Kemba Walker - NBA Draft Recap Part 2

Michael Jordan selected Kemba Walker in the 2011 NBA Draft which should be competitive when training camp starts. What Walker did was put his UCONN Huskies on his back from the start of the season and led them to the NCAA Title. That winning attitude and leadership has a Jordan player written all over it. With DJ Augustine currently the starting point guard, the Final Four Most Valuable Player will contend for the starting PG spot.

Kemba Walker is a typical New York City point guard that possesses blazing speed that also comes with a lighting crossover and outstanding court vision. Like his NYC predecessors (Mark Jackson, Stephon Marbury, Rod Strickland, Kenny Anderson) Walker needs to work on his jump-shot. Scoring in college was easy but if he's not consistently hitting the uncontested jumper, he'll find his way to the bench.

Overall in the right system, Kemba will survive the NBA game with his heart to take the big shot (ask PITT Center) and does not lack leadership skills.

2010-2011 Basketball Season Recap

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks, and Connecticut Huskies for becoming newly minted champions. Enjoy the summer and good luck defending your titles next season. Now that college and pro basketball has concluded, AAU and shoe camps are heating up but let's review ten things what basketball has taught me these past few months.

1. Blake Griffin - Karl Malone is training has the makings of becoming the next great power forward of all time. Once The Blake Show realizes the game of basketball is more than just dunking over people and develops a mid-range shot and becomes a decent free-throw shooter, he'll surpass Tim Duncan as the greatest power forward of all time. His ball-handling ability is already above average. 
2. Derrick Rose - Youngest MVP in NBA History. Straight from Chicago I've always said this hometown point guard will not only be the best lead guard for years to come but he'll also become the face of the league with the likes of LeBron, DWade, Kobe, Durant. So far he's right on track. 
3. Chicago Bulls - Speaking of Derrick Rose and his team, not one critic, scout, fan (including me) thought the Bulls will finish with the best record in basketball this season. Next season teams will pay more attention to this defensive minded team lead by the reigning MVP Derrick Rose. 
4. Miami Heat - Cavs owner Dal Gilbert tweeted after the Mavs victory there are no shortcuts. Not shocked they did not defeat the Mavs as my notion about them being only a 3 player team got exposed. Pat Riley's crew need a completely roster to compliment Wade, Bosh, and James. 
5. LA Lakers - After 3 straight NBA Finals appearances, the defending Champs thought they would waltz to the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant's team did not have the same drive in them this season which is why they're no longer champions. 
6. Forming a "Big 3" - Miami, New York, and Boston all have three major superstars on their roster but the Celtics were the only ones victorious. Boston's Big 3 worked because they had the supporting cast to go along with their Big 3. Let's hope Miami follows Boston's example. 
7. Kemba Walker - NYPG!!!! The return of the New York City point guard dominating college basketball is exactly what this now former Huskie did all the way to Houston. His dominant play also elevated his draft status for the 2011 NBA Draft. 
8. Mid majors vs. Big 6 - The Final 4 had 2 mid-majors with Butler in the title game for the second straight season. The mid majors are not catching up what's happening is mid-major players are staying 4 years while the UCONN, Kentucky get the one & done players. Do you build for the future or like Calapari recruit only for that season with the best freshmen then start over again?
9. 2011 NBA Draft - This will go down as the weakest draft class in years due to the pending lockout next season. As a result the 2012 Draft will go down as one of the deepest drafts in history.
10. Dallas Mavericks - The addition of Tyson Chandler was truly the difference which is why they're world champions. Also Dirk & Terry never forgot what took place in 2006. JJ will get a huge paycheck from Cuban. 

March Madness - New York Guards STAND UP!!!!!!!!

With the Sweet 16 taking place this weekend three New York City Point Guards have truly played like stars and will complete in the Elite 8 tomorrow. Kemba Walker, Irving Walker, and Lamont Jones made Manhattan, Harlem, and Bronx proud as well as their universities.

Arizona will face Connecticut tomorrow as these former Rice HS guards will battle for the rights to play in the Final 4 in Houston.  Kemba Walker has been the best player in college basketball this season. Irving Walker has been the best lead guard in the SEC while Lamont Jones is the second best point guard in the Pac-10 (Thomas has the honor being the best).

Tomorrow I will look forward to watching these ankle breaking, dime passing, high basketball IQ, big shot making guards from the Big Apple. Let's hope no opposing center suffers the same fate as the center from Pittsburgh. 

What Basketball has taught me so far....

With the big Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers game headed this Christmas at the Staples Center, we would have completed two months worth of NBA ball and with college basketball just about wrapping up non-conference play, here's what I've learned..

• Kemba Walker is the best player in college basketball and a future lottery pick. The UCONN Huskies are the surprise of the Big East. With a fast start, they're not ranked in the top 5. It starts and ends with the Bronx PG.

• Kyle Irving should stay in school because a 3 guard lineup with Austin Rivers-Kyle Irving-Seth Curry is flat out scary.

• Illinois is my Final 4 sleeper but a bad loss to Illinois-Chicago then again to Missouri now  make me wonder going into conference play are they the best Big 10 team in the state.
• Speaking of Illinois teams in the Big 10, this is finally the year Northwestern does play in the big dance. 

• Unless the Miami Heat land a point guard via trade, they will not represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. 

• Don't count out the former champions Spurs & Celtics. Both teams have a lot of miles on them but they're both off to a great start. Let's hope their health holds up come playoff time. 

• The Dallas Mavericks are making a strong case that they're not only the best team in Texas, Western Conference, but in the NBA. Other than Tyson Chandler, no other Maverick is committed to defense.

• Dirk, Amare Stoudamire are the biggest impacts on they're team and have a strong case for MVP but the trophy belongs to Derrick Rose. 

• The new NBA rules are terrible and the Lakers are still the best team in the NBA...they're just bored until the playoffs. 

The Return of the NYC Point Guard

One of the things I've enjoyed watching in college basketball is a great point guard. The New York City point guard have always been exciting because they excellent ball handling, outstanding court vision, stellar at getting steals in the passing lane, but unfortunately most NYC lead guard lack a decent jump shot. 

Over the years I've enjoyed watching Ed Cota, Shaeen Holloway, Stephon Marbury, Andre Barrett, Taliek Brown, Omar Cook, God Shammgod, Rod Strickland, Mark Jackson, Kenny Smith. Rafer Alson, and my personal favorite Kenny Anderson. 

The excitement is back this year in college basketball as the Bronx native Kemba Walker has truly transformed his game. The biggest change in Walker's game is his ability to now hit the open jump shot as well as honing his already impressive ball-handling skills. Last week, Walker scored over 30 points in four straight games and has truly become a leader of the Huskies. At this rate I should expect Kemba to reach 1st team all-american and then depart to the NBA come June. He's not only the best lead guard in the nation but has proven to be the best guard this season. He will highlight SportsCenter every Huskie game and will probably finish this season with a 20 PPG average. 

Corey Fisher is also a typical NY PG but like his forefather, Fisher lacks a true jumper for the pro level but should have a great career overseas once his collegiate careers ends in March. 

Once their collegiate career ends, we'll have to wait until Jerron Love arrives on campus.