The 2009-2010 edition of the Baylor Bear basketball team was some what of a mystery to start the year. Coming off of back to back postseason appearances (NCAA followed by NIT) Baylor graduated its winning-est senior class in history, at least for the time being. The most knowledgeable of Bears fans expected a down year, after all Baylor was losing their leading man in assists and points (Curtis Jerrells) along with their leading rebounder (Kevin Rogers). However the Bears have had a better year this year than that, already at 20 wins and looking at a near guaranteed NCAA Tournament birth. Here are a few key differences in this years Baylor team, and the Bears teams of past years.
1. Defending- In the Big 12 tournament last year Coach Scott Drew abandoned the man to man defense and moved to a 2-3 zone and has stuck with that decision this year. With the second tallest team in the nation Baylor plays a very long version of the zone, making it tough for opposing teams to get off an open 3 when the Bears are hustling. The 2-3 zone and the length of the Bears is one reason that they rank 6th in the Nation in Defensive Field Goal Percentage, up from 161st last year. Also the addition of Ekpe Udoh (More Below) has been a key addition when teams break down the zone and get into the middle Udoh alters nearly every shot. Another effect of the zone is on Baylor's rebounding in which they rank 6th best in the NCAA in rebounding margin, which is a 176 spot jump from the previous year.
2. Tweety Carter- Last year with Curtis Jerrells running the Baylor show, the Bears were a very stagnant offense in which Jerrells would dribble around and then toss up a shot whenever he felt best. However with Carter at the helm, the Bears are running something that resembles an offense. Carter is much more of a true point guard than Jerrells ever was and it shows in the difference in assists, Carter is averaging 6.3 assists per game while Jerrells only averaged 4.9 per game last year. Carter does a great job of involving his teammates, but won't hesitate to take and hit the big shot when the Bears need it. Tweety is averaging 15.9 points per game, second on the Baylor team, and has a tendency to hit huge shots right when the Bears need need them. If you've seen Baylor play a game this year, its obvious that Tweety is an upgrade at the Point Guard position from Jerrells, and that might be the biggest surprise this season for Baylor basketball.
3. Ekpe Udoh- Udoh who is a Junior transfer from Michigan has been a HUGE surprise for this years Baylor team. Ekpe was forced to sit out a year because of his transfer, and he used that year wisely by improving every facet of his game. Udoh is a walking double double averaging 13.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and is possibly the best big man ever to play for the Bears. Udoh is also a defensive force, averaging 4.3 blocks per game which is 5th best in Division 1 basketball. At 6'10 Udoh uses great body control to alter every shot brought into the middle of the zone, and possibly even more incredible is the fact that Udoh has only fouled out of one game which was an overtime win at Texas. Udoh has seen his draft stock sky rocket into a potential lottery pick, but for everyone in Waco's sake hopefully he will stick around for one more year. Udoh is the X factor for this Baylor team.
Sitting at 20-6 this years Baylor team is on its way to the NCAA tournament and has the ability to make a possible Sweet 16 run. If Baylor is to continue having success they will have to hustle and play tough defense in their zone, and also rely on the two guys mentioned above to carry the Bears on the offensive and defensive end of the court.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Top 5 Center's in the NBA
In a league where there are very few dominant center's a good center can completely change the complexion of a game. He can be a go to scorer on the offensive end and a shut down defender on the defensive end, however this is a rare combination. There are very few great center's in the NBA today, but here are the 5 closest there are.
1.Dwight Howard- Dwight Howard is by far the most dominant center in the NBA today, however he still has much room for improvement. Howard is 6'11" and one big huge muscle that dominates the lane defensively. Howard has yet to demand the ball offensively and show that he can take over a game, and seems to lack a large repertoire of go to post moves. Howard is still averaging 17.9 points per game and shooting a solid 60% from the field, and if the Magic could get him more touches then he could truly assert his dominance. Howard is snagging 13.4 rebounds and blocking 2.8 shots per game, which shows that he can completely change the game without the Magic even getting him the ball down low. If Howard can develop a solid set of post moves, he could become one of the greatest centers to ever play.
2.David Lee- Lee is averaging 20 points and 11.4 rebounds per game which are far better numbers than that of all star Al Horford. Look for David Lee to come back out fired up because this situation is the epitome of an all star snub. David Lee has done nothing but get better over the course of his NBA career and I'd be willing to bet that he will continue to get better. Lee gets out and runs the fast break well and can also catch and finish incredibly well. Lee has a decent back to the basket game and also a pretty good face up jump shot. If Lee continues to improve over the next few years look for him to get voted in to the all star game sooner rather than later.
3. Andrew Bynum- Andrew Bynum has as much upside as any player in the NBA. Bynum is 22 and in his fourth year in the NBA and you can tell by the ups and downs his game takes. Bynum is averaging 15.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this year which are some of the best numbers of his career. Bynum is playing along a star studded group of players that include Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol which takes a large load off of him, so we'll have to see what he does without two stars on his team. Bynum's biggest problem is his inconsistency, one night he'll show up and score twenty points and have 12 boards and the next night he'll show up and have eight points. If Bynum will learn some of Gasol's go to post moves he could slowly but surely become a better player and be one of the games elite players at any position.
4. Brook Lopez- Lopez has turned into the lone bright spot of the Nets season, other than the shot at John Wall in the 2010 NBA draft. Lopez is averaging 19 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, which are great stats for the second year player out of Stanford. Brook who enjoys reading comics with his twin brother Robin, also enjoys dominating other centers in the NBA. Lopez is one of the smartest players in the league and is averaging 2.3 assists per game which is great coming from the Center position. Lopez is athletic and possibly one of the hardest working players in the league, and it shows in his improvement between year one and year two. If Lopez continues to improve his game we will be seeing him in the all star game within the next three years. However, imagine this possibility John Wall and Brook Lopez on the same team.
5. Al Jefferson- Like Lopez, Jefferson is a bright spot for an absolutely terrible team. Al Jefferson is nearly averaging a double double putting up 17.7 points, 9.8, and a little over 1 block per game. Jefferson at 6'10" 255 isn't afraid to get down in the paint and bang bodies with the other big men and also has a couple great back to the basket moves. Jefferson is the only guy shooting below 50% for the season, but that is somewhat explainable because he is playing for one of the worst teams in the NBA. Jefferson is a very consistent player, but never comes out and drops 30 in a night (his high is 25), but he'll also always come out and play well. Jefferson is a consistent player that any team in the NBA would absolutely love to have simply because he comes to play on a nightly basis.
Honorable Mention:Marc Gasol, Al Horford
1.Dwight Howard- Dwight Howard is by far the most dominant center in the NBA today, however he still has much room for improvement. Howard is 6'11" and one big huge muscle that dominates the lane defensively. Howard has yet to demand the ball offensively and show that he can take over a game, and seems to lack a large repertoire of go to post moves. Howard is still averaging 17.9 points per game and shooting a solid 60% from the field, and if the Magic could get him more touches then he could truly assert his dominance. Howard is snagging 13.4 rebounds and blocking 2.8 shots per game, which shows that he can completely change the game without the Magic even getting him the ball down low. If Howard can develop a solid set of post moves, he could become one of the greatest centers to ever play.
2.David Lee- Lee is averaging 20 points and 11.4 rebounds per game which are far better numbers than that of all star Al Horford. Look for David Lee to come back out fired up because this situation is the epitome of an all star snub. David Lee has done nothing but get better over the course of his NBA career and I'd be willing to bet that he will continue to get better. Lee gets out and runs the fast break well and can also catch and finish incredibly well. Lee has a decent back to the basket game and also a pretty good face up jump shot. If Lee continues to improve over the next few years look for him to get voted in to the all star game sooner rather than later.
3. Andrew Bynum- Andrew Bynum has as much upside as any player in the NBA. Bynum is 22 and in his fourth year in the NBA and you can tell by the ups and downs his game takes. Bynum is averaging 15.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this year which are some of the best numbers of his career. Bynum is playing along a star studded group of players that include Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol which takes a large load off of him, so we'll have to see what he does without two stars on his team. Bynum's biggest problem is his inconsistency, one night he'll show up and score twenty points and have 12 boards and the next night he'll show up and have eight points. If Bynum will learn some of Gasol's go to post moves he could slowly but surely become a better player and be one of the games elite players at any position.
4. Brook Lopez- Lopez has turned into the lone bright spot of the Nets season, other than the shot at John Wall in the 2010 NBA draft. Lopez is averaging 19 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, which are great stats for the second year player out of Stanford. Brook who enjoys reading comics with his twin brother Robin, also enjoys dominating other centers in the NBA. Lopez is one of the smartest players in the league and is averaging 2.3 assists per game which is great coming from the Center position. Lopez is athletic and possibly one of the hardest working players in the league, and it shows in his improvement between year one and year two. If Lopez continues to improve his game we will be seeing him in the all star game within the next three years. However, imagine this possibility John Wall and Brook Lopez on the same team.
5. Al Jefferson- Like Lopez, Jefferson is a bright spot for an absolutely terrible team. Al Jefferson is nearly averaging a double double putting up 17.7 points, 9.8, and a little over 1 block per game. Jefferson at 6'10" 255 isn't afraid to get down in the paint and bang bodies with the other big men and also has a couple great back to the basket moves. Jefferson is the only guy shooting below 50% for the season, but that is somewhat explainable because he is playing for one of the worst teams in the NBA. Jefferson is a very consistent player, but never comes out and drops 30 in a night (his high is 25), but he'll also always come out and play well. Jefferson is a consistent player that any team in the NBA would absolutely love to have simply because he comes to play on a nightly basis.
Honorable Mention:Marc Gasol, Al Horford
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Top 5 Power Forward's in the NBA
The Power Forward position is an incredibly important position in basketball. It can mold the way your team plays based on how much height this player has. A great power forward is a double double threat night in and night out and causes all types of match up problems. These are the top power forwards in the league today.
1.Chris Bosh- Bosh is one of the big dogs that will become a Free Agent after this season and any team would be lucky to have him on their roster. Chris Bosh is 6'10" and can score in a variety of ways. He can face up and make a move to go by slower defenders and when he does he finishes easily at the rim because of his athletic ability. Bosh is also excellent at running the break and has very good hands which makes him a sure target of his teammates. Bosh is averaging 24.5 points, 11.5 boards, and shooting nearly 53% from the field. Bosh can face up and hit a 17 foot jumper and he has a great back to the basket game which makes him one of the most unstoppable big men in the NBA today. Look for Bosh to be one of the biggest names leaving his team this off season.
2.Dirk Nowitzki-Nowitzki is a small forward in a power forwards body and he can exploit even the best defenders in the league. Dirk has a great three point shot for someone that stands at 7' tall, making him nearly impossible to guard. Nowitzki could use some more work on his back to the basket game, with his height if he put a couple good post moves in his repertoire he could become one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the game. Dirk can beat defenders off the dribble but sometimes settles for contested jump shots which is senseless with how big he is. Dirk is still shooting 48% while putting up 24.8 points and snagging nearly 8 rebounds per game, but I would love to see him become a little more physical and nasty.
3. Tim Duncan- The Big Fundamental is one of the most boringly efficient players in my lifetime and the NBA's history. Duncan can catch the ball and square up with any defender in the league before hitting a bank shot from 15 feet in their eye. Duncan shows next to no emotion on the court, but dominates the game simply by playing it. This year, with his body wearing on him, Duncan is averaging 19.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in just under 33 minutes of action per game. Duncan is shooting over 50% from the field for his career which is an incredible stat in the NBA today, especially with the way defenses have game planned around stopping him. Duncan has quietly dominated the NBA for 12 years now, and probably has another 2 in him before his body completely gives out, but look for him in the Hall of Fame very soon.
4. Amare Stoudemire- Amare Stoudemire probably gets more points off of the fast break than any other Power Forward in the league. He benefits from the great passing ability of Steve Nash, but until he proves us otherwise by poor performance he is still one of the most dominant power forwards in the league. Amare has had a few injuries in his career but when he is healthy he is the perfect power forward sidekick to Steve Nash. Amare runs the break incredibly well and has some of the best hands in the league. Also Stoudemire is incredibly explosive and has had some of the most massive dunks in the NBA as of late. Stoudemire has an average back to the basket game along with an average jump shot, but he gets by with a shot selection that usually involves dunks. Amare is averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game so far this year, but if he develops a consistent jump shot Stoudemire will become a near unstoppable player.
5. Carlos Boozer- Boozer is the name you hear less of than any other player on this list, but that doesn't mean he isn't an absolutely dominant force. Boozer is putting up a double double with 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game which makes him a key piece of the puzzle for one of the best teams in the West. Boozer doesn't do anything incredibly well, but he is solid in every facet of the game. Boozer has a solid jump shot from 17 feet and in which helps the Jazz spread the floor and keep defenses honest. Boozer is not a superstar, but consistently puts up a double double which is something that every team could use. Boozer can go off when the Jazz need him to (34 points in a win over the Clippers), but never forces the issue which is shown by his 54.5% shooting percentage from the field.
Honorable Mention-Pau Gasol, David West, Joakim Noah
Power Forward of the Future: DeJuan Blair- In limited minutes this year with the Spurs Blair has proved to be a more than adequate back up to Tim Duncan. Look for Duncan to pass the torch to Blair over the next few years, and after that look for Blair to become one of the best power forwards in the NBA for years to come.
1.Chris Bosh- Bosh is one of the big dogs that will become a Free Agent after this season and any team would be lucky to have him on their roster. Chris Bosh is 6'10" and can score in a variety of ways. He can face up and make a move to go by slower defenders and when he does he finishes easily at the rim because of his athletic ability. Bosh is also excellent at running the break and has very good hands which makes him a sure target of his teammates. Bosh is averaging 24.5 points, 11.5 boards, and shooting nearly 53% from the field. Bosh can face up and hit a 17 foot jumper and he has a great back to the basket game which makes him one of the most unstoppable big men in the NBA today. Look for Bosh to be one of the biggest names leaving his team this off season.
2.Dirk Nowitzki-Nowitzki is a small forward in a power forwards body and he can exploit even the best defenders in the league. Dirk has a great three point shot for someone that stands at 7' tall, making him nearly impossible to guard. Nowitzki could use some more work on his back to the basket game, with his height if he put a couple good post moves in his repertoire he could become one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the game. Dirk can beat defenders off the dribble but sometimes settles for contested jump shots which is senseless with how big he is. Dirk is still shooting 48% while putting up 24.8 points and snagging nearly 8 rebounds per game, but I would love to see him become a little more physical and nasty.
3. Tim Duncan- The Big Fundamental is one of the most boringly efficient players in my lifetime and the NBA's history. Duncan can catch the ball and square up with any defender in the league before hitting a bank shot from 15 feet in their eye. Duncan shows next to no emotion on the court, but dominates the game simply by playing it. This year, with his body wearing on him, Duncan is averaging 19.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in just under 33 minutes of action per game. Duncan is shooting over 50% from the field for his career which is an incredible stat in the NBA today, especially with the way defenses have game planned around stopping him. Duncan has quietly dominated the NBA for 12 years now, and probably has another 2 in him before his body completely gives out, but look for him in the Hall of Fame very soon.
4. Amare Stoudemire- Amare Stoudemire probably gets more points off of the fast break than any other Power Forward in the league. He benefits from the great passing ability of Steve Nash, but until he proves us otherwise by poor performance he is still one of the most dominant power forwards in the league. Amare has had a few injuries in his career but when he is healthy he is the perfect power forward sidekick to Steve Nash. Amare runs the break incredibly well and has some of the best hands in the league. Also Stoudemire is incredibly explosive and has had some of the most massive dunks in the NBA as of late. Stoudemire has an average back to the basket game along with an average jump shot, but he gets by with a shot selection that usually involves dunks. Amare is averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game so far this year, but if he develops a consistent jump shot Stoudemire will become a near unstoppable player.
5. Carlos Boozer- Boozer is the name you hear less of than any other player on this list, but that doesn't mean he isn't an absolutely dominant force. Boozer is putting up a double double with 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game which makes him a key piece of the puzzle for one of the best teams in the West. Boozer doesn't do anything incredibly well, but he is solid in every facet of the game. Boozer has a solid jump shot from 17 feet and in which helps the Jazz spread the floor and keep defenses honest. Boozer is not a superstar, but consistently puts up a double double which is something that every team could use. Boozer can go off when the Jazz need him to (34 points in a win over the Clippers), but never forces the issue which is shown by his 54.5% shooting percentage from the field.
Honorable Mention-Pau Gasol, David West, Joakim Noah
Power Forward of the Future: DeJuan Blair- In limited minutes this year with the Spurs Blair has proved to be a more than adequate back up to Tim Duncan. Look for Duncan to pass the torch to Blair over the next few years, and after that look for Blair to become one of the best power forwards in the NBA for years to come.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Small Forwards of the NBA
The Small Forward position is home to some of the biggest names in basketball. These guys put up points in bunches, and when in the zone are not stoppable.
1. Lebron James- Lebron James is possibly the most athletic person to ever play basketball. James is averaging 29.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game, which is one of the most dominant stat lines we've ever seen. James can take it inside and posterize any shot blocker in the NBA, but can handle the ball as well as a point guard. King James is an absolute highlight real waiting to happen, with high flying dunks, alley oops, and blocks every single night he is the most exciting player in the league. However Lebron is doing a great job of improving his jump shot and has an exceptional game with his back to the basket, and this has shown in the fact that he is shooting over 50% from the field. Lebron has shown that he is one of the hardest working players in the league and is looking to smash records through his career. Now Lebron just has to prove he can win a championship.
2.Carmelo Anthony- Anthony is not near the athlete that Lebron is but he has proved to be just as good of a scorer. Melo shows basketball savvy by knowing how he can score and taking advantage of what the defense gives him. While Lebron can blow by you at anytime, Anthony is more likely to hit the jumper if you give him an open look. He is averaging 29.7 points, 6.5 boards, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field. Ever since winning a gold medal Anthony has recommitted to improving his game in every way. He has improved his shot, but more importantly he has improved his defense. Melo has a knack for hitting big shots when called upon, doing so more and with a better percentage than that of King James. If Melo continues to develop his work ethic, he will continue to develop a very impressive resume.
3. Kevin Durant- The long and lanky Kevin Durant is taking the NBA scene by storm. He is averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for a Thunder team that is in playoff contention. Durant who stands at 6'9" and has a wingspan of 7'4" can shoot over anybody in the league. He has one of the silkiest, prettiest jump shots you could ever imagine and he can release it from anywhere on the court. If Durant could possibly add some weight he could develop a fierce game down low. Durant who has improved his Defense this year could still use some serious improvement specifically on defending the pick and roll. With the rate that KD is improving at, the length he has, and his pure jump shot he could become one of the greatest scorers of his era.
4. Gerald Wallace- Wallace is one of the main reasons that the Bobcats are finally starting to resemble a basketball team. Wallace who is a physical 6'7" player is averaging a double double at 19.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Wallace is the leading rebounder and second leading scorer for the Bobcats who are surprisingly in contention to make the playoffs, even if it is in the lowly Eastern Conference. Any time you can have your Small Forward averaging a double double it is usually a great sign for your teams rebounding stats, and that is exactly what Wallace does, as he isn't afraid to get in the paint and bang with the bigs. Gerald Wallace at 27 has the peak of his career ahead of him, and it looks like he would be a great asset to any team that he is on.
5.Danny Granger- Granger is the one think that keeps the Indiana Pacers engine churning. Averaging 22.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game Granger is a building block that the Pacers would be wise to build around. The more chances that the Pacers have given Granger to take the reigns(Stephen Jackson going to GS), the more that he has impressed everyone in the league. If the Pacers can surround Granger with a little more talent they would be a prime contender to make the playoffs and lose to one of the Big 4 in the first round. Granger would be a much better player if he could get to the basket and create shots for his teammates, because he is only averaging 2.8 assists per game. Look for Granger to continually improve, but never to the level of the first 3 guys on this list.
1. Lebron James- Lebron James is possibly the most athletic person to ever play basketball. James is averaging 29.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game, which is one of the most dominant stat lines we've ever seen. James can take it inside and posterize any shot blocker in the NBA, but can handle the ball as well as a point guard. King James is an absolute highlight real waiting to happen, with high flying dunks, alley oops, and blocks every single night he is the most exciting player in the league. However Lebron is doing a great job of improving his jump shot and has an exceptional game with his back to the basket, and this has shown in the fact that he is shooting over 50% from the field. Lebron has shown that he is one of the hardest working players in the league and is looking to smash records through his career. Now Lebron just has to prove he can win a championship.
2.Carmelo Anthony- Anthony is not near the athlete that Lebron is but he has proved to be just as good of a scorer. Melo shows basketball savvy by knowing how he can score and taking advantage of what the defense gives him. While Lebron can blow by you at anytime, Anthony is more likely to hit the jumper if you give him an open look. He is averaging 29.7 points, 6.5 boards, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field. Ever since winning a gold medal Anthony has recommitted to improving his game in every way. He has improved his shot, but more importantly he has improved his defense. Melo has a knack for hitting big shots when called upon, doing so more and with a better percentage than that of King James. If Melo continues to develop his work ethic, he will continue to develop a very impressive resume.
3. Kevin Durant- The long and lanky Kevin Durant is taking the NBA scene by storm. He is averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for a Thunder team that is in playoff contention. Durant who stands at 6'9" and has a wingspan of 7'4" can shoot over anybody in the league. He has one of the silkiest, prettiest jump shots you could ever imagine and he can release it from anywhere on the court. If Durant could possibly add some weight he could develop a fierce game down low. Durant who has improved his Defense this year could still use some serious improvement specifically on defending the pick and roll. With the rate that KD is improving at, the length he has, and his pure jump shot he could become one of the greatest scorers of his era.
4. Gerald Wallace- Wallace is one of the main reasons that the Bobcats are finally starting to resemble a basketball team. Wallace who is a physical 6'7" player is averaging a double double at 19.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Wallace is the leading rebounder and second leading scorer for the Bobcats who are surprisingly in contention to make the playoffs, even if it is in the lowly Eastern Conference. Any time you can have your Small Forward averaging a double double it is usually a great sign for your teams rebounding stats, and that is exactly what Wallace does, as he isn't afraid to get in the paint and bang with the bigs. Gerald Wallace at 27 has the peak of his career ahead of him, and it looks like he would be a great asset to any team that he is on.
5.Danny Granger- Granger is the one think that keeps the Indiana Pacers engine churning. Averaging 22.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game Granger is a building block that the Pacers would be wise to build around. The more chances that the Pacers have given Granger to take the reigns(Stephen Jackson going to GS), the more that he has impressed everyone in the league. If the Pacers can surround Granger with a little more talent they would be a prime contender to make the playoffs and lose to one of the Big 4 in the first round. Granger would be a much better player if he could get to the basket and create shots for his teammates, because he is only averaging 2.8 assists per game. Look for Granger to continually improve, but never to the level of the first 3 guys on this list.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Shooting Guards of the NBA
In my last post I went through the 5 best point guards in the NBA today. I've decided to make this into somewhat of a mini-series in which I will outline the best players at each position in the league. Today that position will be Shooting Guard.
A good shooting guard is someone that can stretch the floor, keep the opposing defense honest, and also create points for himself. The best shooting guards however are always a scoring threat, can create shots for themselves, and can absolutely take control of the game.
1. Kobe Bryant- Bryant is arguably the most dominant player in basketball today. He can beat you in a variety of ways, he'll post you up, blow by you, hit a pull up jumper, or hit a 3 if you give him an open shot from there. Kobe has hit 4 game winners this year, a pull up over Ray Allen, a 3 where his defender somehow let him get wide open, a running bank shot 3 against the Heat, and a fade away jumper against the Bucks. Kobe is averaging 28 points, 4.6 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game showing how versatile a player he truly is. The Black Mamba has built quite the resume he is a 12 time all star, a 4 time NBA Champion, a 2 time scoring title champion, and a 7 time all first team all NBA Defender.
2. Dwyane Wade- The Flash is one of the most electric and exciting player in the NBA today. He can blow by any defender at any point in the game and he can finish in the lane with any of the bigs. Wade is a freakish athlete with an incredibly quick first step and a great pull up jump shot. He is the 2009 scoring champion, 2006 NBA Champion and Finals MVP, and a 6 time all star. He is still a rising star but you have to wonder how many times he can bounce back up after the beating he takes. Hopefully D-Wade will fall down 7 and get up 8 for a very long time.
3.Brandon Roy- Brandon Roy is one of the most underrated players in basketball today. He is averaging 23.1 points 5 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Brandon Roy is great at getting to the basket and finishing because of his incredible athletic ability. Roy is shooting just over 35% from 3 showing that he is completely capable from hitting from anywhere on the court. Roy can also pull up off the dribble just like the first to guards on the list. Roy was the 2007 rookie of the year and a three time NBA all start, look for his number of all star appearances to sky rocket in the future seeing his scoring raise every year since he has been in the league.
4.Joe Johnson- Joe Johnson is the leading scorer on a up and coming Atlanta Hawks team that could make a deep run into the playoffs. Johnson is averaging 21.9 points 4.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds game. Johnson has seen his stats take a huge rise since moving from the Suns to the Hawks. He has become the go to scorer on a team full of guys that could be a go to scorer. He can get to the hoop with ease and hit a jump shot with a hand in his face. Johnson is a four time NBA all star and will more than likely to continue to make appearances in that game.
5.Monta Ellis- The 6' 3" Monta Ellis is showing that for his size he can score as good as anyone in the game. Ellis has a freakishly good crossover and has a tendency to make his defenders look absolutely silly. He can get to the lane and go up and above many shot blockers in the league. If Ellis could develop a good jump shot and a better three point, he only shoots 30% for his career, he would become absolutely unstoppable. Ellis also needs to start taking care of the ball because he is averaging 4.2 turnovers per game. Ellis was the 2006-2007 most improved player of the year and has continued to improve ever since exploding on to the scene. If you catch Ellis on the right night you could see him go off for 40 points in an electrifying performance.
Honorable Mention: Andre Iguodala, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson
Also Check Out: http://bleacherreport.com/users/246119-kyle-crawford
A good shooting guard is someone that can stretch the floor, keep the opposing defense honest, and also create points for himself. The best shooting guards however are always a scoring threat, can create shots for themselves, and can absolutely take control of the game.
1. Kobe Bryant- Bryant is arguably the most dominant player in basketball today. He can beat you in a variety of ways, he'll post you up, blow by you, hit a pull up jumper, or hit a 3 if you give him an open shot from there. Kobe has hit 4 game winners this year, a pull up over Ray Allen, a 3 where his defender somehow let him get wide open, a running bank shot 3 against the Heat, and a fade away jumper against the Bucks. Kobe is averaging 28 points, 4.6 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game showing how versatile a player he truly is. The Black Mamba has built quite the resume he is a 12 time all star, a 4 time NBA Champion, a 2 time scoring title champion, and a 7 time all first team all NBA Defender.
2. Dwyane Wade- The Flash is one of the most electric and exciting player in the NBA today. He can blow by any defender at any point in the game and he can finish in the lane with any of the bigs. Wade is a freakish athlete with an incredibly quick first step and a great pull up jump shot. He is the 2009 scoring champion, 2006 NBA Champion and Finals MVP, and a 6 time all star. He is still a rising star but you have to wonder how many times he can bounce back up after the beating he takes. Hopefully D-Wade will fall down 7 and get up 8 for a very long time.
3.Brandon Roy- Brandon Roy is one of the most underrated players in basketball today. He is averaging 23.1 points 5 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Brandon Roy is great at getting to the basket and finishing because of his incredible athletic ability. Roy is shooting just over 35% from 3 showing that he is completely capable from hitting from anywhere on the court. Roy can also pull up off the dribble just like the first to guards on the list. Roy was the 2007 rookie of the year and a three time NBA all start, look for his number of all star appearances to sky rocket in the future seeing his scoring raise every year since he has been in the league.
4.Joe Johnson- Joe Johnson is the leading scorer on a up and coming Atlanta Hawks team that could make a deep run into the playoffs. Johnson is averaging 21.9 points 4.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds game. Johnson has seen his stats take a huge rise since moving from the Suns to the Hawks. He has become the go to scorer on a team full of guys that could be a go to scorer. He can get to the hoop with ease and hit a jump shot with a hand in his face. Johnson is a four time NBA all star and will more than likely to continue to make appearances in that game.
5.Monta Ellis- The 6' 3" Monta Ellis is showing that for his size he can score as good as anyone in the game. Ellis has a freakishly good crossover and has a tendency to make his defenders look absolutely silly. He can get to the lane and go up and above many shot blockers in the league. If Ellis could develop a good jump shot and a better three point, he only shoots 30% for his career, he would become absolutely unstoppable. Ellis also needs to start taking care of the ball because he is averaging 4.2 turnovers per game. Ellis was the 2006-2007 most improved player of the year and has continued to improve ever since exploding on to the scene. If you catch Ellis on the right night you could see him go off for 40 points in an electrifying performance.
Honorable Mention: Andre Iguodala, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson
Also Check Out: http://bleacherreport.com/users/246119-kyle-crawford
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Floor Generals
Arguably the most important position on the most important position on the court is the Point Guard position. The NBA is filled with incredibly talented point guards and this column is going to highlight who I believe are the best in the NBA.
1.Chris Paul- Chris Paul does more than any other Point in the league while surrounded by a low amount of talent, and he does it all at the height of 6'. Over the past 3 seasons (including this one) Paul has averaged over 20 points and 11 assists a game. If we dig deeper into the guys that were on the teams with him we see that he has been dishing the ball to Tyson Chandler(a big that Paul MADE relevant), David West, and a washed up Peja Stojakovic, and more recently another overrated big in Emeka Okafor. Paul is averaging 38.7 minutes a game this year, a sure sign that he has to carry his team night in and night out, and this will become more evident as he is out 4 to 6 weeks with a knee injury. The true kicker with Paul is how quick his hands are, averaging 2.26 steals per game Paul is a game changer on both ends of the floor.
2. Steve Nash- Steve Nash is possibly the most fun point guard to watch play today. He is electric, leading one of the most fast paced offenses in the League Nash averages just over 18 points and 11 assists per game. Nash isn't exactly a lock down defender which hurts his teams a little bit in the long run but he seems to make up for it with his ability to create shots for himself and his teammates. Nash has an assist to turnover ratio of 2.87, not quite on Paul's level but still great for a Point Guard. Nash only averages 33.7 minutes per game and it is obvious that his 35 year old body is well on its way out. However Nash has a couple more productive years left in him and any team would be lucky to have him. Also, heads up for his backup there in Phoenix in Goran Dragic.
3. Chauncey Billups- Billups is one of the top scoring point guards in the league that still is able to include his teammates and make them better in the game. Billups is less of a threat to make a fancy pass but more of a threat to draw the entire defenses attention from anywhere on the court. When Billups became a member of the Nuggets as a part of the Allen Iverson trade he seemed like he could be the last piece to make the Nuggets a championship contender. Billups is averaging 19.7 points and 6.1 assists per game, not great stats but this team would completely fold without him. Billups does a great job of deferring Carmelo Anthony and at times J.R. Smith and has the Nuggets looking like a championship contender and the only team out West who can beat the Lakers. After tonight's 13 point win over the Lakers with Mr. Big Shot scoring a career high 39 Billups has the Nuggets looking like one of the most dangerous teams in basketball.
4. Deron Williams- The guard out of the University of Illinois is doing everything you can ask for out of a point. He is putting up almost 19 points and 10 assists per contests and has the Jazz running with the big dogs out West. In a city that had the all time assists leader in John Stockton, Williams has emerged as one of the elite point guards in the game today. The 6'3" Williams has an assist to turnover ratio of almost 3 and is averaging over a steal a game. He is one of 6 players on his team averaging in double figures which shows that he can score but also knows how to get his teammates involved. Deron Williams is going to continue to improve his game and look for him to challenge CP3 as the games elite point guard in the near future.
5. Rajon Rondo- Rondo is a very interesting breed of point guard for the NBA today. Defenses sag off of him and give him an open jump shot from anywhere outside of the free throw line because his jumper is so bad. However he is the quickest guard in the league and does a wonderful job of getting into the lane and finding his open players. Rondo is scoring over 14 points a game while dishing out nearly 10 assists per outing. The true test of Rondo's skills will however come in the next few years as KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen make there way out of the league. Rondo is the only guard on this list that I wouldn't be comfortable building a franchise around simply because he is not a huge threat to put up BIG scoring numbers. However Rondo can easily crack the list of the top 3 point's in NBA if he will develop a consistent jump shot from 18 feet and in.
Honorable Mention: Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, Tony Parker.
Also for a good what to watch in College Basketball Saturday check out Nathan Harvey's Blog at: http://web.me.com/natnharvey/Harvination/HARVINATION/HARVINATION.html
However I do believe that he left out a Certain Baylor A&M Basketball Game
Highlight of the Night:
1.Chris Paul- Chris Paul does more than any other Point in the league while surrounded by a low amount of talent, and he does it all at the height of 6'. Over the past 3 seasons (including this one) Paul has averaged over 20 points and 11 assists a game. If we dig deeper into the guys that were on the teams with him we see that he has been dishing the ball to Tyson Chandler(a big that Paul MADE relevant), David West, and a washed up Peja Stojakovic, and more recently another overrated big in Emeka Okafor. Paul is averaging 38.7 minutes a game this year, a sure sign that he has to carry his team night in and night out, and this will become more evident as he is out 4 to 6 weeks with a knee injury. The true kicker with Paul is how quick his hands are, averaging 2.26 steals per game Paul is a game changer on both ends of the floor.
2. Steve Nash- Steve Nash is possibly the most fun point guard to watch play today. He is electric, leading one of the most fast paced offenses in the League Nash averages just over 18 points and 11 assists per game. Nash isn't exactly a lock down defender which hurts his teams a little bit in the long run but he seems to make up for it with his ability to create shots for himself and his teammates. Nash has an assist to turnover ratio of 2.87, not quite on Paul's level but still great for a Point Guard. Nash only averages 33.7 minutes per game and it is obvious that his 35 year old body is well on its way out. However Nash has a couple more productive years left in him and any team would be lucky to have him. Also, heads up for his backup there in Phoenix in Goran Dragic.
3. Chauncey Billups- Billups is one of the top scoring point guards in the league that still is able to include his teammates and make them better in the game. Billups is less of a threat to make a fancy pass but more of a threat to draw the entire defenses attention from anywhere on the court. When Billups became a member of the Nuggets as a part of the Allen Iverson trade he seemed like he could be the last piece to make the Nuggets a championship contender. Billups is averaging 19.7 points and 6.1 assists per game, not great stats but this team would completely fold without him. Billups does a great job of deferring Carmelo Anthony and at times J.R. Smith and has the Nuggets looking like a championship contender and the only team out West who can beat the Lakers. After tonight's 13 point win over the Lakers with Mr. Big Shot scoring a career high 39 Billups has the Nuggets looking like one of the most dangerous teams in basketball.
4. Deron Williams- The guard out of the University of Illinois is doing everything you can ask for out of a point. He is putting up almost 19 points and 10 assists per contests and has the Jazz running with the big dogs out West. In a city that had the all time assists leader in John Stockton, Williams has emerged as one of the elite point guards in the game today. The 6'3" Williams has an assist to turnover ratio of almost 3 and is averaging over a steal a game. He is one of 6 players on his team averaging in double figures which shows that he can score but also knows how to get his teammates involved. Deron Williams is going to continue to improve his game and look for him to challenge CP3 as the games elite point guard in the near future.
5. Rajon Rondo- Rondo is a very interesting breed of point guard for the NBA today. Defenses sag off of him and give him an open jump shot from anywhere outside of the free throw line because his jumper is so bad. However he is the quickest guard in the league and does a wonderful job of getting into the lane and finding his open players. Rondo is scoring over 14 points a game while dishing out nearly 10 assists per outing. The true test of Rondo's skills will however come in the next few years as KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen make there way out of the league. Rondo is the only guard on this list that I wouldn't be comfortable building a franchise around simply because he is not a huge threat to put up BIG scoring numbers. However Rondo can easily crack the list of the top 3 point's in NBA if he will develop a consistent jump shot from 18 feet and in.
Honorable Mention: Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, Tony Parker.
Also for a good what to watch in College Basketball Saturday check out Nathan Harvey's Blog at: http://web.me.com/natnharvey/Harvination/HARVINATION/HARVINATION.html
However I do believe that he left out a Certain Baylor A&M Basketball Game
Highlight of the Night:
Thursday, February 4, 2010
One More Year
Recently, more and more College players have been leaving their respective colleges early to enter the NBA draft and for many players such as Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans it has proved to be the right choice. However jumping to The League early isn't for everyone, so here are 5 players that could use another year in college before making the jump to the NBA.
Derrick Favors- While he is projected as the number two pick in the draft behind only John Wall it sometimes looks like Favors could still use another year in college. Favors is averaging 11.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in his Freshman year at Georgia Tech, but doesn't exactly have the most polished offensive game. While he is capable of beating the majority of Power Forwards that he goes up against, it isn't because a good set of post moves, it is simply because he is a freakish athlete. He is projected as a top 5 pick because of his rebounding and shot blocking abilities, and because of his incredible upside. However with one more year at Georgia Tech he could polish his offensive game and with John Wall gone, most likely be the Number 1 pick in the 2011 Draft.
Ed Davis- Davis who is a Sophomore at UNC and has seen a jump in his numbers from his Freshman to Sophomore seasons. Averaging only 27 minutes a game Davis has managed to put up 14 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest. Davis is seriously lacking in experience, and although he is a good rebounder and is extremely long Davis could definitely benefit by showing NBA scouts he can take over a game. I would expect Davis to move into the top 2 pick range if he were to continue to develop just one more year at North Carolina.
Xavier Henry- Henry was one of the top recruits of this years freshman class. While averaging 13 points per game in just over 26 minutes as a Freshman Henry could definitely gain some great experience being a little higher up on the Kansas totem pole. Right now Henry is anywhere from 3rd to 5th on the list of KU's go to guys and with Collins graduating and Aldrich expected to leave Henry could be come the go to guy. If Henry decides to stay one more year and proves that he can be KU's go to guy then his draft stock would sky rocket into a top 10 and possible top 5 pick.
Willie Warren- When Warren announced that he would stay at Oklahoma for his Sophomore year, NBA Scouts and Big XII coaches alike expected him to explode and lead Oklahoma into the NCAA Tournament. However with 5 games under 10 points, all except one which his team lost Warren is turning out to be someone we didn't think he was. He is inconsistent and struggles to lead his team as is shown by his assist to turnover ration of 1.1. Warren could use yet another year in college to prove to scouts that he can run a team more efficiently than he has proved this year. Needless to say, Warren has some major improvements to make before he proves himself an NBA ready guard.
Ekpe Udoh- Going into the year Udoh was a relatively unknown transfer leaving Michigan for Baylor. Since then Udoh has climbed on to the national scene by averaging a double double and tacking on 4.2 blocks per game. Ekpe used his red-shirt year wisely and has emerged a better shot blocker, a better rebounder, and even a better scorer. Udoh has multiple post moves that he can go to and also sees the court better than any big man I've ever seen. There are 3 main reasons I think it would benefit Udoh to stay in college and here they are: 1)To continue to work on his offensive game to become more of a scoring threat, 2)Because this draft is very Power Forward heavy and he would probably move up the draft board on another year, 3)Because I want him to continue to play basketball in Waco because he is a joy to watch.
Now whether these players stay in School or not is completely up to them, but I believe they could all improve their draft stock by working on their game at the college level for one more season.
Derrick Favors- While he is projected as the number two pick in the draft behind only John Wall it sometimes looks like Favors could still use another year in college. Favors is averaging 11.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in his Freshman year at Georgia Tech, but doesn't exactly have the most polished offensive game. While he is capable of beating the majority of Power Forwards that he goes up against, it isn't because a good set of post moves, it is simply because he is a freakish athlete. He is projected as a top 5 pick because of his rebounding and shot blocking abilities, and because of his incredible upside. However with one more year at Georgia Tech he could polish his offensive game and with John Wall gone, most likely be the Number 1 pick in the 2011 Draft.
Ed Davis- Davis who is a Sophomore at UNC and has seen a jump in his numbers from his Freshman to Sophomore seasons. Averaging only 27 minutes a game Davis has managed to put up 14 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest. Davis is seriously lacking in experience, and although he is a good rebounder and is extremely long Davis could definitely benefit by showing NBA scouts he can take over a game. I would expect Davis to move into the top 2 pick range if he were to continue to develop just one more year at North Carolina.
Xavier Henry- Henry was one of the top recruits of this years freshman class. While averaging 13 points per game in just over 26 minutes as a Freshman Henry could definitely gain some great experience being a little higher up on the Kansas totem pole. Right now Henry is anywhere from 3rd to 5th on the list of KU's go to guys and with Collins graduating and Aldrich expected to leave Henry could be come the go to guy. If Henry decides to stay one more year and proves that he can be KU's go to guy then his draft stock would sky rocket into a top 10 and possible top 5 pick.
Willie Warren- When Warren announced that he would stay at Oklahoma for his Sophomore year, NBA Scouts and Big XII coaches alike expected him to explode and lead Oklahoma into the NCAA Tournament. However with 5 games under 10 points, all except one which his team lost Warren is turning out to be someone we didn't think he was. He is inconsistent and struggles to lead his team as is shown by his assist to turnover ration of 1.1. Warren could use yet another year in college to prove to scouts that he can run a team more efficiently than he has proved this year. Needless to say, Warren has some major improvements to make before he proves himself an NBA ready guard.
Ekpe Udoh- Going into the year Udoh was a relatively unknown transfer leaving Michigan for Baylor. Since then Udoh has climbed on to the national scene by averaging a double double and tacking on 4.2 blocks per game. Ekpe used his red-shirt year wisely and has emerged a better shot blocker, a better rebounder, and even a better scorer. Udoh has multiple post moves that he can go to and also sees the court better than any big man I've ever seen. There are 3 main reasons I think it would benefit Udoh to stay in college and here they are: 1)To continue to work on his offensive game to become more of a scoring threat, 2)Because this draft is very Power Forward heavy and he would probably move up the draft board on another year, 3)Because I want him to continue to play basketball in Waco because he is a joy to watch.
Now whether these players stay in School or not is completely up to them, but I believe they could all improve their draft stock by working on their game at the college level for one more season.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Future
The question is often asked, if you could pick one player to build a franchise around, who would you take. Lately this has become a no brainer of a question and 9 out of 10 times the answer is Lebron James. So we are going to skip pick one and move on to picks 2 through 6 deciding who each of those teams should take.
Pick 1: Lebron James-
Pick 2: Carmelo Anthony- The 25 year old Anthony is having by far the best year of his career. In his 6th year out of Syracuse he is averaging 29.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Ever since he played for “The Redeem Team” Melo has been a completely new player. He has come out and worked on his defending and rebounding and it shows by how hard he works on the court. Anthony has shown time and time again that he can make the big shot when it counts.
Pick 3: Kevin Durant- Durant can flat out score. He’s been doing since his surprise freshman year at Texas and hasn’t stopped since. At only 21 years old he has as much upside as any player in the NBA. Over his first 3 years in the league his scoring and shooting percentage have both gone consistently up. Durant has also proved to be an incredibly hard worker and it has shown not only in his offensive stats but also defensively. Kevin Durant IS the one guy on this list that I would think about taking ahead of King James.
Pick 4: Dwayne Wade- Flash is one of the most electric players in the game today. He has an average 3 point shot but can create his own shot as good as anyone in the league. At just 6’ 4” he throws his body around more than anyone outside of Allen Iverson. Because he throws his body around so much, he tends to get injured and has never played the full 82 games. In the 08-09 season Wade averaged more points per game (31) against “good teams” than any other player in the league. The main concern with Wade going forward is that his body won’t stay healthy enough for him to play the brand of basketball that he currently plays, but he is still one of the top players in the NBA.
Pick 5: Chris Paul- Chris Paul is one of the top 3 point guards in the game today and is a double- double waiting to happen averaging 20.4 points and 11.2 assists per game. Paul is also a solid on ball defender averaging 2.3 steals per game. CP3 is one of the classiest guys in the league as he continues to suffer through New Orleans money saving tendencies, which have severely limited the talent around him. (David West cannot be the only other true talent on your team.) Given a strong nucleus Paul could carry any team to the top because he simply makes the players around him better.
Pick 6: Dwight Howard- You can’t go wrong with a 6’ 11” 24 year old who has averaged a double- double every year in the league. Howard’s scoring is a little down this year at 17.8 points per game, but he is doing this while shooting 60% from the field. On top of the offense that Howard brings to the floor, he is also averaging a league leading 13.3 rebounds and 2.73 blocks. Howard changes the game at the Defensive end of the floor as much as any player in the NBA and if he will continue to work on his offensive game he will define himself as the best big of his Era.
Honorable Mention: Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Monta Ellis, John Wall
Clip of the Night:
Pick 1: Lebron James-
Pick 2: Carmelo Anthony- The 25 year old Anthony is having by far the best year of his career. In his 6th year out of Syracuse he is averaging 29.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Ever since he played for “The Redeem Team” Melo has been a completely new player. He has come out and worked on his defending and rebounding and it shows by how hard he works on the court. Anthony has shown time and time again that he can make the big shot when it counts.
Pick 3: Kevin Durant- Durant can flat out score. He’s been doing since his surprise freshman year at Texas and hasn’t stopped since. At only 21 years old he has as much upside as any player in the NBA. Over his first 3 years in the league his scoring and shooting percentage have both gone consistently up. Durant has also proved to be an incredibly hard worker and it has shown not only in his offensive stats but also defensively. Kevin Durant IS the one guy on this list that I would think about taking ahead of King James.
Pick 4: Dwayne Wade- Flash is one of the most electric players in the game today. He has an average 3 point shot but can create his own shot as good as anyone in the league. At just 6’ 4” he throws his body around more than anyone outside of Allen Iverson. Because he throws his body around so much, he tends to get injured and has never played the full 82 games. In the 08-09 season Wade averaged more points per game (31) against “good teams” than any other player in the league. The main concern with Wade going forward is that his body won’t stay healthy enough for him to play the brand of basketball that he currently plays, but he is still one of the top players in the NBA.
Pick 5: Chris Paul- Chris Paul is one of the top 3 point guards in the game today and is a double- double waiting to happen averaging 20.4 points and 11.2 assists per game. Paul is also a solid on ball defender averaging 2.3 steals per game. CP3 is one of the classiest guys in the league as he continues to suffer through New Orleans money saving tendencies, which have severely limited the talent around him. (David West cannot be the only other true talent on your team.) Given a strong nucleus Paul could carry any team to the top because he simply makes the players around him better.
Pick 6: Dwight Howard- You can’t go wrong with a 6’ 11” 24 year old who has averaged a double- double every year in the league. Howard’s scoring is a little down this year at 17.8 points per game, but he is doing this while shooting 60% from the field. On top of the offense that Howard brings to the floor, he is also averaging a league leading 13.3 rebounds and 2.73 blocks. Howard changes the game at the Defensive end of the floor as much as any player in the NBA and if he will continue to work on his offensive game he will define himself as the best big of his Era.
Honorable Mention: Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Monta Ellis, John Wall
Clip of the Night:
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Pilot
So here it is. The Blog That is Lacking a Plan. I'll do my best to captivate you by writing about sports. I'll write about Basketball, Football, Futbol, and Baseball...but not the NHL( the best year the NHL ever had was the lockout) and not NASCAR. I'll take any constructive criticism and any column ideas that you have with pleasure. Let the bias, and the ranting and raving begin.
So everyone loves Kobe and Lebron, they have stolen the NBA spotlight in every way possible. Gilbert Arenas had to use pull out the guns just to take a little of the spotlight. The youngest guys in the league aren't exactly getting a lot of publicity so I'll take this opportunity to highlight some of the top young guns that will be playing in this years Rookie Challenge.
1. Tyreke Evans
Evans came out of the gates firing and has not ceased to impress. He is a very similar player to Derrick Rose, who also jumped to the NBA after just one year under John Calipari at Memphis, he likes to get to the basket and has proved that he can finish even against the big men of the NBA. Like Rose, he shoots around 25% from 3 and could be come close to unstoppable if he will work hard to develop a consistent jump shot. The comparisons to Rose will only grow after this year as he is seen as the front runner to win the NBA Rookie of the Year, an honor that Rose took home a season ago.
2. Stephen Curry
Curry has stepped onto the NBA landscape and proven that he can ball at the next level. He is still the same dangerous scorer he was throughout college, averaging 14 points per game while shooting 46%. There were doubts that Curry would ever perform at a high level in the NBA, but he's proved that he can put up big numbers. When Monta Ellis (25.8 ppg) has been out with an ankle injury Curry has put up 25 and 27 ppg respectively. Curry has shown that he has the talent and work ethic to thrive in the NBA game.
3.Dejuan Blair
Dejuan Blair is the biggest steal of this draft. He was an incredible college talent at Pittsburgh and it looks like he could have easily been a lottery pick (pick 37). While his numbers aren't huge (7.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) neither are his minutes (18 per game). In a 1 point win over the Thunder in which Tim Duncan didn't play the Spurs forward went off for 28 points on 11 for 18 shooting from the field while also piling on 21 rebounds. He is possibly the most efficient player in the 2009 draft class and a possible Tim Duncan in the making.
4. Marc Gasol
Gasol is one of the most overlooked players in the NBA, and this year he is coming into his own. Averaging 15.2 points and almost 10 rebounds on an up and coming Grizzlies team he is putting up numbers very similar to his older brother Pau (17.4 ppg, 11 rpg) but taking two fewer on average. As we saw with Pau, the Grizz are more than willing to part with good talent for less than they are worth if it will save them a little money. Be on the lookout for Gasol to go to a Title contender in the next couple of years.
5. Russel Westbrook
Westbrook is the perfect Point Guard for the Thunder in his second year out of UCLA. Averaging just over 15 ppg and 7.4 assists per game Westbrook has quarterbacked this Thunder team to more wins already this year than they had all last season. He has proven that he can score when the team needs him to with a season high of 33 points and he has shown he can defer to the Thunders other scorers with 12 games of 10 or more assists. Westbrook is well on his way to becoming one of the best true point guards in the league today.
These are just a few of the gems that you will have a chance to watch in the Rookie Challenge (Feb. 12 in Dallas). Look for them to quickly become the future of the NBA, whether it is with their current team or they are traded or signed by a Title Contender.
So everyone loves Kobe and Lebron, they have stolen the NBA spotlight in every way possible. Gilbert Arenas had to use pull out the guns just to take a little of the spotlight. The youngest guys in the league aren't exactly getting a lot of publicity so I'll take this opportunity to highlight some of the top young guns that will be playing in this years Rookie Challenge.
1. Tyreke Evans
Evans came out of the gates firing and has not ceased to impress. He is a very similar player to Derrick Rose, who also jumped to the NBA after just one year under John Calipari at Memphis, he likes to get to the basket and has proved that he can finish even against the big men of the NBA. Like Rose, he shoots around 25% from 3 and could be come close to unstoppable if he will work hard to develop a consistent jump shot. The comparisons to Rose will only grow after this year as he is seen as the front runner to win the NBA Rookie of the Year, an honor that Rose took home a season ago.
2. Stephen Curry
Curry has stepped onto the NBA landscape and proven that he can ball at the next level. He is still the same dangerous scorer he was throughout college, averaging 14 points per game while shooting 46%. There were doubts that Curry would ever perform at a high level in the NBA, but he's proved that he can put up big numbers. When Monta Ellis (25.8 ppg) has been out with an ankle injury Curry has put up 25 and 27 ppg respectively. Curry has shown that he has the talent and work ethic to thrive in the NBA game.
3.Dejuan Blair
Dejuan Blair is the biggest steal of this draft. He was an incredible college talent at Pittsburgh and it looks like he could have easily been a lottery pick (pick 37). While his numbers aren't huge (7.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) neither are his minutes (18 per game). In a 1 point win over the Thunder in which Tim Duncan didn't play the Spurs forward went off for 28 points on 11 for 18 shooting from the field while also piling on 21 rebounds. He is possibly the most efficient player in the 2009 draft class and a possible Tim Duncan in the making.
4. Marc Gasol
Gasol is one of the most overlooked players in the NBA, and this year he is coming into his own. Averaging 15.2 points and almost 10 rebounds on an up and coming Grizzlies team he is putting up numbers very similar to his older brother Pau (17.4 ppg, 11 rpg) but taking two fewer on average. As we saw with Pau, the Grizz are more than willing to part with good talent for less than they are worth if it will save them a little money. Be on the lookout for Gasol to go to a Title contender in the next couple of years.
5. Russel Westbrook
Westbrook is the perfect Point Guard for the Thunder in his second year out of UCLA. Averaging just over 15 ppg and 7.4 assists per game Westbrook has quarterbacked this Thunder team to more wins already this year than they had all last season. He has proven that he can score when the team needs him to with a season high of 33 points and he has shown he can defer to the Thunders other scorers with 12 games of 10 or more assists. Westbrook is well on his way to becoming one of the best true point guards in the league today.
These are just a few of the gems that you will have a chance to watch in the Rookie Challenge (Feb. 12 in Dallas). Look for them to quickly become the future of the NBA, whether it is with their current team or they are traded or signed by a Title Contender.
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