This Alexis Rios For Ben Gordon Trade Already Haunting The Bulls

Pictured above is the last image Chicago Bulls fans saw of the Ben Gordon era in Chicago.  You can name a million (or $55 million) reasons why it ended.  And for some odd reason, I will always point to Jerry Reinsdorf and his love for baseball.

Your Official Chicago Bulls Projection, Prediction Blog

So how does Derrick Rose follow up his sensational rookie season?  Find out after the jump.

Your NBA Predictions, Projections And Thoughts Go Here (But Only After You Read Mine)

Get your Craig Sager on after the jump...

Sources: The NBA Season Is Upon Us

Kobe & Phil are here to remind us the NBA tips off tonight.

Sources close to The Big Dead Sidebar tell us the NBA season begins tonight.  I was very hesitant to believe these sources until I received additional info that four (count 'em) four games kick off the 2009-10 season.

Huh?

And this is why I can't get excited about the National Basketball Association.  It's Opening Night and you have four games.  That's it.  Maybe I'm upset because I'm spoiled.  When the NFL kicks off, we get a full slate of Sunday games.  Same for the MLB, which sees every team in action on Opening Day.

I know The Association wants eyes fixated on TNT for its doubleheader featuring Boston vs. Cleveland and Lakers vs. Clippers ... but at what cost?  My beloved Bulls aren't slated to get underway until Thursday against San Antonio.  Sure, it gives me more time to prepare my Bulls preview blog, but if not for ESPN.com's front page, I would have assumed it was just another day between me and the beginning of the World Series.

And to be honest, the newsworthiness of the opening of another NBA season pales in comparison to the newsworthiness of the upcoming World Series ... or hell ... another week in the NFL.  But before you even argue that point, remember there are only four flippin' games on tonight.  Four.  Yes, the MLB and NFL each open with one single game, but there's glitz and glamour that surround that one game.  It's the only game in town for a reason.

Am I supposed to get pumped about the Lakers-Clippers game?  Even if Blake Griffin was 100 percent healthy.  That would be like opening the baseball season with a game between the Yankees and the Kansas City Royals.  Or an NFL opener starring the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions.

The NBA has done a lot recently to stir my juices ... whether it be allowing the SuperSonics to vanish into thin air without much of a fight, or handing its TV deal to ESPN and its set of buffoonish broadcasters and analysts.

And really, all I want is a full slate of games.  Instead, I find myself ready to countdown the days until the playoff season that somehow always finds a way to feel longer than the regular season that preceded it.

Silence is Golden: Hibachi's Rebirth

Many sports fans subscribe to the philosophy that preseason means nothing — I am not one of those fans.

Either is Gilbert Arenas.

I have always been a critic of Arenas, seeing him as nothing more than a world-class scorer who kills offensive chemistry and defends about as well as Jim O'Brien coaches. But that was the Arenas who was busy calling out the Duke Blue Devils and tying ridiculous bow ties.

And while only four games have been played, it's clear to see Arenas is a changed man and for the better.

Through four preseason games, Arenas is averaging 14 points and 8 assists per game in only 24 minutes a contest. And yes, you read that right, 8 assists. But the most surprising statistics so far has been his shooting percentages. Arenas is shooting 59 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point land.

He is taking less shots and looking to work within in the offense instead of above it. Again, critics will say its preseason, it means nothing — but Arenas' whole approach to the game has changed. He shut down his blog, shut his mouth and wants to let his playing do the talking. Sure, the NBA fined him because he was so silent, but this golden silence is worth every penny.

Arenas' sudden team-first approach could not come a moment sooner. The Wizards acquired Randy Foye and Mike Miller in an effort to make a push for the playoffs. The problem is Foye and Miller have never seen a shot they did not like and either has Arenas. With three guys looking to shoot every time they touch the ball, the super consistent Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison would be left with minimal opportunities.

Many experts have projected the Wizards to make the playoffs — some even think they will finish as high as fourth in the Eastern Conference. Before the preseason started, I didn't think playoffs would be a possibility. But after a refreshing approach to the game from their captain, I think they have a good chance to earn anywhere from a No. 8 to No. 6 seed.

A lineup with a focused Arenas, Butler, Jamison and Miller is an offensive juggernaut. Brendan Haywood continues to be grossly overrated, but Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee are starting to come into their own along with sharpshooting Nick Young.

Preseason matters, and Arenas has made the biggest impact with his lack of words. His unselfish and smart plays have the Wizards looking like a playoff squad.

Now if DeShawn Stevenson can follow the leader, Washington might avoid a basketball recession this season.

Arenas went from zero to hero and back to zero. Don't let his number fool you, Arenas is ready to be a hardwood hero once more.

Chicago Bulls To Ride That 'D' In 2009

Part of the reason the Chicago Bulls brought in Vinny Del Negro to coach this team was to instill the kind of offensive firepower he oversaw during his time as a front office member of the Phoenix Suns.

So, why all the talk about defense?

How Michael Jordan Could Revolutionize The NBA (Again)

 

Image via

Michael Jordan, the greatest player to ever lace 'em up in the NBA, had himself quite a Hall of Fame speech on Friday. Was he cocky?  Yeah.  But can you blame him?  He single-handedly kept Karl Malone, John Stockton, Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley and Gary Payton without a NBA championship ring.

For those of you keeping score at home, don't adjust your computer screen, Michael Jordan's presence in the league stopped six future Hall of Famers from winning championships. Guys like Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson and Shaquille O'Neal didn't win championship rings until after Jordan retired.  In his career, Jordan broke more hearts of Cleveland sports fans than Art Modell.  Think about it.


Anyway, the guys over at my old stomping grounds put forth a rather interesting banter question.  Could Michael Jordan cut it in today's NBA?  My answer is a resounding yes.  But how?

Well, listening to my pitch would be a good start.

The No. 23 & The Things I'll Always Remember About Michael Jordan

There are no ifs and or buts about it. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player in the history of the game.

Years from now, there will be a generation of youngsters that will try to make a case for Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.  When that argument is made, I will laugh and pop in some footage of Jordan making Creg Ehlo his personal whipping boy en route to one of the six NBA titles he won with the Bulls.

While the generation older than me makes the Bill Russell argument, note that Russell played with a dozen Hall of Famers.  Jordan played with one future HOFer and a bunch of guys who rode his coattails to greatness.

So, what else will I always remember about His Airness?

Pardon The Interruption For A Dwyane Wade Quote About The Greatest City In The World

If not for Jay Cutler, I would be counting down the days until July 1, 2010, thus bypassing the football, basketball, hockey and nearly half of the baseball seasons.

OK, I wouldn't ignore the Chicago sports scene that much, but there is something to be said when Chicago basketball fans are more excited about the potential about the prospects of Summer 2010 than they are of the prospects of the entire 2009 season.  I guess that's what happens when you lose your leading scorer to a division rival and replace him with Jannero Pargo.

And while most people will have their eye on LeBron James, Bulls fans will have their attention squarely on Dwyane Wade in hopes to land the all-Chicago backcourt of D-Wade and D-Rose.

Chicago Sun-Times Sports Prose has a nice piece on the guard and his foundation.  It's a good read you should check out after you read the whole pull quote thing and my reactions.  Wade currently collects paychecks from the Miami Heat, but by the sound of this quote, this might be the last year Pat Riley will be signing his paycheck.

God Chooses Memphis For Allen Iverson

 

All-Star guard Allen Iverson measures in a 6-feet tall and weighs in at 165 pounds.  No wonder God chose Memphis as the next destination for the 1996 No. 1 overall pick.

Known for its delicious barbecue, blues music, busted windows and scandalous college hoops squads, Memphis, Tenn., seems like the imperfect place for A.I. to wrap up what has been at times a successful, but mostly, star-crossed career.  Iverson will join Zach Randolph, O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay as the Grizzlies must be looking to field a team that seems to be allergic to passing the rock.

But in Iverson's eyes, this group of misfits is building to be a contender.

Have your say about his personality ...

... but I have no doubt in my mind that Ricky Rubio will indeed be a top notch NBA basketball player, even if it doesn't end up being with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Yes, Rubio has eye popping highlight films that make him look like "La Pistola," but it's his demeanor that will set him off from other NBA basketball players.

Rubio is a guy who understands that, as the point guard, it is his job to keep the other four guys on the court with him happy.

"Basketball isn't one-on-one," Rubio said. "It's five-on-five, plus the bench."

If you are an effective basketball player in the Spanish ABC League at age 15, you can play basketball. Not only was this guy the youngest player in the league, but he was also the youngest player to play in an Olympic gold medal game at the age of 19.

Anyone who saw Rubio hold his own in that game against bonafide NBA stars Chris Paul and Deron Williams has to realize that this guy is the real deal.

Ricky Rubio Isn't Coming To America

Much will be said and even more will be written about Ricky Rubio dissing the U.S. and the NBA to continue his antics in Spain.  NBA experts and analysts will waste precious oxygen debating the topic, while columnists will waste precious column inches on the topic.

But here's the long and the short of it.

D-Wade Is One Step Closer To Coming To Chicago Because...

Michael Beasley's tweet's of doom and recent trip to rehab make Derrick Rose's summer look like a walk in the park.

Michael Beasley ... welcome to rehab:

Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley checked into an unidentified Houston rehabilitation hospital over the weekend, multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Sources said the Heat encouraged Beasley to check into the facility to address possible substance and psychological issues. He is expected to spend time with former NBA player and coach John Lucas, who is renown for his success in working with troubled players.

Bulls fans, you can also thank a Twitter account (that is now closed) for bringing Beasley's life struggles, well, to life.  As the Yahoo! report indicates.  SuperCoolBeas and his recent troubles make Derrick Rose's summer look like the greatest summer evar ever!

All signs are pointing North for Chicago native Dwyane Wade to come home to play in The House That Jordan Built, Reinsdorf Paid For & Rose Currently Resides.


Heat's Beasley Admitted Into Rehab Center [Yahoo! Sports]

Allen Iverson To The Bulls?

Is Allen Iverson the superstar the Bulls have been searching for since MJ's second retirement?

Since 1998, the Chicago Bulls have looked near and far for a superstar, a legit superstar, to step into the limelight.

The Bulls have had a revolving door of max-contract players that have failed to step into the slot Michael Jordan vacated after the Bulls' 1998 championship. Let's take a moment to revisit the failed careers Ron Mercer, Brent Barry and Eddie Robinson had in Chicago.

(Moment of silence)

Thank you.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the Bulls lost the closest thing to a go-to-guy as Ben Gordon verbally agreed to a 5-year, $55 million deal with division rival Detroit Pistons. So, Allen Iverson would be fit for a sign-and-trade to Chicago, right?

Well, not really.

Iverson will be 34 next season and is coming off career lows in scoring (17.5 ppg) and steals (1.5 spg) in a tumultuous season that started with high expectations in the Mile High City and ended in bitter disappointment in Motown.

On the other hand, how good could a motivated Iverson be for Chicago?

The 6-foot guard has a lot to prove this upcoming season. Prior to his stint in Detroit, Iverson had a pretty good reputation as a league star with a no-quit, never-ending motor. Yet, it seemed as if his motor died when he got to The D, which happens to be a common occurrence in that city. (See General Motors, Ford & Chrysler.) Iverson's star, and reputation, could ascend again alongside Derrick Rose and a resurgent Bulls franchise.

And while A.I.'s glory years of scoring 30 points per game are behind him, he could fit a need for the Bulls if the price is right.

Gordon Revisited: Sign And Trade For Iverson [CBS Sportsline]

Milwaukee Not Alone As NBA Punchlines

The Big Lead, one of the premier sports blogs and partial inspiration for this Web log, pointed out the hot mess that is the Milwaukee Bucks. They lost their best player, Charlie V, for nothing and traded its second best player and got less than that in return.

However, the Bucks aren't alone in their ineptitude, and they could be a sleeper squad for the eight spot in the East if Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut stay healthy and Brandon Jennings excels at the point.

Here are five teams that are worse off than Milwaukee.

1. Memphis Grizzlies. Last season, the Grizzlies were out performed by their collegiate roommates, who won 33 games last season. The Grizz won only 24, despite having Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo mostly because they employed guys named Darko and Marko in addition to a guy who played his college ball at Colgate.

Now, the team that cried poor and traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers for a steaming pile of crap, just inherited one of the NBA's worst contracts in Zach Randolph.

You don't need to be smart enough to take Derrick Rose's SAT to realize how much trouble this franchise is in. Well, at least there's the BBQ and Beale Street.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves. Al Jefferson should be showered with gifts fit for a king, if not for averaging 22 points and 11 boards since finding Minnesota, then definitely for dealing with a franchise so inept, the Washington Nationals think it's funny.

Throughout the Mocking of the NBA Draft segment, I noted the Timberpups hadn't had a good PG since Starbury skipped town. Someone apparently read that and took it to heart as the T-Wolves drafted three point guards in the first round, and another in the second. Even though one of them wants no part of the Twin Cities, one of the other three two other guys has got to be good, right?

3. Indiana Pacers. I cannot believe that this team won 36 games last season. I guess that is a testament of how much of a badass Danny Granger is because no point guard, no post presence and the Association's worst head coach means a win total in the teens in any other situation.

Once upon a time, the Pacers were one of the Eastern Conference's powerhouses, now their only claim to fame is having the best arena in basketball.

4. Sacramento Kings. It wasn't too long ago that this franchise was a Predrag Stojakovic three-ball from knocking off Kobe, Shaq & the rest of the Lakers. Since then, this franchise has fallen on hard times, so much so, the city's best basketball player is its mayor.

Kevin Martin is nice and Tyreke Evans will be a welcome addition. But how likely is the front line of Spencer Hawes/Jason Thompson to succeed? Probably as likely as Stojakovich is to make an open three in a Game 7 of a Western Conference Finals game.

5. Toronto Raptors. Quick, name a player on the Raptors other than Chris Bosh. I'll give you hint: it isn't Tracy McGrady or Vince Carter. If you said Jose Calderon, then you would be correct. But would you even know about him had there not been a glaring need for a point guard on your fantasy hoops squad?

Toronto will lose Bosh in the summer of 2010 and the only players with any name recognition would be Calderon and DeMar DeRozan, who just won't be able to handle life without Song Girls or Lil' Romeo.

Is It Too Late To Return The NBA To NBC?

I've been underwhelmed with ABC's coverage of the NBA Finals. I'm still bothered by the fac that Jeff Van Gundy is doing games despite admitting publicly he would be cheering for his brother. Not to be outdone, one of ESPN's basketball experts happens to be Lakers part owner Magic Johnson.

Remember when the NBA on NBC was the premier sports program out there? I do. And I want it to be like that again.

The reasons are simple:

1. The broadcast team was better: Marv Albert, Matt Goukas, Bill Walton, Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Mike Fratello, Amhad Rashad, Jim Gray, Peter Vescey. Those guys are basketball broadcasting royalty in my eyes. Hell, even Isiah Thomas didn't suck as an analyst.
   
2. The pre-game show was better: Hannah Storm hosting the pre-game show "NBA Showtime." The World Wide Leader got a steal with her doing SportsCenter Live in the morning. The only way ESPN does better is if Erin Andrews does it. But kudos to Michael Wilbon for being full of insight and analysis.
   
3. The theme music is the best of all time: It's like the Monday Night Football Theme, would you dare take it away?
4. The court layout: No big NBA Trophy sticker in the middle. Keep the court looking clean, that thing is an eye sore.
5. Random thought: Better PA Announcers. Ray Clay smokes everyone out of the building, even that guy in Deeeeeetroit, Miiiiiiiiiiichigan. Too bad Clay is relegated to UIC men's basketball.
6. Fact of life: Michael Jordan on his deathbed is better than Kobe. /ducks
7. Hype factory: When MJ hits a game winning shot, it means championship. When LeBron does it, it means going to Orlando tied at one-game apiece. /ducks again.
8. The insanity: Dennis Rodman's crazy habits are much more entertaining than Lamar Odom's sweet tooth habit.
9. Actual white guys: Back then, it was cool to be an American-born white guy. Hornacek, Stockton > Hedo & Pau.

NBC, it's time to pony up and bring the NBA back to its rightful home.

The Next Jordan Or The Euro Jordans: Your NBA Finals Preview

Finally, the rematch everyone was looking forward to seeing is only hours from tip-off.

Wait, what do you mean no one is looking forward to seeing Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard lock horns as they did in the Summer Olympics? Or J.J. Redick go up against Adam Morrison?

OK, so it's not the series Nike had hoped for, but the NBA Finals should be an interesting series of who can take advantage of their mismatches down the stretch.

Los Angeles will try to avoid last year's fate as it will attempt to ride the world's best player and the league's best coach in an attempt to land its 15th NBA title.

In Orlando, the Magic will ride a team that is reminiscent of the kind of team you would find in NBA Jam. Yeah, don't you remember that old school video game where each team had one low-post player responsible for grabbing every rebound teamed with 3-point snipers that never missed? That is exactly who the Magic remind me of.

In fact, their 1995 title team was one of my favorite NBA Jam teams as I used a combination of Horace Grant, Nick Anderson and Penny Hardaway to slam dunks and rain threes all over my opponents.

I digress.

Unfortunately, I cannot play this series out on my Super Nintendo set because the Lakers are led by Nick Van Exel, Anthony Peeler and Vlade Divac. Excuse me while I yack.

OK, I'm good. Here are the match-ups I'm looking forward to.

1. The Next Jordan vs. The Euro Jordans

Last year, I asked whether three was greater than one when I previewed the Kobe v. Big 3 match-up. This year I ask whether or not The Next Jordan will be able to beat The Euro Jordans.

Kobe's got that nasty game face on as if he does not want to lose and will not allow his teammates to fail. He knows it is his time to cement his legacy in the Post-Shaq Laker Era.

On the other hand, The Euro Jordans (Pietrus and Hedo) have no pressure on them because being the French Jordan or the Turkish Jordan is the equivalent to being the smartest kid in class when you're the only kid in class.

2. Pau vs. D-Ho

Dwight Howard is a scary dude right now. He's a double-double ready to happen at any moment. And not one of those weak-sauce 15-10 games, I'm thinking that at the drop of a hat that Howard can pour in 40 and grab 20 boards without blinking twice.

On the other hand, Pau Gasol is just plain scary. He is arguably the ugliest man in the NBA and without a doubt the ugliest individual in this NBA Finals. I would have more faith in Stan Van Gundy's ho-runnin' abilities than Gasol's. Luckily for Pau, none of that matters. He, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum are in charge of checking the big man down low.

3. J.J. Redick vs. Adam Morrison

They were college basketball's best hoopers. They owned the game's sweetest shots and were beloved by fans across the country.

Then fans realized that J.J. shanks during crunch time, or whenever angry athletic black men guarded him vigorously. And that Morrison shed waterfall-like tears when his team fell behind whenever Gus Johnson yelled loudly.

A pair of lottery picks will go against each other if, and only if, everyone else in front of them fouls out.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

I Wonder If Nike Has Any Dwight Howard Puppets Hanging Around?

Somewhere, David Stern is using ratings sheets to dry his tears. So are the network execs at ABC.

Kobe Bryant held up his end of the bargain. And to an extent, so did LeBron James.

But averaging 38.5 points, 8 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game just was not enough to carry Sideshow Bob, The 7-foot, 3-point Sniper and "Where Did You Go?" Mo Williams to an appearance in the NBA Finals.

Part of the reason Kobe is gunning for his fourth title, and first since disposing of Shaquille O'Neal, is the talent around him. Pau Gasol, despite being (arguably) the NBA's ugliest player, is a true low-post scoring stud. Lamar Odom, who sometimes looks apathetic out on the court, is still 6-foot-11 with the ball handling skills of a 6-footer. Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar and Derrick Fisher are all usable parts on a championship team.

Delonte West can be that kind of player, and so can the aformentioned Williams. But Anderson Verajao, Daniel Gibson, Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic are laughable at best.

But the biggest difference in the teams might be at the head coaching position.

Sure, Mike Brown was named the NBA's Coach of the Year this season for being at the helm of a team that won 66 games this season. But check out the list of recent winners.

Byron Scott, Sam Mitchell, Avery Johnson, Mike D'Antoni, Hubie Brown, Greg Popovich, Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown and Doc Rivers.

Of these last eight winners, only Popovich and Scott still coach the team they won the award with. Johnson and Hubie Brown rep the ESPN family of networks. Rivers, Carlisle, D'Antoni and Larry Brown are coaching elsewhere.

Anyone seen Sam Mitchell, lately?

Phil Jackson is a master motivator and one hell of a coach. He is what Dusty Baker was to the Giants with Barry Bonds and what he should have been to the Cubs with Sammy Sosa. Jackson manages ballplayers and egos more effectively than anyone this generation has seen.

Meanwhile, Mike Brown was simply outcoached by Stan Van Gundy and outclassed by SVG's super 'stache.

Now, with its NBA season over and its stars gone fishin' with Kenny, Chuck and EJ, Cleveland can return to its worrisome roots as it preoccupies itself with trying to invent ways to keep its Favorite Son from abandoning home for greener pastures.

Or they can watch Mark DeRosa's average plummet and Kerry Wood's earned run average soar through the roof.

The choice is theirs to make.

LeBron's First "Like Mike" Moment

Ghosts of Craig Ehlo had seemingly made their way from what used to be Gund Arena as the Orlando Magic seemed poised to take a 2-0 lead out of Cleveland and back to Orlando.

Needless to say, LeBron James exercised those demons.



With his game-winning from-way-downtown-bang! 3-pointer, James turned the table on Cleveland hoops history. And for Hedo Turkoglu, who is known as "The Turkish Jordan," he might now be known as "The Turkish Ehlo."

And for good measure...

Mocking The NBA Draft, Vol. 1

A long time ago, in a blogosphere far, far away, a young, up-and-coming sports blogger provided his thoughts on the upcoming NBA Draft. That post of insight and comedic relief helped springboard The Big Dead Sidebar, so I figure I'd bring back one of my favorite segments.

Void if without sarcasm.

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, Oklahoma. It's all over but the crying. The consensus No. 1 pick will go from potential star to probable bust once he puts on a Clippers jersey. The good news, kid: You're going to L.A. The bad news: You're not playing with Kobe. Enjoy playing in front of Penny Marshall and 1,700 of her closest friends.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet, UConn. The people in Memphis are convinced Mike Conley Jr. is the point guard of the future. I'm convinced their spending more time on Beale Street than paying attention to their basketball team. At least Thabeet will provide a defensive presence to a team that last year couldn't grab a rebound if it was served to them on a platter.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - Ricky Rubio, Spain. Think Rubio is regretting declaring for the NBA Draft? It will be a tough transition to go from a cultural gold mine like Spain to ... well ... Oklahoma. Ouch!

4. Sacramento Kings - James Harden, Arizona State. Poor Sacramento, they went from being on the verge of drafting Blake Griffin to draft lottery afterthought in a matter of moments. It's hard to write up something about a team that hasn't been relevant since Vlade Divac skipped town.

5. Washington Wizards - Jordan Hill, Arizona. The Wiz could have done a Bulls-like leap up the Eastern Conference standings had they landed the No. 1 pick and Blake Griffin. Instead, they will have to settle for the 6-foot-9-inch frontcourt thunder. How long before Hill and Agent Zero are exchanging love stories about Lute Olson?

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans, Memphis. Evans is versatile enough to fill one of the T-Wolves' two biggest holes, whether it be at point guard or at small forward. Too bad this pick will end up being traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Brian Scalabrene.

7. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Jennings, Greece. The Warriors have about $20 million locked up in their backcourt. Unfortunately, about $9 million will go to the albatross that is Jamal Crawford. Eh, screw it. It's time to bring back NellieBall by running four guard offenses on the road to respectability.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry, Davidson. Step one in conning LeBron James into signing with the Knicks is by drafting his sharp-shooting, media darling of a pal. Besides, this move has been speculated before, so, it makes too much sense. And since it makes sense in the first place, expect the Knicks to go completely off the board with this one, probably drafting some Eurotrash.

9. Toronto Raptors - DeMar DeRozan, Southern California. The Raptors haven't had a legit shooting guard since Tracy McGrady wasn't a brittle boy and Vinsanity didn't play himself out of Canada. So it's time to draft DeRozan, who will say good bye to Song Girls and hello to Canadian League Football!

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Jonny Flynn, Syracuse. If I was TBDS NBA scribe Jeff, who would I want? A point guard that can distribute and play defense, and as I look down the Bucks roster, that guy does not exisist. Welcome to Milwaukee, Mr. Flynn, enjoy beer, brats and beerbrats.

11. New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark, Louisville. The Other Lopez Twin needs a frontcourt friend, preferably one that speaks English and isn't bad at basketball. Clark fits the bill here as a runner-jumper athletic specimen that Devin Harris can throw some alley-oops to.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - Wayne Ellington, North Carolina. You know what the Bobcats really need? A shooting guard. ... And another Tar Heel product. Ellington will save a buck or two in moving expenses thanks to fellow UNCers Larry Brown and Michael Jordan.

13. Indiana Pacers - Eric Maynor, Virginia Commonwealth. He slayed the Dukies and he came close to doing the same to UCLA. Maynor single-handedly put VCU on the map and helped parlay that success into Anthony Grant's first big job. He will fit in well with the Pacers, who haven't had a real point guard since the Mark Jackson Era.

14. Phoenix Suns - Ty Lawson, North Carolina. Sad, but true: Steve Nash isn't going to play forever. And the Suns really do need an heir apparent at the point, and unless the Suns have chryogenically frozen a Steve Nash clone, the choice here is the former Baby Blue Blur.

Stay tuned to The Big Dead Sidebar for more insight and draft projections as we get closer to that time. Besides, we're still in the first round of the NBA Playoffs right? That means there is plenty of time for the draft board to shuffle.