Basketball

Mark and McNeill talked about Cleveland winning the NBA Draft Lottery, argued over if the Pacers' heartbreaking loss in Game 1 will cost them the series, gave Lionel Hollins for making some big adjustments in Game 2, Mark threw out a gusty idea of the Raptors amnestying Rudy Gay and Phil Jackson making some headlines this month.

Name Height Inches no Shoes Height Inches w/shoes Weight Body Fat Hand Length Hand Width Wingspan Inches Reach in Inches No Step Vert Reach in Inches Max Vert Reach in inches No Step Vert Max Vert Bench Agility Sprint Steven Adams 83 84 255 6.7% 9.5 11 88.5 109.5 138 142.75 28.5 33 11.85 3.4 Name Weight > than standard (in lbs) Body Fat Reach > than standard (in inches) Wingspan > than standard (in inches) Vertical > than standard (in inches) Speed > than standard (in sec) Agility > than standard (in sec) # additional bench reps than expected Steven Adams 16 -3.69% -0.41 1.6 0.81 0.03 0.12 Steven Adams weight is 16 lbs more than average, but his body fat is 3.7% less than average, so his extra weight is muscle, not fat. His length would be described at a little longer than average; his reach is 0.41" shorter than average, and wingspan is 1.6" longer than average. His athleticism is a little better than average, an above average leaper, with good agility, and average speed. Below are the top 20 Comp seasons to Steven Adams at age 19. The 4th column is only statistical similarity. Steven Adams Freshman season Age 19 Player Age Conference Statistical Similarity Andre Drummond 18 Big East 94.4% Joel Przybilla 19 Big Ten 93.5% Evan Eschmeyer 20 Big Ten 93.4% Hasheem Thabeet 19 Big East 92.8% Ekpe Udoh 19 Big Ten 93.9% Robin Lopez 18 Pacific 12 94.9% Jamaal Magloire 20 Southeastern 95.1% Byron Mullens 19 Big Ten 93.4% Terrence Jones 20 Southeastern 90.7% Josh Boone 19 Big East 97.2% Loren Woods 18 Atlantic Coast 93.7% Eric Montross 19 Atlantic Coast 93.2% Ed Davis 19 Atlantic Coast 95.4% Tristan Thompson 19 Big-12 91.4% Derrick Favors 18 Atlantic Coast 91.2% Bernard James 26 Atlantic Coast 94.8% Kelvin Cato 21 Big-12 92.8% Andrea Bargnani 19 Italian 89.0% Meyers Leonard 19 Big Ten 90.3% Bernard James 27 Atlantic Coast 94.3% Very Best Case Comps Andre Drummond 5% Likely Best Case Robin Lopez, Ed Davis, Derrick Favors 15% Most Likely Joel Przybilla, Kelvin Cato, Tristan Thompson 60% Likely Worst Case Eric Montross, Loren Woods 15% Absolute Worst Case Hasheem Thabeet 5% Average Adjusted Stat Line for Target Player Season Shooting Statistics Totals FG FGA FG% 2P 2PA 2P% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% TS% eFG% Steven Adams 1 162 323 50.2% 154 299 51.5% 8 24 33.3% 81 128 63.3% 53.9% 51.4% Steven Adams 2 195 395 49.4% 183 360 50.8% 12 36 33.3% 103 163 63.2% 53.5% 50.9% Steven Adams 3 217 432 50.2% 204 400 51.0% 13 32 40.6% 120 177 67.8% 55.0% 51.7% 3 Year Average 194 388 49.9% 183 357 51.1% 11 31 36.0% 103 158 64.9% 54.2% 51.3% Season Accumulation Stats Totals ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV A/TO PF PTS Steven Adams 1 127 196 327 32 26 66 59 0.54 147 413 Steven Adams 2 136 254 387 56 33 66 73 0.77 166 505 Steven Adams 3 158 268 436 54 35 91 78 0.69 192 567 3 Year Average 142 243 388 48 32 75 71 0.67 170 502 Season Shooting Statistics per 36 Minutes FG FGA FG% 2P 2PA 2P% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% TS% eFG% Steven Adams 1 4.63 9.22 50.2% 4.40 8.54 51.5% 0.23 0.69 33.3% 2.31 3.65 63.3% 53.9% 51.5% Steven Adams 2 4.63 9.38 49.4% 4.35 8.55 50.9% 0.28 0.85 32.9% 2.45 3.87 63.3% 53.5% 50.9% Steven Adams 3 4.75 9.46 50.2% 4.47 8.76 51.0% 0.28 0.70 40.0% 2.63 3.88 67.8% 55.0% 51.7% 3 Year Average 4.7 9.4 49.9% 4.4 8.6 51.1% 0.3 0.8 35.7% 2.5 3.8 65.0% 54.2% 51.4% Season

Jerry Lai – USA Today Sports Images Atlanta Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry has made it very clear to the rest of the organization and the media that he has plans to blow things up with this team and go forward in a new direction. The first of their major moves happened last off-season when they made one of the bigger trades in the NBA by sending away Joe Johnson. The Hawks are also likely going to continue to move on by letting their longtime power forward Josh Smith walk in unrestricted free agency. Though it’s clear that they are headed in a different way for the future, it’s unclear to what extent they are going to do so beyond keeping Al Horford around and likely Jeff Teague as well. That being said, the 2013 NBA Draft is going to be huge for Atlanta. Not only do they have two picks back-to-back in the first round, but they will also need to select players that they can add to their roster and can potentially make an impact on the team for the new future. Luckily for them, they will have the opportunity to select players with a good deal of upside considering where they will be drafting. One need that they will be able to address in the draft is adding depth to their frontcourt. They won’t have a shot at selecting a potential All-Star like Nerlens Noel or anything, but they do have options in that area. Mason Plumlee, Rudy Gobert, Gorgui Dieng and Jeff Withey are all specialized big men that are currently projected to be available when they pick, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them get a player out of that group. Though their backcourt is relatively deep, they could still use some added depth on the wing. With their other pick in the first round, the Hawks should be able to grab someone like a Jamaal Franklin or Allen Crabbe. They could also make a potential reach for someone like Glen Rice Jr. or Tim Hardaway Jr. Whichever way they go, they will be able to add someone with a lot of potential on the wing. Atlanta will have to be savvy in the 2013 Draft, especially considering the current state of the franchise and how they are looking to move forward. They have options where they will be selecting and have two picks in the first round. Though it’s still possible, it’s going to be hard for them to foul this up. Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.

The Orlando Magic won't have one of the most significant figures in franchise history on hand when their 25th season gets underway in October. As Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports, the team has not renewed the contract of Matt Guokas, who has served as the team's television color commentator since 2004. Guokas was also the first head coach in Magic history, guiding Orlando to a 111-217 (.338) record over four seasons. Play-by-play man David Steele will return for the 2013/14 season. According to Robbins, "[t]eam spokesman Joel Glass wouldn’t give a reason for the decision" not to renew Guokas' contract. "Matty has been and will always be a valued part of Magic history," Glass said. "We truly appreciate his commitment and service to the organization." As a broadcaster, Guokas developed a reputation for calling games straight down the middle, without the partisanship that defines so many telecasts throughout the league. In January, Zach Lowe of Grantland called the pairing of Steele--who is similarly fair in his work on Orlando's telecasts--and Guokas "perhaps the very best on your League Pass dial." Robbins reports that Glass said the Magic have yet to decide on a replacement for Guokas. Former Magic player Jeff Turner could be "one possibility," given that he has filled in for Guokas in the past. Radio color commentator Richie Adubato, a former Magic head coach, has also subbed for Guokas on television when necessary. Looking for Orlando Magic tickets? Orlando Pinstriped Post has you covered. We invite you to follow Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter and like Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook.

One day, a mild-mannered alfajor enthusiast discovers a secret door in his office that puts him inside the mind of one of the NBA's all-time greatest coaches--for only 15 minutes at a time, before it spits you out somewhere along Loop 410... (All credit to the marvelous Aaron Priene, aka the @DukeOfBexar. Tell him how much you love him!)

Last week, we noted that Adidas was releasing a special "Real Deal" Rookie of the Year edition shoe for Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. Casey Holdahl of Blazers.com has a nice article from a limited release event for the shoes held at Portland's Compound Gallery on Thursday. What took Lillard aback was seeing a line of people braving the wind and rain for as long as nine hours outside of Compound Gallery in downtown Portland just for a chance to buy his limited-edition adidas Real Deal sneakers. "It is kind of surprising because you see this with Jordan's shoes," said Lillard of the people who waited for the opportunity to buy one of only 530 pairs of Real Deals produced by adidas to celebrate his Rookie of the Year season. "When the Jordan's come out, everybody is camping out waiting for them. Whether it's raining, snowing, no matter what it is, they're waiting for the shoes. And I appreciate the people in Portland sitting out, camping out waiting for my shoe." Here's a video recap from YouTube user heskicks. Lillard was recently named "Sneaker Rookie of the Year" by a shoe website. He appeared in his first Adidas ad earlier this year and starred alongside Washington Wizards guard John Wall and Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday in a nationally-televised ad that has run during the playoffs. Lillard recently offered a behind-the-scenes look at that video shoot. Adidas also unveiled this shirt honoring Lillard at his Rookie of the Year press conference. -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

The towels are showing up all around Memphis. They hang over neighborhood signs and even at a door to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The NBA has fined Grizzlies guard Tony Allen $5,000 for violating the league's anti-flopping rule during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

The towels are showing up all around Memphis, hanging over neighborhood signs and even at a door to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Flynn Robinson, who was on the 1971-1972 Lakers team that won Los Angeles its first NBA title, has died at age 72.