I had the priviledge of seeing Jodie Meeks for 2 years at Norcross. He was phenomenal. I remember in the playoffs how he just took over the game. And of course they won a state title. Now they played Beach, who had upset Wheeler but that was still on the grand stage at the Gwinnett Arena.
But going to Kentucky and playing in the SEC i never dreamed he'd be that good. I heard he lit Tennessee up for 54 points this season. I tuned in at halftime and he had 26 points. I knew he would have a big game. Of course being a channel flipper I was going back and forth to other events. So when I turned back and he had 50 I decided to watch the rest.
So that leads to the question, is he a first rounder. I think so. Is he a top 10? Well that I don't know. In fact I hope he isn't because maybe he could land with the Hawks. Let's do our version of a Mock Draft and see. Here are my top picks.
Blake Griffin - Oklahoma
Tyler Hansbrough -North Carolina
Ty Lawson - North Carolina should he declare
DeJuan Blair - Pittsburgh
Hasheem Thabeet - Connecticut
Al Farouq Aminu - Wake Forest (if he declares)
Of course that is another story for our Gwinnett products and for that matter Norcross grads
James Harden - Arizona State
Stephen Curry - Davidson
Earl Clark - Louisville
Jeff Teague - Wake Forest
So that is a mock top 10 and could Meeks be in there? Well let's see if he could fit in the next 5-10 players selected. The Hawks will probably pick around 18-20th. So will Meeks be available?
Cole Aldrich - Kansas
Greg Monroe - Although I question this one too and that will be for a later blog as to why.
Brandon Jennings - Italy
Darren Collison - UCLA
Tyreke Evans - Memphis
Jordan Hill - Arizona
Kyle Singler - Duke
B.J. Mullens - Ohio State
And now Jodie Meeks.
So I do think he could go in the top 20. That was actually 19th and his stock is rising as others begin to fall. Meeks is definitely a first rounder. He has poise and can shoot free throws. He can shoot it from 3-point range and he can take it to the hole. If he doesn't make the top 10, he definitely will be in the second ten. I know if I were there in the middle of the first round I would consider him a lot. He is a winner too. He knows how to win. Granted this year was tough on him but trust me, Jodie Meeks will be making a good living if he decides the NBA is for him.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
March Madness finally over
Well my bracket was busted big time. But who didn't know North Carolina would make the final four and actually win the title. I had a sentimental place for our Gwinnett products and Chris Allen made us proud down here in Lawrenceville. Every time I see his name and where he's from it made me proud. To think that Chris was a kid with long dreadlocks and a super nice guy that repected my wife and me. I remember him coming over to us while in attendance at the region tournament and saying "Nice to meet you." and "It was a pleasure meeting you:" to my wife. You don't find kids like that any more. Especially athletes. But ever since then Allen has been one of OUR favorites.
Back to my bracket. Yes I had Memphis, UConnecticut, Louisville, North Carolina and Villanova advancing further than they all did. Who would have thought Michigan State would go that far. I may like Allen a lot but Louisville was on a roll. I liked Wesley Witherspoon and thought his team had enough to win the title. But Missouri got hot for a game and knocked him out. That killed my bracket. I did say Villanova would beat Pitt. But you'd have to be under a rock somewhere not to realize the Tar Heels were on a roll and would destroy them, provided they got past Oklahoma and Blake Griffin.
But I heard a stat and this is phenomenal. North Carolina won all six games by an average of 20 points or more. Sure the first round game is always a blowout but to beat teams like Oklahoma, Villanova and Michigan State all by 20 is saying something. Yes the final score was 89-72 but they led by 21 at halftime and then put it on cruise control.
I should have known the Tar Heels would dominate. Roy Williams is a great coach but sometimes during March Madness we go with our heart. Next year I'll go with the brains and if some of our Gwinnett products make it to the dance maybe I'll pick them a round or two and then go back to reality and pick the best team. If Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington are back, look for UNC to repeat. I wouldn't pick against them this time.
Back to my bracket. Yes I had Memphis, UConnecticut, Louisville, North Carolina and Villanova advancing further than they all did. Who would have thought Michigan State would go that far. I may like Allen a lot but Louisville was on a roll. I liked Wesley Witherspoon and thought his team had enough to win the title. But Missouri got hot for a game and knocked him out. That killed my bracket. I did say Villanova would beat Pitt. But you'd have to be under a rock somewhere not to realize the Tar Heels were on a roll and would destroy them, provided they got past Oklahoma and Blake Griffin.
But I heard a stat and this is phenomenal. North Carolina won all six games by an average of 20 points or more. Sure the first round game is always a blowout but to beat teams like Oklahoma, Villanova and Michigan State all by 20 is saying something. Yes the final score was 89-72 but they led by 21 at halftime and then put it on cruise control.
I should have known the Tar Heels would dominate. Roy Williams is a great coach but sometimes during March Madness we go with our heart. Next year I'll go with the brains and if some of our Gwinnett products make it to the dance maybe I'll pick them a round or two and then go back to reality and pick the best team. If Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington are back, look for UNC to repeat. I wouldn't pick against them this time.
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