Draft Night Winners and Losers

This was an interesting draft. Sort of. It was hard to judge because of the high schoolers and foreign players. Here are my Winners and Losers:

The Winners:
Chicago Bulls: Scott Skiles has more talent than almost all of the Eastern Conference, he will have to prove how bad he sucks for this team to not make the playoffs. Gordon, Deng, and Duhon. GREAT NIGHT A+++

Orlando Magic: Some people don't like the pick of Howard. I love it. I do not think Tmac will be on the team next year...Howard has Tmac potential. To acquire Jameer Nelson at low value is a great pickup. Good Job A

Utah Jazz: Had three first round picks and got good size and athleticism. Humphries, Snyder, and Podkolzine. Podkolzine at 21 could end up being the pick of the draft. Good Job A-

The Losers:
Miami Heat: Alston is a free agent, ur big men were non existent, or didn't exist period..whichever way you want to call it...J Nelson and Podkolzine on the board...you take Dorrell Wright SF...good job. NOT SO MUCH

Los Angeles Clippers: You want a PG, that is pretty obvious. You take Livingston, well he's a PG. My guess is he will struggle big time. Devin Harris would have been a much better selection.

Phoenix Suns: Not sure what they are trying to do. Well they want Kobe. I don't see that happening. Adding maybe Nash, and maybe Okur. Not my idea of improving right away. But, if they get Kobe I take this off the list of losers. Otherwise, they are making some big mistakes in my opinion.

Jamison gets to get his numbers again

Antawn Jamison will score 25 points per game next season. Don Nelson likes to score points, but, he was not smart enough to give Jamison his minutes. Jamison averaged 14 ppg on 54 percent shooting. Good Job Nellie, maybe if you get Shaq you can make it out the first round. Of course, if the Mavs were smart you would not be coaching next season. The trade:

Wiz get: Antawn Jamison

Mavs get:Jerry Stackhouse, #5 pick in the draft, and some white guy who should have starred in the passion of christ

In other news, the Suns still think they can get Kobe, and do not believe they can get T-Mac....so they sent their 7th pick to Chicago for a future first rounder and this years second round pick.

It's Official....The Bobcats are horrible, and will be for a while

The Bobcats had their expansion draft tonight. They selected zero veterans. They selected a lot of players who are now unrestricted free agents. The core of their team will be Gerald Wallace, Jahidi White, Jason Kapono, and whomever they take with the second pick they have in thursday's NBA draft. Their combined roster probably averages around 3 points a game, and barely make NBA squads. They will be horrible for the next two seasons. However, in two seasons they will have a GIGANTIC amount of salary cap space. Well, basically the Bobcats will have the best chance in the lottery for the next two seasons.

Good luck getting to twenty wins in either year. I don't see it being even close to possible.

Tracy McGrady Going To Houston

The Houston Rockets have reportedly acquired Tracy McGrady. The so called franchise Steve Francis is part of the deal. Juwan Howard will join T-Mac in Houston. Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato will join Francis in Orlando. Or will they? Steve Francis is immediately going to ask for a trade out of Orlando. Early word is that he may be sent to Chicago. Kirk Hienrich and Tyson Chandler would be the big names in that deal. This is a crazy day in the NBA. Wednesday will be active with the expansion draft. The actual NBA draft is on Thursday. The Rockets have 2 potential superstars, but have dealt 60 percent of their starters. We will find out how this will work out next season. Both the Rockets and Magic have lots of holes still.

Monday Morning Fantasy Round-Up

We are going to be starting a lot of new things here at Diddy's Guys Night Out. This will be one of them. Every Monday there will be a post that reflects on the previous week's fantasy sports performances. For now, it will reflect only one Baseball. But, in coming months Football and basketball will also be reflected upon.

The Top Hitters:
Jim Thome 9/23 5 HR 10 RBI
Casey Blake 10/30 2 HR 9 RBI
Jose Vidro 11/26 2 HR 10 RBI
El Guapo Alfonzo 9/21 2 HR 10 RBI
Derek Lee 14/24 1 HR 6 RBI

The Top Pitchers:
Johan Santana 16 IP 2 Wins 19 Ks 2.25 ERA 0.56 WHIP
Jason Schmidt 15 IP 2 Wins 21 Ks 1.15 ERA 0.77 WHIP
Wade Miller 13 IP 1 Win 10 Ks 0.68 ERA 1.12 WHIP
Carl Pavano 9 IP 1 Win 8 Ks 0.00 ERA 0.44 WHIP+banged Alyssa Milano 9x
Eric Gagne 5.2 IP 5 Saves 6 Ks 1.69 ERA 0.56 WHIP

The Ummmmm Not So Good Hitters:
Craig Wilson 1/21...but it was a HR
Barry Bonds 3/14 0 HR 0 RBI
Jeff Kent 3/26 0 HR 3 RBI
Mike Sweeney 3/19 0 HR 0 RBI
Bret Boone 1/16 0 HR 0 RBI

The Ummm Not what the skippers lookin for Pitchers:
Roy Halladay 5.1 IP 5 RA 1.50 WHIP 0 Wins
Randy Johnson 6 IP 5 RA 1.50 WHIP 0 Wins
Mark Buehrle 6 IP 7 RA 1.83 WHIP 0 Wins
Curt Schilling 6 IP 7 RA 2.17 WHIP 0 Wins
Arthur Rhodes 2.1 IP 4 RA 3.43 WHIP 0 Saves +may never close again

Team Of The Week: The Detroit Pistons

This will be a new Sunday feature at Diddy's Guys Night Out. Every week the crew will name the team that they feel most deserves to be named Team of the Week.

This week's selection is an easy one. The Detroit Pistons. They shut up loud mouths across the nation, and turned up the volume on the loud mouths in Michigan.

I personally want to thank the entire Detroit Pistons organization. After Grant Hill, the outlook was far from promising. But, from the day we left the teal jerseys and went to Red, White, and Blue the Pistons were back to being a force to be reckoned with. The Pistons changed the attitude of an entire State. The state of Michigan is still smiling.

I live and work in Tucson, Arizona. At work all week my boss has told me about how much he enjoyed watching the Pistons in the Finals. He admitted that he didn't watch Eastern Conference basketball, and that he thought that the Lakers may sweep the Pistons. He told me that the way the entire team put effort into every play was amazing to him.

Thank You Ben Wallace. Thank You Joe Dumars. Thank You Chauncey Billups. Thank You Tayshaun Prince. Thank You Everybody.

One more thing, this was far from a fluke. WE WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR TO PROVE IT. BACK TO BACK IN '05

NBA Mock Draft

Now that the Detroit Pistons have won the Larry O'Brien Trophy its time to look forward a bit to the NBA Draft. This is gonna be another Diddy/BigPapa collaboration.

1. Orlando Magig
Team Needs: ummmm..... they have T-Mac and nothing

BigPapa: I feel that Orlando is gonna go for the player who can make the quickest impact---->Emeka Okafor, 6-10 PF UConn. Now I do not like this pick at all. Okafor is alot like Drew Gooden, worse on offense but better on the defensive side of the court.

Diddy:Okafor is the way that the Magic will go. It is the best option. They need a defensive identity. Here is my predicted Starting Five for Orlando this season. Okafor, Howard, Marion, Joe Johnson, and a rookie PG.

2. L.A. Clippers
Team Needs: PG,C, General Manager, Owner

BigPapa: This pick could be the object of desire for a few teams(Atlanta is the team most rumored to move up). The best player on most boards at this point is prep star Dwight Howard but he projects as a PF. The Clippers have this Elton Brand guy who plays there so if they stay look for them to go with---->Shaun Livingston, 6-7 PG Peoria Central HS. Livingston has crazy handles but needs to do some bulking up. Then again so does Tayshaun Prince, so what do I really know.

Diddy:Trade down, Trade down, Trade down, Trade down. Understood. Atlanta takes Howard here.

3. Chicago Bulls
Team Needs: SF, all-around depth

BigPapa: The Bulls are young and athletic. They need a young, athletc SF. There are two in this draft; Loul Deng and Andre Igoudala. Look for 'Da Bulls to go with the moe polished of the two----> Loul Deng, 6-8 SF Duke.

Diddy:I say they should also trade down to someone interested in Deng, and then pick Igoudala or Luke Jackson...but, the Bulls are ignorent so they will not. Deng, it is.

4. Charlotte Bobcats
EXPANSION FRANCHISE

BigPapa: Charlotte can take the player with upside since there is not any pressure to win yet.---->Dwight Howard, 6-10 PF SW Atlanta Christian HS. Crazy athletic talent in the Amare Stoudamire mold.

Diddy:They should take Ben Gordon...They won't, Shaun Livingston goes here. Not a bad pick, but very very risky. Ben Gordon will score 20 PPG in the league, and is my pick to win Rookie of the Year.

5. Washington Wizards
Team Needs: C, PF, SF

BigPapa: Ahh... Its time for the Wiz to pick. Who's the best available Maryland Terripen? There are none so they'll go with a Wildcat instead----> Andre Iguodala, 6-7 SF Arizona.

Diddy:The Wizards are pathetic, I think they will go with size here...Pavel Podkolzine. He's 7'4 300+ so they at least have an excuse if he is horrible.

6. Atlanta Hawks
Team Needs: ummm... everything including fans

BigPapa: Ben Gordon, 6-2 PG UConn.

Diddy: They will trade withe the Clippers, and if the Clippers want to win they will select Ben Gordon

7. Phoenix Suns
Team Needs: PG, SG, C

BigPapa: Devin Harris, 6-3 PG Wisconsin

Diddy: An interesting offseason for the Suns begins with the draft. Will they get Kobe? Will they acquire Tmac? Devin Harris would be a great pick for the Suns, if Ben Gordon is available he would be even better. The Suns 1-2-3-4 would be Gordon, Johnson, Marion, and Stoudemire...talk about young athletic and exciting...maybe they dont need Tmac...ya they do, never mind

8. Toronto Raptors
Team Needs: C, SG, PG, New knees for VC

BigPapa: Andris Biedrins, 6-11 PF/C BK Skonto Riga. The first foriegner off the board is most often compared to Chris Bosh.

Diddy: Toronto makes many, many, many mistakes...here is another one...Josh Childress

9. Philadelphia 76'ers
Team Needs: someboody, anybody who can put the ball in the basket

BigPapa: Josh Childress, 6-7 SF Stanford.

Diddy: With luck Andre Igoudala drops to the sixers. This would be perfect for Allen Iverson. He then would have someone who could be healthy and athletic besides him...oh wait iverson isn't healthy...can u draft a coach that is as good as Larry Brown ????

10. Cleveland Cavaliers
Team Needs: SF & another year of experiance

BigPapa: Luke Jackson, 6-7 SF Oregon. The senior from Oregon is less talented than prep star Josh Smith but he knows his game.

Diddy: I'm saying they go with Josh Smith.It worked last year with Lebron. Carmelo played at the same high school. He may have the most upside in the entire draft. He went to Oak Hill. So basically played at a Division One school in High School.

11. Golden State Warriors
Team Needs: PF, PG, & a new GM

BigPapa: Jameer Nelson, 6-0 PG St. Joe's University.

Diddy: I have no clue what the morons at the top of GS are thinking. I am going with the fact that they take the best available. At this point that is Andris Biedrins

12. Seattle SuperSonics
Team Needs: C, general depth

BigPapa: Pavel Podkolzine, 7-5 C Metis Varese.

Diddy: They as do most teams in the upper half of the draft need a big man. In my draft Podkolzine has already been selected. They take Robert Swift, well because he's huge.

13. Portland Trail Blazers
Team Needs: SG, SF

BigPapa: Josh Smith, 6-8 SF Oak Hill Academy. Many experts call him Vince Carter with heart.

Diddy: Their dream comes true. A white boy, with a good image from the state of Oregon falls into their laps. Luke Jackson, also he is Luke Walton with athleticism and a better jumpshot...if they are lucky..otherwise they should draft the guy with the most potential of getting 15-life.

14. Utah Jazz
Team Needs: C, SG, PG

BigPapa: Kirk Snyder, 6-7 SG Nevada.

Diddy: Jerry Sloan loves his PGs, I dont think I do, but I agree with papa..they will take Snyder

15. Boston Celtics
Team Needs: PG, SF, PF, C, GM

BigPapa: Rafael Araujo, 6-11 C BYU. This is a hard prediction to make due to the unknown psychcological exams that Danny Ainge subjects players to.

Diddy: Danny Ainge needs this draft to go real well. If he gets Jameer Nelson, it will be a great start.

16. Utah Jazz (from New York via Phoenix)
Team Needs: C, PG

BigPapa: Robert Swift, 7-0 C Bakersfield HS.

Diddy: Utah loves foreigners...Sergey Monya SG

17. Atlanta Hawks (from Milaukee, via Denver & Detroit)
Team Needs: SG, SF, PF, C

BigPapa: Sergey Monya, 6-7 SG/SF CSKA Moscow.

Diddy: We get Rasheed, they get this pick...HEHEHEHE...anyways they select the most talent not at PF....JR Smith...raw athleticism, which could breed excitement, which could bring 12 whole fans to the arena

18. New Orleans Hornets
Team Needs: Team doctor for Mashburn and Baron Davis

BigPapa: JR Smith, 6-7 SG St. Benedict's Prep

Diddy: They are now in the Western Conference, not a good thing. They select for depth behind the big men...Rafael Araujo

19. Miami Heat
Team Needs: C, frontcourt depth

BigPapa: Peter Ramos, 7-3 C Criollos de Caguas

Diddy: They need size. Ramos fits the mold. They would love to trade up for Okafor, probably not possible though.

20. Denver Nuggets
Team Needs: SG, C

BigPapa: Sasha Vujacic, 6-7 PG Snaidero Udine

Diddy: I have some excitement brewing...Sebastian Telfair on the break with Melo

21. Utah Jazz (from Phoenix)
Team Needs: PG

BigPapa: Sebastian Telfair, 6-0 PG Lincoln HS

Diddy: Telfair's worst nightmare would be Jerry Sloan. Kris Humphries would be the best pick here for the Jazz.

22. New Jersey Nets
Team Needs: C, moving truck company

BigPapa: Ha Seung-Jin, 7-3 C Yonsei University. (South Korea)

Diddy: The Nets may lose Kenyon Martin. So they need long athletic bodies. Otherwise, not Rodney Rogers starting at PF. Al Jefferson is the closest thing to KMart available at this point of the draft.

23. Portland Trail Blazers (from Memphis)
Team Needs: SG, SF, C

BigPapa: Kris Humphries, 6-9 PF Minnesota. Best available player.

Diddy: Sasha Vujacic, he seems to fit the type of player that could help the Blazers pathetic offense.

24. Boston Celtics (from Dallas)
Team Needs: PG, SF, PF

BigPapa: Anderson Varejao, 6-11 PF FC Barcelona.

Diddy: Anderson Varejao was considered a lottery pick last year, he has upside...Ainge needs to make this pick.

25. Boston Celtics (from Detroit)
Team Needs: PG, SF

BigPapa: Dorell Wright, 6-7 SG/SF South Kent Prep, L.A.

Diddy: >Ha Seung Jin...the Eastern Conference teams at the top have size...7-3 would help.

26. Sacramento Kings
Team Needs: depth and the ability to play defense

BigPapa: Al Jefferson, 6-9 PF Prentiss HS (Mississippi).

Diddy: Viktor Khryapa SF...He fits the Sacramento mold...unless he is going to stay healthy. If he is going to be healthy in the playoffs, he should go elsewhere.

27. Los Angeles Lakers
Team Needs: Lots of ??????????????

BigPapa: I have no clue who is going to be back. I'm thinking Kobe, Karl, and the Glove are gone. That leaves a starting line-up of Shaq, Wakton, George, Rush and Fisher. YUCK. Delonte West, 6-3 PG/SG St Joe's University.

Diddy:I agree about the question marks. I say the biggest will be PG. I am going to shoot down the board. But, Duhon makes sense to me.

28. San Antonio Spurs
Team Needs: May lose Ginobli

BigPapa: Viktor Khryapa, 6-9 SF CKSA Moscow.

Diddy: Dorell Wright may be able to give them what Stephen Jackson gave the Hawks last year. What the hell was Jackson thinking. Oh never mind, its Atlanta...boobies

29. Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota forfeits 2004 first round pick due to the Joe Smith scandal.

30. Indiana Pacers
Team Needs: Backcourt depth

BigPapa: Kevin Martin, 6-7 SG Western Carolina University.

Diddy: This is another spot where I would take Duhon if available. Delonte West also would be a stellar selection. West it is. Andre Emmett would be a wise selection as well.

In the works...

Sorry for the lack of new content. The last thing I remember is the end of Game Five. Everything since then is an alcohol induced haze.

We have some big things coming up soon. One is a double NBA Mock Draft. Diddy and I will each pick for every team. We should have a Year-to-Date Detroit Tigers Report before too long. There should also be a minor league baseball report for those of you who are in keeper leagues.

Our Daily Pic and nightly MLB re-cap should be back on track starting Sunday.

Thanks for reading and help spread the word. Don't forget to leave your comments.