Chad Ford

  (1:03 PM)

Aloha everyone. Thanks for coming. We'll do a little NBA and focus this one on the NBA Draft given all the great performances we've seen in the NCAA tourney. Let's roll ...

Lance (Cleveland)

What is your finals matchup today?

Chad Ford

  (1:04 PM)

Cavs - Lakers with Lakers winning it all.

Frank (Washington DC)

Hey Chad what are your thoughts on Gilbert Arenas coming back for these last few meaningless home games and where do you see the Wizards going into next season - playoffs?

Chad Ford

  (1:06 PM)

It's a little bizzarre. Maybe he can screw up the Wizards twice in the same year. First he misses most of the season, destroying any chance they have at making the playoffs. Now, with a few weeks to go, maybe he'll get the Wizards on a winning streak and destroy any chances they have at getting the No. 1 pick. Gotta love Gilbert

Dave (NYC)

Would you consider this new york knick season a failure

Chad Ford

  (1:07 PM)

No way. Isiah Thomas is gone. That alone should count for something. They moved Zach Randolph's horrendous contract. They hired the best coach in basketball, Mike D'Antoni. And they got terrific performances from a few of their young players like David Lee and Nate Robinson. When you look at the big picture, the Knicks are finally heading in the right direction. When's the last time you could say that?

Rob/ AZ

Yo Chad. The Suns, what are they going to do in the offseason? Trade Shaq (if possible)Trade Amare? and do they bring back Grant Hill? This is one team that is going to have many question above them this offseason. I really believe they try and keep this team together. The way their bench is playing without Amare in the lineup is scary. This team, when healthy, could be deep and dangerous team.

Chad Ford

  (1:09 PM)

I agree Rob that the Suns still have some juice. However, I don't think their owner has the patience for it anymore. Shaq, Steve Nash and Grant Hill are all getting old. To me, that's the part that will ultimately have to change. Trading Amare never made sense to me. He's the one young building block they have on this team.

Ben Gordon (Chicago)

Nobody, including you, will answer my question! Am I gonna get paid anywhere this summer? I can drop 30 points in 3 quarters of work.

Chad Ford

  (1:11 PM)

You should've taken the money last summer. Given the current economic environment and the lack of teams with real cap space, I don't see it. Your best chance is the Thunder ... but they aren't going to give your $50 million. Sam Presti's too smart.

Chris (Hacienda Heights, CA)

It seems like the more the Heat are depending on Wade to do everything, the worst they play? Does this remind you of Kobe's situation from a couple years back?

Chad Ford

  (1:12 PM)

Or the other way around ... when his teammates can't get it going, DWade tries to take over himself. Kobe always had more talent around him than Wade did. I don't think Wade's selfishness is the issue. He just doesn't have a great supporting cast right now.

kc oakland

I hate Cohan, Rowell and Nellie also... but what can the Warriors do to improve this offseason?

Chad Ford

  (1:14 PM)

Cohan could sell the team and the new owner could fire Rowell and Nellie. Short of that ... I wouldn't hold my breath. They have a lot of young talent. I really like Monta Ellis, Brandan Wright, Anthony Randolph and Andris Biedrins. But the front office will find a way to screw it up.

Joe Dumars (Detroit)

what seed are the pistons going to get in the playoffs? im worried they might not even make it.... could this be true?

Chad Ford

  (1:16 PM)

Charlotte would have to make up four games on them to beat them out for the last playoff spot. I don't see it happening. Hollinger says they have a 91 percent chance of making the playoffs. Seems about right to me. However, I think the Bulls have a good shot of getting the 7th seed.

Andy(Toronto)

I just looked at your mock draft today, and I see that you have Ed Davis at #8, do you really believe he deserves to be that high, considering he hasn't played a lot this season?

Chad Ford

  (1:19 PM)

It's all about upside and position. This isn't a great draft for bigs and there aren't a lot of players in this draft with tremendous upside. Davis has it. Granted he's played a sixth man role all year and hasn't got the minutes or the numbers to prove it. But when you look at his skills and his size, NBA scouts love him. He should stay at UNC another year. He has a chance, like Blake Griffin, with another year in school to be the No. 1 pick in 2010. But if he comes out now, he'll be a Top 10 pick for sure ... maybe Top 5.

Matt (Houston, TX)

How good can Blake Griffin be in the league? Will he be a perennial All Star? A solid contributor on a playoff team? Or a guy who puts up numbers on a meaningless 30 win squad?

Chad Ford

  (1:20 PM)

All of the above. He's start as a guy who puts up numbers on a meaningless 30 win squad ... then he'll progress to a playoff contributor and I think within 3 to 4 years he'll be playing in the All-Star game. He's got a terrific combination of size, strength and athleticism. He's got to play better defense and stay healthy, but if he can do those things, I think he's a lock for superstardom. Think a tougher version of Amare Stoudemire.

Rob (Phx,AZ)

Hey Chad. What are your thoughts on James Harden. These past games he played in i think really hurt him. With what he did in the regular season, do you still see him as a top 5 right now?

Chad Ford

  (1:22 PM)

He was awful in the tournament, but NBA scouts and executives look at the entire body of work, not just 2 games. While he hurt his stock, he didn't destroy it. It's a weak draft and he's still the best 2 guard prospect out there. I know some are saying he needs another year of school, but I don't see it for Harden. His problem is a lack of size and a lack of explosive athleticism ... those won't change with another year in the league.

Ed (DC)

Chad, are the Hansbrough vs. Griffin comparisons really fair just because they happened to meet in the tournament? No one expects Hansbrough to go in the top 10, so shouldn't we be comparing him to other prospects who might go between 10 & 20? Or, we could compare him to other current players in the league -- wouldn't Matt Harpring be a decent comparison? If Hansbrough could put together a pro career like Harpring, I think that would be something to be pretty proud of, regardless of how any other players from this draft turn out, no?

Chad Ford

  (1:26 PM)

Harpring isn't a terrible comparison. They're both tough kids who aren't great athletes. But Harpring was a more skilled offensive player. If Hansbrough was an elite rebounder, he'd be higher on draft boards. He could still go somewhere between 15 and 30. But I think whoever takes him just has to be prepared to get a tough role player who gives energy and hustle.

Slick Watts, Seattle

Chad - seems like a deep PG draft, though weak everywhere else. Of all the PG's (Rubio, Lawson, Flynn, Teague, Calathes, Curry, etc) how would you rank them and who do you think has the highest ceiling?

Chad Ford

  (1:33 PM)

x

Chad Ford

  (1:33 PM)

Yes ... it's the strength of the draft. I think you could see 12 of them in the first round if they all declare. Here's my Top 12 PG prospects (note: it's still unclear which of these guys will actually be in the draft) 1. Ricky Rubio 2. Willie Warren 3.Brandon Jennings 4. Stephen Curry 5. Jonny Flynn 6. Eric Maynor 7. Ty Lawson 8. Jrue Holiday 9. Jeff Teague 10. Darren Collison 11. Patrick Mills 12. Nick Calathes

Jake (Chicago, IL)

Where do you see Johnny Flynn going after his performance in the NCAA tournament?

Chad Ford

  (1:34 PM)

I think he's got a shot at the late lottery to mid first round. No question he helped his stock with his play in the Big East Tournament and the NCAA's. He's a bit undersized and I worry about his jumper, but I love his toughness and energy.

Chris (Orlando, FL)

What are your thoughts on Jermaine Taylor from UCF. He was the No.3 Scorer in the country, became the highest CUSA season scorer, and is an all around athletic beast. I've watched him play all year and know he's got the skills but fear no one else has seen him play.

Chad Ford

  (1:36 PM)

Scouts know him well. He's definitely a sleeper. I keep hearing people refer to Rodney Stuckey, but the comparison doesn't really fit. Stuckey had lots of potential at the point. Taylor is a pure scorer. He's undersized, but he can really light it up. He could sneak into the first round, but more likely he's a second rounder.

Chad(Wisconsin)

What about Tyreke Evans he was playing the point at Memphis? Or will he play the two in the NBA?

Chad Ford

  (1:37 PM)

He's a two guard. Yes he played point for Memphis, but he's a scorer. He reminds a lot of scouts of Jerry Stackhouse.

Ben (philly)

Where does Terrence Williams get drafted? Why is he not considered a superior prospect to Earl Clark who also can't shoot?

Chad Ford

  (1:39 PM)

They are both somewhere in the late lottery to mid first round. Both have great physical tools and are very, very skilled. And both have been maddeningly inconsistent ... especially Williams. Combine that with some off the court concerns and you can see why they may not crack the lottery. Their talent is Top 5 ... both of them. But they're missing the rest of the pieces to the puzzle.

Sujei(Pureto Rico)

Do you think theres any chance that after his 1-14 night G. Henderson comes back to Duke? They'll be a veteran team with a chance for the final 4 and a lottery spot next year and adding Plumlee and Kerry to the squat. Thanks

Chad Ford

  (1:40 PM)

I think he's coming. Henderson's a tough guy to project. When he's good, he looks great. But too often he's just average and sometimes he stinks. As a junior on a high profile program like Duke ... you expect more by now. The one thing he has going for him is that he can be an elite defender in the league. That's going to earn him a spot somewhere. He probably goes somewhere between 10 and 20 ...

Bryan (Minneapolis)

How much do you think Hasheem Thabeet's so-so offense will hurt him in the draft? Are a lot of teams seeing him as one dimensional?

Chad Ford

  (1:41 PM)

I think every team sees him as one dimensional. No one thinks he has any offensive game. But he's such a terrific and mobile shot blocker and defender ... they're willing to ignore those other obvious weaknesses. Thabeet can be a game changer on the defensive end. That should land him in the Top 5.

Mike (CT)

True or False Nick Calathes should go back to Florida?

Chad Ford

  (1:43 PM)

We'll see. A number of teams like him in the late first round. I could see a team like the Kings taking a shot at him with their second first round pick from Houston.

Kyle (minneapolis)

Chad, what one player has helped himself most in the tournament (Aldrich, Lawson)?

Chad Ford

  (1:45 PM)

Both Cole Aldrich and Ty Lawson have really helped themselves in the tournament. Both have been terrific. I think DeMar DeRozan helped himself as well. Ditto for Sam Young, Jonny Flynn and Tyreke Evans

Jon (NY)

What are you hearing about Stephen Curry? Is he really headed back to school?

Chad Ford

  (1:46 PM)

I doubt it. He's not going to get better playing in that conference. His brother Seth was really wise to transfer to a bigger school. I think Curry will go somewhere between 9 and 18. The Knicks really like him. So does Charlotte. He should be fine. Given his lack of size and elite athleticism, he's not going to go much higher with another year of college under his belt.

Tom (SC)

Dajuan Summers declared for the draft, how is he rated by scouts?

Chad Ford

  (1:47 PM)

He's been up and down all year. On one hand, he's the prototypical NBA small forward. Great size, athleticism and shooting ability. On the other hand, he really tanked in the second half of the season. I think he'll be a better NBA player than college player, and will probably land somewhere in the second half of the first round.

Dino (Winston-Salem, NC)

Please tell me all three, Aminu, Johnson, and Teague, are coming back?

Chad Ford

  (1:49 PM)

Sounds like Aminu and Teague are leaning toward coming back. Johnson is leaning toward declaring. I think Teague for sure needs another year to prove he's not just a 6-foot-1 two guard. Aminu would go high on potential, but he really needs another year of college basketball. Johnson is definitely the hottest name of the three. Lots of GMs love him. He's a lottery pick if he declares.

Jake (VA Beach)

Will Ellington make the jump this year, or does he need one more year without Lawson and Hansborough getting the attention?

Chad Ford

  (1:50 PM)

He's helped himself a lot with his play in the second half of the season. He's probably a pick in the 20s this year.

Brendan (St. Louis)

What are the chances of DeMarre Carroll getting drafted?

Chad Ford

  (1:51 PM)

Good. He's got great energy and versatility. He's a second round pick, but I think someone will grab him in the 40s or 50s.

Michael New Jesey

Where do you see Brandon Jennings going in the draft?

Chad Ford

  (1:52 PM)

Top 10. He hasn't been great in Italy ... but his upside is tremendous.

Brendan (MA)

is anybody in this draft going to have a DeAndre Jordan type fall or is that too hard to predict?? that was just rediculous last year!

Chad Ford

  (1:53 PM)

B.J. Mullens could be that guy. Lots of upside, but not a lot of production plus a questionable work ethic.

Sam NY

What team do you think will take Demar DeRozan?

Chad Ford

  (1:54 PM)

I could see Toronto or New Jersey grabbing him.

Carlos(NC)

Is there a player getting buzz that you think will be a bust? Thanks Chad

Chad Ford

  (1:56 PM)

Thabeet has a lot of elements that busts normally have. Jordan Hill scares me. So does James Johnson. He reminds me a little of the Joe Alexander craze last year.

Mike Lincoln,Nebraska

Bulls should draft Blake Griffin

Chad Ford

  (1:58 PM)

Thanks for this Mike, You really went out on a limb there.

K (philly)

Will Stanley Robinson's freakish athleticism get him clock in the NBA at some point?

Chad Ford

  (1:59 PM)

Yes, but it would be nice if he could put together a decent college season first. He's been great the past few weeks for UConn, but his first 2 1/2 years with the team have been a disaster.

Jon (NY)

Do you think Willie Warren can run point in the pros? He reminds me of Chauncy Billups from his Colorado days.

Chad Ford

  (2:00 PM)

Yes, I think he can. The Billups comparison is a good one. It sounds like he's staying for his sophomore year. But if he declares, he'll be a lottery pick.

Terry (Portland)

This years NCAA National Champions is?

Chad Ford

  (2:00 PM)

I'm going with North Carolina. Too much talent ...

Chad Ford

  (2:00 PM)

Gotta roll everyone. We'll do it again next week.