Post by BANNAK on Apr 17, 2015 7:39:10 GMT
Going to try a sort of SportsCentre approach; incorporating both stats and a story-line or two to make things a bit more interesting. Just a change up from the ordinary.
1. Len Bias - SF - Minnesota Timberwolves
19ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.3apg, 50% from 3
Grade: A
While some may question Bias' attitude after being found by police with cocaine in his possession, he has certainly turned things around. A stint in rehab before training camp has seemingly refocused his entire mind-set heading into the season. Already showing glimpses of his best (a 32 point outburst already this season), Bias and Richmond have gelled together perfectly, taking a team many considered to be lottery bound to .500 over their first 14 games. His size and strength should improve, which will no doubt improve his defensive capabilities. When the defense comes together with the already flourishing offensive game, the future is bright for Bias.
2. Alonzo Mourning - C - Atlanta Hawks
8.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.5bpg, 22 mins per game
Grade: B+
Rumours are circulating around media outlets that the Atlanta Hawks might face sanctions in regards to Free Agent tampering. Many believe the Hawks reached out to Trey Mourning before June's draft, promising to select his cousin Alonzo (the cousins are extremely close) so long as Trey signed with Atlanta in July. The Hawks were close to selecting Gary Payton with the 2nd pick but ultimately chose Alonzo, who is showing promise in a backup role. His 10 point, 10 rebound, 9 block game early in the season has many fans in Atlanta excited about just how good Alonzo could become, with his cousin as his mentor.
3. Dikembe Mutombo - C- Seattle Supersonics
9.3ppg, 12.3rpg, 4.9bpg
Grade: A+
Much has been made about the now infamous Alonzo Mourning/Dikembe Mutombo fight in the NCAA final earlier this year. The two most dominant defensive big men in recent memory formed a duo to be feared, but after the falling out, now are bitter rivals. When Zo was taking before Dikembe, he saw it as a personal insult. So much so that he has gone out to prove he should have been the Number 1 pick. And he isn't disappointing; leading the league in blocks at an astonishing 5 per game, and also collecting 12 boards as well. Well on his way to winning rookie of the year honours.
4. Gary Payton - PG - Brooklyn Nets
13.5ppg, 7.6apg, 2.9spg
Grade: A
Payton always plays with a chip on his shoulder. After coming from a moderately sized school in Oregon State, Payton found himself at the draft combine alongside college stars from big schools like Mourning and Mutumbo from Georgetown. Payton dominated the combine, even going so far as to getting in a pushing contest with several rookies on different occasions. His work ethic showed off with several teams debating whether they wanted to trade up and select him. Ultimately he was picked by Brooklyn, and his abilities to play as a pass-first, defensive style point guard were on display. It is seemingly developing into a 3 way race for RoTY honours between Bias, Mutumbo and Payton.
5. Glen Rice - SF - Charlotte Hornets
6.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg
Grade: C+
Fresh off of a sex tape with a STD-ridden Alaskian news anchor ( deadspin.com/5841835/all-the-details-of-the-sarah-palin-glen-rice-coitus-youve-been-waiting-for ), it seems as if Glen Rice's penis is the only thing that is currently on fire. Shooting below 40% from the field, many expected Rice to have a better start to his rookie campaign. Many believe this is just a phase and a side-effect to the herpes treatment, but at the moment, Rice is not living up to expectations as the 5th pick in a stacked draft such as this.
6. Larry Johnson - PF - Brooklyn Nets
15.5ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.2spg
Grade: A
The second of Brooklyn's picks, Larry Johnson has surprised many people. Putting up 15.5ppg and grabbing nearly 10 boards, Johnson has ensured Brooklyn's future is very bright. One downside though is despite his high points output, he is only shooting 42% from the field. If that could get closer to 50% the guy could turn out to be very scary. The three man race for rookie of the year just expanded to four, and to the joy of Brooklyn fans, they have two hats in that circle.
7. Vlade Divac - C - Miami Heat
6.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.4bpg
Grade: B-
Not much is known about Vlade Divac. He came to America on a boat long ago, searching for the American Dream. Always tall for his age, Vlade was discovered at the age of 8 by renowned coach Mickey Goldmill. Goldmill had some unusual training routines, namely using martial arts and boxing training to keep Vlade's fitness up. As a result of Vlade not speaking English, he did not realise Goldmill was in fact a boxing coach. Some might attribute this to the fact Vlade is athletically at an NBA level, but his fundamentals aren't. With proper staff at the Heat, Vlade should show improvement. Currently the majority of his points are coming simply from hustle plays. His play has been a little Rocky at best.
8. Earl Manigault - SG - Charlotte Hornets
16.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.6apg
Grade: A
Some may doubt whether or not Earl is coachable, coming from a streetball origin. This led many to believe he had already reached his peak in terms of his play. Still, after getting traded from Portland to Charlotte, The Goat has begun his rookie season off well. Scoring at 16ppg on a very solid 47%, many consider Earl the most NBA ready of any rookie players. Only time will tell, however, if Earl has peaked, or if he is able to accept coaching from the staff in Charlotte and improve to a higher level of player.
9. Derrick Coleman - PF - Sacramento Kings
4 pizzas per day, 9 ice-creams per hour
Grade: B-
Derrick Coleman is the man of mystery in this draft. Touted as an amazing prospect and a once in a generation player, his attitude and lack of dieting/conditioning has lead to him not being up to NBA standards. The fundamentals are all there, all that is missing, however, is the mindset and the body. If Coleman can get his mind right, this could end up being the steal of the draft.
10. Tim Hardaway - PG - Philadelphia 76ers
2.4ppg, 1.4apg
Grade: B-
Coming into the draft there was a lot of hype surrounding Hardaway, however unluckily for him, he is currently behind Tiny Archibald in the depth charts who is having an amazing year. With the Sixers sitting pretty at 9-1, it doesn't seem likely Hardaway will see many minutes in his rookie campaign. However there could be hope down the line, and playing under Archibald, you couldn't ask for a better mentor.
1. Len Bias - SF - Minnesota Timberwolves
19ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.3apg, 50% from 3
Grade: A
While some may question Bias' attitude after being found by police with cocaine in his possession, he has certainly turned things around. A stint in rehab before training camp has seemingly refocused his entire mind-set heading into the season. Already showing glimpses of his best (a 32 point outburst already this season), Bias and Richmond have gelled together perfectly, taking a team many considered to be lottery bound to .500 over their first 14 games. His size and strength should improve, which will no doubt improve his defensive capabilities. When the defense comes together with the already flourishing offensive game, the future is bright for Bias.
2. Alonzo Mourning - C - Atlanta Hawks
8.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.5bpg, 22 mins per game
Grade: B+
Rumours are circulating around media outlets that the Atlanta Hawks might face sanctions in regards to Free Agent tampering. Many believe the Hawks reached out to Trey Mourning before June's draft, promising to select his cousin Alonzo (the cousins are extremely close) so long as Trey signed with Atlanta in July. The Hawks were close to selecting Gary Payton with the 2nd pick but ultimately chose Alonzo, who is showing promise in a backup role. His 10 point, 10 rebound, 9 block game early in the season has many fans in Atlanta excited about just how good Alonzo could become, with his cousin as his mentor.
3. Dikembe Mutombo - C- Seattle Supersonics
9.3ppg, 12.3rpg, 4.9bpg
Grade: A+
Much has been made about the now infamous Alonzo Mourning/Dikembe Mutombo fight in the NCAA final earlier this year. The two most dominant defensive big men in recent memory formed a duo to be feared, but after the falling out, now are bitter rivals. When Zo was taking before Dikembe, he saw it as a personal insult. So much so that he has gone out to prove he should have been the Number 1 pick. And he isn't disappointing; leading the league in blocks at an astonishing 5 per game, and also collecting 12 boards as well. Well on his way to winning rookie of the year honours.
4. Gary Payton - PG - Brooklyn Nets
13.5ppg, 7.6apg, 2.9spg
Grade: A
Payton always plays with a chip on his shoulder. After coming from a moderately sized school in Oregon State, Payton found himself at the draft combine alongside college stars from big schools like Mourning and Mutumbo from Georgetown. Payton dominated the combine, even going so far as to getting in a pushing contest with several rookies on different occasions. His work ethic showed off with several teams debating whether they wanted to trade up and select him. Ultimately he was picked by Brooklyn, and his abilities to play as a pass-first, defensive style point guard were on display. It is seemingly developing into a 3 way race for RoTY honours between Bias, Mutumbo and Payton.
5. Glen Rice - SF - Charlotte Hornets
6.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg
Grade: C+
Fresh off of a sex tape with a STD-ridden Alaskian news anchor ( deadspin.com/5841835/all-the-details-of-the-sarah-palin-glen-rice-coitus-youve-been-waiting-for ), it seems as if Glen Rice's penis is the only thing that is currently on fire. Shooting below 40% from the field, many expected Rice to have a better start to his rookie campaign. Many believe this is just a phase and a side-effect to the herpes treatment, but at the moment, Rice is not living up to expectations as the 5th pick in a stacked draft such as this.
6. Larry Johnson - PF - Brooklyn Nets
15.5ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.2spg
Grade: A
The second of Brooklyn's picks, Larry Johnson has surprised many people. Putting up 15.5ppg and grabbing nearly 10 boards, Johnson has ensured Brooklyn's future is very bright. One downside though is despite his high points output, he is only shooting 42% from the field. If that could get closer to 50% the guy could turn out to be very scary. The three man race for rookie of the year just expanded to four, and to the joy of Brooklyn fans, they have two hats in that circle.
7. Vlade Divac - C - Miami Heat
6.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.4bpg
Grade: B-
Not much is known about Vlade Divac. He came to America on a boat long ago, searching for the American Dream. Always tall for his age, Vlade was discovered at the age of 8 by renowned coach Mickey Goldmill. Goldmill had some unusual training routines, namely using martial arts and boxing training to keep Vlade's fitness up. As a result of Vlade not speaking English, he did not realise Goldmill was in fact a boxing coach. Some might attribute this to the fact Vlade is athletically at an NBA level, but his fundamentals aren't. With proper staff at the Heat, Vlade should show improvement. Currently the majority of his points are coming simply from hustle plays. His play has been a little Rocky at best.
8. Earl Manigault - SG - Charlotte Hornets
16.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.6apg
Grade: A
Some may doubt whether or not Earl is coachable, coming from a streetball origin. This led many to believe he had already reached his peak in terms of his play. Still, after getting traded from Portland to Charlotte, The Goat has begun his rookie season off well. Scoring at 16ppg on a very solid 47%, many consider Earl the most NBA ready of any rookie players. Only time will tell, however, if Earl has peaked, or if he is able to accept coaching from the staff in Charlotte and improve to a higher level of player.
9. Derrick Coleman - PF - Sacramento Kings
4 pizzas per day, 9 ice-creams per hour
Grade: B-
Derrick Coleman is the man of mystery in this draft. Touted as an amazing prospect and a once in a generation player, his attitude and lack of dieting/conditioning has lead to him not being up to NBA standards. The fundamentals are all there, all that is missing, however, is the mindset and the body. If Coleman can get his mind right, this could end up being the steal of the draft.
10. Tim Hardaway - PG - Philadelphia 76ers
2.4ppg, 1.4apg
Grade: B-
Coming into the draft there was a lot of hype surrounding Hardaway, however unluckily for him, he is currently behind Tiny Archibald in the depth charts who is having an amazing year. With the Sixers sitting pretty at 9-1, it doesn't seem likely Hardaway will see many minutes in his rookie campaign. However there could be hope down the line, and playing under Archibald, you couldn't ask for a better mentor.
