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| Player Report: Paul Millsap (with Interview) |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| February 3, 2008 |
Paul Millsap, 6-7, Power Forward, 1985, Utah Jazz
Season: 20.5 minutes, 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 51% FG
Best game: 28 pts, 7rbs vs. Orlando Magic
Background:
 | | Icon SMI |
Paul Millsap will be having a happy homecoming during All Star weekend this year. The Super second-year forward has been named to the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge, which will be played in New Orleans. The Louisiana native has gone from surprise late 2nd round pick to established quality backup power forward in just two seasons. His game has evolved between his first and second year and his team’s confidence in him has grown.
For those who aren’t yet familiar with Millsap’s game, the All Star weekend should be a coming out party of sorts for a player who will be around for years to come.
The Good:
Millsap has really worked to improve his game from season one. As a defensive sub off the bench, Millsap had already shown himself to be a reliable rebounder and opportunistic scorer. Millsap was at his best in season one scoring off of put-backs and taking advantage of his limited post opportunities.
Cutting will always be a huge portion of Millsap’s game as long as he plays for the Jazz, but his effectiveness executing those cuts has increased substantially. Millsap has seen his usage go up in the Jazz offense, getting nearly double the spot up attempts in addition to his improved conversion on cuts.
Millsap currently ranks in the top 20 amongst power forwards in rebounding (17), steals (6), and blocks (18) per 40 minutes. He has also been asked to play multiple positions defensively while his minutes have increased.
The Bad:
While Millsap is seeing more possessions and getting more opportunities to expand his offensive game, his spot up shooting percentages are down from last year by a sizable margin. Much of this can be attributed to improved defensive scouting however. Last season Millsap saw more uncontested or poorly challenge shots, because the book on him stated that he had no range worth worrying about.
Millsap is also going to have to improve his face-up ability when on the block. He favors his left more than his right, and defenders are hanging on his post moves, both on help and on ball. Attacking with the threat of the shot out of face-up should make him a more effective option on the block going forward. His success is garnering more defensive attention down low as well, so making a quick play directly into the shot or with one or two dribbles will help to beat the help defense.
Outlook:
Overall, Millsap has come a long way since draft night two years ago. As his offensive game develops, both in set-shot and post situations, he should see his production increase if not his time. Millsap has shown a little promise as a situational small forward as well, though his minutes have been extremely limited. But against some of the SF/PF tweeners of the league, he may be able to steal some minutes as a power 3 at times.
Interview: Paul Millsap
Eric Weiss: Go back to last season. Coming out of college you were a 4-5, and there were questions about how your game would translate to the pro level, probably because you didn’t have ideal height for a 4 in the NBA. What did you think it would take to be successful?
Paul Millsap: I really didn’t want to change up anything. People were telling me that I was rebounding at an NBA level already, even as a freshman. So I just wanted to continue to do that and work on improving the other elements of my game.
Eric Weiss: Can you talk a little bit about being labeled a “tweener” coming out of school? There have been a lot of really good players that have slipped in the draft the last couple of years because they didn’t have those “ideal” measurements. What do you think is the most important thing to look for in a player?
Paul Millsap: For me, I’d look for determination and the heart a player has. I’d do a thorough background check to see what type of person that guy is. I’d want to see if he’s willing to get better, see what he’s willing to do to get to that level. Me personally, I don’t look at the measurements, because they really don’t prove anything. There are a lot of smaller guys who have a bigger heart than some of the larger guys, and actually do better than them. But measurements are where [scouts] usually start from, so it’s going to continue to happen.
Eric Weiss: You were a pretty good shot-blocker and a great rebounder in college, but you weren’t really known for your man defense. Fast forward to this year, and you’re asked to cover multiple positions, anywhere from small forward through center sometimes, and you’ve become known for your defense. How did this change come about?
Paul Millsap: It’s a major change. In college I was the main guy, they’d kind of hide me so I wouldn’t pick up quick fouls. Now I play behind Carlos Boozer, so if I get in foul trouble, he’ll just come back in the game. So while you’re out there, you have to give it 110 percent, and that’s what I try to do, foul trouble, or whatever the case may be.
Eric Weiss: Talk to us a little bit about being a rookie last year. You were a 2nd round pick coming onto a playoff caliber team who eventually went to the Western Conference Finals. How hard was it going into training camp and earning a spot in the rotation?
Paul Millsap: For me, I wouldn’t say it was too hard. Knowing the kind of guy that Jerry Sloan was, people tell you stories. You just want to do everything his way-the right way. All he wants you to do is just go out there and play hard. That’s what I tried to do, just tried to go out there and do everything right. That’s what got me to where I am now. He showed confidence in me and put me on different players night in and night out. Once you show that you want to be out there, and you know what you’re doing, he’ll show confidence in you.
Eric Weiss: What’s it like playing for Coach Sloan? He was known as a tenacious and fiery competitor, and that’s really what a lot of people see when they see you play. Does he get fired up still when he’s on the sidelines watching the action on the court?
Paul Millsap: Oh yeah…I don’t think he’ll ever lose that tenaciousness. But to know the kind of player he was, gritty and diving on the floor and all that…that’ll help you be a good player too. Once you do, that I feel all the rest will just come along.
Eric Weiss: Your first year, you got most of your offense on hustle-type plays: offensive put-backs, dump-offs from other players driving, defensive rotations, etc. This season we’re starting to see quite a bit more from you. Improved ball-handling, some jump-shooting, feature post-up plays. Were you asked to work on this stuff by the team, or did you take it upon yourself?
Paul Millsap: It’s a bit of both. As a rookie, you really don’t get to show all of what you’ve got, because you’re kind of playing a specific role. So I just spent the summer trying to improve. The coaches told me what they wanted me to work on in the off-season, and I spent the summer trying to work on those things. When I got back up [to Utah] they had more confidence in me to try to make plays.
Eric Weiss: Absolutely…it just seems like you could have carved out a pretty nice niche for yourself simply strengthening the things you were already good at. Did you surprise the coaching staff at all with some of the things that you could do coming into this year?
Paul Millsap: Not really…you know, they already knew that I could shoot a little bit, but they wanted me to work on that area. They knew that I could put it on the ground, but I just had to get better in those areas.
Eric Weiss: So, your game is really coming along, you’ve been named to the Rookie/Sophomore game, and it’s a homecoming of sorts for you as the game is being played in New Orleans. What does it mean to you to be a part of All Star weekend in front of friends and family?
Paul Millsap: It means a lot. I had fun last year, but it’ll mean even more this year because I’ll have my family down there. I know a lot of people are going to come down to support me, even though it’s an All Star game that really doesn’t mean much in actuality. But it feels good just to get out there in front of them and play.
Eric Weiss: You should throw a couple threes up while you’re out there…no one will laugh at you…or yell…
Both: (laughing)
Eric Weiss: So, you’ve steadily improved over the last two years and your role on the team seems to be growing by the month…any personal goals set for this season or in future seasons?
Paul Millsap: Not really. I don’t really believe too much in setting personal goals. I feel that whatever happens during the year, it could be higher than you expected. I just really go with the flow. That’s my attitude with things, go with the flow and whatever happens, happens.
Eric Weiss: Just keep working hard, take it day-by-day, and see where it leads you?
Paul Millsap: Exactly….
Eric Weiss: You came from a small school. You were drafted in the late 2nd round onto a playoff team. You quickly carved a niche for yourself in the NBA. Do you have any advice for future prospects looking to make it in the league?
Paul Millsap: Don’t believe the hype. It’s a lot harder than college. It gets harder, it’s not going to get any easier. People will often just look at the outside and see that basketball players have nice cars and things like that, you know. But it’s not that easy. They don’t see the work that’s put in on the court. The practice we put in and how much we have to do off the court…Just stay humble and continue to work hard, that’s all I can say… |
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| Player Report: Brandon Bass |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| January 15, 2008 |
Brandon Bass, 6-8, Power Forward, Dallas Mavericks, 1985
Season:20 mpg, 8.0 pts, 4.6rbs, 46% FG, 86%FT
Best Game: 26 min 18 pts 6 rbs, 1 stl vs. San Antonio
 | | (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) - (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) |
Background:
Brandon Bass is a very interesting player who has taken a long journey to arrive where he is now. Bass was criticized to some degree for deciding to come out after his sophomore year, despite his harsh family circumstances. Even though he was coming off being named SEC Player of the Year, it was clear that Bass had more development to do, as his size was going to force him to be a face-up power forward. Bass ended up falling into the second round, and was never really given much of a shot at a legit role with the Hornets, as they were concentrating on developing David West.
Still, right off the bat, Bass was not extremely impressive even in Summer League and training camp. He looked disinterested and lacked focus, and that made him look completely out of place on the NBA level for the better part of the first two years of his career.
Regardless, getting cut loose from the Hornets gave Bass second life, and he took his 3rd Summer League by storm for the Mavericks and quickly earned himself a contract as well as a feature role in the Mavs rotation. Bass did more than just show energy and passion, though. He has dramatically improved his face-up game and has much better ability taking defenders off the dribble than he did as a 19 year old rookie. Bass has even gotten his post up game up to a level where it can be effective at times against taller defenders, something he couldn’t pull off just a couple of years ago.
The Good:
Bass is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Mavericks. After last season’s loss to the Warriors, Dallas needed a mobile forward who had the strength to contend on the boards and on the block, but the quickness to take on smaller, more perimeter oriented big men.
Bass has a great mix of strength, speed and terrific length with his 7-2 and ½ inch wingspan, which helps him to cover the Al Harrington’s of the NBA--something the Mavs were in desperate need of. He uses his body very effectively to ward off strong drives and force his opponents into tough fade-away jumpers or off-balance drives to the hoop. Bass establishes good position defensively on his man most of the time, and has been steadily improving in the fundamental techniques that coach Avery Johnson demands.
Once positioned, Bass is hard to move and he can usually keep his man from “finishing forward” on moves. He is good at neutralizing momentum with his chest or shoulders and then using his athleticism to spring up and put a challenge-hand up on the shot. Bass has consistently out-produced his positional opponent in the minutes he’s played, limiting quality shot attempts and depressing their production when he is in the game.
Offensively, Bass has really fine-tuned his face-up game nicely since coming into the league. He always had the trappings of a 15-17 foot jump shot, but his accuracy has improved to the point where it can be considered his primary weapon. Bass is almost equally as effective when challenged as he is when open on catch-and-shoot opportunities, which speaks to the confidence he has in his shooting. He still needs to work on his execution on pull-up jumpers, but he shows promise and is respectable enough at it to use it effectively to keep his defender guessing.
Bass is still improving as a post-up option, but is competent enough on the block to be used there, which is rare for an undersized forward. Bass prefers to face-up down low as well, but has shown some ability to play back-to-the-basket, especially operating off his left shoulder. He doesn’t seem to favor one side of the court in any offensive situation, in the post or away from the basket, which is a good tendency to have. However, he heavily favors going to his left on his moves, so he may want to work on switching it up more often.
Overall, Bass has set career highs in almost every statistical category, including:
-Career best pts/40 minutes pace adjusted (15.5ppg)
-Career best FG% (46%)
-Career best FT% (11% higher than ever before)
-PER: 15
-EFF/40: 18.7
Bass has produced a PER and EFF/40 rating that would qualify him as a solid starter based off the commonly accepted ratings in those two categories. His points and rebound production per 40 minutes is extremely strong as well. His 20 minutes per game is a reliable indicator of what he could accomplish in a larger amount of playing time, which seems to be in his immediate future.
The Bad:
Bass still has some work to do when it comes to defending larger opponents who like to operate frequently in the post. He is more adept at defending other face-up big men because of his excellent combination of strength and athleticism, but back-to-the-basket threats can still gain early position on him and shoot over the top, as he is only 6-7 ¼ in shoes. Bass will have to continue to focus on denying his opponent position and then working from there. If he does his defensive work early and forces his man further away from the basket, he possesses the strength and quickness to prevent the man from backing him in to close-range shots.
Offensively, Bass must continue to improve his post game. A reliable running hook and a consistent turn-around jumper would be solid basic weapons for him to utilize down low. He’s come a long way with his ball-handling, but more work needs to be done so he can effectively shot-fake and attack the basket with force.
Also, working more on maintaining control of the ball after contact would help him to shoot more effectively off the dribble as well as finish near the hoop. Bass has to keep both hands on the ball to maintain control when going to the basket and he double clutches at times if bumped when raising up for the jumper. This is especially noticeable on his offensive rebound put-back attempts, which he doesn’t convert at a high rate presently.
Outlook:
Bass looks to have found a home on the Mavericks frontline and should continue to grow as a player. He has the opportunity to play 20-30 minutes a night in his current role and as his confidence grows, his game should expand. Whether or not he remains a role player off the bench or eventually develops into a starting caliber player will be determined over the next two to three seasons.
Despite being in the league for three years already, the 22 year old Bass is just now gaining the experience that only playing time can bring. His first two seasons were wasted on the Hornets bench, and Bass certainly didn’t look to be the type of player that stayed involved in other ways. Now that he’s seeing regular minutes, the offensive skills and rebounding ability are starting to establish themselves. Fellow Louisiana native Avery Johnson has already shown a lot of faith in Bass early on, and has been rewarded with growing consistency from the young forward.
Regardless of how Bass develops, it’s a safe bet that the 22 year-olds next contract will be more lucrative than his last. He is well on the way to establishing a long and productive career in the NBA-something that was in doubt before the season began. |
Feedback
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| Player Report: Linas Kleiza |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| January 7, 2008 |
Linas Kleiza, 6-8, Small Forward, Denver Nuggets, 1985
Season:10.6 pts, 3.9 rbs, 48% FG. Best Game: 15pts 6rbs 1stl 2blks
 | | (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images) |
Background:
Linas Kleiza was drafted 27th in the first round of the 2005 NBA draft. Kleiza was much bulkier coming into the league as he had played primarily as a power forward at Missouri. Kleiza showed great touch and potential as a small forward in terms of skill set, but needed to re-shape his body and work on gaining the quickness and court awareness necessary to play full time on the perimeter.
Over the past two seasons, Kleiza has really molded himself into a valuable wing player for the Nuggets. While he only played about 8 minutes per game his rookie year, Kleiza showed a work ethic and tenacity that got George Karl’s attention, even earning him a couple of starts mid-year when the team was playing listlessly and needed a wake-up call. Kleiza’s minutes jumped in his second year, and by mid-season, he was a regular in the rotation.
This season, Kleiza has been a key component to the Nuggets rotation, averaging nearly 23 minutes per game off the bench and contributing substantially to the team’s offense as a spot up shooter and finisher near the basket.
The Good:
Kleiza came into the league with good potential as a jump shooter (although he only shot 40% from the field and 27% for 3 in his final year at Missouri), but has really worked to increase his range, consistency, and versatility as a perimeter player. Much like teammate Carmelo Anthony, Kleiza has great size and strength for a wing. Despite his efforts to become leaner and more agile, Kleiza still has a strong wide frame and is physically stronger than just about any small forward he matches up against. He plays with tenacity and energy, which helps to feed the rest of his teammates. His style of play fits in very well with the Nuggets transition attack, as he is very comfortable on the break or in motion half-court sets.
Initially, Kleiza’s sweet spot was from 17 feet and in, but by year two he had gotten comfortable with the NBA three point line and was hitting at a very respectable 38 percent. That percentage is down a bit so far in year three, but his shot volume isn’t particularly high yet, so there is plenty of time for it to come up. He gets his shots off quickly and has very good fundamental form, which he maintains when set and when in motion.
Overall, Kleiza has become much more effective offensively. His decision making on when to drive off his spot up opportunities has improved substantially, and he is hitting his pull-up jump shots at a better rate than in years past. He looks comfortable shooting with a defender close by, and finishes shots very well even under pressure. Kleiza is very effective at finishing near the basket, where his soft touch and powerful frame help him to bull past defenders and put up a quality shot.
Defensively, Kleiza usually knows where to be. He doesn’t get caught out of position that often, and he puts in the effort when it comes to trying to stick with his man. Kleiza fights through picks effectively and is good at communicating on switches. His size and mobility make him useful for covering multiple positions, which helps maintain continuity in the team defensive sets.
The Bad:
While Kleiza has come a long way offensively, he still has more work to do if he wants to become a player who can be relied on to play 30 plus minutes each night. Despite his improvements off the dribble, Kleiza is still mostly average in that department. He heavily favors his right hand, and is much more effective when he can find a way to get all the way to the basket. Working on his one or two dribble jump shot when going to the left would help to neutralize his defender’s tendency to overplay him for right side drives to the basket.
Another area that could be improved on his Kleiza’s use in post and ISO situations. Kleiza has very good footwork and has shown an ability to hit shots even when off balance or with contact. As a small forward, Kleiza has an advantage over nearly every opponent he faces when on the block. He’s got the ability to shoulder past his man on the face-up and can back down an opponent for a quick spin to the middle or a fall-away baseline shot. In the limited touches he gets in these situations, Kleiza has shown good potential.
Defensively, Kleiza shows his biggest limitations as a wing. While he plays with good energy and awareness, his footspeed is lacking. Kleiza has trouble challenging shooters without giving up the driving lanes. This problem is especially difficult to mask on a team that is as poor defensively as Denver.
Foot-speed isn’t the end-all when it comes to perimeter defense, but a slower defender like Kleiza must rely on tenacious ball-pressure with the knowledge that his help defenders will be in position to pick up the driving opponent. Kleiza doesn’t play intense perimeter man defense. He is more inclined to get into position and try and react to his opponent’s moves. Because of this, he gets beat on ball-fakes and counter moves off the dribble that take advantage of his slower reaction time.
Outlook:
Kleiza has turned himself into a very competent offensive player and should develop into a starting caliber player over the next couple of seasons. Kleiza already has the ability to start on some teams, but needs a little more offensive diversity to legitimize a starting gig on a playoff caliber team.
If Kleiza can continue to improve his shooting off the dribble and take advantage of his size/touch combination closer to the basket, he has the potential to become a real scoring threat down the road. He is already prone to scoring outbursts because of his fantastic touch and ability to play fast and aggressive. Any further development will rely on consistency first and foremost. It’s difficult to gain consistency as a player off the bench whose minutes and shots fluctuate with each game, but Kleiza has made strides every year so far.
As long as Denver has Iverson, Anthony, Martin, Nene and all the rest of their high-priced veterans, Kleiza will a remain role-playing bench contributor. But with age and salary cap issues becoming an ever-increasing concern for the Nuggets, they may be wise to invest some time developing Kleiza for a larger future role. Two or three years down the road, when JR Smith is playing on the And-1 circuit and Iverson is transitioning into a supporting role, Kleiza may have the opportunity to show more. |
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| NBA Market Watch-Player Report: Travis Outlaw |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| December 31, 2007 |
Travis Outlaw- season: 11.9pts 5.2rbs .9stls/.8blks best game: 22pts 8rbs 2stl 1blk
 | | AP |
Background: The 23 year old Outlaw has finally started to blossom in his 5th year in the league. It’s a credit to both the Portland organization and Outlaw himself that they’ve persevered through the lean years. Outlaw came out of high school half a decade ago as a raw athlete with very little basketball skill and has slowly refined himself into a high quality role player for the streaking Blazers.
The team thought long and hard about letting Outlaw go after last season but elected to re-sign him. Coach Nate McMillan must have been intrigued by the late season burst Outlaw showed last year as well as the good attitude and coach-ability he possesses.
It appears that loyalty will now pay off as Outlaw is quickly beginning to perform at a level that exceeds his modest salary level.
The Good: Outlaw has been pretty consistent in terms of his usage over the past three seasons. The team typically finds him on the perimeter, inside the three point line for spot shots off of penetration and post ups.
Outlaw’s set shot still has a long way to go before it can be used as a reliable part of the offense, but he has reached a very solid level of effectiveness off the dribble with his pull-up shot. It’s a tribute to his elevation and athleticism that he has become so adept at shooting off the dribble. Outlaw’s game is about staying in motion and using his length to beat recovering opponents.
While Outlaw isn’t an amazing ball-handler, he’s leaps and bounds better than he was three years ago. Early in his career Outlaw was limited to transition baskets and the occasional one-dribble shot, which he didn’t hit with much consistency. Outlaw used to heavily favor his dominant right hand, a common trait for many players. But he mixes up his drives very nicely now and gets to the basket with good ability going either way.
It was rare for Outlaw to be used in any type of structured offensive set when he first started getting playing time, but now the team uses him frequently in pick and roll situations, which speaks to his improved reliability on the offensive end. As a screener, Outlaw has a few options at his disposal and frequently isolates on the baseline, preferring to take the ball into the middle.
Defensively, Outlaw provides energy with his weak side shot-blocking and his ball-thievery. He’s not a thick-bodied player, so he relies more on timing to challenge larger players, but as a wing defender he is very effective both as a team defender and in man situations. An energy player, Outlaw feeds off the situation on the court and will turn up the intensity when it’s called for. He is capable of harassing an opponent into giving up the ball when his mind is set on stopping his man from scoring in isolation.
The Bad: Outlaw has come a long way, but he still has quite a bit of improvement to do if he wants to take his game up another level.
One area he could really stand to improve on his range from the elbow and behind the arc. Outlaw is solid when in motion, but suffers when his feet are set. It’s almost as if he is uncomfortable standing in one place, often not ready to receive the ball to go into the shot. When Outlaw catches he is instantly thinking “drive,” which causes him to stand with his feet and body out of alignment. If he added a catch-and-shoot game, he could become a very good scorer.
It would also be nice to see Outlaw utilized in the post more frequently. What he lacks in footwork, he makes up for in length and elevation. Outlaw has good touch on his shots, despite the occasional breakdown in fundamental form. On the face up drive or turnaround jumper, Outlaw would have a speed advantage against most threes and fours with the length and explosiveness to go up for a soft shot.
Though he has flashes of brilliance on the defensive end, Outlaw’s intensity when playing man defense isn’t consistent on every play. If he set his mind to it, he could be an absolute nightmare defensively and could legitimately shut down opposing wing men with his tremendous length and footspeed. But like most players, Outlaw gravitates toward preventative defense as opposed to aggressively attacking his opponent with heavy pressure.
Outlook: Portland has some tough personnel decisions to make over the next couple of off-seasons. Outlaw has to battle for playing time in a rotation with Martell Webster taking some of the wing minutes and Channing Frye taking away from his time at power forward.
But the three year contract and Outlaw’s penchant for clutch play down the stretch should see him through the eventual personnel movement that is sure to come. Outlaw’s versatility and two-way ability give him a very good shot at becoming the team’s starting small forward in time. Whether or not he starts or becomes the team’s all-purpose player off the bench, Outlaw should see an increase in playing time and responsibility as he progresses forward.
Outlaw was on the verge of becoming a journeyman in some people’s eyes as recently as last season, but by the time he hits free agency again the 23 year old should command quite a bit of attention around the league. |
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| NBA Player Report: Andray Blatche |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| November 27, 2007 |
Stepping Up and Stepping Out:
Andray Blatche-
season: 7.8pts 5rbs 1.5ast 1.9blks High: 26pts 8rbs 4ast, 12-14fg
The Good: In his third season, Blatche is starting to see some consistent minutes on the court for the Wizards. Blatche has played over 20 minutes in each of the past 9 games and has become more involved in the offense recently. Blatche has played closer to the basket, which is significant considering his ball handling ability and his penchant for attempting to play all over the court. The team has harnessed his game to some degree and it is paying dividends.
More impressive may be Blatche’s defensive contributions. He has consistently protected the rim and given his opponent difficulty when trying to score against him. His length and timing have led to numerous steals and blocks which have helped to get Washington into transition.
The Bad: Blatche is still trying to find his role in the offense. While he has a lot of tools he is still very much learning his opponent’s defensive tendencies and figuring out how to do what against whom. Blatche is capable of some spectacular plays, but hasn’t established any type of go-to move that he can use as a routine part of the offense.
Outlook: It’s difficult to over analyze any trends in play this early in the season, so I don’t think there is any cause for concern as far as Blatche’s decision making goes. Early on, Blatche has been able to contribute a bit of everything on both ends of the court, but his next stage of development will involve becoming an integral part of team schemes and less of a rover.
With Gilbert Arenas sidelined for the next 3 months there will never be a better time for the team to incorporate Blatche fully into the team schemes. Blatche has the ability to be a 3rd option in the team’s offense right now, so it will be interesting to see how coach Eddie Jordan elects to utilize him. It would be more ideal for Blatche to play against other power forwards, but he does present unique matchup possibilities as a 5-man. His ability to draw bigs out of the paint and drive past them is nice, but his defensive mobility could be the real key for Washington staying competitive.
Spotlight Match-up: Andray Blatche vs. Philadelphia 76ers
1st Half: Blatche came in for Brandon Haywood after the big man picked up two quick fouls. Blatche quickly made his presence felt on the offensive end with a nice turnaround one-handed baseline jumper that got the crowd’s attention. Blatche was covered by a number of different defenders including Andre Iguadala, Jason Smith, and Sam Dalembert.
2nd Half: Blatche remained steady in the 2nd half on the offensive side of the ball, but got a bit carried away and turned the ball over three times in the third period. Defensively, the Wizard’s as a team gave some ground to Philly and Blatche himself missed a number of rotations on the interior that helped lead to some easy baskets.
Play of the Game: Blatche got the ball on the low right block in the fourth quarter with Louis Amundson pressed up against him and forcing him tight along the baseline. Blatche used a quick baseline spin to get around Amundson, but found himself directly under the basket. With Amundson still right up on his shot hand, Blatche up-faked and spun away from the basket, around Amundson and finished with a one-handed bank off the glass with his momentum carrying away from the basket.
This play pretty much sums up Blatche’s athletic potential and is something to look forward to for Wizards fans throughout this season of development.
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| Interview with Ronnie Brewer: Part Two |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| November 15, 2007 |
Eric Weiss: You hear a lot about Coach Sloan and how he is tough and uncompromising. But he’s also very successful. That style works for some players but not for others. What things does he do that you really like, and what about him do you think might be misunderstood?
Ronnie Brewer: From the outside, I think people misperceive his decision not to play rookies as much as some people may think they should play. But that’s his decision; he feels that they don’t have the experience, and by sitting, watching, and getting gradual playing time, they can really develop.
He doesn’t feel that throwing a rookie into the fire and letting them get burnt is the right way. He lets you test the water and see how it feels, test it out, and then when you feel you’ve learned, he lets you back in the water again for another try.
A lot of young players may not have the patience to stick with it for a long time and learn the system and his performance in it. So that may be a knock on him , but I don’t think so. I wish I would have played more last year, but it paid off in the long run because I’m getting a lot of playing time THIS year, am in a starting role, and have been playing well so far.
What I really like about Coach Sloan is that he’s fair to everybody. He really doesn’t play favorites with the stars or anybody else. In my opinion, he’s a hard-nosed, hall of fame coach who tells it to you like it is. He’s not going to paint a pretty picture for you. If you’re not playing well he says, “hey, you’re not playing well.” If you’re playing good, he expects more. He’s not going to kiss your butt because you’re playing well, because that’s what he expects you to do. That’s what they pay people to do, and they pay them well.
So he expects you to play well and he lets you know when you’re not, and I really like that about him. There are other coaches in the NBA that may not be as firm with their star players and I think our coach is. He pretty much wants perfection, and I think that’s why he’s been successful for so long teaching his offensive and defensive principles. He sticks by his guns and he’s done that for many years.
Eric Weiss: Can you tell us more about what your role in the offense and defense is? You run a pretty complex system, with good use of roster depth. Offensively, everyone touches the ball. Tell us more about how you fit in?
Ronnie Brewer: In the past, I don’t think this team has really had an athletic 2-guard, so the first thing that coach wants is just for me to be as athletic as possible, run the court in transition, running the lanes, hit the basket, and finish with contact. In the half court set, it’s just about getting into the offense, know the plays, be able to read the defense, knock down shots when I’m open.
The more important role is the defensive role. Last year we had a lot of guards come in and have big games, a lot of 30 and 40 point games. Being a guy that can come in and make those 2-guards work, make them take tough shots, and challenge them to have to work on the defensive end, that’s my job as a 2-guard on this team.
Eric Weiss: What are you striving for personally, and what collectively other than a championship? What are some of the small things you’ve discussed as a team internally that outsiders might not be aware of?
Ronnie Brewer: Well, I think our first goal is to just play every game and not think about the big picture. Go into every game like it is a playoff game and try to win it as if it’s a statement game. If you do that, you can end up with an amazing record. But we don’t want to look at April and May, we want to take things month-by-month, with the championship being the obvious goal of every team.
We had a taste of success last year in getting to the conference finals. We definitely want to get back there and beyond, make a trip to the finals. We set our goals really high as a team. Everybody sets individual goals too, being a better player than you were last year.
To me, being a solid 2-guard, keeping the starting job at the beginning of this year, and playing well at the end to give our team a chance to win games is my goal. Keeping players from having those 40 and 30 point games. I feel if I go out and play 100 percent, then everything will take care of itself.
Eric Weiss: Just to extend off of that a little, where do you think the team went wrong in the matchup against San Antonio last year? From a skills standpoint it looks like the two teams match up pretty well. Was it just an experience factor, or were their nuances to the game that you fell short in that made the difference in that series?
Ronnie Brewer: I think experience went a long way, kind of an understatement. They’ve won four championships the last nine years with an experienced coach and players who’ve been together. For a lot of us, that was our first go-around with each other. We were kind of wide-eyed with the whole situation.
They just played better basketball than us, executed a little bit better, defended a little bit better. They played down the stretch in a way that a more veteran team would do, which propelled them to the win. Then they moved on and won pretty easily in the finals, so it shows you what type of team they are.
Eric Weiss: It seems like it’s really the speed at which they execute because of that familiarity, that chemistry. It’s like they’re more than the sum of their parts. You think you have a match up that works for you, a player you can defend, or a guy you think you can score on. But the ball moves faster than a person can and it seems like they’re so in-tune with what they do that it’s just a well oiled machine out there.
You guys think you can get to that level?
Ronnie Brewer: San Antonio is a great team, but at the same time we’re a good team, great players, great coach…
Eric Weiss: …and you’ve certainly got age on your side with everybody being between 20 and 28 years old….San Antonio can’t keep it up forever…
Ronnie Brewer: …exactly, exactly…I mean, you hope that age starts to catch up with them eventually, but at the same time, they are an amazing team and we’ve got to do the things we’re capable of doing, play Utah Jazz basketball. If we do that, we’re capable of beating a lot of people. If we do what we do best, execute our offense and our defense I think we can shock a lot of people this year. |
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| Interview with Ronnie Brewer: Part One |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| November 13, 2007 |
DraftExpress recently got a chance to catch up with one of its favorite sons in Utah shooting guard Ronnie Brewer. The well-regarded prospect because somewhat of an afterthought after becoming a spectator for much of last year. But the gritty Arkansas product with the strong defensive game did more than sit during last season's run to the Western Conference Finals. Brewer took stock of what was going on around him, applied those lessons in the off-season, and earned himself the starting spot in just his second year in the league.
Brewer is off to a stellar start and doesn't look to be in any danger of ever seeing the sidelines again. With a great head on his shoulders and a versatile game at his disposal, Brewer could really add a dimension to this Jazz team that it’s lacked for years--a defensive stopper on the wing....
Eric Weiss: Recap last season for us. You must have sat longer than you’ve sat in quite a while. What was that experience like, watching a successful season instead of contributing on the floor?
Ronnie Brewer: It was an experience…coming from college, you’re used to being “the man”-- the go-to-guy. You know what to expect, how many minutes you’re going to play, the offense kind of runs through you. Then coming in here [to Utah], I watched pretty much all year. I played sparingly, getting some spot time here and there.
It was kind of difficult, because it was a whole new change going from being the star to not getting any playing time. But I learned a lot from my teammates, it was a great experience as far as making it to the conference finals and learning from a great coach. He pretty much taught me how to work hard every day in practice, and that really helped me throughout the season and into the off-season to prepare for this season.
Eric Weiss: That’s interesting. A lot of players talk about staying prepared and maintaining focus even when they’re not playing, but many fail to do so. Was there good communication between you and the coaching staff so far as to what they wanted you to work on and what their expectations were for you coming into this year?
Ronnie Brewer: Coming into last year, everyone, including myself, knew that coach Sloan was a tough coach and hard on rookies, so I knew that I would be getting spot time, if any time. I knew I wasn’t going to have a major role or anything like that. Last season [Sloan] told me to keep doing the things I had been doing, get better at the things I was strong at, and work to improve my weaknesses. He told me to come back in great shape, because he felt that I could play a lot of minutes this year. He wanted me to work on my shot, so I could be another scoring option for this team.
So I took that to heart, went back to Arkansas and got a little stronger, worked on my conditioning, worked on my shot….and I think it’s helped me so far.
Eric Weiss: Who did you work with this off-season? Did you stay in Arkansas or did you travel around a bit and get some good games in with other pros? Walk us through your off-season.
Ronnie Brewer: I focused on working out primarily in Arkansas, working with Kelly Lambry who is the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Arkansas. He’s the one that worked with me from my freshman year into my junior year. I felt like he knew my body well and was familiar with my growth and development, so I worked with him on the strength and conditioning part.
I worked with my father a bit on the basketball aspects, worked with a couple of alumni guys in Jonathan Pargo and Brandon Dean who play overseas. We worked out with some University of Arkansas guys too, they’ve got some up-and-comers.
I also went to Santa Barbara and worked at the P3 Performance facility because I tweaked my hamstring in summer league and messed my ankle up a little bit. So I went out there and worked on my quickness and agility a little bit.
Other than that, I really didn’t travel too much because the season’s so long and you’re on the road all the time. So I just stayed home with friends and family while at the same time working on making goals for this year.
Eric Weiss: What do you think is the big difference in your game that’s allowed you to take advantage of the opportunity to get into the starting lineup?
Ronnie Brewer: I feel like I came back with a lot more confidence. Last year, I was playing without the confidence I should have had, was timid, not aggressive going to the basket, shooting the ball, making passes. Now I feel like I’m comfortable doing all those things. You can see that difference if you watched me in college.
My mom was right, my aggressiveness level wasn’t where it needed to be. I wanted to prove to my coaches and teammates that I was an improved player so that they would have confidence in me. Once I did that by knocking down shots, going to the basket and working hard at finishing at the rim, it showed everyone that I was improved compared to last year. Once the approval level of your coaches and teammates is there, it really helps your confidence level as well.
Eric Weiss: Can you talk a little more about being a go-to guy at the collegiate level to being a supporting player at the NBA level, and how difficult that transition is?
Ronnie Brewer: I wouldn’t necessarily call it difficult. We’ve got an All-Star in Carlos Boozer, All Star in Mehmet Okur, a soon-to-be All Star in Deron Williams, former All Star Andrei Kirilenko. So taking my place in the starting lineup, it’s not hard for me to take a supporting role next to four guys that are former or current All Stars. I know my role-- play hard, get easy baskets, and play off those guys. For me, it’s not really hard to play off guys with that much talent.
Eric Weiss: One thing that’s interesting in speaking about all these former or current All Stars is that you’re all of a similar age, especially you and Deron Williams. All of you are under the age of 27-28, right? Does that help a little bit? Especially with Deron, he’s only going into his third year and you into your second.
Ronnie Brewer: I think between me and him, we’ve got great communication. Me watching him last year and just studying his game from the bench and him having the opportunity this year in the pre-season and training camp to get together and play. To be able to get together and communicate with him on the court, especially on the defensive end, which is a big key to our team. Then on the offensive end, just reading his cuts, getting together on lobs, layups, curling and fading on jump shots—basketball-wise, our communication is great.
Off the court it’s even better. He’s kind of a mentor because he went through his ups and downs with coach Sloan his rookie year. He didn’t start until around his fortieth game, and he was the third overall pick in the draft. So he taught me how to work hard and let me know what coach Sloan would expect of me, and if I did that, how I could take the next step up to being a contributing player. I think he’s really helped me a lot and I feel a lot of my success is because of him. He’s a leader on our team, the point guard, and everything goes through him. |
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| Seattle Supersonics Rookie Report |
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| by: Brian Sullivan |
| November 11, 2007 |
Seattle is a franchise searching for its future. Two years removed from a 52 win season, a Northwest Division Championship, and a trip to the Western Conference Semifinals, the Sonics have new ownership, a new front office, and their 3rd head coach since Nate McMillan went south to Oregon as they try and right the ship after back to back disappointing seasons. Seattle's disappointment on the court has actually been exceeded by the outrage the locals have with the planned departure to Oklahoma City. With General Manager Sam Presti imported from San Antonio the Sonics, have decided to take the good fortune of getting the 2nd overall pick in the ’07 draft and not just change locations, but also change their identity.
Gone are All Stars Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, and in are 2nd overall pick Kevin Durant, 5th pick Jeff Green, as well as 4th year guard Delonte West. These three add to an already young core of players that Seattle has accumulated over the past several seasons.
Through the first 3 games reserve Wally Szczerbiak, acquired in the draft day deal of Ray Allen along with Green and West, is the only player in the rotation over 30 years old. To start the season, Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo has followed the recent trend in the NBA with young and inexperienced teams, and has looked to push the pace, which has suited Durant just fine, as he has made quite a splash in his first week in the NBA.
Kevin Durant G/F – 3 games 23ppg, 6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3 topg
With a knee injury prematurely ending 1st overall pick Greg Oden’s rookie campaign, the attention has fallen on the 6’9” University of Texas product. Durant is a unique and versatile package of size and skill that almost has to be seen to be believed. Through his first 3 games, he is shooting 44% from the field, including 37% on 3pt attempts. Due to his extremely thin frame and the makeup of Seattle’s roster, Carlesimo has chosen to start Durant at the SG spot, though he rotates to both forwards spots as well. The first thing that strikes you about Durant on the court is how quickly and effortlessly he moves with or without the ball.
Equally impressive is his shooting stroke and quick release, as the NBA 3pt distance has not proven to be a challenge. Durant does have deficiencies in his game, specifically when it comes to defensive awareness and physical strength, but he consistently seems to be ahead of the play, in good position to get the ball and attack offensively.
For a player his size, he has done very well handling the basketball, especially on the perimeter against smaller players. In the 3 games this week, only during his 27 point night against Phoenix did he have turnover trouble, matched up against All NBA defender Shawn Marion. Even at that, almost half of his turnovers have been on offensive charge calls.
As impressive as Durant’s first week has been, he really is only scratching the surface. He frequently is settling for the first look on offense, and has been a non factor on the offensive glass as he is often positioned out on the perimeter.
Jeff Green F – 3 games, 9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 topg
The former Georgetown Hoya’s first week in the NBA was far more than what is usually expected of a rookie stepping into the NBA. Green struggled from the field, at 38%, but that was skewed by a 3-12 effort against Phoenix and he had some turnover trouble against the Clippers on Sunday. But overall, Green has shown signs of being able to make a quick adjustment to the NBA game.
Green is more developed physically than Durant, and his combo forward skills were on display. Green has the ball handling and passing skills of a guard as well as the size and strength to play inside. While not always successful, he has shown a desire to attack the rim, off the dribble as well as the offensive glass.
Green is looking more and more comfortable each game, and his defensive instincts are also coming through as he did a nice job against Amare Stoudemire in transition.
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| NBA Market Watch: Preview-Orlando Magic |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| November 2, 2007 |
Off Season Overview:
Orlando was one of the most aggressive teams in the market over the summer. The Magic spent above and beyond what was necessary in order to secure the services of Rashard Lewis.
Having a perimeter scorer the caliber of Lewis will help open up the court for holdovers Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. The two received contracts that will keep them in Orlando for the next five years. Both Howard and Nelson put in some real work over the summer to get ready for what they hope to be an excellent season.
All three players seem to value the investment the Magic organization has made in them, which speaks loudly to the quality of their character. How things play out on the court remains to be seen, but the team now has three main scoring options to work with in addition to some solid role players.
Last year’s draft pick JJ Redick worked hard to rehab from his injuries and looked strong coming into camp before getting nicked up again. Redick may not have the body type to ever be healthy full-time, but as a complementary scorer he could pay dividends working off the attention that the main three players will receive.
Depth Chart:
 | | courtesy of Synergy Sports Tech: Figure represents NBA offensive percentile rank |
Strengths:
The Magic have nice scoring balance in their rotation. Turkoglu, Bogans, Ariza, Arroyo, and Redick are all capable scorers and each has the ability to shoot from the perimeter which will allow Dwight Howard to operate in space more frequently. The perimeter shooting of the Magic also creates driving lanes and the team has some players who can put the ball on the floor.
Orlando’s best three players play at complementary positions that should help them to function well as a group. Lewis is playing out of position at the power forward position, but plays like a wing and allows Howard to have domain over the paint. Jameer Nelson is coming into his own as a point guard in Stan Van Gundy’s system and played spectacular basketball throughout the preseason.
Weaknesses:
Orlando’s defense and interior depth is suspect and the loss of Tony Battie will be felt. Lewis has length, but isn’t known as an extremely physical player so it remains to be seen how he’ll function against quality four-men defensively. Pat Garrity duplicates Lewis in terms of his outside-oriented offensive game, but to be relied upon as the primary backup power forward may be a lot to ask.
Defensively, much of the pressure rests on Howard’s shoulders. He is the only starter with plus defensive ability and there isn’t much else in the main rotation left in support. Trevor Ariza and Adonal Foyle will give a good account of themselves. Keith Bogans and Jameer Nelson can be gritty at times defensively, but the team as a whole will be more reliant on trapping schemes and playing the passing lanes to turn opponents over.
Overall, it’ll take some work for this team to become better individual defenders and they could really use another big man with size and tenacity to man the frontcourt opposite Howard. Letting the popular Carlos Arroyo go and pursuing a defensive guard with more court sense than Keyon Dooling would be a big help as well.
Outlook:
The Magic are definitely better than last season, Lewis ensured that when he brought his high-powered offensive game to Orlando.
The Magic have a core in place that are of a similar age, so they should be able to grow together as a group. Solid perimeter shooting and an incredible physical specimen to work the interior on both ends of the court should make the Magic a long-term contender. As long as GM Otis Smith continues to find the proper pieces to augment the current base, the future in Orlando should be bright.
For this season, the team has probably moved itself up into contention for the 6th-8th seed in the playoffs. Their lack of experience as a unit and the on-going development of some of their key players probably puts them behind some of the other teams in the east such as Washington, Cleveland, and Miami.
The Magic are facing a tougher Eastern Conference then last year, but should compete for the playoffs. Indiana, Milwaukee, and Miami should be fighting with Orlando all season for playoff positioning and each looks like first-round fodder for the top teams in the East.
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| NBA Market Watch: Preview-Golden State Warriors |
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| by: Eric Weiss |
| October 31, 2007 |
Off Season Overview:
Things have been very positive around the Warriors organization since last season’s surprise surge to prominence. Despite the loss of key veteran Jason Richardson, Golden State is counting on internal improvement to help build off of last season’s success.
Forward Al Harrington came into camp re-invigorated and in phenomenal shape. Harrington was virtually invisible on the boards last season, particularly in the playoffs. But Harrington seems to have gotten a bit of that bull-dog tenacity back and is scrapping inside and attacking the rim like the 21 year old version of himself. Better glass work will be a key element to the team’s improvement this season and Harrington has taken a step in the right direction.
Also looking to increase in prominence is veteran wing Steven Jackson. The volatile and emotional Jackson has always commanded attention with his personality-for good or ill-and this season he became a captain for the first time. While many have questioned this move, Nelson may be onto something. Jackson is well-liked by teammates and is fiercely loyal. The added sense of responsibility this title brings might just help Jackson to reign himself in. Always a lone dog fighting for respect, Jackson has been acknowledged as someone who must set an example for the pack. It will be interesting to see how this manifests over the course of the year.
The team got rid of salary so it could re-sign its young tandem of talent, Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis. Both of these players should show improvement in all facets of their game and that alone should provide this team a boost. Biedrins needs more touches in the post early in possessions to get the team’s perimeter game going. The young big isn’t a world-beating free throw shooter, but in single coverage his quickness and footwork could really put pressure on opponents to help defend down low.
Ellis had an excellent sophomore season, but showed his age in the playoffs where he was a virtual non-factor. Expect a year of seasoning to have hardened his mental preparedness for playoff pressure.
Rookies Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli are on two different paths. Belinelli is expected to get a fighting chance to contribute to the rotations this year and will battle upstart free agent Kelenna Azubuike for minutes and scoring opportunities. Wright is most likely headed for a trip to the D-League to toughen him up and get him some run .
Depth Chart:
 | | courtesy of Synergy Sports Tech: Figure represents NBA offensive percentile rank |
Strengths:
The Warriors enjoy very strong team chemistry and play with a passion and emotional intensity that is virtually unequaled in the league. Don Nelson’s unorthodox style of play fits his personnel well and despite some limitations the team is able to execute it at a high level.
The perimeter/slashing ability of the team is substantial as they are extremely deep in wing talent. If Harrington improves his board work and the group improves its shot selection the Warriors should be even more explosive offensively and suffer from less shooting doubts.
Defensively, the team’s scheme creates a lot of transition opportunities and they usually get a full 48 minutes of quality play because of their depth. 2nd chance ops killed this team against Utah, but they typically are on the plus side of the possession game with their ability to turn the other team over and limit their own miscues.
Weaknesses:
Rebounding, shot selection, and composure are the three strikes against this club.
The Warriors sacrifice rebounds in favor of positional mismatches and speed. If they get caught playing at another team’s speed in the half-court game they can get pounded on the offensive glass. This is typically only a problem for them if the opponent has two interior players with post skill, but the road through the playoffs is filled with such problems.
Golden State tends to fall into a lot of ISO possessions if their shots aren’t falling or they find themselves down in a game late. When the perimeter game isn’t functioning well the team stops trusting in ball movement and many individual heroes try and step up to the challenge. High caliber teams will simply play the percentages and out-pace them when this happens.
Much of this trouble comes from the emotional makeup of the team. Baron Davis and Steven Jackson are emotionally driven leaders. They have the ability to inspire and raise their level of play based off passion and spirit, but it can also cloud their judgment and negatively effect their game. Both players get caught up in personal battles on the court at times when under duress and this leads to bad shots, turnovers, and technical fouls.
Outlook:
The loss of the steady-minded Jason Richardson will hurt the balance of personalities on the Warriors by itself, but the team does have the guns to replace his productivity. Harrington, Biedrins, and Ellis are sure to step up their game and Azubuike, Peitrus, and Belinelli are all ready to show their stuff.
Re-signing Matt Barnes is a decision this team will have to hope works out for the best as his productivity last season has no precedent. Barnes is an excellent glue-guy and has a steadying influence on the more volatile rotation players. His effectiveness is a key ingredient to the team’s success this season.
The Warriors should improve their win/loss record this season considering all the weapons at their disposal and another season of chemistry building. But the road to the finals is just too clogged with superior competition to consider the Warriors to be true contenders. They are lacking in discipline, balance, and consistency to the point where its virtually impossible to see them beating Utah or San Antonio. The team does match up well against Denver and Phoenix however, so their should be plenty of fireworks come playoff time.
Bottom line, the team is still a couple years away from figuring out how to beat a more systematic team and must improve its post offense and its board work to truly compete for the crown.
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