"The People Under the Stairs"

Have you ever seen the Wes Craven classic about a family who kidnaps children only to throw in their conveniently large basement? When the frightening youngsters show their long hair and pale skin to the audience, one seemingly can't look away.

Kind of reminds me of United States soccer.

For years, U.S. Soccer was a person under the stairs; striker Landon Donovan (left) and his teammates were locked away in a dark hole with little to eat and no sunlight. With its win over No. 1 rated Spain on June 24, U.S. Soccer was discovered and rescued thanks to its own actions. It busted free of the tyranny that is a basement with a padlock attached.

The United States now has a chance to work itself back into society with a win over Brazil this afternoon. If the Americans can find some way to sneak past the amazing Brazilians, U.S. Soccer will be the new rage in this country and for good reason. Though just fighting for the FIFA Confederations Cup, victory over Brazil could go down as the greatest moment in U.S. Soccer history. And give the Americans momentum heading into next summer's World Cup.

Consider the situation America was in a week before; the only way for the United States to advance into the Cup semi-final was a three-goal victory over Egypt, who was coming off a huge victory over Italy. Also, Brazil had to knock out the Italians by a minimum of three goals. Remarkably, both events occurred, which boosted America into the final four.

Can United States Soccer give America something to celebrate by winning its first FIFA competition? Let's hope so for the sports sake.

"Kaaaahn!"

Ladies and Gentlemen, let's give Minnesota Timberwolves GM David Kahn (right) a round of applause. His mind numbing decision to draft two (TWO) point guards with the fifth and sixth (FIFTH AND SIXTH) selection in the 2009 NBA Draft most definitely took the prize for "Bonehead of the Night" (notice the NBDL logos in the backround).

Can somebody explain to me the point in taking Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn? Both guards need the ball in their hands to display their strenghts. Rubio, who's already proving he thinks he's bigger than the game (he referred to himself as the one and only Ricky Rubio last night), has probably requested a trade out of Minnesota before the sun had risen this morning.

—I'm a fan of the Vince Carter to Orlando deal. Both teams win as the New Jersey Nets look to get younger and the Magic needed to replace the offense lost from Hedo Turkoglu becoming a free-agent.

The hidden key to the deal was Ryan Anderson heading to Orlando, as well. Anderson is a great spot-up shooter and is very deadly beyond the three-point line. The Magic didn't lose much in the deal. With Jameer Nelson returning to full strength, Rafer Alston was expendable; Carter steps into Courtney Lee's spot and Tony Battie, well, he's Tony Battie. 

It's going to be tough to replace Turkoglu, but the Magic might have improved with this trade.

—Shaq-Diesel to the Cavs is an excellent trade for Cleveland. General Manager Danny Ferry knows this is the last chance he has to keep LeBron in Ohio. As much as Cavs fans would like to believe, the core that LeBron had last year wasn't going to win a title. A motivated and healthy Shaq could give Cleveland that boost in securing its first NBA Title and LeBron in the long-term.

—"SLEEPER PICK of the Night" goes to...the San Antonio Spurs. Don't ask me how, but Pitt's DeJuan Blair slid to the second round and the Spurs did not waste the opportunity to nab the rebounding machine. Blair fits perfectly into San Antonio's system with his rough style. Even with the Cavs grabbing Shaq and the Magic trading for Vince, the week belonged to the Spurs. Trading for Richard Jefferson and selecting Blair just enhanced San Antonio's championship hopes greatly.

The saga begins for Griffin in L.A.

Today's the day when teams build for the now or later. We know who's No. 1 (see below), but what will unfold after?

1. Los Angeles Clippers — Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma

When Griffin gets the call from NBA Commissioner David Stern to charge the stage and hold up his Clippers jersey for the world to see, we must realize that the alteration of the worst franchise in the history of sport is beginning before our eyes.

It's no secret how dominate Griffin was at the collegiate level. In his sophomore season, the 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward led the nation in rebounding with an average of 14.3 board per game to go along with his 22.7 points per game. In 35 games, Griffin led the country in double-doubles with 30.

Griffin is the only prospect in this draft that would go top-three any other year. In this weak class, he is far-and-away the top prospect.

Here's an interesting bit of information I found about Griffin on NBA.com: Rebound total was the highest in a season by an NCAA Division I player since Indiana State's Larry Bird in 1978-79 (505) and rebounding average was the highest since Wake Forest's Tim Duncan in 1996-97 (14.7). Averaged 28.5 points and 15.0 rebounds, while shooting .780 over four NCAA Tournament games.
Pure destruction; in other words this isn't Michael Olowakandi. This is the pick that Clippers faithful has been waiting for.

One good thing to see is Griffin's quick acceptance of the L.A. way (of losing). When the balls dropped the Clips way on lottery night, Griffin didn't piss and moan to the media. He wasn't going to refuse to play for Los Angeles or ask for a trade. 

Griffin knows he is a massive force that teams can build around.Believe it or not, the Clippers have some young talent to match with Griffin. Last year's first-round pick Eric Gordon showed some upside; small forward Al Thornton can score, but has some work to do; point guard Baron Davis is a proven leader and All-Star when healthy; centers Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby are both above-average players at their position.

If Griffin can come right in and become the No. 1 option for this team and take some pressure off of Davis, there isn't a doubt in my mind that the Clippers can clinch a playoff spot.

Stueve's continued NBA Mock (I have Minnesota trading up to No.2 for the fifth and 18th overall):

2. Minnesota Timberwolves (trade w/ Memphis Grizzlies) — Ricky Rubio, G, Spain

3. Oklahoma City Thunder — Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut

4. Sacramento Kings — Stephen Curry, G, Davidson

5. Memphis Grizzlies (trade w/ Minnesota Timberwolves) — Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis

6. Minnesota Timberwolves — James Harden, G, Arizona State

7. Golden State Warriors — Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA

8. New York Knicks — Brandon Jennings, G, Italy

9. Toronto Raptors — Jordan Hill, F, Arizona

10. Milwaukee Bucks — DeMar DeRozan, G, Southern California

11. New Jersey Nets — Terrence Williams, G/F, Louisville

12. Charlotte Bobcats — Gerald Henderson, G, Duke

13. Indiana Pacers — Earl Clark, F, Louisville

14. Phoenix Suns — Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina

15. Detroit Pistons — Jonny Flynn, G, Syracuse

16. Chicago Bulls — DeJuan Blair, F, Pittsburgh

17. Philadelphia 76ers — James Johnson, F, Purdue

18. Memphis Grizzlies (trade w/ T-Wolves) — B.J. Mullins, C, Ohio State

19. Atlanta Hawks — Ty Lawson, G, North Carolina

20. Utah Jazz — Sam Young, F, Pittsburgh

21. New Orleans Hornets — Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona

22. Portland Trailblazers — DeMarre Carroll, F, Missouri

23. Sacramento Kings — Austin Daye, F, Gonzaga

24. Dallas Mavericks, Eric Maynor, G, Virginia Commonwealth

25. Oklahoma City Thunder — Nick Calathes, G, Florida

26. Chicago Bulls — Toney Douglas, G, Florida State

27. Memphis Grizzlies — Derrick Brown, F, Xavier

28. Minnesota Timberwolves — Omri Casspi, F, Israel

29. New York Knicks (from Los Angeles Lakers) — Victor Claver, F, Spain

30. Cleveland Cavaliers — DeJuan Summers, F, Georgetown