NBA Draft Recap

Yesterday, 60 young and talented basketball players heard their names called by Commissioner Adam Silver during the NBA Draft. As always, there were some surprises. Here are my thoughts on some of the first round picks:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves select PF Karl-Anthony Towns

This was the obvious choice, as Towns has potential to be a dominant two-way player for years to come. Minnesota could be a really fun team to watch in the next few years, with Andrew Wiggins as well.

2. Los Angeles Lakers select PG D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell was a bit of a shocker, but I think it was the right move. Kobe will retire soon, so it's a good idea to find his possible replacement now. And the Lakers can also pair Russell with Jordan Clarkson.

3. Philadelphia 76ers select C Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor was the best player left, so it wasn't a bad idea to take him. But it creates a problem because the 76ers will have to trade at least one of Okafor, Joel Embiid, and Nerlens Noel. The Phoenix Suns' three point guard experiment only lasted half of the season.

4. New York Knicks select PF Kristaps Porzingis

Knicks fans were so rude when they booed Porzingis' name being called. This guy could be a real stud for many years. However, he's more of a project than an immediate contributor.

5. Orlando Magic select SG Mario Hezonja
The Magic made a good pick with Hezonja, because he is a great shooter, and at 6'8", can play small forward. If Tobias Harris can shift to power forward if he stays, or Aaron Gordon can play the 4 if Harris leaves. Either way, the Magic have improved a very solid core.

6. Sacramento Kings select C Willie Cauley-Stein
This was not a good pick. Emmanuel Mudiay was available, and they went for Cauley-Stein. He's not a bad player, but he's a bad fit with DeMarcus Cousins. As a great defensive player, he'll help, but he won't provide much offensive value unless he develops a jumper. The Kings could trade Cousins, though.

7. Denver Nuggets select PG Emmanuel Mudiay
The Nuggets found their point guard of the future. Ty Lawson should be headed to another team, so this pick is great. Mudiay's jump shot needs to improve, but he'll provide value anyways.

8. Detroit Pistons select SF Stanley Johnson
The Pistons could've opted for Justise Winslow, but Johnson is a better shooter, which explains the decision. Johnson doesn't have much downside and will be a good starter.
Stan Van Gundy might regret not taking Winslow if Johnson doesn't pan out as well.

9. Charlotte Hornets select PF Frank Kaminsky
Drafting Kaminsky was another strange pick. Charlotte likely would have been able to trade down to get him, and they probably shouldn't have taken him in the first place. They needed a wing player who can shoot, and Devin Booker and Justise Winslow were available. The Hornets also recently traded for Spencer Hawes, who does a lot of the same things as Kaminsky.

10. Miami Heat select SF Justise Winslow
This was a fantastic pick. He's a high-upside, athletic defensive player. If the Heat can keep Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, they should be able to make the playoffs, possibly with home court advantage. I was very surprised Winslow fell to number 10.

11. Indiana Pacers select C Myles Turner
Myles Turner will be a very good starting center if his positives outweigh the negatives. Roy Hibbert needs a change of scenery, so Turner is a good replacement. However, there is some risk attached, and he could be a big bust.

12. Utah Jazz select PF Trey Lyles
The Jazz made a good choice by taking Trey Lyles. He doesn't knock down treys yet, but is a solid mid range shooter. He is a very good fit with Utah.

13. Phoenix Suns select SG Devin Booker
The Suns could use more shooting, and Devin Booker will give them that. He isn't a high upside player, but he is a solid pick for Phoenix.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder select PG Cameron Payne
Cameron Payne could be OKC's next Reggie Jackson. He isn't as athletic as Jackson, but is a better shooter. He should be able to contribute to a contending team.

16. Boston Celtics select PG Terry Rozier
The Celtics messed up. Rozier likely would have been available at 28 or 33, and the selection just doesn't make sense. He's good defender, but not a good shooter or playmaker. They already have Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart, so why did they take Rozier?

18. Houston Rockets select SF Sam Dekker
Dekker could be a steal for the Rockets. The only problem is that they already have a lot of talented forwards that could hinder his development. They could have taken a backup point guard such as Jerian Grant, but trading away players is an option.

22. Chicago Bulls select PF Bobby Portis
This was another possible steal, but just like the Rockets, the Bulls will need to find minutes for him. He's tall and spaces the floor with shooting, and is also a solid defender.

23. Portland Trail Blazers select SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (traded to Brooklyn Nets)
If he can develop a solid jump shot, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will be an excellent player. He does lots of things very well and could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.

28. Boston Celtics select SG R.J. Hunter
While Terry Rozier was a bad pick, R.J. Hunter was an excellent pick for the Celtics. He's an incredible shooter who's tall, but needs to get stronger and might not be a great defender. However, he has a lot of potential.

30. Golden State Warriors select PF Kevon Looney
The Warriors didn't need someone who can contribute now, so Kevon Looney is a good pick. Like R.J. Hunter, he needs to get stronger, but is a great rebounder and has lots of potential as a stretch 4.

NBA Draft Preview

The NBA draft is only five days away. It will be interesting to see what happens, but right now, it's all speculation. Here is my lottery mock draft:

1: Minnesota Timberwolves select C Karl-Anthony Towns
The Minnesota Timberwolves will most likely either Towns or Jahlil Okafor. Towns has more two-way potential, which is why Minnesota should take him. He can also play power forward, which is another plus.

2: Los Angeles Lakers select C Jahlil Okafor
The Lakers have always won with big men, from George Mikan to Pau Gasol. Okafor gives the Lakers a center they can pair with Julius Randle. The big question with them is whether they will be able to defend and space the floor with good jump shooting.

3: Philadelphia 76ers select PG D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell is someone that the 76ers might actually keep. He is a great shooter and passer, and definitely has potential to be one of the best guards in the league.

4: New York Knicks select PF Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis is a power forward that can shoot threes, a play style that fits very well in today's game. He probably won't be the next Darko Milicic, who shot under 60% from the free throw line and attempted six threes in his career.

5: Orlando Magic select SF Justise Winslow
Tobias Harris is the team's current starting small forward, but he's also a restricted free agent, and could leave in the summer. Winslow is a solid shooter and very athletic. He is a good defender, and very capable of replacing Harris.

6: Sacramento Kings select PG Emmanuel Mudiay
The Kings don't have a big hole at point guard, but Mudiay is better than Darren Collison. Mudiay needs to work on his shot, but he should still be a good player.

7: Denver Nuggets select SG Mario Hezonja
Shooting guard is currently the weakest position the Nuggets have. Hezonja is a great shooter with lots of confidence and potential, and would help the Nuggets a lot.

8: Detroit Pistons select SF Stanley Johnson
Team president Stan Van Gundy loves shooters, and Johnson is solid at that. He's an athletic player that could start next year.

9: Charlotte Hornets select SG Devin Booker
The Hornets desperately need three-point shooting. Devin Booker is a three-point specialist but doesn't do too much else. With Lance Stephenson gone, he'll either start or back up Gerald Henderson.

10: Miami Heat select C Willie Cauley-Stein
The Heat need depth, and adding Cauley-Stein helps. If Hassan Whiteside leaves in a couple years, Cauley-Stein would be a good replacement.

11: Indiana Pacers select PG Cameron Payne
The main thing the Pacers need is scoring. Payne is a good scorer, shooter, and playmaker. He can provide a lot of help to an Indiana team looking to make the playoffs.

12: Utah Jazz select PF Frank Kaminsky
Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert are excellent defensive players, but neither is a good shooter. Kaminsky has a great shot and post game and would likely succeed in Utah.

13: Phoenix Suns select C Myles Turner
The Suns could use a center, and Myles Turner has potential to be a good starter if he pans out. He's a good midrange shooter that provides value offensively.

14: Oklahoma City Thunder select SF Sam Dekker
Already a title contender, the Thunder need someone who can contribute right away. Dekker is a big wing player that can score very well inside the three-point arc. His biggest issues are inconsistent shooting and inability to create shots, but he's a smart player. 

NBA Finals Recap

The Golden State Warriors have finally achieved their goal. They proved all the doubters wrong as their 40 year title drought comes to an end. It was a great series, and LeBron and the Cavaliers fought hard, but the Warriors were just too much to overcome.

Andre Iguodala had a great series. He showed up when it mattered most, as his two highest scoring games of the season were in the finals. He was also tasked with shutting down LeBron James, and he did his job, as LeBron shot poorly in the finals. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were also good in the finals, but Iguodala earned his finals MVP.

Stephen Curry won his first championship six seasons into his career. He now has something that John Stockton, Steve Nash, and Allen Iverson didn't have, and that Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Derrick Rose are still waiting to get. Having a ring as well as an MVP should make Curry a lock for the Hall of Fame as long as he stays around for a few more successful years, which he almost certainly will.

While the Warriors are celebrating their victory, LeBron James falls to 2-4 in the finals. If it wasn't for a Ray Allen three-pointer, LeBron's finals record could be 1-5. Cleveland's championship drought continues, but LeBron should put an end to it eventually. The Cavs will have to figure out what next year's roster will be like. They'll have to figure out how to deal with their big man situation. Anderson Varejao comes back next season, but they may want to trade him if they re-sign Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love because there won't be enough minutes to go around if he's still there. Timofey Mozgov has a team option on his contract, but he provides more value than Varejao and the Cavaliers would be smart to bring him back. The Cavs also need to improve their bench.

Golden State will likely have less work to do in the off season than Cleveland. David Lee will likely be traded, which makes it easier for the Warriors to re-sign Draymond Green. If they do that, their core will remain intact and they should contend for a championship if their depth remains solid.

In the end, the Warriors finished off an incredible season. For Cleveland, their disappointing title drought continues, but it should be over soon. For now, it's time to start looking forward to the 2015-16 season. It should be a lot of fun.