated athlete basically called you a weakling in front of the whole world? If I were in Yi's shoes, I'd probably challenge Yao to a fight the first time we met on the court.

Yao to Yi: Hit the Gym originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 23:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Kevin Durant Will Declare for NBA Draft Next Week

Michael David Smith — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 11:38:00 EST

Filed under: Celtics, Texas Basketball, Big 12 Basketball, NBA Draft, NBA Rumors, NBA Prospects, Boston, Texas

It's good news in Boston and bad news in Austin as DraftExpress.com is reporting that Texas freshman sensation Kevin Durant has decided to declare for the NBA draft and will make his announcement at a news conference next week.

DraftExpress.com cited "multiple sources, both from the NBA and close to the player himself" in its report.

Durant, the first freshman in college basketball history to be named player of the year, is widely expected to be the second player chosen in this year's NBA draft, after fellow freshman Greg Oden, the Ohio State center. That means the Celtics, who have the NBA's second-worst record and are therefore the most likely recipients of the second pick in the draft lottery, are a likely landing spot.

Durant has already cost NBA executives $60,000 in fines, with half of that going to Boston's Danny Ainge, who sat with Durant's family during the Big 12 tournament. With his brief Texas career, he won't make the kind of lasting impact on the college game that he could have if he had stayed longer, but he might be a harbinger, as the NBA's minimum-age rule turns college basketball into a game that's increasingly dominated by freshmen.

Report: Kevin Durant Will Declare for NBA Draft Next Week originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 11:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kill Portsmouth

Charles Rich — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

Look, kids are allowed to dream. Maybe it's not fair to deny them the hope. But why in the world does the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) still exist? Four players who played in Portsmouth last year were taken late in the second round. In 2004, only one player from the PIT was drafted. The idea may be to showcase the players, but it's not like the whole season hasn't already done that.

Chad Ford at ESPN.com has been bagging on Portsmouth for a number of years as a worthless tournament. As he points out, the most popular thing in talking about Portsmouth is discussing who didn't come to it. This year, it's even worse.

And, for the first time in recent memory, a number of the league's top GMs are skipping the event.
...
"It's a waste of time," one prominent NBA GM who passed on Portsmouth said. "The talent isn't there. The timing is wrong. There are no NBA coaches or offenses. The most you can learn from Portsmouth is that a small handful of seniors played well enough to get invited to the real predraft camp in June [actually late May now]. Why not just wait to see them there?"

To complicate matters, the Nike Hoop Summit now takes place the same weekend in Memphis, Tenn. For the NBA GMs who make the trip to Portsmouth, it will be a short one. They'll get on a plane Friday morning and head to Memphis where the Hoop Summit will, in contrast, actually showcase a few players with a legitimate shot at being first-round picks.

Still, the officials for the PIT keep saying next year will be better. The NBA offices say things will be better thanks to new rules that ban individual pre-draft workouts until after the NBA pre-draft camp in late May. That means a compressed schedule and less player workouts.

The rule is in effect this year, but it did nothing to affect the attendance at the PIT. The official spin is that the sports agents are just not fully aware of the impact of the rule, but next year for sure. Uh-huh. Ever hear of the "law of unintended consequences." At least one agent has given it some thought.

Dallas-based agent George Bass said the new rule actually could help those in his profession get a better picture of their clients' status.

"From what I've heard from a couple of NBA teams, they'll be working out fewer players than before because they don't have as many days," Bass said. "And that way, you probably get a better idea of where your guy is going to be drafted because they can't be bringing everybody in now."

Which means, they can direct their efforts towards preparing to send the expected non-drafted players overseas and to European leagues for their paychecks. They can start the process sooner and be ready to present other options to the client when the NBA doesn't come calling. Portsmouth actually loses further relevance.

Kill Portsmouth originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Projecting March's Heroes as NBA players

The Big Lead — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

Figured now that the season is over, it might be a fun experiment to take some of today's college stars, and project who they might turn into as pros. Feel free to print this bad boy and out and email me in three years with scorn and ridicule. Ready?

Joakim Noah, Florida - Mark Madsen. No offense game, but a hustler and a rebounder.
Jeff Green, Georgetown - With more seasoning, a shorter version of Tim Duncan.
Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt - Desmond Mason, with the potential to be a Josh Howard.
Corey Brewer, Florida - A blend of George Gervin and Scottie Pippen, with a dash of Clyde Drexler.
Kevin Durant, Texas - Kevin Garnett, with a better jump shot. This is not a stretch.
Sean Singletary, Virginia - Mark Price. Clean game, nice shooter, great leader.
Julian Wright, Kansas - A better rebounding version of James Worthy.
Al Horford, Florida - Karl Malone. Similar build, similar tough-guy demeanor.
Brandon Wright, North Carolina - That hook he's got reminds me of Kevin McHale.

Greg Oden, Ohio State - I've actually heard Joe Barry Carroll, which is absurd. More Olajuwon than Ewing.
Brandon Rush, Kansas - Heard Reggie Lewis a few times, and it seems accurate.
Aaron Afflalo - At best, Michael Cooper. A strong defender who is a good shooter, but certainly not a star.
Mike Conley, Ohio State - Kenny Anderson, but mostly because they're both lefty.
Nick Young, USC - If he really maxes out, why not Dominique Wilkins with a better jumper?
Josh McRoberts, Duke - Juwan Howard, with a slightly better perimeter game.

Projecting March's Heroes as NBA players originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Randolph Morris Means to the Knicks

The Big Lead — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:41:00 EST

Filed under: Knicks, Kentucky Basketball, NBA Prospects

A day after I praised Knicks coach Isiah Thomas for the splendid job he's done this season with an injury-riddled team, the guy goes and completely outdoes himself - he basically gets a first-round pick without giving up anything. Yes, Kentucky's Randolph Morris was going to be a first-round pick in this June's NBA draft. And the Knicks got him for nothing.

Before you counter with how lazy Randolph is, and whether or not he's going to find playing time with Channing Frye and David Lee in the mix, consider these four games Morris had this season:

vs. North Carolina 10-11 field goals, 23 points, 7 rebounds
vs. LSU 20 points, 10 rebounds
vs. Alabama 17 points, 11 rebounds
vs. Kansas 22 points, 8 rebounds

For those of you who haven't paid attention to college hoops this season, here's the common thread among those teams - they all have NBA-bound frontline players you will be hearing from sooner than later. UNC has Tyler Hansbrough and Brandan Wright, LSU has Glen Davis, Alabama has Jermareo Davidson and Richard Hendrix and Kansas has Darrell Arthur and Julian Wright. And Morris posted impressive numbers against all of them.

I don't expect Morris to have an immediate impact, but if Zeke looks down the bench and he's got Morris or Jerome James, Kelvin Cato, or Malik Rose, the guess here is that the Knicks take a look at what the newbie's made of.

What I saw him from this year was an impressive jump hook and an innate ability to get to the foul line. So Eddy Curry minus 40 pounds and plus some jumping ability. Randolph's already got an NBA body. Once the Knicks are eliminated from the playoff hunt - tonight's blowout loss in Cleveland is their fifth loss in six games, so the end is near - I'd expect to see a healthy dose of Morris.

What Randolph Morris Means to the Knicks originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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