Jan 14, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) and shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) react against the Orlando Magic during the second half at the Verizon Center. The Wizards defeated the Magic 120 – 91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

From the day that John Wall announced his commitment to the University of Kentucky, the world knew that he would be a “one and done” player. And Kentucky fans embraced him for his one year as he (along with John Calipari) ushered in the reemergence of Kentucky basketball to the public spotlight. Wall helped lead his team from the NIT to the Elite Eight and Kentucky fans still embrace Wall as “one of our own”.

But what if John Wall would have stayed at Kentucky?

No doubt, he would helped hang at least one banner at UK, but could he have been a true leader on the court and helped to mold other new “one and done” superstars to the team?  Could he have played the Darius Miller role and been the true mentor?

Well, time flies and this upcoming NBA Draft would be Wall’s rookie draft had he stayed all four years.  Wall now has three years under his belt in the NBA and is coming off a season where he posted a career high in points, FG shooting, FT shooting, and A/TO ratio.  Wall is coming into his own as a player and ironically enough, is now charged with being the leader for the other one and done players.

Last year, the Wizards selected Florida guard Bradley Beal.  IF you watched any Wizards’s games, it was apparent that Beal was much better with Wall on the court than not.  And now, with the Wizards holding the number three pick in the draft, there may be another one and doner coming to the nation’s capitol.  And it appears that Wall is involved with Washington management, offering his input on who the Wizards select with the pick and it appears Wall wants his team to draft a “stretch four” to the roster:

As I mentioned before, John Wall has spoken to Wizards management in the past about specific additions to the team, but this isn’t the first time he has mentioned adding a “stretch 4″ to the roster. In exit interviews to close out the season, both John Wall, Bradley Beal and head coach Randy Wittman didn’t seem too excited about adding more rookies to the club, but their stance on the situation has chanced, since the Wizards moved up to the third slot during the NBA Draft Lottery.

As of right now, that player may be Georgetown’s Otto Porter.  Technically, Porter is a “two and done”.  If the Wizards select him though, it will be interesting to see how Wall reaches out to him and mentors him now that he has his feet wet as a NBA veteran.

Apr 11, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards player John Wall throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Chicago White Sox at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Soon, Nerlens Noel could become John Calipari’s third player at Kentucky that has been drafted as the number one pick overall. Besides that, Calipari has produced enough NBA players in four years to stock a NBA team. That’s all good, but the real question is how many of these players will be stars in the NBA in five years? Or who will be the best?

I admit, I have to give credit where credit is due. Today’s post is inspired by a tweet that was sent out by the great Tom Leach:

show topic for @leachreport 2day:10 yrs from now, who will we say is the best NBA player out of the Calipari-era guys there now?

— Tom Leach (@tomleachKY) May 31, 2013

We have plenty of players to choose from, but who will be the best former Wildcat in 2020?  Let’s look at the contenders and what they did in the past NBA season.

• John Wall – 18.5 ppg, 7.6 apg, 4.0 rpg
• DeMarcus Cousins – 17.1 ppg, 9.9 rpb, 1.44 spg
• Eric Bledsoe – 6.5 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.5 rpg
• Brandon Knight – 13.3 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 rpg
• Anthony Davis – 13.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.75 bpg
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – 9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.2 apg
• Terrence Jones – 5.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg
• Nerlens Noel – ???

Apr. 15, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) shoots a free throw against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Charlotte Bobcats (20-61) 106 - New York Nicks (53-28) 95

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist-Forward-Charlotte

The Bobcats finished last season having the league worst record finishing at 7-59. They are trying to not repeat that as they have one more game to play. Orlando has the same record and also has 1 game left. Depending on who wins or losses, that may well decide who is the worst team in the league. MKG had a quite night as he finished with just 8 points with 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.

Chicago Bulls (44-37) 102 – Orlando Magic (20-61) 84

Nazr Mohammed-Center-Chicago

Doron Lamb-Guard-Orlando

As I stated above, with Orlando losing last night they tie Charlotte with the leagues worst record. They have 1 game left, so it is a race to see which team will be the leagues worst. Nazr Mohammed only played 2 minutes with 0 points and 1 rebound. Doron Lamb had 9 points and 1 assist.

Washington Wizards (29-52) 101 – Brooklyn Nets (48-33) 106

John Wall-Guard-Washington

Washington took an early 17 point lead but couldn’t hold off the Nets. John Wall had 18 points with 6 rebounds, 12 assists and 3 steals.

Detroit Pistons (29-52) 106 – Philadelphia 76ers (33-48) 101

Brandon Knight-Guard-Detroit

Even though they won’t make it to the playoffs, Detroit seems to be on the up-tick as they have won their last 4 games. Brandon Knight had 12 points with 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.

Memphis Grizzlies (55-28) 103 – Dallas Mavericks (40-41) 97

Tayshaun Prince-Forward-Memphis

Memphis stayed behind the whole first half but in the 3rd quarter they went on a 17-4 run and never looked back. Tayshaun Prince finished the game with 12 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist.

Oklahoma City Thunder (60-21) 104 – Sacramento Kings (28-53) 95

Demarcus Cousins-Center-Sacramento

Patrick Patterson-Forward-Sacramento

Daniel Orton-Center-Oklahoma

The Thunder clinched the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs by beating the Kings last night. Daniel Orton scored 10 points for the Thunder with 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Demarcus Cousins was allowed to play after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul of the season but he was not much of a factor as he only scored 7 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Patrick Patterson scored 6 points with 5 rebounds and 1 assist.

Phoenix Suns (25-56) 119 – Houston Rockets (45-36) 112

Terrence Jones-Forward-Houston

With their last chance of the season, the Phoenix Suns finally won a home game beating the Rockets by 7. The Rockets are a game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 7 spot in the playoffs. Terrence Jones scored 12 points with 4 rebounds and 1 assist.

DeMarcus Cousins scored 14 against the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night. (C/O The Sacramento Bee)

DeMarcus Cousins (C/Sacramento): Playing only 23 minutes, Cousins managed to chip in 14 points (7-15 FG) and six rebounds in what was a surprising road win for the Kings. They defeated the Warriors 105-98 for only their seventh road win of the season.

Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes (PF/Sacramento): The other two former Cats did great as sixth and seventh man for the Kings last night. Patterson had six points, nine rebounds, and two assists while Hayes had six points, seven rebounds, and two assists in the Kings’ win.

Jodie Meeks (SG/Los Angeles Lakers): Starting for the Lakers, Meeks had five points, four rebounds, and three assists in an important 120-117 win over the Timberwolves. The Lakers were able to snap their three-game losing streak as they make a final push towards the playoffs.

John Wall (PG/Washington): You really can’t blame John Wall for doing enough for his team and still not having the players around him to help win. Wall led the Wizards in points as he finished with a double-double (18 points, 12 assists, four reb.), but the Wizards didn’t have the depth to run alongside the Thunder and loss 103-80.

Mar 25, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Memphis Grizzlies power forward Ed Davis (32) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

March Madness? It exists in the NBA, too. Aside from the Miami Heat pushing their win streak to 27 straight games, John Wall managed to make some headlines tonight. Wall scored an astounding 47 points, a career-high, on 13-of-22 shooting from the field. He also added eight assists and seven rebounds as the Wizards won 107-94 against the Memphis Grizzlies. What’s amazing about Wall shattering his previous career-high of 38 points? He says he could have gone for even more. “Hey man, I could have had 52 tonight. I missed 5 free throws.”

Mar 15, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon (10) attempts to block the shot of Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) during the first half at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

Yesterday in the NBA they was 10 games played with 6 of the games having at least one former Kentucky Wildcat on the roster. There was a total of 6 Wildcats that seen action yesterday. Here is a quick recap of last night’s action around the league.

Toronto Raptors 92 – Charlotte Bobcats 78

The game stayed pretty close all game until the last few minutes as the Raptors would go on to win by 14. Raptors was lead by Rudy Gay who scored 28 points, Amir Johnson had 12 points and a career high 21 rebounds.
Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist SF played 28 minutes went 2 -12 for 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 2 steals.

Washington Wizards 96 – New Orleans Hornets 87

Mar 15, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) shoots as New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon (10) and guard Greivis Vasquez (21) look on during the second half at the Verizon Center. The Wizards defeated the Hornets 96 – 87. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

This was another pretty good and close game till late in the fourth quarter. The big highlight of the game was John Wall. So far this season Wall was 3-20 3 pointers and 3-42 last year but last night he was 3-3 and stroking med range shots. In the first half he showed the NBA that he did not have to attack the basket to score as he hit from 19’, 15’, 24’, 26’ and 23’. Wall was 9-12 on shots over 13’ and shot 80% which is the best night he has ever had in the NBA with over six shots taken. John Wall led the Wizards to their first win over the Hornets at home since 2008.

Wizards: John Wall PG 34 min, 12-15 FG, 3-3 3 pointers, 2-2 FT, 4 reb, 9 AST, 2 ST, 3 TO, 29 Points.

Hornets: Anthony Davis PF 16 min, 4-8 FG, 8-8 FT, 7 rebounds and 16 points. Anthony Davis had a good night stat wise but foul trouble kept him on the bench for most of the night and would later foul out.

Daruis Miller SF DNP coach’s decision

LA Lakers 99 – Indiana Pacers 93

Kobie Bryant only play 12 minutes and did not score for his first scoreless game since 9 years ago, but the rest of the Lakers stepped up (excluding Jodie Meeks) and the Pacers only shot 37% from the field. Lakers squeak out with 7 point win over the Pacers.
Lakers: Jodie Meeks SG 22 mins, 0-7 FG, 0-3 3 pointers, 4 rebs and 2 steals.

Orlando Magic 104 – Oklahoma City Thunder 117

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the OKC to a win over the Magic. OKC was dominate for most of the game and had a huge led but the Magic caught up in the fourth quarter. OKC would then close the final two and half minutes of the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to win by 13.

Magic: Doron Lamb played four minutes and had one turn over.

Memphis Grizzlies 80 – Denver Nuggets 87

Mar 15, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince (21) shoots the ball during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Two of the hottest teams in the western conference played last night. This was a close game through out but Iguodala sealed the game for the Nuggets with a steal and a dunk in the last few seconds of the game.

Grizzlies: Tayshaun Prince SF 35 mins, 5-13 fg, 1 – 4 3 pointers, 4 rebs, 3 ast and 11 points.

  Chicago Bulls 113 – Golden State Warriors 95

The Bulls outscored the Warriors 38 -17 in the third and led by as much as 36 in the fourth quarter before both teams cleared the benches. The Bulls snap a 5 game losing road streak as they bet the Warriors by 18.

Bulls: Nazr Mohammed C 16 , 2 -3 FG, 4 rebs, 1 steal, 1 ast and 4 points.

Written by: Blue Brandon

Follow Me @wbnBlueBrandon

Feb 25, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) carries the ball against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 90-84. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

John Wall (PG/Washington): Wall struggled shooting the ball on Monday night, going 3-for-11 from the field and finishing with 10 points. His seven assists and five rebounds help fuel the likes of Bradley Beal to score 20 points, and the Wizards beat the Raptors 90-84. The Wizards have won three straight.

Jodie Meeks (SG/Los Angeles Lakers): Playing 32 minutes off the bench, Meeks contributed with eight points and fie rebounds. The Lakers, however, weren’t able to keep up with the Nuggets in the 119-108 loss.

Enes Kanter (C/Utah): Kanter played only 12 minutes, finishing with four points and three rebounds. The Jazz fell short against the Celtics, 110-107.

Brandon Knight (PG/Detroit): DNP vs. Atlanta Hawks (hyperextended knee, day-to-day)

February 23, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Terrence Jones (PF/Houston): DNP vs. Washington Wizards

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF/Charlotte): MKG struggled with shooting on Saturday night, going 4-for-11 and finishing with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in the Bobcats’ 113-99 loss to the Nuggets.

Doron Lamb (SG/Orlando): In only his second game since being acquired by the Magic, Lamb played 10 minutes, shot 0-for-3 and had a rebound in a 118-94 blowout loss to the Cavs.

Brandon Knight (PG/Detroit): DNP vs. Indiana Pacers

Eric Bledsoe (PG/Los Angeles Clippers): Bledsoe played 20 minutes and had four points, six assists, and three rebounds as the Clippers beat the Jazz 107-94.

Enes Kanter (C/Utah): The UnderKanter had an impressive performance coming off the bench last night, despite the loss to the Clippers; he shot 6-for-7 and had 15 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Jan 10, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Matthew Mitchell celebrates with his team after the second half against the Texas A

After scoring a huge comeback win over the #20 Texas A&m Aggies last night, the Kentucky women’s basketball team will now head to Columbia to take on the Missouri Tigers on Sunday. Head coach Matthew Mitchell reflected on last night’s win and previewed their upcoming SEC road contest against the Tigers:

January 1, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point injured guard John Wall participates in a workout prior to the Wizards

After months and months of rehabbing his injured knee, former Kentucky Wildcat John Wall is setting his season debut for this Saturday, January 12.  It is not sure that Wall will be back in the lineup this Saturday but it’s becoming more and more likely.  Wizards owner Ted Leonsis had publicized in a blog earlier today that,

It is possible but not quite certain, for the first time all season, that we could dress all of our players.

Leonsis is referring to the game Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.  The Washington Wizards have been riddled with injuries this season and are only 5-28 so far without John Wall.  Wall most recently returned to practice after sitting out for the first few months of the season with a stress injury to his left kneecap.  Last season, Wall’s rookie season for the Wizards, he averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.   The Wizards are looking forward to the return of arguably their best player: He will be much needed.