Tuesday night I went to the Bulls game and sat at center court in the second row. It was very really interesting to see the interactions between players, coaches, referees, and even players.
Some thoughts from the evening:
-Jannero Pargo is a great streak shooter and instant offense. However, when he is not making his shot, he is completely useless. He does not make the best choices with the ball in his hands, lacks size and strength, and is a mediocre defensive player. However, when he's got the hot hand, he's the ideal bench player.
-Aaron Gray played twelve minutes for the Bulls in the game and had three turnovers and four fouls. Tyrus Thomas only played eight minutes in the game. I would give all minutes of Gray's to Thomas.
-The Hornets lack the necessary depth to truly compete in the playoffs. Rasual Butler, Hilton Armstrong, Jannero Pargo, Bobby Jackson, and Ryan Bowen are their key contributors off their bench. None of these guys standout and the Hornets could use a boost off the bench, especially a big man.
-Chris Paul is just as valuable to his team as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash is to his team. The Hornets entire offense runs around and through Paul and when he is out of the game, they run their offense completely differently. This team will go as far as Paul takes them.
-Byron Scott seems like a pefect fit for this team. In the past, he was described as an ego-maniacal, long-winded coach with the Nets, but is not a hit with the Hornets.
-David West and Tyson Chandler have become great players in New Orleans, but I doubt they would have developed so nicely if Paul wasn't playing with them.
-Peja Stojakovic is still the best perimeter shooter when he is on. In this game against the Bulls, Paul spent most of the second half penetrating into the lane, drawing the defense, and kicking out to an open Stojakovic.
-The Bulls played a lineup featuring Chris Duhon, Thabo Sefolosha, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, and Ben Wallace. The Hornets struggled to matchup and Sefolosha scored several times in the post.
-Why didn't Kirk Hinrich start? Why did he come in after several minutes? He clearly was healthy enough, shooting three for five from the three point line.
Box Score:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=AkDvHNgJ8pZJSsuCCKeO0QuQvLYF?gid=2008021204
Video:
Showing posts with label Tyson Chandler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tyson Chandler. Show all posts
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sunday, September 9, 2007
4 to Watch for Next Season
Of the top 20 players ranked by double-doubles last season, four of them were not expected by most to finish in this elite group.
Emeka Okafor, C, Charlotte Bobcats
39 double-doubles, 9th
After injuries forced Okafor to miss most of the 2005-06 season, he came back very strong this past season maintaining a strong points per game average and improving both in rebounds per game and blocks per game. Okafor still needs to improve greatly from the free throw line. When he catches the ball on the block, he needs to recognize double-teams and then find the open man more consistently. Continued superior play on defense and improving his scoring average will help the Bobcats contend for a playoff position for the first time in their franchise history.
Al Jefferson, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves
38 double-doubles, T10th
From March 1 to the end of last season, Jefferson was sixteenth in the league in points plus assists plus rebounds per game, beating out players like Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard. If Jefferson can maintain this level of play, now with Minnesota, he will continue his leap as one of the best post players. Jefferson will be a key component of Minnesota's rebuilding process and will be looked to score consistently each night this season. On defensive, Jefferson still needs to make major strides and has to cutdown on the number of fouls he commits.
Tyson Chandler, C, New Orleans Hornets
34 double-doubles, 14th
Chandler was second in league last season in rebounds per game and thirteenth in blocked shots per game. Chandler's biggest problem continues to be a large amount of turnovers committed. He often is called for setting illegal screens or committing three-second violations. Additionally, Chandler frequently struggles to catch the ball and throw passes away. Playing with a talented point guard like Chris Paul, these problems cannot continue. With their core locked up for the next several years, the success of this current version of the Hornets may be tied to Chandler's development.
Josh Smith, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks
32 double-doubles, T17th
Smith is a unique player with incredible athleticism, who can play the shooting guard, small forward, and power forward positions. Last season, Smith was one of only six players who averaged more than 15 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, 1 steal per game, and 1 block per game. Kevin Garnett, Elton Brand, Amare Stoudemire, Gerald Wallace, and Shawn Marion were the only other players to reach this milestone. Smith excels at finishing on the fastbreak, but struggles with any consistentcy on his outside shot. He excels at blocking shots and getting into passing lanes to steal balls, but he tends to have mental lapses on the defensive end. In order to improve, Smith needs to get better at creating his own shot and shoot the ball from the perimeter with more consistency.
Emeka Okafor, C, Charlotte Bobcats
39 double-doubles, 9th
After injuries forced Okafor to miss most of the 2005-06 season, he came back very strong this past season maintaining a strong points per game average and improving both in rebounds per game and blocks per game. Okafor still needs to improve greatly from the free throw line. When he catches the ball on the block, he needs to recognize double-teams and then find the open man more consistently. Continued superior play on defense and improving his scoring average will help the Bobcats contend for a playoff position for the first time in their franchise history.
Al Jefferson, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves
38 double-doubles, T10th
From March 1 to the end of last season, Jefferson was sixteenth in the league in points plus assists plus rebounds per game, beating out players like Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard. If Jefferson can maintain this level of play, now with Minnesota, he will continue his leap as one of the best post players. Jefferson will be a key component of Minnesota's rebuilding process and will be looked to score consistently each night this season. On defensive, Jefferson still needs to make major strides and has to cutdown on the number of fouls he commits.
Tyson Chandler, C, New Orleans Hornets
34 double-doubles, 14th
Chandler was second in league last season in rebounds per game and thirteenth in blocked shots per game. Chandler's biggest problem continues to be a large amount of turnovers committed. He often is called for setting illegal screens or committing three-second violations. Additionally, Chandler frequently struggles to catch the ball and throw passes away. Playing with a talented point guard like Chris Paul, these problems cannot continue. With their core locked up for the next several years, the success of this current version of the Hornets may be tied to Chandler's development.
Josh Smith, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks
32 double-doubles, T17th
Smith is a unique player with incredible athleticism, who can play the shooting guard, small forward, and power forward positions. Last season, Smith was one of only six players who averaged more than 15 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, 1 steal per game, and 1 block per game. Kevin Garnett, Elton Brand, Amare Stoudemire, Gerald Wallace, and Shawn Marion were the only other players to reach this milestone. Smith excels at finishing on the fastbreak, but struggles with any consistentcy on his outside shot. He excels at blocking shots and getting into passing lanes to steal balls, but he tends to have mental lapses on the defensive end. In order to improve, Smith needs to get better at creating his own shot and shoot the ball from the perimeter with more consistency.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Hornets Plan to Look the Same for Years to Come
Article originally written on November 3, 2006.
This summer the Hornets made a splash adding Bobby Jackson, Jannero Pargo, Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, Cedric Simmons, and Hilton Armstrong to the mix. This splash pretty much guaranteed that their roster will look the same way for the next several years to come.
Player Name..06/07..07/08.. 08/09....09/10
P. Stojakovic...10.8.... 11.9......13.......... 14.2
T. Chandler.....9.........10.........11............12
D. Mason........8.1.......F/A....F/A..........F/A
M. Jackson....4.9.......F/A.....F/A.........F/A
B. Jackson.....4 5.......6.0.......F/A.........F/A
C. Paul...........3.4.......3.6.........4.5..........6.1
R. Butler.......3.0.......3.3.........3.6..........4.0
A. Macijauskas..2.5..2.5........F/A........F/A
D. West.........2.1.......7.0...........8.0..........9.0
H. Armstrong..1.8....1.9..........2.0.........2.8
C. Simmons....1.5.....1.6...........1.7.........2.7
J. Pargo........1.0........1.1........F/A........F/A
B. Bass.......650k......F/A.......F/A........F/A
06/07 Salaries
$54 million
Free Agents at season’s end: D.Mason, M.Jackson, B. Bass
Total of just under $14 million coming off the cap at end of season.
Mason will demand a contract of about $20 million over 4 years.
07/08 Salaries
$49 million
Free Agents at season’s end: Arvydas Macijauskas, Jannero Pargo
H. Armstrong and C. Simmons have a team option at season’s end.
Total of just over $3.5 million coming off the cap at end of season.
08/09 Salaries
$51 million
Free Agents at season’s end: Bobby Jackson
Chris Paul will be eligible for a contract extension at season’s end.
H. Armstrong and C. Simmons have a team option at season’s end.
09/10 Salaries
$51 million
Free Agents at season’s end: Rasual Butler
Analysis:
With a total of just under fourteen million dollars coming off the cap at the end of the season, it may be the only chance for them to make a significant move in the next four years. This cap relief will come at the expense of Desmond Mason, Marc Jackson, Brandon Bass. Although there is little chance that the team brings back Jackson or Bass, they may return athletic wingman, Desmond Mason, at a reasonable contract. However, if they do not they resign him, they will have money to bring in a player like Gerald Wallace, Morris Peterson, Primoz Brezec, or Darko Milicic. Beyond this, the Hornets personnel will be the same for years to come. Although they will once again receive cap relief after the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, this money will be saved to extend the contracts of potentially Chris Paul, Cedric Simmons, and Hilton Armstrong. Therefore, Hornets fans better hope that Tyson Chandler lives up to his potential, Peja Stojakovic benefits from a change of scenery, David West continues to work hard after receiving his contract extension, and Bobby Jackson gels well with Chris Paul.
This summer the Hornets made a splash adding Bobby Jackson, Jannero Pargo, Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, Cedric Simmons, and Hilton Armstrong to the mix. This splash pretty much guaranteed that their roster will look the same way for the next several years to come.
Player Name..06/07..07/08.. 08/09....09/10
P. Stojakovic...10.8.... 11.9......13.......... 14.2
T. Chandler.....9.........10.........11............12
D. Mason........8.1.......F/A....F/A..........F/A
M. Jackson....4.9.......F/A.....F/A.........F/A
B. Jackson.....4 5.......6.0.......F/A.........F/A
C. Paul...........3.4.......3.6.........4.5..........6.1
R. Butler.......3.0.......3.3.........3.6..........4.0
A. Macijauskas..2.5..2.5........F/A........F/A
D. West.........2.1.......7.0...........8.0..........9.0
H. Armstrong..1.8....1.9..........2.0.........2.8
C. Simmons....1.5.....1.6...........1.7.........2.7
J. Pargo........1.0........1.1........F/A........F/A
B. Bass.......650k......F/A.......F/A........F/A
06/07 Salaries
$54 million
Free Agents at season’s end: D.Mason, M.Jackson, B. Bass
Total of just under $14 million coming off the cap at end of season.
Mason will demand a contract of about $20 million over 4 years.
07/08 Salaries
$49 million
Free Agents at season’s end: Arvydas Macijauskas, Jannero Pargo
H. Armstrong and C. Simmons have a team option at season’s end.
Total of just over $3.5 million coming off the cap at end of season.
08/09 Salaries
$51 million
Free Agents at season’s end: Bobby Jackson
Chris Paul will be eligible for a contract extension at season’s end.
H. Armstrong and C. Simmons have a team option at season’s end.
09/10 Salaries
$51 million
Free Agents at season’s end: Rasual Butler
Analysis:
With a total of just under fourteen million dollars coming off the cap at the end of the season, it may be the only chance for them to make a significant move in the next four years. This cap relief will come at the expense of Desmond Mason, Marc Jackson, Brandon Bass. Although there is little chance that the team brings back Jackson or Bass, they may return athletic wingman, Desmond Mason, at a reasonable contract. However, if they do not they resign him, they will have money to bring in a player like Gerald Wallace, Morris Peterson, Primoz Brezec, or Darko Milicic. Beyond this, the Hornets personnel will be the same for years to come. Although they will once again receive cap relief after the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, this money will be saved to extend the contracts of potentially Chris Paul, Cedric Simmons, and Hilton Armstrong. Therefore, Hornets fans better hope that Tyson Chandler lives up to his potential, Peja Stojakovic benefits from a change of scenery, David West continues to work hard after receiving his contract extension, and Bobby Jackson gels well with Chris Paul.
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