Mock Draft Monday 6/2 '25
30 for 30 (Freestyle)
30 For 30 (Freestyle)
- NBA Finals Series Preview
- NBA Draft ‘25 Prospects
- Building A Board (‘26 NFL Draft)
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune is Drake’s 30 For 30. It’s the last song off the What A Time To Be Alive joint project with Future.
When ESPN and Bill Simmons first started coming out with 30 For 30s in ‘09, they were excellent. ESPN Films was producing some of the highest-quality, hour-long sports documentaries ever made. Fab Five, Reggie Miller, Len Bias, The OJ/Knicks/Rangers in ‘94, Bo Jackson, Catholics vs. Convicts, 1980 Miracle on Ice, etc. Eventually, I guess they just made too many of them and lost a bit of luster. Of the most recent, Jeter’s The Captain and Jordan’s Last Dance are my favorite. The Sack Exchange was solid, but it was sad at the end. Off the top of my head, a list of possible 30 For 30s that haven’t been made yet…
- Shaq & Kobe Lakers.
- Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United (Roy Keane to Wayne Rooney).
- A well-done Black Sox Scandal doc
- Baseball on the WWII Military Bases (might have something there).
- Tiger Woods vs Jack’s Shadow.
- ‘06 March Madness Final Four (George Mason Cinderella, LSU Tyrus Thomas-Big Baby Davis, UCLA, & Florida, plus you have the JJ Reddick-Adam Morrison element).
- Anything on the Yankees from Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe D, Yogi, & The Mick.
Anyway, 30 For 30s were awesome to watch growing up. Drake picked a great title for a tune.
On to the sports….
The NBA Finals tip-off Game 1 on Thursday at 8:30 PM ET on ABC as the Indiana Pacers will head to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder defeated the Pacers in both of their matchups this regular season. The two NBA franchises have never met in an NBA Finals before. The only time OKC has ever made the NBA Finals was in 2012 with a young core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Before moving to Oklahoma City, the Seattle Supersonics had reached the NBA Finals twice, winning in 1979 and losing to Michael Jordan’s Bulls in 1996. Like OKC, this will also be the second time Indiana has reached the NBA Finals, as the Pacers lost in 2000 to the Shaq & Kobe Lakers.
Guards
Edge: OKC
This NBA Finals features two budding Superstars that I can’t stand. SGA, the NBA League MVP, is an effective scorer, but the way he gets talked up by NBA media as if he’s some walking bucket is clownery. He’s made an art form out of drawing fouls, which will drive basketball fans who only watch playoff games nuts. The Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton has the ugliest jump shot of a good shooter since those couple of years when Shawn Marion played on the 7-seconds-or-less Suns. Haliburton is the engine of the Indy 500 Pacers and plays at his best when he pushes outlet passes up the floor for easy scores. While this SGA vs Haliburton will be on the NBA Finals poster, I’d expect their other guards to match up against them. By the end of the Knicks series, Andrew Nembhard couldn’t hit water from the middle of the ocean, but he played superb defense on Jalen Brunson in Game 6. T.J. McConnell is a total playoff pest who somehow finds a way to give good minutes. The only challenge for McConnell in this series is that he’ll meet his match in Alex Caruso. The Thunder's 6th Man is pretty much a bigger version of McConnell, does all the same pesky things, but has experience just in these playoffs of guarding the likes of Luka, Joker, and Anthony Edwards. Cason Wallace is also another guy in the backcourt who the Thunder can stick on Haliburton like a glove. While the Thunder’s bench guards won’t provide much scoring, their defense and SGA’s ability to get to the foul line give them the edge.
Wings
Edge: OKC
Both teams have a couple more bench wings, such as Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Ben Sheppard, and Jarace Walker, but I don’t expect them to have as much of an impact this series. Gotta give the edge to OKC here because of the upside of Jalen Williams. SGA’s sidekick wing has had an up-and-down postseason, so his 20 ppg these playoffs is a bit misleading. I still don’t really trust him as a half-court scorer, but in a series where both teams want to play at a frenetic pace, Jalen Williams has been excellent as a transition scorer. Despite being 6’5”, his 7’2” wingspan is a major advantage on the defensive end. Aaron Nesmith enters the NBA Finals a bit banged up with a rolled ankle, but he, of course, showed his playoff potential in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference when everybody saw him hit 8 of 9 3-pointers. Since Nesmith’s Game 1 heroics, the Pacers’ wing came back down to Earth, averaging 9.8 points the rest of the series. Lu Dort is another Thunder defender who might not add much on the offensive end, but eats opponents’ lunch on defense. Teams have left Dort wide open from 3-point range all postseason, so I’d expect Indiana to do the same. One total wild card that the Pacers could play in this series is Bennedict Mathurin. He’s the sort of X-Factor that could score 20+ points against an elite defense like OKC or get ejected from an NBA Finals game, and Rick Carlisle may deem him unplayable. Ideally, I think the Pacers want Mathurin’s athleticism and confidence out there, but if the Finals are too bright, they’ll likely either go big or small rather than bring in another wing off the bench.
Bigs
Edge: Even
Pascal Siakam may just be the league’s most underrated player, who is just now starting to receive his flowers. He’s averaged 20+ points per game the past 6 seasons and has the rare ability to raise his game in the postseason. The Pacers’ star Power Forward is also the only player of either team starting 5 with an NBA Championship. Some may even go as far as to say he’s the only player in this series with a ring since Alex Caruso’s NBA Finals victory with the Lakers was a Mickey Mouse Championship inside the bubble. Next to Siakam is Myles Turner, another underrated big man of the NBA, who can stretch the floor from beyond the arc, but won’t necessarily take over games. As much of a mismatch nuisance as Turner may have been for the Knicks’ KAT, the Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein is a superior perimeter defender. Thus, the center matchup should be a wash. As great as Siakam is, the potential of the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren could eclipse it this series. Much of Siakam’s scoring in the ECF came from simply out-running New York’s big men down the floor. Holmgren, in this situation, won’t get beaten back too often. Despite Siakam’s heroics in the Conference Finals, it’s more likely that Chet Holmgren shuts down any possible conversations of the Hall of Fame when discussing the Pacers’ big man.
Coaching
Edge: Indiana
The coaching is the one decisive edge I’ll give Indiana. OKC’s Mark Daigneault may have won an NBA Coach of the Year in 2024, but he has a ways to go in terms of experience. Rick Carlisle is a former NBA Coach of the Year (2002) and the man who devised a plan to defeat the Miami Big 3 in the 2011 NBA Finals. The future Hall of Fame head coach is 11th all-time in career regular season coaching wins (993) and 10th all-time in career postseason coaching wins (83).
Prediction: OKC in 5.
Both of these teams are going to full-court press, so the tempo of these games may be a bit different from what we’re used to. As effective at shooting and turnover resistant as Indiana is, OKC is another animal.
Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn
Tahaad Pettiford is from Jersey City, New Jersey. He went to Hudson Catholic Regional High School, where he averaged 20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals per game as a senior. The 5-star recruit participated in both the McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic in 2024. With offers from schools all over the country, Pettiford decided to join the Auburn Tigers. The Jersey City product was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team as he averaged 11.6 points, 3 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1 steal per game coming off the bench. While his regular season was fairly uneven in play, Pettiford showed a ton of potential during Auburn’s Final Four run in March Madness. From the Round of 64 to the Elite 8, Pettiford was averaging 17.3 points per game while hitting on 36% from 3. Being that he’s a lefty with quickness and explosion, my first thought is that his game is a bit like Brandon Jennings.
Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Thomas Sorber is from Trenton, New Jersey, but he played his high school hoops at Archbishop Ryan in Pennsylvania. As a senior at Archbishop Ryan, Sorber averaged 18.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.8 blocks per game. Sorber, an old-school center, decided to play for Georgetown, a school that has produced numerous great old-school centers. During his lone season with the Hoyas, Sorber was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team and 3rd Team All-Big East. The 6’10” big man averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game before a February injury cut his season to just 24 games played. Despite the foot injury, Thomas Sorber is expected to make a full recovery. Although he may not have the classic 7-footer size just yet, Sorber is still just 19 years old and has a 7’6” wingspan. His game reminds me a bit of Marcus Camby’s. A well-rounded big that can handle the ball with confidence, defend the paint, and hit an 18-footer.
Grant Nelson, PF, Alabama
Grant Nelson is from Devils Lake, North Dakota. At Devils Lake High School, Nelson was named North Dakota's Mr. Basketball in ‘20, averaging 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 5.7 blocks per game. Nelson’s first college stop would be to play for his home state school at North Dakota State. As a freshman for the Bison, Grant Nelson was named Summit League 6th Man of the Year (6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, & 0.9 blocks off the bench). Nelson was inserted into the Bison’s starting lineup as a sophomore, averaging 11.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Grant Nelson’s breakout season with NDSU came in his junior year as he led the Bison in every stat category with 19.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. ‘Bama then came calling as Nelson decided to head south, joining the Roll Tide during the spring of ‘23. With the step up in competition, Nelson took on more of a sidekick role to Mark Sears. During his first season with ‘Bama, Nelson averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. He was especially effective in March as he made the 2024 NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team. Last season, the 5th year forward averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. Although he can hit a 3-pointer, Nelson is much more comfortable driving from the perimeter and can posterize. I’ll compare his game to Keith Van Horn’s.
Caleb Love, SG, Arizona
Caleb Love is from St. Louis, Missouri, where he was the ‘20 Gatorade High School Player of the Year in the state. He represented Christian Brothers High School in the ‘20 McDonald’s All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Iverson Classic. His first stop out of high school was with UNC. As a member of the Tar Heels, Caleb Love was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and was twice an Honorable Mention on the All-ACC teams. In Love’s 3 seasons at UNC, he averaged 14.6 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1 steal per game. The shooting guard decided to transfer to Arizona University in the spring of ‘23. In his first season as a Wildcat, Love was named a 1st Team All-American as he averaged a career-high 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. After leading Arizona to the Sweet 16 in the ‘24 March Madness, Love returned for a 5th year. Last year, the 6’4” guard again led the Wildcats in scoring with 17.2 points per game. A bit on the older side for an NBA prospect, I still think Caleb Love can find a way to become a rotational piece in the Association. While he may not have the same upside as other prospects in this class, Love certainly could turn out to be a Flip Murray type that averages 10 points per game off an NBA bench for a decade.
Nique Clifford, SF, Colorado St.
Nique Clifford is from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended Vanguard School, where a 5-inch growth spurt between his sophomore and junior seasons helped him earn 2-straight All-State selections as an upperclassman while being recognized as the 2020 Colorado State Player of the Year 2020. Nique Clifford’s first college stop was at Colorado University. From ‘20 to ‘23, Clifford played in 82 games for the Buffaloes as a role player, averaging 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. After 3 seasons with Colorado, Clifford decided to transfer to their in-state rival at Colorado State. In his first season with the Rams, Clifford’s numbers improved to 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. As a 5th-year senior last year, Nique Clifford had his best year yet. He was named to the 1st Team All-Mountain West as he averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Clifford led Colorado State to a buzzer-beater away from a Sweet 16 berth. As a forward who can do a bit of everything well, I think he’ll end up more as a role player, rotational piece. His game reminds me a bit of the Morris Twins, but I’m not sure if he’s more Marcus or Markieff.
Building A Board ‘26
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Matayo Uiagalelei is from Bellflower, California. The younger brother of DJ Uiagalelei, Matayo, decided to hit QBs instead of trying to be one. He attended St. John Bosco High School, helping them claim a National Title as a 5-star prospect recruited by a litter of Top 25 schools. Uiagalelei decided to play for the Oregon Ducks. As a freshman in ‘23, Uiagalelei served as a depth piece off the bench as he was credited for 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 10 QB Hurries. Uiagalelei earned a starting role for the Ducks in ‘24, and the sophomore enjoyed a breakout season. Off the Oregon edge, Uiagalelei was named 1st Team All-Big Ten with 10.5 sacks, 12.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, an interception, and he even blocked a kick. While still a bit raw as a pass rusher, Uiagalelei has elite athleticism for his position and could jump into the early 1st Round of the ‘26 NFL Draft.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love is from St. Louis, Missouri. Although he also went to Christian Brothers High School, he and Caleb Love are not related. There, he led the team to back-to-back state championships and was named the ‘22 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year. A 4-star recruit, Love served as Audric Estime’s backup as a freshman in ‘23. He finished his first season with Notre Dame with 504 all-purpose yards while flashing potential with his 5.4 rushing yards per carry. As a sophomore in ‘24, Love took over the starting role for the Irish and enjoyed a breakout season. Jeremiyah Love rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 TDs, while chipping in with 28 catches for 237 receiving yards. He had some remarkable highlights in his sophomore season, including multiple absurd hurdles and some clutch College Football Playoff scores. In an offense that will have a new QB at the helm in South Bend, expect the Irish to lean heavily on Jeremiyah Love.
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Nicholas Singleton is from Shillington, Pennsylvania. In high school, he attended Governor Mifflin High School, where he served as team captain as a senior and became the first Penn State player to win the Gatorade National Player of the Year award. In his first season at Penn State in ‘22, Singleton won the Big Ten Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year as he rushed for 1,061 yards and 12 TDs. As a sophomore in ‘23, Singleton was named 3rd Team All-Big Ten as he took more of a secondary role with Kaytron Allen in the backfield. Singleton still rushed for 752 yards and 8 scores while adding 308 receiving yards. Singleton returned to form as a junior in ‘24 as he rushed for 1,099 yards and 12 TDs. At 6’1” and 225 lbs., Singleton is a big back with plenty of breakaway speed. Him and teammate Kaytron Allen make up the best backfield duo in the sport.
Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Kaytron Allen is from Norfolk, Virginia. He played most of his high school football at IMG Academy, where he served as the team captain his senior season. In ‘22, Allen was named a Freshman All-American as he rushed for 867 yards and 10 TDs. He and Nicholas Singleton became the first true freshman teammates in Big Ten history to each rush for over 700 yards in a season. Allen backed up his excellent freshman season with 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors in ‘23 as he rushed for 902 yards and 6 scores. As a junior in ‘24, Allen ran for a career-high 1,108 yards with 410 of them coming in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff. Allen and Singleton make up the best backfield in College Football, with both having the opportunity to go pro.
Avery Smith, CB, Toledo
