Straight out of high school, Dorell Wright took seven years to prove he can do more than come off the bench for spot minutes. He sat behind Dwyane Wade in Miami, learned the work ethic of the NBA and eventually got an opportunity to shine in his first season with the Golden State Warriors last season, ending up with averages of 16 points, five rebounds and three assists per game.
It took awhile, but how far along would Wright be had he gone to college for one year? How about four? Would he be better prepared, or would he have lost that NBA-level experience that makes him the player he is today? Read More »
Besides the big names, there were two players I was actively cheering for last night: Isaiah Thomas and Xavier Silas. And the reason being is that most people assumed they were going to go undrafted. Thankfully, Zeke was picked by the Kings with the 60th pick, but Silas wasn’t so lucky. “Well, I went undrafted,” Silas tweeted after all the picks were in. “All that means is that this journey will be a bit more interesting for you and me. Quote me on this… A journey isn’t a journey without a journey.” You gotta love the positive outlook. So for every Kyrie Irving, there’s a J.J. Barea – a guy who gets overlooked on Draft Night but makes a huge impact in the League. With that, here’s are the top 10 players that didn’t hear their named called last night. 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 »
The move from high school to college is a ballplayer’s most dramatic change. Growing up, they were the best players on the court, hyped as the best anyone had ever seen. The expectations entering college are through the roof.
Once they finally enter the gym for a first-team practice or meeting, they are starring eye-to-eye with 14 other stars of their caliber, sometimes more talented players. Only the best can survive in college and the best of the best get to the NBA. Normally, it’s those who stand out in front of Dick Vitale who do the same in front of David Stern. But in a few instances, good players may struggle or get stuck in limited roles in college before exploding in the NBA. Read More »
Five NCAA teams that got my attention this past weekend for various reasons:
1. NORTH CAROLINA (2-2)
Those who thought the Tar Heels were overrated — cracking the AP preseason Top 10 following an NIT finish — were proven right after UNC lost twice at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic, which happened to be their first encounter with major-conference competition. Read More »
I called it. Monday night, your favorite player’s favorite player (Josh Selby) put on a show at the POWERADE Jam Fest as part of the McDonald’s All American Game. Thanks to our boys at Hoopmixtape, check it all out below.
In case you didn’t already know, the McDonald’s All American Game is taking place this week. So that means the POWERADE Jam Fest is going on tonight. We just got the list of participants, and let me say, you couldn’t ask for a better group of dunkers. Josh Selby, C.J. Leslie, Joe Jackson, Ray McCallum, Jereme Richmond, Tristan Thompson, Patric Young and Perry Jones fill out the list of contenders. In case you’re unfamiliar with their body of work, check out some highlights after the jump. Read More »
Lance Stephenson Goes Coast-to-Coast on the Knicks, Goes Right Through Raymond Felton 
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Watch Klay Thompson Get Buckets in High School 
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