NBA Draft

What a crazy draft last night. I think there were more trades than picks by the end, but let's pick a winner and loser in the draft and those close by. 

Winner- San Antonio Spurs

With no first round pick they got a first round caliber player. They got two steals in the second round with DeJuan Blair and Jack McClinton. I think these guys fit their system perfectly. Blair is a little short but has produced against the best in college. He should get some valuable minutes letting Tim Duncan rest, which will give them a much needed boost in the playoffs. McClinton will be a nice scorer off the bench behind Manu Ginobili and Roger Mason. Add this to the trade for Richard Jefferson and this team has become a favorite to win next year.

Loser-Minnesota T-wolves

What a terrible draft. Did they hire Elgin Baylor or something? If drafting two point guards in the top ten wasn't bad enough they added Ty Lawson to the mix, who they did end up trading to Denver for a future first-rounder that won't even be in the lottery picks. Then a terrible pick with Henk Norel with players like A.J. Price and Robert Dozier still around. I can't even begin to explain how bad this draft was.

Close Calls 

Winners

Milwaukee Bucks- A future great team right here. Potential starting five in years to come- Brandon Jennings at PG, Michael Redd at SG, Joe Alexander at SF, Charlie Villanueva at PF, and Andrew Bogut at C. Coming off the bench you have Luke Ridnour, Jodie Meeks, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and Damon Jones. This team could be great in two years if they get a coach.

Memphis Grizzlies-  Three great defensive picks and two offensive threats. Hasheem Thabeet will be one of the most prolific shot blockers in NBA history. This kid could end up being the greatest of all time and he will alter every shot that is put up in the lane. The next two picks is where they shined in my opinion, DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young.  This should solidify this team when you add in OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay, and Mike Conley you have a playoff caliber team. This team has been great the last two drafts and look to be a great team in the future.

Losers

Boston Celtics- I still think they should have drafted AJ Abrams to back up Ray Allen. I mean who better to back up Ray Allen then the future Ray Allen? Their pick is untested and really not what they needed. Chris Johnson would have been a nice pick up or even Chinemelu Elonu or Robert Dozier. Any help for KG and Kendrick Perkins down low. Jeff Adrien, Shawn Taggert, and Leo Lyons are still out there for some good defensive help when either of those two guys go down. I hope the Celtics do something else.

Overall some solid role players were taking in this draft and I think we will look back at it as one of the best drafts of the 2000's, but that's just my opinion.

Why Johnny Can't Preach Part 1

As I have recently started a new book, Why Johnny Can't Preach by T David Gordon, I thought it would be nice at least for myself to take down some observations of mine while reading through it. I have only started the first chapter but here are somethings I have noticed so far. 

First I seem to agree on every point so far. I think Gordon has hit the nail on the head as they say. He addresses the number one problem I find in most every church I attend. People cannot preach these days. It disturbs me even more when I hear bad preaching continually at a seminary chapel where the cream of the crop is supposed to be. If the cream of the crop can't preach how can we have confidence that anyone does. 

Second I agree with him that maybe a little more than one percent of preachers out there can preach. People continually accept bad preaching because the pastor does so much other stuff excellently but don't we wish that it was the other way around. I wish for once I would find someone who would say man the preaching here is excellent but he could do better with visitation and some other things. I mean have you ever heard that in your life?!? I think Christianity today would be better off if it were so.

So far in my short read of the book he addresses a problem that dearly needs addressing. He seems to go about it in a civil manner leaving out any slandering or malicious attitude. He seems calm cool and collected and taking head on a great problem of our day. I think this book should be in every persons hands who even thinks about ministry. I pray the rest of the book will go as well as the intro and first couple of pages. If you've read it let me know what you think about it.

M Burgin

NCAA Tourney

This year could be the year. I am going against all odds this year. Louisville is going to lose to the Alabama State Hornets. I think ASU is going to pose a lot of problems for this Louisville team and as a UK fan I would like to see nothing more that for Pitino to be the first coach to have this happen. However here is how my final four works out I have Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and UNC with UNC beating Mizzou in the championship. I know I am going way off the radar here but I if my 16 over 1 comes true this will be it. I think the Big 12 was underrated this year and will prove itself in the tourney. However Hansborough and company came back to win and win it they will. As hard as it will be for me to watch this tourney w/o UK in it, I think this will be the year of the upset. Man I love me some March Madness.