Keep checking back for continued coverage of the 2013 NBA Draft!

1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Nerlens Noel, PF/C

6’11”, 206 lbs, Kentucky, Freshman

The Cavaliers won their second draft lottery in just three seasons and will have a golden opportunity to add another young star to their core built around All-Star Kyrie Irving. Nerlens Noel is a prolific shot blocker, active defender and showed good development in his offense before an ACL tear cut his season short. The Cavaliers can showcase Anderson Varejao in the starting role until Noel is healthy enough to step on the court, but when he does, he should make an immediate defensive impact for a young Cleveland team. Noel, Irving, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters becomes one of the best young cores in the league.

2. Orlando Magic – Trey Burke, PG

6’1”, 187 lbs, Michigan, Sophomore

Orlando may have missed out on the top overall pick, but they will have a perfect opportunity to add a talented guard to their already impressive young core. Trey Burke had a tremendous NCAA season and could be the perfect leader for a youthful Magic team. Burke is a born leader with deep range on his jump shot well beyond the NBA 3-point line, a great handle, good vision and competes on the defensive end. Concerns over his size were dismissed at the draft combine where his 6’1” height and 6’5” wingspan make him bigger than All-Star guards Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving.

3. Washington Wizards – Otto Porter, SF

6’8”, 198 lbs, Georgetown, Sophomore

The big winners on lottery day were the Washington Wizards, who rocketed up the board to the third pick. After the return of John Wall this season, the Wizards looked like a playoff team and will be competing to make the postseason in 2013-14. Otto Porter could be the most surefire contributor in the draft class with his versatility, length and ability to defend multiple positions. Fast and athletic, Porter would be great running the floor alongside Wall and would bring elite defensive potential to the Washington wings.

4. Charlotte Bobcats – Ben McLemore, SG

6’4”, 189 lbs, Kansas, Freshman

The Bobcats continue to have little luck in the draft lottery but in this case they may get their man despite dropping to the fourth pick. Ben McLemore is a tremendous shooting-guard prospect with elite athleticism, a pure shooting stroke and the raw ability to become a go-to scorer in the NBA. A great fit with other young Bobcats like Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, McLemore could become one of the game’s elite shooting guards if he reaches his potential.

5. Phoenix Suns – Victor Oladipo, SG

6’4”, 213 lbs, Indiana, Junior

The Phoenix Suns are in the early stages of a rebuild and will look to add the best player available with the fifth pick. Victor Oladipo is a uniquely talented, super athletic, defensive wing player who brings with him a great work ethic and attitude. Oladipo has the potential to become one of the league’s elite wing defenders, able to defend multiple positions with his length, speed and athleticism. Far from a one-dimensional player, Oladipo has shown the ability to contribute offensively with athletic finishes at the rim as well as a jumper that has improved and should continue to do so.

6. New Orleans Pelicans – Anthony Bennett, SF/PF

6’7”, 240 lbs, UNLV, Freshman

Dropping one spot in the draft lottery may not seem like a big deal, but it could be huge for the Pelicans who could potentially miss out on all of their top targets by a single position. With no standout at a position of need, the Pelicans take the best player on the board in Anthony Bennett, an offensively talented big man with the ability to score all over the court. Bennett has good range on his jump shot allowing him to space the floor as well as having the athletic ability and strength to work in the post. Bennett will need some work to become a power forward full-time, but could potentially be a great fit alongside a long defender like Anthony Davis.

7. Sacramento Kings – Alex Len, C

7’1”, 255 lbs, Maryland, Sophomore

The Kings have no shortage of talented young players on their roster, but they are yet to find a true identity or achieve much success as a result. Next season could be an opportunity for the team to make a big jump and selecting a high-potential big man like Alex Len could prove to be a huge acquisition long term. Len has great size for an NBA center, a rare mix of coordination and energy for a man his size and a natural feel for the game. On size and effort alone Len will be a solid rebounder and paint protector, but he has the potential to be a defensive anchor as well as a consistent post presence offensively. If he lived up to his defensive potential he could form an imposing frontcourt tandem with DeMarcus Cousins.

8. Detroit Pistons – Shabazz Muhammad, SF

6’6”, 225 lbs, UCLA, Freshman

Shabazz Muhammad has seen his draft stock slowly fall all season and the draft combine did him no favors in that regard. He is, however, one of the few players in this draft class with the potential to be 20-plus point scorer in the league if he reaches his potential. The recent drop in his stock may push him to work and prove the doubters wrong. The Pistons have a wonderful young frontcourt to build around and will hope Brandon Knight can continue developing as a point guard. Muhammad could be the ideal wing scorer to add to the impressive core.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves – C.J. McCollum, PG/SG

6’3”, 197 lbs, Lehigh, Senior

The Timberwolves have built a tremendous group of young players but endured a tough season with injuries that was a major setback to their development. They have one of the best passing point guards in the league in Ricky Rubio and possibly the most productive big man in Kevin Love. What they have lacked is a consistent scoring threat from the perimeter and what better way to address that then with the leading scorer in the NCAA, C.J. McCollum. While slightly undersized for the NBA shooting guard spot, McCollum is a high volume, versatile scorer with deep range and the ability to create for himself off the dribble. He would fit very well with the pass-first mentality of Rubio.

10. Portland Trail Blazers – Rudy Gobert, C

7’2”, 238 lbs, France

One player who has seen his draft stock skyrocket recently is big man Rudy Gobert out of France. Gobert had some unbelievable measurements at the draft combine and at more than 7’2” with a 7’9” wingspan, Gobert will be among the biggest players in the NBA. He is a tremendous force in the paint on the defensive end with his length but also has a solid feel for the game for a man his size. He moves well, is a good athlete and extremely coordinated for someone with his amazing physical traits. Not only does Gobert compliment All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge perfectly in the Portland frontcourt, but fellow Frenchman Nicolas Batum would make the adjustment to the NBA easier for his fellow countryman.

11. Philadelphia 76ers – Cody Zeller, PF/C

7’0”, 230 lbs, Indiana, Sophomore

The 76ers’ main question this offseason will be the status of free-agent big man Andrew Bynum. With the uncertainty around Bynum and a lack of any potential stars in the frontcourt, the 76ers will look to this big-man heavy draft class to fill out their roster. Zeller was one of the most productive players in college basketball this season and if it wasn’t for concerns over his length, he would be a lock for a top-10 selection. A true 7-footer with a versatile offensive game ranging from a solid mid-range jumper to some nifty back-to-the-basket moves, Zeller should be able to contribute relatively quickly from either frontcourt position in the NBA.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto) – Kelly Olynyk, C

7’0”, 234 lbs, Gonzaga, Junior

While the Thunder were a force in the regular season, there are still some obvious holes in their team, namely a scoring threat in the low post. Kelly Olynyk was arguably the best player in the NCAA this season and has tremendous offensive skills for a 7-footer. Olynyk can work in the post and produce points for himself but would also provide a consistent pick-and-pop option for the isolation-heavy Thunder offense. While there are some concerns over his defense and length, Serge Ibaka could be the perfect frontcourt compliment to Olynyk, especially while he adjusts to the NBA.

13. Dallas Mavericks – Michael Carter-Williams, PG

6’6”, 184 lbs, Syracuse, Sophomore

There are huge question marks over the direction of the Dallas Mavericks this summer especially with their sights set on the big-name free agents. If the Mavericks keep the pick, Michael Carter-Williams would be a great fit for a team that needs a primary ball handler and point guard of the future. At 6’6”, Carter-Williams is a unique prospect, he is a true point guard with a pass-first mentality who gets a large number of steals with his ball pressure and has the length to defend both guard positions.

14. Utah Jazz – Dennis Schroeder, PG

6’2”, 165 lbs, Germany

Dennis Schroeder has seen his draft stock shoot up after impressing at the Nike Hoops Summit and then again in limited action at the draft combine. Schroeder is rumored to have a promise in the first round of the draft, which resulted in his limited participation at the combine and there are a number of teams that would love to add a point guard with the potential of Schroeder. He has great size, length and speed for the position, has a good handle and while he is a pass-first guard, he has the ability to score himself as well. Due to his size and mobility, he also has tremendous defensive potential for a point guard. He would be an ideal fit with the young big men in Utah.

15. Milwaukee Bucks – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG

6’6”, 204 lbs, Georgia, Sophomore

The Milwaukee Bucks may be facing a complete overhaul in the backcourt with their three highest-minute players all being free agents in the offseason. With the uncertainty around their existing backcourt players and the lack of perimeter scoring, the Bucks could look to Georgia’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to replace some of the outgoing firepower. Caldwell-Pope is a talented scorer with deep range who is capable of scoring in bunches from anywhere on the court. He would provide good spacing and a solid offensive threat alongside the Milwaukee big men.

16. Boston Celtics – Steven Adams, C

7’0”, 255 lbs, Pittsburgh, Freshman

Steven Adams was one of the most impressive attendees at the draft combine, both with his physical measurements as well as his somewhat surprisingly high skill level. Adams has tremendous raw potential with his mix of size, strength and mobility, it is only a big-man heavy draft class that will keeps him out of the lottery at this stage. The Celtics would love to add a big, defensive center to help alleviate their problems on the glass as well as finding someone to protect the paint when All-Star Kevin Garnett is not on the floor. Whether they are looking to rebuild or someone to help right away, the Celtics would love to add a player with Adams’ size and skill set with the 16^th pick.

17. Atlanta Hawks – Giannis Adetokunbo, SF

6’9”, 196 lbs, Greece

With back to back selections in the draft, huge questions over free agents in the offseason and uncertainty over the makeup of the team next season, the Atlanta Hawks swing for the fences here with Greek forward Giannis Adetokunbo. Adetokunbo has immense potential as a 6’9” forward who can handle the ball, create for teammates and has exceptional defensive tools. While he may take some time to develop, Adetokunbo is among the highest potential players in the class.

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston) – Mason Plumlee, C

7’0”, 238 lbs, Duke, Senior

On the other end of the scale with their second pick, the Hawks select Mason Plumlee, the hard-working, experienced senior out of Duke. Plumlee is one big man likely to be kept waiting on draft day while higher potential prospects are taken in the lottery, but he should be able to contribute immediately in the NBA. He is hard working, hustles for rebounds on both ends and is a high-IQ player. He can contribute on both ends of the floor without being spectacular, while unlikely to become a star Plumlee is smart and talented enough to carve out a role on a winning team.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers) – Sergey Karasev, SF

6’7”, 197 lbs, Russia

With luck in the draft lottery and a roster fast looking like one of the most talented young squads in the league the Cavaliers get another opportunity to add a player from this class courtesy of the Lakers. Sergey Karasev is a multi-talented, knock-down outside shooter with professional experience and a natural feel for the game. Not just a shooter, Karasev is a willing passer and could be a perfect fit with the rest of the Cavaliers’ young stars.

20. Chicago Bulls – Gorgui Dieng, C

6’11”, 230 lbs, Louisville, Junior

After an inspiring playoff run this season and the return of Derrick Rose, the Bulls will be looking to contend for the NBA championship next season and will look to fill out their roster with role players who can contribute to a winning team. Gorgui Dieng fits the bill perfectly with his experience in the Louisville program, having just come off an NCAA championship where he was the defensive anchor, Dieng looks to be an exceptional defensive role player in the NBA and could provide minutes immediately for a Chicago team that has lost some impactful bench players in recent times.

21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State) – Jamaal Franklin, SG

6’5”, 191 lbs, San Diego State, Junior

While they continue to fill out a talented young roster, the Jazz will also look to form an identity as the team develops. Jamaal Franklin is a versatile, hardworking player who mostly played the forward position in the NCAA but should be able to adjust to the NBA shooting guard without too much concern. He is a great athlete, will compete defensively, work for loose balls and bring the right attitude to a young team.

22. Brooklyn Nets – Jeff Withey, C

7’0”, 222 lbs, Kansas, Senior

The Brooklyn Nets will be looking to make a drastic improvement after being eliminated in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. While they will look to address holes elsewhere, selecting senior big man Jeff Withey would give them a player who can immediately come in and provide rim protection, rebounding and is a high-IQ player who would not play beyond his limitations.

23. Indiana Pacers – Tim Hardaway Jr., SG

6’6”, 185 lbs, Michigan, Junior

Tim Hardaway Jr. was often the vocal leader of a young Michigan team that went all the way to the NCAA championship game and he displayed a variety of skills along the way. Hardaway has good size for the NBA shooting guard position and is a good outside shooter, but also provides solid ball handling and the ability to run an offense as a point guard for extended stretches. His intensity and willingness to work on the defensive end would fit perfectly with the Pacers and he could immediately provide backup minutes to Lance Stephenson at the 2 guard.

24. New York Knicks – Tony Mitchell, PF

6’9”, 236 lbs, North Texas, Sophomore

Tony Mitchell is a relentless rebounder with great tenacity and hustle in the paint that would be a welcome addition to an ageing New York frontcourt. Mitchell has great physical gifts and a willingness to do the dirty work inside, which will lead to offensive rebounds, putbacks and drawing fouls on the opposition. With a group of isolation scorers on the wing, adding a willing workhorse in the paint would serve the Knicks well.

25. Los Angeles Clippers – Archie Goodwin, SG

6’5”, 189 lbs, Kentucky, Freshman

The Los Angeles Clippers’ heavy reliance on Chris Paul was on full display in the postseason as the team failed to get any consistent offense when the All-Star point guard was off the court or being smothered defensively. Archie Goodwin is a player who can create his own shot, has tremendous speed and can work his way past defenders into the paint for layups and free throws. With good size, strength and speed for either guard position Goodwin is a high potential pick this late in the draft.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis) – Allen Crabbe, SG

6’6”, 197 lbs, California, Junior

The Timberwolves will continue to look to the draft to fill out their need for scoring on the wings and Allen Crabbe is one of the best pure shooters available. Crabbe would instantly provide a knock-down shooter who could space the floor for the stars in Minnesota, while he has the size to become a solid defender on the wings as well.

27. Denver Nuggets – Shane Larkin, PG

5’11”, 171 lbs, Miami, Sophomore

Shane Larkin wowed everyone at the draft combine with his speed, agility and athleticism that will help him make up for concerns over his size. With question marks over Andre Miller’s fit as the backup point guard on a young, athletic team in Denver, Larkin could come in and provide a very similar style of play to starting point guard Ty Lawson with his ability to run the break, create for others but also look for his own offense.

28. San Antonio Spurs – Dario Saric, SF

6’10”, 223 lbs, Croatia

The San Antonio Spurs select a high potential international prospect … sound familiar? The Spurs were again among the best teams in the league and will again look to find players they can develop long term in their system and bring out the best in their young prospects. With a roster of players from all over the globe there would be no better landing spot for Saric who is a talented, versatile forward with a high skill level for a man his size. A great passer, he can handle the ball and shoot from the outside but will need to work on his defense to play the small forward in the NBA.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Reggie Bullock, SF

6’7”, 200 lbs, North Carolina, Junior

Reggie Bullock is one of the best outside shooters in the draft and with his experience at North Carolina could provide some useful minutes immediately in the NBA. He has good size on the wings, plays with great energy and most importantly, could spread the floor for the stars in Oklahoma City.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami) –Glen Rice, SF

6’6”, 211 lbs, D-League

One of the best stories in the draft, Glen Rice made the most of a bad opportunity and became the D-League finals MVP after leaving college. Rice is a great shooter with a great deal of potential as a scorer in the NBA. Playing alongside Goran Dragic and Kendall Marshall in Phoenix would give him the opportunity to get open looks and on a team looking for scoring as they rebuild he could actually put up impressive numbers sooner rather than later if he works hard.

The post NBA Draft 2013: NBA Mock Draft – Post Lottery Edition appeared first on HoopsHabit.

Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies have multiple strengths and weaknesses that will effect their series with the Spurs. (Photo/Flick.com)

We’re in the home stretch now, as just four trams remain in the 2013 NBA playoffs. Let’s take a look at all four remaining squads and pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of each of them.

Miami Heat

Strengths:

-LeBron James

Why mince words? Having the best player in the universe on your team is a pretty clear advantage. There’s no player he can’t guard, and he can power his way to the basket possession after possession. When he’s on his game, there’s really nothing opponents can do to stop, or even contain him.

-Solid 3-Point Shooting

The heat have multiple players who can hit from beyond the arc. Obviously, Ray Allen–the greatest 3-point shooter ever–is a big help here, but they also have Shane Battier, Mike Miller, Rashard Lewis, Mario Chalmers and even LeBron raised his average from beyond the arc to .406 this year.

-They Always Have At Least One Superstar On The Court

Yes, you can debate whether Chris Bosh qualifies as a superstar, but with James, Bosh and Dwyane Wade, the Heat are able to have at the very least a top-20 player on the court at all times. This means opponents can never take a rest, even when LeBron is on the bench.

Weaknesses

-Lack of quality big men

Since the Big Three era began in 2010, the Heat have tried dozens of players at center and haven’t found any consistency. Finally, they just gave up moved Bosh from the 4 to the 5. They have gotten strong play out of Chris Andersen, but that doesn’t change the fact the Pacers may be able to take over in the post with David West and Roy Hibbert.

-Losing the point guard battle.

These are starting point guards for the remaining four teams in the postseason: George Hill, Tony Parker, Mike Conley, Mario Chalmers. Chalmers is easily the worst of those players. Admittedly, the Heat are capable of basically LeBron at the point, but still, a steadier hand at the 1 would make them a little more comfortable.

Indiana Pacers

Strengths

-A ridiculously tough defense

Whether or not the Pacers have the best defense in the NBA basically depends on whether you think they’re better on that end than Memphis (we’ll get to them in a second). In any event, though, the Pacers are an extremely difficult team to score on thanks to the intimidating post presence of Roy Hibbert and the menacing perimeter play of Paul George and Lance Stephenson.

-A distinct size advantage

In the simplest terms, the Pacers are big. They have one of the tallest players in the game in Hibbert, who along with West, makes a fearsome front ourt. If Hibbert is able to shut down the much smaller Chris Bosh in the conference finals, that could be a huge advantage for the Pacers.

Weaknesses

-Lack of depth

The Pacers have one of the tougher starting lineups in the game, but after that, the pickings are slim. D.J. Augustin didn’t live up the expectations when he arrived from the Charlotte Bobcats, while Gerald Green‘s strong showing in New Jersey last year is starting to really look like a fluke. Tyler Hansbrough has his moments, but beyond that, the Pacers’ unit has been woefully ineffective.

The post NBA Playoffs 2013: Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Final Four appeared first on HoopsHabit.

Mike Conley has been a steadying influence for the Memphis Grizzlies. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule

Coming off their best season in franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies are just four wins away from their first-ever NBA Finals appearance. What one player has meant the most to the Grizzlies improbable run? Would it have been veteran forward Rudy Gay had he played the entire season in a Grizzlies uniform? Was it veteran big man Zach Randolph, who has been on of the most influential leaders in the Grizzlies’ locker room? Actually, it’s neither of them.

When you look at the most valuable player for the Memphis Grizzlies during this season, you should look at one player–Mike Conley. Conley, the Grizzlies’ veteran starting point guard, has been one of the most productive and efficient players this entire season for Memphis and throughout the entire league.

When you take a look at Conley’s stats compared to the rest of Memphis’ starting lineup, he actually stands out in a handful of quality categories. ESPN has Conley ranked third in overall minutes played, fourth in points-per-game, as well as leading the entire team in assists and steals per game. Conley ranks second on the team, only trailing veteran center Marc Gasol in PER rating, which defines a player’s efficiency during games.

Conley has emerged as the Grizzlies’ backcourt scorer since Rudy Gay was traded mid-season in a deal with the Toronto Raptors. Conley was able to break out of his shell, if you will, and become a more well-rounded player, both offensively and defensively. One could argue that if you were to re-install Gay into the lineup while removing Conley, the Grizzlies would actually be worse off, despite the numbers on paper.

Conley’s leadership and expertise of the offense is extremely important and valuable for what the Grizzlies like to do offensively. His chemistry with Gasol and Randolph is something that no player can match and Rudy Gay isn’t a pass-first offensive player. Conley’s veteran presence in the locker room as “team first” rather than a “me first” player also helps speed up and round out the development of the young players in the locker room.

Many people around the league questioned the Grizzlies decision to give Conley a long-term, big-money extension in 2010, but Conley has proven over the past few seasons that he’s not only worth every penny, but he’s justified himself as one of the top-level point guards in the entire league.

Conley may have never gotten that opportunity had the Grizzlies not parted ways with Gay earlier this season. Will Conley single-handedly win the Grizzlies an NBA championship? No, because he’s not that type of player. However, Conley has shown plenty of times before that he’s capable of being an offensive leader, as well as putting the team on his back to win clutch games. Mike Conley was paid to lead and develop, and that’s what he’s done. His value to the team often outweighs his talent, and that’s why he’s the Grizzlies 2013 MVP.

The post Memphis Grizzlies: Who Is The Grizzlies’ 2012-13 MVP? appeared first on HoopsHabit.

The Eastern Conference Finals begin on Wednesday, May 22, in Miami. (Logo courtesy sportslogos.net)

In the blink of an eye, the 2013 NBA playoffs are down to the final four teams. The Eastern Conference Finals, which begin on Wednesday, May 22, feature the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers.

While the Heat are favored to win not only this best-of-7 tilt, but also to repeat as NBA champions, there are some intriguing matchups that make the winner of this series not as easy to predict.

Here is a breakdown of the key performers for each team and who ultimately holds the advantage.

Likely Starting Lineups

Point Guard

Mario Chalmers (MIA) vs. George Hill (IND)

Hill has been more of a factor so far in the playoffs, averaging 15.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 36.9 minutes compared to the seven points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists the Heat are getting out of Chalmers in 26.6 minutes of action.

Even when their numbers are measured on a per 36-minutes basis, the scale still tilts toward Hill in terms of offensive production.

Based on the table above, it is no surprise that Hill’s usage percentage of 20.7 is higher than that of Chalmers, who is estimated to have been used on 15.5 percent of his team’s plays on a per game basis during the 2013 NBA playoffs.

As such, Hill is likely to put more pressure on the defense during this series, although his role differs greatly from what is expected of Chalmers. With an offense that boasts LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Chalmers has done his job if he moves the ball to the right spots on the court and knocks down the occasional 3-pointer.

Advantage: Overall, Hill will make more of an impact in this series.

Shooting Guard

Dwyane Wade (MIA) vs. Lance Stephenson (IND)

Wade excels at both ends of the court as he can score from almost anywhere and shows active hands on defense. Furthermore, Wade’s two NBA championship rings (2006, 2012) are a pretty good marker of the success he has had in his career.

The 22-year-old Stephenson made a name for himself in Game 6 versus the Knicks on May 18 when he poured in a career-high 25 points and grabbed a playoff-high 10 rebounds to help the Pacers win 106-99 and take the series 4-2.

If Stephenson provides that kind of rugged, athletic performance throughout this series, he will be a handful for Wade and the Heat.

Wade is averaging just 13 points per game in eight contests and is playing through a right knee injury, but he may be re-energized because the Heat have not played since closing out their second-round series on May 15.

Over the years, Wade has shown a knack for delivering clutch performances despite nagging injuries.

Advantage: Experience will trump youth in this matchup.

Small Forward

LeBron James (MIA) vs. Paul George (IND)

Definitely the marquee matchup in this series as a pair of award winners face off with a trip to the NBA Finals at stake. James was voted MVP and George was chosen as the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2012-13 season.

LeBron James has his mind set on another NBA championship. Can anyone stop him? (Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com)

James and George, who were also named to the first and second all-defensive teams, respectively, are likely to make life on the court difficult for each other in what has the potential to be a seven-game series.

At their best, both players pile in points with ease and create transition opportunities with shut-down defensive coverage and a willingness to crash the glass.

Advantage: James, the winner of “The Body” in Part I of the HoopsHabit.com presentation “Building The Perfect NBA Player,” will power his way through the challenges presented by George and anyone else who stands in his way.

Power Forward

Udonis Haslem (MIA) vs. David West (IND)

The Pacers will need West to continue pumping out 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds like he has done so far in 12 playoff games in 2013. On the other hand, I expect Haslem to quietly go about his business and contribute to winning. He has been solid in the Heat’s playoff run, averaging 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds, despite logging just 17.7 minutes per game.

West (6’9″, 240 lbs) has a slight size advantage over the 6’8″, 230-pound Haslem and his playing time (34.9 minutes per game) is nearly double that of Haslem, who may end up splitting this assignment with Shane Battier and possibly Chris Andersen.

Advantage: West is the better and more dominant player in this matchup.

Center

Chris Bosh (MIA) vs. Roy Hibbert (IND)

What we have here is a finesse vs. physical dynamic. Bosh will try to pull Hibbert away from the basket by knocking down 12- to 18-foot jump shots with the hope of creating space for Wade and James to cut and drive to the basket.

Miami will be up against the shot-blocking presence of Roy Hibbert. (Photo Credit: IsoSports, Flickr.com)

But at 7’2″, Hibbert should be able to regularly establish inside position on the offensive and defensive glass to pick up second chance points and prevent the Heat from doing the same.

A quicker-footed Bosh might also be able to work his way around Hibbert to create opportunities in the lane and trips to the free-throw line. The Pacers may decide to throw someone else at Bosh, since Hibbert’s strength is anchoring the defense from inside the painted area.

Advantage: This matchup is a bit jumbled, but I will take Hibbert for his defense.

Sixth Man/Bench

Ray Allen (MIA) vs. D.J. Augustin (IND)

Miami’s bench clearly has a wealth of tested, savvy players in Allen, Battier, Andersen and Mike Miller. Together they provide a valuable mix of 3-point shooting, perimeter defense and a boost of energy, specifically from Andersen.

Allen joined the Heat for the opportunity to chase another ring, but he hasn’t just been along for the ride. He has appeared in all nine of the Heat’s playoff games and his 12.2 points per game–which he is doing on 44.6 percent shooting in 24.8 minutes–is fourth-best on the team.

Ray Allen is still going strong at 37. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)

The Pacers have a capable backup point guard in Augustin, a sprinkle of athleticism in Gerald Green, and get a tough, physical approach from Tyler Hansbrough.

Miami will have a better chance of keeping scoring momentum going when they turn to the bench unless shooters like Allen and Battier go cold, while the Pacers bench will be successful if they can keep the game close when the starters need a break.

Advantage: Miami

Coaching

Erik Spoelstra (MIA) vs. Frank Vogel (IND)

Vogel and James exchanged words through the media earlier this week. Although Vogel’s message to Miami’s superstar was not delivered correctly, James was left thinking that the Heat are “just another team.”

Obviously not a good idea to give James additional motivation.

These coaches went toe-to-toe last season in the conference semifinals, a best-of-7 series that the Heat won 4-2.

Vogel has the difficult task of finding a way to limit Miami’s trio of James, Wade, and Bosh as well as a solid supporting cast. This is possible for a Pacers team that is one of the better defensive outfits in the entire league.

Spoelstra, who in some ways seems to operate in the shadows of team president Pat Riley, has two important tasks: Keep his team motivated and focused for 48 minutes and ensure that the ball does not stick on offense.

Advantage: For the most part, Spoelstra can stand back and watch the Heat go to work.

Key Matchup

LeBron James vs. Paul George

The best player in the game today vs. a rising star. I don’t foresee anything knocking James off his perch just yet.

Miami Will Win If…

They can withstand the Pacers physical play and smothering defense.

Indiana Will Win If…

They can keep the score low, frustrate the Heat’s game plan, and grind out victories.

Prediction: Heat in 7

The post NBA Playoffs 2013: Breaking Down Eastern Conference Finals Matchups appeared first on HoopsHabit.

Kobe Bryant (24) and Dwight Howard (12) were never able to raise the Lakers to expected heights. (Photo by Scott Mecum/Flickr.com)

In the NBA, it’s rare for a team to win without several superstars–or even one, for that matter, just ask Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. So by that notion, the more talent you have, the better your team, right? Not really, because too much of a good thing, even good players, is a bad thing. Case in point, the 2012-13 Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers were among the favorites to win the Western Conference and even the NBA Finals. That is, until the season actually began.

The 2012-13 Los Angeles Lakers’ season was marred by a litany of injuries, but it would be pretty naïve to simply attribute the disappointing season to just injuries. That’s me putting it nicely. The egos within the organization from top to bottom was ultimately the main component of their downfall and here are some key figures in the tumultuous season.

Jim Buss

Mike Brown was let go after just five games because his brand of basketball wasn’t sexy enough offensively. Then they brought in Mike D’Antoni, who isn’t exactly the most popular guy, especially considering who was available (cough Phil Jackson cough). And then came the drama.

Yes, when Brown was relieved of his services just five games into the regular season, there were murmurs that the Zen Master, Phil Jackson, would make a return. Turns out it was true, there were talks between the two parties and it was going or so well, until Jackson asked for control over basketball decisions. Translation: “I don’t want Jim Buss dictating what happens.”

Apparently, Jim Buss took it to heart and the Lakers walked, much to the dismay of the Lakers faithful.

Mike D’Antoni

On some level, you’ve got to sympathize with Coach D’Antoni. I mean one can only imagine how he felt when the fans were chanting for the 11 time champion.

It’s not his fault he doesn’t know how to handle his players or utilize the star power he had at his disposal or that he’s incapable of change. Oh, wait.

Mike D’Antoni’s system is all about offense, offense and then more offense. It’s as if he’s never heard of the word “defense.” In his last full season with the New York Knicks, the team ranked 28^th in points allowed per game and his best finish while in Phoenix was 23^rd in the same category.

Note: In Mike D’Antoni’s last full year as the New York Knicks’ coach, the team ranked 28^th in defense and ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. In Mike Woodson’s first full year, the team ranked seventh defensively and New York finished second in the conference.

This year, L.A. ranked just 22^nd in points per game allowed. There’s no two ways about it. That has to change, particularly when he has a three-time Defensive Player of the Year protecting the rim.

His offensive mantra has also got to change. He simply does not have the personnel to implement his system. Unlike in his previous stops in New York and Phoenix, he didn’t have the 3-point game to save him. This year’s Lakers attempted the third-most 3-pointers (24.6 per game) in the regular season, but only converted 35 percent of their outside shots–good enough for 19^th in the Association.

Maybe I’m being a little unfair in terms of his inflexibility. After all, he made a couple of adjustments after Kobe Bryant went down for the season and he was playing through Pau Gasol, which showed glimpses of success as the team went 8-1 in the last nine games of the regular season.

Though the recent news that Dwight Howard felt marginalized by D’Antoni doesn’t do him or the Lakers any favors.

Kobe Bryant vs. Mike D’Antoni

Don’t let the title fool you, when you become coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, there’s a certain hierarchy: There’s owner Jim Buss, general manager Mitch Kupchak, Kobe Bryant and then the head coach.

Kobe Bryant promised the Lakers would make the NBA playoffs and he stayed true to his word… at the cost of his Achilles. (Photo Credit: Keith Allison -Flickr.com)

An example would be the flurry of minutes leading up to the unfortunate Achilles injury that ended Kobe’s season. The majority of the blame has to go to Bryant, who just wouldn’t come out of games, playing at least 41 minutes in the final seven games of the season.

With that said, Mike D’Antoni has to take some responsibility for not keeping his player in check. After all, what do you expect would happen to a 34-year-old in his 17^th NBA season averaging nearly 40 minutes a game for the season?

Though to be fair to D’Antoni, even Phil Jackson struggled with Bryant. At one point he even labelled him as “uncoachable..However, he was never really in control of his star player and I highly doubt Bryant really respects him or trusts him to them to a championship.

D’Antoni certainly didn’t do himself any favors by calling the Mamba “a fan.”

Dwight Howard vs. Kobe Bryant

The team was well below par, players were dropping like flies and I suppose it was just getting a little harder to get along with all the egos in the locker room. Kobe Bryant publicly (not for the first time) attacked his man-child of a teammate. This time, it was Dwight Howard.

Bryant came out and pretty much labelled Howard as soft for not playing through the pain of a torn labrum earlier this year even after he was supposedly medically cleared. Superman responded by saying: “How would he know [the pain I’m in]?” and  ”He [Bryant] is not a doctor.”

Dwight Howard Sr. also stepped in to defend his son, criticizing both Kobe Bryant and Mike D’Antoni through an interview with The Atlanta Journal Constitution, saying:

The post Los Angeles Lakers: Why Ego And Hubris Keep Them From Improving appeared first on HoopsHabit.

Marc Gasol has evolved into one of the top centers in the NBA. (Photo/Flick.com)

5. Marc Gasol

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Marc Gasol with the No. 48 overall pick in the 2007 draft. Gasol never played a game for the Lakers, as his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that landed the Lakers his brother, forward Pau Gasol. This trade was widely regarded as a coup for the Lakers, as Pau won two championships with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.

As time has passed, Marc Gasol has developed into one of the best centers in the NBA. Gasol has improved throughout his career and was named to his first All-Star team in 2012. Gasol was also recently named the Defensive Player of the Year. In an era where the traditional center has become a rare commodity, Gasol combines excellent post play with a deft shooting touch at the center position. The Grizzlies are enjoying their best season as a franchise in large part to Marc Gasol’s play at the center position.

Monta Ellis was overlooked in the 2005 draft but has been an explosive scorer throughout his career. (Photo Credit/Pablo Gamez/IsoSports)

4. Monta Ellis

The Golden State Warriors struck gold in Round 2 of the 2005 draft when they selected shooting guard Monta Ellis with the No. 40 overall pick. Ellis became a starter his second year in the league and averaged 16.5 points per game on his way to winning the Most Improved Player award. By his third season, Ellis averaged 20.2 points per game. Ellis has a lightning-quick release and is fast enough with the ball to create his own shot. Ellis has averaged more than 20 points per game five times in his career and will be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason.

3. Mark Price

The Dallas Mavericks selected Mark Price with the No. 1 pick of Round 2 (25^th overall) in the 1986 draft. In a trade the Mavericks would quickly regret, they moved Price to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a future second-round pick. The unassuming Price quickly developed into one of the best point guards in the NBA. From 1987-95 Price averaged 17.5 points and 8.0 assists per game on his way to becoming a four-time All-Star. By shooting thousands of free throws each day in the offseason, Price became the best free-throw shooter of his era, leading the NBA in free-throw percentage for three seasons. Price has the second-highest career free-throw percentage of all time at .904, second only to Steve Nash.

Dennis Rodman’s relentless effort and hustle were an unsung aspect of three Chicago Bulls championships. (Photo/Tivo_epaper/Flickr.com)

2. Dennis Rodman

While he became known for his tattoos, hair color and off-court antics as his career progressed, Dennis Rodman was also a special player on the court. No player has possessed the ability to drastically affect a game without scoring a single point. Rodman’s selfless play, superb defense and rebounding were an asset for five championship teams. Rodman was the No. 3 player selected in the Round 2 by the Detroit Pistons in 1986. Rodman was a key member of the ‘”Bad Boys” Pistons teams that won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. Rodman joined the Chicago Bulls in 1996 and was a starter for three Bulls championship teams, including one of the best teams of all time–the 72-win 1995-96 squad. Rodman led the league in rebounds per game seven times, was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year twice and was named first-team NBA’s All-Defensive team seven times. Rodman was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Manu Ginobili won the Sixth Man of the Year award during the 2007-08 season. (Photo/Ariana/Flickr.com)

1. Manu Ginobili

With the No. 27 pick in the second-round of the 1999 draft the San Antonio Spurs selected shooting guard Manu Ginobili. The Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA when it comes to finding hidden talent in the draft and Ginobili is one of the finest examples. Ginobili has been a critical piece of three championship teams in San Antonio.

Ginobili is a two-time All-Star and winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2007-08 season. He possesses the ability to attack the basket with great efficiency and has hit numerous clutch shots throughout his career for the Spurs. Ginobili is the best international guard the NBA has seen to date and will be a candidate for the Hall of Fame upon his retirement.

While players selected in the second round may not draw much attention or muster a great deal of excitement, keep in mind that each player drafted could be the next unexpected starter, All-Star or even a Hall of Famer, as we have seen with the players featured here.

The post NBA Draft: Ranking The Top 5 Second-Round Picks appeared first on HoopsHabit.

Even When The Washington Wizards Win, They Lose

This guy would look pretty darned good next to John Wall. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

The 2009 draft wasn’t remarkably deep, but there were a few really good players that came out. James Harden, Stephen Curry, Ty Lawson, Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings were among the guard-heavy gems in the draft. However, the No. 1 overall pick was the prize, and that man was Blake Griffin.

We all know that Griffin was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers. What you may not remember is the Clippers and Wizards had identical records. The Wizards won a coin toss that resulted in an extra chance. However, the Clippers were the ones who ended up winning the lottery.

Instead Of Luck, Perhaps Use Some Magic

The last time the Orlando Magic had the No. 1 overall pick, the franchise selected Dwight Howard (12) in 2004. Orlando goes into Tuesday’s draft lottery with a 25 percent chance of winning the top overall pick, the best chance of any team in the lottery after finishing with a league-worst 20-62 record in 2012-13. (Flickr.com photo by Keith Allison)

There are teams who routinely stink it up in the draft (cough Minnesota Timberwolves cough), because of poor drafting and because of simple dumb luck. The Wolves haven’t secured the top pick in any draft and have only earned the No. 2 spot once (Derrick Williams in 2012).

The Magic on the other hand, have been extraordinarily lucky in the NBA Draft. They’ve selected No. 1 overall three different times and have struck gold with Shaquille O’Neal (1992), Dwight Howard (2004) and litany of assets for Chris Webber (1993). They have the best chance of striking gold again in the 2013 draft (25 percent), but they’ve shown they don’t need luck.

Maybe The No. 1 Pick IS All It’s Cracked Up To Be

They said he was a “can’t miss” prospect. They were completely correct. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule

Being drafted No. 1 overall is a blessing and a curse. Often, a player drafted first is going to a terrible team and won’t have much help (see: Irving, Kyrie). Even when the player is going into a better situation, the expectations are so high that it’s difficult to meet them (see: Bogut, Andrew).

But, the No. 1 pick has been really good over the span of the lottery era and especially the last few seasons.  The last five top picks have been Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, John Wall, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Yes, they’ve all missed significant time with injuries, but when they’ve been in there, they’ve performed at a high level.

The career leader in win shares per 48 minutes is David Robinson (.250), who was No. 1 in 1987. The career leader in points per game (27.6) is LeBron James, who was No. 1 in 2003. No. 1 picks make up four of the top-five rebounding totals (with Dennis Rodman being the other).

There’s Value Late In The Draft, Too

Manu Ginobili is a near-lock for the Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: NBA.com

Speaking of Rodman (drafted No. 27 overall in 1986), there have been quite a few gems found late in drafts. Similar to how the NFL’s New England Patriots seem to do a great job finding values in later rounds, NBA teams are always on the lookout for those under-the-radar players that can make an impact.

Jeff Hornacek was drafted No. 46 in the 1986 draft and ended up playing 1,077 games in the league. Manu Ginobili went No. 57 in 1999 and will be a Hall of Famer when his career is over. Clifford Robinson put together a 17-year career from the No. 36 spot in 1989. The value is there, teams just have to be willing to take a chance (and hope they don’t get into trouble, like No. 30 in 2001, Gilbert Arenas).

If There’s A Center In The Top-5, Buyer Beware

This season hasn’t been too kind to DeMarcus Cousins. (Photo: Scott Mecum, Flickr.com)

The top-five selections in a draft are prime spots. For the most part, you’re going to get a quality player that will put together a long career, barring any injuries. In the late 1980′s to early 2000′s, there were some terrific big men drafted in the top-five. In fact, the eight best career win shares per 48 minutes of those drafted No. 5 or better who are now retired all belong to centers (Robinson, O’Neal, Ming, Oden, Mourning, Daugherty, Mutombo and Ewing).

With the exception of Oden, notice how there haven’t been any dominant big men more recently? Take a look at the previous centers drafted in the top-five:

2012: None
2011: Enes Kanter (No. 3), Jonas Valanciunas (No. 5)
2010: DeMarcus Cousins (No. 5)
2009: Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2)
2008: None

That’s not exactly a murderer’s row of centers there. The game is changing towards the more athletic power forwards and a smaller lineup. Beware drafting a big man too high!

The post NBA Draft Lottery 2013: 5 Random Facts appeared first on HoopsHabit.

To pin the blame on a 40-year-old who averaged only 27 minutes per game during the regular season is just bad on principle, especially since his +/- for the whole Indiana series was actually only -5 overall. I recently wrote about the Knicks’ disappointing semifinal against Indiana: How they were dominated on the boards, how their big men vanished on both ends of the floor, how Raymond Felton‘s numbers dipped, how Carmelo Anthony came up short in the fourth quarter of an elimination game and how J.R. Smith should’ve worn black before that game against the Boston Celtics in the first round to honor the demise of his jump shot.

But out of all of that, one of the things that was easiest to pick on was Jason Kidd and his inexplicable inability to hit a shot. We make fun of the Sixth Man of the Year for shooting less than 29 percent from the field and 23 percent from long distance but what about the guy who puts up a goose egg in both? Although Jason Kidd is not directly responsible for New York’s failed season, his struggles highlight the Knicks’ biggest playoff nightmare: 3-point shooters who can’t make a 3-pointer.

Just take a look at the following facts: Jason Kidd went scoreless in 10 playoff games, a span during which he averaged just less than 19 minutes and and two field-goal attempts per game. During the regular season? J-Kidd averaged six points and 5.4 field goal attempts in 27 minutes per game.

So we can already see that Kidd’s offense was so nonexistent that coach Mike Woodson decided the only way his team could advance was to limit a future Hall of Famer’s minutes. The guy who provided veteran leadership, offensive enlightenment, terrific ball movement and an occasional 3-pointer every now and then during the regular season was so bad that literally Woodson couldn’t play him, in the hopes that Pablo Prigioni would be able to make up for Kidd’s lack of offense.

I know this isn’t Jason Kidd in his prime, but after watching him rejuvenate New York’s offense by always making the extra pass and knocking down open looks when he got them for an entire season, getting replaced with a pass-first guy like Prigioni is less than flattering. I mean, what the hell happened to the Legs-Kicked-Out-To-Draw-The-Four-Point-Play-In-Crunch-Time Jason Kidd from the middle of the season?

Kidd scored eight points in Game 1 of New York’s first-round series with the Celtics, so it’s not like injuries and anything like that were holding him back. The last time Jason Kidd scored in the 2013 NBA playoffs was in Game 2, a game in which he scored three points. But from there on out, Kidd was held scoreless in 188 minutes of basketball.

He went 3-for-25 from the field in the playoffs overall. That’s just unacceptable, even for a 40-year-old playing limited minutes. As a shooter, sometimes you just hit a stretch when you can’t buy a bucket. A few of Kidd’s shots just lipped out, like there was an invisible lid on the rim. When you don’t get that many shots every night and none of them are falling, it’s understandable that this happened.

I mean, think about it. What would be the perfect-storm scenario for this unfathomable stretch to occur? Wouldn’t you guess it would be an aging 40-year-old who didn’t play much, didn’t get many shots, played on a team with Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith and was up against a solid defensive squad like the Pacers? It’s still an unquestionably bad streak for any NBA player, but it’s not hard to understand how it happened.

We made fun of the Knicks all year long for their age, but I believe Jason Kidd was a great addition to a team in need of someone with playoff experience and playmaking prowess. Kidd was the guy that showed the Knicks how to get open looks with good ball rotation, he helped Carmelo Anthony develop his passing abilities and he got the entire roster to invest in defense. Because of that, I still say that in the grand scheme of things, Kidd was a beneficial pickup since the Knicks would never have been a threat in the East without him.

But when you’re an aging veteran who doesn’t have the legs to get to the basket anymore, you HAVE to hit down the open looks you’re given, especially if you’re no longer the Jason Kidd who could dish out 10-15 assists on any given night.

Kidd is one of my all-time favorite players. During his prime, he was a triple-double machine, a brilliant passer and a much-improved shooter who was an absolute joy to watch for any basketball fan. When he was in Dallas, people said he was washed up and wrote off the 2011 Dallas Mavericks.

Kidd proved them wrong, showcasing tremendous perimeter defense and his ever-present 3-point shot in the NBA Finals. When he left for New York, I figured he would prove everyone wrong again and during the regular season he did. But it’s what a player does in the postseason that defines how the season went and Jason Kidd dropped the ball there. Now he’s taking some time away from basketball to mull things over. There’s a chance that he negotiates a buyout with the Knicks or, in an even more depressing scenario, decides his time in the league is done.

After such an embarrassing playoff stretch, I really hope this is not the last we’ve seen of Jason Kidd. Because in our short-term memory society, people won’t remember that Kidd is third on the all-time list of triple-doubles leaders (107) or that he’s second on the all-time list of assists leaders (12,091), behind only the incomparable John Stockton. They’ll forget how many teams he led into the NBA Finals or that he finally won a much-deserved ring with the Mavs. No, all they’ll remember is the time Jason Kidd went scoreless for 10 straight playoff games, meaning the lasting memory of him will be a small stain on an otherwise fabulous NBA career.

The post New York Knicks: Jason Kidd’s Historically Bad Playoffs Highlights Knicks’ Problems appeared first on HoopsHabit.

The last time the Orlando Magic had the No. 1 overall pick, the franchise selected Dwight Howard (12) in 2004. Orlando goes into Tuesday’s draft lottery with a 25 percent chance of winning the top overall pick, the best chance of any team in the lottery after finishing with a league-worst 20-62 record in 2012-13. (Flickr.com photo by Keith Allison)

The Orlando Magic have won the NBA’s draft lottery three times. Going into the NBA Draft Lottery Tuesday, May 21, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, the Magic will have the best chance of securing the top overall pick for this June’s draft.

In 1992, Orlando had the second best chance of winning the lottery with 10 of the 66 ping-pong balls and came up a winner. That led to the Magic’s selection of LSU center Shaquille O’Neal.

In 1993, the Magic had just one ball in the hopper, but it came up absolutely golden—it was the winner and for the second straight year, Orlando selected No. 1. This time around, the Magic took Michigan forward Chris Webber. Webber’s rights were soon traded to the Golden State Warriors for the rights to No. 3 overall pick Anfernee Hardaway.

Orlando also picked up first-round picks in 1996, 1998 and 2000. The 1996 and 1998 picks were later traded to the Washington Bullets; the 2000 pick turned out to be Mike Miller out of Florida with the fifth overall selection.

The Magic rode the O’Neal-Hardaway combination to the franchise’s first playoff berth in 1994 and a spot in the NBA Finals in 1995.

It’s worth noting that the NBA completely overhauled the lottery process after Orlando’s win in 1993, putting into place the system we have today with the weighted chances.

The last time Orlando had the best chance of winning the top overall pick was in 2004 and the Magic got it—using the pick to take Atlanta prep star Dwight Howard.

After trading Howard away last summer, Orlando again will have the most balls in the machine—25 percent of them. But no team with the best chance (or tied for the best chance) has actually come through with the No. 1 pick since the Magic in 2004 and it’s only happened three times in the 19 years this lottery format’s been in place.

The Philadelphia 76ers got the top overall pick in 1996 and took Allen Iverson of Georgetown. In 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers had the best chance of picking first, got the top selection and took some kid from Akron, Ohio, named LeBron James. I wonder what ever happened to him; sometimes those high picks just don’t pan out.

This year’s draft is not being looked upon as a particularly strong one; one scout told the Charlotte Observer in January that “this is the year you should consider trading your draft pick—no matter where it is.”

There are three favorites, according (premium subscription required) to ESPN.com’s Chad Ford—Kentucky’s injured big man Nerlens Noel and a pair of perimeter players, Ben McLemore of Kansas and Michigan’s Trey Burke.

Yes, the draft lottery has come a long way from seven envelopes in a container.

The only problem for whoever wins Tuesday night is this: Is this year’s draft class even worth winning?

The post NBA Draft Lottery: Historically Lucky Orlando Magic Hope to Buck Lottery Trend appeared first on HoopsHabit.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was one of the few bright spots for the Charlotte Bobcats in 2012-13. (NBA.com photo)

The Charlotte Bobcats need help in pretty much every aspect of their roster. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker are intriguing pieces, but neither will ever blossom without the proper supporting cast.

The Bobcats can choose to improve their offense or defense this offseason. Or even better, both. But let’s roll with their horrid defense that ranked dead last in defensive efficiency this past season.

A lack of a experienced players hindered the Bobcats on defense, in some cases, not all. Kidd-Gilchrist was and is still projected to be a quality defender, but I wrote a few days back that his defense limboed under the preseason hype. With a year under his belt, that could change.

Do understand that Bobcats management won’t be able to take the league’s worst defense and suddenly turn it into an average one, at least not in one offseason’s worth of time. It’s going to take work, like all things do.

Let’s take a look at a few things the Bobcats could do to improve their defense:

Improve Discipline

Discipline often comes with age and Charlotte’s core isn’t an experienced unit … and it showed.

The Bobcats consistently blew rotations, leaving shooters with wide-open perimeter shots. That, or they would jump at shooters, which would open up a driving lane. Basically, rookie mistakes would be a good way of describing their defense, on top of the fact that they simply don’t have the personnel.

Per Synergy Sports, Charlotte ranked 29th in the league in defending spot-up situations. No surprise there. Opponents also shot 38.8 percent from 3-point range against them, which tied for the highest percentage in the league.

Given that they aren’t generating a ton of easy points off turnovers, cutting down on the mental mistakes becomes critical. This is only a part of the problem, though.

Sign A Proven Wing Defender

Perhaps Tony Allen is a bit over their heads, but the Bobcats could benefit from pairing Kidd-Gilchrist with an additional wing defender. They ranked as the 25th-best isolation defense in the league and that will only continue to be exploited if it’s not repaired.

Gerald Henderson sports a lengthy frame for a perimeter defender and he was one of the few bright spots. Synergy Sports ranked him as the 37th-best isolation defender in the NBA. But opposing offenses scored nearly two more points with him on the floor than when he was on the bench, according to 82 Games. Henderson is a restricted free agent, which leaves management with a decision to make. It might be wise of them to re-sign him, as they aren’t likely to find a better alternative on the market. Of course, his demands will have to be reasonable.

Allen would obviously solve a few issues, but his demands will be high and he’s likely high on the Memphis Grizzlies’ retain list.

Let Kidd-Gilchrist Develop

The stats say that Kidd-Gilchrist was an average to below-average defender in 2012-13. As for the positives, Synergy Sports ranks him as the 43rd-best isolation defender, which is solid. He’s ranked as the 41st-best post-up defender. But when guarding spot-up situations, which he did 45.7 percent of the time, he ranked as the 296th-best defender. That’s a problem.

But as aforementioned, he will get better. His instant presence on the boards (8.1 rebounds per 36 minutes) was a great boon to a team that still finished with a minus-3.8 rebounding differential (29th in the NBA).

The post Charlotte Bobcats: 3 Ways To Fix The NBA’s Worst Defense appeared first on HoopsHabit.