Thunder get steal of draft?

I know my beloved Boston Celtics made out very well in the recently completed 2012 NBA Draft by nabbing lottery-caliber forward Jared Sullinger and 7-foot center Fab Meo out of Syracuse, but I believe that it is the Oklahoma City Thunder that may have gotten the steal of the NBA Draft when they nabbed 6-foot-11 forward Perry Jones III out of Baylor with the 28th pick in the draft.

Jones, was considered a top-five kind of player and possible selection for the first overall pick – until he was red flagged along with Sullinger at the NBA combine by doctors who spotted a potential problem with Jones’ knees.

"Everybody knows that I wasn't supposed to slide as far as I did but, to be honest, I'm happy I did. This is a great organization. I mean, it's the perfect spot," Jones said after holding up his new No. 3 jersey, signifying the suffix on his name.

"I think everything happens for a reason and these guys treat me like family, so I'm more excited to be here than anything."

Call me crazy, but I’m thinking the Oklahoma City Thunder just got another weapon for their already formidable, but still blossoming, assemblage.

‘Sheed’ To La La Land?

Rasheed Wallace

Sweet-shooting big man Rasheed Wallace is apparently itching to get back in the NBA after retiring following the 2010 NBA Finals. The former Celtics forward apparently plans on joining Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to CSNNE.com, Wallace is in the best shape he’s been in for ages.

What are your thoughts on Rasheed Wallace and his imminent return to the NBA? Sound off in the comments section and have a great, sports-filled day!

Miami Vice .. Cole is Steal of the 2011 NBA Draft!

God, I hate the thought of even having to write the words, since I dislike the Miami Heat so much, but as usual, I’ve got to keep it real for my Eye On Sports faithful followers  by saying that Miami got the steal of the 2011 NBA Draft when they acquired 6-2 combo guard Norris Cole out of Cleveland State through a series of draft night deals.

Cole was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round with the 28th overall pick out of but his rights were eventually traded to the MinnesotaTimberwolves, who then turned around and foolishly dealt him to the Heat (stupid).

Not only is Cole the first player in Horizon League basketball history to be named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, but the multi-faceted floor leader also was an AP All-America Honorable Mention this past season and a finalist for both, the Wooden Award and Bob Cousy Award.

Cole, who averaged 21.7 points per game as a senior, can do it all from putting the ball in the hole to dishing it out like a veteran point guard.

The clearly gifted and mature-beyond-his-years combo guard is fourth on the team in scoring by averaging an eye-opening 12.0 points per game while dishing out 3.6 assists per contest and shooting a blistering 50.0 percent from the field.

In Miami’s home opener against the BostonCeltics, Cole ‘went off’ in the game’s final period after Boston put on a furious comeback. The seriously underrated (not anymore) Cole torched the veteran, defensive-minded Celtics by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 20 points, four assists, four rebounds, and three steals.