(Evan Turner with his brand new #12 Sixers NBA Jersey!)
As expected the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ohio State Star Evan Turner as the #2 pick at the 2010 Draft! It seemed like Philly & Turner had their eyes set on each other immediately after the draft lottery. Evan even said before the draft that he would be almost shocked to not end up in Philadelphia. While the announcement by David Stern was not a surprise for Turner, you know it was still an unforgettable moment for the young stud out of Chicago, Illinois.
The Illedelph is a great spot for Turner, and honestly was thought of as an ideal placeseven before the draft lottery. We have no doubts about the hardworking fans of Philly appreciating Evan's approach for the game and overall flare. (The Sixers have some talent with a good look at coach in Doug Collins.)
Evan Turner is the sixth Buckeye to get drafted into the NBA since 2007. And there are now 7 former Ohio State players in the National Basketball Association.
The Miami Heat made another roster clearing move on the eve of the NBA Draft by sending shooting guard Daequan Cook (3 years pro) & the 18th pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 32nd overall pick.
What it means- two realities have formed out of this deal. Firstly, it was definitely not surprising considering that Daequan's lack of P.T throughout the season spoke louder than the trade itself. The 23 year old guard out of Dayton displayed big time flashes in his first two seasons, but inconsistency & some injuries prevented Cook from really cementing himself with the Heat. And it was clear that Miami was not going to be interested in letting him play through miscues in his 3rd season (signed vet Quentin Richardson & increased playing time for Dorrell Wright). He played in 45 games for Miami this past season, 14 less than his rookie season and 30 less than his second season. His numbers say regression when our feeling is Cook actually improved his defense and ball handling ability, but it just could not come to light in the 2009/2010 season. Daequan's last big game with the Heat was a 22 point effort at Dallas on February 20, 2010.
The Opportunity - The change of scenery also presents the new reality of a fresh start & different system. Cook joins the up and coming Oklahoma City Thunder led by young phenom Kevin Durant and Coach of the Year Scott Brooks. The Thunder play in the more wide open and uptempo Western Conference which may suit Cook's style. So far it is not clear if Daequan is a roster lock for OKC just yet, but all indications seem to point to the franchise's interest in Cook's contributions for at least one season. For now, it will be up to the former 3-point Champ to prove his worth this summer/early fall in what will be a crowded OKC training camp roster. In a cool twist, Daequan Cook will join another former Buckeye in center Byron Mullens. If both make it to the final roster, it will mark the first time two Buckeyes were on the same NBA team since the mid 1980s when Herb Williams & Clark Kellogg were together in Indiana.
Daequan With the Heat - Daequan Cook spent 3 seasons with Miami after being selected as the 21st pick in the 2007 draft at the young age of 19. Although he took a bit of a step back this past season, in two short years he was able to quickly earn the rep as a deadly outside shooter seemingly out of no where. Cook has already had several 20 plus point performances in his young career including a career best 27 points off the bench (6-8 from 3)vs Phoenix on March 4th, 2009. He won the 2009 3-point contest & is 9th on the Miami Heat all time 3 point field goals list. Cook has said that his later struggles partly came from teams now game planning him as a 'known threat'. A change of scenery might be best for Daequan to recharge as a player and bounce back.
-The Year of the Guard: The 2009-2010 season is over for a majority of professional ballers around the world. Every club has a certain set of goals they would like to accomplish throughout the season. But when it comes down to it, you want to be in a situation where the organization, coaches & fans judge your squad on how well you do in 'post-season play' or the cup/tournament that you value the most. High standards (competing for championships) is a familiar concept for any former Ohio State athlete. Nine former Buckeyes saw on court action in their respective 2010 Playoff Tournaments.
Center - Byron Mullens - 1st in Career (Oklahoma City Thunder/ Starter - Tulsa 66ers - United States) Center/Power Foward - Kosta Koufos - 1st in Career (Utah Jazz -United States) Guard - Tony Stockman (Starter - Vivo/Franca - Brazil) Guard - Je'Kel Foster (Starter - EWE Baskets Oldenburg - Germany) Guard - Ron Lewis (Starter - CEZ Nymburk - Czech Republic - Championship) Guard - Scoonie Penn (Starter - Olympiacos - Greece - 2nd place) Guard - Brian Brown (Starter - Lugano Tigers - Switzerland - Championship) Guard - Jamar Butler 1st in Career (KK Igokea - Bosnia - 2nd place) Forward - George Reese (Starter - AZS Koszalin - Poland)
It was yet another exciting season of playoff basketball. But as OSU fans we have to lament the notable absences of prolific scorer Michael Redd, Greg Oden, Ken Johnson, Terence Dials, & Ivan Harris (pictured to the left - December 2009)..(Not even mentioning Conley, whose club made a push for the playoffs before falling short). Redd & Oden would have certainly had good opportunities to possibly help their teams advance. Last season veteran Center Ken Johnson participated with Baskets Bonn in the German Bundesliga Finals against Je'Kel Foster & Oldenburg.Terence Dialswas playing at a high level as well in the 2008-2009 season, he played in the French finals with a club called Orleans.
The D-League's Erie Bayhawks & Ivan Harris enjoyed a nice run in 2008-2009 which included a birth, but the second year club could not accomplish that goal for 2010. Hopefully everyone cab rebound with good health and find winning environments for the 2010-2011 season (which should make for an epic playoffs)
On the positive front, three Buckeyes took part in first career playoff games this year. Guard Jamar Butler (pictured to the left - October 2009) had brief stints in Turkey & Italy during his rookie pro campaign (2008-2009). He then played a majority of this past season in the Greek league with GS Larissa before moving to Igokea in the country of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Butler saw limited action in the Semi-finals & Finals of the Bosnian League (Igokea was swept in the finals).
In the States, injuries forced Kosta Koufos into action for the Utah Jazz. The young Center out of Canton received backup minutes in both the Denver & L.A series. His biggest moment attention wise had to have been the heavily circulated viral video of him letting out a "boom bi-----s" after a key layup vs Denver.
And in an unlikely thought before the season, then Rookie Byron Mullens ended up logging the most playoffs minutes of the OSU big men. Mullens played in four NBA D-League playoff games with the Tulsa 66ers before being called back up to the Oklahoma City Thunder in mid April. The Columbus big man provided solid contributions for Tulsa before the call up. He scored 18 points in his first career post season contest...(Gm One vs Sioux Falls...followed that up with a double/double in game two..the Tulsa 66ers ended up winning the 2009/2010 D-League Championship) Back in Oklahoma City, Mullens was actually able to experience his first minutes in an NBA playoff game during the April 24th rout of the L.A Lakers.
-brief clips of B.J on the road vs Sioux Falls 4.9.2010 (D-League Playoffs - Round One - Game Two
Best Overall Team Playoff Record - CEZ Nymburk (Ron Lewis) 10-2, Lugano Tigers (Brian Brown) 9-2
Top Scorers - Ron Lewis played the most games (12) and held a 12 point scoring average. George Reese averaged 16 points & 7 rebounds in his playoff run, but only played six games. Je'Kel Foster averaged 13 points in 4 games, and Brian Brown averaged 9 points in 11 games.
Top Assist Men - Brian Brown, 4 assist playoff average. Brown had a playoff high 7 assists in Game 3 of the finals vs Fribourg. Ron Lewis had 6 assists in Game 3 of his final series vs Prostejov. And Jamar Butler also had 6 assists in game one of the Bosnian finals.
Wildest Tournament - The German League Playoffs, throughout the season we have believed the Bundesliga was a little underrated in the European Basketball fan community. Although top seeds Oldenburg (Je'Kel Foster) & Alba Berlin ruled the regular season from wire to wire, you could just tell that there were 3 or 4 other teams capable of testing and or defeating the powers. The first round unfolded accordingly with the 2nd seed Alba Berlin getting bounced along with top seed & defending champion EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Once again we were reminded that a squad just has to be clicking at the right time in the playoffs...that was how Oldenburg won the title last season. Brose Baskets Bamberg ended up taking the German Championship. Ron Lewis & Nymburk split with this same team in the Eurocup Competition.
Coolest Result - Has to be Brian Brown (pictured above to the far right celebrating with his teammates) winning his first league championship with the Lugano Tigers in Switzerland. Nymburk was given as the favorite in the Czech Republic all year. So it was really cool to see a Buckeye vet grab a title. The 31 years old guard from New York saved perhaps his best scoring performance in the title clinching game with 18 points & 7 rebounds in Game 5.
Coolest Story - In our opinions the best story throughout the 2010 Playoffs was seeing Scoonie Penn on the big stage for perhaps the last time. The point guard helped Greek club Olympiacos advance to the Euroleague & Greek League finals. If you want to talk about Buckeye greats overseas, it starts with James 'Scoonie' Penn.
-couple baskets vs Polish team Prokom in the Euroleague Playoffs. The guy clapping after Scoonie hits the 3 is the rich & powerful Olympiacos owner.
-Scoonie & Olympiacos in Paris for the Euroleague Finals
Best Individual Performances Ron Lewis(pictured left with teammate Arthur Lee following the Championship victory) versus BK Pardubucie - Game One of the semi-finals on May 12, 2010. Lewis set the tone for the game & series with a 29 point explosion (Nymburk won 99-76) George Reese scored 23 points in his opening playoff game in Poland vs Stal SW.
(we posted the 1st quarter of the Pardubicie game, and still intend on editing that full game to bring the rest of the highlights)
(Rare video from the early part of the 1997 season (Jim O'Brien first season). An out-manned Ohio State squad takes on powerhouse Kansas in a pre-season classic in Hawaii. Michael Redd is only ten games into his collegiate career in this game. Jason Singleton & Carlos Davis were also strong in this matchup. But in the end it was too much of #34 Paul Pierce. Some of the other names include Ken Johnson, John Sanderson, Kenny Gregory, Lester Earl & Billy Thomas.)
The various team workout sessions are starting to heat up with the 2010 NBA Draft only ten days away. These workouts amount to mini-combines where team personnel is able to interview each prospect as well as apply their drills & philosophies. Clubs will sometimes focus on individual workouts or bring in a group of guys (presenting the stage for direct comparisons & evaluations). In addition to getting familiar with a specific franchise, these young ball players also get experience with the media as they answer hundreds of questions throughout the draft process.
The presidentital-esque pre-draft schedule for Buckeye Star Evan Turner has been carefully monitored & scrutinized by agent David Falk (focusing on only a few workouts, declining some teams). In this era it only seems logical when it has been clear for weeks who is probably going to select ET. It seems like in most years there is not much suspense for the number one pick. Yet, picks 3-10 is where you see surprises, trades and what not. The players who are projected in that pick 3 to late lottery range (and anyone simply trying to make the league) are the ones who are super interested in showing out at the workouts.
(Videos - Past Pre-Draft Workouts - Several Buckeyes have been through what Evan Turner is going through now. However, every situation is obviously not the same. Even Turner's current star status is not bigger than Greg Oden's 2007 Pre-draft hype & coverage. PG Mike Conley Jr. evidently had a great pre-draft process as he was drafted sooner than projected. Also included are vids of Othello Hunter, Daequan Cook & Byron Mullens)
Retro In The Game - A young Dallas Mavericks team that featured Jamal Mashburn, Jim Jackson, & Jason Kidd faces the best team in basketball, the 1995 Houston Rockets.
1.3.1995 - Dallas vs Houston in an early January regular season contest. Former Buckeye great Jimmy Jackson led Dallas with 27 points, only one problem..Hakeem Olajuwon dropped 41...
(JJ Sullinger & Terence Dials currently play in the NBL- images - tom.com)
As we will definitely see this summer, frequent player movement on every level of pro basketball is a common occurrence. Sometimes these situations can directly or indirectly reunite former rivals and or teammates. Former Big Ten MVP Terence Dials was briefly reunited with Buckeye teammate Matt Terwilliger in Paderborn, Germany (Paderborn Baskets) before moving on to BBC Nyon (Switzerland). Guard/Forward JJ Sullingermet back up with Tony Stockman in Mexico a couple seasons ago. Now Dials & Sullinger find themselves in the same league out east..wayyy east in China.
As JJ explained in his blog, he decided to depart from club Guinda of Nogales, Mexico (Cibacopa) for a better situation in China's NBL that would surely give him more exposure. Sullinger joined Dials (who left Switzerland in March), as well as other imports in preparation for the 2010 NBL Import Draft in mid to late May. Big TD ended being picked 2nd by a club called the Anshan Seals, while JJ was the seventh pick by the Heilongjiang Heaven Lions. The NBL is the second league in China to the CBA.
We are just now beginning to check out some sites & really translate stuff, but it looks like this league has decent coverage, so we'll be able to get some video to catchup on some of the games already played.
-Video! NBL Import Draft Scrimmage - Rainforest vs Blaze - JJ Sullinger is rocking #23 in the red
Part 2 of Rainforest vs Blaze - Terence Dials appears in the game in this part, rocking #42 on JJ's red team.
Former Buckeye & long time Laker coach Jim Cleamons kicks some knowledge on the role of 'faith' in sports...great answers from Mr. Cleamons! don't mind the goofy isreali reporter lol.
Recent Evan Turner workout brought to us by Slam Magazine & CityLeagueHoops
Greg Oden & Chris Bosh at the opening for Karate Kid
Clips of the Indiana Juniors vs Seniors All Star game with incoming Ohio State recruit Deshuan 'Diesal' Thomas
Wire to Wire - In sports we love to throw around such familiar words & phrases like dominance, the imposing of will onto others, and or prolonged excellence. This may be in the context of one game or throughout an entire season. Rarely do we refer to dominance over the course of several years, when this occurs it is especially noted in history. (UCLA Basketball, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan ect..) Those within the Czech Republic Basketball Community have been witnessing a powerful dynasty with club CEZ Nymburk.
(Top: Ron Lewis, Left to Right: Petr Benda, Arthur Lee, Ladislav Sokolovsky)
Nymburk is located just 30 minutes away (east) from capital city Prague. The club has had considerable financial backing to go with loyal fan support. They captured their first title in the Czech Republic's top basketball league (Mattoni NBL) at the end of the 2003/2004 season. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, Nymburk did not look back as they have now won seven, count em' seven straight Czech Titles, including their latest on June 5th, 2010. Although we have only been following Nymburk for one season, it seems like their formula for success has been the same each year. The identity or makeup of this team has always been a squad of some of the best native Czech born players coupled with key imports from America & other European countries.
The 2009/2010 version of Nymburk marched through the Czech Regular Season with little resistance, ending the reg. season with a sick 40-4 record. The Eurocup schedule of games were added from December 2009 on. The Czech club surprised Europe by advancing to the Eurocup Elite 8 (only coming six points short of making it to the last 4). Even with the confidence of Eurocup & dominating the regular season, Nymburk knew the playoffs were not going to be a walk in the park, at least not the last rounds. From the onset of the tournament, it was clear that Nymburk was destined for a finals matchup with the 2nd best team in the country, BK Prostejov. Prostejov gave teams trouble with their size, good defense, and leadership from point guard Eugene Lawrence (not to mention defeating Nymburk a couple times in the reg season).
Furthermore, adding to the challenge was the absences of key players Arthur Lee & Mike Lenzly for a couple games due to injury. But in the end, Nymburk won the series using the signature formula of their popular outgoing coach Muli Katzurin, defense & team play. The Champs handled Prostejov in the fist two games at home. They dropped Game 3 on the road, and then routed their rivals in Game 4 before closing out the series at home (Game 5). Some of Nymburk's long time leaders were huge in this series. Petr Benda was very effective in the post & with his midrange shot..and Ladislav unleashed a barrage of 3 point buckets all season. But it really an honest team effort with others like Phil Ricci & Kremen stepping up, Lenzly when he was in (all had been playing well throughout the playoffs).
Buckeye Ron Lewis played the finals in commendable fashion. #22 did whatever was needed to help Nymburk win whether it be scoring from the field, getting to the line when his club needed something positive, running the team, setting guys up, or playing tough defense. With Lee & Lenzly out, Nymburk had Ron at point guard for long stretches in the series. Lewis initiated the offense, and on some occasions had to guard Prostejov's PG on defense . (he ended up with 6 assists in game 3) Ron Lewis scored 8 points & had 3 assists in the title clinching game. There was perhaps one play in Game 5 that exemplified Lewis' role in the finals. Late int he 2nd half, Lewis drove the lane and threw a nice dime to Phil Ricci for the dunk. (included in the vid) We have no doubt that Lewis raised his basketball capital after this season (adapted to different styles, played good competition). More on Lewis later, but for now congrats to Nymburk!
In Greece, if it is not one thing, it is always another. From political corruption to financial troubles and even sports, controversy is a staple of this country. Every season the Greek Championship comes down to two teams with the biggest budgets, Olympiacos & Panathinaikos. This year was no different, both teams were evenly matched & the series was moving along fine until game 3.
Both squads split the first two contests with each winning at home. Everything was even until it swung back to Panathinaikos' or PAO's home court for game 3. Olympiacos was pretty much controlling & dictating the pace of the game, despite being the obvious victim of blatant homer calls. The Reds maintained control, but wilted in the fourth quarter after a succession of mysterious calls in favor of PAO.
So after basically robbing Olympiacos in game 3, PAO was 'welcomed' in game 4 by a partisan Olympiacos crowd that was ready to riot from the jump. We'll give Greek fans credit for one thing, they know when they have been wronged..and are not afraid to show their feelings too. This game was home to a bunch of chippy nonsense and bad calls as well. Everything culminated into a near riot situation in the 3rd when the fans began to throw stuff at Panathinaikos players. This mess actually caused a near hour delay. Postpone the game? No, they actually made the players resume a championship game after a long delay after 5 minutes of warm up action. So the game resumes, but the fans are still crazy so they ended up calling the game with 1 minute left in favor of Panathinaikos! PAO went on to win & capture the Greek Title for the 8th year in a row (big surprise)..they did so in a game with basically no identity or flow.
This was actually a promising series until the 3rd game. In our objective view, PAO was a little more sound as far as team play than Olympiacos. But when it looked like the Reds were starting to control the series, PAO received a lot of help from the Greek Federation. All those terrible calls & subsequent fan reactions ruined any type of flow that you would expect from a championship series, it was frankly bad basketball.
This game marked the end of Scoonie Penn's 2nd run with Greek power Olympiacos. Penn scored 7 points & had a rebound and assist each. Penn's decision on returning to Europe or retiring for next season will be one the more interesting stories of the Summer..we will have more on him in his season review post..well done Scoonie!
The Champ is Here Part One - The first Buckeye related Championship of the 2009/2010 season arrived on May 25th when Brooklyn's Brian Brown& (1) The Lugano Tigers won the LNBA (Switzerland) Title over (3) Fribourg. The top seeded Tigers clinched the best of 5 game Finals series in a Game 4 road victory by a score of 88-81. The opening two games in Lugano, Switzerland resulted in a split. Lugano narrowly won game one (84-82), and then suffered a shocking blowout loss in game two (97-64). That poor performance would wake the Regular Season Champs up for good as they would control the next two contests in Fribourg. The 2009/2010 Championship marks the sixth title all time in Lugano history, and first since the year 2006.
Former Buckeye Brian Brown averaged 10 points & 4 assists in the Swiss League Finals. He saved his best for the last game with an 18 point, 7 rebound performance. The ten year veteran won his first league championship after playing pro ball in the States, Germany, Poland, France, and now Switzerland. Brown played his first half of the season in Germany with TBB Trier (at least 18 gms in Germany) before switching to Lugano in February and solidifying Switzerland's top roster (played 21 games with the Lugano Tigers)
(Evan Turner with his brand new #12 Sixers NBA Jersey!)
