What did you do Sacramento?

I personally hate the idea of doing a salary dump without any kind of commitment from the player/players they are targeting. This is the type of move you should be making once you have a verbal commitment from a player or if the assets moved do not ruin the franchise. I understand that the Woj will probably break the verbal commitment before he actually commits and the team taking on the salary will have a ton of leverage over them. IMO losing a pick or an extra player is worth it in the end if I get my guy. But my team better have a solid foundation and is a piece or two away from being a contender or at least a perennial playoff team. The risk is high but so should the return. Recently the Cavs dumped Zeller, Jack, Karasev with picks to free up room for Lebron. This was after all the reports of Lebron being done in Miami and rumors that he was interested in going home to Cleveland. Lebron did not commit yet but the odds were very much in their favor, so really calling this a risk is a bit of a stretch. We also know how that turned out for the Cavs. And just this season the Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a salary dump of their own. They got rid of $7+mill of Ilyasova for the non-guaranteed contracts of Caron Butler and Shawne Williams. It worked out for the Bucks and they landed their big man Greg Monroe. The Bucks have a great young core already in place. The Bucks finished last season as a .500 team but with the continued growth of that core and the addition of Monroe they are set to make noise in the very competitive central division. In these scenarios there was relatively low risk involved with a very high return. The Cavs gave up a middle of the road prospect in Zeller, a solid backup in Jack, a project in Karasev, and a late first round pick. Milwaukee gave up Ilyasova an injury plauged SF/PF that was going to lose out to Middleton, Antetokounmpo, and Parker anyways. Also, what the Suns did in their bid for the services of Aldridge was low risk, high reward. They sadly broke up the Morris twins but they were close enough to being the same player that they could afford to take the chance. Granger never saw the floor and Bullock is still an unknown entity but young enough to have a chance.

Now on to what the Kings did:

To Philly: - Nik Stauskas - Jason Thompson - Carl Landry - 2018 1st rd pick (top-10 protected) - Right to swap 1st rd pick w/Kings in '16 - Right to swap 1st rd pick w/Kings in '17

To Sacramento: - Rights to Arturas Gudaitis (47th pick in 2015) - Rights to Luka Mitrovic (60th pick in 2015)

Note Via NbaDraft.net:
"Bulls receive King's 2015 first round pick. Top 10 protected. 2015-2017, or second round pick in 2018 or extinguished"

Remember the ideal scenario is low risk, high return. But at the very least you want high risk, high return. Even if Cousins stays in Sacramento this team is still going to be a top 10 lottery team. The Kings are in a hyper competitive western conference and a roster as thin as a piece of paper. If Philly has a worse record, which I doubt at the time of writing this, they have an extra shot at landing a top 3 pick. Let's say the Kings have the 7th worst record and Philly is 2nd last. The pick swap would not make any sense prior to the lottery. But what the pick swap does is essentially give Philly extra ping pong balls in the lottery. Philly ends up with an extra 4.3% chance at the #1 pick and a an extra 15% at landing a top 3 pick. Who knows what Stauskas becomes, but at the very least he could become a specialist like Kapono. Jason Thompson can be a good player off the bench for them especially with Embiid questionable for the season, they could also move him to a team desperate for a big. Landry feels like an add on that Philly had to take, he could play mentor or be moved later on. Also, a top 10 protected 1st rounder in 2018 and beyond with other restrictions that have not been reported yet. In the current NBA it feels like teams are over valuing a 1st round pick, especially the late ones. But a top 10 with high probability of a top 3 pick does not compare. All that for the rights to a couple of Euro stashes that may never see an NBA court and the chance to sign Rondo, Ellis, and Matthews. They did the deal so late into day 1 that all the big name players had already commited or they have zero chance with the ones remaing. Their current roster is basically Cousins, Gay, McLemore, Cauley-Stein, Collison, McCallum, Moreland, and Stockton. That's it. Not an appetizing roster to look at, especially from a free agents point of view. Even if they landed 2 out of the 3 targets, how would that propel this team from bottom feeders into playoff contention in the west? That team does not even look like a .500 team. Even if they got 2 of those players they would have to fill their bench with minimum deals for players that would probably not play on other teams. It just doesn't make any sense. This team is screwed for the next 3 years at the very least. This was a high risk, with potential moderate return but it ended up as a big fat no return for the Kings. Get ready Seattle, start breaking ground on that stadium.

NBA Mock Draft 2015

Pick 1. Minnesota Timberwolves 2. Los Angeles Lakers 3. Philadelphia 76ers 4. New York Knicks 5. Orlando Magic 6.Sacramento Kings 7. Denver Nuggets 8. Detroit Pistons 9. Charlotte Hornets 10. Miami Heat 11. Indiana Pacers 12. Utah Jazz 13. Phoenix Suns 14. Oklahoma Thunder 15. Atlanta Hawks via Brooklyn Nets 16.Boston Celtics 17. Milwaukee Bucks 18. Houston Rockets Via New Orleans Pelicans 19. Washington Wizards 20. Toronto Raptors 21. Dallas Mavericks 22. Chicago Bulls 23. Portland Trailblazers 24. Cleveland Cavaliers 25. Memphis Grizzlies 26. San Antonio Spurs 27. Los Angeles Lakers(from Houston) 28. Boston Celtics(from LA Clippers) 29. Brooklyn Nets(from Atlanta) 30. Golden State Warriors

Julius.22 Karl-Anthony Towns(PF/C)  I believe him or Okafor each have a legitimate chance at being the top overall pick however Towns is a better defender. He has the potential to be a good offensive player. He is good around the rim and is a great free throw shooter already which would suggest his offensive game isn't too far away. Minnesota's rebuild is looking real good either way. Jahlil Okafor(PF/C)  I truly believe he is the best big in the draft but Towns, I feel, is a better fit for Minnesota. LA should be happy getting Okafor and pairing him with Randle for life after Vino. D'Angelo Russell(PG/SG) He's my favourite prospect and has the most boom/bust potential. At worst, he'll be a serviceable starter. The best floor general in the draft, would be an instant 76ers bandwagon fan if they select him. Willie Cauley-Stein(PF/C) I see the Knicks taking him. Cauley-Stein is the best interior defender in the draft and could be Tyson Chandler's long awaited replacement. Kristaps Porzingis(PF/C) His draft stock has been rising rapidly over the past few weeks leading up to the draft. I wouldn't be surprised if he was taken higher but I do believe that he will not fall after the fifth pick. Pairing him with Vucevic would be great to have because their offensive skill sets compliment each other. The Magic are on the rise and could be fighting for a playoff spot next year with their young nucleus. Emmanuel Mudiay(PG/SG) The Kings have been longing for a franchise type of point guard for a very long time. Although a bit of a mystery, he is a gamble the Kings might have to take. His pre-draft workouts are looking really good and it does look like his jump shot has improved. There's no doubting his athleticism and play making ability especially in today's NBA. Cameron Payne(PG/SG) I haven't seen a mock draft have Payne this high at all but he's been rising in recent weeks despite his injury. Ty Lawson looks to be on the way out of town and what better position to start a rebuild for the Nuggets than by drafting his replacement. This is my "YOLO" pick of the draft. Justise Winslow(SF/SG) Adding Winslow to this young core gives them another good building block for the future. He has as much potential as anyone in the draft and is ready to contribute from the fly. He also isn't projected to fall this low but I like being different. Mario Hezonja(SG/SF) I will admit that I don't know much about Hezonja but it seems to me like he's a freakishly athletic wing with loads of potential. Charlotte definitely needs to address many areas but Hezonja can fill a need here. Every other mock draft has him going nowhere lower than 8 so Charlotte should be happy if he falls here. Stanley Johnson(SG/SF) Johnson is an athletic two-way player that would fit well with the Heat especially if Wade leaves. He has a lot of long-term potential and could be an elite defender right away. Myles Turner(PF/C) Turner fits into the style that the NBA is going towards nowadays as a stretch big. The Pacers have vowed to play faster and even threw Roy Hibbert under the bus. Looks like a match made in heaven. Frank Kaminsky(PF/C) The Jazz aren't too far away from playoff contention, even in the wild west. They have a really good, young core. Gobert and Favors, although a very nice frontcourt, are not legitimate threats offensively. Kaminsky can provide the scoring punch and floor spacing that this team is lacking. Sam Dekker(SF/PF) Dekker seems like a good fit for the Suns. He can stretch the floor, take it to the basket, and play solid defence. He's a good two-way player that can play multiple positions. He'd be solid coming off of the bench for them. Devin Booker(SG) They say he's the next Klay Thompson and if that's true, OKC would be getting a steal at this point of the draft. He's a pure shooter with high basketball IQ however he's just average in other aspects of his game. Playing with KD and Russ would surely make him look like a future all-star. Trey Lyles(PF/C) The Hawks are losing either Carroll or Millsap and drafting to replace one of them would be the smart thing to do. Lyles is a versatile big that looks like a good fit with Al Horford. Kelly Oubre(SF/SG) Oubre is one of my favourite prospects in the draft because he reminds me of a lefty-Paul George. He has the potential to be one of the best players in the draft because of how good he can possibly be on both sides of the ball. He has a nice shooting stroke and has the ability to get to the rim. He is very inconsistent but let's hope he pans out. Boston needs a young wing to build around and Oubre is that guy. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson(SF/PF) High energy guy who is already a great defender. The hustle and heart is there and fits right in with a young Bucks group. He needs to develop a jump shot and when he does, he'll be a Kawhi-type of player. Tyus Jones(PG) I see them taking a point guard because I don't see Beverley, Prigioni, or Terry here much longer. Don't know whether it would be Jones or Grant here but Jones has more upside. Bobby Portis(PF) He can stretch the floor well and could be a complimentary piece for Gortat. This would also be a great replacement for the aging but effective, Drew Gooden. Montrezl Harrell(PF) A high-energy guy who is undersized however is a beast on the boards. With the Raptors possibly losing Amir Johnson and Tyler Hansbrough, they're going to need someone to grab rebounds at a high rate. The Raptors love surprising the world on draft day though so don't be fooled if it's someone else completely random either. Jerian Grant(PG/SG) Rondo did not fit in well with the team. He's a good playmaker and with an improving jump shot. Delon Wright(PG/SG) Wright is an explosive guard with good size. He would be able to contribute right away as Derrick Rose's backup. Kevon Looney(PF) Aldridge looks like he's on his way out so drafting Looney could be a good start for finding a replacement. Looney is a good prospect but has seen his stock drop in recent weeks. He still has a lot of upside and can ultimately become a poor man's Aldridge. RJ Hunter(PG/SG) Arguably one of the best shooters in this draft class. He could play both guard positions and be a lethal weapon for Lebron and company. Guillermo Hernangomez(C) Grabbing a backup big that could possibly be stashed is something I think the Griz might do. He's also the best international big man prospect after Porzingis. Justin Anderson(SG/SF) The rich get richer. I think Anderson drops here and provides Danny Green-like statistics. This would allow Green to walk and the Spurs end up with a cheaper replacement. Rashad Vaughn(SG) Potent scorer that could fit with Clarkson in the future. Probably won't play as much barring injuries to Kobe and Young but is a great prospect to red-shirt. Cliff Alexander(PF) Boston needs size. Alexander is a good interior presence with great defensive potential. Has limited offensive ability but has good potential to be a productive NBA player. Terry Rozier(PG/SG) Good lead guard with great toughness and hustle. Can be a very good backup for Deron Williams. Mouhammadou Jaiteh(C) The Warriors have covered their bases at every position and doesn't look to be in any major weakness. They may need extra size off the bench when they trade Lee. The Warriors can develop Jaiteh behind the scenes and hopefully he pans out.

Alphabits Karl-Anthony Towns(PF/C) Pretty easy pick here. Towns is very talented. His low post game is not quite as polished Okafor but his other skills put him just ahead of Okafor in my books. He is a better defender and better shooter. Jahlil Okafor(PF/C) They will take whoever The Twolves don't take between the two. He will be a beast on the block. I can see him getting into foul trouble early in his career but he'll figure it out. Randle + Okafor will be very scary. D'Angelo Russell(PG/SG)  Nasty handles and a great mid-range game make him a lot of fun to watch. He is exactly what Philly needs. Smith and Canaan are not the answer after trading away MCW, which still doesn't make sense to me. A big PG that can dominate at will. Emmanuel Mudiay(PG/SG) Another big PG, in the mold of John Wall. Strong finisher around the rim and can rebound. He will be a threat to pull off triple doubles. Only knock on his game is his shooting. He will need to work on his long range jumper because defenders will just keep daring him to shoot. If he figures that out he could be unstoppable. Willie Cauley-Stein(PF/C) The Orlando roster is packed with talent, especially that starting 5. All they are missing is another big to go beside Vucevic. In comes Willie. With all those offensive threats he's the perfect garbage man and rim protector to balance out that lineup. But if the reports are true Prozingis goes here and Stein goes to the Kings, which IMO is not the right move based on what the Magic need. Kristap Porzingis(PF/C) The Kings need a home run here. Their roster is riddled with holes and they need a game changer. In comes Porzingis. I really don't see him going in the top 5 based on what those teams need. 1/2 are locks, at 3 regardless of Embiid's injury they have Embiid and Noel. The Knicks have Melo and they don't need another volume shooter. Whether he is going to be Nowitzki or Bargnani is up to him. I think he falls somewhere in between. Justise Winslow(SF/SG)  I had a tough time with Winslow/Henzoja here but with Denver invested in Gallinari I see them trying to compliment him with a player like Winslow. Not the best shooter but he will defend the best player on the other team. Mario Hezonja(SG/SF) He is a scorer and after his performance in the Spanish finals he flew up the draft boards. Think of him as the Croatian Gallinari, which is why I don't see him as a Nugget. The Pistons know exactly what they need and they double down to see if they get it from Hezonja or in the trade for Ilyasova. Devin Booker(SG) After the Stephenson trade this pick became easier to call. They have prospects and stars at all positions except SG. Henderson is just to inconsistent and there is nobody after that. Add the fact that the Hornets can't shoot, adding the sharpshooter from Kentucky makes too much sense.  Stanley Johnson(SG/SF) Another pick that just makes sense. They need a good young wing to play behind Deng/Wade. He could be eventual successor to Deng. With a good blend of shooting and athleticism he could be a really good two way player in the NBA. Myles Turner(PF/C) The Pacers would love to see one of the 4 previous picks to fall to them but all those teams have bigs except for the Kings so they have a chance. Myles Turner would be a great fit as a stretch big next to Roy Hibbert. He projects as a C but he's way to skinny, he would be a nice stretch 4. Frank Kaminsky(PF/C) Utah could really use a SG but there are too many talented bigs left on the board. I don't see them taking a risk on Oubre and Dekker. Kaminsky's ability to stretch the floor would be a good fit next to the low post presence of Favors and Gobert. And they have the bigs next to him so they can hide him on defense. Trey Lyles(PF/C) A solid player, he won't be a star but he should be a solid PF. And he perfectly fills a need with the Suns. He is a good offensive player who leaves a lot to be desired on defense, but they have Len there so they should be fine. Kelly Oubre(SF/SG) I can see OKC looking for a 3 and D kind of player at this spot. And Oubre fits the bill. He shot a decent 37% from three. With a bunch of offensive wings Ourbre's defense will be a nice addition. Bobby Portis(PF) The Hawks can't afford to keep Carroll and Millsap. So one of them has to go. I think it's Millsap. Insert Bobby Portis. He's not in the same league as the other bigs but he's the best one available. Good all around player, but won't be elite. If they decide on letting Carroll go insert Justin Anderson here. Sam Dekker(SF/PF) They need a player like Dekker. He can play the 3/4 where they could use some help. He reminds me of Keith Van Horn. He is a good fit for a team in need of some offensive punch. Montrezl Harrell(PF) The Bucks need bigs. He may not be very big, but he plays big. And he is a vicious player who has endless energy. He crashes the glass hard and will contest everything at the rim. He will probably be prone to fouls early on in his career but he's the kind of player that every team needs. Cameron Payne(PG/SG)  It's time to end his slide. They need a PG behind Beverley who's playstyle will leave him prone to getting hurt. Payne is in that 2nd tier of PG's available behind Mudiay and Russell. Unfortunately for PG's this year most of the teams between 6-17 all have set PG's or have a bigger need to fill. The Rockets could use a backup rim protector but at this point there aren't are of those left. Tyus Jones (PG) A good pick and roll PG and can shoot. He doesn't turn the ball over either. Which is perfect as a backup PG. He won't' out jump or out run anybody so it makes him a weaker defender. But he can be a very capable backup in Washington behind Wall for the next 5 years. Justin Anderson(SG/SF) He is built exactly how a team would want a SF to be built. Strong, athletic, with a massive wingspan. He brings it on the defensive end and finishes strong around the rim. If his sudden jump in 3% was not a fluke he could be a nice 3 and D player for the Raptors. Also like Looney here if they decide to go big. Jerian Grant(PG/SG)  The window for Dirk is getting smaller and smaller every year. They need a PG and he's NBA ready. He's already 23 years old so his ceiling is not very high but he should be able to contribute right away. RJ Hunter(PG/SG) Great shooter, pegged as one of the purest shooters in college. He would fit nicely next to Butler and Rose on the outside.  Kevon Looney(PF)  The Trailblazers need some front court help and Looney could provide it. He is a bit of a project player but he has enough raw talent there that you can see the potential. And he will have time to develop behind Aldridge, assuming he sticks around. Rashad Vaughn(SG) Very young, a good scorer. He will have plenty of time to learn from all the vets on this team. He probably won't have any impact but this is a pick for down the road. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson(SF/PF) A steal at this point in the draft. Not a very good shooter but he plays hard and is a very good defender. He will try to dunk on everyone. If he can develop a respectable jumper he could be a very good player. At the very least he will be a higher energy guy off the bench. Chris McCullough(PF) He will have an amazing oppurtunity to learn from the best. He's a good rebounder and his offensive game keeps getting better. He has a pretty good ceiling it's just a question of whether he can reach it or not. But with the Spurs being the Spurs I can see them taking a stash player like Hernangomez, Osman, or Gudiatis. Delon Wright(PG/SG) Seems like everyone feel like the Lakers are making this pick. A big long defensive PG is what they need. Think of him as a 2nd JOrdan Clarkson. They might not even have this pick with them needing to put together a contending team for Kobes final year. Jordan Mickey(PF) The Celtics need a rim protector and he is good at that. But the problem is he is only good at that. He's undersized and his offense isn't really there. What he lacks in size he makes up for in effort. He fills a need and could carve out a nice role for himself. Terry Rozier(PG/SG) The Nets are in a weird phase where they are a fringe playoff team in the East but they are not really rebuilding. Rozier is a good pick up for them. An energetic young PG they could hold on to. They could also go with Powell here. Christian Wood(SF/PF)  Long lanky big that can shoot a bit. He's going to need a little time to grow into his body and put on weight. He has some solid upside and will have time to grow with Bogut, Ezeli, Speights holding down the fort for at least the next 2 years.

Ranking the Starting SG's

A few weeks ago, I made a post about the top starting point guards in the league. Now, I have decided to expand and create the list of the best starting shooting guards in the league.

What I based these rankings on are how they have played this year statistically, how much of an impact they make to their team, and how good their team is. Also, it's just my overall opinion.

Kobe Bryant

1. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Vino keeps getting better with age. Anyone who wrote-off Kobe at the start of the year after a dismal beginning to the Lakers' season have been shut up. With averages of 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, he completed yet another outstanding regular season. The Lakers were playing horrible out of the gate and it seemed as if they weren't going to make the postseason. Kobe, however, put the team on his back like he always did and he made that push. Unfortunately, an injury derailed his and the Lakers' season and LA got swept by the Spurs. Kobe is my number 1 shooting guard because there is really no one more competitive, tough, and simply, better than him. I hope he makes a strong recovery because the Lakers without him is just something awful.

2. Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat)
 - The Heat keep rolling. Wade has been consistently good and he adjusted his game well to accustom Lebron and Bosh. Like Kobe, Wade is a threat to score at will and come in the clutch. He also averages 20,5 and 5. Age is starting to come to him as injuries have nagged him a couple of games but Wade is still as effective as any other. The Heat, if healthy, should come away with their second championship in a row.

3. James Harden (Houston Rockets)
 - We all knew he was a good player but we didn't expect this to come out after his first year as the focal point in the offense. He faded away in the finals last year and many believed he could not handle leading a team by himself. He killed all of that by exploding this year. He's a potent scorer, and like the other two above him on the list, averages over 20 points, 5 boards, and 5 dimes a game. It is evident in his playoff play that he has improved in every facet of his game. His three point shot is consistent and he gets to the rim easily. I'm expecting another big offseason for him and many more years of stardom to come. Harden is easily becoming one of my favourite players to watch. Fear the beard.

4. Andre Iguodala (Denver Nuggets)
 - He's an athletic wing who could facilitate the offense well and also guard the opposing teams' best player. Statistically, his scoring numbers don't jump right out at you as it once did when he was on the 76ers. His scoring average dropped to 13 points per game but I put him here because he did other things well. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists while also putting up good defensive numbers. The thing I really like about the Nuggets is that they are the complete team. Iguodala would be your "all-star" but he's more of just a really really good role player on this team. I put him this high because he's been consistent and reliable for a winning team. He can still put up numbers among the best of them.

5. Monta Ellis (Milwaukee Bucks)
 - The Ellis-Jennings duo might not last very long anymore but Ellis has showed enough to be a top SG in this league. He's still a very good scorer and facilitator. He has had a lot of clutch shots like his miracle throw up against the Rockets earlier in the year to beat them. I put him high on this list because of his scoring and the impact he has on the Bucks. Without him, there wasn't much else before the Redick trade. Monta is very fortunate to be here.

6. Joe Johnson (Brooklyn Nets)
- He has lost a step in his game when he was acquired by Brooklyn. However, he can still score in bunches and can still do it in the clutch. He may not be a max player but he is still one of the better two-guards in the game.

Demar Derozan

7. DeMar Derozan (Toronto Raptors)
 - I might be a little biased here but looking at the other starting shooting guards in the league, I really think Demar has an edge. What I love about his game is that he is consistently getting better every year. Screw analytics and true shooting percentages. The mid-range game is a lost art and Demar continually uses it. He is improving his three point shot and defense every game and I am getting excited. With Rudy Gay getting more of the attention from the opposing team, it opens up everything for Derozan. He gets to rim well and draws a good amount of fouls per game. If he continues to grow, I see him rising through the ranks and becoming a well-known player around the league.

8. Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
 - He took another step forward this year. After Ellis was traded last season, there was more expectation for him to turn it up a notch. He proved that he is a legit shooter and can get hot quickly. The Warriors are making a nice run in the postseason and as long as Klay is playing the way he is, they should be able to keep moving up. He needs to work on his overall game but shooters always last in the NBA. He is a scary matchup for anyone.



9. Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers)
 - I actually don't mind Evan Turner. He was brought into the spotlight after Iguodala left and he had similar stats as him this season. However, Iguodala was on a better team and less pressure was on him to do much more. Evan Turner had good production and he may not be a bust after all. I can see him being a very poor man's Wade. I can see him being a 17 ppg,6 rpg, 6 apg type of guy in the future but time will only tell. Hopefully he keeps improving.

10. Tony Allen (Memphis Grizzlies)
 - The shooting guard position isn't as deep as other positions and that's why I like Tony Allen here at this spot. He's probably the best defender out of all of the shooting guards but I put him here because he is somewhat a liability on the offensive end. It's a good thing the Grizzlies can cover that because of their big men offense. He is aggressive on defense and always guards the best player on the other team. He's tough and I'm glad he's on Memphis. Without him, they'd have a tough time on the perimeter.

11. Gerald Henderson (Charlotte Bobcats)
 - I like the strides he took this year for the Bobcats. After another dismal year as a team, the Bobcats are searching for answers. However, the bright spots have to be the development of their young guys. Henderson has improved as a scorer and a defender. People knew he could be a good scorer in this league when he was drafted but it didn't look too good after a couple of seasons. It's nice to see him dunking on people and being relied on in the offensive end of the ball.

12. Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
 - He's already one of the better guards in this league but I did not think it was fair to the others to put him as high after one season. He has shown that he could score, shoot, and defend. He will only get better and the Wizards finally have a backcourt to work with. I see big things for Beal next year and beyond. I can see him being a 20 point scorer by season's end next year.

13. OJ Mayo (Dallas Mavericks)
 - He started out really hot out of the gate but came back to reality by mid-season. Fortunately, there was enough improvements in his game that we can say he could be a reliable starter. It doesn't look like he could become the all-star we all thought coming out of college but he has cemented a good label for himself as a scorer. He might be more suited as a sixth man but I really don't mind. He did well this year.

Tyreke Evans

14. Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings)
 - He has steadily regressed from his rookie season and it's looking more and more likely that he will be nothing more than a role player. He was once averaging 20.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.8 apg, and 1.5 spg as a rookie but he is now averaging 15.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.5 apg, and 1.4 spg. Every year, his numbers have gone down and he's looking lazy out there. There needs to be a change of scenery for both parties. Again, like many other players, he is talented and young enough to turn his career around. What started out to look like the next phenom is starting to spiral into a rollercoaster career.

15. Danny Green (San Antonio Spurs)
 - I like Danny Green and I would take him on my team anytime. He isn't flashy or exciting but he does many things well. This might be a little biased putting him here as he isn't as big of a name but he is an integral role player for the Spurs. The Cavaliers gave up on him too early and the Spurs found another gem. He is a special player who can play defense and shoot the three ball pretty well. In this day and age, the 3+D guys are the hardest ones to find.

16. Eric Gordon (New Orleans Pelicans)
 - He was once one of the top up and coming guards in the league but his injuries and his attitude set him back big time. He still shot the ball well and scored a lot every night but he seemed disinterested. Maybe a change of scenery is good for him.

17. Arron Afflalo (Orlando Magic)
 - He became somewhat of the face of the Magic after the Howard era. Their young core is looking pretty good and I think Afflalo can lead that team into the right direction. They don't have to have one superstar player to be a good team. I think Afflalo improved and steadily made himself into a threat to score 20-30 points a night.

18. Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers)
 - He has showed that he can play in this league. I thought it was too high for him to get drafted at number 4 but he showed me why. He's quicker than he looks and scores from everywhere. He was as NBA ready as anybody. The only knock on him is that I do not like his shot selection all too much. I don't see him being an all-star but I do see him becoming one of the more polished, sixth man scorers in the league like a Jamal Crawford or a JR Smith.

19. Wesley Mathews (Portland Trailblazers)
 - He would have been higher on my list if it was last year. He remained a consistent player for Portland but I have forgot about him at times. I still think he's a good player and he's still pretty young to improve his overall game. His defense will always be there but let's hope he steps it up in the offensive end as well.

20. Thabo Sefolosha (Oklahoma City Thunder)
 - Another defensive specialist that holds his own every single night. He's reliable and will hit the corner three consistently. I look at him as a poor man's Bruce Bowen. The Thunder use him well and Kevin Martin comes off the bench for a good scoring punch creating a nice shooting guard combo here.

21. Lance Stephenson (Indiana Pacers)
 - He's a tough kid and is pretty streaky. He's holding his own in the postseason so far and has improved since the beginning of the year. He could become a Tony Allen type of player with a bit more offensive punch.

22. Randy Foye (Utah Jazz)
 - Foye is a quiet contributor. He isn't a bad starter but he's not anymore a good one. I'll take his scoring though.

23. Avery Bradley (Boston Celtics)
- It seems like we are heading into the defensive department. Bradley missed a good portion of the first half but returned strong. He really couldn't carry the ball-handling load when Rondo went down. I see him as no better than a role player but can become a better version of Sefolosha in the long run.

Iman Shumpert

24. Iman Shumpert (New York Knicks)
 - He's called upon to be a defensive stopper for the Knicks and he has done just that. Still young, could be in line for more work in the future.

25. Marco Belinelli (Chicago Bulls)
 - He wasn't supposed to be the starter but he made the most out of his opportunity. Good scorer and came up with some big shots.

26. Alexey Shved (Minnesota Timberwolves)
 - I like Shved. He could be a good running mate with Rubio in the future despite not starting a lot. When he started, he did it nicely.

27. Luke Ridnour (Minnesota Timberwolves)
 - He's not even a true shooting guard but he played it with Rubio at the point. He is small but held his own. The NBA is transforming into small ball and he did ok.

28. Wesley Johnson (Phoenix Suns)
 - He really came on in the end when he was given a chance. He should be the starting two guard for the Suns in the future.

29. Jared Dudley (Phoenix Suns)
 - He was demoted to a bench role after the late emergence of Wesley Johnson. He can still play good defense, hustle and shoot the ball well though.

30. Rodney Stuckey (Detroit Pistons)
 - He too, lost his starting gig when Calderon came in. He was once thought to be the future point guard but he had score-first mentality. He'll stay in this league but his time as a starter should be gone.

31. Devin Harris (Atlanta Hawks)
 - He is not even a shooting guard either. Was once one of the best point guards in the league has slowly played his way out of the spotlight. He shouldn't be a starter any longer after this season.

32. Willie Green (Los Angeles Clippers)
 - He was demoted to the bench when Billups came back but he filled in as well as he could. He is the definition of a veteran and locker room guy.

My Tier System
The Ultimate One - Kobe Bryant
Elite - Dwayne Wade, James Harden
Stat Stuffer - Andre Iguodala, Monta Ellis, Evan Turner, Tyreke Evans
"I just score" - Joe Johnson, OJ Mayo, Eric Gordon, Arron Afflalo, Randy Foye, Marco Belinelli
Up and Coming - DeMar Derozan, Klay Thompson, Gerald Henderson, Bradley Beal, Dion Waiters
Ultimate Role Player Starter - Danny Green, Wesley Mathews, Jared Dudley, Alexey Shved
Defensive Specialists - Tony Allen, Thabo Sefolosha, Lance Stephenson, Avery Bradley, Iman Shumpert
"I shouldn't be Starting" - Luke Ridnour, Wesley Johnson, Willie Green, Rodney Stuckey, Devin Harris
"I should be a Starter" - JR Smith, Jamal Crawford, Manu Ginobili, Kevin Martin, Marcus Thornton

JR Smith

I hope you enjoyed my starting shooting guard rankings!

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Ranking the Starting PG's

 It's been a while since I've last written something but I decided that I've been out of it for way too long. Since the NBA playoffs started today, I got a little more excited. I thought about doing a ranking of all the positions in the NBA.

What I based these rankings on are how they have played this year statistically, how much of an impact they make to their team, and how good their team is. Also, it's just my overall opinion.

For this post, I decided to only base these on the starting point guards. Since it's the most stacked position, I thought it would be fitting. Again, this is only just an opinion so don't bash me all too much.

Chris Paul

1. Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
 - I think this one speaks for itself. He's the ultimate floor general and he does everything humanely possible. He can score whenever he wants and will also make everyone around him better. For example, look at Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Let's be honest here. Are they really that good or are they just athletic freaks? With an average of 16.9 points and 9.7 assists on the year it makes him a steady contributor. He is also a pesky defender and led the league in the steals category yet again. He's the best player and anchor of that LA Clipper team. Imagine where the Clippers would be without him.

2. Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- He's starting to pass a bit more or so the stats say he is but he's at his best when he's aggressively attacking the rim. He's consistent and in my opinion, this era's Steve Francis. He's exciting to watch in the open court and I see him being a terror in this league for the next decade or so. The only problem I have with him is his shot selection but how can you be mad when he's doing everything else. Having Durant doesn't hurt either but Westbrook is still an amazing talent.

3. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
- After his display this season, there was no doubt that he turned himself into an elite point guard in the league. He broke the record for most threes in a season and what's scary about that is that he missed a couple games too. While being a terrific scorer, he is also capable of being a great playmaker for his teammates. He's averaging a career high in assists with 6.9 and there's definitely more to come with him. I'm excited to see what he can do in the playoffs.

4. Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs)
- In my opinion, he's one of the best. Although it doesn't seem like he's better than a lot of people, he actually really is. The Spurs, despite already being a great team, has relied on Tony Parker a lot especially in clutch situations. He's been a consistent MVP calibre player every year and he's done it under the radar. No one talks about him being one of the best, but he has clearly shown it.

5. Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)
- It was an unfortunate reality when he went down with the season ending injury. He was having another stellar year. He's as consistent as it gets and does everything a point guard needs to do. He's also the best rebounding and elite defending guards in the league. Boston rallied and defied the odds without him but they can only do so much before his presence is felt. Rondo is as good as it gets.

Kyrie Irving

6. Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Kyrie elevated his game this year and was selected to his first all-star appearance of his career. Despite being on a bad team record wise, you can see the strides the Cavaliers have made. He is scoring like one of the best but yet distributing at a high rate as well. His ball handling skills are probably one of the nastiest in the league. Brandon Knight should know how dirty it is. I would rate him in the second tier but since the Cavs aren't great yet I couldn't do it. Next year? Probably.

7. Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets)
 - I couldn't leave him out for that long. He's finally looking like the D-Will of old and Brooklyn is rollin'.

8. Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers)
 - The rookie is for real! We all knew he was a good player coming out of Weber St. but we didn't realize how good he really was! The soon to be rookie of the year put up some tremendous stats in his first campaign. He's already adjusted well to the speed of the game and has gotten better as the year went on. As he gets more accustomed to the NBA life and the Blazers get more pieces, there's nothing stopping him.

9. Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers)
 - He took big steps forward this year and turned himself into an All-star. He averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He has become a threat and opened a lot of eyes this year. However, he fell off a little bit in the second half and so did the 76ers' playoff chances. He's still a really good point guard and will only get better from here. The 76ers need to build around him.


10. Ty Lawson (Denver Nuggets)
 - The speedy one is too good to leave off of the top 10 in my opinion. Denver needs him to stay healthy so that they can compete. Like many of the top guards in the league, he is a threat to do everything on both sides of the ball. He shoots the ball well and is also fearless when driving into defenders in the paint. The Denver Nuggets are the definition of how team play should be done and he's the main reason for it.

John Wall

11. John Wall (Washington Wizards)
 - When you look at the Wizards without him, you're looking at one of the worst teams in the league. With him, he makes them decent. Speedy isn't even a word to describe him. He is on another level when it comes to his quicks. Defensively, he is holding his own and offensively, he's more of a team player than he once was. His jumpshot is getting there and he's finally showing the promise we all thought of when he was drafted number one a couple years ago. I also like what Washington has been doing surrounding him with veterans and low-maintenance guys.

12. Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies)
- I think this is a good place to put Conley. No one really talks about him when it comes to Memphis because their team is settled around their bigs. He's steadily improving every year and he is carrying a bit more of the scoring load since Rudy Gay got traded. I expect him to be consistent for years to come.

13. Steve Nash (Los Angeles Lakers)
- He's been off the list for a long time and I think this is where he should be. He's still Steve Nash after all. He lost a little bit this year but I expect him to bounce back in the playoffs. Without Kobe, there's a little bit more pressure for him to perform.

14. Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- He is probably the best passer in the NBA. He is creative, exciting and fun to watch. The Timberwolves fell off last year when he got hurt. I expect him and the Wolves to get better next year when everyone is healthy.

15. Greivis Vasquez (New Orleans Pelicans)
 - Vasquez put up a career year and cemented himself as one of the best playmakers in the league. With one of the best assists rates this year, it's easy to say that he's getting paid in the summer. This is a great thing and it shows again that with the right opportunity, a star can be born. I guess Austin Rivers isn't the point guard of the future after all.

Brandon Jennings

16. Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks)
 - He's going to become a restricted free agent this summer and this may have motivated him to play better. After his stellar rookie season and scoring outburst, he has yet to take that next step. This year, he has certainly grabbed a lot of attention and led the Bucks to a trip to the postseason. He does still need to improve his awareness of when to pass and when to shoot but he did get better. It's going to be exciting to see where he ends up.

17. Jeff Teague (Atlanta Hawks)
 - Without Joe Johnson, Teague was pressured to carry a little bit more of the load on the perimeter. He has come into his own this year and has become a better player overall. The Hawks could be a darkhorse in the postseason but it could depend on the play of Teague.

18. Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
 - His first year with the Raptors has been interesting. I didn't want to be too biased so I placed him here otherwise he would have been a little higher. If we were talking about the best point guards of last year, he'd be up there. He had some problems with Coach Casey but slowly improved as the year went on. He shed his score-first mentality and turned into more of a passive guard. Casey tried to make a Calderon clone out of him and it clearly isn't him. However, he is getting better when it comes to knowing when to pass and when to shoot. I expect him to shoot up the rankings next year because he does everything on the court. His disappointing year put him here.

19. Jeremy Lin (Houston Rockets)
 - Linsanity has all but left but he was given a huge contract to duplicate what he did in New York. He has shown that with playing time, he could be dangerous. However, many of his flaws have been exposed. He's good but not great.

20. Raymond Felton (New York Knicks)
- He has always played his best ball with the Knicks. This year was no different. He has come in and played well.

21. Goran Dragic (Phoenix Suns)
 - Steve Nash's protege did a good job filling in. His team wasn't so good but we can tell Goran is the best player on it.

Kemba Walker

22. Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats)
- It's tough to find the silver lining with the Bobcats but he's only one of the few bright spots on this team. He's scoring more and improving his ball-handling skills. He is an integral part of the future.

23. George Hill (Indiana Pacers)
 - He has played pretty well for the Pacers and has really put himself in a good position with the team. The Pacers don't really have a threat to him for his job. He's been clutch and has done everything the team has asked of him. I feel he's more suited as a sixth man.

24. Mo Williams (Utah Jazz)
 - He played pretty good for Utah this year but we can see his best days are behind him. He will probably only be a marginal starter or good backup in upcoming years. His history and the Jazz playoff run puts him here.

25. Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons)
 - He was shown getting clowned a lot more than his play. He has quietly gotten better but there's still a lot of work needed. Calderon could serve as a great mentor. Knight, like Kemba, is integral to the future of the Pistons. Give them a couple years and their core could be pretty scary. I would normally include Calderon but he has only been on the team for a few months.

26. Darren Collison (Dallas Mavericks)
 - The once young heralded point guard of the Hornets played okay this year for the Mavs. They believed they got their future point guard but I don't know. I think Dallas should look elsewhere for one. He still has a lot of upside to turn it around but he is slowly being forgotten.

27. Isaiah Thomas (Sacremento Kings)
 - He has improved and is certainly capable of being an everyday starting point guard. However, it seems as if he's looking to score more than pass. Earlier in the year, he was given limited playing time and also received a few DNP-CDs. His future is bright despite being overlooked in the draft two years ago.

28. Jameer Nelson (Orlando Magic)
 - He hasn't played a whole lot this year but he has came in and provided leadership. His stats are a little inflated because the Magic don't have anyone else. They developed their rookies pretty well though. The Magic need to find their new future point guard in the draft.

29. Mario Chalmers (Miami Heat)
 - He's good but the big three are carrying him. I think he could be better if he was on another team but he's ranked low because he isn't. He's an xfactor for the Heat but he's also nothing special.

30. Kirk Hinrich/Nate Robinson (Chicago Bulls)
 - Where's Derrick Rose? Come back man, we miss you. Kirk and Nate filled in well but I didn't think it was fair to rank two of them higher than Mario Chalmers. However, these two played well enough for the Bulls to make the playoffs.

My Tier System
Ultimate Point Guard - Chris Paul
The Elite - Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Tony Parker, Rajon Rondo
The Great Ones... - Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson
"I'm not Great, but I'm still pretty good" - John Wall, Mike Conley, Steve Nash, Ricky Rubio
"I'm Almost there" - Greivis Vasquez, Brandon Jennings, Jeff Teague, Kyle Lowry, Dragic, Kemba
"I play hard" - Jeremy Lin, Felton, George Hill, Mo Williams, Brandon Knight, Jose Calderon
"I am Surprised I'm Starting" -Darren Collison, Isaiah Thomas, Jameer Nelson, Mario Chalmers, Bulls
"I would be starting on another team"- Jarrett Jack, Andre Miller, Eric Bledsoe, Brian Roberts, Jerryd Bayless
"If only I wasn't hurt" - Derrick Rose

Well, here are my starting point guard rankings, I hope you enjoyed!

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NBA 2012 Playoff Predictions Round 1

The NBA season has been a crazy one! We've witnessed the many great things and the many flops. Linsanity emerged out of nowhere, the Bobcats being the worst NBA team ever, and much more! But, I'm really excited for the playoffs! This time of year always give me the chills and it's fun watching everyone. Although the Raptors aren't in again, all these teams are going to put forth some great series. These first round matchups could be the make or break of a franchise! We'll see! I'll be glued onto my television screen all day!

Anyways, here are my predictions for the East!

(1) Chicago Bulls vs (8) Philadelphia 76ers: I'll take the Bulls in 5 games for this 1st round matchup. I don't think the 76ers can handle them. The Bulls have a much more talented team overall and a defense that will give Philadelphia some problems. The 76ers wanted the Bulls in round 1 but I'm pretty sure they'll regret it soon.

(2) Miami Heat vs (7) New York Knicks: The Heat wreaked havoc this season and are poised for another long playoff run. To be honest, I still hate the team as a whole but I do love watching them. They're exciting to watch because they play well together. The Knicks are going to have a tough time here. I'll take the Heat in 5 as well. I think they are a much more scarier team than the Bulls and the Knicks are gonna find themselves an early exit. They'll be competitive but they won't win.

(3) Indiana Pacers vs(6) Orlando Magic: Playing without Dwight in this series is just enough that the Pacers will sweep them! Mark my words. I don't believe in magic this year and the Pacers are a young and upcoming team. They'll be running and gunning all over them.

(5) Atlanta Hawks vs (4) Boston Celtics: The Celtics are the higher seeded team due to the division title but the Hawks are given the home-court advantage. Although it has been a rough season for the old men in Boston, I do think they'll pull it out in the end. I'll take the Celtics over the Hawks in 6 games.

West side!

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Utah Jazz: The Jazz surprised many people this year. After the rollercoaster ride last year with the departure of Sloan and the trade of Williams. It seemed like eternity that this team would make it back to the postseason. Well, they definitely proved me wrong! Unfortunately for them, they're facing the Spurs. I think Utah will be competitive but lose in 7 games.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Dallas Mavericks: This is an awkward first round matchup. Many believed this would be the west finals like last year but the shortened season really took a toll. I'll go out on a limb here and disagree with everyone else! I really do think the Thunder are going to win the series BUT I'll take the MAVS anyways. Mavs in 7 games! Go Vince Carter!

(3) LA Lakers vs (6) Denver Nuggets: The Lakers will win this series without a doubt. I think the experience, size and Kobe will be the deciding factors. I do think Denver will be competitive so I'll give them a few games. I'll take LA in 6!

(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs (5) LA Clippers: This is going to be the most exciting series!! I may be a bit biased since I love the Grizzlies but hey, who wouldn't want to watch two young teams climbing up the NBA ladder? Lob City will have problems with the Grizz and this is why I think Memphis will take it in 7 games. Home court is crucial!

I hope everyone agrees with me and if not, I wanna read your predictions!

Barbosa Deal

Today, amongst all the trade rumours, the Raptors and Pacers pulled off a deal. The Pacers would get Brazilian speedster Leandro Barbosa and possibly Anthony Carter for a 2nd round pick.

This came to me as a shock at first. For all the Raptor fans out there, you may be thinking that this may be the worst trade possible! Well...it isn't. I was ready to scream at my computer screen at the first thought of it because Barbosa is worth more than what we attained. However, I went through a couple forums, read some articles, got some insight on how the Raptors would benefit, and actually, this was a really good move.

By trading away Barbosa and Carter, the Raptors do free up some cap space. With Indiana way under the cap, they were able to absorb their contracts. The Raptors don't get salary in return, which is what BC always wanted. They also get a 2nd round pick and will now have three picks altogether which may create another trade or bring in some nice pieces for the future. Eric Smith tweeted another good argument saying "they(Raptors) now have $7.6 mil in cap space to spend BEFORE July 1 if they wish (about $12 mil total)." The Raptors may be able to pull of some deals prior to the free agent signing which is ultimately a good idea because it can open up trades and gives the Raptors more flexibility on Draft night.

Barbosa would have rot here with the Raptors anyways. We would lose more games than win(obviously) and then we would be left deciding whether or not to sign him. Barbosa did express a LOT of intrest to resigning in Toronto so that may be a great move. Maybe Colangelo thought about nabbing a 2nd rounder now and then eventually signing Leandro to a deal come July 1st. Remember, this is only a rental for the Pacers and this is why a 2nd round pick was huge. No team would ever give up a 1st for a rental player unless it was like Dwight or some other superstar. I would rather get a 2nd rounder than nothing at all.

On the other hand, the Pacers get a nice scoring punch off of the bench. He can provide a nice boost of energy and score pretty much when he pleases. George Hill has been playing good ball lately while Collison hasn't developed as much as they liked! Barbosa is a good option! One other thing that intrigues me is the history that Barbosa and Granger have. Remember they had a little scuffle about each team's end game shenanigans? Haha, good times. Anywho, I bet Granger is happy to have him on his side now as they look to make a deep playoff push.

It is sad to see the Brazilian Blur leave after all he has done for the Raptors. All he did was provide a boost off of the bench, a scoring punch, a defensive demeanor, excitement to the ACC, and a veteran presence. He did all the things that the team needed. I did expect a trade to happen to either Barbosa or Jose because of the way they were playing but I didn't really want to see it happen. Both teams got better....kinda. Well, the Pacers got better and we just got more money. That is all.

Good luck to Leandro! I'll miss you in Toronto and hopefully you come back when the free agency period starts!

Ellis-Bogut

WOW! As the trade deadline approaches and all these rumours start heating up, we were lucky to have a blockbuster deal fall onto our laps tonight! The Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors decided on a deal that would send Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to GS for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, and Kwame Brown!

 To me, both teams got something they needed and wanted but I think Milwaukee got the better end of the deal!

Let's talk about the Warriors here first though. Okay. We all knew Monta wasn't apart of the long term plan in Golden State. His name was being thrown out there in numerous trade rumours and I guess it was a mutual feeling. The Curry-Ellis experiment could only last so long. Now, the Warriors nabbed themselves a legit centre! When healthy, Bogut provides everything you want out of your big guy. He can score around the hoop, post-up, rebound, block shots, provide an inside presence, etc. He just does everything! He's the definition of a centre! You put him alongside David Lee and you now have one of the toughest frontcourts any opposing team can handle! Andris Biedrins will now ride the bench like no tomorrow! It's sad how he couldn't come back to the player he once was!

 As for, Captain Jack, he's back! He hasn't been doing anything at all for the Bucks this year and maybe a change of scenery might help him out! We all know what he's capable of doing. He can flat out score and be reliable in clutch situations. Let's see if he'll do grasp the opportunity and run with it! Watch out for Klay Thompson to fill the void that Monta Ellis left. Klay Thompson has the potential to become a potent scorer in this league. All he needs is more experience under his belt. With this trade, it opens up the court and he may be in line for a great second half as he will be looked on to provide more of the scoring. Overall, the Warriors look solid BUT they did give up a hefty price.

Now, for the Bucks side:

Fear the Deer!!! They do lose Bogut who is unarguably one of the best 5's in the league but his injury would've sidelined him throughout this year anyways. They want a playoff push and this may be the best way to do it. Adding Monta Ellis gives them another player that attracts double teams. He can light it up in any given moment and he's as quick as anyone in this league. He gives Milwaukee what they have been lacking this whole year; a shooting guard! Carlos Delfino and Mike Dunleavy are great role players but they really need that legit starter to make a good run! I'm looking forward to watching this backcourt tandem of Jennins and Ellis. Brandon Jennings is one of my favourite players and pairing him up with another scorer only gives opposing teams to pick their poison. So electrifying, no?

Despite losing Bogut, the Bucks added Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown. Kwame Brown gives the Bucks another big body to use. He can provide some veteran leadership, I guess. There's really nothing much more to say about him.... On the other hand, Ekpe Udoh is a guy every team needs. Although his offensive game is limited, his rebounding and defence makes up for it. His shot-blocking ability is pretty darn good. Now, you put him in a defensive system with Milwaukee and there you have a guy who can provide instant energy. Look for him and Larry Sanders to become the young, new, up and coming defensive duo.

Why nobody love me?

I may be a little too excited for the Bucks on this trade but really, who can't be? They'll definitely have one of the more exciting teams in the NBA. I do know that they'll be in the thick of things come playoff time. As for the Warriors, they now have the third best big man combo after the Lakers and Grizzlies in my opinion. Yeah, I think they are better than NY, CHI and any other team with a dynamic frontcourt duo. Maybe you'll disagree but hey, that's the beauty of having your own opinions. Express your feelings in anyway you want!

 Bucks win. Warriors win..kinda. BUT hey, both teams are happy so we should all be happy! Great swap to start off the trade deadline fiasco!

Who said this trade deadline was going to be dead silent? I didn't expect this to happen but I really anticipated a splash to be made! Hopefully a bunch of other teams follow up and make a deal with as much magnitude as this one! It only brings excitement to the fans and creates a buzz around the league!

Who's next? Is it Dwight? Is it Nash? Is it Pau? I can't wait for more noise to be made by teams as we approach the deadline!