Longhorn preview for NBA Draft

On Thursday, June 24^th, lackluster NBA teams will once again begin the process of moving towards contention, contenders will attempt to vault themselves to championship level, and championship-level teams will try to stay in the upper echelon of the league.

While the insanity of the impending free agent market, spurred by megastars like LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, has dominated the NBA landscape for months now, the impact of the draft certainly cannot be overlooked. One need only think back to Oklahoma City’s meteoric rise from the dregs of the league to a team that gave the Lakers all they could handle in the NBA playoffs. The Thunder did it almost exclusively through the draft by acquiring one of the top five players in the league in Kevin Durant (No. 2 pick in 2007), a star point guard in Russell Westbrook (No. 4 pick in 2008), solid complimentary forward Jeff Green (No. 5 pick in 2007), and the insanely-talented combo of off guard James Harden (No. 3 pick in 2009) and power forward Serge Ibaka (No. 24 pick in 2008).

UT basketball coach Rick Barnes has churned out four first-round picks in T.J. Ford, LaMarcus Aldridge, D.J. Augustin, and the aforementioned Durant and expects to add two more to his tally this year in small forward Damion James and shooting guard Avery Bradley. Center Dexter Pittman has a chance to be drafted, as well. Let’s take a look at each prospect and where they could potentially end up hearing their names called on Thursday night.

Avery Bradley

Position: Shooting guard

Height w/o shoes: 6’ 2”

Height w/ shoes: 6’ 3.25”

Weight: 180 lbs

Year: Fr.

Strengths: Easily the top perimeter defender in this draft and possibly for a long time. Picture-perfect form and incredible elevation on his jump shot complement a strong midrange game. Freakish athleticism and speed. Hard worker on and off the court and a humble personality to boot.

Weaknesses: What is his position? He’s extremely short for an NBA shooting guard, his natural position. Comparisons to Russell Westbrook are premature, as Bradley possesses both subpar ball handling and passing skills. Didn’t display the primacy in college desired in a first-round NBA guard, especially at his size.

Where will he go: Projections for Bradley have been anything from late lottery to later first round. He seems to be a polarizing force among scouts, but expect him to go somewhere in the middle of the first round. The Timberwolves currently hold the number 16 pick, though there is speculation that they have been considering dealing it to Memphis. If they keep it, Minnesota would love to pick up a much-needed shooting guard to complement likely number-four-overall pick Wesley Johnson. Bradley would slide in seamlessly next to Johnny Flynn in the backcourt and his deferential style would fit in nicely with established post players Al Jefferson and Kevin Love.

Did you know: Despite the incredible hype surrounding number-one-pick lock John Wall, ESPN chose Bradley as the number one player in their 2009 high school basketball rankings.

Damion James

Position: Small forward/power forward

Height w/o shoes: 6’ 6.25”

Height w/ shoes: 6’ 7.75”
Weight: 227 lbs

Year: Sr.

Strengths: Nobody plays harder than the Big 12’s all-time leading rebounder. Relentless on the offensive and defensive ends. Very good strength and athleticism. Multifaceted forward who is too fast for big men and too big for perimeter players, making him a nightmare matchup on offense. Has added new skills ever since arriving in college as a raw freshman.

Weaknesses: Like Bradley, doesn’t have a defined position in the NBA. Probably too small to guard NBA power forwards and not quick enough to defend NBA small forwards. Shot is decent, but will have to improve to NBA 3-point range. Handle leaves much to be desired; he frequently loses control of the ball on fast breaks. Though he has improved his catching, still sometimes displays “stone hands.” Has he reached his potential already?

Where will he go: Most mock drafts have James going somewhere in the middle of the first round. What better team to draft him than the home-state San Antonio Spurs? The Spurs love high-character guys who play hard (see DeJuan Blair), and nobody epitomizes that more than James. Also, after the failed Richard Jefferson experiment, San Antonio will be looking for a more hard-nosed player to fill the SF position. James can be brought along slowly and play around established stars Tony Parker, George Hill, Manu Ginóbili, and Tim Duncan.

Did you know: If James is drafted in the first round as expected, he would be the third first-round pick taken in UT’s 2006 recruiting class, joining Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin.

Dexter Pittman

Position: Center

Height w/o shoes: 6’ 9.5”

Height w/ shoes: 6’ 11.5”

Weight: 303 lbs

Year: Sr.

Strengths: A huge and imposing interior presence, Pittman is nimbler than one would expect for his size. He was absolutely dominant at times in college, especially when he locks into the game. Almost unstoppable once he gets into the deep paint. Not many will push him around inside. Shot-blocking machine Has he even begun to tap into his potential?

Weaknesses: Pittman has had weight problems for as long as anybody has heard about him. Does he have the drive to keep his weight down? Even towards the end of his college, he was starting to put on noticeable “bad weight,” and that was WITH the best strength and conditioning coach in the country. Many question his resolve to be a star player, as he frequently coasted during long stretches of games. Horrific free throw shooter. Doesn’t possess the passing abilities you want to see in a pivot man who’s going to incur repeated double teams. Prone to excessive foul trouble.

Where will he go: Pittman started the year as a potential lottery pick, but has since seen his stock slip continuously over the course of the season. He could go as high as the end of the first round if some team falls in love with his enormous size and potential as a sleeper, but more than likely he goes middle to late second round with a possibility of being undrafted. A team in need of a backup center could take a flier on him. The Atlanta Hawks are extremely undersized and could use some depth and beef off the bench behind Al Horford. They could take Pittman with the 53^rd pick in the draft and hope he can become a solid backup to throw at Dwight Howard for 10 minutes a game.

Did you know: At 10.5’, Pittman has the longest hands in the entire draft!

Link to the story at Austin Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-54233-Texas-Longhorns-Examiner~y2010m6d23-Longhorn-preview-for-NBA-Draft

--Blake Borron

Texas basketball recruits dominate summer camp scene

A brilliant 17-0 start last season en route to a number one national ranking culminated in disbelief for the Texas Longhorns hoops team as they finished 7-10. This included a three-game season sweep by Baylor and an all-too-fitting last second buzzer-beater by Wake Forest in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

After such a yo-yo of a year, Texas fans’ spirits can only be lifted when they hear about the early-summer success of 2011 recruits Myck Kabongo and DeAndre Daniels.

The summer Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and camp scene is the most important time for the stars of tomorrow to prove themselves to recruiting services, colleges, and, yes, even the NBA.

Kabongo, a 6’2” point guard from Canada who is close friends with 2010 UT commits Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, recently took home Most Outstanding Player honors from the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp in Long Beach, CA. Rivals.com rates Kabongo as the second best point guard in the class of 2011 and the 14th best player overall.

Kabongo handles the ball like a puppeteer and his flashy passing ability evokes memories of former Longhorn great T.J. Ford. Also like Ford, Kabongo needs to improve the consistency on his jumper as Rick Barnes’ ball-screen offense relies heavily on a point guard that can shoot over the top of the pick and roll to keep defenses honest.

As Rivals puts it, “He's so quick with the ball that defenders play way off him making it hard for him and teammates to execute a proper pick and roll.”

Nevertheless, many expect Kabongo to be the best point guard at UT since D.J. Augustin in 2008.

Daniels, a 6’8” small forward who hails from California, is an ideal combination of height, athleticism, and a high skill set, though he does need to add weight and strength to a lanky frame.

Currently rated as the number 35 overall player in 2011, Daniels is “on the quick track to five-star status” according to Rivals, who describes him as a skilled ball handler and passer, active rebounder, and versatile defender.

Texas fans are bound to think of the legendary Kevin Durant when they look at Daniels’ body type and skill set. But while KD was more of a combo forward at UT, Daniels is a perimeter player through and through.

With 2010 Findlay Prep stars Joseph and Thompson coming in for next season, as well as the arrival of Kabongo, Daniels, and fellow 2011 commits Sheldon McClellan and Julien Lewis the following year, don’t expect a dropoff in talent for UT hoops any time soon.

--Blake Borron

Link to the story at Austin Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-54233-Texas-Longhorns-Examiner~y2010m6d17-Texas-basketball-recruits-dominate-summer-camp-scene

Way Too Early Top 5 For 2010

I was expecting my first post in far too long to be a victory rant about the Texas Longhorns. In lieu of certain...occurrences, I have instead decided to give a taste of things to come for next season. As much as my heart wants me to crown UT as the preseason #1 team for 2010, my brain and last week's game only allow one team to surface as the king of the first season of the new decade. Roll Tide!


1. Alabama Crimson Tide: Last year's national champs are only getting stronger with monster recruiting class after monster recruiting class. Nick Saban is an arrogant tool who wouldn't smile on his wedding day, but he's one of the best recruiters and X's and O's guys in history.

Strengths: The stars on offense twinkle so brightly you need Oakleys to block out the glare. The running back tandem of Heisman winner Mark Ingram and the possibly even-more-talented Trent Richardson is the best college football has seen since Reggie Bush and LenDale White. Julio Jones will be possibly the nation's most talented wide receiver, but Marquis Maze is the silent assassin that gives the passing game legitimacy.

Weaknesses: The defense loses massive defensive tackle Terrence Cody and playmaking cornerback Javier Arenas to graduation. Expect linebacker Rolando McClain, the leader of the defense, to follow them to the NFL a year early. The greatest deficiency may be the play of quarterback Greg McElroy. After a dismantling of Florida in the SEC Championship game, Texas returned the favor and embarrassed the first year starter in the National Championship. His play, as well as that of an offensive line that needs to give him better pass protection, will be counted on far more next year.

2. Texas Longhorns: All the momentum the Horns had at the beginning of the National Title Game went out the door when Colt McCoy went out of the game after only five offensive plays. Backup Garrett Gilbert, wide receiver Jordan Shipley, and the defense did their best to pull UT out of a big first-half deficit, but fell just short when Gilbert fumbled the ball inside his own ten.

Strengths: After a sluggish start, Gilbert showed flashes of brilliance against a fierce Bama defense in spite of numerous miscues by his wide receivers and no semblance of a rushing attack. He will only get better after an off-season knowing he's THE guy for next year. The team speed on offense, while raw, is matched only by Florida. The UT defense will be one of the best in the country as long as Will Muschamp is in town. The Horns return as much defensive talent as anybody in the country, including freakish lockdown cornerback Aaron Williams and defensive end Sam Acho, who led the team in sacks.

Weaknesses: There are a bunch on offense, most notably the need to improve an offensive line that can only be qualified as one of the worst in UT history. Consequently, that has led to the chronic degeneration of the running game since UT's title in 2005. The graduation of Shipley, arguably the best wide receiver in UT history, leaves a group of young and/or inconsistent receivers that will now be counted on to make plays with regularity instead of deferring to Shipley. If they don't step up, there are even younger guys behind them in what many are calling UT's best receiver recruiting class ever. Injuries have decimated the tight end position the last two years, which has limited Texas's ability to run. Star departing seniors Sergio Kindle, LaMarr Houston, and Rod Muckelroy, as well as early entry Earl Thomas, must be replaced on defense.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes: Few teams have been doubted more the past few seasons than the Buckeyes, but that seems to be a vanishing state of mind. After a dominant performance in the Rose Bowl over a talented Oregon team, tOSU returns all their skill position players and the majority of their offensive line. A home date with the talented and speedy Miami Hurricanes will go a long way to validating or erasing the perception that Ohio State can't handle teams with superior fast-twitch muscles!

Strengths: Terrelle Pryor finally seems to be grasping the offense and coming into his own as a playmaker at quarterback. His performance, though far less awe-inspiring, mirrors Vince Young's 2005 Rose Bowl victory. That led to a national title in the subsequent season, and Pryor hopes to mimic Young's success. All his weapons return, including favorite target DeVier Posey. The offensive line mauled Oregon's less talented defensive front and four out of the five starters return. Jim Tressell is still one of the best defensive coaches in college football, so expect to see the usual toughness and strength out of the Buckeye defense.

Weaknesses: Tressell's seeming lack of ingenuity on offense will plague the team until he unleashes Pryor like he did with Troy Smith in 2006. That will come with increased confidence in Pryor's decision making, which was impressive in the Rose Bowl. At times the running backs were underwhelming, they need to be more explosive with such a strong offensive line and dual-threat QB like Pryor to take the pressure off of them. On defense, the line must be rebuilt and both standout safeties graduate. DE Cameron Heyward and CB Chimdi Chekwa are a good place to start, but they will need younger faces to step up and make plays if they are going to maintain the standard of play they've been at the past few years.

4. Florida: Florida looked fantastic in the Sugar Bowl. Funny how much easier it is against a lackluster team like Cincinnati than, say, Alabama. Timothy Christ...err, I mean Tebow has finally graduated, meaning Urban Meyer (assuming he decides to return) will have to find a new boy toy to fawn over. Perhaps that will be likely starter John Brantley, a highly-touted recruit three years ago.

Strengths: As long as Meyer is at Florida, the recruiting juggernaut will be full steam ahead. That means the Gators will consistently have more talent than basically any other team in the nation, which is why I have them rated so highly despite such heavy losses. The offense is led by speedsters Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey at running back. Lightning-fast Deonte Thompson is the only returning receiver with any kind of experience. He will be joined by the also freakishly-fast Andre Debose, who missed last season with an injury. The offensive line is the best in the nation if Maurkice and Mike Pouncey return at guard and center respectively, but the Gators have some work to do if they both choose to enter the draft.

Weaknesses: It obviously starts at QB, where Tebow leaves to the imminent obscurity of his NFL career and whatever other potential football institutions spring up during his tenure as a professional football player. The man nigh unanimously deemed the greatest player in the history of competition by ESPN, CBS, and, of course, Urban Meyer leaves a gaping hole in the Florida backfield with consequent expectations that Peyton Manning, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Jesus Christ, and, certainly John Brantley would not live up to. The defense loses stud linebackers Brandon Spikes and Ryan Stamper to graduation, and shutdown CB Joe Haden to the draft. Freakishly talented defensive end Carlos Dunlap may accompany him. It's not an issue of talent with the Gators, it's an issue of getting that talent ready to play week in and week out in the grueling SEC.

5. Oregon Ducks: The other half of the Rose Bowl game returns all but three starters, including proven stars QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB LaMichael James. Oregon has a rare opportunity--the chance to take over the Pac 10 conference. Pete Carroll is Seattle bound and USC is not the team or program it was over the past decade. West coast primacy is shifting north to Eugene in a hurry!

Strengths: It all starts with the multifaceted attack of Masoli and James. Masoli runs the zone read to perfection, and he has good speed in the open field. James, on the other hand, has elite speed and will be one of the top tailbacks in the country after only his freshman year. Backup Kenjon Barner is another speedster in the same mold as James. Oregon loves to get him on the edge and he is a special teams demon. The defense returns all but two starters from a solid unit. Perhaps Oregon's greatest asset is head coach Chip Kelly, one of the brightest minds in college football.

Weaknesses: Just take a look at the Rose Bowl and you'll see why I was hesitant to put the Ducks this high on my list. Ohio State out-toughed, out-physicaled, and out-hustled Oregon all afternoon. Oregon just didn't have the attitude to play in that game, and it resulted in them getting their butts kicked up and down the field for much of the game. Too much finesse, or, to put it simply, they were "soft." They also don't have the defensive talent that the top three teams possess. Their defensive line loses both the starters on the defensive side of the ball, which may be a positive because they got absolutely worked by the Buckeyes.

--Blake Borron