Smart Times

- Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State must be kicking himself right about now.  If he had entered last years NBA Draft he would have been a sure fire top five pick and would be earning millions.  While his decision to stay in school, improve his game, and roll with the madness is laudable, as we often see his stock has taken quite a hit.  Last weekends altercation with the fan was unfortunate and might effect his draft stock.  However, his game had already taken a major hit.  The kid was a powder keg leading up to the incident.  As the loses began to pile up he was ready to go off.  It has been a rough year for his squad due to injury and such.  His shooting has been atrocious and that was what he was supposed to be working on this year. Smart is a beast but could he end up being another Tyreke Evans?  Feel or him.  Have a feeling he falls to a top ten pick this summer.
- There might be some promise to this years all star weekend.  The dunk contest has some names in Geoge and Liliard.
- Lowry and Dragic got robbed, both are deserving of all star nods.  Derozean is deserving but have a feeling Lowry's history with coaches cost him a spot.
- Trade deadline is coming soon.  Seems like it will be a quiet one.  Perhaps the Sixers will sell some more.
- Given his Darko history and signings Dumars needs to be shown the door in Detroit.  Cheeks aint to blame for this.  The miscast pieces are to blame.  And only one person signed them all.
- Shocked at the Mavs record.  What?  Guess age and leadership help.
- The Warriors sure have fallen off.  O and D are sputtering.  The latter is no surprise.
- Last weeks Lakers/Cavs game was interesting to say the least.  Finishing the game with a player that has already fouled out. And only a technical foul if that player commits a foul.  Any foul by the team using a fouled out player should result in a technical free throw and the ball for the opposition.
- Still not used to the Raptors being the clear cut #3 seed in the East.  They have been a pleasure to watch.  The year of the tank just makes it sting and feel a bit undeserved.
- Thinking if Wesbrook comes back at full motor, OKC will play IND in the Finals.  Durant will be the MVP and the HEAT still haven't shown much.
- Cue the Heat post all star break 11 in a row.

Hands on Hips

-Furious comeback by the Raptors right now versus the Bobcats.  The hard hat guys Hayes and Patterson are adding toughness to this team that has been absent since the days of Davis and Oakley.  

-The Paul George 360 dunk was in one word: INSANE

-Lowry and Derozean have been all star worthy this year.  They should at least get a look.

-I wonder what Masia does now that tanking for a pick is out of the question?  How do they keep this momentum going forward? Lowry will leave so a new PG will be in order for next year.  

-Knicks and Nets are finally playing somewhat solid ball.  Thinking we all will start to overvalue the two squads again and believe in their postseason chances of making a run.

-Hope the Celtics hang on to Rondo, this better not be a showcase for him.  Rajon, Stevens, and lottery picks are a bright future.  

-Blake Griffin needs to start hitting back.  Too many liberties are taking with him.  I understand no one wants to be on a poster.  Elbows will solve all.

-Is Doc Rivers serious?  Hedo 

-Marc Gasol's return is huge.  The West is kind of in a holding pattern standing's wise.  The Grizz could make a run.  Paul is out, Portland wont sustain, and the Spurs will need rest are some of the reasons the Warriors should make a run atop the Western standings and Memphis should make up ground at the bottom of the playoff seeds.  

-Watched alot of Kansas ball the past two weeks.  Wiggins frustrated again with a now show versus OK State.  This performance coming off of two solid games where he showed a motor.  Ugh.  Come on Drew.  Embid might actually be the top pick and a force in the league.  He can dominate.  Marcus Smart is for real. 

-Wiggins hands on hips routine came out again over the weekend.  Parker has been up and down for Duke. 

-In the end this draft class seems to be way overhyped without a superstar among them.  All seem to be projects in some sense.  The talent is deep among the class but their appears to be no KD among them.  

-The NCAA year is half way done.  Hopefully the best is yet ahead from these guys.