Blazers trade Andre Miller & Rudy Fernandez; acquire Raymond Felton, draft Nolan Smith

By Kshell

Well the Portland Trail Blazers were active yet again on draft day as they made a big trade which allowed them get younger at the point guard position. The Blazers have really improved their roster from the team who won 54 games in the 2009 season if Greg Oden and Brandon Roy can stay healthy they could make some noise. I'll talk about them staying healthy later in the calender year for now I'll focus on what happened today. The big move was the Blazers in a three team trade with the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks acquired Raymond Felton while giving up Andre Miller to the Nuggets. The Blazers basically gave away Fernandez to the Dallas Mavericks who could be potentionally look at a replacement for Peja Stojakovic. The Blazers then in the draft selected Nolan Smith out of Duke university with the 21st pick overall. The Blazers recognizing that the point guard position is important brought in some youth at the point guard position. The Blazers in doing this move traded away at times their second best player on the roster the last two years in Miller who stepped up big time when Roy was sidelined with injuries.

The Blazers dealt starting point guard Andre Miller after just two seasons with the team. Miller in his first year in Portland averaged 14.0 points per game with 5.4 assists per game. Miller shot 44.5% from the field but just 20.0% from three pointers. In the playoff series loss to the Suns in six games Miller averaged 15.7 points per game and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 40.5% from the field and three for seven from three pointers. Then last year Miller saw his scoring decrease but his assists increase as he averaged 12.7 points per game and 7.0 assists per game. He shot 46.0% from the field but just 10.8% from three pointers. In the playoffs Miller averaged 14.8 points per game and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 49.3% from the field and 4-10(40.0%) from three pointers. Miller who has never won a playoff series before would be 35 entering next season. Miller was getting up there in age plus he couldn't stretch the floor with his shooting but his production will be equal to Felton. The difference is Felton gives the Blazers a guy who can knock down a jumper while being much younger.

For the Blazers they are acquiring Raymond Felton from division rival Denver Nuggets. Felton was part of the blockbuster trade a few months ago that involved Carmello Anthony. Felton last year for the New York Knicks averaged 17.1 points per game and 9.0 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 32.8% from three pointers as he averaged 1.6 three point makes a game. When he was traded to Denver his numbers decreased as he had to adjust and the Nuggets don't run as much as the Knicks do. Felton for the Nuggets averaged 11.5 points per game and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 45.9% from three pointers making 1.3 three's a game. In the first round playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Zombies Felton averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists as he shot just 36.0% from the field and 4-16(25.0%) from three pointers. Felton overall for the season averaged 15.5 points per game and 8.3 assists per game which the Blazers will gladly take. Felton is also playing on his fourth different team since the 2010 season but is a former lotto pick. Felton is turning 27 pretty soon and is able to stretch the floor unlike Miller. This is a move that will help the Blazers offense for now and especially help them in the future.

The Blazers to complete the three team trade gave away Rudy Fernandez to the world champion Dallas Mavericks. Fernandez who was drafted 24th overall in the 2007 draft came to the Blazers with tons of hype for the 2008-09 season. He was a fan favorite especially for the ladies he was supposed to be an athletic player who can hit three pointers. Fernandez as a rookie averaged 10.5 points per game on 42.5% from the field and 40.0% from three point range making two three pointers a game. Many thought Fernandez would improve on those numbers instead that was his best year. In the playoffs Fernandez was terrible in the six game first round series loss to the Houston Rockets averaging just 7.5 points on 42.9% shooting from the field and 42.1% from three pointers making just 1.3 three's a game. His second season for the Blazers saw his numbers decrease as he averaged 8.1 points per game on 37.8% shooting from the field and 36.8% from three pointers making 1.6 three's a game. In the playoffs Fernandez once again was a no show averaging 6.8 points per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 47.8% making 1.8 three's a game in the six game series defeat to the Suns. Then this past year saw Fernandez play like he did his sophomore year instead of like his rookie year. Fernandez this past season averaged just 8.6 points per game while shooting 37.0% from the field and 32.1% from three's making 1.5 a game. What isn't showing up is Fernandez lack of defense as well. In the playoffs once again Fernandez no showed as the Blazers once again lost in six games for the third straight year in the first round. Fernandez averaged just 2.8 points per game shooting 22.2% from the field and 30.0% from three pointers in the playoff loss to the team he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Now Fernandez hopes to have a fresh start in Dallas as he wasn't going to ever be successful for Portland. The Blazers got rid of two veterans added another while bringing in a high profile college player.

The Blazers with the 21st pick took the four year point guard from Duke Nolan Smith. Smith is 6'2" point guard who in his career at Duke averaged 13.4 points per game and 2.8 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field. He also made 1.1 three pointers a game on 36.9% shooting from the outside. As a junior Smith was a big reason why the Blue Devils won the National Championship as he averaged 17.4 points per game and 3.0 assists per game on 44.1% shooting from the field. He made 1.6 three pointers a game on 39.2% shooting from three point range. His senior season Smith was a big reason the Blue Devils were the #1 seed as he averaged 20.6 points per game and 5.1 assists on 45.8% shooting from the field. He also made 1.5 three pointers a game on 35.0% shooting from three pointers. Smith will most likely back up Felton as the Blazers got younger at the point guard position. The Blazers also have two point guards who can shoot three pointers and make them so defenses can no longer pack in the paint.

In conclusion, this was a big day for the Blazers as they improved their team. Their offense will run better with quick point guards who can shoot from the outside which should open up the middle more for LaMarcus Aldridge. The moves made today won't win the Blazers a championship anytime soon but this might have been the moves they needed to advance past the first round for the first time since 2000(when Bill Clinton was still president). Now the Blazers can only hope Roy and Oden can be healthy with these young point guards. The Blazers can now stretch the floor and with a player like Felton his career appears heading up while Miller's appeared heading down. The Blazers traded away two main parts of their team showing their fan base they are trying to get out of the first round. The Blazers I think with today's moves will finally escape the first round. Having a point guard who can knock down outside shots is huge and the Blazers for the first time in a while will finally have that option.

Kings select Isaiah Thomas with 60th pick in NBA draft

By Kshell

The Sacramento Kings selected Washington Huskies guard Isaiah Thomas with the last pick of the draft which was 60th overall. For Thomas he has to be regretting his decision to turn pro as he fell so far in the 2011 NBA draft. Thomas regardless of what happens in the NBA had a great career for the Huskies but the draft is often about potential. Now Thomas will try to play for the team who drafted Jon Brockman and Spencer Hawes both players who played for Lorenzo Romar. By going in the second round Thomas is only guaranteed a one year contract but at least by getting drafted he is at least guaranteed one pay day. Now Thomas will try and take his quickness to the Kings and be the new J.J. Barea as Barea proved this past year a smaller quick point guard can be successful in this league. Thomas will be going to California's state capitol and will still be wearing the purple. Now for Thomas he had one of the most successful careers in the Romar era.

When Thomas came to the Huskies they had missed the tournament two straight seasons. During his freshman year he won the Pac-10's freshman of the year and was named honorable mention all pac-10 scoring 15.5 points a game and dishing out 2.6 assists per game while shooting 41.8% from the field, 29.1% from three pointers and 68.6% from free throws. Thomas helped the Huskies win their first outright Pac-10 regular season championship since 1953. In the Pac-10 tournament that year Thomas averaged 15.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 1.0 steals a game. In the NCAA tournament after a slow first game where he scored just nine points but dished out five assists in the season ending loss to Purdue Thomas scored 24 points with three assists. For the NCAA tournament Thomas averaged 16.5 PPG while dishing out 4.0 assists a game.

Then as a sophomore he averaged 16.9 points and 3.2 assists per game. He shot 41.5% from the field, 32.7% from three pointers and 73.2% from free throws. Thomas was named first team all pac-10 as a sophomore and then was named Pac-10 tournament MVP. In the Pac-10 tournament Thomas averaged 16.0 PPG while drilling six three's in three games and shooting 93% from the free throw line. Thomas in the championship game against California score 16 points while playing good defense on Jerome Randle while stealing two passes. In the NCAA tournament Thomas played some of his best ball of his career. Sure he has bigger scoring games but in the tournament Thomas finally found the balance of scoring and setting up his teamates. In the 80-78 first round win over Marquette Thomas was 7-13 shooting including 3-5 from three pointers for 19 poitns with eight assists. Oh and another thing Thomas didn't once sit out that game playing all 40 minutes. In the blowout win over New Mexico Thomas added 15 points and seven assists. Finally when the Huskies were eliminated Thomas scored 13 poitns with four assists but did shoot a respectable 6-13. Thomas for the tournament averaged 15.7 PPG, dished out 5.3 APG.

As a junior is when Thomas changed his game due to injuries at the point guard position and distractions off the court. Thomas had to run the point as he once again named first team all pac-10 averaging 16.8 points per game and 6.1 assists a game. He shot 44.5% from the field, 34.9% from three pointers and 71.9% from free throws. Once again he was named Pac-10 tournament MVP hitting the game winning shot against the Arizona Wildcats in the championship game. For the tournament Thomas averaged 19.7 points per game, 10.0 APG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.7 steals a game. Thomas shot 20-40(50.0%) from the field including 8-16(50.0%) from three point range. Thomas also played all but two possessions in three days. Thomas averaged 41.0 minutes a game considering college basketball is only 40 minutes long that is incredible. In the NCAA tournament he averaged 15.5 points per game and 7.5 assists per game as the Huskies were bounced in the second round. Thomas had he came back would have been the all-time scoring leader and assist man in Huskies history.

For the Huskies in the Romar era the draft has been kind to them. This is the sixth year in the last seven drafts Romar has seen one of his players drafted. In the 2005 draft Nate Robinson was a first round pick, in 2006 Brandon Roy who to date has been the best Husky in the NBA was a lotto pick while Bobby Jones was a second rounder that same draft. In 2007 Spencer Hawes was a lottery pick then in 2009 Jon Brockman like Hawes ended up with the Kings in the second round. Last year Quincy Pondexter was picked in the first round and now Thomas was picked in the second round. Judging by the talent on the roster in Terrence Ross, C.J. Wilcox, Abdul Gaddy and of course Tony Wroten the Huskies will have more guys in the draft. This is good for recruiting that Romar can tell kids that if you play for him you'll get a good education at Washington and play in the NBA. Hopefully Thomas like those guys can make a stamp in the NBA. If Thomas does what he did at Washington especially this last year he should make an NBA roster.

The Kings are a team in bit of turmoil like the Sonics the NBA is trying to steal that team from the great fans of Sacramento. Despite the Kings being loyal fans the NBA showed in Seattle they don't care about the fans and will hold the city hostage. Thomas is going to a team who already has Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings also drafted college player of the year Jimmer Fredette from BYU who is a shoot first point guard. I think Thomas can crack this roster as the Kings aren't very good winning just 24 games last year. Thomas took a chance by leaving early and he has no time to feel sorry for himself. He needs to move forward and make the best of this situation. The Kings who gave Hawes and Brockman a chance will hope Thomas helps them out as well. Thomas at least remains on the west coast so his family and friends can still watch him play.

In conclusion, this day was bittersweet for Huskies fans. I'm happy Thomas was drafted but sad he had to wait so long. Regardless of his career I'll never forget that he gave it his all for the Huskies. Just like Brockman as a Husky hard to argue too many players that were better than him. Thomas was two-time first team all pac-10 and two-time Pac-10 tournament MVP while leading the Huskies to three NCAA tournament appearances. Thomas is tied with Mike Jensen for most career NCAA tournament starts with seven. Had Thomas came back he could have been a legend and he obviously received bad advice. Hopefully the fans are supportive of him and not "I told you so" towards Thomas. Thomas is chasing his lifelong dream and at least he has the guts to chase his dream. While most of us including myself never put ourselves in a risky position to flat chase our dreams Thomas did. I hope the best for Thomas as I know he'll be capable enough to play in the NBA. Husky nation will be rooting on Thomas and I'll never forget all the great moments he gave me as a fan.

Golden State Warriors select Klay Thompson with the 11th pick

By Kshell

The Golden State Warriors who are now being coached by Mark Jackson selected Washington State Cougars shooting guard Klay Thompson with the 11th pick overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Thompson is only the second Cougar in their schools history to be a first round pick. The first since Don Collins was picked in the first round in the 1980 draft. This is a big moment for those in Pullman. Thompson who is a good shooter and solid all around player who will fit in nicely for the Warriors. Thompson will get tons of open looks with Stephen Curry and if they choose to keep him Monte Ellis as well. Thompson is a three year player for the Cougars and easily the most talented Cougar they have seen in decades. Thompson leaves behind an interesting legacy with the Cougars that produced some stats but not enough wins. Winning in college doesn't mean much though when it comes to playing in the NBA.

While at the Cougars Thompson never played in the NCAA tournament in his three years. He came to Washington State as the Cougars had made the NCAA tournament in back to back seasons. Thompson in his freshman year at WSU averaged 12.5 points a game, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He shot 42.1% from the field, 41.2% from three pointers and 90.3% from free throws. The Cougars went 17-16 but lost in the first round of the NIT tournament. As a sophomore Thompson saw himself make the first team all pac-10 team averaging 19.6 PPG, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He shot 41.2% from the field, 36.4% from three pointers and 80.1% from free throws. The Cougars as a team went just 16-15 and failed to make any tournaments. As a junior Thompson was money for the Cougars averaging 21.6 PPG, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He shot 43.6% from the field, 39.8% from three's and 83.8% from free throws. Thompson finally defeated the Washington Huskies as well twice even and scored 43 points against the Huskies in a Pac-10 tournament loss. Thompson led the Cougars to a 22-13 record which saw the Cougars finish in the NIT final four. Although Thompson never went to the NCAA tournament or finished in the top half of the Pac-10 standings he came to play for the Cougars. Thompson is also following in his father's footsteps as well.

For those who didn't know Klay Thompson's dad is Mychal Thompson. Mychal Thompson was selected as the top pick overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers passed on Larry Bird that draft but unlike their other draft disasters Thompson actually contributed for the Blazers. In seven seasons for the Blazers Thompson averaged 16.7 points per game including a high of 20.8 in his third season with the Blazers. Thompson also averaged 8.8 rebounds per game too with the Blazers. Thompson would later go on to win an NBA championship for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and also play in the 1988 and 1991 NBA finals for the Lakers. If Klay Thompson has the career that his dad has then the Warriors will be glad with their draft pick. I think with Klay Thompson's shooting ability he'll be a good player for the Warriors much like how his dad was for the Blazers.

Now Thompson is going to a struggling franchise in the Golden State Warriors. Since the 1994-95 season they have made the playoffs just once which was in the 2006-07 season when they upset the #1 seeded Dallas Mavericks. Thompson as you saw in his stats is a great shooter which the Warriors need desperatly. With Thompson's size he could be a decent defender as well. Thompson will be looking to be the greatest Cougar ever in the NBA and I think he will be. For those Sonics fans looking to adopt a team I think the Warriors will be that team for those who live on the east side of the state. The Warriors being in the Bay Area some fans I'm sure will probably travel down to see Thompson play in person. I think Mark Jackson can be a good NBA head coach and Thompson I think will be very good player in this league. I don't know if he'll ever make an all-star team but he'll be a guy who plays over a decade in this league much like his father did.

In conclusion, this is a good day for the Cougars to see Thompson get drafted in the first round. When you have players drafted that high that leads to other recruits coming in. Thompson is proof that you can play all the way up in Pullman and still get noticed enough to be drafted. Truth is it doesn't matter where you play or how good your team is if you are good enough you will be noticed in this draft. Thompson is the real deal and the Warriors made the correct pick as he fits their team nicely. I'm sure the Cougar fans are pumped as they should be this is the first first rounder in 31 seasons. Thompson in his three seasons for the Cougars played terrific and now he'll get a chance to do the same in the NBA. Thompson will be a guy who lasts in the NBA for a while and the boys in Pullman will be celebrating tonight. I wish the best for Thompson and as a Husky fan I'll be happy that I'll never have to watch him torch my team again. Good luck Klay and hope the NBA treats you well.