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junker-town · 4 years ago

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NBA mock draft 2020: Our writers make picks for their favorite teams

Our latest mock draft is from those who know each team best.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are finally on the clock. After a nearly five-month delay because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 NBA Draft is set to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18. While this isn’t considered the strongest draft class in recent memory, it is still full of young and exciting players who will one day help shape the future of the league.

As the draft approaches, the SB Nation NBA community sites have held a mock draft. One representative from every community made the pick for their team. No trades were allowed this year because of the league’s delayed salary cap announcement.

Click the related link to each SB Nation NBA community for further analysis of the selection, and join the discussion in the comments. In a draft with little consensus at the top, there’s certainly going to be plenty to debate. We begin the draft with Canis Hoopus selecting for the Wolves.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia

Sans the ability to trade picks in this Blogger Mock Draft, this becomes the most logical move for Gersson Rosas at the top. The Wolves currently have their cornerstone PG/C duo (for better or worse), so selecting either James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball doesn’t appear to make much sense for Minnesota. While Edwards does carry the slight risk of becoming Andrew Wiggins 2.0 in the land of 10,000 lakes, his overall athleticism and offensive potential are too good to pass up for a team desperately in need of talent on the wing.

- Kyle Theige, Canis Hoopus

2. Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman, C, Memphis

Because we can’t trade the pick, I went with the player who is the best available and fills a big need for the Warriors. Wiseman has all of the tools to be a very good center in the league. He is one of the best athletes available and will develop into a solid rim-protector. Although his college sample size is small, Wiseman has apparently been killing it during workouts. General manager Bob Myers can focus on adding a wing via free agency and take a flier on a cheap PF/C to fill out the roster.

- Jas Kang, Golden State of Mind

3. Charlotte Hornets - LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawara Hawks

The Hornets are in talent acquisition mode, and LaMelo Ball might be the most talented prospect in this draft. Ball is positionally redundant with the Hornets’ current two best players, but his size allows him to share the floor with either Terry Rozier or Devonte’ Graham, and even both for stretches. His ability to create looks for others will open up scoring opportunities for both of the other Hornets guards, who were often overburdened on the offensive end last season. He would also bring a superstar presence to a franchise that’s always struggling to attain media relevance.

- Jonathan DeLong, At the Hive

4. Chicago Bulls - Killian Hayes, G, Ulm

Like Charlotte, Chicago is also in talent acquisition mode and should be aiming to take the best player on the board. That player is Killian Hayes. He also fits Chicago’s need for a lead guard who can get everyone into the right spots on offense along with creating some scoring of his own, especially with his shooting off the dribble. Hayes has already shown he can play over in Europe and has the tools to be a good player in the NBA. With Coby White viewed more as a two guard, Hayes will easily slot in as Chicago’s point guard of the future. There is a lot of upside with this pick.

- Vijay Vemu, Blog-a-Bull

5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC

For the record, Deni Avdija and Isaac Okoro were the other options strongly considered here. But the Cavs desperately need a defensive presence for now and the long-term. Andre Drummond just isn’t that. Okongwu’s ability to cover ground, rotate correctly and play smart defense is needed for a franchise that has been historically bad on defense for the past two seasons. What his offensive game looks like is a mystery and it’s hard to pass up two wings - another position of need. But Okongwu’s upside and ability to fill a need is just too good to pass up.

- Chris Manning, Fear the Sword

6. Atlanta Hawks - Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn

This is a draft class in which many of the prospects are bunched tightly together, meaning that a lot of the picks in this range come down to personal preference. The Hawks would’ve considered Killian Hayes as an upside swing if he fell to No. 6, but with him off the board, the decision came down to Okoro and Devin Vassell. There isn’t a massive gap between those two players in a vacuum, but Okoro brings an intriguing skill set, with athleticism, strength and defensive upside. Offensively, he can attack close-outs, finish at the rim, make plays as a passer and serve as a secondary creator. His jump shot is a work in progress but, if he can become a league-average perimeter shooter, the sky is the limit. Even if he can’t, his other skills, headlined by his defense, will carry the day.

- Brad Rowland, Peachtree Hoops

7. Detroit Pistons - R.J. Hampton, G, New Zealand Breakers

This was an incredibly tough decision based on how important it is for a franchise desperately in need of top-end playmaking and talent to reach in the draft for a player with the potential to fill that goal. Do you take a player with all-around skills you are confident in or do you evaluate who might have that small chance of being a No. 1 option? That was the great Patrick Williams vs. RJ Hampton debate in the Pistons war room. In the end, we decided first-year GM Troy Weaver should swing for the fences on guard R.J. Hampton who has athleticism and playmaking skills to lead the Pistons offense at the one or the two, whichever he naturally fits best. Williams, meanwhile, would be a great complementary piece, but Detroit really needs that piece he’d be complementing. Other factors in Hampton’s favor are a) his youth, b) that Hampton has been working to remake and transform his shot into something that would work at the next level. If he can become a potent perimeter shooter, he could be an incredibly successful offensive player in the NBA and while he has a lot to work on from a defensive perspective, he has the athletic tools to be successful with dedicated development time.

- Sean Corp, Detroit Bad Boys

8. New York Knicks - Devin Vassell, G, Florida State

The Knicks need a little bit of everything, but one thing they need most is outside shooting. Devin Vassell shot over 40% in both of his seasons at Florida State, and is a certified genius in team defense. He rose from outside the top 200 in the high school recruiting rankings to a top-10 pick in two years, so we’re betting there is still some upside to be had.

- Joe Flynn, Posting and Toasting

9. Washington Wizards - Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State

The Wizards need defensive help at every position. We were hoping for Okongwu or Okoro to be at No. 9 but both were gone. In addition, Precious Achiuwa was more of a reach with the No. 9 pick and we can’t trade down. While Avdija seemed tantalizing since he fell to No. 9, Washington does need another guard who could play a major role if the team gets into firesale mode in a year. And if the team starts winning many games, he can still be a strong option off the bench. Halliburton is a strong three point shooter and can be a good point guard option for the Wizards in a post Wall/Beal world. But he can also help right away with their playoff hopes which the Wizards want to do in the immediate term.

- Albert Lee, Bullets Forever

10. Phoenix Suns - Kira Lewis Jr., G, Alabama

The Suns really need a point guard of the future to take over for Ricky Rubio in 2021 or 2022, and that PG is Kira Lewis Jr. He and Booker can share the ball handling duties, playing off the ball next to each other as well as leading the second unit when the other is resting. Lewis has a bright future as a combo guard who can even get minutes his rookie season playing off ball next to Rubio in Booker-less lineups. The Suns got a steal here, in my opinion. Lewis could be one of the very best players in this draft.

- Dave King, Bright Side of the Sun

11. San Antonio Spurs - Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Coming into the draft with an appetite for frontcourt talent, the Spurs were surprised to find themselves with a handful of appealing, and contrasting, options at 11. Those included Avdija and Obi Toppin, both guys they expected to be off the board, and the raw Patrick Williams. They went with the Israeli prospect, who exists somewhere in the vast ocean that spans Toppin’s ready-made offensive game and Williams’ two-way potential. Avdija’s playmaking and versatility are welcome complements to a Spurs youth movement that’s heavy on guards and light on shot creation, and his professional experience makes him the rare Spurs rookie that can expect a role early in their career.

- Bruno Passos, Pounding the Rock

12. Sacramento Kings - Patrick Williams, F, Florida State

Williams’ numbers aren’t eye-popping but he provides something the Kings desperately need: toughness. He has plenty of room to develop and with Sacramento still a while away from contending for a playoff spot, the team can be patient with him. The Kings could lose Alex Len and Harry Giles in free agency, so they need to bolster their frontcourt. Williams is a very good team defender who will help strengthen the back line of the team’s defense. He makes up for his lack of athleticism with a high basketball IQ, but he will need to work on his explosiveness in order to have an impact on the offensive end.

- Sabreena Merchant, Sactown Royalty

13. New Orleans Pelicans - Aaron Nesmith, SG, Vanderbilt

With the futures of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson in mind, the Pelicans would be happy to score a high end role player in a weak draft devoid of booming potential. Aaron Nesmith fits the bill perfectly as his extraordinary shooting skills (52.2 percent from three-point range on 8.2 3PA) will keep driving lanes open for years to come for the two New Orleans cornerstones. Mentoring under JJ Redick could prove invaluable, and between Van Gundy’s teachings and Aaron Nelson’s training staff, a good chance exists for the 6’10 wingspan of Nesmith to reach his ceiling as an above average defender.

- Oleh Kosel, The Bird Writes

14. Boston Celtics - Obi Toppin, F, Dayton

The Celtics have three first-round selections, and must thread the needle between taking best player available and filling the need for immediate impact. An unforeseen slide of Obi Toppin makes him a high-value draft pick, both in trade markets elsewhere and in how he can make an immediate impact in Boston. Toppin is a freak athlete, shot above 39% from 3 and has the inside-outside offensive game needed in a hybrid big man. While there are legitimate defensive concerns, the talent and impact was too much to pass on at 14, and Boston provides him the opportunity to play the 5, likely his best NBA position

- Adam Spinella, Celtics Blog

15. Orlando Magic - Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina

It’s no secret that the point guard position has been a hot topic for the Orlando Magic over the last few years. While Markelle Fultz showed some positive signs last season, the Magic still need some depth at the position, especially with both D.J. Augustin and Michael Carter-Williams hitting the free agent market. Taking Cole Anthony gives the Magic a guard that can create his own shot, and can shoot the ball from beyond the arc some as well. Anthony will give the Magic the needed depth, and the ability to run out some two point guard lineups as well.

- Zach Oliver, Orlando Pinstripe Post

16. Portland Trail Blazers - Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova

The late-lottery, boom-or-bust prospects were off the board when this pick arrived, forcing this selection in the direction of the safe route. In a draft class filled with uncertainty, Saddiq Bey is on a short list of safe bets. Depending on how the offseason rolls out in Portland, it is possible that Bey could push for minutes as a rookie. There is always room for tertiary scoring alongside the Blazers’ star-studded backcourt. Again, this isn’t a flashy pick, but it is one that falls inside Damian Lillard’s prime.

- Steve Dewald, Blazer’s Edge

17. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky

One of the core competencies at Canis Hoopus is simple: Pick Kentucky Players (shoutout John Meyer). Maxey’s speed, athleticism, and ability to finish around the rim would instantly be a huge boost to Minnesota’s second unit, and if his stroke from deep can (consistently) develop, he would immediately become the next Wildcat alum to take a sizable leap from college into the pros.

- Kyle Theige, Canis Hoopus

18. Dallas Mavericks - Aleksej Pokuševski, F, Serbia

With the 18th pick the Dallas Mavericks select perhaps the most polarizing player in the 2020 draft. The Mavericks won’t have a pick this high (or a pick, period) for years, so this is their last chance to add raw and young talent to their roster. Does he make sense for the short term? No. But if Poku can add weight and perform against better quality talent, he might just be ready for Dallas right when Luka Dončić’s rookie extension kicks in and it gets more difficult financially to add pieces to the Mavericks. His skill set and size it just too much to ignore at this point in the draft.

- Kirk Henderson, Mavs Moneyball

19. Brooklyn Nets - Precious Achiuwa, F/C, Memphis

This pick is all about size and athleticism. Having a big like Achiuwa who is super athletic, quick, can defend and rebound the basketball slip to No. 19 is a nice get here. For his size, to be able to keep pace with the likes of Durant and Irving, plus being able to provide an extra body on the growing list of athletic fours in the game; you can see where Achiuwa and his 7’2” wingspan can come in and make an impact right away.

- Tom Lorenzo, Nets Daily

20. Miami Heat - Jalen Smith, F, Maryland

At No. 20, the Heat are looking for a contributor to their core. Jalen Smith provides the length, defensive versatility, and shooting they lacked to pair with or behind Bam Adebayo in the playoffs. Smith’s 7’2” wingspan paired with some Culture will make him someone with immediate impact.

- Matt Pineda, Hot Hot Hoops

21. Philadelphia 76ers - Desmond Bane, G, TCU

In their never-ending search for perimeter scoring, the Sixers go with TCU product Desmond Bane. Bane was a four-year player at the NCAA level which may scare some other teams off, but Philly is pretty smitten with how things turned out with Matisse Thybulle (also a four-year player). Bane has the size and athleticism to hold his own defensively, and if his career 43.3 percent mark from three-point range translates to the next level, he’ll contribute out of the gate. Longer term, he could be a perfect complement to Ben Simmons as a secondary ball-handler.

- Kevin Love, Liberty Ballers

22. Denver Nuggets - Tyler Bey, F, Colorado

The Nuggets take the local kid, grabbing a forward who reportedly registered a 43.5” vertical jump in his combine measurements. Bey is an athletic defender whose skills as a rebounder help strengthen one of the Nuggets strengths. He doesn’t have to come in as a shooting threat, and his ability to score around the rim plays well next to Nikola Jokić, Michael Porter Jr., and potentially Jerami Grant. If Grant leaves, Bey can slot in as the forward defender the team needs. He could have a lot of highlight reel plays finishing lobs on a loaded Nuggets team.

- Daniel Lewis, Denver Stiffs

23. Utah Jazz - Josh Green, G, Arizona

After their disappointing finish in the playoffs, Dennis Lindsey said Utah’s goal in the offseason would be to improve their defense while not sacrificing spacing. Josh Green should help with both those things. Green has great size at the wing standing 6’6” with a 6’10” wingspan and uses it well on the defensive end filling lanes and playing good on-ball defense. Green also shot 36 percent from three and has a nice looking shot that should only improve with time.

- James Hansen, SLC Dunk

24. Milwaukee Bucks - Theo Maledon, G, AVSEL

Milwaukee is searching for more dynamism in their backcourt after yet another playoff flameout and Maledon offers the upside and playmaking potential that could fit the bill. While his iffy shooting figures provide some pause, the hope is that Bud’s staff can give him a salvageable deep ball to accompany his nifty passing skills to ease Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton’s playmaking burden. With 6’9” length, if he improves his body he could follow in George Hill’s footsteps as a solid guard capable of scoring capably on several levels offensively.

- Adam Paris, Brew Hoop

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Leandro Bolmaro, G, Barcelona

He can give the Thunder a point forward off the bench so Dennis Schroder doesn’t have to be fully responsible for creating all the plays for the bench unit. He’s versatile and he’d be a solid addition to the team.

- Sarah Dewberry, Welcome to Loud City

26. Boston Celtics - Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford

Another guy with lottery rumors falling to our pick, Terry has the potential to be the long-term point guard of choice next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. A sharpshooter with a brilliantly quick release and deep range, Terry would add a Curry-esque dynamic to this offense. While his point guard skills and on-ball defense are in need of seasoning, the Celtics have proven capable of blanketing a smaller point guard in the past. Expect a few minutes off the bench early in his career while he’s groomed to be a floor spacer around Boston’s core in the future.

- Adam Spinella, Celtics Blog

27. New York Knicks - Malachi Flynn, G, San Diego State

The Knicks haven’t had a legitimate point guard since...well, it’s been awhile. Malachi Flynn was one of the best players in college basketball last season, a pick-and-roll maestro who can shoot it from anywhere. He might start for this Knicks team.

- Joe Flynn, Posting and Toasting

28. Los Angeles Lakers - Grant Riller, G, Charleston

Riller is a three-level scorer for a team that could benefit significantly from an on-ball creator, as outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to an extent, no other player on the team was a dependable source of perimeter creation in the halfcourt (Playoff Rondo notwithstanding). Riller’s push skills are whether his passing can catch up to his shotmaking, and whether his defense looks better when not asked to take on such a large offensive load — Riller showed flashes of the latter, albeit inconsistently this past season. Would still handicap the pick as likely to be traded on draft night, but Riller would be a solid addition who could likely have a fair shot of contributing in the short term at a spot of need for a defending title team.

- Ben Rosales, Silver Screen and Roll

29. Toronto Raptors - Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington

It’s a bit of a surprise to see McDaniels still on the board, and since the Raptors promised to be aggressive in their mission to add talent to their young core, he’s their guy at no. 29. Listed at 6’10” and 200 lbs, 20-year-old McDaniels has the talent and two-way potential to propel his way into the conversation as one of the better players in this year’s draft class. He also presents the Raptors with another multi-dimensional option on the wing, giving coach Nurse even more lineup flexibility with which to tinker. In all, it’s not hard to bet on Toronto’s ability to develop McDaniels with the right mindset and along the best path to unlock his full potential.

- JD Quirante, Raptors HQ

30. Boston Celtics - Isaiah Joe, G, Arkansas

The Celtics didn’t enter this draft expecting to take three domestic players, but we can finagle things to make room for the right three. If there’s one theme in our picks, it’s that shooting rules the roost. We have a superstar scorer, some great slashers and enough defensive versatility and firepower to remain a threat. Isaiah Joe could easily end up the best shooter in this class, and bringing he and Terry to Boston, as well as a pick & pop threat in Toppin, should open up the floor plenty for Tatum and company.

- Adam Spinella, Celtics Blog

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dangerouschopshopfire-blog · 8 years ago

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Trash NBA DFS Takes (March 3rd)

NBA Trash DFS Takes

This is a preview of how MLB articles will be written, they will have four “tiers” the obvious plays (which sites like RG/DFI) will tout as amazing plays and insult your intelligence like you couldn’t figure them out. Next the good plays which will consist of mostly middle tier priced player good to see 5x value (these often wont have amazing ceilings but are good for both cash/gpp. Next we will have the GPP tier which is where things get a little interesting with GPP plays and finally the “That Guy” tier where I pick that one random dude who will likely be in the first place GPP lineup also with a fade of the night.

Obvious Plays:

Russell Westbrook $13,000 – This man is on another planet, if you are playing cash do not fade him. GPP he is fade-able because his price tag is so hefty but be forewarned he had an off game peripherally last night and still dropped 60.6 FDP

Dario Saric $7,300 – Saric draws a extremely nice matchup today after a rough outing vs the heat. Lance Thomas is as soft as baby poop also he is prone to chronic foul trouble. Expect Saric to draw nearly 40 minutes in a rematch from only a few nights ago where he dropped an easy 40 FDP.

Robert Covington $7,200 – Covington also draws a great matchup vs. melo who has never been known for his defense. Covington IS NOT a must play, this is because his consistency is questionable…however with his price and upside post ASB he can easily end in the mid to upper 40s with a good night making him a very obvious GPP and cash play.

Lebron $10,800 – I’m not gonna waste your time you already knew this

The Good Plays:

Brandon Ingram $3,800 – The first value contender on our list today Ingram doesn’t draw the worlds most favorable matchup v Clam Crowder. His recent serge in minutes and shot attempts (10-15 per night) with the loss of Lou Williams is the reason he is such a good play. Ingram’s price is certainly too low for the 40 minute per night he will be seeing going forward, he can definitely snag some extra boards vs a weak boston team on the glass and if his shot starts to fall he can easily hit 30 fdp. Being cautious expect him to sit somewhere around 20-22 FDP certainly not a bad night for $3,800.

D’Angelo Russell $6,400 – Dude is seeing a huge increase in shot attempts and has been playing well. A lot would put this in the obvious play category and you can certainly expect him to have a healthy ownership % in all formats

Nik Stauskas $4,000 – Nik is sadly not min priced but with Gerald Henderson out today Nik becomes a very good play in all formats but especially GPPs. We should expect to see Nik play around 30 minutes catching around 9-12 shots with a decent number of peripheral stats. Nik’s upside is limited only by if his shot is falling, if he gets even the slightest bit warm he should sail past value anywhere around 25 FDP…not a bad night for a $4,000 play.

Enes Kanter $5,900 – Kanter is finally seeing his minutes rise post injury and he seems to be back in form. This isn’t a sexy GPP play but drawing a good matchup he easily should put together a nice 28-35 FDP night.

Nik Vucevic $7,200 – The center position is about as good as me in bed, lackluster at best (usually some crying involved too). Vuc pulls a pretty rough matchup vs Whiteside which hurts his rebounding upside however he will see a large volume of shots and Whiteside isn’t known as much of an on ball defender especially when vuc drags him from the basket. Vuc has the highest ceiling salary wise of any center on the slate and has a safe floor expect him to fall anywhere between 30-45 FDP (yes it’s very wide) and take it at a position which will likely sink a lot of players tonight.

(updated) We also like Gobert at Center for $7,500 ^^

The GPPs : (aka lets take a guess at which garbage jazz player will go off!)

We are going to be getting deep into the pits of GPP hell today so please turn on the air conditioning and roll up the windows

Alec Burks $3,500 SG – There isn’t much to explain here, Rodney Hood is out and burks will see decent minutes. Playing the narrative that Brooklyn is total garbage he could even see more usage if the game is a blowout and they run the scrubs out there. I wouldn’t overexpose myself (especially near a playground…) be careful with the Jazz trash.

Joe Ingles $3,700 SF – Another Jazz trashcan although Ingles sports a higher upside than Burks as he will start and see some decent shot attempts. Ingles has been pretty spoty filling in for Hood he does however take a lot of threes, in the games he gets hot he can easily drop 30+ (but they are rare) still not bad for $3,700. Just like Burks I wouldn’t have too much exposure but it’s a given one of these two will have a good game.

Derrick Favors $5,000 – Personally I don’t like this play and was more tempted to put him in the fade category but hey its Utrash Jazz day right? I likely wont have exposure to him but he draws a good matchup…if the game stays close.

Seth Curry $6,200– Man I cant stop playing this guy he is a monster in his current role. The only hesitation is a pretty trash matchup of the two slowest pace teams in the NBA. I don’t think pace matters too much for him but its certainly not the worlds greatest matchup. He does posses decent upside and a good ceiling, I would highly recommend over Devin Booker.

That Dude

Yikes, we missed the Mccaw train yesterday I guess, who knew! Well the guy who won the 4$ sure as hell did, he must have a time machine but I digress. Today lets get back on track on what should be an interesting day with so many cheap options actually in play. The most likely culprit today will be a center that just blows up value out of nowhere but if you have any idea on who that will be please shoot me a text! In what seems like a cop out I have to imagine a 76ers stack will take it down today. This could be staric/cov/mcconell/stauskas more than likely it will be a combo of three of those dudes today in the first place LU.

Fade: (I really hate PF today) (note: holmes has been removed from the list but i dont like him)

Derrick Favors

Porzingis

Orlando - Minus Vuc

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freebetalerts-blog · 6 years ago

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2018-19 NBA Betting Tips: Tuesday, 23rd October

(New post on FreeBetAlerts.com) - https://freebetalerts.com/2018/10/22/2018-19-nba-betting-tips-tuesday-23rd-october/ #NBA

2018-19 NBA Betting Tips: Tuesday, 23rd October Please share.

We’ve had a solid start to the season with our NBA tips, holding a positive 5-4 record as we approach the second week of action. We’re confident we can build on that record with some more great tips from the big 9-game slate on Tuesday, October 23rd. Good luck to all following! NBA Thursday 23rd October Betting Tips Washington Wizards at Portland Trail Blazers (1pm AEDT) We start the day’s proceedings in Rip City where the Washington Wizards travel to take on the Portland Trail Blazers. These two sides have had completely different starts their 2018-19 campaigns, with the Wizards losing their first two games and the Blazers wining theirs. Unfortunately for the Wizards, we see this trend continuing for at least another game. On paper you can certainly make the case that the Wizards have the more talented roster. The backcourts of Wall & Beal vs Lillard & McCollum probably cancel each other out, but the Wizards wing pairing of Porter & Morris would be taken by just about every GM ahead of Aminu & Harkless. When looking at each team’s second unit It’s again a very close race with both teams possessing quality bench players. This leads us to believe the difference maker between these teams is the coaching. We just get the feeling that Wizards head coach Scott Brooks Is starting to lose is locker room and will need to start looking for another job if his team continues to underperform. The results he’s gotten out of his team over the past 12 months just isn’t good enough and it doesn’t look like changing anytime soon. All things considered, we love a play on the Blazers small line at home. They’ve taken care of two quality opponents already on their home deck in the Lakers and Spurs, who we both have ahead of the Wizards in terms of quality.

San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (1:30pm AEDT) Our second play of the day comes from the highly anticipated match-up between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. It promises to be an enthralling and emotional contest, especially after the melee that transpired in the Lakers most recent game, which led to the suspensions of Rajon Rondo (3 games) and Brandon Ingram (4 games). Both the Spurs (1-1) and Lakers (0-2) have had shaky starts to their 2018-19 campaigns, but would love to get the ball rolling with a win on Tuesday. The spurs are seemingly going through a transition period with DeMar DeRozan taking the reigns as the team leader, while the same could definitely be said for LeBron James and the Lakers. Although Rondo and Ingram are suspended for this game, we still feel that the Lakers have the superior talent and depth on their roster. With a few key outs, we expect to see King James take over here and deliver the Lakers their first win of the season.

Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors (1:30pm AEDT) Our final play of an eventful Tuesday is on the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors total points OVER (228.5). This preview will be a bit shorter as there’s not much to say other than we expect these two teams to be disinterested on the defensive side of the ball. Devin Booker and the Suns (1-1) were emphatic in their season opener, putting up 121 points in their 21 point win over the Mavericks, before putting in a lacklustre performance on the road in their 28-point defeat to the Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Warriors (2-1) are coming off a disappointing 2-point loss to the Nuggets, which was their second nail-biting finish in three days. We’ve seen some monster team scores early in the season with 130+ scores being posted daily. We have a feeling that tomorrow will be another one of those games as the Suns and Warriors are notorious for having high scoring battles. In 12 of the past 13 times these teams have played, both teams have score 100+ points. In addition to that stat the Suns are horrible at defence and the Warriors are playing their second game of back-to-back. All signs lead to a scoring game.

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dailyvideovault · 6 years ago

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New video posted on: https://dailyvideovault.com/lebron-james-flirts-with-triple-double-lakers-lose-to-suns-nba-highlights/

LeBron James flirts with triple-double, Lakers lose to Suns | NBA Highlights

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sportsv · 7 years ago

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那一段從2016開始的陰錯陽差——太陽火箭交易分析

文／小鐵

在世界各地的籃球，多半在討論國際賽的時刻，從去年西區冠軍賽結束後就一直被火箭迷或相關媒體討論、捲入許多交易風聲的Ryan Anderson，終於在全美可能多半關注MLB的讓渡名單交易大限時，找到他下一季的新球隊。

這其實是一筆牽涉情感多於現實的交易。也充斥許多的陰錯陽差，而這一切，竟然很巧合的都在2016年夏天開始。

但在情感與現實之間，眾所皆知一向選擇現實面的火箭總管Daryl Morey，終於找上不用讓他付出太多代價、也能成功再提升球隊可用之兵的方法。而對太陽來說，這一筆交易損失的情感面比較多，現實則因為太多未知數而原本就虛無飄渺，只是他們現在又有下一個問題就是了。

休士頓火箭

Ryan Anderson + De'Anthony Melton

交易

鳳凰城太陽

Brandon Knight + Marquese Chriss

照理來說，如果不是什麼選秀後才開始談、牽扯到選秀球員60天後才能被交易，在八月底這��時間點的交易是很特別的，八月底的情況是：選秀選完了，該簽的、該放洋或發展聯盟的都確定了，自由市場上買完一輪了，夏季聯盟打了，但是球隊訓練營還沒開打。也就是說，對於球隊而言，目前的狀況是處在：新球季會留在球隊的菜鳥驗過第一次貨了，新球季手上有的人能組成長怎樣的陣容確定了，但是搭配起來會怎樣我還不清楚。

因此，這個時候做出來的、牽涉先發或固定輪替成員的交易，代表在前面第一波的陣容整理後，總管發現我的陣容光是紙上排出來就還有缺陷，或是其他該修正的地方，所以在大家實際上練習之前，我就覺得有更換的可能。

火箭做這個交易是合理的，他們從五月就知道，既然目標是勇士，那對勇士沒辦法用、薪資又會影響後續操作的Ryan Anderson就是應該要出清的對象。太陽做交易也不是不合理，因為除了擁有Devin Booker和Josh Jackson的側翼位置以外，他們其他三個位置都有空缺，選秀選到Deandre Ayton補上中鋒，FA找來原本是側翼的Trevor Ariza都得被安排在四號位，所以補一個四號位的確有其意義。

只是，對太陽來說，這個夏天的變動很多，換了一個新教練的系統，要怎麼運作還沒試過，新秀可以預見會有相當吃重的角色，先發PG去年整季停賽，在這個時候，這個不是沒有意義的球員異動到底是不是再給自己多一個煩惱，的確值得討論。

不過或許，比起練一陣子後再來修正，乾脆在教練真正處理問題之前先讓他知道我們要再換一個角色，也沒什麼差別就是了(？)

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We're Bad, but Not that Bad?

2016年發生的事情是這樣。

2015年，太陽剛處理完一場把鳳凰城弄得灰頭土臉的三衛事件，2015-16球季，他們就用Eric Bledsoe+Knight的後衛組合打完，雖然因為Bledsoe大傷，兩人整季只合作了30場，但加上前一年選進的Devin Booker，讓他們在後場戰力可說無虞，面對即將到來的2016選秀會，太陽非常希望聯盟倒數第三的戰績能幫助他們幸運抽中前兩順位，挑選Ben Simmons或Brandon Ingram之一。

當年的選秀行情是這樣：Simmons和Ingram無疑是二擇一的狀元榜眼，接下來三個樂透熱門就是當年NCAA三大後場Kris Dunn、Buddy Hield和Jamal Murray，太陽不缺後場，因此唯有抽到前兩順位才能給他們最適合的人選，但上帝沒有給他們這點幸運，太陽最終拿到第四順位，雖然第三順位的塞爾提克同樣不缺後衛，也只能說是兩隊抱著同樣問題在燒。

太陽最終沒有選擇三大後衛之一，而是選擇給人無限期待、但完成度顯然還很低的歐洲天才前鋒Dragan Bender，事情還沒完，他們甚至用2014年就選中的歐洲明星搖擺人Bogdan Bogdanovic、當年的第13和第28順位向上換到國王的第八順位，把選前測試就相當中意、在選前身價飆升的Marquese Chriss帶回家。於是同樣主打PF的Bender和Chriss，就成了太陽迷們講了兩年的「雙菜」搭檔。

結果，接下來兩年間，當初在三衛選擇題中留下來的Bledsoe一直無法成長為主導大局的控衛，雖然沒有大傷卻偶因小傷停賽，最後竟在上季丟出「我不想待在這裡」的言論後被交易離開，Knight在2016-17球季再因傷只打了52場，上季更是在季前就撕裂十字韌帶而整季報銷，反觀PF雙菜這兩年的成長不如預期，除了Chriss練出一點外線以外，Bender還是那個腦袋夠聰明但體能跟不上的樣子，Chriss則是體能夠好卻時常無法做出正確判斷，兩人塞在同一個位置上，卻沒人保證自己能穩穩搶到那25分鐘。

結果，2016年以為不缺的後衛在這兩年大概有一半時間極缺人手，缺到後來要向魔術換Elfrid Payton應急，2016年一次補進兩個年輕PF就在不完整的培訓中到現在還是讓人提心吊膽，佔了名單內兩個缺卻達不到別人一個球員的貢獻。

所以，選秀會上選進Ayton，接下來就是要決定誰能跟他配合，有點難想像的是，在某些人印象中以往都是跑轟、砍三分為主的太陽，最近兩年是聯盟裡三分球最差的球隊之一，上季0.334的三分球命中率更在聯盟墊底，如今再選來一個要在中距離到禁區討生活的Ayton，找個拉大空間的Stretch 4並不是一件壞事，Bender顯然和這樣的類型還有很大一段差距，那Anderson能給太陽的幫助，並非無法想像。

唯一的問題是，在休息一年之後，Knight原本是今年太陽預定的先發主控，今年夏天他一直積極的自主訓練，也一直有很正面的自我覺察與隊友給予的回應，新任總教練Igor Kokoskov過去在爵士當助教時曾改造過George Hill，讓Hill在爵士那一年繳出生涯至今最佳的表現，也讓人期待Knight是否會在他的調教下更有長進，然而太陽沒有在FA補強其他控衛，Knight加上今年第二輪選進的Elie Okobo就是主要控衛輪替，這難免讓人有些擔憂，如今又失去Knight，控衛陣線顯然更為薄弱。

在這個大控衛時代，沒有一個好的控衛壓陣總是讓人擔憂，原本已經不讓人很放心的太陽，現在將面對更嚴苛的考驗。但這筆交易也解決了兩個年輕前鋒到底該如何養成或取捨的問題，依然擁有戰力的Anderson，也的確可以期待能給太陽一點幫助。

太陽當然還不是好球隊，失去控衛後更顯雪上加霜，但真的要說這筆交易有那麼糟糕，起碼就前場人員配置來說，並非一點幫助都沒有，只是成效如何、教練如何面對這樣的控衛陣容、或是有沒有再進一步的交易，都還是問號。

情感，與現實面

不曉得會有多少火箭迷對Anderson有所謂「情感」，但他的確是D'Antoni執掌兵符後，在三分球重要性被放大的近年抬起火箭外圍火力的一大關鍵，而對Anderson來說，曾經經歷過摯愛自殺的精神折磨後，成立了基金會幫助那些曾有過心理障礙的人、關注自殺防治的議題，在場外他也是一個充滿濃濃情感的男人。只可惜因為球場上的現實，他得離開這個看起來比較接近總冠軍的球隊。

太陽這一方的情感面牽涉比較多，Nash在2012年離開，嫡傳弟子Goran Dragic回來接棒也接下了球迷的期待，但在三衛事件後留下來的Bledsoe、再到當年亡羊補牢、甚至讓太陽丟出2018年湖人的首輪選秀權才買來的Knight如今都不在陣中，那一個屬於太陽控衛的美好想像，居然要讓太陽球迷就這樣看著他們一個一個離開，若再加上當年以陣中不缺後衛為由而跳過的Dunn、Hield和Murray，如今三人都成了所屬球隊重要的後場戰力，對照此刻太陽控衛線的缺人，更顯諷刺。

但現實面來說，這個操作時間對兩邊都可以理解，Anderson和Knight的合約都還剩兩年，都是一個尷尬的時間，而火箭由於已經在Harden、CP3和Capela身上砸下重金，明年夏天若想在可預見的自由市場大年搶點貨，任何一點小錢都值得挖掘，Anderson明年的薪資大約2126萬，Knight則是1564萬，若不撿Chriss身上408萬的球隊選項，這個交易就會在明年夏天幫火箭製造約562萬的空間，而太陽雖然得到薪資較高的Anderson，但Ariza只簽一年，明年夏天Tyson Chandler身上1300萬的合約也將到期，造成的影響有限。

而且，也許太陽迷對Chriss和Knight有各種期待，但放在交易桌上，一個是兩年來成長有限、季外還會身材失控的年輕人，一個是過去兩年大傷��今年身上還有一團問號的後衛，這兩人的交易價值其實不高，或許可以質疑的是為什麼要在交易價值這麼低的時候賤賣，但真要說什麼重傷害，除了球隊在進入九月還找不到先發控衛這個麻煩以外，並沒有真的這麼無可挽回。

這兩個同樣從2016年開始，卻經歷一連串陰錯陽差的誤會，在這筆交易中各自尋找了出口，對火箭來說，一個面對假想敵時用不到的球員能換來兩個至少有點期待空間的球員，絕對不是壞事。對太陽來說，兩個充滿未知數卻不確定未來在哪的球員至少換回一個陣容上堪用的配角，固然不完美，但也不是一個毫無可取之處的決定。

只是不免讓人感慨，僅僅兩年之間，就有如此巨大的轉變，世間當然沒有後悔藥，但假設真能回到2016，火箭、太陽，會不會改變自己的想法呢？

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#nba #YAHOO #運動視界 #交易 #brandon knight #Ryan Anderson

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shervonfakhimi · 7 years ago

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The 2018 Trade Deadline Extravaganza

That was fun. The 2018 trade deadline was an absolute roller coaster. Trades and trades galore. So, what to make of all of it? Here’s what I think of what went down.

Cavs Retool: So, what the hell just happened? Koby Altman just got rid of more staff workers than Ari Gold merging with TMA. Through the prism of the Kyrie Irving trade of the summer, the Cavs still are not the team they could be with him. But man did they do their best of a bad situation. Cleveland needed a major overhaul and made one. Isaiah Thomas is a ball dominant guard that Brad Stevens, along with the work Isaiah put in, managed to help him thrive all the way to finishing 5th in MVP voting, but that could not happen in Cleveland coming off his hip injury and taking the ball out of LeBron’s hands. Continuing to air out Cleveland’s dirty laundry in the media only made things worse. Getting a secondary scorer in Clarkson who can play off the ball some should help the Cavs more than Isaiah Thomas would. George Hill and Rodney Hood are both players who can play off the ball and create off the dribble too, and bring a defensive presence Cleveland could only dream Isaiah, Rose, Wade and Shumpert, could bring. Larry Nance Jr. will bring an energy and defensive edge the Cavs are not getting right now from Tristan Thompson. The Cavs brought in a renowned energy and versatility to their team all while ridding themselves of the clutter of specialist players like Wade, Rose, Crowder and Shumpert, while simultaneously preserving that coveted Nets pick. Will this trade catapult them over the Warriors. No, likely not. But this helps them become more competitive to keep their crown of the Eastern Conference. It will take time for this team to gel, especially with Love injured until April. It isn’t a lock they make the Finals again, but they definitely got better and increased their odds of doing so, sending a message to LeBron that they want to maximize their window with him. And even if LeBron walks, the Cavs have stashed their roster with more young players in Clarkson, Nance and Hood (though will have to fork up big money to Hood this offseason) along with whoever they select with that Nets pick. Give Koby Altman a lot of credit.

Lakers cap room: Hey did you guys know the Lakers wanted to create money for 2 max contracts this summer? Well, it looked like the Lakers ‘recalibration’ for 2019 was a trap (read that in your best Admiral Akbar voice)! Trading Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance and the $14 million they were owed in 2018 (and 2019) was one of the last steps the Lakers needed to get to that threshold. Now, does that mean the Lakers are going to get one or two of the likes of LeBron James, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, etc? No, but it does get the Lakers firmly in the game, without sacrificing their main core that includes Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh (Barkley) Hart and Julius Randle. Not only do they keep those guys, but they get an extra first round pick in the process. The Lakers scouting department has found some great finds in those late 1st round picks and 2nd round picks. Just think of what they just traded: Jordan Clarkson, a 2nd round pick they bought from the Wizards in 2014, and Larry Nance Jr., a 1st round pick they essentially bought from the Rockets for eating Jeremy Lin’s expiring contract. Kyle Kuzma was drafted at 27, Josh Hart was drafted at 30 and both have made big strides in the Lakers rotation this season. The Lakers are still rebuilding and gathering as many assets as they can. Not only did they manage to nab one in the Cavaliers’ 1st round pick this season, but also have the capability to chase not one, but 2 free agents they need to get to contention. They’ve been trying to trade Clarkson (and Randle and Nance) all year long, and executed the exact trade they sought to make. Rob Pelinka did his job. You’re up, Magic (just do it without tampering, please).

No East Moves? So the Cavs blew up 40% of their team, but no meaningful moves were made by the other Eastern contenders outside of the Celtics signing C Greg Monroe. Perhaps Malachi Richardson becomes a factor in Toronto, but I’m not counting on that yet. With Tyreke Evans and DeAndre Jordan being floated as possibilities for multiple teams in the East along with other ancillary role players who can help, Boston, Toronto nor Washington made a deal. Did they let an opportunity slip? Maybe not. Boston did add another scoring punch in Monroe and held onto Marcus Smart. Toronto already can go about 10 deep and not lose a step, critical in the playoffs. Washington will get John Wall back and are in the midst of a surge, winning 5 of their last 6. Toronto and Boston are still better than the Cavs in the meantime, and Washington and Miami could’ve work their way into the mix with a deal. Will that change in April and May when the Cavs learn the tendencies of their new teammates? We’ll see.

Buy Low Point Guards (Isaiah/Hill/Mudiay/Elf): Maybe it’s just me, but Isaiah Thomas is still a good player. It doesn’t help he’s still shaking off the kinks of a major knee injury. Nonetheless, Thomas fit in in Cleveland about as well as a crocodile in an alligator rally. He’s only shooting roughly 47% from less than 5 feet, and 29.3% on catch and shoot 3s per NBA.com. If he isn’t scoring efficiently, he’s not worth playing with his defensive capabilities, or lack thereof. More possessions with Isaiah shooting misses is less possessions for LeBron to create, and he didn’t bring the requisite spacing needed to play with LeBron. That compounded the locker room issues he brought, where he, to quote on Kanye West, was talking to the media like it’s you and me. Now in Los Angeles, Lonzo Ball will still start, but does not need the ball as much as LeBron does and can defend the quicker point guards Isaiah will face night-to-night. It will be tricky with Brandon Ingram playing well as the de-facto point guard in this winning surge the Lakers are on right now, but Isaiah should be able to fit in better with this younger, more athletic Laker team that can play to his strengths and shield his weaknesses a little better than Cleveland could.

George Hill is not Kyrie Irving. He is not the Isaiah Thomas of last season. But, he is about as well a replacement Cleveland could realistically get. He has the length and athleticism to not just guard, but put pressure on opposing guards and wings to go with plenty of playoff experience. The fit should be cleaner too. He currently leads the league, the entirely league, in 3 point percentage at 45.3%, and is shooting 47.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s, per NBA.com. Hill also fits in as a more than serviceable secondary ball hander and playmaker. The chemistry he and Rodney Hood had in Utah should surely translate over onto Cleveland. While his defense has not been as staunch this season (90th in ESPN’s RPM, 1 spot above Isaiah Thomas), that speaks more to a lackluster effort playing on a rebuilding that doesn’t understand all the little nuances of NBA defense. Playing on a championship contender should rejuvenate Hill and bring out the player from San Antonio, Indiana and Utah.

Perhaps the most intriguing non-Cleveland trade made today was the New York Knicks acquiring Emmanuel Mudiay from Denver in a 3 team trade, giving up Doug McDermott for him. While benefiting financially, getting a season and a half of Mudiay on a rookie scale contract for McDermott’s expiring contract, it is a great buy-low opportunity. Mudiay’s seen an increase in field goal and 3 point field goal percentage and his scoring per 36 minutes is a career high 17.2, per Basketball-Reference. He has generally played with a bit more of a feel at a slower pace, critical for young point guards. Denver is in win now mode and Devin Harris should help in that regard, especially defense. But, it takes time for point guards to grow in the NBA, much like young quarterbacks in the NFL. It varies for when it ‘clicks’ for each player, and it didn’t seem like Denver was the place it would click for Mudiay with Jamal Murray’s emergence. After Kristaps Porzingis’ horrific ACL injury this week, it doesn’t hurt the Knicks to find out what they could have in Mudiay and give him and Frank Ntilikina the keys to the car this season to grow during the 2nd half of the season. Keep an eye on Emmanuel Mudiay in New York.

Plenty of players have moved on from the wasteland that is Orlando to see success everywhere (Victor Oladipo and Shabazz Napier, to name a couple). Could the same be said for Elfrid ‘The Weeknd’ Payton? Perhaps. Spacing could be jammed with Josh Jackson another ballhandler and playmaker on the floor. At the very least, Payton is capable of defending opposing teams’ best perimeter playmaker and ease that responsibility off of Devin Booker. After trading Eric Bledsoe, the Suns did not have another starting-caliber Point Guard on the roster. Tyler Ulis is a more than capable backup, but overmatched as a starter. Is Elfrid Payton the future Point Guard for the Suns? I don’t think even they know the answer to that. But with 3 2nd Round Picks this upcoming draft, giving one up for a player who fills a role and will be re-attainable this summer as a restricted free agent is a nice bet for the Suns to take.

Wade back home: The Cleveland Cavaliers essentially gave the Heat back their greatest player in franchise history, Dwyane Wade. All that needs to be said is this is the right thing to do for both Wade and the Heat. Welcome back to Wade County.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuNpeCAsePM

Woj vs Shams: The best rivalry in the NBA. Not Warriors-Cavs. Not Warriors-Thunder. Not Joel Embiid vs anybody. The 2 squared off today: master Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN vs his apprentice, Shams Charania of the Vertical. Woj dominated the trade deadline, breaking the biggest trades today involving the Cavs, amongst others. Gotta get him next time, Shams.

#Cleveland #Cavaliers #Los Angeles #Lakers #Boston #Celtics #Toronto Raptors #Washington Wizards #Isaiah Thomas #George Hill #Emmanuel Mudiay #Elfrid Payton #Dwyane Wade #Adrian Wojnarowski #Shams Charania #NBA #Trade Deadline

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madpicks · 8 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://www.madpicks.com/sports/nba/nba-rising-stars-challenge-2017-roster-karl-anthony-towns-leads-sophomore-heavy-team-usa/

NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2017 roster: Karl-Anthony Towns leads sophomore-heavy Team USA

Team USA is stacked, although mostly with second-year players.

It will be Team USA vs. Team World once again for the Rising Stars Challenge during this NBA All-Star Weekend. The league selected the best rookies and sophomores for the team, highlighting the rising stars who are poised to take over the league in the coming years.

Karl-Anthony Towns is the obvious star, as the 21-year-old leads the Timberwolves in scoring this season and has a range of skills completely foreign to most 7-footers we’ve seen in the NBA. Beyond him, Myles Turner fits a similar description, while Phoenix’s Devin Booker is coming on strong and should be one of the team’s starting guards.

Unfortunately, the roster does highlight that the drafts over the past two seasons have been on the weaker side for Americans. No player outside of the 2015 NBA lottery makes either Team USA or Team World this year, while there’s only two 2016 lottery picks (out of six) who join the Rising Stars Game this year. Fortunately, draft classes have a way of evening themselves out — the 2017 one is expected to be loaded both at the top and throughout the first round.

The BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge will take place at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

Here is the U.S. roster

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, G: Booker is a lone bright spot in Phoenix this season, making the jump from a solid rookie to a leading scorer for the Suns as a sophomore. There are still areas of Booker’s game where he can improve, but what matters right now is that he’s averaging 21 points relatively efficiently and dishing out three assists per game, too. Phoenix can trust that he’ll be a huge part of their future, whatever that is.

Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks, G: If you had to predict these Rising Stars rosters before the season, Brogdon would by far be the most surprising name listed here. But there’s zero doubt he deserves it, emerging from an early second-round pick to an athletic all-around guard who even recorded a triple-double earlier this year. So far, he’s the steal of the 2017 NBA draft.

Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns, F: Chriss was one of Phoenix’s two lottery picks last draft, and so far, he’s outplaying Dragan Bender (selected fourth overall), who was not selected to represent Team World and recently had season-ending surgery. He’s had some problems with inconsistency and foul trouble this year, but overall, Chriss looks as athletic as he was touted and certainly has the potential to become a good NBA player if he keeps improving.

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers, G/F: Last year’s No. 2 overall pick hasn’t exactly taken the NBA by storm, but you usually see Ingram’s tantalizing promise at least once a game. He’s 19 years old and stands 6’9 with handles like a guard and a jump shot that’s silky smooth. The product hasn’t translated to the floor yet — he’s shooting under 37 percent this year while averaging eight points and four rebounds — but Los Angeles is betting that Ingram will be a monster in a couple years. Honestly, it’s not a bad bet at all.

Frank Kaminsky, Charlotte Hornets, F: Kaminsky plays a valuable backup role in Charlotte, scoring nearly 11 points while averaging 4.5 rebounds and putting up more than four threes per game. He unfortunately hasn’t taken the step up the team hoped, though, with his field goal and three-point percentage both falling. Still, his three-point shot could still come around if given some more time.

Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers, C: Philadelphia has needed to trade Okafor ever since Joel Embiid came back this season. Between him, Okafor and Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia simply can’t fit three players who all work best as true centers. It’s entirely possible he’s played his last game for the 76ers.

D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers, G: It’s safe to say Russell had a weird rookie year, between the Snapchat fiasco and the normal Lakers drama that comes with all that. He’s improving as a point guard this year, even if his scoring has taken a bit of a hit. There’s no reason to think the 20-year-old can’t be one of the league’s best for the next dozen years, though, as long as he makes a jump.

Jonathon Simmons, San Antonio Spurs, G: Simmons has one of the smallest roles among the Team USA participants, but it’s an important one for the Spurs, who are once again dominating the Western Conference behind Golden State. Simmons is an energy player off the bench for San Antonio, going from semipro just a few years ago to dominating the Warriors during the first game of the year.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, C: Towns is the heir apparent of the league, taking a leap forward as a sophomore even if the Timberwolves aren’t quite playoff contenders just yet. He’s an Anthony Davis-like giant who can do it all, and truthfully, Towns might have the potential to do even more than Davis. Either way, it’s hard to envision a scenario where Towns doesn’t dominate the NBA for the next decade (knocking on wood that he suffers no major injuries). He’ll fit in right at home in this game.

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, F/C: Turner is right behind Towns as a do-it-all big man with unlimited potential. Did you know: Only three players in league history have averaged more than 15 points and two blocks while shooting at least 35 percent behind the three-point arc (50 or more attempts). One is Serge Ibaka in 2013-14 while the other two are Turner and Joel Embiid this year.

#NBAAllStar

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junker-town · 5 years ago

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Here’s your 2020 NBA All-Star mock draft

It’s Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis. This is the 2020 NBA All-Star mock draft you never knew you needed.

There’s a lot happening in the NBA right now: the trade deadline is upon us on Thursday, the playoff race is heating up a few degrees as we zip toward the home stretch and NBA All-Star Weekend is just a week away.

In service of that, the NBA will hold its third annual NBA All-Star Draft, the second televised. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, 2020 All-Star’s two captains, will draft teams on TNT at 7 p.m. ET. There are rules, of course: starters get picked first, then reserves. LeBron has the first pick for starters. Giannis picks first for reserves. Trades are apparently allowed, based on last season.

I have my war room and my big board ready to go. And here’s what I think is going to happen Thursday night. Let’s mock.

Starters

1. Team LeBron: Anthony Davis

This is a no-brainer unless LeBron plays a practical joke on Davis by taking someone else for giggles.

2. Team Giannis: Luka Doncic

This is a reminder that James Harden went very late in the starters’ draft last year (seventh out of eight) and that it seems like perhaps Antetokounmpo doesn’t really have a lot of love lost for The Beard given the way that officials in Houston talk about him and his 2019-20 NBA MVP award. Giannis needs a playmaker and is probably drawn to a young European star.

3. Team LeBron: Kawhi Leonard

LeBron sure as heck doesn’t want to be on the team playing against Kawhi, even in an exhibition.

4. Team Giannis: Joel Embiid

Giannis picked Embiid high last season, too. It’s a good grab for size, the only true center among starters.

5. Team LeBron: Kemba Walker

Kemba going over Harden is a shocker, but there’s just something about The Beard that makes him a lower prospect in these sorts of endeavors. I could be wrong and he could be the second player off the board. But I think I’m right and Kemba will go before him. (Kemba is freaking great.)

6. Team Giannis: Pascal Siakam

Why not go full-on Team World?

7. Team LeBron: James Harden

Finally, Harden escapes the green room.

8. Team Giannis: Trae Young

I love Trae Young. But to me, there is no question that Young will be the last starter picked. As flashy and fun as he is, he is on a different level than the rest of these nine players. No shots, but it’s true.

Reserves

9. Team Giannis: Khris Middleton

Giannis picked his teammate first among reserves last season, too.

10. Team LeBron: Chris Paul

Here’s where things get interesting. Does LeBron pick one of his best friends in the world, CP3? Or does he pick a Klutch Sports client and young star he’s mentored in Ben Simmons? I think he goes with CP3 as a nod of respect to his friend’s stunning comeback.

11. Team Giannis: Damian Lillard

The best player among the reserves. Maybe the third or fourth best player in the whole All-Star Game? This is why the All-Star draft is so funny: the third or fourth best player in the game is probably the 11th pick because of RULES and because of RELATIONSHIPS. So goofy and wonderful.

12. Team LeBron: Ben Simmons

Now LeBron can claim his protegé. And keep him off of Embiid’s team. To let him flourish. HMMM.

13. Team Giannis: Nikola Jokic

Team Giannis’s international flavor reigns, and Jokic has been one of the best players in the league for about a month now. If the draft plays out like this, Team Giannis is winning.

14. Team LeBron: Jayson Tatum

Tatum has been on fire as of late as well, and while he doesn’t seem like a traditional All-Star high-scorer candidate, his excitement at playing with the legends he’ll share the court with should be really satisfying to people who like to see nice folks be excited and happy.

15. Team Giannis: Donovan Mitchell

Let’s hope the Jazz win a game between now and All-Star or Mitchell (a supreme competitor) is going to have trouble smiling.

16. Team LeBron: Brandon Ingram

LeBron reunited with one of the players alienated by his machinations to get the Pelicans to trade Anthony Davis last season. Sounds like a Hallmark movie in the making.

17. Team Giannis: Jimmy Butler

I’m so bummed Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t an All-Star — not because he deserves it (his long injury absence and Minnesota’s downward spiral screwed that), but because Towns vs. Jimmy in this setting would be magical. Like a JV version of Westbrook vs. Durant from 2017.

18. Team LeBron: Russell Westbrook

Westbrook has literally nothing to prove for the first time in ... his life? Unless he reads too many quotes about how he doesn’t deserve his All-Star spot over Devin Booker. By the way, I have Westbrook and Lillard on different teams. That ABSOLUTELY needs to happen. Maybe that’s the source of the chip on Westbrook’s shoulder this time around.

19. Team Giannis: Bam Adebayo

High potential fun for Bam as an All-Star. Also, high potential for three minutes of playing time.

20. Team LeBron: Rudy Gobert

The NBA should donate $10,000 to a charity of Rudy’s choosing for every screen assist in the All-Star Game.

21. Team Giannis: Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry absolutely deserves to be an All-Star and absolutely cannot possibly want to play in the All-Star Game.

22. Team LeBron: Domantas Sabonis

There is no chance whatsoever that Domantas Sabonis, a wonderful young player deserving of his spot in the game, will be anything but the last pick in the 2020 NBA All-Star Draft. This is LaMarcus Aldridge Memorial All-Star Roster Spot. Someone make Domas a plaque.

Tom Ziller writes and publishes Good Morning It’s Basketball, a daily independent NBA newsletter. Subscribe on Substack.

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junker-town · 5 years ago

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The Pelicans have the NBA’s saddest defense and a healthy Zion Williamson won’t fix that

The Pelicans’ defense is a major issue.

But a few other healthy returns might. Plus: Devin Booker is a winning player, and DeAndre Jordan is still a blatant stat-padder.

The case for the New Orleans Pelicans as a playoff darkhorse in the deep Western Conference was based on four reasons for excitement. One, Zion Williamson was looking like a superstar from Day 1. (Get well soon, King). Two, Jrue Holiday had “permission to dominate” for the first time in his career. Three, the revamped roster was deep as hell, with the three former Lakers especially poised to take big steps forward. Four, the team’s defensive potential was tantalizing, with former Rockets defensive guru Jeff Bzdelk installed as lead assistant and the combination of Holiday and Lonzo Ball forming a lockdown backcourt.

About that last one. Here is the Pelicans’ defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) in each of their first seven games this season:

at Toronto: 113

vs Dallas: 118.3

at Houston: 113.5

vs Golden State: 121.8

vs Denver: 103.9

at Oklahoma City: 111.7

at Brooklyn: 120.5.

That’s one game in which the Pelicans posted what’d currently be an average defensive rating this year and six where they’ve given up the equivalent of a bottom-five unit or worse. This after a preseason — pour as many grains of salt as appropriate — in which the Pelicans gave up the third-most points per 100 possessions among NBA teams.

This is how the Pelicans have started 1-6 despite Brandon Ingram’s early-season flamethrowing. Williamson’s eventual return from knee surgery will fix a lot, but it’s not going to fix this, based on the evidence of preseason and the uphill battle rookies generally face learning the speed of the game.

“We just gotta follow our schemes,” Ingram said after New Orleans’ loss in Brooklyn. “When we go in and follow the gameplan, I think we’ve been playing pretty well. Defensively, that means getting into the basketball, keeping the ball in front, and communication.”

So what’s wrong with the Pelicans’ defense? After watching the film, I think a lot of factors are at play and it’s tough to suss out which one matters most.

One thing that’s obvious: the Pelicans’ defense is yielding the absolute worst kinds of outputs. On average, the two most efficient shots in the game are layups/dunks and corner threes. The least efficient shots on average, of course, are mid-range jumpers. The Pelicans yield the second-highest percentage of opponent shots at the rim, the fourth-highest percentage of corner threes, and the lowest from mid-range areas, according to Cleaning The Glass. They’re also the second-worst defensive rebounding team, behind only the hapless Bulls. It doesn’t take an advanced Basketball PhD to know that’s bad.

Those three weaknesses — rim protection, three-point defense, and defensive rebounding — compound each other in a simple way. The Pelicans can’t contain the ball at the point of attack, so it’s easy for opponents to generate shots at the basket. To stop those, the other Pelicans rotate off the perimeter, which creates easy three-point shots and driving lanes. And if those still don’t go in, the Pelicans’ defense is spread so thin that they can’t put a body on offensive rebounders. Here, let me show you:

Actually solving this problem leads to two thornier questions. One, is the problem Bzdelik’s scheme, or poor personnel? If the answer is some combination of both, what’s the most important part of the operation to plug?

Let’s tackle the second one first. In essence, this is what we’re really asking:

What are your thoughts on New Orleans defense? I am torn between thinking their biggest problem is that the can’t contain the ball consistently but then thinking like the problem is they put themselves in too many long rotations.

— Anchorage Man (@SethPartnow) November 5, 2019

(Seth Partnow is a writer for The Athletic and the former Director Of Basketball Research for the Milwaukee Bucks. Steve Jones is a former Brooklyn Nets assistant coach and Memphis Grizzlies video coordinator. Full disclosure: I consider both to be friends).

The most boring and accurate answer is “both,” but the fixes aren’t necessarily the same. To me, the lack of containment on the ball falls more on the players than the coach. Pelicans guards get too easily beat on ball screens, which in turn neuters the effectiveness of the bigs when they jump out level to the ball. It’s too easy for crafty pick-and-roll operators to accept the Pelicans’ trap and make the first pass out to create an odd-man situation.

It’s also too easy for those players to exploit the prolonged gap between the guard recovering from the screen and the big man needing to contain the ball. That leads to drives and open off-the-dribble threes.

This isn’t an issue you’d expect with Holiday or Ball, both of whom have terrific defensive reputations. But Holiday doesn’t look like himself due to nagging injuries, and Ball still needs to build more strength to avoid getting knocked back by screens. Derrick Favors’ on-again, off-again knee issues haven’t helped matters, either. His absence in the middle means Jahlil Okafor and rookie Jaxson Hayes have been pressed into duty.

That said, poor ball containment doesn’t fully explain why the Pelicans are giving up so many three-point attempts. When asked about this trend after Monday’s loss to Brooklyn, coach Alvin Gentry credited the Nets as a tough team to keep off the line. “They’re the No. 1 three-point shooting team in the NBA, so they’ve done it to other teams too, right?” he said, before repeating himself when asked a follow-up.

(As of Nov. 5, the Nets do lead the league in three-point percentage, but are tied for seventh in three-point attempts per game).

In an especially damning pair of sequences, the Pelicans gave Joe Harris, the league leader in three-point percentage last season, two wide open threes in the final two minutes of a close game. They got lucky when he missed the first time, but lightning never strikes twice.

The Nets do take and make lots of threes, but this is not an isolated problem for Gentry’s team. The one win over Denver was an oasis in a desert of long-range bombing — the Pelicans have surrendered somewhere between 35 and 45 three-point attempts in their other six games.

This is where I wonder if Bzdelik’s scheme actually fits with his new roster. Best as I can tell, the Pelicans call for a third player to rotate down into the paint on pick-and-rolls, even if that means leaving shooters like Harris. I understand the desire to protect the basket, but I’m not sure what utility this player has when they’re this close to the hoop. There’s not much they can do from that position to deter a shot.

I’m also not sure why this level of paint protection is necessary when the screener is someone like Danilo Gallinari, who wants to pop for a three instead of roll to the basket.

Asking that third player to stand so far from the three-point line creates long closeouts that are nearly impossible to execute properly. Even if Ball hustles as much as humanely possible, he’ll struggle to cover the distance needed to deter Justin Jackson’s three. (Ingram is closer, but he’s responsible for helping on the roll).

Bzdelik has forgotten more about basketball than I’ll ever know, and he’s been dealt a tough hand due to the injuries to Favors and Holiday. It’s certainly hard to build defensive continuity with a new coaching staff when the team’s two best defenders are shuttling in and out of the lineup.

But these Pelicans aren’t the 2018 Rockets, who were stocked with long, veteran wing players that covered a ton of ground and rarely botched a switch. These Pelicans are quite small on the wing, especially with Ingram playing up a position due to Williamson’s absence. They’re also quite green: players like Ball, Josh Hart, Frank Jackson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in particular may not have enough experience to balance the many responsibilities Bzdelik’s system seems to ask of them. Their botched switches and shaky positioning have been hallmarks of the Pelicans’ defensive ineptitude early in the season.

It might be time for the Pelicans to simplify their defensive system. Otherwise, their shaky start could quickly snowball no matter how well Williamson plays when he returns from injury.

PRESEASON QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

Before the season, I listed the 100 most interesting basketball-specific questions of the season. Each week, we’ll see if we have enough information to answer one of them.

QUESTION 58. How responsible is Devin Booker for the Suns’ recent ineptitude?

As several of you noted, Booker was mostly absent from my deep dive into the Suns’ early-season success, which published before he lit up the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. So as a post-script to that piece, let’s talk about him a little more.

I’ve seen a lot of suggestions that the Suns’ early-season success with Booker leading the way shows the stupidity of holding him even one percent responsible for the Suns’ toxic culture in the past. I’ve also seen the inverse of that argument: Booker has actually addressed his bad habits and is now a different player. The truth lies somewhere in the middle — though probably further tilted to the first argument. Anyway, I’m not terribly interested in re-litigating the past.

But I did want to shout out two areas where Booker’s game has improvement. First, the defense. Even Booker’s most enthusiastic supporters had to concede that he didn’t always give a crap on that end in the past. But that’s not been the case this year. It’s been beautiful watching him blow up ball screens and dribble handoffs like this.

Phoenix still posts a better defensive rating with Booker out of the game, but he’s been far from a squeaky wheel in their defensive rise.

The second: passing out of double teams. (What delicious irony after this video sparked an offseason pseudo-controversy). I’ve noticed a lot of growth with the way Booker manipulates defenders to create the passing angle he wants instead of the pass they want him to make. His assists are down, but he’s more willing and able to make simple passes when he doesn’t have a shot, whether they directly lead to buckets or simply trigger more ball movement.

Combine those improvements with his electric scoring ability at all three levels, and it’s obvious that Booker is a “winning player” now, whatever that means. Speaking of: his three-point play late in the 76ers game was ridiculous and I don’t have much more to say about it than what I already tweeted.

Here's the full play in case you missed it, so you can get a sense of how difficult it was for Booker to change direction so dramatically. pic.twitter.com/2vs5K9VGhi

— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 5, 2019

CLOSEOUT OF THE WEEK

Three-point shooting is essential, yet there’s no good stat that credits defenders for the essential act of preventing a three-pointer from being taken. We must reward these efforts.

LeBron James giving real effort on defense in a way that’s contagious. You love to see it.

REBOUND JOUST OF THE WEEK

Last year, I wrote about the rising trend of teammates fighting each other for defensive rebounds. These moments usually end harmlessly, but occasionally, they can cost a team. Here’s to over-aggression!

DeAndre Jordan will be a regular in this space. Let’s freeze this play at the moment he realizes the shot was partially blocked.

It was so unnecessary for him to go for this rebound, and yet so beautiful. Long live DeAndre Jordan’s stat padding.

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