NBA 2010 DRAFT LOTTERY MOCK

Assuming things picks don't change, here is my mock for the 1st round lottery teams:

1. Wizards - John Wall PG, Kentucky, Freshman

2. 76ers - Evan Turner SG/SF, Ohio State, Junior

3. Nets - Derrick Favors PF/C, Georgia Tech, Freshman

4. Timberwolves - Wesley Johnson SF/PF, Syracuse, Junior

5. Kings - DeMarcus Cousins C Kentucky, Freshman

6. Warriors - Ekpe Udoh PF/C Baylor, Junior

7. Pistons - Greg Monroe PF/C Georgetown, Sophomore

8. Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu, SF/PF, Wake Forest, Sophomore

9. Jazz - Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada, Sophomore

10. Pacers - Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, Sophomore

11. Hornets - Xavier Henry, SG/SF, Kansas, Freshman

12. Grizzlies - Paul George, SF, Fresno State, Sophomore

13. Raptors - Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, Junior

14. Rockets -Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, Junior

Scalabrine's and Morrison's contributions in the NBA finals

Slam Dunk Episode 18

Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors unveil new logos

Haven't posted much in 8 days because I've been so caught up with work. Not really a worthwhile post by any means LOL but I like talking about new logos when they come out.

New Utah Jazz logo:

I like 'em. The color combination is usually hard to pull off and I definitely love their green jerseys. I'm not sure if they will be their permanent away jerseys but they should be.

New Orlando Magic logo:

Not much of a change outside of the font. They should make the black jerseys with the pinstripes their permanent away jerseys.

And last but not least, the Raptors new logo/court design:

Not to be out done by the Jazz and the Magic, the Raptors have unveiled their new logo to celebrate Italy's participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and their future franchise player in Andrea Bargnani. They have also unveiled their new court design to match their reputation around the league and the exciting brand of family oriented basketball they plan to bring to fans in the GTA area.



Okay jokes aside, there have been rumours that a Hedo deal is coming soon and Jose is also being shopped. I just hope its not for any more pansies. The Raptors desperately need to shed their soft label to be taken seriously on and off the court.

Hedont Mind Sacramento

According to Adrian Wojnarowski

Hedo Turkoglu has privately expressed to league friends a desire to return to the Sacramento Kings, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Kings and Raptors have yet to engage in trade discussions, sources say, but communication is a likely possibility before the end of the month.

League executives believe Sacramento would need Toronto to minimally take forward Andres Nocioni and the two years, $13.5 million left on his contract.

Yahoo Sports

So here is my proposal:

Belinelli and Hedo for Garcia and Nocioni.

Why should the Kings do it?

Well they get the best player in the deal and it opens up more playing time at the SF slot where the Kings already have euros in Omri Casspi(Israeli) and Donte Greene(born in Germany). They consolidate 2 shorter contracts and arguably lesser SF's into 1 bigger contract and better/more proven player, when he's not lazy.

They also get Belinelli who would play the backup 2 or play beside Tyreke or Beno in the backcourt. Belinelli, like Hedo, is very inconsistent but can fill it up when he's got it going. A lot of it is probably due to the fact that neither are in shape and should hit the gym and stop stuffing their faces all the time.

The main problem here is Hedo's fugly contract and his 15% trade kicker. Note that Hedo can only waive it or parts of it if it helps a trade go through. The Kings take on approximately 20M in salary for a marginally better player whose contract goes till 2013/14.

Now why should the Raptors do it?

Hedont wanna play in Toronto. And he's basically cornering Colangelo every time he hits the news. I'm sure Colangelo knew about his trade demand, told him to STFU and probably was trying to accommodate his lazy ass. I guess it was Hedo's big.....

... to the Raptors organization after the suspension, fans booing, picture incident in the club, etc.

Belinelli can play but he needs to commit himself to becoming a better player. I don't think he has improved one bit since being drafted by the Warriors at the 2007 NBA Draft. He won't be missed simply because he is too inconsistent and won't see minutes behind Weems, DeRozan, and Garcia.

For Toronto the deal is not very appealing except that the Raptors fully shed Hedo's last year and save about $5.6M in 2012/13, if they decline both Nocioni's and Garcia's team options. And they consolidate 2 euros into 1, if you count Nocioni as one since he is from Argentina, so that's a plus. A major plus. And if the Mo Williams-Jose rumours become reality, then the Raptors will technically have only 1 left in Bargnani. I can dig that.

Nocioni is tough, hard-nosed and seems like the type of player that Toronto fans generally like (see JYD, Alvin, Bonner). There has been lot of speculation and rumblings over the years that the Raptors like him. He can shoot 3's, flop (one of the league leaders I might add), and players seem to hate his face. Perfect.

Garcia is inconsistent but is a very long versatile wing that has played the 1,2 and the 3 in Sacramento. Solid role player that can do a bit of everything including scoring, passing, defense, handling etc but missed a significant portion of the season with an injury.

UPDATE:

Andres Nocioni: "I openly told the Kings that I wasn't going to stay. They told me they were OK with it and that they were going to try to trade me to a competitive team, probably on draft day... I have to wait."

Andres Nocioni: "Toronto is not a bad option, but I don't want to talk about rumors."

Slam Dunk Episode 17

Slam Dunk Episode 16

Slam Dunk Episode 15