Jerel McNeal: The second round pick who could steal hearts and minds...

Now, in the search for making a series? I found something out. There’s not much for the two guard. Really. I mentioned Jack McClinton. And I believe he’s going to be good.

But you know what? Jerel McNeal will be great. He will be drafted in the second round, and he will have seasons where, at the very least, Free Darko will sing his praises.

Why? I will break it down simply. Succintly.

1) His game is all-around golden.

Let me tell you what Jerel McNeal needs to work on. Off-ball defense. That’s it. Anything else is nitpicking. He hits the three, with a solid mid-range game. He passes well for a two-guard. He locks down his man. You want more?

2) The steal/foul didatic.

In a way? The steal is kind of like the NBA’s version of the strike zone. Or the stolen base. Look. It’s nice to have a guy who can get three steals per game. But if they get in foul trouble? They’re as useless as Alvin Robertson.

Jerel McNeal went from a freshman that gambled entirely too much to a senior who, while he does not have a red number under his fouls committed on Kenpom.com, has become at the very least competent at avoiding foul trouble because he gets too grabby.

3) Intangibles.

You want a college basketball player with a motor. Someone who can’t get fired up when he’s doing it for free will be even more of a dog when he turns pro. You have a 6′3″ two-guard who’s had to defend some of the best in basketball and developed a reputation as a stopper. You have a 6′3″ two-guard who’s just started to create his own shot with a general aplomb.

Put it this way. If he was 6′6″, he’d be threating to kiss the lottery. If he was 6′6″? He would not shock the world. But people are going to sleep on Jerel McNeal.

But I’m not. He’s going to win.

We Love Redemption In Sports...

We do. Comebacks are freaking awesome. And as Carlos Pena and Steve Stricker will tell you, people will force the issue to donate redemption to the masses. But the question is, who should we be looking at for a shot at redemption in 2008-2009?

1) Shaun Livingston...Free Agent Point Guard

Why? It may be something more for 2010-2011, but here's the thing. The teams in the market for a Point Guard are few and far between. But one of them is Phoenix. And we all know that Robert Sarver is an owner that's piledriving a team of excellence and turning it to shit. But here's the thing. If they sign Livingston? They get a point guard that's still not 23 yet.

Also? He will learn at the feet of a great point guard of the 80's and the best point guard of this decade. Sure, he's still an unknown entity. But his distributional skills haven't disappeared. He goes to Phoenix, he can become a top prospect again.

2) Ryan Perriloux (QB) Jacksonville State

Now, I know that he has had adventures in stupidity on the Bayou. But he's not the first, and he won't be the last. And here he is at a crossroads. His physical gifts are spectacular. He is a mobile quarterback who had success in the greatest conference of all time.

I'm not saying this as a dig on the Ohio Valley Conference, but the fact is, he's got a shot to be Randy Moss. His gifts are dynamic, and if he doesn't fuck around? He'll be in an NFL Camp. If not?

Met Reggie McNeal 2.0.

I'm sure you can think of other athletes with a shot at redemption. If you are so inclined, I'll be happy to hear who you got with a chance to be the next Josh Hamilton.