The Four-Year Guys

Over the years, the game of college basketball has changed. It is now being dominated by young freshman and super sophomores, who plan to get paid after their first and second years of college. Its rare to find a kid that stays four years with NBA hopes. Well, these kids have more value to their college teams then some may think. If there is one thing you cannot teach, it is experience. You cannot replace experience, especially come tournament time. Here are my five guys who are going to be essential to their teams come post-season:

1. Sherron Collins-Kansas

2. Damion James-Texas

3. Da'Sean Butler-West VA

4. Stanley Robinson-UConn, if they are able to make the tournament

5. Trevor Booker-Clemson

Fredette, NBA material?

If you are a true college basketball fan, you should know the name Jimmer Fredette. If not, he is the leading scorer for the 12th ranked BYU Cougars. Fredette is a 6'2 junior and a Glens Falls, New York native. He was not highly recruited out of high school, but was undoubtedly a D1 prospect. He is now one of the most talked about players in college basketball. So far this season, Fredette averages 21.5 points and 4.9 assists per game while shooting almost 50% from the field. He has scored over 30 points four times this season, and also put up 49 points vs. Arizona. Now the popular question surrounding Fredette is if he is NBA material. Imagine Pete Maravich with range like JJ Redick, both in college. The kid can flat out play, there is noway around it. He is not like the typical white boy shooter who emerges from college, Fredette is more than that. He gets buckets, not just off shooting. I believe he is skilled enough to find a place somewhere, although his impact remains to be seen, I would give the kid a chance. Regardless, everyone should know about Jimmer Fredette..

Kobe #1 in Hollywood?

On Monday night, Kobe Bryant became the all-time leading scorer for the Lakers franchise. Does this officially make him the best Laker ever? The debate is on because LA has some of the best players to ever play the game. Kobe is the number one scorer and has four NBA championships, been there six times. Wilt Chamberlin may be the best big man to ever play the game, but only played five seasons with the Lakers. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar could also be considered, but he also did a lot of his damage in Milwaukee. If there is two people who can contest the Black Mamba for Laker supremacy, it has to be Jerry West and Magic Johnson. Both came into the league as Lakers, and left as Lakers. As will Kobe, most likely. Magic doesn't have the flashy scoring stats like West and Bryant, but he was the face of the franchise in the 80s and led the Showtime Lakers to five NBA championships. Then there is Mr. Clutch, who many people look over. Yes it was West, who was the leading scorer in Laker history before Kobe broke the record last night. West also led the Lakers to nine finals in his time. And do not think I forgot about Shaq, he will probably always be remembered as a Laker, but he bounced around so much in his career, he is a tough consider. Let me know what you think.

Coming Soon..

Remember that old Larry Bird and Michael Jordan McDonald's commercial. Well that was 1993, McDonald's remade the commercial and picked Dwight Howard and Lebron James. Here is a sneak preview of the commercial. There is more to come..

Nu Jeru - Kyrie Erving

I did a post a long time ago about the sensational point guard Kyrie Erving from New Jersey. Erving has committed to play at Duke next season, where he should b given the reigns to the Blue Devil offense. Now there is one similarity Erving holds with the other great point guards in Duke history. Duke has three National championships in the history of their program, all led by New Jersey point guards. Bobby Hurley in the early 90s and Jay Williams earlier this decade. Now its Erving's turn. He is a big impact player for the Duke program, and hopefully has the skills to lead Duke back to the promised land. We will just have to wait and see.

Video of the Day: Kobe Bryant

Back at it again..

All-Star Reserves Leaked

Now I am not sure of the exact date the NBA was to release the remaining All-Stars, but it was leaked by Yahoo. According to them, here are the reserves:

East
Rajon Rondo (Celtics)
Derrick Rose (Bulls)
Paul Pierce (Celtics
Chris Bosh (Raptors)
Gerald Wallace (Bobcats)
Joe Johnson (Hawks)
Al Horford (Hawks)

West
Deron Williams (Jazz)
Chris Paul (Hornets)
Pau Gasol (Lakers)
Kevin Durant (Thunder)
Dirk Nowitzki (Mavs)
Zach Randolph (Grizzlies)
Brandon Roy (Blazers)


Now where is David Lee? Al Horford really? I am going to have to strongly disagree, I understand the Hawks have a better record and may deserve two All-Stars, but how many times is the league going to snub David Lee. In my blog a week ago, I had all the East reserves correct except for David Lee. And it is also upsetting because a player like Lee deserves to be an All-Star over Allen Iverson. The league has to do something about the voting system, it is getting ridiculous. Now for the West, congratulations to Zach Randolph, well deserved. Honestly, I thought Randolph was going to receive the David Lee treatment. Also I do think Tyreke Evans has All-Star numbers, I am not sure if he deserved it over any of the West guys. Shout out to Tracy McGrady for sitting this one out!!

Who's #1?

It seems the #1 ranking in college is cursed, teams no longer want to hold that title because soon will come defeat. Kentucky, the second #1 in a row to lose, will now just enjoy their ranking until next Monday when the polls will have to be reordered again this season. Now the logical #1 team next week is probably Kansas, but I am going to argue that. Yes, Kansas has only one loss and to a highly ranked team at that, but my #1 team for next week should be the Syracuse Orange. From bottom to top, the Big East is undoubtedly the best conference in the country. Syracuse is 6-0 vs. ranked opponents this season, and has only slipped up against Jamie Dixon's Pittsburgh squad. The Orangemen's zone is better than ever, and they have been dominating the Big East. I do like Kansas, and believe they too deserve a #1 ranking, but they had it already and lost it. Give Cuse the crown..

Rookie/Sophomore Challenge Rosters

Sophomores:
Michael Beasley-Heat
Marc Gasol-Grizzlies
Danilo Gallinari-Knicks
Eric Gordon-Clippers
Brook Lopez-Nets
Kevin Love-Timberwolves
OJ Mayo-Grizzlies
Derrick Rose-Bulls
Russell Westbrook-Thunder

Rookie:
DeJuan Blair-Spurs
Omri Casspi-Kings
Stephen Curry-Warriors
Tyreke Evans-Kings
Jonny Flynn-Timberwolves
Taj Gibson-Bulls
James Harden-Thunder
Brandon Jennings-Bucks
Jonas Jerebko-Pistons


There are some very interesting match-ups in this game. The two I hope they let happen are: Tyreke Evans vs. OJ Mayo and Brandon Jennings vs. Derrick Rose, four of the rising stars in the league today. The sophomore team seems to have a little more fire power than the rookies so I am going to give them the win, but look for rookies, Evans and Jennings, to try to break records in this game. I would not be surprised if Brandon Jennings broke the assist record in this game. And where is DeMar Derozan on the rookie roster? Don't miss out Friday night of All-Star weekend.

Video of the Day: Lebron James

If you didn't see it already...