McHale and Ainge bring Boston back to prominence

It only makes sense that two key members of the last Boston dynasty help restore the rich Boston tradition by completing the biggest deal in the NBA since the Shaquille O’Neal trade.

As of early Monday afternoon a Boston-Minnesota trade for Kevin Garnett was all but complete, with specific details not released yet. Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and picks are surely to be included – whether or not Kendrick Perkins or Ryan Gomes will be included in the deal is not known yet. Also don’t be surprised if Minnesota includes disgruntled point guard Troy Hudson or regrettable signee Marko Jaric. While these guys haven’t worked out well in Minnesota – with Pierce, Allen, and KG in Boston they’d be great fits.

Now as any Laker fan can tell you – no off season pick ups, no matter how great they look on paper, guarantee a championship. How well these guys mesh together is going to be really hard to determine until they get some games under their belt together. What’s important to not overlook though is the lack of success these guys have had in terms of winning games the past few years. These are three guys, who are still in their prime, that have endured a lot of losses the past couple of years.

Now they have a chance, in a conference that will show little to no resistance, to win an NBA championship. They won’t try to make this work, they will make this work. All three of these guys have usually been good for four assists per game throughout their career. For those who worry about Ray Allen’s health and think that he’s breaking down – wait until you see the kind of year he’s going to have next year. He’ll be able to camp out on the three point line and get more open jumpers than he’s ever gotten in his life with Pierce and KG’s tremendous post game. There is no need to think about it twice – this is as good of a trio the NBA has seen since the Bulls Dynasty.

Now to judge how good this team will be from top to bottom cannot be done yet, simply because the deal’s details have not been released yet. If Ryan Gomes stays with the Celtics and Tony Allen can heal up they’ve got at least two solid players coming off the bench. I believe the Leon Powe and Glen Davis can contribute to this team next year as well – and in the east you can play KG at center. Rajon Rondo is not the playmaker you’d like your point guard to be on most teams – but on this team it doesn’t matter. His ability to guard the basketball as well as he does will make him a big factor on this team. Gabe Pruitt is guard who doesn’t pass it as well as you’d like but can fill it up and should see some minutes. Getting a veteran guard like Troy Hudson included in the deal would be tremendous for the Celtics – and seeing as how McHale is determined along with Ainge to bring them back to the top, it’s not out of the question.

The Cletics still have the full mid level exception that they could use to bring in some solid players. Free agents that are still available to them are: Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Charlie Bell, Jannero Pargo, Melvin Ely, Brevin Knight, Alexander Johnson, James Singleton, and Michael Olowokandi.

Personally, I pick up Brevin Knight with a good portion of the MLE and offer the rest to Chris Webber – and get Olowokandi as a cheap back up. That gives the Celtics a rotation of:

PG: Brevin Knight, Rajon Rondo, Gabe Pruitt.
SG: Ray Allen, Tony Allen, Marko Jaric(?).
SF: Paul Pierce, Ryan Gomes(?), Brian Scalabrine
PF: Kevin Garnett, Leon Powe, Glen Davis.
C: Chris Webber, Michael Olowkandi, Andreas Glyniadakis.

That 15 man roster gives them a team that a Detroit team on it’s way down, an overrated Cleveland Cavliers team, and a mediocre New Jersey Nets team cannot come close to beating. San Antonio, Houston, and Phoenix are the only teams that could give them trouble come the NBA finals.

Now looking at this from Minnesota’s perspective – it’s time to embrace the rebuilding process. Considering that this is Kevin McHale making the trade they could have done a LOT worse. Plus in the Eastern Conference you’ll only see KG twice a year and definitely not in the playoffs. In terms of young talent, Minnesota is loaded. Randy Foye, Rashard McCants, Corey Brewer, Al Jefferson, and Gerald Green is among the league’s best collection of young talent next to Portland. These are all guys that will garner large extensions, but with the departure of Kevin Garnett and the expiring contract of Theo Ratliff they will be able to keep these guys.  They will also surely be adding more lottery picks to this group in the next couple of years. I’d have to imagine that McHale will get to stick around for a few more years in hopes that this young talented group he’s put together can come into it’s own – but if he does indeed get fired or steps down, Ainge has a job waiting for him.

The biggest issue in Boston now is what do to with the head coaching position. I’m not sold on Doc Rivers ability to coach this team to a championship, even with the extremely talented roster they have. What I do if I’m Danny Ainge is give Doc a year to head this team that will take very little coaching. If Doc doesn’t get this team into the finals – I tell Larry Brown and Phil Jackson, who will be at the end of his three year deal with the Lakers, to name their price. How ironic would it be for Phil Jackson to coach the Celtics to a championship and pass up Red Auerbach for most championships as a coach?

Taking over for the commissioners

Everybody is focusing on the issues that Roger Goodell, Bud Selig, and David Stern are currently face. Rightfully so, but however they are not the only commissioners facing big issues right now. The commissioners of MLS and the NHL are currently facing a problem that the other sports haven’t had to deal with in many, many years: the fact that nobody cares about them.

 National Football League

Unlike a lot of people, I really don’t see what the big deal is. I’ve heard tons of people talk about how they would not want to be Roger Goodell right now and I just cannot understand why. The Atlanta Falcons are obviously done with Vick. By the time any other teams start coming around on the idea of giving him a look he’ll be serving his prison sentence. Pacman Jones has the year off. Tank Johnson was under the legal limit. Chris Henry didn’t beat that kid up. To your knowledge no referees are working with the mob. I just don’t see what the big deal is. The judicial system is going to do your work for you with Vick, and once that happens he’s going to sit back and enjoy being the head of the most successful sports organization in the country.

 Major League Baseball

I hope even though the entire world is so enamored with the fact that Barry Bonds is eventually going to become the all time home run king that Bud Selig thinks he’s off the hook with steroids. Once Bonds passes up Aaron it will spark probaby a bigger steroid outrage from the critics than we’ve ever seen before and the fact of the matter is that the problem is still not fixed. Selig has started an investigation, has increased the penalties for failed drug tests considerably, yet the game is still not clean. Whether or not he wants to believe it – when you’ve got guys hitting 500 and 600 home runs and not being shoe in hall of famers there is still a serious problem. What Selig needs to do is come full out in the open, along with the rest of the league. No official asterisks need to put in the record books. What’s done is done, we can’t change the fact that for the past ten years the game’s most precious records have been compromised by cheaters. But rather than having so much in doubt – put everything out in the open. Let people have their view of the situation while knowing everything that happened and move into a new – illegal supplement free era in baseball.

National Basketball Association

Now David Stern I do not want to be. There’s no way around it, this is the league’s worst nightmare. I’m not so sold that this just goes away with Donaghy being prosecuted and out of the league. Fact of the matter is that the conspiracy theorists are going to go crazy with this. I am not one myself, but I can remember several games last year where there was calls that were more than just questionable. Referees make mistakes and do not get everything right, I’m very aware of that – which is why this will not go away quickly. Everytime a referee butchers something that all the armchair referees clearly saw 10000s of miles away on the tv after reviewing it with their tivo will start wondering which family member of his Tony Soprano threatened. The way I go about fixing this is telling the FBI to not just investigate Donaghy, but every single referee I have and am planning on bringing in. Make the outcomes of those investigations public. If Stern’s so confident that it’s an isolated incident than this shouldn’t be any trouble. Not only does this help restore some credibility, it helps instill a sense of fear in referees to deter any kind of similar because make no mistake about it – Donaghy has some extremely rough times ahead.

National Hockey League

I think the biggest problem is that not to many people are willing to give hockey a chance. I’ll admit – for a long time I was one of those people and until I actually went and watched some minor league playoff hockey I realized that this game is actually not so bad. The biggest issue is that it does go through some pretty boring, uneventual stints. My solution to this problem is to make the goal bigger to increase scoring. Everybody loves watching that. News just came out today that you will be able to watch all the hockey games free online. Now if that doesn’t scream HELP nothing does. Only hope is that the online viewing is an incredible success with my increasing the goal size idea and the statistics are enough to get them on a channel that people can get on regular cable.

Major League Soccer

My advice to their commissioner, whose name I do not know and refuse to look up in order to further prove my point is to simply just give up. The talent in this league as compared to those overseas, where the people actually care, is laughable. The fact that a well past his prime David Beckham is the hope of the league says enough. Cut your loses, and see if you can get a scouting job or something overseas.

Goodell, Stern, Bettman, and Selig you can email me privately to discuss things. As far as the MLS guy goes, I’ve done all I can to help you.

Taking over for Arthur Blank

Dear Mr. Michael Vick,
As you can tell by our conversations over the past few weeks I am less than pleased with your actions. I am done being politically correct. I’m done beating around the bush, and considering how you’ll never put on a Falcons uniform again and the millions of my dollars that you have I feel that I am entitled to at least tell you how I feel. You were a mediocre quarterback to begin with. Your accuracy is laughable, your arm is overrated, and quite frankly if it wasn’t for your ability to sell merchandise and tickets I would have cut your ass years ago because you sure haven’t made us contenders despite your ridiculous salary. If it wasn’t for Sportscenter top 10 highlights and our determination to make you a quarterback when you aren’t one I’m not sure anybody who have a clue who you were. You’ve tarnished this franchise with your dispicable acts and inability to have an even somewhat decent passer rating. You will not be associated with this franchise ever again from this point on. Don’t mistake me saying what I’m supposed to say in the media as another chance for you – you’re done. In fact I’m in preliminary talks with the people who erased the final four from Michigan’s record about doing the same with you. Let’s just say the talks are “very” encouraging. In light of the last Harry Potter book being released this weekend all our current players, coaches, and staff members will refer to you as he-who-must-not-be-named from now on. DO NOT come anywhere near the falcons facility. We’ve got pit bulls patrolling the area incase you do, and there are no pools or electrocuting devices in sight. It’s customary for owners to tell players they are cutting ties with that they appreciate the time and effort you gave during your time working for them. Seeing that the situation is as such though, I will not be doing so. You’re time in Atlanta has been a waste of my money and I will now have to deal with questions for at least the next two years due to your actions.

 Hoping you get life,

Arthur Blank
Owner of Atlanta Falcons
President of the give Vick life club

P.S. If I can find a way to sue you for these huge donations I’m having to make to the humane society – I will.

Choosing team USA

 It’s no secret that the USA’s dominance on basketball has become a thing of the past. You always hear talks of how other countries have caught up and that America isn’t superior in talent to the other countries as they once were. Those people were right, the teams that America has put in the international competitions in the past few years have not been overly talented or their best. But with Jerry Colangelo taking over things have changed. They came up short in the World Championships, but I believe that the quality of players that will be representing the United States this year will be capable of reasserting the dominance that we once had in basketball. Training camp for team USA begins tomorrow, but I’ve taken the liberty of saving Coach K some time and selecting the final twelve for him.

Kobe Bryant – Of course Kobe is going to my first choice. The drama with the LA front office aside, this is one of the most dominant basketball players at the guard position to ever play the game. Those who question his ability to play with others need to watch some all-star games or realize the Laker teams he’s played with in years past weren’t the most talented. Kobe will be the leader of this USA team and will embrace the more physical international play. Kobe will shine in his first action for team USA.

Lebron James  - I’m hoping that Coach K continues with playing Lebron at the point. Putting Lebron at the 1 along with Kobe and Carmelo at the 2 and 3 would really be tough for other teams to match up with. There isn’t a point guard in the tournament that would be able to match up with Lebron’s size.

Jason Kidd - With Chris Paul out team USA needs a true floor general and there’s no better than Jason Kidd, who already has a solid amount of international experience and with level of talent on this USA team Kidd will just have a field day running the fast break.

Deron Williams – Deron established himself as one of the top point guards in the league this year, and earns this spot over Kirk Heinrich who was a solid contributor to last year’s international team. Deron’s ability to shoot the ball along with his incredible attacking ability makes him a must have on this years team – and I’m not sure I give his spot to Paul come the Olympics either.

Chauncy Billups – Along with Kobe Bryant I thought that these two could have ensured USA victories in the past two international tournaments that they came up short in. Billups clutch shooting along with his strong frame will make him a big contributor to team USA who sometimes has hurt by Paul’s lack of ability to shoot the three.

Carmelo Anthony - Curious to see how Anthony approaches his role on this year’s team as apposed to last year seeing as how he’s not the best scorer on the team. Carmelo’s work ethic and level of focus last year was admirable and hopefully he brings it with him again this year.

Shane Battier – One of my favorite players in the league, Shane’s the perfect glue type player for team USA. Is content with just spotting up on offense, but his intensity and the hustle he brings to the team is that which you don’t get in every other player. Shane will once again be one of the smaller ‘names’ on the team, but his role will be just as big as anyone else’s.

Tayshaun Prince – The exclusion of Tayshaun on the team last year was really appalling to me and his addition will prove to be really valuable to the team. In international play Tayshaun can play the 4 at 6’9 and lock up some of those foreign big men who are so used to camping outside and shooting the ball.

Dwight Howard – I may be one of the biggest Dwight Howard fans there is. This kid is going to be a beast once his low post game fully develops. He’s got star written all over him and he really takes the head to head match ups with the better low post players in international play. Unfortunately for Dwight, most of the big men are perimeter oriented.

Chris Bosh – Chris Bosh’s versatility is the reason why he’s on this team, but sometimes I felt like he bought into it too much himself. I’d like to see Chris stay away from all the outside jumpers and attack the rim more than he did last summer. He’s capable of shooting it from outside, but it’s not his strength.

Amare Stoudemire – Last year Amare used this as rehab for his knee, but I believe he could be the starting big man on this year’s team. Amare’s outside jumper is extremely consistent and unlike Bosh he knows his range and stays within it. He’s used to being the beneficiary of good passing from playing with Steve Nash, so feeding off of all the attention that will be paid to USA’s talented perimeter players will be a familiar role for Amare.

Michael Redd – “Not enough outside shooting” has always been something they say about team USA the past few years, which is why Redd deserves a spot on the team. With guys like Kobe and Lebron on the team along with big men like Howard and Stoudemire you need outside shooters – and Redd is one of the league’s best. The closer three point line will make Redd basically automatic from beyond the international arc.

Cuts: Kevin Durant, J.J. Reddick, Kirk Heinrich, Tyson Chandler, and Mike Miller.

2007 NBA Draft Grades

 As with every NBA draft, grades are liable to change dramatically in three years. In three years Oden could still not be a go to offensive guy that everyone hopes he becomes while Kevin Durant is wrapping up his first NBA scoring title. Josh McRoberts could have a Charlie Villanueva like transformation and make everyone look foolish for passing him up in the second round. But as far as this grade card goes, all we can go on is the current way players will fit into a team. Some things not related to draft grades that stood out were how ridiculous Joakim Noah looked, but I’ll give him a pass because I know he choose to look like that. Rodney Stuckey needs some SERIOUS help with his public speaking ability. He said ‘you know’ at least 15 times in his two minute interview with Stuart Scott. And the ears on the guy who did the 2nd round picks were ENORMOUS. Oh yeah, the grades.

Portland Trailblazers – Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, Josh McRoberts, Petteri Koponen, and Taurean Green.

Outlook: I can’t speak highly enough of what the Trailblazers did Wednesday night. In two years they may have the best big man rotation in the league with Oden, McRoberts, Frye, Aldridge, and Pryzbilla. Getting rid of Zach Randolph’s contract enables them to keep all their young studs with max contracts when they become eligible. Getting a true floor general like Green is a great move as they’ll need someone like Green to keep the offense running and making sure they get the ball into the big men. Koponen is a project who will spend a few years overseas before he gets a chance to come over. Frye could be used as a centerpiece to get Rashard Lewis, who would love to play for Nate McMillan again.

Grade: A+

Seattle Supersonics: Kevin Durant and Jeff Green

Outlook: When you get two players as talented and with as much as potential as Durant and Green it’s hard to fault the Sonics. As far as what they did with number 2, it’s an A+. You get a surefire #1 pick and a potential top five player in the league in a few years at number two, you have to be happy with that. But to take Jeff Green at number five over Corey Brewer is questionable at best. And they still want to keep Rashard Lewis after they just invested a number two and five pick on players who play the same position? Better not hope to see Rashard next year Seattle fans. That leaves Kevin Durant as the face of the franchise and with a huge load on his shoulders in year one that I just don’t think he’s ready to embrace for an 82 game season. It’s just too soon. It’s possibly the worst situation for Kevin to walk into.

Grade: B

Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford and Acie Law

Outlook: I cannot believe for the first time in what seems like forever Atlanta actually did what was best for the franchise. Getting Al Horford, who at 6’10 could be the starting center for the Hawks next year, is a great pick up and gives them a legitimate low post option now. With him and Shelden down low, they surely won’t get pushed around. Acie Law answers their issues at point guard and brings in a proven guy who Joe Johnson will respect from day one. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been impressed by an Atlanta Hawk move.

Grade: A+

Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley Jr.

Outlook: For the first time in his career he’ll be playing without Greg Oden, but you’re crazy if you don’t think he’ll be successful. Conly Jr. is a winner and will help try to restart the winning tradition that Jerry West instilled in this franchise after a down year. If Pau Gasol doesn’t get traded and Memphis can get at least a decent starting center through free agency they should be able to at least be over .500. Trying to buy a 2^nd round pick to get Marc Gasol as a back up center would have been a smart move.

Grade: B+

Boston Celtics: Glen Davis and Gabe Pruitt

Outlook: Boston made it’s biggest blast through the trade market as they brought in Ray Allen, which gives them about as good of a trio as you’ll find in the Eastern Conference with Allen-Pierce-Jefferson. I think they’ve become a middle of the pack playoff team with the potential to be top three in the conference. People worry about Allen’s age, but with the way he can shoot he’ll be in the league for a long time after his explosiveness deserts him. Davis and Pruitt are good pick ups, though I don’t see much minutes or any for Pruitt who really should have stayed at USC. In a frontcourt that is not particularly strong, Davis could find himself on the roster come opening night.

Grade: B+

Milwaukee Bucks: Yi Jianlian and Ramon Sessions

Outlook: I absolutely think that Milwaukee made a great pick in Yi and think that he could be a great fit along with Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva. However with the situation his representatives have made I’m not sure that Yi will ever be in a Bucks jersey. Ramon Sessions is a good playmaker that could find his self with an opportunity to play if Bucks cannot resign Mo Williams.

Grade: B+ (contingent on Milwaukee convincing Yi’s reps to back off trade demands)

Minnesota Timberwolves: Corey Brewer and Chris Richards

Outlook: McHale obviously trying to change the mind set of the locker room by bringing in two proven winners in Brewer and Richards. Brewer is an excellent player who will contribute greatly from day one and is probably going to finish top three in rookie of the year voting behind Oden and Durant. Richards comes into the league from Florida playing the role there that he will in the NBA. However, with Juwan Howard and Craig Smith I don’t see much of an opportunity for him to play in year one.

Grade: B+

Charlotte Bobcats: Jared Dudley and Jermareo Davidson

Outlook: I’m vehemently against the Jason Richardson trade. This is a move that I just cannot understand from their standpoint. If you’re going to absorb a big deal like that it better be for a player who is going to put you into the playoffs, and I don’t think Richardson is that player. Jared Dudley is a solid player who I think will have a long NBA career and more of an immediate impact than a handful of guys who were drafted ahead of him. Davidson’s got a chance to make the squad if he can add some size.

Grade: C

Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah, Aaron Gray, and JamesOn Curry

Outlook: Very seldom am I critical of John Paxson but there’s no way you can explain to me, and I felt the same way last year as they did the exact same thing with Tyrus Thomas rather than Lamarcus Aldridge, why you take an energy guy on a team with several of them over a guy who has a legitimate low post game when you have nobody you can go to down low. It just makes zero sense to me. Aaron Gray is a good pick up late in the draft, but sadly for the Bulls he’s their best low post option now. Great job on addressing the lack of size in the backcourt with the JamesOn Curry pick.

Grade: C-

Sacramento Kings: Spencer Hawes

Outlook: As I’ve said on air several times, if Chicago and Sacramento switch picks at 9 and 10 they both get high grades. In theory, Miller and Hawes could for a formidable duo down low on offense because both are versatile and could compliment each other well. Unfortunately, together they would be so terrible defensively that they’ll never be able to play together as they both are slow, unathletic, and not particularly strong rebounders.

Grade: D

Philadelphia 76ers: Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith, Derrick Byars, and Herbert Hill.

Outlook: Really like what Philadelphia did in the draft as they got two really talented wing players. Byars ability to play now will offset Young’s lack of experience, as he’ll surely hit the wall and struggle year one due to his youth. Smith is a versatile big man who could really benefit from playing with a pass first point guard in Andre Miller. Hill is a good athlete at 6’10, but is likely a candidate to go overseas or spend some time with the 76ers D league affiliate.

Grade: B+

New Orleans Hornets: Julian Wright and Adam Haluska

Outlook: I cannot understand why they did not take Nick Young at 13. Julian Wright is a heck of a talent but Nick Young is the perfect running mate to put alongside Chris Paul for many years to come. I still worry about Julian Wright’s inability to shoot the ball and I do not think that Adam Haluska is a guy who will stick in the NBA.
Grade: D-

Los Angeles Clippers: Al Thornton and Jared Jordan

Outlook: I think that Javaris Crittenton would have been the better pick over Al, but cannot argue that Al is a good player who will likely contribute in his first season for the Clippers. Jordan addresses the point guard need well and could stick around with the organization. Odds are though he won’t play next year as Cuttino Mobley will probably be enough to get Steve Francis to come play for free.

Grade: C+

Detroit Pistons: Rodney Stuckey, Aaron Affalo, and Sammy Mejia

Outlook: Very well done job by Joe Dumars for the Pistons in this draft. Stuckey will immediately be one of the main subs at the 1 and 2. His ability to play both guard spots will be really valuable for the Pistons. Affalo’s defensive abilities will also make him a part of the rotation in his first year, and while his scoring ability may need improvement, it won’t keep him from getting minutes on a Detroit team that’s perimeter defense has declined. Mejia will spend at least the next two seasons overseas.

Grade: A-

Washington Wizards: Nick Young and Dominic McGuire

Outlook: Really thought that the Wizards should look to address their issues in the post in this draft, but when a guy like Nick Young is available at 16 you have to take him. He’s just another great offensive weapon on a team that already had as good of an offensive trio in the league. McGuire is a nice pick up, especially where they got him. They didn’t answer the issues down low, but the Wizards had a nice draft.

Grade: B

New Jersey Nets: Sean Williams

Outlook: New Jersey went exactly where was best for them. Sean Williams will surprise people immediately with his insane shot blocking ability – and for the record yes he is a better shot blocker than Oden – and his lack of an offensive game will not be an issue in New Jersey because all he’ll be doing is dunking the ball, which he can do very effectively.

Golden State Warriors: Brandon Wright, Marco Bellineli, and Stephane Lasme

Outlook: Losing Jason Richardson hurts, but considering that they got Brandon Wright for them GS fans should not fret. Marco will likely be able to contribute quicker than many believe with all his experience overseas and there should be plenty of minutes for him to show what he can do with Stephen Jackson being your only SG. Lasme likely stays overseas.

Outlook: A

Los Angeles Lakers: Javaris Crittenton, Sun Yue, and Marc Gasol

Outlook: Javaris slipping to the Lakers was not something they expected. Javaris is a big point guard and has four years of triangle experience at one of the top academies in the nation with Southwest Christian Academy. Jordan Farmar’s stint as a Laker could be short lived if he cannot prove to the Lakers he’s a better fit than Javaris. Sun Yue is an intriguing talent at 6’9 with impressive perimeter skills but he’s been playing against a low level of competition and would be better served finding a league with more competition. Marc Gasol is a steal at 48 and if the Lakers end up trading Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum he could be on the roster, though both he and Sun have agreed to stay overseas if there is no spot open for them.

Grade: B+

Miami Heat: Daquan Cook

Outlook: Sorry Dorrell Wright, you had your chance. Cook will likely come in immediately and take the majority of Dorrell’s playing time and do more with it. His ability to shoot the ball will be extremely valuable with Shaquille there and Dwayne’s ability to penetrate. Miami really got a stud in Daquan and have to extremely happy with him.

Grade: B+

New York Knicks: Wilson Chandler and Demetris Nichols

Outlook: They got the guy they wanted all along in Chandler at 23 and if there is one thing that Isaiah can do right it’s draft. Getting Nichols is a nice pick up for a future first rounder and his ability to shoot the ball will warrant a roster spot for him. Eddy Curry cost them Lamarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah. How bad of a deal it was for New York is still up in the air because Aldridge and Noah have yet to show how good they are. The pick up of Randolph along with the two guards is nice on paper – but Jesus Christ at one point do the Knicks stop taking such long, huge contracts?

Grade: B

 Phoenix Suns: Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry

Outlook: I really do not understand why every year the Suns insist on selling their first round picks. There is really good talent to have, especially Rudy Fernandez who I thought could be a really good fit on this team. And they lack depth, so it makes even less sense. They did get a good fit for their system in DJ Strawberry and I think he could stick, but I do not agree with the Alondo Tucker and really felt like McRoberts would have been a great fit.

Grade: D-

Utah Jazz: Morris Almond and Kyrylo Fesenko

 Outlook: Really like the Morris Almond pick up as he’s a big shooting guard who has four years of college experience and Sloan will be more inclined to give him time than he usually is with rookies. The odds are stacked against Fesenko this year, but he may have a chance in the future.

 Grade: B

Houston Rockets: Aaron Brooks, Carl Landrey and Brad Newley

Outlook: What the Rockets are thinking at 26 picking Aaron Brooks when their biggest power forward is 6’6 is beyond me. Even Fazekas would have made sense right here, but not another undersized scoring point guard when you’ve got John Lucas, Mike James, Luther Head, Rafer Alston, and Vassilis Spanoulis. Just ridiculous. Landry could make the roster considering they have open spots on the roster for a PF.  Newly can stay overseas, develop, and hope that the gluttony of guards gets cleared out.

Grade: F

San Antonio Spurs: Tiaggo Splitter and Marcus Williams

Outlook: Knew if Splitter fell to them at 28 they would take him. Splitter is the teammate of Luis Scola, whose draft rights are also owned by the Spurs, but due to a tremendous buyout won’t see the NBA anytime soon. Tiaggo however will spend the next season overseas then likely come over. Williams is an intriguing prospect and I believe if he shows the work ethic and attitude that the Spurs organization requires from every player he could stick and be another steal for them.

Grade: A+

Dallas Mavericks: Nick Fazekas, Renaldas Seibutis, and Rashawn Terry

Outlook: When you just have three second round picks it’s hard to be critical of a team anyway, but the Mavericks did a very good job. Fazekas is one of the better shooters in the draft and could find a spot with the Mavericks. Terry is a steal for what they got for him and I really believe he’ll be on the roster opening day. Renaldis will remain with his team overseas for at least the next two seasons.

Grade: B

Indiana Pacers: Stanko Barac

Outlook: Not really sure why you go with a guy who all you’ve seen is some fuzzy video of when there is several collegiate proven point guards on boards and you’re in need of some help at the position. Don’t even get me started on how ridiculous it was to trade three second rounders to get James White then cut him, which is why they only had one this draft.

 Grade: F

Orlando Magic: Milovan Rakovic

Outlook: Not many people viewed this guy as a legitimate draft prospect, let alone someone you would trade to get. He’ll likely spend at least the next three years overseas, but will probably never see the league.

Grade: F

Toronto Rapors: Giorgos Printezis

Outlook: Toronto had no draft picks but managed to swing a trade for Greek small forward Printezis. Toronto, who has had a lot of success with international players, will let Giorgos develop overseas for the next season or two. Best case scenario he comes in two years from now ready to back up Bargnani.

Grade: C

Summer Pro League will start July 6th in Vegas and pretty soon in the other leagues as well. if NBA TV continues with their stellar coverage of Summer Pro League, then check back for updates on some of the bigger names in this years draft as well as some of the league’s younger stars.