Real Deal

I'll comment more in a bit, but the one thing that stuck out to me immediately is the Hornets' second pick. If Sullinger is still there, I would be shocked if they pass him up, especially since they really have no idea what's going to happen with Carl Landry. Sully could be an excellent backup to Landry, anyway, and the Hornets could have a nice duo up front in about 3-4 years, if those two (Davis and Sullinger) pan out to be solid NBA players. I doubt Chris Kaman returns...not even sure if he likes New Orleans, the city, lol. With Emeka making big bucks, the Hornets won't want to give him the money he wants anyway. Landry will more than likely get a better offer elsewhere...so if he happens to leave, well, Sullinger is a perfect pick, because Emeka is a true center, and while Ayon played surprisingly well in a few games, I can't really say he's a definite starter, either. Who knows...Sullinger could be the guy. Definitely can't go wrong with Marshall, though...but Jack is going to be there for at least another year or two (can't remember his deal, but he doesn't expire this offseason), and they've been pretty high on him lately, so maybe the Hornets would rather look into free agency to find a backup PG if they want to replace Vasquez.

Yeah, but giving the worst team a #1 pick...you're going to see more of what happened back in 1997, when the Spurs (who had a 59-win team the previous season) tanked by keeping David Robinson out of the lineup, even though everyone knew he was healed up far earlier than season's end. They landed Duncan, formed the twin tower duo, and eventually won four championships. If you end up with a nice draft, with solid lottery players (like you're going to see this season), you run the risk of a lot of bubble playoff teams tanking. I forgot who it was...but someone mentioned taking the lottery teams and handing them #1-14, by record, in reverse order. So, for example, the team that nearly made the playoffs...they get the #1 pick. The worst team in the league would get #14. I actually like that idea. It forces the worst teams in the NBA to actually play as good as they can, all season long...and rewards the "bad team" (lottery teams) for trying to make the playoffs.

TIME: 9:00 PM ET TV: TNT

Well, who knows...maybe Benson wanted to move the Hornets over to Seattle, and the sale (and keeping them in NO) depended on landing that #1. Of course, I'll stick to my points a few posts up and say that I don't think it's rigged, but it's not impossible, either.

The only argument anyone has against it being rigged (the draft lottery) is that each lottery team (14 of them) send a representative into the room for the lotto, and I believe there are six other randoms (from media outlets) that attend as well, everyone stripped of their cell phones and anything else that gives them access to the outside world. Basically, you would have to be convinced that these 14 lotto teams are all in on it, and they know that the Hornets are getting that #1...and that's almost hard to imagine. You would think SOMEONE would come out and say something over the last 20 years or so, at least one former executive...but I don't know.

I don't want LeBron to win a single ring just because he's been celebrating since 2010, has nothing to do with Kobe for the simple fact that I know James won't win five of them. I don't mind the Spurs winning it all, even though they have been our rivals. I actually respect the "big three" they have, and Coach Pop. Duncan's resume is not better than Bryant's, though...not sure where you get that from. Duncan's fifth (if he gets it) will be behind what Tony Parker has done, just as Kobe's first was behind Shaq (Bryant came out of nowhere and ran the offense + took the most FGA from the second championship on). Kobe's prime has lasted longer, despite having the second-most defensive attention since the Wilt era (only Shaq has drawn more). Most Lakers fans want Boston to win the ECF, but lose in the Finals. Boston winning just means they add another ring to their list, which right now, tops the Lakers by one championship. Just to let you know, a lot of Lakers fans would hate to see OKC win it all. Most of the fanbase hates Perkins, Westbrook, and Harden.

I don't know. I think LeBron has taken over this team and the city. Wade is just taking advantage of a hobbled Ray Allen, but everyone in Miami knows that James pushed Wade aside and now rules that franchise, and basically made Wade the sidekick. The truth is, LeBron and Bosh would be in the same spot right now.

Well [expletive].

TIME: 8:30 PM ET TV: ESPN Draft lottery at 8:00 PM ET!

In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter the order in the backcourt because Westbrook has to defend Parker. Bringing the ball up doesn't necessarily mean you're a PG, and neither does being engaged in the P&R. Their problem is Kendrick Perkins. He has become a liability on both ends of the floor. He can't come out and defend Parker on the P&R, and he can't be a threat on the offensive end. The Thunder are better off playing Collison and Ibaka, or even Durant at the four and Ibaka at center. If I were Brooks, I would strongly consider limiting Perk's minutes...big time.

I would do it if I'm Brooklyn (wow, that's weird to type that). I can see Deron wanting to stay if Anthony Davis is on board, but I can also see him leaving...but sticking Howard on the Nets is a sure lock, in my opinion...and not only that, but you suddenly have the core to become a top team in the East (along with Miami and Chicago). Davis can be a very special player from this draft class, but right now, we're talking Marcus Camby special, and no matter what team I'm in charge of, I'm going to take the deal for Dwight Howard.

For Dwight? Orlando doesn't have anything else to offer.

Damn, there are a lot of chips I like. Salsa Verde Doritos Cheetos Hot Fries (not the actual Cheetos, but the fries) Funyuns Chili Cheese Fritos Lays originals Munchos I also eat anything as a snack...meaning, I'll cook food I'd typically eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner, doesn't matter, lol.

TIME: 9:00 PM ET TV: TNT

If the Hornets win the lottery, I'm going to stop watching the NBA forever.

A super hell no to Boozer.

Barkley was dead wrong about Denver beating LA, and about LA beating OKC. Don't remember his other picks, but it always seems like he picks the wrong team, lol.

Kenny and Shaq have Boston in six, Barkley says Miami in five.

I can make a topic with every single banner we have ever used (main banner). I'm pretty sure I have all of them on my computer, even the banner with KG that we used for a month or two, lol. May even have the order as well. Most are named using the date.

Laker fans are eating it up...think it's funny. http://lakernation.com/forums/index.php?/topic/56255-kendrick-perkins-takes-a-shot-at-drew We all know it's true, even though we hate Perk.

This is a chance for Rondo to show everyone that he can beat a team with limited help. Truth is, Ray Allen is about 1/3 of what he was last season...dude is just horrible out there right now. No Avery Bradley, no legitimate center, and Garnett is playing out of position. Pierce is hobbled. Everyone always wanted to know if Rondo was a product of the system...in a way that he had so many options, he could rack up double-digit assists and get his own points easily...but now, this season, and specifically this series, he's going to be tested. It's not a make-or-break, but if he does come through and the Celtics beat Miami, more than likely, it will be because Rondo went ballistic. He'll have to.

LOL, that's exactly what I said to my girl (who is a Thunder fan), and she just hates me right now. Wasn't really trying to tease her about the loss, though...but she knows I'm right. The Spurs should not have won, but they did...and that's what championship teams do. Yep, and that's what LA's plan was after Game 1 (to let Perkins and Ibaka beat them), but it didn't happen because the Lakers were horrible defending the pick and roll, and Westbrook had no problem pulling up for mid-range jumpers. The Spurs can defend it, however, and defend it well. They manipulate it. That will be the deciding factor, really.

Spurs are winning it all this season, granted they all stay healthy for these next two series.

LeBron wasn't much of a defender back then, so I mean...basically, you'd have to just assume that the award was given to him based on his ability to get his teammates involved, but to be honest, I doubt it was that. I'd just say it was the hype. Melo averaged more points, shot better from the floor (from two, three, and FT), rebounded the ball better, had a better overall record, and made the playoffs, all while playing a full 82 games. I think more were amazed at LeBron being a freak of nature, rather than Carmelo's ability to shoot and score the ball, and that's what turned heads.

TIME: 8:30 PM ET TV: ESPN