NBA Talk

Back on February 4th the SacTownGuy told you about the little known combo guard out of UCLA, named Russell Westbrook. If you missed it, here's the link. Back then I told you how Russell was not even in ESPN's not 100 NBA prospects but I was sure he would be in the top 50 by year end. Within a week of my posting in February ESPN put him in their top 100. Apparently those draft "gurus" at ESPN.com know about the SacTownGuy and get some info here!? By the end of the season Westbrook was a solid first round choice by all the experts and the SacTownGuy was telling people he will be a higher picked pro than Kevin Love. People scoffed at the SacTownGuy.

For months the SacTownGuy has been telling people here in SacTown that Westbrook would be a GREAT fit for the SacTown King's as he is a big, tough, defensive minded guard who can score... plus he will develop a better shot (remember he's only 19 or 20). I have told many people over the last couple months the King's would be smart to pick him with their pick (King's will be picking 12th) but I doubt Petrie would take him since Westbrook is not a pure outside shooter yet. Petrie doesn't care if a guy can play defense. He only cares if they can shoot. It's Petrie's main fault as a GM. He can pick shooters but there is more to the game than just shooting 3 point shots. Yippeee, Peja won the 3 point contest one time. Shoot, Jason Kapono won it twice I believe. Shooting 3 pointers does not make a great NBA player. Defense, toughness, and ability to score is more important to me. Russell Westbrook would help so much to round out the King's.

However, guess what? Russell Westbrook will NOT be available if the King's hold on to their 12th pick. The ESPN mock draft 4.0 (dated June 9th) has Westbrook going at 11 to Indiana. However, I don't see him lasting that long. I have read the Knick's like him and they pick 6th. Do not be surprised if he gets picked 6th by the NY Knick's. Basically, guy went from small school prospect to lottery pick in about 3 years. Here's a snippet from draftexpress.com dated March 5th, "There might not be a more improved player in the country over the last year or two than UCLA sophomore guard Russell Westbrook. Considered a mid-major recruit leading into his senior year of high school, drawing scholarship offers from schools such as San Diego, Wyoming, Creighton and Kent State, Westbrook benefited from a late growth spurt that saw him shoot up from just 5-10 to 6-3 late in his prep career, and is now a key cog on a Final Four contending team and one of the hottest draft prospects in the country as of late. Obviously a late bloomer, Westbrook remains a raw prospect as far as his skill-level is concerned, but has just about as much upside to continue to improve as any guard in the NCAA not named Derrick Rose."

Pretty amazing, eh!? Dude went from a 5'10" scrub to a 6'3" monster! He is so athletic, understands defense, has a knack for scoring, has a strong desire, appears to be fearless, and in summation appears to have a lot of intangibles that NBA greats have. Rookie of the year in the NBA? Probably not. I have a hunch he will have a year or two to learn but don't be surprised to see him averaging 20 per AND locking down the best player on the other team on the defensive end in year 3. Hall of famer? You never know.

peace out.