Dino Gomez | Basketball with Dino Gomez

Best draft picks from second round in past 10 years

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Dino Gomez

With the NBA draft another day closer, we have decided to recall the best draft picks from the second round in the past 10 years. These players were selected at positions where a career normally doesn’t exist for them in the NBA after a matter of 3 or 4 years. We will start with the top pick and work down to the fifth best pick.

2000 – Bucks selected Michael Redd 43rd- That is just crazy. Michael Redd the guy with the sweet left hand jumper that seems to never miss was passed up 42 times before his name was called in the 2001 NBA draft. Redd is an NBA all-star now and franchise player for the Bucks. He also was chosen to represent the Dream Team in the Olympics in 2008 in which he contributed to a U.S. gold medal.

2001- Warriors selected Gilbert Arenas 31st- One of the league’s premier players was selected in the second round. Agent zero a.k.a. Gilbert Arenas, the franchise player for the Washington Wizards was offered the league maximum $127 million for seven years back in 2008. Instead he opted to receive $111 million so that his team had more money to spend elsewhere. Arenas has worn the number zero since high school when he was never given a chance to flourish on the court. He wore that number at Arizona and now in the NBA in order to remind himself what he has to prove.

1998 – Supersonics selected Rashard Lewis 32nd- Rashard Lewis who was just featured in the NBA finals as a member of the Orlando Magic is obviously talented. He is a 6’10 forward who can knock down long distance shots like he was a guard. He represents everything the NBA wants in a player. He is humble and extremely talented. He chose to take less money and play for the Magic because he understood that the majority of teams that win a championship do so with a dominant player at the center position. Lewis felt Dwight Howard was his best chance.

2003 – Mavs selected Josh Howard 29th- Josh Howard is still growing as a player but is already un-stoppable on the offensive end. He has a solid jump shot and is athletic enough to drive the lane. If the Mavericks or his team ever pushes far into the playoffs look for him to step up and take over big game situations.

2001 – Spurs selected Tony Parker 28th- Alright I know the 28th pick falls as the last pick of the first round but for matters here that is close enough. How amazing that Tony Parker was drafted so late. He is dominant at the point and has one of the quickest first steps in the league. He is an NBA allstar and three time NBA champion. He is also a pimp. He was approached after a playoff game in L.A. by Eva Longoria’s father and was congradulated on an impressive performance. Parker responded by explaining how hungry he was after his performance and invited Eva’s father and Eva herself to a late dinner. Parker treated the two to a late night Denny’s meal while playing everything casual. Before long he had his own date with Eva and now as you all may know she goes by Eva Longoria Parker. What a player.

Filed under: Dino Gomez, General, NBA | Tagged: 1998 NBA draft, 2000 NBA draft, 2001 NBA Draft, Dallas Mavericks, Dream Team, Eva Longoria Parker, Gilbert Arenas, Gold medal, Golden State Warriors, Josh Howard, Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA all-star, NBA Draft, Olympics, Orlando Magic, Rashard Lewis, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Supersonics, Tony Parker, University of Arizona, Washington Wizards | Leave a comment »

James Harden and Gilbert Arenas Twins?

Posted on June 22, 2009 by Dino Gomez

The NBA draft is only three days out and the only thing that is certain is that everything is uncertain. Teams in g202266_u52637_Gilbert_Arenas PHP4919E61073EB0 the past years at three days out almost always knew which players were going to be available when their turn to pick was up and they knew which players they’ll most likely decide to draft. This year is completely different. There are potentially 50 different combinations of how players could be drafted positions 2 thru 10 or something close to 50 (not going to do the math right now better to spend the time studying the players), which is crazy.

What would be funny in my book and what is probable is that James Harden from Arizona State will be drafted fifth overall to the Washington Wizards. He would play opposite Gilbert Arenas on the wing and would confuse the hell out of me if I were a defender. Think about playing transition defense against the Wizards when they have numbers on the break. Everyone knows Harden is going to his left because he is like Lamar Odom and can only go left, so as I defender you want to make him use his right hand. However at the speed a fastbreak happens would you be able to tell if the guy with the ball is James Harden or Gilbert Arenas? I mean they look really similar, are close enough in stature, and yeahh look similar. I’m thinking they are twins, were separated at birth, that one of them lost a birth certificate, and are about to be united on the court in Washington. Want more proof that they are twins? Twins think alike. Gilbert Arenas played college ball at Arizona while James Harden played at Arizona State.

Filed under: Dino Gomez, General, NBA | Tagged: Arizona State, Gilbert Arenas, James Harden, NBA Draft, Twins, University of Arizona, Washington Wizards | Leave a comment »

Kazaam!!! Lebron and Shaq Together in Cleveland

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Dino Gomez

kazaam-shaq-shaquille-oneal-suns Wow what a story this will be if a trade between Phoenix and Cleveland puts Shaquille O’neal in a Cavaliers uniform next to his buddy Lebron James next year. My immediate thoughts tell me Shaq loves the spot light and values his reputation as one of the most dominant big men to play the game. It seems he will do anything to further his career. After all if this trade works out, Cleveland will make the fifth city that The Big Diesel has played for in his career. Normally the league’s best players stand still during trades but Shaq makes it clear through his 7 foot 300 plus pound frame and booming voice that he gets what he wants and he doesn’t want to play for losing teams. He would rather pack his bags for the Eastern Conference, provide impressive interior play for the Cavaliers next year, take a back seat to the King himself (a.k.a Lebron James), make it to the NBA Finals to face his old team The Lakers, and rage on skinny Pao Gasol and youngin’ Andrew Bynum in the post on national television for a series to ultimately make Kobe Bryant admit he is still the most dominant big man in the league today. Based on history I’m guessing this trade is much more imminent that ESPN reporters explain. All Shaq has to say to make it happen is: Kazaam.

Filed under: Dino Gomez, General | Tagged: Andrew Bynum, Cleveland Cavaliers, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Pao Gasol, Phoenix Suns, Shaquille O'neal | 2 Comments »

Dino Gomez Himself Sinks Half Court Shot

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Dino Gomez

To answer what questions probably will follow, yes this is footage of me at the Sonoma State rec center yesterday and yes I did get lucky. Still I have a pretty good handle on the ball which goes to show I have spent plenty of time on the court. I wanted to show those readers who have not seen me play that I’m a decent player even though undersized and was hoping footage like this could serve as credibility that I’ve been around the game.

Filed under: Dino Gomez, General | Tagged: Dino Gomez, Half Court Shot, Sonoma State | 4 Comments »

Street Interview at Walgreens

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Dino Gomez

Tonight I went over to the local Walgreens to see if I couldn’t interview a random person or two about my blog. I hit the jackpot because the third person I interviewed was this young looking college student who had made it to my site the prior day. Not only was she good looking but she knew a little about what she was talking about. Check this out below and notice that she carries a massive pink purse that is unnecessary.

Filed under: Dino Gomez, General | Tagged: BasketballwithDinoGomez, College student, Interview | 1 Comment »

Did the Magic Snatch Home Court Advantage?

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Dino Gomez

As the final buzzer sounded and a last second attemp by Mo Williams to win the game for Cleveland bounced astray, the announcers commented, “and Orlando Steals home court advantage from Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers with a game one victory in Cleveland.” Now it may be true 57045606 that the Magic did steal the first game in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals against “King James” and a Cavaliers team who was winning by 16 at half, but I beg the question: Did Orlando really steal home court advantage? It seems so, after all now if the Magic win their three home games in this series they will beat Cleveland no matter what. However it is interesting to consider that if the series does go to seven games it will be in the King’s court in Cleveland. How curious? “The Magic steal game one”… yet if it goes seven its where Lebron wants it to be. What are your thoughts?