-Thursday, I watched the first half of the Kansas-Portland State blowout. I have always liked Brandon Rush, and he really shined in this game early on. Rush has always been very consistent in his three years with Kansas and can do a lot of things well. Rush finished with eighteen points in thirty minutes along with six rebounds. Rush also shot four for nine from behind the three point line. In terms of pro potential, I think Rush is a sleeper, similarly to what Tayshaun Prince's stock was like coming out of college. Both players were very consistent in their college career, played for big time universities, and had NBA bodies. Likewise, people wondered if they reached their ceiling early, and would not have much room to get better in the NBA. I love Rush's pro potential and think he can be a strong contributor. Along with great size and strength, he has a large wingspan and runs the floor well. Rush does a lot of things well, including rebounding efficiently for a guard, shooting range, and playing terrific perimeter defense. Rush's biggest weakness seems to be his ball handling, but I would assume this is a skill he will work on prior to individual team workouts.
-I've also spent some time watching Kevin Love of UCLA over the last few weeks. Love is an interesting prospect because he does not have the super athleticism that many young big men do today. He is more of a polished player, who does a lot of things well. For a pro team, if you are drafting him to be a top player within a franchise, I think you are making a mistake. However, if a team is looking for him to be their fifth player, I think he is a great fit.
Some interesting videos of Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQkWr8tQ3Q
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JoVpjgj6GAo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1dGLwJaayL0
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wykfvQFtCkc
-I'm still concerned about the Celtics making it through the Eastern Conference in the playoffs. Boston beat the Pistons two-out-of-three in the regular season, but the Pistons guards have played excellent in the matchup. Down the stretch of games, if Doc Rivers feels the need to play Sam Cassell over Rajon Rondo because of the experience, I see Cassell as a huge liability on defense. Cassell cannot keep up with Richard Hamilton running off screens and will not be able to stay with Chauncey Billups' physical play. In a matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, I would again be concerned with their defense on LeBron James. Boston split their four matchups with Cleveland this season and James scored 38, 33, DNP, and 26. I don't see Pierce being able to matchup with James for most of a playoff game and still able to produce at a high level on offense. James Posey appears to not have much left in his tank and Tony Allen is not big enough to defend James. The main benefit the Celtics do have on their side in a big defensive matchup is Kevin Garnett defending the basket and Tom Thibodeau creating defensive game plans.
Showing posts with label Rajon Rondo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rajon Rondo. Show all posts
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Scouting Report: Rajon Rondo
Player Name: Rajon Rondo
Current Team: Boston Celtics
NBA Position: PG
Drafted: 21st (Phoenix Suns)
Height/Weight: 6'1"/171
Birthdate: 2/22/86
Hometown: Louisville, KY
College: Kentucky
Agent:
Notes:
Went to Louisville's Eastern High School for three years and then transferred to Virginia's Oak Hill Academy for his senior year; Played in the 2004 McDonald's All-American Team Originally committed to Louisivlle, but then changed to Kentucky; Played for the 2005 USA Men's Under-21 World Championship Team; Traded on draft night from the Suns to the Celtics along with Brian Grant for the Cleveland Cavaliers' first-round draft pick in the 2007 draft and cash considerations
Strengths:
Explosive first step; Tough defender on small guards; Knack for stealing passes; Pressuring ball-handler; Getting into the paint; Quick leaper; Great deal of energy; Improving in catch-and-shoot situations; Big hands; Great rebounder for his size; Large wingspan.
Weaknesses:
Shooting is clearly his biggest fault - both from the perimeter and free throw line; Opposing teams do not challenge Rondo in screen-and-rolls; No interest in finishing in the paint with his left hand; Bigger point guards can take advantage of him on the low block.
Outlook:
Rajon Rondo is an emerging point guard in the mold of a Tony Parker-type. Rondo is one of the best defensive point guards in the league, even though he is on the small side. He provides terrific ball pressure and plays with a great deal of energy. The offensive side of the ball is where Rondo still needs to make some strides. He is not a big enough threat when he does not have the ball in his hands, and teams can afford to give him space when he does have the ball because he is not a strong enough shooter. Also, he often forces himself into more difficult shots than necessary because he does not want to finish at the basket with his left hand. If Rondo can shoot a higher percentage from the field, then it will allow him to use his quickness much better. He certainly has the talent to be one of the best, young point guards in the league, right after Deron Williams and Chris Paul.
Video:
Current Team: Boston Celtics
NBA Position: PG
Drafted: 21st (Phoenix Suns)
Height/Weight: 6'1"/171
Birthdate: 2/22/86
Hometown: Louisville, KY
College: Kentucky
Agent:
Notes:
Went to Louisville's Eastern High School for three years and then transferred to Virginia's Oak Hill Academy for his senior year; Played in the 2004 McDonald's All-American Team Originally committed to Louisivlle, but then changed to Kentucky; Played for the 2005 USA Men's Under-21 World Championship Team; Traded on draft night from the Suns to the Celtics along with Brian Grant for the Cleveland Cavaliers' first-round draft pick in the 2007 draft and cash considerations
Strengths:
Explosive first step; Tough defender on small guards; Knack for stealing passes; Pressuring ball-handler; Getting into the paint; Quick leaper; Great deal of energy; Improving in catch-and-shoot situations; Big hands; Great rebounder for his size; Large wingspan.
Weaknesses:
Shooting is clearly his biggest fault - both from the perimeter and free throw line; Opposing teams do not challenge Rondo in screen-and-rolls; No interest in finishing in the paint with his left hand; Bigger point guards can take advantage of him on the low block.
Outlook:
Rajon Rondo is an emerging point guard in the mold of a Tony Parker-type. Rondo is one of the best defensive point guards in the league, even though he is on the small side. He provides terrific ball pressure and plays with a great deal of energy. The offensive side of the ball is where Rondo still needs to make some strides. He is not a big enough threat when he does not have the ball in his hands, and teams can afford to give him space when he does have the ball because he is not a strong enough shooter. Also, he often forces himself into more difficult shots than necessary because he does not want to finish at the basket with his left hand. If Rondo can shoot a higher percentage from the field, then it will allow him to use his quickness much better. He certainly has the talent to be one of the best, young point guards in the league, right after Deron Williams and Chris Paul.
Video:
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Reaction from Bill Simmons' Annual Trade Value Column
Here is the link for the column:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071218
Some parts I really liked:
-When you strike the jackpot with a first-round pick in the 20s, it's like a double jackpot because you're locking up a young contributor at an obscenely low price. To wit: Rondo (No. 21 in 2006) and David Lee (No. 27 in 2005) make a combined $11 million total over the next three seasons.
This is a great point. Just looking at this years draft - Jeff Green was the fifth pick and Alando Tucker was the twenty-ninth pick. Green is scheduled to make $3,058,200 this year and more than fourteen million dollars over the first four years of his deal. Tucker stands to make $931,920 this year and less than six million dollars in the first four years of his deal. If Tucker becomes a significant player in their rotation, they are getting a guy who is wrapped up in a long-term deal for basically minimal money. Most likely, Green will play at or near contract level, but if he's a bust, then they are locked up in a long-term deal that could hamper their franchise. With Tucker, if he's bad, it makes a minor impact on the franchise.
-Andre Iguodala: This summer's Gerald Wallace, a quality supporting guy forced to become "The Guy" on a lottery team -- with bad results, of course -- who now wants to be overpaid because he was miscast for a few months as "The Guy." But wait, what would you have done without me. I carried us to 26 wins! Love that logic.
This is one point I often make when in discussions about players. If Andre Iguodala/Ron Artest/Luol Deng/Michael Redd/Gerald Wallace is your best player, you're probably not going to be a good team. Now of course, the exception is that you have a lot of players with equal talent level. However, this rule is generally correct.
Nevertheless, the point Simmons makes here is when a teams best player is looking for an extension and they are coming off a bad team, more logic needs to be used. Josh Smith in Atlanta, Luol Deng and Ben Gordon in Chicago, and Iguodala in Philadelphia are all up for extensions after this season. Each one of these four could be considered the best player on a potential non-playoff team. It'll be interesting to see how each general manager deals with the dilemma.
-25. Al Horford
His ceiling: Elton Brand with a better low-post game. I loved how he was traumatized by his inadvertent role in T.J. Ford's latest injury and spent most of the night with Ford at the hospital to make sure he was
24. Greg Oden
His ceiling: Patrick Ewing, only if Ewing had major wrist surgery and microfracture knee surgery before even playing an NBA game.
23. Josh Smith
His ceiling: Andrei Kirilenko with a better everything. Although the sourpuss worries me. Would you want to pay someone $75 million this summer when he always looks like he just finished watching that infamous Internet video that involves more than one girl and a cup?
22. Andrew Bynum
His ceiling: The NBA's best center not named "Dwight Howard" or "Yao Ming."
21. Al Jefferson
His ceiling: The next Kevin McHale, only if McHale couldn't guard anyone. Hey, did you enjoy how I broke the "don't compare white guys with black guys" media rule twice in the same section? I couldn't be prouder.
This is the main way I like to look at the NBA Draft. For a team like the Bulls who appeared to be ready to make a run for the championship, I was able to rationalize selecting a player with a low ceiling like Joakim Noah this year. They just needed to fill in some bench spots, so they selected a guy who would be ready immediately. The type of move I have a problem with is the type of decision Minnesota made in the 2005 draft.
Rather than selecting a guy with a higher ceiling like Danny Granger or Gerald Green, the Timberwolves chose Rashad McCants. McCants was an impact college player, who is clearly undersized and unable to standout in the NBA at the shooting position. He struggles to defend, had shown some selfishness, and isn't a great distributer.
The same arguement is there for the Hawks selection of Shelden Williams in the 2006 draft. Coming out of Duke, Williams was seen as a great rebounder, who worked hard. Most people though saw him to have a low ceiling because of a lack of athleticism and a knack for giving up big games to talented post players. He doesn't have a great deal of post moves and has passing ability had been questioned. The Hawks passed on two players with much higher ceilings - Rudy Gay and Brandon Roy. Both posses great size and athleticism and would fit well at the shooting guard or small forward spots in Atlanta.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071218
Some parts I really liked:
-When you strike the jackpot with a first-round pick in the 20s, it's like a double jackpot because you're locking up a young contributor at an obscenely low price. To wit: Rondo (No. 21 in 2006) and David Lee (No. 27 in 2005) make a combined $11 million total over the next three seasons.
This is a great point. Just looking at this years draft - Jeff Green was the fifth pick and Alando Tucker was the twenty-ninth pick. Green is scheduled to make $3,058,200 this year and more than fourteen million dollars over the first four years of his deal. Tucker stands to make $931,920 this year and less than six million dollars in the first four years of his deal. If Tucker becomes a significant player in their rotation, they are getting a guy who is wrapped up in a long-term deal for basically minimal money. Most likely, Green will play at or near contract level, but if he's a bust, then they are locked up in a long-term deal that could hamper their franchise. With Tucker, if he's bad, it makes a minor impact on the franchise.
-Andre Iguodala: This summer's Gerald Wallace, a quality supporting guy forced to become "The Guy" on a lottery team -- with bad results, of course -- who now wants to be overpaid because he was miscast for a few months as "The Guy." But wait, what would you have done without me. I carried us to 26 wins! Love that logic.
This is one point I often make when in discussions about players. If Andre Iguodala/Ron Artest/Luol Deng/Michael Redd/Gerald Wallace is your best player, you're probably not going to be a good team. Now of course, the exception is that you have a lot of players with equal talent level. However, this rule is generally correct.
Nevertheless, the point Simmons makes here is when a teams best player is looking for an extension and they are coming off a bad team, more logic needs to be used. Josh Smith in Atlanta, Luol Deng and Ben Gordon in Chicago, and Iguodala in Philadelphia are all up for extensions after this season. Each one of these four could be considered the best player on a potential non-playoff team. It'll be interesting to see how each general manager deals with the dilemma.
-25. Al Horford
His ceiling: Elton Brand with a better low-post game. I loved how he was traumatized by his inadvertent role in T.J. Ford's latest injury and spent most of the night with Ford at the hospital to make sure he was
24. Greg Oden
His ceiling: Patrick Ewing, only if Ewing had major wrist surgery and microfracture knee surgery before even playing an NBA game.
23. Josh Smith
His ceiling: Andrei Kirilenko with a better everything. Although the sourpuss worries me. Would you want to pay someone $75 million this summer when he always looks like he just finished watching that infamous Internet video that involves more than one girl and a cup?
22. Andrew Bynum
His ceiling: The NBA's best center not named "Dwight Howard" or "Yao Ming."
21. Al Jefferson
His ceiling: The next Kevin McHale, only if McHale couldn't guard anyone. Hey, did you enjoy how I broke the "don't compare white guys with black guys" media rule twice in the same section? I couldn't be prouder.
This is the main way I like to look at the NBA Draft. For a team like the Bulls who appeared to be ready to make a run for the championship, I was able to rationalize selecting a player with a low ceiling like Joakim Noah this year. They just needed to fill in some bench spots, so they selected a guy who would be ready immediately. The type of move I have a problem with is the type of decision Minnesota made in the 2005 draft.
Rather than selecting a guy with a higher ceiling like Danny Granger or Gerald Green, the Timberwolves chose Rashad McCants. McCants was an impact college player, who is clearly undersized and unable to standout in the NBA at the shooting position. He struggles to defend, had shown some selfishness, and isn't a great distributer.
The same arguement is there for the Hawks selection of Shelden Williams in the 2006 draft. Coming out of Duke, Williams was seen as a great rebounder, who worked hard. Most people though saw him to have a low ceiling because of a lack of athleticism and a knack for giving up big games to talented post players. He doesn't have a great deal of post moves and has passing ability had been questioned. The Hawks passed on two players with much higher ceilings - Rudy Gay and Brandon Roy. Both posses great size and athleticism and would fit well at the shooting guard or small forward spots in Atlanta.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Catching Up from the Weekend
-I am happy to say I missed Saturday night's Bulls-Raptors blowout at the United Center. Apparently during the second half, fans started booing and then chanted "Ko-be, Ko-be". What a disaster.
-The rest of the month has the Bulls playing six road games and a home game against the Atlanta Hawks. The Suns, Clippers, Lakers, Nuggets, Knicks, and Raptors make up the Bulls longest roadtrip of the season. It certainly is likely the Bulls may end with something like a 3-10 November, which would seriously handicap their chances of winning the Eastern Conference.
-During the offseason and then preseason, we heard a lot that J.J. Redick would be playing significant minutes with the Magic under new coach Stan Van Gundy. Through seven Magic games, Redick has only appeared in two games and has not scored a point this season.
-At this point, I would say the five best teams are: Boston, San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix, and Utah. The bottom five teams are: Seattle, Golden State, Memphis, Miami, and Washington.
-Though it is still early, Rajon Rondo has done a great job at point guard for the Celtics. He has taken care of the ball on offense, forced turnovers on defense, and has scored more than ten points per game in a majority of games. However, the one close game the Celtics have played in this year against the Raptors, was Rondo's worse of the season by far. Rondo struggled to be effective and scored only two points and had two assists, while failing to score from the field and having five fouls. So it looks like, as Rondo goes, the Celtics will go this season.
-I caught the last five minutes of the Kings-Cavaliers game late Friday night. LeBron James completely took over and Cleveland pulled out the win. The big story in my mind was Sacramento’s execution down the stretch. With twelve seconds left to play and down two points, Sacramento’s top scoring option, Kevin Martin, was isolated in transition one-on-one on the left wing. Furthermore, there was only one other Cavalier defender within the three point line. Instead of letting Martin go at his defender and trying to send the game to overtime, Kings coach Reggie Theus called a time. Out of the timeout, Martin was defended by LeBron James, who did not bite on a pump fake and ultimately forced Martin into taking a forced three point attempt that fell short. Theus clearly cost his team a chance to pull out a victory by over-coaching the situation.
-The rest of the month has the Bulls playing six road games and a home game against the Atlanta Hawks. The Suns, Clippers, Lakers, Nuggets, Knicks, and Raptors make up the Bulls longest roadtrip of the season. It certainly is likely the Bulls may end with something like a 3-10 November, which would seriously handicap their chances of winning the Eastern Conference.
-During the offseason and then preseason, we heard a lot that J.J. Redick would be playing significant minutes with the Magic under new coach Stan Van Gundy. Through seven Magic games, Redick has only appeared in two games and has not scored a point this season.
-At this point, I would say the five best teams are: Boston, San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix, and Utah. The bottom five teams are: Seattle, Golden State, Memphis, Miami, and Washington.
-Though it is still early, Rajon Rondo has done a great job at point guard for the Celtics. He has taken care of the ball on offense, forced turnovers on defense, and has scored more than ten points per game in a majority of games. However, the one close game the Celtics have played in this year against the Raptors, was Rondo's worse of the season by far. Rondo struggled to be effective and scored only two points and had two assists, while failing to score from the field and having five fouls. So it looks like, as Rondo goes, the Celtics will go this season.
-I caught the last five minutes of the Kings-Cavaliers game late Friday night. LeBron James completely took over and Cleveland pulled out the win. The big story in my mind was Sacramento’s execution down the stretch. With twelve seconds left to play and down two points, Sacramento’s top scoring option, Kevin Martin, was isolated in transition one-on-one on the left wing. Furthermore, there was only one other Cavalier defender within the three point line. Instead of letting Martin go at his defender and trying to send the game to overtime, Kings coach Reggie Theus called a time. Out of the timeout, Martin was defended by LeBron James, who did not bite on a pump fake and ultimately forced Martin into taking a forced three point attempt that fell short. Theus clearly cost his team a chance to pull out a victory by over-coaching the situation.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thoughts from Games on 11/2/07
Tonight I watched both the Celtics-Wizards and Bulls-76ers games. I was especially interested to see how the Celtics would play in their first game with Garnett and Allen. The Bulls played disappointingly in their first game against the Nets, so I was interested to see how they would play in their home debut against the 76ers.
My Observations:
-Tonight was certainly the best game of Tyrus Thomas' career. Although he still had a few defensive lapses and made some bad turnovers, he brought energy and athleticism to the team all night. He was active on the boards and had several mouth-opening blocked shots. It really looks like he has improved his jump shot, which will be pivotal in his development. If he can consistently knock down that mid-range shot, Thomas' potential is endless.
-Maybe it's because Thomas played so well, but I still expected the Bulls to get more offense from Joe Smith. I figured he could easily average ten points each game. It's early, but I'm already doubting my initial expectations.
-Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng really struggled tonight. For a perimeter shooter like Hinrich, his field goal percentage has never been as high as it needs to be. One reason may be because he has to exert so much on the defensive end, but long-term this is a concern. Especially in the first half, both struggled to get into any type of flow.
-Andre Miller has always been a real solid point guard. He probably has never gotten the credit he should get, but he is real steady and brings a lot to the table.
-Reggie Evans brings a nice dimension to the 76ers. He works hard on both ends of the court and is unselfish. On a team like the 76ers who have little experienced talent in the frontcourt, Evans could put up career highs in rebounds and points this season.
-If the Celtics can get the type of production they got tonight outside of the Big 3, they are going to be real tough to beat. Rajon Rando, Brian Scalabrine, Tony Allen, and Eddie House all gave them positive minutes. They don't need any of these guys to score a lot, just play hard and work on defense.
-What a night for Boston. It was truely a perfect start to the season as Garnett, Allen, and Pierce all played well and had the chemistry of a group that have played together for years. Garnett definitely started his MVP campaign on the right foot with this game line:
22 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
-Gilbert Arenas really struggled tonight to get into any kind of flow. He turned the ball over early and shot 5 for 20 from the field. The game ended with the Boston crowd chanting "Gilbert, Gilbert".
-The Celtics really dominated the Wizards in every aspect tonight. They lost by 20 points, shot 0 for 15 form the three-point line, only had 9 assists, and turned the ball over 19 times. Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood were the only Wizards to play effectively.
My Observations:
-Tonight was certainly the best game of Tyrus Thomas' career. Although he still had a few defensive lapses and made some bad turnovers, he brought energy and athleticism to the team all night. He was active on the boards and had several mouth-opening blocked shots. It really looks like he has improved his jump shot, which will be pivotal in his development. If he can consistently knock down that mid-range shot, Thomas' potential is endless.
-Maybe it's because Thomas played so well, but I still expected the Bulls to get more offense from Joe Smith. I figured he could easily average ten points each game. It's early, but I'm already doubting my initial expectations.
-Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng really struggled tonight. For a perimeter shooter like Hinrich, his field goal percentage has never been as high as it needs to be. One reason may be because he has to exert so much on the defensive end, but long-term this is a concern. Especially in the first half, both struggled to get into any type of flow.
-Andre Miller has always been a real solid point guard. He probably has never gotten the credit he should get, but he is real steady and brings a lot to the table.
-Reggie Evans brings a nice dimension to the 76ers. He works hard on both ends of the court and is unselfish. On a team like the 76ers who have little experienced talent in the frontcourt, Evans could put up career highs in rebounds and points this season.
-If the Celtics can get the type of production they got tonight outside of the Big 3, they are going to be real tough to beat. Rajon Rando, Brian Scalabrine, Tony Allen, and Eddie House all gave them positive minutes. They don't need any of these guys to score a lot, just play hard and work on defense.
-What a night for Boston. It was truely a perfect start to the season as Garnett, Allen, and Pierce all played well and had the chemistry of a group that have played together for years. Garnett definitely started his MVP campaign on the right foot with this game line:
22 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
-Gilbert Arenas really struggled tonight to get into any kind of flow. He turned the ball over early and shot 5 for 20 from the field. The game ended with the Boston crowd chanting "Gilbert, Gilbert".
-The Celtics really dominated the Wizards in every aspect tonight. They lost by 20 points, shot 0 for 15 form the three-point line, only had 9 assists, and turned the ball over 19 times. Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood were the only Wizards to play effectively.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Eastern Conference X-Factors
As we begin to move closer to the start of NBA training camps, I wanted to take a look at who I would consider to be the X-factor on each team in the Eastern Conference. I consider an X-factor to be a player on a team who will largely help a team towards success or failure - that player may be a rookie, young veteran, someone coming off injury, someone newly acquired, etc.
Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Williams
Williams is coming off a year where he missed 18 games because of injury. If he can provide versatility and consistency in what will be his third year, the Hawks will be able to suprise many teams in the East.
Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo
Rondo will be counted on to handle and distribute the ball on a team with three Hall of Fame players. It will be important for Rondo to develop all season so he is ready for playoff basketball at the end of the year.
Charlotte Bobcats: Adam Morrison
Charlotte comes into this season with a strong start five, but a very limited bench. If Morrison can develop into a consistent scorer off-the-bench the Bobcats could compete for a playoff spot this season.
Chicago Bulls: Tyrus Thomas
On a team with consistent veterans like Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni, Ben Wallace, and Joe Smith, Tyrus Thomas is the real wildcard on the Bulls. Last season, he played well during stretches, but this year he will need to bring consistency in points, rebounds, and blocked shots.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Larry Hughes
In the last 40 games before the Cavaliers met the Spurs in the NBA Finals, Cleveland went 29-11. In each one of those games, the starting point guard was Larry Hughes. If Hughes can continue to provide stability and strong defense at the point guard position for Cleveland, then the franchise should again compete for the Eastern Conference title.
Detroit Pistons: Jason Maxiell
In playoff games against Chicago and Cleveland last season, Detroit saw what they hope to get each night from Maxiell this season. With Chris Webber most likely not returning, the Pistons will look for Maxiell and a group of other players to fil his minutes. Scoring and rebounding from Maxiell in the post will be key for Detroit's success this season.
Indiana Pacers: Jamaal Tinsley
Tinsley will get his last chance this season to prove he can be the Pacers lead guard. Although he had a strong scoring season last year, the team needs more from Tinsley on the defensive end. Tinsley also finished the year sixth among point guards in turnovers per game. Both of these concerns need to be addressed this season, or the Pacers will most likely be looking to select a point guard in next season's draft.
Miami Heat: Dorrell Wright
On an aging roster, Wright is one of the only younger players who should be ready this season to produce. Wright should add versatility and athleticism to a team badly in need of both. If Wright fails to produce, then the Heat will have to look for more from Anfernee Hardaway (36), Alonzo Mourning (37), Antoine Walker (31), and Jason Williams (31).
Milwaukee Bucks: Charlie Villanueva
In his third season, Villanueva has shown great potential, but is coming back from a season-ending shoulder injury. If Villanueva can provide consistent points and rebounding statistics - perhaps 15 points and 8 rebounds per game - the Bucks will have a proven scorer in the post. If he cannot, then they will struggle to get any consistency from their big men all season.
New Jersey Nets: Jamaal Magloire
Magloire was the Nets most significant addition this year to a 41-win season last year. The Nets need some production from their big men next to Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson, and Magloire may be just that guy.
New York Knicks: Quentin Richardson
Ricahrdson has only played 91 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. Richardson has the ability to provide three point shooting from the perimter that the Knicks will certainly need. The Knicks know waht they will get from all of their starters, plus Nate Robinson and Renaldo Balkman, but Richardson could be the real wildcard here.
Orlando Magic: Trevor Ariza
The Magic would ideally like to play their top five players each night: Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard. To be able to do this, Ariza needs to start off the season strong and provide the defensive effort they need. If Ariza fails, then the Magic will have to go with a taller lineup and start Adonal Foyle.
Philadelphia 76ers: Thaddeus Young
This year's first round pick, Young is an important piece in Philadelphia's rebuilding process. Young is an excellent athlete and an emerging shooter who has potential to be a great complement to Andre Iguodala. If Young can succeed this season, then Philadelphia will have a bright future.
Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani
Bargnani had a nice rookie season improving his points per game each month. Playing in a much improved division, the Raptors did not made many upgrades on their roster. Therefore, the development of Bargnani will be essential towards the Raptors' return to the playoffs.
Washington Wizards: Oleksiy Pecherov
Pecherov is a young, Ukrainian forward who can play multiple positions and shoot the ball well. The Wizards have an experienced starting lineup, but could use some scoring punch off the bench. Pecherov has the ability to provide what the Wizards need in order to return to the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Williams
Williams is coming off a year where he missed 18 games because of injury. If he can provide versatility and consistency in what will be his third year, the Hawks will be able to suprise many teams in the East.
Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo
Rondo will be counted on to handle and distribute the ball on a team with three Hall of Fame players. It will be important for Rondo to develop all season so he is ready for playoff basketball at the end of the year.
Charlotte Bobcats: Adam Morrison
Charlotte comes into this season with a strong start five, but a very limited bench. If Morrison can develop into a consistent scorer off-the-bench the Bobcats could compete for a playoff spot this season.
Chicago Bulls: Tyrus Thomas
On a team with consistent veterans like Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni, Ben Wallace, and Joe Smith, Tyrus Thomas is the real wildcard on the Bulls. Last season, he played well during stretches, but this year he will need to bring consistency in points, rebounds, and blocked shots.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Larry Hughes
In the last 40 games before the Cavaliers met the Spurs in the NBA Finals, Cleveland went 29-11. In each one of those games, the starting point guard was Larry Hughes. If Hughes can continue to provide stability and strong defense at the point guard position for Cleveland, then the franchise should again compete for the Eastern Conference title.
Detroit Pistons: Jason Maxiell
In playoff games against Chicago and Cleveland last season, Detroit saw what they hope to get each night from Maxiell this season. With Chris Webber most likely not returning, the Pistons will look for Maxiell and a group of other players to fil his minutes. Scoring and rebounding from Maxiell in the post will be key for Detroit's success this season.
Indiana Pacers: Jamaal Tinsley
Tinsley will get his last chance this season to prove he can be the Pacers lead guard. Although he had a strong scoring season last year, the team needs more from Tinsley on the defensive end. Tinsley also finished the year sixth among point guards in turnovers per game. Both of these concerns need to be addressed this season, or the Pacers will most likely be looking to select a point guard in next season's draft.
Miami Heat: Dorrell Wright
On an aging roster, Wright is one of the only younger players who should be ready this season to produce. Wright should add versatility and athleticism to a team badly in need of both. If Wright fails to produce, then the Heat will have to look for more from Anfernee Hardaway (36), Alonzo Mourning (37), Antoine Walker (31), and Jason Williams (31).
Milwaukee Bucks: Charlie Villanueva
In his third season, Villanueva has shown great potential, but is coming back from a season-ending shoulder injury. If Villanueva can provide consistent points and rebounding statistics - perhaps 15 points and 8 rebounds per game - the Bucks will have a proven scorer in the post. If he cannot, then they will struggle to get any consistency from their big men all season.
New Jersey Nets: Jamaal Magloire
Magloire was the Nets most significant addition this year to a 41-win season last year. The Nets need some production from their big men next to Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson, and Magloire may be just that guy.
New York Knicks: Quentin Richardson
Ricahrdson has only played 91 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. Richardson has the ability to provide three point shooting from the perimter that the Knicks will certainly need. The Knicks know waht they will get from all of their starters, plus Nate Robinson and Renaldo Balkman, but Richardson could be the real wildcard here.
Orlando Magic: Trevor Ariza
The Magic would ideally like to play their top five players each night: Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard. To be able to do this, Ariza needs to start off the season strong and provide the defensive effort they need. If Ariza fails, then the Magic will have to go with a taller lineup and start Adonal Foyle.
Philadelphia 76ers: Thaddeus Young
This year's first round pick, Young is an important piece in Philadelphia's rebuilding process. Young is an excellent athlete and an emerging shooter who has potential to be a great complement to Andre Iguodala. If Young can succeed this season, then Philadelphia will have a bright future.
Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani
Bargnani had a nice rookie season improving his points per game each month. Playing in a much improved division, the Raptors did not made many upgrades on their roster. Therefore, the development of Bargnani will be essential towards the Raptors' return to the playoffs.
Washington Wizards: Oleksiy Pecherov
Pecherov is a young, Ukrainian forward who can play multiple positions and shoot the ball well. The Wizards have an experienced starting lineup, but could use some scoring punch off the bench. Pecherov has the ability to provide what the Wizards need in order to return to the playoffs.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Boston's Push to the Top
Yesterday, the Boston Celtics completed a blockbuster trade that sent the Minnesota Timberwolves Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, two first round draft picks, and cash considerations in exchange for Kevin Garnett. Adding Garnett to Ray Allen and Paul Pierce bring the Celtics from a fringe-playoff team to a franchise ready to compete for the title. All three players are in the prime of their career and are hungry to win a title.
The trade, however, leaves the Celtics with only eight players outside of the superstar threesome. On those eight, three of them, Brandon Wallace, Glen Davis, and Gabe Pruitt are rookies. So, it’s clear that Celtics general manager, Danny Ainge, still has plenty of work to do before the start of the 2007-08 season.
While Garnett, Allen, and Pierce headline the team, the rest of the roster features:
Tony Allen
Allen's career has been filled with injuries and distractions, which last included a torn ACL which forced him to miss 39 games last season. Fortunately, Allen is still young and has shown flashes of great skill on the defensive end. He has a great first step, which allows him to get to the free throw line, but is a poor outside shooter. He also needs to work to limit the amount of turnovers he makes and improve his ballhandling. Allen will play both guard spots and will most likely be looked upon to play strong defense and push the ball up in transition.
Glen Davis
Davis was selected in this year's draft with the thirty-fifth pick overall. He is a skilled big man with a great touch around the basket. For someone of his size, he has great athleticism and a nice feel for the game. Weight has been an issue for Davis throughout his career, and if he can continue to keep it off then it will allow him to have the explosiveness he needs to succeed. Davis will play more minutes than most rookies, and the Celtics will look for him to score off the bench.
Kendrick Perkins
Perkins is a young, developing big man who showed flashes of excellence last year. He is a physical player, who excels at rebounding and is a good outlet passer. Unfortuantely, he has a tendency to foul too frequently and has not developed enough post moves. This season, the Celtics will not be looking for Perkins to score, but cleaning up the glass and defending the post will be vital to their success.
Leon Powe
Like Davis and Perkins, Powe will be looked upon to come off the bench and produce. Powe played well in the last month of the season, where he showed the ability to score in th post and rebound well on the offensive end. Powe excels with both his back-to-the-basket and when he faces up. He has super long arms and a great motor. He is somewhat undersized in the post, which limits what he can do.
Gabe Pruitt
Pruitt is a combination guard with a great jump shot and big-time athleticiscm. He has great range on his three point shot, but is undersized at the shooting guard position. Pruitt will be seen as an energy guy this season for Boston. When he comes in, he will need to take advantage of his shooting ability and explosiveness, and take some of the scoring pressure off of the Celtics stars.
Rajon Rondo
Rondo possesses great quickness and long arms. He has the ability to push the pace on offense, but clearly struggles to shoot from the perimeter. He is a great rebounder for a point guard, but needs more experience before he becomes one of the top guards in the East. If the Celtics do not bring in a point guard to compete with Rondo for the starting spot, his success may determine how far his team goes in the playoffs. If he can take care of the ball well and defend the opponents point guard well, the Celtics will be able to compete for the title.
Brian Scalabrine
Scalabrine is a strong defensive player with very limited ability on offense. He has good size and strength, but lacks any post game and cannot create on his own. If injuries occur to Allen or Pierce, Scalabrine may be asked to step in and defend the opponent's best player. Otherwise, Scalabrine's role should be limited this season for the Celtics.
Brandon Wallace
Wallace is a strong defensive player, who blocks shots well. Wallace was undrafted out of South Carolina, but won a spot with the team after playing in Las Vegas for the Celtics. Wallace will be an end-of-the-bench guy this year, but may play a role down the line in Boston.
So with that being said, Ainge still has several key spots on his roster to fill. He certainly needs a point guard to compete with Rondo for the starting role. More likely, the point guard that Ainge brings in will come off the bench for the Celtics, but will play down the stretch. They need a veteran point guard, who has been their before. Some options here are Earl Boykins, Brevin Knight, Troy Hudson, and Charlie Bell. Bell is the best fit of the four guys here, but he is a restricted free agent. The Bucks would like to bring Bell back to play behind Mo Williams. Therefore, I think Brevin Knight will fill the spot for Ainge and the Celtics.
Next, the Celtics need to sign a veteran backup center to play behind Perkins. Ideally, Perkins is limited to playing 25 minutes per night. So, the Celtics need a guy who will be ready to play nearly 20 minutes each game. Dikembe Mutombo, Michael Ruffin, Calvin Booth, Scot Pollard, Anderson Varejo, Chris Webber, and P.J. Brown are the best available free agents to fill this spot. Varejo and Webber will most likely resign with their previous teams. Mutombo, Ruffin, Booth, and Pollard are probably too limited to player close to 20 minutes a night. So, P.J. Brown is the choice to fill this spot.
The last remaining position to fill is a guy who can play small forward or power forward. Andray Blatche, Corliss Williamson, and James Posey are the top remaining players who could fill this role. Posey is the most logical spot to backup Pierce. Posey is a strong defensive player, who would be strong off the bench for the Celtics.
With a full, defensive-minded roster of players around Garnett, Pierce, and Allen, the Celtics should be able to compete for the title. Fielding Rondo and Knight at point guard; Ray Allen, Tony Allen, and Pruitt at shooting guard; Pierce, Posey, Scalabarine, and Wallace at small forward; Garnett, Powe, and Davis at power forward; and Perkins and Brown at center, the Celtics will be as strong as any team in the East, barring any major injuries.
The trade, however, leaves the Celtics with only eight players outside of the superstar threesome. On those eight, three of them, Brandon Wallace, Glen Davis, and Gabe Pruitt are rookies. So, it’s clear that Celtics general manager, Danny Ainge, still has plenty of work to do before the start of the 2007-08 season.
While Garnett, Allen, and Pierce headline the team, the rest of the roster features:
Tony Allen
Allen's career has been filled with injuries and distractions, which last included a torn ACL which forced him to miss 39 games last season. Fortunately, Allen is still young and has shown flashes of great skill on the defensive end. He has a great first step, which allows him to get to the free throw line, but is a poor outside shooter. He also needs to work to limit the amount of turnovers he makes and improve his ballhandling. Allen will play both guard spots and will most likely be looked upon to play strong defense and push the ball up in transition.
Glen Davis
Davis was selected in this year's draft with the thirty-fifth pick overall. He is a skilled big man with a great touch around the basket. For someone of his size, he has great athleticism and a nice feel for the game. Weight has been an issue for Davis throughout his career, and if he can continue to keep it off then it will allow him to have the explosiveness he needs to succeed. Davis will play more minutes than most rookies, and the Celtics will look for him to score off the bench.
Kendrick Perkins
Perkins is a young, developing big man who showed flashes of excellence last year. He is a physical player, who excels at rebounding and is a good outlet passer. Unfortuantely, he has a tendency to foul too frequently and has not developed enough post moves. This season, the Celtics will not be looking for Perkins to score, but cleaning up the glass and defending the post will be vital to their success.
Leon Powe
Like Davis and Perkins, Powe will be looked upon to come off the bench and produce. Powe played well in the last month of the season, where he showed the ability to score in th post and rebound well on the offensive end. Powe excels with both his back-to-the-basket and when he faces up. He has super long arms and a great motor. He is somewhat undersized in the post, which limits what he can do.
Gabe Pruitt
Pruitt is a combination guard with a great jump shot and big-time athleticiscm. He has great range on his three point shot, but is undersized at the shooting guard position. Pruitt will be seen as an energy guy this season for Boston. When he comes in, he will need to take advantage of his shooting ability and explosiveness, and take some of the scoring pressure off of the Celtics stars.
Rajon Rondo
Rondo possesses great quickness and long arms. He has the ability to push the pace on offense, but clearly struggles to shoot from the perimeter. He is a great rebounder for a point guard, but needs more experience before he becomes one of the top guards in the East. If the Celtics do not bring in a point guard to compete with Rondo for the starting spot, his success may determine how far his team goes in the playoffs. If he can take care of the ball well and defend the opponents point guard well, the Celtics will be able to compete for the title.
Brian Scalabrine
Scalabrine is a strong defensive player with very limited ability on offense. He has good size and strength, but lacks any post game and cannot create on his own. If injuries occur to Allen or Pierce, Scalabrine may be asked to step in and defend the opponent's best player. Otherwise, Scalabrine's role should be limited this season for the Celtics.
Brandon Wallace
Wallace is a strong defensive player, who blocks shots well. Wallace was undrafted out of South Carolina, but won a spot with the team after playing in Las Vegas for the Celtics. Wallace will be an end-of-the-bench guy this year, but may play a role down the line in Boston.
So with that being said, Ainge still has several key spots on his roster to fill. He certainly needs a point guard to compete with Rondo for the starting role. More likely, the point guard that Ainge brings in will come off the bench for the Celtics, but will play down the stretch. They need a veteran point guard, who has been their before. Some options here are Earl Boykins, Brevin Knight, Troy Hudson, and Charlie Bell. Bell is the best fit of the four guys here, but he is a restricted free agent. The Bucks would like to bring Bell back to play behind Mo Williams. Therefore, I think Brevin Knight will fill the spot for Ainge and the Celtics.
Next, the Celtics need to sign a veteran backup center to play behind Perkins. Ideally, Perkins is limited to playing 25 minutes per night. So, the Celtics need a guy who will be ready to play nearly 20 minutes each game. Dikembe Mutombo, Michael Ruffin, Calvin Booth, Scot Pollard, Anderson Varejo, Chris Webber, and P.J. Brown are the best available free agents to fill this spot. Varejo and Webber will most likely resign with their previous teams. Mutombo, Ruffin, Booth, and Pollard are probably too limited to player close to 20 minutes a night. So, P.J. Brown is the choice to fill this spot.
The last remaining position to fill is a guy who can play small forward or power forward. Andray Blatche, Corliss Williamson, and James Posey are the top remaining players who could fill this role. Posey is the most logical spot to backup Pierce. Posey is a strong defensive player, who would be strong off the bench for the Celtics.
With a full, defensive-minded roster of players around Garnett, Pierce, and Allen, the Celtics should be able to compete for the title. Fielding Rondo and Knight at point guard; Ray Allen, Tony Allen, and Pruitt at shooting guard; Pierce, Posey, Scalabarine, and Wallace at small forward; Garnett, Powe, and Davis at power forward; and Perkins and Brown at center, the Celtics will be as strong as any team in the East, barring any major injuries.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Ranking Young Point Guards
With this year's NBA Draft now past us, many will immediately begin to look towards next year’s rookie class. Point guards rule next years group led by O.J. Mayo (USC), Derrick Rose (Memphis), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Sherron Collins (Kansas), D.J. Augustin (Texas), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), Mario Chalmers (Kansas). With anticipation of possibly seven point guards being drafted in the first round next year, let’s take a lay-of-the-land and check out the top fifteen true point guards (Monta Ellis, Acie Law, and Leandro Barbosa ruled ineligible) twenty-five years old or younger:
(1) Deron Williams, Utah Jazz, 23
Williams has trimmed down his body fat since entering the league and has continued to show that he has a great grasp of Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan's system. He really knows how to play the game and is one of the best passers in the league. He has a knack for hitting big shots and is a great leader. He is able to compensate on defense for his lack of food speed by playing great position defense. Although he is not the most athletic point guard out there, he is able to bull his way to the hoop by overpowering smaller and weaker defenders. Williams has really improved dramatically each year in the league, and there is no reason to think that this will not continue.
(2) Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets, 22
Paul excels on offense in transition, making lead passes for dunks and lay-ups. In the half court, he has a great handle, including a deadly hesitation move with his right hand. Paul exhibits great court vision and plenty of shot-making skill around the basket. His one weakness right now is outside shooting, but considering how well he shoots free throws that should improve as he acclimates to the longer NBA three point line. Defensively, Paul is very good at getting into the passing lanes and coming away with the ball. The flip side of that is that he must gamble less, or choose his prey more carefully. Paul has quick feet and good strength, though as an undersized player in the league, he's always going to have difficulty with bigger guards backing him down.
(3) Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, 25
Coming off his third NBA Championship and first as the MVP of the Finals, Parker has certainly solidified himself as one of the best point guards in the NBA. Much like Paul, Parker has mastered the ability to get into the lane at will. Parker is a deadly weapon on pick-and-roll plays because of his quickness. Defenders try to go under the screen and force Parker to shoot a jumper, but he's so fast that he often can beat defenders to the other side and go in for a lay-up. He also has a superb teardrop shot - perhaps the best in the game - which he uses to great effect when he can't get all the way to the rim. Unlike his jumper, Parker has always shot the teardrop with plenty of arc, and he releases it very fast. Defensively, Parker is underrated. Between his outstanding quickness and his now considerable experience, he's become one of the better defenders at his position. Long-range shooting is the biggest weakness in Parker's game.
(4) Devin Harris, Dallas Mavericks, 24
Harris has blinding quickness off-the-dribble reminiscent of Kevin Johnson, and seems able to get to the basket at will. He needs to get better at finishing once he's there, however, as he had a penchant for blowing layups. His shooting also seems to be inconsistent. Harris could stand to take more three point attempts in order to open his game up. In order to raise his game to the elite level, he will need to work on this perimeter shooting. On the defensive end, based on his quickness and size he can defend both point guards and shooting guards.
(5) Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies, 20
Conley is an ultra-quick lefty point guard with a solid feel for running a team. His ability to get by opposing guards and into the paint is on the elite level. He makes great decisions on the floor and has a great wingspan for a point guard. He is an above average athlete and plays the passing lanes well. Conley has a nice assortment of midrange runners and shots in the paint going towards the rim. His outside shooting is still a major question mark, and could stand to improve his percentage at the free throw line. However, he has proven in the past to be fearless and steps up big when it matters.
(6) Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats, 23
Felton has outstanding quickness going to the basket and has a talent for creating plays off the dribble. He sees the court well, especially in transition, and he's a good rebounder for his size. Offsetting that is a shaky jump shot and finishing skills. Felton struggles to convert when he went to the rim against bigger defenders. Felton will also need to improve his overall defensive skills.
(7) T.J. Ford, Toronto Raptors, 24
Ford is a jackrabbit point guard who excels at pushing the ball and getting his team open-court opportunities. In the half court he can penetrate almost at will thanks to his quickness and an outstanding change of pace move. He tends to get in trouble when he over-penetrates, causing turnovers. Ford is a poor outside shooter who defenses continually dare to shoot. His weak shot makes him very easy to defend on pick-and-rolls, because the defender can go under the screen and know that Ford won't beat him from outside. Ford is great at pressuring the ball, but is a magnet for post-up guards.
(8) Marcus Williams, New Jersey Nets, 21
Though not a great athlete, Williams is a smooth operator at the point reminiscent of Mark Jackson. He sees the floor, can break down defenses, and has good size for his position. He's not a great shooter, but his lefthanded shot appears good enough to keep opponents honest. He may still be a step slow to defend the league’s top point guards, but as he gains more game experience, his defense should improve.
(9) Jarrett Jack, Portland Trail Blazers, 23
While his defense is certainly NBA-quality, Jack’s inability to connect from outside makes him less of a threat on the pick-and-roll. Of particular concern is his turnover ratio, although it did improve last season. With a solid base, Jack has the strength to power his way to the rim when he gets a step on defenders, and he may be able to develop a post game that complements his strength when he's opposed by smaller guards.
(10) Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic, 25
Nelson is a short point guard, but powerfully built and penetrates explosively when going to the right. He shoots the ball well from the three point line, making him deadly in the pick-and-roll. Nelson's strength allows him to muscle up shots after taking contact, although he seems more content to pull up or shoot a floater. He's a score-first point guard but he's not blind either. Nelson is really good at pressuring the ball, forcing dribblers to take time off the shot clock while working upcourt, and he does it without taking unnecessary gambles.
(11) Sergio Rodriguez, Portland Trail Blazers, 21
Rodriguez is an outstanding dribbler and passer, has good size and at a young age, can still improve greatly. His outside shot and defense both are major question marks. He also needs to improve his physical strength in order to improve his overall effectiveness. Rodriguez owns a lethal crossover, and can take any defender one-on-one. He also has the ability to find the open teammate in traffic, but still can sometimes be careless with the ball. As he gets more experience, Rodriguez will continue to improve and may become one of the best point guards in the league in the near future.
(12) Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors, 25
Calderon is a speedy dribbler with long arms. He dribbles equally well with both hands and sees the floor very well. He continually posts excellent assists numbers, but sometimes gets in trouble when he drives and leaves his feet before knowing where he'll pass the ball. Calderon needs to improve his outside shot, so opponents cannot sag off him. Because of he currently struggles with his outside shot, defenders force him to drive into crowds when he penetrates, which often leads to turnovers. Defensively, Calderon's length and quickness make him a good perimeter defender, but he needs to add muscle. Adding some meat on his bones would also help him absorb contact at the offensive end when he goes to the rim.
(13) Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics, 21
Quickness, long arms, and the ability to push the pace give many hope that Rondo will be a success in the NBA. He has great body control and finishes well at the basket. However, a lack of a jump shot could put that success in jeopardy. Defensively, Rondo excels with quick hands and a knack for stealing the ball. He’s also a fantastic rebounder for a guard, but his understanding of the game must evolve.
(14) Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies, 21
Although he has great promise, Lowry has struggled to get playing time in the league. He is an energetic, ball-hawking guard who can penetrate and dish. Lowry is a gritty and tough defender, who has a knack for stealing the ball. In the past, he has shown a big heart and great passion for the game. He plays bigger than his actual size and is a very physical guard. His jump shot off the dribble is his biggest weakness. His overall perimeter game needs more consistency.
(15) Sebastian Telfair, Boston Celtics, 22
Telfair is incredibly quick and a fantastic ball handler, qualities which made him a lottery pick. The first player of his size to turn pro directly out of high school, Telfair has taken his lumps in the NBA largely because of his poor jump shot. With defenders sagging several feet off him and daring him to shoot, his trademark penetrating ability has been neutralized. Because of this, his assist ratio has struggled. However, this is not because of his inability to see the floor – he can be a dazzling passer at times. It's just that he has no answer right now when teams take that play away. He needs to become a better finisher around the basket. Telfair thrives in an up-tempo environment, which would also have helped him defensively. With a small frame, he is great at pressuring the ball, but vulnerable when defending bigger guards.
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