Jabari Parker is a difficult case, because there is nobody in the NBA that is truly a perfect match for his skill set. Many people have compared him to Carmelo Anthony, as they both do are fantastic at making shots for themselves in one-on-one scenarios. Not only that, they are both strong enough to play the power forward position as well as the strong forward position. However, in terms of attitude, Parker is naturally a team player, while Carmelo is notoriously the opposite. Thus, I think Parker's most accurate comparison in the NBA is Celtics small forward Paul Pierce. Both Pierce and Parker are fantastic jump shooters and, much like Carmelo, they both excel at creating space for their shots. Additionally, while neither of them are particularly renowned for their athleticism, there is no doubt that they can both take the ball to the basket and finish with force every once and a while. Lastly, Pierce and Parker's attitudes are similar in that they are both team players that don't need to be directly putting the ball in the basket to feel that they have succeeded. Every time that Carmelo Anthony receives the ball, everyone else stands still, waiting for him to go one-on-one with his defender. On the contrary, when Pierce and Parker are on the ball, it is not detrimental to the team, because it is within the flow of the offense.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Important Announcement: College Basketball Section
In addition to writing fantasy football articles in the fall, Gabe Schmittlein will now be covering college basketball throughout the NFL offseason. Gabe has already written his first article, which compares Kansas' highly touted center Joel Embiid to Pacers center Roy Hibbert (you can find the article here). Be sure to keep an eye out for more of Gabe's posts regarding college basketball, especially as we approach March Madness.
CBB to NBA Player Comparisons: Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid's stature, footwork, and elegance around the rim all remind me of Pacer's center Roy Hibbert. Both are looming 7-footers with outrageous wingspans that make them unstoppable on the boards and fantastic at shot-blocking. Despite only having a few years of basketball experience, Embiid's footwork is incredibly polished, and his ability to perform complex post moves is years ahead of most other college players'. The most similar aspect of Embiid and Hibbert's game, though, is their outstanding fluidity around the basket. Most young, 7-foot centers tend to look awkward and stiff when operating underneath, but both Embiid and Hibbert break the mold, with their flawless up-and-unders and silky-smooth hook shots.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII Champions!
After going 13-3 during the regular season, then beating both New Orleans and San Francisco in the playoffs, and lastly, manhandling the Denver Broncos by a score of 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl Champions! Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith took home Super Bowl MVP, and now, the Lombardi Trophy will be traveling to Seattle for the first time in franchise history.
Super Bowl XLVIII Preview: Seahawks vs Broncos
Tomorrow is the day we have all been waiting for. Unlike other sports, where there can be a potential seven games to decide the league champion, the NFL needs just one game to crown a winner, and that game is the Super Bowl. Although tomorrow marks the end of the 2013 season, the Super Bowl brings great commercials, incredible foods, and most importantly, the two bests teams playing for the Lombardi Trophy on national television. Peyton Manning just won his fifth MVP Award on the eve of the Super Bowl, and the league's best offense will now be playing the Seattle Seahawks, who have the NFL's best defense. Good luck to both teams, and we wish everyone a great Super Bowl Sunday!
Denver Broncos: Earlier this evening, Peyton Manning won his 5th MVP Award, as he was just one vote shy of a unanimous selection. Manning passed for 5,147 yards and 55 touchdowns this season, both single season records. Manning's incredible season is a result of years of experience, as well as an incredibly talented receiving corp. Demaryius Thomas caught 92 passes for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns, and even if he's shutdown by cornerback Richard Sherman in the Super Bowl, Manning has three other options in Wes Welker, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas. All three wide receivers had more than 778 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013, which is why I think the Seahawks will struggle to shut down Denver's passing game, even though Seattle has the best pass defense in the league. Thanks to the incredible passing game, the Broncos have been able to set up a solid running game with Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns, both of which are career highs. Even if the cold weather hinders Denver's passing game, the Broncos may be able to keep up with Marshawn Lynch on the ground with Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball leading the way. Denver's run defense has been spectacular during the postseason, where they limited the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game to just 64 yards and 1 touchdown, even though the Patriots rushed for 234 yards and 6 touchdowns the previous week. Marshawn Lynch is clearly one of the best running backs in the league, so it will be interesting to see how Denver's defense will fare against the man known as "Beast Mode". The Broncos' pass defense is nothing special, but as long as the pass rush is able to pressure Russell Wilson, Seattle's passing game will not be a major problem. Also, be sure to watch returner Trindon Holliday, who returned both a kickoff and a punt for a score in 2013.
Prediction: If Peyton Manning were to beat Seattle, the second Super Bowl ring would make him the best quarterback of all time, and he knows that, too. Even though the number one defense normally beats the number one offense whenever the two teams meet, the Denver Broncos have the best offense in NFL history, and their abundance of wide receivers, as well as Manning's ability to throw the ball before the pass rush reaches him, is why Denver will win its third Super Bowl in franchise history.
Broncos over Seahawks 30-23
MVP: Peyton Manning: 305 passing yards, 2 TDs
This will be the 3rd time Peyton Manning will be playing outdoors in playoffs vs the No. 1 scoring D from reg season (1 TD, 6 Int in prev 2)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 27, 2014
The age difference of 12 years and 250 days between Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson is the biggest ever for starting QBs in the Super Bowl
— NFL Access (@NFL_Access) January 30, 2014
Via @PANYNJ: The George Washington Bridge is lit in @Broncos orange @Seahawks green for the Super Bowl: pic.twitter.com/PKn5l0eEIM
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 30, 2014
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 28, 2014
Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch at today's media availability: " I’m just here so I won’t get fined, boss. That’s the only reason I’m here."
— Jane McManus (@janesports) January 29, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
NFL Award Predictions 2013
Most Valuable Player: QB Peyton Manning: Does this come as a surprise to anyone? Peyton Manning shattered all types of records in 2013 in his second year in Denver, including the single season records for touchdowns (55) and passing yards (5,477). Manning's multiple weapons on offense helped him reach the third Super Bowl of his career. Manning has little competition this season for Most Valuable Player, even though running backs Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy both had great seasons.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Peyton Manning: With the record breaking statistics that Manning put up in 2013, he is not only a shoe-in for MVP, but also Offensive Player of the Year. Most seasons, Jamaal Charles (1,287 yards, 5.0 yards per carry, 19 total touchdowns) would be a legitimate contender for Offensive Player of the Year, but Manning is not your average player, and 2013 was not your average season.
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Luke Kuechly: Not only did the Carolin aPanthers make the playoffs in 2013, but their star defensive player in Luke Kuechly quickly became the best defensive player in all of football. Kuechly led the league in sacks last season, and even though he did not achieve this feat two years in a row, his 156 tackles and 4 interceptions will likely win him Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Eddie Lacy: With Aaron Rodgers on the sideline for the majority of the 2013 season, rookie running back Eddie Lacy was forced to step up and fill the void left by Rodgers, a former MVP Award recipient. Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns, which will likely win him Offensive Rookie of the Year over wide receiver Keenan Allen (1,046 yards, 8 touchdowns).
Defensive Rookie of the Year: DT Sheldon Richardson: The New York Jets may have missed out on the playoffs in 2013, but their defensive line has become one of the best in all of football. The D-line, also nicknamed "Sons of Anarchy", was anchored by Sheldon Richardson, who recorded 77 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Coach of the Year: Andy Reid: After going 2-14 in 2012, the worst record of any team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs hired former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. The Kansas City Chiefs did a complete 180, as they reached the playoffs, and even gave Peyton Manning and the Broncos a run for their money when it came to the division title. Kansas City's 9-0 start this season practically guaranteed Reid the Coach of the Year Award.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Peyton Manning: With the record breaking statistics that Manning put up in 2013, he is not only a shoe-in for MVP, but also Offensive Player of the Year. Most seasons, Jamaal Charles (1,287 yards, 5.0 yards per carry, 19 total touchdowns) would be a legitimate contender for Offensive Player of the Year, but Manning is not your average player, and 2013 was not your average season.Defensive Player of the Year: LB Luke Kuechly: Not only did the Carolin aPanthers make the playoffs in 2013, but their star defensive player in Luke Kuechly quickly became the best defensive player in all of football. Kuechly led the league in sacks last season, and even though he did not achieve this feat two years in a row, his 156 tackles and 4 interceptions will likely win him Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Eddie Lacy: With Aaron Rodgers on the sideline for the majority of the 2013 season, rookie running back Eddie Lacy was forced to step up and fill the void left by Rodgers, a former MVP Award recipient. Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns, which will likely win him Offensive Rookie of the Year over wide receiver Keenan Allen (1,046 yards, 8 touchdowns).
Defensive Rookie of the Year: DT Sheldon Richardson: The New York Jets may have missed out on the playoffs in 2013, but their defensive line has become one of the best in all of football. The D-line, also nicknamed "Sons of Anarchy", was anchored by Sheldon Richardson, who recorded 77 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.Coach of the Year: Andy Reid: After going 2-14 in 2012, the worst record of any team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs hired former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. The Kansas City Chiefs did a complete 180, as they reached the playoffs, and even gave Peyton Manning and the Broncos a run for their money when it came to the division title. Kansas City's 9-0 start this season practically guaranteed Reid the Coach of the Year Award.
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