Which Is Bigger Shock to Warriors’ Postseason Success, Rookies or Veterans?
Two underlying themes have emerged in the Golden State Warriors’ resurgence in the wake of the report that the team’s lone All-Star, David Lee, would be lost for the postseason with a torn right hip flexor.
The first has been the breakout playoff campaign of All-Star snub, Stephen Curry.
The fourth-year sharpshooter out of Davidson College has dazzled on basketball’s biggest stage.
With 25.0 points per game (better than a two-point increase over his regular-season average of 22.9), he’s the fourth highest scorer among all playoff participants. He also has the fourth best three-point percentage (42.9) of all shooters who have attempted at least 30 long-range looks, a considerable accomplishment considering he’s attempted better than 30 more threes (91) than the second most active marksman (Kevin Durant, 59 attempts).
Add in the fact that he’s averaged the second most assists in the playoffs (8.3 per game) and he looks far more like a budding superstar than an All-Star snub.
But the Warriors aren’t playing in a conference semifinal for just the second time since 1991 on the strength of Curry’s play alone.
His supporting cast has looked equally brilliant, with a host of players sharing the spotlight on a seemingly nightly basis.
And herein lies the shock value to the Warriors’ second-round venture, but the question becomes which group of Mark Jackson’s unheralded stars has been the biggest surprise?
Although he’s played in just three of Golden State’s last seven games for a total of 12 minutes, the mere presence of Lee appears to give the veteran Warriors an edge in the awe factor.
The initial prognosis to his hip injury, suffered in the fourth quarter of Golden State’s first playoff game, left him looking at a couple months of rest before returning to basketball activities.
Yet he made a 90-second cameo less than two weeks later in the Warriors’ series-clinching win in Game 6 over the Denver Nuggets. Even more shocking than his initial return, though, is the fact that he’s since appeared in two more games, totaling five points and seven rebounds in a shade less than 11 minutes.
But Lee’s not the only surprise veteran contributor for the Dubs.
Andrew Bogut, who missed all but 32 games in the regular season while recovering from ankle surgery, has been the interior presence that the Warriors’ front office had envisioned when they parlayed fan favorite Monta Ellis (along with Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown) to the Milwaukee Bucks at the 2012 trade deadline. Bogut’s 11.8 rebounds per game are the highest among all postseason players still in action, and his 1.8 blocks per game ranks fourth among that group.
Carl Landry, who did not receive the anticipated bump in playing time when Lee went down, has provided an interior presence on the offensive end. He’s averaging 11.5 points on 51.8 percent shooting from the field through 10 postseason contests.
Jarrett Jack, the team’s highly scrutinized sixth man, has shot nearly 67 percent from the field this postseason in the clutch (last five minutes of a five-point game, via NBA.com). He scored eight of the team’s final 13 points in regulation during Sunday’s Game 4 97-87 overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs.
But a team featuring a trio of rookies in its top nine-man rotation has to have contributions from its younger stars as well.
Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli have provided that and then some during their first taste of playoff basketball.
Barnes, the seventh overall selection in the 2012 NBA draft, topped the 20-point mark just three times during the regular season. But the North Carolina product has added three more 20-plus-point performances to his resume (and two 19-point outings), none greater than the game-high 26 points he poured in during Game 4.
Green and Ezeli have never been players defined in the box score, and this postseason run has been no different. The pair have combined for 9.0 points, 6.9 boards and 1.5 blocks through 10 playoff games, but they, along with Bogut, have helped set the physical tone that has defined these new-look Dubs.
Even with Lee’s surprise appearances, it’s hard to say that the veteran play has been the more shocking source fueling the Warriors’ playoff push.
Jack and Landry were brought in over the offseason to do just what they’re doing now: bring poise and production to Mark Jackson’s bench. Jack gets a little too ball dominant at times and Landry will struggle with bigger, disciplined defenders, but for the most part they’re expected to contribute.
Barnes had the best pedigree of the Warriors’ rookies, but even he entered the league with his share of question marks. Scouts questioned his ability to create his own shot and wondered if he had the selfishness to cash in on his superstar potential.
Ezeli was a project pick in the truest sense of the phrase. The Nigerian-born bruiser saw significant minutes in just his final two seasons of college hoops, and had only a handful of years of exposure to the sport before then.
Green was simply a baller, a nicer way of saying a prospect without a position. A season’s worth of NBA exposure still hasn’t identified a longtime home on the hardwood.
Yet, as they’ve done all season, this Warriors’ rookie crop has played beyond its years. Barnes has shown an ability to take over games in spurts. Ezeli has established an intimidating presence at the basket when Bogut’s given a breather. Green has shined as a harassing defender and relentless hustler.
With so many surprise contributors emerging at this point of the season, maybe it’s time to redefine expectations for Jackson’s Warriors.
This team’s playing with house money, but that doesn’t mean their thirst for winnings has yet been quenched.
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NBA Veterans Whose All-Star Days Are Over
With the announcement of the reserves for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, there are a handful of players who have been left out that come across as a bit surprising.
It’s not that they were necessarily snubbed from the All-Star Game, but rather that they have been playing at such a high level for so long that it’s utterly jarring to not even hear their name mentioned in a list of snubs following the selection of the reserves.
There are players aging and regressing—that’s for sure—but that might not be the main reason for the absence of some of the mainstays of the past.
Injuries have played a part, as have plain old poor basketball. But the real reason for the suddenly downtrodden players who were once a huge part of this league is the fact that there are suddenly players maturing and becoming star players overnight by the barrelful.
Because of the young players improving, changes are already happening in the NBA, and there are a few players who have seen their last All-Star Game, even if they don’t know it presently.
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NBA Free Agents 2012: Top Veterans Still on the Market
With the NBA‘s opening day just four days away, there are still several NBA veterans who find themselves without a place to hang their jerseys. As teams start to solidify their rosters preparing for the start of the regular season, they might just want to take a look into the free agent pool.
While there are no true game changers left on the market, there are several players available who could be very beneficial additions to an NBA roster. Here’s a look at some of the top free agents who are still out there and on whom teams might want to take a chance.
Howard, who spent last season in Utah, is a solid veteran swing man that teams can count on to solidify lineups. Despite coming off of an off-season surgery, Howard feels he is ready to benefit any team that is willing to bring him in.
After a torn ACL limited his 2010-11 season, Howard hoped that his injury woes were done, but a bone chip in his left knee forced him to have off-season surgery.
“Over the years, that was a big part of my game, cutting and getting to the basket and being able to stop on a dime. I’ve been able to show that ability again,” Howard told USA Today in an interview.
Howard hopes that the off-season surgery to remove the chip will help him regain the form he had during his days in Dallas. During his 2007-08 season in Dallas he averaged 19.9 points per game.
The Knicks, Bulls and Bobcats all have shown interest in Howard. New York might very well be the best fit for the veteran small forward though. Howard would be a good fit in New York as a backup for Carmelo Anthony.
Howard brings a versatile offensive presence off the bench, as well as a solid defensive presence that the Knicks could benefit from.
Kenyon Martin
Martin, a 12-year veteran, struggled offensively last season for the Clippers. Martin spent the first 11 years of his career with the Nets and Nuggets before signing with the Clippers last offseason. Martin’s significant experience is going to be a key for whatever team ends up signing him.
Several knee surgeries over the years have slowed down Martin, but he still has the ability to play shutdown defense. Martin can provide key minutes off the bench for any team.
Several teams have reportedly shown interest in signing Martin so far, but no one has wanted to pay him more than league minimum.
The Knicks, Celtics and Lakers have all repeatedly made offers to Martin. So far, though, all these teams have been hesitant to reach deeper into their pockets to bring in the veteran.
If Martin wants to be playing anywhere this season, he is most likely going to have to be willing to let his pride take a hit. Unless a team becomes injury decimated, Martin will be forced to settle for a minimum contract to be playing in the NBA this season.
Derek Fisher
The former Laker has been most often tied to his old team this offseason. Fisher was the third leading scorer on the Lakers three-peat team behind Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. He is the only player not named Kobe Bryant to win all five NBA titles in recent Laker history.
Fisher has become known for his ability to shoot from beyond the arc throughout his career, most famously for his game winning shot with 0.4 seconds remaining.
Despite having a long productive career, Fisher appears to be on his way out of the NBA. His skills have started to diminish as he has gotten older, but the intangibles Fisher brings to a team are worth his salary.
Fisher has not drawn interest from many teams, but his work ethic, attitude and experience are going to be the key factors in this veteran getting a contract.
While the Lakers appear to be the most likely team to sign Fisher, where he would back up Steve Nash, do not be surprised if another team reaches out to Fisher because of his experience. Fisher could be a valuable mentor for any budding young star if a team is willing to take a chance on him.
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NBA Preseason 2012: Veterans in Danger of Losing Their Jobs
Fans do not enjoy the preseason, but it is a vital part of the process for making roster decisions and starting lineups.
It is also a good chance for rookies and players new to teams to prove to coaches what they can do in a game atmosphere.
These veterans have already shown what they are made of, but they must play to their best abilities to keep their own starting jobs.
Jason Maxiell, Detroit Pistons
Maxiell started the majority of games last season at power forward for the Pistons. Unfortunately, the career backup only managed 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in just over 22 minutes of play.
Andre Drummond has been impressive in the preseason so far, displaying the athleticism that made him a lottery pick.
In addition, Jonas Jerebko has continued to play well off the bench and should eventually take over the position for good.
Maxiell will need to have an impressive finish to the preseason in order to even remain an integral part of the rotation for Detroit.
Richard Hamilton, Chicago Bulls
Few players in the NBA have been as consistent of scorers as Rip Hamilton over the past decade. However, it seems that his time as a go-to player has come to an end.
The Bulls brought in Marco Belinelli from the New Orleans Hornets after the guard totaled almost 12 points per game last year.
Belinelli is an excellent three-point shooter, making 39.3 percent of his shots from deep in his career. He would be very useful in spreading the floor for the talented low post players on the team, and he would be a better fit than Hamilton.
Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings
Thompson was the weakest part of a young Sacramento Kings starting lineup last season. He averaged 9.1 points per game and 6.9 rebounds alongside DeMarcus Cousins and company.
In response, the team drafted Thomas Robinson out of Kansas with the fifth overall pick.
Robinson was one of the most NBA-ready talents in the class and is already averaging over 20 minutes per game in the preseason. The staff wants to get a good look at the rookie, and so far he is passing the test.
Thompson better step up his game if he does not want to ride the bench this season.
Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
Turkoglu and his large contract will be one of the things that holds Orlando back this season and next.
The wing has had a dramatic drop in production since his impressive 2007-2008 season. In four years, his points per game dropped over eight points, he had almost two fewer rebounds per game and his three-point percentage lowered from 40 to 35.3 percent.
Maurice Harkless has not stepped on the floor yet in the preseason due to a sports hernia, but the rookie was a big part of the return from the Dwight Howard trade. The Magic will certainly do what they can to get him on the floor sooner than later.
That means Turkoglu’s time as a starter on this team is coming to an end unless he can regain some of the magic he lost over the last few years.
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5 NBA Veterans Most Likely to Be Cut by the End of Training Camp
With the start of the NBA season less than three weeks away, many players are battling it out to find their way onto an NBA roster.
While most players fighting for their basketball lives are youngsters trying to make their first NBA team, there are also older veterans trying to hang around for another year or two and make some extra money.
Unfortunately, not all of them will get a spot.
Here are five notable NBA veterans likely to be cut by the time training camp ends.
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7 NBA Veterans Who Will Turn Back the Clock This Season
For every NBA player, no matter how great their legacy may be, there simply comes a time when they must realize they just aren’t what they used to be.
Once a player gets into their 30s, the slow physical deterioration begins, and players are eventually forced to take a lesser role with a team and then retire.
However, every season there are those players who fight against the handicaps that come with their increasing age, and pull out a season reminiscent of how they played in their prime.
While the players on this list may not be able to put up the numbers they did at their peak, here are seven NBA veterans who should be able to turn back the clock this season and have one of the better seasons of their careers.
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Thunder let veterans leave, count on youth (Yahoo! Sports)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder are getting even younger.
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Thunder let veterans leave, count on youth
The Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder are getting even younger.
With the core of the team built around 23-year-olds Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder allowed three veterans who were over 30 to walk away in free agency this summer. That leaves forward Nick Collison as the team’s only thirtysomething.
While Derek Fisher, Nazr Mohammed and Royal Ivey left, Oklahoma City added younger, unproven players to take their roster spots while saving room in their budget to sign NBA blocks leader Serge Ibaka to a contract extension and perhaps keep James Harden, too.
General manager Sam Presti says he’s confident that Durant and Westbrook are ready to evolve into better leaders even if they aren’t veterans yet.
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NBA Veterans with the Most Left in the Tank
Every year, we’re too quick to judge a veteran as washed up. We can’t help it. As fans and pundits, we’re wired towards being savvy, towards being the first to call a trend.
Well, quite a few veteran players are still near their prime levels. Sometimes, a whole team of discounted vets can rise up en masse. This is what happened in 2011 when the creaky Mavericks shockingly upset the Heat in a thrilling finals.
Is there another Dallas waiting in the weeds this season? Which vets could make such a scenario happen?
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NBA Veterans Who Should Retire Today
Some guys just can’t say goodbye to the game they love. Most of them don’t really need the money, and despite not getting much playing time, they keep coming back year after year. You can’t blame them, but for these guys, their time is up.
For some players, the opportunity at one last Championship chase is too much to resist. Guys like Grant Hill, Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison are still chasing that dream, but have realistic expectations this upcoming season. These guys though, just need to hang it up.
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