Posts by Nate Jones at FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

I love basketball. So why in the world isn't this story hitting home with me?

For some reason the ref story isn't that big of a deal to me. Unless of course it comes out that the ref is 2006 Finals MVP Bennett Salvatore. I feel like there are bad apples in EVERY organization. So it's not a surprise that one ref out of all of the refs in the history of basketball decided to go down the gambling route.

As well, if you have played basketball competitively you have probably run into your fair share of referees that have some sort of bias. Either they want to keep the game close for entertainments sake or they are friends with someone on the other team.

My Point: On every level there are natural biases that basketball refs have. Everyone has an agenda. But in most cases the best team always seems to win. For example, even with the Wade/Salvatore situation in 2006, the Mavs still had every chance to win games 3-5, but they choked in the clutch and at the free throw line.

"The Boston trade isn't happening. If a trade were to happen, that's not a destination that we're interested in pursuing."

Some prospects aren't getting enough respect on draft boards. PLEASE DRAFT ME aims to change that.

The problem I have with the NBA draft is that too many teams try to hit home runs instead of taking players that can come in and help their team right away. Listen, not all of these kids are going to turn into 20 point per game scorers. However, having players that can come in and knock down an open shot and play excellent defense is probably just as important to building a winning team as having a 20 point scorer is.

I mean, look at Raja Bell, Shane Battier, and Bruce Bowen. All three of them have carved niches for themselves within the league as charge taking defensive stoppers. They've also all honed their offensive games so that they can be successful on that side of the floor without actually having the ball (in other words: all of them have become solid spot up shooters). They also all have been winners throughout their careers.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

The Spurs are the defending champions. Most teams would be riding high after such a feat. Not this franchise. I'm sure the front office team of R.C. Buford and Greg Popovich already has a well thought out plan on who they will select in this year's draft.

Needs: For the Spurs it's not really about needs. Especially with them drafting this late in the draft. They just need to take the best player available. Because they are already a championship caliber franchise, they can afford to take a project and work with him a bit. However, they could use some more scoring power off of the bench. They should probably target eventual replacements for future AARP members Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen as well as a taller point guard to change things up when Tony Parker comes out of the game.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

The Rockets were one of the better teams (record wise) in the entire league. However, because they play in the West, they were matched up with a tough Utah team in the first round. If they plan on advancing out of the first round next season, they are going to need to improve the team. This year's draft might help them do that.

Needs: Shooters to compliment Yao and T-Mac, an athletic shot blocking big to play next to Yao, scoring power off of the bench, and a better point guard.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

The Lakers currently have the 19th pick in this year's draft. However, there have been rumors that the Lakers might look to package the pick in order to obtain another big name to play alongside unhappy superstar Kobe Bryant.

With this deep draft, the 19th pick could possibly land a very good player. Guys like Nick Young, Rodney Stuckey, Javaris Crittenton, Acie Law, Sean Williams, and Jason Smith have the possibility to go anywhere from the 10th pick down into the early 20s. If they were able to capture any of those guys, I would definitely deem the Lakers draft successful.

Needs: Scoring, defense, and rebounding on the interior and long-range shooting and perimeter defense from the guard spot.

Best Case Scenario: Nick Young or Rodney Stuckey falling into the Lakers laps. They are both versatile guards that can score at will. However, former Boston College Center Sean Williams would also be a great pick for the Lakers. He's an explosive defensive specialist that would immediately make the Lakers better on the defensive side of the ball. The way the draft board seems to be playing out, I really don't think the Lakers can go wrong with this pick (if they end up keeping it).

Most Likely Scenario: At this point, it's hard to tell. But I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Young fell to the Lakers. Usually on draft day, teams become enamored with selecting point guards and big men. That leaves open the opportunity for a guy like Young to fall. But if Young or Rodney Stuckey are not available, I look for the Lakers to select Javaris Crittenton or Sean Williams.

Some prospects aren't getting enough respect on draft boards. PLEASE DRAFT ME aims to change that.

In most years, a 6'10" athletic freak with great shot blocking ability would most certainly be a top ten pick. However, this year there is a player that has all of those qualities, yet will likely not be selected in the top 15. That player is none other than former Boston College center, Sean Williams.

Williams is a big man in the mold of a young Theo Ratliff that has the ability to change games just with his defense. He's more fluid than Ratliff on the offense side of the ball and has a nice set of hands, so in the right situation (like playing next to Steve Nash or Kobe Bryant), he could have an impact at both ends of the floor. As well, outside of Greg Oden, Williams is more athletic/explosive than any big in the draft.

The problem with Williams is not about his effort on the court, but his issues off of it. He reportedly was kicked off of the Boston College squad because of a bad marijuana habit. But wasn't Lamar Odom once deemed a knuckle head because of his marijuana problem? Despite Lamar's past affinity for "talking to Samson", most now see him as one of the most well behaved players in the entire league.

For years I've been critical of Tony Parker. Prior to this season, I always thought he was way too soft to ever become a top player in this league. In the past, he was always a guy that you could count on for regular season excellence, but not much in the rough and tough playoffs.

In the 2003 Finals, Tony played so terribly that Speedy Claxton was taking most of his minutes at the end of games in that series. He played so terribly in that series that many figured the Spurs would sign free agent point guard Jason Kidd to replace him.

In 2004, TP lit up the Lakers in the first two games of their second round series, and then was shut out in the final four games of the series. After Tony obliterated the Lakers in those first two games, all the Lakers did to shut him down the rest of the series was be physical with him. It's like Tony was totally proving the theory that French guys just weren't very tough.

Then in 2005, Tony again proved that he wasn't ready for the big time, as Pistons defensive stalwart Lindsay Hunter was able to completely take him out of his game with his long arms and full court pressure. If not for Big Shot Rob's heroics in that series, Parkers lack of physical and mental toughness probably would have cost the Spurs that series.

So to see Tony Parker evolve into the confident Finals MVP that he has become is something that needs to be recognized. He's unstoppable off of the dribble, and after seasons he's finally starting to realize this. Before, he seemed to shy away from the pressure. But now it's almost if he wants the pressure. He wants someone to step up and play tight D on him, because he knows that defensive pressure makes it easier for him to get to the hole.

As well, he doesn't seem to fear contact anymore. In the past, if you were physical with Tony he'd shrivel up. Now he just get's up and brushes his shoulders off Jay-Z style.

I doubted you for years, Tony. But now it's time to give you your props. I never thought you would be able to come up big in the Finals, but you've proved me and all the rest of your doubters wrong. I guess it is true that you can evolve into a winner.

(Photo: Getty Images)