Ok maybe I’m jumping the gun with the number one pick talk, but Andrew Wiggins is the real deal. He has recently reclassified to the 2013 class which means he’s leaving high school early and trying to get to the NBA as fast as possible. Just think if there wasn’t for the one and done rule would we see this kid at the NBA draft in June. See for yourself.
-OB
Since being drafted Calvin Johnson has been the centerpeice of the Detroit Lions offense and one of the most talented receivers to play the game. On the field he’s “Megatron”, an all out beast who will destroy anyone in his way. Off the field Calvin is a humble family man who came from strong roots. This is the future of Detroit Lions football
-OB
The University High School Eagles in Ferndale Michigan do not have as big a school as their inter-city rival Ferndale High, nor do they have the glorified athletic program of said rival. Something UHS does have though is heart, pride, and maybe one of the best basketball players of the 2014 class in the state. Anthony Terry Martin, or “ATM” as his peers refer to him because he’s “money” on the court, looks to lead the unknown program to the promised land. This highly touted athlete shows major improvement in his game and leadership ability every year and looks to take that next step into PSL history. After a painful loss to rival Ferndale High in the District Championship, this team only got “hungrier” this offseason lead by their “starving” captain Antony Martin. If you have not heard of this kid or seen him on the court you must not be a highly regarded scout, but don’t worry thats what I’m here for. His pure stroke from the perimeter along with his size, strength and athleticism gives him the total package to excel on the Division 1 level and with the right steering become a professional athlete. Also his intensity, tenacity and passion on the defensive end separates him from most kids his age putting him on another level of basketball maturity than most. Look out for the University High School Eagles this season as they look to take over as a Powerhouse in Michigan Hoops!
-OB
Everybody with money has their little charity that they make faceless donations to, but few actually show real love to their people. Brandon Jennings is one of those few who is using his celebrity to help where he came from. One of the realest dudes.
Pretty cool mix of the generations #salute !!!
18 years ago the Orlando Magic lost the NBA’s most talented center in Shaquille O’Neal to the glamour of Hollywood, opening a wound that would not be healed for nearly a decade. In 2004 the Orlando Magic found a spark of hope in a 18 year old broad shouldered kid coming out of high school named Dwight Howard, but who knew those broad shoulders would lead the Magic to their second Great Depression. For eight years now the Magic has mishandled their franchise and disrespected their franchise player. Shaq who received running mates like Penny Hardaway, Denis Scott, and Nick Anderson, was waited on hand and foot. Anything Shaq requested of the Magic he got. Unlike Dwight Howard who for years carried the entire city on his shoulders, being that the Magic are Orlando’s only professional sports team. Dwight repeatedly requested a legitimate supporting cast and a competent coach with a winning system and never received such. Now after years of mistreatment and disrespect Dwight has packed his bags and left Orlando behind for a much brighter future with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now Kobe is once again teamed up with the most dominant center in the game, though he’s not eighteen anymore he still capable of leading a team to a championship and with this years Olympic experience I believe he has learned the ability to differ and play off the younger guys. Don’t get me wrong though Kobe can still score with the best of them and with Steve Nash facilitating the chemistry will be oozing out of Staples Center. With the history and prestige of Laker centers, I believe Dwight will grow tremendously on the offensive end of the ball. Dwight was already a future Hall of Famer and moving forward with the Lakers I see him solidifying his place as one of the best to ever play the position. With mentors like Kobe, Shaq, and Kareem he will take his game to new heights. With Dwight in LA the Miami Heat may have some issues repeating as we assumed they easily would, because as we all know Miami has no answer for Howard who last season beat them twice basically by himself. Even without a game played the Lakers are once again the team to beat in the Western Conference and possibly the League.
-OB
As the years go on more and more pressure is added to America’s Team, more importantly its leader Tony Romo. From the first snap of Romos’ career drama and expectations have been at an increasingly high level. Since becoming a starter midway through the 2006-2007 NFL season, Romos’ play has remained at a very consistent level. The positives as well as the negatives. Although his individual stats rank amongst the top 10 players at his position every year, Romo still hasn’t been able to perform when it matters the most. He still has not been able to get a post season win under his belt. Traditionally the Dallas Cowboys have been known to have a very talented quarterback running their offense, a few of them even making it to pro football’s Hall of Fame. In order for Romo to keep tradition alive he must become a more consistent clutch performer more importantly get a few super bowl rings under his belt. With the new season just around the corner fans are ready to put last years disappointing season behind them and anticipation is at an all time high. The time for Romo is Now!
-MM
1. Anthony Davis-The Olympic experience Davis is receiving with Team USA will without a doubt propel him past the rest of his draft class. The fact that he’s practicing with the top players in the NBA (never mind the actual games) gives him a head start above the other rookies in terms of true NBA Superstar competition. His size and skill alone make him ready to produce on a high level out the gate, not to mention defense comes second nature.
2. Bradley Beal-I see Beal having the easiest rookie year of his class. Surrounded by newly acquired veterans Nene, Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza along with John Wall who looks to make a big leap in his third year and possibly take over as #1 point guard in Derrick Roses’ absence. All Beal has to do is consistently shoot the ball and rebound like he’s done his whole basketball career and he should have no problem leading his class in scoring.
3. Michael Kidd Gilchrist-He may be in the worst situation of all the rookies, having to lead Charlotte’s lackluster roster. With Kemba Walker having a season under his belt and the addition of Ben Gordon in the same backcourt the lane should be wide open for Michael. I see Gilchrist averaging good numbers just off his all out hustle way of playing and his knack for offensive boards. Though in the long run Kidd Gilchrist will reach a higher ceiling than Bradley Beal, this season he has a large burden on his shoulders.
4. Damian Lillard-Damian proved a lot of doubters wrong after his impressive summer league. He showed he has the ability to get to the basket and his strength and size make him a great finisher. Along with his court vision and outside touch he’s no doubt the best point in this class of rookies. Look for Lillard to challenge the top three picks for Rookie of the Year.
5. Andre Drummond-Potential wise Drummond is #1 in this class he’s just about 7 feet with a 7’6 wingspan, freak of nature athleticism and he’s only 18. If he can put this package all together with a splash of post moves he will without a doubt be a perennial All Star and take the Detroit Pistons to contender status. With an excellent passing big man like Greg Monroe to give him drop offs for the easy dunk, Drummond leads the new generation of the Piston big men tandem.
-OB
For more than a decade now the Detroit Lions have been an embarrassment to a city and the fans who undoubtedly supported them week after week losing season after losing season. Though every now and then we would see glimpses of progress that unfortunately would quickly fade the following Sunday. For years the Lions were the “butt” of every football joke, deserving and earning no respect league wide. Though for years we were the sorriest franchise in the NFL, we still followed the same losing path unwilling to make the drastic changes we so needed to reinvigorate a team and an ailing city, up until we made history that is. It took the worst season in NFL history, 0-16 for the organization to take a hard look in the mirror and eradicate the front office, players, and coaches that for years led us to this turmoil, and it couldn’t have happened soon enough. Under the helm of coach Jim Schwartz the Detroit Lions look to change their losing culture and move forward as one of the NFL’s elite teams. Following the Lions first winning season in what feels like forever and the emergence of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson as maybe the best quarterback receiver duo since Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, along with the aggressive and flat-out nasty play of one of the best and most hated defensive players in Ndamukong Suh, the Lions and their fans for the first time in this generation have high expectations for the upcoming NFL season.
-OB
With the Olympics going on and all the hype around the favored Team USA Mens Basketball Team a debate has opened as to whether this years “Dream Team” could challenge the original of the ’92 Olympics. Though the first Dream Team was at that time the best team in the world, we must consider the level of competition they faced against. It was a rarity to see NBA players on national teams let alone those who play at a high level as we see today in; Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, the Gasol brothers etc. Todays game is based more on athletics where players are “Freak” athletes combined with size, speed and skill creating unstoppable forces such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Even with the depleted roster Team USA has been left with, the “Older Guys” still wouldn’t stand a chance. I myself feel there is no way that Magic Johnson at the end of his career could stay in front of a 23 year old Russell Westbrook. I’ve been hearing a lot talk about the front court size of the ’92 team, lets not forget that Kevin Durant is a 6’11 knock down shooter with the ability to drive the lane, I’m pretty sure that would be a little too much for Karl Malone to handle. I wont even get started on the crippled Larry Bird, I mean really who would he guard? The primary defensive stopper on the team was Scottie Pippen who gave up 50 to an 18 year old Dirk Nowitzki, 18 year old Dirk or Carmelo Anthony, you tell me who’s more of an offensive weapon. Then there comes the matchup of Jordan vs LeBron, maybe the most debated comparison in sports history. I’ll go on record saying that LeBron is the most “Talented” basketball player ever, his size and strength gives him the advantage in my eyes, though he lacks MJs’ killer instinct and clutch gene, luckily he has Durant to lean on in the 4th. My generation may make these thoughts biased but in the end I don’t see the ’92 Team standing a chance. What do you think?
-OB
truthinsidethelines 