NBA Mock Draft 2014

The following is an exchange between the contributors of this blog.  Each person made alternating picks for the first round of the NBA draft.  Here are the results...

JOEL: Pick 1, Clevland Cavaliers

Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas.

I think the noise around Wiggins teammate Joel Embiid is a smokescreen. Wiggins has the highest potential in this draft, even if he didn't quite live up too the hype at Kansas. Length, athleticism and skill (not to mention health) make this pick easy for the Cavs.

Athletes that long and skilled just don't come around very often

ANDY: Pick 2, Milwaukee Bucks

i'm gonna take jabari parker here. he's the most nba ready guy in the draft and lets face it, most of the bucks roster isn't nba ready. i could really go anywhere with this pick as far as needs on the roster but i'm taking jabari and i'm feeling good if i'm the bucks.

How many guys on the planet can make this kind of play? Lebron, Westbrook, Drurant, and the list runs pretty short after that.

MATT: Pick 3, Philadelphia 76ers

So at 3, the 76ers trade the rights of the pick to Boston for Jeff Green, the 6th pick, and Brooklyn's future first. Boston pulls the trigger on Embiid in hopes he stays healthy (as they already have a big man with a bad back on the roster in Sullinger) and they free up enough space to bring in Melo and maybe another big name to play with Rondo and Bradley. Maybe Love.

JOEL: Pick 4: Orlando Magic.

Dante Exum, PG, Somewhere in Austrailia?

This may not be a familiar name to college basketball fans in the US, but this kid is the real deal. 6'6 super athletic point guard with excellent court vision. Paired with last year's top pick Victor Oladipo, Orlando now has the most athletic backcourt in the league. Shooting is a concern, but the matchup problems make it worth while.

Pictured: Exum. Probably. No one has ever actually seen him to confirm or deny the rumors

ANDY: Pick 5: Utah Jazz

Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky

I like Utah's young guys like Hayward and Burke. Randle is another NBA ready guy that should contribute right way. He'll have no trouble scoring, I'm just a little concerned with his defense.

Small adendum: I was intrigued by Noah Vonleh here, but I felt like Randle is more of a known commodity.

Pictured: A Grown Man.

MATT: Pick 6, Philadelphia 76ers (from Boston)

Philly happily takes Noah Vonleh here. After filling a need at 3 with Green, they need post scoring. Noel will never have the offensive game Noah V has now and can develop into. With another pick coming at 10, this is a good pick for the 76ers.

JOEL: Pick 7: LA Lakers

Marcus Smart, PG/SG Oklahoma St.

Lets face it, the Lakers have needs at every position. Paying $60 million for 6 games of Kobe Bryant THAT THE DIDN'T NEED TO PAY HIM doesn't help too much either. Steve Nash is done, and if you don't believe that ESPN put out a documentary that was like "watch how done Steve Nash is." This saddended me. Anyway all that to say this. Marcus Smart is a beast and a great building block for a team. Probably would have gone No. 1 overall last year, still just as talented except for the guys in front of him are a little better.

We've got lots of dunk highlights coming up for you, so here's Smart D ing up some Wiggins. Smart may be in the NBA's top five defenders and the shooting guard position as soon as he steps on the court.

ANDY: Pick 8: Sacramento Kings

Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona

A little bit of a project. He's got great athleticism. He'll be a beast of a rebounder and shot blocker. If he can improve his shooting touch, he could be a real force. In the meantime, the Kings get his aforementioned skill set and a guy that can really rock the rim when he does score.

Gordon's the kind of guy who can go up for an alley oop, adjust his position and have a sandwich before dunking

MATT: Pick 9, Charlotte Hornets

Tough call, as the tier 2 of guys is all gone. After missing on Morrison, I think McBuckets is out of the question, so the pick is Stauskas. A wing with a sweet stroke who can hit jumpers. Something the cats/hornets have never had.

No defenders sure, but that's still 46 in a row, if you're counting at home

JOEL: Pick 10 76ers

Doug McDermott, SF/PF, Creighton

So if you're keeping track at home, Philly's lineup looks like: PG: MCW PF Jeff Green, C: Nerlens Noel. This a defensively stout unit that is going to have trouble scoring. Add in Doug McDermott, who is without question the most polished scorer in this draft. Certainly some of Dougie Fresh's game will be lost at the NBA level (namely, the ability to get to the rim) but that jump shot and mid range game is worth 15 ppg easy forI ja career. With that many athletes already on the roster Mcdermott can play the 3 or come off the bench at the 4.

I just kind of like the idea that even one of the whitest players ever has a hip hop style Mix tape. He's clearly got some NBA level moves.

ANDY: Pick 11: Denver Nuggets

Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State

Denver is a great scoring team. I really think they need someone down low who can block some shots and am a little dissapointed with Kenneth Faried in that regard. I think Harris provides them with good perimiter defense and a decent ability to score as well. I doubt Denver wants Randy Foye to be the long term solution at SG so I like Harris at this pick.

MATT: Pick 12, Orlando Magic

Dario Saric, PF, Europe

Orlando, with an attempt to trade back, has to stick in and take Dario Saric. Now with Exum, Olidipo, and Afflalo on the roster, they need size in a bad way. Saric has a good game, good size, and can score. He goes higher than this if he were in the US now, but 12 is a good pick for someone who may wait and come over in another year.

JOEL: Pick 13, T Wolves

Zach LaVine, SG, UCLA

At this point in the draft you run out of guys you are for sure are going to help you. Might as well roll the dice on one of the higest upside players in the draft. LaVine will compare to Russell Westbrook for his position, athletcism, and alma mater. He's got all the tools, but did a lot of disappearing in his only season at UCLA. Will he be Westbrook? Gerald Green? Who knows, but he's one of the last guys in this draft you can ask that type of question about.

I usually don't care for workout videos of a guy alone in the gym, but that's exactly what's going to get LaVine drafted. Crazy hops.

ANDY: Pick 14: Phoenix Suns

TJ Warren, SF, NC State

Warren was an elite scorer his last year in college. I don't think he will be quite as prolific in the pros, but I do think he should be able to become a dependable threat on the offensive end. He needs to improve his shooting range and defense, but I think he fits in well at the 3 for Phoenix. I also think James Young could be a good fit here if they wanted to go with a smaller 3 that can shoot from deep. Either way, they will get a scorer.

MATT: Pick 15, Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks go with James Young at 15. He can score, gives them good size at 6'9" at the 3, and is a HUGE upgrade from Carroll. Cannot ask for much more than a guy who could compete for the starting roll at this point.

JOEL: Pick 16: Chicago Bulls (via Hornets , thanks Tyrus Thomas )

Rodney Hood, SF, Duke

The bulls struggled to fill the SF spot this year after giving Loual (SP?) Deng away in free agency. Ironically enough the replace the spot with another rangy duke product at the same position. Rodney hood can shoot and slash, if he gets in the gym (and forgets the woeful flopping lessons coach K no doubt taught him) he might actually be able to defend.

Maybe not Hood, but he comes from a long line of storied floppers

ANDY: Pick 17: Boston Celtics

Cleanthony Early PF/SF, Wichita State

Early really made a name for himself during the Shocker's magical year. Could be a reach here, but I think he can play as a small 4 or a big 3 and be a reliable scorer that can stretch the defense out a little. Rebounds fairly well, but may be a little slow on the defensive end. Plus, if the Celtics don't make a move on Melo this gets them a scorer at the 3, and even if they do get him, they can slide him down low.

Did you guys catch this during the tournament? Nasty.

MATT: Pick 18, Phoenix Suns

Suns go with Adiren Payne. A big man who can knock down jumpers is big in that offense. Myles Plumlee can bang inside, Payne can knock down jumpers. Both look like they are 40 but are very skilled

JOEL: Pick 19: Chicago Bulls

Elfrid Payton, PG Lousiana Lafayette

PG from a mid major school, but he's got a lot of tools that may translate to the NBA level. Namely, he's got a wicked, iverson-esque crossover. Could be Derrick Rose insurance if the oft injured star can't come back from his multiple injuries.

In the words of Chris Berman. WOop! WOOP!

ANDY: Pick 20: Toronto Raptors

Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse

Kyle Lowry will be a free agent and it's possible that if Toronto can't bring him back they will need a replacement. Ennis was downright special during Syracuse's early season dominance. I don't think he will immediately be able to replace the scoring that Lowry provides, but I expect Ennis to be a solid NBA point guard. I think Toronto would be happy to get a player this good at 20.

MATT: Pick 21, Oklahoma City

Okc at 21 goes KJ McDaniels. You get a super athletic guy who can play in a system that fits him great. Learn from the best in Durant's and Westbrook. Solid pick for okc

This is also pretty much what it looks like when blog contributors Matt, Joel and Andy play pickup ball

JOEL: Pick 22, Memphis Grizzles

Jusuf Nurkic C, Somewhere in Eastern Europe

In Soviet Russia, Basketball dunks YOU. Memphis already has nice depth up front with Marc Gasol (and maybe brother Pau joining in free agency? Like the Spanish Wayans brothers of basketball) but at this point you have to go BPA. Nurkic is enormous, and that's all we know. but 7'0, 280 is not a small human being. STRONG LIKE BEAR

He should probably be drafted for this picture alone. Got to love Europeans. Does anybody else picture this guy talking like Borat?

ANDY: Pick 23: Utah Jazz

PJ Hairston, SG, North Carolina

PJ Hairston demonstrated a great scoring ability in college and during the time he spent in the D-League. Will probably need to become a better ball handler and develop an ability to score in the lane, but should parlay his shooting ability into a lucrative career.

This picture no doubt fills Matt with sadness.

MATT: Pick 24: Charlotte Hornets

CJ Wilcox, SG, Washington

With Hairston just out of reach here, the Hornets are still in need of some shooting help. WIlcox had a good workout for the team and has deep range on his jumper. At 6'5", he gives them an athletic, high IQ player at the 2 spot who, most important for this system, will play well above average D. Give him 2 more inches and he goes in the top 15

JOEL: Pick 25, Houston Rockets

Kyle Anderson Pick 25

Really a goofy kind of player. A 6'8 point guard with zero athleticsim. somebody will be intrigued though. Could be interesting?

Note: this video is not in slow motion. I'm not sure there's any difference between running and walking for Kyle Anderson. Still, manages to drop 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in this game.

ANDY: Pick 26: Miami Heat

Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut

Mario Chalmers will be a free agent after the Heat are done getting stomped by the Spurs. At any rate, I think the Heat could upgrade at the position. Napier is a good shooter and for lack of a better term, he's just a gamer

Gamer Indeed.

MATT: Pick 27: Phoenix Suns

Glen Robinson III, SF, Michigan

After 2 picks already in this draft, they can be a little aggressive here and take a risk. Robinson played a lot of the 4 spot in college but does not have the size to do that in the NBA. Shooting is a little off at times, but he is smart, super athletic, and can score inside and out when he is feeling it. Could be a starter at some point in his career

JOEL: Pick 28: Clippers

JAMES MICHAEL F ING MCADOO

this is a joke

Everybody knows Mcadoo is destined for great things, maybe as a volleyball player?

Pick 28: Clippers

Thanasis Antetokounmpo- His brother got drafted last year to be an athletic guy no one has ever heard of, and he's much in the same mold. Besides, look at how many letters he has in his name and he's Greek. Got to be worth something

Pictured: also included in this draft pick, John Stamos promos all year.

ANDY: Pick 29: Oklahoma City

Jerami Grant, PF, Syracuse

Excellent athlete who can run the floor. Needs to be a better shooter and more consistent on the glass. Not ready to be a regular contributor right now but is a guy with potential.

MATT: Pick 30, San Antonio Spurs

Vasilije Micic, Serbia

He is a young, 6'4" PG who is one of the more creative passers in the draft. He is also super competitive and loves to win. The Spurs will do what they always do here, draft and stash. Keep this kid overseas like they have with so many players in the past and bring him in behind Parker for a couple seasons.

What? Of course we knew were Serbia was before Googling. 

5 observations from 2-1 US vicotry over Ghana

The US won a thrilling game over nemisis Ghana in their opening game of the World Cup. Their performance was far from flawless, but at the end of the day a W's a W. Here are 5 things you need to know about the team we learned from the game.

5. When Center back Matt Besler went out at halftime with a hamstring injury, Klinsman turned to John Brooks, not Omar Gonzles.

This is significant because through qualifiers Gonzalies looked like he was going to be a starter, and play a major role in defense on the US team. Brooks, one of several German-Americans on the team, is one of the youngest players on the roster and has only played in a handful of games for the US National team. Putting Brooks in at halftime payed obvious dividends in his go-ahead goal (his first for the US) but he was also huge in defending Ghana's last surge before the end of the game. He's a talent, and it looks like he's going to earn his stripes this tournament.

Also loved his reaction to the goal. Shocked that he scored, and seemed very humble

4. There is no question about Clint Dempsey as the leader of this team, and one of the toughest dudes on the planet.

Let's start with this goal in the opening minute of play for the US (!!)

That's a world class move and finish. This goal also set the tone for the evening, and it was needed because the US created very minimal chances throughout the game. We'll get into that in a second.

The other piece of Dempsey's night that has to be mentioned, take a look at this picture:

Lets just say you don't have to be a doctor to tell that's a broken nose. 

Dempsey got kicked in the face in the first half, spent all of three minutes on the sideline and came back in the game. Not only did he play, but he was still throwing his head in front of crosses trying to get a goal for the US. Ever broken your nose? Even if not, imagine what taking a soccer ball to the face would feel like with a fractured bone in your face. In a word, it would feel straight evil.

Pain aside the guy could barely breathe, and still ran for 90 minutes and covered a lot of ground. In a culture where writhing around on the ground after incidental contact is the norm, our captain gets up, brushes him self off, and comes back in the game with a busted face. Game on, America.

3. Defensively this team looks sound, offensively is another story

Jurgen Klinsman's decision to start Kyle Beckerman (that dude with the dreds) and Jermaine Jones (that other dude with the shorter dreds) lends to a very sound defensive team. These two are the hardest workers on the team, will run box to box and generally wreck what the other team is trying to do. Also starting Alejandro Bedoya on the wing essentially puts another hard working, defensive minded midfielder on the field.

Beckerman, who is easily the winner of 'best hair' on the squad. Also good at kicking, slide tackling, etc.

Here's where the problem comes in though: with that much focus on defense it leaves some of the more creative attack minded players on the bench. Beckerman and Jones are two of the best players we have on the team at what they do, but I don't know if playing them together will generate enough spark to advance in this tournament. Substitue Graham Zusi came in for Bedoya and seems to be a better choice in the final third, though in limited action he did not have much of a chance to contribute.

2. Michael Bradley simply has to play better

I've touted Bradley as one of the most talented players the US has ever fielded. I still stand by this sentiment, but this was Bradley's worst game in a US national team jersey in a very long time. Especiialy with the defensive shape mentioned above, so much of the focus of this team's attack shifts to Bradley charging out of the midfield and picking the right pass to the wings or up front.

Bradley is generally speaking the one guy on the US who when the ball is at his feet is a pretty good bet to do something sensible with it. In this game though he over-hit passes, failed to pick out runs on the outside, and lost posession far too easily. While it's not all on Bradley to be the creative spark, a lot of it is. Outside of some brilliance by Dempsey to open the game, the US really did not create a single chance outside of a corner kick.

If I was being optimistic (I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN Let's go outlaws!!!!) I would think its a positive sign that we could win this game when our best player is playing so poorly. Hopefully this game was an abberation, and he will be back to form against Portugal.

1. Injuries have left the US perilously thin at already thin positions.

In addition to Clint Dempsey's shattered nose and Besler's hamstring, forward Jozy Altidore went down with a hamstring in the first half of play. If you're counting at home, that's one nose and two hamstrings to the middle of your team. Safe to say if you lose that many players you're going to be thin.

Besler will probably be back, and as John Brooks proved there's not much of a dropoff from guy A to guy B. Dempsey, on the other hand, is arguably the U.S. second most important player and is absolutely indespensible. If Bradley needs to be the organizer, Dempsey needs to be the finisher.

Jozy Altidore, for all his struggles, is still by far the most useful holding forward the US has on the roster. His work rate is outstanding, and as he proved in last summer's Gold Cup, when it rains it pours. Aaron Johannson came in for Altidore, and made no impact on the game. Assuming Dempsey can go (and I think you would have to break his legs to keep him off the field, even then it would be a challenge) the question now becomes who do you start up front alongside him? Your two options are Johannson and Chris Wondolowski, and both are unknowns on a stage this big.

Of course this would happen at this position. Certainly calls in the question to leave

You. Know. Who. off the roster.

World Cup recap day 1 & 2 (Brazil V Croatia, Mexico V Cameroon, Spain V Netherlands, Chile V Australia)

Game 1: Brazil 3 - Croatia 1

Recap: for a country that is favored to win the World Cup, this was not a very impressive performance from Brazil, despite what it looks like in the final score. Neymar is certainly skilled, especially with the ball in space, and Oscar also looked good on the wing, but the rest of the team did not show much. Neymar's first goal was a miss hit that probably should have been stopped by the keeper, the second came of a penalty kick that was undeserved and again should have been saved, and the third goal came off a break in the final few minutes after Croatia was pushing their entire team forward. Outside of some good luck and bad calls, Brazil really did not create the chances you expect from this type of talent.

Maybe I'm a curmudgeon, but I don't care for celebrating like Brazil does off pretty unimpressive goals.

Mostly Brazil looked uninterested in defending. Croatia featured inferior athletes (read SLOW) at every position, and they still found lots of space up the sidelines. The Cro-Ats were able to whip crosses into the box, and honestly should have had more goals than they did.

Play of the game: Unfortunately, has to be Fred's dive in the box. This is how Brazil won the game, and in no way should have been called. Fred (which by the way is like the most vanilla Brazilian single name ever) was going to take that dive before the ball even got there, and everyone knew it. The worst thing about this for me is that this guy, Fred, had zero impact on the game otherwise, no shots, no passes, nothing. As a huge soccer fan, for this to happen in the opening game should be an embarrassment for FIFA.

Best player: Neymar-the two goals are what the headline will be, but his movement in space and niftyness with the ball and his passing will be Brazil's main weapon in this world cup. Brazil's group is a joke, and they will win it even if they swapped out Gatorade for Caipirinhas.  Neymar is going to need some help from his teammates though if the team wants to make a splash after the group stage.

Caipirinha: Basically Rum, sugar, limes ice. Caipirniha/world cup viewing party, anyone? 

Game 2: Mexico 1 - 0 Cameroon.

Recap: Game was played in a monsoon, but Oh boy the story of this one is officiating, yet again. Mexico scored two goals in the first half of this game that were disallowed due to offsides. Both of which looked pretty good to me. The big question still has to be here, on the worlds biggest stage for the sport, how does FIFA continue to get this kind of thing wrong?

Not much of a threat from Cameroon. They started by pulling 10 men behind the ball for the entire game. That type of ball is fine in qualifying, but you're not going to win much in the World Cup that way.

Future outlook-Neither of these teams should really be in the World Cup. Cameroon's goal keeper stood on his head against Tunisia in qualifiers and Mexico's qualification involved a tie and a last gasp playoff against New Zeland. Same to say neither of these teams is going to win a World Cup, but somebody else has to go through in Brazil's group. I like Mexico getting out of the group, like the passion, like the perseverance.

Best Player: Giovanni Dos Santos, Mexico. Santos scored two goals in this game that were disassallowed. Created several other chances, really looks in good form. Superior touch, speed and vision make Gio Mexico's most gifted player, bar none.

Maybe not the best player, but best hair? This guy. Benoît Assou-Ekotto

 Game 3 Netherlands 5 - 1 Spain

Recap: Can you say statement game? Netherlands lost the last world cup to Spain by a score of 1-0 in what was one of the most boring games you will ever see. This game? Not so much. Featuring some of the best goals you will likely see all tournament- this game would make a believer out of non soccer fans. Both sides came out a little tentative, with Spain getting the early chances. Van Persie spectacular header brought things even at half time, and as the teams came out after the half the rout was on. Everybody in the world knows Robbyn is going to start on his right and cut back in on his left. Know why? It's pretty hard to stop.

Best Player: Robin Van Persie. This one's close, because Robbyn was also ON FIRE. Van Persie was a wrecking ball all game. Every time he touched the ball he looked like he was going to score, and often did. If there was any question (there wasn't) this is one of the best players in the world.

Play of the game: one of the prettiest headers I've ever seen. Absolutely world class.

World Cup 2014 Links- Some awesome pre world cup things you will love

If you're like us (read: Joel) at Hammertime sports, you simply cannot get enough World Cup action. I've been frantically scouring the internet for snipits of world cup juice-I want to know what Timmy Howard ate for breakfast this morning, how Neymar perfects his dance moves, and of course what women the famous players are dating.I guess you could say the World Cup is kind of like my US weekly, my tabloid obsession, my Real Housewives of Who-Really-Cares. And I plan on sharing this with you over the next few weeks.

I'm also a sucker for sports stories BEHIND the sports, and some things stick with me. Like this:

Hammertime Sports is a collection of American Outlaws for sure, and We've already covered a few things you need to know about this year's US squad, but I'm not quite done.

Here are some required viewing items to get you primed and ready for the world cup. 

We'll start with this, in case you missed it: Tim Howard's beard. Its (very sadly) gone now. Still we might not be able to beat you in soccer, but we lets say I'm confident we could take you in a fight. 

 Jurgen Klinsman has created some controversy, but I believe. When I'm playing sports I frequently have a lot of "COME AND GET A TASTE" moments. Well, I believe he has his team fired up enough to pursue such a moment.You want to get rich? You want to get famous? Score goals. Win games.Cometh the hour, cometh the man. 

Looking for a player for player break down of your favorite team? Get to know your Men's US team here

     Found this animation of some of the most iconic World Cup goals. Kind of enchanting I think.

Landon Donovan is not going to the world cup, and I will miss the soccer player. I'll also miss having Landon the entertainer there. Landon's always been kind of a free spirit, and has occasionally done things I find hilarious. Like this commercial for a Mexican Lottery.

Soy Mexicano. 

Grantland's Men in Blazers series has been brilliant. In short: Cheeky Englishmen telling jokes and offering excellent Soccer commentary. View below. 

Certainly, as a married guy, it's weird to look at another married guy's wife. But what if that guy's wife (This is Bethany Dempsey, of  Clint Dempsey fame.) posed for SI in body paint? 

Wouldn't want to be rude

Lastly, before the cup has even started it already has a resounding image. This needs to be mentioned because for one thing I find this image to be inescapably powerful. Protests going on in Brazil will be the backdrop for the games. A starving country has spent an inordinate amount of money on these games, and this situation is one to keep an eye on in the background of all the glory. Hopefully some good can come from this exposure.

Rakeem Cato: The Best College QB You’ve Never Heard Of

You’ll probably hear plenty over the next few months about the top returning QBs in college football.  Guys like Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Braxton Miller, and Bryce Petty will probably grab a lot of headlines, but a QB in Huntington, WV may be as good as any of them.  Rakeem Cato is a name you’ll want to watch in 2014.

Marshall University is no stranger to great quarterback play having produced first round draft picks Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich as well former NFL QB Eric Kresser.  Pennington and Leftwich are in a class of their own in the minds of Marshall fans as well as in the school’s record books.  Cato is well on his way to joining those two on the Mount Rushmore of Marshall quarterbacks.  Statistically, he is on pace to break school records, held by Pennington and Leftwich, for TD passes, completions, and passing yardage.  Considering the gaudy stats those two put up in Marshall’s pass heavy offense around the turn of the millennium, that’s not bad for a skinny kid from inner city Miami that had only two college scholarship offers.

OK, so school records for a Conference USA school do not impress you?  Well, Cato compares favorably to many of the aforementioned stars in college football.  Cato produced more total touchdowns last year than Mariota, Miller, Winston, and recent first round NFL Draft picks Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater.  Speaking of Bridgewater, he and Cato go way back having played against each other growing up in South Florida.  Rakeem Cato has never lost to Bridgewater including beating Louisville on the road as a true freshman where he threw a game winning touchdown pass inside of two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. 

Two years ago, Cato was a one-dimensional player in a one-dimensional offense.  He had an outstanding year, but he was called on to throw on nearly every offensive play.  He put up huge passing numbers but was not a threat to run the ball.  In 2013, Cato made huge strides in his game.  As he got stronger and more comfortable with the offense, he was unafraid to run the football when the pass wasn’t there.  As a result, he added nearly 300 yards on the ground and six TDs to go along with his almost 4000 passing yards and 39 TDs despite being relied upon to throw the ball less.  Cato was also given increased responsibility in the offense.  The coaches have allowed him to call plays at the line based on what he sees in the defense, and the coaches have praised his decision making in that regard.

2014 is shaping up to be a big year for Cato and the Thundering Herd.  Unfortunately, they lack a big name opponent after Louisville had to reschedule their date in Huntington after they moved to the ACC.  On the plus side, a real possibility exists for Marshall to run the table.  Something Marshall hasn’t done since Pennington led Marshall to a number 10 national ranking after the Herd’s second undefeated season in four years in 1999.  A little preseason Heisman buzz has started for Cato in the national press.  It would be a near impossibility for him to win, but if his team can get the job done this year he may join Pennington and Randy Moss on Marshall’s list of Heisman Trophy Finalists.  He may not generate a great deal of NFL buzz, but keep on eye on Cato this year.  He’s the best QB you’ve never heard of.

-Andy

The Buzz is Back

It is official!  After the live-streamed press conference from Charlotte, the name change is complete.  Nothing news worthy here, we have known this was coming for months.  Why then have a press conference?  I mean, it must serve some use other than showing off their cool Hornets video, right?  Right!  Here are the 5 things you should take away from today:

5) The city and the fan base for the team are excited!  Social media has exploded, merchandise sales are through the roof, and the turn out for low level events such as color announcements, like there was any doubt purple and teal were coming back, has impressed.  So when the season opener hits, there will be no shortage of purple and teal in North Carolina.

4) It may take some time to get used to calling them the Hornets again.  At the end of the program, the moderator ask anyone wanting more information to visit "Bobcats-dot-com" but quickly caught himself. 

3) The team "alumni" will be back.  Look for many appearances from greats like Larry Johnson, Alonzo Morning, Dell Curry, and many others!

2) The Hornets lead the league in new season ticket sales since the name change, and in season ticket sale retention from last year.  The excitement is back!

1) Through the Pelicans and the NBA, the Hornets have retained their team history.  Wait, team history?  I thought we wanted to erase the Bobcat history and start fresh?  This is really a good thing! This will link the old Hornets to the new Hornets, which is ultimately the goal.  The franchise that had sell out games, a thriving fan base, and won playoff series is back, almost like they never left.  Think of it as a long break, and now they are here again!

-Matt

5 Things you need to know about this year's US world cup team

World Cup season is rolling around, which means I'm more excited than a polar bear at the zoo on fish day. Here are 5 things you need to know about the US Men's national team heading into the tournament.

5) Coach Jurgen Klinsman is the best coach the USA has ever had.

Two things I know about Germans: a) They all drink good beer, and b) they can ALL play soccer. Klinsman is a former German striker, and one of the best players that country has ever produced. Since becoming the coach of the US men's national team two years ago 21-10-7 (Yes you can tie in soccer, get over it). That’s a pretty incredible record, albeit against lesser competition than you will see in the World Cup.

Still pretty much the same guy as a coach

Klinsman was tasked with changing the culture around soccer, and for the most part he has succeeded. He brought in some new players and got more out of the old ones. With Klinsman at the helm the US is beating the teams they are supposed to beat, and surprising a few teams they have no business beating. Make no mistake, we are still underdogs going into this world cup, but right now the US has a puncher's chance to play with and beat the best.

4) This team starts and ends with Michael Bradley.

There are a few big names on the team even casual observers will know: Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard. Without question though this team’s most important player is midfielder Michael Bradley. Bradley has been on the team for several cycles and took some shit last tournament because he is the son of former National team head coach Bob Bradley. Make no mistake about it, Bradley is one of the most talented players the US has ever fielded.

Bradley’s role is that of central midfielder, and he’s the engine that makes this team go. He’s the team’s best passer, best ball handler, most creative player. On top of that he’s the most tenacious and disciplined defender on the US squad. As far as sports analogy goes, the closest I can come is that of the point guard in basketball. He keeps his team organized, transitions from defense to attack, and he’s the one guy on the team where you know if the ball is at his feet good things are going to happen.

Check out his highlights from a recent game at Mexico-this is one of the best individual games I’ve ever seen played. Disregard the Coldplay?

3) Intriguing talent, depth-

We are only a few weeks out from the world cup and the final roster-or starting 11 is still not set. This is due in part to the culture of competition that Klinsman has installed, but also due to the depth of talent the US has available.

Can I use the hot girl scale here to keep your interest? Of course I can, you're welcome. We have one 10 on our roster, and that’s the aforementioned Michael Bradley. 

Michael Bradley is Kate Upton, flawless.

We have several 8’s on our roster-Dempsey, Howard, the bedredlocked Kyle Beckerman-guys that are very good in their roles, but not good enough to be stars.

These guys are the Jennifer Lawrence of our team(who I love by the way, but I’m trying to keep this as superficial as possible)

The rest of the guys on our squad fall somewhere between 5’s and 7’s. Unspectacular, hard workers who on a given night you would still probably go home with.

Who works here-Pink? Could get weird and might be fun.

I'm losing focus-but this is the girl from those Nationwide Commercials, because. Did you know she also sings the little "Nationwide is on your side" jingle at the end? This has nothing to do with soccer, but if she had a TV show I'm watching.

Anyway.

Point is there are a lot of good-but-not-great guys on this team and that lends to a lot of options. Tactically speaking it can be a very difficult to defend, and plan your defense if you don't know WHO you're going to be defending. Players like Graham Zusi, Fabian Johnson, Mix Diskerud and Jermaine Jones-these are talented players that not a lot of people know about from around the world. Could easily see one of them pulling some heroics and shocking people come tournament time.

2) The USA actually has some goal scorers-

The US this year has a few attacking options if (when) Jozy Altidore starts to suck. Altidore is exactly the kind of forward you would expect the US to have. Heck of an athlete: big (for a soccer player) strong, fast and admittedly not much of a soccer player.

The US needs to play through Altidore because are they not talented enough to possesses the ball in pretty triangles like Spain. The way around this is to play through a holding forward- back to the goal, stop the ball and keep it there until the other attacking option (Dempsey, Bradley) come underneath for a more creative play. Kind of like playing inside out in basketball-the defense has to adjust to pressure the ball and that leaves openings elsewhere. This makes Altidore important because he’s the most physically equipped to handle this sort of role. Problem is he’s prone to bouts of disappearance-he’s either brilliant or you won’t be able to tell he’s on the field.

In years past it has been Altidore, and little else. This year however, the US grabbed a few kids with dual citizenship- from Iceland Aron Johannson, Germany’s Terrance Boyd and Jullian Green. The type of creative attacking talent the US has just not been able to produce. We also may bring American Chris Wondolowski-who is unspectacular but does nothing but score garbage goals-kind of like a guy who is really good at offensive rebounding and put back buckets. If Altidore stinks expect Klinsman to pull the plug quickly.

This guy comes off the bench, and may turn out to be a star. Shhh. Don't tell Germany.

1) Question marks remain along the back line-

Attacking talent aside, coach of the year and a genuine super star in tow, if the US concedes easy goals they don’t have much of a chance. Definite starters in the back include Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler in the center-and two still yet to be named backs on the outside. I’ll compare the back four in soccer to an offensive line in football. Chemistry and communication are absolutely vital. Is it unsettling to still not have this figured out two weeks away from the cup? Absolutely it is.

Besler and Gonzales are huge-Gonzalez especially stands at 6’5-so you would figure they are going to dominate in the air. On the flip-side both these players are very young and playing in their first world cup, and have seen lapses in concentration cost their squad. These two will have to raise their games and limit mistakes in order for the US to have any hope of beating the top squads this year.

You see the problem with being big in soccer is those dang little fellas...

As a side note defending will be so important because the Americans are in the “Group of Death”-featuring Germany, Portugal, and Ghana. Germany is the second ranked team in the world and immensely talented at every position. Portugal is less talented, save Christiano Ronaldo who is like the Lebron James of soccer right now. Ghana is not as tough, but is always a problem for the US for some reason.

In conclusion this one of the most talented US sides to ever take the field for a world cup. Question marks remain, but the talent and coaching is there.

Stay tuned for world cup coverage brought to you by Hammertime Sports!

This has to do with soccer. You know Alex Morgan, but may I introduce you to Sydney LeRoux, US forward. Super talented goal scorer, tattoo-babe who could probably kick your ass. You're welcome, again.