Moving On Up: Wizards Land 3rd Overall Pick
Exactly Last night at approximately 8:47 PM the Washington Wizards finally had a break go their way. When Adam Silver announced that the Detroit Pistons would be selecting 8th overall instead of the Wizards, a ton of excitement and and quite a bit of relief rushed over Wiz fans everywhere. It was exciting to move up in the top 3 of the draft, and a relief that Washington wouldn’t be selecting from the scraps of the lottery prospects come June 27th. Last night was the definition of a moral victory. And there is no better way to celebrate that moral victory than with a nice music video! The Wizards didn’t land the 1st overall selection, but I don’t think you’ll hear any fan complain about drafting 3rd. Not only does it give the Wizards a better chance to land a more quality talent, but increases the pick’s trade value if Grunfeld decides to wheel and deal. At this moment in time one thing is for certain: The Wizards own the 3rd, 37th, and the 54th picks in the 2013 draft. We all know …
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Theo Pinson to UNC: Tar Heels Land 5-Star Prospect
Theo Pinson, one of the most skilled basketball players in the Class of 2014, has reached a decision on where he will play at the next level.
According to ESPN’s Dave Telep, Pinson will be taking his talents to the University of North Carolina:
He made the announcement at his high school, Wesleyan Christian Academy, Wednesday afternoon:
Considering Pinson’s junior season just wrapped up, it’s a bit surprising that he was willing to commit to the Tar Heels at this juncture. However, it seems that he just fell in love with the program and wanted to avoid a long, drawn-out recruiting process.
Coach Roy Williams certainly isn’t going to complain, as he was able to convince this 5-star swingman to take his talents to Chapel Hill, despite some strong competition.
A number of high-profile college basketball blue bloods had the No. 12 recruit in the 2014 class in their sights, but he felt UNC was the best choice.
ESPN’s Dave Telep listed Indiana, Duke, Louisville and Georgetown as four other possible destinations Pinson was considering, with IU widely expected to land the star recruit:
While he couldn’t lose by picking any of the other prestigious universities on his short list, the Greensboro, N.C., native is a great fit with North Carolina.
Pinson is a natural scorer that isn’t afraid to fire away, knowing full well that he’s often the best player on the court. Whether he’s bombing away from deep or slashing to the rim, the youngster always finds a way to get his buckets.
However, he’s by no means a selfish player. Pinson is a top-notch facilitator that loves to kick it to open teammates and is capable of making some flashy passes to deliver the rock.
Add in the fact that this kid grades out as an elite athlete, hard-nosed defender and relentless worker and you have the recipe for a perfect Tar Heels recruit.
The 6’6”, 190-pound star has to work on his handle and extending his shot out to the NBA three-point line, but should have no problem picking up those skills during his time under coach Williams next year.
Tar Heels fans are going to have to wait over a year to watch this elite prospect star on the hardwood at the Dean Smith Center, but it seems Pinson will be well worth the hype and anticipation.
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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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7 NBA Teams Primed to Land a Star in 2013 NBA Offseason
Come July 1, 2013, at least two franchise-changing NBA players will hit the market as unrestricted free agents.
Chris Paul and Dwight Howard may end up re-signing with their respective Los Angeles franchises, but nearly one-third of the league’s teams are positioned to woo them away.
For the teams that miss out on Dwight and CP3 in free agency, Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, David West and Brandon Jennings remain as potential impact additions, among other big names.
Some teams will assuredly preserve their cap space with an eye toward the summer of 2014, where LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant could all reach free agency. That may turn the free-agent class of 2013 into the calm before the storm, contractually speaking.
But some teams, with nearly $30 million in potential cap space available this summer, won’t have a choice other than to spend some of that money on free agents.
Based on projected cap space available, seven teams stand out as the major non-Los Angeles threats to land a star 2013 free agent.
Note: All player and team salary information comes from either Basketball-Reference or HoopsHype, unless noted otherwise. All projected cap space calculations are my own and assume a $60 million salary cap for the 2013-14 season.
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2013 NBA Mock Draft: Assessing Where Each Prospect Will Land Before Combine
The NBA combine has always been a place for prospects to raise (or lower) their stocks. So much of the evaluation process is predicated on how a prospect will translate to the bigger and badder NBA, so it’s not a surprise when the athletically gifted rise up draft boards after the combine.
The 2013 NBA combine begins today at Attack Athletics in Chicago, showcasing some of the best prospects in the country. Future NBA talent will undoubtedly rise and fall based on their combine workouts. Some lesser-known prospects have more to gain from the combine.
Here’s my latest 2013 NBA mock draft before the combine gets underway.
1. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
Nerlens Noel tore his ACL in February, but he’s expected to make a full recovery. Noel has the potential to become the best NBA player in this class, displaying excellent rebounding and shot-blocking ability at Kentucky.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
Ben McLemore showed bouts of inconsistency at Kansas, but he’s still young at 20 years of age. His scoring ability could make him a star at the next level. The Bobcats need just about everything right now.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
Otto Porter would be a great complement to the young backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters in Cleveland. He can be a difference-maker on both offense and defense and he can play off the ball.
4. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
The Suns need an identity right now. They also need a leader. Victor Oladipo is a born leader. He’s also a dynamic defender whose offensive game has grown by leaps and bounds in the past year.
5. New Orleans Pelicans: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
The Pelicans have a big hole at small forward. While Shabazz Muhammad is raw, his athleticism and explosiveness certainly translate to the NBA, and you know the dedicated prospect is going to work hard on his game. The Golden State Warriors drafted a small forward at No. 7 overall in the 2012 draft who was considered a reach by some. How is Harrison Barnes working out for them now?
6. Sacramento Kings: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
The Kings are in great need of a floor general. A lot has been made about Trey Burke’s scoring ability, but he differs from Isaiah Thomas and Tyreke Evans in that he’s also an all-around point guard. He would be the ideal pick for Sacramento.
7. Detroit Pistons: Anthony Bennett, F, UNLV
Anthony Bennett just had rotator cuff surgery, but you can’t deny his upside is through the roof. His versatility, athleticism and power would be a nice addition to the Pistons’ frontcourt.
8. Washington Wizards: Alex Len, C, Maryland
Len is just coming off ankle surgery, but his athleticism, versatile offensive game, rebounding, shot-blocking ability and passing skills are hard to pass up. He’s only 19 years old, with plenty of room to grow.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh
C.J. McCollum shot 51 percent from beyond the arc last season. Scoring ability, this kid has. But don’t ask me, ask Duke circa March 2012. The Timberwolves need someone to space the floor next to Ricky Rubio. McCollum would be an excellent pick in that regard.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
The Trail Blazers could use a weapon off the bench. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is quickly rising up draft boards, given his deadly shooting from long distance and his pesky defense.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana
After the disastrous trade for Andrew Bynum, the 76ers are in need of a young center to potentially develop into a high-impact player. Cody Zeller needs to add strength so he’s not pushed around in the NBA, but he has a nice set of offensive skills, he’s quick for his size and he can find open teammates.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Raptors): Gorgui Dieng, C, Lousville
Gorgui Dieng showed improvement in his offensive game down the stretch for Louisville in the 2013 NCAA tournament. He possesses the athleticism, rebounding, shot-blocking ability and passing to add to the Thunder’s frontcourt.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
This would be a nice landing spot for Michael Carter-Williams, indicative of his place in the pecking order this year. He’s raw and he showed bouts of inconsistency at Syracuse, but he’s a true point guard who will be a pesky defender right away for the Mavericks. He could succeed Darren Collison eventually.
14. Utah Jazz: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State
The Jazz are about as prepared as they can be if they lose big men Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap this summer. They have two young, talented players in Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors to build around. Utah would be wise to add a slasher like Jamaal Franklin, whose passion for the game tends to spread to his teammates.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Glen Rice Jr., SG, Georgia Tech
The Bucks have several swing players headed for free agency this summer. Glen Rice Jr., named to the NBA’s D-League All-Rookie Second Team this season, has developed a nice overall game. He averaged 25 points, 9.5 rebounds. 4.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals in the playoffs en route to leading the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to the title this season. He’s a nuisance on the defense end. He also has the bloodlines, as the son of Glen Rice.
16. Boston Celtics: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
There will be more talent in the frontcourt than the backcourt for the Celtics by the time they are on the clock. There are concerns about Kelly Olynyk‘s toughness and he’s not a great defender, but as an offensive weapon, Olynyk makes sense. Plus, you would think Doc Rivers and company will work with Olynyk on his defense.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Greece
I’m a big fan of Giannis Adetokunbo. His skill set draws comparisons to Scottie Pippen, given his fluidity driving to the hoop, passing skills and vision. With Josh Smith likely headed out of Atlanta, the 19-year-old could pay off in a big way for the Hawks with some grooming.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Rudy Gobert, PF, France
At 7’1″, 220 pounds, Rudy Gobert needs to add strength, but his length (a ridiculous 7’9″ wingspan), explosiveness and rebounding ability make him one of my favorite international prospects in the class. He’s 20 years old and getting better. He could grow alongside Adetokunbo.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Finding a physical, low-post player to go along with Otto Porter would be a great way to put a stamp on the first round for Cleveland. Steven Adams has NBA-level size and athleticism for the position and he’s a monster on the glass. His offensive game needs a good deal of work, but learning under veteran Anderson Varejao’s wing would be the perfect fit.
20. Chicago Bulls: Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia
It seems like every year I do a mock draft for the Bulls, their greatest need is outside shooting. That hasn’t changed this year. The Bulls ranked 20th in three-point shooting in 2012-13. Sergey Karasev shot 49 percent from downtown for the Triumph in the Eurocup in 2012-13, via EuroBasket.com. He’s also a smart player I could see coach Tom Thibodeau liking.
21. Utah Jazz (via Warriors): Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (FL)
I’m a big believer in Shane Larkin. At 5’11″, critics talk about his lack of size, but I think he can defy the odds. He can shoot, get into the lane, rack up steals and he understands the game. As the son of former MLB star Barry Larkin, he also has the pedigree. The Jazz need more consistent playmaking ability.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke
The Nets would obviously like to add a sharp-shooter like Karasev, but with him off the board, adding depth to the frontcourt would be a nice move. Plumlee has the athleticism, quickness and rebounding ability to be an asset in the pros.
23. Indiana Pacers: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Dennis Schroeder could be a name we look back on in a few years as one of the best steals in the draft. Not only does he have impressive vision running the point, but his measurables also stack up to the NBA. His combination of athleticism, length and quickness should make him a favorite at the combine. Schroeder could be a great backup for George Hill.
24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
The Knicks are getting old in the frontcourt. They need to find a post defender for the future. Jeff Withey was a shot-blocking machine at Kansas, and he has the size and rebounding ability to translate nicely to the NBA. Withey may never be a star in the NBA, but I expect him to be a solid, dependable pro.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor
Pierre Jackson is another player who stands to benefit from the combine. Like Larkin, there are questions about his size, but he’s drawn comparisons to Nate Robinson given his out-of-this-world explosiveness and speed. Eric Bledsoe may depart in the summer for more money. Jackson would be a logical replacement on the bench.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia
I’m a bit less excited about Dario Saric than a lot of draft experts. He needs to add strength, he needs to improve his jump shot and he doesn’t have top-notch athleticism. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like him. At 19 years of age, he still has plenty of upside. His ability to play point-forward at 6’10″ is hard to ignore. The Timberwolves’ international scouting department is widely respected throughout the NBA. I find it hard to believe they’d pass up Saric here.
27. Denver Nuggets: Allen Crabbe, SG, Cal
The Nuggets will be jumping for joy if Allen Crabbe lands to them at No. 27 overall. Their lack of outside shooting was exposed against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs this season. Crabbe is a dynamic deep threat who can light it up. He shot 38 percent from downtown during his career at Cal.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Alex Abrines, SG, Spain
Alex Abrines will need to add strength, but he’s a dynamic scorer who has earned minutes this season despite being on one of the best teams in Europe. The 20-year-old has the shooting ability and athleticism to find a spot on San Antonio’s aging roster.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricardo Ledo, PG, Providence
Ricardo Ledo was lauded as one of the nation’s top scorers in 2011-12 before being ruled academically ineligible for the 2012-13 campaign. Ledo is a combo guard who understands the game and gets into the paint with regularity. Adding some depth in the backcourt wouldn’t be a bad idea for Oklahoma City.
30. Phoenix Suns (via Heat): Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky
It’s all about projection with Archie Goodwin. He’s very raw at 18 years of age, but he has the size, length, athleticism, fluidity and finishing ability to eventually be a solid pro. Phoenix won’t be a title contender anytime soon, so the squad can wait for Goodwin to develop.
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Houston Rockets: Can Rockets Land Dwight Howard in the Offseason?
If last season wasn’t enough, NBA fans will once again be relegated to the exhausting storylines of Dwight Howard‘s impending availability in free agency. While the majority seem to be assured he will re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, given their legacy and commitment to centering their future around him, there remains the possibility he will walk.
It wouldn’t be a surprise given Howard’s indecisiveness around the time of his departure with the Orlando Magic, so it’s certainly viable the same will arise in July. The Brooklyn Nets are sure to be on Howard’s radar, yet so should the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets surprised everybody this season, not only swooping in and acquiring James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder amidst their contractual conflicts, but surging into the playoff race—now just a game back from the sixth seed Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference.
Head coach Kevin McHale has an efficient, fast-paced offense in place, which is perfectly suited for the roster. As seen with the Lakers this season, coaching plays a major role and McHale has done a superb job that should have him as a favorite for Coach of the Year.
Harden has come into his own this season, scoring a mighty 26 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting. His 37.4 and 85.8 clip from three and from the free-throw line respectively confirms Harden’s place as one of the league’s top shooters and offensive players.
He gets to the line 10.1 times per game, which leads the league and serves as evidence of his skilled ball-handling and ability to get to the rim. Harden also averages 4.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Many perceived a ball-dominant backcourt of Harden and Jeremy Lin to be mostly inefficient. However, they’ve been everything but. The duo is a little accustomed to turning the ball over, but still keep the Houston offense running well.
The Rockets have a great frontcourt of Omer Asik and Thomas Robinson, with the latter sure to be a star in the future. Many forget he was taken fifth overall in this season’s draft, and is putting up 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in just 13.4 minutes with Houston thus far.
Asik‘s dominance on the boards—second in rebounds per 48 minutes—with 11.6 per game has him in the middle for the Rockets, and a physical force on defense. He is somewhat foul-prone, but still manages to be effective.
Finally there is Chandler Parsons, who may very well be one of the biggest draft-day steals in recent memory. His 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season would lead you to believe him to be at least a lottery pick, but taken 38th overall in 2011 displays a misconception about Parsons’ ability.
He’s arguably the Rockets’ second-best player after Harden, and his all-around improvement from last season should have him as a realistic candidate for Most Improved Player.
While the aforementioned few paragraphs appear as a mere summary of the Houston Rockets’ notable prospects, they also serve as elements of conviction for Howard.
If he truly wishes to contend for a championship, re-signing with the Lakers may not be his best choice. An aging Kobe Bryant, who clearly still has much left in the tank, is a great teammate right now, however his future is ultimately unclear if he’ll retire or continue playing.
Pau Gasol will turn 33 in July, and Steve Nash is already 39 years old, yet both will be under contract next season—with Nash reaching the final year of his contract in the 2014-15 season. The future of the Lakers is very murky, and it will need much clarification before Howard will decide to jump back onboard.
L.A. has mentioned being committed to Howard on multiple occasions, and they view him as the future of the franchise. There’s no denying such a statement, although it is more a question of when that time comes. Turning to Houston would give Howard that opportunity right away.
Harden turn 24s in August and would make for a dynamic long-term guard for Howard to play alongside. Signing a maximum-level deal with Los Angeles would eventually see the 6’11″ center as the sole star for the Lakers. The pressure and expectations of donning a Lakers uniform are monumental, and seemed to affect Howard early on.
Howard’s ability to lead has always been questioned, however, he displayed such an ability as the Magic stormed through the Eastern Conference to meet the Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals. He put up dominant numbers against Cleveland and Philadelphia—both teams without big men to counter Howard—yet struggled when facing Boston and Los Angeles.
His desire to be “the man” of his own team is unclear, as Howard’s demands to be traded to Brooklyn last season would present a situation of Howard and Deron Williams sharing the spotlight. If he holds the same attitude in terms of understanding he needs more to win, Howard should consider Houston.
A Harden-Howard one-two punch in a pick-and-roll would be absolutely devastating, inclusive of the fact that Lin and Parsons could spot-up on the wing. A frontcourt of Howard and Asik would be interesting, despite being offensively limited but very potent on the boards and on defense.
Having Robinson come off the bench as he currently does poses no issues thus far, so keeping him the same role would be beneficial to both parties. Robinson might become frustrated at being taken so high, only to receive a limited role, thus he could be included in a sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers to acquire Howard.
To top it all off, Houston currently employs one of the greatest low-post scorers in NBA history in McHale. Under his tutelage, Howard may very well make that leap and become a dominant offensive force that would make him a more complete player.
He’s still just 27 years old, and will soon be entering his prime. Doing so in a Rockets uniform would pay major dividends for all parties involved.
According to Hoops Hype, the Rockets will have approximately $33.2 million on the payroll next season. Howard is on the last year of his deal, which pays him $19.2 million this season. If Houston can present a similar offer, that would push their total salary cap to a little over $52.5 million.
Considering the salary-cap limit is around $58 million this season, it’s likely the same amount will be set for next year. With a $52.5 million payroll, the Rockets would still have around $5 million to add complementary role players, in addition to their mid-level exception that allows the cap limit to be exceeded.
The luxury tax limit (set at $70.3 million this season) will likely remain as it has in recent years. However, the Rockets’ payroll would not come close. They would have two All-Star players, who would play off each other very well and an abundance of role players to contribute.
The only glaring roadblock in this projection is the “poison-pill” contracts of Lin and Asik, which pays each of them $14.8 million in the 2014-15 season. A time will come for the Rockets to make a decision regarding both players. However, it doesn’t impede on the potential Howard signing this year.
A mass of Houston fans will ultimately groan at the possibility of Howard joining their squad, especially considering how poorly he is regarded in the public eye. His contributions on the court—16.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks this season—are clear however, and should outweigh any personal gripes of his personality or behaviour.
Howard would make any team instantly better, even more so when he is 100 percent healthy. His back and shoulders are clearly still hindering his play, but an offseason of rest and rehabilitation will do wonders for the big man.
It will ultimately be the biggest storyline of the offseason, as teams across the league will throw their hat in the ring and bid for Howard’s services. Being an unrestricted free agent, it will be up to Howard to decide where he will continue his career. Joining the Houston Rockets would create a powerhouse in the Southwest Division, let alone in the Western Conference.
Fans will roll their eyes at the numerous speculated reports come July, but Houston fans should remain hopeful, as the future of their franchise would be all that much brighter with Howard in the middle.
All information sourced from espn.com/nba/statistics, hoopshype.com and cbafaq.com/salarycap.
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McGee, mother land reality show
Are you ready to see Denver Nuggets JaVale McGee on reality TV? Well get ready, the Nuggets big man and his mother, former WNBA player Pamela McGee will be featured on Oprah’s network, OWN, in a new reality show about the relationship between the two titled “Millionaire Mama’s Boy.” You read right. Check the details: Millionaire Mama’s Boy follows the relationship between former WNBA basketball star Pamela McGee and her 25-year-old son, Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee. The Sony TV series is executive produced by Pete Tartaglia and Amy Palmer Robertson. I am so HERE for this. Let me explain why. 1. How many times have we seen a former WNBA player and their NBA son together on TV? 2. The personalities of JaVale and Pam; he sort of goofy but extremely intelligent, Pam very intense, will be an interesting dynamic to play out on air. 3. There are so many athletes who have dominant mothers in their lives, I’m curious to see if they will showcase how this plays out with his love life a…
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Who will land the UCLA coaching job? A list of potential hires
The next UCLA coach faces a lot of challenges.
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Dwayne Morgan to UNLV: Rebels Land 5-Star Forward Prospect
UNLV secured its first commit for the 2014 class, and it was a big one.
Dwayne Morgan, the 6’7″ Baltimore St. Frances forward, chose the Running Rebels over Georgetown and Maryland during during a press conference held at his school. Zags Blog passed along the news.
Morgan went for 17.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and four blocks this past season. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, he is the 22nd-best overall recruit and the seventh-best small forward in his class.
With a long wingspan, Morgan plays even taller than his 6’7″ frame. He is lean at 180 pounds and will have to add bulk to be truly elite, but that should come with time.
Morgan is very athletic. He can finish with authority around the rim and is also capable of blocking shots. His handles are decent as well, and because of his quick first step, he is able to to get to the rim with consistency. This is a nice complement to his excellent jump shot.
Defenders can’t play off of Morgan for the drive, as he has legitimate three-point range. With a high, smooth release, his shot is difficult to disrupt.
Morgan’s lack of strength will initially hurt him on defense, and he will have to work more on his ball-handling to prevent smaller small forwards from stripping him as he drives to the rack.
ESPN’s Dave Telep reports there are some injury concerns about Morgan, as he missed some time early this past season with tendinitis.
Still, that is about it for concerns over this competitive player, and his ceiling is through the roof.
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Tubby Smith Fired: Will Minnesota Shoot the Moon and Land VCU’s Shaka Smart?
Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague canned Tubby Smith on Monday, and the move could either bring “Havoc” or havoc to Minneapolis.
The first Havoc is that of Shaka Smart, the golden boy coach whom Teague discovered and hired at Virginia Commonwealth four years ago.
The second scenario is if Smart turns his old boss down, this could be a bad look for Minnesota.
Teague is clearly taking a gamble that his relationship with Smart will pay off. Smart was an unknown 31-year-old assistant at Florida in 2009 and probably does owe Teague for giving him a chance.
When Teague left VCU for Minnesota in April 2012, Smart said (via the Richmond Times-Dispatch) that Teague “had a profound effect on my life and career. He took an interest in me as a young assistant coach, gave me a phenomenal opportunity at VCU, and wholeheartedly supported us every step of the way over the past three years.
“He demonstrated an uncommon loyalty and genuine care for me as a coach and as a person. Norwood is a terrific communicator who has a fantastic way with people. He will find great success at Minnesota.”
That’s nice and all, but how much does loyalty really matter in college athletics anymore?
Smart, to his credit, has been loyal to VCU and has turned down higher-profile jobs to remain at the small school. On the surface, this looks like loyalty. In reality, it was a wise move by Smart to continue to put up great results in a smaller conference while he waited for that perfect job to open up.
That perfect job could be UCLA, and that’s who Teague will likely be battling for Smart’s services over the next week or two.
Smart could go to UCLA, a national brand that appeals to recruits, and have all the resources he needs to be successful. Or he could go fight in the Big Ten at a school without a practice facility. But hey, his good buddy is there!
Smart money is on the Bruins.
What Teague is doing with Minnesota’s money will be a question that he has to answer if he swings and misses with his old flame.
Minnesota has to pay Smith a $2.5 million buyout, a number that balloons to $3.35 million when a few extra incentives are added in, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. That number would have been only $1.5 million if Teague had not given Smith an extension last summer after the Gophers finished 6-12 in the Big Ten for the second straight season.
The fact that Minnesota is now moving on from Smith is not all that shocking. The fanbase was growing restless as the Gophers seemed to consistently underachieve. They also never finished above sixth place in the Big Ten during Smith’s six seasons in Minneapolis.
Smart would give the program new life. He would excite any fanbase, especially Minnesota’s.
Teague was visionary in hiring Smart, and could make the right call again. Mike Ellis, who followed Teague to Minnesota, helped start Villa 7 at VCU, a program that each year brings together top assistant coaches and athletic directors. That’s where Teague discovered Smart.
Teague and Ellis have always been out ahead trying to find the next big thing in coaching, and hopefully they are banking on themselves being able to do that again.
But if it’s Smart that Teague wants and believes he can land, he should take a step back and ask himself what he would tell Smart if another middle-of-the-pack Big Ten school and UCLA both came calling.
He’s not going to like the answer.
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