I just realized how much "Prime Time" is influencing this NFL Draft. I know, I know...some of you may be thinking "And the last horse finally crosses the finish line", but bear with me. Firstly, for those who live under a rock, the Draft is being broadcast in prime time for the very first time. You might not think this changes the landscape *too* much, but with an entire day to wheel and deal for 2nd round draft choices, I expect to see a lot of teams exploring trades once the dust settles on tonight. 2nd of all, a trip to "Prime Time's" humble abode might cost the (in my opinion) very best player in this entire draft to slip to a very happy team in the latter part of the evening. Most importantly, Joe Giglio and myself will be hosting the first ever Shore Sports Report NFL Draft Party at Mulligan's Bar and Grill on Hooper Avenue in Toms River. Prime Time indeed. But enough of the chatter...let's get down to the meat and potatoes. Its time for my Mock Draft! Will it be wildly inaccurate? Probably. Did I have a lot of fun putting it together? Definitely. With Joe's mock up and running, its time to see who wins lunch in the Annual Battle of The Co-Hosts. Wish me luck.
Mike's Mock:
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
6. Seattle Seahawks: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
8. Oakland Raiders: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
9. Buffalo Bills: Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
11. New York Giants (TRADE): Ronaldo McClain, ILB, Alabama
12. Miami Dolphins: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, South Florida
13. San Francisco 49ers: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
14. Seattle Seahawks: CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
15. Denver Broncos (TRADE): Maurkice Pouncey, OG/C, Florida
16. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
17. San Francisco 49ers: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
19. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
20. Houston Texans: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Taylor Mays, S, USC
22. Dallas Cowboys (TRADE): Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St.
23. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
25. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
26. Arizona Cardinals: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
27. New England Patriots (TRADE): Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
28. San Diego Chargers: Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
29. New York Jets: Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
30. Minnesota Vikings: Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
31. Indianapolis Colts: Charles Brown, OT, USC
32. New Orleans Saints: Sergio Kindle, DE/LB, Texas
Well folks, there you have it. I don't know what I'm going to look back on as more embarrassing...Predicting two trades or putting Saint Tim in the first round. Whatever way you slice the cake, tonight is going to be a whole lot of fun. Come on out to Mulligan's in Toms River and hang out with us. It'll be worth it just to see our faces if one of our teams takes Jason Pierre-Paul.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Ten From Ten: NBA Edition
Today on Monmouth AND Ocean County's highest rated sports talk radio program that runs from 3-6:20pm, "The Shore Sports Report", my esteemed co-host/cohort Joseph Glenn Giglio (who wrote a great piece about Big Bum) had a brief conversation about the Top 10 NBA players drafted from 1995 on. Don't ask why such a thing came up on local New Jersey radio in the year 2010, just take it and like it. Anyways, the conversation prompted me to do a lot of thinking, a hobby that is altogether absent from my normal existence. I took a mental stroll back to my youth to try and figure out just when I went from normal chubby un-athletic child to chubby un-athletic child with a borderline unhealthy obsession with professional sports. The first two sports memories that I have are watching Bowe/Holyfield I (Nov. 1992) and Bills/Cowboys I (Jan. 1993) with my father. I have a recollection of telling ol' Frank C. Krenek that Holyfield and Buffalo respectively were going to win. I also recollect him calling me "stupid" for my soon-to-be incorrect predictions, setting many precedents still in play 18 years later. There are brief snippets of other sports memories I have in the few years after that (Praying Drew Bledsoe got past New England/Rick Mirer being drafted by the Seahawks, attempting to punch my father at the conclusion of the '94 Eastern Conference Finals), but it wasn't until 1995 that I became the addict I am today.
1995...ahh the memories. Reggie's 8 in 8, Griffey from first, Dennis Erickson being hired by the 'Hawks...'Twas a glorious year. It was the year that molded me into the man I am today. In fact (I promise you this is not apocryphal), I can vividly remember being in the family pool in the summer of '95, telling my father and his best friend Paul that I hated Timberwolves guard Isiah Rider because he was a "criminal." (sound familiar, Misters Roethlisberger/Jones/Stallworth et. al?) After the hurricane of sports emotion that was 1995, I decided that this was the life for me. I was going to pour over drafts, fantasy, free agency, hirings/firings, trades...If it involved pro sports, I was going to eat it up. And so, in 1996, I became a man...
Allow me to rephrase, actually. In 1996, I became a boy who really, really liked sports. Who would someday become a man who got paid to talk about that which he really, really liked...
One last rephrasing....In 1996, I became a boy who really, really liked sports. Who would someday become a much bigger boy who got paid to talk about that which he really, really liked.
And so friends, I come to the point of this blog (only took me 440something words to get here). This soul-searching, coupled with the conversation had on today's show, prompted me to put together some lists. Its a little something I like to call Ten From Ten ('cuz I was ten in '96! Oh the cleverness of me!) I'm going to try to do one of these puppies a week...Please plan your weeks/lives accordingly. The debut edition? Why its paying homage to today's SSR convo! Hope you enjoy it.
TOP TEN NBA PLAYERS DRAFTED FROM 1996-ON
1. Tim Duncan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Lebron James
4. Allen Iverson
5. Dirk Nowitzki
6. Paul Pierce
7. Steve Nash
8. Dwyane Wade
9. Ray Allen
10. Tracy McGrady
Analysis:This list isn't in "order" persay, but the first 7 guys are non-negotiable. You have your First Five:
Duncan: My favorite player of the era, a winner, and the quintessential PF. There really isn't a hole in his game, unless "pizazz" starts showing up on stat sheets.
Kobe: By all accounts, the closest thing we have to Jordan. Anytime Joe and I talk to a former NBA-er about today's game and ask the inevitable "Is there a "next Jordan"?" question, we are told A. No one is even close to MJ's all around mastery of the game and B. If forced to pick someone who reminds them of His Airness, the answer is inevitably Number 24. Its almost frightening to watch him at the end of games.
Bron-Bron: He has to win at least ONE RING (more like six) before any of this "best ever" talk is justified. But on sheer talent he is, quite frankly, the most unique athlete I have ever watched play the game of basketball or perhaps any sport. If Kobe is Michael, its almost as if a mad scientist took aspects of a few of MJ's contemporaries (Take The Mailman's scoring ability, The Reignman's explosiveness, The Glove's defensive tenacity and ability to run the floor {Note: Lebron James is SIX FOOT EIGHT and he can run the floor} and hell, why not a splash of John Stockton's passing ability. Oh and also, former Washington Bullet Michael Adams' speed...clearly this mad scientist wanted us all to poop our pants in fear the first time we saw Lebron play) and created a super human to send into the future to enslave the human race. Or average a triple double. Whichever comes first.
A.I.: 6' in heels, 175 soaking wet...yet his game was to drive to the hole like it was his only escape route from practice. Totally under-appreciated because of how he went out, AI could very well be the best pure scorer on this list.
Dirk: Hated him for most of my teenage years. Then I realized he was going to the Hall of Fame and wasn't the jump shooting softy I liked to pretend he was. Far from prototypical, but a damn fine basketball player.
The rest of the gang? Paul Pierce is a complete, versatile forward who toiled for years with crappy Celtics teams before finally winning the big one/getting noticed. Nash has won as many MVP Awards during this period as LBJ and The Mamba combined, so he gets a nod. After these guys, it got interesting. Dwyane Wade? He's had two seasons cut short by injury and won his title with help from both Shaq and some shaky officiating. But he's capable of dropping 50 on any given night, finds himself in position to grab 5-6 rebounds a contest, and creates for his teammates with his passing. He's also an underrated defender, so Mr. Wade's spot is safe. The last two? Not so much. Carmelo Anthony is standing on the doorstep, Kevin Durant just parked his car, Dwight Howard just pulled up to the curb and Deron Williams/Chris Paul are tandem bicycling down the block. But for now, T-Mac and Allen hold the last two spots. Ray Allen is the second best pure shooter I have ever seen (behind Reggie). He could score at a prolific rate, pass well, and wasn't a GREAT defender, but by no means a bad one. His best days were in Milwaukee and Seattle (read: no one cared), but even in his old age, he played a huge role in The Boston ThreeParty's run to the trophy. Did I give him the nod over a more talented guy like Vince Carter because he seemed to try hard every night? Yes. Yes I did. Maybe if there was one singular person out there who actually liked and rooted for Ol' Horseshoe Hair, I'd have to deal with some complaints. As for The Backless Wonder...McGrady is always going to be one of the great What-Ifs. Any basketball fan who watched him play when he was young and healthy would tell you he had IT. He could score with the best of them (2 time scoring champ, 45 career 40+ games), play two positions on the floor at an All-Star level, rebound, pass, defend...His story became one of injuries and playoff failures, but make no mistake about it...Tracy McGrady was a Hall of Fame caliber talent. There are guys I left off the list who will likely have better careers (the aforementioned group of Young Bloods who are apparently visiting my metaphorical home) and guys who brought more consistency to the table (Pau Gasol/Chauncey Billups/Tony Parker), but at his peak moments, Tracy McGrady was just about as good as anyone in that First Five. That bought him a spot.
Toughest Omission: 'Melo. Always a prolific scorer, but has become a complete player. Paul Pierce 2.0.
Easiest Omission: Korleone Young. To all the High School Seniors who are forced to spend one year at college...You have guys like our buddy KY to thank. His own high school coach was "shocked" by his decision to declare back in '98. He was last seen being waived by an Isreali team. Leave the memories alone, Kor.
Rising Fast: Kevin Durant. Oh mama, what a freak. He's averaging 30 points a night, has become a defensive force, and is the star of one of the next great Western Conference powers. All this and I'm not sure he's reached his full potential yet. I'm excited in ways I shouldn't be for this guy.
In the spirit of the glorious television program LOST, I leave you with a hint about next's week's edition of The Ten From Ten...The subject of Joe's blog WILL make an appearance. Until then, keep on listening to the Shore Sports Report and we'll keep right on loving you. That's all folks!
1995...ahh the memories. Reggie's 8 in 8, Griffey from first, Dennis Erickson being hired by the 'Hawks...'Twas a glorious year. It was the year that molded me into the man I am today. In fact (I promise you this is not apocryphal), I can vividly remember being in the family pool in the summer of '95, telling my father and his best friend Paul that I hated Timberwolves guard Isiah Rider because he was a "criminal." (sound familiar, Misters Roethlisberger/Jones/Stallworth et. al?) After the hurricane of sports emotion that was 1995, I decided that this was the life for me. I was going to pour over drafts, fantasy, free agency, hirings/firings, trades...If it involved pro sports, I was going to eat it up. And so, in 1996, I became a man...
Allow me to rephrase, actually. In 1996, I became a boy who really, really liked sports. Who would someday become a man who got paid to talk about that which he really, really liked...
One last rephrasing....In 1996, I became a boy who really, really liked sports. Who would someday become a much bigger boy who got paid to talk about that which he really, really liked.
And so friends, I come to the point of this blog (only took me 440something words to get here). This soul-searching, coupled with the conversation had on today's show, prompted me to put together some lists. Its a little something I like to call Ten From Ten ('cuz I was ten in '96! Oh the cleverness of me!) I'm going to try to do one of these puppies a week...Please plan your weeks/lives accordingly. The debut edition? Why its paying homage to today's SSR convo! Hope you enjoy it.
TOP TEN NBA PLAYERS DRAFTED FROM 1996-ON
1. Tim Duncan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Lebron James
4. Allen Iverson
5. Dirk Nowitzki
6. Paul Pierce
7. Steve Nash
8. Dwyane Wade
9. Ray Allen
10. Tracy McGrady
Analysis:This list isn't in "order" persay, but the first 7 guys are non-negotiable. You have your First Five:
Duncan: My favorite player of the era, a winner, and the quintessential PF. There really isn't a hole in his game, unless "pizazz" starts showing up on stat sheets.
Kobe: By all accounts, the closest thing we have to Jordan. Anytime Joe and I talk to a former NBA-er about today's game and ask the inevitable "Is there a "next Jordan"?" question, we are told A. No one is even close to MJ's all around mastery of the game and B. If forced to pick someone who reminds them of His Airness, the answer is inevitably Number 24. Its almost frightening to watch him at the end of games.
Bron-Bron: He has to win at least ONE RING (more like six) before any of this "best ever" talk is justified. But on sheer talent he is, quite frankly, the most unique athlete I have ever watched play the game of basketball or perhaps any sport. If Kobe is Michael, its almost as if a mad scientist took aspects of a few of MJ's contemporaries (Take The Mailman's scoring ability, The Reignman's explosiveness, The Glove's defensive tenacity and ability to run the floor {Note: Lebron James is SIX FOOT EIGHT and he can run the floor} and hell, why not a splash of John Stockton's passing ability. Oh and also, former Washington Bullet Michael Adams' speed...clearly this mad scientist wanted us all to poop our pants in fear the first time we saw Lebron play) and created a super human to send into the future to enslave the human race. Or average a triple double. Whichever comes first.
A.I.: 6' in heels, 175 soaking wet...yet his game was to drive to the hole like it was his only escape route from practice. Totally under-appreciated because of how he went out, AI could very well be the best pure scorer on this list.
Dirk: Hated him for most of my teenage years. Then I realized he was going to the Hall of Fame and wasn't the jump shooting softy I liked to pretend he was. Far from prototypical, but a damn fine basketball player.
The rest of the gang? Paul Pierce is a complete, versatile forward who toiled for years with crappy Celtics teams before finally winning the big one/getting noticed. Nash has won as many MVP Awards during this period as LBJ and The Mamba combined, so he gets a nod. After these guys, it got interesting. Dwyane Wade? He's had two seasons cut short by injury and won his title with help from both Shaq and some shaky officiating. But he's capable of dropping 50 on any given night, finds himself in position to grab 5-6 rebounds a contest, and creates for his teammates with his passing. He's also an underrated defender, so Mr. Wade's spot is safe. The last two? Not so much. Carmelo Anthony is standing on the doorstep, Kevin Durant just parked his car, Dwight Howard just pulled up to the curb and Deron Williams/Chris Paul are tandem bicycling down the block. But for now, T-Mac and Allen hold the last two spots. Ray Allen is the second best pure shooter I have ever seen (behind Reggie). He could score at a prolific rate, pass well, and wasn't a GREAT defender, but by no means a bad one. His best days were in Milwaukee and Seattle (read: no one cared), but even in his old age, he played a huge role in The Boston ThreeParty's run to the trophy. Did I give him the nod over a more talented guy like Vince Carter because he seemed to try hard every night? Yes. Yes I did. Maybe if there was one singular person out there who actually liked and rooted for Ol' Horseshoe Hair, I'd have to deal with some complaints. As for The Backless Wonder...McGrady is always going to be one of the great What-Ifs. Any basketball fan who watched him play when he was young and healthy would tell you he had IT. He could score with the best of them (2 time scoring champ, 45 career 40+ games), play two positions on the floor at an All-Star level, rebound, pass, defend...His story became one of injuries and playoff failures, but make no mistake about it...Tracy McGrady was a Hall of Fame caliber talent. There are guys I left off the list who will likely have better careers (the aforementioned group of Young Bloods who are apparently visiting my metaphorical home) and guys who brought more consistency to the table (Pau Gasol/Chauncey Billups/Tony Parker), but at his peak moments, Tracy McGrady was just about as good as anyone in that First Five. That bought him a spot.
Toughest Omission: 'Melo. Always a prolific scorer, but has become a complete player. Paul Pierce 2.0.
Easiest Omission: Korleone Young. To all the High School Seniors who are forced to spend one year at college...You have guys like our buddy KY to thank. His own high school coach was "shocked" by his decision to declare back in '98. He was last seen being waived by an Isreali team. Leave the memories alone, Kor.
Rising Fast: Kevin Durant. Oh mama, what a freak. He's averaging 30 points a night, has become a defensive force, and is the star of one of the next great Western Conference powers. All this and I'm not sure he's reached his full potential yet. I'm excited in ways I shouldn't be for this guy.
In the spirit of the glorious television program LOST, I leave you with a hint about next's week's edition of The Ten From Ten...The subject of Joe's blog WILL make an appearance. Until then, keep on listening to the Shore Sports Report and we'll keep right on loving you. That's all folks!
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