What Luis Scola Means to the Indiana Pacers

How will Luis Scola's addition to Indiana's rotation affect the team's chances at beating the Heat come the 2013-14 season?  Bleacher Report/PHOTO CREDITS

  

            The Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns have agreed to a deal that would send Argentinean big man Luis Scola to Naptown in exchange for Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee, and a 2014 protected first-round pick. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Indiana had been pursuing the acquisition of Scola’s services for several weeks, and talks heated up over the past two days. Under new general manager Ryan McDonough, the Suns are in full re-building mode out west. With the team already acquiring their point guard of the future in Eric Bledsoe, the organization has looked to accelerate the process by shopping its older assets on the market.

At 33 years old, Scola did not fit into the Suns’ future plans. Already trading away long-time forward Jared Dudley, the team had no problem with exchanging Scola for a couple of young players and a first-round pick in next year’s draft. Although the team has given away the rights to one of the league’s most versatile big men, both Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee will fit in well with Phoenix.

Green will be given extended minutes on a young Sun’s team and will lead the charge from the wing on an uber-athletic fast break trio in Green, Bledsoe, and Michael Beasley (Shannon Brown too). While he has not lived up to the hype following his breakout season in 2012, his game still has room to improve. As for Plumlee, he will be thrown into a Phoenix frontcourt that already boasts Marcin Gortat (expect trade rumors to begin), Alex Len, both Morris brothers, and Channing Frye. While his playing time will be minimal, he should receive an opportunity to showcase his talent and surprise athleticism following a tremendous showing in the Orlando Summer League. After watching Plumlee play over the past two years for the Pacers and over the summer, I hope he is given a real opportunity to show the world his true talents (Good Luck Miles!).

Aside from the talents of Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee, the Suns will receive the Pacers’ first-round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft (Probably the most important part from Phoenix’s standpoint). Widely regarded as one of the best draft classes in recent memory, the 2014 Draft will be loaded with young basketball talent. The Suns now own three selections in the first-round, and it would not be surprising if they went after more spots in the draft. Overall, this is a great trade for Phoenix, as the exchanged an aging player for two young talents and a first-round pick.  

However, at this point, this deal is an outright steal for the Indiana Pacers’ organization. Larry Bird has done it again. I repeat, Larry Bird has done it again. The man is magical. Although he has made some risky decisions in the past, Bird is beginning to look like a front office extraordinaire. Indiana fans should be praising Bird and the entire front office for the arrival of Luis Scola (and the departure of Gerald Green). Although it will have to be seen how Scola contributes to the Indiana bench, it looks like a steal for the blue and gold.

As the story broke last night of a likely trade involving Luis Scola to the Pacers, many media outlets reported that Indiana forward Danny Granger would be the main piece heading out west to Phoenix. Pacer fans were at first dumbfounded, why trade Granger, a former all-star and, at times, elite scorer, for a guy like Scola? That maneuver would simply make no sense from Indiana’s position. However, fans soon realized the great fortunes of the trade when Wojnarowski reported that the Suns were interest in acquiring Gerald Green. Hallelujah. Ring the bells! Gerald Green is heading out of town. As I read the news last night that it would be Green leaving Indiana, rather than Granger, I about vomited from my level of excitement. That information was without a doubt the best news I had heard all summer.

There are two main reasons why this trade helps Indiana. First, the Pacers dumped Gerald Green’s horrific contract and finally cut ties with the failure that was the Gerald Green experiment. No knock on Green, as at times he was as exciting as anyone to watch, but he was just downright dreadful for 98 percent of the season. This was a very gut-wrenching process, considering the Pacers were paying him $3.5 million to make asinine plays and ride the bench. What made it worst was the hype surrounding Green entering the regular season, as he had shot 80 percent from three-point range during pre-season workouts and training camp.

Now that Gerald Green is finally removed from Indiana, let’s examine the main reason why this trade is such a win for the Pacers, which is the acquisition of Luis Scola. While the Suns were en route to the fourth worst record in the league last season, Scola had a quiet but successful season, averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds. At 33 years old, Scola has made a name for himself in the league by being an extremely versatile big man.  The Argentinean can score around the rim in a variety of post moves, while also fading out to the mid-range to knock down jumpers. Although he has faced consistency issues on the offensive end, there is no discounting his overall basketball talents. He will need to improve his defensive abilities in order to fully mesh into Frank Vogel’s system, but that should not be too difficult. With Scola set as the backup power forward, there’s no telling where this ball club is heading.

After acquiring veteran point guard C.J. Watson, young guard Donald Sloan, and sharpshooter Chris Copeland, the Pacers offseason was already regarded as being very successful. There were still some questions floating around about the backup power forward position, especially after Tyler Hansbrough signed with Toronto. However, after acquiring Scola on Saturday, there’s no question that he will be filling that void come the start of the season.

Luis Scola’s game will do wonders for the second unit. It is a major upgrade over Hansbrough. Psycho-T averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds off the bench last season, Scola’s season averages were double that. His scoring touch around the rim and ability to score from outside the lane is just what the second unit needed in Indy. After adding veteran leadership at the point and three-point shooting, Scola’s post abilities will bolster an already heavily improved second unit for the Pacers.

The lineup still remains to be seen, with Lance Stephenson’s and Danny Granger’s roles in question, but here’s a quick look at some of the possible scenarios:

  Scenario Number One

                     Starting Five: George Hill, Lance Stephenson, Paul George, David West, Roy Hibbert

                     Second Unit : C.J. Watson, Danny Granger, Chris Copeland, Luis Scola, Ian Mahimi

                     Other bench pieces: Donald Sloan, Orlando Johnson, Solomon Hill

  Scenario Number Two

                     Starting Five: George Hill, Paul George, Danny Granger, David West, Roy Hibbert

                     Second Unit: C.J. Watson, Lance Stephenson, Chris Copeland, Luis Scola, Ian Mahimi

                     Other Bench Pieces: Donald Sloan, Orlando Johnson, Solomon Hill

                While both scenarios completely rely on Danny Granger’s final role in the rotation, either option would be a viable. At this point, Scola’s addition to this team puts the Pacers right there in the top three teams in the league (Miami, San Antonio, Indiana). He makes the second unit that much better. Indiana’s second unit had absolutely post presence within the second unit. Hansbrough’s post game relied mostly on grabbing boards and shot-faking until he was fouled or putting his head down and going at the rim completely out-of-control. Ian Mahimi, while a great shot-blocking presence, has shown very raw post skills and limited ability to knock down jump shots. Scola changes all of that.

                If the Pacers field a second unit of Watson, Granger, Copeland/Hill, Scola, and Mahimi, it would be hard-pressed to find a better second unit in the NBA. In fact, I’d bet money on that lineup beating the starting lineups of a couple NBA franchises (I’m looking at you Philadelphia and Sacramento). Compared to a second unit of Augustin, Green, Sam Young, Hansbrough, and Mahimi, this second five looks like a team of all-star caliber players. Although the biggest improvements may be on the wing, Scola’s presence definitely changes something. His game fits in perfectly for the Pacers’ second unit, as his array of finesse post moves will counterbalance the physical enforcing style of David West. His ability to knock down jumpers from the mid-range area will allow for C.J. Watson to stretch the floor and get dribble-drive penetration.

                All-in-all, it’s downright scary to think about the talent the Pacers have assembled on their roster. In fact, I might go as far as to say that this has the shaping’s of the most-talented roster in Pacers’ history. In a league where the large markets accumulate a majority of the major talent, the Pacers represent what every fan loves, an underdog. No they are not an underdog because they have less talent than other teams. And it’s not because they have gone through significant strife or grieve to reach this step.  Rather, it’s because the Indiana Pacers represent something that sports fans are beginning to see less, a dominant small market team. Luis Scola’s addition makes the Pacers that much better and that much more likeable. Here’s something Scola had to share with reporters after learning about his trade to the Pacers:

          "I’m very, very excited to play for the Pacers. They are one of the top three teams in the NBA"

               Scola’s game will transition perfectly to a impoverished (in terms of scoring) second unit that will contend for being the most talents second unit in the league. With Scola leading the charge from the post, there’s no telling how far this team can go come playoff time. The Pacers are legitimate NBA Championship contenders. Stop doubting the blue collar team from Indiana. Hopefully, the quote next year can read “They are the top team in the NBA.” Indiana is counting on you Luis; help bring a title to where it belongs, in Indiana.  

Is Lance Stephenson Set For A Coming Out Party?

After earning a starting spot in the Pacer' rotation, how will Danny Granger's return affect Lance Stephenson's development? Nathanial S. Butler/Getty Images

            Lance Stephenson. Adidas ABCD Camp Participant. Abraham Lincoln High School Alumni. Four-Time New York City Champion. New York State’s All-Time Leading Scorer. Two-Time New York City Player Of The Year. Sexual Assault. Born Ready Reality Show. Rucker Park Legend. Gunnin’ For That No. 1 Spot. McDonald’s All-American. United States Under-18 Team Camp Invitee. University of Cincinnati Recruit. Second Round Draft Pick. Indiana Pacers. Orlando Summer League. Third Degree Assault. Bench Warmer. NBA Starter.

Eight years ago, Lance Stephenson began his journey to basketball stardom in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York. Coming off an impressive performance at the Adidas ABCD Camp the previous year, Stephenson enrolled at Abraham Lincoln High School. Basketball was at the core of Lincoln’s history. Having produced the likes of Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair, Stephenson entered as a freshman hoping to write his own chapter in the book of New York high school basketball history. And after four years at Lincoln, Stephenson had accomplished all he had wished for, and more. Under Stephenson’s guidance, Abraham Lincoln High School became the first school in New York City history to win four straight city championships. Along the way, Stephenson became New York State’s all-time leading scorer, finishing with 2,946 points for his career. Additionally, Stephenson was twice awarded New York City Player of the Year honors.

As a consensus top-ten prospect, the Brooklyn teenager’s recruitment was a long and drawn out process. Eventually Stephenson decided to attend the University of Cincinnati, passing up the schools that occupied his original list, Kansas, St. John’s, and Maryland. After only one year at the “Dirty Nati,” Stephenson decided to forgo his three remaining years of eligibility and declare for the 2010 NBA Draft. The Indiana Pacers selected Stephenson with the 40^th pick.

With so much success on the hardwood, Stephenson has faced his fair share of off-the-court trouble. During his junior season, Stephenson faced a sexual assault charge for groping a female classmate at school. Later that year, he would miss two games for an altercation with one of his teammates. At the United States under-18 tryouts, he was sent home for “chemistry” reasons. In 2010, Stephenson was arrested for third degree assault for allegedly pushing his girlfriend down a flight of stairs. During his rookie season, his role in the rotation was diminished due to ongoing immaturity issues.

The record on Stephenson is not pretty. While his game made him a New York City basketball immortal, his off-the-court antics have diminished his professional standing. He has shown flashes of brilliance at times, but can still revert back to the selfish, out-of-control (and turnover-prone) playing style of his earlier days. However, Stephenson’s improved maturity over the past two seasons garnered the former high school star a starting spot for the 2012-13 season in wake of Danny Granger's absence.

Now, with Granger set to return to the Indiana rotation, Stephenson's role (along with Granger's) is one of the biggest uncertainties heading into the season. His development has certainly benefited from a place in the starting lineup, and his play has benefited the team as well. But with Granger's return, Stephenson's spot in the starting lineup may be in jeopardy. As a former all-star and winner of the Most Improved Player Award in 2009, Granger may not be comfortable in a role off the bench. If Granger returns to the starting lineup, Paul George will shift down to the shooting guard position while Stephenson would be relegated to the sixth man role. With both Granger and George in the starting lineup, this would definitely be the lineup with the most talent.

Even so, I do not think this would be the best maneuver for the Pacers in the long run. As fun as it would be to see a revamped lineup of George Hill, George, Granger, David West, and Roy Hibbert (Wow! I just realized how incredible that lineup would be), it simply does not make sense for the team. For two reasons, Paul George's emergence and for, my main focus of this entire article, Lance Stephenson's further development.

First off, let's cover the more obvious part, which is Paul George's emergence. This past season, the Pacers fan base and much of the NBA was blown away by Paul George's development into an all-star. While he still needs to cut down his turnovers and increase his efficiency from mid-range, there is no doubt that Paul George is a budding NBA superstar. His athleticism, improved ball-handling, increasingly deadly three-point stroke (and much more) all accounted for the 23 year old's breakout season. This was all accomplished as PG24 played in his natural position at small forward. If Granger were to return to the lineup, George would certainly shift to the shooting guard position, where he primarily played for his first two seasons in Indiana. There's no telling how this would affect George's further emergence into a bonafide NBA superstar, but i have my doubts. At shooting guard, PG will once again be playing out of position. He will face smaller, quicker players which may hinder his abilities to both defend and score on the offensive end. And on top of that, Granger will warrant his fair share of touches, especially if he returns to his pre-injury form. Granger's prescense in the lineup will only harm George's rise to superstardom.

Secondly, Granger's spot in the starting lineup will most definitely hinder Lance Stephenson's development. Within the starting role, Indiana fans were wowed by Stephenson's abilities to get to the rim and his electric playing style. He is a high energy player, which is something Indiana fans have always loved (Example: Ron Artest). Heading into the past season, Stephenson took the starting role and ran with it, impressive for a player who only average ten minutes per game the previous season. Over the course of the season, Stephenson emerged as a fan favorite, all the while delivering the supreme ups and downs of a first year starter in the NBA. His game is miles better than what it was when the season started in October. This man cannot be relegated to the bench; there is simply too much upside for the 22 year old Brooklyn native.

While off the court activities and immaturity issues have hindered his playing time during his first two seasons in Indianapolis, Stephenson worked hard to improve his game, hoping his troubles would go away. During his first two offseasons in the NBA, Stephenson stayed in Indiana to work on his game (and stay out of trouble). He improved his shooting abilities and showed an increased awareness on the court, which helped cut down on some of the detractions of his erratic style of play. After watching Paul George emerge into an NBA star, Lance Stephenson is ready for his own coming out party. There's no question that Stephenson's stock is on the rise, but how high is his ceiling? Personally, I think Stephenson can mature into a perennial all-star caliber player. He has all the tools of a prototypical NBA shooting guard. He's quick and decisive with the dribble. He possesses superior athleticism for a player his size. His three-point shot has shown vast improvement. He can burn defenders and finish at the rim. He is a high motor player.

Along with Paul George, Stephenson may emerge as one of the greatest steals from the 2010 NBA Draft. However, the question of whether or not he reaches his full potential is dependent on his role in the upcoming season. Fans have already seen a dramatic increase from his sophomore season, and he's ready to take the next step, a Paul George kind of step. I can definitely see Stephenson making a similar jump in production that George made last season. He has all the physical tools and the basketball talent to do so; it's just a matter of whether or not he will garner the chance to reach his full potential. Although a sixth man role would still provide Stephenson valuable minutes, his development will surely be hindered coming off the bench. To me, this is a great opportunity for Frank Vogel and his staff to aid Stephenson in his emergence onto the NBA's big stage. If he receives a starting spot next season, I do not see any reason why the Pacer's cannot celebrate two first time all-star selections in two consecutive years. After all, he’s known as Born Ready for a reason.   

Adidas Invitational: Pool Play Recap



Kasey Hill and Florida Elite broke onto the national recruiting stage at last year's Adidas Invitational. Who has the talent to do the same this year in Indy?



     As the July evaluation period opened on Wednesday, college coaches were out in force at North Central High School for the first pool play games at the Adidas Invitational. While the tournament is missing some of the big name players it's carried in the past (Andre Drummond, Shabazz Muhammed, Kasey Hill, Chris Walker), it still has the talent to draw the likes of Mike Krzyzewski and Rick Pitino. With teams traveling from all around the country to Indianapolis, the past two days have been nothing but great basketball. Teams such as Dream Vision and the Compton Magic have traveled from the West Coast to play in this year's tournament. As the past two days have come and gone, some of the big time recruits have stood out in the spotlight, while others have faded. Tournaments like this are a great opportunity for players to showcase their talent, but can also exploit severe weaknesses. Now, let's look at some of the biggest storylines heading into tournament play this weekend.

Brandone Francis (2014) Is Legit

Slam Magazine/PHOTOCREDITS

     The 6'5" Francis has been the most impressive player in the class of 2014 at this year's invitational so far. The future Florida Gator is ranked number 25 nationally in his class according to Rivals. While he is not the top ranked player in Indy this week, the Florida Elite star has shown the most skills. In the first game of the tournament, Francis wowed a large crowd at North Central High School against a very talented Team Loaded squad from North Carolina. Twin brothers Caleb and Cody Martin, both North Carolina State commits, led Team Loaded to a hot start.

     However, Francis seemed un-phased with a quick deficit, showing great poise throughout the first half. His offensive game is nothing short of brilliant. Out of any player I've seen so far, he possesses the quickest, and most likely best, ball-handling skills. His tight dribble allows for easy dribble-drive penetration, and those abilities were out in full force Wednesday night. On multiple occasions, Francis split the double team and slashed to the rim. After only a few minutes, it was quite evident that Francis is a freak athlete. His great leaping ability and strength allows for great finishing at the rim. Add in his keen basketball awareness, and there's a multitude of ways for the rising senior to finish around the basket.

     And it does not stop there. Francis showed great shooting ability, knocking down three-point shots and shooting well off of the dribble. Most notable was a step-back, fade away shot from just inside the arc in the left corner. He led the way for Florida Elite's comeback, in which they ultimately won the game by a score of 72-66. Throughout the rest of pool play, Francis led Florida Elite to a 2-1 record and the number one overall seed in the 17u Platinum Bracket. If Florida Elite wants to repeat last year's tournament, in which they brought home the trophy, they will have to be carried by the offensive abilities of Brandone Francis.

While Kevon Looney (2014) Has Been Off, Teammate David Burrell (2014) Has Shined In The Spotlight

     Milwaukee Running Rebel's forward Kevon Lonney came into the 2013 Adidas Invitational as the highest ranked prospect in the class of 2014 at the tournament. But Looney has played nothing like it. In Milwaukee's first game against New Orleans Elite, Looney, the nation's  11th ranked player, was all but impressive. Matched up against the 21st ranked player, Craig Victor, Looney faded out of the spotlight. His performance was hard to watch as Coach K, Thad Motta, Tom Izzo, and Rick Pitino were all in appearance for the Wisconsin native.

     Looney was bullied around by Victor, who played below average as well, and showed no real mental drive to win the game. There's no doubt Looney is one of the surefire athletic specimens the 2014 class has to offer. However, after watching the first half, I was starting to believe that's all the big man has to offer. Aside from a pull up shot in transition, he showed no real talent on either end of the court. He rebounded poorly, showing no instinct to box out or go for the ball. While he did block a few shots, that was the only noticeable thing I took from his showing at the tournament. However, I would like to believe the kid had a rough game. If Coach K personally flew in to watch Looney, you know he is a legit talent.

     With Looney playing poorly, his teammate David Burrell stepped into the spotlight and led the Milwaukee team offensively. He showed great scoring abilities on the offensive end, showcasing his ability to knock down shots from behind the arc but also his driving capabilities. He basically took over the game midway through the first half, scoring what seemed like ten straight points for the Running Rebels. With so many big name coaches in the house, Burrell's performance is sure to draw the interest of some school out there.

There Is A Reason Why People Compare Carlton Bragg (2015) To Kevin Durant

Rivals.com/PHOTOCREDITS

     At Northview Middle School on Wednesday night there was a large crowd to see the Eric Gordon All-Stars matchup against the Ohio Basketball Club. A large portion of the crowd was decked in the Crimson of the Indiana University Hoosiers. However, Hoosier Nation was not in attendance to see a local talent from EG10, but rather Carlton Bragg, a Cleveland native. Bragg is ranked number 12 nationally by Rivals, and has expressed strong interest in Tom Crean's basketball program. And it showed, as Tom Crean was across the court in the coaches' section. Along with Crean was Thad Motta, John Groce (Illinois), Bob Huggins (West Virginia) and former Park Tudor coach Ed Schilling (UCLA Assistant).

     Bragg was all that the crowd had bargained for when they made the trip to NVMS. He showed great offensive abilities, getting to the rim and also knocking down shots. Many scouts have compared his game to Kevin Durant. While it is a pretty lofty comparison, I can see why scout's have done so. His 6'9" frame allows for him to get off shots over defenders. He has extremely long arms, which benefit him on the glass and on the defensive end. I think the play of the day was his block that sent the ball past the half-court line. As for now, it seems Bragg will remain at the very top of the 2015 class. It will be interesting to see how he comes back and performs at the invitational next year.

Trevor Clay (2014) and Chris Clark (2014) May Not Be Big Name Players, But They Sure Can Play

    
     Both Trevor Clay (pictured) and Chris Clark play for the St. Louis Gateway basketball program. Neither Clay nor Clark are nationally ranked recruits. The highest ranked player on their team is 6'11" center Austin Gillman, who is the 33rd ranked center in the class of 2014. The squad drew a tough super pool schedule, and finished 1-2. And on top of that, the team's missing some of its better players (and more sizable) in Andrew Maddock and Brandon Leuders. Still, guards Trevor Clay and Chris Clark have somehow managed to shine in this year's tournament.
 
     Aside from the big name players like Brandone Francis and Goodluck Okonoboh, Clay and Clark have been two of the most impressive talents I've seen so far. I've watched the Gateway team play two games against the Houston Hoopstars and Memphis Pure Magic Elite. In both games, the guard combination of Clay and Clark have carried a undermanned Gateway team. Both guards are lightning quick and excel at getting to the rim from dribble-drive scenarios. And both of them, especially Clay, are uber-athletic for their frame. I have been completely and utterly blown away from the talent level of these two kids.
 
     While the Gateway lost their first two games to Houston and then to the New England Playaz, they still have a chance at making a run in the tournament. It is very unlikely that the team advances far, but I would not discount this team after watching Clay and Clark dominate the guard position over the past two days. safe to say that both of them will be seeing increased interest from colleges scouts in the near future.

Predicting Where The Top Remaining Free Agents Will Sign

Former Minnesota Timberwolves' big man Nikola Pekovic is in for a big pay day this offseason, and is near the top of the remaining free agents pool.  Jesse Johnon - US PRESSWIRE

     With moratorium ending at midnight, free agents will begin being signed and proposed trades will be completed. While the blockbuster names of Dwight Howard and Chris Paul are off the board, there is still a large pool of NBA talent waiting to fill roster holes. Surprisingly, some of the top free agents, such as Andrew Bynum and Brandon Jennings, have been quiet through the first week or so of free agency. This article takes a look at the top four remaining free agents and my prediction on where they will be playing next season.

Andrew Bynum

     The former Los Angeles Lakers star sat out the entire 2012-13 season with nagging injuries. Even with his proven talent level, his injury risks are a huge detractor from Bynum's overall package. At this point, his risks are pushing teams to offer the big man a two or three year contract. Four years at $12 million or more is just simply too risky to offer Bynum. Regardless, he will get to start anew with some NBA team out there, based off of his talent level alone.

     Main suitors for Bynum's services include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Atlanta Hawks. Cleveland has gone as far as offering Bynum a two-year, $24 million "incentive-laden" (whatever that means) contract. Additionally, their offer includes a team option after the second year. As for the Mavericks and Hawks, the two have probably been the two teams in hottest pursuit of Bynum. With Atlanta looking to add pieces and Dallas in horrible shape for the upcoming season, both teams want to secure a franchise big man to lure in free agents in the upcoming years. According to multiple reports, Bynum met with Atlanta on Tuesday and intends to meet with Dallas officials by the end of the week.

     With a young core in Cleveland, the Cavaliers will be an enticing organization to Andrew Bynum. The opportunity to team up with Kyrie Irving would work wonders in northern Ohio, that is if Bynum can ever return to his pre-injury form. The Cavaliers have the money to spend and I think they will take a chance on securing a top three center in the league. Teaming up a young prolific center with Kyrie Irving & Co. would surely secure the Cavaliers spot in next year's playoffs.

Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers

Nikola Pekovic

     After a great season last year in Minnesota, Nikola Pekovic hit the market as a restricted free agent. Now that Dwight Howard (Rockets) and Al Jefferson (Bobcats) are off the board, Pekovic is arguably the best center left on the market. Pekovic is very strong and shows great offensive ability around the rim. He was the Timberwolves' premier big man last season because of Kevin Love's absence due to injuries. At only 27 years old, he is a promising young center and will provide double-double numbers to whatever team picks him up.

     The market for Pekovic has been very slow so far because of the presence of more talented big men. But with Howard and Jefferson gone, Pekovic should begin receiving more interest from around the league. However, multiple reports have circulated over the past few days that their is mutual interest in Pekovic returning to Minnesota. After resigning Chase Budinger and signing Kevin Martin, the Timberwolves offered Pekovic a 4-year, $48 million contract. This is a very rare scenario, as restricted free agents do not usually receive offers from their old teams prior to signing offer sheets with other teams. This shows me that Minnesota is set on Pekovic being back in a Timberwolves uniform next season, whether or not they have to match another team's offer.

Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves

Brandon Jennings

 

     Aside from Dwight Howard's saga, Brandon Jennings' free agency decision has been one of the most confusing and rumor-filled NBA storylines. At first, it seemed as if Jennings had no intentions of returning to Milwaukee. However, rumors then started that the former international star was intent on returning to the Bucks via either a large contract or through accepting Milwaukee's qualifying offer. Now, it seems as if Jennings is on his way out again. Just recently, multiple NBA insiders have reported discussions between the Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks for a possible Jennings for Jeff Teague double sign-and-trade. After being the hottest rumor on the market, it appears that things have quieted down on that front.
    
     Jennings is commanding, at the very least, $12 million a year in his new contract. The Bucks were at first reluctant to offer Jennings such a contract, but their price has slowly but surely been increasing. Unless Milwaukee can receive a valuable asset in a sign-and-trade, such as Jeff Teague, I expect the Milwaukee front office to match any offer sheet Brandon Jennings signs. He's simply too valuable of an asset to the organization to let him walk for nothing, especially if Monta Ellis departs as well. However, there is still a chance that Jennings could accept the Buck's qualifying offer for $4.3 million next year. If he were to accept this offer, Jennings would be an unrestricted free agent come next offseason.

Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks

Jeff Teague

     The former Wake Forest star is currently one of the hottest commodities on the market. With Atlanta unsure of how it wants to move forward, Teague's free agency has been in question. One of the most rumored storylines is Teague signing with the Milwaukee Bucks. At 25 years old, Teague would be a great addition to a young and rebuilding Bucks team, regardless of Brandon Jennings final landing spot. Atlanta will have a tough decision to make, because Teague is a surefire NBA point guard, but the team may not be willing to pay the Indianapolis native as much as he hopes. For now, Milwaukee looks like the front runners. I fully expect this to be a two team race, as I would be very surprised if Teague signs with anyone other than Milwaukee and Atlanta.

Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks

Biggest Takeaways From Day 1 of The Orlando Summer League

Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones had an impressive first day at the Orlando Summer League, but his 24 point effort was not enough to overcome a sensational effort from a certain 76ers' young gun.

     With the first day of the Orlando Summer League in the books, NBA fans have had the first chance to scout some of the league's up-and-coming young talent. Some 2013 draftees, like Victor Oladipo and Kelly Olynyk, had some of the most impressive debuts in recent memory. While others, like those selected by the Utah Jazz, had woeful starts to their Summer League careers.

     However, looking too much into one game in the Orlando Summer League is like overcooking chicken, you just cannot do it. Granted there were some very impressive and dismal performances, it means little in the long run. So for now, let's look at the biggest takeaways cautiously and just be excited that there is finally basketball back on television.  

Michael Carter-Williams was absolutely terrific and tremendously horrible

     Michael Carter-Williams' stat line was the performance of the game. 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. What a debut for the former Syracuse guard. However, add in the 9 turnovers and it does not look as good as it did the first time. While he showed great promise at the point, he reaffirmed all the strengths and weaknesses of his game.

     A poor jump shot that allowed him to go 0-6 from behind the arc. Great passing ability led him to 8 assists. His long frame at the point gave him 7 rebounds. And his knack for being clumsy with the ball led to 9 turnovers. 9 turnovers. That a lot. OMG. But for now, MCW had a great first showing for Philadelphia. With the rebuilding project, he will have plenty of opportunities to secure his position as the team's point guard of the future.

Kelly Olynyk is the future at the stretch-four

     Throughout the year at Gonzaga, Kelly Olynyk was viewed as the best player on a mid-major roster that many people never had the chance to see play. In talking about Olynyk, a majority of people had only seem him play twice this past year, first when Gonzaga visited Butler and second when Gonzaga was knocked out of the tournament by Wichita State. In both games, Olynyk played subpar and the team lost. Because of this, Olynyk's talent and draft stock was less valued by the NBA community. And when the Celtics moved up to pick him at 13th overall, many criticized their move.

     A couple of weeks later, after one day at the summer league, Olynyk is starting to prove all the doubters wrong. In the Celtic's first game against the Orlando Magic, Olynyk was an unstoppable force on the offensive end. With his huge seven foot frame, he has the size to be a back to the basket scorer in the NBA. However, that is not his true game. The former Gonzaga star showed he had all the makings of a prototypical stretch-four type of player. He scored around the basket but was comfortable from long range, hitting two three-pointers on the way to a 9-12 shooting performance. He also displayed adapt ball handling skills and an explosive first step. In fact, there was even a Kelly Olynyk and Fab Melo pick-and-roll. If Boston can get that to work...watch out.

Victor Oladipo may not work out as the franchise point guard, but will be fantastic for the Magic

     With word circulating that the Magic were interested in trying Victor Oladipo at the point guard position, there was considerable buzz surrounding the former Indiana standout on Sunday. Oladipo had one of the most impressive performances of the day, racking up 18 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and five steals. His high motor playing style was as present as ever. He was all over the place, and will be the definition of a stat sheet stuffer at the next level. I expect him to be a guy who can go for a triple-double on a regular basis (hopefully).

     When I first heard that Oladipo would be played at the point, I was very surprised and was a little doubtful of how his game would translate to the point position. But, as I quickly found out, I had no reason for my doubts. He showed great ability at the one. His ball-handling was tight and on point, as he often times shredded the double team on the way to the rim. As evident of his 7 assists, he had a great day passing the ball. While it remains to be seen whether or not he can sustain this position full-time, he will surely get minutes at the point in the upcoming season and beyond.

Trey Burke and Rudy Gobert had rough starts

     As the number one point guard in the draft, the Utah Jazz picked their franchise point guard for the future by trading for Trey Burke. Burke possesses great NBA intangibles and certainly will be mentally prepared to play point guard in the Association. However, his overall talents were not all there yesterday in Orlando. He shot just 1-12 (0-4 from three-point range) from the field, as he really struggled to get his shot off over larger defenders. While he did add 5 assists and 7 rebounds, his offensive game is questionable going forward.

     After trading for Trey Burke, the team made another move in trading for the 27th pick and taking French big man Rudy Gobert. Gobert is one of the boom or bust players with a huge upside for growth and maturity. However, he does not look like an NBA talent, at least for now. He was by far the least impressive rookie yesterday. He showed no real offensive ability, as most of his points were dunks, and was almost non-existent on the glass, grabbing only four rebounds. I was extremely disappointed in the way Gobert played, as he shied away from contact and let stronger players push him around down low. The 7'1" Frenchman only tallied 6 points and 4 rebounds. For now, he looks like a waste of a first round pick.

The Thunder may have found a diamond in the rough

     As I sat at home watching the Thunder and the Pacers square off, I was pretty amazed at some of the talent the Thunder had on their roster. Jeremy Lamb, Grant Jerrett, Steven Adams, and Dwight Buycks are all notable talents. However, Lamb is already a recoginized name and Adams played absolutely horrible. Except for Rudy Gobert (and if you count Colton Iverson), Steven Adams was the least impressive rookie yesterday. So that leaves Grant Jerrett and Dwight Buycks, two guys who had absolutely tremendous performances for OKC.

     Selected with the 40th pick in this year's draft, the Thunder were not expecting much from Grant Jerrett heading into Sunday. Since then, the team has gotten a lot more than what they have bargained for. Through one game (and two if you count this morning), Jerrett has been out of this world impressive on both ends of the court. Defensively, he has corralled rebounds and blocked shots with force, as he swatted Orlando Johnson off the backboard multiple times. As for the offensive end, he scored around the rim but also popped out to the outside, knocking down four three-point shots, on the way to 17 points.

     At the point guard postion, Dwight Buycks was sensational in leading a young Thunder team to their first victory in the 2013 Orlando Summer league. Buycks played overseas last season in a French League (that has considerable NBA talent) and was named the league's MVP. He carried his experience and basketball talent back to the states on Sunday, leading Oklahoma City to a victory. He was terrific on offense, getting to the rim with ease (and finishing) and dishing the rock to open teammates at the right times. From what I have seen, Buycks should make the OKC roster as a third option at point guard. His final totals included 12 points and 13 assists.

It was a good day to be a Plumlee

     The Orlando Summer League kicked off with two Plumlee brothers in the fray, Miles representing the Indiana Pacers and Mason representing the Brooklyn Nets. The former Duke big men were nothing short of spectacular during the first day in Orlando. While neither of them may play large minutes during the regular season, they are certainly showing why they were both first round draft picks.
    
     In the fourth game, Miles led his Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Plumlee's matchup was the twelfth overall pick in this year's draft, Steven Adams. Plumlee dominated Adams in and outside of the post. He used his strength and superior athleticism to get to the rim on offense and contest shots on defense. Plumlee had two major highlights of the day in Orlando. First, he threw down a tenacious two-handed reverse jam on the Thunder big men. Then, on the ensuing defensive possession, he charged across the lane and blocked a player's shot. Miles tallied nine points and nince rebounds as well. And to top it all of, he tied the Orlando Summer League record with six blocks. Lets see Mason top that.

     Playing right after his older brother, Mason started at center for what seemed like a very talent-lacking Brooklyn Nets squad. In one of the storylines of the day, new head coach Jason Kidd was coaching the team. We will sidetrack for a moment. At times, Kidd looked uncomfortable on the sideline. Much of the coaching was done by lead assistant Lawrence Frank. However, Kidd did receive a technical late in the game. Now, back to Plumlee. Mason had the highlight play of the day, taking the ball coast-to-coast, adding in a sweet spin move, and dunking over Kentavius Caldwell-Pope. He also added 10 points and 14 rebounds. Not too shabby Mason.

Plumlee Bro's Stat Line: 19 points, 23 rebounds.

Andre Drummond has no business in Orlando

     As I settled down to watch the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets square off in the last game of the day, I was a bit surprised to see Andre Drummond take the floor for Detroit. And after just a couple minutes of watching him, it was obvious that he has no business being in Orlando. The former UCONN star was a physical monster on both ends of the court. Aside from Mason Plumlee's coast-to-coast dunk, Drummond had the highlight of the day with a vicious put back dunk. It was more of a classic Dwight Howard-esque throwing the ball in the hoop rather than a dunk.

     The crowd was blown away with Miles Plumlee's six blocks (tied for the Orlando Summer League record) in the game before. Drummond had four in the first half. He was an intimidating force on both ends of the court. I will not be surprised if Drummond is sent home early, similar to how the Warriors sent Klay Thompson home after he dismantled the competition in last year's Las Vegas Summer League.

     On a side note, Detroit was by far the most exciting team to watch in yesterday's action. With a lineup of Peyton Siva, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, Kris Middleton, Tony Mitchell, and Drummond, the Pistons were without a doubt the most explosive team on the floor. While KCP had a rough shooting performance, Kris Middleton found his scoring touch, adding 16 points in the Piston's win. Also, former Missouri standout Kim English knocked down a pair of threes off the bench and played great defense for Detroit. The Pistons are my favorite to take home the 2013 Orlando Summer League title (If Drummond stays). 

The World Series of Basketball: Day 5

After capturing the 2013 World Series of Basketball title, can Jrue Holiday and the Californians win twice the gold with a victory in the NBA 2k13 simulation?  Zimbio/PHOTOCREDITS

     With the 2013 World Series of Basketball championship awarded to Team California, the NBA 2k13 simulation started to generate considerable buzz around the internet. Could any team defeat a starting five loaded with future NBA superstars? How would Illinois, New York, and Texas bounce back after a bitter defeat in the Final Four? Would Spain be able to steal a victory and bring the championship across international waters? Well, put away the questions because I have the answers.

     First off, lets go over the details of how this simulation was created. Each team was created via the create a team option on NBA 2k13. The five starters were added to each roster and then filled in with seven Fab Melos so the team would have a complete roster of 12 players. I chose Fab Melo because I wanted someone that would be absolutely worthless during the simulation. So with their five players and seven Melos, each team was created. However, the game only allows for ten teams to be created at once. This created a dilemma because my intent was to create 16 teams and have them face off against each other in the playoff mode. Instead, I could only create eight teams at a time and run their simulation through one side of the bracket, basically simulating the left side of the bracket before a game was played on the right side. Each series was a four game series. All fatigue and injuries were turned off and the five starters played the whole game to ensure that the games would mostly be between the five starters from each area (and not Fab Melo(s)). After a team had defeated all the other created teams, they were crowned the winner of that side of the bracket. I then repeated the process over again for the right side of the bracket. Then, to create the final series, the two champions were put into a first round matchup in playoff mode and played against each other. I would add pictures of the simulation but they turned out too blurry.

Simulation #1
     South Carolina def. Maryland, 4-2
     Illinois def. Spain, 4-1
     France def. Washington, 4-0
     Texas def. Indiana, 4-3

     Illinois def. South Carolina, 4-1
     Texas def. France, 4-2  

     Texas def. Illinois, 4-2

Simulation #2
     New York def. Pennsylvania, 4-3
     Georgia def. Kentucky, 4-1
     Louisiana def. Ohio, 4-3
     California def. New Jersey, 4-1

     Georgia def. New York, 4-0
     California def. Louisiana, 4-3

     California def. Georgia, 4-2

Championship
     California def. Texas, 4-1

Tournament MVP: Brook Lopez - 25.0 PPG, 13.4 RPG

Notable Stat Lines
     Kobe Bryant - 62 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists
     Josh Smith - 25.3 pts, 12.8 rebs, 10.3 asts (averages)
     Brook Lopez - 33 points, 21 rebounds
     Dwayne Wade - 53 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists
     James Harden - 41 points, 9 rebounds, 22 assists

 

  


 
     

The World Series of Basketball: Day 4

Can Carmelo Anthony lead the New York super team to the 2013 World Series of Basketball title?  Reuters/PHOTOCREDITS

   After three days of assembling each team, it is finally tournament time in the World Series of Basketball. With 34 teams making the cut (out of 54), the teams are locked and loaded with NBA talent. Some teams, such as Illinois and New York, look like front runners for the title, while teams like Minnesota look absolutely dreadful. Regardless, the skill level and unpredictability of the tournament should warrant sufficient satisfaction from this year's World Series of Basketball.

     The tournament itself is divided into 4 regions. Seeing that the country has already been divided up geographically, we will skip the conventional method (North, South, East, and West), and take one from Mother Nature (and Aristotle), which means the regions will be Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Now that the regions are settled, it's time to seed the tournament. I decided that randomly seeding the tournament would provide a more exciting and unbiased approach. With the help of a random number generator, the teams were placed into 34 seeds and put in their respective regions. Because there are 34 teams, the four lowest seeds overall will play two play-in games to determine which teams face the number one seeds in the Earth and Water Regions.

     Teams will advance through the tournament on Day 4 through my personal inquiry. Games will be picked on which team would most likely win the basketball game, without any personal bias towards particular players or states (But still, go Hoosier State). A champion will be crowned, making that team the 2013 World Series of Basketball Champion. Yet, if this is an entirely fictional tournament, the title has no real meaning. However, I've thought of a way to increase the stakes. After Day 4, the top 16 teams from today's tournament will be put into a NBA 2k13 Playoff Mode simulation tournament. This way, this year's World Series will be put into another dimension and give basketball fans another way to relate to the tournament. But that's a day away, so try and control your emotions till at least the rest of the article. And now, here is the 2013 World Series of Basketball Tournament.

Here is another look at all the teams invited to the tournament.
 
New England (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT)

Massachusetts – Michael Carter-Williams, Lazar Hayward, Jeff Adrien, Alex Oriakhi, Nerlens Noel

Mid-Atlantic (PA, NY, NJ, MD, DC, DE)

Pennsylvania – Dion Waiters, Kobe Bryant, Tyreke Evans, Markieff Morris, Dejaun Blair

New York – Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson, Carmelo Anthony, Andre Drummond, Roy Hibbert

New Jersey – J.R. Smith, Michael Kidd-Ghilchrist, Kenneth Faried, David West, Andrew Bynum

Maryland – Ty Lawson, Jarrett Jack, Victor Oladipo, Michael Beasley, Jeff Green

District of Columbia – Greivis Vasquez, Delonte West, Sam Young, Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant

Midwest (ND/SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO)

Minnesota – Nate Wolters, Jon Leuer, Mike Muscala, Kris Humphries, Joe Przybilla

Iowa – Kirk Hinrich, Kyle Korver, Harrison Barnes, Nick Collison, Patrick O’Bryant

Missouri – Ben McLemore, Bradley Beal, Alec Burks, Otto Porter, Tyler Hansbroug

Great Lakes (MI, WI, OH, IN, IL, KY)

Michigan – Jordan Crawford, Jason Richardson, Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin, JaVale McGee

Wisconsin – Devin Harris, Wesley Matthews, Caron Butler, Steve Novak, Carl Landry

Ohio – Trey Burke, Norris Cole, Lebron James, Jared Sullinger, Kosta Koufos

Indiana – Mike Conley Jr., Eric Gordon, Gordon Hayward, Zach Randolph, Cody Zeller

Illinois – Derrick Rose, Dwayne Wade, Evan Turner, Andre Iguodala, Anthony Davis

Kentucky – Rajon Rondo, Shelvin Mack, Nolan Smith, O.J. Mayo, Darius Miller

Southeast (VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TN)

Virginia – Kendall Marshall, J.J. Redick, Grant Hill, Mike Scott, Andray Blatche

North Carolina – Chris Paul, John Wall, Stephen Curry, Reggie Bullock, John Henson

South Carolina – Ramon Sessions, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Jordan Hill, Jermaine O’Neal

Georgia – Lou Williams, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, Josh Smith, Derrick Favors, Dwight Howard

Florida – Austin Rivers, Brandon Knight, Vince Carter, Chandler Parsons, Amare Stoudemire

Alabama – Eric Bledsoe, DeMarre Carroll, Jamario Moon, D.J. White, DeMarcus Cousins

Southwest (MS, LA, AR, TX, OK, CO, NM)

Mississippi – Isaiah Cannan, Mo Williams, Travis Outlaw, Romero Osby, Al Jefferson

Louisiana – D.J. Augustin, Danny Granger, Thaddeus Young, Paul Millsap, Greg Monroe

Texas – Deron Williams, Jimmy Butler, Chris Bosh, LaMarcus Aldridge, Emeka Okafor

Oklahoma – Kelenna Azubuike, Xavier Henry, Blake Griffin, Ekpe Udoh, Daniel Orton

Northwest (AK, WA, OR, ID, MT, WY)

Washington – Nate Robinson, Avery Bradley, Rodney Stuckey, Jamal Crawford, Spencer Hawes

Oregon – Terrence Ross, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Kyle Singler, Terrence Jones, Kevin Love

West (AZ, NV, UT, CA, HI)

Nevada – Pierre Jackson, C.J. Watson, Shabazz Mhammad, Armon Johnson, Luke Babbit

California – Jrue Holiday, James Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Brook Lopez

International

Argentina – Pablo Prigioni, Manu Ginobili, Carlos Delfino, Andres Nocioni, Luis Scola

Brazil – Leandro Barbosa, Nene Hilario, Tiago Splitter, Anderson Varejao, Fab Melo

Canada – Steve Nash, Cory Josesph, Anthony Bennett, Andrew Nicholson, Tristan Thompson

France – Tony Parker, Rodrigue Beaubois, Nicolas Batum, Boris Diaw, Joakim Noah

Spain – Ricky Rubio, Jose Calderon, Pau Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol

     Earth
          (1) Brazil v. (8) Winner of Missouri v. South Carolina
          (2) Illinois v. (7) District of Columbia
          (3) Spain v. (6) Michigan
          (4) Maryland v. (5) Minnesota
     Water
          (1) Pennsylvania v. (8) Winner of Nevada v. Oklahoma
          (2) Georgia v. (7) Argentina
          (3) Iowa v. (6) Kentucky
          (4) New York v. (5) Florida
     Air
          (1) Washington v. (8) Mississippi
          (2) Massachusetts v. (7) Indiana
          (3) Texas v. (6) Oregon
          (4) North Carolina v. (5) France
     Fire
          (1) Virginia v. (8) Ohio
          (2) Alabama v. (7) California
          (3) Wisconsin v. (6) New Jersey
          (4) Louisiana v. (5) Canada

Play-in Games
     South Carolina def. Missouri (101-99)
     Oklahoma def. Nevada (95 - 70)

First Round
     Earth                                     Water
       (8) South Carolina def. (1) Brazil                (1) Pennsylvania def. (8) Oklahoma
       (4) Maryland def. (5) Minnesota                  (4) New York def. (5) Florida
       (3) Spain def. (6) Michigan                          (6) Kentucky def. (3) Iowa
       (2) Illinois def. (7) District of Columbia        (2) Georgia def. (7) Argentina
     Air                                          Fire
       (1) Washington def. (8) Mississippi             (8) Ohio def. (1) Virginia
       (5) France def. (4) North Carolina               (4) Louisiana def. (5) Canada
       (3) Texas def. (6) Oregon                            (6) New Jersey def. (3) Wisconsin
       (7) Indiana def. (2) Massachusetts              (7) California def. (2) Alabama

Sweet Sixteen
     Earth                                     Water           
       (4) Maryland def. South Carolina              (4) New York def. (1) Pennsylvania
       (2) Illinois def. (3) Spain                            (2) Georgia def. (6) Kentucky
     Air                                          Fire
       (5) France def. (1) Washington                 (4) Louisiana def. (8) Ohio
       (3) Texas def. (7) Indiana                          (7) California def. (6) New Jersey

Elite Eight
     Earth                                     Water           
       (2) Illinois def. (4) Maryland                       (4) New York def. (2) Georgia
     Air                                          Fire
       (3) Texas def. (5) France                           (7) California def. (4) Louisiana

Final Four     
       (2) Illinois def. (3) Texas                                               
       (7) California def. (4) New York

Championship Game 
       (2) Illinois v. (7) California
          
         Derrick Rose          Jrue Holiday
         Dwayne Wade        James Harden
         Evan Turner           Paul George
         Andre Igoudala      Kawhi Leonard
         Anthony Davis       Brook Lopez

       California 125, Illinois 121
       Tournament MVP: James Harden