Draft Links: Top Prospects, Drummond, Cavaliers
Determining the potential success of an NBA prospect continues to be a great enigma. In 2005, David Lee went from being an unknown at the 2005 Chicago Pre-Draft camp to an eventual NBA All-Star in 2010. Joe Alexander, who wowed scouts as arguably the best athlete in the 2008 Pre-Draft Camp, struggled to find a niche in the NBA after being selected eighth overall. Even with the uncertainty that comes along with talent evaluation, the importance of teams doing their homework on players is highly-emphasized. Here are a few links to keep you oriented and familiar with the top names you'll be hearing about in late June:
- Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated understands the risk of drafting on potential, but identifies his list of "jackpot" players, namely those whose talent and upside are trustworthy. In descending order, Amick highlights Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Bradley Beal.
- Speaking of potential, Sam Amico of FoxSports Ohio looks at the question marks associated with potential lottery-pick Andre Drummond. The former UConn Husky stands at 6'10'' and boasts a 260-lb frame, and although he arrived as a prized recruit for Jim Calhoun last year, Drummond disappointed many with his inconsistent play. One scout believes that his upside is his selling point, and his mobility and skill set have reminded some people of Andrew Bynum.
- Starting Blocks of Cleveland.com gives a brief rundown of what various mock drafts have been projecting for the Cavaliers, who will have the 24th pick in the draft along with their lottery selection. The team currently has the third-best odds to win the number one selection.
Bulls Notes: Boozer, Rose, Offseason
In six games against the 76ers, Carlos Boozer averaged a disappointing 13.5 PPG, 42.2 FG%, and 3.8 turnovers per game compared to his 15/ 53.2/ 1.7 averages during the regular season. His 1-for-11 performance in a do-or-die Game Six could only have added more frustration for Bulls fans, as some have reportedly called for Boozer to be amnestied this summer. Bulls general manager Gar Forman was quick to show his support (Sportando link via CBS Chicago) for his starting power forward, as he spoke on The Mully and Hanley Show: "Even in that last game, in 27 minutes, he had 13 boards. I anticipate Carlos being with us and having another productive year next season."
Here's more of what's buzzing in the Windy City:
- Derrick Rose is in good spirits and ready to start rehab, according to his former Simeon high school coach Robert Smith (Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago reports). Rose, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL and will likely miss eight to 12 months, hasn't spoken publicly since his injury.
- Joel Brigham and Mark Nugent of HoopsWorld wonder if the costly injuries that followed the team's regular season success are a sign to break up the team. Brigham appears to be a proponent of shopping Luol Deng and Joakim Noah in order to bring another star to Chicago. Nugent toys with some hypothetical scenarios, including the idea of trading Ronnie Brewer and Carlos Boozer to New York for Amare Stoudemire, or letting Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, and C.J. Watson walk after amnestying Boozer in order to fall $12-13 MM below the cap. However, Nugent advocates patience and doesn't feel that the risks that come along with either scenario (or in any case) are worth breaking up the team as currently constructed.
- David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune creates a parallel between Rose's injury and when Michael Jordan broke his left foot during the 1985-86 season, adding that Jordan was still able to return as a dynamic player post-injury.
Southwest Notes: Benson, Carlisle, Assistants
- Tom Benson cleared another hurdle in the process of assuming ownership of the Hornets, as the Federal Trade Commission signed off today on his $338 MM purchase of the team, writes John Reid of The Times Picayune.
- Not every coach in the league experiences the same pressure of working for a candidly passionate and fanatical owner like Mark Cuban, but Rick Carlisle believes that those traits bring along a constant effort to provide the necessary resources to compete. Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas recorded more of Carlisle's thoughts on his confidence in management along with the work cut out ahead for the Mavericks this summer.
- Tom Ziller of SBNation gives his power rankings of the NBA's top assistant coaches who deserve a shot at a head coaching position. Dave Joerger of the Grizzlies is slated at number four, while Mike Budenholzer of the Spurs tops the list at number one.
Greg Oden Interested In Joining Heat
After recently undergoing microfracture surgery, Greg Oden had originally planned to sit out next season in order to rehab and return for 2013-14. His agent, Mike Conley Sr., indicated that Oden could actually be ready to play as far as "being effective and in shape" by this upcoming December or January and will explore his options this summer.
According to a report from Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Oden has entertained the idea of joining the Miami Heat next season. Conley Sr. had this to say:
"The Heat hasn't called but Greg has talked about Miami. He has interest. He's not retiring.”
Ben Golliver of CBS Sports also cited Jackson's article and further examined the possibility, saying that the move would be low-risk and wouldn't cost the Heat more than the veteran's minimum to take their chances on the oft-injured center. If Miami was willing to take on Eddy Curry as a reclamation project, writes Golliver, then it isn't out of the question for them to do the same with Oden.
Odds & Ends: Rose, Bulls, Knicks, Terry
- The Knicks will be looking for another point guard to partner with Jeremy Lin, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Among Berman's list of targets are Kirk Hinrich, Gary Neal, Derek Fisher, A.J. Price, Jannero Pargo, and Jonny Flynn. He also mentions Ramon Sessions, Raymond Felton, Goran Dragic, Andre Miller, Jameer Nelson, and Steve Nash, but I think that the names on this latter list would only be sought after if contract talks with Lin were to somehow fall apart.
- After recently having his interim tag removed, Knicks GM Glen Grunwald has a lot of work cut out for him in the upcoming months, says Al Iannazzone of Newsday. He also adds that with the mid-level likely committed to Lin and no first-round pick, Grunwald will have to be creative with trades and free agency in order to address their back court needs. In another article, Iannazzone goes over the five biggest questions facing the team moving forward.
- Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News speculates that Jason Terry could be on his way out if Deron Williams lands with the Mavericks (subscribers only).
- Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld engaged in his weekly NBA chat with fans. Here are some of his notable thoughts: the Magic may try to package their #19 pick along with Jason Richardson or Chris Duhon to create cap relief, Austin Rivers' game is comparable to Jason Terry and Jamal Crawford, and predicts that Dwight Howard will wind up signing with the Nets eventually.
- Bob Young of the Arizona Republic offers his input on the chances of reportedly interested teams in their pursuit of Steve Nash. Phoenix, Toronto, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, and Portland are given consideration.
- John Rohde of NewsOK explores how the support of his Thunder teammates has played a pivotal role in Eric Maynor's road to recovery from a torn ACL.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Jazz, Gasol, Hawes
- Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld writes that the decisions made this summer with regards to coaching, the draft, and free agency will determine the face of the Mavericks franchise for the rest of Dirk Nowitzki's career.
- Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune writes that Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor is advocating patience as the team continues to build during the post-Deron Williams era. Although the Jazz are not at the same level of the elite teams Western Conference, the team is optimistic about their young core and has offseason flexibility in the form of cap space and a $10 MM trade exception.
- Pau Gasol is aware that the fallout of a loss tonight would include the pressure of a potential breakup of the team, but says that it's not something that should be on their minds, says Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
- John N. Mitchell of The Philadelphia Inquirer discusses the importance of Spencer Hawes' matchup with Kevin Garnett in the second round of this year's playoffs. Hawes will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, so a productive performance against the Celtics could earn him a bigger price tag.
- David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune believes that Luol Deng should pass on the Olympics this summer in order to have surgery on his wrist and allow it to properly heal before next season.
Lakers Release Statement On Mike Brown
Magic Johnson recently made waves by saying that Mike Brown would be fired if the Lakers lose tonight's Game Seven against the Nuggets. The Lakers issued a statement that Magic's comments on Brown "in no way reflect the feelings of (Lakers) management," according to a tweet by Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. The statement also indicated that the organization is in full support of Brown as the head coach.
Royce Young of CBS Sports had the complete transcript:
“The opinion expressed yesterday by Magic Johnson regarding Mike Brown was his personal opinion and was made in his role as a TV analyst. His words were not made on behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers, and in no way do they reflect the feelings or position of team ownership or management. We are fully committed to and supportive of Mike Brown as head coach of the Lakers.”
Mike Trudell of KCAL-9 and Dave McMenamin of ESPN LA were also among the first to tweet about the statement.
Shannon Brown Interested In Returning To Suns
Fresh off of a career season with the Suns, Shannon Brown has expressed interest in returning to Phoenix next year, according to Paul Coro of AZCentral.com.
"I would like to come back, (and) I understand it's a business at the same time. Whatever happens, happens, but I've expressed my interest."
Coro writes that Brown's thought process in free agency will be based on the plans of Steve Nash, with whom he enjoyed sharing the back court with. The 6'4 guard also mentioned that he does not want to play on another one-year contract again, for fear that falling out of the rotation could signal the end of his playing career. In February, Coro documented Shannon's frustration as he struggled to crack Alvin Gentry's rotation. However, Brown was able to find his niche after the All-Star break, earning 23.3 MPG in March and 29.9 MPG in April (compared to 18.8 in February).
The former Michigan State Spartan played on a one-year, $3.5 MM contract with the Suns this season and averaged a career high in minutes (23.7), points (11.0), and shot attempts (10.1), while shooting 42% from the field and 36.2% from three-point range. To his credit, Brown averaged 14.9 PPG and 39.2% from three in the final month of the season, when Phoenix was still playing meaningful games to secure a playoff spot.
Bulls Links: Noah, Offense, Watson
It's difficult to think of another team this year that has faced much more misfortune at such an inopportune time than the Bulls. After losing Derrick Rose in Game One to an injury that will sideline him beyond the start of next season, the team now lists Joakim Noah as doubtful for Game Four after badly spraining his ankle during Game Three. Here are a few more links out of Chicago:
- Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago examines Chicago's failure to find offensive rhythm without Rose in the lineup.
- The Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson writes that guard C.J. Watson is experiencing some pain in his elbow and ankle, but coach Thibodeau is confident that he'll be able to come through and play well tomorrow.
- Johnson wonders if the decision to let Noah continue playing after spraining his ankle caused the injury to become worse.
Odds & Ends: Van Gundy, Smith, Bynum
We have our first playoff elimination, as the Thunder defeated the Mavericks to advance to the second round. The victory wasn't without cost though, as Kendrick Perkins suffered a strained hip during the first quarter and didn't return to the game. As for Dallas, they become the first team since the 2007 Heat to be swept the following year after winning an NBA Championship. With that aside, here are tonight's noteworthy links:
- Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes that Stan Van Gundy, who he refers to as the "best coach the Orlando Magic have ever had," may have coached his last home game with the team. Bianchi adds that if the Magic are to remain a viable franchise, they must side with Dwight Howard in the standoff between him and Stan, which would all but seal Van Gundy's departure. Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel echoed similar sentiments about Van Gundy's reputation, saying that the team's performance against the Pacers today was evidence that the team did not quit on him.
- Hawks forward Josh Smith is eyeing a return for Game Four against the Celtics regardless of how his knee feels, according to Ben Golliver of CBS Sports.
- Lakers center Andrew Bynum attributed his poor performance in the first half of Game Three from not being able to complete his regular pre-game routine, says Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles. While teammate Kobe Bryant lauded Bynum for holding himself accountable, coach Mike Brown wasn't as thrilled: "You hope at this time of the season everybody who steps onto the floor is ready."
- Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston provides a closer look at Mickael Pietrus' value to the Celtics defensively.
- Enes Kanter went from sitting out last year's March Madness at Kentucky to being a part of a playoff team with the Jazz in his rookie season. Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune spoke with Kanter to elaborate more on this experience.
- Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld ranks the most disappointing performers of the NBA playoffs thus far.