Jul.24 at 11:55 am

Ken says:
This is waaaay early.

Jul.24 at 12:05 pm

Vanilla Thunder says:
Where’s ‘Reke? Or dude from Arizona St.?

Jul.24 at 12:10 pm

Tarzan Cooper says:
sherron collins

Jul.24 at 12:10 pm

hilde says:
James Harden, Arizona St.

Jul.24 at 12:15 pm

Jukai says:
Right, Harden’s going to Arizona. Really, why is Thabeet on this list? Two years in college and he’s averaged what, like 7 rebounds? He’s 7′3 and gets out-positioned by guys half a foot shorter. Just cause he looks like a taller Chris Bosh, don’t mean he’s gonna play like one. Jennings should have taken his spot.

Jul.24 at 12:17 pm

DP says:
The banner is ridiculous Jeff! I love it! I’m a draft fiend myself so I’m looking foward to your posts about the draft on slamonline. But really, BJ not no. 1? Brandon’s first year in italy averages: 23 ppg, 11ast, 5reb. F*cking monster. I’m not sold on Reke just yet to put him in the top ten. Let’s see how he takes over in Memphis first.

Jul.24 at 12:22 pm

Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
“Boomer Sooner” for Blake Griffin! OU Alum 06′

Jul.24 at 12:24 pm

French toast says:
I have a question that doesnt really fit in there but why Greg Oden didnt play during the summer league ? Not healthy yet ?

Jul.24 at 12:32 pm

Jukai says:
DP, if Brandon averages eleven assists in Europe, he’s the next magic johnson, hands down

Jul.24 at 12:41 pm

Ben Osborne says:
Nice banner.

Jul.24 at 12:41 pm

DP says:
Ju, you don’t think it’s possible? I just see so much potential with this kid that it’s endless. He has better handles than most of all point guards in the L. He is the next A.I. with better passing ability. Plus he scores like hell. I don’t know about the next magic johnson but in the next five years we will be saying who is the better point guard: CP3 or Do be doo. D-will might be in the convo too. maybe.

Jul.24 at 12:45 pm

Jeff Fox says:
Sorry - I messed up and have James Harden listed at USC - he really is the dude from Arizona State - will get it fixed.

Jul.24 at 1:04 pm

Justin says:
I think that Aminu kid from Wake Forest is going to have a great freshman year - and I hate Wake Forest. They are just a lot like Dook, at least as the students go. Nerdy, spoiled, and wack.

Jul.24 at 1:15 pm

mat smith says:
seen rubio play a few times, the kid is awesome and going to be a neo-point guard, im really exited, and hope th US dollar gets its ass in gear so all the top prospects go to the NBA, oh yeah is the NBA not classed as a domestic league cos of the raptors? cos its more south than seattle, oh yeah….

Jul.24 at 1:18 pm

Rob Wells Jr. says:
Where’s Psycho T Tyler Hansbrough. He’s the number one pick next year. He’s been the best player in college basketball for like two straight years. A great Rebounder, dominant post pplayer who can beat defendrs with his speed.Has good ballhandling skills for a PF. Has great strength and rattles the rim with ih tomahawk two-handed dunks. Did you see his 360 dunk during the 07-08 ncaa regular season? He’s a future NBA superstar and maybe athe potential to be an all time great. He could’ve came out earler with the talent he possesed. I nstead he’s about going into his senior year. Imagine if Carmelo stayed four years or Beasley. Hansbrough is a beast who with 4 years college ball has the experience and skill to be a no.1 pick in 09 and a superb NBA player. His dunks are monstrous adn enforcing. He’s ahighlight reel. Haven’t you seen him play?

Jul.24 at 1:22 pm

B. Long says:
Psycho T is twice the player Blake Griffin is right now. Just because he’s been in college for the last decade people think he’s not NBA ready. He’s been NBA ready since his freshman year. And with how all these guys are heading overseas now is it even a sure thing that Ricky will even WANT to play in the L next year?

Jul.24 at 1:24 pm

B. Long says:
Sorry Rob. We were writing at the same time.

Jul.24 at 1:25 pm

B. Long says:
Where is Curry?

Jul.24 at 1:26 pm

Rob Wells Jr. says:
Psycho can also shoot from the perimeter. His game winnig shot in the NCAA tournament and his last shots in the clutch against Louisville in the 08 tourney

Jul.24 at 1:26 pm

Rob Wells Jr. says:
no prob

Jul.24 at 1:27 pm

Gerard Himself says:
Ah a Rubio sighting! Thanks SLAM for introducing us with that kid! But damn, there will be kids drafted who are born in the nineties…. sometimes I feel like Mutombo, I’m old, but I will never leave.

Jul.24 at 1:27 pm

Rob Wells Jr. says:
B.Long i agree 110 percent. Psycho T is where its at

Jul.24 at 1:29 pm

Rob Wells Jr. says:
Notin against these foreign boys but they aint tuff enough to run wit NBA players. Only Dirk,Nash,Tony Parker,Manu, and Barbosa have proven themselves. I dont think you get to many foreign players like that anymore.

Jul.24 at 1:34 pm

Gerard Himself says:
cough Mutombo cough

Jul.24 at 1:46 pm

Rob Wells Jr. says:
Game winning shot against Virginia Tech by Tyler Hansbrough

Jul.24 at 1:48 pm

Jukai says:
Have you guys ever seen Tyler Hansbrough play…? He’s undersized, under athletic, overtly aggressive, point guard dependent, has a sloppy handle, and is very, very defensively stupid. That whole ‘hustle’ crap wont keep up in the NBA where someone with proper position is going to get the ball every time. He’s a Kevin Love with no passing and 1/8th the intellect. I see a lot of sights saying he’s going around the 15-20 spot, but I say somewhere around thirty. You heard it here.

Jul.24 at 1:50 pm

Jukai says:
Also, Rubio is playing for Spain’s basketball team, so we’ll actually see Rubio go up against the USA once (or probably twice). He wont get as much burn as the guys who are twice as old as he is, but we’ll see some cool plays, sure of that.

Jul.24 at 2:20 pm

TADOne says:
Hansborough will go nowhere near #1, but he will go before 30. The upcoming draft is weak and Tyler can make a team as a hustle rebounder and defender off the bench.

Jul.24 at 2:35 pm

Jukai says:
Yeah, I guess I asked myself “where would I put him in a normal draft” without actually looking at the draft class itself. Tyler’s defense is sort of lackluster though, TADOne.

Jul.24 at 2:55 pm

Shu says:
Is there a chance Ricky will stay overseas? Any club would be idiotic to let him go and he has to be making a decent salary already… His potential rookie scale salary vs his current contract?? It’s poteltially higher after his rookie contract, considering JChill got 3yrs 20mil? But with the taxes…?? Must be nice. And Steph Curry potentially late lottery?

Jul.24 at 3:03 pm

Jukai says:
Shu, even if someone drafts him in 2009, it’s likely he wont play for the NBA until 2010 or 2011 cause of his long-term contract. However, it’s been Rubio’s childhood dream to play in the NBA, as he already has an American agent making preparations for him. So yes, it’s almost guarenteed you will see Rubio in the NBA.

Jul.24 at 3:15 pm

2009 NBA Draft Preview | NBA Basketball Page says:
[…] « Trade: Jason Hart for Brevin Knight Will Lakers Join the Luol Deng Derby? » Jul 24 2008 […]

Jul.24 at 3:21 pm

Moose says:
blake griffin looks like shane battier (not how they play, their faces look alike).

Jul.24 at 3:33 pm

DP says:
Physco T is a will be a better college player than pro. It’s that simple. Just because you dominant college for a couple of years doesn’t mean you will be the man in the L. J.J. Reddick anyone? I’m not in the least bit comparing Physco to Reddick but I’m saying that both were superstars in college but once in the L, they fadeaway. He will have a better pro career than Reddick though. I’d give Tyler an average around 10 and 7 for his future NBA career. Shouts out to Tyler’s little brother, Ben. He transferred from Miss. State to Norte Dame. Good for you man. traitor.

Jul.24 at 3:48 pm

Jukai says:
Haha, okay, I know I’m going to get crap for saying this and I hate when I conjecture like this because it makes me look bad and it takes away from the rest of my arguement, which is 100% correct but…. I believe JJ Reddick will have a better bro career than Tyler Hansbrough. Reddick has skills that translate to the NBA level and if he got a chance could be a decent sixth man, while Psycho T has great hustle and energy but nothing that directly translates to the NBA game. JUST CONJECTURING so don’t kill me.

Jul.24 at 3:53 pm

daniel says:
jukai, hansbrough will be better because he has the hustle and the energy, redick doesnt have that and its already been proven that he cant get off a shot in the nba. so his so called skills dont really translate either. its proven that hustle can get you a job in the nba (najera, turiaf, jeff foster)

Jul.24 at 3:54 pm

TADOne says:
JJ Redick didn’t have a chance? He was playing for Orlando! Keyon Dooling was one of their top bench players.

Jul.24 at 3:54 pm

daniel says:
plus, hansbrough can stick a 15 foot jumper in your face any day.

Jul.24 at 4:14 pm

daniel says:
but i see your point jukai, because as we know, jj redick is possibly the greatest shooter in basketball history! better basketball!

Jul.24 at 4:22 pm

Jukai says:
Actually whenever Reddick has come off the bench, he’s usually averaged better than 50%, so he CAN get a shot off in the NBA. It’s his defense that’s atrocious, and didn’t fit in with the plan Van Gundy wanted. Yet, Van Gundy refuses to trade him. I don’t know why. Hansbrough has hustle but hustle without skill doesn’t cut it in the NBA. In the NCAA it does, but not in the NBA.

Jul.24 at 4:43 pm

TADOne says:
I think you are downplaying Tyler’s skill a little too much. True, he doesn’t have a “go to” post-move or a true face-up game, but you can’t just get a scholarship and play at Carolina without having an idea what you are doing. His game may be more reflective to college success, but his drive and determination will get him a spot in the NBA.

Jul.24 at 5:10 pm

Jukai says:
Maybe. Kid looks nice (albeit not all there), so I’d be happy if I were proven wrong, TADOne.

Jul.24 at 5:40 pm

B. Long says:
Tyler will be picked in the top 15. Bet on it.

Jul.24 at 5:44 pm

Jared says:
I think Hansbrough can make a difference, but by no means is he a lottery pick. Unless he can put up beasley numbers this year he’s a 20’s + pick. He does have a good work ethic and hustle, but Jukai hit it on the nail the first time…remember when UNC lost their #1 status when Ty Lawson went down? Hansbrough may be one of the most effective players in the nation, but he will not be in the NBA. Can’t wait to get a glimpse of Rubio this summer, no homo

Jul.24 at 6:39 pm

Joey E. says:
BJ Mullens is overrated

Jul.24 at 6:50 pm

B. Long says:
Hansbrough will be a firebreathing defensive 6th man who pisses off AllStar PF’s for about 12-17mins. a night his rookie year. If I’m the Lakers and he’s around in the 20’s he would be the perfect replacement for Turiaf. Even better offensively.

Jul.24 at 8:22 pm

Jeff Fox says:
Mat - when I say that Spain has the best domestic league in the world, I mean other than the NBA.

Jul.24 at 9:07 pm

Jukai says:
BJ Mullens is not overrated. That kid is mint.

Jul.24 at 9:08 pm

Hersey says:
Harden is a beast. Devils are on the rise in the Pac-10 after getting snubbed by the NCAA last year.

Jul.24 at 11:28 pm

DP says:
B.J. Mullens is a f*cking beast. White man CAN jump.

Jul.25 at 12:55 am

what says:
Judging from the picture, it looks like the 2009 draft will feature the first female draft pick in NBA history.

Jul.25 at 12:58 am

Hursty says:
Ater Majok. Look dude up, going to UConn.

Jul.25 at 4:28 am

Teddy-the-Bear says:
Hahaha I was so nervous you were gonna put Lil’ Romeo on that list. Oh wait, this is SLAM, not ESPN.

Jul.25 at 7:24 am

Art says:
Ricky last nite against Lithuania:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=CPSyScRcRRo

Jul.25 at 7:59 am

Ryne Nelson says:
Ridiculous move, Art. It doesn’t look as difficult as it is to pull-off in a game, but I’m still wowed!

Jul.25 at 8:10 am

TADOne says:
That move was great because it was pulled off in traffic and he always knew where the player who was cutting was at. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would have been pulled off against NBA comp.

Jul.25 at 9:07 am

Eboy says:
Let’s see him try that sh*t against Kobe in the open court. Garbage.

Jul.25 at 9:33 am

Hursty says:
Was that Pau or Marc Gasol that he passed it to? Is Rubio even Spanish?

Jul.25 at 9:36 am

Jukai says:
Are you guys not IMMENSELY WOWED at that move? Sure it couldn’t be pulled off against Kobe but that coudl easily have deked out the entire Clippers/Knicks/Nets/Timberwolves roster. I have doubts for a white, unathletic point guard to really tear up the NBA, but everytime I see more and more of him, I double take. He’s insane.

Jul.25 at 9:37 am

Jukai says:
Hursty, that was Marc, and yes, Rubio is very spanish.

Jul.25 at 9:49 am

Eboy says:
Yes, Jukai, a rookie point guard in the league trying moves like that and assuredly being unsuccessful on 99% of them in the league is exactly what NBA scouts and coaches are drooling over. We all know from Lang’s words and the videos of him that the kid is talented, but let’s not polish his apples just yet, huh? Give him a chance to show out. Maybe the Olympic Games give him the world stage to do it, but professional pride will kick in once he hit’s the NBA, and his opposition isn’t going to just allow him to be so “showy” without some form of a “deterent”.

Jul.25 at 9:56 am

Hursty says:
Look at Steve Nash. If a Canadian can do it….

Jul.25 at 10:04 am

Eboy says:
It took Nash several seasons to make his mark, Hursty. Just saying.

Jul.25 at 10:19 am

Hursty says:
And Nash would ( I think) be older than Rubio when he enters the League in 2010 or whenever ( on draft night that is in comparison). Nash and Dirk sucked for 3 + years in Dallas and finally they got the pieces and went to the C. Finals but Nash is a totally different animal to Rubio so he has to be approached with a different perspective.

Jul.25 at 10:24 am

Jukai says:
Eboy, he did that against Lithuania’s BEST… alright, I get it, that’s not saying much, but c’mon, he’s not doing it against some street ballers two blocks away from his parents house. These are professionals playing for their country, and he just deeked the hell out of them. You think he couldn’t do that to Eric Gordon or Nate Robinson? The Spanish National Team is undoubtably (hope I don’t eat my words) going to get slaughtered by the US, but those guys are an actual TEAM right there, full of veterans and pros, the best of the best. And THEY have faith to let Rubio do what he wants. So why not have a little faith in the kid?

Jul.25 at 10:25 am

Jukai says:
Not to mention there are a lot of teams that ARE drooling over the fact that Rubio can do that, even if it wont work 99% of the time. Money, money, money Eboy.

Jul.25 at 10:56 am

Eboy says:
I’m not doubting him, Jukai, just not buying into the perceived hype around him until I see him in a game with NBA players. Call me old school or just old, whatever, but results will make me a believer.

Jul.25 at 11:00 am

TADOne says:
E is just mad that he tried that same move last week and got stripped.

Jul.25 at 11:10 am

Eboy says:
I don’t have to be fancy to get where I want to, TADley. I follow the Jordan Rules of ball handling and footwork. Try it sometime.

Jul.25 at 11:32 am

L says:
come on guys, the things rubio did was against some very good spanish teams or in international competitions not in your local highschool,i’m sure he’ll be successful in the L..he reminds me a bit of shawn livingston when he had two legs but with a greater shooting range..L

Jul.25 at 12:02 pm

Justin says:
SLAM is starting to look like ESPN covering the Brett Favre saga with all this non-stop talk about NBA and Europe. Let it go, fellas.

Jul.25 at 12:17 pm

Cub Buenning says:
Jukai, from earlier, sleep on Thabeet if you want. The kid will be top 5. He is huge and getting better and better in all areas. MUCH MUCH MORE ON THIS GUY AND OTHERS COMING VERY SOON! I have a man crush on Blake Griffin. His game is complete. If you don’t live in BIG 12 country like myselfn (and missed most of his act last year,) peep some games this year…. Agreed Mr. Fox, he could/maybe should be #1. That Rubio move is basic Colorado mountain ball.

Jul.25 at 12:51 pm

Jukai says:
Cue, people have been trying to sell me that Thabeet line for two years now.

Jul.25 at 1:07 pm

B. Long says:
I play with 5 or 6 guys at the gym every Weds. that can all do what Rubio did in that video. Nice move, but nothing jaw dropping really.

Jul.25 at 1:33 pm

Cub Buenning says:
I’ve only been feeding people the Thabeet line since midway thru last season. MAJOR progress on offensive end.

Jul.25 at 1:36 pm

TADOne says:
And from the depths of the Rocky Mountains spouts one Cub Buenning. Long time no read. So what is this upcoming piece?

Jul.25 at 1:48 pm

Jukai says:
Aw, c’mon B.Long. I once played against a guy on the U of R basketball team that could do a Lebron-ish dunk with his arm stretched out in the air before he slammed it in. Guy had AMAZING ups. Course, he couldn’t do it in traffic without losing the damn thing. Hell, he didn’t even start for the team. But he could do it. What’s your point, B. Long?

Jul.25 at 1:50 pm

Cub Buenning says:
Check back on Monday for the details. Been busy with summer in the mountains. TAD, you must be disgusted/proud of Mahorn’s performance the other night.

Jul.25 at 1:52 pm

Cub Buenning says:
His point might be that there are a sh*tload of players that can do amazing things, but aren’t necessarily good at basketball. (ie this guy on the UofR team)

Jul.25 at 1:55 pm

B. Long says:
Thanks Cub.

Jul.25 at 2:00 pm

B. Long says:
And by the way, I’m not hating on Rubio or saying that he won’t be successful in the L. I’m saying that from what I’ve seen on youtube I’m not convinced that this guy is a lottery pick yet. Even if the draft is thin. Now if he comes to Draft Camp and makes Ty Lawson look silly and drops those same time of dimes then maybe I change my mind. but until then, in the immortal words of Myles Brown…Meh.

Jul.25 at 2:06 pm

B. Long says:
type not time. sorry.

Jul.25 at 2:16 pm

DP says:
Yeah I agree with B-lizzle. I know dudes down here that can do everything Rubio can do and more but it’s all streetball. They don’t have the fundamentals to back it up so they are just athletic dumbos.

Jul.25 at 2:21 pm

Jukai says:
Ugh, Jesus… it’s one thing to say he’s not top five class, but to say he’s not a lottery…? You kidding me? They ain’t street balling, B. Long, they played against A COUNTRY’S BEST BASKETBALL PLAYERS. No disrespect to those guys you play with on Wednesday, but I think the skill level may be a bit different.

Jul.25 at 2:23 pm

Jukai says:
I mean, whatever, he’s white and non-American so he probably is just a one trick pony, gotcha. Blake Griffon though, even though he plays against lesser competition, he’s the real deal.

Jul.25 at 2:32 pm

DP says:
Pretty Ricky will be in the lottery. that’s a no-brainer. These next upcoming drafts are going to be so weak that anyone can raise their stock.

Aug.3 at 2:17 pm

Oz says:
I’ve been compering jennings and rubio and my thoughts are: Brandon is a better PG, but his biggest mistake was failing the SAT tests, cuz that drived him to italy and possibly signing a long term contract in europe.