Top 10: Drafted Players in Best Situations

Come one, come all ... it's time for another edition of Top 10! This time we'll be looking at the 10 drafted players in the NBA Draft who landed in the best situations in terms of having the opportunity to get playing time and succeed as an individual and team.

Onward and Upward to the Top 10!

10. DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) - Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers were able to land a legit big man prospect in the 2nd round who could help soften the blow if Elton Brand is either traded or becomes a free agent.

09. DJ White (Indiana) - Detroit Pistons - The Pistons have a history of taking chances on players and having them succeed in their system (a la Antonio McDyess). Perhaps once McDyess is done, White could fill in nicely in that role.

08. JJ Hickson (NC State) - Cleveland Cavaliers - Hickson can provide an instant boost of the bench for an aging frontcourt for the Cavs. He reminds me of a Maxiell type on the Pistons.

07. Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky) - Orlando Magic - The Magic need a peremeter shooter and a legit 2 guard, sorry Mo Evans. Lee should have every opportunity to succeed and play in Orlando.

06. Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis) - New Jersey Nets - CDR will have a chance to play along with the likes of Devin Harris, Marcus Williams and Vince Carter in the backcourt. CDR should have every chance to make the team and have a great chance to play some significant minutes. I think he may be one of the steals of the draft.

05. Russell Westbrook (UCLA) - Seattle Supersonics - Come on now, having the opportunity to distribute to two young guns in Jeff Green and Kevin Durant is very enticing. These three young guys should have a great chance to grow together and flourish whether it is in Seattle or Oklahoma City.

04. Mario Chalmers (Kansas) - Miami Heat - Chalmers slipped in the draft and many had him projected as a first round pick. The Heat may have lucked out with a steal here and Chalmers go eventually work his way into the starting lineup. In the mean time he will be a great sub for Wade and Jason Williams aka White Chocolate.

03. Brook Lopez (Stanford) - New Jersey Nets - The Nets were elated when Brook slipped to them at the number 10 pick. It was a big day for NJ after grabbing Yi, Brook Lopez, and CDR. Lopez should start in the frontcourt alongside Sean Williams and Yi, with Vince Carter and Devin Harris in the backcourt.

02. Jerryd Bayless (Arizona) - Portland Trail Blazers - Bayless has to stoked to be leading the up and coming Blazers. The options he will have on offense to distribute the ball to, Roy, Webster, Oden, and Aldridge just to name a few. The Blazers have a very bright future ahead of them and the swap for Bayless was a key move.

01. Michael Beasley (Kansas State) - Miami Heat - It's tough to argue with the number 2 overall pick and what he will do for Miami. Beasley appears to be an instant 20 and 10 guy and will help provide a potent offense for the Heat with Shawn Marion and Dwayne Wade.

The NFL: Thug?

A mere three years ago, the National Basketball Association was considered the hip hop sport where many of its athletes were considered thugs and many people lost interest in the NBA because of its image. Incidents such as the brawl at the palace between the Pacers and the Pistons, the character of Dennis Rodman, continuous rap albums released, and the antics of Allen Iverson helped give birth to this image of the NBA.

However, I would I like propose that the NFL has since taken over the throne as the sport and league in which athletes and criminals have become synonyms. Sure the NBA still has its issues, Carmelo receiving a DUI, Tim Donaghy, and still more Ron Artest. But ever since the NBA and David Stern instituted the dress code prior to the 2005 regular season, the Association was literally and figuratively attempted to clean up the league and has done a pretty good job doing so.

My proposal: The NFL is the new NBA (a la late 90's/early 2000's).

Sure, ever since Roger Goodell took over the commissioner position in the NFL he has imposed a tougher and harsher penalty on players and off the field issues, however I would argue that the amount of off the field antics has not decreased in the slightest. I recently found an article from an Atlanta based website, that lists 17 players in the NFL who have been arrested in the past year.

1. Cedric Benson - Chicago Bears (boating while intoxicated; resisting arrest)
2. Ahmad Brooks - Cincinnati Bengals (assault for punching woman in the face)
3. Charles Grant - New Orleans Saints (involuntary manslaughter)
4. James Harrison - Pittsburgh Steelers (simple assault, criminal mischief after domestic altercation with girlfriend)
5. Chris Henry - Cincinnati Bengals (misdemeanor assault, property damage for punching a teen in the face and breaking a car window with a beer bottle)
6. Adam "Pacman" Jones - Tennessee Titans (now with Dallas Cowboys) (speeding -- on the heels of multiple charges of assault and vandalism charges)
7. Kenyatta Jones - New England Patriots (now with AFL's Tampa Bay Storm) (battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest after urinating on the dance floor of a nightclub)
8. Nick Kaczur - New England Patriots (illegal purchase of OxyContin)
9. Kenton Keith - Indianapolis Colts (disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement for refusing to leave a nightclub's parking lot)
10. Marshawn Lynch - Buffalo Bills (hit and run)
11. Bryant McKinnie - Minnesota Vikings (felony aggravated battery stemming from a bar fight)
12. Roscoe Parris - Buffalo Bills (DUI)
13. Lofa Tatupu - Seattle Seahawks (DUI)
14. Michael Vick - Atlanta Falcons (federal dogfighting, conspiracy charges)
15. Fabian Washington - Oakland Raiders (domestic battery)
16. Cedric Wilson - Pittsburgh Steelers (slapping his girlfriend)
17. Kenny Wright - Cleveland Browns (unlawful restraint, evading arrest, multiple charges of marijuana possession)

To add to this list ...

18. J.J. Arrington - Arizona Cardinals (disorderly conduct)

19. Ahmad Bradshaw - New York Giants (30-days in jail after probation violation)

20. Jevon Kearse - Tennessee Titans (DUI)

At least 20 different players arrested within the last year and that does not include multiple charges or Marvin Harrison and his whole fiasco! This is just ONE YEAR! It's ridiculous.

Do not get me wrong, the NBA still has its own bad boy image, but to be honest I am getting sick and tired of hearing about an NFL arrest every other day it seems like. Yes, it is a good move for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys to look after Pacman and basically assign him babysitters to make sure he stays out of trouble, the man obviously has a way of finding trouble and needs the help to stay out of it. But come on, Babysitters!? These are grown men, they should be able to police themselves a little bit and avoid situations that can get them in trouble with the law and the league.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the NFL and its image and the players continuing to pile of the trouble?

MLB Power Rankings 1.0

In yet another new development and feature in the ever-lasting quest to improve this blog, I will be revealing an MLB Power Rankings every Tuesday. I will be revealing my Top 10 while producing 2 to 3 honorable mentions. So without further stalling ... let's do it.

MLB Power Rankings 1.0

Honorable Mentions: Florida Marlins (40-35), Arizona Diamondbacks (40-37)

10. Chicago White Sox - 41-34
- 1st Place ~ AL Central
- Swept by Cubs
- Swept the Pirates

09. Philadelphia Phillies - 42-35
- 1st Place ~ NL East
- Swept by Angels
- Lost 2 of 3 to Red Sox

08. New York Yankees - 41-35
- 3rd Place ~ AL East
- Won 8 of 10
- Swept the Padres
- Lost 2 of 3 to Reds

07. Oakland A's - 41-34
- 2nd Place ~ AL West
- Won 2 of 3 vs. Florida
- Lost 2 of 3 @ Arizona

06. St. Louis Cardinals - 44-33
- 2nd Place ~ NL Central
- Got swept by KC
- Won 2 of 3 @ Boston

05. Tampa Bay Rays - 44-31
- 2nd Place ~ AL East
- Swept the Cubs
- Lost 2 of 3 to Houston

04. Minnesota Twins - 40-36
- 2nd Place ~ AL Central
- Won 6 in a row
- Swept the D'Backs and Nationals

03. Boston Red Sox - 47-32
- 1st Place ~ AL East
- Won 2 of 3 @ Philly
- Lost 2 of 3 to Cardinals

02. Los Angeles Angels - 47-30
- 1st Place ~ AL West
- Swept the Phillies
- Won 1 of 3 against the Mets

01. Chicago Cubs - 48-28
- 1st Place ~ NL Central
- Best Record in Baseball
- Swept rival White Sox

Cleaning Up the Mess...

Time to round up the news, and do a little recapping of the recent headlines... BROOMS AND TRASHBAGS PLEASE!

- Michael Strahan will join the FOX Sunday Football Studio this upcoming season, but will not be replacing anyone

- The Nuggets on Monday suspended forward Carmelo Anthony for the first two games of the 2008-09 season, vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien announced in a statement.

- Everyone's favorite mullet, Barry Melrose has been announced as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning

- Curt Schilling will have surgery that will end his season and perhaps his careeer

- NFL ARRESTS!
* Carolina Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on Monday, minutes before he was scheduled to go on trial
* Titans' DE Jevon Kearse received a D.U.I.
* Cardinals RB JJ Arrington was arrested for disorderly conduct
* Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw was jailed for 30 for violating his probation

- Pacman Jones would not like to be referred to as Adam Jones or simply Mr. Jones (cue the counting crows)

- The Olympic team was announced for the 2008 Games (roster includes Carmelo, Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Bosh, Howard, Boozer, Kidd, Deron Williams, CP3, Prince, Redd)

- And oh yeah, some guy named Tiger Woods won his 4th US Open on Monday in the playoff.