John Sterling takes his 1st day off in 30 years (yes that headline is real).
Nick Kyrgios loses his damn mind (what else is new).
And Yankees’ fans everywhere hope Michael Kay’s vocal cord surgery goes well.
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Draft night, in any sport, is a special time….
Everyone becomes an expert for a day. Thursday night’s NBA Draft was no different.
Before these prospects ever step foot on an NBA court, “experts” think they know (definitively) who will be a bust,or a superstar.
They don’t know. I don’t either, but I’m going to give you my best (educated) guess.
To see the entire draft results, click here.
#1
Deandre Ayton was selected with the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. Considering Ayton was an Arizona Wildcat, this should be a seamless transition. Ayton can be summed up in two words; physical specimen.
At 7’0″, 261 pounds, Ayton should contribute at the NBA level immediately. While I like Ayton’s game, I believe the Sacramento Kings were gifted the best player in the draft.
#2
Marvin Bagley III. What experts call unpolished, I call raw talent. Bagley’s game fits the NBA perfectly. He is a skilled scorer and rebounder with a high motor. His energy level, and ability to outwork opposing big men, will lead to a long, successful career in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns may regret passing on Bagley.
#3
The Dallas Mavericks must love them some Luka Doncic. They traded the rights to Trae Young, and their 2019 protected (top-five) 1st round pick, for Doncic. I don’t care who you are, international players are a complete mystery. The track record of players from other countries is less than stellar, and all of the tape in the world can’t paint the whole picture. The NBA and international games differ so greatly, international stars either excel right away, or crash and burn.
There’s no in between.
By the way, Trae Young will be the biggest BUST in this draft!!
The New York Knickerbockers
Por fin, I am NOT mad about a Knicks’ 1st round pick; Kevin Knox. While I believe Collin Sexton is a star in the making, the Knicks couldn’t pick a player who wasn’t available (Sexton went 8th to the Cleveland Cavaliers). The Knicks’ only other option was to choose Mr. injury-in-waiting, Michael Porter Jr. The Knicks, as well as 12 other teams, felt Porter Jr.’s injury was too risky to gamble on, as he fell to the 14th pick (Denver Nuggets).
The question is: Will Michael Porter Jr. be the next Joel Embiid, or Greg Oden??
You know where the comment section is. USE IT!!!!
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Whether you like it or not, today is going to be crazy. There will be buzzer-beaters, major upsets, and absolute blowouts. If only we had a crystal ball to predict the future, this would be a lot easier (and more lucrative). Whatever happens, don’t bet more than you can afford to lose, and have a good time.
Upset City
(12) South Dakota State over (5) Ohio State
(11) Loyola-Chicago over (6) Miami
(11) St. Bonaventure over (6) Florida
(11) Loyola-Chicago over (3) Tennessee (2nd round)
(8) Missouri over (1) Xavier (2nd round)
None of the top 4 seeds, in any region, will lose in the 1st round. You’ll see at least one 12 seed beat a 5 seed. It happens every year. This year, it’ll be South Dakota State taking down Ohio State.
Loyola-Chicago is under-seeded. Vegas agrees, as Miami is just a 1.5 point favorite in today’s game. Seemingly every year a double-digit seed makes it to the sweet 16. This year, it’s Loyola-Chicago.
Since the inception of the “first four” (in 2012), at least one team has advanced from the “round of 68” to the 2nd round. St. Bonaventure will carry the momentum from a win over UCLA to a win over Florida.
Our last major upset of the tournament actually falls into our next category….
First #1 Seed To Fall
Xavier. Xavier is the weakest #1 seed. They’ll run into a Missouri team in the 2nd round, who recently regained the services of one of the top prospects in the country; Michael Porter Jr. Expect Porter Jr. to hit his full stride come the 2nd round.
Final Four
South – ARIZONA
West – GONZAGA
East – VILLANOVA
Midwest – DUKE
**The winner of the Sweet 16 matchup between Michigan State and Duke will advance to the Final Four.
Champion
Villanova. Jay Wright is a phenomenal basketball coach. He consistently produces top-line NCAA teams every year. This season, his squad has returned to life as a #1 seed. Balanced scoring is the name of their game. Villanova has six, double-digit scorers on their roster, making their bench almost as dangerous as their starting five.
Villanova will be cutting down the nets for the 2nd time in three years.
Who’s going to win the Championship?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
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Dave Talks Sports 