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| NBA Team Needs: Northwest Division |
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| by: Kyle Nelson |
| June 22, 2009 |
An in-depth look at the roster situations of the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder--what they have, where they are going and who are the players that may be targeted in this upcoming draft.
NBA Team Needs: Southwest Division
NBA Team Needs: Southeastern Division
NBA Team Needs: Atlantic Division
NBA Team Needs: Central Division
NBA Team Needs: Pacific Division
Denver Nuggets 54-28
Draft Pick #34
Draft History:
2008- SG/SF- Sonny Weems (#39)
2007- None
2006- None
Depth Chart:
PG: Chauncy Billups/ Anthony Carter*/ Jason Hart*
SG: Dahntay Jones*/ J.R. Smith
SF: Carmelo Anthony/ Linas Kleiza*/ Sonny Weems
PF: Kenyon Martin/ Renaldo Balkman
C: Nene Hilario/ Chris Andersen*/ Johan Petro*/ Steven Hunter
This season was one of the Nuggets’ most successful in quite some time, culminating with an appearance in the Western Conference Finals. The Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups deal worked splendidly, as Billups was a leader on both ends of the floor and in the lockerroom and inspired this team to follow George Karl’s coaching scheme.
Similarly, what looked like an average off-season seemed very smart in May when Dahntay Jones and Chris Andersen emerged as unsung post-season heroes. Trading Marcus Camby to the Clippers looks brilliant in hindsight, since that’s what gave the Nuggets the financial flexibility to trade Iverson’s expiring contract for Billups’ long-term deal. Mark Warkentien was named Executive of the Year for a good reason it seems.
Despite the successful season, however, there is plenty of room to improve. After all, the Nuggets never found an answer for the Lakers’ star players, and looked tired towards the end of the series. This is a team with some significant decisions to make during this off-season, beginning with whether or not to re-sign Jones and Andersen, both of whom will likely command significantly more than the minimum. A similar decision will have to be made about Linas Kleiza.
With that in mind, the Nuggets are in need of some additional depth, a concern that could potentially be addressed in the draft. Their bench is shallow in the frontcourt and on the perimeter and could use a back up point guard, more depth at the shooting guard position, or a post player able to play either power forward or center. With the 34th pick in the draft, the Nuggets have a chance of filling some of these needs, particularly a back up shooting guard, who can put quick points on the board.
Second Round Candidates: Wayne Ellington, Marcus Thornton, Jermaine Taylor
Portland Trailblazers 54-28
Draft Picks #24, #33, #38, #55, and #56
Draft History:
2008- PG/SG- Jerryd Bayless (#11), SG/SF- Nicolas Batum (#25)
2007- C- Greg Oden (#1), SG/SF- Rudy Fernandez (#24), PG- Petteri Koponen (#30), PF - Josh McRoberts (#37), PG - Taurean Green (#52)
2006- PF/C- LaMarcus Aldridge (#2), SG - Brandon Roy (#6), PG- Sergio Rodriguez (#27), C- Joel Freeland (#30)
Depth Chart:
PG: Steve Blake/ Sergio Rodriguez/ Jerryd Bayless
SG: Brandon Roy/ Nicolas Batum
SF: Martell Webster/ Rudy Fernandez/ Travis Outlaw
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge/ Channing Frye*/ Shavlik Randolph*
C: Greg Oden/ Joel Przybilla/ Michael Ruffin*
Portland overcame the obstacles of youth, injury, and inexperience and won 54 games, making it to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. The Blazers are still a young team, but behind their core of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge and solid contributions from rookies Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, and Nicolas Batum, there is a lot to like and quite a bit of potential yet to achieve before this team is at its peak.
There are some question marks, however, most notably in terms of their perimeter depth, as they lack a set rotation at the point guard and small forward positions, and could still stand to get tougher in the post. Brandon Roy desperately needs some help on the perimeter, as he is the focal point of the Blazers offense and was exposed at times by opposing defenses who took advantage of how heavy a role he’s forced to shoulder in one on one situations at the end of games.
Despite these weaknesses, this team has a bright future and will only get better in subsequent years as its young talent gets better. Portland also has a decent amount of cap space which should allow them to sign one of the better free agents that falls between the cracks.
Kevin Pritchard has been one of the most active General Managers in the NBA and has engineered some of the most ambitious draft coups in recent memories. This year, the Blazers have five draft picks, even though they lack optimal draft positioning. Therefore, expect Pritchard to be active as usual, pursuing depth at the point guard and power forward positions, likely through trades. The team has been very vocal about the fact that they do not need to get any younger, so they may not use any of the picks on players for next year’s roster. This is not a strong draft, but there will be plenty of maneuvering to be done to help shuffle around their assets and make the team even more of a contender going into next season.
First Round Candidates: DeJuan Blair, Tyler Hansbrough, Nick Calathes
Utah Jazz 48-24
Draft Picks #20 and #50
Draft History:
2008- PF/C- Kosta Koufos (#25), C- Ante Tomic (#44), PF- Tadija Dragicevic (#53)
2007- SG/SF- Morris Almond (#25), C- Kyrylo Fesenko (#38), PF- Herbert Hill (#55)
2006- SG/SF- Ronnie Brewer (#14), PG- Dee Brown (#46), PF- Paul Millsap (#47)
Depth Chart:
PG: Deron Williams/ Ronnie Price*/ Brevin Knight*
SG: Ronnie Brewer/ Kyle Korver*/ Morris Almond*
SF: C.J. Miles/ Andrei Kirilenko/ Matt Harpring
PF: Carlos Boozer*/ Paul Millsap*
C: Mehmet Okur*/ Kosta Koufos/ Jarron Collins*/ Kyrylo Fesenko
The Utah Jazz is another NBA franchise at a significant crossroads. With a new (yet familiar) owner at the helm, an aging coach, and a roster that might look very different after free agency, this is a team that could be in line for some changes. The Jazz has the potential to be a very good basketball team, with Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmet Okur. They also have some nice young talent, headlined by wing Ronnie Brewer and big men Paul Millsap and Kosta Koufos. Unfortunately, Boozer, Okur, and Millsap will be sought after players in free agency and if they choose to bolt elsewhere, the Jazz will lack the depth to contend in the future. Ownership’s willingness to pay the luxury tax in order to keep the frontcourt core together will likely be the deciding factor in how this team looks next season.
With just two picks in this year’s draft, the Jazz neither will be able to address all of their needs nor will they be able to prepare for a worst-case scenario in the future. Their most glaring needs are in the post, where they may need to start grooming a gritty power forward to take either Carlos Boozer or Paul Millsap’s minutes. They could also use a point guard to back up Deron Williams assuming Ronnie Price and Brevin Knight do not return. The team still hasn’t found a real go-to guy on the wing to take ball-handling pressure off Williams either. They might not find all the answers in this draft, but there should be some quality rotation players available if they play their cards right. The Jazz needs to have a productive summer in addition to the draft, however, if they want to remain in the playoff picture and sustain their success in the future.
First Round Candidates: Tyler Hansbrough, James Johnson, Sam Young
Minnesota Timberwolves 24-48
Draft Picks #6, #18, #28, #45, and #47
Draft History:
2008- PF/C- Kevin Love (#5), PF/C- Nikola Pekovic (#31)
2007- SG/SF- Corey Brewer (#7), PF/C- Chris Richard (#41)
2006- PG/SG- Randy Foye (#7), PF- Craig Smith (#36), C- Loukas Mavrokefalidis (#57)
Depth Chart:
PG: Randy Foye/ Sebastian Telfair/ Bobby Brown/ Kevin Ollie*
SG: Mike Miller/ Rodney Carney*
SF: Ryan Gomes/ Corey Brewer
PF: Kevin Love / Craig Smith/Brian Cardinal/ Shelden Williams*
C: Al Jefferson / Jason Collins*/ Mark Madsen
The Minnesota Timberwolves struggled through injuries last season, and despite winning a meager 24 games, there were more moments of optimism than expected. There is a great deal of young talent on this team, most importantly, Al Jefferson, though recent draft picks Randy Foye and Kevin Love showed potential of heading a solid supporting cast throughout the season. Many questions remain surrounding this team that needs to be settled before next season begins. They still do not have a coach or a team culture, and many of the players on the roster are not seasoned winners. There are also questions surrounding whether or not Randy Foye is a long-term solution at the point guard spot. If last week’s massive point guard workout was any indication, he is not, and the Timberwolves are looking for a long-term option in the draft, which is clearly the right direction to head in. New General Manager David Kahn has brought a great deal of energy to the team’s front office, and it seems like the T’Wolves will be very proactive in trying to make moves.
With two first round picks and five draft picks in total, the Timberwolves have the chance to infuse their roster with young talent and add depth in a few key areas. It seems as though they are set on drafting a point guard with the sixth overall pick, although there is a possibility they try to move up to improve their options. With their other picks and considering that much of their underachieving bench is approaching free agency, there are a number of different directions that they can pursue. While their bench is a bit thin across the board in terms of talent, they could use the most help in the post, where they lack depth at the center position. Adding another talented swingman who can create his own shot probably wouldn’t hurt either. The Timberwolves could get better immediately if they make the right decisions and definitely are a team to watch on draft night.
First Round Candidates: Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry
Oklahoma City Thunder 23-59
Draft Picks #3 and #25
Draft History:
2008- PG- Russell Westbrook (#4), SF/PF- Serge Ibaka (#24), PF- D.J. White (#29), PF/C- DeVon Hardin (#50), PF/C- Sasha Kaun (#56)
2007- SG/SF- Kevin Durant (#2), SF/PF- Jeff Green (#5)
2006- None
Depth Chart:
PG: Russell Westbrook/ Earl Watson/ Shaun Livingston*/ Chucky Atkins
SG: Thabo Sefolosha/ Kyle Weaver/ Damien Wilkins
SF: Kevin Durant/ Jeff Green/ Desmond Mason*
PF: Nick Collison/ Malik Rose*/ D.J. White
C: Nenad Kristic/ Robert Swift*
The Thunder’s first year in Oklahoma City was a mixed bag, but certainly left fans excited about the team’s future. Kevin Durant emerged as a legitimate NBA star, showing his critics that he could score efficiently, get his teammates involved in the offense, and contribute even without the ball in his hands. Durant’s supporting cast got better, as well. Combo-forward Jeff Green played more efficient basketball and Russell Westbrook not only emerged as a starter, but also looks to be the franchise’s point guard.
Add the acquisition of Nenad Kristic to the equation and the Thunder has a roster filled with rapidly improving young talent. In addition, the team is in about as enviable a situation as any franchise in the NBA in terms of their financial flexibility and long-term assets. Playing behind a coach that they trust and respect, the team has a chance to take a big step forward next season. This summer, though, is essential, as this team needs to find more veteran leadership in free agency and has two first round draft picks at their disposal.
The Thunder’s most significant need lies in the post, where the previous regime drafted unsuccessfully in the past. They are due for an upgrade at either the power forward or center positions. With the third pick in the draft, they can take their pick of this year’s top, draft-eligible big men, particularly a more defensively oriented player. They may opt to shore up their backcourt somewhat, though, adding another playmaker and perimeter shooter who is willing to play unselfishly within the team’s existing pieces. With their late first round pick, they can find another solid player to bring off of their bench and deepen their frontcourt rotation.
First Round Candidates: Hasheem Thabeet, James Harden, Ricky Rubio |
Feedback
for this article may be sent to
kyle.robert.nelson@gmail.com |
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| NBA Team Needs: Pacific Division |
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| by: Kyle Nelson |
| June 17, 2009 |
An in-depth look at the roster situations of the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings--what they have, where they are going and who are the players that may be targeted in this upcoming draft.
NBA Team Needs: Southwest Division
NBA Team Needs: Southeastern Division
NBA Team Needs: Atlantic Division
NBA Team Needs: Central Division
Los Angeles Lakers 65-17
Draft Picks #29, #42, and #59
Draft History:
2008- SG- Joe Crawford (#58)
2007- PG/SG- Javaris Crittenton (#19), Sun Yue (#40), Marc Gasol (#48)
2006- PG- Jordan Farmar (#26), SG/SF- J.R. Pinnock (#58)
Depth Chart:
PG: Derek Fisher/ Jordan Farmar
SG: Kobe Bryant*/ Sasha Vujacic/ Shannon Brown
SF: Trevor Ariza*/ Luke Walton/ Adam Morrison/ Sun Yue*
PF: Pau Gasol/ Lamar Odom*/ Josh Powell*
C: Andrew Bynum/ D.J. Mbenga*
The Lakers put together one of their most dominant seasons in history, capping off 65 wins with an NBA championship, won in convincing fashion over the Orlando Magic. While superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant certainly deserves a tremendous amount of credit, coach Phil Jackson and GM Mitch Kupchak were integral to this team’s success. Jackson crafted a rotation that continued to expand and diversify even as the season drew to a close. He devised a game plan that was balanced from the inside on out, between Bryant’s perimeter scoring to Pau Gasol’s inside presence.
Mitch Kupchak engineered this roster, acquiring Gasol and Trevor Ariza, drafting and then refusing to trade Andrew Bynum, and as late as this season, trading for Shannon Brown, a player who contributed minutes in the playoffs. The off-season revolves around whether or not Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza, both integral parts of this roster, are resigned. Regardless of what happens, though, this team still seems capable of contending next season and seems to have a solid core for the future.
In terms of the draft, the Lakers could stand to improve their bench, but lack ideal positioning to really make a big splash. They still could use some more consistency and depth on the perimeter behind Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, at both point guard and shooting guard positions, but will need to find a player who is smart enough to pick up the nuances of the triangle.
Despite possessing a low first round pick, there should be a few solid guards still available and, if not, there will definitely be a shooting guard. With their two second round picks, the Lakers should address their need for depth at the power forward spot, especially if they are unable to retain Lamar Odom this summer. With Josh Powell and D.J. Mbenga probably not being long term solutions, the Lakers should consider one of the undersized, yet underrated big men that often end up occupying the beginning and middle of the second round.
First Round Candidates: Wayne Ellington, Jonas Jerebko, DaJuan Summers, Darren Collison
Phoenix Suns 46-36
Draft Picks #14, #48, and #57
Draft History:
2008- PF/C- Robin Lopez (#15), PG- Goran Dragic (#45)
2007- SG/SF- Alando Tucker (#29), SG/SF- D.J. Strawberry (#59)
2006- None
Depth Chart:
PG: Steve Nash*/ Leandro Barbosa/ Goran Dragic
SG: [url=/profile/Jason-Rich-5461/]Jason Richardson[/url]/Alando Tucker
SF: Grant Hill*/ Matt Barnes*/ Jared Dudley
PF: Amare Stoudemire/ Louis Amundson*
C: Shaquille O’Neal/ Robin Lopez/ Stromile Swift*
The Phoenix Suns are at a seminal point in franchise history. The team is anchored by three aging veterans and lacks the depth, chemistry, and talent to contend. Shaquille O’Neal’s massive contract still guarantees him $20 million dollars a year, which alongside Steve Nash’s free agency and Amare Stoudemire’s annual inclusion into trade rumors, leaves this Suns team as one of the true enigmas of this off-season. There are a multitude of directions this team could go in, but literally all are contingent on major front office decisions. The moves made this summer will likely determine whether or not the Suns can contend for a playoff spot or be relegated back to the bottom half of the Western Conference and the lottery for the second straight year. This summer, it is essential that the Suns establish an identity around whatever players they decide to resign, and find some solid young talent to move along the inevitable process of rebuilding.
The Suns have actually drafted good players in the past few years. The problem, however, has been that they have sold or traded away pretty much all of them, including Luol Deng, Rajon Rondo and Rudy Fernandez. This season, with the 14th, 48th, and 57th pick, the Suns have a chance to add a rotation player or two to reinvigorate their roster, but also address some of their most pressing roster holes. Their most significant need lies on the wing, where they have some good role players and solid veterans, but lack a real standout starter. Finding a combo forward, who could play productive minutes behind Amare Stoudemire would not hurt either, as versatility is a premium in Alvin Gentry’s up tempo offense. Since Steve Nash won’t be around forever, picking the best available point guard that drops to them could be an option as well.
With their second round picks, the Suns could eye a shooter to pick up minutes at the end of the bench and provide some depth behind Richardson and Tucker, or take a flyer on a European player to stash overseas.
First Round Candidates: Earl Clark, James Johnson, Austin Daye
Golden State Warriors 29-53
Draft Pick #7
Draft History:
2008- SF/PF- Anthony Randolph (#14), PF/C- Richard Hendrix (#49)
2007- PF/C- Brandan Wright (#8), PG/SG- Marco Bellineli (#18), Jermareo Davidson (#36), Stephane Lasme (#46),
2006- C- Patrick O’Bryant (#9), C- Kosta Perovic (#38)
Depth Chart:
PG: Monta Ellis/ CJ Watson*
SG: Jamal Crawford*/ Anthony Morrow*/ Marco Belinelli
SF: Stephen Jackson/ Corey Maggette/ Kelenna Azubuike
PF: Brandan Wright/ Anthony Randolph/ Rob Kurz*
C: Andris Biedrins/ Ronny Turiaf/ Jermareo Davidson*
Despite their 29-53 record and the general sense of chaos that surrounded the season, the Warriors are not in as bad of a place as it seems. They do still have a glut of multi-purpose wing players and rail-thin big men, but at various points during the season, especially once Monta Ellis returned from injury, they actually looked and played like a team. Or, as close to a team as coach Don Nelson’s group has looked since their last playoff run. Next year, with health, improvement, and experience on their side, the Warriors look like they have a chance to compete for a playoff spot. As in most years, though, the Warriors’s success has a lot to do with Nelson’s handle over his team. They must find a consistent rotation early on, as well as assemble a group of players that satisfy Nelson as well as the front office. They have the personnel to execute a successful up tempo system and with a good summer and a bit of luck on their side, things are looking in the Bay Area.
During this draft, there is one need that can and likely will be addressed: finding a point guard. Monta Ellis showed potential to be the starting point guard and Jamal Crawford and C.J. Watson did a decent job during their minutes at the position, but this team needs a solid back up with potential to play on or off of the ball if necessary. There are all sorts of point guards available and, with the seventh pick, there will likely be a number of good options that fit well in Don Nelson’s system. The Warriors should jump at the opportunity to fill a need and add another good young player, hopefully a player who can help take this team to the next level.
First Round Candidates:
Los Angeles Clippers 19-63
Draft Pick #1
Draft History:
2008- SG- Eric Gordon (#7), C- DeAndre Jordan (#35), PG/SG- Mike Taylor (#55)
2007- SF- Al Thornton (#14), PG- Jared Jordan (#45),
2006- PF/C- Paul Davis (#34), PG/SG- Guillermo Diaz (#52)
Depth Chart:
PG: Baron Davis/ Mardy Collins/ Mike Taylor
SG: Eric Gordon/ Fred Jones*/ Alex Acker*
SF: Al Thornton/ Ricky Davis*/ Steve Novak*
PF: Zach Randolph/ Brian Skinner*
C: Chris Kaman/ Marcus Camby/ DeAndre Jordan
The Los Angeles Clippers were one of the most hapless teams in the NBA once again, groaning to a 19-63 record and missing the playoffs for the third straight season. There are few faultless Clippers, from the coaching staff on down. The Clippers refused to stray from their deliberate, half-court style, despite the fact that their core group of players, particularly Baron Davis, Zach Randolph, and Marcus Camby, thrive in up-tempo offenses. This clash of style, personnel and chemistry resulted in a disastrous season, in which a tremendous amount of talent and potential was squandered. One bright spot, however, was the emergence of rookie Eric Gordon, who showed that he can score with the best of them and has the potential to develop into a special player down the road. The Clippers also won the draft lottery, which provides additional optimism, but likely will not help this franchise out of the NBA’s doghouse unless it is accompanied by significant other changes from top to bottom.
The Clippers’ draft night desires are no mystery, as they have publicly stated that they will take power forward Blake Griffin with the top overall pick. Though their frontcourt is stacked, Griffin is the clear-cut best player in the draft and he could help out immediately in terms of size, athleticism, toughness and intangibles. It would be unfortunate to pass on such a talent just because of positional concerns, and the rotational logjam can easily be remedied through trades. A player like Griffin can team up alongside of Eric Gordon and Al Thornton and create a youthful core that has the potential to turn this team around on and off of the court.
First Round Candidates: Blake Griffin
Sacramento Kings 17-65
Draft Picks #4, #23, and #31
Draft History:
2008- PF- Jason Thompson (#12), PG- Sean Singletary (#42), SF/PF- Patrick Ewing Jr. (#43)
2007- PF/C- Spencer Hawes (#10),
2006- PG/SG- Quincy Douby (#19)
Depth Chart:
PG: Beno Udrih/ Bobby Jackson*
SG: Kevin Martin/ Rashad McCants*
SF: Andres Nocioni/ Francisco Garcia/ Donte Greene
PF: Jason Thompson/ Ike Diogu*/ Kenny Thomas
C: Spencer Hawes/ Cedric Simmons*/ Calvin Booth*
The Kings had their most disastrous seasons in recent memory. They had a good draft, but overpaying for Beno Udrih and Francisco Garcia marred an otherwise successful summer. Just when the team looked like it could at least be respectable in the Western Conference, Kevin Martin suffered an ankle injury that he never recovered from and played hurt for most of the season. The players clearly resorted to looking for their own stats, and the plummeting attendance of outdated Arco Arena further damaged their owners’ already hurting bank accounts. In addition, the season was divided by a coaching change that altered very little, and ultimately the Kings missed out on the opportunity to sign their top two coaching candidates before settling for Paul Westphal, in large part due to financial considerations. The draft lottery only brought more bad news to Sacramento when the Clippers claimed the top overall pick and the Kings shockingly were relegated to picking fourth. Now, it is time for this franchise to lick their wounds and start over. There is a new coach, developing young talent, and while the word “potential” is thrown around frequently, this team has a lot of work to do before returning to the playoff form they showed just a few short seasons ago.
With the fourth, 23rd, and 31st pick in the draft, the Kings can make strides towards becoming more competitive in the Western Conference. Their primary need is at the point guard position, as Beno Udrih has severely underperformed on both ends of the court and there is are glaring holes behind and clearly in front of him. The Kings will have their choice of any point guard in the draft, which should allow them to add a floor leader who can step in and contribute from day one, and possibly also help them in the ticket sales department. Later in the draft, they should look to address their lack of frontcourt depth with a solid post prospect at the bottom of the first round and at the beginning of the second, a player who can provide solid back-up minutes while allowing Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, and perhaps Ike Diogu to improve. This draft won’t be what turns around Sacramento’s fortunes overnight, but it is a chance to make a substantial step forward.
First Round Candidates: Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday |
Feedback
for this article may be sent to
kyle.robert.nelson@gmail.com |
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| NBA Team Needs: Southwest Division |
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| by: Kyle Nelson |
| June 12, 2009 |
An in-depth look at the roster situations of the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies--what they have, where they are going and who are the players that may be targeted in this upcoming draft.
NBA Team Needs: Southeastern Division
NBA Team Needs: Atlantic Division
NBA Team Needs: Central Division
San Antonio Spurs 54-28
Draft Picks #37, #51, and #53
Draft History:
2008- PG/SG- George Hill (#26), SF- Malik Hairston (#48), PF- James Gist (#57)
2007- PF/C- Tiago Splitter (#28), SG/SF- Marcus Williams (#33)
2006- None
Depth Chart:
PG: Tony Parker/ George Hill/ Jacque Vaughn*
SG: Roger Mason Jr./ Manu Ginobili/ Marcus Williams*
SF: Michael Finley*/ Bruce Bowen/ Ime Udoka*
PF: Tim Duncan/ Kurt Thomas/ Ian Mahinmi*
C: Matt Bonner/ Fabricio Oberto/ Drew Gooden*
Despite playing all season with an aging and injury depleted roster, and the second half of the season without the services of star swingman and sixth man Manu Ginobili, the San Antonio Spurs demonstrated that chemistry, great coaching, and experience can make an average team great. Unfortunately for the Spurs, this combination could only take them so far, and ultimately; they failed to make their mark on the playoffs. Now, it looks to be the end of an era in San Antonio, as this team is only getting older. Similarly, with Manu Ginobili entering a contract year, next season may be the last time that the Spurs’ legendary core suits up together. After making a number of trades to shore up their playoff hopes over the past few seasons, and unluckily missing out on signing Tiago Splitter, this team lacks young talent and significant assets, which puts pressure on GM R.C. Buford to make something happen during this off-season.
If any NBA team could turn three second round picks into a solid draft, it would be the Spurs. Adding talent through this draft is essential, and the Spurs front office has shown the foresight in the past to find underrated domestic and international role-players who could inject life into their team. While the second round is anything but certain, and this draft class is weaker than in past years, there could be a few prospects worthy of a look should the Spurs choose to use their draft picks. They are rumored to be angling to move up, possibly into the end of the first round, where there is a bit more talent than in the very shallow second round.
The Spurs need upgrades at almost every single position, but their most urgent needs lie in the post, to find a starting center or a back up for Tim Duncan, and on the wing. They’ve been looking to find a successor for Bruce Bowen for some time now on the wing, and will have to find a way to make an upgrade at the small forward position sooner rather than later. Considering how well they’ve scouted internationally over the past few years, it’s not out of the question that one or more picks comes from Europe. Regardless of what direction they choose to pursue, the Spurs need to have a very productive off-season if they want to continue their winning ways, and maximizing their assets in the draft wouldn’t be a bad way to start.
First Round Candidates: No first rounder
Houston Rockets 53-29
No Draft Picks
Draft History:
2008- PF/C- Joey Dorsey (#33), PF/C- Maarty Leunen (#54)
2007- PG/SG- Aaron Brooks (#26), PF/C- Carl Landry (#31)
2006- SF/PF- Steve Novak (#32), SF/PF- Lior Eliyahu (#44)
Depth Chart:
PG: Aaron Brooks/ Kyle Lowry
SG: Tracy McGrady/ Von Wafer*
SF: Ron Artest*/ Brent Barry/ James White*
PF: Shane Battier/ Carl Landry / Chuck Hayes/ Brian Cook*
C: Yao Ming/ Luis Scola / Dikembe Mutombo*/ Joey Dorsey
The Houston Rockets were a surprise this season, winning a playoff series without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady while showing the world that their young talent and role players were not too far away from contending. This off-season, though, they will be back at the drawing board, trying to make moves that allow them to keep pace in the ultra-competitive Western conference. Ron Artest and Von Wafer are free agents with major long-term question marks, McGrady and Ming will be returning from serious injuries, and Dikembe Mutombo is finally retiring. Regardless of what the Rockets choose to do with Ron Artest, this team is at a crossroads. 2/3rds of their cap is committed to two superstars who have proven to be among the least dependable and durable in the NBA, and they won’t have much wiggle room underneath the luxury tax to make big moves if they resign Artest. Luckily Houston has been able to surround their top options with championship caliber role players such as Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry, shrewdly doing so on the cheap, no less.
Without a draft pick, improving the roster to the necessary extent may prove to be quite difficult, especially without a tremendous amount of cap flexibility. The free agent class this summer, however, should offer some nice alternatives and this front office will definitely put the leg-work in to uncover players who will be undervalued and underrated. That might start on draft-night already, where Houston appears to be willing to buy their way into the late first round. The Rockets are a unique blend of potential and star power, and if they can find a way to stay healthy next season, they’ll be right in the mix amongst the top teams in the West.
First Round Candidates: None.
Dallas Mavericks 50-32
Draft Pick #22
Draft History:
2008- SG- Shan Foster (#51)
2007- PF- Nick Fazekas (#34), SF- Reyshawn Terry (#44), SG/SF- Renaldas Seibutis (#50), SG/SF- Brad Newley (#54)
2006- SG/SF- Maurice Ager (#28)
Depth Chart:
PG: Jason Kidd*/ Jason Terry/ Jose Juan Barea
SG: Antoine Wright/ Jerry Stackhouse/ Matt Carroll
SF: Josh Howard/ Devean George*/ Gerald Green*/ Shawne Williams
PF: Dirk Nowitzki/ Brandon Bass*/ James Singleton*
C: Erick Dampier/ Ryan Hollins*
The Mavericks were on the verge of a disappointing season, but a late season run and an inspired playoff performance both salvaged the season and provided optimism for the future. While Jason Kidd’s free agency is a major issue, the Mavericks proved that when Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard are healthy, this team has the potential to be very good. On the other hand, the Mavericks are not getting any younger and may lack depth, particularly in the post, which compounds the off-season further if Jason Kidd walks. Brandon Bass will surely be targeted by other playoff contenders as well, and will likely demand a big raise. The fear is that the window may be closing on this roster and that the only direction left is to rebuild. Thankfully for the Mavs, they’ve been pretty smart about managing their cap situation, and should be in a position to retool fairly quickly.
While free agency will likely be the priority in order to reinvigorate this roster, the 22nd pick in the draft certainly has the potential to aid this process. Looking at the Mavericks, three positions are in immediate need of help: point guard, shooting guard, and center. If Jason Kidd leaves, then there is a gaping hole in the point guard rotation, creating room for a pass first point guard. At the shooting guard position, Antoine Wright has certainly gotten better over the years, but he is not an NBA caliber starter. Neither is an aging Jerry Stackhouse, who is likely to be bought out and has a very attractive non-guaranteed contract that could fetch an excellent asset from a team that is struggling financially. Similarly, Erick Dampier and Ryan Hollins comprise a fairly uninspiring center rotation, and may not complement Nowitzki in the most optimal way.
Being at the top of the standings and extremely active on the trade market, the Mavericks haven’t had many opportunities to get better through the draft. With the picks they had, they have not drafted incredibly well. Addressing any of their primary needs would signal a successful draft for the Mavericks, but things might first need to get a lot worse in the next season or two before they are able to get much better.
First Round Candidates: Jeff Teague, Tyler Hansbrough, Darren Collison, Nick Calathes
New Orleans Hornets 49-33
Draft Pick #21
Draft History:
2008- None
2007- SG/SF- Julian Wright (#13), SG/SF- Adam Haluska (#43)
2006- PF/C- Hilton Armstrong (#12), PF/C- Cedric Simmons (#15), SF/PF- Marcus Vicinius (#43)
Depth Chart:
PG: Chris Paul/ Antonio Daniels
SG: Rasual Butler/ Morris Peterson/ Devin Brown*
SF: Peja Stojakovic/ James Posey/ Julian Wright
PF: David West/ Sean Marks*/ Ryan Bowen*
C: Tyson Chandler/ Hilton Armstrong/ Melvin Ely*
After a solid start, the Hornets collapsed as the season wound down and skidded to a seventh seed in the playoffs, before making an embarrassing first round exit. There were many reasons for this collapse, from exhaustion and injuries to a lack of confidence in the coaching staff and a complete lack of depth and talent outside of Chris Paul. The Hornets second unit was among the worst, if not the worst, in the NBA, which was exposed in the post-season. Their stars were asked to play far too many minutes and this resulted in fatigue, injury, and a lack of chemistry. Ultimately, despite possessing the best point guard in the league and coming off an exciting post-season run just one year ago, the Hornets regressed and are once again on the playoff bubble. This off-season presents an opportunity to change that and return the Hornets back on their track to contention. The question is—will ownership be willing to spend in order to make that happen?
Depth is their biggest concern, and with just one draft pick and the team in cost-cutting mode, this summer might not yield the types of personnel changes that the Hornets require if they want to contend once more.
Their most pressing roster need is in terms of bench depth at the center position. Tyson Chandler’s future with the team is unknown, as is his ability to stay healthy, and any team that plays Hilton Armstrong and Sean Marks for significant stretches is not going to win a championship. The Hornets need another big man who can defend, rebound and finish on the pick and roll off Chris Paul’s assists, but these players aren’t exactly growing on trees, and they surely aren’t cheap.
Having another scoring guard to take pressure off Chris Paul would be very beneficial as well—bringing back Jannero Pargo certainly would make sense. If Peja Stojakovic’s back is unable to hold up, then more firepower on the wing will be needed too.
This off-season is crucial for the Hornets, as they are in a precarious position, and desperately need to get healthy and find a way to get back the swagger they had in 2008 if they are to keep their superstar point guard happy.
First Round Candidates: Tyler Hansbrough, Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor, Sam Young
Memphis Grizzlies 24-58
Draft Picks: #2, #27, and #36
Draft History:
2008- PG/SG- O.J. Mayo (#3), PF/C- Darrell Arthur (#28)
2007- PG- Mike Conley Jr. (#4)
2006- SF- Rudy Gay (#8), PG- Kyle Lowry (#24), PF/C- Alexander Johnson (#45)
Depth Chart:
PG: Mike Conley Jr./ Mike Wilks*
SG: O.J. Mayo/ Marko Jaric/ Greg Buckner
SF: Rudy Gay/ Quinton Ross*/ Darius Miles*
PF: Darrell Arthur/ Hakim Warrick*
C: Marc Gasol/ Darko Milicic/ Chris Mihm*/ Hamed Haddadi
Memphis made a lot of moves last summer that injected their roster with some much-needed talent. That said, their 24 win season indicates that there is a lot of work left to do, as there are gaping holes throughout the rotation, and very little in the ways of veteran leadership. Despite the plethora of talented young players on this roster, it is still to be determined whether or not O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay are capable of leading this franchise to the next level. The two players did not always have the greatest chemistry at times—seemingly looking more interested in their own stats than winning games, and it will be interesting to see if they can play better alongside one another next season, with a stable coaching situation and a more mature Mike Conley Jr. at the helm.
With two first round picks and a high second round pick, the Grizzlies have a very good chance of improving their roster through this draft. Their most immediate need is for a guard to play alongside O.J. Mayo, who can provide scoring and distributing when needed. This is a draft filled with solid options at the point or combo guard positions, and the likes of James Harden and Tyreke Evans will be getting long looks. Another direction that the Grizzlies could pursue is at the power forward spot, where they have a plethora of young and raw big men, big on potential and short on experience. Finding an active, athletic, rebounder who can run the floor and complements Marc Gasol would be a major coup for this team.
The Grizzlies are in an enviable position as far as roster flexibility is concerned, as they are under the cap, have very few bad contracts on their books, and have stockpiled a number of attractive assets over the last few years, including this year’s #2 overall pick. With that said, it’s not quite clear what Memphis’ window to compete looks like at the moment, as there is plenty of uncertainty regarding the ownership’s willingness to spend on building a competitive bench and coaching staff that can compete with the top franchises in the NBA. That's one of the reasons why arguably the second most talented player in this draft, Ricky Rubio, is doing everything he can to avoid playing here.
The Grizzlies can pursue any number of options in this draft, and though the playoffs might not be in their immediate future, the team has a tremendous opportunity to turn things around in the coming years.
First Round Candidates: James Harden, Hasheem Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans |
Feedback
for this article may be sent to
kyle.robert.nelson@gmail.com |
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| NBA Team Needs: Southeastern Division |
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| by: Kyle Nelson |
| June 9, 2009 |
Atlanta Hawks 47-35
Draft Picks #19 and #49
Draft History:
2008- None
2007- PF/C- Al Horford (#3), PG- Acie Law IV (#11)
2006- PF/C- Shelden Williams (#5), PF/C- Solomon Jones (#33),
Depth Chart:
PG: Mike Bibby*/ Speedy Claxton/ Acie Law IV
SG: Joe Johnson/ Ronald Murray*/ Mario West*/ Thomas Gardner*
SF: Josh Smith/ Maurice Evans
PF: Marvin Williams*/ Solomon Jones*/ Othello Hunter*
C: Al Horford/ Zaza Pachulia*/ Randolph Morris
After taking the Celtics to seven games during the 2007-2008 season, the Hawks returned in 2008-2009 and logged their most impressive season in years, cumulating with a second round sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thus, the season was bittersweet, one in which the Hawks showed their potential as one of the top teams in the NBA, but also their tremendous vulnerability. Despite possessing one of the most athletic starting lineups in the NBA, the Hawks had trouble replacing injured combo-forward Marvin Williams and finding players to step up when star Joe Johnson went cold. This team needs a second unit capable of stepping up in the clutch and helping to take some of the responsibility off its stars, but they also face plenty of uncertainty at the point guard position as well.
If this post-season proved anything, it was that the Hawks are a team on the cusp, missing a few essential components before they can consider themselves an elite team in the NBA. The most significant problem lies in the weakness of the bench. Any bench anchored solely by Flip Murray, Maurice Evans, and Zaza Pachulia is badly requiring an upgrade. While the Hawks could use reserves at every position, the shooting guard and small forward positions badly need an infusion of youth, talent, and versatility. Bringing Josh Childress back to Atlanta would be a very positive step in the right direction, while former draft pick David Andersen would also fit in very well with the team’s existing personnel. With Mike Bibby rumored to be looking for a long and very expensive contract now that he’s a free agent, the team will reportedly look in the direction of Ramon Sessions as a cheaper and younger option.
Since Acie Law failed to make the next step in the right direction, it makes sense for Atlanta to look at the depth of this year’s terrific point guard class and see if they can pluck a productive rotation player from this group. With how shallow their bench is, though, any player that unexpectedly falls out of the lottery should be considered regardless of position. The Hawks have a lot of different options in this draft, but have the potential to get better. While this draft might not put them over the top, the Hawks could get a solid role player to fortify their bench.
First Round Candidates: Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Jeff Teague, Earl Clark
Charlotte Bobcats 35-47
Draft Picks #12, #40, and #54
Draft History:
2008- PG- D.J. Augustin (#9), PF/C- Alexis Ajinca (#20), PG/SG- Kyle Weaver (#38),
2007- SF/PF- Jared Dudley (#22)
2006- SG/SF- Adam Morrison (#3), PF/C- Ryan Hollins (#50)
Depth Chart:
PG: Raymond Felton*/ D.J. Augustin/ Sean Singletary*
SG: Raja Bell / Dontell Jefferson*
SF: Gerald Wallace/ Vladimir Radmanovic/ Cartier Martin*
PF: Boris Diaw/ Sean May*/ Juwan Howard*/ Alexis Ajinca
C: Emeka Okafor/ DeSagana Diop/ Nazr Mohammed
The Bobcats had their most successful season in franchise history, landing just outside of the playoffs. While this finish may seem like a disappointment for some teams, the season concluded with more optimism than any season in the Bobcats’ short history. Larry Brown, in his first season following his disastrous performance with the Knicks, instilled his strict offensive and defensive philosophy and, in the process, maximized the potential of one of the NBA’s most talent-starved franchises.
This off-season, however, presents an interesting situation for the Bobcats: part with starting point guard Raymond Felton and hand the reigns over to D.J. Augustin. Felton was finally starting to feel comfortable in Larry Brown’s offense by the end of the season, but during his tenure with the Bobcats, he has yet to take the next step as a scorer and still is somewhat turnover prone.
With their three draft picks, the Bobcats have the opportunity to pick players that fill immediate needs on their roster, with the most pressing appearing to be at the wing positions. With their first round pick, the Bobcats have the opportunity to find a player that they’ve needed for quite some time, a shooting guard who can plays hard on both sides of the ball and can create his own offense. If the Bobcats choose to let Felton walk, they will need a back-up point guard to spell D.J. Augustin. Another position in need of an upgrade is on the wing, a utility player capable of letting Gerald Wallace rest and deepening the rotation.
The Bobcats are in somewhat of a tough situation at the moment, as they have sacrificed all potential financial flexibility with some very short-sighted trades over the past few years that leaves them being too good to land any more high draft picks, but nowhere near good enough to advance past the first round of the playoffs. This team lacks some serious star power, without any real hope of being able to land that coveted all-star that can take them to the next level. To add insult to injury, their owner seems to have lost interest in the team and is now desperately trying to cut his losses.
The Bobcats should be able to another rotation player or two in this draft, but will probably have to look towards the free agent market and trades this summer as a means of really improving their chances in the East.
First Round Candidates: Gerald Henderson, DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Williams
Miami Heat 43-39
Draft Picks #43 and #60
Draft History:
2008- SF/PF- Michael Beasley (#2), PG- Mario Chalmers (#34)
2007- SG- Daequan Cook (#21)
2006- None
Depth Chart:
PG: Mario Chalmers/ Chris Quinn*
SG: Dwyane Wade/ Daequan Cook/ Luther Head*
SF: Jamario Moon*/ James Jones/ Dorell Wright/ Yakhouba Diawara
PF: Udonis Haslem/ Michael Beasley/ Mark Blount
C: Jermaine O’Neal/ Jamaal Magloire*/ Joel Anthony*
After a dismal 2007-2008 season, Coach Erik Spoelstra engineered a stunning turnaround, which culminated prematurely with a disappointing first round playoff loss to the Hawks. The heart and soul of this team is still superstar combo guard Dwyane Wade, who does it all on both sides of the ball. While there are some nice supporting players, including last year’s second pick, Michael Beasley, there is also a disproportionate mix of players either on the wrong end of 30 or too raw to command heavy minutes.
Clearly Pat Riley and the rest of Miami’s front-office has work remaining ahead of them in terms of adding pieces to put around Dwyane Wade. The Heat did well in drafting Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers last season, both of whom played heavy minutes and were significant contributors to a playoff team. Thanks to some shrewd salary cap management, they are also in pole position to make a huge splash in the free agent market of 2010.
Unfortunately, the options to get significantly more competitive in 2009 look somewhat limited at the moment, particularly not through the draft. With the 43rd and 60th picks in this draft, it is unlikely that Miami will acquire a player that will be much of a factor in the near future. Their most pressing need lies in fortifying their front line with size and toughness. Given their draft position, the odds of finding someone who can play here are certainly not in their favor. This draft likely won’t ease their burden, but if they are lucky and opportunistic, then they may be able to add a player who can develop into a rotation type in time.
First Round Candidates: None
Orlando Magic 43-39
No Draft Picks
Draft History:
2008- SG- Courtney Lee (#22),
2007- PF/C- Milovan Rakovic (#60)
2006- SG- J.J. Redick (#11), PF/C- James Augustine (#41)
Depth Chart:
PG: Jameer Nelson/ Rafer Alston/ Anthony Johnson/ Tyronn Lue*
SG: Courtney Lee/ Mickael Pietrus/ J.J. Redick
SF: Hedo Turkoglu*/ Jeremy Richardson*
PF: Rashard Lewis/ Tony Battie
C: Dwight Howard/ Marcin Gortat*/ Adonal Foyle*
The Orlando Magic are in the midst of a stunning post-season run and, though they are in a 0-2 hole against the Lakers, this season is one of the biggest successes in franchise history. Behind their franchise center Dwight Howard and high quality starters Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, and Hedo Turkoglu, the Magic fielded one of the more talented rosters in the NBA. There are, however, some problems, most notably what to do with Rafer Alston now that Jameer Nelson has returned to action. Also with the likes of Hedo Turkoglu and Marcin Gortat potentially bolting in free agency, and the team staring the luxury tax right in the face, the Magic look to have some rotation questions to address.
The Magic do not have any draft picks and are already over the cap. One solution may be to add Fran Vasquez, the Magic’s former draft pick, who brings similar things to the table as Gortat, but he may not be ready to come to the NBA just yet. Most likely, though, the team tries to resign Turkoglu and attempts to make some minor tweaks through the free agent market. This team is in great shape at the moment, and should be amongst the NBA’s elite for years to come.
NBA Team Needs: Central Division
NBA Team Needs: Atlantic Division
Washington Wizards 19-63
Draft Picks: #5 and #33
Draft History:
2008- PF/C- JaVale McGee (#18)
2007- SG- Nick Young (#16), SF/PF Dominic McGuire (#48)
2006- PF/C- Oleksiy Pecherov (#18), PF/C- Vladimir Veremeenko (#48)
Depth Chart:
PG: Gilbert Arenas/ Mike James*/ Javaris Crittenton
SG: DeShawn Stevenson/ Nick Young/ Juan Dixon*
SF: Caron Butler/ Dominic McGuire
PF: Antawn Jamison/ Andray Blatche/ Darius Songaila/ Oleksiy Pecherov
C: Brendan Haywood/ JaVale McGee/ Etan Thomas
This season was pretty much a disaster for the Washington Wizards. Their 19-63 record was a result of a series of crippling injuries, youth and inexperience, and a lack of depth. Everything that could have gone wrong did just that. While the Wizards’ young players, particularly Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee, and Nick Young, had their moments, nobody consistently stepped up to the plate, which leaves a lot of questions unanswered during this off-season. Similarly, with Gilbert Arenas finally coming back from injury and Antawn Jamison not getting any younger, this teams’ durability is in question, as is their ability to make roster moves considering their precarious cap situation.
A substantial chunk of the Wizards’ salary cap is devoted to just three players, and the team is rumored to be under pressure to cut costs and avoid the luxury tax. That could very well be a dominating point of discussion in the team’s war room as they decide which direction to head in on draft night.
With the fifth and 33rd picks in the draft this year, the Wizards have the chance to add some young players to the fold that have the potential to contribute right away and carry a larger load if one of the team’s stars gets injured. The problem is, considering the age of their roster, the team’s window to win looks very small at the moment, which is probably not something that is conducive to adding another rookie player to the fold. For that reason, the Wizards have been linked with numerous trades over the past few weeks, and could very well decide to move the pick if the right deal offering salary cap relief and a proven veteran comes along.
If they do decide to improve through the draft, the most glaring holes on the roster likely lie on the perimeter, where they could an elite young point guard or shooting guard, a player capable of playing with Gilbert Arenas, on or off of the ball, and capable of hitting shots. With the fifth pick, there are a lot of options, ranging from point guards like Stephen Curry, a wing player like James Harden, or a hybrid like Tyreke Evans, all of whom could fulfill this role. Another significant concern is the frontcourt. Though Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee were solid contributors, neither player was consistent enough to consider the frontcourt rotation set. Jordan Hill will likely be on the board here, if that is the direction that they choose to pursue.
First Round Candidates: James Harden, Stephen Curry, Jordan Hill, Tyreke Evans |
Feedback
for this article may be sent to
kyle.robert.nelson@gmail.com |
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| NBA Team Needs: Central Division |
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| by: Kyle Nelson |
| June 4, 2009 |
NBA Team Needs: Atlantic Division
Chicago Bulls 41-41
Draft Picks #16 and #26
Draft History:
2008- PG- Derrick Rose (#1), C- Omer Asik (#36)
2007- PF/C- Joakim Noah (#9), C- Aaron Gray (#49)
2006- PF- Tyrus Thomas (#4), SG/SF- Thabo Sefolosha (#13)
Depth Chart:
PG: Derrick Rose/ Kirk Hinrich/ Lindsey Hunter*/ DeMarcus Nelson*
SG: Ben Gordon*/ Anthony Roberson*
SF: John Salmons/ Luol Deng
PF: Tyrus Thomas/ Tim Thomas/ Linton Johnson*
C: Joakim Noah/ Brad Miller/ Aaron Gray*/ Jerome James*
Behind a rookie point guard and a rookie coach, the Chicago Bulls made an improbable run into the post-season, falling only after taking the Boston Celtics to seven games. The Bulls are loaded with young talent and solid veterans, but as bright as the future seems in Chicago, there is just as much uncertainty. For one, there is a logjam in the backcourt, with Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, and Ben Gordon all demanding big minutes, with Rose being the only clear franchise priority. Tyrus Thomas’s future is also largely unknown, with rumors floating around that he may be dealt before the 2009-2010 season. Therefore, despite the tremendous strides made last season, this looks to be another action packed summer for the Bulls.
There is no telling how the Bulls will conduct their off-season, but with two first round picks, they can certainly add some quality rotation players to their roster if they play their cards right. The team’s most glaring need lies in the frontcourt, where the team still lacks a consistent scoring presence. Similarly, the Bulls could also help on the wing, to either backup Ben Gordon or potentially replace him. With two picks the Bulls have options in this draft and despite the uncertainty that faces their roster this summer, they should be able to add some more quality young talent.
First Round Candidates: (#16) Gerald Henderson, James Johnson, Terrence Williams, (#26) Sam Young, Chase Budinger, Omri Casspi
Cleveland Cavaliers 66-16
Draft Picks #30 and #46
Draft History:
2008- PF/C- J.J. Hickson (#19)
2007- None
2006- SG- Shannon Brown (#25), PG/SG- Daniel Gibson (#42), PF/C- Ejike Ugboaja (#55)
Depth Chart:
PG: Maurice Williams/ Daniel Gibson
SG: Delonte West/ Wally Szczerbiak*/ Tarence Kinsey*
SF: LeBron James/ Sasha Pavlovic/ Jawad Williams*
PF: Anderson Varejao*/ Joe Smith*/ J.J. Hickson/ Darnell Jackson
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas*/ Ben Wallace/ Lorenzen Wright*
After another post-season collapse, the Cavaliers are at a crossroads. During the regular season, Mo Williams took some pressure off of LeBron James and was a solid second option, but he could not deliver in the clutch and vanished during the post-season. Similarly, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao do not comprise a championship frontcourt, pointing towards another glaring hole in the Cavaliers rotation. While the organization will count on its young players, particularly J.J. Hickson, emerging as solid options, the team is at a crossroads with LeBron James’s free agency looming and just one year left to convince their star that a championship team can be assembled.
Unfortunately, there is little chance of landing a difference maker in this draft. That said, the Cavaliers roster has a lot of holes that can be addressed given their somewhat poor draft position. Bench depth, primarily fortifying their post rotation should be a top priority. After all, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joe Smith, Ben Wallace, and Lorenzon Wright aren’t getting any younger. A perimeter shooter with size would not hurt, either, as Wally Szczerbiak and Sasha Pavlovic came up empty throughout the season. Cleveland has more pressing concerns this summer, but they could add a rotation player or two if they make some wise choices in a few weeks. More likely, though, their salvation will have to come via free agency and trades.
First Round Candidates: Omri Casspi, Marcus Thornton, Danny Green
Detroit Pistons 39-43
Draft Picks #15, #36, #39, and #44
Draft History:
2008- SF/PF- Walter Sharpe (#32), PF/C- Trent Plaisted (#46), SF Deron Washington (#59)
2007- PG/SG- Rodney Stuckey (#15), SG- Arron Afflalo (#27), SG/SF- Sammy Mejia (#57)
2006- C- Chiekh Samb (#51), PG- Will Blalock (#60)
Depth Chart:
PG: Rodney Stuckey/ Will Bynum
SG: Richard Hamilton/ Allen Iverson*/ Arron Afflalo
SF: Tayshaun Prince / Walter Herrmann*/ Walter Sharpe
PF: Antonio McDyess*/ Jason Maxiell/ Amir Johnson
C: Rasheed Wallace*/ Kwame Brown*
This season signaled the end of an era in Detroit, from the toast of the Eastern Conference to a bottom seed and first round exit in the playoffs. With much of the roster in doubt, including aging stars Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace, it seems as though it is time for Detroit to rebuild, a process that Detroit already started over the past few years. While it is likely that GM Joe Dumars will try to make some noise in free agency, where the Pistons should be able to control the market this summer, the draft is another place in which the Pistons can make some roster improvements. With four picks in this draft and a host of young prospects developing on the bench, there are a multitude of possibilities for the future.
The Pistons have a lot of needs to address this off-season. With Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, and Kwame Brown possibly bolting in the off-season, the Pistons’ most glaring need lies along their front line. There are a variety of post prospects in different molds if the Pistons choose to pursue a big man in the draft. Similarly, with Allen Iverson surely on the way out and Arron Afflalo not ready to handle significant minutes, a wing player could also benefit the Pistons, as well. There are many possibilities in this draft, but a franchise-altering player is not very likely at this point, which likely means that Detroit elects to go with the best player available. The Pistons have drafted very well on occasion, and with four picks at their disposal, this could be a step in the right direction for this franchise.
First Round Candidates: James Johnson, Earl Clark, Austin Daye
Indiana Pacers 36-46
Draft Picks #13 and #52
Draft History:
2008- SG/SF- Brandon Rush (#13), C- Roy Hibbert (#17)
2007- C- Stanko Barac (#39)
2006- SG/SF- Shawne Williams (#17), SG/SF- James White (#31)
Depth Chart:
PG: Jarrett Jack*/ T.J. Ford/Travis Diener*/ Jamaal Tinsley
SG: Mike Dunleavy Jr./ Brandon Rush/ Stephen Graham*
SF: Danny Granger/ Marquis Daniels*
PF: Troy Murphy/ Josh McRoberts*/ Maceo Baston*
C: Roy Hibbert/ Rasho Nesterovic*/ Jeff Foster
The Indiana Pacers had a rollercoaster season, which featured a breakout season by Most Improved Player, Danny Granger, but concluded just shy of a spot in the playoffs. This is a team with a lot of solid rotation players, but very little star-power or cohesive identity. At some point the Pacers will probably have to decide whether they are content just competing for a spot in the playoffs, or if they are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to join the NBA’s elite. The front line largely exceeded expectations, from a statistical standpoint at least, but there are very few players that are untouchable on this roster. That being said, if the Pacers want to get back to the playoffs, they probably have to look deeper than this draft.
With the thirteenth pick, however, the Pacers will have the opportunity to find a solid prospect, especially in this point guard heavy draft. There are a tremendous amount of point guards this year, capable of playing a multitude of styles, a few of whom could have their hand in turning around the franchise. If the Pacers sour on the available point guards, there should be solid options available at other positions, as well. There are a number of different directions that the Pacers could go in this draft, and while it likely won’t turn around the franchise, they can certainly get better with the right pick.
First Round Candidates: Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor
Milwaukee Bucks 34-48
Draft Picks #10 and #41
Draft History:
2008- Joe Alexander (#8), Luc Richard Mbah A Moute (#37)
2007- Yi Jianlian (#6), Ramon Sessions (#56)
2006- David Noel (#39), Damir Markota (#59)
Depth Chart:
PG: Luke Ridnour/ Ramon Sessions*/ Damon Jones*
SG: Michael Redd/ Charlie Bell/ Keith Bogans*/Salim Stoudamire*
SF: Richard Jefferson/ Joe Alexander
PF: Charlie Villanueva*/ Luc Richard Mbah a Moute/ Malik Allen*
C: Andrew Bogut/ Dan Gadzuric/ Francisco Elson*
The Milwaukee Bucks looked ready to make a run at the playoffs last season until injuries to Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut condemned them back to the lottery. There are some proven players on this roster, and alongside coach Scott Skiles, they should have the toughness to make it back to the playoffs. When healthy, Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, and Richard Jefferson are talented enough to carry this team. The problem is that those three have largely strapped the team from a financial standpoint, which will make it difficult to retain the other pieces to the puzzle.
The one area in which they could really stand to improve is their bench. Comprised of aging veterans and inexperienced young talent, the bench needs immediate upgrades in its frontcourt, particularly at the center position. Another tremendous weakness will be determined when Milwaukee figures out whether to resign Ramon Sessions, or commit to Luke Ridnour as the point guard of the future. Should the Bucks neglect to re-sign Sessions, there are plenty of point guard prospects to choose from with the tenth pick in the draft. The same goes for their decision to re-sign Charlie Villanueva or not, although he might be replaced by the cheaper Ersan Ilyasova. Which direction they head in in this draft should tell us quite a bit about how they feel about resigning their top two free agents.
First Round Candidates: Jonny Flynn, DeJuan Blair, Jrue Holiday |
Feedback
for this article may be sent to
kyle.robert.nelson@gmail.com |
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| NBA Team Needs: Atlantic Division |
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| by: Kyle Nelson |
| June 2, 2009 |
Boston Celtics 62-20
Draft Pick #58
Draft History:
2008- SG- J.R. Giddens (#30), SF- Bill Walker (#47), C- Semih Erden (#60)
2007- PG- Gabe Pruitt (#32), PF- Glen Davis (#35)
2006- PG- Rajon Rondo (#21), PF- Leon Powe (#49)
Depth Chart:
PG: Rajon Rondo/ Stephon Marbury */ Gabe Pruitt
SG: Ray Allen/ Eddie House */ Tony Allen/ J.R. Giddens
SF: Paul Pierce/ Brian Scalabrine/ Bill Walker
PF: Kevin Garnett/ Glen Davis*/ Leon Powe*
C: Kendrick Perkins/ Mikki Moore*
*Potential Free Agent
Behind the Big Three, the Boston Celtics had another spectacular season, racking up 62 wins before falling in the second round to eventual championship contenders, the Orlando Magic. They might have gone farther, too, had they not lost Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe to season ending knee injuries. Their playoff defeat, if anything, proved how thin the Celtics bench truly was, and how vulnerable they were without their starting lineup logging upwards of 40 minutes per game.
The off-season may present more questions than answers, however. Both Garnett and Powe’s long-term health must be called into question and four bench players are unrestricted free agents, which threatens an already delicate rotation. Similarly, despite these contracts coming off of the books, the Celtics’ salary cap stands at over $72 million, right on the brink of the luxury tax. It is needless to say that GM Danny Ainge has a lot of work to do this off-season if he wishes to build upon his legacy in Boston and find another solid supporting cast for his Big Three.
While the Celtics are hoping for their young players such as Tony Allen, Bill Walker, and J.R. Giddens to crack the rotation in the fall and Ainge is known for draft day maneuvering, there may be a player or two available at the bottom of this year’s second round that could help fill holes on the bench—even if no one should expect any miracles.
The Celtics will more likely look towards free agency for a veteran presence off the bench, either a defensive oriented big man who can rebound or a scoring guard who knows how to put the ball in the basket and can play defense. Luckily for the Celtics, the precarious financial situation of many NBA teams may leave a number of established players on the market late in the summer, and the goal of chasing a championship ring could help secure some of them. While the Celtics aren’t going to improve overnight and probably won’t get much better through this draft, they should be right back in the mix at the top of the Eastern Conference standings as long as they can stay healthy next season.
New Jersey Nets 34-48
Draft Pick #11
Draft History:
2008- C- Brook Lopez (#10), PF- Ryan Anderson (#21), SG- Chris Douglas-Roberts (#40)
2007- PF/C- Sean Williams (#17)
2006- PG- Marcus Williams (#22), PF- Josh Boone (#23), SG- Hassan Adams (#54)
Depth Chart:
PG: Devin Harris/ Keyon Dooling
SG: Vince Carter/ Jarvis Hayes/ Chris Douglas-Roberts/ Maurice Ager*
SF: Bobby Simmons/ Trenton Hassell*
PF: Yi Jianlian/ Ryan Anderson/ Eduardo Najera
C: Brook Lopez/ Josh Boone/ Sean Williams
*Potential Free Agent
The first half of the season was promising for the New Jersey Nets, and it seemed as though the franchise was going to return to the playoffs. After the All Star break, however, it was a different story, as inexperience, injuries, poor depth, and a touch of bad luck situated the Nets just outside of the playoff picture before they finally fell out of sight as the season wound down.
The good news is that there is a lot to like about this roster, from its star power to the improvement of its young players. There are few teams that boast the same degree of frontcourt depth and the perimeter tandem of Devin Harris and Vince Carter is nothing to scoff at, either.
The bad news is that the Nets are a young team, equally rebuilding as well as contending for playoff position, and are losing quite a bit of money in the meantime. Last season’s collapse suggests that despite this team’s potential, there is still much work to do. Unless GM Rod Thorn decides to orchestrate a trade, there is not a tremendous amount of roster flexibility or even cash to pursue a free agent in the summer. And don’t forget that the Nets are still considered to be on the forefront of the LeBron James sweepstakes next summer, especially now that their move to Brooklyn appears to have the green light. Cap flexibility obviously comes at a premium.
Short term, however, the Nets are looking to make a playoff push and can surely benefit from adding another young piece through this draft. Last year, the Nets drafted center Brook Lopez to fill their need for a scoring big man, and he far surpassed expectations. Ryan Anderson and, to a lesser extent, Chris Douglas-Roberts, cracked the Nets rotation and contributed after the All Star break.
This year, the Nets are most interested in drafting a tough power forward who can rebound, though they are also considering pass first point guards or a versatile wing to play on the perimeter alongside of Harris and Carter. It seems as though all of these types of players should be available at the eleventh pick, giving the Nets a multitude of options going into the draft.
First Round Candidates: Jonny Flynn, DeJuan Blair, Earl Clark
New York Knicks 32-50
Draft Pick #8
Draft History:
2008- SF- Danilo Gallinari (#6)
2007- SF- Wilson Chandler (#23)
2006- SF- Renaldo Balkman (#20), SG- Mardy Collins (#29)
Depth Chart:
PG: Chris Duhon/ Nate Robinson*
SG: Larry Hughes/ Quentin Richardson*/ Joe Crawford*
SF: Danilo Gallinari/Wilson Chandler/ Jared Jeffries
PF: Al Harrington*/ Chris Wilcox*
C: David Lee*/ Eddy Curry*/ Saer Sene*/ Courtney Sims*
*Potential Free Agent
The Mike D’Antoni-era began slowly in New York last season, as the undermanned Knicks looked promising early on, but sputtered to a disappointing 32-50 finish. That said, D’Antoni did not have a tremendous amount of talent to work with, oftentimes opting to shorten his rotation to just seven players, and playing much of the season without prized draft pick Danilo Gallinari.
Much like last summer, with the front office eyeing the summer of 2010, any free agent signings this off-season will be temporary and likely won’t contribute towards building a contender in the Big Apple. There are certainly some solid players on the roster, most notably David Lee and Nate Robinson, although it remains to be seen if either looks to remain in New York this summer. GM Donnie Walsh has a lot of work to do in order to develop this team into a contender, starting with somehow finding a way to unload the considerable deadweight that Isiah Thomas left for him when he took the job. The fact that he managed to clear off a good chunk of it already is commendable.
The Knicks won’t be able to address all of the glaring holes in their roster with the eighth pick in the draft, but they’ll be able to add a quality basketball player, who can help them build a solid foundation for the future. Most importantly, whomever they draft must be a Mike D’Antoni basketball player, boasting solid basketball IQ, creativity on the offensive end of the floor, and perimeter shooting ability.
While it seems as though the Knicks are primarily looking for a point guard to relieve Chris Duhon of his starting duties, there are a lot of versatile players, on perimeter and in post alike, who fit the bill of potential targets for D’Antoni and his fast paced system. The Knicks need upgrades at just about every position and should find a good player in this draft capable of helping them out immediately.
First Round Candidates: Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday
Philadelphia 76ers 41-41
Draft Pick #17
Draft History:
2008- PF- Marreese Speights (#16)
2007- SF/PF- Thaddeus Young (#12), PF/C- Jason Smith (#20), SF- Derrick Byars (#42), PF/C- Herbert Hill (#55)
2006- SF- Rodney Carney (#16), SF- Bobby Jones (#37), PF- Edin Bavcic (#56)
Depth Chart:
PG: Andre Miller*/ Louis Williams/ Royal Ivey*
SG: Andre Iguodala/ Willie Green/ Kareem Rush*
SF: Thaddeus Young/ Donyell Marshall*
PF: Elton Brand/ Reggie Evans/ Jason Smith
C: Samuel Dalembert/ Marreese Speights/ Theo Ratliff*
*Potential Free Agent
When he was signed last summer, Elton Brand was expected to take the Philadelphia 76ers to the next level. Instead, they made the playoffs without him, which culminated a season that witnessed everything from the firing of Coach Maurice Cheeks to a disappointing first-round exit in the playoffs.
This 76ers won’t have any cap room this summer to significantly alter their roster, but will likely start next season without starting point guard Andre Miller, among others. While Brand’s return next season could signal better things to come, this is a team in flux, a core of young role players desperately searching for an identity. The 17th pick probably isn’t going to change any of this, but with the recent coaching change and a need to add bench depth, particularly at the point guard position, there is likely an opportunity for a polished player that can step in and contribute immediately.
With Coach Eddie Jordan at the helm, the 76ers may play a more deliberate Princeton-style offense, requiring high IQ players and solid perimeter shooters. A point guard who knows how to put the ball in the basket seems to be the most pressing concern and in this draft, there should be a couple of candidates available by the time the 76ers are on the board. More versatile perimeter shooters wouldn’t hurt, either. With a new coach and a new system, the 76ers could go a number of different ways, but it seems as though they can find a solid role player in this draft.
First Round Candidates: Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Jeff Teague
Toronto Raptors 33-49
Draft Pick #9
Draft History:
2008- C- Nathan Jawai (#41)
2007- SF- Giorgos Printezis (#58)
2006- PF- Andrea Bargnani (#1), SF- PJ Tucker (#35)
Depth Chart:
PG: Jose Calderon/ Roko-Leni Ukic/ Marcus Banks
SG: Anthony Parker*/ Jason Kapono/ Quincy Douby*
SF: Shawn Marion*/ Joey Graham*
PF: Chris Bosh/ Kris Humphries/ Pops Mensah-Bonsu*
C: Andrea Bargnani/ Jake Voskuhl*/ Patrick O’Bryant*/ Nathan Jawai*
*Potential Free Agent
When the Raptors announced that they had brought in Jermaine O’Neal to join Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani in the frontcourt, it seemed as though the Raptors had turned the corner and were ready to contend in the playoffs. What resulted was a miserable 32-50 season highlighted by a coaching change and a clear-cut lack of defense and toughness. With a popular coach at the helm and a healthy roster, the Raptors may not be nearly as bad as their record indicates. Some off-season moves, combined with a strong draft pick, could help turn this team around, which makes the Raptors one of the more interesting teams to watch on draft night.
With the ninth pick, the Raptors may actually be able to address some of their most significant needs, most notably a wing who can create offense and play defense. They could also use an upgrade off of the bench at the point guard position in order to find a player that can reduce Jose Calderon’s minutes and possibly play alongside him as well. With the ninth pick, the Raptors have an opportunity to find a good fit for their offense and a player that can step up and contribute immediately. The biggest question mark moving forward will be whether or not they’ll be able to retain Chris Bosh once he hits the free agent market next summer, but we’ll likely have to wait a while for the answer to that.
First Round Candidates: DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans |
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| Playoff Retrospective: Rajon Rondo |
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| by: Matt Kamalsky |
| May 31, 2009 |
Deviating from our usual Rookie Retrospectives, we’ll be taking a look at a player from the 2006 draft class who has blossomed into one of the League’s top young point guards—and see how we can apply the lessons we’ve learned to this year’s draft class. Rajon Rondo was originally tabbed by the Phoenix Suns with the 21st overall pick before being shipped to Boston along with Brian Grant for a draft pick. A prospect with unique tools, Rondo was projected by many as more of a defensive stopper who could provide some value as a passer. Three years into his career, he’s already been a starter on a Championship team and has become a star in his own right behind three probable Hall of Famers.
 | | AP |
Point Guard, 6’1 175, 1986, Boston Celtics
33.0 Minutes, 11.9 Points, 8.2 Assists, 5.2 Rebounds, 1.9 Steals, 2.6 Turnovers, 50.5% FG, 31.3% 3FG, 64.2% FT
Part One: Shooting Ability
Then:
“The biggest concern about his game revolves around his perimeter shooting ability. Much like with what we see with big men at the free throw line, Rondo’s massive hands prevent him from being comfortable in his shooting mechanics and show any consistency in his release. We saw his shooting mechanics change drastically all season long, and more often than not it looked like he was heaving a bowling ball at the basket both aesthetically and in terms of the end result. He only hit 18 3-pointers all season long and did it on a dreadful 27% accuracy from this range.”
-Rajon Rondo NBA Draft Scouting Report: Weaknesses – 4/17/2005
“Does not look to shoot that often, and for good reason. Possesses a slow, deliberate jump-shot that is extremely inconsistent outside of 17-feet. Struggles with his pull-up jumper and is often not even guarded out on the perimeter by the opposition…Slowly improving the consistency of his mid-range jumper, and is gradually seeing better results.”
-NBA Scouting Reports, Atlantic Division (Part One) -11/30/2008
Now:
Rajon Rondo is one of the least intimidating shooters we’ve seen at the point guard position. Though he was a bit more aggressive from the perimeter during his second year at Kentucky, Rondo’s inconsistent mechanics were manifested pretty clearly in his 57.1% free throw percentage, ranking him amongst the worst point guards in our database in 2006. Obviously, his jump shot was a very serious weakness and a legitimate cause for concern in projecting him to the NBA.
Rondo’s shooting is still his biggest flaw. He attempted only slightly more than half a three-pointer per game, showing how little his confidence in his range has improved since his college days. Even more concerning is his lack of consistency the foul line, where he ranks just ahead of Greg Oden and Erick Dampier amongst qualified players. A friend of the site clued us in to how Kevin Garnett encouraged Rondo to get on a shooting regimen midway through this season, and how the results were mildly positive. Rondo was a better shooter from the line during the last few months of the season, and that spilled over into other parts of his game. However, his best shooting month this season still saw him hit only 75% of his foul shots. Few players are as questionable from the line as Rondo has been historically, and even less are starting point guards.
The problems Rondo had in the Celtics 2009 playoff run were a microcosm of the problems he’s had in the past. During their first round matchup with the Bulls, Rondo oozed confidence shooting the ball from the outside; hitting shots at a high rate leading up to the last two games of the series. During those two games and the first few contests against the Magic, Rondo’s jumper was abysmal. He bounced back to some extent for stretches, but any shooting rhythm he got into quickly dissipated. At this point in his career, half of Rondo’s problems lie in how he runs hot and cold since his mechanics, while unorthodox, have become more consistent over time.
The news on Rondo’s jumper isn’t all bad. He was noticeably better from the midrange during his second season with the Celtics according to Synergy Sports Technology’s Quantified Player Report, roughly doubling his shooting percentage from 17-25 feet to 46.26% during the team’s championship run. He took a step back this season on the whole, making only 34.1% of his total jumpers (down from 42.73% in 2008), but he’s come a long way from his rookie season when he shot only 29.3%. It wouldn’t be a stretch to think that Kevin Garnett’s time injured contributed to some of Rondo’s struggles –he got a little more than half as many open catch and shoot opportunities this season than he did last season. Garnett’s ability to draw a double team and find the open man is clearly missed in that regard. That may have been a small factor, but Rondo’s reduced efficiency has more to do with defenders giving him more respect than they did during his breakout season.
Though he’s still very much a liability as a perimeter shooter, he’s lucky enough to be playing next to two excellent foul shooters in Paul Pierce and Ray Allen who he can rely on late in games. Whether Rondo shoots better next season when Garnett returns to the lineup will be something to keep an eye on, since he’s become a rather efficient scorer already. He shot 50.5% from the field this season, ranking him as the second most consistent shooting point guard in the NBA. Take into consideration that Rondo isn’t half the jump shooter that many of his peers are, and you have to wonder just how much better Rondo could become if he manages to develop into at least a respectable shooter—which is a pretty scary thought considering how good he already is.
 | | Reuters |
Part Two: Scoring Ability
Then:
“ As a slasher, Rondo has plenty of potential, but didn’t really get to show off everything he can do at the college level because of Kentucky’s slow it down style of play that prefers excessive ball-movement around the perimeter rather than one on one play. If given the green light, Rondo will be an excellent shot creator at the next level, as he is extremely difficult to stay in front of. Once he did get into the lane in college, he showed plenty of creativity finishing around the hoop, particularly with an assortment of runners and floaters. He is capable of stopping abruptly in the paint if the lane is too clogged, and floating a six to eight footer high off the glass. When making his way all the way to the basket, his long arms, terrific leaping ability and excellent body control aid him greatly in finishing creatively around the rim, often with contact. He is generally a tough player who has no problem getting dirty to get the job done.”
-Rajon Rondo NBA Draft Scouting Report: Strengths – 4/17/2005
“ A fairly limited scorer who looks most comfortable distributing the ball to his teammates. Extremely quick off the dribble and an excellent ball-handler with either hand. Unselfish, no frills type point guard with good court vision. Does a good job getting his teammates the ball with crisp passes, and does not make many mistakes. Heady playmaker who plays with great maturity and calmness and rarely forces the issue. Can create his own shot, but is not a great finisher around the rim, and does not get to the free throw line at a great rate.”
-NBA Scouting Reports, Atlantic Division (Part One) -11/30/2008
Now:
When we originally evaluated Rondo, we saw a player that was simply too good of an athlete not to be a threat to get into the lane on any level. As our second report shows, it took him some time to prove us right. Initially, Rondo proved more than capable of getting to the rim, but did have some issues finishing. According to Synergy Sports Technology Rondo shot 46.83% on his shots around the rim as a rookie, and as his possessions per game have risen from 5.4 in that season to 9.3 this season, so too has his shooting percentage. Rondo completed 55.95% of his finishing opportunities this season, an excellent percentage for a player his size. As a reference point, Tony Parker, widely praised for his efficiency inside the arc, shot 60.1% on 10.9 possessions per game as a finisher this season.
Though Rondo clearly had some issues in certain games during Boston’s playoff run this season in terms of scoring the ball, he’s made some obvious strides from the first time we evaluated him. The first improvement he’s made lies in his decision-making when attacking rim. He’s always had the body control and touch around the rim to be effective, but he’s become significantly less indecisive than he was earlier in his career. His incredible quickness has always made him a threat to get to the rim, but he would often get caught hesitating in no-man’s land in the teeth of the defense –making things more difficult than they needed to be. Rondo no longer second-guesses himself when he gets in the paint, either giving the ball up when he sees a teammate in better position or going straight to the rim once he clears his defenders shoulder. Continuing to gain confidence in his own abilities, coupled with the realization that his team needs him to score in order to be successful will play a significant role in how much more Rondo can improve down the road.
Rondo is somewhat predictable with his drives, going left more than twice as often as he goes right and going all the way to the rim far more often than he pulls up off the dribble. Fortunately for the Celtics, that doesn’t limit him in the least. Some defenders catch on to his tendencies in half court settings, but few of them have the quickness to keep up with him even when they have an idea of what’s coming. Even fewer can run with him when he chooses to push the ball in transition. Rondo doesn’t get to the line at a great rate, which can be partially explained by his tendency to weave around shot blockers rather than going right at them, but is also the result of how often he simply beats everyone to the basket. Coupling Rondo’s ball-handling ability and knack for beating his man of the dribble with his length, leaping ability, and body-control, and it is no surprise that improved decision-making has elevated his game substantially.
 | | Icon SMI |
Part Three: Point Guard Skills
Then:
“As a point guard, Rondo is of the pass-first variety, being highly unselfish and featuring excellent court vision and passing ability. Although he didn’t always get a chance to show it, he is everything scouts look for in terms of being able to run a team, particularly his intelligence and poise with the ball in his hands, along with his ball-handling skills and natural talent in finding the open man. Rondo is at his best on the drive and dish, being able to get into the lane almost at will thanks to his terrific speed and ball-handling ability, and once he does, being highly creative in finding open shooters spotting up on the wing. He didn’t get to show this off too often, but Rondo is a very flashy playmaker who can thread the needle to spectacular lobs from the perimeter or sharp bounce passes to open cutters. Although his assists average isn’t incredibly high, his assist to turnover ratio is one of the best amongst point guards in this draft at 2.11/1. Rondo is a very confident ball-handler going either left or right, keeping the ball very low to the ground, and is excellent at breaking the full-court press thanks to his terrific speed and poise.”
-Rajon Rondo NBA Draft Scouting Report: Strengths – 4/17/2005
Now
A stoic floor general who draws an extra defender virtually whenever he wants to; Rondo was a systematically less prolific passer at Kentucky than he has been in the NBA. However, his assists per-40 minutes in his first two years with the Celtics were strikingly similar to his sophomore season at Kentucky. This season, his passing stats jumped considerably. His 8.2 assists in 33.0 minutes per game ranks him sixth in the NBA in assists per-40 minutes adjusted. Despite the rise in his assist numbers, Rondo hasn’t subsequently turned the ball over too much more often. His 2.6 turnovers per game are very solid for how much he handles the ball. Ranking 9th in A:TO ratio, Rondo is the type of guard the makes the smart pass, and is able to create passing lanes so that he seldom has to force anything.
One of the biggest challenges the young point guard has had to overcome is distributing the ball to three All-Star players with Hall of Fame pedigrees. While Rondo was expected to have some growing pains keeping everyone happy, things couldn’t have worked out better. The relationship between Garnett, Pierce, Allen, and the unsung Rondo has been more mutually beneficial than anyone could have imagined. There was certainly a period where Rondo had to earn the respect of the veterans around him; he quickly rose to the occasion. Not only did he do a better job setting them up, but they helped overshadow his weaknesses and put him in position to reach his potential as a player.
Rondo’s deferential nature was helpful during the Celtics championship run, but the confidence he gained from that experience was abundantly obvious this season. He’s learned how to take over games, how to play off of his teammates in half-court sets, and when and where deliver the ball on the pick and roll. One of the better drive-and-dish players in the NBA, Rondo’s improvement as a finisher has forced defenders to cheat to his side of the floor, giving his teammates more time and space when he delivers the ball. His recognition of when to shoot and when to pass has improved in each of his seasons, but can still get even better over the next few years. The fact that Rondo’s offensive efficiency has improved along with his assist numbers speaks to that end, and leaves great room for optimism about his future, particularly when you consider that he is still only 23 years old.
 | | Icon SMI |
Part Four: Defense & Rebounding
Then:
“ Defensively is where Rondo really made a name for himself as a high school player and initially in college. He has excellent lateral quickness and superbly quick and incredibly big hands. These two things together combined with his length make him a terror getting in the passing lanes, and Rondo indeed has league leading potential in this area if playing for a coach that doesn’t mind him gambling for steals on occasion. He’s extremely smart and confident in his defensive ability, and has the potential to develop into a smothering perimeter defender thanks to all of his outstanding physical attributes and the skills he already shows here. He’s not afraid to step in the lane and take a charge if the situation calls for it. Due to these same physical attributes (length, superb quickness and leaping ability, outstanding hands) Rondo is also a terrific rebounder who indeed led his team in this area from the point guard position. His toughness helps him out greatly in this area, and his Kentucky team would likely have been in very bad shape without his 6+ rebounds in 31 minutes per game. He managed to pull down 19 rebounds in 33 minutes in one extremely impressive performance against Iowa early on in the year.”
-Rajon Rondo NBA Draft Scouting Report: Strengths – 4/17/2005
“Small, skinny player with great length and lateral quickness. Closes out extremely fast on shooters and does a terrific job contesting shots. Tough-minded, aggressive defender who is very effective on this end of the ball. Does an outstanding job getting in the passing lanes, freakish wingspan allows him to wrap his arm around and poke balls loose even after getting beat. Excellent defensive rebounder for his position as well. Size and lack of bulk makes him susceptible to being posted up, but does a nice job fighting back. A big part of why Boston is such a strong defensive team.”
-NBA Scouting Reports, Atlantic Division (Part One) -11/30/2008
Now:
Little has changed for Rondo on the defensive end since his days at Kentucky, except instead of making SEC point guards miserable a few times a week, he’s causing problems for some of the best point guards in the League on a nightly basis. The only tool Rondo lacks of the defensive end is significant overall strength, which limits him only in the post and occasionally fighting through screens. According to Synergy Sports Technology, Rondo gets posted up less than once a game. Obviously, that’s not enough to detract from his overwhelmingly positive contributions on the defensive end. Even when someone does take Rondo down low, his ridiculous wingspan allows him to defend like a much larger player, which makes a difference against most guards.
On the perimeter and in the open floor, Rondo displays possibly the best lateral quickness in the NBA. He’s a nightmare for the virtually anyone, and although Derrick Rose got the best of him on a couple of occasions, Rondo still made his impact felt. His quickness to the ball when he sees the opportunity to force a turnover is unparalleled, and in the games where Rose posted great numbers, Rondo still came up with a handful of steals, and rebounded the ball at a fantastic rate—ranking among the playoff leaders at all positions in that category. Even when he’s not shutting his man down, Rondo is still a great defender within the Celtics team concept. His length allows him to contest shots, his quickness lets him prevent penetration extremely well, and he shows great discipline.
Rondo’s focus when defending isn’t entirely surprising. Considering how questionable he was on the offensive end as a rookie, his constant activity on the defensive end was one of the things keeping him on the floor. It was one of the big reasons he was put in position to complement the ‘Big Three’ initially. Despite his improved offensive game, Rondo remains one of the most intense defenders at his position in the game –evidenced by his All-Defensive Second Team selection.
Part Five: Intangibles & Outlook
Then:
”In terms of intangibles, it’s hard to get a great read because of all the chaos surrounding Kentucky’s program this year, but it appears that Rondo will test out just fine. He by all accounts has a good attitude towards the game and a strong character, being a bit on the quiet side (particularly with the Kentucky media who he never seemed very fond of), highly unselfish, and probably not a trouble-making type. His work ethic is reportedly very strong and as we saw all season long, does exactly what he’s told by his coaching staff.”
-Rajon Rondo NBA Draft Scouting Report: Strengths – 4/17/2005
"Just try to run the show,” Rondo advised Westbrook. "Never try to do too much. You pick your spots when to attack. And just do the intangibles on the court. Offense will come.”
-Celtic’s Rajon Rondo offers up advice on Russell Westbrook, by Darnell Mayberry -3/30/2009
Now:
Based on that second quote, it isn’t surprising to see how Rondo has come as far as he has. Understanding what he’s good at and realizing what he needs to work on, Rondo is mature beyond his years. He’s not a vocal leader that is going to get in someone’s face to fire than up, but he’s going to do everything in his power from a competitive standpoint to help his team win. After averaging roughly a triple double during the playoffs, there is no question that he’s willing to step up when it matters and lead by example.
Rondo’s strong work ethic is clear in how he handles his business on the floor and off it. He’s already put in countless hours developing his jump shot, and there’s no doubt he’s going to spend hundreds more. At this point, that’s the one of the only obstacles between him and stardom. Focused on getting better, Rondo’s improvements may not be easy to gauge next season if the Celtics stay healthy, as his usage is bound to stay roughly the same with their current roster. Regardless, Rondo isn’t going to stop working.
Heading into draft season, there’s no question that teams are doing their research on each prospects intangibles and work ethic. A late first round draft pick, Rondo is a prime example of what hard work and the right situation can do for a player. There’s bound to be a number of players from this class that enjoy the same kind of success. They may have huge holes in their game like Rondo does in his perimeter shooting, but some players have the physical tools, talent and intangibles to become more than that. |
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mwk1441@yahoo.com |
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| Rookie Retrospective: Marc Gasol |
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| by: Rick Ditto |
| May 24, 2009 |
In this of edition of our “Rookie Retrospectives” series, we’ll be looking at our first European player from the 2008 draft class, Marc Gasol. After an impressive international stint playing for now-defunct Akasvayu Girona of his native Spain, Gasol decided to make the jump to the NBA. With his rights traded from the Lakers to the Grizzlies during the famous Pau Gasol deal, Marc was expected to bring frontcourt toughness and an inside scoring presence to Memphis' thin front line. Throughout his rookie campaign, Gasol proved his worth as an NBA starter and was named Second Team All-Rookie at season's end. Although he may not possess the star potential of some other rookies we've covered, the Grizzlies will expect Gasol to become a major cog during the next couple seasons as he continues to adapt to the NBA.
Rookie Retrospective: Courtney Lee
Rookie Retrospective: Eric Gordon
Rookie Retrospective, Kevin Love
Rookie Retrospective, Brook Lopez
Rookie Retrospective, Greg Oden
Rookie Retrospective, Russell Westbrook
Rookie Retrospective, D.J. Augustin
Rookie Retrospective, O.J. Mayo
Rookie Retrospective, Michael Beasley
Rookie Retrospective, Derrick Rose
 | | AP |
Rookie Retrospective: Marc Gasol
C 7’1” 265 Memphis Grizzlies
Part One: Inside Scoring & Post Skills
Then:
"The young Gasol is a rather skilled player and delivers some nice intensity. He can play in the low post, although he could take better advantage of his big body and improve his jump-hook, he has a decent mid-range jumper, can pass the ball, understands the game and can even put the ball on the floor, although it’s not that much of a help considering his limited quickness."
-2007 Spanish King's Cup: NBA Draft Prospects - 2/13/07
"On the negative side, this Final Four again exposed that he could certainly use a better left hand. He loses space and effectiveness going for an orthodox right-handed short shot instead of a left-handed jump-hook whenever he attacks a rival from the left."
-Roundup: Marc Gasol, Substance Over Spectacle - 4/19/07
Now:
After a successful European career in which he was named MVP of the Spanish ACB and contributed during his country’s Olympic run, Gasol was expected to provide the Memphis Grizzlies with some much needed frontcourt depth and toughness. Throughout his rookie season, he answered this call by developing into a reliable post presence, and was in serious consideration for the ROY award. According to Synergy Sports Technology, single covered post-ups accounted for 43% of his overall attempts, and Gasol has shown a surprising amount of finesse around the rim in these situations, although his statistics are relatively pedestrian (NBA - 49% FG%, 0.98 PPP).
Gasol received the ball on the left block about twice as often as he did on the right one, and he's proven to be more effective from the left side of the floor (NBA - 48% FGM, 0.98 PPP) than the right side (NBA - 40% FGM, 0.83 PPP). When comparing Gasol's NBA post preferences with his situational stats from his previous season with Akasvayu Girona, there are some notable differences. For one, he didn't seem to prefer one block over the other in Europe; however, he did prefer his baseline shoulder on both blocks and scored very effectively with a variety of hook shots and wheel moves. Perhaps since he faces fewer double teams in the NBA and has a very small physical advantage over most NBA defenders, the Grizzlies feel Gasol maximizes his scoring ability when turning to the middle of the floor and utilizing a sweeping hook rather than a baseline hook shot from a tough angle.
Regardless of which block Gasol makes the initial catch, he displays a sweeping hook shot across the lane that's extremely difficult to defend and really showcases his interior touch. If he shoots this hook shot going toward the rim, it's an effective play; however, sometimes he'll get knocked off balance and let it fly as he's fading away from about 12-15 feet. In these cases, the hook rarely falls, and Gasol's teammates are often left out of position to hit the offensive glass. When he senses a lot of defensive resistance when he dribbles to set up the sweeping hook, he needs to look to kick the ball to a teammate on the opposite wing. It will save the possession and give him a chance to repost and work against his man in a much more efficient way.
The one glaring weakness in Gasol's NBA post statistics is his inability to score when turning baseline from the right block. On the left block, Gasol utilizes a surprisingly quick wheel move to seal his man inside and get to the rim. If he developed this move for the right baseline, Gasol would have one solid "go-to" and counter move for each block, making him a more reliable inside offensive presence at the NBA level.
Part Two: Mid-Range Shooting
Then:
"Indeed his shooting range extends out to the [European] three-point line, while he greatly combines his scoring power with his passing game, not really looking for definitive passes, but feeding his team’s offensive flow by distributing the ball from both the high and low post."
-Scouting the NBA Rights-Held Players at the 2008 Copa del Rey - 2/19/08
” Although we have dealt it before, it deserves to be stressed again the way he contributes to his team’s offensive fluidity, showing a high basketball IQ and excellent court vision--always being aware of his teammates’ position. That fluidity comes both in the set offense, particularly they way Gasol ships the ball quickly to the weak side, and in transition, as he’s automatic sending the ball to a guard after a defensive rebound to ignite the offense.”
-Roundup: Marc Gasol, Substance Over Spectacle - 4/19/07
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Although Gasol has an impressive amount of finesse around the rim, it really does not translate into his midrange game. He ranks 3rd in true shooting percentage among rookies at an impressive 59%, but this comes mainly from his inside finishes and the fact that he's a relatively efficient free throw shooter at 73%. Through one NBA season, he's done a solid job of getting to the free throw line averaging 4.6 FTA/G - a number that will improve as his role increases within the Grizzlies offense. From outside the lane, Gasol is not yet a great mid-range shooter (41% FG between 17 feet and the NBA 3-point line, 0.88 PPP) and may have some issues with his mechanics.
In analyzing film, the problem which stands out most is his lack of knee bend and elevation on his jump shot. Given his size, Gasol doesn't need to elevate over defenders, but a little more knee bend and lift from his legs would provide him with a better shot trajectory and more fluidity on his jumper, since he’s compensated for his lack of lift by cocking his wrist back a bit excessively, which hurts his consistency as well. Right now, his release point remains a bit low, which may be a direct result of this lack of lift. Individual work could improve Gasol's shooting numbers even more and allow the Grizzlies to space the floor very effectively next year, especially if they pick up another post presence this offseason.
Part Three: Decision-Making
Then:
"The current leader in efficiency rating in the ACB League, Marc Gasol has built a pretty mistake-free style of game that helps him to emerge as a statistical standout. He’s long, very strong, nicely skilled, and very smart playing the game."
-Scouting the NBA Rights-Held Players at the 2008 Copa del Rey - 2/19/08
"Although we have dealt it before, it deserves to be stressed again the way he contributes to his team’s offensive fluidity, showing a high basketball IQ and excellent court vision--always being aware of his teammates’ position."
-Roundup: Marc Gasol, Substance Over Spectacle - 4/19/07
Now:
Watching Gasol operate in the half-court really showcases his decision-making ability and high basketball IQ. He's rarely impatient when he catches the ball on the block, and has the ability to set up his initial post move with a series of fakes or crab dribbles. He hasn't faced many double teams in the NBA, but Gasol showed solid post passing throughout his career in the Spanish ACB League. His turnover ratio is approximately the same as it was in Europe, but one would expect this ratio to be lower considering his diminished role in the Grizzlies offense. As his responsibilities increase in their halfcourt sets, Gasol will need to ensure that he protects the basketball and values each possession for a Memphis team that turns the ball over quite frequently compared to most of the League.
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Part Four: Rebounding & Athleticism
Then:
"In short, we’re talking about an absolute stud at this level. It’s still not 100% clear that he’s athletic enough to play substantial minutes in today’s NBA, especially early on, but to land a player this big with this kind of skill level and basketball IQ is an absolute coup. He might be the best big man in the ACB these days, which is saying an awful lot."
-Blogging Through Europe (Part 2: Belgium) - 11/28/07
"How much will Gasol’s lack of athleticism get exposed in the NBA? I guess that’s the question every single decision maker will be asking himself when it comes to evaluating the big Spanish center. With much more individual oriented defenses, it’s a very legit concern. In the ACB League, he relies on his excellent positioning to emerge as a very solid defensive presence. It’s not going to be the same in the NBA."
-Roundup: Marc Gasol, Substance Over Spectacle - 4/19/07
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Just finished with his rookie season, Marc Gasol has shown the ability to rebound at a decent rate on the NBA level. And although he possesses respectable numbers in terms of per game averages (7.4 RPG - 3rd among rookies), his 9.8 rebounds per-40 pace adjusted rate is rather mediocre for a gifted seven-footer seeing extensive minutes. His average production can be attributed to his lack of explosiveness and strength, as well as his physical conditioning. He has struggled against much more physical and athletic NBA post players, and because he's sometimes lazy in getting to the weakside block on shot opportunities, his defensive rebounding numbers are a little lower than the Grizzlies had hoped. By working to improve his conditioning to help his interior positioning just before shots are fired, Gasol should see his rebounding numbers increase next season, particularly if the Grizzlies can surround him with another interior scorer this offseason.
On the offensive glass, Gasol has been notably more effective than he was during his years with Akasvayu Girona. As a member of the Grizzlies, offensive rebounds account for 10% of Gasol's offensive possessions, compared to just 5% last season in Europe. This increased production is due to the fact that Gasol spends the majority of his time roaming the paint and plays a diminished role in the Grizzlies offense compared to what he was expected to do on the offensive end of the floor with Akasvayu Girona. Regardless, his willingness to crash the boards helped him immensely this season.
Part Five: Defense
Then:
"He wasn't really a go-to guy for Girona on the offensive end (mainly because of Real Madrid’s double-teaming defense), but especially he doesn't make a great impact on the defensive end. His limited mobility gets exploited in pick-and-roll situations that the opponents throw at him; he's not a great intimidator, he allows smaller opponents to shoot over him; and given his superb size, he's not the best rebounder around."
-Scouting the NBA Rights-Held Players at the 2008 Copa del Rey - 2/19/08
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Much of what we documented about Gasol during his European career has held true during his rookie season in the NBA. Given his lack of vertical explosiveness and lateral quickness, he actually creates a surprising number of defensive turnovers (1.0 STLPG, 1.5 BLKPG); however, he still struggles whenever forced to guard perimeter oriented big men or the pick-and-roll. When guarding ball screens, the Grizzlies seem to hedge most frequently, which often results in Gasol getting caught outside of the three point arc and failing to rotate successfully back to his man. Gasol must improve upon his conditioning to improve his lateral quickness and pick-and-roll defense to avoid becoming a defensive liability moving forward. If he fails in this department and/or the Grizzlies don't improve their interior defense this offseason by surrounding him with more talent, we can expect to see Memphis continue their defensive struggles through another season.
In instances where Gasol is defending the interior, he holds his ground well, although he rarely makes highlight-reel defensive stops. Since he's a step slow, he's a victim of quick-footed bigs possessing great wheel or seal moves which pin him on the backside of the offensive player. And although he'll never really be the type of intimidating, explosive defender the Grizzlies desperately need, Gasol still shows good fundamentals to counter the offensive skill sets of more talented NBA players and keep them out of the lane.
Help side defense is the area in which Gasol must improve his defensive game the most. As we previously wrote, he often allows smaller defenders to shoot over him and lacks lateral quickness - both of which usually equate to subpar defense. Gasol also tends to play lackadaisically off the ball, rarely knocking down cutters and looking to aggressively box out on when shots goo up. If he improves on his work ethic and hustle, we should see him develop into a respectable NBA defender - particularly if he increases his tenacity against more athletic players. Being a member of a struggling defensive system like Memphis' certainly hurts Gasol's numbers, but the addition of another interior presence this offseason should help the team's defensive play.
Part Six: Intangibles
Then:
"As usual, he didn’t make much noise, nor did he capture the headlines in his team’s victory in the FIBA EuroCup. But he was again an important foundation in Akasvayu’s game. Gasol has emerged as a guy you can count on in every game, whether your routine regular season visit or a crucial appointment such as the EuroCup Final Four."
-Roundup: Marc Gasol, Substance Over Spectacle - 4/19/07
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As we previously documented, Gasol was a steady staple of his European club and consistently produced on even the biggest stages. This consistency has translated to the NBA, where Gasol's per month averages remained relatively constant for the entire NBA season - something that's unheard of for most rookies adapting to an 82-game season. Throughout the course of his rookie campaign, it seemed like he earned his teammates' trust, as they began to feed him more in the low post. If he can continue to develop his game and lead by example for the Grizzlies' young nucleus, we might see a very exciting team out of Memphis in the next few seasons, especially when they get him some help down low to better utilize his skill set in their system as a complementary player. |
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| Rookie Retrospective: Courtney Lee |
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| by: Scott Nadler |
| May 22, 2009 |
In the latest feature of our “Rookie Retrospectives” series, we’re taking a look at the former Western Kentucky player, Courtney Lee; the last contributing rookie still standing in this year’s playoffs. Lee has been a DraftExpress favorite for several years, and his stellar college career is translating quite nicely at the NBA level. Playing for a complete and balanced Magic team, Lee started more than half his team’s games this season, and despite fracturing his sinus in the first round at the hands (or rather elbow) of Dwight Howard, Lee’s minutes have actually increased and is a major reason why the Magic are 3 wins away from the NBA finals. This will likely be the first of many successful playoff runs for Lee’s career, as he embodies all the characteristics of a winner including a high basketball IQ, a great work ethic and a selfless attitude.
Rookie Retrospective: Eric Gordon
Rookie Retrospective, Kevin Love
Rookie Retrospective, Brook Lopez
Rookie Retrospective, Greg Oden
Rookie Retrospective, Russell Westbrook
Rookie Retrospective, D.J. Augustin
Rookie Retrospective, O.J. Mayo
Rookie Retrospective, Michael Beasley
Rookie Retrospective, Derrick Rose
Courtney Lee , 1985, 6-5 , 200, Orlando Magic
25.2 minutes, 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.9 turnovers, 45% FG, 40.4% 3FG, 83% FT
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Part One: Intangibles
Then:
“If you ask Courtney Lee how he can help an NBA franchise next season, his initial answer might surprise you.
‘Off the court I believe I have good character, I carry myself well and I don’t have any baggage.’
While most players are quick to point out their shooting prowess or ability to get the ball into the hands of a star player, Lee takes the more unconventional route by discussing his strength of character.
- Courtney Lee: "We knew we could play with anybody"
May 6, 2008
Now:
We’ll begin this installment of rookie retrospectives the same way that Courtney Lee began his interview with us a year ago, by talking about his character. We learned a lot about Lee and saw that he is a unique individual who brings a lot more to a team than any box score could ever show, going about his business the right way and conducting himself similarly to guys like Chauncey Billups or Shane Battier.
Lee rarely complains to the officials, always puts forth the effort, and does exactly what Stan Van Gundy asks of him; he just “gets it”. Starting for a Stan Van Gundy team doesn’t happen too often for a rookie, which speaks volumes of the trust and confidence he has in Lee to get the job done. It’s certainly a testament to Lee’s talent level, but it has a lot to do with his maturity as well and his unselfish nature, which is critical on a team with many elite scorers. He carries himself well on the court, exuding a quiet confidence and a positive demeanor which allows him to shine without taking away from the stars.
Part Two: NBA Role
Then:
“He also showed great confidence over the summer going up against Lebron James at his skills academy, showing no fear while displaying his full offensive repertoire. Lee could be a little more dominant against the competition in the Sun Belt Conference if he played a little less passively, and that’s something he could work on showing this season. If he keeps his current pace, though, he should be firmly in draft discussions, possibly even creeping up to the first round if he makes some noticeable strides with his game. His potential is probably that of an 3rd/4th option type player, such as what Anthony Parker plays for the Toronto Raptors.”
- Top NBA Draft Prospects in the 'Other Conferences' (Part One: #1-#5)
October 29, 2007
Now:
As high as we were on Courtney Lee after his junior season, perhaps we should have been even higher on him. Eventually drafted at 22, the Magic got a player that will compliment their star Dwight Howard for years to come. Winning organizations always have selfless players like a Bruce Bowen, Raja Bell or Tayshaun Prince, and Lee fits that mold perfectly.
Lee has a simple role on the offensive end and isn’t asked to do much. With Howard anchoring the paint, Van Gundy surrounds their All-NBA first teamer with shooters in order to spread the court and keep the paint open for their star. The majority of their offense consists of post-ups for Howard, high pick and rolls, or isolations from the top of the key for either Hedo Turkoglu or Rashard Lewis. With those sets, Lee is primarily stationed in the corners or roams the perimeter to draw his defender away from the help. He does a terrific job of moving without the ball and flashing to open areas when the defense rotates to help or doubles up on the post.
On the defensive end (which will be examined further in Part 5), Lee is often asked to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. His size at 6’5 and slight frame was a concern coming in to the league, but Lee’s toughness and good lateral quickness has turned him into a defensive hound.
Part Three: Shooting - Spot ups and off the Dribble
Then:
“Most of Lee’s offense is based around his jump shot, showing close to textbook form, aside from a slight tendency to push the ball forward at times, which really isn’t much of an issue. His form is consistent, his release speed good, and his release point high, which is a large reason he shot so well as the focal point of his team’s offense. “
- Top NBA Draft Prospects in the 'Other Conferences' (Part One: #1-#5)
October 29, 2007
“A part of Lee’s game that continues to show tremendous potential as far as the NBA is concerned is his pull-up jumper. When Gonzaga decided to go underneath the screen defending the pick and roll, Lee punished them instantaneously by pulling up fluidly from behind the arc and creating excellent separation from his defender by elevating off the floor for his picture perfect jump-shot. He then proceeded to do the same on two more occasions, this time from mid-range, showing an uncanny resemblance to DraftExpress favorite Anthony Parker in the process.”
- NCAA Weekly Performers, 12/05/2007 -- Part One
Now:
One of the main reasons for Lee’s insertion into the starting line-up and his 25.3 minutes per game (13th amongst rookies) is because of his ability to shoot the ball, especially spotting up, which is essential in this offense. Lee is shooting 40.9% from behind the arc, which is 3rd amongst rookies and 34th overall in the NBA. He displays nice mechanics and does an excellent job of setting his feet. He doesn’t have the quickest release, but his preparation before he receives the ball and his lack of wasted motion on the catch enables him to get his shot off. He’s always on balance with his feet under him and he elevates forward, carrying his momentum and his shot to the basket. This is important for him because almost all of his misses fall short, and this movement assures the necessary arc on the ball.
Off the dribble, Lee has had less success, but he’s also had fewer opportunities. When he looks to create for himself and pull-up, he shows the ability to get to his spot quickly and with great fluidity – although he’s not converting on those chances at a great rate thus far. Lee is currently shooting 38.6% as a jump shooter off the dribble according to Synergy Sports Technology, a percentage that is solid, but will surely increase as his career progresses. The lack of success in this part of his game could be a result of his new role. At Western Kentucky, he had the green light to pull-up whenever he pleased, whereas in Orlando, he’s the 4th or 5th option on the court, and thus the ball isn’t coming his way on every possession.
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Nonetheless, Lee has proven that he can score in this league. He’s averaging 8.4 points per game, translating to 13.3 points per 40 pace adjusted. With added minutes, his production will increase and he it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Lee become a 14 or 15 point a game scorer down the road. His versatility suggests that he can produce those numbers, especially with defenses focusing on the other big scorers.
Part 4: Slasher/Ball Handler
Then:
“Most impressive might be the way he’s putting the ball on the floor and creating shots for both himself and others. He’s handling the ball well with either hand, showing no hesitation going to the basket, and even executing advanced ball-handling moves like splitting traps off the pick and roll before dropping in a beautiful floater, complete with excellent body control. Never one to force the issue (his patience and maturity is really unique), Lee did a terrific job finding teammates for open looks on the drive and dish too, even if they did a poor job finishing. His unselfishness is pretty uncommon for a mid-major draft prospect, particularly a talented scorer.”
NCAA Weekly Performers, 12/05/2007 -- Part One
Now:
Lee’s strengths offensively are not limited to the perimeter, as he has proven that he can get to the basket and do something once he’s there. He’s quick off the bounce and incredibly smooth as he covers a lot of ground on very few dribbles. In game three against Boston, Lee took the ball from his own free throw line and layed it in on the other side of the court in two dribbles – an impressive feat. He has outstanding body control and is able to absorb contact, due in large part to the way he utilizes a two foot jump stop in the paint which enables him to stay on balance. He’s very effective when he gets all the way to the basket, and elevates extremely well once he’s there – showing that he’s a much better than advertised athlete.
When he doesn’t get all the way to the basket however, Lee resorts to floaters or tear drops, a shot he hasn’t had much success with this season. He settles for this shot too often which is part of the reason, coupled with his simple role on offense, as to why he’s only attempting 1.2 free throws a game. It would benefit him greatly to create more attempts at the line, where he is an 83% shooter. He's not an overly creative shot-creator, sporting just average instincts in this part of his game, which goes along with the notion that he projects mostly as an excellent role-player.
Furthermore, he has to mix up his driving patterns more as he heavily favors driving to his left (72.6% according to SST). Nonetheless, Lee is currently finishing at the basket at a respectable rate of 57.4% (SST), and with a year under his belt, and improved ball-handling skills, he should be able to increase that next season.
He hasn’t been asked to handle the ball that much for the Magic, but he’s certainly taking care of it when he does. Lee is top 20 in our entire NBA database in fewest turnovers per possession (#2 amongst rookies behind Anthony Morrow), only coughing the ball up on 11% of the time. He’s also sporting a solid 1.33 assist/turnover ratio, further adding to his value.
Part Five: Defense
Then:
“Defensively, Lee’s team plays a lot of zone, making him a little tougher to evaluate, but you could clearly see how intelligent he is with everything that has to do with awareness and positioning on this end of the floor. In the man to man setting, he puts really nice pressure on the ball, and has really pesky hands, as his 3.2 steals per game this year so far would indicate. He’s even blocking a decent amount of shots, thanks to his superb timing, activity level, and also his nice physical profile (he has an NBA body already.)”
- NCAA Weekly Performers, 12/05/2007 -- Part One
“On the defensive end, Lee has great raw tools and a solid fundamental base, getting into a good defensive stance and almost always playing up on his man in man-to-man defense. He shows good lateral quickness and instincts as well, though he’s not a lockdown defender, as he can be beat. He also uses his length and athleticism to disrupt in the passing lanes, averaging 1.5 steals this past season and 2.6 the season before. The biggest gripe to be had with his defense at this stage is that he can get caught out of position when his man doesn’t have the ball, but he’s not much worse there than the average 22-year-old prospect.” –
Top NBA Draft Prospects in the 'Other Conferences' (Part One: #1-#5)
October 29, 2007
Now:
More often than not, the biggest adjustment for players entering the league is on the defensive end, due to the enhanced speed of the game. For Lee however, he’s had a fairly smooth transition on this side of the ball and has proven that he has a chance to become an elite defender in this league. Surely things are a bit easier with the NBA’s defensive player of the year patrolling the paint, but Lee’s attention to detail, effort, and athleticism have made him a pest to go up against.
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There were question marks about Lee’s size prior to last year’s draft, but because of his toughness and ability to compete at a high level, he’s able to overcome any limitations. He has a solid frame, playing much stronger than he looks. He fights through screens, competes in the post, maintains good a stance on the ball and displays good lateral speed.
As a help defender, Lee possesses great anticipation skills, although they can be seen as a weakness at times. He can get caught watching the ball - overplaying passing lanes and almost acting like a free safety, again due in large part to Howard’s influence. With that said however, he’s bouncy and alert and is able to close out well and help on rotations. As a result, he’s averaging 1.6 steals a game, per 40 pace adjusted, 15th in our database amongst shooting guards.
Overall, our prediction of Lee has come to fruition, and he’s even exceeded our lofty expectations to a certain extent. He brings many great intangibles to a team and has found his niche as a lockdown defender and a savvy offensive player. His value goes well beyond numbers and it’s going to be interesting to watch him develop in the coming years. |
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| Rookie Retrospective: Eric Gordon |
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| by: Rick Ditto |
| April 30, 2009 |
In this of edition of our “Rookie Retrospectives” series, we’ll be analyzing former Indiana Hoosier Eric Gordon’s transition to the NBA. After an inconsistent freshman season with Indiana, Gordon decided to declare for the 2008 NBA draft, even with many scouts questioning how his point guard skills and consistency would translate to the next level. Basketball personnel acknowledged his tremendous athleticism and knack for scoring, but remained unsure about how his short stature would affect his ability to get open looks and finish around the rim in the League. Despite playing for a struggling organization in Los Angeles, Gordon has shown a lot of star potential, particularly through the last half of his rookie season, and played his way into a potential Rookie of the Year candidate.
Rookie Retrospective, Kevin Love
Rookie Retrospective, Brook Lopez
Rookie Retrospective, Greg Oden
Rookie Retrospective, Russell Westbrook
Rookie Retrospective, D.J. Augustin
Rookie Retrospective, O.J. Mayo
Rookie Retrospective, Michael Beasley
Rookie Retrospective, Derrick Rose
Rookie Retrospective: Eric Gordon
SG 6’3 ¼” in shoes, 6’9” wingspan 222 Los Angeles Clippers
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Part One: Perimeter Scoring & Shooting
Then:
"Shooting is probably Gordon’s biggest strength at the moment, showing a beautiful stroke, with a quick release, NBA range and a terrific follow through. He has a knack like few others in college basketball for setting his feet and squaring his shoulders as soon as he catches the ball, meaning he’s always ready to shoot the ball, and he’s surely always willing, due to the supreme confidence he has in his shooting ability. Gordon can hit shots coming off a screen or pulling up off the dribble, fading away and with a man in his face. His shot-selection isn’t always the best, but he has a go-to scoring mentality (and ability), which is something that NBA scouts love to see, especially in a player this young."
- NCAA Weekly Performers, Part Two - 2/14/08
"It’s been a very difficult February and March for Eric Gordon, as he’s struggled badly with his shooting, hitting just 16 of his last 77 (21%) 3-pointers in his last 12 games. That slump did not magically snap as he went up against a tough Arkansas squad, and Gordon’s terrible shooting continued, hitting 3-15 from the field and 0-6 from behind the arc."[/i]
- Bad News for Those Who Didn’t Do Their Homework Early... - 3/26/08
Now:
An rather streaky shooter at Indiana, Gordon became a reliable scoring option for the Clippers about three months into his rookie campaign. Since the start of 2009, he’s averaged 19.8 PPG and has played just over 38 MPG, compared to just 10.4 PPG and 28.1 MPG before the New Year. His quick climb up the Clipper depth chart was assisted by a number of injuries to his teammates.
During his tenure in Bloomington, Gordon proved his worth as an effective spot-up shooter, and his numbers have actually improved this season (NBA - 40% FGM, 1.18 PPP; NCAA - 35% FGM, 1.03 PPP). This is most likely due to the fact that Gordon isn't the centerpiece of the entire Clipper offense like he was at Indiana, and he isn’t playing with a bad wrist. It’s rare to see a rookie actually become a better NBA range 3-point shooter (38.9%) than he was in college (33.7%), but that’s exactly what Gordon has done.
Even with these statistical improvements, Gordon has still shown some inconsistencies in his shooting mechanics, particularly in spot-up situations. Every now and then, Gordon fades away on wide open set shots, rarely converting these opportunities. This tendency seems like a bad habit, which should be fixable with added focus in working to get open and improved confidence. His most problematic shooting flaw is the tendency to dip the ball out of the shooting pocket, nearly to his waist, just before he elevates. Many players do this unconsciously, and while some feel that it gets them in shooting rhythm, it actually delays the release of the ball and slightly alters his mechanics –both of which can be issues for an undersized shooting guard. If Gordon simply catches the ball in the shooting pocket and fires from there, it will help him maintain his usually solid form.
Regardless of any minor nitpicking, though, it’s pretty clear that Gordon is an incredibly gifted perimeter shooter, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see his percentages rise since he only turned 20 in December.
When he gets all the way to the rim, Gordon has been extremely effective. However, his mid-range pull-up jump shot has been absolutely dismal this season, as he's shooting just 25.4% and averaging 0.68 PPP on jumpers inside 17 feet. One major factor has been poor shot selection, particularly on baseline drives. If Gordon gets a defender to jump on a shot fake and drives baseline, he prefers shooting running floaters off one foot over taller post players rotating from the weak side. He would serve his team better if he pulled up for a fundamentally sound 15-foot jumper instead of forcing up a lower-percentage floater. He shouldn’t eliminate runners from his game entirely, since they can be effective when slashing down the lane since the backboard comes into play, but from the baseline the odds just aren't in his favor.
Part Two: Getting to the Basket & Athleticism
Then:
"As a slasher, Gordon has a terrific first step, and a real nose for the basket, not showing any hesitance whatsoever taking the ball to the rim and finishing with a powerful dunk, often going right through contact in the process. His ball-handling skills are good, but not great--certainly improvable--but he regardless finds a way to the basket at an outstanding rate, drawing nearly eight free throw attempts per game in the process. What makes him especially tough here is his incredibly low center of gravity, which allows him to change speeds and directions with the greatest of ease, and blow by defenders by mixing in a variety of long powerful strides with crafty, efficient footwork, and outstanding body control."
- NCAA Weekly Performers, Part Two - 2/14/08
"In transition, Gordon often handles the ball and can draw contact nearly every time he attacks the basket. Great body control and the ability to adjust around defenders in the air allows him to finish on the majority of these attempts."
- NCAA Weekly Performers, Freshmen Edition, Part One - 11/25/07
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Many experts predicted Gordon's short stature would limit his ability to finish at the rim at the next level. Yet, this season he finished 59% of his shots around the hoop for a solid 1.24 PPP, which is right on par with last season's 62% shooting and 1.2 PPP at the college level. Once again, Gordon has managed to adapt a key part of his game almost seemingly from college to the NBA, which tells you quite a bit about the talent he possesses.
Many defenders, concerned with Gordon's quick release and deep range, tend to crowd him out past the three-point line, daring him put the ball on the floor. While this defensive approach limits his three-pointer attempts, it gives Gordon the opportunity to use his lethal first step and lateral quickness to blow by his man and attack the rim. This is where Gordon uses his strength and low center of gravity to finish through contact. His body control and finishing ability are also evidenced by his 30 "and-one" finishes this season (T-52nd, NBA). If Gordon can continue to finish this well inside the paint, defenders will have to give him an additional step, which will lead to more open three-point looks.
Part Three: Guard Skills & Decision-Making
Then:
"Gordon doesn’t look like a point guard in the least bit at this point in his career, although he may be able to get by in the future playing spot minutes at that position. To do so, he must improve his ball-handling skills, as he often is out of control by the time he gets to the rim due to the lack of control he shows dribbling at high speeds. He doesn’t value possessions enough, as evidenced by his 3.4 turnovers per game, as opposed to only 2.5 assists"
- NCAA Weekly Performers, Part Two - 2/14/08
On his NCAA Tournament Performance:
"Neither has his shot selection (improved) either…Gordon continued to heave up bowling balls from well beyond the NBA 3-point line (some of which weren’t even close), even though he obviously needed to get himself easier shots at the rim... Gordon was forcing the issue inside the arc too, settling for tough fade-away jumpers with bigger and longer defenders draped all over him contesting his shot, and he had very little success on those either."
- Bad News for Those Who Didn’t Do Their Homework Early... - 3/26/08
Now:
Gordon played the second half of his freshmen season at Indiana hampered by a nagging wrist injury. He showed great toughness playing through the pain, but the injury clearly affected his play, leaving questions regarding his ball-handling skills, court vision, and decision-making abilities unanswered. After an entire NBA season, we've had an opportunity to analyze this portion of Gordon's game and observe his progress towards become a legitimate combo-guard in the League.
It doesn't take much analysis to realize Gordon is clearly a shoot-first player. He's a threat to score at all times, and attacks defenders with a tenacity lacking in most players his age. Yet, there are two sides to this story. Since he's extremely determined to score, Gordon tends to get tunnel vision when he penetrates and rarely makes the easy pass to cutting big men off his drives. His post players are often in a better position to score once interior defenders rotate over to stop his dribble penetration, so he must focus on distributing the basketball more effectively in these half-court situations. This sometimes selfish behavior is exhibited by his 15.0% assist rate (15th among rookies), 2.8 assists per-40 pace adjusted (8th among rookies), and mediocre 1.3 assist-to-turnover ratio. The development of his midrange game could help in this regard since he could be more patient when he beat his man with his quick first step.
With regard to ball-handling, Gordon doesn't possess a spectacular array of moves, and his lack of craftiness in traffic suggests that he's better suited as a shooting guard. On offense, Gordon does a decent job of letting the game come to him, but he must improve his shot-selection off the dribble. He doesn't seem to always understand his limitations on offense, but this can be attributed to his streakiness as a scorer.
With that said, Gordon has managed to cut down on his turnovers substantially transitioning from the NCAA to the NBA, which is an encouraging sign to say the least. He went from averaging an astronomically high 4.1 turnovers per-40 pace adjusted at Indiana to a much more manageable 2.4, and has in the process doubled his mediocre assist to turnover ratio, from .68 to 1.31.
The fact that he plays on the second worst team in the NBA likely has at least something to do with this, though. Over the course of a long and grueling NBA season, the Clippers are the type of team that opponents most look forward to playing, as they sport the league’s worst offense and 5th worst defense. Gordon will need to show next season that he can translate his excellent statistical output to a more competitive environment, and hopefully in the process win more games.
 | | AP |
Part Four: Defense
Then:
"Defensively, Gordon shows a great deal of potential, as he’s strong, quick and physical, and puts a lot of effort into this part of his game when fully motivated. His low center of gravity helps him stay in front of most any guard he matches up with, and he’s quick enough to recover on players even when he gets beat. At times, though, he lacks focus, showing poor fundamentals and letting inferior players get by him. He has good potential in this area, even if many NBA shooting guards will be able to just shoot over him due to his below average size at his position."
- NCAA Weekly Performers, Part Two - 2/14/08
Now:
Gordon, drafted primarily for his offensive talents, has not lived up to his potential as an NBA defender. He still possesses the strength and quickness to become a reliable defensive presence, but playing for the struggling Clippers hasn't allowed him to develop these raw traits into a polished product. Watching Gordon on film, he remains in an upright stance throughout most possessions, relying on his quick hands and explosiveness to create turnovers. His defensive statistics are respectable (1.0 STL/G, 0.5 BLK/G), but he must improve his fundamentals and focus or he could become something of a liability.
In terms of help side defense, Gordon struggles to play within the team-concept. This might be partially due to the fact that the Clippers rank 26th in defensive efficiency rating, giving up 108.8 points per 100 possessions. Yet, Gordon needs to approach the game with a more cerebral mindset, and learn how to make his defensive rotations more efficient, particularly in pick-and-roll situations.
Another inadequacy in Gordon's game is his defensive rebounding abilities—he ranks as the 4th worst shooting guard in the NBA in that category. By making a more concerted effort to box out someone - even if it's not his man - Gordon will help the Clippers limit second chance points, while giving himself a statistical boost over his very pedestrian 3.0 rebounds per-40 pace adjusted. In a league where most games are decided by a handful of possessions at most, every little bit helps, especially if you play for the Clippers.
Part Five: Intangibles
Then:
"Gordon might not be ready to carry a team right out of the gates as a rookie, as he still lacks some polish and is extremely young and inexperienced--but there are a lot of things to like here, especially his mentality, his versatility as a scorer, and the intangibles he brings to the table, which are reportedly very strong."
- NCAA Weekly Performers, Part Two - 2/14/08
Now:
Eric Gordon's scoring prowess and terrific athleticism are unquestionable, and toward the end of his rookie season, Gordon began to establish himself as a floor leader for his club. His Clippers teammates began feeding him on crucial possessions and trusting him in isolation situations late in games. If he continues to develop his guard skills and defensive awareness and intensity, Gordon could become the backbone of an up-and-coming Clippers team after his rookie contract expires. ESPN's David Thorpe recently summed up Gordon's offensive tenacity very well:
"One of the many things I really like about Gordon right now is that he's not falling in love with his terrific jumper. Especially in late-clock situations. Most guys will count down the seconds and loft a pretty shot, but Gordon is thinking "Attack, attack, attack."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/rookies/blogs?playerId=3431&season=2009&playerRankingType=1&period=1&set=0&blogSet=0
Eric Gordon is on his way to being quite an NBA player, but still needs to improve his basketball IQ and fundamentals, which will help polish up his skill set and put the finishing touches on a very accomplished NBA combo guard. |
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