Which former Kentucky Wildcat will be the next to win a NBA Championship?
Jun 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; The MVP trophy and the Larry O
There are plenty of Wildcats to pick from around the NBA, and some have better chances than others of winning an NBA Championship. The Kentucky Wildcats currently have 21 players in the NBA, which leads any other team, and have a possibility of adding three more additional players in the 2013 NBA Draft. The last time a Kentucky Wildcat won the NBA Championship was back in 2008. That was the spark of Rajon Rondo’s career, and ever since then he has been a three-time NBA All-Star. Nazr Mohammed also won a championship back in 2005 with the San Antonio Spurs, and Tayshaun Prince won it the year before that in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons. There are lots of possibilities on which Kentucky Wildcat will get the next NBA ring, and I have cut the list down to five. Here is my top five list on which former Cat will win a NBA ring next. Keep in mind, things may change between November, but here is what I think now. Plus, I want to know what you think, so make sure you vote in the poll at the end!
May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) brings the ball up court in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-105. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
5: Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe could potentially be the Clippers starting point guard if Chris Paul goes somewhere else. The Clippers believe that Eric Bledsoe is apart of their future, and so far things are looking bright for the organization. Shifts of players and trading could take place in LA. If Eric Bledsoe is centered around a strong supporting cast, then its only a matter of time until the Clippers are rolling again. Even if Chris Paul stays in LA, the Clippers and Eric Bledsoe are still a dangerous and explosive team. Eric has proved he can play in the starting lineup, and seems to be improving each season. Bledsoe certainly deserves to be in discussion for being the next Kentucky Wildcat to win an NBA Championship, but there are teams in the West such as the Thunder, Spurs, and Grizzlies that stand in their way. If the Clippers make all of the right moves, they should be fine and play as major contenders in the Western Conference.
May 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies small forward Tayshaun Prince (21) reacts after making a three point shot against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
4: Tayshaun Prince
The Memphis Grizzlies were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Finals this year, but there are things that I saw during the course of the year that impressed me with this team. Tayshaun Prince joined the Grizzlies around the halfway point in the season, and with him in the line-up the Grizzlies went 27-10. Down low in the paint they are hard to maintain, and they play intense defence as well. The only weakness that I see in the Grizzlies, is not having a true shooter on the team that can get points when needed. That is what hurt them in the end when they lost to San Antonio. Tayshaun Prince is a great addition to the team, but a move to get a pure shooter would help a lot. Tayshaun could be the next Cat to possibly get a NBA ring, and he’s on the right type of team to do it.