Jun

25

Bobcats Get 20th Overall Pick From Nuggets

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????????????????????Charlotte BobcatsDenver Nuggets

The Charlotte Bobcats have been one busy team prior to the draft as according to Mike Cranston of the Associated Press, the team obtained from the Denver Nuggets their #20 pick in exchange for a future, protected first-round pick; the Bobcats, owners of the #9 and #20 picks in the first-round, will be better?equippedto address their needs at center and point guard.? While the Nuggets will have no picks in this year’s draft, they will avoid paying a luxury tax on a guaranteed rookie contract.

The pick that the Nuggets get from the Bobcats depends on several things: if the Bobcats make the playoffs, Denver gets their first-round pick; if the Bobcats miss the playoffs, then Charlotte keeps it.? The pick in question would be protected?by a sliding scale where Charlotte would retain it if it’s in the top 12 in 2010, top 10 in 2011, top 8 in 2012 and top 3 in 2013; the Bobcats get no protection for the pick in 2014.?

Jun

25

O’Neal A Raptor, Ford A Pacer

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???? Jermaine O'NealT.J. Ford

It’s that time of the year when one day before any NBA draft, a flurry of trade activity takes place; this year is no different.? The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors were players on the trade front as according to Ric Bucher of ESPN The Magazine, the Pacers will send forward Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors in exchange for T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic and the Raptors’ #17 pick in Thursday’s draft.? The deal becomes official, contingent on both players passing physicals - which should be a mere formality; the trade, while beneficial for both teams, has risks attached.?

O’Neal played in only 42 games for Indiana last season while having his worst statistical year to date - averaging 13.6 PPG and 6.8 RPG after averaging 19.4 PPG and 9.6 RPG in 2006-2007; Ford, on the other hand, has a history of neck problems which began during the 2004-2005 season while a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.? He missed the entire 2004-2005 season as a result of an injury in February 2004; Ford played 72 games for Milwaukee in the 2005-2006 season before being dealt to Toronto after the season for Charlie Villanueva and cash.?

Ford played 75 games for the Raptors as the team won the Atlantic Division; however, last season found Ford playing in only 13 games with a neck injury.? Nesterovic averaged 7.8 PPG and 4.8 RPG last season while mainly a reserve.? O’Neal takes with him to Toronto a contract in which he is set to make $21 million this season and $23 million in 2009-2010 while Ford takes to Indiana a contract?with 3 years remaining and is worth about $25 million.? With the trade, Indiana will now possess the 11th and 17th picks of the draft while Toronto will sit this draft out.

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Jun

25

NBA Prospect Profile - Jerryd Bayless

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?????????????????????????????????????????? Jerryd Bayless

Height: 6′3″? Weight: 205? From: Arizona

Skill Set: Has the tools to become a very good point guard in the NBA.? Has ability to go to the rim but can also hit the open jumper, as well.? May need to improve his defensive ability and play-making skills.

Likely Draft Position: Top-10 pick

Compares to: Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards

Jun

25

Beasley Should Be Bulls Choice At Number One

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I’ve said it once on Slam Dunk Central and I’ll say it again: the NBA is still a big man’s game. There is no coincidence that the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers became title contenders once they acquired 7-footers Kevin Garnett and Pau Gasol, respectively. Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh have made their teams legitimate playoff threats in the Eastern Conference.

Over in the Western Conference, Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden have given their teams hope for next season that their returns from injury can propel each franchise to the next level; the Blazers to the playoffs, the Lakers to an NBA title. The Phoenix Suns thought the mid-season addition of Shaq O’Neal would push them over the NBA title hump. It seems like the move has backfired, primarily because of Shaq’s deteriorating physical health and decreasing on-court effectiveness, not the idea that a productive big man could turn the glare of the sparkling Larry O’Brien Trophy to the Suns.

When looking back at past No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft, one might find as many busts as hits. For every Tim Duncan, there is a Michael Olowokandi. For every Howard, there is a Kwame Brown. Andrew Bogut, Andrea Bargnani (although he’s not the traditional back-to-the-basket type) and Joe Smith are other big men taken with the top overall pick in the last decade or so who haven’t come close to living up to their top billing.
The hope that a dominant big man could turn a team from an also-ran into a title contender overnight is what has spurred teams over the years to roll the dice on talented post players. It’s why the Timberwolves negotiated an under-the-table handshake agreement with Joe Smith years back. It’s why the Lakers traded an All-Star caliber player in Caron Butler for the talented but perpetually flustered Kwame Brown. It’s why the Chicago Bulls formed the Eddy Curry-Tyson Chandler frontcourt in the hope of a new dynasty.

The Chicago Bulls, again with the opportunity to form a new era, have the choice tomorrow of whom to select with the first overall pick. They could choose Derrick Rose, the hometown-bred point guard who seemingly everybody and their mom has pegged as The Next Chris Paul. Is it because he’s just a quick point guard who excelled in college or does he really share Paul’s intensity, leadership qualities and maturity to rapidly develop once he hits the NBA scene? The Bulls could also select the 20/10 man, Michael Beasley. The consensus among NBA front office executives has been that Beasley is as much a lock to produce right off the bat as any big man since Tim Duncan. Questions about Beasley’s character have arisen, but if that’s the deciding factor, why don’t the Bulls just select the Stanford altar boy Brook Lopez?

Beasley’s production from the post will make the Bulls a more threatening playoff team than Rose would as a point guard. Even in the era of no perimeter hand checks, a big man’s ability to control a game through high-percentage scoring opportunities and rebounding is invaluable. Teams with great post players also derive other scoring opportunities off the big man’s offensive tools. Sharpshooters around the perimeter give a big man outstanding passing options when confronted with double teams, and keen-eyed big men who set up higher in the post always have the option to drop off passes for teammates cutting through the lane or backdoor along the baseline.

A versatile big man such as Beasley, who can knock down 18-footers in his sleep, can create outstanding spacing on the floor, a key to any half-court offense. The prevailing thought every NBA playoff season is that the game slows down and proper half-court offensive execution is essential to advancing through the rounds. The reason it’s a prevailing thought is because it’s the truth. The Celtics, Spurs, Pistons and Lakers have won titles since the MJ Era by successfully executing this thought process, Dwayne Wade, the refs from the ‘06 Finals and the Heat notwithstanding. If the Bulls want to become a playoff contending team with long-term title aspirations, then they will choose the big man (Beasley) over the little man (Rose) tomorrow night.



Jun

25

NBA Player Profile - Derrick Rose

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??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Derrick Rose

Height: 6′3″? Weight: 195? From: Memphis

Skill Set: A real point guard in the sense of the word.? Very athletic; excellent in the open court and can obviously finish.? Only negatives - an inconsistent jumper and lack of a post game (wasn’t needed in college).

Likely Draft Position: First or second player chosen

Compares to: either Chris Paul or Deron Williams


Jun

25

NBA Player Profile - DeAndre Jordan

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???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? DeAndre Jordan

Height: 6′11″? Weight: 250? From: Texas A&M

Skill Set:?Raw player, but with lots of upside.? Has the coveted combination of size, wingspan and explosiveness that center-deficient teams need.? Runs the floor very well; could improve in creating his own shot.? High-risk, high-reward type of player.

Likely Draft Position: Mid-first round.

Compares to: Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats

Jun

25

NBA Video: Jerryd Bayless Headed to NBA Draft

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