I hate to rain on anyone’s parade, but this is what America has become today. After over 200-plus years of work, this is what America has accepted. Rewarding mediocrity is something that ruins sports franchises, businesses and America. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksWhere does Iowa St’s Royce White fit in at the next level? (video)
Royce White is headed for the NBA. He almost gave up hoops during his college basketball career. Originally committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, he never played for Tubby Smith. He then headed for the Big 10 island of misfit toys, Iowa State- where he found his groove.
The Sports Bank’s Ngozi Ekeledo stopped by the 2012 NBA Draft Combine’s Media Day and talked to the Iowa State standout about his breakout season and why he almost left the game of basketball behind.
Follow paulmbanksMinnesota Timberwolves “luck” might be turning around?
I know the last few years have been down-right dreadful for fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Our last few draft picks (Wes Johnson and Derrick Williams) haven’t panned-out, so far or yet. But, Ricky Rubio brought a spark this season before his ACL injury. He lit-up Target Center with his maestro passing skills and non-matador-esque defensive ability that most of his teammates (Michael Beasley) have shown the past few years. He might just be the beginning of a Minnesota-turnaround, though.
Follow paulmbanksWho is UConn’s Andre Drummond gonna be in the NBA?
The hardest thing to do is evaluate, compare, and predict how a player is going to pan-out at the next level. It’s especially difficult when the player extremely under-performed in his one season before turning pro. That’s the case with Connecticut’s Andre Drummond.
Here’s my take. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksNBA Draft Stock Report (2/1/12)
The NBA Draft Stock Report checks in on which college basketball players have made a name for themselves in the past week; either helping or hurting their future draft position. This is a special “Buying Only” edition as several players have caught my attention as NBA Draft prospects.
Click here for The Sports Bank’s 2012 NBA Mock Draft.
Follow paulmbanksThe Deeply Beleaguered Minnesota Sports Fan
Sports fan in Minnesota haven’t had a whole lot to cheer about recently. The general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, received some flack recently for simply stating the obvious. The NBA lottery is a flawed system that annually does not give the team the position it deserves in the draft.
He insinuated that the good story of the year obtains the pick.
Once again, the club fell victim to the ping pong balls. It doesn’t seem to be a year that it will be of great impact because there are two players that are head and shoulders above the rest: Derrick Williams of the Arizona Wildcats, and Kyrie Irving of Duke.
Follow paulmbanksRoyce White, Trevor Mbakwe, and the Mess That is Minnesota Gophers Basketball
The Minnesota Gophers Basketball team’s offseason just keeps getting longer. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksCory Joseph Spurns Minnesota, Chooses Texas
By Mike Gallagher
This isn’t exactly what the Minnesota Gophers basketball team had in mind when picturing their offseason. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksGophers Basketball Season Recap
By Mike Gallagher
In a season full of more ups and downs than a VH1 Tool Academy marathon, the Gophers strangely faded off into the college basketball offseason without a peep. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksGophers Al Nolen Done For Season; Royce White Officially Gone
By Mike Gallagher
Al Nolen’s appeal for re-instatement was denied Tuesday, while Royce White’s saga officially came to an end on Wednesday, two things that are desperately hurting the Gophers on the floor in their quest to the NCAA tournament.
At this point, after their helpless effort at Ohio State Sunday, Tubby Smith can’t even comprehend the idea of the NCAA tournament. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksWhite: “I’m Withdrawing From the University of Minnesota”
By Mike Gallagher
Royce White has made many claims over the past four months, one of which already included him “quitting college basketball” via YouTube.
The claim as he was leaving a Hennepin County courthouse on a video posted on StarTribune.com, however, may hold a little more water than his previous claims of departure.
Follow paulmbanks