NBA Draft 2014 Preview

Mock Draft

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1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins, G, Kansas
2. Miwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker, F, Duke
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Dante Exum, G, Austrailia
4. Orlando Magic: Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State
5. Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh, F, Indiana
6. Boston Celtics: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle, F, Kentucky
8. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona
9. Charlotte Hornets: Doug McDermott, F, Creighton
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Dario Saric, F, Croatia
11. Denver Nuggets: Nik Stauskas, G, Michigan
12. Orlando Magic: James Young, F, Kentucky
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Gary Harris, G, Michigan State
14. Phoenix Suns: Adreian Payne, F, Michigan State
15. Atlanta Hawks: Rodney Hood, F, Duke
16. Chicago Bulls: PJ Hairston, G, Texas Legends
17. Boston Celtics: Tyler Ennis, G, Syracuse
18. Phoenix Suns: Elfrid Payton, G, Louisiana-Lafayette 
19. Chicago Bulls: TJ Warren, F, NC State
20. Toronto Raptors: Clint Capela, F, Switzerland
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: CJ Wilcox, G, Washington
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Cleanthony Early, F, Wichita State
23. Utah Jazz: Zach LeVine, G, UCLA
24. Charlotte Hornets: Jarnell Stokes, F, Tennessee
25. Houston Rockets: Kyle Anderson, F, UCLA
26. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier, G, UCONN
27. Phoenix Suns: Jusef Nurkic, C, Bosnia and Herzegovina
28. Los Angeles Clippers: Jordan Clarkson, G, Missouri 
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Glenn Robinson III, F, Michigan
30. San Antonio Spurs: KJ McDaniels, G, Clemson

Rants and Raves

Jabari Parker
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• Jabari Parker is the best player in this draft and I would pick him number one. However, I think Wiggins goes at one because he may be able to garner more interest in a trade and would be a better fit. 
• The next best players are Marcus Smart and Julius Randle.
• Parker's teammate at Duke, Rodney Hood, could be one of the better players in this draft. His ability to shoot and score can make him a threat from the wing for any team.
• I am selling Andrew Wiggins stock. He proved very little this year at Kansas and his shooting percentages are way too low for someone who is going to play the wing. Even though he has elite athletism, I would stay away from Wiggins.
• I have questions about Noah Vonleh. He did not do a lot at Indiana and that lack of playing time makes me wonder if he is ready to play at this level.
• While Dante Exem and Dario Saric are getting most of the headlines involving international players, Clint Capela has great potential. He is 6'10-6'11 with a wingspan of 7'4.5" and incredible leaping ability. If he can improve his offensive game, Capela could become an outstanding power forward. 
• There are some fantastic shooters in this draft in Gary Harris, Rodney Hood, Nik Staustaks, James Young, among others. 
• Aaron Gordan is a talented player. Even if he never develops a good mid-range jumper, he can be an important member of a winning team.
• Kyle Anderson is a very unique player. His ability to be a point forward and a stretch 4 will be very intriguing for teams from as early as pick 11 to as late as pick 30. 
• Sim Bhuller out of New Mexico State is an interesting player. He does not have much potential, but at 7'5", 360 pounds, he is worth at least being picked up as an undrafted free agent.
• Walter Tavares is a 7'3 center from Cap e Verde playing for Gran Canaria. He would be a great 2nd round for a pick willing to let him improve in Europe for a couple more years and then come across the Atlantic.
• Aaron Craft is worthy of a second round pick due to his defensive tenacity. 

2014 FIFA World Cup Preview

Group A: The Hosts and The Hopefuls

1. Brazil: If the hosts are to win glory, they need to give it their all on the pitch and block out what might be going on outside of the stadium.

2. Croatia: Luka Modric will be the force behind all Croatia attacks and if he can get the ball to the their strikers (Mario Mandzukic, Ivica Olic), they can have some success.

3. Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o and Alex Song are greta players, but they can't win by themselves, they are going to need others to step up.

4. Mexico: After struggling to qualifiy for the World Cup, Mexico will struggle in on the big stage.

Underrated Star - Hulk, FW, Brazil: While Neymar gets all the attention, Hulk can be even more effective as the main goal scoring threat up front. Coming off a 21 goal season fro Zenit St. Petersberg, Hulk is a dark horse for the Golden Boot.

Group B: The Two Finalists from Four Years Ago

1. Spain: The defending champs and two-time European champs are again one of the favorites to win the World Cup again and become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back championships.

2. Netherlands: The runner-ups of the 2010 World Cup Finals, the Netherlands are going to have to play up to their potential to make a run. If they can hide the facts that their defense sucks.

3. Chile: Chile has a lot of potential to make a big impact in this tournament. Led by Arturo Vidal, they 

4. Australia: The lowest ranked team in the tournament in the FIFA Rankings (62nd), Australia has little to no chance of advancing in the knockout stage

Question Mark to Watch: Diego Costa, ST, Spain: The biggest problem the defending champs have faced is finding a consistent threat at the striker position. Costa, after a successful club season, may be that man.

Group C: Wide Open

1. Ivory Coast: Led by Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, the Ivory Coast have a ton of talent. The problem has always been winning with all that talent. They should at least make it to the knockout round. 

2. Japan: Japan has a very good team that struggled in Brazil last year for the Confederations Cup. However, they will make up for their losses last year this time around. 

3. Colombia: The loss of striker Radamel Falcao would have all but ruined their chances in almost any other group. However, they have a chance to make through in this group.

4. Greece: Ten years ago, Greece pulled off one of the most shocking tournament wins in national team history when they won the 2004 Euros. This year, they will need to capture a lot of that magic to make a serious run in the knockout rounds.

Midfielder to Watch - James Rodriguez, MF, Colombia: Without Falcao, Colombia is in need of someone to step up. That man will be the 22 year-old who currently plays for AS Monaco. Rodriguez is a playmaker who can set up himself and others. He is going to make a name for himself in this tournament if Colombia makes an impact. 

Group D: Group of Death Jr. 

1. Uruguay: With Luis Suarez healthy for the tournament, Uruguay can make another run into the semi-finals

2. Italy: While their defense has more holes than a screen door and they do not have the talent they are accustomed to, Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli will connect to score some goals and get them out of the group.

3. England: Even with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturidge up top, their midfield and defense is too suspect and inexperienced for the Three Lions to make a run.

4. Costa Rica: Will have a difficult time playing against the more experienced and talented squads.

Playmaker to Watch - Nicolas Loderio, MF, Uruguay: Uruguay's potential front line of Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan, and Luis Suarez is deadly, but they need someone behind them to set them up. That man is Loderio. He is going to be the playmaker for this squad and for them to make a deep run, Loderio needs to play at a world class level.

Group E: 

1. Switzerland: The Swiss are hiding in the shadows and are ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. If they can stay confident, the number six team in the FIFA Rankings will shock fans across the globe

2. France: Were lucky to get a favorable draw, but a serious run was all but shattered when star winger Frank Ribery was ruled out for the tournament

3. Ecuador: Ecuador could 

4. Honduras: Honduras is in for a tough time in Brazil. They will have a chance to steal a couple of points, but advancing to the knockout round is very wishful thinking.

Breakout Star - Grandit Xhaka, CM, Switzerland: While Xherdian Shaquri will most likely get most of the headlines, Xhaka will be the playmaker in the middle for Switzerland and he could be a breakout star and become a transfer target after the tournament

Group F: Argentina and the Question Marks

1. Argentina: They have a surplus of attackers that can score with ease (Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain). If their questionable defense can play well, Argentina will

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosnia and Herzegovina is making it's first ever appearance in the World Cup and thanks to a favorable draw, are in line to make it to the knockout round.

3. Nigeria: Nigeria has had a great past two years. However, they have not had much success in the World Cup. 

4. Iran: Iran has some good and promising young players, but they do not have enough experience to make a serious impact.

Forward to Watch: Vedad Ibisevic, CF, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ibisevic and Edin Dzeko will both be playing at the striker spot. Dzeko is the better and more intimidating striker and will get more attention. Because of that, Ibisevic 

Group G: The Group of Death

1. Germany: The strongest midfield in the tournament will dictate games and if they can make up for the lack of depth up front, they will be in the finals

2. Portugal: Everything lies on Christian Ronaldo's shoulders. How far they go will depend on how far he can take them.

3. USA: Even without Landon Donovan, the US squad is still a decent roster. Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey are great players in the field and Tim Howard ranks amount the best in the world in net. 

4. Ghana: While Ghana is not highly ranked in the FIFA Ranking, they have made it to the knockout round the last two World Cups (They were a shootout away from the semi's). They are always a threat to produce some magic.

Winger to Watch - Nani, RW, Portugal: With Cristiano Ronaldo possibly not at full strength, Nani is going to have to play extremely well. If he can create for himself and others, it will leave more room for Ronaldo to do work on the opposite wing.

Group H: One Lock and Three Others

1. Belgium: Led by Vincent Kompany in the back and Eden Hazard on the wing, the Red Devils have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament

2. Russia: After struggling in the 2012 Euros and failing to reach the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, Russia has a good chance to redeem themselves and make it to the knockout round. 

3. South Korea: The South Korean squad is full of young and up-and-coming stars (Five players are returning from 2010). They have the potential to make a big run in the tournament.

4. Algeria: Algeria is just happy to be in the tournament. They may win a game, but it would be hard pressed anyone who has Algeria being in the top two of the group. 

Keeper to Watch: Thibaut Courtois, GK, Belgium: Courtois shined on loan for Athletico Madrid this season and if he shines in the World Cup, he may force Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to move away from current goalie Petr Cech.