Wow! James WILL NOT play in the NBA next year...

[Dsinner]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4256335

[Bahamut]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4256335

LOL, I'm sure I deserved that :computer8:

[PureGreatness]

Man...Stop playin

Edited June 14, 2009 by hoodstar

[Dsinner]

Sorry couldn't resist. I was going to post it in the Homecourt section.

[Bahamut]

Sorry couldn't resist. I was going to post it in the Homecourt section.

Board shenanigans at their best :worshippy:

[DrReality]

Georgians on NBA draft board

By SEKOU SMITH

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Depending on how things play out on draft night and which underclassmen remain in the draft, there could be a handful of players with Atlanta roots projected among the 60 picks.

Underclassmen have until Monday to withdraw their names and maintain their amateur eligibility. With that deadline just hours away, here’s a closer look at the status of some of Atlanta’s other draft hopefuls.

Gani Lawal, 6-9, 230, power forward

• Atlanta ties: Norcross High School, Georgia Tech

• Draft projection: Late first round

• Chatter: Much like Marietta’s J.J. Hickson a year ago, Lawal has worked his way into the late first round range with strong showings in group and individual workouts around the country. Lawal was Tech’s leading rebounder (9.5) and second leading scorer (15.1) during a breakout sophomore season that cemented his draft status, whether it was this year or next year. A high-energy player who will certainly need seasoning before becoming a full-time rotation player in the NBA, Lawal might not be drafted as high as Hickson was last year (19) after a similar type breakout season at N.C. State. But Lawal is considered a solid bet for the first round.

Toney Douglas, 6-2, 200, shooting guard

• Atlanta ties: Jonesboro High School (Florida State)

• Draft projection: Late first round

• Chatter: The ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year and Mike Krzyzewski’s professed favorite non-Duke player, Douglas has impressed on both ends of the floor in workouts. He’s considered a solid bet for the first round as well, and is intriguing because some teams view him as a Ben Gordon-like combo guard capable of working at point guard in certain situations. In its latest mock draft, ESPN.com has the Chicago Bulls selecting Douglas with the 26th pick overall. He’s scheduled to work out with the hometown Hawks this week, giving him a chance to make the Hawks think about including him in their point guard evaluations for the 19th pick in the draft.

Jodie Meeks, 6-4, 210, shooting guard

• Atlanta ties: Norcross High School (Kentucky)

• Draft projection: Testing the draft waters

• Chatter: Meeks wisely did not hire an agent, leaving himself the option of returning to Kentucky for his senior season if he doesn’t feel like he’s a lock for the first round. The reviews of his game after team workouts were solid, but he didn’t necessarily separate himself from a deep shooting guard pack. He’d be the centerpiece of John Calipari’s first Kentucky team if he chooses to return to school, where he’d lead one of the nation’s top-ranked teams. “I’ll make a smart decision for myself as [June 15th] gets closer,” Meeks told reporters at the Chicago pre-draft camp. “I want to finish all the workouts, get as much information as possible and make a good decision.”

Alade Aminu, 6-10, 230, power forward

• Atlanta ties: Stephenson High School, Georgia Tech

• Draft projection: Second round/free agent

• Chatter: Aminu’s showing at the Portsmouth Invitational in April put him firmly on the radar of NBA teams hunting for quality big men after the first round of the draft. He’s poised to continue a recent trend of Georgia Tech players who have gone into the draft lightly regarded but end up finding a home in the NBA — following guys like Will Bynum (Detroit), Mario West (Hawks) and Anthony Morrow (Golden State). Aminu averaged 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds at Tech, coming off the bench in the final 12 games during a disappointing season. But his stock with NBA teams is rising at the right time

Edited June 14, 2009 by DrReality