Army orders Caleb Campbell to withdraw from Lions, fulfill obligations

I am sure there are plenty of you who remember the story from the 2008 NFL Draft of Army safety Caleb Campbell. He was drafted to the Detroit Lions and, therefore, avoided military service due to a new rule giving those with a chance to play for a professional sports team the ability to serve their term of duty in the United States as a recruiter instead of on active duty.

Well, it should come as no suprise to you that the inspiring story has changed course.

Caleb Campbell, the Detroit Lions' seventh-round pick, will not be playing for the team this year. According to a Lions press release, the U.S. Army reversed its stance that would have allowed the safety to fulfill his military obligations in Michigan had he made the Lions' roster.

What a crock! In a time where the Army is trying to recruit new members and increase military service in this country, they do something to once again hurt their image. It is not like there are hundreds of soldiers that this affects at the present time, just one. They allowed the kid to get drafted, earn a roster spot and sign a three-year contract and then they take that all away from him?

The fact of the matter is this: Campbell is an Army guy and will never mention a word about how hurt, upset and dejected he probably is right now. That doesn’t change the fact that this is the wrong decision. If I was the Lions, I’d consider suing to get the signing bonus that I’ve already laid out back. This is wrong in every way and, unfortunately, these things aren’t even a surprise anymore. Big mistake, Army, big mistake.

Brandon Jennings: One Smart Teenager

If you haven't heard about Brandon Jennings already, let me get you up-to-date. Jennings is a recent high school graduate and the nation's top point guard who wants to play in the NBA. Unfortunately, because of a change to the league's eligibility rules in 2006, in order to do so he must be 19-years-old or one year out of high school. Like most graduating seniors, Jennings agreed to sign and play NCAA basketball for one year with Arizona before being the next "one-and-done" player and to enter the NBA draft after his one and only season is complete.

Where Jennings deviates from the path that fellow phenoms Kevin Durant (Texas), Michael Beasley (Kansas State) and O.J. Mayo (USC) have laid out is his most recent change of mind to forgo college and his scholarship to Arizona. Instead, Jennings will play professionally in Europe for his "one year out of high school" and earn about $300K doing so. Smart move, I say.

There are two issues at hand here. The first is the NBA's eligibility rule itself; the second is Jennings' decision. Below, I will briefly explain the flaws in the rule, and the genius to Jennings' move.

The Rule: Flawed is the best word I can use to describe it and there are two major flaws that prevail--age and impact. To base eligibility on age, rather than readiness, is absurd in basketball. At 18 you can serve in the Army, vote for President and are considered a legal adult, yet you can't get a job you've been working towards for years? For those that will bring up the NFL, it is a much more physical sport and while a rare high school athlete may be able to go direct, more often than not at least two full seasons of college are needed to prepare them for the physicality and nuances of the next level.

Next, impact. Playing one year in college may help the "maturing" process of some players, but it does little to help the NCAA product, the universities that take these one-and-done players or even the NBA product. It gives the athletes an extra year to get injured and possibly ruin their future without getting a dime while implying NBA team officials are not intelligent enough to draft realizing their age and possible inexperience.

The Decision: I could not support Jennings' decision any more. Aside from earning money while taking the same injury risks he would face in the NCAA game, Jennings is putting himself up against better competition. He is also in Europe for a year and, let's be honest, who wouldn't love to do that after high school? A year in college will not provide him any useful education (let's be honest, freshman year is a joke) or benefit outside of being seen on television more often. Scouts have no problem considering European players for the NBA Draft as we've seen in recent years, especially if they're American to begin with. He won't have to worry about the risks of signing with an agent, illegal benefits or any of the other baggage that comes with playing in the NCAA.

The Fix: Two points here. (1) If the NBA wants the eligibility rule to work, it needs to be two years out of high school, not one. Align it with the NFL's rule, allow the athletes to have some impact on their college programs, actually develop their skills and get a legitimate education. (2) Stop being hypocritical. A 19-year-old from Europe who has been playing professionally since he was 16 doesn't cause the fluttering of an eye, but an 18-year-old planning to forego college and play in the same league as that other player does? Give me a break. Fix the system or get rid of it.

2008 NBA Mock Draft

While I have no problem sitting here and telling you that I can do a NFL mock draft as well as any of the experts (and did this year), a NBA mock draft? Not so much. What I will do, however, is provide my mocked-up lottery selections for tonight's 2008 draft. Through sites like Sportsbook.com you can bet on these picks, so feel free to take my advice if you're a bit stuck.

Note: If the Seattle/L.A. Clippers trade goes through, expect Eric Gordon to go to the Clippers and Brook Lopez to the Sonics.

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Chicago needs two character attributes desperately on their team—leadership and speed. Rose has both along with ideal size and court vision for a point guard. They would be hard-pressed to do better in the draft, and that is not to mention getting a player from Chicago who wants nothing more than to be a member of the Bulls. The no-brainer of all no-brainers.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley, PF, Kansas State
Miami is not going to give Beasley away for free. There is enough value in him for them to gain some players they want while still getting a top draft pick. Look for them to trade down somewhere in the top five, but first they will have to make this selection.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - O.J. Mayo, SG, Southern California
While Mayo does not fill their biggest position of need, he is the third best player in this draft without question. There is a top tier and these three guys are in it. Minnesota is also considering Stanford C Brook Lopez (and will move Al Harrington to PF or trade him) but that looks doubtful.

4. "Seattle" Sonics - Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Seattle is said to be very interested in UCLA PG Russell Westbrook, Indiana SG Eric Gordon and Lopez at this slot. In the end, while they need a PG to pair with Kevin Durant, I feel they will opt for the big man to sure up the middle and help provide Durant with an inside-out game.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
There was supposed to be a trade with the New York Knicks here, but it does not look like that is going to happen. Eric Gordon is the most talented shooter left in the draft while Kevin Love is the most versatile big man. Memphis will go with one of the two here, and I think they are shying away from Love.

6. New York Knicks - Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
The Knicks need a PG to replace Stephon Marbury at year's end and defense. Westbrook satisfies both needs. GM Donnie Walsh actually wants Mayo and has been trying to trade up to No. 3 in order to get him. If that does not happen, 3-4 should be as projected here and Westbrook should fall to the Knicks. Otherwise, gasp, Danilo Gallinari or even Joe Alexander.

7. Los Angeles Clippers - Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona
Mark it down now: the Clippers are taking a PG. It just depends who is available.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
Scott Skiles likes him and Alexander has been one of the easiest calls of the whole draft. He's tough, high-energy and knows Manderin so he can converse and be friends with Yi. Alexander is a bit rough around the edges but should work well in Milwaukee.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
If the draft plays out as I've laid it out, Charlotte will be happy because one of the most talented and fundamentally sound players will fall into their lap. Larry Brown will be pacing until he is available and ecstatic that they grab a player with an old school mindset and drive.

10. New Jersey Nets - Danilo Gallinari, SF, Armani Milan (Italy)
If the Knicks pass on Gallinari, rumor has it he still has a guarantee to be drafted in the top ten. Is it from the Nets? Maybe. Could it be from another team with a deal in place to trade up (cough, Portland, cough)? More likely. Especially if they can get a PG in Jarrett Jack in return.

11. Indiana Pacers - Anthony Randolph, SF, LSU
After trading Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana wants to replace him in the middle. They are said to be looking at Randolph and Kosta Koufos. With Texas PG D.J. Augustin still available, they have a tough decision to make. Nevertheless, I see them going with Randolph here.

12. Sacramento Kings - D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
Augustin won't have to wait too long. He still gets drafted in the lottery and for good reason; right now he is the best and most ready PG in the draft. The only negative is his height.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
95% chance Portland trades out of this pick; they really want to move up for Augustin, Randolph or Gallinari. If they don't trade and the three aforementioned are gone, it is Rush in a heart beat. The Blazers will be able to contend next year and Rush is a defender and shooter.

14. Golden State Warriors - Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Some has Koufos off the board already, I do not. If he's gone, look for the Warriors to take Robin Lopez or Donte' Greene. Greene is the most talented, Koufos and Lopez fill a need for size and offense.

As for the rest, tune in to ESPN at 7:00 p.m. See you back here tomorrow! Feel free to leave comments or questions below!

The Caleb Campbell Story

To honor Memorial Day this year, I wanted to take a look back at the 2008 NFL Draft in April and the roller coaster ride it was for one student, former Army now Detroit Lions safety Caleb Campbell.

Campbell was in the unique position to take advantage of a new Army rule allowing those with a chance to play for a professional sports team to serve their term of duty in the United States as a recruiter instead of oversees in active duty. Please take a look at the story below on both a factual and opinionated basis.

My favorite storyline of the 2008 NFL Draft - Caleb Campbell.

Caleb Campbell story from the eyes of an Iraq War veteran.

Rose Garden?

Tonight, before the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals, the NBA’s non-playoff teams are in for a little excitement of their own with the NBA Draft Lottery at 7:30 p.m. in Secaucus, New Jersey. And no team has more at stake than the New York Knicks.

With the fifth most chances (76 / 1000), the Knicks certainly do not look poised to receive the No. 1 overall pick. At this point, most columnists would delve 23 years ago into the first Lottery in 1985 with the selection of Patrick Ewing and the supposed “frozen envelope.” Didn’t happen—get over it.

But if the Knicks get lucky and do receive the No. 1 selection, a franchise turn around will seem more feasible than ever. No, there is not a LeBron James or Michael Jordan sitting at No. 1, but there is Memphis point guard Derrick Rose. For a team that hasn’t had a first round selection the last two seasons because of a (standard) horrible Isiah Thomas trade with the Chicago Bulls, Rose would be the perfect catalyst to re-invigorate the team and fan base.

Rose has more than talent. He is the absolute perfect fit for new Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni’s run-and-gun scheme. I promise you this, if the Knicks win the Lottery tonight, D’Antoni (who is representing the team) will slam the table with excitement harder than Dave DeBusschere once did.

In case you don’t believe me, here is some proof of how the Knicks organization feels about rose.

"I just haven't seen too many guys with that kind of explosion from the point-guard position," GM Donnie Walsh told the New York Post yesterday about Rose. "It's the kind you rarely see."

"There's guys who are going to be very good point guards in this league," Walsh said. "Derrick Rose instinctively is a good point guard. There's not one as obvious as Rose but they can develop into really good point guards. Our job is to find which is the one."

D’Antoni has told those close to him that he thinks Rose can be the next Steve Nash. He told the New York Post that Rose is “Jason Kidd with a shot.” That is pretty high praise from a guy that knows his point guards like Charles Barkley knows the hard-six.

With a 16 percent chance of receiving a top two pick, the Knicks would likely trade up to No. 1 if they were concerned the team in front of them would pick Rose over Kansas State PF Michael Beasley. Most important for the franchise is that they are not unlucky and fall out of their natural No. 5 spot. At No. 5, the Knicks would still be in position to try their hand at O.J. Mayo, Jerryd Bayless and Eric Gorden—combo guards that could be converted to the point. If they fell, they’d be looking at Texas PG D.J. Augustin.

Oh, by the way, Jay-Z will be representing the New Jersey Nets at the Lottery. Just thought I’d throw that out there.