Cleveland Cavaliers Trying to Acquire the 2nd Pick, Too?

Report: Cleveland, OH - After landing the 1st and 4th overall pick in this years draft, rumors are flying that the Cavs are attempting to move up to secure the top two picks in an attempt to rebuild their franchise just a year after the departure of LeBron James.  In the potential deal, the Detroit Pistons would trade SG Rip Hamilton and the 8th overall pick to Cleveland, who can absorb his contract with the $14.7M trade exception they received after the sign and trade of LeBron James last summer.  Cleveland is then expected to buy out the remaining $25,000,000 on his contract.  The Timberwolves, then, will act as a third party and trade the 2nd overall pick to Cleveland in return for the Cavs 4th pick and the newly acquired 8th pick from Detroit.  

If the trade does go through, Cleveland is expected to take Duke PG Kyrie Irving with the first pick and Arizona PF Derrick Williams with the second.  This influx of youth and athleticism will certainly create the much needed 1-2 punch that has been lacking in Cleveland for years.  The Timberwolves, supposedly, may be worried that Derrick Williams does not fit into their already PF heavy roster with Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.  By moving back to get a top-5 and top-10 pick, the Wolves may get the opportunity to add two players at other positions such as C Enes Kanter and PG Kemba Walker. 

More details as they come...

Time to rebuild in Minny?

After missing the playoffs for a third straight season, the Minnesota Wild fired coach Todd Richards this past season.  While some teams may be satisfied with sell-out crowds and a team good enough to just miss the playoffs and continuously land a early-to-mid first round pick, the Wild should not be.  This is the State of Hockey... the standards are higher here.  Simply put, the Wild need to put a team on the ice that will not only put fans in the seats, but will contend for the Stanley Cup year in and year out like neighboring hockey mecca Detroit.  So the question becomes, how do they get there?  Despite a new front office, the Wild have shown an inability to improve themselves via the draft, and they continue to run a farm team in Houston that, while contenting for the Calder Cup, boasts few strong NHL prospects.  The question is, how can they turn a roster currently full of over-paid, underachieving role players into a perennial powerhouse.  The answer: blow the team up.  Thats right, the Minnesota Wild need to shake the franchise from the foundation and start anew.  It won't be easy, but here's where I think they need to start.

SportsBank's NBA Lottery Mock Draft 1.0 Picks (6-10)

In part two of our mock draft special, we pick up with the sixth pick, which belongs to the Washington Wizards.  The Wizards were one of the NBA's worst teams last season, despite a strong season from rookie point guard John Wall.  So without further ado...

6. Washington Wizards - Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego St.

Although this may seem like a stretch to some, Leonard fits in quite well with where Washington needs to go.  Leonard will be able to step in and instantly improve a porous Wizards defense which ranked 26th in blocks per game, and 24th in PPG allowed.  The versatile 6'7'' NCAA tournament standout is capable of guarding shooting guards, small forwards and the occasional power forward, which increases his value substantially.  Simply put, Leonard has a TON of upside, and if he continues to improve his shooting game he could help form a legit force with John Wall.

Also in consideration: Jan Vesley


7. Sacramento Kings - Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

The Kings could use a Knight at the point for a number of reasons.  Besides the obvious need for a solid on-court leader, drafting Knight would allow them to move Tyreke Evans to permanent shooting guard, where he is a much better fit.  While his name doesn't carry the same weight as, say, Kemba Walker, Knight is a legitimate point guard who can play defense and shoot consistently.  Moreover, he is a strong character guy, who, together with Evans and fellow Wildcat DeMarcus Cousins, could make Sacramento significant again.

Also in consideration: Jimmer Fredette


8. Detroit Pistons - Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas

Thompson is a phenomenal rebounder who could step in and improve the Pistons roster immediately.  While he will likely never be a star, he is a proven inside presence that will be a step in the right direction for a rebuilding Pistons team.  While they might consider international prospect Bismack Biyombo, Thompson is a safer pick that is more NBA ready.

Also in consideration: Bismack Biyombo

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo

Another strong international prospect, Biyombo has tremendous upside due to his superior athleticism.  At only 18 (reportedly), he will need time to develop a complete NBA game, but the potential is there.  He will bring athleticism and rebounding to a team desperately needing both.  Since not a lot is currently known about him, his performance in upcoming team workouts will greatly determine where he goes come draft day.

Also in consideration: Marcus Morris


10. Milwaukee Bucks - Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

A quick 2-guard who can get to the basket, Burks still needs to improve his outside shooting to succeed at the next level.  While the Bucks may look to add size inside, they will likely get the most value with Burks, especially since he can play both shooting guard and small forward.  Again, Burks isn't likely to be a star, but if he continues to improve, he could become a legitimate NBA starter.

Also in consideration: Marcus Morris

SportsBank's NBA Lottery Mock Draft 1.0 Picks (1-5)

The lottery is over... and the Cleveland Cavaliers are this years big winners.  With the 1st and 4th pick in this years draft, Dan Gilbert's club, still reeling from last seasons loss of a certain superstar, stands to gain the most from this years rookie class.  Yet, despite the fact that most analysts consider the 2011 class to be relatively weak, every team will spend the next month trying to figure out who their next franchise player may be.  Numerous workouts, interviews and camps will alter predictions again and again, but as it stands today, here's how I see it going.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

The Cav's are in desperate need of star power, and Irving might be the closest thing this draft has.  In a league driven by point guards, Irving will give Cleveland something to rebuild around.  Although some consider him a 'poor man's Chris Paul', Irving will be a solid long-term answer at the point.  Having a few seasons to learn from Baron Davis won't hurt either.

Also in consideration: Derrick Williams

Rangers Winger Derek Boogaard Found Dead in Minneapolis

Former Wild Enforcer Derek Boogaard

Update: Hennepin county medical examiner determines Derek Boogaard's cause of death was an accidental overdose on a combination of alcohol and Oxycodone 


Update: Autopsy for Derek Boogaard to be completed Saturday in Minneapolis.

Update: Late night vigil, outside Minnesota's Exel Energy Center, a repatriated success.  Many family members, including Derek's brother Ryan Boogaard, teammates and friends were in attendance.  Former Wild teammates Niklas Backstrom, Brent Burns, Andrew Brunette, Stephane Veilleux and Nick Shultz were all there for the event.
                                                                                                                                                                              

Minneapolis, MN - Rangers W Derek Boogaard was found dead at the age of 28 in his Minneapolis apartment.

Boogaard, a long time fan favorite of the Minnesota Wild faithful, played 5 full seasons with the Wild before signing a more lucrative contract with the New York Rangers just prior to last season to help defend another former Wild star, Marion Gaborik.  Although Boogaard, or the Boogeyman as many of his fans called him, was hardly a prolific scorer (he actually scored his first goal since 2005-06 this season) he had immense value both as a fan favorite and as one of the leagues most feared enforcers.  Simply put, when Boogaard was on a team, opponents didn't mess with his teammates.  If they did, they paid for it.  He is widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the NHL in recent history, and at 6'7'', 265, he has a size, reach and strength advantage over just about every player.  A good coach knew that using Boogy at the right time could electrify the team and the fans.  For evidence, look no further than than the first video I will post below.  (For context, there was a scuffle and some cheap shots.  Boogaard is on the bench and the Wild fans begin to chant for Boogaard.  In the end, Coach Lemaire sends him out to skate around quick, and the stadium erupts, as Boogaard shoots a glare to the Ducks bench).


But beyond his on ice value, Derek Boogaard was a good man.  I only had the honor of meeting him twice, but both times were memorable occasions.  Each time I ran into him, regardless of where, Derek would make sure to take some time to talk to my friends and I.  He was surprisingly easy to talk to, and even joked about the upcoming game from time to time.  In no way was he your stereotypical, arrogant, hockey guy, but rather a caring, down to earth, 'kind of guy you want to just go get a beer with'.

Derek was an unbelievable person, who will remain forever in the hearts and memories for Wild fans, Ranger Fans and Hockey fans around the world.  Rest In Peace, Derek.


And as a tribute to the Boogeyman, here's a montage of Boogaard fights I found online.  Enjoy.

Minnesota's Problem? They Just Might Not Be That Good...

After winning the AL Central with an impressive 94-68 record in 2010, the Minnesota Twins are off to one of the worst starts in baseball this season. Actually, through May 5th, the Twins were tied for the worst record in the MLB with division rival Chicago at a dismal 11-18.  Although Francisco Liriano is fresh off his no-hit performance, and the team just won two important division games, it is clear the magic of Target Field is gone.  The question is... why?

Well, it may be that the Twins just aren't that good.  Just take a look at their roster.  An infield featuring Alexi Casilla and a rotation of Matt Tolbert, Trevor Plouffe and Luke Hughes is hardly characteristic of a playoff caliber team.  Moreover, the lone star of the infield, Justin Morneau, clearly isn't 100% recovered from his concussion suffered last season in Toronto.  In fact, he's off to one of the worst starts of his career, batting just .207 with 1 home run, less than one season from being an MVP candidate.  Danny Valencia - thought to be the long sought after answer at third base - has done nothing to prove he is the potential star many thought he could be.  As of Thursday, Valencia is batting just .218 with 2 home runs.