In my latest blog for Cleveland.com, I laid out why there's reason to believe Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could still fall to Cleveland at pick number four. Below is an excerpt from that, where I also recapped our Cavs Draft Lottery Show from Wednesday at Cadillac Ranch:

Anthony Davis at first overall in this year'€™s Draft is a pick that not even MJ could mess up. Davis is going to the Hornets though, and the Bobcats are on the clock. I can already hear the sweat pounding on their war room table. Not to infer that Charlotte will make a bad pick technically, but I do think they could pass on MKG. The Cavaliers wouldn'€™t have taken Thomas Robinson from Kansas second overall if they had that chance, for example, but Charlotte might. I spoke with a reliable NBA source on Thursday who told me that Charlotte is high on Robinson, and that could very well happen at two. Maybe I called him because I thought he'€™d say that, or maybe I didn'™t. If they don'€™t go Robinson at two though, Jordan could also take North Carolina product Harrison Barnes instead. You know, because he went there and all. I expect both guys to truly be beasts in their individual workouts also, both have NBA bodies right now to be fair, and assuming they are able to score on MJ in a pick-up game he just might go with either player at that spot.

With Washington to follow at pick number three, I then starting evaluating what the Wizards might think they need. JaVale McGee is a big they just traded, and Andray Blatche is another guy they simply sent home last season because they didn't want him around. Andre Drummond from UConn, along with his frame and athleticism, is an option with as much upside as he is tall to pair alongside the veteran Nene. Bradley Beal from Florida is another option, especially if Washington doesn'€™t think that Jordan Crawford is their long-term answer next to John Wall in the backcourt. When I coupled those two possibilities with the fact that Washington just drafted a Forward in Jan Vessley last year, I started to really believe MKG to Cleveland was possible all over again.

A unique aspect of this Draft in particular is that there are a number of distinctly different players hovering around the top-10. Players who all possess different skill-sets that any number of NBA teams could fall in love with for any number of reasons. Besides Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson is a bruising Power Forward who can step out and shoot a little bit. Harrison Barnes is still that player loaded with all those physical gifts that made him the top prospect in a high school class that included Kyrie Irving. Andre Drummond has All Star center potential, and size you can'€™t teach no matter how bad he shoots free throws. Bradley Beal'€™s jump shot is as pure as any player entering the NBA in recent memory. If Perry Jones III from Baylor is able to get his mind right, his upside is limitless as a 6-10 Small Forward in today'€™s NBA. 

For the Full Article Click Here: On the Draft Lottery, Pick Number Four, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

For some initial reactions to the Cavs Draft Lottery from Brendan last night, click here for his video recap with Glenn Moore over at Cleveland.com.

We will have more on the Draft Lottery and that 4th pick coming shortly, but first we will also be identifying who could be available towards the end of the first round for the Cavaliers over the next series of posts by Nick Mancini. The Cavs currently also own pick numbers 24, 33 and 34.

To follow StepienRules.com Writer Nick Mancini on Twitter go here: @nickmance

No. 30 – Andrew Nicholson, Senior, St. Boneventure 2011-12 stats: 18.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2 bpg, 57% shooting


As one of those rare four-year college players, Andrew Nicholson has kind of flown under the radar. He averaged double-figure points every season he played and was a consistent rebounder throughout his career. Early in his career, scouts questioned his toughness and basketball IQ. After he finished his senior campaign, he answered those questions.

Nicholson had a minor coming out party in the Bonnies near upset of third-seeded Florida State in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 20 points, went 4-5 from beyond the arc, and grabbed seven boards. He has been compared to David West for a while, and the more he plays, the more it looks that way.

Nicholson has the chance to be a great scorer in the NBA. In his 32 games this season, he was in double digits for 27 of them. In his last 10 games, he was 19-30 from the 3-point line. Compare that to his first 22 when he made only four. He is a long and lanky 4, with good hands, who is explosive around the rim.

Offensively, he really stacks up well at the next level, as long as he keeps playing with that toughness he found at the end of his college career. Nicholson is a good, but not great rebounder. For his size and ability, he should be a much more consistent rebounder. Yes, he averages over eight, but those numbers were slightly inflated by some monster rebounding games; namely a 23-rebound performance against Duquesne.

I will be streaming live over the Cleveland.com airwaves from Cadillac Ranch in Cleveland at the official Cavs Draft Lottery Watch Party tonight alongside my man Glenn Moore from Cleveland.com. Glenn and I will be talking Cavs and the NBA Draft from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, as well as reacting to the magic of Nick Gilbert's bow tie once the Lottery order is officially set at approximately 8:25.  

Below are details on the Cavs Draft Lottery Watch Party from Cleveland.com:

The NBA Draft Lottery is tonight: will the Cavaliers win the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row? Join our live audio broadcast and online chat from the official Cavs Draft Lottery Watch party at Cadillac Ranch starting at 7:30 p.m.

Log in, listen and chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and Brendan Bowers of StepienRules.com as they set the stage for the lottery and then break down the possible picks and scenarios once the numbers are drawn. Express your opinions and ask your questions in the chat room or by calling into the show at 440-678-7599.

Be sure to stream every second of our show live, log into the chat room, and give us a call later on tonight to tell us who you think the Cavaliers should Draft on June 28th and why. Or if you want to get real social about it, stop by the Cadillac Ranch in person and come say hello.

I'll tweet out the show link later on today...in the meantime, here's a blog I wrote about the Cavaliers chances of winning the Lottery again this year as a primer for tonight: Cavaliers looking to do what Magic did in 1993, with much better odds.

The prevailing fear of impending doom used to engulf my Cleveland sports fan soul as night's like this Wednesday approached in year's past. A game of chance, ping pong balls, a hopper machine I never quite understood the mechanics of, a closed room we are not allowed to peer into, it all used to feel like a recipe for inevitable disaster. The sports world would surely be left laughing at our luck once again, as they danced on our hope for a better tomorrow. Poor Cleveland, they'd all say, as their evil snickers roared into laughter.


That was the pitiful existence I toiled in as a Cavs fan on night's like the Draft Lottery before meeting Nick Gilbert. Now I'm not only excited about our chances, but confident that whatever happens will be the the best case scenario for this team moving forward. Maybe it's the bow tie, or the way he wears it, but I just feel good about the whole thing with Nicky G at the helm. He'll be on location with the same crew he came through with last year - Bernie Kosar, Josh Cribbs, Joe Haden, along with Kyrie Irving this time - and he's smart to put those same positive vibes back out into the Lottosphere. His Dad said he'll be grounded if he doesn't win a good pick tomorrow night, and he probably would be, but he's not afraid of losing because Nick Gilbert always wins. Just like he will on Wednesday night, no matter what happens. 


Maybe winning this Lottery means that he'll get pick number one again. Maybe this time it's pick number two. Or maybe, like Gloria told Billy Hoyle in White Men Can't Jump, that "sometimes when you lose, you really win". Meaning, even if the Cavaliers pick 6th, I feel like Perry Jones III will then become that Small Forward who NBA Scouts dream he might be one day. Or possibly the Cavaliers neither win or lose, hold serve and pick third, and Nick allows that second pick to go to a team who doesn't want MKG for some reason and the Cavs get my guy anyways. Whichever way it goes, I just have this feeling that it will shake out right for Cleveland. I appreciate that bow tie rocking swagged out little dude for that too, and thank Nick Gilbert for making this thing fun tomorrow.

More on MKG at SLAM: As a follow up to the SLAMonline article I wrote on MKG last week, I finished up a piece on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist over the weekend that is scheduled to run in SLAM 160. After watching him workout four times over the last couple weeks, I can't tell you how much I hope he ends up on the Cleveland Cavaliers. His game, his work ethic, his attitude, and his relationship with both Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson couldn't mesh any more perfectly with what the Cavaliers are trying to build if you invented your own player for such purposes in NBA 2K12. I'll have more on all that though after the next issue of SLAM hits newsstands, for now you just have to trust me.



Bradley Beal Rounds Out My Top Three: If Nick does end up with the 6th pick I am confident that it will be for reasons deeper than anything I think I know right now looking at this Draft Class before they ever play a game in the NBA. That said, my top three overall - and for the Cavaliers - goes from Anthony Davis at one, to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at two, to Bradley Beal at three. After that, it's Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones III in no particular order. I'm not that high on Thomas Robinson, maybe some of that is because I needed Kansas to win the National Championship in order to cash in on all the money I didn't win in my NCAA tournament pool, but I also don't think he's what the Cavaliers need right now either. Andre Drummond is a guy I'm similarly bearish on; the 10 points, 7 rebounds, questionable motor, and work ethic red flags just don't move me. Beal is legitimate though, and while I would be disappointed if the Cavs lost out on MKG, I think Beal would help me with that some. 

More on Wednesday after we know where the Cavaliers will be drafting on June 28th.

Leading up to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 30th, we will be profiling each of the top-10 players available in the Draft from 10 to 1. We'll be discussing each player's game, and how they could theoretically fit or not fit with the Cavaliers. For Tyler Zeller click here, Perry Jones III here, John Henson here, Harrison Barnes here, Jared Sullinger here, Andre Drummond here,Thomas Robison here, for Bradley Beal here and for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist click here.

To follow StepienRules.com Writer Nick Mancini on Twitter go here: @nickmance

No. 1 – Anthony Davis, freshman, Kentucky 2011-12 stats: 14.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.7 bpg, 62% shooting

There aren’t many players in the country who are able to go 1-10 shooting and still be the most dominant player in the National Title game. Anthony Davis is that type of player. The freshman phenom for the Wildcats dominated games unlike any freshman has done on the college scene in years. There isn’t much he doesn’t excel at when he is on the court. He stands at 6-10, but it seems like he is eight feet tall sometimes.

The nation’s leader in blocks, he made it a misery while on the defensive end for Kentucky’s opponents. His long frame and quickness allowed him to get to shots not many other players are able to get to. Since Davis is so quick for his size, he is able to defend multiple positions. He can slide from guarding a center all the way to a 2 or 3. His athleticism makes him able to stay in front of smaller guards, using his length to suffocate them.

On the offensive end, Davis does a lot of his damage off lobs and when in position to finish around the rim. On the break, he is nearly unstoppable. He is so smooth and quick on his feet, if he is given the ball anywhere remotely near the rim, odds are he is going to be able to finish it. For being 6-10, Davis is a solid ball handler. As recently as a few seasons ago, Davis was a point guard. Then, he had an enormous growth spurt into the player we watched this past season.

He is able to use his point guard skills to take his man off the dribble. A man his size and with those types of skills don’t come around often. There is a reason Davis is the clear-cut top pick. Whoever wins the lottery should have one of the easiest decisions of the draft. And, boy do I hope that is Cleveland. If the Clippers were lob city this season, the Cavs would give them a run for their money next season. How about Lob City East?

Davis does play the spot currently occupied but Tristan Thompson, but who really cares. He is such a rare talent, just stick him on the court. A duo of Thompson and Davis could form one of the most athletic defensive tandems in the league. Davis would thrive on the same team as Kyrie Irving and, dare I say it, he could be the piece that has the Cavs talking playoffs again.

Lets just hope those Ping-Pong balls falls correctly.

Leading up to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 30th, we will be profiling each of the top-10 players available in the Draft from 10 to 1. We'll be discussing each player's game, and how they could theoretically fit or not fit with the Cavaliers. For Tyler Zeller click here, Perry Jones III here, John Henson here, Harrison Barnes here, Jared Sullinger here, Andre Drummond here,Thomas Robison here and for Bradley Beal click here.

To follow StepienRules.com Writer Nick Mancini on Twitter go here: @nickmance



No. 2 – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Freshman, Kentucky 2011-12 stats: 11.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 49% shooting

Cleveland already has MGK (rapper Machine Gun Kelly), so why not add an MKG? Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was Kentucky’s Mr. Everything for them on their way to the National Title. While his numbers won't jump off the page they didn't need too if you watched him play this season. Everyone that did already knows what kind of player he is, and that's why he'll most likely go no lower than 2nd overall in this year's NBA Draft.

As good as some players may fit in the Cavaliers rotation, Kidd-Gilchrist is exactly the type of player the Cavs need. At 6-7, he has the prototypical size to play the 3. He also has a toughness to his game that the Cavs are currently lacking. His athleticism is off the charts, and he did a lot of his damage on the break; somewhere he could really help in Cleveland. Last season, Kyrie Irving was sometimes a one-man fast break. Imagine having Kidd-Gilchrist running opposite Irving.

Alonzo Gee was solid this year, but MKG would be a dream pairing with the Cavs young nucleus of Irving and Tristan Thompson. In watching Kentucky this season, I am not sure Kidd-Gilchrist ever missed when he attacked the rim. He attacks with such reckless abandon, in a way, it reminds me of someone playing in Miami. He has a motor that never stopped when he played, mainly because Kentucky was either on a fast break, or on the verge of starting one.

Aside from his elite athleticism, Kidd-Gilchrist is a top-notch defender. More often than not, he would guard the opposition’s best player and do a fine job of it. He is a great rebounder, especially for his position. Kidd-Gilchrist is a terrific talent, and another plus is that, at eighteen, he's the youngest player in the draft. If the Cavs end up at two, Kidd-Gilchrist should be their man.

Depending on who picks at 2 though, he could have the chance to slip past the second spot, possibly going as low as 3. If the Cavaliers are at either of those spots, they could reunite him with former high school teammate Irving and add another young player to move forward with. If Irving and Tristan Thompson continue to progress, adding Kidd-Gilchrist would give Cleveland a formidable trio for years to come. 

We here at Stepien Rules hope that's exactly what happens. 

Last week I met up with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in Cleveland as he prepared for the NBA Draft. My article on MKG and that training session held at Beachwood High School posted at SLAMonline late Tuesday afternoon, and here is that link if you hadn't seen it yet. 


Below is also an excerpt from when I asked MKG about the possibility of reuniting on the NBA level with his former HS teammate Kyrie Irving: 

On Tuesday last week, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s former teammate at St. Patrick’s High School in New Jersey was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. The presentation took place just down the street from where he was working out. Before making his way into the weight room with Coach Purtor, I asked MKG if Kyrie Irving had offered him any advice heading into this NBA Draft process.

“That’s my best friend,” Kidd-Gilchrist said of last year’s No. 1 overall pick. “I talked with him earlier today actually, and he just told me that the NBA is a man’s League. He said to just take my time with everything, off the court and on the court stuff, and just take my time in general. But most importantly, he just said to continue to keep working hard.”

As a Cleveland native, I asked if he hoped to be reunited with his friend and former teammate on the next level.

“Of course, I’d love to play with Kyrie,” Kidd-Gilchrist told SLAMonline. “But at the same time, I’m going into my own professional career and I’d be happy to play with any team that drafts me. I’m looking forward to being a part of an organization that believes in me, and I’m working hard to be able to bring an impact and positive light to that organization.”

I had hoped the Cleveland Cavaliers would sneak up high enough to draft MKG second overall before I ever met the guy. After spending two hours with him, watching him work, and learning about the type of person he is, I really want the Cavaliers to be able to draft him. Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a trio I'd be pretty excited about building around for years to come. Actually I'd be really excited about that. For more on MKG check out the story link below.

Full SLAM Article: Working Toward The Spot Light - Catching Up with Michael Kidd Gilchrist as he prepares for the NBA Draft

Leading up to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 30th, we will be profiling each of the top-10 players available in the Draft from 10 to 1. We'll be discussing each player's game, and how they could theoretically fit or not fit with the Cavaliers. For Tyler Zeller click here, Perry Jones III here, John Henson here, Harrison Barnes here, Jared Sullinger here, Andre Drummond here and for Thomas Robison click here.

To follow StepienRules.com contributor Nick Mancini on Twitter go here: @nickmance

No. 3 – Bradley Beal, Freshman, Florida; 2011-12 stats: 14.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 45% shooting

 

Bradley Beal, as a player, has been called “Ray Allen meets Eric Gordon.” Sign me up. The former Gator is another player in this draft that gives the Cavs that scorer to go next to Kyrie Irving. He is a prototypical shooting guard, in terms of his game and scoring prowess.

Beal is a great shooter; he has had scouts attention since high school. He has a great shooting stroke and is able to stretch his range well past the 3-point line. He also thrives in the clutch, never in fear of taking that last shot.

He is also a solid, but not spectacular athlete. He is much more of a smooth, finesse player as he uses his high basketball IQ and instincts to get to the rim. I tend to remember the same scouts saying last season that Irving was only a “good” athlete as well; and we all saw how that worked out.

For a guard, Beal is an excellent rebounder, averaging nearly seven a game. He is a good defender, with all the tools to become a great defender. He also has the ball- handling capability to play the point in a pinch if needed. In short, he is a very good all-around basketball player.

One of the big knocks on Beal is his size, he stands somewhere between 6-3 and 6-5. He doesn’t have that usual size seen in NBA 2 guards nowadays. I don’t think his size will hurt him at all, but he may have some struggles defending the bigger guards in this League.

With his size, there are some who question his position as well. Is he a shooting guard, or does he have the ball handling skills to make him a scoring point guard? I like him much better as a 2 personally, and I think putting him at the point wouldn’t be the most beneficial for the team who drafts him.

Beal is a player who I think the Cavs would consider taking as high as the second pick. He is the type of player that the Cavs need; a shooter with range that stretches out of the Q. Pairing him with Irving in the backcourt could form one of the most dangerous young guard tandems in the NBA over next few seasons.

If the Cavs do end up with the second pick, they will have a tough decision between Beal and the next player to profiled on this list. One who I think may have a leg up on Beal. More on him tomorrow.

Leading up to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 30th, we will be profiling each of the top-10 players available in the Draft from 10 to 1. We'll be discussing each player's game, and how they could theoretically fit or not fit with the Cavaliers. For Tyler Zeller click here, Perry Jones III click here, John Henson click here, Harrison Barnes click here, Jared Sullinger click here, and for Andre Drummond click here.

To follow StepienRules.com contributor Nick Mancini on Twitter go here: @nickmance

No. 4 - Thomas Robinson, Junior, Kansas; 2011-12 stats: 17.7 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 50% shooting, 50% 3-point shooting


As a sophomore, Thomas Robinson played only 14 minutes per game, sitting behind the Morris twins, just waiting for his chance. When he got that chance his junior season, he made sure to take full advantage of it.

Robinson turned himself from a sparingly used role player to potential top five pick. He is a physical specimen, and at 6-9, 240 pounds, he matches up extremely well with some of the leagues elite. Along with his size, Robinson, like many others in this draft, is a phenomenal athlete. He improved every part of his game this past season, offensively and defensively. As a rebounder specifically, he dominates.

He ranked second in the country in rebounding last season, and uses his athleticism to grab anything within reach. He should have no problem translating that to the NBA. Offensively, he is so athletic and physical around the rim; he is able to get nearly anything he wants in that area. He also has tremendous quickness for a player his size, and is able to create his own shot off the dribble. Robinson has the ability to step outside and hit a mid range jumper and an occasional three too.

The one slight problem with Robinson offensively is that he can rely too much on his outside game though. He needs to be more of a balanced offensive player, but it is only a small gripe for a player of his talent. Listed at 6-9, some feel he is undersized to play the power forward at the next level. He reminds me a lot of Derrick Williams last year. Many scouts felt Williams had no true position in the NBA, and it kind of showed this season for him. In Robinson, he is primarily talked about as a power forward.

I might be in the minority in this opinion, but if he can develop a consistent outside game, I love him at the 3. And that is where I like him for the Cavs, the 3. He has the skills to play there; he is quick, has the size and is strong enough to match up there. He would be a great fit there for Cleveland and looks awfully nice in Wine and Gold.

Depending on how Robinson performs at pre-draft camps, he could go anywhere from second to fifth. He is someone the Cavs would have to look at depending on where they're picking. He would instantly give the Cavs another scorer and another guy to go with Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. Like many guys in this draft, he is just another guy who may wind up in Cleveland and improve the roster instantly.

My latest blog entry over at Cleveland.com went up on Wednesday afternoon, and if you didn't see that yet the link is right here. With Kyrie accepting his ROY award on Tuesday, and the Draft Lottery rapidly approaching, it really felt like a lot of positive energy was shifting the Cavaliers way to me this week some reason. After I attended the ROY presentation, I followed that up by watching Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist workout in preparation for the NBA Draft the next day, and that was cool too. I have a couple features coming early next week at SLAM on all that, so I don't want to say too much on it now, other than as a Cavaliers fan I really hope MKG ends up in Cleveland. Like, really hope he does. I'll explain more on that later though. Below is an excerpt from my latest entry at Cleveland.com:

The fanfare surrounding the presentation was minimal. The room was packed with maybe fifty media members, that same number of family, friends, supporters and corporate sponsors, the Cavaliers brass, and a group of Cleveland area children wearing Kyrie Never Stops Nike T-Shirts. There were no pyrotechnics, no flames, no dancing, no proclamations, and no music. The celebration was simple, the honor was deserved, and the new era of Cavaliers basketball was confirmed with that same crystal trophy that Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, and Jason Kidd had all won before him. Assuming there was even any need for confirmation at this point.

Full Article: Kyrie Irving, the Rookie of the Year, and confirming a new reason for hope

We'll be back later today as our NBA Draft Profile series continues with Thomas Robinison from Kansas.