Cleveland Cavaliers Win NBA Lottery, What Should They Do Now?
Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a choice to make. A few of them, actually.
The Cavs jumped up two spots in Tuesday night’s NBA draft lottery to snag the No. 1 pick. The surprising good luck—thanks, Nick Gilbert!—has Cleveland in a fortuitous position: they have their choice of young players to add to their already young core, or they could look to move the pick for an established All-Star type player.
Let’s say Cleveland keeps its pick, which is probably the likeliest scenario.
Nerlens Noel is the obvious pick, and while Chris Grant will do his due diligence, there’s a couple of factors pointing strongly toward the freshman from Kentucky, chief among them Mike Brown.
Brown is, above everything, a defensive coach. He is fully aware of just how awful Cleveland was on that end of the court a year ago, and I would imagine his first priority would be improving one of the league’s most porous defenses.
Their guards struggled to make consistent rotations and keep the ball in front of them, but the major problem was protecting the paint. Opposing teams shot 62.5 percent from within five feet against Cleveland, the third-worst mark in the league. Cleveland doesn’t have a single player on its roster that can challenge a shot at the rim.
Enter Nerlens, a shot-blocking maven. If he’s going to contribute anything at all during his rookie season, it will be on defense, primarily blocking and altering shots. Brown has to be giddy that he can plug in a rookie who will help to solve his defense’s most glaring issue almost immediately.
Beyond that, it’s not unreasonable that he can live on putbacks and pick-and-roll dunks, and if he puts on a few more pounds, he could possibly be a healthier and more offensive Tyson Chandler. There’s more to like right off the bat than you think.
There’s an argument to be made for drafting Otto Porter, who’s the ideal 3 for Cleveland’s roster, but effective swingmen are much more plentiful in the draft (maybe even with the 19th pick) than a 6’11″ shot-blocking pogo stick.
But Grant has made it clear that drafting Noel, or even keeping the pick, is not a lock. Cleveland will explore all its options, and that includes trading the No. 1 overall pick.
If they were to pull the trigger on a deal of that caliber, what would be a fair, or more importantly, a smart return? Cleveland was recently linked to LaMarcus Aldrige, so perhaps they’d revisit that deal. DeMarcus Cousins is available, but he’s pretty much confirmed any and all headcase suspicions. Al Horford could also be acquired if Atlanta whiffs on the D12/CP3 dream signing.
Those are three talented bigs, but they’re also expensive. Is it worth tying up all future cap flexibility for one of them? I don’t think so. There’s only one name that really intrigues me: Kevin Love.
If Minnesota were to make him available, Cleveland has to pull the trigger. There’s no question marks with Love. He’s a legit All-Star, a relentless rebounder who has three-point range and proven chemistry with Uncle Drew. Could you imagine pairing him with Anderson Varejao? How many rebounds would they get? All the rebounds, that’s how many.
As things stand right now, there’s really only two options: Noel or Love.
Whatever he does, this quote will help me sleep easier at night, courtesy of Cleveland.com:
“We certainly think about that. And it is important,” Grant said of veteran help. “But at the same time, when you have the ability to add very good young talent to your roster that can grow and flourish, and you add that to the other guys you have, it gives you an opportunity to build something that’s sustainable long-term.”
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
View full post on Bleacher Report – NBA
Knicks say they need time, not an overhaul (Yahoo! Sports)
GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Some of the players were old, though the New York Knicks say their team is young in its development.
View full post on Yahoo! Sports – NBA News
After battling the Clippers and Thunder vigorously, the Memphis Grizzlies proved that they are ready to contend for anNBA title.
The only problem standing in their way, is the most complete team left in the western conference; the San Antonio Spurs.Though the Spurs struggled against the hot shooters in Golden State, they made the correct adjustments and overcame a much younger more athletic team. In part due to Danny green and Kawhi Leonard, the young stars were phenomenal in defending both Curry and Thompson. It is because of these rising players that the spurs will have the advantage.
The season series was split 2-2, but neither team was complete for any of the four games. This series will showcase both teams at full strength. The Grizzlies and DPOY Marc Gasol, versus Tony Parker Tim Duncan and a lethal team of young stars.
At 6’7 Leonard has the size and wing span to disrupt shooters and he as physical as most when it comes to rebounding. He is resilient and shows a knack for locking down players. He will be needed to contain Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince, if Leonardcan continue to develop…
View full post on Yardbarker: NBA
10 Fantastic College Basketball Coaches Who Don’t Get the Credit They Deserve
Sometimes, having success is not enough for college basketball coaches to gain the high regard of their peers and hoops fans everywhere. Even if they win numerous games and titles, coaches sometimes feel like Rodney Dangerfield: They “don’t get no respect.”
Here is a quick look at 10 outstanding college basketball coaches who are getting it done, but don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
View full post on Bleacher Report – College Basketball
Clips get chippy as they head for exit
Things got a little testy in Memphis Friday night.
Los Angeles guard Chris Paul was ejected after a second technical foul with just over two minutes to go in the Clippers’ 118-105 loss to the Grizzlies in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series.
Paul’s second tech came thanks to a running gut-shove on the Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol. Well earned.
The game featured 59 personal fouls and seven technicals. Memphis shot 47 free throws and outscored the Clippers 38-16 at the line.
Blake Griffin and the Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph got into it in the third quarter, when the two locked arms and grappled to the ground. Randolph appeared to try to choke Griffin during the ensuing melee. This is nothing new for these two chaps.
Randolph earned a technical for the stunt and was later tossed in the final moments of the game after his second T.
Players were either slugging each other or executing no defense whatsoever — both teams shot over 50 percent for the game.
The loss sent LA crashing out of the pla
View full post on Yardbarker: NBA
Thunder prove they can still win without Westbrook
Because even when Kevin Durant misses, it goes in. Because Reggie Jackson can make a couple clutch free throws. Because Durant can score 41 if that’s what it takes.
That’s why the Oklahoma City Thunder don’t need Russell Westbrook to beat the Houston Rockets.
Without their all-world point guard, who is out with a knee injury sustained in game two, the Thunder on Saturday went up 3-0 on the Rockets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Durant took 30 shots, missing 17 of them. He scored 41 points and had 14 rebounds and four assists. And he made the biggest shot of the night, a 3-pointer that flew long, popped straight up into the air, danced on the rim and fell through, putting OKC up 100-99 with 36 seconds left.
With eight seconds left, Jackson Westbrook’s replacement went to the free-throw line to protect a one-point lead. He made both, putting the Thunder up 104-101, which was the final score.
So despite blowing all of a 26-point lead, on the road, the Thunder won wit
View full post on Yardbarker: NBA
If the Thunder don’t have a fight song, they do now
In the world of professional sports, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still a relatively young franchise (if you forget about all of that Seattle stuff).
And in the sports world, it takes a little time to establish your traditions, your logo, your colors, your mascot.
How about a fight song? We aren’t sure if they have a fight song yet.
But, fear not, because one big Thunder fan in Southern California has taken care of that.
The fellow goes by the name of “Matthias” and, sans shirt, has posted a video that has gone viral over the last few days (33,000 hits on YouTube since it was posted this weekend) of his rendition of the Oklahoma City Thunder fight song.
One key to any good fight song is that it has to be easy to remember so that the crowd can sing along. Matthias has taken care of that.
“Oklahoma … oh oh. City Thunder … hey hey!”
Repeat. Reuse. Recycle.
The Thunder head to Los Angeles up 2-0 in their first round playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since Matthias
View full post on Yardbarker: NBA
If the Thunder don’t have a fight song, they do now
In the world of professional sports, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still a relatively young franchise (if you forget about all of that Seattle stuff).
And in the sports world, it takes a little time to establish your traditions, your logo, your colors, your mascot.
How about a fight song? We aren’t sure if they have a fight song yet.
But, fear not, because one big Thunder fan in Southern California has taken care of that.
The fellow goes by the name of “Matthias” and, sans shirt, has posted a video that has gone viral over the last few days (33,000 hits on YouTube since it was posted this weekend) of his rendition of the Oklahoma City Thunder fight song.
One key to any good fight song is that it has to be easy to remember so that the crowd can sing along. Matthias has taken care of that.
“Oklahoma … oh oh. City Thunder … hey hey!”
Repeat. Reuse. Recycle.
The Thunder head to Los Angeles up 2-0 in their first round playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since Matthias
View full post on Yardbarker: NBA
Denver Nuggets: Why They Must Be the Favorites to Win the Western Conference
The streak is up to 21.
No, I’m not talking about the overall win streak that the Denver Nuggets put together between February 23 and March 23 that was snapped by the New Orleans Hornets (of all teams). I’m referring to the winning streak the Nuggets have put together at home, which dates back to mid-January.
With two fairly easy home games left on the schedule, it’s possible that Denver could finish the season by winning its final 23 home contests. And with the postseason just about upon us, that type of momentum is sure to serve the Nuggets well.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say that because of its recent play, Denver should be considered the team to beat in the Western Conference. Not only is this team on an absolute tear, but it’s also set to receive a big boost with the expected return of starting point guard Ty Lawson:
A trusted source down in Texas says #Nuggets PG @tylawson3 likely to play tonight vs. Mavs. Not expected to start.
— Aaron J. Lopez (@Lopez_Nuggets) April 12, 2013
With their bevy of reliable players (which now stretches all the way down to surprising French rookie Evan Fournier), the Nuggets also have the depth to attack you several different ways.
Even the San Antonio Spurs couldn’t handle Denver’s arsenal Wednesday night, with the Nuggets throwing down highlight-reel dunk after highlight-reel dunk while building what would become a 19-point advantage at one point during their tilt.
And while the Nuggets may sit third in the conference and don’t have the flashy star power of the Oklahoma City Thunder or the seasoned veteran presence of Tim Duncan, they are on equal ground with both clubs ahead of them in the standings.
What’s more, the Nuggets are at least .500 on the season against each and every one of the Western Conference’s eight playoff teams this season.
Denver may not be at the top of the conference table, possess multiple superstars or play a good amount of its games on national TV, but make no mistake, this isn’t a team to take lightly. It’s young, talented and has been nearly impossible to beat since the All-Star break.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
View full post on Bleacher Report – NBA
Harsh reality hits Lakers as they push for playoffs
Before the season, the Lakers thought they’d be resting guys before games like Tuesday’s
View full post on USATODAY.com Feed
