April 28, 2006  ...I saw a GREAT NBA Playoff basketball game tonight at ARCO Arena as the Kings beat the Spurs at the buzzer. Kevin Martin made a crazy right handed lay-up over Tim Duncan as time expired—after Mike Bibby stole the ball from Manu Ginobili. The Kings really played defense well in the first quarter—and again when it mattered late. Ron Artest was not scared to have the ball late in the game—and he made a significant one-on one defensive play against a driving Ginobili that was a game saver. Bonzi Wells has a strong strong will—and he bogarted his way to many inside baskets. I rarely complain about the referees but I am no fan of Bennet Salvatore, or Ken Mauer. Salvatore was dead wrong on too many block/charge calls—and he missed Duncan’s moving screens, and Ginobili’s traveling one too many times for my taste. ...Mike Bibby has a professional toughness to him that is rare in a modern point guard.  

 

April 19, 2006 ...Even a vacation at Lake Tahoe could not keep me from basketball. Actually, it allowed more time for hoops watching. ...Tonight (Tuesday—the 18th) we took in the Kings final game of the regular season at ARCO Arena. Sacramento beat Seattle in an entertaining match up. It was Fan Appreciation Night—so the Maloofs gave away 150 I-Pods, and something like 40 plasma televisions. ...They gave one guy a thousand dollars cash. ...Kenny Thomas had a big game—even on the defensive side. He is moving his feet extremely well these days. Thomas finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds. When Ron Artest, Jason Hart, Thomas, and Kevin Martin are on the floor together—the Kings can play lock-up defense. ...Rick Adelman deserves high praise for the job of getting this Kings crew into the playoffs considering their lousy record in January.

 

April 5, 2006 ...I posted my second 2006 NBA Draft list here.

 

April 1, 2006 ...Stink-o-rama. The Final Four games today were ‘horrrrrrible’ as Bill Walton would say. Although I bet the red head is smiling since the Bruins are in the championship game vs. Florida. ...Gators’ Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Corey Brewer are all future NBA players in my eyes. ...UCLA has been controlling games with defense. ...What a difference a coach can make. It wasn’t that long ago that we picked on UCLA for their players inability to play as a team, and live up to their full potential. Ben Howland changed all that. ...Ryan Hollins, with his size and athletic ability, will be hard for some NBA GM to turn down. I think he has major holes in his game but his potential upside could be as big as any player in this upcoming weak draft. ...Standouts at the McDonald’s All-America Game included Gerald Henderson Jr. His dad was an NBA player. ...Greg Oden could impact college hoops in a major way. Headed for Ohio State—I would pencil the Buckeyes into the Big Ten Championship. ...All the McDonald’s All-Americans have to go to college next season because of the new NBA rule that says you have to be 19 years old or a year removed from high-school to be eligible for the NBA Draft. ...Chase Budinger, going to Arizona, also looks like a keeper. He played well in all aspects of the game. ...Speaking of the Draft—some players have announced they are applying early for 2006. Many have no shot in my opinion. Brandon Heath of San Diego State ranks 107th on my board yet he is coming out. He had more turnovers than assists in college and he will have to play the point guard spot at 6’3” in the NBA. ...Thomas Gardner of Missouri has zero chance. Will Blalock from Iowa State is 100th on my board. ...Jared Newson of Tennessee Martin is 97th on my list. ...Trey Johnson of Jackson State is 91st on my board. ...So far—Richard Roby of Colorado, and Curtis Stinson of Iowa State are the only underclassmen, that have announced they are coming out, that I think are possible first round picks. Guillermo Diaz seems like a second round pick at present. Marcus Slaughter may or may not be selected in my view.