The Portland Trailblazers

I love what the Blazers did in this year’s draft. Greg Oden was the obvious pick at number one, but the rest of their picks were perfect. Buying the Phoenix Suns first round pick to draft Rudy Fernandez was a quality decision.
Getting Duke’s Josh McRoberts in the second round was a steal.

Trading Zach Randolph to the New York Knicks for Channing Frye and Stevie Franchise was also a great decision by General Manager Kevin Pritchard. Ignoring rumors of Portland not wanting Zach Randolph anywhere near Greg Oden, Randolph needed to be moved to give Aldridge more playing time. LaMarcus Aldridge is a complete beast. I am still shocked the Bulls thought Tyrus Thomas would be a better NBA player in last year’s draft. Chicago needed low post scoring so they take an athletic shot blocker who needs time to develop over a dynamic low post scorer who can play right away, but I digress…

The Blazers will probably buy out Franchise’s contract, but listen to how many young talented big men the now Blazers have, Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Josh McRoberts, and Channing Frye! The Blazers are also deep at guard having Jarred Jack, Brandon Roy (rookie of the year), Martell Webster, Sergio Rodriguez, and Travis Outlaw.

Portland can boast a starting lineup of Jack, Roy, Outlaw, Aldridge, and Oden, with a quality back up at every position. Jarred Jack is the oldest person in the rotation at 23! The Blazers can even go big and McRoberts, Frye, or Aldride at small forward. They have the personnel to go small too, but why would they ever want to? The days of the Jailblazers are a thing of the past, the Portland Trailblazers are going to make a serious run for the NBA Championship in about three years. Kobe should be lobbying to go Portland.

New York Knickerbockers

I think Isaiah, as usual, had a strong draft. Wilson Chandler was a solid pick at 23 and we all know never to question Zeke on draft day. The big addition to the New York Knicks is Zach Randolph. Although I was hoping the Blazers were trading him to the Wizards for Jamison, I am happy for Isaiah and Spike. New York moved a terrible contract in Steve Franchise and received a great low post threat. Zach Randolph averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds a game in the Western Conference last year, imagine what he will do in the East. (Wizards we blew it!) Team Randolph with another low post scorer in Eddy Curry and I don’t know if there is a better tandem of scoring big men in the league. The Knicks have the size and firepower to compete with anyone in the League. But I have to ask, everyone booed Isaiah Thomas for the Eddy Curry trade, but in retrospect is the combo of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah better than Curry?

Ladies and Gentleman;

Welcome to the Worst Dressed NBA Draftee of all time. After much deliberation and no work at the office, we at MindRiteSports have come up with the Top 5 worst dressed draftees ever. The list includes a few busts, some role players, and a future Hall of Famer. Many players did their best to make the list but fell short, Bobby Jackson and Maurice Taylor to name a few. Drew Gooden was another finalist that didn’t make the final cut, but if he had that fake rat tail that he has now he would have definitely made it. You may be surprised to find that Jalen Rose did not make this list, the reason? Jalen Rose looked cool in his suit! Therefore Rose cannot be hated on. So without further ado, the Top 5 worst dressed NBA draftees…

5. With the 7th overall pick in the NBA Draft of 1997 the New Jersey Nets select Tim Thomas.

When showing this picture to a co-worker her response was, “its looks like the suit is still on a hanger!� This is funny because even when Tim Thomas was drafted it was obvious he had nothing inside… like heart!

4. With the 9th overall pick in the NBA Draft of 1996 the Dallas Mavericks select Samaki Walker.

Pimps, Playaz, and Hustlas, Thanks for coming out to the Annual Playaz Ball. Please give a round of applause to your new 1996 Playa of the Year, Samaki Walker!

I don’t know what’s worse, his suit or that he was drafted 9th in 2006. Three spots before Kobe!

3. With the 10th overall pick in the NBA Draft of 1996 the Indiana Pacers select Eric Dampier.

Has anyone seen the movie Casino? Because Dampier must have been doing his best Robert De Niro impression when he put on that pink blazer! Look at David Stern’s face, you can’t tell me he trying to not to laugh.

Dampier was drafted two spots before Kobe!

2. With the 4th overall pick in the NBA Draft of 1986 the Indiana Pacers select Chuck Person.

Chuck Person looks like he should have a tray with glasses of champagne in his hand instead of a baseball cap! That or a trombone as he walks out to perform for his middle school band concert. Did people really still wear cummerbunds back then? You know it’s bad when Brad Daugherty makes you look like a dork.

1. With the 13th overall pick in the NBA Draft of 1985 the Utah Jazz select Karl Malone.

What can be said about this? What hasn’t already been said about this? Look at the tie. Look how small his pants are! Check out how his shirt arms are longer than the blazer arms. I have nothing to say. Congratulations Karl Malone, not only will you be remembered as Jordan’s punching bag in the finals, you will be remembered for this! Worst dressed draftee EVER!

11. The Atlanta Hawks select Joakim Noah out of Florida University

The Atlanta Hawks cannot second guess drafting Conley with the third pick wishing they addressed their point guard problems here. Conley would not still be on the board at this point and is a much better fit than Crittenton from Georgia Tech. Acie Law IV would be available with the 11th pick, but Conley is better fit for the roster and a potential superstar.

12. The Philadelphia 76ers select Al Thorton out of Florida State

Look for the Sixers to do some wheelin’ and dealin’ in this year’s draft. They have three first round picks and might look to move up in the draft. If they stay put Al Thorton is the guy. He has the physical tools to fit in nicely with Andre Miller and Andre Igodola. The Sixers are going to have a freakishly athletic, defensive, and young team next year. I just hope they can keep Larry Brown away from the sidelines.

13. The New Orleans Hornets select Thaddeous Young out of Georgia Tech

The Hornets were very aggressive last year in free agency. After point guard Chris Paul won rookie of the year the organization has tried to surround him with weapons to ensure success. The problem is the Hornets invested 15 million a year in injury proned has-beens Peja Stojakovic and Bobby Jackson. Peja made ten million dollars this year only playing in thirteen games. Jackson will be 37 by the time his contract is up.

The Hornets need to find Peja’s replacement and fast. They need an athletic small forward who can run the floor with Chris Paul. With Desmond Mason entering free agency the need for such a player is even greater. Ladies and gentlemen Thaddeous Young!

14. The Los Angeles Clippers select Acie Law IV out of Texas A&M

This is the perfect situation for both the Clippers and Law. With point guard Sean Livingston’s career in jeopardy after a tragic injury, the Clippers are in need of a point guard. Acie Law is a fearless point guard with a great midrange jump shot, who better for him to learn from than Sam Cassel. Law could not ask for a bettor mentor that Sam I Am. This is probably Cassel’s last season so when Livingston is healthy again, the Clippers will have two solid point guards for the future.

15. The Detroit Pistons select Rodney Stuckey out of Eastern Washington

Stuckey dominated the Big Sky conference this season. Although I have not seen him play the consensus is that he would be a perfect fit in Detroit. He is a big strong combo guard that Dumars covets.

With that being said, where do the Pistons go from here? Can this team afford not to make any major changes to the roster? If the team decides to pay Billups the max contract he desires not only will the team be getting old, they will be financially strapped. Does Dumars really want the same aging team that came up short three years and running? Don’t forget Richard Hamilton is going to need a new contract after this season. Doing a sign-and-trade with Billups might not be a bad idea at this point to get some young talent in there. Trading Sheed back to the Wizards for Antwan Jamison would be a great move.

16. The Washington Wizards select Nick Young out of USC

Hopefully Nick Young will still be on the board at this point in the draft. The Wizards are about three picks to late to get a player that they really need, but Young is a decent consolation prize. Jarvis Hayes is gone, Thank God! Nick Young is what you would call a great upgrade, like getting Shawn Marion or Gerald Wallace for Atwan Jamison. Nick Young can shoot the ball and is extremely athletic. He would fit in nicely at the two guard between Arenas and Butler.

Some thoughts around the beltway are that the Wizards should go big with this pick, but they should first see what they have in Oleksiy Pecherov, the Ukrainian big men we drafted last year. Nick Young fills an immediate need for a two guard, especially if we cannot re-sign Deshawn Stevenson and his John Cena, “you can’t see me� dance!

17. The New Jersey Nets select Sean Williams out of Boston College

The New Jersey Nets actually have a pretty deep roster. It is hard notice because Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson get all the shots and minutes. But with Marcus Williams, Hassan Adams, Josh Boone, and Bostjan Nachbar the team has a nice group of young players. Let’s not forget that center Nenad Krstic was hurt all season after having a breakout performance in last year’s playoffs. At this point in the draft the Nets should take the best player on the board and Sean Williams is that guy. Besides you know Williams and Uncle Cliffy have TONS in common.

18. The Golden State Warrior select Jason Smith out of Colorado

The Warriors obviously need to draft a power forward or center. After being destroyed by Carlos Boozer in the playoffs the Warriors need to get bigger. Jason Smith is a perfect fit for Golden State. He is the type of skilled big man Coach Nelson loves. Smith will be able to spread the floor and draw the opponents big away from the basket. The water cooler talk is the Warriors are dangling Jason Richardson in order to move up in the draft to get their hands on Yi. The Warriors could offer Jason Richardson, Monta Ellis/Andris Biendrins and the no. 18 pick for the no. 5 pick to draft Yi. Would Boston bite?

19. The Los Angeles Lakers select Javaris Crittenton out of Georgia Tech

Do the words Ron Harper mean anything to you? Phil Jackson loves big point guards, why do you think he has stuck with Smush Parker for so long? Crittenton is a 6’5� pure point guards who can defend, although he is not a great three point shooter he should fit in nicely to the triangle offense. Unless the Lakers decided to trade this pick in order to appease Kobe Bryant (who is not going anywhere) Crittenton is their guy.

20. The Miami Heat select Gabe Pruitt out of USC

Between Jason Williams and Gary Payton the Miami Heat are desperate for youth at the point guard position. Williams will have a great year this season (contract year), but the Miami Heat need to get younger and make drastic improvements if they plan on retaining Dwayne Wade when he becomes a free agent in two seasons. Pruitt is the guy to get it done. And it’s not because he is the last point guard on the board, Pat Riley really likes him. Honest…

• According to his agent, Kevin Garnett is not interested in being traded to the Celtics. His exact words: “The Boston trade isn’t happening.” I guess KG isn’t interested in a new city, new jersey but the comfort of the same losing record. Maybe if Larry Bird came out of retirement he’d reconsider… maybe.
• Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada is in jeopardy of ending his consecutive games streak after fracturing his left wrist when he was hit by a pitch Wednesday. the O’s left him in the lineup briefly yesterday to extend the streak to 1,152 but they are unsure whether he will continue to tough it out.
• Pacman surrendered to the Las Vegas police and was immediately released on bail. Let’s await the due process and see how this unfolds…

ESPN reports that Yankees slugger Jason Giambi — the tainted name you can trust — is set to talk. Finally. Will he use words other than “stuff” to refer to steroids and enhancers? Will he cry those “chick flick” tears as Mitchell brings in surprise guest interrogator Dr. Phil? Only Mitchell and the MLB elite will know for sure, and once they set-up the pow-wow, probably at a Dude Ranch somewhere, they can kick up their feet, relax and commence the bean-spillin’ and tear jerking.

Here are a few ideas of what Giambi is likely to tell George Mitchell, the man tagged as the czar of steroids probing.

1. The definition of “stuff” is…
This will be the number one question to come out of Mitchell’s probe. What enhancer did Giambi use? Was it mixed with another substance? Was there some sort of steroid pie or burger he used to consume it? Ingredient is key.

2. Who supplied your “stuff”?
Key to most investigations is the sniff-out for the kingpin of distribution. This comes by way of one rat snitching out another, then that rat snitching out another, until finally the top is met. Distributor is found and supplier is the next target. (References: Season 2 of The Wire, CNU Biz courses)

3. Who else took “stuff” alongside you?
The “long arm” of this particular investigation is about an inch long right now. If Mitchell can get Giambi to name a few big names — a certain one out west is the only one to make them shut down shop — the MLB’s plight receives instant credibility. Giambi will, after all, be shunned from many clubhouses and his respect level will sink lower than ever but on the plus side… well, ok there’s no plus side. Wait, I’ve got it! Consider his treatment a cakewalk compared to the reaction if his name were, say, Barry Lamar Bonds. Cound your blessings, snitch!

4. What is the future for “stuff” and all its evilness?
Vitamin water beware, lookout for “Stuff” water coming to stores near you! Scientists and marketing folks are already on the prowl looking for people to endorse their “healthy” beverage of choice. Work-out harder, feel more entergized, but as those who use it say: it doesn’t help your baseball swing! Here’s a question: If bringing look-alike drugs to school gets kids in trouble, how deep in “stuff” is a kid who brings a bottle of “stuff” water? Hmm…

1. Portland Trailblazers select Greg Oden out of Ohio State

This pick of course is no surprise. With a young core of Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, and Travis Outlaw the Trailblazers are on their way to being powerhouse in the west. The next step Portland must take is trade Zach Randolph and Darius Miles. The organization must get Miles and Randolph as far away from Oden as possible before they corrupt him. Personally Zach Randolph for Antwan Jamison sounds good to me!

2. The Seattle Super Sonics select Kevin Durant out of Texas

This is another no brainer. The real question the Sonics have is what are they going to do about Rashard Lewis? In an NBA that is getting smaller by the minute, playing Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant would be a powerful lineup. If Lewis is allowed to walk, he should go to Charlotte.

3. The Atlanta Hawks select Al Thorton, just kidding, Michael Conley Jr.

Who knows what the Hawks are going to do with this pick. They should address their need at point guard. Michael Conley can play right away and will take pressure off Joe Johnson. The Hawks are overloaded with young athletic wing men and are desperate for a point guard to force tempo and get players easy baskets. With a young nucleus of Michael Conley Jr., Marvin Gaye Williams, Joe Johnson, and Josh Smith the Atlanta Hawks would be exciting to watch and might even win a game or two. Knowing Hawks management they will probably draft Yi here.

4. The Memphis Grizzlies select Al Hortford out of Florida

The Memphis Grizzlies are a team on the rise. Everyone forgets they were a perennial playoff team before this season. Even though they have yet to win a playoff game, getting there in the west is an accomplishment. This is a young, deep, and very athletic roster and with another lost post scorer to team with Pau Gasol (I don’t think he is leaving), the Grizzlies will not be in the lottery next year.

5. The Boston Celtics select Yi Jianlian

Look for the Celtics to trade out of the spot. Boston fans had their dreams crushed when they failed to land one of the top two picks in the draft. Danny Ainge must pull a rabbit out of his hat this off season to save his job. Any player the Celtics draft with this pick will ultimately be a disappointment because the player last name will not be Oden or Durant, expectations are too high. Yi is not a sure thing, the chances of being a bust are pretty high. Yi will take time to adjust to American culture and the NBA’s physical play. Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, and Danny Ainge do not have that type of time. There are plenty of teams drooling over Yi, Green, and Brewer at this point, the Celtics should deal the pick and try and get a veteran.

Maybe offer Philly this pick for Andre Miller and the no. 12 pick. Or the no. 5 pick for Philly’s no. 12 and 21 picks.

Phoenix has two first round picks and word around the water cooler is that they are trying to rid themselves of Shawn Marion’s contract…

Not to mention Kevin Garnett…

6. The Milwaukee Bucks select Brandon Wright out of North Carolina

The Milwaukee Bucks are another team on the rise. After suffering a year of injuries and tanking, look for the Bucks to back in the playoffs next season. The Bucks should return a strong starting five of Mo Williams, Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons, Charlie Villanueva, and Andrew Bogut. Julian Wright would be a good pick here as a solid sixth man, but with Villanueva’s injury bug, I think you have to address the power forward position and select Brandon Wright.

7. The Minnesota Timberwolves select… TRADE KEVIN GARNETT

No seriously, TRADE KEVIN GARNETT (Jeff Greene)

8. The Charlotte Bobcats select Corey Brewer out of Florida

I love Corey Brewer. He is the third best player in this draft. He is 6’8�, a great defensive player, and can shoot. Brewer is the new and improved version of Tayshaun Prince. Having no problem beating out Adam Morrison for a starting role the Bobcats will boast a starting line up of Raymond Felton, Corey Brewer, Gerald Wallace/Rashard Lewis, Sean May, and Ameka Okafor. The future doesn’t look so bad in Charlotte.

9. The Chicago Bulls select Spencer Hawes out of Washington

Spencer Hawes is overrated. He will have a decent NBA career, but not a great one. He may have a nice offensive game, but he is non existent on the defensive end and I do not see Coach Skiles approving of that very much. But since the Bulls are so desperate for inside scoring they will take Hawes here and hope Big Ben can carry the load defensively. I still don’t know why the Bulls choose Tyrus Thomas over LaMarcus Aldridge last year, because if they took Aldridge we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

10. The Sacramento Kings select Julian Wright from Kansas

Julian Wright is another overrated player. Saying he is the next Boris Diaw is not a great compliment. Diaw had a terrible season this year and got suspended in the playoffs, why would you want to be compared to him? With that said, Julian Wright will be a nice compliment to Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin playing point forward for a team destined for next years lottery.

Tune in Tomorrow for picks 11-20

• Pay your respects. “Slammin” Sammy Sosa hit career homer number 600 last night, cementing his 5-spot in all-time home run hitters, and becoming just 1 of 5 ever to reach the 600 mark. Cubs fans don’t respect the feat. Rangers fans are excited. And Bud Selig is ecstatic that he can now shift his hate from one record-breaking alleged cheater to two. Whether or not Sosa had “help” getting to this point — and be clear that very little evidence other than the “transforming body theory” exists — the feat is still quite amazing. No need to hate on the people who excel in a sport full of “one-uppers”.
• ESPN’s Marc Stein says the Kevin Garnett trade seems more likely to happen this summer than any with Kobe Bryant. The Lakers are holding strong to their “wouldn’t trade ‘em with your GM position.” What a fun, NBA rumor-filled summer this will be.
• Larry Brown needs more references to get hired, apparently. Makes me think he’s more diva-like than Meryl Streep in “A Devil Wears Prada”.
• Pacman Jones keeps getting implicated and now he’s been indicted on two felony charges. I will not defend his affinity to find trouble in every corner, but let’s not forget he’s “innocent until proven guilty” folks. Let the judicial process work.
• The Chicago Cubs traded catcher Michael Barrett to the San Diego Padres for a backup catcher and a prospect. Here’s a timeline of what helped him catch the boot.

• He’s back! Harold Reynolds sits down for an interview with Deadspin to discuss his ESPN firing and his new MLB.com post.
• From coaching Anthony Anderson on Hang Time to coaching Ron Artest in Sacramento, now-ex New Mexico coach Reggie Theus picked as head coach of the Kings. Pretty surprising considering all the supposed Larry Brown interest.
• Old-school clip of a young Tony Kornheiser and Larry King in 1985 yapping about the Washington Redskins.
• A round-up of Baltimore Orioles news, including placing the O’s woes not on now ex-coach Sam Perlozzo, but lots of hate thrown at owner Peter Angelos.
• Bill Plaschke asks Lakers fans to cut a hole in their Kobe-love and realize “He’s just not that into you.” Can’t wait for the Kobe rant to hit YouTube!
• TrueHoop gives us the latest on the KG-to-Boston trade rumors.
• Last year’s Wizards first-rounder Oleksiy “Pesh” Pecherov is back in D.C. to stay. Can’t wait to see he and Andray Blatch, two 7-footers, become the new twin towers… in 2010.
• Big Shot Bob, Robert Horry, says the Spurs could beat those old Lakers and Celtics teams. The question is: would Bruce Bowen injure injure the stars, Magic and Bird, in the first quarter or in the pre-game warm-ups?

• Duncan and the gang are the ‘07 NBA champs. Mr. Eva Longoria is your Finals MVP. Game 4 was as expected. Breaking down the Spurs and Duncan in terms of NBA history and how they’ll be remembered. Also, yesterday David Aldridge wrote that the Spurs are well-deserving, infinitely worthy of the dynasty label.
• Agent Zero tries his best to explain why he plans on opting out. I’m no NBA player or agent but I think I’ve got the reasoning down already — it’s for more PENNIE$, FOOL! Gil does his best to break the situation down, but good luck to him in trying to relate the masses of folks with his situation of trying to get a raise from $12 mil/yr to $14 mil/yr. (More on this in a bit…)
• The NHL (yes, they still exist) crowned its league MVP, his name: Sidney Crosby. At 19-years old, the youngest Hart Trophy winner since Wayne Gretzkey, why isn’t the league pimping this guy out to the masses to gain some appeal? He could be the answer to staying on air when it comes down to NHL or horse racing!
• A false rumor circulated yesterday afternoon that Eagles running back and offensive weapon number 2 (of 2) got into an accident yesterday. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the rumors were completely false. The guess here is somehow in a bad game of telephone passing along the Culpepper accident news, someone f-ed up.
• The Jaguars release veteran free safety Donovan Darius. He has yet to start off-season training, as he is still recovering from a broken leg suffered during the 2006 season.
• A judge robs a plea bargain deal that would’ve been out of the park. Troy Ellerman, the lawyer who allowed two San Francisco Chronicle reporters to view BALCO testimony of various athletes tied up in the government’s steroids investigation — including Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield — tried to lower his punishment to 15-24 months of incarceration. A judge rejected his plea, stating that as a lawyer, Ellerman should be held to higher standards. Who’s the true winner here? The government? Bonds and the gang? (Not Giambi…) Roger Clemens? (Ha)
• Ex-NFL reciever Johnnie Morton tested positive for steroids. So if his one-hit knockout was any indicator, no matter how much juice you use, you stand no chance in the world of gruesome gladiator-like fighting.
• Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog gives us a peek at the new Eastern Motors Commercial (which he’ll be in), including a few Redskins cameos DC folks just might recognize.
• Talking baseball and overrated players with Jayson Stark, promoting his new book out in stortes.