Considering the Draft: Winners, Losers, The Hawks and more

So, the 2013 NBA Draft is now in the books, and it was certainly one of the more exciting ones in recent memory. The numerous surprises at the top combined with multiple significant trades allowed for seamless coverage that kept the discussion focused mostly on what matters. In fact, as much as I love the NFL Draft, league officials should take a lesson from the NBA, which allots teams five minutes to make their moves rather than the far-too-long 10 minutes given to NFL teams. I should also mention that I thought Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons did a quality job. I’ve never been a Simmons fan, but he was at his best last night in that particular setting, when he wasn’t asked to break down basketball on the fly.

            Anyway, as always, there were some winners and losers on the night, and I’ve done my best to thoughtfully address most of them below.

Atlanta: Let’s start with the team closest to home, your beloved Hawks. I should start by saying they did about as much as they could, save moving Al Horford for something more substantial. In staying put, though, Atlanta managed to get at least one, and possibly two promising prospects. I’ll begin with German PG Dennis Schroeder, who I think has the chance to be really good sometime in the relatively near future. The 19-year-old not only plays a position at which the Hawks are weak (assuming Danny Ferry lets Jeff Teague walk), but he was also the best talent available at No. 17. Simply put, the kid has tremendous potential, combining excellent size and athleticism with a quality shot and great feel for the game. Schroader gets to the hoop with frequency, creates for others willingly, and has the ability to play stingy defense when he wants. He’s young, and is said to have some issues with work ethic and immaturity, but with little else available at the time, I give Atlanta credit for grabbing a guy that can be an impact player down the road. Of course, the team also traded its second pick for Brazilian center Lucas Nogueira, who originally went to Boston with the 16^th selection in the first round. Like Schroeder, Nogueira is young, raw and may be a few years away from contributing. At first glance, though, you have to like his size (7-0, 220) and athleticism (runs the floor extremely well), as well as his potential to become a game-changing shot blocker. But Like many young bigs, Nogueira lacks offensive polish, knowledge of the game, and necessary weight. And, unlike Schroeder, I’m not sure the Brazilian will ever have a real shot at becoming a star. When you consider, then, that Atlanta gave up a top prospect in Shane Larkin (the guy the Hawks originally took at No. 18) to get Nogueira, I’m a bit less impressed. With that said, it was still a positive draft for Atlanta, even if it’s not one that will help the team in the season to come.

THE GOOD:

Orlando: When Anthony Bennett of UNLV went to Cleveland with the first overall pick, it meant the Magic essentially moved into that No. 1 spot (Orlando had about five guys on its radar, none of whom were AB). Still, the Magic didn’t flinch, refusing to bite on Nerlens Noel (the guy everyone assumed they wanted but wouldn’t have the chance to get) and instead opting for Victor Oladipo, the player the team apparently had atop its board the entire time. It’s a good thing, too, because Oladipo is considered by just about everyone to be the safest pick in the draft, a player with unique defensive talents in addition to considerable offensive upside. Additionally, Oladipo is the type of smart, committed, hard working kid around which the Magic hope to build. With Oladipo, Maurice Harkless, Tobias Harris, Nikola Vucevic and Andrew Nicholson forming a young Orlando nucleus, the Magic are a solid example of why getting bad (sported 2012’s worst record after blowing things up by getting rid of Dwight) in an effort to get good isn’t always so awful.

Philadelphia: The Sixers had perhaps the strongest night of any team in the league, turning PG Jrue Holiday into C Nerlens Noel, PG Michael Carter-Williams and New Orleans’ first round pick in the loaded 2014 Draft (1-5 protected). Sure, Holiday was an all-star at one of the game’s most important positions, but Philly is undeniably in rebuild mode and Holiday couldn’t effectively be a part of that plan. So, instead of keeping him, they moved the young star and in return got excellent prospects at the 5 and 1, plus a likely lottery pick next season. Also, Holiday would have made the Sixers a playoff team this coming season, which clearly wouldn’t have aided them in the rebuild process, either. Instead, Philly managed to get two promising prospects and a top pick next year while staying bad enough to ensure their 2014 pick falls within the lottery as well. Add it all up, and Philly essentially received four top prospects for Jrue Holiday. Not too shabby for a team that had little hope heading into the night.

Minnesota: The Timberwolves had a great night, turning the No. 9 pick, Trey Burke, into UCLA SG Shabazz Muhammad and National Champion C Gorgui Dieng. People can knock Muhammad all they want, but the guy can flat out score, and still has room to improve. Don’t forget, he was the No. 1 recruit in all of America just one short year ago and, while recruiting services have been known to get things wrong, there’s still plenty to like about the former Bruin’s game. Not to mention he will have the perfect running mate in Ricky Rubio, a guy who doesn’t score much but excels at finding those who do (cough, cough…Shabazz Muhammad). Add to Muhammad Louisville center Gorgui Dieng – a guy who rebounds a ton, defends the rim and hits the open jumper – and Minnesota received two valuable assets in exchange for a PG, something the Wolves already have.

Others: There are a few other teams that didn’t necessarily move the meter, but did well where they sat. If I’m Detroit, I’m not giving up on Brandon Knight at the PG spot just yet, and am super excited about pairing him with a dynamic athlete/shooter in Kentavius Caldwell-Pope; Oklahoma City can no longer count on Kendrick Perkins at the five, and needs post scoring in the worst kind of way, so taking a swing-for-the-fences type approach with 7-footer Steven Adams made tons of sense; It didn’t take much thought, but Sacramento should at least be recognized for getting perhaps the most talented player in the draft when Ben McLemore fell in its lap at No. 7; Dallas managed to trade back, cut cap space and still get a PG that can flat out light it up in Miami’s Shane Larkin; And Utah traded up to get its PG of the future – Trey Burke – while also stashing away a center with big upside in Rudy Gobert.

THE BAD:

Cleveland: This pick confused me on a number of levels. First, I should point out that Anthony Bennett is 20 years old and reportedly weighs approximately 260 pounds at 6-8. I’m not saying he weighs too much to play in the NBA, but I am saying he weighs WAY too much to play the three spot. Assuming, then, that he will end up at power forward, I should next point out that Cleveland already has Tristan Thompson, a young power forward they drafted with the fourth overall pick just two years ago. Perhaps the Cavs think Thompson can guard opposing threes while Bennett mans the spot on offense, but I just don’t see that happening, which it makes it difficult to envision these guys productively playing together. I get taking the best available player, but I have a hard time accepting a team that chooses to duplicate talent with the first overall pick, especially when doing so makes little strategic sense. What do I mean by that? Well consider that virtually no one else considered Anthony Bennett the top prospect available. Of course, that means even if Cleveland did (and it did), the Cavs could have traded back and still landed their guy. So not only did Cleveland draft a guy to play a position they already have filled, but they did so about three or four spots too high. Yuck.

Phoenix: Not only am I not sold on Maryland C Alex Len, the guy they chose with the fifth overall pick, but I also think the Suns made a huge mistake in passing on Nerlens Noel. Noel was a difference maker when he was healthy at Kentucky, and has boatloads of room for growth. Len, on the other hand, didn’t make first, second or third team All-ACC in 2013, averaging just 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds during his second season in college. Again, Noel was more productive at a younger age and with less experience, and also is the better athlete with more room for growth.

Charlotte: For similar reasons, I didn’t like Charlotte’s selection of Cody Zeller with the fourth pick. I think Zeller offers more certainty, but less upside than the aforementioned Len, but he is neither as safe nor as promising as Noel, and Ben McLemore was available when Charlotte picked, too. In other words, the Bobcats could have gone in multiple better directions than the one they chose. But, hey, that’s Michael Jordan for ya.

THE INTERESTING:

Portland: The Trail Blazers went with Lehigh’s CJ McCollum when they picked at No. 10. To me, this pick is interesting on a few levels. First, McCollum is mostly a PG, which Portland already has in Damian Lillard. You have to wonder, then, which player they will move to SG. With that said, McCollum is a scoring savant and should team up with Lillard in quite exciting fashion. Again, I’m not sure exactly how they will fit together, but they certainly give Portland loads of talent in the backcourt for years to come.

Boston/Broolyn: If you don’t alrady know, Boston continued its transition to rebuild mode Thursday night, trading Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to Brooklyn for three first-round picks, Kris Humphries (expiring deal), Gerald Wallace, MarShone Brooks and more. Though Wallace brings with him a rather large contract, Boston managed to create some cap space and begin starting over. What’s more interesting, however, is Brooklyn’s side of things. Sure, the Nets took on a ton in salaries and didn’t get any younger, but Brooklyn has winning now in mind, even with a first-year head coach – Jason Kidd – roaming the sidelines. Criticize the Nets all you want, but they will open the season with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez in the starting five. Is that a title-winning lineup? Maybe not. But, in the sometimes-unpredictable NBA, it certainly gives the Nets a fighting chance (this team looks every bit as strong as San Antonio did heading into 2013, or as Dallas did prior to its championship run three years ago).

OK, that’s all I’ve got for now, but if you’re interested in doing so, you're more than welcome to follow me on Twitter @BrainTrain9.

Dissecting the Draft

Ok, so the NBA Draft is almost here, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m super pumped. Draft days in general are the best, nearly as good as game days themselves. Anyway, my beloved Magicians from Orlando have the second overall pick, making an already exciting night that much more interesting for me. With the Magic in mind, my board consists of just three guys: Nerlens Noel (if he falls), Victor Oladipo (if Orlando can swing the Afflalo-for-Bledsoe trade) and Trey Burke (assuming the Magic trade back). There are specific things about each guy that I love, and I’d be happy with Orlando landing any one of the three.  

            OK, with my selfish concerns aside, we move on… There’s been so much talk about how weak this draft is, which I think is a waste of time. Sure, there’s no LeBron James, Tim Duncan or Shaquille O’Neal…no obvious franchise-changing player to be taken No. 1. But that’s fine. There are still plenty of good players to be had, and I’m confident a few All-Stars will develop from the bunch.

            Fans shouldn’t get too caught up in how strong certain drafts are, anyway, because their respective team picks only once, maybe twice. So while there may not be 20 stars from which to choose, as long as your team has quality scouts at its disposal, there will always be a good player available.

            For example, the Hawks enter Thursday with picks at No. 17 and No. 18, not usually considered ideal spots to land top players. But check out the impressive list of guys recently taken with those picks: David West, Danny Granger, JR Smith, Gerald Green, Marco Belinelli, Roy Hibbert, JaVale McGee, Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson, Eric Bledsoe, and Iman Sumpert. I think it’s safe for me to say Atlanta would be happy to have just about any of those aforementioned talents. Of course, the Hawks could also package their two picks together and move up with finding a true difference maker in mind (Perhaps a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, or CJ McCollum would be available).

            Again, I think this draft has some really intriguing talents despite its lack of a franchise-changing guy at the top. With that said, below I address the top players in some very specific categories, as well as the guys I think Atlanta is circling at 17 an 18, assuming it stays put. 

Top Offensive Player – Trey Burke: Burke has quickly become one of the more polarizing prospects in the draft. Scouts knock him for his lack of height and elite athleticism, and that’s fine, because Burke has absolutely everything else. First, let’s establish two things: Burke is not that short (just over 6-1 in shoes, with LONG arms) and is a fine athlete. He may not hold up to Russell Westrbook comparisons, but he’s every bit as athletic as say Tony Parker. More importantly, he’s a tremendous basketball player. He has great handles, sees the floor incredibly well, and shoots lights out. Trey’s also smart, knows when to find his own shot as well as when to create for others and feed the hot hand. He finishes strong at the hoop, and runs the pick-and-roll to perfection, which just so happens to be a staple in the NBA and a requirement of top-notch PGs in the league. Above all else, Burke has the head for being a star, works as hard as anyone, and wants the ball down the stretch.

Top Defender – Victor Oladipo: This could easily go to Nerlens Noel, but since he’s hurt I decided to go with Oladipo. He’s quick, he’s strong, he’s smart, he can rise to block shots and, most importantly, he wants to be an elite defender. In fact, because Victor is so obviously an elite defender, he also happens to be the safest pick in the draft. 

Safest Pick – Oladipo: I hate to list the same guy twice, but I just can’t envision the words Oladipo and bust sharing the same sentence. Not only is he a lock to be a lockdown defender (alliteration intended), but he is extremely effective moving without the ball on offense, and has vastly underrated skills as both a shooter (44% from 3 in 2012) and scorer.

Most Upside – Nerlens Noel: Most people would go with Ben McLemore here, citing his athleticism and picture-perfect jumper. I, however, don’t buy it. The kid just isn’t a gamer, and that may not prevent him from being quality, but will prevent him from being great, that’s a near certainty. Noel, on the other hand, never shies away from the action (see the play on which he was hurt), and combines unique athleticism with a truly special skill: the ability to block shots unlike anyone we’ve seen in quite some time (he could very well become the best shot blocker in the game). I must also point out that Noel has extremely soft hands and solid body control, two important, though often overlooked traits that should help the Big Man become more than respectable on the offensive end of the floor.

Hawks Picks: Some GMs draft on need, others take the best player available. This year, I think it’s safe to say the Hawks will draft with talent in mind, considering they only have three players on the roster. In other words, the team has needs absolutely everywhere, doesn’t need to worry about redundancies or duplicating talent, and thus has the luxury of taking the best players to fall their way. Assuming the team doesn’t trade up, it will most likely grab the best guard and big available at 17 and 18. With that in mind, I think Atlanta should closely consider Mason Plumlee and Gorgui Dieng – two active bigs with athleticism and upside – and hope like hell that either Shabazz Muhammad or Shane Larkin fall its way.

OK, that’s all I’ve got for now, but if you’re interested in doing so, you're more than welcome follow me on Twitter @BrainTrain9.

Sizing Up Game Six

-While hugely disappointed by the result – not just because I’m quietly rooting for the Spurs but also because that game was blown by San Antonio more than it was won by Miami – last night’s Game 6 was undeniably amazing. Seriously, it was one of the better basketball games in recent years and just so happened to take place on the biggest of stages, Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The dramatic turnarounds, from LeBron throwing away what seemed like the Heat’s final possession (still not sure if it was a shot or just a horrible lob pass/idea in the area of Chris Bosh) and Championship aspirations, to a scowling Bosh moments after the forgotten Big sealed the deal with a block on Danny Green’s desperation three (on which, by the way, he was definitely fouled).  If people are wrong when they say only title-winning games are remembered, last night’s Game 6 won’t soon be forgotten.

-With all that said about the game’s brilliance, I simply can’t escape that the game was over, that the Spurs had the thing won and lost in the end not because James and company were brilliant down the stretch but rather because San Antonio couldn’t get out of its own way. When the game was on the line, LeBron missed both big shots he took and committed two horrible turnovers. If Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobli or Tony Parker could make free throws down the stretch, if the Spurs could have rebounded either of Miami’s two missed desperation threes in the closing seconds…if any of those things happen the game’s over, the Spurs are NBA Champs. And LeBron knew it, even in the moment. The look on his face seconds after the missed lob to Bosh (for which LeBron completely blamed Chris) was unmistakably one of defeat.

-In many ways, this series has been defined by tremendous play from role players and at times underwhelming performances from the stars. Speaking of the latter, two marquee guys struggled in big ways last night. The first that comes to mind, Dwyane Wade, was not only average from an individual standpoint, but also a major reason his team struggled. At this point it’s pretty well documented that San Antonio is driven to clog the lane in an effort to slow LeBron, and that James and the Miami offense respond better to that defensive strategy when they can spread the floor. It’s no coincidence, then, that Miami went on huge runs last night in the fourth and in Game 2 when Ray Allen and Mike Miller were in the lineup and Wade wasn’t. And it’s not because either of those guys are better basketball players than Wade (though Allen’s been sensational in this series, a true difference maker), it’s because they are significantly better long-range shooters. When the Spurs have to follow Miller and Allen to the corners, the paint opens wide from LeBron. When the Spurs defenders stick to LeBron, Miller and Allen have killed them. Of course, for all Wade does well, he’s never been a great shooter, especially from three, and his inability to spread the floor against the Spurs has really hurt James in particular and the Heat in general. The other “star” that needs to be mentioned here is Manu Ginobli, who has absolutely killed his team all series. He had a nice Game 5, but who’s to say San Antonio doesn’t get that one without him considering they won going away? In every other game, he has been horrendous, and that includes his EIGHT turnovers last night and his ill-advised attempt at a last shot in regulation (most are focusing on the fact that Manu was fouled, but he took close to five steps before any contact arrived). I’m not one to use hindsight to question great coaches, and going with Ginobli in Game 5 worked well for Popovich, so it’s hard to criticize him for going back to the well in Game 6. But there’s also something to be said for in-game adjustments, we use them to define our football coaches all the time, and at some point Pop had to see Manu was closer to his Games 1-2-3-4 form, that at this point Game 5 was an aberration. Again, Pop is an amazing coach, arguably the best in the game, and taking out a former star is hard for a coach because of the “what he may do” factor, but Ginobli’s kind of bad Tuesday went way beyond considerations like that.

-I guess while I’m criticizing Pop I should also mention I disagreed with his decision to rest Duncan and Parker for so long in the fourth. The Spurs had the Heat on the ropes wit the title on the line. In those instances, you throw your haymaker…you don’t dance around the ring waiting for your opponent to recover. Many will argue Pop’s move was smart, that he of course knew Game 7 was a possibility and took a calculated risk in Game 6 to guarantee his team would be fresh in a potential final outing. That logic, though, doesn’t make much sense to me. At the time, there was one quarter and one game left in the entire season, with months of nothing but rest to follow. Not to mention they have Wednesday off before Thursday’s Game 7. If playing five extra minutes on a Tuesday means you won’t be ready to compete for an NBA Title on Thursday, you aren’t a champion, plain and simple. Also, I think Duncan has to be in the game late when you know rebounding will be key (and while he may not match up well with Miami’s shooters, his height helps him close out on threes, just as it helped Bosh later in the night). In Duncan’s 44 minutes of action, Miami managed a measly eight second-chance points. In his nine minutes on the bench, the Heat owned the paint with nine points off rebounds, including six in the waning seconds. 

-I’ll make this fast, but I hate when “big moments” late in games are called differently than every other moment in said big game. Really, it shouldn’t be allowed. Rules are rules. Baskets should be baskets…whether they come in the first quarter or in the fourth. The implication here is that certain possessions carry more weight than others and should thus be officiated accordingly, but how is that fair? Who’s to say the “late-game” rules won’t benefit one team and hurt the other? And how are the players and teams supposed to account for rules that don’t actually exist? Bosh’s shot block on Danny Green is an obvious foul in at least the first three quarters, but apparently wasn’t in last night’s overtime. But how is that fair when softer foul calls went in favor of the Heat earlier in the same game? The points Miami received in those earlier moments counted in the score just the same…they were no less important than would have been the three free throws Danny Green deserved. So why did the refs approach those moments with less discretion?

-I’ll close by admitting that I actually enjoyed watching the fair-weather Heat fans leave last night’s game early. It only further confirms the perception that Miami sports fans take a spoiled, bandwagon approach to their teams. They sort of reminded me of my father, who in attempts to beat traffic has missed countless classics. He’s more neurotic doctor (with a bedtime) than fickle fan, however. Last night wasn’t just any game, of course. It was Game 6 of the NBA Finals and, at the time, looked to be the last minute in Miami’s third consecutive memorable season. As a fan, at best you were going to see a classic NBA Finals comeback victory, at worst you were going to support YOUR team, one that by way has been good to you as basketball’s most exciting for three straight years. You stay because those are your guys and that’s what supportive fans do. Of course, those same fans will be back in “diehard” form for Thursday’s Game 7, which I expect to be another classic.

OK, that’s all I’ve got for now, but if you’re interested in doing so, you're more than welcome follow me on Twitter @BrainTrain9.

News and Notes...from the NBA Finals, Recruiting Trail and more

-Our by-the-minute coverage of and reaction to sports is nothing new. It started with ESPN and the internet, and has soared to new heights with social networks and mobile technology. In a way, though, we’ve failed (the media and fans alike) to consider or acknowledge how this new brand of coverage impacts perception and the way we talk about today’s athletes. Athletes in the 80s weren’t necessarily better, we just didn't care or have the means to criticize as harshly or as often. Michael Jordan, the greatest NBAer ever, missed shots and had bad games. They just weren’t obsessed over then like they are today. It’s one of the reasons we view the past through such a glorified lens, and find ourselves forever scrambling to reassess and redefine the athletes we cover today. I bring up this line of thinking because during this NBA postseason alone we have dramatically changed how we talk about and view the following players: LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Danny Green, Gary Neal, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Paul George Roy Hibbert and Steph Curry…to name a few. Personally, I think we often overreact to single plays and games, I believe players are defined over long periods of time and not by often random results in a single moment…but if that’s the approach you enjoy or the way you like to watch sports, more power to you. You can’t, though, take your by-the-minute calculations and observations and compare them to your relatively incomplete, romanticized perceptions of the past. And in the future, try giving yourself some time before you're so sure.

-With that said, LeBron, perhaps more than anyone, is regularly hurt by our overly aggressive coverage. The dude can go from champ to chump faster than any athlete I’ve ever seen (note: after his dismal performance in Tuesday’s Game 3, he’s currently back in a chump phase). And, sure, he sometimes lacks aggression at the most puzzling of times, but his struggles aren’t that simple. The game plan for defending LeBron has always been the same: sag defensively, deny the paint, turn him into a jump shooter. And that task, a usually impossible one, is far more manageable when he’s short on help, which the Spurs have proven. The truth, then, is that Dwyane Wade is killing LeBron James and, in turn, the Heat. And Wade’s lack of production (43 points in 3 games on 19-43 shooting) is only part of the story. When defenses don’t have to worry about Wade’s explosiveness – in addition to his long-range shot, which has never been a huge threat – it disrupts the Heat’s floor spacing and offensive flow, making it a whole lot easier to neutralize LeBron. Simply put, Wade’s clogging LeBron’s paint (where he’s at his best) and doing so without producing points or occupying defensive attention. And the postseason numbers from NBA.com back it up: just 37.8 percent of James’ field goal attempts occur in the restricted area when he’s playing next to Wade, but that portion soars to 44.9 percent when Wade leaves the court. And for more proof of Wade’s hazardous affect on the Heat, check out this stat: For the postseason, Miami has outscored opponents by a mere 3.3 points per 100 possessions with James and Wade on the court together. When James is playing without Wade, however, that number skyrockets to 21.8 points per 100 possessions. Not surprisingly, then, when the Heat went on a 33-5 run in Game 2, James was on the floor, leading the show. But guess who wasn’t? Dwyane Wade.

-Speaking of perceptions, and just how wrong they can often be, the 2013 NBA Finals were supposed to be all about The Big 6 (LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Duncan, Parker, Ginobli) when in fact the first three games have been all about the role players…and in a big way. Not only did Danny Green and Gary Neal combine for 51 points in Game 3, but out of the aforementioned six, LeBron and Parker have each had just one great game (Games 1 and 2, respectivel), Duncan’s had two decent ones and that’s it. It’s all about the benjamins…and the role player.

-In national recruiting news, America’s top prospect, Da’Shawn Hand (Woodbridge, Virginia), cut his list to a Final Three on Wednesday. In somewhat surprising news, the 6-4, 248-pounder eliminated hometown power Virginia Tech, in addition to South Carolina. Left when the dust settled: Florida, Alabama and Michigan. What’s more interesting? First, Hand becomes the fourth DE in the last five years to rank at the top of Rivals’ recruiting rankings (he joins Robert Nkemdiche, Jadeveon Clowney, and Ronald Powell). To me, this has to say something about the DE position in general, as well as the way in which the high school game is setup for dominant athletes to excel as edge rushers. At the very least, it’s clear that DE is the most glamorous position on defense, and among the most glamorous on the field altogether. Also, as good as Hand appears to be, he’s not even my favorite player at his position. Personally, Norcross DE (and Georgia 5A State Football Champion) Lorenzo Carter is where it’s at. It’s worth noting, Carter has already visited Alabama and Georgia and will take in Gainesville and Tallahassee in the coming weeks.

-Speaking of Georgia, even though it’s months away, I can’t stop thinking about the Week 1 battle between UGA and Clemson. At first I really liked Clemson here. The game pits a dynamic and veteran-land Tiger offense (see Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins) against a startlingly young Georgia D (replaces 9 starters). Then the Josh Harvey-Clemons suspension news came and I really lost hope in the Dawgs. But the more I think about the game, the more I’m starting to like Georgia. I still have no faith in Todd Grantham and company, and tons of it in Chad Morris’s (Clemson OC) unit, but I can’t stop the visions of Gurley and Marshall running wild from reoccurring in my head. And if Clemson can’t at all slow the Bulldog run game, its oh-so lethal offense won’t be on the field enough to matter.

-With the French Open not too distant in our rearview mirrors, I want to finish this thing up with a bold tennis claim: Rafael Nadal is the greatest male tennis player to ever live. He’s playing in arguably the sport’s most golden of ages and doing so in dominant fashion. His all-time resume is still a bit behind a few of his top competitors, including Roger Federer, but Nadal’s just 27 and far from done. Roger has perhaps the game’s greatest resume, but he’s four years older than Rafa and had the same number of majors (12) at 27 as Rafa does now. So considering his resume is all-time impressive and still growing, it’s Nadal’s record against the world’s other top players that has me convinced. In fact, no player of any worth has ever posted a winning lifetime mark against Rafa. He’s 20-10 against Roger, 20-15 against Novak, and 13-5 against Andy Murray, to name a few. He’s the only player ever to win a single major (the French) eight different times, and dominates the game’s best when the game’s never been better. Long live Rafa.

OK, that’s all the captivating insight I’ve got for now, but if you’re interested in doing so, you're more than welcome follow me on Twitter @BrainTrain.