So I guess I might as well start it off with a boom, and that boom is Kobe Bryant and his Lakers. As far as this season is concerned, everybody knows that their starting five is really really sick. Having Bynum and Gasol down low is a matchup nightmare whenever they are on the court together. Derek Fisher has certainly lost a step but can still knock down shots, play defense and has the experience to make the right decision when it matters. Ron Artest is playing poorly offensively but he still has the ability to lock down anyone in the league excluding the Akron Hammer. Then you've got Kobe Bryant. The Dude just knows when to shoot, knows when to pass and still plays great defense (oh yeah, probably the best closer the NBA's had since MJ).
But this is where the Lakers struggle, they are not very deep. Lamar Odom is extremely versatile and still a very good player to have come off the bench BUT inconsistent. Shannon Brown has become a nice compliment to the team and Farmar can step on the court and knock down threes as well. You've also got J. Powell, L. Walton and that huge dude whose name i can't pronouce so this puts the lakers at about 7 and a half guys deep, give or take an adam morrison sighting once in a while.
This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the shoulders of Kobe Bryant. Kobe certainly has the capability to take over a game but the West is looking extremely difficult. IF the Lakers survive the hungry and driven OKC Thunder the odds of them repeating are slim. The chemistry isn't there, Kobe is not playing well/hurt/getting old and they're simply not deep enough.
On a more local note....The Detroit Lions just made their second draft under the regime of Head Coach Jim Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew....I'd like to go through pick by pick and evaluate each player..HOW FUN!!!!
Round 1 (Pick #2) Ndamakong Suh {A}
-Physically as impressive of a DT as I can remember. Moved offensive lineman at his will in a very competitive conference.
-Seems smart, like really smart and very coachable. Guys in bruising positions like that can tend to be pretty stupid and refuse to change their playing style.
-First thing he said as a Lion was how excited he was to play for the great Detroit fans..awesome.
-Little concerned about his ability to push around O lineman in the pros like Hutchinson, Olin Kreutz etc.
Round 1 (Pick #30) Jahvid Best {B+}
-I really like his speed (4.35) and his game-breaking ability. All he did in college was make the highlight reel every saturday.
-It was certainly a gamble for the Lions to move up and take him. The failure or success of that gamble will not be seen for at least a couple of seasons. If he can go 700 yards and 7 TD's for each of the next two seasons (while likely splitting time) i'll call it a worthwhile draft day move for the lions
-I'm not so concerned about the injury/concussion issues stemming from his horrific flop into the endzone midway through the season as it seemed to be a fluky situation. I am concerned about durability as he is 5'11" 195-200 Lbs.
Round 3 (Pick #66) Amari Spievey {B}
-I didn't hear a whole lot about this guy over the last couple of seasons but from what i've seen, I definitely like.
-6'1" 190 is great size for a corner and ran a 4.47 at the combine. (Personally think the 40 time is so overrated but for some positions it makes sense)
-Most important stat I have is this year's Orange Bowl featured Georgia Tech and Spievey's Hawkeyes. Spievey was matched up with Ga Tech stud WR Demaryius Thomas(drafted 22nd overall to the broncos) for the whole game. Thomas had 0 catches for 0 yards. Booyah.
Round 4 (Pick #128) Jason Fox {B+}
-It seems like the Lions got a steal here, dude's 6'7" 315 and started a bunch of games for the hurricanes before opting for the NFL after his senior season.
-He'll be competing for a starting spot this season as the lions are losing faith in Matt Millen's last gift to them, Gosder Cherilus.
-He would have been more highly-touted if he hadnt' opted for knee surgery towards the end of this season. It was to repair a non-structural issue and he played on it for most of his time @ Miami. (he was one start short of the all time record for starts by a Hurricane(47))
Round 7 (Pick #213) Willie Young {C+}
-A value pick, if that's possible in the seventh round.
-Undersized and doesn't have overly impressive physical tools.
-Touted as a hard worker.
-Can you say Cliff Avril?
Mr. Irrelevant---->>>Tim Toone {D}
-I looked at some highlights, not very impressive.
-Has good hands but lacks big play ability.
-I REALLLY wanted them to draft Brett Swenson, dude's sick and Jason Hanson will not be here forever.
Overall Draft Grade {A-}
-Suh solidifies defense and Best adds another weapon for Matt who is going to need as many targets as possible.
-Spievey seems to be a guy that can step right into the nickel spot and start making some plays.
-Fox has some potential and is tough as nails.
HATERADE ALERT! HATERADE ALERT!
I hate Mel Kiper Jr.. This guy has the easiest job in the history of having a job. Billy Bob that flips burgers down at McDonald's has a hell of a complicated job compared to MEL.
This guy gets to pick whomever the hell he wants, doesn't get held accountable for how TERRIBLE his picks are, then returns the following year as 'the expert' on the NFL draft.
This is the guy that thought Andre Ware was a sure thing franchise QB in the NFL in 1990
GOOD ONE MEL
This is the guy who had Mike Williams as his NUMBER ONE OVERALL PROSPECT in 2005
GOOD ONE MEL
This is the guy who thought Ryan Leaf's 'attitude' would be an asset in the NFL in 1998
GOOD ONE MEL
THIS is the guy who predicted the New England Patriots to go 0-16 in 2001
(NE of course won the super bowl that year)
GOOOOOOOOOD ONE MEL
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