It is almost 2013! Before you celebrate, though, there are many sports events coming up before the New Year that will be incredibly exciting to watch. What do I prescribe you watch?
College Basketball:
Dec. 28: Baylor at Gonzaga- 5pm West Coast time. This game will be very exciting. A solid backcourt battle between point guards Pangos and Jackson will be fun to watch. Pangos is the better shooter and passer, but Jackson is a much greater athlete who puts up a ton of shots. Isaiah Austin looks like a match-up nightmare for most teams, but Gonzaga has compiled a lot of frontcourt depth. If the likes of Olynyk, Dower and Karnowski can stay out of foul trouble, Austin could have an off night. The pick: Gonzaga 77 Baylor 72
Dec. 28: Missouri at UCLA- 7pm West Coast time. UCLA has been arguably the biggest enigma in the country thus far. Blessed with highly touted freshmen, and solid upperclassmen role players, this UCLA has disappointed thus far, going 9-3 (including a loss to Cal-Poly). Missouri has been impressive, with G Phil Pressey leading the way. He has not shot the ball great this year (i.e. vs. Illinois), but he has improved his point guard skills drastically over the last year. This will be a very tight game in Pauley Pavilion, but I expect UCLA, led by Shabazz Muhammad, to knock off the 7th ranked Tigers. The pick: UCLA 73 Missouri 66
Dec. 29: UNLV at North Carolina- 11am West Coast time. This was, in my opinion, one of the best games of the year last year, when UNLV upset the top ranked Tar Heels. The 2nd year of a home and home, North Carolina has lost a lot of the talent that they had last year. UNLV has been impressive, but lost potential first round pick Mike Moser to an elbow injury. The match-up to watch will be Anthony Bennett vs. James Michael McAdoo. This will be Bennett's first real test against another lottery type talent, and McAdoo has not developed into the star Tar Heel fans expected he would be. The pick: UNLV 80 North Carolina 78 in overtime.
Dec. 29: Kentucky at Louisville- 1pm West Coast time. Expected to be a powerhouse game, Kentucky enters the match-up unranked. They still boast an impressive freshman core, led by Nerlens Noel and Alex Poythress, but lack veteran leadership like the team had last year. Louisville has lost only once (to top ranked Duke), and has been led by potential All-Americans Russ Smith and Peyton Siva, who could be the best backcourt in the nation. Big man Gorgui Dieng will return from injury, and upgrade the already outstanding Cardinals defense. I expect Noel to have a monster game on the glass, blocking a plethora of shots, but the Cardinal's backcourt will be too much to handle. The pick: Louisville 70 Kentucky 61
Dec. 31: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh- 9am West Coast time. Cincinnati is no longer unbeaten, after losing yesterday to New Mexico. Pittsburgh has only lost once, to top 5 team Michigan, but hasn't beat any marquee opponents. Cincinnati's strength lies in its guard play, led by Cashmere Wright and Sean Kilpatrick. Pittsburgh will be better up front. Steven Adams, from New Zealand, has failed to impress thus far. Against an average Bearcat frontline, this is as good of a chance as he's had to breakout. The pick: Cincinnati 65 Pittsburgh 58
Dec. 31: Michigan State at Minnesota- 11am West Coast time. Both ranked teams, Minnesota is led by seniors Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams, and Michigan State led by JR. Keith Appling and SO. Branden Dawson. Michigan State has suffered one more loss than Minnesota, though is the only team to beat Kansas. In this game I expect Michigan State to expose the overrated Minnesota. The pick: Michigan State 74 Minnesota 60
Dec. 31: Gonzaga at Oklahoma State- 3pm West Coast time. The Zags make this list for a second time, mainly because they play one of the best non-league schedules year after year. Just as Pangos vs. Jackson was a great match-up, there will be a better one against Marcus Smart. At 6'4 Smart is one of the bigger point guards in the country, which means Gary Bell Jr. will most likely be forced to defend him when Gonzaga goes man on defense. I expect this game to be a shootout, but Oklahoma State will have to hit outside shots to win this game, which has not been easy for the team thus far. The pick: Oklahoma State 77 Gonzaga 76
NBA: (with an emphasis on the Blazers)
Dec 28: Portland at LA Lakers- 730pm West Coast time. Portland beat the Lakers at home on halloween. Surprisingly, Portland has a better record than LA thus far, who were largely projected to be among the top 3 teams in a stacked Western Conference. Kobe Bryant has been scoring at will, but the team seems to struggle the more Kobe scores. Beyond LaMarcus Aldridge and JJ Hickson, Portland is young up front, and they should look to Howard and, yes, Pau Gasol early and often in the post. Portland needs to do the same with Aldridge, but they need Lillard and Batum to score at least 20 apiece. This game will be decided by who can play the most efficient game. The pick: Portland 108 Los Angeles 100
Dec. 29: Philadelphia at Portland- 7pm West Coast time. Both teams will be in the second day of a back to back (PHI gets GS the night before). The star in Philly, Andrew Bynum, is still out, meaning they will continue to rely on Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner to score and make plays. Holiday and Lillard, as well as Turner and Batum, are intriguing matchups, as they involve similar types of plays (except for Turner creating his own jumpshots). Where Portland has an advantage will be inside. LaMarcus Aldridge and JJ Hickson should shine against a front line of Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen. I expect LA to go for 25 and 10, and Hickson go for 14 and 14. If the Blazers dominate inside, as they should, Portland will have no issues with this 76er squad. The pick: Portland 97 Philadelphia 84
College Football Bowl Games
Dec. 29: Oregon State vs. Texas (Alamo Bowl)- 345pm West Coast time. Both teams limped into this game, with Texas dropping their last 2 and Oregon State losing big at home to the rival Ducks. Cody Vaz gets the nod at QB for the Beavs, though Mannion will be ready, and David Ash for the Longhorns. This game will be won or lost based off of the turnover battle. I expect Jordan Poyer to return an interception, and Scott Crichton to get to the quarterback for a few sacks. Texas' year is next year. The pick: Oregon State 31 Texas 24
Dec. 29: West Virginia vs. Syracuse (Pinstripe Bowl)- 1215pm West Coast time. This game will be one of the most exciting bowl games this year. Both teams boast solid offenses. Geno Smith has potential to be the number 1 pick in the draft, and he has exceptional playmakers in Tavon Austin (who Seattle should draft!) and Stedman Bailey. Relatively unknown, Syracuse boasts a future NFL quarterback in Ryan Nassib. I expect Nassib to be drafted no lower than the 3rd round, even making his way into the late 2nd as something I would expect. Syracuse also had 2 backs rush for over 600 yards, with Jr. Jerome Smith breaking the 1000 yard barrier. This game will be a shootout. The pick: West Virginia 49 Syracuse 48
Dec. 31: LSU vs. Clemson (Chick-Fil-A Bowl)- 430pm West Coast time. A great offense vs. a great defense. Offensively, LSU has struggled, while Clemson, led by QB Tajh Boyd, has succeeded. Boyd has future NFL starters at reciever in Watkins and Hopkins, and, one or both of these receivers MUST make big plays in this game. Defensively, LSU has one of, if not the top, the best defensive lines in college football. Mingo and Montgomery are great on the edges and will put lots of pressure on Boyd. In the end, I see too much defense. The pick: LSU 16 Clemson 14
There are also some intriguing match-ups in the NFL, with the Bears, Vikings, Cowboys and Redskins fighting for playoff berths. Here are some quick picks for the NFL week 17:
Falcons 31 Bucs 17
Bills 20 Jets 6
Bengals 21 Ravens 20
Bears 17 Lions 14
Titans 16 Jaguars 7
Colts 24 Texans 21
Saints 35 Panthers 24
Giants 21 Eagles 20
Steelers 7 Browns 6
Seahawks 38 Rams 20
Broncos 35 Chiefs 10
Packers 20 Vikings 17 (OT)
Patriots 27 Dolphins 14
Chargers 10 Raiders 9
49ers 20 Cardinals 13
Redskins 23 Cowboys 17 (OT)
As always, Go Blazers tonight against the Lakers! Here are the keys to the game:
1. Win the rebound battle- This will not be easy, but Hickson and LA have performed well on the glass over the past week. Keeping Howard off the glass is especially important.
2. Make 10 3s- This is a lot, but outside shooting is a necessity against this Laker squad. Batum, Lillard and Babbitt should have the green light.
3. Turnovers under 12- This is one I have used many times this season, but it is incredibly important for this team, especially with a rookie point guard. In games where the Blazers take care of the ball, they win most of the time. The Blazers cannot give a talented team like the Lakers easy baskets!
Follow on twitter @ZRey12
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Its almost 2013, who are the best at each position?
Here are my NBA positional ranks going into the new year. This is about their value right now. For example, Anthony Davis might be rated low now, but I full expect him to become a superstar over the next 5 years (He had a draft grade of 93 from me). Who are the best right now?
PG
1 Chris Paul- Is making a case to be the MVP this year.
2 Russell Westbrook- A match-up nightmare, still developing his outside shot and BBall IQ, but he is a sensational player.
3 Rajon Rondo- The best playmaker since Steve Nash. His 11.1 apg are impressive.
4 Kyrie Irving- Yeah he's already a top 5 PG. In 5 years, he'll be the best 1 guard in the league.
5 Deron Williams- Might be starting a slight decline, though is still scary good. He does not have as much responsibility with Joe Johnson sharing a backcourt.
6 Derrick Rose- This is probably too low, but he won't play a game until at least March. If his healing gets him back to 100%, I'll eat my crow for placing him this low.
7 Tony Parker- Still gets it done. Still not an outside shooter, he might be the smartest PG in the league.
8 Stephen Curry- Averaging 20 and 6 assists for a good Golden State squad. Well worth his recent extension.
9 Jrue Holiday- Averaging almost 19 pts and almost 9 assists. Given the Bynum injury, the Sixers needed someone to step up and Holiday has been the guy. Worth his extension as well.
10 Damian Lillard- Has been incredibly impressive as a rookie, and is going to get better. Super quick and boasting deep range he has been a stud for Portland. He needs to improve his court vision to go up the list.
For the future- Eric Bledsoe- Needs an opportunity to start, and he wont disappoint.
SG
1 Kobe Bryant- Might be his last year atop the list, but he is still scoring well, averaging 30 points a game. If only his scoring could translate to more wins...
2 Dwayne Wade- Playing second fiddle in Miami, Wade is still averaging 20 a game. At age 30 now, his skills, athleticism especially, are starting to decline.
3 James Harden- Has been exactly what Houston needed, though he has not fit well with Lin (who has been average). In 5 years, he could be number 1 on this list.
4 Manu Ginobili- The go-to guy in San Antonio still. His scoring numbers are down to only 11.6 points per game, but he plays well when it matters. Expect good things in the playoffs.
5 Joe Johnson- The Nets are good! Johnson has been scoring well, albeit in an inefficient manner. I still would not want to be on the hook for his contract though.
6 Jamal Crawford- The Clippers are leading the west, mainly due to Crawford's strong play. His ball handling and outside shooting have been what they needed. Could this be the season for his 1st all-star appearance?
7 OJ Mayo- He is having a career year in Dallas, scoring almost 20 a game. Dallas is not winning many games though. The addition of Nowitzki should help this.
8 DeMar Derozan- I am still skeptical of his big contract. He is very athletic, but cannot shoot, and is only an ok defender. That said he is scoring 18 a game in a relatively efficient manner.
9 Wesley Matthews- Shoots and defends above the league average, and has completed more 2's than last year. He is part of the reason Portland is at .500 so far this year.
10 Klay Thompson- Might be the best shooter in the league, but is still a below-average defender and ball handler. Without him, though, Golden State would not be achieving the same success.
For the future- Shabazz Muhammed- In 5 years he will be a 20ppg scorer.
SF
1 Lebron James- The greatest player of the decade. He does everything, and would be number 1 for any position.
2 Kevin Durant- If Lebron is 1, then Durant is 1a. He means everything to the Thunder, averaging nearly 29 a game and a career best 8 rebounds.
3 Carmelo Anthony- Number 3 on the list, he is a definite MVP candidate. I expect his numbers to fall some, but he is why the Knicks are tops in the east right now.
4 Paul Pierce- Pierce is aging well. I would not have guessed Pierce would score 20 a game, but he has done so thus far. The Celtics need some more youth, but Pierce has been stellar.
5 Rudy Gay- Memphis' hot start was helped by Rudy Gay's nice start. His shooting percentages are down, but he excels at creating his own shot.
6 Nicolas Batum- Batum is proving his worth given his contract as well. Averaging career bests in every category, Batum is having a breakout year.
7 Josh Smith- Where will he end up next season? Houston would be a good fit, but their assets need to develop more. Smith is still one of the best defenders in the game, and useful on offense when he isn't shooting from the outside.
8 Andre Iguodala- His numbers are down since Denver acquired him, but he is still a great athlete and defender. He needs to increase his efficiency to help Denver rise in the standings.
9 Paul George- Danny Granger's injury has allowed George to step up and score 17 points per game. He is still improving, and could become a cornerstone for the Pacers.
10 Danny Granger- Amazing that he finds himself behind George. Still a potent scorer, Granger is not the defender that George is, and is most likely done improving.
For the future- Evan Turner- Has been a great playmaker next to Holiday, and is shooting the ball better than expected. Only an average athlete, he is finally showing some of the promise
PF
1 Kevin Love- Love has only recently returned from injury, but he should soon become a 22 and 12 player again, as long as his frustrations with his front office don't get in the way.
2 LaMarcus Aldridge- He is the best big in the league at creating his own shot. He is not the rebounder that others on this list are, but he may be the best scorer (He leads all PF in scoring)
3 Blake Griffin- I wanna see him jump over the Kia from nose to trunk. Griffin is averaging 18 a game, and is 2nd in efficiency. Expect nothing but improvement, especially in the low post.
4 Tim Duncan- He has been amazing for San Antonio. Benjamin Button effect? Duncan is averaging 17 and 10, to go with 2.5 blocks. Age was supposed to catch up with SA, but Duncan is defying odds.
5 David Lee- Averaging 20 and 11, Lee could be on his way to a first all-star appearance, though he only places 5th at PF on this list. Still a marginal defender, Lee is excelling in Oakland.
6 Zach Randolph- Plays below the rim, but is a phenomenal rebounder, putting up almost 13 a game. Athletically Z-Bo struggles, but he has found his niche. He knows what to do.
7 Kevin Garnett- Age might be catching up to KG. His numbers are down some, but they are affected by Miami's acquisition of Ray Allen. Come playoff time (if they make it...) KG will step up.
8 Ryan Anderson- If it isn't Klay Thompson, Anderson might be the most feared shooter in the league. His rebounding numbers are down, as he comes off the bench, but he is highly sought after by many teams.
9 Serge Ibaka- The best shot blocker in the game, Ibaka is scoring more for OKC this season. His rebounding numbers are up as well. He is feared inside.
10 Anthony Davis- The future top shot blocker. Davis is still learning how to play in the league, but he is averaging 14 and 8 in a very efficient manner. A superstar in waiting.
For the future: Nerlens Noel- Offensively Noel will enter the league very raw. He reminds me of Serge Ibaka, though, as he is a great shot blocker, and could average double digits in rebounds after a few years of seasoning.
C
1 Dwight Howard- His tenure has been average in LA so far, but he is still averaging 18 and 12. He is the best center in the league, and probably will be for at least the next few years.
2 Tyson Chandler- The reigning defensive player of the year is having another good season in New York. Efficient, Chandler is averaging 12 and 10, but helps the team beyond statistics, as many other players on the squad are not good defenders.
3 Joakim Noah- Noah is the best passing big man in the game (No, David Kahn, it isn't Darko). He is averaging a double double for Chicago, and the offense runs through him in the absence of Rose.
4 Chris Bosh- He is listed under center because he plays it for Miami, though he is more of a power forward. His scoring is solid and rebounding numbers down, though that's to be expected next to Lebron James.
5 Pau Gasol- He is having a disappointing season. Pau needs a change in scenery, where he will most likely be reverted back to the center position. He can still be an 18/10 player in the right system.
6 Anderson Varejao- He has over-performed this season. I am not sure he can keep up these numbers long term (or even just next season), but he is averaging 14 and 14. He deserves a better team.
7 Al Jefferson- This is most likely his last year in Utah. He is only the go to guy on a bad team, and would be better suited as a #2 or #3 scoring option. He is solid in the low post, and averages 16/10.
8 Marc Gasol- The other Gasol is still in the middle in Memphis. His rebounding numbers are average, as Randolph and Gay grab a good amount. Marc has a great low post game.
9 Al Horford- Horford is solid. A 15/10 player, he would be better suited at the 4. He is not great athletically, but excels playing beneath the rim.
10 Greg Monroe- Monroe beats out Brook Lopez for this last spot. Both better offensive players, Monroe is a better rebounder, and has a solid mid-range jumpshot. He still has great potential as well.
For the future: DeMarcus Cousins- One of the biggest enigmas in the league, Cousins must learn how to be a better teammate, and be more coachable. His career could end before its ready, just as great players like Marbury, Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady, if he does not clean up his act. On the court, he has talent that cannot be ignored. As noted in the last post, Sacramento should add another very good post to help mentor Cousins.
Follow me on twitter @ZRey12
If I left anyone out, post in the comments!
PG
1 Chris Paul- Is making a case to be the MVP this year.
2 Russell Westbrook- A match-up nightmare, still developing his outside shot and BBall IQ, but he is a sensational player.
3 Rajon Rondo- The best playmaker since Steve Nash. His 11.1 apg are impressive.
4 Kyrie Irving- Yeah he's already a top 5 PG. In 5 years, he'll be the best 1 guard in the league.
5 Deron Williams- Might be starting a slight decline, though is still scary good. He does not have as much responsibility with Joe Johnson sharing a backcourt.
6 Derrick Rose- This is probably too low, but he won't play a game until at least March. If his healing gets him back to 100%, I'll eat my crow for placing him this low.
7 Tony Parker- Still gets it done. Still not an outside shooter, he might be the smartest PG in the league.
8 Stephen Curry- Averaging 20 and 6 assists for a good Golden State squad. Well worth his recent extension.
9 Jrue Holiday- Averaging almost 19 pts and almost 9 assists. Given the Bynum injury, the Sixers needed someone to step up and Holiday has been the guy. Worth his extension as well.
10 Damian Lillard- Has been incredibly impressive as a rookie, and is going to get better. Super quick and boasting deep range he has been a stud for Portland. He needs to improve his court vision to go up the list.
For the future- Eric Bledsoe- Needs an opportunity to start, and he wont disappoint.
SG
1 Kobe Bryant- Might be his last year atop the list, but he is still scoring well, averaging 30 points a game. If only his scoring could translate to more wins...
2 Dwayne Wade- Playing second fiddle in Miami, Wade is still averaging 20 a game. At age 30 now, his skills, athleticism especially, are starting to decline.
3 James Harden- Has been exactly what Houston needed, though he has not fit well with Lin (who has been average). In 5 years, he could be number 1 on this list.
4 Manu Ginobili- The go-to guy in San Antonio still. His scoring numbers are down to only 11.6 points per game, but he plays well when it matters. Expect good things in the playoffs.
5 Joe Johnson- The Nets are good! Johnson has been scoring well, albeit in an inefficient manner. I still would not want to be on the hook for his contract though.
6 Jamal Crawford- The Clippers are leading the west, mainly due to Crawford's strong play. His ball handling and outside shooting have been what they needed. Could this be the season for his 1st all-star appearance?
7 OJ Mayo- He is having a career year in Dallas, scoring almost 20 a game. Dallas is not winning many games though. The addition of Nowitzki should help this.
8 DeMar Derozan- I am still skeptical of his big contract. He is very athletic, but cannot shoot, and is only an ok defender. That said he is scoring 18 a game in a relatively efficient manner.
9 Wesley Matthews- Shoots and defends above the league average, and has completed more 2's than last year. He is part of the reason Portland is at .500 so far this year.
10 Klay Thompson- Might be the best shooter in the league, but is still a below-average defender and ball handler. Without him, though, Golden State would not be achieving the same success.
For the future- Shabazz Muhammed- In 5 years he will be a 20ppg scorer.
SF
1 Lebron James- The greatest player of the decade. He does everything, and would be number 1 for any position.
2 Kevin Durant- If Lebron is 1, then Durant is 1a. He means everything to the Thunder, averaging nearly 29 a game and a career best 8 rebounds.
3 Carmelo Anthony- Number 3 on the list, he is a definite MVP candidate. I expect his numbers to fall some, but he is why the Knicks are tops in the east right now.
4 Paul Pierce- Pierce is aging well. I would not have guessed Pierce would score 20 a game, but he has done so thus far. The Celtics need some more youth, but Pierce has been stellar.
5 Rudy Gay- Memphis' hot start was helped by Rudy Gay's nice start. His shooting percentages are down, but he excels at creating his own shot.
6 Nicolas Batum- Batum is proving his worth given his contract as well. Averaging career bests in every category, Batum is having a breakout year.
7 Josh Smith- Where will he end up next season? Houston would be a good fit, but their assets need to develop more. Smith is still one of the best defenders in the game, and useful on offense when he isn't shooting from the outside.
8 Andre Iguodala- His numbers are down since Denver acquired him, but he is still a great athlete and defender. He needs to increase his efficiency to help Denver rise in the standings.
9 Paul George- Danny Granger's injury has allowed George to step up and score 17 points per game. He is still improving, and could become a cornerstone for the Pacers.
10 Danny Granger- Amazing that he finds himself behind George. Still a potent scorer, Granger is not the defender that George is, and is most likely done improving.
For the future- Evan Turner- Has been a great playmaker next to Holiday, and is shooting the ball better than expected. Only an average athlete, he is finally showing some of the promise
PF
1 Kevin Love- Love has only recently returned from injury, but he should soon become a 22 and 12 player again, as long as his frustrations with his front office don't get in the way.
2 LaMarcus Aldridge- He is the best big in the league at creating his own shot. He is not the rebounder that others on this list are, but he may be the best scorer (He leads all PF in scoring)
3 Blake Griffin- I wanna see him jump over the Kia from nose to trunk. Griffin is averaging 18 a game, and is 2nd in efficiency. Expect nothing but improvement, especially in the low post.
4 Tim Duncan- He has been amazing for San Antonio. Benjamin Button effect? Duncan is averaging 17 and 10, to go with 2.5 blocks. Age was supposed to catch up with SA, but Duncan is defying odds.
5 David Lee- Averaging 20 and 11, Lee could be on his way to a first all-star appearance, though he only places 5th at PF on this list. Still a marginal defender, Lee is excelling in Oakland.
6 Zach Randolph- Plays below the rim, but is a phenomenal rebounder, putting up almost 13 a game. Athletically Z-Bo struggles, but he has found his niche. He knows what to do.
7 Kevin Garnett- Age might be catching up to KG. His numbers are down some, but they are affected by Miami's acquisition of Ray Allen. Come playoff time (if they make it...) KG will step up.
8 Ryan Anderson- If it isn't Klay Thompson, Anderson might be the most feared shooter in the league. His rebounding numbers are down, as he comes off the bench, but he is highly sought after by many teams.
9 Serge Ibaka- The best shot blocker in the game, Ibaka is scoring more for OKC this season. His rebounding numbers are up as well. He is feared inside.
10 Anthony Davis- The future top shot blocker. Davis is still learning how to play in the league, but he is averaging 14 and 8 in a very efficient manner. A superstar in waiting.
For the future: Nerlens Noel- Offensively Noel will enter the league very raw. He reminds me of Serge Ibaka, though, as he is a great shot blocker, and could average double digits in rebounds after a few years of seasoning.
C
1 Dwight Howard- His tenure has been average in LA so far, but he is still averaging 18 and 12. He is the best center in the league, and probably will be for at least the next few years.
2 Tyson Chandler- The reigning defensive player of the year is having another good season in New York. Efficient, Chandler is averaging 12 and 10, but helps the team beyond statistics, as many other players on the squad are not good defenders.
3 Joakim Noah- Noah is the best passing big man in the game (No, David Kahn, it isn't Darko). He is averaging a double double for Chicago, and the offense runs through him in the absence of Rose.
4 Chris Bosh- He is listed under center because he plays it for Miami, though he is more of a power forward. His scoring is solid and rebounding numbers down, though that's to be expected next to Lebron James.
5 Pau Gasol- He is having a disappointing season. Pau needs a change in scenery, where he will most likely be reverted back to the center position. He can still be an 18/10 player in the right system.
6 Anderson Varejao- He has over-performed this season. I am not sure he can keep up these numbers long term (or even just next season), but he is averaging 14 and 14. He deserves a better team.
7 Al Jefferson- This is most likely his last year in Utah. He is only the go to guy on a bad team, and would be better suited as a #2 or #3 scoring option. He is solid in the low post, and averages 16/10.
8 Marc Gasol- The other Gasol is still in the middle in Memphis. His rebounding numbers are average, as Randolph and Gay grab a good amount. Marc has a great low post game.
9 Al Horford- Horford is solid. A 15/10 player, he would be better suited at the 4. He is not great athletically, but excels playing beneath the rim.
10 Greg Monroe- Monroe beats out Brook Lopez for this last spot. Both better offensive players, Monroe is a better rebounder, and has a solid mid-range jumpshot. He still has great potential as well.
For the future: DeMarcus Cousins- One of the biggest enigmas in the league, Cousins must learn how to be a better teammate, and be more coachable. His career could end before its ready, just as great players like Marbury, Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady, if he does not clean up his act. On the court, he has talent that cannot be ignored. As noted in the last post, Sacramento should add another very good post to help mentor Cousins.
Follow me on twitter @ZRey12
If I left anyone out, post in the comments!
Blazers (13-13) vs. Sacramento (again...)
Portland gets Sacramento for the 4th and final time this year tonight at 7. Sacramento has had a dismal season, winning only 9 games to 18 losses, and winning only one game on the road. Any guesses on where their only road win came? If you guessed the Rose Garden you would be correct. Sacramento has played well in the last 2 games against Portland, even without DeMarcus Cousins in the last game, and most likely without him tonight as well. This is a must win for Portland to get over .500 again, and build some momentum going into January. The West is far superior to the East again this season, and playoffs will not be achieved with an even win loss record. Hollinger currently projects, in his playoff odds, that it will take 44 wins to make the playoffs, though looking at the teams in contention for the last spot it could take more than 44. Tonight is a big game, as Portland needs to take care of marginal opponents, something the team has struggled with over the season (losses to SAC, DET, WAS...)
Keys to the game:
1. LaMarcus Aldridge scores 20 and grabs 10 boards. Against bigs of Thompson and Robinson, LA should have no problem scoring 20, though grabbing 10 boards will be more difficult. He needs to be aggressive tonight. *Side Note- LA deserves to be an All-Star (20/8/2/1/1 stat line), but the Blazers need to win games and LA needs to keep putting up numbers. Beating up on an inexperienced Kings front line could be important for this cause.
2. Keep turnovers under 12. Damian Lillard has been a stud, and both Batum and Matthews have performed better with the ball in their hands, but these 3 players account for 7 turnovers a game. If the ball handlers take care of the ball (Matthews is out again tonight), we can get a lead early and hold onto it late.
3. Win the rebound battle. If LA and JJ post double doubles, this cause will be helped. Allowing Sacramento to stay in the game, by allowing offensive boards, and thus second chances, would be a major mistake for the Blazers squad.
GO BLAZERS!!!
Bonus Note- The Kings are in quite the predicament given the recent behavior of Cousins. He has been a cancer to his team, which is a shame given his talent. Many analysts on ESPN, and around the internet, think the Kings should trade Cousins, even though his trade stock is low. I think Geoff Petrie should make a move for a veteran big to mentor Cousins. Players like Anderson Varejao, Chris Kaman, or Utah's 2 bigs (Jefferson and Millsap) could be available given their teams poor performances, or depth at the position. Sacramento should look to acquire Al Jefferson as their top priority(given that he will re-sign), building a package around Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas to get him. The Kings are a long ways away from competing, and they should not give up on Cousins just yet.
Keys to the game:
1. LaMarcus Aldridge scores 20 and grabs 10 boards. Against bigs of Thompson and Robinson, LA should have no problem scoring 20, though grabbing 10 boards will be more difficult. He needs to be aggressive tonight. *Side Note- LA deserves to be an All-Star (20/8/2/1/1 stat line), but the Blazers need to win games and LA needs to keep putting up numbers. Beating up on an inexperienced Kings front line could be important for this cause.
2. Keep turnovers under 12. Damian Lillard has been a stud, and both Batum and Matthews have performed better with the ball in their hands, but these 3 players account for 7 turnovers a game. If the ball handlers take care of the ball (Matthews is out again tonight), we can get a lead early and hold onto it late.
3. Win the rebound battle. If LA and JJ post double doubles, this cause will be helped. Allowing Sacramento to stay in the game, by allowing offensive boards, and thus second chances, would be a major mistake for the Blazers squad.
GO BLAZERS!!!
Bonus Note- The Kings are in quite the predicament given the recent behavior of Cousins. He has been a cancer to his team, which is a shame given his talent. Many analysts on ESPN, and around the internet, think the Kings should trade Cousins, even though his trade stock is low. I think Geoff Petrie should make a move for a veteran big to mentor Cousins. Players like Anderson Varejao, Chris Kaman, or Utah's 2 bigs (Jefferson and Millsap) could be available given their teams poor performances, or depth at the position. Sacramento should look to acquire Al Jefferson as their top priority(given that he will re-sign), building a package around Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas to get him. The Kings are a long ways away from competing, and they should not give up on Cousins just yet.
Monday, December 24, 2012
NBA Draft Stock Report
Stock Up:
Ben McLemore G/Kansas- McLemore has been playing out of his mind in the last few games. He has been deadly behind the 3 point line, and has incredible athleticism. Still raw as a player, if he can develop greater awareness on both sides of the ball, and learn to create his own shot with greater efficiency, he will be a future All-Star. As of now he projects with a ceiling of "Starter." Grade: 78
Brandon Paul G/Illinois- Paul has been the go to guy for the Illini. He does not boast the athleticism or shooting stroke that McLemore does, but he has shown the ability to create his own shot. He has also shown clutch abilities, dating back to his 43 point outburst last season. Attacking against quicker opponents every night in the NBA will cause Paul to make adjustments, but he has all of the tools to be successful. Grade: 68
Nemanja Nedovic G/Serbia- I was a huge fan of Nedovic last year, and wanted Portland to draft him with one of their 2 2nd round picks. When he withdrew, I was disappointed, though he has been tearing up Euroleague. Still raw as a prospect, and stuck between the point and shooting guard positions, Nedovic is incredibly athletic, as he has a 41 inch vertical. He shows promise with his shooting mechanics and court vision, though he needs to become a more willing passer at the next level. He cannot contribute in the NBA right away, but he has lots of potential, and a team willing to wait 2 or 3 more years could reap the benefits. Grade: 60
Stock Down:
Anthony Bennett F/UNLV- Around the internet, various writers are raving about Anthony Bennett. He has been putting up impressive numbers at UNLV, but I am still concerned at what position he plays at the next level. He reminds me of Derrick Williams or Michael Beasley. Both were outstanding college players whose impressive tenure led both to be drafted number 2 overall. Both have been disappointing at the next level. That's not to say either were busts, as they can both help teams in a variety of ways, but neither really lead teams to a large number of wins. Bennett could fall in that category. He will be drafted in the lottery, but a team should do so with a grain of salt, as he will have difficulties on defense, and scoring from the outside. I'm not sure he develops into anything better than a 6th or 7th man at the next level. Grade: 69
Trending Up: Sergey Karasev, Marcus Smart
Trending Down: Andre Roberson, Patric Young
Ben McLemore G/Kansas- McLemore has been playing out of his mind in the last few games. He has been deadly behind the 3 point line, and has incredible athleticism. Still raw as a player, if he can develop greater awareness on both sides of the ball, and learn to create his own shot with greater efficiency, he will be a future All-Star. As of now he projects with a ceiling of "Starter." Grade: 78
Brandon Paul G/Illinois- Paul has been the go to guy for the Illini. He does not boast the athleticism or shooting stroke that McLemore does, but he has shown the ability to create his own shot. He has also shown clutch abilities, dating back to his 43 point outburst last season. Attacking against quicker opponents every night in the NBA will cause Paul to make adjustments, but he has all of the tools to be successful. Grade: 68
Nemanja Nedovic G/Serbia- I was a huge fan of Nedovic last year, and wanted Portland to draft him with one of their 2 2nd round picks. When he withdrew, I was disappointed, though he has been tearing up Euroleague. Still raw as a prospect, and stuck between the point and shooting guard positions, Nedovic is incredibly athletic, as he has a 41 inch vertical. He shows promise with his shooting mechanics and court vision, though he needs to become a more willing passer at the next level. He cannot contribute in the NBA right away, but he has lots of potential, and a team willing to wait 2 or 3 more years could reap the benefits. Grade: 60
Stock Down:
Anthony Bennett F/UNLV- Around the internet, various writers are raving about Anthony Bennett. He has been putting up impressive numbers at UNLV, but I am still concerned at what position he plays at the next level. He reminds me of Derrick Williams or Michael Beasley. Both were outstanding college players whose impressive tenure led both to be drafted number 2 overall. Both have been disappointing at the next level. That's not to say either were busts, as they can both help teams in a variety of ways, but neither really lead teams to a large number of wins. Bennett could fall in that category. He will be drafted in the lottery, but a team should do so with a grain of salt, as he will have difficulties on defense, and scoring from the outside. I'm not sure he develops into anything better than a 6th or 7th man at the next level. Grade: 69
Trending Up: Sergey Karasev, Marcus Smart
Trending Down: Andre Roberson, Patric Young
College Basketball top 25
If I had a vote in the Associated Press poll (and let's be honest, I probably know more than some voters anyways) this is what my ballot would look like
And taking a line from Buster Olney,
Today will be better than yesterday. Happy Holidays!
- Duke (11-0)- Boast 3 wins over top 5 opponents. #1 until someone beats them
- Michigan (12-0)- Has been very impressive, may have best starting 5 in the country.
- Arizona (11-0)- Still undefeated, and won an impressive game against Florida.
- Louisville (11-1)- Big game against Kentucky on the 29th, could be a marquee win.
- Indiana (11-1)- Lost in OT to Butler, but still arguably one of the top teams in the country. Zeller needs to step up like a POY candidate again.
- Kansas (11-1)- Big win over an overrated Ohio State squad. McLemore could win Naismith.
- Cincinnati (12-0)- Undefeated with wins over average opponents. Needs a bigger win.
- Missouri (10-1)- Won over a previously undefeated Illini squad. Pressey is a very good guard.
- Illinois (12-1)- Mizzou is the only blemish. Won't win the Big Ten, but could place 3rd over OSU
- Gonzaga (11-1)- Only loss to Illinois, Gonzaga gets Baylor this week. Pangos vs. Jackson an intriguing match-up.
- Georgetown (10-1)- Otto Porter does a little bit of everything well. Could contend for Big East title.
- Syracuse (10-1)- Did not look good against Temple, who were demolished by Duke. This team is good, but not elite.
- Ohio State (9-2)- Only losses to Duke and Kansas, this team this team is good, but not a match-up nightmare.
- Oklahoma State (10-1)- An underrated team. Beat NC State decisively. A New Year's Eve game vs. Gonzaga will show us how good this team really is.
- Michigan State (9-2)- Tom Izzo has this team competing at a high level. A bad loss to Miami, but still the only team to beat Kansas.
- NC State (9-2)- Haven't really beat anyone yet, but this team is deep and tough inside. This team will beat Duke at home.
- UNLV (11-1) Continues to beat teams even without Mike Moser. Anthony Bennett might be the freshman of the year. He reminds me of Arizona alum Derrick Williams.
- Butler (9-2) Big win over a very good Indiana squad. I would not want to face this team in the tournament.
- Virginia Commonwealth (9-3) I would not want to face this team either. Even with 3 losses, this is a top 20 team in the country.
- Minnesota (11-1) Ranked too high by the AP. Have lots of wins, but against no quality opponents. Rodney Williams has some ridiculous athleticism.
- Kansas State (9-2) Bruce Weber has this team playing good basketball. Big win at Florida this week.
- Florida (8-2) I am not impressed by this team. The Pac-12 has been getting heat for not being competitive, but the SEC looks miserable this year as well. This is the Big Ten's year.
- Kentucky (8-3) I am probably being too nice on John Calipari. An unpcoming game against Louisville should show whether UK deserves to be ranked or not. I'll take Louisville by 5.
- UCLA (9-3) Probably shouldn't rank this team either. But Muhammad, Adams and Anderson are finally playing well together. I'll say I told you so when they beat Missouri on the 28th.
- Creighton (11-1) Good, but forgettable. McDermott is playing some incredible basketball, but has he improved at all since last year?
And taking a line from Buster Olney,
Today will be better than yesterday. Happy Holidays!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
NBA Christmas Trade Drawer
Christmas is a season of giving and receiving, marked by get-togethers with family and friends, maybe co-workers. Maybe it's just me, but this sounds like NBA GMs making moves to me. While these trades are unlikely now, as the deadline is not until February, keep an eye on similar moves as the deadline gets closer and a greater number of teams are established as contenders or pretenders.
Milwaukee Gets: Rodney Stuckey, Jonas Jerebko
Detroit Gets: Monta Ellis
Ellis and Jennings have not fit well as a tandem. Stuckey is not an ideal fit next to Jennings, but a change of scenery, coupled with a full time transition to the 2, could help Stuckey realize some of the potential that Detroit saw in him. At 6'5" he has better size to play the 2 than the 6'3" Ellis. In Detroit, Ellis could be a perimeter scorer that Detroit needs, and take some pressure off of the developing Brandon Knight by handling the ball some. Its not an ideal fit, but he fills a role better than Stuckey has. Jerebko gives Milwaukee yet another combo forward in the mold of Ilyasova, but he is the type of player John Hammond might like to see in a rotation.
Boston Gets: Dorell Wright, Royal Ivey
Philadelphia Gets: Courtney Lee
Boston and Philadelphia should make the playoffs, but they are on the outside looking in at this point. Boston could use outside shooting that Lee has been unable to give. They miss Ray Allen a lot. Wright is a solid outside shooter and decent defender. Ivey gives them an additional ball-handler if Rondo has issues. In Lee Philadelphia gets a perimeter defender that is desperately needed. Holiday and Turner are both better on the offensive end, and Lee in the starting unit would fit better than either Richardson or Young provide. Maybe starting would boost Lee's confidence to the point where he can score efficiently again too.
Toronto Gets: Pau Gasol, Steve Blake, Antwan Jamison, future rd.1 (lottery protected)
Lakers Get: Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Ed Davis, Linas Kleiza
This trade just makes too much sense for both teams. Toronto has desperately needed a post scorer since Bosh left. Valanciunas could still become the guy, but he is still 2 or 3 years away. Gasol has 2 years and 39 million left on his large contract, but he is still one of the best scorers down low, as evidenced by his solid play in the Olympics for Spain. Being a go-to guy for Toronto would help Gasol return to stats similar to 18-10. Blake and Jamison would give them needed veteran role players. In D'Antoni's system, 3 point shooters are needed, and they get 3 in Bargnani, Calderon and Kleiza. Bargnani would also leave the paint open for Dwight Howard to play his game. Calderon is a massive upgrade over Blake, and gives the Lakers some insurance in case Nash has a setback. Ed Davis has improved a lot in Toronto, and gives the Lakers a better big man off the bench than Hill can offer.
Milwaukee Gets: Rodney Stuckey, Jonas Jerebko
Detroit Gets: Monta Ellis
Ellis and Jennings have not fit well as a tandem. Stuckey is not an ideal fit next to Jennings, but a change of scenery, coupled with a full time transition to the 2, could help Stuckey realize some of the potential that Detroit saw in him. At 6'5" he has better size to play the 2 than the 6'3" Ellis. In Detroit, Ellis could be a perimeter scorer that Detroit needs, and take some pressure off of the developing Brandon Knight by handling the ball some. Its not an ideal fit, but he fills a role better than Stuckey has. Jerebko gives Milwaukee yet another combo forward in the mold of Ilyasova, but he is the type of player John Hammond might like to see in a rotation.
Boston Gets: Dorell Wright, Royal Ivey
Philadelphia Gets: Courtney Lee
Boston and Philadelphia should make the playoffs, but they are on the outside looking in at this point. Boston could use outside shooting that Lee has been unable to give. They miss Ray Allen a lot. Wright is a solid outside shooter and decent defender. Ivey gives them an additional ball-handler if Rondo has issues. In Lee Philadelphia gets a perimeter defender that is desperately needed. Holiday and Turner are both better on the offensive end, and Lee in the starting unit would fit better than either Richardson or Young provide. Maybe starting would boost Lee's confidence to the point where he can score efficiently again too.
Toronto Gets: Pau Gasol, Steve Blake, Antwan Jamison, future rd.1 (lottery protected)
Lakers Get: Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Ed Davis, Linas Kleiza
This trade just makes too much sense for both teams. Toronto has desperately needed a post scorer since Bosh left. Valanciunas could still become the guy, but he is still 2 or 3 years away. Gasol has 2 years and 39 million left on his large contract, but he is still one of the best scorers down low, as evidenced by his solid play in the Olympics for Spain. Being a go-to guy for Toronto would help Gasol return to stats similar to 18-10. Blake and Jamison would give them needed veteran role players. In D'Antoni's system, 3 point shooters are needed, and they get 3 in Bargnani, Calderon and Kleiza. Bargnani would also leave the paint open for Dwight Howard to play his game. Calderon is a massive upgrade over Blake, and gives the Lakers some insurance in case Nash has a setback. Ed Davis has improved a lot in Toronto, and gives the Lakers a better big man off the bench than Hill can offer.
College Basketball Notes- Pre-Christmas Week
Merry Christmas to all! It has been a busy week in college basketball, filled with quite a few of the top unbeaten programs going down. Some players have stepped up in big ways, and some teams could be looking at rises in the rankings.
-As Indiana and Syracuse lose, Duke and Michigan take the top two spots in the poll. Both teams are incredibly balanced, and excel and both ends of the ball. If I were to pick a number one now, it would be Duke, as they have beat 3 top 5 teams thus far, to only one ranked team that Michigan has taken down (A good NC State team.) Both teams have potential to run very long undefeated streaks, but neither team will be able to pull of an undefeated regular season. For Michigan, Trey Burke is the best college PG in the country.
-After a slow start, UCLA looks poised to contend for the PAC 12 title with Arizona. The freshman trio of Shabazz Muhammad, Jordan Adams, and Kyle Anderson plays very well together. Muhammad is a deadly scorer with a relentless motor. He is still number 1 on my big board for the 2013 NBA Draft. Adams is explosive, and a great penetrator and shooter. Anderson gets it done in a variety of ways, and is the best playmaker on the roster. While Drew is averaging over 8 assists a game, the Bruin offense looks much better when run through Anderson. I have high expectations for this UCLA squad.
-At the beginning of the season, I rated NC State above Duke and North Carolina as my pick to win the ACC. While the expectations have slipped some, this is still a dangerous team that no one will want to face in March. With exceptional balance, NC State has one of the top offenses in the country. Lorenzo Brown has been solid as a point guard, helping keep his draft stock in the late first-early second range. CJ Leslie has also been incredible. On Saturday he scored 33 points, and could still be an ACC player of the year candidate. He is an outside jump shot away from being a lottery pick. Keep an eye on this team.
-Butler and Virginia Commonwealth have looked very impressive since their final four matchup. It is foolish to ever count out Shaka Smart or Brad Stevens in any game. Both teams look like they could contend for the A-10 title, and, both teams will be tough outs in the tournament. Rotnei Clark, at times, has questionable shot selection, but his release is super quick and he is one of the top shooters in the country. The defense and transition game played by VCU is tough to beat. It will take a very good point guard on the court to navigate through it expertly.
-Ben McLemore has been sensational. Against Ohio State, he was the best player on the court, scoring at will at times. He is super versatile, and as important to Kansas offensively as Withey is defensively. Elijah Johnson has not had his breakout season as anticipated, mainly due to the emergence of the redshirt freshman McLemore. Instead Johnson is essentially a role player, and a fringe draft pick at all at this point. Releford has been dependable as well.
Notable Players From the Week:
-Jack Cooley/Notre Dame- Maybe I'm seeing double but Cooley is essentially a Harangody clone.
-Roosevelt Jones/Butler- At only 6'4", he showed against Indiana he is one of the toughest players in the country. ESPN recently listed him on their "all-toughness" team as well.
-Erick Green/Virginia Tech- Has not been a fluke. Scores efficiently and in high quantities. If he can develop some more guard skills, he could land in the late first round in June.
-Michael Carter Williams/Syracuse- It's almost Christmas and he is averaging 10 apg. I am impressed. He is a 3 point jump shot away from being a top 5 pick.
-Arsalan Kazemi/Oregon- The Iran native has been relentless on the rebounds, not losing a step since his transfer from Rice. Not sure he has pro potential, but he is the heart of a tournament contending Oregon Team.
-Eric Moreland/Oregon State- Up the highway 30 miles is another relentless rebounder in Moreland. Moreland projects as a pro, though, as he has a freakish wingspan and is a fantastic shot blocker. If he develops an outside jump shot he could be a first round pick in 2014.
-Doug McDermott/Creighton, Isaiah Canaan/Murray State, and CJ McCollum/Lehigh. The 3 most important players in the country to their teams. All are sensational college basketball players, and all 3 should eventually make it to the NBA. McCollum is the best prospect, though is a tweener between a 1 and a 2. Worst case scenario, he could be a scoring 6th man. Canaan projects as a back-up at the next level, though his stock could easily rise, though any team (Including my Blazers) would love to have Canaan providing some instant offense off the bench. Players like McDermott have struggled to find success in the pros. What helps McDermott will be his ability to guard 3's. If he can consistently provide at least average defense, he will find himself in a rotation. He reminds me of more fluid Luke Babbitt with better guard skills
Oh and the Blazers are above .500. At the beginning of the season I would not have guessed this. I knew Lillard would be awesome, as he graded as a future All-Star, but I did not expect him to be This good, This soon. He has been phenomenal. Aldridge has steadily become the player we expected him to be. He has been connecting on more jump shots, and has been better attacking during our win streak. Batum and Matthews have looked impressive over the course of the season, and Matthews should play increased minutes tonight against Sacramento as he continues to heal his hip flexor strain. Oh and JJ Hickson has been a MONSTER. He is averaging over 16 points and 14 rebounds over the last few games. He looks like a player who deserves a multiyear extension in June if he can continue his impressive numbers.
Keys for Tonight's game vs. Sacramento:
-Score 45 points in the paint: SAC is without Cousins. Aldridge should be able to score on both Thompson and Robinson, and Hickson should continue his double double trend, finding putbacks in the process.
-Shoot 40% from 3: Sacramento can score in bursts, and, though their record does not indicate this, they have stuck around in some games due to their streaky scoring. If Portland scores consistentyly and efficiently from beyond the arc, a late run by Sacramento will not be as threatening.
-Lillard scores 25: Sacramento's point guards are better offensive players than defensive players. While Brooks is known for his quickness, he can be a lazy defender. Look for Lillard to score with his step back, drives and quick ball handling.
GO Blazers!!!
@ZRey12
-As Indiana and Syracuse lose, Duke and Michigan take the top two spots in the poll. Both teams are incredibly balanced, and excel and both ends of the ball. If I were to pick a number one now, it would be Duke, as they have beat 3 top 5 teams thus far, to only one ranked team that Michigan has taken down (A good NC State team.) Both teams have potential to run very long undefeated streaks, but neither team will be able to pull of an undefeated regular season. For Michigan, Trey Burke is the best college PG in the country.
-After a slow start, UCLA looks poised to contend for the PAC 12 title with Arizona. The freshman trio of Shabazz Muhammad, Jordan Adams, and Kyle Anderson plays very well together. Muhammad is a deadly scorer with a relentless motor. He is still number 1 on my big board for the 2013 NBA Draft. Adams is explosive, and a great penetrator and shooter. Anderson gets it done in a variety of ways, and is the best playmaker on the roster. While Drew is averaging over 8 assists a game, the Bruin offense looks much better when run through Anderson. I have high expectations for this UCLA squad.
-At the beginning of the season, I rated NC State above Duke and North Carolina as my pick to win the ACC. While the expectations have slipped some, this is still a dangerous team that no one will want to face in March. With exceptional balance, NC State has one of the top offenses in the country. Lorenzo Brown has been solid as a point guard, helping keep his draft stock in the late first-early second range. CJ Leslie has also been incredible. On Saturday he scored 33 points, and could still be an ACC player of the year candidate. He is an outside jump shot away from being a lottery pick. Keep an eye on this team.
-Butler and Virginia Commonwealth have looked very impressive since their final four matchup. It is foolish to ever count out Shaka Smart or Brad Stevens in any game. Both teams look like they could contend for the A-10 title, and, both teams will be tough outs in the tournament. Rotnei Clark, at times, has questionable shot selection, but his release is super quick and he is one of the top shooters in the country. The defense and transition game played by VCU is tough to beat. It will take a very good point guard on the court to navigate through it expertly.
-Ben McLemore has been sensational. Against Ohio State, he was the best player on the court, scoring at will at times. He is super versatile, and as important to Kansas offensively as Withey is defensively. Elijah Johnson has not had his breakout season as anticipated, mainly due to the emergence of the redshirt freshman McLemore. Instead Johnson is essentially a role player, and a fringe draft pick at all at this point. Releford has been dependable as well.
Notable Players From the Week:
-Jack Cooley/Notre Dame- Maybe I'm seeing double but Cooley is essentially a Harangody clone.
-Roosevelt Jones/Butler- At only 6'4", he showed against Indiana he is one of the toughest players in the country. ESPN recently listed him on their "all-toughness" team as well.
-Erick Green/Virginia Tech- Has not been a fluke. Scores efficiently and in high quantities. If he can develop some more guard skills, he could land in the late first round in June.
-Michael Carter Williams/Syracuse- It's almost Christmas and he is averaging 10 apg. I am impressed. He is a 3 point jump shot away from being a top 5 pick.
-Arsalan Kazemi/Oregon- The Iran native has been relentless on the rebounds, not losing a step since his transfer from Rice. Not sure he has pro potential, but he is the heart of a tournament contending Oregon Team.
-Eric Moreland/Oregon State- Up the highway 30 miles is another relentless rebounder in Moreland. Moreland projects as a pro, though, as he has a freakish wingspan and is a fantastic shot blocker. If he develops an outside jump shot he could be a first round pick in 2014.
-Doug McDermott/Creighton, Isaiah Canaan/Murray State, and CJ McCollum/Lehigh. The 3 most important players in the country to their teams. All are sensational college basketball players, and all 3 should eventually make it to the NBA. McCollum is the best prospect, though is a tweener between a 1 and a 2. Worst case scenario, he could be a scoring 6th man. Canaan projects as a back-up at the next level, though his stock could easily rise, though any team (Including my Blazers) would love to have Canaan providing some instant offense off the bench. Players like McDermott have struggled to find success in the pros. What helps McDermott will be his ability to guard 3's. If he can consistently provide at least average defense, he will find himself in a rotation. He reminds me of more fluid Luke Babbitt with better guard skills
Oh and the Blazers are above .500. At the beginning of the season I would not have guessed this. I knew Lillard would be awesome, as he graded as a future All-Star, but I did not expect him to be This good, This soon. He has been phenomenal. Aldridge has steadily become the player we expected him to be. He has been connecting on more jump shots, and has been better attacking during our win streak. Batum and Matthews have looked impressive over the course of the season, and Matthews should play increased minutes tonight against Sacramento as he continues to heal his hip flexor strain. Oh and JJ Hickson has been a MONSTER. He is averaging over 16 points and 14 rebounds over the last few games. He looks like a player who deserves a multiyear extension in June if he can continue his impressive numbers.
Keys for Tonight's game vs. Sacramento:
-Score 45 points in the paint: SAC is without Cousins. Aldridge should be able to score on both Thompson and Robinson, and Hickson should continue his double double trend, finding putbacks in the process.
-Shoot 40% from 3: Sacramento can score in bursts, and, though their record does not indicate this, they have stuck around in some games due to their streaky scoring. If Portland scores consistentyly and efficiently from beyond the arc, a late run by Sacramento will not be as threatening.
-Lillard scores 25: Sacramento's point guards are better offensive players than defensive players. While Brooks is known for his quickness, he can be a lazy defender. Look for Lillard to score with his step back, drives and quick ball handling.
GO Blazers!!!
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