Offensively, Ennis is a fantastic leader, great passer, and incredible finisher around the rim, especially for someone his size. On the defensive end of the court, though, Ennis lacks elite size and may struggle to transition from the Syracuse zone to a NBA man-to-man system. When taking in all of these characteristics, the pro player that Ennis most reminds me of is Spurs point guard Tony Parker. First off, both Parker and Ennis are primarily pass first point guards with great attitudes and leadership abilities. Also, nobody in the college game is able to perform a floater quite like Tyler Ennis, while Parker's floater is thought of as one of the best in the NBA. In terms of negatives, neither of them are outstanding on-ball defenders and they are both have relatively small frames, even for point guards. Ennis is shooting up draft boards at the moment and it is easy to see why; much like Parker, he has an NBA ready mind and is a bona fide winner.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
CBB to NBA Player Comparisons: Marcus Smart
When scouts talk about Marcus Smart, the one thing that they say over and over is that he has got the "x-factor" or the "clutch gene." The only suitable pro comparison that I see for him is another combo guard who has ice in his veins when the game is on the line - Miami Heat shooting guard Dwayne Wade. Critics will say that Smart's recent altercation with a fan shows bad character and poor intangibles, but the feeling around college basketball is that Smart is actually a good guy with a team attitude, who is a very smart player and a leader on the court. Wade, too, is renowned for his unselfishness and leadership ability. Meanwhile, the similarities in position and play style are also abundant, as both Wade and Smart are combo guards with an explosive ability to get to the rim and make clutch outside shots when the game is on the line. Additionally, they both have fantastic defensive instincts and are solid passers of the ball on offense. Perhaps Smart is not quit as talented as Dwayne Wade, but he certainly has the attitude and skills to make a fairly solid impact in the pros.
CBB to NBA Player Comparisons: Julius Randle
Randle, with his polished offensive game and unstoppable rebounding ability, reminds me of Warriors power forward David Lee. Randle and Lee both have above-average jump shots for big men, can get it done offensively on the inside, and have strong frames that make them impossible to get around on the boards. Another similarity is their natural athleticism, which allows them to run in transition and make powerful plays around the rim. Despite their athleticism, though, they are both sub-par on the defensive end of the floor and their lack of elite wingspans limits their potential at the NBA level. Randle will likely be a high draft pick because he is one of the more NBA-ready players in this year's class, but it remains to be seen whether his less-than-subtle flaws will be exposed when he makes it to the pros. Lee has been able to succeed without being an incredible defender or having an outstanding wingspan, so maybe Randle will be able to do the same.
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #16 & #15
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
16/15. Kobe Bryant/LeBron James
Double the wait comes with double the reward. These two players both warrant one spot, because although their tattoos are not too plentiful or outlandish, but they both have a signature tattoo that can be classified as ridiculous. Obviously, Kobe and LeBron are two of the best players in this generation, and are up there in terms of greatest ever. They also huge egos. To be fair, it is probably impossible to be so famous and so rich as those two are and to not have a pretty big ego, but that is why guys like Tim Duncan, who don't flaunt their greatness, are so respected. But I mean, look at their tattoos.
First of all is Kobe's "Vanessa" tattoo, with his wife's hair and outline of her upper body under, yes, a halo. Then there is a crown above Vanessa, but it is unclear if it goes with the tattoo below, saying that his wife is a queen, or if it is supposed to stand alone to let the entire world know that he is king. Whichever it is, I think everybody would be better served if he wore long sleeve shirts and so we couldn't see his right arm.
Now for LeBron, who at least has his covered up most of the time. But when you look at it, it doesn't even matter where it is. Just the fact that he has "CHOSEN 1" across his back is bad enough. Not to mention that it looks like LeBron's tattoo artist just ran out of room at the end of "CHOSEN" so just threw in the "1" instead of "ONE." LeBron's tattoo did result in some humor though, when Anderson Varejao (back when LeBron was in Cleveland) put "CHOSEN 2" on his back.
All in all, these two have egos that, whether or not they ever diminish (doubtful, of course), will live on forever in their tattoos, which warrants them these spots on this list.
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
16/15. Kobe Bryant/LeBron James
Double the wait comes with double the reward. These two players both warrant one spot, because although their tattoos are not too plentiful or outlandish, but they both have a signature tattoo that can be classified as ridiculous. Obviously, Kobe and LeBron are two of the best players in this generation, and are up there in terms of greatest ever. They also huge egos. To be fair, it is probably impossible to be so famous and so rich as those two are and to not have a pretty big ego, but that is why guys like Tim Duncan, who don't flaunt their greatness, are so respected. But I mean, look at their tattoos.
First of all is Kobe's "Vanessa" tattoo, with his wife's hair and outline of her upper body under, yes, a halo. Then there is a crown above Vanessa, but it is unclear if it goes with the tattoo below, saying that his wife is a queen, or if it is supposed to stand alone to let the entire world know that he is king. Whichever it is, I think everybody would be better served if he wore long sleeve shirts and so we couldn't see his right arm.
Now for LeBron, who at least has his covered up most of the time. But when you look at it, it doesn't even matter where it is. Just the fact that he has "CHOSEN 1" across his back is bad enough. Not to mention that it looks like LeBron's tattoo artist just ran out of room at the end of "CHOSEN" so just threw in the "1" instead of "ONE." LeBron's tattoo did result in some humor though, when Anderson Varejao (back when LeBron was in Cleveland) put "CHOSEN 2" on his back.
All in all, these two have egos that, whether or not they ever diminish (doubtful, of course), will live on forever in their tattoos, which warrants them these spots on this list.
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| Queen Vanessa or King Kobe? |
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| An Eternal Ego |
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| I bet LeBrown is Scowling Inside |
Friday, February 14, 2014
College Basketball Player of the Year Rankings
1. Jabari Parker, Duke
With his recent 29 point, 16 rebound outing against Boston College, Parker vaulted himself to the top of these rankings. Outside of the game against Syracuse when he fouled out, Parker has dominated as of late, with four double-doubles in his last six games. Though he certainly deserves this spot, he has been awarded it partly due to the recent loss of Creighton's Doug McDermott to lowly St. Johns.
2. Doug McDermott, Creighton
McDermott's numbers are outrageous. 25.3 points per game and 7 rebounds per game is an incredible stat line in college basketball, but his stock takes a hit because he plays in a fairly weak Big East field. Creighton has had a fantastic season nonetheless, and they will need to keep it up if they want McDermott to win the player of the year award.
3. Tyler Ennis, Syracuse
Ennis doesn't have great stats like McDermott (11.9 points per game and 5.6 assists per game) and he is not quite top-5 draft material like Jabari Parker but he still in the race for the player of the year award because he does everything that does not show up on the stats sheet. He is the on-court leader of first ranked Syracuse, and, as evidenced in his recent heroics against Pittsburgh, he absolutely has the clutch gene. There is no doubt in my mind that if Syracuse continue their wonderful season, Ennis will remain in the player of the year conversation.
4. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut
Everybody knew that Shabazz Napier could score, but nobody thought that Napier would fill up the other parts of the box score like he has done this year. With an incredibly well-rounded stat line of 17.3 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and 5.3 assists for game, Napier has done it all this year for a tournament-bound Connecticut team.
5. Nick Johnson, Arizona
Much like Ennis, Johnson does not have an outrageous stat line and is not set to be an extremely high pick in the draft, but he has done all the little things right and has been the leader of the second best team in the country. 15.9 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game is certainly not a bad line, but it also doesn't stand out. However, Johnson is one of the best on-ball defenders and his incredible consistency and drive cannot be understated.
Others Considered:
Nik Stauskas, Michigan - Has incredible stats but has not played well enough in the last few games, leading to two recent surprise losses for Michigan.
Deandre Kane/Melvin Ejim, Iowa State - Truth be told, they seem to be ruining each other's player of the year chances, as they are having to share points and rebounds.
Julius Randle, Kentucky - After a blistering start to the season, Randle has been severely underwhelming as of late.
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State - The recent suspension will certainly hurt his player of the year credentials.
Keith Appling/Gary Harris/Adreian Payne, Michigan State - Appling, Harris, and Payne are having to share stats and the injuries won't help them either.
With his recent 29 point, 16 rebound outing against Boston College, Parker vaulted himself to the top of these rankings. Outside of the game against Syracuse when he fouled out, Parker has dominated as of late, with four double-doubles in his last six games. Though he certainly deserves this spot, he has been awarded it partly due to the recent loss of Creighton's Doug McDermott to lowly St. Johns.2. Doug McDermott, Creighton
McDermott's numbers are outrageous. 25.3 points per game and 7 rebounds per game is an incredible stat line in college basketball, but his stock takes a hit because he plays in a fairly weak Big East field. Creighton has had a fantastic season nonetheless, and they will need to keep it up if they want McDermott to win the player of the year award.3. Tyler Ennis, Syracuse
Ennis doesn't have great stats like McDermott (11.9 points per game and 5.6 assists per game) and he is not quite top-5 draft material like Jabari Parker but he still in the race for the player of the year award because he does everything that does not show up on the stats sheet. He is the on-court leader of first ranked Syracuse, and, as evidenced in his recent heroics against Pittsburgh, he absolutely has the clutch gene. There is no doubt in my mind that if Syracuse continue their wonderful season, Ennis will remain in the player of the year conversation.
4. Shabazz Napier, ConnecticutEverybody knew that Shabazz Napier could score, but nobody thought that Napier would fill up the other parts of the box score like he has done this year. With an incredibly well-rounded stat line of 17.3 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and 5.3 assists for game, Napier has done it all this year for a tournament-bound Connecticut team.
5. Nick Johnson, Arizona
Much like Ennis, Johnson does not have an outrageous stat line and is not set to be an extremely high pick in the draft, but he has done all the little things right and has been the leader of the second best team in the country. 15.9 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game is certainly not a bad line, but it also doesn't stand out. However, Johnson is one of the best on-ball defenders and his incredible consistency and drive cannot be understated.
Others Considered:
Nik Stauskas, Michigan - Has incredible stats but has not played well enough in the last few games, leading to two recent surprise losses for Michigan.Deandre Kane/Melvin Ejim, Iowa State - Truth be told, they seem to be ruining each other's player of the year chances, as they are having to share points and rebounds.
Julius Randle, Kentucky - After a blistering start to the season, Randle has been severely underwhelming as of late.
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State - The recent suspension will certainly hurt his player of the year credentials.
Keith Appling/Gary Harris/Adreian Payne, Michigan State - Appling, Harris, and Payne are having to share stats and the injuries won't help them either.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #17
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was obviously a great player, and one of only a few players to have played for the same team for his entire career. Miller played 17 seasons for the Pacers. Incredible. At first glance, you would never expect him to have any tattoos, let alone one in the oddest of places that makes absolutely no sense. There is only one picture of Reggie Miller, because he only has one tattoo (well, let's hope he only has one). Therefore, his one tattoo must be pretty awful in order to make it onto this. Oh, it is. It sort of looks like he tried to fashion his belly button as the face of a lion, with pretty large mane around it. Or maybe he wanted a permanent bellybutton ring that someone goes around the actual bellybutton. No matter what what his plan was, to get a tattoo as awkward and terrible as the one he has (and to flaunt in the way he seems to be doing in the picture), Reggie Miller has to be either out of his mind, or the loser of a bet. Whichever the answer is, I feel for the guy. That is one nasty tattoo.
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was obviously a great player, and one of only a few players to have played for the same team for his entire career. Miller played 17 seasons for the Pacers. Incredible. At first glance, you would never expect him to have any tattoos, let alone one in the oddest of places that makes absolutely no sense. There is only one picture of Reggie Miller, because he only has one tattoo (well, let's hope he only has one). Therefore, his one tattoo must be pretty awful in order to make it onto this. Oh, it is. It sort of looks like he tried to fashion his belly button as the face of a lion, with pretty large mane around it. Or maybe he wanted a permanent bellybutton ring that someone goes around the actual bellybutton. No matter what what his plan was, to get a tattoo as awkward and terrible as the one he has (and to flaunt in the way he seems to be doing in the picture), Reggie Miller has to be either out of his mind, or the loser of a bet. Whichever the answer is, I feel for the guy. That is one nasty tattoo.
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| No Comment. |
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #18
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson:
Allen Iverson was a great NBA player, averaging over 26 points per game over his entire career. That is pretty amazing, but Iverson's greatness on the court came with a huge ego off the court. His tattoos exemplify his personality amazingly, for example the one on his back that says "FAME" with subtext of "F@#!? All My Enemies." The thing is, he was probably completely serious when he decided to get that one. Another prime example of Iverson's egotism is the blatant "MONEY BAGZ" on the back of his left hand. He wants people to see it. He loves the attention. Just look at his face, which is the same in every picture. Allen Iverson has tried to build his reputation as a tough guy, but it is, frankly, hard to take the guy seriously because his tattoos are a joke (just look at the other pictures!).
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson:
Allen Iverson was a great NBA player, averaging over 26 points per game over his entire career. That is pretty amazing, but Iverson's greatness on the court came with a huge ego off the court. His tattoos exemplify his personality amazingly, for example the one on his back that says "FAME" with subtext of "F@#!? All My Enemies." The thing is, he was probably completely serious when he decided to get that one. Another prime example of Iverson's egotism is the blatant "MONEY BAGZ" on the back of his left hand. He wants people to see it. He loves the attention. Just look at his face, which is the same in every picture. Allen Iverson has tried to build his reputation as a tough guy, but it is, frankly, hard to take the guy seriously because his tattoos are a joke (just look at the other pictures!).
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| Allen Iverson Looking Real Cool |
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| Iverson Deep in Though - About Bagz of Money |
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| Allen Iverson's Clever Acronym |
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| Iverson Trying to Copy the Face of the Skull on His Arm |
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #19
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes:
Since Matt Barnes entered the NBA in 2003, he has played for 9 teams. He has occasionally been effective off the bench, but has been mostly known for his "character issues" and uncontrollable temper. Well, just from looking at his face in the last picture, you can tell that he might not be the most constructive member of a locker room, maybe playing a part in his inability to stick with one team. However, I would not be surprised if all 9 teams just got sick of his tattoos. The praying hands with the word "Believe" smack on the side of his neck. The conspicuous Rolling Stones tongue tattoo in full blown color that the entire world can see every time he takes a shot. The numerous angels on his front, random quotes fill in every open space. These all combine to make a pretty bad collage of tattoos for Barnes. But maybe the most scary part, once again judging by his face in the last picture, is the many many more tattoos he is likely to get.
19. Matt Barnes:
Since Matt Barnes entered the NBA in 2003, he has played for 9 teams. He has occasionally been effective off the bench, but has been mostly known for his "character issues" and uncontrollable temper. Well, just from looking at his face in the last picture, you can tell that he might not be the most constructive member of a locker room, maybe playing a part in his inability to stick with one team. However, I would not be surprised if all 9 teams just got sick of his tattoos. The praying hands with the word "Believe" smack on the side of his neck. The conspicuous Rolling Stones tongue tattoo in full blown color that the entire world can see every time he takes a shot. The numerous angels on his front, random quotes fill in every open space. These all combine to make a pretty bad collage of tattoos for Barnes. But maybe the most scary part, once again judging by his face in the last picture, is the many many more tattoos he is likely to get.
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| The Rolling Stones |
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| Praying Hands |
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| Matt Barnes Before With a Lot of Tattoos - But He Would Add More |
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| Matt Barnes Adding More |
Monday, February 10, 2014
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #20
Welcome to the first installment of "Worst Tattoos in the NBA." First of all, there are so many bad ones, that it was really hard to come up with this list, especially its order. Nevertheless, a new post each day will contain another player(s) and his/their horrendous tattoos. A link to each of the previous posts will be provided as well. I hope you all enjoy cringing at these tattoos and criticizing my rankings!
20. Stephon Marbury:
Marbury played for five franchises in the Timberwolves, Nets, Suns, Knicks, and Celtics, but was most known, especially later in his career, for the half-star tattoo smack on the side of his fully-bald head. To be honest, it looks horrendous, but he probably likes having people stare and gawk at his head wherever he goes. Marbury also appears to be sporting some type of ribbon or chain wrapped around his left arm. Unless he was going for the ex-convict look (which is entirely possible), he might experience second thoughts on that one sooner rather than later. To top it off, he has his own name written on his right shoulder, some Chinese characters and the word "CHINA" on that same left arm that is in bondage from the chains, and some other words in pictures filling out his arms and neck. All in all, Marbury's tattoos are not the worst in the NBA, but they are still pretty bad.
20. Stephon Marbury:
Marbury played for five franchises in the Timberwolves, Nets, Suns, Knicks, and Celtics, but was most known, especially later in his career, for the half-star tattoo smack on the side of his fully-bald head. To be honest, it looks horrendous, but he probably likes having people stare and gawk at his head wherever he goes. Marbury also appears to be sporting some type of ribbon or chain wrapped around his left arm. Unless he was going for the ex-convict look (which is entirely possible), he might experience second thoughts on that one sooner rather than later. To top it off, he has his own name written on his right shoulder, some Chinese characters and the word "CHINA" on that same left arm that is in bondage from the chains, and some other words in pictures filling out his arms and neck. All in all, Marbury's tattoos are not the worst in the NBA, but they are still pretty bad.
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| His Chinese Right Arm in Bondage |
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| The Infamous Demented Star |
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| His Tattoos in Action |
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| Marbury Looking Thrilled with all his Tattoos |
Saturday, February 8, 2014
MLB Position Rankings: First Base
2014 looks to be a deep year for many positions, but 1B is not one of them. Traditionally a position filled with elite hitters, the quality of talent at first base drops off alarmingly quickly. That being said, there is some good value to be found in the talent pool. Here are the top 10 rankings for first base in 2014. Make sure to check back soon for second base rankings!
9- Adrian Gonzalez
Davis hit more home runs in 2013 than he had hit in his 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons combined. He's a good first baseman and power hitter, but he's not as good as his 2013 numbers looked. Look for Davis to be a major regression candidate this season.
Votto is about a safe of a pick as you can get in the first round and should be top 5 pick in every league this season. While owners might get slightly frustrated by his lack of RBIs, Votto should continue to hit for power while scoring runs and maintaining a batting average over .300. What else can you ask from your first baseman?
Sleeper Picks- Jose Abreu, Ryan Howard, Logan Morrison, Brandon Moss
10- Eric Hosmer
After Hosmer's 2011 rookie campaign, scouts and owners alike were salivating over Hosmer's talent and potential as a hitter. Fast forward 3 years and Hosmer has been unable to replicate the power he showed at the plate during his first season. 2014 will be a pivotal year for Hosmer but we predict that he will continue to put up the mediocre numbers that he did last year.
Gonzalez is perhaps one of the safest picks in the top 10 for first baseman but he also has one of the lowest upsides. Gonzalez has most likely seen his best years pass, but that doesn't mean he can't still contribute at the plate. He won't hit 40 homers like he did in 2009 but hitting in the cleanup spot for the stacked Dodgers will ensure another solid season for Gonzo.
8- Buster Posey
Yes, Posey plays predominantly as a catcher, but he has 1B eligibility in ESPN fantasy so for the sake of this blog, we will include him in the 1b rankings. Posey had a solid 2013 season in which he hit .294 with 15 home runs and we think he will only improve upon those numbers in 2014.
7- Edwin Encarnacion
Encarnacion is a very interesting player to watch in 2014 and beyond. He seemingly broke out in 2012 out of nowhere and continued his success in 2013 with 36 homers. A closer look at his peripherals, however, suggest that Encarnacion's elite numbers have been the result of luck (and maybe some banned substances?) Be careful with Encarnacion in 2014.
6- Chris Davis
Davis hit more home runs in 2013 than he had hit in his 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons combined. He's a good first baseman and power hitter, but he's not as good as his 2013 numbers looked. Look for Davis to be a major regression candidate this season.5- Freddie Freeman
Freeman has a very good 2013 year for the Braves at first base. He finally showed the patience at the plate that scouts had been looking for which helped boost his average to a very impressive .319. What should benefit Freeman most in 2014, however, is the resurgence of the Braves lineup. The Upton brothers both have a lot of room to grow from last season and if they finally start producing like they can, Freeman will benefit greatly in the form of increased runs and RBIs.
4- Prince Fielder
Fielder is another player who has already seen his prime pass but will still contribute in 2014. Something around .280 with 25 homers and 95 RBIs seems realistic for the first baseman's first season with the Rangers.
3- Joey Votto
Votto is about a safe of a pick as you can get in the first round and should be top 5 pick in every league this season. While owners might get slightly frustrated by his lack of RBIs, Votto should continue to hit for power while scoring runs and maintaining a batting average over .300. What else can you ask from your first baseman?2- Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt had a great 2013 season and finished in the top 5 for ESPN's player rater. He's still only 26 years old and is one of the only first baseman who can contribute in the steals category as well as the power category. Goldschmidt should be a top 5 pick in every league in 2014.
1- Miguel Cabrera
After the departure of Prince Fielder, Cabrera should regain his 1B eligibility just a few weeks into the 2014 season. When he does, he will be far and away the best first baseman in the league.
College Basketball Games to Watch: February 8th
(7) Cincinnati vs. SMU - The AAC is having a fantastic season, with four top-25 teams right now. However, SMU will likely be less than pleased that they continue to be left out despite already having beaten two AAC teams that are ranked - UConn and Memphis. SMU also have just as impressive conference and overall records as these two teams. What else do SMU have to do to have their name included in the top-25? Well, a victory against 7th ranked Cincinnati would not hurt. Cincinnati, who defeated SMU back on new years day by eight, have won their last fifteen behind a brilliant season from Sean Kilpatrick, who is averaging an impressive 19.7 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. This game will surely be a highly contested one, as SMU will look to add to their tournament chances with a win against a very talented Cincinnati team.West Virginia vs. (8) Kansas - Here we have another conference matchup between a top-10 team and a team that has tournament aspirations. Coming off of a huge overtime win against 21st ranked Oklahoma as well as two more big wins against Kansas State and Baylor, West Virginia has a chance to boost their resume today against Kansas. The Big 12 is having an incredible season, so West Virginia are going to need to up their game if they want to make the tournament, and what better way than a big win against an eighth ranked Kansas.
(10) Michigan vs. (17) Iowa - Michigan and Iowa are two of the top three teams in the Big Ten along with Michigan State. Iowa, who have already upset a formerly third ranked Ohio State team, will be on the upset trail again against Michigan. Meanwhile, Michigan have had several upsets of their own in recent weeks, including against then third ranked Wisconsin and just two games later against the next team taking up the third spot in the rankings, Michigan State. These two teams that tend to play well in big games should create an entertaining matchup as they both look to stay near the top of the Big 10.Wednesday, February 5, 2014
CBB to NBA Player Comparisons: Dante Exum
Exum's skill set is perfectly reminiscent of Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams. Both of them, standing at 6'6", create huge mismatches at the point guard position. What they gain in height, they certainly don't loose in speed, as they are both incredibly quick. The combination of quickness and size makes both Carter-Williams and Exum unstoppable when driving to the basket. However, when they are forced to sit outside and shoot jumpers, they can both be quite inconsistent. Carter-Williams' jumper was supposed to be horrible when he was drafted by the 76ers, but it has been slightly better than we expected, which can be attributed to MCW's great work ethic. Exum is also said to have a great work ethic, and teams will hope that he can improve his jumper during the offseason. Additionally, Carter-Williams and Exum are both dynamic on the defensive end of the floor, making steals and disrupting passing lanes with their large frames. Lastly, the largest part of both Carter-Williams' and Exum's game is their ability to create for teammates. With incredible court vision and size, Exum, much like MCW, should be able to fill up the box score when he arrives in the NBA.
Top 5 College Football Recruits of 2014
As almost everyone in the college football world settles in to hibernate for 7 months, those happy few who remain desperately interested in the sport must find more obscure sources of entertainment. (see: ode to the BCS) For many of us, this means turning our attention to the at times murky world of college football recruitment. These young men, after all, are the future. They are what we will be watching next year, the auspicious or even those freshmen who will immediately make an impact. Here are some of the latter crowd, in fact a brief look at the 5 best recruits in this year's class.
Leonard Fournette: RB, 95 (ESPN grade), bound for LSU. This guy will make a difference, obviously. It's exciting to think of a running back as the best player in the country, and most people think he will live up to the hype, even against SEC defenses. The extent of his impact as a freshman remains to be seen, but LSU sure thinks he'll play, and play well.
Jabrill Peppers: CB, 95, Michigan. I've heard many a great name, both in the professional and collegiate game. This is up there, I have to say. Michigan is happy to have this guy in their secondary, obviously, but more importantly, what a name. "Hi, I'm Jabrill. Jabrill Peppers." I can't crown it the best, but this is one of the top names I've heard in a while.
Cameron Robinson: OT, 95, Alabama. As if the Crimson Tide needed help in their running game… (They don't, they really don't.) But they are definitely getting it in the 330 lb. Robinson. SEC football just got a little bit bigger.
Myles Garret: DE, 95, headed for Texas A&M. We always hear about how a great defensive end is worth almost anything, and can completely change a team. Well we know the defense down in college station needs help, as last year Manziel would do things like drop 42 on Alabama's defense and they would still lose. By the end of the season, the entire defensive unit was, as one analyst put it so poignantly, "floating belly up. Completely." So they need help, and they are getting it in Garret.
Andrew Brown: DT, 94, Virginia. Virginia is the latest school in the ACC to, out of nowhere it seems, suddenly field a more than respectable football team. They have one of the best recruiting classes in the country this year, and a large part of that is the 300 lb. Brown. Between him and the tenth ranked Quin Blanding, (S), they head up definitely one of the most promising classes in recent memory for the Cavaliers. This means the ACC is improving, if we didn't know that already. (FSU of course, Miami, Clemson, Duke, BC even…) A stronger conference will be great for college football.
Leonard Fournette: RB, 95 (ESPN grade), bound for LSU. This guy will make a difference, obviously. It's exciting to think of a running back as the best player in the country, and most people think he will live up to the hype, even against SEC defenses. The extent of his impact as a freshman remains to be seen, but LSU sure thinks he'll play, and play well.
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| Ok so that's a man, not a high schooler, and he looks ready to help LSU win. |
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| Michigan has "signed its big fish" in Peppers, the second best player in the country |
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| Garret will be a big improvement on a defense that bad. Also, he's worth a google. They all are, but he's jacked like a Greek god. |
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| 300 lbs. of five star commit, headed to, incredibly, an ACC school |
CBB to NBA Player Comparisons: Andrew Wiggins
For a while now, people have been throwing around the idea that Wiggins is the next Lebron James, but I don't see it. Wiggins reminds me a lot more of Paul George than Lebron. It starts with stature; Wiggins and George are wiry and would have difficulty matching up at the center or power forward position. Both Wiggins and George weigh in at under 220 pounds, while Lebron comes in at 249 pounds. The added body mass allows Lebron to hold his own at the center or power forward positions, as we have seen him do over the years with the Heat and Cavs. Additionally, when George came into the league, his jump shot was still a work in progress. Wiggins jump shot is also a work in progress, but one skill that neither he nor George is lacking is the ability to drive to the basket and make exciting plays around the rim. Certainly, when Wiggins enters the NBA next year, he will be one of the most athletically gifted players in the league, while Paul George has already cemented his status as one of the athletic gems of the NBA. The potential is through the roof for both of these young superstars.
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