NBA Draft 2013 Recap: They Stole the Show...

On Thursday night the burrough of Brooklyn held the 2013 NBA Draft. The start to the NBA draft was full of surprises Nerlens Noel dropped to #6, Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive drafting streaking selecting UNLV's Anthony Bennett #1. Many pundits (except us) predicted Noel to be the #1 draft pick in 2013 they were wrong and Noel's family was shocked holding their breath as Noels slipped down from #1 to #6. Finally Noels was selected by New Orleans Pelicans appearing to team w/ another Kentucky athlete and former #1 draft pick Anthony Davis. After the selection Kentucky Coach John Calipari was interviewed giving vivid thoughts of a possible Davis and Noel duo in the NBA. Pelicans looked to have secured a young front court full of potential. A few minutes later Twitter exploded with reports of Noels being traded to Philadelphia for Jrue Holiday. After dropping from a perceived #1 draft pick to #6 then being traded from Pelicans to 76ers minutes later. Noel told USA TODAY Sports "oh I am going, to make them pay".

Nerlens Noel is from Haiti his mother worked several jobs just to put food on the table. Through all he has endured he never quit he never gave up on his dream. His mother told reporters that Noel has been dreaming of this day since he was a child. Noel suffered a season-ending ACL tear forcing the young Mc Donald's All American to miss most of the 2012 season at Kentucky. It was the ACL tear that caused Noels to rapidly drop in the draft the look on his face became memorable everyone including ESPN announcers were shocked "wow".

During a pre-draft conversation with Atlanta's Jarvis Davis of 92.9 FM "The Game" we discussed the the possibility of Noels not being the best fit in Cleveland. Reason's discussed Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson already provide a good level talent at the post positions. Minutes before the draft I sent a two word text message to the producer "Anthony Bennett". With his strength, size and athletic ability Bennett reminds many of another former "Runnin Rebel" Larry Johnson. Bennett is a more prepared polished player when compared to Noel and has the ability to defend the SF and PF positions. When called with the #1 draft pick Bennett appeared shocked and you can't Google one website in the world where "Mock Drafts" listed Bennett at #1. History was set last night at Anthony Bennett became the first Canadian selected #1 in the NBA draft.

David Sterns goal was global he wanted to reach places where the NBA was less known. Stern believed the  basketball was an international sport that could catch fire around the globe expanding other countries from Canada to Nigeria. In the end Stern's dream was achieved, it all began in 1984 when the Houston Rockets selected Hakeem Olajuwon from Lagos Nigeria. It ended Thursday night during the 2013 draft when Stern called the surprising name of Canada's Anthony Bennett. Stern achieved his international goals the NBA has improved greatly international athletes have come from almost every continent since his commissioning except Antarctica of course.

The night should have ended with those three highlights Bennett, Noel and Stern but in the end the greatest immediate impact was felt when the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics stole the show. The writing was on the wall Tuesday afternoon when the much anticipated trade of Celtics coach Doc Rivers was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers. Celtics brass had already watched former BIG 3 band member Ray Allen jump ship last season to rival Miami Heat and win a Championship as the NBA Finals parade drove through South Beach on Monday. Then Thursday night the Celtics completed their overhaul sending Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn. In the end Brooklyn hosted the 2013 NBA Draft and then stole the draft for keepsakes  with a Mega Deal. It's possible Boston's received way too much compensation for the once heralded NBA athletes, their tanks are close to empty but for the immediate future Brooklyn Stole the Show.... 

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Clenaure Carter is now the Writer for http://www.football.com covering Georgia Tech Football

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Sixers and Celtics Game 7: Ingredients of a Boston Massacre...

Philadelphia Sixers the most uninteresting team in the world, the team without a true superstar their the opposite of a "Dos Equis" commercial. Pushing the Celtics into a Game 7 the Sixers are committed to playing hard nose tough style 1990's defense. Head coach Doug Collins a legendary Philadelphia 76ers has invested every ounce of energy coaching this young yet wise defensively talented bunch and the personality has been adopted by the players. While fans across America are scratching their heads wondering how are the Sixers one game from the Eastern Conference Finals. Doug Collins is proclaiming that his a Sixers for life and Allen Iverson is receiving standing ovations. How is this happening?

Key Answer: Boston Celtics are playing poorly in the middle of a playoff series.  Something tells me the Celtics understand the playoffs are a 7 game series and their bodies are just a little bit tired. Okay maybe not a lil bit their exhausted the offense is not flowing correctly and the Sixers are about 20 years younger. Don't turn your back against the Boston Celtics yet, this could be the last hit single put together by "Rajon Rondo and the BIG 3" and the platinum winning 2008 NBA Finals champions is gearing up for their final tour.

The Sixers playoff success is a product of style and injury mishaps "Derrick Rose".  Despite the Bulls first round injury voodoo or hex the Sixers style is perfect versus the Boston Celtics my favorite top analyst John Hollinger could see the writing on the wall calling for a game 7 between the Sixers and Celtics two weeks ago . Celtics are not known for scoring their a little bit older and the Sixers younger legs are winning over the aching "old bodies" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.  The key to a Sixers victory is defense and a slow offensive pace mirroring the blueprint of the Boston Celtics. A young team playing slower than the "Grandfather" Boston Celtics?

As my father once told me "I may be old but wisdom and knowledge conquers all". Four of the six playoff games in this series have been decided by 10 pts or less. with game seven, "sudden death", winner take all series on the line Saturday in Boston here's the call and details...

Philadelphia Sixers: Hold Boston under 100 pts and keep the game close...  Boston has scored over 100 twice in the series winning both games by 16 points.

Boston Celtics: Field Goal percentage Celtics 3-0 against Sixers when shooting over 43.9% in the series. Sixers defense has been lock down solid during the playoffs Rajon Rondo has to initiate the offense create a free offensive pace for the Celtics sounds "backwards or upside down" but the slower pace falls to the style of the much younger Sixers...

Prediction Winner: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen Boston Celtics hit recording group "Rondo and the BIG 3" are 2-10 when attempting to close a playoff series on the road now the band group returns to TD Gardens where the Celtics are 17-4 in game 7 as a franchise. Doc Rivers knows his history and will have his troops prepared. Rajon Rondo will have a triple double, pencil in Kevin Garnett for 19pts 10rebs, Paul Pierce's 25 pts and Ray Allen to hit clutch 3 pointers and you have the ingredients for a Boston Massacre at TD Gardens...