Miami Heat Season Preview 12/24/2011
A loss to the Mavericks was a cruel pill to swallow to end last season, but Miami enter as title favorites once again, and for good reason. The so called Big Three looked slick and deadly for large stretches of last season, with LeBron James and Dwayne Wade seemingly hashing out an acceptable balance of power. Overshadowed in the offseason by the free agency drama surrounding the likes of Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, the Heat will be quietly determined to silence their numerous critics and claim the first of what they hope will be many championships.
If anything, an already devastatingly talented Miami team improved through the addition of Shane Battier, a tough, determined defender who adds an extra dimension to the Heat team that they didn't have last season. The team should also gel better together this year, when the harsh glare of the media spotlight should be less intense.
The only side in an Eastern Conference in flux that looks capable of going toe to toe with Miami are the Derrick Rose - led Chicago Bulls. While the Heat managed to vanquish the Bulls en route to the Finals last season, Chicago have also had time to develop an understanding together as a team, and they arguably have greater depth as well. For the Heat, the specter of being unable to close out games is one that they will have to work to dispel; LeBron in particular will be looked upon to deliver in the clutch, after he disappointed late in games during the postseason.
Best Case: First
Although the Big Three have engendered some ill will among the public, there is no denying that, on their day, they are capable of downing any other team in the league. If they can keep clicking, they will cruise through the regular season, shortened though it may be. Miami also benefit from a weak Southeast Division, where the Hawks look solidly mediocre, and the Magic will almost certainly lose Dwight Howard within a few months.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesWorst Case: Third
The Bulls are capable of matching the Heat’s firepower throughout the season, and the cramped schedule might play to the favor of Chicago’s youthful core. The only other team in the Eastern Conference that could possibly match Miami are the New York Knicks, and that's only if the “new Big Three” of Stoudemire, Anthony and Chandler can overcome weakness elsewhere in the team. A long-term injury to someone like Wade and James is the only other scenario which would see the Heat drop to third.
Final Prediction: Second
The Heat’s quality is undeniable, and they will certainly be a threat in the playoffs. In such a rushed season, however, the Bulls look like they could be in prime position to repeat their feats of last year and finish ahead of Miami, in the regular season if not in the playoffs.
Boston Celtics Season Preview 12/24/2011
A sea change seemed to take place in the Eastern Conference last season, one which saw the rise of the talent-loaded Heat and the dynamic young Bulls coincide with what seemed to be the start of a slow but steady decline for the Boston Celtics. Although they won their division easily and entered the playoffs as the number three seed, their aging core was badly exposed in the playoffs against Miami, where the Celtics were brushed aside too easily, and they enter this season as longshots to appear in their third Finals series in five years.
Although the relatively young Rajon Rondo emerged as the team’s best player last season, Boston are still heavily dependent on their veterans, which could spell trouble in such a shortened and rushed regular season where their stamina will be severely tested. They might look to remedy the situation by reverting to a heavier rotation policy, but their lack of depth looks to also conspire to hurt them.
While the Celtics arguably made an upgrade by swapping Glen Davis for Brandon Bass, there is a massive drop talent wise between the starting five and the rest of the roster. There is little genuine quality coming off the bench, and more complete teams like Chicago and Miami will look to take advantage of that fact.
Best Case: No. 3 Seed
In the twilights of their respective careers they may be, but Pierce, Garnett and Allen can still be deadly on their day. With an elite point guard in Rondo, Boston still has some top class talent on their team. If the Celtics can ward off injuries to key players, there is no reason why they cannot hold off the Knicks in the Atlantic and emerge with one of the best records in the conferences. Still, expect the Bulls and Heat to be too good, and once again finish ahead of the men in green before the postseason.
Worst Case: No. 8 Seed
The shortened schedule could prove to be a killer, and there is every possibility that a number of players, from all teams, could succumb to injury as a result. The problem for Celtics is the dire lack of depth, or any backups who look even remotely capable of filling in for the likes of Pierce or Rondo.
Prediction: No. 6 Seed
At least one key player will go down, and the team will struggle as a result. The Celtics will need everything to go right if they are to stay among the Eastern Conference elite; more than likely, an infusion of new blood will be required to return Boston to contender status in the near future.
Orlando Magic Season Preview 12/24/2011
The Magic were amongst the headlines this season, largely because of the confusion surrounding the fate of Dwight Howard, Orlando’s elite center who looked destined to leave before the start of the season, before then being taken off the trading block. While a number of teams, most notably the Nets and Lakers, looked prepared to do anything to secure the star center’s service ahead of his impending free agency in the summer, the Magic seemed inclined to keep him, at least for a little longer.
Their rationale is understandable; like it or not, their team’s on-court fortunes are dependent on Howard. If he plays well, as he has done the past few seasons where he has been amongst the best players in the league, Orlando can at least make some noise results-wise. The burning question this season will be whether or not Howard will be motivated to play his hardest.
While he might play with even greater intensity in an attempt to convince teams to go for him midseason, he may just as likely pout, angered that his desire to move to greener pastures could not be satisfied right away. Although Orlando have some solid talent aside from Howard, the fact is their hopes for this season rest on whether or not their want-away star is motivated enough to play to his full potential.
Best Case: No. 4 Seed
The same position the Magic finished in at the end of last season’s regular season. While Chicago and Miami should be too good again for Orlando, Atlanta has regressed, Boston is aging and the Knicks will have to deal with a lack of depth, especially in the backcourt. In a weakened Eastern Conference, even if Howard is present and playing for only half a season, Orlando have a good chance to finish in the top half of the playoff field.
Worst Case: Miss the Playoffs
On the other hand, if Howard phones it in before leaving sometime in spring, the Magic have precious little to fall back on. Unless they can grab several players in return for their star, just as the Hornets did in the Chris Paul deal, their team will be struggling to get into the postseason, let alone challenge for a Finals berth.
Prediction: No. 5 Seed
Even if Howard leaves before the end of the season, look for him to play to his usual high standards and help the Magic to a strong enough position for a playoff berth. Most crucial for Orlando, however, will be who they can acquire in a trade for their key center, and whether they can establish a strong enough platform from which to launch the impending rebuilding of their team.
Clippers Brush Aside Lakers in First Preseason Game 12/20/2011
The Los Angeles Clippers looked like a new team tonight as they dominated the Los Angeles Lakers and claimed a 114-95 victory.
New acquisition Chris Paul created havoc in the lane as he led the Clippers with 17 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and five steals.
The dynamic Blake Griffin had an average game with 12 points, but the new talent more than made up for his poor showing, a contrast to last year, where they would have struggled when their superstar lagged.
The Lakers looked lost as their weakest link, point guard, and were exploited by the Clippers deep talent at the position, with Chauncey Billups (23 points), CP3, Randy Foye and Eric Bledsoe all playing well.
For the Lakers, the one bright spot seemed to be the health of star shooting guardKobe Bryant, who had an experimental procedure done in the offseason in Germany.
Lakers center Andrew Bynum also had a good game with a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds) while Pau Gasol seemed to put the persistent trade rumors behind him to score 16 points and grab seven rebounds.
So what can each of the LA teams take from this preseason skirmish?
For the Clippers, there were almost no negatives to find in this game, as they shut down the Lakers offense in the second half and easily shot almost 50 percent from the field.
The combination of DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffen (to an extent) and Chris Paul looked unstoppable with a few SportsCenter top plays already in the books.
The much-anticipated “Lob City” began to come alive, and while the Lakers weren’t at their best defensively, the Clippers had quite a few spectacular dunks that any team would have struggled to prevent.
While this is the first preseason game, and therefore shouldn’t be taken too seriously, this display does bode well for the future of the Clippers, so long in the shadow of their more decorated crosstown rivals.
Looking at this game from a Lakers point of view, it was easy to become depressed about the upcoming season.
While new acquisitions Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy played fairly well, there will be deep doubts about the Lakers chances to compete for a championship with their current roster.
The Lakers will have to seriously consider making a major move, maybe finally caving for Dwight Howard, in order to shake up their team.
Perhaps the Lakers simply don’t match up well with this new-look Clipper team, but poor showings by the likes of Metta World Peace, Luke Walton, and others seem to indicate that the Lakers simply don’t have sufficient talent or quality in their side to challenge for another banner.
Many Lakers fans will be cursing NBA commissioner David Stern, in the wake of this game, after seeing what could have been as CP3 showed off his talent.
The Lakers looked like a new team (and not in a good way), while the Clippers looked as though they were hitting midseason form already.
While this is only a glorified exhibition game, the Lakers fanbase will only be edging closer to complete panic mode, while the Clippers fanbase finally has something to cheer about.
At the end of the day, it seems like a new era is dawning upon Los Angeles.
Kobe Leaving the Lakers? Solutions to the Unthinkable 12/17/2011
The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be spiraling towards chaos as they inch closer to opening day.
While headlines are currently buzzing around the team, none seems bigger than the speculation by ESPN’s Ric Bucher and Stephen A. Smith that the Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant will demand a trade by the end of this season (h/t Larry Brown Sports).
The two NBA reporters are claiming that the Lakers front office seems to be taking a step back from championship contention, troubling Kobe, who wants to add a few more rings to his collection in the last few years of his stellar career.
While it may seem farfetched and absurd to even think of Kobe being on another team, for the sake of this article, let’s assume that Kobe does ask for a trade, and the Lakers, unlike 2007, grant his trade. Kobe would have to go to a team that can absorb his gigantic salary and be able to give the Lakers a king’s ransom for one of the best players in the game.
Lastly, the team would have to be a contender for Kobe’s last few years in order for him to waive his no trade clause. Here are a few hypothetical possibilities, in order from least likely to most likely, if Kobe ever did ask for a trade.
5) Lakers and Grizzlies
Lakers receive: Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley, Brian Skinner, Darrell Arthur
Grizzlies receive: Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Steve Blake
The Grizzlies are a young team that is getting better every year, even beating the No. 1-seeded Spurs in the playoffs last season.
The previous successes of this team may cause Kobe to waive his no-trade clause to join a team in need of a veteran leader to put this team in contention for a championship.
It is an obvious plus for the Grizzlies to receive one of the best players in the game to combine with young center Marc Gasol and experienced scorer Zach Randolph.
The Lakers would do this trade because they receive a good athletic talent in Rudy Gay, a nice young scorer in O.J. Mayo and an upgrade at point guard with Mike Conley.
The Lakers also get rid of cap space with Walton’s and Blake’s contract disappearing, while also receiving three expiring contracts in Mayo, Skinner and Arthur.
The Lakers could then pursue other superstars in trade and free agency with movable pieces in Gay, Mayo and Conley.
For the Lakers, this is one of the best deals talent-wise that they could get, but many seriously doubt that Kobe would accept going to Memphis and that the Lakers would trade to a Western rival.
4) Lakers and Mavericks
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesLakers Receive: Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, two first-round picks
Mavericks Receives: Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake
The Mavericks are a big team with a big-time owner in Mark Cuban, who will do anything in their power to win.
He would be able to go to a team that has proven it can win a championship, and he can play with another superstar in Dirk Nowitzki. For the Lakers, this is more of a salary dump where they can then become more competitive in the great free agent class of 2012.
With the loss of the horrid contracts that Walton, Peace, and Blake hold, the Lakers would save over $45 million in salaries and even more in luxury tax.
With the arrival of Kidd, Carter, and Terry, the Lakers would also remain semi-competitive while gaining three expiring contracts that will help create cap space of over 45 million.
This cap space could then be used to sign a big-time free agent like Deron William to play with Dwight Howard (who the Lakers might trade Pau Gasol for). The two first round picks would be later picks, but in a deep 2012 draft, those are still precious and can be used to sweeten the deal.
While this deal doesn’t bring in much talent back, it allows the Lakers to rid themselves of their bad contracts, gain tons of cap space, and enable themselves to sign superstars next year. However, the like the Grizzlies trade, the Lakers may be hesitant to send such a great player to a competitive rival.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
3) Lakers and Bulls
Lakers Receive: Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Ronnie Brewer, John Lucas
Bulls Receive: Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake
Back in 2007, when Kobe demanded his first trade, the Bulls came out as the most aggressive suitor for the superstar. It would seem that it would be the same case this year despite the fact that the Bulls are very much contenders, a contrast to the situation in 2007.
The Bulls would give up their energetic center in Joakim Noah, and two sturdy defenders in Brewer and Deng, but Chicago would still be automatically vaulted to status of favorites in the East with a threesome of Boozer, Rose, and Bryant not to be messed with.
The Lakers receive some nice talent to compensate for losing their superstar, and like all other trades this would allow them to stay competitive and trade or sign another superstar; Kobe, again, would be wiling to accept a trade to this team.
Overall, this is a win for Kobe and the Bulls, but the Lakers may think twice before they decide to trade Bryant without receiving a true superstar in return.
2) Lakers and Knicks
Lakers Receive: Amare Stoudemire, Landry Fields, Tony Douglas, Bill Walker, Renaldo Balkman, Jared Jeffries
Knicks Receive: Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher
Kobe loves to play in the spotlight and there is no bigger place to play than Madison Square Garden. The Lakers would receive a great array of players from the defensive standout Landry Fields, to the young Tony Douglas and Bill Walker.
The Lakers receive a nice amount of young talent from the Knicks and also get a superstar in Stoudemire who will put fans in the Staples Center. The Lakers also get a nice amount of movable assets and expiring contracts that could be used to acquire a big name.
This trade would allow Kobe to go to a destination he desires, while nicely setting up the Lakers with a superstar, young talent, and some nice cap space for the future.
The Knicks would be able to have their own big three in Kobe, Tyson Chandler, andCarmelo Anthony, which would vault the Knicks into one of the top teams in the East and an automatic fan favorite in the Big Apple.
1) Lakers and 76ers
Lakers Receive:Andre Igudoala, Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday, Marreese Speights,Thaddeus Young
76ers Receive: Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake, Derrick Caracter
This trade makes the most sense for both sides as Kobe gets to play in his hometown as he attempts to revive the franchise. The 76ers receive a living legend, who will be able to contribute to a concerted championship push even in the twilight of his career.
The Lakers, on the other hand, receive a nice combination of talent and movable pieces. The Lakers rid themselves of Blake’s contract but receive talent in the form of Iguodala (although a little overpriced), 2010 second pick Turner, and Holiday.
All these pieces could be great role players on a championship team, while also could be used as trade pieces for a superstar such as Williams or Howard.
This trade allows Kobe to return home, the Lakers to receive an injection of youth, and the 76ers to finally gain a main attraction and become a major force in the NBA again.
These are the five trades that would be most likely to occur with a combination of salary relief and return of talent.
While most Lakers fans remain confident that none of these moves will have to be made, an interesting scenario certainly looks set to unfold if LA cannot assemble a talented squad around their talisman.
Can the Clippers Emerge from the Lakers' Shadow? 12/16/2011
The last week has been a hectic one for basketball in Los Angeles. After David Stern's stunning decision to block a trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers rushed in, sending a group of young players and a draft pick to the New Orleans Hornets in return for perhaps the best point guard in the NBA.
While some argue that the Clippers could have forced the Hornets into a worse trade—one that didn’t include rising star Eric Gordon—but the shot to pair up Chris Paul and Blake Griffin was too enticing to pass up.
Forever in the shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers and their fans can now feel better about their position than their LA counterparts, with a young nucleus of talents bolstered by experienced veteran Chauncey Billups.
Their starting lineup constructs one of the most dynamic and athletic teams, and from the 1 to the 5, and it’s tough to imagine a team that the Clippers could not match up with.
With the acquisition of Chris Paul, one of the league’s premier talents, the Clippers were immediately thrust back into relevance. A pass-first point guard, Paul will facilitate the growth of Blake Griffin and the recently re-signed DeAndre Jordan.
Much depends on the health of Chris Paul’s ailing knees, but Clippers fans eagerly hope the extended offseason left Paul with more time to recover. Indeed, Paul showed highly promising signs of recovery in the first round of last season’s playoffs, where he put up an excellent performance in a first-round exit to the Lakers.
Still, the 66 games in 120 days will be difficult for Paul, and the Clippers desperately need him to be healthy if they want to make any noise in the playoffs, or indeed make the postseason.
Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesBillups has a well-earned reputation for consistency and clutch performances, and should add tremendous value in helping the Clippers remain even-keeled despite a first season of high expectations.
Asides from the Chris Paul trade, the Clippers also made a splash in free agency by signing Butler and re-signing DeAndre Jordan. Caron Butler has faced his own injury setbacks of late as well, only playing a total of 56 games over the past two seasons.
Butler, normally employed as a main scorer, will need to accept his role as the third or fourth option on the new look Clippers if he is to truly gel with his new team. The erstwhile Maverick adds defensive capabilities and rebounding at the three spot, and could serve as a volume scorer with Paul or Blake Griffin on the bench.
Averaging a double-double on his way to winning rookie of the year, Blake Griffin was one of the most impactful and dynamic rookies the league has seen in a long time. Immediately bringing the Clippers into the national spotlight, Griffin amazed with an endless highlight reel of jaw-dropping dunks that displayed his awesome, raw athleticism.
Griffin seems the most likely to benefit from Paul, and expect a multitude of his points to be scored on alley-oops from CP3. The former Oklahoma standout spent the bulk of the offseason improving his defense, and the frontcourt of Jordan, Griffin and Butler provides an exciting future for the once maligned Clippers franchise.
One of the most sought-after names in an admittedly fairly weak free agent class, DeAndre Jordan was re-signed to the Clippers after they matched an offer from the Golden State Warriors. An incredible athlete, Jordan looks to make another jump in his level of play after his first year of getting starting minutes.
Jordan, a great finisher above the rim, will be a low-usage scorer, adding points on putbacks and offensive rebounds while not demanding much of the ball in possession situations. Jordan’s main contributions will be on the defensive end, as he will need to continue to develop into an intimidating force in the paint.
Overall, the Clippers look to be in terrific shape for the lockout shortened season. While the intense schedule could affect the injury-susceptible Paul and Butler, the Clippers have a solid rotation and youth that should be able to compete at a high level throughout the whole
season.
For the first time in seemingly forever, the Clippers begin a season with a realistic shot to make the playoffs, yet fans have even higher hopes and expectations of a deep playoff run. Stocked with the talent to do so, the Clippers will need to adjust to a totally revamped roster and work out the kinks of an unfamiliar team.
Their prospects are extremely inspiring, and a top-four seed doesn’t seem out of the question for this talented team. Look for the Clippers to take their first steps towards relevance and finally out of the shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Trades the Lakers Can Make With 9 Days Left 12/16/2011
The Lakers have had something of a tumultuous offseason, with commissioners blocking trades and
stars venting their teary frustration on radio shows.
Now, the aging team is desperate for some superstar power that will once again launch them into championship contention. The squad from Los Angeles has decided it is necessary to capitalize on the last few seasons of Kobe Bryant’s career, and the front office has acknowledged that the current roster is not good enough to beat the Mavericks, Thunder or Heat to win the NBA title.
The fact that the Lakers are in a dire need for a boost to their roster has left analysts and fans speculating about which players the Lakers are targeting. Here are five major players the Lakers may go for and the likelihood that they acquire them.
Publicly, Superman has been the Lakers' prime target since day one of the offseason. The Lakers have a tradition of great big men, from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Shaquille O’Neal, and that list could grow by one if the team acquires the best center in the league.
The Lakers would get another superstar to pair with Kobe, allowing the Lakers to make one last run at the championship, while also getting a young player who can carry the mantle after Kobe. Playing with Dwight and Kobe will also be an attractive proposition for any other prospective free agents.
Likelihood:50%
Although the Magic have reportedly taken Howard “off the market” a few days after he seemed destined for New Jersey, LA should still pursue him with full intensity, especially with Paul’s arrival at the crosstown Clippers.
The Lakers were always Howard’s first choice and many believe that, despite his overtures towards New Jersey, he is most interested in playing with Kobe. ESPN is reporting that the Lakers have Howard as priority number one, which leads me to believe that it is not time to count out the Lakers, who seem willing to trade quite a bit to get one of the best in the league.
Paul Millsap
Many fans were shocked at the news of the Lamar Odom trade to the Dallas Mavericks, who had swept the Lakers in the previous playoffs, for a simple trade exception and draft pick upgrade. Now that the “disrespected” Odom got his wish and is gone, the Lakers need to find a way to obtain a player within the trade exception.
Most of the top-tier players are not available, but Millsap may be ripe for the taking.
Millsap, a talented power forward, is stuck behind a gluttony of talent at the power forward and center positions in Utah, from the disappointing Al Jefferson to 2010 first-round pick Derrick Favors to newest addition Enes Kanter. Millsap will struggle to establish himself as a dominant force.
Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesAlso, it’s a great situation for all parties; Millsap will be able to move to a championship-contending team, the Lakers add to their frontline to replace Odom and the Jazz clear salary cap from a crowded front court while adding a draft pick.
Likelihood: 20%
While this seems like a fairly good trade for all sides, it seems more likely that the Lakers are content to stay with their current roster when it comes to the big men.
Louis Scola
Scola was one of the players who the Rockets were prepared to send to New Orleans in the blocked trade, in return for Pau Gasol from the Lakers.
While the fact that the move never materialized was probably a positive for Houston (considering they would have been offloading several other talented players as well), the Rockets could still be a destination for Gasol.
He is reportedly unhappy in LA after having been shopped out for the past few weeks, with the Argentine the probable centerpiece of a swap deal between the two teams.
Scola in turn could serve as effective trade bait, as the Lakers attempt to bring in Howard. Of course, the Lakers are taking the risk that Dwight and other desired free agents will end up elsewhere, circumstances which would probably hurt LA (as Scola is a slight downgrade at power forward from Gasol), unless the likes of Kevin Martin or Goran Dragic are thrown in as well.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
If He is Traded on for CP3/Howard: 30%
If Lakers can’t find suitors: 10%
Scola is a good player, but not as good as Gasol, and it is unlikely that the Lakers would attempt to go for him if they were not convinced they could use him in a trade for a genuine superstar.
It is also unlikely that a Rockets-Lakers trade would not involve at least one other team, in a deal similar to the one Stern vetoed last week. If the Lakers can’t acquire Scola plus other pieces as part of a larger trade, it is unlikely they will go for someone who will, in all honesty, hurt rather than improve this current side.
Aaron Afflalo
Afflalo would be an absolutely perfect addition to this current Lakers team.
As a shooting guard, he gives the Lakers an athleticism and skill on the perimeter that the current roster seems to be lacking, and would be an excellent complement to Kobe as he would help space the floor.
As a defender, Afflalo provides more hustle and intensity than an aging and overweight Metta World Peace. The current Lakers starting lineup is too overloaded with big men, and the dynamic Afflalo could provide balance on the offensive end along with his tenacity on defense.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesLikelihood: 30%
This trade would be an excellent move on the Lakers' part, but theNuggets, after managing to Nene, will be desperate to retain Afflalo as well and remain playoff contenders in the West.
The one chance the Lakers (who would go over the salary cap if they picked up Afflalo) have is to get him through a sign-and-trade deal, which would be difficult to accomplish.
Deron Williams
Despite the hype over Paul, many forget that Williams, along with CP3 and Rose, is one of the elite point guards in the league, one who will almost certainly leave the Nets if they can’t acquire another superstar to complement him, a prospect that grows dimmer by the day.
Faced with the prospect of losing him for nothing in the summer, New Jersey might be persuaded in acquiring Gasol and a few other Lakers in return for Williams, perhaps during midseason if not before the opener.
Likelihood: 10%
The Nets, with their big move to Brooklyn looming, will look to keep Williams in the hopes that they can wrangle in the likes of Dwight Howard and keep their star point guard happy.
It would be an inspired trade if the Lakers' front office could pull it off, and somehow inject some more enthusiasm into a fan base that has been growing gradually more pessimistic as the offseason has worn on.
How the International Players Will Fare This Season 12/9/2011
International prospects have largely been boom or bust in the NBA; for every Dirk Nowitzki, there are numerous busts in the mold of Darko Milicic. Still, foreign prospects have the experience playing in pro divisions in Europe and Asia that gives them an edge over their collegiate counterparts. The recent NBA draft featured six foreigners drafted in the first round, most of whom are seen as high risk-high reward type of players whose potential to become big players in the league we preview.
Enes Kanter (Utah Jazz)
The Turkish big man is a bit of an unknown. Ineligible to play under
Calipari at Kentucky, Kanter was unable to display his impressive skill set at the collegiate level. Kanter was highly regarded due to his tremendous upside and NBA-ready body at 6’11" and 250 lbs.
His feel for the game far exceeds his age, and despite being only 20 years old, he has already built an impressive resume at the international level. Although it's his frame that catches the eye, there is no doubt Kanter is a smooth player with sound fundamentals. Kanter will need to adjust to the more physical game of the NBA, but he is capable of putting up solid numbers as a rookie. Look for Kanter to pair well with Devin Harris and realize his potential from the start.
Jonas Valanciunas (Toronto Raptors)
Seen as more of a long-term project than the slightly more polished Kanter, Valanciunas possesses a fluid game with tons of raw athleticism. Although he needs to add more bulk to his relatively thin frame, Valanciunas is an exciting athlete capable of running the floor and finishing in transition. An excellent pick-and-roll finisher thanks to his soft hands and impressive motor, Valanciunas should thrive after a few years of development.
Some scouts worry that his transition to the NBA could mirror that of Yi Jianlian and his progression could stall. However, should Raptors new head coach Dwane Casey bring him along slowly and allow him to improve his one-on-one and back-to-the-basket offense, Valanciunas could develop into a cornerstone of the Raptors offense. At only 19, fans should temper
expectations for the young Lithuanian in his rookie year but be cautiously optimistic for the future.
Jan Vesely (Washington Wizards)
The most athletic of the bunch, Vesely has an incredible collection of highlight reel dunks.
Incredibly efficient in transition and post ups, Vesely will pair excellently with point guard John Wall, who will be able to push the tempo. Needing to improve his spot-up capabilities and ball handling—Vesely was surprisingly turnover prone despite little usage—Vesely should contribute immediately in the open floor but will need to continue to develop in other aspects.
Paired with one of the most explosive point guards, Vesely and Wall will provide a tantalizing partnership that should breathe life into the once uninspiring Washington Wizards franchise. Much like Valanciunas, Vesely relies on his long frame to be an imposing defender in off ball and shot blocking situations.
Bismack Biyombo (Charlotte Bobcats)
Compared by many to Ben Wallace, Bismack Biyombo already possesses one of the most intimidating defensive skillsets of any player in the NBA. Despite his somewhat small 6’9" height, Biyombo’s 7’7" wingspan gives him insane reach and ability to block and alter shots in the paint.
Playing in perhaps the second best pro division in the world during his time in Spain, Biyombo led the league in blocked shots and was near the top in rebounds. A fiery competitor, Biyombo’s tenaciousness will serve him well on the offensive end, finishing in transition and offensive rebound situations. Look for Biyombo to get substantial minutes for his defensive contributions alone, and will be able to become a focal point on a young Charlotte Bobcats team.
Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Despite being drafted in 2009, the Spaniard has yet to play a single minute in the NBA as he looked to polish his game in Europe before being called over to the States. Rubio possesses an incredibly smooth game, producing some awe-inspiring passes that have already impressed Timberwolves fans desperate for him to transform their team.
Highly regarded as one of the best European guard prospects ever, Rubio’s flair and undeniable talent brought him worldwide acclaim and attention when he was as young as 16. Leading Spain to a silver medal and two gold medals in international competitions, Rubio’s game revolves around pass-first tendencies and is one of the most pure point guards to come to the NBA.
Compared by some to Steve Nash, Rubio’s assist totals will most likely exceed his point totals until he develops a more consistent range. Along with a young core of Derrick Williams and Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio should add another dimension to Minnesota and make them an enticing team as they mature.
A Stern Disaster Takes NBA by Storm 12/9/2011
On Thursday evening, the NBA world was stunned…twice.
First came the news that, after months of speculation, New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, one of the league’s undisputed superstars, would be moving to LA, pairing up with Kobe Bryant as the Lakers attempted to launch themselves back into championship relevancy after abject failure in last season’s playoffs.
At the same time, the Lakers would ship big man Lamar Odom to the Hornets and Pau Gasol (arguably also among the best players in the league) to Houston, who in turn would send a host of moderately talented pieces to New Orleans. It was a big trade that seemed eminently fair and balanced; after all, the Hornets, who will almost certainly lose Paul for nothing after the end of the shortened 2011/12 season, would be getting good value for the departure of their talisman.
Then, just a few hours later, when most NBA fans were speculating about how a Paul-Bryant combo would play out for the Lakers, the league dropped an absolute bombshell. For the first time in league history, the NBA and commissioner David Stern, who own the Hornets after having bought them in December of last year, blocked the trade.
Citing “basketball reasons” as their main motive, the league stopped the move, stunning fans across the nation and almost certainly inviting legal challenges from at least a few of the teams and players involved. Some have even speculated whether this decision may spur the beginning of the end of Stern’s tenure at the head of the NBA, a change that we feel is justified.
Quite simply, there is no precedent and even less logic behind Stern’s move, which was enacted after several owners (among them Cavs owner Dan Gilbert) lodged protest with the decision, seemingly fearing that the trade would create an unfair balance towards another big-market team. Of course, such viewpoints have no grounding in reality.
If anything, the deal was a bad one for LA; while they would have made a massive upgrade at point guard, Gasol and Odom were key cogs in the team, whose absence would have surely been felt. It is certainly arguable whether or not the Lakers could have overcome such losses and become true title contenders.
However, if any team got the truly short stick through Stern’s block of the trade, it is the Hornets. The terms of the trade were more than fair to New Orleans, who could have totally revamped their team with a solid lineup that would have included young point guard Goran Dragic, an elite power forward in Luis Scola, dynamic swingman Kevin Martin and a first-round pick in next season’s draft (all acquired from the Rockets) as well as Odom.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesNow, Paul will leave the Hornets next summer for free, and the team will be left in a massive lurch; not to mention the fact that they will spend the rest of the 66-game regular season with a point guard who doesn’t want to be there. The various Rockets and Lakers who were on the verge of being traded will no doubt feel even worse; how will the likes of Odom and Gasol be able to go back and give their all to a team who was prepared to get rid of them?
Even in the coldly business-like world of professional sports, knowing that you are surplus to requirements is bound to hurt. In terms of “basketball reasons," blocking the trade makes even less sense than allowing it to move forward.
The fact that the protestations of owners like Gilbert were enough to strong-arm the NBA into killing such an eminently fair deal does not bode well for Stern. There was no indication in the rumor-filled weeks leading up to the trade that Stern had any inclination to stopping a move by Paul to the Lakers, or indeed any other team; it was only when the actual terms of the trade materialized that the commissioner felt inclined to stop it from moving forward.
If Stern’s hold and views are so tenuous that a strongly worded email can force him into making a momentous, scandalous decision that will invite controversy and anger for weeks to come, teams across the league should be concerned as to how much authority the commissioner’s office holds, and how willing it is to enforce it.
Perhaps the most galling point to surface throughout this unfolding debacle is the conflict of interest inherent in having the league own a team. Gilbert, as well as the other owners who no doubt support his views on the trade, are part-owners of the very team who they attempted to prevent from unloading their star player.
In the end, Stern’s decision has been an absolute disaster for the NBA, and is one that is lacking in all logic or common sense. Whether or not legal challenges from the Lakers, Hornets and Rockets succeed in forcing the league to allow the trade to go forward, it is clear that it will take some sort of PR miracle for the embattled commissioner to fix his image in the wider basketball community.
Where Howard and Paul Will Land 12/2/2011
In an offseason already made frenetic by the lockout, the best point guard and the best center in the league will most likely move in the coming weeks. With New Orleans' Chris Paul and the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, two undisputed superstars of the game, expressing their desire to move to greener pastures, fans around the league are already dreaming of their team landing one of these two explosive talents.
Although both would like to be playing in a different jersey by the time Christmas comes around, it is far from certain that will happen. They still have time left on their contracts, and their respective GMs will dangle them as long as possible until they get what they want. For a team that trades for one of these players, an extension would most likely have to happen as well; no one is trading for a one-year rental. Still, chances are good that Howard and Paul will get what they want by the time the regular season rolls around.
Among the potential suitors for Howard are teams like the Bucks, Knicks, Nets, and the LA teams, with Howard said to be most strongly interested in becoming a Laker. Magic GM Otis Smith, however, will trade to whomever gives him the best deal, which may not be Los Angeles after all. The Magic are rumored to prefer Bucks center Andrew Bogut to the Lakers’ more inconsistent Andrew Bynum.
For the Lakers to land Howard, a three-team trade may need to happen between the teams with a couple of bit-part players shuffling around along with a few more senior players in an attempt to sweeten the pot for all sides involved.
The Lakers aren't the only team in the City of Angels that will be eying the big center. Donald Sterling’s Clippers, looking to add an established star to a young team led by a rising one in Blake Griffin, might break from tradition and offer a deal for Howard. Over on the other coast, the New Jersey Nets, desperate for a big name to generate excitement for their impending move to Brooklyn and in order to convince point guard Deron Williams to stay, could offer a swap with Brook Lopez and a couple of draft picks.
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesWith that stated, Howard’s obvious desire is to join Kobe and company. Even though the Lakers are an aging team whose strength was questioned after they were badly exposed by the Mavericks in the playoffs, Howard believes that he can help power LA to another championship right now.
Howard’s problem is that any team who acquires him is giving up a lot, and will therefore be less talented at other positions even with his acquisition. The one positive for the Lakers in that regard is that, besides Bryant and Gasol, there is arguably no indispensable player on the team; the likes of Bynum or Metta World Peace could conceivably be traded with little impact.
I believe the trade that will eventually happen is the three-team trade between the Bucks, Magic and Lakers, with the Bucks picking up Bynum and couple of other decent players to complement Brandon Jennings and soften the blow of losing Bogut, the Magic getting a player from the Lakers like Lamar Odom in addition to the Australian and the Lakers getting Dwight.
For Paul, the most likely contenders are the Knicks, Clippers and Celtic, although, at this point, the Hornet looks very unlikely to end up in Boston (where he would probably be replacing Rajon Rondo).
While it is clear that Paul is eager to play at Madison Square Garden, his dream may be a little more difficult to accomplish than Howard’s. With Amar’e Stoudemire andCarmelo Anthony taking up a majority of the Knicks' cap space, Paul, who is looking for a max contract or something close to it, may not get the money he wants in New York. It is also debatable whether the system of Mike D’Antoni is one that fits Paul’s style of play.
An intriguing scenario is one in which both Paul and Howard head for the Staples Center—to play for the Clippers. Obviously, the Clippers would have to give up some talent to get this (presumably only Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin are exempt from any cap-clearing cuts), but having Gordon, Griffin, Paul and Howard in the starting lineup would instantly catapult them into contention in the Western Conference, which is an attractive enticement.
While money is a crucial motivation for both Paul and Howard (as it always is when it comes to free agency), both of them are looking to win, and for the opportunity to retire with championship rings on their fingers, fittingly enough, their best chance to do just that might come if they wind up playing together.
For the past few seasons, the Thunder have looked primed for a breakout year, and many experts and analysts are already forecasting a Thunder-Heat Final for this NBA season.
With one of the game’s most dynamic young scorers in Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City has emerged as one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference. Alongside Durant, the Thunder have another young star in Russell Westbrook, who despite his athleticism and copious talent, needs to improve his offensive efficiency and sometimes lackluster decision making. Westbrook was often criticized last season for errant shooting in crunch time and his unwillingness to pass to the league's two time leading scorer in Kevin Durant. If Westbrook can mature his game and Durant continues to be an elite scorer, the Thunder are a legitimate contender to win the Western Conference and challenge for the NBA Championship.
The Thunder boast one of the most complete starting lineups of any team this year. As mentioned, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are the cornerstones, both tremendously athletic players who fill up the stats sheet. While Westbrook’s game does need a little further development, his season averages of 22 PPG, eight APG and four RPG place him among the most dominant point guards in the league. Durant is perhaps the game’s most consistent scorer, and the athletic swingman has been working hard to improve his game throughout the summer lockout.
Coupled with their offensive firepower, the Thunder possess one of the most intimidating defenders in Serge Ibaka. Known affectionately as “Air Congo”, the Congolese PF is a force on the glass and in the paint. A high flying shot blocker, Ibaka provides a spark on both ends of the floor, and his offensive limitations are overshadowed by his impact on the boards and altering shots on the defensive end. Seeking a more physical presence at the 5, GM Sam Presti orchestrated a trade in the middle of last season for former Boston Celtic Kendrick Perkins. Another player built in the mold of Ibaka, Perkins' main asset is his ability to lock down some of the league’s best offensive centers.
James Harden, last year's impact sixth man, looks to procure a starting spot in the Thunder's lineup, as the bearded guard had huge playoff games as the Thunder's third scoring option behind Westbrook and Durant. With an increase in minutes, Harden could emerge as one of the top breakout talents of this season. A productive bench is filled with playoff experienced players including Nate Robinson, Thabo Sefolosha and Nazr Mohammed, who will serve beneficially as both role players and mentors.
A lockout shortened season looks to favor the young Thunder and we here at GNB see them reaching the Western Conference Final due to a lack of dominant teams in the West. With each team forced into playing back to back to back games, the older Western Conference teams risk losing their veteran players to injury or fatigue. With another year of experience under their belt, Coach Scott Brooks hopes to push the talented team to reach their potential and get over the final hurdle by making their first ever NBA Finals.
Predicting Where the Top 10 NBA Free Agents Will Land
12/2/2011
The NBA season is rapidly approaching as the union and the owners sit down to finish the labor agreement that would start the season on Christmas Day. That leaves less than a month (Dec 9th-25th) for free agents to talk to teams and sign up for their new homes. Here are where we believe these top tier free agents should go, and where they will ultimately land up.
Nene
Should: Clippers
The Clippers have the nucleus of a promising team (headlined of course by the explosive Blake Griffin) that has the potential to lead LA to success; or, at the very least, a playoff berth. The one thing that could take the Clippers from also-rans to a serious contender for postseason action is an elite center, but Donald Sterling’s infamous aversion to spending money will stop him from offering Nene the max (or close to max) contract the Brazilian is looking for.
Will: Nets
While New Jersey do have the decent Brook Lopez at center, Nene is certainly a class above, and the pursuit of such a high profile free agent is the sort of thing the Nets need to do as they aim to keep Deron Williams and generate excitement for a move to Brooklyn ahead of next season. Landing Nene may also serve to turn Lopez into tempting trade bait that could aid Mikhail Prokhorov in luring even more stars to his team
Should: Dallas
Repeating as champions might be a stretch for the Mavericks, but they can certainly contend in the Western Conference again as long as they keep Chandler, who proved an effective foil for Nowitzki last season. Certainly, most of the teams trying to grab Chandler in the free market are nowhere near in as complete a shape as Dallas, and if winning championships is his major aim, the center would be best served staying put.
Will: Nets
A back up option if New Jersey can’t get Nene. Certainly the Nets have the necessary deep pockets to lure Chandler, who’s looking for a big pay day.
Marc Gasol
Should: Grizzlies
The Grizzlies showed glimpses of a bright future in last spring’s playoff run, toppling the Spurs and giving the Thunder a hard fought series. Similarly to the Clippers, Memphis has a strong, talented young core, who, if they have a chance to keep developing together in seasons to come, could mature into legitimate contenders. If Gasol sticks around, he has the potential to be a part of a rebirth in Memphis.
Will: Grizzlies
Re-signing Gasol is the Grizzlies’ absolute number one priority; the Spaniard is the cornerstone of their team, and letting him go would be a massive step backwards for the Memphis organization. With few pressing needs in the free agent market, expect the Grizzlies ownership to do everything in their financial power to keep their star center.
Shane Battier
Should: Heat
Battier is that rare breed of free agent; one for whom money comes second in consideration to winning. After a long, respected career in the league, the only thing the veteran has left to do is bring home a championship ring.
Will: Heat
The Heat need a tenacious defender capable of clocking 20-25 minutes a game and neutralizing the opposition’s main threat, which is what Battier has done his entire career. With Miami favorites to win the NBA championship, look for the former Rocket and Grizzly to take a modest pay cut to increase his chances of going out a winner.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
David West
Should: Pacers
The Pacers had a decently average 2010/11, sneaking into the playoffs and giving the Bulls a brief scare, but there is no denying that they need an explosive talent to give them some shot of progressing. David West may be approaching the end of his career at 31, but, provided he stays injury free, he should be a solid player in the next few seasons.
Will: Hornets
Just like the Grizzlies with Marc Gasol, the Hornets will do everything in their power to keep West. Almost as important as his on-court contributions is the overall image; keep West, and New Orleans might succeed in convincing Chris Paul that they are serious about winning, perhaps convincing the point guard to stay for at least one more full season.
Jason Richardson
Should: Magic
Although a decent enough player for Orlando last season, Richardson wasn’t exactly spectacular; certainly not good enough to suggest that teams are going to offer him very sizable contracts. Provided Dwight Howard sticks around until the end of the season, the Magic have a shot at being Eastern Conference contenders. If Richardson is interested in winning, there are few better options than Orlando.
Will: Magic
Keeping Richardson will be the ultimate offseason priority for the Magic, who have precious little depth and almost no chance of grabbing an upgrade in free agency. Orlando should have enough left in the cap space to entice Richardson to stick around.
Nick Young
Should: Bulls
The Bulls are in dire need of a productive shooting guard as the final piece of a talented nucleus. With Derrick Rose at the point and Carlos Boozer down low, the Bulls simply need a scorer to keep going while Rose sits down on the bench. Nick Young would bring this scoring from Washington, averaging 17 points per game in his time there, and help a struggling Bulls offense. In the playoffs, the Heat managed to shut down Rose and the Bulls struggled to keep up, but Young’s scoring presence would allow the Bulls the best pure scorer in this free agent class as the team’s second option.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesWill: Wizards
Nick Young enters this free agent class as a restricted free agent, which means that his current team, the Washington Wizards, can match any deal offered. The Wizards have to spend to meet the new salary cap minimum (especially so if they use the amnesty clause on Rashard Lewis), and will hardly let their best scorer and future of their franchise go. I believe Washington will match any offers on the table in order to keep their star scorer in the nation’s capital.
Jamal Crawford
Should: Heat
The heat could use a scorer off their bench to spark some offense when they rest the Big Three, and Crawford knows how to score, putting up 52 points against the Heat last season. Also, this may be more about stopping the Bulls from getting Crawford who as stated earlier that they simply need a pure scorer off the bench to overcome the possibility of Rose getting shut down. However, the Heat can only afford the mid level exception of 5.5 million for Crawford, and will need him to take a pay cut in order to compete for an NBA championship.
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty ImagesWill: Hawks
Crawford is a crucial player for Atlanta, his scoring potential off the bench providing the Hawks with an X factor that even Joe Johnson can’t match. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the big money contract they handed out to Johnson may restrict how much they can afford to offer Crawford, but such is his vital importance to the team that Atlanta will almost certainly find a way to keep him.
Thaddeus Young
Should: Clippers
Young would be a fine addition to the Clippers' young core. The exciting, dynamic young small forward showed signs of great improvement last season, and Los Angeles lack a player at his position with his natural talent and massive upside. He would be a fine complement for Blake Griffin.
Will: 76ers
Philadelphia realize just how talented Young is, and coach Doug Collins showed signs last season that he was figuring out an effective role for Young in the team. While there are three other small forwards ahead of Young in the Sixers depth chart (including the highly paid Andre Iguodala), Young’s great potential will all but force Philly into paying him whatever they have to in order to keep him around.
Arron Afflalo
Should: Lakers
Afflalo is exactly what the Lakers need to rejuvenate their team and launch themselves back into the championship contention. He would become the team's best defender (allowing LA the luxury of cutting Metta World Peace), capable of neutralizing the opposition’s most potent scoring threat. Afflalo’s dangerous shooting potential would also add another dimension to the Laker’s attack, and would allow the team to spread the paint and provide more space for LA’s big men.
Will: Nuggets
With all that said, he is a pivotal player already for the Nuggets, who have made it clear that they consider keeping him and Nene their top offseason priorities. If Denver has any chance of staying relevant in the Western Conference, they should do everything they can to convince Afflalo re-sign.
