Who Should the Thunder Take in the 2015 NBA Draft?

Lottery Pick: 14th Overall

After a strange year for OKC which ended with Russell Westbrook having one of the best years of all time, Scott Brooks getting fired (and Billy Donovan coming in), and the reigning MVP, Kevin Durant, missing nearly the whole year, the Thunder need to address some needs in the draft. Fortunately for them, they are in good enough shape here to take a reach. They don't need a player who comes in and starts immediately. This is why I think OKC should take a risk here and take Murray State guard Cameron Payne. Payne averaged 20.3 points and 6.0 assists last year to go along with a PER that is much higher than some higher touted prospects. More options here would be Jerian Grant and Tyus Jones if they are looking for a boost off the bench. The Thunder also have another way to go here: energetic forwards Montrezl Harrell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson should both be on the board, and they both could provide boosts behind Serge Ibaka.

Second Round Pick: 48th Overall

Honestly, OKC has three approaches when it comes to this pick. Their first option is the old best player available. At 48, that could mean the NCAA's leading scorer in Tyler Harvey, or a player that slipped, potentially Rashad Vaughn out of UNLV or Terran Petteway from Nebraska. The second option is to reach deep down and pick out a stud senior guard that they believe can provide experience and instant offense. If they look here, that could be any number of players. Five potentials are Keifer Sykes (Wisconsin Green Bay), Ryan Boatright (UConn), Joseph Young (Oregon), D'Angelo Harrison (St. John's), and Chasson Randle (Stanford). The third option is one OKC took last year with Josh Huestis: defense. This could be another Stanford player in Anthony Brown. It could also be 2-time All-SEC Defensive Team player Josh Richardson out of Tennessee. But don't sleep on Briante Weber, a VCU senior who was only a few steals away from the NCAA record when he tore nearly everything in his knee.

Hopeful Draft Haul
14th: Cameron Payne
48th: D'Angelo Harrison

Can the Lakers Legitimately Compete Next Year?

The Lakers have been awful the past two years. They will likely receive a top pick after receiving a top ten pick last year. Although they have been very disappointing, they can use the talent they have and talent from the draft to build a playoff team next year.

Current Roster

Tarik Black- C/F
Vander Blue- G
Carlos Boozer-F
Jabari Brown- G
Kobe Bryant- G
Jordan Clarkson- G
Ed Davis- F
Wayne Ellington-G
Jordan Hill- F
Wesley Johnson- F
Ryan Kelly- F
Jeremy Lin- G
Ronnie Price- G
Julius Randle- F
Robert Sacre- C
Nick Young- F/G

Hopeful Rotation

PG- Jordan Clarkson
SG- Kobe Bryant
SF- Justise Winslow (In upcoming draft)
PF- Julius Randle
C- Al Jefferson (Free Agent)
6th Man- Nick Young
7th Man- Jordan Hill
8th Man- Wesley Johnson
9th Man: Ronnie Price
10th Man: Carlos Boozer
Bench: Jeremy Lin
Bench: Robert Sacre
Reserve: Tarik Black
Reseve: Wayne Ellington
Reserve: Vander Blue

To me, a backcourt featuring the rookie surprise Clarkson, the legend Kobe, and the incoming rookie Winslow is a top ten wing combination. Then add Julius Randle, who got hurt in the first game, and former All-Star Al Jefferson, and this team can compete for a spot in the West playoffs. Kobe is old, so he will need breaks, which is where Swaggy P will come in. Nick Young had an off year, but he is still the most dynamic scorer on the roster. Jordan Hill, Wesley Johnson, and Ronnie Price are reliable bench options as well. If the Lakers can snag Winslow and pick up Jefferson, this roster will be possible, and it will be good enough to push the Lakers into the playoffs.

Draft Declaration Report: April 7, 2015

So far, we have had thirteen players declare for the 2015 NBA Draft. Interesting enough, we have three pairs of players that played together in college in the draft from Louisville, LSU, and Arizona. Here is who we have and where they should be picked in the upcoming draft.

First Round:

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona F
Kelly Oubre, Kansas G/F
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville F
Terry Rozier, Louisville G
Myles Turner, Texas F
Cameron Payne, Murray State G
Kevon Looney, UCLA F

Second Round
Tyley Harvey, Eastern Washington G
Rashad Vaughn, UNLV G
R.J. Hunter, Georgia State G
Brandon Ashley, Arizona F
Jarell Martin, LSU F

Undrafted
Jordan Mickey, LSU F

Defense Wins Championships, Proven by Duke's Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones

First of all, congratulations to the Duke Blue Devils and Coach K on winning the 2015 NCAA National Championship over the Wisconsin Badgers. Their class of freshman was the topic of many conversations over the course of the season, and they showed up in the title game. Point guard Tyus Jones had 23 points and 5 rebounds on his way to winning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Grayson Allen had a breakout game, scoring 16 clutch points down the stretch. Justise Winslow added 11 and Jahlil Okafor had 10, but they were limited due to fouls. Although the freshmen combined for 60 of Duke's 68 point, they are not the reason the game was won. The reason lies in two of the most unheralded Duke players, Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones.

When you eliminate freshmen, four Duke players played last night. Senior leader Quinn Cook scored six, but he seemed not to do as much for Duke as he had in previous games. Marshall Plumlee got on the floor for nine minutes, but he didn't do anything. The two other players, sophomore guard Matt Jones and junior forward Amile Jefferson, are overlooked in the summary of the team's success. Yes, they did only score two points (a Jefferson reverse layup), but they contributed on the defensive end. When Okafor got into foul trouble, Jefferson stepped in and locked down Frank Kaminsky down the stretch, allowing him only 3 points in clutch time. Keep in mind Kaminsky won the National Player of the Year earlier that day. Okafor couldn't stop him, but Jefferson came in and made a large, but overlooked contribution with three blocks and a steal. Matt Jones was assigned to Josh Gasser, a sniper who made large contributions in the tournament. Gasser didn't score the whole game. He helped on the other perimeter shooters as well, limiting them to only 33% shooting from three. What did these two earn for stopping Wisconsin? A piece of the net, because they don't need individual awards. Defense is about team, and it is obvious Jefferson and Jones give all they have to Duke. 

My NCAA Tournament Experience

On March 22, I made the pilgrimage from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Charlotte, North Carolina, to watch the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The games featured two Final Four teams: Game 1 was Michigan State vs. Virginia, and Game 2 was Duke vs. San Diego State. The first game was, well, exciting. MSU point guard Travis Trice exploded for 13 points in the first five minutes of the game, giving the Spartans a lead that the Virginia Cavaliers could not overcome. Trice ended the game with 23 points. The Cavaliers had their opportunities, but they could not throw a rock in the ocean. MSU could have left the building winning by 20, but they missed a ton of free throws, keeping the game close.

In Game 2, Duke had control and never lost. Justise Winslow finished the game in the first half with a monster block that led to a Quinn Cook transition three-pointer right in front of the SDSU section of the arena. Cook celebrated the three and SDSU never had a chance again. During halftime of the game, Michigan State players came out of their locker rooms and sat in the stands, and I was able to have a little talk with Spartan guard Denzel Valentine. He told me he felt all the momentum was on their side, and it was. This was the first time I had seen two Final Four teams live in action.

March Madness Is Insane: First Full Day Review

This article will likely be published after the second day tips off, but that shouldn't have anything to do with the amazing day of we experienced yesterday. I have a few things to say about it below.

UAB Earned Their Bracket Smasher License With Help From Georges Niang

I, as one, had the Iowa State Cyclones going far. I had faith in Fred Hoiberg's team, led by sophomore point guard Monte Morris. I also had one negative on the Cyclones: Georges Niang. The so-called "star" never adjusted to being the first option after Deandre Kane and Melvin Ejim left year, but thats what he was left as. Niang single-handedly lost the game for the Cyclones yesterday, shooting 4-of-15 and having way too many turnovers. UAB was able to capitalize on Niang's mistakes, and because of that, they came away with the victory

R.J. Hunter or Jimmer Fredette?

R.J.Hunter of Georgia State NAILS this incredibly deep three to give Georgia State the lead over Baylor, and they pulled out the win. Hunter's deep three was reminiscent of former BYU star Jimmer Fredette and his range.

Who the Heck Is He? (Georgetown Edition)
In a surprisingly high-scoring college basketball game, Georgetown beat Eastern Washington 84-74. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera had 25 points and 8 rebounds: no surprise there. The surprise was one guy off of the bench by the name of Bradley Hayes. Hayes had scored 8 points all season long before this game: he ended the game with 8 points. As a matter of fact, he had only attempted 8 field goals all year long. The Hoya bigs got in foul trouble, but luckily, Bradley Hayes was there to save the day.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Gets Triple-Double, Sets Record

I am a big fan of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. I think he is one of college basketball's best players. Plus, Hollis-Jefferson has style. Whenever he steps to the free-throw line, he does a little shoulder-shimmy. He attempted 10 free-throws, and that resulted in 10 shimmies for Hollis-Jefferson as Arizona blew Texas Southern out of the water. This is only triple-double ever to include shimmies, setting a record.

Physicality: Called or Not?
In the Cincinnati-Purdue game, Cincinnati star Octavius Ellis was ejected for throwing a forearm at Purdue's A.J. Hammons. and he will miss the Bearcats game against Kentucky tomorrow. Georgetown guard Jabril Trawick bumped and knocked Eastern Washington's Tyler Harvey to the ground after a travel and didn't even help him up, but there was no foul on the play. I agreed with the last call, and I was glad to see a glimpse of old Georgetown in this new Georgetown team, but the calls have to be more consistent throughout the tournament.

Brand Article: Are Under Armour Teams the Tournament Sleepers?

I found myself looking at this year's NCAA Tournament bracket, and I noticed a little trend. The four teams that wear Under Armour have a very good chance to make an impact on the tournament. Those teams are 3 seed Notre Dame, 4 seed Maryland, 5 seed Utah, and 9 seed St. John's. I will talk a little about the teams that wear this amazing brand and what they can do in the tournament. 

Notre Dame: 3 seed, Midwest Region

In all honesty, I have Notre Dame reaching the championship game. They are hot off an ACC Championship, and they will continue their hot streak. Led by super-scorer Jerian Grant, the Fighting Irish have many players that can put the ball in the basket. Grant, Pat Connaughton, Demetrius Jackson, Zach Auguste, V.J. Beachem, and Bonzie Colson can all fill it up. These guys have enough firepower to take down Kentucky, who is the one seed in the Midwest. 

Maryland: 4 seed, Midwest Region

The Terrapins played surprisingly well this year, better than anyone predicted them to. Led by senior Dez Wells (44)  and freshman stud Melo Trimble (2) , Maryland had an incredible season, in which they knocked off Wisconsin. Jake Layman (10) also averages double figures for the Terps. They will most likely meet Kentucky in the Sweet 16, where they will need to have big games from the Big Three to win.

Utah: 5 seed, South Region

Two words about why this team is so good: Delon Wright. Wright is one of the best players in the nation. He could go for a triple-double on any given night. With a supporting cast of Jakob Poetl and Brandon Taylor, the Utes are a very strong team. They have it tough and they will have to face some really good teams along the way, but if Wright is on his game, Utah can beat anybody. 

St. John's: 9 seed, South Region

St. John's has really underperformed the past few years, because they have a boatload of studs on their roster. They are without Chris Obepka, but listen to who else they have. D'Angelo Harrison, Rysheed Jordan, Sir'Dominic Pointer, and Phil Greene IV all average double figures. If the Red Storm can catch fire, they have enough gunners to beat anyone in the country from beyond the arc. The Johnnies, along with anyone else on this list, could make a Final Four run.