Pacific Division News Blog @newzblogz.com

When you dream of yourself on the court, you're probably dreaming you're a small forward.

You're long and athletic like Tayshaun Prince, have a good handle like Caron Butler, and can score like Carmelo Anthony, rebound like Rashard Lewis, and leap out of the building like Andre Iguodala - yet you're tough enough to defend like Bruce Bowen.

Maybe, like LeBron James, you can do just about all of the above.

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If they fill it up in college, they tend to fill it up in the pros. And Thursday's NBA draft, like most, is filled to bursting with shooting guards. But the way the pro game is evolving, many two guards are now asked to do more than just shoot. They have to bring the ball up against pressure, initiate offense, and guard the opposition's point guard, if need be. When you think of NBA guards, think Gilbert Arenas, think Dwyane Wade, think Joe Johnson.

Just don't think you can stop them.

Here is a look at shooting guards available in the draft. Rankings are based on conversations with pro and college coaches, NBA general managers, scouts and player personnel directors. Players are included at the position they are expected to play most - at least initially - in the NBA, not the position they played in college or abroad:

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It's the hardest position to fill adequately in the NBA, and that includes center.

You can score and defend down low with power forwards, but finding a true point guard to run your offense and get his teammates not only open shots but also easy shots is almost impossible. There are a handful of prospects this year who might be able to handle that toughest of assignments.

Here is a look at point guards available in Thursday's NBA draft. These rankings are based on conversations with pro and college coaches, NBA general managers, scouts and player personnel directors. Players are included at the position they are expected to play most - at least initially - in the NBA, not the position they played in college or abroad:

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Sacramento would be an attractive market for a professional minor-league hockey team, and the region could support a club in a new 6,000- to 9,000-seat arena, according to a newly disclosed study prepared for Cal Expo in 2005.

The capital region's growing population and solid household incomes give its 1.75 million residents extra cash for sports and entertainment tickets, and a minor-league hockey team could anchor a mid-sized arena, the KPMG consulting group study found.

A Sacramento team in the ECHL's Pacific Division would join rival teams in Stockton, Fresno, Bakersfield, Las Vegas and possibly a Reno-based team that hopes to play in a new arena in 2008-09, the report said.

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A return of popular players and revival of their most popular rivalry are part of the Pensacola Ice Pilots' continued strides in a busy off-season.

Forwards Rob Rankin and Dallas Steward agreed to terms for new contracts next season. Steward broke his wrist last January, ending his hockey season. Rankin was the Ice Pilots' representative in the 2007 ECHL All-Star game.

"It's pretty much a done deal; we've reached an agreement with both of them,'' said Ice Pilots president Greg Schuh, adding that teams can begin signing players on July 2, "There's also a couple other guys we feel like will be back with us next year.''

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