New York Knicks: There’s Nowhere to Go but Down for Carmelo Anthony and Company
Well New York Knicks fans, for better or worse, this is it.
These Knicks captivated us, bringing back magic to the Garden that hasn’t been seen since the Clinton administration. But they seemed to hit a wall against the Pacers—Indiana took them out of their game, pushed them around and got under their skin (so much for veteran leadership) and watched them unravel.
It’s hard to believe that this team underachieved, that the ceiling is significantly higher than what we saw this season.
New York is what we saw: a good team, a contending team, but not a championship team. It’s clearly a couple of pieces away, and those pieces don’t seem to be attainable in the near future.
Given the rapid decline of Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony needs a supplementary star, a reliable second contributor. And as much as we’ve embraced him (and vice versa), that can’t be J.R. Smith. For all the talk of how he had proved his doubters wrong, he proved once again during these playoffs that he cannot be entirely trusted—probably ever.
As much as New York has grown to love Tyson Chandler (this past six-game aberration notwithstanding), the Knicks sacrificed a chance at signing another max contract player when they signed him. Now they find themselves hamstrung financially without any real movable assets.
The Knicks aren’t going to blow up their core—’Melo, Amar’e and Tyson aren’t going anywhere. And outside of that, what on this roster can serve as a bargaining chip? What will be the return for Steve Novak or Jason Kidd?
The only movable asset would seem to be Iman Shumpert, and after the strides he made this year and his importance to the team, is that something the Knicks would really be comfortable with?
New York will be a non-factor in free agency, and so all Glen Grunwald has to work with is the $3 million mid-level exception and a middling draft pick in a historically weak pool of players. Mike Woodson can talk about improvement all he wants, but that doesn’t seem very likely—not when you’re relying on a core of guys all 30 and up (Carmelo will be 29-and-a-half by the time next season starts).
Put simply, the Knicks are only getting older, and they don’t seem to be able to get much better.
This team gave us everything it had, taking us on one hell of a ride. Which is why it seemed like such a bittersweet symphony, the swansong of a group we’ve hardly gotten to know.
This team has definite holes—a lack of any inside scoring, youth on the wing, replacements at the point for Kidd and (probably) Pablo Prigioni—and lacks the means to remedy them. Grunwald has shown himself to be a quality front office mind; he just doesn’t have any bullets left in his chamber.
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Quincy Pondexter throws down on Boris Diaw (video)
Quincy Pondexter owned Game 2′s biggest play, but the Memphis Grizzlies dropped the Western Conference Final game to the San Antonio Spurs.
Tim Duncan scored 17 points and Tony Parker had 15 to push the Spurs past Memphis 93-89 in overtime.
Parker had a career-high 18 assists, which put San Antonio up 2-0 as the series moves to Memphis on Saturday.
Besides the loss, the world will be on fire discussing the massive dunk that Quincy Pondexter put on Boris Diaw.
Oh the shame.
Video: Quincy Pondexter posterizes Boris Diaw
Video: Tony Parker dishes out 18 assists
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NBA Lottery Odds 2013: Breaking Down Each Team’s Chances to Land No. 1 Pick
The 2013 NBA draft lottery will take place on Tuesday night, finally cluing in the teams participating in the event as to where and what order they will pick in come June’s draft.
It’s an exciting occasion for fans as well, as they can view the results of this drawing in multiple ways, including television and live stream fashion. Finding out whether your team landed a top pick can be quite a thrill, especially with some great players available at the top of this class.
Let’s take a look at where you can catch the lottery, what the odds are for each participant to win, some of the prized prospects waiting for the victors and more.
2013 NBA Draft Lottery Info
When: Tuesday, May 21, at 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Disney/ABC’s Times Square Studios, New York City
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN3 (Blacked out in several states, please check coverage map here)
Each Team’s Chance to Land Top Pick
Odds and trade notes courtesy of USA Today.
|
Team |
2012-13 Record |
Chance of No. 1 pick |
|
Orlando Magic |
20-62 |
25 percent |
|
Charlotte Bobcats |
21-61 |
19.9 percent |
|
Cleveland Cavaliers |
24-58 |
15.6 percent |
|
Phoenix Suns |
25-57 |
11.9 percent |
|
New Orleans Pelicans |
27-55 |
8.8 percent |
|
Sacramento Kings |
28-54 |
6.3 percent |
|
Detroit Pistons |
29-53 |
4.3 percent |
|
Washington Wizards |
29-53 |
2.8 percent |
|
Minnesota Timberwolves |
31-51 |
1.7 percent |
|
Portland Trail Blazers* |
33-49 |
1.1 percent |
|
Philadelphia 76ers |
34-48 |
0.8 percent |
|
Toronto Raptors** |
34-48 |
0.7 percent |
|
Dallas Mavericks |
41-41 |
0.6 percent |
|
Utah Jazz |
43-39 |
0.5 percent |
*If Portland’s pick falls outside of the top 12, it will be sent to Charlotte.
**If Toronto’s pick falls outside of the top three, it will be sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Houston Rockets.
Potential No. 1 Picks
Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
Despite an injury that may keep him sidelined through Christmas, Noel is the closest thing to a consensus top pick this class has to offer.
The Wildcats’ big man is a shot-blocking phenom that already brings plenty to the table and has the potential to add much more to his game in the near future.
Noel is extremely athletic and uses his great leaping ability to sky for rebounds on both ends of the floor. He utilizes big, quick hands to come up with steals in the low post and isn’t afraid to provide quick help on a defensive rotation.
He has two major areas of concern, though, as Noel only weighed in at 206 pounds at the combine. That’s painfully thin for a power forward prospect, let alone a center—which is the position the UK star has been listed at.
Noel is also extremely raw offensively, although his high ceiling, athleticism and non-stop motor should help him to improve rapidly in that department.
While he’s not an immediate game-changer, some work in an NBA weight room, a new diet and a lot of time in the gym will turn Noel into a starting-caliber big man that helps a contending team for years to come.
Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
Oladipo is an intriguing prospect that is generating small but significant buzz as a potential top pick in the draft.
ESPN’s Chad Ford is reporting (behind Insider pay wall) that the Hoosiers star did well for himself at the combine in Chicago, measuring out better than expected, performing well during the interview process and blowing away observers with his athletic abilities.
A number of anonymous general managers commented that Oladipo is their favorite player and has the most upside, but none committed to having him as their No. 1 prospect on the big board.
Regardless, much could change in the next five weeks.
This young man’s defensive mindset and ability to impact a game in a positive manner without the ball in his hands are two things most teams in the lottery are looking for.
Add in the fact that he’s a freakish athlete that can knock down open shots with ease and you are looking at a complete 2-guard in the modern NBA.
Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
The Wolverines point guard led his team on a magical run to the national championship game, but fell just short on the biggest stage.
Regardless, the sophomore phenom is ready to take the next step and join the Association. Burke not only thinks he’s capable, but also should in fact be made the No. 1 pick come June.
As per Ford, Burke said:
I feel like I can be [the No. 1 pick], absolutely. It depends on where the [lottery] balls drop, and depending on that team’s needs, I definitely feel like I can, and I won’t disappoint.
Burke may not be the most athletic or absurdly sized for the position, but he’s a proven winner that has plenty of intangibles that scouts have a hard time putting into concrete terms.
Regardless, shrewd GMs will see the value and upside in having this young man on their roster, and one many even make him the top pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
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Video: Tony Parker shuts down Memphis in Game 1
The San Antonio Spurs made the Memphis Grizzlies look like the overachievers that many pegged them to be on Sunday.
As a whole, they appeared to be lethargic and in-over-their-head as the veteran Spurs group cruised to a 105-83 Game 1 victory in the Western Conference finals.
Tony Parker generated 20 points and dished out nine assists.
Please click here to watch this video.
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NBA Playoffs 2013: Breaking Down Key Positional Battles in Conference Finals
The 2013 NBA playoffs have reached the stage of the elite, as just four teams remain in the pursuit of championship gold. As the conference finals take shape, however, it’s not a matter of which teams have better players.
It’s all about the matchup.
For that reason, we’d be remiss to ignore the value of positional battles as the hunt for the NBA title continues. Not only can one-on-one matchups help dictate the pace of a series, but ultimately, they can determine the result.
This year is no different.
Certain teams are stronger on paper but have holes that could ultimately doom them if the opposition plays as well as expected. Other squads are evenly matched, but a battle of stars will be the determining factor.
One way or another, positional battles will decide this one.
Eastern Conference Finals: Chris Bosh vs. Roy Hibbert
Everyone wants to see Most Improved Player of the Year Paul George take on MVP LeBron James. The truth of the matter is, this series is going to be decided down low.
It all comes down to whether or not Roy Hibbert can overpower the finesse of Chris Bosh.
During the postseason, Hibbert is averaging 14.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. Most recently, Hibbert went for 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in the Pacers’ series-clinching win over the New York Knicks.
At 7’2″ and 280 pounds, Hibbert is too much for Bosh to handle from a physical perspective.
With that being said, Bosh is an eight-time All-Star for a reason, as his mid-range game helps to draw opponents out. Defensively, Bosh uses his length to limit low-post scoring opportunities and is still capable of exploding for rebounds.
The question isn’t just if Bosh can handle Hibbert‘s power; rather, it’s if Hibbert can step out to defend Bosh.
The key statistics here are Hibbert‘s 9.6 rebounds per game and Bosh’s 46.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Bosh can work Hibbert out with his shooting, thus opening the door for Miami to crash the boards, but there’s an issue.
The Heat were 28th in offensive rebounding during the regular season.
When Bosh is defending Hibbert, however, it’s all about power and low-post prowess. Not only can Hibbert take over the game, but he can control the pace and limit Miami’s transition scoring opportunities.
The question is, will the Pacers capitalize on their advantage, or will they fall into their usual isolation ways?
Western Conference Finals: Tim Duncan vs. Zach Randolph
The Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs have countless positional battles worth noting. Whether it’s Mike Conley and Tony Parker clashing at the point or Tony Allen and Manu Ginobili going at it along the perimeter, there’s no shortage of intrigue.
The key battle here, however, comes between Tim Duncan and Zach Randolph.
During Game 1, Duncan was dominant defensively, holding Z-Bo to two points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field. Even as Duncan shot 3-of-9 from the field, defense is the key here for San Antonio.
If Randolph isn’t scoring, the Grizzlies are close to helpless offensively.
With that being said, Duncan’s offensive production is of similar importance, as Memphis’ perimeter defense can shut down San Antonio’s three-ball. If Randolph gets going and Duncan can’t convert offensively, the Spurs will struggle to get past Memphis.
One way or another, it comes down to this clash.
Prior to Game 1, Randolph had been averaging 19.7 points and 9.3 rebounds on 51.2 percent shooting from the floor. Duncan, meanwhile, has gone for 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 45.7 percent shooting from the floor.
Numbers aside, Duncan is a significantly better defender. The question is, can he step up offensively to counter Z-Bo’s punishing attack?
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NBA Players Who Are Stepping Up and Stepping Down in ‘Clutch Time’ of Playoffs
The 2013 NBA playoffs have featured no shortage of clutch heroics…just not from the usual suspects.
While stars like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry struggled at the end of close playoff games, the 5’9″ Nate Robinson took over and dominated.
Nate Rob isn’t the only surprisingly clutch player through the first few weeks, either. Through two full rounds, it’s been a postseason of nontraditional stars stepping up in clutch situations.
Only 34 players have taken at least five field-goal attempts within the final five minutes of a game with their team ahead or behind by no more than five points. Of the 10 with the most clutch shot attempts, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah and Robinson, respectively, have been the most efficient.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at which players and teams earn the “clutch” and “choker” labels through the second round of the 2013 playoffs.
Note: This is not a referendum on a player’s overall career. I’m looking strictly at clutch stats in the playoffs here, nothing more. “Clutch time” means the final five minutes of a game in which neither team is ahead or behind by more than five points. All advanced statistics come from NBA.com/stats, unless otherwise noted.
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Breaking Down George Hill’s Concussion: What Exactly Is He Dealing With?
George Hill missed Game 5 of the series between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. The Pacers’ loss sends the teams back to Indianapolis for Game Six on Saturday, but will Hill be back on the floor? Let’s take a look at the questions he and the Pacers face:
What happened?
During Game 4, Hill took an elbow to the head from Tyson Chandler. This kind of height differential often leads to concussions, especially at lower levels. The NBA‘s strict policies against elbows prevents this from happening more often at the highest level, where the players have more control.
While symptoms did not come on fully until the following day, the damage was done at this point. Looking at tape, there’s no real sign that Hill was dealing with anything other than the initial trauma and a bit of pain at this stage, which is no surprise. The medical staff acted appropriately and was seen speaking with Hill at the next game break.
Thursday, Hill was able to participate in the shootaround, but did complain of a headache. He was given medication and put under the terms of the NBA’s concussion protocol. Hill was tested that afternoon and when he did not pass, he was ineligible to play.
Why was there a delay to symptom onset?
This is not unusual for a concussion. While Hill was likely experiencing some symptoms, they were not severe enough to notice. The adrenaline of an NBA game is often enough to keep a player from noticing mild vision changes, a headache or some light sensitivity.
Hill not only had a headache, but apparently had some light sensitivity as well. He was kept off the bench on Thursday and listened to the game from a darkened room near the Pacers’ locker room. It is unclear if the symptoms are ongoing or if there are other symptoms that have not been noted publicly, like altered speech, nausea, or disorientation.
A similar issue occured with Harrison Barnes on Thursday. Barnes fell and needed stitches, but left later with headaches. He is very likely going to be tested under terms of the concussion policy.
What is the NBA’s concussion protocol?
The NBA instituted a strict concussion policy in 2011. Administered by a league neurologist, the player must be symptom free, then must pass a baseline test, likely the ImPACT testing used by the NFL and MLB. After this test is passed, a player is put through a series of increasingly intense activities. Then the player’s tests are reviewed by the administrator, who has the final say on a player being cleared to play.
The NBA says the clearance should take “days, even weeks,” which is good as to the level of care and making sure players do not rush (or are not rushed), but does create issues for players with relatively mild concussions that can return in a short period of time. It definitely makes it difficult for a player like Hill to make it back by Saturday.
What tests does Hill have to pass to play on Saturday?
Hill will need to pass a baseline test, likely the ImPACT test. While there are many that think the ImPACT test should be replaced, it remains the standard used in most situations. It is a computerized test that takes about 20 minutes. The test compares a player’s results to a previous test, done prior to the season. That baseline is used as the point of comparison.
The biggest criticism of the test is that athletes can “sandbag” the test, setting their baseline lower. Peyton Manning discussed the widespread use of this technique a few years ago, setting off a firestorm about athletes trying to short-circuit a system designed to protect them.
Newer tests are in development that use more objective measures that would be tougher to alter. One promising technology comes from Notre Dame. The voice of a possibly concussed player can be tested on site via a tablet app.
After that test is passed, there are physical tests. Mark Montieth of Pacers.com says they include riding a stationary bike, jogging, agility drills and non-contact team drills. These are done to make sure that symptoms do not return with activity, which is common.
Is there any protection he could wear?
Unlike the clear plastic masks that players wear after breaking a nose or cheekbone, there is no real protection that a player can wear after concussion. Theoretically, a helmet would help, but no one has chosen to go the full B.D. just yet.
A helmet would be effective, but the tradeoff and ridicule would make it very difficult for a player to wear it. Instead, it is important for a player to be symptom free before returning.
What are the risks of playing after a concussion?
The NBA’s policy is focused on minimizing the risks of post-concussion issues by not allowing a player back on the court until they are symptom free. One of the key things overlooked by the public is that concussions, when treated properly, are very manageable. While there is much left to learn about concussions, giving the brain time to heal is key to health.
Some leagues have instituted time restrictions before a return to play, such as the UFC’s very effective medical suspension system. In some cases, such as Rugby Union, the time restriction caused players and some teams to hide symptoms in order to keep their players available. It is widely agreed that in most cases, the player is safe to return after he is symptom free.
Mature athletes are not at risk of second impact syndrome, so once Hill (or any player) is symptom free and cleared to return, he should be at no more risk than any other player, both in terms of likelihood and severity.
How long could Hill miss?
The issue with concussions is that no two act alike. While we often call concussions “mild” or “severe,” we really don’t know until after a player recovers. A big hit might lead to a mild concussion, where a bump on the head could keep a player out of the game for months or even end a career.
Hill could miss a matter of days or his season could be over. The time he misses will be predicated entirely on when he is able to pass the tests and when he is symptom free. It is an entirely individualized response that is often frustrating to the player and the fan base.
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NBA Playoffs 2013: Down 3-1, Is the New York Knicks’ Tape About to Be Erased?
The NBA Playoffs is the third or fourth most exciting time of the year for most rabid NBA fans, and it is that way for me as well.
It was a beautiful sunny day here in New York City as I gazed out the window at the various urban flora and fauna. On a day like that, a nice, tall, refreshing glass of red-flavored Kool Aid is sure to do the trick to quench my spring-time thirst.
As I reached into the refrigerator to pull out the sweet red liquid and place the container to my lips, I remembered someone once advising me: “Don’t drink the Kool Aid” in regard to prognosticating on the New York Knicks‘ success in the NBA Playoffs in 2013.
What exactly is in red Kool Aid? Could be cherry-flavored, or strawberry-flavored, but it’s always filled with lots of additives and preservatives one would not otherwise ingest if they weren’t included in Kool Aid. The concoction is then sweetened to the palate for consumption. It’s sometimes refreshing, but often leaves me with a sugar rush and a disastrous sugar crash later on.
Then it struck me! “The Knicks offense is red Kool Aid.”
On paper the hoopers in blue and orange shorts are the better team and the more explosive team, and the New York Knicks are supposed to be closer to the Indiana Pacers defensively than the Pacers are to them offensively.
While we’re supposing, Tyson Chandler was supposed to neutralize, or at least break even with, Roy Hibbert on the offensive glass and on defense. J.R. Smith should have exploded for at least one 30-point game by now, but he would finish with nine points, one rebound and one assist in the Knicks’ 91-82 loss against Indiana.
The Knicks are also supposed to be shooting the three-point shot at a clip closer to their regular-season mark of 37 percent instead of the abysmal 32 percent they’re currently shooting in the postseason.
If the Knicks are Kool Aid, then the Pacers have to be freshly squeezed orange juice.
They play a brand of basketball that is delicious to coach Frank Vogel and nutritious for team harmony and on-court camaraderie. They share the ball with reckless abandon and also swap the role of second-half closer among three different players. One night it might be small forward Paul George, another it might be Roy Hibbert. In the Pacers’ 93-82 victory over the Knicks it was George Hill who represented in the second half at Bank Life Fieldhouse with 26 points on 9-14 shooting, scoring 12 in the third quarter.
The Knicks in turn didn’t get that second-half spark they desperately needed to overcome the 14-point halftime deficit.
Carmelo Anthony started off shooting at a very efficient rate for most of the game, but the seemingly endless wave of Indy defenders eventually took its toll on Melo. He finished with 21 points on 6-16 shooting. With frustration on his face, Anthony would pick up his fifth foul with one minute and 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Though Paul George didn’t have an exceptional shooting night (14 points on 4-17 shooting) he continues to show us why he has been the best all-around player in this series and prove his production is not solely predicated upon his shooting touch. He has played great defense on Carmelo Anthony and also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out eight assists in registering what I would call a quasi-triple double. Look for more of the same in Game 5.
There was a Steve Novak citing, but it was likely not an indicator of things to come. He has played a total of eight minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. There was also an Amar’e Stoudemire citing as well, but he still looks like a shadow of his former self on offense (four points, four rebounds) and his timing off as well. STAT stumbled and tripped his way to four fouls in 11 minutes of playing time.
The offensive ineptitude displayed by the Knicks’ supporting cast is disappointing and, thanks in part to the “rock ‘em, sock ‘em” Indiana Pacers’ defense, is a primary reason why the Knicks are down 3-1 in this best-of-seven series and facing elimination. New York is getting nothing from J.R. Smith, nothing from Jason Kidd (Hasn’t scored in eight games and also has been something of a defensive liability in this series.), nothing from Novak, or anyone sitting close enough to smell coach Mike Woodson’s aftershave.
Perhaps more minutes for backup SF Chris Copeland? He’s a streaky shooter who can fill it up when he gets going. There are concerns about his defense, however.
Also, if he and Carmelo are on the floor at the same time that likely means Melo will have to play power forward. Though Carmelo is about as muscular as any small forwards not named LeBron James but he is no match on defense for a skilled veteran 4-man like David West.
In addition, defending power forward is an energy drain on the Knicks’ only All-Star caliber scorer, and scoring is a primary concern for NY.
I love Carmelo Anthony’s game. However, it’s one-dimensional. If the shooters aren’t knocking down their shots, then it’s “Dogpile on Melo” for the Indiana defense once again.
Melo is being Melo, and doing a pretty good job at it while averaging 26 points per game on 40 percent shooting and nearly nine boards per game. Unfortunately, the Knicks can’t expect for the league’s scoring champion to turn over a new leaf in the middle of the playoffs, can they?
It would be nice to see him with more pinpoint passes out of double-teams or in pick-and-roll situations, but we all know Melo is not a very good passer. He’s average at best. That’s not to say he cannot pass. He just does not pass (1.5 assists in the Conference Semifinals).
The other Knicks have to score the basketball to keep the Pacers honest, and I don’t see that happening.
While we’re on the subject of passing, perhaps Woodson we’ll see more minutes for Pablo Prigioni as well. Jason Kidd is a future Hall of Fame point guard, but Springfield, Massachusetts, is as far away from Indianapolis as Kidd is from finding his jump shot. Somebody else has to get real hot, real fast. If that doesn’t happen soon, then it’s lights out in the Big Apple until next NBA season.
J.R. Smith was quoted by ESPN.com as saying:
“I have to play more efficient. I have to rebound the ball. One rebound, two rebounds is not enough. Paul George is out there getting 13, 14 rebounds. As a wing player like myself, it’s pretty much unacceptable.”
Yes, it is pretty much unacceptable for George to be killing on the boards in the manner that he has, but that problem is not all Smith’s fault. He is correct in questioning his own level of efficiency, though. With him being off, Indiana can afford to double- and triple-team Carmelo Anthony to their hearts’ desire and simply leave Smith to dutifully shoot the Knicks’ out of the playoffs, and he has obliged them to this point in the series.
The Pacers appear to have found their shooting touch at Bank Life Fieldhouse during Game 4. That trend cannot continue in Game 5 for obvious reasons.
Knicks win Game 5 by six points.
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Breaking Down How Andrew Wiggins Will Impact Kansas Jayhawks
Andrew Wiggins made shockwaves on Tuesday, when the superstar recruit finally announced that he would be attending Kansas University and playing ball for coach Bill Self’s Jayhawks.
It ended a months-long, drawn-out saga of recruiting drama, but opened the door for speculation on whether or not the top-tier prospect will live up to the immense hype and how he will fit in with the Jayhawks roster.
Fortunately for fans around Lawrence, it looks to be a perfect match.
Wiggins should be able to fill the giant void left by Ben McLemore, the team’s top scorer during the 2012-13 campaign.
The freshman shooting guard entered the NBA draft and will likely become a first-round pick along with teammate Jeff Withey—the senior center who served as the second-option on the offensive end last year.
Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor and Naadir Thorpe are the only notable players that will be returning for another season with KU, meaning Self will have plenty of minutes to spare.
Wiggins should be in line to play as much as possible and will likely be the centerpiece of the Kansas offense next season. He’s a major upgrade in the points department, as he is a reliable bucket generator that shouldn’t slack off.
While McLemore was prone to long stretches of inefficient and head-scratching play, the stud recruit should be much more consistent for the duration of the game.
Some fresh faces on Kansas’ campus should also be of assistance to Wiggins and the rest of the team. Top-tier recruits Joel Embiid, Wayne Selden, Conner Frankamp and Brannen Greene all will get a chance to play and make an impact this coming season.
It’s not the elite crop of highly touted talent that coach John Calipari assembled at Kentucky, but these young men are hard workers that will provide a perfect supporting cast around Wiggins.
Add in Self’s genius and you can be certain that the Jayhawks find a way to utilize their latest weapon in the most effective fashion.
This should put the team on a collision course with the rival Wildcats come the national championship game, a repeat of 2012’s epic showdown.
Kentucky may have the deeper roster, but this time Kansas has the best player and should be able to one-up the competition due to the sheer skill and dominance of Wiggins.
Of course, this all hinges on the Canadian native panning out, but from everything we’ve seen from this kid during his time at Huntington Prep and in exhibition showcases, he’s the real deal.
Don’t be shocked when Wiggins is hoisting the national championship trophy and bringing KU its first title since 2008.
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Breaking Down How C.J. Leslie’s Hand Injury Impacts 2013 NBA Draft Stock
North Carolina State forward C.J. Leslie is expected to skip the drilling portion of the NBA combine after spraining his hand, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.
He will participate in the athletic testing and interviews, two stations at the combine that don’t require basketballs.
Wojnarowski reported that two teams drafting in the mid-20s don’t believe Leslie will be there by the time they’re on the clock.
If that is indeed the case, then this hand injury should have absolutely zero impact on his draft stock. Even if Wojnarowski’s sources were just playing the smokescreen game, this minor injury still won’t affect how teams view Leslie as a prospect.
His hand is expected to be fully healed for individual workouts with teams, which are really the only auditions that truly move the needle.
The drilling at the combine, particularly for someone like Leslie, who’s been a prominent figure in college basketball for three years, is fairly insignificant. Scouts have hundreds of hours of game film at their disposal—a couple of dribbling and shooting drills wouldn’t have swayed anyone’s opinion on his NBA outlook.
When teams bring in Leslie for a workout, they’ll customize it to test out specific skills in repetition, as opposed to the combine where the drilling is more general and spaced out.
In Wojnarowski’s report, he mentioned that one league personnel director told him that Leslie and Nerlens Noel “rate as the two most explosive athletes in this year’s draft class.” While Anthony Bennett might have something to say about that, it just goes to show how much the NBA values athleticism.
Leslie’s most glaring red flag is his lack of a true position. Though his specific game is built for the power-forward role, he measures in around 6’8”, 200 pounds, and he’s never averaged more than 7.4 rebounds per game.
His size suggests he plays small forward at the next level, however, his skill set does not. Leslie struggles playing on the perimeter, without the ball-handling or outside stroke (only 13 made threes in three years at NC State) that most NBA wings require.
Draft Stock
It’s tough to put a finger on Leslie’s stock at the moment. According to Wojnarowski, some believe he’s a mid-first rounder. Others, myself included, believe he’s more of a second-round pick considering the risk he presents.
I like to compare Leslie to Hakim Warrick, a former college stud with nearly identical physical tools. Unfortunately, those tools never translated for Warrick, who wasn’t strong enough to bang inside and lacked the skill set of a 3.
Warrick did go No. 19 in the 2005 first round. Sometimes, teams will take a chance on athleticism with hopes that the skills develop and follow.
All it takes is for one team to fall in love with Leslie’s athleticism, and a minor hand injury won’t change that.
Personally, I fell off Leslie’s bangwagon after seeing little progression over a three-year span. I’m also worried about him falling into the “tweener” category, stuck between the 3 and 4 positions.
But there’s no doubt he’ll be targeted by some on draft day. The Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards are all teams that lack athleticism up front that might give Leslie a look in the late-first or early-second round.
He averaged 15.1 points, 7.4 rebounds on 51.9 percent shooting and 61.2 percent from the free-throw line as a junior, and should be considered a high-risk, high-reward option on draft day.
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