I went to the Rockets-Bucks game this past Saturday. It was supposedly viewed in China between 100-200 million people. There certainly were a great deal of Asian people at the game.
Some thoughts from the game:
-I still think the Bucks need to move to an up-tempo game. They have little depth, lack a big-time inside threat, and appear a bit soft. In a fast-paced game, they could take advantage of their guard play and versatility.
-After the game, I went on 82games.com and checked out the amount of time Charlie Villanueva and Yi Jianlian have played together. Since the combination of the two of them has not made up one of the top twenty, five-man units for the Bucks, I was not able to figure this out. However, I'm guessing it is very minimal.
-I assume Luis Scola has been a disappointment for the Rockets in terms of ability to score. All his points basically come in putbacks or transition. He has virtually no post moves and no mid-range shot.
-I really like some of the sets that Rick Adelman runs for Tracy McGrady to get shots. He uses different types of screens and even includes one where the point guard passes and then screens for McGrady to curl into the lane.
-Royal Ivey is a fringe-NBA player. He just doesn't do enough out there to make a difference, especially on offense - same can be said for Carl Landry.
-At this point, if Yi Jianlian is not hitting his jump shots off pick-and-pop he is useless. He struggles to defend, is not quick enough to take his man off the dribble, and cannot score in the post beyond a fadeaway.
-I really like Aaron Brooks and think he has a lot of potential. However, at this point, he forces too many turnovers and is not as far along as I thought he would be.
-The Rockets need a true, veteran point guard who will be a distributor, knock down open three pointers, and play tough defense. At his best, Rafer Alston does the first two well. At his worse, Alston doesn't do any of these things and then the Rockets struggle to win games.
-The Bucks either need to make Villanueva fit into their offense or trade him. He shoots everytime he touches the ball and appears disgruntled with the team. Again, I would play Yi and Villanueva together and see how that goes. They can't be much worse off then they are today, sitting there with a record of 18-30.
-Houston has to be disappointed with the play of Mike James. James makes $5,632,200 this season, $6,049,400 in 2008-09, and has a player option of $6,466,600 in 2009-10. He's playing behind Alston and Brooks at the point guard spot and Tracy McGrady, Luther Head, and Bonzi Wells at shooting guard. He's averaging seventeen minutes per game and only 6.9 points per game. In the last twenty games, James has played in only four of them - his best performance coming in a 31-point win against Minnesota.
Video:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Triangle Offense
The triangle offense is well-described here step-by-step:
http://www.nba.com/step_up/lakers_diagram.html
http://www.nba.com/step_up/lakers_diagram.html
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Lakers & Magic Try to Add Final Piece, Kings Look to Dump Salary
With the Magic and Lakers getting ready for a push to the top of their respective conferences and the Sacramento Kings seeing their top young players develop, it is time for a three-way trade.
Lakers get:
Adonal Foyle, $1,219,590, 1 Year Remaining
Ron Artest, $7,400,000, 2 Years Remaining
Magic get:
Mike Bibby, $13,500,000, 2 Years Remaining
Justin Williams, $862,456, 1 Year Remaining
Kings get:
Pat Garrity, $3,818,750, 1 Year Remaining
Sasha Vujacic, $1,756,951, 1 Year Remaining
Chris Mihm, $2,500,000, 1 Year Remaining
J.J. Redick, $2,000,160, 2 Years Remaining
Trevor Ariza, $3,100,000, 1 Year Remaining
Carlos Arroyo, $4,000,000, 1 Year Remaining
James Augustine, $687,456, 1 Year Remaining
Orlando's 2008 First Round Pick
Let's go team-by-team to take a look at how this would benefit each team.
Lakers: The Lakers would get the final piece to the puzzle to make them the favorite to win the championship. With a starting lineup of Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and then Lamar Odom, Vladimir Radmanovic, Ronny Turiaf, Luke Walton, and Jordan Farmar off the bench, the Lakers would be loaded. Artest would be the perfect complement on the wing to Bryant and Odom's versatility off the bench would fit well. Adding Foyle in place of Mihm would be a slight downgrade, but Foyle does play strong defense in the post. The loss of Ariza would hurt, but he is simply a poor man's Artest. Vujacic has played well and is young, but to make this trade work, he would have to go.
Magic: Today, the Magic sit three games behind Detroit and seven games behind Boston in the East. More importantly, as currently constructed, Orlando most likely will not be able to beat either team in a seven game series. Orlando's biggest weakness thus far has been at the point guard spot. Both Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo have been given a shot, but neither has excelled. With a handful of expiring contracts for players that are not significant on the roster, Orlando has a chance to add a major player. J.J. Redick is a guard who has not fit in with the team and it would be a good opportunity to move him. In this trade, Arroyo would be the only impact player they would need to move. However, adding Bibby would create a situation with an extra point guard, so he could be moved.
Kings: Although the Kings would be giving up two of their most talented players, it would give them an opportunity to get out of long-term contracts that they are locked into. Sacramento would be getting six players whose contracts would expire after this season. A few of the players the Kings would be getting in this trade would be waived immediately. The Kings would also get a terrific shooter in J.J. Redick at a small salary, plus a first round pick of Orlando's next season. With Bibby and Artest moved, it would give Beno Udrih, Quincy Douby, Kevin Martin, John Salmons, and Francisco Garcia more playing time to continue to develop.
I would think only Orlando would have to consider not making this trade. They may not consider Bibby a great enough upgrade from Arroyo or Jameer Nelson to make this trade and take on a big salary for the 2008-09 season. I would think in an opportunity to dump both Bibby and Artest in one trade would be something they couldn't pass on. For the Lakers, to have an opportunity to add another major talent to their team would be a move they would make. Although they would be digging themselves even deeper into a luxury tax position, I would think they would make it for the chance to seriously contend for the title.
Lakers get:
Adonal Foyle, $1,219,590, 1 Year Remaining
Ron Artest, $7,400,000, 2 Years Remaining
Magic get:
Mike Bibby, $13,500,000, 2 Years Remaining
Justin Williams, $862,456, 1 Year Remaining
Kings get:
Pat Garrity, $3,818,750, 1 Year Remaining
Sasha Vujacic, $1,756,951, 1 Year Remaining
Chris Mihm, $2,500,000, 1 Year Remaining
J.J. Redick, $2,000,160, 2 Years Remaining
Trevor Ariza, $3,100,000, 1 Year Remaining
Carlos Arroyo, $4,000,000, 1 Year Remaining
James Augustine, $687,456, 1 Year Remaining
Orlando's 2008 First Round Pick
Let's go team-by-team to take a look at how this would benefit each team.
Lakers: The Lakers would get the final piece to the puzzle to make them the favorite to win the championship. With a starting lineup of Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and then Lamar Odom, Vladimir Radmanovic, Ronny Turiaf, Luke Walton, and Jordan Farmar off the bench, the Lakers would be loaded. Artest would be the perfect complement on the wing to Bryant and Odom's versatility off the bench would fit well. Adding Foyle in place of Mihm would be a slight downgrade, but Foyle does play strong defense in the post. The loss of Ariza would hurt, but he is simply a poor man's Artest. Vujacic has played well and is young, but to make this trade work, he would have to go.
Magic: Today, the Magic sit three games behind Detroit and seven games behind Boston in the East. More importantly, as currently constructed, Orlando most likely will not be able to beat either team in a seven game series. Orlando's biggest weakness thus far has been at the point guard spot. Both Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo have been given a shot, but neither has excelled. With a handful of expiring contracts for players that are not significant on the roster, Orlando has a chance to add a major player. J.J. Redick is a guard who has not fit in with the team and it would be a good opportunity to move him. In this trade, Arroyo would be the only impact player they would need to move. However, adding Bibby would create a situation with an extra point guard, so he could be moved.
Kings: Although the Kings would be giving up two of their most talented players, it would give them an opportunity to get out of long-term contracts that they are locked into. Sacramento would be getting six players whose contracts would expire after this season. A few of the players the Kings would be getting in this trade would be waived immediately. The Kings would also get a terrific shooter in J.J. Redick at a small salary, plus a first round pick of Orlando's next season. With Bibby and Artest moved, it would give Beno Udrih, Quincy Douby, Kevin Martin, John Salmons, and Francisco Garcia more playing time to continue to develop.
I would think only Orlando would have to consider not making this trade. They may not consider Bibby a great enough upgrade from Arroyo or Jameer Nelson to make this trade and take on a big salary for the 2008-09 season. I would think in an opportunity to dump both Bibby and Artest in one trade would be something they couldn't pass on. For the Lakers, to have an opportunity to add another major talent to their team would be a move they would make. Although they would be digging themselves even deeper into a luxury tax position, I would think they would make it for the chance to seriously contend for the title.
Scouting Report: Al Horford
Player Name: Al Horford
Current Team: Atlanta Hawks
NBA Position: PF
Drafted: 3rd (Atlanta)
Height/Weight: 6'10"/245
Birthdate: 6/3/86
Hometown: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
College: Florida
Agent:
Notes:
Son of former NBA player Tito Horford and journalist Arelis Reynoso; Wears size 17 basketball shoes; Won back-to-back national championships at Florida; Named to the All-Tournament team in both national championship seasons; Third team All-American SEC Tournament MVP; Missed two games in college because of a high ankle sprain; Missed time during the 2007 NBA Summer League because of a sprained right ankle.
Strengths:
Physically and emotionally ahead of most his age; Long wingspan; Tough; Post defense; Shot blocker thanks to great timing; Above average ball handler; Leaping; Twelve to fifteen foot midrange jump shot; Rotates well; Help-side defense; Can defend both at the four and five spots; basketball IQ; Rebounding on both ends of the court; Go-to move at this point is a jump hook in the paint; Fights hard for post position; Finishes well at the basket; Runs well; Work ethic.
Weaknesses:
No game outside fifteen feet; Post moves are underdeveloped; No go-to move; Free throw shooting; Footwork; Needs to become more of an offensive threat in pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll situations; Tends to foul too frequently.
Outlook:
On defense, Horford is a terrific rebounder who works hard for loose balls. Although he is not the most athletic power forward, he has great instincts, which allow him to be a better shot blocker than his body should allow him to be. On offense, he needs to continue to work on his range, especially in pick-and-pop situations. Another major need is to increase the range of post moves. Although his mid-lane jump hook is strong, he still needs to develop countermoves off of it and additional movements that he can rely on. If Horford can develop into a reliable offensive threat, improve his footwork, and continue to add weight to his upper body, he will be one of the best, young post players in the league.
Video:
Current Team: Atlanta Hawks
NBA Position: PF
Drafted: 3rd (Atlanta)
Height/Weight: 6'10"/245
Birthdate: 6/3/86
Hometown: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
College: Florida
Agent:
Notes:
Son of former NBA player Tito Horford and journalist Arelis Reynoso; Wears size 17 basketball shoes; Won back-to-back national championships at Florida; Named to the All-Tournament team in both national championship seasons; Third team All-American SEC Tournament MVP; Missed two games in college because of a high ankle sprain; Missed time during the 2007 NBA Summer League because of a sprained right ankle.
Strengths:
Physically and emotionally ahead of most his age; Long wingspan; Tough; Post defense; Shot blocker thanks to great timing; Above average ball handler; Leaping; Twelve to fifteen foot midrange jump shot; Rotates well; Help-side defense; Can defend both at the four and five spots; basketball IQ; Rebounding on both ends of the court; Go-to move at this point is a jump hook in the paint; Fights hard for post position; Finishes well at the basket; Runs well; Work ethic.
Weaknesses:
No game outside fifteen feet; Post moves are underdeveloped; No go-to move; Free throw shooting; Footwork; Needs to become more of an offensive threat in pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll situations; Tends to foul too frequently.
Outlook:
On defense, Horford is a terrific rebounder who works hard for loose balls. Although he is not the most athletic power forward, he has great instincts, which allow him to be a better shot blocker than his body should allow him to be. On offense, he needs to continue to work on his range, especially in pick-and-pop situations. Another major need is to increase the range of post moves. Although his mid-lane jump hook is strong, he still needs to develop countermoves off of it and additional movements that he can rely on. If Horford can develop into a reliable offensive threat, improve his footwork, and continue to add weight to his upper body, he will be one of the best, young post players in the league.
Video:
Friday, February 1, 2008
Portland-New Jersey Revised
With the Nets-Grizzlies trade occuring today sending Jason Collins to Memphis for Stromile Swift, my Kidd-to-the-Blazers trade needs to be revised.
Here is the new version:
Nets receive:
Raef LaFrentz, $12,440,787, 2 Years Remaining
Jarrett Jack. $1,217,400, 2 Years Remaining
Channing Frye, $2,487,240, 2 Years Remaining
Sergio Rodriguez, $817,000, 2 Years Remaining
2008 First Round Pick
Portland receives:
Jason Kidd, $19,728,000, 2 Years Remaining
Malik Allen, $770,610, 1 Year Remaining
Darrell Armstrong, $770,610, 1 Year Remaining
Here is the new version:
Nets receive:
Raef LaFrentz, $12,440,787, 2 Years Remaining
Jarrett Jack. $1,217,400, 2 Years Remaining
Channing Frye, $2,487,240, 2 Years Remaining
Sergio Rodriguez, $817,000, 2 Years Remaining
2008 First Round Pick
Portland receives:
Jason Kidd, $19,728,000, 2 Years Remaining
Malik Allen, $770,610, 1 Year Remaining
Darrell Armstrong, $770,610, 1 Year Remaining
Drafting Big Ten Talent for the NBA
Below is a list of each player drafted from a Big Ten school since the 2000 draft.
Northwestern and Penn State were the only schools that did not have a player selected in either round of the draft.
Northwestern and Penn State were the only schools that did not have a player selected in either round of the draft.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Trade Proposal: Cavs Add Talent, T'Wolves Dump Salaries
As Minnesota lingers with the worse record in the NBA and Cleveland tries to jump into the top of the East, it looks like it may be time for both teams to make a trade. Minnesota is looking to rid itself of some of their veteran players with long-term contracts and Cleveland is simply looking to upgrade their talent.
Minnesota gets:
Ira Newble, $3,441,900, 1 Year Remaining
Eric Snow, $6,703,125, 2 Years Remaining
Donyell Marshall, $5,566,965, 2 Years Remaining
Shannon Brown, $1,044,120, 1 Year Remaining
2008 First Round Pick
Cleveland gets:
Gerald Green, $1,440,960, 1 Year Remaining
Antoine Walker, $8,329,640, 4 Years Remaining
Marko Jaric, $6,050,000, 4 Years Remaining
In this trade, Minnesota would be ridding themselves of two of their largest player contracts. Green has also expressed displeasure with his playing time and it appears he has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. At only 22 years old, and 6'8", Green certainly has potential to become a contributer in the NBA. The Timberwolves will receive two players whose contracts expire after this year. The other two - Snow and Marshall - have one more year after this upcoming season, but both may retire.
Cleveland would clearly be getting the better talent in this swap. Walker would immediately become the Cavaliers top big man-perimeter threat and could help take some of the scoring pressure off LeBron James. Jaric would compete for time with Larry Hughes, Daniel Gibson, and Devin Brown for time at either guard spot.
This trade would help both team achieve its current goals: Cleveland would add more talent, while Minnesota would improve their payroll flexibility for future seasons.
Minnesota gets:
Ira Newble, $3,441,900, 1 Year Remaining
Eric Snow, $6,703,125, 2 Years Remaining
Donyell Marshall, $5,566,965, 2 Years Remaining
Shannon Brown, $1,044,120, 1 Year Remaining
2008 First Round Pick
Cleveland gets:
Gerald Green, $1,440,960, 1 Year Remaining
Antoine Walker, $8,329,640, 4 Years Remaining
Marko Jaric, $6,050,000, 4 Years Remaining
In this trade, Minnesota would be ridding themselves of two of their largest player contracts. Green has also expressed displeasure with his playing time and it appears he has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. At only 22 years old, and 6'8", Green certainly has potential to become a contributer in the NBA. The Timberwolves will receive two players whose contracts expire after this year. The other two - Snow and Marshall - have one more year after this upcoming season, but both may retire.
Cleveland would clearly be getting the better talent in this swap. Walker would immediately become the Cavaliers top big man-perimeter threat and could help take some of the scoring pressure off LeBron James. Jaric would compete for time with Larry Hughes, Daniel Gibson, and Devin Brown for time at either guard spot.
This trade would help both team achieve its current goals: Cleveland would add more talent, while Minnesota would improve their payroll flexibility for future seasons.
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