After 3 weeks of basketball, there are a few things that have become fairly evident, and so, I would like to revise my playoff predictions and give my opinions on some teams so far.
Eastern Conference:
1. Miami Heat
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Boston Celtics
4. New York Knicks
5. New Jersey Nets
6. Philadelphia 76ers
7. Milwaukee Bucks
8. Indiana Pacers
Surprising Teams:
New York Knicks- Mike Woodson's defense, combined with the resurgence of Raymond Felton, and the overall stellar play of Carmelo and JR, has led this team to a fast start. They will drop off as they adapt to Amare's return and the fact that they are so old.
Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings is playing the best basketball of his career, and they are getting solid contributions from what is looking like a very deep team.
Disappointing Teams:
Indiana Pacers: Roy Hibbert looks like he forgot how to play basketball, the bench has been non-existent, and Paul George is hardly stepping up. Who knew that Danny Granger was so important to this team.
Washington Wizards: I know John Wall and Nene are out, but this team should have won a game by now.
Western Conference:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Los Angeles Lakers
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Dallas Mavericks
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Surprising Teams:
Memphis Grizzlies: Everything is clicking right now, especially with contributions from the bench in Wayne Ellington and Jerryd Bayless. Marc Gasol has been the best center in the league thus far.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Playing well without Love, Rubio, and others. Kirilenko looks rejuvenated, but it will be hard to sustain if the aforementioned injured players don't return until Jan/Feb
Disappointing Teams:
Denver Nuggets: I could go write many paragraphs about how bad they look but I will summarize. Poor 3-point and midrange shooting, god awful free throw percentage, Ty Lawson becoming worse, and Javale Mcgee not playing enough.
Los Angeles Lakers: Only the Lakers would fire a coach after 5 games, but this was for the best for them. Mike D'Antonio is salivating at the pick and roll pairing of his dreams in Nash and Howard. Oh, and they have Kobe on the side.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Indiana Pacers Preview
Hello,
I am depressed after seeing the Nuggets put up a stinker in Philly. But it makes me happy that the Lakers suck.
INDIANA PACERS
Key Additions: D.J. Augustin (FA), Ian Mahinmi (trade), Gerald Green (FA), Sam Young (FA)
Key Losses: Darren Collison, Dhantay Jones, Louis Amundson
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: George Hill
SG: Paul George
SF: Danny Granger
PF: David West
C: Roy Hibbert
Role Players: Augustin, Mahinmi, Green, Tyler Hansbrough, Sam Young
Comments: I can't look at this roster without thinking how similar this team is to the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams are solid offensively and defensively at each starting position with a few all star caliber players in each. Conley and Hill are similar players. Granger and Gay are both electric scorers. West and Randolph are talented offensively, and George and Allen are talented defensively. Weird. But both teams have the "no superstar" kryptonite that will prevent each from making it to the Finals (and probably conference finals as well, although Indiana has more of a chance). This Pacer core has really no weaknesses, so this will be a very difficult team to beat during the regular season. Also, Frank Vogel is a solid young head coach, who has a defensive-first philosophy and probably should have won Coach of the Year last year.
George Hill is a former Spurs guard from IUPUI (tiny school in Indiana), who has developed into a really nice PG. He is quick, rarely makes mistakes, is good on defense, and can knock down the occasional 3. Without Collison on the team, he doesn't have to look over his shoulder to worry about the starting job. He will be this teams PG, and the team needs continual development to beat the Heat, because we have seen that the Heat struggle in terms of containing quick guards. Augustin is the backup. After a few years of being the Bobcats best player (doesnt say anything about his game), he will actually have to worry about helping his team win. He is a good shooter, but has been turnover prone. We will see how he responds to being the scoring punch off the bench.
Paul George could develop into a very good player. After being unheard of two years ago in the draft, he slowly has brought his immense athleticism and committed to being a very good defender. He also can shoot the 3, and perform some cool dunks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvtHauJMMhY (doesnt this make you wish the NBA had glow in the dark games?) Look for him to continue to develop his offensive game to become a real scoring threat (also he had 15 rebounds last night, pretty good for a wing guy). Sam Young is the backup (also Lance Stephenson). Both are defensive players with very little offensive talent. This may be a problem for the Pacers. They could really use a shooter off the bench, maybe a trade deadline possibility).
Danny Granger was the Pacers best player for the last few years. Now, I am not so sure anymore. He is a really good scorer and used to average over 20 points a game. Last year, those numbers dipped as the teammates around him got better. He is also a terrible defender, which the team makes up for by having a great wing defender in George and a shot blocking center in Hibbert. Granger is injured now, but the Pacers need his offense on what is generally considered a defensive squad. They could have knocked off the Heat last year with a few better shooting nights from Granger (although he was being defender by LeBron). Gerald Green is the backup. This dunk is ridiculous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzo4pHTZ-M. But seriously, this guy used to suck, disappeared from the league, and when he came back, he was a new man. No longer did he take terrible 3's and not play defense, but he was a solid defender who could be efficient on offense. They will need him to take a bigger role when Granger is out, and provide scoring when he comes off the bench.
David West is another solid Pacer. He lacks some strength defensively, but he is a very good midrange shooter, and can extend out to 20 feet. He is a good compliment to the inside post game of Hibbert, and the outside offense of Granger and George. I want his rebounding numbers to improve, but West may be the leading scorer on the Pacers some nights if he is hot. On the Hornets, I was never too worried that West was going to beat the Nuggets, but he would find ways to get his 15-20 a game anyway. Tyler Hansbrough is the backup. Everyone said that this guy would never find a role in the NBA, because he isn't athletic or that strong, and wasn't much of a shooter. But what he knew, and everyone should know, is that a 6-8 man or above that hustles and has a knack for being in the right spots, will always get playing time. He will battle for rebounds, and get his garbage buckets, and is actually an important part of the Pacers bench.
Roy Hibbert is the reason that this team went from being in the bottom tier of the East, to the top. He improved every aspect of his game, and made an all-star team. He used to be just tall, but now he is tall and strong, patrolling the paint and blocking many a shot. He has also found a little touch down low, showing some hook shots and up and unders to develop a nice little post game. He is the defensive anchor for the Pacers, and their most important player if they want to make it far in the playoffs. Mahinmi is the backup, and he is another strong center that will block shots and defend the post. Unlike Hibbert, he has no offensive game.
The Pacers are a very strong defensive team, and should be ranked in the top categories defensively. Their main problem will be finding the offense when West and Granger are on the bench. Will they have enough offensive firepower to handle the Celtics or Heat is to remain in the air, but if they are a 3 or 4 seed, they could very well find themselves in the conference finals. This is the team I will root for in the East, because they are just solid across the board with no real hateable players.
Next Up, Miami Heat
I am depressed after seeing the Nuggets put up a stinker in Philly. But it makes me happy that the Lakers suck.
INDIANA PACERS
Key Additions: D.J. Augustin (FA), Ian Mahinmi (trade), Gerald Green (FA), Sam Young (FA)
Key Losses: Darren Collison, Dhantay Jones, Louis Amundson
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: George Hill
SG: Paul George
SF: Danny Granger
PF: David West
C: Roy Hibbert
Role Players: Augustin, Mahinmi, Green, Tyler Hansbrough, Sam Young
Comments: I can't look at this roster without thinking how similar this team is to the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams are solid offensively and defensively at each starting position with a few all star caliber players in each. Conley and Hill are similar players. Granger and Gay are both electric scorers. West and Randolph are talented offensively, and George and Allen are talented defensively. Weird. But both teams have the "no superstar" kryptonite that will prevent each from making it to the Finals (and probably conference finals as well, although Indiana has more of a chance). This Pacer core has really no weaknesses, so this will be a very difficult team to beat during the regular season. Also, Frank Vogel is a solid young head coach, who has a defensive-first philosophy and probably should have won Coach of the Year last year.
George Hill is a former Spurs guard from IUPUI (tiny school in Indiana), who has developed into a really nice PG. He is quick, rarely makes mistakes, is good on defense, and can knock down the occasional 3. Without Collison on the team, he doesn't have to look over his shoulder to worry about the starting job. He will be this teams PG, and the team needs continual development to beat the Heat, because we have seen that the Heat struggle in terms of containing quick guards. Augustin is the backup. After a few years of being the Bobcats best player (doesnt say anything about his game), he will actually have to worry about helping his team win. He is a good shooter, but has been turnover prone. We will see how he responds to being the scoring punch off the bench.
Paul George could develop into a very good player. After being unheard of two years ago in the draft, he slowly has brought his immense athleticism and committed to being a very good defender. He also can shoot the 3, and perform some cool dunks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvtHauJMMhY (doesnt this make you wish the NBA had glow in the dark games?) Look for him to continue to develop his offensive game to become a real scoring threat (also he had 15 rebounds last night, pretty good for a wing guy). Sam Young is the backup (also Lance Stephenson). Both are defensive players with very little offensive talent. This may be a problem for the Pacers. They could really use a shooter off the bench, maybe a trade deadline possibility).
Danny Granger was the Pacers best player for the last few years. Now, I am not so sure anymore. He is a really good scorer and used to average over 20 points a game. Last year, those numbers dipped as the teammates around him got better. He is also a terrible defender, which the team makes up for by having a great wing defender in George and a shot blocking center in Hibbert. Granger is injured now, but the Pacers need his offense on what is generally considered a defensive squad. They could have knocked off the Heat last year with a few better shooting nights from Granger (although he was being defender by LeBron). Gerald Green is the backup. This dunk is ridiculous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzo4pHTZ-M. But seriously, this guy used to suck, disappeared from the league, and when he came back, he was a new man. No longer did he take terrible 3's and not play defense, but he was a solid defender who could be efficient on offense. They will need him to take a bigger role when Granger is out, and provide scoring when he comes off the bench.
David West is another solid Pacer. He lacks some strength defensively, but he is a very good midrange shooter, and can extend out to 20 feet. He is a good compliment to the inside post game of Hibbert, and the outside offense of Granger and George. I want his rebounding numbers to improve, but West may be the leading scorer on the Pacers some nights if he is hot. On the Hornets, I was never too worried that West was going to beat the Nuggets, but he would find ways to get his 15-20 a game anyway. Tyler Hansbrough is the backup. Everyone said that this guy would never find a role in the NBA, because he isn't athletic or that strong, and wasn't much of a shooter. But what he knew, and everyone should know, is that a 6-8 man or above that hustles and has a knack for being in the right spots, will always get playing time. He will battle for rebounds, and get his garbage buckets, and is actually an important part of the Pacers bench.
Roy Hibbert is the reason that this team went from being in the bottom tier of the East, to the top. He improved every aspect of his game, and made an all-star team. He used to be just tall, but now he is tall and strong, patrolling the paint and blocking many a shot. He has also found a little touch down low, showing some hook shots and up and unders to develop a nice little post game. He is the defensive anchor for the Pacers, and their most important player if they want to make it far in the playoffs. Mahinmi is the backup, and he is another strong center that will block shots and defend the post. Unlike Hibbert, he has no offensive game.
The Pacers are a very strong defensive team, and should be ranked in the top categories defensively. Their main problem will be finding the offense when West and Granger are on the bench. Will they have enough offensive firepower to handle the Celtics or Heat is to remain in the air, but if they are a 3 or 4 seed, they could very well find themselves in the conference finals. This is the team I will root for in the East, because they are just solid across the board with no real hateable players.
Next Up, Miami Heat
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Los Angeles Lakers Preview
Hello,
So the season is underway, but trust me, my opinions won't change of the teams I am about to cover even after a few games.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Key Additions: Dwight Howard (trade), Steve Nash (FA), Antawn Jamison (FA), Jodie Meeks (FA), Chris Duhon (trade)
Key Losses: Andrew Bynum, Ramon Sessions, Matt Barnes
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Steve Nash
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Metta World Peace
PF: Pau Gasol
C: Dwight Howard
Role Players: Jamison, Meeks, Duhon, Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, Devin Ebanks
Comments: If you look at this team on paper, especially the starting lineup, you would be frightened immediately. 2 MVP's, 2 Defensive player of the years, and then Pau Gasol... Jeez. But, if you actually watched them in the preseason and last night, you will notice 3 things that are promising to Laker Haters like myself. 1. They clearly don't have chemistry yet, which is true of any team that has a large overhaul in the offseason. 2. They have no depth whatsoever, which is especially worrying because Nash, Bryant, and Howard all have history of injuries and most likely each will miss some time this season. 3. Kobe Bryant is still the primary playmaker, and not Steve Nash. I will discuss why this is a problem in a second. These 3 things will manifest itself in what is seemingly a disappointing regular season for the Lakers. Their hope is that they figure things out come playoff time, but don't be surprised if they aren't in the top 2 or 3 seeds this year.
Steve Nash is old but still wildly effective as a PG. He has the innate ability to get every person involved. He is especially good at the pick and roll (which the Lakers don't run much of), and he is an excellent jump shooter. He needs to have the ball to make plays and be most effective. If Kobe is doing his thing (which isnt ineffective), Nash is relegated to the Derek Fisher role of hitting open 3's and passing the ball into the post. Nash is better than that, and if he ran pick and roll with Howard and Gasol, with Kobe being the 2nd option, this team would have a scary offense. Thankfully for us, Kobe is too selfish, so we don't have to worry about that. Duhon and Blake are the backups. Duhon is better defensively, and Blake is better at shooting 3's, but neither are particularly good as distributors. With Kobe and Nash, they just need to hit their shots.
I don't like Kobe Bryant, mainly because he raped a woman in my home state, and the fact that he absolutely kills the Nuggets, but I respect his game. He has the best footwork in the NBA, which allows him to score inside and outside, even when it seems you are playing amazing defense. And of course, he is an excellent passer and defender, he doesn't miss games due to injury, and he is ridiculously clutch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo All this said, his team demands that he becomes more like Kevin Durant than LeBron James or Derrick Rose. What I mean by this is that he splits about 50/50 possessions where he is the primary playmaker, instead of being the one that is always making the plays like James and Rose. But again, he won't do it, because he is Kobe, and he wants to do it all himself if he can. Meeks is the backup, and like the other bench players on the Lakers, he isn't very good except for shooting. If he plays with Nash, he will do great (a la Raja Bell or Jared Dudley), but otherwise should be useless.
If World Peace shoots more than 7 shots a game, the Lakers are in trouble. He thinks he is so good at basketball, because he is strong and can defend. While he definitely is both of those things, this team has too much offensive talent for him to have any plays ran for him. The Lakers are scariest when Peace is locked in on defense, and standing in the corner while Kobe and co. do their thing. Also, he needs to stop this crap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NIYqbb7heQ&feature=fvst. The Lakers have Ebanks as the backup, who is long and athletic. I remember him being dreadful against the Nuggets as Peace's replacement, maybe his offense has improved.
Pau Gasol may be the key to the whole Lakers operation. What Gasol is: a solid mid range shooter, a good big man passer, good a tipping shots in. What Gasol is not: Strong, a 3-point shooter, a good defender. Kenneth Faried is 4 inches shorter and was able to push Gasol around in the playoffs. He has always been weak inside, but the last few years with Bynum, he could get away with it. He can get away with it because of Howard now. Gasol needs to help Howard space the floor by hitting those long range shots, and not clogging the lane. Also, he needs to play better perimeter defense when teams go small against the Lakers to counter their size. Also, he can't dissapear in the 4th quarter, or important games, as he tends to do. Antawn Jamison is the backup. He has had a solid career, especially offensively. He had post moves, and could shoot it outside. Now, he is more of an outside shooter, but what I will remember about Jamison is that he was the guy Cleveland got to appease LeBron and help them win a championship. Didn't quite work out that way.
And the big story of the Lakers is the acquisition of Howard. I have a feeling that Howard will leave after this season, because I think he wants his own legacy, and not to follow in the footsteps of Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, and Oneal (the other Laker centers). But for this year, as long as his back is healthy, he is the best defender in the NBA. It is because no one in the NBA can match his strength and athleticism down low. His obvious achilles heel is his free throw shooting, which is seemingly becoming worse than Shaq's, The Mavs hacked-a-Howard, and other teams will to unless he improves. I mean he obviously is overthinking it... look at this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T8uRmwP1jE. And the Lakers don't really have a backup center, putting a lot of pressure on Howard and Gasol to provide all of the size. Howard may get reinjured if he is overworked.
The Lakers have the most talent in a starting lineup in the NBA. And while it will take some time to translate into wins, I would be very scared of them come playoff time. I could see them being a 6th seed and still making the Finals.
Next Up, Indiana Pacers
So the season is underway, but trust me, my opinions won't change of the teams I am about to cover even after a few games.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Key Additions: Dwight Howard (trade), Steve Nash (FA), Antawn Jamison (FA), Jodie Meeks (FA), Chris Duhon (trade)
Key Losses: Andrew Bynum, Ramon Sessions, Matt Barnes
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Steve Nash
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Metta World Peace
PF: Pau Gasol
C: Dwight Howard
Role Players: Jamison, Meeks, Duhon, Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, Devin Ebanks
Comments: If you look at this team on paper, especially the starting lineup, you would be frightened immediately. 2 MVP's, 2 Defensive player of the years, and then Pau Gasol... Jeez. But, if you actually watched them in the preseason and last night, you will notice 3 things that are promising to Laker Haters like myself. 1. They clearly don't have chemistry yet, which is true of any team that has a large overhaul in the offseason. 2. They have no depth whatsoever, which is especially worrying because Nash, Bryant, and Howard all have history of injuries and most likely each will miss some time this season. 3. Kobe Bryant is still the primary playmaker, and not Steve Nash. I will discuss why this is a problem in a second. These 3 things will manifest itself in what is seemingly a disappointing regular season for the Lakers. Their hope is that they figure things out come playoff time, but don't be surprised if they aren't in the top 2 or 3 seeds this year.
Steve Nash is old but still wildly effective as a PG. He has the innate ability to get every person involved. He is especially good at the pick and roll (which the Lakers don't run much of), and he is an excellent jump shooter. He needs to have the ball to make plays and be most effective. If Kobe is doing his thing (which isnt ineffective), Nash is relegated to the Derek Fisher role of hitting open 3's and passing the ball into the post. Nash is better than that, and if he ran pick and roll with Howard and Gasol, with Kobe being the 2nd option, this team would have a scary offense. Thankfully for us, Kobe is too selfish, so we don't have to worry about that. Duhon and Blake are the backups. Duhon is better defensively, and Blake is better at shooting 3's, but neither are particularly good as distributors. With Kobe and Nash, they just need to hit their shots.
I don't like Kobe Bryant, mainly because he raped a woman in my home state, and the fact that he absolutely kills the Nuggets, but I respect his game. He has the best footwork in the NBA, which allows him to score inside and outside, even when it seems you are playing amazing defense. And of course, he is an excellent passer and defender, he doesn't miss games due to injury, and he is ridiculously clutch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo All this said, his team demands that he becomes more like Kevin Durant than LeBron James or Derrick Rose. What I mean by this is that he splits about 50/50 possessions where he is the primary playmaker, instead of being the one that is always making the plays like James and Rose. But again, he won't do it, because he is Kobe, and he wants to do it all himself if he can. Meeks is the backup, and like the other bench players on the Lakers, he isn't very good except for shooting. If he plays with Nash, he will do great (a la Raja Bell or Jared Dudley), but otherwise should be useless.
If World Peace shoots more than 7 shots a game, the Lakers are in trouble. He thinks he is so good at basketball, because he is strong and can defend. While he definitely is both of those things, this team has too much offensive talent for him to have any plays ran for him. The Lakers are scariest when Peace is locked in on defense, and standing in the corner while Kobe and co. do their thing. Also, he needs to stop this crap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NIYqbb7heQ&feature=fvst. The Lakers have Ebanks as the backup, who is long and athletic. I remember him being dreadful against the Nuggets as Peace's replacement, maybe his offense has improved.
Pau Gasol may be the key to the whole Lakers operation. What Gasol is: a solid mid range shooter, a good big man passer, good a tipping shots in. What Gasol is not: Strong, a 3-point shooter, a good defender. Kenneth Faried is 4 inches shorter and was able to push Gasol around in the playoffs. He has always been weak inside, but the last few years with Bynum, he could get away with it. He can get away with it because of Howard now. Gasol needs to help Howard space the floor by hitting those long range shots, and not clogging the lane. Also, he needs to play better perimeter defense when teams go small against the Lakers to counter their size. Also, he can't dissapear in the 4th quarter, or important games, as he tends to do. Antawn Jamison is the backup. He has had a solid career, especially offensively. He had post moves, and could shoot it outside. Now, he is more of an outside shooter, but what I will remember about Jamison is that he was the guy Cleveland got to appease LeBron and help them win a championship. Didn't quite work out that way.
And the big story of the Lakers is the acquisition of Howard. I have a feeling that Howard will leave after this season, because I think he wants his own legacy, and not to follow in the footsteps of Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, and Oneal (the other Laker centers). But for this year, as long as his back is healthy, he is the best defender in the NBA. It is because no one in the NBA can match his strength and athleticism down low. His obvious achilles heel is his free throw shooting, which is seemingly becoming worse than Shaq's, The Mavs hacked-a-Howard, and other teams will to unless he improves. I mean he obviously is overthinking it... look at this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T8uRmwP1jE. And the Lakers don't really have a backup center, putting a lot of pressure on Howard and Gasol to provide all of the size. Howard may get reinjured if he is overworked.
The Lakers have the most talent in a starting lineup in the NBA. And while it will take some time to translate into wins, I would be very scared of them come playoff time. I could see them being a 6th seed and still making the Finals.
Next Up, Indiana Pacers
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
NBA Predictions
I know I haven't finished the previews yet...and I will, but before the season starts I wanted to give out my predictions
East:
1. Miami Heat
2. Boston Celtics
3. Indiana Pacers
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Chicago Bulls
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. New Jersey Nets
8. New York Knicks
Just Missing: Washington, Cleveland, Milwaukee
Yeah Right: Charlotte, Orlando, Detroit, Toronto
West:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. San Antonio Spurs
7. Utah Jazz
8. Golden State Warriors
Just Missing: Minnesota, Phoenix, Portland
Yeah Right: Sacramento, Houston, New Orleans
Eastern Conference Finals: Miami vs. Boston: Heat in 5
Western Conference Finals: Clippers vs. Lakers: Lakers in 6
NBA Finals: Heat in 6
MVP: LeBron
ROY: Anthony Davis
Coach of the Year: Mark Jackson
6th Man: Jamal Crawford
Defensive POY: Dwight Howard
All-NBA
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Dwayne Wade
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Dwight Howard
Second Team
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kevin Love
C: Tyson Chandler
Third Team
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Andre Iguodala (gotta get a Nugget somewhere)
SF: Josh Smith
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Marc Gasol
East:
1. Miami Heat
2. Boston Celtics
3. Indiana Pacers
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Chicago Bulls
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. New Jersey Nets
8. New York Knicks
Just Missing: Washington, Cleveland, Milwaukee
Yeah Right: Charlotte, Orlando, Detroit, Toronto
West:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. San Antonio Spurs
7. Utah Jazz
8. Golden State Warriors
Just Missing: Minnesota, Phoenix, Portland
Yeah Right: Sacramento, Houston, New Orleans
Eastern Conference Finals: Miami vs. Boston: Heat in 5
Western Conference Finals: Clippers vs. Lakers: Lakers in 6
NBA Finals: Heat in 6
MVP: LeBron
ROY: Anthony Davis
Coach of the Year: Mark Jackson
6th Man: Jamal Crawford
Defensive POY: Dwight Howard
All-NBA
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Dwayne Wade
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Dwight Howard
Second Team
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kevin Love
C: Tyson Chandler
Third Team
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Andre Iguodala (gotta get a Nugget somewhere)
SF: Josh Smith
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Marc Gasol
Monday, October 29, 2012
Memphis Grizzlies Preview
Hello,
Power is not out yet, so I keep chugging along.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Key Additions: Jerryd Bayless (FA), Wayne Ellington (trade)
Key Losses: O.J. Mayo, Dante Cunningham, Gilbert Arenas
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Tony Allen
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Zach Randolph
C: Marc Gasol
Role Players: Bayless, Ellington, Mareese Speights, Darrell Arthur, Hamed Haddadi, Qunicy Pondexter
Comments: The Grizzlies are a great example of what I don't like about the NBA. This team has everything you would like in a starting lineup. Solid passing ability, athleticism, low post play, wing defense. But, they are in a mid-market town without a true superstar so they probably won't win any titles. I do hope a team like the Grizzlies, Pacers, or Nuggets win an NBA title soon, because the NBA is on a path where you need multiple superstars to win a championship, and it is time a team reverses that trend. Maybe it is just the old conspiracy theory that the NBA won't allow a team like this to win the title (as evidence by the sometimes blatant superstar refereeing), I just really hope that isnt true.
Mike Conley and Greg Oden played together at OSU. Everyone thought that Oden was a sure fire pick, and Conley should have stayed in school longer. Conley has been the better player by light years. He is a solid shooter, gets his teammates the ball off of screens and in the posts, and has done a much better job of not turning the ball over. No one on this team is particularly flashy (except Gay at times), but they are solid, and Conley is a good example. Bayless is a combo guard that is supposed to be the lightning in a bottle off the bench. The Grizzlies will need his offense, because they have relied on OJ Mayo to carry the scoring off the bench. Without Mayo, they might have a big problem on offense without Gay and Randolph; Bayless could help to solve it.
Tony Allen is probably the best on-ball defender in the NBA. And I don't even have to explain it, because this video does. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JXkab5C7j0 (turn up the volume). He is abysmal on offense, but thats ok, because he is vital to the Grizz success with his hustle and fast hands that lead to easy buckets in transition. Wayne Ellington is another player that could pick up Mayo's scoring load off the bench. He has battled injuries while in Minnesota, but if healthy is a very good shooter. His quickness and offensive ability balance Allen's strength and defense nicely.
Rudy Gay, is the Grizzlies most talented player, but not always their best player. For the Grizzlies to win the west, Gay needs to play like an all-star every night, not just some. He is athletic and can drive to the basket with ease. He has an inconsistent jump shot as well, but has the unique ability to get up his shot in any situation. Gay is also a superb defender with long arms and quick feet. Besides his inconsistency, Gay needs to learn how to play alongside Randolph. They both need their shots, but they play at different parts of the court, so their games have the chance to mesh. Gay plays on the perimeter and drives, and Randolph operates in the post. Quincy Pondexter is the backup, but he is nothing special. An OK defender, and a mediocre corner 3 guy, he isn't going to strike fear in anyone when he replaces Gay for his 10 min a game.
I think Zach Randolph is one of the most talented low post scorers in the NBA. When he is making his fadeaway 12 footer, he is actually unstoppable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7_htGob6zg. He is great with that left hand, and gets a ton of his own misses for putbacks. He was amazing in those playoffs in 2011, but not great last year. If he can't play with Gay, they might have to look in a different direction, but both are so talented offensively that I would try every way to make it work. Darrell Arthur missed all of last season, and he was needed. He is a great defender and pick and roll player, similar to Taj Gibson in Chicago. He will bring some offense and energy to the second unit. Mareese Speights was Arthur's replacement. While he shoots too many shots for a big man, Speights is another big body with offensive talent on this team. The frontcourt of the Grizzlies will not be their problem.
Marc Gasol was much improved last season, and I will go ahead and say it. He is better than his brother Pau. Yep. Marc may not have the same shooting ability, but he is tough, can score down low, and passes extremely well for a big man. Pau just doesn't have the same tenacity inside even if he is more offensively talented. The offense kind of flows around Gasol even if he doesnt get a ton of assists or scores. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCe5oN0zl6o. Hamed Haddadi, I believe is the tallest player in the NBA. He is also from Iran. He also is not great, but I wonder how many 7-2 Iranian guys are out there. Also did you know that 17% of the world's 7 footers play in the NBA. Thats how you got to do it.
The Grizzlies are where the Hawks have been this year. A very talented roster with a few all-star caliber players that will have trouble making it out of the second round. If Gay develops a bit more and learns to play with Randolph so that both can be effective at the same time, this team has a real chance. Also, it needs to replace Mayo's scoring on the bench. I fear, however, that a 4 or 5 seed is in their future.
Next Up, Los Angeles Lakers
Power is not out yet, so I keep chugging along.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Key Additions: Jerryd Bayless (FA), Wayne Ellington (trade)
Key Losses: O.J. Mayo, Dante Cunningham, Gilbert Arenas
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Tony Allen
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Zach Randolph
C: Marc Gasol
Role Players: Bayless, Ellington, Mareese Speights, Darrell Arthur, Hamed Haddadi, Qunicy Pondexter
Comments: The Grizzlies are a great example of what I don't like about the NBA. This team has everything you would like in a starting lineup. Solid passing ability, athleticism, low post play, wing defense. But, they are in a mid-market town without a true superstar so they probably won't win any titles. I do hope a team like the Grizzlies, Pacers, or Nuggets win an NBA title soon, because the NBA is on a path where you need multiple superstars to win a championship, and it is time a team reverses that trend. Maybe it is just the old conspiracy theory that the NBA won't allow a team like this to win the title (as evidence by the sometimes blatant superstar refereeing), I just really hope that isnt true.
Mike Conley and Greg Oden played together at OSU. Everyone thought that Oden was a sure fire pick, and Conley should have stayed in school longer. Conley has been the better player by light years. He is a solid shooter, gets his teammates the ball off of screens and in the posts, and has done a much better job of not turning the ball over. No one on this team is particularly flashy (except Gay at times), but they are solid, and Conley is a good example. Bayless is a combo guard that is supposed to be the lightning in a bottle off the bench. The Grizzlies will need his offense, because they have relied on OJ Mayo to carry the scoring off the bench. Without Mayo, they might have a big problem on offense without Gay and Randolph; Bayless could help to solve it.
Tony Allen is probably the best on-ball defender in the NBA. And I don't even have to explain it, because this video does. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JXkab5C7j0 (turn up the volume). He is abysmal on offense, but thats ok, because he is vital to the Grizz success with his hustle and fast hands that lead to easy buckets in transition. Wayne Ellington is another player that could pick up Mayo's scoring load off the bench. He has battled injuries while in Minnesota, but if healthy is a very good shooter. His quickness and offensive ability balance Allen's strength and defense nicely.
Rudy Gay, is the Grizzlies most talented player, but not always their best player. For the Grizzlies to win the west, Gay needs to play like an all-star every night, not just some. He is athletic and can drive to the basket with ease. He has an inconsistent jump shot as well, but has the unique ability to get up his shot in any situation. Gay is also a superb defender with long arms and quick feet. Besides his inconsistency, Gay needs to learn how to play alongside Randolph. They both need their shots, but they play at different parts of the court, so their games have the chance to mesh. Gay plays on the perimeter and drives, and Randolph operates in the post. Quincy Pondexter is the backup, but he is nothing special. An OK defender, and a mediocre corner 3 guy, he isn't going to strike fear in anyone when he replaces Gay for his 10 min a game.
I think Zach Randolph is one of the most talented low post scorers in the NBA. When he is making his fadeaway 12 footer, he is actually unstoppable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7_htGob6zg. He is great with that left hand, and gets a ton of his own misses for putbacks. He was amazing in those playoffs in 2011, but not great last year. If he can't play with Gay, they might have to look in a different direction, but both are so talented offensively that I would try every way to make it work. Darrell Arthur missed all of last season, and he was needed. He is a great defender and pick and roll player, similar to Taj Gibson in Chicago. He will bring some offense and energy to the second unit. Mareese Speights was Arthur's replacement. While he shoots too many shots for a big man, Speights is another big body with offensive talent on this team. The frontcourt of the Grizzlies will not be their problem.
Marc Gasol was much improved last season, and I will go ahead and say it. He is better than his brother Pau. Yep. Marc may not have the same shooting ability, but he is tough, can score down low, and passes extremely well for a big man. Pau just doesn't have the same tenacity inside even if he is more offensively talented. The offense kind of flows around Gasol even if he doesnt get a ton of assists or scores. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCe5oN0zl6o. Hamed Haddadi, I believe is the tallest player in the NBA. He is also from Iran. He also is not great, but I wonder how many 7-2 Iranian guys are out there. Also did you know that 17% of the world's 7 footers play in the NBA. Thats how you got to do it.
The Grizzlies are where the Hawks have been this year. A very talented roster with a few all-star caliber players that will have trouble making it out of the second round. If Gay develops a bit more and learns to play with Randolph so that both can be effective at the same time, this team has a real chance. Also, it needs to replace Mayo's scoring on the bench. I fear, however, that a 4 or 5 seed is in their future.
Next Up, Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics Preview
Hello All,
Here goes number 2 of the day
BOSTON CELTICS
Key Additions: Jeff Green (heart injury), Jason Terry (FA), Leandro Barbosa (FA), Jared Sullinger (rookie), Darko Milicic (FA), Courtney Lee (FA)
Key Losses: Ray Allen, Greg Stiemsma, Sasha Pavlovic, other pathetic players who shouldn't have gotten playing time
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Lee
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Brandon Bass
C: Kevin Garnett
Role Players: Sullinger, Terry, Green, Avery Bradley, Milicic, Barbosa
Comments: Everyone is making a big deal about how Ray Allen left the Celtics for the Heat. Celtics fans, shouldnt be that upset, because they got better. The combination of Terry and Lee is much better than Allen. Anyway, Doc Rivers has a much deeper team than last year, which will be needed since KG and The Truth are another year older (and most likely another step slower). The Celtics will be good once again this year, but their overall success really rides on a single player.
Rajon Rondo is the heart and soul of the Celtics. Paul Pierce can do his awkward fade away, and KG can hit his elbow jumpers, but it is Rondo's unique passing ability that makes this team run. Everyone knows Rondo's story, he has the ability to know exactly where players are going to be, and will find the most creative ways to get them the ball. He is also very creative and effective in driving to the basket, so he is a threat offensively. But, we also know that his gigantic hands make it very difficult for him to shoot the ball, so defenders tend to play off him (daring him to shoot almost). This strategy isn't the most effective thing, as he still passes well, and his shooting has improved every year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndyfsS0bFK8&feature=related His attitude and effort have come into question, which has led to trade rumors, but the Celtics desperately need him to play at a high level, because this team is very mediocre without him. The Celtics don't have a backup PG (Rondo plays basically the whole game anyway), but Terry, Bradley, and Barbosa can all play a little point. Avery Bradley is out for a little while, but has shown to be a lockdown defender, who can finish at the rim as well. I dont know how Barbosa will get much playing time, since they have so many guards, but he is very quick, and can be instant offense at times.
Courtney Lee was a very nice pickup for the Celtics. He is a strong shooter and defender. He had a great rookie season for the Magic, but has been involved in a few trades, so hasn't gotten comfortable. Nevertheless, he will be a perfect fit for Doc who looks for defensive players that can fit into the pass first system on offense. Jason Terry is the bigger pickup, as he will take many of Ray Allen's shot attempts. At this stage in both their careers, they are about equal shooters, and both are incredibly clutch. I don't think the Celtics will miss a beat at SG especially with Terry, who will have a similar role where he will lead the bench unit, but also play in crunch time. I am excited to see his swag along with KG, Pierce, and Rondo. The Jet should fit right in.
Paul Pierce is still doing his Truth thing. He still is a scores well with his post game, and solid outside shooting. But, he is losing his step defensively. LeBron tooled on him in the playoffs, and Pierce was the one guy who could slow LeBron down. Celtics fans should be worried that if Pierce loses a step defensively, his offensive game may be next. I think this will be Pierce's last season being effective as a starter, and then it is time to have Jeff Green get a larger load of the minutes. Green missed last season with a heart defect, but he is an athletic wing scorer. He can drive, shoot well, and defend. The Celtics should be excited since Green has looked so good in the preseason. The Celtics may be forced to play him along with Pierce and go small, or bench Pierce if Green is truly more effective.
PF is the weak spot on the Celtics. Brandon Bass is solid, but not flashy. He can hit the 16-foot jumper, rebound OK, but he is weak on defense, and won't have any monster games. Sullinger is the big question mark. He had a back injury at Ohio State that caused a red flag and a drop in his draft status. Celtics fans will tell you that they "stole" Sullinger, since he fell so far. But, they are missing the fact that Sullinger is one of the least athletic big mans I have every seen. He is crafty in the post, but he will have trouble with stronger and more athletic big men that he will face, especially defensively. Also, will his back hold up in an 82 game season plus playoffs? The Celtics have high hopes for him, but I would temper them a little until we see what he can do over the course of a few months. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlljObv8LwI&feature=related.
KG moved to center last year, and that allowed him to have a rebound season. He can now control the paint on defense, and stick to taking his long jump shot that he is so good at, since the other centers won't go out that far. He works very well with Rondo, and that should continue. I just fear Garnett will also succumb to his age very soon. He has played in so many games, and has done this so many times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsy4_IXakNU. He has jumped so many times, his knees won't be able to stand much longer. But, he is the great intimidator, and will always be effective defensively. Darko Milicic is the backup center. Everyone knows he was the second pick of the 2003 draft in front of Melo, Wade, Bosh, and other all-stars. But, he got a NBA championship 8 years before LeBron (so what if he didn't actually play). Darko, now is a shot blocking center, who never found an offense game like scouts thought he could. Here is a gem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NJSNeFqRZI&feature=related. And another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0nvmfka3mE&feature=related.
The Celtics are improved upon last year for sure with a much deeper squad. They should have no problem winning their division and getting the 2 or 3 seed in the East. However, they will always be compared to the Heat, and their ability to beat them depends on if they can slow down their speed and athleticism. At this point, even if Rondo plays his best, I don't know if they can. Their hope may lie with Avery Bradley, who can shut down Wade with the best of them. If he is at his best, and Rondo plays amazingly like last year, they may just have a shot.
Next Up, Memphis Grizzlies
Here goes number 2 of the day
BOSTON CELTICS
Key Additions: Jeff Green (heart injury), Jason Terry (FA), Leandro Barbosa (FA), Jared Sullinger (rookie), Darko Milicic (FA), Courtney Lee (FA)
Key Losses: Ray Allen, Greg Stiemsma, Sasha Pavlovic, other pathetic players who shouldn't have gotten playing time
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Lee
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Brandon Bass
C: Kevin Garnett
Role Players: Sullinger, Terry, Green, Avery Bradley, Milicic, Barbosa
Comments: Everyone is making a big deal about how Ray Allen left the Celtics for the Heat. Celtics fans, shouldnt be that upset, because they got better. The combination of Terry and Lee is much better than Allen. Anyway, Doc Rivers has a much deeper team than last year, which will be needed since KG and The Truth are another year older (and most likely another step slower). The Celtics will be good once again this year, but their overall success really rides on a single player.
Rajon Rondo is the heart and soul of the Celtics. Paul Pierce can do his awkward fade away, and KG can hit his elbow jumpers, but it is Rondo's unique passing ability that makes this team run. Everyone knows Rondo's story, he has the ability to know exactly where players are going to be, and will find the most creative ways to get them the ball. He is also very creative and effective in driving to the basket, so he is a threat offensively. But, we also know that his gigantic hands make it very difficult for him to shoot the ball, so defenders tend to play off him (daring him to shoot almost). This strategy isn't the most effective thing, as he still passes well, and his shooting has improved every year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndyfsS0bFK8&feature=related His attitude and effort have come into question, which has led to trade rumors, but the Celtics desperately need him to play at a high level, because this team is very mediocre without him. The Celtics don't have a backup PG (Rondo plays basically the whole game anyway), but Terry, Bradley, and Barbosa can all play a little point. Avery Bradley is out for a little while, but has shown to be a lockdown defender, who can finish at the rim as well. I dont know how Barbosa will get much playing time, since they have so many guards, but he is very quick, and can be instant offense at times.
Courtney Lee was a very nice pickup for the Celtics. He is a strong shooter and defender. He had a great rookie season for the Magic, but has been involved in a few trades, so hasn't gotten comfortable. Nevertheless, he will be a perfect fit for Doc who looks for defensive players that can fit into the pass first system on offense. Jason Terry is the bigger pickup, as he will take many of Ray Allen's shot attempts. At this stage in both their careers, they are about equal shooters, and both are incredibly clutch. I don't think the Celtics will miss a beat at SG especially with Terry, who will have a similar role where he will lead the bench unit, but also play in crunch time. I am excited to see his swag along with KG, Pierce, and Rondo. The Jet should fit right in.
Paul Pierce is still doing his Truth thing. He still is a scores well with his post game, and solid outside shooting. But, he is losing his step defensively. LeBron tooled on him in the playoffs, and Pierce was the one guy who could slow LeBron down. Celtics fans should be worried that if Pierce loses a step defensively, his offensive game may be next. I think this will be Pierce's last season being effective as a starter, and then it is time to have Jeff Green get a larger load of the minutes. Green missed last season with a heart defect, but he is an athletic wing scorer. He can drive, shoot well, and defend. The Celtics should be excited since Green has looked so good in the preseason. The Celtics may be forced to play him along with Pierce and go small, or bench Pierce if Green is truly more effective.
PF is the weak spot on the Celtics. Brandon Bass is solid, but not flashy. He can hit the 16-foot jumper, rebound OK, but he is weak on defense, and won't have any monster games. Sullinger is the big question mark. He had a back injury at Ohio State that caused a red flag and a drop in his draft status. Celtics fans will tell you that they "stole" Sullinger, since he fell so far. But, they are missing the fact that Sullinger is one of the least athletic big mans I have every seen. He is crafty in the post, but he will have trouble with stronger and more athletic big men that he will face, especially defensively. Also, will his back hold up in an 82 game season plus playoffs? The Celtics have high hopes for him, but I would temper them a little until we see what he can do over the course of a few months. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlljObv8LwI&feature=related.
KG moved to center last year, and that allowed him to have a rebound season. He can now control the paint on defense, and stick to taking his long jump shot that he is so good at, since the other centers won't go out that far. He works very well with Rondo, and that should continue. I just fear Garnett will also succumb to his age very soon. He has played in so many games, and has done this so many times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsy4_IXakNU. He has jumped so many times, his knees won't be able to stand much longer. But, he is the great intimidator, and will always be effective defensively. Darko Milicic is the backup center. Everyone knows he was the second pick of the 2003 draft in front of Melo, Wade, Bosh, and other all-stars. But, he got a NBA championship 8 years before LeBron (so what if he didn't actually play). Darko, now is a shot blocking center, who never found an offense game like scouts thought he could. Here is a gem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NJSNeFqRZI&feature=related. And another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0nvmfka3mE&feature=related.
The Celtics are improved upon last year for sure with a much deeper squad. They should have no problem winning their division and getting the 2 or 3 seed in the East. However, they will always be compared to the Heat, and their ability to beat them depends on if they can slow down their speed and athleticism. At this point, even if Rondo plays his best, I don't know if they can. Their hope may lie with Avery Bradley, who can shut down Wade with the best of them. If he is at his best, and Rondo plays amazingly like last year, they may just have a shot.
Next Up, Memphis Grizzlies
Los Angeles Clippers Preview
Hello All,
So Hurricane Sandy has afforded me the opportunity to pull off the impossible. Finish my NBA Previews by tomorrow nights game. It will be a long tough road, since I have 9 more, but I will try.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Key Additions: Matt Barnes (FA), Grant Hill (FA), Jamal Crawford (FA), Willie Green (FA), Lamar Odom (FA), Ronni Turiaf (FA)
Key Losses: Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Nick Young, Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Chauncey Billups
SF: Caron Butler
PF: Blake Griffin
C: DeAndre Jordan
Role Players: Hill, Odom, Crawford, Eric Bledsoe, Turiaf, Barnes, Green
Comments: If there was one coach who I could tell you right now will be fired either at some point this season or right after, it is Vinny Del Negro. The offense for the Clippers has the potential to be so potent, but they run approximately two plays: Chris Paul isolation (which is very effective), and Blake Griffin isolation. This makes the Clippers very predictable on offense, and once the Spurs took that away, the Clippers basically keeled over. I also remember how Chris Paul had to ask to come back into Game 1 against the Grizzlies, so that he could lead a comeback (so much for believing in your team). So basically, it comes down to Chris Paul having to play the coach position. It is too much pressure, and this team will continue to underperform unless it gets a quality coach. I personally would love to see what Jerry Sloan would do to this team (with his history of coaching PG's, whoa).
Anyway, lets start with Paul. He is the best PG in the game. He is the best ball distributor, able to get his players the ball in the exact right positions for them to score. Lobs, drive and kicks, pick and roll, he can do it all. Also, he can take over on offense himself if need be, and his defense (especially stealing), is top notch. I would be concerned that he hasn't signed a long term deal yet, but I have a feeling he will eventually. Also, I am interested to see how often Paul gets fined for flopping, because he secretly gets away with a lot of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znAA4mLU0II (this video also has the classic Duncan "I didnt do anything" face). Eric Bledsoe is a very promising backup. He is explosive and can shoot it as well. He was kind of stuck behind Paul, Billups, and Williams last year, but now with Billups injured and Williams gone, he will get a lot of playing time. He is a very dangerous scorer off the bench.
Chauncey Billups had a sad year last year when he broke his achilles. Before that, he was actually doing quite well in the SG position alongside Paul. He is just a savvy veteran who can still drain it from 3 and distribute the ball nicely. Besides Roy Halladay, he is probably the best athlete from Denver. Hopefully he returns from injury soon. Willie Green will probably start in his absence. He is a solid defender and a streaky shooter, who will probably see a lot less time when Billups returns. Jamal Crawford is the real threat at SG. This guy absolutely kills the Nuggets, and his crossover is deadly (why he is named J-crossover). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCqlscrBuQ8&feature=related. You can also see is a lights out shooter, but he is a little streaky. He will have to replace the offense of Williams, Foye, and Young that made their bench so good.
Caron Butler is the SF. He has always been a consistent scorer, but on the Clippers last year it seemed as if he was shooting the ball much more than he should. He takes shots like Kevin Durant, but makes them a lot less. If he is more selective, the Clippers can be much more efficient. If Odom can return to being at least a little bit good (big if), then he will get a lot of the minutes at this spot. Grant Hill is really old, but still a quality defensive player. Barnes is technically another backup, and on the Lakers, I would pray that he would be allowed to shoot. He is one of those guys that prides himself on defense, which in a twisted way in his mind, allows him to shoot as many shots as he wants. No, Barnes, stop shooting, you suck.
Now to Blake Griffin. This guy is clearly a unique talent, but there is something off about his game. Because of his super athleticism, he can dunk from anywhere, and can do alley-oops very well. His rebounding is also well above average, and he runs the fast break extremely well. However, his post game is pretty much limited to one move. He just lowers his shoulder and throws up shit. Here is a good video of that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGPF-sjf8tA. There is just no finesse at all, and you can see how he doesnt demand a double team. As long as you slow him down on the fast break, he won't make outside shots on you, and he is useless (see Boris Diaws defense at the end of the video). His athleticism won't be there forever, so he needs to learn how to harness some of that energy into a more complete offensive game. Ya, he is exciting to watch, but is a relatively bad superstar. Lamar Odom is the backup, and he had just a miserable year. Maybe it was because he was in Dallas and couldn't do his reality show, or maybe he is just old. But the Clippers need his game to pick back up. They lost their muscle and toughness that was so effective in Evans and Martin. Odom won't provide that, but he can give a great offensive effort.
DeAndre Jordan is the center, and he has the job of making Blake Griffin look good on defense by cleaning up his messes. He is a quality shot blocker, and is strong, but does little else. That is why he was benched so much for Evans and Martin in the playoffs. He needs to be a little more of a threat offensively to prevent the defense from collapsing on Paul. Turiaf is the backup, and could provide some of that grit if healthy. He is a player like Reggie Evans who isn't afriad to get a little dirty for some rebounds.
The Clippers need to get rid of Del Negro to make the step toward championship contenders. The reliance on isolation offense will just not work. They can probably secure home court advantage if healthy and some improvement in Griffins post game, but I can't see them winning against the Lakers or Thunder with this coach.
Next Up, Boston Celtics
So Hurricane Sandy has afforded me the opportunity to pull off the impossible. Finish my NBA Previews by tomorrow nights game. It will be a long tough road, since I have 9 more, but I will try.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Key Additions: Matt Barnes (FA), Grant Hill (FA), Jamal Crawford (FA), Willie Green (FA), Lamar Odom (FA), Ronni Turiaf (FA)
Key Losses: Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Nick Young, Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Chauncey Billups
SF: Caron Butler
PF: Blake Griffin
C: DeAndre Jordan
Role Players: Hill, Odom, Crawford, Eric Bledsoe, Turiaf, Barnes, Green
Comments: If there was one coach who I could tell you right now will be fired either at some point this season or right after, it is Vinny Del Negro. The offense for the Clippers has the potential to be so potent, but they run approximately two plays: Chris Paul isolation (which is very effective), and Blake Griffin isolation. This makes the Clippers very predictable on offense, and once the Spurs took that away, the Clippers basically keeled over. I also remember how Chris Paul had to ask to come back into Game 1 against the Grizzlies, so that he could lead a comeback (so much for believing in your team). So basically, it comes down to Chris Paul having to play the coach position. It is too much pressure, and this team will continue to underperform unless it gets a quality coach. I personally would love to see what Jerry Sloan would do to this team (with his history of coaching PG's, whoa).
Anyway, lets start with Paul. He is the best PG in the game. He is the best ball distributor, able to get his players the ball in the exact right positions for them to score. Lobs, drive and kicks, pick and roll, he can do it all. Also, he can take over on offense himself if need be, and his defense (especially stealing), is top notch. I would be concerned that he hasn't signed a long term deal yet, but I have a feeling he will eventually. Also, I am interested to see how often Paul gets fined for flopping, because he secretly gets away with a lot of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znAA4mLU0II (this video also has the classic Duncan "I didnt do anything" face). Eric Bledsoe is a very promising backup. He is explosive and can shoot it as well. He was kind of stuck behind Paul, Billups, and Williams last year, but now with Billups injured and Williams gone, he will get a lot of playing time. He is a very dangerous scorer off the bench.
Chauncey Billups had a sad year last year when he broke his achilles. Before that, he was actually doing quite well in the SG position alongside Paul. He is just a savvy veteran who can still drain it from 3 and distribute the ball nicely. Besides Roy Halladay, he is probably the best athlete from Denver. Hopefully he returns from injury soon. Willie Green will probably start in his absence. He is a solid defender and a streaky shooter, who will probably see a lot less time when Billups returns. Jamal Crawford is the real threat at SG. This guy absolutely kills the Nuggets, and his crossover is deadly (why he is named J-crossover). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCqlscrBuQ8&feature=related. You can also see is a lights out shooter, but he is a little streaky. He will have to replace the offense of Williams, Foye, and Young that made their bench so good.
Caron Butler is the SF. He has always been a consistent scorer, but on the Clippers last year it seemed as if he was shooting the ball much more than he should. He takes shots like Kevin Durant, but makes them a lot less. If he is more selective, the Clippers can be much more efficient. If Odom can return to being at least a little bit good (big if), then he will get a lot of the minutes at this spot. Grant Hill is really old, but still a quality defensive player. Barnes is technically another backup, and on the Lakers, I would pray that he would be allowed to shoot. He is one of those guys that prides himself on defense, which in a twisted way in his mind, allows him to shoot as many shots as he wants. No, Barnes, stop shooting, you suck.
Now to Blake Griffin. This guy is clearly a unique talent, but there is something off about his game. Because of his super athleticism, he can dunk from anywhere, and can do alley-oops very well. His rebounding is also well above average, and he runs the fast break extremely well. However, his post game is pretty much limited to one move. He just lowers his shoulder and throws up shit. Here is a good video of that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGPF-sjf8tA. There is just no finesse at all, and you can see how he doesnt demand a double team. As long as you slow him down on the fast break, he won't make outside shots on you, and he is useless (see Boris Diaws defense at the end of the video). His athleticism won't be there forever, so he needs to learn how to harness some of that energy into a more complete offensive game. Ya, he is exciting to watch, but is a relatively bad superstar. Lamar Odom is the backup, and he had just a miserable year. Maybe it was because he was in Dallas and couldn't do his reality show, or maybe he is just old. But the Clippers need his game to pick back up. They lost their muscle and toughness that was so effective in Evans and Martin. Odom won't provide that, but he can give a great offensive effort.
DeAndre Jordan is the center, and he has the job of making Blake Griffin look good on defense by cleaning up his messes. He is a quality shot blocker, and is strong, but does little else. That is why he was benched so much for Evans and Martin in the playoffs. He needs to be a little more of a threat offensively to prevent the defense from collapsing on Paul. Turiaf is the backup, and could provide some of that grit if healthy. He is a player like Reggie Evans who isn't afriad to get a little dirty for some rebounds.
The Clippers need to get rid of Del Negro to make the step toward championship contenders. The reliance on isolation offense will just not work. They can probably secure home court advantage if healthy and some improvement in Griffins post game, but I can't see them winning against the Lakers or Thunder with this coach.
Next Up, Boston Celtics
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