NBA Draft Top 5

Let's hope the NBA Commissioner does not forget which Griffin to announce first.

The NBA Draft is less than forty eight hours away so I thought it was time for me to pen my thoughts on the top 5 picks.

Here goes and I'd love to hear your thoughts at the end.

#1 - LA Clippers Everyone will fall over if Oklahoma's Blake Griffin is not selected here. (It would be good value if David Stern let Taylor Griffin's name slip in here.) Griffin is already counting the cash associated with being the top pick but can he turn the unfortunate Clippers around.

He will help but a motivated Baron Davis is the key here. Davis can make Griffin's transition to the pros a little easier if he is on top of his game and can get along with Coach Mike Dunleavy.

No rookie is coming into the Western Conference and leading his team to immediate success. Even a manchild power forward. One night it's Tim Duncan, then A'mare Stoudamire, next is Dirk and the list goes on.

Luckily for the Clippers, they are getting a guy that will help their cause. The cupboard is not completely bare for LA's other team but can they all just get along?

#2 - Memphis Grizzles If in doubt go for a big man, so UConn's Hasheem Thabeet will be called next by David Stern.

Thabeet reminds me a lot of Portland's Greg Oden. His best asset right now is defense and rebounding but needs polish on his offensive game.

I watched Thabeet at the Sweet Sixteen where UConn was defeated by Missouri and too many times he was just muscled off the block. This meant he was taking some unbalanced forced shots.

If he can develop a solid face up game on the block he will become a tough cover in years to come at the offensive end.

#3 - Oklahoma City Thunder Taking a punt here and saying they will draft the Spaniard Ricky Rubio but he will be shipped off to Minnesota in exchange for ASU's James Harden.

So when that happens Harden will become a great fit for what the Thunder are trying to achieve.

Russell Westbrook is adamant that he is a point guard so Harden would slide nicely into the two spot. Although in some circles Harden's athleticism is being questioned, the guy is a player. The Pac-10 tried to stop him all season and had no success in slowing the lefty.

I'm looking for the Thunder to improve greatly this upcoming season as their previous draft picks begin to mature.

#4 - Sacramento Kings They need a point guard to run and control the show. Johnny Flynn is someone they will think about but I believe the Kings have fallen in love with Tyreke Evans.

In a recent workout against many of the guys competing for the same spot, Evans was too big, too strong to handle and contain getting to the rack.

Where I question Evan's game is what will be his best position in the League? It will take some time for the former Memphis Tiger to find his groove in the NBA.

#5 - Minnesota Timberwolves via the Washington Wizards As I mentioned above, James Harden and Ricky Rubio will be part of a draft day trade, which means Rubio is headed to the Great Lakes area.

With Randy Foye heading to Washington I'm guessing the T-Wolves are ready to let the Pistol Pete like point from Spain come in and do his thing. (Providing the T-Wolves can agree to a buyout price with Rubio's Spanish club team.)

The people of Minnesota need to be entertained if they are going to leave their house during winter so a few Rubio to Jefferson highlight plays may just do the trick.

Don't expect the world from Rubio, immediately. Please remember he is only 18yo and is in the Western Conference.

Time will tell if the hype has been all worth it for this young international star.

These are purely just my thoughts, so we will have to wait until Friday to see how on the money my crystal ball was.

Final Four Predictions

Watch for Stanley Robinson and his high wire act today against the Huskies.

The Final Four is here. While coaches around the nation have gathered in the Motor City (Detroit) over the past few days to mingle, the important stuff has arrived.

It is about six hours until tip off so let's take a look at who I feel has the goods to make their way into the championship game on Monday.

Home state team Michigan St (30-6) hosts Big East power Connecticut (31-4).

Although Ford Field will be very pro Spartans I think the Huskies will be too strong for the fast finishing Spartans.

UConn has depth everywhere. Scoring primary comes or is created through point guard AJ Price (15ppg, 5 apg). How he goes usually dictates how the Huskies offense goes.

A lot of there offense is created through their defense though, especially with 7'3 junior centre Hasheem Thabeet. The projected lottery pick contributes 10 plus rebounds a contest but more importantly 4.5 blocks a game as well as many other intimidating efforts.

While Thabeet intimidates around the hoop, rock solid power forward Jeff Adrien (13ppg, 10rpg) collects many of the oppositions misses to kick start the fastbreak.

Stanley Robinson has caught the attention of everyone during the first four games of the tourney. His high flying antics have allowed him to become a great weakside defensive helper.

Look for this trio to put their stamp on this game very early.

Now to the backcourt. Besides Price, the Huskies have a few other guys that can have an effect on the outcome of the game.

Freshman Kemba Walker (9ppg, 4apg) comes off the bench and adds to the Huskies fast pace. The New York native's open court play has helped UConn immensely this year.

Senior Craig Austrie could be the guy that makes the Huskies National Champs. This squad needs a consistent perimeter threat and he may just be the guy to provide this. Against a stingy Spartan defense, a few long bombs may just become the difference in a tight game.

Now to the Spartans.

It starts and stops with Kalin Lucas. The Big 10 Player of the Year is the heart and soul of this team, much like Price for the Huskies. Lucas leads them in scoring (almost 15) and assists (4.5). His match up against Price could be the difference between which team gets the victory.

The guy that has been big time for the Spartans during the tournament has been centre Goran Sutun. He has upped his season averages (10 & 8) immensely and is averaging a double double (14 & 11.5) in his last four games. He needs to give the Spartans a presence inside early so the UConn big men do not control the painted area all night.

Durrell Summers (8ppg, 3rpg, 1apg) is my difference maker for the Spartans. If he can continue his tournament form he will have an impact on the final result for the Spartans. He has added incentive to play and succeed as both his parents have lost their jobs in recent time.

Although the Spartans have surprised a lot of people throughout the their run to the Final Four I believe it will end today due to UConn's superior depth and experience.

Not even Tom Izzo's great tactical game will extend his team's run in this tournament.

I cannot wait to watch this game as I believe it will be the game of the day.

After I return from the park with my children I will give you my UNC/Nova preview.