Category: NBA

NBA Draft Stock Watch

With the NBA Draft order set, mock drafts are now falling into order a lot easier. However, with the order set, that won’t provide answers for some of the most questionable prospects in the draft. When it comes to making it in the NBA, you have to have the size, strenght, IQ, and specific skill set based on position in order to make it in the NBA. While some players come in with all of the above, many lack 1 or 2 and this puts them on the fringe of where in the draft they go or if they even go at all. Lets take a look at some of the more questionable prospects in the draft.

Georgia State Guard, RJ Hunter

RJ Hunter had a decorated career at Georgia State under his dad as head coach. At 6’6, 190 pounds, Hunter definitely has the size and strength to play shooting guard at the next level. After averaging 19.7 points per game, theres no question if RJ can score. What scouts are taking a closer look at is his efficiency. Hunter was underwhelming shooting 39% from the floor and 31% from 3 point range. However, scouts are looking through that noticing he was the face of a team that relied on him to shoot a lot, sometimes contested and off balance jumpers. In the right system and role in the NBA, scouts thing he can 44% field goal and 40% 3 point shooter he was during the 2013-2014 season at Georgia State. Look for Hunter to go late in the 1st round.

Kentucky Guards, Andrew and Aaron Harrison

Both Aaron and Andrew Harrison were big time prospects coming out of high school. After a freshmen year that saw them play well but not spectacular, they decided to stay another year at Kentucky. Still both did not do much to help there cases for the NBA Draft. However, they’re leaving Kentucky for the NBA. At 6’6 about 210 pounds each they make for interesting guards in the NBA. Both can play point but aren’t necessarily great facilitators. Could they have been hurt by playing with so many other great players at Kentucky that their minutes and overall numbers were diluted? Sure, and thats what any NBA team is hoping if they draft them. These guys will look to be picked in the 2nd round or catch on with someone via Summer League play.

Syracuse Power Forward/Center Rakeem Christmas

Rakeem Christmas burst onto the scene this season for the Orange averaging 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. Problem is, this wasn’t your typical 25-7 Syracuse Orange squad. Christmas did if for an 18-13 team, 9-9 in ACC play and missed the Big Dance. Another red flag is senior season point total eclipsed his previous 3 years on campus point total together. Where was this Christmas the previous 3 years? Can he continue to play at this level for years to come? Can his 6’9 225 pound frame hang with the NBA big men? He’s a tough prospect to project but someone should take him in the 2nd round.

Remembering Marbury

Stephon Marbury last played in the NBA during the 2008-2009 NBA season but has put together a nice career for himself in China. He recently won his 3rd Chinese Basketball Association title with the Beijing Ducks and was named finals MVP. There exist a statue of him outside the arena in which he plays his home games. His latest honor you ask? Marbury will be recognized on a stamp. Yes, that’s right, a stamp. Although he wasn’t a fan favorite in the NBA, he has made quite a name for himself in China. Let’s take a look at what was his NBA career.

A high school phenom from Brooklyn, New York, Marbury entered the 1996 NBA Draft following just 1 season at Georgia Tech. Marbury was selected 4th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks but shortly thereafter he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Marbury played well for Minnesota but wanted to be closer to home and forced a trade that sent him to the New Jersey Nets.

Will Selva - Stephon MarburyMarbury played like an All-Star in New Jersey but the team wasn’t winning and he was traded to Phoenix for Jason Kidd. The Nets headed to the NBA Finals and the Suns didn’t. After 3 years in Phoenix, Marbury was on the move again.

Marbury was traded to the New York Knicks during the 2003-2004 season. That summer, Marbury played for the United States in the Olympics and was part of a team that failed to get the gold. It seemed like everywhere he went, losing followed.

Marbury was a part of Knick teams that continually spent big on free agents but put no product on the court. Eventually, Mike D’Antoni became the Knicks coach. D’Antoni thought Chris Duhon was a better fit to run the point in NY and Marbury was inactive on a nightly basis. In a December game, D’Antoni told Marbury he was going to play but Marbury refused. Marbury was then banned from practice and games and was told to stay home. He was eventually waived in February of 2009 and signed with the Boston Celtics. Following that season, he took a year off and eventually signed in China. And the rest is history.

Who is the NBA’s MVP?

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love was recently criticized for calling Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook the NBA’s MVP over current teammate LeBron James. Westbrook is currently on a stretch where it seems like every night he takes the floor he’s getting a triple double. Early in the season, the Thunder had both Kevin Durant and Westbrook out and since have been trying to make up ground in the Western Conference to make the playoffs. However, after returning from injury, Kevin Durant is now sidelined again indefinitely and possibly for the season. Russell Westbrook has taken it upon himself to have the Thunder make the playoffs.

Russell Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.2 rebounds a night. Phenomenal numbers from anyone today and the best of his career. All numbers are well above his career average and at age 26, the best may be yet to come. He currently has the Thunder sitting in the last playoff spot at 41-30, 3 games ahead of the 9th place Phoenix Suns.

Another candidate is Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Curry currently has the Warriors with the best record in the NBA at 58-13 and the #1 seed in the Western Conference playoff picture. On the year Curry is averaging 23.4 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. While Westbrook’s numbers exceed all of Curry’s, its the way Curry goes about reaching those numbers that separates him from Westbrook. Curry shoots 48%, 42%, and 91% (field, 3pt, free throw) while Westbrook shoots 43%, 31%, and 84%. Curry also averages 1 less turnover a night. Curry is more efficient in the way he goes about hitting his numbers, and he also has his team in first place.

Will Selva - James Harden

James Harden has been phenomenal for the Houston Rockets. Even when star center Dwight Howard has been sidelined, Harden has made sure the Rockets don’t skip a beat. At 47-23, the Rockets trail only the Warriors and Grizzlies in the Western Conference playoff picture. Harden has been incredible, especially of late with a 44 point performance against Indiana and a career high 50 vs Denver. He’s currently averaging 27.2 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.8 rebounds a night.

It’s not an MVP conversation if we don’t mention LeBron James. James again is having a tremendous season averaging 25.9 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game. However, his points and rebounds are down in comparison to his career numbers. In fact, this seasons points per game output is the 2nd lowest of his career with only his rookie season lower. James has the Cavaliers sitting at 46-26, good for second in the Eastern Conference. However, they are unlikely to catch the first place Atlanta Hawks. Still although this isn’t his best season he does need to be in the discussion for MVP.