Ranking Calipari Era players at UK based on legacy left behind
See if you agree.
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NBA Free Agents 2013: Top Players Most Likely to Re-Sign with Current Teams
The 2013 NBA free-agent class is an exciting one, with several electrifying players set to hit the open market. Several of the biggest names, though, are highly likely not to find a new destination, because sticking with their current teams is their best shot at a championship.
As the postseason continues to wind down, speculation and rumors will continue to emerge. However, there shouldn’t be much suspense regarding the following trio of impact players.
Let’s take a look at some of the best available unrestricted free agents who will generate significant interest, yet should remain in their current NBA uniforms.
Chris Paul, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
A stunning development occurred this past season—the Clippers established themselves as the best pro basketball team in the City of Angels, bettering the preeminent Lakers.
It didn’t translate to playoff success, unfortunately, which led to the team parting ways with head coach Vinny Del Negro. That was in spite of a franchise-record 56 wins during the regular season.
CBS Sports’ Ken Berger cited sources that indicated Paul’s discontent with Del Negro was a significant factor in the Clippers’ brass giving him the pink slip:
Reportedly giving a player that type of organizational pull is a testament to how much the Clippers value Paul. In an effort to keep him, no less than a max contract will be offered to the superstar point guard, and he’ll capitalize—and also likely choose his next coach.
Paul is surrounded by marquee talent, and forms a lethal combination with power forward Blake Griffin and a solid rotation with DeAndre Jordan, Caron Butler, Jamal Crawford and Eric Bledsoe—though he may leave in free agency.
As long as the Clips supply Paul with a legitimate starting 2-guard, there is no reason that he should flee town.
Kevin Martin, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder
After trading away dynamic sixth man James Harden, who became a premier star with the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City needed a shot in the arm on offense. Martin provided that off the bench this season, netting 14 points per contest.
With a previous salary of nearly $12.5 million (h/t USA Today), it’s improbable that Martin’s play will warrant that type of payday on the open market.
Martin is in a wonderful situation as a member of this Thunder squad, with cornerstones Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook still blossoming and realizing their sky-high potentials.
Royce Young of CBS Sports reported what Martin had to say recently about his future:
It appears that Martin’s best fit is in OKC, despite the fact that he could start elsewhere given his incredible shooting prowess. Walking away from this situation for more money might produce better career numbers, but no place presents a better opportunity for an NBA title.
Martin has said that chasing money at this point in his career won’t be a factor, which only enhances the case that he’ll remain with the Thunder.
David West, PF, Indiana Pacers
ESPN’s Marc Stein reports “whispers are already swirling” that the Clippers are interested in acquiring West this offseason, which would give their frontcourt a necessary boost.
It makes sense, since the two thrived together as members of the New Orleans Hornets. Especially if Paul can help lure Byron Scott, their former head coach, to Los Angeles, things could become really interesting.
Stein also notes how much West loves his situation in Indiana, too, and how LA would have to offer him a mid-level exception, as opposed to the larger sum the Pacers could muster.
Advancing to the Eastern Conference finals also helps the Pacers’ cause in retaining the crafty 32-year-old post player, because it’s a sign of tangible improvement.
The Pacers’ official Twitter page highlighted a recent comment made by West, which makes it sound as though he definitely wants to stick around the organization:
Head coach Frank Vogel has instilled a defensive identity into his squad, and it’s paying significant dividends.
From an offensive standpoint, though, few in the league are more devastating at operating off the pick-and-roll than West. His combination of size and athleticism at the 4 position creates significant matchup problems.
West is the only particularly high-priced free agent that GM Kevin Prtichard has to focus on, and he should reward the All-Star power forward with a lucrative multi-year deal.
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10 NBA Players Who Will Definitely Switch Uniforms This Offseason
This summer, an impressive class of free agents is set to hit the open market.
While the futures of superstars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul remain up in the air, there are several impending free agents who look like locks to switch uniforms this offseason.
Some would argue that the best way to build a contender is to do so through free agency. If that’s the opinion your favorite team holds, then you’re in luck.
Note: All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference and all salary figures courtesy of HoopsHype unless noted otherwise.
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10 College Basketball Teams Loaded with Experienced Players for 2013-14 Season
One senior started in the national championship game in 2013. The year before, Kentucky won the title with one senior in its rotation, and KU’s Tyshawn Taylor was the only senior to start in the title game.
The one-and-done rule has changed the way some champions are built, but given the option, coaches still want some experience. Talented experience is even better.
Kentucky’s baby burger boys will be the story in the preseason, but by March, we’ll hear plenty about the guys who have prolonged their stay.
The mid-majors who crash the party are typically chock-full of them. A few contenders among the big boys also have a good share of upperclassmen next season.
Here are 10 long-toothed rosters to keep an eye on.
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Big Ten Basketball: Ranking the Top 5 Players at Every Position
The Big Ten was college basketball’s best conference last season, and while it may not run away with that title in 2013-14, it’s going to be awfully impressive once again. One of the striking advantages the league will again boast is a remarkable balance of elite players all over the lineup, not just in its traditional frontcourt power base.
Of course, that’s not to neglect the value of bruising big men such as Michigan star Mitch McGary. The Wolverines center could easily have declared for the NBA draft after a dazzling postseason performance, but instead he’s back to help the Maize and Blue try to climb back towards a B1G title.
Read on for more on McGary and the rest of the best players in the conference, position by position. These rankings do take potential into account, but proven performance counts for a lot more (especially in this grueling league).
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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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Warriors players thank fans after elimination
One of the best things this season was to see Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the postseason. Yes, they were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night in Game 6, but this was a huge improvement for the young team. Of course, it was a delight to see a grief-stricken fanbase [...]The post Golden State Returns To Court; Steph Curry Thanks Fans (Video) appeared first on The NBA Mistress.
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Ranking the 20 Most Dominant College Basketball Players in History
While there are many college basketball players who would be considered “great” or “outstanding,” dominant players are more rare.
In fact, this past college hoops season was a good example of how there were many excellent players, but not a truly dominant player in the mix.
Dominance is more than just a review of simple statistics. While a player’s numbers are definitely a part of the equation, other factors such as team success and national award recognition also help determine how dominant a player really is.
The following is a list of the 20 most dominant college basketball players of all time.
Let’s go!
Note: Player career statistics are provided by Sports-reference.com
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NBA Playoffs 2013: Highlighting Hottest Players Left in the Field
Winning playoff games in the NBA requires a team effort, but inevitably the team that ends up winning the championship has the hottest player in the league on its side.
For the purposes of this column, we’ll be looking at the best player left in the playoffs in three different categories: hottest guard, hottest forward and hottest big man.
These players are playing excellent ball under pressure, and as a result their teams are still alive and kicking in the 2013 NBA playoffs.
Hottest Guard: Mike Conley, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
Stephen Curry was brilliant this postseason, but his Golden State Warriors couldn’t stop the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
Conley has been just as impressive for the Grizzlies, and he’s moving on to face the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.
The Grizzlies point guard has raised his game to another level during his team’s postseason run. His points (17.6), assists (7.6) and rebounds (4.8) are all up, and he’s actually turning the ball over less in the playoffs than he did during the regular season.
With an ability to create his own shot, Conley keeps defenses off balance because he can also make big plays when driving in the lane. He can beat teams by scoring inside, but he’s equally adept at hitting open teammates outside when the defense sucks into the lane to stop him.
As good as Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have been, Conley is the catalyst for Memphis’ postseason success.
Honorary Mention: Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs
Hottest Forward: LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat
As if any other forward could possibly be ahead of James right now…
Truth be told, no other player compares to James at any position. He’s simply the best player in the world, and he’s been phenomenal during the playoffs this year for the Heat.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls specifically game-planned against James. They tried to clog up the lane and force him to rely on his teammates, but he still managed to have his way on the offensive end more often than not.
James is averaging 24 points, 7.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. He’s hitting nearly 52 percent of all his field-goal attempts, which is remarkable for a player who shoots as many outside shots as he does.
The most impressive aspect of James’ game these days, however, is his ability to dominate on the defensive side. He’s a formidable presence in the paint, can run down anyone from behind on fast breaks and is adept at getting into passing lanes for timely steals.
Nobody compares to James right now, and it appears he’s ready to win another championship in 2013.
Honorable Mention: Carmelo Anthony, SF, New York Knicks
Hottest Big Man: Tim Duncan, PF, San Antonio Spurs
It’s hard to believe that Duncan is still capable of playing at such a high level at his age. Duncan is 37 years old, but he’s outplaying young men who are darn near half his age.
Even on nights when Duncan isn’t hitting his shots, he seems to somehow conjure up 16-plus points and 10 rebounds. To this point in the playoffs, “The Big Fundamental” is putting up 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, one block and one steal per game.
Watching the old man perform with such consistency from night to night is a study in perfect mechanics and peerless character. He’s always in the right place at the right time, always stays respectful of his opponents and the referees and still takes instruction as if he were a rookie.
He’s a dominant presence on both ends of the court, and until he retires, the Spurs will be a title contender every single year.
Honorable Mention: Zach Randolph, PF, Memphis Grizzlies
Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78
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Ranking the 10 NCAA Basketball Players with Most Complete Offensive Skill Sets
My generation grew up rooting for Jordan to go for 60 every night, and we weren’t happy when Tony Kucok decided he should start shooting. It was just more fun to watch Jordan try to shake someone off the dribble or hit one of those patented fadeaway turnaround jumpers or drive baseline and dunk on Patrick Ewing. Watching Jordan with the ball was a clinic.
Few college players make it into the “pass him the ball so we can watch him score” list. The game is more about motion offenses and the coaches are the stars, but a few of these guys exist. Some don’t even realize they have the skill set to be dominant scorers.
Here are 10 guys worth watching every time they touch the ball next season. Set your DVRs accordingly.
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