No one was more fun to watch in college basketball last season than Kentucky freshman point guard John Wall.

Let’s take a look at the first five picks of Thursday’s 2010 NBA Draft and see what they bring to the table.

1. Washington Wizards – John Wall (6-4, PG, Kentucky).
Strengths: Gifted athete, playmaker and brings size to PG position. Weaknesses: Needs to improve FT (Shot 75.4 percent at Kentucky), inexperience.
Impact on Wizards: Not only will he bring fans to the arena, Wall gives Washington a player they can immediately build around and put past troubles with the franchise.

2. Philadelphia 76ers – Evan Turner (6-7, SG/SF, Ohio State).
Strengths: Clutch, seasoned (played three years in college) and shoots a  high percentage  (shot 51.9 percent from the field last season). Weaknesses: Turnover prone and not as explosive around the rim in terms of finishing in traffic.
Impact on 76ers: Will have to play small forward, but teaming up with Andre Iguodala will give the 76ers two very good perimeter defenders. Has a very competitive edge, which Philadelphia has lacked in recent years.

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Memphis rookie center Hasheem Thabeet (smiling) is probably not too happy in the D-League right now.

I was watching ESPN’s Around The Horn and the panel debated the idea of the Memphis Grizzlies sending down their 7-foot-3 rookie center, Hasheem Thabeet, to the Dakota Wizards.

Pretty interesting stuff.

Denver Post columnist Woody Paige made the most open statement by saying, “Oh I’m gearing up to watch the Erie BayHawks and Dakota Wizards” in a very sarcastic manner. Remember Thabeet was the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, but has been a bust up to this point.

Then on PTI (Pardon The Interruption), Michael Wilbon and guest Dan Le Batard talked about it.

Even more interesting.

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Overall, I wasn’t impressed.

Maybe because I put so much faith in the Slam Dunk Contest, but NBA All-Star Weekend wasn’t all that this year. Especially the Slam Dunk Contest.

Shannon Brown let me down. Big time.

Now just because it all took place in the new ginormous Cowboys Stadium with the Hulk-Size HD Flat Screen doesn’t make it the greatest show on earth. However, having 109,000 people – the largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game – at Sunday’s All-Star game was impressive.

I know. I sound like a hater.

I’m not. Just wanted more.

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“He’s extremely passionate. When I go to games, I just love to watch him and his intensity and that’s obviously one of the characteristics of his team.” – Pitt baseball coach Joe Jordano on Pitt basketball coach Jamie Dixon.

Jamie Dixon won national coach of the year honors in leading Pitt to a school-record 31 wins.

Jamie Dixon can relax, too.

On Tuesday, I caught with the Pittsburgh head coach after he had played golf in Erie in conjunction with an Pittsburgh alumni banquet.

“It was good to be with (Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson) and (Pitt baseball coach and Erie native, Joe Jordano),” Dixon said Tuesday. “I’m not a big golfer. I do a few outings when I feel they’re necessary (smiling).”

In today’s Erie Times-News, I mainly wrote about what he had to said about college coaches having to pass a recruiting test before being allowed to recruit. Very interesting stuff, but Dixon and I also talked about DeJuan Blair leaving early for the NBA draft, coaching the 19-under national team and much more.

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Pittsburgh. Oklahoma. Louisville. Washington.

Sam Young (23) and the Panthers will win it all (if DeJuan Blair can stay out of foul trouble).

Ya’ll know me.

I just go by gut feeling on these picks.

So as much as I think North Carolina has the most talent of any team in the country, just unsure about Ty Lawson’s injury. If he was healthy, I’d have the Tar Heels winning it all

As far as picking Pittsburgh to win it all, it’s just time for the Panthers to cash in on all the talent they have. It all hinges on their big man, DeJuan Blair. If he stays out of foul trouble, Pitt will cut down the nets at the Final Four in Detroit.

If not, the Panthers will fold, early.

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