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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.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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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.

Captain Obvious 06-24-2011 10:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.25 (total posts: 1)

You said:
"After Thursday evening, it will mark three years in a row that a point guard went first overall..."
WTF happened to Blake Griffin??? LOL.

waltair 06-21-2011 09:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3)

waltare you need a cheif editor this is bad

Walter 06-21-2011 01:43 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Thanks, Fitz. Fixed.

Austin 06-19-2011 01:18 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.49 (total posts: 1)

If Leonard can prove he is capable of knocking down shots, the raptors might reach for him at five, he can provide the rebounding that their bigs, not pointing fingers but a seven foot i-tie, don't. It's a reach for sure, but it might be a good fit. He will also improve their abominable defense.

Fitz 06-18-2011 01:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Well the Tristan Thompson article is good.

The Hamilton Article has one mistake.In the 1st paragraph it says, "there are concerns about him about him being dialed in..." You put "about him" twice.

Walter 06-17-2011 01:52 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Haha thanks for that. I definitely won't hate you for it. It's hard to proofread at 2 am.

Fitz 06-16-2011 03:46 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Yea i understand. Gotta make that paper ha.

Btw, in the last paragraph of the Singleton article it needs to say, "never will BE a star". Right now its says, "never will a star".

I decided I'm gonna keep gonna keep correcting your articles until you start hating me

Walter 06-14-2011 01:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Haha definitely not my morals. It's what the advertisers and Google want, and since this is my main source of income, I have to do as they say.

Fitz 06-13-2011 02:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Yea I figured it was probably just bad grammar on Liggins' part but I figured I would correct it just in case.

You cant say anything with a** in it or sh*t and a few others such as d*ck and so on and so forth. I understand if you have to do it because of advertisers and things like that, but I hope it's not because of your morals haha

Walter 06-13-2011 01:42 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Thanks, Fitz. I made some of the corrections.

Two of them were wrong though because that's how the quote was said. You should never fix the grammar in the quote if that's how the player said it.

What specific filter are you talking about?

Fitz 06-11-2011 11:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

*Hands instead of hand.

Haha i f'ed up while correcting your f ups. And you need to get rid of the bad language filter on here imo. It's annoying

Fitz 06-11-2011 11:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

Walt- Well the first sentence did say Every year i scratch at instead of scratch my head at, but i guess u just fixed that recently.

In the 3rd paragraph you say "the extremely talent bunch of recruits coming to Kentucky...". It should be TALENTED bunch

5th paragraph- "We had other guys who more highly recruited than me..." Should be "other guys who WERE more highly recruited than me"

7th paragraph- "but he never showed a consistency in attacking the basket." you need to take out the A.

8th paragraph- Hands instead of hands in " I didn't have the ball in my hand a lot"

I'm not trying to be a grammar nazi btw. Just trying to help out.

JimB 06-11-2011 09:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.14 (total posts: 1)

I believe he'll get drafted. His offense has improved year after year, he keeps improving his all around game and is reasonably athletic. I watched him play a lot at KY and his D is top notch. What team wouldn't want a wing player to come in off the bench and defend tirelessly and well, rebound, scrap for loose balls, and score if left open. He's the perfect player for that role, and a team first player as well. 2nd round to the Knicks or Celtics....

Walter 06-11-2011 01:15 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Where are the errors?

Fitz 06-10-2011 03:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

Walt, did you really edit this? Because there are still a ton of errors. If you ever want someone to proofread your stuff I'll be more than happy to. It's part of my job so I know what I'm doing. And trust me, you need it ha.

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2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21

Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20

NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

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