Archive for the ‘NBA’ Category
Chicago Bulls Logo . . . or Angry Robot Reading a Book on a Bench?
Monday, July 20th, 2009The Future of the NBA Part II
Friday, July 17th, 2009Experts have debated whether or not the NBA is entering another golden age with NBA leaders like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade and Dwight Howard all under the age of 30. Looking ahead to the next ten years, the question is which players, executives and coaches will have the biggest impact on the league besides the already established stars? Here is a look at those who will help change the landscape of the NBA, 6 through 3.
6. Ricky Rubio
There is no denying that the NBA has become a global game and some of the best young NBA prospects reflect that. Andrea Bargnani, Danilo Gallinari, Rudy Fernandez and Marc Gasol are all young international players primed to make an impact on the NBA’s future. No international player is going to make a bigger impact than the 5th pick in the 2009 draft, Ricky Rubio.
Rubio, also known as “La Pistola” (homage to Pistol Pete), has the tools and the looks to be a NBA superstar. He has been playing professional basketball since he was 14-years-old. He collected various accolades while playing professional basketball in Spain, most notably the Mr. Europa European Player of the Year Award in the 2008 (an award once received by Arvydas Sabonis, Toni Kukoc, Peja Stojakovic, Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowinski). However, these European accomplishments don’t guarantee a stellar NBA career. Many of the “best international players” have flopped in the NBA (literally and figuratively) including Lithuanian PG Sarunas Jasikevicius.
While others before him have failed, Rubio has one thing going for him that other international players did not. He is only 18-years-old and has already proven he can compete with the best. He played on the Spanish national team during the 2008 Olympics and held his own against the NBA’s best point guards. Rubio stepped onto the world’s stage and he did not disappoint. He demonstrated his vision and ability to pass the ball accurately, which will make him one of the best pure point guards in the NBA. His early accomplishments have garnered praise from current NBA players including Chris Paul, arguably the best point guard in the league.
“It’s crazy what he’s already done. I am 23 and I think in the things I’ve done, but he is only 17, it’s crazy! He has already been in the Olympics. I’ve played 3 years in college and 3 years in the NBA before going to the Olympics. He will come to the NBA to steal my job.” (10/19/2008 Solo Basket)
Rubio will become the face of international players in the NBA whether he succeeds or fails. He has already been featured in a Gillette commercial featuring Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, and once he comes to the United States should have more endorsements than he knows what to do with. The question is not if he will come to the NBA, but when. Once he gets around the buyout issue, Rubio should make an instant impact on the NBA off the court if not on it.
5. Anthony Randolph
Anthony Randolph is the hardest person to place on this list. He has the potential to redefine the game of basketball but also has the potential to be a none factor in the NBA’s future.
He’s somewhere between 6’10 and 6’11, with a long wingspan and wiry frame. In other words he’s an athletic freak. He processes a unique skill set for someone of his size, which might propel him to the top of this list one day. He has an explosive first step and ball handling ability to beat big men off the dribble. He is left-handed but looks comfortable going to his left or his right, and his handling and passing ability allow him to bring the ball up court when need be. Randolph has a silky smooth mid-range jumper and over time he should be able to develop a consistent three-point shot. In the post he relies on finesse (mainly a turnaround jumper), but if he is able to put on size he’ll develop some more refined post moves. Defensively he has the length and the speed to guard the perimeter and the size and explosive jumping ability to be an elite shot blocker.
Anthony Randolph has probably more raw potential than anyone in the NBA but potential does always produce. The question becomes will Randolph be able to put it all together? During this year’s summer league he has looked dominant and tied a record by scoring 42 points. (Anthony Morrow broke the record today with 47 points.) Before you anoint him a hall of famer, keep in mind that the record was previously held by Marcus Banks and Von Wafer. More promising is his showing toward the end of last season. Randolph averaged 11.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 blocks in 28.6 minutes, when the Warriors were short-manned due to injury at the end of the season. If he receives consistent minutes (which is always a question mark with Don Nelson) he could become a true threat.
Warrior Fans believe he will be the next Magic while many feel he’ll be yet another Lamar Odom. Let’s just say he’ll probably fall somewhere in-between.
4. Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo
Magic Johnson vs. Isiah Thomas. John Stockton vs. Gary Payton. Steve Nash vs. Tony Parker. Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams. Nothing makes basketball better than a great point guard match. Chris Paul and Deron Williams aren’t on this list since they have already established themselves as stars in the league, but two other point guards are on the rise.
The match-up of the 2009 playoffs wasn’t Kobe and LeBron (thanks to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic) but rather Rajon Rondo vs. Derrick Rose. The two young point guards stole the show from the Boston Three Party and carried the series on their back.
In case you don’t remember the series. Rajon Rondo averaged a triple double in the series, averaging 20.8 points, 11.5 assists (including a Celtic record-tying 19 assists in Game 6) and 10.1 rebounds per game and showed that the Big Three should be called the Big Four.
Derrick Rose wasn’t going to be outshined by Rondo. Rose opened the series by tying Lew Alcinder’s 39 year old record playoff rookie scoring record by scoring 36 points in the Bulls upset win (he also had 11 assists and 4 rebounds). After disappearing for two games (he was a rookie after all) Rose was spectacular again in Game 4 and flirted with a triple double scoring 23 points, dishing out 9 assists and pulling down 11 rebounds. In Game 6 Derrick Rose scored 28 points, had 7 assists and 8 rebounds, but most importantly he made the game-saving block on Rajon Rondo’s go-ahead basket.
More impressive than the stats both these point guards put up in this series? The fact that we will get to see this great match again and again over the next ten years in the Eastern Conference and when was the last time the East had a great point guard rivalry?
3. Brandon Jennings and Jeremy Tyler
David Stern ended the prep-to-pro basketball dream in 2007, but Brandon Jennings created a new dream when he decided against attending Arizona and decided to play professionally in Italy.
Brandon Jennings’ (aka Young Money) career in Europe was less than great. He averaged 7.6 points, 1.6 assists and shot a woeful 38% from the field. Regardless of his poor stats, Jennings still received a $2 million contract from Under Armor and was able to hone his skills against professional basketball players rather than student athletes. Critics from the media were quick to point to Jennings’ stats and doubt his draft status but in the end his decision to go to Europe, though surrounded by controversy, didn’t have a negative effect on his draft status as he was a top ten draft pick. Brandon Jennings was the first prep to Europe player but Jeremy Tyler has taken the prep to Europe move to a new level.
Jeremy Tyler is a 6′9 rising senior who had committed to Louisville in 2010. However Jeremy Tyler decided to forgo his senior year in high school to play professional basketball in Europe. Tyler didn’t leave school because of academic reasons but rather because he truly believes that playing in Europe will make him a better basketball player. At 6′9 he doesn’t face much competition in his regular high school games. While in Europe he’ll get professional coaching and will face off against men his own size. His two years in Europe will allow him to mature and learn how to play professional basketball. In 2011 he will enter the NBA draft having already proven whether he is capable of playing professional basketball.
The successes and failures of Brandon Jennings and Jeremy Tyler will set the tone for future high school prospects. Much like when Kevin Garnett (1995) and Kobe Bryant (1996) left high school for the pros, Jennings and Tyler could become the pioneers of a new movement. All eyes will be on both players throughout their career. Whether they become All-Stars or fade to obscurity, their decision to play in Europe will be considered the reason why. In ten years going Prep-to-Europe might be as common as going Prep-to-Pro was in the past. Jennings and Tyler will be the prototypes for this jump.
SOURCES: ESPN, NBA DRAFT, REALGM, SOLO BASKET
Rasheed to the Celtics . . . Brings back Memories
Friday, July 17th, 2009Recently, Rasheed Wallace was signed by the Boston Celtics to join Garnet, Pierce, and the many other great players that the city boasts. Since Sheed’s 94-95 season, I have been following his every move, technical, and illegitimate child. He was like a hero while I was growing up, I imagine part of it was due to my father’s undeniable distaste for his on-court antics and skills for getting T’d up in at the drop of a ball. To this day, Elevator Man’s 100 Reasons to Love Rasheed Wallace remains one of my favorite lists. Ever.
Here they are, but be sure to check them out more in-depth on his page:
- Got thrown out of the McDonald’s All-American Game.
- Allegedly made prophecy after the Cameron game in 1994 to Meek that “As long as Me, Touche, and Jerry are here, we ain’t ever losing here.”
- In his first return to the Smith Center following his departure to the NBA (the Duke game), he hovered over the scorers’ table, yelling to Blue Devil and friend Stan Brunson, “Stanleeee, Stanleee.”
- Tried to psych up his teammates by yelling, “Let’s go out and play like we’re Chicago on NBA Jam.”
- Self explanatory.
- Reporter had to go to the student union arcade to try to find him to do an interview because that’s where he always was, playing NBA Jam or Mortal Kombat II.
- After he got schooled by Tim Duncan in the next-to-last home game of the ‘95 season, he was despondent, and an athletic department official told him not to worry about it but to “just go out and kick Cherokee’s butt on Saturday” in the final home game vs. Duke. He replied, “Oh, I will. Believe me.”
- 10/11 FG, 25 points, 5 fouls in win at Duke, 2/2/95
- Caught an alley-oop dunk from behind the backboard at Dook his freshman year.
- Got his picture taken with Anthony Alfano.
- “Interviewed” Jerry with Rick Sullivan’s microphone at 1994 media day.
- When he was introduced at Dick Vitale-hosted midnight madness during his freshman year, he threw his head back, arched his back, and roared into the rafters.
- Overheard saying “I ain’t making no #$!*ing rap record” during his freshman year, shortly after the release of “Shaq Diesel.”
- 13/19 FG, 7/8 FT, 33 points, 6 Rebounds, 5 blocked shots, 4 fouls in win vs. Joe Smith and Maryland, semifinals, ACC tournament, 3/11/95.
- Fought with Andre Riddick in the 1995 NCAA Tournament Southeast Regional Final against Kentucky. “What an elbow, Jim!”-Bill Raftery.
- He flirted with a really pretty cheerleader throughout 1997 Virginia game at the Dean Dome as he sat next to Jerry.
- Half court alley-oop, 1995 ACC tournament semifinal vs. Maryland.
- Embraced Serge Zwikker after Serge scored 19 against Murray State in 1995 NCAA Tournament second round.
- Made pull up-3 pointer in losing effort at Maryland, 1995.
- 2-page, 4-color Nike ad that appeared in Sports Illustrated in 1995.
- Attempted to brawl with former teammate Chris Webber…in a pre-season game.
- 8/8 FG, 1/1 FT, 17 points, 16 rebounds vs. Marshall, 1/2/94.
- Pearce Landry has gone on the record saying that “Rasheed Wallace is my favorite North Carolina player ever.”
- He avoided interviews following games because he was in the training room calling his moms.
- Turnaround jump shot to ice 1997 game against L.A. to knock Shaq and the Lakers out of the 2 seed in the West for the playoffs.
- Under his personal directory in the 1994 Granville Towers phone book he wrote, “Peace to my peoples in Philly.”
- “Who is Bruce Martin? What number is he? He’s the dirty player, not me. He’s the ring-leader in my book.”– following a fight-marred victory vs. Clemson.
- Threw his shoes in celebration over the telephone wires outside the Dean E. Smith Center.
- 6/6 FG, 12 points, 13 rebounds in second collegiate game ever, vs. Cincinnati, 11/19/93
- Self explanatory.
- Wore a Carolina Basketball sweatshirt as he announced his intention to go pro after his sophomore season.
- In his first few weeks as a freshman at UNC, he walked up to a student in the Granville cafeteria and asking that student if he would please fill up his glass of Coke. It should be noted that Ra was within a few steps of the Coca-Cola machine when he asked the question.
- Ripped off a Wojo pass in the open court, dribbled the length of the court like a gazelle and dunked on said Wojo, while being permitted to yell and hang on the rim sans technical foul vs. Duke ‘95.
- When asked about rating one of his fully extended rim shakers in one of his final games, he responded “Ask Ryan (Sullivan)…he’s the grader.”
- Used and abused top-pick in the NBA Joe Smith each and every time they played against one another in college, a trend that has continued in the professional ranks.
- Quoted from Cameron locker room as saying “There’s going to be a murder in Chapel Hill” following a question about upcoming State rematch in 1995. The ill-timed quote came in the aftermath of the Wendell Williamson shooting on Henderson Street.
- 10/13 FG, 22 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 fouls in win vs. the Answer and Georgetown, NCAA regional semifinals, 3/23/95.
- Allegedly told a professor several weeks following Arkansas Final Four loss that the reason he had not been attending class was that he was embarrassed to be seen on campus.
- As a freshman, made Jerry late for an interview in his Granville room because he wanted to go to KFC.
- Missed the flight to Maui in ‘95 because he overslept, then missed the next flight too.
- Turnaround jump shot to win 1996 NBA All-Rookie game.
- Self explanatory.
- Yelled “Pat ain’t nobody!” in the locker room as media-types huddled around Pat Sullivan following the aforementioned Clemson game in which Sullivan had returned after an extensive layoff due to injury.
- 12/14 FG, 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks in win vs. Georgia Tech, 2/12/95.
- In his first weekend in heaven at a notably sizable fraternal function, he was reportedly seen dancing in such a way as to allow his denim shorts to dip well below his knees, revealing his underpants, also dangling lower than is socially acceptable.
- Picture of him shirtless, tossing a bucket of water on some poor unsuspecting fool after an especially huge Simon Gratz victory.
- Got caught by CBS cameras dancing to whatever was playing on his walkman as he stood in the tunnel before the 1995 final 4.
- Didn’t list Mrs. Lee’s carrot cake as his favorite food.
- Refusal to shave head in unity with his teammates Jeff, Jerry, Donald, Clyde, and Ed during 1995 NCAA Tournament.
- Computerized simulation in 1995 DTH letter to the editor of Rasheed without hair.
- 21 points, 9 rebounds in win vs. Maryland, 1/7/95.
- Said that it was good to leave Philly for the tranquillity of Chapel Hill because, “I was constantly having to watch my back, hoping I wouldn’t get hit by a stray bullet or something.” Yet, “I’m a city boy at heart, so I do miss it sometimes. Especially my boys. They’re all at Villanova.”
- Had his face on the back of a t-shirt that simply says RA!
- Took the ball at midcourt and racing in for a dunk just before the halftime buzzer in 1995 NCAA Tourney vs. Iowa State … on a bad ankle.
- Got in a fight where he threw the ball off Luc Longley’s head as soon as he entered “the league.”
- Let his hair grow out very long toward the end of his playing days at Carolina.
- Said, “I don’t know of any law that says you can’t have fun on the court if you play for Carolina.”
- Wild celebration (jumping up and down, pointing and laughing) from the bench following Jerry’s “donkey kong” dunk at dook in 1994-95. Can only be seen through careful examination of the video tape.
- Admitted that weasely media-type John Feinstein was the reason he often forced himself to get up and actually go to class.
- His brave attempt to tie the Boston College game as the buzzer sounded with a 3-pointer from the corner.
- 2/23/94, Notre Dame, Ind., North Carolina 80, Notre Dame 71, received first technical foul as a Tar Heel.
- Boyhood bedroom was a basketball court, complete with foul lines drawn on the floor.
- Nasty tip-jam over Price, Meek and Parks, at Duke 1995.
- Manning the cash register, along with Jeff, for a time at Sutton’s.
- Former UNC assistant coach Dave Hanners has called Rasheed “the best practice player, along with George Lynch, to ever come to Carolina. He came ready to play and was always looking to get better.”
- Always wore that black jacket he got from Magic Johnson’s roundball classic with a big Magic Johnson logo on the back…it is assumed he dominated that game from start to finish (also assuming he was not ejected from it).
- 7/11 FG, 5 rebounds, 3 fouls in first start ever vs. Duke, 3/5/95.
- Used to make a point of entering the Smith Center down by the memorabilia room in order to flirt with Smith Center receptionist Angela King.
- He had a solid 2.9 GPA at Carolina.
- The birthmark.
- In 1994 pre-tournament interview with Tom Suter drew the profound metaphor between team chemistry and jello…”See, we are like the dust…we just need to be mixed in right so we can gel.”
- Consistently eluded ESPN hottie Pam Oliver, despite the fact Pam and her crew were literally camped out in the Smith Center for an entire day and how flown from Connecticut to Chapel Hill just to talk to him.
- Never chose a major.
- “Rasheed-me!” — Craig Kilborn
- Never had a car in college.
- “The Need For ‘Sheed.” — Rip City Magazine Feb. 1997
- His high school coach would only play him in the first half and he still averaged 19 ppg.
- “Same old refs, some things never change.” — upon his return to view ACC basketball in person, in support of Antawn Jamison against Duke in the Dome
- That alley oop on Shaq in 1997 NBA Playoffs.
- “HEY! YOU’RE HUBERT DAVIS! YOU’RE HUBERT DAVIS! EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU!” –Upon realizing that his seat at the 1996 Duke game in Chapel Hill was next to Mr. Davis’.
- Snatched the ball when the horn sounded at the end of the 1995 Southeast Regional victory over Kentucky and tossed it well beyond the rafters in Birmingham.
- Ran down the court rubbing Serge’s head after Serge miraculously dunked in a game.
- Vitale on Wallace: “Look out. He’s the elevator man…oh my!!!”
- Agonized over his hurt ankle in the 1995 ACC tournament final.
- Walked onto the Cameron floor in ‘95 to the chant “Hooked on Phonics,” and upon seeing a confused Serge, he leaned over and explained what the Cameron Crazies meant.
- Banked in countless three-pointers in his first-ever midnight madness appearance.
- 9/9 FG, 1/1 FT, 19 points vs. Colorado State, 12/9/93.
- Listed Andre Agassi among the “athletes he most admires” in the 1994-95 UNC media guide.
- 14 points, 4 fouls in first game ever vs. Duke, 2/3/94.
- After the Larry Davis transfer announcement was made, the two were in the cafeteria talking about how much fun the Diet Pepsi rematch (that would never take place) was going to be…in a show of bravado Rasheed uttered “Larry best not bring that *!? inside.”
- His minor skirmish in 1997 NBA Playoffs with Jerome Kersey, after which there was so much love for Rasheed in the crowd that the fans began to cheer “Beat L.A.!” while Rasheed pumped his fist to urge them on.
- 3-25-95, Birmingham, Ala., North Carolina 74, Kentucky 61, received his last technical as a Tar Heel.
- Said on the very first and very last days of his sophomore season that he would be returning to Carolina for another year.
- Not afraid of reacting to any call against him, no matter how solid.
- In college, if he would hack someone, he would keep his hand up in the air as if to say, “Look, my arms were straight up in the air,” but more often than not, his arms were indeed at an angle that indicated that he had in fact fouled whoever was shooting.
- He loves his mother.
- All-time leader in field goal percentage at Carolina.
- At Duke game in Chapel Hill during his first NBA season, as freshman Vince Carter, struggling to get playing time, was just trying to concentrate on the game as he walked to the scorer’s table, Rasheed yelled to him, “VINCE! VINCE! I know you hear me! You better look over here or I’m gonna slap you upside the head!”
- Stood with Jerry and Jeff sans costume in the center of Franklin Street during their first Halloween celebration and looked down on all his other “colleagues” as if they were morons. (A student proceeded to run up to him drunk saying, “Man you look like Rasheed Wallace…good costume.”)
- “We had some phantom technical fouls called when we had Rasheed. I know that. He’d just scream, he was so happy with a dunk and the next thing you know it’s a technical foul. If I ever dunked, I would have screamed. If I’d go up and sky and dunk one, I’d scream too.” –college basketball’s all-time winningest coach Dean E. Smith.
Duke Quarterback Lewis Ready for S.O.S
Thursday, July 16th, 2009On Wednesday, the Raleigh NewsandObserver had a chance to sit down with North Carolina’s least successful quarterback to talk a little futboooool. While I give him props for being a Duke football player whose name I actually remember (and therefore give-a-shit about), it still seams this question/answer shitfest was as premeditated as a Coach K press conference after a UNC loss. “They shot well. They ran the court. They are bigger than us. Tyler Hansbrough. The shots didn’t fall. Remember when I coached Kobe Bryant?”
I have taken the time to edit the real conversation for those of us that didn’t have a chance to read it.
Q: What is your favorite passing route?
A: I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite pass route, but you know what’s nice? When you can hit a guy in stride on a bomb, 50 yards, he doesn’t stop, and he scores with it. That’s nice. … The best is when you see a guy beat a guy, and the guy is trying to catch up, and you hit him in stride. There’s nothing prettier than that. You know what else is pretty? Greg Paulus. That mother fucker came in here trying to take my job after never touching the field for FOUR, count them . . . FOUR fucking years. He even had K lobbying for his sorry ass. If I spent as much time on the floor as Greg Paulus . . . you’d have to wipe me up with a shamwow. Bad analogy. That shamwow guy beat a stripper right? Shit. That doesn’t go over well in Durham.
Q: What would it mean to you to help lead this team to a bowl game?
A: It would mean everything. But it just wouldn’t be enough to just get there. If I get there, I want to win it. It would mean so much because when I was recruited I was told we weren’t very good and I was told I was part of a change. … It’s only eight seniors that will be able to play this season. For us eight to be remembered as the eight that led this football team to a bowl game … would be tremendous. It’s not how you came in, but how you leave a place. … It would be big. But shit, half the bowl’s that we would be invited to would leave us in debt anyways. Know how much the Papajohn.com bowl payed out? Yeah, $350 K. The Wolfpack weren’t the only team leaving in the red by just GOING to that bowl. Their asses were red too. Because they got spanked. So was their bank account, which is what I was alluding to anyways.
Q: What would you say you learned about yourself since your enrollment at Duke?
A: I can do anything. I can do anything I put my mind to. … A lot of people don’t know that my freshman year, halfway through the semester, I was failing. Thought I was going to fail out of Duke. Picked it up, and I finished with a 2.5 [G.P.A] that semester. The next three semesters I went 3.4. … I look at it now that I’m about to get a degree in December from Duke University. That’s big.
Coming out of Opa-Locka I didn’t think about getting in Duke, didn’t really know much about the academic standards, what the degree is worth. Now I’m in that elite company with a [degree]. … I didn’t just come to college to play football. I was able to manage both. If I can do it, anybody could do it. Sheldon Williams did it, and look where he’s at in life. He married a hot-ass giant WNBA all-sat . . . has a kid . . . ALL while everyone thought he was retarded. We both majored in sociology. It’s the geography of Duke University. Michael Jordan was a geography major . . . and look how rich he became! To us athletes, our degrees mean all the shit in the world. You’re my sociological hero, Sheldon Williams. Shit yeah.
The Future of the NBA
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
Experts have debated whether or not the NBA is entering another golden age with NBA leaders like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade and Dwight Howard all under the age of 30. Looking ahead to the next ten years, the question is which players, executives and coaches will have the biggest impact on the league besides the already established stars? Here is a look at those who will help change the landscape of the NBA.
10. Adam Silver: Deputy Commissioner
David Stern won’t be commissioner forever and once he steps down Adam Silver will be the one announcing the first round draft picks. David Stern has demonstrated how a commissioner can change the landscape of the entire league, nothing more groundbreaking than his decision to no longer allow high school players to jump straight to the NBA.
Currently Mr. Silver oversees the production of all televised WNBA and NBA games, which are shown in 251 countries and in 42 languages. Under his direction as Deputy commissioner the NBA launched their 24-7 channel NBATV and revamped the NBA.com network, which includes over 60 affiliate sites including NBA.com, WNBA.com and NBDLeague.com. During his tenure, the NBA Entertainment’s Global Merchandising Group has seen record growth and Silver was/is integral in the development of NBA China, which is in charge of the league’s business in greater China, and currently sits on the board of directors.
If Silver’s work as Deputy is any indication of his goals as commissioner, then he will be focused on ushering the NBA into the new digital media age and increasing the impact of the NBA global brand.
9. Kevin Pritchard and Sam Presti
What made RC Buford the best GM in the league? He built the Spurs dynasty primarily through the draft. Most impressively Buford didn’t build his team only through lottery picks. Tony Parker was a late first round draft pick and Manu Ginoboli was a late second round pick. Both became integral parts of the Spurs dynasty. Kevin Pritchard and Sam Presti are positioning themselves into RC Buford status.
Kevin Pritchard created one of the best young teams in the NBA in just three years primarily through the draft. In his first draft as Assistant GM he turned Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff into the #7 pick. He then flipped the #7 pick (Randy Foye) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for future All-Star Brandon Roy. During the same draft Pritchard helped orchestrate a deal that sent Tyrus Thomas and Victor Khrypa for yet another future All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. Lastly he bought Sergio Rodriguez from the Suns for cash. In 2007 he was promoted to GM and besides drafting Greg Oden with the first pick in the draft, he traded Zach Randolph, Fred Jones and Dan Dickau to NY for Channing Frye, Steve Francis (whom they bought out) and a trade exception. The trade exception allowed Pritchard to acquire James Jones and Rudy Fernandez from the Suns for cash. By the 2008-2009 season Kevin Pritchard built a team that made it to the NBA playoffs and is widely considered the best young team in the NBA.
In 2007 Sam Presti was named General Manager of the then Seattle Super Sonics. Prior to being hired by Seattle he was the Assistant General Manager of the Spurs, where he is credited with encouraging the Spurs to draft Tony Parker. When he took over the Sonics he drafted Kevin Durant and traded Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics for the rights to the 5th pick in the draft, Jeff Green. Both of his draft picks were named to the NBA All-Rookie team. However, Presti wasn’t done making moves and later signed and traded Rashard Lewis to the Orlando Magic for a 2nd round draft pick and a trade exception, which allowed Presti to acquire two unconditional first round draft picks and Kurt Thomas from the Phoenix Suns for cash. He used his 2008 draft pick to select Russell Westbrook with the 4th pick in what many people thought was a reach. However. Westbrook was later named to the NBA All-Rookie team. After drafting James Harden in the 2009 draft, Presti has created one of the most complete young teams in the NBA. Though the Thunder haven’t turned the corner, experts agree that the Thunder are the young team to watch out for in the future.
With Presti and Pritchard at the helm, the Trailblazers and Thunder are on the rise. Both General Managers are building their teams while maintaining financial flexibility to ensure their ability to keep their core together. Within the next ten years both Portland and Oklahoma City will be the class of the West, thanks to the two best young General Managers in the league.
8. Mike D’Antoni
D’Antoni has taken the idea of run-and-gun to a brand new level. LeBron James as a full-time power forward? Mike D’Antoni said he could envision “The King” playing the 4 in his offense. 24-second shot clock? That’s 16 seconds too long for Mike D’Antoni. His 8 seconds or less offensive philosophy turned Steve Nash into a two time league MVP. Granted, Steve Nash was an All-Star before D’Antoni, but his system turned Chris Duhon from a borderline NBA starter to a Point Guard who was top 10 in the league in assists.
Mike D’Antoni’s system brings excitement to the league. Over the past six years Mike D’Antoni coached teams averaging 106.4 points per game. Three times over the past six years his teams have averaged over 110 points. His teams don’t worry about defense but they know how to put points on the scoreboard. Putting points on the scoreboard sells tickets and boosts ratings.
Most importantly, players want to play for D’Antoni. Just about every player in the NBA wants the opportunity to run and get their shots. Even LeBron James expressed praise for Mike D’Antoni to the NY Post.
“He gave me a lot of freedom, it was great to be out there. I watched that system all those years in Phoenix; how they got so many shots and easy baskets. To be a part of that chemistry, be part of the offensive mastermind that Coach D’Antoni is, that was great.” ( Nov 26, 2008)
Mike D’Antoni is a true players coach and with the Knicks positioning themselves for a big 2010 free agency, Mike D’Antoni will be able to win many games in the Mecca of Basketball.
7. Blake Griffin
After the 2007 college basketball season, Blake Griffin shocked experts by declaring he was returning to school. He was guaranteed to be a top 3 draft pick and would have challenged Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley for the top spot in the draft. When asked why he returned to school Blake simply said he didn’t think he was ready for the NBA. In an age when every talented young college basketball player looks jump to the NBA as quickly as possible, Blake Griffin returned to Oklahoma University. His sophomore year, Blake Griffin dominated the NCAA and won National Player of the Year. He improved every aspect of his game and coming into the NBA draft there was no question that he would be the number 1 pick.
Blake Griffin processes freak athleticism, excellent strength and has the drive to be great. When he worked out with the Clippers he not only completed the drills for the forwards but also did the drills for the guards. It was reported that he handled the ball better than everyone present at the workout including combo guard, Anthony Goods. Griffin came into the summer league with the eyes of the world on him. Everyone wondered how Griffin would fair. Griffin didn’t disappoint and scored 27 points in his debut game, including hitting two threes. He showed a complete game that is only complimented by his superior athleticism.
What puts Griffin on this list isn’t just his basketball prowess, but also his personality. Blake has the personality to become the superstar of LA’s other team. Elton Brand was an all-star as a Clipper but never had the personality to be a true NBA superstar. Blake won’t have that problem and has already said he one day wants to be on Saturday Night Live.
I won’t put Blake Griffin into the hall of fame based on a few summer league games and amazing workouts. He will, however, one day be the NBA dunk champion (he did hit his head on the backboard during a college game) and he gives the second team in LA what they desperately need, a franchise personality.
Tomorrow I will dive deeper into the top ten and reveal picks six through three.