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Kansas forward Thomas Robinson and Baylor forward Perry Jones III each declared for the NBA Draft on Monday, according to reports by the Associated Press, which means that this class could rank among the best in recent memory.

Some of the underclassmen who have already declared are UNC forward Harrison Barnes, St. John’s forward Moe Harkless, Illinois center Meyers Leonard, Syracuse center Fab Melo, Mississippi St. big man Arnett Moultrie, Duke combo guard Austin Rivers, Ohio State power forward Jared Sullinger, Georgetown small forward Hollis Thompson, Syracuse shooting guard Dion Waiters and Washington’s Tony Wroten. The addition of Robinson and Jones take an already strong group to another level. And this group doesn’t yet include the Kentucky trio of Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Terrence Jones or UConn’s Andre Drummond

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Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown is finally in the mix at SMU, and it’s serious, according to a source.

Brown, 71, said weeks ago that he would be interested in the job and is eager to get back into coaching after SportsDay first reported Brown’s interest in SMU, according to sources.

Meanwhile, SMU athletic director Steve Orsini went after an array of successful sitting head coaches such as Marquette’s Buzz Williams and Long Beach State’s Dan Monson, and struck out. With pressure building to make a hire a month after Matt Doherty was fired, SMU is also believed to also have interest in Marquette assistant Tony Benford.

via Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News

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HOOPSWORLD Publisher Steve Kyler will hold his weekly chat at 10:30am EST on Thursdays. Drop in your questions regarding NBA trades, the NBA Draft, roster moves or questions about your team.

lawson

what 5 teams do you see mr kyler being the best potential trade partners with a building sacramento kings team an why?(jimmer,brooks,outlaw,salmons,garcia)with theese 5 being only trade assets kings willing to use via trade.

Steve Kyler

Welcome in everyone… hope the off-season is treating you well… for those keeping track at home we have 57 days until teams start opening for training camp so there is a little down time, but the season is right around the corner. Lots of questions to get to and by rule I always answer the first question in the system so here we go…

Whats with the forced Essay question?…

I am not sure there are five teams that would want what the Kings are willing to trade. Clearly the Cavs with almost $14 million in space are a good place to star because they can take back dollars, but the truth of it is that the Kings feel like they are an emerging team not rebuilding. I do think at some point they have to cash in some of their duplication, just not sold there is a team out there now willing to do that. Once the season starts and the haves start outweighing the have nots, I think things could change, but I don’t expect a mass change in Sacramento. This is who you have.

AJ

Seems like more international players coming over then ever. Hard question, but off the bat what order would you rank the incoming international rookies (Claver, De Colo, Freeland, Kratsov, Motiejunas, Prigioni, Schved, Shengelia Teletovic, Valanciunas, perhaps others I’m forgetting)? Possible article idea?

Steve Kyler

The cause is simple… not nearly the economy aboard to support sports like we have seen in the past so guys are coming for the money.

As for ranking them… thats tough. The style of play in International basketball is so different. The role guys play aboard is not what they will they will play in the NBA.

Take Rubio… he was AWFUL his last year aboard and a stud in the NBA… Rudy Fernandez is an international stud, but can’t get in the game in the NBA.

if I had to rank them now…

Valanciunas
Mirza Teletovic
Motiejunas
Alexey Shved
Victor Claver
Nando De Colo
Joel Freeland
Pablo Prigioni
Vyacheslav Kravtsov
Tornike Shengelia

But I honestly think their true value will be based on what their teams let them do. Prigioni and Shengelia are solid players… they just may not see the floor much. Where Jonas will see mountains of minutes.

Kevin Owens

Why do so many athletes have suspended licenses? That’s just so strange to me.

Steve Kyler

They don’t live in a world where they have to keep track of that. They travel constantly and others manage the mundane details for them. It would be interesting to see how many late fees on bills and credit cards that NBA players amass in a year. Its just not something they have to keep track of.

Frank

If you were guessing…who’d be the starting PG for the KINGS, Isaiah T. or A. Brooks? Thanks.

Steve Kyler

They told Isaiah that he would be when they signed Brooks… but I just can’t see that. I am sure they will say its a “battle it out in training camp” thing, but I am not sold.

Alvin Abcede

From Manny Pacquiao Land

Miami Heat will be ?

Steve Kyler

If healthy… how can they not be the top team in the east and the favorite to repeat?

Shad

D-Favors is ready for big minutes in the Jazz’s starting lineup?

Steve Kyler

Not sure I am there on that… but OK… thats what we do in the off-season. I think he has to come into camp believing that. He isn’t always the most confident guy in the room.

JJ of Blueberry Bay

The great point guard mix and match of 2012. Who will be the most successful in their new digs between Lowry,Dragic and Lin?

Steve Kyler

Lowry is the better all-around player of the bunch and he has a better supporting cast.

That said I like Dragic and Lin’s situations… they both will get tons of minutes as the unquestioned starter.

Ncola

1. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that boozer is amnestied next offseason?

2. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that mirotic joins the bulls next offseason?

3. I always wanted my bulls to get iggy,Tyreke,or ellis. So, say boozer is amnestied next offseason, who is the most likeliest to joun the bulls? Who is the best fit?

4. Who do u think the bulls will TRY to pick up
Next offseason?

I know most of the questions face the bulls future, but try ur hardest. Thanks!

Steve Kyler

1. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that boozer is amnestied next offseason?
— Not sure we are there yet… Its an option, but there may be trades to make rather than paying Boozer to play against you.

2. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that mirotic joins the bulls next offseason?
— Not sure its next year because of his super huge buyout… its possible.

3. I always wanted my bulls to get iggy,Tyreke,or ellis. So, say boozer is amnestied next offseason, who is the most likeliest to joun the bulls? Who is the best fit?
— too many ifs and buts in that equation… I’d say none of them. Luol and Iggy are awfully similar… Tyerek needs the ball too much and Ellis doesn’t play defense.

4. Who do u think the bulls will TRY to pick up. Next offseason?
— I am not at all focused on July 2013… we just got finished with July 2012… I am more focused on training camp.

Kart

Who are the most dominate players at each position in NBA history? Not the best, just the hardest to guard.

Steve Kyler

Haven’t given the concept any thought.

So when I answer things like this without thinking about it, I get “your crazy for not including this guy” comments… so with about 16 seconds of thought…

PG – Iverson… Nash… Magic Johnson
SG – Michael Jordan… Kobe Bryant
SF – Oscar Robertson… LeBron James
PF – Karl Malone… Kevin Garnett
C – Wilt… Hakeem… Shaq

beers and beef jerky

Hi steve, do u feel like even tho theres a cool story out there people are not paying attention or bored cause the buttom line is everyone wants to know where the elephant will play next season right? Its unfair for other stories cause almost everything is taken forgranted. Now forreal i wish orlando stop the nightmare and make a MAN’s decision. They owe this to their fans….. If there’s still any of them left.

Steve Kyler

I have maintained the same position on Dwight from the jump… The Magic have to make a deal thats right for them. Not their fans. Not the media… if they botch this, they set the franchise back a decade.

I am not moving the best guy at his position until I get everything I want… if that happens tomorrow, we’ll do a deal… but until I get EXACTLY what I want, he’s staying on the roster. That’s how Orlando has to play this.

If you think you are sick of this story… trust me the Magic are as sick as anyone… but they still have to be smart about the deal they make and it has to be on their terms, because once you trade him he’s gone and you can’t have a bucket of junk to show for it.

tamaraw

Lang said in his chat that gArenas is done. His knee injury is serious. Do u agree? Where do u see barbosa and jermaine o playing? Lastly sir, who would u want as a back up pg, sBlake or duhon? Macri wants duhon, LAng took blake. whats your opinion?

Steve Kyler

I have not heard anything about Gil, but i can say Memphis is often where former stars land before falling out of the league… Gil shots 40% from the field and simply did not matter. Not sure a team is bringing him in for guaranteed money.

Where do u see barbosa and jermaine o playing? — not sure either have a deal yet. LB wants a real deal, so there are not many teams with cash left. On JO. Not sure he has a market yet. I think he’ll be somewhere, just not sure I see where yet.

As far as the backup point guard question… in what context?… just as a player?… Blake.

pacquiao punch

Steve please explain to me how eric gordon got max and mayo got ehhh , so mayo is more creative offensively and can handle better than gordon. Gordon’s edge is his percentage. But mayo got better health. I say gordon with his max is fools gold. Should only be a 7 to 9 m guy. Do u think he is the next joe jhonson? And if i could ask one more, would the celtics ,nets,hawks sign kenyon mart??? Thanks bro! Oh yah i saw u on nba tv haha!

Steve Kyler

Gordon got Max because Phoenix offered it to him… this is a market economy. Phoenix wanted him, and offered max… Dallas set the price on OJ and he took their deal.

Not sure what to make of the haha on the NBATV thing, but thanks if its a compliment.

Kevin

David Lee recently said that the statement Kupchak made of them discussing a contract extension was incorrect! This might mean their getting frustrated w/ the Lakers approach. So, if you’re the Lakers, how long do u deal with the Orlando Circus and focus on your own team and instilling a little confidence in your young (sometimes childish) center by insuring to him that you believe in him and he will be you future centerpiece of the organization! They can’t continue to say to him