Hoops Rumors Originals: 3/26/12 – 4/1/12
A look back at all the original content produced by our writers this past week.
- Here are our new 10-day contract tracker and tentative 2012 draft order features.
- Luke Adams lists every free agent for the 2013/14 season.
- A dissection of late-season signings and their playoff eligibility.
- We took an early look at the free agent market for point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards.
- A list of all non-guaranteed contracts for 2012/13.
- Chuck Myron takes a look at all the 2012 traded first round draft picks.
- The 2011/12 D-league assignments and recalls.
- Daniel Seco posted a poll asking whether or not the Lakers will re-sign Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher this offseason, and also broke down the current playoff picture.
- Zach Links gave us his weekly installment of Hoop Links, a collection of various NBA related blog posts from around the internet.
- Alex Lee wrote our first Prospect Profile piece on Kentucky's Anthony Davis, the probable number one overall pick in this year's draft.
- A Free Agent Stock Watch profile on the enigmatic Kevin Garnett.
- An assessment of marquee free agents who re-signed with their teams.
Prospect Profile: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Last night, in the biggest game of his life, Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was held scoreless for the first 30 minutes. But after Louisville's Peyton Siva tied the game on a three-pointer midway through the second half, the freshman sensation scored two quick baskets that put the Wildcats up for good. He finished the game with nine points, all coming in late, crucial moments.
Kidd-Gilchrist is one of the NCAA's best players. He spent his first season contributing in almost every aspect to a team some believe might be the best college basketball has ever seen. With averages of 11.9 PPG (on just 8.2 shots per game) and 7.5 RPG, while delivering elite defense every minute he's out there, Kidd-Gilchrist has been a consistent force of ferocity.
One possible negative to take away from his only collegiate season has been the slightly alarming fact that as his minutes have gone up, Kidd-Gilchrist's FG% and PPG have gone down, according to StatSheet.com. Also, he's only surpassed the 20-point scoring mark two times.
But looking at these arguments from another angle, the fact that Kentucky's roster is filled with future NBA players may be a reason for the "tempered" scoring numbers. Also, his FG% and scoring didn't exactly fall off a cliff.
Most draft analysts predict the 6'7" forward will be a top three pick in the upcoming draft, and his ability to impact the game both ways makes him one of the surest high value selections to come along in a while. His game is high energy, attacking in transition, and finishing at the basket with incredible efficiency.
If there are any current NBA players who Kidd-Gilchrist could end up emulating, Luol Deng, Andre Iguodala, and Gerald Wallace would be the biggest names. He's a hard worker who should only improve as his career progresses. His versatile style would make him a perfect fit on almost any team likely to receive a high draft pick, but if he's picked by Washington and paired with John Wall, the situation could be extremely beneficial for everyone involved.
Ultimately, his success could be decided on whether he can defend the perimeter like those three All-Stars, knock down wide open shots, and create occassional offense on his own. There's no doubting the future for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a bright one.
Warriors Sign Mickell Gladness For Rest Of Season
In a tweet, Yahoo's Marc J. Spears reports that Golden State has signed Mickell Gladness for the rest of the season. It was reported yesterday that the signing was expected to be for the rest of the season as opposed to a 10-day deal.
As our Chuck Myron wrote yesterday, Gladness began the season with the Heat, appearing in eight games before getting waived February 7th. He then signed two 10-day deals with Miami, despite interest from the Warriors when he signed the last one.
Cavs Notes: Scott, Gibson, Szczerbiak
The News-Herald's Bob Finnan has a few interesting rumors regarding Cleveland's current coaching situation and some salary misconceptions.
- On Friday night the Cavaliers suffered a 38-point loss against the Bucks. The margin of defeat and perceived lack of effort caused Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert to express his displeasure on Twitter. Finnan says that despite the display of dissatisfaction with his team's effort, there's no reason to believe Gilbert will not allow Byron Scott to fulfill the remaining two years on his contract.
- Daniel Gibson's 2012/13 contract is incorrectly being listed as a "team option" on some websites. Only $2.3MM is guaranteed on next year's contract. Gibson's deal is worth $4,792,332 in 2012-13.
- The team renounced former Cavalier forward Wally Szczerbiak on March 16th. They no longer have a cap hold on his deal. It is unknown why they waited to renounce his deal, only that it was a cap move.
Winderman On Cole, Bosh, Free Agency
The Heat head to Boston on Sunday afternoon to take on the Celtics in what could potentially be a playoff preview. Today's game marks the first of three between the two squads during the month of April after the Heat knocked off the Celtics at the beginning of the season. Let's check in with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman for the latest on the Heat.
- Winderman says that the Heat have made the right decision by sticking with backup point guard Norris Cole during his rough patches rather than turning to an unknown entity like Terrel Harris. Cole, a rookie out of Cleveland State, has struggled to run Erik Spoelstra's offense this season while still managing to score 7.1 PPG in just under 20 minutes per contest.
- While the Heat lack a true center, Winderman contends the easiest path to a championship is taken by accumulating the best players possible rather than considering their respective positions. As such, trading a player like Chris Bosh for a mid-level center would not be the best move the Heat could make to move them closer to achieving their goal of a winning a ring.
- There's been a great deal of talk recently from upcoming free agents expressing interest in joining the Heat. From Steve Nash to Jason Terry, the desire to come to South Beach is there, but Winderman questions whether it's really just talk once it comes down to actually signing a contract for less than market value.
Marbury Not Interested In Joining Knicks
Former Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury has no interest in returning to the Knicks even if the team reaches out to him to help their beleaguered backcourt for the remainder of the season, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post. The New York Post contacted Marbury via email and asked him what he would do if the Knicks contacted him about a roster spot now that former head coach Mike D'Antoni is no longer with the team to which Marbury responded that he would do nothing.
The former Georgia Tech star led his team to the CBA championship on Friday night by scoring 42 points in the series-clinching game. While Marbury may be playing well and in great shape according to J.R. Smith, Knicks head coach Mike Woodson seems content moving forward with Baron Davis, Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas at the point. Davis will remain the starter with Bibby and Douglas competing for backup minutes as the season winds down.