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Cleveland Cavaliers 117 vs. Chicago Bulls 92
The Chicago Bulls started 2009 just where they left off in 2008, getting blown out. The Bulls got humiliated in Cleveland tonight 117 to 92. For the second straight game, Vinny Del Negro quit. ...
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Posts Tagged ‘Omri Casspi’

2009 NBA Mock Draft V1.0

Friday, May 29th, 2009

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma, Sophomore)

The Clippers have a history of making lackluster draft selections, but they’re not going to mess this one up.  Right?

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio (Joventut)

If Yi Jianlian’s threats didn’t stop the Bucks from drafting him, then the Grizzlies shouldn’t cave to the demands of Rubio.  The flashy guard is a perfect fit for Memphis’ high tempo offense.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden (Arizona State, Sophomore)

While Harden only measured 6′5″ in shoes, his great weight should help him to be a good defensive force if he puts his mind to it.  Harden will give the Thunder some added scoring, and Harden will step in for Thabo Sefolosha, who was never a longterm solution at shooting guard for the Thunder.

4. Sacramento Kings -Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Roma)

The Kings may have something at the shooting guard spot in Kevin Martin, at the power forward spot with Jason Thompson, and at center, with Spencer Hawes.  Therefore, they could choose to pass on a big man, opting for a point guard, a position that has had increased importance placed on it as of late.

5. Washington Wizards - Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut, Junior)

The Wizards were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season.  Thabeet’s shotblocking prowess should help improve their dreadful defense.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans (Memphis, Freshman)

Minnesota is set in the frontcourt with Al Jefferson and Keivn Love, so they will look for help in the backcourt.

7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill (Arizona, Junior)

Hill averaged an impressive 18 points and 11 rebounds in his junior season.  He will slip down to seventh because of team needs, and will be a great value pick for the Warriors.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry (Davidson, Junior)

The Knicks have reportedly given a gaurantee to Curry.

9. Toronto Raptors - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh, Sophomore)

Even if the Raptors decide to keep Chris Bosh, they still will need more toughness up front.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Ty Lawson (North Carolina, Junior)

Scott Skiles likes winners, and he will be looking for a point guard to help lead his team.

11. New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark (Louisville, Junior)

The Nets will be looking to find a front court mate for Brook Lopez.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - DeMar DeRozen (USC, Freshman)

After trading Jason Richardson, the Bobcats will be in a market for a shooting guard.  They are in need of a star, and DeRozen has some star potential.

13. Indiana Pacers - James Johnson (Wake Forest, Sophomore)

The Pacers seem set in the perimeter positions, so they will look for some big man help.

14. Phoenix Suns - Johnny Flynn (Syracuse, Sophomore)

The Suns begin preparing for life after Steve Nash by drafting his replacement.

15. Detroit Pistons - Omri Casspi (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

With this pick, the Pistons go for a player they can store overseas for a few years while they keep their salary commitment down while they have capspace.  The Pistons have been toying with the idea of trading either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince, so if he does come over this season, there may be minutes for him.

16. Chicago Bulls - B.J. Mullens (Ohio State, Freshman)

The Bulls have needed front court help for so long, and Mullens is a guy with start potential.  Mullen’s measurements from the pre-draft camp were impressive, measuring in at 7′1″, 258 pounds, with a 9′3″ standing reach.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor (VCU, Senior)

Even if the 76ers re-sign Andre Miller, he isn’t a longterm solution, as he is getting up there in age.  The 76ers would look for Maynor to be their point guard of the future.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Chase Budinger (Arizona, Junior)

With their second pick in the draft, the T’Wolves look for more help out on the perimeter.  Budinger should give Al Jefferson an option to kick the ball out to for three.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Jrue Holiday (UCLA, Freshman)

With Bibby aging and a free agent, the Hawks will need some help at the point guard position.

20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State, Senior)

The Jazz will be looking for some front court help as potentially three of their big men, Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur will be free agents.

21. New Orleans Hornets -Victor Claver (Pamesa Valencia)

Claver is an international player that the Hornets may be able to store overseas for a few years.  Claver could provide some solid three point shooting that would complement Chris Paul.

22. Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Henderson (Duke, Junior)

The Mavericks take Henderson as a value pick after he slipped in the draft.

23. Sacramento Kings - Slava Kravstov (BC Kyiv)

With their second pick in the draft, the Kings take a center prospect who they can store overseas.

24. Portland Trailblazers - Terrence Williams (Lousville, Senior)

The Blazers take Williams for the defense, as they need help on that side of the game.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tyler Hansborough (North Carolina, Senior)

The Thunder go for some front court help in a proven winner.

26. Chicago Bulls - DeMarre Carroll (Missouri, Senior)

The Bulls draft Carroll to be a tough, defensive minded energy player to help bolster the Bulls’ weak defense.  Defending Lebron will be a priority going forward, and Carroll may have the tools to slow him down.  Carroll should be a natural fit for the Bulls’ fast paced offense as he is coming from Mike Anderson’s Missouri system, which has a rep as the fastest 40 minutes in basketball.

27. Memhis Grizzlies - Wayne Ellington (North Carolina, Junior)

Ellington could give the Grizzlies some three point shooting, providing a good kick out option for Rubio.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Vladimir Dasic (KK Buducnost Podgorica)

With their third pick in the draft, the Timberwolves take a small forward/power forward prospect that they may be able to store overseas.

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Marcus Thornton (LSU, Senior)

Thornton could step in right away to contribute to the Lakers, and provide them with some perimeter scoring.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Gene Lawal (Georgia Tech, Senior)

The Cavs need to get some youth on their frontline, as Ilgauskus, Wallace, and Smith are getting up there in age.

Israel vs. Great Britain Recap

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Great Britain fell to Israel today, 102-92, in their first game of the qualifying portion of the 2009 European Championships.

Luol Deng checked back into the game with 6:42 remaining in the 4th quarter, as Great Britain trailed Israel 75-71. Great Britain trailed Israel 79-73, but surged back into the game as the result of a total team effort. In the final 6 minutes of the game, Luol Deng scored 4 points and Joel Freeland scored 9 points.

Great Britain recaptured the lead, when Luol Deng laid it in to make the game 82-81. Israel quickly recaptured the lead with a Lior Eliyahu jump shot. Great Britain retook the lead on the second of two Luol Deng free throws.

Nate Reinking extended Great Britain’s lead to 2 points, making it 85-83 with 3 seconds left. Reinking missed the second of the two free throws. With one second left, Reinking fouled Meir Tapiro, who made two free throws to tie it up and bring the game to overtime.

Great Britain was competitive in the beginning of the overtime period, behind a three point field goal and a two point field goal made by Luol Deng. After Deng fouled out, it was all Israel, as they ran away to a 102-92 victory.

Meir Taprio had 27 points for Israel and Lior Eliyahu had 24 points. Top draft prospect, Omri Casspi had a very poor outing, scoring only 3 points and grabbing 4 points.

Luol Deng still looks a bit uncomfortable in the role of a first option. Overall, he did pretty well in the game, finishing with 30 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. However, he was very turnover prone in this role, racking up 6 turnovers in the game.

Deng’s turnovers were actually very Ben Gordon-esque. He had 2 turnovers as the result of offensive fouls, 2 turnovers as a result of traveling, and 1 turnover as a result of his ball handling. Up until last year, these were what made up a lot of Gordon’s turnovers.

Deng also didn’t quite show that killer instinct that a Kobe Bryant or Ben Gordon possess. When Israel started to take the lead and pull away a bit, Luol Deng did not demand the ball and step up for his team. Instead, at one point in the 3rd quarter, we went through nearly 4 minutes of Deng not taking a shot, as Israel started to pile it on.

Still, at the end of the day, a 30 point game is still a pretty impressive game.

If Great Britain wants to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2009 European Championship alive, they need to get their act together quickly. Luol Deng is a far superior player to anyone else that they are playing and Great Britain has a pretty decent supporting cast. With that, there is no excuse for Great Britain losing to any team in Group D. Israel is a team that they beat without Deng in a friendlies match.

Great Britain’s next game is September 6th against the Czech Republic.