Ashley – Spirit Dance Team

Ashley of the Spirit Dance Team dances during the Los Angeles Clippers games throughout the 2008 to 2009 NBA Season. Ashley was born and raised in the Washington DC Metropolitan area but now lives in Los Angeles. Prior to LA she got her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Jazz Dance Performance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. While in school, she was a cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles.

She has also performed with artists including Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Flo Rida. She has also been seen on TV shows like the 2008 Grammy Awards, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Best Dance Crew and Mad TV.

Ashley – Spirit Dance Team Picture Gallery

And now for the moment many of you have been waiting for. The image gallery of Ashley of the Spirit Dance Team.

The Los Angeles Clippers have managed to negotiate a deal that would send Z-Bo to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Quentin Richardson. Full Story

Hot off the press I bring to you, Blake Griffin wearing a Los Angeles Clippers jersey. Full Story

The Los Angeles Clippers are going to workout Blake Griffin on Saturday. Griffin is widely expected to go #1 to the Clippers in the draft, and the Clippers have even stated they will definitely take the Oklahoma University big man #1. Full Story

2009 NBA Mock Draft

After a long wait, Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio has declared for the 2009 NBA Draft. This has bottom feeders rejoicing. Especially the Kings as they look to improve on their point guard situation. Sorry, but Bobby Jackson and Beno Udrih aren’t gonna take them to the next level. As Rubio enters, other big names have made the big decision. Along with Rubio, guys like Austin Daye and Patrick Patterson have declared, while former freshmen Al-Farouq Aminu, Willie Warren, and Ed Davis decided to return to school. There’s a big shake up at the top now.

Back to Rubio now. Most people still have Blake Griffin as the top prospect. That’s really not debatable at the moment. The thing with Rubio is that some teams would be willing to take him at #1. In particular the Kings and T-Wolves.  Those teams would probably rather have the #2 pick than # 1. It gives them less pressure, and they don’t have to reach. Rubio would fill those team’s PG needs well. He is the best PG in the draft. That may hurt Jennings slightly as he went in as the best PG prior to Rubio’s decision. Don’t think He can dance into a top 3 spot though. The camps have yet to occurred and there’s always at least 1 guy who bolsters their draft stock heavily. Jennings May be that guy as teams haven’t seen as much of him this season. Think Joe Alexander from last year.

Rubio’s game is no joke. He’s so fluid in his decision making, it’s almost as if he knows exactly how every aspect of the defense is going to work. He’s on the tall end of point guards at 6′3. That helps him a lot as he’s looking to make the right play. He knows how to score well  and uses both hands well. He’s not a great athlete, but he’s no clumsy European player either. His main weakness is his jump shot. It’s respectable, but it’s not something a team would want to depend on in a live or die situation. He’s proved he can play against NBA talent already and is a top 5 lock.

As far as prospects go, there are distinct talent levels that I see. Blake Griffin stands alone at the top. At the moment, he’s just that extra level ahead of the field. Then’s there’s Thabeet and Rubio. They could challenge for the #1 spot if a team is picking specifically for position. They will probably go 2 and 3. Behind them are Jordan Hill and James Harden. They won’t be a #1 pick but are top 10 picks. After that, there are two other groups. There’s the more experienced college players. They include guys like Henderson, Clark, Lawson, Blair, and others. One of them will shoot up to a team that really likes what they have to offer. The other group is the “one and done” group.  This includes Derozan, Evans, and Jennings. They could fall anywhere in the lottery. These are the big potential guys.

2009 NBA Mock Draft – First Round

1 Sacramento Kings- Ricky Rubio PG Spain 6′3

The Kings have a very good big man duo in Hawes and Thompson. That doesn’t rule Griffin though. The Kings will have a tough time not picking him, but they really need a point guard. Rubio could be their starting point guard from day 1 and for the next decade. They don’t have any other big positional needs as they have young talent. Rubio gives them one of the league’s best young back courts.

2 Washington Wizards- Blake Griffin PF Oklahoma 6′10

The Wizards take Griffin with the #2 pick. This probably  marks the end of Antwan Jamison as a member of their squad. Griffin quickly gives them a scorer down low and another shot blocker. He puts them back into the playoff race and becomes the immediate favorite for the ROY trophy.

3 LA Clippers- Hasheem Thabeet C UConn 7′3

The Clippers are in a tough situation. They are stacked with talent, but they have no chemistry and are in a dangerous cap situation. Their wing situation is pretty good with Thortan and Gordan. They need to unload the contracts and start over. Thabeet will take time to become a factor on offense, but gives them a great defensive big man.

4 OKC Thunder- James Harden SG Arizona 6′5

The Thunder can go with Hill or Harden. The real decision is if they want Durant at the 2 and Green at the 3, or slide them up to the 3 and 4, respectively. The Thunder have depth at the guard positions and I think they’ll move their stars to their weak spots. Harden an upgrade over Sefolosha.

5 Minnesota T-Wolves- Brandon Jennings PG Lottomatica Roma 6′2

The Wolves need a better point guard then Telfair to take the next step. Jennings is already an upgrade over him. They already have a very good big man duo in Love and Jefferson so Hill would just be a 6th man. With this pick, the Wolves have a solid 5 with Jennings, Foye , Gomes, Love, and big Al.

6 Memphis Grizzlies- Jordan Hill PF Arizona 6′10

The Grizzlies have two big needs, point guard and shooting guard. I like Conley a lot and they’re are many good point guards available later on. Hill is the best player available and fits one of their big needs. This would be a no brainer for them.

7 GS Warriors- Tyreke Evans G Memphis 6′5

He’s the best combo guard in the draft. The Warriors have young talent upfront and then get a little thinner in the back court. They will most likely get rid of Crawford and Evans is the perfect replacement. He’s seems to be a good point guard for their system. Average effort on defense, and shot happy.

8 NY Knicks- Earl Clark F Louisville 6′9

Clark is the ideal PF for D’Antoni’s system. He long, quick, and a great athlete. He would be an immediate impact guy for them off the bench and possible starter if they let Lee go. Definitely an upgrade over Jared Jeffries.

9 Toronto Raptors- Demar DeRozan G/F USC 6′7

The Raptors will be picking from one of the numerous choices of wings. It could be any of them. Last week I had Budinger, this week I have the freak from Compton. They get the best leaper in the draft, and one of the best players potential wise.

10 Milwuakee Bucks- Gerald Henderson SG Duke 6′5

Michael Redd is one of the league’s best scorers but he can’t stay on the floor. They will look to find the most NBA ready backup. Henderson doesn’t have good handles or a great jumper, but is the best defender out of the group. He’s very athletic and is ready to make an impact right away.

11 NJ Nets- Terrance Williams G/F Louisville 6′6

The nets don’t really have much depth at the wing positions, or at point guard. WIlliams could start right away for them and let Dooling be the backup point guard. He’s this year’s Brandon Rush. However, him or Chase Budinger will be seen as the weak link of the group and may not be drafted in the lottery.

12 Charlotte Bobcats- James Johnson PF Wake Forrest 6′9

The Bobcats have Juan Howard and DeSagana Diop as there backup big guys. They need to fix that in order to make the playoffs next season. They will be picking for position at this point. It will either be Johnson to help fix that situation, or Budinger to fix the situation that has Radman as their backup wing. Keep an eye on them moving up to Minnesota’s pick to snatch Thabeet if they have luck in the lottery. The deal would most likely involve Raymond Felton.

13 Indiana Pacers- Dajaun Blair F/C Pitt 6′6

The pacer could buy insurance on Dunleavy with Budinger, or Ford with Lawson but they could also use a backup for Troy Murphy. The Pacers love Jeff Foster and get a similar player with Blair. They’d have the best rebounding bench in the league.

14 Pheonix Suns- Chase Budinger G/F Arizona 6′7

Steve Nash can’t play forever. Neither can Grant Hill. They could take Lawson, to help the backup PG situation, but they shouldn’t get to confident in Hill’s health.  He’s still injury prone and Budinger would give them another 3 point shooter.

15 Detroit Pistons- Patrick Patterson PF Kentucky 6′9

Sheed, AI, and Dysse may all be playing in different uniforms next season. they are content with Stuckey and Bynum and will try to add a big man. They will hope that someone doesn’t reach for Blair or Johnson before them but, they will have to end up reaching for Patterson.

16 Chicago Bulls- Stephen Curry G Davidson 6′2

This wont be the pick if Ben Gordan stays, so don’t complain about their loaded backcourt. I personally think Ben Gordan will leave. He passed on 58 mil.  Most people say he wants more money, but I don’t thinks he really likes being the second or third guy. He wants to be the main man on his team. Some other team will offer him that money. Curry would work perfectly beside both Hinrich and Rose. Those two guys can guard opposing 2’s while Curry guards the 1. I think we all know that offense really isn’t a big problem for him.

17 Philadelphia 76ers- Ty Lawson PG North Carolina 6′

The Sixers get there long term, possibly new, starting point guard. There’s many things that you can knock on this guy for, his size, shooting, ect. There’s one big reason why he’s a lottery level prospect though, he’s productive. He had one of the best, if no the best productivity levels in the nation.

18 Minnesota T-Wolves- Austin Daye F Gonzaga 6′10

After drafting Jennings, they have the luxury to pick a high potential guy. If Daye gets stronger, he could be a top ten scorer. High teens at least. They need to give him a work ethic and some serious weight training.

19 Atlanta Hawks- Jonny Flynn PG Syracuse 6′

The Haws are looking to move up the ranks and become a contender. Acie Law is not the player everyone expected him to be and they could use another backup 1. Flynn gives them a high energy guy that never quits. Their bench would be bolstered buy another impact player.

20 Utah Jazz- Eric Maynor PG VCU 6′3

The Jazz lose so much momentum and productivity when Deron WIlliams steps off the court. Brevin Knight just doesn’t get the job done. The Jazz could snag combo guard Jrue Holiday, but they can’t afford to have another guy who can’t hit a jumper consistently. Teague is another option but just not a Sloan type of player.

21 New Orleans Hornets- BJ Mullens C Ohio St. 7′

The Hornets look for some help down low and take Kwa… sorry BJ Mullens. Mullens has one of the best potentials in the draft. The likelihood of reaching that is 1:100. I’m not sating it won’t happen but, don’t bet on it. The lucky thing for him is that he had one full year of disappointment before entering the draft. Unlike Kwame who had huge expectations.

22 Dallas Mavericks- Jrue Holiday G UCLA 6′3

The Mavs could very easily lose Kidd this off-season. Holiday has the ability to run an offense. It’s a safe move because if Kidd stays, he could develop into his successor and be a possible upgrade over Antoine Wright.

23 Sacramento Kings- Gani Lawal F/C Georgia Tech 6′10

The Kings make their first pick look smarter as they get a serviceable backup big man. Lawal won’t be anything too special, but will be an immediate role player for the Kings. He’ll be their energy guy off the bench.

24 Portland Trailblaers- Jeff Teague G Wake Forrest 6′2

Teague is a guy that most people think should stay. I am one of them. If he does stay where he is, I have Portland snagging him at 24. All in the hopes of that he doesn’t end up like Jerryd Bayless.

25 OKC Thunder- Sam Young SF Pitt 6′6

The Thunder would like to take Lawal here but will settle on Sam Young. He’s not going to be a star, but a good role player. The second coming of James Posey.

26 Chicago Bulls- Tyler Hansbrough PF North Carolina 6′8

The Bulls will go with a guard and a big guy with their two first rounders. Adding Hansbrough gives them an undersized hustle guy. He is one of the more interesting prospects as people try to predict his jump to the NBA.

27 Memphis Grizzlies- Wayne Ellington SG North Carolina 6′5

A lot of people expect a point guard here but I have them taking Ellington. He’s definitely an upgrade over Greg Buckner. They have an early second rounder and there are 3 point guards left that could fall to the. Calathes, Collison, and Mills with Toney Douglas right behind them.

28 Minnesota T-Wolves- Omri Casspi SF Macabbi Tel Aviv 6′8

The T-wolves have 3 first rounders and the luxury of taking a bang or bust European player. Casspi is a highly skilled forward, similar to Hedo Turkgolu.

29 LA Lakers- Jeff Pendergraph PF Arizona St. 6′9

The Lakers are obviously a very good team. Very few weaknesses on their team. The Lakers just get some Bynum insurance by taking Pendergraph.

30 Cleveland Cavaliers- Damion James F Texas 6′7

The Cavs are also a very good team with not many weak spots. They could look to find a successor to Z, but there no big guys available at this point. Damion James is a very hard working player who will hit the boards. This pick is very hard to predict because they might just pick whoever will be the best buddy to LeBron.

2009 NBA Mock Draft – 2nd Round

31 Sacramento Kings- Dajaun Summers SF Georgetown 6′8

32 Portland Trailblazers- Jeff Adrien PF UConn 6′7

33 Washington Wizards- Patrick Mills PG St. Mary’s 5′11

34 Denver Nuggets- Taj Gibson PF USC 6′9

35 Memphis Grizzlies- Nick Calathes G Florida 6′5

36 Detroit Pistons- Dante Cunningham F Villanova

37 San Antonio Spurs- Tyler Smith F Tennessee 6′7

38 Portland Trailblazers- Danny Green G/F North Carolina 6′5

39 Detroit Pistons- Dionte Christmas SG Temple 6′5

40 Charlotte Bobcats- Darren Collison PG UCLA 6′

41 Milwaukee Bucks- Robert Dozier SF Memphis 6′10

42 LA Lakers- Toney Douglas PG Flortidda St. 6′1

43 Miami Heat- Marcus Thorntan SG LSU 6′4

44 Detroit Pistons- Derrick Brown SF Xavier 6′7

45 Minnesota T-Wolves- Jodie Meeks SG Kentucky 6′4

46 Cleveland Cavaliers- Victor Claver F Pamesa Valencia 6′10

47 Minnesota T-Wolves- Michael Washington PF Arkansas 6′10

48 Phoenix Suns- AJ Price PG UConn 6′2

49 Atlanta Hawks- Josh Heytvelt F/C Gonzaga 6′10

50 Utah Jazz- Jermaine Taylor SG Central Florida 6′4

51 San Antonio Spurs- Lee Cummard G/F BYU 6′7

52 Indiana Pacers- Jerel McNeal G Marquette 6′3

53 San Antonio Spurs-Leo Lyons PF Missouri 6′9

54 Charlotte Bobcats- Alade Aminu PF Georgia Tech 6′10

55 Portland Trailblazers- Greivis Vasquez G Maryland 6′5

56 Portland Trailblazers- Jonas Jerebko SF Angelico Biella 6′9

57 Phoenix Suns- Micah Downs SG Gonzaga 6′7

58 Boston Celtics- Luke Harangody PF Motre Dame 6′7

59 LA Lakers- Sergio Llull PG Real Madrid 6′3

60 Miami Heat- Nando De Colo G Cholet 6′5

So, I thought it would be fun to analyze what would happen if each team won the 1st pick in the NBA Lottery. That’s just what I did. Lets get this started…

Full Story

Zach Randolph, otherwise known as Z-BO, is a favorite over at the basketball forum for his antics on and off the court. Z-BO is like watching your favorite sitcom character. He’s always getting the attention no matter where he goes. He often gets involved in crazy stories. So, for that reason he is our latest Ghetto Superstar of the week (a non weekly series).

The California Highway Patrol were priviledged with the opportunity to witness Zach Randolph in the flesh weaving in and out of the lane, drunk as a skunk, and in his Rolls Royce at around 2:30 in the morning after a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Randolph was suspended by the Los Angeles Clippers for 2 games as a result of his DUI Arrest.

My guess is that Z-BO was so amazed his Los Angeles Clippers lost the game by only three points, he decided it was time to party. I mean, who wouldn’t celebrate such an amazing accomplishment?

Aside from in game trouble, such as his 2 game suspension for punching Louis Amundson of the Phoenix Suns, this is the first time he has been in trouble in six years. In 2003 while playing for the Portland Trailblazers he was pulled over and arrested for smoking marijuana in his vehicle.

One has to wonder if he can go another six years without getting in trouble. Instinctively I’m going with no. I’d probably even put a Benjamin on it if I had one. Especially because he doesn’t seem to think it’s a big deal.

“Situations like this happen,” he said. “It happens all around the league in every sport. A lot of stuff I can’t comment on right now.”

What is your take? How long do you think he will be able to go without getting arrested again.

Isiah Thomas is actively looking for a new job and met with Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling about a front office position. The meeting was arranged by Mike Dunleavy.

Several NBA sources confirmed the February meeting to ESPN.com.

The talks were informal but substantive and there have been follow-up discussions.

I don’t about this, we all know how much he messed up the Knicks. I think this is the last thing LAC need right now, but hey at least he isn’t going for a coaching job.

Now I know what you are all thinking. Rather, I hope I know what you are all thinking.

Who the hell is Mike Taylor?

If you know who this guy is, then you either intently follow the Clippers which disproves my theory that Clippers don’t have fans, or you watch the D-League. My theory about the D-League is pretty much the same as the Clippers theory.

If you haven’t guessed by now, Mike Taylor plays for the Los Angeles Clippers and was drafted into the NBA from the D-Leauge. Now, this whole area is completely new to me. This is dangerous water. I mean, I figured that as a D-League player you were pretty much owned by a few different teams who were capable of calling you up.

Though, Mike Taylor was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers becoming the first player from the D-League to be drafted into the NBA. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for a future second round pick. Yeah, the Blazers traded their 2nd round pick for a future 2nd round pick, the equivalent of taking a peek behind door number one and seeing it isn’t the car with the vacation package that inevitably ends up on the price is right, so you take door number two.

I probably should stop with the jokes because he laid down the law against the Knicks last night.

It’s that time of the season again. You remember last year when guys we never heard of started throwing up insane numbers against teams that have stopped trying?

Mike Taylor came off the bench in the 2nd quarter and started shooting the lights out against the Knicks, ending up with 14 of his 20 shots made making his 35 point, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals night rather impressive.