Wayne Ellington High School Training

Sick “A Day In the Life” video from Wayne Ellington’s high school days right before UNC. Awesome! Plus, check out those XXs he’s wearing. Tight.

Wayne Ellington With the MONSTER Throwdown

That’s how you throw one down!

Wayne Ellington on the Minnesota Timberwolves HOT SEAT

Classic response at 43 seconds.

Highlights from UNC Alumni Game

Name another university that could get this much current professional talent under one roof. You can’t.

Where You At Wednesday – CONTEST!

WHERE WILL TYLER HANSBROUGH, TY LAWSON, WAYNE ELLINGTON, AND DANNY GREEN BE DRAFTED?

Take the 4 players and what number you think they will be drafted at (second round, use the total. So the first pick of the second round is actually pick 31) and then add them together. That number should be your guess.

Ex: If you thought Tyler will go at 18, Wayne 19, Ty 23, and Danny 37, your guess would be 97.

CLOSEST WITHOUT GOING OVER WINS.

Put your guess in the comments, and the winner will receive a special prize from the Monster.

The Mixtape Monster’s Mock NBA 2009 Draft

Now, I’m no NBA expert by any means. I would just consider myself a well-informed fan of the sport I love more than any other, basketball. So I obviously can’t speak on any behind the scenes dealings neccesarily, or what trades make sense for cap room and all that jazz. This mock draft is a combination of what I believe each team will/should do, and what I myself would do if I was in their position with the player’s available. I could get every pick 1-14 correct, and I could get every one wrong. Rag if you would like. Agree if you would like, but at least take a look and what the Monster thinks could go down Thursday night.

I have included one short thought with each pick.

The Mixtape Monster’s 2009 NBA Mock Draft

1. Los Angeles Clippers -  Blake Griffin

I’m still not convinced this guy is going to be a superstar, but he is probably the best pick potential and athleticism wise in the draft. Absolutely no game outside of 8 feet though.

2. Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet

Great defensive skill set, horrible on offense. Lots of potential, needs to bulk up bad, and learn offense. Not the most coordinated dumb dancer either…

3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Ricky Rubio

The one player of in the Top 3 that I am convinced will be a great player in the NBA. I think his professional career overseas makes him more mature and NBA-ready. Plus, all the Redeem Teamers seem to have been impressed with him.

4. Sacramento Kings – James Harden

The Kings want Rubio bad, so you better believe if he is there, they take him. Harden is a good second option. Kind of an “old man” game, but can spot up outside and has great fundamentals. Needs to get faster in my opinion though.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves – Tyreke Evans

Acquired this pick from the Wizards yesterday. The T-Wolves want Rubio also, and are rumored to be trying to package this pick and the number 18 pick to move up to try to get him. No takers thus far. Evans would be a decent fit, a bigger point guard who has shown flashes of excellence. T-wolves are still very young, so can afford to give him a little time.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jordan Hill

I think a lot of people underestimate how good Jordan Hill is. He’s a little undersized, but is going to be able to run the floor and go mid-range on some cats. T-Wolves also need someone to pair with Al Jefferson, and Hill could be a good match.

7. Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry

I think the Warriors would actually prefer Jordan Hill here, because they need help down low bigtime. But they also need help at the guard position, and Stephen Curry is going to be the pick here if Hill isn’t available. This will make the Knicks super mad, who have been trying to move up ever since they got that 8th pick, and Curry has been their man from jump.

8. New York Knicks – Jrue Holiday

The Knicks want Curry. It’s no secret. If he’s not there, it’s either going to be Holiday, DeRozan, or Jennings. Jennings is too high a risk, and if this wasn’t D’Antoni’s Knicks, then I’d probably assume they’d take Jennings. But it is, so the pick is going to be Holiday.

9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan

In need of a swing guard, DeRozan is the best on the board. Impressive length, but needs to bulk up if he’s going to go hard in the paint.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Johnny Flynn

The Bucks need a guard, and this is a guard heavy draft. The choices here could be Flynn, Ty Lawson, Brandon Jennings, or even Eric Maynor could sneak up here. Maynor would be the safest pick in my opinion, and Lawson is the best player in my opinion right now out of them, but I think everyone is really hype on Flynn.

11. New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson

(F*** DOOK, No video, No Comment)

Hey, it’s my blog and I’ll hate if I want too.

12. Charlotte Bobcats – Terrance Williams

Henderson is a strong possibility here if he’s on the board. He had 2 head to head workouts with Williams. Larry Brown has said he likes Williams NBA-ready body, and we all know Brown and MJ have reservations about drafting someone from dook. Williams is a good pick here. He’s going to be an oversized 2/3 guard who can hit the 3, something the Bobcats certainly need. As a Bobcats fan, I would be very happy with this pick. However, this is the Bobcats, they still have plenty of time to fuck this up somehow. Rumor has it that they are trying to deal Gerald Wallace before next year, but no news if this pick is considered in those talks or how heavy they have shopped him. I’d be instant T-Will fan if he comes to Charlotte.

13. Indiana Pacers – DaJuan Blair

There are questions about Blair’s knees, but not enough to have him drop down much further than this. Pair him with Roy Hibbert down low (who had a decent rookie season) and in a couple of years you have a frontcourt that will surrender 0 rebounds. Don’t be surprised if they drop a guard here either, rumor has it they aren’t impressed enough with TJ Ford lately.

14. Phoenix Suns – James Johnson

Athletic undersized 3, or a 4. Pair him with Shaq Diesel and Amare, and you got a nice thing going.

OTHER PREDICTIONS:

- Don’t be surprised to see Hansbrough move up as high as 15 to the Pistons, but I guarantee you if he is on the table at 20, then the Jazz are taking him. Too blue collar of a guy for Jerry Sloan not to love him.

- Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson will be first rounders, and steals at that.

SLEEPER STEALS YOU COULD GET LATE:

Eric Maynor, Jeff Pendergraph, Jerel McNeal, Tyrese Rice

One Player I Would Pick That I Haven’t Seen in ANY Mock Draft (complete rounds even): Jack McClinton. I seen what this guy can do to get his shot off, and why he isn’t in the top 60 picks of any mock draft I have seen is straight beyond me.

2009 UNC Highlights

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I know the season ended a while ago and a lot of readers might not want to hear more about THE HEELS, but someone just made this new highlight video of this season’s National Championship team. It’s on the of the better one’s I’ve seen, so I decided to post it.

You a Heels fan? Peep the above.

You not a Heels fan? Mosey along, nothing to see here.

Big Soda & Popcorn (April 21, 2009) – Championship Edition

SUMMING UP THE TAR HEELS ON THE BIG SCREEN

With my North Carolina Tar Heels winning the 2009 NCAA National Championship, I wanted to honor them in the only way I know how-with this column.  So I started thinking about the team, the different personalities, styles of play, and the “characters” they portray on the court.  Eventually, I asked myself this question: What film best describes this player?

While creating this list, I purposely opted to not be literal with my interpretations.  For the most part, my determinations were based on vague criteria akin to the player’s “aura” and a corresponding film that provides similar emotional stimuli to watching or reading about that particular Tar Heel.  To help explain the process a little further, I’ve also given you a short phrase that attempts to sum up each player, so you can see if each film evokes the same response during your own viewing.

So just sit back, open your mind, and let me do my thing.  Here it is:

Tyler Hansbrough: “Raw Tenacity”

Nothing about his game is pretty.  But what it lacks in a shiny finish, it more than makes up for with intensity.  He is physically pummeled and comes back for more, despite being criticized and having his accomplishments downplayed along the way.

Film Equivalent: Oldboy (2004)

This is the story of a man imprisoned in a cheap hotel room for 15 years with no explanation or opportunity to confront his captors.  When he is finally released, the man finds himself in a perplexing world of conspiracies and retribution, having to fight for his life along the way.  In one of the biggest snubs since Walt and Oscar Robertson both lost the MVP to Bill Russell in 1962, Oldboy lost the 2004 Palm d’Or to Michael Moore’s shameless Fahrenheit 9/11.  The movie manages to be thrilling yet heart-wrenching and wraps up nicely with a sick, twisted little bow on top.

Deon Thompson: “Grace & Strength”

Watch DT work in the post for an entire game-not just when he has the ball-and try to convince me that he doesn’t remind you of a boxer.  He’s got incredibly soft hands and even better footwork.  The fluidity of his game, when combined with his size and strength, is borderline hypnotic.

Film Equivalent:  When We Were Kings (1996)

Those of you that know Big Soda know how much I love boxing, Ali in particular.  The Louisville Lip took down every big-time heavyweight of his time, and then let them know about it.  That included George Foreman, his opponent at the Rumble in the Jungle, which serves as the backdrop of this documentary.  Enjoy the trash-talking, tantalizing skills, and controversial personality that made Cassius Marcellus Clay an American icon.  Oh yeah, young Don King looks weird, too.

Wayne Ellington: “Icy Smooth”

As the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, he displayed his cold-blooded, hitman-esque style.  When he’s hot, Wayne’s game has a colorful, artistic quality.  Utterly unapologetic in the face of big-game pressure, he’s likely to shine no matter who else is on the court.

Film Equivalent:  Smokin’ Aces (2007)

Jeremy Piven plays Vegas magician Buddy Israel with his typical hard-living, hooker-banging, in your face bravado.  Ben Affleck isn’t the lead, so he doesn’t suck (that’s a formulaic certainty that applies to all of his films).  And my man Common makes his film debut.  The fast-paced action flick is full of color, running the audience ragged with a long line of A-Listers and thought-provoking character pairings.

Ty Lawson: “Relentless Explosion”

Lawson is the undisputed “fastest man in college basketball.”  With all the scouting reports claiming that he can only go to his right, he is still unstoppable.  Like a true kung fu master, his offensive genius is seen on the counter-attack, catching the defense with its guard down.

Film Equivalent:  Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)

Muy Thai, the national sport of Thailand, is called the “Science of Eight Limbs,” because the fighters use that many body parts to dismember you.  Now combine that with some serious stuntwork and you’ve got this staggering exhibition of butt-whoopery.  It’s only made better by being more than a star vehicle for Tony Jaa, like so many of Bruce Lee’s were.

Danny Green: “Stylish & Edgy”

From the pre-game dancing to his carefree style of play, DMFG carries himself with an unparalleled air of confidence.  Like the lead in any good blaxploitation film, those flashy characteristics are what we see on the outside, but you just know there’s more if you dig a little deeper.  Plus: Greg Paulus = Bitch Slapped.

Film Equivalent:  Willie Dynamite (1974)

Just the movie poster taglines from this 1974 blaxploitation film justify the price of admission: “He’s tight, together, and mean,” “Chicks, Chumps, he uses ‘em all,” “Ain’t no one crosses Willie D.”  Willie Dynamite, an ambitious New York City pimp battles the typical opposition on his quest for strong-arm supremacy.  This was the genre’s peak, so it’s rife with stereotypes and hyperbolic characters.

Bobby Frasor: “Well-Rounded Selflessness”

With the intense games of Texas-style ping pong and the “aww-shucks” reaction to rumors about Erin Andrews, Bobby “Textbook” Frasor epitomizes the accessibility we love to see in our sports stars.  It’s not hard to imagine kickin’ it with Bobby for a Mario Kart marathon…then you remember that your other friends never dropped 17 points on the Wolfpack.

Film Equivalent: Made (2001)

John Favreau and Vince Vaughn are a great team.  Although Made is often portrayed as the inbred cousin of Swingers, any cast that runs the gamut from Peter Falk to Sean Combs is worthy of your attention.  This film should garner strong consideration for any guys’ night viewing.

Roy Williams: “Comforting Simplicity”

Let the haters say what they want about his occasional slip of the tongue, but Coach has a calming presence that takes me back to an easier time.  Seriously, have you seen his Coke commercial?  When he took over the Heels in 2003, Roy joined Peter Gammons and Christopher Walken on my “adopted grandpa” wish list.

Film Equivalent:  Big Fish (2003)

Even though this isn’t my favorite Tim Burton film (Sweeney Todd or Ed Wood), it sports a really unique ensemble cast and a heartwarming cats-in-the-cradle story.  Besides, it casts Danny Devito in the perfect role, a creepy circus ringmaster.

***Questions? Comments? Who the hell is this Big Soda douchebag and what’s he doing telling me what movies to watch?? Big Soda can be reached at bigsoda@themixtapemonster.com***

UNC 2009 Highlight Video

HEELS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

THE HEELS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can’t even tell you how happy The Monster is about this. I’m an alumni and a die-hard fan and NOTHING could ruin this day. Here are a few random thoughts on the game from the Monster. I know I will leave out a ton of things, so feel free to add your insights as you see fit!

• Wayne Ellington was crucial last night! Made it Wayne to the max. I was still kind of surprised to see him get the Most Outstanding Player Award, but I am so happy for him. Rocking my Wayne jersey all day today. I take it his jersey will now be honored in the rafters for this achievement. Not retired, but honored. I’m loving that, because we all know my favorite number is 22!

 

• Ty Lawson was the best player in the Tournament. Hands down. He took shit over. Could not be stopped.

 

• Tyler Hansbrough closed out his career the only way he saw fit, as a champion. Despite all the accolades, he has always said that the reason he came to UNC, and the thing he wants most is a National Championship. I’m so glad such a hard worker, great player, and decorated Heel was able to make that happen.

 

• We jumped on MSU early, which was key to the game. I’ll admit, I was even buying into the media hype a bit on MSU and their “destiny”. I was a nervous wreck before tip. 5 minutes in, I knew we had it.

 

• Danny Green may not have been a huge factor last night, but he was a huge factor this season and should not be forgotten.

 

• MSU is a super-talented team who had a great run. The fact of the matter is the Heels were better. Living up to the highest of expectations is crazy hard, and the Heels proved the doubters wrong. Especially Seth Davis who picked MSU and picked LSU and other times for us to be upset. Where you at Seth Davis? Where you at son?!?!

 

• So glad we got Bobby Frasor and Marcus Ginyard a championship too. Now Bobby, get on that bench beside Roy and start learning to coach! Marcus will be a solid leader next year.

 

• Ed Davis was a BEAST in the post again. UNC will be NO JOKE next year with 5 All American recruits, Thompson and Davis down low, and Ginyard back. Let’s do it again boys!!

 

 

“I love my teammates. I love them so much. We just worked so hard for this. All year, we worked sooo hard. This feels so good.”

- Wayne Ellington