Brooklyn Nets Constructed New-Look Roster to Beat Miami Heat

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Nov 072012
 

It’s not just the Boston Celtics and Doc Rivers who are infatuated with the Miami Heat. The Brooklyn Nets admitted it recently when they talked about how their roster has been evolving. They were built specifically with the Heat in mind.

Howard Beck of the New York Times reported that the Nets focused on point guard and center because that’s where the Heat were weak. In addition, Nets general manager Billy King had this to say:

“My thought was looking at Miami, because they were the team. I had to build a team that I thought could compete.”

It’s an excellent game plan for beating one specific team, but there are 28 other teams in the NBA that the Nets will have to beat. The combination of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez stacks up well to most of them.

Any time a team gets into a mindset about individual matchups, problems arise. The most glaring issue is chemistry. A team of All-Stars sounds terrific, but if they can’t learn how to play together and best utilize their strengths, they will fail.

Depth also remains an issue. Gerald Wallace is the team’s leader in energy and hustle, but after he got hurt in the first game, there was a severe dropoff to journeyman Keith Bogans.

Wallace is also the Nets’ defensive stopper who was brought in specifically to deal with the tough wings at the top of the Eastern Conference like LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony and Danny Granger.

There was a noticeable lack of energy without Wallace on the floor, as the Nets lost a 22-point lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second game of the 2012-13 season.

Joe Johnson spoke after the loss about Wallace’s absence and didn’t want to use it as an excuse, but noted that it highlights Wallace’s value to the team:

“No excuses about Gerald Wallace being here, but those are situations why we feel so strong about Wallace.”

When asked specifically about the Heat and why Wallace was one of their prized signings, King confirmed the strategy was to “at least neutralize the battle.” King then added:

“You’re not going to stop those guys. You just got to try to take things away from them and force them to do things they’re not comfortable doing.”

Although Deron Williams is the best player on the Nets and the one hardest to replace, Wallace could be considered a close second because the Nets are already going to struggle defensively.

Kris Humphries and Lopez aren’t defensive stalwarts in the paint. They aren’t going to mimic Dwight Howard and come off their man to block and alter shots as if they knew it was coming. That’s another main reason why Wallace is so important. He can guard his man in a one-on-one situation, allowing the others to stay home.

The Nets aren’t expected to unseat the Heat this year, but they’ll have a close eye on them. Their first matchup of the 2012-13 season comes on Wednesday, November 7 in Miami. It’s a measuring stick game for the Nets, and even though they were built to beat the Heat, their lack of chemistry and health means it’s not going to happen so soon.

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Why Kyle Lowry’s Injury Spells Doom for Toronto Raptors’ Playoff Hopes

 Toronto  No Responses »
Nov 072012
 

As Kyle Lowry went to the floor with a sprain of his right ankle, any hopes of the Toronto Raptors making the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 season went with him.

Lowry has quickly become the heart and soul of the team and without him on the floor, they’ll be back in the lottery and not the playoffs.

Lowry’s injury is yet another in the long list of physical setbacks that he’s endured throughout his career. In the last nine months alone, Lowry has missed time because of a strained right elbow, a groin injury, a bacterial infection, a sports hernia, a strained thigh muscle and now an ankle sprain.

Make no mistake about it—Lowry is quite a talent, but if he can’t be on the floor or is always battling injuries, it’s hard to fully count on him.

Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun stirred up some panic with this tweet:

Kyle Lowry hobbled out of arena in a “precautionary” walking boot

—Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) November 7, 2012

Before his injury, Lowry was playing a terrific brand of basketball. In the first three games of the 2012-13 season, he averaged 23.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, seven assists and 3.7 steals. He was shooting 57.5 percent from the field, 50 percent from the three-point line and 94.4 percent from the free-throw line.

If Lowry were able to keep those numbers up and get the Raptors to the playoffs, he’d be a front-runner for the MVP award.

This injury comes at a horrible time for the Raptors, who were demonstrating a renewed sense of confidence—and for good reason. They’ve acquired quality talent, the team is buying into coach Dwane Casey’s defensive principles and they have youth on their side.

Wolstat would later stamp out some of the fires by clarifying the extent of Lowry’s injury:

Calderon said team relaxed when told Lowry’s injury was: “nothing big”, “just a quick twist, nothing to be alarmed of.”

—Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) November 7, 2012

Assuming that Lowry comes back relatively quickly, there’s still the major issue of why Lowry can’t seem to stay healthy. Any athlete that goes through that many injuries in such a short time will have lingering problems unless he is able to rest.

There’s simply no time to rest. Lowry went into the summer of 2012 with a bacterial infection before thigh strain interrupted his start to the preseason. Now, in just his fourth game, he’s got the ankle sprain.

From here, the Raptors will have to depend on veteran Jose Calderon to run the offense. While he’s dependable and a good shooter, and he won’t hurt them with turnovers, he’s not the right fit for their offense. There’s a reason the Raptors acquired Lowry and pushed Calderon to the side and even though Calderon took it well, it’s fitting that now it’s the team that needs Calderon.

The Raptors won’t make the playoffs without a healthy Lowry. For some reason, Lowry can’t seem to stay healthy. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.

 

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Why Jeff Green Is Critical X-Factor for Boston Celtics Success In 2012-13

 Boston  No Responses »
Nov 052012
 

Jeff Green is one of the real feel-good stories after returning from heart surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm. Green had a terrific 2012-13 preseason after missing the entire 2011-12 season. He will get lots of opportunity and will be critical to the Boston Celtics‘ success in 2012-13.

Green stumbled out of the gate with a poor showing against the Miami Heat in the season opener. He scored just three points, with three rebounds and one steal. Not surprisingly, the Celtics lost on opening night and needed more from their bench.

It wouldn’t take long, as Green scored 11 points in each of his next two games and is starting to look much more comfortable in his role and in the offense. He’s slotted behind Paul Pierce on the depth chart and can also slide over to the power forward when the Celtics go small.

It’s reasonable to expect Green to find 20-25 minutes per night on this deep Celtics team. If he continues to score 11 points per game, there would be nobody happier than the Celtics.

Green has never been a very active player outside of his scoring. He’s athletic and will work hard on the defensive end, but he’s not the kind of player that will fill the stat sheet. That trend has continued in 2012-13, with Green recording just four steals, one block and zero assists in three games.

Going back to 2010-11, Green played mostly power forward and allowed opposing players to put up an efficiency rating of 21.6 when he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder. When he was traded to the Celtics, he was moved to small forward as his primary position, and he excelled. He held opposing small forwards to an efficiency rating of just 7.8.

One of Green’s greatest strengths has been his consistency. During the 2010-11 season, he put up a remarkably consistent set of shooting splits.

 

2010-11 Shooting Splits

1st Quarter: 45.2 percent
2nd Quarter: 44.8 percent
3rd Quarter: 44.6 percent
4th Quarter: 44.8 percent

It’s that kind of play that makes Green so valuable. He doesn’t have to wait until a specific part of the game to get involved. It doesn’t matter if he’s a starter or a bench player; the Celtics can depend on him to provide a steady stream of scoring, with solid defense at the small forward.

Green has also shown the ability to change his game based on the team’s needs. As a member of the Thunder, he was never much of a prolific passer, but he would average close to two assists in each season. Once he came to Boston, he was put in position to catch and shoot, or catch and drive. It’s not a quick process, but he’s done a good job so far.

Naturally, Green will need to become more comfortable before he can get fully immersed in the NBA life again. Coming off a life-threatening injury isn’t easy, and the recovery process isn’t quick.

Those players coming off ACL tears have to learn to trust certain movements. Green has to trust that his heart will hold up.

If the Celtics are to succeed, it’s going to be in part because of the inspirational comeback of Green. Give him 20-25 minutes off the bench and watch him consistently produce. He’ll figuratively leave his heart out there on the court and will do what it takes to win.

 

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How Avery Bradley’s Injury Puts Pressure on Jason Terry to Deliver

 Boston  No Responses »
Nov 052012
 

Jason Terry came to the Boston Celtics with an excellent resume and a solid pedigree. Because of that, expectations were reasonably high from the start. Due to Avery Bradley being at least six weeks away from his return, those expectations have ratcheted up and have become pressure to deliver.

There are two major reasons why teams love playoff-tested veterans like Terry. First, they can trust that he’ll be focused and at his best during clutch situations. Second, he has a proven track record as a starter and can fill in with big minutes when injuries become a problem.

Over Terry’s career, he’s started 626 of 1,025 games. However, even when he became the sixth man extraordinaire that he is today, he played over 30 minutes a game. So far for the Celtics in 2012-13, he has played 22.3 minutes per game. Those are sure to rise, especially after the team’s rocky start.

The emergence of Leandro Barbosa as a viable backup at shooting guard makes Terry even more valuable, as he can slide over and take Bradley’s spot as the backup point guard when Rajon Rondo needs a rest.

At the early stages of Terry’s career, he played point guard. In the 2002-03 season with the Atlanta Hawks, he averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals. He has the skills to play the position, he’s just a bit out of practice. Just like riding a bike, give him a few turns and he’ll get right back into the swing of things.

For the Dallas Mavericks during the 2011-12 season, Terry was at the point guard for six percent of the Mavericks’ total minutes for the season, according to 82games.com. He averaged 22.6 points and 7.3 assists per 48 minutes, which is something the Celtics would jump at in a heartbeat.

The clutch situations would likely see Rondo at the point and Terry at shooting guard. That works out just fine, as during the 2011-12 season, Terry shot 49.3 percent from the field and 94.1 percent from the free-throw line during the fourth quarter or overtime, with less than five minutes left and no team ahead by more than five.

Bradley is unquestionably the heir apparent, as Terry is 35 years old and on the downswing of his career. Bradley is definitely more athletic and explosive, but lacks the experience in big moments and the track record that Terry boasts.

Pressure is nothing new to Terry and he’ll show that he can handle it. He’s a seasoned veteran who is cool, calm and collected in the most difficult situations. The Celtics would rather have Bradley healthy and their entire arsenal at their disposal, but until then, Terry will deliver.

 

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Rajon Rondo Can’t Afford to Get Sucked Into Drama With the Miami Heat

 Boston  No Responses »
Nov 012012
 

Rajon Rondo is a very emotional player. For better or for worse, the Boston Celtics will ride with him through all of the bad technical fouls, because they know his energy and intensity will lead them to victory more often than not. What can’t happen is Rondo getting tangled up with the drama-fest that is known as the Miami Heat.

The nickname “Heatles” is very appropriate, because everywhere the Heat go, there’s a ton of drama. They’re the most polarizing team in the NBA, and anything that gets caught in their path becomes a much bigger issue than it needs to be.

Rondo has developed a reputation of being a tough player that can let his emotions get the best of him. Certainly the 2012-13 season opener against the Heat was a prime example of that. He corralled Dwyane Wade around the shoulders and made what Wade called, “a punk play.”

At this point, mainstream media, opposing players and fans have given Rondo somewhat of a pass. He’s not looked at all like Bill Laimbeer or Rasheed Wallace, but he’s getting there. Rondo doesn’t care about what others think of him, and he’ll be the first to tell you that.

But, there’s a bigger picture to think about. Reputation matters on the court. Rondo can do whatever he wants with his personal life. It’s a certainty that Celtics’ brass and Rondo’s agent have been in his ear, telling him about the pitfalls of a negative public image—but Rondo continues to shun them.

On the court, that reputation turns minor skirmishes into major scuffles. Players can lose the benefit of the doubt. It’s the same thing that happened to Metta World Peace after what happened in Detroit with the “Malice at the Palace.”

Rondo hasn’t done anything close to that level, but he continues to chip away. It would benefit him to take a step back and look at how his actions affect his image and his team.

Getting involved in this drama with Wade and the Heat is foolish. It doesn’t help the Celtics in any way. It’s not about personal respect, it’s not about proving that he belongs, and it’s not about winning over the fans.

Rondo’s actions are simply immature acts by a terrific basketball player. If he doesn’t care about tarnishing his own image, he should care about the fact that he’s hurting the Celtics brand.

 

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Win Without Andrew Bynum Proves Philadelphia 76ers Are NBA’s Deepest Team

 Philadelphia  No Responses »
Nov 012012
 

The Philadelphia 76ers took the court without their star player, defeated the Denver Nuggets and made a significant statement in doing so.  Even without Andrew Bynum, the 76ers showed that they deserve to be considered the deepest team in the NBA.

The 76ers have built their roster around Bynum with a good mixture of shooters, athletes and defenders. Coach Doug Collins demands defensive intensity, and the depth of the 76ers means they can produce 48 minutes of tough defense.

Starting for the 76ers are Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Lavoy Allen and Bynum. That lineup doesn’t strike fear in the hearts of defenses, as they won’t light up scoreboards, but they will defend with their last breath.

The first five off the bench are Jason Richardson, Dorell Wright, Nick Young, Spencer Hawes and Royal Ivey. They aren’t the type of bench players who could come in as a unit, but they will fill in different places each night. Coach Collins loves to have flexibility, and he isn’t shy about using it.

Collins used 14 different starting lineups in 2011-12, and the most common lineup was only used 12 times. He’s definitely a matchup guy who will rotate players based on a number of indicators.

Richardson and Young are shooters who provide instant offense. Both are shooting guards by trade, but Young is 6’7″ and can slide over to the small forward in a pinch.

Royal Ivey is a veteran who can come in behind Holiday to provide a steady hand when needed. He’s 6’4″ and well-traveled. He’s played for the 76ers before, which adds a level of comfort for both sides.

Dorell Wright came over from the Golden State Warriors and is one of the athletes off the bench that can shoot, get into the passing lanes and rebound. At 6’9″, Wright will play the small forward almost exclusively.

Lastly, Spencer Hawes comes off the bench to fill in at power forward and center. He’s a 7’1″ monster who battled injuries during the 2011-12 season. He still put up averages of 9.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks. In this offense, a big man who can pass is a must.

Overall, the 76ers are used to having a solid bench. They had the No. 4 team for bench scoring and the No. 4 team for difference in efficiency during the 2011-12 season, according to hoopsstats.com.

After a preseason in which the 76ers won six out of seven games, they started the 2012-13 season with a bang, thanks to the bench. Hawes and Wright combined for 30 points, 19 rebounds, four steals and six blocks to lead the 76ers to victory.

The 76ers made a statement in the preseason. They made a statement in the regular-season opener, and they will continue to make a statement throughout the 2012-13 season.

They’re not just Bynum and 14 other guys—they’re the deepest team in the NBA.

 

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DeMar DeRozan’s $42 Million Extension Shows Raptors’ Desperation

 Toronto  No Responses »
Oct 312012
 

The Toronto Raptors sent a clear message with the contract extension to DeMar DeRozan. The Raptors badly need offense, and DeRozan fits the bill as a primarily offensive player. However, the exorbitant offer shows just how desperate the Raptors have become.

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo.com tweeted out the news of the extension.

Guard DeMar Derozan’s contract extension with the Raptors is incentive based and close to $42 million, a source told Yahoo! Sports.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) October 31, 2012

The Raptors were No. 28 in points per game during the 2011-12 season, averaging just 90.7. Their offensive rating placed them No. 29 in the NBA—only better than the Charlotte Bobcats. Part of that was their slow pace, which ranked just No. 25 in the NBA, but the biggest reason was their poor shooting.

It’s obvious that the need for offense is there. The problem is that DeRozan was one of the main culprits of the woeful offense through which the Raptors suffered in 2011-12.

DeRozan averaged 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes per game during the 2011-12 season. He shot just 42.2 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from three.

The Raptors giving him a four-year, $42 million extension isn’t indicative of his value at all. Instead, it speaks volumes about what the Raptors feel they must do to keep talent in Toronto.

Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh all went through Toronto, but ultimately moved on to greener pastures. The career leader in games for the franchise is Morris Peterson—not exactly a franchise cornerstone.

DeRozan‘s efficiency rating was just 12.88 during the 2011-12 season. That ranked No. 37 among shooting guards in the NBA. When his extension kicks in for the 2013-14 season, he’ll be the eighth-highest paid shooting guard in the NBA.

Defensively, he’s a major liability. The Raptors were a much improved defensive team, but it wasn’t because of DeRozan. He put up a defensive rating of 108, which beat only teammate Alan Anderson, and was tied with known-sieve Jose Calderon.

At DeRozan‘s best, he’s a slashing guard who can make highlight-worthy plays at the basket. At his worst, he’s a poor shooter who’s increasingly turnover-prone. His turnover rate has risen each year.

In comparison to other shooting guards, it becomes more apparent that the Raptors were crazy to offer so much money. Here are some other shooting guards, with their 2012-13 salary (courtesy of Spotrac.com).

Arron Afflalo – $7.75M
Wesley Matthews – $6.5M
Nick Young – $5.6M
Courtney Lee – $5.0M
Lou Williams – $5.0M
Shannon Brown – $3.5M

It’s remarkable to consider that DeRozan will make more than Steve Nash, Tim Duncan and Danilo Gallinari.

Just as the sting of the Landry Fields contract wore off, the Raptors hit their fans with this extension. It illustrates how difficult it is to keep talent in Toronto, and shows how desperate times call for desperate extensions.

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Breaking Down Why Chicago Bulls Can’t Afford to Lose Taj Gibson

 Chicago  No Responses »
Oct 302012
 

The contract standstill between the Chicago Bulls and Taj Gibson continues, and precious time continues to tick away for the would-be restricted free agent. They have until Wednesday at midnight to secure an extension, and the Bulls simply cannot afford to lose him.

Gibson embodies all of what the Bulls and coach Tom Thibodeau stand for. He’s got a non-stop motor, which he uses to play suffocating defense, while doing a great job on the glass. He’s not concerned with his offense and is happy to get the bulk of his points at the rim.

If the Bulls continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, it’s going to be in large part because of the energy and hustle that Gibson provides off the bench. His game means coach Thibodeau doesn’t have to worry about resting the starters. He doesn’t feel pressured to get them back in the game because the bench allowed another big run.

One important thing to consider is that if the Bulls don’t extend Gibson by the deadline, they’ll still be in good position to match any offers during the summer of 2013. As Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com mentioned, because Gibson has Bird rights, teams won’t be allowed to enter the “poison pill” provision, which cost the Bulls Omer Asik during the 2012 offseason. 

Ken Berger of CBS sports noted that the Bulls and Gibson aren’t just sitting on their laurels at this point.

Talks ongoing between the Bulls and Taj Gibson, and they’re expected to push up against tomorrow’s 5 p.m. ET deadline, sources say.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) October 30, 2012

It’s rather remarkable that Gibson had such a large influence on the defense, considering he played just 20.4 minutes per game. According to 82games.com, the Bulls gave up 92.5 points per 100 possessions when Gibson was on the court. When he was off the court, it ballooned to 103.1 points. That’s an enormous difference and is a big reason why they can’t afford to lose him.

Gibson’s minutes have gone down in each of his three NBA seasons, but he hasn’t let it affect him. He’s actually taken full advantage of it and has become a more efficient player. His 16.9 PER in 2011-12 was a career best.

His offensive rating has gone up every year, while his defensive rating has come down every year. His rating of 96.4 ranked seventh in the NBA in 2011-12; his rating of 97.7 ranked fifth in 2010-11.

Finally, he isn’t just a regular season performer. He ratings show improvement in each of his playoff appearances. The 2011-12 playoffs saw him raise his efficiency to 19.8, his offensive rating jumped to 112 and his defensive rating came in at a very impressive 93.

The bottom line is, if the Bulls want to continue being a dominant defensive team, management must find a way to re-sign Gibson now. It would send a positive message to the team that the front office is committed to the players, and it sends a specific message to Gibson that the team values him and wants him there at all costs.

 

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Month-by-Month Predictions for Chicago Bulls 2012-13 Season

 Chicago  No Responses »
Oct 252012
 

With the NBA season quickly approaching, the Interworld is filled with useless predictions of every sort about how teams will do and where they will finish. Of course, there is only one place to go to get 100 percent accuracy, and that’s here, where The Most Prescient One, a.k.a Kelly Scaletta will unveil to you the result of every Bulls game this season. 

And, just to show you how serious I am, if I miss even one pick I will grant you free access to all my articles on Bleacher Report for the next year. 

You can’t get a deal like that just anywhere. Wait. I’m being told that you actually can. 

I’m also being told that I might be exaggerating my prescience just a tad. 

Still, looking at the Bulls schedule we can get a general view of how the Bulls will do each month. I’ve predicted game-by-game results, and some will be wrong and hopefully more will be right.

I’ve also provided an explanation as to what the general trend should be for the month based on whom the Bulls are playing and what the state of the team should be at the time. The trends are more important than the particulars here. 

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Andrew Bynum: Solidified Frontcourt Shifts 76ers’ Fate to Evan Turner’s Hands

 Philadelphia  No Responses »
Aug 112012
 

All eyes are on Evan Turner.

On Friday, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Andrew Bynum from the Los Angeles Lakers  in a four-team, blockbuster trade. With the second-best center in the NBA manning the middle, Philly’s once suspect frontcourt is now its strength.

The greatest obstacle between the Sixers and becoming one of the East’s elite teams is the lack of a top-notch perimeter scorer. The departures of Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams and Jodie Meeks demand that Turner step into a larger role next season. His ability to successfully do so will ultimately determine how drastically the 76ers improve in 2013.

Philadelphia definitely won’t be held back by their bigs. Thaddeus Young will likely make his long-awaited return to the 76ers’ starting lineup next to Bynum. Young and Bynum’s combined average player efficiency ratio rounds out to 20.97 (the league average is 15.0)—that’s one of the most productive duos in the league.

Throw in Spencer Hawes, Lavoy Allen and rookie Arnett Moultrie coming off the bench, and there aren’t many deeper teams down low.

The Sixers’ replacement for Iguodala, though, remains to be seen.

Dorell Wright took a step back last season on the Golden State Warriors. He isn’t a strong starting-caliber option. The newly acquired Jason Richardson can play the 3, but he’s significantly more effective at the 2. According to 82games.com, he recorded a net PER of -11.7 against opposing small forwards last season, but only -5.4 vs. shooting guards.

Turner, on the other hand, is actually more efficient at the 3 than the 2. He’s Philly’s best bet to replace Iggy in the starting lineup. But he must also replace Williams as the squad’s leading perimeter scorer.

Jrue Holiday, Nick Young, Richardson and Wright all know how to put the ball in the basket, but none will help a team advance in the playoffs as a go-to guy. Sure, Bynum will shoulder the scoring load, but centers don’t close games—perimeter players do.

Since being selected second overall in 2010, Turner hasn’t lived up to expectations. After a career at Ohio State in which he scored at will, he averaged just 9.4 points per game in 2012.

He’s shown flashes of brilliance, though, with seven 20-point performances. Turner must make a habit out of 20-point efforts. He’s simply the 76ers’ only wing that’s capable of creating his own shot on a consistent basis.

More than 70 percent of Richardson and Wright’s field goals were assisted last season. Less than half of Turner’s were.

If Turner doesn’t blossom into a leader, this team will never take the next step as a legitimate championship contender until Doug Collins finds someone who will.

 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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