NBA 2012-2013

[FN Phat]

Comes out now. No question.

Bingo. There is no doubt the kid has what it takes on the defensive side of the ball as well as a nose for rebounding. He will only improve with the coaching he will receive in the league. He is not needed to be an offensive presence with this team, however, he is almost averaging 60% from the field. Lastly, when you play for a coach that is known as a one-and-done coach that turns out top-tier talent to the league, there is always going to be the next best coming to town (read: Dakari Johnson, the #1 center recruit...it was between UK and SU ) Calipari lets his players know that they can/will be replaced if the are not the most talented on the court. He has players available to him to back that claim up.

[MarkGrace]

Ford with some stuff on Noel.

The top of this year's draft is extraordinarily weak and there are few impact big men at the top. While a team may be -- understandably -- uncomfortable taking him at No. 1, multiple GMs told me they would seriously consider Noel in the No. 2-5 range.

"Our scouting staff has seen enough of him to know what type of player he projects to be," one NBA GM said. "He's really raw, but he has so many athletic abilities and plays so hard. He was injured on an incredible hustle play. It's the thing I love about the kid the most. If he checks out with our doctors, I wouldn't hesitate to draft him high. He's going to heal. You're going to have to be patient with him anyway. He moves from being a risky No. 1 pick, to a potential value pick, like Andre Drummond, a little bit later in the lottery."

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/...no-1-pick-2013

[FN Phat]

I listened to Coach Cal's show on the way home from work. He pretty much said the same thing. He thinks that he can still be drafted in the first round. That it is pretty much the same injury as AP and look how well he came back from that. That Nerlens is a hard working kid and predicts the same type of comeback. He also mentioned that it seemed to be a career ending injury. If that would have happened that he would have been an instant millionaire due to his insurance.

On a side note, Calipari mentioned that this was the first major injury of a player in his career. That surprised me with the style of play that he likes to implement.

[Blueintheface]

Lebron James is pretty good.

[MarkGrace]

Lebron watch on.

[MarkGrace]

Just got his 30th. Over 60% again so far.

[Blueintheface]

Misses out on a 7th straight by shooting a 30 ftr and the end of the shot clock. 39 pts on 58% shooting. He sucks.

[MarkGrace]

Miami should trade him while his value is high.

[Blueintheface]

Miami should trade him while his value is high.

Heh.

[smokymountainrain]

Miami should trade him while his value is high.

I'd only seen one other game during the streak. It's crazy to watch tonight how many high difficulty shots he takes and then to consider the streak. Also, based on certain shots he took tonight, it was obvious didn't give a rat's ass about the streak.

[Blueintheface]

I thought it was cute watching Steve Nash trying to play defense tonight.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

I thought it was cute watching Steve Nash trying to play defense tonight.

I just finished the Miami/OKC game and had about 30 minutes of the LA battle to finish the record. And I thought the exact same thing while watching Nash get up tight on Paul 20 feet from the hoop...the ol' Boozer act of pretending like you care about and are actually capable of playing defense.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

3pt% after tonight: Durant - 42.7, James - 42.4

[smokymountainrain]

3pt% after tonight: Durant - 42.7, James - 42.4

Even though Durant is known more as a shooter, that is a ridiculous percentage for a #1 option and a guy who takes as many threes, tough threes, as he does. It also explains the unreal PPS numbers you posted a page back - well that and he shoots a ton of FTs and makes 90% of them.

For Lebron to be shooting like that - just criminal.

[Surfah]

LBJ is on a ridiculous tear. The Lakers better sign his ass.