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2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - June 25

North Carolina's John Henson is one of the most overrated players in this year's NBA Draft. Of course he is, he was a member of the Tar Heels college basketball team, meaning he's going to get more publicicty than other, often more deserving prospects. North Carolina guys receive a brighter spotlight than what they deserve.

Henson is a gawky, gangly fellow who just has trouble putting on and keeping weight. That will hurt him at the next level. Still he can defend, meaning Serge Ibaka is someone Henson can pattern his game after.

"You want to be in a competitive draft and this is what it is for power forwards. We're going to fight and jockey for position these next few weeks," Henson said at the NBA Combine. Yes, indeed, it is a stacked draft at the four.

Henson has worked out with the Hornets, Bucks, Kings, Suns, and Blazers.

"I think I improved every year, which is what you want to do. Maturing and getting more physical is something I needed to do. Probably put in a little more time than other guys in this process, but I'm ready to take it to the next level," Henson said about his time spent in Chapel Hill.

You get the feeling that Henson is a little bit like fellow Tar Heels big-man Tyler Hansbrough; neither left school early because they weren't good enough. No one wanted either forward after their first year. Contrast that with someone like Harrison Barnes, who could have easily left after his freshman season.

So where does Henson fit?

"It's very important because just from talking to everybody, there's a lot of trade talk. I feel like this draft is wide open for anyone. The right situation can be the difference between an okay career and a great career."

What about the big knock on Henson, his lack of size and strength?

"Basketball is about strength, but if you go out there, hold your own, and play well, they can't say much about it. I do say I'm stronger than I look, and I'm ready to prove that to people," he says about the critics.

Maybe he's a "project pick" who'll hit his stride later in his NBA career?

"I don't think people hit their full strength until they're 25, 26 years old, so I've got a while to go before that happens so I'm just going to keep improving and getting better."

2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Deron Williams Interested in Only Brooklyn or Dallas - June 25

Brooklyn Nets star Deron Williams has narrowed his list of suitors down to just two teams: his hometown Dallas Mavericks or staying put with the Nets. Multiple outlets are reporting this, citing sources.

There are a ton of teams interested in Williams, who is arguably the greatest point guard in the league, but he has made it clear, or at least his agent has, that he wants to either relive his glory days in Texas with The Colony high school or remain with Jay-Z's team.

Earlier it was rumored Jason Kidd, a player whom Williams was often compared to when he was drafted out of Illinois in 2005, wishes to sign with the same team as the ex-Illini star and back him up. Next month we'll know either way.

2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Damian Lillard to Be First Point Guard Drafted? - June 25

Because he played at obscure Weber State, you may not have heard of point guard Damian Lillard. But you will hear plenty about him come NBA Draft night; he just might be the first point guard taken, and looks to be a lock for the lottery. Mid-major guys are often overlooked, and Lillard is no exception; even though he has, and pretty much has always had, all the tools.

"I think a lot of people talk about me playing at a smaller school, at Weber State, and I think camps like this are a perfect opportunity to show that I can play to the level of everyone else in the draft," Lillard said at the NBA Draft Combine.

I think playing in our offense at Weber State, they needed me to score points; for us to be successful I had to score, but in the NBA, I'll be surrounded by NBA-level players and it'll be more likely for me to make plays for other guys and I won't have to be such a dominant offensive player; less responsibility; I definitely think I can be a point guard in this league," he continued.

Lillard has shot up the boards due to three factors: one, it's a very weak point guard class; two, Weber State had a great season; three, his age and experience which give him certain advantages over other prospects.

Here's where we have Lillard in our latest mock draft:

New Orleans Hornets: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-3, Jr.
New Orleans owns the Clippers' pick (via Minnesota/Sam Cassell trade) from the Chris Paul trade. Go here to see all of the outstanding 2012 NBA Draft Trades.

Since they added some size with their earlier pick, the Hornets should look to bolster their backcourt depth. Damian Lillard would be a future replacement for Jarrett Jack. If Lillard ends up going to the Blazers at No. 6, Kendall Marshall would be the next best option.

SunsFan 07-06-2012 02:18 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.183 (total posts: 1)

Why the MOTHERF U C KING LAKERS!!!!!NASH WHY!!!!

CJ 07-05-2012 07:11 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

Again Banks is clueless, claiming Eric Gordon has already re-signed with New Orleans.

Also the 'Clippers' weren't involved in the Marvin Williams/Devin Harris trade. Does this guy even proof read anything he writes?

Atrocious.

abe 07-05-2012 08:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.87 (total posts: 1)

walt eric gordon is signing with the suns not the hornets

Ben Wallace 07-04-2012 06:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.153 (total posts: 1)

To be totally honest, Henson and Zeller wouldn't be any better than Meyers Leonard. They are all going to bust.

C-3PO 07-04-2012 05:27 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.234 (total posts: 1)

Eric Gordon signed an offer sheet with the Suns dumb @ss, New Orleans has yet to match that offer, so he didn't resign like you said.

Geiger 07-03-2012 07:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.66 (total posts: 2)

The Nets are not out of the running for Dwight and are offering a package of Humphris, Lopez and Brooks with draft picks..Its sad to even hear the Nets entertain that idea, but it very well could happen.

A team to look out for is the Lakers..an offer of Bynum, Artest and the Odom exception for Howard and Turkaglus monster contract is a win-win for both teams.

Geiger 07-03-2012 07:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.66 (total posts: 2)

@CJ 07-03-2012 04:33 am xxx.xxx.xxx.104 (total posts: 1)

121

So basically you're asking Walt to fire one "clueless" dumbass for another? lol Whats the point?

Rise Above

CJ 06-30-2012 04:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

213

107

Paul Banks, yet again showing how clueless he is. Almost every other draft analyst has the Rockets' with a positive ranking. This clown does understand that the Rockets are likely to make trades, with all the assets they've compiled?

I agree that Meyers Leonard is probably going to be a bust, but you can't call Portland a 'loser' for stealing the 6th pick from the Nets.

How about a 'loser' ranking for the Cavs for reaching so much for Dion Waiters? Or trading all their other picks for another likely bust in Tyler Zeller? But Banks has a 'man crush' (not that there's anything wrong with that) on Waiters, so he'd never mark the Cavs down.

Fire this guy Walt, I'll work for free!

Ben 06-25-2012 09:00 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.254 (total posts: 1)

So....Henson is overrated because he has trouble keeping and putting on weight and strength. And you stated that size and strength is everything in the nba for a big. But....isn't Davis just as if not more lanky and undersized than Henson....? And Henson is only one year older and both have similar wingspans? Just a thought..

@Live 06-22-2012 10:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.15 (total posts: 1)

You are an idiot, you apparently don't know how basketball trades work, its all about salary dumping. IN the NBA you are either rebuilding, championship contender, or youar e going to stay consistently medicore. They were never going ot win a championship with Okafor and Ariza taking up that much money on their books.

Live 06-22-2012 04:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.80 (total posts: 1)

Washington - B
Hornets - Big fat F

Sure the Hornets is going to waive Lewis and relieve cap space to sign Gordon to a longer deal and draft Anthony Davis but so what! They let go a great defensive guy that can hit 3s here and there. They got NOTHING in return for Ariza and Okafor but a 2nd rounder. I didn't like what the Hornets got in return and it was a bad deal IMO.

Vince 06-19-2012 04:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.99 (total posts: 1)

It was a play on words, not a pun. More importantly, know who else couldn't bench press 185 pounds at the NBA Combine? This one player called Kevin Durant.

Ben 04-15-2012 09:06 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.65 (total posts: 1)

I like how only one of these players actually got traded

Omar 03-23-2012 04:20 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.60 (total posts: 1)

its a good thing i was wearing sartight white with built in neon when i went to the Super bowl. they almost didnt let me on the field:) and on a side note.. i feel bad for Slash:/

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Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20

NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

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