Prediction record (UFC 100 and on): 6-16
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Randy Couture
This will probably be one of the historically most boring UFC main events ever, though it will remain close for the same reason: they are too old. Unless something was randomly and crucially wrong with Nogueira in his last fight, a loss to Frank Mir, then he's done long before he ever steps in the cage with Couture. Randy is out of heavyweight title contention in my mind and this should be his last fight in the division. The big guys are just too big for The Natural at this point and he can still draw in some never before seen fights at 205. Couture/Griffin? Couture/Rampage? A loss could end Big Nog's UFC career officially, but I for one think it is already long over.
-Couture by split decision
Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva
One of the most tempramental fighters in terms of his consistency, Jardine needs another highlight reel finish in order to possibly ever get a 205 title fight. Silva can climb several rungs on the ladder with a win while Jardine could establish himself as one of the next contenders in the Division behind Rampage and Rashad Evans. Silva's danger comes in the fact that he really does not have as much to lose as Jardine, but just as much to gain.
-Jardine by Round 2 KO
Jake Rosholt vs. Chris Leben
If Leben wants to remain relevant, he needs this win. He will always be a name because of his Ultimate Fighter time and a bigger name because of those outrageous TUF exploites. But as a UFC fighter, he has been super inconsistent. Leben runs the risk of getting frustrated and caught or frustrated and decisioned if Rosholt wants to just lay around in guard. Leben's best hope is to take the relative UFC newcomer out of his game plan and have Rosholt stand and slug. With Leben's iron chin, this would be Rosholt's worst idea ever.
-Leben by Round 2 TKO
Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia
Snorefest potential here if Maia is too worried about getting to the ground and won't stand with Nate at all. However, he can't stand long or he will get knocked out. I think Maia is just too versed, best BJJ fighter in UFC or not. My hope is that Maia wouldn't go straight to Anderson Silva with a win and would instead face Dan Henderson in a contender fight. Maybe then we'll see Marquardt/Bisping?
-Maia by Round 2 Submission
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brandon Vera
The only time Soszynski has not been underrated is when he was on The Ultimate Fighter and was considered a favorite before an upset loss. Being an underdog suits him so much better and he's stronger when fighting for something, not expected to succeed. And Vera packs a much bigger talk than punch. Forget what we all may think, Vera believes he has this wrapped and that is what will get him caught. Vera stronger throughout but not in the crunch.
-Soszynski by Round 3 Submission
Gabe Gonzaga vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Chris is another debuting heavyweight who is no joke. He is 17-1 and trains with Brock Lesnar. But really, let's not forget that Gonzaga is a legit former world champ. This isn't exactly a crapshoot, but it will be a barn burner.
-Tuchscherer by Round 2 TKO
Mike Russow vs. Justin McCully
The heavywight division is getting thick quick, as seen with the debuting Russow, a winner of his last seven, and veteran McCully. Another crapshoot that will end up showing what experience against the biggest and best can do.
-McCully in Round 3 by TKO
Tim Hague vs. Todd Duffee
I admitedly know little about Hague but Duffee, making his UFC debut, is a beast. In a semi-recent Fight! Magazine article, he was highly praised by one of his trainers Rory Singer and has never dissapointed in his four fights. Quick and painful end to Hague's night ahead.
-Duffee by Round 1 KO
Nick Catone vs. Mark Munoz
This contest could be very boring or highly intense. These two former Division I wrestlers will get boo'd out of Portland if they go to the ground. But in this scenerio, some wrestlers by trade will swing for the fences just for a change of expectation. This is one of the most evenly matched fights on the card.
-Catone by Unanimous decision
Marcus Aurelio vs. Evan Dunham
Is Aurelio going to be on his game? That is the deciding factor here because he is more experienced and plain better than Dunham. If he's not on, I still doubt that Dunham, a finisher by trade, will actually finish him.
-Aurelio by 2nd Round TKO
Ed Herman vs. Aaron Simpson
Quick and easy for me here. I was never THAT impressed with Ed Herman and he is far from even the same fighter he was during his Ultimate Fighter days.
-Simpson by unanimous decision
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
> UFC 101 Predictions
How does the UFC follow up "the greatest card in the company's history"? Well, they have set the bar pretty high with UFC 101: Declaration. My UFC 100 predictions weren't so spot on (sorry, Michael Bisping) and even if these are equally as wrong...at least I am pretty sure this will be one hell of an event. Last time out I was 4-7 with my picks with two being spot on (unanimous decisions for Jim Miller and Georges St. Pierre).
>PRELIM FIGHTS
Jesse Lennox Vs. Danillo Villefort
Should be a strong welterweight fight with WEC guys making their UFC debuts. Considering the pace that is natural in WEC, I (like most people) expect a slugfest here.
-Villefort by TKO in Round 1
George Sotiropoulos Vs. George Roop
A lot of former TUF competitors on the card tonight, including three winners on the main card. In this match of of TUF 6 and TUF 8 fighters, I'm going to take the old Team Serra favorite just because he has so many more tools than Roop at this point even though I think Roop will enjoy more longterm success.
-Sotiropoulos by TKO in Round 2
Matthew Riddle Vs. Dan Cramer
These two guys both need the win and will want it since the loss will be a first for either of them in their short careers. Experience has most giving the edge to Riddle, but for some reason I just have never been able to see him as a serious fight. Cramer WILL make the most of this chance while Riddle only 'might.'
-Cramer by Unanimous Decision
Thales Leites Vs. Alessio Sakara
Quick and to the point: Sakara is boring.
-Leites by KO in Round 1
Tamdan McCrory Vs. John Howard
Howard must be six shades of stupid to accept a fight with a guy who is NINE inches taller and likely in his last welterweight fight before moving up to middleweight. No slugfest, just a smashfest. With the reach advantage huge here, it's hard to not expect a KO, McCrory likes his ground game and I don't think it will take him long to stop Howard.
-McCrory by submission in Round 1
Shane Nelson Vs. Aaron Riley
Because of the ending of their previous fight, I would assume there is no lack of dislike between these two here and that may be the difference. At the end of the day, Nelson seems like the more poised person and fighter who can't put all other things aside and just fight.
-Nelson by submission in Round 3
>MAIN CARD
Josh Neer Vs. Kurt Pellegrino
This is an interesting fight in the fact that both men have so much to win and also so much to lose in this fight. Neer however is just more talented on the ground and if this one goes there, he's top dog. But Kurt won't be so easy to be taken down, even if Neer is a bit bigger.
-Neer by submission in Round 2
Kendall Grove Vs. Ricardo Almeida
No secret to anyone I talk MMA with, I am a huge Kendall Grove fan. That said, this opinion (kind of unlike my UFC 100 predict of Michael Bisping) has nothing to do with that fandom. Many people have analyzed this fight as what Grove has to do either on the ground or to avoid getting hit hard in his sometimes questionable chin. But nobody is analyzing it how it should be: what is Almeida going to do to outwork Kendall Grove? Grove is an amazing striker who uses his intense reach to his advantage especially with high kicks and cutting knees out of his clinch. On the ground, he's long and flexible and hard to submit. All of that aside, Grove is right up there as one of the best workers in the fight game period. Alemeida just does not have enough for the old Kendall Grove (c. 2006) and he sure as hell doesn't have anything for the guy who's last fight ended in a highlight reel knockout. It may not be dominant for Kendall like his last two fights, but he doesn't need to be.
-Grove by Unanimous Decision
Amir Sadollah Vs. Johny Hendricks
Sadallah has a habit of facing guys calmly even though that guy talks way too much...and then submitting them (see CB Dollaway and...well, CB Dollaway again). Amir has been waiting a long time for a true, non-TUF, UFC debut and I'm going against the grain in the thought that Hendricks will frustrate and finish Amir. Mostly because I just don't see Sadollah getting frustrated ever. Hendricks is underestimating him.
-Sadollah by submission in Round 2
Anderson Silva Vs. Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin likes getting hit and hitting back...Anderson Silva will hit him. It's widely believed that it will take a miracle upset for anyone in the UFC to beat Anderson Silva...Forrest Griffin loves being a miracle upset. What does this mean? Hell if I know because this is a toss up. If Silva needs a highly contested wake up fight, he's got the right guy. No matter what, this won't go anywhere near a decision.
-Silva by TKO in Round 2
BJ Penn Vs. Kenny Florian
We might as well call this Penn/Florian I because I see this becoming a staple over the next several years. Fact is with the recent influx of Affliction heavyweight fighters, the lightweight division may be the UFC's weakest. So, other than Diego Sanchez, I don't see any other real possible challengers arise for the winner of this fight for a while. While that's nice and I see the third fight being the rubber match in the long run if it goes that route, nothing changes that Kenny Florian has worked too hard to get here. I believe that BJ Penn woke up after the GSP fight and isn't just resting on his laurels now, but I still think that KenFlo has put more effort, more passion and more drive into this run. This is so so so far from the Season One TUF runner-up Kenny Florian, it's unbelievable. You want BJ's belt? You get BJ's belt.
-Florian by submission in Round 4 to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion
>PRELIM FIGHTS
Jesse Lennox Vs. Danillo Villefort
Should be a strong welterweight fight with WEC guys making their UFC debuts. Considering the pace that is natural in WEC, I (like most people) expect a slugfest here.
-Villefort by TKO in Round 1
George Sotiropoulos Vs. George Roop
A lot of former TUF competitors on the card tonight, including three winners on the main card. In this match of of TUF 6 and TUF 8 fighters, I'm going to take the old Team Serra favorite just because he has so many more tools than Roop at this point even though I think Roop will enjoy more longterm success.
-Sotiropoulos by TKO in Round 2
Matthew Riddle Vs. Dan Cramer
These two guys both need the win and will want it since the loss will be a first for either of them in their short careers. Experience has most giving the edge to Riddle, but for some reason I just have never been able to see him as a serious fight. Cramer WILL make the most of this chance while Riddle only 'might.'
-Cramer by Unanimous Decision
Thales Leites Vs. Alessio Sakara
Quick and to the point: Sakara is boring.
-Leites by KO in Round 1
Tamdan McCrory Vs. John Howard
Howard must be six shades of stupid to accept a fight with a guy who is NINE inches taller and likely in his last welterweight fight before moving up to middleweight. No slugfest, just a smashfest. With the reach advantage huge here, it's hard to not expect a KO, McCrory likes his ground game and I don't think it will take him long to stop Howard.
-McCrory by submission in Round 1
Shane Nelson Vs. Aaron Riley
Because of the ending of their previous fight, I would assume there is no lack of dislike between these two here and that may be the difference. At the end of the day, Nelson seems like the more poised person and fighter who can't put all other things aside and just fight.
-Nelson by submission in Round 3
>MAIN CARD
Josh Neer Vs. Kurt Pellegrino
This is an interesting fight in the fact that both men have so much to win and also so much to lose in this fight. Neer however is just more talented on the ground and if this one goes there, he's top dog. But Kurt won't be so easy to be taken down, even if Neer is a bit bigger.
-Neer by submission in Round 2
Kendall Grove Vs. Ricardo Almeida
No secret to anyone I talk MMA with, I am a huge Kendall Grove fan. That said, this opinion (kind of unlike my UFC 100 predict of Michael Bisping) has nothing to do with that fandom. Many people have analyzed this fight as what Grove has to do either on the ground or to avoid getting hit hard in his sometimes questionable chin. But nobody is analyzing it how it should be: what is Almeida going to do to outwork Kendall Grove? Grove is an amazing striker who uses his intense reach to his advantage especially with high kicks and cutting knees out of his clinch. On the ground, he's long and flexible and hard to submit. All of that aside, Grove is right up there as one of the best workers in the fight game period. Alemeida just does not have enough for the old Kendall Grove (c. 2006) and he sure as hell doesn't have anything for the guy who's last fight ended in a highlight reel knockout. It may not be dominant for Kendall like his last two fights, but he doesn't need to be.
-Grove by Unanimous Decision
Amir Sadollah Vs. Johny Hendricks
Sadallah has a habit of facing guys calmly even though that guy talks way too much...and then submitting them (see CB Dollaway and...well, CB Dollaway again). Amir has been waiting a long time for a true, non-TUF, UFC debut and I'm going against the grain in the thought that Hendricks will frustrate and finish Amir. Mostly because I just don't see Sadollah getting frustrated ever. Hendricks is underestimating him.
-Sadollah by submission in Round 2
Anderson Silva Vs. Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin likes getting hit and hitting back...Anderson Silva will hit him. It's widely believed that it will take a miracle upset for anyone in the UFC to beat Anderson Silva...Forrest Griffin loves being a miracle upset. What does this mean? Hell if I know because this is a toss up. If Silva needs a highly contested wake up fight, he's got the right guy. No matter what, this won't go anywhere near a decision.
-Silva by TKO in Round 2
BJ Penn Vs. Kenny Florian
We might as well call this Penn/Florian I because I see this becoming a staple over the next several years. Fact is with the recent influx of Affliction heavyweight fighters, the lightweight division may be the UFC's weakest. So, other than Diego Sanchez, I don't see any other real possible challengers arise for the winner of this fight for a while. While that's nice and I see the third fight being the rubber match in the long run if it goes that route, nothing changes that Kenny Florian has worked too hard to get here. I believe that BJ Penn woke up after the GSP fight and isn't just resting on his laurels now, but I still think that KenFlo has put more effort, more passion and more drive into this run. This is so so so far from the Season One TUF runner-up Kenny Florian, it's unbelievable. You want BJ's belt? You get BJ's belt.
-Florian by submission in Round 4 to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion
Friday, July 10, 2009
> UFC 100 Predictions
>PRELIM FIGHTS
Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty
Who cares? Its a pretty irrelevant fight that hopefully sets a good tone for the evening. -Grice by TKO in Round 2
CB Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor
Very different styles collide and CB is just too much more disciplined.
-Dollaway by submission in Round 3
TJ Grant vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Grant steps in for Jonathan Goulet, who was originally scheduled for this fight. A fighter change always makes things interesting and in this case, I think that Grant is smart enough to avoid Kim's sharp elbows.
-Grant by unanimous submission
Jon Jones vs. Jake O'Brien
Jones is way stronger than O'Brien, that's all that matters.
-Jones by TKO in Round 1
Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller
There have been no Ultimate Fighter winners more dissapointing than Danzig, who is boring and subpar at best. He'll be lucky if Miller gives him any room. Miller's loss to Gray Maynard will be offset as he dominates Danzig.
-Miller by unanimous decision
Mark Coleman vs. Stephan Bonnar
At the Ultimate Finale of the Griffin/Rampage season, Kendall Grove (a (TUF alum) fought the late Evan Tanner (a former world champion) in a match Grove labeled as "loser leaves town." This is the sequel. Fortunatly for Bonnar, who TWICE stood toe to toe with Forrest Griffin, Coleman is too old and not going to have the conditioning he needs.
-Bonnar by TKO in Round 2
>MAIN CARD
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
This could become a slugfest with fight of the night potential even with the four other blockbuster main card fights. If Akiyama is smart, he won't let it become so because he can submit so much better than Belcher, a man who is much closer to one dimensional. Ground fight goes to Akiyama but I don't think he's smart enough to take it there.
-Belcher by unanimous decision
Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago
Thiago is 11-0 in his career, but only 1-0 in the UFC. And while he may be strong, very strong, knocking out Josh Koscheck isn't the most rare thing in the world. Fitch on the other hand doesn't care and I can all but guarantee that. He has the best chin in MMA and he'll take all that Thiago has to offer and give it back ten fold. My money is on my hometown boy.
-Fitch by split decision
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
Bisping's a striker, Henderson's a wrestler. The difference? Henderson can't defend striking as well as Bisping can defend wrestling. If the swing, eventually Bisping will catch Henderson but I don't know if Hendo can catch "The Count." On the ground, Bisping has improved his scrambling so well that Henderson may keep him down, but can he do anything with him while they are down there? It doesn't matter who Hendo has beaten, all that matters is this fight. It will be a classic but Henderson will go all out and that's comendable. I'd rather be a winner than commeded. Hendo stays close and fights, Bisping sticks and runs out of the line of fire. Call it what you will, I'll call it smart. Henderson will take Mike down, so the Brit was wrong. But he was right somewhere, he's gonna be the first to kncok Hendo out. The last time a fighter who has won The Ultimate Fighter, then gone on to coach the show later in their career, fought the guy they coached against, he won. Bisping is the new Griffin and fittingly he gets the next fight with Anderson Silva after Griffin fights him at 101.
-Bisping by TKO in Round 3
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves
Haven't I already said that hammering on Josh Koscheck isn't that big of a deal? Ok, so Alves is much better than Paulo Thiago but still Koscheck isn't a high placed reference point. Alves is a heavy hitter and if he lands a couple good, quick shots then GSP could be in trouble as we learned in the first Matt Serra fight. But its a lot easier to get surprised by Serra than Alves, who is well, well known for his heavy hands and power. GSP has seen every side of ever style and lived to talk about it and even laugh down at it after he beat it's ass.
-GSP retains by unanimous decision
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
Let's throw out that Lesnar doesn't even deserve to be in this spot and he got fast tracked because of his name. I am not sure how Lesnar thinks it is ok to talk that match trash when what he's done in the UFC is get dismantled by Mir, take 3 full rounds to beat Heath Herring (and who hasn't beat Heath Herring) and stop a very aged Randy Couture coming off an extended leave. If Lesnar wins, I will give him credit but there will still need to be a rubber match down the line. Until he wins, he's just a slightly more talented Kimbo Slice, ready to be exposed yet again. While most count Lesnar as the favorite- and yes he does have heavy, heavy hands- I see the fight as a lose/lose for him. If he goes to wrestler mode, we've seen what can and likely will happen. Frank Mir is just too good at BJJ no matter how much Brock has worked on his BJJ defense. Any position he wrestles Mir into, Frank can submit him. So how about just kick boxing? Well, Brock can't kick and Frank can. And no matter how much damage Brock's fists did in the first fight, Mir just...and let me make sure this is stressed...TKO'D NOGUEIRA!! Brock's too cocky, too angry and will make mistakes.
-Mir by submission in Round 2 to become the Undisputed champion
Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty
Who cares? Its a pretty irrelevant fight that hopefully sets a good tone for the evening. -Grice by TKO in Round 2
CB Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor
Very different styles collide and CB is just too much more disciplined.
-Dollaway by submission in Round 3
TJ Grant vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Grant steps in for Jonathan Goulet, who was originally scheduled for this fight. A fighter change always makes things interesting and in this case, I think that Grant is smart enough to avoid Kim's sharp elbows.
-Grant by unanimous submission
Jon Jones vs. Jake O'Brien
Jones is way stronger than O'Brien, that's all that matters.
-Jones by TKO in Round 1
Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller
There have been no Ultimate Fighter winners more dissapointing than Danzig, who is boring and subpar at best. He'll be lucky if Miller gives him any room. Miller's loss to Gray Maynard will be offset as he dominates Danzig.
-Miller by unanimous decision
Mark Coleman vs. Stephan Bonnar
At the Ultimate Finale of the Griffin/Rampage season, Kendall Grove (a (TUF alum) fought the late Evan Tanner (a former world champion) in a match Grove labeled as "loser leaves town." This is the sequel. Fortunatly for Bonnar, who TWICE stood toe to toe with Forrest Griffin, Coleman is too old and not going to have the conditioning he needs.
-Bonnar by TKO in Round 2
>MAIN CARD
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
This could become a slugfest with fight of the night potential even with the four other blockbuster main card fights. If Akiyama is smart, he won't let it become so because he can submit so much better than Belcher, a man who is much closer to one dimensional. Ground fight goes to Akiyama but I don't think he's smart enough to take it there.
-Belcher by unanimous decision
Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago
Thiago is 11-0 in his career, but only 1-0 in the UFC. And while he may be strong, very strong, knocking out Josh Koscheck isn't the most rare thing in the world. Fitch on the other hand doesn't care and I can all but guarantee that. He has the best chin in MMA and he'll take all that Thiago has to offer and give it back ten fold. My money is on my hometown boy.
-Fitch by split decision
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
Bisping's a striker, Henderson's a wrestler. The difference? Henderson can't defend striking as well as Bisping can defend wrestling. If the swing, eventually Bisping will catch Henderson but I don't know if Hendo can catch "The Count." On the ground, Bisping has improved his scrambling so well that Henderson may keep him down, but can he do anything with him while they are down there? It doesn't matter who Hendo has beaten, all that matters is this fight. It will be a classic but Henderson will go all out and that's comendable. I'd rather be a winner than commeded. Hendo stays close and fights, Bisping sticks and runs out of the line of fire. Call it what you will, I'll call it smart. Henderson will take Mike down, so the Brit was wrong. But he was right somewhere, he's gonna be the first to kncok Hendo out. The last time a fighter who has won The Ultimate Fighter, then gone on to coach the show later in their career, fought the guy they coached against, he won. Bisping is the new Griffin and fittingly he gets the next fight with Anderson Silva after Griffin fights him at 101.
-Bisping by TKO in Round 3
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves
Haven't I already said that hammering on Josh Koscheck isn't that big of a deal? Ok, so Alves is much better than Paulo Thiago but still Koscheck isn't a high placed reference point. Alves is a heavy hitter and if he lands a couple good, quick shots then GSP could be in trouble as we learned in the first Matt Serra fight. But its a lot easier to get surprised by Serra than Alves, who is well, well known for his heavy hands and power. GSP has seen every side of ever style and lived to talk about it and even laugh down at it after he beat it's ass.
-GSP retains by unanimous decision
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
Let's throw out that Lesnar doesn't even deserve to be in this spot and he got fast tracked because of his name. I am not sure how Lesnar thinks it is ok to talk that match trash when what he's done in the UFC is get dismantled by Mir, take 3 full rounds to beat Heath Herring (and who hasn't beat Heath Herring) and stop a very aged Randy Couture coming off an extended leave. If Lesnar wins, I will give him credit but there will still need to be a rubber match down the line. Until he wins, he's just a slightly more talented Kimbo Slice, ready to be exposed yet again. While most count Lesnar as the favorite- and yes he does have heavy, heavy hands- I see the fight as a lose/lose for him. If he goes to wrestler mode, we've seen what can and likely will happen. Frank Mir is just too good at BJJ no matter how much Brock has worked on his BJJ defense. Any position he wrestles Mir into, Frank can submit him. So how about just kick boxing? Well, Brock can't kick and Frank can. And no matter how much damage Brock's fists did in the first fight, Mir just...and let me make sure this is stressed...TKO'D NOGUEIRA!! Brock's too cocky, too angry and will make mistakes.
-Mir by submission in Round 2 to become the Undisputed champion
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
> UFC Top Ten Fights
Tomorrow night, the UFC will finalize their 'Ultimate 100 Greatest Fights' countdown on Spike with the top 10 all time. I, for one, am currently baffled by Mike Goldberg's continuous question of what will be number one because in my mind it's a clear cut choice. But already in the countdown, there have been some I have questioned, which has motivated me to write this column on my personal favorite ten fights that I have ever seen in the UFC.
First note, these are strictly UFC fights so don't count any of the other fights I have seen in other organizations. Sorry, Urijah Faber/Mike Brown II, you would have been high on my list.
Second note, I like many started getting into the UFC with and because of The Ultimate Fighter. So, any fights that I have seen (and there are many) from pre-Ultimate Fighter days have only been seen in retrospect and not when they originally happened. The exception to that are fights from UFC 1-3, which I saw at a friend's house on VHS as a teenager. So without furthur delay, these are the Top 10 UFC fights I have ever seen:
10. Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta
- Guida and Huerta put on an all-out war, which is usual of both men's fights. Guida has done it countless times, Huerta did it with Leonard Garcia and others. An even fight is usually one that will be decided not by who catches who first, but by who makes the first mistake. That's how Huerta finished this one.
9. Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher I
- I know their second fight is universally regarded as the better because Fisher was seen more on his game. Yes, he cut a lot of weight quick in taking this fight late, but that makes it even more impressive in my mind. Stout/Fisher II was good and it was neccesary because
8. Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida
- This was the last fight the UFC had and it still even made the top 15 on the UFC Ultimate 100 countdown. That's for good reason because the pace rarely let up and neither man quit even bloody and/or battered. In my opinion, heart makes good fights and few, if any, have bigger hearts than these two.
7. Kendall Grove vs. Ed Herman
- UFC Magazine recently referred to this Ultimate Fighter 3 middleweight title fight at "Griffin/Bonnar on the ground." And they were right. These guys went to battle for three rounds as the best two fighters on the seasons. It doesn't matter than Herman went on to flop and Grove's career has been up and down. When two guys roll around and you never know who's going to catch who in a possible fight closing submission, it's almost equally exciting as a slugfest.
6. Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock
- This was one of the first fights for both fighters to really showcase a barrage of the different techniques of MMA. It really launched Tito Ortiz as a superstar and while striking was getting more important in the sport, it was Frank Shamrock's submissions that helped keep BJJ and old school shoot fighting in the forefront too.
5. Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia
- Fact is that Couture dominated this match, but that didn't make it less great. What makes it great is that, no matter his age, he didn't let up for the entire fight and didn't let five rounds faze him. This fight was one of the most important in the transition period of the UFC to mainstream.
4. Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch
- Another fight where one guy (GSP) was just dominant and really showed that Fitch wasn't on his level. But in this one, unlike with Sylvia, Fitch proved that he was still a beast. When you can pretty much get your ass handed to you and still come out looking like a monster, then the fight was a classic. GSP went to town, Fitch didn't back down.
3. Forrest Griffin vs. Rampage Jackson
- The best five rounder I have ever witnessed by far. The fact that you could make an argument for Griffin, Rampage or even a draw in the decision makes that clear. Both men had scouted eachother well, no matter what excuses Rampage makes now. What stood out was who was willing to go outside of their normal gameplan the most and that was Forrest with his leg kicks. Rampage didn't adjust and Forrest took advantage and Jackson's title.
2. Jared Rollins vs. Jon 'War Machine' Koppenhaver
- Ok, so here is where I rant a little. How the hell is this #81 on the Ultimate 100 countdown? I'm sure part of it is the UFC's biased (you know that entire thing can't be fully by fan vote) because they don't exactly have a good relationship with Koppenhaver. You saw how bad they've talked about Ortiz, who they likewise aren't buddies with, even though he's one of the UFC greats. The rest of it may be the fact that fans are gonna vote for big names and be more inclined to forget about two guys who don't fight in the UFC anymore who were on the undercard of an Ultimate Fighter Finale.
These two guys were not the best fighters on the Team Hughes/Team Serra season and there is a reason that they weren't fighting for the contract. But never in a million years would you have thought that watching them. If you had watched the season's first episode to see who was competing then not tuned in again until the finale, you would have thought this was the title fight. I don't know if I have ever seen two guys who wanted to lose less. There was no way that either guy was going to tap in this one and going to the judges would have been heartbreaking if it wasn't ruled a draw. Luckily War Machine took care of that for them, but only seconds of being on the verge of losing by TKO himself. It will forever stand as one of the greatest slug fests in UFC history. And it doesn't hurt that it was a bloody, bloody affair.
1. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar I
- Here's your answer Mike Goldberg...the ONLY fight that can be number one. Fight! Magazine named it such, UFC Magazine named it such, I'm naming it such and if the Ultimate 100 Countdown doesn't name it as such, then the voting UFC fans should all be stoned.
Forget that it was for the second contract ever awarded by the UFC to an Ultimate Fighter winner (most people refer to Griffin as the original Ultimate Fighter, when Diego Sanchez took home his title first that night). Forget that this show and this fight launched the UFC and MMA into the mainstream and made it acceptable by many people worldwide who had written the sport off years and years ago. Even forget that this show was the first live UFC event to ever appear on cable television.
All of that aside, take what Griffin and Bonnar did on April 9, 2005 as what it was- it was a fight. There is a line in the movie Rocky Balboa where Rocky asks "what's so crazy about standing toe to toe with someone saying 'I am'?" That is what these two did. They didn't roll around, they didn't get technical, there was Muay Thai, there was no BJJ. There was Griffin, Bonnar and flurry of fists. It was a fight in the purist, most glorious form. It changed the face of the sport and made MMA what it is that we all see today. But even without that, even if it didn't do anything to help the UFC really establish itself, the fight stands alone as THE best ever.
(honorable mention: Griffin/Bonnar II, Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn II and Nate Quarry vs. Pete Sell)
First note, these are strictly UFC fights so don't count any of the other fights I have seen in other organizations. Sorry, Urijah Faber/Mike Brown II, you would have been high on my list.
Second note, I like many started getting into the UFC with and because of The Ultimate Fighter. So, any fights that I have seen (and there are many) from pre-Ultimate Fighter days have only been seen in retrospect and not when they originally happened. The exception to that are fights from UFC 1-3, which I saw at a friend's house on VHS as a teenager. So without furthur delay, these are the Top 10 UFC fights I have ever seen:
10. Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta
- Guida and Huerta put on an all-out war, which is usual of both men's fights. Guida has done it countless times, Huerta did it with Leonard Garcia and others. An even fight is usually one that will be decided not by who catches who first, but by who makes the first mistake. That's how Huerta finished this one.
9. Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher I
- I know their second fight is universally regarded as the better because Fisher was seen more on his game. Yes, he cut a lot of weight quick in taking this fight late, but that makes it even more impressive in my mind. Stout/Fisher II was good and it was neccesary because
8. Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida
- This was the last fight the UFC had and it still even made the top 15 on the UFC Ultimate 100 countdown. That's for good reason because the pace rarely let up and neither man quit even bloody and/or battered. In my opinion, heart makes good fights and few, if any, have bigger hearts than these two.
7. Kendall Grove vs. Ed Herman
- UFC Magazine recently referred to this Ultimate Fighter 3 middleweight title fight at "Griffin/Bonnar on the ground." And they were right. These guys went to battle for three rounds as the best two fighters on the seasons. It doesn't matter than Herman went on to flop and Grove's career has been up and down. When two guys roll around and you never know who's going to catch who in a possible fight closing submission, it's almost equally exciting as a slugfest.
6. Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock
- This was one of the first fights for both fighters to really showcase a barrage of the different techniques of MMA. It really launched Tito Ortiz as a superstar and while striking was getting more important in the sport, it was Frank Shamrock's submissions that helped keep BJJ and old school shoot fighting in the forefront too.
5. Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia
- Fact is that Couture dominated this match, but that didn't make it less great. What makes it great is that, no matter his age, he didn't let up for the entire fight and didn't let five rounds faze him. This fight was one of the most important in the transition period of the UFC to mainstream.
4. Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch
- Another fight where one guy (GSP) was just dominant and really showed that Fitch wasn't on his level. But in this one, unlike with Sylvia, Fitch proved that he was still a beast. When you can pretty much get your ass handed to you and still come out looking like a monster, then the fight was a classic. GSP went to town, Fitch didn't back down.
3. Forrest Griffin vs. Rampage Jackson
- The best five rounder I have ever witnessed by far. The fact that you could make an argument for Griffin, Rampage or even a draw in the decision makes that clear. Both men had scouted eachother well, no matter what excuses Rampage makes now. What stood out was who was willing to go outside of their normal gameplan the most and that was Forrest with his leg kicks. Rampage didn't adjust and Forrest took advantage and Jackson's title.
2. Jared Rollins vs. Jon 'War Machine' Koppenhaver
- Ok, so here is where I rant a little. How the hell is this #81 on the Ultimate 100 countdown? I'm sure part of it is the UFC's biased (you know that entire thing can't be fully by fan vote) because they don't exactly have a good relationship with Koppenhaver. You saw how bad they've talked about Ortiz, who they likewise aren't buddies with, even though he's one of the UFC greats. The rest of it may be the fact that fans are gonna vote for big names and be more inclined to forget about two guys who don't fight in the UFC anymore who were on the undercard of an Ultimate Fighter Finale.
These two guys were not the best fighters on the Team Hughes/Team Serra season and there is a reason that they weren't fighting for the contract. But never in a million years would you have thought that watching them. If you had watched the season's first episode to see who was competing then not tuned in again until the finale, you would have thought this was the title fight. I don't know if I have ever seen two guys who wanted to lose less. There was no way that either guy was going to tap in this one and going to the judges would have been heartbreaking if it wasn't ruled a draw. Luckily War Machine took care of that for them, but only seconds of being on the verge of losing by TKO himself. It will forever stand as one of the greatest slug fests in UFC history. And it doesn't hurt that it was a bloody, bloody affair.
1. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar I
- Here's your answer Mike Goldberg...the ONLY fight that can be number one. Fight! Magazine named it such, UFC Magazine named it such, I'm naming it such and if the Ultimate 100 Countdown doesn't name it as such, then the voting UFC fans should all be stoned.
Forget that it was for the second contract ever awarded by the UFC to an Ultimate Fighter winner (most people refer to Griffin as the original Ultimate Fighter, when Diego Sanchez took home his title first that night). Forget that this show and this fight launched the UFC and MMA into the mainstream and made it acceptable by many people worldwide who had written the sport off years and years ago. Even forget that this show was the first live UFC event to ever appear on cable television.
All of that aside, take what Griffin and Bonnar did on April 9, 2005 as what it was- it was a fight. There is a line in the movie Rocky Balboa where Rocky asks "what's so crazy about standing toe to toe with someone saying 'I am'?" That is what these two did. They didn't roll around, they didn't get technical, there was Muay Thai, there was no BJJ. There was Griffin, Bonnar and flurry of fists. It was a fight in the purist, most glorious form. It changed the face of the sport and made MMA what it is that we all see today. But even without that, even if it didn't do anything to help the UFC really establish itself, the fight stands alone as THE best ever.
(honorable mention: Griffin/Bonnar II, Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva, St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn II and Nate Quarry vs. Pete Sell)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
> Best and Worst of the NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft has wrapped and now it’s time to break down the picks and see which teams and players made off like bandits and which teams just got left standing.
Each of these first three categories is broke down into four parts: the lottery (L), the remainder of the first round (R1), the first half of round two (2F) and the second half of round two (2S).
>The Best Picks
L: Ricky Rubio - #5 to Timberwolves
R1: Ty Lawson - #18 to Nuggets (via Timberwolves)
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Jack McClinton - #51 to Spurs
>The Worst Picks
L: Tyler Hansbrough - #13 to Pacers
R1: Taj Gibson - #26 to Bulls
2F: Sergio Llull - #34 to Rockets (via Nuggets)
2S: Sergey Gladyr - #49 to Hawks
>The Steals
L: Jordan Hill - #8 to Knicks
R1: Jrue Holiday - #17 to 76ers
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Patrick Mills - #55 to Trail Blazers
>Winning teams
Minnesota Timberwolves
-Great guard draft with Flynn, Rubio and Ellington. Other three picks wil help them down the road.
San Antonio Spurs
-The Richard Jefferson pickup was nice but the Spurs stole Dejuan Blair and Jack McClinton in round 2. These guys are two that could have gone in round one.
Oklahoma City Thunder
-James Harden is a better pick than most people think at #3. The helped their depth by adding Robert Vaden via a trade late.
>Losing teams
Los Angeles Clippers
-They drafted Griffin, he's not THAT big of a difference maker. Not making any other moves was a dumb decision.
Atlanta Hawks
-The Hawks have a lump to get over that Jeff Teague won't help with. They needed another point or maybe a way to grad some round two picks.
Houston Rockets
-With no picks, the Rockets made moves thrice in round two, giving up only future considerations or money. But did they help themselves at all with Jermaine Taylor, Sergio Llull and Chase Budinger?
>Winning players
Jonny Flynn - #6 to Timberwolves
-Flynn does not have to be a huge player right away. Coupled with his other rookie teammates and what Minnesota already has, Flynn can develop naturally.
Taylor Griffin - #48 to Suns
-Thank god his brother is who he is because Taylor should not have gotten drafted, let alone so early in round two.
>Losing players
Blake Griffin - #1 to Clippers
-Can you win as a Clipper?
Stephen Curry - #7 to Warriors
-Unless they pull the trigger on a trade for Amare Stoudamire, the Warriors have just left Curry on an island by himself.
>Who got left out that should have gone
Tyrese Rice – Boston College
Dionte Christmas - Temple
Ben Woodside – North Dakota State
Jerel McNeal - Marquette
Orlando Mendez-Valdez – Western Kentucky
Each of these first three categories is broke down into four parts: the lottery (L), the remainder of the first round (R1), the first half of round two (2F) and the second half of round two (2S).
>The Best Picks
L: Ricky Rubio - #5 to Timberwolves
R1: Ty Lawson - #18 to Nuggets (via Timberwolves)
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Jack McClinton - #51 to Spurs
>The Worst Picks
L: Tyler Hansbrough - #13 to Pacers
R1: Taj Gibson - #26 to Bulls
2F: Sergio Llull - #34 to Rockets (via Nuggets)
2S: Sergey Gladyr - #49 to Hawks
>The Steals
L: Jordan Hill - #8 to Knicks
R1: Jrue Holiday - #17 to 76ers
2F: Dejaun Blair - #37 to Spurs
2S: Patrick Mills - #55 to Trail Blazers
>Winning teams
Minnesota Timberwolves
-Great guard draft with Flynn, Rubio and Ellington. Other three picks wil help them down the road.
San Antonio Spurs
-The Richard Jefferson pickup was nice but the Spurs stole Dejuan Blair and Jack McClinton in round 2. These guys are two that could have gone in round one.
Oklahoma City Thunder
-James Harden is a better pick than most people think at #3. The helped their depth by adding Robert Vaden via a trade late.
>Losing teams
Los Angeles Clippers
-They drafted Griffin, he's not THAT big of a difference maker. Not making any other moves was a dumb decision.
Atlanta Hawks
-The Hawks have a lump to get over that Jeff Teague won't help with. They needed another point or maybe a way to grad some round two picks.
Houston Rockets
-With no picks, the Rockets made moves thrice in round two, giving up only future considerations or money. But did they help themselves at all with Jermaine Taylor, Sergio Llull and Chase Budinger?
>Winning players
Jonny Flynn - #6 to Timberwolves
-Flynn does not have to be a huge player right away. Coupled with his other rookie teammates and what Minnesota already has, Flynn can develop naturally.
Taylor Griffin - #48 to Suns
-Thank god his brother is who he is because Taylor should not have gotten drafted, let alone so early in round two.
>Losing players
Blake Griffin - #1 to Clippers
-Can you win as a Clipper?
Stephen Curry - #7 to Warriors
-Unless they pull the trigger on a trade for Amare Stoudamire, the Warriors have just left Curry on an island by himself.
>Who got left out that should have gone
Tyrese Rice – Boston College
Dionte Christmas - Temple
Ben Woodside – North Dakota State
Jerel McNeal - Marquette
Orlando Mendez-Valdez – Western Kentucky
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
> Dear NBA, this is Ben Woodside
Dear NBA,
I am scouring the Mock Draft boards and I don't see his name. I'm looking, maybe he's listed under something different? But I don't see the phrase "Almost Upset Kansas," I don't see "Made Sherron Collins look like his bitch," I don't see "Best Low-to-Mid Major player in the country," and I don't even see "Captain Underrated."
So I certainly don't see "Ben Woodside."
Over four years, I saw Woodside patrol the court a handful of times against the local IPFW Mastodon team who have shared both Independent and Summit League affiliations with Woodside's North Dakota State. And no, I've never particularly been a fan of his. Then again, that may have been due to the fact that Woodside's skill and maturity (even in his freshman season) was just that far ahead of everyone else on the court. He never was flustered, never showed signs that he was worried about he or his fellow Bisons when they went the limit in this year's Summit League title game with Oakland. Instead, he calmly stepped up and knocked down a buzzer beating 15-footer to send the Bison to their first NCAA Tournament in their first year of tournament eligibility.
I watched him calmly put up 37 and almost beat Kansas in the opening round of that tournament. Oh yeah, he scored 60 in the 2008-2009 season against Stephen F. Austin.
So, why don't I see his name?
I think it's great that his home state Timberwolves and also the Oklahoma City Thunder have brought Woodside in for workouts, showing they aren't scared off by his 5'10'' frame. And yeah, he has worked out in front of representatives from the majority of teams in the league in camps this summer. But why in the hell is there not more interest in this kid?
The OKC is not going to take Woodside at number three, so unless they trade for a pick, that workout is pretty much for naught. Yes, Minnesota is the most logical, he's a homerun local pick with the 45th or 47th pick and I pray that is where Woodside goes as he can be very useful on a team looking for an identity with young players who need some peer guidance. Portland should be another team on the lookout for Woodside at 55 and 56 and what about Utah? I'm told by a friend with much more knowledge of that franchise that if Kyle Korver bolts, they may need another shooter so taking Woodside at 50 wouldn't be a stretch pending on who they take in the first round.
Either way this pans out, Woodside is going to get a shot this summer and there is little doubt in that. He will get a spot on a summer league roster, may get invited to camp and might even slip onto an opening day roster. But Ben Woodside deserves better. The second round is a crap shoot of longshots and ANYBODY could go ANYWHERE. So all I am saying is this: take Ben Woodside. It's not a request, not a plea, it's more like an order. Slip outside of VCU's Eric Maynor and find me a more poised, reliable, adult point guard who can also score off the dribble and I will tell you that you are lying.
Dear NBA, this is Ben Woodside. Get used to him, he's no joke.
I am scouring the Mock Draft boards and I don't see his name. I'm looking, maybe he's listed under something different? But I don't see the phrase "Almost Upset Kansas," I don't see "Made Sherron Collins look like his bitch," I don't see "Best Low-to-Mid Major player in the country," and I don't even see "Captain Underrated."
So I certainly don't see "Ben Woodside."
Over four years, I saw Woodside patrol the court a handful of times against the local IPFW Mastodon team who have shared both Independent and Summit League affiliations with Woodside's North Dakota State. And no, I've never particularly been a fan of his. Then again, that may have been due to the fact that Woodside's skill and maturity (even in his freshman season) was just that far ahead of everyone else on the court. He never was flustered, never showed signs that he was worried about he or his fellow Bisons when they went the limit in this year's Summit League title game with Oakland. Instead, he calmly stepped up and knocked down a buzzer beating 15-footer to send the Bison to their first NCAA Tournament in their first year of tournament eligibility.
I watched him calmly put up 37 and almost beat Kansas in the opening round of that tournament. Oh yeah, he scored 60 in the 2008-2009 season against Stephen F. Austin.
So, why don't I see his name?
I think it's great that his home state Timberwolves and also the Oklahoma City Thunder have brought Woodside in for workouts, showing they aren't scared off by his 5'10'' frame. And yeah, he has worked out in front of representatives from the majority of teams in the league in camps this summer. But why in the hell is there not more interest in this kid?
The OKC is not going to take Woodside at number three, so unless they trade for a pick, that workout is pretty much for naught. Yes, Minnesota is the most logical, he's a homerun local pick with the 45th or 47th pick and I pray that is where Woodside goes as he can be very useful on a team looking for an identity with young players who need some peer guidance. Portland should be another team on the lookout for Woodside at 55 and 56 and what about Utah? I'm told by a friend with much more knowledge of that franchise that if Kyle Korver bolts, they may need another shooter so taking Woodside at 50 wouldn't be a stretch pending on who they take in the first round.
Either way this pans out, Woodside is going to get a shot this summer and there is little doubt in that. He will get a spot on a summer league roster, may get invited to camp and might even slip onto an opening day roster. But Ben Woodside deserves better. The second round is a crap shoot of longshots and ANYBODY could go ANYWHERE. So all I am saying is this: take Ben Woodside. It's not a request, not a plea, it's more like an order. Slip outside of VCU's Eric Maynor and find me a more poised, reliable, adult point guard who can also score off the dribble and I will tell you that you are lying.
Dear NBA, this is Ben Woodside. Get used to him, he's no joke.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
> 2009 NBA Mock Draft
Take it for what it is...it's an odd collective of players this year and pretty much a crap shoot in guessing, even with just two days until draft time.
1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin / Oklahoma
Griffin is pretty much the only guarantee at this point simply because of his basketball maturity and potential. He is a scorer who can come in and help the team while not clashing with stars like Baron Davis. Potential wise, he has the most long term of anyone in this draft, but the Clippers need to know he won't be a quick fix for their ailing franchise unless they add more around him this offseason.
2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet / UConn
Memphis is in a unique spot where they need something, they just don't seem to know what. They already have a strong foundation of highly skilled young players with the likes of Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. So without needing to take a player like either of those two, they can gamble a little on Thabeet who still needs some tweaking, but isn't the prototypical "project player." And, it doesn't hurt that he is a 7-footer that can move around better than most at his height.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden / Arizona State
While it's hard to pass on Ricky Rubio here, I just don't see a need for him in the OKC with Russell Westbrook leading things at the point. So with so many other voids to fill, they need to go for the best pure athlete here and that's Harden.
4. Sacramento Kings - Ricky Rubio / Spain
If I were making a draft pick, Rubio would be my guy. He has strong ball handling skills and unparalelled international experience for someone of his age. He has the most imediate upside in my opinion of any of the top picks. The Kings luck out here that Oklahoma City already has a young point guard and Rubio drops to four.
5. Washington Wizards - Tyreke Evans / Memphis
Smart money says that Evans goes here, even if the proposed trade to the Timberwolves goes through. He's another athletic player who has the intangibles and can score, which both teams need. He accents Gilbert Arenas well if Washington does stay here and he replaces Randy Foye in the scoring capacity if the T-Wolves ship Foye to Washington in part for this pick.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jordan Hill / Arizona
Minnesota needs a lot of things, most notably another big to help Kevin Love down low. Hill is not going to be a prime time scorer in the NBA, but he can rebound well and be a shot blocker. It makes sense to take Hill here and free up the later first (2) and second (2) round picks. However, if they don't pull the trigger to get the 5th pick, they might want to take someone more athletic here instead of drafting for size.
7. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Jennings / Italy
It has been years since the Warriors have drafted an effective player, which is what Jennings would be as he fits in well with the up tempo style that made the Warriors one of the league's best offensive teams a year ago.
8. New York Knicks - Jrue Holiday / UCLA
The Knicks need a strong combo guard. Stephen Curry is the 'duh' pick here. The Knicks have a habit of dissapointing their fans with the draft held in New York yearly. All that said, I expect them to make another bad move, pass on Curry and allow the Big Apple faithful to boo the UCLA freshman right off the stage.
9. Toronto Raptors - Stephen Curry / Davidson
Toronto needs another super freak athlete in the mold of former players Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Unfortunatly, if the Knicks get stupid like usual, it is too hard to pass up Curry who would really be a steal at nine.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Demar DeRozan / USC
With the trade of Richard Jefferson for three guys who won't do much, the Bucks really need a score now guy and fast rising projected points Jonny Flynn and Ty Lawson won't be that guy. The fluctuating DeRozan is the best bet of someone who can help earlish and oftenish.
11. New Jersey Nets - Terrence Williams / Louisville
New Jersey is the most solid of the lottery teams and Williams fills their only real void at the 2-guard.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Henderson / Duke
Charlotte has been a team not so much of habit in the past, outside of the no brainer Emeka Okafor pick in their first draft. That said, it is hard to predict what the hell Michael Jordan may do here. Best bet is they stay inside and get a state of North Carolina guy who also fills a need at the shooting guard area.
13. Indiana Pacers - DeJaun Blair / Pittsburgh
With the aging Jeff Foster and the ill-used Josh McRoberts and Maceo Baston likely out of the post and out the door to free agency, the Pacers need to go big. DeJuan Blair doesn't fit the mold of any of those three, but maybe that is what is needed for this team that still needs to clean up the rough edges from last offseason's overhaul.
14. Phoenix Suns - BJ Mullens / Ohio State
I personally don't see the draw of Mullens, who I can't even call a disspointment at Ohio State. But many others do. With Shaq aging and potentially out the door this summer, Phoenix needs another big behind Amare Stoudemire. With Blair out of the equation, Mullens is the next highest post on most people's radar.
15. Detroit Pistons - Jonny Flynn / Syracuse
Flynns is climbing most Mock Drafts, but a good deal of teams don't need a point and that is hurting both he and Ty Lawson. But with his freak vertical and more than average wingspan, Flynn has the potential to be a very different kind of hybrid combo guard in the NBA. That potential is too much for Detroit to pass on with Rodney Stuckey at the point and a seemingly unhappy duo of Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince on the wings.
16. Chicago Bulls - Earl Clark / Louisville
Welcome to the crap shoot part of the draft where nobody has any idea who really is going to go where. The Bulls don't need anything other than depth, so they can afford to take a risk here on a guy that isn't as reliable won't be a prime time player until he puts in some work.
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor / VCU
Does Andre Miller stay? Does it matter? In NBA terms, he's aging a bit so Philly needs to take someone who can run the point in a couple of years if not right away. With the holes at the 2 spot, they also need a point who can score. Maynor is mature and reliable.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Johnson / Wake Forest
He's a top 10 pick in some Mock Drafts and Minnesota should have already addressed their post issues in the lottery, so take a chance on Johnson here; he's athletic, young and can be molded.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Ty Lawson / UNC
Hawks need depth at point behind Mike Bibby (should he return) and most other teams don't really need a true point, so the Hawks could luck out here if Lawson really does slip.
20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Teague / Wake Forest.
Almost every Mock Draft has Tyler Hansbrough here, but I am not sold that he will be worth even a pick this high. Utah does not draft well, which is sad because they could lose tons in free agency. The smart pick is a "just in case" post (not Hansbrough), but I don't see Utah making the smartest pick, still Teague will not be a bad decision.
21. New Orleans Hornets - Austin Daye / Gonzaga
New Orleans also needs a "just in case" post pending their offseason moves and the big men are getting pretty thin here.
22. Dallas Mavericks - Darren Collison / UCLA
Even if Jason Kidd comes back, Dallas needs someone who will be their next floor general with Kidd and Jason Terry at their ages.
23. Sacramento Kings - Omri Casspi / Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Kings can play around here a little if they do indeed land Rubio at #4, so trading this pick to try and bring in a couple reliable guys wouldn't be a bad idea. Granted, this is a team that hasn't made a good pick since Hedo Turkoglu in 2000, so who knows what they might do.
24. Portland Trail Blazers - Sam Young / Pittsburgh
Portland has never shyed away from the International player, but I think they will stay more conventional here. And no, conventional doesn't mean smart.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Demarre Carroll / Missouri
OKC is still a year away from really knowing what they need. Until then, they need to keep playing around with different options and Carroll is the best player available at this point.
26. Chicago Bulls - Tyler Hansbrough / UNC
Chicago has a decent set of guys in the post already and could benefit from Hansbrough's game while not needing him to provide too much too quickly.
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Patrick Mills / Saint Mary's
Going big early if they take Thabeet means going small late, which has to mean Patrick Mills if he is still available. Combo'ing him with Conley and Gay could prove highly effective.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - DaJuan Summers / Georgetown
It is the final person in the Kevin Garnett 7-for-1 deal and it's probably one of the most relevant. Minnesota has three to four first round picks so can have both an aggressive and wait and see attitude. This is the best spot for them because they have who they want, now they can get someone else who just slipped because of other picks.
29. Los Angeles Lakers - Rodrigue Beaubois / Cholet (International)
What do you need when you've just won a NBA title and three of your four free agents are likely staying put? Best guess is another point who can add depth with Jordan Farmar's oft-odd play and Derek Fisher not getting younger.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Toney Douglas / Florida State
Cleveland has this pick so that they can either: (1) add an athletic player who plays defense to their mix on the wing or (2) throw it away. Douglas could fit either mold.
Just outside the first round/potential late first round picks (in order): Chase Budinger (Arizona), Wayne Ellington (UNC), Nick Calathes (Florida), Marcus Thornton (LSU), Victor Claver (International), Taj Gibson (USC)
1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin / Oklahoma
Griffin is pretty much the only guarantee at this point simply because of his basketball maturity and potential. He is a scorer who can come in and help the team while not clashing with stars like Baron Davis. Potential wise, he has the most long term of anyone in this draft, but the Clippers need to know he won't be a quick fix for their ailing franchise unless they add more around him this offseason.
2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet / UConn
Memphis is in a unique spot where they need something, they just don't seem to know what. They already have a strong foundation of highly skilled young players with the likes of Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. So without needing to take a player like either of those two, they can gamble a little on Thabeet who still needs some tweaking, but isn't the prototypical "project player." And, it doesn't hurt that he is a 7-footer that can move around better than most at his height.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden / Arizona State
While it's hard to pass on Ricky Rubio here, I just don't see a need for him in the OKC with Russell Westbrook leading things at the point. So with so many other voids to fill, they need to go for the best pure athlete here and that's Harden.
4. Sacramento Kings - Ricky Rubio / Spain
If I were making a draft pick, Rubio would be my guy. He has strong ball handling skills and unparalelled international experience for someone of his age. He has the most imediate upside in my opinion of any of the top picks. The Kings luck out here that Oklahoma City already has a young point guard and Rubio drops to four.
5. Washington Wizards - Tyreke Evans / Memphis
Smart money says that Evans goes here, even if the proposed trade to the Timberwolves goes through. He's another athletic player who has the intangibles and can score, which both teams need. He accents Gilbert Arenas well if Washington does stay here and he replaces Randy Foye in the scoring capacity if the T-Wolves ship Foye to Washington in part for this pick.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jordan Hill / Arizona
Minnesota needs a lot of things, most notably another big to help Kevin Love down low. Hill is not going to be a prime time scorer in the NBA, but he can rebound well and be a shot blocker. It makes sense to take Hill here and free up the later first (2) and second (2) round picks. However, if they don't pull the trigger to get the 5th pick, they might want to take someone more athletic here instead of drafting for size.
7. Golden State Warriors - Brandon Jennings / Italy
It has been years since the Warriors have drafted an effective player, which is what Jennings would be as he fits in well with the up tempo style that made the Warriors one of the league's best offensive teams a year ago.
8. New York Knicks - Jrue Holiday / UCLA
The Knicks need a strong combo guard. Stephen Curry is the 'duh' pick here. The Knicks have a habit of dissapointing their fans with the draft held in New York yearly. All that said, I expect them to make another bad move, pass on Curry and allow the Big Apple faithful to boo the UCLA freshman right off the stage.
9. Toronto Raptors - Stephen Curry / Davidson
Toronto needs another super freak athlete in the mold of former players Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Unfortunatly, if the Knicks get stupid like usual, it is too hard to pass up Curry who would really be a steal at nine.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Demar DeRozan / USC
With the trade of Richard Jefferson for three guys who won't do much, the Bucks really need a score now guy and fast rising projected points Jonny Flynn and Ty Lawson won't be that guy. The fluctuating DeRozan is the best bet of someone who can help earlish and oftenish.
11. New Jersey Nets - Terrence Williams / Louisville
New Jersey is the most solid of the lottery teams and Williams fills their only real void at the 2-guard.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Henderson / Duke
Charlotte has been a team not so much of habit in the past, outside of the no brainer Emeka Okafor pick in their first draft. That said, it is hard to predict what the hell Michael Jordan may do here. Best bet is they stay inside and get a state of North Carolina guy who also fills a need at the shooting guard area.
13. Indiana Pacers - DeJaun Blair / Pittsburgh
With the aging Jeff Foster and the ill-used Josh McRoberts and Maceo Baston likely out of the post and out the door to free agency, the Pacers need to go big. DeJuan Blair doesn't fit the mold of any of those three, but maybe that is what is needed for this team that still needs to clean up the rough edges from last offseason's overhaul.
14. Phoenix Suns - BJ Mullens / Ohio State
I personally don't see the draw of Mullens, who I can't even call a disspointment at Ohio State. But many others do. With Shaq aging and potentially out the door this summer, Phoenix needs another big behind Amare Stoudemire. With Blair out of the equation, Mullens is the next highest post on most people's radar.
15. Detroit Pistons - Jonny Flynn / Syracuse
Flynns is climbing most Mock Drafts, but a good deal of teams don't need a point and that is hurting both he and Ty Lawson. But with his freak vertical and more than average wingspan, Flynn has the potential to be a very different kind of hybrid combo guard in the NBA. That potential is too much for Detroit to pass on with Rodney Stuckey at the point and a seemingly unhappy duo of Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince on the wings.
16. Chicago Bulls - Earl Clark / Louisville
Welcome to the crap shoot part of the draft where nobody has any idea who really is going to go where. The Bulls don't need anything other than depth, so they can afford to take a risk here on a guy that isn't as reliable won't be a prime time player until he puts in some work.
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor / VCU
Does Andre Miller stay? Does it matter? In NBA terms, he's aging a bit so Philly needs to take someone who can run the point in a couple of years if not right away. With the holes at the 2 spot, they also need a point who can score. Maynor is mature and reliable.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Johnson / Wake Forest
He's a top 10 pick in some Mock Drafts and Minnesota should have already addressed their post issues in the lottery, so take a chance on Johnson here; he's athletic, young and can be molded.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Ty Lawson / UNC
Hawks need depth at point behind Mike Bibby (should he return) and most other teams don't really need a true point, so the Hawks could luck out here if Lawson really does slip.
20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Teague / Wake Forest.
Almost every Mock Draft has Tyler Hansbrough here, but I am not sold that he will be worth even a pick this high. Utah does not draft well, which is sad because they could lose tons in free agency. The smart pick is a "just in case" post (not Hansbrough), but I don't see Utah making the smartest pick, still Teague will not be a bad decision.
21. New Orleans Hornets - Austin Daye / Gonzaga
New Orleans also needs a "just in case" post pending their offseason moves and the big men are getting pretty thin here.
22. Dallas Mavericks - Darren Collison / UCLA
Even if Jason Kidd comes back, Dallas needs someone who will be their next floor general with Kidd and Jason Terry at their ages.
23. Sacramento Kings - Omri Casspi / Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Kings can play around here a little if they do indeed land Rubio at #4, so trading this pick to try and bring in a couple reliable guys wouldn't be a bad idea. Granted, this is a team that hasn't made a good pick since Hedo Turkoglu in 2000, so who knows what they might do.
24. Portland Trail Blazers - Sam Young / Pittsburgh
Portland has never shyed away from the International player, but I think they will stay more conventional here. And no, conventional doesn't mean smart.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Demarre Carroll / Missouri
OKC is still a year away from really knowing what they need. Until then, they need to keep playing around with different options and Carroll is the best player available at this point.
26. Chicago Bulls - Tyler Hansbrough / UNC
Chicago has a decent set of guys in the post already and could benefit from Hansbrough's game while not needing him to provide too much too quickly.
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Patrick Mills / Saint Mary's
Going big early if they take Thabeet means going small late, which has to mean Patrick Mills if he is still available. Combo'ing him with Conley and Gay could prove highly effective.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - DaJuan Summers / Georgetown
It is the final person in the Kevin Garnett 7-for-1 deal and it's probably one of the most relevant. Minnesota has three to four first round picks so can have both an aggressive and wait and see attitude. This is the best spot for them because they have who they want, now they can get someone else who just slipped because of other picks.
29. Los Angeles Lakers - Rodrigue Beaubois / Cholet (International)
What do you need when you've just won a NBA title and three of your four free agents are likely staying put? Best guess is another point who can add depth with Jordan Farmar's oft-odd play and Derek Fisher not getting younger.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Toney Douglas / Florida State
Cleveland has this pick so that they can either: (1) add an athletic player who plays defense to their mix on the wing or (2) throw it away. Douglas could fit either mold.
Just outside the first round/potential late first round picks (in order): Chase Budinger (Arizona), Wayne Ellington (UNC), Nick Calathes (Florida), Marcus Thornton (LSU), Victor Claver (International), Taj Gibson (USC)
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