John Clay's Sidelines

Ex-UK star and current Milwaukee Bucks rookie Jodie Meeks was among the top 10 performers in the recently-completed NBA Summer League, so says nbadraft.net.

The site ranked overall top pick Blake Griffin as the best player in the league, followed by another Milwaukee Bucks rookie, guard Brandon Jennings. Houston Rockets’ rookie Chase Budinger ranked third.

Meeks was ranked ninth.

You can read the rest of the list here.

As for its analysis of Meeks, here’s an excerpt:

The Bucks quickly signed 2nd round draft pick Meeks, and his performance in Vegas showed us the reason. Meeks scored 19.0 ppg on 55.7% shooting. The Bucks traded away Richard Jefferson before the draft happened and opened up some minutes on the wing. If Meeks can continue to score at the pace he did in college and again in Vegas during the summer league, there may be an opportunity for Meeks to step right in and contribute.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman reports that UK is in the mix for four top point guards.
• Herald-Leader’s Mark Story on 10 things to ponder as football looms.
• H-L’s Chip Cosby blogs that it’s football time.
• H-L report on UK’s Megan Broderick winning at Fifth Third Tennis tournament.
• Steve Moss at WKYT writes on former UK baseball star Michael Bertram, who is living his dream.
• The Courier-Journal’s Brett Dawson on what John Calipari really thinks of Louisville.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling reports that Mychal Parker is interested in UK.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Patrick Patterson will be UK’s leader.
• Kentucky Sports Radio says Josh Selby is the newest “it” name.
• At A Sea of Blue, Ken Howlett writes on Josh Selby.
• And Truzenzuzex at A Sea of Blue writes that John Calipari, the Godfather, made Selby an offer he could not refuse.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK in mix for several point guards’

(David Coyle photography)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on top hoops prospect Josh Selby, who has de-comitted from Tennessee and could be headed to Kentucky.
• At CBS Sportsline, Gary Parrish reports that Nike schools Kentucky and Oregon could be in line for Selby’s services, thanks to the William Wesley connection.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free-Press writes on Selby giving Tennessee the slip.
• Kentucky Sports Radio says that Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman says that UK is the strong leader for Selby.
• Bleacher Report gives Jodie Meeks’ summer-league play an A grade.
• In the Courier-Journal, Rick Bozich writes that UK will have a tough time gathering six victories.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Having rejected UT, could Selby be headed for UK?’

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that ex-UK commitment Vinny Zollo is weighing his options at summer camp.
• Courier-Journal columnist Rick Bozich writes that there are two sides to every basketball.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling gives a ItTakes5ive Classic recap.
• Demling also reports that Hoop Scoop has UK’s 2009 recruiting class No. 2 behind Marquette.
• Tom Leach says it’s a big month for John Calipari.
• CBS Sportline’s Gary Parrish thinks Brandon Knight will end up at Kentucky.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Hoop Scoop puts UK class at No. 2′

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Herald-Leader’s Chip Cosby reports on Mike Hartline, who says he is the guy at quarterback for UK.
• Cosby also reports that UK is in no hurry with football recruiting.
• The Gainesville Sun ranks Micah Johnson as the 18th best player in the SEC.
• H-L sports columnist Mark Story writes on Valerie Still’s financial troubles.
• With Darius Miller, USA Under 19 team stays perfect at world championships.
• The Oklahoman reports on ex-Wildcat Matt Pilgrim’s decision to transfer to Oklahoma State.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger wonders if Patrick Patterson can improve his draft status.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Jodie Meeks has no regrets.
• Jody Demling of the C-J says it’s time to start the camp countdown.
• Bluegrass State Basketball offers some summer league previews.

Ok, now here are seven players who were taken this decade after the 41st selection in the NBA Draft:

Here’s a chart of the last 10 players taken at No. 41 in the NBA Draft:

An on-line poll on the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel website appears to indicate that Bucks’ fans are pleased with the selections of Brandon Jennings (first round) and UK’s Jodie Meeks (second round).

At 2:20, I checked and it was running 68-32 in favor of the picks.

Over 3,400 had voted.

Here’s the link.

And here’s the Bucks’ roster:

Joe Alexander F 6-8 230 12/26/1986 West Virginia 1
Malik Allen F 6-10 255 06/27/1978 Villanova 8
Charlie Bell G 6-3 200 03/12/1979 Michigan State 5
Keith Bogans G-F 6-5 215 05/12/1980 Kentucky 6
Andrew Bogut C 7-0 260 11/28/1984 Utah 4
Bruce Bowen F 6-7 200 06/14/1971 Cal State Fullerton 12
Francisco Elson C-F 7-0 235 02/28/1976 California 6
Dan Gadzuric C 6-11 245 02/02/1978 UCLA 7
Brandon Jennings ** G 6-1 169 09/23/1989 R
Amir Johnson F 6-9 210 05/01/1987 Westchester HS (Los Angeles, CA) 3
Damon Jones G 6-3 195 08/25/1976 Houston 11
Luc Mbah a Moute F 6-8 230 09/09/1986 UCLA 1
Jodie Meeks ** G 6-4 208 08/21/1987 Kentucky R
Michael Redd G 6-6 215 08/24/1979 Ohio State 9
Luke Ridnour G 6-2 175 02/13/1981 Oregon 6
Ramon Sessions G 6-3 190 04/11/1986 Nevada-Reno 2
Salim Stoudamire G 6-1 175 10/11/1982 Arizona 3
Kurt Thomas F 6-9 235 10/04/1972 Texas Christian 13
Charlie Villanueva F 6-11 232 08/24/1984 Connecticut

Jodie Meeks

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• James Pennington of the Herald-Leader reports on Jodie Meeks going to Milwaukee as the 41st pick in the NBA draft.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L reports on UK picking up a tight end transfer from Colorado.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Ryan Wallace is glad to be joining UK.
• Charles Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes on the Bucks taking Meeks.
• Bucks Diary compares Meeks to Shaun Respert.
• The Journal-Times writes on Milwaukee’s selection of Meeks.
• Inner Circle looks at the Meeks decision now.
• A Sea of Blue has four critical questions for UK basketball in 2009-10.
• ESPN reports that Rajon Rondo’s agent has fired back at Danny Ainge.
• Bluegrass State Basketball writes on Doron Lamb.
• Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal writes on ex-Cards honoring the late Marvin Stone, who also played at UK.

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald talks to Danny Ainge about those Rajon Rondo trade rumors.
• Marc Spears of the Boston Globe reports that several scouts say the Celtics have been shopping Rondo.
• USA Today picks up on the Rajon Rondo rumors.
• The Sporting News blog says the trade reports make little sense.
• At Boston.com, Chad Finn wants to know if it’s deal or no deal.
• Frank Delll’Apa of the Boston Globe writes that Ainge is dealing in reality.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Larry Conley, who doesn’t see UK as a top 10 team without Jodie Meeks.
• The Desert News reports that Meeks worked out for the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
• Cat Scratches reports that ESPN’s Doug Gottlieb is speculating that Meeks could go in the first round to the Lakers.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal writes on former UK commitment Dominique Ferguson.
• Bluegrass State Basketball wonders if there might be a Chinese shooting guard who could replace Meeks.