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NBA Loud - by Arnold

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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Toronto Raptors 2008

February 24th 2008 06:26
Time to meet my favorite team since they began in 1995 I believe. So feel free to get to know my Raps and comment if you feel the need.

07 / 2008 Roster

Chris Bosh
Check this! backwards name & #
Firstly lets take a look at the franchise player of current in CB4. Chris Bosh the 6'10" forward out of Georgia Tech has quickly become the premier and big money contract on the Raptors books. He made it easy to deal the frontcourt incumbents Antonio Davis and Jerome 'JYD' Williams.
Drafted fourth overall inbetween such big names as Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, his stock has risen year-to-year, showing his determination, being undersized has never been an issue for this overly talented forward, who is on the verge of superstardom.

The man at the point is speedy TJ Ford out of Texas. His health of late has been questioned, but certainly not his heart. Ford is one of the all-time most brave players after going through numerous rehab efforts to get back to being able to play his style of game, he still remains determined and will not take his ball and go home.
TJ Ford
NBA

Ford shows that if you can dominate at one aspect of your game, that you don't have to be so hot at other aspects, meaning TJ's driving abilities and average outside shooting. He is still being paid like a top PG and will be in Toronto's lineup if he is able to finish this season.

The upstart rookie in Jamario Moon has become quite a find in just over a half-season with the Raps. 'Jam' has been invited to the all-star dunk contest for 2008. Especially after all his rim-rockin' dunks of late.
Jamario Moon

Moon is a triumphant story, that should inspire us all. Jam came from community college to undrafted rookie in all the minor leagues of basketball, to become a solid contributor for a contending playoff team, finally after many years in the trenches at the age of 27.

At the two-guard spot we have another great story in Anthony Parker who came from a minor league team impressing the Raptors when facing Toronto in an exhibition pre-season game, actually being the catalyst to beat an NBA team.
Anthony Parker

With cranking the three's and playing tough D, Parker should put up a solid 10 ppg average and be counted on to make big shots and come up big on Def. Filling some of the gap left by Mo Pete.

Rasho Nesterovic should start in the middle to eat up the early fouls and become a presence in the middle to let Bosh and Moon rebound and run while he takes the opposing big man out of the play.
Rasho Nesterovic
Y!

Rasho provides a veteran presence in the middle and can protect Andrea Bargnani from getting exposed early and often as any Toronto fans remember the catastrophie, being Rafael Araujo. In which the Raps wanted him to be an experienced type player who protects the paint and Bosh, pretty unreasonable as they should have just signed or promoted a tough interior defensive type seasoned player.

The following completes the Raptors roster as of January 31st. Not including the "signing of Damon Stoudamire". Who I think would be foolish to sign with the Raps, as if and when TJ Ford returns, where and how will Mighty Mouse get the time on the floor?

Jose Manuel Calderon has quickly become a fan favorite and I am in love with his game and now that he has amassed a solid percentage for his jump-shooting efforts, I am hoping they sign this enigmatic Spaniard for a long while.
Andrea Bargnani has struggled recently and with him starting of late has continued to pick up fouls at a rapid pace to start games. His offensively struggles and his lacking defensive game have the NBA questioning his progress and pick at # 1. I believe he has star status in the future and will become great when he plays defense.

Jason Kapono received a monster 4 year 24milllion$ contract. Worthy or not? His shooting has never been a question, but can he contribute consistently without the kickouts of Shaq and Wade?
Kris Humphries received a new extension a great feat for this undersized forward, whose tenacious hustle and rebounding have given him a solid role on this years squad.
Carlos Delfino, picked up for two-second rounders to Detroit made my day, when I first found out. A solid defender with scoring prowess. His long distance shooting has been a surprise but defensively he has been a rock.

Juan Dixon has been unused and unappreciated. He should be used as the backup PG and energy guy at the two spot with Moon of the bench with Calderon in a perfect world. But Arguably the worst player in the NBA in Darrick Martin currently holds the third point spot.

Joey Graham has shown sparks of Vincanity with his dunking ability but has left a lot to be desired by efforts and awareness. It really makes you think as to the wasted 16th pick used from the Babcock era. The very next player taken after the Raptors was Indiana Pacers G/F Danny Granger, who slid that far in the first round due to uncertainty in the health of his knee. But the previous regime of exec's reveled at the fact of Joey's fitness and weight lifting tests, which to me means nothing as bball is on the court not off for the most part.
Maceo Baston has not made much of an impact, but may show well in injury replacement stints.
Jorge Garbajosa shot them into and out of games last season as you could pretty much predict games when Jorge made his first shot or missed. He looks to be back this year, but in Sam's doghouse still? Seems a step behind after leg injuries.

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