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We warn you to take this report out of Finland with more salt than you would use to make graavikala — traditional Finnish salt-cured fish. So a lot.
But the Finnish paper iltasanomat.fi is reporting Ron Artest has agreed to play “multiple games” with Loimaan Korikonkarit of the Finnish league (Ball in Europe has the translation and confirmation). These would be some preseason games, apparently, although if there is a lockout still going on it could be extended, te report says. That team has the same GM who three years ago brought in a 42-year-old Scottie Pippen for one game, and before that had Dennis Rodman for about as long (at the GM’s previous team).
If it were most players we’d blow this report off — the original paper in question apparently has a reputation for sensationalizing stories (according to a PBT reader in Finland). But this Metta World Peace we are talking about. It’s hard to rule anything out.
This reportedly is not tied to an NBA lockout, although it would almost have to be as it’s hard to see the Lakers okaying this. Artest is still under contract with the Lakers. And that could be a problem — players under contract in one NBA league need a “Letter of Clearance” from FIBA to compete in another league. FIBA has hinted they might grant these type of letters if the NBA locks out for the season. But would he get clearance to play in September, as the article suggests?
Artest himself has yet to comment.
Our reader on the ground said the Finnish league is far from the top of the European hoops food chain — American players tend to end up there after they have washed out of other European leagues. Finland is a hockey first country, but Artest would certainly draw some interest.
Not sure this is really going to happen. If fact, likely nothing will happen. But Metta World Peace has done stranger things.
Yahoo! Sports reports that the Celtics have a Hall of Famer coach looking for a job… as an assistant. Larry Brown reportedly is looking to join Doc Rivers’ team on the bench.
Despite Brown’s credentials and good relationship with Rivers, the Celtics coach is inclined to promote a well-regarded young assistant on his staff – Mike Longabardi – sources said. Nevertheless, Rivers hasn’t ruled out the idea of further discussing a spot for Brown on his bench next season.
Rivers agreed to a new five-year, $35 million contract in June, and the Celtics aren’t dying to pay for a high-profile assistant like they’ve had recently in Tom Thibodeau and Frank, sources said. And yet as one league source close to Brown said, “Larry would do this for less than the going rate.”
via Brown wants to join Celtics’ staff – NBA – Yahoo! Sports.
It’s an interesting idea, after both Tom Thibodeau and Lawrence Frank have departed the assistant roster for head coaching positions. The question is whether Brown would remain happy as an assistant and whether he’d be using this to rehab his image to get back into head coaching consideration after failing to secure interviews for several positions since being fired from the Bobcats.
Brown’s certainly got the reputation as a winner who has the players’ respect, but he’s also up there in age and you never want to risk complicating a good situation that works. We’ll have to see if the Celtics are willing to gamble with trying to fix what works or if they simply promote from within.
Saturday, NBA basketball was back. Okay, not really. But NBA players (or former, I guess, considering they’re locked out) played in the Philippines on Saturday in an exhibition against the PBA All-Stars. It was a huge event in the Philippines, with a raucous crowd chanting and cheering everything. Honestly, it was louder than about 95% of all arenas in the NBA. Let’s just say Kobe doesn’t get that kind of reception from his crowd, in-between taco chants. From the Philippino Star:
In return, Kobe Bryant and company, playing under the banner of SMART All-Star team, put on a show to remember, drubbing the PBA stars, 131-105, in the kickoff game of the Ultimate All-Star Weekend at the full-packed Araneta Coliseum tonight.
The game’s result was a foregone conclusion but the crowd waited with bated breath just every move the NBA stars made.
They were more exciting and more adorable up close and personal.
Also awed and thrilled were the PBA stars.
via NBA stars treat fans to memorable show – Home » Other Sections » Breaking News.
JaVale McGee led the way (who saw that coming?) with 25 points, including about seventeen missed layups and one coast-to-coast jam, while Kevin Durant has 22 and Derrick Williams 19. Derrick Rose had only nine points, but then, he didn’t have to score after that jam.
And not to be outdone, KD and James Harden got in the act:
A great time was had by all and another exhibition is set for tomorrow. It should serve as a reminder that these are the best players in the world, and they are irreplaceable. Their talents only last the length of their careers and we should appreciate them while we can.
Ahem… owners… ahem.
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Rumors had Andre Iguodala almost traded to the Lakers for Lamar Odom, to the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis, and to the Clippers for Chris Kaman.
None of it was true.
The Sixers may be gauging the market, but that is different than making a deal. No deal was really likely before the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was in place (nobody was taking on big salaries until they saw the new rules), but even now Iguodala does not expect a move, he told CSNPhilly.com.
“I can’t say I would be surprised, because I wouldn’t be surprised, but I am not expecting it to happen,” he said.
He then went on to say he would be happy to be a Sixer next season.
“I definitely enjoy being here,” Iguodala said at a local basketball camp on Saturday. “Evan [Turner] and I were speaking late last night. We had a really good conversation about how we can really play well together, how we can make each other better so we are looking forward to next year. We even talked about what we were going to do after practice next year. So I am definitely looking forward to improving myself and playing ball…
“Whatever happens will happen, that’s why I made the statement I did right when the season was over,” Iguodala said (he said he’d be happy to be in the NBA next season, not mentioning Philly). “I am just happy to be playing basketball in the NBA. That’s my childhood dream and then it kind of got taken out of context but who wouldn’t want to be living that dream? I am living the dream so why worry about things I can’t control.
“I am just happy to be in this position that when the season starts back up to be on a roster. Where do I want to be? It would be great to be back with the young guys along with Elton Brand and I think we have room to pick up a free agent, so it will be an exciting next year.”
So, Iggy is good with whatever, keep him or ship him out. It’s all very Zen of him. He sounds numb to the rumors. Which is good, because once there is a free agency period again, expect his name to start flying around in trade rumors. Just as it has the last couple seasons. But he is a Sixer when the season tips off, don’t be shocked. Iggy will not be.
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The Los Angeles Times reports on the status of the employees laid off from the Lakers in the wake of the lockout. The Lakers, who make approximately a bajillion dollars a year due to being the most popular team in the league in the second biggest market, tied with the most NBA championships and featuring one of the biggest stars in league history, canned multiple members of their basketball operations team. Most simply did not have their contracts renewed, which is often thought of as being different from being fired, but has the same effect in terms of, you know, not having a job.
From the Times:
Some were told their contracts would not be renewed and some were laid off. All told, about 20 Lakers employees are, or soon will be, looking for jobs, including some of Phil Jackson’s former coaching staff.
It was the manner in which they were let go by one of the most successful and profitable franchises in the NBA that bothered Lester.
“You think of the Lakers and you think they are a great organization,” Lester said. “But if you work inside the organization, it’s only a perception of being a great organization. It’s probably not a great organization, because great organizations don’t treat their personnel like they’ve done.”
via Lakers: Ronnie Lester speaks out as Lakers cut longtime employees – latimes.com.
Ouch.
Naturally people who no longer have their jobs are upset. That’s how people react in most instances. And that’s how this will be considered in most instances. But it does speak to the baffling nature of the events going on inside the Lakers organization that things have come off as poorly as they have. Lester also questioned why only basketball operations people were laid off from the Lakers. That follows the comments from Brian Shaw earlier in the month who wondered how members of a team that won five championships suddenly got the boot.
But changes come, and management wanted to go in a new direction. But judging from the public comments, questions about the leadership of Jim Buss and how things will be handled will continue for the foreseeable future.
AP
Every year somebody gets drafted in the second round and by December we’re already asking how so many teams missed on him. Call it the Landry Fields effect.
It’s impossible to predict who that will be out of the 2011 NBA Draft, but we can take a few guesses.
Here are some second rounders to watch — and to be happy when your team drafts him.
Jimmy Butler, 6’8” small forward, Marquette: Everybody wants this guy to make it. He has one of the best stories in the draft — kicked out of his home by his mother at 13 and made homeless, living on friends couches (playing hoops at the local high school) until a family took him in, ala the “Blind Side.” Thing is, the guy can play and impressed teams at his workouts. He actually has a little Landry Fields in him — one of those guys who can do a little bit of everything well. The key is he can defend so that should get him minutes.
Malcolm Lee, 6’5” shooting guard, UCLA: Speaking of guys who can defend — other teams have been bringing him in to work with the elite guys in this draft, because they know Lee will make them work or it. He’s long and athletic and guys who come out of UCLA seem to blossom as a pro in a way they do not for Ben Howland. He’s got to improve his shot — he hit just 29.5 percent from three last year.
E’Twaun Moore, 6’4” shooting guard, Purdue: He is a favorite second round sleeper for a lot of teams. If you can get a shooter in the second round that’s a winner, and he has NBA range (40 percent from three last season). Another guy with a well-rounded game. He’s not an explosive athlete and a bit small for the position, but he just plays tough.
Malcolm Thomas, 6’9” power forward, San Diego State: He was overshadowed by Kawhi Leonard but Thomas is a smooth player and good athlete who can finish at the rim. He is long, can defend and is a good shot blocker. There are concerns about his size at the four, and he doesn’t have an offensive game outside the paint (his offense is pretty raw generally) but teams are intrigued with his potential.
Diante Garrett, 6’4” point guard, Iowa State: He wasn’t drawing a lot of interest during the season, but when he got into workouts (starting at Portsmouth Invitational) teams liked what they saw. He’s a tall point guard with a quick first step. His natural inclination is to be a facilitator, but he needs to improve his shot and cut down the turnovers. This is a guy that may spend a year in the D-League, but a few years from now may be a quality rotation player.
From the office of “unnecessarily depressing news” comes word from TMZ that former Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis is being charged with sexual assault.
According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Francis allegedly “groped” a 20-year-old woman through her clothing in May 2010 … and the woman immediately went to the cops to file a complaint.
The alleged victim tells TMZ … she is a singer who was signed to Steve’s record label and on the day of the alleged incident, she had met Steve at an office to discuss her contract.
via Steve Francis Accused of Sexual Assault | TMZ.com.
Francis most recently played in China, but has been doing… whatever it is Steve Francis does after playing basketball, which apparently includes running a record label. Francis’ allegations mark a relatively quiet start to the NBA offseason, especially considering, or maybe because of the lockout, as very few NBA players (current or former) have been in legal difficulties, relative to previous year.
The fact that the police have yet to pursue charges in over a year since the charge was filed by the woman doesn’t speak well of the case , but of course, without knowing the details, speculation is dangerous (as always).
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This has been one of the most unusual run ups to a draft in years.
Traditionally the top shakes out pretty clearly, but in this draft there is no franchise cornerstone player at the top, and by pick three there are serious risks with every guy a team might take. Meanwhile, concern over what is ahead in the next labor deal has suppressed trades.
This is your place to stay up to date on who your team took, we will have quick notes up on what each pick was and what that means to each team. This is going to be fun, keep checking back for updates.
FIRST ROUND
No. 1, Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, 6’3” point guard, Duke: The deserving No. 1 pick in this draft, a quality point guard who the Cavaliers can use as a key piece in rebuilding. He’s a pure point guard — good at penetration but he is as likely to pass as shoot. Good court awareness. Good off the pick and roll, expect to see a lot of that in Cleveland. The only question is experience, he played just 11 games on his one and only year at Duke. He’s not the athlete/player that Derrick Rose is (or Chris Paul, or Deron Williams) and Cavs fans can’t expect that. But he will be good, an All-Star a couple times and is a piece to start a long rebuilding process with.
No. 2, Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, 6’9” forward, Arizona: One of the best athletes in the draft, and he’s a guy who is going to score at the NBA level. Plenty. He has a jumper with range (56 percent from three last season) but can put it on the floor, blow by and finish at the rim. He works well in isolation or in the post. He can defend (although there are questions about his rebounding). The only real knock is he is a tweener — he says he’s a three, scouts say he’s an undersized four. If he scores, it doesn’t matter how you want to define it.
No. 3, Utah Jazz: Enes Kanter, 6’11” center, Turkey (via Kentucky): Nobody has seen him play a game in more than a year (talk to the NCAA), but his potential is such that here we are with him as a No. 3 pick. He’s got an NBA body and will bang inside, but he’s got soft hands and can do a little bit of everything on offense. He has an outside shot, so he can be a pick-and-pop target. He’s not a crazy athlete at center, but he will make the smart play (kind of Kevin Love style, although he has a long way to go to be that good). Needs to work on his defense, but a lot of potential here.
No. 4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson, 6’9” power forward, Texas: This pick is a bit of a surprise. There is a lot of potential here, but if you just watched him in the NCAA Tournament and big games you might not have seen it. As a freshman, against other top teams, he didn’t impress. That said he is long, a good shot blocker, rebounds and brings a lot of effort every time out. He is raw on offense and needs a perimeter game, which is why this pick is a bit of a surprise (the Cavs need scoring). But clearly they think he can develop it (or they picked it for a trade….). Highest pick ever of a Canadian-born player.
No. 5, Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas, 6’11” center, Lithuania: Yes, the Raptors took another Euro, but this was the right move. This pick is about potential, he is not going to contribute a lot this season but five years from now he could be the best player out of this draft. It’s a gamble, but one with a high ceiling — he has Nowitzki-lite potential. There’s just a lot of work to get to that place. Valanciunas has a long wingspan but he needs to put on some weight. He has soft hands is good as the roll man from the high post. He makes a lot of energy plays but he needs to clean up his footwork, jumper, ball handling, and passing. Still, the tools are there.
No. 6, Washington Wizards: Jan Vesley, 6’11” forward, Czech Republic: You had a feeling this was coming when the Wizards invited people from the Czech embassy to their lottery party. He’s long, can defend and plays with good energy. The guy he most gets compared to is Andrei Kirilenko. He really needs to work on his shot and make it consistent, and he needs to put on some muscle to be another AK-47, but that is the style of play.
No. 7, Sacramento Kings: Bismack Biyombo, 6’8” power forward, Congo: This pick was made for the Charlotte Bobcats, as part of a trade to be formalized later. This is a potentially brilliant pick, because there may be no more physically gifted player in the draft. He has a freakish 7’6” wingspan and led the Spanish ABC league in blocked shots last season. He can defend and board. But his offense makes Joel Anthony look polished. He had a terrible Eurocamp on offense, but teams see the athleticism and think his offense can be fixed. If his offense does comes around he could be a stud. This guy is boom or bust.
No. 8, Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight, 6’3” point guard, Kentucky: A lot of potential here, but a guy who looked raw at times for the Wildcats during the pressure of the NCAA Tournament — he had two 30 point games but shot just 33 percent for the tournament. He’s a score-first point guard who needs to learn to play more of a team game (so he’s an odd fit next to Rodney Stuckey, and the Pistons are point guard heavy now), but his physical skills are impressive. He is fast and knows how to finish in the lane. What teams like best is a high hoops IQ and a real competitive spirit. He’s going to get better year and become a quality starter in the league.
No. 9, Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker, 6’1” point guard, Connecticut: You will not question his heart or toughness, or you won’t if you saw him lead his team to the NCAA championship (and win tourney MVP on the way). The guy is a warrior and will be a locker room leader. He’s also very quick, is fantastic in transition, and can get in the lane in the half court. The problem is he’s a shoot first point guard and his shot is inconsistent. There are doubts he can be a true passing point, but that may not matter with his other skills.
No.10, Milwaukee Bucks: Jimmer Fredette, 6’3” point guard, BYU: This pick was made for the Sacramento Kings, as part of a trade. One of the more controversial draft figures among scouts. He can shoot the rock (28.9 points per game last season) and impressed in workouts with his ability to create his own shot. There are serious questions about his defense and how his game will translate. He and Tyreke Evans could make an interesting (and potentially good) backcourt combo, Evans driving and Fredette spotting up, or Evans in transition and Fredette running to the arc. The Kings need to play at a fast pace — like they did last season — for him to be at his best.
No. 11, Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson, 6’7” guard/forward, Washington State: Mamma, there goes that man. Thompson is the best pure shooter in the draft. He is great coming off screens, has a quick and high release, and he has NBA range. But he’s not a great athlete — he won’t create his own shot and defense is going to be an issue. This pick seems to cement that the Warriors will trade either Monta Ellis (who had a lot of rumors and was shopped) or Stephen Curry. You can see Thompson as part of a high-scoring back court with either one.
No. 12, Utah Jazz: Alec Burks, 6’6” shooting guard, Colorado: The Jazz went into this draft wanting a big and a shooting guard with their two lottery picks, and they got it. A fluid athlete who used that to create a lot of shots at Colorado. He’s got a versatile game and one of those guys who just finds a way to score, a creative slasher to the rim. His jumper was a question mark. He moved up draft boards as his mechanics got better at the NBA Draft combine and at workouts — it needs to, he shot just 29 percent from three in college. We’ll see how he adjusts to a team with a tight system, at Colorado it was more free flowing and he had a constant green light.
No. 13, Phoenix Suns: Markieff Morris, 6’10” power forward, Kansas: He is a little bit bigger but not as skilled as his twin brother Marcus. He finishes well at the rim and this past season developed a good outside shot (42 percent from three his seniors season). Which makes him a pick-and-pop threat, if only the Suns had a guy good at running that play at the point…. oh, yea, they do. He can defend well and while not quite as aggressive as his brother he can create offense.
No. 14, Houston Rockets: Marcus Morris, 6’9” power forward, Kansas: Back to back twin brother picks, that’s kind of cool, even for those of us pretending to be jaded. He was the leading scorer for one of the best teams in the nation last season in part due to his versatile game. He has a good back-to-the-basket game, works hard and can rebound. He has a jump shot you need to respect (needs to improve it, but it’s nice) and he can put the ball on the floor and get around you. We’ll see how he does against the top athletes night in and night out, but he has some polish to his game and will score at the next level.
No. 15, Indiana Pacers: Kawhi Leonard, 6’7” small forward, San Diego State: Ranked by many as the best three in the draft, (although mostly on potential), there is great value with this pick at 15 . He is a good athlete (despite putting up average testing numbers at the combine) and he brings amazing determined effort every game. He can come in and give a team defense and rebounding, but his offense needs work. It’s going to be a year or two before he can really contribute on offense, but he should be a good rotation wing player in the future. All sorts of rumors that Leonard will be traded to the Spurs for George Hill, something to watch.
No. 16, Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Vucevic, 7’0” center, USC: This is a good pick for a team that started Spencer Hawes at center for 81 games last season. Vucevic turned heads at the NBA Draft Combine when he measured as the biggest guy there (seven foot, 260 pounds). He’s got a real NBA center build. He has a good midrange jumper and he has soft hands. He has a good back-to-the-basket post game. He has impressed at workouts and moved up the draft boards. He’s not a great athlete, but he’s smart and there are a lot of big centers who have had good careers with his kind of game.
No. 17, New York Knicks: Iman Shumpert, 6’5” guard, Georgia Tech: Knicks fans are booing and then saying “who?” But this is not a bad pick from them. Shumpert is an absolutely ridiculous athlete who stole the show at the NBA Draft Combine with a 42 in vertical and a 36.5 inch standing vertical. You can see how dangerous that would be in transition. Problem is, he’s a turnover prone guard who can’t shoot well. He’s a real project you can expect to see in the D-League next year (for at least some time). However, scouts love his potential.
No. 18, Washington Wizards: Chris Singleton, 6’9” small forward, Florida State: Considered the best perimeter defender in the draft, and that is something the Wizards can use. Lock down defenders matter. But his offensive game in the half court is a mess, he doesn’t score and finish well in the paint for a big man. His jump shooting numbers are okay, but he is inconsistent. He is a good finisher in transition, which is nice to have next to John Wall (if the Wizards would just run more).There are questions about his desire.
No. 19, Charlotte Bobcats: Tobias Harris, 6’8” forward, Tennessee: This pick is going to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a much-discussed trade. The upside is this guy is Mr. Versatility, he can play either forward spot, inside or outside, is smart and does a lot of things well. But he does nothing great and there are questions about his athleticism at the next level.
No. 20, Minnesota Timberwolves: Donatas Motiejunas, 7’0” Center, Lithuania: He is a stereotypical European big man in the Andrea Bargnani mold (a poor man’s version right now). Which means he can shoot fairly well from the outside but don’t expect the seven footer to hang out in the paint and be productive. He is a stretch four. Some will be turned off by this description, but where he was selected a guy who can score from the outside can work (if he paired with a big defensive center… which may be an issue in Minnesota). It appears he has been traded to Houston.
No. 21, Portland Trail Blazers: Nolan Smith, 6’4” guard, Duke: When Kyrie Irving got injured for Duke he took over at the point for the season, but he really is a combo guard. He’s a solid athlete who is strong and can get in the lane, and just has a knack for scoring. Good all around player, but not great at any one thing and not a dynamic athlete for the NBA level. He should be a solid pro.
No. 22, Denver Nuggets: Kenneth Faried, 6’8” power forward, Morehead State: Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan may have summed up Faried best, “He does everything hard. He ties his shoes hard.” Not the most skilled guy ever but makes up for it with insane effort and desire. Think Ronny Turiaf. Destined to be a fan favorite in Denver (and of George Karl).
No. 23, Houston Rockets: Nikola Mirotic, 6’10” power forward, Serbia: Through a series of trades, he will end up with the Chicago Bulls. Eventually. Maybe the most experienced player in this draft, having been at the highest levels of Europe for years, playing for powerhouse Real Madrid. And he will play there longer, there are serious questions about his buyout (it could be four years before he is in the NBA). He will make a good stretch four, a spot up shooter with range. He is very smart, can drive and is an excellent passer. The only question is how he will adapt to the NBA as he is not as athletic as the guys he will go up against here.
No. 24, Oklahoma City Thunder: Reggie Jackson, 6’3” point guard, Boston College: He is my favorite sleeper in the draft. He has a freakish wingspan (7’0”) and in this era where you can’t touch a guy on the perimeter his quickness will get him into the paint (where he is good at kickout passes). He needs to work on his shooting (27 percent from three) and his hoops IQ needs to mature. But there is a player in there. That he is in as a backup point to Russell Westbrook means look for a trade of Eric Maynor this summer (after the lockout).
No. 25 Boston Celtics: Marshon Brooks, 6’5” shooting guard, Providence: He is headed to the New Jersey Nets as part of a trade. He was one of the winners at the NBA Draft Combine and has shot up the draft boards through workouts. He’s long (7’1” wingspan) and is quick off the dribble. At Providence he had to carry the load on offense and he showed he can score with the jumper or on the drive. The man is a scoring machine. But he also was a ball dominating guard who took a lot of questionable shots in college. Also, he’s got to play better defense than he did in college. But scouts love this guy, lots of potential here.
No. 26, Dallas Mavericks: Jordan Hamilton, 6’8” small forward, Texas: He is on his way to Portland as part of a three-team trade bringing the Mavericks Rudy Fernandez. A dynamic athlete who didn’t always get the chance to show that off in Texas’ grind-it-out offense. He has a good perimeter jump shot, can create his own shot and can finish in the lane. He was a volume scorer at Texas who will not have that same green light in the NBA, and his shot selection was at times questionable. He fell down the draft board because of serious concerns by teams about his attitude.
No. 27, New Jersey Nets: JaJuan Johnson, 6’10” power forward, Purdue: He is headed to Boston as part of a proposed trade. He’s one of those guys who is good at a lot of things, but there are questions if he can do them at the next level against better athletes. He is a well-rounded big man who can play inside or out on the perimeter as a spot up, pick-and-pop guy. Watch film and you see a nice little fade away (over either shoulder) and a hook shot in the lane. He’s long and athletic. There’s a lot to like here, but he has to get stronger to play inside and improve his shot to be more consistent on the perimeter.
No. 28, Chicago Bulls: Norris Cole, 6’2” point guard, Cleveland State: He is on his way to Miami in a series of trades, where they need a point guard and he will get a chance to earn minutes. He is a well rounded, true point guard who got much better through college and does a little bit of everything well. He can shoot, pass and plays a smart game. But he is not a great athlete, the question is can he develop a floater and some things he’ll need at the next level when he can’t get to the rim and the foul line with the same ease. The way he developed in college, don’t bet against him.
No. 29, San Antonio Spurs: Cory Joseph, 6’3″ guard, Texas: This is a bit of a surprise, he was expected to go in the late second round, but one is careful when questioning the Spurs. He’s very quick and can get into the lane, but also is a good shooter (41.3 percent from three). He can defend as well. The knock is that he played like a two guard with the size of a one guard, is not a spectacular athlete and can turn it over too much. But the Spurs saw something they liked.
No. 30, Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler, 6’8” small forward, Marquette: One of the very best stories in the draft, a guy kicked out of his home by his mother at 13 and made homeless, he bounced around for four years (playing hoops but sleeping on different friends couches) until a family took him in. Butler has impressed in workouts and blown teams away in the interview process. He can do a little bit of everything well, may be this year’s Landry Fields. He can defend so that should get him minutes.
SECOND ROUND
No. 31, Miami Heat: Bojan Bogdanovic, 6’7” shooting guard or small forward, Bosnia: He is on his way to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a trade. He has shown himself to be a good scoring wing against some of the top level play in Europe. He can drive, has a nice midrange game and plays a very smart. The only concern is he is not a great athlete and how will he adapt to the NBA. It may be a couple years before we find out, contract may keep him stashed in Europe for a couple years.
No. 32, Cleveland Cavaliers: Justin Harper, 6’9” forward, Richmond: He was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he makes some sense in their system. He is projected as a stretch four in the NBA, and he shot 44.8 percent from three in his senior season in college. He tends to live on the perimeter. The issue is he still needs to rebound and defend inside and that’s where the questions are. But he can shoot.
No. 33, Detroit Pistons: Kyle Singler, 6’8” forward, Duke: He’s a college legend you would think makes a good stretch four at the NBA level, except he shot just 32.1 percent from three last season. Questions abound about his athleticism and defense.
No. 34, Washington Wizards: Shelvin Mack, 6’2” point guard, Butler: Everyone’s favorite scrappy point guard from the NCAA tournament. He’s not an explosive long athlete but he is strong and smart. He can score — his first couple seasons he was more facilitator and spot up shooter, he was forced to create more offense this past season and showed he can do that some, too. He struggled this season against the elite athletes he will see in the NBA. But he will be a solid backup PG. Very mentally tough.
No. 35, Sacramento Kings: Tyler Honeycutt, 6’8” forward, UCLA: He had an inconsistent college career but has a lot of potential. He is a good on-ball defender, can pass well and has a good hoops IQ. He shot well in some workouts. UCLA guys get to the NBA and seem to make impacts.
No. 36, New Jersey Nets: Jordan Williams, 6’9” center, Maryland: He’s physically strong and with that is one of the best rebounders in the draft. He worked hard, got in shape for the combine and tried to show off a midrange game. He needs to develop one because he is not big and athletic enough to play in the post in the NBA. If he develops an outside shot he can be a solid four off the bench who can pick-and-pop.
No. 37, Los Angeles Clippers: Trey Thompkins, 6’10” power forward, Georgia: Everyone keeps expecting him to make a leap to live up to his potential, but we have not seen that. If he does this is a steal. He has good size and has nice form on his jump shot — one of the problems is that his shooting was really off for stretches of last season. He can be physical, he has handles for his size, he can board. Scouts had concerns about conditioning (and with that work ethic).
No. 38, Houston Rockets: Chandler Parsons, 6’10” small forward, Florida: He’s a guy who can do a lot of things well but nothing great. His shooting got better each year he was at Florida, he has range on his shot but it is not consistent. He’s not a great athlete but he plays a smart game. The two real questions are if he can put on muscle to deal with the men at the next level, and the bigger question is about consistent effort. Scouts say he takes plays off.
No. 39, Charlotte Bobcats: Jeremy Tyler, 6’11” power forward, Japanese league: He has been traded to the Golden State Warriors. Remember a couple years ago when one of the nation’s top college prospects skipped out on his high school senior season to play professional ball in Europe? That’s Jeremy Tyler. He struggled overseas but he has real NBA size athleticism. He has a bit of a faceup game. The bottom line is there are real questions about his maturity and his internal drive — will he put out the efforts in practices and every game? If he can do that he will be a solid to good NBA player. In the second round he is worth the risk.
No. 40, Milwaukee Bucks: Jon Leuer, 6’11” power forward, Wisconsin: He doesn’t have to leave the state. A polished big man who had a very productive college career. He’s a four who can step out on the wings (hit 37 percent of his threes last season), can create his shot off the dribble and is a good ball handler for his size. At the NBA level he’ll face better athletes and he needs to get stronger, but he can step in and give backup minutes. Think a poor man’s Troy Murphy (at Troy’s peak).
No. 41, Los Angeles Lakers: Darius Morris, 6’5” point guard, Michigan: He took big steps forward last season. He’s long and he has good court vision and is a passing point who also can get into the lane, create and finish (although that will be harder for him in the NBA). He needs to take care of the ball and there are questions about how he will defend at the NBA level, but he should be a solid backup point for a team with a little more development (like any kind of outside shot). And the Lakers are looking for point guards.
No. 42, Indiana Pacers: Davis Bertans, 6’10” small forward, Latvia: He is expected to be traded to the San Antonio Spurs. Trying his best to fit the stereotype, Bertans is a big European who likes to play on the perimeter. The guy can shoot the rock and is a deft passer, has a quick release on his shot. He killed it in workouts but struggled in games. He will be stashed in Europe for a couple years.
No. 43, Chicago Bulls: Malcolm Lee, 6’5” shooting guard, UCLA: Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls will love him. When other teams were bringing in the guards at the very top of this draft to work out, they often tried to bring in Lee to work out against them and defend them, so they could see how those guys dealt with a good NBA defender. He’s long and athletic but he he’s a shooting guard who shot 29.5 percent from three last year. But if he defends he can see the court in Chicago.
No. 44, Golden State Warriors: Charles Jenkins, 6’3” point guard, Hofstra: This is the guy with those game-winning buzzer beaters against William and Mary you kept watching on YouTube. He has a good jumper with NBA three range (he hit 42 percent last year in college) and he is strong and can drive and draw fouls. He was the team with a constant green light in college, can he adjust to being a bit player? This is a big step up for him in terms of athleticism and level of play, we’ll see how he handles it. Still, good value, he was a bubble first rounder on most boards.
No. 45, New Orleans Hornets: Josh Harrellson, 6’10″ center, Kentucky: The Hornets sold this pick to the Knicks. He had a very good NCAA Tournament and improved as the season went on. He showed some real toughness. While he is a big body he’s not really big by NBA standards and he’s not that athletic. When the Wildcats had real big talent inside last season (DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton) Harrellson couldn’t get off the bench, but he was thrust into a key role this year.
No. 46, Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Goudelock, 6’3″ point guard, University of Charleston. He wowed people at the Portsmouth Invitational with a great shooting range (he hit 40 percent from three last season), and he was scoring on catch-and-shoots as well as off the dribble. But he struggled on defense, as he had all season. He’s point guard sized but is really an undersized two guard and not a great athlete. A very Mitch Kupchak pick — he loves guys who can shoot, even if they can do little else.
No. 47, Los Angeles Clippers: Travis Leslie, 6’4” shooting guard, Georgia: We say shooting guard but wing player may be the better description. Fans will love him, he’s a dynamic athlete who plays above the rim (so the Clippers have another guy who can throw down wicked dunks). His game is about using that athleticism to drive the paint and score or get fouled. But he’s small for a shooting guard and he can’t shoot that well. He hit just 30.2 percent from three last year. Has to figure out how to defend and how to knock down outside shots to really stick in the NBA.
No. 48, Atlanta Hawks: Keith Benson, 6’11” power forward/center, Oakland: A big man being drafted on potential — he is 6’11’ with a 7’4” wingspan who is a very good athlete, can run the floor and has a little midrange game. He looks good on paper but he needs to get stronger and refine his game. He needs to be a better defender to stick in the NBA, and at this level he cannot take plays off anymore. This isn’t college.
No. 49, Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Selby, 6’3” point guard, Kansas: He’s an explosive athlete and in one-on-one and open court situations can get to the rim and score. He also can be a ball-dominating guard with poor shot selection He hit just 37 percent of his shots last season. He’s got to adjust to being an NBA point guard, but his athleticism makes him a potentially good pick and a good value this deep in the second round.
No. 50, Philadelphia 76ers: Lavoy Allen, 6’9″ power forward, Temple: He’s got good size for an NBA forward to play inside, he’s a good rebounder and he has soft hands. In the Atlantic 10, he could score almost whenever he wanted to. But there are serious questions about his motivation and effort, and that was a red flag for a lot of teams.
No. 51, Portland Trail Blazers: Jon Diebler, 6’6″ shooting guard, Ohio State: The guy can shoot — he hit 50.2 percent from three last season. He’s not a great athlete and he is not going to create his own shot at the next level (or be a great defender), but he is a catch-and-shoot guy who will knock it down (if not here in Europe).
No. 52, Detroit Pistons: Vernon Macklin, 6’9″ power forward, Florida: He has NBA size and length, and is pretty athletic, he can score in the paint (especially in transition). He has no perimeter game. There are questions about his intensity but he is a good risk in the second round because if he could develop he has the athleticism to play in the NBA.
No. 53, Orlando Magic: DeAndre Liggins, 6’6″ shooting guard, Kentucky: He has great size for a shooting guard and hit hit 39 percent from three last season. But where he will make it in the NBA is as a perimeter defender, that is his strength. He’s not a great scorer but if he can defend well and become a trusted outside shooter Orlando might have a use for him.
No. 54, Cleveland Cavaliers: Milan Macvan, 6’9″ power forward, Serbia: He’s not a great athlete but he makes up for it by always seeming to make the right play. He can shoot well, pass, works hard to get boards and isn’t afraid of contact. Basically think a poor man’s Kevin Love. A very poor man. But you get the idea. He’s not coming to the NBA for a few years at least.
No. 55, Boston Celtics: E’Twaun Moore, 6’4” shooting guard, Purdue: Very smart pick by the Celtics, he was a favorite second round sleeper for a lot of teams. He’s a very good shooter with NBA range (40 percent from three) and a guy who can do a little bit of everything well. He’s not an explosive athlete and a bit small for the position, but he just plays tough and smart. Not going to be a star, but Doc Rivers is going to like him.
No. 56, Los Angeles Lakers: Chukwudiebere Maduabum, 6’9″ power forward, Bakersfield Jam of the D-League: He was later traded to Denver for a future second rounder. After that I have no idea. I know his nickname is Chu Chu and he is Nigerian. Apparently athletic but very raw. Nice to see a guy drafted out of the D-League. That’s all I got.
No. 57, Dallas Mavericks: Tanguy Ngombo, 6’6″ small forward, Qatar: He will be traded to Portland then on to Minnesota. Not that he will ever play there. Again, no idea who this is, he isn’t even on anyone’s top 100 list of prospects. But, first guy I ever remember being drafted from Qatar.
No. 58, Los Angeles Lakers: Ater Majok, 6’10″ power forward, Sudan: This is a guy who spent a year at UConn in the Big East but barely saw the floor, is now playing in Australia. Another big guy (7’7″ wingspan) who is athletic but doesn’t have NBA skills. This is the third pick in a row where the team is reaching for some wild gem nobody knows about, when there are actual quality players who might help an NBA team or at least make an NBA roster left on the board.
No. 59, San Antonio Spurs: Adam Hanga, 6’7″ shooting guard, Hungary: He is long and he is athletic, one of the best players in the Hungarian league (where the good talent is usually imported not home-grown). He can drive the lane and shoot with good range. But he has done that against inferior talent. He needs to put on some muscle, but of all the late-draft reaches this one isn’t a bad choice.
No. 60, Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Thomas, 5’10 point guard, Washington: He got that name because his dad was a Lakers fan who lost a bet to a Piston’s fan. Seriously. He’s small for the position but he is physically strong and he is a good leader who plays a smart game. He has a nice shot. He may not pan out at the next level, but this was a good pick this late in the draft.
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Things are different in Europe. What people consider an old building does not mean it went up in 1960. Roads are narrower, the cars smaller. Beer is stronger (which is nice) and the meal portions are generally smaller (which would be good for most Americans anyway).
And for all those American-born NBA guys thinking of heading overseas, the basketball is different, too. Very different.
Marcus Williams — the former UConn star who was a first round pick of the Nets and played four NBA seasons — has spent the last couple years playing in Europe. He likes it, he told Dime Magazine.
But he warned that the NBA players thinking of flooding the European market during the lockout will find this a very different game.
I think the gameplay is a complete 180. Here, there’s more space it seems like and it’s more open, it’s more free world. Over there a lot of the game is half-court, a lot of the offense…like if you get a fast break somebody will foul you before you actually get the fast break started. They don’t really want the game to be up and down, and that makes it difficult for players who like to run.
It’s a lot more physical over there as far as fouls not being called. It’s just completely different from here. Completely different. And I think as foreigners, you don’t really get as many calls as the guys who are from there. They tend to take it a little rough on you.
Throw in the challenges with different foods, different languages and a very different lifestyle, and it’s not easy for everyone.
Which a few guys may learn the hard way.
Yao Ming was the face of David Stern’s dream of NBA globalization.
The 7’6” center was an eight-time NBA All-Star — a few of those years he actually deserved it — and a huge presence in America and China. Basketball is booming in China and Yao was a big part of that and the reason the NBA was able to start making inroads in the world’s most populous nation.
But now that he is gone, will China look away? Some people told the Associated Press yes.
“What’s the point of watching NBA now?” asked an online user called Lubingxia on Sina Weibo, a Chinese Twitter-like site.
An online poll on Weibo by Monday lunchtime showed that 57 percent of respondents would stop watching the NBA after Yao’s retirement…
“It is Yao Ming who makes the kids in China like basketball and it’s also Yao Ming who makes the kids know how a real professional basketball player should be,” said Xu Jicheng, a longtime basketball commentator.
With younger generations, other NBA stars have made inroads — Kobe Bryant has sold more jerseys in China than Yao in recent years. The NBA has its foot in the door for future stars to walk through. What Yao did was open the door in a way that Yi Jianlian could not have. While some Chinese may now turn away, many will not.
There will never be another Yao Ming. But what he did for the NBA in China and other countries will not ever be changed.
