With the recent changing of the guard at Xavier all commitments from 2009 and 2010 have been granted their release. This includes, King Kevin Parrom, Jordan Latham, and J.D. “AirSpoon” Weatherspoon. However, this doesn’t mean they are completely out of the mix. Parrom is simply taking some time to reevaluate his situation and over the next few weeks to a month we will most likely have an answer as to where he will be hooping. Xavier is not out of the mix by any means, just look for Parrom to take the rest of his official visits and see what else is out there. Word on the street is that Arizona, Xavier, and UCONN will all be in the mix on King Kev. Xavier will probably be there until the end but don’t drop your money on the fact that he is a lock at X. Coach Mack recently had a great visit with Kevin and his family. Currently there is nothing concrete out there. Stay tuned.
Things between Xavier and Jordan Latham seem to be good for the time being. Latham and his parents had established a great relationship with Miller and Book obviously resulting in the commitment. However, there was more that went into that decision than just those two. Mack has quickly established a relationship with Latham. New assistant Bino Ranson has a relationship with Latham as he recruited him to come to JMU. Bino also has people in Baltimore close to Latham helping build more trust. The early word is that Xavier is once again at the top of Latham’s list.
Air Spoon was crushed by the departure of Miller to Arizona and the loss of Whitford. However, even though he decommitted he is keeping Xavier in the mix and like Parrom, simply reevaluating his situation. Even though multiple schools have contacted him it is pretty clear that he wants to stay close to home so his parents can watch him play. So it will most likely come down to Ohio State and Xavier. The recruitment probably won’t last too long as he doesn’t want it to drag on too long. He just needs time to look things over again before coming to a final decision.
Brandon Jennings was the first. The prized recruit decided to skip Arizona and go play over in Europe before taking a shot at the League. Jeremy Tyler is the second. However, he is skipping is SENIOR year of high school to go and play over in Europe. The 6-11, 260 pound Tyler had committed to Louisville. He is tops in his class and many scouts have him as the number one pick in the 2011 NBA draft. But, is this really a good idea? Absolutely not. I really don’t see the logic in this move. I might be able to see it making sense after completing high school but, to forgo his senior year to go over to a place completely foreign to him makes no sense. I have heard that Brandon Jennings has played sparingly and been paid on time once. Sure he’s big time here in America but it can be very easy to get lost in the fold over in Europe. There are so many different levels of leagues and so many players that even the slightest injury could result in being cut from a team. Tyler’s dad of course claims the kid will never be alone in his jersey to the League. I’m sure it’s nice to have the backing of his family but this just makes no sense to me. None at all.
The NBA playoffs are in the fullest mix right now. The Cavs broke out the brooms and swept the Pistons. The Bulls and Celtics series is absolutely unreal. I’m just glad the Celtics woke up after that thrashing they took in game one. By the way, did anyone see Ben Gordon grab his sack in Sunday’s game? The Atlanta Hawks have been somewhat disappointing. They have a bundle of talent and after last year’s run with the C’s I really thought they were ready to make that next step. I don’t think that will be the case. I don’t really care about the 76er’s series. I like Andre Iguodala and I think he’s pretty fresh but I took complete offense the other day when I overheard some kid call him AI. No buddy. There is and will always be only one AI and that’s Allen Iverson. Philly fans should be happy he stayed there as long as he did. Either way I think Orlando is able to overcome their sloppiness and win that series. I actually laid $100 last summer on the Hornets winning the Western Conference and making it to the Finals. That’s not looking too good for me right now. I think they are a truly talented team and that maybe this just wasn’t their year. Denver has been playing extremely tough and I think it’s going to be tough for the Hornets to get past them. However, if the Hornets do in fact win that series I think they have a legitimate shot to contend for the Western title. The Lakers are good and the Jazz are stupid. I feel the sameway about the Dallas and San Antonio series. Houston and Portland is awesome because of all the young talent Portland has. Look for them to rekindle that late early 2000’s power of the Jailblazers but not so much in Jailblazing style. I think right now Houston is the much better team but with the series going back to Portland I expect a hostile environment.
The NFL draft came and went. The Browns did some eye brow raising moves but I think it was for the best. The Raiders did what the Raiders do. The Bengals seem to have done some serious work in the draft. If I had some serious passion about the NFL like I do basketball I would expand but I’m still angry about the Browns trading my guy K2 aka The Soldier and until they get their act together up on Lake Erie I don’t really feel like commenting. Ohio State once again came strong at the draft. The U didn’t have a pick until the 5th or 6th round which is disappointing. I’d like to give some shoutouts to Eugene Monroe, Clint Sintim, Cedric Peerman, and John Phillips, all UVA guys getting drafted. Some other homies were signed as free agents: Kevin Ogletree, Alex Field, and Antonio Applebee.
If I actually had a Maybach the following song would probably be my theme song.
Instead I drive a four door sedan and tend to bump songs like the following...
I was also recently introduced to this track and it's pretty good.
War Dana Gardens.
-'Killa