In-Depth Sports Analysis

Revised Predictions

2012-11-17T19:22:00.000-08:00

After 3 weeks of basketball, there are a few things that have become fairly evident, and so, I would like to revise my playoff predictions and give my opinions on some teams so far.

Eastern Conference:
1. Miami Heat
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Boston Celtics
4. New York Knicks
5. New Jersey Nets
6. Philadelphia 76ers
7. Milwaukee Bucks
8. Indiana Pacers

Surprising Teams:
New York Knicks- Mike Woodson's defense, combined with the resurgence of Raymond Felton, and the overall stellar play of Carmelo and JR, has led this team to a fast start. They will drop off as they adapt to Amare's return and the fact that they are so old.

Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings is playing the best basketball of his career, and they are getting solid contributions from what is looking like a very deep team.

Disappointing Teams:
Indiana Pacers: Roy Hibbert looks like he forgot how to play basketball, the bench has been non-existent, and Paul George is hardly stepping up. Who knew that Danny Granger was so important to this team.

Washington Wizards: I know John Wall and Nene are out, but this team should have won a game by now.

Western Conference:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Los Angeles Lakers
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Dallas Mavericks
8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Surprising Teams:
Memphis Grizzlies: Everything is clicking right now, especially with contributions from the bench in Wayne Ellington and Jerryd Bayless. Marc Gasol has been the best center in the league thus far.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Playing well without Love, Rubio, and others. Kirilenko looks rejuvenated, but it will be hard to sustain if the aforementioned injured players don't return until Jan/Feb

Disappointing Teams:
Denver Nuggets: I could go write many paragraphs about how bad they look but I will summarize. Poor 3-point and midrange shooting, god awful free throw percentage, Ty Lawson becoming worse, and Javale Mcgee not playing enough.

Los Angeles Lakers: Only the Lakers would fire a coach after 5 games, but this was for the best for them. Mike D'Antonio is salivating at the pick and roll pairing of his dreams in Nash and Howard. Oh, and they have Kobe on the side.

Indiana Pacers Preview

2012-11-01T18:03:00.002-07:00

Hello,
I am depressed after seeing the Nuggets put up a stinker in Philly. But it makes me happy that the Lakers suck.

INDIANA PACERS

Key Additions: D.J. Augustin (FA), Ian Mahinmi (trade), Gerald Green (FA), Sam Young (FA)

Key Losses: Darren Collison, Dhantay Jones, Louis Amundson

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: George Hill
SG: Paul George
SF: Danny Granger
PF: David West
C: Roy Hibbert

Role Players: Augustin, Mahinmi, Green, Tyler Hansbrough, Sam Young

Comments: I can't look at this roster without thinking how similar this team is to the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams are solid offensively and defensively at each starting position with a few all star caliber players in each. Conley and Hill are similar players. Granger and Gay are both electric scorers. West and Randolph are talented offensively, and George and Allen are talented defensively. Weird. But both teams have the "no superstar" kryptonite that will prevent each from making it to the Finals (and probably conference finals as well, although Indiana has more of a chance). This Pacer core has really no weaknesses, so this will be a very difficult team to beat during the regular season. Also, Frank Vogel is a solid young head coach, who has a defensive-first philosophy and probably should have won Coach of the Year last year.

George Hill is a former Spurs guard from IUPUI (tiny school in Indiana), who has developed into a really nice PG. He is quick, rarely makes mistakes, is good on defense, and can knock down the occasional 3. Without Collison on the team, he doesn't have to look over his shoulder to worry about the starting job. He will be this teams PG, and the team needs continual development to beat the Heat, because we have seen that the Heat struggle in terms of containing quick guards. Augustin is the backup. After a few years of being the Bobcats best player (doesnt say anything about his game), he will actually have to worry about helping his team win. He is a good shooter, but has been turnover prone. We will see how he responds to being the scoring punch off the bench.

Paul George could develop into a very good player. After being unheard of two years ago in the draft, he slowly has brought his immense athleticism and committed to being a very good defender. He also can shoot the 3, and perform some cool dunks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvtHauJMMhY (doesnt this make you wish the NBA had glow in the dark games?) Look for him to continue to develop his offensive game to become a real scoring threat (also he had 15 rebounds last night, pretty good for a wing guy). Sam Young is the backup (also Lance Stephenson). Both are defensive players with very little offensive talent. This may be a problem for the Pacers. They could really use a shooter off the bench, maybe a trade deadline possibility).

Danny Granger was the Pacers best player for the last few years. Now, I am not so sure anymore. He is a really good scorer and used to average over 20 points a game. Last year, those numbers dipped as the teammates around him got better. He is also a terrible defender, which the team makes up for by having a great wing defender in George and a shot blocking center in Hibbert. Granger is injured now, but the Pacers need his offense on what is generally considered a defensive squad. They could have knocked off the Heat last year with a few better shooting nights from Granger (although he was being defender by LeBron). Gerald Green is the backup. This dunk is ridiculous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzo4pHTZ-M. But seriously, this guy used to suck, disappeared from the league, and when he came back, he was a new man. No longer did he take terrible 3's and not play defense, but he was a solid defender who could be efficient on offense. They will need him to take a bigger role when Granger is out, and provide scoring when he comes off the bench.

David West is another solid Pacer. He lacks some strength defensively, but he is a very good midrange shooter, and can extend out to 20 feet. He is a good compliment to the inside post game of Hibbert, and the outside offense of Granger and George. I want his rebounding numbers to improve, but West may be the leading scorer on the Pacers some nights if he is hot. On the Hornets, I was never too worried that West was going to beat the Nuggets, but he would find ways to get his 15-20 a game anyway. Tyler Hansbrough is the backup. Everyone said that this guy would never find a role in the NBA, because he isn't athletic or that strong, and wasn't much of a shooter. But what he knew, and everyone should know, is that a 6-8 man or above that hustles and has a knack for being in the right spots, will always get playing time. He will battle for rebounds, and get his garbage buckets, and is actually an important part of the Pacers bench.

Roy Hibbert is the reason that this team went from being in the bottom tier of the East, to the top. He improved every aspect of his game, and made an all-star team. He used to be just tall, but now he is tall and strong, patrolling the paint and blocking many a shot. He has also found a little touch down low, showing some hook shots and up and unders to develop a nice little post game. He is the defensive anchor for the Pacers, and their most important player if they want to make it far in the playoffs. Mahinmi is the backup, and he is another strong center that will block shots and defend the post. Unlike Hibbert, he has no offensive game.

The Pacers are a very strong defensive team, and should be ranked in the top categories defensively. Their main problem will be finding the offense when West and Granger are on the bench. Will they have enough offensive firepower to handle the Celtics or Heat is to remain in the air, but if they are a 3 or 4 seed, they could very well find themselves in the conference finals. This is the team I will root for in the East, because they are just solid across the board with no real hateable players.

Next Up, Miami Heat

Los Angeles Lakers Preview

2012-10-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hello,
So the season is underway, but trust me, my opinions won't change of the teams I am about to cover even after a few games.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Key Additions: Dwight Howard (trade), Steve Nash (FA), Antawn Jamison (FA), Jodie Meeks (FA), Chris Duhon (trade)

Key Losses: Andrew Bynum, Ramon Sessions, Matt Barnes

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Steve Nash
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Metta World Peace
PF: Pau Gasol
C: Dwight Howard

Role Players: Jamison, Meeks, Duhon, Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, Devin Ebanks

Comments: If you look at this team on paper, especially the starting lineup, you would be frightened immediately. 2 MVP's, 2 Defensive player of the years, and then Pau Gasol... Jeez. But, if you actually watched them in the preseason and last night, you will notice 3 things that are promising to Laker Haters like myself. 1. They clearly don't have chemistry yet, which is true of any team that has a large overhaul in the offseason. 2. They have no depth whatsoever, which is especially worrying because Nash, Bryant, and Howard all have history of injuries and most likely each will miss some time this season. 3. Kobe Bryant is still the primary playmaker, and not Steve Nash. I will discuss why this is a problem in a second. These 3 things will manifest itself in what is seemingly a disappointing regular season for the Lakers. Their hope is that they figure things out come playoff time, but don't be surprised if they aren't in the top 2 or 3 seeds this year.

Steve Nash is old but still wildly effective as a PG. He has the innate ability to get every person involved. He is especially good at the pick and roll (which the Lakers don't run much of), and he is an excellent jump shooter. He needs to have the ball to make plays and be most effective. If Kobe is doing his thing (which isnt ineffective), Nash is relegated to the Derek Fisher role of hitting open 3's and passing the ball into the post. Nash is better than that, and if he ran pick and roll with Howard and Gasol, with Kobe being the 2nd option, this team would have a scary offense. Thankfully for us, Kobe is too selfish, so we don't have to worry about that. Duhon and Blake are the backups. Duhon is better defensively, and Blake is better at shooting 3's, but neither are particularly good as distributors. With Kobe and Nash, they just need to hit their shots.

I don't like Kobe Bryant, mainly because he raped a woman in my home state, and the fact that he absolutely kills the Nuggets, but I respect his game. He has the best footwork in the NBA, which allows him to score inside and outside, even when it seems you are playing amazing defense. And of course, he is an excellent passer and defender, he doesn't miss games due to injury, and he is ridiculously clutch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo All this said, his team demands that he becomes more like Kevin Durant than LeBron James or Derrick Rose. What I mean by this is that he splits about 50/50 possessions where he is the primary playmaker, instead of being the one that is always making the plays like James and Rose. But again, he won't do it, because he is Kobe, and he wants to do it all himself if he can. Meeks is the backup, and like the other bench players on the Lakers, he isn't very good except for shooting. If he plays with Nash, he will do great (a la Raja Bell or Jared Dudley), but otherwise should be useless.

If World Peace shoots more than 7 shots a game, the Lakers are in trouble. He thinks he is so good at basketball, because he is strong and can defend. While he definitely is both of those things, this team has too much offensive talent for him to have any plays ran for him. The Lakers are scariest when Peace is locked in on defense, and standing in the corner while Kobe and co. do their thing. Also, he needs to stop this crap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NIYqbb7heQ&feature=fvst. The Lakers have Ebanks as the backup, who is long and athletic. I remember him being dreadful against the Nuggets as Peace's replacement, maybe his offense has improved.

Pau Gasol may be the key to the whole Lakers operation. What Gasol is: a solid mid range shooter, a good big man passer, good a tipping shots in. What Gasol is not: Strong, a 3-point shooter, a good defender. Kenneth Faried is 4 inches shorter and was able to push Gasol around in the playoffs. He has always been weak inside, but the last few years with Bynum, he could get away with it. He can get away with it because of Howard now. Gasol needs to help Howard space the floor by hitting those long range shots, and not clogging the lane. Also, he needs to play better perimeter defense when teams go small against the Lakers to counter their size. Also, he can't dissapear in the 4th quarter, or important games, as he tends to do. Antawn Jamison is the backup. He has had a solid career, especially offensively. He had post moves, and could shoot it outside. Now, he is more of an outside shooter, but what I will remember about Jamison is that he was the guy Cleveland got to appease LeBron and help them win a championship. Didn't quite work out that way.

And the big story of the Lakers is the acquisition of Howard. I have a feeling that Howard will leave after this season, because I think he wants his own legacy, and not to follow in the footsteps of Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, and Oneal (the other Laker centers). But for this year, as long as his back is healthy, he is the best defender in the NBA. It is because no one in the NBA can match his strength and athleticism down low. His obvious achilles heel is his free throw shooting, which is seemingly becoming worse than Shaq's, The Mavs hacked-a-Howard, and other teams will to unless he improves. I mean he obviously is overthinking it... look at this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T8uRmwP1jE. And the Lakers don't really have a backup center, putting a lot of pressure on Howard and Gasol to provide all of the size. Howard may get reinjured if he is overworked.

The Lakers have the most talent in a starting lineup in the NBA. And while it will take some time to translate into wins, I would be very scared of them come playoff time. I could see them being a 6th seed and still making the Finals.

Next Up, Indiana Pacers

NBA Predictions

2012-10-30T16:40:00.001-07:00

I know I haven't finished the previews yet...and I will, but before the season starts I wanted to give out my predictions

East:
1. Miami Heat
2. Boston Celtics
3. Indiana Pacers
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Chicago Bulls
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. New Jersey Nets
8. New York Knicks

Just Missing: Washington, Cleveland, Milwaukee

Yeah Right: Charlotte, Orlando, Detroit, Toronto

West:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. San Antonio Spurs
7. Utah Jazz
8. Golden State Warriors

Just Missing: Minnesota, Phoenix, Portland

Yeah Right: Sacramento, Houston, New Orleans

Eastern Conference Finals: Miami vs. Boston: Heat in 5
Western Conference Finals: Clippers vs. Lakers: Lakers in 6

NBA Finals: Heat in 6

MVP: LeBron
ROY: Anthony Davis
Coach of the Year: Mark Jackson
6th Man: Jamal Crawford
Defensive POY: Dwight Howard

All-NBA
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Dwayne Wade
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Dwight Howard

Second Team
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kevin Love
C: Tyson Chandler

Third Team
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Andre Iguodala (gotta get a Nugget somewhere)
SF: Josh Smith
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Marc Gasol

Memphis Grizzlies Preview

2012-10-29T12:31:00.002-07:00

Hello,
Power is not out yet, so I keep chugging along.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Key Additions: Jerryd Bayless (FA), Wayne Ellington (trade)

Key Losses: O.J. Mayo, Dante Cunningham, Gilbert Arenas

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Tony Allen
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Zach Randolph
C: Marc Gasol

Role Players: Bayless, Ellington, Mareese Speights, Darrell Arthur, Hamed Haddadi, Qunicy Pondexter

Comments: The Grizzlies are a great example of what I don't like about the NBA. This team has everything you would like in a starting lineup. Solid passing ability, athleticism, low post play, wing defense. But, they are in a mid-market town without a true superstar so they probably won't win any titles. I do hope a team like the Grizzlies, Pacers, or Nuggets win an NBA title soon, because the NBA is on a path where you need multiple superstars to win a championship, and it is time a team reverses that trend. Maybe it is just the old conspiracy theory that the NBA won't allow a team like this to win the title (as evidence by the sometimes blatant superstar refereeing), I just really hope that isnt true.

Mike Conley and Greg Oden played together at OSU. Everyone thought that Oden was a sure fire pick, and Conley should have stayed in school longer. Conley has been the better player by light years. He is a solid shooter, gets his teammates the ball off of screens and in the posts, and has done a much better job of not turning the ball over. No one on this team is particularly flashy (except Gay at times), but they are solid, and Conley is a good example. Bayless is a combo guard that is supposed to be the lightning in a bottle off the bench. The Grizzlies will need his offense, because they have relied on OJ Mayo to carry the scoring off the bench. Without Mayo, they might have a big problem on offense without Gay and Randolph; Bayless could help to solve it.

Tony Allen is probably the best on-ball defender in the NBA. And I don't even have to explain it, because this video does. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JXkab5C7j0 (turn up the volume). He is abysmal on offense, but thats ok, because he is vital to the Grizz success with his hustle and fast hands that lead to easy buckets in transition. Wayne Ellington is another player that could pick up Mayo's scoring load off the bench. He has battled injuries while in Minnesota, but if healthy is a very good shooter. His quickness and offensive ability balance Allen's strength and defense nicely.

Rudy Gay, is the Grizzlies most talented player, but not always their best player. For the Grizzlies to win the west, Gay needs to play like an all-star every night, not just some. He is athletic and can drive to the basket with ease. He has an inconsistent jump shot as well, but has the unique ability to get up his shot in any situation. Gay is also a superb defender with long arms and quick feet. Besides his inconsistency, Gay needs to learn how to play alongside Randolph. They both need their shots, but they play at different parts of the court, so their games have the chance to mesh. Gay plays on the perimeter and drives, and Randolph operates in the post. Quincy Pondexter is the backup, but he is nothing special. An OK defender, and a mediocre corner 3 guy, he isn't going to strike fear in anyone when he replaces Gay for his 10 min a game.

I think Zach Randolph is one of the most talented low post scorers in the NBA. When he is making his fadeaway 12 footer, he is actually unstoppable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7_htGob6zg. He is great with that left hand, and gets a ton of his own misses for putbacks. He was amazing in those playoffs in 2011, but not great last year. If he can't play with Gay, they might have to look in a different direction, but both are so talented offensively that I would try every way to make it work. Darrell Arthur missed all of last season, and he was needed. He is a great defender and pick and roll player, similar to Taj Gibson in Chicago. He will bring some offense and energy to the second unit. Mareese Speights was Arthur's replacement. While he shoots too many shots for a big man, Speights is another big body with offensive talent on this team. The frontcourt of the Grizzlies will not be their problem.

Marc Gasol was much improved last season, and I will go ahead and say it. He is better than his brother Pau. Yep. Marc may not have the same shooting ability, but he is tough, can score down low, and passes extremely well for a big man. Pau just doesn't have the same tenacity inside even if he is more offensively talented. The offense kind of flows around Gasol even if he doesnt get a ton of assists or scores. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCe5oN0zl6o. Hamed Haddadi, I believe is the tallest player in the NBA. He is also from Iran. He also is not great, but I wonder how many 7-2 Iranian guys are out there. Also did you know that 17% of the world's 7 footers play in the NBA. Thats how you got to do it.

The Grizzlies are where the Hawks have been this year. A very talented roster with a few all-star caliber players that will have trouble making it out of the second round. If Gay develops a bit more and learns to play with Randolph so that both can be effective at the same time, this team has a real chance. Also, it needs to replace Mayo's scoring on the bench. I fear, however, that a 4 or 5 seed is in their future.

Next Up, Los Angeles Lakers

Boston Celtics Preview

2012-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Hello All,
Here goes number 2 of the day

BOSTON CELTICS

Key Additions: Jeff Green (heart injury), Jason Terry (FA), Leandro Barbosa (FA), Jared Sullinger (rookie), Darko Milicic (FA), Courtney Lee (FA)

Key Losses: Ray Allen, Greg Stiemsma, Sasha Pavlovic, other pathetic players who shouldn't have gotten playing time

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Lee
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Brandon Bass
C: Kevin Garnett

Role Players: Sullinger, Terry, Green, Avery Bradley, Milicic, Barbosa

Comments: Everyone is making a big deal about how Ray Allen left the Celtics for the Heat. Celtics fans, shouldnt be that upset, because they got better. The combination of Terry and Lee is much better than Allen. Anyway, Doc Rivers has a much deeper team than last year, which will be needed since KG and The Truth are another year older (and most likely another step slower). The Celtics will be good once again this year, but their overall success really rides on a single player.

Rajon Rondo is the heart and soul of the Celtics. Paul Pierce can do his awkward fade away, and KG can hit his elbow jumpers, but it is Rondo's unique passing ability that makes this team run. Everyone knows Rondo's story, he has the ability to know exactly where players are going to be, and will find the most creative ways to get them the ball. He is also very creative and effective in driving to the basket, so he is a threat offensively. But, we also know that his gigantic hands make it very difficult for him to shoot the ball, so defenders tend to play off him (daring him to shoot almost). This strategy isn't the most effective thing, as he still passes well, and his shooting has improved every year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndyfsS0bFK8&feature=related His attitude and effort have come into question, which has led to trade rumors, but the Celtics desperately need him to play at a high level, because this team is very mediocre without him. The Celtics don't have a backup PG (Rondo plays basically the whole game anyway), but Terry, Bradley, and Barbosa can all play a little point. Avery Bradley is out for a little while, but has shown to be a lockdown defender, who can finish at the rim as well. I dont know how Barbosa will get much playing time, since they have so many guards, but he is very quick, and can be instant offense at times.

Courtney Lee was a very nice pickup for the Celtics. He is a strong shooter and defender. He had a great rookie season for the Magic, but has been involved in a few trades, so hasn't gotten comfortable. Nevertheless, he will be a perfect fit for Doc who looks for defensive players that can fit into the pass first system on offense. Jason Terry is the bigger pickup, as he will take many of Ray Allen's shot attempts. At this stage in both their careers, they are about equal shooters, and both are incredibly clutch. I don't think the Celtics will miss a beat at SG especially with Terry, who will have a similar role where he will lead the bench unit, but also play in crunch time. I am excited to see his swag along with KG, Pierce, and Rondo. The Jet should fit right in.

Paul Pierce is still doing his Truth thing. He still is a scores well with his post game, and solid outside shooting. But, he is losing his step defensively. LeBron tooled on him in the playoffs, and Pierce was the one guy who could slow LeBron down. Celtics fans should be worried that if Pierce loses a step defensively, his offensive game may be next. I think this will be Pierce's last season being effective as a starter, and then it is time to have Jeff Green get a larger load of the minutes. Green missed last season with a heart defect, but he is an athletic wing scorer. He can drive, shoot well, and defend. The Celtics should be excited since Green has looked so good in the preseason. The Celtics may be forced to play him along with Pierce and go small, or bench Pierce if Green is truly more effective.

PF is the weak spot on the Celtics. Brandon Bass is solid, but not flashy. He can hit the 16-foot jumper, rebound OK, but he is weak on defense, and won't have any monster games. Sullinger is the big question mark. He had a back injury at Ohio State that caused a red flag and a drop in his draft status. Celtics fans will tell you that they "stole" Sullinger, since he fell so far. But, they are missing the fact that Sullinger is one of the least athletic big mans I have every seen. He is crafty in the post, but he will have trouble with stronger and more athletic big men that he will face, especially defensively. Also, will his back hold up in an 82 game season plus playoffs? The Celtics have high hopes for him, but I would temper them a little until we see what he can do over the course of a few months. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlljObv8LwI&feature=related.

KG moved to center last year, and that allowed him to have a rebound season. He can now control the paint on defense, and stick to taking his long jump shot that he is so good at, since the other centers won't go out that far. He works very well with Rondo, and that should continue. I just fear Garnett will also succumb to his age very soon. He has played in so many games, and has done this so many times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsy4_IXakNU. He has jumped so many times, his knees won't be able to stand much longer. But, he is the great intimidator, and will always be effective defensively. Darko Milicic is the backup center. Everyone knows he was the second pick of the 2003 draft in front of Melo, Wade, Bosh, and other all-stars. But, he got a NBA championship 8 years before LeBron (so what if he didn't actually play). Darko, now is a shot blocking center, who never found an offense game like scouts thought he could. Here is a gem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NJSNeFqRZI&feature=related. And another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0nvmfka3mE&feature=related.

The Celtics are improved upon last year for sure with a much deeper squad. They should have no problem winning their division and getting the 2 or 3 seed in the East. However, they will always be compared to the Heat, and their ability to beat them depends on if they can slow down their speed and athleticism. At this point, even if Rondo plays his best, I don't know if they can. Their hope may lie with Avery Bradley, who can shut down Wade with the best of them. If he is at his best, and Rondo plays amazingly like last year, they may just have a shot.

Next Up, Memphis Grizzlies

Los Angeles Clippers Preview

2012-10-29T08:46:00.001-07:00

Hello All,
So Hurricane Sandy has afforded me the opportunity to pull off the impossible. Finish my NBA Previews by tomorrow nights game. It will be a long tough road, since I have 9 more, but I will try.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Key Additions: Matt Barnes (FA), Grant Hill (FA), Jamal Crawford (FA), Willie Green (FA), Lamar Odom (FA), Ronni Turiaf (FA)

Key Losses: Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Nick Young, Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Chauncey Billups
SF: Caron Butler
PF: Blake Griffin
C: DeAndre Jordan

Role Players: Hill, Odom, Crawford, Eric Bledsoe, Turiaf, Barnes, Green

Comments: If there was one coach who I could tell you right now will be fired either at some point this season or right after, it is Vinny Del Negro. The offense for the Clippers has the potential to be so potent, but they run approximately two plays: Chris Paul isolation (which is very effective), and Blake Griffin isolation. This makes the Clippers very predictable on offense, and once the Spurs took that away, the Clippers basically keeled over. I also remember how Chris Paul had to ask to come back into Game 1 against the Grizzlies, so that he could lead a comeback (so much for believing in your team). So basically, it comes down to Chris Paul having to play the coach position. It is too much pressure, and this team will continue to underperform unless it gets a quality coach. I personally would love to see what Jerry Sloan would do to this team (with his history of coaching PG's, whoa).

Anyway, lets start with Paul. He is the best PG in the game. He is the best ball distributor, able to get his players the ball in the exact right positions for them to score. Lobs, drive and kicks, pick and roll, he can do it all. Also, he can take over on offense himself if need be, and his defense (especially stealing), is top notch. I would be concerned that he hasn't signed a long term deal yet, but I have a feeling he will eventually. Also, I am interested to see how often Paul gets fined for flopping, because he secretly gets away with a lot of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znAA4mLU0II (this video also has the classic Duncan "I didnt do anything" face). Eric Bledsoe is a very promising backup. He is explosive and can shoot it as well. He was kind of stuck behind Paul, Billups, and Williams last year, but now with Billups injured and Williams gone, he will get a lot of playing time. He is a very dangerous scorer off the bench.

Chauncey Billups had a sad year last year when he broke his achilles. Before that, he was actually doing quite well in the SG position alongside Paul. He is just a savvy veteran who can still drain it from 3 and distribute the ball nicely. Besides Roy Halladay, he is probably the best athlete from Denver. Hopefully he returns from injury soon. Willie Green will probably start in his absence. He is a solid defender and a streaky shooter, who will probably see a lot less time when Billups returns. Jamal Crawford is the real threat at SG. This guy absolutely kills the Nuggets, and his crossover is deadly (why he is named J-crossover). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCqlscrBuQ8&feature=related. You can also see is a lights out shooter, but he is a little streaky. He will have to replace the offense of Williams, Foye, and Young that made their bench so good.

Caron Butler is the SF. He has always been a consistent scorer, but on the Clippers last year it seemed as if he was shooting the ball much more than he should. He takes shots like Kevin Durant, but makes them a lot less. If he is more selective, the Clippers can be much more efficient. If Odom can return to being at least a little bit good (big if), then he will get a lot of the minutes at this spot. Grant Hill is really old, but still a quality defensive player. Barnes is technically another backup, and on the Lakers, I would pray that he would be allowed to shoot. He is one of those guys that prides himself on defense, which in a twisted way in his mind, allows him to shoot as many shots as he wants. No, Barnes, stop shooting, you suck.

Now to Blake Griffin. This guy is clearly a unique talent, but there is something off about his game. Because of his super athleticism, he can dunk from anywhere, and can do alley-oops very well. His rebounding is also well above average, and he runs the fast break extremely well. However, his post game is pretty much limited to one move. He just lowers his shoulder and throws up shit. Here is a good video of that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGPF-sjf8tA. There is just no finesse at all, and you can see how he doesnt demand a double team. As long as you slow him down on the fast break, he won't make outside shots on you, and he is useless (see Boris Diaws defense at the end of the video). His athleticism won't be there forever, so he needs to learn how to harness some of that energy into a more complete offensive game. Ya, he is exciting to watch, but is a relatively bad superstar. Lamar Odom is the backup, and he had just a miserable year. Maybe it was because he was in Dallas and couldn't do his reality show, or maybe he is just old. But the Clippers need his game to pick back up. They lost their muscle and toughness that was so effective in Evans and Martin. Odom won't provide that, but he can give a great offensive effort.

DeAndre Jordan is the center, and he has the job of making Blake Griffin look good on defense by cleaning up his messes. He is a quality shot blocker, and is strong, but does little else. That is why he was benched so much for Evans and Martin in the playoffs. He needs to be a little more of a threat offensively to prevent the defense from collapsing on Paul. Turiaf is the backup, and could provide some of that grit if healthy. He is a player like Reggie Evans who isn't afriad to get a little dirty for some rebounds.

The Clippers need to get rid of Del Negro to make the step toward championship contenders. The reliance on isolation offense will just not work. They can probably secure home court advantage if healthy and some improvement in Griffins post game, but I can't see them winning against the Lakers or Thunder with this coach.

Next Up, Boston Celtics

Atlanta Hawks Preview

2012-10-27T17:15:00.001-07:00

Hello,
Back to back posts, here we go.

ATLANTA HAWKS

Key Additions: Devin Harris (trade), John Jenkins (rookie), Kyle Korver (trade), Anthony Morrow (trade), Deshawn Stevenson (trade), Louis Williams (FA), Anthony Tolliver (FA).

Key Losses: Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Kirk Hinrich, Tracy Mcgrady.

Projected Starting Lineup: I honestly have no idea how they are going to actually do their lineup, this is what I would do.
PG: Harris
SG: Jeff Teague
SF: Morrow
PF: Josh Smith
C: Al Horford

Role Players: Korver, Zaza Pachulia, Tolliver, Stevenson, Jenkins, Williams, Ivan Johnson

Comments: The Hawks the last few years were stagnate. They had assembled a roster that on paper should do very well. With J-smoove, SuperJoe, and Horford, they had 3 all-star caliber players. They just could never put it together and even reach a conference finals. With a new GM, Danny Ferry, they decided to rid themselves of players they were paying too much, Johnson and Marvin Williams. Now, they are a little younger, saving a lot of money, and setting themselves up for a big time free agent to come and join the talented Smith and Horford. I have read theories that the Hawks want both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard next year. Supposedly, the both have connections to the Atlanta area, and want to play together anyway. While I give this about a 1% chance of happening, that team would be very scary. They will be able to get a big time free agent though, perhaps a James Harden or Steph Curry, if either fail to get a new contract.

Devin Harris had so much potential when he was on the Mavericks. Many wanted the Mavs to get rid of Kidd to pave the way for Harris to take over. He was quick, fearless to the hoop, and had a nice little jump shot. The Mavs did not go on this path, and Harris never reached his potential. Now, he is still a good passer, but shoots way too many 3's. He has lost that killer instinct to constantly push the tempo to the basket. This is the highlight of his career. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afz7lz7KGM. Teague is this teams real PG, but we will get to him. Lou Williams is a combo guard that is a really good scorer off the bench. I think the Sixers will regret letting him go, because he is clutch and can light it up quickly. Really an underrated player.

Jeff Teague is a PG, but the Hawks will probably start with both him and Harris in the starting lineup. He is really quick and has got a neat floater. His turnovers and inconsistency have been problems, but the Hawks never expected this kind of production from Teague when the drafted him. I am excited to see how he gets along with Joe Johnson (a known ball stopper), to see if he can get Smith and Horford involved so that they can be at their best. The rookie I wanted the Nuggets to get this year was John Jenkins. They could have, but they didn't. Jenkins is probably the best shooter in the draft, and I think he could be a very useful player when he picks up the other aspects of his game. Stevenson will likely get a lot of playing time as well. Supposedly, he has slimmed down, but his patented unnecessary fadeaway shot will always be inconsistent. He will always be remembered for shutting down Wade and LeBron for the Mavs in the 2011 finals. He also thinks he is Michael Jordan, which is an admirable quality for such a bad player.

At SF, the Hawks have probably two of the best shooters in the NBA in Morrow and Korver. They are both lights out from deep, but can't really do much else. Korver was part of the hustle squad on the Bulls bench for the last few years, and Morrow has been stuck on the lifeless Nets and Warriors. Both will be counted on to lift up their scoring a little more, especially Morrow, to make up for the losses of Johnson and Williams.

Josh Smith is one of the biggest enigmas in the NBA. This guy is ultra athletic, blocks shots, can score inside, rebound, cover guards and centers a like. BUT, he has had the same problem his whole career. He settles for the outside shot. Way too much. He will make a 3, and then shoot a bunch more the rest of the game. Anyways, he still is an all-star caliber player despite that because he can do so many other things. Smith, and Horford are the reasons this team will still be very competitive even come playoff time. I also am interested to see what kind of role he takes without Joe Johnson, he will be needed to score more consistently, and take over late like Johnson used to. Anthony Tolliver and Ivan Johnson are the backup forwards. Tolliver is a solid outside shooter, but lacks the defensive effort. Ivan Johnson has a lot of effort and athleticism, but lacks the ball skills. The two of them combined would make a very nice player.

The Hawks desperately missed Al Horford last year (as did my fantasy team). He is one of the best post players in the NBA, especially because he can hit the 18 foot jump shot. He is more of a PF in his game, and many have said that he should move to that position, so he doesn't have to cover larger people and waste his energy on defense. I like this theory, but the Hawks have never had a center that can cover other centers better, so Horford stays. Zaza Pachulia is the backup, and actually played very well in Horford's absence. He is a solid rebounder and can do this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAcerISqI8s.

Everyone knows this is a transition year for the Hawks. There are two types of transition years, one in which you are rebuilding, and another in which you are retooling. The Hawks have no plans to rebuild, but they will attempt to retool. I assume they will go aggressively at free agents in the offseason, but for now, expect them to be in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with an early exit.

Next Up, Los Angeles Clippers

Denver Nuggets Preview

2012-10-27T15:13:00.002-07:00

Hello,
We have finally made it to the most important team I will cover.

DENVER NUGGETS

Key Additions: Andre Iguodala (trade), Anthony Randolph (FA)

Key Losses: Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Birdman

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Iguodala
SF: Danilo Gallnari
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Kosta Koufos

Role Players: Andre Miller, Wilson Chandler, Javale McGee, Corey Brewer, Randolph, Timofey Mozgov, Jordan Hamilton

Comments: I will try, most likely unsuccesfully, to keep this as unbiased as possible. The Nuggets have succesfully transitioned from the Melo era to a new team filled with athletic and fast players that will play at one of the fastest paces the league has seen. The Nuggets don't have any real post players, or any deadly shooters, but every single player can score at the rim, draw fouls, and share the ball. Everyone I know that isn't a Nuggets fan enjoys watching them play because of the up-tempo style and defense leading to offense game George Karl likes to play. Another cool thing about the Nuggets is that outside of Andre Miller and Iguodala, all the other players have room for a lot of improvement, and it is very likely that all of these players (Lawson, Gallo, Chandler, and Mcgee especially) could take huge steps in their game this year. If they do, then the Nuggets become a real threat. If not, they will get a mediocre seed and a likely first round exit once again.

Ty Lawson is the PG, and surprisingly the only player left from the 2009 Western Conference Finals team. He is one of, if not the, fastest player in the NBA, and he can blow by anyone to the basket. He can also finish well at the rim, as he is strong and fearless. With an improving jumpshot, he has to prove he can be the consistent threat every night. He also needs to learn how to play defense against the likes of Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Tony Parker. If he finds his consistency, he could find himself on an all-star team in the coming years. Like this type of game (my personal favorite from last year) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F0eknSMb3g. Andre Miller is a savvy backup. He isn't fast anymore, and his jumpshot is awkward, but he finds ways to score, and can honestly make some passes that no other point guard in the league can make. I fear that his age will soon show, but in the few preseason games I watched, he seemed just fine, and primed for another solid season. It will be interesting to see if he cracks the 4th quarter lineup. My bet is he will, Karl likes to play with 2 PG's at times.

Andre Iguodala is the big difference maker this season. The Nuggets wanted an upgrade at SG (especially on the defensive end), so they got AI, even if it meant that Howard goes to the Lakers. Like all the analysts have said, AI is a great fit for Denver, as he plays great defense, is athletic, and passes very well in transition. Denver is the best team in the fast-break and AI will only add to it. I hope he doesn't settle for too many 3's, and I do wish he was better come crunch time, but his all-around game will suit this team well. I will talk about Corey Brewer here even though he is a SF, but the Nuggets just have a lot of wing players. Brewer, even with his stick legs, is a good defender and very fast in the open court. From what I have seen he has drastically improved his shot, which should help him fend of Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton didn't get much time last year, but this guy has the potential to light it up and be the new JR (and my new favorite player). As long as Brewer is making useful contributions, it will be hard once again to justify Hamilton's playing time.

Danilo Gallinari, I believe, is the key to the Nuggets this year. He began last year showing remarkable improvement. He didn't take as many 3s, was passing well, attacking the basket, and actually playing very good defense as well. An injury caused some setbacks, and he was one of the reasons we didn't beat the Lakers. Without Afflalo, or Harrington, much of the outside shooting is going to depend on Gallo, and he must answer the call. Also, if there is one guy I want to take and make a shot in the clutch, it would be him. If he can score close to 20 points a game, the Nuggets will be very good. Wilson Chandler is the backup, and after playing most of last year in China, played 7 games before getting injured. Hopefully, he can be back to his usual self, which is a solid defender, and a good mid range jump shooter. The Nuggets need his scoring off the bench that Harrington provided last year.

I was in Israel for the draft in 2011, and I remember telling my friends there that I would be ecstatic if Faried somehow fell to the Nuggets. I believe that guys with unlimited energy and athleticism can always find their way to useful minutes. It took a bit of time, but after this dunk (which I was in attendance for), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWTrOWOl1Ws he made his way into the starting lineup and never looked back. He is a high energy guy that can play 30 min a game, rebound very well, and his offense isn't all that bad. Look for him to average a double-double this year. I am not sure how much playing time Randolph will get, but he is technically the backup PF. He is kind of like Javale Mcgee in that he has all this potential, but can't put it together. One day he will get 25-11, and the next 4-1. With the Nuggets only paying him 2 mil a year, this is a great risk, and I do hope he can find his way to some minutes, because he probably is the best "post" player the Nuggets got.

People unfamiliar with the Nuggets will be surprised that Kosta Koufos is the starting center. Well, he is, and will be on Wednesday. The theory behind it, is that Koufos is solid fundamentally, meaning that he can score inside, set good screens, and follow the system. He is also a good rebounder. Karl wants the stability in the starting lineup, and the energy off the bench. McGee brings the energy off the bench. And while he may have his mental issues, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5RdCiKL290, his potential is that where he has the ability to outplay an Andrew Bynum (game 5 was my second favorite game of the year) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDqQuB_aPak. Also, Karl loves to play Andre Miller with McGee as he think that brings out the best. Either way, the end of game lineup will have McGee in it. Most likely it will be Lawson, Miller, AI, Gallo, and McGee with the potential of Faried or Chandler being in there if they are hot.
And lastly, there is Timofey Mozgov. He is so big and clumsy, but he actually can put together a few good minutes of offense at a time. Between the 3 7-footers the Nuggets have, all of whom are solid shot blockers, they Nuggets should have the muscle to keep up with the Lakers and Grizzlies.

And as a final paragraph, I would like to, purely as a Nuggets fan, share my theory that the Nuggets would beat the Heat in a 7 game series. I was in attendance at the one Nuggets-Heat game last year, and the Nuggets just ran them out of the building. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBEl2mHNkSkYes, it was at home, and Wade got injured late, but here is what I like about the matchup. The Nuggets are the one team that runs faster and smarter than the heat. The Nuggets, with Iguodala, Chandler, Brewer, and Gallo, have solid wing defenders that can slow down LeBron and Wade. They have rim protectors, and a player that no one on the Heat roster can cover (Lawson). I would tune into those Nuggets-Heat games this year, maybe you will see my point.

Anyway, the Nuggets have the potential to gain home-court in the first round if all their players are only slightly better than last year. They have the potential to get a top seed if some of the players make large strides. I implore you to watch the Nuggets this year, they will be the most entertaining team to watch (even if it is just making fun of Mozgov).

Next Up, Atlanta Hawks

Orlando Magic Preview

2012-10-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

Season starts in 6 days. 12 teams left to cover.

ORLANDO MAGIC

Key Additions: Arron Afflalo (trade), Gustavo Ayon (trade), Al Harrington (trade), Andrew Nicholson (rookie), Nikola Vucevic (trade)

Key Losses: Dwight Howard, Ryan Andersen, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: Afflalo
SF: Hedo Turkoglu
PF: Glen Davis
C: Ayon

Role Players: Harrington, Nicholson, Vucevic, Harkless, J.J. Redick, Quentin Richardson, Ish Smith

Comments: Obviously the big story here is Dwight Howard leaving. Like LeBron, Carmelo, Deron, and Paul, a superstar left a small market team for brighter pastures. The Magic had every opportunity to get something in return for Howard (at least he didn't leave the possibility of returning like one LeBron James), but thought they could convince him to stay. It almost seemed like they would for a bit, but things eventually fell apart. In my rank of babies in the NBA, Howard ranks 2nd behind LeBron of course. Anyways, the Magic still could have gotten a nice package for Howard. The Nets, Rockets, and even Warriors, put together nice deals. But of course, the Lakers get him, and while my Nuggets benefited, the Magic got very little. Jacque Vaughn (a first time head coach) will struggle coaching this team that is on the cusp of a complete overhaul, but not quite there.

At PG, Jameer Nelson has held down that position for a while. He never truly fit with Dwight Howard. Many people said he was too short to see when Howard was open inside for alley-oops. He does have his moments though, but he is a middle of the road point guard that hasn't improved in years. That didnt stop the Magic from giving him an extension, so they are kind of stuck with him now as the leader of the team. Ish Smith though, may be the future PG. The Magic have high hopes for him. He is quick and athletic, but has turned the ball over too much to earn playing time. As the only other PG, he will get his chances, and the Magic are really hoping that he can improve rapidly, so they can fix other things first.

At SG, the Magic now have Arron Affalo, the best player they got for Howard. Afflalo is a solid, but not a great defender (which most people think he is). What I like about Afflalo is that he is really consistent shooting 3's, and has a bit of the clutch gene. He will always try hard, but I don't see a massive amount of improvement in his game. Somewhere in the 15-18 points per game seems about right. J.J. Redick is the backup, a true sharpshooter. After a few years struggling to find his game, after a sensational career at Duke (he might still be the leading scorer in NCAA history) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzHf2o-SW7Q, he has found a role as a scorer. He can do more than shoot 3's, as he has gotten stronger and more aggressive. If only you could play in the NBA by just coming off of screens and shooting 3's.

Hedo Turkoglu has had a pretty fascinating career. After spending most of it as a role player, he found his calling for a brief 2 year period with the Magic when he played forward-point, and could be counted on to hit the clutch 3 and get the ball to Howard in good positions. He cashed out, and without Howard, sucked really hard for the Suns and Raptors. That led him back to the Magic, where he was slightly better, but not the same. He will be traded (as long as someone will pay his contract) as part of the rebuilding process along with his backup. Quentin Richardson is the typical veteran getting paid way too much for providing very little (see Jermaine Oneal). He can still hit the corner 3 and I guess is seen as a good defender, but he is truly nothing special (never really was either). Mo Harkless is a player that the Magic got for Howard, he will get more playing time once the other two are gone.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis is the PF. He has trouble dunking even though he is 6-9, but that doesnt stop him from trying. I was actually impressed by how much he improved last season. He has developed a bit of a post game, and he still rebounds at a high rate. He may have high value as a trade candidate, so the Magic should look into it, especially because his backup could be really good. Andrew Nicholson, I believe, was the steal of the draft. This guy is 6-9, can shoot, rebound, and play D, but since he went to St. Bonaventure no one heard of him until the NCAA tourney (where he dominated). If you have never seen him, watch this video. He could compete for ROY. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAQ9ZqcYFKI. Al Harrington is also on this team. He was actually one of the Nuggets more reliable scorers, and should be looked on for veteran leadership (until he is also eventually traded). A contender could really use Big Al's shooting touch for a big man.

Gustavo Ayon was a surprise last year for the Hornets. Instead of paying Ryan Andersen, the Magic got this guy. He is solid on the pick and roll, still developing a post game, and brings a nice Mexican vibe to a team (only Mexican player in the league). The Magic are hoping he can be a focal point for this team as they rebuild. Another option for center is Nikola Vucevic. He was on the 76ers last year, and while he was eventually relegated to the end of the bench in favor of Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen, he did show signs of being productive. He will get plenty of playing time on what is sure to be a long season for the Magic.

After a long streak of making the playoffs with Howard, Magic fans should expect a lot of losses. They are stuck in the "year before the rebuilding year". They will try to get a very good first round pick to officially end the Howard era and begin a new era. Until then, they are left with a mix of veterans, established role players, and a few mid first round picks. Nicholson could be a bright spot, but there won't be many others.

Next Up, the Denver Nuggets (expect a long one).

Dallas Mavericks Preview

2012-10-23T18:15:00.001-07:00

Hello All,
I have basically given up hope I will finish the previews before the season starts. My only hope is the approximately 11 hours of travel I will partake in this weekend.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Key Additions: Elton Brand (Amnesty claim), Darren Collison (trade), Jae Crowder (rookie), Chris Kaman (FA), O.J. Mayo (FA), Dahntay Jones (trade)

Key Losses: Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Brendan Haywood, Ian Mahinmi, Lamar Odom?

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Collison
SG: Mayo
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki/ Elton Brand to start the season
C: Kaman

Role Players: Brand, Crowder, Jones, Vince Carter, Brandan Wright, Delonte West, Roddy Beaubois

Comments: Another team that didn't acquire a superstar in the offseason, as they were expecting. Deron Williams was oh so close to deciding to play with Dirk in his home town, but when the Nets acquired Joe Johnson, the Mavericks lost out. Unlike the Rockets, who lost Dwight Howard, the Mavs picked up pieces to remain respectable. They will surely miss Jason Terry off the bench, I feared him more than Dirk at times in the 4th quarter. The team is stacked with short term contracts. The reason is they know they won't compete for a championship, but they want to remain respectable, and hopefully attract a big free agent next year. I have a feeling Chris Paul is not walking through this door any time soon though. Maybe James Harden?

At PG, the Mavs are replacing Jason Kidd with Darren Collison. Collison had a surprising rookie year, played respectably on the Pacers before getting replaced by George Hill. Collison isn't flashy, but he is a solid distributor, and a much improved shooter than in his days at UCLA. Collison plays best in a slow half-court system like when he was on the Hornets, and that is how the Mavs play, so he should be able to be successful. Delonte West is the backup PG, but he is more of a combo guard. He passes fine, but he is also a good scorer as well. He is no Jason Terry, but he does all right (also he supposedly slept with Lebron James's mom, so thats cool). Roddy Beaubois has been stuck on the Mavs bench for far too long. This guy is super quick, and can provide the energy burst and scoring output that the Mavs bench will need. Hopefully he will have increased playing time, but injuries and other various reasons has caused him to stay on the bench. This year should be his year.

O.J. Mayo never quite fit in Memphis. He was too inconsistent with his shot, and never put in the defensive effort required to get more playing time. Tony Allen proved more useful for the Grizzlies with his defense and hustle, and they had enough scoring with Gasol and Gay. The Grizzlies did not want to pay a player who they thought they probably didn't need. The Mavs certainly could use the scoring, especially with Dirk out for a bit. He needs to be consistent with his shot selection and making. The commentary on this video is kind of funny, but it shows his potential I guess. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qknYlVnzP4&feature=related. West will get a lot of the backup SG minutes, but Jones is technically the backup. Jones is the typical hustle defensive player every bench needs. My fondest memory of Dahntay is how he was able to get Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant mad at him in a single playoffs for Denver in 2009. We never should have let him go.

Shawn "Matrix" Marion is still really solid even though he is kind of old. While his offensive ability has waned, because he isn't as athletic and his shooting motion is retarded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aajorJBru4. But, he is one of the best defenders in the league, and he rebounds extremely well. He is the Mavs second best player, but the team will need him to score some more to do well. Vince Carter had a few moments in last years playoffs where he tried to prove he wasn't completely useless anymore. It is unfortunate that all of his athleticism is now gone, because he was one of the most athletic players ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMrPjl-927Q. Oh well, all he does now is clank 3's. I mention Jae Crowder because I think he is the big sleeper in this years draft. This guy at Marquette did it all. He hustled, played great defense, can pass, is athletic. He is short for his preferred PF position, but supposedly he has improved his shot to adapt to a SF. Don't be surprised if he gets some serious playing time this year.

Dirk Nowitzki is obviously the heart and soul of the Mavericks. His one legged fade away, his clutch 3's in the 4th quarter, and the fact that he is unguardable at 7 feet tall have made him a future hall-of-famer. He is kind of old, and has accumulated more injuries the last few years. I think he will retire the year after this one, especially when it is clear the Mavs need to rebuild. I guess we should enjoy watching the German because we will probably never see a player like him again. The Mavs stole Elton Brand through an amnesty claim. He is old, but is still useful as a player that will rebound, play defense and knock down a 12-foot jumper. You can rely on him to hit those mid range shots all day long. The problem with the Mavs as a whole is that they will have to play so slow to win, and teams that can run well will run them out of the building. Unfortunately, the top teams are ones that can play uptempo (Heat, Thunder, Nuggets ;)

Chris Kaman is another short term contract that the Mavs got this offseason (along with Collison, Mayo, and Brand). He is another slow and old player, but is very creative in the post. I believe he is ambidextrous, and even if he is not, he is really good with both hands doing hook shots. The Mavs have a bunch of players who will score 10-15 points. I just don't see it being enough. I guess Brandan Wright is the backup center. He is really athletic, and rebounds well. I remembered he personally crushed the Nuggets one night by dunking everything in sight, and grabbing a million offensive rebounds.

The Mavericks are bound for the bottom of the Western playoff picture. They probably (depending on Dirks health) have enough to make the 7th or 8th seed, but they have no chance when they are actually in the playoffs. Another year, another hope to add a superstar to play along Dirk as he rides off into the sunset. My bet, it never happens.

Next Up, Orlando Magic

New York Knicks Preview

2012-10-21T14:28:00.001-07:00

Hello All,

Remember before reading that these are all my opinions, but they are usually pretty accurate.

NEW YORK KNICKS

Key Additions: Jason Kidd (FA), Raymond Felton (trade), Marcus Camby (FA), Ronnie Brewer (FA), Kurt Thomas (FA).

Key Losses: Jeremy Lin, Jared Jeffries, Landry Fields, Baron Davis

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Raymond Felton
SG: JR Smith
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Amare Stoudemire
C: Tyson Chandler

Role Players: Kidd, Thomas, Camby, Steve Novak, Brewer, Iman Shumpert

Comments:
Let's start with this little gem.
Oldest Players in the NBA: 1) Kurt Thomas 3)Jason Kidd 5) Marcus Camby 6) Rasheed Wallace.
The Knicks decided that this year, they were going to go for a championship, and that they would try to gather as many veterans that they thought would make it happen. The Knicks need team chemistry, and old players are supposed to provide leadership and guidance. However, 3 of those players will have to play very significant roles for the team to be elite, and it will be very difficult to accomplish.

When Mike Woodson took over, I was impressed by the defense the Knicks played. Woodson somehow got Melo and JR to try on defense, which allowed them to make the playoffs without Stoudemire, Lin, or a bench. They have very good defensive players this year in Chandler, Kidd, Camby, Brewer and Shumpert, so offense may be more of their problem.

The PG position for the Knicks sees a complete turnover from last year. They signed Kidd to mentor Jeremy Lin, but after (smartly) letting Lin go (see Rockets preview for opinions on Lin), they got Felton. Felton was one of the more laughable players last year. He was out of shape, and was so slow that he was completely ineffective scoring or playing defense. Supposedly he is back in shape to where he was when with the Knicks a few years ago. He gelled really well with Amare, and the Knicks desperately need a player that can get Amare Stoudemire the ball in places where he can be effective. If Felton can provide the solid shooting and good decision making that he once did, the Knicks will have found an upgrade over Lin. Kidd as the backup is still a solid player. He has gotten to the point where he can't play 30 minutes a game. The Knicks last year had a wild bench, so Kidd will be able to provide some stability. If JR Smith in fact starts, this bench will have major problems scoring. Personally, I would start Kidd and have Felton and Amare lead the bench. More on why later.

Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite player in the NBA is JR Smith. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGgK-RvTnDY Even after joining the traitor that is Carmelo Anthony, I still really like him. He has the offensive talent of Kobe Bryant in his prime. He can score from anywhere, create his own shot, attack the basket, finish at the rim, and is actually a good passer as well. He is the true one man come-back. His obvious problem is his ego. He will make a 3, and take an even tougher one just to one-up himself. However, what should never be questioned is his effort. He tries hard on defense (sometimes causing problems), but I hope they do start him, it is about time he got 35 minutes a game. Brewer is a god awful offensive player. He is a defensive stopper, but will see his playing time greatly reduced when Shumpert returns. Shumpert is injured, but surprised everyone with his really good defense. I still think Smith is the best of the bunch, and should get the most playing time. But, I have thought this for years, so what do I know.

Which brings me to Carmelo Anthony. I am really torn on Melo. For one, I hate him and want to see him lose in the first round of the playoffs every year for the rest of his career, because that is what he deserves. But, I am in awe of his offensive abilities. This video makes me sad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lQgTwiwVfk. It proves though that there is nothing he can't do on offense. Driving, posting up, spot up shooting, fadeaways, shooting off the dribble, 3 point shooting. And if he keeps up the defensive improvement, he is even scarier. All that said, Melo came in and ruined the team chemistry, and can not play with Amare Stoudemire. More on that in a bit. Steve Novak is another fun player to watch. He is the best 3 point shooter in the NBA if wide open, and is a solid hustle player.

Alright, Amare. He is the best example of a player that can play in only one type of offense- the pick and roll. With Steve Nash in Phoenix and part of his first year in NY with Felton, Amare was very good offensively when he can catch the ball off of screens to either drive or shoot a mid range jumper. He is also a solid rebounder. Amare can't really post up, and he isn't an offensive rebounder. Melo, is not a pick and roll player. You give him the ball in his spots and he will do his thing. Which is very effective (see Nuggets offense for 8 years, consistently a top offensive team). Amare gets in the way, and eats up possessions when he is trying to create offense for himself. I don't see the two every playing well together, unless Melo sacrificed some of his offense to play pick and roll with Amare. This will never happen, nor should it. That is why I propose the Knicks go with these lineups.
Starting: Kidd, Smith, Brewer, Melo, Chandler
Bench: Felton, Shumpert, Novak, Stoudemire, Camby
In my opinion, that maximizes both Melo and Stoudemire's ability, and balances the offense between the two units, with enough defense in both. This will not happen unfortunately, because you don't pay a player 100 million dollars to play 25 minutes of the bench. Thomas is a serviceable backup, but he is just so old. Another reason to try avoid using him.

Chandler is a very good NBA center. He is one of the best defensively at roaming the paint and blocking shots. He can also finish alley-oops and put backs very effectively. He is also good at sticking to exactly these things on offense (and tipping the ball out on offense), so he is an integral piece to this team. Camby is a very similar player on defense. He doesn't have the same strength as Chandler, but he is one of the best shot blockers of all time.

The Knicks need to sort out their chemistry issues (Amare and Melo), and need to have their bench score effectively. I see them as a 5th or 6th seed in the East, 4th seed at best. I hope they lose in the first round, but I could see them going to the second round. But that is it. And the problem is that the team has no identity right now or for the future. If they adopted my lineup ideas, maybe they would. If not, they will have to choose Melo or Amare, and build a team around that persons strength.

Next Up, Dallas Mavericks

Utah Jazz Preview

2012-10-19T16:45:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers,

We are moving right along here.

UTAH JAZZ

Key Additions: Randy Foye (FA), Marvin Williams (trade), Mo Williams (FA)

Key Losses: Devin Harris, CJ Miles, Josh Howard

Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Mo Williams
SG: Gordon Hayward
SF: Marvin Williams
PF: Paul Millsap
C: Al Jefferson

Role Players: Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Foye, Alec Burks, Jamaal Tinsley

Comments: The Utah Jazz are one of two teams that have weathered the storm after losing a superstar player (the other being the Nuggets of course). The Jazz made a preemptive strike in trading Williams, before there was any drama. The Jazz then had the ability to get younger and deeper, and they should improve on las years campaign. They have 7 players who could start for most teams, which is a great luxury, especially in the front court. Tyrone Corbin has also proven to be just like Jerry Sloan (his predecessor), able to get the most out of his players. The Jazz also have really underrated fans, so shout out to all those Jazz fan readers (crickets)

Losing Devin Harris at PG will hurt this team. While he shot a little much, he is a much better passer than anyone they have now. Mo Williams especially thrives in the Jason Terry/ JR Smith role of lights out shooter off the bench. He will return to a starting role, where he never was much of a distributor. In Cleveland, LeBron did all the work, and in L.A he had Chris Paul. Williams will have to dish the ball to the other talent up front, and then be a floor spacer. If he looks for his own shot too much, there offense will stagnate. Tinsley is the backup. He is a good passer, but missed like 3 years in a row with injury. He played OK last year in a brief stint, but if he can be half of what he was for the Pacers in the early 2000's, he will be a just fine backup.

Gordon Hayward is one of my favorite players in the league, if only for the reason that he still looks like a scrawny teenager that is living out a dream playing next to a bunch of muscular black men. But, he is a fierce competitor, fearless while driving, a good playmaker and a solid shooter. He is weak defensively and on the boards, but he has proven to hustle all the time. http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/002/454/239/hi-res-5962114_display_image.jpg?1343626375 I feared he would be like Adam Morrsion, but he has proved me wrong. If only he had made that damn half court shot. Randy Foye is another streaky shooter. When I think of it, the Clippers had Williams, Foye, and Nick Young last year to shoot 3's, and now they are all gone. Wonder if that will affect them.....hmmm.

Marvin Williams came to Utah in the Harris trade. After being selected as the 2nd pick in front of Chris Paul and Deron Williams, he has been seen as a major disappointment. People thought he would be what Kevin Durant is now. He has not nearly the same shooting ability or strength on his drive. But he is an OK defender. The Jazz this year will tend to go with a bigger lineup with Millsap in this position with Favors and Jefferson. That is the best way to maximize their potential, so Williams and the other SF's on this team (Jeremy Evans, Demarre Carroll) will see less time than you think. Williams will have to shoot the ball well to stay in the game, or the Jazz will just try their luck with the big lineup.

The Jazz have the deepest frontcourt in the NBA. Against the Spurs in the playoffs they all had a bad 4 games which led to the easy sweep. Paul Millsap is the most underrated player in the NBA, hands down. It is a shame he hasn't made an all-star team yet. He is small, but really strong and can score in many different facets. He has an OK shot, but his best skill is getting the garbage put backs and sneaky lay ups. If he does play more SF this year, I would like to see more range and better lateral quickness. Derrick Favors is the backup. When drafted, everyone knew he was a project, and it has taken time for him to develop into a quality player. He should take more strides this year, but he has that NBA body that everyone fears, and he is the big man of the future for this team. While the Jazz have a deep frontcourt, they need to make room eventually for Favors and Kanter, which means one of Jefferson or Millsap will have to go. I would try to get a PG to make this a complete team.

Al Jefferson is the Jazz's best player. He is one of the best offensive big men in the NBA, and when on, can score at ease against any defender. He has got a really effective hook shot, and its kind of funky. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITrDCzxsSfU. He isn't the most consistent player ever, the problem with the Jazz as a whole, but could make an all-star team if he puts it together for the first half. Enes Kanter is the odd man out in the frontcourt. He didn't play enough last year for me to make a real assessment of his game. I would like to see him play more, but it is a logjam. You just get a bad feeling leaving 7 footers on the bench who can do this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spxBXGQVhto.

The Jazz will be a good team this year. I think that they have surpassed the Mavericks for sure and are probably better than the Timberwolves (especially now with Love out). That puts them at around 6-7 in the West (unless the Spurs aren't good, or the Jazz can somehow be better than the Grizzlies). The team just doesn't have much firepower on the wings to take it to the next level, and it is possible to shut down a good frontcourt when there is no real threat on the outside.

Next Up, New York Knicks

Philadelphia 76ers Preview

2012-10-18T15:04:00.001-07:00

Hello All,

Finally, on to the playoff teams from last year.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Key Additions: Andrew Bynum (trade), Kwame Brown (FA), Nick Young (FA), Jason Richardson (trade), Dorell Wright (FA), Royal Ivey

Key Losses: Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Louis Williams, Jodie Meeks

Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Richardson
SF: Evan Turner
PF: Spencer Hawes
C: Bynum

Role Players: Thaddeus Young, Lavoy Allen, Young, Brown, Ivey, Wright

Comments: The 76ers finally broke the stalemate that they were in during the offseason. This team was built to play good defense and team ball, but never had the big man or great scorer to lead them far in the playoffs. Sure, they beat a Rose-less Bulls team, but they weren't going anywhere with the Iguodala-Brand core. They used the Dwight Howard situation to get Andrew Bynum, and a player they believe can lead them to the top half of the Eastern Conference. Doug Collins is a really good players coach, and his relationship with Bynum has to be good for this to work. Bynum is kind of a psychopath, so it is important he stays motivated and focused.

I really like Jrue Holiday. He is a lanky PG that is quick and has a decent shot. I would like him to be more aggressive, and with Iggy and Williams gone, he will have the ability to take more of the offensive load, rather than letting his other teammates control the ball. He also needs to develop chemistry with Bynum. Kobe was very good at getting Andrew the ball in places close to the rim, with his stupid "looks like its a shot, but its actually a pass to the rim" shit. Holiday needs to get him the ball close to the rim to maximize his ability. The Sixers have no real backup point guard. Royal Ivey is mediocre-bad in terms of a backup, so I would assume they will use Evan Turner as the primary ball handler when Holiday is out, to try to use Ivey minimally. Ivey was last seen on the Thunder where he would play 3 minutes, clank a few threes to the delight of the opponent, and then exit for Russell Westbrook. I assume the Sixers will look for a backup at some point in the season.

Jason Richardson was another piece the Sixers received for Iggy. While he can't do this anymore- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PejeH1uzDJs. He can still get hot from outside and provide solid scoring and defense. He has the ability to shoot you out of a game, but J-Rich should be a good floor spacer for Bynum and the penetration of Turner and Holiday. I love Nick Young. Only for the reason that he doesn't miss in NBA 2k11 and I was able to beat avid blog reader Jacob Posner many times with the Wizards (young's former team). Young is a really good shooter in real life too, and he proved in the playoffs for the Clippers that he could set his attitude aside and provide the scoring punch to be a one-man comeback. I think he will be great on this team, and he might see himself playing in crunch time.

When the Sixers took Evan Turner with the 2nd overall pick, I thought it was really dumb. And it showed his first year, where he seemed lost in the NBA. Turner is OK in pretty much all facets of the game, but not particularly good at any of them. Is he a distributing point guard? Is he a rebounding SF? Is he a defensive SG? We still dont really know, but he did show significant improvement in his shooting and offense in general. I see him as an Arron Afflalo type with a bit better passing ability. We will see if he creates a more defined role this year, his first where he won't be behind Iggy on the depth chart. Thad Young is the backup. He is one of the premier bench players in the league. He provides an offensive and defensive spark when he comes in, and he usually remains in during critical times. I always thought he should start, but Doug Collins likes someone to anchor the bench, and Thad Young provides that. Unfortunately he sucked against the Celtics in the playoffs, a big reason they didnt advance.

Spencer Hawes had a breakout season, after a few years of showing no ability on the Kings. Suddenly, he was a double-double machine, could shoot from outside. I credit Doug Collins and a winning environment, but Hawes's improvement made the loss of Brand easier to swallow. What is cool is that Hawes is a really good passer for a big man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0C6yVOGoqE Lavoy Allen made the Brand loss easier as well. Against the Bulls in the playoffs, he consistently outplayed Joakim Noah inside. He is a big body inside, and showed really good post moves after rarely playing in the regular season. I know the Sixers see him as the PF of the future, so he should get ample playing time alongside Bynum up front.

I have already said a lot about Andrew Bynum, but he is the star that this team will have to lean on. Bynum can be a superstar if he is able to take on the challenge of being the focal point on this team. What this means is that he has no Kobe or Pau to take the load off on both offense and defense. He will deal with serious double and triple teams and needs to develop better passing and shooting. His defensive presence as long as he is not elbowing defenseless players is sound (see Timberwolves preview for video). There are not a lot of good big man in the East, so the Sixers must use this advantage. That is their chance to beat the Heat, if Bynum can take his game to the Dwight Howard level. Kwame Brown I mention as a backup, because he is actually a solid backup defensive center. Sort of like Theo Ratliff. Despite being a draft bust, he has gained some respect back by remaining a solid role player. It will be interesting to see if he can contribute to a winning team.

The Sixers will be improved from last year, pending Bynum's health. They should be in the Top 4 of the East with homecourt in the first round. I don't see them beating the Heat yet, but they could find themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals with a little luck.

Next Up, Utah Jazz

Houston Rockets Preview

2012-10-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers,

Now, I am definitely concerned I won't finish before the season starts. oh, well. I will just keep plugging away.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Key Additions: Basically the whole team, but Jeremy Lin (FA), Carlos Delfino (FA), Omer Asik (FA),
Royce White (rookie), Jeremy Lamb (rookie), Terrence Jones (rookie), Dontas Montiejunas (rookie), Shaun Livingston (FA)

Key Losses: Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Chase Budinger, Samuel Dalembert, Goran Dragic, Courtney Lee.

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Linsanity
SG: Kevin Martin
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Patrick Patterson
C: Omer Asik

Role Players: Livingston, Delfino, Marcus Morris, Montiejunas, White, Lamb, Jones

Comments: If there was a loser in the offseason, and there definitely was, it was the Houston Rockets. This team is so desperate for a center since Yao retired. They were convinced that they had the ability to get Dwight Howard if they just traded away their big contracts (even if the players they traded were actually good), stockpiled young players. Well, once it was clear that a package of Martin and rookies was not going to bring in Howard, they had to change course. But, they were stuck with all of their rookies. They didn't go after real free agents though, nooo, they used a loop hole in the free agency system to steal away two players who immediately went from underrated to way overpaid. The loophole is that a team can now offer a restricted free agent a back heavy contract where the salary can jump 10 mil a year after the second year of the contract. That is how the stole Lin from the Knicks and Asik from the Bulls. What they will find is that they will be paying Lin as much as Chris Paul in 3 years and Asik as much as Howard. In conclusion, this was a disaster offseason. Let's see what they have.

Everyone remembers the month of Jeremy Lin. He really was incredible in his opportunity, attacking the basket at will, throwing lobs to Tyson Chandler, and being really clutch. But, he only played 20 or so games, and teams never completely adjusted to his style. When they did, he was turnover prone, shot too much for a point guard, and was a huge liability on defense. This leads me to believe that Lin will be at best a solid backup point guard. I just don't see him producing consistently over the course of even a whole season let alone 5 years. He doesn't have a jump shot, and unfortunately, a Harvard education doesn't teach athleticism. Lin will have flashes to his 7 amazing games in a row, but people will slowly realize that he just isnt that good. Livingston is a sad story. He had so much promise as a young rookie. He is tall for a point guard, but still has really good ball skills. Then this happened. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1cc1c_shaun-livingston-broken-knee_sport. It is really impressive he is playing again, but he is not the same player.

Kevin Martin is a high quality offensive player. He has an awkward shooting motion, but it is really effective, and he is one of the best in the league at drawing fouls and making his free throws. Defense and inconsistency have prevented him from reaching the all-star caliber level, but I assure you, teams fear his ability to score in bunches. He will be relied on for a lot of the offense early on while the young players grow, but he will most likely be traded at midseason to a contender who needs that scoring ability. Carlos Delfino had a great Olympics for Argentina. He is a good shooter, and actually a solid defender as well. He will pick up a fair share of steals and blocks to go along with his 3-point range. I was surprised he wasn't signed earlier on, but he should provide much of the scoring to the young bench. Jeremy Lamb is another backup, and he will learn a lot from Martin as they are similar players. Once Martin is traded, and it will happen, Lamb will get his opportunity to play. Until then, he will sit back and learn.

Chandler Parsons was one of the more surprising rookies last season. At Florida, he was a guy who had a little offensive game, but was going to be a defensive hustle player. He showed that ability as a rookie, but also a scoring ability and a bit of a shooting touch. He took the starting job from Budinger and never looked back (and found his way on my fantasy team for a bit). My fear is that he has reached his ceiling already, and with the backups at forward who have more potential, Parsons could drift back to a supporting role. One of those rookies is Terrence Jones. At Kentucky, he was asked as the oldest player on the team, to take a backseat to Anthony Davis, MKG, and others, but Jones was always there for a clutch 3, or solid defense and rebounding. If he keeps improving his offensive game, he will find his way into the starting lineup. As with all the rookies on the Rockets, he will have ample playing time.

PF for the Rocekts is a revolving door of undersized forwards who are strong, but don't have quite enough offense in the post. Patrick Patterson has an OK jump shot, but in his time on the Rockets he has only proven himself to be a solid rebounder. Once Royce White is ready, I think he will be the starter. White has the most offensive potential of the bunch. He is strong and has some moves. He has an interesting fear of flying, which hopefully won't affect his ability to play road games. At 6'8, if he can use his strength to make up for a lack of height, his offense will make him one of the cornerstones to rebuild this franchise from. Marcus Morris is the last of the young group. At Kansas, he was much better than his brother Markieff, but in the pros he has been worse. One reason is Steve Nash playing with Markieff, but also, Marcus didn't have the shooting ability to play in the NBA. With bigger bodies than him, Marcus needs more ways to get his shot off than when he was at Kansas. I heard that he improved his game in the D-league, but we will see.

The team has an international Center platoon. Omer Asik is the starter. On the Bulls, he was part of their fantastic bench that would hustle 100% of the time, play ridiculous defense. Asik was a pro at blocking shots, and had a soft touch inside when he was able to receive passes from Rose or on offensive rebounds. On the Rockets he will need to show the consistency to play 30-35 minutes a game. I saw him as a hustle player who could come in for 6-8 minutes twice a game, but the Rockets see him as more. Montiejunas is a rookie, but drafted last year. He comes over from Europe this year, and I honestly don't know much about him. I don't think he will be much of a difference maker at least this year.

The Rockets will be very bad this year. They have no star power, although they think they do in Lin, and the pieces they have now have yet to grow. This will be a painful learning year for their young players, but I do have high hopes for White and Jones. Expect them to be near the bottom or at the bottom of the Western Conference.

Next Up, Philadelphia 76ers

Phoenix Suns Preview

2012-10-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers,
This is two previews in two days. Not too shabby.

PHOENIX SUNS

Key Additions: Michael Beasley (FA), Goran Dragic (FA), Kendall Marshall (rookie), Jermaine O'neal (FA), Luis Scola (amnesty claim), Wesley Johnson (trade)

Key Losses: Steve Nash (FA), Grant Hill (FA), Robin Lopez (trade)

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Dragic
SG: Jared Dudley
SF: Beasley
PF: Scola
C: Marcin Gortat

Role Players: Marshall, Shannon Brown, Markieff Morris, Jermaine O'neal, Wesley Johnson, Channing Frye? (to be addressed)

Comments: I guess we have to start with Steve Nash. Any time you lose a two-time MVP and the best player on your team, it hurts. But honestly, the Suns were at a stalemate with Nash. The run and gun offense with Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion were fun teams to watch, but I believe was blown up prematurely. I think this video is kind of funny since it is 5 years old. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z9pUNc95mo They then went with players like Shaq and Vince Carter who were out of their primes and didnt gel with Nash. This left the team growing older but getting worse, so honestly it was time for Nash to go. Both to give Nash a chance at a ring, and to begin to rebuild the team. While this is a transition year for the Suns, they actually have a respectable squad that will compete well.

Replacing Nash will be the duo of Dragic and Marshall. Goran Dragic turned a great second half last year into a hefty contract with the highest bidder. He is quick and crafty, can finish at a very good rate at the rim with the left hand, and is a streaky shooter. Anyway, it seemed as if he was putting up 20 points and 7-10 assists every day at the end of last season, so he should provide stability while the Suns try to figure out if Kendall Marshall will be a productive NBA point guard. Kendall Marshall was definitely UNC's most important player. He is very smart and was able to effectively spread the ball to each of their weapons. When he went down, UNC never had a chance to win the tourney. So the Suns clearly drafted him to be their future PG (dragic will never be a star anyway), and they hope he can be like Rajon Rondo. He has the same vision and creativity (and lack of a jumpshot), but with only 1 real productive year at UNC, we will see if that is what he becomes. Then again, Rondo was drafted much lower than Marshall and didnt show much potential at Kentucky.

Jared Dudley and Shannon Brown at SG are basically interchangable players. Both are athletic 2-guards that have good shooting ability (Dudley probably slightly better), and solid defense (Brown slightly better here). Whoever is hotter will probably earn the most playing time, but both are considered role players, and could be traded to a contender that needs a scoring punch. Dudley has honestly shown more consistency, but it will be interesting to see how good he is without Nash (see also Gortat, Frye, and Morris).

Michael Beasley has had a pretty interesting career since being drafted 2nd overall. He had a few OK years for the Heat, but got dumped in favor of LeBron and Bosh. He was blamed for smoking weed all the time and just playing selfishly. He continued those things in Minnesota, so he was never really trusted with taking control of a team. When he is on, he can score 30 easily. He can shoot, he is a big athletic guy, and can rebound too. But, when he is off, he will hurt your team. Either by not playing defense, taking way too many shots, or just being lazy. Another city, another chance to make a new impression. Something tells me he will never figure it out. Wesley Johnson is one of those young players that is ok at everything, but not that good at anything. His shooting, penetration, defense, and rebounding, are all just OK. That isn't to say he can't get good at any one of those, but it says a lot when Minnesota felt like they could dump him for basically nothing.

The Suns got an absolute steal when the Rockets (we will talk about their stupidity soon) released their best player Luis Scola for no apparent reason. Scola is incredibly crafty. He isn't big or athletic, but has a large number of post moves, hook shots, up and unders, so he is a really effective scorer even against large defenders. He should be the number one option on this team for offense, and I think he will work well with Gortat inside, since he is a good passer as well. Markieff Morris is the backup, but I have a feeling that his good rookie season was due to an improved 3-point shot and Steve Nash. Without Nash to find him for open 3's, he will have a tougher time scoring. Look for only minor improvements. Channing Frye is another player that benefited greatly from the Steve Nash effect. Unfortunately, Nash leaving made his heart grow too big, so it is unclear whether he will play this year. With Scola (an undersized PF), Morris (a SF really), the team has to rely on Gortat and O'neal to provide any size to this team, which will be an issue.

I think we will see exactly the effect of Steve Nash on this team with the play of Marcin Gortat. Gortat is a pick and roll center, finishes well off the pass, and rebounds well. He is a solid defensive and offensive center. I don't know, however, if he can play well with his back to the basket. Dragic and Marshall should be good PG's in the pick and roll, so he could do OK, but no PG is like Steve Nash on the pick and roll. We see how much Amare is struggling on the Knicks without Nash; Gortat could do the same. If the Suns expect anything from Jermaine O'neal, they have to be kidding themselves. This guy will not stay healthy, and provides very little when he is in there. It is quite sad how fast he went downhill, because it was not too long ago that he was an all-star on the Pacers. He has had the career I hoped that Kobe would have, drafted out of high school so burns out early. Oh well.

The Suns will compete, because they have a lot of solid pieces. They just don't have the firepower or the depth to really win a lot of games. I expect them to be in the late lottery once again. What they will really want to see is if Marshall can be a star, and if Beasley can fit in.

Next Up, Houston Rockets (Last non-playoff team)

Milwaukee Bucks Preview

2012-10-09T15:41:00.003-07:00

Hello Readers,
I'm getting nervous that I won't finish this before the season starts, so I will try to write previews more quickly. Anyways,

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Key Additions: Samuel Dalembert (FA), Marquis Daniels (FA), Doron Lamb (rookie), Joel Pryzbilla (FA)

Key Losses: Jon Leuer (FA), Carlos Delfino (FA).

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Brandon Jennings
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (will be written LRMAM, cause I'm lazy)
PF: Ersan Ilyasova
C: Dalembert

Role Players: Drew Gooden, Beno Udrih, John Henson, Lamb, Ekpe Udoh, Tobias Harris, Mike Dunleavy

Comments: Scott Skiles kind of annoys me as a head coach. He seems so cocky in his belief that playing good defense automatically gets you wins. After a playoff appearance in Andrew Bogut's best season (where he promptly injured his hand and was out for the postseason), a cool Fear the Deer movement, the team went back to being not quite good enough to make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. Skiles probably thought his team was on the right track, but the teams fans were sick of the mediocrity. So, team management wanted to put some offensive firepower into the lineup, so went after Monta Ellis and depth at the forward positions.

At PG, Brandon Jennings is very streaky, not only in his shooting (which can be very good), but also in his decision making. He is really tiny (169 pounds), so has the speed advantage, but his finishing is mediocre, and his assist:turnover rate is not very good (5:2). The presence of Ellis full time should be good for Jennings offensively as he won't need to take on all the ball handling, but I just don't see Jennings ever taking the next step with his game. Too weak, too streaky. Beno Udrih is a solid backup...if you happen to like Spurs cast offs.

Monta Ellis is one of the top 5 offensive scorers in the league, strictly from a scoring stand point. And I will give you the rest of my 5 (Durant, Melo, Ellis, Bryant, James). If you don't know who he is, check this video out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIPi43Vak2Q Anyway, he can't play defense at all, as also evidence by the video. You can also see that he needs to have the ball in his hand, to create his own shot, and he will not pass. At 185 pounds, he is also tiny, so the backcourt will have real big problems covering bigger shooting guards. Lamb as a backup should give him the opportunity to make an impact. At Kentucky, he was a lights out shooter as well as a solid defender, really an underrated piece to that championship team. I expect him to make a nice contribution.

The frontcourt is where the uncertainty of the team begins. LRMAM is one of the best wing defenders in the league, which makes him a necessary role player on any team, but his offense is so bad that he can be ignored on that end, which makes him a liability. Therefore, he never plays in clutch time. But at least he knows who he is, and will always get 20-25 minutes of play. Tobias Harris is an intriguing player. He didn't get much playing time as a rookie, but I expect that to change. He is a strong dude with a solid shooting touch. I would like to see him take over as the starting SF. If he doesn't Dunleavy will get those minutes. He is basically a pure shooter, can space the floor, and will hustle. This makes him a useful player if needed, but not someone that will make much of a difference.

The Bucks are really deep at PF. Ersan Ilyasova had a breakout season last year, and was a key component of my fantasy team. He is a really good rebounder somehow, even though he is only 6'10. It goes to show how much just effort is involved in rebounding. In addition, he has got a nice shooting touch. I would like to see him bulk up and develop a more consistent post game, but Ilyasova is definitely a nice piece offensively. Drew Gooden is the veteran big man that is kind of the enforcer. He will push people around, grab offensive rebounds, and collect the trash buckets. He is on his way out, but John Henson is on his way in. I see John Henson as a young Drew Gooden type. He is an above average shot blocker, will hustle, but his offensive game has yet to develop. If the Bucks need a defensive lineup, they can turn to Henson or Gooden over Ilyasova.

Samuel Dalembert is another one of those guys that I would be scared if he joined the Heat. He is a great rebounder and shot blocker, and will patrol the paint with the best of them. He is another veteran that is paving the way for a younger version of himself-Ekpe Udoh. Udoh is not nearly as strong, but is a shot blocking type center who struggles offensively. Here is a clip that completely summarizes his game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzeq5JOFT4. This team also has Larry Sanders and Pryzbilla, so a lot of big man depth, which can never be a bad thing.

This Bucks team has an interesting mix of big men that can't play offense, and guards that can't play defense. I don't always like teams with a lack of an identity like the Bucks, but I do think that this team is moving in the right direction and will make the playoffs. Most likely as the 8th seed, where they will be swept embarrassingly by the Heat. Honestly, I think this team could trade some of its young big men (Harris, Henson, Udoh), and could really get a quality player in return that could make this team a bit better. I'm thinking someone like an Al Jefferson, or Danny Granger.

Next up, Phoenix Suns

Portland Trailblazers Preview

2012-10-04T18:48:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers,

"Look at it this way. If a guy can dribble, I say he's better than me. I can't dribble that well. If a guy can shoot, I think he's better than me because I'm not a good shooter. I'm just a big body, so until I can do those things, I won't be the best player."- Greg Oden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dcXWZuTWDM
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

Key Additions: Damian Lillard (rookie), Meyers Leonard (rookie), Jared Jeffries (trade), J.J. Hickson (FA), Sasha Pavlovic (FA), Joel Freeland (Great Britain), Adam Morrison.........

Key Losses: Raymond Felton (trade), Marcus Camby (FA), Greg Oden (I guess its not a loss if he never actually played), Jamal Crawford (FA)

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Lillard
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Leonard
Role Players: J.J. Hickson, Luke Babbitt Sasha Pavlovic, Freeland, Ronnie Price, Nolan Smith, Jeffries.

Comments: I know I don't hate this team as much as avid blog reader Nitai Deitel, but I think it is funny how much bad luck they have had recently. Brandon Roy was the rookie of the year on this team, a top 5 shooting guard in the league and all-star, and then he goes ahead and destroys both of his knees. But not to fear because there is Greg Oden to save the team, the once in a lifetime big man that can lead this team to the promise land. Oh wait, he has played in 82 games in 5 years due having knees of an 80 year old. His knees must have been fooled by his appearance and not how old he actually is. I have made the argument that Oden is the biggest draft bust in NBA history, and I think I will stick to that. People say Michael Olowokandi, or Kwame Brown are worse, but they have a combined 1085 games played between them, so at least they were able to get their fat asses of the bench, which is a hell of a lot more than Oden can say.
I also think it is funny how people think the Trailblazer training staff is just really bad. Or maybe their is just too much pressure because they are the only sports team in Oregon.

Anyway, on to the actual team. I don't know who Terry Stotts is, but he probably has the worst bench in NBA history to work with. I wish him the best of luck as a coach.

At PG, Damian Lillard was the talk of the Las Vegas summer league. He lit it up, and gave hope to Blazer fans that he was truly the best point guard in the draft. After Raymond Felton put on a few pounds (understatement), the Blazers need a point guard to pair with their stud Aldridge. Lillard will of course go through growing pains, but if Anthony Davis disappoints, he may be next in line for Rookie of the Year consideration. He has got a great shooting touch, and showed he can pass the rock as well. And he is from Weber State. Ronnie Price is what Lillard could become if he is a complete bust. The two are about the same size, but Price can't shoot or play defense, and can't be relied upon for significant minutes. Nolan Smith didn't make much of his opportunity last year with significant bench minutes, which led to Lillard getting drafted. I think he will see more of the backup minutes, but needs to improve on his decision making and aggresiveness.

At SG, Wesley Matthews is one of the more underrated players in the NBA. He is a solid defender, a better than solid shooter at times, and has a good work ethic. I would like to see him take more initiative in the offense, and look for his own shot. Since the Blazers will suck hard this year, he should have the opportunity to prove himself offensively. Sasha Pavlovic is a sorry excuse for a backup shooting guard. There is absolutely no scoring on this bench. Pavlovic is old and slow, which kind of works when you are on the Celtics, but won't work here. I can't believe that this guy once started alongside LeBron in Cleveland and held his own.

Nicolas Batum is kind of an enigma. He can light it up from 3, is really athletic and long which leads to good defense (especially in the blocks department). He just hasn't made that next step from being a role player. All I do know is that LA will always play well, but this team wins games when Batum is on. This is the definition of an X-factor. Batum was kind of weak for France this summer, and I don't know how he will handle a big contract, but Batum needs to take on more of a scoring load for this team to have any shot of the playoffs. Babbitt as the backup is always everyone claims needs to play more, but hasn't really done anything when given the playing time. If he doesn't improve, I honestly don't know what this team will do every night when Batum and Matthews need a rest.

LaMarcus Aldridge is an all-star player, and by far the Trailblazers best player. Which means it is only a matter of time before he blows out his knees. But really, Aldridge is a deadly mid range shooter, with turnarounds, spot ups, and hook shots to boot. He is also a solid rebounder cause he is so freaking long. But, he can't play defense. I remember clearly his matador defense when Nene would attack him in the paint. With Camby and Pryzbilla long gone, and Oden not walking through that door, Aldridge can't rely on his center to pick up his slack on defense. He needs to be a more physical player or he will remain as a border line all-star every year. Hickson willl always be the guy that was about to be the centerpiece in a Amare Stoudemire trade to Cleveland to appease LeBron. If Hickson was just slightly better, the whole shape of the NBA would be completely different. I don't even want to think about it. Anyways, Hickson is the best Blazers bench player, which is really bad. Jeffries is incapable of playing offense, so he will provide no use to a bench that will surely average the lowest number of points.

Meyers Leonard at center is another key for this team. They tried to get Roy Hibbert in the offseason, but when that didn't work, they were stuck with Leonard. He is a big dude, but like LA, he is weak inside with a pretty good shooting touch outside. He will have to get stronger or this team will get beat up inside. And with no bench to speak of, they need their players healthy. I do like Leonard though, and think he can develop a Pau Gasol like game. Joel Freeland to me, is that guy on Great Britain that seemingly knew how to play basketball, and his name wasn't Luol Deng. We will see if he can play with the big boys in the NBA, and not the wimpy international style.

The Trailblazer fans are going to have a rough year. They are one injury (to Aldridge, Batum, or Lillard), which will probably happen, away from having a really really rough year. I don't expect them to make the playoffs. They have a good core, but no depth whatsoever, and a few too many rookies to be serious this year. I am excited to see how Lillard plays in the NBA, could be better than anticipated.

Next up, Milwaukee Bucks

Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

2012-10-02T15:13:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers,

I apologize that it seems the previews are fewer and farther between, but I have not forgotten. I have just been busy with work and med school stuff. Anyways the season is rapidly approaching, and i still have a lot of teams to go. So...

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Key Additions: Brandon Roy (retirement), Andrei Kirilenko (Russia), Chase Budinger (Trade), Greg Steimsma (FA), Alexey Shved (Russia)

Key Losses: Michael Beasley, Darko Milicic, Martell Webster, Anthony Tolliver, Wayne Ellington.

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Ricky Rubio
SG: Roy
SF: Kirilenko
PF: Kevin Love
C: Nikola Pekovic

Role Players: Budinger, Derrick Williams, Luke Ridnour, Jose Juan Barea, Steimsma, Shved

Comments: The Timberwolves GM, David Kahn, is notorious for stupid offseason signings and trades. He acquired stalwarts such as Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Martell Webster, and of course Darko Milicic, and paid them significant amounts. Well, these moves kind of sucked, but starting with drafting Ricky Rubio and holding out until he decided to play for Minnesota, the moves are turning in the right direction. That is, as long as bringing in Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko aren't total busts.

Rick Adelman did a great job with this team last year, until all of his key players ended up getting injured (Love, Rubio, Pekovic). They were headed toward the playoffs last year before this, and this team will be very disappointed if they don't make them this year. It has been a long turnaround since the Kevin Garnett days, but as Love develops into the best PF in the game, the team should make the jump. Adelman has the experience (see Kings of the early 2000's and Rockets of the last few years) to lead this team and develop its budding stars.

The T-wolves are deep at PG beginning with Rubio. Rubio began last year as the clear ROY favorite. He brought his spanish flare to the NBA, with incredible passing ability, ball-handling, and even a little shooting. It was unfortunate that he succumbed to injury (knee), because he was one of the most exciting players to watch. Knee injuries can be difficult to recover from (see Roy, Brandon in the next paragraph), especially for someone who relies on lateral movement. Rubio still needs to develop a more muscular body and keep improving his shot, but his passing skills already make him a very good point guard. Ridnour is a solid veteran backup. He has the ability to control pace, calm the team down, and make good decisions with the ball. He won't hurt the team really in any facet, which is why Barea gets screwed by being on the wolves. He is very quick and is fearless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d12YVBOrP00&feature=related. He had a great Finals with the Mavericks, got his payday with the Wolves, but now gets to sit on the bench. The T-wolves don't need the quickness off the bench with Rubio starting, they would rather have the slow but solid Ridnour. I expect the Wolves to make a decision on whether to keep Barea or trade him for a shooter soon.

The Wolves are very uncertain at SG. Brandon Roy was last seen playing in the NBA in the spring of 2011. This guy used to be an all-star combo-guard. He could dish the rock, penetrate and score, and knock down fade-aways with the best of them. He was also ridiculously clutch. (also look for Yao Ming's clutchness) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOdj9wmCIzM (gotta watch till the end). Anyways, after multiple knee injuries, Roy lost his ability to move with the basketball, so he decided to retire last year. I guess by design, this was just a year off. He rested his knees, and now is supposedly ready to play. He will never be the all-star he used to, but he should provide some scoring. And this team desperately needs a second scorer after losing Beasley. Shved off the bench should be an interesting player. He was pretty good for Russia in the Olympics. We will see if his play can translate to the NBA style.

Like Roy, it will be interesting to see what the Wolves get out of Kirilenko at SF. Kirilenko, last seen in the NBA in 2011, played all last season in Russia, where he was really good. At his prime Kirilenko was a premier defender with the ability to block shots, steal at a high rate, and rebound well. He was never much of a scorer, but in Russia he was the MVP and best player by far. So, he decided to give the NBA another shot. The Wolves need him to be a stabilizing force on defense, because the Wolves lack any other real quality defenders on their team. Budinger should provide a lot of the scoring off the bench for the Wolves. He is a quality outside shooter, and somehow was athletic enough to make a dunk contest even though he is white. P. Diddy agreed with me too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJLioRoBq0M.

Kevin Love is the best PF in the NBA as of today. He has surpassed Pau Gasol, Dirk, KG, Duncan, all of them. He is the best rebounder even though he is only 6-10, he can score inside, shoot outside to the 3. He had a 30-30 game, many 30-15 games, and had like 60 consecutive double-doubles. His defense could be better, and he never seems to take over games, but his overall game is just really good. I think he was 7 overall in ESPN's player rank. Anyways, Derrick Williams is more interesting. The second pick in last year's draft, Williams was placed on a team that didn't need a PF. Williams is pretty similar to Love in that he is a good rebounder and can score in different ways. He needs playing time to find his game in the NBA. If I ran the Wolves I would play small with Williams and Love in the frontcourt along with Kirilenko. Williams was dangled around in trade rumors as well, specifically trades involving Pau Gasol, but the Wolves do seem to value him highly, as he is still on the team.

Pekovic improved faster than any player I saw last year. He started out as the random international player behind Darko in the Wolves lineup. All of a sudden, this guy was putting up double digit points and rebounds like he was David Robinson. He had moves inside, little baby hooks, and knocked down a jumper here and there. As surprising as his rise to success was, I am skeptical that it will last into this year. Due to injuries, his season was shortened, and I have too small of a sample size to project that he will become more than a quality role player. Steimsma, the backup, knows he is just that. The white Bill Russell can block shots and will try oh so very hard, but once better players come along, he will have a permanent spot at the end of the bench.

The T-Wolves are primed for a big year. As long as Roy and Kirilenko are healthy, and contribute something, this team will make the playoffs, probably as a 7th or 8th seed where they will be eliminated quickly. But, its improvement, and as Rubio continues to blossom, and he fits with the pieces around him, the Wolves will be as competitive as they were when Garnett was still in the blue and green.

Next Up, Portland Trailblazers

Detroit Pistons Preview

2012-09-27T18:29:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers,

Going to get right to it today.

DETROIT PISTONS:

Key Additions: Andre Drummond (rookie), Corey Maggette (trade)

Key Losses: Ben Gordon (trade), Ben Wallace (retirement).

Projected Lineup:
PG: Rodney Stuckey
SG: Brandon Knight
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Drummond
C: Greg Monroe

Role Players: Will Bynum (PG), Austin Daye (SF), Jonas Jerebko (PF), Maggette (SF), Jason Maxiell (PF), Other players who may actually get playing time, but I don't want to talk about them because I have never heard of them (Slava Kravtsov), or think they suck (Kyle Singler)

Comments: The Pistons are finally committed to rebuilding after attempting to smoothly transition from the team that made 7 straight Eastern Conference Finals (and 1 championship). Now that Ben Wallace retired, only Tayshaun Prince remains from the championship squad, and the Pistons are younger, more athletic, but still offensively challenged, as was the case with the defensive squads led by Chauncey Billups and co.

Lawrence Frank got very lucky when he became coach, as he inherited a New Jersey Nets squad with Vince Carter and Jason Kidd in their primes. Unfortunately, after a while, people started to realize he wasnt very good (as those Nets teams went nowhere), and he was fired. This is his second chance. At least he won't be as bad as John Keucher. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzK-YbJWb_c.

The Pistons have technically 3 PG's on their depth chart, but none of them play PG particularly well. Stuckey is the best of the bunch. He attacks the paint well, draws lots of fouls, and can dish the ball when he feels like it. Although injury prone, he never fully lived up to the hype, when the Pistons believed that they could trade Chauncey Billups and still have a quality point guard. Of course, they got Allen Iverson in that trade, and thats the way the cookie crumbles. Stuckey will hold down the fort until Brandon Knight decides he wants to play PG. Will Bynum is the backup. He is pretty short but stocky, and he doesnt pass the ball particularly well either. In fact, all 3 of the so called PG on the Pistons totaled 8 assists per game (rounding up). There were 7 point guards alone who averaged more than that. What is comical is that the Pistons werent even last in team assists per game... the Thunder were. uhhhh, more on them later.

So Brandon Knight, this guy decided that he wanted to be called a point guard, so people were under the impression he could be the next Rondo, or Wall, or whatever. But, he also decided, that he was just going to shoot 3's instead of do any other PG business. At Kentucky, he wasn't even that good of a 3-point shooter. His percentage actually didnt turn out that bad (38%), but his 3 turnovers a game compared to 4 assists is pretty miserable. We will see if Lawrence Frank can get the JR Smith out of him, so he can become what this team desperately needs. He is quick, and at Kentucky showed great poise with the ball, so if he can be a solid PG, let Stuckey move to SG, the team will be moving in the right direction. With the loss of Gordon, the team actually doesn't have a SG on the roster (unless you count Kim English....let's not). In summary, the Pistons have no PG that play actual point guard, and no shooting guards...good start.

The Pistons do have plenty of forwards, especially the SF's. Tayshaun Prince is the wily veteran, who will try to bring his championship experience to the team to help them grow. He is a great leader, but his basketball skills are diminishing. Still a very good defender, his offensive game (which used to involve some attacking of the basket), is limited to outside shooting. But have no fear, Austin Daye is the young, offensively talented Tayshaun Prince. They also look kind of similar. http://www.nba.com/pistons/photos/prince_daye_400_100121.jpg Anyway, Daye has never really seen playing time with Prince situated in the starting lineup. I think that this will be the year Daye will have his chance to crack the starting lineup. Maggette will be traded from this team. He draws fouls, can defend OK, and has made a living making free throws, but to a rebuilding team, he has no real value (see Bobcats, Charlotte).

Andre Drummond is an interesting prospect. Coming out of high school, people thought he was a potential #1 pick, the next big man to dominate the league. However, at UCONN, he had attitude problems, and never developed an offensive game. So basically he has DeMarcus Cousins attitude with Roy Hibbert defense. Luckily for him, he is put in a situation where he can play right away, and as he will find out (like many big men who could sleep walk through college play because they were just so much bigger), there are a lot of big bodies in the NBA. It will be interesting to see if he can step up his game, and maybe surprise people (like his teammate Greg Monroe once did). He has the tools; strength, size, athleticism, a defensive mindset. Jason Maxiell is a quality hustle guy off the bench. He will offensive rebound for you, play good defense. He could be a trade candidate for this team come February, as I'm sure a team looking to bulk up will come a calling.

Greg Monroe is the Pistons best player by far. If people knew that he was going to be this good offensively, he would have been drafted much higher. Everyone knew he was going to be a good defensive center, but he has developed into a solid offensive player with multiple post moves and a pretty good 17 foot jump shot, and he is an above average rebounder. He should crack double digits in rebounds this year. He will benefit having Drummond to help him inside, maybe take a little attention away from himself. As I look back, I forgot to talk about Jerebko, even though he is a combo forward. So Jonas Jerebko could even land in the starting lineup if Drummond falters. He is a very good outside shooter, a solid rebounder, sort of a young Mehmet Okur.

The Pistons realize that this is a rebuilding year, and won't be expecting a lot. You should expect to see them at the bottom of the eastern conference again this year. They need to sort out their point guard situation first (whether they have one on their team that they can move forward with), and hope they get continued improvement from their young big men. They will play solid defense, but look for them to struggle to outscore anyone, rarely going over 100 points to win.

Next Up, Minnesota Timberwolves

Toronto Raptors Preview

2012-09-22T18:37:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers,

This blog thing is fun, and if you have feedback or opinions, I want to see those comments.

TORONTO RAPTORS

Key Additions: Kyle "killed my fantasy team due to a stomach infection" Lowry (Trade), Landry Fields (FA), Jonas Valanciunas (rookie), Terence Ross (rookie), John Lucas (FA), Aaron Gray (FA)

Key Losses: Jerryd Bayless, James Johnson, Gary "not a real loss but a former Nugget so he's worth mentioning" Forbes

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Lowry
SG: Ross
SF: Demar Derozan
PF: Andrea Bargnani
C: Valanciunas

Role Players: Jose Calderon (PG), Fields (SG), Amir Johnson (PF), Linas Kleiza (SF), Ed Davis (PF), Lucas (PG)

Comments: The Raptors coach, Dwane Casey, is an experienced and a defensive minded coach, but he isnt very interesting. Bryan Colangelo, the GM, however, is. He is the son of Jerry Colangelo, aka, the architect of the last two olympic squads for the U.S. I was surprised to see that Bryan has actually won two executive of the year awards, because he always seems to do a piss poor job of managing the Raptors. He was under the impression Chris Bosh was a loyal fellow, and let him go. Traded the pick that ended up being Roy Hibbert for an injured Jermaine O'neal in 2008, and drafted Andrea Bargnani with the #1 pick (we will get to him shortly).

One of Colangelo's moves this offseason was getting Kyle Lowry. This didn't take much GM acumen as Lowry requested a trade from Houston, feeling unappreciated (which I think he was). Lowry leads this deep group of PG's on the Raptors. He is a fantasy monster when healthy. His three point shooting has really improved, he is a great passer, and probably the best rebounding point guard outside of Rajon Rondo. His breakup with Houston aside (mainly caused by Goran Dragic's amazing play), this guy is just a solid professional. He should be in for a very nice season. Jose Calderon is the old and poor man's version of Ricky Rubio. He is all about passing, and has averaged double-digit assisting the last few years, but has little scoring skill. Unlike Rubio, no one is scared of Calderon's game, and he will never take over a game at any point. Which, in fact, is unlike the third string on this team- John Lucas. Whenever Lucas came into the game for the Bulls, on national TV especially, he would be on fire offensively. Lucas got unlucky by signing with the Raptors, as they got Lowry soon after, and he will be relegated to third string again. Unfortunately, we may not hear from Lucas for a while, but hopefully he will raise his game to surpass Calderon.

At SG, the Raptors drafted Terence Ross. I didn't see much of Ross at all, since he played for Washington, a team that didnt make the NCAA tourney. From the highlights I watched, he profiles for me as a defensive stopper with offensive upside. He is athletic and long, but struggles shooting the ball, which is a problem for a shooting guard. I see as a similar player to Iman Shumpert but shooting less. He has the chance to develop though into a Rudy Gay, or probably more realistic, Paul George, type. It is pretty funny how the Raptors ended up with Landry Fields (a former Knick). The Raptors were attempting to sign Steve Nash, and believed their main competition was the Knicks (stupid Lakers, always sneaking in). To try and lure the Knicks into using their money on Landry Fields, they signed him to an offer sheet, forcing the Knicks to spend money to keep Fields. The Raptors forgot one thing in this master plan, Landry Fields isn't that good, and the Knicks had no problem letting him walk. Fields got the whole New York treatment as a rookie when he blasted onto the scene after nobody had heard of him. He hustled, played defense, and tried hard on offense. That's about where his game is now, which is certainly not worth the 7 mil he is getting paid this year. Another great Colangelo move.

DeMar Derozan is a really fun player to watch. He is super athletic, and should have won the dunk contest because of this ridiculous dunk (stupid Blake Griffin jumping over a car... again we have to wait to talk about him). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HPvkBGtHPc. Derozan has really improved his offensive game outside of his driving ability and athleticism, and has developed a nice jump shot. With good length, and clearly high jumping ability, he needs to keep improving on his defense and rebounding. He could be an all-star in the NBA very shortly if he takes more steps forward and doesn't plateau his game. Linas Kleiza, a former Nugget, is one of those players not meant for the NBA. He has really good offensive ability, when he plays for Lithuania, but just can't seem to match the athleticism and strength found in the NBA. It really is too bad... I liked Kleiza from his days on the Nuggets, but he could never reach the point of being an effective starter even though he was one of the best players in the Olympics.

The Bargnani move to power forward (and Valanciunas as center) could be a turning point for this franchise. Bargnani is an above average scorer in the NBA. At 7 feet tall, he can shoot 3's well, and while he is no Dirk Nowitzki, he seems to be getting closer every year. He wasn't a total bust in the really weak 2006 draft, but players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, and Rajon Rondo were all drafted later. Why the move to PF is key for Andrea is that he is one of the worst defenders in the NBA. Seriously, he and Pau Gasol are the reasons that Americans think European basketball players are soft. Now that he won't be pushed around by strong centers, he can save more energy for offense, and could get up to a Nowitzki offensive level. Davis and Johnson are very similar players at backup PF. They are both good defenders and rebounders with streaky offensive games. I thought Davis (who has more potential) would step up to control the starting group, but his inconsistency left him on the bench.

Valanciunas is a rookie, but was drafted at #5 in 2011. He spent the last year in Europe maturing and refining his game. We got our first look at him in the Olympics and he disappointed. As one of the taller and stronger people at the Olympics, he should have dominated the post. However, he seemed tentative to use his size. The Raptors can't really afford to have that happen at center when the only other option is Bargnani. He will be one of the more interesting rookies, and I have seen articles where people expect him to compete with Anthony Davis for rookie of the year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyAB35Nm5o4 I won't go that far, but offensively talented 7 foot centers are difficult to find, hopefully his game translates to the NBA.

The Raptors will definitely be an improved team in 2012-13 due to Lowry, Valanciunas, and Bargnani's move to PF. The team is now deeper and more talented than the last few years. However, the Atlantic Divison of the Eastern Conference is very good with the Celtics, 76ers, Knicks, and Nets. Those 4 teams all have legitimate stars, so they will have a difficult time making the playoffs. Add the Heat, Bulls, and Pacers, I expect the Raptors to compete with the Bucks and Hawks for that last playoff spot in the East.

Detroit Pistons are up next

Golden State Warriors Preview

2012-09-18T17:05:00.002-07:00

Hello Readers,

Please feel free to comment on my posts. I think it would be cool to get some discussion going if you disagree with something I say, have something to add, or want to praise how awesome a read these things are.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Key Additions: Andrew Bogut (traded last year, but didn’t play), Jarret Jack (Trade), Harrison Barnes (rookie), Draymond Green (rookie), Carl Landry (FA)

Key Losses: Nate “won 2 dunk contests because people were surprised even after he already won once that he could dunk” Robinson, Dorrel Wright

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Klay Thompson

SF: Barnes

PF: David Lee

C: Bogut

Role Players: Jack, Landry, Brandon Rush, Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Green

Comments: I am pretty high on the Warriors this year, but lets start with their ownership. There is a really good Bill Simmons article describing how the Warriors ownership has basically always screwed the team over http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7714701/how-annoy-fan-base-60-easy-steps. In ranking the best fans in the NBA, most people will say the Warriors have the best fans (with the Thunder a close second). They don’t deserve having owners that constantly make bad decisions for their team. This boiled over at a ceremony for Chris Mullin (a legendary Warrior), where the owner was booed to hell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLCuJzI_jEc. If you don't understand why the Warriors fans are so mean here, read the Simmon's article. However, the team they have built now could be very good in a few years, and maybe ownership can get its fans back.

The team on paper is built well, but its success will depend on whether Mark Jackson is actually an NBA coach, the health of Curry and Bogut, and the development of young players Thompson and Barnes.

So let’s start with Curry. He is a really good shooter (going all the way back to his days at Davidson, but he showed his rookie season that he had good vision and passing skills, and could rebound too. Many people thought that the presence of Monta Ellis on this team was holding Curry back. Ellis is another electric scorer who needs the ball in his hand. Part of the reason Ellis was traded was to allow Curry to run this team. Unfortunately, after his rookie year, Curry has had 2 seasons with major injuries. He must stay healthy as well as improve his defense for this team to move forward into competing for a playoff spot. If Curry gets injured, Jack is a very capable backup. He is a solid shooter and passer, and along with Landry and Jefferson will bring stability and veteran leadership to a youthful bench.

At SG, the Warriors have Klay Thompson. After the Ellis trade, Thompson got increased playing time, and really showed how good he can be at scoring. He can create his own shot, and should only get better in his second year in the league. His defense must improve. The Ellis/Curry guard combo was really bad defensively, and the Warriors cant afford to have Thompson be equally as bad. Mark Jackson is supposedly a defensive coach, so maybe both Curry and Thompson can raise their level. Brandon Rush is one of the best spot up shooters in the NBA. The good thing about Rush is that he knows who he is, and doesn’t try to do much other than shoot 3’s. Every team needs to have a Rush (see Mike Miller or Daequan Cook on the Heat and Thunder respectively).

Harrison Barnes is a very interesting prospect. Out of high school, people said that he would be a sure-fire #1 draft pick the following year. However, at UNC, he was never really dominant. This is someone that could create his own shot, pass at a high level, and rebound. I don’t remember many games that Barnes took over. He stayed another year, and he was improved but not to a top draft pick level. This led to him falling to #8 in the draft. It will be interesting to see if Barnes can become the NBA player everyone thought he would be. Richard Jefferson fell off the face of the Earth while with the Spurs. He just never got accustomed to being a role player, and his stint with the Warriors suggest that he will never return to the player he used to be. Green is a very interesting prospect. While not amazing at any skill, he is good at every facet of the game, and is a winner (see Michigan States success the last 4 years). He could eventually surpass Barnes if Barnes disappoints because Green is so solid across the board.

David Lee is a really solid player. He is not flashy, doesn’t have a great jump shot, and his defense is below average, but he is one of the best rebounders in the league, and always seems to score close to 20 points a game on put backs, post moves, and 12 foot jumpers. He has shown with the Knicks and Warriors that he will not carry a team, nor can he be counted on score at will, but he will have an influence on a game, and I would like to see him on a winning team for once. Carl Landry, as the backup is equally as solid. One of the most underrated player in the league, I was shocked that he didn’t receive a bigger contract as a free agent this season. He is one of the most efficient post scorers in the league, and while undersized, has proven to be a quality defender. The duo of Lee and Landry is probably one of the best in the league at PF.

While the Warriors success depends on Curry’s health, the team can survive without him for a period. That is not the case with Andrew Bogut. As the #1 pick back in 2005, it took him a few years to figure out what kind of player he was. He is not great offensively, but he is one of the best defensive centers in the league. He is strong, can block shots, and patrols the paint well. He can also give 10-15 points a game, and is a solid passer for a big man. Unfortunately, like Curry, he cannot stay healthy over the course of the season. The Warriors traded Ellis to get Bogut because they desperately needed a center (they were rumored at times to trade Dwight Howard for Ellis and others). If Bogut is out for any period of time, this team will struggle mightily. Already not a great defensive team, it will lose its only defensive player. And at backup, Andris Biedrins is very bad. How he is still on this team is beyond me (he gets paid 9 mil), and if he isn’t playing, the Warriors will probably be winning.

In summary, the Warriors team should see massive improvement this year. I think they will be in competition for a playoff spot in the West, although I don’t think they will make it. The team does not play good enough defensive, will have growing pains, and it’s two most important players are injury-prone. Somewhere around 40 wins makes sense to me.

Up next, the Toronto Raptors

Brooklyn Nets Preview

2012-09-15T10:18:00.003-07:00

Hello Again,

The second half of the back-to-back previews, the first team that I have previewed that is expected to make the playoffs. We will get more into how good they actually will be.

NEW JERSEY NETS

Key Additions: Joe Johnson (trade), Reggie Evans (FA), Mirza Teletovic (FA), C.J. Watson (FA), Andray Blatche (FA)

Key Losses: Jordon Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro, a few Williams’ and other really bad players.

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Deron Williams

SG: Johnson

SF: Gerald Wallace

PF: Kris Humphries

C: Brook Lopez

Role Players: Watson, MarShon Brooks, Teletovic, Evans, not Jerry Stackhouse…or Keith Bogans.

Comments: Avery Johnson will have to deal with some pretty large expectations this year. Moving to Brooklyn where the fans will surely be harder than those in New Jersey, and an owner who has gone to great lengths to make sure that he is better owner than Vladmir Putin (oh wait).

A brief aside about New Jersey: I was recently visiting the fine state, and I determined that the state needs to either declare its allegiance to Philadelphia or New York sports, or just split into two states. The uncertainty in the sports world causes other problems, and I think the people would be happier with it settled.

Anyways, Deron Williams is arguably the league’s best point guard. He is strong, is an excellent shooter and passer, and can defend. He has had to suffer a year and a half with the losers on the Nets, but as long as everyone is healty, he should have the pieces to raise his game back up to the level it was with the Jazz. He had a pretty solid Olympics, and it is safe to say that it won’t be his fault if the team disappoints. C.J. Watson is an OK backup PG. He doesn’t really pass, which you would want, but his scoring and defense are good. Part of a very weak Nets bench.

Joe Johnson is the big piece that the Nets added. While he is no Dwight Howard, he is someone that can be counted on to make any type of shot at any time. He can take over in the 4^th quarter, as can Williams, so this team should have no problems closing out close games. Johnson has also really improved his defense over the last few years. He is definitely not worth 20 mil a year (one of the highest paid players), but he is a perennial all-star, and the Nets will be considerably better just because of his arrival. Brooks was a surprise rookie last year, but I have a feeling that was due to the fact that he was allowed to be a major part of the offense. We will see how he does in a supporting role. Definitely a capable scorer, he will have to take on the responsibility as the leader of the bench.

The Nets traded a top-10 draft pick last year for Gerald Wallace. Wallace is getting a little old for a player that relies basically on his athleticism, but he is a quality defender, and if not counted on to score, which he certainly will not be with this team, will be a valuable contributor to the starting group. I always wished he was a better shooter or just more assertive on offense, but as long as he plays solid defense and scores 10-15, he has done his job. This team actually has no backup SF, unless you count Jerry Stackhouse. Maybe Mirza Teletovic, but I don’t know much about him except that the Nets thought he was worth 4 mil, which doesn’t mean much with their owner. He is Bosnian, so he can probably shoot well and not play defense or rebound, like his fellow European players.

Kris Humphries has risen to popularity for the wrong reasons (see Kardashian, Kim), but he has actually been in the league for a while and only recently has become a really good rebounder, offensive and defensive. Reggie Evans is a very similar player, just 5 years older. Whenever I think of Reggie Evans, I think of this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv1cBN8M-9I Both of these guys will stick to their role as rebounders and defenders, getting put back baskets, and overall contributing nicely to the team.

The success of the team does not rest on Deron Williams or Joe Johnson, but the center Brook Lopez. Lopez has really good touch around the basket, and when healthy has shown the ability to score inside. But, he is injury prone, and when he is healthy, is not a good defender and a very poor rebounder. I know, he was on my fantasy team and average 5 rebounds a game. Unacceptable for someone 7 feet tall. He needs to get stronger inside on the defensive end, or he will get tooled on by the big men in the east, Andrew Bynum, KG, Amare, and even Chris Bosh. This team also doesn’t have anyone else over 6’9, so they will have to acquire a backup big man at some point this year.

The New Jersey Nets will find out what the Knicks and Clippers have recently discovered. Putting two quality offensive players does not translate into immediate success. Williams and Johnson are good enough to lead this team to a mid-range spot in the playoffs (as high as 4, Heat, Celtics, and Bulls [given Rose for half a season] are all still better). However, I think they will be a bit lower. The lack of quality big men and a very weak bench will make it hard for this team to overcome any adversity that it will surely face.

Next up, Golden State Warriors

Sacramento Kings Preview

2012-09-15T10:14:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers,

I am currently on an airplane, and since I haven’t sent out a preview in a few days, everyone gets a treat- a second preview. First, as promised, the Sacramento Kings.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

Key Additions: Thomas Robinson (rookie), Aaron Brooks (FA), James Johnson (FA)

Key Losses: Ummm, basically no one.

Projected Lineup: This team has so many player of basically the same talent level, that the starting lineup will probably change a lot throughout the year.

PG: Tyreke Evans

SG: Marcus Thornton

SF: John Salmons

PF: Demarcus Cousins

C: Jason Thompson

Role Players: Brooks, Robinson, Isaiah Thomas, Jimmer Fredette, Chuck Hayes, Francisco Garcia, Johnson.

Comments: I think it is important to start with the uncertainty of the owners and location of the team. The Maloof Brothers have made it clear that if the city Sacramento does not build a new stadium, they will move the team to somewhere that wants it. And with the growing popularity of the NBA, and the profatibility of having a franchise, numerous cities have expressed interest. The list includes Anaheim, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Virginia Beach, and Seattle. If this team does in fact move, I would expect them to go to Seattle due to their history of having a franchise, the heartbreak of losing the Sonics, and the fact that they recently got money to build a new stadium. The team needs this to be resolved before they can make a move towards competing for a playoff spot.

Anyways, the PG situation for the Kings is kind of ridiculous. First they have Tyreke Evans. After having a tremendous rookie season, he has kind of reached a ceiling. His playmaking ability is very solid, but he still hasn’t solidified himself as either a PG or a SG. He can score and is tall like a SG, and can pass and penetrate like a PG, but he isnt amazing at either. Still he is the Kings best player, and could be an all-star at some point. Isaiah Thomas and Aaron Brooks are basically the exact same player, and either could end up as the teams starting PG if Evans moves to SG. These guys are both really short, fast, and can make it rain from 3. Thomas was the best rookie out of the second round last year, but at 5'9, it will be difficult or him to become more than just an electric scorer off the bench. Brooks spent the last year in China, so it will be interesting to see if he's still got the talent that he had when he was Houston's best PG. And then there is Jimmer. This guy is just not meant to be in the NBA. Similar to Adam Morrison, he was excellent at the college level, but he just doesnt have the athleticism or strength to be a quality player. Sure, you may see him have a hot shooting night every now and again, but at the end of the year, he will be at the end of the bench.

I am a big fan of Marcus Thornton. He is incredibly underrated. He has developed into a really good scorer, and should average north of 20 points this season. His defense and rebounding need improvement, and like a lot of Kings players, he is on the brink of becoming all-star caliber player. This applies to Evans, Thornton, and Cousins. The team doesn't play with any sort of consistency, and these 3 don't play much defense at all. I didn't realize how old Francisco Garcia is. He, like many other Kings, is a streaky shooter and doesnt play hard on defense. If I had to be on a player to be traded this year, it would be this guy. He could be an OK player for a team that lacks wing depth, such as the Pacers or Nets.

Projecting Salmons as the SF, I am respecting his experience, rather than his skill. As the year moves on, they should move Thornton here, play small with Evans and Brooks/Thomas at guard. When Salmons was on my fantasy team, he shot the ball a lot at a really low percentage. He is kind of clutch, can make plays for others, and should provide some veteran leadership. Oh, he will probably be traded too. Johnson is the backup SF, he is athletic, but like Al-Farouq Aminu, is neither good at offense nor defense.

DeMarcus Cousins could be on the verge of a breakout season. Last year, it looked like he might have to be traded, but he turned on some switch and played more maturely the rest of the season. He is really good on the boards, and has developed some nice post moves to become a potential 20-10 guy. Again, his defense is just piss poor, and he doesn’t have the consistency. Hmm, seems like I’m a broken record. Thomas Robinson is an interesting prospect. He is definitely raw in terms of his skills, and people thought he might stay at Kansas to develop them. After all, he was a bench player just 2 years ago. However, he has energy and athleticism to earn the playing time to develop those skills, similar to Kenneth Faried last year. I think that many people expect Robinson to show offensive skills, but he will disappoint if this is the case.

At the end of last year, Jason Thompson showed signs that he could also become a productive big man. He is tall and strong, has a bit of a jump shot, and is amazing in NBA Jam. Chuck Hayes is the exact opposite in a center, he is short with no skills whatsoever. He gets around by shoving people inside, never giving up on a play, and otherwise being crafty.

This team is loaded with young players, especially guards, and like the Hornets, this will be a year to see exactly what they have in these guys. There will be uncertainty with the future location of this team, and that won’t help a young team trying to avoid distractions. Expect the Kings to be close to the bottom of a very difficult Western Conference.

Next up, Brooklyn Nets

New Orleans Hornets Preview

2012-09-11T14:39:00.003-07:00

Hello,

I hope you guys are not getting sick of me talking about bad teams, cause it will continue for a few more previews. With nothing else to say, here are the Hornets.

New Orleans Hornets:

Basically a completely new team, a complete overhaul from the Chris Paul era.

Key Additions: Anthony "the Brow" Davis (rookie), Ryan Anderson (trade), Robin Lopez (trade), Austin Rivers (rookie), Hakim Warrick (FA), Darius Miller (rookie)

Key Losses: Jarret Jack, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Marco Belinelli, Carl Landry, Chris "bald spot" Kaman (this is basically their entire starting roster besides Eric Gordon)

Projected Starting Lineup: Of any team so far, I am very unsure of this, could do lots of different things here, this is my best guess if they go with a traditional lineup.

PG: Greivis Vasquez

SG: Eric Gordon

SF: Al-Farouq Aminu

PF: Anderson

C: Davis

Role Players: Lopez, Jason Smith, Rivers, Warrick, Xavier Henry, Miller

Comments:

Monty Williams has proven that no matter how bad his team looks on paper, they will always play hard on defense for him, and they have shown the ability to sneak attack on teams that assume they will win and take the night off. They did this exact thing to the nuggets last year. Williams just got a well-deserved contract extension, but he has a completely different team to build, and there will be many growing pains for sure.

This team is very weak at point guard. Vasquez has shown flashes of being a decent point guard, but nothing very consistent. He is tall for a point guard (6'6), and he therefore is susceptible to being tooled on by quick point guards. His offense is developing, but his passing is solid. Vasquez, though, is holding Austin Rivers spot for now. Rivers, at the draft, projected more as a shooting guard than a point guard. At Duke, Coach K would allow Rivers to basically take the ball and create offense for himself and others. Rivers was generally pretty good at creating his own shot, whether it be by stone-cold shooting, or magnificent drives. His passing skills are still pretty miseable. When the Hornets traded Jack, they made it pretty clear they consider Rivers a point guard, who they need to get on the court. It will be interesting to see if Rivers is capable of sharing the ball more than looking for his own shot. If he can't do it, the Hornets will surely look for a point guard in next years draft, which I believe will happen. For me, Rivers will become a scoring threat off the bench, a la Jason Terry or JR Smith.

At SG lies the Hornets best player by far. Eric Gordon is a proven NBA scorer capable of averaging 25 points a game. However, he can not seem to stay healthy... ever. He made statements this offseason that Phoenix was the right place for him to play, but New Orleans was never going to let him go. As the centerpiece of the Chris Paul trade a year ago, Gordon was always going to be a Hornet, and he along with Davis are the cornerstones of the franchise if he can stay healthy. Xavier Henry finally got playing time last year after coming from the Grizzlies where he was trapped on the bench behind all of the Grizzlies wing players. He showed some flashes of being a quality bench player, but this year will really be telling of his ability.

Aminu was part of the Nigerian team this summer that got trampled by everyone (except Tunisia). He is very athletic, but has not shown either the offensive or defensive ability to really come into his own as a player. He needs to rebound and pass at a better rate, and he should focus on trying to become a defensive stopper such as World Peace or the man he was a backup to last year Trevor Ariza. I always liked Darius Miller at Kentucky. He can shoot the ball at a high rate, played excellent defense, and brought the energy off the bench that the Wildcats needed in their championship run. He has the chance to be one of those second-rounders who has a productive NBA career. He certainly should get the opporunity with a weak Hornets bench on the wing.

This is where the hornets lineup gets interesting. I have Anderson listed as the PF, but Davis is also more of a traditional PF. The Hornets could go big, play Anderson at SF, Davis at PF, and Lopez at C. With Anderson's ability to shoot, that type of lineup could work. Anyway, lets consider as if Anderson is the PF. He was a breakout star last year, showing that he was not only a deadly 3-point shooter, but also shoot midrange, drive a little, and rebound. The downside is that Anderson, who came from the Magic, was able to score at a higher rate when Dwight Howard was able to draw defenders, allowing Anderson to get open shots. This is not to say that Anderson is incapable of scoring (his 3 point percentages are actually almost identical with and without Howard ~40%), but it becomes much harder for him. His defense is weak because he is weak, but if he does get time at SF, he should do OK. Warrick has basically been a complete bust since his days with Carmelo at 'Cuse, so this is his last chance to prove he can be a helpful role player. Smith, a Colorado State man, was thrust into a bigger role due to injuries last year, and showed he can play a little, and crush Blake Griffin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRvqWmtR7-I&feature=related). He is also the only one still on the team in this clip.

At center is the Unibrow. Picture.

We can sum up Davis' ability with the box score of the NCAA championship game. 16 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, 6 blocks, and 6 points, and an MVP. The old saying, you don't need to score to have an impact. The thing is, he can also score, he just had a bad shooting night (1-10). He comes into the league already as a top-25 defender, has a jump shot, and will develop a post game as he builds more size. He is truly the best big-man prospect since Dwight Howard (and no Blake Griffin doesn't count, cause he plays like a SG, who can just jump higher, more on that later). Davis will have an immediate impact. Lopez, like Warrick has been a complete bust. He was never really trusted in Phoenix, but should get plenty of time at C here, when Davis is playing PF.

This year is not about winning for the Hornets. They want to see what they have in their young players, which is basically their entire team. Hopefully they have some bright spots. I cheer for teams that have their superstar ripped away from them because that person likes big cities and wants to play with his buddies. No one hates on Chris Paul for what he did, but it was just as bad as James, Melo, and Howard.

p.s. I went the entire post without talking about the travesty that was the time when the NBA owned the Hornets. Since that is not the case anymore, I won't talk about it. I'll save it for when I write professionally.

Next up, Sacramento (soon to be Seattle or Vancouver or Virginia Beach or Las Veags or Anaheim or my vote Anchorage) Kings