Leitch: Why shaming fringe hate on Twitter needs to go
There’s a cathartic thrill meting out Internet Justice, but the practice is problematic.
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Bubble Teams 2013: What Fringe Squads Must Do to Feel Safe
The bubble is weak.
As we move closer to Selection Sunday, it would appear that no one is interested in helping fill out the Field of 68. When it comes to the last remaining at-large spots, several squads have gotten the chance to secure their places in the Big Dance, and several squads have, well, lost.
As such, there is still plenty at stake in the upcoming conference tournaments.
Virginia Cavaliers
It’s not surprising that the Cavaliers are going down to the wire right smack in the middle of the bubble. It only makes sense considering the season they’ve had.
Virginia has an RPI of 72 and has lost to powerhouses like Old Dominion, Clemson and Wake Forest, but it has also knocked off Duke, North Carolina, NC State and Wisconsin (in Madison).
Tony Bennett’s squad likely gets NC State in the quarterfinals, and it should treat that as a must-win game. If it advances, a win over (probably) Miami would completely lock up a spot.
Kentucky Wildcats
The ‘Cats are an interesting case. After losing Nerlens Noel, they have gone 4-3 with wins over Missouri and Florida, the latter being a victory that likely has Kentucky in the field right now.
However, without Noel, John Calipari‘s boys have been horrendous on the road, losing by 30 to Tennessee and dropping two straight against Arkansas and Georgia.
The Wildcats need to show the committee they can win away from home. A win in the quarters over Arkansas or Vanderbilt won’t change things, but a semifinal victory over Ole Miss or Missouri will secure a spot in the Big Dance for Kentucky.
Rest of the SEC
The SEC is completely bubble-ridden. In addition to Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss are all still fighting for their lives.
If Tennessee wins its second-round game, its matchup with Alabama in the quarters will likely be a win-or-go-home battle.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, will have to beat Missouri in the quarters, but if it wants to feel completely safe, it needs to make it to the championship.
Baylor Bears
The Bears got a massive victory over Kansas that put them right back into the bubble conversation, and a win over third-seeded Oklahoma State will put them in a “last four in” spot.
Beating Kansas State would completely eliminate the need to sweat out the rest of the week.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
The problem for Southern Miss is that the Conference USA tournament only provides opportunity for one resume-boosting win.
And while the Golden Eagles have an impressive RPI of 36, they have zero wins in the top 50 and just one in the top 75. The only thing that is truly going to improve their resume is a win over Memphis, which would come in the championship.
It’s 3-0 or bust for Southern Miss.
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2013 March Madness Bubble Watch: Latest Odds on Fringe Teams for Week of Mar. 4
Let the Madness begin.
March is officially here, and as such, the NCAA tournament picture is beginning to clear up with many teams “clinching” their spots in the Big Dance, and many, well, clinching their spots in the NIT and CBI.
That being said, with conference tournaments just around the corner, every school still has at least a sliver of hope, and there are still plenty of unforeseen twists and turns ahead on the bracketology horizon.
Let’s take a look at where every tourney hopeful sits as the final week of the regular season gets underway.
Note: All RPI and strength of schedule numbers come from BBState.com. Those numbers will vary slightly depending on where you look.
Also note: All stats and numbers are from games up until March 5.
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NBA Trade Deadline 2013: Fringe Contenders Most in Need of a Big Shakeup
The trade deadline is always a period of evaluation for teams throughout the NBA.
It’s a time to reflect on whether you have what it takes to do damage in the playoffs or whether you need to build up for next season. Sometimes teams change their philosophies entirely after the All-Star break.
While the league may be rather quiet before the Feb. 21 trade deadline this season, here’s a look at the playoff contenders who need to shake things up.
Boston Celtics (28-24)
With Rajon Rondo lost for the season, it’s time to turn the page in Boston.
Ideally, the Celtics would receive some bright young players for both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, but it’s still unclear whether Boston will be able to deal either one of them.
The Celtics aren’t making a title run this season without Rondo. They went on an 8-1 run to close off the first half of the season with Rondo absent from the lineup, but it’s hard to imagine them keeping that up down the stretch, especially with an older team.
Milwaukee Bucks (26-25)
The Bucks may deal guard Monta Ellis before the trade deadline on Feb. 21 (according to The Journal Times), and it may be for the best.
There are limitations with the Bucks’ backcourt of Ellis and Brandon Jennings. The 6’3″, 185-pound Ellis has historically had a tough time defending bigger 2-guards throughout his career.
Essentially, the Bucks are discovering what the Golden State Warriors discovered with Ellis and Stephen Curry in the backcourt.
The Bucks, at 26-25, are barely holding on to the last seed in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta Hawks (29-22)
The Atlanta Hawks are 29-22, holding the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. It’s fitting, given they always seem to be the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
See where I’m going with this?
The Hawks have been good enough to make the playoffs the past few years, but they don’t do a whole lot once they get there. They’ve been to the postseason the past six seasons but have never advanced past the conference semifinals. They fell in the first round last season.
The trade of Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets last season was the beginning. Dealing Josh Smith seems to be the modus operandi for Atlanta before the trade deadline this season.
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Daryl Morey Turned Houston Rockets from Fringe Contender to Future Powerhouse
The Houston Rockets have greatly exceeded expectations this season and currently seem a likely playoff team in the Western Conference. Houston has thrived this season based on its lethal up-tempo offense, but its questionable performance in other major categories ensures that this team’s chances of a deep playoff run are slim.
However, Rockets fans have much to look forward to in coming years, as this Houston team has the makeup of a potential powerhouse due to its depth and versatility and, perhaps most importantly, superstar talent.
Just take a look at recent title winners like the Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. Among other things, one trait those teams all shared was the presence of an elite shooting guard in the lineup.
In an age where shooting guard is the shallowest position in basketball, the Rockets are blessed to have a superstar talent in James Harden. Harden’s top-shelf abilities as both a scorer and distributor set him apart from most of his peers, and Houston will benefit greatly going forward from his ability to create offensively.
The Rockets are also fortunate to have a number of outstanding players signed to very affordable contracts.
Chandler Parsons, one of the best all-around small forwards in basketball, currently earns under $1 million per year while putting up excellent numbers for Houston. With all of this financial flexibility, Daryl Morey should be able to land another major piece in the near future, which should push the Rockets even closer to becoming a true threat to powerhouses like the Heat and OKC Thunder.
However, Houston is still miles away from contender status, and landing another star player won’t be enough to make this team a powerhouse. The Rockets have been stuck for years in a sort of limbo as a pretty good, but not really good, club. Talent alone cannot push this team out of that black hole.
But there is plenty of reason for hope; as frustrating as it may be now, Houston fans should take solace in the fact that their team has managed to be so competitive while playing defense akin to that of a high school JV team.
Among a myriad of problems with the Rockets’ current roster, the horrendous defense stands paramount. The Rockets currently rank as the second worst defense in the league, a glaring flaw that has been masked only by Houston’s dominant offense.
The defensive issues are not due to any lack of talent, as the Rockets have a number of strong individual defenders and plenty of size. Rather, the poor coaching and inexcusable lack of emphasis on the defensive end have kept this team from consistently getting stops.
While Kevin McHale’s offensive brilliance is reason enough to keep him aboard, Houston’s front office must look to upgrade the defense by finding more defensive minded assistant coaches. Tom Thibodeau did wonders for the champion Boston Celtics during his time as an assistant coach for the club, and the Rockets would be wise to look for a similarly gifted defensive ace.
This team has the depth, superstar talent, financial flexibility and scoring prowess to become a powerhouse. All it needs is experience, continued growth and a high-dosage shot of defensive intensity, preferably aimed at the coaching staff.
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NBA Trade Deadline 2013: Fringe Playoff Teams That Should Make Moves
The NBA trade deadline is nearly here for the 2012-13 season. Certain fringe playoff contenders are struggling to hang on, and should definitely make big splashes prior to the Feb. 21 ultimatum.
The leverage that surefire contenders bring to the table makes the market shrink, and may force the hand of GMs thinking they need just one more piece to complete a potential championship puzzle. Such circumstances should lend to an action-packed adventure of big-name swaps.
Here are two teams from each conference that need to take a plunge before next Thursday in order to enhance their team’s immediate and long-term title hopes.
Houston Rockets
Defense doesn’t always win championships, but more often than not, it does. In any event, having defense is better than not having it—and the Rockets don’t have it.
Houston may be the second-highest scoring team in the NBA, but it allows the second-most points to offset that. Trading baskets won’t be easy to do against the conference’s elite teams in Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
There haven’t really been any signs of improvement on that end of the floor, mostly because of the lackluster perimeter defense and a slew of power forwards that are assets on offense but too soft on the defensive end.
The Rockets would greatly benefit from an imposing post presence on the inside that could play strong interior defense and allow Houston’s athletic swing men to contest shots when the ball is passed out of the lane.
Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD.com broke news that the Rockets love Memphis Grizzlies PF Zach Randolph, who would undoubtedly be a great fit:
However, that was before Memphis traded away Rudy Gay to the Toronto Raptors. But while the circumstances have changed, that bit of information did show that the Rockets are in the market for a power forward.
Milwaukee Bucks
The backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis is explosive and fun to watch at times, but it doesn’t exactly seem to indicate a future championship.
There is also at least one team in the hunt for Ersan Ilyasova, according to Legion Sports.
That type of a return for the Bucks’ versatile, highly skilled forward would give Milwaukee more of a post presence and better rebounding on the inside. Brooks would also provide the squad with a solid role player, and the first-round pick helps build for the future.
However, having a stretch 4 like Ilyasova is a hot commodity, and the Bucks may not be willing to part with him even after using a high draft pick on former UNC standout John Henson. That above move would also not help the Bucks improve in the short-term.
Either Jennings or Ellis would be good bets to ship, since both can tend to hog the ball and Milwaukee is clinging to the No. 8 spot in the East in the midst of a four-game slide.
Pro Basketball Talk reported that the Bucks aren’t interested in trading Jennings. But with Ellis being an unrestricted free agent this summer, he is an explosive scorer that could instantly help a contender and command assets in return.
Utah Jazz
Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap have long been targets for trade speculation. There are so many possibilities for the Jazz to get in return for either of those two players.
With Enes Kanter continuing to improve at center and the same going for 2010 No. 3 overall pick Derrick Favors at power forward, Utah suddenly has flexibility in the front court.
That is a big key, considering the backcourt is largely void of premier talent. Mo Williams was having a surprisingly good year in his second stint with the team that drafted him, but has been out since late December with a thumb injury.
Beyond him, the Jazz only have the likes of Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson running the point, which isn’t exactly an ideal situation.
Jefferson has already been linked to the San Antonio Spurs and more recently Phoenix Suns, along with teammate Gordon Hayward (h/t Hoops-Nation.com). FOX Sports’ Sam Amico reported in late January that Millsap’s potential suitors included Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Denver.
As of Tuesday, Millsap may be headed to the New York Knicks, although a straight-up trade for Iman Shumpert seems a bit on the strange side (h/t @NBARUMORS):
The market is open to make a move, and the Jazz have to do something to separate themselves in the Western Conference. Dealing one of their big men would go a long way in doing that, and look for Jefferson as the most likely to move based on recent news.
Atlanta Hawks
A lot of guards clutter this Hawks lineup, but head coach Larry Drew has done an exceptional job juggling it all.
Leading scorer Josh Smith is likely going to demand a large contract in the offseason, when he’s set to become a free agent. Holding onto him now makes no sense if GM Danny Ferry is simply going to let him walk in the summertime.
Therefore, dealing Smith makes a lot of sense, and could give the Hawks a lot of help at the power forward position. Smith doesn’t exactly fit in Atlanta, but did enjoy an extremely good January and has played well recently too.
Kennedy again is on the ball to report who is looking hard at Smith as the deadline approaches:
The San Antonio Spurs have also shown interest, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo!
There is plenty to be gained here by the Hawks. Most notably, Smith alleviates them of a significant cap hit. In a year where luxury taxes will loom large, Ferry must cut as much as he can off the books.
That added flexibility would give Atlanta a shot at landing another marquee free agent this offseason.
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2013 March Madness Bubble Watch: Latest Odds on Fringe Teams for Week of Jan. 22
It was yet another wild week in the college hoops world, and the updated bubble watch for every major team appropriately reflects that.
Oklahoma State’s spot in the Field of 68 is a lot more secure after one of the biggest wins of the year, while Kentucky is surging, Miami is pulling away from the pack in the ACC and the Big East, Pac-12 and Mountain West continue to be as muddled as ever.
The madness is heightening.
Note: All RPI and SOS figures are from ESPN.com, although the numbers may vary slightly depending on what site you look at.
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2013 March Madness Bubble Watch: Latest Odds on Fringe Teams for Week of Jan. 28
If last week didn’t get you pumped up for March Madness, I’m not exactly sure what will.
It seemed like every Top 25 team fell victim to an upset (although it’s clear at this point that parity is alive and well, and only a few of those losses weren’t “true” upsets), and as a result, the hectic outlook for March was shaken up more than a James Bond martini.
Let’s take a look at where every team stands as we near the beginning of February.
Note: Conferences are in order of ESPN’s power rankings while all RPI figures come from BBState.com.
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On Morris Almond and the Hard Knocks of Scorers on the Fringe
Morris Almond‘s NBA career to date has lasted but 34 games and less than 300 minutes. He’s bounced between the D-League, Spain, Italy and NBA training camps, with gigs of every kind in tow except for the one he’s truly chasing.
That’s because Almond is—first, foremost and always—a scorer. He eclipsed the D-League’s finest to grab scoring titles, dropped 50-point outings just because he could and built more than enough of a statistical résumé to theoretically impress scouts. Yet when those rare NBA opportunities finally did open up, the general managers that be elected to bring back retreads, big men and hustle players—the known, the projects or the low-maintenance.
Almond was never a particularly problematic player, but it seemed as though his incredible scoring marks in the D-League functioned opposite of their intent; rather than impress scouts with his ability to fill it up, skeptical NBA talent evaluators opted time and time again for more limited players with less shot-dependent games.
But finally, Almond is getting another legitimate chance. According to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside, the Washington Wizards will soon sign Almond for the remainder of the season to replace the recently released Roger Mason Jr., and although a roster spot doesn’t guarantee any actual playing time, Almond’s first NBA breakthrough since 2009 warrants mention.
One can only hope that this audition comes on different terms and that Almond—despite being a D-League call-up—is allowed to play his game. No fringe NBA player should be gifted shot attempts, but considering that scoring lies at the crux of Almond’s performance, his standing shouldn’t totally preclude him from attempting to access his most compelling pro-level skill.
After all, although there’s an ocean between NBA players and D-Leaguers in terms of pay and reputation, is there really such a profound difference between Almond and a volume-scorer like his soon-to-be teammate Jordan Crawford? The latter may be more talented and have the benefit of a pro reputation, but considering how prolific Almond has consistently been on the minor-league level, is there any specific reason to believe that he would suddenly see his scoring savvy completely neutered in the NBA?
Almond’s role wouldn’t be the same, and neither would his production. But he deserves a chance to score as he’s proven he can: as a shooter, as a creator and as a slasher. General standing simply matters far less than specific skill, even if Almond’s career to this point would suggest otherwise. It’s been a spell since Almond could legitimately call himself an NBA player, but the lines that separate scorers of his ilk from the inefficient shot-takers that populate big-league rosters is fine indeed.
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2012 NBA Draft: 5 Seniors on the Fringe of the First Round
Over the past years, underclassmen have been at the forefront of the NBA drafts. GMs and scouts salivate over the “potential” and “upside” in a kid who has been in college for a season or two.
Left in the rear-view mirror are the seniors who have given it their all over four years. Some have cemented legacies at their schools, while others have proved to be true and great winners.
In 2011, seven seniors were drafted in the first round. Of those seven, six were taken with the 21st pick or later.
The year before that, five seniors were taken in the first round. All five of those seniors were drafted with the 23rd pick or later.
It has become a common scenario for seniors to drop into the later half of the first round.
For these guys listed in the slideshow ahead, let’s hope seniors being drafted in the first round doesn’t become extinct.
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