Prospect Profile: John Jenkins
Vanderbilt's John Jenkins is a hot name with teams picking in the latter part of the first round and with good reason. He can really shoot. Jenkins played three years at Vanderbilt and shot over 40 percent from three in every one of them. His jumper is by far his best feature as a player, so expect playoff teams that could use a sniper off the bench to have interest.
Equally important at the next level will be Jenkins ability to utilize his lethal range in a variety of fashions. He has an extremely quick release and showed he could shoot off screens and off the dribble in college. Jenkins' form is picturesque and he has mastered squaring up on his release, making his jumper effective in most in-game situations.
Draft Updates: Sunday
We've already heard today from Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer about the Bobcats' draft history and how important it is to capitalize on top five picks when you have them. In an Odds & Ends post, the Pistons and Hawks draft prospects were also discussed. As tonight's start time for Game 3 of the NBA Finals approaches, we will keep all draft-related links in this post, with the latest news on top.
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com examines the possibility of Austin Rivers being drafted by the Celtics and playing for his father. While he deems the chances remote, it sounds like something both parties would be up for.
Odds & Ends: Iguodala, Sixers, Jennings, Spurs
All indications from Philadelphia are that they want to shake things up this offseason. We already know Rod Thorn is more or less out and that Lou Williams has opted out. In his chat today, ESPN's Chad Ford said that he is again hearing Andre Iguodala is being shopped. Ford mentions the Wizards or Bobcats as possible destinations with the Sixers, in return, moving up from pick fifteen. Ford mentions Bradley Beal, Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond as Sixers' targets. Here are others odds and ends from around the league on Sunday night:
Week In Review: 6/11/12 – 6/17/12
Here's a look back at the biggest stories from around the Association this week..
- Jeff Green's combination of youth and athleticism has numerous teams interested.
- Sixers guard Lou Williams will opt out of the final year of his contract.
- Former Blazers guard Brandon Roy is preparing for a return to the NBA next season.
- Brandon Bass will decline his player option 2012/13 but hopes to work on a long-term deal.
- Jamal Crawford confirmed that he won't be picking up his player option for 2012/13.
- Jerry Sloan withdrew his name from consideration in the Bobcats' coaching search.
- Unsurprisingly, Gerald Wallace informed the Nets that he'll be declining his option.
- The Magic narrowed their GM search down to three candidates.
- Danny Ferry is the frontrunner to replace Rod Thorn at the helm in Philly.
- Mike Miller denied a report that he plans to call it a career after the Finals.
- Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has found a buyer for the franchise.
- Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson says he's not high on the Knicks' roster.
- The sale of the Hornets to Tom Benson is now official.
Thunder Offered Brooks Three-Year, $11MM Deal
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has offered head coach Scott Brooks a three-year deal worth just under $11MM in the past, but he and his agent weren't willing to accept it, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The two sides have set aside talks for the playoffs and a guaranteed fourth year could make a new contract happen.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 6/11/12 – 6/17/12
Here's this week's look at the original work of the Hoops Rumors team..
- Daniel Seco asked readers if they would rather build a franchise around LeBron James or Kevin Durant. More than 72% voted for the Thunder star.
- Luke Adams' Offseason Outlook series continued with breakdowns of the Bulls, Thunder, Heat, Pacers, and Grizzlies.
- Luke listed the 2012/13 guaranteed salary total for each team.
- Check out this handy post for all the ways to keep up with Hoops Rumors and here for specific players.
- This week's installment of Hoops Links had pieces on Dwyane Wade, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Eric Gordon. You can send in your blog post to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
- Did you miss Luke's weekly chat? Don't worry, you can check out the transcript right here.
- Chuck Myron put together a list of teams that hold rights to international players dating back to 2005.
- I profiled St. Bonaventure standout Andrew Nicholson.
- French star Evan Fournier could bring financial flexibility to whichever club drafts him, writes Michael Pina.
- Nearly half of Hoops Rumors readers believe that Andre Iguodala is the small forward most likely to be traded this summer.
- How were the Thunder and Heat built? Luke examined the formation of both Finals franchises.
- The Knicks are the team with the most to lose or gain from the bird rights ruling, Luke writes.
Odds & Ends: John Henson, Hawks, Perkins
Kevin Durant and the Thunder take on the Heat in a pivotal Game 3 this evening in Miami with the series tied at one game a piece. With his 68 points through the first two games of the Finals, Durant trails only Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan for the most points in a player's first two career Finals games. Let's check in on the latest news and stories making headlines from around the league as the Heat look to improve on their 1-2 record in Games 3s during the 2012 playoffs…
Lawrence On Grizzlies Sale, Pau Gasol, Clippers
Jeremy Lin will have the opportunity to appeal his arbitration case to a three-person board if he loses, writes Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. The same is true for the NBA if it doesn't win against Lin, Steve Novak, J.J. Hickson and Chauncey Billups as the players fight to retain their Bird Rights after being waived at various points just prior to and during the 2011/2012 season. Let's catch up on the latest rumors and headlines as reported by Lawrence in his latest offering…
Bobcats’ Success Predicated On Top 5 Picks
Selecting in the top five of the draft is nothing new for the Bobcats as they find themselves in such a position for the fourth time in franchise history this year, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Unfortunately for Charlotte, none of its previous three top-five selections remain with the team as Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison are all either with another franchise or out of the league. With all of their former potential franchise players elsewhere, the Bobcats finished the 2011/2012 season with a 7-59 record, which amounted to the worst winning percentage in league history.
Jeff Green Attracting Interest From Myriad Teams
Jeff Green's combination of youth and athleticism has numerous teams inquiring about his impending unrestricted free agency later this summer, writes Sam Amick of SI.com. The former Georgetown star missed the entire 2011/2012 season after suffering from an aortic aneurysm in December and undergoing surgery in January. Green's agent David Falk considers his client to be back to 100% health as he heads into the offseason as possibly the No. 2 free agent with 10-12 teams inquiring about his interest in taking his talents to their respective cities.