Top 50 NBA Free Agents of 2014
Here are the Top 50 Free Agents of the 2014 NBA Free Agency Period, which will be updated as players sign with their respective teams:
1. LeBron James (RFA - Early Termination Clause)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
After opting out of his contract with the Heat, James becomes the best player on the market since, well, himself, back in 2010. He is said to be looking for a max contract which pay him $22.2 million per season. It is possible LeBron only opted out to have more flexibility, then eventually just return to Miami, but it could also mean that he moves on. As can be imagined, many teams have displayed interest, including Houston, Phoenix, Cleveland, and of course, Miami. LeBron's decision is most likely the first domino to fall and then most of the other big-name players will sign new contracts.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
2. Carmelo Anthony (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: New York Knicks
Carmelo opted out of his contract as well, and looks likely to leave the Knicks. He is the second-best scorer on the market behind James, and is most-likely looking to go to a contending team where he could be the piece that pushes them to championship-status. The Bulls have been courting him, as well as possibly Houston or Miami, and of course Phil Jackson wants him to return to the Knicks. Right now, if the Bulls could clear enough cap space to sign Carmelo, they would be the sure-fire favorite to win the Eastern Conference and possibly the NBA Finals.
Most-Likely Scenario: Chicago Bulls
3. Eric Bledsoe (RFA)
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
Bledsoe is an incredibly dynamic scorer and could be the centerpiece on the Suns for a very long time, and they will surely do anything they can to retain him. They have already extended a qualifying offer to the star point guard, so they will be able to match any contract offered by another team. Bledsoe wants to stay in Phoenix and they want him, so there shouldn't be much of a problem.
Most-Likely Scenario: Phoenix Suns
4. Dirk Nowitzki
Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks
Dirk has been the face of the Mavericks franchise for such a long time, it is almost impossible to envision him in another uniform. Mark Cuban wants him back, and he wants to be back, and it seems as if Dirk will return for yet another season as the Mavericks try to add more pieces (they already traded for Tyson Chandler) to contend for a championship.
Most-Likely Scenario: Dallas Mavericks
5. Chris Bosh (RFA - Early Termination Clause)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Bosh opted out of his contract, and now appears to be waiting on LeBron to make his decision. However, no matter what James chooses, it seems that Bosh will return to the Heat. He is a dynamic big-man who can shoot from the outside and rebound when needed, so Miami will undoubtedly do what they can to keep him.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
6. Greg Monroe (RFA)
Previous Team: Detroit Pistons
Monroe is one of the best offensive power forward/centers in the NBA, and one who could easily average over 20 points and over 10 rebounds per game for the next several years. As a restricted free agent, the Pistons can match any offer for him, but might consider letting him walk as they already have Josh Smith to play power forward and Andre Drummond to play Center, so they do not particularly need him if the price of his contract is too high. He will be well sought-after on the market and will probably earn a max-level contract. The Lakers have been rumored to be interested and they usually get what they want, so that is something to look out for.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
7. Chandler Parsons (RFA - Team Option)
Previous Team: Houston Rockets
Parsons is one of the best young wing-scorers around, and is all-the-more special because he was a second-round pick. The Rockets have been rumored to be planning on declining their team option so they can re-sign him to a longer-term deal, but nothing has happened yet. If they are planning to sign LeBron or Carmelo, then they may have to let Parsons walk. Parsons will be an attractive piece to sign after LeBron if not by the Rockets, but they have the last say.
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
8. Dwayne Wade (RFA - Early Termination Clause)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Wade left over $20 million on the table when he decided to become a free agent with the rest of Miami's Big 3, so the most likely reason for that move is that Wade wanted to give Pat Riley the money he needed to bring in some help to the Heat. He has some knee problems and seems to be showing more and more signs of age, but can still flash his superstar ability at times and will most likely re-sign with the Heat on a team-friendly deal.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
9. Lance Stephenson
Previous Team: Indiana Pacers
Stephenson has had some off-court issues, but there is no denying his talent and scoring ability. He brings a lot tenacity on the court and would add a lot to a contender. It seems unlikely that the Pacers will re-sign him, as he will command a lot on the open market. Stephenson is a potential triple-double every night, and many teams will be taking a look at him. It is certainly possible he returns to Indiana, but Chicago, as well as Dallas, are intriguing destinations.
Most-Likely Scenario: Dallas Mavericks
10. Zach Randolph [Opted-In to Player Option, then Re-Signed]
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
After opting in to the final year of his contract where he will make $16.5 million, Z-Bo signed an extension with the Grizzlies that will pay him $10 million in each of the following two seasons. Randolph is a rebounding machine who can score and is a centerpiece on a Memphis team hoping to rebound in 2014.
New Team: Memphis Grizzlies
11. Gordon Hayward (RFA)
Previous Team: Utah Jazz
The Jazz would love to resign Hayward, but he might get offered so much money on the open market that they cannot afford to match his contract. He is a young wing scorer, which is so rare in the NBA, and has enough size that he can rebound and defend above-average small forwards. The Suns are reportedly very interested, and if they offer a big enough contract, then the Jazz will have a hard time matching it.
Most-Likely Scenario: Phoenix Suns
12. Kyle Lowry
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Lowry has broken out in the last two seasons, and has become one of the league's best point guards. He can score, pass, and defend, which is everything a point guard should do. He will likely follow suit with his former teammate Chris Bosh and be the next Raptors star to score a big contract elsewhere, even though they can offer him the most money. Lowry has been connected to the Heat, but his former team, the Rockets, have a real need at point guard and if they can deal Jeremy Lin (well, even if they can't) they will make a push for Lowry and end up with a very dynamic scoring team that would challenge for the Western Conference title next year.
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
13. Rudy Gay [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: Sacramento Kings
Gay opted into the final year of his contract next season, and will make $19.3 million. This was a no-brainer for him, for even if Sacramento isn't Gay's favorite place, there is no where else that he would make that kind of money. He hasn't played up to his huge contract since he signed it, although he has provided a nice scoring presence for the Kings and his previous teams. He will hope to play up to his salary this season.
New Team: Sacramento Kings
14. Luol Deng
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Deng was traded midway through the year, but not because of his talent, instead as a salary dump. Deng still can score, shoot from the outside, and defend, which is all any team that signs him will ask of him, and he could really help out a contending team and push them over the edge. The Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks appear interested, but Atlanta recently made a trade that cleared enough cap space to sign Deng, and seem the more likely destination. They would have a formidable lineup with Deng in the mix.
Most-Likely Scenario: Atlanta Hawks
15. Tim Duncan [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: San Antonio Spurs
There was no where else Duncan would go, it was comeback or retire. Luckily for the Spurs, Duncan opted back in at a modest $10.3 million salary for next season, and will go for one last Championship run and attempt a repeat with the only team he has ever known.
New Team: San Antonio Spurs
16. Isaiah Thomas
Previous Team: Sacramento Kings
Thomas is an exciting young player, but for some reason the Kings seem to dangle him in trade offers quite a bit. He is a guard who can pass but also score, and could be somewhat of a poor-man's Eric Bledsoe this offseason and could have an impact similar to what Bledsoe did to the Suns, although to a lesser degree. Luckily for the Kings, and quite surprisingly, Thomas isn't garnering that much attention in free-agency, perhaps because of Kyle Lowry's impending decision. However, if the Kings are smart (and they haven't been too smart lately), they will re-sign their star young point guard.
Most-Likely Scenario: Sacramento Kings
17. Greivis Vasquez
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Vasquez is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and one who makes everyone around him better. He is one of the most important reasons as to why the Raptors finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference despite not having the most talented roster around. Any team that needs a point guard would be enamored with Vasquez's playmaking ability, but the Raptors will need him the most if Lowry walks. He could become a starter next season and help the Raptors continue their run of success.
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
18. Paul Pierce
Previous Team: Brooklyn Nets
Paul Pierce is old, but he is not done yet. He still has some scoring ability and would be a quality player off the bench for a contender. However, the recent Nets coaching fiasco (thanks, Jason Kidd) has left Kevin Garnett's future in question (he may retire) as well as Pierce's. The latest rumor is that Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers are players for Pierce, and surely he'd love to move back to his hometown and play for the coach he had played for most of his career.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
19. Marcin Gortat
Previous Team: Washington Wizards
When the Wizards traded for Gortat, many shrugged it off as a minor move that wouldn't really matter in the long run, but alas, Gortat helped an overachieving Wizards team make a serious run in the playoffs, and they will need to keep him around in order to do so again. Gortat is a rim-protector who can score when needed, and plays a vital role on the Wizards team that they will not let get away.
Most-Likely Scenario: Washington Wizards
20. Pau Gasol
Previous Team: Los Angeles Lakers
It seems all but certain that Gasol's time with the Lakers is up, and many teams seem interested in Gasol's talents. The Knicks, Thunder, and Bulls have all claimed to be interested, but the most intriguing possibility is in Dallas. Mark Cuban is known for bold moves, and the Mavericks seem to be going all-in this year after trading for Tyson Chandler. If they target Lance Stephenson and then Gasol, they could really make a push for the Western Conference title.
Most-Likely Scenario: Dallas Mavericks
21. Avery Bradley (RFA)
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
The Celtics extended a qualifying offer to Bradley, so they will be able to match any offer any team makes. The Celtics really like Bradley's defense and so will likely try to retain him unless a ridiculous contract is offered by another team. However, that doesn't appear likely to happen as Bradley has more value to the Celtics than anyone else, and look for him to remain in Boston next year.
Most-Likely Scenario: Boston Celtics
22. Ray Allen
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Allen is most likely either going to retire or return to the Heat, where he won his second career championship, but he seems like the type of player with such a competitive drive that he would not be able to hang up the shoes before he really has to. The Heat most definitely want the all-time greatest three-point shooter back on their team, and Allen probably will return in the end.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
23. Mario Chalmers
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Chalmers had an awful run in the playoffs, the Heat have Norris Cole and drafted Shabazz Napier. Those factors all point to Chalmers leaving the Heat, especially because their hands are so tied with a limited amount of money to spend. The Lakers have a need at point guard and would love to get their hands on a guy like Chalmers who knows how to play with superstars but still knock down shots when needed, so look for them to court Chalmers in free agency.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
24. Jordan Crawford (RFA)
Previous Team: Golden State Warriors
Crawford had an incredible first half of the season for the Celtics before being traded, but his upside is limited unless he plays on a bad team so his suitors will probably be limited as well. However, a team like the Milwaukee Bucks could use a guy like Crawford who could help out in the interim and perhaps be traded at the deadline for some pieces that could aid in their rebuild. Other than that, there are not many options for Crawford in free-agency, although the Detroit Pistons could be an option if they are looking for help at shooting guard.
Most-Likely Scenario: Milwaukee Bucks
25. Kris Humphries
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
Humphries was actually a very productive player for the Celtics last year, but will most likely get a contract worth much less than his previous one on the market this year. There are not many teams who will be looking at Humphries, but the Knicks are one team who could be interested after trading Tyson Chandler to Dallas. They could get Humphries on a short-term deal without eating up much cap space and still potentially sign one of the superstars available this year and next.
Most-Likely Scenario: New York Knicks
26. Evan Turner
Previous Team: Indiana Pacers
There are not many teams who want a ball-hogging player on their team, but there are many teams with a need at Turner's position of shooting guard. The Charlotte Hornets are one team that could be looking at Turner to complement Kemba Walker, and hope that he can mature enough to either be a good player for their team or become an asset they could trade away eventually.
Most-Likely Scenario: Charlotte Hornets
27. Vince Carter
Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks
The age-defying Vince Carter should receive quite a bit of attention on the free-agent market this offseason, and one team to watch (along with the Heat, Thunder, Raptors, and Mavericks) is the Portland Trail Blazers as one who might go after him. They have relatively little cap space but Carter could really add a scoring dynamic off the bench or occasionally in the starting lineup that the Blazers could use to get over the hump and make something happen in the playoffs.
Most-Likely Scenario: Portland Trail Blazers
28. Spencer Hawes
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Hawes has always been an underrated player, and will most likely sign for depth-level money this free-agency, and a team who seems to be interested in him is the Clippers, and Hawes is interested in them as well. He could be a great bench piece behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, which would really help the Clippers' chances in the playoffs as the Spurs showed this year how important depth is in deep playoff runs.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
29. Rashard Lewis
Previous Team: Miami Heat
At this stage of his career, Lewis will be a veteran shooter at a minimum-level deal who will help team chemistry and likely outplay his salary, and therefore Lewis seems like the perfect fit with almost any team. He likely only has a few years left, and so will want to spend it on a contending team, and Lewis does have enough left in the tank to contribute to a playoff team as he did with Miami, so he could help keep the Raptors at contender status if he signs with them.
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
30. Emeka Okafor
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
The Thunder had some serious problems when Serge Ibaka went down with an injury in the Western Conference Finals, so they will be looking to add depth at the power forward position this free agency. Okafor is the perfect fit as he will come cheap and will not need to be counted on for heavy minutes, which will allow Oklahoma City to get the most out of this savvy veteran who still brings rebounding and defense to the table.
Most-Likely Scenario: Oklahoma City Thunder
31. Boris Diaw
Previous Team: San Antonio Spurs
Most-Likely Scenario: San Antonio Spurs
32. Ed Davis
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Most-Likely Scenario: Utah Jazz
33. Glen Davis (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
34. Ben Gordon
Previous Team: Charlotte Hornets
Most-Likely Scenario: Indiana Pacers
35. Jerryd Bayless
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
Most-Likely Scenario: Detroit Pistons
36. Andrea Bargnani [Declined Early Termination Clause]
Previous Team: New York Knicks
New Team: New York Knicks
37. Andrei Kirilenko [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: Brooklyn Nets
New Team: Brooklyn Nets
38. Patrick Patterson
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
39. Nick Young (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
40. Chris Andersen (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
41. Nate Robinson [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: Denver Nuggets
New Team: Denver Nuggets
42. Mike Miller
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Most-Likely Scenario: Memphis Grizzlies
43. Amar'e Stoudemire [Declined Early Termination Clause]
Previous Team: New York Knicks
Most-Likely Scenario: New York Knicks
44. D.J. Augustin
Previous Team: Chicago Bulls
Most-Likely Scenario: Chicago Bulls
45. Kirk Hinrich
Previous Team: Chicago Bulls
Most-Likely Scenario: Charlotte Hornets
46. Danny Granger (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
47. Thabo Sefolosha
Previous Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
48. Udonis Haslem (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
49. Channing Frye (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
50. Jameer Nelson (Bought Out)
Previous Team: Orlando Magic
Most-Likely Scenario: Atlanta Hawks
1. LeBron James (RFA - Early Termination Clause)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
After opting out of his contract with the Heat, James becomes the best player on the market since, well, himself, back in 2010. He is said to be looking for a max contract which pay him $22.2 million per season. It is possible LeBron only opted out to have more flexibility, then eventually just return to Miami, but it could also mean that he moves on. As can be imagined, many teams have displayed interest, including Houston, Phoenix, Cleveland, and of course, Miami. LeBron's decision is most likely the first domino to fall and then most of the other big-name players will sign new contracts.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
Previous Team: Miami Heat
After opting out of his contract with the Heat, James becomes the best player on the market since, well, himself, back in 2010. He is said to be looking for a max contract which pay him $22.2 million per season. It is possible LeBron only opted out to have more flexibility, then eventually just return to Miami, but it could also mean that he moves on. As can be imagined, many teams have displayed interest, including Houston, Phoenix, Cleveland, and of course, Miami. LeBron's decision is most likely the first domino to fall and then most of the other big-name players will sign new contracts.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
2. Carmelo Anthony (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: New York Knicks
Carmelo opted out of his contract as well, and looks likely to leave the Knicks. He is the second-best scorer on the market behind James, and is most-likely looking to go to a contending team where he could be the piece that pushes them to championship-status. The Bulls have been courting him, as well as possibly Houston or Miami, and of course Phil Jackson wants him to return to the Knicks. Right now, if the Bulls could clear enough cap space to sign Carmelo, they would be the sure-fire favorite to win the Eastern Conference and possibly the NBA Finals.
Most-Likely Scenario: Chicago Bulls
Previous Team: New York Knicks
Carmelo opted out of his contract as well, and looks likely to leave the Knicks. He is the second-best scorer on the market behind James, and is most-likely looking to go to a contending team where he could be the piece that pushes them to championship-status. The Bulls have been courting him, as well as possibly Houston or Miami, and of course Phil Jackson wants him to return to the Knicks. Right now, if the Bulls could clear enough cap space to sign Carmelo, they would be the sure-fire favorite to win the Eastern Conference and possibly the NBA Finals.
Most-Likely Scenario: Chicago Bulls
3. Eric Bledsoe (RFA)
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
Bledsoe is an incredibly dynamic scorer and could be the centerpiece on the Suns for a very long time, and they will surely do anything they can to retain him. They have already extended a qualifying offer to the star point guard, so they will be able to match any contract offered by another team. Bledsoe wants to stay in Phoenix and they want him, so there shouldn't be much of a problem.
Most-Likely Scenario: Phoenix Suns
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
Bledsoe is an incredibly dynamic scorer and could be the centerpiece on the Suns for a very long time, and they will surely do anything they can to retain him. They have already extended a qualifying offer to the star point guard, so they will be able to match any contract offered by another team. Bledsoe wants to stay in Phoenix and they want him, so there shouldn't be much of a problem.
Most-Likely Scenario: Phoenix Suns
4. Dirk Nowitzki
Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks
Dirk has been the face of the Mavericks franchise for such a long time, it is almost impossible to envision him in another uniform. Mark Cuban wants him back, and he wants to be back, and it seems as if Dirk will return for yet another season as the Mavericks try to add more pieces (they already traded for Tyson Chandler) to contend for a championship.
Most-Likely Scenario: Dallas Mavericks
Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks
Dirk has been the face of the Mavericks franchise for such a long time, it is almost impossible to envision him in another uniform. Mark Cuban wants him back, and he wants to be back, and it seems as if Dirk will return for yet another season as the Mavericks try to add more pieces (they already traded for Tyson Chandler) to contend for a championship.
Most-Likely Scenario: Dallas Mavericks
5. Chris Bosh (RFA - Early Termination Clause)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Bosh opted out of his contract, and now appears to be waiting on LeBron to make his decision. However, no matter what James chooses, it seems that Bosh will return to the Heat. He is a dynamic big-man who can shoot from the outside and rebound when needed, so Miami will undoubtedly do what they can to keep him.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Bosh opted out of his contract, and now appears to be waiting on LeBron to make his decision. However, no matter what James chooses, it seems that Bosh will return to the Heat. He is a dynamic big-man who can shoot from the outside and rebound when needed, so Miami will undoubtedly do what they can to keep him.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
6. Greg Monroe (RFA)
Previous Team: Detroit Pistons
Monroe is one of the best offensive power forward/centers in the NBA, and one who could easily average over 20 points and over 10 rebounds per game for the next several years. As a restricted free agent, the Pistons can match any offer for him, but might consider letting him walk as they already have Josh Smith to play power forward and Andre Drummond to play Center, so they do not particularly need him if the price of his contract is too high. He will be well sought-after on the market and will probably earn a max-level contract. The Lakers have been rumored to be interested and they usually get what they want, so that is something to look out for.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
Previous Team: Detroit Pistons
Monroe is one of the best offensive power forward/centers in the NBA, and one who could easily average over 20 points and over 10 rebounds per game for the next several years. As a restricted free agent, the Pistons can match any offer for him, but might consider letting him walk as they already have Josh Smith to play power forward and Andre Drummond to play Center, so they do not particularly need him if the price of his contract is too high. He will be well sought-after on the market and will probably earn a max-level contract. The Lakers have been rumored to be interested and they usually get what they want, so that is something to look out for.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
7. Chandler Parsons (RFA - Team Option)
Previous Team: Houston Rockets
Parsons is one of the best young wing-scorers around, and is all-the-more special because he was a second-round pick. The Rockets have been rumored to be planning on declining their team option so they can re-sign him to a longer-term deal, but nothing has happened yet. If they are planning to sign LeBron or Carmelo, then they may have to let Parsons walk. Parsons will be an attractive piece to sign after LeBron if not by the Rockets, but they have the last say.
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
Previous Team: Houston Rockets
Parsons is one of the best young wing-scorers around, and is all-the-more special because he was a second-round pick. The Rockets have been rumored to be planning on declining their team option so they can re-sign him to a longer-term deal, but nothing has happened yet. If they are planning to sign LeBron or Carmelo, then they may have to let Parsons walk. Parsons will be an attractive piece to sign after LeBron if not by the Rockets, but they have the last say.
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
8. Dwayne Wade (RFA - Early Termination Clause)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Wade left over $20 million on the table when he decided to become a free agent with the rest of Miami's Big 3, so the most likely reason for that move is that Wade wanted to give Pat Riley the money he needed to bring in some help to the Heat. He has some knee problems and seems to be showing more and more signs of age, but can still flash his superstar ability at times and will most likely re-sign with the Heat on a team-friendly deal.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Wade left over $20 million on the table when he decided to become a free agent with the rest of Miami's Big 3, so the most likely reason for that move is that Wade wanted to give Pat Riley the money he needed to bring in some help to the Heat. He has some knee problems and seems to be showing more and more signs of age, but can still flash his superstar ability at times and will most likely re-sign with the Heat on a team-friendly deal.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
9. Lance StephensonPrevious Team: Indiana Pacers
Stephenson has had some off-court issues, but there is no denying his talent and scoring ability. He brings a lot tenacity on the court and would add a lot to a contender. It seems unlikely that the Pacers will re-sign him, as he will command a lot on the open market. Stephenson is a potential triple-double every night, and many teams will be taking a look at him. It is certainly possible he returns to Indiana, but Chicago, as well as Dallas, are intriguing destinations.
Most-Likely Scenario: Dallas Mavericks
10. Zach Randolph [Opted-In to Player Option, then Re-Signed]
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
After opting in to the final year of his contract where he will make $16.5 million, Z-Bo signed an extension with the Grizzlies that will pay him $10 million in each of the following two seasons. Randolph is a rebounding machine who can score and is a centerpiece on a Memphis team hoping to rebound in 2014.
New Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
After opting in to the final year of his contract where he will make $16.5 million, Z-Bo signed an extension with the Grizzlies that will pay him $10 million in each of the following two seasons. Randolph is a rebounding machine who can score and is a centerpiece on a Memphis team hoping to rebound in 2014.
New Team: Memphis Grizzlies
11. Gordon Hayward (RFA)
Previous Team: Utah Jazz
The Jazz would love to resign Hayward, but he might get offered so much money on the open market that they cannot afford to match his contract. He is a young wing scorer, which is so rare in the NBA, and has enough size that he can rebound and defend above-average small forwards. The Suns are reportedly very interested, and if they offer a big enough contract, then the Jazz will have a hard time matching it.
Most-Likely Scenario: Phoenix Suns
Previous Team: Utah Jazz
The Jazz would love to resign Hayward, but he might get offered so much money on the open market that they cannot afford to match his contract. He is a young wing scorer, which is so rare in the NBA, and has enough size that he can rebound and defend above-average small forwards. The Suns are reportedly very interested, and if they offer a big enough contract, then the Jazz will have a hard time matching it.
Most-Likely Scenario: Phoenix Suns
12. Kyle Lowry
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Lowry has broken out in the last two seasons, and has become one of the league's best point guards. He can score, pass, and defend, which is everything a point guard should do. He will likely follow suit with his former teammate Chris Bosh and be the next Raptors star to score a big contract elsewhere, even though they can offer him the most money. Lowry has been connected to the Heat, but his former team, the Rockets, have a real need at point guard and if they can deal Jeremy Lin (well, even if they can't) they will make a push for Lowry and end up with a very dynamic scoring team that would challenge for the Western Conference title next year.
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Lowry has broken out in the last two seasons, and has become one of the league's best point guards. He can score, pass, and defend, which is everything a point guard should do. He will likely follow suit with his former teammate Chris Bosh and be the next Raptors star to score a big contract elsewhere, even though they can offer him the most money. Lowry has been connected to the Heat, but his former team, the Rockets, have a real need at point guard and if they can deal Jeremy Lin (well, even if they can't) they will make a push for Lowry and end up with a very dynamic scoring team that would challenge for the Western Conference title next year.
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
13. Rudy Gay [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: Sacramento Kings
Gay opted into the final year of his contract next season, and will make $19.3 million. This was a no-brainer for him, for even if Sacramento isn't Gay's favorite place, there is no where else that he would make that kind of money. He hasn't played up to his huge contract since he signed it, although he has provided a nice scoring presence for the Kings and his previous teams. He will hope to play up to his salary this season.
New Team: Sacramento Kings
Previous Team: Sacramento Kings
Gay opted into the final year of his contract next season, and will make $19.3 million. This was a no-brainer for him, for even if Sacramento isn't Gay's favorite place, there is no where else that he would make that kind of money. He hasn't played up to his huge contract since he signed it, although he has provided a nice scoring presence for the Kings and his previous teams. He will hope to play up to his salary this season.New Team: Sacramento Kings
14. Luol Deng
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Deng was traded midway through the year, but not because of his talent, instead as a salary dump. Deng still can score, shoot from the outside, and defend, which is all any team that signs him will ask of him, and he could really help out a contending team and push them over the edge. The Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks appear interested, but Atlanta recently made a trade that cleared enough cap space to sign Deng, and seem the more likely destination. They would have a formidable lineup with Deng in the mix.
Most-Likely Scenario: Atlanta Hawks
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Deng was traded midway through the year, but not because of his talent, instead as a salary dump. Deng still can score, shoot from the outside, and defend, which is all any team that signs him will ask of him, and he could really help out a contending team and push them over the edge. The Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks appear interested, but Atlanta recently made a trade that cleared enough cap space to sign Deng, and seem the more likely destination. They would have a formidable lineup with Deng in the mix.
Most-Likely Scenario: Atlanta Hawks
15. Tim Duncan [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: San Antonio Spurs
There was no where else Duncan would go, it was comeback or retire. Luckily for the Spurs, Duncan opted back in at a modest $10.3 million salary for next season, and will go for one last Championship run and attempt a repeat with the only team he has ever known.
New Team: San Antonio Spurs
Previous Team: San Antonio Spurs
There was no where else Duncan would go, it was comeback or retire. Luckily for the Spurs, Duncan opted back in at a modest $10.3 million salary for next season, and will go for one last Championship run and attempt a repeat with the only team he has ever known.
New Team: San Antonio Spurs
16. Isaiah Thomas
Previous Team: Sacramento Kings
Thomas is an exciting young player, but for some reason the Kings seem to dangle him in trade offers quite a bit. He is a guard who can pass but also score, and could be somewhat of a poor-man's Eric Bledsoe this offseason and could have an impact similar to what Bledsoe did to the Suns, although to a lesser degree. Luckily for the Kings, and quite surprisingly, Thomas isn't garnering that much attention in free-agency, perhaps because of Kyle Lowry's impending decision. However, if the Kings are smart (and they haven't been too smart lately), they will re-sign their star young point guard.
Most-Likely Scenario: Sacramento Kings
Previous Team: Sacramento Kings
Thomas is an exciting young player, but for some reason the Kings seem to dangle him in trade offers quite a bit. He is a guard who can pass but also score, and could be somewhat of a poor-man's Eric Bledsoe this offseason and could have an impact similar to what Bledsoe did to the Suns, although to a lesser degree. Luckily for the Kings, and quite surprisingly, Thomas isn't garnering that much attention in free-agency, perhaps because of Kyle Lowry's impending decision. However, if the Kings are smart (and they haven't been too smart lately), they will re-sign their star young point guard.
Most-Likely Scenario: Sacramento Kings
17. Greivis Vasquez
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Vasquez is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and one who makes everyone around him better. He is one of the most important reasons as to why the Raptors finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference despite not having the most talented roster around. Any team that needs a point guard would be enamored with Vasquez's playmaking ability, but the Raptors will need him the most if Lowry walks. He could become a starter next season and help the Raptors continue their run of success.
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Vasquez is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and one who makes everyone around him better. He is one of the most important reasons as to why the Raptors finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference despite not having the most talented roster around. Any team that needs a point guard would be enamored with Vasquez's playmaking ability, but the Raptors will need him the most if Lowry walks. He could become a starter next season and help the Raptors continue their run of success.
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
18. Paul Pierce
Previous Team: Brooklyn Nets
Paul Pierce is old, but he is not done yet. He still has some scoring ability and would be a quality player off the bench for a contender. However, the recent Nets coaching fiasco (thanks, Jason Kidd) has left Kevin Garnett's future in question (he may retire) as well as Pierce's. The latest rumor is that Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers are players for Pierce, and surely he'd love to move back to his hometown and play for the coach he had played for most of his career.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
Previous Team: Brooklyn Nets
Paul Pierce is old, but he is not done yet. He still has some scoring ability and would be a quality player off the bench for a contender. However, the recent Nets coaching fiasco (thanks, Jason Kidd) has left Kevin Garnett's future in question (he may retire) as well as Pierce's. The latest rumor is that Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers are players for Pierce, and surely he'd love to move back to his hometown and play for the coach he had played for most of his career.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
19. Marcin Gortat
Previous Team: Washington Wizards
When the Wizards traded for Gortat, many shrugged it off as a minor move that wouldn't really matter in the long run, but alas, Gortat helped an overachieving Wizards team make a serious run in the playoffs, and they will need to keep him around in order to do so again. Gortat is a rim-protector who can score when needed, and plays a vital role on the Wizards team that they will not let get away.
Most-Likely Scenario: Washington Wizards
Previous Team: Washington Wizards
When the Wizards traded for Gortat, many shrugged it off as a minor move that wouldn't really matter in the long run, but alas, Gortat helped an overachieving Wizards team make a serious run in the playoffs, and they will need to keep him around in order to do so again. Gortat is a rim-protector who can score when needed, and plays a vital role on the Wizards team that they will not let get away.
Most-Likely Scenario: Washington Wizards
20. Pau GasolPrevious Team: Los Angeles Lakers
It seems all but certain that Gasol's time with the Lakers is up, and many teams seem interested in Gasol's talents. The Knicks, Thunder, and Bulls have all claimed to be interested, but the most intriguing possibility is in Dallas. Mark Cuban is known for bold moves, and the Mavericks seem to be going all-in this year after trading for Tyson Chandler. If they target Lance Stephenson and then Gasol, they could really make a push for the Western Conference title.
Most-Likely Scenario: Dallas Mavericks
21. Avery Bradley (RFA)
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
The Celtics extended a qualifying offer to Bradley, so they will be able to match any offer any team makes. The Celtics really like Bradley's defense and so will likely try to retain him unless a ridiculous contract is offered by another team. However, that doesn't appear likely to happen as Bradley has more value to the Celtics than anyone else, and look for him to remain in Boston next year.
Most-Likely Scenario: Boston Celtics
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
The Celtics extended a qualifying offer to Bradley, so they will be able to match any offer any team makes. The Celtics really like Bradley's defense and so will likely try to retain him unless a ridiculous contract is offered by another team. However, that doesn't appear likely to happen as Bradley has more value to the Celtics than anyone else, and look for him to remain in Boston next year.
Most-Likely Scenario: Boston Celtics
22. Ray Allen
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Allen is most likely either going to retire or return to the Heat, where he won his second career championship, but he seems like the type of player with such a competitive drive that he would not be able to hang up the shoes before he really has to. The Heat most definitely want the all-time greatest three-point shooter back on their team, and Allen probably will return in the end.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Allen is most likely either going to retire or return to the Heat, where he won his second career championship, but he seems like the type of player with such a competitive drive that he would not be able to hang up the shoes before he really has to. The Heat most definitely want the all-time greatest three-point shooter back on their team, and Allen probably will return in the end.
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
23. Mario Chalmers
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Chalmers had an awful run in the playoffs, the Heat have Norris Cole and drafted Shabazz Napier. Those factors all point to Chalmers leaving the Heat, especially because their hands are so tied with a limited amount of money to spend. The Lakers have a need at point guard and would love to get their hands on a guy like Chalmers who knows how to play with superstars but still knock down shots when needed, so look for them to court Chalmers in free agency.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Chalmers had an awful run in the playoffs, the Heat have Norris Cole and drafted Shabazz Napier. Those factors all point to Chalmers leaving the Heat, especially because their hands are so tied with a limited amount of money to spend. The Lakers have a need at point guard and would love to get their hands on a guy like Chalmers who knows how to play with superstars but still knock down shots when needed, so look for them to court Chalmers in free agency.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
24. Jordan Crawford (RFA)
Previous Team: Golden State Warriors
Crawford had an incredible first half of the season for the Celtics before being traded, but his upside is limited unless he plays on a bad team so his suitors will probably be limited as well. However, a team like the Milwaukee Bucks could use a guy like Crawford who could help out in the interim and perhaps be traded at the deadline for some pieces that could aid in their rebuild. Other than that, there are not many options for Crawford in free-agency, although the Detroit Pistons could be an option if they are looking for help at shooting guard.
Most-Likely Scenario: Milwaukee Bucks
Previous Team: Golden State Warriors
Crawford had an incredible first half of the season for the Celtics before being traded, but his upside is limited unless he plays on a bad team so his suitors will probably be limited as well. However, a team like the Milwaukee Bucks could use a guy like Crawford who could help out in the interim and perhaps be traded at the deadline for some pieces that could aid in their rebuild. Other than that, there are not many options for Crawford in free-agency, although the Detroit Pistons could be an option if they are looking for help at shooting guard.
Most-Likely Scenario: Milwaukee Bucks
25. Kris Humphries
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
Humphries was actually a very productive player for the Celtics last year, but will most likely get a contract worth much less than his previous one on the market this year. There are not many teams who will be looking at Humphries, but the Knicks are one team who could be interested after trading Tyson Chandler to Dallas. They could get Humphries on a short-term deal without eating up much cap space and still potentially sign one of the superstars available this year and next.
Most-Likely Scenario: New York Knicks
26. Evan Turner
Previous Team: Indiana Pacers
There are not many teams who want a ball-hogging player on their team, but there are many teams with a need at Turner's position of shooting guard. The Charlotte Hornets are one team that could be looking at Turner to complement Kemba Walker, and hope that he can mature enough to either be a good player for their team or become an asset they could trade away eventually.
Most-Likely Scenario: Charlotte Hornets
27. Vince Carter
Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks
The age-defying Vince Carter should receive quite a bit of attention on the free-agent market this offseason, and one team to watch (along with the Heat, Thunder, Raptors, and Mavericks) is the Portland Trail Blazers as one who might go after him. They have relatively little cap space but Carter could really add a scoring dynamic off the bench or occasionally in the starting lineup that the Blazers could use to get over the hump and make something happen in the playoffs.
Most-Likely Scenario: Portland Trail Blazers
28. Spencer Hawes
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Hawes has always been an underrated player, and will most likely sign for depth-level money this free-agency, and a team who seems to be interested in him is the Clippers, and Hawes is interested in them as well. He could be a great bench piece behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, which would really help the Clippers' chances in the playoffs as the Spurs showed this year how important depth is in deep playoff runs.
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
29. Rashard Lewis
Previous Team: Miami Heat
At this stage of his career, Lewis will be a veteran shooter at a minimum-level deal who will help team chemistry and likely outplay his salary, and therefore Lewis seems like the perfect fit with almost any team. He likely only has a few years left, and so will want to spend it on a contending team, and Lewis does have enough left in the tank to contribute to a playoff team as he did with Miami, so he could help keep the Raptors at contender status if he signs with them.
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
30. Emeka Okafor
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
The Thunder had some serious problems when Serge Ibaka went down with an injury in the Western Conference Finals, so they will be looking to add depth at the power forward position this free agency. Okafor is the perfect fit as he will come cheap and will not need to be counted on for heavy minutes, which will allow Oklahoma City to get the most out of this savvy veteran who still brings rebounding and defense to the table.
Most-Likely Scenario: Oklahoma City Thunder
31. Boris Diaw
Previous Team: San Antonio Spurs
Most-Likely Scenario: San Antonio Spurs
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Most-Likely Scenario: Utah Jazz
33. Glen Davis (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
34. Ben Gordon
Previous Team: Charlotte Hornets
Most-Likely Scenario: Indiana Pacers
Previous Team: Charlotte Hornets
Most-Likely Scenario: Indiana Pacers
35. Jerryd Bayless
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
Most-Likely Scenario: Detroit Pistons
Previous Team: Boston Celtics
Most-Likely Scenario: Detroit Pistons
36. Andrea Bargnani [Declined Early Termination Clause]
Previous Team: New York Knicks
New Team: New York Knicks
37. Andrei Kirilenko [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: Brooklyn Nets
New Team: Brooklyn Nets
Previous Team: New York Knicks
New Team: New York Knicks
37. Andrei Kirilenko [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: Brooklyn Nets
New Team: Brooklyn Nets
38. Patrick Patterson
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
Most-Likely Scenario: Toronto Raptors
39. Nick Young (RFA - Player Option)Previous Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
40. Chris Andersen (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
41. Nate Robinson [Opted-In to Player Option]
Previous Team: Denver Nuggets
New Team: Denver Nuggets
Previous Team: Denver Nuggets
New Team: Denver Nuggets
42. Mike Miller
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Most-Likely Scenario: Memphis Grizzlies
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Most-Likely Scenario: Memphis Grizzlies
43. Amar'e Stoudemire [Declined Early Termination Clause]
Previous Team: New York Knicks
Most-Likely Scenario: New York Knicks
Previous Team: New York Knicks
Most-Likely Scenario: New York Knicks
44. D.J. Augustin
Previous Team: Chicago Bulls
Most-Likely Scenario: Chicago Bulls
Previous Team: Chicago Bulls
Most-Likely Scenario: Charlotte Hornets
Previous Team: Chicago Bulls
Most-Likely Scenario: Chicago Bulls
45. Kirk Hinrich
Previous Team: Chicago Bulls
Most-Likely Scenario: Charlotte Hornets
46. Danny Granger (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Clippers
47. Thabo Sefolosha
Previous Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
Previous Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Most-Likely Scenario: Houston Rockets
48. Udonis Haslem (RFA - Player Option)
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
Previous Team: Miami Heat
Most-Likely Scenario: Miami Heat
49. Channing Frye (RFA - Player Option)Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
Most-Likely Scenario: Los Angeles Lakers
50. Jameer Nelson (Bought Out)
Previous Team: Orlando Magic
Most-Likely Scenario: Atlanta Hawks
Previous Team: Orlando Magic
Most-Likely Scenario: Atlanta Hawks
2014 NBA Mock Draft #5: Trades Edition
Our Previous Mocks:
6/21/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #4 (Final Mock Without Trades)
3/28/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #3: March Madness
1/21/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #2
12/23/2013 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #1
With the 2014 NBA Draft now only two days away, it is time for our final mock draft of the year, and this one is extra-special because it includes mock trades!
1. Philadelphia 76ers (Projected Trade from Cavaliers) – Andrew Wiggins, G/F, Kansas
Projected Trade:
76ers Get: #1 Pick
Cavaliers Get: #3 Pick, Thaddeus Young
The 76ers have wanted Wiggins all along, and since Embiid's injury, he has become the favorite for the #1 overall pick and therefore has fallen out of the 76ers' grasp. In order to assure that they get their guy, Philadelphia will offer up Thaddeus Young and the #3 pick for the #1. They get the most athletic prospect in the draft with the highest ceiling to be added to a very young and talented Philadelphia core. Wiggins could be the face of their franchise for years to come.
2. Milwaukee Bucks – Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
The Bucks probably would have preferred Wiggins, but since Philly swooped in and stole him then they will have to "settle" for the most pro-ready prospect in the draft in Parker. Embiid's health risks are just too much to gamble on with the #2 pick, and Parker will add much needed talent to a very lackluster roster. Parker is a refined scorer who can play a fast-paced transition game, so hopefully he can be the go-to guy on the Bucks for a long time.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Projected Trade from 76ers) – Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Projected Trade:
76ers Get: #1 Pick
Cavaliers Get: #3 Pick, Thaddeus Young
The Cavaliers make this trade because they can pick up a 26-year-old power forward in Young who is very underrated but very talented and only move back two spots. Young can average a double-double, and on a team trying to entice LeBron James to return, a strong front-court would be a real asset. Also, they can pick up the guy whom they wanted all along in Embiid, for even though he may miss next season with a foot injury (which is why he fell to #3 in the first place), the Cavs already have Anderson Varejao and were extremely lucky to land the #1 pick in the first place. They can take a chance on Embiid and hope he becomes the next great center while still managing to acquire proven talent in Young.
4. Orlando Magic – Dante Exum, PG/SG, Australia
The Magic need a point guard. Exum is a tall, athletic point guard with scoring ability, plus a bit of added mystery and intrigue since he played in Australia. Its perfect for both sides, as Exum will be thrust into a very young and talented lineup that includes Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, and Mo Harkless which is still very raw but full of potential. A backcourt of Oladipo and Exum will cause problems for every defense they play against and should carry the Magic to a much better season next year, and potentially the playoffs in a few if their players progress as planned.
5. Utah Jazz – Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
The Jazz have no true positional needs so they have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Vonleh has great physical attributes for a power forward and is pretty good technically too. If he works on his shot he could be a truly dominant force, but right away he would provide as an efficient rebounder and a good low-post scorer. Eventually, the Jazz could have a fairly formidable front court unit of Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and Vonleh.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (Projected Trade from Celtics) – Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
Projected Trade:
Timberwolves Get: #6 Pick, #17 Pick, 2015 76ers Lottery-Protected1st Round Pick, 2015 Clippers 1st Round Pick, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Keith Bogans
Celtics Get: Kevin Love, Kevin Martin
The Timberwolves know that they will probably lose Kevin Love for nothing in free agency after this season, so they will do the smart thing and trade him for the best offer available. While there has been much debate over what the best offer is, no team offers more in potential through draft picks than the Celtics, and with this trade the T-wolves get two first round picks this year and next year while also adding a promising young player in Olynyk. With the first pick they acquire they will select Gordon, who is athletic enough to be the replacement for Love for a long time. He can defend and run the floor and his shooting will improve with time, but he is exactly the type of player that GM/Coach Flip Saunders would love to coach up to become a star (he is only 18 years old).
7. Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Lakers and their fanbase will certainly be enticed by the “big-name” commodity that Julius Randle is, regardless of his injury status and pro potential. If the Lakers want a quick, one year rebuild, Randle might be the man, because he has the technical ability to contribute right away unlike some other players in this draft. However, his potential is also much lower than many players in this draft, as his physical skills and build are not quite as impressive as others. The Lakers are certainly pretty high on Randle, but if he slips past them it could be a fairly long fall for him.
8. Chicago Bulls (Projected Trade from Sacramento Kings) - Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
Projected Trade:
Bulls Get: #8 Pick, Jason Terry
Kings Get: Taj Gibson, #16 Pick, #19 Pick
The Bulls are attempting to attract Carmelo Anthony this free agency, but they will need cap-space to do so. They also have a problem surrounding Derrick Rose's injury issues that seem to impede their playoff chances every year. This trade solves both of those problems, as they can unload a very good but expensive player in Gibson while acquiring the #8 pick, with which they can draft Derrick Rose's insurance policy. Marcus Smart is an athletic, tall point guard who makes the players around him better. Even if Rose is healthy, he could play along side Rose and Jimmy Butler could come off the bench, as the Phoenix Suns have shown the two point-guards can be effective (Eric Bledsoe & Goran Dragic). This trade and this pick seem like no-brainers for the Bulls considering their situation.
9. Phoenix Suns (from Pistons via Projected Trade from Hornets) – Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
Projected Trade:
Suns Get: #9 Pick
Hornets Get: #14 Pick, #18 Pick
The Suns have three first-round picks, and have made it clear that they are looking to unload one of them. This trade accomplishes that by packaging their first two picks in order to move up into the #9 spot, acquiring it from a team in the Hornets who already have two first-round picks themselves. The Suns get the best player off the board in McDermott, who could potentially replace Gerald Green in the starting lineup and become the Sun's go-to scorer, as that is what he does the best. McDermott can certainly fill up the bucket but there are serious questions about his potential, as it is possible that he only becomes a solid role-player or a below-average starter, which is slightly underwhelming for a lottery pick. The thing about McDermott, though, is that he does have the maturity to provide right away, which might make him appealing to the Suns front office.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pelicans) – Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
The Sixers already grabbed Wiggins with their first pick and now add a two-guard to complement Michael Carter-Williams. Harris can shoot and is tall, giving him a matchup advantage against many shooting guards throughout the league. He consistently made big plays for Michigan State and would add a lot to a young and talented lineup that could seriously make a run at a playoff berth next season. That trade with the Pelicans that set away Jrue Holliday is looking incredible now as the Sixers have effectively created a whole new talented (and young!) starting five in only two years.
11. Denver Nuggets – Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
Stauskas shot up the draft board as a result of his heroic performances in the NCAA tournament. He is a knock down shooter on the perimeter and his knack for producing in big moments will help his draft stock but there are questions about other parts of his game. His defensive ability is suspect and it is unclear whether he will be able to run a pro offense.
12. Orlando Magic (from Knicks via Nuggets) – James Young, SF, Kentucky
Young was an extremely inconsistant player throughout his college career, but at times we got to see what a special player he can be. When at his best, he is a dynamic three-point shooter with slashing ability and more than enough athleticism. Unfortunately, he is not always at his best, although teams will likely let him off the hook a bit because he is also the youngest player in the entire class. The Magic could really use an explosive scorer, and, even if they should’t expect Young to be that guy right away, he eventually could be.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves – T.J. Warren, SF, NC State
After taking Gordon with their first pick, the Timberwolves aim to get another athletic player with their original first-round pick, although this time they get a true scorer. In drafting Warren they get a guy who can defend well, score, and is never shy to run the floor. He will fit perfectly in with Aaron Gordon and complement him well, so that these two can form the core, along with Ricky Rubio, for Minnesota to build around for a long time.
14. Charlotte Hornets (Projected Trade from Suns) – Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
Projected Trade:
Suns Get: #9 Pick
Hornets Get: #14 Pick, #18 Pick
The Hornets complete this trade with the Suns because they have so many needs to fill, one player at #9 was not going to cut it. They get two mid-round picks out of this trade, and with their first one they get perhaps the most athletic player in the draft, and that’s saying something in a draft class that includes players like Andrew Wiggins and Dante Exum. His technical skills aren’t bad either, as he is a better-than-average three point shooter, a great dribbler, and an impressive passer. All of the questions about LaVine will be about his brain. However, the reality is, you can teach a player some things but many of LaVine’s qualities are unteachable, which is why he is so valuable. There is added value in that he can play both point guard and shooting guard, and could either complement Kemba Walker or eventually replace him if all goes well. No matter what the Hornets are getting a ton more athletic with this pick.
15. Atlanta Hawks – Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Ennis is probably the most NBA-ready point guard in the draft, as he is a smart player who can distribute the ball while shoot when necessary, and doesn’t make too many mistakes. The Hawks have a talented roster but have a lot of holes, one of which is at the point-guard position, where they have been looking to get younger for a long time. With Ennis, the Hawks get a guy who can come up big with clutch shots in big moments, and would love to have a player who could potentially become the leader and captain of this team that is searching for its identity at the bottom of the playoff standings every year.
16. Sacramento Kings (from Hornets via Projected Trade from Bulls) – Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana Lafayette
Projected Trade:
Bulls Get: #8 Pick, Jason Terry
Kings Get: Taj Gibson, #16 Pick, #19 Pick
Payton has shot up draft boards from nowhere to become the 5th point guard taken, and falls right in the thankful hands of the kings who snatch up this potential superstar with the first draft pick they will have received from the Bulls by trading down. Payton is an incredibly fast, penetrating point guard who could be a real asset to a Kings team that has so much talent but is struggling to harness it. With Isiah Thomas’s future in question, the Kings would be glad to have a young and talented point guard who can get the ball to Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins while still score on his own, as well as a proven commodity in the big-man Gibson. These two factors, plus the final pick they will receive, make this trade a no-brainer for the Kings.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nets via Projected Trade from Celtics) – Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke
Projected Trade:
Timberwolves Get: #6 Pick, #17 Pick, 2015 76ers 1st Round Pick, 2015 Clippers 1st Round Pick, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Keith Bogans
Celtics Get: Kevin Love, Kevin Martin
Hood is an extremely unique player, but he won’t necessarily benefit from this uniqueness in the NBA. He has the height of a small forward but the shooting ability and body build of a shooting guard. On offense, this creates a nice matchup situation, but on defense, he will likely struggle to guard either position at the NBA level. The Timberwolves survived last season with Kevin Martin who is a very similar player, and it is safe to say that they T-Wolves would be happy to grab someone hear who is similar to Martin as he can be a dynamic role-player but with a higher ceiling, as he has age on his side. He would add that offensive dynamic to pair with Warren that Minnesota will need as the rebuild.
18. Charlotte Hornets (from Wizards via Projected Trade from Suns) – Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia
Projected Trade:
Suns Get: #9 Pick
Hornets Get: #14 Pick, #18 Pick
With the second pick they receive from the Suns, the Hornets take a chance on the second-best center prospect in the draft (which is not saying much as behind Embiid this is a very weak center class). However, Nurkic has the height and size (6’11”, 280 lbs) to be considered by any team high in the draft who needs a center. His stock does take a hit though, as he playd in Bosnia and it is unclear how his game will relate to the NBA. But the potential benefits will outweigh the potential risks in this case because, even though Nurkic is not the most athletic, the Hornets could surely benefit from a huge force in the middle of the paint who could end up playing much better than his draft position. Players like Nurkic are why teams trade back as the Hornets do in this scenario, and it could really pay off for them.
19. Sacramento Kings (Projected Trade from Chicago Bulls) – Dario Saric, PF, Croatia
Projected Trade:
Bulls Get: #8 Pick, Jason Terry
Kings Get: Taj Gibson, #16 Pick, #19 Pick
With the Kings' final draft pick from Chicago, they also take a chance on an international prospect, although this one is quite bait different as Saric just signed a deal with a Turkish team that will likely leave him unable to play in the NBA for at least two years. However, before that news broke, Saric was considered a Top-10 pick and to possibly have a better career than anyone who was available when the Kings would have picked at #8. Saric is as intriguing as international prospects are, and would add a great scoring dynamic to a team that already has a talented lineup. If Saric comes over in a few years and plays up to his potential, the Kings would have an absolute steal with this pick, as well as Payton at #16 and Gibson from the Bulls, making that trade one of their best ever.
20. Toronto Raptors – Jordan Clarkson, PG, Missouri
With Kyle Lowry most likely gone in free-agency, the Raptors desperately need a point guard who can make the players around him better, and Clarkson certainly fits the bill. He could use a little work on his shooting, but he is a great passer, leader, and ball handler, who could step in right away and give the Raptors quality minutes. This pick certainly isn’t an attempt to hit a home run but there’s no doubting that Clarkson would make an immediate impact on the Raptors backcourt. The Raptors are looking to stay atop the standings and hope to be getting a player who will mesh well with their core of DeMar Derozan, Greivis Vasquez, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrence Ross, giving them a very good chance at competing in the East again next season.
21. New York Knicks (from Rockets via Mavericks & Lakers & Projected Trade from Thunder) – P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends (D-League)
Projected Trade:
Knicks Get: #21 Pick
Thunder Get: Iman Shumpert, Cash
The Knicks have been targeting Hairston for a while, as Phil Jackson seems to really like him, the only problem is that they have no first round pick as they traded it away for Carmelo Anthony (who might not even be on the team next year). They can get rid of an overrated player in Shumpert to a team who would be willing to trade one of their two first round picks in the Thunder, plus adding in some money that the Knicks are always willing to spend to make sure the Thunder will make the trade. The Thunder can get a proven defender in Shumpert while the Knicks take the more offensive approach, as Hairston is an extremely talented scorer. Before leaving North Carolina, Hairston was on course to being a definite lottery pick. A year later, now in the NBA D League, Hairston’s stock has dropped a bit. However, his stock has not dropped because he has played poorly, in fact, he has absolutely dominated the D League. The reason his stock has dropped is because he is because he is playing in the D League itself. But there is no denying Hairston's scoring ability, something that the Knicks so desperately covet.
22. Memphis Grizzlies – Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan
The future of Zach Randolph and the rest of the Grizzlies' aging front court is in question, so they would be smart to take an NBA-ready player who might even propel them back into the playoffs. Payne is about as NBA-ready as they come, having dominated as a veteran player for Michigan State this past season. He would provide them with some immediate front court depth, and although he doesn’t have huge amounts of potential, Payne could come in right away and help both on the boards and on offense.
23. Utah Jazz (from Warriors) – Kyle Anderson, SF/PF, UCLA
Anderson was one of the players that I was most impressed with during March Madness this past year. Despite not leading UCLA too deep into the tournament, Anderson’s incredible skills were on display for every single minute. He played every position except for center for UCLA and honestly has the physical and technical tools to play the same amount of positions in the NBA. At 6’9” he certainly is sizable enough to play at SF and PF but he proved all season that he also has immaculate dribbling and passing skills that allow him to play PG or SG too. The Jazz don’t have any dire needs so taking a chance on a unique talent like Anderson makes a lot of sense here.
24. Brooklyn Nets (from Trail Blazers via Projected Trade from Hornets) – Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland
Projected Trade:
Nets Get: #24 Pick (from Hornets)
Hornets Get: Marcus Thornton (from Nets), #39 Pick (from 76ers), #54 Pick (from 76ers)
76ers Get: Marquis Teague (from Nets)
The Nets are another team with no first round pick (and not very many picks in general for the next several years), but with such a talented roster will be looking to get back into the first round. In order to do so they will need to give Marcus Thornton to the Hornets (who are willing to because they already had two first rounders and Thornton is young with potential), whom they acquired mid-season last year, as well as backup point guard Marquis Teague to bring in the 76ers who have the second-round picks to give the Hornets enough to make the trade. With the pick they receive, the Nets take an insanely athletic but somewhat unknown foreign prospect in Clint Cappella. He has seen his stock fall recently as he has shown in workouts to be a little raw. He is tall and lanky for his position (6’11”, 222 lbs) and a supreme rim-protector and overall defender as well as a rebounder. However, his size and athleticism are extremely rare intriguing to many teams, and he is in a similar situation to Giannis Antetokounmpo last year: an overseas prospect who is athletic but hard to project. Capela could potentially play well above his draft position and make this trade look like a steal for the Nets who really could use one.
25. Houston Rockets – K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
The future of Chandler Parsons is in question as the Rockets may not have enough money to keep him, so they take his potential backup or replacement with their first-round pick in K.J. McDaniels. McDaniels could take some time to develop his overall game and shooting ability, but he has a lot of potential, and if he refines his skills he could become something special. The Rockets don't have many needs so they aren't under much pressure, and this seems like the safe pick for them here.
26. Miami Heat – Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
After dreadful play from their point guards in the NBA Finals and Mario Chalmers entering free agency, this would be the perfect opportunity for the Heat to take a big name player late in the draft who could dish the ball to Miami’s stars while score a little when needed. Taking Napier would keep Norris Cole on the bench, a role in which he thrived last year, and would also prevent LeBron James or Dwayne Wade from having to play point guard while they should be getting open to score. Napier would be a perfect pick this late in the draft and would add much needed defense, ball handling, and a scoring punch from the point guard position. He has made a career of defying his disbelievers, and on a team like Miami the sky would be the limit for Napier.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Pacers) – Jarnell Stokes, PF, Tennessee
Stokes is a very capable defender and rebounder, which is pretty much what team’s are going to get this late in the draft. He can play in the low post, and would be a good developmental piece to put next to Miles Plumlee and the Morris brothers who could hopefully become more than that. Although Stokes is a little small for a power forward (6’9”), he has extremely long arms (7’1”) and those could well make up for it. For a team like the Suns who are comprised of many young, athletic players, adding a guy like Stokes to fill in the holes and help out in the non-flashy aspects of the game will really benefit their team.
28. Los Angeles Clippers – Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
Grant has all the athleticism and physical attributes that you want to see in a small forward, but because his technical ability is lacking a bit, he may project as more of a long-term selection. The Clippers have a very deep and talented roster, so Grant would have time to develop his skills. Additionally, Grant can play at both the small forward and power forward positions, and the Clippers are in need of some depth at those two positions.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
Cleanthony Early has the talent alone to be a lottery pick in this draft, however, at the age of 23, the general consensus is that he may not have as much potential as other players in the class. The good news for Early is that the Thunder are in win-now mode, and a rookie that can come in and immediately add something to the team is extremely valuable. The Thunder are packed at the small forward position, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Early either, as he has the ability to play power forward too, and would be a nice offensive big-man to contrast Serge Ibaka’s defensive tendencies.
30. San Antonio Spurs – Artem Klimenko, C, Russia
As previously noted, this year’s center crop is extremely weak as only three are projected to be taken in the first round, but they are all full of potential. The second of two international center prospects is Klimenko, who is a HUGE (pun intended) unknown because of the league in which he played in Russia. However, at 7’1” he is the tallest player in the draft and is a very good defender, two qualities which are very important in centers. He is small for his size (228 lbs) and therefore may not be strong enough to guard some of the bigger centers in the league, but all of his upside is exactly the reason why the Spurs would take a chance on him. Gregg Popovich has made a name for more international players than one can count, and this could be his next great accomplishment. The defending champions have such a deep roster that they can afford to take a developmental player with the last pick in the first round, and perhaps he will learn from Duncan and Popovich and realize his insane potential.
6/21/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #4 (Final Mock Without Trades)
3/28/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #3: March Madness
1/21/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #2
12/23/2013 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #1
With the 2014 NBA Draft now only two days away, it is time for our final mock draft of the year, and this one is extra-special because it includes mock trades!
1. Philadelphia 76ers (Projected Trade from Cavaliers) – Andrew Wiggins, G/F, Kansas
Projected Trade: 76ers Get: #1 Pick
Cavaliers Get: #3 Pick, Thaddeus Young
The 76ers have wanted Wiggins all along, and since Embiid's injury, he has become the favorite for the #1 overall pick and therefore has fallen out of the 76ers' grasp. In order to assure that they get their guy, Philadelphia will offer up Thaddeus Young and the #3 pick for the #1. They get the most athletic prospect in the draft with the highest ceiling to be added to a very young and talented Philadelphia core. Wiggins could be the face of their franchise for years to come.
2. Milwaukee Bucks – Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
The Bucks probably would have preferred Wiggins, but since Philly swooped in and stole him then they will have to "settle" for the most pro-ready prospect in the draft in Parker. Embiid's health risks are just too much to gamble on with the #2 pick, and Parker will add much needed talent to a very lackluster roster. Parker is a refined scorer who can play a fast-paced transition game, so hopefully he can be the go-to guy on the Bucks for a long time.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Projected Trade from 76ers) – Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Projected Trade: 76ers Get: #1 Pick
Cavaliers Get: #3 Pick, Thaddeus Young
The Cavaliers make this trade because they can pick up a 26-year-old power forward in Young who is very underrated but very talented and only move back two spots. Young can average a double-double, and on a team trying to entice LeBron James to return, a strong front-court would be a real asset. Also, they can pick up the guy whom they wanted all along in Embiid, for even though he may miss next season with a foot injury (which is why he fell to #3 in the first place), the Cavs already have Anderson Varejao and were extremely lucky to land the #1 pick in the first place. They can take a chance on Embiid and hope he becomes the next great center while still managing to acquire proven talent in Young.
4. Orlando Magic – Dante Exum, PG/SG, Australia
The Magic need a point guard. Exum is a tall, athletic point guard with scoring ability, plus a bit of added mystery and intrigue since he played in Australia. Its perfect for both sides, as Exum will be thrust into a very young and talented lineup that includes Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, and Mo Harkless which is still very raw but full of potential. A backcourt of Oladipo and Exum will cause problems for every defense they play against and should carry the Magic to a much better season next year, and potentially the playoffs in a few if their players progress as planned.
5. Utah Jazz – Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
The Jazz have no true positional needs so they have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Vonleh has great physical attributes for a power forward and is pretty good technically too. If he works on his shot he could be a truly dominant force, but right away he would provide as an efficient rebounder and a good low-post scorer. Eventually, the Jazz could have a fairly formidable front court unit of Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and Vonleh.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (Projected Trade from Celtics) – Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
Projected Trade:
Timberwolves Get: #6 Pick, #17 Pick, 2015 76ers Lottery-Protected1st Round Pick, 2015 Clippers 1st Round Pick, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Keith Bogans
Celtics Get: Kevin Love, Kevin Martin
7. Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Lakers and their fanbase will certainly be enticed by the “big-name” commodity that Julius Randle is, regardless of his injury status and pro potential. If the Lakers want a quick, one year rebuild, Randle might be the man, because he has the technical ability to contribute right away unlike some other players in this draft. However, his potential is also much lower than many players in this draft, as his physical skills and build are not quite as impressive as others. The Lakers are certainly pretty high on Randle, but if he slips past them it could be a fairly long fall for him.
8. Chicago Bulls (Projected Trade from Sacramento Kings) - Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
Projected Trade:Bulls Get: #8 Pick, Jason Terry
Kings Get: Taj Gibson, #16 Pick, #19 Pick
The Bulls are attempting to attract Carmelo Anthony this free agency, but they will need cap-space to do so. They also have a problem surrounding Derrick Rose's injury issues that seem to impede their playoff chances every year. This trade solves both of those problems, as they can unload a very good but expensive player in Gibson while acquiring the #8 pick, with which they can draft Derrick Rose's insurance policy. Marcus Smart is an athletic, tall point guard who makes the players around him better. Even if Rose is healthy, he could play along side Rose and Jimmy Butler could come off the bench, as the Phoenix Suns have shown the two point-guards can be effective (Eric Bledsoe & Goran Dragic). This trade and this pick seem like no-brainers for the Bulls considering their situation.
9. Phoenix Suns (from Pistons via Projected Trade from Hornets) – Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
Projected Trade:
Suns Get: #9 Pick
Hornets Get: #14 Pick, #18 Pick
The Suns have three first-round picks, and have made it clear that they are looking to unload one of them. This trade accomplishes that by packaging their first two picks in order to move up into the #9 spot, acquiring it from a team in the Hornets who already have two first-round picks themselves. The Suns get the best player off the board in McDermott, who could potentially replace Gerald Green in the starting lineup and become the Sun's go-to scorer, as that is what he does the best. McDermott can certainly fill up the bucket but there are serious questions about his potential, as it is possible that he only becomes a solid role-player or a below-average starter, which is slightly underwhelming for a lottery pick. The thing about McDermott, though, is that he does have the maturity to provide right away, which might make him appealing to the Suns front office.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pelicans) – Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
The Sixers already grabbed Wiggins with their first pick and now add a two-guard to complement Michael Carter-Williams. Harris can shoot and is tall, giving him a matchup advantage against many shooting guards throughout the league. He consistently made big plays for Michigan State and would add a lot to a young and talented lineup that could seriously make a run at a playoff berth next season. That trade with the Pelicans that set away Jrue Holliday is looking incredible now as the Sixers have effectively created a whole new talented (and young!) starting five in only two years.
11. Denver Nuggets – Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
Stauskas shot up the draft board as a result of his heroic performances in the NCAA tournament. He is a knock down shooter on the perimeter and his knack for producing in big moments will help his draft stock but there are questions about other parts of his game. His defensive ability is suspect and it is unclear whether he will be able to run a pro offense.12. Orlando Magic (from Knicks via Nuggets) – James Young, SF, Kentucky
Young was an extremely inconsistant player throughout his college career, but at times we got to see what a special player he can be. When at his best, he is a dynamic three-point shooter with slashing ability and more than enough athleticism. Unfortunately, he is not always at his best, although teams will likely let him off the hook a bit because he is also the youngest player in the entire class. The Magic could really use an explosive scorer, and, even if they should’t expect Young to be that guy right away, he eventually could be.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves – T.J. Warren, SF, NC State
After taking Gordon with their first pick, the Timberwolves aim to get another athletic player with their original first-round pick, although this time they get a true scorer. In drafting Warren they get a guy who can defend well, score, and is never shy to run the floor. He will fit perfectly in with Aaron Gordon and complement him well, so that these two can form the core, along with Ricky Rubio, for Minnesota to build around for a long time.
14. Charlotte Hornets (Projected Trade from Suns) – Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
Projected Trade:
Suns Get: #9 Pick
Hornets Get: #14 Pick, #18 Pick
The Hornets complete this trade with the Suns because they have so many needs to fill, one player at #9 was not going to cut it. They get two mid-round picks out of this trade, and with their first one they get perhaps the most athletic player in the draft, and that’s saying something in a draft class that includes players like Andrew Wiggins and Dante Exum. His technical skills aren’t bad either, as he is a better-than-average three point shooter, a great dribbler, and an impressive passer. All of the questions about LaVine will be about his brain. However, the reality is, you can teach a player some things but many of LaVine’s qualities are unteachable, which is why he is so valuable. There is added value in that he can play both point guard and shooting guard, and could either complement Kemba Walker or eventually replace him if all goes well. No matter what the Hornets are getting a ton more athletic with this pick.
15. Atlanta Hawks – Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Ennis is probably the most NBA-ready point guard in the draft, as he is a smart player who can distribute the ball while shoot when necessary, and doesn’t make too many mistakes. The Hawks have a talented roster but have a lot of holes, one of which is at the point-guard position, where they have been looking to get younger for a long time. With Ennis, the Hawks get a guy who can come up big with clutch shots in big moments, and would love to have a player who could potentially become the leader and captain of this team that is searching for its identity at the bottom of the playoff standings every year.
16. Sacramento Kings (from Hornets via Projected Trade from Bulls) – Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana Lafayette
Projected Trade:
Bulls Get: #8 Pick, Jason Terry
Kings Get: Taj Gibson, #16 Pick, #19 Pick
Payton has shot up draft boards from nowhere to become the 5th point guard taken, and falls right in the thankful hands of the kings who snatch up this potential superstar with the first draft pick they will have received from the Bulls by trading down. Payton is an incredibly fast, penetrating point guard who could be a real asset to a Kings team that has so much talent but is struggling to harness it. With Isiah Thomas’s future in question, the Kings would be glad to have a young and talented point guard who can get the ball to Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins while still score on his own, as well as a proven commodity in the big-man Gibson. These two factors, plus the final pick they will receive, make this trade a no-brainer for the Kings.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nets via Projected Trade from Celtics) – Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke
Projected Trade:
Timberwolves Get: #6 Pick, #17 Pick, 2015 76ers 1st Round Pick, 2015 Clippers 1st Round Pick, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Keith Bogans
Celtics Get: Kevin Love, Kevin Martin
Hood is an extremely unique player, but he won’t necessarily benefit from this uniqueness in the NBA. He has the height of a small forward but the shooting ability and body build of a shooting guard. On offense, this creates a nice matchup situation, but on defense, he will likely struggle to guard either position at the NBA level. The Timberwolves survived last season with Kevin Martin who is a very similar player, and it is safe to say that they T-Wolves would be happy to grab someone hear who is similar to Martin as he can be a dynamic role-player but with a higher ceiling, as he has age on his side. He would add that offensive dynamic to pair with Warren that Minnesota will need as the rebuild.
18. Charlotte Hornets (from Wizards via Projected Trade from Suns) – Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia
Projected Trade: Suns Get: #9 Pick
Hornets Get: #14 Pick, #18 Pick
With the second pick they receive from the Suns, the Hornets take a chance on the second-best center prospect in the draft (which is not saying much as behind Embiid this is a very weak center class). However, Nurkic has the height and size (6’11”, 280 lbs) to be considered by any team high in the draft who needs a center. His stock does take a hit though, as he playd in Bosnia and it is unclear how his game will relate to the NBA. But the potential benefits will outweigh the potential risks in this case because, even though Nurkic is not the most athletic, the Hornets could surely benefit from a huge force in the middle of the paint who could end up playing much better than his draft position. Players like Nurkic are why teams trade back as the Hornets do in this scenario, and it could really pay off for them.
19. Sacramento Kings (Projected Trade from Chicago Bulls) – Dario Saric, PF, Croatia
Projected Trade:
Bulls Get: #8 Pick, Jason Terry
Kings Get: Taj Gibson, #16 Pick, #19 Pick
With the Kings' final draft pick from Chicago, they also take a chance on an international prospect, although this one is quite bait different as Saric just signed a deal with a Turkish team that will likely leave him unable to play in the NBA for at least two years. However, before that news broke, Saric was considered a Top-10 pick and to possibly have a better career than anyone who was available when the Kings would have picked at #8. Saric is as intriguing as international prospects are, and would add a great scoring dynamic to a team that already has a talented lineup. If Saric comes over in a few years and plays up to his potential, the Kings would have an absolute steal with this pick, as well as Payton at #16 and Gibson from the Bulls, making that trade one of their best ever.
20. Toronto Raptors – Jordan Clarkson, PG, Missouri
With Kyle Lowry most likely gone in free-agency, the Raptors desperately need a point guard who can make the players around him better, and Clarkson certainly fits the bill. He could use a little work on his shooting, but he is a great passer, leader, and ball handler, who could step in right away and give the Raptors quality minutes. This pick certainly isn’t an attempt to hit a home run but there’s no doubting that Clarkson would make an immediate impact on the Raptors backcourt. The Raptors are looking to stay atop the standings and hope to be getting a player who will mesh well with their core of DeMar Derozan, Greivis Vasquez, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrence Ross, giving them a very good chance at competing in the East again next season.
21. New York Knicks (from Rockets via Mavericks & Lakers & Projected Trade from Thunder) – P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends (D-League)
Projected Trade:Knicks Get: #21 Pick
Thunder Get: Iman Shumpert, Cash
The Knicks have been targeting Hairston for a while, as Phil Jackson seems to really like him, the only problem is that they have no first round pick as they traded it away for Carmelo Anthony (who might not even be on the team next year). They can get rid of an overrated player in Shumpert to a team who would be willing to trade one of their two first round picks in the Thunder, plus adding in some money that the Knicks are always willing to spend to make sure the Thunder will make the trade. The Thunder can get a proven defender in Shumpert while the Knicks take the more offensive approach, as Hairston is an extremely talented scorer. Before leaving North Carolina, Hairston was on course to being a definite lottery pick. A year later, now in the NBA D League, Hairston’s stock has dropped a bit. However, his stock has not dropped because he has played poorly, in fact, he has absolutely dominated the D League. The reason his stock has dropped is because he is because he is playing in the D League itself. But there is no denying Hairston's scoring ability, something that the Knicks so desperately covet.
22. Memphis Grizzlies – Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan
The future of Zach Randolph and the rest of the Grizzlies' aging front court is in question, so they would be smart to take an NBA-ready player who might even propel them back into the playoffs. Payne is about as NBA-ready as they come, having dominated as a veteran player for Michigan State this past season. He would provide them with some immediate front court depth, and although he doesn’t have huge amounts of potential, Payne could come in right away and help both on the boards and on offense.
23. Utah Jazz (from Warriors) – Kyle Anderson, SF/PF, UCLA
Anderson was one of the players that I was most impressed with during March Madness this past year. Despite not leading UCLA too deep into the tournament, Anderson’s incredible skills were on display for every single minute. He played every position except for center for UCLA and honestly has the physical and technical tools to play the same amount of positions in the NBA. At 6’9” he certainly is sizable enough to play at SF and PF but he proved all season that he also has immaculate dribbling and passing skills that allow him to play PG or SG too. The Jazz don’t have any dire needs so taking a chance on a unique talent like Anderson makes a lot of sense here.
24. Brooklyn Nets (from Trail Blazers via Projected Trade from Hornets) – Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland
Projected Trade:
Nets Get: #24 Pick (from Hornets)
Hornets Get: Marcus Thornton (from Nets), #39 Pick (from 76ers), #54 Pick (from 76ers)
76ers Get: Marquis Teague (from Nets)
The Nets are another team with no first round pick (and not very many picks in general for the next several years), but with such a talented roster will be looking to get back into the first round. In order to do so they will need to give Marcus Thornton to the Hornets (who are willing to because they already had two first rounders and Thornton is young with potential), whom they acquired mid-season last year, as well as backup point guard Marquis Teague to bring in the 76ers who have the second-round picks to give the Hornets enough to make the trade. With the pick they receive, the Nets take an insanely athletic but somewhat unknown foreign prospect in Clint Cappella. He has seen his stock fall recently as he has shown in workouts to be a little raw. He is tall and lanky for his position (6’11”, 222 lbs) and a supreme rim-protector and overall defender as well as a rebounder. However, his size and athleticism are extremely rare intriguing to many teams, and he is in a similar situation to Giannis Antetokounmpo last year: an overseas prospect who is athletic but hard to project. Capela could potentially play well above his draft position and make this trade look like a steal for the Nets who really could use one.25. Houston Rockets – K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
The future of Chandler Parsons is in question as the Rockets may not have enough money to keep him, so they take his potential backup or replacement with their first-round pick in K.J. McDaniels. McDaniels could take some time to develop his overall game and shooting ability, but he has a lot of potential, and if he refines his skills he could become something special. The Rockets don't have many needs so they aren't under much pressure, and this seems like the safe pick for them here.
26. Miami Heat – Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
After dreadful play from their point guards in the NBA Finals and Mario Chalmers entering free agency, this would be the perfect opportunity for the Heat to take a big name player late in the draft who could dish the ball to Miami’s stars while score a little when needed. Taking Napier would keep Norris Cole on the bench, a role in which he thrived last year, and would also prevent LeBron James or Dwayne Wade from having to play point guard while they should be getting open to score. Napier would be a perfect pick this late in the draft and would add much needed defense, ball handling, and a scoring punch from the point guard position. He has made a career of defying his disbelievers, and on a team like Miami the sky would be the limit for Napier.27. Phoenix Suns (from Pacers) – Jarnell Stokes, PF, Tennessee
Stokes is a very capable defender and rebounder, which is pretty much what team’s are going to get this late in the draft. He can play in the low post, and would be a good developmental piece to put next to Miles Plumlee and the Morris brothers who could hopefully become more than that. Although Stokes is a little small for a power forward (6’9”), he has extremely long arms (7’1”) and those could well make up for it. For a team like the Suns who are comprised of many young, athletic players, adding a guy like Stokes to fill in the holes and help out in the non-flashy aspects of the game will really benefit their team.
28. Los Angeles Clippers – Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
Grant has all the athleticism and physical attributes that you want to see in a small forward, but because his technical ability is lacking a bit, he may project as more of a long-term selection. The Clippers have a very deep and talented roster, so Grant would have time to develop his skills. Additionally, Grant can play at both the small forward and power forward positions, and the Clippers are in need of some depth at those two positions.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
Cleanthony Early has the talent alone to be a lottery pick in this draft, however, at the age of 23, the general consensus is that he may not have as much potential as other players in the class. The good news for Early is that the Thunder are in win-now mode, and a rookie that can come in and immediately add something to the team is extremely valuable. The Thunder are packed at the small forward position, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Early either, as he has the ability to play power forward too, and would be a nice offensive big-man to contrast Serge Ibaka’s defensive tendencies.30. San Antonio Spurs – Artem Klimenko, C, Russia
As previously noted, this year’s center crop is extremely weak as only three are projected to be taken in the first round, but they are all full of potential. The second of two international center prospects is Klimenko, who is a HUGE (pun intended) unknown because of the league in which he played in Russia. However, at 7’1” he is the tallest player in the draft and is a very good defender, two qualities which are very important in centers. He is small for his size (228 lbs) and therefore may not be strong enough to guard some of the bigger centers in the league, but all of his upside is exactly the reason why the Spurs would take a chance on him. Gregg Popovich has made a name for more international players than one can count, and this could be his next great accomplishment. The defending champions have such a deep roster that they can afford to take a developmental player with the last pick in the first round, and perhaps he will learn from Duncan and Popovich and realize his insane potential.
LeBron James Opts Out of Contract With Heat
Since news broke that Carmelo Anthony would be entering free agency this offseason, LeBron James has announced to the Miami Heat that he will be exercising his early-termination clause. Despite Pat Riley's public attempts to keep James in Miami, he seems determined to have the same flexibility that he was afforded after the 2010 season. As James is the best player in the world, there will obviously be many teams interested in acquiring him, and the way he deals with all the attention this time around will go a long way towards the way he is viewed across the country (hopefully there is no "The Decision" this time).
James has been connected to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets, and even the New York Knicks. It is still possible that LeBron returns to Miami, but at this point the future of the "Big 3" is in serious question. Things are really starting to heat up around the NBA, thats for sure.
Since news broke that Carmelo Anthony would be entering free agency this offseason, LeBron James has announced to the Miami Heat that he will be exercising his early-termination clause. Despite Pat Riley's public attempts to keep James in Miami, he seems determined to have the same flexibility that he was afforded after the 2010 season. As James is the best player in the world, there will obviously be many teams interested in acquiring him, and the way he deals with all the attention this time around will go a long way towards the way he is viewed across the country (hopefully there is no "The Decision" this time).
James has been connected to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets, and even the New York Knicks. It is still possible that LeBron returns to Miami, but at this point the future of the "Big 3" is in serious question. Things are really starting to heat up around the NBA, thats for sure.
James has been connected to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets, and even the New York Knicks. It is still possible that LeBron returns to Miami, but at this point the future of the "Big 3" is in serious question. Things are really starting to heat up around the NBA, thats for sure.
Carmelo Anthony Opts Out of Contract With Knicks
As Carmelo Anthony has officially told the Knicks that he will exercise his player option for the 2014-15 season, he will become a free agent on July 1st. The Knicks' president Phil Jackson has publicly voiced many times that he wanted Anthony to opt-in, and has tried privately to convince Anthony that the Knicks can bring in another star in order to compete for a championship next year. However, they have some salary cap problems as Amar'e Stoudemire will make $23.4 million next year, Tyson Chandler will make $14.6 million, and Andrea Bargnani will make $11.5 million.
It is still possible that Anthony will return the Knicks, but now other teams have a chance to sign him as well, like the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, or Miami Heat. Carmelo has recently been looking into life in Chicago, while Rajon Rondo has publicly voiced his wish for Anthony in a Celtics uniform. If Pat Riley convinces him to head to Miami, he would have to take a significant pay cut in order to play with James, Wade, and Bosh, as would those three stars. If nothing else, it will make this summer a whole lot more interesting.
As Carmelo Anthony has officially told the Knicks that he will exercise his player option for the 2014-15 season, he will become a free agent on July 1st. The Knicks' president Phil Jackson has publicly voiced many times that he wanted Anthony to opt-in, and has tried privately to convince Anthony that the Knicks can bring in another star in order to compete for a championship next year. However, they have some salary cap problems as Amar'e Stoudemire will make $23.4 million next year, Tyson Chandler will make $14.6 million, and Andrea Bargnani will make $11.5 million.
It is still possible that Anthony will return the Knicks, but now other teams have a chance to sign him as well, like the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, or Miami Heat. Carmelo has recently been looking into life in Chicago, while Rajon Rondo has publicly voiced his wish for Anthony in a Celtics uniform. If Pat Riley convinces him to head to Miami, he would have to take a significant pay cut in order to play with James, Wade, and Bosh, as would those three stars. If nothing else, it will make this summer a whole lot more interesting.
2014 NBA Mock Draft #4
Our Previous Mocks:
3/28/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft: March Madness
1/21/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #2
12/23/2013 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #1
With the 2014 NBA Draft coming up on Thursday June 26th, here is a mock draft one week in advance:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Questions remain about his health, but there is simply no denying that Embiid has out-of-this-world potential. Embiid is one of the most athletic seven-footers that we have yet to see at the college level and if he can stay away from injuries he has the skill to be a franchise-changing big man. With reports that he is scheduled to have surgery on his foot, he may have to sit out a large portion of his rookie season, but the Cavs are probably willing to take a risk considering they were outrageously lucky in winning this pick in the first place.
2. Milwaukee Bucks - Andrew Wiggins, G/F, Kansas
Wiggins is the most athletic prospect in this draft and also has the highest ceiling. The Bucks need talent, period, so they would be ecstatic to draft a player like Wiggins who was dubbed the next LeBron coming out of high school. While he never lived up to those expectations in college, he showed enough promise that the Bucks will go with him over Parker and try to run with a young core of Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson, and Larry Sanders. A group like that would have potential to grow and eventually become the headliners of a playoff-caliber roster.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
The Sixers will be dismayed to have missed out on their prize pick, Andrew Wiggins, but Parker is an incredibly talented player too. Though he doesn’t quite have the physical skills that Wiggins possesses, Parker is probably a more refined scorer, especially in a set offense. The Sixers would certainly like a guy who can play a fast paced transition game, but a set-offense scorer is certainly a need too. Parker also makes sense from a positional standpoint, as Philadelphia is in dire need of some talent on the wings. With Parker, Thaddeus Young, Nerlens Noel, MCW, and still the number 10 pick, the Sixers have a fantastic group of young players to build around.
4. Orlando Magic - Dante Exum, G, Australia
The Magic need a point guard. Exum is a tall, athletic point guard with scoring ability, plus a bit of added mystery and intrigue since he played in Australia. Its perfect for both sides, as Exum will be thrust into a very young and talented lineup that includes Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, and Mo Harkless which is still very raw but full of potential. A backcourt of Oladipo and Exum will cause problems for every defense they play against and should carry the Magic to a much better season next year, and potentially the playoffs in a few if their players progress as planned.
5. Utah Jazz - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
The Jazz have no true positional needs so they have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Vonleh has great physical attributes for a power forward and is pretty good technically too. If he works on his shot he could be a truly dominant force, but right away he would provide as an efficient rebounder and a good low-post scorer. Eventually, the Jazz could have a fairly formidable front court unit of Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and Vonleh.
6. Boston Celtics - Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
In a best-case scenario, the Celtics will trade this pick among others for Kevin Love. However, if they keep it, Danny Ainge seems to be quite impressed with Aaron Gordon. He is a Blake Griffin-type athletic forward who can defend and run the floor, and pretty much everything asked of him except for shooting. While that is obviously a huge part of the game, a better shot comes with time and practice, all which should be much more available to Gordon with a professional schedule focused solely on basketball. He is only 18 years old and would be a piece t
hat the Celtics could build around or down the road flip him with other pieces for a star.
7. Los Angeles Lakers - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Lakers and their fanbase will certainly be enticed by the “big-name” commodity that Julius Randle is, regardless of his injury status and pro potential. If the Lakers want a quick, one year rebuild, Randle might be the man, because he has the technical ability to contribute right away unlike some other players in this draft. However, his potential is also much lower than many players in this draft, as his physical skills and build are not quite as impressive as others. The Lakers are certainly pretty high on Randle, but if he slips past them it could be a fairly long fall for him.
8. Sacramento Kings - Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
While the Kings probably do not need another player with off-court issues, there is a clear drop off in talent from Smart to the next best player in McDermott. Smart potentially could have gone as high as pick #4, but slides here due to the baggage that comes with him. However, Smart is incredibly athletic, tall for a point guard, and makes the players around him better. With Isiah Thomas’s future in question, the Kings would be glad to have a young and talented point guard who can get the ball to Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins while still score on his own.
9. Charlotte Hornets (from Pistons) - Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
The Hornets are slowly beginning to build a pretty solid team, with Kemba Walker at the point and Al Jefferson down low. However, they desperately need scoring help on the wings, especially if Michael Kidd-Gilchrist continues to be raw on the offensive end. McDermott can certainly fill up the bucket but there are serious questions about his potential. At best he seems to have the ability to be a solid role player, which is slightly underwhelming for a lottery pick. The thing about McDermott, though, is that he does have the maturity to provide right away, which might make him appealing to the Hornets front office.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pelicans) - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
The Sixers already grabbed Parker with their first pick and now add a two-guard to complement Michael Carter-Williams. Harris can shoot and is tall, giving him a matchup advantage against many shooting guards throughout the league. He consistently made big plays for Michigan State and would add a lot to a young and talented lineup that could seriously make a run at a playoff berth next season. That trade with the Pelicans that set away Jrue Holliday is looking incredible now as the Sixers have effectively created a whole new talented (and young!) starting five in only two years.
11. Denver Nuggets - Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
Stauskas shot up the draft board as a result of his heroic performances in the NCAA tournament. He is a knock down shooter on the perimeter and his knack for producing in big moments will help his draft stock but there are questions about other parts of his game. His defensive ability is suspect and it is unclear whether he will be able to run a pro offense.
12. Orlando Magic (from Knicks via Nuggets) - Dario Saric, PF, Croatia
Saric is as intriguing as international prospects are, and would add a great scoring dynamic to a team that already has a young and talented lineup and has added a scorer in Exum earlier in the draft. Saric might have even gone higher if it was definite that he would be coming over to the NBA from Croatia, but he has previously said that he would only play for the Lakers or Celtics. However, with their second pick in the round, the Magic might be willing to take a risk on Saric and if he come over, might finally make them forget about Dwight Howard.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Young, SF, Kentucky
Young was an extremely inconsistant player throughout his college career, but at times we got to see what a special player he can be. When at his best, he is a dynamic three-point shooter with slashing ability and more than enough athleticism. Unfortunately, he is not always at his best, although teams will likely let him off the hook a bit because he is also the youngest player in the entire class. The Timberwolves could really use an explosive scorer for Ricky Rubio to feed, and, even if they shouldn’t expect Young to be that guy right away, he could eventually be that guy.
14. Phoenix Suns - T.J. Warren, SF, NC State
The Suns seem determined to build their team around athleticism, and what a better way to so than by drafting a guy in T.J. Warren who can defend well, score, and is never shy to run the floor. If they can re-sign Eric Bledsoe, he and Warren will have a field day together against opposing teams’ retreating defenses. As both Bledsoe and Goran Dragic can hit the three, there is no real need for Warren to do so, which will allow him to focus on other portions of his game that he could really excel at. If the Suns draft Warren, they will have no shortage of highlight-reel ally-oops from Bledsoe or Dragic as well as a guy who will never quit, and therefore will love to have him for hopefully a long time.
15. Atlanta Hawks - Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
Of all the players in the draft, Zach LaVine may just be the most athletic, and that’s saying something in a draft class that includes players like Andrew Wiggins and Dante Exum. His technical skills aren’t bad either, as he is a better-than-average three point shooter, a great dribbler, and an impressive passer. All of the questions about LaVine will be about his brain. However, the reality is, you can teach a player some things but many of LaVine’s qualities are unteachable, which is why he is so valuable. For the Hawks, LaVine has added value in that he can play both at point guard and shooting guard, both positions where the Hawks could use some help.
16. Chicago Bulls (from Hornets) - Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana Lafayette
Payton has shot up draft boards from nowhere to become the 4th point guard taken, a position which has been an enigma for the Bulls of late. For the past two years they have been expecting Rose to come back from a serious injury and have a big year, but so many failed attempts have to make Chicago worried about their future at the position. Payton is an incredibly fast, penetrating point guard who could very well hold down Rose’s role until he returns. If everything works out as planned, then the Bulls will end up with a very effective bench scorer in Payton, but if Rose faces more setbacks, then they could have a potential replacement. Either way they get much needed scorer in Payton.
17. Boston Celtics (from Nets) - Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke
Hood is an extremely unique player, but he won’t necessarily benefit from this uniqueness in the NBA. He has the height of a small forward but the shooting ability and body build of a shooting guard. On offense, this creates a nice matchup situation, but on defense, he will likely struggle to guard either position at the NBA level. The Celtics are already a very strong defensive team, so they can probably afford to take on Hood as an offensive specialist and a dynamic role player, but the probability of him becoming a regular starting is low.
18. Phoenix Suns (from Wizards) - Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia
Nurkic finds himself as the second ranked center in the draft behind the best prospect in the draft, so there is no one else to really compare him to this year. However, he has the height and size (6’11”, 280 lbs) to be considered by any team high in the draft who needs a center. His stock does take a hit though, as he plays in Bosnia and it is unclear how his game will relate to the NBA. But the potential benefits will outweigh the potential risks in this case because, even though Phoenix loves athleticism and Nurkic is not the most athletic, they could surely benefit from a huge force in the middle of the paint whom Bledsoe and Dragic could throw the ball inside to or who could hold down the fort defensively.
19. Chicago Bulls - Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State
The Bulls are looking for players that are NBA-ready so that they can retool for a playoff run as quickly as possible. Payne is about as NBA-ready as they come, having dominated as a veteran player for Michigan State this past season. He would provide them with some immediate front court depth behind Noah, Boozer, and Gibson. Payne doesn’t have huge amounts of potential but he could come in right away and help both on the boards and on offense.
20. Toronto Raptors - Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Ennis is probably the most NBA-ready point guard in the draft, as he is a smart player who can distribute the ball while shoot when necessary, and doesn’t make too many mistakes. That is exactly what the Raptors are looking for with Kyle Lowry most likely gone in free agency after finishing 3rd in the Eastern Conference last year. If Toronto is looking to stay near the top of the standings this year, they will need to replace Lowry with a younger version who will hopefully mesh well with their core of DeMar Derozan, Greivis Vasquez, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrence Ross. Hopefully Ennis can pull it off and if he does, the Raptors will have quite a steal at #20 in the first round.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Mavericks via Rockets & Lakers) - P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends (D League)
Before leaving North Carolina, Hairston was on course to being a definite lottery pick. A year later, now in the NBA D League, Hairston’s stock has dropped a bit. However, his stock has not dropped because he has played poorly, in fact, he has absolutely dominated the D League. The reason his stock has dropped is because he is because he is playing in the D League itself. There is no denying Hairston’s talent, though, and he might be able to bring to the Thunder what Jeremy Lamb has never truly been able to provide - an offense sixth man who can knock down outside shots.
22. Memphis Grizzlies - Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland
Capela has seen his stock fall recently as he has shown in workouts to be a little raw. He is tall and lanky for his position (6’11”, 222 lbs) and a supreme rim-protector and overall defender as well as a rebounder. His size and athleticism are intriguing to many teams, and he is in a similar situation to Giannis Antetokounmpo last year: an overseas prospect who is athletic but hard to project. As the Bucks took a chance last year, the Grizzlies will this year and hope to land a long-term replacement for the most-likely-departed Zach Randolph quite late in the first round.
23. Utah Jazz (from Warriors) - Kyle Anderson, SF/PF, UCLA
Anderson was one of the players that I was most impressed with during March Madness this past year. Despite not leading UCLA too deep into the tournament, Anderson’s incredible skills were on display for every single minute. He played every position except for center for UCLA and honestly has the physical and technical tools to play the same amount of positions in the NBA. At 6’9” he certainly is sizable enough to play at SF and PF but he proved all season that he also has immaculate dribbling and passing skills that allow him to play PG or SG too. The Jazz don’t have any dire needs so taking a chance on a unique talent like Anderson makes a lot of sense here.
24. Charlotte Hornets (from Trail Blazers) - K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
After already taking a SF in Doug McDermott at #9 in this draft, some might wonder why the Hornets would go after another in McDaniels. With questions surrounding McDermott’s potential, taking a chance on a an athletic scorer who can also rebound could alleviate some of the risk that comes with McDermott. Charlotte will most likely thrust McDermott into the fire right away while McDaniels could take some time to develop his overall game and shooting ability. He has a lot of potential, and if he refines his skills he could become something close to the player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist never could.
25. Houston Rockets - Jordan Clarkson, PG, Missouri
The Rockets already have Jeremy Lin and James Harden in the backcourt so there is no desperate need for upgrade at the starting spot, but they could use some quality backups behind those two. Clarkson could use a little work on his shooting, but he is a great passer, leader, and ball handler, who could step in right away and give the Rockets quality minutes. This pick certainly isn’t an attempt to hit a home run but there’s no doubting that Clarkson would make an immediate impact on the Rockets backcourt depth.
26. Miami Heat - Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
After dreadful play from their point guards in the NBA Finals and Mario Chalmers entering free agency, this would be the perfect opportunity for the Heat to take a big name player late in the draft who could dish the ball to Miami’s stars while score a little when needed. Taking Napier would keep Norris Cole on the bench, a role in which he thrived last year, and would also prevent LeBron James or Dwayne Wade from having to play point guard while they should be getting open to score. Napier would be a perfect pick this late in the draft and would add much needed defense, ball handling, and a scoring punch from the point guard position. He has made a career of defying his disbelievers, and on a team like Miami the sky would be the limit for Napier.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Pacers) - Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
Grant has all the athleticism and physical attributes that you want to see in a small forward, but because his technical ability is lacking a bit, he may project as more of a long-term selection. Early in the draft we have the Suns taking T.J. Warren, who could step in and play right away at the small forward position, so Grant would have time to develop his skills. Additionally, Grant can play at both the small forward and power forward positions, and the Suns are in dire need of some depth at those two positions.
28. Los Angeles Clippers - Jarnell Stokes, PF, Tennessee
Stokes is a very capable defender and rebounder, which is pretty much what team’s are going to get this late in the draft. He can play in the low post and if the Clippers are looking to shed guys like DeAndre Jordan in order to attain more cap space, Stokes could potentially play side by side with Blake Griffin and focus on defense while allowing Blake to focus more on the offensive side, where he has greatly improved in recent seasons. Although Stokes is a little small for a power forward (6’9”), he has extremely long arms (7’1”) and those could well make up for it. For a team like the Clippers who are looking to be contenders for a long time, adding a guy like Stokes to fill in the holes and help out in the non-flashy aspects of the game will really benefit their team.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
Cleanthony Early has the talent alone to be a lottery pick in this draft, however, at the age of 23, the general consensus is that he may not have as much potential as other players in the class. The good news for Early is that the Thunder are in win-now mode, and a rookie that can come in and immediately add something to the team is extremely valuable. The Thunder are packed at the small forward position, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Early either, as he has the ability to play power forward too, and would be a nice offensive big-man to contrast Serge Ibaka’s defensive tendencies.
30. San Antonio Spurs - Artem Klimenko, C, Russia
As previously noted, this year’s center crop is extremely weak as only three are projected to be taken in the first round, but they are all full of potential. The second of two international center prospects is Klimenko, who is a HUGE (pun intended) unknown because of the league in which he played in Russia. However, at 7’1” he is the tallest player in the draft and is a very good defender, two qualities which are very important in centers. He is small for his size (228 lbs) and therefore may not be strong enough to guard some of the bigger centers in the league, but all of his upside is exactly the reason why the Spurs would take a chance on him. Gregg Popovich has made a name for more international players than one can count, and this could be his next great accomplishment. The defending champions have such a deep roster that they can afford to take a developmental player with the last pick in the first round, and perhaps he will learn from Duncan and Popovich and realize his insane potential.
3/28/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft: March Madness
1/21/2014 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #2
12/23/2013 - 2014 NBA Mock Draft #1
With the 2014 NBA Draft coming up on Thursday June 26th, here is a mock draft one week in advance:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Questions remain about his health, but there is simply no denying that Embiid has out-of-this-world potential. Embiid is one of the most athletic seven-footers that we have yet to see at the college level and if he can stay away from injuries he has the skill to be a franchise-changing big man. With reports that he is scheduled to have surgery on his foot, he may have to sit out a large portion of his rookie season, but the Cavs are probably willing to take a risk considering they were outrageously lucky in winning this pick in the first place.
2. Milwaukee Bucks - Andrew Wiggins, G/F, Kansas
Wiggins is the most athletic prospect in this draft and also has the highest ceiling. The Bucks need talent, period, so they would be ecstatic to draft a player like Wiggins who was dubbed the next LeBron coming out of high school. While he never lived up to those expectations in college, he showed enough promise that the Bucks will go with him over Parker and try to run with a young core of Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson, and Larry Sanders. A group like that would have potential to grow and eventually become the headliners of a playoff-caliber roster.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
The Sixers will be dismayed to have missed out on their prize pick, Andrew Wiggins, but Parker is an incredibly talented player too. Though he doesn’t quite have the physical skills that Wiggins possesses, Parker is probably a more refined scorer, especially in a set offense. The Sixers would certainly like a guy who can play a fast paced transition game, but a set-offense scorer is certainly a need too. Parker also makes sense from a positional standpoint, as Philadelphia is in dire need of some talent on the wings. With Parker, Thaddeus Young, Nerlens Noel, MCW, and still the number 10 pick, the Sixers have a fantastic group of young players to build around.
4. Orlando Magic - Dante Exum, G, AustraliaThe Magic need a point guard. Exum is a tall, athletic point guard with scoring ability, plus a bit of added mystery and intrigue since he played in Australia. Its perfect for both sides, as Exum will be thrust into a very young and talented lineup that includes Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, and Mo Harkless which is still very raw but full of potential. A backcourt of Oladipo and Exum will cause problems for every defense they play against and should carry the Magic to a much better season next year, and potentially the playoffs in a few if their players progress as planned.
5. Utah Jazz - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
The Jazz have no true positional needs so they have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Vonleh has great physical attributes for a power forward and is pretty good technically too. If he works on his shot he could be a truly dominant force, but right away he would provide as an efficient rebounder and a good low-post scorer. Eventually, the Jazz could have a fairly formidable front court unit of Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and Vonleh.
6. Boston Celtics - Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
In a best-case scenario, the Celtics will trade this pick among others for Kevin Love. However, if they keep it, Danny Ainge seems to be quite impressed with Aaron Gordon. He is a Blake Griffin-type athletic forward who can defend and run the floor, and pretty much everything asked of him except for shooting. While that is obviously a huge part of the game, a better shot comes with time and practice, all which should be much more available to Gordon with a professional schedule focused solely on basketball. He is only 18 years old and would be a piece t
hat the Celtics could build around or down the road flip him with other pieces for a star.
7. Los Angeles Lakers - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Lakers and their fanbase will certainly be enticed by the “big-name” commodity that Julius Randle is, regardless of his injury status and pro potential. If the Lakers want a quick, one year rebuild, Randle might be the man, because he has the technical ability to contribute right away unlike some other players in this draft. However, his potential is also much lower than many players in this draft, as his physical skills and build are not quite as impressive as others. The Lakers are certainly pretty high on Randle, but if he slips past them it could be a fairly long fall for him.
8. Sacramento Kings - Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
While the Kings probably do not need another player with off-court issues, there is a clear drop off in talent from Smart to the next best player in McDermott. Smart potentially could have gone as high as pick #4, but slides here due to the baggage that comes with him. However, Smart is incredibly athletic, tall for a point guard, and makes the players around him better. With Isiah Thomas’s future in question, the Kings would be glad to have a young and talented point guard who can get the ball to Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins while still score on his own.
9. Charlotte Hornets (from Pistons) - Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
The Hornets are slowly beginning to build a pretty solid team, with Kemba Walker at the point and Al Jefferson down low. However, they desperately need scoring help on the wings, especially if Michael Kidd-Gilchrist continues to be raw on the offensive end. McDermott can certainly fill up the bucket but there are serious questions about his potential. At best he seems to have the ability to be a solid role player, which is slightly underwhelming for a lottery pick. The thing about McDermott, though, is that he does have the maturity to provide right away, which might make him appealing to the Hornets front office.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pelicans) - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
The Sixers already grabbed Parker with their first pick and now add a two-guard to complement Michael Carter-Williams. Harris can shoot and is tall, giving him a matchup advantage against many shooting guards throughout the league. He consistently made big plays for Michigan State and would add a lot to a young and talented lineup that could seriously make a run at a playoff berth next season. That trade with the Pelicans that set away Jrue Holliday is looking incredible now as the Sixers have effectively created a whole new talented (and young!) starting five in only two years.11. Denver Nuggets - Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
Stauskas shot up the draft board as a result of his heroic performances in the NCAA tournament. He is a knock down shooter on the perimeter and his knack for producing in big moments will help his draft stock but there are questions about other parts of his game. His defensive ability is suspect and it is unclear whether he will be able to run a pro offense.
12. Orlando Magic (from Knicks via Nuggets) - Dario Saric, PF, Croatia
Saric is as intriguing as international prospects are, and would add a great scoring dynamic to a team that already has a young and talented lineup and has added a scorer in Exum earlier in the draft. Saric might have even gone higher if it was definite that he would be coming over to the NBA from Croatia, but he has previously said that he would only play for the Lakers or Celtics. However, with their second pick in the round, the Magic might be willing to take a risk on Saric and if he come over, might finally make them forget about Dwight Howard.13. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Young, SF, Kentucky
Young was an extremely inconsistant player throughout his college career, but at times we got to see what a special player he can be. When at his best, he is a dynamic three-point shooter with slashing ability and more than enough athleticism. Unfortunately, he is not always at his best, although teams will likely let him off the hook a bit because he is also the youngest player in the entire class. The Timberwolves could really use an explosive scorer for Ricky Rubio to feed, and, even if they shouldn’t expect Young to be that guy right away, he could eventually be that guy.
14. Phoenix Suns - T.J. Warren, SF, NC State
The Suns seem determined to build their team around athleticism, and what a better way to so than by drafting a guy in T.J. Warren who can defend well, score, and is never shy to run the floor. If they can re-sign Eric Bledsoe, he and Warren will have a field day together against opposing teams’ retreating defenses. As both Bledsoe and Goran Dragic can hit the three, there is no real need for Warren to do so, which will allow him to focus on other portions of his game that he could really excel at. If the Suns draft Warren, they will have no shortage of highlight-reel ally-oops from Bledsoe or Dragic as well as a guy who will never quit, and therefore will love to have him for hopefully a long time.
15. Atlanta Hawks - Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
Of all the players in the draft, Zach LaVine may just be the most athletic, and that’s saying something in a draft class that includes players like Andrew Wiggins and Dante Exum. His technical skills aren’t bad either, as he is a better-than-average three point shooter, a great dribbler, and an impressive passer. All of the questions about LaVine will be about his brain. However, the reality is, you can teach a player some things but many of LaVine’s qualities are unteachable, which is why he is so valuable. For the Hawks, LaVine has added value in that he can play both at point guard and shooting guard, both positions where the Hawks could use some help.16. Chicago Bulls (from Hornets) - Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana Lafayette
Payton has shot up draft boards from nowhere to become the 4th point guard taken, a position which has been an enigma for the Bulls of late. For the past two years they have been expecting Rose to come back from a serious injury and have a big year, but so many failed attempts have to make Chicago worried about their future at the position. Payton is an incredibly fast, penetrating point guard who could very well hold down Rose’s role until he returns. If everything works out as planned, then the Bulls will end up with a very effective bench scorer in Payton, but if Rose faces more setbacks, then they could have a potential replacement. Either way they get much needed scorer in Payton.
17. Boston Celtics (from Nets) - Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke
Hood is an extremely unique player, but he won’t necessarily benefit from this uniqueness in the NBA. He has the height of a small forward but the shooting ability and body build of a shooting guard. On offense, this creates a nice matchup situation, but on defense, he will likely struggle to guard either position at the NBA level. The Celtics are already a very strong defensive team, so they can probably afford to take on Hood as an offensive specialist and a dynamic role player, but the probability of him becoming a regular starting is low.
18. Phoenix Suns (from Wizards) - Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia
Nurkic finds himself as the second ranked center in the draft behind the best prospect in the draft, so there is no one else to really compare him to this year. However, he has the height and size (6’11”, 280 lbs) to be considered by any team high in the draft who needs a center. His stock does take a hit though, as he plays in Bosnia and it is unclear how his game will relate to the NBA. But the potential benefits will outweigh the potential risks in this case because, even though Phoenix loves athleticism and Nurkic is not the most athletic, they could surely benefit from a huge force in the middle of the paint whom Bledsoe and Dragic could throw the ball inside to or who could hold down the fort defensively.
19. Chicago Bulls - Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State
The Bulls are looking for players that are NBA-ready so that they can retool for a playoff run as quickly as possible. Payne is about as NBA-ready as they come, having dominated as a veteran player for Michigan State this past season. He would provide them with some immediate front court depth behind Noah, Boozer, and Gibson. Payne doesn’t have huge amounts of potential but he could come in right away and help both on the boards and on offense.
20. Toronto Raptors - Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Ennis is probably the most NBA-ready point guard in the draft, as he is a smart player who can distribute the ball while shoot when necessary, and doesn’t make too many mistakes. That is exactly what the Raptors are looking for with Kyle Lowry most likely gone in free agency after finishing 3rd in the Eastern Conference last year. If Toronto is looking to stay near the top of the standings this year, they will need to replace Lowry with a younger version who will hopefully mesh well with their core of DeMar Derozan, Greivis Vasquez, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrence Ross. Hopefully Ennis can pull it off and if he does, the Raptors will have quite a steal at #20 in the first round.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Mavericks via Rockets & Lakers) - P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends (D League)
Before leaving North Carolina, Hairston was on course to being a definite lottery pick. A year later, now in the NBA D League, Hairston’s stock has dropped a bit. However, his stock has not dropped because he has played poorly, in fact, he has absolutely dominated the D League. The reason his stock has dropped is because he is because he is playing in the D League itself. There is no denying Hairston’s talent, though, and he might be able to bring to the Thunder what Jeremy Lamb has never truly been able to provide - an offense sixth man who can knock down outside shots.22. Memphis Grizzlies - Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland
Capela has seen his stock fall recently as he has shown in workouts to be a little raw. He is tall and lanky for his position (6’11”, 222 lbs) and a supreme rim-protector and overall defender as well as a rebounder. His size and athleticism are intriguing to many teams, and he is in a similar situation to Giannis Antetokounmpo last year: an overseas prospect who is athletic but hard to project. As the Bucks took a chance last year, the Grizzlies will this year and hope to land a long-term replacement for the most-likely-departed Zach Randolph quite late in the first round.
23. Utah Jazz (from Warriors) - Kyle Anderson, SF/PF, UCLA
Anderson was one of the players that I was most impressed with during March Madness this past year. Despite not leading UCLA too deep into the tournament, Anderson’s incredible skills were on display for every single minute. He played every position except for center for UCLA and honestly has the physical and technical tools to play the same amount of positions in the NBA. At 6’9” he certainly is sizable enough to play at SF and PF but he proved all season that he also has immaculate dribbling and passing skills that allow him to play PG or SG too. The Jazz don’t have any dire needs so taking a chance on a unique talent like Anderson makes a lot of sense here.24. Charlotte Hornets (from Trail Blazers) - K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
After already taking a SF in Doug McDermott at #9 in this draft, some might wonder why the Hornets would go after another in McDaniels. With questions surrounding McDermott’s potential, taking a chance on a an athletic scorer who can also rebound could alleviate some of the risk that comes with McDermott. Charlotte will most likely thrust McDermott into the fire right away while McDaniels could take some time to develop his overall game and shooting ability. He has a lot of potential, and if he refines his skills he could become something close to the player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist never could.
25. Houston Rockets - Jordan Clarkson, PG, Missouri
The Rockets already have Jeremy Lin and James Harden in the backcourt so there is no desperate need for upgrade at the starting spot, but they could use some quality backups behind those two. Clarkson could use a little work on his shooting, but he is a great passer, leader, and ball handler, who could step in right away and give the Rockets quality minutes. This pick certainly isn’t an attempt to hit a home run but there’s no doubting that Clarkson would make an immediate impact on the Rockets backcourt depth.
26. Miami Heat - Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
27. Phoenix Suns (from Pacers) - Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
Grant has all the athleticism and physical attributes that you want to see in a small forward, but because his technical ability is lacking a bit, he may project as more of a long-term selection. Early in the draft we have the Suns taking T.J. Warren, who could step in and play right away at the small forward position, so Grant would have time to develop his skills. Additionally, Grant can play at both the small forward and power forward positions, and the Suns are in dire need of some depth at those two positions.
28. Los Angeles Clippers - Jarnell Stokes, PF, Tennessee
Stokes is a very capable defender and rebounder, which is pretty much what team’s are going to get this late in the draft. He can play in the low post and if the Clippers are looking to shed guys like DeAndre Jordan in order to attain more cap space, Stokes could potentially play side by side with Blake Griffin and focus on defense while allowing Blake to focus more on the offensive side, where he has greatly improved in recent seasons. Although Stokes is a little small for a power forward (6’9”), he has extremely long arms (7’1”) and those could well make up for it. For a team like the Clippers who are looking to be contenders for a long time, adding a guy like Stokes to fill in the holes and help out in the non-flashy aspects of the game will really benefit their team.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
Cleanthony Early has the talent alone to be a lottery pick in this draft, however, at the age of 23, the general consensus is that he may not have as much potential as other players in the class. The good news for Early is that the Thunder are in win-now mode, and a rookie that can come in and immediately add something to the team is extremely valuable. The Thunder are packed at the small forward position, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Early either, as he has the ability to play power forward too, and would be a nice offensive big-man to contrast Serge Ibaka’s defensive tendencies.
30. San Antonio Spurs - Artem Klimenko, C, RussiaAs previously noted, this year’s center crop is extremely weak as only three are projected to be taken in the first round, but they are all full of potential. The second of two international center prospects is Klimenko, who is a HUGE (pun intended) unknown because of the league in which he played in Russia. However, at 7’1” he is the tallest player in the draft and is a very good defender, two qualities which are very important in centers. He is small for his size (228 lbs) and therefore may not be strong enough to guard some of the bigger centers in the league, but all of his upside is exactly the reason why the Spurs would take a chance on him. Gregg Popovich has made a name for more international players than one can count, and this could be his next great accomplishment. The defending champions have such a deep roster that they can afford to take a developmental player with the last pick in the first round, and perhaps he will learn from Duncan and Popovich and realize his insane potential.
The San Antonio Spurs have won their 5th NBA Championship in team history (all since 1999), with an incredible 104-87 Game 5 win to take the series 4-1 against the Miami Heat. LeBron James played well, with 31 points, but he wasn't able to play up to his best-player-in-the-world status and take over the game. Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard seemed to match LeBron blow for blow, as he had a stat line of 34 minutes, 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and made 3 for 4 3-point attempts. Australian point guard Patty Mills had an insane performance off the bench with 17 points while going 5 for 8 from 3-point range. Manu Ginobili seemed to turn back the clock with an other-wordly performance, draining threes with hands in his face and making plays consistently by driving to the lane, including an incredible one-handed dunk. Tony Parker didn't even have a point until late in the third quarter, but at that point the Spurs were already put by 20 points.
A total group effort by the Spurs, once again, won this game for them, and coach Gregg Popovich deserves all the credit in the world. With Ray Allen starting for the Heat in place of a struggling Mario Chalmers, Miami got off to a blazing start and was leading 22-6 at one point in the first quarter, as the Spurs missed 11 of their first 12 shots. However, Popovich got his team to come storming back behind a bench that outscored Miami's 47 to 24. The Heat just had no one to turn to since they started Allen, and the starters themselves couldn't even do any damage after the initial rush. LeBron James is now 2 for 5 in the NBA Finals, a mark which will most definitely affect his legacy, and his hopes at a three-peat are officially over.
These Finals have proven that one player does not win a series, but a team does, as well as the fact that age is nothing but a number (Tim Duncan is 38, Manu Ginobili is 36, and Tony Parker is 32). Truly every player on the Spurs deserves all the credit in the world for this win, especially the one-and-only Tim Duncan, who may have played his final game in front of the San Antonio faithful (he is a free agent after this season and is 38 years old). Tim Duncan has exemplified toughness, loyalty, and hard work throughout his 17 years in the NBA, and will leave as one of the best players to have every played the game. He now has 5 championship rings, and a possibly final stat line of 33 minutes, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and made 5 for 10 field goal attempts. As each starter for the Spurs checked out of the game at the end of the fourth quarter one-by-one, each received a standing ovation, but none was louder than cheers for Tim Duncan. And deservedly so.
The San Antonio Spurs have won their 5th NBA Championship in team history (all since 1999), with an incredible 104-87 Game 5 win to take the series 4-1 against the Miami Heat. LeBron James played well, with 31 points, but he wasn't able to play up to his best-player-in-the-world status and take over the game. Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard seemed to match LeBron blow for blow, as he had a stat line of 34 minutes, 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and made 3 for 4 3-point attempts. Australian point guard Patty Mills had an insane performance off the bench with 17 points while going 5 for 8 from 3-point range. Manu Ginobili seemed to turn back the clock with an other-wordly performance, draining threes with hands in his face and making plays consistently by driving to the lane, including an incredible one-handed dunk. Tony Parker didn't even have a point until late in the third quarter, but at that point the Spurs were already put by 20 points.
A total group effort by the Spurs, once again, won this game for them, and coach Gregg Popovich deserves all the credit in the world. With Ray Allen starting for the Heat in place of a struggling Mario Chalmers, Miami got off to a blazing start and was leading 22-6 at one point in the first quarter, as the Spurs missed 11 of their first 12 shots. However, Popovich got his team to come storming back behind a bench that outscored Miami's 47 to 24. The Heat just had no one to turn to since they started Allen, and the starters themselves couldn't even do any damage after the initial rush. LeBron James is now 2 for 5 in the NBA Finals, a mark which will most definitely affect his legacy, and his hopes at a three-peat are officially over.
These Finals have proven that one player does not win a series, but a team does, as well as the fact that age is nothing but a number (Tim Duncan is 38, Manu Ginobili is 36, and Tony Parker is 32). Truly every player on the Spurs deserves all the credit in the world for this win, especially the one-and-only Tim Duncan, who may have played his final game in front of the San Antonio faithful (he is a free agent after this season and is 38 years old). Tim Duncan has exemplified toughness, loyalty, and hard work throughout his 17 years in the NBA, and will leave as one of the best players to have every played the game. He now has 5 championship rings, and a possibly final stat line of 33 minutes, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and made 5 for 10 field goal attempts. As each starter for the Spurs checked out of the game at the end of the fourth quarter one-by-one, each received a standing ovation, but none was louder than cheers for Tim Duncan. And deservedly so.
A total group effort by the Spurs, once again, won this game for them, and coach Gregg Popovich deserves all the credit in the world. With Ray Allen starting for the Heat in place of a struggling Mario Chalmers, Miami got off to a blazing start and was leading 22-6 at one point in the first quarter, as the Spurs missed 11 of their first 12 shots. However, Popovich got his team to come storming back behind a bench that outscored Miami's 47 to 24. The Heat just had no one to turn to since they started Allen, and the starters themselves couldn't even do any damage after the initial rush. LeBron James is now 2 for 5 in the NBA Finals, a mark which will most definitely affect his legacy, and his hopes at a three-peat are officially over.These Finals have proven that one player does not win a series, but a team does, as well as the fact that age is nothing but a number (Tim Duncan is 38, Manu Ginobili is 36, and Tony Parker is 32). Truly every player on the Spurs deserves all the credit in the world for this win, especially the one-and-only Tim Duncan, who may have played his final game in front of the San Antonio faithful (he is a free agent after this season and is 38 years old). Tim Duncan has exemplified toughness, loyalty, and hard work throughout his 17 years in the NBA, and will leave as one of the best players to have every played the game. He now has 5 championship rings, and a possibly final stat line of 33 minutes, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and made 5 for 10 field goal attempts. As each starter for the Spurs checked out of the game at the end of the fourth quarter one-by-one, each received a standing ovation, but none was louder than cheers for Tim Duncan. And deservedly so.
Miami Heat Down Against Spurs and History
Coming off a dramatic Game 4 win by the San Antonio Spurs over the Miami Heat 107-86, the Heat find themselves down 3-1 in the series. In the history of the NBA, no team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals, so the Heat obviously face a nearly impossible task. However, there is a first time for everything, and when you have the best player in the world on your team, as the Heat do in LeBron James, anything is possible.
Before the series started, I noted how Kawhi Leonard would have to play his absolute best in order to match LeBron James in what would be a key matchup in the series. He has done just that and, while playing great defense against the best player in the world, has held his own in the offensive categories. In order for the Heat to come back and win this series, LeBron will need to play up to his superstar capabilities and separate himself from Leonard, not just in the points category. As you can see, James has turned over the ball way too many times, while Leonard has been clean with the ball in his hands although still getting his touches and shooting the ball at a high rate. LeBron has failed to do anything spectacular and take over this series, while Leonard did this:
After the Game 4 loss, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "They played great, and I can honestly say I don't think any of us were expecting this type of performance." That is exactly the problem: the Heat were expecting to win. After winning the NBA Championship two years in a row it is understandable that Miami might assume a three-peat would be handed to them. However, they underestimated the resolve of the deepest and most driven team in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Popovich has done a fantastic job with this team and it should go down as one of the greatest teams in the last ten years. That is not to say that Miami cannot come back and win, but it will be tough. And "tough" is one heck of an understatement. Adding to the fact that no team has ever come back from three games down to win the Finals, the Spurs are 10-2 at home in these playoffs. They will have Game 5 at home to close out the series, as well as Game 7 if it comes down to that. LeBron doesn't seem to have given up yet though, as he said, "We put ourselves in a position where it is about making history." True, records are meant to be broken, but judging by how the Spurs played in Game 4, it sure won't be easy.
Player
|
Points
|
Assists
|
Rebounds
|
Turnovers
|
FG%
|
3-pt%
|
Leonard
|
16.8
|
2.0
|
5.5
|
1.5
|
57.1%
|
54.1%
|
James
|
27.5
|
3.8
|
7.3
|
4.5
|
59.9%
|
66.7%
|
Before the series started, I noted how Kawhi Leonard would have to play his absolute best in order to match LeBron James in what would be a key matchup in the series. He has done just that and, while playing great defense against the best player in the world, has held his own in the offensive categories. In order for the Heat to come back and win this series, LeBron will need to play up to his superstar capabilities and separate himself from Leonard, not just in the points category. As you can see, James has turned over the ball way too many times, while Leonard has been clean with the ball in his hands although still getting his touches and shooting the ball at a high rate. LeBron has failed to do anything spectacular and take over this series, while Leonard did this:
After the Game 4 loss, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "They played great, and I can honestly say I don't think any of us were expecting this type of performance." That is exactly the problem: the Heat were expecting to win. After winning the NBA Championship two years in a row it is understandable that Miami might assume a three-peat would be handed to them. However, they underestimated the resolve of the deepest and most driven team in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Popovich has done a fantastic job with this team and it should go down as one of the greatest teams in the last ten years. That is not to say that Miami cannot come back and win, but it will be tough. And "tough" is one heck of an understatement. Adding to the fact that no team has ever come back from three games down to win the Finals, the Spurs are 10-2 at home in these playoffs. They will have Game 5 at home to close out the series, as well as Game 7 if it comes down to that. LeBron doesn't seem to have given up yet though, as he said, "We put ourselves in a position where it is about making history." True, records are meant to be broken, but judging by how the Spurs played in Game 4, it sure won't be easy.
The Ultimate NBA Finals Preview 2014
2014 NBA Finals: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs
Game 1: Thursday, June 5th, 9:00 pm, @San Antonio
Game 2: Sunday, June 8th, 8:00 pm, @San Antonio
Game 3: Tuesday, June 10th, 9:00 pm, @Miami
Game 4: Thursday, June 12th, 9:00 pm, @Miami
Game 5 (if necessary): Sunday, June 15th, 8:00 pm, @San Antonio
Game 6 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 17th, 9:00 pm, @Miami
Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, June 20th, 9:00 pm, @San Antonio
How They Got There:
The Spurs finished the regular season with the #1 seed in the Western Conference and the best record in the NBA at 62-20. Adding to San Antonio's incredible season is the fact that they have an average age of 28.4 years and were coming off a run to the finals the previous year. Amazingly, they actually improved upon their 58-24 record from a season ago, a feat which can no doubt be attributed to great coaching, veteran leadership, and a hunger to avenge their loss to the Heat in the finals. This year, the Spurs had to face a vastly underrated Dallas Mavericks team in the First Round, in a series that ended up going to seven games. Then, they clashed with the Portland Trail Blazers in the Conference Semifinals, one of the best young teams in the league headlined by Damien Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. They took care of business in five games, then met the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a a row. After winning the first two games, the Spurs struggled to find an answer to the returned Serge Ibaka in the next two. But, true to form, the Spurs stepped up their game when it mattered most, and won games five and six in order to take the series, including an unbelievable Game 6 in Oklahoma City that was perhaps the Spurs' best performance of the entire season.
The Heat came in second place in the Eastern Conference, falling just two games behind the Indiana Pacers, with a record of 54-28. As a team with very few changes from last year's championship-winning team and an average age of 29.4 years (higher than the Spurs!), the Heat played very well in spurts and came on strong towards the second half of the season. Showing very few signs of a championship hangover, they breezed into the playoffs in what was an incredibly weak Eastern Conference, although having trouble with the Pacers during the regular season. In the First Round of the playoffs, Miami swept the overachieving Charlotte Bobcats, then didn't need to work much harder at taking down the high-priced Brooklyn Nets in five games in the Conference Semifinals. The Nets injured stars, in Deron Williams and Brooke Lopez, as well as their aging veterans, in Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, were no match for the ultra-athletic Miami Heat. Things got interesting, however, in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers, where the Heat were able to avenge their early season losses despite a valiant effort by the Pacers. Lance Stephenson's antics and Roy Hibbert's disappearance were almost laughable compared to the professional and efficient way the Heat took care of business.
Key Stats:
Key Matchups:
LeBron has averaged 27.1 points per game these playoffs, 6.8 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game. It is pretty much impossible to expect anybody to match that. Leonard's job will be to guard the future hall-of-famer for much of the series, a job which will cause him to focus more on defense than offense. He has averaged only 13.3 points per game this postseason, but with other more high-profile stars on the team the Spurs have not needed much more from him, since he has made up for it on the glass, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game an, and by averaging 1.72 steals per game. Look for LeBron to continue to put up huge offensive numbers but be reduced to fewer rebounds, as Leonard will put most of his focus on guarding James. However, in order to take pressure off the Spurs' stars, Leonard has to be an effective complimentary scorer as he has been so far these playoffs.
Wade has been nothing short of resurgent in the last few weeks, showing all his doubters what a different (and dominant) player he is when healthy. In fact, he may be the player on the Heat most crucial to their title hopes, as he can truly take over the transition game that is so effective when he and LeBron run the floor after the Heat's stingy defense forces a turnover. He has averaged 18.7 points per game in the playoffs with 4.3 assists, playing like a true offensive force. Ginobili has been wildly inconsistent this season, but when he gets hot, there is no stopping him. He has averaged 14.3 points per game with 4.1 assists per game, not to mention his deadly corner three when Tony Parker drives in the lane and kicks it out. Whoever takes control of this matchup will give his team a major advantage in the series.
Bosh has been a consistent scorer this postseason, with 15.2 points per game, and a solid rebounder as well, with 5.7 rebounds per game. He also boasts an incredibly underrated 3-point shot that he shoots at a rate of 41%. Tim Duncan has been nothing short of a best in the playoffs, not only by averaging 16.5 points per game, but especially by averaging 8.9 rebounds per game. Look for Duncan to dominate the glass over Bosh, but if Duncan gets too focused on protecting the paint and Bosh sneaks to the corner and hits a couple of threes, then the Spurs will be in trouble. A lot depends on Bosh's outside shot, but since he has proven it to be effective so far, Duncan will need to follow Bosh all around the court and leave the rim-protecting to Tiago Splitter. Offensively for Duncan, his arsenal of post moves should be no match more Bosh's defense, as long as the San Antonio big-man isn't too tired from guarding Bosh at the three-point line.
These two teams are the two best three-point shooting teams in the league, so naturally, whichever team's three-point shooters have a better series will go a long way towards determining the winner. So far in the playoffs, Green has shot threes at an astounding rate of 48.1%, and Belinelli at 41.4%. Ray Allen has shot threes these playoffs at a rate of 38.1%, with Lewis shooting at 32.4%. The numbers seem to suggest that the clear favorites in this matchup are Green and Belinelli of the Spurs, but it will be hard to bet against the all-time best three-point shooter in Ray Allen. However, when the Spurs get hot from beyond the arc, they are nearly impossible to stop. Look for San Antonio to win the three-point battle, but in a clutch situation, much like last year, look for Ray Allen to come up big and knock down the shot.
The clear edge in this matchup goes to Parker, who has averaged 17.2 points per game these playoffs, as well as 4.9 assists per game. Chalmers has only averaged 7.1 points per game, while Cole has scored 5.1. The real key for the Heat's point guards will be to keep Parker away from the basket, because when he drives into the lane he is an incredible finisher as well as very savvy at dishing out the ball to the wing, where his teammates can hit the three. Parker's goal this series will be to facilitate the Spurs' offense, while still not allowing Chalmers or Cole to hit a big three-pointer to give momentum to the Heat, which they have been known to do. Look for Tony Parker to dominate this matchup and have a big say in the way this series goes.
Prediction: Spurs in 7
Game 1: Thursday, June 5th, 9:00 pm, @San Antonio
Game 2: Sunday, June 8th, 8:00 pm, @San Antonio
Game 3: Tuesday, June 10th, 9:00 pm, @Miami
Game 4: Thursday, June 12th, 9:00 pm, @Miami
Game 5 (if necessary): Sunday, June 15th, 8:00 pm, @San Antonio
Game 6 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 17th, 9:00 pm, @Miami
Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, June 20th, 9:00 pm, @San Antonio
How They Got There:
The Spurs finished the regular season with the #1 seed in the Western Conference and the best record in the NBA at 62-20. Adding to San Antonio's incredible season is the fact that they have an average age of 28.4 years and were coming off a run to the finals the previous year. Amazingly, they actually improved upon their 58-24 record from a season ago, a feat which can no doubt be attributed to great coaching, veteran leadership, and a hunger to avenge their loss to the Heat in the finals. This year, the Spurs had to face a vastly underrated Dallas Mavericks team in the First Round, in a series that ended up going to seven games. Then, they clashed with the Portland Trail Blazers in the Conference Semifinals, one of the best young teams in the league headlined by Damien Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. They took care of business in five games, then met the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a a row. After winning the first two games, the Spurs struggled to find an answer to the returned Serge Ibaka in the next two. But, true to form, the Spurs stepped up their game when it mattered most, and won games five and six in order to take the series, including an unbelievable Game 6 in Oklahoma City that was perhaps the Spurs' best performance of the entire season.
The Heat came in second place in the Eastern Conference, falling just two games behind the Indiana Pacers, with a record of 54-28. As a team with very few changes from last year's championship-winning team and an average age of 29.4 years (higher than the Spurs!), the Heat played very well in spurts and came on strong towards the second half of the season. Showing very few signs of a championship hangover, they breezed into the playoffs in what was an incredibly weak Eastern Conference, although having trouble with the Pacers during the regular season. In the First Round of the playoffs, Miami swept the overachieving Charlotte Bobcats, then didn't need to work much harder at taking down the high-priced Brooklyn Nets in five games in the Conference Semifinals. The Nets injured stars, in Deron Williams and Brooke Lopez, as well as their aging veterans, in Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, were no match for the ultra-athletic Miami Heat. Things got interesting, however, in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers, where the Heat were able to avenge their early season losses despite a valiant effort by the Pacers. Lance Stephenson's antics and Roy Hibbert's disappearance were almost laughable compared to the professional and efficient way the Heat took care of business.Key Stats:
- San Antonio ranked 3rd in the league in points scored per game (106.6) during the postseason, while Miami ranked 8th (99.1).
- Miami ranked 2nd in the league in points allowed per game (92.1) during the postseason, while San Antonio ranked 8th (101.8).
- The Heat ranked 1st in the league in 3-point percentage (39.5%) during the postseason, while the Spurs ranked 2nd (39.2%).
- Miami had the fewest turnovers allowed per game (10.9) during the postseason, while San Antonio had the 4th-fewest (12.2).
- Miami and San Antonio tied for the 5th-most turnovers forced per game (13.7) during the postseason.
- The Spurs have played 18 playoff games so far, while the Heat have played 15.
- The Spurs are 35-18 all-time against the Heat in the regular season, but the Heat are 4-3 all time against the Spurs in the playoffs (last year's finals was their only postseason meeting).
Key Matchups:
- LeBron James vs. Kawhi Leonard
LeBron has averaged 27.1 points per game these playoffs, 6.8 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game. It is pretty much impossible to expect anybody to match that. Leonard's job will be to guard the future hall-of-famer for much of the series, a job which will cause him to focus more on defense than offense. He has averaged only 13.3 points per game this postseason, but with other more high-profile stars on the team the Spurs have not needed much more from him, since he has made up for it on the glass, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game an, and by averaging 1.72 steals per game. Look for LeBron to continue to put up huge offensive numbers but be reduced to fewer rebounds, as Leonard will put most of his focus on guarding James. However, in order to take pressure off the Spurs' stars, Leonard has to be an effective complimentary scorer as he has been so far these playoffs.
- Dwayne Wade vs. Manu Ginobili
Wade has been nothing short of resurgent in the last few weeks, showing all his doubters what a different (and dominant) player he is when healthy. In fact, he may be the player on the Heat most crucial to their title hopes, as he can truly take over the transition game that is so effective when he and LeBron run the floor after the Heat's stingy defense forces a turnover. He has averaged 18.7 points per game in the playoffs with 4.3 assists, playing like a true offensive force. Ginobili has been wildly inconsistent this season, but when he gets hot, there is no stopping him. He has averaged 14.3 points per game with 4.1 assists per game, not to mention his deadly corner three when Tony Parker drives in the lane and kicks it out. Whoever takes control of this matchup will give his team a major advantage in the series.
- Chris Bosh vs. Tim Duncan
Bosh has been a consistent scorer this postseason, with 15.2 points per game, and a solid rebounder as well, with 5.7 rebounds per game. He also boasts an incredibly underrated 3-point shot that he shoots at a rate of 41%. Tim Duncan has been nothing short of a best in the playoffs, not only by averaging 16.5 points per game, but especially by averaging 8.9 rebounds per game. Look for Duncan to dominate the glass over Bosh, but if Duncan gets too focused on protecting the paint and Bosh sneaks to the corner and hits a couple of threes, then the Spurs will be in trouble. A lot depends on Bosh's outside shot, but since he has proven it to be effective so far, Duncan will need to follow Bosh all around the court and leave the rim-protecting to Tiago Splitter. Offensively for Duncan, his arsenal of post moves should be no match more Bosh's defense, as long as the San Antonio big-man isn't too tired from guarding Bosh at the three-point line.- Danny Green/Marco Belinelli vs. Ray Allen/Rashard Lewis
These two teams are the two best three-point shooting teams in the league, so naturally, whichever team's three-point shooters have a better series will go a long way towards determining the winner. So far in the playoffs, Green has shot threes at an astounding rate of 48.1%, and Belinelli at 41.4%. Ray Allen has shot threes these playoffs at a rate of 38.1%, with Lewis shooting at 32.4%. The numbers seem to suggest that the clear favorites in this matchup are Green and Belinelli of the Spurs, but it will be hard to bet against the all-time best three-point shooter in Ray Allen. However, when the Spurs get hot from beyond the arc, they are nearly impossible to stop. Look for San Antonio to win the three-point battle, but in a clutch situation, much like last year, look for Ray Allen to come up big and knock down the shot.- Tony Parker vs. Mario Chalmers/Norris Cole
The clear edge in this matchup goes to Parker, who has averaged 17.2 points per game these playoffs, as well as 4.9 assists per game. Chalmers has only averaged 7.1 points per game, while Cole has scored 5.1. The real key for the Heat's point guards will be to keep Parker away from the basket, because when he drives into the lane he is an incredible finisher as well as very savvy at dishing out the ball to the wing, where his teammates can hit the three. Parker's goal this series will be to facilitate the Spurs' offense, while still not allowing Chalmers or Cole to hit a big three-pointer to give momentum to the Heat, which they have been known to do. Look for Tony Parker to dominate this matchup and have a big say in the way this series goes.Prediction: Spurs in 7
2014 NBA Mock Draft: March Madness
The NFL Report is proud to present its latest 2014 NBA Mock Draft. For this edition, our NBA writer Matt Reppucci and our College Basketball writer Gabe Schmittlein alternate each pick, with Matt taking the odds and Gabe the evens. If you are interested in how the picks have changed over time, here are links to our 1st and 2nd Mock Drafts of the year. Enjoy!
1. Milwaukee Bucks - Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas
From before he even played one game for Kansas, Andrew Wiggins was supposed to be the #1 pick. However, a slow start to the year and strong play by Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid threatened Wiggins’s spot. Nonetheless, he has really come on recently (except for a poor showing in Kansas’s loss in the NCAA tournament) and put his incredible athleticism to use effectively. Wiggins has been compared to LeBron James coming out of college because of a similar stature scoring ability. If Wiggins can put on a few pounds of muscle and learn to play a more all-around game, he will certainly have success at the NBA level. The Bucks are a team with really no building blocks for the future, so would be ecstatic for the chance to rebuild their franchise with a player like Wiggins.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Jabari Parker, SF/PF, Duke
What seems certain with this pick is that the Sixers will draft a small forward, as it is their biggest need and it is probably the most talented position in the draft, with Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker leading the pack. The only question now is who will fall to them, Wiggins or Parker. The chances are growing that whoever ends up with the number one pick will choose Wiggins, so that leaves Parker for the Sixers here with the second pick. Parker is undoubtedly the most pro-ready player offensively in this class, and would fit in fantastically for a Sixers team that could use really use someone who is able to put points on the scoreboard with consistency.
3. Orlando Magic - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Throughout the major part of the season, Embiid was looking like the best prospect in this year’s draft and possibly the #1 overall pick. He has a surprisingly well-developed post game, and can score perhaps more efficiently than any other player in this draft. His height gives him an advantage on the defensive end as well as on the boards. The Magic might have more of a need at point guard, so they may be tempted to take Exum, but Embiid is an incredibly rare talent who offers too much upside to pass up. The Magic almost won an NBA championship when they had a star center in Dwight Howard, so if they can get another one here they could trade their current center (who is pretty good in his own right) Nikola Vucevic for a point guard or keep him and have an amazing one-two punch at center that every team (minus the Rockets) would be envious of.
4. Los Angeles Lakers - Dante Exum, PG, Australia
In nearly any other draft class, Exum would likely hear his name first overall - he’s that good. He resembles a better jump-shooting Michael Carter-Williams, with his tall stature (6’6”), great ball handling, and knack for finding an open man. At this point, the Lakers have needs all around the court, so it makes sense to take the best player available, and that is Exum. It also can’t hurt that Exum has publicly voiced his desire to become a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
5. Boston Celtics - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
Truthfully, if the Celtics land the #5 pick they might be looking to trade it away. The really don’t have a need at power forward as Jared Sullinger has played very well this season, except Randle is clearly the best player available in this spot. If they don’t trade the pick, they will take Randle just because he is so much better than anyone else left, displayed by his 15.1 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game. Although it would be ideal for the Celtics to draft a small forward or shooting guard, a duo of Sullinger and Randle in the front court would be incredibly dynamic. They can both rebound at very high rates, and they can both shoot from the outside, creating so many mismatches for opponents. The best part is, Randle is 19 and Sullinger is 22, which would give the celtics a great core for the future.
6. Utah Jazz - Marcus Smart, PG/SG, Oklahoma State
The Jazz are a bit cramped in the frontcourt, so it makes sense that they might look to draft a backcourt partner for Trey Burke. Marcus Smart played point guard at Oklahoma State, but he would likely move to shooting guard in the NBA. He already has great skills on the inside for a guard, and if his outside shooting improves, he could be an offensive force for years to come. Though some will be worried by his three game suspension for pushing a fan, it certainly did not impact his on-court performance, as he returned to save the fortunes of a reeling Oklahoma State team.
7. Sacramento Kings - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
Besides Randle, Vonleh is the best rebounder in this draft. He is averaging a near double double, with 11.3 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game. The Kings are set at the center position with DeMarcus Cousins and point guard with Isaiah Thomas, small forward with Rudy Gay, and shooting guard with Ben McLemore. However, their major problems are that they have no power forward complement to Cousins, and that as a team their talented players have been underachieving. Adding an exciting piece like Vonleh who could have been a top 3-5 pick in another not-so-stacked draft could launch the Kings into the next level and help them finally realize their potential. Vonleh will help them immensely on the boards as well as taking some pressure of Cousins in the post, making this really the perfect pick for the kings.
8. Detroit Pistons - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Harris has been oddly underwhelming in March Madness thus far, but in a draft class that is not full of top-tier shooting guards, his draft stock probably won’t drop too much. Though his shooting touch has slightly abandoned him, his incredible defensive work rate has not. For a Pistons team that is in dire need of some backcourt help, especially on the defensive end, drafting Harris would make tremendous sense.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers - Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
The Cavaliers are in turmoil as a franchise for, like the Kings, they have good players who are not playing well. Last year they had the #1 overall pick but horrendously used it on Anthony Bennett. What they Cavs really need is to get more athletic, to get someone who can run the floor with Kyrie Irving, does not demand the ball all the time (Dion Waiters, anyone?) but can score when needed. They don’t really need a power forward as they seemingly have all positions covered, but Bennett is already looking like a bust so they would be smart to take Gordon here.
10. Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks) - Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia
The Nuggets are one of the leading teams in terms of drafting international talents, so it should be no surprise that they would go after the top international player in this draft, Dario Saric. Though the Nuggets have no immediate need at the small forward or power forward position, Saric seems to be a bit of a project player, and may even stay international for a year or two after he is drafted. Thus, though this pick may not pay immediate dividends, it makes sense for the Nuggets to draft Saric, as he his power forward frame and his small forward ball skills will make him a difficult matchup problem down the road.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (via New Orleans Pelicans) - Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke
Rodney Hood has been a very consistent player this year for Duke, and unlike some of the top talent in this draft, he hasn’t had any long stretches of bad play. His shooting is incredible, including a 42% shooting percentage from three-point range, and his size gives him mismatches over most other shooting guards (as well as gives him versatility to play small forward). While sometimes he has bad days shooting, all great shooters do, the 76ers would be much improved by taking Hood after already taking Jabari Parker in this draft. That would give them a very formidable starting rotation of Michael Carter-Williams, Rodney Hood, Jabari Parker, Thaddeus Young, and Nerlens Noel, who are all very young and talented, setting them up beautifully for the future.
12. Orlando Magic (via Denver Nuggets) - Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
If the Magic do end up going for Embiid with their first pick, they will likely look for a small forward with this pick. Tobias Harris is certainly a solid player, but Arron Afflalo and Victor Oladipo already have the two guard spots locked up, so reinforcing the small forward position makes sense. McDermott may not have the upside of other players in this draft, but he can certainly provide immediate production for a Magic team that may be back in the playoff hunt sooner than predicted.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves - Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
While it could be argued that the Timberwolves need more offense besides Kevin Love, the truth is that Love, the face of their franchise, will be departing either by trade this year or free agency next. They Wolves would be smart to put a plan in place to replace him, and since it would be impossible to do that with one player, if they can get a great defender and rebounder this year in Cauley-Stein, they could draft a more athletic power forward who can score next year, setting them up well for Love’s departure. Cauley-Stein averages 2.9 blocks per game and just under 7 rebounds per game, although he would most definitely get more if Julius Randle weren’t grabbing so many. Cauley-Stein would immediately improve the Wolves’ defense, and could eventually improve offensively with the right coaching.
14. Phoenix Suns - Clint Capela, SF/PF, Switzerland
The Suns are loaded with three picks in this years draft, so it makes sense that they might go international here, especially with Capella being as exciting a prospect as he is. He possesses incredible athleticism, and though he lacks a bit of polish, especially with his jump shot, his potential is endless. Though the Suns may have to wait a couple years until they truly reap the benefits of this pick, Capella could end up being a fantastic player for them, especially because small forward and power forward are two positions of need for the Suns.
15. Atlanta Hawks - James Young, SG/SF, Kentucky
The Hawks have been looking for a true scorer since they traded away Joe Johnson, and they could be getting a steal this late in the lottery with James Young. Young is extremely athletic and is at his best when penetrating, which gives him the opportunity to score a lot of points as well as use his passing skills (which are very good in their own right) to dish the ball out to the Hawks’ shooters like Kyle Korver to give them more opportunities. While not as good of a shooter as Joe Johnson yet, Young could be the next cornerstone of this Hawks franchise if he develops well (he is only 18) and continues to use his athletic ability to get the paint.
16. Chicago Bulls (via Charlotte Bobcats) - Zach LaVine, PG/SG, UCLA
Zach LaVine may be the most athletic player in this draft class - even more so than Andrew Wiggins. Teams won’t be too turned off by the fact that he doesn’t start for UCLA because he has two of the top guards in the country, Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams, in front of him. The Bulls are in desperate need of a shooting guard to take some pressure off of Derrick Rose, and Zach LaVine has the physical tools to develop into a star at the two guard.
17. Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards) - Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
Stauskas is an incredible shooter and could have gone even earlier in a different year. He is averaging an unreal 45.1% from beyond the three-point line, which is almost the same percentage as his actual shooting percentage (47.3). While the number of his total shooting percentage looks too low, it is hard for wing players to shoot for a very high percentage as they don’t penetrate and drive to the paint as much as others. The three-point percentage really stands out and shows what great potential Stauskas has, and that makes him exactly the type of player that the Suns are looking for and would love to draft here.
18. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) - Kyle Anderson, SG/SF, UCLA
Though Kyle Anderson will likely be drafted after his UCLA backcourt counterpart Zach LaVine, Anderson is probably the better player at the current moment. With an incredibly smooth jump shot and great ball handling and passing for a 6’9” player, Anderson is strangely reminiscent of former Celtic Paul Pierce. As the Celtics look to rebuild, they need to identify players that could be part of their core for years to come, and Anderson is one such player.
19. Chicago Bulls - Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
This is a steal for the Bulls here. Harrell has been nearly as good as Randle and Vonleh on the boards (8.4 rebounds per game) and added to his 14 points per game has almost been a double double machine. Since Randle and Vonleh went so high, Harrell logically should have as well, and therefore the Bulls would be absolutely ecstatic to land a big man who is athletic enough to score in the post but also rebound and play defense (as coach Tom Thibodeau loves).
20. Toronto Raptors - Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
Having just turned 19 years old, Hezonja is one of the youngest players in this draft class, so it understandable that he is not an entirely polished player yet. Though he has a very good mid-range and long-range jump shot and his physical tools are well above average, he still needs to work on his attitude, decision making, and ball handling. The Raptors have made a habit of drafting international players in recent years, so it would not be a surprise to see them pick him here and perhaps let him work on his game for a couple years in Europe before coming to the NBA.
21. Dallas Mavericks - Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Tyler Ennis is another player who, frankly, should have gone higher. However none of the teams that hold the mid-round picks really have a need at point guard. Therefore, the Mavericks would be overjoyed to have Ennis fall into their laps at #21. Ennis is a team leader who would make all of their players better due to his ability to pass the ball yet score when needed. Dirk Nowitzki would certainly love to have a point guard who can get him the ball quickly instead of controlling the ball a lot himself. Monta Ellis would also love to have a running-mate in the backcourt. Taking Ennis here would be the obvious move here for Dallas.
22. Memphis Grizzlies - T.J. Warren, SF, North Carolina State
If Warren had just managed to knock down a couple more free throws in NC State’s gut wrenching loss to Saint Louis (NC State lost 70-73 and Warren went 6 of 14 from the line) his stock would likely have risen four or five spots and he would have saved my bracket in the process. Unfortunately for him, that did not happen. However, where Warren is unfortunate, the Grizzlies are the opposite, as they will manage to pick up one of the most NBA ready players in the draft, who also happens to fill a positional need for the Grizzlies.
23. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors) - Jerami Grant, SF/PF, Syracuse
Grant is an explosive athlete who the Jazz would welcome with open arms after already selecting Marcus Smart earlier in this draft. With these two players, the team would be immediately more athletic and they would actually have a clear core of players whom they can build around for the future. Grant is a winner, and is a very good player all-around. However, he is at his best when running the floor and leaping for alley-oops (despite his smaller 6'8" height), which is where he would thrive on a team with Marcus Smart. This draft scenario is very promising for the Jazz, so they would be smart to take a similar approach.
24. Charlotte Bobcats (via Portland Trail Blazers) - P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends
Before Hairston was dismissed from North Carolina and before people realized how good this draft class was going to be, Hairston looked in line to become a top five pick. Obviously, things went downhill from there, but he has still managed to keep his name in the first round of most draft boards by dominating the D league this season. The Bobcats are desperate for a wing scorer, and Hairston, who is averaging 21.1 points per game for the Texas Legends, would be a perfect fit.
25. Houston Rockets - Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State
One of the only seniors that will be drafted in the first round this year, Payne is a very NBA ready prospect who will fit in well in a position of need with the Rockets. He could push them from contenders to favorites with his skill as a rebounder (7.3 per game) to take some pressure of Dwight Howard, a scorer (16.6 points per game), his athleticism, and surprising 43.8% three-point percentage. Payne is an all-around solid player who knows how to win and would be the perfect piece that the Rockets would love to add this late in the draft.
26. Miami Heat - Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
I am honestly clueless as to why Shabazz Napier is not going to be a higher pick in the NBA draft. My best guess is that there is a predisposed model as to what makes a good prospect: large frame and extremely athletic. Sure, Napier doesn’t exactly fit that model, but he has dominated the college game, so I don’t see why people continue to write him off as a great prospect. He is a lights out shooter, a fantastic passer, and even helps out on the boards, not to mention that he is extremely clutch and has a great attitude. The Miami Heat might be willing to take a relatively low-risk chance on a player like Napier, especially because they still don’t have a completely stable situation at the point guard position.
27. Los Angeles Clippers - K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
The Clippers are really only lacking at the small forward position, yet are already good enough that their small forward can be a role player. McDaniels would fit in perfectly in that role, as he could use his very solid all-around game to help the team in bits when needed. He can score sometimes (17.2 points per game), rebound sometimes (7.1 rebounds per game), defend very well (2.8 blocks per game), and use his athleticism to drive to the rim or run the floor. Although his shooting is not great, the Clippers already have great shooters in Jamal Crawford and JJ Reddick, so they wouldn’t need McDaniels to be one. He would fit in very nicely with a Clippers team looking to make a run at a title.
28. Phoenix Suns (via Indiana Pacers) - Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia and Herzegovina
This is the Suns third pick in the first round, and even though they already drafted international with one of their previous picks, it seems as if they might go outside the states again here. Nurkic is a prospect with outrageous upside - at 6’11” and 280 pounds, he has one of the best frames in this draft class, and his post game is second to only Joel Embiid. However, there are questions about his attitude, dedication, and decision making that have caused some teams to turn their backs on him but have not deterred other suitors in the slightest. The Suns have no current staple at the center position, so Nurkic might be worth a try for the them, especially with the potential he provides.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
Early has played very consistently all season, although he has never been considered an elite prospect. As a senior he has developed his game so that he is now a very solid small forward and all-around player. He can score by using his athleticism (16.4 points per game), and sometimes go off from three-point range (37.5%). Lately, he has played so well in the NCAA tournament (23 points against Cal Poly and 31 against Kentucky) that his stock has probably moved up into the first round. The Thunder would love to have a solid role player at small-forward, so would welcome Early with this pick.
30. San Antonio Spurs - Nick Johnson, SG, Arizona
In my opinion, Nick Johnson has been one of the best players in college basketball this year. He has been the key player for one of the top teams in the country, and is able to perform on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. While he may be the best perimeter defender in all of college basketball, his offense is not far behind, as his outside shooting is great and he can get to the rim with ease. The Spurs, a team that puts great value on attitude and hard work, would be ecstatic if Johnson fell to them here, especially seeing as Manu Ginobili might not have too many more years in him.
1. Milwaukee Bucks - Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas
From before he even played one game for Kansas, Andrew Wiggins was supposed to be the #1 pick. However, a slow start to the year and strong play by Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid threatened Wiggins’s spot. Nonetheless, he has really come on recently (except for a poor showing in Kansas’s loss in the NCAA tournament) and put his incredible athleticism to use effectively. Wiggins has been compared to LeBron James coming out of college because of a similar stature scoring ability. If Wiggins can put on a few pounds of muscle and learn to play a more all-around game, he will certainly have success at the NBA level. The Bucks are a team with really no building blocks for the future, so would be ecstatic for the chance to rebuild their franchise with a player like Wiggins.
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Jabari Parker, SF/PF, Duke
What seems certain with this pick is that the Sixers will draft a small forward, as it is their biggest need and it is probably the most talented position in the draft, with Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker leading the pack. The only question now is who will fall to them, Wiggins or Parker. The chances are growing that whoever ends up with the number one pick will choose Wiggins, so that leaves Parker for the Sixers here with the second pick. Parker is undoubtedly the most pro-ready player offensively in this class, and would fit in fantastically for a Sixers team that could use really use someone who is able to put points on the scoreboard with consistency.
3. Orlando Magic - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
Throughout the major part of the season, Embiid was looking like the best prospect in this year’s draft and possibly the #1 overall pick. He has a surprisingly well-developed post game, and can score perhaps more efficiently than any other player in this draft. His height gives him an advantage on the defensive end as well as on the boards. The Magic might have more of a need at point guard, so they may be tempted to take Exum, but Embiid is an incredibly rare talent who offers too much upside to pass up. The Magic almost won an NBA championship when they had a star center in Dwight Howard, so if they can get another one here they could trade their current center (who is pretty good in his own right) Nikola Vucevic for a point guard or keep him and have an amazing one-two punch at center that every team (minus the Rockets) would be envious of.
4. Los Angeles Lakers - Dante Exum, PG, Australia
In nearly any other draft class, Exum would likely hear his name first overall - he’s that good. He resembles a better jump-shooting Michael Carter-Williams, with his tall stature (6’6”), great ball handling, and knack for finding an open man. At this point, the Lakers have needs all around the court, so it makes sense to take the best player available, and that is Exum. It also can’t hurt that Exum has publicly voiced his desire to become a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
5. Boston Celtics - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
Truthfully, if the Celtics land the #5 pick they might be looking to trade it away. The really don’t have a need at power forward as Jared Sullinger has played very well this season, except Randle is clearly the best player available in this spot. If they don’t trade the pick, they will take Randle just because he is so much better than anyone else left, displayed by his 15.1 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game. Although it would be ideal for the Celtics to draft a small forward or shooting guard, a duo of Sullinger and Randle in the front court would be incredibly dynamic. They can both rebound at very high rates, and they can both shoot from the outside, creating so many mismatches for opponents. The best part is, Randle is 19 and Sullinger is 22, which would give the celtics a great core for the future.
6. Utah Jazz - Marcus Smart, PG/SG, Oklahoma State
The Jazz are a bit cramped in the frontcourt, so it makes sense that they might look to draft a backcourt partner for Trey Burke. Marcus Smart played point guard at Oklahoma State, but he would likely move to shooting guard in the NBA. He already has great skills on the inside for a guard, and if his outside shooting improves, he could be an offensive force for years to come. Though some will be worried by his three game suspension for pushing a fan, it certainly did not impact his on-court performance, as he returned to save the fortunes of a reeling Oklahoma State team.
7. Sacramento Kings - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
Besides Randle, Vonleh is the best rebounder in this draft. He is averaging a near double double, with 11.3 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game. The Kings are set at the center position with DeMarcus Cousins and point guard with Isaiah Thomas, small forward with Rudy Gay, and shooting guard with Ben McLemore. However, their major problems are that they have no power forward complement to Cousins, and that as a team their talented players have been underachieving. Adding an exciting piece like Vonleh who could have been a top 3-5 pick in another not-so-stacked draft could launch the Kings into the next level and help them finally realize their potential. Vonleh will help them immensely on the boards as well as taking some pressure of Cousins in the post, making this really the perfect pick for the kings.
8. Detroit Pistons - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Harris has been oddly underwhelming in March Madness thus far, but in a draft class that is not full of top-tier shooting guards, his draft stock probably won’t drop too much. Though his shooting touch has slightly abandoned him, his incredible defensive work rate has not. For a Pistons team that is in dire need of some backcourt help, especially on the defensive end, drafting Harris would make tremendous sense.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers - Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona
The Cavaliers are in turmoil as a franchise for, like the Kings, they have good players who are not playing well. Last year they had the #1 overall pick but horrendously used it on Anthony Bennett. What they Cavs really need is to get more athletic, to get someone who can run the floor with Kyrie Irving, does not demand the ball all the time (Dion Waiters, anyone?) but can score when needed. They don’t really need a power forward as they seemingly have all positions covered, but Bennett is already looking like a bust so they would be smart to take Gordon here.
10. Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks) - Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia
The Nuggets are one of the leading teams in terms of drafting international talents, so it should be no surprise that they would go after the top international player in this draft, Dario Saric. Though the Nuggets have no immediate need at the small forward or power forward position, Saric seems to be a bit of a project player, and may even stay international for a year or two after he is drafted. Thus, though this pick may not pay immediate dividends, it makes sense for the Nuggets to draft Saric, as he his power forward frame and his small forward ball skills will make him a difficult matchup problem down the road.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (via New Orleans Pelicans) - Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Duke
Rodney Hood has been a very consistent player this year for Duke, and unlike some of the top talent in this draft, he hasn’t had any long stretches of bad play. His shooting is incredible, including a 42% shooting percentage from three-point range, and his size gives him mismatches over most other shooting guards (as well as gives him versatility to play small forward). While sometimes he has bad days shooting, all great shooters do, the 76ers would be much improved by taking Hood after already taking Jabari Parker in this draft. That would give them a very formidable starting rotation of Michael Carter-Williams, Rodney Hood, Jabari Parker, Thaddeus Young, and Nerlens Noel, who are all very young and talented, setting them up beautifully for the future.
12. Orlando Magic (via Denver Nuggets) - Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
If the Magic do end up going for Embiid with their first pick, they will likely look for a small forward with this pick. Tobias Harris is certainly a solid player, but Arron Afflalo and Victor Oladipo already have the two guard spots locked up, so reinforcing the small forward position makes sense. McDermott may not have the upside of other players in this draft, but he can certainly provide immediate production for a Magic team that may be back in the playoff hunt sooner than predicted.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves - Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
While it could be argued that the Timberwolves need more offense besides Kevin Love, the truth is that Love, the face of their franchise, will be departing either by trade this year or free agency next. They Wolves would be smart to put a plan in place to replace him, and since it would be impossible to do that with one player, if they can get a great defender and rebounder this year in Cauley-Stein, they could draft a more athletic power forward who can score next year, setting them up well for Love’s departure. Cauley-Stein averages 2.9 blocks per game and just under 7 rebounds per game, although he would most definitely get more if Julius Randle weren’t grabbing so many. Cauley-Stein would immediately improve the Wolves’ defense, and could eventually improve offensively with the right coaching.
14. Phoenix Suns - Clint Capela, SF/PF, Switzerland
The Suns are loaded with three picks in this years draft, so it makes sense that they might go international here, especially with Capella being as exciting a prospect as he is. He possesses incredible athleticism, and though he lacks a bit of polish, especially with his jump shot, his potential is endless. Though the Suns may have to wait a couple years until they truly reap the benefits of this pick, Capella could end up being a fantastic player for them, especially because small forward and power forward are two positions of need for the Suns.
15. Atlanta Hawks - James Young, SG/SF, Kentucky
The Hawks have been looking for a true scorer since they traded away Joe Johnson, and they could be getting a steal this late in the lottery with James Young. Young is extremely athletic and is at his best when penetrating, which gives him the opportunity to score a lot of points as well as use his passing skills (which are very good in their own right) to dish the ball out to the Hawks’ shooters like Kyle Korver to give them more opportunities. While not as good of a shooter as Joe Johnson yet, Young could be the next cornerstone of this Hawks franchise if he develops well (he is only 18) and continues to use his athletic ability to get the paint.
16. Chicago Bulls (via Charlotte Bobcats) - Zach LaVine, PG/SG, UCLA
Zach LaVine may be the most athletic player in this draft class - even more so than Andrew Wiggins. Teams won’t be too turned off by the fact that he doesn’t start for UCLA because he has two of the top guards in the country, Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams, in front of him. The Bulls are in desperate need of a shooting guard to take some pressure off of Derrick Rose, and Zach LaVine has the physical tools to develop into a star at the two guard.
17. Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards) - Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
Stauskas is an incredible shooter and could have gone even earlier in a different year. He is averaging an unreal 45.1% from beyond the three-point line, which is almost the same percentage as his actual shooting percentage (47.3). While the number of his total shooting percentage looks too low, it is hard for wing players to shoot for a very high percentage as they don’t penetrate and drive to the paint as much as others. The three-point percentage really stands out and shows what great potential Stauskas has, and that makes him exactly the type of player that the Suns are looking for and would love to draft here.
18. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) - Kyle Anderson, SG/SF, UCLA
Though Kyle Anderson will likely be drafted after his UCLA backcourt counterpart Zach LaVine, Anderson is probably the better player at the current moment. With an incredibly smooth jump shot and great ball handling and passing for a 6’9” player, Anderson is strangely reminiscent of former Celtic Paul Pierce. As the Celtics look to rebuild, they need to identify players that could be part of their core for years to come, and Anderson is one such player.
19. Chicago Bulls - Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
This is a steal for the Bulls here. Harrell has been nearly as good as Randle and Vonleh on the boards (8.4 rebounds per game) and added to his 14 points per game has almost been a double double machine. Since Randle and Vonleh went so high, Harrell logically should have as well, and therefore the Bulls would be absolutely ecstatic to land a big man who is athletic enough to score in the post but also rebound and play defense (as coach Tom Thibodeau loves).
20. Toronto Raptors - Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
Having just turned 19 years old, Hezonja is one of the youngest players in this draft class, so it understandable that he is not an entirely polished player yet. Though he has a very good mid-range and long-range jump shot and his physical tools are well above average, he still needs to work on his attitude, decision making, and ball handling. The Raptors have made a habit of drafting international players in recent years, so it would not be a surprise to see them pick him here and perhaps let him work on his game for a couple years in Europe before coming to the NBA.
21. Dallas Mavericks - Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Tyler Ennis is another player who, frankly, should have gone higher. However none of the teams that hold the mid-round picks really have a need at point guard. Therefore, the Mavericks would be overjoyed to have Ennis fall into their laps at #21. Ennis is a team leader who would make all of their players better due to his ability to pass the ball yet score when needed. Dirk Nowitzki would certainly love to have a point guard who can get him the ball quickly instead of controlling the ball a lot himself. Monta Ellis would also love to have a running-mate in the backcourt. Taking Ennis here would be the obvious move here for Dallas.
22. Memphis Grizzlies - T.J. Warren, SF, North Carolina State
If Warren had just managed to knock down a couple more free throws in NC State’s gut wrenching loss to Saint Louis (NC State lost 70-73 and Warren went 6 of 14 from the line) his stock would likely have risen four or five spots and he would have saved my bracket in the process. Unfortunately for him, that did not happen. However, where Warren is unfortunate, the Grizzlies are the opposite, as they will manage to pick up one of the most NBA ready players in the draft, who also happens to fill a positional need for the Grizzlies.
23. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors) - Jerami Grant, SF/PF, Syracuse
Grant is an explosive athlete who the Jazz would welcome with open arms after already selecting Marcus Smart earlier in this draft. With these two players, the team would be immediately more athletic and they would actually have a clear core of players whom they can build around for the future. Grant is a winner, and is a very good player all-around. However, he is at his best when running the floor and leaping for alley-oops (despite his smaller 6'8" height), which is where he would thrive on a team with Marcus Smart. This draft scenario is very promising for the Jazz, so they would be smart to take a similar approach.
24. Charlotte Bobcats (via Portland Trail Blazers) - P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends
Before Hairston was dismissed from North Carolina and before people realized how good this draft class was going to be, Hairston looked in line to become a top five pick. Obviously, things went downhill from there, but he has still managed to keep his name in the first round of most draft boards by dominating the D league this season. The Bobcats are desperate for a wing scorer, and Hairston, who is averaging 21.1 points per game for the Texas Legends, would be a perfect fit.
25. Houston Rockets - Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State
One of the only seniors that will be drafted in the first round this year, Payne is a very NBA ready prospect who will fit in well in a position of need with the Rockets. He could push them from contenders to favorites with his skill as a rebounder (7.3 per game) to take some pressure of Dwight Howard, a scorer (16.6 points per game), his athleticism, and surprising 43.8% three-point percentage. Payne is an all-around solid player who knows how to win and would be the perfect piece that the Rockets would love to add this late in the draft.
26. Miami Heat - Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
I am honestly clueless as to why Shabazz Napier is not going to be a higher pick in the NBA draft. My best guess is that there is a predisposed model as to what makes a good prospect: large frame and extremely athletic. Sure, Napier doesn’t exactly fit that model, but he has dominated the college game, so I don’t see why people continue to write him off as a great prospect. He is a lights out shooter, a fantastic passer, and even helps out on the boards, not to mention that he is extremely clutch and has a great attitude. The Miami Heat might be willing to take a relatively low-risk chance on a player like Napier, especially because they still don’t have a completely stable situation at the point guard position.
27. Los Angeles Clippers - K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson
The Clippers are really only lacking at the small forward position, yet are already good enough that their small forward can be a role player. McDaniels would fit in perfectly in that role, as he could use his very solid all-around game to help the team in bits when needed. He can score sometimes (17.2 points per game), rebound sometimes (7.1 rebounds per game), defend very well (2.8 blocks per game), and use his athleticism to drive to the rim or run the floor. Although his shooting is not great, the Clippers already have great shooters in Jamal Crawford and JJ Reddick, so they wouldn’t need McDaniels to be one. He would fit in very nicely with a Clippers team looking to make a run at a title.
28. Phoenix Suns (via Indiana Pacers) - Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia and Herzegovina
This is the Suns third pick in the first round, and even though they already drafted international with one of their previous picks, it seems as if they might go outside the states again here. Nurkic is a prospect with outrageous upside - at 6’11” and 280 pounds, he has one of the best frames in this draft class, and his post game is second to only Joel Embiid. However, there are questions about his attitude, dedication, and decision making that have caused some teams to turn their backs on him but have not deterred other suitors in the slightest. The Suns have no current staple at the center position, so Nurkic might be worth a try for the them, especially with the potential he provides.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
Early has played very consistently all season, although he has never been considered an elite prospect. As a senior he has developed his game so that he is now a very solid small forward and all-around player. He can score by using his athleticism (16.4 points per game), and sometimes go off from three-point range (37.5%). Lately, he has played so well in the NCAA tournament (23 points against Cal Poly and 31 against Kentucky) that his stock has probably moved up into the first round. The Thunder would love to have a solid role player at small-forward, so would welcome Early with this pick.
30. San Antonio Spurs - Nick Johnson, SG, Arizona
In my opinion, Nick Johnson has been one of the best players in college basketball this year. He has been the key player for one of the top teams in the country, and is able to perform on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. While he may be the best perimeter defender in all of college basketball, his offense is not far behind, as his outside shooting is great and he can get to the rim with ease. The Spurs, a team that puts great value on attitude and hard work, would be ecstatic if Johnson fell to them here, especially seeing as Manu Ginobili might not have too many more years in him.
2014 NBA Trade Deadline Review
The trade deadline has come and gone in the NBA, and despite the lack of a major star being dealt, such as Rajon Rondo, many teams still managed to improve either for this season or for the future. Here are the major deals of deadline and grades for the teams that made them:
Trade #1
Indiana Pacers Acquire:
Evan Turner, G/F
Lavoy Allen, F
Philadelphia 76ers Acquire:
Danny Granger, F
This was quite a shock for Pacers fans, as little as two years ago Danny Granger was the franchise. But after his year-long injury in 2012-13, he has been replaced by Paul George as the star of the Pacers. Now, he was expected to be a major role player as a sixth man for the Pacers as they hope to forge deep into the playoffs, and at 30 years old, has been a mentor and leader to many of the younger guys on the team. Turner, on the other hand, would most likely leave via free agency after this season, so the Sixers were hoping to get something for him before then. However, they seemed to have realized there was not a big market for him, so decided to settle for making their team even worse for the stretch run, in hopes of landing the #1 overall pick. The accomplished just that, while the Pacers added a guy who can score in volumes when needed, is more explosive than the much older Granger, and is a versatile player for a team with not much depth off the bench. It is a risk for Indiana though, because Turner had the tendency to disappear with Philly, even when the go-to-guy there. They have to hope Turner can play much more consistently down the stretch for them than he has throughout his career with the Sixers.
Pacers Grade: B
Sixers Grade: B+
Trade #2
Brooklyn Nets Acquire:
Marcus Thornton, G
Sacramento Kings Acquire:
Jason Terry, G
Reggie Evans, F
At only 26 years old, Marcus Thornton is a huge upgrade at backup guard over Jason Terry for the Nets. A tandem of Thornton and Kirilenko off the bench could be dynamic for a Brooklyn team rising in the standings and hoping to make a deep playoff run. Thornton is only averaging 8.3 PPG this year, but his career total is 13.5, and that fall off has to do with his diminished role with the Kings since they drafted Ben McLemore. With a new opportunity and a talented team around him his explosiveness could return quickly. Jason Terry has been a huge disappointment, only scoring 4.5 per game. The Nets thought they could be getting a "JET" off the bench when they got him in the deal with Pierce and Garnett, but as the Nets struggled out of the gate, so did he, except as they improved he didn't. The Nets made a good decision to make an upgrade at a vital position, and they only needed to give up Reggie Evans, who has been terrible in terms of offensive production off the bench (2.7 PPG) and only average in terms of rebounding (5.0 RPG). The Kings received pretty much just made themselves worse with this trade, which could help them in their lottery standing, but is completely contradictory to the trade they made earlier this year for Rudy Gay. The Kings are a troubled franchise, and it only got worse with this trade, while the Nets took a low risk opportunity to improve their bench that has disappointed the entire year.
Nets Grade: A-
Kings Grade: C+
Trade #3
Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire:
Spencer Hawes, C
Philadelphia 76ers Acquire:
Henry Sims, C
Earl Clark, F
2 Second-Round Draft Picks
Spencer Hawes has been having a break-out season, with 12.9 PPG and 8.6 RPG, but apparently the Sixers did not feel he would factor into their future plans. To me it is surprising, because he is versatile and can shoot from the outside, that they could not get a 1st round pick for him. However, they decided to settle for 2 second-rounders, which is a solid haul for a player that everyone seems to underrate, except they will probably not make much out of those picks or the players they got as well. They true purpose for this deal was, like the Evan Turner trade, to get worse and have a better chance at the #1 pick. The Cavs, on the other hand, find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in an incredibly weak Eastern Conference, so adding a player like Hawes off the bench might make them advance a bit farther into the playoffs. However, there is little to no chance that they make it past the Pacers or Heat, so they are likely a second round exit or even earlier. That is not good for the Cavs franchise, and where the Atlanta Hawks have been for the past few years: stuck in the middle. They have to bank on the development on their young players and free agency going forward.
Cavs Grade: B+
Sixers Grade: B
Trade #4
Washington Wizards Acquire:
Andre Miller, G
Denver Nuggets Acquire:
Jan Vesely, F
Philadelphia 76ers Acquire:
Eric Maynor, G
2 Second-Round Draft Picks
The Wizards are in the same position as the Cavs, so they could make a run at the playoffs but are no way good enough to get past the first or maybe the second round. In Miller they acquire an older backup point guard who could instill valuable experience onto the young Wizards roster come playoff time, especially John Wall and Bradley Beal. He has been a disappointment this year, with only 5.9 PPG and 3.3 APG, but this is really more of a depth move for the Wizards with the chance of playing much better with more playing time. The Sixers just keep raking in the draft picks, and could eventually package a bunch together to make things happen with all the picks they have the next few years. They gave up nothing to get the Wizards what they wanted, and got 2 picks out of the deal. The Nuggets wanted to dump Miller's salary, and since he hasn't played well anyway, they gave up little to get a little less plus some cap relief. This deal didn't do much for them, the Wizards gave up a fair amount to get a solid backup, and the Sixers gave up almost nothing to add to their major stock of draft picks. Philly has been very active in trades the last few days, and this is one of them that brings in much more in returns than they gave up.
Wizards Grade: B+
Nuggets Grade: B
Sixers Grade: A
Now, there were certainly other deals this trade deadline, but these four are likely to make the largest impacts going forward for all the teams involved. Of course, all of the big-time rumors never panned out, but it was a little surprising to not see the Boston Celtics make any trades, considering position where they many talented players that don't fit well together, and are looking stockpile picks for the future. The Sixers had a very good deadline, perhaps in the same fashion as the Celtics would have liked to, and seem to be the winners of deadline day at this point. They got rid of salary, gained picks, and got worse, which, in this season of tank-a-palooza, is crucial since they, like so many other teams, have the goal of getting the #1 pick.
Trade #1
Indiana Pacers Acquire:
Evan Turner, G/F
Lavoy Allen, F
Philadelphia 76ers Acquire:
Danny Granger, F
This was quite a shock for Pacers fans, as little as two years ago Danny Granger was the franchise. But after his year-long injury in 2012-13, he has been replaced by Paul George as the star of the Pacers. Now, he was expected to be a major role player as a sixth man for the Pacers as they hope to forge deep into the playoffs, and at 30 years old, has been a mentor and leader to many of the younger guys on the team. Turner, on the other hand, would most likely leave via free agency after this season, so the Sixers were hoping to get something for him before then. However, they seemed to have realized there was not a big market for him, so decided to settle for making their team even worse for the stretch run, in hopes of landing the #1 overall pick. The accomplished just that, while the Pacers added a guy who can score in volumes when needed, is more explosive than the much older Granger, and is a versatile player for a team with not much depth off the bench. It is a risk for Indiana though, because Turner had the tendency to disappear with Philly, even when the go-to-guy there. They have to hope Turner can play much more consistently down the stretch for them than he has throughout his career with the Sixers.
Pacers Grade: BSixers Grade: B+
Trade #2
Brooklyn Nets Acquire:
Marcus Thornton, G
Sacramento Kings Acquire:
Jason Terry, G
Reggie Evans, F
At only 26 years old, Marcus Thornton is a huge upgrade at backup guard over Jason Terry for the Nets. A tandem of Thornton and Kirilenko off the bench could be dynamic for a Brooklyn team rising in the standings and hoping to make a deep playoff run. Thornton is only averaging 8.3 PPG this year, but his career total is 13.5, and that fall off has to do with his diminished role with the Kings since they drafted Ben McLemore. With a new opportunity and a talented team around him his explosiveness could return quickly. Jason Terry has been a huge disappointment, only scoring 4.5 per game. The Nets thought they could be getting a "JET" off the bench when they got him in the deal with Pierce and Garnett, but as the Nets struggled out of the gate, so did he, except as they improved he didn't. The Nets made a good decision to make an upgrade at a vital position, and they only needed to give up Reggie Evans, who has been terrible in terms of offensive production off the bench (2.7 PPG) and only average in terms of rebounding (5.0 RPG). The Kings received pretty much just made themselves worse with this trade, which could help them in their lottery standing, but is completely contradictory to the trade they made earlier this year for Rudy Gay. The Kings are a troubled franchise, and it only got worse with this trade, while the Nets took a low risk opportunity to improve their bench that has disappointed the entire year.
Nets Grade: A-
Kings Grade: C+
Trade #3
Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire:
Spencer Hawes, C
Philadelphia 76ers Acquire:
Henry Sims, C
Earl Clark, F
2 Second-Round Draft Picks
Spencer Hawes has been having a break-out season, with 12.9 PPG and 8.6 RPG, but apparently the Sixers did not feel he would factor into their future plans. To me it is surprising, because he is versatile and can shoot from the outside, that they could not get a 1st round pick for him. However, they decided to settle for 2 second-rounders, which is a solid haul for a player that everyone seems to underrate, except they will probably not make much out of those picks or the players they got as well. They true purpose for this deal was, like the Evan Turner trade, to get worse and have a better chance at the #1 pick. The Cavs, on the other hand, find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in an incredibly weak Eastern Conference, so adding a player like Hawes off the bench might make them advance a bit farther into the playoffs. However, there is little to no chance that they make it past the Pacers or Heat, so they are likely a second round exit or even earlier. That is not good for the Cavs franchise, and where the Atlanta Hawks have been for the past few years: stuck in the middle. They have to bank on the development on their young players and free agency going forward.
Cavs Grade: B+
Sixers Grade: BTrade #4
Washington Wizards Acquire:
Andre Miller, G
Denver Nuggets Acquire:
Jan Vesely, F
Philadelphia 76ers Acquire:
Eric Maynor, G
2 Second-Round Draft Picks
The Wizards are in the same position as the Cavs, so they could make a run at the playoffs but are no way good enough to get past the first or maybe the second round. In Miller they acquire an older backup point guard who could instill valuable experience onto the young Wizards roster come playoff time, especially John Wall and Bradley Beal. He has been a disappointment this year, with only 5.9 PPG and 3.3 APG, but this is really more of a depth move for the Wizards with the chance of playing much better with more playing time. The Sixers just keep raking in the draft picks, and could eventually package a bunch together to make things happen with all the picks they have the next few years. They gave up nothing to get the Wizards what they wanted, and got 2 picks out of the deal. The Nuggets wanted to dump Miller's salary, and since he hasn't played well anyway, they gave up little to get a little less plus some cap relief. This deal didn't do much for them, the Wizards gave up a fair amount to get a solid backup, and the Sixers gave up almost nothing to add to their major stock of draft picks. Philly has been very active in trades the last few days, and this is one of them that brings in much more in returns than they gave up.
Wizards Grade: B+
Nuggets Grade: B
Sixers Grade: A
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #16 & #15
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
16/15. Kobe Bryant/LeBron James
Double the wait comes with double the reward. These two players both warrant one spot, because although their tattoos are not too plentiful or outlandish, but they both have a signature tattoo that can be classified as ridiculous. Obviously, Kobe and LeBron are two of the best players in this generation, and are up there in terms of greatest ever. They also huge egos. To be fair, it is probably impossible to be so famous and so rich as those two are and to not have a pretty big ego, but that is why guys like Tim Duncan, who don't flaunt their greatness, are so respected. But I mean, look at their tattoos.
First of all is Kobe's "Vanessa" tattoo, with his wife's hair and outline of her upper body under, yes, a halo. Then there is a crown above Vanessa, but it is unclear if it goes with the tattoo below, saying that his wife is a queen, or if it is supposed to stand alone to let the entire world know that he is king. Whichever it is, I think everybody would be better served if he wore long sleeve shirts and so we couldn't see his right arm.
Now for LeBron, who at least has his covered up most of the time. But when you look at it, it doesn't even matter where it is. Just the fact that he has "CHOSEN 1" across his back is bad enough. Not to mention that it looks like LeBron's tattoo artist just ran out of room at the end of "CHOSEN" so just threw in the "1" instead of "ONE." LeBron's tattoo did result in some humor though, when Anderson Varejao (back when LeBron was in Cleveland) put "CHOSEN 2" on his back.
All in all, these two have egos that, whether or not they ever diminish (doubtful, of course), will live on forever in their tattoos, which warrants them these spots on this list.
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
16/15. Kobe Bryant/LeBron James
Double the wait comes with double the reward. These two players both warrant one spot, because although their tattoos are not too plentiful or outlandish, but they both have a signature tattoo that can be classified as ridiculous. Obviously, Kobe and LeBron are two of the best players in this generation, and are up there in terms of greatest ever. They also huge egos. To be fair, it is probably impossible to be so famous and so rich as those two are and to not have a pretty big ego, but that is why guys like Tim Duncan, who don't flaunt their greatness, are so respected. But I mean, look at their tattoos.
First of all is Kobe's "Vanessa" tattoo, with his wife's hair and outline of her upper body under, yes, a halo. Then there is a crown above Vanessa, but it is unclear if it goes with the tattoo below, saying that his wife is a queen, or if it is supposed to stand alone to let the entire world know that he is king. Whichever it is, I think everybody would be better served if he wore long sleeve shirts and so we couldn't see his right arm.
Now for LeBron, who at least has his covered up most of the time. But when you look at it, it doesn't even matter where it is. Just the fact that he has "CHOSEN 1" across his back is bad enough. Not to mention that it looks like LeBron's tattoo artist just ran out of room at the end of "CHOSEN" so just threw in the "1" instead of "ONE." LeBron's tattoo did result in some humor though, when Anderson Varejao (back when LeBron was in Cleveland) put "CHOSEN 2" on his back.
All in all, these two have egos that, whether or not they ever diminish (doubtful, of course), will live on forever in their tattoos, which warrants them these spots on this list.
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| Queen Vanessa or King Kobe? |
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| An Eternal Ego |
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| I bet LeBrown is Scowling Inside |
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #17
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was obviously a great player, and one of only a few players to have played for the same team for his entire career. Miller played 17 seasons for the Pacers. Incredible. At first glance, you would never expect him to have any tattoos, let alone one in the oddest of places that makes absolutely no sense. There is only one picture of Reggie Miller, because he only has one tattoo (well, let's hope he only has one). Therefore, his one tattoo must be pretty awful in order to make it onto this. Oh, it is. It sort of looks like he tried to fashion his belly button as the face of a lion, with pretty large mane around it. Or maybe he wanted a permanent bellybutton ring that someone goes around the actual bellybutton. No matter what what his plan was, to get a tattoo as awkward and terrible as the one he has (and to flaunt in the way he seems to be doing in the picture), Reggie Miller has to be either out of his mind, or the loser of a bet. Whichever the answer is, I feel for the guy. That is one nasty tattoo.
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson
17. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller was obviously a great player, and one of only a few players to have played for the same team for his entire career. Miller played 17 seasons for the Pacers. Incredible. At first glance, you would never expect him to have any tattoos, let alone one in the oddest of places that makes absolutely no sense. There is only one picture of Reggie Miller, because he only has one tattoo (well, let's hope he only has one). Therefore, his one tattoo must be pretty awful in order to make it onto this. Oh, it is. It sort of looks like he tried to fashion his belly button as the face of a lion, with pretty large mane around it. Or maybe he wanted a permanent bellybutton ring that someone goes around the actual bellybutton. No matter what what his plan was, to get a tattoo as awkward and terrible as the one he has (and to flaunt in the way he seems to be doing in the picture), Reggie Miller has to be either out of his mind, or the loser of a bet. Whichever the answer is, I feel for the guy. That is one nasty tattoo.
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| No Comment. |
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #18
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson:
Allen Iverson was a great NBA player, averaging over 26 points per game over his entire career. That is pretty amazing, but Iverson's greatness on the court came with a huge ego off the court. His tattoos exemplify his personality amazingly, for example the one on his back that says "FAME" with subtext of "F@#!? All My Enemies." The thing is, he was probably completely serious when he decided to get that one. Another prime example of Iverson's egotism is the blatant "MONEY BAGZ" on the back of his left hand. He wants people to see it. He loves the attention. Just look at his face, which is the same in every picture. Allen Iverson has tried to build his reputation as a tough guy, but it is, frankly, hard to take the guy seriously because his tattoos are a joke (just look at the other pictures!).
19. Matt Barnes
18. Allen Iverson:
Allen Iverson was a great NBA player, averaging over 26 points per game over his entire career. That is pretty amazing, but Iverson's greatness on the court came with a huge ego off the court. His tattoos exemplify his personality amazingly, for example the one on his back that says "FAME" with subtext of "F@#!? All My Enemies." The thing is, he was probably completely serious when he decided to get that one. Another prime example of Iverson's egotism is the blatant "MONEY BAGZ" on the back of his left hand. He wants people to see it. He loves the attention. Just look at his face, which is the same in every picture. Allen Iverson has tried to build his reputation as a tough guy, but it is, frankly, hard to take the guy seriously because his tattoos are a joke (just look at the other pictures!).
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| Allen Iverson Looking Real Cool |
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| Iverson Deep in Though - About Bagz of Money |
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| Allen Iverson's Clever Acronym |
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| Iverson Trying to Copy the Face of the Skull on His Arm |
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #19
20. Stephon Marbury
19. Matt Barnes:
Since Matt Barnes entered the NBA in 2003, he has played for 9 teams. He has occasionally been effective off the bench, but has been mostly known for his "character issues" and uncontrollable temper. Well, just from looking at his face in the last picture, you can tell that he might not be the most constructive member of a locker room, maybe playing a part in his inability to stick with one team. However, I would not be surprised if all 9 teams just got sick of his tattoos. The praying hands with the word "Believe" smack on the side of his neck. The conspicuous Rolling Stones tongue tattoo in full blown color that the entire world can see every time he takes a shot. The numerous angels on his front, random quotes fill in every open space. These all combine to make a pretty bad collage of tattoos for Barnes. But maybe the most scary part, once again judging by his face in the last picture, is the many many more tattoos he is likely to get.
19. Matt Barnes:
Since Matt Barnes entered the NBA in 2003, he has played for 9 teams. He has occasionally been effective off the bench, but has been mostly known for his "character issues" and uncontrollable temper. Well, just from looking at his face in the last picture, you can tell that he might not be the most constructive member of a locker room, maybe playing a part in his inability to stick with one team. However, I would not be surprised if all 9 teams just got sick of his tattoos. The praying hands with the word "Believe" smack on the side of his neck. The conspicuous Rolling Stones tongue tattoo in full blown color that the entire world can see every time he takes a shot. The numerous angels on his front, random quotes fill in every open space. These all combine to make a pretty bad collage of tattoos for Barnes. But maybe the most scary part, once again judging by his face in the last picture, is the many many more tattoos he is likely to get.
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| The Rolling Stones |
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| Praying Hands |
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| Matt Barnes Before With a Lot of Tattoos - But He Would Add More |
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| Matt Barnes Adding More |
Worst Tattoos in the NBA, Past and Present: #20
Welcome to the first installment of "Worst Tattoos in the NBA." First of all, there are so many bad ones, that it was really hard to come up with this list, especially its order. Nevertheless, a new post each day will contain another player(s) and his/their horrendous tattoos. A link to each of the previous posts will be provided as well. I hope you all enjoy cringing at these tattoos and criticizing my rankings!
20. Stephon Marbury:
Marbury played for five franchises in the Timberwolves, Nets, Suns, Knicks, and Celtics, but was most known, especially later in his career, for the half-star tattoo smack on the side of his fully-bald head. To be honest, it looks horrendous, but he probably likes having people stare and gawk at his head wherever he goes. Marbury also appears to be sporting some type of ribbon or chain wrapped around his left arm. Unless he was going for the ex-convict look (which is entirely possible), he might experience second thoughts on that one sooner rather than later. To top it off, he has his own name written on his right shoulder, some Chinese characters and the word "CHINA" on that same left arm that is in bondage from the chains, and some other words in pictures filling out his arms and neck. All in all, Marbury's tattoos are not the worst in the NBA, but they are still pretty bad.
20. Stephon Marbury:
Marbury played for five franchises in the Timberwolves, Nets, Suns, Knicks, and Celtics, but was most known, especially later in his career, for the half-star tattoo smack on the side of his fully-bald head. To be honest, it looks horrendous, but he probably likes having people stare and gawk at his head wherever he goes. Marbury also appears to be sporting some type of ribbon or chain wrapped around his left arm. Unless he was going for the ex-convict look (which is entirely possible), he might experience second thoughts on that one sooner rather than later. To top it off, he has his own name written on his right shoulder, some Chinese characters and the word "CHINA" on that same left arm that is in bondage from the chains, and some other words in pictures filling out his arms and neck. All in all, Marbury's tattoos are not the worst in the NBA, but they are still pretty bad.
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| His Chinese Right Arm in Bondage |
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| The Infamous Demented Star |
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| His Tattoos in Action |
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| Marbury Looking Thrilled with all his Tattoos |
2013 NBA Christmas Day Preview
The NBA's tradition of Christmas Day games continues this year with an onslaught of great games from noon to night. Here is a preview of each one (all times are in Eastern Standard Time):
Chicago Bulls (10-16) at Brooklyn Nets (9-18), 12:00 pm
Both teams enter this matchup having performed well below expectations, as both were supposed to contend with the Heat and Pacers at the top of the Eastern Conference. However, neither currently hold a playoff spot in the incredibly weak East, and don't seem to be improvin
g much because their frustration and desperation have impeded their progress. In terms of this game, Chicago is the much better defensive team, allowing 93.3 ppg (2nd best in the league) to Brooklyn's 102.6, but the Nets are scoring 97.6 ppg to the Bulls' 91.8 (worst in the league), although both are in the bottom third of the league in that category. Chicago is clearly not the same without Derrick Rose, and now have nobody to match up with Deron Williams, while Brooklyn has lost Brook Lopez and now have few answers for Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. My prediction is that the Bulls' stingy defense will halt the Nets who will continue to grow more flustered with their situation, and by the end of the game, although he may say otherwise, Jason Kidd will be wishing he had never taken the job as coach of the Nets.
Prediction: Bulls 94, Nets 75
Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5) at New York Knicks (9-18), 2:30 pm
The Thunder have the fourth-highest point differential in the league (+7.1) while the Knicks are a -2.9. Carmelo Anthony is out while the Thunder have two of the most explosive players in the league in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. None of this adds up to good things for New York, except for one thing that could give the Knicks a glimmer of hope: they are very good at securing the basketball, committing only 11.8 turnovers per game (lowest in the league) while OKC commits an average of 16.0 (fourth-highest in the league). The Knicks could surprisingly make this game interesting, also because of the improved shot selection that they are sure to have with Anthony sidelined. Their players should take more high-percentage shots (except for Andrea Bargnani...) which would certainly come as a surprise to the possibly-complacent Thunder, causing the game to be closer than expected.
Prediction: Thunder 110, Knicks 106 (OT)
Miami Heat (21-6) at Los Angeles Lakers (13-15), 5:00 pm
The Lakers are always the center of a huge controversial story or scandal, but no one will be talking about them after the Heat thrash them on Christmas. Miami has a point differential of +7.8 (tied for second highest in the league) to LA's -3.9, and the Heat force 17.3 turnovers per game (most in the league) while the Lakers only force 13.3 (third-worst in the league). The Lakers are becoming less and less motivated to play for Mike D'Antoni, and will, frankly, just fail to show up against the defending champions. With Kobe Bryant out, the Lakers have nobody to even come close to matching LeBron, who might score between 30-40 points in this game, even with the extra rest that he should receive in the fourth quarter. The Lakers are too old to run with the Heat, and are in for a rough day.
Prediction: Miami 107, LA 81
Houston Rockets (18-11) at San Antonio Spurs (22-6), 8:00 pm
The Rockets and Spurs are both top teams in the Western Conference, but the difference between them has to do with execution. The Spurs are more polished around the edges and clearly more experienced for the big moments, while the Rockets have more pure talent but lack ball security (16.4 turnovers committed per game, thi
rd-worst in the league) and are weak in certain specific areas of the game (James Harden's poor shot selection and Dwight Howard's inability to shoot free throws are examples). This game will be close, as is every game for the Rockets, and although the Spurs may win 8 times out of 10, this might be one of the times when Harden's pure scoring ability and Howard's incredible rebounding ability triumph over Greg Popovich's well-coached and refined game plan. The game should be close, but the Spur's execution in big moments won't matter when all is said and done, as Harden will hit a couple of big shots to quell San Antonio's comeback, scoring about 25-35 in total while Howard grabs rebounds into the high teens.
Prediction: Rockets 98, Spurs 92
Los Angeles Clippers (20-9) at Golden State Warriors (18-13), 10:30 pm
The Clippers go as Chris Paul goes, and the Warriors go as Stephen Curry goes. However, the Warriors rely more on their incredible 3-point shooting (40.3%, second-highest in the league) than anything else, so if they are hitting shots from behind the arc, then they will win most of their games. However, the Clippers, under defensive-minded Doc Rivers, are allowing the lowest 3-point percent
age to opponents in the league (32.0%). The question here is if defense will prevail over offenses, and in most cases it is more likely that the 3-point shooters are able to restrained, which would spell trouble for the Warriors. The Clippers, on the other hand, have multiple ways to score, whether its Chris Paul's shooting or penetration, DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin's low post work, or JJ Redick's 3-point shooting, they should be able capitalize on the Warrior's misses from long range, and take the victory in a hard fought battle between teams that could meet up in the playoffs.
Prediction: Clippers 101, Warriors 90
Chicago Bulls (10-16) at Brooklyn Nets (9-18), 12:00 pm
Both teams enter this matchup having performed well below expectations, as both were supposed to contend with the Heat and Pacers at the top of the Eastern Conference. However, neither currently hold a playoff spot in the incredibly weak East, and don't seem to be improving much because their frustration and desperation have impeded their progress. In terms of this game, Chicago is the much better defensive team, allowing 93.3 ppg (2nd best in the league) to Brooklyn's 102.6, but the Nets are scoring 97.6 ppg to the Bulls' 91.8 (worst in the league), although both are in the bottom third of the league in that category. Chicago is clearly not the same without Derrick Rose, and now have nobody to match up with Deron Williams, while Brooklyn has lost Brook Lopez and now have few answers for Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. My prediction is that the Bulls' stingy defense will halt the Nets who will continue to grow more flustered with their situation, and by the end of the game, although he may say otherwise, Jason Kidd will be wishing he had never taken the job as coach of the Nets.
Prediction: Bulls 94, Nets 75
Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5) at New York Knicks (9-18), 2:30 pm
The Thunder have the fourth-highest point differential in the league (+7.1) while the Knicks are a -2.9. Carmelo Anthony is out while the Thunder have two of the most explosive players in the league in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. None of this adds up to good things for New York, except for one thing that could give the Knicks a glimmer of hope: they are very good at securing the basketball, committing only 11.8 turnovers per game (lowest in the league) while OKC commits an average of 16.0 (fourth-highest in the league). The Knicks could surprisingly make this game interesting, also because of the improved shot selection that they are sure to have with Anthony sidelined. Their players should take more high-percentage shots (except for Andrea Bargnani...) which would certainly come as a surprise to the possibly-complacent Thunder, causing the game to be closer than expected.Prediction: Thunder 110, Knicks 106 (OT)
Miami Heat (21-6) at Los Angeles Lakers (13-15), 5:00 pm
The Lakers are always the center of a huge controversial story or scandal, but no one will be talking about them after the Heat thrash them on Christmas. Miami has a point differential of +7.8 (tied for second highest in the league) to LA's -3.9, and the Heat force 17.3 turnovers per game (most in the league) while the Lakers only force 13.3 (third-worst in the league). The Lakers are becoming less and less motivated to play for Mike D'Antoni, and will, frankly, just fail to show up against the defending champions. With Kobe Bryant out, the Lakers have nobody to even come close to matching LeBron, who might score between 30-40 points in this game, even with the extra rest that he should receive in the fourth quarter. The Lakers are too old to run with the Heat, and are in for a rough day.Prediction: Miami 107, LA 81
Houston Rockets (18-11) at San Antonio Spurs (22-6), 8:00 pm
The Rockets and Spurs are both top teams in the Western Conference, but the difference between them has to do with execution. The Spurs are more polished around the edges and clearly more experienced for the big moments, while the Rockets have more pure talent but lack ball security (16.4 turnovers committed per game, third-worst in the league) and are weak in certain specific areas of the game (James Harden's poor shot selection and Dwight Howard's inability to shoot free throws are examples). This game will be close, as is every game for the Rockets, and although the Spurs may win 8 times out of 10, this might be one of the times when Harden's pure scoring ability and Howard's incredible rebounding ability triumph over Greg Popovich's well-coached and refined game plan. The game should be close, but the Spur's execution in big moments won't matter when all is said and done, as Harden will hit a couple of big shots to quell San Antonio's comeback, scoring about 25-35 in total while Howard grabs rebounds into the high teens.
Prediction: Rockets 98, Spurs 92
Los Angeles Clippers (20-9) at Golden State Warriors (18-13), 10:30 pm
The Clippers go as Chris Paul goes, and the Warriors go as Stephen Curry goes. However, the Warriors rely more on their incredible 3-point shooting (40.3%, second-highest in the league) than anything else, so if they are hitting shots from behind the arc, then they will win most of their games. However, the Clippers, under defensive-minded Doc Rivers, are allowing the lowest 3-point percentage to opponents in the league (32.0%). The question here is if defense will prevail over offenses, and in most cases it is more likely that the 3-point shooters are able to restrained, which would spell trouble for the Warriors. The Clippers, on the other hand, have multiple ways to score, whether its Chris Paul's shooting or penetration, DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin's low post work, or JJ Redick's 3-point shooting, they should be able capitalize on the Warrior's misses from long range, and take the victory in a hard fought battle between teams that could meet up in the playoffs.
Prediction: Clippers 101, Warriors 90
2014 NBA Mock Draft #1
This first Mock Draft of the season is obviously premature, but no matter was fun to put together and speculate on where the nation's top college talent will end up. The order is based solely on the standings from right now and does not take into account the unpredictability of the lottery, so it is clearly not the same as it will be at year's end. Here it goes:
1. Milwaukee Bucks - Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
The Bucks desperately need scoring, so they go ahead and take the most athletically-gifted scoring machine in the draft. Combine with their other freaks-of-nature in Larry Sanders and John Henson, the Bucks will have a great core for the future.
2. Utah Jazz - Andrew Wiggins, SG, Kansas
Wiggins has had an up-and-down season, but there is no way the Jazz pass up who some had called the best prospect since LeBron. He will greatly improve their team overall, and get them off to a great start toward becoming relevant again.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
The Sixers are smart enough to know that the only way to compete with the Heat and Pacers in the East is to have a good center to hold down the paint. Embiid is by far the best in the draft and he will be everything and much more than the Sixers were hoping to get when they traded for Andrew Bynum last year.
4. Orlando Magic - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Magic know how to tank. They have a great young core, and adding Randle to the mix might even propel them to a high playoff seed next year. He is that good, a much better version of Josh Smith, for he can shoot from anywhere on the floor and rebound extremely well.
5. Sacramento Kings - Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
Smart could pair with Isaiah Thomas in the backcourt and become a dynamic duo for the Kings. Smart can score prolifically and with his size could create many mismatches for opposing teams to defend.
6. Denver Nuggets (from Knicks - C. Anthony trade) - Aaron Gordon, SF/PF Arizona
The Nuggets were successful last year with a good SF in Andre Iguodala, so the versatile Gordon would be a much needed improvement to their defensive and ability to run the floor. He has the potential to finally reward the Nuggets for trading Carmelo Anthony back in 2011.
7. Atlanta Hawks (from Nets - J. Johnson trade) - Dante Exum, PG, Australia
While it is hard to project foreign prospects, Exum has the size and scoring ability that could translate directly to the NBA. A huge upgrade from Jeff Teague, Exum will propel the Hawks into the upper ranks of the Eastern Conference.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
The Cavaliers need a SF, and could be getting a steal in the little-known Saric. He has the all-around ability that would complement Kyrie Irving well, and if the Cavs are able to haul in a major free agent they could contend in the East next year.
9. Chicago Bulls - Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
The Bulls have shown of late they cannot survive without Derrick Rose, so they have to do everything they can to find a replacement for the often-injured point guard. LaVine fits the bill, as he has hight and scoring ability like Rose, and with the talent on the Bulls, would rack up a lot of assists as well.
10. Memphis Grizzlies - James Young, SF, Kentucky
Young is a shooter, and a good one at that, especially from 3-point range. Drafting him would give the Grizzlies the ability to swap him in for Tony Allen when in need of more scoring, but use Allen when a defensive upgrade is needed, giving them the flexibility that they are lacking because they are a too defensive-minded team.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pelicans - J. Holiday trade) - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
Vonleh has the scoring and rebounding ability as Julius Randle, although Vonleh's shot is not nearly as good. However, he could be the steal of the draft for the Sixers and pairing him with Embiid and Nerlens Noel to go along with Michael Carter-Williams, the Sixers will be we'll on their way to contending in the East.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves - Rodney Hood, SG, Duke
The Timberwolves need a SG, and already with a pass-first point guard in Ricky Rubio and a rebounding machine in Kevin Love, a 3-point specialist in Hood would really round out their team and give them a greater chance against the very strong Western Conference.
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13. Los Angeles Lakers - Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
The Lakers probably never thought they would be in the lottery with the core they have, but they have to face the fact that their older players are not who they once were. Harrell would be a great replacement for Pao Gasol, for he takes high-percentage shots and is a very effective rebounder.
14. Utah Jazz (from Warriors - A. Iguodala trade) -Chris Walker, SF, Florida
The Jazz are sitting pretty with two lottery picks, and although this one is at the end of the lottery it could end up being a steal. Walker has been injured for the whole season up to this point, so he is hard to project, but his athleticism is exactly what the Jazz need and could be an incredibly dynamic pairing with Wiggins for a long time.
15. Boston Celtics - Andrew Harrison, PG, Kentucky
16. Charlotte Bobcats (from Pistons - B. Gordon trade) - Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
17. Chicago Bulls (from Bobcats - T. Thomas trade) - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
18. Phoenix Suns (from Wizards - M. Gortat trade) - Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
19. Orlando Magic (from Nuggets - D. Howard trade) - Wayne Selden Jr, SG, Kansas
20. Dallas Mavericks - Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
21. Phoenix Suns - Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
22. Houston Rockets - Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
23. Toronto Raptors - Adreian Payne, PF/C, Michigan State
24. Boston Celtics - (from Nets through Hawks - P. Pierce trade) - Glenn Robinson III, SF, Michigan
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan
26. San Antonio Spurs - Spencer Dinwiddie, SG, Colorado
27. Miami Heat - Jahii Carson, PG, Arizona State
28. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jabari Bird, SG, Cal
29. Phoenix Suns (from Pacers - L. Scola trade) - Jordan Adams, SG, UCLA
30. Charlotte Bobcats (from Trail Blazers - G. Wallace trade) - Brandon Ashley, SF, Arizona
1. Milwaukee Bucks - Jabari Parker, SF, DukeThe Bucks desperately need scoring, so they go ahead and take the most athletically-gifted scoring machine in the draft. Combine with their other freaks-of-nature in Larry Sanders and John Henson, the Bucks will have a great core for the future.
2. Utah Jazz - Andrew Wiggins, SG, Kansas
Wiggins has had an up-and-down season, but there is no way the Jazz pass up who some had called the best prospect since LeBron. He will greatly improve their team overall, and get them off to a great start toward becoming relevant again.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
The Sixers are smart enough to know that the only way to compete with the Heat and Pacers in the East is to have a good center to hold down the paint. Embiid is by far the best in the draft and he will be everything and much more than the Sixers were hoping to get when they traded for Andrew Bynum last year.
4. Orlando Magic - Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Magic know how to tank. They have a great young core, and adding Randle to the mix might even propel them to a high playoff seed next year. He is that good, a much better version of Josh Smith, for he can shoot from anywhere on the floor and rebound extremely well.
5. Sacramento Kings - Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
Smart could pair with Isaiah Thomas in the backcourt and become a dynamic duo for the Kings. Smart can score prolifically and with his size could create many mismatches for opposing teams to defend.
6. Denver Nuggets (from Knicks - C. Anthony trade) - Aaron Gordon, SF/PF Arizona
The Nuggets were successful last year with a good SF in Andre Iguodala, so the versatile Gordon would be a much needed improvement to their defensive and ability to run the floor. He has the potential to finally reward the Nuggets for trading Carmelo Anthony back in 2011.
7. Atlanta Hawks (from Nets - J. Johnson trade) - Dante Exum, PG, AustraliaWhile it is hard to project foreign prospects, Exum has the size and scoring ability that could translate directly to the NBA. A huge upgrade from Jeff Teague, Exum will propel the Hawks into the upper ranks of the Eastern Conference.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
The Cavaliers need a SF, and could be getting a steal in the little-known Saric. He has the all-around ability that would complement Kyrie Irving well, and if the Cavs are able to haul in a major free agent they could contend in the East next year.
9. Chicago Bulls - Zach LaVine, PG, UCLA
The Bulls have shown of late they cannot survive without Derrick Rose, so they have to do everything they can to find a replacement for the often-injured point guard. LaVine fits the bill, as he has hight and scoring ability like Rose, and with the talent on the Bulls, would rack up a lot of assists as well.
10. Memphis Grizzlies - James Young, SF, Kentucky
Young is a shooter, and a good one at that, especially from 3-point range. Drafting him would give the Grizzlies the ability to swap him in for Tony Allen when in need of more scoring, but use Allen when a defensive upgrade is needed, giving them the flexibility that they are lacking because they are a too defensive-minded team.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pelicans - J. Holiday trade) - Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
Vonleh has the scoring and rebounding ability as Julius Randle, although Vonleh's shot is not nearly as good. However, he could be the steal of the draft for the Sixers and pairing him with Embiid and Nerlens Noel to go along with Michael Carter-Williams, the Sixers will be we'll on their way to contending in the East.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves - Rodney Hood, SG, Duke
The Timberwolves need a SG, and already with a pass-first point guard in Ricky Rubio and a rebounding machine in Kevin Love, a 3-point specialist in Hood would really round out their team and give them a greater chance against the very strong Western Conference.
13. Los Angeles Lakers - Montrezl Harrell, PF, LouisvilleThe Lakers probably never thought they would be in the lottery with the core they have, but they have to face the fact that their older players are not who they once were. Harrell would be a great replacement for Pao Gasol, for he takes high-percentage shots and is a very effective rebounder.
14. Utah Jazz (from Warriors - A. Iguodala trade) -Chris Walker, SF, Florida
The Jazz are sitting pretty with two lottery picks, and although this one is at the end of the lottery it could end up being a steal. Walker has been injured for the whole season up to this point, so he is hard to project, but his athleticism is exactly what the Jazz need and could be an incredibly dynamic pairing with Wiggins for a long time.
15. Boston Celtics - Andrew Harrison, PG, Kentucky
16. Charlotte Bobcats (from Pistons - B. Gordon trade) - Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
17. Chicago Bulls (from Bobcats - T. Thomas trade) - Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
18. Phoenix Suns (from Wizards - M. Gortat trade) - Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
19. Orlando Magic (from Nuggets - D. Howard trade) - Wayne Selden Jr, SG, Kansas
20. Dallas Mavericks - Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
21. Phoenix Suns - Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
22. Houston Rockets - Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton
23. Toronto Raptors - Adreian Payne, PF/C, Michigan State
24. Boston Celtics - (from Nets through Hawks - P. Pierce trade) - Glenn Robinson III, SF, Michigan25. Los Angeles Clippers - Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan
26. San Antonio Spurs - Spencer Dinwiddie, SG, Colorado
27. Miami Heat - Jahii Carson, PG, Arizona State
28. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jabari Bird, SG, Cal
29. Phoenix Suns (from Pacers - L. Scola trade) - Jordan Adams, SG, UCLA
30. Charlotte Bobcats (from Trail Blazers - G. Wallace trade) - Brandon Ashley, SF, Arizona
NBA Must Watch Game: Heat at Pacers
Since LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh came together to form the “Big Three,” the Heat have gone 6-4 against the Pacers in the regular season, with, of course, a riveting Eastern Conference finals last year in which the Heat pulled out the series victory in Game 7. However today, despite the recent history between the two teams, the Pacers (-3.5) are favored in Vegas to beat the Heat. This could have something to do with the fact that the Pacers are leading in the standings, but also because of the emergence of Paul George as someone who can finally match LeBron James’s scoring prowess. George is averaging 25.1 ppg, which is very close to LeBron’s 25.5 ppg, 5.8 rebounds per game (Lebron has 6.2), 3.4 assists per game (LeBron has 6.3), 2.1 steals per game (LeBron has 1.3), 0.3 blocks per game (LeBron has 0.4), and 2.6 turnovers per game (LeBron has 3.8). As the numbers clearly show, although Paul George only leads LeBron in two of the categories, he is very much capable of keeping up with the 4-time MVP in LeBron James. 
Prediction: The Heat will be extremely motivated to show the NBA world that they are the best in the East, while the Pacers are looking to avenge their loss in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. My guess is that the Heat will be over-hyped, and coming into the Pacers arena, will fail to hit the necessary outside shots. I am predicting that Roy Hibbert will finish with 15-20 rebounds, Paul George with 20-25 points, and LeBron with 30-35 points in the Pacers 93-88 victory.
NBA Power Rankings: Week 5
9 out of the 10 teams in The Rankings this week were on the list last week, so the NBA is starting to sort itself out in terms of contenders. However, the Timberwolves have dropped to two games below .500 and the Hawks, Bulls, and Grizzlies have all fallen out of contention for these Rankings. However, there is still time, and as is evident by the quick rise of the Nuggets, Suns, and Pistons, the On The Verge section may look completely different next week. I have waited a little longer to write these Rankings because of the indecision in the East, where only the Pacers and Heat have winning records. The only other team in these Rankings, as you may have seen, is the Celtics, who are a completely different story. They appeared on the Power Tankings last week but then soared to the 4th seed in the East. Granted, the East is awful this year, but I still thought they deserved a spot on the rankings because it looks as if they could win their division, guaranteeing a Top-4 seed. After all, these Power Rankings must take into account placement in a team's own conference, as opposed to record alone.
1. Indiana Pacers (18-3)
[Previous Ranking: 2]: Still the NBA's best defensive team (89.5 ppg allowed) the Pacers are looking strong, although the true test will be when they play the Heat today in those teams' first head-to-head matchup of the season. If Paul George can somehow match LeBron, and Roy Hibbert can contain the Heat's drives to the basket, the Pacers have a serious shot at securing their placement as #1 in the East.
2. Portland Trail Blazers (18-4)
[Previous Ranking: 4]: A ridiculous 41.5% 3-point percentage, a 6th-best point differential (+6.3), and scoring 106.2 ppg (2nd in the league) has led them to an 8-2 record over their last 10 games and the top spot in the Western Conference. If they continue on to win the Western Conference, it surely would be the surprise of the season but if you look at their roster, it is not a surprise. LeMarcus Aldridge, Damien Lillard, and the emergence of Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez make for a very solid core that should contend for the top spot right up to the end of the year.
3. Miami Heat (16-5)
[Previous Ranking: 3]: Their 3-point percentage has dropped a bit (although it still sits at a strong 39.5%) but they continue to lead the league in turnovers forced per game (18.6). The Heat are looking consistent in all facets of the game and, as I have said before, should be in the Top 3 of these rankings the entire year, and if they can manage to knock off the Pacers a few times, might even take hold of the #1 seed before all is said and done. The real test is tonight for them too, to show the Pacers that they are still top dog.
4. San Antonio Spurs (15-4)
[Previous Ranking: 1]: The Spurs have fallen off a bit in these rankings, although mostly because of the improvement of the other top teams as opposed to their own poor play. The Spurs will always
be one of the top teams in the West, especially if they continue to lead the league in point differential (+8.7) and only give up 93.1 ppg. There is nothing to worry about for the Spurs, as long as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are healthy for the playoffs.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4)
[Previous Ranking: 5]: The Thunder score 104.7 ppg and as long as Durant and Westbrook are in the game, there is nothing really new to say. They have gone 9-1 in their last 10 games, but they have always been expected to contend for the top spot in the West this year, so their success is not much of a surprise. The Thunder are very consistent and should continue to be.
6. Houston Rockets (15-7)
[Previous Ranking: 8]: Leading the league in points scored (107.5) is a good way to rise up in the standings and these power rankings. But turning the ball over 18.3 times per game (worst in the league) is not a good way to sustain that level of offensive success. As is always the case with these Rockets, they are able to win on pure talent, but to take their game to the next level their ball security and defense will need to greatly improve. Nothing new here.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (14-8)
[Previous Ranking: 6]: The Clippers are a bit of an enigma in that they are 4-5 against the very week Eastern Conference, even though they score more points per game (104.1) than any team from the East. The good news, for them, is their 10-3 record against the West, which will be all that matters when push comes to shove and the standings are determined for the playoffs. The Clippers will look to improve on their poor play against the East, as 5 of their next 8 games are against Eastern Conference teams, in order to stay relevant in their own conference.
8. Golden State Warriors (12-10)
[Previous Ranking: 9]: The highest 3-point percentage (41.7%) the league should give the Warriors one of the best records in the West, but instead they hold only the 9th seed, which would not even give them a playoff birth. This has something to do with the fact that most of the good teams in the NBA are in the Western Conference, but also proves that teams that rely mostly on 3-point shooting (the Heat do not count for they have many other ways to score) are not as effective as they should be. However, the Warriors are still ranked as high as they are on these rankings because they have Stephen Curry who has become a superstar and Andre Iguodala who is not playing up to his enormous potential. They should get back on track soon enough and justify their ranking on this list.
9. Dallas Mavericks (13-8)
[Previous Ranking: 7]: The Mavs have fallen a bit, going 5-5 in their last 10 games, but still ought to be considered a contender in the West (that word West certainly has appeared a lot in these rankings, hasn't it?) They are forcing a very good 16.8 turnovers per game and scoring a lot of points, and Monta Ellis has really meshed well with Dirk Nowitzki. Many will be surprised at the end of the year when they see the Mavericks in one of the Top 5 spots in the West.
10. Denver Nuggets (13-8) [Previous Ranking: Unranked]: The Nuggets have come out of nowhere and have gone on a 8-2 run over their last 10 games. An underrated thing that they do well is control the basketball, as displayed by their mere 13.8 turnovers per game (3rd best in the league). They also have a 29.0% offensive rebound percentage, which is also 3rd best in the league. They might get stuck in the race for one of the final playoff spots in the West, but by staying consistent and being good at the less publicized aspects of the game like ball security and rebounding, they should have a pretty good chance.
*11. Boston Celtics (10-12)
[Previous Ranking: Unranked]: I decided to add this extra spot because the Celtics are on such a roll right now (3 game winning streak, including a 41-point rout of the Knicks on Sunday) and with the mess that is the Eastern Conference, have a very good chance at landing the #3 seed for the playoffs. Although it is probably not beneficial for them to be winning so many games, Brad Stevens has taken a bunch of bench players and turned them into a serious contender for that 3rd sport in the East (ex. Jordan Crawford being named player of the week for last week). I had to include them because of their potential and situation that could lead them to make a run in the playoffs much farther than anyone expected.
On The Verge: Phoenix Suns (11-9) [Previous Ranking: Unranked], Atlanta Hawks (11-10)[Previous Ranking: Unranked], Charlotte Bobcats (10-11) [Previous Ranking: Unranked]
*Special 11th team for this week
1. Indiana Pacers (18-3)
[Previous Ranking: 2]: Still the NBA's best defensive team (89.5 ppg allowed) the Pacers are looking strong, although the true test will be when they play the Heat today in those teams' first head-to-head matchup of the season. If Paul George can somehow match LeBron, and Roy Hibbert can contain the Heat's drives to the basket, the Pacers have a serious shot at securing their placement as #1 in the East.
2. Portland Trail Blazers (18-4)[Previous Ranking: 4]: A ridiculous 41.5% 3-point percentage, a 6th-best point differential (+6.3), and scoring 106.2 ppg (2nd in the league) has led them to an 8-2 record over their last 10 games and the top spot in the Western Conference. If they continue on to win the Western Conference, it surely would be the surprise of the season but if you look at their roster, it is not a surprise. LeMarcus Aldridge, Damien Lillard, and the emergence of Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez make for a very solid core that should contend for the top spot right up to the end of the year.
3. Miami Heat (16-5)
[Previous Ranking: 3]: Their 3-point percentage has dropped a bit (although it still sits at a strong 39.5%) but they continue to lead the league in turnovers forced per game (18.6). The Heat are looking consistent in all facets of the game and, as I have said before, should be in the Top 3 of these rankings the entire year, and if they can manage to knock off the Pacers a few times, might even take hold of the #1 seed before all is said and done. The real test is tonight for them too, to show the Pacers that they are still top dog.
4. San Antonio Spurs (15-4)
[Previous Ranking: 1]: The Spurs have fallen off a bit in these rankings, although mostly because of the improvement of the other top teams as opposed to their own poor play. The Spurs will always
be one of the top teams in the West, especially if they continue to lead the league in point differential (+8.7) and only give up 93.1 ppg. There is nothing to worry about for the Spurs, as long as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are healthy for the playoffs.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4)
[Previous Ranking: 5]: The Thunder score 104.7 ppg and as long as Durant and Westbrook are in the game, there is nothing really new to say. They have gone 9-1 in their last 10 games, but they have always been expected to contend for the top spot in the West this year, so their success is not much of a surprise. The Thunder are very consistent and should continue to be.
6. Houston Rockets (15-7)
[Previous Ranking: 8]: Leading the league in points scored (107.5) is a good way to rise up in the standings and these power rankings. But turning the ball over 18.3 times per game (worst in the league) is not a good way to sustain that level of offensive success. As is always the case with these Rockets, they are able to win on pure talent, but to take their game to the next level their ball security and defense will need to greatly improve. Nothing new here.7. Los Angeles Clippers (14-8)
[Previous Ranking: 6]: The Clippers are a bit of an enigma in that they are 4-5 against the very week Eastern Conference, even though they score more points per game (104.1) than any team from the East. The good news, for them, is their 10-3 record against the West, which will be all that matters when push comes to shove and the standings are determined for the playoffs. The Clippers will look to improve on their poor play against the East, as 5 of their next 8 games are against Eastern Conference teams, in order to stay relevant in their own conference.
[Previous Ranking: 9]: The highest 3-point percentage (41.7%) the league should give the Warriors one of the best records in the West, but instead they hold only the 9th seed, which would not even give them a playoff birth. This has something to do with the fact that most of the good teams in the NBA are in the Western Conference, but also proves that teams that rely mostly on 3-point shooting (the Heat do not count for they have many other ways to score) are not as effective as they should be. However, the Warriors are still ranked as high as they are on these rankings because they have Stephen Curry who has become a superstar and Andre Iguodala who is not playing up to his enormous potential. They should get back on track soon enough and justify their ranking on this list.
9. Dallas Mavericks (13-8)
[Previous Ranking: 7]: The Mavs have fallen a bit, going 5-5 in their last 10 games, but still ought to be considered a contender in the West (that word West certainly has appeared a lot in these rankings, hasn't it?) They are forcing a very good 16.8 turnovers per game and scoring a lot of points, and Monta Ellis has really meshed well with Dirk Nowitzki. Many will be surprised at the end of the year when they see the Mavericks in one of the Top 5 spots in the West.
10. Denver Nuggets (13-8) [Previous Ranking: Unranked]: The Nuggets have come out of nowhere and have gone on a 8-2 run over their last 10 games. An underrated thing that they do well is control the basketball, as displayed by their mere 13.8 turnovers per game (3rd best in the league). They also have a 29.0% offensive rebound percentage, which is also 3rd best in the league. They might get stuck in the race for one of the final playoff spots in the West, but by staying consistent and being good at the less publicized aspects of the game like ball security and rebounding, they should have a pretty good chance.
*11. Boston Celtics (10-12)
[Previous Ranking: Unranked]: I decided to add this extra spot because the Celtics are on such a roll right now (3 game winning streak, including a 41-point rout of the Knicks on Sunday) and with the mess that is the Eastern Conference, have a very good chance at landing the #3 seed for the playoffs. Although it is probably not beneficial for them to be winning so many games, Brad Stevens has taken a bunch of bench players and turned them into a serious contender for that 3rd sport in the East (ex. Jordan Crawford being named player of the week for last week). I had to include them because of their potential and situation that could lead them to make a run in the playoffs much farther than anyone expected.
On The Verge: Phoenix Suns (11-9) [Previous Ranking: Unranked], Atlanta Hawks (11-10)[Previous Ranking: Unranked], Charlotte Bobcats (10-11) [Previous Ranking: Unranked]
*Special 11th team for this week
OPINION: Jason Kidd "Spills" His Drink
First-year head coach Jason Kidd of the Brooklyn Nets needed an extra time out with 8.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Lakers in which the Nets were losing 94-96 and the Lakers' Jodie Meeks was about to take the second of two free throws. With no timeouts remaining, I believe that Kidd wanted to relay a drawn-up play to his players on the court in order to get one last look for a game winning shot. The kicker: they lost anyway.
However, Kidd was eventually fined $50,000 for his delay the game, for although he said that the incident was an accident, his words hint at sarcasm and are clearly meant to get laughs: "Cup slipped out of my hand [while] I was getting Ty. Sweaty palms. I was never good with the ball." Perhaps if the former 19-year-veteran point guard hadn't made such a mockery of his actions, the penalty would not have been so harsh.
But sarcasm aside the incident shows desperation from Kidd. Some may perceive it as dedication, as he said after the fine: "It's about trying to win," but I believe that Kidd is just overwhelmed with coaching in the NBA. He probably assumed that it would be a cake-walk, but heavily underestimated the nuances of the job. His team has been underperforming all season and if they had been winning then I'm sure he would never have pulled such as stunt as this. The only reasoning behind my opinion: Would you ever see Greg Popovich spill his drink on the court in such humiliating fashion just to gain an extra timeout? Of course not.
NBA Power Tankings Through November
With the 2014 NBA Draft expected to be filled with potential franchise-changers in Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, and Jabari Parker (among more), many teams have jumped at the opportunity to tank their way to a high draft pick and therefore one of the college stars. The problem is, of course, the lottery, which is designed to prevent tanking, as the chart below displays (Courtesy of SB Nation). So, these rankings are based on which teams have the best chance of earning the most lottery balls, giving them the highest chance at the first pick.
1. Utah Jazz (2-14): The Jazz had a really good thing going last year with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap in the front court along with Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, and Mo Williams as complementary pieces. Now, with Big Al, Millsap, and Williams all gone, Favors and Hayward have had to become go-to guys, both of whom are not best suited for that role. Also, Enes Kanter and Trey Burke have had to step up prematurely. With no superstar, the Jazz are in all-out tanking, and currently have the best chance at the #1 pick.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (2-12): The Bucks traded their best prospect in Tobias Harris last season for J.J. Reddick, who was traded to the Clippers in the offseason. They signed O.J. Mayo this offeason. These two moves make the Bucks seem committed to putting together a competitive team, but then they draft Giannis Antetokounmpo (who?!?) with their first round pick and you remember their best player is Larry Sanders. Now it looks like they're tanking. The answer is probably somewhere in between, but the bottom line is that the Bucks have a great chance of drafting Wiggins, Randle, or Parker, so if they know what is best for them they will not change a thing.
3. Philadelphia 76ers (6-10): After starting off 4-0, many thought the 76ers would be a surprise playoff team in the extremely-weak Eastern Conference, but they have since gone 2-10. This fall back down to earth is exactly along the lines of what everyone thought there season would be like. Michael Carter-Williams should win Rookie of the Year, and he will develop into a solid player for them. Their plan seems perfect, as Carter-Williams, Thaddeus Young, and Spencer Hawes will be able to complement Nerlens Noel and the two first rounders that the Sixers have in the draft this year (one from the Pelicans). If they keep losing, their future will continue to grow brighter.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-11): The Cavaliers have had the #1 overall pick 2 out of the last three years, and have very little to show for it. Kyrie Irving has underperformed, Anthony Bennett is clearly not ready for the NBA, and Andrew Bynum will never be what he was with the Lakers. If the Cavs get the #1 pick these year, however, they are almost certain to draft a franchise-changer. Tanking is the best option for this team, as three former #1 overall picks along with Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, and Anderson Varejao would surely be able to entice one of the elite free agents this offseason. They may be trying to win, but they are failing, but this year losing is in their best interest.
5. Sacramento Kings (4-9): DeMarcus Cousins is the only real star on the Kings. However, he can only do so much by himself, especially without any real complementary pieces besides Isaiah Thomas. The Kings are not awful in any statistical category, but being too average in the NBA will lead you to where the Kings are: too often stuck in the middle of the draft because they are not good enough to win but still have good enough players that they never get one of the top 3 picks. Hopefully for them, that will change this year, but if Cousins keeps averaging career highs in points per game (21.3), rebounds per game (10.5) and blocks per game (1.2), then they will end up with a pick in the 5-10 range.
6. Boston Celtics (6-11): The Celtics are another team with no real star. Jeff Green is not capable of being "The Guy" for them, and the rest of their roster, in Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, Gerald Wallace, Jordan Crawford, Kelley Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee, and Kris Humphries are all best-suited for bench roles but have started off-and-on this year. The Celtics best option, which appears to be their goal, is to tank while giving their young guys playing time to develop. However, with an up-and-coming coach in Brad Stevens who is looking to make a name for himself in the NBA, the Celtics may win a few too many games this year.
7. New York Knicks (3-11): How are the Knicks where they are with perennial all-star Carmelo Anthony leading a team of Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, and Andrea Bargnani? No matter how many "bad days" they have had, there is no way the Knicks should only have three wins on the season. Lack of defense and extremely low shooting percentages from Anthony (42.6% of 312 shooting attempts - 2nd most in the league) and Bargnani (46.1%) are finally catching up to them. The only reason why they are this low in the rankings despite their record is because they have so much talent- they just need to play up to it. If the Knicks are on this list by the end of the season, serious changes will have to be made.
8. Brooklyn Nets (4-11): Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez. All their starters are all-stars, yet they are 7 games under .500. This has to be a case of too much talent on one team in a sport where it is just not possible to get enough touches to that many great players. Jason Kidd seems to not be ready to coach in the NBA, the aforementioned starting 5 all take bad shots because they feel they need to make something happen when they get the ball because their touches are limited. However, even if their unlikely struggles continue for the entire season, they owe their draft pick to either the Celtics or the Hawks (the Celtics own their pick but the Hawks have the right to trade picks with Brooklyn first), they would not reap the benefits via the draft of such horrific basketball. The Nets have no other option but to improve, and for their sake, they better do it fast.
9. Orlando Magic (6-9): The Magic are like the 76ers. They have a lot of young talent in Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Mo Harkless, and Andrew Nicholson, all of whom are under 23 years-old, and all will have the playing time this season to improve- but without producing wins. It is the perfect blueprint for the post-Howard Magic, and they are off to a great start, currently 3 games under .500. It sure seems likely that, in at least two years, the Magic will be a contender in the East. They only have to hope that their plethora of young talent does not rack up too many wins this season that they don't end up with a realistic shot at a Top 3 pick.
10. Detroit Pistons (6-9): The Pistons signed Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings in order to be a contender in the weak Eastern Conference. The scary thing is, even being 3 games under .500, they are tied with Magic for the 8th playoff spot. Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond have improved immensely since their respective rookie years and seem to be perennial all-star big men, but as Smith and Jennings have not reached expectations, the Pistons have snagged the final spot in these rankings. However, the Piston's are definitely NOT tanking, so with the effort and talent they are putting out there for every game, they should not be listed here for long, and instead may even get to the "On the Verge" mark of thePower Rankings.
On the Verge: Washington Wizards (7-8), Toronto Raptors (6-8), New Orleans Pelicans (6-8), Charlotte Bobcats (7-9).
1. Utah Jazz (2-14): The Jazz had a really good thing going last year with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap in the front court along with Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, and Mo Williams as complementary pieces. Now, with Big Al, Millsap, and Williams all gone, Favors and Hayward have had to become go-to guys, both of whom are not best suited for that role. Also, Enes Kanter and Trey Burke have had to step up prematurely. With no superstar, the Jazz are in all-out tanking, and currently have the best chance at the #1 pick.2. Milwaukee Bucks (2-12): The Bucks traded their best prospect in Tobias Harris last season for J.J. Reddick, who was traded to the Clippers in the offseason. They signed O.J. Mayo this offeason. These two moves make the Bucks seem committed to putting together a competitive team, but then they draft Giannis Antetokounmpo (who?!?) with their first round pick and you remember their best player is Larry Sanders. Now it looks like they're tanking. The answer is probably somewhere in between, but the bottom line is that the Bucks have a great chance of drafting Wiggins, Randle, or Parker, so if they know what is best for them they will not change a thing.
3. Philadelphia 76ers (6-10): After starting off 4-0, many thought the 76ers would be a surprise playoff team in the extremely-weak Eastern Conference, but they have since gone 2-10. This fall back down to earth is exactly along the lines of what everyone thought there season would be like. Michael Carter-Williams should win Rookie of the Year, and he will develop into a solid player for them. Their plan seems perfect, as Carter-Williams, Thaddeus Young, and Spencer Hawes will be able to complement Nerlens Noel and the two first rounders that the Sixers have in the draft this year (one from the Pelicans). If they keep losing, their future will continue to grow brighter.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-11): The Cavaliers have had the #1 overall pick 2 out of the last three years, and have very little to show for it. Kyrie Irving has underperformed, Anthony Bennett is clearly not ready for the NBA, and Andrew Bynum will never be what he was with the Lakers. If the Cavs get the #1 pick these year, however, they are almost certain to draft a franchise-changer. Tanking is the best option for this team, as three former #1 overall picks along with Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, and Anderson Varejao would surely be able to entice one of the elite free agents this offseason. They may be trying to win, but they are failing, but this year losing is in their best interest.5. Sacramento Kings (4-9): DeMarcus Cousins is the only real star on the Kings. However, he can only do so much by himself, especially without any real complementary pieces besides Isaiah Thomas. The Kings are not awful in any statistical category, but being too average in the NBA will lead you to where the Kings are: too often stuck in the middle of the draft because they are not good enough to win but still have good enough players that they never get one of the top 3 picks. Hopefully for them, that will change this year, but if Cousins keeps averaging career highs in points per game (21.3), rebounds per game (10.5) and blocks per game (1.2), then they will end up with a pick in the 5-10 range.
6. Boston Celtics (6-11): The Celtics are another team with no real star. Jeff Green is not capable of being "The Guy" for them, and the rest of their roster, in Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, Gerald Wallace, Jordan Crawford, Kelley Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee, and Kris Humphries are all best-suited for bench roles but have started off-and-on this year. The Celtics best option, which appears to be their goal, is to tank while giving their young guys playing time to develop. However, with an up-and-coming coach in Brad Stevens who is looking to make a name for himself in the NBA, the Celtics may win a few too many games this year.
7. New York Knicks (3-11): How are the Knicks where they are with perennial all-star Carmelo Anthony leading a team of Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, and Andrea Bargnani? No matter how many "bad days" they have had, there is no way the Knicks should only have three wins on the season. Lack of defense and extremely low shooting percentages from Anthony (42.6% of 312 shooting attempts - 2nd most in the league) and Bargnani (46.1%) are finally catching up to them. The only reason why they are this low in the rankings despite their record is because they have so much talent- they just need to play up to it. If the Knicks are on this list by the end of the season, serious changes will have to be made.
8. Brooklyn Nets (4-11): Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez. All their starters are all-stars, yet they are 7 games under .500. This has to be a case of too much talent on one team in a sport where it is just not possible to get enough touches to that many great players. Jason Kidd seems to not be ready to coach in the NBA, the aforementioned starting 5 all take bad shots because they feel they need to make something happen when they get the ball because their touches are limited. However, even if their unlikely struggles continue for the entire season, they owe their draft pick to either the Celtics or the Hawks (the Celtics own their pick but the Hawks have the right to trade picks with Brooklyn first), they would not reap the benefits via the draft of such horrific basketball. The Nets have no other option but to improve, and for their sake, they better do it fast.9. Orlando Magic (6-9): The Magic are like the 76ers. They have a lot of young talent in Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Mo Harkless, and Andrew Nicholson, all of whom are under 23 years-old, and all will have the playing time this season to improve- but without producing wins. It is the perfect blueprint for the post-Howard Magic, and they are off to a great start, currently 3 games under .500. It sure seems likely that, in at least two years, the Magic will be a contender in the East. They only have to hope that their plethora of young talent does not rack up too many wins this season that they don't end up with a realistic shot at a Top 3 pick.
10. Detroit Pistons (6-9): The Pistons signed Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings in order to be a contender in the weak Eastern Conference. The scary thing is, even being 3 games under .500, they are tied with Magic for the 8th playoff spot. Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond have improved immensely since their respective rookie years and seem to be perennial all-star big men, but as Smith and Jennings have not reached expectations, the Pistons have snagged the final spot in these rankings. However, the Piston's are definitely NOT tanking, so with the effort and talent they are putting out there for every game, they should not be listed here for long, and instead may even get to the "On the Verge" mark of thePower Rankings.
On the Verge: Washington Wizards (7-8), Toronto Raptors (6-8), New Orleans Pelicans (6-8), Charlotte Bobcats (7-9).
Team by record
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#1 Picks (since 1990)
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Worst
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3
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2nd-worst
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4
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3rd-worst
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5
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4th-worst
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0
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5th-worst
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5
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6th-worst
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2
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7th-worst
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1
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8th-worst
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1
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9th-worst
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1
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10th-worst
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0
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11th-worst
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1
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12th-worst
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0
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13th-worst
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0
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14th-worst
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0
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NBA Power Rankings: Week 3
Since last week, the top teams in the NBA have, for the most part, stayed the same. Although, the Bulls have fallen out of the Top 10 and now Derrick Rose has injured his other knee, so their future is looking foggier by the minute. The mirage that was the Phoenix Suns has come back to reality, now only 6-6, and continues to look worse. The Sixers and Celtics have both fallen even out of contention for spots on the rankings while the Mavericks and Warriors have capitalized on their chances and have each gained Top 10 rankings. If the Hawks and Grizzlies make the most of their opportunities, they could do the same next week. Here are the rankings:
1. San Antonio Spurs (11-1) [Last Week: 2]: Only one loss, first place in the Western Conference, and now first place in our rankings. The Spurs just never cease to amaze you, as they keep winning despite being the 5th oldest team in the NBA (28.3 yrs). They still are allowing the 2nd-fewest points per game in the league (89.3), with the highest differential of points scored to points allowed per game (+10). Currently on a 9-game winning streak, tied for highest in the league, they are showing no signs of slowing down.
2. Indiana Pacers (11-1) [Last Week: 1]: Their one loss came to the Bulls, who have the size and defensive capability to keep up with the Pacers, but other than that have been dominating their competition. They allow the fewest points per game in the league (86.9) and are third in differential of points scored to points allowed per game (+9.6). The Pacers are also allowing a league-best 40.2% field goal percentage by their opponents. However, the question has always been if they can offensively match other teams with good defenses, as evident by their loss to the Bulls. Only time will tell.
3. Miami Heat (9-3) [Last Week: 3]: The Heat are fourth in points scored per game (107.1) and 2nd in differential of points scored to points allowed per game (+9.9). As a team, they are shooting a whopping 45.9% from three-point range, a rate that, although ridiculous, they might actually be able to sustain for most of the season (see: Ray Allen, Shane Battier, and, oh yeah, LeBron James). The Heat also are amazing at turning their defense into offense, and are able to because the force an average of 18.8 turnovers per game, which is first in the league. They should be fighting for a third straight NBA title and it would be disappointment if they didn't make the finals.
4. Portland Trail Blazers (11-2) [Last Week: 7]: The Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge led Blazers are currently on a 9-game wining streak. At this point, although early in the season, they seem to be for real. A 41.9% three-point percentage is third-best in the league and has certainly helped get them to the record they have now. However, they play the Warriors, Pacers, Thunder, and Mavericks all within the next 8 games, so they will have an opportunity to prove their legitimacy.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-3) [Last Week: 4]: Kevin Durant averages 12.5 free throws per game, and he and Russell Westbrook are currently carrying the Thunder to a 3-game win streak. They should be better defensively, however, with Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins down low, but are allowing an average of 101.1 points per game, which is 10th worst in the league. The Thunder are winning on the talent of Durant and Westbrook, but will need to improve defensively if they expect to win the Western Conference.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (8-5) [Last Week: 5]: Chris Paul is still averaging career highs in points per game (19.3 now, 18.6 career), assists per game (12.5 now, 9.9 career), and rebounds per game (5.2 now, 4.4 career). DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin together form the best front court the Clippers have had in years and have been hoping for it since they drafted him in 2008. Doc Rivers is still settling in to the team, and while it seems as Los Angeles is finally embracing the Clippers as their team, as evident by their 5-1 record at home, they have only a 3-4 record on the road. That should change as the season progresses and these Clippers will be going places.
7. Dallas Mavericks (9-4) [Last Week: On The Verge]: The Mavericks have surprised a lot of people this year, as last year it seemed that as Dirk Nowitzki began to decline, the team would also. However, they are riding a 4-game winning streak and Dirk is a huge reason why. He averages 20.4 points per game, as opposed to 17.3 last year. Monta Ellis is also having a career year, scoring an average of 23.5 points per game (19.5 career) and averaging 5.7 assists per game (4.7 career). His field goal percentage (48.9%) is also much higher than last year (41.6%). This improved efficiency has certainly been aided by the much higher level of talent around him this year than last, and has lead to an average of 7.3 free throws attempted per game, which is 7th in the league. Look for the Mavericks too keep on rolling, but eventually settle for the 6-8 spot in the Western Conference.
8. Houston Rockets (8-5) [Last Week: 6]: The Rockets score an average of 109.7 points per game, which is the highest rate in the league. However, defense and ball security have kept them from being an elite team. They give up 105.9 points per game, which is second-worst in the league, and turn the ball over at a rate of 18.7 time per game, which is worst in the league. There is no way that the Rockets can expect to go anywhere in the playoffs with those numbers, and with the James Harden and Jeremy Lin constantly handling the ball it will be hard to fix them. Just to point out another major flaw of Houston's game: Dwight Howard averages 11.5 free throws per game, which is the second-most in the league. He is shooting 54.4% at the line, which is the fourth worst rate in the league.
9. Golden State Warriors (8-5) [Last Week: On The Verge]: The Warriors are all-around solid. hey are fifth in the league in differential of points scored and points allowed per game (+5.7) and have incredible 3-point shooting (44.6% as a team, which is second in the league). Andre Iguodala has given the Warriors another big-time option to keep defenses from over-playing Stephon Curry. But, Iguodala does run hot and cold, and has only scored a total of 15 points in the last two games combined. They lost both games, and will continue to lost if Iguodala cannot find some consistency.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-6) [Last Week: 10]: Kevin Love. 24.8 points per game (4th in the league). 13.5 rebounds per game (2nd in the league by only 0.2 rebounds, behind Dwight Howard with 13.7). 4.7 assists per game (1st among power forwards). 0.9 steals per game. 8.0 free throw attempts per game (4th in the league). He is the team and as he goes they go, for without him they wouldn't be even close to being in these rankings. He is that good. Period.
On The Verge: Atlanta Hawks (8-5) [Last Week: Unranked],
Chicago Bulls (6-5) [Last Week: 9], Memphis Grizzlies (7-6) [Last Week: Unranked]
1. San Antonio Spurs (11-1) [Last Week: 2]: Only one loss, first place in the Western Conference, and now first place in our rankings. The Spurs just never cease to amaze you, as they keep winning despite being the 5th oldest team in the NBA (28.3 yrs). They still are allowing the 2nd-fewest points per game in the league (89.3), with the highest differential of points scored to points allowed per game (+10). Currently on a 9-game winning streak, tied for highest in the league, they are showing no signs of slowing down.
2. Indiana Pacers (11-1) [Last Week: 1]: Their one loss came to the Bulls, who have the size and defensive capability to keep up with the Pacers, but other than that have been dominating their competition. They allow the fewest points per game in the league (86.9) and are third in differential of points scored to points allowed per game (+9.6). The Pacers are also allowing a league-best 40.2% field goal percentage by their opponents. However, the question has always been if they can offensively match other teams with good defenses, as evident by their loss to the Bulls. Only time will tell.3. Miami Heat (9-3) [Last Week: 3]: The Heat are fourth in points scored per game (107.1) and 2nd in differential of points scored to points allowed per game (+9.9). As a team, they are shooting a whopping 45.9% from three-point range, a rate that, although ridiculous, they might actually be able to sustain for most of the season (see: Ray Allen, Shane Battier, and, oh yeah, LeBron James). The Heat also are amazing at turning their defense into offense, and are able to because the force an average of 18.8 turnovers per game, which is first in the league. They should be fighting for a third straight NBA title and it would be disappointment if they didn't make the finals.
4. Portland Trail Blazers (11-2) [Last Week: 7]: The Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge led Blazers are currently on a 9-game wining streak. At this point, although early in the season, they seem to be for real. A 41.9% three-point percentage is third-best in the league and has certainly helped get them to the record they have now. However, they play the Warriors, Pacers, Thunder, and Mavericks all within the next 8 games, so they will have an opportunity to prove their legitimacy.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-3) [Last Week: 4]: Kevin Durant averages 12.5 free throws per game, and he and Russell Westbrook are currently carrying the Thunder to a 3-game win streak. They should be better defensively, however, with Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins down low, but are allowing an average of 101.1 points per game, which is 10th worst in the league. The Thunder are winning on the talent of Durant and Westbrook, but will need to improve defensively if they expect to win the Western Conference.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (8-5) [Last Week: 5]: Chris Paul is still averaging career highs in points per game (19.3 now, 18.6 career), assists per game (12.5 now, 9.9 career), and rebounds per game (5.2 now, 4.4 career). DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin together form the best front court the Clippers have had in years and have been hoping for it since they drafted him in 2008. Doc Rivers is still settling in to the team, and while it seems as Los Angeles is finally embracing the Clippers as their team, as evident by their 5-1 record at home, they have only a 3-4 record on the road. That should change as the season progresses and these Clippers will be going places.
7. Dallas Mavericks (9-4) [Last Week: On The Verge]: The Mavericks have surprised a lot of people this year, as last year it seemed that as Dirk Nowitzki began to decline, the team would also. However, they are riding a 4-game winning streak and Dirk is a huge reason why. He averages 20.4 points per game, as opposed to 17.3 last year. Monta Ellis is also having a career year, scoring an average of 23.5 points per game (19.5 career) and averaging 5.7 assists per game (4.7 career). His field goal percentage (48.9%) is also much higher than last year (41.6%). This improved efficiency has certainly been aided by the much higher level of talent around him this year than last, and has lead to an average of 7.3 free throws attempted per game, which is 7th in the league. Look for the Mavericks too keep on rolling, but eventually settle for the 6-8 spot in the Western Conference.8. Houston Rockets (8-5) [Last Week: 6]: The Rockets score an average of 109.7 points per game, which is the highest rate in the league. However, defense and ball security have kept them from being an elite team. They give up 105.9 points per game, which is second-worst in the league, and turn the ball over at a rate of 18.7 time per game, which is worst in the league. There is no way that the Rockets can expect to go anywhere in the playoffs with those numbers, and with the James Harden and Jeremy Lin constantly handling the ball it will be hard to fix them. Just to point out another major flaw of Houston's game: Dwight Howard averages 11.5 free throws per game, which is the second-most in the league. He is shooting 54.4% at the line, which is the fourth worst rate in the league.
9. Golden State Warriors (8-5) [Last Week: On The Verge]: The Warriors are all-around solid. hey are fifth in the league in differential of points scored and points allowed per game (+5.7) and have incredible 3-point shooting (44.6% as a team, which is second in the league). Andre Iguodala has given the Warriors another big-time option to keep defenses from over-playing Stephon Curry. But, Iguodala does run hot and cold, and has only scored a total of 15 points in the last two games combined. They lost both games, and will continue to lost if Iguodala cannot find some consistency.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-6) [Last Week: 10]: Kevin Love. 24.8 points per game (4th in the league). 13.5 rebounds per game (2nd in the league by only 0.2 rebounds, behind Dwight Howard with 13.7). 4.7 assists per game (1st among power forwards). 0.9 steals per game. 8.0 free throw attempts per game (4th in the league). He is the team and as he goes they go, for without him they wouldn't be even close to being in these rankings. He is that good. Period.
On The Verge: Atlanta Hawks (8-5) [Last Week: Unranked],
Chicago Bulls (6-5) [Last Week: 9], Memphis Grizzlies (7-6) [Last Week: Unranked]
NBA Power Rankings: Week 2
With most teams having played 7 games so far this season, there are few surprises among the Top 10, although many assumed the Heat would have started better than they have. Nonetheless, there is still a lot of basketball to be played, and the rankings are sure to fluctuate quite a bit before all is said and done. For the inaugural power rankings each will be a bit longer than normal, but should serve as a good starting point for what should be a great season of NBA basketball.
1. Indiana Pacers (8-0): The Pacers have gotten off to an unbelievable start, although they haven't hit real competition yet (with the exception of the Bulls). They are holding opponents to a ridiculous 84.5 ppg, which is 7 points less than the next best team (Spurs). And even though that number is in no way sustainable, especially against better teams, with Roy Hibbert guarding the rim, they should finish as a Top 3 defensive team with one of the top plus/minus ratings of any team (currently +10.4 and ranked first in the league). The Pacers currently have the best chance of knocking off the Heat in the east, but only if Paul George can continue his development into a perennial MVP candidate and big-time scorer to match LeBron. George currently is averaging 24.9 ppg, by far his career high, is shooting 40.4% from 3-pt land, and also averaging 7.8 rebounds per game. To add to his incredible talent is an even more incredible potential. He is only 23 years old.
2. San Antonio Spurs (7-1): The Spurs have always been a great defensive team and they have continued to be so far this year giving up 91.5 ppg. In his 18th year coaching the Spurs, Gregg Popovich has 912 career wins, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The question with this team has always been whether they can sustain their success for an entire season with stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili getting up there in age (37, 31, and 36 respectively). However, youngsters such as Danny Green and Kahwi Leonard should be able to take some heavy minutes off the shoulders of the veterans, yet the luxury of this team has always been the ability to lean on the stars in the big moments. This combination of youth and savvy veterans puts them in prime position to contend with the other big guns in the West for another trip to the Finals.
3. Miami Heat (5-3): Although the Heat have not had the best start by their standards, it would be surprising to no one if they suddenly went on a 10-15 game winning streak. They are just that talented. All the evidence needed is the two championships in the last two years. They have even more depth this year, having added Greg Oden and Michael Beasley, and Norris Cole has blossomed into a better-than complementary scorer as a starter or a major spark off the bench in his third season, and as a result his minutes have jumped from a career average of 19.5 mpg to 22.0 mpg. Cole's floor time should continue to grow, as he also adds another 3-pt threat to the already dynamic duo of Ray Allen and Shane Battier. It is almost unfair the amount of talent on this team, and when everyone is healthy, should become better than last year. Unless some serious injury occurs to LeBron James, the Heat should be a Top 3 team for the entire season.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-1): As Russel Westbrook only missed two games and has returned way sooner than expected while still putting up 19 ppg, it is same to say he is fine. Last season while on the floor together, Westbrook and Kevin Durant registered a +9.2 plus/minus, good for second in the league. Sure, they lack that dynamic scorer of the bench that made them truly elite now that James Harden is running with Dwight Howard in Houston, and it was proven last year that an injury to either Durant or Westbrook will prematurely end their hopes of a championship. They are still off to a good start with the second-highest winning percentage in the West, and should be in the mix to trade for a scoring wing when the trade deadline gets closer.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (5-3): The Clippers could very well be the best team in the Western Conference, although their record shows them to be only slightly above average. However, with Doc Rivers as the new head coach, he will need some to time to adjust to his new setting and his players likewise must adjust to him. However, under Rivers, who was a former point guard and coached all-star Rajon Rondo in Boston, Paul has been playing the best basketball of his career. He is currently averaging 12.4 assists per game and 21.3 ppg, both of which are well higher than his career averages (9.9 apg, 18.6 ppg). The addition of sharp-shooting J.J. Reddick has surely helped him, as has the rapid improvement of DeAndre Jordan, who is developing into a potential defensive-player-of-the-year candidate under the defensive-minded Rivers. If the Clippers continue to score a whopping 109.9 ppg (league-high), there will be no stopping them.
6. Houston Rockets (5-3): Harden and Howard seem to have meshed so far, and there hasn't been any Dwight-drama yet (knock on wood). Things are looking up for the Kevin McHale-led Rockets who have aspirations of a championship. They are in 5th place in the league with 106.1 ppg which should give them a better record than they have, except they are also in second place in the league with 19.4 turnovers per game. The Rockets can not afford to keep up that rate of turning the ball over, but with Harden and Jeremy Lin handling the ball as much as they do, it is hard to imagine that number changing too much. They also have only 18.4 assists per game as an entire team, which is 10 less than the league lead (Miami). The pure talent is there, and that is why this team will get by with a relatively high seed, but to advance deep into the playoffs, they will need to solve their ball-handling problems.
7. Portland Trail Blazers (5-2): The dual threat of Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge have carried the team to seemingly new heights, with Lillard averaging 21.1 ogg and Aldridge averaging 22.6 ppg. As a team, the Blazers are shooting an incredible 42.4% 3-pt field goal percentage, which is unsustainable, but with above-average sharp-shooters like Wesley Matthews (currently shooting an incredible 48% from beyond the arc!), Nicolas Batum, and Mo Williams (along with Lillard, of course), they should be a Top-5 3-pt team by the years end. With three underrated big men in Robin Lopez, Myers Leonard, and Thomas Robinson to go along with Aldridge, the Blazers have solid depth all around, and the scary thing is, when first round pick C.J. McCollum makes his debut (he has been hampered by a foot injury), he will add an entirely new dynamic to the team, especially while on the floor with Lillard.
8. Phoenix Suns (5-2): Nobody expected the Suns to have be tied for 4th place in the Western Conference. Heck, most people who followed their offseason transactions expected them to finish with the worst record in the league in order to draft Kansas's phenom Andrew Wiggins (they traded away Luis Scola and Marcin Gortat). However, even with the inspired play of point guard Eric Bledsoe (20.9 ppg and 7.3 apg) and the always-steady Goran Dragic (13.3 ppg), the Suns still should not have started off this well. Their Top-5 draft pick Alex Len still hasn't even played with an ankle injury! But the unexpected development of big men Markieff Morris (17.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg) and Miles Plumlee (11.7 ppg and 9.6 rpg) has sparked a storybook start to a season that was thought to be headed for the dumps. This type of success for such a young team is hard to sustain, and the Suns will most likely fall back to an average if not below-average team as the season progresses.
9. Chicago Bulls (3-3): Derrick Rose is an enigma. He missed more than a year with the same injury in which Adrian Peterson recovered from over the course of one NFL offseason. When he struggles, while still on the floor for over 31 minutes per game, the team will struggle. The Bulls as a team are holding opposing teams to a mere 91 ppg (second in the league) thanks to the always-defensively-sound Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, and Luol Deng. However, with Rose running the offense, they are only scoring one point more per game, good for 27th in the league. Rose has only 0.3 more assists per game (4.5) than turnovers per game (4.2), which is asking for trouble. He is also scoring only 14.7 ppg, 6 pts less per game than his career average. The Bulls were supposed to be one of the teams with the best shot of beating the Heat, but they first need to stop beating themselves.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-3): Kevin Love is back and better than ever. He is averaging 26.4 ppg, 5.0 apg, 15.0 rpg, and is shooting 36.4% from 3-pt range. His career averages in those same respective categories are 17.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 12.2 rpg, and 35.3% of 3s. When the still-25-year-old Love is playing out of his mind like this, he is by far the best player in the league, and it almost doesn't matter what anyone else on his team does. The thing is, he has always had the potential to put up numbers like this, and is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. It is absolutely pointless to mention any other player on the Timberwolves at the moment, because Kevin Love will carry the team to the playoffs on his shoulders alone.
On The Verge: Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors
1. Indiana Pacers (8-0): The Pacers have gotten off to an unbelievable start, although they haven't hit real competition yet (with the exception of the Bulls). They are holding opponents to a ridiculous 84.5 ppg, which is 7 points less than the next best team (Spurs). And even though that number is in no way sustainable, especially against better teams, with Roy Hibbert guarding the rim, they should finish as a Top 3 defensive team with one of the top plus/minus ratings of any team (currently +10.4 and ranked first in the league). The Pacers currently have the best chance of knocking off the Heat in the east, but only if Paul George can continue his development into a perennial MVP candidate and big-time scorer to match LeBron. George currently is averaging 24.9 ppg, by far his career high, is shooting 40.4% from 3-pt land, and also averaging 7.8 rebounds per game. To add to his incredible talent is an even more incredible potential. He is only 23 years old.2. San Antonio Spurs (7-1): The Spurs have always been a great defensive team and they have continued to be so far this year giving up 91.5 ppg. In his 18th year coaching the Spurs, Gregg Popovich has 912 career wins, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The question with this team has always been whether they can sustain their success for an entire season with stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili getting up there in age (37, 31, and 36 respectively). However, youngsters such as Danny Green and Kahwi Leonard should be able to take some heavy minutes off the shoulders of the veterans, yet the luxury of this team has always been the ability to lean on the stars in the big moments. This combination of youth and savvy veterans puts them in prime position to contend with the other big guns in the West for another trip to the Finals.
3. Miami Heat (5-3): Although the Heat have not had the best start by their standards, it would be surprising to no one if they suddenly went on a 10-15 game winning streak. They are just that talented. All the evidence needed is the two championships in the last two years. They have even more depth this year, having added Greg Oden and Michael Beasley, and Norris Cole has blossomed into a better-than complementary scorer as a starter or a major spark off the bench in his third season, and as a result his minutes have jumped from a career average of 19.5 mpg to 22.0 mpg. Cole's floor time should continue to grow, as he also adds another 3-pt threat to the already dynamic duo of Ray Allen and Shane Battier. It is almost unfair the amount of talent on this team, and when everyone is healthy, should become better than last year. Unless some serious injury occurs to LeBron James, the Heat should be a Top 3 team for the entire season.4. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-1): As Russel Westbrook only missed two games and has returned way sooner than expected while still putting up 19 ppg, it is same to say he is fine. Last season while on the floor together, Westbrook and Kevin Durant registered a +9.2 plus/minus, good for second in the league. Sure, they lack that dynamic scorer of the bench that made them truly elite now that James Harden is running with Dwight Howard in Houston, and it was proven last year that an injury to either Durant or Westbrook will prematurely end their hopes of a championship. They are still off to a good start with the second-highest winning percentage in the West, and should be in the mix to trade for a scoring wing when the trade deadline gets closer.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (5-3): The Clippers could very well be the best team in the Western Conference, although their record shows them to be only slightly above average. However, with Doc Rivers as the new head coach, he will need some to time to adjust to his new setting and his players likewise must adjust to him. However, under Rivers, who was a former point guard and coached all-star Rajon Rondo in Boston, Paul has been playing the best basketball of his career. He is currently averaging 12.4 assists per game and 21.3 ppg, both of which are well higher than his career averages (9.9 apg, 18.6 ppg). The addition of sharp-shooting J.J. Reddick has surely helped him, as has the rapid improvement of DeAndre Jordan, who is developing into a potential defensive-player-of-the-year candidate under the defensive-minded Rivers. If the Clippers continue to score a whopping 109.9 ppg (league-high), there will be no stopping them.
6. Houston Rockets (5-3): Harden and Howard seem to have meshed so far, and there hasn't been any Dwight-drama yet (knock on wood). Things are looking up for the Kevin McHale-led Rockets who have aspirations of a championship. They are in 5th place in the league with 106.1 ppg which should give them a better record than they have, except they are also in second place in the league with 19.4 turnovers per game. The Rockets can not afford to keep up that rate of turning the ball over, but with Harden and Jeremy Lin handling the ball as much as they do, it is hard to imagine that number changing too much. They also have only 18.4 assists per game as an entire team, which is 10 less than the league lead (Miami). The pure talent is there, and that is why this team will get by with a relatively high seed, but to advance deep into the playoffs, they will need to solve their ball-handling problems.7. Portland Trail Blazers (5-2): The dual threat of Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge have carried the team to seemingly new heights, with Lillard averaging 21.1 ogg and Aldridge averaging 22.6 ppg. As a team, the Blazers are shooting an incredible 42.4% 3-pt field goal percentage, which is unsustainable, but with above-average sharp-shooters like Wesley Matthews (currently shooting an incredible 48% from beyond the arc!), Nicolas Batum, and Mo Williams (along with Lillard, of course), they should be a Top-5 3-pt team by the years end. With three underrated big men in Robin Lopez, Myers Leonard, and Thomas Robinson to go along with Aldridge, the Blazers have solid depth all around, and the scary thing is, when first round pick C.J. McCollum makes his debut (he has been hampered by a foot injury), he will add an entirely new dynamic to the team, especially while on the floor with Lillard.
8. Phoenix Suns (5-2): Nobody expected the Suns to have be tied for 4th place in the Western Conference. Heck, most people who followed their offseason transactions expected them to finish with the worst record in the league in order to draft Kansas's phenom Andrew Wiggins (they traded away Luis Scola and Marcin Gortat). However, even with the inspired play of point guard Eric Bledsoe (20.9 ppg and 7.3 apg) and the always-steady Goran Dragic (13.3 ppg), the Suns still should not have started off this well. Their Top-5 draft pick Alex Len still hasn't even played with an ankle injury! But the unexpected development of big men Markieff Morris (17.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg) and Miles Plumlee (11.7 ppg and 9.6 rpg) has sparked a storybook start to a season that was thought to be headed for the dumps. This type of success for such a young team is hard to sustain, and the Suns will most likely fall back to an average if not below-average team as the season progresses.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-3): Kevin Love is back and better than ever. He is averaging 26.4 ppg, 5.0 apg, 15.0 rpg, and is shooting 36.4% from 3-pt range. His career averages in those same respective categories are 17.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 12.2 rpg, and 35.3% of 3s. When the still-25-year-old Love is playing out of his mind like this, he is by far the best player in the league, and it almost doesn't matter what anyone else on his team does. The thing is, he has always had the potential to put up numbers like this, and is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. It is absolutely pointless to mention any other player on the Timberwolves at the moment, because Kevin Love will carry the team to the playoffs on his shoulders alone.
On The Verge: Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors
Important Announcement: NBA Section
The NFL Report welcomes our newest writer, Matt Reppucci, to our staff, as he will be covering the NBA. Later tonight, you will be able to see his first post for the blog, where he ranks the top 10 teams in the NBA as of Week 2. Matt Reppucci is a big fan of professional basketball, and we believe he is a very valuable addition to our staff. Be sure to return before the end of the night in order to see his first post!
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