Kardell Thomas

The Bulldozer

Over the weekend, I got to talk to one of the most talked about high school players in America Kardell Thomas. He attended the Army All-American Combine last week and dominated defensive linemen. Of course, the video of him dominating those players went viral and the four-star offensive lineman probably reeled in a few more offers. He looked like a man amongst boys with his size and physical skills. This kid is only a sophomore so his mailbox will be inundated with letters.

Thomas attended combines last year after his freshman season and felt like a few guys caught him off guard. That left a bad taste in his mouth and this year he intends to prove he is the top rated lineman undisputedly. He is committed to LSU due to a decision he made in late July in 2016. In an interview, he illustrated the fact that USC, Florida, Miami, and Alabama contact him often. He will visit a few of those schools in the near future.

After reading and watching his highlights, it is easy to see why Thomas is viewed as the top lineman in the class of 2019. He helped lead his high school, Southern Lab, to a Division IV State Championship. At 6'5 and well over 330 pounds, he probably excites coaches that come see him. He is extremely violent and that is a good thing in the game of football. Thomas has an excellent punch at the point of attack and I am sure defenders feel like they are getting hit with a Billy club. He puts his hat on guys and drives them to the ground or he runs them over and goes to the next guy. I am sure that is how he got his nickname "Mr. Pancake." I have a better one for you KT "The Bulldozer." Thomas recognizes that he is a great run blocker, but he knows he needs to improve his pass protection.

Thomas is extremely agile for a man at his size and I asked him if he trains to get faster. He said, "Its natural and I made it better by working on it I use to play running back when I was like three but to improve it I do everything with a weight vest on like jumping rope, box jumps, and jumping over the weight bar with the weight vest and two 25 pound weights in my hand." You really see how fast he is when he has to get out in the open field on screens or when his tail back breaks free. As a defensive back, the last thing I would want to see is a man of his size running at me. It would be like a train with no breaks steamrolling toward me.

Thomas is a dominant player in the high school ranks, but he knows he has a future at the next level. He knows that he needs to work on his pass protection as well as his balance and leverage when he jams defenders. He has been a lineman since he was four years old. Thomas believes he has a future at guard, but he has the speed to play tackle. I love his skill set, but he will be a great player due to his tremendous work ethic. Thomas knows he is not a finished product and is willing to put in the time to perfect his craft. He even joked around and talked about lining up outside to catch passes. Thomas said, "I would play wide receiver because I am unguardable." I am all for a goal line package where he runs a route from tight end!

Thomas is a young player on the rise and definitely one to watch for the next few years.

Willie McGinest

From LB to SC to the NFL

Willie McGinest was one of the most integral yet most overlooked players on the New England Patriots Super Bowl winning teams. At 6'5 and weighing in at 250+ pounds, he was definitely one of the bigger edge rushers in the NFL. The traits that set him apart from other linebackers/defensive ends were his combination of size and speed. McGinest was one of the best in the league at "setting the edge." The edge defender has to be disciplined enough to stay at home, take on a blocker, manipulate the runner into thinking he could get outside, and make the play. It is about as easy as performing open-heart surgery after just graduating with a degree in Astronomy.

McGinest could get after the quarterback and had the instincts to drop back into coverage as his skill set made him a two-time Pro Bowler. He played in 212 games for the Patriots and Cleveland Browns as he accumulated 86 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions, 36 pass deflections, and 2 defensive touchdowns. McGinest ranks third in Pats franchise history in sacks and first in defensive touchdowns. McGinest was inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame in 2015 and named to the Pats All-1990s and All-2000s teams. He holds the NFL postseason sack record with 16 and most sacks in a playoff game with 4.5. From Long Beach to USC to the NFL, McGinest's mental toughness and drive was something that stuck with me as I got the chance to interview the 15-year NFL veteran. 

McGinest grew up in Long Beach, California and spoke glowingly of his hometown. His family was ubiquitous, the city was diverse, and overall it was just a special place to him. His mother got him into sports, as teeball was actually his first sport. He would then start to play football at the age of 7 and never looked back. When I asked him about playing sports, he said, "Sports kept me out the streets of Long Beach." As a Southern California native, I understand how easily an inner city kid could get into the street life without something as constructive as sports. 

McGinest would play football and basketball as a child and his talents carried over to Long Beach Polytechnic High School where he was a two-sport phenom. In both sports, he received scholarships to play at the next level. In football, he was named an All-American, selected to multiple All-Star teams, earned All-City and All-State as he recorded 18 sacks and blocked four kicks as a senior. In basketball, McGinest averaged 14 points and was an All-CIF Southern Section honoree. In 1989, He would go on to commit to his childhood team USC with a dual scholarship in football and basketball. Imagine trying to stop him on a drive to the basket with that size and speed. He had to be a freight train like LeBron James. He reflected on his commitment as he said, "I knew I would get a good education, it was close enough for my family to come see games, and it was a prestigious university." 

Wearing number 55, McGinest would play for the Trojans from 1990 to 1993. Former Trojan great Junior Seau wanted him to carry on his legacy with that jersey. He struggled his first two seasons with off the field issues and never fully recovering from an ankle injury. The Long Beach native would show flashes of brilliance at linebacker, as he would wreak havoc in backfields as well as sideline to sideline. Other games he would simply struggle, as he would be seemingly stuck in quick sand. But then the light came on for McGinest as a junior. He racked up 15+ sacks and put the NFL on notice. As a senior, he was a Lombardi Award finalist, an All-American, and earned All-Pac-10 honors. He finished his career with 48 tackles for losses, 29 sacks, and 26 pass deflections. I guess you could say McGinest carried on the legacy of that historical jersey. He always knew the NFL buzz surrounded him. McGinest said, "I really just enjoyed the experience of college and getting an education." He graduated with a degree in Public Administration. 

The Trojan standout would go on to the 1994 NFL Draft where he was selected fourth by the New England Patriots. As far as adjusting to the NFL, McGinest never flinched in the face of stiffer competition. He recognized it was a big jump, but he said he made a big jump from high school to college due to his incredible work ethic and mental fortitude. The NFL to him was what he called "on the job training." He established himself as one of the best edge defenders by year two as he recorded 11 sacks and forced four fumbles. McGinest was one of the most versatile players in Coach Bill Belichick's defense. His willingness to change positions on a week-to-week basis was understated as he made sacrifices for the sake of the overall team success.

McGinest was keen on the description of his former coach and the system that has made the Patriots one of the most dominant franchises over the last 15+ years. He said, "Belichick is very smart and a great evaluator of talent. He understands the game of football in its totality and makes sure his guys are in a position to succeed. The system he has in place requires players to be smart, tough, and physical and willing to adapt on a weekly basis." His sentiments about Belichick are true as a talent evaluator when you see the different players he can put out there and still win games. Belichick is a master at tweaking his schemes to the strengths of his players while masking their flaws. Tom Brady is not nimble so that is why we see quick throws offensively. 

McGinest was solid during the regular season as an interchangeable player on that Pats defense, but he might as well have changed his name to Mr. Postseason. He recorded 4.5 sacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars and passed Bruce Smith for the most sacks in the postseason. He helped lead New England to three Super Bowls and played big in all three. Against the St. Louis Rams, he helped get the Patriots take momentum as he sacked Kurt Warner on a 16-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Then, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he was assigned the job of containing Donovan McNabb. No problem. McGinest showed off his athleticism and intelligence, as McNabb was not able to gain any yards as a scrambler. The toughest Super Bowl in his opinion was against the Carolina Panthers. He described them as a physical team and it was a war every play. His favorite Super Bowl was the first one they won against the Rams because no one gave them a chance.

McGinest wrapped his career up as a three-time Super Bowl champion and extremely team-oriented. He was willing to do any and everything to win and described himself as a workaholic. The former Trojan is easily one of the most overlooked players in Patriots franchise history. His unselfishness helped Belichick establish a winning culture and made other guys realize the game is bigger than them. He was a pioneer for today's edge defenders because of his ability to get after the quarterback, stop runs, and drop back in coverage effortlessly. Today we see teams looking for players with the physical features and skill set of McGinest. I asked him if he ever thought about giving up prior to making it to the league. McGinest said, "Giving up was never an option." He went into greater detail about how no one in his family ever went to college and he wanted to get out of Long Beach and do better things. Well Willie, I think its safe to say you did more than just "better things."

Marcus Keene

Undersized, Big Man on Campus

Averaging 31.4 points per game, Marcus Keene plays larger than his 5'9 frame. His gaudy scoring average has him leading NCAA Men's Division 1 basketball. After tallying up 40 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists against Green Bay, it is clear the Chippewas point guard is a force to be reckoned with. I got the opportunity to interview him and uncover a few things about him.

Keene reminds me of a bevy of undersized guards that dominated the college landscape and became NBA players. He plays a lot like Kay Felder and Nate Robinson with his ambition as a scorer. However, he plays a lot like Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics. Keene corroborated this notion by saying he models his game after IT.

Keene has helped Central Michigan get off to 8-2 as they clearly look like the best team in the MAC. He is a natural scorer and can finish in the paint even though he is undersized. Keene has an excellent jumper and for the taller defenders please do not waste your time trying to close out. He knocks down 3.9 threes a night on a 43 percent clip. It is like he is shooting in an open gym because defenses have not been able to slow him down. Did I mention he gets to the line eight times a game? Teams have tried to double-team him, but that is when he whips it to his teammates like it is a yo-yo. He is averaging 5.1 assists.

Keene averaged just 15.6 points at Youngstown State and has now doubled that average. He credits the system, at CMU, and working on his game during his year off as the key factors in his mercurial improvement. Keene definitely looks like a man under control and comfortable with being the focal point of opposing defenses. He never looks rattled and his game-to-game performances have been steady. Keene's lowest scoring output has been 23 this season. I would kill to have a 23-point performance as my worst game in a season. The Chippewas and Keene will be tested this Saturday as they travel to face a tough Illinois team.

The Chippewas point guard knows Saturday is not only a big test, but also a big opportunity for himself as well as his team. He said, "Illinois is a statement game because I want everybody to know that I can do this [put on big performances] against high major programs as well." Keene can certainly solidify his name as one to watch for the Wooden Award and a possible All-American. The Chippewas can also benefit from this game by winning in a hostile environment. This is a win that could go a long way for CMU when the committee looks at their resume for the NCAA Tournament. Right now, I would have this team in based on their ability to drop 80 on teams and Keene's sheer impact.

Keene certainly has his eyes set on the MAC regular season and tournament title, which CMU has not accomplished both feats since 2003. He also wants to take his team to the NCAA tournament. Central Michigan won the regular season title last season with Keene as a spectator, but fell short in the tournament. They cannot afford to fall short as a Mid Major team with little to no opportunities against teams from the "Power 5" conferences. If the Chippewas can win the conference tournament, it will be the first time since 2003 that they make "The Big Dance." Chris Kaman was a part of that 2003 team. Keene has a good group of teammates surrounding him most notably Cecil Williams, David DiLeo, and Braylon Rayson. Rayson is 5'9 as well and has averaged well over 16 points the last two seasons for CMU.With the duo of Keene and Rayson, Central Michigan should be the favorites to win the MAC in the regular and in the postseason. Keene and Rayson are the type of duo people should be weary of when making their NCAA Bracket this year because they will wreak havoc.

Good luck to Keene and Central Michigan for the rest of the season.

Shamon Ehiemua

The Next Big Star

Lightning speed? Check. Long stride? Check. Explosive first three steps? Check. Killer Instinct? Check. At 6'1, Shamon Ehiemua has dominated the high school ranks for the last two seasons and should end his senior year as one of the most decorated sprinters in Texas track history. His chiseled lower body and stamina helps him obliterate competitors. Ehiemua is quick and explosive out of the blocks. He uses his innate speed to bend through the curve of the 200. Finally, he finishes them off with his stride.

Making it look EASY! Wind legal US #3 20.62 for Shamon Ehiemua #UILTFState @trvck_lvfe @FBMarshallTrack @TXMileSplithttps://t.co/g7WuizC96t

— MileSplit US (@milesplit) May 14, 2016

As a sprinter for Fort Bend Marshall High School, Ehiemua competes in the 100, 200, 400, and 800-meter races. He ranks first nationally in the men's 200 meter with his best time being 20.56 and second in the 100 meter with 10.29. He has led his school to back-to-back Class 5A state championships, as he has owned the 200. Last year, he helped his 400 and 800-meter relay teams win gold medals as they recorded the fastest times in the country. The Nigerian Blur was also nominated the Chronicles and TTFCA Track Athlete of the Year. Finally, he committed to Florida State and is a part of one of the best recruiting classes in school history. A class that includes the fourth rated 100-meter sprinter Chauncy Smart. Ricky Argro, the Seminoles sprints coach, wrote a handwritten letter that went a long way in reeling Ehiemua in. That along with the entire team meeting him at the airport on his official visit really sat well with the young sprinter. I talked to Ehiemua about a few things as he gears up for his final "run" in high school.

Ehiemua has always been someone who has prided himself on hard work. Part of his rise to being one of the best sprinters is his desire to be great. He grew up believing that you are only as good as your work ethic. With the success he started to see, he did not rest on his laurels. He said, "The previous success I've gained fuels me. I don't let complacency set in because I don't want to be the "greatest athlete you've never heard of."' All of that hard work has started to pay off, as he has become a leader for his team. Believe it or not, Ehiemua has not always been the biggest fan of running.

Ehiemua used to dread running track and the practices that came along with it. Let me be real for a second. Track is not the most enjoyable sport. In fact, most track athletes I know hate running, but they do it anyway because they feel it is their niche in life. Back to the story. Ehiemua would go to practice with little to no interest in participating. He would hide his spikes so he did not have to run or better yet he would hide himself. I am sure there are a few people that wish he successfully did so they would have never raced him. Then there was a time where young Ehiemua had an epiphany. He reflected and said, "One meet during the 4x100, I decided to actually run. I was first leg and by far the first to hand the stick off. The turning point was when I didn't realize the race wasn't over and I thought we won. So I ran up to my mom, not realizing I was on the "E" team, smiling, excited, and thinking we made it. The moment she told me we didn't was the moment I decided to take it seriously." It was at that moment a star was created.

 As track season becomes more and more imminent, Ehiemua, and his team, have worked on their strength, working on key areas that produce speed and power, running efficiently, and endurance. He has grown to love track, which is why he works so hard. With close friends and family, Ehiemua continues to push his ceiling and win races. He is thankful for his coach, Lloyd Banks, as he has helped nurture and keeps him focused through his high school career. Ehiemua continues to generate a bigger buzz with his success, rankings, and status as a future sprinter at FSU. The buzz he has garnered has been Olympic buzz. I definitely made sure I asked him about becoming an Olympian. He said, "Becoming an Olympian would be the highest point of my life, besides winning it of course. It's always been a dream of mine since I started to take track seriously." Ehiemua is extremely gifted, but his motor and humble spirit is a breath of fresh air. If he can continue to practice and progress, Ehiemua will most certainly be the next big star.

Jordan and Jalen

Lawndale's Future Focused on the Now

Lawndale High School is sitting pretty after their 38-14 drubbing of a Summit team led by USC commit Stephen Carr. Carr is considered one of the top backs in the country, but Jordan Wilmore looked like the best back on the field last Friday. Wilmore ran for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. Lawndale's Jalen Hamler, the quarterback, did a good job keeping the defense honest with his throwing. He went 11 of 17 for 138 yards and threw for a touchdown.

Heading into the game, I knew the Cardinals were one of the hottest teams in the playoffs. They had won six of their last seven including an opening round blowout over West Torrance. I texted Lawndale's head coach Travis Clark, my old coach at Santa Monica, and he described this team as a young group. However, if they bought into what he and his coaching staff were teaching, they could do some special things. The team seems to have bought in and is now on the cusp of a championship appearance. I got the chance to talk to Wilmore and Hamler about this season and more.

Wilmore started playing football at the age of seven. He said, "I knew I was gifted the first time my coaches put me at running back." Hamler started playing at the age of six and felt a connection with the game immediately. He said, "It's the only thing that never let me down, I knew I could always go lay on my bed and throw the football up and down to myself." JHam's, Hamler's nickname, passion for the game extends to his teammates as well.

Wilmore and Hamler are both first time starters coming from a different school. Wilmore transferred from Serra while Hamler came from Cathedral. Wilmore came to Lawndale because it was a better fit. Hamler felt like Lawndale was a program that was on the rise, he liked what he saw from the team in the offseason, and felt a bond with the players. Wilmore got ready for the season by working on his footwork, working on his speed, and lifting. Hamler learned how to hold the ball in the pocket, worked on his footwork, and throwing mechanics. The improvements the players made paid dividends for them this season.

Wilmore and Hamler provide a dynamic duo in the backfield and under center for the Cards. Before games, you can find them getting in the zone listening to Lil Uzi Vert, Future, Kodak Black, and other artists. Their music helps them loosen up as they get ready to strap up and hit the gridiron. Wilmore is just a sophomore and has rushed for over 2,200 yards. Hamler does not throw the ball a lot in a game, but he makes the most of his opportunities and takes care of the ball. He has thrown for 1,900 yards, rushed for over 500 yards, and scored 29 times all season. They impressed me with the level of poise they play with as young men. Against Summit, they never looked rattled and the moment never got too big for them. Their football perspective is a full 360 from mine when I was in high school. They took the criticism of Coach Clark in stride as well. They listened attentively, got their mind right, and made plays that broke the game wide open. Clark can be really tough to deal with and everybody cannot play for a guy with his coaching style. However, his coaching style wins games and that is why he has only missed the playoffs once. Hamler knows his coach is a perfectionist and focuses on the details, each play, and one-on-one battles. This is why their bond has the Cardinals heading to the CIF Semi-Finals.
Wilmore and Hamler’s relationship with Coach Clark extends well beyond the game of football. Both players can attest to the fact that he treats them like family. Hamler went into great depth about his coach. He said, "I look at Coach Travis as a father figure. Someone who treats us like family and wants to help us become better men for the future. He is worried about the present but also looking forward to the future, teaching me the rights and the wrongs of this world. Coach Travis Clark is the best head coach I ever had in my life and I'm thankful and grateful he gave me the opportunity to come to Lawndale and play for him." I can certainly agree with Hamler and Wilmore, as Clark has always been someone who genuinely cares for his players.

Although Lawndale looks like a juggernaut on both sides of the ball, the team has had its fare share of low points. Both players agreed that the losses to El Segundo and San Pedro hurt, but helped the team get back on track. The losses made the team tougher and helped build more chemistry. Wilmore believes this is a team of destiny because they practice better, listen to their coaches, and play for one another. It showed on Friday, as the players were genuinely excited for one another when someone made a play. They are not the only players that make big plays. They have players like Destond Hall, Hunter Williams, Steven Almada, Jaylen Stewart, Edward Vaki, and Makeel Esteen. Hall, Vaki, and Esteen mainly play defense, Almada plays on the offensive line, and Williams and Stewart make plays on offense at receiver. JJ Liavaa is another player that impressed me with his playmaking and passion.

The big guys up front do a good job for the duo. They do a good job opening holes big enough to drive a truck through. In addition, they provide their quarterback with enough time to pass. Wilmore said, “The o-line contributes a lot. They listen to their coach and it shows in the game. Without them I couldn’t have rushed for over 2,200 yards and JHam can’t throw.” Hamler also highlighted the fact that they work hard in preparation for the games.

This team is young, but they are extremely hungry for a CIF championship. They have come this far and feel like they might as well finish the deal. Wilmore and Hamler both feel like the Summit win helped them get more respect but know that winning a ring will shut people up.

Good luck to Wilmore, Hamler, and the Cardinals as they travel to Lancaster this Friday to play Paraclete. With a win, they get to play in the championship game.

Kaymen Cureton

 Leuzinger's Star Hungry for Success

Only only a few teams in their vicinity rival them but Leuzinger is back at the forefront of the South Bay football spotlight. For the last three years, the Olympians have been a team that has steadily improved and are now on the cusp of winning a CIF championship. They returned 15 starters and were instant favorites to make the playoffs. At 10-2, their senior quarterback Kaymen Cureton who brings a calming presence leads them. He is extremely gifted at 6'2, 200 pounds. Cureton can burn you with his legs or pick you apart with his arms. He has compiled 2,713 passing yards, 332 rushing yards, and 31 total touchdowns. Cureton describes himself as conscious, having bravado, and God-fearing. Those traits simply radiate off of him as a player and through the conversations we had.

 

I went to Leuzinger’s first playoff game a few weeks ago against Apple Valley in a 43-36 thriller. Heading into the game, all I heard was that the Olympians were really talented and had this highly touted quarterback. I got to the game just as the fourth quarter had started and I saw the score was close. I immediately thought “man if Leuzinger is this good why are they struggling in the first round?” Anyway the game wore on and it looked as though Apple Valley would pull off the upset. You know that saying, “pressure makes diamonds?” Well that night Cureton became a diamond as we led Leuzinger down the field with less than two minutes as he found Danthony Jones for the game-winner. He showed great poise for a guy staring down the gun barrel of defeat.

Cureton is able to play so composed despite being a high school quarterback because of his faith in God. His parents helped him realize that God is the "creator and beholder of all things." His faith helps him stay grounded and realize anything is possible. Also, he is the nephew of Tony Gwynn who instilled a great deal of wisdom in Cureton. His composure could also be attributed to the fact that he is a four-year starter. He played his first three years at quarterback for LA High. He led the Romans to the 2015 CIF Championship game where they lost. The loss humbled him as he referred to the game as being one of his worst performances.

Cureton would go on to transfer to Leuzinger before the 2016 season in a stunning move. With players like Antonio Haygood, Demontti Peoples, Andre Hunt, Victor Perez, and Sioeli Pulu returning, Cureton's addition made them the prohibitive favorites in Division 10. He felt like Leuzinger's spread offense gave him a better opportunity to get the exposure he needed to go to college. Cureton does, however, prefer the pro-style because its what is being ran in the NFL. He compares his playing style to Dak Prescott and his passion comparable to Sean Taylor. When asking about school, he said, "I enjoy school (Leuzinger). I mean its a fun well-established learning environment, with a lot of cool students and genuine staff."

"The Duke" started playing ball when he was 8-years old, but, as any young kid, he did not take it seriously. He realized football could get him to college and bring joy to his family as well as those close to him. Cureton was preparing himself for the mental and physical aspects of football at 12. As a freshman, he was a starter at LA High where he suffered plenty of mistakes early on. I mean who would not make mistakes at the age of 14? At that age most teenagers do not even know what they will be doing in five minutes. Fast forward a few years later, Cureton is a high school phenom with schools like LSU, San Diego State, Alabama, and Boston College offering him a scholarship. He is currently committed to San Jose State, but he is open to other schools. He labels this as being the most "vital" decision of his life. Cureton said, "I would say the hardest the thing about choosing a school is the aspect of trust. You have to grasp an understanding of authenticity not only with the coaching staff, but the guys amongst you too. The ones (schools) that you continue to build your brand at as an individual and with as a program. You want to be where you are most comfortable, somewhere that translates to the professional level. You have to understand that college football is and will always remain a business." No matter where he goes, Cureton wants to get a degree in business or journalism.

There is still a lot of work to be done on the field for this Olympian. Cureton hopes to bring Leuzinger another CIF championship, grow as a young man, network with people, and build his brand. Despite being quiet, he is hungry for success and I would simply describe him as a "Humble Beast." To the people that think this young man is all hype, Cureton has a few words for you: "God bless."

Good luck to Cureton and the Olympians as they continue to hunt for their ring.

NBA Tipoff 2016

NBA Predictions

The NBA season is upon us with plenty of action in store from now up until mid-April. There is a lot to be excited about with an influx of rookies, players in new cities, and coaches on new teams. Front offices, coaches, players, and fans get a fresh start, as everyone believes it is their year. All of the hard work in the offseason, talk, and acquisitions are put to the test. The hardwood on all 30 courts has been thoroughly waxed as players hit the court in their new kicks. The arena starts to get loud as fans pile into the stadium and the arena music is pumping through everyone's veins. As a matter of fact, adrenaline is pumping through everyone's veins because they believe its their time to shine. One team is having a ring ceremony while the other 29 teams look on enviously. The players on those other 29 teams are doggedly determined on getting a ring of their own. Until then, there are 82 stories to be told. Today, we will take a look at my predictions for the 2016-17 NBA season. 

Impact Rookies

The 2016 draft class is really talented as a lot of players could end up being good in about two or three years. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are the kind of players Philadelphia needed because they are smart, good locker room players, and want to be great. Simmons will be sidelined to start the season, but his all around play could be something Sixers fans can hang their hats on. Embiid is the kind of two-way player they need to impact games. Buddy Hield is in a good position to succeed right away in New Orleans. It has been really unfortunate with what has happened to Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans in the offseason, but it gives the former Sooner a shot at an early Rookie of the Year case. Jaylen Brown, Denzel Valentine, Taurean Prince, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss will all likely come off the bench, but they are the kind of players to provide good production in spurts. They all bring energy and hustle to the table, which is all a coach can ask from a rookie.

Rookie of the Year

The Rookie of the Year award is Ingram's to lose plain and simple. There is a reason Kevin Durant is reminded of himself when he looks at the Duke product. He is one of the most versatile scorers in the draft only being rivaled by Hield. Ingram is not great at one of way of scoring, but he is good at all levels. He can shoot the three as he shot 41 percent at Duke. He can get to the rack and shoot mid-range jumpers. Ingram has to improve his free throw shooting because 68 percent is dismal for a player with his touch. His 7'3 wingspan gives the notion of his ability to be an elite rebounder at his position and hold his own on defense. Ingram has a knack for blocking shots, but he needs to gain weight. All in all Ingram should cement his worth as the number two selection.

Building Blocks

Minnesota, Philly, Los Angeles, and Phoenix boast hotbeds for the league's youth movement. The Wolves are at the point where they need to put it all together and make a playoff push under head coach Tom Thibodeau. Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and Kris Dunn are extremely athletic and nightmares defensively. Simmons, Embiid, and Dario Saric have the potential to be good pros. Simmons and Embiid can change the culture of that team with their work ethic. Simmons will make guys better with his elite passing. Embiid has the personality to bring his teammates close with his vibrant personality. Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and D'Angelo Russell know what it takes to be a pro and prepare like one after learning from Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol. Along with Ingram, two of these guys have to turn into All-Stars caliber players. Lakers fans will only be patient for so long. The Suns have quite the young group in Devin Booker, Chriss, Bender, Alex Len, and Tyler Ulis. They each have someone at their position who is littered with NBA wisdom. It will be up to them to soak up that knowledge and develop good habits. Luke Walton and Earl Watson are in ideal positions in LA and Phoenix as young coaches with young teams. 

50-Win East Teams

The Cavaliers should win 55 games or more to the surprise of no one. They have Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and everyone else you already know about. They are by far the best and most complete team in the East and will be ultimately judged on how they do in the playoffs as anything less than making it to NBA Finals is considered failure. The Raptors won 56 games last season as they came one game shy of the one seed. Nevertheless, those 56 wins were a franchise record for Toronto. It is hard to see them top that mark this season, but they should still win 50 games this year. The Team USA backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan will be the engine of this team. The Celtics and Pacers should also top the 50-win mark. It is not as crazy as it sounds to think four teams from the East could win that many games. The C's willed their way to 48 wins a year ago and the addition of Al Horford should figure to make 50 wins feasible. Meanwhile, Paul George led Indiana to 45 and the additions of Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson, and Thad Young make 50 a possibility.

Coach of the Year

If Boston can win 50 games and finish as the two or three seed, it will be hard to deny Brad Stevens the Coach of the Year award. You can make the argument that he should have won it last year as the Celtics overachieved with 48 wins and were in a four-way tie for the third seed. Stevens is one of the best in the league at masking his players’ flaws and maximizing their strengths. IT is a perfect example of this statement as he is considered a liability on defense and scorer on offense. When you watch Celtics games, Thomas is hardly caught out of position on defense while tearing up opposing defenses. His ATOs, after timeout plays, are second to none. Stevens has the respect of his players and coaches around the league.

Old Faces New Cities

Dwight Howard could be in for a monster season in Atlanta. The Hawks like to spread it out on offense and Paul Millsap stretches the floor. Howard could find himself operating more one on one down low or finding easier putbacks on missed shots. When a big man is scoring, he will play defense at a high level. Howard should look nimble on both ends in his hometown as he returns to All-Star status. The place where Howard left, Houston, is happy with the acquisitions of Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson. The former Pelicans are both three-point snipers and fit into Mike D'Antoni's spread system. They should get plenty of open looks playing with a superstar like James Harden. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah look to bring a winning mindset to New York as they depart from Chicago. Both guys should play with a chip on their shoulders after rocky departures from the Windy City that will only help the Knicks playoff surge.

Sixth Man of the Year

The system Gordon will be playing in will be one of the best he has played in yet. He is tailor made for D'Antoni's system as a good ball handler, slasher, and premiere shooter. When Harden heads to the bench, it will be Gordon's show to run. Remember a few years back with the Clippers, he averaged over 20 points per game. Injuries and unclear roles have hindered his growth as a player. Gordon should average 16-20 points per game with a few assists. I think we would all be fine with anyone as long as Jamal Crawford is not the winner.

First Time All-Stars

KAT, CJ McCollum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Derrick Favors should make it to the All-Star Game as first timers. KAT had the statistics to make the team a year ago and with the same production and more wins, he should get his first All-Star nod. The fans might vote him in. McCollum should be able to make the ASG due to Portland's success this season. All he has to do is mirror the production he had a year ago and the coaches will get him in. The Greek Freak could be in for a big year after cashing in for 100 million dollars in the offseason. After the 2016 All-Star Break, he averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. His numbers this season should look remarkably similar through a full season. Favors is a walking double double for the Utah Jazz and is underrated due to their lack of success. He should get more love with the improved success of the team and, with Gordon Hayward sidelined, he could earn his first All-Star selection. 

Most Improved Player

Antetokounmpo is a no brainer for this award as he has came a long way since being drafted a few years back. Many around the league believed he needed to improve his handle, body, and jumper. If you have not noticed, The Greek Freak has an exceptional handle for a player of his size and has added the mass that was necessary. His jumper is still a work in progress, but he is still only 21-years old. Antetokounmpo can pass, rebound, score, defend, and even crack a joke or two. He is viewed as the Bucks star as he was paid handsomely in he offseason. I still think Milwaukee is a year away from a playoff push.

Denver Trade City

When you look at the Nuggets roster, you start to see a bunch of players with the same skill set. On the perimeter, they have a bunch of slashers and scorers. The big men are energy players with elite rebounding ability. This makes a lot of their players expendable as they look to gear up for an opportunity to sign Blake Griffin or a tier two star in the offseason. This is the first team contenders should call for players that could make them better. You have to believe anybody not named Emmanuel Mudiay, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray are available. Even those guys are expendable for the right offer.

Defensive Player of the Year

The Defensive Player of the Year award race could be as good as the MVP race because a lot of players will be hungry for this award. KAT or Gorgui Dieng have the ability to compete for this award with their quick hands and shot blocking talent. Thibs will push his young big men to become vocal leaders and defensive anchors like he did with Kevin Garnett. Lebron James, if motivated, could make a run for this award because Michael Jordan won it during his heyday. James will downplay the idea of chasing MJ, but part of me believes he wants this award. Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert are elite shot blockers and will look to stake their claim. Kawhi Leonard will continue to make his case as he locks players up on the wing. Former winners like Noah and Howard will have bounce back years and look worthy of the award. Tony Allen, Paul George, and Mason Plumlee will have strong seasons on defense as well. However, I think Draymond Green finally gets the hardware. With Andrew Bogut gone, Green will have to defend more bigs as well as the perimeter. It only helps his case as the supreme defensive player in the association.

Portland Reaches WCF

I think the Trail Blazers are in for a big year as they take that next step with their young nucleus. We know Damian Lillard and McCollum are one of the best backcourts behind only Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. I love the signing of Evan Turner as he provides another ball handler and allows the two guards to play off the ball. This will add new sets and plays in Terry Stotts offense. The front office did a good job of maintaining that bench by bringing back Allen Crabbe and Moe Harkless. It is imperative to have at least four guys on the bench that can contribute. This team should win over 50 games and secure a top three seed in the West. Depending on how the standings shake up, Portland should be the surprise of the West as they make it to the conference finals. This is a team that thinks they can beat Golden State and could turn into a rivalry. 

Most Valuable Player

The Most Valuable Player in the NBA this season will be Russell Westbrook. He is a force of nature and will not be denied this season. I think he finally earns the respect of the media, players, and coaches around the league as one of the NBA's best. The passion that he has for the game is gratifying and it makes his performances that much special. He is the leader of Oklahoma City and they will only go as far as he takes them. It will be interesting to see how he leads the team as the pulse of the locker room. It could be a fun year for the NBA as Westbrook could provide one of the best seasons by a player. I expect a bunch of triple doubles as well. He should average 24 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals. The Thunder have to win 45 games for Russ to secure the award.