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NBA Loud - by Rick Gillispie

The 2008 NBA Draft

July 1st 2008 03:49
I’d like to post about the previously finished NBA Draft. A lot of trades were completed/proposed making this years draft exciting and noteworthy. In this first post I will be going through the top five picks and thereafter with updates and all you need to know up to the minute stats and transactions.

Let’s get this post draft analysis going with the first overall pick for the Chicago Bulls DERRICK ROSE. Rose out of Memphis has a solid NBA body and can take the punishment as a player in the paint. He will mold himself into whatever type of player his team needs him to be as evident by the video below. He is one of the most ready-type players to enter the league. A truly solid addition to any team, kind of makes me think of the miss of Jay Williams. In which whom the Bulls took as the savior type PG years ago before he had his motorcycle accident stifling his promising career. With this pick Chicago puts themselves back into contention for a playoff spot in the East.


Derrick Rose #1 NBA Pick 2008
This video shows how Rose can affect the game as he will become a solid NBA-PG.




# 2
Michael Beasley #2 NBA Pick 2008
Undoubtedly the Miami Heat selected MICHAEL BEASLEY out of Kansas State. This PF needs no introduction to basketball fans as his huge wingspan makes up for any negativity about his height at the four spot. One of the perfect teams for Beasley to go to, I think his character issues would only become apparent if he were to have to battle with a solid proven veteran for his starting spot. He will be going in battling Udonis Haslem who has seen his stock drop as he needs to create more of his own offence. The heat I am sure are not finished in tweaking their team for the 08/09 season. Marion though will alleviate any concerns of the rookie being overmatched down-low as he is almost like an extra PF out there sometimes with his rebounding efforts and hustle in trying to make the right plays.





# 3
OJ Mayo #3 NBA Pick 2008
Minnesota at the third spot went with OJ MAYO, who I have seen and been hearing about for a good number of years. Mayo will be a solid two as at 6’4” 200lbs he is limited in selected positions, but this guy is just a born scorer and if he ends up in Grizz-town, look for him to team up with Rudy Gay as Mike Miller was moved with Memphis making the choice to let him go after he admittedly carried the Grizzlies last season at times. In return Minnesota looks to get #5 Kevin Love. I am in love with this deal as the T-Wolves send Antoine Walker also to MEM. Minnesota gets the scoring they desperately need and character guys, to build around. I know what fans may be thinking and no this isn’t the second coming of Wally World, Mike Miller is a gamer playing all three spots from 1-3 for the Grizz and did whatever was asked, as he became a versatile and proven scorer, unlike streaky Szczerbiak.





# 4
Russell Westbrook #4 NBA Pick 2008
Russell Westbrook a surprise at number four as the top three had virtually been decided weeks beforehand. Westbrook though an unexpected pick is an explosive guard that will do well in this league especially when Seattle gets all the parts and can continuously run up and down with Durant and Green. The Sonics clearly want a guard that can break down the D and get up and down the court at breakneck speeds. They have found that guy with Westbrook. People want to compare him to NBA champion Rajon Rondo and maybe Monta Ellis, he is long and skinny and extremely athletic, time will tell if he can make the right passes for a long career with Durant by his side.




# 5
Kevin Love #5 NBA Pick 2008
Care of NBADraft.net
Memphis picks Kevin Love at the number five spot and in turn will be sending him to Minnesota in the deal outlined in the third pick paragraph. Love is solid, not an athlete like the Grizz love at the four spot, but the T-Wolves just need ballers in which Kevin is for sure. Down-low he will be helped by Al Jefferson for sure on defense. Also he will have a great passer in Mike Miller to get the ball to him in good spots. I like Kevin Love on a solid team a rebuilding team he may flourish or sink as he’ll need to create his own offence and may struggle with the speed of the NBA at first.
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Pau Gasol is a Spanish Sensation!

October 8th 2007 11:15
In terms of scope and popularity, basketball is arguably the second most popular game globally after football. Evidence can be found in the fact that the USA has not won a major basketball tournament for ages.

The NBA is without exception an international league, with foreign players not just making the numbers, but dominating as well.

This brings us to one of the best players in the league, which isn’t American. No, it isn’t Dirk Nowitzki, but the Spanish sensation, Pau Gasol.

Date of Birth: 6th July, 1980.
Height: 7'0" (213cm)
Draft: Third overall pick in the 2001 Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. Rights traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Average Points per Game: 18.8
Average Rebounds per Game: 8.6
Average Assists per Game: 3.1
Average Blocks per Game: 1.8

Pau Gasol is one of those versatile European players that could do it all. One of the major differences between big men from the continent, in comparison to the U.S. is that they aren’t
Pau Gasol
Beware of the Spanish grizzly bear! (Image from nba.com)
pigeon-holed into performing specific tasks. The tallest guys in Europe are expected to be able to handle the ball, pass and shoot from range. Pau is one of those guys.

Having his dad as a professional basketball player in Spain helped young Pau’s development, and it didn’t take long for his skills to become apparent for all to see.

While in Spain, Pau dominated the Spanish league winning titles and junior world championships along the way. His final season in Spain saw the 20 year old, Gasol reach unprecedented personal heights when he averaged 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in limited minutes. Pau was on his way to NBA stardom.

His breakthrough season was so unexpected because he came off the bench, resulted in Pau being selected third overall in the 2001 NBA Draft. An opportunity he grasped with both hands.

Players from Europe have a traditionally “soft” reputation with fans, and those in the NBA who don’t expect too much. Although, Toni Kukoc and Dirk Nowitzki changed perceptions of players from Europe somewhat, the stigma was still there.

Gasol’s rookie season put paid to any misgivings Memphis fans had of the young fella when he averaged 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.06 blocks per game. Furthermore, Gasol won the Rookie of the Year award, was named in the All-Rookie team, whilst leading all first year players in scoring, rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage.

Simply put, Gasol is the most important player for the Grizz.

So, good is Pau that he single-handedly was the reason why Spain won the 2006 World Championships, while being named tournament MVP.

However, Pau isn’t exclusively a talented basketball player, but a decent human being as well. Gasol is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and did one year of medical school before leaving for the States. Some people just have all the luck!

Watch Pau Gasol rock the NBA in today’s video.



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