Draft Night 2009

Well we finally made it.

Tonight is Draft Night in the NBA.

Here are the top players on my Draft Board:

1. Blake Griffin - duh.

2. Tyreke Evans - Big guard that can do it all.

3. Stephen Curry - I still hold a grudge from the 2008 Tournament but this guy can help a team right away.

4. Gerald Henderson - Like Curry, there's a chance that hes undersized for the NBA, but I still rate him way up there.

5. Johnny Flynn - I'm not willing to say anything nice about an Orange.

6. Ty Lawson - The engine to the UNC machine from the last few years.

7. James Harden - I'd have him ranked higher if I felt he went 100% more often. Seems to float in and out of games far too often for a player with his ability.

8. Earl Clark - Same problems as Harden but possibly an even bigger upside.

9. Terrence Williams - I bet he steps right in and contributes from Day 1.

10. Jordan Hill - Big man that has all of the potential in the world. A good pick anytime after #6.

Disclaimer: These will not be the top 10 picks in the draft. Thabeet and Rubio will be in the top 5. I don't know enough about Rubio to give a fair assessment. I'm not in love with Thabeet at all.

I'd love for Summers to go to Utah at 20 but that's probably about 4 or 5 picks too early. I'd like to see him land on Cleveland.

i dare them to win the final

So the best part about having today's other semi-final on in the background has nothing to do with the actual game.

Nope.

The best part is when the announcers say, "Today's winner faces the US in Sunday's Final."

How cool is that? It's still pretty hard to believe.

So I've been rooting for South Africa because you would figure that they are the weaker possible opponent. Well that theory is starting to show some holes since they have been going toe-to-toe with Brazil for about 80 minutes now. At some point you have to realize that when are playing in a final of anything, I don't care what it is, you are going to be playing a really good team.

Fair Play: I don't think the US is going to win the Fair Play award at this tournament. After going an entire game with 11 all players on the field, the Yanks were back up to their old tricks with that late red to Michael Bradley. To be fair, it didn't seem like a straight red to me but they have become a team known for horrible challenges. The refs are looking for it all the time from the Red, White, and Blue.

I mean 3 reds in 4 games? Wow.

Not having Bradley will really hurt on Sunday. I don't want to see Sasha in that role. Are you listening Bob?

I think they should also try and play with 11 men for all 90 minutes in the Final.

But that's just me.

it's almost next season

We have come so far since the nightmare that was last February and March. In about 36 hours it will be next season. Two things had to happen, and one just did.

Georgetown has officially replaced Robert Burke with Michael Brennan. I like the hire mainly because the Hoyas needed another pair of eyes breaking down the Princeton offense. His experience as an extremely successful player for the Tigers should go a long way towards more back door cuts this season. I know I'm over simplifying things here but give me a break. I have thoughts of Brad Guzan making save after spectacular save running through my head.

Seriously though, is there anything sexier than a well run back door bounce pass for a layup? Yeah. I didn't think so.

Ok so the staff is complete. What's next?

Tomorrow's night draft is the final chapter to each College Basketball season. It's one last time to see DaJuan Summers talked about as a Hoya. And, thanfully, we won't be able to argue about who was to blame for last season anymore. It's seriously been so much fun. I'll hate to have to turn my internet message board attention to something else. What a shame really.

I also can't wait to see Flynn, Blair, Williams, and Clark walk across that stage and out of my life FOREVER.

Everybody needs to relax....sorta

The US looked horrible on Wednesday night at Costa Rica.

I get it. It was pretty bad.

I can handle it if their coach, Bob Bradley, was simply tinkering around with their lineup, with the thought that they could possible get a tie and see some players in different spots. I mean let's be honest, getting a win down at Saprissa was never going to be easy or, by any means, a sure thing.

Here are my problems:

Wynne wasn't ready for that kind of game in that kind of atmosphere.

Beasley can't play leftback.

Donovan needs to be on the wing or just behind the forwards - aka NOT A FORWARD.

Mastroeni is done.

Dempsey has been mia for awhile now.

I know that lots of fan likes to dump on Donovan but what do you expect when the team isn't that skilled and they put their most skilled player up top to receive the ball? It makes no sense. It's like when Shawn plays up top in some of my games. I know he's the best at scoring goals but what difference does that make if the rest of the team can't get him the ball??? I'd argue that Adebayor, Van Persie, or Eduardo wouldn't have done much left up top for the US last game.

One thing I did really like from the other night was the insertion of Adu. I don't care if he doesn't play for his club team - Monaco, Benfeica - WHATEVER. The kid should be playing for the US. He's got some of the best touch, composure, and just flat out feel for the game offensively on the team.

I'd like to see Adu up top with Jozy tonight. I'd like to see Donovan behind the forwards. I'd like for Clark to play for Mastroeni. Hopefully Frankie and Spector can play.

It's a big 3 points tonight in what will most likely be a pro Honduran crowd.

Now if Bradley thought his lineup and formation was straight money last week....We have some major league problems and either he goes or the team DOESN'T to South Africa 2010.

Gametime fellas.