NBA Draft and Summer Soccer--Let the Excitement Begin

NBA Draft Combine 

The NBA held its annual draft combine showcasing the future stars of the hardwood. Projected number 1 draft pick Kyrie Irving decided to not participate in the festivities. A lot of people within the NBA society figured Kyrie should have participated because he had nothing to lose by partaking in the workouts.  I saw a lot of talented prospects at the workout, but there were a few that truly caught my eye. Enes Kanter from Turkey really showed great footwork, and has a great developing low post game. Enes Kanter was suppose to control the paint for The University of Kentucky this year, but was ruled ineligible by The NCAA. He also showed a great outside stroke which can aid him at the next level.

            I was also impressed with forward Tray Tompkins out of Georgia. A lot of NBA scouts are down on him, but I can see him as a young right handed Zach Randolph at the next level.  He doesn’t have excellent athletic ability, but he has a ready NBA body, and he has an excellent basketball IQ. The morris brothers Marcus and Markief were also impressive, but may not be stars at the next level. They both are willing to listen to instructors, and both yearn to make their own names in the NBA. Brigham Young star guard Jimmer Fredette will have to learn how to play defense because he lacks basic defensive skills, and that will hurt him transforming on to the next level. Guards in the NBA are super athletic, and you have to be able to keep them in front of you. Jimmer has a mediocre offensive game, and I just don’t see him as a legitimate NBA player. I will make my evaluations on Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, and Kemba Walker on the next episode of NateRey Sports. 

Summer Soccer

Soccer season is coming to an end in Europe, but that does not necessarily mean the excitement ends here. There are two major international tournaments approaching in the months of June and July. Our beloved United States will be hosting the CONCACAF Gold Cup which will have teams from Central and North America play it out for the title throughout the month of June. Two years ago, Mexico defeated the United States 5-0 in the Gold Cup final to lift the trophy here in the US. The US will not only look to avenge that loss but to lift the trophy once again on home soil.

The next tournament will be the Copa America where nations from South America will come together to play for the title in Argentina. The home side is automatically considered a favorite along with Brazil being that they are the two most successful Southern American nations in history. This tournament was last won by Brazil 3-0 against Argentina in Venezuela. The two guest teams outside the continent will be usual participants Mexico and Costa Rica will be replacing Japan due to their natural disaster situation.

Also, Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid will be participating in the 2011 Soccer World Tour by visiting the United States to play the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 16^th in Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Union in Philadelphia on July 23^rd. Real Madrid will look to see what their new transfers could add to their team before their 2011-2012 Spanish La Liga season commences. The two new transfers they made are Nuri Sahin from Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and Hamit Altintop from Bayern Munich also of Germany. The two players become the two first ever Turkish international players to join the Madrid powerhouse. This past season Mesut Ozil also of Turkish descent joined Madrid however he has chosen to play for Germany instead. Like Sahin and Altintop, he was born and raised in Germany but he choose to pledge his allegiance to the country of his birth.

The MLS All-Star game will take place at RedBull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey between the MLS All-stars and the Manchester United of England who have just won the English Premier League and await to face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final. A year ago Manchester United humbled the all-stars 4-1 after tying 1-1 with the Philadelphia Union. The all-stars look to avenge that disappointing result on July 27^th when they meet again.

Major League Soccer is still going strong with the Philadelphia Union leading the Eastern Conference by 1 point ahead of the New York RedBulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy clear in the Western Conference by 6.

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