Money Time: Upcoming Free Agents In The Playoffs
With another week of the playoffs in the books, let's check again on how soon-to-be free agents are faring in the postseason. You can catch up on the first and second installments by clicking the links. A number of players on expiring contracts are putting up impressive performances in the second round, but with size always a premium in the NBA, let's focus on three big men who are getting it done:
Winners
Kevin Garnett, Celtics: Garnett turns 36 today, but he's not atop this list because it's his birthday. It's hard to overlook his 3-for-12, nine-point, seven-turnover outing in the Celtics collapse against the Sixers last night, but Garnett's playoff renaissance has been one of the most compelling stories of the past few weeks. His 192 total points in 10 playoff games is more than anyone except Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and teammate Paul Pierce. Garnett's scoring (19.2) and rebounding (11.0) averages are his best in the playoffs since the Celtics' run to the title in 2008. He's protecting the basket, too, averaging 1.8 blocks per game. That's a figure he only exceeded once in the regular season, during his MVP year in 2003/04.
Tim Duncan, Spurs: A few weeks after his 36th birthday, Duncan can't believe how healthy he feels, and that's certainly been reflected in his play. He's led in his team in scoring with 22.0 PPG in two wins over the Clippers, while also averaging 7.5 rebounds, two steals and a block during the series. His 53% shooting for the postseason as a whole is the third-best percentage he's ever had in the playoffs, and his 25.4 PER is the fifth best of anyone on any playoff team this year. It's hard to imagine him leaving the Spurs, but he's probably earned a few extra dollars and another year or two on his next contract with his throwback performance.
Roy Hibbert, Pacers (restricted): He has exploited the Heat's weakness inside to the tune of 14.7 PPG and 13.3 RPG in three games against Miami, with three blocks a night to boot. He's pulled down 14 offensive rebounds in the series so far, and forced Miami coach Erik Spoelstra to start little-used Dexter Pittman in a vain attempt to match up with Hibbert's 7-foot-2, 278-pound size. For the playoffs as a whole, he's averaging 12.4 PPG and 11.8 RPG, and at age 25, he might be the No. 1 center on the free agent market this summer.
Losers
Ray Allen, Celtics: His 1-for-7 performance in Boston's closeout victory over the Hawks in the first round has carried over to the series against the Sixers. Allen is averaging only 9.3 points per game against Philadelphia on 29.4% shooting from behind the arc. That's not much of an improvement over his 27.8% three-point accuracy against the Hawks. Odder still is his 60% postseason free-throw shooting. He says his right ankle feels all right, but you have to wonder.
Matt Barnes, Lakers: His appearance on this list has a lot to do with Metta World Peace's return from suspension, but it never helps a free agent's case to become a forgotten man. He's played just 41 minutes so far against the Thunder, taken just seven shots, pulled down four rebounds and has more turnovers (four) than steals (three). The red flags will be flying especially high if he doesn't get much time tonight, with the Lakers playing a rare playoff back-t0-back.
Reggie Evans, Clippers: Evans, too, has seen his minutes cut drastically in the second round, but in his case there's not a clear reason why. Foul trouble might be to blame for his paltry eight minutes in Game 1, but he picked up just one foul as coach Vinny Del Negro went to him for just 11 minutes in Game 2, and his lack of playing time has contributed to an 82-66 advantage for San Antonio on the boards. Evans has seven rebounds in the series so far after bettering that total in six of the seven games against Memphis.
Atlantic Notes: Howard, Nets, Lin, Knicks, Celtics
The Celtics and 76ers are underway in Philadelphia as the C's look to go up 3-1 in their second-round series. Here's the latest out of the Atlantic Division..
- Despite all of the ups-and-downs of the Dwight Howard saga, Alex Kennedy of Hoops World (via Twitter) still expects to see the Magic big man land in Brooklyn with the Nets this summer.
- The Knicks should prioritize signing Steve Nash this summer rather than re-signing point guard Jeremy Lin, opines Moke Hamilton of Sheridan Hoops. Although Nash will turn 39 years old next season, Hamilton argues that he is a known and proven commodity.
- Even though some have questioned the Celtics' ability to make a deep run in the playoffs due to their advanced age, Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com writes that head coach Doc Rivers isn't worried about his team's condition over the long-haul. Win or lose this year, Boston appears likely to seek out a youth infusion this summer.
- The Celtics will be holding a pre-draft workout in the next few days and will bring in a bunch of big men, sources tell Kennedy (via Twitter).
Atlantic Rumors: Knicks, Pietrus, Deron Williams
As two Atlantic Division teams go at it tonight in Game 2 of the Celtics-Sixers series, let's check on what's happening off the court:
- The Knicks stand to gain if the union prevails on its contention that players claimed off waivers may retain their Bird Rights, but only by so much. If the arbitrator rules in favor of the union, that could allow the Knicks to re-sign Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak while using the mid-level exception on another player. Yet, as Howard Beck of The New York Times points out, the team would have only the smaller taxpayer mid-level exception if retaining Novak and Lin, along with their other free agents, pushes them above the $74MM luxury tax apron. Currently, the team has approximately $58.7MM guaranteed to players next season, with seven free agents and two players on non-guaranteed deals (All Twitter links).
- Mickael Pietrus, a free agent after the season, will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this summer, and hinted that he may re-sign with the Celtics, according to Jackie MacMullan and Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Pietrus underwent the same procedure on the knee during this past offseason.
- At the bottom of this piece by Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, Nets shooting guard Anthony Morrow offers a glimpse into the mind of top free agent target Deron Williams. Among other things, Morrow says that Williams "really likes Brooklyn," and loves the team and his teammates.
Odds & Ends: Clippers, Celtics, Oden, Trail Blazers
Writing for Spurs Nation, Tim Griffin asks whether or not the Spurs should take a long, hard look at free agent Greg Oden once he recovers from his third microfracture knee surgery in 2013.
- With his team getting only one day of rest in between the first four games of their first round series against the Sixers, Doc Rivers will give his team the day off on Sunday, and most likely throughout the series, depending on how it goes, according to ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg.
- After defeating the Grizzlies in their Game 7 showdown earlier today, the Clippers are primed for a tough match-up with the Spurs, writes USA Today's J. Michael Falgoust.
- CSNNW.com's Dwight Jaynes takes a look at Paul Allen's current situation as owner of the Trail Blazers, and whether or not a possible sale could be in the near future.
Celtics Notes: Allen, Rondo, Garnett
With first round playoff action still underway, the Celtics kicked off the second round of the playoffs with a 92-91 victory over the Sixers at home on Saturday. Thanks to 29 points from Kevin Garnett, the Celtics were able to overcome a poor shooting performance from Paul Pierce to secure the win. Let's head up to Boston and catch up on the latest news and happenings at the Garden.
- Celtics swingman Mickael Pietrus has been dealt a cold hand in recent weeks, but according to CSNNE.com's A. Sherod Blakely, Pietrus isn't the least bit worried about it.
- While injuries have impacted the second half of Ray Allen's 16th season in the league, the former UConn star is thankful to still be in the league after so many years, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Allen, 37 later this summer, is one of the few players from the 1996 NBA draft that is still making a contribution to a team. “Sometimes with the other guys, they played two years, they played five years, they played nine years,’’ Allen said. “And they don’t seem like they lasted as long as they should, but some guys get to professional basketball and they just get burned out.
- Barbara Matson of The Boston Globe says Rajon Rondo didn't know what to expect out of himself after failing to take a nap prior to Saturday's game against the Sixers. The result? The former Kentucky star had the eighth triple-double of his playoff career after getting off to a slow start and not finding his stride until the fourth quarter.
- Garnett says he has no life beyond dedicating himself to basketball and it's paying huge dividends for the Celtics, reports ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg. “I have no life at this point," said Garnett. "I go home, get treatment, come back in here, study tape, film — no life at all. This is what it is.” With no distractions whatsoever, Garnett has been dominant on the court with 28 points and 14 rebounds in the series-clinching victory over the Hawks and similarly strong numbers Saturday night against the Sixers.
Odds & Ends: Garnett, Josh Smith, Chandler, Oden
- Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution rounded up a few remarks from Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr., who called Kevin Garnett, a free agent this summer, "the dirtiest guy in the league." Gearon praised Josh Smith, who enters the final season of his contract next year, saying, "We wouldn't be where we are without him."
- Dallas Morning News columnist Kevin Sherrington, in a chat, makes the claim that former Mavs center Tyson Chandler could have swung the team's series with the Thunder.
- In light of today's news that Greg Oden will return in 2013, John Canzano of The Oregonian looks back on Oden's tenure with the Blazers and hopes the team learns from the mistake of drafting him.
Top Undrafted Rookies In 2011/12
A total of 81 players made their debuts in the NBA this past season, according to Basketball-Reference, many of whom weren't picked in last June's draft. A handful of those undrafted players made notable impacts in their rookie seasons this year. Let's take a look at the top undrafted players to debut in 2011/12:
- Just making the Hawks this season was a victory for Ivan Johnson, who long ago fell off even the most ardent fan's radar screen after a single unimpressive season at the University of Oregon in 2005/06. His willingness to do the dirty work inside earned him the opportunity, and his 13 points in 21 minutes during a nationally televised three-overtime game against the Heat was his breakthrough performance. The 6'8", 230-pound big man fortified a depleted Hawks front line, as he averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game this season.
- It's only fitting that Johnson is going up against Greg Stiemsma's Celtics in the first round, since Stiemsma had a similar impact this year. He played 19.0 MPG in March and April as the Celtics stormed back from a dismal first half, and shot 66.7% in the season's final month. He was a presence inside for a team that needed one, and blocked 4.0 shots per 36 minutes.
- Donald Sloan started out with the Hawks, inked a pair of 10-day contracts with the Hornets, and finally wound up with the Cavs, signing a deal in March for the rest of the season. Cleveland gave him the chance to play, and he made it count, averaging 9.4 PPG and 5.4 APG in 33.2 MPG in 11 starts as a Cav.
- The Grizzlies felt comfortable enough with Jeremy Pargo, who made the team in training camp, that they traded backup point guard Greivis Vasquez to the Hornets right before the season, leaving his job to the undrafted rookie out of Gonzaga. Though he saw his role diminish as O.J. Mayo and midseason signee Gilbert Arenas took over the minutes behind Mike Conley, he still averaged nearly 10 MPG (9.6) and made five starts.
- Perhaps overshadowed by other talented teammates at Duke, Lance Thomas didn't get a call on draft night after his senior season in 2010. It took him an extra year, but he made it to the NBA with the Hornets this season. His numbers weren't overwhelming, but he still started 10 games and averaged 15.0 minutes in 42 games this season.
Prospect Profile: Tony Wroten
The draft is an inexact science that’s not for the faint of heart in NBA front offices, and deciding whether to take one first-round prospect in particular already has a few executives sweating. Most teams are “scared to death” of Washington point guard Tony Wroten, as Chad Ford wrote in an ESPN.com Insider piece last month. His poor decisions with the ball, deficient shooting and lack of ability to lift his team raise serious doubts about whether he can fulfill an upside that Ford says could be the best of any point guard in the draft. That Wroten once listed J.R. Smith, another questionable decision maker, as his favorite player of all-time, doesn’t exactly ease anyone’s mind. If he were judged on talent alone, Joe Treutlein of Draft Express believes the freshman would be a top 10 pick, while Ford says he would be in the top five. The doubts about him bring the official ESPN and Draft Express projections down to 21st, while NBADraft.net sees him going 26th.
It would be easy to dismiss the 19-year-old if he weren't so full of potential. His ability to get to the basket, draw fouls and make dazzling passes is hard to match. Making the difficult pass, however, means little if you can't consistently make the routine pass, and this year Wroten averaged more turnovers per game (3.8) than assists (3.7). That's as much of an indictment as any for a point guard. Treutlein points out that the lefty plays almost completely one-handed, an issue that may mitigate his penetration when facing tougher defenders and better scouting at the pro level. The same piece praises Wroten for his defense, though, noting that while he is prone to gambling for steals, he usually is effective in using his size, strength, length and instincts to his advantage. He measures 6'5", 204.5 pounds, with a 6'8" wingspan, lending credence to the notion that he's really a combo guard.
Wroten is harder to compare to other players than any other prospect in this year's draft, Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com said this week via Twitter, but both Treutlein and Ford have thrown out the name of Tyreke Evans. Ford says some scouts believe he's the second coming of Gary Payton, but judging from everything else we hear, that seems like quite a stretch. Nate Robinson is Wroten's cousin, and he might be a reasonable match. Though Robinson is eight inches shorter, he's also a combo guard who can get to the hoop and alternates between scintillating and frustrating performances. One major difference is Robinson's outside shot; he's hit 35.4% from three-point land in his NBA career, while Wroten managed to connect on only 16.1% of his attempts from the college three-point line this year.
In Wroten's most pressure-packed moments as a collegian, the 58.3% free-throw shooter missed four straight from the line down the stretch of a two-point loss that knocked his team out of NCAA Tournament contention. While Washington was the Pac-12 regular season champ, the Huskies wound up in the NIT, a serious knock on the competition Wroten faced this year. He has experience with USA Basketball at the junior level, but his bio from those competitions reveals that he missed the entire 2009/10 season with a torn ACL. Certainly, others have fully recovered from that kind of injury, but it's another red flag that makes him such an object of concern for NBA teams.
The best outcome for Wroten might be to get with a well-run organization that can give him the guidance and time necessary to develop and use him as a third guard off the bench instead of a starter. The Celtics, who have back-t0-back picks at No. 21 and No. 22, might be tempted to take the plunge with Wroten with one of those selections if they play it conservatively with the other. Rajon Rondo and, if he re-signs, Ray Allen, could be just the kind of mentors Wroten needs to one day prove all his critics wrong.
Atlantic Notes: Lin, Nash, DeRozan, Celtics
As the Celtics and Sixers look to close out their respective first round series tonight, let's round up a few odds and ends out of the Atlantic Division:
- Speaking to reporters, including Marc Berman of the New York Post, Knicks coach Mike Woodson ruled out Jeremy Lin for the rest of the team's series against the Heat, even if it goes seven games.
- Steve Nash was officially named the general manager of Canada's national team today, and talked to ESPN.com's Marc Stein about his new role. During the press conference in Toronto, Nash said he hasn't made any decisions about free agency yet, but that he wouldn't rule out signing with the Raptors (Twitter link via Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun).
- Raptors swingman DeMar DeRozan has been named to the Team USA select team, Jerry Colangelo announced today (link via Jay Satur of Raptors.com). DeRozan will join Kyrie Irving, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and others on the squad, which will scrimmage against the U.S. Olympic team this summer.
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe thinks it would be premature for the Celtics to break up their Big Three this summer.
Odds & Ends: Allen, Hawks, Anderson, Voting
It was a day of odd sightings on the hardwood, as the Knicks overcame the loss of Baron Davis to a dislocated kneecap to win their first postseason contest in 11 years. A No. 1 seed lost a third straight playoff game as the Bulls fell to the 76ers. And in Denver, a woman with a history of stalking the Nuggets came onto the court during Game 4 against the Lakers, reports J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today. Here's the rest of what raised eyebrows around the Association today:
- Teams interested in Celtics free agent Ray Allen this summer might not have to worry about how he'll respond to ankle surgery, since he says he may not go through with the procedure he originally thought was inevitable. Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com first tweeted the news, and Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com adds detail.
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News believes the Hawks will deal either Josh Smith or Al Horford if the team can't rally from its 3-1 deficit to the Celtics (Twitter link). Of the two, Smith seems the easiest to trade, since 2012/13 is the last season on his contract.
- Despite a subpar showing in the playoffs so far, restricted free agent Ryan Anderson figures to be near the top of this summer's market for power forwards. There's mutual admiration between Anderson and the Magic, writes Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, who also notes the team's recent history of matching offer sheets.
- The NBA released a statement acknowledging that Ernst & Young, the same accounting firm that handles the draft lottery, made an error tabulating the Most Improved Player of the Year voting, reports Chris Bernucca of SheridanHoops.com. A first-place vote meant for Andrew Bynum was mistakenly counted for Andrew Bogut. Either way, award winner Ryan Anderson comes out on top of the voting.
- Fran Blinebury of NBA.com examines the divergent career paths of Spurs point guard Tony Parker and Jazz counterpart Devin Harris, more than four years after Parker expressed relief that Harris was traded away from the Mavs.