During the NBA draft on June 23, the Sacramento Kings received rights to the services of former Brigham Young University standout, Jimmer Fredette due to a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Charlotte Bobcats earlier that night.
With the addition of Fredette, who averaged 29 points per game and earned the National Player of the Year award during his last season at BYU, the Kings are built to put a lot of points on the board for many seasons to come. Former R.O.Y. ( Rookie of the Year), Tyreke Evans will be in his third season with the Kings and he and Fredette will potentially have the opportunity switch off the point guard and shooting guard positions during games in the upcoming season.
I think Evans should be the primary point guard because his ability to get to the rim off the dribble, as well as, his court vision are very impressive. And with Fredette's unrealistic range from beyond the three-point line the Kings would be a hard team to guard, especially with Evans demanding help from the defense with his penetration.
The Kings have another pure scorer in Marcus Thornton who could also shoot the lights out from anywhere on the court, and they have a sometimes hotheaded, but very talented young big man in DeMarcus Cousins who (when focused) can produce a 20 point 10 rebound game every night.
Sacramento is very young, but talented team and have the potential to make some noise and get into the playoffs in the near future just like another young and talented team that made it into the playoffs this past NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Kings' announcers will be in for a lot of "Jimmer for threeee!" statements when this pinpoint shooter begins his, hopefully long career in the NBA.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Bright Future In The Jazzy City
According to multilple sources, the 2011 Mock Draft has the Utah Jazz selecting former Kentucky Wildcat, Brandon Knight with the third pick overall and former Kansas Jayhawk, Marcus Morris with the 12th pick overall during the NBA draft on June 23rd, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
The Jazz have already shaken things up during this past season, when their long-time head coach Jerry Sloan (23 years) resigned on Feb. 10 during the 2010-11 season. His replacement at the helm is Assistant coach Ty Corbin.
Utah not only lost the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA, but they also traded the face of their franchise in Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets for rookie power forward and potential star, Derrick Favors and point guard, Devin Harris during the season.
With that being said, if the Jazz draft Knight and Morris on Thursday night then they would add two more young potential stars to their already young and talented roster. That roster includes, all-star forward Al Jefferson, defensive prowess Andrei Kirilenko, Butler university standout Gordon Hayward, Harris, Favors and a few other talented players.
Knight is an intelligent floor-general who could learn a lot from starting guard Harris, and he is talented enough to challenge Harris for the lead-guard spot next season. Knight is not scared to take the big-shot late in games and has comnposure to finish strong even when he's not have a good statistical performance throughout a game.
On the other hand, Morris is a skilled offensive post player who is not shy about pulling from behind the arc and knocking down a couple threes for his team. Imagine a 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11 big man stretching the floor with his perimeter shooting, that's pretty scary.
Knight led the Wildcats to the Final Four of 2011 NCAA tournament, while Morris led his Jayhawks to a number one seed in the tournament and an Elite Eight appearance. Knight averaged 17.3 points per game and 4.3 assists per game during his first and only season at Kentucky. Morris averaged 12.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game during his three-year career at Kansas.
If all goes as projected, then the Western conference will have to watch out for this newly revamped franchise. It would be tough, but the Jazz could make the post season during the 2011-12 season.
The Jazz have already shaken things up during this past season, when their long-time head coach Jerry Sloan (23 years) resigned on Feb. 10 during the 2010-11 season. His replacement at the helm is Assistant coach Ty Corbin.
Utah not only lost the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA, but they also traded the face of their franchise in Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets for rookie power forward and potential star, Derrick Favors and point guard, Devin Harris during the season.
With that being said, if the Jazz draft Knight and Morris on Thursday night then they would add two more young potential stars to their already young and talented roster. That roster includes, all-star forward Al Jefferson, defensive prowess Andrei Kirilenko, Butler university standout Gordon Hayward, Harris, Favors and a few other talented players.
Knight is an intelligent floor-general who could learn a lot from starting guard Harris, and he is talented enough to challenge Harris for the lead-guard spot next season. Knight is not scared to take the big-shot late in games and has comnposure to finish strong even when he's not have a good statistical performance throughout a game.
On the other hand, Morris is a skilled offensive post player who is not shy about pulling from behind the arc and knocking down a couple threes for his team. Imagine a 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11 big man stretching the floor with his perimeter shooting, that's pretty scary.
Knight led the Wildcats to the Final Four of 2011 NCAA tournament, while Morris led his Jayhawks to a number one seed in the tournament and an Elite Eight appearance. Knight averaged 17.3 points per game and 4.3 assists per game during his first and only season at Kentucky. Morris averaged 12.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game during his three-year career at Kansas.
If all goes as projected, then the Western conference will have to watch out for this newly revamped franchise. It would be tough, but the Jazz could make the post season during the 2011-12 season.
Friday, June 10, 2011
NBA Comeback For "The Answer"?
The former 14-year NBA superstar, Allen "The Answer" Iverson is in high spirits about making a comeback to the NBA in the very near future.
His ability to perform at the high level he once played with in the NBA will be in question when and if the 36-year-old gets another shot at putting on an NBA jersey.
"It's me," he responded, while laughing when asked if he could still perform at a high level. "That's what gives me confidence. I know what I can do. Everybody in the world knows what I can do. Everybody knows what I can do on the basketball court."
Iverson believes he can still hoop with the best of them, so why should his and NBA fans think otherwise? It would be hard to disagree with a guy who is that confident in himself. He's a player who uses his quickness, and leg-kick jump shot to produce points. Also, Iverson seems to have found that maturity that a veteran, who used to be "The Man", needs to succeed in the latter years of his career.
"Just give me a training camp," he said. "Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."
If an owner and general manager gives the "waiting" Iverson a chance, and if he can prove to live up to the mature words he is using now, then he could definitely help a team compete for a championship.
He would provide a team with pure scoring ability off the bench and can spark a team and home crowd, and also silence a deafening fan base when his team visits another team's home court.
With that being said, Iverson's longing to return to the NBA courts may be postponed, not just by possible unwilling teams to use his services, but a potential NBA lockout. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will expire June 30th.
Commissioner, David Stern and the NBA Players Association have been meeting to try and agree on a new CBA, but no agreement has been made yet.
All in all, Iverson is knocking at the NBA door, and awaits an answer from a willing team to take a chance on him, so he can answer those calls for an energy boost, a big shot and/or a big defensive play that many teams need in today's NBA.
His ability to perform at the high level he once played with in the NBA will be in question when and if the 36-year-old gets another shot at putting on an NBA jersey.
"It's me," he responded, while laughing when asked if he could still perform at a high level. "That's what gives me confidence. I know what I can do. Everybody in the world knows what I can do. Everybody knows what I can do on the basketball court."
Iverson believes he can still hoop with the best of them, so why should his and NBA fans think otherwise? It would be hard to disagree with a guy who is that confident in himself. He's a player who uses his quickness, and leg-kick jump shot to produce points. Also, Iverson seems to have found that maturity that a veteran, who used to be "The Man", needs to succeed in the latter years of his career.
"Just give me a training camp," he said. "Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."
If an owner and general manager gives the "waiting" Iverson a chance, and if he can prove to live up to the mature words he is using now, then he could definitely help a team compete for a championship.
He would provide a team with pure scoring ability off the bench and can spark a team and home crowd, and also silence a deafening fan base when his team visits another team's home court.
With that being said, Iverson's longing to return to the NBA courts may be postponed, not just by possible unwilling teams to use his services, but a potential NBA lockout. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will expire June 30th.
Commissioner, David Stern and the NBA Players Association have been meeting to try and agree on a new CBA, but no agreement has been made yet.
All in all, Iverson is knocking at the NBA door, and awaits an answer from a willing team to take a chance on him, so he can answer those calls for an energy boost, a big shot and/or a big defensive play that many teams need in today's NBA.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Better Brother to Rep "Brotherly Love"
Trade talks have been rearing its head during this premature off-season between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors earlier today.
The centerpieces of the trade includes the six-year pro, Monta Ellis and seven-year pro, Andre Iguadala. When it comes to the money situation all grounds are covered under the current league salary cap. According to ESPN.com, Ellis is owed $11 million per year for the next three seasons, while Iguodala will earn $13.5 million during the 2011-2012 season and that amount will increase $1.2 million in both of the next two seasons.
As far as comparing the two players on their skills, it is undoubtedly a great move for both teams to make because each player would fill a void that they both need. Ellis would give the 76ers what Iguodala could not and that is a STAR who can close the deal when the game is on the line. Ellis is known for being an arrogant "gunner" and a "jack", but those labels have been slowly fading away after he recently married a police woman and started a new life. Ellis seems willing to listen to his head coach and become more of a team player.
With this new found humbleness, Ellis would be a great student under 76ers head coach, Doug Collins, who improved his young Philly team's record from last season by 14 games and led them to the seventh seed in this year's playoffs. Ellis is also a great perimeter defender and is a proven scorer (24.1 points per game this season), who will get his volume of shots with Jrue Holiday (a pass-first point guard) passing him the ball.
As far as Iguodala, he could not be the STAR in Philly because he is not that type of player. He has the skills of a triple-double threat almost every night with points, rebounds and assists. He averaged 11.4 points, 7 rebounds and 6.8 assists a game this season. Iggy would be a great compliment player for a team who has a star already in place or one in the making, which the Warriors have in Stephen Curry. Iggy's passing and rebounding abilities will help a team like Golden State, who prides themselves on getting out in transition at a very fast pace. He also has a 6-foot-6 frame that Ellis does not, which will enlarge the Warriors perimeter defense by three inches.
Philadelphia is in need of a star, and the Warriors of in need of a willing passer and all-around player. This deal is in the discussion process, and hopefully it goes through because both teams need a change of personnel.
The centerpieces of the trade includes the six-year pro, Monta Ellis and seven-year pro, Andre Iguadala. When it comes to the money situation all grounds are covered under the current league salary cap. According to ESPN.com, Ellis is owed $11 million per year for the next three seasons, while Iguodala will earn $13.5 million during the 2011-2012 season and that amount will increase $1.2 million in both of the next two seasons.
As far as comparing the two players on their skills, it is undoubtedly a great move for both teams to make because each player would fill a void that they both need. Ellis would give the 76ers what Iguodala could not and that is a STAR who can close the deal when the game is on the line. Ellis is known for being an arrogant "gunner" and a "jack", but those labels have been slowly fading away after he recently married a police woman and started a new life. Ellis seems willing to listen to his head coach and become more of a team player.
With this new found humbleness, Ellis would be a great student under 76ers head coach, Doug Collins, who improved his young Philly team's record from last season by 14 games and led them to the seventh seed in this year's playoffs. Ellis is also a great perimeter defender and is a proven scorer (24.1 points per game this season), who will get his volume of shots with Jrue Holiday (a pass-first point guard) passing him the ball.
As far as Iguodala, he could not be the STAR in Philly because he is not that type of player. He has the skills of a triple-double threat almost every night with points, rebounds and assists. He averaged 11.4 points, 7 rebounds and 6.8 assists a game this season. Iggy would be a great compliment player for a team who has a star already in place or one in the making, which the Warriors have in Stephen Curry. Iggy's passing and rebounding abilities will help a team like Golden State, who prides themselves on getting out in transition at a very fast pace. He also has a 6-foot-6 frame that Ellis does not, which will enlarge the Warriors perimeter defense by three inches.
Philadelphia is in need of a star, and the Warriors of in need of a willing passer and all-around player. This deal is in the discussion process, and hopefully it goes through because both teams need a change of personnel.
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