Tony's NBA Lottery Mock Draft

Mock 2008 NBA Draft Lottery Picks 1-13

1. PG Derrick Rose Chicago

2. PF Michael Beasley Miami

3. SG OJ Mayo Minnesota

4. PG Eric Gordon Seattle

5. PF Kevin Love Memphis

6. SF Danilo Galinari New York

7. C Brook Lopez LA Clippers

8. PG Russell Westbrook Milwaukee

9. PF Anthony Randolph Charlotte

10. Joe Alexander New Jersey

11. Robin Lopez Indiana

12. PG Jerryd Bayless Sacramento

13. PG DJ Augustin Portland

Red Sox Fans vs. Pink Hats

This debate is discussed on Boston.com; http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/articles/2008/06/26/why_is_this_pink_hat_so_hated/

My reaction: Are you kidding me? Not only are Boston sports fans the most obnoxious and hypocritical fans I have ever encountered, but now they are dictating who within their own city can be a fan of their teams and who the "real" fans are. Please, all these Boston fans complain about how there are all these "new/bandwagon" fans now that their teams are winning, that these fans haven't suffered through the hard times. Ok, I can see that argument if you are over 40 but not if your in your 20's, but regardless who gives these "long suffering" fans the right to anoint true fandom? I don't hear the Red Sox, Patriots and after this season the Celtics complaining when they are selling out their games or selling merchandise in all colors of the rainbow, including pink. They are just happy that people are coming to the games because when the Patriots were 1-15, nobody wanted to be a fan, ask some old New Englanders who they root for in the NFL and they will tell you the Giants, because the Patriots were just too deplorable to watch. Just last year, you couldn't give away tickets to a Celtics game, but bring in Ray Allen and KG and the Celtics are everybody's team again. And the Red Sox, until they finally won in 2004, everyone moped around that they always blew it, wait til next year was always the expected slogan. But now that Boston has won some championships and fans can't play the "long suffering" card anymore, they need something else to complain about, and that's who the "real" fans are and who the "poseurs" are. I'll tell you what, we will find out who the "real" fans are when the Patriots only win 5 games, or the Celtics look like they did last year, or when you go to a Sox game in Sept like in 2006 and nobody is there. And I can hear the typical Boston fan yelling out impossible, the Boston teams will never lose again, and that is the very statement that proves my point of their delusion, arrogance and sense of self entitlement.

NFC West Draft Review

Cardinals

They filled a need with CB Rodgers-Cromartie, who is fast and athletic, but I'm not sure I buy the hype on this small school standout who will look to cover NFL caliber WRs. I think the Cards could have gone a safer route by taking Talib or Cason. I like the picks of DE C. Campbell and WR E. Doucet, both players fell in the draft but were great values. Grade: Average

Rams

Some thought the Rams should have taken DT Glenn Dorsey, but the Rams took a DT last year in the 1st round (Adam Carriker) and taking Long should help free up L. Little on the other end. The Rams took a couple of receivers to help replace the departed Issac Bruce. CB Justin King was a top recruit at Penn State, but never really lived up to hype, great athlete, but can he be a great football player? Grade: Average

49ers

DT Kentwan Balmer fell to the Niners who were happy to get him and envision has a NG that could plug up the middle freeing ILB Patrick Willis to make plays. DB Reggie Smith is an athletic player who can contribute at CB or S. Grade: Average

Seahawks

DE Lawrence Jackson isn't a bad pick, but the Seahawks had bigger needs then picking a third DE? They could have taken Balmer or Merling who were higher rated DLs. DT Red Bryant (328) will be a BIG help in the run D. You have to love FB Owen Schmitt as the replacement for Mack Strong. Grade: Average

NFC South Draft Review

Falcons
QB Matt Ryan was considered the best QB in the draft which was a need with Ron Mexico behind bars, but QB Brian Brohm wasn't rated that far below and could have been taken in the 2nd round, allowing the Falcons to have taken DT Glenn Dorsey. The Falcons traded up to get oft injured OL Sam Baker, well below the level of the other 1st round OTs. LB Curtis Lofton may end up being there best pick besides Ryan. The rest of their draft was uninspiring. Grade: Average

Panthers
RB Jonathan Stewart, if healthy from a nagging toe injury could be the best all around back in this year's class. OT Jeff Otah fills a big hole. DB Charles Godfrey could start right away at S and high energy LB Dan Connor was a steal in the 3rd. 4 starters in first four picks. Grade: Solid

Saints
The Saints were trying to trade up to #5 to get DT Sedrick Ellis and were able to trade up an get him at 7. Saints also took another DT in the 5th DeMario Pressley who underachieved in college but has good potential. Grade: Average

Bucs
Cb Aqib Talib is a physical corner who has a shot to beat out Phillip Buchanon. Speedy WR Dexter Jackson could emerge as the deep threat they thought they had in Michael Clayton, to play opposite Joey Galloway. Geno Hayes is a small speedy LB form Florida St. remind you of anyone? He could be the heir apparent to the aging Derrick Brooks. Grade: Average

BIG Baby Loses His Shirt?

Glenn "Big Baby" Davis went topless during yesterday's championship parade, maybe he was hoping to join Dan Marino, as a spokesman for Slimfast. Maybe the mid 70's temperatures were just too sweltering for a man of his girth. Shouldn't his goal be to get on the court in non mop up duty?

NFC North Draft Review

Bears
Addressed their biggest concern with OT Chris Williams. 2nd round pick RB Matt Forte looks even more important now with the release of Cedric Benson, although a more experienced veteran could be brought in closer to the season's start. Physical S Craig Steltz will be a good fit for the Bears D especially if Mike Brown gets injured again. Grade: Average

Lions
By passing on RBs in the first round they were able to draft 200o yd rusher Kevin Smith (above)in the 3rd (Another 2000 yard college back did pretty well in Detroit... Barry Somebody) Taking Smith allowed the Lions to pick up OT Gosder Cherilus, and LB Jordon Dizon whom should both start right away. I think the Lions second 3rd round pick DT Andre Fluellen could surprise as he will have the opportunity to replace DT Shaun Rogers. 4 possible starters at the top of their draft. Grade: Solid

Packers
QB Brian Brohm in the 2nd was a great value, but Rodgers is the Packers QB of the future. WR Jordy Nelson will be buried behind Driver, Jennings, J. Jones. None of their picks will make an impact, but like the Colts the Packers didn't have too many holes to fill. Grade: Average

Vikings
Not much of a draft because of the trade for DE Jared Allen. S Tyrell Johnson will add depth at safety. John David Booty could surprise, he battled some injuries while at USC, and could be a factor in the future. Grade: Average (If Allen is included, Solid)

NFC East Draft Review

Cowboys
RB Felix Jones had been called the better all around back from Arkansas when compared to McFadden and will be an upgrade over Julius Jones. CB Mike Jenkins was a good fit for a cover 2 defense but will be eased into action if Adam Jones is reinstated, at worst he is a strong upgrade over the departed Jacques Reeves. TE Martellus Bennett gives Romo a 6-6 target and he has better hands than Anthony Fasano did. The rest of the Cowboys picks are good depth picks. Grade: Solid

Giants
S Kenny Phillips (above) is another athletic safety from the U in the mold of Ed Reed, and Sean Taylor. The Giants addressed some weaknesses by selecting 2 corners and 2 linebackers. I'm not so sure about the Mario Manningham pick, at best you bring him in to be the #4 WR, is he worth the character risk? Andre Woodson? Someone from Kentucky must be in the Giants front office, Woodson and Lorenzan both played for the Wildcats. Grade: Average

Eagles
Added depth to the D-Line with Trevor Laws. Could WR DeSean Jackson be the new T.O. in Philly? Jackson fell to the 2nd round for being undersized in stature (5-9, 169) and having an enormous ego and me first attitude. Grade: Average

Redskins
QB Jason Campbell has to be excited about new coach Jim Zorn bringing his pass happy offense to DC. 3 tall receivers; Devin Thomas, Fred Davis and Malcolm Kelly with the first 3 picks means Campbell is going to be throwing a lot of passes this season. QB Colt Brennan is a questionable pick, due to arm strength and injury history. What ever happened to former record setting Hawaii QB Timmy Chang? oh yeah he is the back up QB for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Brennan will have a hard time getting into Canada with his prior felony convictions. Grade: Solid

AFC West Draft Review

Broncos

OT Ryan Clady will fill a need, WR Eddie Royal will contribute more in the return game. With the release of RB Travis Henry, RB Ryan Torrain may have a shot to be another one of the out of nowhere 1000 yards rushers for the Broncos, if he can beat out Selvin Young. FB Peyton Hillis is swiss army back that you like on your team. Grade: Average

Chiefs

May go down as the best draft of the year, DT Glenn Dorsey, OL Branden Albert, CB Brandon Flowers and RB Jamaal Charles should all have an immediate impacts. Grade: Solid

Raiders

Not much to show besides McFadden (above) who they need to make an immediate impact and take pressure off QB JaMarcus Russell. They only had 4 picks, but were able to add CB DeAngelo Hall, not bad as a #2 corner. Grade: Average

Chargers

1st round pick CB Antoine Cason is a good fit for SD, he is a big corner who doesn't mind tackling and should man the nickel spot. Jacob Hester is a better version of Peyton Hillis but he is not a replacement for Michael Turner nor Lorenzo Neal. Look for RB Marcus Thomas to be the better fit for backup RB. Grade: Average

AFC South Draft Review

Texans
OT was a need they addressed by trading down and taking Duane Brown, but he is not on the same level as some of the OTs taken earlier in the 1st round. The rest of the Texans picks come with question marks. Steve Slaton is not much of an answer at RB. Grade: Poor

Colts
One of the few teams in the NFL who really had the luxury of drafting for depth. None of the picks should crack the starting lineup. Grade: Average

Jaguars
Get to the QB, especially league rival Peyton Manning, the Jags used their first 2 picks on SEC pass rushers, Derrick Harvey (above) and Quentin Groves. They addressed WR in free agency with Jerry Porter and a trade for Troy "Hands of Stone" Williamson. I give the Jags credit in making picks that help them match up better with AFC powers, the Colts and Patriots. Grade: Average

Titans
Needed to address their biggest need WR long before Lavelle Hawkins in the 4th. Why are they picking another RB? They have drafted LenDale White, Chris Henry, and now Chris Johnson high in the last 3 drafts, are they going to run the wing T, with Vince Young running the option, so he won't have to pass? Grade: Poor minus (the lowest you can get)

AFC North Draft Review

Ravens
QB Joe Flacco, has the size, the skills, but can he do it at the NFL level, the Ravens need to hope he can make the jump from 1AA quickly. RB Ray Rice is an upgrade over the departed Musa Smith and Mike Anderson as the backup RB. The Ravens continue to look to the U, taking LB Tavares Gooden, I have a feeling Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will take him under their wing in the film room and make him better than expected. S Tom Zbikowski, has name recognition, he manages to make an impact while lacking speed and being a poor tackler. Another S Haruki Nakamura, made a lot of plays in college but may be too small (5-10, 190) to be anything more than a special teamer. Grade: Average

Bengals
Filled a huge hole with LB Keith Rivers, the Bengals had so many injuries at LB last year. They addressed their real (Ocho Cinco holdout, Henry release) and potential problems (Housh upset)at WR by drafting Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and big target (6-6) Mario Urrutia. Bengals also drafted S Corey Lynch who blocked the FG for App. St, in the upset of Michigan last season, he should contribute on special teams. Grade: Solid

Browns
With no first day pick, the Browns did pretty well getting ILB Beau Bell who will contribute as a backup this season. The Browns also got TE Martin Rucker (6-5, 248) as insurance for the oft injured, motorcycling soldier Kellen Winslow, with the Browns offense continuing to improve especially in the passing game, Rucker could help create some mismatches with his speed and height. Grade: Average

Steelers
They could have used some O-line help but RB Mendenhall (above) will help lessen Willie Parker's work load. WR Limas Sweed is the "Big" WR that Big Ben has been asking for. Not really sure about the Dennis Dixon pick, he is too small to be an NFL QB and is coming off a torn ACL, one would think they could have signed him after the draft. The Steelers didn't address the O or D Lines and while Mendenhall and Sweed are nice picks they won't make an immediate impact unless of injury to one of the starters. Grade: Average

AFC East NFL Draft Review

AFC EAST

Bills

They addressed their biggest needs with CB Leodis McKelvin and WR James Hardy, who should both play right away. The Bills also drafted one of former NBA star Karl Malone's illegitimate kids, OT Demetrius Bell. Grade: Solid

Dolphins

The top of their draft couldn't have gone any better, Parcells got 3 pre-draft 1st round talents in the first 3 rounds. OT Jake Long, DE Phillip Merling and QB Chad Henne. If Henne would have been healthy his senior season he would have been drafted higher than the 3rd. Grade: Solid

Patriots

While LB Jerod Mayo is a great fit for the Patriots with his ability to play inside or outside, it seems that the normally draft savvy Patriots made a huge blunder by trading down and allowing the Bengals to take LB Keith Rivers, the player many speculated the Patriots wanted, but were trying to save some money with the trade and were forced to choose Mayo a late 1st/early 2nd round talent at #10! They chose another small CB in Terrence Wheatley, which is the problem with Ellis Hobbs, not being able to cover taller WR's (Burress in the Super Bowl) Patriots also reached for QB Kevin O'Connell whom they could have taken much later. The players picked are good guys for the Patriots, but it was an unusual draft for the Patriots who didn't get good value for their picks by trading down instead they overdrafted and therefore will overpay the guys they wanted. Grade: Average (Poor for any other team)

Jets

Most of the Jets work was done in Free Agency, addressing the O-line. With only 2 first day picks LB Vernon Gholston (above) was a beast in college, and a workout warrior at the Combine the Jets can't afford to have him not pan out. The pick of TE Dustin Keller at the end of the 1st was interesting, in that he is a big WR, he isn't a good blocker, and has helped add to the offseason battle/headache TE Chris Baker is having over his contract status. None of their other picks look to be special. Grade: Poor

Randolph Fired!

Mets.com and Cbssportsline.com are reporting that despite the Mets 9-6 win over the Angels last night, manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and 1st base coach Tom Nieto were fired at 3:15 am EST. Randolph will be replaced by bench coach Charlie Manuel, AAA manager Ken Oberkfell and AAA pitching coach Dan Warthen will join the big league club. Strange that the move was made in the middle of the night, nearly 2 hours after the Mets had won. A press conference is scheduled for 5pm EST at Angels Stadium.

Does Willie Deserve To Go?

Mets manager Willie Randolph has been under much scrutiny the past few weeks, dating back to when the Mets swept the Yankees at Yankee Stadium only to get swept by the Braves and struggle with the Rockies to complete the road trip. Randolph is the manager and needs to accept blame for the team that underachieves, but how much can he really do? The Mets have been riddled with injuries this season, Alou, Church, Pagan, Pedro, El Duque, Castro, Schneider, and Castillo have all missed significant time this season, and the Mets have been playing with the equivalent of minor league corner ofs (Nixon, Evans, Tatis, Aguila.) Also it needs to be noted that the Mets bullpen is absolutely deplorable! Until recently the only solid arm was Wagner. But getting from the starters to Wagner has been an adventure, just last week the Mets bullpen blew a game for John Maine, where he left a 5-1 lead only to see the pen blow it, Santana left with a 4-0 lead after 7 and the pen couldn't hold the lead. I do feel that Randolph does overuse his relievers constantly having many of his relievers pitch to 1 or 2 batters, which keeps there pitch counts low but having them warm up everyday is not good for them either. I think Minaya wants to keep Randolph around because if he does fire him and the new manager isn't successful then Minaya is the next to blame for building this team. If Minaya can keep Randolph around until the end of the season, and the Mets continue to struggle it is more likely the Mets would replace the manager and not the GM in the offseason. Besides bringing in a new manager to a mostly veteran club with many egos, could lead to an adjustment period for the players, and time is not something the Mets have, where keeping Randolph around, and hoping the Mets can get healthy and go on a hot streak might be the better plan. The Mets have a lot of money tied up in this team and can't afford to head into Citi Field next year with a losing team, but I don't think firing Randolph will solve their problems.

Is Becky Hammon A Traitor?

Becky Hammon, a superstar point guard for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA finished 2nd in the leagues MVP voting last season, but was not invited to the Team USA tryouts, when the list of 23 players was announced. She later got an invite when the list was increased to 30 players but was told she had no legitimate shot of making the team. Hammond like many other WNBA players, play overseas for most of the year, because of the better pay, Hammond has a 4 year, 2 million dollar contract (500,000 per season) with a Russian team. In many of these overseas leagues there is a maximum number American players who are allowed, so many countries will grant Americans citizenship (Diana Taurasi, Italy, and Sue Bird, Israel, etc.) Russia granted Hammond expedited citizenship and invited her to play for the Russian Olympic team. Hammond citing that the US team did not want her agreed she would play for Russia, and since has been criticized by some other players and coaches for being a traitor. The US team doesn't want her why can't she go play somewhere else, the one part I disagree with is that she has no ties to Russia, whereas Taurasi and Bird do have family ties to the countries they hold citizenship in. (Taurasi and Bird will both play for the US team) The US has granted citizenship to African runners to help the US strengthen their chances in long distance running, who have no ties to the US. It just goes to show that the Olympics are more about winning medals and money than really caring which country the athletes are competing for. Maybe the US women's team is worried about Russia who is ranked #3 in the world picking up one of the best PGs in the world? Or that with her underdog story of undrafted player to league superstar and good looks, she is a marketing dream that the US team will not be able to capitalize on.

NBA Finals Thoughts After Game 5

Some observations on the series after watching Game 5 last night; The Celtics have been battling some injuries to Pierce (knee), Perkins (shoulder) and Rondo (ankle) but still managed to overcome a 20 plus point deficit in Games 4 and 5, they weren't able to get the win in Game 5 but it shows how poor the Lakers D has been. In Game 5 the Lakers were fouling the Celtics at half court while in the penalty? There was a play where Pierce ran about 4 steps through the lane and Jordan Farmar, instead of stepping up and trying to take a charge stuck his arm out to commit the foul allowing Pierce to make the basket. The announcers said Farmar should be embarrassed by his lack of defensive play, only to later say that the Lakers having Farmar in the game was for his strong defense? I will tell you who plays some defense, its James Posey and Eddie House, those guys hustle and are guys you want playing on your team. Perkins missing Game 5, really showed how important he is to the Celts D, as Pau Gasol had his first big game of the series. If Perkins misses Games 6 and/0r 7 the Celts could be in trouble. What was with Rondo driving to the hoop and instead of taking the uncontested layup throwing it out for the 3 point shot? For the second straight game announcer Jeff Van Gundy has been calling players "knife fighters" he said Kobe and Posey were "knife fighters" he said these are the guys you want on your team who will do anything to win. ok, I see what he means but I can't imagine that David Stern is too pleased with one of his leagues superstars (one who has had some questionable off court activity) being compared to a "knife fighter" during national telecasts. Paul Pierce has shown during this playoff series that he can carry his team. Why does KG insist on taking jump shots and passing the ball on rebounds instead of going strong to the hoop? The Celtics have only lost once at home in the playoffs (Pistons) but they need to be healthy and need to hope Kobe continues to struggle or there could be a big problem. One last thing, after it was discovered that the guy in the American Bandstand video wearing the Gino t-shirt had passed away 14 years ago, why hasn't his family filed a trademark to stop all the bootleg t-shirts being made with his likeness? For that matter I'm surprised Dick Clark has allowed the American Bandstand footage to be shown at Celtics games.

Game 6 is Tues

Game 7 is Thurs (if necessary)

Friday Night Lights "May The Best Man Win"

In the Season 2 finale, Smash tries to salvage his college plans, by making some calls to schools who had shown interest in him before he committed to TMU. Street's waitress one night stand, Erin shows up at Buddy's car lot and tells Street, that she is pregnant! Tami runs in to her old boyfriend, Mo, who is a big real estate mogul, who doesn't really have a good history with Coach Taylor. Mo invites Tami and Coach to a fundraiser at the hospital. Street seems happy that the Erin is pregnant because he was told this couldn't happen, he thinks its a miracle. Riggans is doing a sports radio show on the Christian radio station. Smash shows up at Alabama to speak with the coach, and is told his scholarship went to another player and there is no room for him there. Landry tells Saracen that him and Tyra got back together. Smash is talking to someone from the Arena Football League as an alternative to college, the guy tells him he can make 42,000 for the season. Mo tells Coach Taylor and Tami he will be at the game on Friday. Street asks Coach Taylor for some answers to his situation and Coach Taylor tells him that a relationship needs to have trust and honesty (very true!) A radio caller asks Riggans what he thinks of the Smash situation, and he says he thinks its ok to hit someone, which creates a little controversy. Coach Taylor sets up a meeting for Smash with Whitmore, a lowly college that is still willing to offer him a scholarship. The Panthers are having an easy time with their opponent South Pines, Landry comes into catch a TE screen for a TD. Taylor looks up into the stands and sees Mo holding, baby Gracie. Then Mo gives Coach a hard time about letting South Pines score as time expired. Smash accepts the scholarship from Whitmore. Tami and Coach Taylor go to dinner with Mo, Coach and Mo get into a big brawl and Tami leaves. Lyla goes to meet Chris' family, and is disappointed when he rejects her, making a move on him (Riggans would have not made that mistake!) So either Chris' extreme religiousness dooms him with Lyla or he is gay. Smash is still upset that he lost out on the big schools, but his momma tells him that he is still going to college, he is going to get an education and he will be the star on that team. Street tells Erin how he feels about her and the baby, and we are left with a cliff hanger for Season 3. FNL has been picked up for a third season that will first air on Direct TV then will be later shown on NBC.