The NBA Draft Combine was about a month ago, and a whirlwind of changes have since transpired. At the top we are seeing consistency, especially up to Sacramento at pick No. 7, but after that the show begins. With workouts happening daily, chatter at its highest possible magnitude and the rumors swirling left and right, it is time for a new addition of the Dime NBA Mock Draft. This time of year prospects are working their hardest, agents are earning their money and teams are doing their utmost diligence to find the future of their franchise. This is how we see it today: Read More »
The University of Kentucky basketball program under John Calipari saw five players get selected in the first round of last year’s NBA Draft, and this year has another expected lottery pick in Brandon Knight. However, one guy who hasn’t gotten the hype of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins or Knight is DeAndre Liggins, who entered this year’s draft after his junior season. Read More »
Following the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and feedback from various individual workouts around the league, we can continue to fine-tune how the draft will play out after the top spot. In the second of many Dime mock drafts leading up to June 23, keep in mind that this is a combination of what we think teams should do and what we think they will do: Read More »
All it took was the magical luck of Nick Gilbert to fluster David Kahn. Rumors indicate that the Minnesota GM is shopping the No. 2 pick, with the Indiana Pacers and Danny Granger headlining a possible deal. Considering the practical, on-the-court rotational concerns, a trade is not illogical. Assuming Kyrie Irving is taken first overall by the Cavs, the small forward spot that Derrick Williams would play is already occupied by Wesley Johnson and Martell Webster. Enes Kanter, on the other hand, might fit. While he may be an athletic replica of Kevin Love, he’s the true low post bruiser, offensively and defensively, that Love might never become. Operating out of the high post and slithering out to the three-point line through the pick and pop suits Love best. Read More »
Following tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery at the NBA Entertainment studio in Secaucus, New Jersey, now we can begin to get an idea of how the rest of the draft will play out after the top spot. This is the first of many Dime mock drafts leading up to June 23. As usual, it’s a combination of what we think teams should do and what we think they will do: Read More »
After the NCAA ruled University of Kentucky freshman Enes Kanter permanently ineligible for receiving impermissible benefits while playing in Turkey two years ago, that hasn’t affected his NBA Draft stock one bit. The 6-11, 262-pound center is projected as a top-5 pick this June, despite not playing a game for the Wildcats all season. But if you’re like me, you’d probably like to see what the big man can do before your team drafts him. Luckily, our friends at CityLeagueHoopsTV got their hands on some footage of Kanter playing for Stoneridge Preparatory School (Simi Valley, Calif.) last year. In one of the games featured, he had 43 points and 28 boards. Not bad.
After the NCAA ruled University of Kentucky freshman Enes Kanter permanently ineligible for receiving more than $33,000 in impermissible benefits while playing in Turkey two years ago, that hasn’t affected his NBA Draft stock one bit. The 6-11, 262-pound center is projected as a top-5 pick this June, despite not playing a game all season, and apparently worked out yesterday in front of Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. Read More »
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been feeling the bad karma this season. LeBron James came into their house and destroyed them, Anderson Varejao suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a simple practice drill, and future building block J.J. Hickson has bounced in and out of the starting lineup. Meanwhile, the Cavs are 8-37, losing their 18th game in a row last night in Boston, and their 22nd straight on the road. Read More »
We may be only six games into the new season, but Houston is already feeling the pressure to win as much as any other team in the NBA. After last night’s 120-94 win over Minnesota, the Rockets now stand at 1-5 on the year. It also doesn’t hurt to mention that four of Houston’s first six opponents have been New Orleans, San Antonio, Denver and the L.A. Lakers – who currently have three total losses between them.
But the Rockets shouldn’t worry just yet, because if one thing is clear, it’s that this team has a lot of talent – and much of that talent stems from a deep bench of role players. Beyond Houston’s starting core, Chase Budinger, Courtney Lee and Kyle Lowry will all certainly make their respective presence felt this season. And another guy who will look to make an impact: rookie Patrick Patterson. Read More »
JOHN CALIPARI (by A. Macaluso) When it comes to family, no one is closer than the Italians. You used to be able to say the same about John Calipari and his predecessor, Rick Pitino. Both coaches have known each other ever since they worked together at Five Star Camp. Both head coaches were actually friends in the beginning, with Pitino helping Calipari land the head coaching position at Massachusetts in 1988. Read More »
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