San Antonio Spurs: Why These Spurs Will Win The West

Posted: May 19, 2013 in Uncategorized
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San Antonio Spurs: Why These Spurs Will Win The West

By Mike Elworth

The San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies will start the Western Conference Finals on Sunday, which should be a hard fought slugfest. These are 2 of the 4 top defensive teams in the conference and 2 of the hardest playing teams in the NBA, so this series will be a very physical matchup, with the scoreboard most likely staying on the low side. Both teams are very capable of dominating a team on defense, but the Spurs have a major advantage on offense.

The Grizzlies may have the top defense in the NBA and an elite big man duo, in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol on offense, but other than that pair and Mike Conley, they do not have any true offensive threats on the roster, but their defense has bailed them out on many occasions throughout the year. The Spurs do not have this trouble, as they were not only the 11th ranked defense in the NBA (4th in the West), but the 4th highest scoring team as well, while the  Grizzlies were 27th, right below the Charlotte Bobcats. Meanwhile, the Spurs have Tony Parker running the show and scoring at will, Tim Duncan down low, who is still among the best in the league, Manu Ginobili, who is still a marvel on the offensive end, along with Gary Neal, who can create offense anywhere he pleases, Tiago Splitter who is an excellent post player and Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, who can both shoot from deep and create for themselves. Their Spurs’ offensive game is simply on another level than that of Memphis.

The Spurs also have players able to stop the majority of the Memphis attack. Danny Green proved against Stephen Curry, that he is more than able to cover the best point guards in the NBA and will get the opportunity to face another one, in Mike Conley. Duncan will effectively guard Marc Gasol, which is more than most can say and with a mixture of players, they should be able to keep Randolph from causing too much damage. They also have Kawhi Leonard on the perimeter to stop any player that may get hot throughout the series, even though the Grizzlies do not have a consistent offensive force on the wing. Basically, they can take anything the Grizzlies throw at them and if they are able to keep the Memphis attack at bay, their superior offense should be enough to win the series.

The Memphis Grizzlies may have the best defense in the NBA, but the San Antonio Spurs are no slouches themselves in that area and are the far better offensive team. This should be enough to defeat the Grizzlies and take the Spurs to yet another NBA championship. The Spurs will win in 7 games.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Season Review and Awards

Posted: May 17, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Season Review and Awards

By Brandon Hartman: Hoopstuff’s Senior Writer

Record: 60-37- 1st in the West

Review: The great question found its way to Oklahoma City this season. What if Russell Westbrook had stayed healthy? Would they have beaten the Grizzlies? Would they have been able to beat the Heat if they had managed to reach the Finals? These questions will resonate with this franchise the entire off season until next season begins. This is a good thing though. The Thunder would have almost certainly defeated the Grizzlies with a healthy Russell Westbrook. They managed to stay close to Memphis in the series even without their star point guard. Imagine if their shoot first star was in this series. He would have taken the burden off of an over loaded Kevin Durant and would have added a whole other dimension to the attack. The Thunder would now be studying up on the San Antonio Spurs instead of watching the rest of the playoffs on TV. The most positive aspect OKC can take from their elimination is that Westbrook and Durant make up a core of a possible championship team. The decision to off load James Harden must have been a difficult one, but it seems to have at least been a smart one from an economic standpoint. The Thunder can now use the money they would have tied down to Harden, to keep the nucleus of this team together and bring in a couple new faces.

MVP: Kevin Durant: 28.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assist per game

The value of Russell Westbrook was pretty clear, as the Thunder crashed out of the playoffs without him. Durant was forced to do everything himself without his partner in crime and we all saw how that turned out. Despite Westbrook’s apparent value, nobody in the league, except a certain King, is more valuable than Kevin Durant. He was once again a statistical phenomenon in yet another season which he came up second in MVP voting. His stunning proficiency might have hit a snag in the playoffs this year, but you have to factor in that he had to deal with the loss of not only Westbrook to injury, but also a key cog to the previous Finals team, in James Harden. Give Durant a few more pieces and that might be all he needs to get over the hump. Remember, Michael Jordan didn’t win an NBA Title until his 7th year in the league, which so happens to be next year for Durant.

LVP: Kendrick Perkins: 8 million dollars- 4.2 points, 6.0 rebounds per game

Any time someone has more personal fouls (39) then points (24) during the playoffs you have the right to question their value to a team. He was pushed around by the dominant Marc Gasol and chipped in with a measly 2 points per game versus the Grizzlies. The fact that he is scheduled to make 8.9 million next season might signal a good bye for the undersized center. The lack of a scoring big man has become glaringly obvious for OKC and for them to make the next step forward they will have to supply one to help Durant and Westbrook on the inside. An amnesty might be in the near future for Perk.

Most Pleasant Surprise: Durant joining the 50-40-90 group.

This year was perhaps the Durantula’s best yet, becoming a member of one of the NBA’s most exclusive clubs, the 50-40-90 club (50 percent from the field, 40 from 3-point range, and 90 from the free throw line). He joins the select company of Steve Nash, Larry Bird, Mark Price, Reggie Miller, and Dirk Nowitzki to average these numbers. Durant’s efficiency was definitely a positive to take away from this season.

Off Season Plan: Getting Westbrook healthy is the obvious goal for this year’s off season. They dealt with the major contract decisions this season, as they decided to get rid of James Harden, so that they could afford to keep the rest of the roster intact. That decision will be analyzed for years to come, but the Thunder can now move forward into a future without the threat of looming contracts. Getting Durant and Westbrook some help is the priority for this summer’s free agency and draft. Kevin Martin should be resigned, as he at least helped fill the shoes of Harden but more is needed. Amnestying Perkins would create enough cap space to resign Martin, as well as a few more pieces. The draft will be kind to OKC this year as they are set to have an early and late first round pick, due to picks gained in the Harden trade. Drafting a scoring big man and a talented player for the bench would do wonders for the future.

Next Season Outlook:

- The Thunder must learn from this harsh lesson and move on. Yes, they were torn apart by the Grizzlies and suffered injuries to key players, but they must put that in the rear view mirror. This roster is one of the steadiest in the NBA and is already set up for another great season next year. However, with the right moves, the Thunder could finally get away from having great seasons and have the ultimate season, where they finally win their first championship. With all the talent in OKC, only a championship trophy is enough. That day is on the horizon and you never know if everything will come together next season for the Thunder, but they have an excellent chance next season to win it all, if  Russell Westbrook comes back healthy and they resign Kevin Martin.

 

 

 

 

 

Golden State Warriors: Season Review With Awards

Posted: May 17, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Golden State Warriors: Season Review With Awards

By Mike Elworth: Owner and Publisher at Hoopstuff…

Record: 48-34- 6th in West- Lost to San Antonio in Second Round

Reviews: The Warriors shocked everyone by upsetting the heavy favored Denver Nuggets in the first round and gave the San Antonio Spurs all they could handle in the second round, but alas, they just did not have enough to make it to the West Finals. They did all of this without David Lee for the majority of the playoffs, but Stephen Curry reached superstar status with his playoff run, combined with his incredible regular season. In the regular season, they were also a surprise, as they played the majority of the season without center, Andrew Bogut and gave big minutes to three rookies. Harrison Barnes was solid throughout the regular season, but broke out in the playoffs and could be a star moving forward. Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli both proved that they should be rotation players moving forward. Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry gave them an excellent one-two punch off of the bench and starting shooting guard, Klay Thompson had a much improved second season and along with Curry, makes one of the best backcourts in the NBA and by far the best shooting combo. But this season is about David Lee’s All Star campaign, Curry’s rise to stardom and their surprising playoff run. This was their best season a long time and they have the talent to become even better next year.

MVP: Stephen Curry

Regular Season: 22.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game

Playoffs: 23.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game

- Curry was incredible in the regular season, carrying this team on his back for the majority of the season on offense, along with David Lee. However, he has become the best shooter in the league and also one of the best pure scorers. There are very few better offensive players in the NBA. In the playoffs, he took his game to another level and was arguably the top player in the entire playoffs, raising his point and assists totals and leading the way to a first round upset of the Nuggets and taking the Spurs to 6 games in the second round. Curry entered the season with All Star potential, but finished it as a bona fide superstar.

LVP: Richard Jefferson: 10 million dollars: 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game

- Jefferson was one of the team’s highest paid players, but only averaged 10 minutes per game and found himself completely out of the rotation at many points during the season. When he played, he wasn’t that bad, but the fact that he made so much money and was not even a permanent rotational player sealed his fate as the team’s least valuable player.

Most Pleasant Surprise: Harrison Barnes’ Playoff Performance

- Their top ten draft pick started almost the entire season at small forward and played very well, averaging over 9 points and 4 rebounds per game and was arguably their top perimeter defender and he did make the All Rookie First Team, but he was far better in the playoffs. Without David Lee for the majority of the playoffs, Harrison Barnes stepped up and was their second leading scorer. He upped his averages to over 16 points and 6 rebounds and flashed some of the star power he showed at UNC. His future is definitely bright.

Off Season Plan: The Warriors have two things that they must do this off season, they have to resign Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, their dynamic duo off of the bench, who were two of the best sixth men in the NBA. That is it, the rest of the roster is set and they do not have a first round pick.

Next Season Outlook: If Curry, Bogut and Lee are healthy, the team retains Jack and Landry, their three rookies continue improving, especially Barnes, who should significantly raise his numbers, if the playoffs are any indication, then they should once again be a mid to lower seed in the playoffs and one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA. The will also get Brandon Rush back and he, along with a healthy Bogut should immensely improve their defense. With their core coming back and Mark Jackson as their coach, they will make the playoffs for consecutive seasons and have a roster that can once again go far in the playoffs. This is the up and coming, young team of the league.

Hoopstuff 2013 NBA Mock Draft- Brandon

Posted: May 17, 2013 in Uncategorized
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HoopStuff 2013 NBA Mock Draft
By Brandon Hartman: HoopStuff Senior Writer

1. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel- C – Kentucky
- How can Orlando finally get over Dwight? Draft another freakishly athletic shot stuffer and watch him develop into one of the league’s best pure defenders. His work ethic and attitude all ready put Dwight to shame, making him a perfect fit for a franchise in need of a dedicated star. Plus, he has much cooler hair than Dwight.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore- SG -Kansas

-Charlotte needs a jolt to wake up the franchise and McLemore can bring the electricity. A dangerously quick athlete, McLemore has the ability to run the court and find his open looks. He would be a great partner for Kemba Walker and would help take the pressure off of an over worked Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He might be just what Air Jordan is looking for to help speed of the overhaul of the franchise.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Otto Porter- SF -Georgetown

-Mr. Solid. That would be the perfect nickname for Porter as he seems to be solid at all parts of his game. Good shooter, great work ethic, can carry the load, great defender, and an elite athlete; there is not much wrong with Otto’s game. He gives Kyrie Irving and new coach Mike Brown another piece to work with and maybe makes the Cavs a bit more desirable for free agents, perhaps even a certain King in the summer of 2014? Just a thought…

4. Phoenix Suns: Trey Burke- PG- Michigan

-For the Suns to ever get better they need to stem the blood flow from the gaping wound that Steve Nash left behind. Trey Burke can be the gutsy leader and natural point guard that this team needs to move on from the Nash era. His ability to play mistake free, combined with a great court vision and shot, is exactly what this team needs. The Suns would be in a great position if Burke slid to them at 4, which could very well happen considering the other teams have other needs to fill besides point guard.

5. New Orleans Pelicans: – Shabazz Muhammad- SF- UCLA

- Grabbing two great athletes in back to back drafts can never be a bad thing. Muhammad would be a great fit in New Orleans where he would be paired with another young star in Davis, who also has mind boggling potential. His strength is NBA ready and will allow him to create needed separation to get his shot off and boy does he like to shoot. The skill set is already in place to average big numbers and lead his team in scoring from the start. He will need to develop his defense as he goes through the ropes of the NBA.

6. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett- PF- UNLV

-The Kings look as if they are staying put and would do well to take Bennett if he falls to them. He is an inside scoring threat, that would make a great partner in the frontcourt with DeMarcus Cousins. His unselfishness and talents would be a refreshing pick for a franchise that is filled with shoot first players. He would be the perfect gift to the dedicated fans, who all went through so much pain to keep the franchise, which is now officially staying in town.

7. Detroit Pistons: Victor Oladipo- SG- Indiana

-Detroit needs grit. The kind of grit that Brandon Knight showed when trying in vain to block DeAndre Jordan this year…well maybe not that much grit. Oladipo brings the speed and energy that Detroit craves. He has the tools to develop into one of the best lock down defenders in the league. His potential and athleticism makes him a must pick in the first round, especially this late in the draft. He is another piece to go along with Knight and Greg Monroe as the Pistons try to get back to their glory years.

8. Washington Wizards: Alex Len- C- Maryland

- More of an upside than Cody Zeller and is from around the DC area. The Wizards can lock up another piece for the future with Len. He has a chance to learn the trade of the big men from both Nene and Emeka Okafor, and will have a chance to develop by playing behind them for a few years. Everyone’s favorite player to compare him to is Zydrunas Ilgauskas, which would not be a bad thing for the Wiz or any franchise for that matter. Len’s ankle surgery shouldn’t hurt his stock with Washington to much considering he wasn’t going to play right away anyways.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum- SG- Lehigh

-Minnesota must be hoping that this will be their last consecutive time in the lottery. Adding McCollum to a core of Rubio, Love, and Williams might be what it takes. His speed and scoring would be the perfect complement to Rubio’s court vision and would help take the burden off of Love, whenever he plays again that is. This is a risky pick but one the T-Wolves can afford to take.

10. Portland Trailblazers: Cody Zeller- C- Indiana

-The possible loss of JJ Hickson to free agency will hurt but the Blazers might find a quick replacement in Zeller. His quickness for his size is uncanny and could lead him to being paired with Lamarcus Aldridge. He would have to bulk up to make that pairing work though but it could turn out to be a great fit.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Kelly Olynyk- C- Gonzaga

-Don’t stop trying to find a franchise center Philly! Bynum might have been a bust but Kelly Olynyk might at least get on the court. Olynyk was a very polished player in college and only time will tell if that will translate into the NBA. He would be in a position to get quality minutes early in his career for the Sixers and his controlled finishing around the rim would certainly make him a fan favorite for the notably harsh Philly fans.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Toronto): Kentavious Caldwell-Pope- SG- Georgia

-Getting this pick from Toronto might just be a stroke of genius as it allows them to try and do what they do best: develop superstars from the draft. Caldwell-Pope might be the lethal shooter off the bench that the Thunder has lacked since the departure of James Harden. More depth in the backcourt is a need of the Thunder and would be addressed with this pick.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Dario Saric- SF- Croatia

-Mark Cuban loves to take chances and Saric is the ultimate unknown of this year’s draft, making them a perfect match for each other. He is known for being both a great scorer and passer and Cuban might see the Croatian as a future replacement for his other European star, Dirk Nowitzki.

14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams- PG- Syracuse

- The Jazz have been searching for their franchise point guard for years now so they might as well take a chance on Carter-Williams. A great basketball IQ makes him the perfect distributor that the Jazz need to get the ball in low to their big men. The impending loss of Mo Williams will give Carter-Williams a great chance to develop right away as a key role player.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Gorgui Dieng- C- Louisville

-As long as the Bucks can keep either Monta Ellis or Brandon Jennings, they can finally upgrade their center position. We have known for a while that Samuel Dalembert is not the long term answer and the athletic Dieng might just be that. The Bucks would have to take the big man if he fell this low.

16. Boston Celtics: Mason Plumlee- C- Duke

-The aging Celtics will need a dash of youth added to the mix, which the explosive Plumlee could provide. He is an excellent shot blocker and rebounder who is mobile enough to get up and down the court and battle with the bigs of the league. He is a high energy player that might just find a place in this league for years to come.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Jamaal Franklin- SG- San Diego State

-With back to back picks, Atlanta could really do some damage in this draft. Franklin is a player who excels in causing damage. His explosiveness and athleticism makes him great at slashing to the basket and drawing fouls. He might make a great front court pairing with Jeff Teague in the future.

18. Atlanta Hawks (From Houston): Jeff Withey- C- Kansas

-Atlanta can address the back court with one pick and the front court with the next. Withey provides a strong presence around the basket and has a lot of raw potential that can be developed while playing behind Al Horford. He would be a solid pick for the Hawks this low.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (From LAL): Allen Crabbe- SG- California

-Crabbe would provide instant offense coming off the Cavaliers bench. He has a great release from both mid and long range and his scrappiness is a quality of his that is underrated. He would be another tool in the shed for the Cavaliers to develop and use later on.

20. Chicago Bulls: Steven Adams- C- Pittsburgh

-The Bulls are in need of help on the inside which Adams could provide. Adams is a powerful rebounder with excellent hands and would fill a need as the back up to Joakim Noah. His grit and strength is the perfect match for the battling Bulls.

21. Utah Jazz (From GSW): Rudy Gobert- PF- France

-Gobert is the big body that Utah needs if they do part ways with Al Jefferson. The intangibles are there, 7-1” with a huge wingspan and explosive leap, that could make Gobert a steal this late in the draft.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Adreian Payne- PF- Michigan State

-Payne is a tough and gritty player who has a decent touch on his shot. His strength on the boards would give the Nets more power on the inside.

23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin- PG- Miami

-The Pacers are a couple of pieces away from being a complete superpower in the East. Larkin brings a lot of potential with his distribution court awareness that would greatly benefit the Pacers. He would be D.J Augustine’s back up from day one and a fan favorite.

24. New York Knicks: Isaiah Austin- PF- Baylor

- Austin might just be a steal this low in the draft only for the reason that we didn’t get to see him in the NCAA Tournament. The numbers he put up in the NIT would have solidified his spot as a lottery pick. Only time will tell if the lottery teams missed out on him.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Pierre Jackson- PG- Baylor

-Another star for the NIT champions, Jackson is the kind of athlete that would fit perfectly in lob city. You can’t help but be reminded of Nate Robinson as you watch the 5-10” speedster explode down the court. He would give a jolt to the offense when Chris Paul needs a rest.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis): Tony Mitchell- SF- North Texas

-Mitchell is an athletic rebounder with a whole lot of potential. Not having the greatest of opportunities to showcase his talents at North Texas, Mitchell might just be worth a shot for the T-Wolves with this late pick.

27. Denver Nuggets: Archie Goodwin- SG- Kentucky

-Goodwin would be a good fit for the Nuggets. He would provide a kick off the bench and would have the chance to develop under Iguodala and play for a team that all ready has great chemistry.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Glen Rice Jr. – SG- No team/Kicked off Georgia Tech

-Rice has been on fire lately in the D-League and has made enough noise for scouts to take notice. The locker room presence of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker would keep Rice out of trouble, making this a great landing spot for him. Would have been a high draft pick if he stayed in school.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Deshaun Thomas- PF- Ohio State

-Would put up big numbers off the bench for OKC. He would make a great one-two punch with Ibaka at power forward. He would definitely be an interesting selection this late in the 1st round for the Thunder.

30. Phoenix Suns: Tim Hardaway Jr. – SG- Michigan

-Pairing Hardaway Jr. with Michigan teammate Trey Burke in Phoenix just had to happen in this mock draft. He supplies some more scoring for a team that has lacked in that category.

San Antonio Spurs: As Tony Parker Goes, So Do The Spurs

Posted: May 16, 2013 in Uncategorized
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San Antonio Spurs: As Tony Parker Goes, So Do The Spurs

By Mike Elworth: Owner of Hoopstuff

The San Antonio Spurs are now up 3-2 on the Golden State Warriors, winning game 5 on the tails of another brilliant performance from Tony Parker. Parker scored 25 points and dished out 10 assists in the win. The whole series has gone this way, as the Parker goes, so do the Spurs. When Parker is on the top of his game, the Spurs have been unbeatable and he has been the catalyst to all 3 of their wins and their 2 losses have come in by far his 2 worst games of the series. Parker is the engine of the Spurs and with them to win this series and advance further, he needs to continue to play the way he has in all 3 of their wins.

In the Spurs’ 3 wins, Parker has averaged 28.3 points and 7.7 assists on 51% shooting, but in 2 losses has averaged 18.5 points and 3.0 assists on 38% shooting. The proof is right there. In their three wins, Parker had his three best scoring, passing and shooting games and if he plays up to that level in game 6, they should end this series.

Everyone has been talking about Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Marc Gasol and LeBron James as the true stars of these playoffs, but Parker has once again been excellent. He is averaging over 23 points and 6 assists, while leading his team to wins. Nothing more can be asked of Parker. He has been everything for the Spurs in these playoffs and against the Warriors and without Parker they would not have a chance in this series.

Los Angeles Lakers: Regular Season Review and Awards

Posted: May 15, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Los Angeles Lakers: Season Review and Awards

By Brandon Hartman: Hoopstuff Senior Writer

Record: 45-37- 7th in the West

Review: After the great “deal or no deal” trade drama following the Chris Paul fiasco, the Lakers were finally able to land that great star they were looking for, in Dwight Howard. The franchise’s great expectations were revived once again, as Superman arrived and he was even given a sidekick in the form of an experienced Steve Nash. What happened next can be shown as a great example of the problems in throwing a bunch of superstars together in short notice. Superman wasn’t so super, a lack of passion and an ailing back injury made him look more vulnerable than ever. He did not want to be a Laker from day one and he could soon get his wish, in the upcoming free agency. His sidekick, Nash, showed just how much his body has taken a beating over the years, as he was out most of the year and never got comfortable in a system of basketball that was brought in mainly for him. The Laker’s true superhero, Kobe Bryant, still managed to put up big numbers, but struggled to fit into this new system. The season started off catastrophically, with a 1-4 start ultimately leading to the humiliating firing of Mike Brown. A sense of urgency was established and a new “triangle” system was brought in, with Mike D’Antoni taking over the reins. The team continued a slow but steady pace all the way down to the last remaining games, when they sneaked their way into the seventh seed, in the season’s final game, on the season’s final day. An injury to Kobe ultimately ended their hopes of advancing in the playoffs, as they were swept by the deep roster of the San Antonio Spurs.

MVP: Kobe Bryant: 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assist per game

Kobe finished fifth in NBA MVP voting and did so at an age where most men are starting to have pain in their knees just getting out of bed, let alone dunking on kids just coming out of college. It was easy for all to see, that the Lakers fell apart as soon as Kobe Bryant broke tore his achilles. Without him, the team looked lost against the Spurs and missed that clutch shooter and scorer that would have supplied much needed confidence and kept things close. The simple fact, is that Kobe Bryant is the Los Angeles Lakers.

LVP: Steve Nash: 8.9 million salary, 12.7 points, 6.7 assists per game

Well, it might be safe to say that Nash wasn’t the best investment that Jim Buss and the Lakers front office have ever made. It might be rough to call him the least valuable player, but the fact that so many hopes and dreams were riding on his inclusion to a Mike D’Antoni system, pushes him into that category. The big 3 of Nash, Bryant, and Howard were supposed to rival that of the Heat’s, but it ended up resembling more of a train wreck. Nash played in only 50 games in the regular season. He also had his lowest number of assists since he played for the Dallas Mavericks in 1999, which no one would have expected with him being surrounded by an all time great wing player and a superstar center. Broken dreams and expectations landed Nash the LVP award for maybe the first time in his career.

Most Pleasant Surprise: That great final push to make the playoffs

The season all of a sudden seemed salvageable in the last month, if they could just catch the Utah Jazz for the eighth seed in the West. An amazing run of seven wins out of eight, set up a last day bonanza as the Jazz and Lakers both had possibilities of making the playoffs. The Jazz ended up losing and the Lakers winning against the Houston Rockets, meant that they were not only headed to the playoffs, but were the seventh seed. That improbable push to the playoffs meant a lot to the franchise’s diehard fan base.

Off Season Plan: This off season will revolve around the front office’s contract decisions. Do they do the unthinkable and drop Kobe, saving the organization 80 million dollars in luxury taxes? Can they convince Dwight Howard to come back with a max five year contract, that would finally tie him down to the franchise? Do they get rid of the bloated contracts of Pau Gasol or Metta World Peace? All of these questions will need to be answered by the organization to solve the financial problems moving forward. No one would argue that a few more fresh faces would do this team well. There are some interesting options in free agency this year that the Lakers could plug in right away to the lineup. A sharp shooter such as Atlanta’s Kyle Korver or Washington’s Martell Webster would fill the need of outside shooting, that was glaringly missing this season.

Next Season Outlook:

- A fortune teller would say that the future is blurry for the Lakers. We will be able to soon piece together clues to this team’s future as major decisions are made by the front office, regarding what direction they will take the franchise. The safest outlook is to not expect much from an aging team that will more than likely look a lot differently next year. However, there are many Laker fans who always expect championships that will hold out in hope that there is a championship core all ready in place for next year. Only time will tell if they are foolish or smart. But they will be without Kobe for a portion of the season, but if they resign Howard and have a healthy Pau Gasol and Steve Nash they could be an excellent team next season, especially if Kobe does come back and is productive. But there are a lot of ifs in that scenario.

 

 

 

Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol Is The NBA’s Best Center

Posted: May 14, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol Is The NBA’s Best Center

By Mike Elworth: Publisher and Owner at Hoopstuff

The Memphis Grizzlies are on the verge of making their first ever Western Conference Finals and are being led by the NBA’s best defense. Zach Randolph may have been the All Star and Mike Conley may be the breakout star, but Marc Gasol is this team’s best player, there is no doubt about. But Gasol is more than that, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year is the best center in the NBA.

During the season, he played his incredible defense all year long and backboned the best defense in the NBA and one of the best of the decade. His defensive skills are well known, but he is also one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. His stats were relatively modest for a superstar, 14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, but he led all NBA centers in assists at 4 per game and is by far the top passing center in the league. He has an excellent jump shot, a stable of low post moves and is even a 84.8% free throw shooter. He may not have scored like Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez, but Gasol always looks to pass first, while the others strictly want to score when they have the ball in the post. Gasol could easily average more than 14.1 points, which he has shown in the playoffs, averaging 19.1 points per game. However, he chooses to scoreless for the betterment of his team, so he can pass and get others involved in the offense. How many other centers can actually run their team’s offense? None. Gasol is a very special player.

No other center combines the smooth and efficient offense and the hardnosed brilliance on defense, of Marc Gasol. Along with his passing skills and selflessness, he is a one of a kind player and these playoffs have proven once and for all, who is the best and most complete center in the NBA and it is the Memphis Grizzlies’ franchise player and superstar, Marc Gasol.

Los Angeles Clippers: Season Review and Awards

Posted: May 14, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Los Angeles Clippers: Season Review and Awards

By Mike Elworth: Owner and Publisher at Hoopstuff

Record: 52-30- 4th in West- Lost in First Round to Memphis

Review: The Clippers had a brilliant regular season and in fact, had their best season in franchise history, winning their first ever division title, but lost to a better Memphis Grizzlies team in the first round of the playoffs. The Grizzlies are about to make the Western Conference Finals, so it was simply a very poor matchup for the Clippers. In the regular season, they had an excellent offense, led by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and both All Stars had their usual superstar level seasons. They had one of the best benches in the league, led by Jamal Crawford, Eric Bledsoe and Matt Barnes and even received solid play from Lamar Odom. The rest of the team played their parts well, but in the end, a poor playoff run can ruin even the best of regular seasons.

MVP: Chris Paul:

- Really was there any doubt? Paul was second in the NBA in assists and was the model of efficiency and ran this team to perfection. He scored when he needed to, always hit the open player and was even the leader of their defense. There is simply nothing that Paul does not do for this team.

LVP: DeAndre Jordan: 10.5 million, 38.6 % free throw shooting, 24.5 minutes per game

- Jordan is just another overpriced center. He is a very solid player, averaging 8.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and is a plus defender, but someone making that much money and a player who is supposed to be a franchise center, has to play more minutes than he does. One of the team’s biggest weaknesses is 4th quarter post defense and even though he is their best player in that regard, Jordan did not play at the end of games, because they simply could not rely on him to hit free throws. His main job is to protect the post and he cannot do so at the most important times, which makes him their least valuable player.

Most Pleasant Surprise: Blake Griffin’s improved offense

- Blake Griffin, in his first two NBA seasons, scored most of his points almost on athleticism alone, but he has started to develop his offensive game, including moves in the post and a much improved mid range shot. The fact that he has put in the work and improved is an excellent sign that he will continue to do what he can to become a superior player and that is all you can ask for from a young superstar. He should only get better in the years to come.

Off Season Plan: They have one of the most important off seasons in franchise history coming up. They must resign franchise player Chris Paul and although all signs point to them doing so, if he left, this team would no longer even be a playoff team, so they must do whatever possible to resign him. They would also be wise to fire Vinny Del Negro, who has proven time and time again that he is not a championship caliber coach and a team of this caliber, must have one. Finally, once they sign Chris Paul, they must trade Eric Bledsoe to the highest bidder, as he is one of the best young prospects in the sport and he would bring an incredible return to this team and they could land a top end veteran piece. They must also resign Barnes and Odom, who were both very productive for this team. The Clippers have a very busy summer ahead.

Next Season Outlook: If they keep Chris Paul and the main part of their core is still intact, even with Del Negro, they will be a top playoff team in the West. If they see further improvement from Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and their bench is as strong as it was this year, there is no reason why they should not be a middle of the pack playoff team or better. If they keep Paul, they will win at least one playoff series next season, with the talent to make it to the West Finals. With Chris Paul on their team, there is no limit to how far they can go, which is the beauty of having the top point guard in the league.

HoopStuff’s 2013 NBA Mock Draft: Mike E

Posted: May 14, 2013 in Uncategorized
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HoopStuff’s 2013 NBA Mock Draft

By Mike Elworth: Hoopstuff Owner and Publisher

1. Orlando Magic- Trey Burke- PG- Michigan

- Burke may not have the ceiling of Derrick Rose, but he is as close of a sure thing in the draft as there is. He is a gifted scorer, passer and leader who should become a day one starter for the Magic, who need a young franchise point guard and Burke is talented enough to be their best player from day one and he should become their franchise player. Few will have Burke this high and most will have Noel, but Burke is just too perfect of a fit.

2. Charlotte Bobcats- Nerlens Noel- C- Kentucky

- Torn ACL or not, Noel is considered one of the top prospect in this draft. He will be a defensive backbone of a team and an elite rebounder, but he is raw on offense. His should be a defensive star immediately and the Bobcats desperately need that in the post and any offense  he provides would be an extra benefit. Believe it or not, the Bobcats would have something special with Walker, MKG and Noel.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Otto Porter- SF- Georgetown

- Porter is a top notch defender, scorer and team player and those are qualities the Cavaliers need and they have a huge need at small forward and Porter would start from day one. Porter is NBA ready and absolutely sound across the board and along with Irving, Waiters, Thompson, Zeller and Varejao would put the Cavaliers in place to make the playoffs.

4. Phoenix Suns: Ben McLemore- SG- Kansas

- An elite shooter and an incredible athlete, if McLemore wasn’t so passive, he would easily be the number one pick and still could be. The Suns need someone who can score on the perimeter and McLemore will score, that is for sure and the Suns would be very happy to snatch him up outside of the top few picks. He could be their leading scorer as a rookie, if he comes out aggressive.

5. New Orleans Hornets- Shabazz Muhammad- SF- UCLA

- Arguably the best scorer in the draft, however right now he doesn’t have another top-notch skill, which is why he is not the number one pick. He has a lot to work on, but has star potential and the Hornets have a big need at the 3.

6. Sacramento Kings: Michael Carter-Williams- G- Syracuse

- MCW is the most talented distributor in this draft, an excellent athlete and huge for a point guard and if he ever learns how to shoot, he could be a star. A pass first point guard is exactly what the Kings need and he could really change the selfish attitude on the team.

7. Detroit Pistons- Victor Oladipo- SG- Indiana

- Oladipo would step right into the lineup at shooting guard, immediately becoming their best perimeter defender and go to scorer on the perimeter. He could be a star at shooting guard and it is their biggest position of need.

8. Washington Wizards- Anthony Bennett- PF- UNLV

- Bennett is an incredible offensive player, able to score inside and out. He would be an excellent fit in Washington and could start at power forward immediately, moving Nene to center and he could become their 3rd option on offense from day one.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves- CJ McCollum- SG- Lehigh

-  The Timberwolves need someone who can score the ball on the perimeter and although McCollum may be undersized, he is arguably the top scorer in the draft and at the very worst, is  an elite sixth man.

10. Portland Trailblazers– Kelly Olynk- PF-C- Gonzaga

- The Trailblazers may lose JJ Hickson and will need another big body down low and although Olynk may not be elite at anything other than scoring, the Blazers desperately need another big man that can score. Olynk is also incredibly efficient, can also play power forward and is a local kid, which are three massive plusses in his favor.

11. Philadelphia 76ers- Alex Len- C- Maryland

- Len may not have the offensive polish of Zeller, but he is huge and has immense potential on both sides of the ball and could be an elite center one day. The 76ers may need a replacement for Andrew Bynum and need depth up front regardless, so this is a nice fit.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Toronto)- Cody Zeller- C- Indiana

- Zeller could instantly become their best offensive big man in the post, which is all that needs to be said about this fit. This is the best scenario for the Thunder.

13. Dallas Mavericks- Gorgui Dieng- C- Louisville

- Dieng is a fabulous athlete and defender and is also a capable short range jump shooter and finisher and could be the starting center and defensive backbone this team needs. If he was not already 24, he would be a top 10 pick.

14. Utah Jazz- Shane Larkin- PG- Miami

- The Jazz need a point guard and many may see this as a reach, but Larkin was one of the 5 best players in the nation and other than Burke, the best point guard. He may be undersized, but he can score in a variety of ways and get his teammates involved. He is a sparkplug and could have a huge effect as a starting point guard and at the very worst, is an excellent backup and scorer off the bench.

15. Milwaukee Bucks- Kantavious Caldwell Pope- SG/SF- University of Georgia

- The Bucks’ top three guards, who are their top three scorers are all free agents and they will probably lose 1 or 2 of them and so they will need a scorer to step in and Pope is one of the best in the draft in that regard and could start for the Bucks as a rookie.

16. Boston Celtics: Mason Plumlee- C- Duke

-A true center, who can move Garnett back to power forward and whose athleticism and offense would be a fantastic fit in Boston.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Steven Adams- C- Pitt

- An elite defensive prospect and a very solid rebounder, who could become a starting NBA center and would play for a team  that could use a long-term 5 to move Horford to PF.

18. Atlanta Hawks: (From Houston)- Dario Saric- F- Croatia

-  The Hawks need a small forward and Saric is the top international player in the draft and could become an excellent offensive player and a long-starter.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Allen Crabbe- SG- California

- The Cavaliers could use an elite bench scorer and Crabbe has the ability to be a top notch sixth man and was one of the top scorers in the nation.

20. Chicago Bulls- Jeff Withey- C- Kansas

- This would be Omer Asik’s replacement. Withey would be the Bulls’ needed backup center and with an improved offensive game, could be a huge contributor as early as next year and could be their third big man, when Carlos Boozer inevitably leaves. He fits the bill as a Chicago Bulls type of player.

21. Utah Jazz (From GSW)- Jamaal Franklin- G- San Diego St.

- An elite scorer, who could become a starter for the Jazz on the perimeter, where they have next to nothing.

22. Brooklyn Nets – Rudy Gobert- PF- France

- Gobert is tall and wiry and a gifted scorer, just like Andre Blatche, who they may lose in free agency, which would make this an excellent fit.

23. Indiana Pacers- Archie Goodwin- SG- Kentucky

- A raw, but solid scorer, Goodwin could become the long-term starter at shooting guard for the Pacers.

24. New York Knicks- Deshaun Thomas- Forward- Ohio State

- An elite scorer, whose offensive style would work very well in New York and he could be a big-time scorer off the bench.

25. Los Angeles Clippers- Myck Kabongo- PG- Texas

- They will probably trade Eric Bledsoe in the off-season and will need a replacement and Kabongo is a sparkplug who could run the second unit and put up big points.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis)- Tony Mitchell- SF- N Texas

- Mitchell can score and defend and could actually become a starter for the Timberwolves, if they lose Andre Kirilenko in free agency, but he would make a top notch backup if Kirilenko stays..

27. Denver Nuggets-Lorenzo Brown- PG- NC State

- A scoring guard, who could add even more bench scoring to Denver and replace Andre Miller as the team’s backup point guard within a year, Brown is a solid fit. Denver utilizes a two point guard set as much as any team in the NBA, so finding a future replacement for Miller is very important.

28. San Antonio Spurs- Lucas Norgueira- C- Brazil

- A high potential big man, Norgueira could be another foreign find for the San Antonio Spurs, who could use a quality depth up front, especially with Tiago Splitter and DeJuan Blair free agents.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder- Reggie Bullock- SG/SF- UNC

- An excellent shooter and team player, Bullock would fit in beautifully in Oklahoma City and is ready to play right away, even on a contender and could finally be the backup Kevin Durant needs, so that he may rest more.

30. Phoenix Suns (From MIA and CLE and LAL)- Tim Hardaway- SG- Michigan

- Another needed scorer, Tim Hardaway could be an excellent sixth man and scoring guard off of the bench.

Round 2 Coming Soon

Want To Write for Hoopstuff?

Posted: May 14, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Hey readers, this is Mike Elworth,  I am the owner and publisher of Hoopstuff and am looking for passionate NBA fans who have a passion in writing and the sport and would like to join the Hoopstuff team as a contributor. If so, email me at mkelworth@gmail.com and we can discuss the possibility of writing for me. Please be 18 or over thanks

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