Source: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/13/bruski/related
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
NBA: The @LAClippers' @blakegriffin & @CP3 speak to the media following today's practice in Beijing. #ChinaGames http://t.co/580jCn92
NBA: The @LAClippers' @blakegriffin & @CP3 speak to the media following today's practice in Beijing. #ChinaGames http://t.co/580jCn92
Knicks beat Hornets
Carmelo Anthony snapped out of a slow start by scoring 18 of his 27 points in the second quarter, and New York ended a season-high, three-game losing streak with a 100-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday.
Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/50449701/ns/sports-nba/
Melo's big second quarter helps Knicks end skid
Carmelo Anthony scored 18 of his 27 points in the second quarter, and the Knicks ended their three-game skid with a 100-87 win over the Hornets on Sunday.
Source: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400278269
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Skid Snapped
Dwight Howard's return from a shoulder injury immediately paid dividends to a depleted Lakers' frontcourt, and helped them beat the Cavs 113-93 to end a six-game losing streak.
Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/gameflash/2013/01/13/32673/#recap?xid=si_nba
Lakers News: Potential Return of L.A. Big Men Will Help Slumping Lakers
The skidding Los Angeles Lakers could get some relief soon as both Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol are likely set to return in the near future.
The Lakers’ medical staff will reportedly re-evaluate the two ailing big men prior to the team’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles.
Gasol (concussion) and Howard (torn labrum, right shoulder) have missed the team’s last three games, and L.A. has lost each of those contests.
Another report by McMenamin labeled both Howard and Gasol as game-time decisions for the Sunday clash against Cleveland.
The Lakers have also lost three straight games prior to their big men's injuries, too.
The combined six-game losing streak has put them five games out of playoff contention and prompted some negativity from team legend Magic Johnson.
“It’s over for my Lakers. No playoffs, no nothing,” Johnson said on ESPN’s NBA studio show, according to Daniel Buerge of LakersNation.com.
While Johnson’s sentiment is shared by many fans, it’s a little too early for doom and gloom.
Regardless, negativity is at an all-high in the City of Angels. Even diehard celebrity enthusiast Jack Nicholson walked out on his team during their Staples Center spanking by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 11.
Even with Gasol and Howard back on the court, the problems aren’t going to be fixed overnight. The team still has some kinks to work out in the way the players distribute the basketball offensively.
Let’s not even get started on their defensive woes.
Point guard Steve Nash isn’t entirely optimistic that having the two back will help the team initially. He told McMenamin that it’s tough to operate with both Howard and Gasol on the court:
The fact of the matter, it's tough to get inside to him when Dwight and him are on the floor together. To Pau's credit, he can stretch the floor more than Dwight and he's more of a playmaker, so sometimes he's going to find himself on the perimeter.
One thing is certain: A blowout like the one the Thunder laid on the Lakers is not acceptable, and the team desperately needs its top two big men back in the lineup.
L.A. would still benefit from having its best bigs back despite Nash’s skepticism and the team’s struggles this season.
If Mike D’Antoni needs to change his scheme to accommodate his big men and Nash’s needs, then he needs to do that.
But having them back on the court, in any capacity, will be an improvement over the recent struggles we’ve seen in their absence.
That’s for sure.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
NBA: http://t.co/xojWcLQg - Practice is a wrap for @JCrossover & the @LAClippers in Beijing. #ChinaGames
NBA: http://t.co/xojWcLQg - Practice is a wrap for @JCrossover & the @LAClippers in Beijing. #ChinaGames
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Watch Dwyane Wade Set LeBron James Up for Picture-Perfect Oop
In the middle of their dominant first quarter over the Sacramento Kings, the Miami Heat saw their big superstars collaborate on an eye-popping alley-oop in the midst of their 28-17 first quarter.
It wasn't the first time we've seen the tandem hook up, and it's definitely not going to be the last, but this was surely one of the best we've seen from the two of them.
Not only did Mario Chalmers initiate the play with an improbable save, but the majority of the team was involved, as an outlet pass from Chis Bosh got the whole thing going.
The result was filthy.
Might be one of top-10 in game dunks I've ever seen. LeBron from Wade. Wow.
— Michael Wallace (@WallaceNBA_ESPN) January 13, 2013
It's like LeBron was trying to think of the nastiest possible thing he could do.
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) January 13, 2013
LeBron mad. LeBron no like loss to pun Blazers. LeBron smash Kings. LeBron strongest there is.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) January 13, 2013
My favorite part about the entire thing is that it was the perfect chance for Miami's commentating team to show off how much of a caricature they are of hometown announcers.
They've got everything, silly catch phrases, terrific, out-of-place accents, a short-term memory (it'll be a long time before these two top the full-court alley-oop) and just a fun sense of whimsy for everything going on. Those two get a bad rap.
It's times like these when it's hard for your run-of-the-mill Heat naysayer to continue to say nay.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
Green Dunk
Chris Paul steals the ball and gives to willie Green for the jam.
Source: http://www.nba.com/video/games/clippers/2013/01/12/0021200541-orl-lac-play1.nba/index.html
Rivers says KG didn't talk about Melo's wife
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Thursday morning that forward Kevin Garnett did not make the remarks he has been rumored to have made about Carmelo Anthony's wife during Monday's game.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Stealing and Dunking
Kyrie Irving comes up with the steal and sends it to Tristan Thompson for the slam.
Source: http://www.nba.com/video/games/nuggets/2013/01/11/0021200538-cle-den-play1.nba/index.html
Miami Heat: Could the Heat Land James McAdoo in the Draft?
The Miami Heat's struggles on the glass this season have been difficult to watch. While the addition of Jarvis Varnado, and the potential signing of Chris Andersen, gives Miami fans some hope for this year, team management needs to look to the future to ultimately repair this loophole in their otherwise stellar system. The addition of North Carolina forward James McAdoo could certainly assist in that department.
As some of you may remember, Heat president Pat Riley decided to trade Miami's pick from the 2012 draft to Philadelphia, in exchange for the Sixers' upcoming pick in the 2013 draft. Many questioned the deal at first but in typical Riley fashion, it seems it will work out in the Heat's favor.
As you would expect, the pick's position in the draft is dependent on Philadelphia's win-loss record. It currently resides at 15-22, four games back from the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff rankings. The pick is lottery-protected through to 2015, which means that should Philadelphia rank among the non-playoff teams when the season closes, it keeps ownership of the pick.
The draft lottery is the 14 NBA teams that did not make the playoffs, and the Sixers are on the cusp of such a placing, projected to pick at No. 11.
If the team does make the playoffs, the Heat would obtain that pick and could choose as high as 15th in the draft. It is through this that Miami could add Tar Heels forward McAdoo. He is projected to go as high as 13th by Hoops World, and as low was 16th by Draft Express. The 6'9" forward can play both positions, but isn't as quick on his feet as most wing players. In addition to this, McAdoo doesn't possess a long-range jumper and is better suited closer to the basket.
He doesn't have a spectacular leaping ability but is quick off his feet, making McAdoo a great second-jumper. This means that should his first attempt to score or secure a rebound fail, he is able to raise up again swiftly without needing to explode to the ball.
McAdoo's physicality and 7'1" wingspan makes up for his slightly undersized frame, giving him the opportunity to muscle inside for rebounds, close-range shots and drawing contact. McAdoo needs to develop a consistent post game, but can still score down-low based on pure ability rather than skill.
He bears much resemblance to Udonis Haslem in his prime, albeit with more potential. McAdoo would be a great fit as a member of the Miami Heat, not only because of his distant relation to Heat assistant coach and Hall of Fame forward Bob McAdoo, as his play style and strengths are all components that would slide seamlessly into the Miami system.
It may be a questionable outcome when the draft arrives, but if the Heat are lucky enough, and the Sixers are unlucky enough, Miami could add a fantastic young player to bolster its play inside, now and for the future.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1479842-miami-heat-could-the-heat-land-james-mcadoo-in-the-draft
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Goran Dragic Rips Phoenix Suns Teammates, Says They "Don't Care"
Life can't be easy as a Phoenix Suns fan in 2012-13.
Sure, the team might throw a few fleeting glimpses of excitement along the way, but a loss feels inevitable before the opening tipoff is thrown.
Apparently playing with the Suns is an even worse feeling—for certain Phoenix players, that is.
Following the club's 87-79 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics, the Suns have now embarked on their third four-plus-game losing streak of the young season. They've dropped 10 of their past 11 games, and been on the losing end in each of their last 11 games outside of Arizona.
And according to Goran Dragic, there's a disastrous feeling of apathy swirling through the team's locker room.
He told the Arizona Republic's Paul Coro that his teammates "don't care" about the club's performance.
"Right now, we're not together as a team," he said.
The term culture gets thrown out a lot in sports. Whether or not winning begets a strong culture or vice versa (or, in this case, whether the losing is to be blamed on bad attitudes or the attitudes blamed on the losing) is still up for debate.
Here's a time-tested sports concept, though: a lack of talent always leads to losing.
And the Suns are in dire need of a massive talent upgrade.
With a paltry 12-25 record, Phoenix owns the fifth-worst winning percentage in the NBA (.324). They've lost just three fewer games than the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have combined.
They don't score particularly well (96 points per game, 19th in the NBA), and certainly not well enough to mask their defensive shortcomings (opponents average 100.2 points per game, the sixth-most points allowed in the league).
The Suns front office recognizes the limitations of their current roster. It's the reason they offered New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon a max contract in the offseason. It's also the reason why they're currently engaged in trade talks with the Memphis Grizzlies for Rudy Gay (according to what league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports).
The realization of their shortcomings won't make them any easier to solve, though.
They lack desirable trade commodities, thanks in large part for the organization's over-optimistic view in terms of its ability to withstand the departures of Steve Nash and Grant Hill. Plus, there's a less-than-impressive 2013 draft class for this lottery-destined team to analyze.
Phoenix center Marcin Gortat understands the state of the club but has no desire to abandon what he called a "sinking boat", (according to Comcast Sportsnet's Jessica Camerato).
Of course, that may have been the big man's proactive attempt to deflect any personal responsibility for the current state of the franchise (11.6 points in 31.8 minutes per game).
Unlike some other struggling clubs, the Suns don't even have Father Time on their side. Just 22 percent of their points this season have come from players below the age of 26.
There is no quick fix in store for the Suns.
That can't sit well with the fanbase, although it might be easier to stomach for some of the players on the roster if Dragic is speaking the truth.
All statistics used in this article are accurate as of 1/10/2013.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
New York Knicks: Predicting Final Regular Season Record
With 34 games gone in the 2012-13 NBA season, the New York Knicks have started 23-11. The record is good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference. The record is also good enough to shock much of the basketball world after the Knicks finished seventh in the conference last season.
The fast start happened for several reasons. Carmelo Anthony is playing like an MVP. J.R. Smith is playing like a Sixth Man of the Year. Tyson Chandler continues to be his usual outstanding self and Jason Kidd has risen to the challenge. Leading the league in turnovers forced and playing suffocating defense have hugely contributed as well.
However, reasons have started to pop up for many to believe the trend will end. The return of Amar'e Stoudemire causes many to doubt he and 'Melo can finally play together. Other reasons include injuries to key players such as Raymond Felton and the fact that this is the oldest squad in the history of the league. Rebounding has also been an issue.
With 48 games to go, it is extremely unlikely that the Knicks will fall out of the playoffs, but where will they finish by season's end?
DIVISION GAMES: Brooklyn Nets (January 21), Boston Celtics (January 24, March 26 and 31), Toronto Raptors (February 13 and 22, March 22, 23), Philadelphia 76ers (January 26 and February 24)
Of the 48 remaining showdowns on New York's schedule, 10 will be played against division rivals. New York has taken out Brooklyn each of the last two meetings with big performances from 'Melo and strong shooting. Brooklyn is still figuring it out, so expect a win at home for the Knicks. Against Boston, New York will look to avenge its series-opening loss, but the physical play of the Celtics combined with the the return of Rajon Rondo will make taking more than two of the three games very difficult.
Against the other two foes, the 76ers and the Raptors, New York will be heavily favored. Without Bynum, Philadelphia quite simply isn't nearly as dangerous as it was last season and the Raptors are still are sitting at the bottom of the division. However, we're talking about basketball, so there will be a slip-up or two for New York.
Projected Record: 7-3
NON-DIVISION CONFERENCE GAMES: Indiana Pacers (January 10, February 20 and April 14), Chicago Bulls (January 11 and April 11), Detroit Pistons (January 17, February 4 and March 6), Atlanta Hawks (January 27, April 3 and April 17), Orlando Magic (January 30 and March 20), Milwaukee Bucks (February 1 and April 5), Washington Wizards (February 6, March 1 and April 9), Miami Heat (March 3 and April 2), Cleveland Cavaliers (March 4 and April 12), Charlotte Bobcats (March 29 and April 13)
When the Knicks aren't playing against division rivals, they will be facing off against conference rivals in 24 of their last 38 games. In that mix is a very wide variety of matchups.
You have the Chicago Bulls who have now shaken up the Knicks twice. Their aggressive play, suffocating defense and imminent return of Derrick Rose will make it very difficult for New York to do better than split the series.
However, there are also showdowns against big teams New York has taken down already. The Miami Heat have now fallen to New York twice by a combined margin of 40 points, but as the season wears on New York will likely look to split the two remaining games against a team heating up to defend its title.
The Pacers have also already fallen to New York, but the rivalry will spice up in the remaining three games. Stoudemire will need to help Chandler inside if New York wants to take the series. Finally, the Bucks will look to avenge an earlier loss as well, but the return of Iman Shumpert will limit their much-needed guard play which will free up New York on offense.
When the Knicks face the Hawks twice late in the season, the two could very well be fighting for a top three seed. New York will need to spread the floor and get good interior play in order to stop Atlanta.
Fortunately for Knicks fans, there are also some games in there that will heavily favor them. The Pistons, Magic, Wizards, Cavaliers and Bobcats will all be looking to upset New York. As was the case with division games, New York will undoubtedly drop a couple of these, but the Knicks have been very good so far at taking care of business. Mediocre defenses simply can't stop Carmelo.
Projected Record: 15-9
NON-CONFERENCE GAMES: New Orleans Hornets (January 13), Sacramento Kings (February 2), Minnesota Timberwolves (February 8), Los Angeles Clippers (February 10 and March 17), Golden State Warriors (February 27 and March 11), Denver Nuggets (March 13), Portland Trailblazers (March 14), Utah Jazz (March 9 and March 17), Memphis Grizzlies (March 27), Oklahoma City Thunder (March 7 and April 7)
To round out their 82 games, New York will have 14 more games against teams playing in the Western Conference. Due to the nature of the league, there will once more be a wide range of teams on the schedule.
There are season-defining matchups against contenders such as the Thunder, the Clippers and the Grizzles. Memphis' physical play handed New York its first loss of the season, and the unreal talent present on the other two squads make them nearly unbeatable on paper. New York will have something to prove and has stepped up in big games so far, but taking more than two of these five games would already be a huge step up for New York based on the past few seasons.
Aside from facing the big contenders, New York has quite a few games in this bunch that will serve to determine if the Knicks are truly above the middle of the pack. The Nuggets, Timberwolves, Warriors, Jazz and Trail Blazers are all outside of the top four in the West, but they all present real challenges every night.
The Knicks have started the year at 9-7 against teams from the West, so they will need to step it up here. Carmelo will be himself, but shots need to fall from outside and turnovers need to be forced on defense. More importantly though, the big guys need to help Chandler out with rebounding.
Finally, the Knicks have games against the Hornets and Kings that they are expected to win. If you want to be taken seriously, you have to take care of business. Considering we're talking about only two games here, a loss would be unacceptable.
Projected Record: 7-7
FINAL REGULAR SEASON RECORD: 52-30
Needless to say, a huge improvement on last season and reason enough to bring hope of a title back to the Garden.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1478544-new-york-knicks-predicting-final-regular-season-record
Boston Celtics Rumors: Frontcourt Addition Must Be Higher Priority Than Rudy Gay
The Boston Celtics have reportedly had conversations with the Memphis Grizzlies about trading for star guard Rudy Gay, and while Gay would give the Celtics a strong scoring boost, Boston would be better served by adding to their frontcourt.
HOOPSWORLD's Alex Kennedy dishes on the Celtics' interest in Gay:
The Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics are among the teams that have had conversations with the Grizzlies about Gay, according to league sources.
Kennedy also adds that the Grizzlies aren't dangling Gay simply to get out from under his contract, which is substantial. According to Kennedy, "Gay is owed $17.8 million and $19.3 million over the next two seasons."
Still, the Grizzlies want value back for Gay, and considering we are talking about a player who is averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season, it will take a nice trade package to land him.
The natural thought is that the deal would have to involve Rajon Rondo—take Rondo out of the picture and the Celtics would have to reshape their entire offense. That is not going to help them this season.
This isn't the route the Celtics need to go. Boston has been determined to win now, and sending off a player, or players, that it would take to acquire Gay would leave the Celtics stuck in neutral for the present.
Instead of shipping out one of their centerpieces, the Celtics should look at throwing together a package of some of their bench players and target a big man who can board and play defense.
The Celtics are 30th in rebounds. For a defensive-minded team, this is a fatal flaw. Kevin Garnett leads the Celtics with seven rebounds a game. Rookie Jared Sullinger is second with 5.7. He is coming off a career-best 16 rebounds on Wednesday night, but he lacks the consistency the Celtics need, and he is not a strong defensive player.
Boston doesn't need a star. They need someone who allows them the flexibility to play a bigger lineup, and can give a boost to the interior defense.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
How Far Can Sixers Franchise Go with Jrue Holiday as Its Best Player?
The future of the Philadelphia 76ers rests largely on the shoulders of Jrue Holiday, but how far can they really go with him as their best player?
Before we begin, it's important to note that Holiday's emergence as Philly's best player is not what the organization had in mind.
In fact, they felt as though bringing in a dominant and proven center would be what the Sixers needed to turn the corner. That big man was supposed to be Philadelphia's best player.
That big man was Andrew Bynum.
Bynum was acquired to come in and turn the Sixers into a championship contender, yet he still has not played in a game. What everyone had hoped for has turned into one of the NBA's biggest disappointments.
Somehow, through it all, Holiday has found a way to transform his game into a whole new realm and looks like Philly's next big thing.
Being the best player on any given squad doesn't guarantee that team success, though.
Success requires a special player. We're eventually going to get the opportunity to see if Holiday is that special kind of player or not.
But for now, let's take a look at how far the Sixers can go with Holiday as that player.
This Season
A 15-22 record might throw off most of the players on a team, but it doesn't appear as though it's affecting Holiday whatsoever.
He's averaging 18.4 points, 8.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game, all while he's 22 years old. The 18.4 doesn't seem like many points, but it has to when you see that he's the 15th-leading scorer in the NBA. His assist numbers are also good enough for fourth in the league. Not only is he fourth in numbers, but everybody in the top 10 in assists is at least 24 years old.
The numbers are pretty and all, but it's more than statistics with Holiday.
He's all about being a leader, and it's clear as day when you watch him play. Finding a game where he doesn't play as hard as he can or give every ounce of effort is almost impossible to do.
He consistently gives it his all.
Looking at the rest of the season isn't about who Philly is playing as much as it is about who is playing on the team.
The current 2012-13 roster without Bynum just isn't good enough to make a deep playoff run. It's frustrating to say that, but the facts can't be overlooked.
There is no question about Holiday being the best player, but he's enough to change the landscape of a team that doesn't have the talent to support him.
Philadelphia is sitting in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, four games back from the eighth spot. It looks as though the Sixers would have to win anywhere from 44 to 47 games to get into the playoffs.
That means to win 44 games, Philly would have to finish out the last 45 games of the season with a 29-16 record.
Again, it's more about who the Sixers have on the team and not about their future opponents. There is a chance that Bynum comes back later this year, but that needs to be looked at as a long shot. You just never know with him. It's pretty safe to say that Holiday will remain as the Sixers' best player throughout the rest of the season.
So where does that leave the team?
It leaves it in a similar situation as the one it's in now.
The Sixers have proved that they can't consistently beat the teams that they should, while still struggling to win many of the games where they're considered underdogs in.
Regardless of how great he's been, almost all of the success, failure and pressure lies on the shoulders of Holiday.
That's just what comes with being a leader.
Philadelphia is realistically looking at fighting to get into the playoffs this year. There's no other way around it. The team is already struggling, and it's going to need another team to begin to slow down if it wants a shot at the postseason.
Holiday has been the biggest surprise this season, but his emergence just isn't enough to get this team in a position to make any kind of playoff run this year.
The Future
This is where everything starts to look a bit brighter for the Sixers.
It's unrealistic to expect Holiday to improve over the next five years as much as he has in this past season, but it's not unrealistic to expect the rest of the team to.
The best part about the team getting better is that Holiday will still be both the best player and leader of the team. Leading a group of men that are capable of accomplishing success on the court is really all he can ask for.
There's no way around it—Bynum plays a major role in the speed of this team's transformation. If he were to get healthy and signed to a multi-year extension, then this team could be competing for an Eastern Conference title within the next two seasons.
That's how important he can be when healthy.
However, trusting him to consistently play doesn't look like the smartest move. It just feels like he won't be around this organization for too long.
If Holiday can develop into one of the five best point guards in the league, then the sky is pretty much the limit for Philly. Sure, he'll need another star and they'll need to put better shooters around him and somebody that can score in the post, but acquiring and developing those kind of players takes time.
The goal is for those players to come along right as Holiday is beginning to hit his peak as a player.
That peak is only a couple of years away.
It feels like it is decades away, but the NBA should be on the lookout for the Philadelphia 76ers somewhere around the 2016-17 season.
I already have my countdown running.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
NBA fines Cuban $50K for criticizing referees
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing the officiating.
NBA: Ray Allen works on his J before @MiamiHeat practice in Beijing. #ChinaGames http://t.co/JeJsue9b
NBA: Ray Allen works on his J before @MiamiHeat practice in Beijing. #ChinaGames http://t.co/JeJsue9b
6 NBA Superstars Who Aren't Getting Enough Credit for Monster Years
The basketball portion of basketball is too often lost.
It's more fun when Kobe Bryant is fighting Dwight Howard, when Carmelo Anthony wants to fight Kevin Garnett or wondering whether Kevin Durant will ever fight anyone.
NBA superstars stand like billboards downtown. Depending on the size of the downtown or the crammed activity around the billboard, it's easy to miss the message of the advertisement.
As such, actual on-court production is sometimes overlooked.
Many big names receive plenty of credit (sometimes too much), and then there are the players who aren't earning enough credit this season.
All stats reflect games played prior to Jan. 8. Each slide utilizes John Hollinger's Player Efficiency Rating (PER) as an overall rating of per-minute production. The league's average PER is 15.0.
Which Golden State Warriors Youngster Has the Highest Upside?
This is only their rookie season and they still have a lot to learn, but they have showed some of the skills that have gotten them to this level. Who has the most potential and who is suited to become the biggest breakout player of the group?
Kent Bazemore
Kent Bazemore is the only rookie to make the team that wasn’t drafted. He earned his spot with his solid play during the NBA Summer League and is known primarily as a defensive stopper. He is also known for being the guy on the end of the bench who puts on the best team celebrations.
Bazemore was finally able to celebrate for himself as he made his first NBA basket on the road against the Orlando Magic on December 14. He will really need to contribute on defense in practice to catch the eye of coach Mark Jackson.
Bazemore will be continually shipped back and forth to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA D-League in order to stay fresh and get the minutes he deserves. If he can contribute in the limited minutes, he will have a chance to stick around on the extremely deep roster next season.
His stats so far this season are 1.0 PPG, 0.2 APG and 0.2 RPG. Until he receives more playing time, the best that can be expected out of Bazemore is production after the game has already been decided.
Draymond Green
As you can see from the highlight, Draymond Green has a very high basketball IQ. He understands where he needs to be on the floor and what he can provide for the Dubs with his forward role.
That game-winning shot was an example of him waiting it out until he got the Miami Heat’s Shane Battier to commit and took advantage for the hoop.
Green struggled at the start of the season, but he has definitely improved. For a while, he was taking away minutes from fellow rookie Harrison Barnes. He is a true X-factor for the Warriors. His statistics won’t show his influence on the game, but the win-loss record will.
Green is currently averaging a paltry 3.1 PPG, 0.8 APG and 3.8 RPG, but he is strong and will try to physically outwork all of his opponents. He is also quickly working to become a defensive stalwart by matching up against the other teams’ best players.
In his last 10 games, his plus/minus has improved to 6.2 per game. He is definitely a bench guy, but the Warriors understand they have a keeper here who can be used in all sorts of key roles when the game is on the line.
Green will grow and will improve offensively to go along with his strong defensive effort. I consider him someone who could grow into a Battier type of role, but with more physicality and strength.
Festus Ezeli
As you can see from the highlight above, Festus Ezeli brings his body to the floor. Stephen Curry penetrates toward the basket, makes a chest pass to David Lee, who drops a smooth dish to the driving Ezeli for the easy hoop.
Ezeli hasn’t been an offense force this season, except for plays like above or the occasional put-back. He has had the added benefit of starting 28 of the Dubs’ 32 games because of Andrew Bogut’s injury.
The biggest benefit with Ezeli is that you can’t teach size, and he is the first legitimate big man that they have drafted since Joe Barry Carroll in 1980 after the ill-fated trade of Robert Parish.
Ezeli has put up a stat line of 2.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 1.1 BPG and is known for his physical presence, especially with his battles against the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin this season. He also swatted away five balls during a December 29 win against the Boston Celtics.
Ezeli will continue to grow and prosper, but he needs to soften his hands and develop some standard offensive moves. He limits his shooting primarily to nine feet and closer and averages 2.6 shots, converting 44.4 percent of the time.
Ezeli has a short shelf life of playing basketball and is still very raw. I see him developing into a player similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins.
Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes put himself on the map with probably the NBA dunk of the year, but since that time he has been consistent, but not dominant.
He is starting to get comfortable with the defensive rotations and he is doing what is expected of him. He will have a game where he looks like he is maximizing his potential followed by a game where he lays an egg. He has been trending on a higher note by scoring in double figures in his last four outings.
Barnes has the athleticism to stretch the floor on offense and the ability to clamor down on opponents defensively. He has a tremendous basketball IQ and will gradually ascend his potential ladder.
Per an article by Carl Steward of MercuryNews.com , here is what Harrison Barnes says about being a well-rounded player:
"Everybody wants to be known as a player who plays both ends, because that's what's going to keep you in this league a long time," he said. "Athleticism, all that show and flash, that's good for the fans. But being able to guard the basketball and create things offensively, that's what's going to keep you around. The main thing I try to do is add something positive to every game I play."
Barnes understands what it takes to be a quality player in today’s Association and has the work ethic to one day get there.
Barnes looks to be developing into a player that is the caliber of the Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng, and if things go right, he could even blossom into someone like the Indiana Pacers’ Danny Granger.
The Golden State Warriors’ youngsters look to have a good understanding of the game and each player brings a special skill to the game. Some players have a higher ceiling than others. Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes currently look the most comfortable out on the floor.
If Barnes can continue to grow and not suffer from inconsistencies like he did at the University of North Carolina, then he has the highest upside because he has the most tools available.
Stats used in this article were accurate as of January 8, 2013.
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Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Magic vs. Trail Blazers
LaMarcus Aldridge (27 points, 10 rebounds) leads the Portland Trail Blazers over the Orlando Magic in overtime, 125-119.
Source: http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2013/01/07/0021200510-orl-por-recap.nba/index.html
Celtics' Rondo suspended for bumping ref
NEW YORK (AP) -- Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has been suspended one game without pay for making contact with a referee and failure to cooperate with an NBA investigation.
Source: http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/07/rondo-suspended-ap/index.html?rss=true
Monday, January 7, 2013
Bulls sign guard Daequan Cook
Guard Daequan Cook has signed with the Chicago Bulls.
Source: http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/06/bulls-sign-daequan-cook.ap/index.html?rss=true
League discloses likely starting dates to teams
Training camps will start this weekend and the season likely will start on Jan. 19
Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/OvkrbtLc1bk/
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Timberwolves' Love fractures right hand again
The injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves lost star forward Kevin Love to a broken right hand for the second time this season when an MRI confirmed the injury on Saturday.
Source: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8816659/kevin-love-minnesota-timberwolves-refractures-right-hand
Beal to Seraphin
Washington's Bradley Beal finds Kevin Seraphin on the baseline for the one-handed crusher.
Source: http://www.nba.com/video/games/heat/2013/01/06/0021200500-was-mia-play3.nba/index.html
Notebook: Nets 113, Kings 93
THE FACTS: The Nets routed the Kings at Barclays Center, 113-93, with help from six players scoring between 14 and 18 points. After a fast start -- neither team playing much defense on the second night of back-to-backs -- the Nets outscored the Kings by 13 in the second quarter and left little doubt the rest of the way. Brook Lopez scored 18 points in under 17 minutes, while DeMarcus Cousins (28 points, 11 rebounds) continued to put up gaudy numbers for the Kings.
Source: http://www.nba.com/data/html/nbacom/gameinfo/20130105/0021200492_notebook.html?rss=true
NFL coaching carousel: Chiefs grab Reid, who's hired next?
Keep track of the latest reports and updates on the six remaining NFL coaching vacancies here
Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/nvBg8SUvUrQ/
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